Taenweth moved up to the wall walk with Pyros and the bound Happs. She stood to the side as Pyros spoke a few words, condemning the bandit to his fate. After he pushed the man off the walk to hang, Taenweth lay her hand on Pyros' shoulder, "We gave him a choice. He wasted it and lawful punishment was rendered."
Upon Autumn's words from the courtyard below, Taenweth paused for she knew more than a few cutthroats and assassins who enjoyed their profession and did not concern themselves with ruination of lives. She was not such a person...but she did not condemn so readily. She had given the bandit a chance to change his ways and live and he had tried to play them. That meant they could not trust him. Taenweth realised it was not easy - changing one's way of life and livelihood, but it could be done if one had the will.
Turning to Pyros, she spoke quietly to him, "I do not agree with Master Leveton's plan to string up the dead bandits for all to see as a warning and deterrent. We bury them. Best the leader believe Happs and the others ran off with whatever coin and goods they could find here this day - I prefer an element of surprise if he decides to send more of his men to the fort."
Quietly standing nearby ans never taking her eyes off of Happ's as the noose drops around his neck and eventually tightens signaling the end of his life. Flinching when he drops Mama was right. Books never did this part justice.
Closing her eyes for a moment before looking around for the priest
Herger. Knowing that he was a priest of her faith made him more familiar and hopefully sympathetic. Once she spots him and wonders over. Lighting tapping him on the arm but glancing down, "I, umm, even though they were very bad men no one should have their.. final resting place be to.. to hang and feed the birds."
Looking back up at the much taller man, "I want to try to argue that with Oleg and I was wondering if.. I mean, umm. It reflects on the living how we treat the dead."
He had said a few short words watching the body sway back and forth with a frown. he didnt mind hanging the man, it was just and deserved. he did mind that it may have bothered those he traveled with, and he certainly didnt like having to do such actions near his son, necessary as they may be.
He moved from the wall to check on the horses but paused when Regina approached him. He was quiet as he listened to her words, his eyes taking in her features and her obvious concern.
He smiled after a moments pause.
"You are correct, in many ways, I was planning on preparing them all for burial away from this place preferably near an old oak. Don't take master Oleg's desire to string them all up against him. It would seem for several months know he has had to live under their thumb with threat to his home and family. Its natural for him to want some revenge.
He paused and patted her almost fatherly like on the shoulder.
"I'll see to the horses then have a word with Master Oleg dont you worry, don't dwell on what we had to day today No community can grow with evil's such as those men in existance and we offered him a chance to repent and he choose not to. They made their choice to live as they did always remember that.
He offered her with one final pat before he moved into the stables to check on the horses.
Listening to him and accepting the pats He thinks I am child. Nodding to show that she understands.
Opening her mouth to speak but letting the priest walk off. Staring down at the ground and mumbling, "I never said I held it against Oleg, just that I didn't like it."
Lingering for a moment to and resting her head on the wall of the stables The books lied or I am just weak. Taking a deep breath and walking. Looking around before heading over to Taenweth and Pyros. Trying to keep her eyes off the dead man and on the living, Where did Autumn go?"
Oleg brings his hemp rope to assist with the hanging. He pulls the cart around for Happs to stand on. "Do it proper, make it quick.' He explains tersely.
Happs for his part, struggles and curses fiercely, resisting his fate to the last.
Svetlana and Ulfgar come out to witness the execution. Svetlana's face resolute, but sad. Ulfgar with wide eyed fascination.
After the hanging, Svetlana starts preparing lunch. She puts Ulfgar to work carrying wood, then water and generally helping/fetching.
Oleg turns from the bandit's swinging form, and begins to search the bodies of the fallen bandits, he seems to be looking for something.
Taenweth moved up to the wall walk with Pyros and the bound Happs. She stood to the side as Pyros spoke a few words, condemning the bandit to his fate. After he pushed the man off the walk to hang, Taenweth lay her hand on Pyros' shoulder, "We gave him a choice. He wasted it and lawful punishment was rendered."
