Wharton's Lock

Cecilywolfe wrote:"We don't have much time," Cecily said as she looked at the sun. Catching Icy's eye she nodded to him signaling they were ready to go.

"You can come along, but it may get dangerous." She spoke in a low voice as she headed towards the woods, where the other Bowmen had already disappeared into the trees.

Mac chuckled, "I haven't seen any danger in awhile. You know I'm there!" She cast a worried glance towards the stables before following on Cecily's heels.

They crept quietly through the woods, the damp leaf litter muffling their footsteps. Cecily knew that the other Bowmen were nearby, but couldn't see or hear them. Twigs and brush snagged at her skirts. She stopped briefly to tie them about her legs before pressing on.

Finally reaching the clearing, she stayed at the edge of the woods scanning for the outcropping the young Bowman had mentioned. Motioning for Mac to follow, she skirted the edge of the clearing until they reached the rocks. The ground looked undisturbed and she briefly wondered if the boy hadn't followed her orders after all. Then she glimpsed the bit of canvas sticking out from under the leaves.

A woodpecker call echoed through the clearing and she peeked around the rock letting the others see that she had taken her place. Kneeling down, she grabbed the corner of the canvas and pulled the long bundle out from under the leaves. A careful unwrapping revealed the smooth yew of her longbow. She skillfully strung the bow then turned to Mac mouthing the words, 'Now we wait...'

Reefmcschmokin wrote:Quite some distance from the others, Reef and Slater continued to causiously follow the blood trail leading them through the woods to the northern edge of town. They made no attempt to chase, only follow, but they were definitley getting closer to the fugitive.

Finally, after an hour or more of cutting through the underbrush, the two Bowmen stepped out onto Bagillt Road. Reef looked around confused, "We've come a long ways."

"I had no idea," Slater replied. "Now we're definitely going to have to do this on our own."

Reef hadn't considered that. He thought that when it came time to finally bring her in there would be a host of Bowmen at hand to assist. But there was no one. Just two rookies... alone. 'Where is everyone,' he thought. 'They are going to come aren't they?'

Slater saw the concern on his comrades face, and understood "You allright, Reef?"

"Yeah." Reef looked to the other side of the road, and the blood trail that led there. "Yeah," he said again.

A wimper only a few yards into the brush on the other side of the road broke the tranquility. The two Bowmen snapped into position and stood silently, but there was no movement coming from where the sound originated. Slater glared at Reef with a look of sheer determintaion, "Ready?" He whispered.

Reef nodded. 'Ready or not,' he thought to himself, "Lets do this," He whispered back.

They crept accross the road and down the slope keeping as low as possible. Reef quietly pushed the branches back with his sword, and the two passed into the shade of the trees. Another whimper entered the air. Slater pointed straight ahead to a patch of briars a few feet away, and Reef gestured to halt.

"Myfawny," he called out in a hoarse voice, "you can't run anymore." He looked over at Slater and shrugged.

Slater spoke, "We have you surrounded and there are more Bowmen on the way. There's no point keeping this up."

Yet there was still no movement from the bushes. Upon hearing another whimper, the two made their way closer. Reef drew his sword up into an attack stance and pointed at the briar patch. Slater prepared to defend Reef.

"YAAAAA!" Reef yelled. A days worth of confusion, fear, and rage was unleashed. With three swipes of his blade the briar patch was reduced to kindling, and whoever was inside did not stand a chance against this soldier... But he stopped dead in his tracks when he made eye contact with his pray.

In the remains of the briar patch, huddled in a ball of blood and fur, alone and trembling, laid an innocent wolf cub. A crossbow bolt stuck out of its hind leg.

Reef dropped to his knees, and let his sword fall to the ground. He hung his head there for a moment then looked up at Slater with a grin. "Well," he said, "I think we caught her."

