Post by LordStripetail on Apr 8, 2019 15:12:02 GMT -5
Red creek was a small settlement near the southern border of the hold. mail deliveries, supply stops, the place was basically a place to get a bed and a meal while on your way somewhere else. For Olana, it was a place to refill her supplies, such as fire- starting wood, and lantern oil. she took a seat at a table across from where a pair of owls were chatting freely about their delivery routes ' Nearly got Blown smack into a tree, those southern mountain gusts are brutal!" pay ain't great either. 80 pennies to fly 300 leagues to deliver a ' how are you?' note? We need to charge more for those kind of letters. ' Olana took out a roll from her knapsack and began munching on it. she had made good time getting to Red creek, and there was still some sunlight left, ideally she would make it to Treeknife before midnight, sleep for a little bit then get to Gale's house early the next morning and make her pitch. '"Will need to convince Pursom to excuse Gale for the trip to see her folks. I could say that we will attend a tournament that Frederick is going to appear in in Swansword, its the furthest west the jousting league goes." Olana said to herself. "it will allow her to see some of the kingdom before her wedding. hopefully, Pursom will be amenable to that. Likely will throw in some lines about an alliance between Greenstone and Frederick, to increase both our profiles. knowing his tendencies , he'll eat it up. "Olana said getting up and heading over to the counter where she bought some bread, a second bedroll ( for Gale) , lantern oil, and torches. after a short break to have some tea. Olana continued her journey north.
it was still dark when Olana finally reached the cottage that Gale and her fatheres lived in. olana knocked on the door, waited a few seconds then tried again. after the 5th knock the door finally opened. Pursom stood in the doorway, a torch illuminating his tired face ' I do hope, sir or madam that you have a reason for waking us at this hour.. .. lady Olana!' he started as Olana came into the illumination of the torch ' Greetings Pursom. Do forgive the early hour, I have been traveling a long way to reach here. I left the capital several weeks ago when I got Gale's note. " Note? what note? she was just going to send you a note.." Her last one. In it she wished that I could accompany her to visit family In Starbuckle, as fate would have it my Fiancee Fredrick is having a jousting tournament near there in Swansword in a few weeks, so I will be able to accompany her. I sent a reply to her, saying ' yes' but I haven't gotten word back from her that she got it. Is she in? " I - I see. She's upstairs, in bed. " Pursom said at Olana. " come on in, then, and sit by the fire. Do forgive the clutter, we're making preparations for Gale's wedding, she insisted that I invite you and Gomma. She will be very pleased that you have come all this way. Do you have formal, proper attire?" he asked as Olana came in and sat down on a stool by the fire. Olana smiled and opened up her knapsack "Indeed. Just bought a new dress in King's Watch , its a light green one. I hope it is formal enough." Olana said as she produced the dress which was befitting of a noble lady. " Very nice.' Would you excuse me. I must fetch my daughter."
Pursom went up to the stairs ' Gale! get up! you have a visitor!" he called up, and a few minutes later a bleary eyes Gale appeared at the top of the stairs ' a guest? at this hour?" indeed. someone who haas come a long way to see you, one of your friends. . you'll only need to send 1 note now. "gooma's come to see me?" Gale said with a grin spreading across her face , rushing down the stairs and into the room. only to stop when shje saw Olana. " Olana! Gale gasped then ran up to her and embraced her tightly " now now gale don;t strangle her. ' Pursom chuckled. Olana and gale kissed on the lips in greeting. ' Now Olana, back to our previous discussion,. Do you have a gift for my daughter. ?" Olana pulled out a large emerald. 'from the mines of Fodor in the South. cost nearly 5000 pennies, but your best friend only gets married once, am I right? she chuckled as she gave the gem to Fursom.' 5000 pennies?' Gale gaped and Pursom gazed at the beautiful gem, turning it over in his paws. ' this is a wonderful gift Olana."Pursom said. He then turned to gale ' gale you are in in luck. Olana has offered to take you to visit your aunt and uncle in Starbuckle' You're kidding" Gale said , turning to Olana, who nodded "so, can we go dad? ' Gale said. " i haven't seen aunt Goffa in many seasons. '
' this will be our final trip as unmarried squirrel ladies.' Olana said, ' I will also broach the subject of an alliance between our families to Frederick at the earliest opportunity . with new king unlikely to be crowned for several weeks or even months, it is best that we position ourselves as best we can, that our families are in the best placed position in court. " well, for a maid you are rather well informed ' Pursom said
" well, one does want to know about she is getting in a marriage, in terms of title and holdings, as well to political considerations. . Now , I believe you yourself will gain a title from the Greenstone union. Lord..Leanwood, is that correct?" Yes actually. " well to sweet the pot. I would be willing to grant you a slice of my southern holdings some of the Southgrass area." " that is prime mining country!. lots of gold is mined there" Pursom said. "on one condition however. " Olana continued.' What condition would that be? Pursom asked " that Gale - Lady Soutmarsh- be allowed to visit me and accept visits from me at any time, of any duration we see fit. this also applies to Badger lady Gomma as well." so, an open invitation to visit, at any time.."
