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Post by hengest on Apr 1, 2024 11:40:16 GMT -5
Early the next morning, well before the sun should be seen, the snow has indeed stopped and lies still all around Moonbloom. There is still almost no wind. Edwin rises and finds a tightly-stuffed pack by the door to his room, a pair of boots beside it, and a familiar sword in its sheath standing against the pack. ( The Semi-Retired Gamer , please have Edwin attend to anything he has forgotten and say his goodbyes to anyone he wishes. Ref reserves the right to make minor changes to the gear today, April 1st, 2024. Player also has the right to request minor changes.) (Edited 12:46 PM April 1st). |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 1, 2024 17:12:10 GMT -5
Edwin dresses and gathers up all of his supplies to prepare for his journey ahead. Standing at the door to his room he looks back and wonders if he's forgetting anything that may help him. Smiling at his forgetfulness, Edwin drops the pack and strips the bedding from his mattress and leaves it in a pile at the foot of the bed.
That should just about do it. I'll see if they're awake and say my goodbyes. Maybe I can ask for some last-minute advice?
Edwin returns to the doorway to grab his pack and notices the cat laying in the hall grooming. He reaches down and pets the cat with a few tender strokes and says, "I'll see you when I get back. Make sure you keep the mice in check.". Edwin chuckles lightheartedly and steps completely out into the hall.
I need to see if they're awake and then I'll leave.
Then the aroma creeps into his nostrils.
Is that bacon? Of course, she is awake. I should have known. Just Dad to check on now.
Edwin pauses at Ethan's open door to double check the room but finds it unoccupied.
The dining room is where I'll find them.
Edwin smiles and continues on his way to the dining room.
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Post by hengest on Apr 1, 2024 17:18:30 GMT -5
Edwin finds both his parents in the dining room. The inn is intimate now, only family left in the space of last night's gathering.
His mother is all business and checks the straps on his pack, then nearly shoves a felted hat onto his head.
Ethan looks a touch more affected, seeing his so so outfitted. His gaze looks far away for a moment. "Well," he begins, "no special farewell. I guess you'll be back with no wonderful news before we know it. There are no landmarks out there today, or few. Keep Royce Wood off to your right and you'll come to Helpston in two days' easy travel. A bit harder in this, but...the boots will serve you well enough."
Before Edwin knows it, a hot dish of mushrooms, bacon, garlic, onion, and potato is under his nose.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 1, 2024 17:27:47 GMT -5
I figured this was where they would be.
"This hot meal is a special enough farewell. I appreciate it very much." replies Edwin as he gulps down a few spoons of the hardy concoction.
"Two days isn't bad. Keep Royce Wood on my right. Got it." Edwin says as he takes in a few more bites.
"Is there anybody in particular that I need to ask about Sedge? Family, friends, anybody?"
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Post by hengest on Apr 1, 2024 21:02:47 GMT -5
Ethan sips at a mug of some heady drink, must be one of Anne's brews. "I give you my word I know nothing for sure. Maybe no one even remembers him now. But he was a smith, a good smith if I know anything, so likely a smith will have heard of him or even known him. That's where I'd start, anyway." He puts his feet up on an empty chair. "If I weren't old, that is. Funny, seeing you in those boots. Seems like a dream now, it really does. Well, good walking to you. On your adventure."
When Edwin looks down for another forkful, he finds that his dish has been refilled, although his mother is now nowhere to be seen.
A noise behind him gets his attention, and as he turns, he sees Mary, looking sleepy but awake, tying a bit of silverish cloth to a strap of his pack. "That's nothing but a homing charm so you don't get lost. Since you've never gone away on your own before." She slips out the door as quickly as she can, as if pushed out by the family-only atmosphere.
As the door closes behind her, Anne reappears. "I can't think of any reason you shouldn't be off now, if you have a mind to go. So go soon or there'll be work for you to do." She stands, her arms folded, looking more her age than Edwin has known her to look. Ethan rises from his seat.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 2, 2024 4:11:13 GMT -5
Edwin finishes up the last few bites of his meal and rises.
