The Winds of Ysgard - Part One

[Legendary Sidekick]

Addison glanced at a performing dog.

"Smell of fresh-off-the-fire pastry, that way." She pointed to a booth beyond the reach of any human nose. "Also caught the scent o' human urine on the way, so don't step in any puddles."

 

[DMThaane]

"Yes, fighters." Loke sipped at his mead. "I worry for the others. Addison is a free spirit and the responsibility of a dragon is a tether. It is a heavy price and one I'm not sure she's considered. Einan and Troia are still young. Their lives are currently their own but with dragons that will change. And what if one is called and the other is not? Then there's Rikhard. There's potential there but he is far from the man he could be. Would it be fair to place those demands so soon upon his shoulders?"

He stepped back as a clearly drunken boy ran passed, his hand locked to that of a young girl. Off to darkness they ran to paw clumsily at one another.

"Ah, but these are thoughts of prudence and tonight is one of foolish celebration. I'm going to find a stronger drink, or at least more of them. I intend to pass out broke and drunk with cheer."

He nodded to Farrun, then headed into the crowd, searching for a game on which to lose some coin.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Chrisania raised an eyebrow to Addison before saying, "I will do this. Stepping in urine puddle vould muddy dress."

With no actual pastries in sight nor within human scent, she allowed Addison to lead the way to the sugary prize. "Lead the vay to these pastries of fresh fire."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

On the way to the pastries, Addison told Chrisania, "I'm a beginner at me tricks, but not really. I guess I've always tried to figure what animals're thinking—makes me more effective as a Huntress—so I'm a bit self-taught, but lately Farrun's helping me out. I suppose ye'd rather chat about this sort o' thing in a less public place?"

Addison saw a drunk boy running with his hand clamped around that of a drunk girl. She's only what, fourteen? Addison scowled, then cast a glare at the trained hawk she'd passed earlier. The hawk was in flight; Addison gave her the idea to squawk very loudly and do a loop in he air. It was enough to get the crowd to look up, if only for a moment. A moment was all Addison needed.

As soon as the giggling couple ran within a yard of Addison, she sidestepped into their path and smashed the back of her fist into the boy's jaw. His face stopped right there, though his feet continued forward. Deep blue sparks of lightning danced where the punch connected, then flew up and faded once the boy was on his back out cold. Addison suspected his drunkenness might've rendered the jolt unnecessary. Ehh, he's breathing far as I can tell.

The wide-eyed girl looked at the boy, then Addison. Her jaw dropped, but no words came out.

"Ye'll be glad I did when ye're sober," Addison snarled. "Go home to mum, kid."

Addison then moved on as if nothing happened, glancing up at the hawk like most everyone else.

 

[AkamaruGames]

Chrisania nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, it is best to leave magic talk to magic people. It makes less confusion, yes?"

Suddenly Addison ran off and assaulted a young boy. Though Chrisania was unsure as to the reason, since she was not paying attention to them prior to the magically powered strike. As the boy hit the ground, out cold, Chrisania quickly knelt beside him and removed some smelling salts from a pouch at her side. Soon the boy was awake, though the terrified girl had already fled. After examining him briefly to be sure he didn't have a concussion or other serious injury, she said to the confused youth, "Careful, boy. You must watch where you run. That wagon may have killed you, yes? Go now. Enjoy festival."

The boy, a little dazed but mostly alright, gave a confused nod and disappeared into the crowd. Once he was gone, Chrisania gave an astonished look at Addison, "Are you playing joke on Chrisania? First funny bird, then this boy you punch as joke. They friends of Addison and laugh now at poor Chrisania, yes?" Chrisania then gave another uncomfortable chuckle as she nervously glanced around to see if the incident had attracted any guardsmen or other trouble.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Addison figured she owed an explanation. "That was no joke. Just me butting in business that ain't me own, and I ain't sorry as the girl'd've been had I done nothing. But I do appreciate ye making sure the boy could wake up."

Addison could see the food cart now. "Yeah, c'mon. Let's grab a bite. I'll try me best not to notice the horny teenagers."

