The Journeyman

[Swordsman]

It was midmorning, just outside the city walls. So far the day had gone pretty well – he’d gotten some blade work done at the forge early, felt good from the exertion. Larya had become thoroughly disgusted with her newest tutor, and thrown him out, and a new one was due in about half an hour. Perfect time to set out wandering.

Senyik Devlinn was a tall man, right about six foot. An ex-soldier, he was a blacksmith by trade, and built like one besides. Formerly a berserker in his infantry days, he was still a warrior at heart. Young though he was, barely an adult, he was already heartily sick of warfare. But it seemed to pervade the land, and so he still had to fight back against the greater strife whenever it came looking for him. He was dressed lightly now, wearing a crude pair of hide breeches, his faithful old calf-high boots, and a thin sleeveless shirt that made the heat of the forge more tolerable.

Just before second-breakfast that morning, Senyik had offered the head cook some money, then whispered something in her ear. Sure enough, just as Larya was throwing out the ruffled old scholar, the tea and condiments got spilled all over the place in the serving, earning the manservant quite a tongue-lashing. But he didn’t mind. The cook had slipped several coins into his palm as she’d handed him the tray. By the time Larya’s parents were done screaming, she and the smith had escaped and were out and over the wall.

Senyik walked along the path between the fields. Larya, as usual, bounced. She was a slight thing, only a little over five feet, and built sparingly. Nearly white hair complemented her pale blue eyes and light skin. The daughter of a rich merchant, she was dressed in fine clothes. Her nicely tailored shoes were already forsaken for bare feet, and her hair flowed freely as if rejoicing being released from its bounds in the usual ribbons and pins.

The annoying middle child to her parents, they were eagerly attempting to marry her off into greater wealth, and so Larya Kerlinten turned to Senyik for the companionship that lacked from home. She and Senyik had been the closest friends since she’d been born, only a year after him. The two were like night and day to each other. He, the traveled ex-soldier and earthy blacksmith; she, the naïve girl forced to stay a child and student in her parents’ home. He, dark of hair and eye, skin stained dark with sun and dirt and soot and coal; she, fair of hair and blue of eye, skin kept light and rosy through endless pampering and cleaning and days at a time inside. He, huge and intimidating and dangerous armed or not; she, small and feminine, nearly underweight, harmless besides her fingernails. He, practical and serious; she, silly and bouncy and effervescent. The two things they did share were intelligence and a devotion to the other.

As they came to a small opening in a tall hedgerow, Senyik had to stop and inspect it. “Hmm…nice, this is very nice…” His eyes glazed over for a moment, and Larya bounced back to look at the long shrubs.

“Yeah, these are really pretty bushes!” She spoke as if almost continually ending with exclamation points. Inspecting their foliage a little closer, she seemed to search her memory. “These are…okay, I should be able to remember this…”

“Chokepoint?” Senyik offered. “Kill zone?”

Larya ignored him. “Well, I can’t remember, but I know they grow thick, and they’re cold-resistant, so they’re perfect for hedgerows.” It seemed her tutors had been sure to cover botany.

“I’ll bet they’d stop an arrow, too.”

“What?! Senyik, why do you always have to be so morbid?! Just look at things like they are, not as death zones or kill traps or whatever!”

“Chokepoint,” he corrected. “It’s where only a few men can come through at once, and they’re easier to kill that way. Why does everything have to be so happy for you?”

“The whole world’s not death, Sen. There is good out there.”

“Like what? You?”

“Of course me!” She hit him as hard as she could in mock indignation. He figured that one might actually give him a bruise for a little.

“Nah, you’re the devil incarnate.” She promptly whacked him again.

“I’m sweet, and you know it!”

“But you’re still annoying as all hell, and you know it!”

“Soooo…?” She clasped her hands in front of her and gave a large-grinned innocent look, blue eyes wide. The look worked, but he knew it all too well. Senyik sighed with exaggerated frustration, then hoisted her over his shoulder by the feet and took off running. Within a few minutes, he came to a wide, shallow creak, into which he tossed the screaming, laughing pixie. He splashed in after her to wash off his arm, which was now bleeding from numerous claw and bite marks starting at the elbow.

“Jerk!” she sputtered as she started to sit up.

“Imp!”

“Moron!”

“Witch!”

“Orc!”

“Succubus!” With this final exclamation, he put his foot on Larya’s stomach as she rose, and pushed her back down into the water with a splash. She latched onto his foot, dug her nails in. Senyik tried to pull it away, but she yanked his pant leg up and bit his lower leg. He yelled and kicked, but she held on, then rolled, pulling his leg out. Forced into a near-split, he tumbled over in the water, then started laughing. As Larya tried to get up again, still clutching his foot, he wrapped the other leg around her waist, pinning her down. At the same time, this prevented his getting up, and she still had his foot in a death grip. She couldn’t move because she was pinned, and he couldn’t move because if she got even a little loose, she’d be able to pull off one of the boots and tickle his foot.

“I think this has to be some kind of record, Larya. Barely a mile, and we’re fighting already!”

[Swordsman]

More to come later, as I work stuff out. I have multiple authors working on this piece (Including our dear Rayen, and the girl represented by Larya), but here at home. With their permission, I'll post things as they get written. Feedback welcome! Also, as soon as these guys get to Arconia, I'll open it to anybody else who wants to jump in. Actually, it's open right now, if you're not otherwise engaged.

Any comments?

[Rayen]

"Our dear Rayen"...Hmm....I thought I was just that annoying person that was trying to jump into Arconia at a most inconvenient time. Thanks Swordsman. I'm touched. *puts a hand to her heart in mock sincerity* Have fun with it Swordsman.

