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Post by Narisha on Jul 12, 2009 19:43:28 GMT -5
Before she crept into bed that night, Nari followed through on every promise she had made to herself on his behalf. Tucking Claire and Michael into bed, she summoned a tiny little voidwalker to guard their door.
"Nothing will get you with that little guy there. And if anything frightens you or you need me for any reason just tell him and he'll come get me."
She kissed them both on the forehead and stepped outside that door, closing it with a sigh. She stopped outside Sophie and Edmunds bedrooms as well, hearing nothing from either she slumped in exhaustion. Waving her hands she summoned some proper sized voids instructing them to guard the house. Then, with nothing left to keep her busy, she'd climbed the stairs, making her way into the other bedroom.
Edmund had very sweetly changed the sheets on the bed, but not much else had been cleaned or dusted and Nari was truthfully too tired to care. Not even bothering to let down her hair, she simply curled up under the blankets and slept.
Next morning she was up early. Crabby. Crabby and sitting in the kitchen trying to write out a list of the things they needed to purchase in the Trade District later. Her hair was a mess. Having been too tired to let it down, and troubled in her sleep, it had turned into a giant knot she'd have to spend hours on later. Sophie was the only one up with her, besides the voids hovering the halls. Rudyup was back up outside the Grand Marshal's room in case he needed something.
She stared at the list and continued fussing a comb through her hair, wincing when it pulled. Suddenly she heard Rudyup cackling wildly and stood, rushing out of the kitchen to hush him before he woke the Grand Marshal. Sometimes the little imp and the voids would get into fights. Her hand tugged on the comb in her hair, giving up with a curse when it refused to budge from her hair and started up the stairs, not paying any attention to where she was going, only to bounce off something as solid as a wall.
"Whoops~!"
Arms flailing wildly for something to grab on to, she feel backwards in a heap. Groaning, she closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again only to see the Grand Marshal in front of her on the stairs.
"If you needed something you should have called me..."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 12, 2009 19:58:02 GMT -5
It was morning. He must have been asleep... a full day? Damn, for all he knew the undead could have taken out Ironforge by now. But the covers tempted him to stay longer. Their embraces smothering him in comfort, and his exposed arm reminding him of the colder world lying beyond the covers. He felt better, rested, but still a little mentally fatigued. He'd had nightmares, he could tell. He was a little shakey and sweating too, but his shoulder reminded him that they too could be related. Though the shoulder felt much better. It should be, with almost an entire day to recover. He threw aside the covers, exposing his body to the cold now in an effort to drive himself into action. It worked after a few seconds, and he stood, pacing a little, grabbing a shirt from the wardrobe as he passed it and slipping it over his head with some difficulty.
Next, a change of underwear, trousers, boots, gloves, and that was all he'd be wearing today. His armour wouldn't be needed for the trip around the corner, and he needed to pick up some things anyway. His sword and helmet came to mind. He paced a little more, waking himself up a little with each repitition, spying the bowl he had thrown days ago. Clearly no one had entered his room since then. And the bowl, he had thrown that in rage. He'd molested her whilst drunk. He remembered that. No wonder his mind hurt whenever he tried to think too much. No wonder his father had warned him to stay away from women. He rolled his shoulder a little, wanting to leave the room as it felt oppressive towards him. His left, cut shoulder was in no shape to move really, so he went about doing a set of pressups using just his right arm.
The pressups were easy, as they always were. His body was used to one-armed pressups. Heck, his sword and shield were heavy enough. Without his armour he felt as strong as a kodo. Deciding to get an early start on the paperwork he'd be expected to do, he headed for the door, pressing it open and catching something on the other side, sending a little green and black thing running off squealing in the direction of the stairs. He followed it, not for interest, but to leave the house, descending the stairs quickly and just as he was about to reach the bottom, bam. Something walked into him. Someone.
Her.
