Outracing the Flames RPG

[Undómë]

Bregoware

Meghan


So caught up had she been in her own thoughts that she did not hear him approach. She gasped, turning quickly to face the source of the noise behind her. Osmod! He was talking to her, but she did not catch his words at first. The sound of his voice seemed so incongruous in this little sphere of silence she had entered.

‘. . . think we should head back now?’

She looked down at the little drawing in the dirt at his feet, wondering what it meant. It seemed more intricate than the last he had drawn.

‘. . . couldn’t sleep anyway.’

His words came to an end and he smiled sadly, his gaze turning up toward the hill where the others were. He was worried about them, it showed in his face. Yet, he had come after her and here he was, offering his hand to her. And then the thought struck her. He was worried about her, too. It was an oddly comforting thought; and in a way, somehow disquieting. This mix of unfamiliar feelings made her uneasy.

She laid her hand lightly in his outstretched one, using it for balance as she took a little leaping step over the pattern on the ground. Her hand dropped away, resting at her own side, as soon as her feet were steady on the other side. ‘My thanks!’ she said, nodding at him quickly.

‘Perhaps your right. We should get back.’ She matched her pace to his longer stride as best she could. ‘At least to rest, if not to sleep.’ She pulled her cloak closer about her, blocking out the chilly air. ‘Will we head south again tomorrow,’ she asked breaking the silence as they walked up the hill. ‘Or head west?’

---------------

Rædwald


‘There you are!’ Raedwald was halfway down the hill when he spied the two coming up. ‘Now how am I to hold up my end of the bargain with your brother if you go wandering off when I’m dead asleep?’ He rubbed the back of his head, looking at her. ‘If it hadn’t been for young Fionn, tossing and turning in his blankets, I would have slept right through ‘til daybreak!’

He nodded to Osmod. ‘My thanks for seeing her safely back to camp. I’m wide awake now. What say you if I take the watch for now, and you catch a few winks of sleep. Be daybreak in a few hours.’

Rædwald looked to Meghan. ‘Now look at you, lass. You’re shivering in the cold.’ Rædwald took off his own cloak and wrapped it about her. He was heads taller than she was and it trailed on the ground as she walked along.

[Nogrod]

Bregoware

The gentle melody of Meghan’s reed pipe was taken up by the light breeze that alone wandered the forsaken alleys of the village. It carried it towards the hill, and with a gentle breath of wind it climbed up, to Sythric’s sleeping mind. Sythric was just passing from a light sleep to deep dreams, as the age old melody passed all his semi-conscious levels of awareness, without leaving a trace. It entered the unconscious levels of his being, bubbling like a small spring stream. It was both cool and smoothing, defying all the harsh remembrances and dark visions that had started to gather in his dreams. The melody carried him to his childhood, to love and security. To peace. He slep better than in months. He was at the arms of his mother, in the arms of a world that had no evil in it.

Sythric woke up before the others. The sun was not up yet, but it would be soon. He was full of energy and positive mind. There was no sign of yesterdays tired and gloomy Sythric. He tended Thydrë, checking carefully, that everything was all right with her. Then he took two apples and his pipe from his pack, and headed for the top of the hill in the dim light of the daybreak. As he had thought, the guard was sitting there. And to his pleasure, it was Raedwald.

Sythric sat beside his old friend, took a good bite of his apple, offering the other one to Raedwald. Then they were just silent for a moment. The sight of Scyffold surely was depressing. After his good morning, it took his spirits a bit lower. Well, he knew, he would have to face that sight before he decided to take his morningpipe up there. Sometimes it just was better to face the evil head on than trying to forget it. And the sun would be there, any minute now.

He tried to reconstruct the village out from memory, comparing it to this sight ahead of him. He thought, he spotted the town hall’s remnants, and then there was this large structure, only halfburned. He turned to Raedwald: “Do you think that big one there, quite at the center, could be Tryggr the Merchant’s villa? He sure was one of the wealthiest men around these parts of the world. But as rain falls over everyone, the good and the bad, the rich and the poor alike, so does war and it’s destruction. There is no escape from it, but resistance. And against orcs you can’t resist with gold, as you can with men. At the times of distress we are all naked, armed only by our fragile bodies to shelter one another.” He puffed yet a couple of rings from his pipe, and then offered the pipe to Raedwald. “You care for some this early?” he asked, and simultaneously heard some noises from down below. Someone seemed to have been waking up.

