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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 7, 2008 0:51:06 GMT -5
I walked into the La Poulet Gauche. I had a couple of coins I had earned helping a bar owner clean a few nights. I only took a room if there were no customers keeping my coins in my pocket. It was not much but it kept me from starving to death.
I had been making my way through the different bars in the lower parts of Terre d'Ange seeing if anyone knew of any Skaldi men. Terre d'Ange had its fair share of outsiders so finding a good leave was near impossible. I needed to know if Uruz was still alive or not, but I was having no luck.
I sat at the bar and ordered a cheep drink, I didn't have a lot of expectations but I would not give up until I learned something, no matter how long it took.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 7, 2008 9:21:36 GMT -5
It had gone relatively well setting up a forge with Kendrick's aid. It was nothing fancy yet but at least I had steady work. All in all I was pleased having rose from the ashes and endured a plague in this new place. Old One Eye was harsh but he helped those who helped themselves.
Thus I sat at the bar with my back to the door eating a bowl of stew. Odette had not started work yet but since she was putting me up I could manage a warm meal here on the cheap. I was lost in thought about the next steps I should take starring deeply into my meal as if it might hold the answers.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 7, 2008 10:53:51 GMT -5
The deplorable conditions of working in this tavern would soon be a distant memory to me. There was somewhat that the fates were stirring for me, I felt in the marrow of my bones, that would remove me from serving drunkards and miscreants that frequented this place at all hours of day, as well as night. I felt very optimistic.
I still had a length of time yet before I began to toil for the masses so I drifted over towards the bar, my brow wrinkling with concern as I discovered Uruz sitting contemplative over a bowl of stew.
Gracefully I slid up along at his right side, frowning lightly as I settled a gentle hand on his wide back. “Is there somewhat the matter?” I murmured lowly, trailing my hand up to encircle his shoulder. “Would you like a drink to help settle your mind?”
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 9, 2008 19:35:04 GMT -5
Odette settled in beside me and I looked up "Nah I am good. Just thinking about things I need to get done to get the forge running smoothly. It is good to have an income and not be dependent on your generousity."
Then over her shoulder I saw a very familiar face. One I thought was gone a victum of the plague that had stuck the City. But I had no doubt it was Eyvind. I felt my jaw drop open and I had no doubt my face appeared as if I had seen a ghost. Indeed I felt like I was seeing just that as I had taken him for dead.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 9, 2008 22:39:34 GMT -5
I was handed the drink and I carefully sipped it. It had been a couple of days since I had ate, having saved what little change I had left for Uruz's inquiry. However, I would be no good if I died of starvation, or gained a drunken stupor off one single drink due to an empty stomach. I asked what was cheep and ordered some bread and soup broth. My stomach grumbled at the thought of food and I was suddenly looking forward to it.
Before it was brought I started to look around, just seeing who was here. If per chance there was a Skaldi he or she might be able to help me with my search. When you were in a foreign country you tend to know who your blood was.
I did indeed see a Skaldi but, not one to help me with my search. Instead I found the end to my search. He was looking at me as if he had seen a ghost. I felt my heart leap with his sight and I wanted to run over and learn what his fate had been. I did take a moment, beforehand, to tell the keep where to bring the soup. I then grabbed my drink and walked over, a large smile on my face. I could not help it.
"Uruz," I said when I had gotten close enough not to draw everyone's attention with the level of my voice, "just the man I was looking for." I did not hide that I was more than happy to see him in my voice. It had been a long time and he at least looked well and healthy.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 9, 2008 23:45:40 GMT -5
“Ah…understandable though you seemed so absorbed in thought…” His expression had drastically changed; I thought it best to mind the cause by turning to seek out the source. And how could it be over looked in such a seedy place, the other man surely was kin to Uruz.
He was not stocky in comparison to Uruz, thin with blonde hair that was in sore need of personal discipline. Though there was certain…warmth to his green eyes. Somewhat about them that made a smile spread across my lips as he approached and greeted his kinsman.
Gently I squeezed Uruz shoulder, happy that he had the familiarity of home with him, in the flesh. Easing my hand away from his shoulder, I remained a moment to watch their interaction.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 10, 2008 22:02:37 GMT -5
I soon recovered as manly Skaldi did not display overt emotion especially toward other men. The mere thought made my skin crawl. "Eyvind" I shook my head "I thought you had joined the Einherjar feasting at the Crow Gutter's table." I smiled a bit "It seems I was mistaken and for that I am glad."
I then motioned between Odette and him "Eyvind this is Odette Lamberte, Odette this is Eyvind my long time thane. It seems I greatly overestimated his imminent death from the plague." There was no appology in my voice as it was simply the way things were. One dealt with what was handed them and did not whine like some little prissy boy.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 11, 2008 23:37:17 GMT -5
I laughed at Uruz's comments. They were, in truth, not the funniest, but I was in a good mood and could not help myself. He then introduced me to his friend Odette.
