Poppy's Castle Story: Working Thread

[poppy1963]

A story line is beginning to be developed from the Poppy's Castle thread in The Playground. So as not to turn that thread into a Work thread, I am bringing the appropriate posts here from both co-authors so far, myself and Hitenshi. We welcome suggestions, feedback, ideas, critiques!

This is a work-in-progress thread! We can continue to dialogue about it at the Castle but this will be a place for Editing and Feedback!

Ok...here goes.

The Golden Red Poppy of Papin's Forest - working title

...Post 1220

Azul...just so you are aware...Lady Hitenshi has warned that she's heard the wee folk sounding roused and mischevious around the moat and drawbridge. They so enjoyed your presence at the "truce making feast of roasted swallows" but they may be getting restless again...so keep your wits about you! I know I am.
******

Does this mean I should probably stop my nightly visit to the forest? Hmm. Certain... people... will be quite disappointed. Oh well. At least I can catch up on lost sleep.

No no...I think you can take care of yourself with them...just be watchful for their tricks...and if they do something harmful...let me know at once. I'll snatch them up in a magic bubble for a full week. *Poppy blows these words into the breeze and watches them stream into the forest*

I love them...but like me...they lose their right mind sometimes and go too far.

No bog or moat pushing of guests and travellers...no frightenings with bogus boogie men or trolls...they know the rules!

 

[poppy1963]

Ah. But they are not really the ones to worry about, are they Lady Poppy. There are creatures of whom even the wee folk do not speak.

Poppy:

Tis true...and the haunting season brings them on the prowl...what have you heard, Hitenshi...what rumors and tales are in the forest?

The one with whom I have spoken has mentioned the forest dwellers are restless. I attributed this to the changing season, but was told otherwise. It would appear some unwelcome visitors, who or what I cannot say - I do not know, have made camp somewhere near the caves. I'll be sure to let you know what else I find out.

*Poppy sombers*

"Oh my...your words to hit me hard. 'Tis been many seasons since such events have come together. Ominous tidings. Yes, please let me know what more you hear on this and I will take a journey into the forest myself this evening. There are many watchers there and I know where to find them. They keep to themselves but do guard as much as possible. Ominous tidings...unwelcome ones....Only the most vile are 'unwelcome'."

"Azul...have you heard such tales? Has Azul gone then?"

 

[poppy1963]

the dragon seemed on its way, milady ... what sad news you receive this fine day ... i am sorry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitenshi
I'm to meet with them tonight. Perhaps we can reach some understanding.

Yes, Azul left already. I do hope he brings good news.

QUOTE=vibes
may i advise you the highest caution, lady hitenshi?

Poppy:

The color drains from Poppy's face.

"You meet with the "unwelcome ones?" she whispers hoarsely...fearing for her friend's safety and impressed beyond belief with her courage. "On your own or with the one you love there?"
*********

the dragon seemed on its way, milady ... what sad news you receive this fine day ... i am sorry

*Poppy takes Sir Vibes hand in hers and squeezes*

"It is grave news...I'm glad you are here among us. There are reasons for all things and here you are today."

*squeezes lady poppy's hands in turn*

"my services are at your thorough disposal, milady"

*slightly bows the head*

 

[poppy1963]

I have not met with them yet, no. It is what I'm to do this evening. I believe they wish to see me alone this night, at least for a while. You know how these things go.

Do not worry. I will not be completely alone. And I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.

No...you will not be alone. There will be many many lurkers in the forest with eyes and energies focussed on your well-being. Blessed be to you. I will be one of them.

(Heck...this thread could turn into the first draft of a pretty fun fantasy novel! I love the direction you took it Hitenshi!)

Thank you Lady Poppy. I'm grateful for the added support. It makes facing this.. challange.. that much easier. Blessed be to you as well.

(yup. hopefully it'll go somewhere good & interesting! )

Sir ForeverStiff and Sir Spins have joined the gathering at the Castle:


*Spins smirks as he issues his favorite line.*

How fare thee? Have your guests kept you on your ties?[/QUOTE]

Yes yes...there is much happening here and in the lands. Sir FS, First Knight, is here and there and hard to catch...and has also caught the eye of the fair Lady Hitenshi. LOL.

There is trouble in the land...a group of outlanders "unwelcome ones" have set up camp by the old caves. Lady H is set to meet with them tonight to try and find out what is going on. The forest welcomes almost all and only reviles the most untrusted...from what the rumors are...these are "unwelcome ones". I worry for the troubled times that such can bring into our realm. I will seek to find my friends in the forest tonight as well...and watch out for our fine and courageous friend, Lady H....her safety is of the utmost priority.

