[ Sven and Liana of Haerton | Haerton ]
A Collab between Aliceee and Nim
Summary:
Liana and Sven have an enjoyable stroll to the Wolfswood to pick up some herbs for Liana. They talk a bit along the way.
It took some time to prepare the requested tonic, the one that Rodrick had requested. While preparing the requested brew, Liana pondered if she shouldn’t have asked for more. In return for the brew, Rodrick would provide them with some chopped wood that could be used for in the fires. A handy trade of necessities such as she engaged in, was quite common in a place like Haerton among the smallfolk.
Done with the brew, Liana did decide to not yet venture to their neighbour. First, she would start to clean up what little mess had been conjured by her work. Afterwards, she decided to prepare herself for what she had in mind earlier this morning. Preparing to head out to gather some herbs and plants that didn’t grow in the small garden.
Bringing the first hunt of the day was always beneficial. Sven needed to wait for a bit while the butcher went and cut the deer into the appropriate pieces, but then managed to secure a decent piece, thanks for being the first one to bring fresh meat for the day. He also managed to secure a bit of preserving salts, something that always helped. Once he was done at the butcher’s, he made his way to the tanner, and traded the deerskin for some tanned leather. He knew his quiver was beginning to wear out, so getting leather to make a new one seemed like a good idea.
Once he was finished with the business outside, Sven made his way back home. The little structure he and his daughter called home, anyway. They did share it with his sister and grandfather, but Sven was actually happy about that. It meant they were always there to help if they needed it.
Arriving at the house, Sven opened the door and stepped inside. The first thing he spotted was his daughter, who appeared to be preparing her tools for something
”Morning. I got us some deer for dinner.” He first said, going to the side and putting the meat in its place. Turning to look at Liana, he scratched his cheek
”Planning on harvesting some herbs?” He then asked.
A slight surprise was evident on Liana’s features as Sven came in.
"Mhm, I want to go to the edge of the forest to restock on some supplies." She answered in return. Her right eyebrow did slightly perk up as she decided to pose a question back.
"So, deer? I was actually hoping that we could eat something else." There was a sliver of amusement, marking it clear that she wasn’t ungrateful for the fact that they actually could enjoy some deer.
"Anyhow, Rodrick approached me this morning. Spoke about that he couldn’t get any sleep. Says its the wife that is suffering from it but I am willing to wager a few boars on it that he can’t sleep proper." Gesturing with her right thumb, over her shoulder, behind her, Liana continued.
"I prepared what he requested. So if I ain’t back soon, you can find it pretty easily."
To the edge of the forest. Sven sighed as Liana made that remark of hers, before moving to explain about Rodrick and his lack of sleep
”Of course he’d have trouble sleeping.” he mumbled under his breath, knowing the type of person Rodrick was
”I’ll let Lilian know. Or, Rodrick will just wait a bit. Because you aren’t going to the forest alone. I did tell you about the rumours of bandits settling down in there, right?” He asked, actually being slightly unsure if he had mentioned it to her or not.
Though Liana greatly respected and cared for her father, the mere mentioning of him acompanying with her was enough to trigger the almost primitive desire to be rebellious. Though if she considered it through a rational manner, it would be better, safer and even easier. However, she felt it was more an attack on her capability to take care of herself.
"I heard of the bandits. I guess we can go together." Her mumbling and change in expression giving away her displeasement of not being able to go alone.
Going outside, Liana did wait for Sven to be ready. The trip towards the edge and back wouldn’t take too long. A few hours if they were lucky and could find the specific plants and roots that Liana had on her mental list.
"So, about those bandits," she would begin as they started their trek towards the gate of Haerton,
"Why do you think they settled in the Wolfswood? Certainly not one of the best places to sit back and relax. Not too many rich folk venturing through that place either."
While he felt bad to see Liana’s expression change after what he said, Sven was also happy she didn’t fight back against it. Right now, he knew that it was better for everyone to not approach the forest on their own. It would only make it easier for the bandits to take on them. After he approached Lilian, waking her up in the process, and informing her that he and Liana were going and telling her about the tonic for Rodrick, he quickly grabbed his gear and went out.
When Liana asked her question, Sven was quick to answer, having thought about it for some time now
”I have a couple of guesses. The first is that at least one of them knows the Wolfswood, which would mean they would have an easier time getting around the forest, setting traps and turning it into an ideal and secure location for them. Even if rich folk don’t go through there, interrupting the income of hunting goods, herbs and other supplies the forest provides is a big enough threat, and they likely know it well.” He spoke in a serious tone, one that made it clear he was anything but pleased with the situation.
