Augustina has little say in the repentant bandits matter, so she listens and tries to grasp as much as she can. When the subject goes back to the kobolds, all seem to agree on taking one problem after the other, so she nods and stays silent again.
"So the sooner the Stag Lord is dealt with, the safer everyone will be?" Larin asks, hoping he's understood what Torek said. "In that case shouldn't we be getting ready to deal with him? I know it's easier said than done, but it seems like we should focus everything we have on dealing with the bandits to make all of the other goals easier." He looks up at the others, suddenly conscious that he might have said the wrong thing.
Quietly, though he was aware that master Larin and miss Augustina were relatively knew and not as aware of the place as the others might be he frowned then ran his hands though his beard. He had always been one to think about something for a good long time before responding.
"Autumn. dear. I know you want to just help everyone with everything but its... you press yourself to hard."
He began reaching out and gripping her shoulder his hand starting to reach up to run a stray lock of hair back. He stopped suddenly his eyes widening and his face reddening just a small amount. He quickly pulled his hand away.
Uh.. yeah so. um..."
He began again shaking his head softly.
"If we are sending Drayzen to take Curley to the north then we can send with him a list of things we need... like Chickens so many chickens. But when we do that, nothing is here to keep Brother Jhod from wandering into that forest alone. Let's search for the temple. It lets us check on the loggers and find that temple. While the bandits are priority. We have hit them again. They will be wary right now, best to let them stew a bit then hit them when they arent ready."
He added. nodding to well no one at all.
Torek replies to Larin, "Safer anyway, it's our most clear problem, he needs to be ended as a threat no matter what. After that it's less clear."
Torek looking a little oddly at Herger, agrees with him, "Yes, Autumn let us help, you needn't do everything alone; we're all in this together."
Torek to Herger, "Brother Herger, I agree we need to do this all, that's why I suggested we talk, if we can, to the settlers first,; I suspect they won't listen though. No one takes kobolds seriously until it's too late. Then we swing westish to the unexplored forest area and see what we can see. If, by Erastil's grace we find what our good friend Jhod seeks, then we do what we can. After success or failure in that quest, we go to the watchtower or whatever we saw was and see if that is the base of the mysterious bandit chieftain, and try, prudently to do something about it. Then is not likely to be easy, we have no idea of the forces there. Yep, we do it all in one run, be prepared, this wilderness is wonderful, and wonderfully terrifying. We go, knowingly into great danger. If you have no last will and testament, make one. And on that morbid thought, we best get about preparations. Autumn, let me help you with the proper disposal of the horses."
Augustina agrees, even though she's not sure about this guy they want out of the trading post. She feels he won't take this decision happily. But she's totally new here, and doesn't know the ways around, so she decides to stay silent once more. Plus, these guys don't really need more lumber onto the fire, or else there'll be tomorrow and they would still be discussing. Sticking around them in case there's some other thing they want to show her, she wonders how is Sergei doing right now.
Autumn seemed to stiffen when Herger called her dear, cheek pinking a bit as well. When his hand got closer to her, the quickly darted back, she seemed slightly confused. Yet she reached up and pushed the offending piece of hair back behind her ear.
When Torek spoke her head instantly moved to look right at him, almost as if she had been reminded that others were still in the area. "Thank you Torek. I'm at a loss with what to do with them honestly. We don't need more horses, and I really don't wish to see them taken from the people they've been working next to..." She admitted. "I also apologize with not bringing this case of Sasha to you all sooner... I just didn't want to burden you. There is so much more to worry about after all." Autumn pointed out. "I didn't even think about the effect it would have on Jhod!... Oh Deadeye, I've been so careless in my thoughts..." She sighed heavily. The young huntress actually look tired for once, shoulders sagging.