I smiled at her, "It is good to meet you." I was not sure what their relationship was, but at the moment I was to happy with my discovery of Uruz's good health to care. I turned back to Uruz and asked the one question I needed answered, "are you doing well?"
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 12, 2008 5:18:17 GMT -5
I let Odette and Eyvind great and answered as simply as I could "Better, I found a sponsor who has helped me set up a forge. I suspect a good weapons smith will do well here and I could use another good set of hands." I raised a brow "Maybe the worm is turning for us both."
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 12, 2008 16:41:16 GMT -5
“A pleasure.” I simply dipped my chin in greeting and smiled at the fellow. It was a happy reunion between them, one that might have never been had the tides of fate been so very cruel towards each of the men.
They had much to discuss so I left them to conversation, awarding them some measure of privacy in excusing my presence. “There is somewhat I must see too before time slips away from me, pardon please.”
Gracefully I withdrew to have a word with the bar matron moving about the tavern.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 14, 2008 21:05:41 GMT -5
"It was good to meet you too," I said to Odette before she left to take care of her buisness.
I turned my attention back to Uruz and took a seat at his table. I saw my food approaching out of the corner of my eye and my stomach started to growl again. I had forgotten my hunger for a few minuets as I spotted Uruz, but it was now returning. The server left my food and I thanked her and took a bite before saying, "I am glad to hear that you have been able to find someone to help you out. You know that I would be more than happy to help you out."
To find an old friend and a new job on the same day would seem too good to be true. I had vowed to use my life to serve Uruz and would so so even if I had found him begging for change on the street. I thanked the gods for my fortune however, it seemed things were looking up.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 16, 2008 18:33:01 GMT -5
Odette excused herself and I inclined my head to her "I will catch back up with you in a bit." I then turned my full attention to Eyvind.
When his food arrived I motioned for him to go ahead and eat. "I appreciate that. There is much to be done in establishing things and to make sure my patron gets a good return on his coin." I leaned back in my seat "And I can think of no one else better for aiding me in such a task. You always have had a better eye for details than me."
I then reached out and took up my drink and sipped a bit. "Do you have a place to stay at present? We were out on the street when I thought I had lost you, but I have been bunking at Odette's place since then. It beats the Hel out of barns and she smells much better than livestock." I gave him a playful nudge after the last comment.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 16, 2008 20:57:53 GMT -5
"I don't know how much help I will be right now,' I told Uruz honestly, "I still feel week from the sickness." The food was helping, but I was not going to complain to Uruz about my fate. It had taken a turn up and I was happy.
I chuckled at Uruz's joke, though in truth I probably did have a smell. I had been washed before I left Balm but it had been a few weeks since. In some ways it was probably a good thing Uruz hadn't found a place in a more upscale bar. I doubt they would have let me in.
"I sleep where I can find a space," I told Uruz. "I am glad to hear that you have found someone to extend you a kind hand and given you a place to stay."
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 17, 2008 9:52:06 GMT -5
I considered “Well first we need to get you a roof. Since I am bunking at Odette’s I cannot offer that roof as it is not my place. But I can offer you the forge as it is warm and has a roof and once we close up of an evening you should be able to get a bath and tend other personnel tasks in private.”
I then rolled my shoulders “And I do not need you for the physical I can handle that. I need a sharp mind.” I smirked “Unless that is temporarily addled as well.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 18, 2008 0:11:16 GMT -5
I would be more than happy to stay at Uruz's blacksmith. I would awake to him or at least awake knowing he was soon to come. I then wondered about his relationship with Odette. If he found someone to be with I should be happy, but instead I was jealous. It was silly to feel that way, why would I be jealous? I was his right hand man not his lover.
My thoughts started down a road that I knew they should not. I was not a d'Angeline and there are things that are not accepted in Skaldi. I chased them from my mind and decided to ask nothing about Odette. I did not want to give anything away, I didn't even know what I was doing. All I knew is that I was happy to see Uruz and that emotion was allowed, I served him and could not do so if he was not alive.
I smiled at his comment amount my mind. "As far as I can tell my mind is still doing well," I said. Business was safe and I decided to discuss it at length. Keeping my smile I said, "have you started buisness or is it something you will start soon?"
