Trish Winterbrooke - Moments In Time

[Baldgeek]

Comtemplation
Sarshel: The Tides

"... as the endless tide gently laps the sawgrass and cattails of the coastal way Gard Leppek's faithful dog, Senmir, looks on while Trish studies the hull of a long forgotten ship due west of the fisherman's modest coastal home. If it weren't for the large meal of bay fish, turnips and collared greens presented to her by Mister Leppek and his daughter, Nuna, perhaps she would explore the rotting wreck ... sensibly she chooses to perhaps come back sometime when she's less full, and during the dawn, not twilight ... sometime soon ... she surmises as she smiles and wanders back to the Leppek's home, Senmir in tow, where they have offered her a restful place to stay for the night ... "

[Baldgeek]

Reflection
Laviguer Road: Mal Banks

" ... the turbulent waters carve their way between the high cliff walls with a frantically ceaseless aquatic roar and the flexing timbers of the birch and pine twist and sway with low groans as an intense wind ushers in from the north. Brushing her hair gently out of her face, and squinting slightly, Trish smiles as she watches a gull, high above, skitter to the side as the wind takes it from its intended path of flight and then notices the small branch of hemlock as it gets caught between the rotting splinters of a long weathered cliff side fence.
Reflecting she realized, at that moment, that these are in fact the moments, the experiences, the feelings she left the mundane safety of the Dales for ... I mean sure, times like these don't make one wealthy, nor does it make anyone a better fighter, but what it does is make you a better person to others and most importantly to yourself for the time spent.
Finishing her thought while adjusting her short bow across her chest she quickly ties her hair into a quick bun atop her head and taking one last look over the cliff face heads into the forest with a confident stride, wide grin, light humming under her breath and her hair bun all the while slowly coming undone ... "

[Baldgeek]

Companionship
Vlasta: Pine Wood Trail

" The road toward Vlasta wound it's way through the fragranced maze of pine and spruce and sounding off nearby a red squirrel warned them that it was it's homeland upon that which they trod. Trish smiled and watched as the middle aged man rumbled heavy footed through the overgrown trail. She had seen the man fight and, despite his age, was sure and true with his war hammer and for this she was glad for Vlasta was a remote village and traveling there alone was to chance your own life with a starved bear or pack of grey wolves. Since leaving Sarshel, however, he had spoken little and this she came to respect, much after he had told her that she asked too many questions, for not all that wander together need wear their lives on their sleeves. Perhaps it's the understood companionship that comes with traveling that is enough. For though she may never be able to pick up, never mind learn to wield a war hammer, she had learned from this man that sometimes you learn a whole lot more by listening then speaking. A truly mysterious man, she though as the smell of cooking fish touched her keen senses, a man she would have to find more about but she would just need to find out how to ask a question without asking one ... "

[Baldgeek]

Fire
The Royal Road: Hillside

" Crickets played their orchestration in the dark outskirts of the group's site as salves are applied and bandages wrapped. The wolf cave not twenty minutes travel from their camp had shown them that the extended winter had indeed forced the canine to seek food not only upon deer and small vermin but also unwary travelers as well ... the ivory proof strewn among the entrance and the dank interior of the lair in the form of bone and sinew ... Trish glanced around the dancing light of the fire thankful for the huntsman and his bear companion, as the former scratched the latter behind the ears, the bear growling in a low growl of satisfaction ... and the northern lady who's bow and trustworthiness were both true as the day long ... friends and companion beast all huddle around fire for warmth, a means to cook and light to assemble a collection of the like minded ... to talk, rest and heal ....

... poking the fire with a stick which caused the the pop of birch bark to echo throughout the area jumped the bear who instinctively let out a reverberating growl ... all eyes on Trish ... grinning she set the stick aside ... perhaps it was time for bed anyways ... "

[Baldgeek]

Cleanliness
The Crowning Glory Inn : Washroom

"Mister Lentian brought in the final bucket of warm water from the fire, it had cost her nearly twenty copper for this treatment but she needed it ... infact, Mister Lentian himself half suggested it and even offered a free half-pint of cider included with the price ... he is such a nice guy she pondered as she settled into the wooden tub ... some of the water slipping over the edge onto the floor as she shifted into a comfortable position ...

... dunking her dreadlocked hair into the water and working her hands around her scalp she sighed with relief ...

the whole day was fraught with danger from armor plated Ankheg to a holed up hobgoblin camp in the remotest of swamps ... a swamp that nearly swallowed her twice and had within it razor grass that nearly destroyed her leather leggings ...

