Open Chronicles Rosemary and Thyme

[Skuld Zajac]

Between Val Anir and Falwood
Wooded Area - Early Sunset

----

Two fires burned in a campsite off the mainroad about half a stones throw away. Easily seen by anyone passing by on the path since no attempts to hide it were made, but only intent would draw a person to it. A larger fire dominated what could be the middle of the small camp, with a two person tent to the north side of the fire ring. A small but stocky brown horse grazed around the camp freely without a tie off, ambling to another spot after looking about for a moment. If it had a saddle, it could not be seen around the camp from the road by passerbys. A figure was seated at what looked to be another fire, a bit of white smoke curling around the figure dressed in a heavy looking, tall collared coat. A neat bun at the back of their head as they grabbed a piece from beside them and dropping it into the fire presumably.

Skuld sat before her small cauldron overtop a smaller fire, humming a quiet tune to herself as she watched for the sign of her brew to be ready for the next ingredient. A small ladle and equally small hook shaped tool at the ready beside her. Several small glass jars were on the opposite side as she continued to quietly hum, picking a few herbs from a small satchel between her feet. Having been freshly picked this morning, most of the herbs were still fresh enough for the best effects to last for brewing. She had cleared out some of the older materials from the last chance that she had to replenish her supply, most of which had dried beyond use or were close to that point. She would have to pick more before continuing on in the next few days to ensure a healthy supply for the next set of potions should she and her compatriot need it.

Vendar had gone another route to check on a few leads in the area around them, meeting up almost a month later to go over their findings and plan their next move. Skuld had taken this route to check in this area for any signs of their chosen targetsb and to take a side trip for herbs. Most of what she made could last a few months as they traveled, but a few select ingredients and potions only lasted a few weeks at best, and the area around Val Anir was the best place to find them. At least as far as Skuld could recall anyway.

So there she sat, wiping her hands on her breeches absentmindedly while replenishing what had been used or thrown to the wayside. Happily humming to herself and occasionally glancing between the horse and road to check for signs of trouble. A quick glance to her right to make sure the crow's beak hammer was just within reach in case she needed to defend herself.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

As the girl was humming away near the warm fireside, she could hear... something in the distance, a plucking sound. It could have been a wild animal, no, this wasn't an animal. No, this was not made by a wolf. Could it be a bird? No, the sound seemed to play in response to her tune, this was the work of a sentient being, nothing else can be on tune like that. The melody seems to come from a sting instrument. The sound was approaching slowly, but gradually. The notes became more clear and thorough as the player approached from the forest trees. pluck pluck pluck.
The wind around the camp began to blow gently away from the forest and became stronger as the sound became louder. The fire began to rise as the wind blew on it. The tents appeared to dance with the music as the wind blew. The winds were now at a weak wind, then suddenly, the wind and music ceased, the player was roughly 50 meters away judging by the noise. The foliage on the ground began to crush and shuffle as the musician approached. The it was now roughly 30 meters away, now 20. Then silence.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Failing to notice the tune at first, a tad lost in her own thinking, until the sound became a bit clearer. A bit stunned that someone would so brazenly play a tune in the woods kept her from noticing that she was still humming her tune until the wind kicked up. Her humming ceased when it became clear the tune was coming near to her camp, the gentle breeze gaining more strength as the flame on her cauldron rose to her alarm. Torn between tending the brew and finding the source of the sound, she looked to her horse, which did not seem to be terribly bothered by the wind or noise. A good sign for her since the beast tended to be on the flighty side when danger was about. Partly why it was still alive after the few years it had been her stead.

Narrowing her eyes toward the direction the tune seemed to originate from, she took the small hooked tool and pulled the chain up a bit higher as the flame continued to rise, doing her best to avoid overboiling the small cauldrons contents. Then suddenly, the music and wind ceased, and her stead looked toward the sound of footfall for only a moment before turning back to graze. Her eye twitched as she cursed the horse for being so calm with what she could assume was someone coming near from the woods. It perplexed her a bit that no attempt to run was made, which was good sign that whatever, or whoever was coming didn't smell of trouble at least.

