Closed The Drove, Part 2 (Marrick)

[Katelyn Marks]

61st, Fall, 514 AV

When it was time to break camp just before the dawn, a few volunteers moved about the tents and bedrolls to wake everyone up. Katelyn's watch had been one of the first the night before, so she'd slept most of the night almost fitfully. She was tired and her muscles ached. Even for someone so used to riding like herself, it was hard work to stay in the saddle all day and drive livestock like that. When the entrance to her tent twitched back and a voice murmured to her that it was time to get ready and move out, she grumbled a tossed around for a minute before finally crawling out of her tent, groggy and squinting into the dreary morning dark.

Kat crawled to her feet and groaned, stretching herself as high as she could, feeling a few bones in her back pop and the rest of her body protest sourly. Many others were doing the same, and some were packing up their gear. Horses nickered quietly at their riders, standing huddled in the trees bound to their tie lines. Some were hobbled and grazed quietly by the side of the road, cropping wet morning grass.

Her father's horse was tethered nearby, and he peered at her across the dying fire she'd started last night. It smoked faintly, small wisps curling into the cold air. A few embers glowed in the coals, and she kicked some dirt and wet mulchy leaves over it to snuff the remains out for good. It didn't take her long to break down her camp, and then even less time to pack everything onto her father's gelding.

She brushed him down carefully with a stiff-bristled brush, pulling out loose dirt and sweat that had dried overnight and that she'd missed when previously unsaddling him. He sighed contently and cocked out a hip, relaxing as she worked down his neck, back, under the belly, and up around to his coup. His legs she didn't pay close attention to, but the redhead did give them a quick scrub down for the sake of being thorough. Next she checked each of his hooves, starting at the front. Katelyn ran her hand down his shoulder to his knee, then down to the fetlock. When he didn't give at first, she grabbed the hair growing behind his pastern and tugged. His hoof lifted and she turned, propping it between her thighs and scraping around the border of the sole and wall with her hoof pick until she could see his white line again.

She did this with each hoof, checking his frogs and flexing his heels in case he'd gone lame. Kat stretched his legs backward and forward, getting the blood flowing and his muscles warmed up. Everything seemed fine so she gave him a little pat on the hip before retrieving her tack. Once he was loaded up with their gear, Kat stepped into the left hand stirrup and swung up into the saddle, wiggling to adjust it on his back and make sure it wasn't loose.

Her rear and thighs protested, along with just about everything else, but she shoved it all down low and trotted her gelding out of the trees. They reined up just outside on the road where many of the riders were converging. She could hear some people still breaking camp, but it wouldn't be long and they'd be on their way.

The herds were stretched out along the road with drovers and knights spread out in sentries all around them. They'd stopped here for the night because it offered some decent grazing for the animals. On the opposite side of the road the trees broke and an area had been cleared away long ago, creating a flat little plain. More animals were inside. It was their turn to be rotated in to eat, but soon they'd be brought back out and everyone would continue on. The night had been quiet thankfully. They needed it after the trouble yesterday. Kat leaned on the pommel of her saddle, arms crossed and reins lax as she watched the livestock. Just a few more bells and they should be at the main city. It would be a relief to hand the animals over and go back home.

[Marrick Corvis]

