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Post by Sarris on Sept 23, 2022 20:26:25 GMT -5
The basic premis of this thread is that the five of the six children Sarris tends to are going to be abducted by a gang. I tend to be verbose in my posts. If you would like to join let me know. The days of autumn had arrived creeping across the land. With it came to beautiful cool breeze with the warm sunshine which still tried to beat back the coming winter. The clouds were coming in large and puffy like the sheep with their winter wool starting to thicken and grow. Harvest had started which meant everyone was busy. This made today a treat. On a small dock near the Gray Citadel, Sarris reclined in the sun. A small herb and flower garden grew there filling the air with the fragrant smells of Sage, Thyne, and Rosemarie. There she sat, watching the water sparkle and the birds swoop through the air. Sarris had managed to get out of all the tasks that were assigned to her. On the dock with her was a black cat with pale blue eyes named Prince. This kitten had chosen Sarris and had followed her home. Everywhere she went the kitten went as well. It did not matter if she climbed a wall, to visit Sarne, or to get a meal. Prince followed along. Sarris thought she was a smart cat, but Sarris was not an expert on cats. With winter coming Sarris, with the help of the little black fuzzball had started work on the new robes for Master Ray. She was a little behind in her promise. She promised to sew in the summer, but like many things she found herself distracted by, well, the Fall Prince, one of the Fae Nobles that she met while helping Lord Sarne with some of his training. Sarris had made a point of visiting him every month. If she could figure out where the Ley Lines were near the Citadel, she would visit him more often. She loved to listen to him sing and tell stories. Some Fae were masters of illusion able to show a story with images as they told it. Some day she would learn that magic and tell the stories to, well, her children. The light breeze caused the waves to lap against the stones giving her a rhythm to stitch by and she had made the most of the morning. She had completed the main seams and the hem as the Chapel Bell rang for the Noon Mass. Sarris laid back on the dock to soak in the sunshine. She pulled the hem of her skirt and shirt up a little more to catch more of the sunshine. She knew that on the walls of the Citadel men doing their watch would be watching her, rather than manning their posts. This was about the time that Sarne and Lord Paul Elvalor would be making an informal inspection on their way to the service. They would walk the walls to avoid the busyness of the courtyards and the young Lieutenants with their "urgent" issues who waited in ambush down below. The Citadel ran on paperwork, even the thieves guild had more than its fair share of paperwork. Paperwork was the reason that Sarris was never going to be a leader of the thieves guild. Sarris was going to have the dock torn out, probably because she liked to sun herself here, but Sarris had begged him not to. Throwing herself at his feet and crying. This is where they had come, her mother and herself to be together. This is where she came now to be with her mother. As the bells tolled again she knew that many of the residents of the keep would head into the service. Sarris, as a general rule, did not dislike the gods, though she was not all that pleased with them about the death of her mother. Kent Greystone and his wife, Lorana Graystone, were good faith leaders. They said the right words and made the right prayers. No words can comfort you at the death of your mother. The Priestess Lorana seemed to look at her with an intensity that always made her uncomfortable. It might be her fascination with all things Elven, including the Fae. "Why does everything have to be so hard?" she asked her mother, though no one was there. Like most girls, she was worried that no one would ever fall in love with her. She also worried that she would never allow a man to touch her. Some scars ran deep. Prince came and climbed up on her chest and laid there purring within moments she found herself drifting on the edge of sleep. The warm sunshine lulls them into a near-light slumber. Ray Castien Lord Sarne Sequoia
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Sept 26, 2022 14:47:14 GMT -5
Sarne was looking around as usual inspecting things now leader or Captain of the Black cloaks Vanguard. Black cloaks were a special group of vanguard they were experts in hunting down evil magic spell casters or priests. Others call them Witch Hunters. Whatever the people called them they were a group not to be messed with. If that was not enough to deal with Sarne was also stating his League fighting men called League of White Wolves. Sarne had almost four so far for that start. He knew as his reputation grew he was finding more people for his banner.
Walking his usual route he found her again Sarne did wish one time his cousin Sarris would be more ladylike or more like her mother. Sarris was sitting in the sun on a bench made of hardwood carved out from a large tree branch. Sarris was laying back with her new cat laying in her lap. Sarris had her dress pulled up tanning her legs with the dress being above the knee was making quite the commotion not only on the wall but in the courtyard too.
