Journey of Sir Ambrose

Sir Ambrose watched as the sun began to set behind the trees before surveying the small clearing with doubt. They had been traveling for hours through the forest and needed to stop soon, and he didn’t know when the next clear spot would present itself. He turned to the three following him and called out.

“Rubin,” he began.

“Yes m’Lord?” a gangly teen with unruly brown hair wearing a well made tunic and breeches called in response. He dismounted awkwardly and approached Sir Ambrose.

“Rubin, you are the high born son of a noble Lord. One day you will own lands and holdings that rival my own humble inheritance. You do not need to refer to me as ‘m’Lord’.” Sir Ambrose explained.

“That is true m’Lord, but you are a knight, anointed by the Lord Regent, and I am merely your squire. You are my superior. Therefore I shall continue to refer to you as 'm’Lord’ until I myself earn my title.” Rubin rebutted.

“Very well" Sir Ambrose sighed. “We’ll rest here. Unpack the gear and set up camp in that clearing.” he instructed.

“Yes m’Lord.” Rubin replied, turning to go. *CROAK* a sound emitted from his tunic.

“Rubin, what was that?” Ambrose inquired.

Rubin pulled a toad from his tunic pocket. “This is Herbert. He’s my familiar. I recently learned how to conjure him.” Rubin answered.

“You know your father doesn’t approve of you dabbling in spellcraft. That is why he sent you to squire for me. To learn to be a knight like him and his father and his grandfather.”

“Aye m’Lord.” Rubin said, “But I won’t tell if you won’t.” he finished, grinning.

Despite himself Ambrose returned the grin. “Go unpack the packhorse.”

“Yes m’Lord.” Rubin said, bowing and heading back. He quickly rushed to the packhorse and began untying the packs when suddenly one of the cords snapped. Ambrose heard the clatter of metal and looked back to see the packs fall from the horse on top of Rubin. A brief croak of pain and a flash of light followed. "Herbert!" Rubin yelled as his familiar disappeared. Ambrose simply shook his head.

"Shieldwall." He called out.

A ways back a human shaped construct of metal plates and gears stirred from its inhuman stillness. "Yes, Sir Ambrose?"

"Please assist Rubin with setting up camp." He instructed.

"Yes, Sir Ambrose." Shieldwall replied in an emotionless tone, making its way over to help the distraught Rubin carry the packs to the clearing. Ambrose watched as Rubin struggled with a tent while Shieldwall carried several other sacks and tents with ease.

A horse sidled up next to his, the young woman atop it watching the pair move off as well. The wind caught her auburn hair as she removed her helm, and the straps on her half plate armor creaked as she shifted slightly.

“Tell me again why you took him on as your squire?” She asked.

“Be nice, Eleanor.” Ambrose scolded lightly. “His father was close with mine, and I thought it would do the boy some good to get out from under his father’s rule for a bit and learn to be his own man.” he finished as Rubin got tangled trying to set up the tent he had been carrying. Eleanor shook her head.

“He is a disaster. But you’re in charge.” clicking her tongue she urged her horse forward, leading the packhorse and Rubin’s along to the campsite. Ambrose waited a moment more then spurred his own horse forward to join her.

Several hours, and a newly summoned toad, later Rubin had a pot of stew simmering on the fire while Ambrose and Eleanor went over some sword maneuvers with practice blades. Off to the side Shieldwall stood perfectly still, with only the slight shifting of its head as it kept lookout to give evidence that it was not a statue.

“Rubin, how is the stew coming along?” Ambrose called, executing a swift disarm, sending Eleanor’s blade into the surrounding brush.

“I’ll check m’Lord.” Rubin called back, leaning over the pot of stew to give it a taste. As he did, a tiny shape leapt from his tunic into the fire, disappearing in a flash of light.

”Herbert!” He cried in dismay.

“That slimy toad better not have landed in our dinner.” Eleanor called angrily, retrieving her blade from amongst the shrubs.

“He’s not slimy.” Rubin called back. “And he landed in the fire. It’s gonna take me over an hour to re-summon him.” He continued, rather distraught.

