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Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

"If you've packed explosives away in the inn, the keeper will be displeased." came a flat voice, slowly approaching from where it had been tucked into the background, along with the captain's quartermaster. It seemed Robert had finished his interview with the man, and was rejoining the group. He kept his voice low, so as not to be overheard by more than just their number.

"The captain's man says they have allotted 3 days provisions, basic camping and sleeping essentials such as bedrolls, tents, and essential tools for setting up mess, bandages and salves in case of injury, and a limited selection of simple weapons and armors for our task. Bows, axes, shortswords and the like. While I am thankful that whoever goes wont be completely unprepared, --given the quality of answers our captain has been providing, I have reservations about the quality of the wares, but I haven't seen them yet..."

Those dour eyes of his slowly panned the other three in the group.
"...so it is premature to make an assessment. As for myself, I already have a room paid for at the inn. Myself and my worker Hans planned to depart in the morning to return our empty wagon home after our delivery today. If I am to join this search, I'll have to send him with an ... unpleasant.. message, which he will not wish to deliver.."

For the first time in the whole evening, his face made a visible, emotional state. One of profound distaste- practically a scowl.

"..and one I will not be eager to answer for.."

He then cleared his throat, and continued as if nothing was amiss.

"Regardless, there were a few things his man let slip. Namely, many of the previous investigation team members have not reported back in yet, and have been out missing for more than 3 days. It may be prudent to prepare for significant difficulties. Additionally, the captain himself let slip that the herbalist tells stories about the area in question. It might simply be local superstition, but that is better than walking into a bad situation without any foreknowledge at all-- Personally, I wish our captain would just be more forthright. I have plans to make a few purchases in town, and intend to ask this herbalist about this matter... If any should wish to attend. The herb-seller will surely become cross at being interviewed repeatedly. Getting all our questions in at once, seems prudent. Buying some more easily appraised curatives, likewise."

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Robert closed his eyes and shook his head, but made little other outward appearance of his profound disappointment in the captain's responses.

In the back of his head, memories of numerous prior arguments with his dad bloomed.

Mostly, about how the "upper crust" wasn't really all that great or reliable, and tended toward ever greater dysfunction. A thing he himself did not believe, or want to believe, but here was the captain, unable to answer some very simple questions.

Surely not. Surely.

He shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts away, while maintaining the outward composure of someone unfazed by anything. The seeming lack of emotion was more habitual now than purposeful; years of assuming it to avoid becoming angry, and thus losing such 'discussions' with his father had kind of ground it into him like the tracks in a millstone.

"Captain, if it is alright with you, I shall coordinate with your quartermaster, to have a more complete accounting of such supplies."

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Robert stood in the corner, leaned nonchalantly against the wall with a stony, dour expression.

"I have a few questions of a different nature." he stated flatly.

"If we are leaving tomorrow, the matters of supplies, and passes need to be discussed. If we are going to be investigating the area thoroughly, this may be a lengthly event. If possible, we should request that His majesty, the Duke, should provide us with suitable passes for forage and hunting, at the very least. Being stopped by one of the royal foresters for poaching without permits will be quite unpleasant, and would derail our efforts there considerably."

He heaved a somewhat weary breath, those seemingly dull and empty brown eyes of his never once seeming to acknowledge the room he was in even existed, while he went over invisible pages in an expense ledger that did not exist anywhere but behind his own imagination.

"Then there's the issue of what material supplies will be provided, or will not be provided. If we are departing in the morning, that means we must appropriate suitable provisions tonight before the shops close for the night, and that means we need to know what we should or should not be bringing. What material assistance is being provided for this excursion, is there an expense budget, and if so, what is this budget-- and are there any preferences the ducal seat would desire to be maintained?"

His face made a very dour, and somewhat sour frown behind his mustache and beard.

"It is important to consider whether our expenses will exceed our payment, before accepting a job."

His eyes narrowed a moment; a mere flicker, before returning to dull, expressionless emptiness.

"It would also be good to know what the official investigation of the area turned up, where, and for what was searched, what evidence we should assign to the leavings of the previous investigation, vs things of actual interest, and if any more specific details about the previously mentioned 'personal effect' might be shed. People dont normally take things with them without reasons; what was the item the young lady dropped -or discarded-, what is the significance of this item to the lady-- such details may seem trivial matters..."

