Once her hangover clears, Djebelle finds (slightly to her surprise) that she rather enjoys life under the open skies. It has none of the tension of her life in Brevoy, both in terms of have-I-used-the-wrong-fork and in terms of the political undercurrent that is ever present. Her companions include skilled enough hunters that they don't go hungry, and things are by and large amicable.
Which is why she's taken so aback when Rendyl, of all people, suggests resorting straight to violence. She looks at him in astonishment, but now is not the time for a conversation. Quietly she says "Ok, but I have to try - cover me while I talk with them, will you, please?"
She's about to move slowly forward when they wave their weapons and chant threats. She sighs, and utters a prayer to Sarenrae to bless her weapon if is needed - but doesn't draw it.
Moving slowly forward with her hands visible, she speaks to them in the Common tongue: "We mean no harm. Which of you is leader?"
The ranger has the decency to look slightly ashamed of himself, but does not withdraw his statement, merely nodding to the priestess, teeth firmly clenched. He was well aware of the supposed contradiction, but this was different. They hadn't come home to the burned husk of a home, the charred bones. These weren't people, they were animals!
"We mean you know harm. We just want some unpicked radishes. You take yours and leave, ok?" Damiel says to the kobolds. "That way no one gets hurt."
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Tegan removes her feet from the stirrups and uncomfortably slides down from Milo. She feels relieved when her feet touch the ground.
"Here are the radishes we seek. These kobolds are vermin upon any land they encounter, murderous little bastards. I say we take them out and see if there are any more about. They will only be a thorn in the side of any settler out this way."
Tegan raises an eyebrow at Rendyl, ”murderous?” Tegan looks back at the four kobolds who’d been moaning from full bellies just a moment ago. To Tegan, the kobolds don’t look very threatening.
”Radishes, mines! Longshanks go ‘way!” they wave their crude spears and slings in a threatening manner. ”Radishes mines! Out, go. Kill if try to take!” they once more wave their weapons indicating that they will defend their spoil.
Tegan dislikes the derogatory name ‘longshank’ but looking past the name-calling, Tegan finds the kobolds rather cute with their scaly skin. Scaled… like a fish or some other aquatic creature Tegan muses.
Tegan watches Djebelle blesses her scimitar. Then, she observes Damiel try to reason with the kobolds.
"We mean you know harm. We just want some unpicked radishes. You take yours and leave, ok?" Damiel says to the kobolds. "That way no one gets hurt."
Tegan nears Damiel to add, ”You limit yourself with just these Moon Radishes. There are a lot of other tasty foods in the world. Why stay here?” Tegan is fascinated by these scaly creatures that reside out of water.
"My companion is right: we should share. Your stomach will explode if you eat too many. I knew a kobold who died from eating too many radishes! He ate so many radishes that his stomach tore open and he bled to death. If you share, I might tell you how you can eat all you want and not explode," Tegan offers.
Vik stands off to the side, with his arms crossed over his chest keeping an eye on the group.
Perception:
Djebelle and Rendyl prepare weapons for combat, while Viklop keeps watch arond for any surprise. Meanwhile Damiel and Tegan try to convince or deceive; the Kobolds into letting them take some radishes, without any battle.
The Kobolds didn’t give too much attention to Damiel’s words, but then Tegan’s promise of more delicious food, and a way to stop them from dying if they eat too much certainly got their attention.
”Tasty food, where?” the more articulate of the group answers back to Tegan.
"Looks can be deceiving." The ranger replied to Tegan, his gruff voice nearly choked he was so emotional. As it seemed that they were indeed going to speak with the filthy beasts, the lanky man turns away, walking the short distance back to his horse. He steps to the other side of it, rubbing its wide flank.
He couldn't even look at the creatures without feeling the need to shoot them, so he'd stay here until this ridiculous discussion was over. He tended to his animal, dark eyes unfocused as he thought of events from years previous.
Djebelle quickly stifles a gasp of disbelief when Rendyl just walks away: what in Heaven's name is he playing at?!?!? The worst part is, she can't march right after him and demand to know what he's doing, because that would weaken their numbers even more.
She settles for glaring at his retreating shoulders while she stands next to Tegan, waiting to see how this concludes.