He takes a step toward each of his parents in turn and hugs them.
Reaching down and grabbing his pack, he hefts it onto his back and says, "No worries. I'll be back as quick as possible. I'll take no unnecessary chances. Goodbye for now.".
Edwin turns on his heels and heads toward the door.
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Post by hengest on Apr 2, 2024 13:41:35 GMT -5
In a moment, Edwin is outside, the ground covered with several inches of fluffy snow. No one especially close to him is nearby, although a few folk are already out and about. The gate, always the true border between home and the rest of the world, is some 200 yards to his right, as the man walks. Across the way he sees the familiar houses, ware-stores, and craftsmen's establishments: from right where he stands, he could toss a stone and hit the general store, a bakery, or the blacksmith's workshop.
The air is plenty crisp and cold against his exposed skin, quite different from the warm meal in his belly.
Edit: (forgotten material)
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 2, 2024 16:25:43 GMT -5
As Edwin is walking, a thought comes into his mind.
Blacksmith shop....blacksmith shop...Oh, I should check. Dad said Sedge was a blacksmith. Maybe our blacksmith knows who I should talk to in Helptson or maybe he knew Sedge or his family.
Edwin sets a straight as possible course for the blacksmith shop.
It shouldn't be so early that he won't be up and stoking up his fire for the day. I'll walk by and see if he is up.
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Post by hengest on Apr 3, 2024 14:01:37 GMT -5
Edwin can see through the window, somewhat dimly, that a light is burning in there, and a fire. No one is visible from where Edwin is looking, however.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 3, 2024 18:40:50 GMT -5
Edwin can see through the window, somewhat dimly, that a light is burning in there, and a fire. No one is visible from where Edwin is looking, however. Edwin strains to make out any movement or figures inside. Without any luck, he wonders if he should stay for a bit. Edwin decides to walk around to the other side of the building to see if he can make out any activity. If not, he has decided to move out on his way. |
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Post by hengest on Apr 3, 2024 19:57:21 GMT -5
Through the other window in the wall facing the alley, cattycorner to the first, Edwin can see a young woman, her red hair already braided neatly, bustling about near the fire. Her back is to him, and she does not appear to see him looking into the shop.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 4, 2024 2:56:59 GMT -5
Ahh, someone is awake. Let me go to the front door so I don't look I'm up to nothing good.
Edwin moves away from the window and walks to the front door.
Hopefully, I'm not wasting my time.
Edwin reaches out and knocks gently on the door.
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Post by hengest on Apr 4, 2024 5:17:21 GMT -5
A few seconds later, the young woman Edwin saw jerks the heavy door open.
Her tunic is pale and long, pulled up and tucked under a wide belt about her waist. At a glance, her lower garment appears to be a long, faded shift that has been crudely but effectively altered into a pair of straight-leg trousers.
Her hair is pulled back neatly into the braid he saw before, her arms are bare and show signs of much physical labor, her features are regular and seem especially anchored to her nose and eyes. The latter are wide open, not with fright but surprise and a touch of indignance. "Good morning," she says without expression, her voice sounding somewhat accented.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 4, 2024 17:45:44 GMT -5
"Good morning and pardon the early interruption, please.", Edwin pauses before continuing, "I was wondering if I could ask you about a Blacksmith that used to reside in Helpston by the name of Sedge. He was a friend and associate of my father, Ethan Greyback, and he disappeared years ago. I want to discover what fate befell him. Do you happen to have any knowledge of him or who I could speak to in Helptston?".
Edwin half grins and says, "Sorry for the long-winded question. ".
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Post by hengest on Apr 4, 2024 18:41:45 GMT -5
Her face crumples in open dislike for Edwin's words. "Naught but drunkard smiths in Sedge, no need to go looking for them, neither. That's my say. You can ask the useless sack in the back if you want another tale. Try wakin' him up. Hasn't lifted a finger since I came here, three weeks tomorrow."