Upon Autumn's words from the courtyard below, Taenweth paused for she knew more than a few cutthroats and assassins who enjoyed their profession and did not concern themselves with ruination of lives. She was not such a person...but she did not condemn so readily. She had given the bandit a chance to change his ways and live and he had tried to play them. That meant they could not trust him. Taenweth realised it was not easy - changing one's way of life and livelihood, but it could be done if one had the will.
Turning to Pyros, she spoke quietly to him, "I do not agree with Master Leveton's plan to string up the dead bandits for all to see as a warning and deterrent. We bury them. Best the leader believe Happs and the others ran off with whatever coin and goods they could find here this day - I prefer an element of surprise if he decides to send more of his men to the fort."
Pyros nods. "Fair enough. The bandit leader" he says, careful to avoid provoking Taenweth's ire by referring to him as the Stag Lord "might order reprisal against this place if he knew the truth. Best to save the Levetons such trouble if possible." He says, glad that Taenweth provided that out. He hadn't really cared what happened to bandit corpses himself, but knew others in the party might, and he preferred to have a good reason if it became necessary to argue the point with Oleg.
Turning to Regina as she walked up, he shrugs. "I don't know. Perhaps attending to her wolf?" the golden-haired man says, looking around for the other woman.
Taenweth smiled as Pyros agreed and then said so much to the assembled group. She made a note to get to know the Ifrit a little better in the coming days.
"Master Leveton, is there something in particular you are searching for?"
Taking a deep breath and walking. Looking around before heading over to Taenweth and Pyros. Trying to keep her eyes off the dead man and on the living, Where did Autumn go?"
Upon Regina's approach and inquiry as to Autumn's whereabouts, Taenweth answered after Pyros, "She was with her wolf, near the shed." Taenweth paused and looked at the girl and then asked, "Is everything alright? Is there anything I or we can help you with, Little One? You may speak with us," she gently pressed and then waited for Regina to speak.
They all think I am a child. Watching her feet as she walks over to the two of them and not bothering to look up. Moving so that she is closer to the two and further from Oleg before mumbling, "I spoke with the priest, Herger, about stopping Master Leveton from stringing up corpses and I was wondering if you two would be willing to also tell him not to do such a horrid thing."
"Yes." Oleg tells Taenweth. "The woman that led these scum took Svetlana's wedding ring. I was hoping one of this lot was carrying it." Oleg looks frustrated. "But it's not here. That she-devil must still have it."
Oleg straightens and looks out the gate. "The rest of the bandit trash are still out there. We won't be truly safe until they are rounded up..."
Oleg sighs. "The troops I asked for should be here any day though."
Oleg gestures at the weapons and gear he collected from the downed bandits.
"This gear is yours by right. You can pawn it here with me if you want. I'll give you a good price on it. Svetlana and I owe you for this help. You can stay in the bunkhouse for as long as you like. For free. Meals too. If you find Svetlana's ring, in your travels, I'll reward you for it's return. It's a gold band with roses scribed around the outside."
The bandits had:
3 clubs
3 longbows
3 daggers
60 arrows
3 suits leather armor. (These would have to be removed from the bandits who are wearing them.)
3 waterskins.
3 flint & steel.
3 belt pouches.
12 gp total.
They all think I am a child. Watching her feet as she walks over to the two of them and not bothering to look up. Moving so that she is closer to the two and further from Oleg before mumbling, "I spoke with the priest, Herger, about stopping Master Leveton from stringing up corpses and I was wondering if you two would be willing to also tell him not to do such a horrid thing."
"Pyros and I have discussed it and the bandits will be buried. It's a smarter move all round. We shall speak with Master Leveton. Is something else amiss, Regina?"
Taenweth listened as Oleg explained about his wife's ring and the incoming troops. Then she glanced quickly over the bandits' gear the proprietor had collected from the bodies. She would leave it to her companions to decide on which items to keep and which to sell to Oleg Leveton. Another dagger to add to my weapons would be useful, she mused silently. "I may take a dagger," she said to Pyros and Regina and any other nearby.
