In Search of Vitreous Small

[sofia]

(shivers deliciously as the plot thickens)

[Repsol]

As he watches the dust lifting from the ground and wafting on the slight morning breeze into his face, he gives a slight cough to clear his throat and moves foreward, should he follow or set his own pace, stubbornly he sets his mount at a slight trot not wanting to seem to eager to follow the stranger too closely.
As he approached a small wood he slows to a walk again, as he follows the path to the right , the trees overhang the narrow track, the road was slightly banked on either side and sloped off uphill into the trees, he noticed a slight plume of smoke and could smell the burning of wood, he could smell no food so there must be a woodcutter about somewhere, he had not the inclination nor the time to stop and pass on pleasantries, he continued to walk through the small woodland..
He soon came upon a small village the wood fires filled the air with thick white smoke which rose from every hut he was still on the lands of Windstorm, he may make an attempt at securing breakfast from one of the households of course he would pay for their hospitality.
Walking from the small holding rubbing the remnants of egg from his pants where the over exuberant boy was flicking peices of his breakfast at him, though the food was simple it certainly played its part, his stomach full to bursting he turned to the young man who lived there and placed two peices of silver upon his palm, placed his hand under his and curled their fists shut around the coins, as the lord knew the man would oppose such generosity, this way he would risk little offence to the man and his wife, the both of them took in a stranger at face value and did not judge, the nature of such people is worth more than wealth, this made him feel a deep sensation of pride knowing he was still in the Kingdom, the places he visits now shall be a regular stop when he returns to the duties of protecting the Queens lands once again.
He kicked on his mount and left the village behind him as he moved on at a canter he should reach the village Thule sen was speaking of by late afternoon, he did not wish to arrive when it was too dark as he did not know of this place.....

[Repsol]

As he rounded the edge of the tree lined track he glanced around at his surrounding, he noticed a somewhat tatty well faded remnant of a what was once a deep crimson red flag from a lance, knowing this to be the very edge of Windstorm patrols which meant just one thing, he was now leaving the lushness and security of the lands he loved so much.
The trees soon relented to open land, some had been farmed and some lush meadows, the sun was lowering now in the sky and what clouds where present where red, he saw in the not so far off distance thin plumes of smoke rising slowly into the air and disappearing into the sky, he turned in his saddle and longingly looked back to where his journey had brought him, not knowing if he would see such sights again, the jolt of realism smacked him so hard the thought jolted his spine, the thoughts of his ward little Sarah, what would he do if he was away so long, would he forget the cheeky grin, her very beauty which holds his heart so strong would he forget and what would he do when he could no longer bring to his minds eye the memories of how she lifted him so much, he shuddered and kicked these thoughts back to the depths of his mind.
He had placed his mind in order when he noticed he was at the edge of a medium sized village, the street was busy with women selling wares and men on carts, he looked to his left at the sullen buildings, when he saw the place of which the robed man had spoken of, he dismounted and looked around, it was as if the whole village knew why he was there but no one seemed to break from what they where doing, his mind playing tricks again, he moved to the building with its shabby sign hanging down on one side he looked at it as he walked under to ensure it did not fall on him as he passed, he stood at the door looking up at the sign as he felt a tug on his boot, he looked down to see a young child kneeling on the ground, her eyes where closed and she had a worn sign around her neck, he squatted in front of the child and lifted the sign to attempt to make out what it said, it spoke of demons and of being cast out by the very community which had given this child a place in life, he spoke softly as he did so the child's head moved to one side so as she may pay attention to the stranger, as a passer by spoke to him to leave the child be, he glanced up but the woman had passed and mingled with the crowds, this was not the only comment which was made whilst he be looking at the child, her eyes closed and her arms exposed seemed thin, he looked over each shoulder and reached into his pouch and drew three copper coins, he lifted the girls hand and pressed the coins into her palm closing her small slender fingers around them, he heard the words 'Kind Sire and may thy gods be with thee and keep thee safe, the people thy seek be in the large room to the right as thee enter the inn'.
He moved back sharply as he stood, he looked at the girl and then into the inn whose portal was a thick black doorway into which he entered, the girl had not looked upon him once yet seemed as though she had known of him for years........

