Rozali quickly got down from her own horse and looked around at where they had finally ended up for them to rest. It beat sleeping outside, but then again that never really bothered her.
At Oleg's offer, she shook her head. She didn't have any immediate questions and was more for just getting her hands dirty if she needed to. She did offer a nod and introduced herself simply as "Rose." before turning around to help settle her companions things and horses.
Domitian quickly dismounts and gives Oleg a big grin and an introductory nod. "Domitian Albercoft, at your service. It's a pleasure, good sir. Some cheese and bread would be fantastic! And I look forward to a wonderful breakfast!" With that, he begins to tend to his horse.
" May the winter night find your soul to cold and dark. I am Terian Neversun, Priestess to the Most Glorious Raven Queen. I come to preach and guide those worthy of hearing her message, and to strike down those who oppose her." A bit formal for the elf, but from her attire and manners she seemed to be the stick in the mud of the group, or as pleasant as a bucket of nails for breakfast
"Raven Queen eh? Never heard of her." Oleg grumbled as he went into the largest building and the door slammed shut behind him. The party would hear a man and woman's voice going back and forth indistinctly, the man's voice rising sharply in anger before being silenced by a single sharp retort from the woman. A moment later the door opened and a middle aged human woman with a slim build, blonde hair and a brilliant smile came out with a platter heaped with several small rolls and different cheeses in one hand and a bottle of amber fluid in the other.
"Well met travelers! I am Svetlana and the grumbling man that you just spoke to is my husband. The hay in the stables is fresh and the beds on the second story are the softest." She pointed to the building behind the party as she slid the platter to the center of of the large table next to the cooking fire. Several wooden mugs appeared from her apron pockets and the cap of the bottle came off to reveal the sweet smell of mead.
"Help yourselves and rest your weary bones. Breakfast will be served when the sun crests the walls and try not to stray out of the fort at night; we keep the gates shut during the darkness..." Svetlana's voice trailed off as she stared at the half-orc Laeron. Her happy manner changed instantly and she put a fist on her hip and pointed at him. "So didn't manage to run very far now did you? All that shouting about wanting to find your own path and it lands you squarely back where you started!"
Laeron gave a great sigh and looked up from where he had been concentrating on his horse. "It's good to see you again Lana. Can we not do this tonight? We've been riding for several days and a bed sounds just about divine right about now. I promise I will tell you the whole story over breakfast and if that crotchety old man Bokken is still around I'll say hello to him when I get a chance. Deal?"
Svetlana bit short whatever recriminations she was about to lay into Laeron with and gave a short huff. "Fine, tomorrow."
It suddenly seemed to dawn on Svetlana that she had just scolded one of the party members like a recalcitrant child and she had the good grace to look embarrassed. "Don't mind any of that, Laeron is known to Oleg and I even if my thick headed husband didn't seem to recognize you."
She wiped her hands on her apron while looking at the other party members. "If ye have no questions for me...?"
Domitian nods in understanding. "Ah, as one who knows Laeron, let me say I completely understand." He says this with a brief grin in Laeron's direction. "No offense, of course. You might come off a bit... testy at times, but your delightful and sunny disposition always wins out in the end!"
He quickly shakes his head. "No questions, just looking forward to a good rest!"
The exchange between the innkeeper's wife and her green companion caught her in a mixture of surprise and mild amusement. Curiosity slowly got the better of her as the people around appeared harmless enough. "You greet him like an old friend, was he here before? I only had the chance to meet with him recently while travelling." She says gruffly to Svetlana, but her face softened some as she made her inquiries. She knew everyone had their secrets and it was probably bad form to dig from others about her companion, she would just have to take her lumps later if he deemed it necessary to confront her about it.
Tilting her head at this new information, it seems that Laeron seems to know people around would be a good move to further the works of the Raven Queen " If Laeron is known to these parts, then spreading the word and making our mark here shall be much the easier. A trusted leader is important to have, and this has been marked as the perfect spot to spread the message from."
Svetlana threw her head back and laughed at the comments from the party. "Well known around here? That's true in a certain way but don't think that will garner you any favor. He has enemies. Enough about that though if you want any more of the story you will have to ask him personally. Rest well!"
With that the middle aged human ducked back into the main building and there was the audible thump of a bar being locked into place.