”My second guess is regarding their background. We don’t know where those bandits came from. If they are of a militant background, and they deserted, then they could’ve set up the camp in the forest because it is an area that wouldn’t be too known for military groups. That, along with the natural dangers of the forest, can provide for a decent shelter.” Sven finished explaining his guesses, and glanced at Liana
”Do you have any thoughts as to why they would settle in the Wolfswood?” He returned the question, wondering if his daughter thought of something he hadn’t.
Listening to Sven, Liana thought about it. Raising her right hand, she would briefly scratch her right cheek. In all honesty, she had little idea why one would want to settle in the Wolfswood.
"Sure, going to live and set traps in the Wolfswood gives a certain security." Cause few nobles did like to go into a place that was inherently hostile to all people, regardless of their origin or amount of wealth that they possessed.
"But I don’t know. I figure it would be more lucrative to be on the move. Pillaging small hamlets before the local militia or forces of a lordling can come into play." Liana answered in return.
A soft scoff resonated from the teen before she continued.
"In the end, I find it highly stupid to make camp or base in the Wolfswood. If I were a brigand, I would certainly pick a nicer place to grow rich."
Sven nodded his head as Liana spoke. She was right, pillaging and staying on the move was more appropriate for brigands. Which only made this feel more like something was off with these bandits. Sven decided to let the silence take over for a few moments before asking his daughter another question
”What kind of herbs are you going to be looking for today?”. He wanted to know, in case he might know of more locations they could look for those, maybe safer ones than the edge of the forest.
"The usual," was the short response, at first.
"I want to brew some more expensive tonics. I doubt that I will be able to sell or trade any Milk of the poppy but it might be handy. In case Tom hits his own thumb again during his repairing of doors and what not." Liana added to her answer.
As they were leaving Haerton, Liana did not yet look around. Most of the town’s surrounding was marked by fields that were used by farms that lay in close proximity. Last time that she had ventured into those fields, she had created a heated argument if she was or wasn’t a crop thief.
"You know, now that I think of it," she suddenly spoke up as well throwing a sideways glance at Sven.
”How does it come that you’re friends with the Lord of Fowlsfield but we aren’t moving over there? It would certainly make life easier with a lord as friend and protector."
”Well, there are a couple of reasons for that. First reason is our family. This where our family has lived for longer than your great gramps Allister can remember. While I don’t hold a sentimental feeling to the actual place, I know he does, and so does my sister. And the last thing I want is to live quite a distance from them.” Sven began explaining, glancing back at Liana.
”The second reason is because I’m friends with a lord. Over here, I earned the respect of the people, and needed to work for it. To move there and have an easier life because of my closeness with Duncan would be to go and live in a situation I personally disagree with. No one should just get what they want. To work and understand the value of things is to know how truly appreciate life. That’s why I also know Duncan is a good leader, because he came from the people.” Sven finished his explanation, hoping his daughter understood what he meant. And if she hadn’t, then perhaps that she learned something new.
Liana frowned as she then mumbled a reply.
"I guess, I get it. Very noble and family like." Though she wouldn’t mind an easier life if it came with impunity. They were starting to make some distance from Haerton and it started to show. Less agricultural work started to show up as they closed the distance to the edge of the Wolfswood. The task of gathering plants and preserving what they could on the spot wasn’t neither heavy or long work. Repetitive and requiring them to look around was the biggest hardship that they were dealing with the current task.
"This should suffice," Liana reported after they had worked for a few hours. Judging by the position of the sun, it would also be a good time to head back to Haerton.
"Perhaps you should accompany me more often. I have great use for somebody to care bags so that I can gather more supplies in one trek."
Helping Liana look for the herbs she wanted certainly felt nice. When they were done, Sven looked at his daughter, and raised an eyebrow at her remark
”So if I accompany you more often, I’ll become your own, personal mule? That seems like a terrible way to treat your old man.” He said with a smile, before moving to ruffle up Liana’s hair a bit
”If you really want, I wouldn’t mind. Today was because of the increased present danger.” He told her, waiting for her to begin leading the way back.
Sven was certainly confident that his daughter could take care of herself and handle most dangers. But she still had more to learn, and more training to undergo, before he would feel confident enough to let her go in these kind of situations on her own.
"Danger of them meeting me, more like," Liana mumbled underneath her breath. With hardly any real effort, Liana attempted to correct her hair. Followed with her slightly raised her chin higher.
"Seems a much easier job than to track and hunt down game. Anyhow, some venison would a great reward for a hard day's work."
”Indeed it would be.” Sven agreed, and the two began making their way back towards Haerton. While they did have a disagreement on which way would be better to cook the deer, it certainly felt like it was a good day.