When Hylaen woke up, his worries from the day before had diminished somewhat. With April not around, it was easier. More and more, his behavior seemed foolish. And that gave way to a wave of embarrassment that wouldn't abandon him for a while.
The elf discovered over breakfast that his companions had gone forward and interrogated the prisoner and begun plans for the next stage of their travels. He wished he'd been there to assist others with preparations, but now what's done is done. He tried not to think much about that while they traveled. It was convenient, at least. They all choose the same path Hylaen would have chosen himself.
The kobolds were unexpected, but not surprising. A place filled with easy food would attract some kind of gatherer. The small brained lizardman didn't seemed dangerous but Hylaen was happy with pursuing the diplomatic path... as doubtful as it was in succeeding. Leaving Tegan to do the talking - not to confound the simple creature with too much speech, and since the lady as so eloquent in doing so - the alchemist discreetly gets hold of a flask. Just in case.
”Tasty food, where?” they shriek threatening waving their weapons, not pleased with having to wait this long for their next patch of tasty food.
”Where?” one of them take a single step forward, holding his crude spear.
Tegan is amused by the kobolds and their fascination with food. After a pregnant pause, Tegan responds, ”At Oleg’s Trading Post! There is a beautiful human woman by the name is Svetlana who cooks three meals a day to whoever shows up! And each meal is different from the last!” Tegan gestures to the moon radish patch, ”Why, she’s why we’re here. She cooks the moon radishes to make them more delicious than ever before!”
Tegan lifts a finger to her chin, contemplating, "If you all bring her lots of moon radishes, she will cook them for you and the others. You bring her moon radishes, then she gives you better, tastier moon radishes." Tegan thinks it might be convenient if she's able to recruit the kobolds to carry extra radishes.
Tegan frowns at the use of their spears as they try to hurry the conversation along. ”To avoid an exploding stomach, you need to swallow gulps of air. It’ll create bubbles in your stomach and help with digestion.” If the Kobolds are on board, Tegan suggests ”Here, let me show you.” Tegan straightens and swallows some air. She places a flat hand on her diaphragm and she feels the bubble run down her throat. A few moments later, Tegan rolls her shoulders and expels a lady-like belch. Some may wonder how Tegan can burp while still appearing ladylike, but Tegan still manages it somehow with grace and poise. ”See? I’ve just made some room. You try.” Tegan places a hand on her hip expectantly. Can scaly creatures even burp?
Tegan tries to speak logically to the creatures. "Okay, I've told you where there is tastier food and a way to make room in your stomachs. Now we will share the moon radishes, yes?" Tegan feels as if she's speaking to children.
The Kobold had food, they knew where to find more tasty food, and they wouldn’t die anymore from exploding bellies if they could just do whatever the other woman had just done as well. What they did not need was those nosey longshanks trying to take their food from them.
They shriek even more, preparing to attack.
Round 1-
Ordered Initiative-
Active Effects-
Map-
No map, it’s just a simple combat, with some Kobolds.
Notes-
Action-
Hylaen wasn't one to laugh often but even he had difficulty keeping a serious face after that explanation from Tegan. Wasn't as much the content, but the whole situation. Fortunately his mask did half his job of concealing the amused expression. Not that being polite to kobolds was really his concern. As far as Hylaen cared, it was only a matter of time until-
The kobolds shrieked and advanced all at the same time! It was everything the alchemist was waiting for. Hylaen positioned himself at a safe distance and threw his flask at the biggest gathering of kobolds he could find.
Rendyl hears the shrieking of the kobolds and shakes his head, grim look on his face. He had given his companions their chance, but the little cretins wouldn't take their good fortune and run with it. Now they were fair game for the ranger and justice. He steps away from his horse as he draws his bow, making sure to angle his shot above his companions before firing at the farthest kobold away.
With a sigh, Djebelle steps in front of the unarmoured Tegan, drawing her scimitar and slashing at the closest kobold.
It's fair to say she's not enthusiastic about this fight.
Vik continues to stand and watch the group attack the overfed kobolds. He will only react if one of the creatures comes near him, then he will lash out at it.
Tegan gasps in surprise as some of her companions and kobolds prepare to fight.
Surprised that she wasn’t able to talk her way out of trouble, as her sister does, Tegan just stares at the charging Kobolds. Meanwhile, Viklop doesn’t react. Maybe the Kobolds weren’t even worth his time and attention; he let others take care of such problem.