Laeron gave a great sigh as the talkative Svetlana vanished into the house and he plunked down at the table and pulled one of the mugs towards himself. "I used to run with one of the crews out here until I had an argument with my leader and she left me half dead in the woods with this." He pulled the tall collar of shirt back to reveal one side of his neck covered with a nasty scar. "I was found by a crazy old man out in the woods foraging for herbs and he managed to drag me back to his hut and patch me up. Spent the next year harping to me about the power and majesty of the wild and how life flows in a great circle from the tiniest bug to the mightiest dragon and then back in a never ending cycle. Finally when I was strong enough I went out with him when he went looking for herbs, to protect him from the bandits that I used to call friends."
The big half-orc tore a big hunk of bread out of the loaf in his hand and chased it down with another swig of mead. "Got tired of being harped at about my violent 'ways' so left about six months ago and went north to civilization. Did a few odd jobs for a few months before the call went out for this and I met you all." he used his finger to indicate their general location. "So there is a good chance we will run into my old crew."
Rosali listened to Laeron tell them about himself and his past and what would eventually lead him to be here in the stolen lands and how he used to be a bandit. She frowned, not really at him or his past, but more that he reminded her of her own rough upbringing and how to 'not judge a book by its cover' as she tried to educate herself despite her own rather primal upbringing. Thankfully she did not hail from bandits, but she knew those she was raised with would not be above such things if given the chance.
Finally after a long pause she spoke. "That scar? Was that from your former comrades?" She seemed to be trying to size him up somewhat, only the lightest of prodding as she knew it was far smarter and wiser to know what you engage with before actually coming to blows. She had her own scars but they were mostly her own fault as she experimented with her magical means in ways not oft intended.
"Yeah. She had just decided we weren't going to be giving merchants the option of giving up their load to let them live anymore. 'Kill them all and let the gods sort them out while we get drunk off the booty' was what she said. I have issues with wanton murder and carnage so I argued about taking the easy path because I knew it would mean an increase in the calls for soldiers and...well us. She responded by punching me in the face and then bringing bringing down her handaxe on my neck." Laeron said while sipping at the excellent mead.
"Stripped me and tossed me in the river thinking I was dead when for some reason I didn't die. I remember coming in and out of consciousness on the side of the river before managing to crawl up onto the bank before collapsing again. Woke up sometime later with a raging fever and my neck on fire but somehow alive."
" I would say the weak do get what they deserve, but if you make your life robbing, you do well to let them live, so they may visit again." Her comment was strange, but it seems even for Terian there was some wisdom in allowing the merchants to live. As for tossing him into the river, she mentions "Perhaps the Raven Queen found you worthy to live. She suffers not the overly evil, nor the wicked who harm their own goals. We shall bring her glory to this place, and you shall be a good testament to her power of redemption."
Rozali nodded solemnly, processing the information that she had just received. She quirked an eyebrow at the religious prattle their fair-skinned companion chose to extoll, but she kept her venomous comments to herself.
Even in a strange savage land, she knew better than to blaspheme. There was nothing to be gained spitting in the faces of the priestly and she didn't have the patience or mind to argue the semantics of theology.
Besides, hers was a sport of blood, not godly magic. She felt most at piece when the adrenaline was pumping and could hear the thud of flesh from blows being exchanged. It was a feeling of euphoria that she chased each and every time she experimented with her magical concoctions and potable enhancements. They made her feel like the beast within and allowed it to tear free and tear into any that stood in her way.
Coming back to her senses she merely shrugged and continue to assist with their various belongings into the main sleeping quarters, hoping to get a good rest and be able to move on again as soon as the sun broke. Her companions sleeping habits aside...
The next day was cooler then the one prior as the heavy humidity had blown away overnight. The party would be given a hearty breakfast of porridge and bread soaked with wild honey while Oleg quietly went about working on building a set of stairs that went to the top of the wall around the fort. Svetlana would ensure that the party was satisfied before sitting down at the other table with a bundle of cloth and a sewing kit and get to working on a large shirt.
