Outside the Septa's HouseIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | MarshendGameLogs | Outside the Septa's House (Continued from The Septa's House: New Arrivals and In the Wagon) Seeing that Mariam was intent on getting her injured charge into the cottage, Catriona moved out of the way to rejoin Derron and Hex. The woman and the boy were now near Hex, and behind them was a young woman. Catriona was about to introduce herself when her eyes spotted a feline shape pacing about seven yards behind Hex. Her eyes widened slightly. “Is that a shadowcat?” she inquired, knowing full well that it was. The young woman in the rear stopped, her brown eyes wide. She was young, maybe 15 or 16, dressed like one of the men, in travel clothes and leathers rather than softer garb. Long brown hair was braided straight down the back. One arm was in a sling, and from the wear (and scratches) on her clothes and scrapes on her face it was obvious she'd been injured within the last day or so. Over her good shoulder was slung a travel pack, and in her good hand she held a short sword in its sheath. "It won't hurt anyone," the girl said. She half turned, looked back where the cat was stalking Hex. "Shade! Come! Leave Hex alone and come meet people!" she called to the cat in a firm tone. Shade stopped and regarded her unblinkingly with his great amber eyes. Then, with an almost palpable shrug, he loped to her side. Aerin watched Shade come over, secretly very pleased at his reasonableness. "Thank you," she whispered, stuffing her sheathed sword under her other arm and leaning over to stroke his ears. Derron cursed very softly. "I was just about to tell Aerin, Ranulf and Gwendla to all go inside as well. But I forgot the bloody cat." He sighed then turned to Aerin. "If you go inside, will the cat behave? I want all of you inside before the others get here." Aerin gave Derron the look all teenagers give adults who are being clueless. Much like the look Shade normally gave her when she was being thick. "Shade never... seriously... hurt anyone at Clearwater. If we're not being attacked, I think my friend will behave himself," she pointed out a bit causticly. As Derron spoke with Aerin, Catriona studied Shade, focusing slightly off to one side of him as she took his measure. She then met the cat's gaze and slowly blinked before she looked back towards the other humans. She then glanced at the two women and boy whom Derron had addressed as Aerin, Gwendla, and Ranulf. "Ready to go inside the cottage? By now Mariam probably has your Septa positioned, and she might need some help." Aerin nodded. "Let's get inside," she told Gwendla and Ranulf. "Gwendla has our Septa's medicines, and I have some small training too," she told the tall, young woman she thought was a Septa. (Aerin's tale continues in Inside the Septa's House) Derron turned to Catriona again. "Make sure your sister knows that for now, this place is our keep to protect. And I prefer she stay in with her patient. You too, with your bow, please. We'll even have the men here perform the chores. Binnder, when camp is made let's find some busy work. And unless the Septa, her sister here or I give leave, no one goes in or out of that cottage. She has ordered that the patients need to be undisturbed." He glanced down at Catriona and added, "Weed the garden, that sort of thing. Our horses will make enough of a mess that we'll muck out the barn every evening." The memory of Derron's words brought a fleeting smile to Catriona's face. "With devotion to chores like that, Master Thorne, Mariam might never want you to leave." She nodded towards the barn. "There is another who needs protection from the Mummers. The ministrel's companion." Derron looked quite surprised at the mention of a companion to the minstrel. With that, Catriona walked over to the barn and opened the door. Instead of going inside, she stood framed in the doorway. "Callon? Come in the house with me," she called up to the hayloft. "The Bloody Mummers are close. The gods know that if I let you hide up there by yourself, you'll trip at the worst time." Catriona glanced at Derron, and added, "And if your minstrel left the Steward's sword with you, you'd better bring it with you. Steward Thorne might find it in himself to forgive the minstrel if he gets his hand-forged sword back." Derron folded his arms and watched the door to the barn. He now suspected the minstrel was also inside. But he would give the man a chance to explain his actions. Derron was slow to anger, and relatively quick to cool down. But if the man did not