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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 24, 2007 3:55:53 GMT -5
I stretched a bit setting my tired bones to crackling while I waited for Eyvind to finish gathering his things. "Like we keep saying it could be much worse. Problem is things are in decent enough shape on the surface it very well has the ability to lull us into complacency and that will get us dead."
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 25, 2007 14:16:48 GMT -5
I gathered our things as Uruz spoke. He spoke very true words and I made a mind to keep them at hand.
I had everything together and slung my pack on my back while handing Uruz his. "You are right, we should keep our wits about us no matter how things go."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 26, 2007 9:44:36 GMT -5
I trudged along in silence as we headed back to the snare. Truth be known I was probably brooding. The snare had scored and I dressed the rabbit then set about building a small fire to smoke the meat so it would be dry and we could carry it with us. I did all of this in silence before I at last looked to Eyvind “I believe probably our best chance for now shall be to try and find work as sell swords.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 29, 2007 22:33:32 GMT -5
Uruz seemed to be in thought so I left him alone and walked silently by his side. In truth I had plenty of things to think on as well, I wanted to avoid them however. I was tired of trying to figure things out. For now I would simply make sure the both of us survive this transition, even if only in body.
Uruz prepared the rabbit and I poked around the immediate area for something that could be useful. There was not much, but at least I didn't feel completely useless.
When Uruz spoke I returned to the fire and sat, watching the meat dry. "We can, "I said, "but if we do we should be careful and try to be as discrete as possible. We don't need to tarnish our faces too soon. I also wouldn't want us to end up stuck as swords forever."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 3, 2007 10:57:01 GMT -5
I grunted as we continued our cold and bleak march “True, of course from the looks of it this land seldom knows strife. All I have ever heard seems to confirm that. So there probably is not much call for those who are good at arms.”
While we continued I took stock of our surroundings. I was really looking at them for once and it was easy to note the land was fertile and offered plenty. Not like my home where one had to scratch for every morsel. “Some people just are blessed with luck it seems. They happen to be born to a place of plenty through nothing but blind luck or some obscure scheme of the gods.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 4, 2007 20:49:32 GMT -5
"Yes, luck." I said. Luck didn't seem to follow me. I was taken in by Uruz's family, which may have been lucky itself, though I preferred to think of it as a testimonial to their kind hearts. But, now, his family is gone and his home. Perhaps my bad luck followed. I hoped not, I would not like to think that I had brought any thing disdainful on him.
I had thought a million ill thoughts on this trip and I was determined to not think any more. "At least when those who have to work for their good will acquire it they are able to truly appreciate it."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 5, 2007 9:53:47 GMT -5
“Perhaps” I replied as the trail rose up to meet us once more or maybe it was rising up so as to make our climb up hill both ways. “I like to think though that luck finds those who make their own. A man should tend matters by the sweat of his brow ultimately and not spend time fretting about the will of the gods. They have more important matters to tend then a single man at the end of the day.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 5, 2007 21:35:08 GMT -5
"that does sound logical," I said in reply to Uruz, "I would think that maintaining the balance of the world would be time consuming." I looked around as the land as we walked. It was lush and seem to only grow more so as we walked. "I wonder how tied down this land is to government. One could start a life out here. It would be difficult at first, cultivating and collecting what one needed. But the land is rich and would probably grow almost anything."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 6, 2007 11:12:20 GMT -5
I looked around as we walked “Well it is probably under the thumb of one lord or another who demands their tribute. What you propose though could be accomplished I am sure but one would be a farmer.” I glanced back “I on the other hand have absolutely no desire what so ever to be a farmer.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 6, 2007 21:32:54 GMT -5
I nodded. I had no desire to leave Uruz's side and would not take a life that would cause me to do so. I didn't voice my opinion though and simply looked at the trees that we passed. Confusing thoughts were tumbling in and I did not want them to show to Uruz.
Wanting a distraction I asked, "have you any thoughts for the future? Beyond surviving this trek?"
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 7, 2007 9:58:09 GMT -5
I simply kept putting one foot in front of another as we continued speaking “I figure our best bet is as sell swords. Though I have skill with crafting weapons as well as using them as you know. Thing is weapon smith is a trade that requires a lot of investment in tools and I have no idea where we would ever find enough funds to fill those needs.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 7, 2007 21:43:06 GMT -5
I nodded, we were in a bind without many choices. I would do what was needed. I had seen blood before and I would be fine seeing it again if it was needed.
"If we do gain work and are careful with our earnings we could buy the supplies to start a small smithy."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 11, 2007 14:00:47 GMT -5
I grunted my normal form of agreement “With time yes. It seems time is the one thing we have plenty of so patience shall be our best ally.” I looked toward the sun and judged it gaining on setting but the area was also starting to look as if we were approaching another town. “We have enough food and water to make camp for the night but I also judge we are getting close to another town. Not sure if we should push on or camp” I looked his way “what do you think?”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 11, 2007 20:06:06 GMT -5
"That is true," I said in reference to our unlimited time. "Without living in a town of expectation one is free to wonder as they please. I just wish wondering filled the belly better."