Silence brought her back as she failed to notice when the crunching of leaves and twigs had stopped. Listening as well as she could over the small fire, which had died down enough to release the small cauldron back to where it had been. Nothing, which was almost as concerning as the music making the wind dance to its tune.

"Reveal yourself, magic without introduction can put a warrior on edge, and I would rather enjoy a pleasant meeting than a fight." Skuld announced, leaning away from the cauldron and laying a hand on the handle of her hammer. She waited for whatever came patiently, not yet standing to fight, uncertain of the intent in this meeting.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The footsteps continued until a shadow of a figure appeared within the woods. The figure was thin and appeared to have his hands in surrender, telling by the shadow he was wearing a cloak or tabbard. The figure then began to be illuminated by the fire, at first his leather boots and white pants, then his tabbard, which had a green symbol of an "X" labeled on the front, lastly his face, which was covered in a white mask made of bone. The stranger was still had his hands raised in surrender as he stopped a a few meters from the fire, but his instrument was still in his hand. He remained silent, and slowly lowered his hand in attempt to not cause alarm, and pointed at the place across from the warrior by the fire. His head turns towards the point and then tilts his head in question at the warrior. It appears as if he wants to sit down near the fire. Getting a better look, the stranger seems to be shaking from the cold night air. His presence is not threatening and he seems to have an aura of calmness about him.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

When she finally caught sight of the figure, she hadn't truelly known what to expect. Though what was presented to her certainly struck her as odd. She has never encountered anyone with a green x before, and the mask was certainly a sight to behold. The material the mask was made of was well known to her, but the fact that it was carved made her a bit wary. Her hand still on the hammer, the rest of her seemed to relax a little. She eyed him a moment longer before glancing to her brew, then quickly back to the figure as she noddded in what could be seen as permission to sit. She watched him as he sat, her mind wondering as to the possibilities this, person, has for being dressed as they were.

"You are unable to speak?" she asked carefully as she took her hand from the hammer and stirred the pot in front of her. Wood in the larger fire shifting drew her attention for a second, glancing between the cauldron, the fire, and the stranger in her camp. Her horse seemed calm enough, and even though she felt calm, she was still wary of the person as she grabbed a small log from behind her and easily tossed it into the larger fire.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The stranger nods in reply to the question, still shaking from the cold. The stranger reached into his pouch on his belt and pulls out a book and begins to scribble down something rapidly. After a few seconds he put the book back into his leather pouch. He puts his hands up near the fire in attempt to warm up. He looks around curiously around the camp, he first looks at the horse, then the tent, then the warrior. If anything, he appears to be cautious about his surroundings. He sighs heavily in relief and relaxes a bit. He then takes his instrument and begins to tune it, still looking around once so often.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

A nod was answer enough since prying into someones personal life was not high on her agenda. Like herself, they seemed cautious but curious about the other, which was well warranted in the wild woods. It was not often one happened upon a camp in the woods, nevermind a person traipsing through the forest with no more than an instrument and clothing about them. With her curiosity piqued, she kept her attention divided between person and cauldron, the latter beginning to boil as she took a few herbs, split them in half and dropped them into the liquid inside. The boiling faltered as she carefully stirred again, her attention on the main fire as the newcomer warmed their hands.

"Bit chilly for a walk no? On your way between towns?" Skuld asked, her tone carefully blank as she watched them intently. She wanted to know more, but was limiting herself as to not get mixed answers. Whoever this person was, she did not recognize anything on their person outright, and the calm about them only made her wary of their surroundings. Gut instinct had kept her alive this long, but thinking you were safe made one complacent.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The stranger stopped his tuning and tilted his heat upwards towards the cooking warrior. His eyes were blank for a second, and he shook his head side to side in response, no. It seems he does not have intention to going into a town, so where is he going? The stranger then raised his hand slowly and pointed on the opposite side of the road, towards the woods, turning his head with the same slowness towards the area. Is he planning to go through the woods, what kind of man is he? He slowly turns his head back and turns again towards the tent, looking back at you, then back at the tent. He then points at the tent that isn't yours, and turns his head back to you, tilting it questioningly. He seems like he is wondering why are you here. He really is cautious about his surroundings.