Pursom paused and considered the offer. ' Deal. i want 500 acres of the Southgrass area. in exchange you and Gale can spend all the time you like together, provided of course your lords agree. Gomma can visit as well, if she wishes. ' done. Frederick knows of my affection for Gale and Gomma, he knows how close we are. and I doubt Lord greenstone will object either, He can afford to play the role of generous host. ' Olana said. " I confess I have misjudged you Olana, I thought you would still be the irresponsible maiden you were the last time i saw you. But instead you have come bearing gifts to both my daughter and me. Your offer will increase my future holdings by more than 10 fold. Very generous of you, young lady. Gale , go get your things together, and.. give my regards to your aunt and uncle.i have been meaning to write them, I just haven't found the time. ' Pursom. said Gale shouted gleefully and hugged her father before running up the stairs, leaving Pursom and Olana alone.
" how long do you think it will take for you to visit the Starbuckle side and return? A month, perhaps? "Purism asked well, it depends on a number of things, conditions of the road, how well Fredrick does in his jousting and so on. it could be a month, then again it could be 6 months. the weather over there can turn and turn very quickly, and never to the good. " Well I do hope it wont be 6 months. i'm hoping to have the ceremony in the spring, and if it takes you 6 months to return, you'll be pressing against my preferred date for the wedding, not to mention your own. ' mine will be a bit latter, in the summer ' Olana said. " so I will have time to get back to the capital for the wedding. you and Gale are invited to come to the wedding, of course, Frederick doesn't care how many folks I invite, so long as they are dressed properly and will listen to him talk about himself. He tends to do that..' Pursom nodded, the emerald and the offer of a large holding that was certain to produce large quantities of gold had made him nearly giddy. Gale soon came down the stairs with a knapsack on her back and a walking stick in her left paw. " i'm ready dad " Then off with you two. stay on the roads and send me a note once you have reached Starbuckle.
_
gale walked down the road away from the house, her arm wrapped around Olanas side and her free paw clutching a knapsack filled with goods and supplies. she was positively giggy with excite,ent at this surprise turn of events. . ' I cant believe dad agreed to let me come with you! He's never let me leave, never! it will be so good to see Aunt Goffa and Uncle Logan again.. ' Gale.. we're not going to Starbuckle, at least not right away" Olana said ' Wait, what do you mean we're not going right away ? You told my father... " Its a cover story, all of it. Gale, I came to get you away from you father and away from Greenstone." Hold on Olana, you actually think you can get me out of my marriage to Greenstone? Don't tell me you've come all this way to have a laugh.
Plus, my dad would kill you if he found out we weren't actually going to Starbuckle. he's impressed on me , oh about 1000 times, how important this wedding is to our family. He'd kill you Olana, and not in a figurative sense, he literally would have your head chopped off. Not to mention Frederick wouldn't like it if you didn't show up for his joust... ' I'm not marrying Frederick.' Olana said and gale stopped in her tracks. ' Wait so all that talk of an alliance, and us visiting each other...?' was a ruse, to get him to let you come with me.. Gale, I came here to rescue you, and get you out of your marriage, as well as get me out of mine. " Gale's mouth fell open. ' you came all this way?" for you and only for you. ' hold on. if you're not marrying Frederick, well then .. ' Neither of us are getting married. We're striking out solo, the wilds of Loais are vast, and there's plenty of room for two noble squirrel ladies to disappear, along with a certain badger lady. " You're going to bring Gomma into this?' Gale said ' Do you really think she wouldn't help us? You know Gomma as well as I do, she'd gladly help.' Olana imitated a badgers voice ' What took ye bush tails so long to do this?" Gale laughed. " thats Gomma alright. " we have a few months to disappear, I gave your dad a window of time. he wont miss us until 6 months have passed. "Gale shook her head ' lets hope my dad doesn't find out about this for a long time. as in, ever.Lead on then Olana. i hope you know what you are doing' ' the black furred lady looked back at the small hut she had spent 10 seasons in., which was now barely visible, before turning away and looking at the road ahead. inwardly, she was excited about being free from her fathers control, and still more excited to be reunited with her best friend.
