Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 

He tried not to look too disappointed at the lack of a reward, reminding himself that he hadn't gone into it for anything like that. If anything the reaction from the one who'd run away pissing himself had been reward enough. "No thanks needed, miss. Just glad I could get them off ya." His country accent marked him as an alien in the sprawling city as he spoke. "I'm sure there's someone in this godforsaken town who would've come along."
Karin
Avril Maddox
Stormalong

The young drow let out a derisive snort at that statement and shook her head, replying, "Not likely. At least, not in this part of town. Most people have assumed that-" She stopped herself, unable to bring herself to continue saying it. It was rather ghastly to even consider. 

She paused for a moment to collect herself before looking up at him once more, her eyes searching his face. He was obviously different from most, both in the way he spoke and the way he acted. She found that she rather liked it. It was refreshing and gave her hope for this god-forsaken place. "I wouldn't be here at all if it hadn't been for the whole war and all. I don't... Well, I don't know why I thought that, when I returned here again, I'd get an audience and take my position in the court back up. I should have known, with my patron leaving, that I'd be stuck like this. I just... Never thought it would be this bad." She didn't know why she told him all this. It was rather stupid to confide such a thing in a stranger, yet she found herself blurting it out anyway.
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 

He raised an eyebrow at the story she was telling, following almost none of it except for the fact that she'd been displaced by the war somehow. "Sounds right unfortunate." He said with a nod, digging in his pouch and fishing out a small tin. As he spoke he fidgeted with it and thumped one side. "Reckon they wouldn't at least take you on as a maid or something? That decent work if you aren't good for much else."

He had no earthly clue what exactly her position had been before, but he assumed it had been some sort of cleaning job given the way she'd been let go. He assumed they'd let an elf do a job like that so long as there weren't any children in the house, even folks back home could tell you that the pointy eared creatures had a bad habit of stealing youth for who knows what. Opening the tin he pulled a clump of ground leaves out and put them in his mouth to help settle his somewhat rattled nerves.
Karin
Avril Maddox
Storamlong

She watched him fish the tin from his pouch with curiosity, though the moment she saw the little ground leaves out and popped them in his mouth, she knew exactly what they were. As a healer and herbalist, she knew many plants and roots, both for their medicinal properties and for their other attributes. 

She focused more on what he said, however, and glanced down again. The poor elf was a rather timid creature, and so easily embarrassed! It was a wonder that she had been able to help Randall in his campaign. To think that she had devised some of his tactics, when they had brought so much torment...

"No, sir," She replied. "I mean... I suppose I could get work like that, but I'm an herbalist and a healer, sir. When Randall Storm campaigned, I joined him and was here when he became king. After he abandoned South Feyshore, I ended up leaving court for a time, and when I returned, I had been forgotten. Lost in the power shift, I suppose, and I haven't been able to get an audience with anyone since then. It's just... A bit harder, now that I'm on my own. Few people trust... Someone like me, and business in't exactly booming."

She glanced at his little tin again before saying, "I can repay you though, in a way. I can give you some more of that." The last bit was said with a gesture towards the little tin he was still holding.
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 

"Well shit why didn't you say so?" He asked, chewing the leaves a bit as the offer took him by surprise. "And here I was thinking I'd have to send off for some back home. Lord knows it's hard enough to find around these parts. And the damned thieves want to charge an arm and a leg for the stuff." As if to accentuate his disgust for the town he turned and spat off to the side. 

"Nasty little bit of business that was. Had a few friends rush off to join up. None of that for me. I'll stick to chasing thinks what can't shoot an arrow back at me I said and by god that's what I did." He made a point of not mentioning which side his friends had joined, partially out of indifference to the whole ordeal and partially because of the fact that the names she'd mentioned had been heard before in less than pleasant conversations.
Karin
Avril Maddox
Stormalong

Avril perked up a bit when he seemed pleased with her offer. At least this way she could repay the man for saving her life. It wasn't much, no, but it was at least something!

She grimaced slightly when he said about his friends rushing off to join up. Even worse was not knowing which side they had joined. Had she tended their wounds and aided in their deaths? It was hard to tell, and she didn't want to know. Instead, she just nodded and said softly, "It was." The truth was, she was still haunted by the things that she had done; the cries of the dead and dying were never far from her mind. At night, she frequently woke in a cold sweat, still shaking from the sounds of battle. 

