"Let's just," Moira pauses to let out a terrific yawn. "Let's get this back to Oleg's first." As much as she wanted to hit the fort now, while they had the element of surprise, they couldn't leave all this stuff here. And she didn't want to stay any longer than they had to. In case something came to investigate. "Who's got first watch?"
Rose would gently raise her hand, her voice just loud enough to be heard clearly. "I don't mind taking second watch, I didn't really exert too many abilities with our last encounter." She then lowered her hand once more and listened quietly to the others.
Vetra releases her spell and immediately rummages through the loot, setting a new pile of the items that were emanating magical auros. As she did so she’d announce to the group, ”The staves have enchantments, both the handaxes, this string of pearl beads, the liquid, scroll case and the silver sapling is obviously magical.” She’d look to the group but before spending time to identify them she’d wait until she got to the new camp.
While the food is cooked she’d quickly focus on the following, picking each up and just concentrating quietly.
First she’d pick up the necklace and cast detect magic, uttering words under her breath as her hand would sustain a soft glow. She’d sit their patiently while casting, waiting for the full longevity of the spell to return the information about the item.
When that was done, she’d step through the next two staves, repeating the process with each one, then the handaxes. Once that was done she’d cast upon the scroll case.
After talking to her friends and deciding what was left to be looked at, Mehaila would try her skill at the items. However, try as she might, the staff and the beads where beyond her reach. The handaxe however was easy enough once you knew what you where looking at. " Well, we have some magical weapons at least. Does anyone else wish to try on the staff and beads?"
She would then assist in setting up camp for the night, helping where she was needed. After the group somewhat plans the next major move they make, she also adds in that she agrees with Delan, that sneaking into the camp maybe a bit easier than other ways. Mehaila then volunteers for either 1st or 3rd shift watch. As they started to settle in and eat and chat, she would speak up and inform the group " So.... if anyone is interested, part of my daily rituals include sharing my bed with some person, if willing. would anyone like to?" She says it in a manner that lets you know she would not be offended if you turned her down, as it was a ritual to her.
Moira chokes a little on stew as Mehaila's very straight forward offer. She thought she was pretty blunt when the mood stuck her but...Must be a Calistrian thing. Before the stunning cleric could take the cough or blush as acceptance she waves her hand. "I'm good. No thanks." After what they'd seen, could anyone get in the mood? If this was going to be a common thing (and it probably was) she'd need to get some earplugs soon.
The next morning, she helps load up the wagon with all shiny new weapons and armor...oh, and all the mundane stuff too. Then she walks over to the horses.
At first they seem skittish. They did murder their previous owners. But she walked slowly, projecting as much confidence and gentleness as possible. Even then they backed away. So she let them come to her. Eventually they did and a few seemed to navigate over to the wagon. They must have known what they needed to do. Moira gets them hitched up and tethers most of the other horses together. Good horses would be worth a bit. When no one immediately hops in she jumps behind the reins and waits. "Well, let's get this back."
Vetra blinked twice, confused at the sudden and blunt offer that the elven lady made. Shaking her head quietly she would finally get to her stew after identifying some of the items. She'd shovel the stew down and then offer to take the first watch of the night.
At the end of her shift, she'd wake the next person and then get some sleep. In the morning, she'd help Moira pack the wagon quietly and then quickly jump up in the back. The horses weren't much her thing and she tried to keep herself as diminutive as possible to not spook or scare the horses with her presence. She'd glance to Moira for a moment, letting her eyes linger but she wouldn't say anything. During the ride, she would pull her tail weapons onto her lap and begin cleaning and repairing them.
Domitian gets a little bit uncomfortable at Mehaila's offer, and quickly replies "Kind of you to offer, but no. I prefer to avoid... those sorts of activities... with those I fight with. No offense." He will then focus very intently on his remaining stew.
At night, Domitian will take whatever watch shift is offered him without complaint, keeping watch in the forest and simply enjoying the night sounds. After the chaos of the day, the quiet and peaceful forest night was a nice respite.
In the morning, he'd help break camp and get the horses together, and then mount up onto his own horse as they set out. It took a little getting used to, riding in full armor; entirely different feel from what he was used to. He'd get the hang of it eventually, though, hopefully without falling out of the saddle...
