Tarnhouse gold targeted!

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May 2012

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May 28 - Memorial Day

[Ginger Shamrock]

Lady Ginger chats casually on the docks at Vosk Valley with a woman from the north, trying to interest her in a visit to her pottery shop.  Two strangers approach in a seemingly casual manner, introducing themselves by saying..."we are part of the Kar militia and were send here for certain merchandise"... (no names were given)...."it is assistance from Lady Ginger and Lady Drakena that we seek, they are said to be assistants in the tarnhouse".  The Lady from the north departs, and Ginger turns and introduces herself to the strangers.

During the introductions, the small group is joined by another stranger.  Ginger looks around and does not see any Vosk Valley warriors present and begins to feel uneasy.  The newly arrived stranger introduces himself as the Ambassador of Port Kar.  Looking carefully at the two men standing with Ginger, he says....  "I do not believe I caught your names" .... he looks to the other man, clearly noting the symbol of Port Kar upon his garment...old...two or three generations old perhaps.  He becomes wary, a grin upon his lips*

Fearful of being caught... one of the strangers drew his sword and attacks the Ambassador, while the other one grabs Ginger, trying to render her unconscious with capture scent.  Ginger breaks out of his grasp and runs, but gets cornered in one of the alleys.  She manages to elude her pursuer a second time and tries to run to the back of the docks, hoping that some warriors may be lingering nearby.  Unfortunately none are spotted, and the stranger quickly overtakes her, taking her down.  He binds Ginger securely, and calls his tarn.  Yelling for his accomplice to help, they both toss her onto his tarn and secure her before making good their escape.  She screams and is quickly and brutally gagged.

The tarn lands on the docks at Minus.  The men unsecure their captive from the tarn, and chase it away.  One of them pays the captain, while the other takes the captive into the hold of the ship.   The ship departs quickly and is soon on its way to Port Kar.  Upon their arrival at Port Kar, the men keep moving, catching another ship for the City of Venna.  When they arrive at their final destination, they place a hood on their captive and move her to an outlying farm, throwing her into a thalarian pen.  The men discuss their plans within earshot of their captive, and it becomes evident to her that they were hired to conduct this abduction, and she was to be ransomed for 40 gold coins.  She groans, knowing it could not be paid.

A ransom note was sent to Lady Dove, and the men settle back to wait for a response.

[Mercy Riiser]

I hope that these dispicable bandits...devoid of any honor.....return to Vosk when I can help provide them with a more embracing welcome......with the talons of my tarn.  I like the story I read here that took place in Minus of tieing a man's limbs between two tarns and then flying away in opposite directions....

If anyone is aware of who these men are...or who they are working for.....a few gold pieces await you...unless you prefer to fly the second tarn with me!   

[Adoveea Rau]

After the tarn sale to the Ambassador of Port Kar, Hanze, Lady Dove was working a strange tarn came in fast and furious to the landing, and a note was thrown down and then the stranger winged off, she picked it up, unable to read and shouted for Drago as she marked the tarn in her eyes, it's breed, and will be able to recognize it again if she sees it.
Drago the Hunter for the house was unable to read the note also, so in a flurry they went to the village, her shouting for someone to read this note, and cheryl the slave said she could. The note read aloud said:
Greetings, your worker Lady Ginger is in our posession Lady.
Should you wish to see her again your precious Lady Ginger in one piece then you will need to make a donation to our cause.
40 Golden coin.. a man will be waiting at the dock at Treve, arive alone to deliver the coin or never see Lady Ginger again.

[the message is not signed]

Outraged, she demanded to know where the warriors were and for the gathered slaves to find them, as the slaves scattered, Revenge came up and she threw the note at him stating "I am NOT stupid, I will not DO such a thing" and then turned to the crowd demanding to know where Saitin the companion of Lady Ginger was. The warriors gathered and began to consider actions, some plans were considered, and Saitin came up, learning of where his lady might be, ran off with another warrior to scout and find her.
The tarn flew over their heads again and a voice shouted down "The lady will die if you do not met our demands " and the slaves and woman scattered while the warriors grabbed their tarns and other men their bows shooting at the tarn as it winged off.
Lady Dove in the flurry had taken refuge in the upper rooms of one of the shops. When she came down with clenched fury she said with a snarl "I am not going to be some witless dumb woman going alone to a strange village with gold in my hand". The warriors chuckled at the statement and assured her they would take care of it, and she went to the tarn house leaving the matter in the capable hands of Ginger's companion Saitin and the red caste.

