[color=00a651][h2]Baldric II[/h2][/color][hr][right][b]Fallow Hill[/b], the Riverlands[/right][hr]The conversation with Mr. Rivers left him feeling more confident in the Ranger’s ambush. Lord Edwyn gave the young man a recommendation without reproach. That was enough for Baldric. Robert stated he had a solid group of Rangers he could build his fifty around.

The sight of a young woman riding upon the range from a distance caught his eye. He watched as Ariella Landry made her way towards their firing line. She was able to keep the mount under control. This was not her usual mount. As Master-at-Arms he recognized the horse, but didn’t know its name.

[color=00a651]“Lady Ariella,”[/color] Baldric called out as he walked over to her horse. Baldric took the horse by the bridle, stroking him along the neck and whispering cooing words into the horse’s ear. [color=00a651]“Where is Thunder, m’lady?”[/color] Baldric reached into a satchel and pulled out a bit of carrot. He held it out for the horse to eat, which he readily took chomping loudly. [color=00a651]“What are you doing out here this lovely afternoon?”[/color] 

Ariella smiled down at the Master-at-Arms, absently stroking Snap’s mane as he got the older man’s attention. [color=73c6b6]“Thunder and I went out this morning, I figured I’d give him a rest and give Snap here a little practice,”[/color] she replied, carefully climbing down from the towering beast and hopping to the ground. She kept ahold of the reins, though Ser Baldric had the horse well under control. 

[color=73c6b6]“We had a little unexpected run across the field, and I couldn’t help but come over once I saw your range,”[/color] she explained, gesturing to the impromptu range and the men using it. [color=73c6b6]“What’s the occasion? Routine training?”[/color]

Baldric looked the horse in the eye, [color=00a651]“Hello there, Snap!”[/color] He rubbed the horse’s neck scratching him behind the ear; then fed another carrot. [color=00a651]“I know I’ve seen you around the stables before.”[/color] Baldric loved horses. They were magnificent beasts that never complained about their workload much like some humans he knew. Baldric turned back to lady Ariella, [color=00a651]“The Archery range is something I like to put together once a week or every other week. Most of the work can be accomplished less than 25 yards, but some of our more proficient bowmen can reach the 300 yard target. Not many can hit that. My son is currently struggling with 250. Practice makes perfect. I don’t know if many houses work on range and accuracy. I think it helps. I also like putting the more experienced archers, like Mr. Rivers in a position where they can help others to learn to shoot at distance.”[/color]

Robert chuckled as he patted Baldric on the shoulder. [color=#ff4444]“You really need to stop throwing me complements or people will start to talk Baldy.”[/color] He looked at Ariella with a wide smile and gave her a stealthy wink. Her presence was always welcome as far as Robert was concerned, bringing some semblance of light to what could often be long, boring days.

[color=#ff4444]“M’lady.”[/color] Robert tipped an imaginary cap on his head towards the dismounted Lady before approaching her horse. He ran his hand up and down its neck before glancing over to Ariella once more. [color=#ff4444]“From what I’ve seen of the men here is that they are improving week on week. One or two have no hope unfortunately but with most it’s just about slight technical adjustments. There’s always a chance that a couple of them could even end up with the rangers...if Baldric would allow it of course.”[/color]

Ariella looked to the archers as Baldric explained, watching them take their positions, nock, shoot and repeat with great interest. She took Robert’s wink and greeting with a warm smile; as uncouth as he could sometimes be, he certainly was a charmer. 

[color=73c6b6]“Come now, surely they’re not beyond all hope,”[/color] she suggested gently, though she found herself proven wrong as she watched one soldier try and fail three consecutive times to hit the nearest target. [color=73c6b6]“Surely they’re of use somewhere else,”[/color] she added, suppressing a laugh. 

Tempering herself a touch, she turned back to Baldric and Robert, folding her hands in front of her. [color=73c6b6]“I’m sure my father will be pleased to hear they’re improving,”[/color] she assured them. She was quiet for a moment, her face falling a touch as she remembered what her father had told her earlier. 

[color=73c6b6]“Is there… something you’re preparing them for?”[/color] she asked cautiously, tugging at the hem of one of her sleeves, [color=73c6b6]“There’s been all this talk of bandits, and Father mentioned conflict…”[/color] she trailed off rather lamely, admittedly a little afraid to hear the answer. 

Robert raised an eyebrow at the question. Even though he wasn’t one for the ways of lords and ladies he knew that sharing such information was never a good idea, even if it was just to make sure Ariella wouldn’t worry. Fortunately Baldric was much more well versed in the affairs of the nobility and so knew how to answer her question without having to force a lie.

[color=00a651]“M’lady, it would be true, if I were to tell you we were planning for something,”[/color] Baldric mentioned hesitantly. [color=00a651]“But I am not telling you that. This range, is something we do two or three weeks per month just to help those archers who need help in hitting targets at long range. House Landry has both an archer battalion and a company of rangers. The archer battalion supports our footmen and the rangers serve multiple purposes including scouting, tracking, archery and raiding. A soldier chosen as a ranger needs to be proficient in both the sword and the bow as well as skilled in tracking.”[/color] Baldric felt uncomfortable discussing operational concerns. He knew too much chatter could blow the operation if word got back to the bandits and you never knew who had a connection. It could be someone in your own retinue and never know it.

[color=00a651]“M’lady, does the family have any plans later this evening?”[/color] Baldric asked Ariella.

Ariella shook her head, somewhat relieved at Baldric’s reassurance, but not yet entirely at ease. However, she would play along, and allowed the Master-at-Arms to change the subject. [color=73c6b6]“Not that I know of, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Father called everyone to eat together this evening.”[/color] Her father may have been hard, sometimes even chilly, but she expected that he missed his kin more than he let on. 

[color=00a651]“Aye,”[/color] Baldric acknowledged. [color=00a651]“Knowing your lord father he may want the entire family, plus at dinner this evening. It may take some time to break down the range before then.”[/color]

[color=ff4444]“This talk of dinner is making me hungry.”[/color] Robert rubbed at his stomach as it let out a soft groan. He had been so engrossed in training that he’d forgotten to eat. [color=ff4444]“Baldy would you mind getting this lot to clean up so I can get to the tavern and have something to eat?”[/color] The request was cheeky, as Robert often was. The chances of him being allowed to disappear was slim but he firmly believed that if you don’t ask, then you don’t get. He soon saw an opportunity however. [color=ff4444]“I could escort the lady back to the castle on the way so that she isn’t unaccompanied?”[/color] 

[color=73c6b6]“It would be appreciated,”[/color] Ariella added. It was no secret that she often rode alone, but nonetheless she was eager to get a chance to speak with Robert privately. 

Baldric frowned at Robert. His request was disquieting to the older man. He did not appreciate those who desired to shirk their duties in favor of more pleasurable pursuits. This was one of those times colorful language bubbled to the surface. With the lady present, he stifled that notion allowing for a more civil version of himself to emanate, [color=00a651]“Robert, I believe the bowmen can help me break the range down. Get yourself a meal at the tavern and see to the young lady here.”[/color] Baldric was annoyed at the ranger who would pay for his indiscretion later.


[@CaptainSully][@Obscene Symphony]