She pushed those thoughts aside and instead offered him Karl's knife as she asked, "Do you want this? I don't really want it..."
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 
 
He eyed the knife the man had dropped in her hand, an eyebrow raised at what could hardly serve as a pig sticker and more than likely had simply been for cutting rope and other menial tasks. "I feel like you'd be better off with it. At least if you plan on any more strolls through these streets." He added before shrugging and spitting off to the side again. Whatever nervous tick the knife ear had seemed to be going in full force as she grimaced. "How about we make a trade. You keep the knife that I won off the drunks, I get some of that leaf you've promised. Sound like a plan?"
Karin
Avril Maddox

She hesitated a bit to keep the knife. She hadn't really held a weapon of any sort since the war for Stormalong, and she didn't much want to. Still, this weapon looked innocent enough, for all it was. It certainly didn't look like it was meant to be used in a knife fight, but it would be useful in daily tasks and, if it came to it, she could defend herself. 

At his suggestion, she nodded and replied, "It sounds like a deal. I don't have any on me, so I can run and get some from home or you can come with me." A part of her hoped that he would agree to come with her. At least then she would get an escort home and would be guaranteed not to be harrassed!
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 
 
Craig nodded as she agreed to the deal, scuffing the grime beneath his boots as he waited for her to lead on. "Might as well follow you there. Nothing else to do aside from picking more fights at this hour anyway." He figured the knife eared creature was harmless enough to be trusted, but somewhere deep down there was a little boy still listening to stories in front of a fire telling the tales of wicking beings who would just as soon put a hex on you as shake your hand. Still this one seemed to be happy enough with him, and he was nearly out of his chew...
Karin
Avril Maddox
Stormalong

The drow gave him a warm smile at that, one that lit up her dark eyes and certainly made her appear more human. Really, apart from her ears, it was virtually impossible to tell that she wasn't a human.

With that, she turned and started scurrying along down the street. She turned this way and that, making her way down some fairly rather dingy streets that were little more than alleyways. She just hoped that Craig didn't think that she was leading him into a trap. She wasn't, but she could see how it could look bad. She just didn't live in the best part of the city... Admittedly though, even if she did try to attack him, he could turn her into a pulp. He absolutely towered over her. 

Finally, they arrived at the crude hut that she called a home, and she opened the door as she said, "You're welcome to come in. It isn't much, but it's something. Better than being on the street." Without waiting for a reply, she ducked inside, deciding that it was up to him whether he stayed out or came in. 

She rummaged through a few cupboards, going through some jars and pots before she found just the right one. She opened it up and peered inside, just to make sure, then went to go give the container to Craig.
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 
 
As they went down an ever confusing maze of streets Craig began to wonder how anyone could ever find their way through the warren of too close walls and alleys. Just when he was sure the elf was lost, or worse, they reached a hut which she presumably called home. At her comment he bit back the urge to agree with her lest she decide to slip some sort of poison into the mix. "I'd hate to intru..." He began to say before she disappeared inside. He felt that he should stay outside, however his curiosity at seeing whatever an elf called home got the better of him and he decided to risk a few steps past the threshold to give himself a story to share once he did manage to make it back home. Despite his fears he found it quite normal. No witchlights floating around, no monstrous creatures, and supposedly no traps. What a boring story after all.
Karin
Avril Maddox
Stormalong

"I think you'll enjoy it," Avril said when she turned and saw Craig standing just inside the door. "It's the best I could get. Expensive, of course, but it's useful and, well, enjoyable, really. I don't use it often though, and you'll probably get more use out of it than me."

She smiled and handed him the jar. "Thank you again for saving me. I... Well, I'm lucky that you came along when you did, for a number of reasons. And I'm lucky it was you and not someone else. I wish that I could offer you more."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

 The portcullis leading into Stormalong Keep's courtyard openned halfway, allowing for the party of six riders to pass through. Among this party, two land surveyers, three guards and Eric. He had been gone the past few days to survey the surrounding lands for spring construction and for when the farms began to replant. The trip was much needed, as it got Eric out of the city and into some fresh air, it allowed him to see the state of his villages and people. 

