Tapestry Patrol (Chyril 25 NT)

[Adanedhel]

Ida looked at her daughter, her expression that of a pride. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, Bern. Now, get on with it. We don't want Jon to be home late and you have a patrol to finish, don't you?" she said as she gave the guardswoman a big hug. "It was good to see you again. Don't forget to stop by now and then. Oh, were you coming over for dinner next week Rasday? You know how your father is about dining as a family when the shop is closed." her mother continued.

After Bernice had answered, she bowed down toward Jon. "And I hope I'll be seeing you again soon, master Jon." she said and pecked his cheeck.

[Bernice Potts]

She hugged her mother tight. Bernice had no clue if she'd see her mother for awhile, so she gave the biggest bear hug she could muster. A sad smile crossed her face as she took a deep breath. She had to be honest with her family, particularly with her new job.

"Not sure if the Captain will be so kind, but I'll try my best. I... I'm in a job that does dangerous things, mum. If I get hurt... keep a chin up, alright? Even training's a bit rough. I know ye had te put up with that before with what happened with the dowry, but I'm gonna try and make sure that don't happen to nobody ever again. That... might even get me worse than hurt. I love you so much, mum... I love all of you. That's why I gotta learn how to bring some order around town. I'll be damned before what happened in the riots happens to you all. Doing that means makin' some personal sacrifices."

Bernice did all she could not to cry and took another deep breath to keep her cool, but looked up from her chagrined face with a gentle smirk.

"Though if you want me to still be there in spirit, you can drop off some cookin' on Rasdays. I'll try my best, but being the new scrub, I'm not entitled to a lot of mercy for awhile. I... kind of fudged it just visiting here."

[Adanedhel]

Tears welled up in her mother's eyes as they parted their embrace. "We love you too, sweetheart. No matter what will happen to you." she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Just you look out, Bernice, will you? I don't want to see you get into trouble, even though I know the job will probably take you there. Will you try to do that for me?" she asked the young guardswoman.

She shrugged once and, a wry smile on her face, she said "I'll make sure some is brought to you on Rasdays. By me or one of your siblings. I'll see to that. And woe to who keeps me from getting it to you."

[Bernice Potts]

"I won't be stupid."

Bernice nodded to herself, knowing that was the best promise she could give her mother. Giving a deep sigh, a tear finally fell from her own eye, not being able to keep the tough girl act on for very long.

"You raised me with more than half a brain, I intend to use it. No suicidal charging fer me, mum! Promise! I'll see you soon!"

Bernice gave her mother one final salute before looking over to Jon with a smile.

"Alright, Jon. I got a patrol to finish, so I can't walk you all the way home, but I'll make sure we can part safe, okay?"

[Adanedhel]

Bernice's mother smiled with pride and gave the guardswoman a small wave to acknowledge her leaving. It was Jon, however, who spoke and looked up towards Bernice. "Aye, guess that'll be alright. Guess I'll have some explainin' to do at home anyway. Me been gone far too long." he said and turned towards Ida.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, miss Potts." he said and made a small bow. Ida chuckled and curtsied. "The pleasure was all mine, milord." she said and ruffled through his hair.

"We'll catch up another time. Now, be off and finish that patrol of yours. No need to upset your superiors right after starting a new job." she said and ushered Bernice out of the shop.

[Bernice Potts]

"Right, mum! Don't work too 'ard!"

Walking out of the door with Jon, she smiled and wiped the stray tear from her eye. She kept a good eye on him as they walked, making sure that all was well. After they were a decent distance from the shop, Bernice turned to Jon as she walked, knowing that they would be heading towards the Waterfront and docks. Her tone was a little more hushed as she walked, knowing the topic was a little shady.

Dirty Bill knew that "Bern" was there during the incident. She had to make an offering of peace in order to keep him off of her back and her family. Reaching into her armor, she brought out a few herbs* folded in paper which she had bought for herself in case she got injured.

"When you all go to yer father... tell 'im you 'ave something fer Dirty Bill. Tell Bill that Bern found a new job as a shit shoveler. If I catch anyone starting crap, I'm shoveling them. We're after the same bird that crapped on the Waterfront. Here's a little something to help clean up your statue. If it's nice and clean, we might catch the next bird who tries to dump on it."

It was one thing to help the other side commit a crime. It was another to help someone on the other side in order to catch someone who could be far worse. She started talking in normal tones and smiled, bending down to Jon.

"Now, be sure to take this to yer mother when you get home, alright? Not sure if it'll take care of what's ailing 'er, but if you have doubts on it, go talk to someone who knows herbs. It'll at least numb the pain a little, that I'm sure, but if she's real sick it might not be a smart thing. If there's less things to worry about back 'ome where you are, then you can 'ave a better life."

A subtle wink and a smile was all she needed, always wanting to help a dear boy in need. If all went well, his father would earn a few points of clout in the process. It would at least bring Jon a little more mercy in getting the job at her parent's place.