satisfy him with an explanation, Derron would gain some satisfaction in a cruder fashion. "I shouldn't think you'll need to be here that long, Steward." Hex said. "If you don't turn the woman and I over to Thelbane when he arrives at the gate, I expect they'll head back across the stream, torture and kill Gwendla's father, then perhaps a light supper. You should have plenty of time to get to Marshend." Derron blinked in surprise. "That's how it is, eh? Hm. Do you think he'll demand you go with him, and expose himself as a brigand?" Catriona's head tilted to one side as she listened to the discussion between Hex and Derron. She cleared her throat, then interjected when the two men paused. "And Master Hex, the issue of the Steward's group traveling further has more to do with her need for healing," she motioned towards the injured Clearwater Septa, "than with you." She drummed her fingers thoughtfully on her sword hilt. "As for this Thelbane, Master Hex, whatever he needs you for, I doubt that your lives will extend much beyond your utility to him." She looked directly at the merchant. "Do you wish to live shackled to that scoundrel, or do you want freedom?" She shrugged her shoulders. "The choice is yours. Go wait by the gate for your master to fetch you, or join us here." "I am my own master, madam." Hex replied with a lightness of tone that did not match his eyes. "And you'll find my pride is not a lever to move me from one position to another. It's true I willingly entered bondage to Thelbane in the hopes of saving Gwendla and her father. Were I a better man, like your north born heroes, I would no doubt have taken on six armed men by myself. And, if I was lucky, died before I saw the crannogs butchered like animals." "I appreciate my problems are mine alone to solve," Hex continued. "And that Steward Thorne's offer of assistance was made before he appreciated there was any actual peril. I can stand and fight, but that will not save the old man. Surrendering myself won't spare him either, one old crannog has no value as a hostage. Without Gwenlda as a captive to keep tame, to Thelbane the old man will only be a pair of eyes that have seen too much and a tongue to tell tales. Thelbane will leave them in separate graves." "I'll not make a decision without Gwendla speaking her piece. And if it's shackles, then so ..." Hex's words trailed off. He paused before speaking again. "Tell me, Master Thorne, as Steward of Clearwater what would your duty be if you came across a merchant who had taken terrible advantage of a poor young crannog maiden? Taken her hostage and abused her night after night on the long ride north, keeping her captive only hoping to sell her to slavers north of the Wall?" "The poor young maiden might confess her shame to a new young companion, such as your Aerin. And the merchant, well, who could take the word of a dornish?" Hex looked to Thorne. "Would you not have to take that merchant as your prisoner until he could be tried by your Lord? And secure the maiden as a witness?" Hex smiled, or at least his lips drew back from his teeth. "Thelbane is swiftly approaching. Perhaps a bit of mummery of our own will speed him past the cottage." As Hex had been spinning his tale, Derron had looked very confused. But at the final questions his face showed understanding. He simply replied, "Aye, that's one way. If we do, you realize we'll have to give the wagon and its contents over to Thelbane?" "Would you not seize the at least the contents to be sold and the proceeds paid over to the woman's family as compensation? Or perhaps to pay for my trial?" Hex asked. "Thelbane may well have spent some time in lock up, but he doesn't know the laws of Clearwater or your Lord, I'd wager." Derron mulled it over. "It might be pushing him. If he truly cares about his ruse as simple guards, he'd argue but let it go. If he doesn't, it might start the fight they want. But I'm willing to give it a try. But on one more condition. This cottage would be the scene of the fight, and as it belongs to the Septa and her sister, I'd want their permission before pushing the man that far. For if it goes badly, they'll be in the middle." He turned to Catriona. "Perhaps you can go discuss it with her while she ministers to our wounded." At this point, the barn foor creaked open and the slender - if somewhat bedraggled - figure of the minstrel's companion, Callon, was visible, blinking in the sunlight, still in masculine attire. As 'his' eyes settled to the sun, he hitched up his belt and moved over towards Catriona, Hex and Derron, if not