"I also believe that Larin is the most correct. We should go after the Stag Lord. The settlers and loggers both need checking on, I agree, but knowing we remove the Stag Lord from these lands will ensure their chances. We cannot openly attack the Kobolds, as we are trying for peace with them after all, so outside of ensuring they're okay there wouldn't be much we can do. Loggers know dangers travel the woods, if they're experienced they'll know what to do. But both have a greater danger if found by the Stag Lord's men.... No, he must be our focus right now. We make a path through the woods to hide ourselves for as long as we can, then we approach that place. Try to get another look at in, before going in. What do you all think of that?"
As someone not yet involved in the interpersonal politics of the trading post Larin keeps his mouth shut while the others discuss what's going on with people he doesn't know.
He listens to the others' thoughts on the group's next steps, before weighing in. "What temple are you looking for? Who is Jhod?" he asks. It's increasingly clear to Larin that being a latecomer to the group means he's out of the loop on a lot of things.
Torek says, "Still taking too much on, Autumn, we are all just trying to do the best we can in impossible circumstance. Don't worry about not being perfect and really you've only been here a month, you've done good in that time. More than most could, would, and some (not me) would say should."
Torek makes a decision, "I certainly agree about the loggers, or anyone with experience here; I just worry about anyone new here. But your point is good, we go, skip the warnings, they would not do much good anyway then go to the forest we haven't been to yet, move southish, and when we reach the watchtower we decide on how to proceed. Let's go with that then." Torek seems out of breath with the longest run-on sentence ever.
But he's not as he answers Larin, "Brother Jhod, is a priest of Erastil who had a vision of a lost temple to Erastil in the deep woods, a rare thing, not many temples to him are built, it's not ... practical. Anyway the vision is vague and so the area to search is the whole of the Narlmarches, not something we can do quickly, if at all. But Erastil blessed me with finding my friends just before bandits would have robbed and maimed me so maybe his guidance will be felt."
"I still think rushing againt this stag lord is a mistake better to let him bleed out forces until we can be assured to crush him, after all it is just what six of us? It would be great if we could convince
Kestin to send troops to help i would be less hesitant, but i dont believe thats in his orders. He seems to like his orders."
He seemed to be settling down however after that awkward interchange with Autumn. His mind wandered for a moment to that time where they met the hunter earlier when he had panicked and lied and called her his wife to seem less suspicious. That got his mind to wandering. Bah He thought to himself focusing back to the task on hand.
"So maybe it's something we'll find on our other travels?" Larin suggests in response to Torek's patient explanation. "I know I'm new here, and my word doesn't carry much height, he adds, using an expression common among his people, "but finding a temple feels less urgent than protecting settlers and sorting our bandits? Not that I don't respect your beliefs, but wouldn't Erastil's focus be on protecting the community?"
"Well, if the bandits present a threat to such community..." Augustina shrugs, thinking that her specific deity seems a bit more belligerent than his own patron Erastil.
Torek looks beat as the discussions as to what to do continues without any sign of resolution. "Brother Herger, I agree that is the likely the safest path for us. But do we have the time? We don't know how many followers the would be kinglet has, how many he can recruit in whatever time we give him, or where all his forces actually are. If the statements by Curly and Sasha are to be believed, they and many others are recently joined. If that is actually true then he may have few real close followers and attacking a strong point may bear fruit, or give little benefit or just get us all killed. We just don't know. But the more time he has the more powerful he will get. And where are those vulnerable foraging and bandit forces are? If they decide to evade us it could be months to find them. Or we go to the one spot where we have reason to believe is a major base, maybe even his stronghold of his, and try to end this now. Or we do something else, we need to come to a decision before nightfall, and do something starting no later than tomorrow; time is not our friend."
Torek answers Larin, "A good and defensible point Master Larin, but maybe Jhod's vision is Erastil's sign of his aid to the cause of protecting a newborn community. Or not. The ways of the gods are often mysterious. That's why I made the suggestion I did, go to the watchtower we suspect is the bandit chief's base while going through unexplored forest; kill two birds with one stone. As to warning the settlers, would they even listen? I'm not so sure, and the more we try to do, the more likely we fail at everything. As Brother Herger rightly said we are but six people, there is only so much we can do."
