The Return from Cyprus (Act I)

Loyats looked up into the rain. No sense in trying to avoid it after such a long journey with so much already done as it was. He trudged on, head held high, rain in his face, soaking his clothing.

"Sir, may we stop for a while?"

"No," he said, turning on the man behind him, "these people have spent long enough away form home, we should hasten to return them there."

He looked past the man in front of him at the others all marching through the mud, hand carts in tow. On each small wooden cart a body, too many bodies, all coming home now. Draped and bound in cloth and linens they were the only ones free from the torment of rain that beset the rest of them.

He turned, the Castle was within sight now, perhaps only a matter of hours before they made their way there.

The rain came pouring down from the sky as Tressa walked across the courtyard towards the outer walls. It had become a habit of hers even on rainy days that at the end of her work in the library before retiring that she went to the wall and looked out beyond the walls of the castle and tonight was no different.

After spending her time in the dusty books, taking the time to get some fresh air allowed her to sleep better. As she looked out over the walls, the rain falling on her, Tressa saw in the distance a large group of people approaching. Taking a closer look, she can see that the group is that of Loyats returning from Cyprus with a large group of wagons.

Scrambling down the stairs, Tressa goes looking for the staff of the castle to warn them of the group that was approaching. With a limited staff in the kitchen, she started putting pots of water on to boil, not only for coffee to warm their insides but for bathwater also so that the men could also warm their bodies from the cold of the rain.

Checking back on the progress of the group, Tressa looks out over the walls and sees that they are within an hour of arriving.
Heading back down towards the kitchen and great room, she notices Adec roaming the castle walls.
Quickly, she walks over to him.

Adec, can you please come with me? Loyats has returned and there is a group wtih him, including wagons. They have been traveling in the rain and will need food, shelter and warmth. I can't do it alone, will you please help?


Not waiting for a response, Tressa heads back to the great room and kitchen to get prepared for their arrival.

Adec is startled out of his daydreaming by Tressa's voice....

Adec, can you please come with me?Loyats has returned... is all he could hear her say as she darts back into the great room. Fearing the worst he sprints to the kitchen where he finds her busy preparing for Loyats' arrival...



How may I help? he asks as he fumbles for the first kitchen utensil he can find....a fork.She poignantly directs him to the coffee.Embarrassed by his foolish choice of utensils he hurriedly sets to making coffee and soup

You say Brother Loyats has returned?

Yes Adec, it appears that he is approaching as we speak. Tressa says as she moves around the kitchen.
It looks like there are some wagons in the caravan. I do remember receiving word that he when he returned he would be bringing back the brothers and sisters that were left behind so he must have found their bodies.

Handing Adec a big kettle, she notions towards the pantry where the makings of a stew can be found.

Would you mind starting the soup Adec, I need to go to the supply room and gather some blankets. That rain has been coming down and I'm sure that they are soaked to the bone.


Tressa heads quickly out towards the supply closet in search of blankets & cots....

Adec chops various vegetables for the soup,seasons some meat and puts it on the stove to blanch it....He then checks the coffee and leans on the counter for a break....

I pray the numbers of those fallen were merely rumors......

Before he can dwell on this the vegetables begin to boil over.....

OOC: Continued here.

Locked for clarification, story continues via link.