Growt
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<written in="" dwarven="" runes,="" start="" to="" finish="">Went ta talk ta her pa. But instead found her Ma. Man, was not ready for that. It was like reaching for a sword and pickin up a mace, things just aint the same.
The people in the camp gave me bad directions and I spent about an hour wandering around looking for the way up to see him. Finally found the rope hidden in some vines and climbed. Didn't have the red cloak on as I don't know rightly how he feels about the Militia since he left it.
He wasn't there, don't know where he did go.
But there was this small elven woman sweeping up and clearing burnt things from a small camp area a good distance from the fire that is up there. Small aint the right word. . . . compact. Ya compact. Like a spring all compressed and ready to release her energy at a moments notice. I asked her where Jerr was and I swear the greatsword bloody appeared out of nowhere.
"Why you care." She asked and the tip of the sword pointing right at my nose was not moving a single bit.
"I want to talk to him about his daughter." I told her, figuring the truth is always the safest way to go when there is a blade in front of you.
"Which daughter. and why?" The sword still had not moved any more than the rocks under my feet.
"Mareann Jerrsdottir. I want to ask her out for a date."
The sword slid away smoothly and with a simplicity that spoke volumes of the skill behind it. "Ask her, not him."
"I have, but where I was raised you spoke to the parents when going on a formal date, so there was no 'sneaking behind backs'. If the family did not approve you knew right up front. "
"I am her mother. Sit, we talk." It did NOT sound like a request. I sat.
"You are Amith?"
"I am. Who are you?"
"I am Growt. I work in Norwick in the militia."
She looked me up and down like she was examining produce for making a meal. "And?"
"Like I said, the way I was raised if you were taking a girl out for a Date then you spoke to the family."
"You say date like it is something special. You planning something special?"
"Yap. I was gonna make her a meal and take her out into some safe-ish spot away from all the people. So we could get to know each other better."
"There are rooms in inns for that."
I swear I blush so much you should just paint me red. "No, get to know her as a person, not as . . . I do not believe I am talking about this with her mother."
"You are. But you answer right. Where are you taking her?"
"I was thinking about the spider woods, near the gate. It was recommended to me."
Amith snorted. "No, Drow come and go, driders too. Not safe-ish. Dangerous. Take her to the ruins of Norwick, this side of the gates and off to the left."
"Why there?"
"Because that is where I took her father. We had a picnic, I cooked. He didn't believe I could. Served him deer on a shield."
"Is that some special name of a delicacy?"
"No. I cooked a deer and served it on a shield. Her father is a big man. He liked the spices. Do YOU use spices?"
"Pepper and salt . . . and ale sometimes."
"Man cooking." She went into the tent and came out with a small pouch which she gave me. "Try this. rub it on meat before cooking. Slow cook, do NOT burn."
I took the pouch and tucked it in my pack. "Don't burn, got it. I will buy some bread and wine to go with the meal in Norwick. Selene sometimes has some good travellers . . . "
"NO! You get Sisterhood wine and I bake bread and cookies. Will send package for Selene to give to you. You will not share it with militia, you will share it with daughter."
What could I say, I nodded.
"Not for you, for daughter. She has had bad times. She deserve good times. You make her good times bad . . . and I make your good times bad. If you do this, it not for wrong reasons . . . or her parents come and visit you."
Somehow I got the impression that for all Mare had spoken of her father, her mother was just as dangerous. Then I remembered her saying once that her mother followed Tempus. "Yes Ma'am"
"Good, manners are a good start. Yes, you go on picnic. You make my daughter happy. If you don't, you start running."
"Yes Ma'am." What was I supoposed to say? I excused myslef and started to move off to find one pissed woman right in front of me. I have NO idea how long Mare had been there, listening. But she did NOT look happy.
Growt</written>
