Without a word, Qina leaped through the air and jumped onto Brezik embracing him in the biggest hug she could.
"I'm so glad you came! This wouldn't have been an adventure without you."
She pulled back and looked into his big, beautiful, dwarven eyes. "Mama told you I had the roasted chicken...didn't she?"
Smiling quietly at the dwarf's entrance, Qina's words finally sink in and force him to suck back some drool with wide eyes.
"Roasted Chicken...?"
"Yeah, roasted chicken. You should know by now that I don't go anywhere without three meals on me, five when I know Brezik's coming" she said with a mischievous grin. "And a few pies."
"Check this out. Brezik even let me play around at the forge a little" she said as she pulled out a few dented and unpolished pieces of metal. A one-armed, blind beggar probably could have done a better job trying to make kitchen utensils, but she was proud of the plates and forks she had almost made. The spoons may have had more holes than the knives but at least they were sharper and had more prongs than the forks.
As Qina embraced Brezik he turned about here shades of red... and did a fairly bad job at holding back some nervous laughter. She seemed to not notice pulling away and asking about some roasted chicken.
Well... um... uh... yeah... roasted chicken...
As Qina pulled out her “utensils”. Brezik finally seemed to compose himself.
Picking up one of the “knives”. Brezik smiled. The work was well done Qina... you learned much in the process. You still have much more to learn of course but it is the joy of the work that matters the most. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent working and reworking the same metal as practice. Then melting it down and making something new. That’s part of what I love of working metal. It can always be recast when it has served its purpose. It’s the joy of working the process that matters most, and few take as much joy from their hard work as you Qina.
The dwarf quickly polished the utensil with a piece of cloth from his tool belt and placed the piece back down.
At any rate I heard there might be going ons planned. I had been thinking of heading to Skelt myself... but if you have a lead on something, I’ll always be happy to help my friends.
Now it was Qina's turn to blush. Brezik's praise meant the world to her, especially when it came to crafting something, so for one of her closest friends to recognize her efforts was inspiring. She quietly pledged to herself to finish the utensils someday, hopefully soon. It wouldn't do for her friends to eat with broken forks.
"What's a Skelt?" she asked.
Whelp... for starters Skelt is a place... not a thing. It’s a city way upriver where they do a bunch of mining and some wood cutting too. It’s where my parents used to live. I’m guessing I have allot of family there too. And well... I think there were some trouble makers that kept ma and pa from ever going back... I was just curious to see what that was all about. But dwarven problems have a way of waiting for you to get to em so I didn’t figure there was much reason to hurry out there if you all wanted my help.
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Vivian shakes her head as Gad relays what he has learned. " The entire village had a week of bad dreams? What kind of magic can cause that?" She thinks outloud with the others.
When Brezik enters the farmhouse a comforted and knowing grin grows across Vivian's face. "I knew you would be back after enough time in the forge. It wouldn't be the same without you." She gives him a strong hand-to-wrist clasp before he starts opening the chest.
The reveal of the suit of armor blew through all of Vivian's expectations. She hands slightly trembled as she drew the breastplate out of the straw. The voices of everyone talking about roasted chicken were just muted murmurs in the background. Her heart began beating out of her chest. Her palms sweating. Gliding a finger over the smooth finish, she sees her reflection in the metal. A metal me, an Iron Vivian. This.. Thoughts of literal metal skin being to fill her head, strength within, strength without.
"Brezik, this is incredible.. I.. Feel like I owe you so much. In Skelt, some of the men I trained with in the Militia went out there to aid on the front lines. Perhaps they're still around? Whatever it is though, I'm with you." She says all this without looking up from the armor. After speaking Vivian starts to don the full plate. "The craftsmanship, do you mind if I give it a name?"
"Wait, you have even more family elsewhere? Wow. I wonder if I have more family in Skelt. So, are we going there in the morning?"
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Over a month has been spent in preparation, but alas it is time to join the road yet again. During the last week Vivian let Qina, Bel, Gad, and Brezik each know personally that the party will departing on the second Oathday of Arodus. She tells them each to meet before sun rise in the town's main square, the same square that saw them off for the Everflame.
Vivian never slept that night before their departure. She laid in bed until a few hours past midnight. She first prayed for an hour and then practiced combat forms with her new equipment for another. She continued to learn the nuances of the heavy plated and perfectly balanced blade, continued to feel a closer connection to Gorum within her steel skin.
When it was time, she heft her pack onto her back and headed to the square. She hadn't purchased a horse yet, they might be head by river still, she didn't know. Skelt or Tamran
The stories given by any and all who remember the Carnival, and are willing to talk about it, remain the same. They blew into town, "entertained", and left as quickly as the sun dries the morning mist. None of the men who initially found the carnival suspected anything untoward happening because of it.
The Temple of Gorum's message from Tamran is short to the point of being blunt, but indicates much the same.
Sister!
The carnival you described did arrive here, roughly 15 months ago, though the barges they used never tied to the docks. They did two shows then left town as quickly as they arrived. Headed south when I asked, but none of the other clergy members or myself visited the carnival.
May Gorum guide you in your fights!
Brother Haergod
Early on the appointed morning Brezik woke up and got out of bed hours before the sun was up. The only member of his family he said good by to was his mum... only because she woke up at the sound of his moving about. He wore his new armor having discarded the blacksmiths apron and armored coat. Laden with his familiar tool belt, backpack, and an additional sack filled with snack foods the dwarf quietly moved through the streets. He arove at the main square long a couple hours before sunrise and sat on the ground out of the way. He pulled his bag open pulling out pistachios and bgan to break the nuts open with his teeth one at a time casting the shells to his side. By the time Vivian made her way into the square the Dwarf had a nice little pile of shells on the ground and a couple in his beard as well. He got up and approached Vivian.
