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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 21, 2007 18:06:46 GMT -5
Callen was preparing to leave. He had packed his things and was about to go meet with Hodrick when one of the guards came bearing a message. "Hmm, a son of Arguel...very well but he better get here quickly, we leave after the next fortnight."
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 22, 2007 7:40:24 GMT -5
Anselm and his accompanying Black Shields left under the cover of darkness and rode hard. Anselm suspected they were taking a round about route designed to be untraceable but understood the need for discretion.
Dawn was breaking when they finally arrived and the castle was beginning to stir. After being told to cool his heels for a bit, he finally got to meet his majesty. A bleary eyed Callen watched him as, with an enormous flourish, Anselm knelt before him and lay down his sword in front of him.
"Your majesty, I pledge you my life and my sword to protect you and the smallfolk of Westeros. As the son of a merchant I know all too well the pressures our current false monarch has placed upon our shoulders."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 23, 2007 0:30:57 GMT -5
Skag Snow and his men picked up their arms and armor and saddled their steeds. Snow was hoping to depart before Aranya saw him once more, so he worked quickly. It was time to move again, and once on the road, they could start to spread subtle word of Callen's gifts to the people.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2007 6:27:43 GMT -5
Aranya directed her men to scour the countryside for food to pack and take with them. She had a feeling they wouldn't be welcome guests at holdfasts along the way.
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 23, 2007 18:53:59 GMT -5
Callen stared at the young boy for a moment, "are you sure your willing to risk your life for me. To follow me anywhere, be it to the Seven Hells or through the Shadow? Are you willing to die for me?"
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 23, 2007 21:02:54 GMT -5
Anselm looked him straight in the eye. "I made that decision the moment I saw your proclamation, your majesty."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 24, 2007 12:25:58 GMT -5
Lustrig the Lance, a one-handed Black Shield who had been in Skag Snow's company, hustles up towards Summerhall on foot. After being given admittance, he seeks out King Callen and Ser Hodrick Royce. "Your grace, mi'lord, Captain Skag bid me warn you." Lustrig slows down a moment to catch his breath. "One of the men, Farrik Foulwind, fled in the night, cutting our horses before he vanished. Skag fears he plans on warning your enemies that you are here. You must escape."
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 24, 2007 12:33:28 GMT -5
Anselm and Lustrig begin to rapidly pack up the King's quarters.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 24, 2007 12:48:54 GMT -5
Lustrig helps as best he can, but he is missing a hand. "Where do you come from boy?"
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 24, 2007 13:02:53 GMT -5
As they finally loaded the last of the provisions and weapons Callen mounted his horse and looked around the yard. "May the Smith keep this place, and the Warrior protect it," he whispered under his breath." Turning to the other men he shouted orders, "Form up! Form a column! Hodrick you have the outriders. Spear you have the vanguard. Flowers with me." He had made the young man his squire, a position the bastard was eager to fill. They rode out of Summerhall and into the valley. They rode north for a way, towards the Reach, then Callen gathered them again. After taking roll, and being satisfied that everyone was there, Callen ordered the men to double back through a small stream and then turned northeast, travelling to the Stormlands.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 24, 2007 15:06:01 GMT -5
As they depart, Lustrig the Lance stays close to Aranya. "Captain Snow said my new job was to protect your hide, mi'lady. I'm to guard you wherever you go. Don't be fooled by my stump of an arm, I can strap a shield to it. I've kept my stronghand."
"The snowman says that I'll share any fate of yours. So don't you be losing one of your hands or I'll be down to none."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2007 3:00:03 GMT -5
Aranya looked at the man in surprise. "Captain Snow is kind," she said. "But he must have led you to think I'm some highborn lady. I've gutted as many men as you did before one got to your arm - but all the same, only a fool refuses protection when it's offered."
She wheeled her horse around to follow Callen and Ser Hodrick; much to her delight, she had tracked down her nasty black courser from four years ago. "Have you ridden long with Captain Snow, Lustrig?" She was curious about what had happened to the once cheerful Selwyn.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 25, 2007 10:02:35 GMT -5
"I've known him three years now, mi'lady. I met him in the Lonely Hills, a damn long way from this place. He was traveling alone in the heart of winter, riding for the Wall, intent on taking the Black. But the snow had settled in, and he lost the road. He was eating his horse when we found him. We asked him where he was from, and he said Skagos. Now, even shriveled from the cold anyone could have told you that man wasn't from Skagos. Skagosi are worse than wildlings, shaggy, giant brutes who ride giant horned beasts and eat the flesh of men. But we started calling him Skag."
"Took him back to Last Hearth get some fire back into his bones and ale in his belly. He got into a fight right quick with Ottil, one of mi'lord Umber's best fighters, and cut him down. We got a bit of respect for Skag then."
"The next day he and I rode off to go see Skagos. But that's another tale."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2007 23:05:53 GMT -5
"We have a long way to ride. There's time enough for all the tales you have to tell."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2007 2:57:55 GMT -5
The company quietly passes through the woods of the stormlands in the night.
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Hope you all are well and happy.