After an hour or so, Turante successfully removes the upper canines from the worg, and expertly skins it as well. Attai assists as best he can, and he learns a thing or two about worg anatomy.
Later, the sylph helps to set Kytes' broken bones, and creates a sling for him to use.
Kytes thanks Attai for helping set his arm and the sling provides him some relief and a chance for the fracture to heal.
Liamae lingers near Turante as she works, idly dreaming up some outrageous pieces of jewelry that could be made from the worg's fangs. Though she has no crafting skills, she's willing to sketch up some designs.
Iagon spends the rest of the day patrolling the woodline in search of this mysterious Chaneque. He keeps his eyes open for any talking wolves again, though he keeps well away from the trees to allow himself a few long range attacks should anything confront him.
At a point during the day, he meets with the others to discuss their schedule. It seems we should develop some sort of routine or rotation for our watches. Anyone have any ideas we can draw up? I mean, we should have two of us on watch at any given time, I'd think, or do you think that would be extreme in the daytime hours?
As you work on skinning the worg, Rilli proceeds on to the trading post with his bucket of fish, presumably to offer some of his catch to Yaloni. Sure enough, after a minute or two, he emerges again and walks down to his stick and mud hut down at the river ferry.
As Iagon patrols the edge of the woods, he finds what appears to be a couple of game trails, one leading off to the northeast, and one leading in a more easterly direction. He doesn't find any signs of a chaneque, although he's not exactly sure what a chaneque is or what a sign of one would be. He recalls Dr. John saying something about them coming out at night, and he figures searching for one during the day might not be the best way to go about it.
Seized by a sudden flash of inspiration, Liamae expends her mental focus as she works on crafting a fancy necklace of worg teeth!
The pain in his arm is great enough that Kytes excuses himself from further duty and goes to rest. He calls out to his patron goddess, "Inheritor, give me your divine energy to heal this wound so that I may continue to fight for your will and for the cause of good." The wounds mend measurably, but not fully from his ministrations, and he takes his rest, unless summoned by the need of one of the others.
Liamae fiddles around with the worg fangs and some strips of leather, silver wire, and glass beads she just happened to find laying around. At her workbench in the barracks she lays the pieces out and arranged them according to her design. While Kytes is resting, Eir takes an interest in her work and watches from a perch on a weapon rack. Liamae assembles the pieces and holds it up, but it is just not quite as she imagined. Eir ruffles her feathers and two come drifting down from above, landing softly on the workbench. That’s it! Liamae quickly adds the two hawk feathers to the design and now it is complete.
You settle in and relax for the afternoon back in the safety of the compound. As the shadows grow longer, the smells of dinner being cooked up in the manor house rouse you. Yaloni has taken Rilli’s catch and battered them up and pan fried them to a golden brown. Served with seasoned potatoe wedges, it’s a surely satisfying meal. ‘Soul Food’ she calls it. Hans calls it ‘Fish ‘n Chips’.
Hans is happy to see you are all back, safe and sound, for the most part. He taps a pony keg of Cassomir Porter to go with the meal and serves you all a mug. Looking at Kytes’ black and blue shoulder and arm in a sling he asks, “Well, wot did ye see out there?”
Iagon swallows down a mouthful of the food and washes it down, then looks to his companions before replying. Well, Rilli had found a fine friend, named Uufanes. We discussed at length with her a growing darkness over the Verdant Mountains...seems like doom and gloom for all of us, should she be right. She also mentioned that we'd have some diplomatic...em...issues...when the Marquis arrives.
He waves a hand in the air dismissively. Then we had to kill a little guy that turned giant and a wicked demon leech or something. All in a day's work! Seeing his flippant claims weren't received as well as he'd hoped, he leans in to Hans and speaks in a hushed tone.
We did promise to help Uuhurn's people in his efforts against the Blighted wood - it seemed like it may be the only way to a long-standing peace. What do you know of the place?
Liamae marvels at her necklace. "It's perfect! Thank you, Eir!" She blows a kiss to the hawk.
"This is much nicer than that bauble I purchased earlier for my enchantment focus. Ooh, I bet I could create a whole ensemble to go with this! Fangs, fur, feathers... Very druidic!"
