Yawning, Rhun opens her wagon's door, and looks around, keen eyes taking in the two strangers, and wondering how a small tree grew in the middle of the road.
Gerwyn is instantly awake. He looks around for a moment in confusion as he tries to place what woke him up before he figures it out.
"We've stopped," he states, then sets about getting off the wagon to see what's going on.
As Griswold is making introductions to the guard, Fenrarem Stands beside Groot and spots a couple of humans exiting the wagons. One is male and the other female. The female gapes at Groot. Fenrarem nods at them both and turns his attention back to the guard.
'' Greetings young-master guard. I am Fenrarem of the Seelie courts and druid of these woods. My smelly companion and I are travellers just finishing delivering a message to the archdruid herself some days ago. In addition to my scouting capabilities and skill with a blade I am also proficient with druidic magic. I can heal lesser to moderate wounds and communicate with plants, animals and similar beasts.''
When he is finished speaking Groot, shakes one of his limbs, dropping leaves on Fenrarem's shoulders. He looks back at Groot for a second before returning his attention to the guard.
''Oh yes this is Groot by the way. He is my friend and travelling companion. Stay away from him with sharp objects, he is liable to think you want to cut him down and it would be very painful for you.''
"Ay! Watch what ye say to me, ya limp dick eared fairy boy. I saved yer f#*!in life. Keep it up and I need to bring ya down to my size and turn yer tree into my outhouse."
Griswold stares down Groot,"You trees aren't too crafty, I've cut down your kind before. Don't make me do it again."
Griswold all red in the face turn back to the caravan guard,"what says you?"
"Yes,yes I recall you coming to my aid dwarf. However helping me and saving my life are not the same thing. I could have escaped at a moment's notice had I wanted to."
He turns back to the guard.
"In any case my previous words were not meant as a threat I was just trying to inform you that Groot is afraid of being cut down. So I apologize if you took my words the wrong way I guess."
The last bit is said somewhat reluctantly as though he is unused to apologizing.
"Yeah yeah of course, flight instead of fight."Grumbles Griswold.
"Finally, some gregarious sorts. This has been perhaps the most dour trip I have ever been on."
Rhun yawns, looks bored, and closes the door to her wagon, locking it from the inside again. Then she shifts back into a fox and curls up on the soft pillow in the back corner, behind the rolled up rug.
Then she lays back down and goes back to sleep.
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
A few of the horseman chuckle at your antics but not the lead horseman
The lead horseman nods, "Your help would be most welcome... uh".
Before he can finish a human male, fairly tall, pale of skin and well built approaches on foot. "I am the Merchant. I lead this caravan. I would certainly welcome your assistance but I fear I have little in the way of funds to compensate you if that is what you desire..."
Griswold points over to the few horsemen laughing."These boys understand. Oi! I've served with a few boys like ye with the rangers. Tonight before the watch we're going to play some dice, I'm gonna drink ye all under the table!" Griswold bares a metal flask containing some sort of fluid.
"Now onto business." He turns his attention to the merchant and lead guard.
"I can't speak for my companion or his tree, if ye pay me with lodging, something to drink, and if we run into trouble that they have loot. Since s being paid isn't agreed on yet and we're in the wood I need to ask as a Ranger. What aside from ye, are we protecting and transporting? Aside from that you've got a well trained dwarf with an axe, you're in good hand."
''Provided that you are not here to bring harm to the woods or its denizens then I will make due without pay. Provide us with a roof and some food and drink and my sword is yours.''
Damn no pay means no new shiny gems to play with
Fenrarem then pays attention tot he guard waiting to hear his answer to Griswold's question about what he is transporting.
Vaki sits up, crossbow in hand, but says nothing just waiting, listening to the pair on the road.
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
The Merchant replies to Griswold, "What we are transporting consists of citizens as well as private goods that belong to myself and other merchants. Some personal and some business, my contract requires the upmost secrecy.
I can promise to provide you food, water and shelter as well as a share of any spoils you find in combatting threats upon the road.
Now, if wish to work with us, hop on board the lead or second wagon. When we break for camp tonight the head of my guards Marya Darkeyes will meet with you".
The caravan begins moving though the sight of a tree clinging to the roof of the second wagon brings amused smiles to the faces of all who are with the caravan.
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
Despite the brief stop to pick up new guardians, the caravan made good time with food weather. In the late afternoon tough the sky became overcast, as storm it seems, is headed towards your area.
