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News » Gaining of Larruth: 9B
Chapter Nine - Part 2
Pelshulatil knocked on Sylvia's door the next morning. The yellow haired lady was surprised by the visit, but was gracious enough. Pelshulatil truthfully had only stopped by to inform the lady that Mially was also welcome at the table this morning. It was an accepted practice that prime personal servants were allowed to dine on the day of departure. Some old superstition concerning securing a peaceful journey was at the root, but everyone considered the practice harmless.
The married lady felt good seeing the room. Sylvia was attired in an old dress that showed some improvements. The young lady was lovely enough to make any garment look good, but Pelshullatil had to admit that the dress was a good one for travel. She had definitely not just put it on, but had been awake for some time. Her stuff had mostly been packed. Nothing was lying around like a woman who had made the room her home.
"Take care of my brother‑in‑law."
Our heroes finally get on their way only to start it with a fight.
Chapter Nine - Part 2
Pelshulatil knocked on Sylvia's door the next morning. The yellow haired lady was surprised by the visit, but was gracious enough. Pelshulatil truthfully had only stopped by to inform the lady that Mially was also welcome at the table this morning. It was an accepted practice that prime personal servants were allowed to dine on the day of departure. Some old superstition concerning securing a peaceful journey was at the root, but everyone considered the practice harmless.
The married lady felt good seeing the room. Sylvia was attired in an old dress that showed some improvements. The young lady was lovely enough to make any garment look good, but Pelshullatil had to admit that the dress was a good one for travel. She had definitely not just put it on, but had been awake for some time. Her stuff had mostly been packed. Nothing was lying around like a woman who had made the room her home.
"Take care of my brother‑in‑law."
Sylvia was obviously a morning person, and her smile helped make her face even lovelier. "I thought the men were supposed to take care of us."
"Larruth is more than capable, but give him time."
"I was not lying to him when I said that I tend to get in over my head. Still, my friends and I tend to go there fully aware of the situation, and that is why we win. I will assure you that Larruth will be in our plans."
That is all Pelshulatil could ask. She bid the young lady a nice day, and said that they could speak again at the breakfast table. The woman was glad that she had not stayed longer, because as she turned the corner in the hall she noticed Larruth coming with the soldiers to gather Sylvia's luggage.
The baron forced certain formalities at breakfast, but all of the travelers paid it little attention. They were ready to go. Faster than the parents desired, their youngest son was gone with the three.
Oggelly and Sylvia were sitting in the front of the wagon. Mially was placed in a comfortable position in the back. Feladin and Larruth each rode an elvish steed. The horse that the three had brought through the Beyshathile was saddled, although unloaded and tied to the wagon.
The minstrel told his sister that it had been the soldiers of Aidelphia who packed most of the stuff, then started asking her about the location of certain items. First it was his crossbow. Next it was the coils of rope. He then asked about the bear skins. Oggelly was surprised when Sylvia rubbed one against his face, but then asked her about the dragon tooth he had kept. Sylvia answered that the mace she had used on Larruth was right behind her, and would help her get any tooth in the minstrel's possession.
Oggelly laughed, then started singing. Sylvia joined in. Larruth found himself completely entertained by the antics of the two. Between songs, jokes, and general conversation, the young noble found the time passing enjoyably. He did have to ride near Feladin and ask if this was normal. The priest mentioned that the two were generally entertaining. He told the lad that if the two were not singing and joking like today, then they were having a good fighting match that was often just as enjoyable to watch.
Feladin signaled the group to stop. A castle was off in the distance. Larruth had identified the edifice as Castle Sallivant. It marked the halfway point of the planned destination of Castle Quershallivat. While fruit trees continued to be the dominant plant, there were circles of other non-woody crops. The group was thus able to make out through the distance a group of mounted soldiers coming from the castle in a direction to meet up with another company of calvary. The focus of the riders seemed to be upon surrounding a group of slightly tall thin humanoid creatures. Feladin recommended not closing until the soldiers had secured their objective.
