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Post by Halethala on Apr 23, 2004 9:55:22 GMT -5
The leisurely days she’d come to savor at Windstorm seemed a distant memory as of late, but the increased flurry of events that surrounded the dawning of realizing Sinold’s intentions to seek her hand in marriage were well worth the lack of tranquility. It seemed one thing upon the other presented themselves for consideration . . so much that she’d not realized must be decided . . There were times when she’d wondered why two people would subject themselves to such a grueling course of customs and tradtions, whether it wouldn’t be wiser to just agree with a proposal, join together, and that would be the end of it. But then she smiled . . she’d not truly wish it any other way. There was much wisdom in the customs, reasons for them built on centuries of human interaction. She would do her best to not skip any, to savor all those that seemed reasonable enough . .
She had just finished a long, luxurious bath in her quarters, the hot waters that the twins had so willingly brought up had cooled to a chill before she had regretfully risen to dry herself again. The scent of lavender permeated the room, clinging sweetly to her skin and lending a buoyancy to her spirits. After donning a soft white cotton gown, thinking to simply remain in her room for several hours in the company of one of the volumes she’d discovered in the Library, she heard the soft knock upon her door. Before her stood a young messenger, who ducked a blushed greeting and handed her a scroll. Her eyes fell upon the Loxley seal with a sense of wonder filling her. What had Lady Dream sent her? Her lively imagination raced to try to guess . . perhaps something they had shared from their shopping trip? An invitation to help in the gardens again? “Well, Letha . . . open it and find out, ye silly!”
Upon carefully breaking the seal, she gasped a bit at the handwriting . . Not Lady Dream’s, no . .
Dearest Lady Halethala,
My Lady,
Please ask for Gerrad and accompany him for a short ride to the second village south of windstorm......He has something of importance to show ye that One thinks ye would like .
Yours faithfully
Robin of Loxley
A shine of warm pleasure gleamed in her eyes as she read through the missive twice. Gerrad, was it! She’d so rarely seen the competent and kindly Ranger since returning from the Morrowyth excursion. How she looked forward to riding with him again! As she read it yet again, trying to find answers that weren’t there, her curiosity began to rise. But . . what would there possibly be in that village that would interest her? How could they know it would be something she would like? Oh now she WAS curious, and quickly dressed, rapidly braiding her hair back to keep it out of her face on the ride. Uncertain just where to find Gerrad, she strode off to the Guardhouse to see if anyone there could tell her.
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Post by Ranger Gerrad on Apr 27, 2004 8:38:36 GMT -5
Gerrad had nae been within Windstorms realm for some time, he had left immediately after escorting the Lady Halethala back home from their foray to Morrowyth and speaking to Robin, then meeting up with Rangers Todd & Watt who had stayed behind.
He was looking forward to meeting the Lady again as, on the trip back ,she had been withdrawn and ill. Hopefully what he had to show ,ask and inform her of would bring a smile to the Lady that was shortly to be wed. So with a lot of enthusiasm for his task he had saddled her steed and his own and set off in search of her. He found her at the Guard house and smiled when he saw her “Over here Lady Halethala”
With a smile ,as broad as they come, he led her to the stables where they mounted up and headed south towards the village of their destination.
“So I hears ye be getting wed soon M’Lady “ He smiled at her waiting for a response. “Good man that Sinold fella so Robin erm Lord Robin says “..The hours passed quickly as Gerrad listened to Halethala speak of Sinold and of other things and before they knew it they were at their destination. Dismounting quickly, Gerrad took Lady Halethala’s hand and helped her dismount despite her protests , and led her towards the small tavern . As they entered they were greeted by several Rangers and ushered to a table in the far corner of the inn.
