louis
New Member
Carnifex Sacralis
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Joined - January 2021
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Post by louis on Jan 31, 2021 21:33:07 GMT -5
Adapted excerpt
It feels as though he's reached the edge of the world and that if he keeps going on just a little further north, he'll find a cliff whose bottom disappears into a foggy void. For several days now, he'd been traveling alone - the group with whom he had shared the old Roman road having reached its final destination.
The day before, he had left the reassuring, straight road to find shelter in the thick forest. There is no better place to set a temporay camp and rest until he takes a decision on what to do next. The fact is, he's exhausted by his long journey. He's lost enough weight for his clean but tattered clothing to hang all baggy on his still muscular frame. He feels that time might have come to settle down.
After a good night's sleep in a rocky nook, Louis is out to explore the surroundings a little. The forest is so thick, he wonders if any humans have dared go this deep into it. Suddenly, a hare bounces ahead of him and dives into the bushes. As he steps forth carefully, quietly taking his bow and arming it with an arrow, he... forgets about the hare. For, just ahead, between thick tree trunks, an austere castle is perched on a shaven hilltop. "My wandering is over", he thinks with immense relief.
Lisbet is out to gather some comfry, moss, and other herbs that barely clinged to the hillside and bring them back without dilly dallying.
She was almost done gathering the requested herbs when suddenly her senses are heightened with the slight rustle of perhaps a small animal. Oh, how she would love to catch a rabbit to take as a gift to her laird, though how she would do that without either a cage or a knife she didn't know. Quietly she takes another step, then another towards the edge of the forest and peers out.
"Hallo?"
Louis holds his breath and backs off prudently. "Damn", he thinks, that forest is inhabited after all. Of course it has to be, with such a dwelling nearby. This must be some peasant girl. Although he plans on going to the castle and request shelter, he wants to do it on his own terms and when he's ready... and it might only be for a night or two. This may be the edge of the world or close, he still wants to make sure he'll be safe before putting his hood on a hook and make himself at home anywhere. He is, after all, a stranger.
lisbet{BC} caught a glance of someone or something moving, though it was more like a shadow than an actual being.She was alone and vulnerable, and more frightened that she'd like to admit.She feared that if she ran she would be taken for a forest animal and fresh meat, but if she waited she feared... She gulps and stays as still as a frozen pond.
Louis stares at the girl with contempt from his hastily found hiding place, behind a bush. And to think he had wished to take his time and explore the surroundings to find out it it is a good place to stay or not! Well, that plan might be dead now. What is that girl doing here anyway, alone in this wilderness? he wonders impatiently. He's tired, he's cold and being chronically cold isn't something the Parisian is used to. "Why don't you find some other place to look for whatever you came here for?" he thinks.
<Lisbet> Whoever is there, if ye are truly a hunter, this land belongs to Laird Drust and he dinna take lightly to those who trespass on his land. I ken ye are there so come out and let me see you.
She waits impatiently for an answer, moves from one foot to the other...
Louis thinks: "Shit". Now there is no doubt he's been seen and the only thing that's keeping this girl from calling for help is fear. But by the saints, does she talk fast. He's barely able to catch a few words here and there: "hunter", "Laird Drust", "trespass", "come out"... all in all, meaning he doesn't have an alternative. He slowly steps forth, bow armed, creepily quiet. A mean-looking, unshaven giant in black staring and aiming at her.
<Lisbet> Nay! Stop it right now or I shall scream!
Louis hesitates for three awful seconds as he stares intently at her - actually concentrating on what she's saying, even if her panicked expression and tone doesn't require much of an interpretation. But she did say the word "scream" and that worries him enough for him to cast a worried glance around. Then, surprisingly, his hand raises to his own mouth, forefinger lifted to his lips:
<Louis> Shhtt...
Lisbet feels her body trembling and wishes she could simply disappear. Why was he acting as if she was trespassing on his land? He was the one who shouldn't be there.
