"That seems an equitable arrangement, if they'll have him." Pyros says after a moment.
Standing quietly off to the side and dreading the end of the questioning out of fear that they were just going to execute the man. Though he deserves it doesn't he? "That would be up to Master Oleg."
Taenweth's deep green eyes studied the Human alchemist upon her answer and with no expression replied quietly, "Indeed, Regina. Let us remove any weapons from his person and tie him up just to ensure he's not foolish enough to attempt to harm us. And we should gag him. We don't want him shouting warning to the remaining four when we cross paths with them."
Looking to the bandit, "Do you have a horse or shall we drag you along behind us?" The Elf still had her rapier out and playfully pointed it at him.
"He can ride with me." Autumn stated. "And if he tries anything his life is forfeit." She said as she let the bandit go. "It does say that only those who are not repentant are to be hung or put to the sword."
Taenweth looked to the Huntress, "As you wish," and left the man to Autumn's fierce care.
"Does the party wish to search for the remaining brigands? Best we leave now before they cross our path first. I would rather have the element of surprise on our side."
Off in the distance the cleric continued to dig graves for the fallen bandits, if for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. He could see the rest of the party with the running bandit, and he had faith they would come to a consensus on what to do.
Looking around while speaking softly, [smaller]"Would we not lose the element of surprise if they return and no one is here? They would be able to warn the others." Never one meeting anyone in the eyes.
"Would we not lose the element of surprise if they return and no one is here? They would be able to warn the others."
Taenweth eyed the alchemist whose own eyes would not meet hers or any other.
"If they return here. They will ride from the hunt together and since this brigand said there was only he and another four remaining, then who would they alert? The dead will soon be buried by Herger, so I merely suggested we locate the last of these bandits. But if you believe they will certainly return to this spot, then we will clear the area of any signs of fight, wait them out and attack in surprise."
Taenweth held the look a moment longer and then wordlessly moved (in long, swift strides) back toward Herger and then to where she had tethered her horse.
She stopped when she was close enough to the holy man and asked in steady voice, "Did you collect anything useful from the dead before you would put them to ground?"
Looking over at Herger, "Burial mounds tend to leave evidence of what they are, especially new ones. Along with the blood."
Crossing her arms and forcing herself to meet Taenweth in the eyes, "And I meant that they would be able to let other groups like this one or their base know what happened. And if they simply went hunting then they should return."
Turning to the bandit, "Would they?"
Leaving the bandit to the ladies, Pyros heads over to help Herger with the digging. "I don't suppose you have a spare shovel, do you?" he asks when he gets there.
I did not see one Pyros, but i didnt look through their things either. We might as well search for useful things while we are here, I dount the owners of any ill gotten loot we find will be able to claim it. What are they doing with the survivor?
He asked stretching a bit and lifting up the shovel to Pyro while he pulled out his waterskin and took a long draught from it.
Didnt Oleg say one of them took his wive's ring? We should search for it while we are here of course.
He added.
Autumn bound the bandit's hands and sat him down. "Stay, or I'll sick Frostbite on you again." She told him before she walked over to Pyros and Herger. "Here. Let me help." She said before she looked to Frostbite and pointed to the ground. "Dig." She ordered.
The wolf set to work, digging though the dirt with ease. Autumn looked to the two men and said "That should help you a bit. I'm going to keep an eye on the bandit." She walked back over to where she left him and called out to Regina and Taenweth.
"Probly. They was plannin' to..." The bandit answers Regina's question.
The camp site seems to have only the one shovel, though there is a pick and a woodcutter's axe.
Most of the bandit's food stores and gear are stowed under the platform nearest the campfire . The have a good store of firewood laid up, and several lumpy sacks heaped in a messy pile. One of the sacks is open revealing wizened apples. Fresh apples won't be available till next harvest, in the late summer. Of course, spring berries should be on their way, once the weather turns.
It looks like there might be some boxes or crates in the wagon .
Having heard Herger's reply to her question and then Pyros seek to aid in the digging, Taenweth moved toward Veris and untied the shovel secured to the saddlebags. She moved back to the men and handed the tool to the fighter. "Here, use mine, Pyros. Two shovels are better than one."
Taenweth turned her focus to the dead brigands and began to methodically search the bodies, hoping to spy Svetlana's ring and any other useful items.
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On Kressle: Masterwork hand axes x 2.
Studded leather armor.
Winter outfit.
Belt pouches x 2.
Flint & Steel.
waterskin.
54 gp.
Bandits: Club x 4.
longbow x 4
dagger x 4
arrows x 73
leather armor x 4
belt pouches x 8
peasant's outfit x 4
waterskin x 4
12 gp
16 sp
The bandits are wearing the peasant's outfits and armor, including the one captured, of course. He would have his money in his belt pouches as well. (3 gp, 4 sp amount included in the total above.)
