Elendor
What a throw!
The kin of Brodie (disgraced Bear Chieftain) demonstrate their prowess with the spear, while Cameron demenstrates his prowess in cheating
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Courtyard -- Creatrach Keep
Game Date: October in the year 3045
IC Time: Evening
Description:
Courtyard -- Creatrach Keep
Creatrach Dun, the greatest fortress in Caerdh, flies the red banners of Clan Bear proudly from its high reinforced bulwarks. The tops of dark evergreen trees are just visible over the tall, manned walls of this keep which protect the inhabitants against the evils abroad in the forest below. Inside, the earthen ground of the courtyard is laid with gravel for drainage, and is well-trodden as the Bears move about their daily business. The keep proper takes up part of the west wall and the whole northern section of the courtyard. A short flight of steps leads up to the keep doors into the foyer. A small shelter, beside the wooden gates, serves as the guard post.
A row of small stone buildings line the southern wall where thick smoke rising almost continually from the chimneys of Mederon the Smith and his rival Smithy proclaim their trade. The shingle of a grinning bear holding a mug swings over the door into a squat structure. This is obviously the Grinning_Grizzly. Behind the tavern is an outhouse. Clan Bear appears to be building a small city within the confines of the keep's walls.
The appearance of the courtyard morphs throughout the day, dawn to dark to dawn again. During the day, the south side of the courtyard is transformed into a bustling market and the cry of merchants and peddlers hawking their wares echoes throughout the courtyard. A pair of Bear warriors guard the wooden gates that leads out while a second pair patrols the courtyard. Two more Bear guards bar the other main entrance in the courtyard, the Great Doors to the inner keep. Visitors and residents enter and exit the inner keep foyer through these doors. The low wood enclosure of the militia training ground may be seen at the far north-eastern corner.
Obvious exits:
Grinning Grizzly leads to Grinning Grizzly Alehouse.
Great Doors leads to Main Foyer -- Creatrach Keep.
Wooden Gate leads to Southern Misty Mountains - Dunland <>.
===============================================================================
Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Tue Dec 30 00:33:37 2008
IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: sparse - Rain: drizzle
IC Moon is: Waning crescent
IC time is: Evening
IC date is: October in the year 3045.
===============================================================================
[Olmys(#32384)] The Fianni have responded to the summons for a council and Creatrach is filled to capacity with the men each Fian has brought with them. Their leaders enclosed privately in the keep with their meetings, the men are engaged in the various games that have been set up to keep them occupied.
At the moment the spear throw seems to be the game of the moment and several men stand watching as a young bearded man steps to the line with spear in hand. He guages the wind for a moment and then takes a running start and lets the spear fly . . .
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 65 yards.
While attention is on the games newly started, a mismatched pair approach the Keep's gates. The man, that skinny scruffy fellow who's been helping fetch wood and water, clear out the stables and such like, has his left hand gripped firmly round the shoulder of the smaller figure, a boy with a shock of brown hair. As they approach the gates, he calls out in a slow drawl, "Evenin'. Found somethin' out in the woods," pushing his 'prize' forward a little as he does.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There are enough men milling about to greet the skinny scruffy fellow. One of them, clad in furs that stink of animal musk, walks up to the gate, turns his head and spits out a stream of brownish liquid. He glances down at the boy with disinterest but nods at the skinny fellow.
"What's his name? I'll go get his mama."
[Finnian(#23897)] The boy that's being brought in is none other than Aeden Kavanagh, the only son of Brodie. He's soaked from the rain with mud on his clothes, and clings to the man now that they're inside the gates, looking around with a fearful nervousness. Things look far less frightening now, though, and his tension eases as he takes in the warmer scene than the last time he was in the keep. When the stranger mentions fetching his mother, the child can't help but have a sudden expression of hope on his face. "Her name is Leah!" He offers quickly.
[Olmys(#32384)] The bearded man who just threw the spear gives a satisfied nod as the official length of his throw is announced.
"You call that a throw, boy?" asks an older grey bearded man as he steps forward to grab a spear for himself. "I can piss farther than that." He then spits into his hands and rubs them together. "Let me show you how it's done."
He steps away from the line and then runs forward and releases the spear with a loud grunt of effort.
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 72 yards.