She was not bad looking when she cleaned herself up and dressed nicely. but the crew was starting to form and Sarne would have to stop this show before one of the guards leaning over the wall would fall off. something they would not survive.
Sarne walked up and stood so he would black the sun when she notice him Sarne smiled "Sarris, you got nice legs but let's not sun them right here." Sarne said in a teasing tone.
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Post by Sarris on Sept 26, 2022 15:40:41 GMT -5
Sarris looked up with one eye, still petting the cat if a hand resting on it was considered petting. Prince looked up and meowed a greeting of your blocking the sun, but no one except him spoke cat.
"My Lord Cousin, I am outside the walls of the Grey Citadel," She said. She knew this was still part of the grounds and she knew it. "I am not allowed to sun myself in the ladies' garden anymore, on the ybarn roof, nor the high balcony... Winter is coming and I will be stuck in itchy wool dresses and tight footwear while (your) Mother and Grandmother try to make a lady out of me," she said. She left out the undergarments and bindings that could break ribs if you took a deep breath and she did not need to bring up the fact that in all three of those locations she had been sunbathing with not a stitch of clothing on at the time. Her Grandmother had an absolute fit about it.
She sat upright letting let blouse fall back into its proper place while holding the kitten who now gave her the annoyed look and moved to go chase a grasshopper. She picked up the robe she had been sewing for Master Ray and showed it to Sarne.
"I was taught the courtly manners and protocol by our Grandparents too," she said.
"Right now, I have been displaced. Someday when I am restored, I will have to endure being a lady. Though I will probably be like my Mother living in two worlds than Grandmother," she said with some resignation.
She knew that her Grandparents, the priest and priestess, and probably Sarne did not approve of her running off the the Otherworld. It was a dangerious place a world of preditors and hidden dangers. In most peoples eyes sarris was far from dangerious and she liked it that way.
Sarris pulled her skirt down as a young Leutenant wearing a black sash that ran from his right shoulder to his left hip. A sword hung on his right hip and and a bugle on a strap was on his left side. His armor shined, his boots polished, everything was in its place. He looked young to Sarris. A human with brown hair and a short trimmed brown beard, with blue eyes. He stopped about four steps back from them and removed his helmet holding in his left hand and stood at attention.
It took every ounce of self-control not to tease the young man. That would have drawn a harsh reaction from Sarne towards her. There is a fine line between teasing and flirting and one of the unwritten rules Sarris had to live by was no flirting with the men. Most of the men treated her as a little sister, which was anoying at times but safe.
She looked over at the young officer and said, "So Grandfather sent a summons for me to chastise me for the fact that I have legs?" He blushed looking at Sarne for permission to approach and speak.
Sarris had the belief that if an Officer could maintain his discipline under her sway, he was a man to be trusted and admired.
Getting a nod he approached. He stood at attention and gave a salute. "Lord Sarne, I would like to give you a report of something noticed today," he said. "Sir, there were no reports of missing pies or apples, none were chased from the walls or above the main gate, and Sir Norgic," he said looking at Sarris and then back at Sarne. "Well, he has not had to yell (swear) at any of the children all day," he said. "We sent Squire Nathander to look in the barn to make sure they were okay and her reports they were not there," he said. He looked down for a second then continued. "I also need to report that Healer Cora did not report for lessons today," he added. "Cook Leah is covering for her so the Master Healer does not get himself in trouble," He said.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Oct 7, 2022 23:22:01 GMT -5
"No one has seen the children? when was the last time they were seen I am sure someone has seen them," said Sarne sounding concerned. "Sarris, where could they be hiding?" Sarne now sounded annoyed.
This was concerning to Sarne knew one thing they did not miss was mealtime. Now into the late afternoon. Sarne looked around and thought. "Lieutenant, did you check with the guards at the Gate, No go check with the guards at the gate one more time. then if they have not then alert the Vanguard. Search the Gray Citadel every foot of it" ordered Sarne.
Sarne turned back to Sarris when the Lieutenant left. "Sarris, tell me this is a joke before I get angry," said Sarne in a very unpleasant tone.
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Post by Sarris on Oct 8, 2022 10:41:28 GMT -5
The Lieutenant waited to hear Sarris' response before leaving. He was a bit unsure.
Sarris gave a little pout, the children could be hiding just about anywhere. But they would not skip a meal. None of her children ever skipped a meal. "My Lord, I've been here most of the day. I saw them early this morning before the cock crowed," She said. "I came out here to sew so I would have Master Ray's clothes done before the snow fell," she added.