Despite the fact that both Bowmen were now safe, Reef was still concerned about the bolt. 'Was it meant for me?' he thought. "Perhaps we'd better continue this patroll together... until she's really caught." The cub whimpered again, and burried its snout in its paws.

"And what about the wolf?" Slater asked.

"I'm coming back for it. I owe the little guy that much, but he'll have to wait until we've caught the real bad guy."

With that the two Bowmen wandered down the road, (finally) continuing their patroll.

---fromENslater19 wrote:The two bowmen continued their patrol around the town of Holywell, still in shock of what had just occured. That bolt was an awakening to both the young bowmen, it somehow just made things real.

Slater couldn't get past eh fact that she got away...Again. I swore it was her, how can she keep getting away like that?,Slater thought to himself. Her luck will end eventually, and when it does we'll catch her.

Turning towards Reef, Slater said, We should probably get back to Icy's house and report in on what we saw. Maybe they have some new intel as well.

Icy_flames wrote:He wasnt about to let Cecily get too far away from him. She was much to unstable to allow to operate freely. The look in her eyes were nothing he had seen from her before. Light was growing thin, but her eyes seemed to glow red with rage and anger. She was not going to let anyone take Myfawny alive tonight.

He crept next to a tree to conceal himself fully waiting patienly for their prey to appear making sure to watch their back incase she attempted to surpise them from behind.

---fromENCeltic Dragon wrote:Moving steadily through the woods, I give a quick glance behind me to ensure that I know where the others are......."Strange......I could have sworn, they were behind me...." I think to myself.


I pause to listen for the small noise to indicate where the two men might be. Nothing. No sound. Not even the birds are calling. "Ohhhh" Senses on full alert I peer throught the underbrush. Still nothing.

I deciede to move forward towards the alarm call. After about ten yards, that seemed to forever to croos, I spy a faint trail of blood and at least 3 sets of tracks. "I think I've got the trail."

I follow it, pasting a raod and notice a set of bushes that took a nasty beating..."Wonder what they did to tick someone off?" At that point I hear a soft whimpering and scratching coming from the bushes.

Peering closer, I notice a small wolf pup, with a bolt in it's leg.

I slowly remove my cape, and while moving forward, I talk to it in a soothing manner. "It's all right bigfella. I just want to have a look at that nasty in your leg." I pounce and trap the poor beast under the cloak.

He is full of fight, but can't do any damage. I quickly quiet him down.

"Now I have to figure out just where I am......."

---fromENslater19 wrote:Reaching Icy's manor the two bowmen can't find the either of the two people they need to find. Slater asks another bowman, Where are Icy and Cecily?

They went off in a hurry with Lady Mac, to look for Myfanwy.

Slater and Reef look at each other with mouths open.
What Lady Mac is here already?, Reef asks surprised.

Yes, she arrived just before you came back, the bowman answered.

Which direction did they go off in?, Slater asks.

The bowman pointed towards the woods.

Well I guess we know what direction to head, Slater says turning towards Reef.

Reefmcschmokin wrote:Reef looks to the woods where the Bowman pointed. "Back into the woods I suppose. It looks like they have that area surrounded. At this point we could probably just find a spot and wait for the action."

Slater nods in agreement, and points down the street, "How about over there then?"

"Sounds good," He replies, and the two soldiers walk down the street.

Celtic Dragon wanders up the way. Reef noticed that he was no longer wearing his traveling cape which reminded him that he had left his shield at St. Winefride's. He salutes his comrade, and inquires about the blood on his hand, "What's that from... Did you find anything?"

Cecilywolfe wrote:More than an hour had passed. Cecily and Mac waited in silence, their attention focused. The damp chill had penetrated Cecily's thick cloak and she could no longer feel her feet.

She began to fear that Frey hadn't gone through with it...or worse. She was trying to shake that feeling when a breathless Frey stumbled into view. Cecily held her breath and kept her eyes on the edge of the woods.