Gerrad hushed the Rangers and faced Halethala
“ Lady Halethala , You have nae said a thing to any of us, yet we know that when we escorted ye to Morrowyth and there was that small skirmish, something was lost to ye other than the life of the owner of the keep. Now Ranger Todd & Watt have been tracking the woman and her son that fled during the fight. *Pulls out a map made by the Rangers and stabs a finger at it* This is where they be and with yer permission were goin ter get what is rightfully yers back again !! Ye just tell us what tis yers and we’ll get it …Ohh and Lord Robin asked this of us , so’s yer don’t have ter ‘ave ter feel it’s a task…..We want to do it !!...What say ye ??
Gerrad and the Rangers waited for Halethala to reply , desperately wanting to right a wrong , hoping for a positive answer. Gerrad placed a hand on the Lady Halethala’s shoulder as she turned slightly pale.
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Post by Halethala on Apr 28, 2004 8:12:10 GMT -5
She was certain they would not guess the depth of the feelings behind the paleness of her face.
She’d been almost as giddy as a young maiden at the thought of riding off from Windstorm again, an unknown destination with a promise of something she’d like lying at the end of it. Seeing Gerrad’s face again brought a flush of joy to her. She’d never had the chance to thank him, or his Rangers, properly for risking life and limb in their kind service to her. Of late, she’d been wishing for a way to right that injustice, perhaps she could at least verbally do so as they rode.
Trying not to chatter ovelymuch and monopolize the journey, she gently prodded him now and again to share of his world as well, absorbing the storytelling lilt to his speech, learning yet more from him of the Ranger’s lives. During the rare lapses to silence, she could not help but try to guess the destination and purpose ahead. None of her guesses had hit even close to the mark . .
Recognizing the familiar faces of the hardy Rangers before her, the surprised blush of their warm greetings had paled to a numbness when what Gerrad spoke was absorbed in it’s full impact. Of course, even on the surface such an offer was generous beyond comprehension! Surely they knew how potentially dangerous such a mission may prove! They’d witnessed what the woman had been capable of . . Letha suspected on her own turf, she would be even moreso. She did not underestimate the skills and bravery of the men that served under Lord Loxley, but even the most valiant of warriors could be the end target of a stray and unlucky blow.
She thought of what the regaining of her mother’s sword may mean . . a mix of emotions washed through. Yes, she wished the sword back, wished it with all her soul. But if it were truly linked to any fortune, that would signal a level of economic inequality between her and Sinold that would doom their wedding in his eyes. She wanted no part in jeopardizing that in any way . . Why did it seem the universe itself were in alignment to pull them apart? Even good things now seemed to be jumping into the fray . .
They watched as a slow smile spread over her face. “No one knew of the fortune”, she thought to herself. “None but Sinold. And nothing says it ever has to be claimed . . *
As the time ticked past to a place where they were beginning to shift uneasily at her hesitation, she finally found her tongue, her voice genuinely shakey. “Gerrad . . I . . cannae express my gratitude that ye would be willing to do such a thing for me. To think! You have tracked them down? *Shakes her head in wonder* So that’s where ye been all this time . .
“I need nae tell ye how dangerous a thing this may prove. Nola were her name, as ye’ve probably discovered by now. Sheer evilness, I swear. Ye saw what she did with the estate . . It be my mother’s blade she took from me, knowing what it held for me. The only thing I have left from her . . had, that is. *She looked into Gerrad’s eyes, not lying, but not sharing the full truth of it either* Ye can only guess what an heirloom like that be worth to me. “
“But how would ye go about it? Where is she exactly, what fortifications must be challenged? Yer Rangers made short work of many of the mercenaries she had with her at the estate, but surely she’s found more? I would not hae ye risk too much . . .
As the tavern lasses brought fresh rounds, Letha settled into a chair to listen to their plans . . so many questions fought to be asked, but she would patiently hear out their ideas first. As she listened, a small flicker of hope began to arise in her again . .
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Post by Gerrad on May 4, 2004 9:04:07 GMT -5
The Rangers had smiled when they saw that the that the Lady Halethala had recognised them as some of those that had accompanied her to Morrowyth and then all eyes were riveted apon her face as Gerrad spoke.