You couldn't help it, but the symbol on the tabard seems awfully familiar, that green "X", You swear you have heard about it before but where? Then it suddenly hits you, there are whispers in Vel Anir about a group of bards within Falwood that can control wind with their instruments. They are identified by a green "X" on their tabard. Could this mysterious stranger be part of the Galesongs?

 

[Skuld Zajac]

She watched them for a time, the meaning behind the gestures slowly working themselves out as they continued to point and motion. She cocked her head for a second as the tent came into question.

"Camping, and looking for signs of trouble." Skuld gave the simplest answer. Her eyes narrowed as her eyes fixated on the x for a minute more, recalling a group of bards with an affinity for wind magic. She looked over the person once more, and seemed content with her conclusion. As she was in her plain clothes, one couldn't tell off hand that she was a member of the Black Rose. The only indication of affiliation were the small marks beneath her eyes, though most people did not know the Zajac name outside of Vel Anir.

"Aside from being cold, Galesong, are you hungry?" Skuld quietly asked, unsure whether or not this person would stay near the fire all night or traverse the coming dark to whatever purpose they sought. It didn't sit well with her to have someone wandering the dark in the wilds, even if she had only met them.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

Looking back at the fire, he looks into the pot of soup quickly and as a sign of acceptance, he nods. He does not seemed to be astonished by your knowledge of the Galesongs. He receives the brew and nods gratefully towards the warrior. He gently grabs the wooden spoon and scoops the brew. With gentle movements, he puts the spoon into his mouth, which is exposed at the bottom of the mask. He appears to be analyzing the flavor before he swallows the it. His shoulders then relax as he takes another scoop of the it. It appears that he likes the brew.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

The pot on the main fire had been slowly cooking for some time now. Having started what would become supper halfway through the afternoon. Moving from the smaller fire and wiping the ladle on her breeches, before dipping out some soup into the singular wooden bowl. Plopping the spoon inside without apilling the contents, and aliding back to the smaller cauldron. There was enough for the visitor to have a hearty amount to fill their belly and still be enough to feed Skuld as well. The small cauldron she sat before had taken her attention after the visitor had begun their meal.

"Enjoy a bite, get warm. You can stay by the fire tonight if you like. No sense in running through the woods after dark without a light." Skuld offered, waving to a spot by the fire with a little bite in her voice that could be interpreted as concern. She had a mission to do, but being a decent person had won out this time.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The stranger stopped for a moment from consuming the brew, and looked forwards the woods and then you. He aknowledges your concern for him and was about to shake his head in disagreement, but then a loud noise of a horn made him stop for a moment. He appears to be waiting for something a few seconds after. Then suddenly, a light breeze blew through the forest, lighter than what the stranger made when he approached. The stranger continued to wait as the zephyr continued until it ceased after 3 seconds. He shoulders then relaxed in response of the horn. He then lets out a heavy breath of relief. He looks back towards you and stares for a bit, lost in thought. He appears to be less cautious then before. He then takes up his instrument and begins playing a tune, the wind begins to move and dance towards the direction of the location of horn. After a few notes, he stops and stays still. Another horn blew in the distance, along with the wind. He waits for the wind to stop and then he looks torwards you, then nods in agreement.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Watching them for just a moment, she nearly had a response before a horn sounded. Her hand shot back to the hammer handle but did not grasp the weapon, seeing that her bard visitor was intently watching, or listening to the horn. Either way, it stilled her when they picked up their instrument and played a tune toward the direction of the horn that had brought with it a light wind. The light kiss of a breeze on her face was refreahing certainly, but knowing another, most likely another Galesong judging by the interaction if it could be called that, person was out in the woods made her a little concerned.

