OPEN | Blood And Ice

[northcliffpass]

Civil Blood

I. News from the West

The story of why gets twisted and distorted between its departure from the Crags and its arrival in Northcliff Pass, but the town criers maintain consistency on a few points: Althea of House Jessamy, Duchess of Black Rock, has at last thrown down the gauntlet against the Duke of Cliffside, and has called on her vassals to rally their bannermen. It seems there will be war within the borders of Maireglenne for the first time in a hundred years.

Given the state of the roads leading through the pass, it is understandable that the news is a few weeks’ stale by the time armed soldiers sporting Duke Galein’s colours march (or gallop, if they are astride a horse) past the village walls and garrison themselves on the festival grounds. Anyone objecting to this new arrangement is encouraged by the soldiers to bring their objections to the garrison commander (who, rumor has it, personally oversees the flogging of objectors himself).

Like it or not, the regiment is here to stay, at least until they receive orders instructing them otherwise. On the bright side, the soldiers did the hard work of clearing the pass for the season; travel between Northcliff Pass and the city of Cliffside just got a heck of a lot easier this winter.

II. Cold Snap

And it’s highly likely that those orders will be as delayed as the news, for the regiment has hardly been within the city walls a week before the temperatures plunge to dangerous lows. This is not the seasonal frigidity accompanied by blustery blizzards that encourage snowball fights and a bit of ice fishing down by Sands Creek, but a cold so biting and bitter that any prolonged period spent outside in it runs the very real risk of hypothermia and death. This is the kind of cold that leaves the air clean and clear, with nothing to impede the watery white light of the sun for the few hours it spends above the horizon each day before setting again; it cuts the lungs when inhaled and bites straight through to the bone. Many of the village’s poor are brought within the sturdy walls of the Town Hall and the chapel, because the alternative is finding them frozen solid in the streets.

The silver lining to this development is bare indeed; avoiding the cold means that, for a time at least, the village residents and soldiers are too preoccupied hunkering down to endure the cold to be at cross purposes.

III. A Howl in the Night

On the third night of the deep freeze, an animal’s piercing howl shatters the oppressive silence that has settled over the village.

It’s not a wolf’s howl; it is far too shrill and keening, and comes from a great distance away, that much is clear. The few villagers brave enough to risk exposure to the cold will find nothing of immediate danger within the city walls--but should they lift their eyes and look to the gossamer clouds near the summit of Gods’ Reach, they will glimpse the dark silhouette of a massive winged beast circling the mountaintop in search of a safe place to roost.

Comments

OTA

[ellrigaeta]

I. War has come marching unceremoniously into Northcliff Pass. Civil war, no less. Lorne has never much cared for politics save when it came to affecting his life, or the lives of those he cared for. Now, though, with Duke Galein's men occupying the festival grounds for the foreseeable future, politics has just come and stomped all over his home.

From what little Lorne has been able to glean from his father, he's got a strong dislike of military on principle. These soldiers have an undeniable authority in the form of sheer force, so Lorne doesn't go out of his way to antagonize them. He does, however, keep an eye on them. Whenever the weather allows, whenever he can take a patrol route that way, he passes the garrison. It's hard not to, really, in a town this small. He even makes a few careful overtures at amicable conversation with some of the lower-ranked soldiers, just in case it gets him useful information or tidbits.

He's ready to jump between the soldiers and any of the townspeople if it becomes necessary, regardless of who starts such an incident. Preventing a clash from getting wildly out of hand might be the best to hope for, in that case.

II. The bitter cold that follows the arrival of the soldiers heralds a different kind of danger. Spending any length of time outside is inadvisable, but a certain amount of activities require short trips from one bastion of warmth to another. Even those short stretches can be hard for some people; and the necessity of gathering in the Town Hall and the chapel raises the usual concerns about close quarters.

Seeing as the Town Hall is effectively next door to the magistrate's house, Lorne runs errands for supplies for the people staying there, when he can. Same for the chapel, since that's only across the main road. There's not a lot that's needed, but he wants to check on them and ensure no one is freezing or hungry. He's got a fairly strong constitution and a stubborn streak to match Pippa's, so Lorne also continues patrols as he's able. If Lance is going to be out there, so is he; a hard freeze doesn't mean their job suddenly goes away. They're shortened patrols, and he's bundled so thoroughly that he'd be slow in the event of a fight, but thankfully everyone seems too cold to get into much trouble. Or comment on how ridiculous he looks.

III. Lorne is typically a light sleeper, ready to spring out of bed at a moment's notice. Whether this is the result of helping to care for his younger siblings for so many years, or the Watch training he's received more recently, or both, doesn't really matter. The shrill cry pulls him from sleep, shoving off the thick blankets before he's fully processed what he's hearing. The cold outside the bed has him shivering and clears his head, and now he stops long enough to wonder what in all the gods' names that noise is.

It sends a different sort of shiver down his spine. Lorne ignores it in favor of tugging on pants and boots and enough layers to keep out the utterly frigid night temperatures for a little while. After he checks on his family (read: makes sure Pippa isn't sneaking out), he trudges out to ensure that the village is safe from-- whatever is making that sound. Hopefully Lance or Deron have the same idea.

IV. Wildcard!

III

[infinitewatch]

Already outside and clearly mid-patrol, Lance is standing still in the center of the road, holding his lantern and listening.

He's been thankful for the added relief Lorne's return has provided to both himself and Deron, and there's a warmth in his eyes (the only visible section of his face) when the lad approaches.
"Came from up the mountain," he says in his low, quiet voice, "sound carried on the wind, but it's not here." A pause. "...not yet."