[Arry]

Wulfham


Brand had only slept a few hours of the past night. He had hoped they would be further along the river by now, but the incident with the cougar and the finding of the burned village had put them behind schedule. He lay awake for the most part, thinking what needed to be done before they could ride again.

The cat and her offspring had done more damage than just to his face and arm. One of the sacks of dried meats had been mauled and ruined, even though they’d hung it high from the branch of a tall tree. He had not been thinking of a hungry big cat as a predator when they’d done that. It had been easy for the animal to climb out to the sack and retrieve it. Now he filed that bit of information away for future use; though he hoped there would be no more encounters of that sort.

He was up before first light, and had stoked up their little camp fire into a good sized blaze. The river was near, and he was thinking of catching a number of fish. Split open and smoked near the fire, they would be a good source of meat for a fair number of days. He made a kettle of strong tea and enough noise to wake most of the others up at least a little.

‘What say we see if we can catch a few winter trout?’ He walked over to where Dorran sat still wrapped in his blankets, knuckling the sleep from his eyes. ‘Here! This’ll peel your eye lids open,’ he said with a little grin as he handed him a mug of tea. ‘And how about you, Leod? Think we can outwit a few of our finny friends?’

‘How about I meet you two down there?’ he pointed toward the river’s edge just east of their camp. ‘Was up early and sorted out my lines. I’ll start getting them set. The early morning rise should just be coming on. I hope a few of the fattened for winter fish will still be greedy enough to take the hook. And worse, comes to worse, we can try our luck with my small net in the eddies.’

The two nodded their heads at him, though whether it was in agreement or just an appeasement so that he would quit chattering at them so early in the day. He fetched a cup of tea for Leod, then took his leave. Curious and eager for company, the dog followed after.

[Undómë]

Bregoware

Rædwald


It was harder to see things in the distance he noted as he’d gotten older. Rædwald squinted his eyes toward the gutted, burnt out village, focusing on the central area. ‘Does look like Tryggr’s place. It had a nice, cozy little mead hall next to it as I recall. And there in that open square where the town would meet - well that was where Meghan saw the funeral pyre.’ He took a bite from the apple Sythric had given him and chewed on it thoughtfully.

‘You know, I doubt there was much left of the townspeople after the Orcs came through. I wonder who it was that took the time to honor the dead? Who else would have come through this way, do you think?’

Rædwald took the offered pipe and puffed on it contentedly for a few moments before handing it back to his companion. ‘Looks like the rest of them are beginning to wake up.’ He grinned, seeing Meghan rise from her blankets and give a mighty yawn, then rub her face in an effort to wake herself up fully.

He yelled over to her in a good natured way. ‘Bout time you got out of bed youngster! Us old soldiers be needing a cup or two of hot, strong tea, if you please. Been up early guarding you, you know . . . keeping you safe from dangers in the dark!’

She gave him an impudent look and stuck her tongue out in mock defiance; still, he noted, she picked up the kettle and took it along with her to the river. ‘Good natured little soul, that one. Smart, too. Good hand with her flock. Make some lucky fellow a good companion, I think . . . one of these days.’ He laughed out loud, thinking about how that arrangement might go. ‘Course, might be hard to tell who wears the pants in that family . . . has a mind of her own about things. Never knew her to be without an opinion on something.’

‘What say we go rustle up something to break our fast,’ he said standing up and brushing the dust from his breeches. ‘Don’t know if Osmod will want to poke around in the village or just ride by it. At any rate might be nice if we got on our way before midday.’

He saw Meghan carrying the full kettle back toward the fire. It was heavy and she carried it two handed. As she walked it banged against her shins, and even with his poorer vision he could see the look of exasperation on her face and that each step brought a muttered word or two. And he guessed that none of them would be the sort to say in polite company.

‘Good thing we don’t have milk for our tea,’ he laughed, walking along with Sythric. He raised his chin toward the struggling Meghan. ‘Else it would be curdled from the curses she’s let fly!’

