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Post by Treijim on Jun 16, 2008 10:59:50 GMT 9.5
The statement didn't seem to enter his mind at first. He was staring straight ahead with his head slightly tilted. Then a glint of light shone in his eyes and he turned to Georgio.
"What? Really? I mean... are you sure you don't need me?" He sat up straight and fidgeted, but didn't let the man answer just yet. "Do you know your way round? I guess you don't need to, if you're going with the convoy they've prepared... Well, good sir, I wish you the best of luck!" He shook Georgio's hand and left the room quickly.
Georgio wasn't left in peace for long.
"Does he want to begin now?" asked a soldier who did not introduce himself. Though there was another soldier beside him, the first man was looking directly at Georgio. "Does he? We are ready now if you wish it. Though the sun is setting, the silver is being heavily guarded. It will be safe."
[How much of the journey we skip is up to you]
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Post by Oz on Jul 17, 2008 20:57:39 GMT 9.5
Georgio, alone in the room, loosened his heavy cloak a little and unfurled his tail, raising it to his shoulder as he did so. Stretching in tension and pondering his next move, Georgio wound up worrying himself.
'Granted the silver will help, especially if the man from a few weeks ago was indeed an agent of the enemy. But... I'll get it to the fortress gaurds and then what?'
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Post by Treijim on Sept 22, 2008 21:48:35 GMT 9.5
[This post won't make sense if you haven't read the article on Trains in the wiki. Use the search function there to find it]
The driver clamped the brakes with surprising reflex and the orcanor stopped its powerful walk. The train stopped and the men on board looked up. Just in front of the steed there stood a wooden gate and four armed guards.
"What are your goods?" asked one of the guards.
The driver looked over his shoulder at the men on the train, and then back at the guards. "Silver," he said. "For the Wall."
"And who owns it?"
"Ah... Someone wake Georgio up!"
"Aye sir!" replied one of the men.
He raced across the deck and opened the door to the room underneath. He went down the steps and peered into the darkness.
"Georgio?" he said. "Some guards want to talk to you..."
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Post by Oz on Nov 15, 2008 3:29:34 GMT 9.5
Georgio gave a moan stirring from his sleep, and then a series of insect like clacks, of which he quickly chastised himself. If the gaurds eyes were remarkable, then he might have noticed a swish of insectoid tail swing through the dull light, before flying under a cloak as Georgio rolled from a box he had claimed as a bed.
"Very well, lead me topside my good man. I trust this isn't a hinderance."
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Post by Treijim on Nov 29, 2008 9:05:49 GMT 9.5
Around the partition and up the stairs into the choking fog and hazy sunlight they went. The greyness was rising gently and the palisade wall in their way blocked most of their view, but beyond it, beyond a stone's throw, was a mighty pair of towers rising up into the low clouds , presumably with a mightier wall joining them.
"Carson's Wall," mumbled the worker with a pinch of bewilderment. He turned to Georgio. "I heard them talking about some recent fighting on the other side of the wall. I hope that doesn't mean it's too dangerous to take all this silver down... Would be chaotic to just leave it here till it's "safe enough", doncha think? Well, the man you want to talk to is that feller with the helmet," he motioned off the side of the railing toward a soldier accompanied by some more soldiers waiting near the bottom of the ramp.
"Sir Georgio, I presume?" asked the helmeted man, catching the Ildemin's glimpse over the side of the train. "We are under regulation that no cargo is to be brought to the Wall within two days of recent fighting, and fighting is exactly what has been happening down there. However, regulations are designed to protect the common people, and it is in the best interest of the protection of the people that this silver reaches the smiths at the Wall. It is for this reason that I have prepared a Temporary Writ of Lawful Exception which you must display upon arrival at the Wall." He approached the train and slid a leather tube between the rails, at Georgio's feet. "The Gate is just down the hill through these gates. When you are ready, ride on. Thank you." He nodded a bow and signalled his men to open the palisade gates wide.
"With your command, sir, we will continue to the fort," said the worker to Georgio.
On Georgio's other side was a murky window to the lower deck, where the Ildemin had just been sleeping, and behind this window -- barely visible -- a familiar face watched on with concern.
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Post by Oz on Dec 13, 2008 9:18:53 GMT 9.5
Georgio collected the precious document and tucked it within his travelling cloak for safe keeping. Looking between the men tending his stock of silver and the gaurdsmen manning the gate. Before giving orders, he let the tension build up in the men, before sighing out joyfully:
"I could really get used to being called 'sir'."
With a brisk step to the front of the train, Georgio waved an arm back to his crew (if they could so be called).
"Close up the sides, lets roll this train on to the wall!"
