Hearken Back to Forgotten World

[Maid of Marvels]

Aboard the Skidbladnir

There was magic in the air and the storm-that-was-not-a-storm raged relentlessly around them, buffeting the dragon ship hard against the towering waves. Deafening claps of thunder boomed overhead and lightning bolts illuminated the heavens.

Thrudd Thorsdottir was feeling more than a little under the weather, which didn't do much for her temper. Whoever or whatever was playing these games had best show themselves. And soon.

Making her way slowly to the side of the ship for the tenth or fifteenth time, she checked the knot on the rope tied round her waist which connected her to the tall mast. Danic had insisted. It wouldn't be fitting for the godha to fall overboard while gazing at the sea, he had said. Well if the Aesir would stop their nonsense, she wouldn't have to keep gazing at the frigging sea. "Frigg. Frigging sea. Gods, I kill myself sometimes," she chuckled to herself.

Her supply of newts were beginning to look none too healthy either. As she bid farewell to her midday meal, Thrudd wondered if she would be able to get a fresh supply in Bayaran, the city that she had seen in her scrying.

"Thrudd! Thrudd Thorsdottir!!"

The godha wiped her mouth against the back of her sleeve. Now if that isn't a blast from the past, she thought as she turned around and looked around for the source of the stentorious voice.

Placing her hands on her hips, she stamped her foot and glared at the giant of a man who had suddenly planted himself on the deck of the Skidbladnir. "Dammit!" she exploded. "Can't you ever just come by knarr like regular Vikings do?"

The man swung his hammer defiantly, setting off a chain reaction of ear-splitting explosions around them. His booming laughter added to the cacophony surrounding them did nothing to ease Thrudd's now splitting headache.

"Spare me the pyrotechnic display, will you? What do you want?" She demanded in a petulant voice.

"Awww... kitten. Aren't you even gonna ask me how I am?"

 

[Zircon]

OOC: Final piece of map... shouldn't hae done the entire thing so big LOL

 

[Zircon]

It would be nice if I just attach the map... smacking myself on the head...

 

[gohan18]

"Damn it, can't you let a dwarf rest in peace for once. I was down there dreaming of nice gems and fine metals when I get woken up by some idiot that likes to make noise."

I walk over to the big guy standing next to Thrudd.

"Can you please keep the noise down. I hope this is the only time I have to ask you this"

I turn around and walk toward the door leading down below deck. I turn around and look at the man again.

"I hope you take what I said seriously"

I take the door and slam it behind me as hard as I can and lay back down for some more rest.

 

[DRxBlue]

Starkynde is caught up...

A somewhat shabby looking man in black sat beside his fire. He sat cross legged watching the play of small flames in a fire pit filled with dried brush and twists of dry grass.

His mind was drifting. He was surrounded by a dry, but marshy terrain, which not long ago had been an impassable swamp. He pondered why he had been summoned into his body and thrown again into the world of humans.

He wondered where his enemy was, from whom he had escaped over 80 years ago by sinking into a death like slumber. He had sent his spirit to live in the Other World for safety, but now he had been awakened, he knew not why.

He pulled his awareness together into a small flake of consciousness. He now separated this part from his body to rise into the ether and test the currents in the force of Magic, which surrounds all living things.

He drifted aimlessly higher and higher until he detected a bright light on the horizon--as if a forest were on fire. Now he sped toward this source of illumination, not so quickly that he'd be noticed by other adepts, but with the haste of curiosity.

He saw a town--a large busy town, filled with many practitioners of the Magical Arts. He saw many treasures of Magical knowledge. He made note of the direction of this place, then sped back to his body apparently slumbering beside the fire.

He opened his eyes, pulled a wooden pipe from his pack and filled it with some bark from a local tree he had harvested yesterday. A snap of his fingers set the bark to blazing briefly, then with a puff he blew it out and began to smoke.

"Might as well wait until daylight and call a horse for me to ride. This looks to be an interesting adventure."