Gerrad had been closely studying her face and saw that for some reason , that was nae apparent to himself , the Lady Halethala seemed to be struggling with the suggestion he had put forth. It was almost as if an inner battle was being fought within her mind . Then she started to smile, or at least seemed to, as if she had reached some sort of decision then there was nothing coming forth from her. It seemed almost as if the passing of one full moon to the next had past before she finally spoke.
““Gerrad . . I . . cannae express my gratitude that ye would be willing to do such a thing for me. To think! You have tracked them down? *Shakes her head in wonder* So that’s where ye been all this time . .”
He replied to her swiftly “ M’Lady it was nae just me that tracked them down it were indeed a group effort and indeed as we speak they are still being tracked . Aye indeed we know her name is Nola and it would appear that she is nae liked by many , for information is passed freely about her whenever asked.” . He paused as the Lady Halethala told them that it was her mothers blade that the woman had stolen from her and raised a hand quickly as the Rangers around them started to voice their anger at such an act.
“ M’Lady Halethala , We know what it be likes ter lose something that is left to us by our families !! more than ye might know !!”
Gerrad looked at her for a moment, silently , then at the Rangers with them and continued on. “She has endeavoured , last we have heard, to hire more mercenaries yet she has succeeded in gaining but a few. She seems ter be promising good coin fer their services but when pressed she can nae deliver naught but promises of greater gain in the future. This is why we must strike soon , she obviously has some plan of accessing enough coin to employ them, yet she nae has it yet. We know this as Ranger Watt posed as a mercenary and was given nae but promises of future payment.”
Gerrads blue eyes looked straight to hers as he finished speaking and his hand clasped the ale that had been placed before him by the serving lass and he brought the drink to his lips and took a small sip.
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Post by Halethala on May 10, 2004 9:28:06 GMT -5
She remembered the first time she’d seen a large tree uprooted by the fury of a summer storm . . never realizing before that how deeply the roots had sunken into the earth to keep the lovely tree upright. It was with the same sense of awe that she listened to Gerrad now. While she’d tried so hard to forget Nola and the journey, they had not only brought Letha safely back to Windstorm, but had relentlessly tracked the woman Nola and her band as she fled. Never once had Letha suspected they would do such a thing, she had a hard time absorbing the news, and was simply grateful beyond what she could express. She had to acknowledge that surely here was noble service in its purest form ~ to see justice done, a wrong righted, for whomever humble and unglorious . . These were honorable men that held to the best of virtues. She’d respected them greatly already, but if possible, lifted them to an even higher level of admiration than before.
For a brief moment, she wondered what inspired such selfless dedication . . . yet Gerrad’s own words offered a clue . . .
We know what it be likes ter lose something that is left to us by our families !! more than ye might know !!”
She’d caught glimpses and heard stories of the losses some of the others at Windstorm had suffered, she could only imagine what each man before her could spill forth if given the chance . . her heart went out to them, each one . .
But Gerrad was right . . Nola must be stopped. Letha had not really thought about the very great possibility that Nola had victimized more than just the Morrowyths . . A woman like her surely had left a wake of destruction and heartache behind her. She had to be stopped, even if they never recovered the treasure dear to Letha’s heart.
Addressing not only Gerrad, but all present, she began, “It seems I’ve seriously underestimated you Rangers, an ignorance I’m eager to be corrected! It heartens me to know there be such goodness in the world of men yet, for one that’s seen more darkness than light . .
I can see this be now bigger than merely regaining my sword, though to do so would be a blessing indeed. It seems ye know more of her than myself. I do hope Ranger Watt has nae taken grave risk in his secret endeavor . .
