One Brief Shining Moment

[Calarion Sapherior]

The wounded bandit's wrist bled quite a bit more, but soon stopped thanks to the crude tourniquet. Meanwhile, the farmer and his wife emerge and help move Tinian to their small cot inside the house. There, Aldrydd worked to clean the terrible wound and sew it up as best he could. There was blood everywhere, and Aldrydd was soon covered in it. However, at the end of it, Tinian seemed to be sleeping a little easier - although he was still unconscious, and the squire admitted that he would need the assistance of a far better doctor than himself if he were to survive.

He also looked at the stab wound in John's side and bound it up. It was very late when he had finished, and he felt absolutely exhausted.

ooc: Here's what you need to do to look after Tinian. Every week, characters gain their Healing Rate back in hit points - that's 2. So in six weeks, John will be back to normal, no problems. Tinian, however, has suffered a major wound. As a result, he will lose 1d6 hit points every week, immediately after gaining 2. As he currently only has 2 hit points left, there is a 50/50 chance that he will die of his wound by the end of the week. Furthermore, if Tinian is under any strain, his wounds might reopen. If he does anything more than lie down, eat lightly, or sleep, he'll take more damage.

What you need to do is get Tinian some chirurgery. This is a special medical skill that all women have - men start at 0. A chirurgery roll can be made every week, and if successful, it will stop Tinian from taking 1d6 damage. (If it's failed, Tinian has the 50/50 chance as mentioned, and if it's fumbled, Tinian takes 1d3 damage.) What you need to do is get Tinian somewhere where he can recover, without straining him. The farmer's wife can look after him with her skill of 10; if you get him back to Vagon Castle by the end of the week, you can get someone much better. Then he needs a whole lot of bed rest.

[cidracin]

After Aldrydd finished treating the wounded he went to Alain and the others. "Tinian needs to see an actual doctor and soon. I don't know if Tilshead has one but we should go there in the morning and find out." Aldrydd said tiredly he had not bothered to wash most of the blood off of himself.

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain cursed several times, another of his fellows had fallen. "Get a cart from the village, pad it with anything you can find, cover it and move Tinian into town as carefully as you can. I intend to ride as hard as I am able to Vagon to summon aid," Alain remounted his charger before adding, "I also renounce leadership of this group."

[Calarion Sapherior]

Without waiting for an answer, Alain leaped upon his horse and kicked it to a gallop. For a time, the others could hear the sound of hooves fading into the distance; then they faded.

ooc: From this point on, I'll try to advance the two different groups at roughly the same speed. I'll put a tag on them so you can see who they refer to.

Alain

The wind was in Alain's face as he continued to gallop. Overhead, the moon began to cast her faint glow across Salisbury Plain. The return journey was much faster than the trip to Imber had been: despite his youth, Alain was one of the best riders in the county, and his charger Aurora seemed to react to his will. The weather changed as the trip continued: clouds emerged, and it began to rain, first lightly but then heavier and heavier. Soon, Alain was soaked through and through, but he continued to ride at the same breakneck pace. He guessed that he would reach Vagon Castle by midnight. Wing and rain lashed about him as he reached the Salisbury Main and headed south with all speed.

After several hours of non-stop riding, Alain finally arrived outside Vagon Castle. There were no lights within the walls, and Alain shivered as he reached the dark and closed gates. Beneath him, he could feel Aurora shivering. Looking down at her, Alain could see that her eyes were dull and glazed, her ears limp, and her mouth dry. He had pushed her too hard: if he rode her again before she had a good chance to rest, she might well die.

[cidracin]

Aldrydd set to work preparing the cart for Tinian's transport into town, lining thecart with hay and blankets. Addressing the two other squires in the midst of his prepartion Aldrydd says" the three of us will have to choose a new leader since inian has left and doesn't want it anymore. I think Gauis ought to lead us since he could have defeated Alain at the traing grounds and also defeated the bear." Having completed the preparartions to the cart he begins to prepare to move Tinian into the cart.

[Prince_Asuryan]

John nodded. 'I will follow Gauis, if he so wishes.'

The young squire moved to help Aldrydd to prepare the cart and make it comfortable for Tinian.

OOC: I assume we did find a cart. If not, I'll go looking for one.

[Krusader]

Gaius was not thrilled to be a leader, but it would not be suitable to decline either. Gaius said to the other two squires "Let us do what Alain said. We should bring Tinian to town and see if anyone can keep him alive till a healer comes". Gaius said a quick prayer for the Lord to keep his hand over Tinian today, tomorrow and the days to come. Gaius then collected his and Tinian's horses and helped the other two squires with bringing Tinian into Imber proper.

[Anarion]

Tinian groaned, his body aflame with pain and the oncoming fever his wounds were bringing. He slipped in and out of consciousness, mostly out, too incoherent to form sensible thought, much less any words. Once again his reckless and headstrong nature had gotten him into serious trouble; this time maybe a lesson from which he would be unable to learn.

OOC: just posting to acknowledge that I'm up to date.

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain rubbed Aurora's neck "I'm sorry girl." Vaulting off, Alain slammed on the gate with his fists, "Men-at-Arms, rouse! I require entrance."