it was still dark when Olana finally reached the cottage that Gale and her fatheres lived in. olana knocked on the door, waited a few seconds then tried again. after the 5th knock the door finally opened. Pursom stood in the doorway, a torch illuminating his tired face ' I do hope, sir or madam that you have a reason for waking us at this hour.. .. lady Olana!' he started as Olana came into the illumination of the torch ' Greetings Pursom. Do forgive the early hour, I have been traveling a long way to reach here. I left the capital several weeks ago when I got Gale's note. " Note? what note? she was just going to send you a note.." Her last one. In it she wished that I could accompany her to visit family In Starbuckle, as fate would have it my Fiancee Fredrick is having a jousting tournament near there in Swansword in a few weeks, so I will be able to accompany her. I sent a reply to her, saying ' yes' but I haven't gotten word back from her that she got it. Is she in? " I - I see. She's upstairs, in bed. " Pursom said at Olana. " come on in, then, and sit by the fire. Do forgive the clutter, we're making preparations for Gale's wedding, she insisted that I invite you and Gomma. She will be very pleased that you have come all this way. Do you have formal, proper attire?" he asked as Olana came in and sat down on a stool by the fire. Olana smiled and opened up her knapsack "Indeed. Just bought a new dress in King's Watch , its a light green one. I hope it is formal enough." Olana said as she produced the dress which was befitting of a noble lady. " Very nice.' Would you excuse me. I must fetch my daughter."
Pursom went up to the stairs ' Gale! get up! you have a visitor!" he called up, and a few minutes later a bleary eyes Gale appeared at the top of the stairs ' a guest? at this hour?" indeed. someone who haas come a long way to see you, one of your friends. . you'll only need to send 1 note now. "gooma's come to see me?" Gale said with a grin spreading across her face , rushing down the stairs and into the room. only to stop when shje saw Olana. " Olana! Gale gasped then ran up to her and embraced her tightly " now now gale don;t strangle her. ' Pursom chuckled. Olana and gale kissed on the lips in greeting. ' Now Olana, back to our previous discussion,. Do you have a gift for my daughter. ?" Olana pulled out a large emerald. 'from the mines of Fodor in the South. cost nearly 5000 pennies, but your best friend only gets married once, am I right? she chuckled as she gave the gem to Fursom.' 5000 pennies?' Gale gaped and Pursom gazed at the beautiful gem, turning it over in his paws. ' this is a wonderful gift Olana."Pursom said. He then turned to gale ' gale you are in in luck. Olana has offered to take you to visit your aunt and uncle in Starbuckle' You're kidding" Gale said , turning to Olana, who nodded "so, can we go dad? ' Gale said. " i haven't seen aunt Goffa in many seasons. '
' this will be our final trip as unmarried squirrel ladies.' Olana said, ' I will also broach the subject of an alliance between our families to Frederick at the earliest opportunity . with new king unlikely to be crowned for several weeks or even months, it is best that we position ourselves as best we can, that our families are in the best placed position in court. " well, for a maid you are rather well informed ' Pursom said
" well, one does want to know about she is getting in a marriage, in terms of title and holdings, as well to political considerations. . Now , I believe you yourself will gain a title from the Greenstone union. Lord..Leanwood, is that correct?" Yes actually. " well to sweet the pot. I would be willing to grant you a slice of my southern holdings some of the Southgrass area." " that is prime mining country!. lots of gold is mined there" Pursom said. "on one condition however. " Olana continued.' What condition would that be? Pursom asked " that Gale - Lady Soutmarsh- be allowed to visit me and accept visits from me at any time, of any duration we see fit. this also applies to Badger lady Gomma as well." so, an open invitation to visit, at any time.."
