9S/9SF Roll Call

[Whit]

It is more than a little bit cool to read this thread and think about the players that were part of my game life.

[4Four]

Hi my uneuropean friend ! Happy to read you too... it makes me happy too reading and remembering such good time !

Maybe one time again chatting, who knows...

a++

[Tomsu9S]

Hello Whit,

Long time no see. For those who do not know me I am the IT Swede with an interest for fortresses and numbers who was part of 9S back in the old years (God I feel old thinking how many years ago it was). There were good times when we were leading the effort to ensure the dominance of Angelique and uncanny sense of timing Whit has for when it was right for the guild to launch an offensive and the devastating first strikes that were the signum of 9S. That pales of course with the comraderice within the guild and the lengths people were prepared to go to to help a fellow member in need.

After many years in exile I've returned to what now is Canon and the landscape has changed a bit in the last seven years it seems. Looking at the scrolls Angelique has 6 brave followers among the top 50 players. It will be interesting to see if that can be rearranged...

I miss the old 9S as well and am a bit curious of where people are residing now...

Best of well wishes to all of you!

Regards,
Tommy, the Swede

[Redhead]

Ceara stepped out into the predawn gloom. The recent rains had brought cool weather with them, so she hugged her serviceable green wool cloak closer to ward off the chill. As she slowly meandered towards her usual morning spot she immersed herself in the scents and sounds of early morning - the sleepy chirps of birds just waking up, the whispered sounds of the morning breeze rustling through the leaves of her favorite oak, and the aroma of damp earth all surrounded her. This was her favorite part of the day, the peaceful lull before the storm of a typical day's activities.

Settling on her bench she watched the rising sun slowly creep above the horizon, bathing the mountains in an array of vivid pinks and reds. As she observed the morning spectacle, she once again offered a silent prayer of remembrance for her Uncle Muiríoch, who had gifted her with this keep and the surrounding lands nestled at the top of the valley. If not for him, and his faith in her, she would still be subject to the rule of her father...

The sounds of impatient horses ready to be let out to their pastures brought her back from her reverie, and she set off towards the main barn. As she strode down the path with the easy grace of a life-long horsewoman she took note of the swallows out on their morning feeding patrol and paused to watch. Their intricate and elegant dance resembled a well choreographed ballet as the flock swooped and wheeled above the small stream where the insects congregated, the sun glinting off of their shining black wings and scarlet breasts. With a negligent gesture of her hand and a quickly muttered word she conjured a small cloud of mosquitoes for them.

Enjoy your breakfast, my pretties... she thought, before continuing on towards the barn.

Her entrance into the barn lead to a chorus of greetings from her horses, as well as one from her stablemaster Cuilén.

'Good morning, My Lady. As usual, the girls are happy to see you.'

'Good morning to you, Cuili.' As she surveyed the heads thrust expectantly over their stall doors, she said with a small quirk of her full lips 'Oh, I think they are just impatient to be outside, especially now that the rain has ended.'

'Aye, that could be it. But I doubt it.' he said with a matching smile.

With that she walked down the row of stalls, greeting each mare with a favorite treat and a stout scratch as she carefully scrutinized the condition of each of them and their foals. Satisfied that everything was in order, she and Cuilén began leading the mares out to pasture with their foals frisking at their sides.

Once the task was completed they stood out in the pasture watching the youngsters romp and play in the cool morning air. One particularly impudent young Fresian galloped up behind her and snatched the ribbon that bound her braid, freeing her waist length auburn hair to flutter about in the breeze. She laughed with abandon as the young colt proudly made off with his prize.

'That one has potential. We'll have to keep a close eye on him'

'Aye Ma'am, he certainly has no fear. 'Tis the spitting image of his father.'

She bid her stablemaster goodmorn again, and headed off towards the smaller barn where her studs were housed. As she reviewed her plans for the day, she once again sinks into thought about the various guilds of the Great Lady present in the lands.

What alliance should I offer my allegience to? she thought. 'Tis such a hard decision, but I must do the best for my people.

[Redhead]

The soft darkness was broken by the light from a single golden flame, resting lightly upon a creamy white taper whose delicate aroma scented the air. The small pool of illumination gleamed dully off the polished brass candle holder, and revealed the deep, rich patina of a well worn desktop. Upon that desktop the light revealed only two items. The first was a gold ring upon which was mounted an impressive sapphire. The second was a piece of vellum upon which, in a bold hand with brilliant ultramarine ink, was written but a single, cryptic sentence.

You have been found worthy

The gentle rustle of clothing broke the silence as a slim, elegant hand entered the light to rest upon the message where it lay upon the wooden surface. After a moment’s hesitation the message was withdrawn into the gloom.

This is quite an interesting ‘gift’, thought the owner of hand. And such trouble the mysterious benefactor went to, bypassing my wards and guardians to place them directly in my study without so much as a trace of their passage.

The note was replaced in it’s original position and the attentive hand moved on to the other object. As the ring was lifted towards the flame a shadowed glimpse of a figure was seen as she leaned into the edge of the light. A fall of deep auburn hair, almost blood red in the faint candlelight, concealed most of it’s mistress’ face, revealing only a fair complexion, the flash of a stormy green eye, and a portion of her faint frown.

The illumination reflected richly off the heavy gold ring, revealing the sapphire to be fully the size of the delicate thumb grasping it. As she held the ring it glowed with a deep azure light, far more than could be accounted for by the tiny flame, and tingled faintly at her touch.

‘You have been found worthy’ she mused. Worthy of what? What is the significance of this ring? She turned the ring about, it’s facets capturing the warm light and reflecting sparks of blue fire, as she mulled over the possibilities. Any why me? Ahhhh, ‘tis such a mystery to be solved, but perhaps not in the depths of the night…

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she placed the ring back on the desk. With a faint whuff the mistress of the keep blew the taper out, allowing darkness to descend.