The creatures suddenly broke away from the soldiers and started running towards the group. Sylvia saw Larruth nearby, and called him over. She jumped onto the horse with him, and told him to ride forward. They closed the distance by a few hundred yards when Sylvia told the lad to set her down. He was worried because the humanoid creatures were not stopping. She assured him that she would be fine.
Feladin rode up telling Sylvia to halt. She asked why, and the priest asked her why the soldiers were not riding the creatures down. Sylvia was on the ground, and asked Larruth his opinion of the situation. The lad mentioned that he thought he saw children being carried. Oggelly rode up on the other horse mentioning that the creatures were coming. Sylvia told Feladin that they quickly needed a plan.
The priest told the lady to take Oggelly's horse, which was not an elven steed, and ride north. He mentioned seeing troops cutting the monsters off to the north, but that they were not enough to stop all the creatures. He told Sylvia to use her magic to prevent the creatures from fleeing into the Beyshathile. As the lady obeyed, Feladin mentioned to the men that they were going to have to go into single combat against the monsters.
"Tecaghta are not that tough," Larruth stated.
Feladin appreciated having a name for the creatures, but still thought a need for a sensible comment. "What will be tough is not harming the victims."
Oggelly had brought the mace, and readied his stance behind the horses in preparation to do what he could. Feladin and Larruth grabbed a weapon attached to their mounts and secured their seat ready to be immersed in battle. They saw soldiers advancing from behind the monsters, so understood that the battle should already be won. The only problem was gaining a victory with no loss of life for their side.
Suddenly the creatures were falling. Larruth heard the priest curse the name of the lady. The lad only smiled as he rode his mount forward. The lady was using magic to flood the ground ahead and around the monsters. Those carrying children were unable to manage the terrain and their burden. Those standing as they attempted to slog their way forward were easy targets for the archers. Those that fell were easy targets for those who plodded into the wet ground. Those who dropped their burdens in order to flee were chased down by mounted riders.
Larruth looked around for Sylvia as the soldiers cheered their victory. He tried to sound a cheer for the lady as he saw her on her horse riding back to the wagon, but could tell that she did not hear. The elf lad was uncertain what to do, but looked to see what Feladin or Oggelly was doing. The priest had also been looking for Sylvia, and noticed Larruth also looking in her direction. The human seemed displeased with something, but he shouted to Larruth telling him to go to Sylvia and tell her that all of the children were alive.
As the lad turned his horse to obey the priest, a noble saw the movement and rode to the unrecognized human thinking that he could answer a question. "Where did the water come from?"
"Our mage conjured it. I think she wanted something more flashy, but our spotting of the children made her change the plan."
"It was a good idea. Where is she?"
"I sent Prince Larruth after her. I believe she was worried that maybe some children died after all."
The noble recognized the name of Larruth. He accepted the name of the travelers as he identified himself as Baron Sallivant. The elf noble was about the same height as Feladin with short green hair and bright orange eyes. He managed the soldiers as they calmed the children and started the process of returning them to their parents. The baron also spoke to the priest and minstrel letting them know his gratitude for turning the horrific event into something with a happy ending. He mentioned that a group of women had brought the children together for a day of planting in the northern field. It was not an uncommon procedure, but tecaghta were also not unknown. The baron ended by again stating his thanks.
Larruth rode up to the wagon as the lady took the reins. "Sylvia, all the children are safe."
She had been worried. "Glad to hear it, Larruth. It seemed like a solution, but being impetuous can create its own problems."
"I did not think of it."
Sylvia had to smile at him. "I knew that you were standing there, Larruth. You, Feladin, and Oggelly would have done your best, but the truth was that the monsters could have just run past you. I had to assure the safety of the children."
"It was a noble thing to do."
"What?"
"To be concerned for those other than yourself. That is a sign of nobility."
She felt that he was quoting his training. "No, Larruth, it is a sign of character. I would bet that most common people would have also done what I did if at all possible."
