Young Writers Society

Brandon
The girl had a temper, which made her even more interesting. Deep inside he wondered how a girl with such beautiful and mysteriously different features could be doing in a kitchen like that. But he didn't dare to ask for he didn't want her to think he was prying.

"I'm Brandon, Brandon Collins. I'm an artist. And to be honest, I have no idea of what I'm doing in a kitchen." Brandon said smiling a bit. Gwen frowned, but her face relaxed, even seeming to be fighting a smile.

"Ok, I'll believe you" Gwen said, relaxing completely now. And yes she was beautiful, now that her eyes didn't show as much hate as before, they emanated a funny gleam. "You don't seem to be dangerous..." But Brandon interrupted her before she could finish.

"I'm not, and I mean no harm. I swear. I just think you are...different." He finished, spelling out the last word. "I'm sorry, really sorry, is there a way in which I could make it up to you?"

Charlene
The sales went by rapidly, she never thought it was going to finish so soon, but she loved it while it lasted. It had been so much fun, or it was just that having company made her enjoy things more. Once they finished, Peter asked her if she could take a walk with him, unable to deny, she said yes.
The first few minutes had been silent, sharing a smile or two, or a sudden glare. But even in silence, she enjoyed having company.

"Don't be so silent Peter, is just me" She said, poking him and pushing him lightly. Maybe it didn't make him talk, but at least it did make him laugh. "You see? Laughing is good, you should laugh more often you know?" She said.

"Like you" Peter said, staring at her with smiling eyes, beautiful smiling eyes for smiling made everything twice as beautiful for Charlene.

"Oh yes, I love laughing, it makes everything brighter, more beautiful. You should see your eyes right now, they're shining as much as the sun" Charlene said to Peter. And yes it was true, sometimes laughing was the only way in which she forgot everything and looked at the world from a new perspective.

Gwen:

"I'm not, and I mean no harm. I swear. I just think you are...different," He said. I shot him a strange look while he followed me over to the bench. "I'm sorry, really sorry, is there a way in which I could make it up to you?"

"Um, right," I muttered and started making whatever I supposed to be making again. "You know what," I said, startling him. "You can do me a favour and go find some more grain. We need it for the bread you just ruined."

Brandon looked ashamed for a few moments then he smiled.

"Sure, Gwen," he said in a low voice. "I'll go do that."

I was aware of the cook watching me and Brandon. Damn it, she was going to rip into me about men again. I sighed and watched him go then turned back to making bread. Sure enough the old cook made her way over to me.

"What did I tell you about bringing men back to the kitchen!" she yelled. Everyone else in the kitchen stopped and stared at us. I winced and turned towards her.

"I did not bring him here," I snapped, knowing I'd probably get kicked out. "He found his own way in and he wasn't even looking for me!"

The cook paused, considering me for a moment. I went back to the bread and waited.

"Alright, Gwen," she snapped. "But this is your last chance. Next time, meet them away from the kitchen!"

Then she turned on her heel and stormed off to go back to the soup on the other side of the room. I looked up to see several of the others watching me and sniggering. I shot them a glare and went back to work.

Brandon
Looking for grain was not what he expected but he had to do something to make it up for the girl, Gwen. She looked troubled yet beautiful but he never thought of anything else than painting her. But well, it seemed as if his presence only got her in trouble.

"Here, it is and it seems as if I only get you in trouble isn't it?" He asked her, placing the grain he found on the table she was working on. She lifted her glare up to him, meeting his eyes.

"Yes it seems so" She said with an angry tone. He never meant that, but he had to accept he did cause some troubles sometimes.

"I'm leaving then. But promise me something" Brandon said before leaving. He wasn't sure if it was the right thing, but he did want to do it. "Find me, later, when you finish. And I promise I'll never get you in trouble again"

Gwen shot him a glare that could have killed if her eyes had been daggers, but he didn't care, he continued, even when she was irritated. "Please, I promise I'll never get between you and your cooking again. But please, I'll here all day possibly at the inn around the corner..." But before he could continued she interrupted him.

