After an hour or so, Jarred and the animals reappear – the woodsman with a large pack strapped to his back, and carrying a couple of spears. He stops at Jirkin’s cairn, his head bowed for a moment, then moves over to the rest of you.
“Well, the goblins did not get my stash of coins,” he says, “but my favourite book is gone. I don’t suppose you fellows …”
“Anyway, I have some food to share between us all. What is the plan from here?”
"I think that we're going to camp here tonight and then move out towards Barg in the morning, where we'll try to prove Gosia's innocence. Even if we fail at that, we'll try to free her by any means necassary.
I found a dagger in the box where your coins were kept and where Keildrithe found your book. At least I think it was yours." I say, handing him the dagger we found.
I look askance at the mewling baby and say "So, any idea how you're going to feed it? I imagine its hungry."
After an hour or so, Jarred and the animals reappear – the woodsman with a large pack strapped to his back, and carrying a couple of spears. He stops at Jirkin’s cairn, his head bowed for a moment, then moves over to the rest of you.
“Well, the goblins did not get my stash of coins,” he says, “but my favourite book is gone. I don’t suppose you fellows …”
“Anyway, I have some food to share between us all. What is the plan from here?”
"Ah, yes, the book... it was most beautiful book, Jarred, and I am envious of you for having it in your possession. You had stashed it in a wooden box, in your makeshift camp in the woods, beyond the foot of the hill and not far from the marsh. I believe that we may have left it there, in the tent.
"Jarred, Laithe, where might we find food and clean clothes for the baby? I'm certain I can soothe it with a lullaby, but no lullaby can dull a babe's thirst and hunger! Since the plan is to spend the night and regain our strength here before returning to Barg, we can take the remaining daylight hours to find what we need for the child."
“I think that staying the night here is a good idea – we should be safe enough, and we could use the rest. You were brave and lucky to escape a night in the Dimwood unscathed – I would not relish doing so. If we set off early on the morrow, I should be able to guide us to Barg before sunset.
“Keildrithe, it is indeed a beautiful book, and has some sentimental value to me – it was my mother’s, long ago. It’s probably in my pack then, I bundled up most of the things from the tent and threw them in – thankyou.
“As for the dagger, Alton, please, keep it – I think that your group may have more use for it than I. It came to me by the way of a gift, but, though it has a keen blade and good balance, I prefer my axes in combat, and it is too fine a blade for skinning.” He reaches for his belt and hands two purses towards you. “I also want you to have these, in meagre thanks for ridding me of the madness, and driving the demon away from my valley. No, I insist! I rarely have need for coins or jewels, and if I do, then why, I will earn some more.”
In the pouches are a total count of 97 silver marks and 32 gold royals. The smaller pouch contains nine small, somewhat deformed pearls.
“That babe looks young enough that it will want milk – there are some semi-wild goats at the north side of the valley. Perhaps Laithe and I can go and try to catch and milk one?”
"I think it is safe to say that we all have more to fight for than ever, Keildrithe. Now we not only seek to protect an innocent stranger in Gosia, but to stand by a companion and friend in yourself, and avenge another companion's death in Jirkin. And even were that not the case, I hold no illusions that the inquisitor would simply forgive and forget were we to walk away. No, my feelings in this mirror those of Alton - I'm in this till the end, and perhaps beyond".
Jarred, Laithe, where might we find food and clean clothes for the baby? I'm certain I can soothe it with a lullaby, but no lullaby can dull a babe's thirst and hunger! Since the plan is to spend the night and regain our strength here before returning to Barg, we can take the remaining daylight hours to find what we need for the child."
Laithe attempts to rock the baby to quiet it a little. "Well, water and a wash shouldn't be a problem - we can gather fresh water from the stream nearby. Milk will be a different story - Jarred, is there any source of milk in the valley? Otherwise I can hunt around for some suitable fruits and vegetables and if we take care to cook it well and mash it, that may suffice. As for clean clothes, I do not carry much spare cloth with me, though I would gladly give my blanket up to fashion into some crude nappies and swadling".
“That babe looks young enough that it will want milk – there are some semi-wild goats at the north side of the valley. Perhaps Laithe and I can go and try to catch and milk one?”
