Hazardous Times

[mistral4543]

Sorsha

The gleam of hope that had found its way into her eyes dies instantly, and she blinks rapidly, her fists clenched in an effort to control herself. Hearing a booming voice yelling for dwarven ale from the other side of the room, she pulls herself together as well as she can ~ "Coming, good sir!"

Turning back to the elf, she gives a wistful, apologetic smile ~ "I... I'm sorry that I have to decline... this being my first day of work, I... I have to serve everyone..."

"Oi, you! Are ye daft, lass?!"

Hurriedly, she drops a curtsey to the elf and dashes to the counter, grabbing the ale that Winthorp had prepared for her. Looking up, she sees Winthorp's encouraging smile ~ "You're doing just fine, my girl." ~ And the burden in her heart lightens not a little.

She now makes her way to the slightly irate customer and places his beverage gently in front of him, giving him an embarassed smile ~ "I... I'm sorry... I'm new and a little slow here." ~ Her cheeks flush slightly and she makes to return to the counter.

[mistral4543]

Day 2

As the gentle rays of the sun beam on the quiet little village, the roosters begin to crow. One by one, the windows of the quaint cottages open.

A lone old man steps out of his house, his gnarled right hand gripping a staff tightly. Making his way to the centre of the village, he locates his favourite spot - a wooden stump marked with an 'X'. Smiling contentedly to himself, he slowly lowers his body and sits on the stump. His left hand reaches in to his coat and draws out a pipe... soon, he is puffing away blissfully.

"Come back here, you little monsters!" ~ The familiar howl is heard from the distance, and he grins as he watches two little figures, a fine lad and bonny lass, run up to him.

"Good day to you, young sir and miss." ~ He pronounces solemnly, to their delight. Flinging themselves onto his lap, they proceed to ruffle his clothes and hair in an affectionate manner ~ "Heya, Dalben! Got any more stories to tell us?! Huh?!"

He shakes his head unhurriedly ~ "Not today, my friends... not today." ~ His eyes twinkle with merriment ~ "Now, let me see if you've really listened to what I've been telling you... tell me, what does a new day signify?"

"I know, I know!... A new beginning!..."

"No, you dope!... It's a new adventure!"

Chuckling, Dalben draws them both into his arms ~ "You're both right, my friends... you're both right."

[mistral4543]

Gavrouche

He paces about his room, his mind spinning ~ If he should see me... why, that'd be the end of my fledgling career as a... a collector! ~ He chews his kips thoughtfully ~ And Raymond... how peculiar that he should welcome a stranger into his house... ah, well... I suppose he was just as bored as I myself was.

Walking over to the cupboard, he flings the doors open and examines the items neatly arranged within it. Travelling boots, a rather worn out cloak, a short bow and some arrows, rations to last for a week. ~ A frown appears on his lips, before the sides of his lips curl upwards ~ But now I've got two hundred gold pieces... if I live long enough to use it.

Hastily, he peeks out of his partially closed window and heaves a sigh of relief that Raymond and company have yet to emerge from the white house. ~ Now's my chance to escape! ~ Throwing his worldly possessions into a bag, he flings it across his shoulders, pushes the door open and dashes out, away from the village.

[mistral4543]

Damien

He awakens to the smell of freshly grilled bacon, his mouth watering. Jumping out of the simple but comfortable bed, he strides into the kitchen to see Raymond hard at work, fixing breakfast.

"Thanks, bud. You're really something." ~ He smiles gratefully at the keen youth ~ "Can I help in any way?"

In answer, a delicious-looking platter is placed at the table before him. Grinning, he begins to tuck in. Enjoying the savoury food, he mumbles ~ "This is the life, Raymond. I can't imagine why you don't like it... I mean, you're still more than welcome to join me in this insane so-called quest, of course. But I don't know if we'll ever find anything... and we could lose our lives for no good reason."