 

[AkamaruGames]

Chrisania glanced in the direction the boy had run off in. She did not understand the concern as teenagers were old enough to marry and therefore old enough to do as they pleased. Still, this was a new town and perhaps the laws and customs were different here. As no harm seemed to have come of it, Chrisania decided to let it go, though she was still quite wary of her new companion's wanton use of magic. "Yes..." she said, trying to move on from the scene, "you mentioned pastries of the fresh fire."

 

[Tom]

Einan and Troia wandered the dusky streets together, taking in the festival. They'd each had a bath before they left the inn, something they were both thankful for. It certainly made being in each other's company more pleasant. Troia was wearing the deerskin dress Addison had given her, and had let her hair out of its usual twin braids. It fell nearly to her waist in thick waves, the glow from the festival lanterns bringing out red tones that were hidden in everyday light.

She couldn't be any more beautiful, Einan thought, putting his good arm around her shoulders. He himself had acquiesced to wearing his good dark blue tunic instead of his usual green one, and had managed to coax his hair into something resembling neatness. Thankfully it fell over his ears, hiding their pointed tips, and with the ruddy, shifting light of the bonfires and lanterns softening his elfish features, no one gave him a second glance.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. Knots of village girls broke off their conversations to peer at him covertly as he and Troia walked past, only to break into giggles and excited whispers as soon as they thought the two of them were out of earshot. Another girl might have drawn him closer to her jealously and give the lasses the evil eye, but Troia simply grinned at their childish interest. Both of them knew there was nothing that could drive them apart.

"Let's get some food," Troia said, after they'd stopped to watch a fire-breather vomit gouts of flame into the dark sky overhead. They'd also paused by a few stands to examine their wares, and Troia was now the proud owner of a beautifully worked Caernish brooch. It was only bronze, but the fantastical knotwork weave that adorned it made it a treasure in her eyes.

"I heard there's a stand selling fresh-fired pastries up that street," Einan replied, pointing.

Troia nodded, and they set off, Einan listening as Troia sang along to a well-known folk song some street musicians were performing. She was singing low, under her breath, thinking no one could hear her, but Einan's elvish hearing picked up sounds no human's could. He wondered why she never sang loud enough for others to hear. She had a beautiful voice--husky yet melodic, like the deepest notes on a wooden flute.

 

[Gryphos]

"Barkeep, good man, my good good man of a man." Bendalitz cocked his head to the side. "Give me your professional opinion, if you would. If you did I would be most appreciative."

"Yes," said the barkeep, wiping down one of the numerous mugs Bendalitz had gone through, "you might have had enough."

"See, that's the thing," said Bendalitz emphatically. "I wouldn't have known. But you seem to be able to tell. I guess that's why you're on that side of the bar and I'm on this one, eh?"

"I ... guess?"

"Indeed, now—" Bendalitz turned around and began to walk with very controlled steps towards the door. "I'm bored of this place." He nudged a patron as he passed by. "Almost as bored as I am with the Queen, am I right?"

The patron in question, a rather burly gent, turned his head. "You what, mate?"

"I said I'm almost as bored as I am with the cream." Bendalitz grinned. "It used to be my favourite dairy substance, but I'm a cheese man now." The man gave him a sinister look, and Bendalitz quickly shuffled away. Once he got to the door he muttered to himself, "Ah yes, I forgot, I'm surrounded by patriots."

The bustling crowds outside only overloaded his senses, but he managed. He stayed on course, kept his chin up, and meandered along.

After a period of time when Bendalitz seemed to have been driven entirely by instinct, he was snapped back to reality by the sound and sight of a youth being smashed in the face by a fist which through closer inspection looked to belong to Addison.

"Damn," he chuckled. "Get wrecked, son."

He watched on as the girl who was with the boy went running off. Then a woman went over to the boy and seemed to be making sure he was okay. Bendalitz squinted, then remembered her to be that woman with the tray-wielding skills from the inn.

Once the boy was up and running, the woman returned to Addison and they began to make off in the direction of a food cart. Bendalitz set off at a completely ungraceful jog, waving. "Ayup!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

There was a familiar voice, though Addison couldn't quite place it. I don't remember ever hearing anyone say 'yup' in me entire life. She finally turned and saw a man who resembled Bendalitz, but was cheerful and seemed to actually want to be sociable.