<Lisbet> I-I-I n-need to g-g-go.
Lisbet takes a small step to check out what the man will do.
Louis lowers his hand in an appeasing motion before taking a step forth, apparently meaning no harm despite his fierce looks. And wen he speaks, he does so with a thick foreign accent, with a pleasant, deep voice:
<Louis> You... be at castle?
Louis points to the hilltop behind her back.
Lisbet nods and a tentative smile plays on her lips.
<Lisbet> 'Tis where Laird Drust takes residence. I be a servant.
Integral log available upon request by approved members
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Post by Hawkfurth on Feb 9, 2021 0:43:20 GMT -5
Sabina, after being abandoned by the lad who came to fetch her, came to the large, dark castle and looked across the moat to one single and barred door. Did she cross and knock, or mayhap yell at the guards on top of the towers? As she approached she began to doubt the wisdom in following the request to be a healer here. Taking in a deep breath and seeing that already the drawbridge we being lowered, she walked across and stopped in front of the barred door.
She waited and soon she heard the iron gate being raised and key turning in the heavy door behind it. This was her decision. She could run or stay and do her duty for those living within the castle and even those in the village. Aye, she would stay as long as a healer was needed, but no more.
Hawkfurth stood in the doorway and asked "What is yer reason fer comin' here and disturbin' us within? Dinna stand there lookin' so daft. Enter and state yer name and reason."
* Sabina stopped as a large man with a booming voice filled the door, glaring at her in a most unfriendly way. "I..I be, I mean my name 'tis Sabina, Ye sent for a healer m'Lord?" There was no answer. "I gave ye my name. 'Tis SABINA! Are ye hard o' hearing?"
Hawkfurth kept staring at her in a most unnerving way.
"May I enter?"
"Aye, but if ye do ye must nae expect to leave for awhile. We do be in need o' a healer here."
"I shant expect to leave 'till my duty here is done, sir...sir...do ye have a name? Who are ye?
"I am Hawkfurth, Chief Guard of Barbaric Castle. Dinna forget it!"
Sabina enters the room and looks about. Stairs rise in front of her and the guard motions for her to go up to the next level. "I am not sure if I should stay. Mayhap I should go home since I am nae used to living in a castle.
Hawkfurth stares at the lass. "This be your forever home now"
"Please, my name is Sabina and I am definitely am a fine healer! Where is Laird Dust or Durst...nay, 'tis Laird Drust, aye? I should speak to him."
Lisbet comes out from one o' the doors on the side of the hall and nods to Sabina. "Welcome here. I see ye hae met Hawkfurth. Dinnae let him frighten ye unless ye hae done wrong. If ye do as he and the others say then ye shall be fine. We must 'ave rules here so all goes well. Did someone bring ye here?"
Sabina answers, "Aye, but he left me on the other side of the brook. I was told the Laird had a need for a healer so I came. I did bring some of my healin' herbs, barks, potions, and ointments, but I expect I shall have a place to keep my things and to work. May I ask ye a question?"
Lisbet nods "Of course ye can. My name is lisbet and I will teach ye aboot this place. 'Tis been nigh onto 10 summer I hae been here and the laird trusts me. I shall warn ye once. Do nae try to leave or disobey the laird or Hawkfurth. Ye will regret it if ye do lass."
Lisbet answers, "Just be happy here Sabina and ye will be fine. Ye are verra much needed here and ye will grow to like it. Yer village 'twill find another healer. Men get cut by swords or an arrow 'tis stuck in their flesh. Then the servants get hurt doin' their work or other such things happen that need ye."
"And if I want t' go home I may?"
Lisbet says " Shhhhhhhhh...dinna let Hawfurth hear ye lass. Ye cannae leave unless ye want to, ne're mind..
"Can ye not help me lisbet? Nobbut will ken, will they? I havena met the laird yet and the guard is only one man. Ye can distract him while I run. Please? I thought I could be a healer here, but now I am nae sure."
