tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37650372682289232112024-02-07T09:34:30.683+00:00The Deranged Scribblings of a Poor Wordsmith......accounts of adventuring in far off realms and other such tales.Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-30639598210397740522012-05-02T00:04:00.004+01:002012-05-02T00:17:28.624+01:00May 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2HyJA_TXutLpRnMb4f8gR8-wIc3oCw8v4zZDCS8QK79QlNtAiLK4rJJDLUD4_pK-QP14i6fUaBuGD0L-dVyHjtzTMw-0_R69evY_axf52o_HbY2cAa0t5fOKXwIHXnH4D08uuLWX9GEz/s1600/551810_3580145987273_1381879672_33368879_424423413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2HyJA_TXutLpRnMb4f8gR8-wIc3oCw8v4zZDCS8QK79QlNtAiLK4rJJDLUD4_pK-QP14i6fUaBuGD0L-dVyHjtzTMw-0_R69evY_axf52o_HbY2cAa0t5fOKXwIHXnH4D08uuLWX9GEz/s1600/551810_3580145987273_1381879672_33368879_424423413_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright of S. Orr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now with our Warhammer Fantasy on break while we rotate through some new games and new DM's, I've been at a slight loss of what to do with myself. So far I've taken to doing the proverbial cleaning and tidying you would do at home when stuck for a project. Working my way through all the loose-ends and points on the 'To Do' list to see if there's anything else I can finish off while waiting for inspiration to visit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A whole wonderful weekend of fever, flu and fun in my bed being best mates with the toilet tissue, and Lemsip, certainly meant I had nothing better to do. Hence, I have been working on getting those last few posts up from our <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/p/warhammer-fantasy.html">WFRP</a> and writing/editing the last few posts from the <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/p/dragon-age.html">Dragon Age : a Throne in Peril</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you find that you too are stuck for something to be reading on these balmy new May eves then please take a look <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/p/dragon-age.html">here</a>. Frankly I think that for the vast majority of my audience 'things to do' should rarely be something they are stuck for, but you never know. Remember to pack your reading specs and a snack. Some of the journal entries are rather on the long side. Also, if you are extra bored you could help me try untangle my tense mess. You'll need a giant red marker pen for that task. It seems the hopping from location to location in the last few posts of Dragon Age got me quite confused whether we were coming or going. Lots of fine word repetition too. Needing to dust off the thesaurus... maybe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For those of you who couldn't give two hoots about Dragon Age as it's not their cup of tchai then keep your eyes peeled for some of our future gaming adventures.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Currently we are playing in a 5th Ed Champions game : London Watch (see image), by DM Stevie. I'm certainly enjoying the setting as I love the whole 'Xmen in London' style of it but the modern setting is something I find I'm useless with in writing. A literary challenge we might say.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the next games looks set to be Star Wars: The Old Republic (DM <a href="http://hangarbay.blogspot.com/">Mecha Ace</a>) where I could be resurrecting my old Zabrak character. More info as it comes in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is even talk of a one-on-one game between myself and <a href="http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.co.uk/">Dangerous Brian</a> (inspiration a la <a href="http://shirosrpg.blogspot.co.uk/">Ser Larkins</a> and his missus with their Pendragon game). I can only hope and wish really, really, really hard that it works out the way I'm hoping. Talk is that it could be an <a href="http://artesiaonline.com/blog/">Artesia</a> campaign! Who couldn't love a gorgeous woman in armour? Seriously? I would say that you need to run out and buy/download (<a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/">drivethruRPG</a>) Artesia by Mark Smylie now, but you'd only hunt me down and kill me as it's been on quite the hiatus since he started his own publishing company. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Come on man! Where's the rest of book 4? You promised us 22 novels in the Book of Dooms! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Incidentally if you do like that kind of thing I would highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ash-Secret-History-Mary-Gentle/dp/1857987446">Ash</a> by Mary Gentle. That is the chicks in armour thing, not the torture of being hooked on a never arriving, never ending series. That aside, the man is a genius.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://artesiaonline.com/"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OWyEkl4XHoRnOG5KGK1uSr_HTS7H6Q-TltJ9custzNj4NfXJsSjfg8LLdFI5xcmwt8v4xED1uyD_BvK0FLk_w9BLAHvyvcVXh-Ejut3je48q4psUjG8IKZ4jkuf8ui9Awm5DrLD6ORE-/s400/artesia-v-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-32212169658316392402012-05-01T23:14:00.000+01:002012-05-01T23:18:39.677+01:00Window on a Soul [2009]<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Let me tell you a story; give you a window on a soul, on a moment and on memories.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Colours wash across the cloudless sky, bleeding from empty blue towards twilight. High up, the crescent moon cuts the air and rooks wing home to roost. The air is biting cold and breathlessly still broken only by the song of the robin, crystal clear and poignant. Its song tells of a summer far gone and of autumn turning to winter, that soon it will embrace the enclosing nights and crisp frost morns.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking out towards the clear dusk skyline a girl sits, possibly on a rock, or is it a tree stump, on a wooded hill. It’s not clear. She sits at a point between the seasons - between the years - and the diurnal rhythm of life itself. Visions of her at many sunsets merge into one. This point spans time itself linking her to her past and future. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Memories well up in the swell of emotion she feels and spirits draw near at this time of fluidity and magic. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Closing her eyes for but a moment she listens to the robin’s song. She slips into the past. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She remembers.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A warm weight leans against her leg and to her side a familiar solid presence. She smells warm Labrador, engine oil, dubbing, and brylcreem, as well as the freshness of air over woodland. She can visualise the deep sandy-coloured coat of her dog sitting back against her leg - the thick wave of the fur across and down his neck and shoulders, the velvet of his flat ears and the thump of his tail. She can imagine the weathered flat-cap bunnit of her Papa beside her - bunnit of dark blue tweed - darker still with the ingrained dirt of life - sitting atop his dark silver hair and sky blue eyes, his worn Barbour jacket with pockets full of essential odds & ends, and in his hand- the weather-seasoned fruitwood walking stick that goes wherever he does.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She misses this physical presence that speaks of home. She misses the friendship of intelligent minds aware of life. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She wants to open her eyes and be back there again. To see that quiet smile, to sit in the silent calm of friendship, to go back to a golden time that was somehow the very best and the very worst of times. To be able to see her Papa’s face again or be held in a hug close to a beating heart and to tell everything she wishes she’d said- if she’d just had the chance.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Holding the feeling and the memory still for a moment she pauses, trying to capture it in her mind to save it away for a rainy day, to be brought out when in need of comfort. She holds her breath then lets it go. Reluctantly opening her eyes, seeing a tear-filmed vision of the sky. The past clings to her, the memories too and the spirits nearby. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sun sits just on the shoulder of the hill. Slowly, yet visibly sinking into the land. In a wood on the hill the rooks have reached their homes near the last rays of light.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking down from her vantage point she gazes into the valley steeply below- fields ringed with woods of skeletal trees. Dry bracken and grasses choke the ground between brambles and bush. She can just make out the curve of the river sliding past between the shadows of branches. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mist lifts from the water and ditches to roll through the woods and fields. Dark shapes can be seen through hanging vapour as the day creatures hand over to the night.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s darkening now as the croak of pheasant echoes off the land.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She should go home, to her present life. The past is gone and nothing will bring it back. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Being surrounded with memories can be like sitting under the familiar warmth of a duvet, she feels reluctant to let it go. She sits a little while more. Glad to sit between the worlds and closer to the past - for it to feel like a moment just gone, as opposed to a lifetime. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking up she can see the sun has slipped away; the warm colours fading fast as the dome of cold sky darkens to night, stars pricking points of light high above. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She closes her eyes to hold the memories close for a moment, aware of the pain in her heart that cuts at her throat and washes down her cheeks. A welcome, if painful connection to a grief that felt long gone. Wet cheeks cool quickly in the air.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Putting the cherished memories away once more she opens her eyes and stands, aware that her face, hands and legs have grown cold from sitting out. As she picks her way through the shadows of the uneven dead-growth to the pathway back home, she can still feel the fading awareness of the spirits that gathered. Her mind is slowly shifting back towards the mundane now. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The path of churned mud is hard under foot. The pathway is a tunnel through more branches leading down from the valley wall to her home. Half seen in grey twilight shadow ahead she fancies she sees a familiar figure - a man making his way along the path with his dog out for a walk. Waterproof jacket, dark flat-cap, tall barked stick and familiar gait. Closing her eyes to check herself she imagines the smile. Upon opening them again she finds the path as it was - empty and cold. A dark road home. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Courier New'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-49727536576709774802012-04-29T17:48:00.001+01:002012-04-29T17:48:44.378+01:00The Versatile Blogger Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfOcvXvvkSBVfVvZqw6beHdLO_BvodmnEyRAzDE0h5Utbe2CFXcsceIjzlxzR0g9IVyUta8UQUrN_vCEuom4TK-qd4sbasaMUZST63XFYQ-K6g0GB0uzBqsW-I5KUovQWLlsRDhwnugVo/s1600/Versatile+AMBER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfOcvXvvkSBVfVvZqw6beHdLO_BvodmnEyRAzDE0h5Utbe2CFXcsceIjzlxzR0g9IVyUta8UQUrN_vCEuom4TK-qd4sbasaMUZST63XFYQ-K6g0GB0uzBqsW-I5KUovQWLlsRDhwnugVo/s200/Versatile+AMBER.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I would like to first of all thank Evil DM (Mark Kelly), of <a href="http://theopenhearth.blogspot.co.uk/">the DM's Screen</a>, for all his encouraging words given to keep me going with the Van Tanncred Sword campaign journal I was keeping. It really meant a lot. Not only that but I find you have given me this little nomination as well! With both of these and the verbal 'poke' to get me to finish what I started I shall return favour and continue with the award.<br />
<br />
The original award was began by Amanda of the blog - <a href="http://dramadiceanddamsons.blogspot.co.uk/">Drama, Dice and Damsons</a>. Her original blog award design can be seen below. The first design seen here is by the Evil DM himself.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AlQ9_ZpKt9fwggkoEHSC8x-xuUvRoAExXweiQXxHED-wQlsucrFpj_C8vjjiHSnbVG7554MWVmEjJGU3_yRfHKpFX-kanSR0wWdI7WmyvfRSQKI56E43Ho2MWTgcmErolja8ufspHWac/s1600/VersatileBloggerAward.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AlQ9_ZpKt9fwggkoEHSC8x-xuUvRoAExXweiQXxHED-wQlsucrFpj_C8vjjiHSnbVG7554MWVmEjJGU3_yRfHKpFX-kanSR0wWdI7WmyvfRSQKI56E43Ho2MWTgcmErolja8ufspHWac/s1600/VersatileBloggerAward.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AlQ9_ZpKt9fwggkoEHSC8x-xuUvRoAExXweiQXxHED-wQlsucrFpj_C8vjjiHSnbVG7554MWVmEjJGU3_yRfHKpFX-kanSR0wWdI7WmyvfRSQKI56E43Ho2MWTgcmErolja8ufspHWac/s1600/VersatileBloggerAward.png" /></a>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>Nominate 15 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award ( I will be nominating fewer - 5).</b></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>In the same post add the Versatile Blogger Award (the one you see is not the original - that can be found on <a href="http://dramadiceanddamsons.blogspot.co.uk/">Amanda's blog</a>).</b></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you with a link back to their blog site.</b></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>In the same post add seven random facts/pieces of information about yourself.</b></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>In the same post, include this set of rules.</b></i></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>Inform each blogger of their nomination for the reward with a post in their comments section on their respective blogs.</b></i></li>
</span></ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>*Please remember, these things are done for fun and help to promote a greater sense of community and communication, so if declining, at least do so with some grace and warmth.*</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #9f8e77; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>My Nominees</u> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://elariel-dwdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/">Dreamweaver Designs</a> - an incredibly versatile and gifted crafter and fellow blogger.</li>
<li><a href="http://ofdiceandmenrpg.blogspot.co.uk/">Of Dice and Men</a> - always up for a laugh and brave explorer of many roleplay worlds.</li>
<li><a href="http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.co.uk/">Dangerous Brian</a> - prodigious in his posts and varied in his pursuits, check him out.</li>
<li><a href="http://theangrylurker.blogspot.co.uk/">The Angry Lurker</a> - speaker of truth and a blogger of interest and note.</li>
<li><a href="http://hangarbay.blogspot.co.uk/">The Hanger Bay</a> - fellow gamer and recent addition to the blogosphere, Mecha Ace is ace.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Seven Random Facts All About Me</u><br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>I am in fact the faceless <a href="http://www.leadlegion.com/">Mrs Lead Legion</a> and <a href="http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.co.uk/">Mrs Dangerous Brian</a> of the other blog's legend. If you haven't the faintest idea of what I am on about then please visit these pages now.</li>
<li>My degree was in Zoology, I'm now a call centre monkey, go figure.</li>
<li>My first years of life were spent in Pakistan and Hong Kong. This lead to some fantastic 'first memories'.</li>
<li>Many people think I have two daughters. My girlies are actually my two furry ferret babies - Stephanie Mellerstain and Lyla Furrypaws. I never said I was normal.</li>
<li>I am Pagan. Please refer to my last statement.</li>
<li>I can role my tongue and wiggle my ears. That puts me in a narrow genetic bracket and freaks the hell out of my husband ^_^</li>
<li>I have an equal understanding of Japanese, French and Arabic. I am equally as bad at all of them but at least I have tried. Attention deficit dabblers complain about this predicament a lot.</li>
</ol>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-25112765510646115922012-04-29T16:47:00.000+01:002012-04-29T16:47:17.986+01:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Season Two Finale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Van Tanncred Sword ~ Season Two Finale</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A word from Amber Renarde, Anya “</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mäuschen” Eisenjaeger’s player.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many thanks to all those who have followed Anya’s story this year in my first foray into Warhammer Fantasy Role Play. Thanks in particular to <a href="http://hangarbay.blogspot.co.uk/">Mecha Ace</a> our DM and my fellow players Aimee (Danielle), <a href="http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.co.uk/">Dangerous Brian</a> (Stefan) (aka <a href="http://www.leadlegion.com/">Lead Legion</a>), Silviu (Hans) and Stevie (Grunnd). </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It has been a pleasure playing with you all and I eagerly look forward to Season Three!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy gaming to all!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amber Renarde </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">xXx</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;">Also to be found at ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://amber-renard.blogspot.co.uk/">Creative Happenings</a></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://thegreenstudent.blogspot.co.uk/">The Green Student</a> </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://wanderlust-hippy.blogspot.co.uk/">Have Tepee Will Travel...</a></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amberrenarde/">Flickr</a> <a href="http://amberrenarde.deviantart.com/">deviantART</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/106551141485005062216/posts">Google+</a></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