with a swagger then at least with a boy's stride. Derron looked down at the boy and said, "I don't recall seeing you with the minstrel we met. Did he have you hidden away?" Callon was pale, but did not avoid the Steward's gaze. "The bandits held me prisoner. They made him go to your camp - and said they'd hurt me if he did not." Derron scowled slightly. But he made no comment at that time. After the boy responded, Derron suddenly straightened, then looked at Catriona. "Milady, when young Niko visited you last evening, did he know the minstrel was here?" "Aye," Catriona replied. "He did. As did his two companions, when they first entered the house." She met Callon's gaze then. "These men aren't going to hurt you, Callon. This is Derron Thorne, the steward of Clearwater." She motioned at the soldiers who milled about them. "And these are his men." Callon started at the name of Clearwater, and then looked worriedly at Derron. It was clear the name meant something to him. She gave a wave of acknowledgement at the wine merchant. "And this is Master Hextall, who brought us warning of the danger that approaches, and has grown rather attached to some strays he found along the road." Catriona nodded towards the cottage. "We should get you inside, Callon. You'll be safer there." She looked at Derron once more. "I will ask Mariam about your proposal under one condition. Regardless of whether events unfold here or elsewhere, I would like you to promise to protect her. If you leave here, let her come with you for a time." Her gaze shifted to look up towards the road, scanning for a sign of movement in either direction. "This Thelbane sounds like the sort to hold a long grudge. Even if he rides away today, I suspect he might return to exact his revenge later, when I'm off hunting and only Mariam is at home." Derron started, looked closely at Callon, then forced himself to silence for a moment before replying. "Only if the child wishes to come with us." He peered down at Callon. "How say you, boy?" The last word was emphasized so all knew he was aware of the facade being put up by the girl, and he was willing to play along. "I ... I want to go to Clearwater," said Callon. "Not Marshend." The look at Derron was anxious. "Are any of your party going that way?" Derron shook his head and said, "Not for a few days at least. Then some of the guards, Aerin and I will head back." He paused, then asked softly, "Why? Know someone there, do you?" Callon shook his head slowly. "Not ... not that I've met. But ... I was told to go there. To ... to Lord Draupaud." Derron said, "I'd like to know more, but we'll save that for later." Catriona looked a little confused when Derron assumed that she had been asking for protection for Callon instead of Mariam. Although given that it caused Callon to vocalize a desire to go to Clearwater, perhaps all was for the best. When Derron and Callon were done conversing, she interjected, "Let's go inside, Callon, and I'll go speak with Mariam. And Steward? I'd appreciate you and your men helping to protect Mariam as well if necessary." Derron nodded and said, "Of course. For all her help that goes without saying." "I'll accompany you, madam." Hex said to Catriona. "Gwendla may prefer to hear that I'm volunteering for arrest from my own lips." Derron nodded. "I'll remain here for now. I'll also fill in some of my men about what is about to happen." He strode off to where Binnder and the others were pitching camp. Binnder had set them near both doors to the cottage. One man was watering and currying all the horses, while another was cobbling together a ring of stones for a fire. Derron decided this was the best time for him to examine the weapons they had acquired, and maybe sharpen the blades a bit. He feared they would need every advantage they could muster, even against a smaller force. (Catriona and Hex continue in Inside the Septa's House) Now the second wagon could be seen - Hex's wine wagon, starting to lumber slowly down the hill, with Thelbane now riding alongside while one of his men drove it forward. Derron sighed aloud as he saw them approaching. He was not sure how Thelbane was going to react to any of the news they might potentially break to him. Derron figured that for the moment it would be best for him to continue to treat the man as the leader of a hired group of guards. There were enough men from Clearwater about that he was confident he could hold his own if a fight broke out. Once Hex and the woman with the bow joined the fray he would either have enough cover to get away, or they would overwhelm