Damiel takes a step back, to avoid direct confrontation while he gets his bow and shoot.
but with no real chances of hitting any of the scaly monsters.
Hylaen throws his unstable mixture, causing a small explosion around the kobolds, hurting one more than the others.
Rendyl on the other hand, finally free to vent his anger mocks and arrow and shoots at the nearest Kobold, the arrow piercing its eye, killing the one of the slightly burnt monster instantly.
Lastly Djebelle walks forward, to protect Damiel and Tegan, which had decided to talk with the monsters, instead of just killing them. She waves her sword without any will behind it, and as consequence, she doesn’t hit anything.
The Kobolds on the other hand, even with one less, boosted by the idea of tasty food and non-exploding belly more forward to attack, caring little for their own safety and the loss of one of their numbers.
Djebelle is protected by her armor and training, easily shrugging off the attacks, the same cannot be said to Tegan, as the crude spear pierces her dress cutting off a deep gash into her slender leg.
The ranger grits his teeth as the remaining kobolds rush forward to attack his companions. The creatures predictably have trouble piercing through the priestess' thick armor, but the lanky man grimaces as Tegan is struck with a crude spear. He might have his differences with the young woman, but he didn't wish her harmed.
Rendyl steps forward a pace, calling out, "Step to the side!" Whether the two ladies do or not, he fires a couple of arrows in succession, first at the kobold attacking Tegan, the other at one of those threatening Djebelle.
Djebelle grits her teeth in annoyance at Rendyl's order (Oh, so NOW you're involved?) - but she knows that saying anything in the heat of the moment is not sensible.
She instead follows his instructions, stepping to one side to prevent the two kobolds from flanking her; and channels her annoyance down her sword-arm.
Djebelle is protected by her armor and training, easily shrugging off the attacks, the same cannot be said to Tegan, as the crude spear pierces her dress cutting off a deep gash into her slender leg.
Tegan feels more shock than surprise as the kobold lunges towards her with his crude spear. "Why would you attack me?" There's a sharp pang in Tegan's chest before her heart freezes over. Her compassion for the kobolds is gone. I was trying to help you! Cold air swirls around Tegan, leaving delicate snowflakes clinging to her hair and dress.
The raging emotions pouring out of Tegan manifest the cold that rushes towards the attacking kobold. With the failed negotiations and her freshly ripped dress, additional power surges forth from Tegan.
The frigid air engulfs Tegan for a couple seconds until the air is thick like a blizzard. The blast of air caresses Tegan's face, gently lifting up the loose strands of hair before erupting into a powerful blast. The frost blast makes a direct path following where the kobold was able to sidestep Djebelle's protective cover. As the blast lands, Tegan stares into the kobold's face, unblinking as the frost covers everything in its path. The frost blast blows past the intended target to leave harmless frost on the ground behind the kobold. "Reckless," Tegan calls over the frosty current, her face as cold as the element she commands. Her comment is meant to be directed at the kobolds, but the same could be said of her rising emotion.
As the kobolds move forward, near his companions, it was no longer safe to throw explosives at them. Feeling the cold breeze from Tegan's sorcery in his skin, Hylaen held his spear firmly with both hands and aimed at one of the scaly creatures that was already scorched.
Once someone on their side was hurt, and maybe only because someone got hurt, that the charters really sprang into action. Freezing blasts, deadly spear shaft, arrows and scimitar leaving trails of blood and death.
The remaining three kobolds did not even have time to answer Tegan’s question before their miserable life ended.
The only interesting things here is of course, the radishes. There’s the ones already gathered by the Kobolds. Overall, the amount of radishes is way more than Svetlana ever expect you to bring back.
Of Kobolds, they have just the crude gear on their bodies, which is leather armor, spear, sling.
The elf sighed and relaxed his posture. "It was an optimistic approach" he said, witha hint of melancholy. "Sadly not all beings under the sun are understanding. Or willing to do even the smallest of sacrifices."
Hylaen bent down to pick up one of the disputed radishes. It will need a good wash before delivery, that's for sure.
"Since we're already here" suggested Hylaen, now back to his usual practical tone "why don't we fully explore the region? Wipe it clean of dragonflea, if any are left. It's not too late in the day. It will do us good to start with the maps at some point."
