RP:An Agreement Between Warriors
Summary:Hildegarde and Aarika meet about adding members to Hildegarde's ranks as guards to patrol the streets of Frostmaw.
Middle of Town
Hildegarde stood in the middle of town, the marketplace still bearing the marks of war and devastation. Scorch marks marred the ground, the great statue that once stood ever guard over the marketplace had come crumbling down and it needed to be rebuilt. Or a suitable replacement, at least. But what could replace that behemoth? A giant long forgotten, a giant left destroyed in the dust. Perhaps a better memory of Frostmaw could replace it or something a little more godly. Hildegarde sighed at the thought, reaching up to briefly adjust the crown upon her head. She hadn’t yet taken it off. She had worn it to a meeting of the more noble giants, a symbol of office. But it was garish to wear around the town normally. Perhaps a thin band of blue iron would be better with but one gem. Hildegarde was not one for jewels or finery, after all. Yet this had been a gift from Tristram. Grunting, the Silver allows her hand to fall and hang limply at her side. Much and more needed to be done.
Aarika had read a promise for work upon a common board in Kelay tavern thus began her venture far into the north. She had made many preparations being a creature of warmth who thrived in the sun light. The furs she wore she made herself, everything had to be earned, even warmth. From one tavern to another she was finally pointed to where the Silver Queen was last seen and the crunch of snow under her boots drew her near. "Mi'lady." She called in the distance alerting the woman of her presence. There was a pause in the sell swords pace as she scanned the square. There had been great devistation, "I read you are looking for able body warriors." She found her voice again with her pace.
Hildegarde snapped out of her reverie when the voice called out to her, though it takes her a moment to understand that the ‘mi’lady’ is directed at her. It will take her time to get accustomed to such address! The voice was not strange to her, but it wasn’t all that familiar either. A passing acquaintance. “Ah,” she said as her sole eye cast over Aarika and recognition dawned, “indeed, I am. Fine work to be had for a sell-sword,” she said, offering Aarika a welcoming smile. “Though you needn’t call me ‘m’lady’ or anything. Hildegarde will do just fine,” her tone was not commanding, but it had a point to it that meant it was her preference to be devoid of titles when spoken to. “Able bodied warriors are what I seek. Those who can stay in Frostmaw and patrol my streets, protect my workers, maintain law and order while the dust settles.”
Aarika gave a shallow nod to the woman's request for a first name basis. As the Queen of Frostmaw spoke of work the blonde elfess smiled, "Well a sell-sword I am." Her smile deepened to a grin, "However I have a confession I knew you were looking for aid. Hence my presence now." Both her hands propped up on her hips while oceanic pools moved to meet Hilde's gaze, "Currently 'the Company' consists of seven, we also have a few stragglers and temporary job hunters. I can't give you all sword, some must hold down our turf, however I can offer you greater numbers then what you have now." There was a wave of her hand as she spoke before returning to perch on her hilt this time, "What are the details and the pay? The men need some motivation." There was a wink and a scoff.
Hildegarde’s fiery brow briefly perked upright at the mention of having greater numbers than Hildegarde presently had. The newly crowned Queen is none too impressed by such a comment, but she elects to remain silent on it for this moment in time. “Company?” she asks, hoping that Aarika will perhaps elaborate a little more about this apparent ‘Company’. “Understandable. I would not ask for all swords,” she wasn’t quite so cruel or greedy. “The details are simple: patrol the streets alongside the current guard. While I have enough men to maintain order and justice, I fear that it might cause a strain. Additional numbers would help relieve this strain and it will also showcase what I fought for: that foreigners do not mean Frostmaw will come crumbling down. So. Patrol the streets. Maintain the Queen’s Peace, maintain order. I will offer five hundred gold coins per patrol per man, but if you are unhappy with this, I am open to haggling,” she said with a little open handed gesture.
Aarika nodded with the echo of 'the Company', "Yes we are a brother and sisterhood consisting of all walks of life." Her hand raised to rake back her braid littered hair, each braid earned as well, there she flicked a single gold hoop in her ear, "The mark of a member, the gold is enough for your funeral if you die in battle or along the way. We are a private close knit society." When Aarika heard the offer of gold she nodded again, "I see I believe my men would be a little thirstier." She replied honestly. Aarika wasn't a greedy woman accept when it came to the battlefield. Though she knew to keep her family happy. Being a matriarch wasn't always easy something the two women should both know well.
Hildegarde had similar braids throughout her hair, though they were woven together so as not to become a dominating feature of her hair. Much and more did they have in common: gold upon them signifying triumph in battle and skill in war, the golden, brass, silver, bronze and mithril torcs adorned her arms to symbolise her own status meaning it was not something she need speak about. “You sound much like the Warrior’s Guild. A torc symbolises your skill,” she explained, “such is the old way between warriors.” Aarika would likely catch her meaning. “I don’t beat around the bush. Name a price. If I find it agreeable, then it will be so. If I do not find it to be agreeable, well. We’ll chat more, won’t we? I’d expect thirsty men to work for their drink, though.”