She fell backwards, though he made a grab for her arm, and he quickly made an effort to help her up, remaining wordless and starting down as he aided her to her feet. He didn't really know what to say until she started. "If you needed something you should have called me..." "Yeah well, I've got work that needs seeing to. Army doesn't run itself. I'll be back later." He half murmured half of it, making his way past her towards the door, not looking her in the eye at all and struggling to keep even that piece of conversation in check.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 12, 2009 20:07:41 GMT -5
"Yeah well, I've got work that needs seeing to. Army doesn't run itself. I'll be back later."
She was brushing herself off and paused at that.
"You'll do no such thing... You've been in bed hardly any time at all. I highly doubt there is a report or anything over there that is ready for you to read."
She slipped between him and the door, ignoring the exclamations of Rudyup, and lifted her chin looking at him defiantly.
"And regardless of if you head over to check, you're not going without me and you are NOT leaving this house without having a proper breakast. If you want me to move from this door you will have to pick me up and move me by force. And rest assured Grand Marshal... I have made it my duty to care for you... If that means knocking you out and putting you back in bed to rest more because you decided to fight me over having breakfast then so be it."
She knew she looked a mess, half her hair combed, the other snarled with a comb hanging from it. Her dress was wrinkled and she was sure she had circles under her eyes from how poorly and how little she had slept. But dammit, this man drove her to distraction. She was not going to give in and let him just run off and put himself in harms way again. Not when she had sworn to take care of him.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 12, 2009 20:16:24 GMT -5
"If you want me to move from this door you will have to pick me up and move me by force."
He did just that. Placing his arms around her he lifted her a good foot off the ground and placed her to the side, stepping through the doorway. The Army had been his life. It was his life. It was consistent enough that he didn't have to change for it, but war. War changed. War changed daily, and that day he had missed could have been important. He turned to her, noting her frustrations and equally her irrational and, in some lights he guessed stupid, fondness for him, sighing at having to be so blunt with her. "I am the Grand Marshal, not just a soldier. I can't just sit around and have breakfast with two days of reports to look through." He softened his tone, directing it more personally towards her. "I couldn't stand it if the Orcs or undead managed to pose a threat to us. Close enough to harm everything I love."
He stepped outside. It was drizzling slightly. A poor day to start the day off with. He turned back, looking at her once more, before adding to what he was saying. "I will be fine, and I'll be back at some time. Please don't concern yourself with me so much, I neither deserve it nor can allow myself to accept it. I've survived this long, I'll survive another day with the reports." He exhaled gruffly, not looking foward to these reports. He half expected most of them to be filled with things he could make neither heads nor tails of. And there would be more berating from the other officers at his lack of attendance the previous day.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 12, 2009 20:29:17 GMT -5
He picked her up...
He PICKED her up...
He picked her UP...
How DARE he pick HER up...
She fumed, hardly hearing a word of what he said and instead cutting in to his last bit with a sharp laugh.
"You will not be fine. And I'll concern myself with whoever I want to concern myself with. You are not leaving until you've had something proper to eat to prepare your body for the day ahead!"
And without another word she jerked her right hand straight downwards and pointed her finger at him. Whether he saw the thin line of silver that shot from her finger or not was hardly any of her concern as moments later she had a fuzzy little lamp scuttling around her feet.
"Stubborn, frustrating, arrogant man..." She fussed angrily at him as she picked him up and carried him into the kitchen. "It's hardly 6 in the morning. There won't be anyone there..."
Setting him in a chair at the table she sighed and turned to Sophie.
"Could you make the Grand Marshal something filling to eat please Sophie and then make him something to have for lunch."
Rudyup was bouncing around the poor man trapped in a lamb's body and she snapped at the little imp.
"Rudyup, cease the second or when he turns back I'll let him behead you."
Then, with a tug of frustration and a yelp, she jerked the comb from her hair. Sitting back in her chair with her list she waited the remaining few seconds before he changed back, suddenly remembering a few things that needed to be written down.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 12, 2009 20:44:18 GMT -5
And he needed...