Djebelle bends down swiftly to wipe her sword clean on the grass before returning it to its scabbard. She nods in agreement at the elf's suggestion. "That makes sense. The radishes aren't going anywhere, after all."
She occasionally gives Rendyl a sidelong glance as they explore the region, but the expression on the ranger's face suggests that no, he DOESN'T want to talk about it. Which is fine, for now. There's nothing to be gained by harsh words spoken just after the heat of battle.
Wisdom teaches patience; and Djebelle is not lacking in wisdom (just experience - and that is rapidly being remedied, these days).
The ranger exhales in a rush, the battle over before it could really begin. And honestly, had he expected any differently? The small combatants were animalistic, but against a large number of seasoned warriors the kobolds hadn't stood a chance.
Emotions coursed through him...the thrill of killing the little beasts, a little slice of revenge taken. Satisfaction that the creatures wouldn't trouble future settlers. And shame, mainly from the discrete glances the priestess directed at him on occasion. He would rather she yell at him than give him that understanding, knowing look.
The young man agrees with Hylaen, offering a nod of approval for the elf's idea to map the region around them. Knowing what natural resources were around would help determine where to settle this region if that time ever came.
"We tried, but the creatures just would not listen" he muses. Then moving closer to Rendyl and speaking softly, "I noticed that you had a bad reaction to the beasties. Is there something that we should be aware of if we meet more of them out here?"
Vik pushes off the tree he was leaning on and walks over to pick up one of the baskets. He picks a clean one and tastes the radish.
The elf sighed and relaxed his posture. "It was an optimistic approach" he said, witha hint of melancholy. "Sadly not all beings under the sun are understanding. Or willing to do even the smallest of sacrifices."
The smallest of sacrifices... who knew Hylaen could sounds so poetic? Tegan reflects on Hylaen's words. "We weren't asking for much. And after I shared information with them; they still refused to share... what a waste." Tegan shakes her head. She then looks down at her injury and frowns. And I just repaired my dress.
"Since we're already here" suggested Hylaen, now back to his usual practical tone "why don't we fully explore the region? Wipe it clean of dragonflea, if any are left. It's not too late in the day. It will do us good to start with the maps at some point."
"I'm not much of an explorer or map maker. How long would it take to fully examine this space?" Tegan tends to the scratch on her leg before helping load up the baskets of moon radishes.
"We tried, but the creatures just would not listen" he muses. Then moving closer to Rendyl and speaking softly, "I noticed that you had a bad reaction to the beasties. Is there something that we should be aware of if we meet more of them out here?"
The ranger glanced sidelong at Daniel, jaw tightening at the direct question. It was a fair one, to be sure, but the young man wasn't ready to revisit his past with his companions. Not yet, anyway.
After a short pause he replies, "There's bad blood between the creatures and I, yes. But I meant what I said, too. They are nothing but trouble, as you just saw. I'll let you all handle speaking with them in the future, but you'll get the same results, especially if there are more of them. They're cowards at heart, but they get bold if they have sufficient numbers."
With that, Rendyl makes preparations to depart and follow Hylaen's suggestion of further exploration.
Fully exploring the region takes a couple of days. In total, the charters stayed out full seven days, travelling and exploring, before they returned to Oleg’s with the Radishes. Midway, exploration, travel rations had ended, which gave Rendyl the task of hunting for food in addition to scouting.
The rest of the days of exploration goes uninterrupted, and with no surprises. You occasionally meet some wondering animals, however they you either deal with them or scare it away. It’s late afternoon when you finally reach the trading post, and know immediately know that something is amiss.
The old fort’s main gate lies in shambles, broken and burnt, barely hanging on it’s original support. The fort walls have signs of fire as well, and a grim faced lieutenant, his head partially covered by a bandage, greets you at the entrance. His dark visage finally clears a bit, recognizing you as allies.
”It’s good to have you back.” he says simply, waving you inside the place.
The interior of the fort has seen it’s share of battle as well, there are burnt marks everywhere, as well dried blood splashed around. From the soldiers assigned to defend this place, you only see one more aside the lieutenant, and he looks worse than Kesten.