... washing her legs she sighed at the cuts around her ankles and calves ...

no matter ... she had acquired a very nice set of hide armor that, although it needed to be taken to the dressmaker in Outentown for a fit adjustment as well as a good cleaning, would offer a reason, finally, to trade in the old, ripped and torn leathers she's been wearing for many months now ...

... slipping back into the tub with her toes wiggling on the edge of the wash basin, head back and eyes closed she smiled ...

... the most important thing that day though was that she able to once again travel with Sister, the ever humble Tristan, quiet and ever alert Garvin and even got to meet the tough Jun and noble Mister Westin ... yeah, that's what was most important ... and they all made it back alive ... of course this bath is a close second ...

... ducking all but her mouth under the water she blew bubbles and relaxed until the water cooled ... clean at last ... "

[Baldgeek]

Rain
Sarshel : City South - Temple of the Triad

" The dark day that reared its hellish head when the cold winds of the prolonged winter were warmed and seared with the heat of otherworldly flames was the same day that the cool rain soaked the bloodstained ground and mixed with the ash and rubble that was left in the daemon's wake ...

... Trish walked out of the temple on that day ... hands bloodied ... mind fogged and spirit beaten ... as did many that survived that day.

She looked down at her long fingered hands as windborne ash swirled about her ... looked at the crimson smeared remnants of others life force ... others she could not save ... the clutches of the tendriled fingers of death having a much stronger grasp on their souls ...

... glancing skyward she whispered a small prayer to Sheela Peryroyl ... a prayer to heal ... to calm ... for herself and those that sought recovery from their bodies and minds ... to escape the reality of that day ... the Green Sister answered with a light drizzle that lead to a steady stream of heaven sent healing water ...

... Trish closed her upturned eyes ... held her outstretched arms skyward and let those droplets of healing wash away the moment ... ringlets of light red and black swirled and pooled at her feet mingling with the tears that ran freely down her cheeks ....

... a rain dance of momentary sanity both physical and emotional ...

[Baldgeek]

Listening
Laviguer Road: Crossroads - West

" As the water receded off the large solitary rock far below the outcropping, where the two women stood, some remained and encased it in thin ice which glistened in the dull afternoon light of day ... reflecting the fast moving clouds overhead ...

Aleira had asked Trish to come with her that day ... asked to walk and talk ... very little was spoken on the way from Sarshel and Trish knew in her heart of hearts that something weighed heavily on the huntress's mind ...
As a young hin Trish was wild, wild as they come according to her mother, and listened to nature, observed their habits, movements and even their calls ... but when it came to people Trish fell deaf ... and perhaps she still was til recently ... time in Impiltur with its' dubious people was time well spent in that Trish was learning to listen more ... not just words but body language, tone and even choice of words ... which came almost naturally ... for though many hide behind title and armor, when stripped of these, they are just two legged animals after all ...

... the fast chill running river played a rhythmic thrum in the background on that day that Aleira opened up to Trish about several concerns ... concerns that Trish listened to intently .. offering advice when needed and silence when called for ... and even disregarded the screech of a blue jay followed by the high pitched bay of the fox ... the fact that it was going to rain soon made no difference when lending an ear to a friend ... "

[Baldgeek]

Edification

Sarshel: City Square - Red Anvil Smithworks & Armoury

"Her forearms ached to the point where even wiping sweat from her brow was a task... the forge and anvil were now her playground ...

She had asked to use Jestanu Sennes' smithy, not a week ago, for her arrow planning and he had asked for nothing in return ... even offering her shards of metal for her arrows free of charge...
... the first day was fine but something felt wrong to Trish ... her very being was heavy and so she did what she had to do to lighten her soul ... she asked for a job ... now some would most certainly see this as odd ... for to her knowledge she had no dwarven blood and was a pure lightfoot all the way to Yondallas' womb but she was always taught to repay in anyway she could for services or items that were offered ... and since she had but a couple of sardils to rub together this was to be her recompense ... an offer that the busy, if not overworked, Jestanu accepted graciously ...

... moving from the forge to the cooling table she took up a scroll and started reading about various intricacies of sword forming and relished in the respite of the intense heat and aching arms ... smiling she wiped a drop of sweat from her nose and thought that perhaps at the end of the day this experience was far more than just an aching body, but an education in a craft many halfling take for granted and write off as dwarven work ... but her labor currency was good as anyone's and she would learn and prosper from the participation ...