Ye’ve a plan in place already, Gerrad? How soon would ye hope to strike at her . . it would seem now be the best time, iffen she has designs on sommat of a windfall of sorts to finance yet more in her service.” A twinge of guilt coursed through her, a wondering at whether they could stop her from her goal in time. Letha would not lie about anything, yet if everything did not need to be disclosed, she hoped she could prevent such . . She returned the gaze that Gerrad had turned on her with some difficulty, weighing the necessity of full honesty with him against the risk of losing Sinold . .
An idea began to formulate in her head as she listened to what the Rangers had to share with her, perhaps a way to circumvent both dilemmas . .
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Post by Nicholas on May 10, 2004 10:43:10 GMT -5
Nicholas wasn't fully healed yet but he was a Ranger, and he liked the Lady Halethala too much to not be part of this endeavor to bring back to her what was once hers and to stop the one who had robbed her of her possession. Too much had she lost already... and Nicholas was well aware of the Lady being courted by the Norse. She had lost all, and now would need anything she could to place it into her dowry and be..."presentable" to her suitor. Although the young man doubted anything could keep the braggish Viking away from the woman he had chosen as his mate. Aaah, real love seemed to flow between those two... and to help two lovers in need, what could be more noble?
Nicholas sat quietly, his eyes moving from the Lady to Gerrad and back to Halethala. Yes, they would bring her justice and her sword if God so willed it. Nicholas would have brought her anything...
Instead, he carefully listened to the plan as Gerrad laid it out to the Lady.
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Post by Gerrad on May 20, 2004 9:43:07 GMT -5
He smiled at the lady as she began to speak.
“It seems I’ve seriously underestimated you Rangers, an ignorance I’m eager to be corrected! It heartens me to know there be such goodness in the world of men yet, for one that’s seen more darkness than light . .
I can see this be now bigger than merely regaining my sword, though to do so would be a blessing indeed. It seems ye know more of her than myself. I do hope Ranger Watt has nae taken grave risk in his secret endeavor . .
Ye’ve a plan in place already, Gerrad? How soon would ye hope to strike at her . . it would seem now be the best time, iffen she has designs on sommat of a windfall of sorts to finance yet more in her service.”
He looked at her then inclined his head to Ranger Nicholas who watched both Halethala and himself closely, indicating to him to release the pigeon to send the pre arranged missive to Windstorm, and waited for him to leave.
Turning to her slowly , he smiles. "M'Lady , rest assured, we will strike within the next few days . M'Lady steps are already in place , ye need nae worry thyself over such small details fer sure . Now let me escort ye back to the Castle and safety ....then we shall be away and to our business".
He looked at the Lady Halethala and *smiled* , thinking to himself ,that she would tell him nae more than already spoken .
The journey back to Windstorm was interesting , for he shared with her some of the background of the Rangers and how they came to be , and she shared a little of her past afore she came to be in Windstorm.
Holding out an arm for her to dismount at Windstorms Stable's , he smiled as she accepted with protest, then the quiet spoken voice bid her farewell
" Be well Lady Halethala and if we meet again then our service will be well done, till then though ye look after thyself and the one they call Sinold "
"bless ye both"
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Post by Nicholas on May 20, 2004 10:48:05 GMT -5
He had held the bird in his hands for a long time now, but the dove had been entirely quiet and docile, only her heartbeat could be vaguely felt through her dress of feathers. Nicholas stroked the head of the animal gently a few times, until he saw the signal from Gerrad.
Nodding quickly in response, he walked outside the room, checking again if the fastening of the missive around the bird’s leg was secure, then bringing it close to his mouth, whispering a few words of blessing for its journey before he released the bird into the darkening sky over Windstorm’s lands. It would find its way safely back to the castle, to Sir Loxley and Lord Hawkmoon, and then all would be set.
Nicholas stood outside for a long time, wondering about how twisted fate could be sometimes. With a sigh, he rejoined his comrades after a few minutes, however, just in time to catch a last glimpse of the lady on her way back to the castle.