"Ok, Ok, I'll do it, just leave now"

Charlene
"So tell me, how has everything being for you and your sister?" Charlene asked with great poise for sometimes she thought that maybe in that way she could get a conversation going.

"A bit difficult, but we're surviving" Peter said smiling widely and she stared at him with great contempt. She loved seeing people happy, laughing talking especially when it was people close to her.

"You are both survivors, you'll make it, but you see how good you look smiling? You should seriously do it more often."

Roseanna

I decide to pay my debt to Peter. I find every theif I see, and convince them to stay away from his stall, on pain of death. I keep my knife by my side in case anyone gets any ideas.

The next day, I stay hidden in a tree above Peters stall. I think he see's me, but he doesn't say anything. A theif I talked to last night starts to edge towards Peter from the behind. The theif has a knife. He aims it a Peter's neck. I jump down, and push the theif to the ground. I quickly stab him through the heart before Peter even turns around to see what is happening. I climb back into the tree, more than happy to have payed my debt.

"thank you." I hear him say, looking at me. I nodd my thanks. Debt payed.

Gwen:

I sighed and put the bread in the oven after Brandon left. Was I insane? Why did I agree to the painting? I closed the oven and glanced towards the cook.

She nodded to me and I left the kitchen, wiping my forehead on my sleeve. It was warm in the kitchen. Thankfully it was cooler outside. I looked around the market, frowning.

I decided to get it over with. What harm could the painting do? Oh right, I had an evil Gypsy Tyrant looking for me... Me and my brother.

I shook my head and made my way down to the inn where he said he'd be. The Inn Keeper gave me an odd look as I approached the bar.

"Collins?" I asked and he looked puzzled for a moment. "Brandon Collins?"

The old man laughed. "You mean the artist?" He asked.

"Um, yes." I stared at him for a moment.

"He's upstairs," the old man said and grinned. "First landing, second door on the right."

I nodded and went upstairs. I knocked on the door and waited.

Joseph

The thieves, as usual, were making a nuisance of themselves throughout the market. Every now and again, a merchant would pull him aside and tell him of some thief who had snatched a few things from his store. The watch was working overtime trying to bring in everyone who had been reported, and, naturally, they were not entirely successful.

Father will be furious tonight... Joseph thought, craning his neck a little as he searched for anyone who might look like a thief. Only a few more steps, however, and he bumped into someone.

He glanced down, seeing a young woman quickly gathering up coins. He tipped his helmet back a little, embarrassed that he hadn't been watching where he was walking. "Excuse me, Miss." He said.

"No matter," the girl replied, "It was my fault, really." She looked up, and immediately froze, seeing who she had bumped into.

Jospeh quickly recognised her as well. Ana Green, one of the siblings with the farm that was quickly taking a turn for the worse. And here she was, seeming to have more coin than she knew what to do with. He'd always considered the Greens friends, but he was sure that she had stolen that money.

"Ana..." He said, pausing, looking about himself. What kind of watchman would he be if he didn't turn in a thief, even if she was a friend? But then, what kind of person would betraying a friend make him. Joseph sighed, crouching down to help her gather up the rest of the coins. "I'm not going to arrest you, but we're going to have to see your brother about this. There must be some other way for you to help him with the farm."

Tallow

It was late afternoon by the time the miners arrived in town. Tallow tied his horse's reins to a post outside the inn, then turned to find himself face to face with a trio of guards. Their leader, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a red face and a prominent moustache, leaned forward, scrutinising the overseer.

He sniffed. "You. You're with the mine, ain't you?" He folded his arms, "Your boss sent word ahead about your payroll. You leave that to us, right?" He glanced past Tallow at the miners, all veterans of the silver mines, all men who had gone for almost a year with any kind of leave or entertainment. "I don't want your thugs messing up my town just for the sake of it."

