A Warning for CatrionaIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | MarshendGameLogs | A Warning for Catriona It had been a hard year. After she and Keary had found the pair of direwolves, the search for his sword had come to a premature end. With two young pups and limited supplies in tow, there was little more that could be achieved on that first hunt of the marshes. For a time, while the pups grew, Catriona had stayed close to Marshend, using the Song and Sheep as a base of operations. She named the black pup Keir, and kept her as a constant companion. At first Keir's presence did more to thwart Catriona's hunts than help, but the direwolf soon became a valued partner in the hunt. The hunter helped Keary and his companions when she could, and wandered into the swamp with Keary when time permitted him to continue his quest. Aside from a collection of insect bites, muddy clothes, and occasional animal skins, Catriona, at least, had little to show from those missions. In time, though, Catriona's own hunting took her further afield. She heard rumors that took her around the Long Lake, from Clearwater to Holdfast and even to Winterfell and back again. She sought employment where she could, but aside from temporary assistance, no one had the interest in offering the huntress more permanent work. And truth be told, Catriona herself had little stomach for remaining in one place for very long. Finally the news came that sent her back towards Deepwoods Motte, and kept her there for some time. When she and Keir reemerged from the Wolfswood, the direwolf had gained some size, and Catriona looked a little grimmer. Of what had transpired there, only the woman and her beast knew. One wouldn't talk, and the other couldn't. Now she found herself, a year later, her young direwolf by her side, on the low hills overlooking the long lake. It was evening, and she could see, even through the mists that were rising, the lights that marked the small town of Marshend. She remembered the words she had heard from Keary, a year ago: "If something happens and you need a place to hide out, this would be it." Well, something had happened, even if she was unsure whether she needed a place to hide out or not. Five nights ago, she had ridden in to an inn she knew well on the northern shores of the Long Lake - a town with a keep called Clearwater. They knew her there at the Girl and Garter - not her favourite inn, but they would tolerate a direwolf when many better establishments would not. Yet now when she stabled her horse and strolled in, the landlord had greeted her with a worried frown. "There've been people here," he said. "A seven night ago. Asking for a woman who keeps a direwolf. Strange looking they were - spoke with southern accents. They'd plenty of gold with them - free spenders. Perhaps they thought it might loosen northern tongues." He looked at her worriedly. "And there's some it might. Old Barley, he was boasting as you were the finest huntress north or south of the Neck. They were listening to that ... " It was the most direct warning she had had - but it explained, perhaps, the prickle she had felt at her back this last month or so, and the odd sidelong looks that she had received at another of the inns she visited. All in all, perhaps it was worth a visit to Keary and the Song and Sheep in Marshend. And so she found herself, standing on the hillside, and looking down at the town. "Well, Keir," Catriona said. "I think it's time we saw what has become of your sibling." The direwolf looked up with her with a knowing grin, her tongue lolling from her mouth. "All right, all right," the hunter replied. "You're right. We're here for me as well." The two stared down at Marshend, and watched the comings and goings of the small village for a while. They waited until they saw a small gaggle of children playing a short distance outside of town. Then Catriona approached, leading her horse, with Keir at her side. She did not to try to conceal her approach from the children. Most of them scattered at their approach, but a scrawny girl of about 10 watched with no fear in her eyes. "If that black beast was silver, I'd know him," the girl called out. "That you might," Catriona replied. "Are you good with riddles?" "Mayhaps," the girl replied. Seeing how neither the strange woman nor the wolf had eaten the girl, curiosity was pulling some of the other children closer again. "Tell the innkeep that twins come in pairs, and that oak casks in cellars weep when the moon rises." Catriona flipped a copper towards the girl, who quickly snatched it from the air before one of the other children could get it. "I'm good with riddles, too!" boasted a tow-headed boy of about the same age. "That you may be," Catriona replied, "but you hid while your friend was brave." She swept her gaze over the motley assortment of children. "Although perhaps the innkeep will have a treat for whichever of you gets that riddle to him the fastest...." And with that, Catriona and Keir found themselves alone once more, surrounded by fresh footprints. The hunter took the opportunity to lead her horse away from Marshend, taking care to complete a wide loop around the village before heading off into search of the blasted oak and its hidden passage. She took special care to ensure that she was not followed nor idly spotted, using Keir as an added precaution to verify that no one lurked nearby. By the time dusk fell, and the moon was ascending into the sky, Catriona waited, hoping that Keary or one of his companions would appear. The moon had climbed considerably before Keir raised her head and growled. Catriona heard it, too- the soft pad of feet, muffled by