As they approach the town hall, Rossiath looks at Merry with a shake of her head. "Here child, make yourself of use," she says, handing the girl a small pouch of silver coins. "I'll be needed a nice sized onion and at least 3 hearty potatoes for frying tonight. Off with you now, and don't be going to the Pony to look for that fellow of yours either." Rossiath places the pouch in Merry's hand and shoos her off.
Looking down, Merry weighs the pouch carefully and thinks to herself that she might get a nice apple to munch on with the extra. Grinning, she waves to Rossiath. "I'll not be long then, and you'll get the biggest potatoes I can find!" The girl turns and races off to find the vendors. Rossiath shakes her head as she enters the town hall. "Girl has way too much energy," she mutters to herself, wiping her feet as she enters the building.
As Rossiath appears in the doorway of her small office , Bonnie looks up from her papers. "Rossiath, what brings you by?" she greets the older woman, smiling. "And how are those prize-winning chickens of yours doing?"
Rossiath leans down to shake Bonnie's hand, smiling at her with a brisk nod. "The chickens are fat and happy, as always. Thought I should come by to say hello, see how you and the family fares. It's been some time since I've been able to get out and about, what with the troubles my boy left me with." Rossiath purses her lips, her shoulders slumping at the thought.
"Aye, that he did.” Bonnie gives her a sympathetic glance. “I remember how he always got in mischief as a boy... Remember how he filled my apron pockets with frogs, one of those days you had me keeping an eye on him while you and Gil were working the mill?" She chuckles, but winces too, at the memory. "I /hate/ frogs." She finishes making a mark on the paper before her, then sets it to one side on top of a neat stack. "Any luck with the mill? I thought, maybe, if you were stopping by here..."
"Nothing solid yet,” Rossiath shakes her head sadly. and sits down heavily in the chair across from Bonnie's desk. “And it looks more likely I'll have to be selling the mill and moving soon. I never even imagined that everything Gil and I worked for could be so carelessly tossed away like this." Upset, she begins tapping on the edge of the desk. "The only hope I've even had in selling is a young man who seems to be somewhat interested in fixing up the mill. Said he'd have to go speak with his father about it, so I don't know if it'll lead to anything, but Rastellion seems fairly honest and hardworking."
"Rastellion? ...” Bonnie glances up at the mention of the uncommon name, and leans forward slightly in her chair. “Is that the same fellow I've seen around here? Young man, from north of Trestlebridge, who's been doing a bit of work for one of those trading groups lately?"
"Same one, as far as I can tell,” Rossiath nods. “Works for an association of traders and such. Lady Zandrianna introduced me to him and his young woman recently, after she heard of my troubles."
Bonnie's eyes light up with the prospect of gossip. "Oh, you do know him then. Tell me..." She glances about her office, suddenly self-conscious. "But I was just about to step out for lunch." She stands, fishing her key out of her smock, and steps around the table. Come join me?" She steps toward the door, beckoning Rossiath to follow.
"It's been some time since my morning repast, I wouldn't mind a quick bite myself." Rossiath stretches her back, before standing up from the high backed chair, and follows the woman out the door. "And you look like you could use a bit of a rest yourself. Things been that hectic at the mayor's office?"
Bonnie rolls her eyes as she locks her door, then leads the way out into the front courtyard. "Oh, isn't it always. I sometimes think I'm the only one here who cares enough to do thing properly. I don't know what Grahamn - I mean, Mayor Tenderlarch - would do without me, and that's the truth!" She looks around the town streets for a moment, then turns purposefully toward a side lane. "Mallard's still makes the best seed cake in Bree," she explains, heading in that direction.
As the women walk towards the shop, Rossiath nods her head. "People never seem to learn that if they don't do things right the first time, then they'll just make more work for themselves when they have to do it over again. And that's the honest truth." She reaches up to brush a stray hair from her face and then sighs sympathetically at the younger woman.