"We shall take care to look for the ring when the chance presents itself, Master Leveton. As to your offer of free meals and board, it is generous and we accept. Now, as to the bandits, we feel it would be best to bury the dead - less retaliation, less carrion birds nearby and decreased possibility of disease and it also means we can plan the attack on the remaining bandits with a greater element of surprise. We understand you have suffered at these brigands' hands, but we hope this suggestion is acceptable to you and your wife. It is for the best, Master Leveton."
Pyros selects a longbow and quiver of arrows from the loot and, almost as an afterthought, also a dagger. All the while, he keeps an eye on Taenweth's conversation with Oleg, ready to lend his support to the elf if she should need it.
Edit: Also, he'll take some of Happs' tindertwigs.
Looking up at Taenweth and shacking her head no. Then diverting her attention to Oleg and nodding her agreement with Taenweth's words.
Oleg nods his head slowly, in agreement. "I guess you're right. I still think it would make other bandits think twice, but you're right about the ravens and flies. It'll start to warm up around here soon enough. Then they'll start to stink too. So we'd best bury them, as you say."
Oleg does have a shovel and pick in his store of tools.
Pyros tests the pull on the bandit leader's bow and finds it to be quite stiff. Perhaps too strong.
Taenweth nodded approvingly as Oleg Leveton changed his mind about stringing up the dead bandits.
"Good. Thank you, Master Leveton."
Once the proprietor moved away, the Elf looked to Regina, and then quietly spoke, "See, my dear, it is done." Having scrutinised the alchemist only moments before, she added even more quietly, for Regina's ears alone,
Shaking her no, "Thank you."
He had just returned from seeing to the horses and caught just the tail end of the conversation with the owner of the trading post but he found himself nodding with the verdict. The Elf clearly had a way with words it seemed and a clear head on her shoulders.
Is there an oak nearby Master Oleg? some small planks of excess wood, while I dont have their names something should mark their graves.
He began doing a mental count of the bodies for how many holes would need to be dug.
Those three trees over there are oaks." Oleg points due north. If Herger climbs up on the parapet, or looks out the gate he can see the trees in question, about 100 feet away. Two of them are barely more than saplings, the trunk only about 6" in diameter. The third is larger, with a trunk perhaps a foot in diameter, and half again as tall. As oaks go, none too impressive. The hill on which the trading post sits is only very lightly wooded.
"I have a couple sections of cedar that I split shakes off of. That would probably work for head boards."
Autumn had gathered the tools she needed and rejoined the group long enough to state "I'm going to dig the graves just out side of the walls. I hope that works for you." to Oleg before she made her way out of the gate and turned left, Frostbite close on her heels.
She dug the shovel into the ground before looking at Frostbite. "You ganna help me dig?" She asked with a smirk, only to get a woof in return. "Of course." She joked before she began to shovel the earth away.
This is going to take all day....
"Let's divide the task: Some to start digging the graves and some to pile the bodies onto the horse cart. We can harness one of the horses to the cart and drive them all out to the graves to save time."
Watching Autumn move out of the gate and around to the left, Taenweth volunteered, "I'll help pile up the bodies. Regina, can you get a horse from the stables, please." Upon Regina's answer (and anyone else), Taenweth sets herself to the task.
He found Autumn and tilted his head then shrugged for a moment getting closer to her.
I was going to bury them near the oak tree Master Oleg mentioned away from the walls of the place. Wouldnt do if the bandits sent out a party and found freshly dug graves right outside the walls.
Nodding and wordlessly heading over to the stables. Walking over to Nila and resting her head on the horses neck while petting her, "You wanna cart some dead bodies? Hmm, not quiet what you though was gonna happen huh?"
Glancing around and then leading Nila out of her stall to start tethering her to the cart. Once done she leads the grayish mare out and back over to the others.
Pyros pitches in helping Taenweth move bodies.
As you work at the grim task of interring the bodies to the Golarions cold embrace, Oleg queries: "Do you plan on backtracking the bandit's trail? If you want to start on that, I think I can tend to the burial. I promise I'll do it proper, not string 'em up." He speaks directly to Herger. "I'll even speak some words over them. Though I ain't no priest."
Autumn was about to agree with Herger and move her digging to the tree when Oleg cut in.
