Subj:	 [ffml] [MW] Norland
Date:	00-05-06 20:02:06 EDT
From:	skyhall@hotmail.com (Sky Hall)
Reply-to:	ffml@egroups.com
To:	ffml@egroups.com

  Tim awoke with a start as a hand touched his shoulder.
  He looked and saw that it was one of his lieutenants, Marvin. The man also 
awoke Jayel.
  Marvin was a barrel-chested man, with black hair that came down as thick 
sideburns and left him with a perpetual stubble on his chin. His features 
where more built, and if one did not know, they would think that Marvin was 
a little overweight, and destined to be a fat man. Marvin did eat a lot, but 
that was due to his tremendous strength. In battle, the man always wielded a 
tower shield and some equally large and heavy weapon, whether a spear, 
bastard sword, or battle axe.  Tim had placed him in charge of the heavy 
infantry, armored men that as a unit were essential as the center of a 
battle line.
  Marvin reached over and shook awake Jayel. Tim and Jayel were sharing a 
tent as speed and circumstance needed them to travel.
  Tim came awake and slowly crawled out of the pup-tent, slowly getting to 
his feet. He stretched and listened to Marvin’s deep, melodic voice.
  "Armed men on chocobos outside of the camp, sir," said Marvin, pointing to 
the west.
  Tim knew they had shaken off pursuit from the Dark Lord’s minions days 
ago, and they were in the middle of uncharted territory. He wondered if they 
had finally reached their destination.
  Following Marvin, other men came awoke in the pre-dawn grey morning. The 
overcast clouds provided light, but no sense of sun or shadow. Tim strapped 
on his sword belt.
  Tim’s battalion had camped in a valley formed by two large mountain ridges 
and small river snaking down the middle. Thick forests spread everywhere, 
and Tim’s men had made their camp in a bend of the river, digging a shallow 
trench and palisade as a line of defense. The river formed the western 
border to the camp.
  Coming to the river’s edge, Tim saw several of his men, shields and 
weapons at the ready, facing across the river. On the other side were five 
men, mounted on chocobos.
  The men looked strong, rugged, and wore brown leather vests over dark 
green shirts. They were armed with spears and swords, and small shields, as 
well as bows and arrows. The chocobos were of the mountain variety, and were 
large and strong. They too eyed the encampment of men.
  Tim marveled at the heavily armed men, then took a step forward and called 
out.
  "Who are you? And why are you here?" Tim asked.
  One of the men called back, "We wish the same question of you."
  "I am Captain Tim of the thirtieth battalion of Doma," replied Tim.
  The armed men conferred with each other a moment. "Why are you here?" 
asked the man who appeared to be the leader.
  Tim decided to not let on about the Dark Lord, as that might cause 
problems.
  "We are scouting this area for possible moogle units. We are heading west, 
along whatever path is passable. Now, who are you?"
  The men conferred again. "You should turn back and find another way. This 
land is controlled by us, and no moogles have been seen here in ages. And 
those we do see are immediately slain. Leave this land now."
  Tim looked at Jayel and Marvin. Marvin shrugged and Jayel scratched his 
chin.
   "May I speak with you privately?" asked Tim.
  The leader looked perplexed, and after exchanging a look with his 
comrades, urged his chocobo forward.
  Tim looked about, and seeing a chocobo tethered nearby, untied it’s line 
and rode the large bird across the river and met the man on the opposite 
bank.
  Upon dry land, Tim studied the man. He was tall, muscular, and stoic. A 
few scars about his body revealed him as a veteran to war, or maybe even to 
extreme weapons play. His shaggy brown hair was cut to not cover his eyes or 
his ears.
  Tim looked into the man’s eyes and said, "When my superiors offered this 
assignment, they said any man could take it. I chose it, because," Tim 
paused, as if collecting his thoughts, "because something told me to come. 
And some force has been urging me to travel this way." This much was true. 
Tim had selected his path based on the direction of some force within him.
  "We come in peace, and will go in peace, but something desires for me to 
travel west, to a specific place."
  The man studied Tim.
  "If what you say is true, then you need to come with me. Your men must 
remain here."
  "May I bring five men with me?" asked Tim.
  The man thought a moment. "Yes."
  Tim turned his chocobo and returned to his camp.

  "This is Norland," said Ricca.
  Tim and his company had ridden for a day, through two valleys and 
eventually come through a shallow defile to a large valley.
  Spreading out before them, Norland was a picturesque farmland with well 
tended fields and houses popping up here and there. A small lake was at the 
center, with a town right beside it. A few roads were visible, spreading out 
from the town.
  Riding into the valley, Tim spotted people working here and there, working 
in their fields or tending animals and other chores. Tim was struck by the 
beauty of it all.
  "This must be a very easy life you people lead," Tim mused aloud.
  "It is," said Ricca.
  "Where are we going?" asked Marvin.
  "To the council of elders," answered Ricca.
  As they continued on, they passed by a small dome structure, supported by 
four pillars. Within it was a white marble statue of a man clad in armor, a 
look of determination on his face, and two swords strapped to his back. At 
the base of the statue, chiseled into the marble, was the name "Bacca."
  The outsiders stared in wonder.


--Sky

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Date: Sat, 06 May 2000 17:01:18 PDT
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