The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - On Patrol (Continued from Let's Go to the Prancing Pony)

piosenniel · 07-24-2002, 02:26 PM

Holly's room faced the front of the inn, and she had opened the small mullioned window to catch the cool night breeze. It was quiet down below - customers and travellers had made their way either to beds here or to home. She heard the breeze stir the leaves of the tree near her window, a soothing, rustling sound.

Her attention was caught by the harsh sound of someone's muffled curse. She crept to the window and peered out. It was one of those Rangers - he was muttering some mannish imprecation and sucking on his hand!

He moved out of her range of sight and hearing, and she thought no more of it. Turning back toward her bed, she sighed and told herself she really should lie down now and go to sleep.

But some small sound caught her attention once again. She put her head out the window for a better view, but there was no one there. Then she heard it again - a raspy neek-breek!, coming from somewhere near the inn steps.

Throwing a quilt from the bed around her, she went quietly down the stairs and to the main door. Praying that the Ranger had moved on to another location, she opened the door just enough to slip out to the top step, and knelt down there.

'Bird!' she whispered, 'Is that you? You sound ghastly! Come up stairs, you can spend the night in my room.'

She saw one crumpled antennae wriggle out from beneath the overhang of the step. Extending her fingers, she bade her friend crawl onto her outstretched hand. Swiftly and silently they went up to the safety of her room.

[ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

07-24-2002, 02:26 PM	#268
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Holly's room faced the front of the inn, and she had opened the small mullioned window to catch the cool night breeze. It was quiet down below - customers and travellers had made their way either to beds here or to home. She heard the breeze stir the leaves of the tree near her window, a soothing, rustling sound. Her attention was caught by the harsh sound of someone's muffled curse. She crept to the window and peered out. It was one of those Rangers - he was muttering some mannish imprecation and sucking on his hand! He moved out of her range of sight and hearing, and she thought no more of it. Turning back toward her bed, she sighed and told herself she really should lie down now and go to sleep. But some small sound caught her attention once again. She put her head out the window for a better view, but there was no one there. Then she heard it again - a raspy neek-breek!, coming from somewhere near the inn steps. Throwing a quilt from the bed around her, she went quietly down the stairs and to the main door. Praying that the Ranger had moved on to another location, she opened the door just enough to slip out to the top step, and knelt down there. 'Bird!' she whispered, 'Is that you? You sound ghastly! Come up stairs, you can spend the night in my room.' She saw one crumpled antennae wriggle out from beneath the overhang of the step. Extending her fingers, she bade her friend crawl onto her outstretched hand. Swiftly and silently they went up to the safety of her room. [ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.