[b]"Hey Guyth. I think we should thtay at the boarding houth tonight and tomorrow leave for the Black Knightth keep".[b]
"Hopefully the boarding house will make an exception on this night to allow four boarders. If so that is an excellent idea Timonius. What shall we do with your pet? Thathafrath was his name right?"
"Are you making thport of the way I thpeak Thir? What kind of prietht are you Markath?"
Louis suggest that the group head out for the Black Knights keep with the morning sun. And although there is an inn for two of the travelers to stay, he highly recommends that the group stay together perhaps there may be a barn that the group could stay in and get rest with a bit of shelter from the elements and Markas could even lay in the manger since he is our Magi. But first he make sure the villagers take care of old Herman. Au Revoir Pee Wee Louis says as the village people take away the remains of their neighbor. To his comrades Louis remarks I am quite familiar with this territory if you would like me to lead the way to the Black Knights keep I would be glad to do so... For we must right this wrong ... those who have attacked my people must pay ! nous devons saisir le jour, Jusqu'à demain bonne nuit Louis will take his leave of his friends tonight, to gather his thoughts.. much has happened that is very upsetting to him.
The two small guest rooms in the DuMont house will serve your needs for shelter this night. The night will be a bit cramped and two will need to sleep on the floor but you will be warm and out of the elements. Since you will be staying with them Mrs. DuMont has set about rounding up spare blankets to make it as comfortable as possible for all of you. A simple dinner is provided by the kind hostess just before dusk allowing you to go to the meeting with the local families on a full stomach.
Only four of the nine main families in the area have sent representatives to the meeting with the Melinir forces under the ancient oak. Louis quietly mentions that this time of year is planting time and that the others were likely too busy or too tired to make the trip into town. The recent slaying and pillaging has fed the fears these people have of what is going on. Those families voice their concern that the bandits might retaliate against them should it be known that Louis was from Hawk's Hill or that this group even stopped here. Louis's father does his best to quiet the concerns of his family and neighbors but it is obvious he shares some of their same concerns. Perhaps you are not welcome to stay the night here in Hawk's Hill?
The people you grew up with are not warriors, they will however defend what is theirs to the best of their abilities. An organized raiding force would wreak havoc here, failure would spell doom for your family and their neighbors. Your father hands you a map of the region with the location of the Black Knight's Keep labeled, you generally knew the location of the keep but the others likely do not.
From what you've seen of the families and people of this area it is apparent that they are not warriors. An organized raid would wreak havoc here and likely across these sparsely populated and largely unprotected small communities. You also realize that Latovius is not at this meeting and are unsure of when was the last time he was around.
From what you've seen of the families and people of this area it is apparent that they are not warriors. An organized raid would wreak havoc here and likely across these sparsely populated and largely unprotected small communities. Shortly after this meeting with the elder's started you saw Latovius speaking with Mrs. DuMont on the building's front porch. After a brief conversation the two went inside the home and closed the door to keep the cool night air out. It is odd that the thief chose now to discuss your lodging for the night with Mrs. DuMont, what if these folks don't wish for you to stay here?
"Markath. I'm thcared that Latoviuth is puthyfooting around with Mithuth DuMont. I think you might want to go over to the houth and fetch him back. He could get uth in big trouble."
Replying back in a way as that only Timonius could hear, "We seem to be in a precarious position. These villagers are uneasy but Latovius despite all appearances is very skilled and loyal. If nothing else he is adept at saving his own hide so I think he will be fine." Again whispering but in Louis' ear, "Louis what do you think? Do we stay in the Dumont house? Our presence has stirred up the villagers. Can you find out any details from your father that could help us track marauders? Or do you think it best to continue on to the tournament? Petra teaches protection and perhaps gives another test?"
The happy warrior explains to his friends he has been given a map by his father, that should get them to the keep of the Black Knight, and that he would be honored to be their guide on this trek. That for them to go to the tournament is the best way to protect the village, and after all it is their original mission. Believing that the village is not in immediate danger from being overrun by an evil horde, Louis tells his village friends to be brave Liberté pour les braves gens de vivre de longues Hawks Colline!
