Chapter 356: The further travels of Clan Brindleberry
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Chapter 356: The further travels of Clan Brindleberry
"Shut yer yaps an' gather round. I only want to have to say this a dozen times!" Rory was standing on the back of a cart and trying to get the clan's attention, a difficult job in the best of times, made harder by the fatigue of a long journey and the excitement of seeing unicorns. The Summer Lord's lands were infested with them, and by now, both Rory and the goats were getting tired of the horn ponies. They were playing silly games, running in to tag one goat after another. Rory had finally been forced to take the extreme action of taking the muzzle off of Legchomper and turning the monster loose. Legchomper was smaller than the horn-ponies but meaner, faster, and hated most anything that moved. Rory was hopeful that with so many of the creatures, the Lord of the Land wouldn't miss one or two, and the others would learn a lesson.
"What's up, Rory? We're free and safe now. Them badgers will never catch us. It's their stumpy little legs. They move too slow." Everyone thought Beetlebob's statement explained the situation well, and they cheered his statement and assumed the matter was settled. The clan was a little slow on the uptake today. Someone had traded for a pitcher of cream at the fair, and many of the adults were half drunk this morning after putting too much of the white stuff in their coffee or tea.
"I'm not worried about the damned badgers! It's where we're headed that troubles me some. I thought that we'd be serving the Countess in her newly conquered realm. Granted, it's a poisonous hell populated by carnivorous lizards and plants, with entirely too many thorn bushes and rippy fish, but that's all stuff we've dealt with before and can again. But I've been informed that her new realm is going through some reconstruction and is now populated by horrid beasts that are eating the poison, the lizards, the thorns, and everything else. Even the rippy fish are gone. We need to stay away until it's safer. The Countess is currently living in the other lands she conquered." He let that sink into their drink-befogged brains before he dropped the worst news.
"In the mortal realm."The link to the origin of this information resides within Nøv€lß¡n★
Every face fell. While none of them had ever been to the mortal realms, everyone knew about it.
"Is that the place with no magic in the air, and the animals don't wear hats?"
"Oh no. I'm not having it. I've heard that the place is infested with humans."
"He's right! Humans have feet and too many shoes that need repair. You'll never get a good night's sleep again."
"And every city has dozens of them running around! That's not right. The bigger you are, the less there should be of you."
"Yuir daft. Mollypuddle's Law doesn't apply to the mortal realm!"
"I hear one of the Princes went there and got all his bits chewed off!"
The hound barked.
"Oh, and he says be careful of the road down. It's a mite steep."
The carts began moving again and lined up at the gate leading to the mortal realms, the clan awaiting one of the Summer Lord's people who would open the way for them. Instead, it was the Summer Lord himself who approached Rory at the front of the caravan. His brow was furrowed in thought, and two bedraggled unicorns followed him. The clan became quiet, and Rory felt his stomach clench and drop into his boots. Legchomper had a snarl on his face as he saw the unicorns and a few chicken feathers were still stuck in his coat. All of the clan bowed their heads.
"My grooms tell me that a goat of surpassing speed and aggression has been harassing the unicorn herds, moving them from pasture to orchard and terrorizing them with nips at their heels. The unicorns offered up the chickens in an attempt to appease the goat, which led the cooks to complain to my steward, who interrupted my nap. Is this true?"
Rory looked at Legchomper; it would be a sad thing to lose such a goat, especially when it was his decision to let it loose. "Tis true, M'lord, but it was me that turned the goat loose on yuir flocks. It was spiteful of me; the horn ponies were just playing their silly games, and I should have suffered a little delay in our trip rather than give in to my temper. The decision was mine and no other, and I accept whatever punishment you wish to impose on me." He kneeled, awaiting his fate.
Alwyn walked to Legchomper, who lunged at his harness in an attempt to butt against him. The Fae Lord seemed amused and removed the goat's muzzle, immediately losing a glove to Legchomper's sharp teeth and nearly his fingers. "Quick to lunge, fleet of foot, spiteful, and intelligent. And he dislikes unicorns. Tell me, Rory of Clan Brindleberry, will these traits breed true? Will all of this brute's progeny be like him?"
