Resettling the Lost Kingdom - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Carrûn · 01-09-2004, 08:58 AM

Awyrgan left Tane's cabin elated. The prospect of leaving the settlement, even if only for a few days, was a welcome change. It was not that the man disliked the village's inhabitants, at least no more than he disliked any other men, but rather that any sort of roof other than the open skies left him feeling hemmed in and stuffed. Doors compressed the breath in his chest and roofs were a cage. Yes indeed, this will be a useful change of pace.

Walking to where his horse stood he untied the harnesses from the tree, letting it run free for a few moments. He fingered the copy of Thorgil's map in his pocket. Drawing it out he ran his finger over the route again, committing it to memory. Especially the supposed locations of the hillmen. The paper could be easily destroyed by rain and Awyrgan had no desire to bumble alone into one of the wild men's camps, with or without a companion. Placing the map in a saddlebag he whistled sharply. Within a few minutes he was mounted on his horse and headed towards the settlement.

It was nearing evening when the ranger arrived, he had ridden fast and his horse was breathing heavily. Sitting in the saddle at the outskirts he watched a few children play a game with an assortment of sticks and stones. The man could not discern any pattern in the game but the children laughed in glee nonetheless. He fingered the green-studded ring on his finger, watching the reddening Sun's rays catch and dance on the metal. He glanced briefly. The flame of the West. He chuckled darkly but his eyes did not laugh. Looking again at the children a shadow passed across his face, but only for an instant. The memories were quickly pushed deep into the murkier recesses of memory and spurring his horse, he rode to where his tent stood.

A wind had pulled the cloak Awyrgan called his tent out of the ground and several corners now leapt free in the light evening breeze. Rolling it up, the man began to store several days’ worth of food and equipment in a small pack. Paths, plans, and calculations flowed automatically from his mind to his hands. Within several minutes he was ready to leave.

He had already decided on traveling by foot. He walked into the town, all his possessions on his back and leading his horse by the bridle. Several of the townsfolk looked at the man with an expression he could not quite comprehend as he passed by. He had not been particularly friendly with the villages. Still, he did not regret it. Better they ignore him then become attached to him. That was justification enough for the locals, but his fellow Rangers were another matter. The man could not explain his wall of silence towards Alearindu and Thoronmir. It was as if he had unconsciously willed himself never again to become close to another human being.

He stopped at the hut of the fur trader he had dealt with on a few occasions. A few coins from palm to palm and the horse had a multi-day vacation.

Thoronmir was sitting smoking in the "square" of the town. Awyrgan set his pack down and slid next to the elder ranger, drawing out the map as he did so. He explained his conversation with Tane, tracing out their route and objectives. He purposefully failed to mention that he had requested the assignment. Thoronmir was known for his love of the outdoors, but shared Awyrgan's desire for solitude. Better that he believe Tane had assigned the pair together strictly of his own accord.

Awyrgan finished his explanation. Thoronmir gave no initial response, blowing a smoke ring across the map as he glanced over it. Sitting back he nodded. Awyrgan stood up. "We leave at dark."

Shortly after the Sun had sunk the pair went over their gear again. Adjusting the pack and the bow he had strapped to it Awyrgan cursed at the weight and loosened the knives on his belt and boots. His sword hung at his side, strapped in tightly. The muscled in his legs and back twitched with an eager anticipation and a longing to be off. This was what he lived for.

On their way out of the town the men passed by Alearindu. Awyrgan's green-eyes twinkled and he hummed several lines from a small tune sung loudly around Inn fireplaces of the virtue of the women who tend to house and young. It was a common joke among the Rangers but Alearindu apparently failed to see the humor. Laughing, Awyrgan avoided the daggers her eyes shot at him and strode over the grassy knolls and into the woods. Thoronmir walked silently at his side. Their quiet footsteps soon were lost in the songs of the birds and the patter of animal feet that filled the wooded havens.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:27 PM January 11, 2004: Message edited by: Carrûn ]

