[Rescue-rs:]

Rescue-rs:

JT - Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman. (leading)
Hoagie, Sergeant.
Kas Valentine, Regular Guardsman.
Thomas Sendrich, Regular Guardsman.
Marvin Grimpblad, Guardsman Recruit.

Rescue-ee:

Takeamada, Guardsman Recruit.

A battered looking pigeon found us as we were making our withdrawl from the orc cave, a recruit had been cut off in the Covetous mines and needed backup. Regular Valentine opened up a portal for us and we soon found ourselves outside the tomb of the undead at Covetous.

A battling rescue!

We entered the mines and made our way back towards the entrance. We soon found Takeamada lying unconscious surrounded by the dungeon's beasts. We fought them off and managed to fend off more attackers before making our way at pace to back out into the sunlight.

With the party low on resources and fatigued from their efforts we made our way back to barracks and a well deserved rest.

Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman.

Moonglow & Moongates



JT - Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman.

The young guardsman sat alone in the Trinsic Rose tavern. He had hoped to catch Gwen but Millie the barmaid told him she had been out most of the evening. It seems something had been troubling the pretty elf recently and she had been throwing herself into her work and other activities in the Duchy to help her forget her troubles.

JT brooded a little, what could be upsetting his friend so? He drained the last of his Eska Fion and was about to leave when the tavern door swung open... It was Gwen! Her pretty elven features brightened at seeing JT and she made her way over to sit next to him happily.

She had been training with the Duchy guards and then helping to escort a goods caravan before fatigue had got the better of her. She explained why she was keeping herself so occupied and what had been troubling her so much. At one time this news would have secretly made him happy and JT felt a little guilty for that but he was so sad at how unhappy his special friend had become.

"Oh little one, I'm so sorry. Truly I am. If there's anything I can do mellonamin, just ask. Please ask."

The woodsman placed a hand gently on her shoulder and looked into her sad eyes. Instinctively they embraced and held eachother close for a moment then Gwen rested her forehead gently against his.

"I'll be okay... And I have a gift for my friend!" She smiled softly.

It was typical of Gwen to think of her friends even through her own unhappiness. She took JT's hand and they left the tavern to stroll through the Quarter.

"People tell me that you and your lady have to lodge with friends or sleep at inns."

She looked at him concerned, teasing him just a little. JT blushed and looked down at the ground as they walked.

"We can't afford a place of our own and I can't have Estel using a bedroll in the woods like I do." He mumbled.

"No no no... That is why I give you this gift."

They had stopped outside one of the beautiful elven tree dwellings of the Quarter. JT looked at her quizzically.

"What...? The house?"

Gwen nodded and smiled softly. The young Covian was lost for words as she brushed past him and opened the door. There was a kitchen and dinner table and store room downstairs and living/sleeping quarters upstairs.

"Estel will be so excited!" JT beamed.
"But... I feel so guilty...?"
"Why does my friend feel guilty?" Gwen asked confused.
"Because you make me so happy yet you are so sad."
"That is because you are my friend... Mellonamin." She said softly.
"You are the best friend anyone could ever have Gwen." JT replied, a single tear escaping his eye.
"Awwww." She teased. "I did not mean to make my friend cry."
He grinned a little and rubbed his eyes.
"I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness."
"The only payment I want is for my friend to be happy."

They embraced again and Gwen left so JT could get used to his new home. He felt like he would burst with joy as he made his way back downstairs. He had to get back to Cove as soon as possible and find Estel.

What a surprise he had for his "melamin".

Trent, Junior Guardsman.

[Led by:]

Led by:

JT - Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman.

Attended by:

Estel Aralle, Commoner.

We strolled around the Baronship buildings but with no-one else around and with Estel keen for me to carry on showing her the way of an archer we headed into the forests to find some beasts to use for target practice.

Estel downing an ogre!

We found ourselves outside the Altmere outpost and I explained it's importance then we carried on our patrol back south towards Cove rescuing a traveller from bandits and slaying ogres, trolls and harpies as we went.