[Swordsman]

What the heck was that all about?

[Swordsman]

The Journeyman's song - heard it on the radio last night, thought it was perfect!!

...AND THE ROAD BECOMES MY BRIDE
I HAVE STRIPPED OF ALL BUT PRIDE
SO IN HER I DO CONFIDE
AND SHE KEEPS ME SATISFIED
GIVES ME ALL I NEED
... AND WITH DUST THROAT I CRAVE
ONLY KNOWLEDGE WILL I SAVE

TO THE GAME YOU STAY A SLAVE
ROVER WANDERER
NOMAD VAGABOND
CALL ME WHAT YOU WILL
BUT I'LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND ANYWHERE
AND I'LL REDEFINE ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME

...AND THE EARTH BECOMES MY THRONE
I ADAPT TO THE UNKNOWN
UNDER WANDERING STARS I'VE GROWN
BY MYSELF BUT NOT ALONE
I ASK NO ONE

...AND MY TIES ARE SERVERED CLEAN
THE LESS I HAVE THE MORE I GAIN
OFF THE BEATEN PATH I REIGN
ROVER WANDERER
NOMAD VAGABOND
CALL ME WHAT YOU WILL
BUT I'LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND ANYWHERE
AND I'LL REDEFINE ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME
BUT I'LL TAKE MY TIME ANYWHERE
FREE TO SPEAK MY MIND
AND I'LL TAKE MY FIND ANYWHERE
ANYWHERE I ROAM
WHERE I LAY MY HEAD IS HOME
CARVED UPON MY STONE
MY BODY LIE, BUT STILL I ROAM
WHEREVER I MAY ROAM


Metallica, "Wherever I May Roam"

[Swordsman]

Something moved at the edge of the light. Too big and noisy to be an animal, Senyik knew it had to be a person. He rolled away from the fire to let his eyes re-adjust to the dark, and drew his warsword, purposely letting the blade ring loudly. The noise stopped instantly, silence followed by a voice: “Friend, unarmed! Might I approach without harm?”

Senyik and Larya were on either side of the fire. Larya had been asleep, and Senyik on his way. Both were awake now. “Come slowly forward into the light, hands visible, and stop.” Senyik wondered that the interloper so easily advertised his vulnerability, and wanted to be sure of the veracity of the statement. A man emerged from the shadows and stopped in compliance with the orders. “Who are you, and what are you doing up and about at these times?”

“Apologies, sir, I’m new to the area. Spent most of the day in the last city there, misjudged the travel time, and here I am.” Again, Senyik wondered at the man’s vulnerability. Admitting he was in unfamiliar area, unarmed, lost, and alone in the dark. To a stranger with a warsword.

“Alright then. You’ll forgive my caution, but it does make sense to be concerned about shady characters around. Feel free to come sit by the fire – it’s not wise to be wandering about in the dark like you are, alone and unarmed.”

“Thank you, I think I will. My name’s Evan Rigger.”

“I’m Senyik, and the fairy across the fire here is Larya. Nice to meet you, Evan. Strange name; where are you from?” Senyik was sitting up, back to the fire, right arm crooked around his raised knee, still holding the weapon. Larya had risen and come around the fire to join them.

“Arconia, to the south. I was up here on business with an old friend of the royalty, and headed back.” Evan winced as he said it, realizing that he’d just given away that he was somebody important, and possibly wealthy. Senyik noticed and dismissed it. “What are you and the lady doing out?”

“Oh, we were just –“

“- out here for an hour or so,” he cut Larya off, “waiting for the rest of the hunting party to return. They wanted a little more game, but we decided to come back early.” Larya glared at him, and raised an eyebrow at the lie. They were actually out for the night, having just escaped her stifling parents, and were going to return the next morning. It was another of the wanderings they frequently went out on. Senyik was used to moving about, and hated to be confined. Larya suffered apathetic parents. She was a middle child, frequently forgotten entirely. Her parents looked her older brother as something of the family champion, and her younger sister as the most darling, beautiful little thing. At least that’s how Larya saw it. In any case, he tried to get out whenever he could, and she loved to accompany him whenever she could escape.

Evan glanced over at Larya as Senyik spoke, and her glare died in an instant, giving way to an angelic innocent look. Senyik could already see it coming. “So, why are you up here, talking to friends of royalty?” She even brought out the sweet voice, Senyik thought with a degree of amusement. He wondered how receptive the man would be to powerful flirting.

Pretty receptive, it was looking like. He turned his whole body immediately to her and lit up with a smile. “Actually, I’m one of Arconia’s royal criers. I get the job of traveling around with the news, spreading it for people to hear. I’m one of the guys who helps make sure everybody knows what’s going on.” A half-smirk appeared on Senyik with his amusement. Amazing how the importance of a job was dependent on the perception of the listener.

“Really? That sounds really cool. Do you get to meet a lot of cool people?” Larya was a wonderfully intelligent girl, but when flirting always reverted to excessive use of ‘really’ and ‘cool’. The conversation just rambled on from there for some time, while Senyik listened, thoroughly amused. He’d known the girl for as long as he could remember, and knew each of her replies just before she said them. And yet it still amused him. Finally, there was an opening wide enough for him to throw in a question.

“What is this news you spread, my vocal friend?” Larya shot him a look for the hidden barb.

