Mothman and Laithe:
He thinks for a moment "Unfortunately I cannot take the form of an eagle or flying creature - though I have heard there are those who can do it. Perhaps we should take the horses and find Yruch. If neither Alton or Kajetan are there, then you should all leave and I will assume the form of a hound and head back in to see if they are ok. But hopefully they are already with Yruch, waiting for us at the Northern gate!""We should go quickly - if Gosia's escape has been discovered then they may come for horses - or try to close the gates! Let us stick to the back roads, but make some haste."
"Agreed. I pray that we will find Alton and Kajetan waiting at the northwest gate, for I like not the idea of you going back to find them on your own, Laithe... though I have no alternative to offer at this point. Let's ride hard... and if necessary, I can try to assume the figure of Atrek or even the Inquisitor as we near the gate... riding at high speed, the guards may not have the time to get a good enough look at me to notice any discrepancies... and I know the layout of the town best, so I'll ride point..."
At that, Keildrithe prepares to mount a horse and to lead his companions as fast as they can ride through the back streets of Barg, towards the northwest gate.
Kajetan and Alton:
The soldiers look around nervously, obviously unsure what to do or how to respond and unwilling to turn their backs on an armed opponent, looking for some sort of leadership.
As the tension escalates, the hubbub is pierced by a much louder sound from the direction of the town square – the church bells are ringing in an urgent, warning tone.
Keildrithe and Laithe:
You have almost reached the street leading to the gate, when the morning air is pierced by the sound of urgently ringing church bells.
Rounding the corner, you enter the street leading to the gates, which stand about sixty feet away. One of the two gates has been swung shut, whilst Yruch stands with his back to the second gate, mace drawn, holding a group of soldiers at bay and preventing them from completely shutting the gate. A small crowd of about ten village folk stand back a little, watching the action, and you recognise Kajetan at the back of the group – he does not appear to have seen you. The crowd does not completely block this wider street, so there is space to ride past them to reach the gate.
DM Mothman & Keildrithe:
He then quickly dismounts from his horse, throwing the reins to Keildrithe and saying. "Get to Kajetan, Yruch and Alton, get them on horses and go. I'll follow on foot."
Laithe then calls to Ehlonna, and takes on a new form; that of a large grey hound. He moves quickly towards Yruch's position in an easy loping run, his shaggy grey coat bouncing gently as he runs. Laithe-hound attempts to skirt the guards and join the paladin against them, baring his K9s in a long, low growl, hoping to warn off the guards.
A short distance down the street from the north-west gate, Laithe reins in his horse and quickly dismounts, transmuting into a large, shaggy coated grey hound as he goes. The streets are not empty, and this transformation does not go un-noticed, drawing cries and yells from several onlookers.
Kajetan looks around at the noise, and sees two mounted, black clad figures riding down the street, leading another two horses behind them – one of the men seems to have an old woman riding with him.
The shaggy dog bounds past one of the startled and uneasy soldiers surrounding Yruch, and turns, standing beside the paladin, teeth bared, growling low in it’s throat. The soldiers grow even more uneasy; “Alton save us!” cries one. “Someone fetch bows and spears!” shouts a more level headed soldier.
I step forward to stand by Yruch. Drawing my sickle and rapier I shout "Step aside! We have no quarrel with you and you shan't be harmed if you let us depart in peace. Bar our path and we will do whatever it takes to leave Barg." to the soldiers, brandishing my weapons.
Laithe-hound growls again, but holds his attack, waiting to see if the guards are going to move to stop Yruch, Alton or the riders as they pass out through the gates.
Jarred continues riding towards the gate, with the old woman clinging tightly to him, and leading two spare horses behind him. He has slowed to a canter, both to grab the reins of Laithe’s horse and to manouvre around the crowd.
“Jump on!” he yells, spotting Kajetan standing near the edge of the crowd.
The scholar nods curtly, but doesn’t immediately make a move towards the horses. Instead, he looks down, moving his hands slightly and muttering – and an instant later the soldier standing in the gap of the open gates changes posture, his shoulders slumping at his sides and his face taking on a slack-jawed expression. At this, Kajetan begins running for the horse.
The remaining soldiers are clearly scared by the addition of the large hound and the small, weapon bearing “child” to their lone foe, and mill about uncertainly, slightly lowering their weapons, but not offering any surrender.