She gathered up her things nodding to the Lieutenant who headed off at a quick step. "I have a bad feeling about this," Sarris said in a very maternal tone.
She started walking back with Sarne. "They do not always tell me where they are going. But Clara would not skip out on her lessons. That is not her nature. She is the reliable one," Sarris said. It stung her a bit because she was not always reliable getting distracted by schemes and dreams, new things, and people coming to visit. "But, there is nothing being harvested today? Are the Pears about ready?" she asked as they walked. It was clear that she was worried about her charges and wanted them home.
"Did anyone say anything to them to make them scared? I do not think they would just run away," she added.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Oct 13, 2022 21:05:34 GMT -5
"I am sure things will be ok they don't normally leave the Citadel alone" replied Sarne now thinking. "Let us split up. Take a look around we meet at the stables.
Sarne went around asking about the kids people had seen them here or there but everything was a dead end. after about an hour Sarne was now frustrated. Sarne stood in the middle of the Citadel. Looking all around Sarne had looked everywhere he could think of. Sarne sighed and looked at Norgic and Ruven. He paused thinking about what he wanted to do but things are not right.
"Norgic and Ruven, go raise the alarm and ring the bells. I will stay here and meet the officers and Men at arms." Orderd Sarne. The two gave a nod "yes, Captain" they replied and ran off it only took a few minutes before all the bells were ringing. People started to run around to get to their stations. he watched his Dad walk out and his grandfather out on his balcony looking over the Citadel. Sarne knew he might get in some trouble. Sarne also knew if the kids were hiding they would run to the sables if the alarm was sounded. Sarne stood by the stables as the other officers gathered.
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Post by Sarris on Oct 17, 2022 20:40:10 GMT -5
Sarris headed for the different places the children liked to play and hide.
Apple picking was in full swing so she walked past the orchards. Climbing trees was something they did together. The children were not there and the foreman asked where they were.
She went past the frog pond, as she walked frogs jumped and the fish in the pond snapped at the slow flies that danced above the water.
She heard the bells ringing at the Citadel and she started running. She needed to make it there BEFORE the gates were closed. But the guards were not closing the gates. The staff was scurring and people manned the towers and walls but the watch was both inside and out.
She approached the gates and was escorted in. She worried as she walked. Her heart pounding and her skirts swooshed in the air with each step. Grandfather and Uncle were on their balconies talking and barking orders. Sarne stood like one in command as people came to give him reports. They would stop, say something to him, and he would nod and they went on their way.
This was a worry that ran to her core. This was a maternal worry.
Officers and men were searching each of the buildings.
The children from servants and the staff were spotted running as officers watched on. Men and women in shining armor appeared. Some with spears, some swords, and others bows. There were a few mages that had their own ranks but the Vanguard's reputation of being mage killers had been exaggerated so that most mages wanted little to do with them. Mages also tended to be a bit too independent for military life.
Sarris walked up with a worried look. Hoping the children had shown up. The anger on Sarne's face was enough to make Sarris go bursting for the door of her stables and in.
Aumrauth Krisjyre was a third cousin and was the Chief Steward approached with the cook in tow. He was an Elven man who was a force of his own to be dealt with, and Cook Leah, who could not keep her nose out of things like this, arrived. He now acted mainly as Grandfather's personal secretary.
"Young Lord, I was sent to ask about sounding the alarm," he looked at his papers. "I do not see anything scheduled for a drill," he added in a tone that indicated annoyance.
Young Nathander arrived carrying Sarne's Armor and weapons. Seeing the Steward he stopped far enough away and waited to be allowed to approach. He would have risked Sarne's wrath but not Aumrauth's. Sarne would appreciate his initiative while chewing him out about the chain of command and following orders.
From in the barn Sarris, screamed. It was a high scream. A scream of distress and not injury. Nathander wanted to run into the barn and it took all his self-control and some he had to borrow not to move. He watched Sarne for permission to move.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Nov 4, 2022 21:15:28 GMT -5
After hearing Sarris scream. Norgic and Ryan ran past Young Nathander. Norgic hit the stable door with Dwarven style head first. The door blows open in parts. both stood there with their weapons ready.