(Updates to all coming soon!) </div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-46813149875163645722012-04-29T16:27:00.002+01:002012-04-29T16:30:51.723+01:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Day of the Comet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wellentag 17th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Talabheim is thrumming with talk of what happened this day. The clash of the great Temple of Sigmar with the True Church upstarts. The battle between the two orders, heretics and established faith. The battle that took place. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am unsure of what to make of what my eyes seen. Do I trust and what do I make of it all?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We made our way quickly to the Temple this morning to offer our services as protection. We were given clean white tabards and vestments to mark us as part of the main train, between the Templars and the common priests at the back. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After following the traditional pilgrim trail we neared the end - the square in front of the temple itself. The high priest walked at the head of the ceremonial train and up to the lectern on the main steps. He was followed by the censor carriers who had been chanting prayers from the Book of Sigmar throughout the walk. The Templars formed a protective circle between the high priest and the rest of the audience, formality and practicality in one, a space left clear for those who would come forward for his blessings. The City Watch were stretched and observant on every street, supported by the mercenaries brought in for the celebration two days ago.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the high priest began his speech a commotion of shouting began far at the back of the crowd. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Lies! Lies! LIES!” Screamed a single voice tearing the air that had quietened for the blessing. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was shocked to see it was one from the other crowds of monks who had thrown the first interruption. More voices began to lift from the lower priests surrounding him. With little else to do we joined in voicing our support for the high priest and the Temple of Sigmar. Urging the high priest to continue and the dissidents to be quiet. Stefan began encouraging a crowd of city commoners to turn on the nay sayers. The others followed suit.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Soon the True Church heretics revealed themselves, the speaker from last night and an incredibly tall priest in robes beside him, both hooded. “Sigmar walks among us!” his voice boomed.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The high priest abandoned his traditional blessings to take up the clarion call of the true way of Sigmar to speak to the people of town and city, all gathered, to listen to the words of truth not treason. With the rousing of the crowd, and discord rising all around, the holy words were in danger of being drowned by the rabble. Commoners tongue and heretical denouncements. “Chaos I say! Heretic! Unnatural!” Stefan continued to appeal to the better sense of the people. All voices battled in the bright cold air until the hooded speaker of the True Church threw his hood back, “See! See Sigmar and know him!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At that the tall hooded priest standing by his side dropped his hood to reveal the very embodiment of the spirit of Sigmar. He stood in breathing life for what every description, depiction and statue of Sigmar had ever shown - a head taller than anyone else, muscular and strong with burnished shining gold hair, wielding the hammer Ghal-Maraz, Skull-Splitter. A god among us.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The wind of favor stilled to change, we only had a moment to draw it our way again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“He looks like he’s wearing makeup! He’s using hair dye! Liar! Liar!” Stefan took the pause to turn to the crowd. "That's just a boy!"</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the sudden break I heard Grunnd pause and exhale. He swore. “Actually looks like him.” I was unsure what was going to happen. My dwarven friend was after all a true follower, he was Sigmar’s hammer, his servant Grunnd. Did Grunnd believe the heretics? Would he turn?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan continued to harangue the crowd as did the others, Danielle the best of them. Just as my attention was drawn by a taunt from Danielle, Grunnd stepped forward and laid down a challenge. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“If you are truly Sigmar then you cannot die. Prove it! Sigmar does not bleed. If you be him you have nothing to fear from me for I am Sigmar’s true servant.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan lent his support in blessing Grunnd while the crowd quietened to gaze at the events unfolding before them. The head speaker of the heretics whispered something quickly into the tall Sigmar-man’s ear. The tall ones face turned sour and angry, he pushed his companion aside, charging forward to meet with his challenger. Grunnd charged forward too at the speed that always takes me by surprise for such a short fellow. His hammer swung round in a thunderous blow just as the tall one leapt to avoid the weapons path, catching him on the leg at the last moment. The Sigmar man’s hammer swung back in retort hitting Grunnd in punishment for his troubles. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I noticed as the tall man came to a rest he was not putting all his weight on the leg Stormbreaker had caught in a blow that would have smashed a lesser being’s leg. “You’re dead!” Growled Grunnd, furious at his lack of effect and his wounds received.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The crowd stood in silence, utterly captivated by the spectacle. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The black mustachioed dwarf grinned and gritted his teeth for the next assault, I prayed to whoever would hear my plea that my friend come out alive. In another flurry he shot forward and smacked a mighty blow clean into the man’s frame, a blow that should have pulped the man into so much ground meat. I could not believe what I was witnessing.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“How’s it feeling Sigmar?” Grunnd swung round to ready for the retaliation. “Not enough of a hindrance to defeat you.” came the reply. “We’ll see.” Grunnd grinned another evil determined smile. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The tall blonde opponent readied and charged forward for another blow, I closed my eyes, not wishing to see the aftermath. A gasp whispered round the crowd. I opened my eyes to see Sigmar barreling forward to a shaky stop and Grunnd still alive. The wounds were taking their toll, the man had missed!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle let out a fishwives' cackle “I thought Sigmar never misses!” A nervous laugh chittered round those that heard her.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This looked like it could be it. Both dwarve and human turned and faced one another, hammers ready for the final blows. Charging across the muddy cobbles of the square they connected with each other in the same breath. I stared, eyes wide in disbelief, I had to see what would happen. Tears stung and my throat swelled with emotion, my face flushing. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Both skidded past one another from the crunch of the hammer blows. Both staggering and in obvious pain, both looked in a bad way. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just as they turned, time slowed as my heart did, everyone was still. Only breathing could be heard.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sigmar groaned in pain. All heard the whisper. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Well done Master Dwarf, you have undone me.” </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The mans’ skin began to glow as though a torch had lit him from within. His bones and the details of his insides shone through showing up what is normally unseen. Then without a sound he disappeared in a bright blinding flash of light leaving only dust on the breeze and motes in our eyes.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We had won.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd stood alive and held Stormbreaker aloft in salutation and victory. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“A true champion of Sigmar!” The high priest’s voice could be heard easily now as not a word was spoken by any. The heretics were shocked to see their god defeated and began to retreat backwards into the crowd as they recovered their senses. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Time began to move in the usual way once more and life returned to all watching. “Seize them!” roared Grunnd pointing to the moving figures. “Templars seize them!” motioned the high priest. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As events swung into motion we helped Grunnd to the temple. Danielle brought Stefan’s bag of healing unguents. Soon the high priest joined us. “We’ve certainly had a memorable celebration today.” He nodded his head in part disbelief and part gratitude.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd did not seem to hear. He was grim through pain and thoughts. He looked up “...there’s no blood.” He looked at his faithful weapon, smoothing the business end. “He didn’t bleed.” He looked back up at us, serious.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan shook his head, “Demons don’t bleed my friend.” </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Neither do illusions.”, added Danielle.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The high priest nodded “Don’t worry Master Dwarf, I’m sure he was aided by heretical magic.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“If he really was Sigmar you would be dead.” replied the priest of Morr. Danielle again added her tuppance worth “And if he really were Sigmar he wouldn’t have missed.” She smiled encouragingly. “Twenty by his right hand and twenty by his left.”, Stefan quoted the old story. “You are a brave man Grunnd, but no priest.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At that Grunnd shook his head and grinned despite his now obvious discomfort, “Aye, but can you just say it was.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I laughed and so did the others, Grunnd was ok. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Ego! All I seem to do is bandage you!” Danielle shook her head in mock displeasure and wagged a finger at him. Stefan slapped him heartily on the back at seeing the dwarves good humour return, then immediately recoiled in horror at his actions “Shit! You’re stitches!” </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd growled.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All was as it should be.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As it is the ‘false Sigmar’ stands defeated and the Day of the Comet is drawing to a close. Talabheim is noisy with the news of today. Word has come from the Temple that the Templars have arrested many of the heretical brethren found fleeing from the square. We are told their confessions have lead back to the well known Van Garret house who had been trying to garner more power in the city, especially with the elector count at war in the North. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The last we heard from the Sigmarites high priest is that the finances of the Van Garret’s will be seized to rectify all damages caused to the families affected by recent events. Templars were sent to aid troops pledged by the Van Keslar household who were marching to seize all persons and property of the Van Garret house. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The word on the street is that Van Keslar himself has killed Van Garret in the fray. Politics and power continues the traditional jostle.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I said before I am unsure what to make of what happened. I am also unsure what we are to do now as the trail on the Van Tanncred Sword has gone cold. Our informant being dead and his letter burnt to a cinder. I only hope that as winter howls in from the North we find we are not too late. The Empire's existence depends on us.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How strange to think that just over a month ago the only thing dependant on me was menial tasks in my family home back in Marienburg. Nothing of world shattering import. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wonder if I may get some respite from my father's search for me until the spring? One thousand gold crownes is a king's ransom however so it is highly unlikely. I hope we pick up the trail of the sword soon lest I find myself imprisoned again in the gilded cage by the sea. The Eisenjaeger's young wayward daughter returned safe and sound to her families' bosom. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What would Verstohlen make of that? What would be worse? A cold pistol or my step mother's caress?</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We shall see.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <i>2013!</i>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-true.html">True Church Heretics</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-88124553917555665342012-04-29T13:58:00.000+01:002012-04-29T16:28:05.063+01:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] True Church Heretics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Wellentag 17th Ulriczeit 2522</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I am whole and well, though tired from our late night foray. We found ourselves deep beneath a warehouse in the docks for the meeting of the True Church of Sigmar's heretics. Behind a concealed entrance, and down a dank twisting narrow corridor, we entered a dark room with fire-filled braziers hanging from the ceiling and two sat on a raised platform. As my eyes adjusted to the flickering shadows and shapes it formed into a fairly large space with four strong pillars and two rows of pews for the heretical audience to sit upon. There were not too many people in attendance, a crowd of city-folk in the common-dress looking neither fervent nor frightened. They had come to hear what the ‘True Church’ had to say for themselves. An audience of forced participation. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Hanging above the platform was the symbol of this order that we have found scrawled over doors and windows, down alleys and walls all through the city. The twin crossed hammers surmounted by the twin tailed comet. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">There were ‘brothers’ of the order in each of the corners and centers of the walls, another four on the platform as well, all armed and all with hoods drawn over their faces. The few torches held were doused, deepening the darkness. A door beneath the hammers and comet opened to reveal a man holding a great long handled warhammer, his head was unhooded. He walked forward and began to speak. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">We did listen to what he had to say for a while but it was not long before Grunnd had heard enough. He challenged their reasonings and ways, the thuggish tactics used on Talabheim’s people. He asked for proof that Sigmar had come again. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">The short end of last night’s tale is that none of the audience were killed and some of the priests were arrested when the witchhunters came to intervene. The main speaker managed to slip free into the night but we are sure we will meet him again today in the open daylight of the holy day. This ‘True Church’ of Sigmar are determined to make their stand today on the Day of the Comet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Let us see what this brings.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Mäuschen</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-day-of.html">Day of the Comet</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-dreams-and.html">Dreams and Portents</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-28566043790716752682012-04-29T13:52:00.000+01:002012-04-29T14:01:13.729+01:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Dreams and Portents<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Festag 16th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is evening and we await the strike of the clock tower before leaving for the heretics meeting down by the wharf-side. Today has been a strange one of little progress as yet. Stefan surprised us with a visit this morn as we were finishing our first meal. He looked even paler than usual, with dark smudges beneath his tired heavy eyes. A dream had come to him in the night which had driven him into action. Images of heretics overrunning the Temple of Sigmar. This news reaffirmed Grunnd’s decision to seek guidance and assistance at the temple over what we had learned yesterday.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On arrival we found the temple busy in preparation for Talabheim’s great holy day tomorrow - the Day of the Comet. The day the comet struck this land is celebrated as the portent of Sigmar’s birth. People travel from miles around on pilgrimage. Though aware of the presence of heretics in the city the temple was only able to offer two witchhunters to assist in tonights meeting. They will not accompany us inside but wait in the shadows for our signal to help if need be. I only hope this information gathering exercise does not turn deadly. We need all our strength for the Day of the Comet if the heretics are indeed going to try overturn the Temple of Sigmar to their ways. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I must go for now. Grunnd is readying to leave and so must I. May I be still be alive tomorrow to write the tale of what we find tonight.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mäuschen</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-true.html">True Church Heretics</a>]</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sigmar.html">Sigmar Sees All</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: 12px;">
</span></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-49005361859913996082012-02-17T23:55:00.000+00:002012-04-29T13:52:59.568+01:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Sigmar Sees All<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Angestag 15th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fresh in from a day of woes and delights. I am still in a good mood though that probably has more to do with the 26 shillings I found myself receiving from the carelessly unguarded purses of Talabheim’s drunks. A small fortune, no where near what I gave up today in return for something great - friendship and a quality crossbow to protect my back. I hope I do not live to regret that gift.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is late so I will try to make this brief. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We discovered the sigil of the crossed hammers and comet is the mark of a group calling themselves the True Church of Sigmar. They have sprung up with this 'second coming' the flagellants were wailing about. We have also seen it on many doors, windows and walls throughout the city today. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We were reunited with Brigitte when she came to beg our interception in trouble with her uncle. The followers of this ‘True Church’ are demanding merchants in her uncle Johann’s street, and others, turn from the church of Sigmar to their ‘true way’. They have been using intimidation and violence to bring about their wishes but oddly are not using this to extort money or goods.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have interceded and met with these zealous thugs through a bit of well used subterfuge. Apparently there is to be a meeting tomorrow night for those who have converted. We shall not disappoint. Being temporary converts ourselves.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sigmar sees all. I am sure he will appreciate the use of cunning deceit for the result we expect to gain. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The men I heard marching this morning turned out to be over 500 mercenaries of various companies. Tileans, Estalian pikes, even dwarven gunners. It seems they may be here to cover the city’s own regiments that left this summer to engage with Chaos in the north. The city’s watch and the soldiers who are left are stretched with the demands of the native populace and the strain is showing now they have a small army of flagellants growing outside the crater walls. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All serious matters but the other happenings of today balance this woe, balance my mind.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Talkative and confident from his victory of yesterday, Hans accompanied us when we went shopping. At this point Grunnd had more important matters to attend to than making a worldly man of Hans.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At an armorers I got myself a decent blade. Good length, weight and balance. Still much heavier than I am used to, being a favorer of the rapier, but better than nothing. Danielle was there to get herself a crossbow on recommendation from Grunnd. I am sure he would rather that if he was going to be hit in the back by a bolt, it not be one of his own.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle and Hans were in quite a discussion. I was unsure whether it was good or bad, humorous or irritable. I caught a little about crossbows and their price. Just as I picked up the beautiful piece of weaponry, similar craftsmanship to Grunnd’s, a loud crack let off behind me. When I turned I found Danielle’s face red and furious. Hans face was red with the perfect shape of a handprint seared on his cheek.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I very quickly purchased the weapon and placed it in Danielle’s hands. Steering her out of the shop to prevent an all out fight. Luckily she was using two hands to grasp the heavy gift to her chest. The booming laugh of the blacksmith followed us out of the door.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I didn’t learn until later that Hans had offered paying for the crossbow in return for her warming his bed. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The boy is lucky all he got was a slap. Lucky Danielle did not have her new weapon or her old, that family heirloom of an iron skillet, to hand at the time. Bedding your first woman may make you a man but it certainly does not make you a good man or sensible to women’s sensitivities. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She got her own back a little though. When he returned from drowning his sorrows in the afternoon she happily helped Grunnd sober his sleeping form with a full pale of cold water. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the non-violent option can be just as satisfying.