the marshy ground, the creak of movement within the oak, and a *clack* sound as the hidden door was opened a crack. "Twins come in pairs, and that oak casks in cellars weep when the moon rises," said a young, unfamiliar voice. "And prudence is best. A friend of ours said that you might come calling." "Aye. I bring the black to match the silver," Catriona replied. "I've word that Southrons have come a'calling with gold in search of one much like myself. We need shelter away from prying eyes until I learn if these seekers are friend or foe." "I'd hoped the year had treated all of you better," Catriona replied, her mouth creased in a slight frown. "My thanks for the shelter. Just give me a moment to release my horse." She stepped over to where her horse was hobbled, and untied the reins. After slipping the bridle from its head, she fed the bay a carrot. She then hoisted her saddlebags over her shoulders, and carried her saddle in her arms. "Hopefully he won't wander too far afield. There should be enough grass and water nearby to keep him close, provided nothing spooks him." The door opened further, revealing a boy; he was in his early teens, possibly, but it was hard to tell underneath the grime and dirt on his body and the curtain of jet-black hair that covered half his face. He had the look of a northern boy who had been raised by the frog-eaters most of his life. "Not a good time," he said. "Business is bad, there's men in the marsh, and the seven are now four. But we're still here. C'mon, I'll take you back to the little cave." "I'd hoped the year had treated all of you better," Catriona replied, her mouth creased in a slight frown. "My thanks for the shelter. Just give me a moment to release my horse." She stepped over to where her horse was hobbled, and untied the reins. After slipping the bridle from its head, she fed the bay a carrot. She then hoisted her saddlebags over her shoulders, and carried her saddle in her arms. "Hopefully he won't wander too far afield. There should be enough grass and water nearby to keep him close, provided nothing spooks him." He held the door open further, and looked a little uneasily at the direwolf. Catriona noticed his discomfort as she stepped through the door. She inclined her head towards the direwolf. "This is Keir. As long as you are fair to us, she'll keep to her own bones." Keir followed close behind the hunter, taking a moment to sniff at the boy's hand as he held the door. They followed the boy through the cramped passage. When a small alcove finally appeared, Catriona stashed her saddle within, then continued at the heels of the boy. "I know that you seven are known as virtues," she said. "But my only name is my own. You can either call me nothing or call me Catriona." A smile, suddenly, through the grimy face. "I'm Patience," the boy said. "Gabriel's busy with some mummers, but he left word he'd come down." He paused. "I don't know who you know. Kindness and Liberality are dead... he called them Hope and Charity. Diligence was hurt, he's up north now. The rest of us are out and about, he sent us to watch on the men in the swamp." "This has been a rough year for you all, then," she replied. "I didn't meet Gabriel until after Hope had fallen. I'm sorry to hear that Charity is lost now, too. I had the chance to meet him briefly and to congratulate him on his ingenuity in the design of the trapdoor, but in hindsight my time with him was not long enough. Their footfalls were muffled in the dirt of the tunnel. "How badly is Diligence hurt? And is there anything I can do to help you with the swamp intruders?" The smile became predatory. "Nothing that a little wildfire wouldn't fix all by itself. I'd almost think Keary had gone soft- he's still dithering about what to do." Patience paused. "Diligence is out. He broke his hip. It'll heal, but he wanted out. Keary'll be looking for others. Someday." "Wildfire, eh?" Catriona replied. "I'd heard rumors that swamp gases could be quite foul, but I guess these strangers are about to find out just how explosive. Any idea who or what these men are?" Her voice trailed off, then. She worried her lower lip for a few moments, then spoke again in a softer voice. "Have these men, or any others, been asking around about a woman with a direwolf? Someone hunts me, and I know not why." Keir's ears pricked up as the tunnel widened. Up ahead was the outermost of the two secret storage cellars beneath the Song and Sheep. "I haven't heard anything," Patience said. "Keary might know more, and he should be down. I'd go up and tell him you're here, but he hates it when I go inside. "Track mud in the house," I think is how he said it. Normally, my cover is working in the stables." After they stepped into the outer cellar, Catriona set her saddlebags down in a corner. "No worries, Patience. He's aware that I'm around, and he'll appear in his own good time." Keir stared towards the inner cellar. Catriona gave her a light scratch behind her ears, then prodded her forward. "Go ahead. Explore." The direwolf padded silently off to explore the next room. "Thanks for your help, Patience," she said as she turned to the young man, her hand extended in gratitude. "I appreciate you taking the time to stow me away. I hope to be able to repay the favor at some point." She gave Patience a wink. "And if a certain stray bay in the marsh should happen to make it into your stables, I'll gladly offer a donation for room and board." "No need," the boy said. "Gabriel already arranged it. Take care of yourself." A flash of a smile; a touch of his hand against hers; then Patience had slipped down the tunnel. (Continued in A Warning for Catriona - and Keary) |
