Prologue: Lexwyn

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

She almost wished she had risked staying to see who was outside the door to the hut rather than face a pack of wolves in the wilderness. She had heard the tales of werewolves and ghosts told around the fires by bards. She had never given such things credence before, but hearing the sound of a wolf pack this close filled her with such dread that she began to understand how one could imagine such things.

The wolves seemed to be getting closer as she endeavored to catch her breath by the tree. She would either have to get moving to keep ahead of their scent or perhaps climb the tree and hope they passed her by.

Spoiler

Medieval history is one of the more difficult to keep track of such things for. Political boundaries tended to be very fluid especially for ares like Wales and Scotland. Technically the Normans never even completely conquered Wales because Edward I "Longshanks" fought them quite a bit. He's called the "hammer of the Scots" but he liked to beat up the Welsh and Irish too.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn edged backwards. She hadn't quite caught her breath yet, but time was of the essence. It seemed pretty clear to her that she wasn't going to be able to outrun these violent predators. Even if she could, the most common way to make them lose her scent, dashing through a stream, was not exactly a very attractive option at the moment. Lexwyn began sizing up the nearby trees, only a little bit shy of frantically. When she found a good one she'd start to climb up it, using the knife as an aid and with her bow around her neck. Not exactly the safest thing to do in the world, but she really needed both hands for this. Hopefully her strength would hold out just a bit longer...

Spoiler

Yeah, I read that it took them a few tries to get Wales under the boot. Unfortunately, the maps I had only went in increments related to Europe at large, not just Wales, so I missed a lot. I've a very visual learner, I need maps to make sense of things like that.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

She found and old gnarled oak that was easy enough to climb with the aid of her knife. The tree was easily tall enough that the wolves wouldn't be able to reach her short of supernatural aid. She settled nicely into position as soon as she got to the top, thankfully the branches formed something of a natural seat.

Judging from the sound of the approaching creatures she had made it just in time and now all she had to do was wait for them to pass before continuing on. A branch snapped behind her just as she settled in to wait and as she slowly turned her head to look she noticed someone carefully picking their way forward as though looking for something.

It was difficult to make out details in this light but it looked like an old woman heavily cloaked. Grey hair poked out of the cloak and the way they walked made her think it was an aged woman. Though the wildness of the hair and ragged old cloak she wore reminded her of a witch or religious hermit. Worst of all though was the wolves were almost here and she would be torn to pieces if she wasn't warned!

Spoiler

Yeah the Welsh weren't easy to conquer, mostly because of their longbows. Which of course the English adopted once they managed to take the country. I like maps too, though they can be problematic to find good ones of the time period, especially away from the main parts of Europe.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

The climb was easier than she expected, and Lexwyn almost allowed another small smile to creep up on her. The little rest had done wonders, if deep down she longed for more. Lexwyn allowed herself a quiet sigh and she carefully turned to watch the ground.

The woman was perhaps the last thing she expected to see. Then again, perhaps this was the type of person that would be likely to live in an isolated cabin in the middle of the woods. A whole range of thoughts and emotions ran through Lexwyn's mind. Though a bit deadened to emotion at times, especially lately, Lexwyn still instinctively felt disarmed by the woman's age. It was unlikely someone so old could harm her anyway, even if they were of the "nasty old coot" sort. If she had chased after her and was now in harms way, Lexwyn would actually feel pretty bad about it...

Her lips quivered for a few seconds in indecision. Surely the old woman heard the wolves too, right? If she called out, she would give away her position, but could the old woman really do anything about it while Lexwyn was in a tree? Finally with a bit of hesitance Lexwyn cried out. Maybe if she was indeed being looked for, seeing her up in the tree would give the old woman a clear conscience to return to the cabin.

"Hey! It's not safe! Go back!" There was a bit of delay between some of her words as Lexwyn tried to think of what to say. While nature would do as it pleased, she really didn't want to see the old woman torn up on her part, and she feared that her hesitance might have made it too late...

Spoiler

Yeah, and extra difficulty for me, because normally I study and think in the mindset of nation-states. That's part of why the middle ages didn't interest me for a long while. The whole structure is a bit too nebulous to go well with how I think...

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn's shout draws the attention of the old woman, who looks up at the young woman in the tree curiously. She drops her hood as she looks up and a strong calm voice floats up to Lexwyn reassuringly.

"I'm very sorry for having frightened you, dear. Unfortunately it seems to have drawn us into a rather dangerous situation. I suggest you remain where you are while I lead the wolves away and then make your escape. Feel free to regather the supplies you left in your haste."