Attai dismisses Hans' mug with a friendly wave, then listens to see if Hans has any information, watching the man intently to discern anything amiss...
Hans stuffs his face hungrily as he listens to Iagon's recounting of the day. His eyes widen and his pace slows though, and he glances down worriedly at Linus at mention of a demon leech, but the boy's eyes are only wide in wonder at the tales of heroic adventure.
When Iagon leans in and whispers about making peace with Uuhurn, Hans almost chokes as he fights against spitting out a mouthful of food. After a deep gulp and gasping for breath, he utters, "Ye did wot now? I mean, sure, peace is good an' all, but helpin' those savages? I guess we'll see 'ow that pans out."
He drinks deeply from his mug and continues, "Past the Verdant Slopes ye say? Nuthin' out there but untamed wilderness, th'type o' place Uuhurn wishes the world was, I s'pose. Th'mounts run south from the Fogpeaks up north, practically cut th' forest in half. Prolly th'best way ta get there is takin' th'Verduran Highway ta Belhaim. Thas 'bout a weeks travel on foot, I'd say. But, ye should prolly stick 'round here till the Marquis shows up, 'fore you go runnin' off savin' a bunch o' centaurs an talkin' trees an' whatnot."
He smiles and winks, but also looks around the table to make sure everyone takes him seriously.
With a deep nod of agreement, Iagon smiles slightly. Indeed...I doubt the Marquis would appreciate our abandoning our post. He's the boss of course, so whatever he feels of this Uuhurn thing will be our marching order.
Attai listens and provides an agreeable nod and another after appraising Liamae's new accessory.
"Given our new intelligence, perhaps it is prudent to take no further action until the Marquis arrives. Of course there is still room for further investigation."
"Liamae, that is a beautiful piece of work!" says Túrante. "It accentuates your own natural beauty nicely, but it would sit well on any traveler in the wild."
"I'm a little worried about that small man we fought," she continues. "Do we have any deadfalls or other defenses around the settlement here? It might be worthwhile to do so. We can't risk going off into the wild for days and leaving the place undefended, but we should be prepared in case there are other potential threats out there that might come to us."
Liamae blushes at Turante's compliment. "Oh, th-thank you, Your Highness!"
She nods at the ranger's further words. "Yes, we should fortify the post before we head out again!"
Attai nods again with more enthusiasm.
"I agree that before we act further we should ensure the defenses are sound, and increase them. As for investigation, something tells me there may yet still be more to discover within the trading post itself..."
Hans laughs, "Hehe, I like the cut of yer jib," he winks at Turante, "We don't have no traps an' such, but 'tis a swell ideer. The boy an' I can cut some wood on th'morrow fer ye ta help out."
"Feel free ta have a look around," he addresses Attai, "Except fer upstairs... thas the Marquis' quarters. An' ye might ask Master Ashilia 'fore you go pokin' round 'is cottage. Don't wanna make 'im upset again."
At a point during the day, he meets with the others to discuss their schedule. It seems we should develop some sort of routine or rotation for our watches. Anyone have any ideas we can draw up? I mean, we should have two of us on watch at any given time, I'd think, or do you think that would be extreme in the daytime hours?
“Aye,” Hans chimes in as plates and mugs are being emptied, “havin’ a few eyes up top won’t hurt. But I were thinkin’ it might be best if’n ye all we’re ta go on patrol durin’ the day... that is, if’n ye don’t have nuthin’ else on yer plate. But, keepin’ watch at night is a priority.”
————
With dinner concluded, everyone settles in for the night, and watch is set in order to compensate for Kytes tending to his injury. The night passes without major incident, and indeed, the same occurrences much like the night before. Clear skies early on, and the strange pairs of red orbs flitting through the tree line. Then, the bank of fog rolling off the river sometime past midnight, through which can be seen the occasional eerie white light of the will-o’-the-wisps moving along the river bank. The only difference from the night before is, the sound of hooves is noticeably absent from the early morning fog.
