Patchwork Universe

Karl Groever · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:39 pm Post subject:

Karl attempted to assuage the huge man's anger. 'I suspect that creature is no priest, my friend,' he said, choosing his words carefully 'He is just one of the many such passers - by who seem to travel through these interlinked worlds. There is no need for any 'slaying' right now.'
As he spread his hands conciliatorily, Karl began to wonder at himself. How quickly he seemed to have fallen into easy - or, at least, relatively easy- conversation with this strange newcomer...almost as if they were as au fait with one another as Smight appeared to imply. Was this simply because he was more familiar with those powerful enough to employ hired mercenaries and threaten lesser men than he would have liked to admit to himself? For all that his laboured syntax held little in common with the old man's grandiloquence, Smight put Karl oddly in mind of the Baron.
And yet...beyond that level of simple comparison, there seemed to again be something more...a recollection, at the edge of memory, that Karl had once know Smight *as* Smight; that he was remembering encounter with the mighty warrior himself, and not some vaguer avatar.
'Do you know why the 'Cardinal' wishes to have me rescued, my friend?' he asked, trying to sound as neutral as possible 'For as you can see, there is no immediate need of rescue here,'. 'Although' he added in Larkin's direction 'we have just had a narrow escape from something of monstrous tendencies that I would be loath to encounter again any time soon.'
'Is that why these men have come with you? As reinforcements? For I hope you do not intend to take us prisoner?'
Karl thought hard a moment. Then, he said, again with a nod to Larkin 'Perhaps it might be most appropriate if you took us with you to see the Cardinal...and he could explain what this whole situation is about to all of us. What do you think?'

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

Smight listened carefully to Karl's words.

"I do not know how the priest knew you were in danger, Karl Groever," he admitted. "But priests have ways of discovering things. Ways that Smight would not use."

"This monster that attacked you, shall we go now and slay it? These men are here to do my bidding and I am here to help you, not imprison you. We shall slay whatever you wish slain."

He didn't much like the idea of going back to the Cardinal but there was a certain pride in proving that he had found Karl Groever in so brief a time.
"The place of priests was that way," he said, gesturing roughly west. "We came from there with the God Thing."

He paused, trying to remember what the Cardinal had actually said. It was something about others being weak.
"Shall we find the others also?" he mused out loud. "Perhaps they would like Smight to rescue them as well?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Strong Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 254 Location: The Slums

Larkin was beginning to feel like he was getting left out of the conversation. Speaking up again he said "Who are the others?" he then turned to Karl and said "Somethin funnies goin on here. How did this bloke." Larkin gestured at Smight "even know you, nevermind some far off Cardinal who seems to be orderin the brute here around."

Larkin laughed and said "If yer knew these kinda people we coulda used their help back when Doomshadow was wavin his tentacles round is all I'm sayin."

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:02 pm Post subject:

Smight had not been having a good day.

From his point of view he had been engaed in a war, winning the war in fact, swamping the enemy with legions sworn to obey him. Then that had all been taken away and he had found himself back at square one. This had not been pleasing.

Furthermore his square had been bordered by mist, ocean, more ocean and priests. Smight did not like priests. Now it was being suggested that the priests had told Smight what to do. The rat-faced man was laughing, he was mocking Smight. Smight had come here to help Karl Groever, the man who was his ally. He cared nothing for this other.

More significantly, Smight cared little for conversation. All this babble was getting in the way of his purpose. The legions of the red fort existed to rid the world of priests and books and gods. But Smight had always been willing to extend the point when necessary.

"This man offends me," he declared and instantly the ten blades of the armsmen were drawn and levelled at Larkin.
"Does this man have some use to you, Karl Groever?" Smight asked, before reaching for his own sword. "If he does not I shall slay him now for his impudence."

Karl Groever · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject:

Choosing his words carefully, Karl replied. 'I'd rather you held off from slaying for the moment, sir.' He gave a quick glance in Larkin's direction, and tried to think of something that would appeal to the mercenary captain's glacial thought processes. He registered that Smight's hand was already resting lightly on his sword hilt. Then he spoke: 'This man is a trusted associate of mine, who has stood beside me in the heat of battle, proving his undoubted mettle. He is worth far more alive than he is dead, and would demonstrate his prowess before you given the opportunity, no doubt.'
'His name is Larkin Quickgrip, and he has many useful skills, as well as strength of mind. I daresay you may even grow to trust him yourself, if you give him the chance. I'm sure that he intended no disrespect, my friend. He is merely unnerved.'
He spoke soothingly, fixing Smight's gaze intently. 'You can readily understand this,' he insisted 'We are warriors, adventurers and we have just been involved in a big fight. The enemy was threatening. Then you appear, with armed men behind you. We are naturally uncertain. We are not sure where you have come from, or why the Cardinal has asked for you to rescue me. But no disrespect was intended.'
Karl silently prayed that some of what he was saying would get through to the huge man.

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

Smight listened intently. There was nothing wrong with his ears.

Karl Groever trusted the rat-faced man because... because he was made of metal? Smight glanced at Larkin. He wasn't even wearing armour. Perhaps the metal was underneath.

A big fight. That he understood completely. Smight was sorry he had missed it. Smight liked fights. He would have been victorious, he was certain of that.

Waving to his men to lower their weapons, Smight nodded slowly.
"If the man is useful to you, Karl Groever, I will leave him unharmed."