“Well eat up first. Then get some rest. We have an early day tomorrow, and you still have to break down camp and polish the weapons and armor before we head out.”

“Yes m’Lord. I’ll make sure it’s all done before we head out in the morning.”

“Very good. Now how about serving up some of that delicious smelling toad stew?” he said with a chuckle, eliciting a frown from Eleanor and a horrified look from Rubin.

After the meal Ambrose and Eleanor prepared their bedrolls while Rubin went about redoing the ritual to re-summon Herbert. Eventually he got it right, and a small toad popped into existence within the circle he had drawn. He let out a squeal of delight, which elicited another frown from Eleanor, then prepared his own bedroll, tucking Herbert safely away. Shieldwall watched it all silently, eventually taking up a new position to guard over its sleeping companions.

Several hours into the night Ambrose was aroused from his sleep by a hand on his shoulder.

“Sir Ambrose,” Shieldwall said quietly. “I do not think we are alone.” It finished. Ambrose became immediately alert, listening for any sounds from the woods.

Suddenly a twig snapped, and Ambrose leaped to his feet as several small forms burst from the trees, shrieking in what Ambrose recognized as goblin. Grabbing up his shield and sword, he called out to his sleeping companions “To arms!” before leaping amidst the small forms.

Eleanor was up in moments, taking up her warhammer and joining Ambrose, swinging at the goblins, her padded sleeping armor offering minor protection from their rusted blades. Rubin followed shortly after, attempting to take up a club he kept nearby but got his foot tangled in his bedroll and fell face first in the grass.

Meanwhile, Ambrose, Eleanor, and Shielwall were fending off several goblins that had appeared from the woods, with more visible moving amongst the shadows. Ambrose parried blow after blow, his longsword cutting down goblin after goblin. Eleanor also held her own, crushing bones with every swing of her hammer. Shieldwall fought with less finesse, but just as effective, snatching up goblins and hurling them about.

Eventually Rubin managed to extricate himself from his bedroll as a goblin came barreling towards him, its rusty sword swinging for Rubin’s head. He managed to get his club up, deflecting the blade and shoving the goblin back. He quickly gestured and muttered a quick incantation, casting his hands towards the goblin. They both watched as a bolt of flame leaped from his hands, shooting past the goblin into the trees. Rubin shrugged and darted away, the goblin giving chase.

The bolt of flame caught Ambrose’s eye, and he watched as Rubin darted off and the goblin gave chase. He moved to help, but more goblins swarmed him and he had to focus on avoiding their swords. He quickly moved back to back with Eleanor, the two of them fending off the goblins.

“Rubin, a bit of that magic you keep talking about wouldn’t go amiss right about now!” He called out.

“I’ll try m’Lord.” Rubin called back. At some point while running he had thrown his club at the goblin chasing him, managing to knock it out. But as he stopped to try casting again another goblin advanced towards him. He searched for another weapon, but all he could find was Herbert. He looked at the small toad for a moment before shrugging again.

“Sorry Herbert.” he said in apology as he flung the toad at the goblin's face. It was so surprised by the impromptu missile that it stopped in its tracks. Then it grabbed the toad and bit into it, only for it to disappear in a flash of light.

“Herbert!” Rubin yelled in anger, and quickly muttered an incantation, desperately flinging his hands out.

Suddenly a gout of flames shot from his hands, engulfing the goblin as well as a few others that had ventured towards what they thought was easy prey. Their shrieks of pain attracted the attention of the other attacking goblins, and at the sight of fire shooting from Rubin’s hands they squealed in fear and suddenly turned tail and ran off back into the woods.

Ambrose, Eleanor, and Shieldwall stopped in both surprise and wonder, as Rubin stared in amazement at his smoking hands. He looked up at his companions, and his face erupted in a huge smile.

“I did it!” he exclaimed. “Did you see that? I did it! I cast a spell!” he continued.

“I must admit, that was quite impressive.” Ambrose said. “In fact, I do believe you saved the day.” he finished, earning him a sideways look from Eleanor.