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-dreams-and.html">Sigmar Sees All</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-spinning.html">Spinning Betty</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-10305229000368289702012-02-17T16:40:00.000+00:002012-05-01T21:06:43.152+01:00[Part 2, Session 1] Dragon Age - Friday 17th February 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By the time the Ser Edmund returned to his manor the night was blacker than his mood. He felt gray and numb, all colour drained from him and those around him. The warmth of life had been snuffed out. It felt pointless to be returning to this place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Inside Ser Lothryn takes Willam aside as Ser Fossett shows the surviving mercenary captains and their men into the great hall. They find a trough has been brought in to sit along a wall filled with icy cold water from the well. Steaming hot food lines the central table, wine skins and a keg of small beer sit to the side. Horn drinking cups are aplenty. A kindness indeed on such a day. The fire is lit in the hearth too. One of the captains, Gregor, makes an appreciative appraisal, "<i>Your fine hospitality does you proud Ser.</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The lord of the manor can do little more than a glassy-eyed nod, "<i>A pleasure.</i>" comes the flat reply as he walks past the hall and up the stairs to his quarters. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Outside Willam's toothless face winces then scowls at the news. "<i>That'll be that then.</i>" he says nodding a little and looking at his own worn hand. He hands the torch to Lothryn and trudges back towards his hut. Back hunched more so than usual in the dimness. Nothing more can be said to a man who now has no son and no grandson, the only family he'd had. A man whose master has lost his own family too. Dark days for the coming winter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upstairs the priest finishes his administrations and announces that all the Lady requires is some rest and a light meal. He will be back in the morn to check on her progress but will leave some salves for use during the eve. Making his way downstairs he stops to tend to wounds of any great gravity that means the experienced fighters can not tend to them on their own. Men who fight for a living quickly learn the tricks of the trade in how to tend to minor wounds on themselves and greater ones on their friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ser Fossett finds himself fortunately suffering from nothing more than a severe requirement for food and rest. Plate in hand he takes his leave of Ser Lothryn and heads upstairs with a taper in the other. His brothers do not begrudge him his rest and wave him on to their sleeping quarters. Myrtle arrives with a bowl of water and a cloth to allow him to cleanse, with instructions to leave his soiled goods on the other side of the door for her to deal with. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With nothing more to do than guard his lady and partake of sustenance, Ser Shelby makes his way to the feasting in order to grab a plate each for Garrett and himself before all of the food is but bones to pick over or bowls to sop. "An army marches on it's stomach indeed.", he observes to himself quietly with a small smile. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just as he turns to make his way back upstairs a voice catches his attention. He looks up cautiously and scans the men sitting in the firelight. Stories are being told now and some are gambling. Why does the voice sound strike a chord?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The faces are as you would expect. Mottled with various scars of varying ages and severities. Some are nothing more than youths like himself but most are worn old dogs with grizzled features and weatherbeaten skin. One in particular strikes him as familiar.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His stomach knots and he grips the plate he carrying to control his anger.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He continues looking casually and bids a good night to Ser Lothryn who waves him on his way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<i>M'lady?</i>" Shelby says as he comes through the door, after handing a plate to his brother. Laria doesn't reply.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<i>My Lady?</i>" Shelby says again, walking a little closer. Not wishing to disturb her as she sits gazing into the hearth.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At that Laria stirs and looks up with a sleepy smile. "<i>Ser Shelby, I do wish you would call me Laria for I am no lady. What is it? Have they eaten all the meat already? My father used to speak of the legendary appetite of his fellow soldiers.</i>", she grins to herself but stops when she sees the look in his face. "<i>What is it?</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<i>I am unsure what to make of what I have seen. Please do not be alarmed but I believe downstairs sits at least one of the men who were once loyal to the Black Brigand.</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Laria is unsure what to make of it also but agrees to take a cursory look while collecting a plate of food for her own supper. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the hall she finds the table of food has been ravaged, unsurprisingly. Though she is used to men of war from growing up her father's daughter, she isn't so comfortable in the sole company of men and their drunken ways. Especially given the news that some may have already made her acquaintance. Nerves flicker in her as she growls inwardly trying to steady her hands. A woman of the sword should fear no one! She admonishes herself while darting her gaze this way and that, picking at what is left and picking out faces. Waiting for one or another to become familiar or for her plate to become full. Just as she is pulling a hunk of bread from a cold hard loaf, she hears a laugh that stops her dead. A voice too. A memory of stinking breath and warm unwelcome hands comes to mind. An image of the Black Brigand and his 'men'. The Brecilian forest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She glances up quickly in order to locate the voice and take in it's owner before quickly leaving. Not wishing to stay to be reacquainted with its owner. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ o0o ~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sun returns for its daily journey to find the land is much as it was before the dark came down. The sky is still cold and grey. The clouds are like old wet lace forgotten on the line overnight and dripping with the dew. Not even the local cock wishes to crow this morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ser Lothryn wakes to find Myrtle bustling about in the great hall with a local boy she had brought in to help the cook last night. They are busying themselves with clearing up after the feast. Only a few stray bodies still lay snoring deeply in the hay. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Outside the captains have their men preparing and mending their equipment and belongings from yesterday. He notes such care is a good sign.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He unsure what to make of the news he received before bed. Mercenaries are mercenaries are mercenaries. They are men with a skill and a weapon's use to sell. They will fight for whoever holds the purse. What be it that one or two of these men last fought for an enemies friend? Their past actions matter less than their current. He would keep an eye on all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ o0o ~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The priests return is as good as his word. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lady Iah woke with the watery light of dawn. She felt weak but her head was clear and her stomach calm. She could not recall all of what had taken place since last leaving the manor. She remembered that she was in the manor of Lastford, one of her vassals. She had come here to find why he had not paid his tribute this year and to officially introduce herself as the Bann of Restenford. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Laria was sleeping in the chair by the window. The shutters had not been drawn hence the light had come in and the air was now frigid as the fire had gone out. She remembered there had been a fire. Odd the things that come through illness.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A strong knock came at the door in the far corner, quickly followed by the entrance of a man in priestly vestments.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<i>Ah, my child. You are a awake I see!</i>", the wizened old man shuffled at quite a speed to her bedside as Laria woke with a start. "<i>Forgive me gentle-ladies. I wish not to cause alarm. I am only here to enquire on the health of our Bannora. Please sit back my Lady.</i>" The Father went about his duties swiftly and gently. He was well pleased at her progress and insisted she spend the next day or so at rest especially as it was so damp and cold outside this season.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He left as quickly as he had came when Myrtle arrived with some steaming broth for her lady's morning meal. Something thin and full of goodness to ease her gently back into health.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She fussed and minded over her. Iah enjoyed the attention.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ o0o ~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not moments after the gate is closed behind the priest it is opened again for an incoming messenger on horseback. The boy's message is short and simple. "<i>Return to Restenford. Your help is needed.</i>" The boy was out of breath. The rat of the story came slowly in gasps. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ser Lothryn took up the call. He split the mercenaries into two groups; one to travel to Restenford and one to stand with Ser Edmund to provide protection against whatever may come his way. Restenford would not be able to provide winter barracks for all the men and it was also an easy way of separating the wheat from the chaff.<br />
<br />
Those being left behind were not entirely agreeable as they were due their payment on the return of Lady Iah to her home in Restenford. Their concerns were eased with a down payment from Ser Lothryn's own purse. He would need to speak with his Lady on return to the castle to ensure all dues were paid and expenses recouped.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back in the manor he found Ser Edmund awake and sullen. "<i>At least he is alive.</i>", he thought to himself while explaining what was underway. He also explained fully the situation of the new Bannora and that the new Lady of Restenford would need her official introductions. He nodded and waved in agreement, looking drawn and aged. "<i>Of course.</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The proper introductions were made. Lady Iah walked from her sick bed unaided but quite shaky of foot. Her head swam a little but she was careful to take her time. This is her title and role now, she did not wish to be seen unfit. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ser Edmund knelt before the new Bann of Restenford without pause and kissed the ring of office on her slender fingers. All previous suspicion against him is lifted in that act; a loyal subject.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Talk of regrets at his great loss are given before moving on to the shortage of food for the coming winter, the imminent danger and the mercenaries Ser Lothryn wishes stationed at the manor.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By midday, and against Ser Lothryn's protesting better judgement, they are on the road back to Restenford castle. All of them. Lady Iah is swaddled in a heavy travelling cloak, riding along with Laria to keep her steady. The knights Unuthstill; Fossett, Shelby and Garrett flank and bring up the rear of the retinue. The mercenaries walk behind the cart and mule acquired from the town for supplies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As they head toward the hills they try to find the lower road that will take them homeward bound.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Something does was not right. The horses were nervy. The road too quiet, even for a wet autumn.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A high keening cry broke from the sky above from a large bird of prey. Looking up they find it begins to circle; once, twice, three times; before breaking off into the forest nearby that cloaks the hill side.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lothryn advises for precaution. All are set on edge for what is to come.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[next] <i>coming soon!</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[previous] part one, <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/session-11-dragon-age-friday-2nd-july.html">session eleven</a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[first] part one, <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/session-1-dragon-age-throne-in-peril.html">session one</a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">[background] <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/session-1-dragon-age-throne-in-peril.html">life of lady nimue</a></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-79950625620357229422012-02-17T15:23:00.000+00:002012-02-17T23:56:11.313+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Spinning Betty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Angestag 15th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night Grunnd received word of where to meet another agent in the city, down by the spice quarter. Unfortunately when we arrived we found the informant Frederick dead and his shop ablaze. A desperate fire fight ensued once the other merchants and citizens nearby had been roused. At least they seemed well equipped and versed in what to do. I guess with having so much to lose and fire being such an eminent danger... </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was too convenient. Someone knew we were coming and didn't want us to know what we were to be told.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd found some interesting things to think on. A sigil marked coin on a broken leather thong grasped in the man’s hand. It showed two crossed hammers surmounted by Sigmar’s twin tailed comet. Frederick had been killed by a single stab wound to the heart, the mark of a professional killer in Grunnd’s books. There was also the remnants of a scroll in the fireplace which was past reading. Unfortunately that is all we know. Grunnd will go to the temple today to speak with fellow Sigmarites. Hopefully they may be able to shed some light on what we are to do now we have arrived, for Verstohlen is still in Altdorf.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today seems to be a clear day. One of those magical winter days where the sky is a clean clear blue, the sun shines its pale cold light and the air cuts your cheeks. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Despite the blaze and more death last night my mood is light today. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I laughed good and hard yesterday when Danielle and I caught back up with Grunnd and Hans after the market. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hans was sat holding a mug of ale in both hands, smiling from ear to ear and laughing into his drink. His smile was amusing to behold. There was a twinkle in his eye and his face was fresh. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Oh aye! What did you two get up to then?” Danielle stood with her eyebrow raised expectantly, hand on hip in the stance I've seen fishwives take against their husbands and children alike. “You know, while we did some work. Mmm hmmm?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Grunnd?” she tapped her foot. I tried to keep my face serious while I held our purchases and ‘findings’. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Hey! Don’t look at me.” he held up his hands with mock shock. Just as quick, a mischievous grin broke through. “You won’t find women of negotiable affections I’d be interested in here. The lad however..." He winked at Hans. "Well, let’s just say he’s a man now after an afternoon with Spinning Betty.” Grunnd laughed deep and full as Hans’ face coloured and his silly smile widened more, if it was indeed possible.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle and I couldn’t help but laugh at the grinning idiot with his ale. Bless him. A real man now, eh? Fought in his first battle and bedded his first woman. No one can begrudge a boy some celebration after surviving an encounter with beastmen and Chaos. Certainly not when he walks a path that could bring him back round again, and that time he may not see the other side.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just hope this Spinning Betty gave him only pleasure. I’ve heard plenty a tale of the pains and itches, boils and worse that can be the longer lasting gift of these women. My brother's friends were quick to tell the tales they had 'heard' of 'friends of theirs'.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Silly boy. Thinking on it has me laughing again this morn.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There’s the sound of many feet on cobbles from outside, walking in unison, marching. Many steps. I should get up and look. Grunnd is already at the window.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sigmar.html">Sigmar Sees All</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-he-is.html">He is Reborn</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-53474161856226027012012-02-17T01:08:00.002+00:002012-02-17T15:25:02.157+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] He is Reborn!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Konistag 14th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our trip to this city has thus far been uneventful since the battle. My wounds and aches have healed and Grunnd and Stefan have done each other no damage. In fact I am unsure if they have even looked in each others general direction, never mind exchanged words. Maybe it is for the best then that Stefan has upped and taken himself off to his temple on arrival here in Talabheim, leaving Danielle with us.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arriving here we found the way to the main gates cluttered with strange people. Tents and shelters a plenty. Men and women shouting and wailing prophecies of doom, whipping and causing themselves pain. Grunnd calls them flagellants. Fanatics so fervent in their faith they mortify their own flesh. He says they are fearsome opponents, that they often throw themselves into battle without warning, fear or hesitation. They have been driven so insane by what horrors they have experienced in their lives that they desperately court death in a wish for their pain to end.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To look in the eyes of the truly insane is a fearful thing. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">e made our way slowly through, trying to look unoffensive so as not to offend or draw their interest. A woman turned towards us. She threw out an accusing bony finger at me, teeth bared and eyes wide in her skull haloed by a shock of black matted hair. “You are doomed! The Iron Forged End of the World, He is reborn!” She continued to screech this over and over while watching me. We picked up our pace and kept our eyes down until we reached the guard at the city gate. I sighed in relief when I realised she had not followed us. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While checking our papers and reasons for visiting the city we chatted to the gatekeeper, enquiring about the flagellants. It seems they have been travelling here in ever increasing numbers for weeks. They are saying that Sigmar has risen again, the second coming. The city is concerned to have such a large group of people camped on its doorstep, especially in light of the coming winter, and many of the city's militia are gone north to battle against Chaos. We commiserated with him on his predicament and we were eventually permitted entry. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once through this was where Stefan chose to take his leave, once Grunnd had told us our inn would be the Comet. We parted ways and went to deliver the girl Brigitte to her uncle. He strode off into the crowd seeming to know his way. Serious and direct. Suited in armour, sword at his side and heavy bag of healing in his hand. I hope Morr will grant him some humility and humour in his prayers for that is a man in need of some. He has many admirable qualities but others which grate against the sense of his fellow beings, for shame.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today has overall been a good one in Talabheim. An improvement on Altdorf. We were rewarded with a meal of quality beef from Brigitte's uncle who we found to be a butcher. He was grateful to have his niece back alive, doubly so once she recanted her tale. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Comet is a comfortable inn with actual beds to sleep in as opposed to a dry corner or a palette with straw. A luxury! And Danielle did well with her quick tongue to get a pretty penny for our bag of hard-won goods from our travels. Whereupon I was able to use my own talents to stretch those pennies further with my own form of discount. Warm cloaks and clothes for the harshness of winter which is beginning to bare its teeth.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe Danielle and I will stretch our legs after our supper and try the crowds here for some more light fingered work. Grunnd is more than happy for me to explore my talents. He actively seems to encourage it!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-spinning.html">Spinning Betty</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-drawn.html">Drawn Steel</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-21701908693794258892012-02-15T14:24:00.002+00:002012-02-17T15:19:00.791+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Drawn Steel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Aubentag 10th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd is well on the mend it seems. He came up on deck with hardly a sign of pain, dwarven stubbornness accounts for much. He was in a foul mood as he gave us a dressing down like I have seen the captain of the guard give his fellow watchmen before. He berated us for not following his orders on the battlefield. Stefan interrupted and challenged him a lot, defending his own actions that night. Before I knew it anger flared and Grunnd had punched him. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was amazed when Stefan took the blow and still stood. He looked at Grunnd in disgust.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"As a gentleman I will let you have that one for free. However, mark this - t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he next time you raise a hand against me it will be the last time for one of us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">" He walked away, turning his back.</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Such a threat and open mockery of his authority was too much. Grunnd gritted his teeth and followed the turned back, readying another blow.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan wheeled on him and drew his sword. Not a word spoken. Face calm. Eyes boring into Grunnd in confident serious challenge. Wrong thing to do.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd stopped. His hand flicked to Storm Breaker and time stood still for a moment.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Mouse! What were my words about drawing steel?” He barked at me.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I replied. “Never draw steel unless you intend to bloody the blade and deal with the consequences.” The sudden sickening image of the last man who tried drawing a blade against the master dwarf flashed in my mind. The awful wet crunch as the hammer caved the mans skull into his chest. The sound of the barely revealed blade clanging to the stone floor in the mausoleum. Fool. I begged Stefan to think about his actions. Luckily for us all the captain heard the raised voices and intercepted the commotion. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not on his ship. Thank you Sigmar!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd has been very quiet since then. He has taken to teaching Danielle how to use her quarterstaff effectively and how not to shoot him in the back again with a crossbow. Just one of the many reasons we disappointed him in battle. It is nice to see the two of them bonding in a way. They have never seemed to like each other. Danielle finds Grunnd rude and obnoxious. I think Grunnd has felt the same towards her in the past. Both willful hardheads, both stubborn.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“You stupid fool of a girl!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those were some of the last words I had heard him say to her before we charged. Danielle had flew in between him and a beastman in an attempt to attack it with her staff but luckily for everyone she planted herself in the mud. Grunnd had been standing ready to fire his new blunderbuss at the creature. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“If you’re in such a hurry to die Storm Breaker will speed it along!” He roared at her.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He wasn’t all flames and temper. He did well that night to be fair, as he said he is. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“What you did was very brave.... But very stupid! When you see that gun in my hands, don’t run in front of it. It doesn’t care what is in front when it goes off, and I’m not as accurate as Hans.” His words are coming back to me now. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“These things won’t ask for mercy. These things won’t offer clemency. They only care about killing, fucking and eating and they don’t care if you’re alive or dead when they start to eat you. So if you think I’m being rude or just shouting at you because I don’t like you. You’re wrong! It’s called giving orders, and when I give an order on the battlefield I expect it to be followed. Orders will keep you alive. Keep us all safe, and with Sigmar’s good graces we’ll get out of here alive.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There were no lies told. We may not have followed his orders to the letter but we are but a rag-taggle band of untrained and untested civilians. We are not soldiers or warriors. When a beastman charges straight for you, roaring and scything it’s sword through the air it is only natural that our first instincts would be to defend ourselves. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel I did the best I could. I must get myself a sword or something more suitable when we reach the city. Pistols are only good for one shot before I am overwhelmed and daggers are little better than butter-knives in a fight with such creatures. If Hans had not thrown me his sword I shudder to think what would have befell me and the others.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-he-is.html">He is Reborn</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-children.html">Children of Chaos</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-90926155827589694662012-02-14T22:10:00.003+00:002012-02-15T14:25:18.891+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Children of Chaos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Festag 8th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Breathe. Calm yourself.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sweat beads then drenches my skin, a chill of nerves like ice. My heart is only now slowing. My breathing is ragged. The images from my dreams still hang in the air like shadows I wish to banish. I can smell their heavy musk, stink of sweat, animal breath, fresh and rotting blood. My stomach lurches but luckily I hold it down. I can hear them, see them as they steam in the frigid air. Great horns and muscles scarred with battle wounds. Terrifying weapons crusted from those who’ve fallen. Cloven feet churning the hard mud. Huge creatures that tower above me. Wild eyed.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beastmen walk my nightmares. Even worse than my imaginings and the wives tales from my childhood. I never thought back then that I would see one in my life, never mind come face to face in battle and kill them.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The twilight battle of yesterday almost cost us dearly. At one point we thought the children of chaos had us routed but we chose to stand firm and won by the will of Sigmar.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel calmer now. Writing is an earthly task and brings my wits back to where they should be. The Blue Bird is chasing up the Talabec river and in a few days time we shall be in Talabheim itself.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not wish to get out of my bunk yet as my face is swollen painfully from my broken nose. Thankfully Stefan worked his priestly touch so I won’t look like a thug once the swelling goes down. I am sure I must be a pretty sight. The rest of me aches but I’ll mend.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd is at the other end of the cabin. I can see him past the other bunks and shadows in the candle light. He is quite the unwilling patient as Stefan tends to the wounds he cannot reach himself. I am sure whatever he is saying is not dwarven pleasantries. He is certainly not one to enjoy being mollycoddled. He’ll sleep soon once the administrations are done. They almost cost him his life, and if it were not for Grunnd we would all be dead.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I do not wish to go into the particulars. I am tired both in mind and body, though I am not sure I wish to sleep more considering where I might go.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night we drew-up along the banks of the Talabec to berth for the evening. While standing around the fire with the captain and the crew a man burst out of the forest gasping a story of beastmen, his wife, an inn and carnage. Chaos at work. We left the safety of the camp to the crew and dove headlong into the wilds with him.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The inn we found like a knackers yard. Dismembered and disemboweled corpses littered the floors. The back yard was filled with dead horses. No beastmen were to be found but the broken earth tracked their path into the forest. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we caught up with them we killed those we found. So easy to write but nothing could be further from the truth. Behind them were cultists and a woman tied to an altar.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By the end the man had fled, never to be found. We untied the woman who turned out not to be the mans wife but was a fellow traveller from the inn. We have her here on the boat where we will reunite her with her uncle in Talabheim. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It sounds like we are stopping for the day. Maybe I shall go stretch my legs after all. I only hope our camp is not disturbed by more mad men or agents of chaos. May Sigmar hear my wishes. May Morr be kind to me as I sleep.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mäuschen</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-drawn.html">Drawn Steel</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-womens.html">Women's Talk</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-16664660775522975472012-01-19T02:47:00.000+00:002012-02-14T22:11:38.120+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Women's Talk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Angestag 7th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I found Danielle sitting in the blanketed warmth of her bunk on her own. The others were elsewhere, possibly stretching their legs in the little town we are berthed at. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"How are you feeling today? Did you sleep well?" I came in and sat at the edge of her bed. She looked up and smiled, giving me a happy nod. She looked genuinely pleased to see me. The dark had gone from under her eyes.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I am glad. Danielle, I wanted to apologise for all the trouble I caused us the other night. You especially. I would not have wished for all the world to put you in danger. I am sorry." </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Confusion crossed her face. "Danger? Hah! Nah, no danger at all. It was ostentatious to be a lady for the evening." she said this with an upper class accent and a flourish of her hands. The illusion lasted a moment and ended with a snort. "It's not everyday you hit a hired ass on the head with a skillet and then get to act the lady. Though I don't know how you can do it." she said rolling her eyes.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle’s nonchalance in the face of danger shocked me but I suppose it shouldn’t have. My nerves suddenly evaporated watching her exaggerated pantomime and I melted into laughter. I could not help but give my friend a hug. Her humour never fails to warm my heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Woah! What's all this now? You’re acting funny girl. Did the dwarf give you some of his ale? Lord help you if he has!" she made a show of patting the iron implement.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I laughed and wiped at my teary eyes "No! No no no no no... I am sorry. I am just relieved. I thought you would be angry with me." I took a deep breath and composed myself for the more serious questioning.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Danielle. You have been more like a sister to me in the past two weeks than I have had the pleasure of in such a time but what I am about to ask you I need to hear what your heart says on this matter." I looked into her eyes to make sure I had her full attention. To impress upon her the gravity of what I asked.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Do you understand just how much 1000 crowns is worth? What it could bring you? You would be royalty among us with that in your purse. Not a care you would have in your life from here on.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> That is what I am worth now, more to my father if he gets me back. But I won't go back. Not now and not ever. I would rather die than return to the life I have left behind. You must think me a spoilt unthankful girl to not be able to appreciate what was handed to me on a golden platter as a merchant's daughter... I cannot." I fell silent and looked down my hands. I had never seen them so dirty before, I hardly recognised them.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was no reaction at first and this made my imagination think on what she might be considering. Maybe she hadn’t thought on the reward and what it could do for her? Hadn’t thought on what a prize I could be? Maybe she was considering what to tell me?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The sound of Danielle snorting and bursting into a fit of laughter caught me off guard. I looked up to see her wiping her face and gasping for breath between giggles.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Anya! Oh sorry, Andreas! Do you really think I'm gonna support some twisted man that is forcing you to marry? By the Ladies no! And may the Gods forbid such a thing should ever occur. You marry when you want to girl, and not because it's deemed proper, or whatever they say." She shook her head and continued. "Yes, 1000 crowns is tempting but not to me. It's adventure I crave and not the fine and grand things in life. Any man such as touches you with an intention of trading you in for 1000 crowns will feel my mighty iron!" and with that she made a whooshing noise with her skillet and mimicked Grunnd's voice in a mighty "Hah hah!"<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
I broke down completely at such a display, sobbing in relief. I believed her words to be true. I do not think Danielle cares for guile. I now have my answer from the two people closest to me. I feel I need not watch my back so closely as an animal hunted.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I calmed and eventually sat back to wipe my face clear with my sleeve. Disgusting but it was all I had. The sheer relief of receiving such care and support from both Danielle and Grunnd left me grinning like a child. I had not cried so hard in such a long time, had not felt safe to. A heavy weight had lifted from my heart. I clasped her hands "Thank you. Truly, thank you! There are not words for me to explain how big a gift that is to me. Thank you!” I sat back a little so as not to embarrass her. I changed the subject. “So, it is adventure you crave? Your mother did you a disservice in giving you to an initiate of Morr then didn't she? How do you put up with such a self-important man? I would expect life with Stefan must be boring indeed! Though, he is harmless I suppose." <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
"My mother..." Danielle sighed and looked away, "only had the best intentions for me. She didn't want me to end up with nothing like sh-" she stopped suddenly and coughed. "Um, she just didn't want me to end up alone. Since I refused to find myself a husband she just thought Stefan was the best she could do on her death bed." she smiled knowingly, "Stefan, though he is flat out boring like a dry piece of toast, let's me be myself. Yes, he has the right to boss me around but you notice how he does not punish me for speaking my mind like some other master's would. So I am not living in torture. Yet at the same time I am happy to be coming along on an adventure. Death is possible, yes. But it does not scare me as much as other things would."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I felt bad from bringing up a subject that seemed to take her back to a painful time but what she said was true.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I understand. I know how you feel. There are fates worse than death as we have seen no? Upon looking at it like that your mother did do you a great kindness as her last act. I did not mean to be rude. It is true that if any servant spoke in our home the way you do... they would be dismissed at best or 'punished' at worse. The head of our staff had a temper on her, but everyone toed the line."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With that we both decided to stretch our legs before the captain had us cast off again. I felt light like a feather. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are back on board now. I am told we should be at Talabheim in under a week. I am unsure what to do with my time from here until then, but I feel I do not wish to mar this light mood I have with any of the dark that is passed or is yet to come. Maybe I will write here, but maybe not. We shall see.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Mäuschen ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/02/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-children.html">Children of Chaos</a>]</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-blind.html">Blind Beggar Inn</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-4270850072089920182012-01-15T22:48:00.001+00:002012-02-12T01:54:10.798+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Blind Beggar Inn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Angestag 7th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is freezing on deck where I sit now. My breath clouds white from my lips which nip from the icy air. The sky is clear overhead with the last stars fading from the newly rising dawn, of which only the brightest stand defiantly in her gaze. The blue lightens to the yellow of hot metal, though no heat is to be found here in Ulric’s month. We march ever forward to the day of least light that of the longest night, a little way off but not long. Frost coats the deck like a dusting of fine ground diamonds, a bitter beauty. Peace hangs like a mist.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not many are moving on board, not any who do not need to be that is. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I myself am sat with as many layers as I could don. A rough blanket is folded beneath me to keep from the chill. I have another over my legs. Against all common sense I am awake and writing on some of the fresh parchment I acquired in Altdorf’s markets. It is not my best script as these new gloves are stiff but it is better than blackened shriveled fingers the sailers of Erengrad tell of. My ‘acquired’ hat protects my head.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I awoke to find the sky still starry like a dark embroidered gown and the false dawn showing the promise of things to come this morn. All in our quarters slept soundly in all their various fashions, dark mounds in a room warm from breath and bodies.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My mind was calm but perfectly awake. No reason. I just opened my eyes and felt no need to stay in the bunk. I wanted to come outside and watch the sun rise. A new day in my new life.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now that the sun has risen I write. Writing soothes me. You are the friend I need never fear of loosing. I do not need to pretend to be anyone other than who I am whilst speaking to you. You are silent and patient. You do not judge my innermost thoughts and desires. You do not heap scorn on me for feeling or thinking the way I do. You are my mirror where I see what really is, the quiet room where I can listen to the echo of truth. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is two weeks since I woke in Marienburg last and so much has changed, such a long time in my mind. You already know the tale of there to here, but what of the events I have not spoken of? What happened in the Blind Beggar in Altdorf?