[Calarion Sapherior]

Gaius, John and Aldrydd

The farmer had a wagon which he was happy to lend, given how the squires had just saved him. While Aldrydd worked on keeping Tinian alive, John and Gaius and the farmer helped to dig a grave for the slain bandits, and then prepared the cart to take Tinian to Imber. It had begun to rain heavily by the time that they were ready. The force of the rain could give Tinian a chill, and potentially even reopen some of his wounds. Would it be better to erect a shelter and get him directly to Imber, or to leave him in the farmhouse for the night?

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

After a while, a man at arms appeared from up high. "Who goes there?" he shouted down into the darkness. "Don't you know what time it is? Come back in the morning!"

[Prince_Asuryan]

John looked grimly into the darkening sky as the rain began to fall. He turned, and walked back into the house where the others were standing with Tinian.

'It's raining.' he said simply. 'I don't think it'll be safe to move him right now, unless we can make a very good cover for the trailer. Alain should be back by the afternoon, I expect Tinian can live till then?' He looked pointedly at Aldrydd.

'Personally, I think we should leave him here in a bed until a better healer can be brought from Vagon. Would that be a problem Mame?' the young squire asked the farmer's wife, 'I'm sure we can find lodgings in the village or in your barn or stable, so as not to inconvenience you further.'

[cidracin]

Aldrydd stared gloomily out the window at the heavy rain that was coming down. Inwardly he was cursing the foul weather for not only did the weather cause difficulties in moving Tinian it could also lengthen Alain's return trip. "I agree with John its too risky to move Tinian with the foul weather outside. Besides there is no doctor in Imber that can give him any better care than Marne and myself. Until Alain returns Tinian must stay here. Tinian should be fine until Tinian returns from Vagon soon. Tinian will need chirurgery before the week is out and that is a skill that I do not posses. Marne here has some skill at chirurgery if Alain does not return with a more skilled healer in time." After he had finished speaking Aldryyd went to fetch another blanket from his pack to ensure that Tinian was kept warm.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Gaius, Aldrydd and John

The farmer, Taran, and his wife, Marne, prepared a simple meal for their guests. The farm was very small, and so Aldrydd had to sleep on the floor next to Tinian, while Gaius, John and the two bandits slept in the farm. John found a rope to tie the bandits up and sat awake all night, watching them. Under his vigilant gaze, the two did not try to escape. In this way, they passed a highly uncomfortable night. It seemed all too soon before the crowing of roosters awoke them to the new day. It was now Thursday morning. The sky was sullen and overcast, but the rain was now only a light drizzle. Tinian's condition had not improved noticeably: Aldrydd estimated that he would require chirurgery, one way or another, by the end of Sunday.

[cidracin]

Aldryyd took a look around at the farmer's house. While clean by peasent standards, it was dirty enough that it would have a negetive effect on Tinian's health if left here for an extended period of time. "Once the rain lets up I believe we must take Tinian to Tilshead. Even if Alain gets back here with a doctor from Vagon, the conditions in this house will prevent any treatment from working to its fullest effect. Tilshead will be clean enough that Tinian will be able to recover fully. The problem is that he has almost no chance of survival if we transport him in the rain. Also we must figure out what we are to do with these prisoners." Aldrydd told the others quietly to be sure he didn't offend the farmer's family by calling their house unclean.

[Bob of Beleriand]

"By St. Michael you will open these gates for me! I am Alain, son of Pidevere and I must see Sir Elad immediately in a matter of great urgency. Delay me no longer!"

OOC: Don't forget about the Bear, the Bandits and the Peasants and such guys.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

"If you're in such a bloody hurry to use the privy, just find a tree," the gate-guard grumbled, but moves to open the door for the soaked rider. "You can't see Sir Elad anyway. He's not here. Left this afternoon."

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain wobbled, his head felt light, his mind swum from its confines within his skull. Staggering once more Alain attempted to rouse his voice once more against the most irritating gate-guard. But the gate had vanished, likewise the walls had been stolen away from him, blinking all that remained was nothingness punctuated with specks of light.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

Light returned gradually, as Alain stretched and rolled over and finally opened his eyes. He found himself naked, lying in a comfortable wooden bed, covered with blankets and propped up with pillows. Next to him was a window, through which light was pouring, though the sky that he could see was overcast.

"Oh good, you're awake," a pleasant female voice said. Alain turned to see an attractive young woman of about sixteen years sitting in a chair looking at him. She had an attractive face framed by long dark hair, and a simple dress. About her waist was a belt, which had a number of keys hanging from it. "When you collapsed, we were ever so worried."

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain reacted, slightly startled. His head and eyes darted about for a moment trying to take in his new surrounds, "What happened? Where am I?" Noticing his present state, Alain pulled the blankets close, hugging his new 'shield' tightly.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

Tugging the blankets to himself only made them accentuate his form more clearly, and the girl's gaze indicated that she did not mind seeing Alain's muscular body through blankets at all.

