Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Two

[RocEter]

Huntsman Alone-

The Huntsman on the Road

Far down the road the Huntsman rides at a steady pace, he rides towards home..

The Huntsman rides alone under the stars.

After he crosses a low stone bridge that spans a little stream, he hears the soft, almost silent beat of wings, and looks up to see a huge bird flying above him-- the great owl?

The Huntsman comes to a stop by a tree, to let his horse rest a moment before continuing on. He watches the giant bird in flight..

[ewancummins]

Huntsman Alone-

The Huntsman on the Road

Far down the road the Huntsman rides at a steady pace, he rides towards home..

The Huntsman rides alone under the stars.

After he crosses a low stone bridge that spans a little stream, he hears the soft, almost silent beat of wings, and looks up to see a huge bird flying above him-- the great owl?

The Huntsman comes to a stop by a tree, to let his horse rest a moment before continuing on. He watches the giant bird in flight..

It circles twice and lands on the tree. The boughs creak beneath the great owl's mass.
Two lantern eyes fix on the Huntsman.

"How goes your hunt, hoooooman?"

[Varrus the Ethical]

"That's right, drive them back, men!" says Roald as he swings his sword again, blood slicking off it in an arc.

[ewancummins]

Dominica-
Her cart rolls through the river gate just as the heavy wooden doors slam shut and men lift a heavy bar into place. City watchmen yell at her to clear the way.

[ewancummins]

"That's right, drive them back, men!" says Roald as he swings his sword again, blood slicking off it in an arc.

Roald cuts down the man with the lantern while that one is fumbing with the barricade.

A voice shouts in the cellar-

''Damn it-- there must be a whole platoon up there. Pull out, lads! This is sappers' work now."

[Varrus the Ethical]

"After them men! Drive them into the river!" Roald yells down the hole before chuckling to himself. He picks up the lantern to see if any of the men he cut down are still alive.

[ewancummins]

"After them men! Drive them into the river!" Roald yells down the hole before chuckling to himself. He picks up the lantern to see if any of the men he cut down are still alive.

They are all dead or unconscious, except one hunched in the corner of the bedroom clutching his bloody right arm. Holding up the lantern, Roald can see that this one is little more than a boy, maybe younger than his 'squire', Reese.

The young raider holds up his left hand.

''Mercy, I give up!"

Roald hears the scurrying of men in the cellar, panicked voices and scuffling boots moving away from the trap door.

[Varrus the Ethical]

"A sellsword's mercy has a price," says Roald as he holds the point of his sword under the boy's chin. "Tell me everything that you know. Starting with who ordered you to attack."

[ewancummins]

"Sellsword don't do anything for free," says Roald as he holds the point of his sword under the boy's chin. "Tell me everything that you know. Starting with who ordered you to attack."

''I was in the dungeon cells for thievin', sir. Our duke's men came and told us all we'd be set free and given pardons too, if we joined the duke's army. They've emptied all the gaols in the city. Even river pirates that was going to hang, sir. Please don't kill me. I don't want to die. I want to go home."

[Varrus the Ethical]

"Well that explains why you fight like elves. Only smellier." Roald pulls his sword away from the boy, but keeps it ready to strike. "Remember that song you just sung me. I think the Young Duke on this side of the river will like to hear it."

[ewancummins]

"Well that explains why you fight like elves. Only smellier." Roald pulls his sword away from the boy, but keeps it ready to strike. "Remember that song you just sung me. I think the Young Duke on this side of the river will like to hear it."

''Okay, just don't kill me. My name is Willem, sir."

[ewancummins]

Filbert, Caer Haes


Filbert arrives and gives his report.

Men as dispatched to Baubb's house...

[Varrus the Ethical]

"I'm no sir. Now keep your arse on the ground." Roald smiles. "I wouldn't want to have to kill another one of my guests."

[ewancummins]

ALL ACROSS HAES
Alarums ring out in the night, shutters and doors slam shut or fly open, men and women run home or rush to posts of duty.

A blare of trumpets opens the BATTLE OF HAES...

[RocEter]

It circles twice and lands on the tree. The boughs creak beneath the great owl's mass.
Two lantern eyes fix on the Huntsman.

"How goes your hunt, hoooooman?"

"Well." The Huntsman says. "Now I head home to rest and prepare for tomorrows hunt."