“It was very fortunate and the timing was very advantageous.” Shieldwall added. This time Eleanor stared at it in bewilderment. She didn’t seem to be all too impressed with Rubin’s accidently display of magic.

“Well that’s enough excitement for one night. We better all get some rest.” Ambrose said, looking towards Rubin. “You still have all that polishing to do in the morning before breaking camp.”

“Oh right.” Rubin said, his face falling a bit. “Right. I suppose I can re-summon Herbert in the morning as well. He fought bravely, you know.” he finished.

“I have no doubt. Well, off to bed. Shieldwall, could you clear up these bodies? I’d rather not wake to find hungry wolves in camp looking for a meal.”

“Of course Sir Ambrose. I will get right on it.” It said and began to lift bodies and carry them deep into the woods as the rest began to lay back down in their bedrolls.

“You know what m’Lord?” Rubin said before laying down.

“What’s that Rubin?” Ambrose asked.

“This has been an exciting first day. I think I am going to enjoy being a squire. And someday, I will be a great wizard as well.”

“I have no doubt Rubin. Goodnight.” Ambrose yawned before rolling over and falling asleep.

* * * * *

The next morning Sir Ambrose and Eleanor stood over Rubin as he lay there curled up in his bedroll snoring softly in his sleep.

"He looks so content asleep. Not a care in the world, as if we hadn't just been attacked in the middle of the night by goblin raiders." Sir Ambrose remarked.

"I know. I almost feel bad about having to wake him." Eleanor replied, before upending her waterskin onto Rubin's head. He came awake with a start, sputtering, damp hair stuck to his face. "Almost." She repeated, before turning and walking back to her bedroll. Shieldwall looked on impassively.

"Well good morning, Rubin." Ambrose said cheerily. "Did you sleep well? Would you like some breakfast? Perhaps some eggs with a side of bacon and fresh biscuits?"

"Actually breakfast sounds delightful, yes." Rubin answered, seeming to forget where he was at first.

"Splendid. Then perhaps you would like to join the rest of us and get started on that. I know both Lady Eleanor and myself are famished, and since you seem so well rested I'm sure you can scrounge up some eggs and the rest."

It took Rubin a moment before remembering his new station. When it finally dawned on him his eyes widened and he scrambled to his feet.

"Yes m'Lord. Of course." He stammered. "My apologies. I'll get started on breakfast." He began rummaging through their packs. "I'm afraid we only have oats m'Lord. I can make a porridge if you'd like."

"Nonsense Rubin. You promised us eggs!" Ambrose exclaimed, as Eleanor covered a smirk.

"But m'Lord, we have no eggs." Rubin replied sheepishly.

"Oh I'm sure if you looked around the woods you could find something. It is that time of year you know."

"Of course m'Lord. I'll go look for some eggs." He said, before rushing off into the woods.

"Now that's cruel even by my standards." Eleanor said with a grin. "You don't honestly expect him to find any eggs this time of year, do you?"

"Of course not." Ambrose replied. "But the boy needs to be broken of his habits learned as a lord's son. A bit of humility and menial labor will do him some good. He has great potential, even if you and his father don't see it. He simply needs some firm guidance."

Eleanor gave him a sideways look as she rolled up her bedroll.

"Plus, I wanna see how long he'll look before giving up." Ambrose added with a laugh.

"I imagine we'll have starved by then." Eleanor sighed.

Meanwhile, in the woods, Rubin searched frantically for nests that may contain eggs for a proper breakfast. Unknown to Ambrose, Rubin actually carried some cured bacon in a sachel his father had gifted to him that was enchanted to keep food fresh while traveling. He planned on surprising his new master with a grand breakfast.

After many minutes, and several awkward and embarrassing falls from less than sturdy branches, Rubin stumbled upon a small tumble of boulders with a large nest within. Old bones littered the area, but in the nest were two very large eggs big enough to make a decent scramble for three. Looking around, Rubin quickly grabbed up both eggs and made his way back.

Back at camp, Sir Ambrose sat sharpening his longsword while Eleanor examined her hammer, cleaning it and checking it for any damage from the previous night's encounter. At the sound of rustling shrubs both looked up, readying their weapons as Rubin stumbled out holding the two large eggs, a wide grin on his face.