[Valier]

Wulfham

Vaenosa rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up in her bed roll, she had not slept well and her lower back was aching. Brand suggested to the men that they should try their luck at catching some fish. Frowning Vaenosa thought to herself why had he not asked her? Perhaps he thought now that there were three women, she would want to spend her time with them. Vaenosa was unsure as to how to approach the young girl, she felt for her, but crying girls was some thing she really did not know how to handle.

Standing now she searched for Nay. She hoped he was not being to much of a bother. He seemed to take a liking to the dog and was quickly following him and Brand to the waters edge. "Nay! For the last time, you are not a dog!" He turned his head, gave her a nicker then continued on his way. She did not want him splashing and prancing, scaring all the fish away. Hurring towards him she pulled his mane and directed him away from the water.
"Sorry boy, not this time. You will scare the fish!" She gave him a slap on the rump, directing him towards the other horses. "Go bother them for awhile."

Now mulling around, Vaenosa was unsure what to do with herself. She was not keen on conversing with the women and the older man Leod was slightly scary to her. So she decided to see if Brand knew of the way to tickle fish out of the water.

Heading slightly down stream she rolled up her leggings and entered at a shallow part. Her father had taught her this trick. It took a long time to learn, but the satisfaction of catching a fish was worth it. She headed towards a slight over hang where the fish would be lazing in the morning sun, with her fingers dangling in the water. She motioned for Brand to watch and be ready. Painstakingly slow she moved toward a shadow in the water. She odulated her fingers slightly with the current until her fingers touched the underside of the fish. With one quick motion she grabbed it by the gills and tossed it on to the bank, hoping Brand had seen her signal and would fetch it before it found it's way back into the river.

Hopping out of the water she pushed the cold water from her legs and headed towards Brand, who had his foot on the slippery fish." I know it's not as reliable as a line, but it sure is fun and refreshing!" She stated to Brand with a coy smile. " I would not mind helping with the fish,for awhile anyways." She said as she looked to see if the older man was coming towards them yet. " I uummmm can do something else if you think that the men can handle this." "She was beggining to become more familiar with the men at camp, but now there was a new unknown, untrustworthy, older man in their midst that made her uncomfortable.She was slightly embarrassed at the way she let her guard down around Brand, this was unacceptable and would no doubt lead to some mistake on her part.

Thinking again Vaenosa decided she best stay away from the men today in case her temper should flare. "uuummmm actually", she said to Brand. " I think I shall ready the horses and groom them as well, before we head out again." Taking the fish from Brands hands, trying not to touch his skin, she turned away from him quickly, almost like a shy child would and headed back. What did she care what this man thought of her. She hated men....yes that was it! She had no need for companionship, or even love, these were for the beautiful and well spoken women. Not a wretched, ugly woman such as herself. She was only a used up vessel of a woman, with no feelings towards others except distain." This is what you deserve! You need no friends! just remember that!" She muttered to herself as she wrung her hands around the fish tearing the scales from it's back. Looking down at what she'd done, she blushed. Now the fish was ruined and the meat bruised. "Perhaps it is good enough for our men!" Vaenosa said, the distain rising in her voice again. Her head was reeling with the thoughts of someone actually wanting to be her friend, let alone lover. " Perposterous! Stop this nonesense!" With that Vaenosa became quiet again.
She tossed the fish near the fire without looking at the others in camp and almost ran to get away from their questioning looks. She headed towards Nay who did not care who she was, or who she had been...He loved her anyways.

[Folwren]

Wulfham

Athwen woke the next morning a little after the sun had risen. She had slept without waking and without dreaming that night - completely worn out from the previous day’s actions and emotions. Every limb felt heavy as she slowly sat up and her head had a dull ache. For some minutes, she was aware of nothing, except the fire, at which she blinked at several times. Then she stirred herself and looked around. The places where everyone else had slept were empty, and no one was around except for Incana - the one who had seemed to take her under her wing the night before. The young woman knelt with a knife in her hand, deftly slitting open a newly caught fish and cleaning it. She raised her eyes briefly as Athwen stirred and gave her a small, half shy smile.

‘Good morning,’ she said quietly, almost testing her ground.

Athwen nodded in reply and answered out of habit, whether it was a good morning or not. ‘Good morning.’ There was a slight pause. Athwen pushed loose hair back from her face. She felt dull and heavy in thought and body and she couldn’t account for it. Incana returned to her work and Athwen watched quietly for a moment before asking, ‘Where is everyone else?’

