"That is enough," Lord December rumbles deeply drawing himself tall with a rustle of armor and cloth. "Knight Redmane of May has served the Court of Mirari, as well as myself, admirably. I will not tolerate any such remarks about her. As you must have realized, I did not leave alone. Sir Bravil, our finest knight, went alongside me. Speculation that we were somehow kidnapped is beneath you, soldier. Now, if you have finished this ridiculous speculation, you can return to your patrol and order them to stand down. When the men are adequately calmed, then gather them for address. Knight Redmane graciously volunteered to give a full explanation of the events."
The soldier looks studded as being so abruptly dressed down. His mouth opens as if he's about to say something but the arching brow of Lord December seems to cut him short.
"You are dismissed. You will find us within the main hall after we have returned those lost to their families," the Lord comments, waves his hand dismissively, then simply walks around the solider.
The soldier salutes Lord December as he passes, even though he still looks taken aback. However, before he heads back to join his platoon, he does give Redmane a rather nasty, lingering, look. Thankfully, a soft growl of disapproval from Bravil, who stands next to Redmane, finally sends the solider into retreat.
"I usually make a much better first impression," the red-haired knight comments to the Lord after the soldier leaves. "I hope his isn't an attitude shared by all of the other troops."
"There are those who dislike anyone not of their land on principle. Given you do not even share the fey bloodline, you a doubly disliked," Lord December explains as he heads towards the city gates. With a groan of ancient and worn wood, the gates begin to open.
"Well, the beast had fey blood," Redmane notes. "I don't think I'll go out of my way to point that out to them though." She looks back to see if Thomas is having any trouble with the returning fey.
Behind them, Redmane, Thomas, Sir Bravil, and the Lord of December can hear the mutterings of the people they rescused from almost certain wolfdom. "I can't believe we're home ..." "Even these old walls look beautiful..." "I wonder if she waited for me..." "Wow, the stories I can tell from in the pub will impress Ari for certain! Maybe this time she will..."
"Everyone accounted for, Thomas?" Redmane asks, grinning.
Thomas looks rather relieved to be soon liberated from the task of herding townsfolk. He finally relaxes his watch since he doesn't have to worry some may stray. Even tired, the townsfolk seem to surge towards the opening gates as fast as their legs will carry them. As they start to pass Redmane and the others, Thomas finally answers, "Right down to the spare pairs of rabbit fur underwear and dried jerky. I'm so glad I won't have to deal with people for a while."
Clapping Thomas on the back, Redmane says, "Just think of it as practice for when you retire from exploring and become a shepherd! Let's see if we can sneak into the tavern in all the commotion."
"I'll die in the wilderness, Redmane. No retirement," Thomas comments, flashes a smirk, then tries to mingle into the now gathering crowd of townsfolk. The noise grows into a din of chaos as tears of joy are shed as families, friends, and lovers are reunited in the cold fields before the city.
Redmane lets out a short laugh, and picks up the monster head with Sir Bravil's help. "Before I head for the tavern, where is the best spot to address the troops?" she asks the large knight.
"Wall rampart, near the gate," Bravil answers and nods towards the town walls. "It presents a good view of the land and your voice will carry better. I can deal with this head alone if you wish to go after your ... friend."
"I would appreciate that, Sir Bra-" Redmane begins to say, and then pauses when she catches the odd inflection on 'friend' that the knight used. "Does something trouble you about the Explorer, Sir Bravil?"
"Oh, no. I have known him for a long time and trust him. It is just, putting it politely, entertaining to see the hunter hunted," the large knight explains, the edges of his lips drawing back into a momentary smile. "It is not my place to comment, but would you mind a bit of a warning?"
"Since you seem to already know of my interests, I would not mind at all," Redmane notes, arching an eyebrow.
"I expect you will find him frustrating. He often intentionally tests the patience of others, for whatever reason he seems to have at the time. Don't let him win," Bravil comments, "Or hide." The large man then grunts loudly as he hefts the severed head of the beast and balances it across his shoulders and upper back.
Redmane nods, and makes a mental note to ask Sir Bravil later on if he's married. If he can get caught, then anyone can, she thinks, and turns to pass through the gates and makes for the tavern.