The sound of yells come from further up the street in the direction of the town square – it sounds as if something is happening in that direction.
I keep brandishing my rapier and make a mock lunge at the nearest guard "Be gone with you! All of you! I'd rather not kill you but if that's what it takes then blood will be spilled! Let me and my friends go in peace and no more innocent blood shall stain the streets!" I hold my position at the gates until the horses near the gates when I clamber up the stirrup of a saddle onto the horse's back, encountering only minor difficulties with th large beast.
"Atrek" slows his horse, allowing Jarred and Gosia to ride ahead with the spare mounts, hopefully giving Kajetan and the others an opportunity to jump on their mounts. Counting on the fact that the guards have their backs turned to him, and that they may not have had a good look at him from a distance, the changed bard screams to them at the top of his lungs (also hoping to drown out the yells and protests that seem to be coming from the heart of town): "CLEAR THE WAY, GUARDSMEN, FOR I SHALL RIDE THESE FILTHY CURS DOWN... BY THE GRACE OF ARTON AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE INQUISITOR, THEY'RE MINE!!!" And at that, he begins to charge towards the gate with sword held high...
The guards at the gate seem heartened by “Atrek” coming to their aid, and settle back into combat ready stances.
"Oh damn." I sigh as the guards take an offensive stance again. I eye them warily, ready to defend ourselves if attacked.
There are three soldiers and two constables surrounding Yruch and Laithe. One of the soldiers, standing in the open gateway, appears dazed by Kajetan’s spell.
Keildrithe could ride by and snatch up Alton easily enough – although he could probably withdraw from combat unharmed himself.
---
Yruch’s eyes flick away from the guard he is facing momentarily, looking up the street behind Keildrithe. “Red coats,” he murmers so that Laithe can hear him.
Seeing the approach of the Red-Coats that Yruch pointed out Laithe-hound concentrates once more and decides it is time to assume his more comfortable and recognised form. His form changes with his legs shortening, his snout elongating.
Now standing as a wolf, Laithe-wolf let's out a howl and snaps forward at those guards standing near Yruch, hoping they will remember the mauled bodies that they discovered outside the gate that morning and lose their heart for the fight.
Laithe, at the far corner of the street, where it turns and heads towards the square, you see five or six red liveried soldiers accompanying Inquisitor Vorn, heading towards the gate.
As you transform into the wolf and sink your teeth into the soldier’s calf, he gives a cry of pain and horror and pulls away, falling back. The soldier next to him likewise recoils and cries out, giving you and Yruch a clear avenue of escape to the gate.
Kajetan climbs clumsily onto one of the spare horses, pulling himself into the saddle and once again making arcane gestures, keeping the soldier in the gap of the gate in his magical stupor.
Jarred manouveres his horse around the crowd and towards the gap in the gate.
"Let us be on our way," Kajetan says to his companions as he starts guiding his horse. As he moves, he says to one of the guards, "Best not to follow. The town is yours, but the forest is ours. You should take a trip to the cabin outside of Barg though. You will find something there." Kajetan felt compelled saying this last bit. He could not let those men tied up in the pit starve to death. Not after his word was given that no harm would come to them. The scholar says no more and readies his escape.
Baring his teeth now red with the soldiers blood, Laithe backs away, waiting for Yruch and Alton to back up and jump onto the final spare horse.
Once they are up he springs away runs alongside the horses, away from Barg and towards the (hopeful) safety of the woods.
Seeing that his companions are all making their escape through the gate, "Atrek" begins his charge. On his way out, the changed bard can't help but spit on one of the soldiers. "Take that message back to your cowardly and dishonest Artonite masters..." As he rides on, he looks over his shoulder at the stunned guards, his features gradually becoming those of Keildrithe Oldsun once again.
"YAH, YAH!!!" yells the bard, spurring his mount on faster. "Thank you for watching over us, father, grandfather," he murmurs to himself as the distance between the party and Barg gradually increases.
"Lead us to the clans, Jarred!" he calls out with renewed vigour, confidence and determination... Then, he begins to chant a wordless, traditional Karandic hymn... Keildrithe's spirit is clearly soaring higher than ever before...
As Jarred, Keildrithe and Kajetan ride out of the gates past the stunned soldier, Yruch leaps into the saddle of the last horse, dragging Alton up behind him, and the pair gallop off, with Laithe in tow.
