Fresh from their victory over the marauding bandits, Lammert and Severin discover that Village of Lemer - which they only visited to do some shopping- has fallen under the sway of ruthless pirates.
Upon hearing of the village's plight, our duo swears to do whatever they can to defend the village to Maqueda the Trader, who harbors obvious and understandable doubts as to what these two lads might be able to achieve against 40+ well armed and (supposedly) magically empowered foes.
Now they seek the aid of a certain Sir Orkney, an old retired knight who is apparently the only warrior left in this sleepy fishing port. The name is familiar to them- Lammert's mighty shield was once owned by a heralded champion of the same name- but Maqueda's description of a drunken, cowed and broken-down old man hardly seems to jibe with the legend.
First things first, they determine that it is best to find a jail to hold their giant captive and bandit leader before investigating further.
To this end they seek out Mayor Poulet, the only recognized authority figure in the town to make the proper arrangements. Following Maqueda's direction they locate his home soon enough; a humble but relatively well-appointed house in the center of town. After what seems several minutes of urgent rapping on his door and insistent calling for the man to come out, the door opens and a figure emerges; but stops short of inviting them in.
At one glance this figure is revealed to be Mayor Poulet, as he is exactly as Maqueda has described him: a small, wiry weasel of a man, smiling and accommodating, but clearly fearful of the three armed strangers now at his door. He is dressed simply in a grey woven tunic and tawny trousers, but his status is apparent by his fine leather boots, a single golden signet ring, and a fine blue cloak fitted with a silver and amber clasp.
Lammert asks the man brusquely if he is in fact the mayor here, and if so then where is the jail and warden, as they have a captured bandit to house.
After confirming his identity Poulet notes that yes, there is a jail, but no- with his deepest apologies - there is no jailor or guard of any kind. He does make a great show of offering the two lads the use of the jail, if they desire, but they will need to provide their own jailor as there is none on hand and since he himself has other...pressing...duties to perform. He hastens to add- again with the utmost and most heartfelt sorrow- that they will need to feed the prisoner as well, if he is to be fed, as they are a poor village fallen on hard times and have no sustenance which could be spared.
Having confirmed that this Mayor is just as useless as advertised, Lammert and Severin leave his unsavory presence with no pleasantries of any kind, save to say that will be taking him up on his offer of the use of the jail.
In short order they locate the jail, and place the now cowed giant behind what are hopefully sturdy enough iron bars. Having no jailor, Severin appoints Eneas to this task. The giant after all seems fearful of the holy accoylate and his blessed hammer most of all, and Severin reminds the giant that his attendant is empowered by the very gods, so he cannot be responsible for what might happen in his absence if the bandit should prove to be rowdy.
The giant nods his head to say that he understands, all the while never taking his eyes off the young priest that had so thoroughly bested him the day before.
This matter seemingly resolved, Severin and Lammert strike out find Sir Orkney's home on the northernmost edge of town.
----------------------------------
Not long after they set out the duo realize that they are being followed. Rather clumsily as well- both Lammert and Severin pick up on the sound of footsteps behind them which seem to stop and start along with their own.
Not knowing what sort of character they might be facing, Lammert devises a plan to trap the interloper, which he casually whispers to Severin as if it was part of a normal conversation.
Ducking behind a house with Severin, Lammert casts a simple magic spell that throws his voice several feet distant in the opposite direction. Soon their now confused follower comes into view, distracted by the sound of the voice and therefore not seeing Lammert and Severin where they stand hidden behind a stack of barrels.
He is a young man- probably less than 30 winters or so - with shaggy brown hair and wearing a simple ochre-colored tunic, sandy culottes and leather sandals beneath a grey woolen cloak. In a shaking and unsteady hand he carries a polished short-sword; not one he is versed in the use of, to look at him. After but a moment of taking this sight in Lammert and Severin both independently conclude that the young and clumsy stalker is likely more a danger to himself than he would be to them.
Lammert is the first to speak:
"Hey there, friend. What are you about?" Lammert keeps his hand upon his sword, but does not draw it.
The young man turns about, startled, his short sword held in a shaking hand. He replies:
"Ah! Umm...I was following you! You are walking about town, and armed!"
"So are you", points out Severin, his hand near, but not exactly grasping his bow.