"He has a point. The sooner we backtrack the trail, the more likely we are to not get lost and even have a trail to follow." She explained as she leaned on her shovel after driving it into the ground so she could do so. "If we leave now it would be the best chance we have."
Taenweth nodded. "Aye, we have daylight and fresh tracks. Let us prepare and then head out in search of the bandit camp."
Nodding along, "Thank you Master Oleg. How we treat the dead relects back on us in judgment." Looking back over at the gate, "I just need to go get my things then we can go. We are not doing so on foot right?"
It would be better to follow the tracks while we have good light at least, let us go.
He answered the elf maid with a slight nod.
Pyros nods his assent to Herger's statement. "I'm ready to go any time, but I do have a concern. To make the best progress we could really use those horses we took from the bandits, but are enough of them healed enough to bear riders? If delaying a day allows us to have enough horses for everyone to ride, we would save time in the long run."
"Three of us have our own horses. There were only two injured among the bandits' seven horses. I am certain you and Autumn will each have a hale mount to ride from their lot," addressing Pyros' concern.
"Then let us be on our way."
Running off to grab her things and grabbing a spare horse to swap out on the wagon so that she can get Nila ready while the others do the same. Once that is done Regina is ready to get going.
"Do be a favor and bring the horses around front. I'm going to see if I can get Frostbite on the trail. It may help a bit more." Autumn told them as she made her way to the gates with her wolf in toe.
She crouched down next to her companion and pointed at the tracks. "Smell, track. Hunt me down their den." She ordered. Frostbite began to sniff the tracks before standing tall and sniffing the air.
Taenweth nodded and before readying her own horse and collecting her pack, she looked about the tracks on the ground, starting at the gate and leading out; working in a quiet and deliberate manner that did not interfere with Autumn's wolf. If she observed something, she conferred with the hunter.
Then she moved back inside to saddle Veris, collect her pack and then meet back at the gate.
Autumn, Taenweth, and Frostbite quickly find the trail left by the horse mounted bandits. There are many bent grass blades, and even an occasional horseshoe print in the damp earth.
The trail leads around the wall of Oleg's, then due south.
Pyros tries to lend a hand with the tracking, though he's sure that his skill does not match the others.
Taenweth pointed out the way to the others in the party. "Once we move around the wall, we're headed due south. Everyone ready to ride out?"
She mounted Veris. Looking to Pyros, she enquired, "Any preference to riding order?"
"No. I can be where ever."
"Well, since we're tracking it's only logical to have a tracker up front. Probably best if that person has sharp senses as well, in case we run across trouble on the road."
I'll keep to the middle, Ol'Dead eyes provided boons will allow me to aid everyone from there.
He offered as he gathered his things.
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"Alright then. I will remain in front with Autumn and her wolf."
She nudged her horse to near the front of the line and began to help lead them forward; scanning her eyes about the surrounding areas as they rode and using her expertise as a scout to make out tracks, broken blades of grass and twigs etc and things of note to make their way toward the bandit camp. She wondered if the bandits had set traps along the way for any uninvited guests/trespassers/unwitting travellers, so she keenly searched the surrounds/ground/bushes/trees etc for them as well.
Glancing over at Pyros and then looking back down. Sucking in a breath and looking back up, "Do you want the rear or shall I take it?"
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As you gather your things, Oleg hurries into his home, then returns with three flasks. "Old Bokken made these. They may help you keep alive." He hands over two that have blue labels marked with roughly painted white angels. "These are healing potions." Then he proffers the third. It has a green label with a yellow shield painted on it. "This one offers protection from attack."
1 longbow. (I believe Regina currently has this.)
1 suit leather armor.
2 hand axes.
5 javelins.
24 arrows in 2 quivers.
1 scythe.
2 spears.
6 torches.
2 lengths of hemp rope, each 50' long.
Enough trail rations to last 1 person 2 weeks.
2 vials antitoxin.
5 flasks of lamp oil.
3 lamps.
12 candles.
1 hooded lantern.
1 small tent.
1 flask of alchemist's fire.
3 caltrops.
1 leather armor.
1 cold weather outfit.
1 silver stag skull brooch.