Sarne gave Young Nathander the sign to go in and Sarne followed as Sarne looked at Norgic and Ryan who were just standing there confused. Sarne pushed past them and walked up to Sarris who seemed to be in a state of shock. Holding something that looked like paper. He had tears in her eyes. Sarne by this time was about to explode. Sarne took a deep breath and let it out "OK, cousin what is it?" Sarne asked in a calm tone.
By this time there was a group of guards assembling just outside the door and the bells had stopped ringing. That meant. Everyone was called and in position. Sarne could hear his father coming and yelling orders was he walked.
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Post by Ray Castien on Nov 9, 2022 10:07:01 GMT -5
Ray had been intensely preparing his next lesson for Corra when a commotion about the Citadel complex interrupted him. He closed the medical journal with a frustrated sigh and rose to his feet. The clinic had grown to be much better equipped since his last visit and now he simply acted as an advisor and tended to those who hadn't responded to lesser healing magic. Crossing the clinic floor and almost at the door a soldier burst in with panic across his face.
"Healer Ray, have you seen them?" He was sweating and breathing heavily.
"Seen who, you're the first person to come in today as far as I know."
"The children... they're missing." He rushed out as quickly as he'd entered in.
Ray stopped in his tracks for a moment, recalling with dread the encounter at the market. He rushed now behind the soldier, heading quickly for the barn to find Sarris and Sarne. His fears seemed founded as he approached the crowd about the place and saw the Lord's entourage making their way to the group. He pushed through the crowd and entered into the barn to find the small group within.
"Is it true...?" Was all he could utter.
He glanced about them, no children present besides Nathander... Then, he saw Sarris's look of shock and realized his fears were likely reality.
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Post by Sarris on Nov 22, 2022 16:24:00 GMT -5
Sarris was in tears and voiced in between and cry and a scream, "They took them!" She held out a note that had been stuck into the wall with a knife. Sarris could not read the words but she knew the rival thieves guild mark on the paper.
Looking at Sarne and Master Ray she said trying to calm down as her Uncle started through the door, "You know they are going to kill them." She added, "All of them."
Sarris knew what happened to thieves, even young thieves. They would first be worked over to learn anything that would give the guild an advantage over the Vanguard and the Silent Hands. Important things like knowledge of the Grey Citadel's operation. Like secret tunnels, the layout of the mines, and where things are stored. Then would come ransom demands.
Nathander came into the stable. He looked worried, then angry. He reached to grip the handle of a practice knife that was on his hip and squeezed as if he wanted to fight. It was almost visible as his mind started to plan how he was going to fight an entire thieves guild to get his brother and sisters back.
"They want me," Nathader said softly. Looking at Sarne he continued, "You could trade me for the rest of them."
Sarris looked at Sarne and Ray with tears. She did not look at her Uncle, she would let Sarne and Ray deal with him. She started searching the Stables for clues.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Dec 16, 2022 14:36:43 GMT -5
Sarne turned to his Dad. His dad's look did not give Sarne any comfort. His dad turned to one of the Vanguard "Stand down give the all clear" ordered his dad then he turned to Sarne. He placed his hand on his shoulder "Sarne, this happened under your watch. It is time that you solve things on your own and with the resources given to you. I am here always for advice and to support your decisions." His dad said with a warm smile. "I must talk to Grandfather and let him know what's going on." his dad explained as he turned and left the stables.
The Guards, Vanguard, and others started to disband and go back to their stations and work. Sarne turned back to Sarris let me see the letter." asked Sarne.
He then turned to Nathader "Did I give you permission to give ideas Trainee" said Sarne in an authoritative tone. "Now, that's not going to happen Nathader" inform Sarne.
Sarne read the letter and then look at the mark on the corner. "So dose anyone knows what this mark represents or who it belongs to?" Asked Sarne.
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Post by Sarris on Dec 24, 2022 10:07:15 GMT -5
Sarris had tears in her eyes when her Uncle entered the stable. He made no attempt to address her and barely looked around. Overly emotional women were not things to deal with and her tears was from her human side. Best to stay out of his way. Sarris knew he cared about her, but family politics was FAMILY politics. She would be invited to tea by her aunt and this would be talked about sensibly. "This was not an orphanage after all and if you would only..." played in her head. Terms and conditions, rituals, apologies, and begging to her grandfather to be restored. Sarne understood and had been working on a different approach with the family.