"That may inspire me to compose an Ode to the Milk Maids," laughs Keildrithe at the thought of the two men on a quest to find and milk wild goats in order to feed an orphan child. The bard seems to be taking heart in the renewed sense of camaraderie within the party.
"As for your coins, Jarred, you really needn't. One does not need money as a reward for performing good deeds. You are too kind..."
The bard turns to the babe and starts humming quietly to it.
“That babe looks young enough that it will want milk – there are some semi-wild goats at the north side of the valley. Perhaps Laithe and I can go and try to catch and milk one?”
Laithe nods. "Good, we will leave at once to get the baby some milk, and perhaps gather enough food for a meal for us all tonight."
Laithe hands the baby to Keildrithe "If you can do your best in the meantime clean and quiet the baby, that would be appreciated. We will meet you back at the camp. Cooee loudly if you get into any trouble and we will make haste back to camp."
He turns to Jarred and says "Lead the way!" Following him North up the trail.
It seems that your friend Jirkin did not have many possessions to his name. Apart from the staff that he carried, and the clothes that he wore (which were buried with him), has battered backpack contains only a few items; Gosia’s pendant, and the clay bottle labelled “Change” from her hut; Jirkin's face mask; a large leather bound book that you take to be his spellbook; a beltpouch filled with strange odds and ends and knickknacks (spell components), a waterskin and a scroll. The scroll is of tightly rolled parchment, bearing a red wax seal. There is a name written in spidery Karandic lettering on the outer surface of the scroll.
"There is no need to pay us, we merely did what was right, which is payment enough. Thank you for the dagger, it will be good to have nother trusty blade." I say while setting up a campfire.
I smirk a little at Keildrithe's metion of the Ode to the Milk Maids and begin to sort through the treasure from the goblin village. "Shall we divide the coins evenly between us? I ask.
Laithe hands the baby to Keildrithe "If you can do your best in the meantime clean and quiet the baby, that would be appreciated. We will meet you back at the camp. Cooee loudly if you get into any trouble and we will make haste back to camp."He turns to Jarred and says "Lead the way!" Following him North up the trail.
"Ummmm... uhhh... who do you think I am?... I don't know much about... uh... I've never... how do I?..." Keildrithe protests half-heartedly as Laithe hands him the child. The bard holds the infant awkwardly, which only makes it cry further. "Aw, Laaaaiiiiitthhhe...," he whines, but the druid has already taken to the trails with Jarred.
Keildrithe then turns to Alton. "Alton, I think you may have more of a... nurturing instinct than I do... and you know, your smaller stature would make you less... intimidating to the child... Here..." He tries to hand the baby over to Alton, but the halfling is already hard at work trying to light a fire.
The baby cries louder. Keildrithe sighs. "Alright little one, alright, I feel the same way... I could use a good change of clothes too... Let's see what uncle Laithe has left for us to work with." The bard then tears a few strips off Laithe's blanket, wipes the child clean with a few tree leaves, then does what he can to tie the blanket strips into a makeshift diaper. The result is a bit bunched up and seems less than comfortable, but Keildrithe nevertheless seems proud of his handiwork. "Theeeeeeeeere, that's better, isn't it? So, tell me... who's your mother? Is she still among us? Is she young and pretty, with no man in her life?"
"Sorry, never was very good with babies, and they were halfling babies. As you're human and its human it'll find you less intimidating." I say, lighting the fire and beginning to clean and polish my blades.
It seems that your friend Jirkin did not have many possessions to his name. Apart from the staff that he carried, and the clothes that he wore (which were buried with him), has battered backpack contains only a few items; Gosia’s pendant, and the clay bottle labelled “Change” from her hut; Jirkin's face mask; a large leather bound book that you take to be his spellbook; a beltpouch filled with strange odds and ends and knickknacks (spell components), a waterskin and a scroll. The scroll is of tightly rolled parchment, bearing a red wax seal. There is a name written in spidery Karandic lettering on the outer surface of the scroll.
Keildrithe sits down against a tree, baby in arms, beside Jirikin's possessions. He keeps on humming to the baby, and tries to keep it amused with a Prestidigitation spell that makes all sorts of tiny, sparkling animals flutter, disappear and reappear before the child.
