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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

"Food and shelter are good," April says promptly. "I'm curious to hear that you'd want a place out of the wind, though. Isn't the win sort of your element?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject:

Flora agrees, "Yes, I think that your offer of hospitality is very welcome, thank you, Captain." She smiles at him, staying at April's arm, like sisters strolling would.

"Our element, yes, I'd say so," Sigmer'Lune says with a continued smile. He begins walking toward the area he means to bring them to. Behind them, the soldiers get up and follow. "Since this is likely to be a point that comes up later tonight, I might as well explain it to you all now. We are more than a detachment of soldiers, though we are mostly that. My soldiers are the last of their tribe and their wives are the ones who require warmth and shelter from the wind... The winds here are wonderful and of all people, we can take advantage of them, but they are harsh nonetheless."

He looks at April's wound for an instant. "But I imagine things much harsher than weather are responsible for your shoulder." He does not seem too concerned, since she moves well and herself seems unaffected. It is still painful but her nap did wonders.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April's eyes look haunted for a moment. She nods. "I wanted to help some people," she says. "I assumed they would all want to be helped. Still ... live and learn, eh?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

He considers what she says for a moment, then says "I find that people have trouble helping themselves... Sometimes running the risk of personal pain at the hands of those you help is necessary in order to follow one's convictions. Not that it's at all preferable, of course."

They can see it now, a small, dense grove of trees, close to the edges of the forest, surrounded by rocky and boulder-strewn terrain. There is barely any movement within, but now they notice figures inside, maybe twenty squatters in all. It's only a minute away from where they were, and it would be easily accessible from the sky.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April nods. "Yeah, it's a hassle. But then, if I'd wanted a safe life I suppose I would have stayed where I was put." She casts a cryptic, sidelong glance at Ian. "That's just not who I am."

"So it sounds like your tribe has come a great distance for this chance to rebuild," April observes sympathetically. "What could drive you so far from your home?"

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian listens to the conversation between Sigmer'Lune and April with interest, but keeps silent. He is keeping an eye out for anything funny.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:43 am Post subject:

"Well, it is sort of a long tale, but I will give you the gist of it now: I have led this tribe for my former lord, Lord Horlass, for two decades. We were his personal guard away from home. The women and elders of the tribe would arrange lodging and such, while us soldiers would act as his right hand. When he passed away about a month ago, we chose not to return to his provinces and become a part of his inheritance... We are on our own now. Well, we were," he smiles, giving Ian a nod.
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TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April nods. "Your people must think very highly of you," she says. "That's a heavy responsibility."

Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"So you weren't free men...birds...um...silly question. Do you refer to yourselves as men, or birds, since you clearly have qualities of both. If I offended you by calling you the wrong one, it was really unintentional."

"But that being said, you weren't free to come and go as you pleased when you worked for Lord Horlass?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

The Captain nods to April. Then he turns to Ian and says, "Not to worry. Either term is correct enough that none of us would be offended, Lord Ian. The race of these bird-men is called Vanrh'i!l."

"To answer your other question: no, we were serving Lord Horlass. Nothing like slavery or anything, but more like military service. We were bound to him by duty only. But it is true that this duty was to be extended... to his son."

...

They arrive at the makeshift camp, well-hidden and hard to come upon. Captain Sigmer'Lune's soldiers begin climbing the rocky terrain and swoop down a bit to inside the camp.

Sigmer'Lune holds his right hand out to help April up a large boulder.

Flora, who has been quiet but looks like she is refraining herself from asking more question awaits for Ian to be galant and help her up as well.

[OOC: note that the i! in Vanrh'i!l is a mild screech a bird might make. Difficult to reproduce with a human mouth, but doable.]
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian helps Flora up with a smile, then helps her down the other side into the bird-men's camp.

"Thank you for the clarification." Ian grins.

"If it isn't prying, is this would-have-been new Lord of yours going to cause you any trouble?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject:

He sighs and smiles. "Like I said... It's complicated and part of a long story. But yes."
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"Wait a second. He's going to cause trouble for all of you here. Because if he's going to do that, he's going to cause trouble for the Ashelts, too."

Ian looks thoughtful for a moment, generally the amount of time he takes to decide to kill someone.

"Tell me about this troublesome young Lord, please."

TonyLB · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 494

April chuckles. "Now Ian, these little details do come up," she says lightly. "I expect these folks are not the only party to our little peace gathering that have a few little items that didn't seem worth mentioning." She tilts her head in a shoulder-saving approximation of a shrug. "It's the broad strokes that are important. We want to work together, make peace together. Someone comes bearing down on Sigmer'Lune and his people, their defense is going to be something we'll all want a part in."

[EDITED to deal with crosspost]

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:01 am Post subject:

"I very much doubt that he will bother with us at all, Lord Ian, not as long as we are here," Sigmer'Lune says with seriousness, hopping down from a boulder, offering his hand to April once again. "And if he dares, it will be to deal with me alone, I am certain. In any case, we can add a special clause in our arrangement if we need to." Speaking through somewhat gritted teeth, he adds, "I will not see harm come to this tribe, much less you or Lord Ashelt who are uninvolved..." He spits. "The new Lord Horlass would not come here to seek an estate, or revenge or anything of the sort... I will tell you the tale when I have the heart for it. Tonight perhaps if things go well."

...

Women and elders of the tribe look at Flora, Ian and April, not emoting much outwardly, but there is that tension that Ian and Flora felt before. Flora steps closer to Ian and whispers, "They still do not seem to have much need for the North Tower... Certainly, they would be fine here, lest there is something else they fear."

Before them they see an organized group of people, lost in practical labor, not making more noise than the wind grants on the outside. Most do not wear clothing and they are more birdlike than the Captain, much like Brek and Nok are.

The Captain leads them through low branches to a tight and wide canopy of leaves where bowls and plates of food await them. Two older soldiers also enter this small area. It is almost eerie how the wind seems so distant and calm. Sigmer'Lune smiles, "Lord Ian, Lady Florimel, Lady April, please accept our hospitality in exchange for your help in the matters of the Ashelt." He helps himself to food, filling one of the empty wooden bowls for himself.
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