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[Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 2:50 pm
by Magna
71st of Glade, 112
The searing season was just around the corner, and all the snow in Clearwater, a lumbering village north of Antiris, had completely melted. The sawmill was back in operation as the river had thawed, so there was no need to send large shipments of raw lumber to the south anymore, at least until the frost returned. Lumberjacks and carpenters alike were hard at work at the crack of dawn and would continue to be even as the sun met its highest point in the sky. Just like most days, Magna and the other children of the village had been studying under Verka, the village elder, while the workers carried lumber to and from the nearby sawmill. The whole town was alive and thriving now that they'd escaped the winter's cold grasp.
Unfortunately, that also meant that Elder Verka's lessons would stretch on for longer. She spoke of bears and the significance of the color of their fur. There were black bears, brown bears, and white bears; all of which prowled the pine forests that surrounded them. When encountering black bears, one was meant to be loud and aggressive, appear as large as possible to try and scare them off. When it came to brown bears, one needed to back away slowly and avoid eye contact as to not provoke the beast. Should either case fail and the bear decided to attack anyway, one needed to lay down and feign death. "What happens if you find a white bear?" Asked one fo the younger girls in the sitting circle. "You pray," replied Verka, and silence fell upon the children.
* * *
Soon came recess, and some of the younger boys were playing as bears, chasing one another around the wooden log cottages. That was until two 'bears' clashed, and an argument ensued over who was the white bear. At first, it was all grunting and roaring at one another. They rose on their knees to beat at their chests like gorillas, trying to appear larger than one another. Then came the verbal conflict before the larger of the two finally pushed the smaller to the ground. Then came the crying. That was when Magna decided that she was the white bear, and stormed in all red and angry. "WHY DID YOU PUSH HIM?!" Barked the giant, who was just shy of a grown woman's height at the low age of ten. "Cause he said he was the white bear when I was it first!" he yelled back, though with not nearly as much power.
In a flash of rage, she picked up the boy by the back of his shirt's neck and held him over the smaller, crying boy. The stitch of his hemp clothes tore a little, and he began to flail. "LET ME DOWN MAGNA!" he screamed and tried to swipe at her with his shorter arms. A lean of her head evaded the slow, desperate swipe. "SAY SORRY!" She ordered sternly. At that point, a small gathering of the village's youth had surrounded the three, and the smaller bear had stopped crying. That was when a shrill, aggressive cry broke the chatter; Verka's voice. At once, all the wind in Magna's sails fell, and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach.
"Miss Verka! I-" She stammered and put the boy down. "For shame on you, young lady!" Bellowed the elder, who waved her cane threateningly at the taller halfbreed. Before she could respond, the boy she'd grabbed ran to the elder's side and sobbed all the way. "She punched me in the face!" he cried and made the punching motion into his own palm. "She WHAT?!" Cried Verka. "WHAT?! No! I didn't!" Of course, it was plenty obvious she hadn't. And with some defense from the onlookers, her name was cleared in that regard. The argument was settled when Verka declared that she would speak to both of their parents; Magna's for she had attacked one of the children, and the boy's for he had lied for the sake of drama. The hotheaded Magna stormed off in a temper, declaring the whole ordeal unfair, and school resumed without her.
She spent some time at the bridge afterward, where she lamented her actions. Her feet hung off the side as the cool waters ran below, and she looked to her hands. Hands that were capable of such atrocious deeds. With a sigh, she looked to the woods and wondered what laid beyond. She couldn't wonder for too long, as she soon heard the sound of squeaking wood and metal, and what sounded to be... Horses? Hoofbeats? With a sudden rush of energy, the halfbreed climbed to her feet, then ran to the source. How exciting! Visitors were approaching!
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:25 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]The merchant didn’t believe them when they told him. He thought they were exaggerating when four of them surrounded his cart. But the moment they entered the darker part of the forest where shadows covered the road and the trees whispered spells of times long gone, he understood. And he cowered in his seat, checking that his protection was still on all four sides.