The fire burned long into the night as the Dreamer sketched out the patterns of his next Dream.

(edited to get the verb tenses to agree...damn!)

 

[Zircon]

Cre

Lucas was already saddled when I remembered that I had the rapist’s pouch. I opened it, hoping to find some gold. Denying the rapist his clothes would have been enough. Taking his money was a bonus. I was not disappointed as I found 5 pieces of gold and 12 pieces of silver. My trip back to Achronium now would be done in relative luxury with that money.

At the bottom was a parchment in a strange language. The parchment was soft, and the ink written on it was faded. I could hardly make out the words even with this bright morning light. It was in a language that I had no knowledge of. I was lettered, but only in the language of the Arraniel Empire. Perhaps this is a secret message to those who wants to rebel against Arraniel.

Conspiracies were swirling in my head now. Last night was too dark to see the face of the rapists clearly. But his well-made clothes suggested that this was no ordinary rapist. Aha! A nobleman who would conspire to overthrow the rightful government of Bayaran. I should find this rapist and question him further. With my fists if necessary. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found in the courtyard. I was at this time feeling a little bit flushed and sheepish at the ease of which I had let him go last night without further interrogation.

I walked Lucas to the docks first for one last look at the sea and ships before leaving for dull and dreary forested area of Achronium. And maybe walk barefoot on the beach, feeling the sand on his feet. Yeah, that was what I should do. And maybe also to see some of the pretty pearl divers that were in the area…

 

[Zircon]

Glyn & Rhaenyc

Rhaenyc woke up with a massive splitting headache. His eyes could hardly focus. He felt that his bones had been broken in many places. Then he realized that many of his teeth were missing and that he was as naked as the day he was born.

The courtyard was bereft of any folks this early in the morning. He could not concentrate enough to look for his clothes. And so, quite blindly, he tried to make it back to the keep, which he shared with Glyn. Grabbing a pitchfork to support himself, he hobbled back.

But his luck was not with him since the night before. A patrol of Guardsmen was passing by when they spotted a naked man walking on the streets. There were some women walking to the market this early in the morning and their shouts of outrage prompted the Guardsmen to arrest Rhaenyc.

He tried protesting, but his words were not quite coherent since all of his front teeth were missing. With his protestations still in the morning air, the Guardsmen dragged Rhaenyc back to the city gaol.

****

Glyn woke up late, his head feeling like something was pounding from the inside, and his mouth felt like a mule had just excreted in it. He contemplated on returning to slumber, but today’s important task was almost at hand. His money for good wine was running out, and he hated cheap wine.

He forced himself to get out of bed, despite the protestations of his body and brain. He was however awake enough to make a concoction to make his headaches go away. At least for an hour or two, enough time for his to do his important errand and be paid. Then when the headache came again, he would have enough money to permanently swear off the pig swill that they call wine down at the tavern.

Feeling refreshed after drinking the concoction and splashing his face with water, he proceeded to wake Rhaenyc up. He knew that Rhaenyc was a sound sleeper. And last night’s exercise would tire him easily. He laughed aloud when he approached Rhaenyc’s room.

Glyn was cursing aloud when he saw that Rhaenyc had not returned yet. They were supposed to be at Darius’ keep yesterday. Where the blasted was Rhaenyc now? No doubt still in the warm embrace of the serving girl. Glyn was still cursing when he walked out of the door in search of Rhaenyc back at the tavern…

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Aboard the Skidbladnir

Danic watched the exchange between Thrudd and the vociferous Viking with mild curiosity. Thunderbolts were exploding all around the ship now and Thrudd was swearing up a blue streak. The oarsmen were sitting on the rowing benches, mouths agape as the stroke oar stood and announced they weren't going to row one more bloody inch.

"Is this a union strike?" Danic shouted at the unusually defiant oarsman. He was more than a little annoyed now and wasn't quite sure what they'd do in the middle of the ocean without a crew to row.