With the concerns of the families of Hawk's Hill completely ignored by the three soldiers from Melinir the families depart the meeting but not before unkind words are shared with Louis, his father, and Mrs. DuMont. Inside the DuMont house Latovius is just finishing up installing a devious trap to protect the family’s valuables when you arrive. She is appreciative of the work and pays the thief with an old picnic basket full of food for his efforts. Upon hearing from her family and neighbors Mrs. Dumont insists that all of you gather your things and leave immediately, she returns the silvers paid to her. You are not welcome to spend the night in the small community or even near it. Louis's father might have offered up some sort of lodging at the family farm but the poor showing by his son and the scorn from family and lifelong friends has silenced the strong man. He watches unmoving from his spot under the huge oak tree as his son and companions set out into the darkness away from Hawk's Hill.
"Hey great job guys! I score a lucrative job ensuring that the DuMont valuables remain safe from bandits and thieves and then you guys go and upset the whole town while I'm away. Who was the smooth talker? I vote he gets stuck with his watch and mine!" The rogue peels a hardboiled egg from the picnic basket as he walked with the group.
"Louis you made the hard decision. The villagers fear is what is driving their anger. LeGant sent us to the tourney for good reason. Let us take out the ringleader of these bandits and that will save the village in turn. Even if they don't know it you will be a hero Louis. Praise Petra."
He hoped his words were true and at the least consoled the fighter, thought Markas.
"Hold your tongue Latovius. You knew our mission and it wasn't acquiring gold from a villager. I am sure there will be plenty of gold to earn at the tourney. If you still feel so strongly on return we or you can stop by the village and help them protect their gold."
"Yeth"
"Fellowth. Letth protheed ath fatht ath pothible. I vote the motht direct route."
Louis thinks that most of the Black Knight's minions will be heading back to the Black Knight's Keep also (for the tournament), He's hopeful that that will prevent his home village of Hawks Hill from being attacked... at least that's what he hopes!
"Letth go Thathafrath! Yee-haw!
Rather then expend their limited lantern and torch supply the choice is made for Markas to cast his light spell. After two hours of travel overland a small camp is made. Markas's morning prayers to Petra reveal that his goddess is disappointed in his recent actions, his light spell is not returned to him this day.
Louis leads the way confidently going off of the map his father had gifted him. He and the rest of the group walk right by something that Latovius calls you back to see. Among the prairie grasses three large impressions in the grasses are found by Latovius, as if very large beings had slept there recently. As you approach the rogue also uncovers the remains of a large fire pit with his foot. The fire was hidden under a loose layer of earth and is nearby the area to where the three bedded down. He leaves the three of you to investigate the fire and disappears into the grasses, silently and quickly gone from your sight.
In the still warm coals of the uncovered fire are at least two different rib cages from a humanoid species whose chest was about human size but these blackened bones are a lot thicker then yours. The other remains in the old fire are little more then charred, broken, and gnawed upon fragments of indeterminate bones. No flesh or meat remains behind on the bones strewn throughout the coals and nothing else of note lies around the recently abandoned and well hidden campsite. Ten minutes spent looking about the immediate area provides no additional information and no signs of the thief.
"Louis I have confidence in you and your decisions but it seems like Petra does not. Perhaps this is her way of giving sign to what we need to be doing. We had better find Latovius! He may be in danger!"
"I know a little bit about newtth and thethe aren't newt boneth. Jutht is cathe you were wondering. Could they be hobgoblinth? I don't know anything about hobgoblinth.
Your gut feeling tells you that there is nothing around the immediate area although you are very uneasy about finding out whatever it was that ate the things in the remains of the fire.
"Kickth ath"
Your gut feeling tells you that there is nothing around the immediate area although you are very uneasy about finding out whatever it was that ate the things in the remains of the fire.
"Guyth. Letth find Latoviuth. Thith plathe maketh me uneathy"
Louis readies his sword. Wee let us find Latovius, and be on our way! Louis is anxious after what he put his village through... and will be extremely pissed at anybody who tries to delay them. He is looking for a fight.
You set off on your original heading figuring that the thief should be able to find you, and about a half hour later you see him walking towards you across the prairie.