Between your posts up on the walls, you each experience some disturbing dreams:
As the sun breaks above the eastern tree line, the fog dissipates. And the savory doors of breakfast waft from the manor house.
Kytes wakes with a start. His wounded harm seems mostly mended, only a slight twinge when he moves it now, And while he is mostly whole in body, his mind is quite troubled. The dreams of the night before trouble him even after waking.
He kneels on the wooden floor of the post, his hands clasped over the hilt and pommel of his longsword which is standing point-down on the floor. He prays to The Inheritor with a fervent rapture, asking that the nightmare he had not be a portent of things to come. And if must be so, that She give him strength of purpose to save those he held dear from such a fate. The orisons easing his mind, Kytes drifted outside, ready to do his morning forms, moving the blade into the different positions as he has been trained to do since finding the faith. Nearby, Eir watches from the roof of the house with a baleful eye.
When his disciplines are done, Kytes joins any of the others for breakfast, grimacing just a bit as he moves his shoulder.
Liamae shudders as she curls up in a ball in her bed, waiting for the horror from her nightmare to pass. The disturbing dream has left her shaken, her usual exuberance subdued as she picks at her breakfast. She looks up at Kytes when the half-orc enters. "Rough night," she says.
Kytes nods his agreement to the elf. "Be steadfast in your faith, Liamae. We are not without our own prowess and protection. Together we will be up to the challenge of this place, despite the wrongness of it all."
The paladin's words are more impressive than his actual feelings.
Attai wakes, his mind assailed by the visions of his dream. He lies awake, eyes closed for some time before rising. Never before has the Harrow spoken to him thus. On finding Liamae and Kytes similarly disturbed Attai nods a hello, his eyes bleary and mien haggard.
"Crying babes and rivers awash with blood and corpses entertained my dreams. I am anxious that we tread carefully in dealings with Uuhurn."
"So, we all had nightmares at the same time? That seems like more than a coincidence," Liamae says.
Attai frowns.
"I agree. And by messages sent, perhaps a sender can be located or other vector identified..." he adds cryptically.
Iagon bursts out of bed so quickly that he stumbles and slams to the floor with a grunt. Fear soon overcomes the surprise on his face, and he shivers in remembrance of his dream.
Such a terrible place...I hope that it doesn't exist.
He makes his way to the manor house, and blinks back a yawn as he greets his companions. Same here...and agreed - I don't see how this could be a coincidence. It started with a memory, then morphed into...well, I don't know what. Is it this place, you think? The forest maybe, or some powers within it?
Yaloni serves a hot and comforting breakfast, savory sausages flavored heavily with sage, and a porridge of coarse wheat with butter, honey, and cinnamon. It's almost good enough to make you forget about the nightmares, but it's they way in which she serves the food, with a deep frown, slopping the porridge in each bowl with a forceable and audible plop, that is perhaps worrisome. She avoids making conversation and even eye contact, obviously perturbed over something.
Kytes notes the troubled expression and action from the dwarf cook. When the time is right, he asks Yaloni, "You seem troubled, brave Yaloni. What is that disturbs you? Did the nightmares we all shared also invade your dreams? Or is there some other reason behind the more than customary dourness this morning?"
He is trying to get her to talk, but wonders if their plans to befriend Uuhurn and the centaurs, who obviously killed and buried many of her kin, is the reason behind her grumpiness.
Perhaps Kytes should listen to his intuition more often. Yaloni slaps a spoonful of porridge into his bowl and snaps, “Aye, e’ry day I have nightmares about those Centaur savages an’ what dey done to me kin. E’ry day I remember havin’ ta bury me brother out here in de woods. It’s hard enough me clan bein’ forced outta our ancestral home, but havin’ ta bury me kin in de woods! An’ ye go ahead and make friends wid dose savages. Dey should be wiped out fer good, dey should! Hrmph!”
Kytes isn't really surprised by this reaction. "Well friends may be going to far, Yaloni. We are interested in hearing from the centaurs about a threat that may be even graver to all of us. Once that's settled the question about this outpost and the interactions with the denizens of the forest will still remain."