Lisbet shakes her head. Why did all the new ones want t'leave e'en before they see what living here was like? Sabina will take a bit o' training before she meets Laird Drust. "I said fer ye t'be quiet! 'Tis nae my duty t'help ye escape, but t'help ye become a fine servant in the laird's service. Dinna fight it lass. Come with me and I will show ye where ye shall sleep if ye are good. Believe me, ye dinna want t'get on the laird's bad side."
Sabina looks at lisbet{BC} and shrugs. "Fine, though I dinna like being fooled one bit. I am a healer, not a servant or whatever ye are. I will keep lookin' for ways to get away...and I will say 'tis all your idea and that ye helped me escape."
Lisbet takes Sabina's arm and pulls her toward the room where the women sleep. There are a couple thicker pallets in an alcove, but thinner ones are scattered on the floor. Each pallet has a coverlet, some thin and some obviously warmer. She points Sabina to one in the center that is thin with a small cover. "Ye will sleep right here. If ye prove yerself worthy mayhap ye can earn a better pallet t'sleep on. 'Tis nae my fault tha' ye are obstinate! Give me yer satchel. It belongs t'Laird Drust. Wait here and I will get ye a tunic t'wear like all the other servants.
Sabina stares at lisbet angrily, vowing to show her independance. She was in need of more herbs and would simply make her request to Hawkfurth, or the laird. "I need to gather more herbs from the forest. Will ye tell that guard I must go before dark? I need t'go this day."
Lisbet stomps her foot and looks crossly at Sabina."I thought ye had a bit of sense Sabina, but ye prove otherwise. Here, put this tunic on and then tell me wha' ye need. I am the only servant allowed t'go out o' the castle and if Laird Drust says so I will get ye the herbs. For now I willna tell him of yer stupid words." Lisbet leaves Sabina and heads to where Hawkfurth is standing guard.
"I need t'go out fer herbs Hawkfurth. I dropped those I gathered when that mon came upon me the other day. Mayhap ye or another guard could stand near the door an' watch for poachers as I gather.Ye saved me dear Hawkfurth the other day, ye truly did."
Hawkfurth growls at Lisbet as a light blush colors his cheeks. He picks up the herb basket an' hands it to Lisbet, then goes wi'her down to the door leadin' outside.
Meanwhile, Louis has been able to camp for several days further up in the mountains without meeting anyone. He was relieved that no armed group came after him and couldn't explain the luck. The night before, he had found a small nook in a rocky cliff - not quite a cave, by a watefall. He had decided to spend the night there and perhaps stay a while, even if the castle was a bit too close for his taste.
"Careful lass. Take me small dagger t'protect yerself. I trust ye wi' it."
Lisbet turns to the guard."Hawkfurth? Keep a watch on the new one...or I could take her wi'me since she be a healer an' 'tis the one needin' herbs and such."
Hawkfurth answers, "Ye go ahead an' I will send out the new one." Lisbet smirks and thinks how the lass 'tis sure to be caught an'taught a lesson. Ah, she will learn. "Thank ye Hawkfurth. Send her out as soon as she has on her new tunic."
Hawkfurth nods
Lisbet hurries out the door and across the bridge, breathing in the sweet, fresh air deeply. How she loved bein' outside an' how she loved showin' the others her position in the castle. Aye, she was proud of what she accomplished.
Louis walks along the brook at the foot of the waterfall. A perfect place to go fishing, so he prepared to do just that. Perhaps, a bit later, he could also bathe, even if the water would be icy cold.
Sabina comes out o' the servant quarters wearin' the new tunic, a beige color an' a bit shorter than she was used to wear, but it was comfortable. How would she beg the guards to let her out? Timidly she approached Hawkfurth.
"Please Sir, I need t'gather some herbs for my potions. I promise to return as soon as I find what I need."