[Carter Ebbage]

40 gold.. thats outrageous.. its lucky I paid a similar amount to the Tarnhouse only a few weeks. I can only pray that greed and avarice doesnt overcome the bonds of friendship that must exist between the women of tarnhouse.. Will friendship and the life of Lady Ginger be valued more than mere gold..  I truly hope common sense prevails and the money is found to recover this charming Lady of Tarnhouse.

[Adoveea Rau]

Coolly says with amusement after the report of what the Ubar said, tells the air in the direction of Treve "so Ubar of Treve, you consider your war tarn cost that of the ransom of a low caste woman Hmmm how very interesting"...
And flatly tells merchant dealers of the tarn house "we underestimated the wealth of that Ubar, in the future, when he wants one of the new war tarns of the breed to come, demand more gold, and if you get it, your commission goes to 20%"

[Ginger Shamrock]

Ginger lies in the thalarian pen on top of the hay that is mixed with manure, and nearly gags from the stench.  Breathing carefully she tries to calm herself, knowing that if she became nauseated while gaged and hooded, it would not be pretty.  She tries to distract herself by listening to the men.  "Treve..that will be interesting as a meeting point..." she hears... "If they refuse, I have already sharpened my dagger...it will slice easly through her small throat if they don't pay up."

One of the men addresses her directly...."should it come to slitting of your throat lady.. rest assured it is an action I do not take for personal reasons and I will ensure that the blood flows quickly from your body allowing you to pass in a painless fashion to the Cities of Dust".  Hearing his words, Ginger groans and struggles against her bindings in another futile attempt to loosen them.  One of them laughs at her attempts, saying  "now now.. you will only tire yourself Lady.. keep the energy for when you're free...." then in the midst of his sentence his voice becomes somber "or at least do not tire yourself before your death... so unladylike to die covered with bruises and sweat."  The other man coughs and replies "aye, although those that arouse their heart beat...well, the blood does flow faster out of their body".   The other man gets to his feet ready to depart. "alright Lt... keep your watch.. I will saddle my tarn and see if they have the gold already".... she hears him leave.

The remaining captor kneels down watching her test the ropes.  His cold eyes move to her hands and he places the small dagger on her finger.  The edge barely touches her finger, yet the sharp blade had already sliced into her skin. "Move again..." he says " and your finger will come off".  Ginger Shamrock hears the coldness in his voice and suddenly freezes.... "Thats better" he says.  He watches blood trickle down her hand and smirks.  Ginger Shamrock breaks into a sweat, but remains stock still, feeling the cold steel piercing her skin... not quite as cold as the tone of his voice.  After an ihn or two the man tires of this game and removes the steel from her fingers.  "Do not move" he warns her.

After an ahn or so, the other man returns.  Looking down at Ginger in disgust, he reaches down to yank off her hood and gag, pulling her up to her knees by her hair.  "seems they would not pay... Valley of Vosk has little love for you.  The status of a free woman is not as sacred to them as one would think".  Ginger looks at him with tears in her eyes, "i am only a lowly potter sir.... why would you think i would bring much of a ransom?"  "That is not my concern" he replies coldly. He holds the blade up to her face, his hollow eyes reflecting in the steel. "They will not pay, and I am not intrested in anything less then 40 coins of gold."  Ginger gasps... "40 coins of gold would buy a small city....."  He looks at her coldly and whispers "or your Life".  He motions to the other man to leave.

Tossing Ginger onto her side he sits across her.  The sharp edge of his blade drives through the fabric of her dress starting from the throat down to her belly..  Ginger Shamrock stammers... trying to think... "well, perhaps the Ubar of Treve....he may be willing to .... arghhhhh!  The man ignores her cries, and continues to remove the remainder of her clothing.  Ginger starts to cry....hoping that her tears might have some effect.  Scowling, he yanks off her veil, and tosses it away onto the bundle of her other clothes, his eyes impassive and cold. He looks at her quietly and lets the tip of his dagger glide down her side. "They would not pay to see Lady Ginger.. so, you no longer shall be a lady."