[indent=20]Arlen, wearing a practical set of light leather armour, and three other young Jastai, feeling brave for too much physical protection, kept their gaze fixed on their surroundings. They knew what could leap out of the darkness and their palms twitched towards their weapons at every unexpected sound.
[indent=20]Thankfully that road section was now behind them but the tension in their backs was far from gone. Although they all breathed easier, their attention never strayed far from the tree line.
[indent=20]The road now laid in front of them was lighter. The ominous whispering of the trees turned into a light breeze that gently brushed across their skin as though to make sure they were real. And Arlen welcomed its cool touch on the skin that was exposed.
[indent=20]Eventually, the tree reclined from above them and offered them more space on the road. Arlen, the other Jastai riding in front and the merchant saw it first. The opening that led onto a bridge and beyond a grouping of simple houses.
[indent=20]And on that bridge, they all saw one of the residents. One who took to running not long after.
[indent=20]“Maybe we can rest there for a moment,” the merchant suggested.
[indent=20]Arlen cast the merchant a glance, before checking on his comrades. “Perhaps we can. But not for long. We need to get you to your destination before nightfall.” Nods and grunts were exchanged and Arlen looked ahead again. They could all use with a break, stretch their limbs and shake out the expectation of a fight when none had happened.
[indent=20]Rolling his shoulders, Arlen’s eyes set on the quickly approaching villager. In the distance, the faint sound of beating axes was inviting the convoy to fleeting safety.
[Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:28 pm
by Magna
Was it unwise to run headlong into the woods to chase down something that she didn't know what it was? Yes, and most of her knew that to be true, but she needed to focus on something else and strange noises were the perfect outlet for her escapism. The convoy came into view, and her silver eyes widened at the sight of the tall people that surrounded it. Magna skidded to a halt perhaps fifty feet from the nearest caravan guardian, and thought for a moment. They carried weapons; well, what sort of guard didn't carry weapons? The nomadic monk type that Verka spoke of? One of the taller men was bald with rather defined facial hair. If it weren't for the massive pike-axe thing that he carried, she might have thought him to be one such monk.
The lot of them were dressed in red silks and wore emblems that seemed to depict flames. Almost like little campfires... Were they hunters? Campers? She didn't know if camping was a profession, but was unsure what the regalia meant otherwise. Either way, this was something worth looking into. The young halfbreed straightened her stance a little and rolled her shoulders. A deep breath through her nose inflated her chest to make her look larger, and she held out her arms at her sides as though she were carrying logs beneath them. A confident, almost comical strut placed one foot in front of the other as she approached the caravan and its guards.
The red-haired northern girl was fair of skin with grey-silver eyes that peered from an attempted intimidating scowl. It would have been difficult to tell her age based on her height alone, but her facial features and boyish build betrayed her immaturity. Her attire was made of sloppily stitched furs and leathers that made up a vest, kilt, and boots. Two furred bracers covered the entirety of her forearms that barred broad black stitching along the edges. It didn't look as though she carried weapon; or that if she did, it was well hidden.
Soon, the fur-clothed giant child stopped at a comfortable distance of twenty feet from the stalled caravan and held up her palm with a powerful pose. "Stop!" She demanded, placing her other hand on her hip as she stared down the men, brimming with confidence. "What's your business in Clearwater, travelers?!" Her voice was another factor that relayed her youth. It carried a certain light childish tone; dramatized with an excessively masculine spin. It didn't take much looking to tell that she was living for the role she'd chosen to play though. Her silver eyes were alight with purpose and resolve while a budding grin threatened to break her angry facade.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 9:54 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]The shadows cast by the trees played across the approaching figure in ways that made it hard for Arlen to determine who it was that was rushing so eagerly to meet them. At fifty feet, he would have said it was an excited grown person and his lips twitched into a smile.
[indent=20]But what started as a smile of friendship soon turned into amusement and surprise. The strutting figure was indeed the height of a an adult. But in demeanour, shape and voice, it was but a child. For quite a while, Arlen struggled to piece everything together, blaming the shadows and his sight for what he was seeing.