Wait.
What happened?! He stood up instantaneously, sending the chair he was sitting in flying back with the force of his ascension. He growled, half angry, half concerned, a flush working its way up his face. He was outside literally seconds ago, and now he was in the kitchen. What had happened between going towards the Military Headquarters and getting back here? Was it even still morning? Why was this always happening... to...
He glanced down. Her. The woman. Not the younger one attending to the food. The one he had been leaving behind mere seconds ago, despite... Despite her wanting him in the kitchen. She didn't like him, she made his memory go blank for several minutes at a time, she gets him in the kitchen. It also explained why he would lose several minutes of his time walking around Stormwind. Why he was so DAMN paranoid. He growled, clenching his fist and slamming it down hard on the table, resting it in its strike spot as he stared at her, glaring almost. "You... Do you hate me? How long have you been stalking me?" The words came out of his mouth much faster than his brain had decided to use them. The colour from his skin had drained away, except from the boiling flush of anger starting to permeate into view.
What was her game? She annoys him until he kills himself? She dominates his life until he gives her everything she wants? He considered marching right back out towards the door, but her body language informed him that she was less than keen to be argued against. He scowled, knowing he'd need some way of stopping her from doing this all the time to get her way. He removed his fist from the table, a dent apparent in the woodwork, before retrieving his chair and slumping against the back of it. "I don't see how you can justify my life over the security of our world." He murmured, hardly believing the form of selfishness she was exhibiting.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 12, 2009 22:23:09 GMT -5
She wrote something else on her list and answered him without looking up.
"I do not hate you and I have hardly stalked you Grand Marshal.."
His pout made her smirk just a bit. Oh yes he'd probably call it a scowl or something equally terrifying, but it was still a pout. She turned to Sophie.
"Sophie dear could you bring the Grand Marshal his breakfast now please? And please tell Edmund he has the morning to himself to do whatever he needs to do, but I will need his help in the Trade District this afternoon."
The young girl brought over two eggs and a bowl of porridge. Nari watched as she set them on the table and gave the girl a sweet smile as she moved away. She smiled again as the comb finally slipped unhindered through her hair. Picking up her hairbrush, she slowly drew it through her hair and sighed happily as it moved smoothly along. She closed her eyes and continued brushing as she sought the proper words to answer him with.
"I can justify your life very easily sir. If you are critical to the military then it is your plans, your strategies, that keep the villages and people in them alive. You can hardly, however, perform at peak condition both physically and mentally if you aren't caring for yourself." She set the hairbrush down and looked at him. "I have seen in just these two days with you how heavily the losses of your soldiers weighs on you. And that weight weighs on me because I have sworn to take care of you as you have them. How much better would it be for everyone if you could approach decisions with a refreshed mind and a nourished body? Have the strength to do more than simply keep on your feet and move from day to day? Your life is the security of our world Grand Marshal... and I do not make sure it is cared for, then our world will fall."
She focused her attention on her list again, jotting down a couple more items. And she spoke to him again without lifting her head.
"I am going to go up and change. Eat your breakfast please sir, and don't try to pick at it and say you aren't hungry. If you would like seconds just ask Sophie." Her head lifted and she smiled at him. "We'll have a few more things for you tomorrow. And..."
She stood, grabbing a clear vial with a red potion inside.
"I would drink this first, then follow it quickly with water. Healing potions are rather nasty. While I'm changing, the household staff would much appreciate if you could give us an approximate time you'll be returning home this evening so that dinner will be ready for you."
Her hand slowly crept away from her side and towards his face. She stopped her fingers from touching him just before they brushed his cheek, snatching them into a fist and bringing her hand back down.
"If you will excuse me sir..."