Rose would savor her own helping of the stew, overjoyed to have yet another hot meal. She got a little spoiled at home before the journey and she dreaded the taste of rations during travels with Lyra. She hummed softly as she ate, almost devouring the meal and already asking for seconds. "You certainly have a knack for this Delan, cook often?" She asked sincerely, as she helped herself to another portion. She almost dropped her dish as Mehaila made her unique offer to the group. Feeling her own face flush some, she didn't respond and merely turned away, coughing into her hand.
After the meal and a good rest, she was able to happily sit through her shift, listening to the quiet ambient sounds of the forest.
It was nice just hearing animals in the forest, still thinking back to the bandit earlier and shivering slightly.
The horses bedded and watered, dinner served and combat weariness slept away the night passed without incident. The next morning there was mute testimonial to the carnage that had raged in the form of a pile of stripped down corpses at the edge of the forest. The baby growth that the party's prayers had created earlier was shrouded in the tall grass that had sprung up while the group was sleeping in the clearing, the dried blood and eviscera hidden.
With Lyra driving the wagon with two of the bandit's horses pulling the groups loot they weaved back into the forest and began the journey back to Oleg's, albeit at a slower pace due to the slower speed of the wagon. The ride back was uneventful and they arrived back at Oleg's on the evening of the second day. As they pulled through the gates with another wagon there were greeted by a pair of armed guards in Brevoy Militia tunics who turned to look from where they were eating at the central tables. Almost immediately Svetlana's face lit up with joy as the party returned unharmed. "Thank the gods you're alright! Oleg they've returned, come out!"
The burly human pushed his way out of the stables with a frown and his usually dour demeanor cracked to show a hint of a smile. "So did ye smash them? Judging from the herd of horses and the cart full of weapons and armor I imagine ye did."
A bearded human with thinning hair came out of the barn behind Oleg with the bearing of a commander, his tunic and armor a bit more ornate then the two guards at the table. He had brown hair and muddy brown eyes and his tunic was scuffed and dusty from the travel. "Who are you?"
Mehaila happily smiles seeing Svetlana and Oleg are in good health, greeting them and telling them a bit about what happened, leaving out some of the more sorrid details, and elected to not include the bandit they dealt with last, nor what happened with her Goddess
Smoothing our her skirt and making sure her armor looked somewhat presentable, she approaches and extends a manicured hand in greeting, stating " Greetings, we were sent here with our charter to help solve the bandit issue. I am Mehaila, priestess of Calistria, at your service. May I inquire into your business here at this pleasant trading outpost?" Her words ring with truth, but her party members also know she is putting up a front to impress the man with their group, passing them off as more professional than they actually where. She was hoping that having this man on their side would be a good thing.
"Lt. Kesten Garess ma'am. We have been sent here by order of the Lord Mayor Sellemius of Restov. May I see your charter please?" The human said, his hand resting on his belt near his sword. Mehaila's word didn't seem to affect him.
Lyra didn't like the look of this human or the two men at the table so she stayed silent, watching from the back of the group while keeping the wagon horses calm. She had no idea who any of them where but judged that distance was the best way to keep the charter safe from anyone who may try to steal it.
Domitian glances in concern between the two soldiers, not liking the way their muscles were tensing up. Ready for a fight? Wonder why? He quickly dismounts and walks up to stand near Mehaila. "I'm sure we could make that happen, Lieutenant. First, though, I'd like to understand in what capacity you are serving the Lord Mayor. Last I had heard of you, you had been exiled from your house. Something about a relationship with a peasant girl? How is it that a distant, exiled ex-member of the Garess came to be serving under the Lord Mayor?"
The Lt.'s eyes snap to Domitian and grow hard, the tendons in his neck standing out in anger. The two soldier's at the table shifted uncomfortably and looked away from their commander's discomfort. At this time the latrine door opened and a third soldier stepped out, his hands busy buckling his belt. His eyes widen slightly as he sees the group before Lt. Garess but he settles into an easy stance, feet at shoulder width and hands on his belt, close to his weapon.
"That is none of your business goodsir. My men and I have been sent here after a request by Oleg Leveton, owner of this outpost, reached the Mayor. It seems that banditry is a serious problem down here and our presence was requested so that business here could continue without interference. Now I have heard of your group as well but I must insist that you present your charter so I may verify your claim." The Lt. said through gritted teeth.
She saw the soldiers shift before Dom's rather callous remarks at their leader made them visibly uncomfortable. She would gently step over towards Lyra and give her a gentle nudge with her elbow.