The bard sighs as he looks over Jirkin's things. "His mask... what do we do with it? I would have returned it to his family, but to my knowledge, the only family he had were those twisted Magi he spoke of from time to time. We could present it to the Inquisitor as proof that we lost a companion on this quest, that he fell to the demon." He seems less than enthused by the latter suggestion.
"There are a few things in there that we must return to Gosia. I could carry them, or perhaps Jarred will want to do so once he returns with Laithe."
"The life of a wizard certainly is mysterious," the bard continues to muse to himself. "I should like to have a look at his spell book, and that scroll, when this little one has gone back to sleep... or into someone else's arms..."
And shortly afterwards, the bard himself seems to doze off from exhaution before the sight of his own magic tricks, holding the baby as tightly as if it were his own, just as Alton's fire comes to life...
Looking after a crying infant that needs his nappy changed is certainly more than the three men bargained for on this quest! But Keildrithe’s lullabies manage to soothe the babe, and he manages well enough with the irksome task of cleaning and wrapping the child.
In a spare moment he gets a chance to look at the scroll from Jirkin’s pack. Much to his surprise, the name written on the outer surface of the scroll – in Karandic – is Gosia Troskie ….
After a couple of hours the hunters return, (marked by Grall’s barking) with two waterskins full of goat’s milk, a brace of rabbits, and some wild potatoes and herbs. Of course Grall’s return sets Wil off, which wakes the baby, which wakes Keildrithe…
I sigh as the baby begins to wail again and the dogs start barking. I cast an irritated glance at the baby and shout to Jarred "Any idea who that infant belongs to?"
Looking after a crying infant that needs his nappy changed is certainly more than the three men bargained for on this quest! But Keildrithe’s lullabies manage to soothe the babe, and he manages well enough with the irksome task of cleaning and wrapping the child.
In a spare moment he gets a chance to look at the scroll from Jirkin’s pack. Much to his surprise, the name written on the outer surface of the scroll – in Karandic – is Gosia Troskie ….
After a couple of hours the hunters return, (marked by Grall’s barking) with two waterskins full of goat’s milk, a brace of rabbits, and some wild potatoes and herbs. Of course Grall’s return sets Wil off, which wakes the baby, which wakes Keildrithe…
Returning to the campsite, Laithe sees Keildrithe sitting holding the once again crying baby he walks over looking down at the child and smiles.
"I heard your protests as I departed, Keildrithe and had to chuckle. You seem to have managed though. I have no children myself, but there were a number of babies in my tribe growing up, and we tended to share around the care a little". He falters and his smile vanishes as he remembers the cruel fate of his tribe. After a moment, he recovers and continues "Anyway, if someone is willing to prepare the food, I'm happy to try and give this hungry baby a drink?" Then as an afterthought he adds with a slight smile "Unless you'd prefer to that is, Keildrithe?".
"I heard your protests as I departed, Keildrithe and had to chuckle. You seem to have managed though. I have no children myself, but there were a number of babies in my tribe growing up, and we tended to share around the care a little". He falters and his smile vanishes as he remembers the cruel fate of his tribe. After a moment, he recovers and continues "Anyway, if someone is willing to prepare the food, I'm happy to try and give this hungry baby a drink?" Then as an afterthought he adds with a slight smile "Unless you'd prefer to that is, Keildrithe?".
"Oh, now look what you've done," groans Keildrithe at no one in particular as fox and blink dog start growling at one another. "Here Laithe, this little one has been anxious for your return," says the bard as he hands the child back to the druid. "This is the first time I hear you mention your tribe, my friend... I should like to know of them someday, if you are willing to share." Sensing that some tragedy may have befallen Laithe or his people, Keildrithe hastily adds, "but I shall not pry, if you deem the subject to be of a private nature."
Then, addressing the party: "By the way, I found something curious among Jirkin's possessions... a scroll, with Gosia Troskie's name written on it in Karandic... I wonder what the connection is, but guess it will be up to Gosia to tell us, if she wishes this to be known... Jarred, might you have some insights?"
“There are at least a few dozen families in and around Barg,” Jarred replies to Alton. “I imagine the boy could belong to any of them. I try to go into the village as little as possible – once a year if I can’t avoid it – so I don’t know much about them. But at a guess I would say that it is one of the farming families who live outside the village proper. I would imagine they would be easier for the goblins to get to, and if it was the child of someone actually in the village, you would have heard about him being missing I would imagine – the goblin’s haven’t had the child for long by my reckoning … it hasn’t begun to … change yet …” The ranger looks uncomfortable, and trails off.