An eerie calm filled her as she watched Myfanwy enter the clearing and approach Frey. She could sense the other Bowmen in their places, waiting for the opportunity to seize the murderess. Her gaze never leaving the woman, her breathing slowed, her jaw clenched.

Slowly, she raised her bow, not comprehending why, just knowing that she had to do it. Hands steady, she pulled back, all her attention focused on the petite redhead, the woman who had caused so much pain and death. Exhaling slowly, she released the sting.

Myfanwy stumbled forward a couple of steps before staggering to a stop, staring at the arrow in her chest. She looked up to the edge of the woods, her eyes meeting Cecily's as Cecily stepped out into the clearing. Dropping her longbow to the ground and pulling her dagger from its sheath, Cecily paced calmly towards her. The woman dropped to her knees and stared back with a look of shock and disbelief.

"Looks like we both lose," Cecily said softly as Myfanwy fell backward, her last breath gurgling from her lips. "I'm sorry, Frey."

Ignoring the Bowmen rushing from their places, Cecily pushed her way back to the woods. In the cover of the trees, she fell to her knees, her legs no longer strong enough to carry her. Her body shaking with adrenaline, she vomited before leaning back against the truck of a tree, knees pressed to her chest, her face buried in her skirt.

---fromENCeltic Dragon wrote:"Hale, friend Reef, I am well, just very nervous. The blood is not mine, but belongs to this littel welp I found. He has a bolt in his hind leg. I'm gonna find the locate smith and borrow a few tools to mend the little guy up..Can you direct me?"

I dare not loosen the cloak for fear he will further hurt himself, but I know that I must act fast to stem the flow of blood.

"I would be glad for an escort, as my hands are full and I can't defend myself against Myfawny."

Icy_flames wrote:Icy picked up his trembling duchess whom was still in a state of shock from the day's events. Removing her from the screaming and shouting would be best for her to recover. Issuing orders for the other Bowmen to see to Frey, round up the other patrols and to take up Myf's body while he tended to Cecily. He carried her back to his manor to get warm and to settle down.

Once back at his manor he stoked a fire and wrapped her in blankets to take the chill from bones. he grabbed a bottle of wine then realized... Wine will not do for tonight. Instead grabbing a strong bottle of whiskey. This would help calm her nerves and allow her to relax.

Cecily, here.. Drink this. It was all meant to be this way.

He took a seat beside her by the fire.

Cecilywolfe wrote:She sat curled in the chair staring into the fire, clutching the cup of whiskey like her life depended on it.

"It's really over, isn't it?" she almost whispered to Icy, her eyes still focused on the flames licking at the logs in the hearth. "He's really..." her voice cracked.

"Dead," Icy finished her sentence.

Cecily nodded slowly and took another sip of whiskey.

"And she's really..."

"Cecily, they are both gone."

A chill ran up her spine and she shivered, spilling some of the whiskey onto the blanket. "Why did it have to be this way?" she asked as tears welled up in her eyes.

Icy_flames wrote:Seeing her huddled by the fire was an unsual sight for the Captain. Usually she projected strength and leadership, but today he noticed a wide range of qualities spilling forth, some of which were quite the opposite he was used too. Now, instead of the Duchess he saw an emotionally broken woman, beyond that of a grieving widow. Tending to the needs of a woman was completely foreign to him, let alone one that was this vulnerable. Unsure of weather or not he should try a few tender of kindness or be stern with expectations for her to jump right up to continue with her duties.

He called for Sylvia to bring some food. Last thing he needed was her to get too much wiskey in her system. Just enough to calm her nerves was all that was needed. As they ate a few morsels, Icy tried to console her as best he could.

Cecily, I want you to stay here for at least a few days to recover. Last thing you need is all the daily demands of your manor hounding you. Let me see to those details for you. As for tonight, you need to rest now. He put his arm around her hoping she would soon fall asleep.