Off to the right is an area with a small fire and the window Edwin first peeked through. Behind the young woman is a wing of the shop leading deeper into the building, filled with rows and rows of metal items, most kinds known to you. Edwin can see that "the back" must mean some area beyond or at the end of that wing.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 6, 2024 8:39:45 GMT -5
"Uh.."
Edwin looks around uncomfortably...
"I uh..."
His face is showing signs of embarrassment with a slightly red tone.
"I beg your pardon for this interruption. I'm sorry your experience has been so unfruitful since coming to this place. It sounds like talking to him will do me no good.".
Edwin sheepishly looks from wall to wall before continuin.
"Thank you for your time. I'll be on my way to try my luck in Helpston. Good day.".
Edwin turns on his heels and signs before walking away.
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Post by hengest on Apr 7, 2024 12:14:08 GMT -5
Edwin feels the young woman moving about behind him as he slips away from her unkindly demeanor, then feels the door close again, finding himself back on the street, facing the other way.
OOC: General direction, general plan?
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 7, 2024 14:18:18 GMT -5
Edwin feels the young woman moving about behind him as he slips away from her unkindly demeanor, then feels the door close again, finding himself back on the street, facing the other way. OOC: General direction, general plan? |
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Post by hengest on Apr 7, 2024 15:19:11 GMT -5
Edwin passes through the gate, apparently unmanned at this moment, and heads north, his booted feet making a somewhat new sound as they squish down the snow. It seems that, wearing these, he is losing less time with each step than he might.
The homely copse off to his right hides the edge of Royce Wood that he knows to be farther off the same way. Patches of worked land and orchards, bare this time of year, can be seen all along the track that keeps the wood on his right hand, where it should be. Having his father's words and his own feel for the surrounding land to go by, Edwin feels no great fear about his choice to seek out Helpston, although it is well out of sight from where he stands now.
Soon enough the walls of Moonbloom fall away behind him, and there is nothing to hear save his own steps and the faint wisps of wind in his years.
Not much of the day has worn when he climbs a low ridge and sees, well ahead of him, someone walking more or less the same way, that is, facing away from him. From here, that someone looks to be wearing a hooded jacket rather than a hat. There are no visible footprints between Edwin and the other being. He could easily catch this someone up or let him move on into the yonder.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 7, 2024 17:35:36 GMT -5
It's pretty easy going so far. Hopefully, it keeps up.
Edwin continues on his way while taking in the scenery. Seeing the figure ahead of him, Edwin is somewhat surprised that another traveler appears to be on the same path as him. At least for now.
I could catch up to that person with minimal effort. I wonder if they ARE going to Helpston as well? Maybe we could pass the time by traveling together and conversing? Why are there no steps in the snow between us? Maybe they didn't come exactly the same path as mine.
Edwin decides to push it a little bit and catch up to the traveler ahead.
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Post by hengest on Apr 7, 2024 17:56:27 GMT -5
Pushing ahead, Edwin feels just a touch more cold on his face. It should warm up a bit more as the day wears on, but cool down again after sundown.
A ways up ahead of where he was when he spotted the other traveller, Edwin sees the tracks he failed to see before: they lead up to where that traveller is now, still a sight ahead of him, and then back and away to the right in the direction of Royce Wood. It looks like the traveller has a foot, or at least a boot, not much smaller than Edwin's own.
Edwin's mother packed his pack more balanced than he might have done himself. It isn't wearing on him at all yet.
OOC: Edwin continues all the way up, catching up to the traveller, and then?..
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 7, 2024 18:37:34 GMT -5
Catching up with the other traveler, Edwin says, "Good day, fellow traveler. I'm heading towards Helpston. You seem to be traveling the same way. Would you mind if we walked together?".
Edwin thinks of the general friendliness of the local population and hopes this traveler is open to this idea.