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 18, 2008 14:11:45 GMT -5
I grunted in response “Still setting up. I imagine I will have to do the odd simple smithing job for now till we get going. But I plan on weapons smithing as that is more involved and calls to me more.” I snorted then “Though I suspect a Skaldian weapons smith shall have the thin bloods wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth in short order.” I smiled a bit grimly as I had already had enough D’Angelines stare down their prissy little noses at me and making them uncomfortable sounded horribly amusing.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 20, 2008 11:03:48 GMT -5
The tavern, with its questionable patrons, steadily teemed with arrangements that were murmured in clever breathes that sweetly tumbled from deceitful mouths like honey from the comb. I took stock of that and more as I spoke with my matron companion in between tables.
Here or there stoic faces were half cast in light, mere shadows in some cases as the most hardened deals were sealed under the weight of coin and ale. Among them all…two Skaldic men, difficult to ignore with their frames and features, I smiled more or less to myself in watching them from afar, while my companion cleared off a table of its abandoned mugs.
I wondered what news each of them had to share, the adventures or plans that they would see it best to endure together. Such thoughts made my heart ache for I had grown attached to Uruz in more than a physical sense. I sighed deeply for the sentiments of my heart, knowing somewhat that it was alone in its view, Elua be merciful when we eventually parted ways.
A nudge from my companion stirred me from thought, and we moved together to clean off the next table together.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 20, 2008 12:01:15 GMT -5
Despite the reunion with my loyal thane my attention was drawn by a familiar shapely behind with ample bounce above it in front. I could not help but lick my lips and then I covered it with a sip of my drink. Odette had the beauty of a D’Angeline but was also built for firm usage. What more could a man want?
I then turned my attention back to my companion.
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 20, 2008 23:33:10 GMT -5
I smiled, "yes, we shall show these d'Angelines what a real weapon is."
My soup was finished and soon my drink. I let out a small belch of satisfaction and asked, "do you have any jobs waiting for completion now?"
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 22, 2008 12:54:50 GMT -5
We move together as one, cleaning whist talking amongst ourselves over a matter or another, the ruckus of the tavern masking any grievance that I conveyed without difficulty, undoubtedly I had many.
Disengaging myself from the other woman, I carried away a few mugs to the bar where I presented them to the keep for cleaning at one end of the bar. It offered me a chance to gaze down the length of the bar at the men, equally watching them though before much longer, I found my eyes traveling down to admire the strength in Uruz’s arm each time it flexed as he partook in his drink.
I shuddered delightfully at the image filling my mind, an image of those strong arms enfolding about my nakedness and urgently tossing me onto the bed for a rough tumble that I quite agreed with. I would have imagined somewhat more but a hand slamming down upon the bar in front of me startled me from my revelry.
“Stop swooning over the likes of them and start turning coin. It’s time for you to work,” the bar tender seethed at me before thrusting a tray into my hands.
“They are likely the most descent of men in this place, at the moment. I’d rather swoon over them than any other patron here.” I left his presence with an aggravated wrinkle on my brow, ignoring his grumble of irritation as I took to my matron duties.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 23, 2008 8:59:13 GMT -5
I shook my head no “Nah, still setting up. The way I reckon it is that we need to get some sample wares out there at a reasonable price. Craft good steel and the rest will take care of its self.” I finished my cup keeping one eye on Odette in case I had to brain some pansy or another who thought himself owning a set of stones.
“First step now though is to get you settled in and feeling like something human.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 23, 2008 14:32:31 GMT -5
I could tell Uruz was watching his female friend and again I wondered as to their relationship. Uruz was right, it would do good to feel human. I can worry about other things later. Regardless of what their relationship was I was sure he would still let me stay by his side as his loyal thane. Which is all I could be anyways.
"Yes, that would be very nice," I said. If it was anyone else I probably would have held off on taking any quick handouts, but I knew that I would repay Uruz back. I would also have made the same offers if our positions had been switched. I knew Uruz knew as much. "What did you have in mind?"
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 23, 2008 21:24:37 GMT -5
I put on my best smile as I approached a single man sitting in near-shadow, receiving his request for a drink with teasing remark that would earn a gracious tip, mayhap even the patron bidding me to forget their face for a gold ducat that I would put to good use, once I had enough coin saved.
Gracefully I wandered back to the bar and patiently waited on the barkeep to fill a mug with watered down sludge that passed as drink here. Directing my attention from the barkeep, I glanced at Uruz and Eyvind a moment before a small, unruly throng of men entering the tavern sent my focus to the group rambling towards a table near a far corner.
Sighing, I hoped that the group would naught be much trouble. Though each time I hoped for such, I was always sorely disappointed, surely it would hold true with this group. Returning back to my task, I carried the mug back to my lonely patron, who did tip me well though not enough for me to shake my memory free of him.