The man grasping Aeden's shoulder looks totally disinterested in that question (and his charge's clinging), yawning as he glances into the courtyard. At the sight of the games in progress, his mouth falls open slightly and then he grins. "Looks like folks be havin' fun. There's bettin'?"
The boy's words recall him to his task, and he manages to more-or-less focus on the fur-clad fellow. "Might not be his mama you be wantin'. Figure one o' them high-ups will want to know."
[Saffron(#15443)]
A chorus of "Oooooohhhh" accompanies the wind up. As the spear is released with a grunt, multiple heads swing in unison as they follow the progress of the spear. This is all followed by a loud "HURRAH!" as the spear lands.
Another jet of brown liquid streams from his mouth and splashes down onto the ground.
"Brodie's boy, eh?" He scratches his chin first, then reaches out, in an attempt to ruffle the boy's hair. "I heard about you. Just got here myself today but you know how womenfolk like to talk. Leah, eh? Well I can do one better. Your grandpappy's here. Let me go get him." He turns, and weaves his way into the crowd.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden flinches back when the stranger reaches forward to ruffle his damp, soiled hair. He watches the man walk away, then looks up at Brev and complains in a quiet tone, "I want to see my mama. Can't you take me to my mama?" One of his small hands is clenched on his 'caretaker's' shirt. "I don't want to see my grandpa.. he's mean!"
[Olmys(#32384)] "See that boy!" the old grey beard roars triumphantly. "That's how you throw a spear!"
He steps off to the side and watches as the next contestant steps forward. This contestant does not brag, or even speak as he takes the spear and prepares to throw. He runs forward and at the exact moment before his release, the old grey beard calls out loudly, "What's that?" and his toss goes astray and is disqualified.
If the fellow going by the name of Maveg is irritated by the fur-clad man's news, he does not let it show. Looking down at the boy, he uses his free hand to try and prise the boys fingers off his filthy clothing. "Hey, watch it. Shirts ain't growin' on trees. Figure he'd give somethin' to the one who brought you back?" And he heaves a heavy sigh, seemingly more interested in the spear-throwing right now.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There is a burst of laughter from the foul play, followed by good-natured ribbing, followed by thrown punches, followed by more laughter, followed by some semblance of order as the next participant makes ready.
But from a corner, the wall of people parts to make way for a tall Dunlending who muscles his way towards the gate.
He walks tall and proud, in spite of his age. A gnarled right arm hangs uselessly on his side, the fingers discolored and twisted grotesquely to resemble a dying tree branch. Multiple jagged scars run amok through his face, as if to freeze his face into a permanent scowl. Atop his head is the telltale sign of a Kavanagh: A shock of brown frizz of hair that gives adds more to his already considerable height.
The monstrosity takes his time, walking over to the gate.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden is rather tenacious in his clinging, apparantly finding Maveg to be far less of a threat even after all that's happened than his own grandfather. "I don't know. Don't leave me with him! Papa's scared of him, and papa isn't scared of anyone." When the boy catches sight of the large, frightening man that's his grandfather he moves around to hide behind Maveg. "We should go before he gets over here!" The child urges, trying to pull Maveg towards the crowd around the spear-throwing.
[Olmys(#32384)] "Now there's a worthy target for a spear," the old grey beard mutters as he spots Kavanagh striding into the courtyard. The contest judges then herd the old man away from the throwing area so he does not pull the same trick again.
The contestant gives the old man a smirk as he prepares to make his throw. He runs, extends his arm, "Boots untied!" the graybeard roars loudly.
This toss does not go out of bounds, but it does fall short of the mark set forth by the older man.
The fellow calling himself Maveg turns to see who's coming, twisting in order to do so and not lose his shirt at the same time. His mouth falls open in a gape and his eyes stare dully. "Or mebbe not," he murmurs, then goes back to gaping, ignoring the boy's attempts to move him. "He's your kin," he mumbles down at the boy after a minute. "Better'n bein' a slave, eh?"
Alas, he misses the latest developments in the spear-throwing contest.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There is a deep wheeze with each pained breath he takes that can be heard even before Gabhran Kavanagh reaches Maveg and Aeden. But when he does, he deliberately stands uncomfortably close to the pair, and looks down with one cloudy eye, and one clear brown eye.
"I heard my grandson wasn't even man enough to make it two days on his own without crying home to mama." His gaze shifts from Maveg to Aeden. "Is this true?"