The four horses canter or gallop – depending on the skill and number of the riders – away down the muddy lane, between Barg’s outlying buildings and towards the forest – and freedom.
Looking back, the escapees might see a few soldiers run outside the gates and begin to give chase – but without horses they soon give up, outmatched on the straight run to the forest by the hooved beasts.
The church bell continues to ring, and it is doubtless that reinforcements and horses will soon arrive from the castle; but for now, the escape is a clean one.
Jarred leads the way past the Devil’s Table under the eaves of the forest, then reigns in his horse, waiting for the stragglers to catch up. Under the darkened boughs, the old woman behind him lets her magical disguise drop, revealing the more youthful features of Gosia.
“I don’t think it safe to return to your cottage,” Jarred addresses her, and the rest of the group. “It will be the first place they look, and there is little enough left intact there besides. I think we should travel further into the wood, and break for a rest at the goblin campsite – do you all agree?”
“I don’t think it safe to return to your cottage,” Jarred addresses her, and the rest of the group. “It will be the first place they look, and there is little enough left intact there besides. I think we should travel further into the wood, and break for a rest at the goblin campsite – do you all agree?”
Laithe-wolf lopes alongside the riders, bolstered by their escape and Keildrithe's enthusiasm. When he catches up with Jarred, he once assumes human form. With a smile on his face he he addresses the group. "Well done my friends ön a job well done. I nearly fell off my horse in relief when I spotted Kajetan, Alton and Yruch still standing at the gates.""
Turning more serious he continues "Yet we are still not done yet, and we are likely to have a hard chase on our hands. I think Jarred is correct: the goblin campsite is a good place to stop - it is well defended and will allow us to put some distance between those who follow. And if I remember it lies at a fork in the road - perhaps we can set a false trail for them."'
“I don’t think it safe to return to your cottage,” Jarred addresses her, and the rest of the group. “It will be the first place they look, and there is little enough left intact there besides. I think we should travel further into the wood, and break for a rest at the goblin campsite – do you all agree?”
Keildrithe smirks. "Laithe is right... we had feared that Alton and Kajetan had run into trouble in the town square, and might even have been captured...
"Jarred, do you know of any place further than the goblin camp, and well off the trail, that we might be able to reach before nightfall? It is still morning, and we have many daylight hours ahead of us... I think it would be prudent to put as much distance between us and Barg as possible, even though the Inquisitor's forces have few horses left with which to pursue us... How far again to the clan holds, my friend?"
Jarred gazes for a long moment at Laithe and Keildrithe in the dim forest light. When he answers, his voice is somewhat tense and curt. “It may indeed be a hard chase. I think we should move fast, leave the talk – and the celebrations – till we reach our day’s destination.
“If we are all willing and able to move fast, we can reach the Valley of Snails by nightfall; there are few other places in this part of the wood I would wish to spend the night. What think you?”
"I will, to the best of my ability, keep up. I agree. We should move as fast as possible. Valley of the Snails? Sounds like an interesting place to learn about. I am intrigued. My Lady Gosia, I am glad you are with us. After we are safe, I wish a conversation with you. It is strange, but I feel like we have met before. Although, I have just recently arrived to this land. Jarred, lead the way my valiant friend."
Jarred gazes for a long moment at Laithe and Keildrithe in the dim forest light. When he answers, his voice is somewhat tense and curt. “It may indeed be a hard chase. I think we should move fast, leave the talk – and the celebrations – till we reach our day’s destination.
“If we are all willing and able to move fast, we can reach the Valley of Snails by nightfall; there are few other places in this part of the wood I would wish to spend the night. What think you?”
Laithe sobers a little at Jarred's tone and words, and throws a look over his shoulder back towards Barg. "You are right of course - let us be off!".
With that, Laithe leaps forward, changing once more into his favoured wolf form and starts off at a lope on the trail towards the Valley of the Snails. He sets a reasonable pace; one that he feels the riders will be able to handle through the foliage. As he runs, he keeps his eyes and ears peeled for any sign of danger on or close by to the track.
Jarred and Laithe lead the way through the forest, the ranger setting a cracking pace, obviously fearful of persuit. The horses need to be walked most of the way along the narrow path with it’s tripping roots and unexpected hollows, but with Alton and Gosia remaining astride the pace is faster than it would otherwise be.
Between Jarred’s pace, the short breaks and the oppressive quietness of the forest, there is little conversation on the journey. By tacit agreement, talk is to wait until evening.