Bloodstone wrote:Preoccupied with the events of the last 24 hours, he didn't hear the Bowman calling his name until the man was within a few feet of he, and his mount.

"Lord Bloodstone, the search is called off, they got her!", he stated with a self-satisfied grin.

"What are you talking about lad ? Who got Who ???", he asked back, the confusion evident in his face, and his question.

"The Bowmen killed that MyFawney person, the one that killed Grendell at the Mayor's house.", he stated with that matter of fact voice that tell one that the statement made was an obvious one, akin to the sky being blue.

"Gren, dead ?!?!?! Hells Bells man !!", he shouts as he wheels his mount towards Holywell and Icy's house.

The ride into town was a blur, his thoughts on what could have possibly happened......

stopping in front of the Mayor's house, he handed his reins to a waiting Bowman and entered the house.

Seeing Cecily sobbing, and Icy trying to comfort her, he moves quietly to her side, and with a glance at Icy, he kneels down next to her chair and places a hand on her sobbing back.

"Cec, it's Stone.... I just heard what happened.......I came as fast as I could,...... I am here."

Icy_flames wrote:Stone arrived after a few minutes of sitting with Cecily. He moved closer to offer his services. Allowing him to do so, Icy moved away to care for other things. A group of Bowmen were arriving. Please come in everyone. Showing them to a dinner area that would comfortably seat everyone.I offer lodging here for anyone out of town that needs a place to stay. There are many things that will need tended too.

A messenger was sent to Lady Fugue house to make sure Frey and Gryff were safe.

Another messenger would be sent in the morning to Wharton's Lock to let them know of the news that had recently passed and to make arrangements accordingly. The Duchess would not be returning for a few days and where they she could be reached if needed.

He proceeded to guest bedroom where Cecily and Grendell has slept. Sylvia had already removed the bloody clothing. Icy removed the rest of Grendell's clothing and belongings and stowed them away in a bag his private chambers. He didnt want Gren's memories resurfacing while she was trying to grieve. After making the final preparations the Captain went back downstairs to see if she how she was doing in Stone's care.

Cecilywolfe wrote:She smiled weakly at Stone, blotting her eyes with a well-used handkerchief. The tears had stopped, but her frame still heaved with the vestiges of her sobbing.

"He's gone," she said softly. "My God it doesn't feel like it, but this time he really is." She took a deep breath to keep the tears at bay and toyed with the empty cup in her hands. "Stone, I just don't know what to do next." Tears welled up again as she thought of having to face the future, of life without him.

"I'm sorry," she sighed and covered her face with her hands, trying to pull herself back together. "And the look on Frey's face," she continued. "I, I never meant to hurt her."

---fromENGawain wrote:Gawain lead the cart slowly through the woods, the two donkeys in the harness not particularly interested in moving at any great pace. On the cart in front of the barrels of ale and brandy sat a heavily cowled figure, a crozier laid across its lap.

Nearing the clearing a soldier steps out and stops the boy. He tries to explain they are taking ales to the town and the man shakes his head.

The figure on the cart thumps the wooden stave heavily on the sides of the cart and Gawain runs to the back. Hastily he explains what is going on, of the dead girl in the clearing. The figure slumps forward and slowly lowers itself from the cart and shuffles forward leaning on the stave.

Nearing the guardsman the figure mutters words barely audible through the layers of clothes, barely a whisper from inside the hood. 'Stand aside boy, I am Father Worrs, this ladies priest. Aye she was a pagan but I held the chapel at her repose, you will NOT stop me from giving her the last rites.' Poking the guard in the chest with a surprisingly strong hand the priest limps forwards to the stricken girl. Kneeling beside her, looking at Frey from inside the hood the figure removes a glove revealing a youthful delicate hand. Feeling the girl's face it strokes her neck turning to view the arrow jutting from her chest and the knife cut across her neck. 'Strange' mutters the voice, 'That shouldn't have killed her, its only cut the skin'. The priests hand goes to the other side of the neck and a small gasp comes from within the hood.