Exploring took more time than Hylaen though it would take. The vegetation wasn't kind with them. Still it needed to be done. Days were passed in each other's company and the alchemist took an effort to be more sociable than before. They were more used to one another by now and Hylaen was no exception. The elf could be quite talkative if encouraged - just not much about himself. He kept around and was diligent about his duties. At the evening, the elf would distance himself to rest, so he could at least pu down his mask. The others would certainly be used to it by now, but it never ceased to be a bit awkward to Hylaen.
In the following days, Hylaen had more of the wilderness than he cared to have. Years in the city thought him to dread the uncorfortable nature that bucolic poetry never talks about; the hard earth to lie, the umidity, the scorching sun, the cold night, the ever present insects, the noise of animal life... and yet, the more time spent among the trees, more Hylaen found himself growing found of that distant, quiet wilderness. Slowly, fighting his stubborness, a picture started to form on his mind; a cottage in the woods, a garden, a safe place...
Hylaen focused on what he had to do, annoyed at himself. I'm turning out to be a fine elvish steriotype, after all he thought. Still, it was pleasant to daydream.
At Oleg's once again, the distant view of the ruined tower made something on Hylaen's insides crawl with fear. Approaching the place the sensation turned to dread. "What happened here? he half whispered, pointessly, as they crossed the gate. It was clear what happened there.
"W-Where is Oleg? And the others..." he glances to the only guard. "When did this happen?" questioned Hylaen to the officer as soon as he approached the man, forgetting to greet him as he looked around.
As they traveled about the countryside, exploring as was part of their charter, Rendyl was called upon to hunt to feed the group. And truthfully, he was glad for it, as it gave him ample opportunity to be by himself and explore the emotions within. Was there a difference between those scaled creatures and 'people'? In the end he gave up, unable to reconcile his heart and mind on the matter. He resolved to let others handle dealings with the beasts in the future.
The ranger frowns as the scorched areas of Oleg's come into view, and he becomes downright concerned as he sees the lack of manpower on the walls and the state of those that remain. Hylaen's questions mirrored the young man's own, so he stands to the side waiting on Kesten to respond.
Djebelle stares, ashen-faced, at the ruins of Oleg's fort. "By the Goddess! What happened here?"
She raises her holy symbol, praying for the wounded.
Seven days of traveling and exploring leaves Tegan with a lot of spare time to work on miscellaneous tasks around the evening campfire. The first night, she repaired the rip in her dress’ skirt. The following nights, Tegan embroiders a pale blue strip of lace from her Masterwork Toolkit. The strip is about two feet long and a foot wide. Tegan stitches the different flowers they encounter during their exploration.
Apart from having to pull most of the stitching from the third night, Tegan is rather proud of her work. The small strip will add appeal to the bodice of one of Tegan's future dresses. Or perhaps Tegan will fashion the scrap into a large pocket on a winter cloak. Tegan's knowledge of crafting beautiful flower arrangements adds to the charm of her stitching. Not only is there a wide variety of different wild flowers, but Tegan stitched them at different angles, showing the shapes and contours of the different plants.
~*~*~*~*~
Tegan asks the same questions as her companions. ”Lieutenant Garess! What happened?!” Tegan looks around with a horrified expression on her face. ”Who was fighting with fire? Who’s blood is that?!” If Tegan wasn’t so shocked at the state of the Trading Post, she might have been angry.
Tegan nods at Hylaen’s words. ”Yes, where are Oleg and Svetlana?”
After hearing Kesten Garess explain what happened, Tegan suggests they repair the front gate at once. ”We look weak without a front door that swings on the hinges properly. We need to fix this immediately.” Tegan stretches her arms as if to prepare. ”I’m not very strong but I will do my best to help.” The woman, barely standing at five feet, does her best to help straighten the door so it can be reattached to the gate's walls.
Vik is shocked by the destruction of the fort. He wanders about the structure in a daze, unable to comprehend what had happened.
As Tegan reaches for the front gate, Hylaen stops her.
"Please, keep calm. I have ways of dealing with that. Faster, magical ways. he informs her, quietly. "Let's just hear them out"
There seems to be conflicting emotions on the lieutenant face as he’s flooded with questions, but the most prominent of them is anger. The veins in his neck and face bulge as Tegan comes closer, asking questions, trying to be helpful.