As camp is set for the night Marya Darkeyes approaches the new recruits and their tree, "Griswold and Fenrarem is it? I am the caravan Captain Marya Darkeyes. The Merchant tells me that you have unexpectedly joined us and wish to protect the caravan in exchange for meals and shelter.
Tell me a bit about yourselves so I can find the best fit for the two of you". She is a pretty human woman, dark hair, dark eyes, average height. There is a presence about her that seems no nonsense.
Meanwhile, the Seven and Rhun begin their nightly routines of getting food and meeting with Gary, the newest recruit to rotate into the night shift. After the spider attack of the night before this one seems less than willing to step away from the lot of you.
As Igdus scans the woods nearby he sees and hears nothing, of course, the night is young...
'A female guard? why is such a woman a guard? she must be resourceful or up to something.'
Taking proper straight posture, adressing her as if she was a Ranger."Aye Captain Marya Darkeyes, Griswold reporting for duty. I've served with the Rangers for years protecting these woods. I have a well trained eye, good for tracking, night scouting, foraging."
Griswold ponders for a moment thinking about whatelse he could tell her.
"Oh, I was raised by a Greyrender and a eccentric druid, they honed my senses allowing me to become a better warrior, if a little feral. Along with training from the Rangers I've become tough as nails and am might handy with an axe. I've fought orcs, kobolds, fey and lycans alike." He points to his left cheek under his eye, scarred by a lycans bite.
Hmm, attractive..... for a human. Ah well more's the pity.
''Greetings Lady Darkeyes, I am ready to aid in whatever way I can. I am a druid of these woods, and I spent many years living with elves of the Sherendyl clan. I am a capable warrior with a blade and like the ranger am an excellent scout. I fight best in the woods and my tracking and foraging skills are best served there. I have some magic as well, a combination of healing and fire spells. As for Groot'' He then indicates the treant. ''Well he is a treant and is excellent at smashing things.''
He scratches the skin of his right cheek and purses his lips as he thinks.
''Like the ranger I have some experience killing, the common wicked humanoids of the woods and have some experience with fey as well.''
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
Marya responds, "Lycans indeed, let's hope we encounter none on this venture eh? Very well Griswold you can take the night shift and you Fenrarem the day. Do you ride horses Fenrarem?"
She points to the group now sitting together and eating , "Go ahead and introduce yourselves. They will settle you into their watch routine..."
Groot remains near Fenrarem.
========
Raze groans as Marya points to you all, "She is gonna stick that damned dwarf with us..."
"Aye, you're right about that. Thank ye Captain Marya" Griswold bows his head and makes his way to the group.
Griswold finds a place to sit near the others, he observes the group for a moment, before breaking the silence. The smell of moss and faint scent of honey emanate off the dwarf.
"Oi there, the name's Griswold Òrachbeithi, Junior Knight Captain of the Rangers of the forest. I'm told that I'm gonna be serving the night watch with ya lot."
Griswold sits on the ground nonchalantly in his scale mail and armour-plated kilt. Griswold a dwarf so hirsute, it becomes difficult to distinguish his hair from the fur pelts his wearing. He withdraws his silver dwarven dagger- and a metal container filled with boar sausage, dried fruit, smoked fish and hard biscuits.
"Oi, do any of ye want some?" He offers.
Gerwyn had been watching curiously, though he'd been trying not to be rude. He's glad enough to come sit near the newcomer. "If you're sharing, sure!" he says as he takes his seat. "I'd offer something in return, but... I think you'll get tired of the rations here soon enough."
"Feel free mate, we're gonna be on the night watch." Griswold offers the metal container to the new fellow.
Griswold pulls out a large metal flask fasten to his belt. Twisting the top off he takes a sip, washing down the oils and salt from the dwarven rations. He offers it to the human.
"Ya might want to wash it down, abit too salty. Oh it might knock you onto yer arse, it's my own brew."
"Thanks!" Gerwyn says. He samples a bit of the sausage and fish, but not much--he doesn't want to be rude.
He eyes the flask dubiously. "I think I won't risk it," he admits.
Fenrarem approaches the seven, as Griswold converses with one of their member, Groot following silently behind him.
Offering them food to win their approval? Why not, it works in nature after all.
''Greetings to you all, I am Fenrarem Sherendyl druid of the woods and warrior of clan Sherendyl. It is a pleasure to meet you all.'' He offers them a short bow and pulls some bread and sacks of mixed nuts some a pouch and begins eating. ''Oh would any of you like some? It is plainer then my companion's but I think it tasty.'' He holds out an open pouch full of nuts and dried fruit.''This is Groot by the way.'' He points over his shoulder with his thumb, indicating the walking maple tree.''I am told I will be joining the day shift of guards, are any of you on that shift?''