“A tournament! Zelda, our queen, is holding a tournament in a few days’ time, and sent us out to spread the word of it. I was up in that city, I can’t remember its name now, telling an Arconian about it. He’s been up there for a while now. We’re having the tournament to find out who will be the next king, since Arcon is missing, and probably dead, and they don’t have an heir. All the neighboring countries –“

“That’s quite enough, Evan. I don’t need to know further.” The boy – he was Senyik’s age at least, but not exactly weathered by the royal life – was spilling secrets faster than could be any good for his homeland. Amazing what a female could elicit.

“Oh. Okay...” He seemed at something of a loss for what to contribute, now that he’d been cut off. Then a thought occurred to him: “Hey, where’s this hunting party of yours? You think they got lost? You said they were supposed to be back by now.”

Senyik laughed. “There is no hunting party, Evan. Would you advertise that you were alone and unexpected out in the middle of nowhere to a perfect stranger from the darkness? Okay, maybe you would. But that’s really not the best idea in the world.”

“Oh.” The messenger seemed a little befuddled. The girl was so charming, and yet here this big guy was being all serious. He suddenly wondered if maybe the girl’s attention on him had disturbed something. He sure wouldn’t want to steal this guy’s girl, even by accident.

Senyik noted a small change in the newcomer’s eyes; something of discomfort, maybe? Oh well. “Tell me, when do you plan on continuing your journey home?”

“Well...I don’t know, now. I was just going to keep walking through the night, but it’s starting to seem like a better idea to stop for a while, sleep, not wander around in circles.”

There it is... Senyik thought. He should have seen it coming sooner. Right on cue, Larya took up the string offered.

“You want to stay with us tonight? We’ve already got a fire going, and Senyik here’s got a sword and is a light sleeper. Maybe you could stay with us tonight, then who knows what tomorrow…” Larya shot Senyik a look that was halfway between “You’d better be nice and let him stay!” and “Can I keep him, pleeeeease?”

Well, that just confirmed Evan’s suspicions. She knew how he slept… He looked to the larger man with a bit of trepidation. Rather than the glare he expected, he found a bemused grin. “Yeah, why don’t you just stay here tonight, and we’ll see what happens in the morning?” The comment about the morning had sounded like an invitation from the girl, but more like a threat from the guy. He looked like a soldier or something.

For his part, Senyik was amused by the looks passing in turn over Evan’s face. He could almost hear the thoughts, including the misinterpretation of the comment about Senyik’s sleep habits. Senyik and Larya had spent many a night asleep on either side of a campfire. Or wrapped in their blankets beside each other for their morning naps. Or each on one arm of a parent, it didn’t matter which of the four between them.

“Alright, I guess I’ll stay with you guys for tonight, see what the morning brings...”

At that comment, Senyik stretched back out on the ground, sword at his side, back to the fire. “Very good. Good night, then.”

Evan and Larya talked for a little while longer, eventually laying down around the fire. Senyik slept, but was still aware of their voices, and their eventual fade to silence.

He’d already made his decision. He’d keep the crier with them for the next day, then head back to the estate at dark to gather his few things, and accompany the crier back to the tournament. Quite a prize, it was. Larya, of course, would have the choice of going home, or getting some of her things after dark and going with them. He wasn’t sure what she’d pick, but he did hope she’d come.

[Swordsman]

The early sun rose on a pile of cold ash, three bodies lying around it in the clearing. Black of night faded to gray of predawn, and then color seeped into the cool, damp world. A handful of birds woke in their trees and began songs over the still figures on the trampled grass. Within a few minutes most of the world was back in full color, the angle of the light rising. Finally, after some time, it struck the three bodies on the ground. The largest stirred slightly, inhaled deeply. Stiffened slowly, tensing all the muscles in turn to wake them up.

Rising to his feet, Senyik stretched leisurely, arms up to the midmorning sun. Letting them sag behind him, he leaned back, stretching his arms and bending further until his fingertips nearly touched the ground. The exercise was accompanied by a string of crackling snaps and pops, ligaments and joints loosening and releasing pent-up nitrogen. Relaxing again, he leaned forward, eyes squeezed shut while fighting the pounding caused by the blood that rushed to his head in the stretch. Upon recovering he shook himself, loosing the dew from his clothes and body.

The sun rose further, and so did his companions. Evan was the first to arouse, and Larya shortly thereafter.

“Good morn, my dear. You slept well?”

“I did. And you?” Larya smiled at the familiar greeting from Senyik, remembering how long he’d used it for.

“Like the dead!”

“Senyik!”

“What?”

“You’re being morbid again!”

“Just an expression, Larya…”

“A morbid one!”

“Alright, alright. How about this: I. Slept. Well. Thank you.” He delivered the latter five words in a tiresome monotone. “See? It’s boring. You need expressions to lighten things up.”

Larya’s response took a moment. Her brain, like her hair, was still frizzed from sleep. “Your expressions don’t lighten anything up – they’re all morbid or disgusting!”

Senyik turned pointedly to Evan by way of ending the conversation. “Evan. How’d you sleep?”

The crier had just been standing about for the past minute or two, wondering what to do and watching the exchange with a kind of disturbed curiosity. “Pretty well, except I’m not really used to just the ground to sleep on.”

“Very good, very good. Tell me, what are your plans now?”

“Umm…good question. I guess I was just going to get moving again now.”

“You have an expected time back in your city?”

“Not really.”

“Wrong answer. Never tell a larger, armed stranger that you aren’t expected back for a while. Now I have no malicious intent, but you don’t know that. Oh, and don’t make it a habit to spend the night with strangers, either. Good way to get robbed or killed. But anyway. Could I convince you to delay a day in your journey? I wish to accompany you back, but there are things I need to gather first.”

“Sure, I guess.” He wasn’t about to pass up another day with the cute pixie.

“Excellent, thank you.”