Gathering feelings best hidden the priest holds hands over the corpse and makes the sign of Jah over the body while reciting a foreign tongue, to those listening just more ancient words from the book of Jah. However as the voice starts Frey's eyes stare at the priest in horror.

The words in Frey's ears are anything but holy, the icelandic tongue not known to any around but her. 'Stupid children, can't you tell when someone's alive? Frey, you want to get out of this without her knowing where you are do as I say, your going home with me, back to Iceland, Gryff with us. I will try and smuggle idiot girl here somewhere safe with Gawain's help. You might not recognise him but his mother was saved by Her after I took your village apart.'

Sorrow smiles from under the hood at Frey. 'Don't worry the past is the past, lets get you safe and her put where she can't hurt anyone else, I owe her that much.' Turning to the boy, 'Gawain, tell whoever is in charge we will take the body to Holywell for burial and bring the cart here.'

With the cart in the clearing Sorrow watches as Myf's body is loaded up by Frey and Gawain. 'Segeant' she says, her voice still muffled. There are several barrels of ale here we must leave behind to carry her body on the cart - I am sure your men will make sure at least some of them reach the Repose yes? I will lay her body to rest in the chapel there, tonight will be spent in prayer for her tortured soul.'

Satisfied she climbs back up on the front and signals Gawain to lead off the donkeys. Passing the others on the outskirts she raises her hands in blessing, careful to keep them covered from prying eyes. Out of sight she turns to Frey and starts barking instructions on how to bind round the wounds and keep any more blood from being lost, Gawain tearing strips from his jacket and passing water to her.

'When we get to town, find Gryff and take him to the docks, okay? Get on board the World's Pain and I will meet you there shortly, got it?' Frey nods hurriedly slipping off the cart as it arrives at the gates. Stopping the cart further along the trail Sorrow jumps down and calls for Gawain to climb up. 'Ride south boy, there is gold and silver under the bench. Do not stop till you reach the old monastery, the father is an old comrade in arms, he will take care of her. Good luck child'

Gawain watched Sorrow pull off her cloak, the battered armour beneath showing the newly inscribed captain's badge. She turned for a last time as she buckled on her swords, 'Tell her the company lives on with a new mistress, and I promise to look after it.' With a grin she spins on her heel and walks back towards the town.

Gawain gulped nervously, and climbed back on board. Checking the wound once more he took the reins in hand and set off along Sorrow's directions. By dawn the old monastery hove into view and he drove the cart onto holy ground, sanctuary from the outside world.

(OOC As detailed here previously http://forum.renaissancekingdoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=26145&highlight= Myfanwy survives to dictate her memoirs to Gawain in her later years, scandalising him in the process, from the monastery where she is kept safely away from others. She still has bad episodes, but the monks know how to deal with her, and she hasn't killed anybody for a long time. Frey settles in Iceland with Sorrow's family, she never takes another lover, forever in love with Myfanwy. Gryff grows up in exile, away from his lands, but will no doubt come home one day in the future. As for Gawain - he becomes a monk at the monastery and travels the country as a wandering friar, promising at some point he's going to finish Myfanwy's chronicle, preferably before she escapes.)

Reefmcschmokin wrote:

Reef wrote:Celtic Dragon wanders up the way... He salutes his comrade, and inquires about the blood on his hand, "What's that from... Did you find anything?"

Celtic Dragon wrote:"Hale, friend Reef, I am well, just very nervous. The blood is not mine, but belongs to this little welp I found. He has a bolt in his hind leg. I'm gonna find the local smith and borrow a few tools to mend the little guy up..Can you direct me?"

"You found my pup? That's great! That little guy ran me and Slater clear to the north side of town thinking we were following Myfawny." Reef starts to laugh, "Tell me you followed the same trail...?" He straightened his face noticing that CD didn't exactly find that funny. "As for the smith, I just recently began to build my forge. It's just down the street." Reef points to the house down on the corner. "There's no roof yet, but I should have enough tools to get the job done. Your help would be greatly appreciated."