Having little knowledge of them other than their affinity for wind magic had her grasping at straws for why they would be out in the woods in such a way. Perhaps also searching for signs of trouble? Maybe locating one of their own? Less likely on the latter option since they could communicate like she had seen without speaking. It also lended them the advantage of suprise in terms of numbers since only one would likely have to speak to announce a whole group of them. It did make her wonder as the nod that wad directed towards her seemed to be accepting the offer. She pondered a moment as the watched the liquid begin to boil again, taking the hook in one hand and a thick cloth in another. Taking great care, she removed the small cauldron from the fire, setting it between three stones, positioned in a way to hold the contents upright to cool.

"If your friends should need to warm up, any of you are welcome to sit and warm up so long as you mind the fire." Skuld offered, taking one of the small glass bottles in her other hand and fetching the ladle once more.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

He raises his hand and waves off in dissagreement at her offer of the others coming. Suggesting they are either busy with something, or they themselves did not want to come. He gives you a curious look and scratches his short black beard in thought then gives a quiet yawn, which was barely audible. The bard then grabs his instrument gingerly, and brought it into his lap, tuning it a bit. Probably in attempt to keeping him awake. He did not know much about the warrior, but he was certain she was there for more than looking out, but he would rather not pry into it. It is unsavory for a Galesong to interfere with civilization affairs.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

"Anything I need to keep an eye out for?" Skuld asked, certain she already knew what the answer would be. Regardless, this person's lack of speaking made it easy to tolerate their presence. Idly stirring the mixture, she continued with her humming, using it to get into a rythm for what she was doing as she carefully drew out some some of the brew and swirled it tenatively.

Pouring a small bit into the bottle and holding it between herself and the fire to examine the contents, she seemed pleased with the purple and green liquid. Pouring more into the flat bottomed glass jar until it was full, setting it aside and corking it before grabbing another and repeating the process a few more times.

She refrained from staring at her guest as best she could, but still stole a few glances at them as she continued her task while humming. Curiosity was still a hard thing to stamp out when travelling in unknown territory.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The stranger finished his tuning before responding. He then raises his head towards you, he stares for a bit, thinking. Then he puts this hands on his instrument and plays a few strings. The wind began to move towards an area near the fire, approximately 2 meters away on a patch of dirt. The dirt began to move in response to the wind and began carving out lines, no a shape. The dirt formed into the shape of what appears to be Falwood. Then a large X appears on the map, around the deeper woods area where the horn earlier sounded. He points to the X as the wind stops. He then slowly puts his finger on his neck and slowly brings it across, showing that it is deadly in that area, but what was there? Another horn blared in the distance, it was louder than before, but the same distance away. The wind came stronger than the last horn sound. Then with swift movement the bard turned his head towards the horn and stood up, you have not seen him move this fast before. He seemed very alarmed about something, could it be related to the area he pointed out?

 

[lionman]

lionman and his royal guard quietly sulks through the Forrest, the winds have been odd as of late. He and his 3 companions have been tracking the wind people for days a few unsavory encounters had transpired between them causing lionman to second guess this area as a new settling place for his people.

lionman's people being large 7 foot tall beasts strong and fierce usually afforded them the luxury of never worrying about danger. However with his peoples population so dwindled he feared that the small group of settlers might be all that's left of a once great kingdom.

The 4 large beasts quietly ran through the woods. the shear size of them would make one think it impossible for there feet to be so silent but being native to the woods of falwood made it easy for them to traverse the terrain

The sounds of a horn call out in the distance with the reply of a stringed instrument.
They had finally caught up with one. every time they had come close they always seemed to feel the presence of impending doom. lionman promised his guards that this next one would be different.

they come to a break in the forest they each crouch down watching and listening.

lionman takes in a deep sniff picking up the sent off fire, he knew this to be a camp. He lets out a low growl and quiet yips to his guards they each exchange looks and quickly sprint to other positions around the camp.