They were better off than they were a year ago, and better than before that. Things were getting better, but still weren't great. He was met in the courtyard by a small army of stableboys who were there to take the party's horses. Eric dismounted and his horse was taken away. The guards knew where to go and the surveyer lingered a moment, waiting to see if Eric had any parting words. Eric just gave a brief nod and the man scurried off through the portcullis and into the city. A few moments later, the call came out to close it. 

Eric entered his castle, his home, and found it as lively as ever. In the few months he had become the Lord of Stormalong, Eric had increased the staffing of Stormalong. He had taken on some promising boys from the city and countryside to begin trainning as his own household knights under Captain Aldvis, whom refused a knighthood from Eric. Right now, Eric had thirteen boys leaving in a recently renvated supply room and turnned into their barracks. 

Eric went for his room, yearning for a comfortable bed to relax in. After surviving the storm of "Good evening, welcome back Mi'lord" From his staff and guards, Eric entered his room. He closed the door, and as usual of a heavy oak door on iron hinges, it closed loudly. When Eric focussed on the bed, he blinked and his heart jumped. His wife was asleep in his bed. He stood at the door, surprised for a moment.
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle**

A letter had arrived last night that the Queen and Prince were on their way back. The mission -as she'd suspected- had failed, but no other details were enclosed in the letter. She'd taken it as a release of her official duties, considering it was dated two days prior to that and Zane had just arrived back in Zahrada from whatever network nonsense had been keeping him actively out of the castle. Probably for the better, Angelica had only grown more and more irritated towards the man as the pregnancy dragged on, and even their brief encounter as she headed home was terse to say the least.

She'd arrived in Stormalong only to be told her husband was out on a survey, and she was greeted with many warm wishes and a bath to try and soothe her aching back from the carriage ride. She was noticeably pregnant, her petite frame now sporting a bump that was sure to make Eric faint upon seeing it. 

She intended to get dressed, then go wait for him in the parlor, but instead she hit their bed and was fast asleep until the door opened a few hours later. 

Angelica sat up with a bit of a start, her band moving to her belly in the aheer gown she'd put on, and she looked to the door with surprise.

"Eric." She smiled, her voice tired. "Have I slept long?"
Kathy
Craig Gulcher
Stormalong 
 
It took everything he had not to jump out of his skin as she returned, his eyebrows rising as she explained the jar she handed him. "Useful for sure. Never figured you for one who'd chew on it though." He added, opening the jar to smell the leaves and noting the pungent aroma. "You got the means of finding more of the stuff?" He asked as he tucked it away.
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

The baby bump made him smile. He walked toward her and sat next to her on the bed and put a arm around her and pulled her into a loose hug, not want to put pressure on her stomach. 

"I didn't know you were here, I'm not sure." He said, "I've missed you." 

"Did you get a good welcome? Everyone treated you well? How was the capital?" Eric asked, ready to rain hell on anyone who might mistreat his wife.
Alex
** Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle**

"Everyone was lovely." She assured him, and pressed a kiss to his cheek as he gave her a half hug. "How was your survey, I trust the winters didn't freeze the land beyond repair?"
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

"It was good to get out. The surveyor though..." He sighed, "The man is good at his job. But he's one of those 'ladder climber' types. Trying to impress me in hopes I'll give him a permanent position or something. Everyone seems to want some small plot of land and titles whenever they talk to me now." Eric said, annoyed.

"But the land is good. Really good, a few years without sustained organized farming has left it very fertile. Construction is as bad as everyone knew, we just have it varified on parchment. As soon as spring really sets in, we're going to start fully construction of some of the villages. I'm also considering..." He paused,

"Stormalong has a lot of people. Some without jobs. Our farming villages are depleted, why not send them to those villages? They get out of this city, the people will get work. They will need to be trained, but I've been a farmhand before, it isn't hard to learn. They need hands to return our crops to what they were before the collapse."
Alex
Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle

"It's not a bad idea." She mused, propping an arm behind her into the pillows so she could lean back a bit, her fingers running lazily over the curve of her figure. 

"Would certainly help produce a better yield than last year."
June
"Definitely." He said, placing a hand on her stomach.

"How're you feeling? IS everything good?" He asked her with a smile. He was excited.
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle**

Angelica gave a small chuckle at his hand, and raised a shoulder in a half shrug. "I'm alright. I'm exhausted all the time, but I'm managing. From what I've been told everything is going just fine. In a few months you should have a perfectly healthy heir to your name." She stifled another yawn.

