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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 28, 2007 17:13:56 GMT
Nowe left with the girl and got to the stables. He reached out his hand and put it gently on his mare's white muzzle. He helped tack up the horse and then turned to the girl. "I apologise again. But if knights like them ever come back here, deny your involvement with me. They don't take to kindly with people who help out their deserters. They wont hestitate to try and kill everyone here." he thought for a minute about telling that man who had also helped out but something told him he was able to take care of himself.
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Post by Taya on Aug 28, 2007 17:15:28 GMT
Always eager to spin tales to the strangers, the old man that had been speaking motioned for the man in black to take a seat. Then he went on because more folks were interested.
"Well, sure those claws of his find their mark every time, but you'd find that anywhere. But this cat, he is her eyes and ears. What he sees, she sees. He can even cast spells for her when she is away from him. Now mind you she'd never do anything just cause she could, but never anger her, then you might as well wish yourself dead. There was this one lad, tried to have his way out back with the lass. Was real rough with her and even hit her a few times. They say her eyes flashed bright yellow and before he knew what was happening the cat was on his face scratching at him. I saw the boy a little later he wears an eye patch now to hide the empty socket." The old man finished and drank from his tankard.
"Another boy came a courtin'" another started. "And he wasn't doin nobody any harm, everyone liked him. Even the lass, if not in that way. But that cat was mighty jealous. So one day when he showed up he saw the cat sitting glarin at him with those eyes o' his. His mistress no where in sight. Which was the first thing that struck the boy as odd. Then out o' nowhere spirits of the dead start attackin him. makin him crazed. And all the while that darn tabby sat there and if he'd been human they say he woulda been grinnin'."
"Now we ain't got nuthing 'gainst the lass, mind ye. She's as dear to us as our own. But that cat he's a dangerous sort and we all breath a sigh of relief when he leaves us be." The old man said takin' up the story once more.
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Kayleh shook her head as she stroked the mare's neck.
"Cowards like that don't scare me." she said simply. "Its not safe to be going out there now that there's no light, especially alone. If you're worried about us, then don't there's a back entrance and no one would see if you stayed. We could hide the mare until those knights left then you can at least see where you're going in the morning."
No one but Pan knew why Kayleh was afraid of the things in the dark and Kayleh planned on keeping it that way.
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Post by skati on Aug 28, 2007 17:34:14 GMT
Skygge stood by and thought about what the old man had said. From the first tale, the cat didn't sound like anything more than just protective...but the second....Spirits of the dead? "And you actually witnessed both of these events?" Skygge asked thoughtfully.
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Post by Taya on Aug 28, 2007 17:42:39 GMT
"No of course not, but thats common knowledge around this part." The old man answered. "besides if I had, that cat woulda done sumethin to me too. Ya see, i don't trust that cat and while he may be protecting the lass for now, I think he's got his own plans for her. But as long as he doesn't start hurtin' her then nobody says anything cause they can't proves it ya see."
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Pan rubbed up against Kayleh's legs, feeling the horse was getting more attention than him and wanting to make sure the young troublemaker, in his opinion, didn't get any ideas.
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 28, 2007 17:52:58 GMT
Nowe stopped and thought for a moment or two, then nodded, "Okay. Thanks." He said smiling. "And anyway, not all of them are cowards... Most of them are just mislead." He lowered his head, thinking about how his friends were now after him, and they don't even now why. He looked up and smiled, "My name is Nowe by the way." he said holding out his hand.
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Post by Taya on Aug 29, 2007 20:30:58 GMT
"Kayleh," She said taking his hand. "First lets get this girl out back." Kayleh left Nowe to go caress the mare's neck and in a voice to quiet for Nowe's ears she began to whisper to the mare. When she was done, the mare's head nodded as if it understood. Turning to the annoyed cat at her feet, Kayleh simply said, "Pan, footprints please" He glared at her but nodded his consent as well.
"Take your horse and follow me.Don't worry she won't make a sound." Kayleh explained as she led them out of the stables and behind the stores of the inn.
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Sept 3, 2007 17:30:01 GMT
Nowe followed Kayleh leading the mare quietly to the stores at the back. "Thank you for your help. I have little to repay you with, other then my gratitude."
Urick left the inn and looked around, the fallen knight on his back "Damn, he's gone. What'll we do sir?" The other knight stepped out and went to his horse. "We'll head back to the city. I have a message to deliver. Carry him on the back of your horse." he said gesturing to the injured man, "I'll tie is horse onto my saddle and lead it along." Urick nodded, and gave a little huff, 'yeah sure you get the easy job.' he though bitterly mounting his horse and brought the fellow knight with him.
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Post by Taya on Sept 3, 2007 19:11:23 GMT
Once Kayleh had tied the horse out back and Pan had some how managed to cover their tracks, Kayleh opened the back door and led Nowe up the back stairs. She gave him a smile as she came to a room.
"This is my room." She told him as she unlocked the door. "No one will bother you or even know you're here. I'm one of the few who live here. Don't worry about your mare, I'll take care that she gets back to the stables and is safe from the elements. Goodnight Nowe and sleep well." She winked and left him to his own devices. The tabby however did not.