Marrick’s night had not gone as he had hoped. Most of the squires that remained were skilled fighters, but they were hard to convince to follow another squires orders. It had come down to a quick collaboration. They all knew what needed to be done. A few even recommended that they send some on ahead to try and get help, but there was some concern that if the bandits returned that they would need all the blades they could muster. Once the dead were gathered Garland went ahead of the group to report to Stormhold what had happened. By the time a fresh group of knights had arrived to bolster their forces Marrick had spent the night awake and trying to command their forces, and it showed on his face. Unfortunately there was nowhere for him to lie down and rest. They had more ground to cover, and the term sleep when you’re dead got tossed around with a far too casual bravado. As he approached the camp, he noticed a foul odor coming from somewhere only to realize with an unpleasant whiff that it was him, and his wound. He stank, and his wound smelled of infection. “Oi stink.” He said, quietly almost as if the words he breathed were an admonishment to himself. His spirits were dwindling down to dust when the column of fresh soldiers arrived. A lady knight by the name of Sera Din led them. She was short, but she looked as if she could move quick as a fox, and the slight touch of silver that touched her hair dark hair spoke of experience. When she found Marrick he saluted with as much energy as he could muster, and reported to her the nights events. “Marrick Corvis reportin Mum. We set patrols for the night, no incidents teh report. No sign of returnin bandits, n’ no sign a’ the knights that went after them.” She saluted back with a wolfish grin, and nodded to him like she had seen what only his eyes could have seen. Though the memory for her seemed faded enough that she was not ready to leap from her saddle to help him. “You are relieved son, gather your forces and help the drovers we’ll keep you safe on your ride home.” Sera Din said with a sagely nod of her head. Marrick nodded back to her and exhaled long and hard. "Oi stand relieved." He said before he turned Kiter and rode out to gather the squires that remained. It wasn’t hard. Knights had already begun finding their positions and sending them in to join Marrick in a bedraggled victory trot around the camp. When he had the roughly twenty or so squires the Kelvic gathered them together in a small group and nodded with a head exhausted from lack of sleep. “Fer a night, every last one of yah carried yerselves loike a Knoight. Each of yeh, should be proud a’ this fact. One day, Oi hope each of yeh rest beneath the tree, n’ hear its wisdom. Fer now we have standin orders teh be at ease. Sera Din and her Knoight’s n’ squires will protect us the rest of the way in. Oi understand if yeh have this notion, loike yeh feel as if yer derelict in yer duty, but understand that we lost several drovers. Many of yah are injured, jest loike me. We earned this. We report teh the drove master n’ he’ll have us help the drovers, that is our mission now.” The Kelvic nodded to each of them, and took their arms each in turn until only he remained. When he found the drove master the rest of the squires had been distributed up and down the line and the old man looked at him and his injured arm. “You will join the Marks girls. I believe her cut of the herd is on the western side now.” The old mans bushy eyebrows waggled a little as he spoke and the Kelvic wondered what connotation he was trying to infur, but he nodded and walked Kiter out that way. He felt the long nights acutely as he found Katelyn watching over her section of the livestock. Her gelding looking fresh and rested beneath her. He seemed a sharp contrast to poor Kiter who’s coat was still marred with dry sweat and mud. The Great Tiaden had taken it all with her usual patience and grace. She even slept in short intervals as they stood watch. When he was within earshot Marrick tried to find his voice. “Oy, farm girl. Yeh look as if yesterday never happened.” His teasing jibe was meant to be a pleasant good morning, and he followed it with a tired smile, but he worried how she might take it. He brought Kiter up next to her and watched their cut as the livestock milled about together. They seemed calmer than yesterday. Perhaps the menagerie of animals knew something the rest of them didn’t.

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[Katelyn Marks]

As she sat there atop her gelding she watched as the day started to officially begin. Several calls rang out over the next few chimes and riders loped by to carry word of who was to be where and when. They'd told her the night before where they needed her for the rest of the day. Kat looked over at the side of the road where her charges tried to forage in the dried leaves and cold grass.

She was watching another rider rush by when a tired but familiar voice spoke up beside her. Kat turned to see Marrick and Kiter plod up, both looking like shyke. Her face paled at the sight of them. Dirty, bloody, sweaty, and bone-tired. Bless them both they were still pushing through. She tried not to let his greeting sting her--Kat had gotten a night of sleep, he hadn't. The Squire wasn't one to make quips, and so she didn't take it personally. She knew he wouldn't mean for his words to have bite.

Katelyn smiled at him and sat up straighter in the saddle. She didn't want to look too worried, but it was extremely hard not to rush to aid him somehow.

"I may look it, but I definitely feel it," Kat finally decided to reply as he and Kiter stopped beside her, but frowned as she thought of the arrow he had taken.

"How are you?" the redhead asked, voice softer now. "Both of you. And Garland?"

Her gaze flicked to the north as the final call rang out and the group began to move out. All of the camps had been taken down and packed up. The riders were accounted for, as were the remaining head. She nudged her gelding's ribs with her heels and he lurched into an easy walk. Her hips protested sourly, but she ignored them and steered him around to the butt of her little portion of the herd.

Several heads rose to look at her, ears flopping and tail swishing heavily. Katelyn plucked the heavy coil of rope from the front of her saddle, and at the sight of it they moo'ed balefully and turned to follow the rest of the herd as it slowly gathered back together and began the continued march up the Kabrin. Marrick was following close by, looking exhausted perched in his saddle. Kat steered her horse into a sideways meander the short distance back to his side and offered another small, tired smile. Her eyes looked him up and down with obvious worry, but kept the fretting back.