Rory had tears in his eyes as he looked at the goats pulling the carts. "Aye, I suppose so. A few are tamer, but any that have Legchomper's blood in them are as mean-tempered and as fast as he is."
Alwyn gave Legchomper his other glove and, fearlessly, patted him on the head. The clan held their breath at the daring feat. "Splendid. That's just what I need! After you are settled in the mortal lands, find the Shepherd and ask him to train a pair of young goats from this monster's line. The faster and meaner, the better. I need herd beasts for my unicorns, and these lovely animals will do just fine. The hedges and flower bushes need trimming as well; I'm sure the Shepherd can teach them the basics of that, also. Would you like gold in payment or a small favor?"
"A small favor is quite acceptable, M'lord." Rory knew how this worked. If he had asked for gold, the Lord would keep it to pay for the chickens. Likewise, the small favor would be honored by ignoring the damage done by his goat.
The Lord surprised him by bending low and holding out his hand. Rory shook it. "A pleasure doing business with you, Rory of Clan Brindleberry; I look forward to the delivery of my herd beasts and watching them do their work. And please, don't fret about the chickens. I understand that you are traveling to enter the service of Countess Suzette. Your diligence in arriving on time is commendable, and it led to my discovery of your wonderful animals. When your clan needs to redeem the favor, please send someone here to me."
Rory could only nod. Alwyn walked away, the hound at his side and the cowed unicorns following meekly. Once they were gone, Rory yelled out, "Wagons, HO! Let's get moving before something else happens."
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Chapter 356: The further travels of Clan Brindleberry
"Shut yer yaps an' gather round. I only want to have to say this a dozen times!" Rory was standing on the back of a cart and trying to get the clan's attention, a difficult job in the best of times, made harder by the fatigue of a long journey and the excitement of seeing unicorns. The Summer Lord's lands were infested with them, and by now, both Rory and the goats were getting tired of the horn ponies. They were playing silly games, running in to tag one goat after another. Rory had finally been forced to take the extreme action of taking the muzzle off of Legchomper and turning the monster loose. Legchomper was smaller than the horn-ponies but meaner, faster, and hated most anything that moved. Rory was hopeful that with so many of the creatures, the Lord of the Land wouldn't miss one or two, and the others would learn a lesson.
"What's up, Rory? We're free and safe now. Them badgers will never catch us. It's their stumpy little legs. They move too slow." Everyone thought Beetlebob's statement explained the situation well, and they cheered his statement and assumed the matter was settled. The clan was a little slow on the uptake today. Someone had traded for a pitcher of cream at the fair, and many of the adults were half drunk this morning after putting too much of the white stuff in their coffee or tea.
"I'm not worried about the damned badgers! It's where we're headed that troubles me some. I thought that we'd be serving the Countess in her newly conquered realm. Granted, it's a poisonous hell populated by carnivorous lizards and plants, with entirely too many thorn bushes and rippy fish, but that's all stuff we've dealt with before and can again. But I've been informed that her new realm is going through some reconstruction and is now populated by horrid beasts that are eating the poison, the lizards, the thorns, and everything else. Even the rippy fish are gone. We need to stay away until it's safer. The Countess is currently living in the other lands she conquered." He let that sink into their drink-befogged brains before he dropped the worst news.
"In the mortal realm."The link to the origin of this information resides within Nøv€lß¡n★
Every face fell. While none of them had ever been to the mortal realms, everyone knew about it.
"Is that the place with no magic in the air, and the animals don't wear hats?"
"Oh no. I'm not having it. I've heard that the place is infested with humans."
"He's right! Humans have feet and too many shoes that need repair. You'll never get a good night's sleep again."
"And every city has dozens of them running around! That's not right. The bigger you are, the less there should be of you."
"Yuir daft. Mollypuddle's Law doesn't apply to the mortal realm!"
"I hear one of the Princes went there and got all his bits chewed off!"
The hound barked.
"Oh, and he says be careful of the road down. It's a mite steep."
The carts began moving again and lined up at the gate leading to the mortal realms, the clan awaiting one of the Summer Lord's people who would open the way for them. Instead, it was the Summer Lord himself who approached Rory at the front of the caravan. His brow was furrowed in thought, and two bedraggled unicorns followed him. The clan became quiet, and Rory felt his stomach clench and drop into his boots. Legchomper had a snarl on his face as he saw the unicorns and a few chicken feathers were still stuck in his coat. All of the clan bowed their heads.
"My grooms tell me that a goat of surpassing speed and aggression has been harassing the unicorn herds, moving them from pasture to orchard and terrorizing them with nips at their heels. The unicorns offered up the chickens in an attempt to appease the goat, which led the cooks to complain to my steward, who interrupted my nap. Is this true?"
Rory looked at Legchomper; it would be a sad thing to lose such a goat, especially when it was his decision to let it loose. "Tis true, M'lord, but it was me that turned the goat loose on yuir flocks. It was spiteful of me; the horn ponies were just playing their silly games, and I should have suffered a little delay in our trip rather than give in to my temper. The decision was mine and no other, and I accept whatever punishment you wish to impose on me." He kneeled, awaiting his fate.
Alwyn walked to Legchomper, who lunged at his harness in an attempt to butt against him. The Fae Lord seemed amused and removed the goat's muzzle, immediately losing a glove to Legchomper's sharp teeth and nearly his fingers. "Quick to lunge, fleet of foot, spiteful, and intelligent. And he dislikes unicorns. Tell me, Rory of Clan Brindleberry, will these traits breed true? Will all of this brute's progeny be like him?"
Rory had tears in his eyes as he looked at the goats pulling the carts. "Aye, I suppose so. A few are tamer, but any that have Legchomper's blood in them are as mean-tempered and as fast as he is."
Alwyn gave Legchomper his other glove and, fearlessly, patted him on the head. The clan held their breath at the daring feat. "Splendid. That's just what I need! After you are settled in the mortal lands, find the Shepherd and ask him to train a pair of young goats from this monster's line. The faster and meaner, the better. I need herd beasts for my unicorns, and these lovely animals will do just fine. The hedges and flower bushes need trimming as well; I'm sure the Shepherd can teach them the basics of that, also. Would you like gold in payment or a small favor?"
"A small favor is quite acceptable, M'lord." Rory knew how this worked. If he had asked for gold, the Lord would keep it to pay for the chickens. Likewise, the small favor would be honored by ignoring the damage done by his goat.
The Lord surprised him by bending low and holding out his hand. Rory shook it. "A pleasure doing business with you, Rory of Clan Brindleberry; I look forward to the delivery of my herd beasts and watching them do their work. And please, don't fret about the chickens. I understand that you are traveling to enter the service of Countess Suzette. Your diligence in arriving on time is commendable, and it led to my discovery of your wonderful animals. When your clan needs to redeem the favor, please send someone here to me."
Rory could only nod. Alwyn walked away, the hound at his side and the cowed unicorns following meekly. Once they were gone, Rory yelled out, "Wagons, HO! Let's get moving before something else happens."
Chapter 356: The further travels of Clan Brindleberry"Shut yer yaps an' gather round. I only want to have to say this a dozen times!" Rory was standing on the back of a cart and trying to get the clan's attention, a difficult job in the best of times, made harder by the fatigue of a long journey and the excitement of seeing unicorns. The Summer Lord's lands were infested with them, and by now, both Rory and the goats were getting tired of the horn ponies. They were playing silly games, running in to tag one goat after another. Rory had finally been forced to take the extreme action of taking the muzzle off of Legchomper and turning the monster loose. Legchomper was smaller than the horn-ponies but meaner, faster, and hated most anything that moved. Rory was hopeful that with so many of the creatures, the Lord of the Land wouldn't miss one or two, and the others would learn a lesson. "What's up, Rory? We're free and safe now. Them badgers will never catch us. It's their stumpy little legs. They move too slow." Everyone thought Beetlebob's statement explained the situation well, and they cheered his statement and assumed the matter was settled. The clan was a little slow on the uptake today. Someone had traded for a pitcher of cream at the fair, and many of the adults were half drunk this morning after putting too much of the white stuff in their coffee or tea."I'm not worried about the damned badgers! It's where we're headed that troubles me some. I thought that we'd be serving the Countess in her newly conquered realm. Granted, it's a poisonous hell populated by carnivorous lizards and plants, with entirely too many thorn bushes and rippy fish, but that's all stuff we've dealt with before and can again. But I've