Vetra slowly turned her head to look at the guards, trying to keep a low profile for now. Humans tended not to take too kindly to a sight of a kobold right away. 'Dragons hoard! Options... What are my options' she quickly thought as she tried to evaluate the situation. For now, she would try and keep a low profile but not be suspicious about it. Though when Domitian began speaking, Vetra visibly cringed. Weighing her options she slowly got out of the cart, making her self as non-threatening as possible, as she slowly walked up, preparing her voice with a soft throat clear.
"I'm very happy to see the fine men of Brevoy out here protecting those in need. Sir, you have my deepest thanks and respect. Lyra, please could you procure the charter for the fine Lieutenant? I know the ride must have been long and tiring. Besides the charter, is there anything else I can help you with? I'm sure our lovely host Svetlana has filled your bellies, she is quite the generous hostess, don't you agree?" Vetra's voice took on a sweet, soft tone. She was playing up the demure stature of herself and with all of her movements were careful and slow.
Lyra stared hard at Vetra for a long minute before reaching behind her to swing a shoulder bag around. She pulled a scroll case from inside and retrieve the charter from inside. She hopped off the wagon and moved to hand the charter to Vetra, keeping her distance from the humans. "Be careful with this."
Mehaila winces, imagining how embarrassing it would be to have someone blurt out a social disgrace of that level. She starts to speak, but lucky the sound of Vetra seems it may save the situtation. She would then whispers under her breath the words to enhance her appearance, using the enhanced diplomacy her Goddess blessed her with. Placing a delicate hand on his chest with care, she sweetly says " Lt. Garess, I am sure no matter what your past mistakes may have been, we can work together to ensure that this is equally pleasant for everyone. I believe Miss Vetra is retrieving ours. I also believe we have encountered your bandits. We may need help in the future, is there anyway to secure that?"
Everyone gathered knew she was trying to flirt with him, trying to glaze over Doms faux pas. Hopefully he will see that their intentions are pure, and they would be well suited to make some type of agreement, if nothing else for information.
The combined honeyed words of Vetra and Mehaila calm the commander down but he takes a step back from Mehaila's flirtation before accepting the roll of paper from the demure Vetra.
Lt. Garess unrolls the charter and spares Domitian one last withering glance before scanning the writing on the paper for several minutes. His eyes darted around the paper, seeking any signs of theft or forgery. Finally he rolls the charter up and hands it back to Vetra. "My apologies. My men and I have been sent here to protect this Fort and we've only arrive a short time ago. Judging from the state of most of the armor I assume you've been meeting with success in clearing the area out. Congratulations. Excuse me." he said curtly before turning away and returning to his men.
He exchanged a few words with them before the four of them moved into the sleeping area.
Rose waited until they had just moved out of earshot and out of sight as well before letting go of her breath. She hadn't even realized that she had been holding it. "Ah well that could have gone a lot better, but then again it could have gone a lot worse too. Very well done all of you." She smiled, she stretched some, letting out a yawn. "We should see about getting everything put away and dealt with. Lyra? Need help with the horses?" She asked, offering to assist her if she would like it. Otherwise she would see to making herself busy in the meantime.
"Well that could have gone better," Moira mutters. Honestly she wasn't too upset with Domitian for ruffling feathers. Garess and his men were here to help Oleg. But he must have put in the request months ago when the attacks started. And they were just now showing up? But it wasn't worth bringing up. She steps off the wagon with a sigh and stretches her slightly stiff legs. She approaches Oleg and causally indicates the wagon. "So you want to point out what's yours? We'll likely sell the rest and the extra horses. I'd uh...ask you but you're probably still recovering?" She looked a little sheepish as she asked, not knowing how he'd react. Without a segwue she asks, "Also, would you mind if I set up a forge here or nearby?"
"Hmm? Oh no thank you. I'll be spending tonight out here with the herd. Too many people in the fort for my liking." Lyra said with a whimsical smile. She would spend the next hour backing the wagon next to the other vehicle that she and Rosa owned. Once that was done she would take the staff topped with the quartz orb outside of the fort and meditated with it for ten minutes to ascertain what specific spells it contained. Once she had a grasp of the staff's powers she used it to create a holding pen for the horses, the earth welling up to create an enclosed semicircle butting up against the wall of the fort with six feet walls. At the end opposite of the fort a ten foot wide flat was created on top of this new wall. Once her modifications were done the druid would go and pitch a tent on this flat area, her white tiger laying down next to the tent to keep an elevated eye on both the herd and the land outside.
Lyra would take dinner inside the fort but retired once the moons came out, begging exhaustion from the rapid journey, subsequent fight and then journey back. She would return to the fort at dawn.