“Umm…Senyik?” Larya sounded a tad concerned. “How long are you going there for?”

“Oh, I don’t know. A while, probably. Try out the tournament, see what it’s like, maybe settle in for a little, get some money in the sack. You want to come?”

Still sleep-frizzed, but recovering quickly, Larya had to think about the number of things which had just been presented her, and how they affected each other. First she’d heard Senyik say he intended to leave. Then he’d said he would be away for a while, and maybe even stay for a time. This concerned her – she’d be stuck with apathetic suffocating parents and pathetic romantic suitors. Just as this concern had started to enter her mind, he’d finished by offering to take her along. No suitors or parents – but on the other hand, no home, or family. Just Senyik, really. “Umm…go with you?”

“Yeah. As in, I go, and you go, too.”

“Thanks…” What would the world be without sarcasm? “What would we do there?”

“Well, first thing, I’m going to enter this tournament, and who knows how long it will take. Then if I’m not king of the place at the end, I’ll try setting up shop and looking for some smitty work. I guess you could look for work too, maybe find someplace to settle in. Or not. You can always just go home, too.”

“Well…would I ever see my parents again, or my family?” The trip and the city sounded great, but Larya just couldn’t quite fathom completely leaving home like that.

“If you wanted to, probably. I’m sure you could go back and visit whenever. Anyway, I thought you wanted to get away from them?”

“Yeah, I do. Where would I stay?”

“C’mon, Larya! This is why they call it an adventure – you don’t know what’s going to happen, you just do it! You get some money, you can find some place to rent, maybe even buy a place eventually. We’ll both be pretty strapped for gold right away, so we might end up sharing a place for a while. Come on, let’s just do this!”

It looked like sleep was pretty much worn off by now. It also looked a lot like Evan wanted her to come, too. “Larya, you’ll love it. Arconia’s a beautiful city, there’s plenty of places to get work, plenty of places to stay. Come on, it’ll be fun. And if you don’t like it, you can just go home.” Evan was careful to leave out the parts about the missing king, encroaching neighbors, greedy landlords, and seemingly never-ending list of things that always went wrong.

“Alright, I guess I’ll go.”

“Sweet!” At this exclamation Evan immediately turned red and shut himself up. Senyik laughed aloud, and Larya just grinned weirdly.

“Well, that’s settled then. First thing to do is go find some food for the RIGHT NOW. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving. After we eat, we’ll head back to the Kerlinten estate, get our stuff, and head out. Sound good?”

Affirmation all around, they left the remnants of the fire and headed out. They were closer now to the main city than the estate, and so they headed in to a tavern for breakfast. From there it was a shorter walk down the village roads back to the estate.

Entering the gates, Senyik went straight around the back of the main house, to his forge. Here he gathered his most important tools – hammer, forceps, and some files. On the wall was a big satchel with a frame and shoulder straps, and he put the tools into this. If he could find a forge to work at, these would be enough to keep him in business. From here, he headed to the main house.

********************************

Larya went straight to the main house from the gates of the estate. “Hey, should I just hang around here, or what?” Evan suddenly found himself in a rather strange position.

“No, come on in with me! I just need to pack my stuff, tell my parents, and we’ll be out of here.” She surprised herself with the ease with which she said it. Just go in and pack, and tell her parents she was leaving her entire life behind…but that was a good thing, wasn’t it? She shook the feeling off and went inside, Evan following. Just through the front doors, three suitors jumped to their feet, looking as though they’d been waiting quite some time. An older man with several books was also among their company – evidently a new tutor.

“Miss Kerlinten, we were worried! Well, I was worried, I don’t know about these other guys…” This came from the first suitor, followed a half-beat later by similar statements from the other two.

The tutor just glared. “Who is this?” he inquired of Evan.

“Oh, he’s just a friend of mine. He’s a royal crier for the kingdom of Arconia, a really important job. He was just up north delivering news, and we met him on his way back down. We’re going to Arconia with him now.”

By now she was through the group and halfway down the hall, but the looks stopped her. The suitors had wilted, and the tutor looked rather disappointedly annoyed. Larya just grinned at Evan and then continued on into the living rooms.

********************************

Senyik’s next stop was the kitchen to bid the cook and staff farewell. They were good people, made great food, and kept him nicely comfortable during his stay. “Senyik, dear, you’re leavin’ us?” Cook, as the cook insisted on being called, was a wonderful old grandmotherly woman. She would have kept Senyik in bed and brought him food all day if he’d let her. She practically wanted to adopt him.

“Yes, Cook. You take care of yourself, right?”

“Of course I’ll take care of myself! What else would a woman of my age do?” Senyik just laughed at Cook’s only half-joking display of pride in her age, and accepted her hug. “You be good to, Senny, you hear? If I hears you’re not doin’ good, I’m gonna come after you!” Senyik grinned again, then left. Cook was the only one who could get away with calling him Senny without losing a minor appendage. Time now to go confer with the family…

********************************

Only Larya was already doing just that.

“Mom, Dad?” The elder Kerlintens were in the upper sitting room, having morning tea.

“Larya!” Her father nearly spilled the drink as he jumped up. “Where have you been! You’ve kept all the suitors waiting, and that poor old teacher’s going to die of old age before you can get your lesson done! What were you thinking?!”

“I was with Sen, Dad. We just went out wandering again. I’m fine, and you know I’m fine with him.”

“You’re fine, but you really think those young men down there are going to want a girl who goes out when she wants? You’re fine, but are THEY fine?” Jarov Kerlinten was a thin, angular man, nearly bald already. Not a very warm man in general – unless he was around his older son, or his youngest daughter.