The man pulls a collar from his belt, and Ginger's eyes go wide...she stammers trying to win time. "Oh... no, please! Sir you would do much better to ransom me back to my companion.... "I was companioned just over two hands ago.  This will break his heart... please, please do not do this thing!"  The man shakes his head... the stern and cool look not leaving his eyes as he regards her.  He moves his hand closer, brushing the cold metal down her arm. "Your people knew my conditions.." he replies and then quickly fastens the steel over her neck, locking it into place. "Now you are the lowest of slaves. I shall call you filth. At least you'll bring some coin for my day of work".  Ginger Shamrock looks at him bleakly, not even trying to stem the tears which begin to slide down her cheeks.


He pulls Ginger to her feet, tossing her over his shoulder.  Walking back to the docks, he makes his way back down to the ship.  They depart for yet another destination.  Upon their arrival, he drags her from the hold and removes the ropes from her feet, allowing her to walk.  Still in shock at her condition, Ginger watches him, her face devoid of emotion.  He fastens a leash to her collar and pauses briefly, laying his hand on her breast.. squeezing it firmly.  His other moves to her face, fingers sliding across her full lips as he towers above her.  Ginger pulls back from his touch, eyes flashing, and glares at him.  With a little flick of his wrist he yanks her back, ".. a feisty slut.. that is all well but you will yield" he informs her.  Not realy taunting or making threats anymore, he speaks calmly, his words merely conveying information.  Ginger tries again to reason with him. "Sir.... i would make a really, really terrible kajira... my companion would pay dearly for me...."  The man would hear nothing of it "shut it girl, you have no companion.  You are a slave, Filth.  The moment that steel had been put on your throat your companionship became void. I am certain the man you called once yours will soon find comfort between the thighs of another."

He drags her from the docks and walks across the countryside, finally approaching a small camp of wagon people.  Stopping at the gate, he regards the guard on top of the wall, then raises his voice to him. "Tal. I was told that men here always seek to buy fresh slave flesh... for your torturers."  He stressed the last word yanking the girl forward for him to see better.  The guard replies "You will have to discuss that with our slaver. Leave your bow outside and I will take you to him.  You may keep your sword but if your hand touches it you will not leave this camp." The guard opens the gate a fraction, and takes them to the wagon camp slaver. 

After greeting the slaver, the man yanks the leash firmly and Ginger stumbles towards the slaver. "Sample her if you wish.. I was told the torturers here have a perpetual need for fresh slave flesh."  "Some do" the slaver says quietly as he looks the girl over with a critical and experienced eye.  The man watches the slaver, giving him a few moments to assess the merchandise before saying..."2 copper tarsks will do fully."

The slaver looks directly at Ginger and asks.."tell me girl, do you have any skills?"  The man answers for her..."she was a potter, a skilled one aparently".  The slaver cuts him off quickly..."Thank you but I have to hear her voice to see if it is pleasing to the ear. I am very picky."  Glaring at them both Ginger replies slow and firm. "Sir, I am not a slave.  I have people willing to pay ransom for me."  Furious at her response, the man backhands her, then turns back to the slaver..."her own people would not pay any ransom for her, thus she is here as a slave to be sold for the lowest price.. only to pay for my food and mat."

The slaver shrugs..."she is nothing special, average build, looks... two tarsks is all she is worth.  I bet she can't even serve a bowl of water to a vulo."  The man quickly replies, "I am willing to accept barter instead.  If you would provide a set of a dozen quiva that your people are known for I would be satisfied.  So is it a deal?"  The slaver looks at Ginger again, and reaches into his pouch, taking out a silver coin.  He hands it to the man. "It is all I have available and it should cover your trouble."  The man grasps the coin and tilts it in his hand.. his eyes squinting as he regards the shiny disk. He clenches the coin tightly. "I like the way you bargain slaver. The beast is yours."