"You're with me today?" she asked, sounding a little hopeful as well.

Kat hoped that she might be able to lift his spirits a little. People had died yesterday during the ambush, and the collective mood of the group was heavy.

[Marrick Corvis]

The Kelvic nodded to her statement of feeling the memory of yesterday’s blood bath. It had not been pretty. They’d lost people. But the bandits that had attacked them had been rebuffed, many even killed. He breathed lightly and blinked his tired eyes as he half listened to her question. “Eh? Me? Oi’m aloive. That’s all that matters fer now, and Oi have a mission teh see through. As fer Garland, we sent him on in the night. He made it teh Storm hold from what Sera Din says.” The Kelvic nodded toward the front of the column where the short and venerated Sera barked orders at her men, and waved hand signals to the ones that were outside earshot. “He’s probably eyes deep in a bath at soothing waters roight now gettin his wounds tended to boy pretty ladies, or whatever helps him heal faster. There’s a Healer of Rak’Keli there that tends to the wounds’a the Knights. We keep her busy.” Marrick scratched at his five o’clock shadow that looked at least two to three days old at this point with the soft brushing sound of whiskers against leather. When the call rang out he followed her down to her cut and helped her box them in. His drawing arm was useless as it was, but he could still use his bow as a crook if he needed to. A couple of steers broke away from the herd and he gave them each a quick whack to the shoulder to get them back in line. Marrick had to admit, that his usual happy go lucky mood had been crushed. Now all he wanted to do was make it to the gates of Syliras and promptly collapse into a pillow, or a pool of hot water. Maybe guzzle down a pint or two worth of ale at the Rearing Stallion. All manner of pleasurable things sprang to mind and he shut his eyes at the thought of kissing Oriah again. Sylirs Peace he missed her badly. When Kat rode beside him again as he walked with the herd. He nodded to her question before he answered back. “Aye, Sera Din’s Orders that the squires who held the loine last noight help with the heard. The old man who was in charge of the drovers told me teh help you with yer cut.” He stretched out his aches with a pained grunt and went back to his hunched over position. He felt like an old man, and he dreaded his twilight years. The hopefulness in her voice and the relief on her face were little comforts. Though, they were enough to light a little spark in the Kelvics heart. With a deep gusting breath he huffed out a long sigh, and inhaled again. He used the air to begin humming. It was the same old tune he always hummed, or whistled. A dancing tune that he’d heard once in the Rearing stallion the night he’d met Oriah. He couldn’t remember the words, but for some reason, today he felt that he needed them. Anything to lift his spirits a little higher. With the aches in his arms, and back complaining, he began the tattoo of the drummer in his head. A heartbeat echoed out of his drum with his tipper, loud and heavy to mark a switch of a partner, or a change in the dance. He hummed the long note that set the tenor of the song and he thought of words to go with melody. “Two long days, of drovin harder~ one long night out on the watch” he gasped a quick breath to begin again, and he thought up another quick line. “Our long walk, is a’ drawin nearer~ an end to all the sorrows fall!” He whistled the melody then, he hadn’t ever felt the need to hum or whistle on key, but in that moment he tried. He wanted it to feel right. He wanted to feel right. The little melody fanned the little spark inside him into a little flame and he grasped at it and continued. “Towered home, on the horizons~ guide us to our journeys end.” Again he swallowed a lung full of air and conjured up another line. “Hope and heart, it drives us further~ bring us to the gates again.” He whistled the tune wordlessly, and he straightened his back out. The dull ache in it didn’t feel as bad as it had, and the way he held himself seemed to improve his wind. Like a spritely little child he chased after a wayward sheep a moment and gave it a nudge in the proper direction of the herd with his bow. On his way back he began anew. “Two long days, of drovin harder~ A hard hoofbeat of Kiter’s landing, jostled him and he lost his place in his head. That didn’t stop him though. The song really helped with his mood, and his pain. But he needed a new line. “Hot n’ brothy, foods a waitin~ fer a bowl n’ waitin hands.” His heart felt full now, but the song needed another line. Marrick couldn’t keep riding without it. As he turned Kiter, and rode up beside Katelyn a final line slid into his mind and he chewed on it. “Come on Kat, give me a loine!” Marrick felt the tiniest measure of guilt in putting her on the spot, but he wanted to get her involved. Drive off the darkness with a heart full of light.