Yellow eyes can be seen watching the camp.

lionman lets out a loud scream. it sounds as if a woman is being murdered in the woods. lionman's guards let out there own yowls each in turn. They do this over and over again hoping to make it sound like the camp is surrounded by more beasts than there were. this was also an added scare tactic to get in the heads of there enemies. lionman removes his sword dragging it behind him. the large blade is as wide as a man and just as long yet lionman needs no effort in carrying it he simply drags it so that his prescience is known he approaches the camp as confident as if he is a long time friend belonging to the camp. the two campers are undoubtedly alarmed but are frozen with fear. lionman shoves the sword deep into the ground beside the fire. the hilt of the great sword is decorated with a human skull.

lionman wears a necklace beaded with teeth as well. lionman stands there looking at the startled creatures. he raises his head and lets out a loud rawer suddenly the terrifying howls stop.

"you are surrounded, make no sudden movements wind sorcerer"

He says pointing a sharp claw at the masked individual. Paying absolutely no mind the female

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The Galesong analyzes his situation slowly. He truly is surrounded, he looks left and right, men have encircled the camp, not to mention they would probably be able to tear him in half. Having left the instrument on the ground, he could have not reached it fast enough if he tried. Why would these people want a Galesong? They are not causing anyone harm, so they must want something from him. But what could these people want from a protector of the Falwood, are they a planning something? The bard raises his hands in surrender, but gives a quick look towards the woman before doing so. He stares at the beast who commanded him and shrugged in a message of, "Well you got me, what now?" as if he was taunting him. He then looks down at his instrument, preparing for the worst case scenario.

 

[Skuld Zajac]

As the first scream sounded, a heavy ladle of the liquid was slurped down quickly. Standing sharply and stepping back from the fire, fetching her hammer as she waited, listening as sounds all around them continued. It seemed as though they were surrounded, but in the failing light and in the heavy tree cover, everything was deceiving. As she heard the sound of dragging coming their direction, her eyes began to itch and she cursed herself for trying to be a decent person. Entering the camp came something she had never seen before, a bi-pedal lion...man?

It was true she was frightened, but also terribly perplexed. Having come across a Galesong in the woods was certainly unexpected. Seeing a lion, person, suddenly enter her camp with weapon drawn had her grasping at some kind of response to disarm the sudden aggression.

"He didn't eat all the food. There is still more in the cauldron. Not used to cooking for more than me though big guy so we will have to portion some stuff out." Skuld tried to joke, desperate to buy some time. She may have only met the Galesong in front of her, but someone being attacked in her camp didn't sit to well on her concious.

 

[lionman]

lionman looks at the food and takes a sniff to him it smells awful.

"no thank you, i do not dine with furrless folk i eat them"

he says smiling a wide toothy grin at his own joke.

all while keeping his eyes on the wind man.

"this territory has been claimed by the lionmen if i see your people anywhere in falwood again ill have no choice but to take action you have been warned"

he says not really meaning it his people have dwindled so much since the last war he had with a rival gang of lionmen that he would be unable to start another without ensuring the extinction of his people.

"my people have been displaced from our home land and ever since we started moving further into uncharted territory your people have been giving us trouble it ends here. my people have lived in secrete for hundreds of years and now that our presence is known it is my job to keep the people of my kingdom safe"

with that he pulls his huge great sword from the ground and sulks back into the woods turning his back from the camp not worried of attack from behind. he met back up with his men.

he let out quiet yips and wines to them. only lionman and his guards knew what was being said. his men told him of the horns in the distance and that upon scouting the area they found nothing lionman commanded 2 of his men to track down the sound he commanded his third guard a stealth class lion smaller in size and better for climbing trees to sit somewhere high and watch the camp lionman sat in wait for them to move on so that he could carefully track the two campers.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

