The Bearers of Bad News

Writers: Anika, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 10th June 2015

Characters: Bryvin, Eirock, Olov, Piedre
Description: The 'trackers' find the 'missing' Yarmel
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha

Bryvin

Eirock

Bryvin walked with Eirock down toward the meeting spot he'd
prearranged with Olov and Piedre. Captain had settled into a walk at
his side though he'd stop and sniff a likely bush from time to time. A
low growl warned him when they neared the spot. "You can come out," he
called.

There was a rustle in the underbrush and then an enormous man stepped
from the shadows where he had been standing, unseen. Olov's black beard was as
wild as ever, and his expression was hidden by the brim of his
battered leather hat. "Why's he here?" he asked, his gaze traveling
briefly from Eirock's face to the knots on his shoulder. Why Bryvin
had chosen to bring a the Hold's Steward in on their business made him
wary.

Captain plopped down at Bryvin's feet, tongue lawling out in a canine
smile at the big man. Obviously he was comfortable with Olov though
his ears still pricked as though he heard someone or something else in
the brush. "Hello Polson," he said giving a false name without any
inflection to indicate the fact. "This is my Steward, Eirock," not
that he thought Olov needed the pointer. "He's as concerned as I am
over the disappearance of the guard. Have you found any leads yet?"

Making no sound, Piedre materialized from the foliage. It seemed as
if there might have been a flicker of curiosity in his medium brown
eyes, but his face was so impassive one would have bet against such a
thing. "Trygve's nephew," he noted. "You remember that respectable
ship captain mostly out of Citrus Bay," he said to Olov, though his
eyes were on Eirock. "Cleaned up nice and come a long way haven't you?"

Eirock inclined his head, an edge of his mouth lifting just slightly.
The brown-haired man's word might have been meant to get a reaction
but he knew better than to offer one. In point of fact they weren't
necessarily insulting as they were spoken with no inflection
whatsoever. More than anything it was acknowledgement that he knew
something of the Steward's past, which few people did.

"I'm very pleased with my new position, which is of course why I'm
anxious to know if you've found anything. Our local trackers turned
up nothing."

Olov glanced at Bryvin before replying. "I bear bad news. We found...
the remains of a body off the road to the mines that fit the
description you gave us. The body was too decomposed to bring back, so
we buried it. But I brought these." He slung a small bag off his
shoulder and held it out to Eirock. "Boots, knots, and a scarf. I
would, ah.." he coughed, pretending to be discomforted. "Leave the bag
outside, and bury the boots once you're done with them."

Captain got up to sniff at the bag with interest. Bryvin snapped his
fingers and the canine returned to his left side and sat down as he'd
been trained. His brows came together in a mock scowl. "Any sign of
what might have happened to the man. I'd like to let his mother know."
He shook his head and said in an aside to Eirock. "She's not going to
be happy."

"Not in the least and she'll be wanting answers." Eirock knew an
unexplained death would never be enough for the Headwoman, and
Bryvin's burgeoning administration did not need the scandal that would
go along with the allegations Yriadha was likely to bring against
certain individuals at the Hold.

"Found this belt knife, too, and it's smeared with blood," Piedre
replied on cue. "Look here, that's feline hair. There was a stream
close by so could be that he stopped for a drink and a feline or two
caught him by surprise."

"We did a wide search around the stream where we found him. Or what
was left of him," Olov said, answering the question before it was
asked. "There was a little scat, but it was old. If there was a feline
in the area, it's moved on."

Eirock nodded. "Tragic as it may be, it _has_ been known to happen."

"Then our job is done. My condolences to the family." He gave Bryvin a
pointed look. "I hate to talk business over a man's mortal remains,
but my friend and I have been searching the wilds for sevendays."

Bryvin gave a short nod of complete understanding. "I must say, I'm
impressed with your work." He nodded at both men Then looked at
Eirock. "So what do you think? We could use a pair like this on
retainer or perhaps as part of our Hold in some fashion? That is if
you're interested in steady pay and a roof over your heads," he added
back to Olov. "I'm sure Eirock can work out a suitable deal that will
please us all." He slapped Eirock on the shoulder and gestured to Olov
with his head. "They brought us the answers, pay the man."

Eirock offered up a leather pouch with more marks than the two would
be expecting. When one was particularly good at his job you wanted to
offer a decent tip, particularly if there was the potential of
requiring his services again. "I'd be happy to discuss a long term
arrangement if you gentlemen are interested."

Piedre observed silently as the pouch was passed to Olov, watching the
other man's face closely to see what he thought of the proposition.
Though Olov could be nearly as difficult to read as himself, when he
chose to be.

The big man opened the pouch and peered into it. For a long moment he
was silent, then he grunted in approval before making the pouch
disappear into his voluminous oilskin coat. "Well now. That's a
tempting offer, Steward Eirock. Mighty tempting. But my hunting
partner and I... we have a good life we'd have to walk away from. We'd
be happy to discuss your offer, if it's worth our time." Getting back
into a Hold after turns living rough would be a utopia, but not if
they were too beholden to the Lord Holder.

"Then why don't you come back with us. I'm sure Eirock can make the
appropriate arrangements to get you set." Bryvin's smile seemed
genuine. In fact, he was rather happy with the thought of some of his
former associates nearby who could understand and facilitate some of
his needs that were outside of the normal upstanding Lord Holders.
"In the meantime there is an Inn down by the harbor that will suffice
until you have your own quarters." **and I can brief you on who knows
what.** He nodded at Olov and Piedre, a hint that he would meet them
at the Inn later.

With the barest of grins, Piedre gave a nod. The thought of holding a
_respectable_ position amused him, but some time enjoying the comforts
of a Hold would be pleasant so long as Bryvin had enough work to keep
life interesting. Piedre couldn't abide a mundane lifestyle for long.

"Thank you for your help. I must return to the Hold and inform the
man's family." He sighed showing what a heavy burden he was assuming
in doing so. He turned and strode off back the way he'd come with his
canine at his side.

Olov glanced at Piedre before following the Lord toward the Hold. Things were looking up, indeed.

Last updated on the July 8th 2015

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The Bearers of Bad News