BYRON: A PAUSE (WITH TIME FOR A DENOUEMENT OR TWO)

Taking place during Adventure Log XXII: On The Move

It was the sunlight lancing through the gaps the heavy curtains left in the window that roused the sleeping man. He grumbled at the unwelcome intrusion, the unasked for interruption disturbing his sleep and so he turned away reflexively from the light that poked at his eyelids.The sounds of Carowyn manor began to worm their way into the sleeping man's semi-consciousness working there way down through his torpor. Dimly aware that something now was not right, that it was amiss, somehow different.

Something was missing!

Someone was shouting!

Greta!

Byron startled himself awake, momentarily confused....

"Greta!" His sudden shock was quickly replaced as sleep let go its enticing grip on him and sudden awareness came with his consciousness.

Where was she, he quickly scanned around his room, she was not here, his pulse spiked as his breath caught, she was not here! Throwing his bed covers off Byron was quickly out of his bed and heading for the door, his heightened senses already preparing as his frantic worry for the young orc girl fuelled his desperate action.

The girls laughter entering through the curtain covered open window stopped him as he reached for the door. Laughter followed by the sound of Gina's voice.

"Your over reaching Greta, you'll trip,"

"I'm doing what Rone said, " was the girls reply who then going by the sound of things, promptly over balanced and fell over.

Laughter.

No note of tension.

Everything was alright.

Greta was fine.

Gina was safe.

His legs momentarily weakened as the adrenaline left his body, he sat clumsily back on his bed. He tried to get his breathing under control, to lower his pulse, to control the fear that had briefly taken a hold of the warrior. His hands felt tight, his knuckles stretching apart trying to accommodate the claws that were bursting through his skin in reaction to his fight response. The bone claws were just emerging painfully cutting through his skin, the extra mass of cartlidge making his hands seem oddly mal-formed and distorted. And as his heightened rage state vanished, his claws retracted leaving the warrior a little bewildered.

Since Gina's disappearance the young child had insisted in sleeping with Byron, her fear of being alone and in danger was overwhelming and so he'd let her stay with him, indeed had grown used to her presence. Now this morning he had woke up in a start, the young girls absence inducing a temporary sense of dread, that she'd been stolen away in the night.

But everything was now fine, Gina was back, Greta was laughing indeed they'd even managed to find and somehow rescue Miss Cooper from the madness that was Old Korvosa.

"Hey sleepy Bear you getting up," shouted the young girl through the window, her voice as light and bright as the sunlight streaming into his room.

"Yes little Bear, I'm coming," he replied.

The girl ran off into the garden giggling as the big man got to his feet and prepared to start the day, his fears and terrors banished by both sunlight and laughter. Pulling on breeches, his boots and a shirt Byron started making his way through the maze that was Carowyn manor. The manor was large and sprawling, neat and well laid out but this tastfully ordered and well tended building only reminded Byron of Ruby's and how much he missed the chaotic, mis- matched nature of his old home. Of course having so many of Devlins's girls and the orphans living here was challenging the old order of the manor and no doubt before too long it would resemble Ruby's and to Byron that was appealing, a definite improvement as it would look like a home, a place that was lived in rather than a cold expensive exhibition hall whose only purpose was to impress and display the owners wealth.

Many of Devlin's girls were already up busy with their daily tasks as he made his way to the kitchen in search of his morning coffee before joining Gina and Greta in the garden. He joked with a few of the them as he made his way through the various halls of the manor, avoiding a number of the younger orphans who were zooming around the big wide halls, causing noise and mayhem in their careless wake. Byron indulgently smiled as the girls shoo-ed the young children away so they could get on with their daily tasks without interruption.

These last few mornings he had broken with his normal training routine where he would rise with the dawn and train in the quiet of the early morning, instead now sleeping late, his body feeling just so heavy that he just didn't want to move.

Devlin put it down to worry and fatigue. He had to agree with her diagnosis as he had no other explanation. He'd been consumed with fear for Gina, he had no idea where the female warrior was, and what terrible circumstance she might be in.

Yeah it was worry and fatigue.

But more... it was guilt.

His guilt.

He shared with Gina the information of the Grey Maidens recruitment drive, indeed he even encouraged her to apply, saying he expected her to pass all the tests they would throw at her.

He had set her on that path.

And he just couldn't seem to make it right.