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd’s suspicions were right. It was a night of little sleep and much disturbance. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first time I woke to a man being shown the short way down the stairs for having turned the handle on the ‘wrong door’. Grunnd does not hold back when he hits. When he came back to the room he replaced the chair below the door and dismissed the encounter. “We’ll know soon enough what is to come. That was only the beginning of tonights entertainment I think.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He shook his head and asked me outright. “Tell me mouse. Who exactly is your father? More importantly, what lengths would he be willing to go to get you back? What are we facing here?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The questions felt like a chiding, in fact I was almost embarrassed to admit I had not considered the full consequences of who I am and how it would affect how long I would be free for when I ran. I explained that my father is Johann Eisenjaeger. One of the wealthiest, most successful and consequently probably one of the most powerful Marienburgian merchants alive. Though the power struggles and posturing of merchants is a politically turbulent and wholly labile affair. At home, to me, he is just ‘father’. I admitted that I had assumed very naively that I would be free to make my way in the world and that the loss of one daughter would not be of much consequence. It seemed I was wrong. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd agreed that it was rather short sighted of me but that we would deal with what came. He then asked me out of interest what the circumstances were that caused such a well placed young lady to run away in the first place? From a life with such promise as to be the daughter of a highly successful merchant? What was so wrong?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This brought back memories I would rather not have faced at that time of night. I decided to be brief and not delve into a history that would go dredging in the deep. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“I am sorry. I am not trying to be awkward but I do not wish to discuss in full my reasoning tonight, another time perhaps, but here is the quick of the tale. My father wished me married to one of his close friend’s sons, an ally if you will. I could not dissuade him from this decision as I had done in the past. I lost my heart long ago to the seas of Manann and I will not be forced to settle for less than what I lost. On the day of our wedding my brother helped me make my escape. I did not arrive at the temple where my groom and future family waited. I took flight and stayed with some of Andreas’s friends before deciding to make my own way. You know the rest. I chose the wrong man to fish from.” </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Later after sleeping what felt like moments, I woke. I threw myself from where I slept into a bleary upright. My limbs trembled with the urge to run or fight while my eyes fought to remain open, trying to make sense of why I was standing. The sound of Grunnd’s voice told me this was it. I loaded my pistol hastily, fumbling and turning to the door as I heard the sound of men outside in the hall. Within a heart beat Grunnd threw the chair through the window with no warning. The shattering glass shocked my tired nerves and my pistol went off, firing through the closed door. Then, the shriek of a man in pain. I’d shot someone through the door! A voice yelled “Get the girl!”. It was me they were here for.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It all happened in a blur of confusion after that. Grunnd ordered me away from the door. Moving toward the window and I caught the tip of a pistol edging round the jagged frame. I threw my back against the wall and began hastily reloading. If only I had a second pistol, a rapier, something. Grunnd gave our assailants the opportunity to rethink their course of action before the repercussions began. He gave me the choice. This was it. Did I want to end it all and go back to my father, or did I want to stay here? “What will it be little mouse? Predator or prey?” I chose the now, my freedom.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All but one of the hired men died in what ensued. The one Grunnd tackled down the stairs as he tried to flee, I am not so sure of. I believe he and Storm Breaker may have had some unpleasant words. I think Grunnd would have left him as a messenger to go back to Albrecht. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not wanting to have to deal with the Watch he bade us move quick. Stefan gave the dead their rites as we looted the bodies. I was quietly pleased to find myself that second pistol and a hat to add to my disguise. I was to go with Stefan and Hans as men together to the Temple of Sigmar, to await the morning before going to the Blue Bird. Grunnd took Danielle but not before I had given her one of my brother’s coats to make her disguise as me all the more convincing. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No more excitement happened that night. We left the temple with the rising sun and arrived at the quayside to find Grunnd and Danielle were safe also. As they approached Grunnd smiled “That’s a fine hat mouse.” I nodded and smiled. No use for pleasantries, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan in is inimitable style handed me his bag and strode up the gangway to rouse the captain. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I followed his course with my eyes. Watching his serious expression. His gate full of importance. The man who appeared was not who should have been there. It was Albrecht. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My heart fluttered and ice ran under my skin. A trap! I drew my new hat over my eyes and whispered to either side of me who it was. I squinted sideways down the wharf but could not see any armed men. Grunnd rattled along the gangway after Stefan and demanded what was happening. I could not hear much but I imagine from what I know now Albrecht was asking if anyone had seen me as he had heard I was to be onboard. Grunnd yelled at me “You boy! Bring me my belongings.” Against every voice in my mind I made my way on to the boat at which Albrecht took his leave. With not so much as a look at me he handed me a note while passing with instructions to give it to ‘my master’. I made sure to keep my hat tilted but did not have a problem disguising my voice. My throat rasped tight as I spoke "Yes sir". </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You already know what the note said. Albrecht knows Anya Eisenjaeger is now in service to the Empire for thievery and is most probably on the Blue Bird to Talabheim. Other than that? Nothing. For we ourselves do not know what the future holds. Snow I suspect, or rain. Rain is one of the few certainties in this life. Considering the clear sky for now and the frost we may have a reprieve to catch our breath.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Mäuschen ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-what-it.html">What It Takes</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-womens.html">Women's Talk</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-56204814166418715322012-01-14T01:28:00.000+00:002012-02-11T22:42:57.103+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] What It Takes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Konistag 6th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I needed to know where I stood. My new status as the Empire’s most hunted left me vulnerable to all. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I went up on deck and found Grunnd taking some air, leaning against the side of the boat. The sun was not long for the day as it was already sliding into the trees. Darkness like spilt ink was already coloring the landscape, blotting out the details. I quickly scanned around to make sure we would not be overheard.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“On the water again, eh? I for one will not miss the cart.” I leaned on the rail to look down at black water. Grunnd huffed a side smile in reply. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Grunnd...” I sighed, swallowed hard and took my chance. I needed to know. The rest followed fast.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“I will not go back. You are right. I made my decision back at the Inn and it is the path I choose now. I would not blame you if the 1000 crowns changed your feelings towards me.” I held my hand to stop any interruptions and and closed my eyes against any tears. Deep breath.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“You do not know me from Morr, Grunnd. You have shown me kindness but you are a mortal and I am now a very wealthy ‘commodity’.” Now I looked him full in the eye and through clenched teeth continued, “I would not blame anyone for being swayed by that. Not you, not Verstohlen, not them.” I jerked my head intimating the others. “But know this...” at this I pulled my blade out, lifting it to press it against my throat for only him to see my conviction. “I will not go down whole for I would rather die than go back. I am no longer an Eisenjaeger. I am not Anya. This is my choice.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd had stood watching me silently, letting me speak. As quickly as I drew my dagger he gently but firmly put his hand over the blade and lowered it, shaking his head, expression grim.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Never draw steel mouse, unless you intend to bloody the blade. Too many fools in this world too keen to get their blades out. Few are willing to deal with the consequences." </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">His expression softened as he regarded me. "It’s not fair mouse. You being forced into this life but it’s not too bad a life. Aye, ours is a dangerous ...deadly path even, but we’re free are we not? You and I. I'd take freedom over a life of servitude any day. Why do you think a dwarf of the Grey Mountains plys his trade in death on the streets of the Empire and not in his homelands fighting the greenskins? Nah, we're not so different you and I mouse. We both have a home we'd rather not return to."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A gentle smile crossed his face with a thought. "A thousand crowns, eh? What would old Grunnd do with a thousand crowns I wonder?” Another laugh. He looked up at the sky and back again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“I'd have a stinking hangover for a start! And we both know how i feel about them. I could buy a nice shiny new hammer? But what hammer is better than Storm Breaker? No mouse, you have nothing to fear from me on that part. A king’s ransom in gold means little to me as long as I have enough coin to get a room, eat a hot meal of an evening and payment for services I'm happy just being on the road doing steady honest...just work for an honest pay."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“The others I can’t speak for - the longshanks, he doesn’t strike me as the material type; the wench, she has a good heart; and the boy? Well him I’m undecided about. Of all of us he might have the most reason to turn you in, but again, I don’t know if he is quick enough to realize it." With that he reached over and gave my hand a squeeze. My eyes were watering a little with relief.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Don’t worry mouse. I'll keep you safe as best I can and soon lass, maybe old Grunnd will need protecting, and I'd gladly have no other watching my back than you." He gave me a wink and looked back out across the water again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That was all I needed to know and more. A hot tear rolled down my cheek and my heart leapt with happiness. Very quickly I lifted his tricorne and kissed his bare head with a whispered “Thank you.” before striding away back to the shared guest sleeping quarters. I didn’t look back to see his reaction. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle is already sleeping. Her face shows dark marks below her dark lashes, tired. She still wears the coat I gave to aid in her disguising as me. No wonder she sleeps after the night of interrupted rest and midnight happenings we’ve had. Not that I am not tired also. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan is reading his holy book by a dim candle stub. Hans too is asleep. He is laying full out with his legs crossed at the ankles and arms stretched back with his hands cradling his head. He looks as if there isn’t a care in the world. I wonder what a hunting boy dreams about? Chasing down prey and poachers I suppose. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think I will bed down too now. Before Grunnd retires for the day.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Mäuschen ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Zapfino; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-precious.html">Precious Commodity</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-blind.html">Blind Beggar Inn</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-9084530402904694562012-01-13T01:34:00.000+00:002012-01-14T01:29:30.592+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Precious Commodity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Konistag 6th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Life presented me with the embodiment of Grunnd’s question. It demanded my answer.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“What are you little mouse? </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Are you a predator or are you prey?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today I made the decision - I am a predator. I will not run. I will stand and fight. I will live. I will feel. I will make my own decisions.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My life has been spent as the pawn in a game controlled by the hand of my incredibly wealthy and seemingly power-hungry father. I am not his piece of property to be traded and used as a ‘commodity’. I am no longer an Eisenjaeger. No longer the merchants daughter. The child has come of age and makes her own life for herself. However long that is will be the decision of the gods.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No matter how I found my way to this point from now on I am here because I chose to be. Not because life and other beings overtook me. I am on this quest to find the Van Tanncred sword - an opportunity of a lifetime to fight in saving the Empire from destruction. I will do the will of the Witch Hunter because his is the fight against chaos. Chaos does not play by rules, it is not pretty, it is not remorseful, not merciful. Fire must be met with fire. All or nothing. I see this now.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">News will reach my father that I am now a thief serving my sentence in servitude to the Empire by serving the Witch Hunter Verstohlen. Grunnd told no lies. Pulled no punches.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Albrecht left the Blue Bird he passed a letter for my ‘master’ Grunnd. Here is what it said -</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal 'Handwriting - Dakota'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“He will never let you go Anya, you are </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal 'Handwriting - Dakota'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">his most precious commodity.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whether this meant he knew I was on board, could see through my disguise; or that Albrecht hoped the letter would be given to me ‘back in the Temple’ where Grunnd said I was in refuge, is unclear. I feel the sickly tendrils of politics and the stench of money in this. 1000 gold crownes is what is offered for my safe return. A price on my pretty little head. I wonder how much I am truly worth to him if back in his grasp?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No doubt my father would tell me he has nothing but my best intentions at heart. That he loves and misses me and that is why he has flexed all influence he can to set the mercantile guilds in his reach to be on the alert for me. To bring his lost dear precious golden child home safe to her family. Of course behind the closed doors of Marienburg where loose lips chatter and twist the fabric of life, home of poisonous gossip, his authority will be in question. “Oh my! He cannot control his own household?” My leaving my ‘groom’ at the altar has most likely offended that most ‘honest’ of families the Ehrlichmann’s. It will be of the utmost scandal among the stalls, the inns, along the wharfs, among the harbourmen, in the washhouse by now. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If the Eisenjaeger’s were nothing but paupers. If I was a young son. There would not be this furor. No one would care to look for me. I would be considered the lost son - off to become a hero and find his fame, or his fate. There would be no mercenaries risking their skins for the reward. A king’s ransom! Enough to raise an army!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wonder if I would still be a precious commodity if I were scarred, missing an eye, a limb, my teeth? Would I still be precious if I was found to be with child? My honor sullied? If I had brands or ink marks on my skin, better - my face, like some of the more exotic servants found in the ports? Maybe I could take a vow of chastity at a religious order? Maybe I should forfeit my life in full to Sigmar to fight to restore the balance of Order over Chaos replete?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I must go for now. We are aboard the Blue Bird and ‘safely’ at the beginning of a weeks passage to Talabheim. I shall tell the tale of the Blind Beggar in time.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ A ~</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sigmars.html">Sigmar's Hammer</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">]</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-what-it.html">What It Takes</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-60556613757962703102012-01-12T02:49:00.001+00:002012-02-12T01:36:12.661+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Sigmar's Hammer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Behzaltag 5th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I did not plan on taking up the pen anymore this evening but I have just had a conversation I feel I should take note of.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd had been watching me write. Not that there is anything else to do as his equipment and belongings are now in fine fettle. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"What’s that you’re writing there little mouse?" I looked up to see his good eye watching me from below a raised thick black eyebrow. His wide mustache twitched a sly smile as he took his hat off to sit it on one of his knees. As if he didn’t know what I was writing.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He leaned forward with his elbow on the other, hand rubbing his chin musingly. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"A journal of your adventures, eh?” he winked and smiled widely.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Grunnd gives this Inn three hammers....” he said laughing to himself for a moment then looked distant. “Heh... just remembering a jest I shared with my last companion. We would go from town to town on Verstohlen’s affairs. I remarked we should keep a journal of the towns and give them a rating based on the fights we were in or the trouble it caused us...a silly notion i suppose..."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I like this notion of his. Humour to lighten the severeness of the road.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"What does it say about old Grunnd I wonder? Am I dashing hero of a heroic fable?” I couldn’t help smile and laugh as he flexed an arm and posed in profile for a moment. “No, I should think not. You probably have Grunnd penned as a fearsome half man of furious temper and terrible wrath I imagine, and you wouldn’t be far wrong would you? But don’t be too harsh on Grunnd mouse. I have seen and done terrible things to men, but I am also a fair dwarf and, if I can avoid it all, I'd rather not spill blood.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All I could do is nod quietly in agreement. There was an inner voice that laughed that he may not enjoy killing if he can help it but that bruising backsides was another matter. I bit my lip, trying hard not to let my amusement show.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Any questions you'd like to ask of old Grunnd, mouse?"