"Nope. It's religion. The men say the ship has been defiled by her presence. They say she's a b... witch. They say... Only the sacrifice of a virgin will set them rowing again." Oh, yeah. They figured they had it covered this way. She was either one or the other, and judging by her b... witchiness, she was most likely both.

"Thrudd's a b...witch?" Now that didn't really surprise him, but the second thing. The crew's demand began to sink in slowly. That. That was plain impossible. Danic raised an eyebrow and bellowed. "A VIRGIN! A virgin???" he repeated, lowering his voice so that Thrudd wouldn't hear. "Where in the name of Odin am I supposed to find a blasted virgin on this ship?"

In a single fluid movement that made them look like the June Taylor Dancers, the entire crew turned and pointed at... Thrudd who turned to face Danic at that exact same moment.

"SACRIFICE A VIRGIN?? I am NOT a virgin! Tell them I am NOT a virgin!"

Her guest began to roar with laughter. "A VIRGIN? Why Thrudd's no VIRGIN! Danic, don't you remember the time with the string, the gladiator's helmet and the... erm... umm... cheese?"

Thrudd turned a particularly fiery shade of red and turned to the giant blabbermouth. "A simple affirmation would have sufficed. You didn't need to give the details!"

A horrified gasp ran through the crew as the implication of what they had heard began to sink in. Thrudd wasn't a virgin?

"The cheese?? Aww, Thrudd. Please say it isn't so. NOT the cheese!" Danic cried out in horror. He didn't care if she was a b... witch, but the cheese?? He sat down hard on a barrel and covered his face with his hands.

 

[gohan18]

I feel the ship stop and moving and decide to get up.

I get dressed and head above deck. I look around and notice that Thrudd's face is really red.

"OK, what in the hell is going on here?"

I get the scoop from one of the crew and I sit down and think.

"Well, if we have to make a virgin sacrifice we could just use one of the oarsmen. I could take his place for the rest of the jouney. But I don't think they would like that."

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

Perrin is amazed that their friend the Giant made it through alive too. "Thurstor, I am so glad to see you my large friend. I was afraid that only myself and Revlin survived. When I saw that dragons breath crisping the leaves of the trees around us, I thought we were all on the way to the afterlife. I wonder if anyone else survived too. " Perrin clasped his friend on the forearm, reveling in the feeling of finding another connection to the lost part of his life.

 

[Zircon]

Cre

The water was very cold. I had not remember it being this cold before. I was glad that I did not take all my clothes off and go for a dip. Of course, my old teacher had this acronym for me. “TGIF”. Toes Go In First. I was glad I remembered this. The wind was very strong at the moment. The waves were pounding against the submerged rocks. The sea of an angry sea came to mind.

I sat on a rock and looked at the ships passing to go into the bay. There were a lot of different ships, flying the flags of different nations. Bayaran was drawing them in. Then, in the distance I saw a ship, different from the rest. It was a Dragon ship from the North. The Northmen were seldom seen this far south. They were marauders and pirates. All along the coast, north of Aethown, the Dragons ships roamed and pillaged at will.

The Dragon ship was heading into Bayaran. I licked my lips at the possibility of a some confrontations with some Northmen. As I prepared to leave the beach, I saw three men walking up the beach. It were the huge warrior and the dwarf from the forest. The two that whom I had earlier suspected were lovers. And a giant. I have never seen a giant before, and anyone who ten feet tall was a giant in any case.

I hailed amidst the booming surf, ‘HO! Perrin and Revlin! Stranger! Over here. It’s me, Cre.’

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Aboard the Skidbladnir

Danic

"I was BORED! Friggin' BORED!! Just wait til I get my hands on you!!" Thrudd screamed toward the heavens as the giant disappeared from the deck, an echo of his booming laughter echoing around them.

Hearing Blon's comment, the flustered Thrudd had a hushed conversation with Danic that was accentuated by a lot of arm flailing and head shaking. After a few minutes, Danic approached the stroke oar.

"Tell me, does your religion include any women?"