Though he wanted to find her, was desperate to, but other matters kept getting in the way. The search for Orsini, contesting with the Emperor, the deadly desperate battle with Glorio Arkona the evil Rakshasa of House Arkona, all these encounters though necessary to challenge the domination of Korvosa by the the now possessed tyrant Queen Ileosa and all seemed to conspire against Byron and his wish to rescue the female warrior from her captivity. Every new twist and turn further condemned Gina to a longer term of imprisonment, beating and possible torture. His frustration amplified his responsibility for her dire situation, amplified his guilt and was almost unbearable as he held himself responsible for her predicament.

The kitchen was busy with breakfast as a number of the inhabitants of Carowyn Manor sat down to enjoy the morning and break their fast. The twins were again involved in a deep discussion over their eggs and coffee whilst both Bria and Rose were finishing up their morning duties here on breakfast duty.

"Coffee’s on the stove, Bear," called Bria the young auburn haired girl, " and there's plenty of eggs. "

"Coffee's just fine for me Bria right now," and so the big man made his way through the large kitchen to the huge range that dominated the far wall. Filling a large mug from the pot and thinking of eggs Byron checked the small chest he had laid next to the stove when they had returned last night. The oak paneled chest which was also iron banded was deep filled with straw and blankets creating a cocoon of warmth and safety for the hippogriff egg that the Flowers had rescued from the Grey Maidens along with Gina and the other prisoners. The  large egg had a tough leathery exterior and Byron ran his hand gently over it and hoped to any listening kind-hearted divinity that they could successfully hatch and rear this wondrous creature. It's mother had suffered so much that ending the creature’s suffering was one of the kindest but hardest acts that the warrior had had to do. Even now he wished he could have done more, somehow saved the poor beast, such a waste! Closing the lid on the chest to help keep the egg both warm and safe Byron made his way out to the garden.

The leaden feeling still dogged him but he could feel a little of his old self returning, He hadn't felt so tired in an age- indeed it reminded him of when he fought the Shoanti brawler, and though he won that bout it was one of the hardest he'd ever fought and it took him days to recover, he just stopped.

Just like the other night upon their return after the daring rescue of Gina and the many other poor unfortunates from the Grey Maidens horrific lair which was located in the rank and dismal sewers of Korvosa, Byron upon reaching the safety of Carowyn manor had physically just stopped. His arms felt heavy and leaden, his legs barely holding him upright.

Watching Greta and Gina's reunion was overwhelming as the little half orc girl just screamed with joy and ran into the arms of the battered, tired warrior-ess, who herself was smiling and crying and calling the young girls name. Both collapsed together arms entwined holding so tightly. Everyone came rushing out to see what was unfolding and for a moment all held back, not wanting to interrupt this precious moment. None of the girls had ever seen the assured, capable warrior-ess so battered and beat up, so bruised and broken but also never so naked in her emotion, so exposed, as tears rolled down her dirt-stained face, the joy at being reunited with her little girl was almost to much to comprehend, for Gina in this moment she realised that is what Greta had become....her little girl.

And then every one was surrounding the pair hugging and kissing them both as tears just flowed freely and Byron noticed his tears flowed as freely as the rest.

The Flowers themselves were also deluged with congratulations and expressions of gratitude, the orphans storming Travis in their excitement so easy were they in the presence of the intimidating half orc. Alice kissed her husband Taylan, the elation she felt at the return of her friend and past protector Gina as well as the safe return of her beloved was clearly evident and she could barely contain her delight. The other girls rejoiced at Gina's and Greta's emotional reunion, this rare but giddy moment led to such an exuberant display with Byron being hugged, kissed and embraced, Calli was embraced and twirled with delight. Only Nightingale's formal demeanour discouraged many to approach him however many congratulated and thanked him before returning to the celebratory moment before them.

Devlin came out to see what was transpiring and with a word of reprimand that simply faltered on her lips, she stopped stunned, looked to Byron then back to the young fighting woman in front of her cradling her child. She couldn't believe her eyes and for an instant didn't know what to do or how to react...And then she just cried out Gina's name embracing her young charge with tears in her own eyes with loyal Ausio at her side smiling enjoying this moment of pure happiness.

"Gina...."  was all Devlin could manage to say before she started to be overcome with the emotion of the occasion. It was Ausio who surprisingly took charge at that juncture, seeing that Devlin and the others around him were too clearly affected to act.

Quietly and rather formally he thanked the Flowers for their brave endeavour in rescuing Gina, welcomed the few newcomers who had remained with the group upon their escape from incarceration- many had returned to their homes or seek safety and shelter elsewhere, whilst others just preferred to flee - and reassured those who had escaped the horror of the Grey Maidens that they were welcome here.

Ausio then started ushering everyone back inside, issuing commands to the girls to prepare Gina's room, as well as quarters for those few who needed it, to prepare hot water and food and for Portia to look to the wounds not only of Gina but any of the newcomers who had sustained injury.