[indent=20]Perhaps because of that the convoy came to a stuttering stop in front of what Arlen now concluded was a child of exceptional built. And it tugged at the corner of his mouth further, finally settling into an entertained smirk.
[indent=20]“What’s happened? Why have we stopped?” One of the back guards called. He was diagonally away from Arlen and at the most disadvantageous position to see or be seen.
[indent=20]“Don’t know. This...child’s in our way,” the bald Jastai answered. He took in another breath perhaps to speak but stopped the moment that Arlen raised. Unspoken questions tugged at the still air as Arlen looked at the child.
[indent=20]What a combination, he thought, encompassing the whole of the girl’s being, trying to grasp who and what she was. His hand lowered and rested back on top of the saddle as he adopted equally as an important expression but never lost the smile.
[indent=20]“No my friends," he spoke to his companions without looking at them. "This is not just a child.” He rolled his shoulders before dipping his head in greeting. “This is the keeper of Clearwater.” Arlen bowed stiffly with the aura of theatrics, something he would do with young children in their tribe.
[indent=20]“What?!” The other back guard said, trying to stretch in his saddle to see. He was broad-shouldered with eyes too close together, but a meanly sharp nose. He must have forgotten the games Arlen used to play with him too.
[indent=20]So the black-haired leader of the convoy, ignored the back guard and the merchant who looked at him with raised eyebrows.
[indent=20]Distraction, Arlen thought. Just for a little while. They all needed it.
[indent=20]“We seek refuge, keeper. A place to stop for a moment and rest. We swear we won’t be a bother for long,” Arlen spoke as though in reverence, dropping the tone of his voice to match the tone that the young girl set.
[indent=20]“Oi, Arlen,” the same back guard called to him. “What are you doing?”
[indent=20]“I think he’s gone bat-blind again,” the bald Jastai in the front answered, launching others into a fit of snickering.
[indent=20]Arlen’s lips twitched, but he held his composure. His haze never left the girl finding the silver of her hues bright even in the dimness of the road. He saw perfectly well despite the conditions.
[indent=20]“Well then, can you grant us passage and lead us to Clearwater under your protection?” Arlen asked.
[indent=20]The merchant shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The hitched horse snorted.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 3:49 pm
by Magna
Once the caravan had stopped completely, the girl lowered her outstretched hand and crossed her arms. She was resolute, like the mountain; an uncrossable barrier between the caravan and the bridge. There was chatter, confusion among the travelers, and she grinned, for she'd established some semblance of control over the situation. They were, at least, willing to listen to her. The word child was thrown about, but she didn't seem to mind. She was almost eleven, after all. Fianlly, one of them got it; a man of tan complexion and dark hair. She was... The keeper of Clearwater! Just being recognized as so welled her heart with pride, and she puffed out her chest just a little more, as if she were showing off her musculature.
"Refuge?!" She threw her voice quite dramatically, even if they were all in the range of hearing her. Her head tilted back a bit as if she were to look down her nose at them. Then, with a flare of her nostrils, she exhaled, then nodded some to herself. Refuge was... Shelter? If she recalled, that was. Somewhere to stay maybe? There weren't many buildings in Clearwater big enough to house the taller men, but they had tarps that they used for keeping the logs dry, that she knew. "Very well!" She called and placed her hands on her hips. "I'll let you guys take a break in the village, but no funny business or there's gonna be big trouble!" She warned with an attempted scowl that ultimately faltered under the pulling smile of her lips.
The chuckling didn't phase her, for they couldn't possibly be laughing at The keeper of Clearwater. Such a notion was ridiculous! Even she laughed at the idea with a deep, menacing "hahaha!" When the tan man's next request came, she nodded firmly, then projected her voice again "It's best if I walk with you, this road is super dangerous!" It was, after all. At night, it was hard to see, and there were several stones and grooves in the road that had tripped her more than once. With that, she marched across the road but kept her silver eyes to the ground so that she didn't trip again. That would have been the worst possible time to have done so, too. Thankfully, she survived the journey to the caravan and all its guards, and she craned her neck to look up at the bald Jastai for a moment before she offered a respectful nod.
