Adventuring Forth--solo rp

[Asfaloth]

Shawn found it very strange to be outside of Tar Valon. Aside from the occasional trip for training purposes or a horse-riding competetion he hadn't left the city since he arrived over six years ago, and never on his own. Since he was using this trip to get over his memories of Dene he had set himself a leisurely pace. After all, he had no real destination in mind, and very little idea of what he would do. He spent his days riding along the shore of the River Erinin, walking mostly but letting Blaize have his head and really gallop once in awhile. He stopped early and got up late, and found that he had way too much time to think.

 

Going at this lackadaisical pace it had taken him almost a week to get to where he was now, a delta formed where a small unnamed river met up with the Erinin. According to the map he'd seen in the Commander's office it should have taken only three or four days to go this distance but Shawn didn't care. He had no plan or destination in mind, but figured he'd simply travel for three months along the rivers and then turn back. He could even go four or five months at this pace and then push himself to get back in time.

 

Hobbling Blaize nearby Shawn set up his hammock between two trees and set off with his bow in hand to get some meat for dinner. He'd left the city without any food at all but he'd survived rather well so far. He knew how to identify all the edible plants along his route and he'd had some success fishing each night so he hadn't gone hungry. But, he was getting tired of fish. Unfortunately, game had been rather scarce lately-even rabbits and squirrels-and he hadn't had any real meat in six days.

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Two hours later Shawn returned successfully with a rabbit in each hand. Back at his camp he skinned them and cooked them over his fire. He settled down to sleep, and found for the first time on his journey that he could find unconsciousness without any trouble at all. It seemed that he had finally had the time to sort through most of his feelings and emotions and found peace with them. In the morning he would turn and follow this new river and see where it led him.

[Asfaloth]

Shawn stood up to his waist in the refreshingly cool water. He had bathed and washed the sweat and dirt from traveling out of his clothes. Now, while he waited for his clothes to dry on the rocks, he was swimming in leiu of his normal morning workout. There was a town nearby, or so the map he'd brought with him said, and he wanted to freshen up before seeing people again. He should have been paying attention to his surroundings but he trusted his instincts and let his mind wander.

 

He'd left the Tar Valon nearly two weeks ago and he still didn't know where he was going and what he was going to do when he got there. He'd found it so hard to make any real decisions ever since Dene left him a month ago. What hurt the most was that she'd left without saying even a word of farewell to him. She'd given him no warning, no indication that she was leaving. If it hadn't been for the stableboy coming to tell him she'd ordered her horse saddled he wouldn't have even been able to sneak the present he'd made for her into her bags.

 

He was still so confused as to the whole situation. They'd been so happy together until the day she thought she'd caught him cheating on her. In the eighteen months or so since then she had long since learned the truth but it had solved nothing. No matter what he did to try to woo her back she had kept herself distant. Then she'd had that affair with a Grandmaster. She'd returned to him after that but only for one night, resulting in nothing but confusing him even more. And now she left after miscarrying a baby, a baby that she didn't even know the father of. Was it his or Alriand's? She said she didn't even know. But she had known she was pregnant and she'd chosen to spar with him anyway.

 

They'd really had it out at that point. He had lost his temper at her carelessness and she had lost hers for who knows what reason. After a shouting match in the center of the Yards that drew way too much attention, they had gone their separate ways. The next morning he was woken up by one of the stableboys he'd befriended who thought he'd want to know she was leaving. He'd managed to get the sword he'd made her, along with a letter of apology in which he poured out all of the feelings he had for her, into her saddlebag and get out before she got there. He was standing right outside the stable as she left and not only did she not say anything, she didn't even acknowledge his presence. That had hurt more than anything else, that she wouldn't even say goodbye.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by an outcry from Blaize. Three men were approaching from upstream, with two very young boys following in their wake and trying in vain to stay hidden in the brush. Shawn walked out of the river and pulled his smallclothes on. The men were obviously anxious to talk to him but he'd be darned if he was going to meet strangers in nothing but his birthday suit. His trousers were still a little damp but he pulled them on anyway and turned to face the men. "What can I do for you, good sirs?"

 

"Well, we were going to ask you the same thing. These boys saw you swimming and saw your weapons and came to us. We don't get many armed men in these parts. What are you doing in this area?"

 

"Oh, I was just passing through really. I'm a traveler, nothing more," Shawn hadn't planned to hide his identity as a Tower Guard, but now that he'd done so he saw no reason to clarify. "I'm sorry if my presence here scared the boys, it certainly wasn't my intent."

 

The spokesman of the group chuckled before answering him, "Oh no, it's fine. Since you're here, would you like to come back to the village with us? We're having a bit of a festival today, and we'd love for you to join us."