[Katelyn Marks]

It was good to know that Garland was safe back at the city, and Katelyn was glad that Marrick would soon be as well. The exhaustion on his face and in the posture of his seat made her heart swell. They weren't too far from the city, so it wouldn't be much longer and he could take a much needed rest. She was tired just like the rest of them, but she'd actually gotten some sleep--no matter how restless it might have been.

"I'll be glad for the help and the company," she told him as they rode side by side along the fringes of their cut.

It was quiet then for a while, and the two of them moved along in a tired silence, staying watchful of their surroundings and making sure the animals stayed the course. It was noticeably easier than it had been yesterday. The animals were in the routine now, and the Kabrin was easy to follow. For the most part they followed those in the lead and plodded along nose to butt, content to follow the rest of the group. The herd mentality was a powerful instinct, and there was safety in numbers. Usually.

When Marrick began to hum, she thought he was merely preparing to speak again, but the low melodic tone that rumbled in his throat startled her. Katelyn watched him out of the corner of her eye, head tilted as the words then began to form. He had a pleasant singing voice--and she wasn't really surprised. She enjoyed the timber in which he spoke any other time. The song was a sad little tune, and Kat found herself having the unfamiliar sensation of wanting to go back home.

At the same time it seemed to be lifting Marrick's spirits. She could see how he sat a little straighter and had that familiar brightness in his eyes. Kat couldn't help but feel a little better too, and found herself smiling up until the hiccup in his song, where he took the opportunity to throw her under the wagonHa! See what I did there?! Buses don't exist in Mizahar....

The look she gave him was sharp as a blade, her eyes glinting like steel. Oh, he was an evil one sometimes. Kat had never been a skilled singer. In fact, she often admitted that she couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with a lid on it. But how could she deny him this small pleasure, especially at a time like this? The redhead found it hard to say no to him for some reason.

The halfhearted leer melted into an expression of humorous apprehension, and the rusty gears in that creative lyrical part of her mind--somewhere deep deep down--began to turn and grind and reach for something, anything to give him.

"An' a bed with pale lady welcomes,
To rest ye' dark and weary head," she blurted, half speaking and half singing the first thing that came to mind, then couldn't help but grin and wag he eyebrows at him, rather proud of her dirty impromptu lyrics.

[Marrick Corvis]