Camp loot: blankets x 5
bedroll x 8
backpack x 5
50' rope x 5
soap x 5
torches x 34
trail rations x 17 days
cooking pot x 3
small tent x 2
meal, common x 5 days
meal, good x 3 days
Stowed under these mundane items are: 90 gp
321 sp
a pair of silver earrings
a finely crafted wooden music box
crates of valuable furs and hides x 3
Stowed in the wagon is a case of green liquor in glass bottles, stowed in straw. There 8 of these bottles left full. The case once held 16 of these bottles, but the empties are scattered around camp, apparently the bandits have been hitting the supply.
Taenweth finds a thunderstone on one of the tree platforms, as well.
No one shows up to interfere with the searching, nor with the burials, these tasks are complete, it's time to decide on the next move...
She was content in the items she had discovered during her search and made note of each as a general inventory. Taenweth promptly and quietly informed her companions of all that she had found.
"We should take these back to the fort once we are done with the remaining brigands. We can divide coin and other articles once we are gone from this place. Can someone aid me in hitching the wagon to one of the horses and stowing all the items?" "We can depart more expeditiously if we ready it now."
Taenweth then set to the task.
"Regina will you help Taenweth please. I'm still keeping my eye on the bandit." Autumn said.
Nodding to Autumn before moving to help Taenweth sort though what the bandits had and then moving to help with the wagon. Though she more that once stumbles and loses her grip. Damn it all!
"Sure, no problem." Pyros says to Taenweth, before walking over and helping move the wagon.
Everything is easily loaded into the wagon. Taenweth finds the harness stowed under the wagon seat, but the leather is old and brittle. The wagon itself is in poor repair, with a broken spoke on the left rear wheel. It may have been a very long time since the hubs have seen any grease as well. For now, the wagon will roll, but how long is anyone's guess.
"Are we ready to go?" Autumn asked as she stood and pulled the bandit up along with her. Though she looked the wagon over with a slightly worried look. "I think we should head back to Olge's, because that wagon may not hold if we go too far with it." She sighed.
He had just finished up the last rites those bandits would ever recieve... and he had to force himself in a way to administer even that. Banditry was pretty high up on his list of intolerable things. The large man, who had not had anything to do with the bandit in Autumn's care so far merely griped the handle of the shovel flexing his arms and glaring at him.
Second chances were a thing that should be offered to all but the most unrepentant souls. He didnt know this man's story so he would... hold judgement for now.
"You there... whats your name? What skills besides petty Thievery do you have?"
He began mounting his horse while eyeing the wagon critically.
The bandit had been watching with mild interest as the loot was loaded on the wagon. Now he turns an apprehensive gaze toward Herger. "Name's Curley. Curley Fraine. I know a bit o' hunting, a bit o' trapping, and how to grow turnips." Then with glint of sullen pride. "We got some good hauls too, not just petty."
His ears perked up a bit as he looked down on comparatively the already shorter man.
"You.... know farming?"
He began his voice sounded not quite incredulous but close. His scowl deepened.
How can you sleep at night knowing you have such a gift yet squander it so in the pursuit of wealth cheaply taken? You and I will have words Curley Fraine. It is clear You survived to be taught the true way to measure a man and his worth by Erastil."
He said for the first time probably sounding a bit preachy.
Pyros gathers his things and mounts his horse, ready to leave as soon as the others are.
"Farmin's hard work, then the taxman takes all the get. Leaves you naught but seed money, and not quite starving. Banditin's done me better." Curley turns his eyes to the ground. "Up till now...
"And what taxman is here to take your coin and wares? You have two choices as i see it. You can build a real life, a good life here... or you could end up like the others. You dont see many old bandits living life on high do you? There is a reason for that.
He began once more keeping his eyes to the woodline and the like though still talking to the prisoner.
"Was it only turnips you grew? what about beets? Raddishes? potatoes? I havent had a chance to get a feel for the soil in these parts. Did you try to look into growing here or did you just jump into being a bandit?"
He asked some more.
Autumn helped the bandit onto her horse before getting on herself. She hung back with Herger so the two could speak, allowing Taenweth to take the lead.
"There was a woman back home who made the best spiced potatoes you've ever had." Autumn mentioned as a passing through when she heard the question about what else and bandit use to grow.
"Did you not care that you where hurting innocent people?" She asked the bandit before her.
Frostbite stayed in step with both the horses, off to the side enough to not spook them but close enough to attack the bandit should he try to harm Autumn.
"Did my farmin' up by Oxencross. The Lebeda's do the taxin' there." He shrugs. "No Taxman here, tis true, but my farmin days was over, time I got here."
"Kept a vegetable patch to help feed my family, but mostly turnips. Turnips for the hogs. Hogs is where the money's at."
Curley's face grows thoughtful at Autumn's question. At length he answers: "I never thought on it much. After Anna passed, and the Fever took my kids, nothing much mattered. Fightin's kind of a thrill, and it's nice to have some coin to spend. That's all it was to me."
Herger grew quiet for a moment then spoke again with his gruff voice... sounding slightly hollowed.
"I can understand that loss all to well, I lost my wife and daughter 8 years back I lost my wife and daughter to..."
He paused and grew silent just for a moment before he continued.