With that she points back as though indicating the direction of the hut before shuffling off in the opposite direction. Less than a minute later three wolves bound into view. The beasts look half-starved from the harsh winter and after snuffling at the base of the tree soon take off after the old woman, howling as they go.

Spoiler

I can see that, it's why I tend not to be such a stickler in regards to historical and geographic facts for the game.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn held perfectly still, not from fear, but confusion. So the old woman did not appear to be a threat... that just made Lexwyn feel even worse for putting her in harms way. Though she did not seem concerned... There was always something about confidence that spoke volumes and swayed others. Lexwyn did not know how this woman could be so calm. Even if it was just an act though, it certainly had an effect on her...

She continued to hold still as the scraggly wolves bounded past, now purposefully trying to avoid notice. After waiting about half a minute for the creatures to vanish out of sight Lexwyn carefully slid down the tree, once again using the knife for handholds. She didn't want to go too fast and make some noise that might attract more attention. At the back of her mind something tugged at her to go slow for another reason too. While returning to the cabin to gather her supplies seemed like a safe enough bet, Lexwyn just couldn't decide how she felt about the old woman. Should she wait for her there, or just get her things and go? It was a hard decision, one that would be out of her hands if she went slow and the lady returned as she was still regathering her supplies... It was a bad habit of hers, but sometimes this form of indecision could just come over Lexwyn, frequently without her even realizing it.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn moves slowly and quietly back to the hut to gather the remainder of her supplies. It's plain to see how the old woman was able to follow her to the clearing in the forest. Her running tracks would have been easy to follow in the snow, even the slower paced tracks of the old woman were easy to follow.

The cabin is the same as she had left it save that the covering on the window had been torn off in her hasty escape and the fire was now out. She couldn't help but wonder why the old woman would stay out in the wilderness as she picked up her supplies which lay scattered on the floor. Once they are all together she was faced with her decision wait for the old woman or leave and never look back.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn sighed. She had made up her mind. With her stuff in order she sat it on the counter, then worked to relight the fire. Staying was the more risky course of action, yes, but as some people said, there was no reward without risk. With the thread of violence now past, Lexwyn was confident that this was a situation she could talk herself out of if it went bad. All she had to do was verbally hold the old lady off long enough to bolt again if she had to. In return... who knows... maybe she could stay here for a few nights. That was all she could really hope for, though deep down something was longing for more comfort, even if a lifestyle out here was drastically less luxurious than what Lexwyn was used to. She didn't let herself acknowledge those desires, but they were present nonetheless.

After lighting the fire, Lexwyn wanted to be a polite guest and find a chair to sit in, but the warmth was just so attractive after days in the wild... She sat crosslegged on the floor close by, telling herself it would only be for a short while, but never getting back up to move. If the old woman took a long time it was quite possible she would even fall asleep like this again, her mind wandering to thoughts of her old life.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn is startled from her brief rest by the heavy sound of feet again crunching through the snow and brush outside the cabin. The old woman seems almost as hesitant as Lexwyn for she takes some time before finally pushing the door open.

She smiles before strangely shades her face from the fire as she makes her way into the room. She takes an animal hide from her shoulder and begins to make her way toward the window while she nervously says. "I see you've decided to wait after all, dearie. I'm not much used to people either, as if you couldn't tell. Still it might be nice to have some company if even for just a few short hours."

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn startled a bit in a sleepy way. She slowly turned and looked at the door with a big yawn and a lazy stretch. She had barely composed herself by the time the woman was back inside. She probably hadn't been fast enough to avoid airing some of her vulnerability, but that was okay. Court intrigue had never been Lexwyn's favorite aspect of being a noble, but she knew how to do it, if not well. To a lesser extent, the same skills applied to any interaction, especially one that might otherwise be tense. She stood up to greet the woman more formally, though still hesitated a bit, unsure of what exactly she should say. That was her least favorite part, that she never had enough time to stop and think of the best response, or what information to carefully omit.

"I am sorry to have caused you inconvenience. I am a travelers in some misfortune, and would have conducted myself more honorably had I thought someone here." It was technically true. She would have avoided the place most likely if it looked inhabited, and thus avoided the entire unpleasantness. On another level, polite conversation was always preferable, even if it wasn't what she was skilled in. "I was in need of a bit of shelter and... um... provisions..." As she continued a rather dire thought struck Lexwyn. The wolf she had cut for food had not been... well, normal, for any real meaning of the world. She glanced over at where it had been, having effectively ignored the rest of the carcass after she had been done with it. Though her social mask was never perfect, it probably was very much transparent right about now... She turned back to the woman with a nervious smile, but had temporarily lost her words...