"I have learned much in our time apart friends. The camp that we encountered was that of three ogres and a pair of wolves. I watched them from afar for a time and they have now split up and appear to be hunting either for food or for someone. These three are skilled in the ways of tracking and hunting and are more than the unthinking vicious brutes that stalk the shadows of Grakken Wood. We should return to their old campsite with all haste for I have left a message using old tracker signs for them to find. It shouldn't take them long." Noting the looks of fear on the three men's faces the tracker responds to their worries as he takes one of the four remaining kobold arrows from Louis's quiver, "Should the meeting go badly we will have daylight to fight by and a site of our choosing. But what could possibly go wrong? It would be difficult to do worse than what some of us did at Hawk's Hill." Latovius smiles as he pokes a bit of fun at Louis while casually snapping the borrowed arrow in two. The rogue then placed the pieces side by side in one of Markas's heavy footprints and set out for the old campsite. The howl of a wolf is heard in the distance carried on a slight breeze from out of the south.
3 arrows remaining Louis, oh and the hat that Markas returned to you has at least 9 arrow holes through it making it less then ideal for keeping one's thinker warm.
"Holy thmoketh! I wath worried about hobgoblinth. Now ogreth and wolveth!Let'th go Thathafrath!"
Thoughts of meeting up with Ogres and Wolves? The parade consisted of a 74 year old riding a donkey named Thathafrath with a Frenchman and a thief. Was this some crazy dream? thought Markas.
"Louis for the time being let Latovius and I carry the burden of leadership. Latovius lead the way, Petra willing the meeting will go smooth."
After his words Markas chuckled seemingly from the words of his Goddess Petra or perhaps it was one of nervousness.
After returning to the old campsite not more then an hour goes by before a hulking shape emerges from the brush fifty feet away, a wolf at its side. A low booming voice calls out to you from the ogre as he places a massive iron banded heavy club across his large shoulder, "You'se not orcs and you'se know the old signs taught by the Bricht Master so you'se not be killed just yet. What you want of Blackbone brothers? You'se bring us message from orcs of Black Keep or from fast talking man maybe? You'se just passing through and want trade maybe?" The ogre speaks common quite well and moves remarkably silently for something of its size as it begins to make its way to the camp.
Your gut tells you that this ogre can be trusted concerning his statment not to kill you just yet.
You sense something possibly dangerous is already close by, you do not think that it is the approaching ogre.
You do not sense any immediate threat from the approaching ogre.
Louis to Markas Ho ho perhaps they know of zee black knight tournament, no? Could help us to get there maybe?
Markas tried to hide his fear.
With his mace still at his side and showing no sign of threat to the enormous beast Markas spoke. "No we bring no word from the Orcs of Black Keep nor from this fast talking man. We would be interested in trade for either information or for the strength of the mighty Blackbone brothers."
"We are travelling to the Black Knight's tournament to show our skills and we happened by Hawk's Hill. The villagers were frightened by weak marauders. Do you know of these marauders or any of the dealings with the Black Knight? We would eliminate the threat of the marauders but lack time. Perhaps an offer of gold for information or even more gold to protect the village in our stead?"
With the curiosity of the ogre piqued by your words and actions the nine foot tall wall of muscle that had approached cautiously happily enters the camp. There is a loud clap right behind Louis's head that frightens the man half to death. Accompanied with the startling noise is another ogre, this smaller ogre wears garb that would indicate he is a wizard or shaman of some sort. A wide smile crosses his face as his bearded mouth lets out a booming laugh at the bit of mischief he'd just caused. The materialized ogre laughs to himself some more before putting his fingers to his lips and letting out a loud shrill whistle. The first ogre, Lomar, points to Markas and says to his arcane inclined brother. The ogre-mage moves to have a better look of the shield Markas carries, and warns the cleric.
Walking toward the spot of the old campfire the ogre-magi removed an odd colored piece of wood from a sack at his waist, speaking a few words of arcane power summons forth a small blaze. From about a hundred or so yards away in the wilderness another hulking ogre, this one carrying a longbow and with a wolf by his side, begins to make its way to the campsite. It would seem that all three ogres and two wolves are present and accounted for finally.