[Finnian(#23897)] "No! He made me come back, I didn't want to!" Aeden answers quickly, but keeps Maveg between himself and the towering, frightening man. "He took my fish!" The boy is selling Maveg out even as he's clinging to him from fear.
[Olmys(#32384)] This time the spear thrower who's foiled by the old man turns angrily. "Kiern damn you, Cameron!" he roars hotly. "I demand another throw," he says turning back to the judges and grabs another spear before they can protest.
This time Cameron allows him to throw, without interuption.
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 58 yards.
[Olmys(#32384)] "HA!" Cameron calls as the distance of the throw is called out. "You did better the first time!"
The fellow called Maveg cranes his neck as Gabhran stands over them, then quickly abandons the attempt and focuses instead on his chest. "Fought like a wildcat, he did," he claims, his usual slow drawl quickening a little as he puffs out his own scrawny chest. "Caught him out in the woods. Sneaked up on him quiet, like ..."
His tale of bravado is spoiled by a snigger from someone standing nearby. "Him? Couldn't hit a deer if it stood right in front of him."
[Saffron(#15443)]
The roar of the crowd drowns out the sinister wheeze but Gabhran's gaze remains undiminished in its heaviness in spite of the joviality of the surrounding people.
"You let someone sneak up on you? And let him steal your catch?"
The muscle in Gabhran's face twitches, and Brev's explanation that the boy did fight like a wildcat seems to make no difference to the father of Brodie.
"It appears Brodie taught you nothing. He was useless as a father as he was a Ceann. An embarrassment to the family, he was."
The elder Kavanagh leans in slightly towards Aeden. "I will raise you to be a Kavanagh if I have to break every bone in your body to do it." His words are cold, devoid of emotion.
Slowly, he next turns to Maveg. "I suppose you be wanting some reward for turning him in. What is it you want?"
[Finnian(#23897)] The boy looks up at Gabhran with eyes that are as wide as saucers, the color draining from his face at the threat laid upon him by his grandfather. The child draws in a shaking breath, horrified. Only now does Aeden release his deathgrip on Maveg's shirt and the child turns to bolt in the direction of the crowd, not caring who he jostles or shoves to escape from the terrifying, mishapen man.
[Olmys(#32384)] Cameron now moves back up to take his next throw, but as he grabs his own spear he smears some greasy substance onto the shafts of several of the others before stepping away. He then puts his own spear down and steps back. "I think I'll stand on my first throw," he says. "No one here seems to be able to beat it."
The next contestant comes forward with a shrug and grabs his own spear. However, when he cocks it back, the greased shaft slips from his hand and sails off in the direction of Kavanagh and the others.
"Heads up!" shouts Cameron. "Wild thrower on the lose!"
The fellow going by the name of Maveg squints toward the onlookers to identify the sniggerer. "Could, too." He aims a half-hearted swing in that direction, and ... misses, naturally. It is at that moment that Aeden makes his break for freedom. Maveg just stands there gaping. "Wha?" he murmurs, blinking. At Cameron's shout he just stands there stupidly, clearly his reaction times are not good. If the spear was aimed at him, he'll have an unpleasant surprise.
[Saffron(#15443)]
*SNAP!*
Gabhran's good arm shoots out straight from his body to catch the spear midair, seizing the shaft in a deathgrip that stops its deadly progress that would have taken it right through the ribcage of the fellow going by the name of Maveg. Two heartbeats later, the elder Kavanagh pivots, flips the spear, and sends it flying back towards the crowd.
"I think I have just repaid you for the return of my grandson."
The tall Dunlending nods to Maveg before walking slowly towards the crowd after Aeden.
[Olmys(#32384)] Those crowded around the throwing area of the contest quickly dive out of the way as Grabhan's spear goes whistling by. All except Cameron who watches the projectile's flight as it continues to soar, eventually passing over the mark he'd set earlier by a few yards, before it lands.
He gives a snort and shakes his head. "Lucky throw," he mutters. And then motions towards the crowd. "Let's go start the stone toss," he says.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden squeezes between two men that are passing coins, pushes past another that's tipping back the last of a mug of ale, and jumps aside as a large fellow nearly backs into him. The evasion has the child slamming right into Cameron and as he stumbles to his knees his gaze settles onto the spears. Aeden reaches out to grab one up, pushing up to his feet again while trying to hold up the ungainly weapon.