Morning would find the burly half-orc outside the fort facing east as the sun rose, sitting in the tall grass with his eyes closed in a meditative position. Laeron's breathing was slow and deep as he let his mind sink deeper and seek out a connection with the beasts and land around him. When at last he felt his spirit resonate he drew from the great strength of the earth under his legs, filling his mind with the secret spell glyphs of the druidic faith. When the magic began to surge through his body he withdrew from the connection and opened his eyes.
This time of day was always Laeron's favorite. He never felt more refreshed and alert then the moments immediately after meditation and his instincts sang with the desire for the hunt. The half-orc swiped his hand through the dirt and grass before washing the fresh loam between his hands. His daily prayers complete he hopped to his feet and made his way back into the small fortress, hungrier then a bear out of hibernation.
When the morning came, she found herself stirring, pulling herself out of bed to glance around the dim room. She stretched, feeling herself pop in a couple places as she quickly ensured she was more or less ready to take on the day.
She made her way down to gather with her other companions, a slight gnawing hunger as she patiently waited. The morning air was cool and crisp and did wonders to ensure she was awake.
Not a morning person, for the night was more her favored time, but the company she was with called forth that more morning events happened than she would have enjoyed. The muttering of a slight curse of the brightness of the sun, she still manages to look stunning as she comes out in clothing that seemed slightly too hot for the area.
The door to the sleeping area opened and the last to emerge into the light was the sleepy and slightly foppish half elf, rubbing his brilliant emerald eyes while running his hair brush through his raven locks one more time before slipping the instrument into his pocket with familiar ease. The thin man raised both arms over his head in an exagerated stretch, letting out a growling moan as he bent over suddenly and folded his body in half. After thirty seconds Langdon popped up in a straight posture and bounced over to the table, rubbing his hands in glee as he plopped himself down at the table. "You all look so brilliantly wonderful today! We are all such beautiful people!" he beamed with a mocking grin as he accepted the bowl of steaming stew from Svetlana before attacking the food with a voracious appetite.
"So." he said between spoonful's of food. "What exactly is our plan now that we are here?"
Dreskin came over to the table and sat down on the ground at one end, so tall that even in this position the table was level with his stomach. He accepted a bowl from Svetlana with a nod and smile, his huge hand engulfing the bowl. Before he could begin eating he was forced to juggle as Svetlana shoved two more bowls into his hands. "Uh, thanks." the half-orc said, placing two of the bowls on the table before tipping his head back and pouring an entire bowl directly into his mouth.
"Bandits are stupid cowards who fall into patterns once they feel comfortable. It wont be hard to set up a trap to bring our prey down. If they haven't changed since they 'executed' me then we just need to wait here. When was the last time they came around for collections Svetlana?."
"Well....if I count the days right they should return in only a few days. Don't tell me you are going to ambush them here right inside the fort!?" Svetlana said, pointing the dropping soup ladle at Dreskin. "Those that remain at their camp will know something has happened!"
"If they are coming from the forest they will have to ride all the way around the fort to get inside. You have two stout gates that we can swing shut and seal them inside. Right there-" Dreskin pointed at the narrow alley formed by the buildings directly inside the gate. "-is a perfect kill zone."
Casting a withering glare at Langdon for his clear cheer and happy mood, Terian joins the rest of the group at the breakfast area. Her clothing still hides some of her form, but she seemed unbothered by the heat it surely gave off. Her eyes take in the room before saying " The Raven Queen would most honor a well thought out and executed plan. We shall lure them in with a false sense of security, then we can remove their filth from the lands. Then we can leave their bodies for nature to return it to the animals and others who will best benefit from this venture."
Terian seemed to be on board with the plan to lure the bandits in, thinking of the different ways some traps could be set to harm them.
Sophia walks gracefully towards the table, her long flowing blonde hair giving off a silvery shine as it reflects the morning sunlight as she takes her seat. She looks to each of her companions and Svetlana with her golden eyes, giving a warm smile to everyone, but seeing the glare Terian is giving Langdon, she gives the woman just a curt nod. She then happily takes a bowl of porridge and some of the honey covered bread. "Thank you, Svetlana. A nice warm meal is a good way to start the day, especially after all that time on the road."
She replies back to the half-elf's comment with a seemingly genuine smile. "It's good to know I can count on you to appreciate how beautiful everyone here can be." She holds her smile for a moment afterwards, before it turns into a slight grin. She knows the man is mostly joking, but takes rhe chance to tease him a bit.