Attempting to pace for a dramatic and commanding effect, Georgio forgot just how narrow the train was, and wound up cursing as he nearly walked clean over the edge. Awkardly re-adjusting himself, he glanced about the place as the train set off through the checkpoint gates and onwards to the fortress of Carsons Wall.
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Post by Treijim on Dec 15, 2008 8:13:58 GMT 9.5
As they trundled through the palisade barrier, the road rolled downwards before them into a valley thick with clay, weedy grass, and mud. Down ahead, the road curled to the right around an impressively large and jagged cliff, and on the other side of the road, the ocean could be seen lapping at disgracefully grey sand. This ocean bore no gulls and the tide was hard and loud. The shore beyond the sand was heavy with rocks, but the road the train would take was further up the hill and nearer the cliff, where the ground appeared to be firmer -- the road was packed tight with gravel. A fog clung to everything and chewed at it with a sinister bitterness, but it only frosted the glass windows of the train's cabins.
"So where are you going?"
Colten had waited till the precise right moment to reveal himself to Georgio. The old man had slunk back into his resting place and Colten took a seat across the dark cosy room from him, staring for a good couple minutes before speaking. As he couldn't see Georgio's face, he could only assume he hadn't fallen asleep in five minutes.
"Georgio? Oh and you might want to hide your tail better..."
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Post by Oz on Dec 22, 2008 9:02:41 GMT 9.5
Georgio indeed hadn't fallen asleep. He had merely gone into a silent contemplation.
Said contemplation was broken by his young erstwhile companion Colten. Who soon found Georgio's ever menacing insectoid tail grasped around his shoulders viciously.
Georgio however was laughing. Pulling Colten over to him, although not loud enough for the crew to look over and see the unsightly Scorpion appendage, he embraced the boy heartily.
"Somehow I knew I hadn't lost you yet Colten. Curiosity leads you, doesn't it?" There was a pause for a moment, then Georgio continued, as clearly as possible. "Were heading for Carsons Wall. There are men who needs supplies there. Supplies I have, naturally. And also a few questions... I wish to seek the answers of."
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Post by Treijim on Feb 8, 2009 7:24:33 GMT 9.5
"No I understand," Colten said quickly. "I have questions, too... I... You're going past the wall, aren't you? Into the Mane? It doesn't bother me." It was certainly evident in Colten's expression that he didn't care about the extreme potential danger. He seemed ever-determined and serious -- for once.
Georgio began to recount the past few events as Colten sat but then they realised that Colten had experienced most of them, if not from a third-hand perspective. So they simply shared company as the ride to the wall was over quicker than they had anticipated.
The expected load was hastily unloaded as Georgio and his "assistant" were guided to the high quarters of the wall's interior. The man-in-charge, however, was not there. The guards scratched their helmets for a moment and, deciding he must have gone out on an overlooked rostered patrol, went to check the schedule. They left Colten and Georgio standing in the hallway.
Only a minute passed when Colten made his usual enthusiastic suggestion likely entailing copious amounts of adventurousness: "Let's leave now, while they're not looking."
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Post by Oz on Mar 28, 2009 22:36:44 GMT 9.5
Georgio's hand found itself clamped around Colten's head as he pulled the boy in close.
"Yeah, that's a great way to be non-chalant about it, way to go Colten." Glancing around to make sure nobody had actually heard Colten's 'suggestion', he leaned in to speak to the boy some more.
"I'm going to make sure the supplies are taken in and accounted for, and that hopefully the garrison has a smith with which to use them. If they don't then..." Groaning with realisation. "Then were going to be delayed since I'll have to work the silver for them. But once its done, and were chased off - for our safety, I'm sure - you and I will slip through the gaurds entrance alonger the main gate."
Georgio smiled, and waited for Colten to recount the plan and hopefully, stand as strong and determined as he always has.
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Post by Treijim on Apr 3, 2009 13:17:27 GMT 9.5
"Non...chal what?" The plan slowly began to seep into the corners of his mind. "Why would they chase us off? I don't get that part. But the rest makes sense..."
The fort had a smith -- two, to be precise -- as the fort's Hero proudly pointed out. The silver will be in the best of hands, he assured them. They took all the supplies in via numerous cartloads and checked and double-checked everything. It was all there and ready to be utilised.
"And, has anybody mentioned anything concerning your pay?" Heroica Maxim asked. "No doubt this shipment is one of the largest we've had in some time, and if there's any way the Legion can express their gratitude, you need only mention it to me and I will see what can be done!"
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Post by Oz on Apr 17, 2009 20:57:32 GMT 9.5
[Sorry if this post shatters anything, but I'm going for it!]