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

The old woman finishes hanging the animal skin on the window and turns back to look at Lexwyn for the briefest of moments. Almost as if able to read her thoughts the old woman makes her way to what is left of the wolf carcass and begins to meticulously collect what is left.

"I should dispose of the remains. It doesn't make for the most pleasant of sights indoors especially when one has company. Truth be told your presence is something of an inconvenience as you put it but not a horrible one. Your honor certainly isn't in question for who would expect this place to be inhabited. Being in the middle of nowhere as it is. I will return soon, perhaps a brief second to think things over will help both of us."

The old woman takes what is left of the carcass and departs the cabin to dispose of it. The old woman is certainly strange and the wolf drained of blood was just as odd. The whole experience seemed strange to be truthful but something told Lexwyn she just couldn't leave.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn was still a bit freaked out about how nonchalant the woman was about the wolf, but she had a way of diffusing the tension too. Soon the feeling was replaced with a bit of indignation too, of the mild insult kind. As she understood it, and she understood well even if she wasn't that great in practice, polite society was supposed to be based on hospitality and humility. The proper way to do things would be to let Lexwyn continue to admit her fault, but not acknowledge it as an inconvenience herself. Even the tiny tiny comforts of simply being indoors brought back a bit of her characteristic fire. Still, Lexwyn could hardly get truly upset right now, especially given the circumstances. Perhaps it was a testament to her fortitude, though, that someone in her position still thought such things.

Despite getting a bit ruffled, Lexwyn was still very much eager to hear what the woman had to say. She wasn't out of the woods yet, in more ways than one, but as long as she could safely stay here with the warm fire for just a little bit longer, that was okay with her. She might have to be careful what exactly she said, but as long as no big secrets slipped out she doubted this woman was going to get suspicious. If she was overly suspicious already, she was very good at hiding it.

Wanting to seem open, Lexwyn forced herself away from the fire until the woman came back, though she hoped her host would lead her back for a chat there soon, as it was the natural conversation setting. It felt a bit weird to go ahead and make herself at home though, so for now she thought she would wait by the door.

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

The old woman seems to take her time in returning, though her strange habits are becoming less of an intrigue and more of an annoyance. She certainly isn't deserving of the nobility that Lexwyn has shown her so far. It might be hypocritical of her to think so but nobles and peasants both had their place in society for a reason. The same could be said of both guests and hosts.

Her thoughts are interrupted by the old woman's return to the cabin. Again she avoids drawing to near the fire before settling down and offering for Lexwyn to sit as well. A small trickle of some dark substance seems to stain the old woman's mouth as she smiles and says.

"I suppose introductions are probably in order. I would of course offer better hospitality but surely you understand I have little more to offer you than shelter from the winter and predator. I am Morgaina, and your name my dear?"

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

The more she thought about their brief few words, the more Lexwyn wondered if she was giving away her identity in a way by her formal manner of speaking. Other oddities started creeping into her mind. Beyond the wolf, and how the old woman had eluded the others, she seemed a bit more... well mannered than should actually be expected, even if Lexwyn had felt momentarily slighted a second before. Perhaps she had better start thinking of a more in depth cover story after all...

Lexwyn wasn't fully done gathering her thoughts when the woman came back in., but she played her distracted demeanor off as being tired. Hopefully it would be believable, lower the woman's guard, and maybe even garner some more sympathy. "Yes, of course. I am... Lexine..." She pretended to yawn during the pause when she thought of a cover name. Close to her own, so she'd be able to respond naturally, but not exact. She was sure some peasants had named daughters in her honor when her father had announced her birth, or something like that. It was kind of a tradition or something, or at least she thought. Lexwyn realized she'd never actually paid attention, so a little doubt suddenly crept in before being pushed aside. It was too late to change now anyway, so best to confidently stick with it. 'Well mannered peasant girl'... should be a workable disguise...

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Morgaina nods pleasantly at Lexwyn's introduction of herself, her face showing no indication if she believes her or not. She keeps her eyes busy by looking at anything but the fire and her choice to sit away from the warmth seems odd as she says. "Might I ask how you came to be traveling through such a desolate place in the dead of winter?

