Kalig nods to Lena and Valentina, "Well done."
She says to Soraya in a conversational volume, "I appreciate the outrage... and feel it. I know first-hand how harmful it can be, people thinking badly of you simply because of your looks." she gestures to her gray, flat-nosed, tusked face. "At the same time, I lost my first family--a caravan very much like this, no less--to an orc raid when I was a child, and kidnapped by them and beaten and bullied by them for seven years before I escaped. So I also first-hand understand the man's fear of the raider races. For now, I have to let my anger subside and remind myself, there is a reason Aristide chose him for his job, just as he chose all of us for ours. I wonder if given time, he will change for the better--or if Aristide's confidence in his hiring choices will be proven wrong. If the viscount's faith in the man is proven wrong..." she gives a feral smile, mouth full of jagged, sharp teeth, "I will let the caravan master know of my discomfort quite clearly."
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The dwarven priest eyes Harcourb the caravaneer warily as he departs.
"Tis sad, but he was the best we could get," Ulfgar rues. "Through our magic, every other caravan driver my sister and I interviewed proved to have malice and deceit in their hearts. His intolerance is tragic and distasteful, but at least he wears it on his sleeve. Of course, with the blend of sweet and stern words you all seem capable of, I'm sure he'll see the error of his ways soon enough."
...
At the question regarding his patroness, Ulfgar laughs jovially before answering Valentina.
"Outside of a dwarf hold, most folks' knowledge about our pantheon begins and ends with Father Torag. Then again, for a people who pride ourselves on strength and stoicism, Bolka the Golden Gift is a side of our lives often kept intimate.
"The daughter of Torag, Bolka is our goddess of marriage and love. Rather than the obvious strength of a hammer, whether wielded at the forge or in war, she embodies the strength found in union, family, and community.
"In truth, I believe that the most fervent of dwarven prayers are quietly offered to Bolka as our young, stout swains prepare themselves to approach a potential partner. I know many a man here in Stoneriver who would more willingly face down a drunken giant than bare his heart to his love."
...
"Aye," he muses, stroking his beard and turning to Aristide after hearing Francoix's suggestion, "Appointing a second to Harcourb may hasten the wearing away of his more toxic attitudes."
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The rest of the wagon train's final preparations proceed without incident.
A growing crowd of dwarven spectators assemble as it becomes increasingly clear that the departure is imminent.
A company of warriors arrives, escorting the hold's lord - the glassy eyed, unmoving Thane Caudor - carried upon a seated palanquin. The group is further accompanied by Freya and even a brass and percussion band.
A gaggle of dwarven children soon swarms "Gran'pa Ulfgar," pleading for closer views of the spectacle.
His sister walks beside Aristide and the party, whispering with a faint, wry smile, "In the pubs, the marketplace, and even among the noble guard, people still joke that it's my brother's virility that sustains Stoneriver's population."
The old priest permits his grandchildren to view the ceremony as long as they behave. He clears his throat and begins his booming benediction.
"May Mother Folgrit and her shining daughter Bolka bless these families, and may Angradd and Trudd inspire their protectors, and may Grundinnar and Kols preserve the bonds they have forged. Above all, may the Forge Father grant them prosperity as they endeavor to build a new, stable home - the same dream that guided our ancestors' Quest for the Sky.
"We, their humble descendants, merely say farewell to our guests, but certainly never goodbye."
The horns, trumpets, and drums pick up in volume and soon the halls positively roar with music and cheers that drown the creak of wood and whine of animals as the wagons begin to roll forward.
...
At the end of the great stone highway, dwarven laborers push the looming stone doors outward, and a blinding stream of sunlight falls upon you.
When your eyes adjust, you find an ancient dwarf road scrolling down the steep foothills towards the grass and shrubs below. The rolling plains stretch out to eternity, reaching even further than your eye can see. As the wind caresses the long grass into undulating waves, your journey seems bound across a sea of gold and green.
Dorick is saddled on a well-groomed Caragus. He waves to the dwarven crowds as he passes, smiling at the joy of the priests's horde of grandchildren.
Best to enjoy one last hurrah of good will and cheer before heading off into the wilds!