been informed that her new realm is going through some reconstruction and is now populated by horrid beasts that are eating the poison, the lizards, the thorns, and everything else. Even the rippy fish are gone. We need to stay away until it's safer. The Countess is currently living in the other lands she conquered." He let that sink into their drink-befogged brains before he dropped the worst news."In the mortal realm."The link to the origin of this information resides within NvlnEvery face fell. While none of them had ever been to the mortal realms, everyone knew about it. "Is that the place with no magic in the air, and the animals don't wear hats?""Oh no. I'm not having it. I've heard that the place is infested with humans.""He's right! Humans have feet and too many shoes that need repair. You'll never get a good night's sleep again.""And every city has dozens of them running around! That's not right. The bigger you are, the less there should be of you.""Yuir daft. Mollypuddle's Law doesn't apply to the mortal realm!""I hear one of the Princes went there and got all his bits chewed off!"The hound barked."Oh, and he says be careful of the road down. It's a mite steep."The carts began moving again and lined up at the gate leading to the mortal realms, the clan awaiting one of the Summer Lord's people who would open the way for them. Instead, it was the Summer Lord himself who approached Rory at the front of the caravan. His brow was furrowed in thought, and two bedraggled unicorns followed him. The clan became quiet, and Rory felt his stomach clench and drop into his boots. Legchomper had a snarl on his face as he saw the unicorns and a few chicken feathers were still stuck in his coat. All of the clan bowed their heads."My grooms tell me that a goat of surpassing speed and aggression has been harassing the unicorn herds, moving them from pasture to orchard and terrorizing them with nips at their heels. The unicorns offered up the chickens in an attempt to appease the goat, which led the cooks to complain to my steward, who interrupted my nap. Is this true?"Rory looked at Legchomper; it would be a sad thing to lose such a goat, especially when it was his decision to let it loose. "Tis true, M'lord, but it was me that turned the goat loose on yuir flocks. It was spiteful of me; the horn ponies were just playing their silly games, and I should have suffered a little delay in our trip rather than give in to my temper. The decision was mine and no other, and I accept whatever punishment you wish to impose on me." He kneeled, awaiting his fate.Alwyn walked to Legchomper, who lunged at his harness in an attempt to butt against him. The Fae Lord seemed amused and removed the goat's muzzle, immediately losing a glove to Legchomper's sharp teeth and nearly his fingers. "Quick to lunge, fleet of foot, spiteful, and intelligent. And he dislikes unicorns. Tell me, Rory of Clan Brindleberry, will these traits breed true? Will all of this brute's progeny be like him?"Rory had tears in his eyes as he looked at the goats pulling the carts. "Aye, I suppose so. A few are tamer, but any that have Legchomper's blood in them are as mean-tempered and as fast as he is."Alwyn gave Legchomper his other glove and, fearlessly, patted him on the head. The clan held their breath at the daring feat. "Splendid. That's just what I need! After you are settled in the mortal lands, find the Shepherd and ask him to train a pair of young goats from this monster's line. The faster and meaner, the better. I need herd beasts for my unicorns, and these lovely animals will do just fine. The hedges and flower bushes need trimming as well; I'm sure the Shepherd can teach them the basics of that, also. Would you like gold in payment or a small favor?""A small favor is quite acceptable, M'lord." Rory knew how this worked. If he had asked for gold, the Lord would keep it to pay for the chickens. Likewise, the small favor would be honored by ignoring the damage done by his goat.The Lord surprised him by bending low and holding out his hand. Rory shook it. "A pleasure doing business with you, Rory of Clan Brindleberry; I look forward to the delivery of my herd beasts and watching them do their work. And please, don't fret about the chickens. I understand that you are traveling to enter the service of Countess Suzette. Your diligence in arriving on time is commendable, and it led to my discovery of your wonderful animals. When your clan needs to redeem the favor, please send someone here to me."Rory could only nod. Alwyn walked away, the hound at his side and the cowed unicorns following meekly. Once they were gone, Rory yelled out, "Wagons, HO! Let's get moving before something else happens."