A moment later, Keildrithe gives him a change of conversation. “Your dead friend had a scroll addressed to Gosia? Hmmm, I do not know, she talks little of her life before coming to Barg, years back … but she has occasionally mentioned corresponding with someone – a mage of some sort I believe – somewhere in the east. Perhaps your friend was meant to deliver a letter?”
“There are at least a few dozen families in and around Barg,” Jarred replies to Alton. “I imagine the boy could belong to any of them. I try to go into the village as little as possible – once a year if I can’t avoid it – so I don’t know much about them. But at a guess I would say that it is one of the farming families who live outside the village proper. I would imagine they would be easier for the goblins to get to, and if it was the child of someone actually in the village, you would have heard about him being missing I would imagine – the goblin’s haven’t had the child for long by my reckoning … it hasn’t begun to … change yet …” The ranger looks uncomfortable, and trails off.
A moment later, Keildrithe gives him a change of conversation. “Your dead friend had a scroll addressed to Gosia? Hmmm, I do not know, she talks little of her life before coming to Barg, years back … but she has occasionally mentioned corresponding with someone – a mage of some sort I believe – somewhere in the east. Perhaps your friend was meant to deliver a letter?”
"Interesting," answers Keildrithe in response to Jarred's latter remark. Yet it is the ranger's incomplete answer to the first question that really piques the bard's curiosity. "I'm sorry, Jarred, what did you say before that? The baby hasn't begun to change yet? Change into what?!"
Jarred is silent for a moment, then begins hesitantly. “Well Keildrithe, you have heard the tales the bards tell of goblins stealing human babies … have you wondered why they do it? Not for food, as some will tell you, although I’m sure they would feast on humans in a pinch … not as slaves, though I’ve heard of them kidnapping older children for that purpose … and not because they are infertile, or all male, and cannot have children of their own – you’ve seen enough to dismiss that old tale. No … if they take a human infant young enough, they seem to have some process to change it into something else as it grows. I do not know how it works, how they do it … but I’ve seen the results.
“They become something neither human nor goblin, but something of both races – as tall, strong and smart as humans, as quick and crafty as goblins. Hobs they are sometimes called. Goblin’s train them up as warriors, tribal defenders .. though they oft end up becoming the leaders of bands of goblins, or leave to form clans of their own. Do you know the old stories of Robin Goblin, or of Old Iron Boots? Said that they were both Hobs…”
"Oh, now look what you've done," groans Keildrithe at no one in particular as fox and blink dog start growling at one another. "Here Laithe, this little one has been anxious for your return," says the bard as he hands the child back to the druid. "This is the first time I hear you mention your tribe, my friend... I should like to know of them someday, if you are willing to share." Sensing that some tragedy may have befallen Laithe or his people, Keildrithe hastily adds, "but I shall not pry, if you deem the subject to be of a private nature."
Laithe nods as he carefully takes the baby from the bard. "I will tell you of them someday soon, but I'm not sure I am ready just yet..." He sits down with the baby and sets about carefully feeding it the milk he and Jarred had collected, listening as Keildrithe and Jarred strike up conversation about the scroll and goblins.
"It looks like we got to you just in time little one" he whispers softly to the babe in his arms.
“Well,” says Jarred, “it has been a long afternoon, and evening draws near. I think we shall be safe enough here – most of the wild animals of the valley are unlikely to bother us here, and I doubt that the goblins are in a state to retaliate against us even if they wanted to … but it would perhaps still be wise to post a watch. Grall and I shall take our turns as well. We should be prepared to set off before first light… unless you had any further business in the valley.”
Although the information had been half forgotten by the bard, Keildrithe has in fact heard stories of Hobs, or Hobgoblins before. They are said to be somehow related to goblins – certainly goblin-like in appearance – whilst having the size and strength of humans. You had not previously heard the theory that Jarred relates on their creation, although stories of goblins stealing babies (and sometimes leaving changelings in their place) are common enough.
