A testing task

[bardmcshane]

Erin had packed light, as the trip shouldn't take more then a couple of days. The lass shifted a bit in the saddle as she looked back to the castle then headed further down the road. The simple garb was nothing unusual as she reached down into the saddle bag and drew out the small gold coin. Rock was given his lead as she studied it for a long moment. The coin was stamped with an odd marking, certainly nothing that would be found near about here.

The embosed falcon with the fiery background on one side, the other was stamped with a simple etching of a pedstal and morter. The fingers absently traced it as she swallowed a bit hard. This would be a trick, to get there and back again before really anyone noticed her gone. She had asked Mobius to go with her, but he had gotten injuried, while healing..she didn't feel right about asking him to accompany her. This was something she needed to do.

She sighed again and looked up at the road as it forked left and right before figuring it really didn't matter much as she took the left path. The finger traced the coin while she rocked slowly in the saddle, her eyes looking forward but not really seeing what was moving past them. Her Mum would likely go through the roof if she knew. Part of her reasoned the woman had to have known the reason of her going to the Falcon's to learn the healing arts. But she had never spoke of it, and Erin had never brought it up.

When she arrived at a solitary area of the old dirt road, she glanced around to ensure she was alone before lifting the coin aloft and pitched it forward toward the ground before her. " Open the path to the task" She spoke clearly as the coin flipped twice before halting in midair , it turned still as the sudden flash of gold came about and the portal shimmered to life. She knew she didn't have time to study it , and hope it was safe. She touched Rock's flanks and rode through the window. Just as she did so, the coin flashed again as if catching the rays of the noon light, then closed once more.

Erin turned in the saddle to see the coin laying on the ground. She swung down and lifted it from the dirt and tucked it away once more into the britches pocket. The breath in drew in scents unlike those of GoldenMyst. The forest carried more of a pine scent to them, and the underbrush was much thinner here. She dampened her lips with a brush of her tongue as Rock shook his head.

" Aye.. should be a cabin nawt ta far ahead, lets go. " She stated softly as she nudged the horse forward. The area opened slowly to a small glade of sorts with an old hunter's cabin. High above her the call came from the tiny Merlin. She couldn't help but feel relieved by that as she lifted her eyes to find the swift bird. The wings folded as it slid down the air through the branches then unfolded them to catch the wind while its talons caught a low branch. The intelligent eyes looked at her as it turned its head to one side, then the other.

At least she knew if things turned sour, the bird could carry the message back to the Young Bloods then onward to Warhorse and if necessary, her father. She moved forward to the cabin as she looked over the area, her eyes swept the ground to ensure there had been no other in the area. The soft pine needles littered the forest floor muffling the steps of the plowhorse.

The bard slipped down and walked to a window as she peered inside, the small grunt was given as things had been laid out in preparation, as well as a letter. Buggers. Ah well, she had to prove herself to Them at some point. She stepped back to see to Rock as she pulled the packs off and set him loose in the yard there before going inside.

The interior of the cabin was like all others, fire wood beside the hearth ready for use, the single cot was off to the side with warm blankets folded at the end. Though those were not the things that drew her attention, it was the garish clothing that was hanging up to the side that made her frown a little. They had to be kidding..

The dress was almost indecent! The blouse of deep rose tied in the front with a soft ivory ribbon as the sleeves had been decorated with ribbons of silk and satin of a rainbow of colors. The skirts and corset were of a deep unforgiving black as she lifted a brow and looked to the letter that would give her the last instructions. She could only stare at it a long moment before swallowing and lifting it to read over the directions.

~ Erin,
The dress is your size, don't balk you're wearing it. Your invitation is in the pocket of the skirts. Take your lute with you, this evening as it is your way in, also the way for you to carry the necessary items you will need. The man you are looking for is Lord Moronischov. We were able to find out he is the intended target. Determine the necessary needs, fulfill them, get out. When you have finished give the Merlin the small silver coin.
Good Luck,
Warhorse* ~

The lass sighed and looked at the dress once more and figured, well ought to get herself ready as she turned away to start a fire, there was water to warm, her hair to do, Rock to feed.. then off to a party. Somehow she had always thought this would be far more exciting and less frightening.

