Franz Flechter |
Franz looks around nervously as though a Witch Hunter was going to jump out a cupboard. "Please, all he said was rebelliousness, could be a rival stirring up trouble or some Renaldite agitating. No need to speak of the unspeakable. Only some beast-men may be about, I've heard of a village being overrun, no need to see conspirators under every rug. No trouble to be the Hunt Master, though I'm out of practice, that is easily explained by nepotism."
Mareike |
Realizing she misspoke, Mareike says "Of course, the beast-men problem is foremost in my mind, if we need to help the Lord with his personnel problem before hand, so be it."
Zyren Zemerys |
Ah yes, the beastmen...a constant plague to the lodge. They attack in large packs and travelling there is becoming more and more dangerous...I really wonder what draws them to the manor...but anyways, I take it as granted that we meet here again tomorrow? With the earliest rays of light?
Without waiting for an answer Vern gets up from his chair.
Zyren Zemerys |
Vern grimaces as he hears Zadlu's blessing...he gives a formal bow, and walks over to the bar to pay Franz' debts and leaves some additional coins for another night and a warm breakfast.
Only at the door Vern notices that the dwarves followed him
Uh yeah...I guess you find the way back to the Axe and Hammer Inn on your own? Fine, we will meet here at the Red Moon Inn tomorrow morning.
-Assuming no one wants to do anything special until the next morning:
The fourth of Nachgeheim wasn't trying to make the third forgotten, in the twilight of the early morning, two heavily loaded carts rumbled down Sringerstraße and came to halt in front of the Red Moon Inn...heavy rain welcomed them and Vern, waering a leather hat with broad brim didn't look very happy...
Mareike |
Mareike arranged for a room st the Red Moon, then travelled back to the cathedral she saw at the square. Spent some time praying to Sigmar, then retired to her room to rest. Up at the crack if dawn, a hearty breakfast, she was waiting, scowling when Vern arrived.
Franz Flechter |
Master Hendrick's ideas of suitable hospitality reflect poorly on his master. I wonder if Lord Ricard knows? Is Hendrick peculating?
Franz listlessly wanders the city for the day taking in the sights, then returns to bad food and watered down drinks. He retires early and gets up waiting till the smell of the warm if unappealing breakfast, circulates through the inn. He sees to his attire and tries to comport himself as an Imperial Officer should, trudging down the stairs to have his breakfast. He sees the other earlier arrivals and acknowledges them with a brief nod, eating his watery oatmeal as best he could.
"Greetings, Master Hendrick, as soon as the rest arrive, it's best we be on our way." Franz already has his belongings with him.
Fernis Stoutanvil |
Tromping up through the filth that covers the and grumbling about how it never rains in a mine, the dwarves arrive prepared to travel. "You people ready to get on the road? The sooner we head out the sooner we can get to the gold."
Zyren Zemerys |
Yes, Meister dwarf, we were only waiting for you...
Vern signals the cart driver that everyone is ready and slowly the tiny caravan begins to roll out of Ubersreik...
The road leading into the fringes of the Reikswald where the hunting lodge is situated is well-kept, broad and certain parts of it are of dwarven making. Most probably one of the old trade routes leading from the World's Edge Mountains to the Grey Mountains, but scavenged by the people of the Empire to repair their houses.
There are two wagons, who is on a wagon with whom, who on foot, etc.
Mareike |
Mareike takes a seat in the rear wagon, more comfortable with Zadluzeny's obvious piety then the more martial bearing of the others.
Mareike's eyes constantly scan the countryside, she occasionally starts when she thinks a particular shadow transforms into a beast man, only to realize nothing was there....then her eyes start scanning...searching...
Rangnir Gudrunson |
Rangnir would prefer the wagon under different circumstances, but he hopes to see an old marker telling him more about the dwarven origins of the road along the way, so he trots alongside the wagons.
Zyren Zemerys |
Every now and then there's a dwarven waystone, but the Khazalid runes have been worn away by the weather. It's quite a shame that the humans haven't looked after these stones, but you have the weak hope that your kinsmen from Karak Azgaraz will take care of these remnants of better times.
Anyone trying to start a conversation either with Vaugh or the cart drivers on the way?
Fernis Stoutanvil |
Being sure to stay near the runesmith,who continually frustrates the warrior by repeatedly stopping to look at stones in the road,Fernis calls up to the coach driver,"Ye scene any beastmen or stinkin' greenskins along these roads lately, boy?"
After nearly tumbling over a once again stooping Rangnir, Fernis bellows "By Grimnirs beard if you do that one more time I am going to make sure you get a very good look at them rocks, dawi!"
Zyren Zemerys |
The coachman next to Franz grins as he notices Fernis' outbreak
Dwarves...guess I'll never understand them, heh. An' you sire, how come that you sit next to me instead of being on horseback?
----
Meanwhile the second driver addresses Fernis after he has calmed down again
Beastmen? No...not seen...but I heard them...last week when we brought the first load of furniture...won't forget their howlings anytime soon.
