Storyteller

Well, it's been quite a while, since the last time I posted anything here. To be honest, I just couldn't bothered. It's all been a bit stressy. There's still no decision, whether I have to take over one of the Aikido clubs. Will not be until the next year. But to be honest, I don't really want to. It's okay to train with the people there, but to instruct them... I had my dose of that, and I have to say, I was reminded why I didn't become a teacher.
Work seems a bit chaotic at the moment, but that's mostly because in term of responsibilities, I am a bit in a in between position. I really hope, that I will get a more independent lead the next time. My current project leader is a nice guy, and he does know his stuff, but my working pace is just higher... but then I tend to work faster (or more efficient?) than most people.
We'll see, what next year brings. There might be some redundencies... but I think I'm probably reasonably safe, if only because I get easily overlooked. But that's what it might be... For now I've got 3 weeks off. Might drive down to Northampton for a few days visiting a friend. She got herself pregnant (and no it's not me...), hope she's coping well. She did loose a child early (I think it's been about 2 months into the pregnancy) earlier this year. Hope everything goes well this time.
Well that's it for the moment...

Oh well, I'm the storyteller, so I guess I should start telling a story. Well, let's start with the setting of this adventure. It was night, it always is, nobody expects an adventure to start by day, that just wouldn't be right. Ok, it was night, actually it was a pretty dark night. The reason for that was the big thunderstorm outside (it therefore wasn't dark all the time, but we will have to put up with this, as it adds nicely to the overall atmosphere). The clouds were blocking out the stars and the moon was at its darkest. The the stormwind was pressing the rain against the window. The window was no more than a black hole in the wall, covered with well greased leather, that was bulging into the room. The room itself was dark, the fire had been banked a long time ago and the cheap grease lamps had been snuffed out a long time ago.
This room made up most of the little hovel Derrick was living in. There was only one other small room, Mavs bedroom and study, off limits to Derrick. Mav had taken him in about 2 years ago, when his mother had died. She had been working in Lord Ulgars castle as a kitchen maid, before she fell in. Mav had been some kind of guard or other there, until he retired around the time his mother died. They moved here to this awful spot at the edge of a swamp (you gotta have a swamp in an adventure) then. Why Mav would burden himself with a lad 6 years old (well he's 8 now of course...) noone could guess, but he did. Maybe he had mercy with the young orphan, that didn't even know who his father was. Maybe he should be glad to have been away from the castle, where the children teased him with the rumours of his beget. Some said, his mother had had an affair with one of the nobles, others said, she'd been raped... those were the nicer ones. There were also those who said his mother'd been whoring around, and in fact, that was what she was still doing. He hated that with a vengeance.
Derrick got up and grabbed his cloak, it wasn't a fancy one, but good quality (not that you could make that out now, it's still dark, and the bit of lightning, dimmed by the leather skin... really it isn't enough). Anyway he put on the coat and carefully opened the door. He was on his way outside to close the shutter of the window, before the wind blew the leather in. The storm was getting worse, thunder was well thundering, and at the precise moment, when he opened the door, a tree some 100 yards away was struck by lightning and burst into flame. It wasn't the only tree burning it looked more, like the lightning had done some target practising, but of course that couldn't be. After all, lightning is just a natural phenomenom, that strikes statistically, or is it? Well we might come bak to this later on. For now, all that's been on Derricks mind was to get the wooden shutters closed, though he was impressed by the burning trees. He braved the storm and went outside barefooted and closed the shutters, then he went back in, shook out the coat and placed it over a chair to dry. Then he went to his bed, well straw pallet on the floor and blanket, in the hopes to get some sleep
Derrick was just about to get warm again, when Mav came in through the door. He went straight to his little room and started to rummage in there. That was so out of character for him, it made Derrick nervous. After what must have been about a quarter of an hour, Derrick came out with two sets of saddlebags. He had his sword and dagger on his belt and he was wearing his chain mail armour. He started the fire in the fireplace again, and went back to his study. That was, when he realised Derrick was awake.
"Good, your up. Get dressed and start packing some food and water. Distribute them between the packs, in case we get separated, we'll be leaving soon."