Continuing with a response to Augustina, "Yes, Miss, they are a great threat. One of our problems we don't know just how great or powerful they really are. Directly confronting them is risky, most of all because we don't know how risky it really is. So what should we do first and can we combine it with something else for greater result with less time expended? Your opinion is as good as mine, I could argue for any of the things we should do, what can we do and how much must be accounted for prudently."
Torek follows with a very small voice, "We are not united, if that continues, the blasphemer calling himself the Stag Lord has already won."
"Small steps Torek." Autumn said with a small shrug when he told her she was still taking on too much. "...I'm rather use to a full plate if you remember."
When the conversation begins to go in circles once more Autumn steps up, and with a wave of her hand states "Enough." It wasn't harsh but is was firm. "We are going in circles again. The temple isn't a main goal." She stated. "It is just something to keep an eye open for. We will not deviate from the path down to what we believe is the Stag Lord's base. If it isn't within our path, it will have to wait for another day." Autumn clearly stated. "If we come across the loggers as we go we can even take some time to speak with them. But the main goal is the safety of this place. Our community." She agreed Larin and Augustina. "Which will be much better served with the death of the Stag Lord. This is our current path, which yes... will be dangerous. There are only six of us and we've no idea how many there are of them. But we can't let that hold us back, Kesten can't send his own men. They will be needed here if we fail."
Autumn paused for a moment as she looked around at their group. Augustina, Titian, Torek, Larin, Herger, Titian with Esprit, and her with Frostbite. "Larin, Augustina, you are new to our ranks, but fresh eyes see things we cannot. For this fact and many others I welcome you among us, and I want you to know that we will have your backs as strongly as we do each others. We will not go in completely blind. When we get close we will scout and try to get numbers, but we must be ready for the fight of our lives. To stand for the home we wish to find here, and the people who depend upon us. But most importantly, we must be as one pack. To work together, and trust in the person who is beside you to hold each other up when it gets hard." Autumn said as she took out the antlers of the buck they had gotten on the way back, looking them over for a moment she looked back to her friends, her pack. "We can do this, together. Tomorrow we head out for the forest, and then onward to the battle for our community." Autumn stated as she stood tall, shoulders back, "Will you all ride with me?"
Torek bounces up with more animation than he has shown for a while. "Always, Autumn, I will ride to face whatever fate brings. May Ol'Deadeye bless all of us."
Torek follows that with. "Is there anything else that needs to be prepared? I'll help to take care of it."
Augustina answers to Autumn's call, both for the need she has to be answered and for the need Augustina has to really start doing something.
"I will ride with you and we will strike as one."
With this, she retires, eager to just have a walk around alone and prepare for whatever comes tomorrow.
Somewhat taken aback by the stridency of Autumn's speech, Larin pauses before agreeing. "I'll ride with you. There are so many people here who need help and protection, and if I can help I will."
He looks up at the others before adding, "On a more practical note, if we're riding off tomorrow, is there somewhere I can sleep tonight?"
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Titian just raises an eyebrow on this discussion. He was a more deeds not words person, and he was always in the mood for some good protection, preferably at full gallop with his lance.
Rising he nodded to the new ones. "Can you ride or can you ride?" Shrugging he smiles.
"There is a difference, and I want to know how to keep you safe. I am sure you have riding horses. So better keep them away from my stallion, he needs some time. Of course, if you have mares... that would work well!"
And for a moment a sad smile is on his face, remembering a tournament where a friends stallion got into a fight with another that had cost his friend the round. Not that Pierre had been a good or even a decent lancer, but it was his first tournament and his opponent, the brazen basilisk was utterly drunk that day and so Pierre even had a chance.
"I mean, I can point a horse in the right direction and get it to go. But I can't do anything fancy," Larin replies, hoping that Titian won't look unfavourably on his lack of horsemanship.
