The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fairleaf · 05-08-2005, 02:54 AM

Reggie was agog at the story. He found it quite fascinating and at the same time dangerously funny. He knew he shouldn’t laugh, but he couldn’t help himself.

‘You’ll win for sure with that answer,’ he confided to Hanson, finally getting hold of himself. He looked longingly at the little prizes.

‘Help me figure out that other riddle, won’t you?’ The two youngsters bent their heads together and puzzled over the horses. ‘Never saw a red hill where I live. Have you?’ Reggie screwed up his lips in concentration. ‘Well, maybe that big hill north of The Pool. In the Fall. The maples there turn red.’ He gave a heavy sigh. ‘But I never saw or heard of so many horses standing on it . . . and all of them white to boot!’

Kath · 05-08-2005, 07:43 AM

Astilwen had followed the children and their teacher into the schoolroom and was now standing at the back. She had been impressed with the wasy Miz Bella had handled the problems between the younger children and wanted to watch the way she taught in case it gave her any ideas for her siblings back home. Her youngest brother had always had problems with learning anything new - he wasn't stupid, he just didn't like the learning by rote style Astilwen had learnt by.

She listened to the riddles, getting the first one with ease but having to think a while about the second. She smiled as she watched the bemused looks on some of the childrens faces and decided to wait until the end of the lesson to see if Miz Bella would help her, and to offer her services as a helper whether she did or not.

Child of the 7th Age · 05-08-2005, 07:55 AM

"Woody, Reggie, Hanson.... Enough giggling in the corners! If you have something to say, out with it. Now do you lads or anyone else want to have a go at the answers? There's no penalty for getting them wrong."

Glancing up at the doorway, Miz Bella added, "But what's this? We have a visitor to the classroom. Perhaps you could help us out with one of these riddles, or is there something else I could do to help you?"

Kath · 05-08-2005, 08:15 AM

Astilwen started when Miz Bella noticed her and blushed as many of the children turned to look at her.

"Well, I, um, mostly I just wanted to ask if you'd like any help. I have siblings at home, younger ones so I've had practice with children and I've nothing else to do and I'd like to help if you need it."

Realising she was rambling Astilwen cut herself off and smiled apologetically. Regaining her composure slightly she finished,

"And I won't guess the riddles for a while if you don't mind ma'am, else you won't get rid of all these sweets!"

Firefoot · 05-08-2005, 01:02 PM

Willy chewed on his lower lip in concentration, his brow furrowed. He had his eye on the little knife and was bent on figuring out one of the riddles. In the first one, he could get naught but an image of thirty grand white horses champing at their bits, eager to draw their carriage down from the red hill. He wondered if red hills really existed. Willy finally gave up on this first one in confusion, slightly unsure even of what it was he was supposed to be figuring out. Where the red hill was, maybe, and why it was red.

The second riddle, then. This was befuddling as well - why ever would someone (something?) take off their clothes in winter? That would be awful chilly. He caught the words of Reggie, who was sitting nearby. "...Well, maybe that big hill north of The Pool. In the Fall. The maples there turn red." Yes, thought Willy, the leaves turn read and then they all fall off. Trees are so very bare in winter... He sat up with a start. Of course! Trees were pretty in summer, clothed in leaves per se, and bare in winter. He was certain that was the second riddle!

He waved his hand high, not waiting for Miz Bella to call on him. "I know! I've got the second one!"

05-08-2005, 07:43 AM	#2
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Astilwen had followed the children and their teacher into the schoolroom and was now standing at the back. She had been impressed with the wasy Miz Bella had handled the problems between the younger children and wanted to watch the way she taught in case it gave her any ideas for her siblings back home. Her youngest brother had always had problems with learning anything new - he wasn't stupid, he just didn't like the learning by rote style Astilwen had learnt by. She listened to the riddles, getting the first one with ease but having to think a while about the second. She smiled as she watched the bemused looks on some of the childrens faces and decided to wait until the end of the lesson to see if Miz Bella would help her, and to offer her services as a helper whether she did or not. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

05-08-2005, 08:15 AM	#4
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Astilwen started when Miz Bella noticed her and blushed as many of the children turned to look at her. "Well, I, um, mostly I just wanted to ask if you'd like any help. I have siblings at home, younger ones so I've had practice with children and I've nothing else to do and I'd like to help if you need it." Realising she was rambling Astilwen cut herself off and smiled apologetically. Regaining her composure slightly she finished, "And I won't guess the riddles for a while if you don't mind ma'am, else you won't get rid of all these sweets!" __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

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05-08-2005, 02:54 AM	#1
Fairleaf Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Piping in Brethil . . . Posts: 36	--- Reggie tries the 2nd riddle --- Reggie was agog at the story. He found it quite fascinating and at the same time dangerously funny. He knew he shouldn’t laugh, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘You’ll win for sure with that answer,’ he confided to Hanson, finally getting hold of himself. He looked longingly at the little prizes. ‘Help me figure out that other riddle, won’t you?’ The two youngsters bent their heads together and puzzled over the horses. ‘Never saw a red hill where I live. Have you?’ Reggie screwed up his lips in concentration. ‘Well, maybe that big hill north of The Pool. In the Fall. The maples there turn red.’ He gave a heavy sigh. ‘But I never saw or heard of so many horses standing on it . . . and all of them white to boot!’ __________________ When Summer warms the hanging fruit and burns the berry brown/When straw is gold, and ear is white, and harvest comes to town/When honey spills, and apple swells, though wind be in the West/I'll linger here beneath the Sun, because my land is best!

05-08-2005, 07:55 AM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	"Woody, Reggie, Hanson.... Enough giggling in the corners! If you have something to say, out with it. Now do you lads or anyone else want to have a go at the answers? There's no penalty for getting them wrong." Glancing up at the doorway, Miz Bella added, "But what's this? We have a visitor to the classroom. Perhaps you could help us out with one of these riddles, or is there something else I could do to help you?"

05-08-2005, 01:02 PM	#5
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Willy chewed on his lower lip in concentration, his brow furrowed. He had his eye on the little knife and was bent on figuring out one of the riddles. In the first one, he could get naught but an image of thirty grand white horses champing at their bits, eager to draw their carriage down from the red hill. He wondered if red hills really existed. Willy finally gave up on this first one in confusion, slightly unsure even of what it was he was supposed to be figuring out. Where the red hill was, maybe, and why it was red. The second riddle, then. This was befuddling as well - why ever would someone (something?) take off their clothes in winter? That would be awful chilly. He caught the words of Reggie, who was sitting nearby. "...Well, maybe that big hill north of The Pool. In the Fall. The maples there turn red." Yes, thought Willy, the leaves turn read and then they all fall off. Trees are so very bare in winter... He sat up with a start. Of course! Trees were pretty in summer, clothed in leaves per se, and bare in winter. He was certain that was the second riddle! He waved his hand high, not waiting for Miz Bella to call on him. "I know! I've got the second one!"