[Repsol]

The door was crooked the frame around it seemed to bow and bend through years of carrying its burden and neglect, the timber looked centuries old, he stepped through lowering his head as he entered, his nostrils caught the musty smell of old food and ale, smoke filled the dimly lit room, the huge candles had not long since been lit, the smoke filled his lugs as he moved further into the inn.
As the small door was now behind him he found himself at the edge of a large room, tables made up of old tree trunks seemed to have been dumped and chairs or smaller logs had been placed around them, the bar seemed well served with young wenches serving the people sitting around the tables, the bar man seemed young compared with certain hostelries he had frequented before, his eyes scanned the room, as he attempted to focus his eyes squinted which did not really assist him in finding the person he was seeking.
A wench came up beside him and grabbed his arm as he objected and moved his arm the lass looked at him and whispered 'there be a guinea in this for me to get thee to thy table so doth nae fight sire, tis this way if it pleases thee'
He looked at the lass and allowed her to escort him to the table, as they approached the table her grip tightened nervously, the signal sent to his mind was that this lass was afraid of something, at the table was a solitary figure, filling his gullet with meat and sweet potatoes, the remnants of a small pig left on the huge plate which may have taken several people to carry out, this did not seem like the sort of person he would be interested in meeting in a place like this, the man flicked a coin to the lass and without speaking gestured to a seat opposite, whilst the lass scrambled on the floor for the coin, the lord decided he would stand, he turned slowly so his back was almost against one of the supports which labored under the huge roof, the man seated still eating his food made no effort to hasten to speak with him.
As he scanned the room a little confused, a shadow appeared behind the man eating, a black gloved hand slipped over his full mouth and yanked his head back, the mans eyes opened wide and a soft muffled scream came and fell away as quickly as it started, the body then slumped slowly back onto his seat, the lords hand moved to his sword fearing an attempt would be made against him, then softly a voice from behind 'this nae be thy table sire, move slowly to thy right and move to the wall, this be where thy shall rest' the voice was soft and that of a man...did he have any choice in the matter unfolding in front of him.......

[Repsol]

He strained his eyes to see a face to the hand which had covered the mans mouth, he could not find one a hood hung over the eyes and nose and almost to the mouth of the assailant and in the dim light he strained but nothing, he listened to the instructions given to him and with his right hand still on the hilt of his sword he slowly turned to his right and moved cautiously to where the soft voice had directed him, he came upon a small table, if it was possible more dimly lit than all the others, there where three figures sat in silence, he noticed the shadow had disappeared into nothing...How?
He stood at the table, still looking round the room, he looked upon the three figures sitting at the table, a hooded person, a middle aged woman and a man, from the low light he looked in his mid age, but the shadows from the candles played tricks with his eyes, the man spoke first..

Sit and bloody quickly iffen thou art he whom we seek and me good Friend here says thou art, twil be safer for thee seated, do nae draw too many eyes to thee...

He sat at the table looking to the man, before he could ask one of the many questions he had in his mind the woman spoke, her voice was somewhat harsh for a woman...

Now without delay thou shalt ride this night to a place of safety, to the south west of here about twenty mile, there be a crop of stone, at this place thou shalt find a Friend who shalt travel with thee and see out this quest, they shalt explain all to thee..

Upon ending the three rose from the table and stood still awaiting some sort of move from the lord, he looked at them nervously as he stood, three copper coins came onto the table twards him from the direction of the woman, they stopped short of him as he looked down at the coins, he placed a finger on one of the coins, he lifted his head to speak, alas he was alone, the three had gone as if they had not existed, he left the coins and proceeded to the door, still looking around the room, he thought he would rest here but things had changed, maybe this was due to the fat man who still slumped in his seat, he turned and moved to the door stumbling as he hit his knee on a table causing the occupants drinks to spill, as they shouted abuse he was outside, his mount where he had left her, he mounted in the dark and moved at a canter out of the village to the south west....