the Mummers. But he did not relish the prospect. Then he had an idea. Maybe if he took the initiative... As Thelbane rode up Derron greeted him. "My people and I will be staying here for at least tonight while our friend is seen to by the Septa. Your employer, Hextall, is inside. Tell me, what do you know of him? And how has he been treating the woman Gwendla?" "He's a merchant," said Thelbane. "With a merchant's eye to a bargain, and a merchant's habit of stretching the truth. So much I've observed. The woman he's had his way with and now intends to sell to some poor fool he can trick with his tales. Not my sort, but I'm a soldier - as you were too, I'd guess from your stance. You fought for the King?" Derron nodded. "Aye, that I did. The previous King, that is. But as to Hextall, the woman claimed he'd abused her. When we confronted him he got...angry. Right now we're holding him. I was thinking of turning him over to the people of Marshend, but they don't have any real representative of Lord Draupaud there. I guess I am, as his Steward. So right now I'm thinking of taking him back to Clearwater to face charges. You're welcome to come with us and give testimony." Darcy Thelbane nodded gravely - if this news irritated him, he did not show it. Indeed, he smiled. "Then I think we shall just take his wagon and press on to Marshend. If he's not going to be able to pay us for our work in escorting him, we should see that we make what profit we can, eh? "But before we ride on, perhaps the Septa here could give my men a drink of water or - even better - small ale. I'm loathe to let them broach the wine." Derron nodded. "The Septa has given leave for the well water around the side. I think half the barrels of wine can go with you and the wagon. That should be more than your owed. The others will help pay the woman for her troubles, and any others Hextall owes." Darcy Thelbane laughed pleasantly. "Oh, I think we've earned more than that," he said. "But we'll leave you a couple of casks for your trouble. Shall we say three? One for the good Septa here - if she comes out to thank us." Derron shrugged and said, "I doubt she'll be out anytime soon. She's busy saving a life, or at least I hope she is. But you're welcome to wait." He surveyed the wagon and said, "Aye, from the price of wine, you can keep half the barrels and the wagon. If you wish, you can sell them in town, or possibly back to us at Clearwater." Derron was more than willing to dicker a little longer with Thelbane. The man was cool, but Derron had a hunch that if more of his men were about, they would begin to get impatient. He also took a quick count of the number they immediately faced. "All but three barrel," said Thelbane, still smiling. "And we'll take a drink of well water and be on our way. Surely the best outcome for all concerned." Even as he was speaking, he was clearly aware of Niko's approach, and his hand was not far from his sword. His men were watching too ... Niko was not being stealthy in his approach- indeed, he wanted to be seen by Derron at the least. As he drew closer, he took stock of the men that he might be facing soon- looking especially for any with bows or the like. But he kept silent, waiting for the Steward to acknowledge him - or violence to erupt. Derron pursed his lips, obviously making up his mind. He walked around to the rear of the wagon and finally said, "I'm tempted to agree to your request. I tell you what. Let us ask the woman. If she vouces for you, you shall have all but three barrels. But if she says you were as much a tormentor as Hextall, you shall only have three barrels. Is that fair?" He pulled his small knife from his belt, the one that had recently freed the shadowcat from a net, and said, "But first I need to sample this wine. See how much it's worth." He stuck the knife into the end of one barrel and pried the lid up. It proved to be filled with sand - but he could see that was being used as a medium to hold a good thirty bottles in place - the way that Hex carried his best vintages. Derron used his left hand to pull one bottle out. Keeping the knife in his right he snagged the cork between his front teeth and pulled it. He then stuck the cork between his index and middle fingers of the same hand and took a pull from the bottle. Normally he was not a wine drinker, preferring ale. But this wine was surprisingly good to his undiscriminating palate. He swallowed the gulp and transferred the cork back into the bottle, again via his mouth. "Not bad at all. Now, you have yet to comment on my proposal. Shall I ask