It seems that the hidden creatures of the Dimwood are wary of such a large band of travellers, and the journey through the quiet, dark forest passes without serious incident, although at one point Jarred almost walks into a gigantic spiderweb that has been woven across the path. Fortunately its monstrous weaver remains well hidden.
With an hour or so of daylight left, the travellers arrive at the north-east edge of the valley, but Jarred leads the way a further mile or two along the cliff-top towards a steep path down into the valley that the horses can traverse.
The sun has well and truly set by the time camp is made not far from a small, swift flowing stream near the western edge of the valley.
Gosia addresses the group in the wan moonlight. “Thankyou all so much for saving me – to risk your own lives; literally I understand, in the case of one of your companions.” She hangs her head. “For that I am truly sorry. I wish there was more I could offer you than my thanks.”
I dismount a little sorely and reply to Gosia with a slight bow "I couldn't very well let someone be burned in a town square by the Artonites merely for possessing wisdom beyond that of the Inquisitor. It's not my way. As for the danger." I add with a grin "I left my homeland to find adventure and, I suppose, glory like that of the heroes I was told of as a child. I have found adventure and, in it's own way, glory. I was taught that a man can lose every thing and be none the lesser until he loses his freedom. Perhaps our actions today will help encourage those who've lost their freedom to reclaim it. Perhaps we will one day be remembered as the pebbles who started the avalanche." I say pensively, settling against a tree and pulling out my pipe.
Laithe busies himself helping set up camp and then heads out to gather some food and water for himself and anyone else who needs food.
Once he is done he settles by the camp and talks to Jarred and Gosia. "As Alton has said, we couldn't stand by and watch an innocent and by all accounts good woman be condemned to a fiery death to satisfy the prejudices of the church. I have personal experience with the brutalities of the church and I will eagerly fight to see that others don't suffer the same."
"What will you to do now? Will the valley be safe for you now Jarred? Is there somewhere perhaps you can hold up and wait till things settle down a bit? You are of course welcome to travel with us as long as you can. Gosia, we also retrieved the items and coins you had stashed below your hut - you may have need of them if you are to try and build a new home somewhere?"
Laithe now turns to the group at large. "What about the rest of you? Yruch, the aid you have given us has no doubt put you in an awkward position with the church. I imagine we haven't seen the last of Atrek and Vorn, and for that I am somewhat glad. I would like another opportunity to rid the world of their evil. And there is also the matter of tracking down the imp, whose evil actions set off this whole chain of sorry events. I for one would like to avenge Jirkin's death at its hands and ensure that it doesn't ruin any more lives."
Jarred nods at Alton’s words. “Freedom is certainly worth fighting for,” he says, before turning to Laithe. “No, I do not think I will be safe here in the Valley. I have no doubt that Vorn will come after us, soon, if he is not already on his way. My intention is to gather some essentials from my campsite, pick up Gral, and then leave the Valley. We’ll head north, then back east through the forest, avoiding Barg, and from there continue east, to the clans.” His face drops for a moment. “If it seems safe I’ll try to look for Wil on the way. Otherwise, I suppose the little fellow will need to fend for himself.”
“Please keep the things you found at my cottage,” says Gosia. “It is the very least I can offer you for saving my life. Jarred and I both have contacts back east – we will not want for food or shelter, and we both have skills enough to start over.” Any further offers to return the items from her cottage are met with kind but insistent refusal by the woman.
“As for Vorn,” the half-elf continues, “I do not see him giving up the hunt easily … but his target may have switched. It is you, in rescuing me, who have made a fool of him. I fear that he will want revenge. And I am sure that a shape shifting druid and a spell-singing bard are as enticing targets for him as a witch.”
The brief silence that falls after this statement is broken by Yruch. “I have been of three minds,” he says. “One, like Laithe, to hunt the imp that killed Jirkin. But beyond seeing it fly west, we have little idea where it would be. Secondly, to return and confront Vorn, to dissuade him from this path. But the more I think on it, the more I realise he will not be swayed, and is too strong to confront.
“The third path – and the one I believe I will take – is to journey south, back to Atus. I believe that Vorn is abusing his power, and that the problem may extend further than just him. I will report to the Chapter House of the Order of Paladins, and see if there is anything that can be done to curb the power of the Inquisition.”