‘The men are gone fishing,’ Incana answered, motioning towards the river with her knife, ‘and Vaenosa is over there with the horses.’

‘Leod is with the other two?’ Athwen asked.

‘Yes, he is. They all went down as soon as getting up.’ Athwen paused a moment, and her eyes rested on the fish. Her stomach turned with uncommon sickness at the sight and she drew back involuntarily. What was it? The sight of the entrails, perhaps. . .but it had never bothered her before. . .before yesterday. Incana noticed the slight reaction and she put down her knife quickly and wiped her hands on the grass. ‘Can I get you something to eat or drink? I think Brand made tea this morning and it’s still hot.’

‘Oh. . . no. . . but thank you. You are busy and I don’t really need anything right now.’ She got up quickly and brushed the stray grasses from her skirt. ‘I’m going to go look for him. Leod, I mean,’ she said. ‘Where are they again?’

‘They’re over by the river. A little down stream, I think, but I’m not positive. Haven’t left camp this morning yet and that was only the general direction they went in.’

‘Thanks. I’ll be able to find them now.’ She turned and walked slowly away. As she went, she absently combed the tangles and foreign objects from her long hair with her fingers. A natural, girlish thought rose in her jumbled mind and she snorted in disgust as she looked at a handful of the golden locks. ‘My hair is a mess,’ she grumbled aloud. With a slight sigh, she pushed it back over her shoulder and continued on.

In a few minutes, she reached the river side. She climbed down the slight embankment to the sandy edge and looked up and then down river in search of the three fishermen. In a moment she caught sight of them and she quickly made her way towards them, following the river, but being careful that she did not touch the water and cause some sort of nuisance.

[Nogrod]

Bregoware

As people had gathered around the fire to wait for the tea, Sythric addressed them all. “It’s nice to see we have all slept well last night, at least somewhat”. With that he looked joyously at Meghan and Osmod, and then to Raedwald. “we had quite a day yesterday, and I think we all feel it in our muscles still. But I have slept very well last night indeed. I don’t know why, but I have. It’s kind of a mystery to myself too.” He looked over all the others before continuing.

“I’m sorry, if I was a bit detached or melancholic yesterday. I was just tired and sore about all this going on. But now I think I could be of some help to us all, if you wish. I have my vices, but they could turn out to be my virtues this morning. I’ve dropped the habit of a morning-tea a long time ago. I prefer a sip of wine to wake me up. When you ride with a border-watch, you normally don’t have time or courage to make a fire, so some wine will have to do. And the effect is similar as it too warms you from the inside.” He smiled heartily, mostly to Raedwald, but to the others too.

“I could take a quick look at the Scyffold and what’s left of it. Just to have some idea, what has happened there, and more importantly, when it has happened? We still might have to bring these stories to the king, and just looking at the near future for ourselves, I would very much like to know, whether there could be an army of orcs within a day’s length of us, or just further away.” That last thought seemed to have silenced the others, at least they didn’t comment. So Sythric rose up.

“I could pack Thydrë just now. I would be leaving as the sun properly rises, and would give me some light to see around there. It’s up to you then to decide, whether you want to come in and have a look yourselves, or would you prefer to ride past those horrors and evil sights. If I don’t see you at the village center by the time sun climbs over those hills there”, Sythric pointed to the hills east from where they were sitting, “then I’ll be seeing you at the south-west corner of the village? That would give you something like an hour, or a bit less, to have your teas, to pack and get going. Would that suit you?”. He looked at Osmod, who had just received a steaming hot cup of tea. As Osmod seemed to be collecting his ideas, Sythric continued a bit more still: “Don’t you worry about me. I have seen enough corpses – friends and foes – that I can handle this one. It will not be a nice view to be had down there.” He made a pitiful try to smile with this last one, but managed to wink his eye towards Raedwald without others seeing it.

I hope this will work. It's always better to acquaintance yourself first with a dead orc, rather than one that's all alive and intending to kill you. Sythric thought to himself. Seeing some horror today would prepare them, and they would have seen, what the orcs generally look like, in reality, not just from the imagery of the tales and as visualized by wild imagination (which always seemed to underestimate the horror of real bad things in the end)... Hopefully Raedwald saw my intention in me kind of boasting my toughness, as a challenge to these young people? I'll count on him.

