A Problem at Crydee....
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Jester on 29-04-2009, 18:11:57</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 18:11:57</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Fannon stood at the top tower away from prying eyes and mouths that could talk. <br><br>Since Duke Martin had left with little word Fannon had come out of retirement to ensure the Castle continued to run smoothly. He looked out over the countryside and he suddenly felt a great weariness overcome and let out a long sigh. The last few days had been tiring and long. He had managed to hide the strange deaths from most of the rumour mongers but it would be all over the Castle in a day or so. In his hand he had penned four notes that he knew must reach Kulgan of Stardock. He would know who to inform and be able to do it without causing too much alarm. <br><br>The pigeons had returned with their notes each time as if something was preventing them from going from Crydee. <br><br>Letting out another huge sigh Fannon had not realized that the four lads had climbed the steps quietly and were lined up. Peredur and Lukas stood before him along with Squire Nelson and Morgan from the temple.&nbsp; &nbsp;All of them looked nervous and surprised to be awoken so early. <br><br>“Ah Boys. Thankyou for coming. I know it is late and you are probably not sure why. I cannot tell you much apart from I want you all to make your way to Stardock. Peredur you will go with Squire Lukas.&nbsp; and Morgan you will go with Squire Nelson. Peredur I want you to go overland through the Green Heart and past the Gray towers and I want you Morgan to go by boat past the Straits of Darkness. Both routes will be dangerous at this time of year but I am confident you will both be able to make it. I will say no more apart from you must get ready to leave now.” <br><br>He passed them all their sealed messages and told them to keep them safe. He did not add that should their partner not make the journey they should take their message on alone. <br><br>Outside a lone Huntsman waited for the two young adventurers. He waited with their horses just outside of town while they sneaked out….<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 19:18:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Peredur shivered in the dim light.&nbsp; More than the cold ran icy fingers up his spine - the secrecy of this meeting, the mystery of the documents - even the fact that two pairs had been selected was ominous.&nbsp; Still, he could count the blessings that he had been given someone he considered to be a friend as a travel companion, and the fact that he'd been given the overland route.<br><br>He could almost guarantee that going by boat, even under the best of conditions, would have seen him green and miserable for the duration, whereas riding and even just caring for horses was something he had been practically born to.<br><br>After taking the message from Lord Fannon and tucking it into a pouch at his belt, they were sent on their way.&nbsp; Perry matched pace with Lukas - they'd be going to the same gate and with the same mission, so it only made sense.<br><br>"I've never been to the mountains," he confided, mostly to break the silence.&nbsp; "Before I came here, Father kept to the open country, and since then - well, Rafenel has kept me pretty busy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kip</strong> on <strong>01-05-2009, 10:41:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lukas nodded in response to the elderly Swordmaster's orders, he watched where his assigned partner, Peredur, placed the written message.&nbsp; With a nod, he moved out towards where they had been told horses would be left.&nbsp; Noticing that Peredur kept pace with him, he watched the young man out of the corner of his eye trying to gauge the sort of person he had been paired with.<br><br>Nodding as he listened, he kept an eye out around them both and tried to stay to the shadows.&nbsp; In a very quiet voice, he said "Well, there are basically no mountains where I'm from.&nbsp; Romney is pretty much surrounded by plains and rivers as far as the eye can see and then some."<br><br>As he was walking, he started thinking about the orders.&nbsp; It was apparent that something of great importance was happening if messages were being sent surreptitiously through multiple routes to the magician's island of Stardock.&nbsp; He knew nothing more, but he knew that somehow he'd got involved in something bigger than the court politics he was usually exposed to.<br><br>As they approached the gate, strangely unattended, he moved through very slowly and warily.<br><br>"There should be someone with horses very close to here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>01-05-2009, 16:38:11</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Huntsman Nathan was not far from the trees. Nathan had his hood pulled down to cover him from the rein and he held the reins of three horses. <br><br>He raised his hand in greeting as he saw the young magician and squire. He passed the reins to the two young lads and pulled back his hood. Nathan was one of the older hunters of Crydee but he still had the speed and stamina of the newer ones. He flashed the two a grin to relax them. <br><br>He climbed the horse and nudged it towards the trees and a small path and indicated the boys should follow. <br><br>"I need to set you on your journeyand we have a long way to go." He said loping ahead. "I want to get you to the extent of Crydee lands by tonight and we will setup camp. Then in the morning you will head east towards the Green Heart."&nbsp; <br><br>"As Fallon has probably explained we want to give you at least two days before anyone at the Castle misses you. We need you to get two Stardock as soon as possible." <br><br>"The other two will be going out in a fan fair so any attempt at pursuit will be with them which should give you a good head start. Poor lads." He turned to see them both staring at him and he knew he had said too much. "Don't worry they will be safe. We have people watching them. Shit. They haven't told you anything have they? It might be a good idea for you to think up some different names and a story for travelling." <br><br>He shook his head and faced forward as if struck dumb. the old huntsman was obviously thinking hard and would not say any more but instead sped up through the trees and easily avoiding the low lying branches. <br><br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>01-05-2009, 18:30:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Peredur blinked.