To Caragus and no one else in particular, he says out loud:
"Reminds me of Oppara, before marching out!"
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Soraya has no idea what the dwarven priest said, but it sounded nice. She thanks their hosts as they leave, trying to leave as good an impression as possible. I truly am impressed by this architecture. This place is an engineering marvel. As the great doors open, her owl takes an exploratory flight to stretch his wings before settling back into the little nest she has prepared for him on her pack animal. Here we go.
Valentina smiles at the old dwarven priest as he tells her of his faith. She hopes she gets the chance to meet him again, under less rushed circumstances. Not speaking Dwarven, she still cheers when the priest finishes his benediction, and sets out with the rest when the caravan moves to start out. She and Mabel are walking, with the bulk of their heavy stuff on a pack saddle, being carried by their horse this time.
When the doors open up, she audibly gasps. "Wow..." she murmurs.
"Ahh, it is good to be out of the dark and into the sun." muses Fendir to no one in particular, a soft smile playing on his lips.
If interacted with, he will stop and speak in polite tones, doing his best to not let his fangs out.
Standing in the sun, it quickly becomes clear that it wasn't a trick of the light: his skin really does appear to have the texture of rock.
When Sir Dorick asks about the inability to speak common among both the female leaders of his tribe, Fendir will sigh and say "It's not like I haven't tried to teach them. They just refuse to learn, saying that Common is far too barbaric a tongue to correctly say what you mean."
"But then again," he adds, looking around, "aren't all women impossible to budge once they truly set their mind to it?"
Dorick thinks of tittering faces in the crowd watching him being judged and sentenced.
With a note of weariness, he will reply:
"I will not disagree at that."
He perks up a little, rapidly changing the topic:
"Fendir, is your skin actually stone-like or is that an illusion? It is most curious to me."
Fendir responds not with words, but by extending his arm towards Dorick. When Dorick touches it, it feels like a smooth stone, similar to marble.
"I sing to the earth, and the earth sings to me."
Kalig smiles lightly at the plains before her. It is like every scene along the road she has seen, and like nothing she has seen before--and so is the joy of traveling.
But traveling always comes with ever present potential for trouble, so even as she enjoys herself and the very long walk that is before her, she also keeps an eye out for anything to be concerned about.
Dorick looks keenly curious at the texture of Fendir's arm.
"Fascinating! I take it that this earth song has other benefits? My expertise is more in the straightforward martial realm - mounted combat and tactical acumen. And if you see beasts for food, I can run them down and lance them!"
*********
Dorick is not used to these lands. And truth be told, his forte is not in gathering supplies by himself. This land is not Taldor, and he feels it more with every step that Caragus takes forward.
Kalig nods to Lena and Valentina, "Well done."
"It is good that he backed down so quickly," she answered discreetly and amiably.
Upon completion of the benediction and the opening of the stone doors into the broad sunlight, Lena nudged Liadan forward, riding beside Kalig.
She uttered her own quiet prayer to Shelyn before casting her eyes across the surrounds and upon the ground, hoping to be of some aid to her companions.
Fendir chuckles, then points at a dying plant in the distance. A chunk of earth rips out of the ground and flies at the plant, striking it.
The plant and chunk of earth both explode.
Emerging from the brief strip of scrubland at the mountains' southern foot, the westernmost Whistling Plains stretch wide, vast - and empty.
Despite many sets of eyes watching the rolling horizon, no signs of danger or other travelers come into sight.
Flights of birds wing overhead, and lone rodents scamper off through the knee-high grass as the draft animals drag the wagons onward.
However, you discover tracks that suggest a number of larger animals - bison or aurochs - have passed through this stretch of land within the past week. Also, a number of humanoids wearing boots have also been here much more recently - within the past day or two.
...
A spray of earth and shower of rocks crushes the lone, stunted tree growing upon a landrise, sending a cloud of birds and insects scattering into the distance.
Many cries of fright go up from the nearest wagons, and several settlers dive for cover or clasp hands to knives or cudgels. The rest of Fendir's tribe only chuckles as they watch the settlers realize there is no real danger.