Oleg would walk with Moira to look into the wagon. He spent the next few minutes pawing through the small items, looking desperately for something that wasn't there. After five minutes he slammed his hand on the baseboard with a frustrated growl. "It's not here. Damn them what did they do with it!"
It took him several minutes to calm down and pay attention to Moira's other question. "There's no where to put a forge. Set one up outside the walls if you want. At this rate I'll have to expand the wall's anyways to accommodate everyone staying here. We don't have enough beds for you AND the patrol, two wagons and a herd of horses. I'm glad your friend didn't even bother to ask about where to put the animals as the stable is also full. As for stock I'll gladly buy what I can with more to come once I restock my chests. OH, we have something for you."
He went into the house and returned a moment later with a bag that clinked and three small bottles. He handed these Moira with a genuine smile. "In thanks for what you did for us. I know it's not much but it's everything we can spare."
Delan, who had been keeping his head down and staying quiet with the appearance of the guards from Restov, came over to where Moira and Oleg were standing. "I'm sorry Mr. Leveton I looked for her ring but it appears to have been stolen. I have a good idea who took it and where but we haven't had a chance to go after it yet. I swear that I will recover it for you."
"What?" Moira asks quietly to herself at Oleg's outrage. Even after Delan explains, it takes a moment to connect. They took the wedding rings. Those a%#&+!%s. "So that's what you meant," she says, remembering Delan had said something similar a the bandit camp. "We'll find him," she promises. "I can sleep outside too. Not a stranger to camping." She looks out the gate while Oleg disappears inside and sees Lyra has the horse situation well in hand. She marveled a little at the power in the staff. Raising a stone wall in an instant could be useful. Nice cover at least.
When she comes back she looks at the bottles, confused. "Thanks but...what are they?" Outside smithing and monsters, Moira couldn't recognize such things off hand.
Mehaila chuckles slightly to herself after her breath touch of what she felt under the shirt. So that seems to be a true story. One always wonders about those tales. I do hope they stay happy. She then looks at Vetra and nods, knowing they avoided a situation that could have quickly gone ugly. Dom's outburst seemed unusual though, as she never figured him to be one who would care to much. Perhaps there was a history with Dom and bandits, or soldiers? Worth looking into another time.
As the group starts to settle in, she would talk to Svetlana, gossiping and seeing if anything had changed since they left, as it seems much had. " So, did the soldiers bring any news with them? I also meant to ask, how often do messages run? Say I needed to talk with the home temple about expanding out this way, how would I do it?" She asks politely, wondering about the outside world. It had been a while since they had left a bigger city after all.
With the guard appeased and the situation calmed, she gave a wink to Mehaila before turning to Lyra and returning the charter carefully. It'd be best for her to keep a hold of it, not risk damaging it when she could easily get into a scrap. "I'll be sleeping upon the ramparts. I like to keep an eye on things." She said with a smile, not wanting to burden Oleg at all. She'd keep her ear open for the other conversation but she would grab her pack and the potion of cure light wounds and already make a small nest up in one of the towers.
She would join the others for dinner and any celebrations that may happen, but she would retire for the night to her little nest in the tower after helping everyone store and take care of the horses and plentiful loot they have found. She'd keep an initial watch at first before finally retiring to sleep.
Rose watched curiously as Vetra assisted Mehaila in her own unique way. She raised an eyebrow at the Kobold's declaration and leave to go make a spot up on the ramparts. "What an odd friend we have..." She said softly, folding her arms across her body, rubbing them absent-mindedly. She went to go rest herself, not really worried about watch for the evening herself, but positioning her things to be easy to grab if the need should arise. She undid enough of her gear to get comfortable and laid down, staring at the ceiling. She lifted her scarred arm over her face, looking at it for a few moments. She sighed and placed it back down again, letting her eyelids drift closed.
Svetlana would smile as Mehaila sat next to her at the table and the human poured the friendly elf some berry tea. "Messages? Well since the bandits have been bothering us merchants traveling between here and civilization have been scarce. The last message we were able to send out was the one calling for a patrol to be sent out way and that was months ago." she would say quietly while sipping at the sweet drink.
A thoughtful expression danced across her features. "Although I did overhear the commander mentioning a chance to hunt down a traitor who had fled into the wilds south of us. You would have to ask him him for anything more."
She looked back at Mehaila and her face grew concerned. "Please be careful while you are out there. Those...fiends are merciless and cruel who enjoy hurting people."