Tallow shrugged, "The Gibson-Mills company conducts its own investigations parallel to those run by the law. We'll cause minimal disturbance, though, I can assure you." He smiled a little, "I'm paid extra for that, and the miners will have their pay docked if they make too much of a fuss."

The watchman leaned closer. "You're one of their hired swords, aren't you?" He gave another snort, "Reckon you're probably all talk. But listen, you find this thief of yours, you hand them over to me, alright? Alive. I know how things are done by you people, but that's not how Westhaven does things. If you kill that thief, we'll make our own trouble for your company. The legal kind, of course."

Tallow nodded, unslinging his club, "Certainly, sir. We're not out for blood, just the money that's rightfully ours. I guarantee you won't even notice me at work." He glanced over his shoulder at the miners, "Start asking questions. No violence, as well." The men nodded and dispersed.

The troubleshooter looked back at the guards. "Would any of you be able to tell me where to find a Mister Peter Green, as well? My employers may have an offer for him."

That would cover two of his tasks. The third was something not even the chief of Hollsworthy knew about. A special assignment, straight from Gibson. But I'll take care of that one last.

Peter

The conversation with Charlene was very nice. Peter didn't spend a lot of time talking to Ana outside of trying to discipline her. The walk took a slight turn for the worse when he found Ana with Joseph, one of the city soldiers.

"What did Ana do this time?" Peter asked, suddenly feeling very tired.

Joseph handed a heavy bag of coins to Peter. "Stealing again."

Peter frowned. "Ana, we talked about this. Why can't you just be good?"

"Have you seen the farm lately?" she asked. "We're barely getting by! We need feed for the animals, wood to repair the fences, and seed for the next planting season!"

"We'll get by," Peter said. He handed the coins back to Joseph. "I'm sorry, please put this towards something important." He turned to Ana and pulled her up off the ground. "Come on Ana, let's go home. If we leave now we can get back to the farm before dark." He turned to Charlene. "Thank you for your help today, Charlene."

He led a pouting Ana through the city to where they kept their horses. They saddled them and were shortly embarking out of town, toward their farm to the east. The trip was lonely, as Ana didn't speak the entire journey. After a few hours, it was just after dark and the siblings had returned to their small farmhouse.

Eck, can I still join, Lauren? ^^

Sure thing!

Name: Jane Norwood

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Occupation: She educates young children, as into how to paint, play the piano forte, sew and things lady like.

Location: Right in Westhaven.

Appearance: She is not very tall, but is not short either. She is medium built, with very feminine curves she gained from her mother. Her hair is a honey tone, straight until about her shoulders.

Spoiler

Personality: She is very kind and intriguing at a first hand look. Her easy features give out a friendly atmosphere, but she can be very fierce once she lose her temper. She has the biggest compassion to certain things, but she can point fingers once the situation comes to such. She would never betray her family or friends, and once she gives her feelings (which she cherishes very much) she is completely vulnerable to the person. Therefore, that doesn't happen very often. She is very much capable of keeping friendships and polite acquaintances, but she might be something of a challenge romantically.

She has a very persuasive ability, such as she can control men with whispers and promises. She doesn't do that very often, though.

History: Her parents are well ranked and live among a high society. Her father is a very successful merchant, and her mother a faithful housewife and mother. She has an older brother named Stephan, who has taught her onto how brandish a sword and a dagger out of fun. She found that knowledge very useful. She has had a normal life, but sighs and day dreams of adventures yet to come.

Other: Up for love.

P.S: Can someone bring her in, please?

Brandon
He heard a knocking on his door. could it be her? Maybe not, he never expected her to do that. Just by the little conversation they had at the kitchen he could see that she wasn't that easy. So he got up form the couch that was in his bedroom and walked slowly to the door.