The frown returned, but as always, the eyes said nothing.

".. Or might even be considered indiscreet... but may provide some useful insight into the nature of her disappearance, or the nature of her .. errand... out in a dangerous, abandoned ruin, in a dangerous wood, rumored to be home to dangerous entities..."

A wry smirk came on his face for a mere fraction of a second, before being replaced with the frown once again.

"--And, as concerns these supposedly present entities, what information can the ducal seat provide about the nature of said beings? Answers to these inquiries may well prove quite insightful concerning the purchases I may soon undertake. The history and significance of the ruin itself, may also provide answers, or insights, into the nature of both the errand, and her disappearance."

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Character Name: Robert Owen Barrister
Occupation: Sawmill operator / woodcutter
Age: 25 yrs
Special features: "Built like a barn", Intelligent

Equipment:

1 pair heavy leather boots
3 axes, each meant for a different function; A small adze for removing stobs, a large double bearded axe for felling, and a wide-beard hand axe for smoothing.
Timberman's / longshoreman's hook.
Heavy leather tool belt
Leather apron
Cloth hat
Heavy muslin shirt and trousers
Leather gloves
Worn, repeatedly patched socks

Bio:

Robert is the only son of Garvis Barrister, the current owner of the mill at which he works. His mother passed away years ago. His father's mill employs 5 other men from the local community, and supplies timber and rough-cut wood products to the surrounding communities.

He absolutely *hates* his job.

While now a matter of ancient history, the Barrister family were not *always* woodcutters. About 4 generations prior, the great great grandfather was in fact a lawyer, living up to the family name. He had appropriated the sawmill as collateral back payment for a court case, prior to suffering significant financial hardships (From clients that refused or were otherwise unable to pay their legal fees), forcing him and his family to change careers in order to survive with what they had. Namely, the aforementioned sawmill.

It was in derelict condition when they received it, and it has taken this long for the thing to return to proper, full working order.

Garvis very much wants Robert to take over mill operations, and to settle down with a nice village girl to carry on the work.

Robert, however, *VERY MUCH* wants to pursue more intellectual work, and is always looking for ways to be rid of the damn mill.

While inspecting and recording the delivery of timber products to the local market, the king's pressbill caught his eye. 1000 gold would go a LONG way toward starting a new life, away from his overbearing and belligerent father.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

--Moved to characters--

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Cedar was nothing but inconsolable tears and inhuman 'groaning' or 'roaring' combined with deep-seated despair. Acting in his stead, his sisters responded, alternating between scolding the other "rescuers" for their lack of tact with "wounded animal" psychology, and trying to soothe their brother before he really and truly lost his mind.

"Look idiot, He' readeh tuh go ou'side, just stop ya damn grabbin' an' pushin! We's in 'ere tuhs ya know!"

"We lose an eye or summat, all a'cause you folk's cain't grok no' tuh wrestle a des'prate bear, we gunna takes it person'al!-- [Calm daown bruh-- calm daown... sss'ok.. We jus' goin' ou'side...] "

"Ya wan' us tuh get movin, we got our han's full-- Pick a direction-- We usin' da fron' door, or goin' back out da way we came?"

"If we goin' out da fron-- Stop pushin' US-- and push DIS SHIT outta our way astead-- we gots our han's full as-is-- Ya wanna hurry us along? Pick a path, an' clear it! [yo' frien's always dis thick bruddah?]"

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"Cedar, get the hell away from that bear! Stritzel is a traitor, and he is her ally! Aiding them is treason against the crown! If you do this, I-!"

...

"Whatever you think you're doing, it's not worth it!"

Cedar looked down at his feet, then out at Ted, rampaging in the room beyond, then back down again.

"No matter what happens Cedar, know that you are a good person."

All at once, he just started bawling.

"... Uh ain't doin' it fer fuckin.. HER..." he sobbed, clutching his sister's tightly and hugging them for all he was worth, shivering and weak. "...It were fer HIM..."