"Look! Now we can have breakfast." He exclaimed.

"Rubin…" Ambrose started, a note of concern in his voice. "Where did you find those?"

"In a small cave among some boulders. There must be some large flightless birds in these woods." He answered.

Ambrose rose and looked about warily. "Shieldwall, Eleanor, be ready. Rubin, I think it would be best if we returned those eggs to where..."

Suddenly a loud shriek pierced the stillness.

"Damn!" Ambrose exclaimed, as the sounds of something large crashing through the woods could be heard approaching. "Stand fast!" He yelled, as out from the woods burst a large, lion-like creature, dark feathers covering it in place of fur, an owlish face staring menacingly at Rubin holding the eggs. The owlcat shrieked again, its large claws coming up menacingly.

"M'Lord, what do I do?"

"Slowly put down the eggs and back away. And whatever you do, don't…"

Before he could finish, Rubin set down the eggs and bolted, the owlcat’s predatory instincts overriding its maternal instincts as it gave chase.

"...run. Damn!" Sir Ambrose exclaimed again, drawing his sword and taking off after Rubin and the owlcat as they disappeared into the brush.

Lady Eleanor watched as her lord disappeared after her companion and his pursuer into the woods before calmly retrieving her pack and rummaging through it. She looked up as loud crashing sounds preceded Rubin re-emerging from the trees, his hair a tangle of twigs and leaves as the owlcat followed in close pursuit.

Rubin could hear the creature closing, and quickly grabbed a few items from one of his pouches and turned, standing his ground. Muttering a few arcane words and thrust his hands out as he had done the night before. But this time only a small spurt of flame emerged before the spell fizzled.

"Eek!" Rubin squealed, quickly diving to the side just barely avoiding being eviscerated by the owlcat’s razor sharp talons.

Expecting to connect with its prey the owlcat overcompensated, its bulk and momentum taking it past Rubin's prone form. It quickly recovered and turned about to finish its small quarry, only to come face to face with an armored man waving a sword in its face.

Sir Ambrose emerged from the woods in time to watch Rubin's spell fail and his dive to the ground as the owlcat barreled past him. Picking up his pace, Sir Ambrose arrived as the owlcat turned. Standing between his prone squire and the angry, rearing owlcat, Ambrose brandished his sword, yelling at the creature and hoping to scare it off, not wanting to harm it.

Suddenly a haunting melody filled the clearing. Risking a glance to the side, Sir Ambrose discovered Eleanor walking slowly in their direction, a strange reed instrument pressed to her lips. He watched in amazement as the owlcat began to calm, dropping back down to all fours. After another moment or two it slowly ambled over to its eggs, scooping them up and awkwardly waddling off towards its den.

Eleanor waited a few more moments before finishing, lowering the pan flute and smirking at Sir Ambrose and the obviously flustered Rubin. Her companions joined her as she put her instrument back in her back.

"That was some trick." Sir Ambrose remarked.

"I'll say. Where'd you learn to do that?" Rubin asked.

"My family made its fortune dealing in exotic animals. That flute is a remnant of that time. Played properly, it can calm most creatures. Luckily neither of you had injured it before I started playing." She looked pointedly at Rubin, who looked down sheepishly. "Now, I'm still hungry. I believe there was mention of eggs and bacon?"

"Well I think we can all agree that eggs are out, but would you settle for bacon?" Rubin asked, lifting the remains of his shredded bag. The owlcat’s talons had caught it as he dove aside, tearing a large hole in it, the bacon scattered about and trampled.

"Oh man. That is gonna cost so much to replace." Rubin muttered. Eleanor just rolled her eyes and headed back to their camp, Rubin following in her wake.

Sir Ambrose watched the two as they went about their morning routine, Eleanor shooting verbal jabs at Rubin as he stumbled about his chores, all while Shieldwall watched from the side. The sight made him smile as he thought ahead to the future, wondering what adventures lay ahead for the group, and if they'd all be this interesting.