The oar looked apoplectic, sputtering his shocked response. "WOMEN!! Certainly not! Women are sinful creatures. Only the purest may worship!"

"So you've never... erm... uhm... That is... you've never... erm... you know... with a girl?" Danic asked, glaring at Thrudd for making him do her dirty work.

"Odin protect me!" gasped the stroke. "Certainly not!! I'm as pure as the driven snow!"

Danic began to grin, now seeing Thrudd's intent. "So, you mean to say you are a... "

"I'm a VIRGIN!!" the man shouted proudly in a most superior tone. Until he noticed everyone staring at him, that is.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a virgin, Thrudd!" Blon called over his shoulder.

"I say that's virgin on the ridiculous, Thrudd. Won't they be expecting a girl??" Danic mumbled, thinking that this plan wasn't such a good one after all. It wasn't good to anger the gods. Even if Thrudd did have an "in".

"Don't worry about a thing, Danic. We'll dose him with some herb, stick him in a dress and they'll never know the difference."

Well the guys weren't quite sure that her plan was going to work, but sure enough... twenty minutes later they were back on course and there was land in sight.

 

[gohan18]

Blon

"Finally some land and a nice calm land where I can get some sleep"

Twenty minutes or so go by and we finally hit the docks.

I get off the ship and carry my axe and hammer with me. I walk over to were there are smiths working and notice there work hanging around and on shelves being displayed.

"You call this armor and weaponary. My blind, deaf, mute grnadmother could make betterarmor and swords in her sleep."

I take out the axe that I found in a jouney to the place. I look around and notice all the smiths giving me that look like I am going to be dead soon.

"Come on you wimps, I'll take you all on"

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Land ho!

It took Thrudd a bit to get her legs used to the land again, but she soon saw that she couldn't wait a moment longer when she noticed Blon doing his 'dwarvishly macho thing' in front of some smiths.

Marching over, she grabbed his arm. "Don't you have somewhere else to be and some other things to do besides toying with these skraelings?" She hissed at the Viking.

"It would be an unfair fight after all," she added in a meaningful manner to the slowly smoldering men who were watching on as she turned away.

Danic, who had followed her, was chuckling under his breath. She glared at him and sent him back to the ship with a lethal threat of having to carry her packages if he dared follow her one more step. Most Vikings hated shopping of any sort, much preferring to sack and pillage instead. In Thrudd's eyes, it mussed your hair and clothes and chipped your nails. Shopping was so much more satisfying.

Leaving Blon to follow or not, the godha headed for the marketplace she knew would be somewhere in the center of the city. There were things she needed and hopefully someone would have fresh newts on hand.

 

[Zircon]

Darius

Darius summoned the Captain of his guards.

‘Captain Tylas. I want you and your men out in the city starting today looking for a few people. Here’s an orb which will help you identify them. I want you to invite them to my palace. I look forward to their company. I get so lonely sometimes, you understand completely, Captain Tylas?,’ Darius commanded, emphasizing the word ‘invite’. It meant he will brook no refusals of his invitation.

‘And oh, Tylas, before I forget. Also, look for those two idiots, Glyn and Rhaenyc, please. Tell them that I’m very, very interested in what they have found out.’

After the Captain left , Darius heaved a sigh of relieve. Now he could go to bed after being up almost the whole night. Last night, he was sleeping quite soundly when he had a nightmare. In the nightmare, he saw a phoenix rising from the ashes ablaze, burning him in return for his prior action of burning the phoenix. He awoke up with a jump. He was sweating profusely.

The rest of the night was spent in his study. He had a scrying bowl where his dreams and nightmares were interpreted. In the dark waters of the scrying bowl he saw something which he did not like at all. Thus, the commands to his Captain this morning. His soon-to-be guests would have no choice but to accept his kindness.

Darius was laughing loudly on his way to his bedchamber.

 

[gohan18]

"Your right Thrudd."

I put away my war axe and follow her.

