Fendir and his tribe stood at alert, fully expecting attack. They scanned the area on either side of the caravan, looking for ambushers.
Several figures appear atop the tower's parapet, but they do not rain down any missiles upon the group.
Three more emerge from the narrow door set at the tower's foot and approach the party.
At their forefront is a full-blooded orc man whose broad stature is not diminished by his missing left arm. The two warriors who flank him - another full orc, as well as a half-blooded warrior - carry spears but do not take up an aggressive posture.
The one-armed leader shouts a command to the warriors on the tower.
This envoy group stops about 10 yards from the party, and the leader calls out, tersely but deeply, "Hello."
Dorick says quietly to Kalig in Taldan:
"Just let me know how best I can help."
Dorick does not change his stance or move his weapons as the orc party approaches.
Kalig nods at Dorick, and says quietly, "Everyone just needs to stay calm."
She nods at the envoy group, opening her hands to show they are empty. Kalig addresses the leader in Common, since he addressed her the same way. "We are travelers, leaving Galt. We saw your farm, and wanted to trade. Livestock, or whatever you might be willing to offer. If you don't want to, we'll be on our way."
"I'm Harkan One-Arm," he says, then looks to the scarred stump exposed by the torn left shoulder of his clothes. "We are not very imaginative."
The hint of a wry, toothy grin emerges briefly upon his weathered face.
Now that he is closer, you see that Harkan carries no weapons. However, a shield hangs ready at his side upon a strap.
"We don't have much. We are exiles from the Stonfang tribes in the mountains," Harkan says, pointing back towards the Fog Peaks. As he moves his remaining arm, his shield moves enough that you can see it maintains a bright, silvery shine despite being dented and spattered with dirt.
"Aside from our small herd of pigs - eight heads, in all - we have a stash of iron bars that we found in the cellar when we moved into this abandoned post. Perhaps 100 lbs’ worth. We would be interested in trading for food or medicine.”
"Why do you live here?" asks Valentina. "I mean, specifically here?" She smiles charmingly to try and put them at ease. "I mean, I'm just curious. Was this just the only place you could find?"
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Soraya, commenting to the Viscount, says, "I imagine the iron would be useful for a settlement."
She walks slowly up toward Kalig's position. "I'm sure I could help with any medical needs. And I have a few remedies that we could probably replenish along the way."
Mia moves up behind Kalig. U-um. K-Kalig, if we are um... er, trading, tell them I-I could sell them some useful potions... also.. um.. tell them.. they need to take care. A tornado is coming down along the river's path in a couple days. For sure. Mia timidly whispers to Kalig
Harkan looks to Valentina and answers her question, barely hiding his eagerness at sharing their story.
"Our tribes lived on the southern face of the mountains. When we were exiled, we couldn't cross the mountains without surely perishing to starvation, the elements, and the giants. Even if we made it to the north, the humans would put us to the sword. Following the river seemed like the best course, and it let us to this old dwarf post. It was the first and best shelter from the sun and the wide open that we found."
As he mentions the sun, you begin to notice how Harkan and his full-blooded bodyguard both squint and turn their eyes aside as the clouds drift aside, releasing bright rays of sunlight upon you all.
Valentina blinks. "How about you just come with us?" she asks.
Dorick speaks up.
"How many of you are there? And what do you make of humans, hobgoblins, and other races of people?"
Dorick hopes that by floating this question, the more perceptive in their group can pick up on any attempt at deceit.
Kalig nods and listens along as the others react, and then does a double-take at what Mia mutters in her ear. "What? Are you sure?"
Kalig hadn't noticed anything odd about the weather, but she couldn't make fancy potions from twigs either.
"This shaman tells me a great storm comes along the river. If your shelter is dwarven, hopefully it goes deep enough that you will be safe as long as you take everything below and stay there until it passes. As having farmers doesn't hurt, you could come with us if our leader says there is room, but..." she looks at Valentina, then back at the squinting orcs. She remembered how Brung's tribe always made her do anything needed at daytime because the sun hurt their eyes. "We travel during the day, not the night, as you would be used to."
"If you just want to trade and leave it at that, we do have medicine and food that we can trade for your iron." She holds up the potion of cure light wounds that Mia gave her earlier. "We could also trade a couple goats for a couple pigs. They would live well out here, and give you milk as well as meat, eventually."
Harkan is at first wary of Dorick's question, asking after their numbers, but with news of a pending tornado, he becomes less reticent.
"I wish I thought you were lying, but in our time here, we've seen twisters tear across the land - thankfully, from a distance so far."
He looks to his escorts, back to the tower, then turns back to you and continues with a sigh.
"My entire warband went into exile with me, but after a couple disastrous raids upon passing merchants, we've been whittled down. Including my two men here," he says, gesturing with his head, "I only have four warriors in my service. The rest are whelps. After our losses, I decided that we couldn't continue the old ways. That is why we raise these pigs and scavenge what we can.