Laithe falls silent, listening to Gosia's and then Yruch's plans. After a while he speaks up once more. "I'm inclined to head west after the imp. I know we don't have much to go on, but I have a feeling that creature will leave a trail of chaos that we should be able to follow. "
"It has some other potential benefits. If we stand against Vorn now he is likely to have the aid of the soldiers from Barg with him, while we are still recovering from the battles we've fought over the last few days. If we head west, we give ourselves some chance to recover, and hopefully he will lose the aid of the soldiers from Barg. We can also perhaps choose a place to stand and fight, when we are ready."
"This option should also draw Vorn and his men after us, giving Yruch, Gosia and Jarred a chance to slip away without being tracked. What do you think?"
"My friends, I wish to follow Gosia, if she will have me as company. Once we are safe, I feel there is alot I can learn from her."
"I'm sorry to hear that Kajetan. I've known you for a short time but from your actions so far I am honored to have counted you as a companion. Yruch, The same goes for you. It takes a a lot of bravery to defy a member of the Inquisition, especially if he's your superior and it takes even more to go back into the fire and try to change things there. I wish you success and luck in this Yruch.
"I'm sorry to hear that Kajetan. I've known you for a short time but from your actions so far I am honored to have counted you as a companion. Yruch, The same goes for you. It takes a a lot of bravery to defy a member of the Inquisition, especially if he's your superior and it takes even more to go back into the fire and try to change things there. I wish you success and luck in this Yruch.
Laithe nods at Alton's words "Yes, both of you have proved to me through your actions that you are good people and valuable companions - you will be sorely missed. Yruch, I was wary of you at first (to say the least) but you have given me heart that not all followers of Arton are corrupt as Vorn and Atrek clearly are. If ever in the future either of you require help, find us and we will do what we can".
"On second thought, it might be safer for Gosia if we did part ways, and I came with the rest of you instead. She seems to have skills of making herself seem not herself, but a man of my heritage will surely cause the focus of attention." Looking over to Laithe, Kajetan gives a grim smile, "Besides, Laithe my new friend, you have a talent of causing the focus of attention also. I have no knowledge of how you do what you do, but then again sometimes I do not know how I do some of the things that I do. I do know though, that you are good of heart. It just seems logical that we should stick together, if you will have me."
"On second thought, it might be safer for Gosia if we did part ways, and I came with the rest of you instead. She seems to have skills of making herself seem not herself, but a man of my heritage will surely cause the focus of attention." Looking over to Laithe, Kajetan gives a grim smile, "Besides, Laithe my new friend, you have a talent of causing the focus of attention also. I have no knowledge of how you do what you do, but then again sometimes I do not know how I do some of the things that I do. I do know though, that you are good of heart. It just seems logical that we should stick together, if you will have me."
Laithe smiles, somewhat relieved. "With Inquisitors from the church of Arton hot on our heels and a Demonic Imp ahead of us I would be a fool to turn down your offer of travelling with us further. You've risked your life as much as any of us and proved more than capable in handling the challenges and dangers which I fear lie ahead of us. I am relieved you've changed your mind and will continue to travel with us."
Kajetan nods in gratitude, but his eyes and face show concern, "Uh, demonic Imp?"
Kajetan nods in gratitude, but his eyes and face show concern, "Uh, demonic Imp?"
Laithe glances at Keildrithe and Alton before continuing "Perhaps I should be quiet before I make you change your mind again! In short, an imp which had taken a goblin tribe under its sway, was responsible for the murders for which Gosia had been blamed and was sentenced to death. We battled the tribe and defeated them, but the imp escaped, heading West, and not before killing one of our companions, Jirkin. I'm sure Keildrithe will be able to do the story more justice than I." Laithe throws another look Keildrithe and Alton's way.
"I think we all would like to hunt the thing down, to avenge Jirkin's death and that of the girls it murdered, and to prevent it causing more chaos and ruining more lives. And as we need to put some distance between ourselves and Barg at the moment, West is as good a direction as any."
Keildrithe sits with his back against a tree and listens quietly to his companions' plans and suggestions, his face long. As the group continues to converse, he begins to rummage through his pack, then pulls out a few items: two tomes, a mask, and a rolled scroll.