Trent, Junior Guardsman.

JT stepped from the shadows of the barracks doorway as Estel walked past.

"Lle naa vanima." He said softly over her shoulder.

He had made her jump and she giggled as she turned to face him.

"I think you are beautiful too." She beamed at him.

JT blushed and quickly asked if Estel would like to practice more with his bow. She said she did and so they headed into the forest bows in hand in search of prey. They would not harm the animals of the forest but there would be enough vermin, headless beings, trolls, harpies and such to keep them busy.

The young Covian guardsman took on some of the bigger foes with his heavy crossbow while Estel continued to show her natural ability with a bow by bullseying several smaller targets. They patrolled through the shire together as far as the Altmere outpost where JT showed her around and they enjoyed the views from it's roof.

"You are better with that bow than I am!" JT grinned.
"It must be a lucky bow." Estel smiled back.
"It only seems to be lucky when you are using it little one." He chuckled.

As they made there way back Estel became more bold and stood shoulder to shoulder with JT as they felled ogres and trolls, with her landing the killing blow on more than one occasion. They also encountered a group of brigands holding a traveller hostage and while JT switched to his axe to confront the mob Estel covered him with her bow and with the bandits vanquished the traveller rewarded them from his recovered purse.

Tired from their exploits and her shoulder aching from drawing the bowstring  Estel needed some rest and also her recent wounds as well as her old ones needed tending to with salve. The two young lovebirds made their way to an inn where to rest from their exertions and so her wounds could be treated.

[Led by:]

Led by:

JT - Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman

Attended by:

Estel, Commoner
Sir Nicholas Bashford, Retired Officer
Thomas Sendrich, Regular Guardsman
Ludwik Bloodaxe, Watchman

Estel and I were walking in the park and she was telling me how she had cleaned the tavern to earn some soup and how the little hobbit fella had given her a few coins. He had told her that if you flip a coin into the fountain and make a wish it will surely come true. My wishes had all come true the day I found her in the shire I told her but  there's always more to wish for so I flipped a coin from my pouch into the fountain and wished.

I felt a presence as it approached. A big one eyed orc stood before us. I begged Estel to run but she was either too scared to move or held in place by orc magic. The orc had been sent to reclaim Estel and even as I levelled my crossbow at him I felt slow and drowsey, maybe I too had been vexed. The orc attacked and when the darkness cleared I was laid alone on the cold stone of the monument steps and Estel was gone!

I staggered and scrambled to the barracks trying to raise the alarm. Three guards were there, Ludwik, the old one that used to be an officer and a Regular who I did not know. I explained what had happened and we all headed to the orc fort, me lagging a little behind still drowsey and holding my ribs.

What I saw when I caught them up brought me to my knees. Estel was huddled next to a tree and had been stripped and beaten. I couldn't bear the sight of her in such a state so I staggered forward, fists flailing as the guardsmen challenged the orc.

Ludwik was knocked from his feet as the other two gave chase to the orc while i comforted Estel and helped her back into her badly torn dress. The orc was holding his own against the two guardsmen so shakily I levelled my crossbow at him and loosed the shaft.

I saw the bolt hit home and tried to console my poor Estel. The orc finally bettered the guardsmen withdrew to the barracks and I took Estel to the healer, somewhere she had seen all too often recently.

The orcs are not to be underestimated...

Trent, Junior Guardsman.

[ooc]Hope you guys enjoyed that bit of action and thanks to Kushguul for making it happen Sorry about the mortal wound matey >_>[/ooc]

[Led by:]

Led by:

Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman.

Attended by:

Hoagie, Sergeant.
Estel Aralle, Commoner.

With all the troubles in Moonglow and all the adventurers that are swarming there I asked Sergeant Hoagie whether it might be a good idea to go place some recruitment banners in the town and hopefully get some recruits. The Sarge agreed, so off we went.

We made our way to the Minoc portal and were surprised to see it's appearance had changed. Hoagie and Estel looked a little hesitant so I volunteered to step through and take a look.

