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Post by Draxas on Feb 9, 2006 1:54:44 GMT -5
"Oh, I bet," responded the farmer snidely, "Sure is easy to steal from an empty barn, eh? Just going to make sure everyone is OK, and then swipe everything that isn't nailed down if they're not? I saw you the last time you were here, thief. Don't try to weasel out of your just desserts. Face down, on the ground. Now."
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Post by Ranger on Feb 9, 2006 2:00:09 GMT -5
Ranger buried his face in the dirt quite irked now. He knew nothing he could say would change this man's mind but he was sure someone else would suffer for him having to be put through this.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 9, 2006 12:43:59 GMT -5
Ranger felt his bow and quiver being removed roughly from his back, and being tossed aside into the dirt. His hands were wrenched into position, and then bound beind his back by rope.
"Done talking?" growled the farmer, "Fine. You know, I could use this crossbow to bust your head open like a ripe tomato, but I'd rather do this the right way. So get up; we're going to pay a visit to the Watch."
Ranger has lost a Short Bow.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 9, 2006 14:39:34 GMT -5
Ranger bregrudgingly got to his feet and began to walk along the way the old codger had him.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 9, 2006 17:19:38 GMT -5
The farmer pointed Ranger in the direction of Kestral, and simply said, "March."
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Post by Ranger on Feb 9, 2006 20:25:29 GMT -5
He walked along at the farmer's command. He turned only once during the trip to say one thing.
"I won't fight back even if you turn me to the guard because I know I'm innocent,"
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Post by Draxas on Feb 9, 2006 20:55:53 GMT -5
Ranger was marched off in the direction of Kestral. In response to his comment, the farmer merely snorted derisively and jabbed him in the back with the point of his crossbow bolt.
The pair passed into another field, this time of grazing grasses. A herd of sheep milled about, chewing on mouthfuls of the grass. Nearby, a shepherd with a large dog kept watch over the animals. The farmer prodded Ranger in the direction of the shepherd, who walked over to meet them when he spotted the two.
Once he was close enough to be heard, the farmer called to the shepherd, "Ricky, pull in the herd for now. I need you to keep an eye on the barn, because I've caught our thief."
"Really?" responded the shepherd. He was a fairly young man, probably in his late twenties, and bore a striking resemblance to the farmer in terms of his features. The young man looked over Ranger with a critical eye.
"Are you sure this is the right guy?" he said skeptically a moment later, "I'm not so sure, he doesn't quite match..."
"I know what I saw!" shouted the farmer angrily. The two began to glare at each other a bit, and then both started to talk in raised tones at the same time, rendering them both unintelligible. However, a few choice words came through; the shepherd said something about "eyesight going," the farmer shouted something else about "not caring what he says," but most of it was lost to Ranger's ears in a din of shouting.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 9, 2006 22:52:37 GMT -5
Ranger patiently stood and waited trying to stay away from the business end of the bolt.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 9, 2006 23:27:29 GMT -5
Ranger waited while the two men continued to argue. Finally the farmer put the whole matter to rest.
"Look, I'm hauling him off to the Watch, and that's final! So stop arguing with me and go keep an eye on the barn!"
The younger man paused, and then turned to gather up his herd of sheep. As he left, he retorted, "Whatever you say, dad. But I still think you've got the wrong guy."
"I didn't ask for what you think!" shouted the farmer at his son's retreating back. He turned a nasty glare to Ranger.
"And what do you think you're looking at? MARCH!" he shouted, and waved the crossbow in his face once again.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 10, 2006 1:27:47 GMT -5
Ranger gave a glance at the son of the old man and then began walking toward Kestral again
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Post by Draxas on Feb 10, 2006 2:02:51 GMT -5
The pair hiked westward through the fields for a shirt time, before reaching a T-intersection of a road that led straight eastward to the town, as well as north and south. As they moved toward Kestral, it became fairly obvious that this was a well travelled road; several groups of people passed them, all giving inquisitive or troubled glances at the situation before an angry glare from the farmer scared them into looking away. None offered any immediate assistance, but several looked as if they were going to confront the farmer before his eyes warned them away.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 10, 2006 3:50:14 GMT -5
He understood what was going on and he hated it they were drawing closer to the city and he only hoped the guard was forgiving and understanding.
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Post by Draxas on Feb 10, 2006 12:26:01 GMT -5
With just a bit more travel at bolt point, the pair had reached the gates of Kestral. In actuality, they were much more than a pair now; a small crowd of gawkers was following a short distance behind them. These people knew that there was bound to be an interesting scene, and didn't want to miss a moment...
As they approached the gates, they were stopped by one of the guards, a young private who somewhat resembled Schmidt.
"Ah, sir, what are you do-" he began, before the farmer gruffly cut him off.
"Where is Stone?" demanded the farmer.
"Sir, Sergeant Stone is patrolling in the town square, but-"
"Patrolling? HA!" snorted the farmer, "More like sitting on his lazy butt!" he turned back to Ranger, and jabbed him with the crossbow point again, "March!"
"But sir, you can't just hold a man hostage like th-" interrupted the private. The farmer, who had already started moving towards the gate, stopped cold, and turned the steeliest, most dangerous-looking long stare Ranger had ever seen on the private. The young man literally withered before his gaze.
"What's your name, private?" hissed the farmer after a long moment.
"Private Johnson, sir!" the private just barely managed to squeak out at little more than a whisper. The farmer glared at the youth even harder, which Ranger was not sure was even possible before that moment, and he shrank back even more.
"I said, WHAT'S YOUR NAME, PRIVATE!"
Something popped in the private's head, and he stood bolt upright at attention, staring straight ahead into the air just above and to the left of the farmer's shoulder.
"My name is Private Gerald Johnson, sir!"
"Well, then, Private Gerald Johnson, you will stand aside this instant, or I will make sure you have double latrine duty FOR THE REST OF YOUR VERY SHORT CAREER!"
"SIR, YES SIR!" shouted the private, as he moved off to the side and saluted.
"Smart boy," responded the farmer with a fleeting smirk. He prodded Ranger with the bolt tip once more, and said "Move."
The private shot Ranger one last glance, both pitying and apologetic, as they passed through the gates into Kestral, their entourage in tow a short distance behind them, mumbling amonst themselves about recent events...
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Post by Ranger on Feb 10, 2006 16:37:16 GMT -5
Ranger wondered who this old man was to be able to command the guards like that. He certainly was glad he hadn't decided to fight with the old man now. He kept marching on toward the square where he had been to see Stone before. He wondered if his son was doing what was asked or if he actually was doing something to help as best he could. All he knew is he really didn't like the sharp end of this bolt in his back.
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Post by Ranger on Feb 14, 2006 1:42:50 GMT -5
now familiar with the Kestral edge of the wilderness Ranger started out toward the city of Lesko. Looking for trouble he stays a distance from the main road.
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