"I am Adelle, Sir Elad's daughter, and chatelaine of Vagon Castle. Normally I don't do much, but since Father's away, I'm in charge for the time being. That means in charge of looking after strangers who pass out at the front gate in the middle of the night as well! Now, tell me your name, and how you are feeling?"

[Bob of Beleriand]

Alain sat bewildered for a moment, searching his memory. "Tinian!" Alain scrambled as he remembered the previous night, forgetting his blankets and his state. "No, wait, I'm not Tinian. I am Alain! I rode through the night from Imber to seek the aid of Sir Elad." Remembering himself, Alain attempted to withdraw back into his cocoon of blankets.

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

Adelle averted her eyes, ladylike, at the sight of Alain's bare chest - and stared at it from the corner of her eyes.

"Greetings, Alain... if you're sure it's Alain," she teased. "A bard came to see us just the other day and said that there were raiders coming through the Chute Forest. Father mustered some of his knights and went to fight them." There was a wistful look in her eyes as she said this. "Can I help you, Alain?"

[Bob of Beleriand]

"I rode here in search of a healer, one of my fellows was gravely wounded attending to a duty set to him by Sir Elad." Alain paused, "Can you help me?"

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

"Oh no, how terrible!" Adelle gasped.

"I can help you, Alain. Eurig, the healer, is off with Father. But he's not a very good healer. Also, he smells of garlic," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Take me with you! Father insisted that I learn the medical arts, and I'm at least as good as Eurig! I can save your friend! Please, I have nothing to do in Vagon and it's so boring! I want to live a life of adventure and excitement and romance, not be stuck in a pile of rocks waiting for some rich and inbred man four times my age who Father wants to be friends with to take me to his pile of rocks!"

[Bob of Beleriand]

"We'll need horses." Alain added quietly. "You will need to mask your identity too, lest the wrath of your father fall upon us." Alain was rocked by disbelief, he was about to take the Marshal's daughter from the castle, even if it was willingly, he wouldn't see it favourably. "Could, I uh, have what I arrived with returned to me? Riding from the castle in a manner such as this would likely draw a great deal of attention."

[Calarion Sapherior]

Alain

"Oh, thank you!" Adelle said, and threw her arms impetuously around Alain. She very quickly let go, embarrassed. "Your clothes are under your bed. I'll go get some horses ready and then change. We can meet in the stables in two hours."

Two hours later, the two met again in the stables. Aurora still needed more rest, but Adelle had saddled two rouncies and stocked their saddles with provisions. She was now wearing a page's outfit, and had her hair gathered up under a rough cloth cap. "I took them from the cleaning room," she giggled. "It's so useful having the keys to the entire castle!" It was simplicity itself to convince the sentry to let them out, and soon the two were underway, riding north. The first autumn leaves were falling about them as they galloped northwards. Overjoyed at her freedom, Adelle sung as she rode. Alain looked at the sun as it peeked out from behind a cloud. By his count, the two would arrive in Imber at about supper time.

[Prince_Asuryan]

John stretched as he left the stable. The long night spent awake watching his prisoners had not done his body any favours. He hoped Alain would be back by the days end, otherwise not only would Tinian be a trouble, but the bandits may escape his custody.

We walked into the farmers house, waiting for his friends to awaken. Looking outside, the rain was beginning to clear. As soon as it was clear, they were moving Tinian to Imber, where at least it would be clean.

[cidracin]

Aldrydd awoke due to the sounds of John's movements in the farm house, yet again he had slept on the floor by Tinian's side. With great satisfaction Aldrydd noticed the clearing skies. Turning to John Sldrydd began to speak softly trying not to disturb Tinian,"Well it appears that the weather will finally cooperate with us. Although I would keep the shelter over the cart anyway in case it begins to rain while we're movng Tinian. What troubles me now, is what are we do with the bandits we have captured. We must take them to a knight to be judged for their crimes."

[Calarion Sapherior]

ooc: Speeding up the timeline a bit...

The peasants had already left with the bear's carcass, and so the procession that reached Imber that afternoon consisted only of the wagon, pulled by Tinian's charger Bellerophon, the three squires on horseback, and the two bandits on foot. They were met by Garr, who gave a great cry of sadness and hurried Tinian to his church, which was the cleanest place in town. There, Garr and his mistress Mali gave the gallant squire what care they could. The bandits were taken away and put in a makeshift prison, with peasants standing watch constantly. Later that day, the trophies of the hunt were delivered to the church - the bear's head, hide and claws.

That evening, Alain returned, along with a fresh-faced young page. The page removed her hat and was immediately proven to be an attractive young woman with long dark hair and a cheerful face. She bustled in to the invalid and soon expelled the squires from Tinian's presence, preferring to work with Mali as her assistant. She also arranged for Tinian to be carefully moved before Mass was held on Sunday. As Old Garr led the villagers and squires in prayer for Tinian's life, Adelle and Mali continued their work. After church had ended, the squires hurried over to see Adelle in Garr's rectory. Adelle emerged, exhausted.

"Your friend will live," she said wearily.

ooc: Everyone regains 2 hit points. Tinian can now be safely moved, but he'll need at least another two weeks of chirurgery before he can wake up.