Snippet #1929560

The Devalin Household

Sergeant Skrine was angry, and rightfully so. A man was on the loose somewhere in his liege lords home and no one had thought to place a guard on him, save for an old biddy of a nurse that he wouldn't want looking after his own wounds. When he received word, from the Duke's sister no less, that the man was missing he turned out the entire guard detail not already on shift to find the man, and quietly.

Thankfully it did not take long. The house was a large one with many hallways and floors and so the poor man had become quite lost. They found him in one of the long plushly carpeted hallways of the guest wing and the Sergeant, with two other soldiers, challenged him.

"Good evening sir. I am glad we found you!" He could see the fellow was in pain and he didn't blame him, anyone thrown from a moving carriage could expect considerable repercussions. "Will you please allow me to escort you back to your room. I would see you into some proper clothes before I take you to see the Duke."


Duke Henry Devalin

The rain was still battering the glass and the lightening strikes coming more frequently when the knock sounded and he turned, a broad smile splitting his craggy features as Katherine stepped through the doorway. The guard caught his eye for a moment.

"The Princess m'lord? If she comes?"

The Duke shook his head. "Ask her to wait if she does. I would have some time alone with my own family before I speak to her."

The guard saluted and the door closed.

"Sister! You look the picture of health, its disgusting." He said as he locked her in a massive bear hug. "I trust your journey wasn't to tedious?"

He sat now at the table, gesturing for her to join him. The table was made of a local redwood that gave off a fine scent. Candles and lanterns lit the entire room revealing dark panelled wood, solid but but comfortable furniture and big windows that shook as thunder rolled overhead. He sat at the head of the table, back to the windows, and poured a cup of tea for his sister, the aroma betraying it as an apple spice blend.


Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas was lost. He had decided to brave the storm, reckoning it might lessen as he descended from the Mountain passes. What he couldn't see was the storm rolling in from the sea and so was beneath the two when they met in an awesome crescendo of noise and light. His horse had reared, tossing its rider into the rainforest and then bolted back towards the mountains. There was nothing he could do but watch it vanish into the curtains of water that rolled like waves down the roadway.

With curses and having no other choice he pulled his sodden cloak about his shoulders and began to walk west. One blessing was the method of road building in the Reach. The roadways were raised above the level of the surrounding forest and then paved with thick paving stones, this at least allowed him to walk free of any mud. It also meant that the rain, when it struck the stones, bounced back up and soon what little part of him had been dry, was as drenched as the rest. At least it wasn't windy.

He finally came upon a town, he would have walked right by it in the darkness if a breeze hadn't suddenly plucked at his cloak, causing him to pause and glance around. The rainforest had given way to fields and beyond them, a few lights barely visible between sheets of rain, he could see a tower. He moved further down the road, finding the spot where it branched and led towards the town. He hurried along it, colliding head first with the gateway, bouncing off it like rain from the paving stones and landing painfully on his tailbone.

He was still sitting there, cursing the weather when a small wicket gate opened and a helmeted face peered down at him, then a lantern shone into his eyes. A long moment then a voice spoke, the first human voice he had heard in almost twelve hours.

"Good god man what the hell are you doing out in this?" A strong hand reached out and pulled him to his feet and through the wicket gate. Here, under the protection of the gatehouse above he found himself facing three Devalin soldiers. All were armed but none seemed interested in threatening him.

"Horse threw me, been walking fer hours." Thomas managed to say, suddenly feeling very cold as his teeth began to chatter.

"I bloody well would think so." Responded his rescuer. "Get yourself on through to the Black Boar, second building on the right. Nothing fancy but she's got a fine soup and warm beds."

Thomas nodded his thanks and hurried on, finding the inn easy enough, the black boar head that stared down at him seemingly amused by his plight. He stumbled through the door and was met with a wave of warmth that set him to coughing at once. It took a few moments for it to subside and then he looked up. The taproom was virtually empty save for a girl who stared wide eyed at him from behind the bar counter. Even in his condition he could tell that she was pretty, blonde with a fine figure and wide blue eyes that reminded him of Gwen.

Then the world began to swim before his eyes, he managed one step and then collapsed onto the floor with a crash.