The fellow called Maveg stands stock-still, with a completely dumbfounded expression on his face. By the time he's recovered enough to speak, Gabhran is long gone. Maveg flicks a glance in that direction, then melts into the crowd.
[Olmys(#32384)] Cameron looks at the boy and then to the spear, before turning his gaze briefly towards Gabharn. "You better grow a bit before you try takin' on that one, boy," he says with a slight smirk. "Just look at him. If he had as many spears stickin' out of him, as he's had stuck in him he'd look like a damned porcupine."
He holds a hand out towards the boy. "Why don't you just hand me that spear before he comes over and takes it from ya, and uses it to give you a thrashin?"
[Saffron(#15443)]
Through the din of the crowd, is the ever present sound of the approaching wheeze.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden holds the spear tightly, spotting his grandfather approaching through a break in the crowd. There's a nervous glance back to Cameron as the advice seems terribly reasonable. That tell-tale wheezing sends shivers through the boy, and he hurries over to the cleared stretch of yard where the other men were throwing spears. He hefts the weapon up with both hands and tries to remember what Brodie taught him, then puts everything he has into hurling it.
Finnian will divide by.. ooooh.. 3..
[Large tent(#28999)] Finnian throws a spear to the distance of 65 yards.
[Saffron(#15443)]
Once again, the chorus of oooooh's is followed by the necks of the spectators all arcing in perfect unison as they watch little Aeden Kavanagh, the unfortunate son of a hated Ceann, throw the spear twice his size with all his might.
Surprisingly, the boy shows good form, but he is a little boy, afterall. The spear can't possibly travel as far as a spear thrown by a grown man.
Then..
A gust of what can only be described as divine wind blows from the north, and the spear sails as if it sprouted wings, carrying it a miraculous twenty two yards!
The crowd lets out a thunderous cheer, and they all converge around the little boy, gathering around him to pat him on the back, and to congratulate him on an excellent throw.
Wordlessly, Gabhran watches the spectacle a few yards away, standing besides Cameron. Tonight, the boy will not receive a beating. Not after a throw like that.
Courtyard -- Creatrach Keep
Creatrach Dun, the greatest fortress in Caerdh, flies the red banners of Clan Bear proudly from its high reinforced bulwarks. The tops of dark evergreen trees are just visible over the tall, manned walls of this keep which protect the inhabitants against the evils abroad in the forest below. Inside, the earthen ground of the courtyard is laid with gravel for drainage, and is well-trodden as the Bears move about their daily business. The keep proper takes up part of the west wall and the whole northern section of the courtyard. A short flight of steps leads up to the keep doors into the foyer. A small shelter, beside the wooden gates, serves as the guard post.
A row of small stone buildings line the southern wall where thick smoke rising almost continually from the chimneys of Mederon the Smith and his rival Smithy proclaim their trade. The shingle of a grinning bear holding a mug swings over the door into a squat structure. This is obviously the Grinning_Grizzly. Behind the tavern is an outhouse. Clan Bear appears to be building a small city within the confines of the keep's walls.
The appearance of the courtyard morphs throughout the day, dawn to dark to dawn again. During the day, the south side of the courtyard is transformed into a bustling market and the cry of merchants and peddlers hawking their wares echoes throughout the courtyard. A pair of Bear warriors guard the wooden gates that leads out while a second pair patrols the courtyard. Two more Bear guards bar the other main entrance in the courtyard, the Great Doors to the inner keep. Visitors and residents enter and exit the inner keep foyer through these doors. The low wood enclosure of the militia training ground may be seen at the far north-eastern corner.
Obvious exits:
Grinning Grizzly leads to Grinning Grizzly Alehouse.
Great Doors leads to Main Foyer -- Creatrach Keep.
Wooden Gate leads to Southern Misty Mountains - Dunland <
===============================================================================
Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Tue Dec 30 00:33:37 2008
IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: sparse - Rain: drizzle
IC Moon is: Waning crescent
IC time is: Evening
IC date is: October in the year 3045.
===============================================================================
[Olmys(#32384)] The Fianni have responded to the summons for a council and Creatrach is filled to capacity with the men each Fian has brought with them. Their leaders enclosed privately in the keep with their meetings, the men are engaged in the various games that have been set up to keep them occupied.
