A return from the Gap

Old South Road (Methedras) - Dunland <>

You are close to the mountain peak named Methedras and you can make out greater detail in the crags and spikes of the rocks that cover the sides of it. Through this area, you can barely see your way because the road is faint and overgrown with grass. The only evidence that the road was ever here is that the grass is thinner and of a different variety from the surrounding plains. The trees are sparse off in the distance, but help to break the monotony of the horizon.

To the north stands clear sign of habitation, however. The black stonework of Crebain Keep is clearly visible, the faint line of the Road leading directly towards its heavy gates, which at most times stand forbiddingly shut. You glimpse movement atop its high tower as sentries pace to and fro, watching the lands beyond.

OOC note: You can look and shoot at the keep TOWER.

Contents:

Hawk Camp

Obvious exits:

Northwest leads to Small Village - Dunland <>.

Southern Gate leads to Courtyard <>.

SouthEast leads to Old South Road - Near Methedras.

===============================================================================

Dunland Time and Weather Forecast

===============================================================================

Real Time is:       Thu Mar 26 11:34:07 2009

IC weather is:      Wind: fresh - Clouds: clear

IC Moon is:         Last quarter

IC time is:         Mid Afternoon

IC date is:         Monday, Day 9 of July in the year 3046.

===============================================================================

[Saffron(#15443)]

It is well past dawn, but the crispness of the morning air has not waned. The clouds overhead cast a shadow on the lands that seems to reflect the general atmosphere of the small Hawk camp.

Among them, Saffron and Shaneon are sitting and discussing quietly while they finish their simple breakfast.

The scudding of the clouds above is mirrored by the shivering of the grasses below, their green heads bowed by the westerly wind. But wait: there in that endless sea of green moves a ripple that is not with the wind. On it comes and then, within sight of the Hawk lookouts, it resolves itself into a single figure. A man battered and filthy, his leather armour ripped at one side and his helm askew there are burrs in his tangled hair and several weeks growth of beard on his chin. Grim-faced and slow-moving he is still recognizable, still, as Brev. Alone.

[Saffron(#15443)]

The first birdcall from the lookout alerted the camp. The second birdcall had them scrambling quietly to make ready. The third bird call was answered by the soft sound of bowstrings being pulled back. Then...

\"Wait! It is Brev! He is alive.. and he is not being pursued. Hold your arrows!\"

Instantly, the tension -- along with the bowstrings -- eases, and heads appear from behind rocks, trees and mounds to greet the young man.

\"Brev!\" They greet him, and though they are genuinely happy to see him, within their eyes, there is that glimmer of hope that the others are still alive.

\"Get him some food and water,\" Saffron steps forward. \"Brev. It is good to see you.\"

Perhaps it is that look of hope in the men\'s eyes, perhaps it is the friendly greeting from Saffron, whom he had antagonized previously - Brev lets out some small, inarticulate sound, and turns his head away. When he looks back, his jaw is set.

\"Dead.\" The single word is flat. \"Adhan, Malle, Jatvig.\" The three names drop into the pool of silence like stones, and he will not meet any of the men\'s eyes. \"I was not able to avenge them.\"

Report given, he lifts his head to gaze at Saffron, who is nearest, in mute appeal. \"Carac? Is he-\" He stops, perhaps fearing even to name that which he asks.

[Saffron(#15443)]

Death is not a stranger to these hardy men. They nod at Brev\'s words, and instead of an outpouring of emotion, they offer the young man firm pats on the shoulder. \"We will celebrate your return, and drink to our fallen\'s honor and memories tonight.\"

Saffron watches as one of the men offer Brev a skin full of fresh water, and pauses for him to drink.

\"Carac has not returned yet. He has been searching for you.\"

Brev winces at the pats on the shoulder, his breath hissing out, but he stands still under it, his face as clouded as the morning sky overhead. He even manages to twist his lips into a half-grin at the promise. \"Aye.\"

He takes the water-skin carefully, but at Saffron\'s words the skin shakes and a few drops of precious water spill on the parched earth. \"Kiern!\" he exclaims, staring at her. \"Then I should-\" He turns quickly - then the motion halts with another hiss of breath.

[Saffron(#15443)]

\"Should get some food and rest before he gets back lest he mistakes you for a ghost.\" Saffron finishes Brev\'s sentence, then tilts her head when he winces in pain.

\"You probably need some stitching up to do too. Verge was here, worried about you, so I\'m sure she will be happy to see you and stitch you up. I don\'t know exactly what has been going on the past few days. Shaneon and I went to bury the dead and just got back ourselves.\"

Those first words elicit a loud growl of protest. \"I\'m fine!\" Hmm. Then, as Saffron continues, a peculiar expression flits over the young man\'s features. Hope? The muscle starts jumping in his cheek, and absently he rubs a hand over his face. When he lowers it again, it is in time to show the tail end of a yawn.

Lower-voiced, without the bravado he had shown to the men, Brev admits to Saffron, \"Might have cracked a few ribs. Could do with something for the pain. Nothing bad enough to be worth stitching, thank Kiern, else I\'d be as dead as those poor buggers.\" A little louder, he pleads, \"Tell me you\'ve laid that curse to rest?\" And then, hard on the heels of the plea, \"But ... later. Right now rest and food sound good.\" He hesitates, then as he moves toward the hearth, offers the woman something withheld previously - a rare smile.