It was quite clear that Pan did not trust Nowe like Kayleh did. And he would tell her as much later. But for now he decided to keep an eye on the unwelcome guest. He stalked into the room. It was simple. A bed was in the center with a trunk at the foot. On one wall was a dressing table that someone in town had carved and built for her. A box, a looking glass, snowdrops in vase, a washing pitcher, towel and bowl were all that adorned the table. A basket filled with a pillow sat in the corner and curtains hung on the windows.
Pan jumped on to the bed protectively and glared at Nowe.
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Kayleh was smart enough to leave through the back and come in through the front so as not to arouse suspicions. Once back in the main room, Kayleh eyed the fire longingly but knew she needed to get back to work. So once again she performed the routine of removing her cloak and getting back to work. It was as she was making her rounds that she noticed the Man in Black sitting with some of the locals.
"Hello again." She said coming up to the table. "Are these old varmints filling your head with faery stories?" Kayleh asked with a laugh. "Well, don't listen to them, it was quite disappointing to find out they were just alot of tall tales. So boys can I get anybody anything?"
"Another ale, Kay, lass" The old man who had been telling the stories said.
"Same, Kay" or "Kay, me as well." or "Thanks, Kay" were the responses she heard after the old man's. Kayleh nodded to each in turn and then turned to the Man in Black.
"Well, what'll it be?" She asked with a grin.
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Post by skati on Sept 4, 2007 21:51:59 GMT
Skygge thought for a moment. "A pint of ale will be fine, lass," he said with a smile.
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Post by Taya on Sept 5, 2007 16:48:28 GMT
Kayleh laughed as she headed over to the bar to get the orders. As Sven filled her tray, somebody touched her arm tentatively.
"No he's not down here. I do believe Pan has retired for the night. So stop acting like yer scared of every little thing. You do know he's just a cat." Kayleh said picking up the tray. Cedric looked abashed. but he recovered quickly by putting his arm around Kayleh's waist as she started to pass out the ales.
"You thought I was afraid of a cat. Now really, Kay, thats just silly." Kayleh rolled her eyes when Cedric was done speaking.
"Yes and you know its true. And so will everyone if you don't move that hand of yours." Cedric glared and removed his arm. He sulked back over to his own table, which was now laughing at Cedric's expense. Kayleh had two more ales left on her tray as she turned to the Man in Black.
"On the house, for stopping that fight." She said as she set it in front of him. "he gave me to many again." she said to herself, but one of the men overheard.
"Then join us Kay!" came the shout and cheering followed. Kayleh smiled as she realized what Sven was doing. He wanted her to keep an eye on the Man in Black, because even though he stopped the fight, Sven still didn't trust him.
"Alright boys, who's going to get me a chair?" she agreed.
"Right here" said one patting his lap. Kayleh shook her head with a laugh. A few moments later, she was seated in her own chair across from the Man in Black. She took a big swig from her pint and another cheer went up. But then things started to quiet down and everyone began turning to their own conversations. Which left just Kayleh and the Man in Black.
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Post by skati on Sept 13, 2007 11:11:16 GMT
"Thank you," Skygge replied. He took a few sips of the ale brought to him. Though he judged the old man's tale as mere superstition, he still remained curious. "The stories the old one told were of your cat. What is it that makes them think such things of it?"
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Post by Taya on Sept 13, 2007 19:18:19 GMT
Surprisingly, Kayleh laughed. She took another drink before grinning at the man in black.
"because he can be quite mean and a bit overprotective. As for the stories, they're shite. Pan is over ten years old, he couldn't do any of the things they claim. Yes he could scratch the hell out of ya, but he certainly couldn't tear a man's eye out cut his throat. So now you know stories about me and Pan, what about you what's your story?"
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Post by skati on Sept 14, 2007 13:10:53 GMT
Skygge thought for a moment about how best to answer her. She seemed like a nice girl, but that doesn't necessarily rule her out as a potential assassin. No doubt, his father had many of them after him...not only that, but she could be someone seeking vengence on his father by attempting to go through him. His father was a tyrant, hated by all, loved by none...not even Skygge himself loved him.
"I am on a journey," he said simply.
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Sept 21, 2007 19:49:53 GMT
Nowe thanked Kayleh and walked to the window. He leaned against it, glancing to the town outside the window. The streets were still bustling with people getting where they wanted to go. He spotted in the crowds, three gray horses walking away from the inn. The two riders and the one who lay unconscious. He focused mainly on Urick, and sighed, "Get out of there soon Urick." After watching the knights leave the town he turned to look at the room and saw the cat sat on the bed. He almost went to stroke it but saw the look it gave him. A look that sent a shiver down his spine. He turned away from the cat's gaze and put his sword and shield down, leaning against the wall. He sat down on the floor and leaned back against the same wall, his eyes occasionally drifting to look at the cat.
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Post by Taya on Sept 21, 2007 21:13:54 GMT
Pan's eyes however did not drift. They stayed focused on Nowe. The cat didn't even appear to blink. It was too dangerous to let anyone get close to Kayleh. She was too important. At first it had been easy to keep the males away from the little girl, and it was the females he had to scare away. But as time passed he found the male humans a much more daunting task, especially considering Kayleh's good nature and fun spirit. People were drawn to her like a mothes to a flame. So Pan never let his guard down. Too much was riding on her, even if she didn't know.
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At that moment Kayleh laughed and shook her head.
"You know that story is soo long, you should really break it down into parts. One part would be 'I am on' and the second would be, ' a journey'"Kayleh grinned as she teased the man in black. "There must be more."
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