"Aye she smiles indeed. Thank you for your wisdom about my holy symbol. Clearly might is not what is needed to free Murlsan or you would already done so and my holy symbol would betray our stealth which is likely needed to get the job done. I think we can be of use to one another. As you say we need protector's and who better than the brothers Blackbone. We already have a way into the Black Knight's camp in the way of the tournament and also have the skills of a master thief in Latovius. What can you tell us of the place were Murlsan is being kept to aid us in his release?"
The jovial ogre magi laughed at his joke, perhaps if you knew more of ogre's you too would find it funny? He stoops and places the sack that he had removed the odd piece of wood from on the ground. Opening the bag he returns the item and then begins pulling out a large metal handled object. With a struggle and a few grunts the ogre-magi finally extracts a great war maul from the bag and holds it upright with the weapon's head resting on the ground. The massive weapon has a clear sparkling gem set on each side of the ornate head of the weapon and stands at almost eight feet tall, it had no right fitting in the mage's bag.
The brother's Lomar and Brackus appear to be fairly skilled fighters and are obviously at one with nature and these plains you still call home. Perhaps a part of any rewards that get negotiated could involve tutoring for you?
Brackus poked fun at his brother's weaker physique in a deep grumbling voice. He walked over to the weapon and then lifted it using two hands. He took a few swings with the intimidating weapon; he looked to be straining to keep control of the weapon. Brackus continued swinging the weapon around heedless of his lack of control over it. Judging by his smile he didn't get to play with his brother's hammer very often, perhaps that was for the best?
You doubt that any of your friends could hope to lift the massive weapon. The size of the weapon would probably make Murlsan at least another foot or so taller and much larger than his brothers. Finding such a hulking ogre shouldn't prove too difficult a task you would guess. The odd shape and size of the weapon would likely prohibit Timonius from riding Thathafrath if the thing was somehow lashed to the beast, which would greatly slow your travels. Perhaps this would be a good test for your considerable strength? Short of falling on your face, you do not think you could possibly look any more foolish swinging the weapon then Brackus does right now. Also, wielding a two handed weapon would be one solution to the problem your shield and holy symbol presents to your mission. That just leaves removing the holy symbol from the shield and keeping it intact, a job you feel that Latovius could likely accomplish if he was motivated to do so.
Gruulin replied to his brother, taking several steps away at the same time while Brackus swung the weapon about. Considering what Markas has asked of them for a moment from a safe distance away from his free swinging brother, Gruulin has a seat near the fire and answers the questions asked of them.
Gruulin and his brother's set about cooking up a large wild boar that yet again emerged out of the small bag that Gruulin carried. Lomar finishes his brother's thoughts when it becomes apparent that the ogre-magi's mind is on things that happened in the past and not on the present.
"Gruulin. You are an exthellent withard! We are very pleathed to make your acquaintanth. It ith wonderful to meet thuch wonderful ogreth ath you, Lomar and Brackuth."
"What can you tell uth about the Black Knight'th keep? Where ith Murlthan held? What ith the betht way to convinth him that we are there to help rethcue him?"
"Lomar that seems like a fair bargain. It seems as though Murlsan's hammer is the key to this puzzle. May I give it a swing? It will be less obvious as Murlsan's if I am able to wield it."
"Markath ith quite thtrong but I don't know if Murlthan'th hammer can be thwung by ath thmall a man ath him. Brackuth ith thertainly thtronger than Markath!
"Maybe it would be betht if we hid it an that little bag and took it with uth?"
Gruulin does not seem initially to be swayed by Timonius's words but his persistence pays off when the ogre-magi smiles and shakes his bearded head. Brackus interjects himself into the conversation at this point, interrupting his brother without a care given by either brother. The brothers all began laughing at Brackus's joke, for some reason you did not find it to be very funny.
Meanwhile a safe distance from camp ....
Markas struggles with the extremely awkward size and weight of Murlsan's Maul, ' this Murlsan must be a truly massive ogre to wield such a weapon.' the cleric thought to himself. Brackus and Lomar let the cleric flail around a bit but were obviously impressed that a human was able to even lift and swing the weapon. When Louis tries such a feat he struggles to even lift the weapon off the ground beyond a foot. The ogre's along with Markas get a good chuckle at seeing the fighter's face turn beet red before dropping the weapon to the ground. The ogre fighter's give the cleric some pointers but wielding the weapon safely will be more difficult then he had guessed.