"Go lass, but remember ye shall be watched. Lisbet asked me t'let ye go, but nay for long, ye hear? If ye dinnae return ye shall be caught an' brought back here."
Sabina nods and hurries out and into the forest. She could see Lisbet ahead, but decides to follow the brook as it meandered through the trees. Lisbet could just go on by herself, and if Sabina dinna return then Lisbet would be blamed. Her goal was to get as far from the castle as possible before being missed. She wanders through the thick trees, the moss soft under her feet. The birds were singing and all seemed at peace in the forest. She found a patch of mushrooms, and some comfry where the sun shone through at times. Stopping to gather some up she hears what sounds like a small waterfall and at the same time notes that the birds are now quiet. Lisbet must hae come close.
Louis had made himself a pointy spear with a tree branch and is now standing further away from the waterfall, in the middle of the brook, where the water is shallow and calmer. His breeches are rolled up at knee level and his dark red felt boots are waiting nearby.
"Tralala, 'tis a beautiful day", Lisbet sings as she gathers bark and moss. She looks behind her and doesna see Sabina. She grins to herself, then laughs. Never has a woman gotten away from Laird Drust's castle!
Sabina creeps softly towards what must be a waterfall and comes upon a sight fer sore eyes. Someone 'tis fishing in the brook! Someone who might be able t'save her from those at the castle. She moves t'the edge of a wider part of the brook and sits down to watch the man.She trembled a wee bit when she saw his misshappen, ugly face, but mayhap that is the reason he is alone and in the forest. Could he...would he help her? "Hallo?" Sabina kens that her bright red hair would give her away anyway if the mon looked up so she decided t'introduce herself.
Louis , who was pointing the spear downward, focused on the water, got distracted for one second too long. Where did that girl come from and how had he not heard anything ? Oh right, despite the noise of the waterfall, which was by itself an answer. He startled and, out of reflex, points his spear at her.
"What do ye think ye are doin'? I have no weapons, but I need yer help. They captured me at the castle and were goin'to keep me there. 'Twas horrible an I must get back to my home before the guards come upon me. I shall be whipped then an' put in the dungeon to rot!" She was thinking of other details she could lie aboot that would make it sound even more horrible, though she had no idea what was done at the castle. "I think they wanted t'kill me and mayhap eat my flesh. I was ne'er so frightened, but I got away...just barely. Please help me. Ye look so verra kind sir..."
Louis, before anything, casts a nervous circular look around. Is she alone? Is this a trap? Do they all talk so much and so fast in these lands? Seeing no one, he lowers his spear and steps out of the water, toward her... and he isn't exactly more reassuing to look at than what she's left behind.
"Are ye going t'help me? Oh, I thank ye. I am all alone since the other lass went the other way."
Louis tries to make out the little he could manage to catch of her supplications. She was afraid of the castle. Why, that wasn't clear, except that it seemed to have to do with the way the other girl he had seen was treated, perhaps? He stuck his spear in the ground and put out his hands to appease her. "Speak slow. I understand few."
Sire, I dinna want to go back there ever. Help me get away. They want to make me a servant I think, but I am simply a healer.
Louis grunts with impatience as he sits down on a rock to put his boots back on. Drat. Just what he needed. Some noisy, restless girl to drag along would only slow him down and compromise the travel he intended to continue after a few days, after having replenished his food supplies.
Lisbet is familiar with where herbs grew and and which fungi are safe for medicinal use. She needed to return to help the cook with supper, but where did Sabina wander off to. Those guards surely have her in their sight. If not she would be in trouble as much as Sabina. "Sabina? Come back."
"Oh, thank you. We must be going before the guards catch up."
"Guards?" Louis stands in a hurry. Of course, guards might have come after her. Shaking his head impatiently, he runs back to what he intended to be his camp to grab his bag.
"Lisbet said they would follow me. I lost them. Take me with you. I dinna hear or see them."