The good thing with a tearful reunion is if you have no one to reunite with, well, everyone ignores you. Redmane finds her way through the crowd quickly enough. Lord December has remained behind to speak with the Headsman and she can just hear his voice fading as she enters the rough wooden building. Chairs and tables are overturned everywhere since most rushed out to meet the 'lost'. The elderly keeper is muttering darkly to herself as she goes about righting chairs and tables. Thomas has taken claim to a table and chair near the large fireplace. He has righted it, a few chairs, and currently reclines in one with his feet up on the table. He's pulled the hood of his cloak up and over his face in an apparent attempt to take a short nap.
"I am impressed, Thomas," Redmane states as she gets to the table. "You actually set out some chairs for the table. One might think you were expecting company. A clever ruse! Nobody would expect the Lord Explorer to do that!" she says with a big grin.
Thomas' answer to that is lift one leg off the table. Slipping it under, he then kicks the one of the chairs over. As it hits the floor with a clatter, he comments amusedly, "Better? I would dance on the table, but I'm tired. I didn't sleep all night, you know."
"Who did?" Redmane notes, taking the surviving chair. "But you don't have to face several hundred armed men who hate you and tell them they've been fooled for their whole lives. At least Sir Bravil has found a spot where they will not be able to easily reach me, or vice versa. I've never had to do this before, and it.. it is daunting."
Thomas reaches up and lifts back his hood. "I've faced similar before, and in some ways, worse. Well, not that it helps you," he comments as he finally sits forward. His head snaps back sharply to whip his hair out of his face before continuing, "Were you wanting some advice? Opinions? Or did you just wish to talk about it in order to try and relax?"
"All of those, if possible," Redmane replies. "Starting with the advice."
"Contrary to popular opinion on the topic of speaking to a crowd .... do not imagine them naked. A bunch of grungy people where the women are alert and the men suffer from shrinkage does not do well for concentration," Thomas quips with a lopsided smile. "Now, when talking you need to speak to them; as if you are having a conversation with them. Make them feel part of it, not just an audience. Try to look people in the eyes as you sweep yours over the crowd."
"I haven't really liked what I've seen in their eyes so far," Redmane notes, and then furrows her brow. "Naked? Is there some sort of fey ceremony that requires that?"
"No. It's an old argument that it's hard to be intimidated by someone if they're naked," Thomas comments and waves his hand. "So ... what is your greatest fear with speaking to them?"
"They'll start shooting," Redmane replies. "They've got bows."
"You do realize that is highly unlikely, I hope?" Thomas asks, "You aren't on trial here."
"I've never faced an army that I wasn't fighting before - old worries are hard to suppress," the woman notes. "Also, I worry that I will be dismissed out of hand because I am foreign, and anything I say will be seen as some sort of trick. Thus, I'd do more damage to the situation, or cause them to riot or.. I don't know. It's not knowing the best or worst outcome that makes me want to hide in a bed."
"If it were me, the worst outcome would be to be dismissed. So, I can understand that fear," Thomas comments as his head tilts to the side and he looks into the crackling fire nearby. The moment of contemplation ends when his shoulders heave a bit in a quiet sigh and he looks back to the red-haired knight. He reaches over with his left hand and lays it lightly atop hers and curls his fingers. "I cannot promise you that nothing can go wrong as I do not know how they will react, either. But, given you helped lead people home, the Lord has spoken in your defense, and Sir Bravil has sided with you, I expect many will be willing to listen with an open mind. You are not in so bad a position, Redmane. Please believe me when I tell you it could be far worse."
"Worse? You mean they could accuse me of being a witch who has somehow enchanted the Lord, Sir Bravil, and all of the townsfolk?" Redmane asks. "I would not put such an accusation past some of the officers."
"Wow. Had not considered that possibility," Thomas admits, "But I have to say it is a bit far-fetched. Only a complete loon would believe that. But a general trial for treason or some such, well, would be worse. Unlikely as well."
"So.. I need to speak with authority, but also make eye-contact and not seem intimidating?" Redmane asks, looking worried. "And.. I can't just give them orders or growl at them. I've never met soldiers that were so.. so.. eager to talk back."
"You aren't their commanding officer, or even a citizen of December, so they are far more likely to comment back," Thomas points out. "You need to seem like one of them; win their hearts. Show that their plight mattered to you, foreign or not. And, do not take it personally if not all of them change their opinion of you."
"It will be difficult to remain sincere," Redmane grumbles. "I suppose letting any who question my honesty challenge me to a duel is not proper etiquette either?"
"No, it would not. Why will it be difficult to remain sincere?" Thomas asks.
"Because I have to hide certain details from them," Redmane reminds Thomas. "There could be traitors among them, and we can't afford to let them know that the beast was part of a larger plot."