As the beast left, the bard couldn’t help but snicker at the commands of the beast. How would the Galesongs, a group that have watched the forest for generations, give in to such barbaric orders. They did nothing wrong to them, so why do they fester such a grudge against the Galesongs? If they knew them, then they should know a galesong would rather die protecting the forest than give in to barbarians. But his curiosity peaked when the leader said that they were a threat. The bard ran the question in him mind multiple times, but he could not remember anything about these people in the Galesongs archives. He lowers his hands and turns to the warrior and points in the direction where they left and tilts his head, probably gesturing “do you know them?”

 

[Skuld Zajac]

Skuld blocked out the fire with one hand in front of her face, squinting a little as she looked at the bard. His confusion was just as deep as her as she shrugged a little. Since the bard didn't know the beast, she could assume that the two weren't friends. Her eyes eased away from itching to nearly burning as she took another step away from the fire towards the darker part of her camp. Seeing as the lionman had not been concerned with her, apparently magic was the issue here.

"Apparently you and yours have offended him somehow." Skuld spoke with an amused tone, the dark of forest slowly changing to twilight in her eyes. From what the bard could see, the fire was beginning to make her uncomfortable.

"You'll have to talk with...." Skuld began to speak as she remembered who she was talking to. "You'll have to- oh never mind." She tried to come up with the proper word but it escaped her and cut her words short as the bright light of the fire was irritating her more.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

He sighs heavily and sits down again by the fire. Grabbing his instrument, he holds it firmly, just in case the group appears again. He turns toward the woman,about to play his instrument, then he hesitates. He then reaches into his pouch and pulls out the book he had before and rips out a page, scribbling on it. He scribbles for a few seconds, then stops,looks at you for a bit, then scribbles again. He then hands over the paper to the warrior in a beckoning movement. You would take the paper that has writing in surprisingly neat letters.

The note reads, "I don't recall these people before, I have never seen them before and I doubt my brothers and sisters have either. They are the least of my worries at the moment. Perhaps you can aid me on something, there is a certain group of individuals who are attempting to take the power of the gods into their own hand, they call themselves the "Black Rose." They are suspected of manipulating the living beings of this forest to do their will. Do you perhaps know about their whereabouts or any information about them?"

 

[Skuld Zajac]

With a step back into the dark, she watched the bard grab up the instrument once more before hesitating. Reaching into the pocket to pull out a book instead, ripping out a page and scribbling in it once more. A quick look her way before more scratching on the paper before she was called over. Rounding the camp outside of the fires, she stepped beside him before taking the neatly scrawled note.

Simply put, the bard hadn't seen the intruder and hadn't heard about them 'till now. At the mention of Black Rose and manipulating living beings, her interest sharpened. She hadn't recalled hearing of anyone coming here to do such a thing, but it may have been someone else higher up in the chapter on such activities. Which concerned her a great deal since their goal was to exterminate necromancy, not subjugate living beings to their will.

"I'd heard that they are a splinter group of Templar who fight against necromancy and dark magic, but I have never heard of them manipulating the living. Most of the Templar groups I've heard about fight to protect the living. May I ask what they are after?" Skuld schooled her expression to imitate surprise and confusion, and gave the paper back.

 

[Felix Heartgarden]

The bard gingerly takes the paper, and reads it over, then puts his hand on his face due to his own mistake. He should have not written so fast. He beings writing on the back side of the paper, he does this for some time, reading his line carefully this time. After reading over his writing for another time, he finally looks up and hands you the paper back. The handwriting is neater than last note, you can tell this was carefully written.

The note reads, "I am sorry for my mistake on the last note, I meant to say that they are taking dead animals and plants and using them for their own devices, for example, a fallen tree or a deer carcass. For what reason is still unknown to us, but we still consider this an act against nature and the forest, so we must take action. Please, if you know anything else that could help us, I beg of you, please say it."