Her silver eyes fell upon the dark-haired one that had addressed her as the keeper, and she smiled brightly. "It's just across that bridge!" she pointed with an overbearingly heroic stance. "But watch your step, there are potholes and rocks all over this road!" She'd spoken the entirety of her past few directions from her diaphragm so that all could hear her. "Whenever you're ready, travelers!" She spoke again, then settled her hands on her hips proudly. Her work there was done. Whenever they resumed their course, she followed with a glance to the man, and cleared her throat before she asked, "um, who are you guys, anyway?" with a lot less projecting and yelling. Only then, perhaps, was it fully apparent how young and soft her voice was.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:46 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]The girl’s reactions tugged at Arlen’s smile. What danger could there be if this was the welcome they received? The brightness of her being complimented the forest and if perhaps she wasn’t as tall as she was, Arlen would be inclined to thinking she was a sprite.
[indent=20]“We are most thankful,” Arlen said, hand at the chest, head near his horse’s mane. “We promise not to cause any trouble.”
[indent=20]The bald man snorted a laugh. “Seriously Arlen. What are you doing...”
[indent=20]Arlen looked at his comrade with a wide smile and a wink. “You’ll thank me,” He told the bald Jastai, straightening back up. “We just got a safe passage to Clearwater.” Hand opened and stretched towards the girl, Arlen heard the other snickering as well.
[indent=20]They all stood in place waiting for the child to make her way towards them. Though the merchant shifted in his seat with an unamused look on his face.
[indent=20]When she arrived, the bald Jastai was the first to greet her. He looked down at the girl from his height, puffing up his chest as she had done. His beard moved but it was his eyes that were alight with entertainment. He responded to her nod with one of his own. There was nothing to fear. Not from him, nor the other.
[indent=20]The merchant, on the other hand, grunted. He had his fill of distraction. “Be careful child not to get under the hooves,” he called out to the girl. “I don’t want to be running over this…” The merchant looked at Arlen with eyes empty of imagination. “...keeper of Clearwater.”
[indent=20]“Best to walk with me, Keeper,” Arlen called out to the child. He knew the merchant meant no threat but Arlen too didn’t want the girl to come to any accidental harm. It sure would not make for a good entrance if they brought her back injured.
[indent=20]So once everything was in place, the merchant smacked his lips and with a skilful flick of wrists, the hitched horse made himself heard before putting in the pull to carry on ahead. And the procession was on its way again.
[indent=20]Arlen then further manoeuvred his horse to be the buffer between the child and the cart. He doubted any accident would or could happen on the straight, even if potty, stretch of the road. But minimizing risks was part of his job after all.
[indent=20]For the first few moments, the silence that they embraced was still filled with entertainment. The back guard was chattering together about the keeper and her height, taking guesses at her age.
[indent=20]Arlen tried to keep his eyes ahead and on the holes in the road. But on occasion, he cast his eyes downward to look at the child.
[indent=20]When she spoke again, Arlen finally heard her. The voice that was more her own than a projection of authority she probably saw in the village. And though the mismatch of size was still there, the softer tones fit her much more.
[indent=20]“Well, we are a convoy,” he said. “We protect the merchant and his goods, taking him to the next town.” Arlen offered, giving the girl a quick look.
[indent=20]“But what is it that you do? You know, when you’re not a keeper of Clearwater. Isn’t there a mother you should be helping?” He was sure curious to meet the parents who sired this child for she struck a familiar chord with Arlen.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:46 pm
by Magna
The bald one, she knew, was likely very intimidating to some, as he appeared to be not only a skilled combatant, but his physique was in top condition too. It made sense for such a man to be guarding a 'convoy', whatever that was. But Magna had a good feeling about him: A warrior who's muscles were matched only by the size of his heart. He had her unspoken seal of approval the moment he gave his own respectful nod. The guy that rode the Caravan, however, was mean. It was hard to put a handle on it, but something about him rubbed her the wrong way. There was no happiness in his voice, no positive energy in his aura. It was just bitterness and irritation. She squinted a little at the comment of being run over, but she wasn't frightened. Animals loved her, after all. They'd never run her over. The wheels, however, she did not trust.