Moving to inconsequentials as they reach the bakery, Bonnie speaks of the weather and latest rumored scandals among the Watch. She orders a pot of tea and two slices of the seed cake, then leads Rossiath to a more private spot, in a corner of the building by the window. "So," she says s they settle into their seats. "What's the story with Rastellion and that young woman, Immalaine? I thought, when they first came by they were a couple, but now....?" She trails off expectantly, looking at Rossiath.
With a quick glance at Bonnie, Rossiath settles into her chair before responding. "You know how young people get, Bonnie. One fight and the world's coming to an end. Such dramatics," she says and shakes her head disapprovingly at the thought. "They've had a disagreement and I'm sure they'll work it out given enough time to cool their heads."
Bonnie smiles the self-indulgent smile of someone who's gotten the scoop. "Oh, I don't know about that." She leans forward and says, in a whisper, "I shouldn't say anything but..." Her voice drops lower. "... but I think there's another man she's seeing now."
Several seconds pass, as Rossiath lifts her eyebrow at this statement, biting down the urge to chide Bonnie for telling tales. Instead, she nods her head briefly and replies just as quietly, "I have some trouble believing that, as it were. I saw those two myself, and things seemed a little strained, but it was clear she was quite fond of this young man."
Bonnie takes another bite of her cake, then shakes her head and starts to pour the tea. "See, that's what I thought too when they came by the mayor's office, trying to get that paperwork for her farm set up. But then no sooner is that worked out than the servant of some rich fellow shows up, asking how long an interval is given for contestation, until the new claim is fully ratified. And...." she pauses, enjoying the suspense and her superior knowledge. "... And he brought the draft of a marriage contract with him too. And it wasn't Rastellion's name beside hers on it!" She leans back, smirking slightly, and lifts her tea cup. "Don't sound like she's too serious about this Rastellion to me...."
"A marriage contract you say?" Rossiath's eyes widen somewhat at this news. And she shakes her head in disbelief, the information being quickly internalized, and a warning bell goes off. 'Damn and tarnation, but this isn't good and Zandrianna's not going to like hearing this in the least.' she thought to herself, but schooled her face to cover the sudden jolt of panic. "Seems that maybe you're right, but then who knows with young girls now."
"Like the ones up at the Pony with a different fellow on their arms every night." She purses her lips a moment. "Still, I thought those two... well, Rastellion was sure energetic in helping her save her farm. I figured he was doing it as much for himself as anything, Get the girl and the land. But then, no sooner's that done, then up pops this other fellow, waving the draft marriage contract and Immalaine's own copy of the deed... No, I think she's found herself a better catch!" Bonnie shakes her head in exaggerated dismay and reaches for the rest of her cake.
At the mention of Immalaine's deed, Rossiath about bites her tongue and pauses to take a drink of her tea. 'So that's where it went to,' she thought to herself, 'and if they have that and Immalaine …' She shakes her head, as the new information comes together, taking a deep breath before she begins speaking once more. "A better catch unli ..." she starts, then jumps as Merry races up to the table. "Lands sake child, where's the fire? Settle yourself …"
Merry shakes her head, trembling with nervous excitement, the market bag of produce hanging from her hands. "Miss Rossiath! You have to come with me!! It's important!" the girl replies quickly.
Bonnie looks up at the excited redhead, brow slightly creased in irritation at the interruption. "I don't believe I've met your excitable young friend," she begins.
Rossiath looks down at her half eaten seed cake, shaking her head, before turning to Bonnie. "This child is Merry, and ..." she turns, sensing Merry's bristling excitement. "And," she adds, standing up, "if I don't go see whatever flower or butterfly the child wants to show me, she'll likely burst with energy. Give me a moment and I'll return." She leans down to pat Bonnie's hand and turns to Merry. "Alright child, let's go." she says to Merry and follows her outside.
"I saw .. I saw him ... this way!" Merry says in a jumble of words as she takes off down the street.
Rossiath catches up with Merry, barely, and grabs the girl's arm to slow her down. "Child, you need to learn how to respect your elders. I was talking to Bonnie about something important when you interu ...."
Without pausing for breath, Merry interrupts Rossiath. "But it's ... very important!" Merry says, pointing in the direction she's straining to move in. "I saw him! Than man's servant, the one Immalaine went with! I saw him just up the road!"