[Repsol]

As the village lights faded behind him he found himself in the open riding over lush meadow, a half moon shone dimly then not at all as it passed behind light whispey clouds, his eyes slowly becoming accustomed to the night, which covered the world in its thick blanket of blackness, the night was becoming as warm as the day had been, he was travelling light as per his instruction.
The sounds of the night echoed across the fields, sounds which he confessed to himself he nothing of, yet had spent years in one wilderness or another though those times where spent evading captives, he heard screams, and hoots, growls though this did not deter him, he knew of bears and wolves, though had seen none, he could just make out a ridge of hills to his left as he rode, which way did he go?, he attempted to read the night sky, he brought his mount to a stand and looked upwards.
The stars which shone made shapes when placed in groups, he knew not what they where so he gave them names in his mind, this made him chuckle as if anyone could see they would question his mental state they would surely place him in the stocks and bring their rotten vegetables, he squeezed gently with his heels and his mount moved forward.
Within no time he had approached a few tree and rather than go through the small copse he rode around the outer trees, he moved off to where he presumed south west to be, he was begining to feel somewhat weary, he half turned in his sadle to his right, reached his right hand into a small pouch and took out some cured meat and began to snack on the salty dish, it was bland but it served its purpose and began to fill the whole in his stomach.
He could hear small animals scurrying around in the undergrowth inside the copse, and he could smell cattle too, cattle? he would have thought they would have been closer to a village, he searched as far as his eyes could see but could not make out any buildings or animals in the blackness, he lowered the hood of his cloak and allowes the slight breeze to blow through his long hair which was tied at the back with a small peice of string he stole from sarah before he left as he rounded the copse he saw what he thought was shadows in the short distance to his right, he slowed his mount to listen....nothing, the shadows where not moving, he continued for he thought no one would be caught out in the open like this...then thought of his situation and shrugged to himself thinking they may.......
He moved closer and the shadows dispersed, slowly, his nostrils could now smell what they where, he moved on at a trot and passed them, he paid no further attention to them he rode past and a little further, then from nowhere a voice, close...very close, too close for comfort, it was one of a woman, he spun with his hand onto his sword at the right flank of his horse was a rider, the voice sounded somewhat perplexed as she spoke...

Thou art late, tis as usual for a man, and nae a sense of any direction, the outcrop thy seek is to thy right within a mile, tis a good thing a womans intuition be stronger than thine, now mayhap thou shalt follow and we shall rest....

Before he could say or even think of a reply the rider had turned and began to ride at pace twards the outcrop, once just once he thought as he rode to catch up, someone will listen to him for long enough to ask just one question, or even to speak it cannot be like this for all the quest, he sulked to himself at allowing himself to be bullied in such a way......

[sofia]

(majorly awesome r/p Sir Knight *grins*)

[Repsol]

As his bottom lip returned to its normal place, the riders had arrived at the outcrop, from what he could see, which was not much, the small rise in the hillside was stony and his mount stumbled a little as they rose, just over the crest was a small bunch of trees, he could smell something cooking but could see no smoke and no flames, he shrugged and halted his mount, sliding off he landed on the ground not realizing his feet where not really ready for his weight to be placed on them in such a manner, as the pin like shocks shot up his legs from his feet he grimaced a little, turning he relieved the pressure on the girth and allowed the saddle to slip from the horses back and onto his forearm, he turned and lowered the saddle to the ground then removed the alter and bit, the mount turned and walked a few paces and lowered her head to eat.
He turned and attempted to seek out the rider, then from his right side at about shoulder height approached a small stone, it struck him on his right shoulder, he turned, by now he was becoming tired of being moved from pillar to post without a bye or leave of an explanation, he knew he should stop it right away, he would seek answers to questions......
He arrived at a tall slender tree and sat, a bowl of broth was placed in front of him, he looked to the face of the server but could not make any features, the light was too dim, now he thought, and spoke..

Where are we going?, and what be thy name....?

It was met with silence as he picked up the bowl and held it to his nose, it smells too good to be poisoned, he took the bread and scooped at the contents, then a voice replied...

We now only travel at night for three moons, tis at this time we shall meet up, we shall travel south westerly, thou may address me as Erin.....

The figure sat not too far away from him he could see her breath as it left her lips, but nothing else....

Tell of who else wishes small dead, as it seems to me it be someone more than I, I shall nae be used as a assassin, nor shall I be toyed with in any manner, make it known that of certainty I do this for two reasons and both be in the lands of Windstorm, iffen battles be fought then they shall be for each their own, not mine....