[Larry_OHF]

Raymond

That does not trouble me, friend. I have nothing to live for. This whole place is mine...and mine alone. If nobody to share it with, what good is it? If I die in your service...at least I died good. Now,,,eat up and let's get going. I wanted to go to the Inn to say good-bye to a frined of mine, then we shall be on our way.

[mistral4543]

Sorsha

Gazing into the mirror, she scrutinises her appearance critically. ~ Dull blue eyes, plain brown hair, hollow cheeks, pale lips... could Justin really have loved a ghost like me? ~ Her lashes flutter involuntarily ~ Here I am, thinking of you again, my love... there will never be a day when I do not remember you.

Slipping on the worn-out boots, she walks out of her room, careful to lock the door. There seems to be no noise in the tavern yet... making her way out, she shivers as the cold winds assault her through the tattered shawl she had flung across her bare shoulders. Yet the air is refreshing, raising her spirits considerably.

As she walks further on, she notices three figures in the centre of the village. Two children and an elder. For some unexplainable reason, her feet begin dragging her towards the threesome... as she approaches them, her trembling voice speaks ~ "H... hello, there."

While the children rush to circle her, giggling at her impoverished appearance, the elderly figure makes no movement to turn around. ~ "Good morning, child... I have been expecting you."

[mistral4543]

Damien

Shaking his head half in amusement, he nevertheless finishes the food quickly, burping appreciatively when he is done. ~ "That was without doubt the best food I've ever tasted, Raymond." ~ Sensing the urgency in the lad, he smiles and helps to wash up the dishes and finish up any undone chores.

"Alright, then. Lead me to your friend, and you can say your farewells before we head off. With no particular direction in mind, I might add."

[mistral4543]

Dalben

He finally turns around, his clear gray eyes studying the waif in front of him. His pipe remains firmly in his mouth, puffs of smoke continually emerging from it. ~ How frail she looks... ~ Momentarily, a furrow forms on his brows and the lines on his face deepen ~ May the gods bless her; she will need it.

Noting the look of wonderment in her blue eyes, he casts her a serene smile ~ "Do not be alarmed; I mean no harm." ~ He beckons her towards him, his magnetic gaze drawing her forward.

[mistral4543]

Sorsha

Almost against her will, her feet stumble towards the strange old man; he, with the odd-looking staff and curious pipe. ~ What does he want with me? Is my identity not unknown in these parts of the world?

Five feet away from him now, she swallops a gulp, feeling her heart beating erratically. ~ "Who are you?" ~ She whispers, more in awe than in fear.

[Larry_OHF]

Raymond and Damien

Raymond leads Damien through town, on his way to see Winthorp. On his way, Raymond sees Dalben, speaking to an odd looking lady. He had never seen her before. She was certainly not from this town...
Yet, continuing on...they finally reach the Inn. Raymond runs up to Winthorp and tells him what he is about to do, and introduces him to Damien. They speak for a few minutes, then Winthorp asks to speak to Raymond alone.
Pulling him aside, Winthorp asked Raymond if he knew what he was getting into. The lad replied that he didn't care where this path took him, as long as it took him away from this tired life. Nodding his understanding, Winthorp goes into the back room and returns in a few minutes carrying a scabbard. Handing it to Raymond he says...

"This is a gift to you. A long time ago...I was a young man, in search of gold and adventure like you. I travelled with a group of 5 others. They were close friends.
They all died in a terrible battle against a horde of Trolls that we were fighting...that had taken over a village, much like this one...
I was the only one to survive. This sword belonged to my best friend who died, saving me. He thrust this sword into my hands, yelled for me to run, turned to meet a troll that had been chasing us...and met his fate. I ran and ran, never looking back. I ...am ashamed of that, now. Please...use the sword well. Let it avenge the death of my friends in your hands."

With that, Winthorp turned and walked back out to see to his morning schedule. Raymond stood there for a minute, too shocked to say anything or even move. Finally realizing that Damien had been waiting on him, he turned and walked out to meet him. He did not look at the sword yet. He was not ready to.