Nodding, and smiling, I departed from that patron to spy on the group as they settled into their chairs. It was going to be a long, long eve.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 24, 2008 9:45:48 GMT -5
I kept an eye on a loud group that entered as one never knew when trouble would arise in such a hole as this. I then simply shrugged “I figure get you settled in with a place to sleep and the makings of a bath. Do you have any things that you need to gather?”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 24, 2008 20:58:05 GMT -5
I saw Uruz's eyes move to the new crowd and they did look like one to cause trouble. Though I would probably not be a large amount of help I could at least offer a distraction and probably defend myself well enough.
"All I have is what you see," I said with a wain smile. "I like to travel light," I added as a slight joke.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 24, 2008 22:58:27 GMT -5
I would earn little coin avoiding the band of irksome men so, I steeled my will and prayed to Shemhazai for guidance, strolling over to their table to see what they wished to fill their bellies with. As I had anticipated, my approach elicited lascivious comments or hand gestures that were insulting to say the least.
All of it though I took in stride, having seen or heard nearly everything that was unpleasant and vile, given the nature of the tavern.
Quickly running a hand through the silkiness of my locks, I smiled to the group and began to weave my charm for the benefit of earning coin. Whenever possible, I dodged a groping hand or two, chastising my patrons with a few unfavorable words that merited roaring laughter from the group.
When I began to round the table, the largest of the group reached out suddenly, capturing me into his massive arms and forcing me into his lap. He smelled of so many undesirable things, reeked of ale, and somewhat more that I could never hope to distinguish, truly I naught desired too.
I wiggled uncomfortably in his arms. My mind remaining sharp to take the first opportunity to escape his hold. In the while…I was subjected to word play that was repulsive to hear.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 25, 2008 9:28:28 GMT -5
I big brute grabbed Odette but well I was larger and I knew I was also meaner. Though this was how she earned her living I did not move to intervene but kept watch. If it got too out of hand then I would remove the smirk from the lout’s face along with his teeth. Of course being Skaldian born I tended to cheat as these pansies would view things so I patted the dagger in my boot and moved a suitably empty chair into position for suitable head bashing.
I then carried on my conversation with Eyvind as if nothing were happening. An honest smile playing on my face as brawls were one of my favorite things. “Well then we will have another drink and then settle you in so you can start feeling more or less human again. The forge is on Night’s Doorstep so we do not have far to go.”
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Post by Eyvind Loevess on Nov 26, 2008 0:32:26 GMT -5
I secretly fingered the few coins in my pocket. While I would take Uruz's offers, I would not ask for him to add on those. I could get another drink and I was again thankful he had not found a place in a more pricey location.
"Another drink would be good," I said. One more and my weakened body would have a nice buzz. It would make for a very soothing bath.
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Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 26, 2008 8:02:31 GMT -5
All about the table the companions of the large man encouraged his behavior in one form or another, furthering my unease by winding one hand down and over the fleshy bobbles plumped by the material of my gown. I found no favor in the way that he touched me, the pit of my stomach clenched queasily and I drew a deep breath, filled with his foulness, and forced my stomach to compose itself.
With his distraction, I seized the moment and attempted to leave his wretched presence. While it was a valiant effort, I lacked his strength so I floundered with my escape, fighting against his seemingly iron clad hold. Boisterous laughter erupted from his companions for my hopeless endeavor which infuriated me to no end.
As I struggled helplessly, I announced that they would be without drink unless I was released. To which there was some reply that the other matron would served their drink need, I was there for their amusement.
With that understanding I slowly snaked my hand down to a hidden pocket in my gown that held a small knife for defense. Had I a hand span more to be spared in movement, it would be in my hand now. I inwardly cursed his strength.
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Post by Uruz Teiwaz on Nov 26, 2008 10:19:54 GMT -5
I grunted while noting the time for intervention seemed at hand and keeping my gaze on my loyal than. I smiled a bit as I gripped the back of the chair in one meaty hand “You probably know that about now you might want to stay out of the line of fire.” I said it in conversational tones and was quite sure Eyvind would read me as he always had.
I pansy D’Angline might stand up and say unhand that woman or some other useless jaw jacking. Fortunately I was not of that nationality was not against what those of more frail compositions might call cheating. So without a word I slipped from my seat and shattered the chair across Odette’s friend’s skull. Since the collision of wood on wood when it comes to that fellows head and the chair had the fortunate side affect of leaving me with a nice length still in hand I took the opportunity to smash not one but two of his companions in the face with what remained before it splintered beyond use. Silly D’Anglines were still busy starring slack jaws while their friends fell unconscious a severe lack of foresight as I am not that quick of a person with my bulk. The other two might have escaped skulls in one piece.
I looked at the three groaning men on the floor and smiled and then shifted my attention to the last conscious one hoping he would at least offer some semblance of sport. I grinned “Care to try your luck little vargr?” Oh please say yes I added mentally.
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