Autumn smiled thankfully at Torek when he answered so readily. Of course her old friend would. "If we're heading out tomorrow we need to ensure the horses that Kesten will be giving back are taken care of. Maybe we can ask his men to take care of them while we're gone in exchange for their use... also we need to have something in place in case... well if the worst comes to pass."
"Till tomorrow Augustina, and thank you." Autumn said as she new cleric departed.
"You can stay here Larin." Autumn said. "Oleg offers logging, and if you need some coin for it just let one of us know." She explained.
"True, he is mellow around Solstice." Autumn stated with a small shrug at Titian's statement. Though she looked back to Larin. "You know... we'd have to work with her on it but... you don't look like you weigh much. Frostbite could be able to carry you Larin."
Torek grimaces at Autumn's suggestion, "It's a good idea but I doubt the commander would see it as anything but a sneaky way of gifting the horses. I suppose we could try."
Torek will help Autumn with the horses and will look to restock anything that was used, recently, that should only be a few gold, I'm thinking 3.
"I could talk to Oleg. Perhaps he could purchase the horses and sell them to settlers who may need them, or sell them to Kesten cheap, then its not coming from us. We could send a bunch of them up with Drayzen and he could sell them up north then come down with some of the things we need, sort of a personal supply run. I would like to get a lot of chickens to trade with the kobolds... you recall that we talked about trading the chickens for the radishes i think right Autumn?
He asked cautiously.
Larin nods thankfully at Autumn, replying ”Thanks for the offer, but I’ve a little coin saved from before I left home, should be enough to get me fed and bedded for a little while.” He pats his small belly and chuckles.”I certainly weigh less than I did a few weeks ago, not had access to the family’s cooking. Has Frostbite ever had a rider?”
"Not for any full length of time. She did however love letting the kids ride around on her back." Autumn explained. "Might be a little difficult the first day or so but I'm sure we can work it out." She said with a nod.
Torek says, "I'll help with the talks to see to the horses welfare, we don't have time to take care of them."
Torek says to Herger, "The Sootscales king doesn't seem to want trade and he even less wants any moonradishes anywhere at all, if they find any I suppose he would want to get rid of them but likely his own people would just get drunk off of them before he even heard they found more. The king wants his people working for him not themselves ... not so different than human nobles."
”What about tack?” Larin asks Autumn. ”I don’t suppose Oleg has much in the way of riding gear for wolves!” he adds with a chuckle.
"Thank you Torek." Autumn offered her friend a smile. "And it is true that Sootscale doesn't seem to want the moonradishes around but we've more important things to worry about. As much as I'd like to have moonradishes until we know how to properly take care of them getting more wouldn't help."
Then she turned to answer Larin. "No I doubt he would. But we check if it would make you feel better. I think it would be difficult to get Frostbite to accept it a first, but we can try. But I doubt you'd need even a saddle, she was use to have the children ride her though that wasn't over long distances I'll grant you."
When he thought the decision made he nodded to the others.
"Guess I better speak with Ulfgar. Let him know we will be leaving again in the morning."
He nodded gruffly to the others. First he went to find Drazen giving the man some coin to purchase as many chickens as he could manage in a wagon.... when he returned after taking their 'reformed' bandit to the north. He also asked him to look into getting seed for farming.
Then he went to find his son, no doubt with that family and that girl he seemed sweet on. He spent some time with them and his boy, only telling him of his upcoming departure, and a chance of not returning since it was a direct movement on the bandit lord in the area. Then he found his cot, but not before he put in a long fervent prayer to his god. Seeking wisdom and guidance.
He rose early in the morning as was his usual, making his way to the walls of the trading post and overlooking the land quietly brooding.
"I'm sorry Herger." Autumn said as he went to leave. "This has to be hard on you both." She added before she stepped up to him and stated "Oh! I almost forgot, this is for you... or well really for Ulfgar. I... don't know if you have any coming of age rituals from your past but there was one we had in my village. When boys come of age they get a blade made forn the horn of a buck... I uha, don't know if you'd like to take it on for Ulfgar but, I am offering it to you all the same."
