Ereworn Under The Shadow

Quote from Damian_May >>

The voice that utters from the bolt hole is muttering an enchantment......but stops at Barns words, " Not Kill? Take Bride?", a hissed question echoes from a number of the bolt holes.

" Swear.......not kill.....Yes? Swear no mortal here will kill Ned Hob?  And talk we will...."

"You want US to swear not to kill you?"  Barn's outrage still simmers.  "You're the one who tried to kill us.  Over and over.  And just now, I think you were getting ready to cast some magic.  So how about you swear not to harm us first?  Or send more tricks and traps and monsters our way?" 

"Yeah well you can't keep Clotha either." Jack declares. 

Unless she wants to stay but I don't think so....

The big man nods slowly.  "Did you call Clotha your bride just now?  Did she say she wanted to be?  Without you muddling her mind?  If not, she is no bride of yours, no matter what enchantments you use to change her.  She gets to choose of her own free will."

Barn recalls the men in his company of Duke Darian's irregulars.  How they had laughed as they took over the farmstead, pantry, larder and livestock.  Taken the farmer's wife and daughters, sobbing and... the big man's jaw sets hard.  No!  Never again while I stand.  Even if I have to die here.

"Those are our terms.  And like I said, YOU swear first.  And tell us WHY you've done all this.  Since I've already told you WHY we are here.  For Clotha.  If we think you don't threaten us, ANY of us, we won't hurt you either."

Smiling Jack watches Barn and listens intently.