All was well so we went through to Moonglow and placed a banner at the portal before heading into the war torn city to place more banners to encourage folks to join up. We saw a few familiar faces and once our banners were laid we headed off back to Cove.

JT - Jon Trent, Junior Guardsman.

A pigeon from Sergeant Hoagie called guardsman Trent back to Cove. When he arrived the Sergeant and Estel were standing outside the tavern, Estel with a wide smile on her face.

"They let me stay! I'm a citizen!" She beamed.

JT beamed back and the three of them went into the tavern for a drink.

"I can gather wool, make bandages, clean, work in the tavern, collect feathers..." She chatted happily.

"All we need know is somewhere to stay JT."

By this time a hearty hobbit had entered the tavern and was telling jokes. He overhead the conversation and offered his small cottage as a temporary home to the young elf and guardsman and they gladly accepted.

Estel was now so excited she could not sleep so and along with Hoagie they grabbed some supplies and headed to the troubled town of Moonglow to spread the word of the Baron's army.

They left many recruitment banners before returning to the hobbits cottage to sleep. Estel laid on the comfy bed and JT wrapped in his bedroll was on the floor. They gazed and smiled at eachother in the little light provided by the dying fire until drifting off to sleep.

* * * * *

The next day Estel couldn't wait to start work so with JT for protection they headed off into the shire in search of sheep. They found few but collected a little wool as well as some feathers from roaming harpies which would be welcomed into the army stores.

They stopped for a little rest and to Estel's delight JT pulled a jar of honey from his pack. They sat a while eating honey and talking. JT spilled a little on his kilt which made the little elf girl laugh so much that she spilled th jar on her dress in turn making the young woodsman chuckle.

They headed back to Cove and the bath house somewhat sticky and for a moment the harshness of life and the ordeal of captivity forgotten they laughed and splashed in the baths until both were soaked as too was Sergeant Hoagie when he ventured inside to investigate the noise.

He left the bath house muttering as Estel and JT soaked to the skin got out of the water. Though their clothes were now clean they were sodden and the woodsman could not help but stare as Estel's wet dress clung to her body.

They made their way to the cottage so Estel could change her dress and the gurdsman could dry out in front of the hearth. The bond between them growing all the time the young couple shared a moment of tenderness before heading out again in search of more sheep!

[do]

JT made his way through the tree line into the Elven Quarter. He wanted to visit the library there to learn some more of elves and to also borrow a book or two for Estel. He also wanted to speak quietly with Gwen at the Rose, but as he approached he could hear laughter and voices coming from the tavern. He may have to wait a while.

He said hello to the usual faces such as Stewan and Devante and before too long Sergeant Hoagie was by his side with ale in hand. When the lovely Gwen got a moment to spare from serving her patrons JT asked if he could view the library.

Gwen took a moment from the busy tavern to accompany JT and Hoagie who wanted to tag along to the library. She showed JT some new books she had acquired and showed Sergeant Hoagie to the picture book section.

The two guardsman talked a while and after JT had done they headed back to the tavern which was now a little quieter.

Once the tavern had emptied JT and Gwen spoke softly to each other, about themselves and the poor elf girl JT had befriended. Gwen noticed JT's shyness with her had suddenly gone and recognised that perhaps they had become the friends she always knew they could be. Estel was lucky indeed to have found JT she thought... No... They were lucky to have found eachother.

It was time for JT to go visit Estel. Gwen smiled as they embraced.

"Dartha ban." She said happily to her friend.
"Namaarie mellonamin." JT answered with a faint smile.

As JT strode towards the healers Estel was outside watching as a flight of birds passed by. The young couple made their way out of the town gates and sat in the peaceful memorial park.

They sat and chatted, tentatively holding eachothers hands.

"That's a pretty flower. It's like the one on your sash." Estel motioned to the flowers on their table.

"Yeah. It's a rose. The ones that grow in Trinsic." He replied shyly.