01-09-2004, 08:58 AM	#12
Carrûn Wight Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Behind you, counting to 3 Posts: 234	Awyrgan left Tane's cabin elated. The prospect of leaving the settlement, even if only for a few days, was a welcome change. It was not that the man disliked the village's inhabitants, at least no more than he disliked any other men, but rather that any sort of roof other than the open skies left him feeling hemmed in and stuffed. Doors compressed the breath in his chest and roofs were a cage. Yes indeed, this will be a useful change of pace. Walking to where his horse stood he untied the harnesses from the tree, letting it run free for a few moments. He fingered the copy of Thorgil's map in his pocket. Drawing it out he ran his finger over the route again, committing it to memory. Especially the supposed locations of the hillmen. The paper could be easily destroyed by rain and Awyrgan had no desire to bumble alone into one of the wild men's camps, with or without a companion. Placing the map in a saddlebag he whistled sharply. Within a few minutes he was mounted on his horse and headed towards the settlement. It was nearing evening when the ranger arrived, he had ridden fast and his horse was breathing heavily. Sitting in the saddle at the outskirts he watched a few children play a game with an assortment of sticks and stones. The man could not discern any pattern in the game but the children laughed in glee nonetheless. He fingered the green-studded ring on his finger, watching the reddening Sun's rays catch and dance on the metal. He glanced briefly. The flame of the West. He chuckled darkly but his eyes did not laugh. Looking again at the children a shadow passed across his face, but only for an instant. The memories were quickly pushed deep into the murkier recesses of memory and spurring his horse, he rode to where his tent stood. A wind had pulled the cloak Awyrgan called his tent out of the ground and several corners now leapt free in the light evening breeze. Rolling it up, the man began to store several days’ worth of food and equipment in a small pack. Paths, plans, and calculations flowed automatically from his mind to his hands. Within several minutes he was ready to leave. He had already decided on traveling by foot. He walked into the town, all his possessions on his back and leading his horse by the bridle. Several of the townsfolk looked at the man with an expression he could not quite comprehend as he passed by. He had not been particularly friendly with the villages. Still, he did not regret it. Better they ignore him then become attached to him. That was justification enough for the locals, but his fellow Rangers were another matter. The man could not explain his wall of silence towards Alearindu and Thoronmir. It was as if he had unconsciously willed himself never again to become close to another human being. He stopped at the hut of the fur trader he had dealt with on a few occasions. A few coins from palm to palm and the horse had a multi-day vacation. Thoronmir was sitting smoking in the "square" of the town. Awyrgan set his pack down and slid next to the elder ranger, drawing out the map as he did so. He explained his conversation with Tane, tracing out their route and objectives. He purposefully failed to mention that he had requested the assignment. Thoronmir was known for his love of the outdoors, but shared Awyrgan's desire for solitude. Better that he believe Tane had assigned the pair together strictly of his own accord. Awyrgan finished his explanation. Thoronmir gave no initial response, blowing a smoke ring across the map as he glanced over it. Sitting back he nodded. Awyrgan stood up. "We leave at dark." Shortly after the Sun had sunk the pair went over their gear again. Adjusting the pack and the bow he had strapped to it Awyrgan cursed at the weight and loosened the knives on his belt and boots. His sword hung at his side, strapped in tightly. The muscled in his legs and back twitched with an eager anticipation and a longing to be off. This was what he lived for. On their way out of the town the men passed by Alearindu. Awyrgan's green-eyes twinkled and he hummed several lines from a small tune sung loudly around Inn fireplaces of the virtue of the women who tend to house and young. It was a common joke among the Rangers but Alearindu apparently failed to see the humor. Laughing, Awyrgan avoided the daggers her eyes shot at him and strode over the grassy knolls and into the woods. Thoronmir walked silently at his side. Their quiet footsteps soon were lost in the songs of the birds and the patter of animal feet that filled the wooded havens. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:27 PM January 11, 2004: Message edited by: Carrûn ] __________________ "Dic, hospes, Spartae, nos te hic vidisse iacentes dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur."