(028) Pillock's Farm

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
Dieter bristles at the talk of 'weird folk'.

"My comrades may look weird to you, but I've fought alongside them. I'll not have them spoken of with disrespect."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"Ah'm sure they's stout folk, these friends o' yours," says Pa Pillock, "But like oi said, we got no business with magicians an' the like here. We don't want no trouble."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
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[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

"Ah'm sure they's stout folk, these friends o' yours," says Pa Pillock, "But like oi said, we got no business with magicians an' the like here. We don't want no trouble."

"We don't want no trouble either." Olaf says, "We'll pay for your hospitality and join you for your company if you allow it, but if not, we'll be fine to keep to ourselves in a warm barn sleeping on a haystack."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Gustave carols Pa Pillock and the farm folk into the house with his good natured gossip. Dieter and Guntram follow.

Within they find a low roofed hall build around a great hearth and a long table, big enough for a large family to dine at. It is warm and the stupendously good smell of roasting meat and vegetables is almost overwhelming. There are a gaggle of farm women inside working at a pot upon the hearth and a side of lamb which is roasting on a spit.

"Well, this 'ere is Martha, me missus," explain Pillock, and the elder of the women look up for her work.

"More visitors is it Pa? Well now, we best get a few more tatters on, fer don't they look hungry?" she declares, and the women smile and cackle at this...

"Better do more agin," says Pa Pillock, "They says they got friends" he waves a hand vaguely in the direction of the hill, "An' of more import, they's got us a tale to tell 'bout Saxxon's lads!"

"Oooohhh!" says every one in the room.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Outside, in the drizzle, everybody else makes their way to the farmstead.

Demond and Mondes sidle off to the barn right away, Mondes complaining bitterly about "ignorant bumpkins" (referring, it would seem, to his fellow adventurers) all the way.

The barn is crowded with perhaps a dozen sheep and cows, but it cozy warm due to their body heat. And rather smelly due to their flatulence. However, Desmond finds he is greatly relieved to be out of the wind and drizzle, and climbs up into the hay loft where he casts aside his burdens and flops down for a moment's rest...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The rest of the company make their way to the farmstead.

Highbough has the hood of his cloak drawn up over his head, while Ulric appears for all intents to be nothing more than a vagabond peddler who has seen better days.

Olaf open the door and leads the sizable group inside...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"Well now, this 'ere is a throng ain't it, Pa?" says Ma Pillock when everyone is inside.

"It sure is," declares Pa.

"Well don't just stand there Pa, git yer guests sitted down," Ma Pillock instructs, "Hessie an' Dot get a warm drink in front of 'em, an' never let it be said the Pillocks ain't a hospitable folk!"

"Ahhg, whatever," grumbles Pa Pillock, plonking himself down at the head of the long table and resigning himself and the evening's proceedings to his wife's stewardship.

There is a general bustle as everyone gets seated (in truth there is scarcely room for every one, but you make do), and two of the Pillock girls serve up a round of hot broth in clay mugs. It is magnificently warm inside, and the broth is heaven sent and hearty to a half starved Man.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Once everyone is settled Ma Pillock and the girls dismiss any awkwardness with an endless stream of friendly chatter. Thick loaves of bread are passed around the table and hungrily devoured, but there seems an endless supply. And then comes the vegetable soup; which right at this minute smells even better than Wibert's. A huge pot is plonked upon the table and Ma Pillock dishes out generous serves, and re-serves and a hearty session of eating and talking gets underway...

"Now," says Pa Pillock around a mouthful of soup-soaked bread after a time, "you'd better explain ta us 'ere, about them there sacks," he points to the pile of loot left against the wall, "An' also yer tale about Saxxon!"

Meanwhile Ma Pillock has been slicing incredible smelling meat off the spit, and just now places a huge platter of steaming, juicy meat on the table.

"Eye!" say the other farm folk eagerly, "Let's hear yer tale!"

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Well...it was nothing really..." begins Gustave between mouthfuls of bread, "...the brigands you refer to as Saxxons's men set upon us while we were travelling to Ket as, it seems, is their wont."

He pauses briefly for dramatic effect, clearly enjoying himself (and stuffing down another tasty wad).

"Alas, they failed to take into consideration the considerable ability and determination of our little band - and in particular our man Dieter here" he adds, indicating the fighting man (caught with gravy issuing generously from the side of his maw) with a graceful sweep of his hand.

"Of course Dieter was not alone", he continues, "and I myself dispatched several of the brutes", he adds, stabbing at the air with effect for the ladies present.

"I am afraid it cost them several of their number and, as I believe I have already mentioned, a little coin."
His face then turns grave. "We left some of our own in the hills too, and as you can see, are in some poor state ourselves."

"Of course that was until we happened upon you delightful people!" he finishes, biting on another crust and grinning with satisfaction.