"As for soft-skins," he says before, with a twitch of his brow, he remembers and regrets the derisive nature of the ingrained term, "Abiding them is what led to our exile. Our tribe sent my warband against a troop of giants. We only won thanks to a temporary alliance with a company of dwarves we met on the battlefield, also tasked with fighting the giants.
"When I led my surviving warriors back to our village, the chief demanded to know where the dwarves fled to so he could lead a raid upon them. I refused. It would have been dishonorable to betray our battlefield agreement. That is why we were cast out."
Mia nods, and whispers Yes, unfortunately, its why we are changing course a little bit. To avoid it.
As the speak Mia speaks up again only in a whisper. W-well, they d-don't seem to bad. T-though I'm normally n-not good at reading people..
Dorick looks around to the others in the group.
"I can ride back swiftly and tell Viscount Aristide what has transpired here."
He looks to Harkan.
"If you have an interest in joining us, I can bring that request to him as well."
"I'm generally a fan of people who would rather honor their commitments than take the easy way out," Soraya quips. "The world could use more folks like that."
He barely hid his frown. Orcs, Hobgoblins, what was next giants? Trolls? He kept quiet though, the gods above only knew that Humans werent much better truth be told. He had after all been living in Galt his whole life minus those few years in the river kingdoms. He crossed his arms and kept listening still just watching in case things slid sideways.
Kalig needs some clarification. "Do you wish to trade, or come with us?"
Harkan appears pensive.
"While we certainly welcome trade, the offer to join you is no small decision. I wish I had more time to discuss the matter with my people, but with this storm you speak of approaching, it seems time is not in our favor."
During the meeting, the distance between you and Harkan has closed. Now that he is closer, he speaks lower, so that his escorts do not hear.
"To be honest, I'd prefer to accompany you. I dare not speak it to my kin, but for some time now I have suspected that we would not survive much longer out here. There are too few of us left, and we are ill-suited to this life. Unfortunately, I worry whether your people could accept mine - and whether mine would accept yours."
Valentina's eyes are icy with determination. "I would guarantee it to you, if you saw fit," she says. "I refuse to allow this one chance we have at a new life to be colored by racism and greed. That's not how I will start my new life."
Dorick eyes Harkan.
"I'd appreciate more folk of good character and skill with us. I'd be happy to recommend your joining to the Viscount."
After a moment, Harkan sets his face and trades his look of concern for one of determination.
"We will follow you. I will have my people begin gathering our supplies. If you would still like the iron bars, I would ask you to help gather them."
Harkan turns and bids his escorts to follow him back to the tower.
The full-blooded warrior is taken aback and questions the order.
"I am still the leader of this warband," Harkan barks, cowing the warrior. "You will obey if you want to live to see another season."
.....
When you bring word to Viscount Aristide of these new additions to the caravan, he is surprised.
"I would like to trust your judgment," he begins, calmly yet seriously, "But this is quite unexpected. We only just turned away those men last night, but now we will be recruiting the remnants of an orc warband? Do you believe they can be trusted? Will they contribute enough to warrant a share of our supplies? You have seen that I am willing to give a chance to even the unlikeliest of souls, but you also know well that I need to ensure the safety and survival of our settlers."
"In honesty, Harkan, there will probably be some mistrust and prejudice. But there will be everyone's best effort to try. No violence has broken out amidst us, nor threats to me or the hobgoblins. Things will not be easy all the time. But they will be more than manageable and peaceful."
When Aristides speaks his concerns. "The other men tried to steal instead of talk to us, and then still stole when they were warned off. They were liars and scoundrels who offered us nothing. These fellows parleyed and offered trade. They show skill as farmers and warriors, and will contribute what they have to our efforts. It is still a risk to take on more. But it seems a much more reasonable one."
"Your concerns are warranted, Viscount. But thieves who would steal from us are very different to folk of character who have tried to better themselves and their lot. Harkan has spine and sense. He and his people would surely be a boon to us."
--------------------------------------
"The iron bars could be very useful. We would appreciate you bringing everything of use with you."
Valentina steps up beside Dorick, adding her frank and honest words to the conversation: "Yes, but just because we turned the last people away does not mean that we should turn away all future people. That sets a dangerous precedent. We are moving into this land. We are the invaders. We should learn to live with and work alongside others."
"Besides," she says, "It was a mistake to turn away the previous group. The reasoning behind it was essentially, 'they're lying about it being hard to live out here', and the speakers were a rich knight and a druid."
She shrugs. "Harkan and his people appear honorable, in any case. And I don't see why we should have to draw from our own supplies in order to feed them. I assume they have their own food. I assume that they will cultivate their own farms."