Larin why don't you tag along with me any Torek. After we talk about the horses with Kesten I can introduce you to Frostbite. The sooner you meet her properly the easier this will go as she'll get use to you faster." Autumn explained before she looked to Torek. "This likely won't go smoothly." She told him honestly. "Made him rather angry earlier and I'll- we'll have to dance lightly around the topic as to no offend him again."
After dealing with Kesten and introduced Larin to Frostbite, Autumn went to find Jhod. Upon finding him she paused and her whole demeanor changed. Her tail was curled close to her left leg and the agathion aasimar didn't hold herself as tall as she did before. "E-elder..." Autumn began as she stepped up. "I know... I have no right but... may I ask for guidance?"
Autumn didn't sleep through the night, she used her magic to keep herself safely awake. She worked through the night on the banner for their group, she would give it to her friends when they awoke. All the while she would take small breaks by walking about the trading post. All the while Frostbite either by her side or sleeping next to Autumn's work station.
When dawn came she was already awake. She had gotten everyone's horses ready, and pack the food away as well.
"I hope the morning finds you well." She told her friends as they came up. When they all got there she showed them the banner. It wasn't of the best craft, but her stitching was firm and it would hold through most winds. "I wasn't the most amazing seamstress but I can make passing items. Even clothes. They're just not of the finest make... No Lord would would be wearing them" She teased herself with a small smile.
Larin nods, agreeing with Autumn's plan. "Agreed, Frostbite and I need to get used to each other as quickly as we can if we're going to be travelling together," he says, his smile not entirely covering his trepidation.
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The morning was cool but pleasant, and Larin warmed up quickly as the sun rose into the sky and he filled his belly with porridge. "Very nice stitching," he says to Autumn, appraising her handiwork.
Torek comments, "And you as well. It's great Autumn. There seems to be no end to your talents."
Torek helps with the clean up and sighs saying, "No point in putting it off any longer, we best go see our helpful Garrison Commander." When Autumn is ready Torek heads off with her and anyone else with to see to our erstwhile man of a little too much integrity.
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Always an early riser Titian woke up with the sun and started by doing his morning routine. 50 push ups, 50 squads and 100 crunches. His old man at arms always said that a sloppy warrior is a bad warrior. Swiping the sweat off his brow he walked over to the basin and poured water in it and finished his shores by washing and shaving.
Slowly, so not to wake the others he moved outside to look after esprit, just to see Autumn try to take care of him.
Start with an apple. He knows you but he is trained to bite you."
Waiting till she was gone to save her face he slowly walked to esprit.
While feeding him and checking hooves he slowly talked to his companion, promising him a hard ride today.
Esprit was not a friendly horse, had never be, and sometimes in a foul mood. But still, Titian cared greatly for him.
Early in the morning, Augustina gets up and says her prayers. When finished, she keeps with her daily routine, paying special attention that the banner is in good condition and ready to be seen from as further away as possible.
When Sergei wakes up, she makes it so that he is able to have some breakfast, and talks seriously to him. "Sergei, we are going to be here for a while. I'm going out today, and you need to be as helpful as possible here. Do what you're told, see that they feel you as necessary. If we're to use their food and their lodges, we need to contribute." She gives his cousin a kiss on the forehead, and when he's about to protest, she cuts him. "I will talk to whoever I need to talk and see that you get proper training, don't worry. Things as they are, it seems wise that everyone here gets some drilling."
She asks for something to break her fast as well, and waits for the ones who wake up later or chats with the ones who wake up earlier.
Autumn took Larin to see Frostbite who was snoozing next to all the gear that Autumn had gotten, with a bone between her paws. "Frostbite." Autumn said softly as she scratched behind the she-wolf's left ear.
Frostbite raised her head and yawned. Then her attention was on Autumn and the group with her. "There you go. I've someone I want you to meet." Autumn said as she motioned for Larin to come over. "We have new members in the pack." Frostbite stepped foreword and smelled the small sorcerer.
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Autumn blushed at the praise. "Well... thank you." She said with a humble nod. "I just hope it holds up with use."