”I’ll warn you only once miss. Stay the hell away from me!” he yells holding his sword ready for a fight, but he will not attack, unless Tegan ignores his warning and approaches.
”Are you in league with them?” he asks, his voice shaking with anger.
The commotion however, attracted more attention. Maybe fearing another attack, Oleg walks out of the partially burned residence, wearing a leather armor, one of the same you sold him from the bandits, with a spear in hand. He seems relieved when he knows it’s you, but after a sharp gesture from Kesten, he stop in his tracks, not approaching your group.
Rendyl's brow knits together in confusion at the lieutenant's bipolar response. The lanky man steps up next to Tegan, not drawing his weapon but wary of the clearly enraged and frustrated Kesten. Noting Oleg's initial friendly response, the ranger simply states, "I don't know who them is, Lieutenant, but if you are referring to those that did this", here the ranger uses his hand to indicate the burned patches of wall, "then NO, we are not with them."
Rendyl eyes the man's brandished weapon, wondering what in the hell had happened to put him so on edge. "Instead of waving that sword around at us, why don't you tell us what happened, sir." The ranger gives Oleg a small wave, but otherwise gives his full attention to the soldier.
Damien simply nods as Rendyl speaks about the kobolds, then grins for a moment, but quickly the scowl appears again.
As with the others, he simply hangs back and waits for the Lieutenant answer to Hylaen question, and then when the man raises his sword as Tegan approaches, he nocks an arrow in his longbow, but keeps it pointed to the ground, rather than at the man.
”I’ll warn you only once miss. Stay the hell away from me!” he yells holding his sword ready for a fight, but he will not attack, unless Tegan ignores his warning and approaches.
Normally, Tegan would try to approach sensitive social situations diplomatically, but Tegan is tired and frustrated that Oleg’s Trading Post is once again in shambles. What was the point of having soldiers stationed if they were unable to defend that place?
Tegan narrows her eyes and responds coolly, ”Excuse me?” Tegan leans her longspear against the wall of the Trading Post so she can cross both arms over her chest. ”Let me remind you, Lieutenant, who warned you of my sister? I did. I specifically said to be careful around April.” Tegan keeps her arms crossed, visibly annoyed at the whole situation (and perhaps more-so assuming her sister had been involved.) ”So what did you do? Underestimate her?” I swear to the gods, if she’s run off with a bunch of bandits… Tegan digs her fingernails into her arms and frost appears at the tips.
When Tegan feels her power start to slip, she straightens her back and takes a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she carefully plans out her following words in hopes of calming Lieutenant Kesten Garess:
"I assure you, Lieutenant, we had nothing to do with what happened here. We were busy securing the land West and Southwest of here." Tegan gestures behind her and then more Westward. "I'll show you on a map if you'd like. In addition to mapping the territory, we even brought back a delicacy - moon radishes!"
Tegan frowns, "Now, since I've shared with you what we've been doing, what have you been doing? I plan on writing a letter to Lord Mayor Ioseph Sellemius regarding this situation so I'd like to know details." I might even request different guards... maybe write of Garess' failure here. Maybe the mayor will send us someone more competent. Tegan considers the situation but can't help feeling pessimistic.
"Unless you explain to us what happened here, we can't help you Lieutenant. Just remember: the Mayor selected us, not the other group to settle the Green Belt. Some wealthy noble threw money as someone with authority and weaseled in my sister's group. We're here because of our skills, not because we licked some noble's boots."
Tegan outstretches her wrists so they can be bound. "Look, if you still don't trust us, you can lock us in the stables and interrogate us... but at least give the moon radishes to Oleg and Svetlana. We traveled an entire day to pick them." Tegan glances at Oleg, then searches for Svetlana.
”You shut up!” he yells angry clearly not convinced by Tegan’s words, in fact, he seems to not even have even heard what she said, but he does consider the Rendyl’s question, before asking with yet a question of his own.
”Did she leave your company on the past few days?” he points his sword at Tegan, and then continues, ”We were attacked three days ago, and she was one enemies.” he looks enraged then continues ”She tricked us into opening the door for her, and she set the bandits loose, and gave them weapons, that was just before the fire arrows started to rain upon us.”
Stepping fully in front of the petite woman as the Lieutenant yelled at her, the ranger shook his head as he glowered at the man. "Calm down, sir. You're letting your anger and fear take control of your senses."