&nbsp; He had already settled himself for a long ride when Nathan's news dropped like a landslide.&nbsp; Different names?&nbsp; Story for traveling?&nbsp; He glanced over at Lukas, then back at the Huntsman's back as they sped up to a ground-eating pace.&nbsp; The message in his belt-pouch suddenly seemed far heavier than its parchment.<br><br>Luckily, he had learned at an early age how to ride, and was therefore able to sit the horse despite the fact that his mind was going far faster and farther afield than the forest path that they were riding down.&nbsp; At one point, he drew breath for a question, but let it out in a soft huff.&nbsp; Nathan was far enough ahead that he would have to shout, and it didn't look like the older man was in the mood to talk.<br><br><em>What madness are we getting into?</em> he wondered.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>06-05-2009, 12:27:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Nathan slowed the pace just as nightfall arrived and he took them away from the road. <br><br>"We have made some good time." He said sounding pleased. "I worried we would not make this camp today." He lead them through the trees and finally they arrived at a well hidden clearing with a little stream running through it. <br><br>"Lukas can you water the horses." He said to the young squire after removing his saddle bags. <br><br>"I am going to scout around Peredur. Do you care to join me?" Said the grizzled hunter. He looked at the young Mage and his face showed concern. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>06-05-2009, 17:31:10</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Ordinarily, Peredur would have expected to be left back at camp, taking care of tasks that he had done since childhood.&nbsp; The simple fact that this was being assigned to Lukas - who presumably had more experience in those things that a Knight would need to know - suggested that Nathan had a reason for his request.<br><br>He gave his horse a final pat before heading over to the Hunter's side.&nbsp; &nbsp;He made an extra effort to be careful where he stepped, not wanting to give the impression of some clumsy novice.<br><br>"You - ah - mentioned that we might need to come up with some sort of cover for our journey?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>07-05-2009, 21:58:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Nathan took them on a quick tour of the camp to ensure that there were no tracks following them. He hoped Peredur was paying attention. <br><br>"I did yes." he said in a quiet voice. "You may want to avoid mentioning your real names. You have probably realised by now that the message you hold is important. There may be people who want to try and prevent your message reaching Stardock. Duke Martin's Duchy may be under threat and all other efforts to ask for arcane support have failed. I cant say any more than that. But people may be aware of your journey and you may be in danger."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>08-05-2009, 02:31:38</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Begging your pardon, sir, but he is a squire, and I am a simple apprentice.&nbsp; Who would take enough notice of us to even know our names, much less that we are from Duke Martin's Duchy?"<br><br>Long fingers twisted in the hems of his sleeves.&nbsp; If Peredur had been nervous when they'd left the tower, now he was even more on edge.&nbsp; "Do we not even get to know what enemy we should be wary of?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>08-05-2009, 12:04:15</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Hunstman stopped to pull back his hood and run his hands through his hair. <br><br>"I know very little I am afraid. But your enemy could be anyone from Moredhel, Elf, Dwarf or Goblin. Trust no one. Come let us return to camp." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>13-05-2009, 15:02:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Peredur glanced nervously over his shoulder as they headed back towards the clearing where they had left Lukas.&nbsp; The normal night sounds took on a more sinister edge as he imagined one of those stealthy enemies crouching in the darker areas of shadow - each tree stump could conceal a figure coiled to spring, each night-call could be a signal to a scout stalking the little party.&nbsp; He shivered.<br><br>A cover story.&nbsp; What could explain two young men traveling together, if not trade or courier service?&nbsp; The lack of trade goods would prevent the first, and the second - well, the second was the purpose they <em>didn't</em> want to reveal.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jester</strong> on <strong>25-05-2009, 21:15:38</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The night passed without incident. The next morning Peredur and Lukas woke to find Nathan gone. His pack and horse was still here but his bow was gone. <br><br>The fire had died down and the sun was just rising. A howl could be heard in the distance but echoed through the trees. <br><br>The air was damp but it hadnt rained overnight but it felt crisp. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: A Problem at Crydee.... </strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>25-05-2009, 21:43:07</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Doesn't look like he's gone far," Peredur said, moving to see if he could coax a small fire from the remnants.&nbsp; At the very least, a pot of tea would help to chase away the morning chill.<br><br>"We have to come up with an excuse for why we're traveling," he added as he worked.&nbsp; "How much do you know about the area we're heading for?&nbsp; Other than the obvious, of course."
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