[bardmcshane]

It had taken her a while to pin up the loose brown hair as she was freshly scrubbed and stared at the dress in her skivies. The deep breath was taken , likely the last of those she'd be able to take this evening. The dress was taken down as she slipped the blouse on and laced it up. It was bright, but soft as she lifted the skirts and stepped into it. The thin string was drawn in and tightened as she tried keeping her nervousness to herself.

The last to go on was the corest as she took in a deep breath before releasing it to cinch it snuggly about her ribs. The boning within stuck her in places that well.. it was evil. She tightened it a little more before tucking the laces beneath the fabric. She moved over to a small mirror and looked at herself. The brows shot upward as she glanced down and swallowed hard. Good Goddess she was likely to fall out of it if she wasn't careful.

There wasn't time to do anything else as she pulled the lute to her and packed the small hidden pockets with the herbs that may be needed later. The feet slipped back into her boots as she tucked away a dagger there. Then another checked in the case of the lute. Right, so here we go. She thought to herself as she walked out and took a little time to saddle Rock. The small extra bit of ribbon was used to braid the horse's mane. The pretty little bow finished the braid as she shrugged and smirked at the less then pleased horse.

" I gotta dress up.. so does yerself."She pointed out before pulling herself up into the saddle. She wanted to sit astride, but that was out of the question in a skirt as she seated herself sidesaddle. The directions firmly in her mind as she turned him about and set off for the party.

The lass fell in with another group traveling, by their apparrell they were heading to the very same party. She smiled and laughed, fitting in among the rowdy participants as she rode along side of a carriage. It all seemed rather surreal in a way as she fit in with the folks and carried on a delightful conversation. Asking questions of who and what.. and remembered her own invitation once they arrived at the grand iron gates of the manor.

The building itself was old, gone by generations according to the gabby lady in the carriage. Erin could only think to pale next to such a woman in her silken finery and sparkling jewerly. It was all for the best as the lass handed over the invitation. Of course the guard was chastised for looking at it too long by the woman. Then demanded they open the gates as the guard snapped up and did as she commanded.

" Its all in the tone, my dear. Really I barely know Morty. " She giggled and winked as the carriage rolled forward and Erin laughed right along with her. She let the carriage pass and tipped her head to the guard as she carried herself forward into the gates. As they approached the ancient structure the finely dressed men moved forward to help ladies from carriages, one even stepped around to help Erin down from the back of Rock. She offered a light false giggle as she felt the fellow lift her from the saddle and placed her down.

" Wella, thanks. " She offered with a grin and turned to take the lute case from the saddle. She wrinkled her nose a bit at the man with a smile before the Lady circled about and laid claim to her arm.

" Thank Havens..I'll have at least you to talk to.. these things can get dreadfully political. " She rolled her eyes as Erin walked along with her , keeping the same grin on her faces as the Lady began to point out people and gave Erin their names. The lass studied people this way, the simple brown eyes weighing their attired down to how they moved. Most were simply fluff, if she was any judge. There were however a few that she kept in mind. They moved differently, then those of a court upbringing. Smooth, effortless, with a confidence that spoke of work in the salle.

It wasn't long before the party began to take an upward swing, people talking and even a few dances now and then. Erin herself had moved up to sing a few songs , keeping things simple and light hearted. Being up there allowed her to watch over the crowd. And finally she was introduced to the man she had been sent to help. Lord Moronischov was a slack faced fellow with a large round pounch , the droopy eyes reminded Erin of the hound dog her father kept. He spoke with a slow draw as if thought over his words long before they came from his mouth.

He wasn't exactly a likeable fellow, but at the same time she had to admire the honesty in which he spoke. While he spoke, Erin lingered on now in his shadow, calling a few of the others there by name, which left them somewhat puzzled. Such a fresh young face, and they simply couldn't place her. All the better of it.

Dinner was called as the crowd began to ebb toward the dinning area, Erin held back just a little to put away her lute. As she walked toward the door , she was accosted again by the talkative lady .

" We've been moved.. you must have made quite the impression. " She whispered in a singsong voice as she escorted Erin up toward the main table. There were two chairs left as they were held out for the ladies. Erin grinned and thanked the servant before taking a seat herself. The wine was poured as she canted her head listening to the politics tossed about at the table as well as the jokes among those that had known each other for .. years apparently. She noticed however the Lord was served from a different container. The dark eyes narrowed a bit at the servant as she brought her attention back to the man.

" What is it little bard? " The man asked as he lifted his glass. Erin thought quickly as she offered a sudden pout.

" Here you are drinking something entirely different then we.. I feel a bit left out."She offered with a quirkly grin. The man chuckled and gave a nod as the servant's pleasant expression soured when he was waved over to refill the girl's glass with the very same autumn wine he was drinking.

" There, now my dear you are not left out." He explained as he toasted her with his glass and took a deep drink. Erin of course echoed his movements but tasted only a small dose of the wine. She could detect a faint bitterness to the wine but for now kept it to herself. The meal continued and the coarses were extravegant. Far more food then she'd seen in a long time set out at a meal. People talked and laughed while they dinned upon the Lord's meal. Erin however continued to check on the man as he became more and more still. He coughed into his napkin then looked about a bit alarmed. He rose to excuse himself for a moment but not before Erin caught the red tinge hidden in the napkin.

She rose as well as she gave the lady beside her a baleful wink then followed after the Noble Lord. She caught up her lute in passing as she managed to close the door behind her just as the Lord fell against the wall. The coughing was worse this time, wet in its sounding. Erin glanced down the wall to see the Servant smirk and step behind another door.

Hmph. She thought as she moved quickly to the Lord's side. " Come m'lord , lets get ya someplace to sit down. " She offered as she slipped the man's arm over her shoulder and guided him into an empty room.

" I don't know whats come over me.. I feel odd. I have not been sick." He mumbled quietly as Erin seated him down into a chair and fell into the routine Falcon had taught her. The cheeks were flush, yet the skin was clammy. She cursed softly as she checked his eyes and the pupils very nearly dominated the irises.

" Ya weren't sick until now. Is there someone here ya can trust? " She asked quietly as the man looked at her bewildered. " My man servant.. " he mumbled as his speech began to slur.

" The man that served the wine? " She asked as the man nodded and she snorted softly. " Aye well he's the one that served ya tainted wine. " She stated crisply. Making sure he wouldn't fall from the chair ,she set the lute case up to the side. The stout lass looked about and moved to slide a chair beneath the handle on the door to keep them from being interupted.

" I.. I don't understand.. " The man stammered watching the lass confused. " I assure you, miss.. I am in no mood.. " he made a gesture with his hands as Erin lifted a brow and rolled her eyes.

" Aye that makes two of us. " She shook her head a bit as the meal went on in the other room ,along with the laughter. She glanced around and pointed to the other door to the room. " Where does that go? " She demanded as the man coughed and wheezed.

" The kitchens.. " He managed , she didn't waste time as she set off through it and emerged into the kitchens. Her eyes swept over the surprised cooks and maids.

" Yer head cook? " She asked crisply as the plump woman stepped forward. " I need a pan of hot water and someone to go sit with his lordship, he's through that door. " She pointed. The woman looked t her and frowned a bit beginning to ask what was going on, but the flat stare from that bard caught her midword.

" I'll go meself." The woman stated as the maids looked at each other a bit frightened. Erin paid them no mind as she began to tug the herbs from the pockets and setting them out. She glanced to a young girl . " can you go to the lord's table bring me his glass of wine? " She asked. The girl was no more then prehaps eleven as she ducked her head and scurried off. As the door opened Erin could still hear the laughter and on goings as she looked to the rest. " Well keep servin them dinner. Like there ain't nothin ats all wrong. " She pointed out as the others nodded and went on with their work. Not sure who this young woman was, but she didn't have that look about her to cross her.

The glass was brought back as Erin gave the girl a nod, and poured a bit of the wine into a pot. She set it onto the iron stove and began to work about it. She added a few herbs and leaned over to take in the scent. Orthine. Nasty stuff..