Nathander took the rebuke like if he was being hit. Unlike Sarris, who would have had to say something. He remained quiet. Her children never remained quiet even when being corrected. But Nathander reacted like that was physical blow. Like Sarne, Nathander wanted to protect what he considered to be his own and this was his family. This would test his discipline and loyalties like nothing else would. It would test all of them. Turning back Sarne gave Sarris the "Stay out of this look." It was related to the "you are babying them" and "the this is not your problem, woman" look.
In that moment, Sarris realized how much of a wild card and disruption she and the children were in this place.
As Lord Sarne read the letter, Sarris could see the anger building in him. Those under his command would still think him calm and collected.
Both Sarris and Nathander nodded at Sarne's question. Sarris shot the boy a look to play dumb on this. Knowing about thieves' guilds in his position would, well complicate his life. Sarne knew that Sarris was a thief, a mostly white but somewhat grey thief. Sarne had helped her with some guild work of the Silent Hand. She in turn helped to him and helped to protect the family. The dead assassin within the secret passages was something not talked about. You had to love Elven politics. "Lord Sarne, You know that mark. They are around the market," Sarris said as an explination.
She looked at Ray as well.
There was an element of guilt in her face. She had taught her children the basics of being a thief, just not how to not be impulsive. Sarris looked at Nathander, he was the most impulsive of the group.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Jan 3, 2023 15:38:13 GMT -5
Still staring at the letter Sarne give his first appearance of frustration with a grunt. Sarne gave Sarris a look of irritation. "The Market that day, really what happened?" Asked Sarne's tone authoritative and stern. Sarne was Bothered she did not tell him the hole story that day. The fact that the Gray Citadel was breached. Sarne knew he would have to answer to his father and Grandfather for this. Sarne just had mud thrown on his reputation and the reputation of the Gray Citadel. Sarne would have to work quickly to make a plan and to repair his honor and that of the Gray Citadel. He balled the paper in his one hand and made a fist. Sarne glanced at Ray as he waited for Sarris's answer.
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Post by Sarris on Jan 5, 2023 23:43:58 GMT -5
Sarris gave Sarne a look just as frustrated and still with tears on her cheeks.
"Family business," she declared to him as she crossed her arms. She did not want everyone else knowing the business taking place between them. Nathander, Master Ray were fine, they were family. His guard and officers, Sarne's father and Grandfather was another were another matter.
Most of the people knew she had thieves' abilities. It was another thing to declare it publicly and she did not want everyone in the Citadel talking about this, more importantly her.
This was bad enough that this would get her in trouble with the leadership of her thieves' guild.
Sarris gave Sarne a look that would have backed most men off. Her redhead temper was charged and primed.
"Cora and I," Nathander started to explain.
Sarris shot him a look to stop expecting that his opening his mouth was going to get him into more trouble than he was ready to deal with.
Sarris looked at Sarne and said, "The children had a run in with a different thieves guild." Sarris gave Nathander a sever look again. It was clear she wanted him to stay out of this.
"I did not have good control over them. I told them to observe and report back to me what they saw," She said. Looking down she said, "They did a bit more than that."
She waited for the anger that was going to come. She would take whatever punishment was due her. She knew Sarne would have to talk to the guild master at some point. It also meant that new security measures would be coming. The entire staff would be on edge till the routines became normal. It was all her fault.
She just wanted to get her children back safely.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Jan 6, 2023 13:34:27 GMT -5
Sarne was more than angry everything was wrong right now. Then Sarne did something without even thinking. Something any brother might do to a little sister. something not done in a long while. Sarne stepped in and embraced Sarris. "It will be fine, We will deal with this like we always have" said Sarne with kindness. This was one of Sarnes best friends, his little sister, and his cousin in the end Family.
It grew to vary quite. Nothing could be heard but a few gaps of air and murmurs from the others in the room. Norgic looked back at the others and gave a low growl. warning the others there to be quiet. Ruven and Ryan joined Norgic looking at the others with discontent.
Some soldiers and Vanguard turned and started to leave. Sarne stepped back "Norgic, get the others we are going out." Sarne ordered still looking at Sarris. Sarne sighed "what am I to do with you Sarris? and a different thieves guild? is there another one?" asked Sarne Not knowing about The Order of stillness was just the scout they train or that Sarris was to protect Sarne. Only two people knew outside the guild the Duke and Sarne's father and probably their wives. But it was a secret. The Duke decided it was not Sarne's time yet.
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