Silence followed.....nothing, no reply, no gesture, nothing, he dipped the bread once more into the dish, the food was good and wholesome, he ate three mouthfuls in silence, then a response......

So thou wouldst see suffering my dear Knight, and slaughter of innocents? The voice was soft with a degree of compassion but no movement, he half expected a dish to strike him..

I nae have any such desire to sit and eat with thee and offer any reasoning to my past, my actions the quests have all been done, I am here for one reason and one reason only and for such shall it be for a peaceful life here after for me and the lands in which I live, I shall leave the rest to Knights both bold enough and youthful enough to carry out such duties......

A small laugh followed, then silence...the laugh almost one of mockery chilled him in the thought he may well strike this woman afore daybreak, no matter how good the food was the company was becoming stale....

I shall leave thy response where it belongs, upon the floor aside the dogs.... with this he placed the bowl upon the ground and lit his pipe from a small ember laying a foot or so away in a rock built oven he puffed harshly upon it as this lady had fired his soul......
He closed his eyes and thought of sarah and of the kingdom he had left, in his mind.....for the last time..

[Repsol]

He had inadvertently fallen asleep, as he opened his eyes the mist was hanging above the trees which surrounded them, he was quiet surprised by the cover the small copse offered, he turned slightly and the rock oven was glowing red, he could feel the heat and the smell of mint was in the air and coming from a pot in the fire, still there was no smoke to speak of.
He sat up and lit the pipe once more, he realised he was alone, he stood and moved to the edge of the copse remaining under the cover of the trees, he looked out over the flat lands that spread out before him, lush green meadows, he scanned the land moving his sight from left to right, as he was about to move back into the copse he noticed two riders moving his way at speed, he turned and moved to his saddle tugging at the two slither straps which held his bow in place he loosened them enough to grab the bow, as the saddle lifted from the ground almost as if refusing to let it go, he lifted his quills and looked to climb the sturdiest tree, there where but three which would support his weight and allow him cover to use his weapon securely, two he could not get a foot hold to lift him up to their lowest branches the third just gave him enough to get a grip to lift himself up, the problem was he could not see the two approaching, his first sighting of them would be when they entered the camp almost beneath where he was perched.
He silently loaded the bow as the thud of hooves came closer, then there was silence, he thought, would he give them time to speak their piece or should he strike them down, the choice he thought would become apparent when the time arrived, then there came voices first one then the other softly spoken words, both of men, where was the female who had led him here, one of the voices noted the camp was empty, then they came into view, the lord decided he would listen and wait, the other voice noted his mount was still grazing and his saddle on the ground void of any weapons as he had them in his hands ready.
He cursed the creak as he drew on the string, why did he need it so tight he drew in the breath of death and began to slowly breath out at the end of this breath he would loose the arrow at his chosen target, the one on the right would be first, then he would drop and down the second with his sword, planning this way would keep his senses taught to tearing he did not need a plan it was simple...
As he reached his breaths end a figure from under the tree sprang forth and pushed the men out of the way as the arrow loosed and in a fraction was in the ground halfway up its shaft, he missed, he dropped and with a thud landed in front of the three people still laid flat on the floor, he drew his sword and moved to stand over them.........

[Repsol]

Erin had managed to save the two, but at what cost? she lay between the two men, they on their backs and she half turned on her front, she lifted her right arm and pulled back the hood and in a muffled shout almost under her breath to Repsol to stay his sword, cursing him as she went, he looked as deep black locks fell from beneath the hood, he noticed a pair of full red lips and deep blackness in her eyes he could have been looking into the depths of eternity, he stayed his sword and looked away from her, he knew then he was in the company of witches, those least he favored, of any kind, now he thought as he walked to the tree which held his bow and sat down, his breath almost gone from the revelations of the past moments, he reached for his pipe and lit it, the men now standing looked to Erin and spoke quietly.
Repsol looked up from his pipe as Erin moved forward, the look in his eyes stopped her in her tracks, it was cold as ice, he felt a tug in his mind as his hand went to the hilt of his sword, he spoke softly....