Sudden bustle caught the three Bowmen off guard. Slater, listening keenly to the voices from the woods, overhears that Myfawny has been caught and killed. They all stand and stare at each other. "It's over then."

Minutes passed as the trio absorbed the moment. 'I thought there would be more... I thought this would be something worth celebrating.' Thoughts of death pounded at Reef's mind, and he realized for the first time that life is something worth charishing. He turns to Celtic, "Lets be off, my friend. I'm sure you are eager to get back to Beeston. I need to go to the church and retrieve my shield; we can use that as a gurney. The pup is probably pretty moody, and it would be helpful to have something to tie him down to."

Reef looks to his fellow marshall, "Good work, Slater. I couldn't have made it through this hunt alone... Well, maybe I could have, but my knees wouldn't have stopped shaking." Reef lets out a laugh, "Either way, my friend, I thank you."

Slater heads up to Icy's house to give the report on the events they encountered. Reef and CD start walking towards St. Winefride's. "Once we get that bolt out, I'd like to have Icy take a look at it."

---fromENCeltic Dragon wrote:Upon hearing the shouts and screams, I stiffen at teh mere thought of what has happened. No one should pass on alone. Death is too final a penalty to pay, even if it justified. A very sad day indeed.

"It looks like a pretty clean wound. If it is, a snip of the bolt, a quick removal and a hot iron to seal the would will be all that is needed. And yes, sadly I must be bad to Beeston soon. He'll need a weary eye for about3 days. Know anyone who can do that?"

"A light chicken broth mixed with goats milk will provide him the nourishment he needs for fast recovery. Come freind, let's stoke the fire to get this over with. And if you have any whiskey about, I'd like to drink to Gren, Jah rest his soul."

Reefmcschmokin wrote:Reef searched his pantry and found a half full bottle of whiskey. He poures a glass for CD and one for himself. "To Grendell, may Jah guide him home. And to the Lady Cecily..." Reef choked on his words, "That dear poor woman... May she find her happiness again."

The fire began to blaze hot, and CD showed Reef how to mend the wound. The cub struggled a bit, but seemed to understand what the the two smiths were doing. "I'll keep an eye on the cub. If he takes to it, I think I'd like to keep him around... We'll see."

"Thank you for your help," Reef said as CD packed up his gear. "Have a safe trip home. I'll be heading up to the captain's house as soon as the little guy gets comfortable. Let me know if you need anything before you head out of town... Maybe I can replace that cape someday."

---fromENCeltic Dragon wrote:"Yes to the Lord and Lady Rackham!" I down the drink in a swift motion. The firey liquid helps quell the know of tension in my belly.

"Ya, lad, mighty fine Irish whiskey ye have there!!" I say with a grin.

My eyes become serious, "Keep the cloak, I fear the little nipper has "marked" his territory! He'll sleep for a few hours, but best secure him. We should get back to the manor and report in with the Captain. Let him know, we're alright."

Glancing at the bolt, "Might want to bring that along, to let the Cap't look at it. It could mean something to him."

After helping Reef secure the pup, we head back to Manor, our steps not as quiet, nor as full of life as they have been, a few hours ago.

Bloodstone wrote:

MackenzieGael wrote:She nodded politely, her usually happy face downcast until she looks down at her filthy clothes and a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth.
"I do apologize for my... errm... attire."

With a smile, he looks at Mac...

"No worries, you look lovely, as usual Mac. Good thinking on the tea, it will help."

Looking to Icy, with a bleak smile

"Helluva change from last night, eh ?... Now that the hunt is ended, we need to begin the damage control over this situation, and fast..... I do not want anyone seeing her" looking at Cec, "In this condition. She deserves better."