Erin moved to the side and threw out the mixture into a trash bin before telling another to boil the pot with water and soap in it. Without another word she set off again to make the antedote. The head cook came back looking a bit shaken as she ignored the questioning looks from the others and whispered to Erin.

" He's lookin bad Miss.. he's babbling about something I can't make out his words. " She offered quietly keeping the conversation between the two. Erin grunted and went on with the adding a pinch of this and that to the broth she was concocting.

" Take in a few fresh towels, run one under cold water before giving it to him. Keep it against the back of his neck, I'll be a few more minutes. " She offered softly as the woman nodded and set off. The sigh came from Erin as she continued to cook down the mixture. The glance was given to the others and a quick grin. The worst part now was the waiting as she watched the servants bringing in the empty plates and there was a change in the atmosphere, questions rising from those within as Erin cursed softly. The glance to the pot was given as she scooped it up off the stove, using the skirts to protect her hand. She didn't say another word to any of those within the kitchen as she set off quickly to the adjoining room.

The Lord was looking terrible as he slumped in the chair, the flabby jowls flapped a bit as he fought to breath. Erin caught up a towel and draped it over his head as she pulled it forward for him to breath the fumes of the mixture. He fought feebly with her for a long moment , until the breathing became easier.

" M'lord, ya been poisoned. Orathine attacks the lungs makin it hard ta breath. Keep inhallin , it'll help. " She offered softly as she stood at his side. The Cook stared at Erin in shock.

"Do you have a guardsmen here? Go and fetch him.. quickly. " She stated as the woman set off once more down the hallway. Erin continued to hold the Lord's head over the steaming pot as the man in uniform stepped in. His face was vivid as he looked over the garishedly dressed bard.

" What is the meaning of this?! " He demanded and moved toward Erin with his hand on teh sword at his hip.

" He was poisoned.. workin on gettin it outta his system. Though.. he ain't gonna like it. There is a feller that served him wine. That be the one ya oughts talk to. " She pointed out as the man seemed furious. He called for a few of his men as they came rushing into the room. Gah ..come on.

" Go and find Gabriel bring him here at once. " he stated as he kept his hawk like eyes on the lass. He looked her over and lifted a brow. He was about to accuse Erin however it was the lordling that finally spoke up , pulling his head away from the pot to look at the bard.

" Suspected.. " the man said with a wheeze but waved off the pot for a moment to look at his man at arms. " sent .. for.. help. Lass. .. Warhorse sent " The man stated as the guardsman blinked and looked at the girl then gave a small nod.

" I'll go make excuses. " he offered as Erin pondered and shook her head a bit. She turned to look at the cook that lingered still in teh room. " When this cools he has ta drink it.. and drink it all. " She gave the lord a little stern look. The man gave a nod with the waggling jowls.

She pulled a few of the pins from her hair and mused up her outfit a bit. The sassy little grin came to life as she looked at the Guardsmen. " Keep the guests going a bit longer that way ya gets the feller Gabe. His lordship will be weak but he'll be alive. " She offered as she looked to the man.

" I'm going to give us sometime. " She offered softly as she set off out of the room and giggled as she looked at the others back in the dinning hall. She attempted to "fix" her hair as she walked back to the table and gave alittle shrug. " Seems his Lordship has a liking for the musical sort. " She spoke with a deep blush and seated herself once more. The lady that she had ridden in with seemed surprised and laughed , though at this point it was forced, as it seemed to be on one or two others.

" Where is his lordship ? " Another quiet man asked as she sighed and picked up her fork to eat. " Oh I'm sure he'll be along in a bit.. It seems he was a little.. tuckered out." She offered a roguish smirk. She ate heartily as she let people talk, but kept an eye on a few others. The guardsmen stepped inside and touched her arm.

" It seems you've left an impression.. he sends me to get you. " he spoke with an amused grin as she giggled and looked to the others and with a deep breath that threatened the poor laces, she looked to the others.

" Pardon me fer a few minutes.. " She stated and off she swept herself back into the hallway. She turned to wait for the guard as he spoke to her.

" He is feeling better, wishes a word with you. " He informed her softly as Erin gave a small nod.