 

[poppy1963]

A war is brewing eh?

It would be nice to have something to fight and to conquer.

I don't believe I have met this new lady. Will she succeed in averting this war?

We are not sure of the nature of these travellers. She will meet to talk of what they do here and what they might be seeking I believe. She is very wise and brave...but if there is malice in their hearts...she will need all our help to avert a conflict. She says the dwellers in the forest are restless...and that is a foreboding sign. It has been many seasons since I have heard such warnings.

Hitenshi:

Well met Sir. I don't believe we've been officially introduced. I am Lady Hitenshi - or Lady H, whichever you prefer.

Perhaps soon enough you will have something to fight.

Then again, hopefully things will take a more peaceful course...only time will tell.
*******
Lady H. to Poppy:

And what of the 'last time'? What happened then? If you could tell us, it may give us a clue as to how this situation is best approached.

 

[poppy1963]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitenshi
Well met Sir. I don't believe we've been officially introduced. I am Lady Hitenshi - or Lady H, whichever you prefer.

Perhaps soon enough you will have something to fight.

Then again, hopefully things will take a more peaceful course...only time will tell.



*Spins stands and gives an abrieviated bow to the new lady*

A pleasure, Lady Hitenshi.

One must not abandon hope no matter how much we would like to...

I wish you luck in your entreatment with these interlopers.

***********************

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitenshi
Likewise, Sir Spins.

Hope dies last, it has been said. I doubt hope will ever be abandoned in a place like this, with so many whose talents can help.

Thank you, I'm sure I'll need all the luck on my side.


Sir Spins:

Look for hope; Trust in steel.

There are things far older and more powerful than steel in which I trust. Though a good blade comes in handy every now and again. Of course I'm not nearly as good with it as the Kinghts, such as yourself, who visit here.

Hope is with me, always.

 

[poppy1963]

(you and me both! I just realised I've got some writing of my own to do here lol)

*With a glance around the castle, Lady H grabbed a cloak and slipped out the back in the direction of the stables. Knowing her horse was all tacked up and ready to go - Wesley had seen to that - made one less thing for her to worry about. The wind picked up, as though sensing something, whipping her cloak around her like a dark shroud. A small cat scurried across the road, making her heart stop for a moment. Wesley was waiting for her in front of the barn, holding on to the skittish animals' reins. After a quiet thank you to the man, and a reassuring pat for the horse, she hopped on and cantered away into the night...*

Poppy's heart pumped hard as she watched her valiant friend move off into the night...to make wrongs right. She took a pinch of Pixie Dust and sent it into the breeze to follow her dear Hitenshi...and called out wailing to Azul to keep watch over her. Poppy readied herself for her trek into the forest on foot...in but a bit.

"I will kill anyone who aims to harm her...though violence I abhor...she is my kin...and I will protect her as my child." Jaw set and trembling.

Azuldrgon:

*from afar, hearing Mistress wail to watch over Lady Hitenshi. Takes up flight to watch from above until she reaches her destination safely. It is the hope that Mistress is ok on her journey as well*

Sir ForeverStiff:

Oh dear, it looks as though the Lady Hitenshi has put herself in danger - if only I could have stayed longer the evening past I would have been able to give her weapons or armour suitable for her. Though I have a feeling she will be able to disarm and enchant without the use physical combat .

I do hope a war can be avoided until I return, for I have an overseas campaign to fight from the morrow. *sigh*

Well it cannot be helped and there are plenty to aid the castle if needed.

I will hope and believe that all be well.

Hopefully I will come by the castle again today before my ship sets sail but if not take care all, and you will be forever in my thoughts until I return.

 

[poppy1963]

*yells across the drawbridge as he rides by on his trusty steed, martha*

I hope you managed to get some sleep, fair lady, and that the day treats you well.

*digs his heels into martha and gallops off into the sunrise*

The Lady hears the shouts of Sir Moons...and sends out a whisper in the breeze...

"Moon, I seek your counsel soon. We have "unwelcome ones" who've set up camp in the forest. We need to pull our thoughts together with some others on how we might approach the situation. I await counsel from the Lady Hitenshi who met with them last evening late. I will seek you later, friend. Give Martha a big hug for me...hee hee!"

I'm not sure what good my counsel will be. it seems I have forces amassing against me as we speak.
martha really likes you.... along with the hug I gave her a couple of sugar cubes that I told her were from you. it was..... ummmm... probably a mistake to use my mouth to pass them along to her, tho. ugh....

