Catskills Retirement Home

The undead charged into their line. A junction of hallways gave them room to flank the Roses. Anne saw Kheldar and Lugh being pushed back, and she slipped past the others to bolster them. Behind, she heard a horse’s hooves clatter over stone and bone. The sound reassured her as she made her way down the line. Three skeletal knights battered at the Privates who were slowly falling behind their comrades. Anne noted absently that her division-mates were defending admirably, but the opposing numbers were pressing them hard. She stepped around Kheldar’s right shoulder and aimed a vicious hit at the undead knight on the outer edge of the attacking arc. Invariably, it turned toward her, pressing thoughtlessly toward the nearest warm blood it could find.

The strike was going to be precise – get in, grab the major, get out. And from the start, it went well. The major was easy to free – there was little resistence, and those who resisted were dropped or chased away. Even the added order to retrieve the woman Fox was an easy extension. She was quickly through a gate to safety, and the troops rallied outside the keep at the colonel’s command.

Almost overnight, a small city within a city sprang up on the outskirts of Winterfell proper. The forest between the river and the local guard tower had been empty save for animal paths and underbrush. Now rows of neatly-pitched tents and newly-dug firepits filled the area. Stacks of firewood were piled throughout the camp, and the first wagons to arrive were being unloaded into a supply tent. In the pre-dawn mist, soldiers in black went about assigned tasks while others crouched near the warmth of their fires and ate their rationed breakfasts. For some, this was their first prolongued stay away from headquarters, and despite the work being done, the camp had a holiday feel as stories and jokes were exchanged. But at the commandeered guard tower, the officers were gathering to discuss strategies and policies. The Rose was contracted to be in Winterfell for a job – this was no mere camping trip.

Once she earned the requisite points to graduate from Private 1st Class to Armsman 3rd Class, Anne accepted the job of Chief in the Recruits Division to work with Thomas Flint, who was now Sergeant.  The offer had surprised her, but she was thrilled to have the opportunity.

Of course, Anne was nervous about the added responsibility.  Taking charge of a few Privates for minor endeavours was cake compared to shaping the next wave of Roses to meet the high expectations of their Oaths and of Command.

(originally posted on 3/1/2002) 

Scrambling to keep her unit close, Anne watched as the battle ebbed and flowed across the field. Picking out the nightmare fiend who had just sent a blast of energy over her head, Anne charged after it with Lt. Kenyon on her heels. A skeletal soldier clattered into their path, but the Roses barely batted an eye and smashed the creature to the ground. Another enemy warrior fell beneath their assault as they continued their chase. But they both skidded to a halt when shadowy forms materialized from the mist. One mage was suddenly many. Eerie chants and shrieks of power filled the air as the spells were let fly. Time slowed to a crawl when Anne turned to the lieutenant and saw him reaching toward her. Then her right side was engulfed in fiery pain and all went dark.

Anmoch Coisich: *looks in*

Anne Savant: *propped against the wall*
Anne Savant: *eyes closed*
Anne Savant: *opens eyes*
Anne Savant: Oh… Hello, corporal.
Anne Savant: *smiles some*

Anmoch Coisich: *nods slightly*

Anne Savant: *looks at him a moment*

Anmoch Coisich: Feeling better than yesterday?

Anne Savant: *nods*
Anne Savant: I should ask you the same…
Anne Savant: you were injured?

Anne Savant: You wanted to see me, sir?

Thomas: *gestures to the back*

Anne Savant: *nods*

Thomas: Have a seat Anne.

Anne Savant: *sits*

Thomas: *eyes gazing down, a look of depression faintly noticeable*
Thomas: How are you?

Anne Savant: *tilts head*
Anne Savant: Still a bit banged up from yesterday…
Anne Savant: but well overall.

Thomas: *nods*
Thomas: You’ve… been doing good work Anne. And I’ve appreciated the support and help so far…
Thomas: You’ve shown an initative and drive I saw in myself weeks ago… and hopefully still have.
Thomas: But as the General said to me moments ago…
Thomas: There is a “but” coming. I’m sure you feel it

Once she earned the requisite points to graduate from Private 1st Class to Armsman 3rd Class, Anne accepted the job of Chief in the Recruits Division to work with Thomas Flint, who was now Sergeant.  The offer had surprised her, but she was thrilled to have the opportunity.  Anne thoroughly enjoyed her time with the recruits, even the extra chores assigned to Privates 1st to help train the 2nds and 3rds.  Continuing to help the newest members of the Society appealed to Anne in a way that joining another division didn’t.  She also had come to trust Thomas in the time she’d known him, and their mutual rapport would work in their favor as they took on their new roles.

As excited as I was to bring Anne into the Black Rose Society’s ranks, it would be a few more days before they could actually swear her in.  The Roses had their hands full with the current Ring Cycle, so Anne took a backseat until things could settle down.  Soon enough though, she donned her uniform and started the life of a maggot Private 3rd Class.

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Thomas: Have a seat.

Anne Savant: *nods*

Thomas: You and Selmy have been pretty damned active…
Thomas: Reminds me of a Private I knew named Flint.

Anne Savant: *grins*

Thomas: *grins*
Thomas: You’ve done good work… and much as I hate to… I should inform you that
Thomas: promotion’s not far away for you…. in fact….
Thomas: We simply need to know which Division you wish to pursue.