After a short while the two groups part ways and you travel until dusk, covering a few more miles. Carrying the awkward and very heavy maul proves taxing to Markas, who falls fast asleep as soon as the group stops. Louis takes first watch, followed by Timonius, sometime in the middle of the night he hears something from nearby in the dark.
"Hello in the camp! Care if a wayward lass shares some of your fire?" A feminine voice calls out from the darkness beyond the campfire while Timonius rises from his seat near the fire. He nudges Louis with his boot to wake the man and he makes sure that Louis is awake before he stands up from his seat near the fire. The wizard cordially invites whomever is out there in the darkness to step forward. Moment's later a young woman in her early twenties dressed in leathers and with a bow and quiver slung across her back steps into camp. Half of her scalp and face is marked by scars(horrific burns) that healed poorly long ago. Noting the wizard's response to her appearance but caring not what the man or the others thought she walked to the fire and had a seat among the suddenly awake camp of men.
The woman responds to Timonius's garbled invitation to join them, "Sorry to have interrupted your meal. Didn't your mother ever tell you not to talk with your mouthful? You fellows have the look of the big city on you to these trained eyes. Who or what has brought you poor souls all the way out here into my playground?" Her left hand never strays far from the handle of a short sword on her hip as she asks her questions.
"I've heard rumors during my occasional periods of employment with the city guard of a scarred woman named Darcy working as a scout for Melinir and the Quadrial. You wouldn't be her by any chance would you beautiful?" Latovius asks of the woman as he rises from his bedroll, scratching his head while trying to fully wake up.
"You know who I am smooth talker but I do not know who any of you are. I've just been following your trail since I came across it earlier today, trying to figure out if I should aid you, kill you, or leave you to the other nasties around here. You fella's better give me a reason to aid you or this is going to get bloody real quick." You each saw Darcy tense and ready for action, just in case she needed to back up her words.
"Now lithun Mith Darthy. I don't thee what the problem ith. If you work for Melinir it should be common knowledge that we are protheeding to the Black Knight'th keep to partithipate in the tournament.If you don't work for Melinir let me tell you that we are protheeding to the Black Knight'th keep to partithipate in the tournament."
You notice that Darcy wears a pendant depicting Halav's symbol around her neck. The patron of warfare and bane of humanoids had many followers among Melinir's warriors, you didn't expect to find one in the middle of nowhere and in the darkness.
danger sense:
You do not believe that Darcy would attack if not provoked, perhaps letting her know why you were here would prevent bloodshed?
"Sell swords." Darcy says with a bit of disgust as she stands up from her brief rest at the fire. "I won't begrudge you trying to earn a bit of coin but if you would bring harm to Melinir or the goodly folks around here know that you can not run far enough on these plains to escape me." With her warning delivered the female scout sets out into the night ending the conversation as abruptly as how she had arrived in the camp.
The remainder of the night is uneventful and some sleep is obtained by those not on watch. Markas is rewarded by his goddess for his renewed conviction to her teachings and is granted his full allotment of spells at the start of the new day. The burden of bearing the massive war maul is taking it's toll on the mighty cleric. He is sore and exhausted but soldiers on bearing the weapon as no one else is capable of the task.
It is about mid day on day 2 of your journey and for the last 10 minutes you have passed by at least a dozen unnaturally stacked piles of stones and pebbles in the middle of the wild prairie. The stones are stacked in such a manner as to resemble houses, castles, or monuments. Often they are decorated with leaves, feathers, and bits of broken clamshells. Snares for small animals and rodents are scattered along the ground and bushes as if creating a defensive perimeter around these structures. You overhear a man's voice from nearby but do not immediately see it's source, "Colonel Reginald Bloodcastle's noon perimeter check complete. No sign of the enemy to report! Returning to camp!" With that a large armored man stands up from the prairie grasses with his back to your group about 30' away.
Ogres, a mystery lady, and now this! Louis thinks to himself. Thiz iz strange no? he says to the others in a hushed tone.
"I think thith guy ith crathy. I think we should athk him what he ith doing. Agreed? Maybe he would like to accompany uth to the Black Knight'th keep?"