"Lest I should forget before we should part ways, I have these things to give. Gosia, our friend Jirkin presently rests in a peaceful place overlooking the Valley of the Snails. Though we all miss him, do not think badly on his passing -- he died fighting for a good cause, and even today, I feel that his spirit looks upon us, with pride and honour, for we have completed the mission that he willingly set out to do. I do not know if you knew Jirkin at all, Gosia, but he certainly knew of you before he came to Barg. As a matter of fact, he had been charged with delivering a scroll into your hands, which I now give to you. Who knows if this scroll will not contain the seeds to another quest? Though I, like Laithe, long to visit revenge upon the demon that took Jirkin's life, I know that he was also quite preoccupied with a cabal known as the "Magi"... perhaps the scroll explains more on that, as well?"
Keildrithe hands Gosia the scroll, and gives her a moment to read it. Before she has a chance to speak, the bard continues. "Jirkin often wore a strange mask. I know not if you will recognize it, but if our respective paths should go in different directions, and away from these Magi, then I think that Jirkin would have been proud if you would accept his mask as a token, a memory of a meeting that never took place."
Keildrithe then pulls the pendant they found in Gosia's cottage, and holds it out to her. "This also belongs to you, My Lady..."
The bard then points at the two tomes, laid out on the grass before the group. "These books contain magic spells and knowledge that I am sure the Inquisition would love to burn. One of the books belonged to Jirkin, the other to a goblin witch doctor. Gosia, I would be inclined to give you the former, if you can do anything with it. If not, perhaps it would be of benefit to our new friend, Kajetan, who has risked much and achieved even more on this quest. Doubtless, things might have turned out very differently had he not stepped forward to aid us in the end. I am sure that Jirkin would be pleased to find the tool for his art passed on to either one of you, to folks who can use them for good in this ever darkening world. As for the goblin witch doctor's book, I have little doubt that it contains many evil incantations that would be best removed from the world... but I will leave it up to the wiser and more knowledgeable amongst us to decide what should be done with them."
The presentation of the items seems to alleviate somewhat the cares that cloud Keildrithe's face.
Kajetan frowns as Laithe tells his tale. “I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend. It seems I have come to this land on one mission but have been given another. I am a scholar and always will be, but after the last few days, I feel so much more. We made a difference today. If there is some evil out there, and if we have the power to end that evil, then so be it.” Kajetan looks away for a moment and scans the forest. He turns back and continues, “I have never truly learned how to defend myself. Never needed to in the libraries in Lorin, but I also seem to pick up new skills, I call them tricks, when I need them. Hopefully, I will teach myself some new tricks soon to aid in this cause. If my might does not become an asset though, you still have my knowledge.” Kajetan gives a quick nod, “West it is then my new friends. You are right, West is a good direction.” Finally, Kajetan releases a smile. Although scared, he feels free, he has friends, and he has a cause more important than himself.
As Keildrithe presents the tomes to Gosia and speaks of knowledge, Kajetan uses all of his effort and will to stay quiet and tries not to look longingly at the potential of new things to learn.
Laithe glances at Keildrithe and Alton before continuing "Perhaps I should be quiet before I make you change your mind again! In short, an imp which had taken a goblin tribe under its sway, was responsible for the murders for which Gosia had been blamed and was sentenced to death. We battled the tribe and defeated them, but the imp escaped, heading West, and not before killing one of our companions, Jirkin. I'm sure Keildrithe will be able to do the story more justice than I." Laithe throws another look Keildrithe and Alton's way.
"I think we all would like to hunt the thing down, to avenge Jirkin's death and that of the girls it murdered, and to prevent it causing more chaos and ruining more lives. And as we need to put some distance between ourselves and Barg at the moment, West is as good a direction as any."
After having presented the arcane items to the party, Keildrithe listens to the on-going discussion between the others and, following a lenthy pause, responds at last.
"Laithe, you have become to me the brother I never had. Your words and your deeds, your faith and your powers, have revitalized my confidence in myself and determination to liberate our peoples from this age of darkness. But at this moment, I am torn between heading west right away to avenge Jirkin and to prevent that demon from wreaking more havoc in the world, and heading east to the clans with Gosia and Jarred, where I feel we might be able to initiate an awakening among other Karands, and plant the seeds for an eventual overthrow of the Artonites. Gosia, Jarred, I welcome your counsel on this... would there be a point to us going to the clans with you? Of course, Jirkin's scroll may hold the key to what we acutally should do next..."