"Hello, I'm Tobar, a trader of silks. Some people don't appreciate silks as much, so I'm supplementing my income as a guard. I would appreciate the break from rations you are offering, and I'll give your brew a shot. Do you sell it?"
Rhun yawns as the dwarf comes up, and then stretches, showing off a litheness an elf would envy. "Jan, Jan Rune. Nice to meet you." Rhun gives her cover name again. "That is Kate, she isn't on guard by night, but she has found she prefers to sleep during the day, and train by night." She stands up, and pulls a wooden knife from her hip. "Speaking of which, it's time to refresh her bruises."
She motions Kate toward a small clearing near the wagons, and begins using the training knives on her, making her guard against thrusts, over and over again, with many 'ows' as she works the girl's guard with the wooden knives.
Griswold wipes the crumbs and liquor off of his beard. With his beady eyes he looks at Tobar.
"You work with silk boy?" Griswold said in a stern tone. His right hand slides down his side veering towards his dwarven dagger. Instead he puts his hand up his kilt and begins scratching his hamstrings like a goose plucking ticks.
"I'm just pulling yer leg Tobar, maybe when we get paid I would use some silk lining for my kilt. Shave my arse and call me a gnome, this wool warm but s%+$e is it ever itchy. Some silk would be welcome like a warm whore."
He passes on the metal food container and flask to Tobar with the other hand.
"Aye my little cubs back in the rangers kept my still, didn't have the funds to get another. But you better believe when we get to Dyvers I'm gonna have a nice copper still made. It's a whiskey blended beer, won't have ever had anything like it them human cities."
Griswold eyes the stretched human.
"Rune eh? Good name. You want me to help teach the girl to fight? I've taught young sheep farmers and f~%&ers alike to fight well, that wooden knife might be good for goblins, but it ain't gonna stop an ogre if its hot, horny and hungry."
Griswold reaches into his bag for a hatchet.
Griswold see Kate practice in the distance while fighting for the axe.
"Where is that sodding tool?! Ah there! Hey Kate, ya want some follow up training, you'll be ranger material in no time."
Rhun raises an eyebrow. "The wooden knife is for training, dwarf. You don't hand a sharp knife to a kid and expect her not to cut herself. You do realize training is supposed to train, not drain... blood." She waves a hand toward Kate's hip, where a real steel knife is in a sheath.
"Better off training with the real steel human, makes ever lesson that much more important."
Griswold removes his silvered axe from sheath. Throwing the balanced in the air, catching it by the handle.
"20 years ago in a small farming village near Dunmarsh, 6 women had gone missing other to have been found partially eaten out in the bog. So a small and I had to go. One of our recent recruits had been training with a wooden sword, we got attacked at bight and in the confusion grabbed the wrong sword. Did f%&! all against those damned werewolves. Would of been better off giving him a steel sword to practice, dulled maybe. At least you have the good grace to have a real blade on her."
Griswold places his axe back in his holder.
"The nights are dangerous in Gnarley, people make mistakes in night ambushes. Always be prepared"
Igdus had watched and said nothing. He was taking the stock of these new comers. A druid and a ranger, both oddballs for their professions by his account due to their reactions. If they could travel the forest alone then why wouldn't they, if they could not then why would they travel so deeply by foot. The whole thing didn't sit right with him, he could be overthinking and they could be outlanders that did not know the depth of the Gnarley. Then again that would make them unworthy of their professions. Personally he didn't recognize their clans and associations. He would simply keep an extra eye on them for the moment.
When the dwarf and then the fey offered food he ignored it. He did catch the dwarf's strange scent, moss and honey. Normally they stank of sweat, alcohol, rock, oil, and metal. He only half heard the conversation as he studied them. At Jin's lie and apparent acceptance by the pair in stride made him think they were trusting or naive. Another oddity all things considered. He would keep an eye on them indeed, at least until he confirmed his thoughts or figured them out.
"Then whoever made the sword was an idiot. A wooden sword, or knife, is only good for training if it has the same weight and balance as a steel sword. Thicker blade, but same weight and balance. Dull sword works as well, but I don't have unlimited funds or any shops in the forest to buy sword blanks."
"Aye miss that's why I swing an axe, good heft, versatile, easy to use and if balanced right it can be thrown. Poor McCready, that young bastard was torn apart, only one of the wolves got away."
Griswold retrieves an oil stone from his pack, he begins sharpening all of his axes.