"Well maybe I will find a half desent weapon smith who will let me buy some metal off of him"

 

[chewbacca71]

Revlin

Revlin looks up from the reunion with Thurstor and sees a familiar figure coming towards him. "Hello Cre, good to see you. " Revlin cant remember where he had seen him before, but he seemed awefully familiar.

 

[Zircon]

Cre

‘Hello Cre, good to see you.’

The dwarf and the warrior did not really recognize me. They must have forgotten that we’ve met before. Or was it them that I have met before? I’m so confused now. I know for sure that their names were Revlin and Perrin. But beyond that I could not remember too where I have seen them. It must have been cosmic karma that their names were stuck in my mind.

‘Revlin. I’m glad to see that you and your friend has survived.’

Survived from what, where and why, I did not have a clue. I thought it was the polite thing to say. Besides, I had emphasized the word ‘friend’. I had silently chuckled. I would have loved to see these two men together in an intimate embrace if they had not answered my hail. But I would be intruding on the their privacy. My knightly honor prevented me from intruding on other’s privacy.

‘Perrin and Revlin. I’m going back into the city by the way of the docks. Both of you are welcome to join me. I know of an inn that the beer is wet, and the food warm, and the women friendly.’

And I started walking, the sand getting into my boots at each step.

 

[hybirdx]

"Damn villagers! They always try to kill me when I'm doing a job!" Lekally had already killed the beast, but he was afraid to return the village until the angered butcher cooled off. "Well now what? I had been walking here for a while, no sign of li- Who are they?"


Lekally silently watched for an moment. 'Thats Revlin and Perrin, And that guy is a friend of theres. I'm glad to see some people that I know at least a bit!' Lekally got up and aproached them slowly, having the fear of them not remembering them "Ho! Revlin, Perrin, Cre!"

Lekally was happy to see them but for some odd reason, he couldn't exactly remember whear they met.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Thrudd wandered through the market...

listening to vendors as they hawked their wares; each one offering bigger, better, tastier, finer goods than the merchant before. Of course she stopped often, haggling over prices, hefting the weight of things in her hand, examining bolts of cloth for flaws in the weaving.

All the while she kept her eyes open for a merchant who would not be so vociferously touting his or her vendibles. These would be almost certainly available on the outskirts of the market, perhaps in a dark forgotten corner. But it would be there. Shops and stalls of this sort always were.

At last! The godha had found what she was looking for. Turning toward the smith who had foolishly chosen to follow her, Thrudd removed the top item from his package-laden arms and stared him in the eye.

"Don't you go wandering off, Blon. I will only be a moment and then we will return to the ship before I take rooms for the night," she said sternly. As she entered the dimly lit shop, Thrudd chuckled, thinking she heard him grumble something that sounded a lot like "B... witch".

 

[gohan18]

Blon

"Great what have I gotten myself into now"

This is the only thought running through my head as Thrudd says something to me and then goes off again, I think.

For the reason I have to think is because I can't see over all the stuff that I am carrying.

I think about throwing all the stuff on the ground but go against it because as a true gentleman and someone that's quite smart. You never, ever for any reason let a women things get messed up or there will be Tartirus to pay.

I find my way against a builing and lean back on it waiting for her to come back.

 

[DRxBlue]

Starkynde hits town...

A deep dapple-gray mare approached the thriving community of Bayaran. On her back a dusty, caped figure, all in black, strummed gently on a lute.

He left the reins of the horse's halter tied at the back of the horse's neck, left one leg dangling down and the other curled under the lute. He looked more as if he were lounging on a couch than riding a horse, yet he made good progress.

As the two approached the city gate, the man suddenly sprung from the horse's back. Knotting his fingers in the black mane he looked into the eyes of the beast.

"Thank you for the ride, Milady. Wind Racer, though he's some 80 years gone, would have been proud of you. You go back to the knight's camp you came from. i doubt they've even missed you." He gave the horse a piece of honeycomb, dry and hard, but all sweetness within, rubbed his cheek against her muzzle and struck off for the gate.

