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| Ten Silver Peices and Three Guinea Hens; [p] Ironjasi | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 29 2009, 01:44 AM (337 Views) | |
| E'doa A'nii | Aug 29 2009, 01:44 AM Post #1 |
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Bard
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The elf stretched the string of his great longbow back till it touched the tip of his pointy elven ear and creased the inside of his fingertips. His shaggy brows knit together in concentration as his keen blue eye scrutinized the target mercilessly. His fingers held the bow in perfect taughtness against the string; the wood pressing into the flesh between his fingers, yet barely touched the string. His breathing was timed perfectly to the release of the arrow, yet so soft that his hand did not tremble as he held it. The exhale came with the 'twang' of the bow and the 'woosh' of the arrow. Zhip! Twong! The arrow hit the target dead center. It split the shaft of the arrow before it. A succession of arrows had met the exact same fate, as witnessed by the pile of split arrow shafts which had fallen at the base of the target. The elf reached back smoothly and grabbed another arrow from the full quiver which hung against his distinguishing white tunic. A High Elf. He notched this arrow onto his bow without so much as looking at it. He was obviously very good at what he did. "<That's quite the shooting you're doing there.>" A mellow voice, which was neither masculine nor feminine, commented with much admiration. High Elf Greabald turned about in surprise, his drawn bow now aimed at the unexpected visitor, his brown eyes wide, lips parted slightly. "<I mean you no harm, High Elf. I am but a humble peasant who stopped to admire your fine shooting.>" The man put his hands up in the air to show that he was unarmed. His long form leaned nonchalantly against a thick tree trunk; ankles crossed, back up against the tree... his hands had been in his pockets. A peice of hay still dangled lazily from his mouth. His peasant's cap sat low on his forhead to shade his eyes from the sun... and from Greabald's view. The High Elf hesitated to ask 'how long have you been standing there'. He dreaded the answer. The trees would have warned him... but he was so busy concentrating that he had forgotten to listen. The peasant, obviously, wasn't going to tell him. He seemed young enough to be working on a farm or something. Not much older then a teen at best- or the fifty year old elf equivalent of it, anyway. "<Thank you."> Was the simple reply. Greabald's rich, deep voice did not mince words. His unwelcomed visitor moved towards the target with the vigor of youth and it's accompanying clumsiness. He picked up a handful of the shafts and counted them; laying them out in a row in the grass. "<Twenty.>" He finished. <"Not bad."> That was an understatement. An insolent one. But then, this was an insolent youth. He was tresspassing on the property of the High Elf. Greabald was about to say something in angry retort when the boy continued: <"I'll make you a bet. Three of my father's Guinea hens and twenty of silver peices: I can break more shafts then you can by shooting the center of the target."> Any sort of anger that Greabald felt at the youth's insolence vanished by the ridiculousness of the proposal. Firstly, the youth hadn't even earned his bow yet; as evidenced by the fact that he had placed the shafts upside down next to their respective heads. Secondly, the boy would never be able to raise twenty silver peices in his life. Greabald threw back his head and laughed. His long brown hair shook as did his body with the vigorousness of his mirth. The boy blushed bright red; his green eyes flashed with fury. The High Elf found himself staring into the enfuriated face of the peasant youth. <"You worthless pile of horseflesh!> ,the boy sputtered,<How dare you laugh at me?! I bet I can break forty arrows without so much as missing once! Why--!> He was cut off in mid sentance, because the High Elf had gone from derisive laughter to hurt pride, and seething anger. How dare this, this child speak to him like that? It was bad enough to tresspass on hihs property, help himself to his arrows and make the most ridiculous bet... but to call him a pile of horseflesh was unspeakable. Greabald felt the need to teach the boy some manners. Perhaps working his debt off as a slave to the High Elf would teach him some. <Fine! You have your bet! Meet me here tommorrow at sunrise... If you can find a bow...> Greabald smirked at that last bit. If the boy could find a bow he would be fortunate indeed. Bows were valuable things. They were an extension of one's person, a part of one's self. You couldn't just borrow a bow form anybody. |
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Eddy's Characters Active Topics And His Blood Dripped on the Snow (open) Street Performers (-for E'kekeu'poki-) The Hyacinth Trail (open) Oft Times Man Spins His Own Demise (for Shae) The Price of a Crown (For Renna and Ormad) Mankind's Introduction (for AOC) Unconventional Rescue (for Ish) Avi from Photobucket. By Jeffmdi41. | |