"Axes require a good bit of arm strength. Knives are a weapon of finesse and skill, meaning that while strength can help, it's much more about skill. Axes are more of a brute force weapon."
Continuing to sharpen his axes, Griswold takes a moment in silence to concentrate on his craft.
"That's why she should chop some fire wood and maybe eat some more, put some muscle and fat on that frame of hers. I trained many young cubs that are fine watchmen of the rangers, but if you've got it underwraps, fine."
While Fenrarem eats, he watches and listens to Rune and Griswold argue about axes and knives and training. He stands there and considers that it might be a good oppurtunity to add a little fuel to their argument and that it could provide a fun little distraction.
Hmm how best to make them angrier at one another? Griswold has a hair-trigger temper but he might turn that on me if I rile him up and that's no fun. Best to target Rune in that case.
As he debates with himself he strokes the side of his face where his ivy tattoo rests. Before he decides how best to proceed, he notices that the argument seems to have wound itself down.
Blast and damnation! A wasted opportunity if I've ever seen one.
With that done he turns his attention to the rest of the group. He notices that one of the humans seems to be eyeing Griswold and him warily but hasn't said anything. He is about to turn to address Tobar when Groot shakes his arm in Fenrarem's direction and he feels a burst of hunger through their link.
''Sorry Groot, I forgot you didn't get fed in the excitement of the morning.''
He then picks up a bundle of twings and roots tied together, that was resting in the pocket of his cloak. Muttering a few words he points his hand at the ground at Groot's feet and water begins to pour from his hand, soaking the soil beneath Groot. For good measure he casts the spell again, this time directing the water directly unto Groot.
His task complete he turns to address Tobar.
''A merchant of silks you say? Silk is very favored among my people. Have you any skill in creating it or did you merely sell it to those you wanted it?''
"I create garments with it and sell them, though sometimes I just sell bolts of it. Sometimes I make other things, curtains and bedsheets and such. The real issue is getting enough dye without breaking the bank. I was hoping to find some more small beetles out here."
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
The night wears on as dinner and training are completed and the group begins its watch.
The fires begin to wink out one by one as the caravan settles in for sleep.
Griswold notices something moving in the woods off in the distance. He quickly draws his freshly sharpened Waraxe. He holds up a locket that he's wears next to his holy symbol of Obad-Hai, mumbling something to it.
"I will do you proud mother."
Griswold announces to the rest of the night watch."Hunting season is open boys, rangers orders!"
Hearing Griswold shout, Fenrarem snaps awake. He jumps up from where he was curled up next to Groot, pausing for a second to wake Groot with a soft smack of the heel of his hand.
''Awaken Groot, there are enemies to crush.''
He orders Groot to stay close with a command of ''Heel'' and begins to head towards where he heard Griswold bellowing, his ears twitching as he tries to hear what is attacking them. Coming to a stop 10 feet away from the dwarf, he focuses his senses trying to discern where the attackers are, squinting by light of the remaining campfires and the stars with his ears still twitching to and fro.
Hearing the sounds of the enemies' snarls as they approach, Fenrarem thinks he has located the enemies.
Those snarls sound very familiar, what could they be though. Think back to your studies!
Fenrarem is pretty confident they are dealing with gnolls and informs Griswold and those nearby of that fact.
''I believe we will soon have Gnolls among us.''
He then turns to regard Griswold.
''Think you can take a pelt before I claim my first, Dwarf?
He saw them coming before anyone and catches the others attention by getting up and snapping his fingers. Only to have the dwarf bellow and ruin any sort of ambush that could have been had. Even a novice woodsman knew better then to throw away stealth in the forest.
Without losing track of the coming enemies, he speaks.
"Shut your mouth ranger. You don't give orders here, more so when your wrong. The gnolls are fleeing something, that's why their coming this way. It's not planned or a raid. Hopefully you didn't just give them warning enough to charge us with weapons drawn. If I was them I would make sure to bloody some of us on the way through to make sure whatever their fleeing preys on us rather then continues to chase them. We should brace for them and more importantly what's causing a pack of gnolls to run for their lives."
Igdus started stacking objects in a make shaft barricade between him and the incoming gnolls. Tossing a log into the fire to keep it going strong. Nothing in the forest wanted to run into or over a strong fire, anything that did would be a very dire problem indeed.
Griswold glances over at quiet human, he said no words. None were needed, his eyes did the talking.
'I don't think that human likes me, if he keeps it up I'm going to need to teach him not to poke the bear.'