A few dirty looks are thrown about, aimed at the hobgoblins, for the next hour or so afterwards.
...
Night falls and finds the caravan already quite far into the plains.
The mountains are already fading into the distance at your back as the train of wagons grinds to a stop and the settlers make camp by the riverside.
As soon as camp is made, Soraya checks on the group to make sure nobody was having any significant issues. "You'll get a sore butt riding an animal all day. There's not much I can do for that," she jokes with a few people. She also checks in on the animals brought along. She's not strictly a vet, but it wouldn't be the first time her skills were applied to quadrupeds. Her owl flies out from time to time to grab a few rodents from the surrounding countryside.
Valentina rolls her eyes at the hobgoblin leader. "Showoff," she mutters to herself.
As the journey begins, she approaches the caravan master and volunteers her services to him, hoping to make sure that the caravan is run as efficiently as possible (and perhaps dull his abrasive attitude a bit).
Dorick raises an eyebrow at Fendir's demonstration.
{b]"Impressive! But that might spook the rest of the caravan without warning."[/b]
****
Dorick walks to the back of the wagon train. With an easy manner, he asks:
"What appears to be the trouble?"
Kalig is rounding the back of the caravan when she sees faces she knows she has never seen amid the group, going through the contents of the wagons. As Dorick approaches and their attention is drawn to him, she points to them and shouts loudly, "Thieves!"
She addresses the vagabonds while unleashing her flail and shield, snarling, "Put the goods down now and run."
At Kalig's warning, Dorick springs to action. The bardiche he carried so casually is now gripped firmly in both hands and raised. He is advancing upon the thieves at a sprint. His face, normally quite genial, is reddening with anger, as he roars:
"PLACE THE GOODS DOWN AND RUN BEFORE YOU ARE RUN DOWN! CARAGUS, TO ME!"
Regardless of if they give in or not, Dorick will chase them. He expects Caragus will take a little time to arrive, having been left a little further up the train to feed.
The seven hapless vagabonds offer a hoarse chorus of frightened shouts upon being discovered by such a pair of imposing guards.
They immediately seek to escape, but with varying degrees of success.
One stumbles backwards from the wagon he was rummaging in, but his ankle gets caught in the wheel spoke and he tumbles flat onto his back with a pained, lowing groan.
Two more collide together as they attempt to blindly flee, knocking each other to the ground.
The other four break into a run, scattering and hustling westward.
All the shouts soon attract the attention of other members of the caravan, including the rest of the party.
At the first sign of trouble, Soraya has her owl fly into the sky. She runs over to see what's left of the "raiding party."
"Oh for pity's sake," she says as she moves toward them. Staying just out of range of the one who's leg was caught, she says, "You'd better let me make sure that isn't broken."
As the vagabonds begin fleeing, Fendir whistles, looks around, and then shouts something in Goblin.
"Take them alive and bring them back. I am certain there will be questions."
He then moves to stand over the two that slammed into each other, relying on his natural size, unusual skin, and Race's known enmity to Humanity to keep them in place.
Dorick stops next to the tripped thieves and wait for Caragus to catch up. He brandishes his bardiche menacingly over the fallen criminals.
While he waits for Caragus to reach him, Dorick looks in the direction of the thieves running away to see if they still have caravan goods in their clutches and packs.
Fendir nods to Dorrick as both arrive at the same group of vagabonds. As one tries to rise, Fendir growls at him.
Kalig also looks to see if the vagabonds have stolen anything.
If it seems they have anything substantial (e.g., a sack of grain needed to feed the animals, or tools for building the settlement), she casts expeditious excavation to create a pit under the one holding the most stuff.
If they seem to have nothing, or at least nothing major, she lets them run, and watches as the others deal with those who have fallen.
He had been just as startled as the rest of the folk with the caravan, first from the sudden explosion of earth, then to the discovery of the thieves He left the cart in the care of his wife as he hurried back to the commotion.
The commotion was certainly unexpected as they were about to set up camp for the night.
Seeing a few of the wastrels flee westward, she turned to her companions and asked, "Should I give chase and see if I can stop them? Did they take anything of value?"