Aarika snorted with an arched brow, "I was just about to mention drink, amongst other things. we would require shelter and food considering how far we will be from home. Nothing extravagant. our family can even share a hall." When Hildegarde mentioned the warrior's guild the sell sword merely hmmed to herself, "Good to know,." Aarika would pause a moment as she glanced around the damage of the city. The statue crumbled the square crumbled. She felt for the ones subjected to the horror, not all were meant for war. "Seems like awfully powerful foe." She sighed scratching the back of her neck while emitting a whistle from her pursed lips, "500 for travel and 1000 per patrol." She named her price pulling her eyes from destruction to the woman who offered restoration.
Hildegarde smiled courteously at Aarika as her fingers flexed around the shaft of her halberd. “A powerful foe that lost and lost badly. A powerful foe who could only destroy the city he meant to rule for he could not face me in battle. Not exactly what I would call powerful, I would call it spiteful if anything,” she retorted with her chin raised slightly. Balgruuf had been a thorn in her paw, one that had been plucked at great cost and pain but plucked all the same. “And are your men worth that price? You haven’t really said anything about the skills of your less-than-seven men. What should convince me to pay a steep price for men I know nothing of?” she asked. “Shelter and food would be provided, of course,” assuming she elected to hire these men, “the barracks of my fort would serve well enough, I would imagine.”
Aarika held her smile proudly as the woman spoke of defeating such a pain, though it was the cowardly description that had her furrow her brows, "Dishonor on him then!" She gave a deep nod now, "Perhaps you have heard of some of my warriors, if I need to explain further after I would be more than pleased. There is Daermon our vampire assassin possesses the strength of many, Grizelda our dwarf war maiden and the aunty. Jarith a dark fae, fallen king and strong knight, Lenny, he is a mean string bean, one of the stealthiest men I have ever met, cut throat. Robert, he is our newest addition fearless and comical, good for moral." She knew to avoid the last of the members for Hildegarde had left him with a sour taste for vengeance. "And myself, the glue. The matriarch. Also known to be deadly with close combat. My squire Henry will accominy ... We are working on him." She laughed while a handle dropped to the flat of her stomach."
Hildegarde had heard of one of Aarika’s warriors. “I have heard of Daermon. Met the man before. I would welcome his service, if he so wished to give it, but I have strict laws in place that all vampires must adhere to in my land. But I am sure Lord Daermon would uphold such law, given the bond between myself and House Dragana,” she reasoned. “But I have not heard of the others. Would you be so inclined as to give me a brief explanation of their exploits?” Jarith she knew, though not by any name; if she knew his name she would cast Aarika out and never ask for her service! Or perhaps she’d warn Aarika instead. “I notice that you list only five of your men. I thought you had seven?” the Queen asks, her head tilted slightly as if waiting for a more expansive answer.
Aarika had put an imminence amount of blood sweat and tears into helping Jarith find his way again and if the topic arose she would explain such defending his name, people could change. "Ah I forgot Gerik, he is not a member of 'the Company' though for this expedition he would be along for the adventure. And I can assure you I hold strong rules with vampires as well. He will be well behaved." When Hildegarde asked for further information on her crew Aarika flashed a cheeky grin, " Perhaps it would be easier for you to meet them yourself. Make your own assessments, I fear I would not do them justice enough." As she recounted the number of swords she mentioned a finger would extend, "I believe that's eight, including me, Ma'am." She winked. Again avoiding a certain member who would stay behind without a doubt. "How about you pay us for travel and you can judge their worth?" She wrinkled her forehead with a tilt of her head as she awaited the queen to respond.
Hildegarde would not have included a squire in the numbers, but that was just her knightly training to separate a squire from a real count of men at arms. “Very well. I will see to it that your travel costs are covered and that you have bed and board at the fort while I get to know your Company,” the Silver said. “I offer more than just gold, though. If I like those who do a good job and do well here in Frostmaw, I aim to offer them perhaps more permanent positions and benefits.” The Queen seemed happy with the compromise, though. “I will put on a feast for your Company and trust in your honour that they will appreciate it,” it was the polite way of saying ‘they are your responsibility’ basically. “If you wish to remain at the fort and write to them, I shall arrange that for you. If you wish to return down the mountain, I will see to it that a member of the Eyrie gets you down safely. It’ll be quicker and safer for you.”
Aarika extended and arm to bind the contract, "I will rally my men and bring them here." When she had said family she meant it and her longing to return to her home was strong, for the road was long to find the Ice Queen, "I wish to thank you for your hospitality, though." She would be happy to suck up all the sun she could before her return, "And you are talking to a woman with a fear of commitment." She smirked, "Let us talk about that at a later date."
Hildegarde reached forth and moved her hand beyond Aarika’s hand, intent on clasping her hand firmly around Aarika’s forearm in the traditional warrior’s shake. “Send word before you intend upon returning, so I might prepare you some food and adequate warmth,” ever the hospitable host. “But we’ll talk again on the matter soon.”
Aarika was accustom to the warrior shake which was obvious as it was giving without thought. She would dip her head and bend her knees in a shallow form of curtsy, she was a well-bred woman, "I look forward to our future encounters." She spoke in earnest while her hands busied to pull the fur on her shoulders tighter, "Congratulations on taking back your home. Now let us help you lighten your load." With that, she would pivot on her heels and head back the way she came playfully hopping from previous footprint to the other. Snow was new to her, Hilde would have to forgive the childish awe that fell up the sellsword, "Til next time, Hildegarde." She called over her shoulder with a wave of her hand, she had a feeling the two could become friends. She was excited to share the news with her brothers and begin perpetration for their journey.