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At last every one is ready to leave. Flea is waiting there - looking quite pale and wan now, but bravely waiting to see you off. Edwy is there with many of his men, so are many of the villagers there, ready to see you back out in the swamps that come so close to causeway leading to the village. Elsbeth's mother and bothers are fussing round her saying their last good byes. The mules are finally ready, the gear packed every one is ready to go and Elsbeth has finally broken away from the loving arms of her immediate family again -- when Smilo suddenly calls "Halt" and slides down from his donkey. He walks up to where Rolf and Edwy are standing at the head of the procession, twisting his hat uncomfortably in his hands. Looking more resolute that you have seen him before, he says "I've decided to stay here and make sure Flea is OK. Us small folk have to stick together sometimes- and it would be wrong for her to be here with nothing but Big'uns, like you'se for company. Begging your pardon Master Edwy, sir." With that he turns back and unpacks his goods and goes and stands by Flea. She protests quietly but doesn't seem to have the stamina left to push it too hard. A nod of resignation from Edwy signals his begrudging agreement and the whole caravan goes through a reorganisation. Mandrake and Edgar are now moved to the donkey and the loads redistributed slightly compensate. It only takes a few minutes of fairly rapid work by Mandrake, Kerim and Peter to accomplish, and you are on your way. You start by travelling the route you came in on, passing the pile of doghead bodies (which is now being defiled by rooks crows and other carrion birds) and the path back to Mistaton. Shortly after that your path leaves the swamp area and the ground becomes more solid, the vegetation becomes a darker green and you start to see the birds and small wild life you expect to see in the wilderness areas. Travel is easier than it has been for a while, and the march becomes more of a stroll. You know you have plenty of time, and it is so pleasant to be on firm ground again - even the most hardened amongst you find it difficult to press on too hard. That night you camp at the junction of a path that you guess leads back to Farfobest and the ruins where Aenis lies buried. The next day, 27th Mai, you pass between Hen Caur, (the mountain whose far side houses Callum's people) and the Lone Sea Rock- a mountain that juts out into the sea. You camp again a junction just as you come out from that pass like area. One path leads down to Semasay and your appointed meeting place, the other on to Ramasay or the interior. Yes, you could have pushed on a bit further - but there's still plenty of time and it is such a beautiful and natural stopping place, and the weather is so peasant ... The 28th Mai sees you pushing down along side Lone Sea Rock towards Semasay. The weather isn't so good today with the odd shower, but its not unpleasant. If you rushed you could get to the meeting point tonight - but you would have to wait there till they came - so instead you opt for a stop at the junction of the path that leads down to the shore. The next morning, 29th Mai, you awake to a fine, if slightly breezy day, break camp and head off down towards the coast. It's only a couple of hours 'til you can see the coast line and the designated meeting place. There are no ships in sight and you are going to be there in plenty of time... An hour later you start to move around the bend leading down to the coast line, but Rolf signals a halt. It is hardly surprising to see bits of broken earthwork around here, indeed you have seen a number of them in your travels - but this one seems to have been repaired - well at least the gaps have been fenced in and it looks reasonably secure. A very thin, wavery plume of smoke rises from somewhere inside, it is hazy thin and wispy, which is probably why you didn't see it before ... |
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As Rolf signals a halt, Madelyn quickly checks the rear, before riding up beside him. "What’s the problem", she calls down quietly, not attempting to dismount quite yet. |
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After an easy day on the road, Rolf has every one gather round. It was time to clear up a few things. "Friends, after the problems back at Elsbeth's village, I feel it needful to speak of some things. We journey in the name of Sir Richard. I am his appointed Warden and those who started out with me have been selected by him. Our task is to civilize the wilds, to make the roads safe and to establish routes of trade. Herloch, Yuri and Edgar, we very much appreciate your company and your skills and I would see each of you remain with us, for our benefit as well as your own. That being said, we carry not only our own honor, but Sir Richard's as well and I will not see it besmirched. Sir Richard has recognized master Edwy's authority. Yuri, Herloch, this is why we were duty bound to respect master Edwy's justice, even should we disagree with it's application. So, I want you three to think on this. If you are unable to ward Sir Richard's honor, if you are unwilling to accept my leadership of this party then I must ask you to seek out your fortunes elsewhere. It is my wish that you accept this charge and remain with us, but it must be freely accepted by each of you. Do you accept it?" Putting such harshness behind him, the travel back along the road is pleasing to Rolf. Good roads, familiar paths and nothing worth the drawing of a blade. He spends the evenings