The folk-lore names of Robin Goblin and Old Iron Boots are familiar to Keildrithe, although the exact stories associated with them are not. But from what the bard can recall; Robin is described in some stories as a changeling, in others as a tall, handsome goblin, and in still others as a boy with goblin-like features. He is a mischievous, sometimes malicious rogue, but his antics are not evil. Iron Boots is also described as a goblin, although the stories certainly suggest that he is tall and strong – and evil; stalking the northern moors with his halberd and blood-stained cloak, killing travellers.
“Well,” says Jarred, “it has been a long afternoon, and evening draws near. I think we shall be safe enough here – most of the wild animals of the valley are unlikely to bother us here, and I doubt that the goblins are in a state to retaliate against us even if they wanted to … but it would perhaps still be wise to post a watch. Grall and I shall take our turns as well. We should be prepared to set off before first light… unless you had any further business in the valley.”
Laithe nods his assent at the ranger's suggestion, in the process of burping the baby once it has had it's fill. "Yes, I think we would benefit from an early night and an early start tomorrow. I think we should leave this little one in the tent, out of the elements. A watch would be prudent, for that creature may have not gone as far as it seems. I am happy to take the first watch."
Laithe sets about putting the baby to sleep and then wearily settling down to sleep.
"The people in my village always just said that the goblins took you away and roasted you on a spit, although I've heard of Robin Goblin.
Yes, we should always set watches, no matter how safe a place seems. I suggest that one of us and either Grall or Wil be on watch at all times during the night. Hopefully the dog's keener senses will aid us in detecting any intruders more quickly."
"I'll take last watch, then."
The night passes uneventfully enough – or at least it would be were it not for the baby waking and crying every few hours. Fortunately you have enough milk – and there are enough of you – that you can keep it quiet enough and still get a decent night’s rest. In the early hours of the morning, Jarred departs with Grall to milk some more goats, but he is back – and rousing you all – before sunrise.
The pre-dawn sky is darker than normal, with dark clouds overhead.
I stand from my bedroll and stretch. I pick up my bedroll and other equipment. "So, now back to Barg?" I ask. I think that we should make a plan before we enter Barg. We should set up sniper positions as well as having myself hide in town, nearby in case all does not go well with Keildrithe's talk with the Inquisitor. I believe we can enlist Troy for assistance. Should things go sour with your meeting, some of us will keep the guards engaged with non-lethal force as myself and perhaps Troy or another of us free Keildrithe and Gosia. Agreed?"
"I relish the thought of being taken hostage by the Inquisitor," mumbles Keildrithe. "I think that Yruch should be by my side as I speak with the Inquisitor -- if only to confirm, from an Artonite point of view, that what I speak is true. Hopefully, that should be sufficient to spare Gosia and I from being burned at the stake. I can also bring the child forward, as well as a few tokens we brought back from the goblins, including that spell book, as further proof to support my claims... what do you think?"
"Yes, your being able to convince the Inquisitor of Gosia's innocence is preferable, but I think it best to have a plan in place should things go awry."
Yruch seems lost in thought for a few moments, then joins the conversation. “I believe that Inquisitor Vorn’s ideal outcome would be to have you – us – deal with any threat within the forest that might actually have caused the deaths of those girls – and then find a reason to put the witch – sorry, Gosia – to death anyway. Not that I think he is an evil man, but he truly sees her as a threat to the Church’s domination of the village. He may well decide – even with my testimony – that the evidence we have presented is not enough. I do not know this for certain, but I do know that he will act in whatever he believes is the best interest for the Church … or at least the Inquisition.”
“Also, I do not know whether you met Vorn’s henchman, Atrek? Well … I should speak no ill of a man of the Church, but you should watch that one, if he is there when we return.”
“If we head off by, or soon after dawn, we should reach the village a little before sunset – when they close the gates. If that helps in the planning,” Jarred adds.
“If we head off by, or soon after dawn, we should reach the village a little before sunset – when they close the gates. If that helps in the planning,” Jarred adds.
Laithe listens in to Alton, Keildrithe's and Yruch's words and then speaks "I see merit in all your words. I think Keildrithe should head in with the support of Yruch to speak with the Inquisitor, and I agree with Alton that we don't want to all head in together and potentially make it easy for him to round us all up. Though truth be told, I don't think he will do that - he will not want to give the town reason to rise up against him."