"Sabina? Sabina?" lisbet calls, her voice growing dimmer as she heads away from Sabina and Louis.
"She goes the other way, eh?"
Louis faces her, staring. "Move. Quiet." Louis, without further ado, starts running with incredible ease and silently fo a man his size. Sabina nods and stays close to the mon for awhile, but then he gets far ahead. "Wait! Please wait!" Louis doesn't wait. If she can't follow suit, then she deserves to be caught.
Sabina is thankful she left on her soft leather boots, but she wasnae used to running this fast. As he gets farther ahead she pushes herself to catch up."Wait...I cannae keep up with ye."
Louis now starts climbing uphill, thnking it's the best way to see anyone coming. Behind him Sabina falls and begins t'gasp as she tried to get her breath...but 'tis nae use. "Let 'em catch me..."She puts her head on her arm and begins t'sob quietly. Why did she e're leave her village and come here...why? She must be daft, but did she really have a choice?
*Lisbet heads back to the castle, nodding at Hawkfurth as she slips inside with her basket o' herbs and bark. "Hawkfurth, the guards will have her,aye?"
"Aye. Cook need ye." Hawkfurth growls
*Lisbet hurries to the kitchen since the guard seemed t'have things under control. At least Laird Drust dinna ken about the healer yet so he wouldna miss her.
Louis pauses to turn around and look behind. The girl has stopped following him and she's crying. Darn it, what does she expect? That he'll go back and carry her along? No way. And whatever it is that she's fearing, it must be exaggerated. Even if she was to be kept at the castle, would it be so bad? Some servants were treated better for their value than many free people - himself included
Sabina finally catches her breath and slowly gets up, wiping the dirt and moss off her body. She looks up, then down, and after a moment takes off after the man. He was her only hope. She finally catches up with him. "Please let me stay with ye. I am a healer, but t'was tricked into going to the castle."
Louis is relieved that no one else is in sight. When Sabina gets back up, he waits for her to meet him and he starts walking - fast - instead of running. "A healer. Unwise to kill."
Sabina can easily keep up with him as this pace. He might be a help after all. "Aye. I be needed. Where are ye from?"
Louis casts her a sideays glance. "The Continent."
Sabina's face lights up. "oh, across the sea? Is it beautiful there?"
"Hm." For Louis that meant a yes. An image of Île de la Cité came to him, with its arched bridge, and Notre-Dame. Apart from London, he hadn't seen another big city like Paris.
Sabina smiles at him as if he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was her savior.
Louis again eyes her and wonders where that adoring expression comes from. "What?"
"I was taken from my home when raiders came from farther north.I will ne'er get to the continent I suppose, especially if I am made a servant. Will you tell me what it is like?"
"Raiders. They be everywhere..." Louis again pauses to look around as they reach a spot with a good view. "My words are... to few. I cannot say...what it is like."
"Hm." For Louis that meant a yes. An image of Île de la Cité came to him, with its arched bridge, and Notre-Dame. Apart from London, he hadn't seen another big city like Paris.
"We move, they don't see." Louis hopes that they won't. If only they could keep evading them til nightfall, they'd be all right. He looked at her. "At morning, you go, and I go." Louis mimicks their parting, with his hands held out in an outward motion.
"Nay, please dinna make me go. I hae nobbut to help me. We are.....friends? Sabina puts her hand in his.
Louis recoils in surprise
Sabina: "Oh, did I hurt ye?"
"No." Louis looks away as they keep walking. People tended to avoid touching him, so much that he finally got used to not being touched.
Sabina looks up at Louis with a confused expression.
"Friends, eh.
"Aye." Sabina yawns as night begins to settle all around them."I should'ave let ye catch that fish for supper."
Louis realizes thhat his "new"identity as a baker comes with a whole new array of things he had never dealt with. Social contacts weren't the least of them.