Upon further questioning the young man gives his name as Rickard, saying that he is a farmer and that he is dedicated to defending this village against further incursions from bandits and pirates. Lammert and Severin explain that they are in fact here to help with this very problem, and that they wish to enlist brave villagers like Rickard to the task of defending this place as well.
Rickard is clearly distrustful of the two outsiders, but he eventually sheaths his sword and engages in discussion. He evades the question about how he obtained the sword that he now wields, but is happy to point out the direction of Sir Orkney's home, but not before expressing doubt on how useful this besotted and dishonored knight might be in defending the village.
Finally realizing that the two strange persons he followed mean him no harm, Rickard brusquely says his goodbyes and leaves Serverin and Lammert to find Sir Orkneys on their own, skulking off into the shadow of another hut to make his escape.
This encounter yielding no more fruit, our two heroes continue their way to Sir Orkney's home in due time.
--------------------------------------------
Sir Orkney's house is modest, but made of wood and stone and not just wood and straw like the other houses in the village. Above a stout oaken door sits an iron-rimmed round shield, nigh-identical to Lammert's own, but emblazoned with a faded demonic visage of a fierce mustached warrior.
Lammert raps on the front door first with his hand, then more loudly with the pommel of his sword, until at last they hear a pained and rumbling voice within say:
"Aggh- damn you, I'm coming!"
The face that appears when the door opens is the face on the shield; belonging to a large man with an epically huge mustache, drooping and grey upon both sides of his mouth. The hair upon his head is clearly thinned with age, leaving only a few white wisps on the crown, but cascading in the back into a full and snow-white mane. His broad shoulders and mighty arms show him to be a powerful and once-athletic man, but years of food and drink (and his red-rimmed and bloodshot eyes would suggest mostly drink) have caused him to go mostly to fat, giving him a puffy face and an impressive belly. He is dressed simply but in well-crafted clothes, but like the rest of him these are also clearly years beyond what must have been their peak.
Through small and apparently bleary eyes the massive and clearly agitated figure sizes up the two young men, before him, and is clearly not impressed by what he sees.
"What do you want? I was trying to sleep", he says with a deep and annoyed rumble.
"It's after noon...", points out Lammert, seemingly unaware of the irony of his protest.
"We require your help- Sir Orkney, is it?", pleads Severin.
"That is my name, and title", confirms Sir Orkney. "And whatever is is you two want, this is not the right door to knock upon."
Visibly annoyed, Lammert pushes his way past the bulky man and into his home. Severin simply sighs and follows behind, all the while ignoring the now vengeful gaze of Sir Orkney.
The dimply lit and dusty interior shows a home that has clearly seen better days. Everywhere are used cups, and soiled plates, a book left askew here and there. On a dining table in the middle of the room stands a freshly opened wine bottle and a half drunk cup of wine. The house is filled with a mustiness spiced with sweat and alcohol.
"Your home is in a disgraceful state!", declares Lammert.
"I do not recall inviting you in, nor do I recall inquiring after your opinion", grumbles Orkney in response. "And, in addition to the other slights you have already presented me since you barged right into my HOME, you two have yet failed to give your names. Perhaps this is a source of shame for you?"
As Orkney groans while loudly taking a seat in front of his half drunk cup (which he fills again to the brim before proceeding to drink from it), Lammert and Severin introduce themselves and give a brief background.
Orkney's dim eyes light up a bit in recognition. "Ah! Severin...Severin the Poacher, as I recall? His Lordship -the gods look after his shade - took a soft spot to you after you turned in that mongrel Ironhand."
"The same, sir", confirms Severin.
"And...Lammert. You are Captain Alexandre's son, are you not?"
"I am", confirms Lammert.
"I never liked him much. The man is a weasel and an oath breaker."
"I never liked him much either, nor he me", confesses Lammert.
"Well, now I see you that you and I finally agree upon something, and that I find a common sentiment with your father as well. Today is already full of surprises, it seems."
Severin attempts the shift the topic back to the village, and the importance of having stout defenders - like Sir Orkney- to come to it's aid. Orkney hears the lad out, but says in reply:
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you have the wrong man. I lost my wife, my Lord, and even my King in a few short years. The only thing I have left is my miserable life, which is my shame", his face contorts in an ugly display of grief and anger. "I spend my days looking for the bottom of a cup now, since it helps me to forget my pain and hopefully shorten the years a bit. I am of no use to you, or anyone else at this stage, I'm sorry to say."