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| E'doa A'nii | Aug 29 2009, 02:21 AM Post #2 |
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Bard
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The sun rose over the crest of the mountains showering the landscape in all manner of breathtaking golds and yellows. High Elf Greabald's long steps carried himalong at a swift pace amidst the seren birdsong to the field of battle. Or, more accurately, to the archery grounds. His breath made little clouds in the air as he puffed his way along angrily. He was quite certain the boy would not show up; all the same he had to be there to ensure that ,if, in the miracle that th eboy did show up, he, Greabald, did not lose the bet for staying home. Twenty silver pieces was a lot of money, even for a noble. With a huff, he set down his crate of Guinea hens. The birds squawked and flapped their feathers; shattered the serenity of the morning. Ontop of the wooden crate the High Elf tossed his bag of silver coins. It made a 'chink' as it landed. <"Well, it's about time."> Came the chipper remark. The arrogant High Elf whipped about. He wished the boy would stop doing that. One of these days he might shoot him by accident. Not that he would regret such a misfortune over much. The boy was certainly no friend of his. Out of the shadows stepped the boy. In his hand was a finely crafted bow, of the stoutest cherry wood. It's beautiful red-brown color was enhanced by the morning sunlight, and complimented by the green grip-wrap in the center. The longbow touched the lad's forehead. He held it clumsily, with the string pinched to the wood. An excellent bow, and it tore Greabald's heart to see it so abused. In the lad's left hand was a crate of three, beautiful Guinea hens. All fat, and richly colored. Obviously healthy animals. The best in the barn. The village offical would not have been surprised if someone had told him that the boy had stolen them. Certainly no one would humor this youth. Three guinea hens was a small fortune to a farmer. "<Best get started then, eh?"> The youth actually smirked. High Elf Greabald nodded. He would enjoy humiliating this boy. He deserved at least that much. <"What's your name lad?"> He asked amicably. "Bat" the boy responded. 'To Trample'. Aptly named. Well, the boy had just trampled the wrong person today. <"Why?"> He asked curiously. <"Just so I know the name of the boy I'm to pick up to pay off his debts when we're done."> The High Elf was quite calm as he said this. Nonchalant, in fact. <"Ah, you have to win first."> The boy smiled mischieviously. <"Oh, but I have."> And the High Elf grinned quite cruelly. He would enjoy this. <"Why don't you shoot first, so as to get at least one shot in?"> Patronizing. <"Thank you."> The boy took his position and aimed. His feet were all wrong; his hands too high; his string not taught enough. His arrow would shoot up and left, to land about twenty yards away from his target. It was hard for Greabald not to laugh. This was too easy. Like lightening, Bat's arrow was off and flying true. It hit the target dead center and split the shaft of the pre-placed arrow. Bat shrugged at his superior's gape. <"Just lucky I guess."> He grinned. Greabald spluttered something incoherent. Luck or no luck, that was an impossible shot given the way the boy was standing and holding his bow. He could have sworn Bat had cheated on that one. On the next shot Bat's stance was flawless, but his hands were too high again. THe arrow went up into the air and looked as if it would keep right on going, but a second arrow sent fast behind knocked it straight on course. Both arrows hit the center one after the other and split the shafts. Before the High Elf could even blink Bat had sent off three more arrows one right after the other. He was exceptionally good for one so young and inexperienced. But Greabald could not sense any manipulation of earth on the arrows. He wasn't cheating. Bat had tricked the elven noble. Thirty minutes later, after a quiver full of disheartening bowmanship on the part of his rival, it was Greabald's turn. He had to admit, the boy was a better shot then he. That hurt. In fact, it was infuriating. THe noble was so angry, he had trouble seeing the target; his hands shook as he fired his shots. He missed four arrows out of a quiver of one hundred and fifty. Each miss only made him angrier still. At the end of thirty minutes High Elf Greabald was shaking and panting and quite red in the face. The boy chuckled softly to himself and picked up the guinea hens and the pouch with the twenty silver pieces. <"Now wait a minute!"> The elven lord spluttered. Bat looked at him inquiringly. <"It's bad enough that you come in here and insult me, and then trick me into dueling you. But to cheat on top of that is worthy of a hanging!> No child was that good. Not a one. The High Elf was positive Bat had cheated. No other explanation made sense. <"Well, if you feel that way about it..."> Bat sighed, <"We'll go to the village magistrate and get it all settled."> Greabald agreed. The boy had worked himself into a noose this time. Eldwin would agree with the noble: Bat had cheated. |