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Post by Halethala on May 24, 2004 9:22:20 GMT -5
Trying several times to interject into the conversation her disappointment in simply not being expected to travel with the Rangers in this quest . . to simply be dismissed and not even told the details . . as is she were some delicate thing to be protected and coddled . . yet she bit her tongue and allowed the good Gerrad to lead her back to the safety of Windstorm. Set her face as pleasantly as she could manage and genuinely enjoyed his informative words as they rode, yet beneath raged a battle of sorts . . .
She hadn’t seen Nicholas amongst the Rangers until Gerrad spoke directly to him. Startled, not thinking he be fit yet to ride, especially not to be back to active duty, her heart went out to him . . They’d still not had much chance to talk since he was released from the infirmary . . she still wished for time with him, still had questions without answers . . they would simply have to wait even longer now.
As Ranger Gerrad bid his farewell, even blessing she and Sinold before he turned, Letha came to a tenuous decision. “Gerrad, wait . . I . . do ye have yet a few more moments afore ye need return?”
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Post by Gerrad on May 25, 2004 6:52:55 GMT -5
“Gerrad, wait . . I . . do ye have yet a few more moments afore ye need return?”
Gerrad turned back to the Lady Halethala , his eyes searching hers quickly. He smiled at her and replied “But of course M’Lady , I have a moment more.”
He smiled at her again, wishing deeply that she would tell him of the things she had so obviously decided against telling them at the Tavern , listening to her words carefully.
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Post by Halethala on May 25, 2004 9:06:47 GMT -5
*She'd slipped off her riding gloves, stood clutching them tightly in both hands, shoulders stiffly squared, her face like dark clouds had scuttled across to obscure her bright smile . . not dark itself, yet no longer light. An odd look, unnatural. She drew a deep breath, and spoke . .
I do not wish you to ride into a perilous venture like what you are facing without fully understanding. I have not lied, yet not fully told you the truth. I be pretty certain the "greater gain" the woman seems to promise is linked to the sword ye seek . . You see, she spoke to me of a fortune . . I was not certain she told the truth, she seemed adept in deceptions . . but your reports seem to confirm her tales.
She told me the sword, my mother's only heriloom left to me, was a key to claiming her family's fortunes. I have no idea how great a fortune it is, I've little knowledge of my mother's family, they disowned her when she choose to marry my father. I never met her sisters, knew there were some, she mentioned them, yet never had the chance to meet any of the Tramhames . . I am not completely sure what is true, yet it rings true. She were raised in a gentle home, her bearing hinted at that. *Letha shrugged a bit helplessly* I . . just don't know much . . but feel I must tell you what I can . .
*Looking straight into Gerrad's surprised face* There is one thing you must . . MUST promise me . . I beg of you . . if any fortune is claimed, if any good comes of this venture . . I wish it all to go straight into the castle treasuries . . . I owe whatever fortune may come to me to this home I have found here, that and more . . whatever it may be. I wish to gift it to King Agustin, can ye understand it?
I nae wish you to enter into any deception that discomforts you, so will accept whatever decision you choose . . but if you cannot promise me this, then abandon your cause . .
*The desperation in her face surely had to confuse the poor Ranger, yet she did not know how to express it further . .*
*For some inexplicable reason . . she had never felt quite this alone . . *
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Post by Gerrad on May 29, 2004 2:44:16 GMT -5
Gerrad stood before the Lady as she faced him. An odd look had passed over Her face just moments before she began to speak . He waited and then listened to what she had to say, finally spilling forth what she had hidden from them at the tavern, then a realisation had hit him. She was afraid . Of what he did nae know, yet when she continued, he realised that it was of her future that worried and led her to reveal the thing that she had nae wished to speak of. This fortune that she spoke of could end her future with Sinold.