Valentina runs up beside Dorick and Fendir. With a gentle hand, she pushes down Dorick's bardiche - "Gods, calm down and put your weapon down! These people aren't a threat to your life, so stop being a threat to theirs!" She rolls her eyes at the man, and then crouches down to speak to the two who ran into one another. "Hey, somebody bring the other one over here, ok?"
She looks at one of them. "Your friends took something from us. We'd like to go take it back, and then we can all go our separate ways. Can you tell us where to find them?"
The three fallen thieves throw their arms up and plead for mercy, especially the two who find Fendir and Dorick looming over them.
The one whose leg is still threaded through the wagon wheel winces in reflex as Soraya examines him.
Rather than career bandits or raiders, their threadbare clothing and unwashed appearance characterizes these men as simply opportunistic vagabonds living off the land and anything they can scrounge.
Other than a small dirk or club, none of them seem to have any weapons of note.
Kalig squints through the dim moonlight and glimpses that the fleeing men seem to have a couple sacks of supplies cradled in their arms or slung over their shoulders.
She calls upon her bond with the natural world to open up the ground beneath their feet, and one of the thieves blindly tumbles into the pit.
Fendir's kin surround the man within the opened pit and find that the wind (and fight) has been knocked out of him both by the fall and having the stolen sack of potatoes fall upon him in the process.
The remaining three continue to run into the night with a single sack of stolen supplies in their clutches.
.....
"Widge was out trapping rabbits, and he said he saw your big caravan just come out of the mountains like it were nothing," one of the blubbering men explains after they've been secured. "We thought it was a gift from the gods. We were just gonna take a little food. We didn't mean you no harm."
The one with a twisted ankle, treated quickly by Soraya, speaks up next.
"We just scrape by on the base of the mountains. It's easier to hide from the orcs and giants there than try to avoid the Taldan riders on the open plains."
"How many are you?" asks Valentina quickly.
The Hobgoblins will haul the man out of the pit and drag him back with the others. They clearly enjoyed the chase, however, as they are grinning when they bring him back and roughly dump him at the feet of Fendir.
"Good work. Return to your places in the caravan."
Dorick turns to Valentina and calming down he replies in as steady a voice as can.
"They steal supplies that might make the difference between us succeeding and us starving, from the caravan I am sworn to protect. I will judge for myself if they are a threat or not. And now I will hunt their colleagues."
With Caragus arriving, Dorick mounts him deftly, and they gallop off after the fleeing trio.
Valentina shakes her head. "What an a%#$@#%."
Kalig addresses the man who speaks. "If you needed help, you could have tried to ask for it first. Stealing from us means you see us as targets like the rabbits you hunt. To you, we are people whose fates you care nothing for." She raises an eyebrow at Valentina and then back at the man. "Including children you would have seen fit to starve for your own gain."
She looks around. "There are aurochs that roam here you could hunt, and a bountiful land beside, in the growing season. There is no reason anyone should starve here, unless you are a useless fool or a brigand who prefers the easier pickings of the fruits of someone else's labor."
She addresses the others. "They are not major threats, however. I say we send them packing and be on our way." Kalig then bares her teeth at the man. "But we see you again, you and your fellows will be killed, and you can serve the world some purpose by feeding nobler creatures like vultures and worms."
Valentina looks wide-eyed at the half-orc woman. When had she signed on with such bloodthirsty savages? Were they really willing to kill over a sack of potatoes?
Becoming worried, she takes off after Dorick at a run.
Soraya shakes her head. Stealing potatoes shouldn't be a death sentence. She removes the man's leg from the wheel and rotates his foot a few times feeling along the ankle and shin.
"You should try to stay off it for a few days, but it should be fine. It's just a sprain." She wraps his ankle in a bit of cloth to restrict movement.
"Can you tell us a bit about the orcs and giants? And the riders? Perhaps we can use this information." She hands him a piece of jerky from her pocket. I'd rather have these locals on our side, as allies, than as a nuisance as we ride.
Kalig shrugs at the two women shaking their heads in disdain, and as Valentina runs off. Gullible fools. If we had lost the several sacks of food these men were trying to take, I'm sure these silly city girls would be the first to complain when told to ration their meals.