"But what you really should be concerned about is Anyanka calling you back to Astoria. From what I gleaned, it didn't go well in the North -like I tried to tell her." She rolled her eyes. "But with another pass into their territory and Araedia still at odds, I wouldn't be surprised to see activity before your child is even born."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

Eric tensed and leanned into her. "Then I suppose what will happen will happen. I've had an order on my desk for all of the males between sixteen and forty-four to begin drilling every other weekend. But I've been putting it off." He sighed, "I'll sign it in the mornning. I'm glad I get to see you again, I hope I'm here whn it is born. Got any guesses on boy or girl?"
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle**

"It's certainly not anything I want to see. I'm going to return to the capitol in a few days once they've had some time to settle to see if we can get a handle on the situation. I didn't see anything threatening in my time of power, but who knows, with Anya back on the throne, threats tend to pop up out of no where." She mused. She was still a bit temperamental from the ride, and having fallen asleep and been woken up wasn't helping, even if it wasn't intentional. 

That, and she was suddenly starving. "But it might be a good idea to prepare for the worst anyway. I'd rather have trained men unused then untrained men being sent off to die." She decided finally, and at his question she laughed. 

"My first thought was definitely boy, but I'm beginning to think it's a girl."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

"Is it bad I hope it's a girl? Girls don't have to fight wars." He said, thoughtfully. Then stood up and looked down at her, "Have you eaten? I only had some bread earlier. I can have dinner brought up."
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Castle**

She gave a small smile. "It's like you had the same thought I did. If we have a daughter, she's just a bit safer at home with us. Not that I wouldn't love a son just as much, I'd just worry more." She amended, and when he mentioned dinner she nodded. 

"I feel famished, I'd _kill_ for dinner."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

"I'll have it brough up. I'll be right back." He said, walking out of the room and flagging down a servant. The order went to the kitchen and the dinner was being prepared. He stepped back into the room.

"I hired more staff, by the way. The place needed extra help. I'd like the chance to meet Mikhail, in a manner that wasn't secret or thime sensitive. I feel like, personally, he's due for some martial trainning." Eric commented, sitting next to Angelica again.

"If he's going to be king at somepoint, he needs to know how to swing a sword and what commands to give."
Alex
Angelia Stafford
Stormalong Keep

Angelica pressed her lips together, leaning into him heavily as he returned to sit beside her. "If Mikhail is to be King, there's a lot he needs to learn before then. Mainly, how to disappear." She commented, and her shoulders dropped a bit. "I don't see a way for that boy to take the throne without being killed in an instant. The nation will rally behind him, he'll have the Isles on his side, but it won't be enough to keep him from the grave."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

Eric was quiet, "I can only do so much. Knowing how to stab someone who is trying to stab him is a good start to keeping himself alive. I can't help with the cloak and dagger stuff, I don't know anything about it. Why does everyone in the world want to kill the poor kid? Seemed nice enough to me."
Alex
Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Keep. 

"Mainly because of who his parents are, and who they aren't." She said simply. "And all the poor decisions Anyanka made in raising him. She made him smart, but not strong. He wasn't meant to be a King, in the same way she wasn't meant to be a Queen. They were meant for minor nobility, she never expected him to have to be in this position, and it's only gotten more and more difficult as she finds herself thrust into higher positions of power."
June
Lord Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

"I'm sorry for that. If there had been anyone better..." Eric sort of trailed off at the thought of how different the world would be. "The world of nobility is so weird. Have you noticed? None of it makes a whole lot of sense. Nothing these old families do makes _any fucking sense_." He said, rubbing his forehead.
Alex
Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Keep 

Angelica raised a brow, confused as to why he would apologize before it came to her. She'd forgotten Eric had been Lord Protector of South Feyshore, and had been the one who petitioned to put Anyanka in power to begin with. Her hand found his, and she squeezed it gently. "Don't be sorry. If she hadn't taken power, I'd never been asked to take my position, and you'd never been offered yours, and we wouldn't be here." She reminded him. 

"The best thing Anyanka could do for Astoria at this point is marry. She marries, has another heir, let's Mikhail return to the Isles with Maith, and lets Marin forget about the boy. It keeps him alive, puts her in a position to raise a child with the intention of him being King, and gives her the support she needs to stop ruling like a woman scorned." She paused, her hand roaming down her belly. 

"Of course I can't say these things in anyone else's company." She murmured.