It must be close to 20 years since I last saw someone in my forest. Even the hunter's avoid this place, they say it is a battleground between the fae and the werewolves. Personally I have seen nothing of such mythical creatures though the regular wolves can be troublesome."

Despite Morgaina's age, Lexwyn can sense that she is a strong woman. She must be to have lived in these forests for so long. Even Lexwyn had heard the bardic tales of the war of silver and iron taking place in the forests of her father's home.

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

"Well, you see, it is the Normans..." The real story could easily be spun to match Lexwyn's new version. The more truth it contained, the more believable it would be. "I'm not sure how much you get out of these woods, but those fowl bastards from across the channel now run freely in England, and have now set their sights on o... these lands." Her tongue almost slipped into giving something away, but Lexwyn hid it with a realistic cough. "They've burnt several villages, and have besieged several strongpoints. Alas, I fled here to hide rather than face those barbarians. I don't know how the conflict is going, or if it's still going..."

She finished off with a heavy sigh, very much real. She rested her head on one propped up hand, looking for a reaction if either surprise or knowing from the woman. A new thought occurred to her though before the silence had fully taken hold. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Normans do not know of such legends though, and have been active in these woods..."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

"So another conqueror comes to our island: the Romans, the Saxons, and now the Normans." Morgaina says with a sigh. She mentions the names of the various conquerors like a teacher of history might. Something seems odd about the statement almost as if the old woman spoke from experience though no one could be that old.

"If they have broached my woods, I certainly haven't noticed. It is possible that they might be foolish enough to spurn the old legends, though. After all legends change so much as time rolls on. I'm sure the legends you know of our lands would be barely recognizable to myself."

She looks towards the fire for the briefest of moments before quickly turning away. A look of anger seems to flash for the briefest of seconds before she continues once again calm. "It's truly a shame that the old legends are forgotten, there are so many lessons to be had from them."

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn's lips twisted to the side in a thinking expression. She didn't really believe in superstition, but judging by Morgaina's reaction she dare not comment as such. It honestly took her a bit off guard, especially the hint of anger. It was clear Morgaina valued legend, a little more than would probably be healthy for a normal person, but Lexwyn didn't think it would be something to get upset about... She would have to tread carefully, as hermits tended to cling on as tight as they could to what they had. Lexwyn wasn't one to shatter an old woman's world view, especially one who was such a gracious host.

"Yes, well, in this case, if the tales were warning of some danger, I'd rather the Normans blunder into it than take heed." She said it with a bit of a dismissive snort, hoping to steer Morgaina away from what might be a bit of a touchy subject. Of course Lexwyn herself would rather demean the Norman's of who she had such little regard for. "Personally I would find it somewhat amusing of a few hapless soldiers got more than they bargained for..."

 

[dmronny]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Morgaina seems calm once more as she looks toward the younger woman. Though what she says next certainly makes her seem a bit off as she seems to genuinely believe in what she speaks about. "I suppose it's still quite possible that they might blunder into something dangerous. There is always some truth to the legends told by the minstrels after all. The fae and the lupines were once quite common in this forest, though they were driven deeper into the mountains by my brother, Artair. There are still other dangers in my forest both natural and supernatural that could pose a threat to the ill-informed."

She snaps out of her reverie and smiles at Lexwyn before saying. "I'm curious why you should hate these Normans so much. Surely a peasants life under their heel is no better than it would be under a Saxon or Welsh heel?"

 

[OAMP]

Re: Prologue: Lexwyn

Lexwyn raised an eyebrow as she watched Morgaina. Everything about her aura, for a lack of a better term, made Morgaina seem stable, yet she spoke so strangely. It didn't seem like anything Lexwyn should really be worried about though, if she wasn't on edge enough already as it was. So maybe living out here did make one a bit crazy, but the time for a dangerous outburst was long past.

When Morgaina turned more directly inquisitive, though, Lexwyn still got a bit nervous, despite having thought of an answer in advance. "They burned my farm, and my family is likely dead. Though the same they may be to other such groups, is this not reason enough to seek retribution?" She said it with forceful confidence, but inside was kicking herself again for perhaps sounding a bit too scholarly. With a bit more softness, maybe to tug at some heartstrings rather than high-minded ideals, Lexwyn offered up a bit more, dripping with traces of genuine sadness. "Besides... what do you think would become of a young woman such as myself to show up with nothing save the clothes on her back? Even in the best of times few have the means to support another hungry mouth... Would anyone have any use for such a person?"