1 flint and steel.
4 fishhooks.
1 ball of fishing line.
13 tindertwigs.
1 quiver of 20 arrows.
1 sack.
2 days trail rations.
1 small iron pot.
1 composite longbow. (+2 strength bonus)
1 dagger.
3 clubs
3 longbows
3 daggers
60 arrows
3 suits leather armor.
3 waterskins.
3 flint & steel.
3 belt pouches.
27 gp total.
6 sp
9 cp
Picking through the collected loot taken from the bandits, Pyros stuffs Happs' trail rations in his pack, then says to the others "We should definitely stock up on rations before we go, since it could take several days to find the bandit lair. Also, we should probably purchase that tent from Oleg. Regina," he says, holding up Happs' flask of Alchemist's Fire "this seems like something you might want to hang onto."
later
"I'll take the rear."
"I'll take the front, if Frostbite travels in front it may not spook the horses too much." Autumn said as she gathered up another quiver of arrows from the bandits. She eyed the bow that use to be Happs and picked it up. "This bow looks rather well done. I think I might give it a go."
"The fact that Happs only had two trail rations on him means they cannot be too far out. I'd say we take about a week's worth and go from there." She told the group. "I'm also a hunter so if we get in a bind I can hunt us food."
Taking the flask and tucking it into the bandoiler. Looking Oleg, "Thank you Sir."
Looking though once more, "Are the bandits prone to using poisons?"
Nodding and taking her spot second to last. Once they are moving Regina tries to keep her eyes scanning around like her father taught her. All the while stalwartly ignoring the rolling in her stomach and the sporadic shaking in her hands.
To Regina's question, Taenweth simply responded, "Take the antitoxins. We may have need for them at some point."
Hearing Autumn say she would take lead with her wolf, Taenweth nudged her horse to the place behind Autumn and began to scout the trail from her vantage there.
Herger nodded to his boy as he mounted his horse. There was no need to tell the lad to behave, or to help out the folk at the trading post he was raised right after all. Riding quietly in the middle of the line he took the time to get a lay of the land so to speak. His mind wandered over the sort of crops that could grow here, both for feeding a family and trading. Every so often he would pause and dismount if there was an interesting flower or herb along their path.
Svetlana comes out to see you off, she has a lunch packed in a woven reed basket for each of you. "Fortune's favor guide your way." She says. "I hope to see you back soon, and safe."
Oleg nods in gruff agreement.
Ulfgar scuffs his foot in the dirt, a forlorn expression on his face.
With farwells made, you follow the track south. You hear Oleg telling Ulfgar: "This morning you were a scullery lad, now you're an undertaker. We gotta to get these miscreant daisies planted."
The bandit's path meanders, always southerly, but seeking sheltered draws, and wood copses that offer cover from prying eyes. Ridgelines that would have silhouetted the riders against the sky were avoided. Though in truth, ridgelines are scarce in this country. It is pleasant meadowland with a picturesque scattering of pines and hardwood trees. Birds chirp and sing, and the occasional coney spooks from under a horse hoof. At one point, the whiff of skunk tickles your noses, but there is no sign of the culprit.
The trail is fresh and easy enough to follow through the ankle high grass.
When you pause for a late afternoon snack, you find Svetlana's lunch to be a ham sandwich, on Svetlana's excellent bread, along with a pair of hardboiled eggs, and dried apple slices.
As the afternoon progresses, a breeze wafts from the southwest, raising the temperature a hair. It seems to promise spring warming.
More troubling is the sky. The day had started with hazy high clouds; the sun had seemed on the verge of burning them off, but now they seem to be thickening, though still high and hazy.
As you follow the tracks south, the meadowland gives way to more, and more trees. With the sun hanging low in the sky, you find yourselves in country that could only be called forest.
It seems that here, at the forest edge, the bandits had spent the night. Logs have been drawn around a fire ring, though the fire itself is out. The place where the horses were picketed is obvious. The cut pine boughs, where the bandits lay down to sleep are still in place as well.
There is no sign of any other bandits at this campsite; the tracks exit on the far side of the bivouac, winding south, deeper into the woods.