Grid: M-8Lord_Of_The_LEGO wrote:"Bjarn, it is time to return to the mainland, Delvarden Gard is waiting..."
Bjarn nodded. Delvarden Gard was the capital city of the Forestmen, and where his future home was.
"When do we leave?" he asked.
"Tomorrow." replied the elf.
Location: Delvarden Gard
Delvarden Gard, the capital port city of the Forestmen and location of the League of Forestmen headquarters was situated in the Varden Swampland that eventually connected to the Fell Sea. Narrow, flatbottem boats could traverse the swamps far inland and also across the normally calm Fell Sea, giving the Forestmen a contant link between the mainland and Forestdweller isle. Delvarden Gard was built mostly in the tops of tje gigantic trees that florished in the swamp, but the main fortress was built upon a large outcropping of rock.
As Bjarn's flatboat pulled up to the mighty fortress, he could not help but be impressed. Drullen Bell Keep was massive gave Bjarn the fleeting impression that the Shadow had been turned on it's end and turned into stone, for the curving walls looked very much like the smooth lines of a ship. Creeping vines climbed it's walls there were torches in every window and arrowslits.
Many Forestmen and women lined the dock, and as Bjarn clambered out of the rocking boat a cheer errupted from the crowd. Bjarn flushed and turned to help Shainya and Rosa out. He was not used to all this attention and he felt uncomfortable.
After taking a deep breath, he turned back to the crowd and held both his clinched fists to his forehead, giving them the Sign of the Elk.
The crowd cheered again and returned the sign. Bjarn grinned and he, Shainya, Rosa, and Gonderin proceeded forward into the keep. Once they were inside, Gonderin turned to Bjarn and said "There will be a grand feast for you this evening. You and you freinds are welcome the bathe and rest until then. I'll show you to your rooms."
*****************************
Grid: K-7
Location: Forestmen woods, near creek
Harquin and Defyll were on patrol when they smelt smoke on the breeze.
"That's not a Forestmen fire, no good forestdweller would burn wood that smoked and smelled the most and heated little." stated Harquin
"You've got that right, Harq," agreed Defyll, nocking an arrow on his bow, "Who do you reckon? Falcons?"
"Falcons are smarter than that. I'd say they were Crusaders, but they are awfully far north..." mused Harquin
"Either way, we'll know soon enough..." grinned Defyll
They crept forward though the brush until they came upon the Grurrulugurul creak
"Holy megabloks..." gaped Defyll
"That..." said Harquin slowing, "Is one ugly guy..."
"Who is he?" asked Defyll
"I don't know and I don't care. He looks like he could throttle us with one hand. We will need the rest of the troop to get this guy."
Defyll's brother, Dafell, joined them and whispered "That fellow is not alone, there are about two dozen other people in that clearing just yonder, both Falcons and Bulls."
"Bulls?" asked Harquin, "I thought they died out years ago.."
"Looks like a few are still left." muttered Defyll, "Anyway, I'll go back and get Thrallen and the rest, Gonderin's ordered we are to take any trespassers to the capital, and it looks like these fellow will put up a fight."
"There is not need for a fight, Forestman. I only wish to seek council with a Forestman by the name of Bjarn."
Lord Barbod was standing on the other side of the creek, fully dressed and unarmed. He spread his arms wide as if to reaffirm his lack of weapons.
"I do not wish to fight." he repeated.