Kalig shakes her head at Soraya. "Trust the word of a thief, and you'll find yourself in deep water right quick. Just let them go. If the man can't walk, I'll give him healing, but let them go, and let us get on with it."
A shout goes up from them, having realized they are being pursued on horseback. One of them tosses aside the sack he carries, the last of the stolen goods, and they continue to run.
...
Your collective words fall hard upon the apprehended thieves, and they bow their heads in shame, guilt, and fear.
"The bison haven't migrated northwards yet," one of them feebly argues, trying to justify their deeds more for himself than to you. "And the winter was hard. We were desperate."
His face quickly shows the return of his dismay, though, as it becomes clear that his half-hearted protest leaves little impact.
The one whose leg you tend speaks quietly after he accepts the jerky and surreptitiously takes a bite.
"The Fog Peaks have always been dominated by the Fogstomper clan of giants and the Stonefang Orcs. They raid anyone they can - Galt, Taldor, dwarves, or anyone else in their way.
"That's why the Taldan riders have been ranging further north from Yanmass. Well, that and to keep Galtans from crossing the border into Taldor, spreading anarchy."
He cautiously looks at his fellows and your companions before asking in the barest of whispers.
"Could I come with you? I don't want to go back. It ain't no life in the shadow of those accursed mountains."
Dorick shouts after the thieves, while slowing to a stop near the fallen sack.
"KEEP RUNNING! AND DO NOT STEAL FROM US AGAIN!"
He hops off, placing the bardiche next to him, while he checks the sack to make sure that it has not been cut or burst open by the actions of the foolish thieves. Any significant damage he will try to repair or bind together, and then proceeds to heft it up onto Caragus.
Having witnessed Dorick ride fast after the runaway thieves, Lena remained with the caravan, believing his skill much better than hers on horseback. Even now, she could hear his shouts across the plains; hoping they did not draw other, unwanted attention.
Soraya had tended to the twisted ankle of the thief who had tripped on the wagon wheel. Lena was impressed with her healing skill.
"They are not major threats, however. I say we send them packing and be on our way." Kalig then bares her teeth at the man. "But we see you again, you and your fellows will be killed, and you can serve the world some purpose by feeding nobler creatures like vultures and worms."
Lena heard Kalig's warning to the thieves. To no one in particular, yet addressing those nearest her, Lena quietly spoke,
"I can understand Kalig's concern regarding thieves. Yet, these people were simply hungry. And hunger can make people do reckless, shameful things. To make recompense, we could have them work for the caravan? They could help out and show us they are reformed. Then once we reach our destination, they can build a new life for themselves, away from raiding parties and other threats. It can hard to survive on one's own or with very little help. I would rather show them some mercy now by giving them a second chance. There are ample people here to keep a watchful eye lest they steal away in dead of night with more of our food stores, if that is still a concern."
Soraya understands the anger that Dorick feels, and Kalig's suspicions. She's certainly been there before. But she also appreciates what Lena has to say. It might be useful to have a few fellows who are familiar with this territory. "I'll tell you what," she says to the man she's been helping out. "Why don't you and who-ever is left come meet the Count. I can't guarantee he'll show pity, but if you can stomach hard work, you might earn your place here."
Fendir continues his vigil until the Viscount decides what he wants to do.
Dorick returns with the sack of potatoes, returning it to the cart from which it was stolen.
"I drove off that trio. Let us hear what the viscount has to say about the rest."
He dismounts and tends to Caragus before himself.
Valentina only has to look at Dorick as he rides back towards the group and passes her, shaking her head. She grumbles, and wishes that she could wash her hands of the whole situation, but his and the half-orc's weapon-shaking make her nervous. She jogs back to listen.
Lena heard Kalig's warning to the thieves. To no one in particular, yet addressing those nearest her, Lena quietly spoke,"I can understand Kalig's concern regarding thieves. Yet, these people were simply hungry. And hunger can make people do reckless, shameful things. To make recompense, we could have them work for the caravan? They could help out and show us they are reformed. Then once we reach our destination, they can build a new life for themselves, away from raiding parties and other threats. It can hard to survive on one's own or with very little help. I would rather show them some mercy now by giving them a second chance. There are ample people here to keep a watchful eye lest they steal away in dead of night with more of our food stores, if that is still a concern."
