Coming Home

[Cara McKenna]

"Promise never to lie to me"...he had once said to her, and she had made that promise and kept it all this time...too bad she had not extracted that same promise from Him then.Her face remained a calm visage,but if one were to look into her eyes at that moment they would see the pain and anger awash in the dark liquid depths.However looking into her eyes at that moment would be difficult at best for anyone as she kept her head down.Pushing herself to rise from the bedside then she nodded then turned and walked a small distance away,pausing to look out the window there.She paid no attention to the Queen or Kyle for a time simply let her thoughts tumble inside of her.So much she wanted to say but wouldn't as it was unbecoming of a lady, and truth told part of her nay wished to speak, simply bottle it up. Though like any vessel with contents under pressure she would surely soon pop.

[Lady Edfeil]

(jumping ahead, because of part of this RP that happened in the room.))

*She had spoken to Kyle. It had taken time. And the result was nae what she had wished for. They had been gathered in the hall, and when footsteps announced another joining the little gathering, joy was the first emotion within their hearts. But joy had faded when they saw Kyle, up right, walking and better, but with an expression in his eyes that seemed close to death itsself. And then they had learned. The ones behind this trap, were the ones who years ago, tried to kill Kyle, tried to kill his wife. And succeeded there. Vengeance had been his life and death then. But something had changed. Or had it? Maybe time had just faded the darkness but now the cloud of this new attempt had brought it back to the fore.

She had looked at Cara, looked for her friends to find guidance. But for once, she was truely afraid that she, that Windstorm, might fail. One promise she had asked and received, that he would nae ride out alone and seek vengeance or make a target of himself alone, without warning. It nae was much. But it was that.

Some things would nae spread, even in the gossip of the castle, but the fact that the attack had been aimed at Kyle, had been attempted by those who killed his young bride long ago would nae remain hidden long. And he had more friends now than those after him would have ever reckoned with.

[Sir Kyle Draven]

Okay hum, not a problem. *S*))

[Repsol]

He stood and looked coldly westward his stare piercing, he looked upon the track ahead of him as it dissapeared into the shaded woodland, he knew exactly where he was having patroled these lands tirelessly, alas those days had gone and in their place was coldness and nothingness.
Almost a year to the date or as near as he cared was the wars of Dragons and Men and the cursed drow and he was here again looking upon the lands which gave him everything, he was here to carry out a duty an agreement he laid at King Agustins feet and then at the feet of his fair Queen Eddie a promise which even he would never retract in life.
He knew by horse he could reach the village in half a days hard ride on foot mayhap a day and a half time had passed slowly since he last saw the place he once called home things had changed...in him.
He took a pace and it seemed as his weight carried him to the other foot, he moved from the path and into the trees, his pace quickening until he was into a pace, he leapt planting his foot onto a fallen tree and pushing off he covered more ground and he was in the treeline away from prying eyes.
He carried on at pace the branches of the overhanging trees whipping at his face and neck, not missing a step, the slight mist of breath escaping his mouth in the cold of the morn getting quicker, he was moving as if he wished his heart to explode, darting between trees as they came upon him he had found a rythem which saw him moving quickly through undergrowth and low hung trees, he had just one thought now to reach the village at nightfall on the morrow, secure food and mayhap some lodging a barn would suit and if any livestock pass he shall feast too but for now his total being was used to cover the undulating ground, trees and bushes ahead of him he was obsessed with this part of his mission for as he was now on Windstorm's lands his promise to his Queen and the family of this great house shall be enforced.
Cursing as a tree root rips at his foot throwing him slightly off ballance he pushed off a tree to his left and regained the pace of before slowing for nothing where he once would have stopped to look around it seemed to matter not.
As the track wound off to his left he exited the wood into a meadow not slowing he did not wish to be compromised in the open, his pace quickened as he covered the flat ground towards another copse off to his left which seemed to follow the track he had lost sight of for a few moments, the meadow left he was back into the cold shade of the trees once more his pace lesser to allow him to negotiate the obstacles which lay ahead, he knew he needed to slow to arrive when he wished...but not yet he carried on relentless towards his goal....