the woman for her opinion of you, and your treatement of her?" Darcy Thelbane smiled. "By all means. Let's go to the cottage together - at once." Niko's eyes narrowed at Thelbane's smile. It was the smile of one who knew something of paramount interest, and knew that you did not. It was not a smile that made him comfortable. But other than his eyes, there was no other indication that he thought anything of the man, as he stood easily, ready for whatever the Steward decided. Derron shook his head. "I have no wish to disturb the Septa while she is busy tending our wounded. And she seems a bit prickly in any case. No, we can converse out here just as well." He turned towards the cottage and called out, "Gwendla! Could you step out here for just a moment, please?" As he waited for the door to open, Derron glanced first at Thelbane's horse, judging the numbers of steps he would need to take to stand next to it, and also how far from the man driving the wagon that would put him. {No more than two steps,} he calculated. {A quick strike...yes, it should work.} Inside the house, Gwendla looked at Hex. "What shall I do?" she asked worriedly. She looked anxiously across at Aerin, as if concerned she might be in danger too. "Aerin," said the Septa, "can you get me some more clean cloths from the kitchen?" Without looking toward Hex or Gwendla Aerin nodded to the Septa. She turned, and sword in hand moved into the kitchen to get the needed cloths. "Stick to the noble girl like a thistle to a pelt," Hex answered Gwendla quietly. "And for the Maiden's mercy keep the two of you inside the cottage, there's no sense having gone through all this just to return you to Thelbane's blade with a noble hostage added to the balance. And leave my weapons and shield somewhere near the window, if you can keep yourself concealed. If they come in, remember that you're afraid of me and, perhaps, too upset to speak of my base actions." Hex dropped his voice to a whisper before saying. "Though if it comes to you or the noble girl telling the tale, try to struggle through it. For a treacherous people, these northerners seem to have little individual talent for deception. How they managed regicide I'll not ever understand." Gwendla smiled but - at his words, relaxed a little, staying close to his side. There was no answer from within the cottage. Darcy Thelbane smiled again. "She seems to be exhibiting a certain reluctance," he said. Derron took a step forward, coincidentally one step closer to Thelbane's horse and once more his voice boomed. "Gwendla! I promise everything is okay. You're safe now. I just need you to tell me something. Please!" Derron resisted the desire to look at Thelbane or his horse. He knew guile and subtlety were not his forte, and he was worried he might give himself away. He had thought he might make his move as soon as the door opened, but Thelbane might be expecting that. So he wanted Gwendla to actually appear. Once she did, he would begin to speak, then put his improvised plan into action. As yet, there seemed no answer to his call. Derron actually looked up at Thelbane, with obvious confusion on his face. "She must be busy helping the Septa with the wounded. We'll just give them another moment to respond." Darcy nodded. "It will give the rest of my men the opportunity to catch up." Derron did his best not to react, but he understood the message Thelbane was sending him. If he was going to do something, he had to do it almost immediately. Hex slipped the noose from around his "bound" wrists. Keeping his eyes towards the yard outside, he asked Gwendla. "How much do you trust the Steward? He seems to have some sort of plan, but..." The dornishman picked up his bow and slipped the quiver over his shoulder. "Bringing Thelbane in, without escort, would have been my preference. But I can give you cover from the window, if Thelbane makes a move towards you I can add a few arrows to his throat before he's gone three steps." Hex notched an arrow to the string and put some tension on the line. "Not much help to Thorne, Thelbane might get a knife out before I can loose. But if you go out and keep outside a direct line between this window and the wagon ... maybe stay close to that Niko fellow and well back from the wagon." "It's your decision, Gwendla," Hex finished. "I can't go out with you, makes no sense to have my victim as my escort." "Lady Hunter," Hex asked Catriona. "Your eyes upstairs, do they carry a bow? If not, do the windows offer a view of each quandrant around the cottage?" (Continued in Battle at the Septa's House) |