I looked around and I saw what Uruz was reffering too. If anything the path we had been walking on seemed to be a little better maintained. "We might as well find town. I don't think either of us look to wonder forever."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 12, 2007 9:28:38 GMT -5
I grunted again and continued walking “If nothing else we can probably sneak into a barn and bed down in the hay. Not the best of beds but better than what we have had.” It was getting dark and dependant on where the town was we would most likely get there after dark. All the better to avoid those questioning looks.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 13, 2007 0:28:22 GMT -5
I nodded, "In truth hay almost sounds pleasant. Though I would have a strong preference for clean hay and it would be even better if it was not in a barn full of noisy animals and smell. I'm growing rather use to the fresher air."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 13, 2007 9:57:09 GMT -5
I grunted once more “I will just settle for a roof over my head.” I looked up at the sky “No stars tonight and it smells of rain. It is the season for it as well.” As we kept walking I soon smelled the tell tale wood smoke and then the lights of the town came into view. I paused looking for a place we could quietly sneak in and lay up for the night. No need going to an inn we could not pay anyway.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 18, 2007 14:37:01 GMT -5
We walked toward the town, it was late but some were still awake. It was nice, in some ways, to see civilization, even if it was not our own. A roof and something to sleep on besides the grown would be welcome. I hoped that we would find a barn, one with a fresh bale of hay.
I nodded my agreement with Uruz and followed him to where he chose.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 18, 2007 17:11:56 GMT -5
I spent a moment looking over the place and noted a stable on the outskirts away from the main part of town. It was probably a private place and thus would not have the traffic of a public one and so seemed a good choice. I motioned to Eyvind in silence and then began to creep that way keeping to the shadows and the like. We were not doing anything illegal as far as I knew but I suspected it would be simpler to curl up in the hay and be gone with first light leaving no one the more the wiser.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 20, 2007 22:44:40 GMT -5
I followed Uruz, dropping a little behind to make a less obvious target. I had noted the barn that he had found and followed him to it.
When we arrived I snuck in behind him and looked around. It was cozy enough and quite frankly better than being out in the weather.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 21, 2007 17:22:33 GMT -5
I peered about and noted our only guests were live stock. I could smell the animals but it was not overpowering and I dare say it was half comforting. I then noted a ladder up to the hay mound "There we go that will get us off the ground and out of sight should we doze past when the morning chores are tended." With that I made for the ladder and began to climb it and once at the top I tumbled into the soft pile of hay. It was a bit scratchy but a lot better than the ground with no bedroll.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 27, 2007 17:27:06 GMT -5
I followed Uruz up the ladder and into the hay. I moved around until I was comfortable and no longer being poked. It was nice and soon felt drowsiness take over me. "I think this is going to be one of the best nights of sleep we have had."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 29, 2007 15:27:57 GMT -5
I grunted "Probably" but I soon felt my breathing deepen and I was not really aware of my location as I felt it deepen more into the loud rafter rattling snores I emit when really tired and with opportunity to really sleep.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Dec 30, 2007 14:50:08 GMT -5
I heard Uruz's snores and smiled as I drifted off to sleep myself. Years of living with him had made me accustomed to them and at times I even found them comforting. Though I know that pretty much everyone else did not.
I drifted into a deep and soundless sleep, I was not accosted by any guilt ridden strange dreams and when I woke in the morning I was glad for it.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Dec 31, 2007 10:46:53 GMT -5
I woke to find Eyvind already awake and I started to speak before a sound I could not place caught my attention. I pressed a finger to my lip for silence and then moved to peer over the edge of the hay mound and sure enough there was the stable lad come to do morning chores. So I hunkered down in silence to watch him complete his tasks and with luck not notice us. Studying the horses a bit I was sorely tempted to steal a couple when we had the chance as it would make traveling much simpler.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Jan 1, 2008 21:15:03 GMT -5
I laid in the hay until Uruz awoke, enjoying the temporary comfort that had been created by my body having laid there all night. I headed his motion of silence and stayed as he watched what was going on. I heard someone moving around and thought I heard a boy's voice speaking to some of the horses. I guessed it was the morning's care for the animals.
I waited until Uruz let me know that the coast was clear before moving, not wanting to blow our cover with any noise I might make.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Jan 2, 2008 9:48:35 GMT -5
It took a while but the lad finished and went on. I rolled onto my back and looked at Eyvind “I suspect he is off to breakfast and if we would like to procure some horses now is the time. The question is do you think it a risk worth taking?”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Jan 6, 2008 2:17:29 GMT -5
I thought for a moment. We could not wait to long if we were going to take the horses. I peaked over the edge to see what was offered. If they were horses of great breeding then it would be risky but luckily these horses looked like your average horse that someone bought for general use.
"If we stay on the outside of town and skip it, we could probably get out of here. The only dificulty might be why a couple of Skaldi are riding into the next town with horses that are not dressed in our finery."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Jan 7, 2008 10:26:52 GMT -5
The horses were pretty run of the mill and I pondered my companions words “Well, nothing says we cannot go bare back on them with nothing but a bridle. That would raise fewer questions and a couple horses would actually give us something to barter with as well as better transportation.”
The few words had made my decision for me. I scurried from the loft and set about capturing two non descript mares whilst leaving Eyvind to grab bridles. I figured since we had been together so long he would know my thoughts as well as anyone and thus we set about quickly and efficiently becoming horse thieves.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Jan 9, 2008 20:08:50 GMT -5
I nodded and as he went for the horses I looked for the needed equipment. If anything we may look more desperate riding horses who's equipment we couldn't keep.
I found the bridles and meet Uruz with the two horses. I handed him one as I set mine up, putting the bit in his mouth and putting the leather straps over his head. He was calm about it and I had a feeling this horse would let me walk him off a cliff if I told him too. I only hoped he would not be slow or lazy.
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