"That is more a matter of omitting things than being sincere," Thomas notes as he taps his fingers against the back of her hand. The man rubs his forehead for a moment, then offers, "If you really do not wish to speak, I can offer to stand in your place. I am not certain Lord December would accept, though. I carry too much, ah, history."
"It would also be insincere of me to not answer a challenge," Redmane notes, frowning. "You've been preparing me admirably, Thomas, with your constant teasing, but if some rabble-rouser thinks he can get away with an insult.." The knight just ends that statement with a low growl.
"Just worry about speaking. I'll arrange things with Sir Bravil to deal with anyone seeking to cause problems," Thomas offers. "Unless you wish me to be nearby when you speak, of course. I thought it would be easier if I was not, though. Less distracting."
"I suppose I should be there alone," Redmane notes. "To have anyone else there that appears to be prompting me or giving moral support would undermine my status, I fear."
"Exactly," Thomas agrees with a short nod. He looks about to say more, but the front door opens and Bravil steps through.
"You have been summoned by the Lord, Redmane," the knight says, "The soldiers and townsfolk have assembled and wish a firsthand report of what happened."
Redmane stands up, and takes a moment to attach her mangled breastplate back to her armor. "Alright, let us see what the people of December are truly made of," she says, prepared to follow Sir Bravil.
Redmane feels a swat on her backside, followed by a comment from Thomas of, "I still say it looked good with a tail. It was fun to share the adventure with you."
"Hmmph," Redmane grunts at the pat. "Won't be the last one, you know," she whispers.
"You never change, do you?" Sir Bravil comments as his left brow arches at the swat. "I do hope you at least remain long enough to share a pint with an old friend. Even if it is your turn to buy," he adds to Thomas as he opens the door for Redmane.
"Now, would I run out on buying drinks?" Thomas asks, spreading his hands apart and smiling widely.
"Yes," Bravil answers.
"I'll take double whatever Bravil will be having," Redmane quips as she exits the tavern.
The warmth of the inn was almost enough to make her forget how bloody cold these lands are. Unfortunately, the wind is back in full force and offering a bitter reminder as she ascends the ladder to the rampart platform. Waiting for her on top is the severed head of the great beast she slew, its dead eyes and fangs still retaining every bit of their horror in life. It is nothing compared to what greets Redmane over the wall. Rows of soldiers stand at attention, silent and with impassive expressions for the most part. Up front Redmane recognizes the one she has had no end of issue with. He looks angry still, but seems to be remaining silent for now. Mixed in those gathered Redmane can make out many townsfolk as well ... and even a few she helped liberate. Those are holding loved ones close and seem to be paying little attention to the more formal event.
Lord December's voice booms out. Stately and yet it still retains a bit of the feral growl that often lurks in his speech. "I present to you, the Knight Redmane of May and servant of the Court of Mirari. It was through her efforts your kin were returned to you and the true enemy revealed. As befitting, it will be her that explains the horror that haunted these lands. Lend her your ears and minds. Learn from her words. Understand that which haunted you," he says.
Before saying anything, Redmane draws her steel sword, and plunges it back into the original wound it created in the monster's head - hoping to make it clear just how the monster met its end. She then scans the crowd, and takes a deep breath. "I am not experienced with public speaking," she tells the crowd. "Killing monsters; that's what I'm good at. And this monster was very, very old. It was here when these lands were first settled by the fey, here when the House of December was established, and here when those of December forged their first and greatest alliance; that with the wolves."
There's a rumbling from the crowd before her. While she cannot make out the exact words, some seem to sound as disbelief, others mere acknowledgement. So far, no one in the crowd seems to be offering an outright challenge to her account.
"This monster hated the fey, and especially hated anything that made them stronger," Redmane continues. "When it feared the beginnings of that alliance, it attacked those who would forge it - but in the end it was driven off and the bond between fey and wolf was only strengthened. It learned from its failure, though. Over the years, it waited for the right opportunities; taking people, and wolves, and making it appear that the deed was done by the other half of the alliance. Emmisaries were killed, and communications forged, all so that the wolves and the fey would grow apart, and grow to distrust each other. Over the Years, the alliance was forgotten by the fey, and the wolves felt betrayed. Not every incident between the two peoples was fabricated, I'm certain. But the root cause of the enmity was not what either side believed it to be."
The first challenge finally comes from the crowd. An officer by the looks of him calls out, "How can you claim we were allied to wolves? They are just animals of the forest, what proof do you have?"