With that she turned to leave, walking calmly from the kitchen, her head held high, belying the sudden urge she had to run from him and what he made her feel.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 12, 2009 22:54:58 GMT -5
She doesn't hate him? Then why is she stopping him from doing everything that he tries to do, forcing him to do it her way? He'd never needed this treatment before, and he was perfectly fine going to the headquarters whenever he was ready and staying there until he could get drunk at night. It's what kept him going. Instead he was being forced to stay in, having breakfasts cooked by random women called Sophie. Wait, didn't he try it on with her once? He couldn't remember, moving swiftly onto her next opinion, which he voiced rather openly. "Not stalked me? I seem to recall gaps in my memories travelling through Stormwind, similar to a few minutes ago. Maybe there are other magic wielders with reason to maky my life a hell?" Hell wasn't the word he would have used most of the time, but the paranoia he suffered every time he came out of that trance had only gotten worse.
The young girl placed some eggs and porridge before him, as she mentioned another person. Edmund? Who in the heck was Edmund? He had no idea, and instead sat watching the food before him, not really wanting to eat simply out of habit. He'd usually eat around midday, grabbing something from a store like a large slab of meat which he'd get someone to prepare for him. But Narianne wasn't done. She began speaking eloquently again, using that velvety tongue to stroke him in all the right places as she rationalised her actions of saving him in both mind and body to preserve him and optimise him for the fight against their enemies. He still wasn't a fan of the treatment - it wasn't something he'd have in the field, for sure, but he nodded, knowing she would never back down against him.
She handed him a red potion, instructing he drink it with some water, and ordering him to eat the food. She stood to leave, her hand overing beside his face, and he watched it, it motioning before snapping to her side as she walked off. He watched her go, hearing her climb the stairs before rolling his eyes, knowing he'd probably not get around the corner without her zapping him in the back. Waiting until she was out of sight, he necked the potion and, grimacing a little, placed the empty vial on the table, glancing at Sophie. "She hired you, didn't she?" The girl nodded. "Have we met before?" She nodded again. "Only once, sir, when you were drunk." He scowled a little, dipping his head. "Then I apoligise, I probably did something rather unpleasant." She shook her head, surprising him. "Not at all sir, you beat up one of the men harrassing me." He sighed a little, picking at the porridge a little before eating some. "Hmm, makes a change." He remained quiet after that, finishing the food slowly, feeling the healing potion starting to kick in, especially on the back of his throat.
Finishing the plate of eggs and the bowl of porridge, he paused, quite content but still feeling there was something missing in the scheme of things. "I wonder, Sophie, are you any good at cooking meat?" He asked, not sure whether he should ask the question. Narianne would have a field day if she heard he'd actually asked for more food. Sophie nodded, and he smiled. "Quite easily, sir." "Would you mind, then, please? There should be some bacon stored away there somewhere." He gestured towards some cupboards, where after a quick check she found the meat wrapped sufficiently well, cutting a few slices off and throwing them in a pan. He grinned. He could get used to this.
He just didn't want to.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 13, 2009 6:54:35 GMT -5
Step by step she mounted the stairs and walked across the landing to her room. Her bag had been settled into the corner. A detail she had missed in her exhaustion last night and would need to thank someone for later. With a sigh Nari dropped onto the bed and flopped backwards starring at the ceiling.
I suppose it's a small victory that I haven't heard the front door slam closed...
She heaved a heavy sigh, wiping her hand across her eyes, then pushing herself up, stood on her feet. There was a small, dust covered dresser in the corner with a mirror and she moved over to it, using her hand to wipe the dust and giving herself the once over.
She looked a mess, better than she'd thought, but still awful. Her hair, though no longer snarled, was in desperate need of a washing. There were, as she had thought, circles under her eyes. They were faint, but there.
"Well that's just lovely..."