</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By this point I had put my pen down and capped the ink lest either drip or dry. Queries came to mind. Most of our conversations had been like this. A query from me and an answer from Grunnd. He is a dwarf of little unsolicited words but if you take the time to ask he will answer.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I asked him about his and dwarven drinking habits. I had heard tell of their legendary thirst for the cask but was confused by his now self-enforced drought.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He nodded and wagged his finger at me. Serious now.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“You are quite right but I can do without the sore heads and the clouded senses. On a job like this the caress of a stupor can be the death of a man, especially in these dark times. I'll keep my wits sharp and the hammer blunt thank you very much." with that he patted the weapon in recognition.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was valid reasoning, honest. I believe he will not lie to me without good reason. There is no pretense with Grunnd. I went for one of the bigger questions hanging in my mind, plucking the courage from somewhere.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“It is Sigmar you follow? He has chosen you, no?” </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd nodded. I swallowed and fidgeted with a little braided lock of my old hair I had saved from the cutting. I looked down, a little shy to be asking such a direct question. If I was going to speak of this then there was no better time or person.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“How did you know he had chosen you? How do you know who walks your path and keeps watch over you? I fear none watch me.” I caught myself at that and smoothed the grimy strands between my fingers. Gold glinted in the candle light. Is it not the same in life? That the most precious is to be found within the most base?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I looked up when no answer came. The dwarf was looking at me with both eyes now.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd exhaled and nodded thoughtfully. He began to recant his tale.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"What Verstohlen told you about the sword and the thing that now wields it, was all true, but he didn't tell you all that happened in that crypt. With a single word that thing bade us to kneel. Compelled by some overwhelming force we fell to our knees in front of its spoken command. As I looked to my companions I saw the fear and anguish in their eyes. Thankfully the Van Tanncred ancestor sought only to bore us to death with more talking, but felt we needed to be a captive audience for that. I found myself ...defiant? I can’t explain the thoughts I had or the sense of injustice I felt. Slowly, ever so slowly, I got off my knees feeling empowered, unafraid, like someone was giving me the strength to stand and fight one more battle. I gripped Storm Breaker and with a voice I can barely call me own, I challenged this Van Tanncred wight to face me, words are for poets after all, put that sword to use and fight me." he went quiet, thinking on the memory. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Was it just old fashioned dwarven stubbornness that got me to my feet? or was I chosen by some higher power? This Sigmar of the Empire. I've seen his work. It’s more obvious than the myths and legends of my gods. I believe he got me to my feet. Even my name - Grunnd - roughly translates as hammer to your tongue. Sigmar’s hammer, that is what I think I am now." he smiled wryly. "Anyway, the wight didn't accept my challenge, although he did promise me a swift death next time we meet. I look forward to it."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After another moment of quiet reflection Grunnd gestured at me, "Go on and get to sleep little mouse, I don’t think the nights adventures have begun, and you need to sleep."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It almost made me grin the thought that not even my own father has shown such open care for me and my physical wellbeing and safety in such a long time. It is comforting to know I am not so alone in the dark.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ A ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-mauschen.html">Mäuschen</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-precious.html">Precious Commodity</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's Luck</a>]</span></span></div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-30816097910380073962012-01-10T23:33:00.002+00:002012-02-11T22:51:54.070+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Mäuschen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Behzaltag 5th Ulriczeit 2522</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One day in this city and so much to tell. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Altdorf isn’t so much different from Marienburg. Unsurprisingly it is crammed with the hustle and bustle of visitors from far and wide. The stench of so much life in the narrow stony streets does make even a Marienburger’s eyes water. Muck and beggars as much as any city I suppose. It does have these tall spires which it is famous for but not the sea and the tides to wash the filth out twice a day. I am not fond of the sea, for my own reasons, but I do actually miss it. Comes from being a child of the coast. A starfish child as my father sometimes called me as I clung to him as a little one, all arms and legs. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we arrived this morning the market was in full sail and the first request when we got out of the cart was to stretch our legs and stock up on supplies and other items. Verstohlen has gone to the Temple of Sigmar for his own duties but at least left us with some crowns and instruction to come here to the Blind Beggar Inn once finished. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In our trip for provisions Hans was kind enough to purchase a chain shirt on my behalf. We are not too different in build and I would have been sure to raise some eyebrows- a young woman purchasing armour for herself. While this was taking place Grunnd poked me in the side and winked, gesturing me to follow him.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Around the corner he admitted that though in Verstohlen’s presence he did things by the book. He had no problem if I needed to do any wealth liberation while in the city. His moral code is not so narrow. Within minutes we found ourselves in a washhouse doing our own errands. By the time we left I had myself britches, shirts and other small clothing items of the common variety, some sheeting too and some soap as it happened to be laying around and could come in useful. Danielle and Hans had barely noticed us gone when we got back. It was heartening to be back to the old tricks. Grunnd and I exchanged a quick grin before composing ourselves back to nonchalance. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I made sure to ask Hans to purchase some more ammunition for my pistol while I perused some of the stalls to find what else I needed. Namely some warm gloves, a belt, and a warmer coat. The merchants took on a different tone when they heard my voice. Seems we Marienburgers don’t hold much respect among the Empire’s merchants, no doubt it is jealousy of our free status and wealth. In saying that they treated me well enough as I was the one with the purse. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When admiring some of the exotic caged birds for sale by an Araby spice dealer a large warm hand pulled me round. It was Albrecht. One of my father’s fellow traders and close guild friends. I was shocked to see someone I knew but I shouldn’t have been as we’re not too far away by boat from home. I did my best to look pleased to see him. Pleased to see another of my father’s fat old friends with their overindulgent frames and patronising manners. The silly little girl smiled stiffly.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He wanted to know why I was in Altdorf. Why I wasn’t with my father and why I wouldn’t go back home. Not that it is any of his business. It seemed to be the most important thing in the world that I return, as if he should care. It was not until later that Grunnd hit on the true possible reasoning- Albrecht would be the hero for bringing home the wayward Eisenjaeger daughter to Johann, my father. I guess maybe it must be an embarrassment, an affront to father that I ran from the marriage he had arranged. That he could not control the women of his house. Maybe my father has even been at the guild asking the others to keep watch for my whereabouts? Why had I not thought on this? I have been busy lamenting my haste and short sightedness in running from my home and my future but now that I could be returned to the gilded cage so quickly, I am not so sure I wish my wings clipped. I may be under the authority of Verstohlen, and I may be closer to death now than ever but I am at least my own person. I may be faced by soul torturing choices but at least I feel alive. Not trapped in the drudgery of the home to dress like a lady proper. I do miss Andreas though and Beatrix with her sweet laughter and heart touching affection. Not that I do not miss my older siblings too but I have not seen Annette since she married. Her husband Meinhard took her away to his home in freezing cold Erengrad, though I see him of course as he returns to Marienburg with his trade. He is a good soul but did he really have to take her so far away from her family? Bernhard is always busy consorting with our father in their dealings, I mean business. I miss Bernhard my brother but not Bernhard the merchant. He is another creature altogether.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When Albrecht told me to wait where I was I followed him a little to see where he was limping off to. Gout, a rich mans mark. I watched as he called the attention of what looked like more of a hired thug than a guard and that was enough for me. I wasn’t being taken back kicking and screaming by a brute. I retraced my steps quickly through the crowd. Scanning faces to find the others. Thankfully they were not far away. I explained to Grunnd what had happened, possibly not very well as my heart was racing and my hands shaking. Flustered girl. I really need to get my nerves under better control. I can shoot a man at close range but not tell one of my father’s friends where to go? Ridiculous.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He shook his head and sighed deeply. He told me that there are two kinds of people in this world - predators and prey. What am I? I said that as much as I wished I were a predator, I know for now I am prey, a mouse. He reminded me of his advice from the banks of the river Reik. To stick the blade in their neck and twist, they die faster. A stranger perhaps but I could not do that to someone I grew up knowing.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle, Hans and I went back to the Inn. Grunnd however took my description of Albrecht and went off looking for him. I am glad he did not find him for as much as I do not like the man, I do not wish his bearded face smashed to so much ground meat by that hammer. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few hours ago Danielle and I worked some magic and transformed me from merchant’s daughter to working boy. I wished so hard to be able to wash myself in some warm water and that soap but the guise needed to be convincing. The long hair I once prided myself on was hacked away from waist to shoulder length, all grubby and rat tailed. I tied it back with some leather thong at least all the grease kept it where it should be. We bound my female curves down with torn lengths of the re-appropriated bed sheets. On went my new clothing. By luck they fitted but so much rougher than the finery of my brothers. They will do the job. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was shocked when Danielle asked me how much of a man I wanted to be? I was doubly shocked as she shoved her hand down my britches with padding she had fashioned into my new ‘manhood’. ‘Not too big to be a joke and not too small to be a pity.’ </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am unsure I wished to go this far in the pretense but she has convinced me for one night. I felt exposed as I came back down to the bar but was relieved to see Pieter was not there. No one lifted a brow at my change in person, even the others. I was relieved and glad. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am now Andreas, also known as Mäuschen ~ Little Mouse ~. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not think I shall use my family name anymore. It is far too well known among the merchant class and could pose me a threat of more unwanted attention. I had not thought on it but a family member of the Eisenjaeger’s could fetch a pretty penny in ransom if I fell into the wrong hands. Would my father pay it? I believe he would. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am sitting in the sparse sleeping quarters of one of the rooms upstairs. I am sure the others will be asleep now but not Grunnd. He is sat on one of the two chairs this room possesses</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. The other is opposite him, jammed against the door. He says he will not sleep this night for he believes Albrecht will have men come to take me away. I hope not. I hope it is just the imagination of a dwarf too long on the hard road but I guess you cannot be too careful. The others are all in the next room bar Verstohlen who is still at the Temple with his brethren.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hopefully I will awake on the morrow. We have passage booked on the Blue Bird to Talabheim to chase the iron-forged ‘end of the world’.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ A ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-musings.html">musings</a>]</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sigmars.html">Sigmar's hammer</a>]</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">]</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-12072720242006112522012-01-08T16:46:00.003+00:002012-02-11T22:42:25.831+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Musings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; letter-spacing: 0px;">~ Marktag 3rd Ulriczeit 2522 ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> A few days have passed dear friend since I spoke to you the silent listener of my innermost thoughts. I have put to one side my moral grumblings and faltering faith in order to get through the boredom of this journey. I really wish we had not lost the barge in Reiksbruck. At least it had shelter and a more ready access to warmth and sustenance. A cup of warm something would be welcomed by my fingers today. Bitter again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are other things we do still have. Stefan is still putting his heart and bruised skin into learning with his father’s sword. When Grunnd and Pieter are not stretching their legs and arms in beating him senseless they ride in the cart. I am impressed the mule does not spook at the sounds of the fighting behind. It must be deaf or dense. At least the fray is a source of amusement for Danielle and I. Hans too splits his attention between keeping an eye on the mule and on watching the sparring. Though the mule honestly seems to drive itself as there is only the muddy track to follow. There are no juicy tempting shoots this side of Mondstill.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am glad. The sky has remained surprisingly kind to us on the open road. Only light showers have fallen over the woods, just enough to make us damp and a little grim. I think the sword practice of Stefan has helped in keeping our spirits on the more pleasant side of humour, and the little ditties Danielle sometimes serenades us with help too. I do not wish another confrontation between the Witch Hunter and Grunnd, and certainly not one between either of them and anyone else.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In speaking of the sky, when we do catch more than a branch-webbed view of it, it is turning a more threatening hue. I fear snow may be on its way soon. For that reason I hope we reach Altdorf before it does. I did not dress for the icy breath of Ulric, though we are in his month.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another source of amusement is Danielle. She is merciless in her chiding of Stefan. He on the other hand feigns indifference- stoically hen-pecked. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I came out of my tristful fog I turned to my friend in the hope of helping the time pass at a faster clip, and maybe to lift my heart a little. She did not fail me. Danielle seems not to have been touched by the mental pain I have been afflicted by since the burning. I do not believe she is happy about what took place. In fact I know she is not, but she is wise enough not to goad Verstohlen on the matter, or to dwell on it. We have spoken of many things. Mostly inane in nature. Nothing of too deep an importance. Just banter of where she is from and her view on our city. Places and people we both knew of. Shared experience on the opposite ends of the social ladder. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I find it beautiful. She has a light in her heart, a bright flame of joy and strength that cheerfully infects those who wish it. I wish I had such a gift. At least I am blessed to have her with me.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have dipped back into the sorrow again. This is getting tiresome. Maybe I should put my writings away. To write is to look inwards and for now my insides are cold and sad like that of a blue winter twilight. They cannot help leak out to soak the parchment with the aid of my pen. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let me see. Something else. Lifting or practical. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd is currently sitting meticulously cleaning and repairing all of his worldly belongings. I swear if this journey took any longer his mail shirt would shine like the stars. I cannot help but smile a little when I watch his little routines and rituals. His hammer is like a corporeal part of him. It does not stray far from his grasp. His hand checks for its whereabouts without his mind even asking it to- a reassuring pat to his trustiest friend. I think I would not be surprised to find an eye open on it and a mouth to speak. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle seems to have taken a leaf out of Grunnd’s book and is repairing some clothing in the absence of my attention while I scribe. She is humming something familiar under her breath though I cannot remember the words to this one. Her needlework is astounding. It is not the rough ‘that will do’ of some maids work but is precise, fine and even. No doubt that some of the embroidery is of her hand too perhaps. For a someone who does not wish the marriage bed she would make a very fine wife for a deaf man. That’s a little harsh, I jest of course. Maybe a man of expansive humour and patience. She certainly deserves that at least. Someone to love her and tame the shrew within.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hans does not speak much but his laughter is almost infectious. Danielle seems to think so at least. It sounds like it comes from his heart through the soles of his boots. His blue eyes twinkled with his wide smile while watching the sparring earlier this morn. I am glad he does not seem too affected by the loss of so much. Reiksbruck was his home and by all accounts his only family of a sort was the Baron. All who knew him in this life are now dead. How does a boy cope with such knowledge? Maybe he has not thought on it’s implications yet? Maybe I think too much.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan is sitting with his huge tome of a book open and weighing down his legs as he sits. His legs and fingers are all I can truly see behind it’s leather-bound cover. I wonder if his feet feel numb or prickly yet? I do not think he would let such a trifling bodily discomfort cause him to move. Strange, he does not read as much as I thought he would, though far more than most who can. A lot of his time is spent sitting quietly contemplating. Not looking at anything in particular. As if he is waiting for something. Death I suspect, but maybe I am wrong.