 

[poppy1963]

Poppy returns to the Castle after much time over the last two days in the forest and round the countryside taking counsel with the lovers of these lands.

Many rumors have been circulated and although, Lady Hitenshi, was watched and guarded and seen leaving the camp of "the Unwelcome Ones" in safety, we have no word on how her discussions with them went...or confirmation of the purpose of their presence.

The make no moves to venture too far from their camp and treat the forest respectfully but there is a sense of grievous anticipation in their calm and silent waiting...they wait instructions it appears.

Even the wee folk have grown quiet and keep their distance. This is a sign of powerful counter-magick...one that the wee folk either respect or fear greatly.

We only have a distant past of memory when last the land was invaded by ones who would desecrate and rape it's beauty and bounty.......

Here is the tale....

Papin's Forest is a rare botanical sanctuary for the Golden Red Poppy species...a medicinal and cosmetic marvel that promotes both potent sensuality and prowess in those who partake of it's essence. There are but few environments in the world that bring together the conditions to nurture it's delicate seeding and survival. Papin's Forest is one such place.

Nine haunting season's ago, it was so plentiful that the community here no longer even guarded that this forest was a bountiful provider of The Golden Red Poppy. The forest was filled with them...and all the dwellers were beautiful and lusty and enticing and enticed. It was a paradise. Though we did not realize this, some of the plants had propogated in the countryside outside the forest as well!

We were deceived in our trust that things would never change.

 

[poppy1963]

One day a band of strangers arrived in the forest and set up camp. This was not unusual as many knew the secret of Papin's Forest now and came to gather both the Poppies and some earth to try to propogate them in other areas. We welcomed them with open arms...wishing them great success.

This group of theives had other ideas...Not only did they want the Golden Red Poppies...they wanted the corner on the market from them. So they spent days gathering the plants and seeds and earth...we begrudged them not...there was aplenty. Then one evening closed up Camp...but as they left they set the Forest afire to burn out all the remaining Poppies and the whole forest really. The destruction was unparalleled in our land and the forest was devastated...whatever magickal powders they used kept the fires low and burning off the grounds flora rather than taking down the trees as much.

The forest beds were charred and unproductive for many seasons...but eventually started to regenerate...However, the Golden Red Poppy did not appear to be regenerating...and we all felt the aftermath of this loss.

Whatever became of these "Unwelcome One's' efforts to propogate the Golden Red Poppy was never known. To the best of our knowledge they were not successful as many a traveller came looking to Papin's forest ever since yearning for the Golden Red Poppy.

A few season's ago, the poppy was discovered in shadowed nooks along the countryside and was tended by the keepers of the forest and revitalized in hidden places there...and this season a strong and hearty crop took root and thrived.

So be our fears of new "Unwelcome Ones", ones who seek to rape our forest and destroy it once again....but we are not certain of their motives here yet and await to see what happens next. They have not come close to the areas where the Poppies are propogated in semi-seclusion from most ordinary travellers in the Forest. So we wait...to see or hear their mission and their purpose in our land....

The Golden Red Poppy of Papin' Forest

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l37/poppy1963/b1f87f78.jpg

 

[poppy1963]

Night in the Forest: Part 1 (Hitenshi)

The path into the forest was well worn, many had come and gone this way before. Tonight, however, there was only blackness engulfing the road ahead. The path, as it were, could not be seen through the torrent of branches being stirred by a howling wind, keeping all light out. Her horse jumped to the left as a large branch sliced through the air. Nudging him forward again, they carefully made their way deeper amidst the trees.
Minutes seemed like hours as they trod on, the sound of the wind their only companion. Neither noticed the figure following behind them.
Up ahead the path was getting wider, a silvery light marking the break in the trees. The caves where she was to go were just past there - across the meadow, and through another short stretch of forest. She turned her head slightly towards her horse’s flank, acting like she was checking something, but listening for any other noise behind her. It was only for a moment she looked back, but it was enough. The animal stopped, tensing every muscle in his body, his weight shifted to his haunches, ready to flee. She looked in the direction his ears were pricked, and her heart all but stopped.
“Why are you here?” He asked her softly, “This is not your battle.”
She looked at him as he lifted his face to meet her gaze, his pale skin a stark contrast to the dark clothes he wore. His eyes had the faintest glow, as though they were lit from within. He moved towards her, gliding across the forest floor, causing her to become as tense as her horse.
“What I do here is not your concern,” she replied with more conviction in her voice than she was currently feeling.
*****
OK...so this is what I've got so far....like? dislike? questions/comments/complaints? Do let me know!

.......