Rossiath looks over at Merry and frowns as she hears her words. "Are you sure child?" she says, letting go of the girl's arm. Merry nods and takes a step forward, before looking back to see if Rossiath is following her. "Yes, I'm sure! Hurry or we'll lose him!"
The two women descend a cobbled street toward the seedier parts of Bree, passing the vegetable stands where Merry had been doing her shopping, the girl leading the way at a half-run and urging the widow to hurry. They turn a corner and, beyond a high hedge, a boarding house comes into view; in the courtyard a cloaked man - bearded, and with the salt-and-pepper hair of Sallastin's servant - is speaking earnestly with a second, younger man, similarly cloaked.
Upon seeing the two men, Merry lets out a quiet little yelp, quickly cut off by Rossiath as she grabs the girl's arm and yanks her back a step. "This way," she says quietly and pulls them both behind a nearby hedge. "Stay here and stay quiet" she commands Merry.
The older man turns slightly, as Merry peers around the hedge, throwing his profile into sharp relief against the building's sunlit side. Upon seeing the man's face clearly lit, she turns to Rossiath and nods vigorously, mouthing 'It is him!' to the older woman, to which Rossiath nods at Merry then puts her finger to her lips and slides over to see if she can hear anything.
The younger man nods and accepts something from the older. Then with a few parting words - indistinct at this distance - he turns and strides purposely out to the street. He glances both ways, apparently not noticing the two women, then turns away from them and starts along the back roads towards the west gate.
Rossiath turns to look towards where the man went, glancing back at the boarding house, before turning to Merry. Quietly she motions for the girl to follow her and the two of them step out on the street in the direction the man had taken. They easily match pace with him, keeping him in sight but not getting any closer as they follow him through the cobbled streets of Bree. Merry's quick step soon outpaces her as the girl begins to gain ground on the man. Grabbing at Merry's sleeve, Rossiath waits for her to turn he head. "Not so fast," she whispers, "We don't want him to know we're following him."
The young woman bristles at having to slow down, but does as she's told, and the two women continue to tail the man to the edge of Bree and past a gatehouse along the old city wall, when their quarry pauses, bending down to adjust his boot for a moment, and glancing around, before straightening and continuing his unhurried way toward the northern gate.
The crowds thin as they pass the main road leading uphill to the Pony, and as the pair hurries after the cloaked figure, they find themselves nearly alone on the road behind him, save for a few farmers with wagons and a young couple, strolling hand in hand in the opposite direction.
Rossiath looks around, furrowing her brow as she sees less places to hide if he should turn. Seeing him stop to talk to the guard at the gate, Rossiath pulls Merry behind a small cottage, then peers around the corner to watch until the man, with a quick glance at the now empty road behind him, steps on through the gate. Slowly, they make their way down a dirt path,
Ahead of them, the stranger has increased his pace. As the two women pass through the gate they see him cresting a small rise ahead and turning to follow the path, which leads behind a small copse of trees.
"Child," Rossiath says in a half whisper, "Slow down, you ..." She stops, shaking her head, for Merry had already run ahead of her towards the trees. "Fool child," Rossiath mutters to herself, watching as Merry drops the shopping bag. Rossiath sighs and pauses for a moment to pick it up, keeping her eye on where the girl had run off to.
Merry rounds the copse and sees the path stretching empty ahead of her. Then she hears a low chuckle behind her and a thick arm wraps about her waist. "So, girlie, you've been following me halfway through Bree. Curious as a cat, aren't you?" Merry lets out a yelp of surprise as the man grabs her and begins to struggle. "Let .. me .. go!" she says, as she attempts to pull away from the man holding her. He tugs at Merry, startled by the girl's strength, and dragging her further down the path and out of sight of the town walls. "You followed me, remember? We'll just settle with your chaperone and then be on our way..."
Rossiath rushes up, hearing Merry's cry and the rustle of leaves as she struggled with the man holding her. "Merry child, what ..." she begins to say.
