Thanks for all the praise, you make me squee with delight and rub my hands together as I rock in my chair grinning like a maniac. Update in an hour or so, all going well.
Edit: Maybe a bit more than a hour, but still.
- - -
On the road the next morning, Sir Bernard rides at the head of the pack, with Gerald just behind. “The Baron says that between the goblins out on the steppe and the omens his wizard has warned him about, we're going to bring up the men, keep regular patrols, that sort of thing.”
With a heavy sigh, Sir Bernard continues. “If it comes to the greenskins coming over the mountains in force, we'll have to be ready to meet them.”
Gerald knows that Sir Bernard has never seen any real conflict. The thought of fighting in his homeland clearly does not appeal to him – or for that matter, to Gerald, who has only heard vague stories of the horrible things the Orcs and Goblins have done in the past. A host of bogeymen by all accounts.
As the host returns to Sir Bernard's manor, they're greeted by Sir Bernard's family, his servants, but also in attendance are two strange women. One is clearly advanced in her years, bent and leaning on an ashen staff, clad in gray robes with long, gray hair hanging in a braid over her shoulder. She has a stern frown on her face. The other woman is much younger, and wears a mantle of black feathers. Her hair is dark red, and her complexion freckled. She wears a smug expression.
“Well, this is a surprise.” says Sir Bernard. “Gertrude, it's good to see you again. What are you doing here?”
The older woman treats the knight to a baleful expression. “I've heard about the Baron's orders. Somethin' I think you ought to know about.”
Hastily, Sir Bernard dismounts. “Come in, and we'll talk about it.” The groom collects his horse, and the local priest steps forward. “Sir, do you really want to invite her in? She's a...well-” The knight cuts him off. “I once adventured through the countryside with this woman. Witch or not, she has her heart in the right place. I trust Gertrude Thurlow completely.” He pats the priest on the shoulder. “Don't you worry about it. Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?” he asks, and the knight and the elderly woman enter the manor.
Meanwhile, as Gerald and the other men are generally unpacking, the witch's companion comes up to him.
“Hello. You're Sir Bernard's squire, right? Name's Esther. I'm Lady Thurlow's apprentice.” She reaches out to shake hands. Gerald obliges. “What's your name?” she asks.
There is an awkward pause.
They let go of each others hands and Gerald gestures at his throat and shrugs apologetically.
“You...can't talk? Can you spell out your name?”
Again, shaking his head. Gerald tries to direct her to someone else, and Esther shakes her head. “That's, uh, that's too bad.” After another moment staring futilely at one another, Esther makes a sort of shape with her hand and says “So, does your name start with an 'A?'”
- - -
Ten minutes later, after extensive guessing, shaking of heads and frustrated laughter, Esther wrings Gerald's name out of him. “You really have to pick up this reading thing. Saves us a lot of trouble.” she remarks.
“Anyways, I'm bored.” she frowns. “What is there to do around here?”
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Topic: (ISG) Fantasy Suggestion RPG: Back To The Baron's Castle (Read 20478 times)