The slaver reaches up to Gingers neck and removes her collar, replacing it with the Tuchuck collar of the four bosk horns.  He looks at the man and says "I think I will brand her tonight..."  The man grins, "Splendid.. best keep her in a cage for a while... we had to chase her before, and she has quick feet.  I will leave you now, be well free."  Left alone with the slaver, Ginger looks at him and speaks softly, her tone regal.  "Sir, you look to be reasonably intelligent.... my companion will pay gold for my prompt return... I'm certain of it."  The slaver responds by placing a gag in her mouth and replies with a shrug, "Perhaps, or perhaps not. We shall see.  Come, your cage awaits.  I wish you safe while I decide what to do with you."

[Faye Woodsheart]

Oh my! A thrilling story this has become, I do enjoy the way you write it out so, a much pleasant read. Oh I do hope things get better, poor thing.

[Adoveea Rau]

*PSST* that *story* was actual roleplay..

[Faye Woodsheart]

*PSST* that *story* was actual roleplay..

I know, that's why I said you did a good job putting it together that way. Without the names and timestamps and such.

[Grondar Quartz]

Whenever I read stuff like that i get the Earthmans urge to rush in and rescue the poor girl , but then the Gorean in me kicks in and says ,"she is only slave now and not my problem , if her companions wants her back he will pay for her, maybe to keep her as slave , maybe to free her , just another thing for her to ponder if she ever gets home"

[Adoveea Rau]

Dove paced back and forth upon the tarn house landing. All other members of the house, hearing the snarling mutter from the landing took wing to find refuge in the tavern at the port.
Her mind roiled over the possibilities of who to blame, mentally she ran down the lists..
Port Kar, after all, Hanze the Ambassador just paid a hefty 50 gold for tarn, it would be like that evil thief to pay with one hand then make sure that other hands delivered his coin back to him. She shakes her head discarding the idea. Hanze knew that the coin would be spent back in Port Kar anyway, and he was looking forward to the tormenting of his daughter Bondje over the fact that she ordered the tarn for him as a gift, yet he had to pay for it. Her mouth curls up with laughter remembering how he plotted aloud to cut his daughters allowance to make up for the loss.
Soaring Herlit? Saint drove a hard bargain, a worthy opponent for Lady Ginger indeed, a bargainer that took her to the edge of her skills. That Commander knows the wealth of the tarn house..she pauses remembering, then shakes her head. He was a mercenary at one point, but always upheld the warrior codes. And he often gave the house protection in delivery of the tarns. She discards him instantly from the speculation.
City of Ar? another heavy sum paid, she pauses considering that ubar, then chuckles, he was too fond of his bird and wanted another for the future to destroy the tarn house with stealing
Vonda? She narrows her eyes looking to that area, Brigand, the first sword of that land was one of her best tarnsmen for training the new hatchlings, forcing them to become some of the best trained war tarns in the land. Could he be short of cash? She considers that, and thoughtfully over the people in the land, Jarvis was the administrator, but she couldn't see that blue caste man grasping for gold, not when his tarnsmen came to the tarn house for training.
Treve.  The Ubar there was known to not be happy about his gold being extracted from his pouch, but he and his tarnsmen all have had the exotic tarns bred for them, what would it serve them to have the tarnhouse become impovished?
Fina?  No the warriors there are fairly new to learning about the tarn house and the birds.
Olni? again still new to the tarn house and just experiencing the capabilities of the tarns.
She clicks her tongue with exasperation, and runs her hands through her hair, who would be foolish enough to hire men to gain 40 gold in ransom?  She paces again and again, wearing a long path through the wooden floor then heard a female voice shout "Mistress!! they got her back" and she sighs with relief.
Dove turns with a smile suddenly to the open doorway, a decision made, and she starts the education of all about running a tarn house:
" Tarnsman of Gor by John Norman page 73 "
" It took three days to reach the environs of the city of Ar. Shortly after crossing the Vosk, I had descended and made camp, thereafter travelling only at night. during the day I freed my tarn, to allow him to feed as he would. They are diurnal hunters and eat only what they catch themselves, usually one of the fleet Gorean antelopes or a wild bull, taken on the run and lifted in the monstrous talons to a high place, where it is torn to pieces and devoured. Needless to say, tarns are a threat to any living matter that is luckless enough to fall within the shadow of their wings, even human beings."

The tarn house costs: a young fledgling tarn eating a grown bosk -4 times a week

Full sized bosk meat cost: 3 silver
4 times a week X 3 silver = 12 silver
12 silver per week for one tarn- OR l gold and 2 silver.