To the suggestion of the dark-haired man, she nodded with a firm "mm," then wandered around to the other side of the horse before gently patting the beast's shoulder. Horses were the best animal, objectively speaking. But there were only two in all of Clearwater, and they were used by the lumberjacks for transporting lumber. Still, she enjoyed feeding them from time to time. This horse was well-traveled and had probably seen all sorts of towns and adventures alike. She didn't know that for sure though. If the horse had just been stuck around the guy in the caravan for most of its life, she doubted her previous assumption very much so.
While she was attentive to the dark-haired man, the bald man, and the merchant, she seemed to be utterly oblivious to the chatter behind them. "A merchant, huh?" her silver eyes fell upon the one who rode the caravan. If they were all protecting the merchant, then the guards would be on the horses, and the merchant would be surrounded by them. That was him, then. The one in the caravan. "Is he the stinky one?" She asked with a cover to her mouth in a loud whisper. A glance of her eyes indicated that it was the Caravan rider that she spoke of. She couldn't talk badly of the merchant just yet, not until she was entirely sure that the one in the carriage was the Merchant.
"Me?" She thought for a moment, then huffed a streak of amber hair from her face in apparent annoyance. "Ma' says she doesn't need help, but it's only cause I keep messing stuff up," she explained. "But it's not my fault, like this one time I dropped our pales in the well 'cause the old rope broke, but no one told me not to put two on the hook at the same time." Yes, that was a dark time. They had to have a gathering where it was decided that they'd just have to make a new hook for drawing water. They fished the pales from the well over a matter of days. "And then I stirred the cooking pot too hard, and the thing broke and it dropped the soup on the fire. But she didn't tell me to stir gently!" She threw her hands up in frustration as if she hadn't quite gotten over the scalding she must've received for such carelessness.
An exasperated sigh heralded her digression before she moved on to the next topic. "So yeah, I just learn from Miss Verka with the other kids... But Verka's terrible!" Just when it seemed she was calming down, she found another reason to be frustrated with the state of affairs in Clearwater. "She's so mean and she always takes Lloyd's side when I tell him off!" Conveniently, she left out the part where she lifted him off the floor and yelled at him, but those were just details. A moment's pause saw her sigh in acceptance before she shook her head. "My name's Magna, by the way. What's yours?" All of a sudden, her frustrations were off her chest, and she'd returned to her more gleeful tone and disposition.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:05 am
by Arlen
[indent=20]The caravan was bouncing and tossing at its leisurely pace towards the village. The sunshine painted the bridge in deep colours. Arlen was eager to feel its touch on his face too. The journey through the forest was monotonous and at times it distorted his vision. Until then, however, he took the energy of the girl as a source of warmth, listening to her with a smile on his lips.
[indent=20]Even the horse he was riding appreciated Magna’s touch on its shoulder, giving the girl a glance and tossing its head gently.
[indent=20]Aren’t we special, he thought and patted the horse as well on the other side.
[indent=20]It was then that a snicker pressed against his lips which he quickly bit back. When Magna addressed their employer as the one who stinks, Arlen struggled to keep straight face. He hoped that the wheels coming in and out of potholes and the hoovefalls were loud enough to drown out the question. But just in case, Arlen did not even look over at the merchant to avoid calling attention.
[indent=20]“He,” Arlen started, “is our employer. The merchant yes.” He had to skirt around the implications of her question. After all, they still had to receive the other half of the payment on arrival at their destination. This time, he best not engage in her fantasies about the man who paid for Arlen’s bread. However, he shifted his hand towards Magna for her to see. He then proceeded to pinch an empty space between his thumb and forefinger. Looking down at the silver-eyed child, he wondered if she would understand the message in that gesture. ‘A little’ he was trying to say with his body if not words.