[Folwren]

Farael's post

Osmod


Osmod hesitantly took Brand’s hand and stood up. The man seemed to be speaking the truth. ”Master Brand, I hope you forgive me if I’m not too pleased, even now that our misunderstanding has been cleared” He regarded the man with cold eyes. Then, he looked at Fion who was now being helped one of the women. At least they all seemed to be truly concerned. ”Is there a healer among you? My friend may need a little help after your warm welcome.” He shook his head, ”But I forget my modals, I’m Osmod from Bregoware. When we left, our village still stood a day’s ride from the river. After seeing what happened in the village to the north us, I fear the worse for my people” Then a light of understanding shone in his eyes ”You know what I’m talking about. You were there before us.” Osmod could see it in Brand’s eyes. He could not find any words to say, but he knew none would be necessary.

One of the women was helping Fion. She asked, almost casually, something about how many of them had left towards Edoras. Osmod was about to answer, when he realized it could be a cunning attempt at trying to milk information off him. Rather than answering, he walked over to Fion, who was still unresponsive, and asked the woman for help to move him closer to the fire. The violent woman, the one that had threatened his friend’s life seemed to be preparing some sort of tea. Judging by the look on her face, she was not about to apologise. ”Well,” Osmod thought ”I will not the first to talk. She almost killed Fion, I am not going to make friends just because her other companions seem to be sorry. I don’t even know if they are truly sorry or just better deceivers than her”

Still, he silenced his doubts for the moment. He could not take on the six of them anyway, and the rest of the Bregowares would probably follow his tracks. Sythric and Raedwald would know what to do.

[Farael]

Folwren's post

Athwen


The excitement seemed to be over. Tea was being made and the men who had been given a rather cold welcome were now being made more comfortable and a few questions were beginning to be asked. Athwen found herself trembling. She couldn't exactly say why, it was a strange, uncommon feeling for her. She felt sick at her stomach and her heart beat hard against her ribs.

Silently she turned away from the others and stepped to her horse. Without speaking to anyone, she gathered up the reins, mounted him in a single swift, agile movement, and turned his head about. A light kick with her heels sent him into a long, slow lope and she cantered away from them.

For the second time that day, she found herself blinking back hot, stinging tears. The wind in her face almost dried them as they escaped from her blinking lids, but it didn't clear her eyesight and she went blindly on, her horse finding his own path through the grass.

After some time, she pulled him to a stop. He slowed quickly and came to a stand still. She bent forward until her forehead rested on his black mane and she slowly caught her breath and composure again. 'You're a sight, Athwen,' she told herself aloud in a quiet murmur. The horse's ears swiveled about and he turned his head towards her slightly. 'It doesn't make much sense, does it?' the girl went on, shaking her head slowly. 'Why were you so frightened, so over come just then? Nothing terrible happened, no one was really hurt.' She struggled with a choking sob, but she pushed it back down, blinked back new tears and sat up. Gently, she turned her horse back around and started towards camp at a slow walk. She didn't understand, and somehow she thought she never would, after what happened yesterday. Life woudln't ever be the same, and neither would her emotions and reactions to things that happened. But she would like to understand. . .at least some.

'And yet maybe not yet,' she told the wind. 'Maybe. . .maybe I will, someday.'

[Tevildo]

Dorran watched in silence as Brand headed down the path that led towards the river. The visit to the ravaged village had shaken the young man to the core. The harsh reality of the Orc raid had brought back harsh memories that Dorran thought he had lain to rest long years before. The night before, he'd sat quiet and alone, eating his meal and making little attempt to converse with anyone. Dorran wished his sister was here. He could have talked with her. Yet, at the same time, he was grateful that she had not seen the disheveled streets and houses with their ugly images of death and destruction.

Hearing Brand's request, Dorran gulped down the rest of his tea and scrambled to his feet, eager to be on his way. It would be better to do something rather than sit here and think about things that could not be changed.

"Leod, are you ready?" he called over to the older man who had just finished sorting through his satchel of herbs.

"Yes, yes, one minute," the latter replied. Stashing his bag under the bedroll, Leod quickly followed Dorran out from camp, both men walking in the direction that Brand had gone just a few minutes before. "I don't even have a pole," grumbled Leod. "I left it back at the cottage. I should have remembered to take it along, but I refuse to go back there."