... casually throwing a dreadlocked strand of hair over her shoulder she turned the scroll over to the study several diagrams as Jestanu worked the forge when the clack of the smithy doors' latch signaled a customer, or several, carrying with then what was sure to be a vast array of interesting items ... grinning she looked up and turned to see the door open ... "

[Baldgeek]

Currency
Outentown - Tavern

"Trish opened the small wolfskin shoulder pack and untied the interior pouch from which she removed the contents with a single dig of her hand and laid the contents out on the thick wooden countertop ... before her lay five copper and a single wilted daisy ... a sudden outburst of gutteral dwarven laughter behind her started her slightly ... turning she saw the dwarf slap a burly human male on the shoulder as he wiped his greying beard with his sleeve ... for a moment she thought that it was a mocking laughter in response to the meager spread of coin before her ... sighing and shaking the thought away she threw the daisy back into her pack and took one of the many menus from the counter and looked over it ... stomach grumbling ...

... so engrossed in the hard decision on what to purchase given the slim copper she possesed the soft voice sent a shiver up her spine ...

"So what's good?"

... turning to her right sat a pretty blonde haired halfling with enthralling green eyes, dressed in a fine leather traveling suit trimmed with intricate, sewed in, patterns and matching scarf ... those radiant eyes that turned from her own menu to Trish ... a smile creasing her unblemished cheeks ...

"Well the goulash soup is okay, though I think I'm gonna just settle for the bread and cheese", Trish responded offering the woman a smile in return.

... the woman then looked from Trish to the coins then back to her menu ....

"I see ... will that fill one up?" she asked simply.
"Well sure ... in fact sometimes I take the heels with me on the roads ... they keep better I find."
Grinning the woman gently brushed her fine blonde hair aside and behind one ear ...
"Well I'm afraid I don't have that many copper to spend ... perhaps something to drink ... what's good there?"
"Oh", Trish started "well the cider is well made ... I can share some of my bread though with you 'course", she added curiously studying the woman who for all intents and purposes looked to be one that could rub two balan together nevermind not being able to rub two sardil ...

... looking up from the menu the woman's smile broadened as she looked to Trish just before the crash behind them caused Trish to witness the same laughing dwarf, from before, laying upon the hearth with one arm in the fires' coals, an upturned bench laying next to him ...

... sliding from her stool she ran to the dwarf as he rolled out of the hearth spreading embers across the floor ... his burly human companion snuffed out the embers as she checked the dwarf's arm ... miraculously the dwarf was relatively unharmed ... though very much drunk ...
... refusing any help from her the stubborn dwarf staggered back to his table leaving his friend and Johann, who simply shook his head, to help Trish put the bench back before returning to the table and bar respectively ...

... following suite Trish made her way back to her own seat but stopped halfway across the room as she noticed that the woman was no longer there ... glancing around the room she saw no sign of her ...

... back at her seat the five copper remained and she asked Johann if he had seen the woman leave to which he shrugged and asked if he could get her something to eat ...

... ordering the bread and cheese Johann kindly offered her a cider free of charge for helping with the dwarf which he promptly poured ...

... smiling, feet happily kicking back and forth below the stool, she awaited her order as she sipped the cider ...

"Sorry all we gots is heels so I'm gonna just charge ya two copper ... that okay?", the barkeep asked sliding over a plate of heels and cheese.
"Perfect!", she exclaimed taking the bread plate and handing him two copper ...

... wiggling in her seat Trish cut a piece of cheese and laid it on a heel and took a bite ... as she chewed she took the three remaining copper and returned them to the wolf skin pack but not before noticing the daisy that lay at the bottom of the pack ...

... taking out the daisy she stopped chewing, dropped the coins into the pack, and stared at the fresh daisy she held before her ... as fresh as the day she had picked it ... "

[Baldgeek]

Return

Filur - Town Square

" Months ago the young huntress went into the wilds ...

... feeling the heartbeat of the skies through torrential downpours ... blood stopping cold and soul filling bright sunshine ...
... she ate what was provided ... hunted and foraged ...
... normally lithe in stature her time living on the land left her even more so ... getting eyes even as she walked into the town ... the first civilized town in a long while ...
... she returned the people's looks ... the armored guards ... the farmers .. even the well dresses merchants with a different view ... they seemed so comfortable .. perhaps unaware of what goes on beyond the town's borders ... how a sudden shift in the winds can mean rain and how the absence of animal sounds at night mean a predator is within a half mile ... simple things .. learned things that Trishee came to not only understand but respect and revere ... she had a lot to teach ... to give ...

... would they take though ... understand ... or even care?

... she truly hoped so ... and so she opened the door to Garrick's and was nearly knocked over with the smells and noise from within ... within a meal that she would not have to hunt, skin or prepare ... but simply offer some copper in its exchange ... almost too easy ... "