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah, Verstohlen. I try and keep my back to him as much as possible for I do not wish to illicit conversation, not that I think he enjoys such pursuits. When I do watch him during Stefan’s training he looks serious and humorless. I think it is important that though he has accrued companions like a net gathers flotsam and jetsam, we must not pose too much a danger by being helpless or useless. Though it was Stefan who requested his beatings, and only he who is practicing so maybe I am wrong. It is interesting that he gave Hans and myself a choice, admittedly between death or joinging him, but still he could have saved himself the trouble and blown our faces off too. I wonder how his brain works. I wonder if he is still a man or if in becoming a Witch Hunter you give your humanity over to a higher order, namely Sigmar. Does he have anything of the true Pieter left in his soul? Who was that boy before he became the fearsome man? I saw a crack in that armor during a well timed comment from Danielle as Stefan faltered and landed in the sodden ditch by the wayside. An almost smile softened on Verstohlen’s face but the iron mask came down just as quick. Interesting, like watching one of the ferocious beasts the men made fight for sport and money down by the market. Hard animals with all sorts of scars and learned behavior through the hardships of life with man, but sometimes, just sometimes when they let their guard down they looked as if they could be touched in friendship. Maybe best not to try lest my hand be ripped off.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not long now. Hans says there is just under two days before we reach the City of Spires by the stone marker we just passed. I think I will walk for a bit. Keep the mule company at the front. Poor beast has no one to speak to.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ A ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-chill-in.html">chill in the air</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-mauschen.html">Mäuschen</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">]</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-47018311534128138352012-01-07T02:40:00.000+00:002012-01-08T16:49:01.753+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Chill in the Air<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">~ Angestag 32nd Kaldezeit 2522 ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is a whole week since I tried my hand at pocketing from the Witch Hunter Pieter Verstohlen. A week since I chose life over his pistol, and since that choice I have found myself many other dangerous means of death. So many options to pick from if I was so inclined. Thus far I have survived and plan to continue doing so. I cannot believe it has only been one week past as it feels more like a lifetime. Now I am sat numb on a cart to the Greatest City of the Empire. The City of Spires - Altdorf. My father’s next favoured city after Marienburg for the wealth it brings him in trade. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we thankfully pulled into the next town, a days ride from Reiksbruck. It was a welcome change to be able to stretch my legs and enter the almost steamy warmth of the inn. We were relieved to find no trace of the pox there. No speak of what had happened downriver. It is sometimes good fortune that news does not always travel fast.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An odd matter I noticed was that our friend the dwarf did not drink himself under the table. He stuck to small beer the strength of bog water. I wonder if the event of the burning did bother him after all, or maybe so much cart travel had upset his stomach. I know it is upsetting my joints for sure, and my buttocks. I think I could sit on glass and not feel it.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe I will ask him of this some other time.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are back on the road once more. A fairly wide track through the thick forests of the Reikland. Once you have seen a days worth of woodland in winter you have pretty much seen it all. The same scene rattles past with little change. Sometimes we pass worn paths leading off the main road, sometimes seeing a clearing through the maze of branches and dead-growth: a homestead here, a fallen tree there, a small burn or marshy pond. I haven’t seen anything untoward. No brigands or beastmen. No creatures either, or signs of life, tis winter after all. Maybe it really is the will of Sigmar that protects us on our journey, if Pieter and Grunnd are right. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not know anymore.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I sometimes see crude little altars by the wayside, for offerings to Taal I believe. For we are definitely in his lands from what the farming traders said when they spoke of their homes whilst visiting Marienburg. Our own family altar revered Handrich and Manaan both. I know that my father also had a small shrine to Ranald hidden in his personal study, as if a nosy young girl would not have searched there. Better to hedge your bets in life I guess.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have honoured Ranald for some time since my brother started taking me out on his little adventures. Andreas told me that at least he was honest about his trade instead of the ‘backstab with a smile’ of our fathers dealings. Merchants and pirates are robbers all the same he said, except one thinks he is better than the other with the pretense of honesty and the aboveboard-facade. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we went out with Andreas’ friends he used to dress me up in some of his clothes; all fashionable and bonneted so my hair was hidden and my girlish looks disguised in Marienburg garb. It is not too hard when you are young. In the times when I wasn’t playing his younger brother we dressed for shadows and light-fingered work. The thrill of the theft was addictive. To gain goods and wealth so easily. The merchant doesn’t notice a few small wares gone from his stall in fact he plans for it. The lady does not believe her trinket stolen, but merely lost or misplaced. It was not long before our adventures were curtailed by my ‘blossoming’ into womanhood and the rise of my responsibilities at home with my older sister marrying. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thievery was how I planned to make my way in the world, at least for a time, when later marriage to the son of one of my father’s fellow merchants - Olof Ehrlichmann - proved unavoidable. The boy Klaus, or I should say man though he is far from it, was not a bad one but he was not my Marcel. No one could be my Marcel. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I used to find it amusing- a merchant with a surname meaning honest man. I stopped finding it amusing when Olof and my father intended Klaus to make me an ‘honest woman’. Disgusting. Two fat old men conniving to ruin the life of a young woman all in the name of a business deal like exchanging goods and money. A product of my father’s to be bought and sold for a profit among his friends.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My older sister Annette and oldest brother Bernhard are both married well so my father should be happy that his business is done. I lost my husband before we could marry through the wrath of Manann. I would have happily kept house for my father for the rest of my earthly days - to care for him in his dotage, care for my sweet little sister Beatrix, even cow-tail to her loathsome mother the saintly ‘lady’ Nadine Fuchs Kaufmannstein, or Amsel as my father calls her. His little blackbird, how quaint. I could find other more appropriate names but I shall not waste my ink. How sweet in love my father is. Blind man. My poor mother is cold in her crypt sleeping far away from his conscience. To see an old man with such a young beautiful wife, they do say there is no fool like an old fool. I do so wish her beatific countenance would reflect her heart, she’d then be a true sight to see.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I digress a little me thinks. It passes the time. This venting of my spleen on parchment should be good for the soul I would think. I may not be the most valorous being in the flesh but here in my head I can right the wrongs and slay beasts with my pen. Mäuschen is what Grunnd calls me, he is right you know.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was a point to my writings before it got lost and travelled into much venom. Ranald.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, Ranald. I am not so sure he approves of what I have done. My mind is a thing twisted and taught with the morality of my, our, actions. I agreed that I did not have a choice. I agreed with Pieter that they all posed a threat with their possible harboring of the pox and all the chaotic possibilities that entailed. I even agreed that the best way to deal with such evils is with the cleansing of fire, indeed I even held one of the torches that set their deaths in motion. However I cannot bear that they could have died a quicker, more humane death. Apothecaries have tinctures to bring the eternal sleep calmly. Worse still some may have been free from the affliction. Does the death of one innocent constitute murder? Does the blessing of them in Morr’s name before the fiery death absolve the torch bearers of any guilt or blame? I do not know. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is in Sigmar’s name that we now journey the deadly road, dance the merry dance, to find the Van Tanncred sword before it kills all. It is in Sigmar’s name that Pieter Verstohlen dons his tall black buckled hat and roots out all chaos and evil in his work, nay, his calling as Witch Hunter. It is. Sigmar, patron of the mighty Empire, Hammer of Heroes and god of the twin tailed comet.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I do not know where I stand in this matter other than in a place of sad hurtful thoughts. I feel I cannot speak of them lest my faltering faith mark me as one weak to the powers of chaos and have my face blown off for ‘my own good’. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where is my faith now when I need it? Has Ranald left me? For such a god of trickery, luck and thievery to have the high morals to abhor violent crime and murder. Manann lost me when he took my love, and we are far from the sea. Handrich never knew me. I was a merchant’s daughter not the merchant himself. Who do I follow now? Such wayward lost sheep are prey for many a wolf. We pass through the wilds of nature, Taal’s heartland. We have come from the cultured fields of Rhya. They know me not. Morr might know me soon but I hope Verena is not watching. Shallya would cry to see what I have done, and Myrmidia would laugh if I called her, for I would laugh too. There are many gods in this land and in others. I have heard their names and seen their followers, their altars, in the hub of life that is the port of Marienburg. I do not feel the hand of any upon my shoulder. I feel I have lost part of myself again. Not that there was all that much left if I am honest. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do you go forth from here? From a place so dark? I cannot speak to Danielle on such a matter, and certainly not in this blasted cart where even the mule can hear me breathe. Hans is a boy, a simple villager, and a stranger. Stefan is hardly impartial and I don’t believe he has any understanding outside of his own small world, being a man. Maybe when the time is right I can speak with Grunnd. He seems to care whether I live or die, and even for my welfare. I do not think the fervour of the witch hunt has such a hold on him as it does Pieter. Maybe we will talk in Altdorf. Maybe I will die tomorrow. Catch a chill from sitting in the cold. Would that not be an irony?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ A ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-chaos.html">chaos afoot</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-musings.html">musings</a>]</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-24762044441495413582012-01-06T15:41:00.001+00:002012-01-08T16:49:09.860+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Chaos Afoot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">~ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Behzaltag 30th Kaldezeit 2522</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can still taste the acrid smoke. Still hear the screams in my mind. My eyes still sting from so much woodsmoke. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was only some hours ago I watched the flames catch the first homes and work places of Reiksbruck. Fire is a terrible thing when not contained in the hearth or by torch, but to know what would come without it is worse still. Before the sun sets on this day I am stunned by the knowledge that I have taken my first life. More than one in fact, as I have now been accomplice to the deaths of a whole towns worth of people. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we made it to Reiksbruck from the Baron’s house via the garrison, so Pieter could rouse the guards, we found the market square beset by the powers of chaos. A being most foul stood butchering the cattle sent to infect the people with the pox in the name of Nurgle. In this Pieter had his suspicions made real from the words of the Baron and the letters we found in his study. The townspeople were all imprisoned in cages guarded by cultist strangers in league with the dark forces. Their breath steamed in the winter air- women and children’s faces wet from crying, cold stone of no comfort underneath. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The butcher creature itself towered above the height of a man with its pallid sore-marred corpse-flesh heaving with maggots and dripping putrid effluence. The stench was worse than a Marienburg gutter in the summer sun; thick with flies and miasma. It’s face was from the realm of nightmares with its horned brow, fang hungry mouth and a single staring eye. Pieter and Grunnd called it plague bearer. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was glad of the leather jerkin I had picked up from the garrison and the two muskets Grunnd had passed Danielle and I. We needed them.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The fight itself did not last long. Pieter and Grunnd took on the beast of Nurgle, felling it with violent flare and the eruption of its’ innards onto the stones of the market square, but not without injury. The chaos guards didn’t stand much chance against the garrison’s guards. Three made a line for myself and Danielle, and both of us defended ourselves well in light of such a baptism in battle. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As soon as the agents of chaos were dispatched Pieter ordered the town raised to the ground. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fire cleanses all. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The discussion on the matter was short for a Witch Hunter is not a person to be argued with. I myself am in no position to argue the methods of cleansing, though something more humane for the men, women and children would have soothed my womanly conscience. I cannot think on it now for it would lead to madness and upset. Out of the safety of the family home is not the place for gentle virtues. This is the real world where death will take you as soon as look at you, and there are worse things than dying in this world.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stefan did the work of Morr in offering blessings and the last rites to ensure all departing were taken into his sleep to be judged by him on the other side. He then took the protesting Danielle and sombre Hans quickly away past the gates with the guards who were ordered to ensure no one escaped the cleansing. I helped Grunnd with the torches and we all retired to the safety outside the town walls to watch the flames lick from roof to roof. Not all roofs in the river towns use tile with reed being so plentiful; a boon for the terrible task. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now my buttocks hurt from so much sitting on this cart. My mind pains me from knowledge I do not want. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Almost as soon as Hans guided the mule away from the palisade and towards Altdorf, Grunnd tucked his trusty hammer into his side, lay back, propped his hat over his eyes and folded his arms snug over his broad chest. It’s almost enviable how quickly he falls to snoring. No jarring of his mind to keep him awake. Maybe some day I will take such horrors in my stride as he does. Will I wish to be so someday?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Danielle looks like she could sleep too from the rocking of the cart. We’ve left the fields and the ever-watching presence of the Grey Mountains in the western distance. We plunge head-long into the winter woods of Reikwald Forest as Hans tells me. The light is almost gone with the shadowy branches swallowing us up, and the sun sliding west-home for the day. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I will finish quickly. My fingers stiffen in this bitter air. I need to find myself some gloves soon.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we were not long on the road Pieter turned in his seat beside Hans and decided to speak to us. He looked grim. He said that now we had shown ourselves somewhat trustworthy he felt we should know more of why we are on this journey with him, a journey which we won't see the end of. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are journeying to find the Van Tanncred Sword which came out of the Crusade of Sun and Sands a thousand years ago. It entered the empire through Marienburg where it was sold to a merchant and then onto a man with some sort of a family claim on it. Grunnd and another, now no longer with us, were recruited to find information on the Knights of the White Rose who Van Tanncred- the man who fought in the crusade and brought back the sword as his own - was a member of. One of Pieter Verstohlen’s ancestors was squire to this knight and so the Verstohlen family fell in tandem with the Van Tanncreds. It seems this sword is not just a piece of sharp forged iron but an object with the power to bring the whole world to its knees with a deathblow. So now we are on the road to Altdorf where we shall gain passage to Talabheim further up the river in pursuit of the last clue to its whereabouts. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We should reach Altdorf in over a weeks time. A long uncomfortable journey in the open on a cart.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ A ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">[Previous entry- <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sleep-of.html">sleep of morr</a>]</span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">[Next entry- <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-chill-in.html">chill in the air</a>]</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-59465546736831695902011-12-14T04:08:00.000+00:002012-01-08T16:49:20.859+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Sleep of Morr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">~ Behzaltag 30th Kaldezeit 2522 ~</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">So much for sleeping soundly in this comfortable bed. Over an hour ago I woke to the sounds of grinding stone against stone and voices. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I was bleary eyed from being awake longer than anyone else while writing here. Stefan strode past me quickly with something about ‘Who dares defile those who rest?’ with his sword in hand. A moment later I manage to get my heavy eyes open and focused. While pulling my boots on a loaded and heavy crossbow landed in my arms. “You’re with me Mouse. Just point that at whoever I'm shouting at and stay back." I had to dash to keep up with Grunnd.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Down at the mausoleum it all happened so quickly. The Baron was there with another man. I don’t even know who said what but it was quickly clear that they shouldn’t have been there. Grunnd stepped forward and after a short exchange, ordered the Baron to stand outside and for me to keep him in my line of sight of the crossbow. Then all within the same moment the other man made a move to presumably draw a weapon. Grunnd closed the distance between them in a blink and with complete devastation, brought his warhammer down on the mans skull to crush it into his chest. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I have never seen anything so vile in all my life.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">My stomach agreed and I vomited violently. My innards felt as though they were trying to invert me. The smell of the man’s remains and my vomit made it all the more sickening. Time still moved quickly. Danielle and the cartboy were somehow there now as well, or were they there when Grunnd delivered that blow. I do not know. Danielle joined me in sickness and the cartboy heaved and dropped- passing out from the horror I think. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I looked up to make sure I still had the Baron in front of me. There was no cause to worry for he looked like he had seen his own death. Still panting and retching, I wiped the filth from my mouth with my sleeve. My eyes ran and my mouth watered. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">“All right little mouse? Seen your first dead body, gets better here in.” Grunnd came forward and patted me on the back in a comforting way. Thoughtful, but little solace. He then moved into action. Whilst slapping the cartboy a few times to bring him round, he ordered Danielle off to find Verstohlen immediately.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I was vaguely aware of Stefan mumbling angrily about anyone else wanting to defile the sanctity of the dead with their stomach contents. No one answered. There were more important matters at stake than the half digested dinners of a few shocked individuals.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">While Danielle ran away all in a trembling fluster, Grunnd demanded the Baron explain the meaning of all this. I don’t believe he got far enough because it wasn’t long before she returned with Pieter. The Witch Hunter looked grim. The dark mass of his tall buckled hat and dark coat made my stomach churn in warning. The flames reflected off the brass of his pistols. It looked like more than just anger that burned in his eyes, was it fervor? Possibly, when chaos is involved for these people I’d imagine it would be.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">To cut it short, the Baron explained something about after his wife dying he was approached with the offer from a man that he could bring her back, and that all he would need would be some offerings- a few peasants. The Baron stupidly agreed in his grief, and the man returned with some cattle that he said the people could eat and that when they fell ill and died the bargain would be fulfilled. I do not know if anything else was said but no more will be given for Verstohlen blew the mans face off with a close range pistol shot.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Seeing his body collapse into another faceless mess on the floor didn’t seem to affect me the way the other did. Not that I could make out anything from the mess of gore in the half light of torches. I have seen the dead before, but not any taken in such violent circumstances. Corpses usually have a face.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pieter turned on the cartboy and gave him almost the same ultimatum he gave me less than a week ago. Join us in silence or die. Luckily Hans, as I now know him to be, chose life. I can only imagine what he is going through. He said the Baron was almost a father to him. I guess we are now orphans together in the world, of a kind.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Stefan ordered a still shaking Danielle to fetch him a mop and a very large bucket, “I have Morr’s work to do.” Mundanity returns, how comforting. I could hear him talking to himself of all the mess; of all the blessings he would need to perform; that he’d get no more sleep this night; on how to perform a rite on a body without a head or face, where would he anoint the oil? He stopped at that thought and shouted after her to bring his book as well. “Much work of Morr.” he shook his head and tutted, rolling his sleeves up.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Still gathering my thoughts, I made a move to return to bed. I startled as the crossbow was snatched quickly out of my hands. Grunnd grinned widely up at me, a twinkle in his eye. “You get that in serious situations only." he looked a bit more serious "Now scat! Off to bed with ye.” he gestured with the bolt as he unarmed the weapon. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I couldn’t really think when I got back to this chamber. I just sat and stared at one of the cracks that ran from the ceiling to the small window frame. It was something easy to focus on in the dim. Cracked plaster and crumbling brickwork. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">When Danielle came to bed she was still a bit shaky. I did my best to comfort her with a hug, which she accepted. As she curled up under her blankets I combed her hair with my fingers, shushing her mutterings of the horrors. I sang her one of the songs my mother used to sing to me when I was ill. I smoothed the hair from her forehead until her breathing lengthened into carefree sleep. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I wish I was so lucky. My mind is thrumming with thoughts now that the shock has faded.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I have had a very real awakening to the situation I am in now. Chaos is a visceral threat to my life and those I am bound to who stand against it. This isn’t just a forced potato-boat trip by gun point to see the wonderful world we live in. People will die. It won’t be pretty. They may be evil or innocent but in the end they will die just the same. I am going to be one of them very soon unless I stand up and prepare myself. Pieter Verstohlen’s pistol may be the least of my concerns now.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I have decided I will not be a passive victim in all this. I ran away from my future as a merchant's wife, if I had got to the temple that is what I would be now, I could even have been with child by now. Who knows? Instead I didn’t think very far ahead and ended up being a thieving vagrant for a matter of weeks. Hardly impressive. Now, through a poor choice of target I am in the company of a Witch Hunter on a crusade against chaos along with his right hand dwarf and ourselves: a rag-taggle band. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">So, what can I do? </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I will take Grunnd’s advice and guise myself as a boy. I shall now be known as Andreas. I can think of no more fitting a name than my brother’s. After all it is his clothes I wear; his dagger he gifted me that I carry; and he was the one who taught me this trade. I do so miss him it pains my heart but at least now he will be with me. I will have to find myself some more boys clothing: very base items so as not to attract attention. After I cut my hair I think I should find myself a hat to wear to dissuade anyone from looking too closely. Maybe a pair of gloves too, it is cold and will only get colder, my hands are small and delicate even for a boys. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">As for surviving I will need to find myself better protection than the clothes I stand up in and my warm padded jerkin. Maybe I can find me a leather one to start with. I shall ask Grunnd what he thinks as he clearly seems to care for my well being and trusts me; he gave me his crossbow, for a time at least. I should like to learn to use it if he will teach me. A rapier would not go amiss either. I used to enjoy watching my brothers practice. Andreas would sometimes tutor me in private so I knew what to do. I miss our little adventures.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">However, the past is gone now. I would like the future to go on for as long as possible if I can help it. If I am going to meet Morr I want to die fighting by my own choice. Not as a helpless bystander. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Let us see what the morning brings.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333233; font: 12.0px Papyrus; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333233; font: 12.0px Papyrus; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ A ~</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous entry - <i><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-pox-on-you.html">a pox on you</a>]</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next entry - <i><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-chaos.html">chaos afoot</a></i>]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></div>
<br /></div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-46468305531680415862011-12-10T03:56:00.001+00:002012-01-08T16:49:27.922+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] A Pox on You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Zapfino; letter-spacing: 0px;">~ Backertag 29th Kaldezeit 2522 ~</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not even a day has passed since I wrote here and already the danger of life outside of the city has come home to roost. I’m not sure which I would prefer: a shot to the head or death by plague? I'm sure my options here in the world are far more open than those two imminent ones, but they are the most likely at the moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s funny. The hardest decision I had not long ago was what dress to wear, or how I would like my hair braided. To wear a dress now would be a dangerous luxury, and caring for my hair will be easy once it is short. I will miss my long hair. It is repulsively filthy just now, almost brown from the grime, but when it is clean it shines like spun silk the colour of spring honey. It keeps my back warm in the winter chill. Like a dress, it is a luxury I cannot afford to have.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd took me by surprise today with a show of compassion. He advised me of the dangers a woman on the road has in these dark days. I had figured these on my own but it was nice for another to care enough to point them out, especially someone I had marked as one who could kill me when I am no longer useful or convenient. He suggested I take the guise of a boy; quite appropriate given my frame and soft female voice for I am certainly no man. He also handed me a dagger with the wish that he hoped I never need to use it, but I shall speak more of this later.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have not long finished caring for my weapons under Grunnd’s watchful eye; another kindness. I asked him to show me what to do. Very efficiently he went through the steps, and gave a few words of wisdom about my weapons being what stands between me and Morr. I handed him back the dagger he had given me earlier, as I already have my own. Or, my father’s if you want to be correct about it. I guess it is mine now as I don’t know if I will ever see my father again. A few days ago I might have said that I would never wish to see him again, but now it seems like that possible wish has come true. I am not entirely sure I really meant what I said - the foolish words of an angry girl perhaps.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let me see if I can quickly take note of what happened today, lest my memory fail me and I need this information in the future. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Within seconds of closing the bindings of this journal earlier, we were rudely roused by a hammering fist and a commanding voice. My head wished there was neither, I had been looking forward to that quiet riverwalk. I thought Pieter had gone to fetch Grunnd from his drunken berth at the inn, but he had not yet departed as he was on deck with the captain and a somber looking guard when Danielle and I came out.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It seems this little town of Reiksbruck, as the captain calls it, is afflicted by plague. More specifically red pox as Stefan would later tell us. We are now not permitted to leave the town as we may be infected. Wouldn’t want the pestilence spreading any further now would we? Not sure I want to be trapped in a plague town.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Full of importance, Stefan quickly asked the guard to take him to the sick and left with his bag of items in tow; being the one with an idea on how to care for the ill, and with his natural morbid duties to possibly attend to. Pieter disappeared off to retrieve Grunnd from the inn. But before long they were all back with a new objective- to travel to the Baron of the town to inform him of Reikbruck’s predicament - a job which the initiate of Morr managed to accrue while at the sickhouse.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the others were moving their belongings from the boat and packing them onto a farm cart that had been enlisted to take us to the Baron, a firm warm hand grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me to the side. “A moment little mouse.” It was Grunnd. I didn’t know what to say so obeyed.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ Now that I have had time to mull it over I quite like this name he has given me. ~</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once out of the way he peered up at me from below the rim of his trusty tricorn. First the good eye and then the scarred one taking me in with an assessing look, his black mustache bristled and twitched for a moment. "The wench I cannot talk to. She belongs to the longshanks; she walks her own road. But the road we're on, the road you've been forced into, tis a dangerous one for a lass, specially a fair lass like you. If you would heed my council: cut that hair short; muddy your face; and find some stable boys britches to wear. Men who travel these roads want little from a stable boy, but there's more than coin to be taken from a pretty girl." Grunnd left the implied threat hanging and turned for the cart, paused briefly then looked back. He produced a wicked looking boot dagger, "Should that happen, bury this in their neck. Don't forget to twist the blade- they bleed more and die faster..."</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At what the townsfolk termed the ‘big house’, not as grand as even my family home, we found a sad place indeed. This feeling wasn’t helped by the coming down of the dark. Short days these with winter riding in. Cold. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Baron is a somber man with a very deliberate, slow manner. His wife died just six months back with the last wave of plague that hit the area. The weight of his grief hangs around him like an oppressive deadweight. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Within the conversation with the Baron I learned some interesting things from listening to Pieter. Firstly that his name is Pieter Verstohlen. Secondly that he is a Witch Hunter, this is not a necessarily good thing for me as they are not the kind of persons you wish to travel with. Dangerous isn’t the word. I am surprised I am still alive if the tales in Marienburg are to be believed.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I am honest, I have been too frightened to ask him anything of where we are going and certainly not what we or he were doing. Now I know that we are headed for Altdorf the Empire’s capital; somewhere I have never been but always wanted to visit. We also need to be on our way as time very much is of the essence- Grunnd has made this perfectly clear. There is evil afoot and if this quest that Pieter and Grunnd seem to be on, and ourselves of course, isn’t successful. Then the Empire and possibly further afield is in very grave danger. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Baron does not wish to let us go until he is sure we are safe to travel, despite the pointed protests from Grunnd. Verstohlen seems to agree with the Baron in some respects and does not wish to spread this pox for the harm it could do. This sparked the first disagreement I have seen between these two men, the forces of their wills are like forces of nature. Grunnd riled at Pieter's’ refusal to put their goals first, to understand the urgency, to brush all this plague aside in the usual manner of ‘burning the whole village, and it’s people, to let Morr sort them’. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To burn the whole village? This was another reminder of the people I am with. They are dangerous and not the kind to grow comfortable with. Though they also mentioned something about the last burned out town being corrupted by chaos as well as plague.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grunnd hit a sore point and accused Pieter Verstohlen of being feckless towards the situation. This outburst to such a man shocked me. He demanded that he show some passion. I haven’t seen such a powerful explosion of fiery anger. Verstohlen cowed Grunnd into his place as his agent, he roared of the pressure of the quest they are on and that somehow his family are involved. Grunnd backed down. I am not sure if he is afraid of Verstohlen, or if he was angry, by his reaction. My stomach lurched at all the fire and shouting in the air, eyes misty, I must have looked pale to see. I haven’t seen Pieter since he stormed out of the room. I am glad that I haven’t.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the relative silence after the outburst, Stefan apologised to the Baron for having to witness such an outburst in his great hall considering he was providing us all with such kind hospitality. He apologised on his companions behalves and moved the subject, saying something about wishing to visit the mausoleum to care for those in sleep eternal, and to perform some blessings. I guess a man of Morr has no rest because there are always the dead. It is interesting. I was considering how unshakable Stefan is; so composed and reserved. I have come to the conclusion that once you have made your peace with Morr then I guess not much else disturbs you. Personally I do not fear Morr or death but it is the reaching them that bothers me. An eternal sleep is harmless. The many ways of reaching them are often agonising and slow if you are not lucky. I would hope to go in my sleep like mother did; to go from one dream to another, but I don’t think I shall be so blessed. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is my own time for sleep now. I can hear Danielle’s quiet peaceful breathing behind me. Stefan and the boy who brought us here are also soundly sleeping somewhere in this room. Grunnd isn’t quite so quiet. In the little light I have here by the candle, among the moving shadows, all I can see is a mound and his beloved hat. He even sleeps in it, or rather below it. Maybe my candle was disturbing him. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyway, to bed. Goodness knows what will happen tomorrow, and when I shall sleep in a soft bed again, so I might as well make the most of it. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ A ~ </span></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">[Previous entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-inn-and-ale.html"><i>inn and ale</i></a>]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">[Next entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-sleep-of.html"><i>sleep of Morr</i></a>]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></div>
</div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3765037268228923211.post-51611114051966132342011-12-04T03:18:00.001+00:002012-01-08T16:49:34.794+00:00The Van Tanncred Sword [Warhammer] Inn and Ale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Memoirs of Anya Eisenjaeger</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Zapfino; font-size: x-small;">~Backertag 29th Kaldezeit 2522~</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Yesterday afternoon we finally pulled in at a town, Reiksbruck, to trade them potatoes and such like. What a release to visit an inn! To be in the busy warmth with other people! So much so that my head now throbs with the ‘release’. Danielle assured me I should drink some of the ‘finest’ ale- she can drink steins of the drink. I knew to at least order something to eat, a change from the gruel- the innkeeper provided stale bread, cheese and cold meat. Rich fair to what I eat nowadays. Just a quart of the ale and my head spun. I listened to the happy chatter of Danielle, vaguely aware she was pleasantly drawing information from alcohol loosened lips, least alone my own. I gave up on the dark brew and ordered some of my customary watered wine. It wasn’t quite a quality Tilean variety but it was better than what I surrendered to my friend. Though we could have slept at the inn for a change in surroundings, Pieter and Stefan had other thoughts and we came back to the boat. Grunnd stayed the night. Probably asleep under the barrel of ale if what I hear of dwarves is to be believed. Pieter has gone to fetch the stormy short one. I think I’ll see about some fresh air and a walk along the bank before we cast off again today. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Papyrus; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Zapfino; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ A ~</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Previous Entry - <i><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-steady.html">steady passage</a></i>]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[Next Entry - <i><a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/van-tanncred-sword-warhammer-pox-on-you.html">a pox on you</a></i>]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">[First entry - <a href="http://deranged-wordsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/memoirs-of-anya-eisenjaeger-ranalds.html">Ranald's luck</a>]</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Amber Renardehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02082606890964953086noreply@blogger.com0