Shoulders slumped forward, she moved over and picked her bag up out of the corner, setting it on the bed. She undid the clasp and pulled out the two dresses she had brought. One was a deep red and she looked at it, seriously considering wearing it though it did always make her feel a bit like a whore. The other was a light blue.. it was her favorite. Her hands brushed down the skirt with it's tiny blue flowers and a smile crept across her face. It was such a pretty thing. Expensive. Took more than a months wages to pay for it, but always lifted her spirits, same as it had the day she'd seen it in the shop.
Decision made, she loosened the ties of her bodice and slipped out of her dress. Rolling the material up into a ball she tossed it out the door, making sure to stay out of view. Pulling the blue dress over her head, she stepped back over to the mirror and carefully pinned her hair up in a loose bun. She slipped on the matching bodice as she stepped out the door, tightening the laces as she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen.
The smell of bacon permeated the air and she settled back into her chair across from him silently. A tiny smile on her face as she watched Sophie bring him the cooked meat. She did so hope that he could adjust to this... It would be better for him.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 9:50:54 GMT -5
Sophie was definately a good cook, but she worked in silence. It troubled him that she didn't seem to want to talk much, and although he wanted to press the issue and enter a conversation he got the feeling she'd be less than comfortable for whatever reason. Narianne had certainly decided to make a large amount of change, and he was interested in seeing where she intended to get the money from. He grinned a little, though it disappeared as he heard her start to descend the stairs. He'd never hear the end of this. Man doesn't want food but asks for extra. He groaned, resting his face into his hands as she sat down. Sophie placed the bacon in front of him and he offered her his thanks. "Meat builds muscle." Was all he said, not wanting to look at her for fear of a smile on her face teasingly declaring his defeat. He began work on the meat, noticing that Sophie cooked it far better than any of the man at the headquarters.
Woman's touch he mused, glancing up at the warlock, her hands resting on the table on her list. His gaze lingered though. Her dress, it was different to what she usually wore, and she looked stunning in it. He realised that he was staring somewhat and made a swift effort to consume another piece of bacon before his mouth dried out. He thought for a few chews, before swallowing and offering her the question he had been thinking about. "Just how many assistants have you brought here? And how do you intend to pay them?" He had money. Heck, he had years of the stuff saved up. He had a large income and a small spending. The house had been cheap and was fully his, and the only other things he bought were food, beer and sometimes clothing. The rest he saved in the bank. But that wasn't an invitation to someone looking to feel free to spend it before they had it on things he had neither asked for nor needed.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 13, 2009 14:12:50 GMT -5
"Meat builds muscle."
Her relieved smile never changed at that. She wasn't going to gloat over a victory that he needed her to win for his own sake. Nari was sure other battles would arise that would give her ample opportunity.
His look caused her to pause, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she dropped her head to break eye contact with him. It was different, seen that type of look from him sober. She liked it... probably more than she should.
"Just how many assistants have you brought here? And how do you intend to pay them?"
That was a question she could answer, and she was grateful for the opportunity to take her mind off things she'd rather not think about.
"I have enough in my savings to pay for a weeks worth of service. There are four of them. Sophie, whom I'm sure you've gathered is the cook." She tossed the girl another smile. "And an excellent one at that... Edmund who is somewhat of a manservant. He'll be more at your disposal than mine though. And two children to just help around here, running errands and what not."
She mentally ran through the list she had and her total finances before turning her attention back to him.
"I have enough funds to cover the wage I promised them for a week. If after that you decide you don't want them here I'll have to start doing odd jobs around Stormwind again because regardless they will be here working. You cannot continue living in this way. The house is a disaster and you had almost no suitably edible food at all. But it was my decision to hire them and as such if I need to I will pay for them."
A small laugh escaped her and she gave him a smile.