[Repsol]

His mind raced as quickly as his body moved between the trees tossing in the ocassional curse upon himself for not seeing a low branch thus causing him delay of seconds but a delay none the less, his pace had been maintained although not as effortlessly as may it have been some years hence but a pace most young fellows would be proud of.
He thought of his freind and Man at Arms whom he had buried some months ago now and somehow would compare it to one he lost long ago neither should have been buried yet and he cursed them for they had found peace and left him alone.
The trees now became more dense and his pace eased somewhat he needed to find a way to keep his pace, he moved to his left picking his way through the thick undergrowth until he reached the low grass bank which lined the sides of the narrow track, moving back to the edge of the tree line he took a knee and gulped in the air, the cold air bit onto his nostrils and throat a taste and smell he had become accustomed to, he knelt quietly for a few moments his eyes scanning to his left then to his right at a glance taking in everything which surrounded him, he listened hard, the birds in song and squirrels rustling in the trees above him told he was alone.
From what he knew of his surroundings he gathered the village was closer than he first thought though still some distance needed to be travelled afore he could rest proper, he glanced a tree and for an instance he saw what remained of a small crimson triangle hanging from a branch somewhat weathered and the crimson had faded to a light red in color, he snapped his mind back and stood moving out from the trees, he would need to use the track for a while to allow him the speed in which he needed to move.
He moved foreward into a run once more searching the trees either side of him for a chance to once more leave the track until he found such he would be open to whatever elements he would encounter though this was not a choice he would make, he cared not for company at this time of any kind.
The sun was now high in the sky and he knew a rest and then to travel by night would be to his advantage, he had covered some ground, he slowed slightly to look around at the huge trees he spotted a gap and moved into the tree line once more seeking a tree easy enough to climb but one which would offer cover and hide him from view of the track, he looked to about 20 yards to his front and saw the perfect place it was a huge Horse chestnut with surrounded by smaller but climable trees which he would use to get him upon the huge branches.
He began to climb it was draingin him physically but he relentlessly carried on knowing soon he could rest and prepare for the remainder of his journey.
With one last grunt and all his effort he pulled himself onto the lowest branch which was sturdy enough to hold him he climbed closer to the trunk and seatd himself cross legged, he looked down and was actually comfortable he looked to where he would lower himself as it would be dark when next he sees the woodland, he pulled the pouch to his front and took out herbs and berries, placing them in his mouth he chewed slowly closing his eyes his eyes though he didn't know why as sleep evaded him he fell into the pit of dreams and nightmares which filled his mind....

[Lady Edfeil]

(LOVE to see you in here too, Repsol! The guards of WS are more vigilant and the patrolls are two or more instead of the usual one.))

[Repsol]

((Oh thats right and I thought I could just saunter up to the gates all lost like And ye throw me a snake eyes with the dice, , no doubt he will some how find a surprise for his Queen somewhere along the way ))

[Repsol]

He slowly opened his eyes to see the sun falling behind the trees to the west, he pulled the bag open and took out the mixture of herbs and berries he placed them in his mouth and chewed slowly looking onto the floor beneath him he scanned all he could see before making any real movements.
Deciding the area beneath him was clear he shifted his weight from his now numb backside it was most definately not the most comfortable seat he knew, he drew himself up and reached over to the branches of thtree which he had used to climb to his perch, reaching a foot and placing it on a lower branch he shifted his body to the tree, as the branch lowered itself and creaked softly under his weight he climbed down dropping the last 6 foot or so, he stayed crouched for a few seconds and looked round once more, the area was clear, he stood best he could and moved slowly to where the trees met the track, the light was fading quickly he scaned the track looking first right then to his left, his freinds the birds would let him know of any pending unwanted company so long as they chirped and sang he would be safe, he stepped out onto the track and began to run once more.
His pace was relentless every twist or turn where he lost sight of the track caused him to slow and search the road ahead before proceeding.
After a while he began to smell smoke from a fire and soon would see the distant flicker of a light from a window, he slowed to a fast walk to a broken fence which was the perimeter to a small farm, he searched his mind and remembered the farm from his patrols and knew the family to be good and loyal to the House of Windstorm and he also knew now the Castle and village where not as far as he had first thought.
The nights dark blanket covered him now along with the countryside in which he was moving, he looked over the fence as he heard a rustling he sniffed the air and moved under the fence and onto a grassed area where after some steps he came across a cow he ran his hand down its neck so as to settle it, then he passed his hand over its side and under its stomach to its udder counting his blessings.
From the light of the lantern in the window he could just see a bowl, he picked it up and turned back to the cow, he would not take much just what he needs to quench his thirst from those damn berries and herbs, he blew on his hands to warm them and knelt by the cows hind leg just out of kicking distance and placed his right hand gently around a teat, holding the bowl in his left hand he turned his head to the side and leant against the cow as he began to squeeze softly and pulled gently all in one motion he could hear the liquid squirting into the wooden bowl, relief passed over him as he continued to fill the bowl.
He moved to a low tree to the corner of the fence and squated down to drink, after emptying the bowl he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, placing the bowl on the ground he looked to the porch of the house and began to move forward, he automatically reached to his boot top and drew the dagger he stood on the wooden boards they creaked, he stopped dead in his tracks, then he heard movement from inside, the door swung open and a man appeared in the doorway, the man looked around holding a lantern above his head he cursed those damn foxes, turned and slammed shut the door.
In his haste to retreat he had flung himseld onto the grass and rolled under a shrub, as his senses came back his nose was the first to notice he had not got there cleanly and it seemed the cow had got it's revenge for the milk, he scraped off what he could and moved to the track once more...