I shall strike thee down iffen ye make a sound within my head as my god is a witness, thou shalt keep distance and thy own council til I reckon where I shall go from this point on, (his eyes narrowed) mark me Erin I shall strike thee, mark me well....

With that over Erin turned and moved to the men now sitting by one of the trees, she tossed her cloak around her and sat down, the hood now replaced upon her head she pouted and sat in silence, Repsol thought if nothing else he would have peace for a while, he knew his quest would die if he did not have this company, he pondered how long it would take the three of them to come to the same conclusion as they could not carry on in this manner....

[Repsol]

He sat in silence with his thoughts for what seemed to be days, alas it had been but a few minutes since the confrontation, he drew deeply on his pipe, with a slight cough as he inhaled a little too much he opened his eyes, Erin was alone, the men had gone, but where?
He moved his foot back to bend his knee to rest his forearm upon it, the hood covering the womans face moved slightly, as if she wished to look in his direction, then a soft voice spoke to him across the make shift camp...

pray answer me just one request sire, does thou feel small will fight thee in a fair and true manner, for tis lack of substance in thy thought iffen this be so, he shall use all of his trickery and menace as soon he shall be aware thou are riding against him, tis why I am here with thee, I mean thee no ill will, and I do nae expect of thee to understand me, as we shall part when this be over and aye I do mean whether it be dead or alive, but one thing I will ask of thee as I do nae understand, such a lord acting in the manner of such when ye know so little...

This hit him like a stone right between the eyes, he had finally brought out into the open a fault he had been hiding for years, since the time he could remember, was he jealous of such powers, why had he not understood the plight of different people he had met over the years on his travels, he treated none other in this manner, and to his shock he could not find in his mind one reason why, he had never met one who stood by him in the past to be bad, this made his cheeks redden somewhat as embarrassment took over, he had no answers for Erin.
As if he had told the world his inner thoughts, to Erin it was a beacon in the night as she sat looking to him from under the hood, she would not press home this advantage as she knew he had finally realised, in some way she was aware she had aided him with this matter and that he would address it, she smiled softly to herself and stood, she moved to the small fire, she knelt and reached inside the rocks and lifted the pot using the tip of her cloak to handle it, she poured the liquid into two small wooden cups and offered one to the lord who sat silently beside her, he did not allow himself to seek her gaze, he accepted the cup and placed his pipe upon the ground, with a sullen voice he thanked Erin, they drank in silence and waited for nightfall.

[Repsol]

As the redening sun dipped below the crest of the small hill behind them the lord reached into the dying embers of their rock built stove and lit his pipe once more, not a word had been spoken between the two since the words thank you fell from his lips, the drink had picked up his spirits though he would not let such a thing slip into conversation even if there had been any.
He stood and moved to his saddle and lifted it as his mount moved to him he stood to its right hand side and tossed the saddle upon its back, he reached through and gathered the leather girth belt and tied it to the side of the saddle, tightening it he turned and collected his bow, he spared himself a glance in the direction of Erin, noting his glance she looked to him, he turned his gaze back to his saddle and fixing his bow upon it, he placed his foot in the styrrup and lifted his weight, at this time as he put his weight upon it he had realised he had not checked his girth, as the horse had breathed out the girth was now loose, his left leg straightened out as the saddle slipped round twards him, all his weight was on it now and with a resounding thud he was placed un ceremoniously upon his self riteous arse, he lay looking up at the sky when the view of Erin peering from behind the darkness of the hood, her shoulders jiggling up and down though the sound of laughter did not follow, he knew oh how he knew.
Erin turned her mount and moved off slowly, the lord lifted himself off the ground and placed the saddle this time tightening the girth properly, he climbed up and in some haste followed the path Erin had taken...

[Dream Loxley]

Just adore this story Repsol I hope some of your enthusiasm rubs off on me *L* you put us all to shame. Well done.

[Repsol]

The moon was rising, though it was not a full one what was allowed to pass between the clouds once his eyes had become accustom to the dimmed light more than lit a way to the south west, he could see the figure of Erin in front of him now, at this he allowed himself a sigh, he moved to the rear of her mount and relaxed in his saddle, a soft voice as one whispered on the wind spoke to him...