Griswold turns to the Faerie man,"Like hell you're gonna do that."
Griswold turns his ire upon the Watcher,"You're paid to protect the sleeping people, we have enemies coming into our convoy, enemies that enslave and like to kill. Grow a pair of balls you limp dicked t*$~, stand fight and die. I'm paid to kill and protect. That's why Marya brought me aboard." Griswold spits in his general direction.
Without stopping what he was doing he responded.
"You have been here less then a day and asked to join us. You asked, not us. So if your going to stand around and talk, go up front. The gnolls are running from something, in case you didn't hear me the first time. It may very well be the enemy that destroyed the other caravan. But you wouldn't know about that, now would you. You weren't here when we ran into the survivors or when we were given information before the journey."
The dwarf had no right to tell anyone, even the passengers, anything. He had no information or even time among them. Wasting what few moments they had before the conflict standing around trying to tell them their jobs instead of preparing. That said everything that needed to be said.
You get nothing from the watcher, no sense of him at all.
"It might be a Greyrender if so, I was raised by one. I've been alive longer and have done more in this world than you have. Aside from this little gig, I'm on a mission from the Rangers that's beyond yer grasp.
You have just reason not to trust me, just play yer f$!!ing part and let's work together."
Griswold prepares for what forces will reveal themselves.
"Shut up all of you, take out your testosterone on the gnolls. We'll deal with whatever is chasing them after we deal with them. EVERYONE WAKE UP!" She fires her pistol off in the air, to awaken the entire caravan, then kicks the table over to form a barrier. "Kate, behind the table, real knife out. Watch my back." She reloads the pistol and readies to fire again at the approaching gnolls when they get closer. In the meantime, she aims at the lead Gnoll.
"Do you think, just for once, on this entire trip, you could not pick a fight with the people you're supposed to be working with? You are, without a doubt, one of the most contentious, augmentative people I ever met had the displeasure of meeting. Stop being such an arrogant, egotistical prick, and do something actually useful. Literally, the only thing you have done this whole time is run your stupid mouth. By the Nine Hells, Kate has been more useful than you!!" Vaki spews forth at Igdus.
"Hey, I'm trying over here..." Rhun starts off, then realizes that Vaki is yelling at Igdus. "Oh, sorry, I'm used to being on the receiving end of that." She grins a bit sheepishly.
Tobar draws his knife and looks for cover, looking every bit as useless as a merchant would in this situation.
Having finished building his small form of cover he looks towards where the gnolls will be coming while remaining behind it. Drawing his dagger.
He could go into a long list of what he had done and continued to do. But it was not the time and he felt little need to justify himself. Clearly they were an emotional sort rather then a practical one. Brutish ways made for brutish people he supposed, having so easily glossed over his insights in favor of their personal distaste.
I would also like to know the terrain around the camp to take my abilities into consideration. As well as how far into the guard shift we were in. Igdus' periscope ability may be up if it's not to early.
Gerwyn had been watching the other way, but with all of the racket that ensues he soon knows what's going on. He suppresses a whine at the argument--he hates infighting in the pack--and draws his axe, quietly taking his place facing the oncoming foes. As he does so, he subtly shifts his eyes, giving himself vision that can pierce darkness.
Damn why didn't I teach Groot to stay?!? Maybe I can get him to do it anyway?
''Stay'' Fenrarem commands and turns to press his back against the treant. He pokes his head out the side carefully, peering into the gloom to get a look at the gnolls and whatever is supposed to be chasing them.
Self-righteous human needs to be whipped. While he may have had a point about ambushing the gnolls, what manner of fool refuses to give people information they need and then gives them s#*& for not knowing that information.
''What could possibly have destroyed an entire caravan and is found in these woods. And what would chase off an entire pack of gnolls? He mutters to himself.
He draws his sword from his back and grips the handle in both hands with the blade pointing down. He presses the pommel to his lips for a moment and mutters '' Strike cleanly and swiftym this is my hunter's oath.''
He then reverses his grip back to normal and stands ready for the gnolls and their pursuers.
557 CY - 8th Day of Coldeven - Gnarley Forest -
As the defenders of the caravan bicker amongst themselves, the Gnolls rush ever closer. Igdus' log brings the fire up a bit but certainly not enough to be a threat.
Valar and Raze call from the other side, "hat is it?"
Muffled shouts from within wagons and sleeping bags can be heard as the gunshot stirs the camp...
Calling upon the dark energies that are his birthright, the roguish young man awaits their potential foes, ready to unleash the corrupt power within.