Pursom paused and considered the offer. ' Deal. i want 500 acres of the Southgrass area. in exchange you and Gale can spend all the time you like together, provided of course your lords agree. Gomma can visit as well, if she wishes. ' done. Frederick knows of my affection for Gale and Gomma, he knows how close we are. and I doubt Lord greenstone will object either, He can afford to play the role of generous host. ' Olana said. " I confess I have misjudged you Olana, I thought you would still be the irresponsible maiden you were the last time i saw you. But instead you have come bearing gifts to both my daughter and me. Your offer will increase my future holdings by more than 10 fold. Very generous of you, young lady. Gale , go get your things together, and.. give my regards to your aunt and uncle.i have been meaning to write them, I just haven't found the time. ' Pursom. said Gale shouted gleefully and hugged her father before running up the stairs, leaving Pursom and Olana alone.
" how long do you think it will take for you to visit the Starbuckle side and return? A month, perhaps? "Purism asked well, it depends on a number of things, conditions of the road, how well Fredrick does in his jousting and so on. it could be a month, then again it could be 6 months. the weather over there can turn and turn very quickly, and never to the good. " Well I do hope it wont be 6 months. i'm hoping to have the ceremony in the spring, and if it takes you 6 months to return, you'll be pressing against my preferred date for the wedding, not to mention your own. ' mine will be a bit latter, in the summer ' Olana said. " so I will have time to get back to the capital for the wedding. you and Gale are invited to come to the wedding, of course, Frederick doesn't care how many folks I invite, so long as they are dressed properly and will listen to him talk about himself. He tends to do that..' Pursom nodded, the emerald and the offer of a large holding that was certain to produce large quantities of gold had made him nearly giddy. Gale soon came down the stairs with a knapsack on her back and a walking stick in her left paw. " i'm ready dad " Then off with you two. stay on the roads and send me a note once you have reached Starbuckle.
_
gale walked down the road away from the house, her arm wrapped around Olanas side and her free paw clutching a knapsack filled with goods and supplies. she was positively giggy with excite,ent at this surprise turn of events. . ' I cant believe dad agreed to let me come with you! He's never let me leave, never! it will be so good to see Aunt Goffa and Uncle Logan again.. ' Gale.. we're not going to Starbuckle, at least not right away" Olana said ' Wait, what do you mean we're not going right away ? You told my father... " Its a cover story, all of it. Gale, I came to get you away from you father and away from Greenstone." Hold on Olana, you actually think you can get me out of my marriage to Greenstone? Don't tell me you've come all this way to have a laugh.
Plus, my dad would kill you if he found out we weren't actually going to Starbuckle. he's impressed on me , oh about 1000 times, how important this wedding is to our family. He'd kill you Olana, and not in a figurative sense, he literally would have your head chopped off. Not to mention Frederick wouldn't like it if you didn't show up for his joust... ' I'm not marrying Frederick.' Olana said and gale stopped in her tracks. ' Wait so all that talk of an alliance, and us visiting each other...?' was a ruse, to get him to let you come with me.. Gale, I came here to rescue you, and get you out of your marriage, as well as get me out of mine. " Gale's mouth fell open. ' you came all this way?" for you and only for you. ' hold on. if you're not marrying Frederick, well then .. ' Neither of us are getting married. We're striking out solo, the wilds of Loais are vast, and there's plenty of room for two noble squirrel ladies to disappear, along with a certain badger lady. " You're going to bring Gomma into this?' Gale said ' Do you really think she wouldn't help us? You know Gomma as well as I do, she'd gladly help.' Olana imitated a badgers voice ' What took ye bush tails so long to do this?" Gale laughed. " thats Gomma alright. " we have a few months to disappear, I gave your dad a window of time. he wont miss us until 6 months have passed. "Gale shook her head ' lets hope my dad doesn't find out about this for a long time. as in, ever.Lead on then Olana. i hope you know what you are doing' ' the black furred lady looked back at the small hut she had spent 10 seasons in., which was now barely visible, before turning away and looking at the road ahead. inwardly, she was excited about being free from her fathers control, and still more excited to be reunited with her best friend.