carving out javelins, fire hardening their tips and practicing with them. And later in the evenings, he pulls out his flute and plays melodies that speak of babbling brooks and wind in the trees. And as he plays, his eyes are upon Madelyn, seeing how she responds to his meager talents. Taking what time he may, he stays near Madelyn, taking walks under the pretense of foraging, helping her to tend to Keldon or simply taking pleasure in her company. The few days are as much a pleasure as any he'd known since accepting Sir Richard's charge. Moving down the coast line, Rolf notices the repaired defenses, a faint wisp of smoke from inside. Unsure of what to expect, he calls for a halt. His first thought is to ask Smilo to check it out, but then he remembers that the halfling remained behind. Madelyn moves up, "What's the problem?" she asks. Rolf shrugs, "Not a problem. Well, not yet anyway. Edgar, could you fly over this place and let us know what you see?" He motions in the direction of the smoke, for the benefit of both Edgar and Madelyn. "These last few days have been very pleasant." He smiles warmly at Madelyn, "And I'd not ruin their memory by blundering into an ambush." |
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As a reply to Rolf's question, Yuri replies "I would have snuck out the window and into the night if I wasn't." During the remainder of the trip Yuri helps where he can, but sleeps in late, catching up on a few nights sleep, and tries to put the events of the last few days behind him. At night when Rolf sings (to Madelyn), Yuri listens attentively, but makes no move to take out his recorder or sing along, not wanting to intrude or steal the mans limelight. The session does always prompt him to open up the case to his shattered Mandolin and feebly attempt to fix it, but each night Yuri gives up in frustration. During the mornings as everyone goes about their routines, Yuri goes about his own, walking a short distance away from the group before practising his own musical talents, playing on his recorder and singing (though obviously not at the same time). |
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After a tearful farewell, Elsbeth is very quiet along much of the trip. She rides, making sure that her wolf keeps up, making sure she is as attentive as Madelyn in watching for trouble. Otherwise, she is quiet. On occasion, she sings softly to herself. She has a sweet voice and her songs are the simple songs of nature, often in the older dialect more recognizable by Callum than by the others. At night she sometimes is missing, off alone. She takes her watches as necessary but stays alone, watching Rolf, watching Madelyn. Indeed, she seems to watch the other woman more. Whether Elsbeth is sad or simply alone in her thoughts is unclear. At the arrival at the ruin she sits a bit higher on her horse but does not volunteer an opinion. Indeed, at this moment, this is a different Elsbeth than the one who started with the group many days before. |
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Edgar elects to spend most of the journey perched on the back of Mandrake's mule. He holds his head high as he passes the "other carrion birds", loftily ignoring them, though it must be noted that when next the party stop for a meal, he wolfs down rather more of his and Mandrake's share than usual. To Rolf's question/demand he gives serious consideration, thinking hard on the matter before replying, slowly, as he tries to put thoughts into words. "I do not know this Sir Richard you speak of," he says bluntly to the Warden, "and am most reluctant to commit to aught in his name knowing nothing of the man." He pauses for a moment, to pick just the right words, "You, however, I find to be a man of honour, by word and deed, and to you I will freely give my parole." The matter of investigating the smoke plume from the ruins, however, is a quite different matter. Edgar regards Rolf as if the Warden has gone mad. "I gave my word, not my wit !" he retorts, "for I perhaps less keen than you to fall prey to ambush !" He flexes his wing, painfully, the black feathers marked with a ruddy hue. "I have felt the sting of your kind's arrows before," he says, "and have no wish to again ! Not in a place where there are no trees to screen me, and where the appearance of a raven in a place where naught but gulls prosper cannot but fail to be remarked upon !" |
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Possible Ambush? |
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Soothing the mules so that they won't make any noise to give away the party's location, Kerim watches and waits to see what Rolf will do. |
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"I can go up and have a look", Yuri volunteers. |
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As the group travels, Herloch's hangover subsides. A cheerful side reveals itself to the priest of Thor and he breathes in the fresh air as if breathing in life itself. He stays away from the troublesome, temperamental women, seeking company in Yuri. He walks up beside him and speaks in a quiet tone so that only he can hear him. "Yuri, let me tell you, I hope I never see that village again. Whoa, talk about a town full of ugly women! Woof!" After a day's worth of travel, Rolf addresses the group and asks the big questions. Herloch responds by saying, "Rolf, I accept that you are the person in charge. Thus being, I will show respect to Sir Richard. If he gives title to Edwy, then I will respect that as well." Later, as they spot the unexpected rebuilt ruins... "Well, if Edgar is unwilling to scout, then I would be happy to accompany Yuri, with your permission of course, Warden Leifson." |