"The Cardinal," Smight grimaced. "Priests always seem to know things when they should not. If I go to the place of priests he is always waiting for me. When I tell him what I have learned, he is never surprised. I do not like this. But I remember it was you who made me promise not to slay him, either, Karl Groever."

Smight looked about. This street displeased him. The ruined wall just made it more obvious that there had been a fight and he had missed it.

"Let us go and rescue more allies, Karl Groever. Then they will be grateful and praise the name of Smight... and Karl Groever."

Larkin Quickgrip · Strong Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 254 Location: The Slums

Larkin raised his eyebrow and grinned at Karl. He briefly wondered whether Karl had said all of that just to stop the Smight bloke from "slaying" him. However the giant had mentioned how Karl had talked to Smight before. Larkin hadn't thought that the man had been in the patch that long.

Not wanting to throw the armoured man into another bout of slaying Larkin quickly mouthed "When was that?" at Karl and wrinkling his brow.

Karl Groever · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:38 pm Post subject:

Karl looked at Larkin bemusedly. He rolled his eyes slightly, and mouthed back 'I have no idea'. Then, quickly, so that Smight would fail to notice this exchange, he raised his voice again. 'So, Larkin,' he said 'What do you think to this idea of a new quest? Going to 'rescue' some more people?'

Larkin Quickgrip · Strong Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 254 Location: The Slums

Larkin looked up at the 8 foot soldier and trying not to grin he said to Karl "Oh yeah, great idea. Rescue yeah." For the moment Larkin didn't wish to bring up seeing Yarrow in case Smight recognised the name.

He then looked at the soldier again and said "Forgive me fer askin an everythin but who are these allies yer goin on about? Out of interest like." he paused for a second and then quickly added "Cos it could prove ter be quite hard ter rescue them if we don't know who they are." Now that the threatening was over Larkin didn't seem to be too keen to offend the soldier again.

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:16 am Post subject:

Smight considered Larkin and then his mouth spread in a wide griamce that could have been considered a smile.
"Yes," he said. "Karl Groever was right. You are wise, Larkin Quickgrip. The allies Smight speaks of are those who helped him and Karl Groever in their battle against the despicable ones."

"Since Karl Groever and Smight are here and the Cardinal is not in need of rescue," Smight's expression here suggested that this was a pity, even if the rescue would not be forthcoming. "We must find..."

There was a pause. Smight looked thoughtful. The ten armed men watched him patiently.

"Five!" Smight boomed. "Five allies we must find and rescue... The knight, the woman, the cat, the wizard and the man who talks to himself."

Karl Groever · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject:

'I see,' Karl said, a little uncertainly. 'And you talk of...well...a knight, I can understand, a wizard...but 'rescuing' a cat ?? It seems a little...unusual?' He looked to Larkin for confirmation.
And then something else clicked into place. 'Hold on,' Karl said, suddenly 'You said five others, didn't you? And there's you and the Cardinal and...you count me...so, eight.'
Karl cursed under his breath. He couldn't quite recall what Jones had said to him - the conversation seemed to have taken place so long ago- but it chimed with what was being said now. And with the search for the slabs as well... 'The Ring of Eight?' he asked Smight, earnestly, trying to keep the confusion out of his voice, 'Is that what you mean?'

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:49 am Post subject:

"Yes," Smight said after a moment. "Karl Groever is right. Let us not rescue the cat. It is not a wise plan."

He gestured to his men and they closed up ranks behind him so that when Smight then ordered "onward" Larkin and Karl had little option but to join in with the massive man, walking faster to keep up with his enormous strides.

"Ring of Eight," Smight added as he began to walk. "Yes, that is what the knight said we should be called."

Larkin Quickgrip · Strong Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 254 Location: The Slums

Larkin made sure to keep close to Karl as Smight and his company marched off. Reaching over he tapped the young man and keeping his voice low he said "Ring of eight? What the hell? Do you actually know these people or not?"

Looking up at the massive armoured back of Smight he continued "You're right about the cat though." and grinned

Karl Groever · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject:

'Your guess as to what's going on is as good as mine, Larkin,' Karl insisted, but quietly. 'However, if Smight here thinks we're friends, then perhaps it's just as well to keep on his right side for now, at least until such time as we get to part company.'

'As to this Ring of Eight,' he added, voice still low 'I was simply mentioning something Jones said to me back in the Pub. He talked about something called the Ring of Eight. And so, I guessed that, seeing that friend Smight seems to want to pull together this group, and there were eight concerned, surely there was some connection. And so it seems to be. Maybe if we can locate this knight who came up with the name, we'll find something more in the way of explanation.'

'Although,' Karl added 'I have to admit I have no clear idea why I am considered to be a paid - up member of this organisation...whatever it may be. I'm beginning to fear they are taking me on under false pretences. Jones mentioned another Karl Groever and, though I was loath to admit the existence of this doppelganger before now, perhaps this is the evidence we need that he does, indeed, exist. But I think we should play along for the moment. Perhaps this will all redound to our advantage.'

Smight, the Unbeliever · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:19 pm Post subject:

Smight and his armed guard were picking up the pace, and the shorter-legged humans were almost running to keep up when finally Smight shouted:
"HALT!"
Armed men stamped their feet as they took up a position of readiness and the group looked towards where Smight was pointing. A large building ahead had a black vehicle with wheels parked outside.
"Something new is here," Smight announced. "Smight has seen such things before. They belong to the man who talks to himself. Perhaps he is nearby, Karl Groever."

[ooc: This thread now begins to cross over with the 'Two Patches West' thread currently inside the map room building.]