Kalig nods at Lena's reasoned tone. "I get your concern. But people simply hungry would have asked us for help first. Yes, they would have risked attack--but instead of risk attack doing the right thing, they risked attack to sneak in and take without asking--and when they were," she pauses to emphasize the following words, "given the chance to drop the goods and leave without a fight, they chose STILL to steal, full knowing the consequences. They already had their one chance, and blew it. And I've survived on my own most of my life. I've only stolen maybe twice, when I had no other option, after asking failed, and from where there was more than enough to go around. That is no excuse either."
She sighs. "But you're right, it's the Viscount's decision. It's his caravan. But since it's my job to protect and feed all of you, I will point out to him that if we take on more people--we bought supplies to account for only so many people. And with if we do take on additional people--when we do lose our stores to thieves or catastrophe, that's that many more mouths to feed. I'll expect those of you who asked to let these worthless parasites join us to be the first to volunteer to limit your own rations."
She re-stows her weapon and shield and walks away. Passing Dorick, she says quietly, "I appreciate the fervor, but all that energy for just one more peck of potatoes? That we could have replaced at this point in the journey." She pauses to add more loudly, "But we couldn't have afforded to lose the dozen sacks or so they were originally trying to steal." She looks up at him. "So thanks for your help, or we all would have started this trip hungrier."
She walks away and goes to tend to Matilda.
Dorick ignores the glare and mannerisms of Valentina as he returns into the camp.
When he meets Kalig, he listens, nods, and replies quietly.
"You are welcome. I have had to guard supply trains in my time in the Taldan Horse. And I found that responding to thievery with generosity or looking the other way only got rewarded with more thievery. Even assuming they need the food, which is often a lie too. If these people had approached us openly, maybe we could have worked out an arrangment. But do we want people of such dubious character in the caravan? No, I think best to scare them off early instead of often."
Lena listened to Kalig, who remained fixed in her opinion on the subject of the would-be thieves. If truth be told, Lena was taken aback by the druid woman's words; yet Lena had very little experience with Half-orcs in general and so conceded that Kalig may not be speaking with malice in her heart.
As she moved to the Viscount's wagon with the others,
"Yes, they may have made an error of judgement. Yet, such a mistake can be corrected with forgiveness and charity. If they work for the caravan, they may feel less inclined to steal from other hard-working people. If you wish me to share my portion of food with them, then I will do so, if that is the will of the group. Yet, they did say they had hunters among them, and such a skill is useful for the foraging of food, if the need arises. So, through a larger hunting party, we could replenish food stores if they begin to dwindle. I will not say anymore on the matter, as I am certain Lord Aristide knows what needs to be done. Thank you for granting me some of your time and patience." Then Lena moved back to her horse and the other members of the caravan to help them set up camp for the night.
He followed along with the others torwards the Viscount more just to hear the verdict and get a feel for the man than for any caring of the actual judgement. Their plight was an old mirror to his original plight those years ago, and while a small part of him felt sorry for them, the other hardened part of his history left him cold to it.
It would be one thing to try and reform thieves and bandits in an established town or village... quite another in a moving target like the caravan was. he would certainly keep a tighter eye on his own cart and goods.
Viscount Aristide listens to the incident's account and falls deeply into contemplation. He surveys the captured vagabonds and the party to prolong the quiet moment as he thinks.
"Once again I am reaffirmed that bringing you men and women aboard," he says to the party, "Was a wise choice, for you've again proven both your talent for rhetoric and your commitment to our cause."
"Although my purpose for organizing this expedition was to offer second chances, now that we have left Stoneriver I find my trust far more rationed. Out on our own, the caravan's survival depends on us.
"Therefore, I must turn you men away. Sir Dorick and Miss Kalig's words carry too much weight, and I cannot risk our supplies on untested men. Return from whence you came and bother us no more, lest you lose your lives over some potatoes."