Moira takes the parchment and stated doodling. Okay, doodling wasn't fair but it was mostly drawings and few notes along the edges. Measurements, temperatures, times, and comments like "create tool and base for fuller, width? depth? curve?" and "Steel instead of brass cap? weight change?" One paper turns to two and two turns to several before the night is over. With a knife, some string and a little elbow grease she had a "notebook" organized by weapon to keep track of her musings. When she finally bedded down outside she was feeling a lot better. Nothing beat standing next to a blazing fire and going deaf from the hammer blows but it was close. And that was enough.
Smiled after gathering her information for the night. Having seen the Lt had set up a watch, she takes off her armor finally and goes about cleaning and oiling it, along with her weapons. After getting that done she would change into her night gown, before finally settling down enough to start writing the letters she will send back home. She writes two, one for each parent, covering what has happened so far. After finishing and making sure each letter was right, she would lay them with the rest of her writing equipment, hoping to send them on the way once the group left to deal with the bandit lord. Stag Lord mhmm? Maybe one day I'll have a nickname. Be nice I suppose. and with those ideas in her head she conduct her daily prayers, before drifting off til awoken for the morning, or anything awakes her beforehand.
Throughout the commander's violent physical reaction, strained verbal reaction, and his friend's diplomatic efforts, Domitian's hard eyes never left Garess, and the frown never left his face. After the lieutenant leaves, Domitian quickly turns back to his horse, agitation plain in his movements. The whole encounter has left him fuming, and anger is plain on his face.
Holding his tongue at least until they are out of earshot of the commander and his men, Domitian starts complaining once they are out of the fort and settling into their own camp. "I don't trust that man. How do we know he is actually here at the behest of the Lord Mayor? Those soldiers looked like they were ready to jump us the second we got here, long before I opened my mouth. And that Kesten, I've seen men like him before, nobles who think that any peasant girl is their playplace..." He continues ranting for some time, far more than is normal for him.
After a while, he finally calms himself, pausing with a hand on his horse's side, not looking up. After taking a deep breath, he says "I'm sorry for my outburst, both in there and out here. I shouldn't let people get to me like that." At that, he would busy himself with preparations for the night. His ranting had left him completely oblivious to the other activities in the camp, and he looks rather puzzled at the stone enclosure that he was pretty sure wasn't there before....
The trading post was quiet that night, the only sound the occasional snap from the banked cooking fire or the wind blowing through the trees to the south. The next morning dawned clear and warm, the wind but a gentle kiss on the cheek. The grass sea to the south-east undulated slowly in the weak breeze, hills and folds in the lands obscuring vision after more then a couple of miles.
After discussion over breakfast concludes the group sets out to the west on horseback to secure the land around the fort and clear them of any dangers. The first day they roll through grasslands and come across nothing of note, slowly approaching the northern edge of the forest to the south.
Awakening to the sounds of the morning, Mehaila gets dressed and preps for the day, and the journey ahead. She checks that her nails and makeup is perfectly applied, and that in her pack she has enough to last her for a two weeks journey. Afterwards she would don her armor, and then her clothing, ensuring everything was tucked and fitted as best she could. Appearance is half the battle. Hopefully everyone is ready.
After stepping outside, she would travel with the group to where ever they next travel, only offering she thinks left is the best choice, and exploring the hexes around the outpost first.
Three days later finds the group in the northern stretches of the forest, traveling at a reasonable pace will keeping a keen eye on their surroundings. One the first day Domitian will notice something strange at the top of a fir tree nearby, a wide nest. As soon as his eyes land on it something on a branch nearby starts, a shimmering figure tumbling from the branch before catching itself and sailing through the air on diaphanous wings. Almost immediately there is a commotion in the trees to the other side of the group that catches the paladins eyes, a shimmering on a branch fifty feet up as something small and invisible sits motionless.
Domitian's eyes flick back and forth to the two trees, and the things that are almost impossible to spot on or near them. He wasn't even sure how he was able to spot them, but now that he knows they are there he can see the shimmering, slight bending in the air.
He holds up a hand to stop the others, and gestures to the two trees. He whispers to the others "Visitors, small and invisible, with wings. One there, and the other near the top there..."
Lyra's eyes are also tracking the two darting figures and a slow smile appears on her face. She looks away from the fey to whisper back to Domitian. "Don't look at them, it will make then nervous. They are probably scared of us because we are near their nest."
She points at the large structure wrapped quite solidly around the trunk of the large fir tree.