Soon he was wandering the streets and shops of the busy town. He was seen to go into a jeweler's store, but the jeweler saw no shabby man in black. To him appeared a fine gentleman in deep blue velvet with a very fine ruby. The gentleman sold it for a hand full of coppers and a silver piece, when it must have been worth 30 times it's weight in gold.

Years later the jeweler found a small pebble in one of his secret drawers, he vaguely remembered something about a ruby which he had bought for a hand full of cheap coin, but brushed the memory aside. That was just silly.

The man in black stopped in other places, here selling priceless artifacts, there buying strange plant extracts and apothecary wares.

Finally as evening drew nigh, he stopped at a tavern near the center of town. Ordering a large tankard of brandy, he paused before drinking to stir in some "medicine", then engaged the owner in a non-stop series of stories and jests.

Within the hour, as the supper crowd filed in for the evening meal, the two were like fast friends. He called himself Tom-Tom and he allowed his new friend Miles, the tavern keeper, to convince him to play his lute. He played and sang with such wonderous skill that the crowd became silent. Then as he finished, a roar of applause shook the rafters and Miles' help were overrun with orders for ale, gin, beer and brandy.

Miles offered to give Tom-Tom free room, board and brandy if he would stay and entertain the crowd.

"And of course you can keep all what gets tossed in yer cap, brother." Miles winked.

Tom-Tom readily agreed. He announced that he'd be back later to play, then went up to his room to clean up and rest a little before the show. As he washed the dust out of his hair and beard, he looked in the mirror in the candlelight.

"Yes...I can feel it beginning. This is a town where much is possible, but little is certain.... Just the way I like it!"

 

[Zircon]

Captain Tylas’ Men Invites Blon

‘You there. Yes, you Dwarf.’ A corporal shouted to the dwarf leaning against the building. He saw that the Dwarf was encumbered by the numerous packages he was holding. He had the other three men surround the Dwarf from all sides. The Dwarf looked around dumfounded, but the Corporal knew that he was not making a mistake.

All them had their swords drawn and their shields buckled securely against the arms. They were prepared for a battle. The Corporal knew the strength and fighting skills of the Dwarves. And their famed temper.

‘My Lord Darius wishes to extend to you an invitation to his castle. Do you accept?’

 

[Zircon]

Captain Tylas’ Men Invites Thrudd

The throngs of people in the market street prevented quick movement. But the Corporal and his men were professionals. And the people realize this the instant that they swerved for no man or woman. There were many bruised shoulders that day. And those who were only bruised should consider themselves lucky.

The blond hair of the Northwoman made her stood out amongst the crowd. The Corporal waited for her to emerge from a shop.

‘My Lady. My Lord Darius wishes to have an audience with you. Please accept my Lord’s invitation.’ The Corporal emphasized the word ‘please’, while his hand was on his sword. Northerners were unpredictable, and the Corporal was ready for anything.

Then the Corporal impudently ran his fingers through her blond hair. To add insult, he squeezed her on her behind, and said, ‘Of course, you can refuse and come to my place instead…’

 

[Zircon]

Captain Tylas’ Men Invites Starkynde

The Corporal was sure that the information gathered at the City Gates was correct. But for the life of him, he could not find the man he had been assigned to ‘invite’. He scoured the shops, and each the information given to him changed. He was very baffled, and got increasingly frustrated.

At the end of day, when he and his men had no ‘guest’ to bring back, he enlisted the help of the City Guards. The City Guards were supposed to be neutral, loyal only to the commands of the City Council. But Darius’ influence extended well into the City Council. Although not as professional as Darius’ own army, the City Guards were more numerous.

The Corporal finally found the man he was looking for in a tavern.

Pushing the crowd out of the tavern, he had his men surround the mage.

‘Sir. My Lord Darius wishes your esteem company. Please follow us so that his wish may be fulfilled.’ A little flattery and manners would not hurt when faced with a mage.