At the moment the spear throw seems to be the game of the moment and several men stand watching as a young bearded man steps to the line with spear in hand. He guages the wind for a moment and then takes a running start and lets the spear fly . . .
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 65 yards.
While attention is on the games newly started, a mismatched pair approach the Keep's gates. The man, that skinny scruffy fellow who's been helping fetch wood and water, clear out the stables and such like, has his left hand gripped firmly round the shoulder of the smaller figure, a boy with a shock of brown hair. As they approach the gates, he calls out in a slow drawl, "Evenin'. Found somethin' out in the woods," pushing his 'prize' forward a little as he does.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There are enough men milling about to greet the skinny scruffy fellow. One of them, clad in furs that stink of animal musk, walks up to the gate, turns his head and spits out a stream of brownish liquid. He glances down at the boy with disinterest but nods at the skinny fellow.
"What's his name? I'll go get his mama."
[Finnian(#23897)] The boy that's being brought in is none other than Aeden Kavanagh, the only son of Brodie. He's soaked from the rain with mud on his clothes, and clings to the man now that they're inside the gates, looking around with a fearful nervousness. Things look far less frightening now, though, and his tension eases as he takes in the warmer scene than the last time he was in the keep. When the stranger mentions fetching his mother, the child can't help but have a sudden expression of hope on his face. "Her name is Leah!" He offers quickly.
[Olmys(#32384)] The bearded man who just threw the spear gives a satisfied nod as the official length of his throw is announced.
"You call that a throw, boy?" asks an older grey bearded man as he steps forward to grab a spear for himself. "I can piss farther than that." He then spits into his hands and rubs them together. "Let me show you how it's done."
He steps away from the line and then runs forward and releases the spear with a loud grunt of effort.
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 72 yards.
The man grasping Aeden's shoulder looks totally disinterested in that question (and his charge's clinging), yawning as he glances into the courtyard. At the sight of the games in progress, his mouth falls open slightly and then he grins. "Looks like folks be havin' fun. There's bettin'?"
The boy's words recall him to his task, and he manages to more-or-less focus on the fur-clad fellow. "Might not be his mama you be wantin'. Figure one o' them high-ups will want to know."
[Saffron(#15443)]
A chorus of "Oooooohhhh" accompanies the wind up. As the spear is released with a grunt, multiple heads swing in unison as they follow the progress of the spear. This is all followed by a loud "HURRAH!" as the spear lands.
Another jet of brown liquid streams from his mouth and splashes down onto the ground.
"Brodie's boy, eh?" He scratches his chin first, then reaches out, in an attempt to ruffle the boy's hair. "I heard about you. Just got here myself today but you know how womenfolk like to talk. Leah, eh? Well I can do one better. Your grandpappy's here. Let me go get him." He turns, and weaves his way into the crowd.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden flinches back when the stranger reaches forward to ruffle his damp, soiled hair. He watches the man walk away, then looks up at Brev and complains in a quiet tone, "I want to see my mama. Can't you take me to my mama?" One of his small hands is clenched on his 'caretaker's' shirt. "I don't want to see my grandpa.. he's mean!"
[Olmys(#32384)] "See that boy!" the old grey beard roars triumphantly. "That's how you throw a spear!"
He steps off to the side and watches as the next contestant steps forward. This contestant does not brag, or even speak as he takes the spear and prepares to throw. He runs forward and at the exact moment before his release, the old grey beard calls out loudly, "What's that?" and his toss goes astray and is disqualified.
If the fellow going by the name of Maveg is irritated by the fur-clad man's news, he does not let it show. Looking down at the boy, he uses his free hand to try and prise the boys fingers off his filthy clothing. "Hey, watch it. Shirts ain't growin' on trees. Figure he'd give somethin' to the one who brought you back?" And he heaves a heavy sigh, seemingly more interested in the spear-throwing right now.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There is a burst of laughter from the foul play, followed by good-natured ribbing, followed by thrown punches, followed by more laughter, followed by some semblance of order as the next participant makes ready.
But from a corner, the wall of people parts to make way for a tall Dunlending who muscles his way towards the gate.