[Sir Kyle Draven]

Looking good. I will read the rest when I come home and post. A new thread will be started or just will continue on this and expand. Good to see you Bro. ))

[Repsol]

Since he was now well away from the farm he slowed his pace to that of slower than a run and a walk he listened as he moved along, The moon lurking behind the clouds offered very little in the way of light which didn't bother him too much his eyes where now accustom to the dark and could make out certain things he came across the stone marker as he knelt to look upon it its direction pointed out the village which was only 4 miles further down the track, he knew he would arrive before day break then he could rest before moving on to the Castle.
He stood and picked up the pace once more as he noticed the trees where now thinning so would offer him little if no protection from any enquiring eyes.
After a while he arrived at a shop on the outskirts of the village it was the staging house with its huge barn standing behind it he looked closely both the shop,Inn and barn where all in darkness, the sun would be up soon his eyes searched and soon they fell on a dull red glow on the night clouds he knew this to be Windstorm.
He found an upright barrel and used it to climb through the window in to the barn, he slid from the window onto the floor, the aroma told him there was livestock in lodgings he did not wish to disturb them and cause any unwanted noise, he found a rickety ladder and began to climb up to the hay loft, he moved til he found a solid wall the straw smelled fresh he layed down with his back to the wall and smothered himself with loose straw and settled down to rest..

[Repsol]

Morning arrived too quickly as he got a start from voices below him moving horses which sounded as though they wished to remain where they are, a womans voice well a young girls voice shouting to a lad it appeared he could not see them, he pushed back slightly to ensure the wall was at his back he had no bearings as it was night when he arrived here but it seems he had found the bedding loft he was hoping they did not clean out totally first thing otherwise he would be left to plead his case or at worst stop the questions before they started!
He slowed his breath to an almost whisper and listened as the bustle below him carried on for what seemed many minutes, then the doors closed with a clatter and there was silence, he waited for a while then lifted his head, straw covered him he stood and moved to the loft doorway to look out on the wakening village, very seldom he knew did people look upwards he knelt near the opening and continued to clean the hay and straw from his clothing and hair, he needed to bathe and shave he could not present himself like this, then he looked down to his flea bitten clothes, his leather pants still had the scars of the wars, his blousson was somewhat disshevelled and grey and his hair ...He concluded he was a mess and no amount of bathing would scrub him clean so that decided he would find breakfast, he lifted his money pouch and tipped five peices of silver into his hand he partly nodded to the coins knowing he could eat well for this morning, he needed to wait til dark afore visiting the Castle.
He lowered himself down and into the street below, he soon dissapeared into the villagers with few if any paying him any attention at all, he made his way to a stall with hung meat and bread rounds the aroma was heavenly, he had been on berries and herbs for too long, picked ham and two rounds placing a silver peice in the womans hand, she automatically lifted it to her mouth and bit it, looking to him she smiled wryly and placed it in her apron turning to her next customer, he moved away with the throng to find a quiet corner somewhere....
After some time he found a quiet place though he was not alone, he had found the pawper quarter of the village men and women fallen from society gathered, he moved to one side and sat, he pulled up the hood to cover his face and took out his bread and broke a good peice off, laid some of the ham across it and took a huge mouthful as if he hadn't eaten for months, he chewed it quickly and swallowed deep, then has his hand lifted to take another bite a rusting blade tip appeared at the tip of his nose he did not move other than to lower his food wrapping it in a dirty peice of hessian he had acquired from somewhere, it appeared the owner of this rusting peice of metal had a voice...
'Hand it oer or have it tekken from thee stranger, tha comes round ere an spex us to watch tha ate it alone we share us food ere we do'
Without a word he moved his leg to allow the long cloak fall from the Kings sword he laid a finger on the tip of the rusting blade and moved it from his face not once allowing eye contact with the owner of the sick excuse of a weapon.
'Ere thats a fine peice of steel furra scroat wi nae money who tha tek it frum a bodi cos tha dunt look much'
Whilest the bloke whimpered on he had gathered his position he lifted his head slightly so he may judge where he was he saw his feet about a foot away, he lowered his left leg to be flat on the floor, without warning he rolled to his left bringing over his right leg whilest jamming his left foot against the mans instep of his left foot the man reeled to his knees, Repsol continued in a single movement to come up onto his left knee aside the mans left thigh and his right inner thigh against the mans buttock with his right foot planted aside the mans right knee, reaching forwad with his left hand grasping the mans hair whilest with his his right hand lifting the dagger from his right boot he ripped the mans head back and placed the blade against his throat, the man for a split second was dead he gasped to speak being taken aback...'Am hungry tis all wot gud will a have dun to ye wi this rotten old steel stick'
His words stopped a knife being slid across his throat and he knew he couldnt risk being on the end of a search of the village, scuffles happened all the time but killings tend to draw attention, he clasped the knife handle hard took it from the mans neck and lifted his fist and brought it down on the man striking him hard at the back of the head, the body slumped motionaless, he replaced the blade and turned lifting his hessian and moved off within seconds he was lost in the throng once more, pulling the long cape around him lowering the hood over his face and moving slowly amongst the villagers freely he would eat later...