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Eddy's Characters Active Topics And His Blood Dripped on the Snow (open) Street Performers (-for E'kekeu'poki-) The Hyacinth Trail (open) Oft Times Man Spins His Own Demise (for Shae) The Price of a Crown (For Renna and Ormad) Mankind's Introduction (for AOC) Unconventional Rescue (for Ish) Avi from Photobucket. By Jeffmdi41. | |
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| E'doa A'nii | Aug 30 2009, 12:53 AM Post #3 |
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Bard
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"<That does seem to be the case.>" Eldwin Mathwin rubbed his chin in thought as he spoke, eyeing Bat critically. "<But we have to be certain.>" It was not unusualy for the village boys to barrow bows from their parents and loan them to each other to practice with. Of course, boys caught doing that were soundly spanked; such punishment wasn't always enough of deterrent. Eldwin sighed. A few of the boys got quite good practicing behind their parent's back. This youth seemed like the type to do such a thing. Eldwin would start from the beginning again. Perhaps this time he could get through to the boy. "<Do you admit to tresspassing, boy?>" The magistrate asked. "<Well, like I said, I don't think it was rightly tresspassing, as his lordship didn't seem to mind my presence there.>" Bat began..again. Greabald started in his chair, fury written in his blue eyes. "<But he did draw his bow on you."> Eldwin held his hand for Greabald to be still. "<He was shooting arrows. Of course he drew his bow on me."> Bat protested. <"Did he invite you there?"> <"No."> <"How is it then, that you weren't tresspassing?"> <"He let me stay didn't he?"> Eldwin had to admit: the boy had a small point. Still, it had to have been tresspassing because not only was the boy uninvited, but High Elf Greabald's archery grounds were two miles from the road. <"You were two miles from the road."> Eldwin leaned over his stout wooden desk so that his nose almost touched Bat's. In the small office, the large man was quite intimidating. He liked it that way. Honesty was much easier to get. <"Ah, well, you see...--"> The youth grinned uneasily and chuckled dryly. He wasn't sure he wanted to tangle with the magistrate over the same argument. Eldwin nodded. <"--And you insulted his lordship, did you not?"> <"Well, he laughed at me!"> The boy crossed his arms and glared at Eldwin defiantly. Both the magistrate and the boy knew that Greabald's laughter was no excuse to insult him. Pride or no pride, the lad was old enough to know better. <"Come."> Eldwin stopped leaning over the desk and grabbed his bow. He walked to the large wooden door and opened it; letting in the noonday sun. He had been all day arguing with Bat and Greabald. Bat was awfully persistent about his point of view, and it had been awhile before the magistrate could convince him that he had been in the wrong. Even now, the boy was grudgingly compliant. He held his head up defiantly and sauntered out after Eldwin; not even bothering to deferr to the High Elf. Once on the green Eldwin pointed to a tree about a hundred paces from where he stood. "<See that tree?>" Bat nodded. Greabald leaned against the magistrate's house and folded his arms, scowling sourly. Eldwin turned as if to go back to the house; after about ten paces he whirled around and tossed Bat a bow. Surprised by the sudden unexpected movement, the boy caught the weapon expertly. Too expertly for a lad so young. Eldwin frowned. "<Hit that branch up there.">The magistrate commanded him. The delinquent nodded. Eldwin had pointed to a tiny sliver of a branch, barely visible from where Bat stood.The branch was almost as fara way as the targets at Greabald's archery grounds. He nodded. What a fix. If Eldwin hit the branch, then he proved he wasn't cheating. Such a shot, however, would be too good for one so young as he. If he missed the branch, he lost his twenty silver peices and his three guinea hens. Come to think of it, he might loose them either way. The magistrate was cleverer then he had anticipated. <"Wait. What if I hit that over there?>" Eldwin pointed to a wooden crate of apples about the same distance away. <"It's more the size of one of Greabald's targets..."