"I read that elves sometimes wear a flower for someone special, but your a humie... Do you have someone special?"

The young guardsman pondered for a moment before saying softly. "I do have someone special... You."

They both blushed and Estel picked a flower from the table and fastened it to her dress.

"I have someone special too!" She beamed at him.

JT leaned in slowly and pecked her on the lips then backed away shyly. Estel giggled to add to his embarrassment.

"Ermm... Was that nice?" He enquired.
"Nicer than honey!" She smiled, blushing, raising a finger to her lips.

He looked down at his sash and unfastened the rose he wore there. He lifted it to his eye and pondered. The flower he once wore for someone else he could now honestly, with all his heart give to another. He offered the rose to Estel and smiling she placed it behind her ear.

"Now you don't have one." She frowned.

Picking the rose from her dress she leant across and fastened it to his sash. Then they held eachother close and talked until dawn.

JT could hear Estel's voice as he approached the healers. She was already waiting outside and getting to know some of the townsfolk.

"I've heard there are some games in Vesper! Will you take me JT?" She sounded so buubly and looked even better than the day before.

"Of course I will!" He smiled and they made their way out of the gates with Estel excitedly saying goodbye to everyone they passed.

They made their way through the shire and along the southern coastline. It started to rain heavily and they took shelter under the trees. The weather had passed by the time they reached the beach.

Estel took off her shoes and curled her toes up in the sand before dropping to her knees and making fists in the sand also. Was something coming back to her? A memory?

"Shells!" She shrieked happily as JT crouched beside her.

"I used to have lots of shells... But I don't know when... And I don't know where?" She sagged.

"It will come back little one." He said softly.

She started to clean the sand from the shells. "Masta didn't allow me any belongings." She frowned.

"When you get back to the healers place a shell to you ear and you can still hear the sea." JT smiled softly at her.

She nodded and got to her feet and they carried on the short journey into Vesper. It seems they had missed the nights events and given the option of going into the tavern or walking around the town Estel chose the tavern... She wanted soup!

They went inside and JT saw a familiar face in Stewan so he said hello and introduced Estel as the barmaid brought the soup. A pigeon called JT away on duty so they headed back to the healers with the young guardsman promising another visit before night fall.

It was dusk when JT returned to see a smiling Estel waiting for him.

"You came back!" She beamed.

"I did! And i got honey"

JT lit his lantern and they sat in the twilight eating honey and chatting. A strong bond was forming between them and the young archer found himself gazing at her more than once.

They huddled close in the chill evening air. "The marks on you back little one?" He glided his hand gently over the scars on her back revealed by her dress.

"Masta made them, when he was angry." She sagged remembering her days with the cruel orcs.

"If I ever find him I'll kill him mellonamin." JT said grimly.

"No no no. You mustn't! It's dangerous." Panicked Estel looking concerned at the guardsman.

"If he ever comes into bow range I will bring him down." He scoweld.

They chatted again of happier things. Estel wanted to stay in Cove and find work so she could be near JT and her new friends and this lightened the guardsman's mood. Before they knew it the sun was rising over the horizon and they hugged eachother close before picking up his lantern JT headed back out into the forests.

Cove was quiet. Most of the guards were enjoying the games in Vesper. JT kept to the forests. He didn't care much for large crowds and the peace and shadows of the woodland soothed him as he made his towards the city walls with a simply crafted box under his arm.

When he entered the healers he was a little surprised to see Estel already up and about. She was just finishing the elven phrase book he had brought from Trinsic and though she had picked up more of her kin's tongue she had remembered very little else.

"I've bought you a something little one."

"Ooh! A box! I can keep all my things in it." Estel beamed.

JT smirked a little. "There's something in the box for you Estel."

She opened the box and her face lit up. "Apples!"

"Aaannnnnd...." JT prompted her, now chuckling softly.

"A dress! No-one ever bought me a dress before. Diola lle JT."

"Lle creoso little one." He blushed. "Why don't you try it on? I hope you like the colour?"

