Moving on.

[The Rangers]

((Apologies for the forced posting but I wanted to clear the way for new threads:The Rangers will rejoin their group now.....Tyrun will be tended in the Infirmary.

Henri *S* I have so enjoyed our time together. Your choice if you wish to play along with the Rangers or make your own way in the Castle. Either way Ranger Little will not ever be that far away *S*. I like Henri very much
Sir Joseph old bean *S* Thankyou so much for playing this out...you read each post and replied accordingly. I admire that. DL ))

*The Rangers ate their fill in the kitchens and then made ready to regroup. Supplies were loaded upon wagons.....a head count taken....skirmishes and tales spoken of between them....then they were ready. Gathering by the stables there were 17 in number and word was they were to meet in the clearing where either Gerrad or Robin would meet them all.

Others were still patroling the East.....many fighting both South and to the North. Just a few would remain within the Castle to aid where needed and of course continue thier duties as protectors of the Loxley family and Lady Beren.

Little found himself in a state or turmoil as he looked upon young Henry. The lad had been bathed and fed well enough.... his clean clothing was slightly too large...given by Owen being the slightest of build but still larger than the lad. He looked quite a pitiful state as Little pondered and scratched his stubbly chin. Sleeves hung below his hands...his trouser legs turned up over his boots but he did seem to be more at ease now.

What to do.....that was the burning question Little did battle with ...was he right to keep the lad from his comrades.....or should he own up. Would the lad fare best left here in the Castle....the Ladies could be trusted....some of them at least..he knew that much......or.....the lad might have skills that would be useful. He scratched again as the Rangers mounted up and began to make ready to leave.*

"Now then young 'Enery.....whats ta be done wiv yas"

*He gestured with his hands to those gathered around him....pointing to Henri as if to tell the lad he was welcome to stay with them. Then he pointed back to the great Castle and opened his arms to indicate the lands. Finally....he opened his hands palms facing up...raised his brows and looked intently at the dishrevelled but clean youngster standing before him.*

[Henri the ship boy]

Could this be? While Henri was fed, and looked after by a healer who bound his ribcage tightly, indicating with hands and gestures that he needed to keep the bandage on for a few weeks so that his ribs could heal, the lad just marvelled at the discrepancy between what he had been told about the English and how he experienced them here. Contrary to what Captain de Sennis had told him and all others, the English were kind people. Caring people. People who mourned for their death and who had families and were as protective about them as any Frank would be.

But he felt so out of place! These people didn’t understand his language and he didn’t understand theirs. And now the only person he had know here, that kind ranger Leettell, was readying himself to ride off again. Where should he go? Stay here in the castle and likely be thrown into the dungeon once the protection of the ranger was gone?

Or try and go back to the harbour to see how the Forell had fared? And face De sennis who´would likely beat him to death for helping an enemy?

« Je veux venir avec vous ! Est-ce que je peux venir avec vous, Leettell ? (I want to come with you! Can I come with you?)” Frustrated that the ranger didn’t seem to understand, Henri grabbed the reigns of Little’s horse, and began to move towards the gate of Windstorm, looking from ranger to Ranger.

“Je viendrai avec vous ! (I will come with you!)“ He declared loudly, smiling at Little, hoping the ranger would take him with his friends, maybe to a new life away from the toils under the hard command of Captain de Sennis.

[Ranger Little]

*He tilted his head....did the lad want to stay with the likes of him and his friends.....could it be so. Looking directly at the youngster....watching him as he took the reins.....Little laughed loudly and held his rather large belly. He glanced towards the others who were all nodding with enthusiasm...words of encouragement and acceptance flowed freely amongst them.*

"Well ahhh be 'Enery.......get yeself up on tha wagon then....theres be a ways ta go afore ye next meal."

*The large man chuckled and gestured towards the wagon as several others moved to make room for him. Godfery looked on from his mount and smiled.....the lad deserved a break.....perhaps he would find contentment..a new life....time would tell. He raised his hand and the small company of Rangers moved on....some mounted ..others settled amid the supplies on wagons.

Little huffed and groaned as he lifted his heavy bulk up into the saddle......his horse grunted as if to tell him not to eat so much, but easily carried the man....clip clopping over the cobblestones towards the gates. Well wishes and offers of support were exchanged by Rangers and Guards as they left the Castle...bound for the meeting place used by all Rangers...deep in the heart of the forests. Little's mind was filled to overflowing as he rode....the lad would need a horse....a bow...weapons....new clothing....how would the others take to him...perhaps the mute Jorgen would befriend him...they might hit it off........Robin and Gerrad would understand.....of course they would.......of course......he mumbled and urged his horse on.*

[Henri the ship boy]

With a slight grin, followed by a grimace, Henri nodded to Leettell and slowly climbed onto the cart where some of the other rangers sat. His broken ribs hindered each of his moves, the pain was incredible, he was glad the healer had given hi a small pouch with herbs against the pain. She had shown him with hands and feet what to do with the herbs, to brew them, or, if the pain was too strong, to chew them. Right now he took a a little bit and put it into hi mouth, starting to chew slowly.

If only he knew their language? Where were they going? What would happen with him now? He had betrayed his kin, those from the Forell, hadn’t he? Captain Remard would kill him, he was sure, but the others? Would they understand? No…. Henri was certain he they wouldn’t understand.

But now he was with new friends ….but by God, why couldn’t they speak Frankish like any other men he knew?

[The Rangers]

*Owen watched the lad as they rode along the track.....soon they would turn and enter the forests, he wondered of the lad and felt his pain. He grimaced as he saw the lad chewing on herbs.....he hoped it would help. Glancing to Little...he frowned, knowing the anguish the youngster was going through. Little nodded in understanding as they rode side by side. Time would heal his ribs, but he pondered on how long it would take to heal his mind......the ordeal he went through was enough to scar even the toughest of men.

Merry banter was spoken within the cart, two other Rangers occupied the one filled with supplies and the new lad...they too watched him and wondered. They could only imagine his life on Ship...perhaps ill treated...perhaps an Orphan...they might never know of his past, but that was not important to them. The days to come were more so...and they both smiled and introduced themselves as the cart turned from the sunshine and into the darker tree covered land.

Conversations were difficult, words not understood...but between them they felt they had eased the lads mind a little with hand gestures and facial expressions. Soon they would be in the place they called home and plans would be made...tales told...merriment and friendship abounding. They would find a place for him if he wished to stay.....help him make a new life and above all teach him to speak English!.*