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Peter seems to relax into the journey fairly soon after the swampy area is left behind. Before long he is whistling tunelessly and nipping off into the bush to collect specimens of wild herb or vegetables that he spots. The evening meal is cooked leisurely and is much tastier that before, and incorporates the herbs and vegetables found during the day. Breakfasts are also more varied and include strange teas made from the previous days gathering. One even includes an offering of wild spindrift mushrooms sauted with garlic - which Peter is keen that every one tries. Finally as the party is called to a halt, he pulls himself together again, adjusts his leather coat and shield and makes sure his dagger is loose in its sheath. Securing his hold on the mules he leads he calls quietly across to Kerim, "Can you see whats up?" |
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Luckily, things have gone smoothly of late and Rolf manages to stifle the annoyance of Edgar's refusal with little effort. Before responding, Yuri volunteers to scout it out, with Herloch jumping up as well. Things have gone rough for the two, but they're still in there and trying. Maybe it's not so wise, but they deserve the chance. Rolf nods his acceptance, "My thanks. Oh, and it's still Rolf Herloch." He looks back over at the bird, "Edgar, I have no wish to put you in harms way, but we're on a dangerous mission and we all face risks. I expect the same from you as well. But if you flew higher, out of range of arrows, would you be able to see well enough to make the effort worth while?" |
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Responding to Peter |
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Kerim flashes Peter a master merchant hand signal, then catches himself, realizing Peter has not yet been initiated into that form of communication. Damn, I've got to convince him to partner with me. He'd pick up the silent hand-talk in no time. Mouthing the words, Kerim shakes his head slightly in the negative, "No, can't see from here.", then gives Peter a smile before again turning his attention back to the wispy smoke up ahead. |
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Being the man of action that he is, Herloch takes leave and approaches the rebuilt earthwork. He tries to conceal his approach somewhat by staying near trees and foliage. OOC: Anyone is welcome to accompany him. Yuri? And to all at Galinia, Merry Christmas! |
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Yuri starts to protest as Herloch heads off, but realises it would probably do no good. Giving an apologetic look and shrugging to Rolf, Yuri goes to grab his quarterstaff, but hesitates, looking between it and the scimitar he carries. Finally making up his mind, Yuri grabs the bladed weapon and hurries off after the battle cleric. |
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From his perch on the mule's back, Edgar rocks from side to side, unable to hide his nervousness. "I have not the eyes of an eagle," he replies to the Warden, even as Yuri and Herloch head off, "nor do I truly know how far an arrow may fly ... but I'd guess that from such a distance I should not see well enough to discern whether those within the ruins are from Edwy's clan or the hated Dogheads ... and we already know somebody is there from the smoke." |
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Peter just shrugs his shoulders as Kerim indicates he doesn't know anymore than Peter, and tightens his grip on the mules harness. |
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As they ready to leave, Mandrake is a little surprised when Smilo says that he will be staying to care for Flea, and at this news, his humour quietens even further. As they travel the next couple of days, Mandrake considers whether he belongs with a group such as this, but can think of no other way to fulfil the task entrusted to him by his peoples, and so resigns himself to the situation. This decision having been made and the site of the doghead massacre some distance behind him, at last the gnome begins to return to his normal nature. The process is aided greatly by the improved weather, and the persistent, even annoying chatter of the raven sitting behind him on the donkey. "I have not the eyes of an eagle," he replies to the Warden, even as Yuri and Herloch head off, "nor do I truly know how far an arrow may fly ... but I'd guess that from such a distance I should not see well enough to discern whether those within the ruins are from Edwy's clan or the hated Dogheads ... and we already know somebody is there from the smoke." At the thought of loosing his chattering friend to an arrow, Mandrake adds "Indeed, I doubt that the constructions are the work of the dogheads, fencing and stone walls do not strike me as their type of work.. "I’d say that it is more likely the work of humans, or possibly dwarf, hobbit or gnome. If it is humans, then our own experience has shown that most would shoot Edgar as a harbinger of evil. "Surely with the two stout fellows scouting from the ground, then little can be gained by sketchy views from far above?" OOC: Sorry for the prolonged silence, but I’ve had a big time injection of real life commitments in my on-line time. Anyway, I hope to catch up over the holiday season, and hope that you all have a great time in whatever celebrations you have. |
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