She returned the wave, and said to Rikhard, "Well ain't Bendalitz in a good mood." She waited patiently for the man's eager approach, not entirely convinced he'd make the trip.

Between his drunkenness and me druidry, I wonder which of us needs food most.

 

[Nimue]

Farrun nodded. These thoughts mirrored many of his own, over the past few days of travel. But he could not look at any of these traits as ill or unsuited. "None of them would be any less as dragonriders for it," he said slowly. "Only that they will have a longer road...to war. Gods grant us another road, after that." He took a deep breath, and glanced at the amorous young couple as they brushed past, amused.

"A fine aim," he said to Loke's departing remark. "Just show up in the morning with your trews on!" Farrun shouted after him, grinning broadly.

He felt better, for those few words, for cleared air. And the mead didn't hurt his mood. He squared his shoulders and started towards a likely tavern on the other side of the street, glancing upwards as a hawk screeched overhead. Bells jingled on its jesses: a trained bird, performing for the crowd.

Raucous laughter spilled from the tavern door--the sign above it proclaimed the Stallion. It was dim and smoky inside, with a sharper pungency than the Grail and Arms, where they had rented rooms. The worst offense, though, was a drunken bard in the corner with a very badly tuned lute. Nevertheless, Farrun made short work of a pint of ale and a rabbit pie, which was surprisingly delicious, and tipped the servingmaid well for it.

As he stepped back out on the street, looking about for the next place to duck into, strong music started up in the middle of the square--more than one fiddle, a flourishing pipe, and a quick hand on the drums. People were gathering, forming a broad ring about the dancers that were stepping forth. The first to come were those who had been waiting for a festival to show their skills, no doubt, young pretty women and middle-aged couples who knew all the steps by heart. They wore the brightest clothes and made the cleanest of dancing patterns, shoes tapping and skirts twirling to the beat of the drums. Lanterns were strung all about the square, lighting it warmly in the middle of the blue twilight.

Farrun stood with the onlookers, enjoying the sight of the dancers and the rhythm of the music. It reminded him of home, even if the songs were not the same, as Ramshorn was far west of here. Close enough in their meaning: drink well, be merry, who knows if we will live to see tomorrow?

As the third song began the neat lines of partners began to ravel as the less-experienced folk joined in, and people were grabbed, jovially protesting, from the surrounding crowd. It was then, watching the stream of rosy faces and clapping hands go by, that Farrun caught someone's eye. The fair hazel eye of a Dunwoman in blue and green, her thick dark braid swaying as she danced. She stared at him, and he stared back, smitten by the sight of that face and the memory of when he had seen her last. Five years ago to the day, by the gods, in a hayrick on the edge of the army's camp...

 

[AkamaruGames]

As she arrived at the pastry cart, Chrisania noticed others converging on the cart, all of whom seemed to be familiar with her current two walking companions. Almost as if it was some sort of mystical meeting point. Taking in the smell of the fresh pastries, she smiled and was reminded of a town she once passed through where she found herself helping out a young baker who was on the verge of bankruptcy. His pastries were absolutely awful, but her knowledge of potion making translated surprisingly well to cooking. A few recipe changes and the young baker was the hit of the town. He later even proposed to her, but it was not yet the time in her life to settle down and so she left the next night without a word.

The strange feeling in her gut always led her to where she was needed and she was quietly wondering to herself if these were the people that would need her this time. Or perhaps, judging by the latest scene, someone needed her to help them from these people? Only time would tell.

Pushing such thoughts from her mind, Chrisania gazed at the selection of pastries and chose a fresh sugary thing with flaky looking crust. She handed over a copper in payment as she accepted the warm pastry, just barely cool enough to hold. She took a big bite and savored the sugary rush. "This is good pastry of the fresh fire," she said with her first mouthful only half swallowed, "You both should try, yes?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Addison figured she could use a bite herself. She snatched Chrisania's copper and returned it to her, paying a silver instead. "This round's on me," she told both Chrisania and the baker. "The two of us, plus Rikhard here—and the runner, he's Bendalitz. If I overpaid give him extra. And that couple, that's Einan and Troia. Oh, ain't that dress lovely on her?"