Kytes tries to explain about the greater good, but isn't sure Yaloni is up for such thoughts. "I had intended to ask you about your experience with Uuhurn and his tribe and to hear about the battle that was fought as this place was built. Will you sit for a moment and relate what you know? It will only help us if we are to deal appropriately with those who wronged your kin."
Normally one to sit, watch, observe and reflect Attai is struck by the most perverse desire to interject.
And have the centaurs never been wronged - are you and yours blameless?
He barely manages to bite his tongue, realising that timing, like fate, is everything.
Yaloni narrows her eyes on Kytes, and with a deep frown sits, arms crossed, wooden spoon in hand.
"I'll tell ye what I know, fine. As ye know, it were me kin what built dis place. Floated stone down de river from de Five Kings ta lay de foundations. Fell de trees fer lumber, raised de palisades, built dis very house wid our bare hands we did. And all de while, from day one, de centaurs were here. E'ry mornin', at de tail end o' de mists, we could hear dem hooves movin' about. Shadows in de mists dey were. Sometimes dey'd make a show of it, makin' a bunch of noise on drums an' horns an' such. E'ry once in a while, a spear or arrow'd come flyin' out o' de mists ta strike de palisades. Warnin' shots dey were. But we'd drive 'em away. We had our axes o' steel ye see."
"But on de last day, when de final stone were laid, we had a big party, ta celebrate ye see. M'Lord procured several kegs 'o Saggorak Red ta give us a taste o' home. It was a fine time, until Uuhurn led his men out o' the mists and charged the gate. It was 'orrible I tell ye. We were caught unawares, but we fought like dwarves! I don't know how many o' dem fell, but it were six o' us, includin' me brod'r. M'Lord an' Master Marosa chased de savages back into de woods. Me kin moved on, but I stayed behind, owin' me life to M'Lord an to me kin what bones lie in de ground."
"Whate'r peace it was you made, know dis. If I e'r get de chance, I will lay flat Uuhurn wid me fryin' pan fer what he's done. I owe it to me brod'r."
With that Yaloni begins gathering dishes to be cleaned.
You'll find that Hans and Linus are not about this morning. Yaloni informs you that they are out gathering wood for the traps Turante mentioned.
Master Ashilia can be found happily gardening with his mended tools.
Kytes listens to Yaloni relate the story of the building of the place and of the mysterious behavior and ultimate surprise attack by the centaurs. He can almost here the steel clash of arms in his head, and dreams of the feats of swordsmanship he would've displayed had he been there that day. It's enough to make The Inheritor proud!
"It sounds as though your kin was wronged by Uuhurn's people," says Kytes solemnly after the story. "You have built well and suffered much. I thank you for your loyal service." He bows to the lady dwarf, how despite her dourness is beginning to grow on him. "Oh, Yaloni? One more thing, if I may beg your indulgence. Were there ever any words between your kin or masters and the centaurs? Or was there attack completely unprovoked as you know it?"
Yaloni just shrugs as she washes dishes, "Od'r dan yellin' at 'em ta bugger off, no words were exchanged as far as I know. M'Lord says deir attack were a violation of some treaty or sum'what. But, I fig'r, dat's why 'e brought you all up here, right? Ta protect us should dey attack again. So, I s'pose brokerin' peace is all well and good, if'n it keeps us safe. It's just, I don't trust dem savages. Dey don't have no respect fer de law o' de land."
Iagon frowns and his brows knit together with his concern. Yaloni may be right, and if so how do we cobble together some sort of a peace in this place among all these different groups? Or, do we even want to...
Not wishing to stir up the dwarf any more, he stands, clears his dishes, and sets off to the gardens. He hails Master Ashilia as he approaches. My, quite the garden you have here! Do you need anything I could help with?
Kytes nods along with Yaloni's words. "It may be worthwhile for us to have words with our employer before we promise too much to these centaurs. They may not be the savages that they are made out to be, but they may also be in the wrong, More information will help judge."
He goes into the yard and feeds Eir, working on his forms again with the holy weapon of Iomedae, the longsword.
Attai hums tunelessly.
"Well, savage or not they sound tactically inept. They waited until the very moment the fort was as impregnable as it could be and then they attacked."