After three days of travelling she was slowly growing listless and bored with the series of uneventful days happening. First day it was welcome, second day a bit of a relief, but now it was starting to make her anxious as nothing was happening. She rode quietly along with the others, paranoia slowly getting to her as every sound in the forest started to sound like a potential ambush. When Dom mentions an invisible watcher she mumbles. "Something is watching us?" However with Lyra's intervention, she managed to settle her nerves some, looking up at the tree and then staring into the forest, urging her horse onward.
Frowns as her companions start whispering and pointing, unsure what is happening. She would approach Dom and Lyra to ask about the issue, whispers to them, " What are we whispering about? I feel we should get out of this place fast. It's creepy."
"There is no sense in trying to talk to them right now, we got off on a bad footing getting so close to their nest. They might talk to us once we put some distance away from the nest." Lyra will say before clicking at her horse and urging the animal deeper into the trees.
Vetra would nod and silently move alongside them. Though she eyed the directions that they pointed out, she couldn't make anything out. Trusting her companions she would click her horse to move forward, immediately following Lyra's advice on the matter.
"I spoke to plenty of fey's in my time. If they speak, let me try and speak to them first?" She suggested to the group.
Domitian will keep a wary eye on the invisible fey creatures, but will nod with Lyra's advice and follow it. He urges his horse forward to keep pace with the group.
Rose kind of threw a curious look over to Vetra. "Speak to fey often Vetra?" There was no end to how surprising she was sometimes. She would match her horse's pace to Vetra, to continue their brief conversation.
Vetra would nod slowly, her eyes constantly scanning the horizon around them. "I... live in forests for a long time after Papa died." She'd go quiet for a second. "Lost my home when he died, so I was in the forest for a long time before meeting more kobolds who are just like me. Gold, without a home. Ended up encountering plenty of fey's that call the forests in Brevoy home."
Rose's looked somber when Vetra spoke of her father's passing and her exile following, but when she mentioned the fey, her eyes lit up. "What were they like?" She looked like she had the wonder of a child on her face, eager to hear more about Vetra's encounters with the rare tiny creatures.
Three days on horse back, exploring a new and vibrant wilderness, camping, and trail rations? It was a decent distraction, a very decent one, from the pressing concerns weighing down on them so Moira enjoyed it while she could. The sights, the smells, the new game. Even the strange nest in the trees they were slowly riding through. She tenses at Dom's whispered warning. She follows his pointing finger but sees nothing. Of course. THey are invisible.
Keeps moving as her companions point out that is the best course of action. She knew little about the fey, other than they are distant cousins according to some stories. To be fair, she only knew of their beauty, and that made them worth being around. Maybe they could teach her a thing or two about it.
It takes the group two days to full explore this area and the only thing of note was the large fey nest high up in the evergreen. Towards the end of the second day you all come across a river flowing to the south-east.
"So why are we still wandering the forest?" Moira finally asks. Two days they had been wandering the forest in the standard hex exploration method (cause really, that was the best method) but not getting any closer to the fort which she assumed was further south. She remembered the river by the bandit camp. It flowed south and the...man they found said the fort was by a lake. The river would likely empty into the lake so they should have followed it south from the camp. Yet they were several miles north right now. "The fort has to be south of that camp. Down stream of that river we saw. Who knows how long that password will last. We might be able to sneak in and cut the head off this snake before they realize what happened."
Truthfully, she felt they weren't ready for that. The staves proved these bandits probably had some serious magical fire power. But could they afford to easily give up such an opportunity? If nothing else they should probably get a better feel of the land around Oleg's first but they weren't doing that either. This was just...wandering. Oleg had protection now but Dom's concerns over Kestan weren't unfounded either. Could they really trust him? She felt aimless. And no one was TALKING either. Even her father was chattier than this group. And he was used to scouting alone.
Lyra was usually ranging ahead of the group with her tiger Shirak ghosting in and out of the trees. She stopped near a familiar looking river and waited for the rest of the group to catch up with her. Once they did she heard Moira's statement. "They may not know what happened. If they only sent out shipments to the fort once they had a full wagon then odds are it's a long journey. A distance like that indicates a disorganized power structure. Furthermore if their leader's only desire is potent alcohol then that indicates he's a drunk. Leaders who are drunk all the time tend to make poor, if any decisions. And do not forget we left no survivors, buried the bodies and took everything that wasn't nailed to the ground. If anyone goes to explore that site within a few days it will look as if everyone simply left."