The baker said he'd try his best to remember the names, but he assured Addison he knew faces, so he'd see everyone gets their round, plus extra for the skinny drunk.

Addison thought a silver should cover extra for everyone.

"Almost everyone," the baker said.

Addison made short work of hers, and decided not to have seconds. There was music playing, and Addison didn't want to fill her face with dough.

"Well, Rikhard, I let it slip me heart belongs to me ladyfriend. It don't mean I don't dance. What about you? Do ye dance, Rikhard?"

 

[Ireth]

Rikhard thanked Addy for the pastry and took a bite, savoring the taste of the fruity filling. He tilted his head as she questioned him, and swallowed before he answered. "A little, yes. I found it helped me keep my balance at sea when the water got rough. I'm not sure if I'd know the same dances you do, but I can try."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Addison curtsied, half-wondering if Bendalitz was too giddy to be bothered by that at the moment.

"I've been on ships—loved it out there on the Glass Ocean—but I ain't danced on a ship before. But ye come off as a man whose hand knows the difference between the small o' the back and me ass, so I trust I'll enjoy learning your dance." She offered her hand. "I'll follow your lead, Rikhard."

 

[Ireth]

Rikhard smiled. "You don't need a partner to dance a sailor's hornpipe. I'll show you one of those if you like." He paused a moment to listen to the music, bobbing his head a little. "Hm. Tempo's a bit fast, but we'll see how my feet keep up, I guess! Shall I demonstrate first, or do you just want to mimic me?"

 

[Tom]

Einan and Troia came upon most of their companions when they reached the pastry cart. There was Addison, with a tall young woman who looked like an Etterlander. Rikhard hovered quietly at the edge of the group, and to Troia's surprise, there was Benalitz, looking jovial and somewhat drunk. She didn't think she'd ever seen him happy before.

Music punctuated the babble of voices around them as couples lined up for dancing. Her spirits sank as she saw Einan watching with interest. She liked a festival as much as anyone, but being out there, for everyone to see...The newfound courage she'd uncovered while accepting adventure and battling black dogs faltered in the face of a simple folk dance.

"Let's not," she said quickly, tugging Einan's hand.

He laughed at her expression. "Oh no, you're not getting out of it that easy."

And before she knew what was happening, he'd swung her through the circle of onlookers and into the dance. Breathless, she steadied herself in his arms and opened her mouth to berate him for it, but she was swept away from him as the women diverged from their partners. She wove as well as she could through the intricate pattern of the women's portion of the dance, ducking arched arms and dodging feet as they kicked out in the very energetic traditional Folkish style.

Finally the music marked the cue for the women to return to their partners, and Troia nearly knocked Einan over in her rush to get out of the women's pattern. He pressed his hand into the small of her back to steady her. She leaned her head lovingly against the hollow of his shoulder and muttered, "I hate you", into his tunic.

He laughed again, and said something she'd have probably slapped him for any other time, but at the moment she was far too busy wishing she could sink through the dusty street and into the earth below.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Addison watched Einan and Troia dance. It did help to be in a couple if you're going to be in a couple's dance, she figured. She'd join the crowd later, but for now, she'd honor Rikhard's dance.

"Ye start us off," she told him, "and once the moves repeat, I'll join ye."

It wasn't the most elegant of dances, but it looked like fun. Addison joined in and thought, since a partner wasn't needed, Chrisania should get an invitation. "Care to join us, Chrissy?"

 

[Ireth]

Rikhard smiled as he demonstrated, and grinned when Addy joined in. He looked at Chrisiana as well, nodding encouragingly. Dancing didn't leave much breath for speaking, or he would have seconded Addy's invitation aloud.

 

[Tom]

"Rikhard! Addy!" Einan called, as one dance ended and he and Troia stepped back to catch their breath. She was sending him definite looks of wrath now, which could only mean retribution later. He wondered what unpleasant thing he might find in his boots the next morning.

Rikhard seemed to be performing a fast, complicated dance that mostly consisted of kicks and other leg movement. Addy was as well, perhaps not as adeptly, but with no less enthusiasm.

"I'm not doing that," Troia growled.