She nodded eagerly and turned her back as did he.

"It's green! It reminds me of trees. I like trees."

"Me too!" He smiled softly and glimpsed over his shoulder for a moment and what he saw saddened him greatly.

Estel's back was covered in scars from the many floggings she must have endured from her orc master. There and then JT swore to himself that he'd kill the orc if ever it came with range of his axe or bow.

The wide smile on Estel's pretty face dissolved the frown on his and they set out once more to explore the Covian buildings so the little elf girl could get used to her surroundings.

They walked and talked as they made their way around the buildings and then into the shire. The time JT spent with Estel was always happy and he felt comfortable and at ease in her company. He couldn't stop himself from gazing at her from time to time and becoming embarasesed, not knowing whether she noticed.

He also found himself longing for the brief embrace they would share before she would return to the healers.

Although he had once again tucked her up in bed that eve, when he walked from the healers back to the gates he glanced back to see her at the window waving.

[Towns]

Towns



Trent, Junior Guardsman.

JT stepped from the shadows of the barracks and saluted Hoagie and Perrin.

"I need to visit the healers Sarge, is that okay?"

"Got an illness that makes ye nay wear yer gorget an' cap Trent?"

JT reddened. He tried to lie but conceeded defeat. "I'm going to visit someone Sir."

Hoagie smirked faintly to himself. "Off ye go lad!"

JT saulated and scarpered before his Sergeant could change his mind.

JT peered around the healers doorway to look at Estel. The pretty elf girl looked up and smiled. Even after just a couple of days in the care of the healers she looked to be regaining strength.

JT talked to the healers who too were impressed with Estel's progress, then he walked to her bed and crouched beside her.

They exchanged welcomes and smiled shyly, JT handing her some more apples, which she put in the hiding place under the bed.

Estel was now well enough to walk and with the healers permission JT showed her around Cove. They visited the docks, of which Estel was a little wary. Then the new memorial park, bath house and tavern where they met Hoagie and Perrin.

JT introduced Estel and bought her some soup which she slurped greedily. The guardsmen made her feel welcome and after Perrin had decided to call it a night Hoagie joined JT and Estel on their tour of the Baronship.

Next they visited the church and market where Hoagie produced a jar of honey for the elf girl who gladly took it and devoured most of it's contents.

Feeling tired from her exersions but happy to be in the company of JT and meeting some more Covians it was time for Estel to return to the healers. JT escorted her back and saw that she was well and tucked in.

Noticing the soup and honey stains on her dress he promised her a new one when he next visited the following day. After saying their goodbyes JT left the healers station, glancing back to see Estel waving happily to him from the window.

JT had been anxious all day. He couldn't wait to get off duty so he could visit Estel at the healers. She was so weak and thin when he found her the night before and he needed to know she was okay.

He darted into the tavern and purchased some bread and cheese with the last of his coins before setting off at a sprint to the healers. Once there the head healer took JT to one side and explained that the timid elf girl hadn't been too co-operative and was a little wary, though they had managed to bathe and dress her.

JT glanced to Estel's bed in the corner and saw her huddled on the floor peering over the edge of her bed at him. He gave a friendly smile and pulled the food wrapped in cloth from his pack as he made his way to her bed.

Estel looked pleased to see him and even more pleased to see the food. They sat together and ate, Estel hiding chunks of bread and cheese under her bed for later. JT tried to find out how long Estel had been captive to the orcs. More summers than she could remember was the reply and that saddened him.

Their small meal finished he then very carefully and gently changed the dressing on her head wound and they chatted some more. The poor girl spoke more orcish and common than elven, though little bits came back to her as they talked. JT promised to help her find out more of her kinfolk and maybe even find out from where she came.

Estel kept a suspicious eye on the healers at all times and when one came over to tell her she needed rest JT rushed out into the orchard to fetch some apples before he had to leave. Estel clutched them to her chest smiling widely at her new friend, her only friend and JT promised to visit her every day.