Once he opened it, he couldn't believe his eyes. It was her, Gwen, but she looked better if that was even possible for someone with such breathtaking features. Her eyes looked more relaxed, their color shining a little more than the last time he saw her.

"You came. I seriously never believed that a girl with such manners as yours would come to see me again." Brandon said, unable to take the nervous smile out of his face. He had no idea of what to do but he had to do something, of that he was sure.

"Well, I keep my promises. I said I was coming didn't I? So here I am?" Gwen said as Brandon invited her in and tried as hard as he could to not act awkward.

Charlene
The day with Peter and Ana had been great, she had spared her mind just enough to go back to work again as soon as she arrived home. Charlene didn't know when she could see Peter and Ana again but since now she had a little more freedom, maybe she could go sooner than she thought.

It was getting late when she arrived home, she wanted to rest a little more for she knew that she had hard work the next day. But as she was getting closer to her house she saw a figure in her porch, a girl figure. Oh God, Charlene thought.

"Hello!"Jane said eagerly walking towards Charlene with such poise and good manner. She had indeed learned to walk with the best.

"Hello!" Charlene said as much eager as she could for she didn't want more work and since Jane belonged to the high class, every-time she visited meant more work for her. Well, Charlene had to accept she was one of the best in her occupation.

"Charlene,I haven't seen you in many days, how are you?" Jane asked her.

"I'm doing just fine. So tell me Jane why the honor of your visit?" Charlene asked, not wanting to sound too obvious, not wanting to sound to apathetic.

"Is not work I promise you" Now that was new, why would Jane visit her if it wasn't to deliver her more clothing?

Thank you very much, dear Juni ^_^

Jane
"Well, you see, my father has decided to throw somewhat of a gathering. It could be considered a ball or something of the sort." Did Charlene's voice sound bothered, she wondered. She did not wish to think that way, or she would be disappointed enough to realize that was the truth.

"And you are here for a gown? Yet, you said no work," Charlene stated, her eyebrows raised.

"A gown would be very welcome, since I rather adore your style and I shan't go to your competition. But still, I come to you with an invitation, rather than a request. I consider you a friend, therefore I would like you to come," she proposed, getting the invitation out of one of the hidden pockets in her gown.

"I still have a few more people to ask. I was thinking a more younger crowd. Do you remember anyone in special?"

Gwen:

"Well, I keep my promises. I said I was coming didn't I? So here I am?" I said and stepped past Brandon, trying to keep my amusement at his awkwardness out of my voice.

I started walking around the room, looking at all the tools, paintings and paint brushes littering tabletops and and pretty much every other space available.

I smiled and walked over to the window. "So," I said and turned to look at him. He was staring, a distant look to his eyes. Hmm, probably thinking of painting. "Brandon?" I asked. "The painting?"

Christophe:

I didn't end up sleeping on the side of the road because I came across a small mining community. I slept on the northern edge of town and woke up early. Someone had left a loaf of a bread on the seat next to me.

I picked it up and tore off a piece. It was fresh too.

"Mmmm," I said and hoped down off my wagon. I put the bread down on the seat and chewed on the bit I tore off as I went around to check on what I had. There were the swords, the fabric and everything else.

I sighed and went back to the driver's seat. Everything was there, nothing was missing. Good. I check my horse and got up on my wagon. I flicked the reins and the wagon lurched forward.

Soon I would be in Westhaven and seeing if this Gwen really was my sister.

Charlene
"Well yes I actually do" She said to Jane, remembering of course, her dearest friends, Ana and Peter.

"Really? Can you please tell me?" Jane said eagerly, her brown eyes gleaming with eagerness deep in them. It had been a while since Charlene had last being in a ball, quite some times to be honest. Socializing never did wrong to the spirit and even less to the soul, it brought joy, at least to Charlene and lots of laughter included.