Dorick turns to Valentina with a serious expression and an incredulous tone.
"And you, a city dweller, know more about the wilds than a 'rich knight' and a *druid*? Think on that for a moment. Compare what we saw with our own eyes. On one hand, a group sneaking in under cover of night to take food from us, too proud or too craven to deem it necessary to *ask* us first. On the other, a group who have clearly tried to make something of even a ruin, to live in despite the harshness. I know whom *I'd* rather have with us. And I find it ironic that you would rather us give from our stocks to the thieves than to those willing to work."
Valentina shakes her head. "I'm not going to argue with you about this. You aren't going to convince me that I'm wrong, and it's already past."
Dorick replies:
"I actually agree with you on that. Clearly my words won't change your mind. As I learned myself, it takes painful experience to wither naivety."
Dorick turns to Valentina with a serious expression and an incredulous tone.
"And you, a city dweller, know more about the wilds than a 'rich knight' and a *druid*? Think on that for a moment. Compare what we saw with our own eyes. On one hand, a group sneaking in under cover of night to take food from us, too proud or too craven to deem it necessary to *ask* us first. On the other, a group who have clearly tried to make something of even a ruin, to live in despite the harshness. I know whom *I'd* rather have with us. And I find it ironic that you would rather us give from our stocks to the thieves than to those willing to work."
Valentina shakes her head. "I'm not going to argue with you about this. You aren't going to convince me that I'm wrong, and it's already past."
Kalig turns to Dorick. "Do you not see her words about prejudice are empty? You were there, but I was the only one who fully spotted them trying to empty the wagon. I was also the one who gave them a chance to stop and do the right thing and they chose not to--note how she continually ignores that part of the story. She did not even see what happened--she came in only after some of the thieves had tripped over each other. Yet when given the choice between trusting the word of the human strangers who would risk all only to tear the food out of her sister's mouth, and trusting the word of a half-orc vagabond who promised to protect the caravan, she chooses to trust the humans. Why do you think that is?" She glares at Valentina. "Your pretty words of tolerance are meaningless. You pretend to be openminded now to make yourself look righteous. But let's see how your actions really pan out on this journey."
Valentina rolls her eyes. She hadn't considered that Kalig being a half-orc might color her judgment, but she also knew that she couldn't just agree with the woman because of the prejudice against her. She shrugs. "You're the ones that jumped first to drawing weapons and barking orders."
She sighs. "It's beside the point. It's over now. You won't find me sneaking away to secretly ask them to join us anyway, I'm abiding by Aristide's judgment. I just," she continues, turning to Aristide, "don't believe that we should be using that incident as precedent for further decisions."
"A word of advice for you, Valentina. Rolling your eyes during conversation is a sign of blatant disrespect and a good way to convince others that you aren't going to listen to them. And less reason for them to listen to you in return. I judge on people's *actions*, because words cost nothing and are easy to twist."
"Thanks Dorick, but I've lived alone on the road for 7 years. More in a caravan when a tyke. We shall survive worse than rolled eyes. The girl will learn or won't. I reckon Mabel's the brains in the family."
"On the issue of precedent, I agree with you, Valentina. We're in unpredictable territory. Everything must be judged on a case by case basis. When we do, I recommend we do it based on facts rather than the stories we tell ourselves to help us fall asleep at night." Kalig falls silent.
"Please, my friends, let us remain peaceable. Our bonds are still young, let us not see them severed yet.
"I am glad to see that we are more unanimous on this group, and I find that your rhetoric is once again as compelling as it is passionate. The orcs may travel with us and join our expedition. I will send my porters to help them pack their belongings and carry the iron. Then I supposed I should prepare my most honeyed words to keep Harcourb and his misguided indignation in check."
Owing to Harkan's discipline, and aid from the settlers, it takes less than an hour for the orcs to ready their belongings and drive their animals from the pig pen.
The caravan resumes travel, following its the new heading, not long after.
"Viscount, if you wish any assistance when dealing with Harcourb, I gladly offer it. If not, I shall see how our new travelling companions are settling in."
********
Whether Aristide accepts Dorick's offer to help with Harcourb, Dorick will go to Harkan and his people and see how they are doing. Find any problems early.
Fendir approaches Viscount before he leaves and hears the tail end of the conversation. "Not that I caught the whole conversation, but just so you know it sounds like the leader of that tribe is facing leadership challenges from at least one of his subordinates. Just so that you are aware." Fendir then returns to his tribe and gathers them together, explaining something to them in low tones.
Even from afar, you can spot Harcourb's brief tantrum when he is informed of the new additions. However, before Aristide can reprimand him, Dorick gives a dressing down that becalms the caravan master, albeit with some lingering grumbles under his breath.