"I am hardly going to impose upon you, take over your household, and then expect you to pay for it Grand Marshal."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 15:23:22 GMT -5
Four people in his home, besides her. Sophie, yes, she was a good cook. A manservant? That he could probably hand too, for talks and assistance. Two children though? He was hardly the type of man to make a good impression on young children. Especially if they were living with him. He was a man who liked his drink and enjoyed to fight. Children needed good role parents who emphasized learning and health over fighting and wars. He was neither a learned man, not a healthy man, as identified and brought to his attention earlier that morning. And he was easily at risk of death - assassination or otherwise. Not the type of man a child should be hoping to see regularly. Not the type of man at all.
She now answered his question, and he laughed inwardly as she explained her expenses, her intentions and how she would continue to pay for wages and upkeep. He was feeling a little better now, though, and not in as much of a bad mood as he had been earlier. Bacon certainly was the food of angels. His mind drifted slightly to his own income. He'd hardly bought anything in the 26 years he'd been in the Army, save clothing, food, beer, women and this home. Even all that together would actually sum up to be far less than a few months of his current wage. Well, maybe not the beer. But the bank would know how much he had there. He certainly didn't. He moved forward as she finished speaking, smiling.
"You've done more for me than I'd have ever expected or asked. Even if I don't agree with it. I apoligise for what I might have done in the past, though I will tell you now that there is no way I'm having you employing yourself in oddjobs when I have plenty." He tried to fix gazes with her. He certainly had plenty, enough for keeping a few people around with him, and the military paid him enough. He just didn't enjoy spending it on frivalous accessories. He paused, looking through the window. "And unless there is anything else I'd rather like to get started on some of the paperwork that caught fire the other day."
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Post by Narisha on Jul 13, 2009 17:41:28 GMT -5
He had complimented her...
The thought stunned her just a bit. Nari had been anticipating a bit more kicking up of heels and whatnot but his simple, if a bit gruff, compliment of her organization and care brought a true smile to her face as she looked up at him.
And caught him staring...
Her head dropped quickly, and she bit her lip a bit trying to keep a blush from rising into her cheeks. Oh yeah... that was the other reason she so enjoyed this dress, it got her looks without making her feel like a whore.
"Please don't apologize... I've come in and comandeered your home, force help on to you that you probably didn't want and you've very graciously offered to pay for it..." She lifted her head and shot him a grin. "An offer I am certainly going to take you up on."
She stood, gathering the list in her hands and glanced over at him.
"If you could sir, I'm sure Sophie would appreciate a time to have supper ready by and I would appreciate knowing what time to make sure you're dragged from your desk. Otherwise you're completely free to go. I'll stop by around 12 with something for you to have for lunch. After that, Edmund, Claire and Michael will be out with me shopping. We'll all be back before dinner."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 13, 2009 18:12:17 GMT -5
He paused, thinking. It was past 7 now. Paperwork would take a few hours. Delegations to go to. Things to pass or decline. People who'd argue with him and complain that he hadn't been in for days. The whole process should have him back by in 13 hours or so. "Should be finished around 8 o'clock tonight. Depends if I get hit by anything unexpected." Depended if Parus wanted to start another fight with him again. That paladin sure was a lot more trouble than he was worth. But he was a good healer, and a sturdy fighter, so Val respected him, somewhat. He had expected her to accept his money for paying such things. Heck, if she'd even considered taking a job anyway he would have grabbed her and tied her to the beds. No need to work when he could do it.
Stepping out of the door once more, hoping this time he'd be able to stay there, he bade farewell and jogged briskly from his home to the headquarters, entering with a salute to the guards and passing straight through into the chambers he had been yester... no... the day before. His sword was still embedded in the table, he could see it from here. He sighed, moving over to it and pulling it a little. It didn't budge, so he tried a little harder. Eventually he strained with both arms on it before it came loose, sending him staggering back a few paces. His helmet, now that he looked, was also untouched. He layed the sword gently on the table, flat edge down, admiring the gouge he'd applied to the wood, before moving round the side and sitting before his stack of papers.