He looks around the group before continuing. "However, should it come to trouble we are all carrying the wounds of battle and we will be arriving at the town after a full day's march. I think we should push to make Gosia's cottage and then halt there. A couple of us can continue on into town to make sure Vorn is standing by the 7-days he gave us. If all is well, we should take the time to rest and prepare ourselves and only head into town the following day."
"What Yruch says is true - we haven't found the final missing girl, nor have we brought back any solid evidence of the demon thing which we supsect killed them. We go off our words alone, which I fear will not be enough for the Inquisitor."
Yruch seems lost in thought for a few moments, then joins the conversation. “I believe that Inquisitor Vorn’s ideal outcome would be to have you – us – deal with any threat within the forest that might actually have caused the deaths of those girls – and then find a reason to put the witch – sorry, Gosia – to death anyway. Not that I think he is an evil man, but he truly sees her as a threat to the Church’s domination of the village. He may well decide – even with my testimony – that the evidence we have presented is not enough. I do not know this for certain, but I do know that he will act in whatever he believes is the best interest for the Church … or at least the Inquisition.”
“Also, I do not know whether you met Vorn’s henchman, Atrek? Well … I should speak no ill of a man of the Church, but you should watch that one, if he is there when we return.”
"I value your counsel in this matter immensely, friend Yruch. I believe you are probably right in your assessment of the situation. Yet it is my hope that, with your presence, the folk of Barg will at least see that there are divisions and disagreements even among Arton's champions, which, I pray would lead the folk to pressure the authorities into accepting the less sanguine solution."
Keildrithe looks at Yruch intently before continuing. "What do you suggest we do, Yruch? And where will your loyalties lie, should Gosia and I be sentenced to burn, or should mayhem erupt in the streets of Barg? Have you already determined Gosia to be guilty, and we as well, merely because we follow a different path? Yruch, for the past three days we have stood united against evil... Gosia helped young mothers birth their babes... what more is required for folk to be called "good"? Are all who do not worship Arton to be labelled "evil"? If you would agree with this, then I strongly urge you to tell us now...
The bard carries on in an exasperated tone, waving his hands frantically and pacing from side to side, shaking his head as he does so: "Please forgive me for speaking plainly, but I cannot see how Arton, if he be a just god, would prefer to be served by heavy handed Inquisitors rather than by more compassionate (I hope) champions, such as yourself... I pray with all my soul that you will stand by us when the moment of truth comes... but if you have doubts about your stance, then perhaps it would be wiser if we went separate ways as of this moment..."
“Remember that I too accepted a mission to try to prove the woman’s innocence,” says Yruch sternly. “I did not believe that the Inquisitor’s own evidence was enough to put a woman to death – banish her maybe, but the evidence that she killed the girls was circumstantial at best. The Inquisitor told me that Arton provided him with the truth of her actions, but I … well, I believe that Arton was telling me that she did not do it.
“Would I bring arms against an Inquisitor, a lawfully appointed agent of my Church? I would be labelled an outlaw at best, more likely a heretic … you ask much. But I would not see a woman unjustly put to death. If Vorn can be talked from his path, I will be happy. If he cannot … then I take heart that Alton suggested non lethal force. I will stand by you in supporting Gosia, because I believe this course is just, and the Inquisitor wrong – I believe that it was the creatures we fought yesterday who killed the girls, not the woman. If we cannot convince Vorn to let her free, then I will stand by you in defending her. But I will not take part in a murder plot against the Inquisitor.”
“Remember that I too accepted a mission to try to prove the woman’s innocence,” says Yruch sternly. “I did not believe that the Inquisitor’s own evidence was enough to put a woman to death – banish her maybe, but the evidence that she killed the girls was circumstantial at best. The Inquisitor told me that Arton provided him with the truth of her actions, but I … well, I believe that Arton was telling me that she did not do it.
“Would I bring arms against an Inquisitor, a lawfully appointed agent of my Church? I would be labelled an outlaw at best, more likely a heretic … you ask much. But I would not see a woman unjustly put to death. If Vorn can be talked from his path, I will be happy. If he cannot … then I take heart that Alton suggested non lethal force. I will stand by you in supporting Gosia, because I believe this course is just, and the Inquisitor wrong – I believe that it was the creatures we fought yesterday who killed the girls, not the woman. If we cannot convince Vorn to let her free, then I will stand by you in defending her. But I will not take part in a murder plot against the Inquisitor.”