[ellrigaeta]

Ah, good. Lance isn't even hard to find, and Lorne is glad to see warmth in his eyes, rather than something steelier in anticipation of an attack. That's more encouraging than what he says next.

Lorne stares up at God's Reach and catches a silhouette of wings. What manner of beast is that? Nope, he's going to focus on the practicalities, thank you very much. "...It might just be looking for somewhere to land. Town's not ideal for that."

[infinitewatch]

"Probably hungry," Lance sighs, and the wince is audible in his voice if not visible under all his layers. "Just a beast, I imagine. But there'll be goats and things."
He's trying to keep a positive outlook, at least secretly, because the last thing anyone needs is a mass panic during a deadly cold snap. "...soldier or two wouldn't go amiss," he adds idly.

That may have been a joke, but Lorne will never prove it in a court of law.

[ethelmar]

"...soldier or two wouldn't go amiss."

"Not one of these lot, at any rate." (yeah he heard u, captain.)

Emery emerges from the house not too far behind his son, leaning on a walking stick as he approaches Lorne and Lance where they stand in the street. He follows their line of sight towards the summit of the mountain and grimaces; something else to add to this village's list of troubles.

[ellrigaeta]

Lorne stifles a snort at the quip, turning towards his father's voice. He might be smirking a little, despite the eerie circumstances. No one is happy about the soldiers.

A thought does occur to him, albeit reluctantly. "If it does come down here for more than livestock, or endangers some of the buildings, they could be our best bet for defense. If only out of self-interest." Also better shields, technically and metaphorically.

[infinitewatch]

Lance's shoulders stiffen when the Magistrate chimes in, but when it's clear enough there's no ill will between them, he just looks away sheepishly. This is why he never tells jokes.

"You've got a point," he murmurs to Lorne, "might as well have them earn their keep."

I

[strumpeting]

During Elena's dalliances with the soldiers she's of course noticed the watch keeping an eye on the unwelcome visitors, but it's always been the usual faces she's recognized. So it's a bit of a surprise when, leaving a tent with lute in hand and a few coins heavier, she spots a particularly tasty looking snack. Shit, snack? No, this man could be a whole fecking meal. And he's not a soldier, he's not wearing a uniform, so he must be of the watch. How absolutely fascinating ... no one told her there was a new guard. And she's always so keen on getting to know the local law enforcement!

Elena briskly makes her way to Lorne before plopping herself in his path and flashing her most charming smile. Or most devious? Honestly they really look the same.

"Hello, there! You know, I don't think we've met. Elena Bevans, musician extraordinaire, at your service."

[ellrigaeta]

Lorne has, by now, seen Elena among the soldiers with some frequency, but his concern has been them more than her. That smile makes him wonder if he should keep closer watch in the future, for one reason or another.

He offers a slight bow, keeps his expression neutral save mild curiosity. "Lorne Ward, watchman. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Bevans. I've seen you playing at the tavern, I believe. You're quite talented. Have you been in Northcliff Pass long?" He's going to ignore the mention of services for now.

[strumpeting]

He thinks she's talented. Well, yeah, of course she is, but hearing it on the lips of an attractive man is always a good feeling. Her smile grows wider, and while it's meant to be pleasing it likely would cause something more like concern to a smart individual.

"Lorne, that's a strong name. I'm sorry I haven't seemed to notice you in the tavern, though, sometimes I just get so lost in the music."

That or stoned and drunk out of her mind. She purses her lips as she thinks over her time here.

"A few weeks I think, maybe longer. But time flies when you're having so much fun! This is the longest I've stayed in one town for a while."

Or hasn't been kicked out. The snow probably has a lot to do with that.

"Wait, Ward, Ward ... are you related to the Magistrate?"

[ellrigaeta]

Lorne tends to stick to the periphery for a reason when he's at the tavern. Elena had always been thoroughly engaged in one thing or another the few times he's spotted her there, so he's not surprised. To the last he gives a slow nod. Her smile is-- possibly worrisome. He makes a note to be conscientious about what he says around her, just until he has a better grasp of her personality.

"Yes, he's my father. I grew up here, but I've been away for some years working in a nearby town," Lorne explains. "I moved back just before the pass closed with the snow." He pauses, glances towards the tent she emerged from. She looked cheerful enough, but he can't help asking: "Have they treated you poorly at all?"

[strumpeting]

"Aaah, well you came back at a good time didn't you?"

What does that mean? What time? Shit, who knows.

"Poorly?" Her malicious grin vanishes as a look of surprise crosses her face. "No! Absolutely not! Everyone here is fantastic! I mean, some could use a little loosening up, like a certain watch captain whose name may rhyme with 'prance' (actually that's a good suggestion for him to do, I need to write that down) but ... no, everyone here is wonderful."

[ellrigaeta]

What time indeed. After the ghosts, before the heavy snow and bitter cold and now there's soldiers to contend with. Anyway. Lorne's rather distracted by the comment about Lance to wonder about timing and only barely suppresses a startled laugh.

His eyebrows do rise towards his hairline, clearly amused. "I wish you luck with that." Lance is perpetually reserved and committed to his duties. "I meant the soldiers, specifically, but if they're included I'm relieved to hear it. Things have been a bit tense."

[strumpeting]

"Oh, I'll crack that nut, no worries." Elena laughs about Lance. She still doesn't realize, girl, you really, really don't want to.

"Oh, the soldiers are just people like any other, I think too many people forget that," she says in a rare moment of wisdom. "They just want the same things we do! Food, entertainment, a place to piss, and I'm only to happy to provide for them! And honestly so many of them barely want to be here, it's not like they're the ones pissed at the duke. They're just following shite orders."