"And so it came to pass that the wolves - now so diminished in numbers that they feared the passing of their kind - sought to replenish their ranks by taking fey, as they felt the fey had often taken their children, and making them into wolves," Redmane says, and looks to the officer. "The proof is right here, in the people of this town who have returned, and in those who chose to stay behind."
There is more grumbling from the crowd and the questioner purses his lips momentarily. "Some chose to stay? Why?" he asks, "How are we to believe they have not been kept as hostages?"
"Ask those who have returned," Redmane replies. "At first, they were held. Once in the form of wolves, iron collars were affixed to them, so that they would not change back to their fey forms. But these were removed later - I haven't gotten to that part yet. The wolves were very stubborn, and did not trust the fey at all by now. Even I had to become one of them before they would consider my arguments. At the time, I felt they were calling down their own doom; that the army of December would sweep them away. So I arranged with my ally among the wolves - for not all of them felt this course of action was right - to gather the captured ones into a cave where they would be safe from the purge."
"So, you admit you sided with our enemies," comes a growling comment from none other than the officer Redmane has had conflict with more than once. He yells our, louder, "You heard her! She became one of them!"
"I was not exactly given a choice," Redmane replies, a bit coldly. "Stop interrupting. It was gathering the transformed fey together in one place that prompted the monster to make its first mistake: it attacked them, intent on killing them and making it appear as if fey soldiers - you soldiers - had been responsible! This was intended to drive the wolves into a rage, so that they would attack you and be killed. For that was the trap the monster had been conspiring to bring about all along. But we drove it off, and presented evidence to the wolf elders of its existence and its plan. They saw the truth, and let me leave to speak with Lord December."
"See? She doesn't want to be question because she lies," the soldier in front claims, "She is ..." He's cut short when several soldiers near him and even a few townsfolk start beating him with their heavy cloaks.
"That's enough!" Redmane barks at the those assaulting the officer. "You should all give thanks that your Lord December is a man of unparalleled courage! For unlike this poor man," she gestures to the officer, "the Lord did not even flinch when faced with a bitter truth. For he saw that his House had been deceived, and no pride or stubbornness was going to get in the way of doing his duty to his people. For what the monster knew was that the first Lord of December had sworn an Oath to protect the wolves and their lands. By forcing his troops to kill them, that Oath would have been broken, and the House itself may have fallen."
"Underestimating your Lord was the monster's second, and final, mistake," Redmane says. "It could not flee, for the Lord Explorer was able to track it down and drive it back to the city of the wolves. And there it was killed, by those it had sought to destroy. The true enemy is dead." The knight thunks her boot atop the head to drive that point home. "Now is the time for healing and reconciliation. There will be no war."
Those assaulting the obnoxious soldier finally relent their pummeling. Everything has suddenly grown deathly silent after Redmane's last comment.
"Those who have returned have their own tales to tell now," Redmane says into the silence. "And I think those would best be heard over pints of ale before a warm fire. First round is on that man," she says, pointing to the belligerent officer. "Or do you have more questions than must be addressed in the snow?"
The muttering and slow dispersal of the crowd seem to answer that question .... they're tired of being in the snow too. The notable absence of arrows also seem to indicate that her explanation was taken fairly well overall.
With her foot still planted atop the monster's head, Redmane yanks her sword out. At least it's not still a juicy head, so the cleaning required is minimal. "I guess we can leave this outside," she says to whomever might be near.
No one seems to be that close and from her vantage point she can see the townsfolk coming back through the town gate. Some head towards the inn, others seem content to just head home.
"Well.. shoot," Redmane grouses, and hefts up the head. She's not about to let it out her sight after all. You can't trust monsters that claim to have come back from the dead once before.
There doesn't seem to be any easy way to get it down other than throwing it down.
"I'm not missing on free drinks for this," Redmane grumbles at least, draws out her sword, and impales the damned head onto the rampart with it. "That'll do for now," she mutters, and starts climbing back down the ladder.
No sooner does Redmane make it down the ladder than she feels herself being stared at from behind...
The knight turns around, ready to glare..
And standing right behind her is a little fey girl with ashen white skin and charcoal black hair. She can't be very old at all, given she doesn't even reach Redmane's waist in height. She's looking up at Redmane nervously. "Uhm..." she says in a barely audible voice.
The woman relaxes, letting out her breath. "Sorry to turn on you like that, little girl," Redmane says. "What did you want to ask me?"