"Look o'er there. Is that a bit o' a cave?" Sabina runs ahead and begins to pull the bushes away from the entrance. It is a cave, but quite small and definitely not big enough for the two of them.
Louis meets her there and looks around. It might be a good place to camp for they'd see anyone coming from the valley, and it still was a protective nook.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes, good. I lay here." Louis points to s spot in front of the nook, meaning he's leaving the nook to her. After all, he's got a warm cloak and not her. Louis starts clearing a spot for himself. "No fire. In case..."
Sabina smiles and reaches in to clean out a spot inside the nook of the cave. She was already getting cold, but it was better than being kept at the castle. She crawls in and curls up, wrapping her arms around her body. This tunic was useless for keeping one warm, but thankfully it was late summer and still somewhat temperate. She asks softly, "Sir? have ye a name?"
Louis opens his bag and takes out his only other tattered but clean black tunic. Normally, people wouldn't be caught dead being in contact with anything of his, especially something as intimate as a piece of clothing. But since that girl had no idea who he was... he stepped to her and gruffly dropped it on her. She was much smaller than him, it could early cover her up. As he was about to turn around looked back down at her he answers. "Louis" Louis 's tunic is made of rough but sturdy cloth - visibly commoner's clothes, but of a peculiar kind. Black is relatively rare, even if faded.
Sabina feels the cloth cover her body and sighs in delight at the warmth it brings. "Thank ye Louis. Ye are verra kind." Sabina closes her eyes and soon falls asleep with his tunic covering her and his presence giving her the protection she needs.
"hm" Louis doesn't recall having ever been told anything like that! Ater giving the surroundings one more look, he settles down, using his bag as a pillow.
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louis
New Member
Carnifex Sacralis
Posts - 3
Likes - 0
Joined - January 2021
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Post by louis on Feb 10, 2021 19:34:53 GMT -5
Sabina had awakened with the birds earlier, getting up to stretch her sore muscles.
"Sire? Louis? Are ye still around? Oh please be here...please. Louis?
Louis could have left, leaving no sign that he had been there at all except for his black tunic he had lent her. Instead, the only proof that he hadn't gone far away was the presence of his travel bag by the rocky nook.
Sabina crawls out of the wee cave and looks around, her heart beating faster and faster as she feared the worst. Sabina looks around for a copse of trees where she could take care of her pressing needs and head that way, then, when done she returns to the 'camp'.
"Louis? Ye left yer tunic and, oh, yer bag too.Where are ye?
<Louis> Here.
Louis suddenly stands right behind her, having crept up from God knew where. He's holding a spear with 3 skewered fishes.
Sabina is startled that his voice is right behind her. She turns and grins as she sees the fish.
<Sabina> I found a few berries I can pick and share with ye. To tell the truth I'm ravenous!
Louis doesn't react much to this and walks around her to find a good spot to clean the fish. His only concern being the fire which might draw some unwanted attention.
<Sabina> Louis? Do ye think they are still lookin' for me? I willnae have to go back, aye?
<Louis> I know not.
Louis takes out his dagger and stats gutting the fish, careful to gather the scraps at the same spot to discard more easily later.
<Louis> We must be careful.
Sabina sighs. She had wished Louis has said nay or never or anything more comforting.
<Sabina> Can we have a wee fire?
Louis while at work is alert and observing and listening, like an alert predator.
<Louis> No. We wait the night.
<Sabina> But I am so verra hungry. 'Twas yestermorn when I last ate and my belly is rumblin' something fierce right now.I dinna mean to complain, but 'tis the way things are.
Louis picks up a freshly scaled filet and holds it out to her, staring at her. "Eat it raw, so", he says. He can't say he likes eating raw things either. It sometimes is unhhealthy and may disbalance your humors.
Sabina wrinkles up her nose, but she was hungry. She holds out her hand and takes the fish in her hand then stares at it before she takes a nibble. She gags, but then swallows to appease her belly. She then takes the piece of fish and tears it in half, then swallows one of the pieces whole.