> He didn't even bother to address the High Elf by his appropriate title. Poor Greabald was nashing his teeth over the insolent youth and his delinquent behavior. The magistrate thought about this for a moment. If Bat moved to the crate, it would be a more accurate representation of the proceedings. But, if he hit the branch, it would be a more accurate representation of his skill; and if what his lordship said about shooting an arrow to correct another... well... Eldwin wanted a representation of skill equal to such a feat. He shook his head. Bat sighed and aimed at the branch. His feet were off, his hands were too high. He would never hit the branch. Well, not at first glance. But as the juvenile delinquent drew back on his bow, his stance changed. The shift was subtle; but his stance had only been slightly off to begin with. Slightly off could make a big difference. And suddenly, Eldwin understood how the boy could be so good at shooting. Bat's correction was fantastic. His breathing was flawless. His hands practically caressed the bow, and kissed the arrow. The arrow flew off with nary a sound, split the branch off at the base and sent it flying. Eldwin returned to retrieve his longbow. As the bow exchanged hands, the magistrate jostled it slightly, bumping off Bat's hat. He had expected to find an old man, or at least one well grown. But Bat truly was a youth in both build and countenance. His neck length blonde hair and smooth skin proved it. The boy blinked. He smirked and then bent over to pick up his hat. Eldwin was at a loss to explain his skill. A thorough examination of the arrow had proved in vain, and the bow too was without taint of Earth Call. No boy could be so good. Still though, it was evident that the boy did not cheat. So it was not hard for the magistrate to reach his decision. "20 lashes for tresspassing, intent to decieve and disrespect towards his lordship, Greabald. After which he may claim his twenty silver peices and three guinea hens." |
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Eddy's Characters Active Topics And His Blood Dripped on the Snow (open) Street Performers (-for E'kekeu'poki-) The Hyacinth Trail (open) Oft Times Man Spins His Own Demise (for Shae) The Price of a Crown (For Renna and Ormad) Mankind's Introduction (for AOC) Unconventional Rescue (for Ish) Avi from Photobucket. By Jeffmdi41. | |
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| E'doa A'nii | Jan 5 2010, 04:48 AM Post #4 |
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Bard
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Bat was tied to a post by his hands as the crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. Some booed and hissed. Others, less liking of Greabald, shouted words of sympathy. As the first blow fell however, the crowd grew deathly silent. Each blow was counted out as the whip strings bit flesh, so that everyone would know when the deed was done. Bat made no reaction to the beatings. He was too busy thinking about other things to really notice. When the whole thing was done and his hands were untied, he turned and staggered off into the woods. (he had quite a time getting out there as he had to wave off the stand-by doctor and a few kindly concerned elves.)Once out of sight, however, Bat lost his stagger and rejoined himself in the woods. The Bat that had been beaten melted into the earth, and the one who had not walked away with a mcuh lesser version of his own wounds. And that was how Graebald found him at his house not thirty minutes later. <"Y-you!"> He spluttered. The whole town had seen the boy stagger off in humiliation into the woods. Surely, he would die there from blood loss and weakness. Alas, here he was standing infront of the High Elf's house. <"I'll be taking what you owe me now."> He was quite calm about this statement too. <"That's tresspassing!"> Graebald was all too eager to leap at the chance and have him arrested. Maybe he could away with not paying up! <"Not since I'm here to collect."> The boy had a point there. The aged Elf went inside and came back with the goods. The crate he dropped at the boy's feet (much to the hens' dismay) and the bag of coins he tossed contemptuously on top. THe lad picked up the crate with the bag on top, flashed a grin and said, <"Thank you so much, and have a nice day!"> -------------------------- Sometime later the village widow found a silver coin in her garden. Abandoned by the village. she was unable to work, and just able to feed herself with the small garden she so diligently tended. (Which was always getting trampled on by the village boys, or uprooted by stray dogs.) Around that time a farmer whose last penny had been taken from him for taxes he couldn't pay found himself with a silver coin and a crate of fat birds. And a small child with a dying mother found the coin when it dropped into his lap from the sky. (A fact which he still swears to this day). Bat was seen no more around the village. Everyone suspects that he died in the forest. Or, that's what they say anyway. Graebald is too proud to correct them, and after all, everyone saw him leave. |
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Eddy's Characters Active Topics And His Blood Dripped on the Snow (open) Street Performers (-for E'kekeu'poki-) The Hyacinth Trail (open) Oft Times Man Spins His Own Demise (for Shae) The Price of a Crown (For Renna and Ormad) Mankind's Introduction (for AOC) Unconventional Rescue (for Ish) Avi from Photobucket. By Jeffmdi41. | |
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2:20 PM Jul 11