Lammert wants to hear no more of this talk, and now interjects saying:
"Yeah, I can see that. In fact, I am sorry that we came here now. I was hoping to find the legendary Sir Orkney, but all that we found here is a fat, drunken old man who I could beat with one hand tied behind my back."
Upon hearing this, the already ruddy face of Sir Orkney turns red with rage. "You dare!? You dare, you sniveling, unwanted bastard son of a turncoat? You dare come here- to my house!- and insult me this way?" He then raises up a hammy fist, and says: "I have half a mind to knock that smile off your face right here, this very moment!"
"Let's see what you got old man, I'm ready", says Lammert, now spoiling for a fight.
"Fine! Fine!", says the now enraged Orkney. "Outside with you! Get out there, we will see how you laugh when I've knocked a few teeth out of your head."
Lammert hesitates for a moment, thinking that Orkney might simply close the door on him and retreat back to his wine bottle.
"Outside I said, gods damn you!", repeats Orkney forcefully. "If you want a proper fight then you will have it, but not in here. We will fight in the street like men."
With this said, Lammert dutifully exits through the door and out into the street, sword and shield now at the ready. Orkney spends a minute or so inside rummaging about for something, finally emerging through his front door carrying a step-ladder. Propping the ladder up in front of the door, he climbs up and with some difficulty finally pries the shield from it's mounting, then gently climbing down with it mounted on his back.
He then squares up in front of Lammert, wearing only his house clothes and bearing only the weather-worn shield as weapon and defense.
"Well, c'mon then! Have at thee! I'm ready for you", declares Orkney bravely.
"Really?", inquires Lammert, somewhat incredulous. "I have a sword, armor and a shield of my own. Are you really going to fight like that?"
"Bah- I need none but my shield to beat someone like you. I am Sir Orkney Stoutshield! Now come on, you whelp, you simpering coward. Come at me!"
Thus goaded, Lammert does come at the older man. Bracing his own shield as protection, he swings his sword wide, barely grazing his stout opponents ribs. Orkney winces with pain- but then he simply smiles at his attacker behind his bushy mustache.
Orkney then responds by bashing back with his own shield as a weapon, forcing Lammert back a few steps and sending shooting pains up his own shield arm.
Back and forth the fight goes for a while- Lammert getting in a cheap shot here and there, and Orkney responding by using his stout shield as a weapon, but none causing any serious wounds to the other. Finally, Orkney stuns Lammert with well-timed shield bash; and while Lammert is still reeling in confusion Orkney follows up this move by pummeling Lammert with a meaty fist straight to the face, causing Lammert to gracelessly fall back on to his posterior.
"Ugh", says Lammert. But then he smiles up at Orkney ruefully and says: "Well then! If you can beat a strapping young warrior half your age, then you can defeat any half-assed pirate that may attack. You still have it, you are still stout Sir Orkney, and your people need you now."
Upon hearing those words Orkney stops his assault cold, as if he was a suddenly woken and particularly violent sleepwalker. Saying nothing in reply, Orkney then graciously offers a hand to the fallen warrior, helping him back to his feet.
Orkney then makes a show of officially welcoming the two young men back back inside his home for refreshments. He seems far more cheerful and lively after his fierce battle with Lammert, and confirms this by saying:
"Lammert, when I punched your grinning face just now- it felt good all the way up my arm. Thank you for that."
Lammert grins in reply, and massages his now painful jaw, saying: "Well, glad to hear it. But it didn't feel that good on this end!"
"Ha-ha!", laughs Orkney. "I bet not!"
Orkney serves up some rather delicious (but dry) cheese, a hunk of mystery meat and some rather suspect looking bread along with some wine for his guests. Then he takes a seat, looks the two lads square in the eye and declares:
"All right, fine then. I will help you two lads in any way that I can, if you are serious about this thing. If your friend Severin can dish out a beating as well as you can take one Lammert, then I will be happy to stand at your side in battle. I have been cooped up here for too long, avoiding my duty and waiting to die."
"Glad to hear it!", says Lammert, grinning painfully from ear-to-ear. "And yes- Severin here is a mighty warrior, boar-slayer and faithful Templar to boot. We will not let you down."
This business now concluded, the trio determine that is best now to meet back up with Kamiko at the public house and determine their overall plan of action.
---------------------------------
*more updates to follow*
-------------------
Rewards: 552XP Reputation: 5+Legend x2