With that Mav went back to his study, and Derrick heard the rustle of paper and parchment, while he did as he was told, wondering what the hell was going on.
Just as Derrick had finished packing, Mav was coming back into the main room. He had a big stack of scrolls with him, most of which he threw to the fire with a heavy wordless sigh. The rest he stuffed into the saddlebags he claimed for himself. He went back to his study one more time, and came back with his hunting bow and arrows, his old battle shield and a short sword and buckler he gave to Derrick.
"This will do for now, we'll have to teach how to use them while we're underway. Let's get moving, we haven't much time left."
They went outside. There were two horses. Derrick recognised them, they were the horses they'd used to get here two years ago. He'd though Mav had sold them. Obviously he hadn't. And he still hadn't told him what was going on. At least the rain had stopped, but it was still cloudy and very very dark (yes it really should get worse now by tradition, but let's give the heroes a little respite, before they get into the thick of it).
Mav set out towards the swamp. Derrick had asked, what was going on, but Mav only told him later. They'd visit an old friend of his, some guy called Master Tahira. Derrick never had heard of him and he wondered if was some kind of craftsmen or a scholar. Anyway, Mav was making haste, and as soon as they were maybe half a mile clear of their home, the storm resumed and a lightning struck the little cottage, setting the place alight that had been his home for the last two years.
Mav sighed, "That was close, I should have known Tahira couldn't keep it at bay much longer. But we are clear for now, that's what counts". Derrick wasn't a very good rider, but his horse was obviously used to following Mavs. He couldn't even remember, what their names were. He'd have to ask Mav, later. The storm died abruptly after it had struck the cottage.
"Damn he knows he has hit true. Won't be long until he shows up, we need to get away fast." Mav kicked his horse into a galopp and Derricks followed its lead. He was clinging on desperately just to keep on top.
Where were we, it has been quite I while, since I last told you of Derrick. Oh I remember, they were fleeing their home. They were riding hard for two days, only stopping, when the horses needed rest. I don't think, anyone would have been stupid enough to follow them, let alone in such a haste. Swamps are treacherous places, an this one was no difference, if anything, it was worse. One wrong step, and it might swallow you for good. Mav though didn't seem to be bothered. Either he knew his way very well, had some other means helping him, or he must have been plain stupid (But then as with many stupid people he would have been incredibly lucky).
On the morning of the third day they approached a small cottage. Well approach might be the wrong way to describe it. One moment, there was only swamp, and the next moment they entered a sunny meadow with a cottage not too far away. Derrick was too shocked by the sudden change to ask any questions, Mav didn't seem to be bothered at all. It was like he expected this to happen all along.
As they reached the cottage, the door opened and an old lady greeted them. She had white hair, and the wrinkles in her face told of a long and happy life. Still, something about her told Derrick, she was not to be messed about with, and it was better not to have to call her an enemy. Maybe it was just the place, but then, what does a place like this do in the middle of a swamp? The answer was magic. Derrick didn't know anything about magic, but he was soon about to find out.
"Come on in", the woman called and disappeared inside the house. Mav took the reins of Derricks horse and sent him ahead.
"Go on in lad, she doesn't bite. Tell her I'm taking care of the horses and join later."
Derrick went through the open door. He heard her rustling around in to the left, which must be the kitchen. The house seemed somehow a lot larger in the inside.
"Don't be shy and come on in, I've got tea ready", she called.
Derrick peaked around the door and carefully went into the kitchen.
"Mav's taking care of the horse, he'll be here soon," he managed to say quietly.
"I guessed as much", she answered, "so you must be Derrick. You've grown quite a bit, since I've last seen you. Oh come on and sit down." With that she pointed to a chair in front of a steaming cup of tea.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?"
"Well Birgitta, maybe you should introduce yourself first. I don't think he remembers you, he's been a babe, the last time the two of you met." This was Mav coming in.
"Aye, I guess you're right. I'm Birgitta, nice to meet you Derrick. I was a friend of your mother."
With that she took Derricks hand to greet him.
A shy "Hello, I'm Derrick" escaped from his mouth.
Then she turned around to Mav, "And how are you, old friend, I've heard you left quite a mess behind. Tahira will be here soon".
"It is about time our young friend here gets properly taught". With that she gently patted Derricks head.

To be continued soon...