Georgio stood silent and stalwart for a few moments. They wouldn't be able to stay for much longer, they'd doubtless be paid and sent packing within the day. 'Could I just ask for passage through the gate?' Georgio mused to himself. Surely not, he'd be rejected and either imprisoned on suspicion of aiding the enemy, or at the very least chased off in a hail of arrows. '
But they do want to show their gratitude... what would they honestly care if I marched to my doom?'
Having come this far, there was no harm in trying something ludicrous. So, with a calm yet determined composure, Georgio told Maxim plainly.
"I wish to pass through to the other side of this fortress."
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Post by Treijim on May 3, 2009 9:07:37 GMT 9.5
A vicious grin crept onto Heroica Maxim's face. Then he began to laugh. When he gathered his breath, he tried to recount what Georgio had asked.
"You want us... to open that gate... and let you wander off into the Hrens? As far as I know, this silver is cursed and you're going to report your deeds to your master. But, no... You would be surprised at how many venture through here seeking passage. A lot of them say they have scores to settle. Most of them are just looking for action. They go in stupidly unprepared; swords, bows and arrows, axes, horses to carry food, a bird to carry a letter home, items which are apparently enchanted... But let me tell you this: The one thing they all have in common is that they never come back. Never." He tilted his head. "Well, there was this one old man, but he must've turned around early where the others went on in curiosity. Old man named Greur, he lives in a village somewhere northwest of Amaiga. I have no idea where it is though..."
He led them down to the Carson's Gate. Surely, it was the most impressive gate on the continent; it had four portcullis and between the first and last two were great wooden panels, braced with massive amounts of metal and with no way to see through them. Maxim signalled someone and the first three gates gently rose into the heavens. They all walked into the middle of the gateway and the gates behind them lowered.
"We never have both open at a time, just in case..." Maxim explained with complete seriousness. "First, you'll be walking along a cliff above the beach. It's a treacherous path, too dangerous for anything on wheels. You'll want to be vigilant up there. After that, you'll descend into thick woods. No light gets in there, so I hope you have a lantern. After that, well, Old Greur said he could see a shimmering lake 'tween the trees, but who knows what illusions were forced into his frail mind? But I'm sure you are most eager to head on, so I won't hold you any longer." He banged the portcullis with something metallic. "Open the inner!" he yelled.
The last three gates opened one at a time. The one on the very outside could not be seen through the second wooden door, but when that door rose, they could see outside. It was like an entirely different world; there was nothing green on the ground and the sky was not blue. It was grey. Everything was grey and seemed dead. The trees looked as though they were crippled and in mourning. The sky was heavy with threats of rain. Before them, a wide path rose up a small hill. Peaks shot up behind that. Beyond that, it could not be told.
The last portcullis rose. Maxim held out his hand.
"May you find grace in whatever fate you meet, adventurers. Please, proceed. "
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Post by Oz on Sept 6, 2009 19:33:42 GMT 9.5
[Pssst, name error in the first paragraph]
If he didn't have a plan, Georgio may well be nervous or apprehensive about continuing. But since he (vaguely) knew what he was doing, he nodded with a brief bow to the commander as he marched on through the gates, his stave guiding his steps and the layers of his cloak hanging heavily over his tail. The last thing he needed was to look like some monstrous beast.
After stepping through the final portulli', they began to drop behind him. Quite quickly as well, as if someone just dropped the rope for fear that leaving them open too long would spill hell into the fortress.
Not surprisingly, a few of the soldiers had amassed atop the wall, likely just to watch another adventurer set off on the trek to their oblivion. He only hoped they weren't so arrogant as to actually ignore the silver supplies he'd delivered unto them, he'd be quite offended if his one sincere act was shunned with distrust.
A couple hundred yards from the fortress, the wind took to an ominous strength and the path ahead grew dark, the foothills shrouded in a thin mist. Nevertheless, Georgio pushed on. He took a look back however, with a curiosity, perhaps even a hope, that young Colten had followed him.
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Post by Treijim on Sept 7, 2009 12:04:01 GMT 9.5
When Georgio stopped to look for Colten, the young man walked into him and almost fell over.
"Ow!" Colten cried. "What? What's wrong? Why'd you stop walking then?" He looked over his shoulder. The wall was surprisingly far away now. "Nobody's following us. They're actually letting us just dive into the thick of it."
He laughed nervously and urged Georgio to press onward. They climbed the rugged hill into the thin mist. When they reached the top of that hill, there was another dip and a higher hill. When they reached that hill, the rocks and bumps of dirt depicted a treacherous descent toward a thin path that climbed up the east side of a series of massive cliffs that jutted out towards the sea.
"Well, that looks safe," Colten joked. "It doesn't look like we can go along the beach... too much water and rocks. Do you think we should follow the path or try to go around the back, over the top of the cliffs? I guess if we follow the path we can't get lost... right?"
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