Garston sat in his study, a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other. Â It was a boring day, nothing special happening in the least. Â He stifled a yawn, balancing the book on his knees.
The door to his study swung open, and the highlander looked up, anger on his face. Â "Knock before you -- Gaardal?" Â Garston watched as the other of his trusted men limped in, carrying a large pile of armor.
"Garston. Â I apologize for being late." Â Pain laced his words but he hid it well. Â Placing the armor carefully on the elaborately decorated table in the room, he sat heavily on the couch across from it.
Garston's gaze moved to the two arrows that stuck out from the man's right leg, swiftly moving over to pull a rope, the bell ringing in the distance. Â "Gaardal, what happened? Â Tharzton will be here shortly to heal you."
Gaardal nodded, retelling the tale of what happened after he walked Garston back to his home. Â After a time Garston raised a hand to stop him.
"What ... what happened to Kayle?"
The door opened to let an old man in healers garb enter, Garston pointing to the injured highlander on his couch. Â The healer moved to Gaardal silently and went to work as the two talked.
"The fool boy came too close. Â I grabbed him by the throat. Â I saw the fear and shock in his eyes when I took him with me to Black Brush." Â Gaardal growled from the pain as the healer removed the arrows. Â "When we came to solid ground again, I threw the boy into the dirt. Â He tried to crawl off, call for help. Â He didn't get far."
Garston sat back down in his chair, nostrils flaring. Â His breathing quickened as he waved Gaardal to continue.
"I gave him a solid crack across his face. Â Heh, stopped his bleating quick. Â Then a dagger to his chest stopped it all together. Â When he hit the dirt, I removed the armor he wore to give to you as a trophy, sir. Â Kept the pearl he wore too. Â Last I saw, his weak blood was helping some weeds grow out in Thanalan."
Garston, groaned, eyes closed. Â Yes .... this day just got better. Â Ecstacy ran through him, and he forced himself to calm. Â "You ... you have done well, Gaardal. Â You brought me the name of Ophianne's killer, you bring me news of breaking Kayle, you brought me back my property, and now a trophy."
The highlander roared with laughter. Â "A celebration! Â I shall have a celebration tonight! Â Gaardal, have this armor displayed prominently in my large ballroom. Â Do not clean it. Â I want it as it is."
Gaardal nodded, the old man finished his work. Â He tested his weight on his leg as he stood. Â A small twinge of discomfort, but nothing he couldn't handle. Â "As you command, sir." Â Picking up the armor carefully, he turned to leave.
"One more thing, Gaardal. Â Make sure Asdrellia is kept quiet. Â I know of how she can commune with the elements. Â I want her silenced and submissive until she is shipped off tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Garston watched his man leave and he smiled.
Yes. Â Today got much better indeed.
The door to his study swung open, and the highlander looked up, anger on his face. Â "Knock before you -- Gaardal?" Â Garston watched as the other of his trusted men limped in, carrying a large pile of armor.
"Garston. Â I apologize for being late." Â Pain laced his words but he hid it well. Â Placing the armor carefully on the elaborately decorated table in the room, he sat heavily on the couch across from it.
Garston's gaze moved to the two arrows that stuck out from the man's right leg, swiftly moving over to pull a rope, the bell ringing in the distance. Â "Gaardal, what happened? Â Tharzton will be here shortly to heal you."
Gaardal nodded, retelling the tale of what happened after he walked Garston back to his home. Â After a time Garston raised a hand to stop him.
"What ... what happened to Kayle?"
The door opened to let an old man in healers garb enter, Garston pointing to the injured highlander on his couch. Â The healer moved to Gaardal silently and went to work as the two talked.
"The fool boy came too close. Â I grabbed him by the throat. Â I saw the fear and shock in his eyes when I took him with me to Black Brush." Â Gaardal growled from the pain as the healer removed the arrows. Â "When we came to solid ground again, I threw the boy into the dirt. Â He tried to crawl off, call for help. Â He didn't get far."
Garston sat back down in his chair, nostrils flaring. Â His breathing quickened as he waved Gaardal to continue.
"I gave him a solid crack across his face. Â Heh, stopped his bleating quick. Â Then a dagger to his chest stopped it all together. Â When he hit the dirt, I removed the armor he wore to give to you as a trophy, sir. Â Kept the pearl he wore too. Â Last I saw, his weak blood was helping some weeds grow out in Thanalan."
Garston, groaned, eyes closed. Â Yes .... this day just got better. Â Ecstacy ran through him, and he forced himself to calm. Â "You ... you have done well, Gaardal. Â You brought me the name of Ophianne's killer, you bring me news of breaking Kayle, you brought me back my property, and now a trophy."
The highlander roared with laughter. Â "A celebration! Â I shall have a celebration tonight! Â Gaardal, have this armor displayed prominently in my large ballroom. Â Do not clean it. Â I want it as it is."
Gaardal nodded, the old man finished his work. Â He tested his weight on his leg as he stood. Â A small twinge of discomfort, but nothing he couldn't handle. Â "As you command, sir." Â Picking up the armor carefully, he turned to leave.
"One more thing, Gaardal. Â Make sure Asdrellia is kept quiet. Â I know of how she can commune with the elements. Â I want her silenced and submissive until she is shipped off tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Garston watched his man leave and he smiled.
Yes. Â Today got much better indeed.