<Sabina> It isnae too awful horribe...
Louis eats once as well. Once they're all clean, he takes them back to the nook to display them on a flat rock. He then takes out a small jar from his sack and takes a very small handful of salt, which he sprinkles on the fish so that it can be preserved... aware that he's taking a chance, that they might have to leave all of it behind in a quick escape.
<Sabina> So ye know about preserving food with salt, but salt is hard to find here is the north country. Did ye know that if ye put salt on a leech 'twill dry it up so it lets go o' yer flesh?
<Louis> leech?
Louis of course knows what a leech is, in his own language, but wants to make sure.
<Sabina> Aye..,In the lochs ye can find them. They are brown and soft and squiggley and attach t'yer flesh an' fill up wi' yer blood.
<Sabina> I dinna like them at all!
<Louis> I had the salt with me from before here.Oh. Leech, yes. They be...
Louis grimaces to show he means "disgusting".
<Louis> ...but they be good for you. They... clean.
<Sabina> They be horrible, aye. Clean? I can wash myself better than a leech can. Ye dinna eat them too do ye? Ewwww..that would make ye ill!
<Louis> I mean... cuts. infection. and bad humors.
<Sabina> Infection? 'Tis that like festering?
<Louis> Festering. I think.
Louis, as most of those who can't read, has a strong memory. It has helped him tremendously learn the basics of a few languages he's encountered long enough in his travels.
<Sabina> I shall try them if it will help someone nae die. Are ye a healer too?
Louis for a second gives her a sharp look.
<Louis> I know a few of medicine.
<Sabina> I was taught healin' skills from my mam though I want to ken more.Will ye teach me some things ye ken?
Sabina gulps the other piece of fish. 'Twas better than nowt and her belly had stopped growling. "Is there water close by?"
Louis looks around as he edges away.
<Louis> I leave here soon.
Sabina looks at him with a look that was a cross between horror an' extreme sadness. "B-but ye cannae leave me here. Please let me go wi'ye or I will dae here alone. Please Louis...please?" Sabina moves close to Louis and grabs at his hand, catching the sleeve of his tunic instead.
<Sabina> Why do ye hae to leave me here alone? I can help ye with wha'ever ye do and ye could teach me yer healing skills.
Louis sharply turns around and recoils, not out of wrath but out of... surprise, blinking as though she had done something he had never experienced before... which was the truth. There was a stream behind him, and that was where he was heading.
Louis> I know not where I go. I am a baker.
<Sabina> I am comin' with ye. Why do ye always pull away from me when I touch ye? I am nae going to hurt ye because, remember, we are friends.A baker? Ye make bread Louis? Right now that sounds absolutely heavenly and much improved o'er raw fish.Ye could teach me how to bake too since I dinna ken much about baking or cooking. Please?
Louis slowly shakes his head, as much as because she's bombarding him as to refuse, perhaps... again, he doesn't say anything - nor does he answer why he pulled away from he because she touched him. He moves over to the stream and crouches by it to wash his hands.
<Louis> You want a husband. Children. I be not.
<Sabina> Iffen I am caught I may nae even have a life. Have ye seen the guard Hawkfurth? He is big and as mean as a bull wantin' to rut.
Sabina kneels down and washes her hands and face, then scoops up water to drink. It was cold and so refreshing and made her feel a wee bit better.
Louis pauses. Hawkfurth. He recalled the name from the collared one's lips.
Sabina looks up at Louis pleadingly.
Louis also washes his face and sihhs tiredly. He hadn't expected this. He had been so used to be avoided by people .
<Louis> Perhaps he catch you not. We travel together a time and I go, and you go.
Sabina gathered up her courage and stands. 88Fine! But dinna think I wil be easily dissauded from staying with ye. For now I just want to get away from the castle and the land around it. Do ye understand?