In this moment he was like a rock in the middle of this emotional storm, helping Devlin up and back inside whilst also delivering his commands and organising everyone around him.

As everyone noisily moved off into Carowyn manor to complete their allotted tasks or just to be with each other at this celebratory time the ensuing silence of the evening for a moment stood in stark contrast.

The Flowers were left outside to gather themselves, a strange silent comfortable communion of those who had faced terrible dangers and bloody trials together.

For a moment Byron just stood there tears leaving trails down his face. The hippogriff egg rescued from the Grey Maidens was securely slung around his torso when all at once his immense strength deserted him, like some untrustworthy friend his might just seemed to abandon him and he almost collapsed to the floor.

In an instant the huge half orc Travis reacted closing the distance between the two warriors catching his comrade in arms before he fell.

"Bear up 'Be' or you'll be in the dirt," joked the green skinned half orc lending his strength to help hold Byron up. Calli quickly joined the green skinned warrior fervently checking Byron for any possible indications of poison or infection whilst inserting herself deftly under his other shoulder, both bearing the burden of the exhausted warrior and ensuring the eggs security.

Nightingale instincts were to jump in yet propriety or protocol, a sense of appropriateness stayed his hand. He somehow felt it wasn't his place, that the barbarian wouldn't react kindly to his presence and so remained rooted to the spot.

"You alright Pops," joked Taylan concern momentarily crossing his face.

"I think he's fine," Calli reassured Taylan,"exhaustion is the culprit, " she said as she wrapped one arm around the warriors torso and her other hand finding his hand that dangled from the muscled arm that rested on her shoulder.

Momentarily Byron's strength seemed to return, his legs began to bear more of his weight as the brief instant of weakness passed. He breathed deeply, then letting out a long slow exhalation he felt more steady, more himself.

Looking at this strange and small powerful company of warriors and mages, he realised he couldn't have rescued Gina without them. That they had risked their life down in those labyrinthine sewers on his behalf, because he had refused to move on without attempting to save her, that he would foolishly try the attempt on his own. This was not part of the 'greater mission' but more a personal thing that Byron had to do and yet each and everyone of the Flowers had come through for him. He felt a twinge of guilt at the risks they had taken for him whilst also more affected than he could say at their display of...friendship. He was sure they liked Gina but how well they knew her he didn't know, they had done this because he had wanted it done, needed it to done...now that he thought about it he couldn't remember asking them to accompany him, they just did. He needed to take more care with other peoples lives!

Devlin always says he was too often open to dark introspection. Maybe she has a point.

"This is thanks to you," he heard Calli say.

"No this is thanks to you," Byron replied, " I couldn't have done this without you. My thanks seem so inadequate but thank you. "

Once they were sure he was steady the Flowers departed, Taylan quickly joining his new wife in the noisy manor. Nightingale doffed his hat at Byron "It's been a pleasure my good man," and with that turned to his young charge, "I'll wait for you by the gate to escort you when you're ready," and then quietly disappeared into the shadow.

"You alright Be?," asked the heavily tattooed green skinned ferocious looking half orc, the concern clearly edging his voice belying his fierce countenance.

"I'm good Travis," responded the large human, "thanks for not letting me fall on my arse." The two warriors placed a hand on each other's shoulder then Travis made to leave.

"Night Miss Calli," he nodded to the bard, " better make sure the orphans aren't too wired after this night's excitement." Travis then quickly made his way into the manor following after Taylan. Then suddenly they were just standing there all alone Calli and Byron. The tall pink haired woman still holding onto the bigger man, though he was now standing under his own strength though both reluctant to break the hold they had on each other.

"I need to go," Calli said, "Nightingale will be waiting."

"And I need to store this egg and get some sleep, " Byron countered. And still they lingered here in this shared moment.

"I'm here if you need me," whispered Calli into his ear and squeezing the big man close she left leaving the warrior on his own for a moment contemplating everything that had happened this evening. then suddenly an abrupt movement in the egg prompted him to action. Byron quickly entered Carowyn.