“Forget the suitors, Dad! I’m not marrying any of them!”

“You expect us to pay the rest of your life then, Larya? You think you’ll just live with us until you’re old?” Elia Kerlinten was the perfect foil to her hustband – short, thick haired, and rounded.

“I’ll marry who I want, mother! Or I’ll just make money for myself!” For a few moments Larya worried she’d given them both heart attacks.

“Make…money? On your own? A lady? Working?”

“Look, it doesn’t matter because I’m leaving. I’m going to Arconia with Senyik and Evan. And I’ll do what I want to there.” Larya had never stood up to her parents before, and was shaking now.

“Who’s this Evan?” It took several seconds for the words to sink in to them, but now her parents were turning pretty decently red.

“Evan’s the royal crier I – we – met last night by the fire. He’s going to take us back to Arconia with him.”

A look passed between the parents. Before they could speak again, Larya left for her bedroom. Evan, who had wisely decided to linger at the doorway, followed her up the steps.

********************************

Senyik entered a few minutes after Larya left, and was immediately set upon. “What are you taking Larya away from us for? She’s got suitors here, rich ones! And why are you putting ideas like work into her head? And where do you go ‘wandering’? What do you do when you go ‘wandering’? Who’s this Evan we heard about? What kind of people do you introduce Larya to? What kind of people do you associate with?”

Senyik stopped dead, jaw slack and mouth hanging open. After a minute he just turned around and left to let the barrage continue behind him.

********************************

Evan and Larya were up in her bedroom as she packed. She felt wonderfully rebellious – here was a boy, up in her room! And her parents didn’t even like him! She barely even knew him! Senyik entered as she finished filling a sack.

“Larya? What’s all this?”

“It’s my stuff I’m taking with me. You want to hand me that other sack over there?”

“Larya. Who’s going to carry these?”

“The pack horse, right?”

“Larya. Do you own a horse?”

“Duh, Sen, remember Lutia?”

“Larya. That’s your parents’ horse. You just ride her. We don’t have any horses, or money enough to get any.”

“So, who’s going to carry these?”

“You are.”

“I can’t!”

“Then take less stuff!”

“Oh.”

As Evan just stood by and watched, Senyik managed to get her down to only most of one sack. He had a feeling Evan would end up having to play the gentleman and carrying the sack for her.

********************************

When Senyik thought maybe the parents had had a chance to cool down, he returned to the sitting room – to find it empty. So he went next to the other sitting room, the lower sitting room. Also devoid of the parents, so he continued, finding them next in the dining room, silently angry. “Mr. Kerlinten, might I a word?”

“You. What do you want now?”

“Some money, sir. I’m leaving, and I can’t really take my forge with me. It’s on your estate, I know, but I built it and rightfully own it. Since I won’t be having it anymore, and it’ll still be on your property, I’d like to just sell it to you.”

“So you’re taking our daughter, so we can’t get any money from her marriage, and now you’re wanting money for your forge that we can’t ever use, either.”

“I know a couple of smitties in the city who need a forge. Rent it out to them, or sell it outright. You can make money on it, I know. I just want the fair price of it, so I can get going.”

“I suppose so…” Senyik and Jarov bantered back and forth for a little before settling on a price and closing the deal. With the gold in the sack, Senyik went to find Larya. She was out behind the house, near the forge. She seemed to have just gotten halfway out before plopping down on the grass. Evan was sitting facing her, silent.

“Hey, Lar, you ready?”

“Yeah…no. I don’t know. Am I ready?”

“Well, I don’t know. You’re leaving home. That will be hard, I know. But, what are you leaving? You’ve always wanted to get away from your parents. And the suitors. And the various tutors. Now you’ll be out on your own, and can do what you want.”

“I know…”

“Yeah, it’s tough. Really, though, we’re just going out wandering again, right?”

“No, because we’re really going away this time.”

“We were every time! We’re just going farther now, and don’t intend to be back for a while. But it’s still just like any other time wandering, right? We just go out, go where we want to, do what we want. And when you want to go back, you do, right?”

“So we’re coming back from this?”

“If you want. You can stay if you want, too. Just come back whenever you feel like it. If you never feel like it, oh well.” Larya just looked up at him, his head perfectly blocking the sun from her face. “Come on. Let’s get going, and we’ll just see what happens, alright?”

“Alright…you’ll still stay with me though, right?”

“Are you kidding? I’m leaving, too. I’m not going to know any more people than you – of course I’ll have to stick with you!” He reached down to her offered hand and hauled her to her feet. Larya hoisted the sack to her shoulders, sagging already under the weight. “Let’s go.”

And so they went. Evan wanted to talk to her, but couldn’t yet see any place he could get a conversation started. He’d just have to wait. Thankfully, he didn’t have anything with him but the clothes on his back, the royal scroll, and a small sack of coin. He knew Larya would get tired eventually, and then he could take her load.

It was late afternoon by the time they were off the estate. They were just outside the city by evening, and had to camp again. The first night gone was spent still in familiar territory – Larya and Senyik had wandered the area many times before. The next morning, they would really be on their way out, coming all the time closer to Arconia.

[Swordsman]

The journey was about three days, longer than they'd expected. Food had not been a problem along the way, as the area was settled enough that an inn was present in each town at which they stopped. In all, it was an uneventful trip.

Senyik spent the majority of the duration walking in silence, leading the trio. Larya and Evan proceeded beside each other, talking constantly. Senyik was glad for it, as it provided entertainment on what would have otherwise been a silent and boring excursion. Finally, however, they found themselves on Arconian soil.