Merry lets out a frustrated cry as she continues to struggle, her curly hair falling into her eyes. "No! No! Let me go mister!" she yells, trying to kick him as she hears Rossiath approach.
The sharp whinny from behind Rossiath alerts her to a second man, who's just stepped away from two waiting horses and is advancing on her, a dagger in one hand. "Ought to keep your nose out of other folks' business, y' ol bat," he growls when he realizes he's been spotted; he raises his weapon and hastens to cross the last few feed between them. Rossiath lets out a low huff of air, her eyes widening as she sees the dagger flash in the man's hand. Stumbling back, she swings the grocer's bag in an attempt to dislodge the dagger from the man's hand or, at the very least, discourage him from coming any closer. "Get off with yourself!" she shouts angrily.
A grin stretches the ruffian's face as he's approaching Rossiath, anticipating easy prey. The grin vanishes into shock as the grocer's bag, solid with apples and potatoes, swings up right between his legs. "Gnah!" he gasps, breath knocked out of him, dagger flying away into the long grass, as he stumbles then falls backwards on the slope, clutching at the source of his sudden pain. His companion, still struggling with Merry further up the slope, glances back toward the sound of the commotion.
Seeing an opportunity, Rossiath turns and runs back down the hill, calling for the town watch at the top of her lungs. Merry uses the distraction to elbow the man holding her, attempting to get free from his grasp as she continues to struggle against him.
The sudden and unexpected elbow in his gut causes the first man's grip to slip. He chases after Merry as she turns back toward Bree catching her by the wrist after less than a dozen paces. From here he can see his comrade swearing and struggling to his feet, the horses stamping nervously, and, beyond, the first two Watchers just stepping out of the gate. One spots them and raises his arm to point up the hill. as he calls to unseen allies, still within the walls.
Merry lets out a frustrated scream, turning back towards the man as she swings wildly with her free hand. In the distance, she can hear Rossiath calling her name, as the woman struggles to run and rejoin them, winded from the run back to Bree to gather the guards. Not letting up her struggle, Merry tries to kick the man in the leg as she pulls against him.
The fellow struggling with Merry curses, seeing the Watchers responding to Rossiath's call for help. He lets go of Merry's wrist and strikes her across the face with the back of his hand, sending her tumbling onto nearby rocks. "Next time..." he snarls at her, then sprints the few yards down the slope to where the horses wait. "Leave them," he shouts at the other man, who's regained his feet and is starting after Rossiath, murder in his watering eyes. "We have to ride!"
Rossiath rushes up, just in time to see Merry knocked down by the man now scrambling onto his steed, Anger flashes in her eyes as she attempts to stop him from escaping with his partner. She lets out a low curse of her own as she grabs at the man's leg.
The first man kicks at Rossiath as he wheels his horse, his boot clipping her jaw - more surprising than painful - and he tugs the second horse over to his partner, who swings up into the saddle. Shouts come from the approaching watchman, and a single arrow clatters among the rocks where Merry lies, accompanied by a curse by the sergeant for the over-eager trainee who fired it into the confused scrum on the hill.
Rossiath stumbles back, her hand reaching up for her jaw as she debates her next move. Turning, she glimpses Merry against the rocks and swearing, she heads over to help the girl up and check her for injuries.
Merry, wincing in pain, looks up gratefully as the older woman offers an arm up, and she starts to struggle painfully to her feet. Then the thud of approaching hooves pulls her gaze past Rossiath to their two assailants, both mounted now, racing away from Bree. The second man jerks hard on his reigns, forcing his horse into a detour toward the two women. "Rossiath!" she gasps, "look out!"
At the warning cry, Rossiath turns and sees the man bearing down on her, face twisted into a vengeful snarl. She lets go of Merry's hand - sending the young woman tumbling back among the boulders - and desperately raises her arms, as the ruffian swings his club down at her face. She knows a brief moment of bright, bursting ... pain... and then all is blackness.
(Credits and love go to Rastellion, who provided the voice of various characters in this story. *Blows kisses to Rastellion and grins widely*)