It was at that time that Varya grabbed him, eliciting a repressed, almost instinctual, reaction. Teeth came out, and a fierce snarl, and before he could stop himself, the elf man's hand got bit-- HARD.

"DON' TOUCH ME!" he raged between sniffs, then incomprehensible babble, ending with "... At bitch... Touch'd me 'nuff."

Then looked back out again at Ted.

"....He dun even WAN be saved.... Fine... Kill 'im... It wut ya want... an uh caint stop ya. Take meh home. Dun wanna see no moar... Don wanna feel no moar..."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"Cedah, this is CRAZEH!" hissed Lily into his ear.
"He nearleh kill' us!" whimpered her sister in agreement in the other one.

He nipped at Lily's nose, then growled at Rose.

"He ...Had .. At .. BITCH.. In 'is .. head.." he snarled between ragged, and labored breaths. His body was in no condition for the abuse the adrenaline pumping through him was causing, but need and determination kept it flowing. "Jus. Stop afore we .. Gits tuh close..." he muttered more congenially after. ".. He jus.. Wanna save .. 'is momma..-- We gunna 'elp him .. does 'at."

Both sets of ears beside his own sank back, and two pairs of very wary eyes showed whites at him, but said no more-- A wordless "we hope you know what you are doing."

Within moments, the trio converged within the prescribed distance of Ted-- Well outside his "bubble" of comfort, but within talking distance. He was still furiously beating himself against the heavy metal door, leaving a vivid, body-shaped smear on the surface from the repeated impacts-- and his lack of skin.

"... At'd be easier... with four... no?"

Seemingly unaware of their presence, The Gladiator bear ignored the regard. His claws crowbarred the partially oppened door, and he forcefully shoved his muzzle through the gap, only to be flinched backward after having his wounded snout collided with whatever obstacles behind that dented iron.

"We.. Won' .. stop ya.. Ted.... Uh wunna.. helps... ya.....'astead..." Drawled cedar wearily, almost forlornly, before heaving a deep breath to steady himself, pushing back the demands of the aderenaline, despite his heart pounding in his ears, and making stars and lights in his vision. He paused a minute, letting Ted work unabated, before speaking again. As close to calm as he could muster. ".. Dey.. Don.. un'erstaand... Cain't... Un'erstand... ... How coul' dey?..." He shook his head side to side. "... E'en dese two... ... Dey jus.. wan'd tuh saves meh..... Likes you wan... Save ..Her.... We's... In dis... Tugether..."

For a moment, the attempt to break through the door stopped. The Gladiator-Bear growled, one hand cluthing his bleeding nose, while dthe other grappling the dented gap to support his massive bulk. It was at that moment he heard that pathetic plea, and the sight of two other bears he encountered erlier. The anger rekindled again, and letting himself fell all of his four paws, Ted let out a primal roar.

"Leave me alone!"

For now the bear's attention was less on Cedar and more on the two other bears behind him. A fair warning was given, from a beastly creature who was literally cornered. His glowing claws sheated, his fangs bared. And he would strike at anyone who dared to approach.

"Ted... If 'at... Realleh what yus... wan'.... We'sll go... Buht....." Cedar sighed, breathed deep, then resumed. .." Uh. Aint.. useless..." He made a weary, plaintive smile with soft eyes, and lazy, sagging ears. "Gives meh a chance... tuh proves it?"

"Leave ME BE!" the angered Gladiator-Bear raised himself up and roared, brandishing his claw and ready to strike. The only thing he could catch from the speech were the word 'help' and by that instant, he felt whatever left of his pride pricked. The word had betrayed him in the worse possible way. They hurted him because of that word help, they did it all under the name of helping, and worse of all, What that witch had done to him was out of the intention to help, pleaded by his own mother off all people.

Stood unchallenged for a while, Gladiator-Bear's attention suddenly shifted back to the door, when some yellings could be heard behind it.

"It stopped! Captain!"

"Are you daft!" Did you not heard the roar?! The beast is still there!"

"Fuck this shit! It aint worth shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! I'aint signied for it, none of were!"