His mind whirling as he put two and two together, Rendyl nods knowingly. "So the sister came back and helped with all this." He again indicates the burnt walls of the small keep. "Lieutenant, surely you are aware that April's company was still inside the walls when we left several days earlier. We have not seen the group since. I'll put my weapons aside, if that's what it takes, but we are not your enemies. But enough of the yelling and sword-waving, once again."
The lanky man crosses his arms, frowning at Kesten as he waits for his companions to add on or for the military man to respond.
Djebelle nods in agreement. "I give you my word, Lieutenant, that Tegan has been with us the whole time. You say this happened three days ago? We were miles from here, exploring the Greenbelt. You can see from our maps where we've been travelling.".
She shakes her head. "It's not possible for her to have been here. It sounds as though someone used magic to appear like her."
”Not April.” He says, ”April is taller, and her hair is shorter. It was this woman here. Or her twin sister.” but he put down his sword. To a point, he already expected something similar, magic, foul magic been used, that was the only explanation.
Then he adds ”The other group left a day after you, and they are yet to return.”
Vik wanders around the compound examining the damage as the others talk to the Lieutenant.
"We need to track there brigands to their base and deal with them before any more innocent people are hurt. No more leniency. They die by the sword or the rope. We tried giving them a second chance, and they just rose up and joined their comrades in attacking the outpost. We need to clean this rot out completely."
Slowly un-nocking his arrow, and shouldering the bow, Damiel drops the scowl, and speaks slowly and softly to the Lieutenant, "she has been with us for seven days now, since we left to look for the radishes and do some exploring. It was not her that did this, but I suspect there was magic involved to make it seem like it was her."
"Don't let emotions cloud your judgement, young man" said Hylaen, sternly. "Use some logic instead." he cleared his throat.
"We were here before, all of us, our companion Tegan here included, and she was nothing but cordial to you. When we first arrived here, we witnessed just how dangerous these lands can be; this outpost was made victim to an attack and we defended it with all our strength. You can ask about that to Oleg, if our prisoner did not said enough already. We made inquiries about this place's safety, we made efforts to track bandits, we have an actual charter to hunt outlaws around this parts."
Hylaen took a step closer to the human, his usually timid voice very clear and firm now, as if lecturing a child. "Now tell me, why would Tegan - or any of us, as a matter of fact - bother to come here, after all this effort, and commit violence against our sole bastion of civilization in these wilds? Without even hiding her face, even? How does that could possibly benefit us, a group of people who have everything to gain from the elimination of bandits in this area?"
The elf pauses. When he continues, his voice is back to a controlled, soft tone. "As stated, we just spent our last days exploring and mapping territory southwestern of this outpost. It takes us considerable travel time just to reach that region and return, which we did, as proved by these radishes. As all my companions said, Tegan was with us the whole time. Damiel said it best; magic seems a more probable explanation than Tegan doing it by herself, without any of us noticing it."
That made Hylaen think about what kind of magic could that be, though. He knew enough of arcane theory to make an educated guess...
Some of them suspect the mastermind behind the attack was April, threats were spoken on both sides, but in the end, no violence come to pass. The dark mood all around didn’t get better as the charters walked inside the fort. The smell of burnt wood, the destruction all around, the lonely surviving soldier, barely being able to walk around on his injuries. Djebelle does her best to heal the wounds of the flesh, but the wounds of the soul might take more to mend. They were betrayed, and even if Tegan wasn’t the culprit, he sole presence of the woman was a reminder of their broken trust.
Fortunately, Oleg and Svetlana survived the attack. Oleg has some burnt marks on his arms, and some of his hair was burned as well, but nothing life threatening. Svetlana seems uninjured, but she looks worried and scared. Bandits before have threatened them, but they have never been attacked by bandits.
Svetlana looks a lot more shy and less outspoken than before, she greets you all, offer food and drinks, but her smiley and easygoing attitude is nowhere to be seen. Oleg seems even grumpier than before. He glares at each of you, maybe blaming you for putting his wife on danger. None of this would have happened, if you had the courage to end the bandits as you were supposed to.
Overall, it will take some days to bring the fort back to its original state, even with the use of magic. What the charters must decide now is how they’ll repair the broken trust from the locals, or if that’s even something they should care about.