Marrick’s eyes widened a moment, and his brows rose in recognition of the red haired maiden’s blatant flirtation. Like a breath of fresh air he gasped and laughed loudly. With a wavering hand he wiped away a tear as his lungs complained against all the aches in his ribs and back. When at last he caught his breath he smiled and bellowed loudly her words in echo. “A bed with a pale lady welcomes! ~ t’rest yer darkened, weary head!” He winked at her and closed his eyes. His mind swirled with the possible words to a refrain and he gnawed on it until he was interrupted by a couple of sheep that tried to move out of the herd toward some green shoots of grass. “Get back in there yah bleetin pilla’s!” he shouted at them as he chased them down on Kiters back. Bow in hand he hissed repeatedly at them scaring them into running back to the other animals. When he and Katelyn met again he gave Kiter a couple of encouraging pats to the shoulder. “Lets see, eh? We need a refrain fer our wee ditty don’t we?” Marrick grinned broadly at his companion for just a moment before he ran his fingers through his hair, and wiped away some of the sweat on his brow. “Sylir’s peace Oi’m toired.” He said softly to himself as he chewed on a refrain. He lifted his eyes to Syna as she began to rise higher in the sky. “Yer loine seems the most pleasant of all so far.” Marrick’s eye brows did not waggle and he found in his heart that he was not entirely opposed to anywhere to lay his head at that moment. Sex was the farthest thing from his mind. He just wanted to sleep. Out on the horizon he saw the highest tower of Stormhold rise over a hill and he let out a sigh of exhausted relief. He laughed loudly and stood higher in his saddle to see it better. With a triumphant shout he cried out the cities name. “SYIRAS!” The shout was taken up by drover, squire, and knight alike. His hopes lifted, and he knew he was not the only one. With exhaustion his closest friend he slumped in the saddle and sighed. Home, safety, rest. The Kelvic never felt so glad to see the city even on the day of his liberation. He had been excited then. Now, all it seemed the city did to him was create a little flame of hope that burned in his weary heart. He claimed a deep breath through his nose and found himself taking in his surroundings, just as he had at the beginning of their journey. “It’s funny.” The Kelvic claimed as Kiter plodded along next to Katelyns Gelding. “We’ve seen this past two days blood n’ death, loss n’ pain. And yet, she’s still aloive n’ beautiful. Syliras is a beautiful place. Even in fall, in the twilight of her warm arms.” He couldn’t muster the strength to sing again, but he stowed the words away along with the other good memories of his mind. As they drew closer the animals became restless, and Marrick was kept busy steering sheep, goat, and cattle alike back into line. When at last the tall gates towered over them he entered the gate to the salute of the guards. It seemed word had spread of the attack. Once through the massive gate the Kelvic was met with another surprise. Ser Whitevine stood there among the knights near the gates. Marrick couldn’t help but slide from his saddle, rush to his Patron and embrace him in a bear hug. “Ser! Brother!” Relief washed over him in waves, and at last the idea hit home that he was safe and could rest. “Oi’m glad yer alroight.” Marrick managed as he finally let go of his teacher and wiped away a wayward tear. “What now?” The Kelvic’s voice held all manner of broken emotion. Though the dominant emotion on his face was fear. Fear that he would be sent out again filled his stomach with bile and tingled his fingers. “Now?” Ser Whitevine said with a quirked eyebrow. “Now you rest, forty eight Bell liberty. Get rest, eat something that isn’t made of rations, sleep in a feather bed-“ Ser whitevine sniffed at his squire a moment and nodded to himself as if he confirmed his suspicions. “And take a bath. Not necessarily in that order.” Marrick looked about him a moment to realize he’d been holding onto Kiters reins and the massive tiaden now nudged him in the back. He turned to her and hugged the massive beasts neck. “What about Koiter? She’s been through a lot the last two days.” Marrick dug a handful of oats out of his pouch and fed it to her from his palm and the massive horse lipped them away with a dainty politeness. It seemed the massive war mare was exhausted as well. “Kiter, will be stabled, fed, and dressed down. Dismissed Squire!” Ser Whitevine saluted his apprentice with a smile, and the Kelvic returned the salute. However, Marrick found himself a slightly unwilling to let go of Kiters reins. “She’s been through a lot.” He exclaimed, as if the blood, mud, sweat, and filth that caked her hide wasn’t indication enough. “Oi mean she needs extra attention! She’s sensitive!” The dark haired squire shook his head, as his patron chuckled at him. The look of pure agonized defeat melted the squires features into a scowl. He even groaned softly in exhasperation. Ser Whitevines laughter died slowly and he clapped his Squires shoulder with a gloved hand and nodded understanding. “Don’t worry Marrick, they’ll treat her like a queen of battle.” With his reassurance the Kelvic handed over Kiters lead, and he gave her another reassuring stroke of her shoulder. “Don’t worry lass, ye’ll be foine. Take care of her.” He said one last time as if he needed more emphasis and his Patron waved him away. “Off with you Marrick Corvis!” David Whitevines words were sown with little chuckling laughter as he led his squire’s horse to the Orders stables near the gates. And there he was, left there alone with his thoughts, amongst a crowd of people who overlooked him. He took a deep breath and sighed out the exhaustion that rode his shoulders like a cloak. He needed to trudge on. It was then that he caught sight of Katelyn atop her gelding still, making sure the livestock went where it was supposed to. He raised a hand and prayed inwardly that she hadn’t witnessed his awkward outburst. “Kat!” He shouted as he strode forward. Every ache in his body groaned in complaint, and his arm growled in pain. His good shoulder found the nearest stone surface to lean against and he just watched the red haired maiden work.

[Katelyn Marks]

She was happy to hear his laughter and see the amusement on his face. It had been the reaction she was hoping for. His explosive mirth was infectious, and Katelyn quickly found herself joining in the merry laughter. It was good to hear the sound after yesterday's affairs--it made everything seem almost normal. But soon the fatigue crept over them again, and the job beckoned their attention. Marrick was on top of things it seemed, and he chased down a set of sheep who thought it wise to break away and try to graze.

When she caught up to him again, Katelyn smiled, but it was more out of habit than anything else.

"Perhaps our little song will be sung in taverns now, and become a popular little ditty," she supplied, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere now.

She could see how tired he was, and Kate let him have his silence. He'd been through a lot. They all had, but he and other Squire and Knights more so. Katelyn didn't notice the city appear until Marrick's call startled her. Her gaze was intent on the animals they flanked, but when that beautiful word filled the air her eyes snapped back to the road and beyond. She saw the towers rise up past the trees and into the sky, and she didn't think she'd ever been so happy to see that stone giant crouched by the sea.