The coffee this morning though helped a little to invigorate him as he made his way to the garden where he heard the sound of a young girl laughing and complaining in the same breath. It just made him smile. Passing through the large rear doors of Carowyn to the garden he saw Devlin sitting under a large umbrella in the company of Miss Cooper, the teacher to many of the poor children of Old Korvosa and tutor to Greta and a dear friend to Devlin. Ausio was seated with the two ladies enjoying their conversation whilst standing a little further back was a robed figure standing to attention. It was Brother Winter, the Acolyte of the sword, formally Tesh a poor broken man from Old Korvosa who had lost his family to the self proclaimed mad emperor of Korvosa but who was even now fulfilling his promise, his oath to both Nightingale and the Faith of the Sword, to watch over Miss Cooper and ensure her safety. Byron had entertained certain concerns about the man and how he might react when he realised the Faith of the Sword was a ruse, a well meaning ruse but still a ruse. However he stood guard over the teacher and that reminded the warrior of a certain promise. Quickly he returned to his room ruffled through his back pack which had been discarded and left on the floor when he collapsed into bed last night. Discarding some clothes, his crowbar and a few other objects he put his hands on what had come looking for, a circlet of beaten copper painted gold and adorned with a number of paste gems, theatrical and gaudy but clearly the emperor's crown. This he placed in a plain leather bag and hung it around his neck.  He also grabbed the Rakshasa bichuwas- a long handled two bladed vicious looking weapon- as he left his room and made his way back to the garden.

Approaching Devlin, Miss Cooper and Ausio Byron handed Tesh the long bladed weapon.

"Brother Winter...Tesh please hold for a moment." The acolyte did as he was bade and Byron made his way to Devlin and Miss Cooper.

"Ah good to see you up Byron, " called Ausio as he rose to greet the warrior.

"Many thanks Lord Carowyn," replied the big barbarian.

"You've been here long enough my man to call me Ausio," laughed their new benefactor.

"My thanks Ausio." Byron conceded.

"Miss Cooper I hope you are well?," asked Byron.

"She's coming along perfectly Byron," answered Devlin when Miss Cooper failed to answer.

"Your wonderful friend Travis assures us that in a week or two the toxins will have left Agnes and she'll be back to her old self. " Devlin patted her friends hand and Miss Cooper just smiled back, a vacant stare momentarily masking her face. "We'll have her teaching the orphans and Greta before you know it. Won't we my dear," asked Devlin to her dear friend Agnes.

"What was that Dorothea?," was Coopers distracted reply.

Very few people used Devlins first name but Ms. Cooper was evidently one of those. It was a small sign of their long relationship but still a little shocking to the big man. Quickly he moved on.

"Let me borrow Brother Winter for a moment," asked the big warrior and turned away calling for the smaller acolyte to follow. When they were far enough away from the others Byron stopped and just looked straight at the man.

"You've done well Tesh."

"Many thanks Brother Bear," replied the robed man addressing the barbarian using his 'pseudonym.'  Byron quietly hoped that this ruse wouldn't be an issue with this man who had lost so much. Not wanting to continue the charade the warrior said to the acolyte,

"Tesh call me Byron."

"I couldn't, it wouldn't be right" stammered the slighter man.

"You can and you will, we fought together, risked our lives together," replied Byron, "and you ensured the safe return of someone so dear to us here and so Tesh if anyone here had a right to use my name you have," Byron placing one of his large hands on the shoulder of the robed man.

With that Byron continued, "we promised you the head of the Emperor."

Sharp inhalation of breath was Tesh' only reply.

"You understand there wasn't much of his head left but I took this from the man's dead corpse. I hope it helps." Byron took the long strapped bag from around his neck and handed it over almost reverently to the man facing him. Tesh handed over the Bichuwas and with his hands now free paused slightly before taking the bag.

"I hope you'll remain with us," continued Byron, "and I'll be around for a day or two if you have any questions. Come find me. I'll leave you now. " Byron walked off leaving the smaller man on his own. It felt like a bitter intrusion of Tesh's personal grief to have lingered. He'd hoped he had acted correctly, Calli would have known. The thought of the young bard brought a smile to his lips animating his face.  He quickly looked behind him and noticed that Tesh had resumed his position a few feet behind Cooper and Devlin, the satchel bag apparently unopened hanging around his torso.

And then he was hit with the most glorious heavenly sound, two female voices arguing.

The younger voice was demanding to be taught how to punch.

The older female voice was saying not yet.

It was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard and he stopped short of the area where the two were arguing just to enjoy the moment, again tears gently misting his eyes.

"But Bear said he would teach me," stated Greta.

"Well it's more important to learn the Crane movements first, " countered Gina, "Now let's start again."

"But Gina...," the young girl continued her complaint.

"Begin," he heard Gina's stern command and could picture them both taking the opening stance.

Byron then stepped into the clearing where two of the most important people in his life had just began the slow graceful movements of the Way of the Crane kata, with its dependence on movement, balance and grace. The warrior sat down on the grass watching the progress of both master and student, enjoying the sun on his back. Placing the bichuwas on his knees he waited until they approached the end of the first segment, Greta with the impatience of youth finishing way too quickly whilst Gina's muscled frame though still bloodied and bruised, still showing signs of her ordeal finished the kata with the required patience and control.