"Don't worry" Dorran assured him. "I have a string and hook of my own, and Brand will probably have brought something from the supplies. He's very good at preparing things ahead of time."

Leod curtly nodded, and then added a brief question, "How long have you known Vaenosa? She seemed a bit skittish last night. I offered to bandage a small abrasion on her leg, and she gave me a look that would have curdled milk."

Dorran stifled a slight grin, "Not much longer than you have, Leod. Yes, it'll take a while for her to warm up. She's had a tough time in life, at least as far as men go, and I think it's rubbed off on her words and actions. She'll come around. Just give her a chance."

Leod wondered how long this "coming around" might take and just why the woman was so prickly, but then supposed that the whole thing was none of his business. Anyways, he had far more serious things to think about. They needed to replenish their foodstuffs and take off at a good clip to reach Edoras as soon as possible. Rounding the bend in the path, he could see Brand a short distance ahead. The latter had knelt down beside the river and now stood up to beckon to the men.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

It's a shocking feeling to wake up and discover that the sun is already peeking over the horizon when one is accustomed to rising long before the first touches of red begin to taint the upper horizon. It's even more shocking to wake up a cynic and feel a sense of grief at being unnaccepted, unappreciated, and someone scarcely there. Thus far, Eostre thought to herself, Sythric had been the only one to even attempt to speak with her politely...

And that had probably been just because of suspicion.

She rose, rerolling her bedding almost immediately into a tight bundle, and slipping her boots and belt on before stepping off of it. It was a chilly morning, although perhaps made all the more chilly by the overwhelming feeling of death that permated the land from the village beyond the hill.

Was there anyone even left on this side of the hill? No, it seemed only the two elder members of their party out of her sight now, she thought. But if any had taken sleep in easily, she knew no certainty.

It felt so empty here, now.

[Arry]

Wulfham

‘My goodness,’ thought Brand as he watched Vaenosa walk back toward the camp. ‘I’m going to put this down as a day to remember. We actually had a few light-hearted moments together!’ She had seemed relatively at ease as she’d shown him how to catch a fish with her hands. And she'd spoken to him in a companionable way. But now he could almost see her stiffen as she walked away, as if all the old pains and worries had her firm in their grasp again. ‘Well, perhaps tomorrow will be better,’ he said to himself. He was glad she had gone to groom the horses. She had a good way with them. And being with them, especially her own, seemed to bring her some measure of ease and happiness.

He decided it best not to brood over the 'whys' and 'wherefores' of her sudden mood change and went back to sorting out the coils of lines he’d brought. Each had a sharp little curved hook on it, and he was wondering what sort of bait the fish might take this morning. They were fussy little things, these trout, and just as apt to turn their noses up at something as to bite at it.

He heard Leod and Dorran as they crunched down the path toward him and stood up to greet them. He’d been kneeling down to secure his lines to some of the slender tree roots. Once there was suitable bait he could let the lines drift out from the bank, into the deeper pools where the wily fish gathered, resting from the current.

‘Well, gentlemen,’ he said, hands on hips as he turned to face them. ‘I suppose the fish are the same here as up north, but still, what do you think would be best to use for bait, Leod? Some of those shriveled berries on that bush there? Or would they like a little bit of dried meat on the hook, eh?’ He grinned at the both of them. Or shall we just plunge in and see about netting them?’

[Undómë]

Raedwald


Rædwald’s eyes narrowed as the group approached a wide grassy area. It was the end of autumn, but still the tall clumps of brown stalks and ragged yellowed leaves stood, like little sentinels waving their torn banners in the breeze. He raised a hand to halt the other riders and motioned them forward.

‘There,’ he said, pointing toward a space in the field before them where something large lay lumped beneath a blanket.

‘They passed here, Fion and Osmod. Osmod’s horse a little in the lead. And the tracks lead near the thing that lies covered in the grasses.’ He loosed his lance from the saddle holder and held it firmly in his right hand. The heft of it against his palm brought a flood of old sensations. And while they were familiar, not all of them were pleasantly recalled.

‘Loose your weapons and have them at the ready,’ he instructed the two women.

Sythric had by this time caught up to them. He drew up alongside Rædwald and perused the little scene before them. It was decided they would ride slowly across the field to where the blanket covered thing lay.