Harkan's warband - 4 warriors, including one half-blooded orc, and 8 children whose youth make it difficult to distinguish whether they are full-blooded orcs - brings their herd of 8 pigs, as well as several pounds of smoked meat, roots, and tubers.
A trove of iron ingots, each stamped with a dwarven rune, is removed from the outpost's cellar and added to the caravan's stores. They amount to 100lbs of iron.
.....
The following few days of travel are tense but otherwise uneventful as the caravan moves on, the settlers still getting to know each other. The humans largely remain wary of their "monstrous" neighbors, and the orcs keep to themselves.
Dorick accompanies the hunting party led by Axxa as they range afield from the caravan to supplement your provisions. On the first foray, Dorick is unfortunately more of a hindrance, and Axxa glares at him after he and Caragus spooked away the hares and grouse on two occasions. They bring back only roots and wild onions on this trip.
The eastern horizon darkens as the forecast storm forms and rolls closer, and the gentle winds blowing across the plains become cold and harsh.
The storm breaks on the second day after meeting the orcs, and you can see a tornado rampage along the river's course in the distance, traveling westward - towards the orcs' former home.
Even Axxa is hard pressed to find game as even the hint of the storm has driven away many of the animals. Dorick is much more useful on this foray, leading the hunting party to a berry thicket nestled within a narrow gully. Axxa offers him an approving nod this time.
On the following day - the fifth day of the journey, overall - as the storm subsides and the skies smooth away into a cloudless blue, the hunting party makes a surprising discovery.
Following some tracks, they spot a small flock of Axebeaks in the distance, likely patrolling around a nest.
Dorick is left in little doubt that Harcourb is an irritation. But at least he listens when he must.
He grows frustrated over the first foray. He is well-equipped to ride down large beasts, and is less skilled at small game or plants. But the berry thicket is a good find.
He says a quiet prayer to the gods that they were spared from the tornado. The skills in the expedition have already saved lives.
He sees the Axebeaks and racks his brain for details.
Kalig sees the hunting parties go out the first day or so, and asks if she can join in the next one.
Dorick recalls that Axe Beaks are large, flightless, predatory birds, standing taller than a grown man. They are aggressive creatures, often competing with wolves and big cats to be the top predator on the plains. Much to his chagrin, they are known to be able to keep pace with even horses.
Soraya isn't much of a hunter, but she's absolutely delighted to have the young orc children join. She also offers to help out if their new companions need any medical issues addressed.
When she sees the tornado, she goes over to Mia and gives her a friendly pat on the back. "Wow. Thanks for keeping us out of that. Gods know how much damage that could have caused."
When the axebeak trails are noted, Kalig points at them. "These creatures are dangerous predators--but they are smart. In my travels I've seen a couple folk able to raise one as a hatchling and teach it to be ridden. I doubt it's worth the danger to seek out the eggs to see if that can be repeated--given the nest is being patrolled well, or if eggs should be taken from healthy parents anyway. The real point is that these things are whip-smart and we should be careful."
She looks around. "The good news is if there's predators like these here, there are probably other good prey creatures to hunt around here too."
"Although they may still be scarce after the storm."
====
Also, while the group travels, Kalig offers to serve as liaison and as needed translator for the orc group. If however they distrust her or prefer to keep to themselves, she respects that and leaves them alone.
"Axebeak eggs are tasty, and some would spend decent money for them to train as mounts." offers Axxa when the group comes upon the Axebeaks. She doesn't talk all that much, but while Terse she tends to offer good common sense advice.
Dorick turns to Mia at some stage after he realises that she is the source of the information.
"My thanks also, Mia. You have saved lives and you should feel pride in that."
To Kalig and Axxa:
"Trade is less likely out here, but those eggs certainly would be valuable. Are the Axe Beaks intelligent enough to be tricked, lured away from the nest?"
Valentina shrugs. "I'm not sure why we'd bother with this, unless any of you have a way to control or influence animals. Do you?"
"Meat from a bird that size? We could feed folk a day or so off of that stored properly. How big are their eggs? I mean sure raising birds that scary looking might be nice i guess, but I wouldnt know where to start.. now cooking them... that i could do."
He added cautiously still mostly unsure of a lot of his companions
"I can handle animals, and very well indeed. But if we want to raise one as a steed, it had best be from an egg onwards. I think it would be worth it if we can come up with a plan to get one or more eggs."
"Think about this carefully. You are considering taking these creatures' eggs--when a whole flock of them surround the nest. These are dangerous predators, not chickens you raise for food. How much and whose lives are you willing to risk to get an egg that you then will need to incubate, hatch safely, raise, and feed considerable amounts of meat to raise to adulthood as a mount? Some of you may consider that worth it, but weigh the costs fully."
"I do not advocate taking them head on. But there does not appear to be a good way to get to the eggs without considerable risk and cost after."