"Yes, but is quite late and they are probably going home right now. They live a few miles from here." Charlene answered, opening the door and letting herself and Jane in. Her house was modest, but big. The house had being inherited from her father, the furniture from her mother, but all in all, it was a quite decent house. A bit of painting and fixing would have made it better. Charlene always thought of doing it, but the chance never came.

"So do you want something, Jane? A cup of tea maybe?"

Brandon
In his eyes, the room seemed half as prettier with Gwen inside, it brought light to the morbid atmosphere inside. He wondered why this places always had such dark walls and things, weren't they made to attract people? Well, sometimes he thought that artist saw things from a different perspective.

"Brandon?" He heard her call him, "The painting?"

"Oh yes" He said walking over to her. What was he supposed to do? Oh yes, fix the light, the chairs everything; he should have done that earlier but he never thought she was going to come. "Umm, let your hair loose, it suits your face" He said before going to do the things he needed to do. She did it, a little apprehensive though. It was true, she did look even better with her hair loose.

"Will it be fast?" She asked, him walking behind him.

"Maybe" that's the only thing he could answer.

Joseph

The oversized helmet clanked loudly as he dropped it onto the table. His father, seated at his desk in the corner of the barracks, glanced up, his eyes fixing on Joseph. "Well? Anything worth reporting from the day?"

The young watchman stepped over to the table, drawing the bulging pouch Peter had handed to him out from his coat. It rattled a little as he handed it across the table to the captain. "Some of what was stolen from the merchants." He hesitated, not knowing how to finish, "I, uh, wasn't able to catch the thief, though."

The ruddy-faced man slammed the table with one fat fist. "Damnit, boy! It's more important that you catch the criminal than you get the coin back!" He scowled at his son, "They're free to steal again, you realise that? Whereas we, praise be to everything holy, now have to deal with redistributing this money to a bunch of puffed up, self important, out-of-towner traders."

He sighed, "Your brother wouldn't have made this kind of mistake." Joseph winced. As if it wasn't enough that I couldn't give anyone over, now he has to bring Wade into this. Captain Moresby looked glumly at the money before him, "Things're bad enough as it is. Market thieves, this noble's ball coming up that we'll have to guard at, and, to cap everything off, the miners are in a tizzy about their payroll going missing. One of those creepy 'troubleshooters' of theirs is poking around town."

"I could look into it." Joseph ventured, "Starting out tomorrow morning." He hurried on, seeing his father's sceptical look. "I mean, no one pays much mind to me, they won't really know I'm there, so long as I'm not wearing the uniform. And sooner or later, someone will say something about it, right?" He already had a few ideas about where to begin. Ana was a thief, after all, and while he didn't believe for a second that she'd break into the mining offices, she might know the name of someone who would.

Tallow

The payroll was continuing to prove elusive, and so, leaving his five companions to ask questions of the townsfolk, the overseer had rode out to the Green farm. There was no sign that anyone was around when he arrived at the gate. Knowing better than to trespass on land that might have anything from a mean guard dog to who knew what, he waited by the side of the path, remaining astride his horse.

Close to sundown, another pair of riders appeared at the bend in the road, approaching the gate at a steady pace. They slowed upon seeing him waiting, the soft clacks of the hooves against the beaten track stopping after a few more paces. The taller of the two - Peter, he assumed - called out to him. "You have business here?"

"If you're Peter and Ana Green, then yes, I do." Tallow called back, "I'm from the mining company up at Hollsworthy. My employers would like to know if you'd be interested in any business with us. Your farm is struggling, correct?"

He was unwilling to explain his orders to their fullest out in the open, knowing that the farm boy, no matter how hard his luck was, would be unlikely to give consent to having his land poked and prodded by mining geologists. Part time work in the mines might be something he would consider, though certainly not if he knew the full truth about the silver mines, as Tallow did. As for his last assignment, though, Tallow was uncertain as to how much information Peter and Ana might know about the abandoned town.

But then, it could hardly hurt to ask.