Kate smiled at Marrick and found herself agreeing with his words of awed relief. She could see what he meant, at least today in this moment, and from the perspective of so many others who called it home. It was safety, community, warmth.

"I never thought I would ever in my life be happy to see the city," she joked lightly, then turned her attention back to the massive walls as they loomed closer.

As the herd approached, the call rang out for the drovers to converge, cut, and maintain order. Katelyn gave her dark haired friend one last smile before nudging her gelding into a quick trot and riding straight into the throng of cattle. They scattered in her wake, as she swatted them with her rope if they lagged a little too slow for her liking. All of the other stockmen were doing the same, effectively slicing the herd into multiple smaller sections. She worked with four others to crowd a group together and keep them in place, riding around the fringes to corral them.

When one broke away she kicked her horse into a hard gallop, chasing it down, riding around in front of it and cutting it off. She whistled sharply to her teeth and tongue, startling the young cow with the piercing sound. When it tried to bolt, her horse lunged after it, blocking its path. It tried the other direction, and again her father's gelding ran it down and stood his ground. Seeing no escape forward to the sides, the steer turned and trotted quickly back to the group, mooing balefully at them as he went.

By the time things seemed to settle, she was panting with exertion and sweat dripped from the end of her nose. Their relief was slowly taking over, herding the cattle into pens that had been quickly stacked and constructed the hold the animals. When everything was said and done and the animals were to be moved again, the pens would be taken down and hauled away or burned.

Her group was one of the last to be relieved, and the riders that came to take their cut seemed eager to be going. She was glad to be done with it. Despite yesterday's hard start, everyone seemed a little lighter once their job was done. People were smiling again, even joking. Hands were shook, many sighs of relief were shared, and some began to enter the city in search of food and care for their horses.

Katelyn slowly dismounted with a pained groan, and leaned against her horse's shoulder a moment to muster the energy to take him to the stables. When her name swelled above the crowd, she couldn't help but smile and follow Marrick's voice. Her eyes found him after some searching, and she raised a hand to wave. It was all the incentive she needed, it seemed. Kate hobbled over the towering walls where he'd propped himself, leading her father's horse behind her. He was caked in sweat but otherwise seemed fine. Tired like the rest of the, but fine. She gave her friend a lopsided smile and leaned against the wall beside him.

They stayed there a while, watching quietly as people started to disperse back down the road and into the city. When the last of the cattle were penned, Katelyn followed Marrick through the gates but parted ways soon within. He was off to recieve healing for his arm, and she needed to have her father's horse rested and freshened up before the ride back tomorrow. Then she could sleep a few days. Tonight she would room at the inn, but public places like that always left her restless at night. She would be tossing and turning with little sleep in between fits of wakefulness.

Before they separated, Kat embraced her friend in a fierce, tight hug, whilst trying to be mindful of his bad arm. There wasn't much to say--they were both tired and he was nearly dead on his feet. Their smiles said what needed to be conveyed, and so when they went there different ways, she was as content as she could be, though she couldn't help but stop to watch him go until he disappeared in the crowd.

[Sayana]

Your Grades Have Arrived Katelyn Skills: Skill EXP Endurance +3 Animal Husbandry +3 Horsemanship +1 Riding: Horse +3 Observation +4 Socialization +3 Singing +1 Music Composition +1 Flirting +1 Lores: Marrick has a nice singing voice Morning after a battle: tired and mournful Comments : Another wonderful thread. Even though it wasn’t as action filled, it still conveyed a lot of emotion that fit with the aftermath of the battle. Great job. Marrick Skills: Skill EXP Leadership +1 Endurance +3 Organization +1 Rhetoric +1 Riding: Horse +3 Flirting +1 Socialization +2 Animal Husbandry +2 Whistling +1 Singing +2 Music Composition +1 Observation +1 Land Navigation +1 Horsemanship +1 Lores: Endurance: Staying awake all night Leadership: Raise morale with a speech Music composition: Creating words to a tune Shield Points: Shield Points Earned Reason +2 Helping a Citizen Total: +2 Shield Points Comments : Always a pleasure to read. I really like how you incorporate leadership into the thread as Marrick takes on a more responsible role. I also enjoyed the bit of music and improvisation you threw into the thread. Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request in the grade request thread. However, make sure to keep the link so that the DS can review graded threads with ease. If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message. Enjoy.