Take care Knight nae to drop thy guard too much for there be more than us whom choose to travel at night..

It was Erin how her voice traveled, a hand dropped down beside her left leg and beckoned him forward, he moved his mount and pulled alongside, he looked to her as she turned to look upon him she dropped the hood to her cloak as her eyes met with his in the dim light she pointed with her left hand to their left, upon the ridge they momentarily saw a figure upon horse and her arm moved in a arc over to the right where he glimpsed another rider as he moved into the tree line, the idea ran through his mind, the two men he had attempted to kill, Erin nodded in agreement as she would have allowed herself a small wager the thought Repsol had was such.
The ice now broken they could both move on with their lives and nae be at loggerheads no more, they where to spend some time together, his thick skull was absorbing such ideas now mayhap she would work with him too.
He reached down to his left boot and lifted out his pipe, he took out his pouch and forced gently some brown weed into the base, he then dropped the reigns of his mount onto its shoulders and pulled his cloak up over his head like that of a tent, he took out the two small abrasive stones and struck them together over the leaves he had placed in his pipe, he had only done this twice before and it took him an age to light it, though this time three strikes and he was puffing up the stem, the sweet flavor, he dropped his cloak over his shoulders and turned the pipe upside down so the base was at the top, placing his hand over the hot leaf when he drew on the pipe so as not to attract too much attention to the little red ember glowing, Erin turned and shook her head mayhap in dis approval or dis belief he did not know and moreover did not care, for twas a pleasure he had held onto the only one he had left, for the chasing of wenches was nae a priority, nor was raising a flagon of ale anymore, but his pipe no he had no plans of discarding that....ever, the two riders rode into the night not knowing of what or who is in wait of them...

[Repsol]

After riding for some time he fidgeted in his saddle, he suggested to Erin he may need to walk a while, the woman turned in her seat and halted her mount.

This nae be a place for walking, tis nae a place we should be in a position where by we are caught in the open by anyone..

For a moment he thought her voice carried a tint of nervousness, was she being overly cautious, he knew they had the two riders to their flanks, and looking round he could make out some distance to their fronts and their rears, though it was not a perfect he could still use his bow with some accuracy if someone would care to risk their necks to halt them.
He shrugged and moved his mount forward, it was not too long before the sun would be upon them once more, he wondered where they may hold up as the land apart from the ridges on their flanks was flat and from what he could make out open.
Erin then turned her mount and broke into a gallop, he pulled his mount to the right and followed her closely, they where soon with one of the men in the tree line, as he turned the other man rode in behind him, he was surprised how much distance the man had covered but kept the thought to himself, was it feasible and how, he looked to the man, his hood was still in place and his mount made no sound of tiredness as though they had walked, the four held their mounts steady and waited, one of the men spoke in a voice to Erin, Repsol could not make out, it was a tongue in which he was unfamiliar.
Erin turned to Repsol and whispered, she asked how good his confidence was with his bow, he smiled as he unclipped it from his saddle, but what was he going to fire at, there was nothing, the two men moved off as Repsol dropped from his saddle and took up a position under a tree at the edge of the line of trees which now protected them, then he made out five maybe six figures, they turned in unison and headed for the trees where he was standing, he drew three quills from his pouch and placed two in the ground at the side of his right foot and held the other in his left hand.
Erin placed her hand upon his shoulder and whispered for him to hold fast...

Wait one moment do nae loose any til we are quiet sure whom they be, they do nae move like any traders or town folk going about their business, wait one moment..

He placed the quill into his grip in his right hand with the bow, he turned to look to Erin, she was knelt upon the ground behind him, she was muttering something under her breath, he turned to look out and could see the figures coming closer, he charged his bow with the quill, he could quiet easily strike three from this distance, though he should be making ready, as he was about to turn to Erin he saw the two riders moving out at an incredible pace, coming round behind the figure, they caught up with them in what seemed to be an instant, after their first pass only two figures remained standing, not a scream, nothing, the rider nearest to them struck one more figure as one stood alone they moved in and knocked him from his feet, one rider dismounted and began to drag the figure to where they hid, the other rider led the horses back behind the two figures walking, seconds it was over, he turned to Erin and she stood and moved to him......