"This is all I can ask, and yours is a more than fair response, Yruch. You have more than proven your dedication to our cause, and I doubt your intentions not. Please accept my apologies if I have offended you, or spoken rashly. It's just that I am feeling... my emotions running high again..."
Keildrithe takes a deep breath, then remembers that he forgot to ask a question of his companion: "Yruch, what can you tell us of this Atrek? What makes him so fearsome?"
Laithe approaches Jarred and says softly "Friend you suffered greatly during yesterday's battle. I have prayed to Ehlonna that she might grant me the healing touch to help alleviate some of your wounds - please accept this gift, for I give it freely". Laithe lays his hands gently on the worse of Jarred's wounds and with a prayer to Ehlonna a soft glow appears and the wounds begin to heal.
Once done, Laithe approaches Yruch and repeats the offer. "If your god will allow it, mine would not begrudge me using magic to heal a companion on a shared cause, so please accept this offer."
Jarred and Yruch both look better – although not completely healed – after Laithe’s administrations.
“Atrek,” Yruch replies grimly, “is Vorn’s dog. His loyal servant and huntsman. It is said that he is a skilled tracker as well as a skilled warrior. It is also said that he does much of Vorn’s … dirty work.”
"I have no intention of murdering the Inquisitor, merely making sure that justice does not go awry. I agree tht we should go to Gosia's house tonight and then send a scout into Barg to asses the situation before we construct a true plan. Perhaps we can lure this Atrek man out of the village somehow?
Thank you Laithe, I could use the healing. One of the goblin warriors dealt a particularly nasty blow to me."
"I have no intention of murdering the Inquisitor, merely making sure that justice does not go awry. I agree tht we should go to Gosia's house tonight and then send a scout into Barg to asses the situation before we construct a true plan. Perhaps we can lure this Atrek man out of the village somehow?
Thank you Laithe, I could use the healing. One of the goblin warriors dealt a particularly nasty blow to me."
After finishing with Yruch and Jarred, Laithe moves over to Alton and says "I've used my more powerful healing spells but still have a couple of minor spells which may help." He repeats the healing ritual on Alton a couple of times, helping some of those wounds to knit together and scab over.
Once finished he looks up at the sky and sees it starting to alighten with the approaching dawn. "Let us be on our way now - we can talk more and discuss our plans on the trail. Jarred, you know these lands better than any of us; if you are feeling up for leading then I will carry the baby." Laithe sets about helping to break camp and then carefully scoops up the child, taking the spare milk skins and makes ready to depart.
"Thank you Laithe, and through you the Lady Ehlohnna. Yes, let us depart. We have a great deal of ground to cover and not much time. Is everyone ready to depart?" I ask, shouldering my pack and finding a staff of the appropriate height as a walking staff.
As Jarred packs up the camp, he explains that he plans to leave Grall in the Valley; to keep an eye on the remaining goblins, and also to avert any problems caused by having Wil and Grall together if the group is trying to be stealthy.
He indicates his readiness to leave, and begins setting off down the hill – to the north. This may surprise some of the group a little, as the way you entered the valley lies to the south.
"Uh, Jarred. I know you're the expert woodsman but...isn't Barg the opposite direction?" I ask, wondering if he's recovered from his recent insanity (and at the same time wondering if my sense of direction has gotten messed up again).
“Well actually, Barg is that way,” says Jarred, pointing towards the lightening sky to the east, “but my way out of the valley is this way. Why? You entered the valley another way?” he seems somewhat surprised.
"Well, yes we did. From the South, I think."
“Ah then, you may have discovered the way that the goblins are getting in and out of the valley! I suspected that they had some secret route, rather than going all the way around to the path at the western end of the valley … and they do not use my route. Well done!” He then shrugs. “Well, we can use either route, it is the same to me, although I would be interested to hear how and where the goblins enter and exit the valley – my way is through a cave which leads up to the rim.”
"Laithe should probably lead the way. He is after all, the woodsman and my sense of direction is...unreliable."