"You stand on your ground soldier! Mack! Barrick, move that couch! We need to reinforce it before---"

In that instant, Ted The gladiator spun around and rammed his shoulder against the door, focusing the impact on the already bent hinges.

"Stay where you are!" said the voice behind the door. "Whatever comes from that door we fight it!"

"Ya hear 'at?" asked Cedar in a deadpan tone, looking past him at the door. "... em idiots gunna stup ya. Poke ya full a holes-- 'Cause dey IDIOTS.. ... An ya ain't e'en got no SKIN on!" He looked at Ted with a blank, and featureless expression "Ya kin kill meh la'er-- Bu' you NEED dis help-- you KNOWS it."

His expression become more wryly quizical. "WHo you radder see on the stick-- Yaself, ... Or meh?" Then stern again. "Or-- I kin turn an walk 'way;... Yur call...---Be'er make i' quick... She commin' up de stairs."

Whatever Cedar was saying, all was lost in the last roar as the bear focused his sheer might to break through the door. With less people pushing it against, the door finally busted open, along with the large bookcases behind it. Clawing himself up and out, the enraged Bear-Gladiator rampaged toaward the first human he sees and swatted him away, sending flying through the windows next to the entrance. The counter attack from the remaning humans was carried out half-assedly, but one of them somewhat managed to to stab Ted's abdomen.

The guard's face was dumbfounded upon realizing that his spear could barely pierce through the skin, the only expression he could show before Ted brutally grab him by his head and crush it with a single slam.

Cedar sighed, and waited in the hall behind the smashed door, as Ted savaged the guards, wearily shaking his head side to side. He could hear the angry footfalls of someone closing behind. He did not turn to face it. Just waited patiently for Ted to finish his grim "work."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Cedar glowered at the burning revenant, and did not mince words with it, sucking in a breath to steady himself for the very fast rate of speech he would need to do, in the debilitated state he was in.
These "DECISIONS" others were making for him HAD- TO- STOP. It was nice and good that they had come to rescue him, but the .... CALLOUSNESS... that they were displaying about this burned in him just as hot as the fire that had been in the previous room.

"Liss'nyous--Uh ain't gots time tuh waste on da likes a yah, an' ifn' uh was still able tuh throws ya, uh would-- Lilleh, Rose-- Dis sumbitch stan in da way, SHOVE'IM. SAVIN' AT MAN UP ERE, BEEN DA ONLEH THANG AS KEP' ME ALIVE, AN I WILL *NOT* SUFFER YOUS 'DECIDIN' FER ME! YA HEAR!?"

He made a move to push past Bart, only to be bodily blocked. He looked at Lily, then at Rose, with a "You heard me" look, then the two made plaintive faces, and apologized to the flaming headed armor, before bodily shoving him.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"Yous .. Might wanna.. Write im off..." he spat at the witch- "..Buh uh.. won'.."

He glared at her menacingly, even though quite likely, a good slap would send him to his side with how she had sucked him dry with her unholy equipment.

"Ya kin .. takes ya.. HATEFUL.. EVIL.. CROOKED .. MOUTH-- An' Shove .. it up.. ya ASS, .. Ya BITCH. ... Uh hopes he.. Comes back Fer ya!.."

He purposefully urged his sisters to carry him past her, and to ignore anything that twat had to say. SHE was the reason for ALL of this, really. ... At least.. He wanted to believe she was.

He sucked in a breath, then did his best to call up the stairs, only half-succeeding with coughs and sputters between utterances.
"TED--" (hack, wheeze)
"UH'LL HELP YA SAVE 'ER!"

He gulped air as his head swam. Being depleted like this, and halfway to to the grave (or more) was no way to go about this.

"WE'S COMMIN UP... [Heave] .. WON'T BE NO TROUBLE."

He turned his weary head back over his shoulder, and drolled behind. ".. Uh .. 'Member 'at Fat-man.. At.. Fang'orn.. NO' AGEEN. Ya's hears meh?! NO' AGEEN! Onleh ways I's goin' out's, Ei'er dead, or wit' 'ose two safes!... Ya hears!? ... Nuh moars kids.. as losin' fam'ly... Nuh moar.... Suh.. Eier.. GIT AOUT... .. Er HELP MEH."