Evan stopped abruptly on the trail, and Larya with him. Senyik proceeded a few feet further before noting the sudden stillness behind him, and turned. Before he could question about the delay, however, Evan spoke up. "My friends, the creek we just crossed forms part of the border betwixt the kingdoms. Welcome I bid you to the fair kingdom of Arconia!"

[Swordsman]

I actually wrote that last piece a few weeks ago, but forgot I had it until just this morning in English. So I came home and posted it. Anyway, I'm finalizing this trio's entrance into Arconia city, and then I'll post it. If you want to jump in (have a character to join them on the rest of the trip) that's great, or if you already have an existing character, they'll arrive in Arconia in a few days and then you can jump in even more easily.

Long story short, it's an open thread.

[Swordsman]

Senyik, Larya, and Evan came to the top of a small rise in the early morning light. They’d risen just before dawn, and had been moving only an hour or so by now. Looking down along the remaining stretch of road, they could see several more miles of fertile farmland, and then a wall. Beyond the wall was visible a city, and from the center rose a castle. Around the far sides of the city a forest began, thick and green to the horizon.

“I give you, the city of Arconia!” Evan announced with grandeur.

Larya bounced a few times in response, despite her fatigue. “Cool!” How long till we get there?”

Senyik narrowed his eyes, judging the length of the road against the size of the wall and the houses before it. “Say…four more miles. Call it two hours, if we get going. Maybe a little less.” He shifted his pack, and started off down the little hill. Evan was right behind him, and Larya practically skipped circles around the two.

“I’m going to have to get another tutor. Well, maybe for just a little bit. I want to see the land around here, and the city, so I can map it. I wonder if anybody’s made maps of it yet. Well, I’ll find out. The tournament should be fun, too! I’ll go watch you, Senyik, and Evan can come, too! Isn’t it great to not even be in the city yet and already have a friend there? Evan, I can teach you all sorts of stuff while we’re there, too!”

“Larya.” Senyik said. She continued babbling on. “Larya.”

“– what?”

“Can you move in a straight line? Take that energy of yours, and just move forward. But faster. Can you do that?”

Larya nodded and went bouncing straight down the road, Senyik and Evan speeding up to follow. It was actually five miles, but they made it in an hour and a half.

Finally the trio found themselves at the main gate of Arconia city. A guard was posted just inside, a thick man even a little bigger than Senyik, if not quite so hardened. “This is the city of Arconia. Do you intend to be here, or are you lost?”

Evan spoke up. “I’m Evan Rigger, one of the royal criers, and these two are friends I picked up on the way home. This is Senyik Devlinn, smith, and this is Larya Kerlinten. Is there room at the Bitter End?”

The guard smiled. “With the search party out, and half the city camped around, there’s plenty of room upstairs. I believe Ms. Roenseller’s been just dying for some extra contact with outsiders.” By which he meant male outsiders. “Will you be staying with these two, or are they on their own?”

“Well, I’ll be heading to the castle first, then home, so they’ll be on their own.”

Turning to Senyik, the guard shook his hand. “Welcome to Arconia, smith. Do you need directions to the inn?”

“No, they’ll be fine,” Evan jumped in, “I’ll show them there myself.”

About fifteen minutes later they arrived at the Bitter End, just as Evan was finishing his explanations of the history that every student learned, then filled them in on current events all the way up to the discovery of the codicil.

Once at the Bitter End, they were introduced to Steve (after Ophelia introduced herself to Senyik) and Evan continued on to the castle to report in, then to his home.

Larya called Steve over to their table half an hour or so after they’d sat down. “What do you need, ma’am?”

“Well, I’ve got a few questions. Okay, a bunch actually, but I’ll just ask you some of them.” Steve smiled, nodded. “Anyway, I was wondering if you could tell me of any places you know where I could get a room. After that, I’ll need a job, and thought maybe you could tell me about that, too.”

“Very good, then.” Steve pulled a chair out and sat down. “There are plenty of people in the city with rooms they rent out pretty reasonably. For that you can ask around – I’m sure Ophelia would be glad to help – or you can check the newspaper, The Kingdom Encounter. As far as jobs go…well, what do you do?”

Larya thought for a moment. “I’ve done a lot of studying. I like making maps, and I’m good at math, and sewing, and that kind of thing.”

Steve wondered a little at the way she threw sewing and math together, but decided it really didn’t matter. “Sounds like you could work for the government. Maybe be a royal cartographer, something like that. You should stop by the castle and see if you can’t ask about a job. Anything else?”

“Same. I figure the answers to the first part would be the same for me, but I’m also curious about work.” It was Senyik this time.

“And you’re a smith, no?”

“Ex-soldier, and a journeyman smith, yes.”

“Hmm, a soldier…why not anymore?”

“Got sick of the pointless killing. A cause is one thing, but when you get your ideals and causes switched around every other week – on orders – it gets pretty sickening.”

“Well, you could join the Arconian army if you felt so inclined to follow our causes.” Senyik looked rather dubious. “If you thought you were good enough, you could try to find the Swordsman when he returns, join his strike force.” Senyik looked even more dubious at this proposition. “There’s also a blacksmith not far from here, who probably wouldn’t mind an extra worker.” Senyik’s face lightened some at this idea.

“What’s his name?”

“Shem…something. That should be enough to find him by. He’s got a forge right in the city, just follow the banging noise.”

Senyik made a face, and Steve grinned. “It’s not banging, Mr. McDonough! It’s a…pleasant ringing!” Both laughed.

“The name’s Steve, please. I haven’t been Mr. McDonough since…heck, I don’t know. It’s Steve.”