Louis grunts and stands. If she knew who he really was... or had been. Then again, her presence might prove beneficial. Unless a priest came and ask, no one would know or care whether they were married or not. And a traveling couple might look less suspicious.
<Louis> All right.
Sabina looks a wee bit shocked that he would allow her to continue with him, but nonetheless she was relieved. He would frighten most everyone away and she would have protection. Hopefully they wouldnae find anyone from the castle about, nor would they find the lad who brought her her from her village.
<Louis> We must find a village without a baker where we stay. Then you flee if it be on the lands of that... Drust.
<Sabina> Aye, but nae close to the castle, though they may be in need of a baker. Lisbet said the cook was auld and her food was not verra good. An' where would a lass alone flee to that brigands dinna find her and do horrible things to her, aye? 'Tis not safe for me to be alone.
Louis makes his way back to their small camp.
<Louis> The people want good bread. Mine be the best. But... I do not marry.
<Sabina> If ye want to go be a baker at the castle, I will go on by myself. I shall ne'er wed either. Men are fools.
Louis grunts some more, a bit differently. It vaguely sounds like laughing, except he doesn't smile. But his normally mean expression relaxes briefly and his eyes glint... yes, in amusement.
<Louis> The castle... I wish. But impossible. A servant there... and that Hawfurth... saw me hunt. A rabbit. <Louis> I be killed if I go.
<Sabina> For a rabbit? Nobbut would be killed for killing a rabbit would they? What about fish?
<Louis> I know not. But I take no chance.
<Sabina> Is Laird Drust...do ye know what he is like? Ye are so kind so I dinna think I would want to go live at his castle.
Louis doesn't admit that he fears more the consequences of what could be a minor arrest. What if they decide to punish him and see the scars in his back? They'll know he's a "criminal".
Louis again grunts. "Me, kind?" he thinks. Perhaps his life was about to chnage, after all.
<Louis> No, I only know what you know.
Louis raises his hand to his own neck - a mention of the collars.
Sabina> Lisbet has lived there for years, but she has a collar. Why would someone put a collar on their servant if she served well? I cannae understand
<Louis> They want put a collar on you. Perhaps they put in on her long ago. Before she served well.
Louis shrugs.
<Louis> They put collars on men too?
Louis waves is hand over the fish filets to brush off a few flies. If only they could have a smoke fire!
<Sabina> 'Tis degrading, especially for a healer. I dinna see any men with collars and Hawkfurth didn't have one.A baker surely wouldnae get a collar since ye would need to go to the village for grain and Laird Drust wouldna want the villagers to think he was a slaver, would he?
<Louis> Hm. Damn.
Louis drops down on a rock.
<Louis> I missed a chance for a rabbit.
<Sabina> Are ye shocked that I say such things? Mayhaps if I be verra still another will come here.What is the difference if ye kill one rabbit or two.
Louis rises again, gets his back and sits back down. He takes out a terracotta jar and holds it between the palms of his hands like something precious. He then partly lifts the sealed cap and sniffs it.
<Louis> We take what may come.
Sabina sits down and leans up against a tree.
<Sabina> What do you have in there?
<Louis> Sourdough. For bread. It needs use and feed new flour or I lose it.
<Sabina> Ah, that make the best bread. Do ye have flour to add to it, or must ye go to the village?
<Louis> Too bad I cannot pick wheat in a field. I must find grain. steal it. I have no coin.
<Sabina> Nobbut would see you at night and if I put on the tunic ye lent me then I could go with ye and 'borrow' some. When ye find a bakery then you can pay for it in bread.
Louis nods vaguely, looks at the jar and... stuffs it under his tunic.
<Louis> To keep warm. Yes, we must do that.
<Sabina> Tonight then. All sleep at night and only a castle would have guards, aye?
Sabina yawns. "Mayhap I had better sleep now. Awaken me when 'tis time to go."
<Louis> Hm.
Louis quietly keeps watch.
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