When Autumn saw Augustina she waved with a kind smile. Though she wouldn't say it out loud for she felt it would be too rude, Autumn was glad to have another female in the group. She had started out with two other females but ever since they left for their own reasons it had been just Autumn. It wasn't anything against the men in the group, they where good men! Autumn liked them even, but it was nice not to be the only one.
"Lets go see Kesten and get this under way." Autumn agreed with Torek. "We should let him know what we're doing... just in case."
Larin stood stock still as the wolf sniffed at him, wary of the big creature with the long sharp teeth. He waited while Frostbite sniffed at his face and nuzzled his hands. After what seemed like hours Larin felt the wolf move away with a quiet chuffing noise, seemingly satisfied. "Is she happy?" Larin asked Autumn quietly.
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"I'm ready to get going when everyone else is. Hopefully Kesten doesn't have too much to complain about this morning," Larin said, his eagerness to get moving just about under control.
"I hope so, Larin, he's a good man but a bit inflexible, not the best for an outpost such as this. Still I'll see if an appeal to his fulfilling his duties will work."
Torek nods to Autumn's words and steels himself for the conversation with Kesten Garess. The group seeks out the Commander and Torek begins his spiel, "Commander, please believe that we understand your position but it has placed us in an difficult situation. We simple do not have time to deal with these horses, we should be on the road within the hour to confront the blasphemous bandit chieftain. As a temporary solution, we wish to contract with your men individually to feed and care for our horses, in return they would get the use of them for the time being. We are not trying to evade anything we simply need time more than anything. Also the horses would be in use extending the area that can be protected, at least for a little while, which aids in our goals. Before we did this though we need to inform you of this so as to prevent any further misunderstandings and situations which lead to a lack of unity that only benefits our mutual opposition. Can you accept this as a quick compromise to serve our mutual goal of protecting the settlers as best as possible?"
Torek lays out the deal as earnestly as he can, hoping that matters can proceed as quickly as possible.
"If she wasn't you would know." Autumn said with a small smile, Frostbite had gone back over to her bones and brought one back over and dropped at Larin's feet
A chuckle came from Autumn as she explained. "She wants you to play tug of war with her. She played it often with the children and some of the hunting dogs back home. It's a good sign."
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"We just don't have the time or resources to look after four additional horses which would be unused in the days to come. There is also the fact that... We might not come back if things go poorly." Autumn said to help explain their position. "We know that if they're kept here they will be well looked after and we wouldn't have to worry about the horses fall back into bandit's hands should the worse pass."
Augustina smiles back to Autumn, whom she notices when she's saddling her horse. The girl seems nice, though it's quite obvious she has a heavy load on her shoulders. Hopefully, if they manage to get the settlement going, more people able to help her will come.
It seems the others want to have another talk to the guard captain about the horses. He seems a stubborn man, though deep inside Augustina understands his decision.
"Let's see how we end the day, don't you think, Rover?" she comments while she caresses the horse's neck.
”My men are good soldiers. They follow orders.” Kesten shrugs. ”What they do on there own time is their own business. Mostly.” The soldier’s lips curve in an almost smile. ”I imagine that Oleg could get you a good price for the horses. That would serve everyone’s interests best, I think.”
Larin picked up the bone from the floor, grasping one end and offering the other to Frostbite. "Like this?" he asked Autumn as he braced himself for the wolf's pull.
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Kesten's mood seemed to have improved with a night's sleep. Larin stood by quietly as the others negotiated the disposal of the spare horses, and he busied himself checking his kit over while he waited.
Torek replies to Kesten, "A reasonable idea, Commander but I am not so convinced that just trying to sell the horses to Oleg is the best course of action; though it may be the simplest." Torek takes a breath and continues, "It did occur to us but Oleg may not have the resources on hand to properly take care of and deal with them, it's only be a little more than a month for him to recover, and we are far from reliable supplies. More important though is that the horses would likely not be used as we hoped, to further the range and ability of this outpost to protect this area. Our mutual goals leads to that and this seemed the best way to achieve that. We are too few, every action we take must have multiple benefits or we will get nowhere. If you have a quick alternative that achieves many good results, I would very much like to hear it." Torek finishes explaining his reasoning.