“Senyik Devlinn – Senyik, or Sen if you’re as lazy as this one here.” He indicated Larya, then extended his hand. Steve shook it.

“And who’s your friend?”

“Larya Kerlinten –Lar, if you’re as lazy as me!”

“A lazy blacksmith, formerly soldier? Somehow I doubt it.” Steve turned to Larya. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kerlinten.”

“I’m only Ms. Kerlinten if you’re Mr. McDonough!”

“Fair enough, Larya.”

The three chatted for a little while longer, until Steve had to get back to bartending. It was a little after midday, and Senyik decided it was time to get moving. They both had to find lodging and work, and he had a tournament to enter. Right outside the pub, the parted. “You have any idea what you intend to do, Larya? You’re pretty much on your own now.”

“Well, the castle sounded like a good idea to me. Royal cartographer would be cool.”

“And I’m going to have to go find this blacksmith, see if there’s any openings. You head to the castle, see what you can find out, I’ll do my thing looking around. Want to meet back here tonight for dinner, share a room to save money?”

“Sounds good.” Neither was ready to completely leave the other; they were still both new in a completely foreign environment, even if Senyik was more used to it.

And with that, they set off in opposite directions.

[Swordsman]

Note to Auteur:

Shem is the character from the story you began. If you have any objections to his inclusion, want a different name used for the blacksmith, or anything like that, go ahead and tell me, and I'll change it. If not, then I hope you'll write with me!

[Munqi]

[quote]Originally posted by Swordsman:
<strong>...“Succubus!” With this final exclamation....</strong><hr></blockquote>

As in Incubus Succubus? Liked the Metallica lyrics, by the way... Well chosen, mate.

[Swordsman]

Yes, a succubus is like an incubus, only female.

[Swordsman]

I found it! Senyik's sword:

<a href="http://store.museumreplicas.com/isroot/www11650/ProductImages/mrl1031.jpg" target="_blank">http://store.museumre plicas.com/isroot/www11650/ProductImages/mrl1031.jpg</a>
http://store.museumreplicas.com/isro...es/mrl1031.jpg

Now - who can help me think of her name?

[ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: Swordsman ]</p>

[Zelda]

Auroa.

[Swordsman]

Any other ideas?

[lochinvar]

Shadow-dancer

[Kehra Dehvokan]

Shadow’s Flame

[edit] More:

Night-Streak

Light Catcher

Dawn's Shadow
Shadow of the Dawn

...or any mix or modification of one of those...

*bows and disappears*

[ 03-29-2002: Message edited by: Kehra Dehvokan ]</p>

[Swordsman]

Not fifteen minutes after Nækos’ departure, Zelda was just beginning to get back to her varied and sundry business when there came a knock on the study door. “Come in.” She looked up to see one of her pages step in, looking rather frazzled. But then, who didn’t these days? “You bring a message?”

“M’lady, there was a brawl at the pub,” he mumbled.

“There was? Well by all means, find out whose it is, return it, and leave me be!”

The page started to agree, then heard the words and began to look extremely confused. “…m’lady? Return it…?”

“YES return it! What’s the matter? You embarrassed to run an errand like that?” Further confusion was evident. “Okay, fine. If you don’t feel comfortable, have another girl return it.”

“…m’lady? There was a brawl at The Bitter End.” This time he enunciated.

“There was a brawl?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

“Oh! I thought you said…never mind.” Zelda was a little pink around the ears at this point. “Well then…what was done about the incident?”

“A squad of soldiers was dispatched, and managed to arrest about half of them. The pub is empty and being guarded by a few remaining soldiers, while the rest brought the prisoners and a few followers – Ophelia and a friend wouldn’t leave – here.

Zelda sighed wearily. “Very well, then. Where exactly are they?”

“The southern conference.” He referred to the largest of the three audience rooms, large enough for about eighty people. It was to this room that she then followed him.

In the southern room she found herself before a group of fifty to sixty large, stinking, drunken, and still-rowdy patrons of The Bitter End. She was definitely glad for the soldiers lining the walls as she took her seat on one of the thrones on the raised platform at the front of the room.

Zelda carefully gave the crowd a once-over with her specialized glare – the same one she used when Arcon would get out of line. She gave a bored sight and laced her fingers before her, sitting back as if to decide the best punishment for them all.

“Who started it?”

Her voice was lost in the loud babble of voices, so she repeated it louder.

“WHO STARTED IT?”

The voices ceased, as a pair of squabbling siblings will become silent before their perturbed mother. There was a short commotion, and then a clear path opened in the room to reveal a sheepish-looking Evan in the center, multiple anonymous fingers pointed at him. Zelda covered her surprise and gave him a squinty, ice-cold glower.

“Evan Rigger, royal crier, page, and personal attendant to the throne. I would have expected better of you, boy. What reason do you give?”

Evan pulled himself up straight and let a defiant look settle on his face before walking to the front of the room. He didn’t notice Senyik and Larya right behind him.

Standing before the throne, Evan bowed. “Your majesty, I took severe offense to the way Silas was treating two ladies, and thought to remedy the problem.”

“Then why are there sixty people before me, and not two?”

“Drunks get excitable, m’lady.”

“True enough. Silas von Schmeckt, you said?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

“And you said he was treating the two other ladies poorly. What exactly was he doing, and who are these two ladies?”

“M’lady, I’ll not repeat the things he was saying – not to your ears. And the looks he gave them I’d feel dirty just for trying to imitate. The ladies are Ophelia Roenseller and Larya Kerlinten, both of whom are here somewhere.”