" I have my boy still, but.. do you think your wife and children would be proud of the way you are acting now? This.. this is your chance to right yourself. To live right. As to the fighting, well this is a frontier land, there will be plenty of that as it is, but I.. we... mean to see about getting the lay of this land down for settling, no reason you cant be a part of that. Something to think about."
--------------------------------
It seemed the plan to waylay and finish the remaining four brigands had been set aside to return to the trading post promptly.
"Keep your eyes open for the last four bandits as we ride. And let us not talk too loudly," she said as two of her companions chatted to the brigand prisoner. She kept her thoughts on the matter to herself.
Mounting Veris, she nudged him forward and began to lead the group back to Oleg's.
Aid Another to help Taenweth's tracking:
Listening quietly and staring at the ground as she feels her stomach tighten at the mere idea of that kind of loss. Frowning at Taenweth, "Are we sure we want to leave this place now?"
Taenweth does not have the skill, nor the materials to repair the wheel spoke. However, the other 15 spokes seem to be enough to hold the wheel together for some time. The lack of axle grease is likely to present a greater problem. If a wheel should seize up on its axle, the wagon would prove to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to move.
"Aye. They would not be proud." Curley scuffs at the grass with his feet, his eyes downward.
The trail back to Oleg's is becoming a veritable highway. Taenweth, and those helping her have no trouble backtracking. Finding passage for the wagon is more difficult, but not impossible. Where the horses had threaded their way between trees, the wagon must pick a way around.
"Then make them proud." Autumn told Curley as they moved on. "You're getting a second chance, something many do not get in this world. Don't waist it." She said with a slight smile. "You're the only connection to this world they have now. Remember that."
After three days of travel, you all arrive safely back at Oleg's. The trading post has changed a bit since you left it last. Three pavilion tents, of faded brown cloth, have been pitched just outside the entrance to the fort. Sharpened stakes have been driven into the ground to defend these structures. The road into the outpost remains open. In fact, Oleg comes out to greet you. "Welcome back friends." He exclaims. "How went your expedition? Come inside. Svetlana will want to see you. Come inside, have some food and drink. Tell us of your deeds."
Armed soldiers can be seen keeping watch from the battlements of the trading post. Oleg mentions casually: "Yeah, the security detail finally arrived."
Caerwyn, on lookout duty, sees the party approaching the outpost. Turning to face one of the tents he shouts He the returns to keeping an uneasy eye on them as they ride up, only breathing a sigh of relief when the shopkeeper, Oleg, greets them.
Autumn smirked up at the lookout, Caerwyn, and called "Ah so you're the people whose job we did." her tone was in a jest and the look on her fact told them it was a joke.
She got off her horse and helped Curley down. "What do you say Curley, lets get something to eat hmm?" She asked as she pushed him along and followed after Oleg.
Pyros nods curtly to the lookout. "Good to see a sharp eye on the tower. I'm Pyros, by the way." the golden-haired man says after he dismounts, offering a hand to the newcomer.
"Another candidate for the noose, eh?" Asks Oleg. "Guess I'm gonna have to build a jail."
There is a stirring in one of the guard's tents, and a man pokes his head out to peer about. He has shaggy black hair and thick stubble on his face. The man assesses the scene with morose brown eyes, then withdraws back into his tent.
Svetlana has hugs for all (except Curley of course), then she sets out food and drink. "Rest yourselves. you must be famished."
Ufgar hurries forward to greet his father... And to get some food, the growing boy is always hungry.
"Not the noose... at least not yet. It would seem our friend here has pledged to better himself like a real settler. He has provided us with information on a bandit 'lord' in the area and has earned his chance for a new life eh my friends?"
He said to the others giving master Oleg a curt nod. He reached over and pulled his lanky son into a hug tousling his hair. He moved to settle the horses while the others ate, quietly going about his business until it was done then he joined the others.
Oleg looks doubtful. "If you say so, Master Orickson." Then he asks. " So you found the bandit's lair then? Can we expect a break from their raiding?"
After being relieved of duty Caerwyn makes his way to his tent and changes into his civilian clothes. Strapping his blade across his shoulders he makes his way over to the trading post. "Master Oleg, Mistress Svetlana" he greets both with a slight bow "A pleasure to see you again."
Walking over to the main group he introduces himself "My name is Caerwyn, Caerwyn Callandriil, of the Restov guard. I too applied to come out here to help settle these land once and for all but, alas, I was not chosen. So, when Captain Garess was assembling soldiers for a relief column I volunteered to join and use my skills to help rout the bandit gangs that have been a blight on peaceful settlers for far too long." He extends his hand "And you are?"
"Oh, well hello Caerwyn. I am Autumn." The young huntress said as she offered her hand. Frostbite whined and gave a small yip. "Oh yes, and this is Frostbite. I promise, she may be a wolf but she's not going to attack you... unless you attack me." She smiled as she gave the wolf a scratch behind her ears.
Pyros offers a hand as well. "Pyros Aldori. A pleasure to meet you, Caerwyn." the golden-haired man says, presuming that his surname will be enough introduction as to his role.