Franz Flechter |
Great, I get the smart, loquacious, drover. With a rueful smile, Franz truthfully replies, "I'm the youngest son of seven grown, the family purse grows thin, hopefully my fortunes will change." With that Franz sinks into thought, contemplating a difficult future. He ignores the antics of the Dwarves but notes the talk about the Beastmen.
Fernis Stoutanvil |
After giving the beardling a second dirty look, Fernis responds, "Don't sound too out ah place fer them fools. So ya haven't seen them, just heard 'em then?"
Mareike |
Head snapping around at the mention of the howls of beastmen, Mareike waits for the drovers answer to the dwarf's question.
Zyren Zemerys |
Aye, just heard'em...but their howls were enough to turn milk sour...
---------
The other coachman meanwhile keeps on inquiring about Franz' situation
I also have five brothers and a sister...but most of me brothers died, fighting orcs at the border to Brettonia...isn't it sad that the Empire is bound to this perennial waging of wars? the man asks with an astonishing spark of philosophy.
Rangnir Gudrunson |
Those rocks were planted by our people before your fathers father was born, Fernis. I just have to acknowledge the betydning of the history of those roads. Just go ahead and ride one of those vogns. Even I can manage to follow a road without your guidance!
Fernis Stoutanvil |
"Bah! Barely a stubble on yer chin and ye think that you know the way of it. Plus, I wouldn't dare let somethin' happen to ya. I've made an oath to see through this little outing your father arranged and my fathers adversaries 'd be more an' happy ta see fail. So your stuckwith me fer the lot of it, beardling."
Franz Flechter |
"I'm very sad for your loss, Goodman Drover, but it's been that way from before Sigmar's time. It's not like Greenskins or Beastmen will be signing any peace treaties, they would just eat any emissary fool enough to try. So to protect the homes and lives of everyone they made a great sacrifice. I'll honor that and had I been their officer, I'd have been proud to have them in my company." Franz feels a litte warmer toward the drover, who suffered such loss.
Zyren Zemerys |
The drover nods and smiles
Me dad always said that the nobles are just posh idiots who wouldn't ever care for us peasants, but me brothers telled me on more than one occasion that many of their officers were couragegous men who joined the fray to fight side by side with them...guess they were men like you, without vast lands and coffers full of gold, but an understanding of what being a leader truly means.
----------
The other drover just ignores the offense in the dwarf's words and replies
Once you meet the guards at the mansion, you will understand of what I'm talking about. They have fought those monsters on two occasions already and they spoke of beasts tall as the tallest man with the heads of wolves and bulls, swinging massive clubs of stone...wanna see your face when you meet such a thing in battle.
Rangnir Gudrunson |
That is what I meant, I guess. No death has worth on its own - it is the skødets preceding death that fill the book of your life
Zyren Zemerys |
Vern sighs impatiently
Can't we just let this matter rest in peace? Eh...I mean, just change the topic? Ah, look, there's Geissenbach, the last village before we will reach the lodge. If no one objects I would invite you to a hearty meal at the tavern - they serve quite good stews.
Indeed, before you lies the small village of Geissenbach. About 30 small framework houses with red-tiled roofs. Even though the rain is now not more than a drizzle, the streets seem to be empty, only a stray dog waits at the edge of the village and eyes you warily.
Mareike |
Mareike's heart raced hearing that the lodge had come under attack by the beastmen. As the wagons drew up to the tavern she loosened the grip her hand had upon Pa's axe, flexing her fingers to restore circulation.
Fernis Stoutanvil |
Glowering at the meaning in the man's words, Fernis nearly makes sure the last face the man sees is his, but holds his temper noting the offense and swearing an oath. With the ever watchful eye of one whom hunts others for a living,Stoutanvil ask,[/b]"Is it always this common for the streets to be so empty?"[/b]
Zyren Zemerys |
Well, the weather is bad and at the moment people try to stay in their houses with beastmen and orcs on the prowl...
Vern says and jumps off the coach box.
While the drovers steer the wagons to the side of the small inn, Vern opens the door. The "Black Knight Inn" only has a very small taproom - which consists of not more than five tabels and a short bar. You're the only customers and the barkeep, a sturdy man with bald head, grins as you enter
Herr Hendrick, what a pleasure to see you. I see you have brought some friends!
He quickly scurries over to you and cleans one of the tables close to the bar
You must be exhausted from all your travels, I guess, what can I bring you?
Mareike |
Mareike sits at the table with Zadlu and says to the barkeep "Do you have any stew? Its been a miserable journey and some warm food would be welcome.
Zyren Zemerys |
Our stews are famous, finest meat, chestnuts, lentils, cheese, vinegar and our special ingredient. I'll get you some plates and, Meister dwarf even if we don't have Bugman's here, we have a good brew from the dwarven brewery in Ubersreik.
While the barkeepgets food and drinks Verns slumps heavily down on one of the chairs
I hate travelling...
Franz Flechter |
"That sounds amazing, I hope your stew is at least half as good as you say." Franz mutters, [smaller]"At least edible would be new."[smaller] Franz takes the food, "Ale is fine with a stew, a flagon of water as well, as I don't wish to get light-headed, by over-indulgence." And with good manners but much appetite, Franz digs in, hopefully to be pleasently surprised.