He walks tall and proud, in spite of his age. A gnarled right arm hangs uselessly on his side, the fingers discolored and twisted grotesquely to resemble a dying tree branch. Multiple jagged scars run amok through his face, as if to freeze his face into a permanent scowl. Atop his head is the telltale sign of a Kavanagh: A shock of brown frizz of hair that gives adds more to his already considerable height.
The monstrosity takes his time, walking over to the gate.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden is rather tenacious in his clinging, apparantly finding Maveg to be far less of a threat even after all that's happened than his own grandfather. "I don't know. Don't leave me with him! Papa's scared of him, and papa isn't scared of anyone." When the boy catches sight of the large, frightening man that's his grandfather he moves around to hide behind Maveg. "We should go before he gets over here!" The child urges, trying to pull Maveg towards the crowd around the spear-throwing.
[Olmys(#32384)] "Now there's a worthy target for a spear," the old grey beard mutters as he spots Kavanagh striding into the courtyard. The contest judges then herd the old man away from the throwing area so he does not pull the same trick again.
The contestant gives the old man a smirk as he prepares to make his throw. He runs, extends his arm, "Boots untied!" the graybeard roars loudly.
This toss does not go out of bounds, but it does fall short of the mark set forth by the older man.
The fellow calling himself Maveg turns to see who's coming, twisting in order to do so and not lose his shirt at the same time. His mouth falls open in a gape and his eyes stare dully. "Or mebbe not," he murmurs, then goes back to gaping, ignoring the boy's attempts to move him. "He's your kin," he mumbles down at the boy after a minute. "Better'n bein' a slave, eh?"
Alas, he misses the latest developments in the spear-throwing contest.
[Saffron(#15443)]
There is a deep wheeze with each pained breath he takes that can be heard even before Gabhran Kavanagh reaches Maveg and Aeden. But when he does, he deliberately stands uncomfortably close to the pair, and looks down with one cloudy eye, and one clear brown eye.
"I heard my grandson wasn't even man enough to make it two days on his own without crying home to mama." His gaze shifts from Maveg to Aeden. "Is this true?"
[Finnian(#23897)] "No! He made me come back, I didn't want to!" Aeden answers quickly, but keeps Maveg between himself and the towering, frightening man. "He took my fish!" The boy is selling Maveg out even as he's clinging to him from fear.
[Olmys(#32384)] This time the spear thrower who's foiled by the old man turns angrily. "Kiern damn you, Cameron!" he roars hotly. "I demand another throw," he says turning back to the judges and grabs another spear before they can protest.
This time Cameron allows him to throw, without interuption.
[Large tent(#28999)] Olmys throws a spear to the distance of 58 yards.
[Olmys(#32384)] "HA!" Cameron calls as the distance of the throw is called out. "You did better the first time!"
The fellow called Maveg cranes his neck as Gabhran stands over them, then quickly abandons the attempt and focuses instead on his chest. "Fought like a wildcat, he did," he claims, his usual slow drawl quickening a little as he puffs out his own scrawny chest. "Caught him out in the woods. Sneaked up on him quiet, like ..."
His tale of bravado is spoiled by a snigger from someone standing nearby. "Him? Couldn't hit a deer if it stood right in front of him."
[Saffron(#15443)]
The roar of the crowd drowns out the sinister wheeze but Gabhran's gaze remains undiminished in its heaviness in spite of the joviality of the surrounding people.
"You let someone sneak up on you? And let him steal your catch?"
The muscle in Gabhran's face twitches, and Brev's explanation that the boy did fight like a wildcat seems to make no difference to the father of Brodie.
"It appears Brodie taught you nothing. He was useless as a father as he was a Ceann. An embarrassment to the family, he was."
The elder Kavanagh leans in slightly towards Aeden. "I will raise you to be a Kavanagh if I have to break every bone in your body to do it." His words are cold, devoid of emotion.
Slowly, he next turns to Maveg. "I suppose you be wanting some reward for turning him in. What is it you want?"
[Finnian(#23897)] The boy looks up at Gabhran with eyes that are as wide as saucers, the color draining from his face at the threat laid upon him by his grandfather. The child draws in a shaking breath, horrified. Only now does Aeden release his deathgrip on Maveg's shirt and the child turns to bolt in the direction of the crowd, not caring who he jostles or shoves to escape from the terrifying, mishapen man.