((*Camomille, Agrimonia, Bistort Root ))

[Adanedhel]

Jon said goodbye to Bernice's mom and walked along with her. Upright with a confident stride he followed her, a route that he knew like the back of his hand, just like the alleys running from this street. As Bernice started to talk in a hushed tone, the boy perked up his ears.

He took the wrapped herbs from her, nodding at her every word. In a similar way he replied "so, Dirty Bill, dung sweeper, after the same hawk? That's the gist of it, right? And all that coming from Bern? That's doable. I think me father could relay the message."

His lips moved, formed words in silence and his eyes looked upwards while the guardswoman spoke again. He didn't pay attention, but his head seemed to bob up and down a bit with every time his lips moved. When she stopped speaking, he turned to her and said "I got it. I'll tell them just that.".

He then stopped, looking around him carefully. "We better split, Bernice. Ye be all nice, 'n' I be sure to ask me dad 'n' stuff, but ye better not go into the Knot. They prey on yer type walking alone there, especially when escorting one of our own. I be sure y'earn their trust, leave it up t'me. Tomorrow, I'll visit the barracks 'n' leave ye a message, so y'know if I can or can't start for yer parents." he said and extended his hand towards the guardswoman.

[Bernice Potts]

"I promised mum I wouldn't be stupid. Thanks, Jon! Yer a saint!"

Shaking the boys hand, she smiled at Jon and scruffed his hair as a big sister would a little brother.

"Stay out of too much trouble!"

She would watch him scamper off as she would head for the Docks and the Waterfront area away from the knot to finish her patrol. She had no idea what she might find from all of this, but she shook her head at the entire situation, hoping for Jon's safety and wondering if he could live a better life.

Staying around people, she made her way to the final stop on her patrol.

[Adanedhel]

The rest of Bernice's patrol went by without anything out of the ordinary. People greeted her, children chased each other and business was being conducted everywhere. As usual with any patrol, her final stop was also her first, the gates of the barracks area.

Both gates were being opened as she strode towards them and the guards doing so were shouting "Make way! Make way! Clear the streets for the Duke's men!". She could hear the sound of hooves and, as the gates opened, the horses came into view. A group of ten riders, led by Kragen set out. They were dressed for battle and didn't seem to be inclined to stop for anything.

As Kragen passed Bernice, he slowed a bit, nodded and said "It's started. Get your stuff together, make sure the training grounds are filled with armed guards. We'll talk later.". The captain didn't even wait for any reply. He spurred his horse and rode quickly got even with the other men.

[Bernice Potts]

"At once, sir!" Bernice said with a salute.

Rushing to her own barracks, she gathered her backpack and did what she could to fit her scale mail in there with all the rest of her stuff. Not knowing what all she would be running across, she tried to bring all of her possessions and gold with her. She placed her leather helmet on to cover her face as she heaved her halberd on her shoulder.

Not knowing where they were headed, she worried about what possible hell might await her. There was likely no chance of getting that dinner with her family now. She had sinking feeling that this might be the call for a counter attack in the Knot. If it was something on the outside, then she wouldn't mind killing a few idiots.

"Captain Kragen needs all guards at the training grounds at once! The Duke's men have arrived!" she announced to the Barracks. "Spread the word!"

After her things were gathered, she would head to Sergeant Dawry and report the news to him as well as the rest of the boys.

[Adanedhel]

It was only a matter of time that all the news had spread throughout the barracks and the rest of the buildings. The hallways were crowded within flickers. Guards were running everywhere and slowly there were carrying more and more equipment. Once Bernice had come back onto the training grounds the men had started to group in their respective units.

Not five burns after she had brought the words, everyone was ready, including sergeant Dawry, who seemed to do a quick inspection. Bernice, who didn't have a real unit yet to answer to, was ushered to the side by one of the other sergeants. "Wait here for Dawry. He said you were to act as his assistant when Kragen returns. It will only be burns before that happens, and everything has to be perfect." the man said and swept some dirt off of her shoulders. "Just stand at attention and it will be all fine, guard." he said and did the same himself.

Captain Kragen had returned within burns indeed, but the riders with him were gone now. He dismounted and held a speech in front of all guardsmen and -women present. It was a motivational speech in which he talked about the assassination attempt on Jubal, about the current status on the Knot, and how he was mobilising the troops that were still in Hafne after all the ruckus there. They would be here within days, until then, it was their job to keep the peace and not let word out of what was happening behind the scene. Apart from their normal schedules, they were not allowed outside the barracks grounds. In the days to come, they would train and get ready for trouble.

(OOC: I'll be finishing this thread here. You can start a new thread (within the barracks at eveningtide 27th. I'm moving you along since there'll be hell to happen. Of course, threads in between can be done too, you're entitled to more then one.)

[Morg]

Skilled.