First paper, a report from Westfall, Gyran stating they'd set up the People's Militia. Gyran was a good man, and Val had found it hardest of all to tell him that the army was being withdrawn from his lands. But Gyran was better than good, he was also clever and keen. Even those thugs that were taking refuge around his lands hadn't managed to get rid of him. Those... those thugs. Val paused, laying the paper to one side before taking up a blank scroll and a quill, before finding it hard to handle in gloves, obviously. He took the gloves off and began to scrawl out his Wanted poster. It was a rough draft, but it got his point across. 'Wanted: Defias leaders in Westfall, dead or alive.' Gyran didn't have the men to stop the Brotherhood, but the Alliance did. Just not soldiers.
By the time he had finished people had started filing in. Scribes set to their work and Val handed his draft to one of them, telling him to make it look professional and get it distributed. He had already worked through reports from Redridge and Duskwood by now, and the expedition reports started coming in. Base camp set up in the north of Stranglethorn Vale, with very few animal problems, which was good. Trips to Booty Bay were getting more hazardous for travellers, especially since Darkshire started to suffer from assaults. They were managing though. The assaults weren't usually large or frequent.
Next on the pile, letters from Theramore, where things seemed to be going fine. Well of course they were, the Orcs loved Jaina. And Jaina loved the Orcs. Stupid woman. He never would understand that sorceress. Shrugging and throwing the letter aside, he moved on to some permits, glancing up as Parus entered the room. "Good Morning princess, you not taking the day off again?" "Thought I'd come in today. That way at least someone's doing some work." "Sure, sure..." Parus paused, looking at the sword. "How'd you get that out?" "Magic, or I pulled, take your pick." Parus's eyes narrowed. "You never pulled that out. Not even I could. Especially not with your shoulder." Val smiled, tapping the edge of the blade with a finger. "Don't feel bad, my friend, I had to use both arms."
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Post by Narisha on Jul 13, 2009 19:53:08 GMT -5
8... alright... that was fairly reasonable if she got him something good to eat. But not a minute longer. From the way things sounded she would need to be at the headquarters nagging him about 7:45...
Smiling, she turned to Sophie.
"Well... I think that maybe I should pick him up a cold cut of something and maybe some wine just to be kind... and apples."
Sophie smiled at her nodding.
"Yes Miss. He seems to like his meat. I've written a list of the supplies I'll need from town when you go. It's rather lengthy... I hope that's alright."
Nari nodded at her. "The kitchen is your domain my dear. If we need to get you something to help it run smoothly then I expect to see it on the list. I have to go see a Warlock about my training and then stop by the bank. I'll be back at about 1 to collect Edmund and the children, please let them know to be ready."
Sophie nodded her agreement and set about to edit her own shopping list as Nari left the kitchen. Waving her hand as she walked out the door, the voids disappearing with a hiss and a pop. First stop on her list was to see her trainer. There wasn't much the woman could do, but Nari wanted to make sure she was in top form. She stopped by a tailor and purchased a few extra children's outfits for Claire and Michael.
The cathedral had chimed 11 just as she had begun shopping for the children and she stepped out onto the streets and hurried to a tavern for the Grand Marshal's lunch. She grabbed him a rack of beer basted boar ribs, a skin of dwarven stout... she figured she'd best get something a little stronger than the wine she would occasionally drink, a small loaf of sourdough, a wedge of brie, and a couple apples.
She briskly made her way back into Old Town, smiling at the guards as she passed through the doors and inquiring in which direction she would find the Grand Marshal. Getting the general idea that he was back in the large room she'd found him in last time, she gave the guard a polite nod and hurried along.
The bells had just tolled noon when she pushed open the door and slipped inside. She spotted him quickly and moved towards him, taking note of the other men in the room. Nari resisted the desire to glare at the nasty little paladin and carefully set the basket on the desk in front of him.
"I've brought your lunch sir. If you wouldn't mind taking a break, it's turned into a lovely day and you may enjoy taking in the fresh air outside."
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