The look of surprise on His face must have been obvious , for she then pressed him to a promise that anything of her fortune should be given to Windstorm’s treasury. The silent desperation on her face nearly tore the hardened man’s heart apart when he realised that she was being torn asunder by both the past, the present and the future.
When she had finished speaking, He took her hand within both of his own and bowed down to one knee.
“M’Lady Halethala , I wished ye had spoken earlier of such things, for I would nae have pressed the point. I knew ye wished to come with us on this journey , yet without knowing all the facts it would have been both foolish and reckless to have had ye come along into a situation that we did nae understand fully”.
He rose and looked to her eyes, “Ye need to trust thy new family more than ye do M’Lady, for we are just that, Family”. But to serve ye well , we also need to understand what we are up against and ye must realise that I have a duty to the Rangers as well, to bring them back safely”. This will nae doubt change things fer sures”.Yet rest assured M’Lady……….we will do what thy bidding is . What ye do with thy fortune is thy business…we will just regain thy family Heirloom”.
He looked at her then and waited for a response.
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Post by Halethala on Jun 10, 2004 8:41:34 GMT -5
She’d always longed for an older brother, ever since she had been old enough to comprehend that such creatures existed in other families. Someone strong, kind, brave, wise, with a heart of a warrior, a gentle soul of a poet. Someone who was patient and listened, yet could with few words, set her straight when she needed straightening. Someone to play tag with and swim, and laugh together with at those things that were beyond understanding, as well as a shoulder to cry on when life seemed beyond hope. Someone like Gerrad.
She was moved to bright tears to see him kneel before her as he did . . . more than ever before, she felt like a lady . .
He was right, of course, and she blushed deeply at her outburst, her heart quailing at his gentle chiding more than if he had yelled insults at her. She could never imagine him lifting his voice in anger, not even to the vilest of thieves . . there were some who simply commanded more respect in quietness than in blustering.
“Forgive me yet again, Good Ranger. My head does not always overrule my heart in matters. You are right, of course, I do need to trust more, but it trust does not always come easily for me. I’m learning, and learning quickly.
I do wish to be allowed to come along with you all in this venture, but I understand quite fully. I would not wish to endanger a single life needlessly, and with such an object as my blade as your prize, I would be far too emotional to make rational decisions. Such are sorely needed, I would wager, in a mission such as this, and against an opponent such as her . .
Trust that you and your men will never stray from my thoughts . . or my constant prayers for your safety. Do not risk unnecessarily, I ask of you? It is a treasure to me, true, but not one beyond the value of another life lost. I trust you understand? *She smiled as warmly and sincerely as she could then to him, hoping he would hear beyond her words, lacking as they were*
Farewell, and Godspeed to you, Ranger Gerrad.
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Post by Gerrad OOC on Jun 13, 2004 1:59:11 GMT -5
( OOC) *Great post Halethala. I shall try and post in response either tonight or tomorrow*
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Post by Gerrad on Jun 19, 2004 8:47:35 GMT -5
Gerrad stood silently and listened to the Lady Halethala's words and when she had finished speaking , he placed a hand to her shoulder and again spoke.
M'Lady there be nae a thing to forgive and it tis good sometimes to follow thy heart so long as it goes hand in hand with a good portion of thought."
He smiled at her and then continued,
"And we would have loved for ye to have come along fer the adventure M'Lady even though ye say that ye might have been a little emotional and mayhaps a tad rash in a decision...Tis sad tha ye can nae come along aye ?.
Gerrad beamed a smile at Halethala
"Farewell and Godspeed to ye M'Lady for now i must gather a few extra Lads in light of this new information. "
Turning away and pretending to walk off , he stops and turns back.
"Unless of course ye think ye could find M'Lady Dream and have her help ye into the Rangers uniform that she has waiting fer ye all in the space of two hours M'Lady. After all ye can nae go dressed like that now can ye ? they'd spot ye a mile off".
Gerrad winked at her and then bid her Good day and left to find the extra Rangers that he felt he needed.
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