As the conversation turns towards the bandits, however, her face becomes serious as she considers the plan beginning to take shape.
"I agree as well, ambushing them here makes the most sense - we can prepare in advance and have surprise on our side when they come for another raid." She tries to give Svetlana a conforting smile before continuing. "And if we can close the doors behind them, they won't be able to warn their companions at their camp afterwards, so the initiative will still be ours when we go deal with them as well."
"But some details depend on the bandits' behaviour, though." She looks to Svetlana and Dreskin, as the two are probably the ones who can answer her questions. "Will they all come inside? And how many usually come in these raids? We're not a big group, and if two of us have to stay at the doors to trap them, that leaves only two of us back here protecting Oleg and Svetlana. We can't go placing them in harm's way."
"You think I would take over a defunct homestead without ensuring my house could stand up to the abuses of living in the wilderness? The bandits could hammer all day on the walls and door of the house I built and never get in but fire is a simple way to burn all of us to death."[b] Oleg interjected as he finished the last stair and came back down wiping his forehead with a cloth. [b]"And I wont let strangers defend my home without taking part myself. I'm helping."
"NO." Svetlana said firmly, spinning on her heels to face her taller husband. She stared him down for several long seconds, apparently needing no more words to express her worry to him.
If your house is as mighty as you say Oleg, that exactly is where you and Svetlana will be. We will handle the rest." Dreskin said, stacking up the second bowl on the first and pushing it towards Svetlana before standing up to his impressive height, towering over the humans. "We have been sent to tame and settle these lands and that is exactly what we will do. We will show the bandits who the true rulers of this land will be."
The half-orc would leave the table and begin a slow inspection of the entire compound, going around the back of buildings, checking windows and even climbing on the wall and doing a full rotation around the homestead.
"What my oversized compatriot means is thank your for the offer Goodsir Oleg but your and your wifes' safety is paramount to us. It would provide us with a great sense of relief if we know that during the melee all their attention will be focused on him and not you." Langdon says smoothly while leaning back in his chair, motioning with his head towards the tall half-orc. "Think of it as thanks for such a scrumptious breakfast."
Oleg didn't look completely convinced but he grunted in agreement and stumped back into the house he shared with Svetlana. The human woman watched him go back into the house before turning back to the party and mouthing 'Thank you'. Once it was clear everyone was done eating she would take the bowls over to a large tub of clean water and begin washing them.
"Lately it seems that coming to collect their 'protection' fees from us is seem little more then a hassle. The first time they came it seems the entire clan was here in force. Last time however only six of them came and they looked more then a little bored."
Sophia raises an eyebrow at Langdon's words, not expecting the half-elf to show such concern about the couple's safety. She nods in agreement at his words, and gives Svetlana a smile at her silent thanks.
----
"So, assuming things go the same way as last time, they'll slightly outnumber us, but won't be expecting a fight." Sophia adds as everyone finishes eating and the conversation turns back to planning for the bandits' arrival. "If we get the jump on them, we might even be able to even our those numbers before they realise what's happening." She grins and looks to the others, ending with Dreskin. "I'm confident I can knock one out with a surprise attack. Think you can do the same?"
She then looks back to Svetlana. "Positions and timing are going to be key for that, though. Can you walk us through what they usually do? See if we can figure out the best places to hide and when to strike."
Terian seems to be confused about the care Langdon is showing, but it was none of her business as the bandits were a bigger concern to her. They caused issues with the land grant the group had been given, and they needed to be removed so the church may grow. " While help is needed, we should not worry your wife too much. Who would care for her if we could not reach you in time? Six versus five is nice, but if we worry about you dear friend, then it is still only four, and you are dead."
Terian did not seem that warm about the plain fact of the dangers, but she again seemed capable to a degree. As Sophia pointed out they could get a surprise on them, and offers " We could try a certain trick I learned. I can harm those with the blessing of the Raven. Perhaps we could build myself up as a larger threat, gather them around me and I harm all of them? More than one ambush as it were?"
She tries to hide her grin, but the idea of giving the bandits lives to the Raven Queen gave her a strange leer in her eye as she focused on the idea of doing it. She seemed oddly excited about it.