 

"A festival? Well that sounds nice. Give me a moment here and I'd be glad to join you." Shawn finished dressing and put his things away then saddled Blaize. Taking the reins he led the horse toward the other men, "The name's Anwashawn, but Shawn will do fine. I wouldn't want to scare anyone in the village, should I pack my swords and bow away?" He didn't offer to take off his knives as he refused to be completely unarmed and besides, wrapped around his biceps his cloak hid them anyway.

 

"Well, if you don't mind, that would be appreciated. Thank you. My name's Daryn, I'm the mayor of our little town. These men with me are my sons-in-law and those'd be my grandsons hiding in the trees. Come with us, there's plenty of food and some contests as well. I'm sure you'll have a good time."

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A week later Shawn found himself sitting at a table on the village green enjoying a well-cooked meal and talking to the locals. The week had been filled with feasting and revelry and Shawn had made friends with many of them. Suddenly the revelry was shattered by a blast from a horn. Shawn stood up startled and reached for the swords that weren't on his hip. Daryn and the others all laughed at him before he explained, "Relax Shawn we're not under attack. That's just the call for the start of today's games. Why don't you come with us and watch a few rounds? Then maybe you'll enter the competition yourself?"

 

"Sure, why not?" Shawn followed along as the whole town made its way down to the river. This was a logging town and the river was filled with the source of the town's income. The trees would float down the river to be collected and brought to Caemlyn and other cities of Andor. For now though they were the source of several games of skill and chance for the festivities.

 

They had several logs tied together, stretching all the way across the river. The logs were tied so they stayed close together but were still loose enough to roll with the waves of the water. It looked treacherous, but fun too. being a visitor they gave Shawn a few practice runs before the competition. On none of those did he make it all the way across but he was confident he'd do better in the actual race. His turn finally came and he was pleased that he made the full run, and while he felt he'd done well he lost to both of Daryn's sons. They laughed companionably as they waited for the next competition to start. Shawn knew if he ran it again he could beat them but he was gracious and let them keep their victory.

 

The men watched and laughed as the women and children competed in games on the river and the shore. Then it was time for the main event of the day. This was the time the men had been waiting for all year. Daryn explained that he was too old to compete this year but hoped one of his sons would carry on the family tradition and hold the title for the next year at least. Shawn watched as they tied a long skinny log across the river with ropes. Then he saw two bare-chested men carefully walk across the log to meet and shake hands. The men grasped forearms and started wrestling.

 

Seeing the look on Shawn's face Daryn leaned over and explained the rules to him, "You'll remember how the log rols and twists in the river? Well, this is a contest of balance and strength. The men wrestle atop the log until one or both of them fall off. If one manages to knock the other down without falling with him he is declared the winner. If they both fall then they start over with quarterstaffs. Those are the real fun ones to watch."

 

Shawn watched as one after the other the men faced off across the log from each other. It was evident that these men trained all year for just this day. Winning today's competition would be a source of pride for a man and his family for the next year. The boys all watched and shouted encouragement to fathers and brothers with looks of impatient envy that they were deemed too young to compete. The women shouted encouragement as well and Shawn saw several sly winks and smiles cross their faces. Commenting on it to Daryn Shawn learned that this day would see the start of many courtships and betrothals, in addition to the weddings that were planned for that afternoon.

 

As Daryn had hoped, the final round came down to his two sons. The first round was a draw, surprising noone, and their sons brought them their quarterstaffs as they squared off again. Shawn watched their feet carefully to see how they managed the log while still fighting. Their was much strategy involved there, he could tell, it involved rolling in the same direction as your opponent for a time and then switching directions at just the right moment to throw them off. Without the staffs it might still have been a challenge but the staff work precluded one from actually watching the log or your opponent's feet too often.

 

After exchanging blows for more than twice the length of any of the other matches the younger of the two men feinted high then swung his staff low, catching his older brother across the knees, while using his feet to bring the log to a hard stop. His brother fell splashing into the waves. He managed to stay atop the log another second longer before he too was in the water. The crowd went wild, it had been a bit of an upset as it seemed many had plaved bets on the older brother to win the day. The brothers walked with their arms across each other's shoulder laughing their way back to the shore.

 

"Wanna try your hand at it Shawn? Promise I'll go easy on you," the victor called out as they reached dry land.

 

"Sure, Chris, why not."

 

The crowd was eating it up as the stranger they'd all come to know accepted the challenge. Once more the shoreline was packed as they looked expectantly for their champion to defend his title. Shawn climbed onto the log and struggled to find his balance. When he had it he looked up to see Chris waiting patiently to begin. They grasped forearms and started wrestling. It didn't take long before Shawn felt the log rolling out from under him. He wasn't surprised, wrestling never was his specialty, but he had a grip that surprised the other man. He held on fiercely and pulled Chris down with him.