"Bear did you see me," shouted Greta as she came running over where Byron was seated on the grass. She slowed as she saw the terrible looking pole-arm that rested on his knees.

"What's that?," asked Greta.

"It's a gift for you," he said to Gina as she finished her kata and headed towards them.

Healing potions had returned a lot of Gina's strength but some things just needed time. The florid patchwork of bruises on her face were beginning to mellow and so was the swelling around her mouth and eyes but more time was still needed to heal all the physical damage that she had endured in her captivity.

"I couldn't find your Partisan," said Byron, "but thought maybe this might prove a suitable replacement. It's called a bichuwas. "He negligently tossed the long handled weapon up to the warrior and she deftly caught it. "I saw it and thought of you."

"Should I be flattered?" Gina smiled and then began inspecting the weapon, the quality of the manufacture. The blades were attached to either end of the hexagonal shaped ash shaft with deep mounting sockets and then long langets had been used to further secure both blades, these thin metal strips running the length of the pole-arm were recessed into the shaft and secured in place with screws. The recess-ing of the langets alone were a definite indication of the workmanship of the piece which was further underlined when inspecting the long cruel blades which were etched and engraved with ornate depictions of tigers and were razor sharp. Gina moved away from both Greta and Byron and gave a few experimental swings.

"It's so light," she exclaimed, and then moving from experimental swings and swipes she started to put the pole-arm through its pacing, testing both her balance and movement when wielding the deadly weapon. All at once it seemed so graceful but equally as savage as Gina whirled and twisted with the blade, at times using the armoured shaft as a defence or extending her reach. She seemed to cut the very air as she moved in unison with the bichuwas.

After a few short minutes she stopped and gave her verdict.

"It's long, it's light but it'll do. Thank you Rone." Her smile was genuine as she regarded the weapon.

"The least I could do," answered Byron, "after all that's happened."

"Sounds like a little self recrimination to me," remarked the woman turning her attention from the exotic deadly, beautiful weapon to fixing the seated warrior in place. Her voice took on an edge as sharp as the bichuwas, "I know you Byron and I know what comes next."

"I've no idea what you're saying?" He tried to deflect but Gina would not be deterred.

"Your damned moody introspection."

"But Gina..."

"No doubt you're already holding yourself responsible for everything that's just happened to me. Blaming yourself for my incarceration... " she continued.

"Gina if only I'd..." He tried to interrupt but Gina would brook no interruption.

"It's not on you Byron..." He noted the use of his full name, which she only used when she was truly upset with him or was trying to drive a point home, "it's on those armoured bitches The Grey Maidens for locking me away and ultimately the head bitch herself the Queen. They are responsible...not you. You and your friends saved me. Don't waste your strength blaming the wrong people instead," she stopped and looked directly into his eyes her ferocity clearly evident, "save it and use it on those that deserve it."

He didn't know what to say he just sat there a little bewildered and dumbfounded. Greta climbed into his lap and cuddled the big man whilst the woman looked down on him trying to discern whether her words had got through.

"However if you want to blame yourself for something that is truly your fault, what have you been teaching my little girl?"

"What?," was Byron's confused reply.

"Her Way of the Crane is more The Stomp of an Angry Direbear," Gina continued in mock recrimination and Greta smiled at the funny image of Byron stomping around waving his arms pretending to be a bird!

"It's not that bad," tried Byron now thoroughly off balance.

"No it's more the Thud of the Bloated Elephant," she continued.

Greta now just giggled at the thought of Byron as a bear all bloated, stomping and roaring like an elephant. She sat in Byron's lap as the big warrior looked on a smile crossing his face as Gina had expertly lightened his mood.

"No I'm being too harsh," continued Gina, "it's not the Thud of the Bloated Elephant..."

"Thank you," replied the big man.

“It's more the Beaching of a constipated Walrus," Gina continued now warming to her theme.

Greta uncontrollably just burst out laughing enjoying this moment more and more in the safety and heart of her family.

"Stop, stop I give in," was all Byron could say as he joined in with Greta's laughter, the dark introspection he was prone too blown away by the friendly mockery and sparkling laughter.

“Right you two up you get and let's try this again," commanded Gina and all three stood, "Way of the Crane...first positions. Take the bow and begin." For the next hour the three of them Greta in the middle, Byron and Gina flanking her on either side went through the difficult,  slow and elegant movements of the kata, with only a few minor appearances of bloated elephants and stompy bears.