There are 4 to 20 tarns in the tarn house at any given time, being hatched raised and trained.
4 tarns = 4 gold and 8 silver per week
20 tarns = 22 gold per week (20 gold and 20 silver)

Hunters bringing in fresh game, sleen, tabuk, tarsk, reduce this cost downward.
As the tarns grow older, they are taught to hunt on their own.

She finishes the lecture on gorean finances for the cost of raising tarns and mutters to all "still think that the tarn house charges too much?"

[Ginger Shamrock]

Ginger sits the cage wearily, waiting for nightfall.  She remembers the words of the slaver and wonders if his forge has been lit and his branding iron turning red with the heat.  She shivers at the thought.  She already bears a tiny scar on her thigh from the removal of a previous Tuchuk brand from 3 years ago.  She lowers her head, resting it on her knees, cursing her luck.

A sudden commotion at the gate catches her attention.  Her cage is just far enough away from the gate that she can only hear snatches of conversation, yet one of the voices sounds familiar...

----------------------

Saitin and Drav move from village to village swiftly, scouting out the likely path of the abductors, but having no luck, continue on their way.  Saitin suddenly remembers his brothers the Tuchuks, and wonders if they could help spread the word and help him find her.  He smiles and his hands unconsciously reach up touching the scars on his cheeks.  Yes, once a Tuchuk, always a Tuchuk.  His thoughts wander back to the first time he met his beloved Ginger.  She had been a recent capture of the Tuchuk wagon camp where he was second in command.  He had paid no mind to her at the time...white silk barbarians were of little interest to him, yet when she angered the Ubar and was left in the wilderness to die, he found that he missed the scrabby little thing.  He had been truly amazed the next time he met her.  Somehow she had managed to survive, and had turned into a polished, capable woman.  No, he couldn't just let her out of his grasp this time.  He had to find her.

Saitin and Drav traveled by tarn to the last known camp of the Tuchuks, and was thankful that they had not yet moved.  Approaching the wagon camp gates, they were immediately challenged by the gate guard. "I am of Tuchuk blood, and I need your help." ...Saitin yells up to him boldly.  The guard listens to his story and then summons the camp slaver to verify his information.

The wagon camp slaver went out to meet Saitin.  When he notes Saitin's courage scars, he decides he could be trusted and lets him into the camp.  "Your missing companion seems to match the description of a slave purchased recently, this very day in fact.  Perhaps she is the one you seek."  Saitin dares not hope, yet follows the slaver to the cages quickly.  He catches his breath when he sees her safe, in the cage, and sends a thankful prayer to the priest kings that she hasn't been harmed.  "It is she." he tells the slaver. 

Saitin steps to the cage and softly whispers..."Ginger?"  Ginger lifts her head, her eyes widening as she sees her love.  "By the priest kings woman..." he says, shaking his head as he looks her over.  She blushes furiously. "Don't worry, I'll have you home soon enough."  The slaver takes his keys and opens the cage and Ginger stumbles out.  "How much coin do you require for her" Saitin growls.  The slaver thinks a moment, then takes his quiva and cuts the bindings from the woman.  "I do require something for my trouble... I think an alliance between our people, friendship, and the promise of peace should be sufficient."  The slaver removes her gag, and she coughs, not yet trusting herself to speak.

The slaver takes them over to a supply wagon and a simple brown dress is pulled out of a trunk.  Ginger slips it on thankfully and turns to the man. "You are a man of honor Sir, I owe you a lot".  "No, Lady, you owe me nothing.  You were very lucky that your companion is Tuchuk, or you would be slave still.  He reaches up and removes the collar from her neck, and then turns to Saitin.  "Go in peace friend."  The slaver escorts them to the gates, where they meet up with Drav.  The tarn is called and they mount it swiftly, flying home.

[Grondar Quartz]

Fantastic and great to read in work and dream of when I am back in Gor , 

[Mercy Riiser]

Aye....well done indeed!   Now....if we can just find those that took her...my tarn is hungry for some dishonest flesh!

[Ginger Shamrock]

I'm sure someone, somewhere knows who the culprets are.  I was hoping that someone might read this and give us a clue or two.