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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 12:53:49 GMT -6
the roads to Wildgard and the southern kingdoms
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 13:04:03 GMT -6
On a small wagon, covered with unbleached canvas, rode the Priestess Kirsten, and her son Golden. They were heading south for the winter. Their goal was her uncle's lands far to the south. The wagon was pulled by a pair of hardy mountain ponies that had spent the summer playing in the plains and having fun. Their luggage, food and water supplies filled the wagon bed, along with a grass-filled mattress that they would sleep on. Kirsten wore her white robes over plain black trousers and a purple leather vest. Her bow was near to hand, along with arrows, dagger at her side. Golden's sword was near to his hand, in case of bandits. They spoke quietly as they drove along the mountain path to the southeast.
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 13:40:01 GMT -6
walking along the road with his bow in hand hearing the sound of a wagon his thoughts turn to his task finding Wildgard and finding the queen. I think I am going to ask for directions, as he starts to jog to meet up with the wagon all in black armor and clothes, cloak blowing behind him as he jogs "hail their traveler could you point me the way to the Wild lands?"
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 13:44:54 GMT -6
Kirsten drew up the ponies to a halt, smiling cautiously at the traveller. "Hail and well met. You need only continue on this road, following it to the north west, then through the mountain pass and into the Wildlands. Wildgard is but a half day's journey from the mountains. There you will find food and shelter." She looked him up and down. 'Another mercenary from the south. Hope he has some skill with a bow. He'll need warmer clothing for the northern winters.' she thought. Then she spoke to him directly, "You can ask at the Temple of the White Lady for temporary shelter, if you are short of funds. The acolytes have orders to aid travellers." She reached into a belt pouch and removed a small wooden token, with her lotus blossom carved on it. "Give them this. They will know I sent you." She offered it to him.
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 14:02:00 GMT -6
"thank you my Lady wait the white lotus blossom ~his eyes go wide he moves his cloak away showing his tunic with the same sigil on it~ you know the queen?"
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 14:07:00 GMT -6
Kirsten blinks at the sight of her personal sigil on his tunic, at a loss for words. Golden, however, did not suffer such restraint. "Mama IS the Queen!" Kirsten hushed him quickly and looked back at the young man standing beside her wagon. "I am Kirsten Haardrad, yes. I am, however, not queen. The people of Wildgard fell to the lies of a demon and have rebelled against my leadership, before I could ever take the throne." Her voice faltered, then strengthened, "I am going south to gain some strength and support from family and others before coming back. I wish my chosen home well, but I do not trust that they will grow much. They are too divided. And the one who promised me support, is the one who engineered my fall." She looked away. "Be cautious, friend. There are few in Wildgard who are trustworthy anymore."
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 14:17:38 GMT -6
"hmm I was travailing to help turn the tide of the rebellion in your faver my Lady ~takes a knee and bows his head removing his cloak and pulling out his sword and offering it to her~ I am Nathaniel Grant I am in your Uncle's army I wish to pledge my life and my sword to you my Queen"
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 14:39:29 GMT -6
Kirsten looked down at the young man, debating on her next action. She took a deep breath and leapt down from the wagonseat to stand before him. "Nathaniel Grant, I accept your sword. I'd much rather you keep your life." She smiled, then spoke, "Rise, Warrior. If you truly wish to serve me, then you will go to Wildgard and be my eyes and ears. The Temple has doves which will seek me out with any messages. Go, aid my people. Dispell the thoughts of my wish to forcibly conquer them. But do so quietly and cautiously. None should ever know that we have spoken before my return in the spring." She considered, then decided, "Open your tunic, Nathaniel. You've sought me out, pledged yourself to me. I will take steps to ensure you can not be turned against me, as others have. I will lay a geis upon you. An enchantment that will prevent any from using magic or drugs, to change your mind and heart against me."
She waited, for this was the test. Any who was truly FOR her, would accept this necessity. Any who had any lingering doubts in his heart, would refuse. What would this man decide?
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 14:45:28 GMT -6
~looking surprised and relived~ "I excepted this great honor and privilege and this gift my Queen I hope I serve you well I only need only a few names and banners I will see it done who is the leader of these usurpers and close banners to him?"
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 14:57:18 GMT -6
Nodding, she stepped forward and slid her hand under his armour, his tunic and laid her soft hand against the skin over his heart. Manifesting her power, she called on her Goddess to ward this man's heart and body against the magic and manipulation of others, "By the power of the Aesir, by the power of the LAdy of Light, I ward you, Nathaniel GRant. You have given yourself to me and my cause. May Odin guide you with wisdom, Tyr with might, Freya with stealth. I beg of Baldur the Beautiful, a ward against poison and drugs. May the Lady of Light protect you from harm." The light on her hand glowed a brililant blue-white as the blessings of the invoked Gods and Goddesses settled on the shoulders of the man, soaking into his body and soul, warding him from all others. When the light faded, Kirsten removed her hand and re-adjusted his garments, then stepped back.
"Nathaniel, he who has betrayed my trust and his own word is one, who claims noble blood. Lord Gavin MacNeil. He gave the orders to Wulfric Greyfang, who had declared himself one of my armsmen. Wulfric obeyed, as he discovered that Gavin called upon his loyalty to blood oath. I hold Wulfric honorable to his oath. But Gavin broke faith. Gavin needs to be punished. The Greyhawk sub-captain, Marlo..." Kirsten paused. "I know not if she betrayed my trust due to magic or manipulation, but she must be watched. She is....unusual. A Hobbit." A deep breath, then Kirsten spoke again, "Genet. Him you may trust. While he is no longer my armsman, he did so with honour and respect. I hold him in the utmost respect. Do not reveal yourself to him, thus not putting him on the spot to chose sides before my return. But you can trust him in all else."
She moved back to the wagon, lifting her skirts to climb back aboard, and then once settled, she looked down at him, "Be careful, Nathaniel. I do not wish to lose another armsman."
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 15:08:33 GMT -6
"I will pose as one of the usurpers either friend or family....hmm this Greyfang who is this man? and how high do people look to him as?" ~sheathing his sword and putting his cloak back on~
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 15:22:07 GMT -6
"Wulfric was Captain of the TownGuard, the Greyhawks. His betrayal hurt, deeply. Until I finally got the truth from him. Then, while he would not give me the name directly, he gave me sufficient information as to ascertain the truth. Gavin was at the heart of that betrayal." Kirsten took a deep breath. "What is worse, he'd given his oath to my uncle, personally, to support me. Uncle wants his head!" She looked down the road thoughtfully, "I don't. I want him on his knees, begging for my forgiveness. For my mercy. And I will have it, or else he *will* die." She looked back to Nathaniel. "Do I make myself clear? I would far rather rule a people who trusted and respected me. Who loved me, even just a little. But I *WILL* not permit such a betrayal again. My ancestors and my gods would turn their backs on me, if I should do it." She shook herself slightly, throwing off that harshness and just looked sad once more.
"I wanted peace and prosperity. I wanted everyone safe and well. And they turned from me."
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 11, 2013 15:26:42 GMT -6
"can this Greyfang and the Greyhawks be trusted?"
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Post by Lady Kirsten on Nov 11, 2013 15:28:21 GMT -6
"Wulfric is gone. He was called home. Marlo is in charge and no, I don't think she can be. They can be trusted to work for the community, but not me."
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Post by Frenzy on Nov 12, 2013 0:03:18 GMT -6
"has this man sent for reinforcements?"
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