" Aye.. a coupla things, that lady, Carolina an Mister Highwater.. keep an eye on them got a feeling they ain't gonna be happy yer lord still be about. " She warned him as he gave a firm nod before she set off once more for that small room. The Lord was sitting quietly now making a disgusted face while he seeped at the broth that had been poured into a mug. The head cook stood with her arms folded before him and the set expression. Goddess knew Erin had seen that face before.

" Truely terrible stuff. " he stated saluting the girl with the mug as Erin chuckled.

" Aye if it was any good.. folks would wanna get poisoned all the time. " She pointed out as she walked toward him. " feelin better? " She asked as the hand lifted to check his cheeks and looked into his eyes once more. They were slowly coming back to normal as she gave a small nod. " Good. "

" It seems I owe you my life. " he spoke as Erin smirked and shook her head.

" Nope, I'm jus doin my job. " She offered and caught up the lute. " jus be glad I figured out what it was afore it got ta serious. " She stated softly then gave the cook the mixture of herbs. " Another two cups one tanight before he sleeps an another in the morning. " She informed her and glanced to the man. " Yer latrine won't like ya much.. but it'll be good fer ya. "

She spoke softly as the man grinned and nodded as she slipped away, before too much attention could be drawn, the bard was heading out the back door just as the guards were coming to the dinning room doors to make sure that those responsible didn't leave. She waved to them as she stepped out. THe footman blinked and looked at her surprised and set off to fetch her horse. Properness be damned.. she sat astride the horse and set off quickly.

The sooner she was out of this silly dress.. the sooner she'd be able to breath. The merlin called out as it winged along beside her once she made it clear of the gates. Erin grinned and set off for the cabin, once there.. the corset was stripped off and tossed into the corner before she dropped onto the cot. Odd. she felt a little cold.

[bardmcshane]

The morning came quickly as the lass pushed herself up and sighed softly. The dark eyes shifted a little as she felt as if she had been beaten with a stick. For several moments she seemed confused over the whole thing, but then it came back to her the tasting of the wine . The roll of her eyes came as she pushed herself up off the cot. The body felt wretched as she sought the packs and began to concoct the very same antidote she had given the nobleman.

Her hands shook a little as she watched it boil. The soft call of the merlin drew her attention away as she pushed herself up to her feet once more. The slow steps carried her to the door as she looked down to the hare that laid there as she offered a small grin and ducked her head.

The lean forward was enough to cause her vision to blur a bit as she lifted the hare. There was something she was supposed to do.. ah the coin. She turned and fished the coin out of a pocket and offered it to the bird. The hushed call was given as it moved impatiently, the small pouch attached to its leg. She gave a nod and slipped the penny into the sack as she gave the merlin a soft scratch as the bird ducked its head and turned. The sudden hush as it took wing once more.

She smiled a little and slipped back inside. The hare would make a good breakfast.. while she waited for the "tea" to finish. She dropped onto her rump to clean the hare as she blinked several times while her senses seemed off a bit. The boiling mixture was drawn closer to her as she drew in a slow breath. The fumes were helpful.

The small knife was drawn as she began to work through the hare then once the concoction was ready she began to sip on it once poured into a mug.

It was well past noon before she felt ready to journey back home. The lass gathered all the items within the cabin. The dress was packed away into a saddle bag as she looked over the room. All things had been returned to the way they had been when she walked in. Well without the dress and letter of course. She stepped outside to be greeted by Rock. She offered a little grin as she began to pack his back once more.

The lass worked slowly as the effects of both the poison as well as the antidote was warring within her. She had only gotten a small taste of the toxin, but it was enough to make her sluggish. The plowhorse actually knelt down to allow her into the saddle as she whispered her thanks. They rode away from the area , keeping to the unused deer trails, there was no need to be identified by any of the people that may be out and traveling.

The small gold coin was again pulled from her pocket as she looked about her then tossed it up. ~ Task completed , homeward bound~ She recited as the flash again appeared and the shimmering of the gate. She touched her heels to the horse s they slipped through to appear again at the edge of the farmlands .

She drew in a breath of the familiar air as she set off once more toward the Castle of GoldenMyst and those she missed then most.