”To answer your last question first “ Kesten’s face grows thoughtful. ”I doubt there is a quick alternative. But as a military man, I know the value of scouting. A general that knows the ground he is fighting on can choose a battle field that grants advantage. You choose the right ground, you can defeat a much larger force.” After a pause he adds. ”It’s also what the Swordlord’s charter requires. Scouting and mapping the land. Once you’ve completed the exploration, you should have a good idea of how to tackle the bandits.” With dour face he continues. ”Of course we can’t expect them to sit and wait, so finding their hideout is best done sooner than later...”
Kesten’s face darkens. ”As to whether Oleg can tend to your horses; best to ask him yourself. I expect he can. It is his business, after all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are reports to write up.” Kesten sighs, presumably at the prospect of paper work.
"Thanks you Commander for your time. May Erastil bless and guard you." After parting with the Commander, Torek turns to the others and says, "Well, he didn't say no. Should we deal with Oleg or try to get some of the men to keep the horses here? The latter is my preference of course but it may take longer to accomplish." Tokek looks expectantly at the others.
"Lets take them to Oleg, sell them to him cheaply, suggest that the soldiers could use them or buy them, if they arent too costly. He's a smart man, He wont take all their coin especially since they are protecting his business. What he doesnt sell to them he might be able to sell to others, will help him recoup some of his losses so far.
Kestin doesnt have to feel like we are trying to bribe or buy him, Oleg can make some money, we dont have to worry about the poor horses much longer either. "
He wondered how much Oleg would be able to pay for those horses and how much he would charge. He had an idea but a lot of it depended entirely on financial things.
"Whatever we decide we should get to it, Lots of land to explore and I guess bandits to face."
Frostbite latched onto the other end of the bone and pulled playfully, shaking her head slightly to try and get it from him.
Autumn smiled warmly, it had been some time she since played like this and it was a good sight.
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"After they tried to retake one of the places we cleared out earlier I would say there is no way they're just going to sit and wait. Time is no longer on our side." Autumn agreed with Kesten. "Take care Kesten."
"What if we just skip that and give the horses to the men?" Autumn asked. "Kesten is the one with the honor code, not his men. However I feel like that would be an insult to Kesten himself, and I don't really want to do that. He's a good man and while we may not always agree I do have some respect for him." Then she paused for a moment. "Lets talk to Oleg. We don't have time to think of something else at the moment, we need to choose an action and go for it."
Torek says to his friends, "Ah yes, I see. I was taught by my professional mentor to always choose between two clear choices. Trying to do both leads only to a poor muddled end. However it seems that is not the case here. As always, Brother Herger, Autumn, my old friend, your wisdom guides me. Let's see if we can work with Oleg to get to good ends. Where is he now, he seems to be everywhere these busy days?"
"I know that I don't know Kesten like the rest of you," Larin says, "but I get the feeling that he wouldn't take too kindly to us going over his head and offering the horses directly to his men. If Oleg will take them then it solves our problem quickly, and with as little fuss as possible."
"Yes let's just get to Oleg and get this done. We've more important matters to attend to." Autumn said as she headed off to find Oleg. Though she didn't know if Oleg would be able to buy four, now trained horses, their tack and all, from the group. While Autumn would normally let them go as non-trained horses but with the addition of two more and the needs of the group continuing to grow she had to think about those with her.
Then Autumn looped her arm around Torek's and smiled "The hardest tasks, become easy with friends" She told him, an Erastilian saying that he and Herger had to remind her of. "We'll get through this, we always do." Autumn said to the group as a whole. Then, letting go of Torek she set off the find Oleg.
Oleg digs into his strong box, bringing out the shiny gold coins of various mint, then paying for the horses without comment.