"It was clever."
Sylvia looked to Larruth with the sudden realization that this situation was different from others. He was not a simple fan. The elf lad was part of her team. He should have been expecting her to perform at the peak of her ability. If a stunt went well in her old job, there were congratulations from her associates, but they were not presented in the fashion of Larruth. He was not simply acknowledging the competence of an equal, but was going out of his way to assure some positive response. Sylvia was not too certain if she was happy with his actions, but could not debase him either.
She stood on the front of the wagon as she asked, "Are you trying to compliment me?"
The question took him by surprise, but he did answer, "Yes."
Sylvia wanted to berate the lad about certain attitudes about handling a crisis. She had not done anything deserving special acclaim. There was a situation, one possibly resulting in the loss of life, and she had only done her part to hopefully prevent a tragedy. The maneuvers were not planned, and she had acted without consulting her group. Those were factors that would have gained her a reprimand from certain people back in her old life. Sylvia had to admit that she was pleased that everything had come out well, and truthfully Larruth had a reason to be smiling.
Her voice softened as she sat back down. "Thank you. I was proud of you as well. Like I said, I saw you standing there."
Larruth looked to the soldiers and recognized faces in the crowd. "No offense to the baron, but I would rather move on to Quershallivat. I want great uncle to meet you."
"Then you better run ahead. Feladin and Oggelly are not ones to turn down a free meal."
Larruth commanded his horse to gallop away. Sylvia watched him leave thinking good thoughts about the lad. It was only as he slowed his horse to meet with the other people that she thought to have her own horses follow.
Baron Sallivant was waiting for Sylvia when she arrived. She knew the man was important because of his style of dress, and the way those around him considered his presence. He was watching her though. His orange eyes would occasionally dart to Larruth, but they just as quickly returned to focus on the lady. He continued to stare after she had stopped the wagon, but caught himself after a couple of seconds and spoke.
"I am not one who normally appreciates magic, but your trick with the water was delightful. I want to thank you."
"Was anyone killed, baron?"
The question caught him by surprise, but he knew the answer. "No, dear lady. The women were all supervising the planting, and used their implements as weapons against the tecaghta. The only option that the wood people had was to grab children as they fled. There were soldiers in the area, but as you could tell they were more scared of harming the children. Your action brought a swift definite end to what would have been some merry chases."
"I am very pleased that my efforts worked so well, baron. Your gratitude is appreciated, but barely moments after casting the spell I felt that I might have done wrong."
Sallivant laughed, then said, "Take the credit due you, sweet lady. The world will demand that you take credit for your failures, so you had better step forward when things go your way."
Sylvia stood and did a curtsey to the assembly. The baron led all in a cheer. He then spoke again to the lady.
"Larruth here tells me that you have gained his eye."
Sylvia was finally getting into the mood of the occasion. "At present it is enough, but I warned him that with time I will want more pieces of him."
"He is a good kid. You could do better, but most people do worse. He has definitely made a good pick. I wish that both of you would stay and visit."
"Prince Larruth told me that he desires to introduce me to his great uncle."
"Well, it may be a little early, but I have sent for some food. Would you delay your trip to our viscount long enough to share a meal with me?"
She glanced at the prince. He was definitely watching the lady, so noticed the look and nodded. Sylvia smiled at him before turning back to the baron and stating an approval.
The baron had a personality that the three found pleasing. He was a direct and honest man who was not afraid to laugh. Oggelly told a couple of stories about dragon killing. Sallivant matched each story with one of his own. His stories were not as dramatized as the minstrel's, but his also had him closer to death so seemed more intense.
With the meal over, all went back to their lives. Baron Sallivant left to assure that all the ladies and the children were safe at home. The travelers returned to the road.
Our heroes have moved on with Larruth to handle their first group battle, but next they must face a major member of Larruth's family.
Posted by TerishD on Monday, March 21, 2005 (16:39:15) (605 reads)
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