 

The crowd was laughing and calling out taunts to Chris for allowing the newcomer to best him. They climbed back up and Shawn was handed a staff from Chris's nephew. Thanking the lad Shawn tested the weight and balance by twirling it around his body. He started slow to see how it would effect his balance then sped up gradually until the staff was naught but a blur in the air. He heard gasps of astonishment and caught himself before it could turn into showing off. Turning back to Chris he nodded to indicate he was ready and they started.

 

With Shawn's training none in this small village would have had a chance against him on solid ground but they spent as much time playing these log games as he did practicing his weapons. As such, Chris had the footwork done to a science, forcing Shawn to connectrate on the log. This forced him to spend his time defending himself instead of attacking but he was a patient man and he learned quick. He never fell for the same trick twice and Chris soon found himself defending against the same tactics he'd inadvertently taught their guest. Then, with a smile on his face Shawn stepped back and swung low. When he saw that Chris had committed his weight to blocking the blow he pulled his staff back, rushed forward and pushed his opponent off the log.

 

The crowd ate it up and Shawn basked in the glory of a competition won. "Well done lad," Daryn called from the shore. "And you Chris, that ought to teach you to underestimate anyone. Now, everyone back to the inn for more feasting."

 

Shawn spent the night eating and dancing with his newfound friends. It wasn't until the morning that he realized he hadn't thought of Dene all day. Maybe getting away had served a purpose after all? He'd have to wait and see as he planned to travel more before he returned to the Yards.

[Asfaloth]

Spending a week in the small village of Gartnam had provided Shawn with plenty of rest and relaxation, not to mention the distraction he needed to remove Dene from his mind. He also made plenty of new friends, though there was no telling if he'd ever see them again. So it was with a somewhat heavy heart that he made his farewells. They invited him to stay longer but he evaded the temptation, he'd seen the way some of the young women and their mothers had been looking at him. It was marriage they had on their minds but he wasn't ready for anothe relationship yet. Besides which, he'd taken an oath to serve the Tower.

 

No, it was time he was on his way. He had a hearty breakfast, then packed all the extra food Daryn's wife Barbara had given him, and mounted Blaize. He decided to continuing following the river upstream until he reached Eligard, a small city Daryn told him of located where the Eliga River left Lake Elibeth in the mountains. His sons had argued over just how long the journey would take him, but between them he'd come to the conclusion that it would be at least two more weeks of travel before he arrived. Plenty more time to think and train outside of the confines of the Yards, and the ghosts of the memories he had with Dene.

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The food Barabara'd given him lasted Shawn a full three days but then he'd been reduced to hunting and fishing again. Luckily, this part of the country housed much more game than the River Erinin had fed. Shawn returned from his hunt with a young buck and salted and packed the extra meat before roasting his dinner over the fire.

 

Before he went to sleep Shawn pushed himself into working through all of the basic and intermediate level sword forms for over two hours. He had told Lyv he would train while he was gone and he had kept his word, training for several hours each day. With weighted lathes and weights wrapped around his wrists, ankles, and waist his sword work was slower than he'd liked it to be the last few days. But he'd finally gotten back to the speed he'd established before leaving the Tower.

 

Grinning to himself he knew it was time to test and see if his theory had proven true. Removing all the weights and switching to his two swords instead of the lathes he formed the Spring and started again. He'd done it, he was moving at a much much faster speed now. He had chosen to follow the Speed discipline in his training but he'd done very little till now to pursue that. Now he knew he'd be able to move faster than any average opponent, allowing him to get more attacks in and block theirs with ease. There was room for improvement of course but he had made concrete progress over the weeks since leaving the Yards and he would continue. He had a goal to enter the circle of Blademasters by the time he returned and he would push himself as hard as possible to see that goal accomplished.

[Asfaloth]

Five weeks out of Tar Valon, and two weeks upriver from Gartnam, Shawn found himself approaching the gate to the city of Eligard on Lake Elibeth. At least twice the size, in both area and population, of the village of Gartnam, Eligard was a small walled city ending at the docks. They had a large trade industry, as the lake was fed by no less than three rivers and the start of another two, so there was a large line to get in the gate in the morning. Shawn waited in line and eventually rode in through the gate, following the directions the guards had given him to an inn near the docks.

 

The Queen's Hand was a mid-size inn boasting several rooms in the back with balconies overlooking the lake. It was impressively built and Shawn counted up the coins in his pouch to try to calculate whether he could afford to stay there even the one night he intended to. He dismounted and waited there until a young boy came and offered to stable Blaize for him. He handed over the reins and a copper for the boy then entered the inn.

 

"Welcome to the Queen's Hand, young man. Planning to stay long? Need a room or just breakfast?"

 

The innkeeper was a small round woman who spoke way too fast. Shawn answered through his laughter, "I'll take breakfast for now. I'll decide later how long I'm staying."

