Year 486 Summer Campaign

[GM Craig]

Arne nodded wordlessly, overwhelmed by all the wonders he'd encountered in . . . what?  The past hour?  As he followed the wizard, he asked, "Merlin . . . who was that lady in the lake?  And that sword!  I've never seen one that finely made.  Was it made by the gods?"

He glares sideways at Arne before he snaps, "That lady is no concern of yours! And no, it was not made by the gods, though that does not diminish the majesty of the sword. This sword will help Britain, and that will put you in good standing with the lords of this land. That is all you need know. "

[GM Craig]

Cedwyn nodded, "It is our duty to serve. How do you fare, Merlin? The last Sir Rodric and I saw you; you were quite taxed."

Merlin scowls sideways at Sir Cedwyn, but his voice is not angry when he says, "Yes. I recognized you. I am well, thank you, though a little tired. The use of magic drains the spirit, and the battle with the witch sorely while I was protecting the three of you sorely taxed me. It is most curious, Sir Cedwin: twice now the two of you have been exactly where and when I needed you. Most curious indeed."

[Geoffrey]

Rodric suddenly felt a little ashamed.  Merlin's magic was definitely the reason they survived, and escaped, the witch's lair yet they didn't thank him.

"Merlin, I believe we owe you an apology, and our thanks.  It was obvious that there were protections upon us when we battled the saxons and the witch's snake yet we did not properly thank you then, or even when you returned us to the safety of Uther's tent.

For all that you have done for us, thank you.  And my deepest apologies for not offer those thanks when the deed was done.  Perhaps we were where and when you needed us so that we would have the chance to repay you for your aid."

[GM Craig]

He raises a very bushy eyebrow at Rodric as he glares at him. "You did your duty, Sir Rodric, as I have done mine - nothing more. The protection I granted you was necessary. I needed you to stay alive long enough to keep the guards off me so I could battled the witch. That would not have been possible had I not woven a protection spell around you. I do not want your thanks!" He stops and glares at each of you to underline his words. "Everything I do is out of love for, and duty to, Britain and her people. You remember that! Your protection served Britain so I granted it. Had your deaths served Britain better, I would have slit your throats myself!"

He walks on for a few steps then stops with a sigh. "Your words were kindly meant, Sir Rodric. Forgive me my black moods - I have much on my mind and find idle prattle distracting. I did my duty to Britain, as did you. Thanks are not required, nor will they be offered. But your intention does you credit."

He walks on for few steps. "There is a pattern to the worlds, my young companions. Twice now Rodric and Cedwyn have been where and when I needed them. And you, Arne and Valka, have also appeared exactly where and when you were needed, having travelled a long way to reach this exact spot at this exact time."

He looks the four of you over one at a time. You have the distinct impression he is looking through you somehow.

"There are no accidents," he says, more to himself than you. Then with an angry grunt, he turns and walks on with long, angry strides, as if he would punish the ground for some offence.

A dozen strides later, the mist is scattered by a sudden breeze, and you find yourself standing beside your horses and a very surprised Haydn sitting astride his mount.

Merlin turns to the two northmen. "Arne and Valka, you may find shelter for your people a little north at the ancient ruins of Broad. If you would take my advice, you will press on to that site before camping tonight. Your people may stay there while you make contact with the Earl's steward and seek permission to remain in these lands. Mind you this though! Do not let any of your people disturb the standing stones! Not a one! Even if that old crone of a priestess insists, deny her!"

[Pausing here for any reactions / comments / questions. He'll answer questions, but very clearly has a powerful desire to be immediately somewhere else.]

[Valka]

Ooc: I'm always two seconds late

Valka listened in silence to the conversation. The glares, snaps and scowls were almost frighteningly different from the mirthful wizard that revealed himself after they killed the giant. It was as if it was a different Merlin entirely. She gave Arne a meaningful look but remained quiet. This was still all a bit overwhelming and uncomfortable.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn paused and there was hesitation in his voice when he spoke, "Merlin...I have a personal question for myself. Just before you struck the witch with your magic...she began a curse at me and my line. She didn't finish it.  Can you say if the curse took effect?"

[Arne]

OOC:  This is after Cedwyn's question.  I'm kinda taking into account Arne's sense of hospitality and his pride.