[indent=20]Alas, some of his hopes may have been dashed as the girl proceeded to voice her frustrations. He understood that perhaps things had to be more straightforward with the girl. She did what she was asked and no more or less. Not out of laziness or spite, but because some things did not seem to occur to her just yet. Though still only a child, she had years to figure out the subtleties of communication and to read between the lines.
[indent=20]“My name is Arlen,” he answered Magna. “And the men with my are Jerick, Zin and Ko.” He then pointed first at the bald man and then at the rear guard. “It’s great to meet you Magna. And it seems like you have fire in your belly with all that’s been going on!” He told the girl, laughing lightly.
[indent=20]There was no doubt that Magna could handle herself and others. At least as long as they were children of smaller size. Which in this case would probably be the majority.
[indent=20]“So tell me about Clearwater. What is it that happens in your village?” The black-haired man asked as more of the village came into view.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:33 pm
by Magna
The caravan encounter, as Magna would remember it, was just as, if not more, refreshing for her as it was for the men in the convoy. Visitors rarely ventured as far north as Clearwater, and mother had forbidden her from speaking with the travelers. The sudden recognition of what she'd done pursed her lips in an uncomfortable pucker, as though she'd tasted a slice of lemon for the first time. It was likely that she'd be reprimanded later, but she cared not. That sour expression quickly dissipated to neutrality, then a bright smile grew in its place as the horse tossed its head. She chuckled a little, then gave its mane a few more brushes with her fingers poised in a claw formation. She was making new friends, what could possibly be wrong with that?
And then came the topic of the stinky merchant. Magna could tell that she wasn't meant to be so mean to people, it was why she whispered the question, after all. Still, a part of her hoped that the merchant had heard her. It was clear he hadn't, and that was fine. After all, it was probably important to Arlen that he remained happy. The indication of his hand twisted her expression to confusion, and she focused intently on the placement of his fingers. Was he calling the merchant small? Short-tempered? Rich? Oh, money. Was it money? Arlen had said that the merchant was paying him for the service, so that made sense. "I get what you're saying," spoke the halfbreed nonchalantly with a nod, and turned to face the bridge while they walked. At least, she had an idea of what he was saying... Perhaps.
"We chop down trees!" Declared the large child in response to his question. Her eyes returned to the dark-haired man while she walked. "We take the trees to the sawmill most of the time, but sometimes the river freezes and the saw stops working." that was especially true in Frost, where it could sometimes ice-over for weeks at a time. "When that happens, we either wait for the river to thaw or cart the trees south. Dad doesn't like doing that though." Indeed, the more hospitable the elements were, the more likely they were to run into 'people trouble' on the road, as he called it. Ice and rain were something that the people of Clearwater were equipped to weather. Raiders? They were perhaps untested.
"We have a forge too, but Don can't make weapons and armor. He says he just makes parts for the sawmill and other stuff." Magna shrugged. "Clearwater's kinda boring... -But that's only cause I do a good job of keeping it," she added with a grin. Her gaze returned to the front, where she saw Verka; an elderly, hunched woman, grey of hair who wore a simple blue dress of hemp complete with a cream apron. She was shaking her head most disapprovingly while resting on her walking stick. Beside her was a far younger woman, who matched Magna in height. Her dark brown hair was tied back as if to relay her mutually disapproving scowl to the runaway child. That was her: Magna's mother. Seeing the authoritative figure so clearly displeased twisted her stomach in knots.