[Olmys(#32384)] Cameron now moves back up to take his next throw, but as he grabs his own spear he smears some greasy substance onto the shafts of several of the others before stepping away. He then puts his own spear down and steps back. "I think I'll stand on my first throw," he says. "No one here seems to be able to beat it."
The next contestant comes forward with a shrug and grabs his own spear. However, when he cocks it back, the greased shaft slips from his hand and sails off in the direction of Kavanagh and the others.
"Heads up!" shouts Cameron. "Wild thrower on the lose!"
The fellow going by the name of Maveg squints toward the onlookers to identify the sniggerer. "Could, too." He aims a half-hearted swing in that direction, and ... misses, naturally. It is at that moment that Aeden makes his break for freedom. Maveg just stands there gaping. "Wha?" he murmurs, blinking. At Cameron's shout he just stands there stupidly, clearly his reaction times are not good. If the spear was aimed at him, he'll have an unpleasant surprise.
[Saffron(#15443)]
*SNAP!*
Gabhran's good arm shoots out straight from his body to catch the spear midair, seizing the shaft in a deathgrip that stops its deadly progress that would have taken it right through the ribcage of the fellow going by the name of Maveg. Two heartbeats later, the elder Kavanagh pivots, flips the spear, and sends it flying back towards the crowd.
"I think I have just repaid you for the return of my grandson."
The tall Dunlending nods to Maveg before walking slowly towards the crowd after Aeden.
[Olmys(#32384)] Those crowded around the throwing area of the contest quickly dive out of the way as Grabhan's spear goes whistling by. All except Cameron who watches the projectile's flight as it continues to soar, eventually passing over the mark he'd set earlier by a few yards, before it lands.
He gives a snort and shakes his head. "Lucky throw," he mutters. And then motions towards the crowd. "Let's go start the stone toss," he says.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden squeezes between two men that are passing coins, pushes past another that's tipping back the last of a mug of ale, and jumps aside as a large fellow nearly backs into him. The evasion has the child slamming right into Cameron and as he stumbles to his knees his gaze settles onto the spears. Aeden reaches out to grab one up, pushing up to his feet again while trying to hold up the ungainly weapon.
The fellow called Maveg stands stock-still, with a completely dumbfounded expression on his face. By the time he's recovered enough to speak, Gabhran is long gone. Maveg flicks a glance in that direction, then melts into the crowd.
[Olmys(#32384)] Cameron looks at the boy and then to the spear, before turning his gaze briefly towards Gabharn. "You better grow a bit before you try takin' on that one, boy," he says with a slight smirk. "Just look at him. If he had as many spears stickin' out of him, as he's had stuck in him he'd look like a damned porcupine."
He holds a hand out towards the boy. "Why don't you just hand me that spear before he comes over and takes it from ya, and uses it to give you a thrashin?"
[Saffron(#15443)]
Through the din of the crowd, is the ever present sound of the approaching wheeze.
[Finnian(#23897)] Aeden holds the spear tightly, spotting his grandfather approaching through a break in the crowd. There's a nervous glance back to Cameron as the advice seems terribly reasonable. That tell-tale wheezing sends shivers through the boy, and he hurries over to the cleared stretch of yard where the other men were throwing spears. He hefts the weapon up with both hands and tries to remember what Brodie taught him, then puts everything he has into hurling it.
[Large tent(#28999)] Finnian throws a spear to the distance of 65 yards.
[Saffron(#15443)]
Once again, the chorus of oooooh's is followed by the necks of the spectators all arcing in perfect unison as they watch little Aeden Kavanagh, the unfortunate son of a hated Ceann, throw the spear twice his size with all his might.
Surprisingly, the boy shows good form, but he is a little boy, afterall. The spear can't possibly travel as far as a spear thrown by a grown man.
Then..
A gust of what can only be described as divine wind blows from the north, and the spear sails as if it sprouted wings, carrying it a miraculous twenty two yards!
The crowd lets out a thunderous cheer, and they all converge around the little boy, gathering around him to pat him on the back, and to congratulate him on an excellent throw.
Wordlessly, Gabhran watches the spectacle a few yards away, standing besides Cameron. Tonight, the boy will not receive a beating. Not after a throw like that.
Players: Cameron, Rac, Brev, Finnian, Aeden, Saffron, Garbhan
Located in: Dunlending
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- What a throw!