 

"Well, you just follow me then dearie." She led him to a table, talking all the while about the gossip of the town. Shawn knew none of the people she spoke of and it soon became obvious that she was speaking more to take up space than to actually communicate.

 

Shawn sat at a table in the corner and looked out the window to the lake. He saw several dozen men and women in small enclosed one-person canoe-like boats with double-bladed oars. When a serving girl came with his food he thanked her and then nodded to the window, "What are those boats called? I've never seen anything like them."

 

"Ah yes, not many outside our city have. Those are called kayaks, sir. Very versatile crafts they are."

 

"Thank you. Do you know who I might talk to about learning to use one, or who might be interested in renting one to me?"

 

"Aye sir, there are many here willing to do both. Those kayaks are the pride of our city and we're trying to get them to spread to other lands. Make your way down to the dock and talk to anyone with a kayak of their own and they'll be happy to teach you."

 

"Thank you." Shawn enjoyed the breakfast they'd brought him and studied the craft in the water. The kayaks as she'd called them appeared to come in many different sizes and shapes. Some were long and some short, though most were about eight feet or so in length. They all had a hole for the passenger to sit in but were otherwise enclosed, wide enough in the middle for the one sitting in it with most then tapering out to a point at either end. The small size and light weight craft with their double bladed oars offered speed and manueverability, both on the lake and the rivers as Shawn saw several ride in on the small craft.

 

Shawn saw a few step out on shore and unpack camping equipment and other personal belongings from the inside of their crafts. While the kayaks were built only for one person each many seemed to be traveling in groups. Shawn had to try one out for himself. Finsihing his meal he told the innkeeper that he'd be staying at least one night and to have his things from his horse brought upstairs. Outside he stopped the first man he found and asked for instruction in the use of the kayaks. The man explained the basice of steering and balance and then let Shawn get in and try it out.

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After a full day on the lake Shawn ahd mastered the craft and asked around to buy one fo his own. He soon found a man that claimed he could not only build a kayak for him but make it collapsible for an extra charge. Shawn agreed and went back to his room to sleep. The next morning Shawn found the man and got his new boat. The builder showed Shawn how to put the various peices together, and how to take it apart again later for storage, then gave him a second set of saddlebags to carry it in.

 

Shawn paid the man and led Blaize to the lake. His horse was well trained and Shawn was confident Blaize would follow him all the way downriver. Bundling most of his belongings, including his bow and swords, onto the horse Shawn put his new craft together and launched it into the lake. He paddled around, keeping close to the shore, to make sure Blaize would indeed follow, then headed to the second river going out from the lake, letting the current guide him.

 

The man that had taught him how to use the kayak had said there was another small town two days ride down the river. But he'd also said that the ride down the rapids, while frought with risk and danger, would be much more interesting. Shawn had decided it would be worth it and so he'd set his path.

[Asfaloth]

The trip down the river was exhilarating! The whole trip had been non-stop action with very few breaks between sets of rapids, and those short to boot. The downside now was that he had made it to Lake Tesorin and he'd lost sight of Blaize hours ago. It was well past dusk already and at the rate he'd been paddling downriver Blaize would be hard-pressed to meet up with him by dawn. In the meantime Shawn had nothing but his kayak, and his throwing knives.

 

Without the flint and tinder or food that he'd left in his saddlebags he would go hungry tonight. Luckily it was a warm night so he wouldn't have to worry about freezing to death without a fire. So he used some rocks to support the kayak above the ground and keep it level. He removed the seat cushion, climbed in and used it as a cover to keep bugs out. The trip through the rapids had taken more out of his muscles than he'd ever expected so he had no trouble falling asleep.

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In the morning he was woken up when the kayak was pushed off its supports and he rolled on the ground. When it stopped rolling, it was upside down and he was trapped. Now he was starting to regret using the seat as a cover since it blocked his exit from his bed-turned-coffin. He spared a moment to laugh at himself and the predicament he was in and then started rotating his shoulders. Eventually he was able to rotate the kayak onto its side. Then he pushed the seat out of the way and peeled himself out of it.

 

All set to defend himself against whatever foe had found him he looked in shock at Blaize. Shawn patted his loyal horse on the nose and reached in the saddlebag to get a couple sugar cubes as a reward. Then he unsaddled Blaize and used the ropes from his pack to set up a small paddock between the trees. He set up his hammock and hung his kayak from some pegs above it to act as a rainguard. There was a town half an hour's ride around the shore of the lake but he didn't have the money with him to stay in another inn. Instead he spent the morning gathering rocks to build a firepit.

 

He'd made a decision right before falling asleep last night and he was going to stick to it for now and see what happened. He was tired of traveling, but he wasn't quite ready to return to the Tower, so he'd contented himself with living in this make-shift camp for a few months.

 

OOC: This is continued here: http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10774