“Find them for me.” At the queen’s command Larya stepped forward (innocent look on full strength) and Ophelia worker her way through the crowd to the front. Zelda gave them both a scrutinizing stare. “He speaks the truth?”

“Yes, he does.” Ophelia liked Evan, and wasn’t about to see him get in trouble for what he’d done. “Silas was being his usual oily, disgusting self to Larya and I, and Evan was the only one man enough to make him shut up.”

Zelda nodded slowly. “Silas! Come forward and give me you side of the story, if you have one.”

Silas stepped out of the crowd, trying to smooth back his messed up greasetop. “They exaggerate, your highness. I was only trying to compliment the girls, and I don’t know about this look they accuse me of. Then Evan came out of nowhere, insulted me, and attacked me. I guess he was jealous of the attention his girl was giving me.”

“You rotten, oily little greaseball! I wouldn’t give you any attention if my life depended on it! And you know you were undressing me with that look!” Senyik had to restrain the incendiary little redhead while Silas just raised his hands defensively.

“You see what I mean, highness? They’re all violent.”

“Silas. Shut up. Now.” Zelda was sick of the whole family.

Silas didn’t see Ophelia walk up behind him. There was a nice, resounding smack as she backhanded him the instant he turned. “Think about you while I’m in bed. You disgusting little pervert.”

Zelda sighed and felt like a mother. “Alright. Guards, take everybody but these four out. Leave two guards. I want them all on heavy work detail, supervised. Whatever needs doing, at least until the tournament’s over.” She waited as they all filed out. Larya caught Senyik’s arm, though, and he stayed behind. Zelda sat forward on the throne. “And who are you?”

Senyik bowed. “My name is Senyik Devlinn. I’m a journeyman blacksmith, formerly a berserker soldier. Larya wished me to stay.”

“What do you have to do with all this?”

“I’m a friend of Larya’s and Evan’s, and very glad for Evan’s sticking up for her. I was going to let him settle things, but a few others decided to jump in. Somebody wanted a piece of Steve, too, and I wasn’t about to have that. Your majesty.” Senyik wasn’t very used to niceties for authorities. However, this reminded Zelda of something:

“Where’s Steve?”

“I think you just sent him out with the rest, ma’am.”

“Guard! Go find Steve McDonough from that group for me!” They waited for a minute or two in an uncomfortable silence until the soldier returned with the bruised proprietor. “Hey, what did you say your name was again?” His face lightened at sight of the smith.

“Senyik Devlinn, sir.”

“My name’s Steve, like I said. And thanks a lot for pulling that first guy off me – he had me a little concerned!”

“Any time!” Senyik smiled with the memory of the fight.

“Steve, what are your thoughts on these five here?” Zelda inquired.

“Well, this is how I see it: Ophelia and…”

“Larya,” the pixie threw in.

“…Larya had nothing to do with it except to attract the attention of this hornball’s eyes.” A jerk of the head at Silas. “I can’t see how they could be held responsible for anything. Evan here’s a good kid, and was just looking out for two ladies who ere being harassed. I personally think that’s commendable. Senyik would have just let Evan handle it until he saw somebody come after me. Then he spent the rest of the fight throwing people out and trying to cover me, Evan, and a few others on our side. Silas is a nasty minded…I believe ‘filthy maggot’ were the words Evan used. So far as I can tell, he started it. Ma’am.”

Silas opened his mouth to argue, but Zelda cut him off. “Shut it, brat.” He did. “Silas, you are dismissed now. You will go find and join that work detail. If you haven’t joined it in the next half hour, guards will be dispatched to find you and you’ll shovel stables until I have grandchildren. Now go.”

Silas skulked out, mumbling something about his parents hearing about it.

“Steve, I’m sorry about your bar. I’ll see that you have help cleaning it, and there will be reparations. You may go now.

He bowed. “Thank you, ma’am.”

When Steve exited she turned to the younger four remaining. “Evan, you’ve had quite an afternoon. You single-handedly started a barroom brawl, beat the snot out of a von Schmeckt, and defended two girls. You have no idea how I wish I were in your shoes. I’m giving you a raise. Now, you’re dismissed.”

Shock. “…thank you, m’lady! Thank you!” And Evan practically skipped out.

“Ophelia, I see no reason to keep you here. You’re dismissed. Now, Senyik and Larya. You are two new faces. What brings you here?”

“Well, your majesty,” Senyik was starting to get the hang of it, “Larya and I were out wandering the other day when we ran into Evan. He told us about Arconia and the tournament you’re holding, so we decided to come here for a while. I want to try your tournament, and might settle here. Larya’s going to stay for a while, too. So far, the place seems pretty friendly – with the exception of that slimy little fellow. I would have loved to jump him, but it seemed Evan wanted the chance.” Senyik took a breath.

“Larya, have you anything to add?”

“Well, your majesty…as we’ll be staying a while here, we kind of need work. I didn’t know if maybe you’d have any jobs open or us.”

“What do you do?”

“I can do a lot. Cook, clean – but I’d rather not – do numbers, and I know sciences, writing, reading, and maps and lands. Senyik can fight and do anything you want with any metal.”

Senyik chose the moment to bow gallantly. “There you have it, your majesty. The résumés of a crazy blacksmith and his demon-spawned little friend.” He cackled as Larya whacked him in the stomach. “Might I hope that you have something for one or both of us?”

[Kehra Dehvokan]

woah, pehaps Zelda needs her hearing checked... *chuckle*...

I have just one question... Are Senyik and Nækos ever going to meet...? Or perhaps that is not known yet......

*bows and disappears*

[ 04-05-2002: Message edited by: Kehra Dehvokan ]</p>