She apparently didn't want to ask a question, because in the next instant Redmane finds her right leg being hugged. "Thank you for bringing my brother home," she murmurs, "Mother wouldn't stop crying when he went away."
"Oh," Redmane says, taken aback. "Well, you're welcome, and I'm glad he came back with the others," she adds, reaching to ruffle the girl's hair. "Now go hug him until his leg falls asleep, so he won't ever be able to leave again!"
The little girl slowly releases Redmane's leg and hugs herself for lack of something else to do with her arms (or out of being nervous). She shifts from foot to foot, then says quickly, "IhopeIwillbestrongandprettyasyousomedayandsavetheworldtoo!" She then spins around and darts off without another word!
"Good, we need more Lady Knights," Redmane whispers, nodding. Her mood better now, she heads for the tavern.
One might suspect the innkeeper is never happy in the tavern. First she had to straighten up after everyonebolted out when they returned. Now she is having to run around and get drinks for the returned crowd which is milling about, talking, and occasionally spilling beer on her floor. She casts a hateful glare to Redmane in passing.
"Can't please everyone," the redhead says, having to shrug. She then tries to spot.. well, Thomas or Bravil or Lord Decemeber..
Bravil is the easiest to spot given he's taller than most here. He's relaxing near the old bar top and drinking slowly from a large stein. When he spots Redmane, he raises his stein to her in greeting.
Heading that way, Redmane smiles and waves. Once she's close enough, she asks, "So, did I make any friends or enemies?"
"Some of both I wager," Bravil comments as he sets down his stein. "But such is to be expected. I thought you handled it well. You addressed the issues, complimented the Lord, and kept out personal comments when a few tried to discredit you."
"A few?" Redmane asks. "I just heard that one guy. I don't want to seem vindictive, but he should probably be investigated, just in case," she notes, in a quieter voice. "I hope you'll take charge of looking for infiltrators in House December, Bravil."
"As the Lord Explorer would probably say, it is the quiet ones to most worry about," Bravil comments before taking another drink from his stein. The innkeeper comes by and sets down a mug of beer for Redmane as Bravil now says, "It will be looked into discreetly and anything found will be reported to myself or the Lord directly."
"Good, I don't have to worry about things then," Redmane notes, taking a good swig of the beer. "Thomas off getting more drinks? I figured you'd be drinking together."
"He wasn't here when I came in," the large knight says, "I thought he was probably with you."
Redmane hmms. "Well, he's probably planning something," she comments. "He wouldn't dare run out now, right?" she asks.
"Hard to say. He never stays in one place very long and the problem was resolved," Bravil points out with a slight shrug. The large man then drains the remainder of his stein.
"It's not entirely resolved; he was going to show me the monster's lair," Redmane notes, and has another drink as well. "But you've known him a long time, haven't you? Would you let him take your daughter out?"
"An unusual question," Bravil comments as he slides the empty stein down the bar so it will be picked up and cleaned. "Yes, I have known him for a long time. As for the other part ... why does that matter?"
"Well, because I'm curious?" Redmane asks over the lip of her stein. "I'm not looking a relationship or anything right now, but.. I'd like to know what to expect. You probably know about any past women he's been involved with, don't you?"
"Some," Bravil admits, then shakes his head slowly, "But such is not for me to discuss. If you want to know about that, you should ask him directly. But, to try and answer your second question. I trust him, and I trust him to be a gentleman when it mattered. So, yes, I would not fear a daughter spending time with him. The only true danger in that is his life is dangerous and any day could be his last."
"Yeah, he does go on about that a lot," Redmane notes. "But he keeps failing to mention that he's the one making it dangerous. It's all his choice. But hey, I killed my last lover, so I'm not expecting a lot out of Thomas. I know it's doomed, for... various reasons. I just want to know if the fun will be worth the pain later."
"By telling me you killed your last lover, you are not helping your case, you realize," Bravil points out. "In any event, the only way to know is to find out yourself. I cannot predict the future. Just remember nothing in life that is worth having will ever be easy to have." The man then leans to the side and looks past Redmane's shoulder.
That gesture causes Redmane to look back over her own shoulder as well.
Thomas has apparently come down from the upstairs. Where he's been becomes evident enough. He's wearing clean clothing and his hair has been washed and combed back. Thomas went and did the unthinkable ... he took a bath.
"Wow," Redmane says, looking from Thomas to her mug. "Either this beer is really good, or else I'll get to see that gentlemanly side of Thomas you mentioned," she says to Bravil, before standing up to go meet Thomas at the bottom of the stairs..