The sylph grimaces as he thinks.
"Everything about this seems backwards. Something is not right, and not in the usual manner of opposing cultures clashing."
"Don't worry, Attai. I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of things soon! That's what we're here for!" Liamae claps the sylph on the shoulder reassuringly.
Attai's grimace softens slightly as he nods a thanks to Liamae for the support.
Not wanting to be drawn into further conversation with Yaloni, nor stay and not engage socially, Attai takes his leave, repairing to the dock to see that the river runs dark and fresh, and not full of blood or accompanied by the crying of babes...
The gardens are three beds that lie between Master Ashilia’s cottage and the Manor House. Master Ashilia is busy hoeing into the nearest bed as Iagon walks up.
He points over to a rake, shovel, and hoe leaning against his cottage, “So, yeah! Get to work!”
Nearby, Kytes practices with sword and shield, trying to loosen up his shoulder.
Attai walks down to the river, and to his relief, finds that it is flowing nicely, normally, and not the site of a bloody massacre as in his dreams.
Turante and Liamae step outside the palisade gate to survey the area for the optimal locations to place a trap or two.
As you survey the area, you hear cries for help coming from the woods to the east. It sounds like Hans.
AS the empathetic feeling tickles his mind, Kytes focuses more on Eir, trying to parse out exactly what the eagle is seeing or feeling. He comes to a standstill in the exercise yard as his mind reaches out.
If he can't get a better sense of her thoughts, Kytes whistles sharply commanding the bird to perform the Watch trick, and communicating that he wants her to cover the entire palisade wall.
Liamae immediately looks in the direction of the scream. "It sounds like Hans is in trouble! Let's go, Your Highness!"
She uses her wand of mage armor on herself and starts off in search of Hans.
Iagon grins as Ashilia shows his obvious love for his work. Of course, happy to help! He digs into the work, taking pride in the feel of some tough work and the bounty that it will create. Gardening is a science of sorts to many, and it takes him back to when he first started tending the gardens outside his family's cabin.
Attai moves closer, keen not to upset Rilli's masterful fishing technique, but also to ensure Rilli knows Attai is nearby, and to not be spooked. The sylph watches for some time, soaking in the atmosphere, the simple elemental motes of existence. Kick, throw, splash. For now, there is no emergency, no dashing off to find battle or need for weaponry. Just wind, sun and water.
"Rilli!" Attai smiles.
The ranger is surveying outside the palisade for the possibility of setting up a deadfall or some other trap, when her ears twitch.
"I heard it too! Come on!"
She shouts back toward the fort, "We heard a cry for help! Hurry!"
With that she, too, casts mage armor, then draws sword and shield and moves into the direction of the call.
Getting your hands and knees dirty seems to revive something deep within. The feel of the soil between your fingers as you weed the garden brings with it flashbacks to the happier days of your childhood. Images of your mother teaching you how to identify herbs, both culinary and medicinal, as well as which plants make your skin itch, your father teaching you how to identify animal tracks, come to mind. You find the experience comforting.
As you work, you happen to notice Kytes has ceased his exercises in the yard and seems to be concerned with Eir.
It is then that Iagon hears Turante's call from outside the walls.
You still your body and mind to try and sense what might be approaching. You think you hear something, a voice? But, could be the wind.
"Rilli," croaks Rilli as he waves. Then, his eyes go wide and he holds up a hand motioning you to stop. He dashes over to his hut and ducks inside. A moment later he reappears, holding out a smoked trout as he walks it over and offers it to you.
Something on the wind tickles your ears. You turn your head back towards the outpost, and sure enough, you can hear faint shouting. Sounds like trouble.
"Hans! Keep running!" Liamae draws her bow and fires an arrow at the closest fly.
Frustrated at his inability to decipher what Eir is seeing, Kytes gives in and hustles to where the bird has alighted on the northeastern tower. He approaches looking high and low for signs of trouble.
Attai hears the call. He looks at the resplendent fish in Rilli's grasp.
"How about we share that later? I have to go now!....Rilli!" he just manages to remember the honorific as he dashes off toward Turante's cries.