Before the traveler can answer, Edwin continues, "Pardon my lapse in manners. I can't expect you to converse or travel with me without knowing my name at least. I am Edwin Greyback. Who might you be?".
Edwin continues walking with the other traveler hoping for an answer.
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Post by hengest on Apr 10, 2024 12:14:46 GMT -5
Catching up with the other traveler, Edwin says, "Good day, fellow traveler. I'm heading towards Helpston. You seem to be traveling the same way. Would you mind if we walked together?". Edwin thinks of the general friendliness of the local population and hopes this traveler is open to this idea.Before the traveler can answer, Edwin continues, "Pardon my lapse in manners. I can't expect you to converse or travel with me without knowing my name at least. I am Edwin Greyback. Who might you be?". Edwin continues walking with the other traveler hoping for an answer. The woman turns to Edwin. Her face looks about as old as he knows his mother to be in years. Her furred hood surrounds it in a tight ring. That face is empty for a moment, her thoughts turned inward, before she sees Edwin and alters her face for a strange. Showing no fear at all, she also shows no trace of a smile for a stranger. Her voice, however, is much warmer than the surrounding air, as if she has some inner hearth burning. "The road belongs to everyone, man. And a little company never hurt. What takes you to Helpston?" |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 10, 2024 18:34:38 GMT -5
Edwin listens attentively to the woman and smiles as he nods his head.
Thomas looks about briefly and replies, "True words, ma'am. I'm going to Helpston to find an old friend of my fathers. They were associates and traveling companions from time to time. Actually, I'm trying to find out what became of him. My father heard Sedge disappeared years ago and no one around here knows what happened. I thought I would help him out. Besides, I'm up for an adventure of my own.".
They walk a few more paces in silence and Edwin asks, "So, what brings you this way? If you don't mind sharing?".
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Post by hengest on Apr 11, 2024 15:21:01 GMT -5
She listens to Edwin's story, her eyes mostly back on the unseen road ahead of her.
"Alina. They call me Alina. My tale is nothing, but I'll tell it you anyway. He lies dying now. A good man, a strong man. Nineteen winters ago he was born. I thought I was old for it then, but I'm a sight older now. Since that sickness came into him, less of him every day. At last the healer told me there was nothing for her to do. Gave the coin back. Good as her word, she gave the coin back. Said there was nothing left. I heard there was someone in Helpston. No time to send and wait for an answer. Go myself. Just have to go myself, steady as I can."
She falls silent, her feet and Edwin's still plodding through the snow, although hers sink a bit deeper.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 13, 2024 8:22:25 GMT -5
"Good to meet you, Alina", answers Edwin as he listens to her tale as they continue to walk.
19 winters ago? That means this man must be her son.
"I hope that you can find the answers you need in Helpston to heal your son." states Edwin as they continue on their path.
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Post by hengest on Apr 15, 2024 21:33:45 GMT -5
"Good to meet you, Alina", answers Edwin as he listens to her tale as they continue to walk. 19 winters ago? That means this man must be her son. "I hope that you can find the answers you need in Helpston to heal your son." states Edwin as they continue on their path. Alina does not answer him in words, but quickens her step just a bit, even as the two of them come to a rise in the ground. As they near the top and the snow land becomes flat again, Edwin sees smoke ahead and to the right, off towards what must still be Royce Wood. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 16, 2024 17:23:28 GMT -5
Huh...there's smoke up ahead.
"Alina, there's smoke up ahead. I would assume there's a fire. Maybe someone you know?" asks Edwin.
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Post by hengest on Apr 17, 2024 12:18:34 GMT -5
She pauses, then barely shakes her head, looking at the line of smoke and not looking back at you. "No, no one I know. I know no one in these parts." She keeps walking.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Apr 17, 2024 18:08:25 GMT -5
She pauses, then barely shakes her head, looking at the line of smoke and not looking back at you. "No, no one I know. I know no one in these parts." She keeps walking. Edwin nods his head, not in approval, but in recognition of her words. "Alina, what parts are you from?", inquires Edwin. |
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