Despite Merlin's renown as a powerful wizard, Arne was getting nettled at the man's rudeness and seeming ingratitude.  He and Valka had risked their lives to protect him - as did Cedwyn and Rodric - and had asked nothing in return.  All Arne had done in return was ask a few curious questions, and the man had snarled at him.  And the others, too.

When Merlin had spoken of Holmg?r?r as "that old crone of a priestess", Arne had had enough.  Tossing his head back, he replied in a flat voice, "We shall lead our people to these ruins as you have suggested, then, and tell them not to touch the stones upon pain of death.  And that 'old crone' has a name.  Holmg?r?r, priestess of our goddess, Freya.  Good fortune to you, Merlin."  To his comrades, he gestured to their horses.  "Shall we?  "

[Geoffrey]

The color drained from Rodric's face as Arne spoke to Merlin.  What was he thinking?  True, the wizard seemed short, and had even apologized once already and explained himself.  The knight said a silent prayer in hopes Merlin would ignore the northerner, or at least find it in him not to curse Arne for speaking in such a manner.

[OOC: Is Suger around anywhere?]

[Cedwyn]

Likewise, Cedwyn was appalled by the Thulian's conduct. But he was a boy still and subject to a boy's hotheadedness. That was not excusable though.

"Northerner," he cautioned, "You have been given a gift by Merlin. You've shown valor and courage; do not add disrespect to that. It does not suit you."

[GM Craig]

[no sign of Suger.]

Merlin ignores Sir Cedwyn's question. He does not even make eye contact, or acknowledge the question has been asked.

When Arne gives vent to his frustration, Merlin turns to the northman, his eyebrows fairly bristling. "I daresay I know her better than you, Arne Torvaldson, and if I call her a crone it is only because long acquaintance with her meddling ways has led me to such an opinion." He puts his hands on his hips, and you all get the impression he is winding up.

"I am not in the habit of accepting rebukes from the likes of you, no matter how subtle! Unlike these good knights, you and Valka had no duty in this matter yet lent your aid freely without promise of recompense. That was nicely done, and has earned you some goodwill on my part. Therefore I have repaid you for your efforts with sound and beneficial advice - something I am loathe to do at the best of times. I recommend you take Sir Cedwyn's advice and count that as the gift it is. My good will has limits, and you are fast overstepping those bounds. You are strangers in a strange land - it behooves you to not take offence easily."

He takes a breath, glaring at Arne.

"Sir Rodric, if your squire has any wits about him, he should be here shortly." To the rest of you he adds, "I have much to do."

With that he turns on his heel and in three steps has vanished into a sudden, thick fog.

[Arne]

Once Merlin left, Arne turned to Cedwyn, but brought his ire under control.  His anger wasn't for the knight, after all.  "Disrespect is a two-way path, Sir Cedwyn.  Merlin asked us to follow him without question, which we did.  We risked out lives for him without question.  I notice that Merlin healed you, by the way, and not Valka.  And what do we get in return?  We get spoken to like unruly thralls for simple enough questions, and that is insulting."

Arne went to mount his horse, and shook his head.  "Even I, as young as I am, can see that much rests on this Merlin's head, but that is no reason to shove aside manners and throw insults to people that are call friends and allies."  He sighed, and took a deep breath to rein in his anger.  "But enough of what happened, for what's done is done.  I shall heed Merlin's counsel, as shall I yours about Merlin, Sir Cedwyn.  Now . . . how far away do you think that giant's home is?  Do you think we have enough time to claim its treasure for our own, or should we meet up with my people with all haste?"

[Valka]

Valka pulled her shield's leather strap on and slid the shield over her back before mounting her horse and nudging it next to Arne.

<"If we cannot find treasure, I want to have sex on the giant. This red-haired knight and ..wizard.. have left me bothered.">

[Geoffrey]

Rodric finally sheathed his sword and placed his shield on his back.

"Suger." he called out as he took a few steps into the woods.

[Arne]

Arne's head whipped over and he gaped at Valka for a few moments, then roared in laughter.  "<I do not think our comrades here would appreciate that.  But either the giant, or when we make camp - I am yours.>"

[GM Craig]

Rodric hears a distant call off in the woods. "Sir Rodric!"

He appears to be headed in the correct direction.