[Lady Edfeil]

((Oh.. Repsol has hardened!))

[Repsol]

As he mingled with shoppers and merchants he noted the village somewhat livelier than he remembered, the markets bristled with finery, livestock and materials, he moved to a point of the village where he could see the Castle.
He sat and filled his mind with thoughts of returning he knew walking up and demanding entry was.....then his thoughts broke off and he allowed a small wry smile to cross his lips he knew dusk would soon be upon the lands, he stood and moved to the village he turned a corner and his mind raced he looked around and found no one about, the timber wagon and two horses where unattended, he walked to the front and took the left hand horse by its thick leather bridle and began to walk them on, the huge wagon creaked into motion under the weight of the lumber which filled the wagon, he looked around but still no one gave chase or even shown concern for its loss.
He left the village and walked at the front towards the castle leading the horses slowly he watched riders enter and leave the main gates, the patrols where busy was there something amiss in the lands of Windstorm he would soon know, though getting an audience with the Queen or any council would be impossible....officially, unofficially now that was a different matter.
He led the horses slowly up to the main gates he lifted his hood further over his face, the sun lowed behind him which deepened his features further to the eyes of the guards he was a sillhouette, the wagon creaked to a halt as the first guard approached.

'Oi thee stand thee still what brings thee ere at this our' looking upon the trees and bushes which laden the wagon..
In a low voice he replied...'Sire I be a simple woodcutter who hath brung forth wood for our Queen and the Family o this great ouse'

Four other guards arrived with pikes and began rigorously thrusting them in any gap they could see, he noted six more guards on the entry to the Castle then the guard spoke once more..

'As tha gorra paper fo this lot', then his attention seemed to be taken by the aroma which began to fill his nostrils...'how long tha been on t road, gees tha stinks', he stepped back when one of the pikemen nodded his approval he had no one hidden, he then signalled to the gates, a pikeman on the other side of the wagon slapped the horse on the hind and the wagon began to creak forward again, it slowly passed by the men on the gate some of which Repsol knew though they had grown somewhat older than he remembered them, one guard pointed out the direction he should go, it seemed to take an age to pass as he turned the cart in the direction the last guard pointed he was inside the grounds of the Castle and his mind was flooded with memories as he began to recognise his surroundings, he left the cart when he was out of sight of the guards and moved to the stables....

[Lady Edfeil]

It was rare for carts to be sought but ye had come at an inauspicious time. Or mayhap it was auspicious. Another load of logs, another cart would nae have attracted attention, but precautions had been set up ever since Kyle had been attacked. The Queen had acquiesced reluctantly, but more easily than was usual with the heightened measures that might possibly hinder some travelers.
Nae matter what Kyle had said, she worried. Nae just about him, but about something that Gregor had mentioned: they would try to get to him where he was weakest. A place that they had been able to prepare for a trap. Or in turning in that was dearest to him into a trap. His home.

She had nae mentioned the possibility to any, save for the Master Sergeant and Dieter. But the mere fact that wares were being searched and the amount of guards manning the walls said enough. Windstorm was in some state of alert.

[Perran]

Armed with a broom, young Perran prodded at the bundle he found still sleeping as the Sun rose from it's own slumbers. He was quite used to coming across the odd vagrant who, for reasons best known only to them, had not found their own beds, or made it back to the village. The Stables always seemed a safer option and of course the bedding was ample and mostly fresh. Now this one was no different, save but he smelled like something rotten had crawled in beside him, or he had laid upon horses droppings. Perran assumed he was a he.....from the snoring. No ordinary he though, by the looks of the cloak wrapped about the man, well now, he had not noticed until he poked with the broom handle, the crimson, the tell tale sign, one of Windstorm's own. Hmmm.....perhaps he should not poke too hard!

He stepped back and checked around the stables proper, there didn't seem to be any other sleeping beauties, nor anyone else who should not be there, young Gilbert was already feeding the horses, and all seemed as it should be. The Guards outside were patrolling still, changing regularly as they did, even more than before since Sir Kyle and all happened. Perran heard his stomach rumble, or was that the man's.....he had his breakfast wrapped in a muslin cloth, it was getting cold, he decided to poke again, this time just a little harder......."Wake up now, yers can nae stay 'ere......I gots some food iffen yers be 'ungry."