The bard then looks at Yruch and extends both hands to the paladin. "What Laithe said about your qualities goes for me as well... I hope you can forgive me my initial doubt and hostility towards you... You have more than proven yourself a true champion of Good, regardless of the other names that cause may go by. I wish you well on your journey back to your Order, pray that you will succeed in your quest to open the eyes of your church to the wrongs that have been committed in the lands of the Karands, and smile at the thought that the sun may again shine upon us as a result of your actions and deeper understanding and (dare I hope) acceptance of Karandic ways... May many doors open at your knock during your travels, and may hearts and minds of all persuasions open to your words, my friend... We are in your debt..."
"Kajetan, Alton... I would be deeply honoured if our companionship should continue, but of course understand that life may pull us upon different paths, and each man (and halfling) must choose his own way... And Kajetan, as Laithe indicated, I will be pleased to tell you (and all others who would hear) of our adventures in the Valley of the Snails, for it is indeed a modern tale of great courage and self-sacrifice, one that I hope will bring inspiration to Karands far and wide." The bard shares a knowing smile with Alton, quite certain that the halfling will share the road a while longer with Laithe and himself... This small one has the spirit of the bear in him, and the soul of a Karand...
“Jirkin,” murmurs Gosia. “I know that name; this is your companion that died?”
Following Keildrithe’s explanation, she breaks the wax seal on the scroll, unfurls it, and begins reading, as the rest of the group converses around her. As she continues, her face registers surprise, and she occasionally glances up at the rest of the group.
In a few moments she is finished reading, and passes the scroll back to Keildrithe to read.
The letter on the parchment scroll is written in Karandic, in a large, florid hand. It reads;
---
“My dear Gosia,
It has been many years since we have corresponded, and longer still since I saw you last, but you have been in my thoughts of late.
I encountered a vivid dream several nights ago, in which you came to the door of my cottage. I was pleased to see you, and welcomed you within, but your face was strangely blank, and instead of returning my greeting, you spoke the following riddle;
“Those who shall lend a saving hand
Shall lift darkness from the land
When hand is played and deed is done
Follow path of the setting sun
T’ward town beset by half sized danger
In footprints of a martyred stranger
Soothe and help alleviate the sin
Of the man without the beast within”
The dream passed, but when I awoke the words stayed with me quite vividly, and I felt a sense of urgency in passing this on to you. I felt that the dream was telling me that you had to tell someone this message.
My son, Jirkin the Tenth, is ready to travel out into the world, to confront his demons. I am sending him to pass this letter on to you, and also in the hope that in meeting you, he can better understand and come to terms with his own nature.
Hope to find you in health,
Your friend,
Jirkin Faluen the Ninth.”
---
“I did not realise that your companion was Jirkin’s son,” Gosia says softly. “But I feel that somehow he was destined to meet you, that he was meant to pass this message on not to me, but to you.”
She becomes somewhat teary, and quickly speaks on. “Jirkin’s tome – his spellbook I believe … well, I am sure he would want you to have it, but if you have no need for it, I will take it, along with the mask, and return it to his father …” she turns to Jarred who nods.
“Yes, our journey east can take us there,” says the grizzled ranger. Throughout the conversation he has seemed somewhat restless, his weapons close to hand and staring out into the darkness of the valley.
“Keildrithe my friend, as to where you go from here, that is up to you. I would welcome your company east … but I must confess, I fear that Vorn will not be far behind the trail we have left from Barg … It will be easier for me to conceal the tracks of a pair or trio than of our whole band, and I do not widh to lure Vorn east with us. If we split into three groups from here,” he indicates Yruch, Keildrithe and himself, “Vorn’s course of action will become that much more difficult.”
The ranger looks around, as if assessing the rest of the group. “If you decide that your path takes you west, I have a little knowledge of the terrain and lands in that direction. I should warn you though, it may be a dangerous path, as the further west you travel, the deeper into lands dominated by the Artonites you go. Well, no so bad as the south I suppose.”
After a moment of silence to allow his companions to think on their friend Jirkin and to give the letter some thought, Kajetan speaks up, “Well, per the letter, West sounds like the direction we should go. Jarred is right, also. By splitting up, Vorn will be hard placed to follow all of us. Now, as to the rest of the riddle … ,” Kajetan puts a finger to his mouth and looks back in his memory of anything he read that might trigger recognition of a town to the West or a martyred stranger.