"Ah... I'm in trouble," she whined. "Magna!" Called her mother's voice. "ButIwasjusthelpingArlenand-!!" She rambled quickly, only to be cut off by a stern "No 'but's! You know the rules, young lady!" The caravan was just about at the bridge at that point and began to cross. Though the majority of Magna's focus was on the stern woman, she turned to Arlen with her teeth bared in a cringe. "It's okay, I won't let her yell at you," assured the girl, who took the long walk of shame across the bridge before joining her mother at her side. A very brief and angry exchange was made between mother and child. The dark-haired woman was pointing fingers and speaking stern whispers at a defensive Magna, who appeared to plead innocence or beg mercy. It was unclear.
Finally, the woman turned to the convoy, and her eyes settled on the one who Magna had been walking with; Arlen. "Thank you for walking my daughter back, Ser. I'm sorry if she caused you any bother," she offered with a polite bow of her head.
Clearwater proper was a spacious village with mostly log-built houses. There was some stone used in their architecture, but only as an accent or a foundation for a lot of the construction. None of it was carved, either. The logs were all sawn, and the stone was cobbled. A few tree stumps littered the grounds within the village's perimeter, but there were otherwise no trees to be seen until one looked to the edge of the village. That left room for plenty of sunlight to shine on the green grass and beaten dirt footpaths that trailed between houses. The air was temperate with an occasional cool breeze, which likely ran down from the nearby mountains. The arrival of the caravan had a few onlookers peering from their porches in curiosity, but a good quarter of the village's men were out lumbering at the time, Magna's father included.
Re: [Memory] Then, everything changed when the caravans attacked.
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:32 pm
by Arlen
[indent=20]"I get what you're saying," Magna told him, but from the look on her face, Arlen wasn’t so sure. But whatever conclusion she had reached must have satisfied her curiosity. Much to Arlen’s relief, they had not returned to the topic of the merchant.
At her next words, Arlen shaped a silent ‘o’ with his lips.
[indent=20]That’s what the sounds are, he thought, connecting the dots of what he heard on the approach and what Magna was describing. The sounds themselves did not grow any louder, but more defined instead in a way that Arlen could imagine each swing of an axe and the way the blade bit into the flesh of the tree.
[indent=20]His musings were dispelled when Magna mentioned that her father did not like carting the logs down south. Arlen could imagine why and in that reason, he also recognized an opportunity. If only it wasn’t the season of Glade, perhaps him and his company would have found another job on their way back. Alas, Arlen simply made a mental note for future reference.
[indent=20]“Your father is a wise man not wanting to cart logs down south alone during Frost,” Arlen told Magna. “Well, perhaps if I’m ever in the region around that time, I can come around and see if your father needs help.” Maybe he hoped that Magna would tell her dad. Maybe, he didn’t realize what he was doing. Either way, he did not bother to think on it further as he noticed two figures coming onto the bridge. Neither looked very happy at the sight of their approach.
[indent=20]“Well, it seems like our journey together ends here, keeper,” he told Magna at the mentioned of trouble before all the shouting started. He watched her go to who he guessed was her mother. Next to her, the clearly much more aged woman was watching the caravan with an attentive gaze. They steered to the left so as not to run them over. The convoy nodded their greetings. For a moment it looked as though, they would all move on into Clearwater and forget their fateful meeting with the keeper. But not Arlen.
[indent=20]“Continue on ahead. Settle where you like. I’ll be there in a moment.” And he guided his horse aside. His company just grunted and proceeded.
[indent=20]Arlen stopped the horse so that was now facing the edge of the bridge over the water. He shifted so that he was facing the women better despite having his side to them. Part of him wanted to make sure that Magna didn’t get told off to much for something that was rather innocent.
[indent=20]So when her mother looked at Arlen, he waited to hear her tone before he made a decision on his own response.
[indent=20]So she did make sure she doesn’t yell at me, Arlen thought and couldn’t suppress a wide smile. He used it to set the tone to his next words.
[indent=20]“Not a problem, ma’am,” he said with a nod. “She was no bother at all. In fact, she helped us navigate into the village safely. You should be proud. She’s a capable young woman.” Then with another nod to part and one last toothy grin in Magna’s direction, Arlen navigated his horse away from the women and into the lean belly of the village. This sure was a good distraction for them after all.