You wear that Armor well Viv. Like a second skin almost...
Brezik reached out and tightened a strap that obviously didn't need tightening.
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Vivian hadn't seen Brezik lounging to the side. As he spoke to her she startled and a hand crept towards the large hilt sticking up over her shoulder. "Oh! Morning, and thank you. You did a remarkable job, I have to commend you again on it. It feels like skin in a way." In her eyes Brezik can see Vivian's thoughts drift as she looks down at the plate and her left hand traces the filigree.
"The others should be here soon. Odd seeing the square so quiet, isn't it? Feels wrong in a way, yet peaceful, hopeful, innocent." She rambles to an end there and observes the town she never plans to return to for some time in silence.
As much as Qina couldn't wait for their next adventure, she still didn't want to get out of her warm bed. That and her mother's cooking already had her thinking about retiring from being an adventurer. There was nothing as lovely as getting out of a warm bed to be greeted by the smell of a hot breakfast.
She eventually forced herself out of bed and got dressed. She stuffed her pack with various trinkets and keepsakes to remind her of home. She kissed her pa and hugged her ma before finally stepping outside into the crisp air. The slight chill was invigorating to the little ice princess. She grinned and took off running. The others had waited long enough and they would need her.
There was nothing to say. He was already packed, and had already said his goodbyes the evening before. His aging parents were sleeping in for once, despite being farmers. He knew the truth: They didn't want more tears, or to make him feel guilty for leaving again. Nor did Gad want those things. Are tears weakness? In a way, possibly, but Gad suspected they were a source of strength as well. He would learn in time.
Casually approaching the center of their small village, Gad smiles at the delicate but shiny new armor that encompasses Brezik's impressive stomach, as well as Vivan's beautiful new armor.
"A marvelous sight indeed Captain. Brezik, you have outdone yourself yet again."
The town begins coming to life around you as the morning light streams in from the east. Forges are being lit, fresh bread being made, and farmers striding out to tend their fields.
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"Thank you. Thank you all for showing up this morning. In the near future here, we're headed back to Tamran with the intention of picking up their trail there as it is the last known location. This time we have the option to travel by foot if we wish. Those that we're tracking moved by barge a year and a half ago, but anyone effected by their ways will be in the small towns along the shores. I would be surprised if anyone has more to say than our neighbors around here, but for the cost of speed we would get to speak to more that saw the carnival folk." She pauses and looks around the group. "What do you all think?"
Brezik remembers his pistachios and pulls one out. He doesn’t eat it however instead waving it around in the air to emphasize each of his points.
Heading to Tamran by boat seems to be our best bet. It’s faster travel. Less ardous. Safer. And Gad likes boats. Of course that means finding a boat.
Gad smiles broadly.
"I do Brezik. But shouldn't we try and get ahead of them? If we have a basic idea of which way they are going...and a fast boat...then we should be able to surmise their current whereabouts. Or at least something close?"
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"We really don't have any idea other than they were headed to Tamran a year and a half ago. This trail couldn't be more dead, they could have easily taken the Sellen into a multitude of nations by now. It's, not an ideal mission, I know. But I do believe we can stir up enough clues to find them, no matter how long it takes or how far they've gone. A carnival like that doesn't just disappear... Gad, would you be able to find us a ship?"
Gad scratches his chin and smiles.
"We're not at a big port here, but we should be able to get attention from a friendly river boat if we follow the river...until we can find something better and faster."
Gad'larr's words seem to be prophetic as your group makes its way to the small docks of the town. Captain Walran and the Black Mist departed some weeks ago to continue their trade up and down the Tourondel River, and there is a distinctive lack of other ships here now.
Frowning at his lack of a complete answer, he replies slowly.
"It depends on the season and weather...even the fishing...for river work. Deep Sea ports are more what I know. Then there's the war...small boats are easy targets for flaming arrows. I couldn't say. The local fishermen could probably help more."
Asking the 'harbormaster', Old Willie, brings a disappointing answer, "Can't say there's too much call for boats at the moment. Usually some traders come around this time of year, but they're about two weeks late. If it takes them much longer they'll miss the season and have to wait somewhere nearby. You might have more luck as you approach Tamran, that port always has someone in."
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Vivian starts nodding as Ol'Willie talks. "Thanks, Harbormaster. We'll check with the stables then and head along by foot until we can flag something down. Since we're going towards Tamran, have any words you need to send that way?"
Vivian drags everyone along to one of the stables. She has always preferred the Tap Shoes stable that gives Anthony Jaspar good business. When the Ferris farm was winding down and going fallow they had sold their last old horse to the stable. Buddy was really more of a liability than an asset to take on, but the mistress that runs the Tap Shoes took kindness on Vivian's family as Dominic was already quite ill at that time. Vivian wouldn't forget that kindness.
"Morning, Madam. We're on our way out of town and it appears that the river is a bit too quiet for traveling as of late. Do you have any horses for sale?" She then looks to Brezik and Qina, "And maybe a cart? What are all of you comfortable with?"
The harbormaster waves Vivian off with a smile. Mistress Karlyle takes your group out to the stables proper, ready to point out several horses still at the stable. Currently there are 5 horses in the stables, two young bucks and three fillies. They all look sleek and ready for action, though Mistress Karlyle informs you none of them are fit for combat. She introduces the horses as though you were all guests at a party.
"This grey buck here is Storm. Bit tempramental, but enjoys running fast. His friend across the way is Domino, cause of his black and white spotted coloring. He's better built for things like mountain travel, got thick ankles. Now, the three ladies here are Petal, guess what her favorite treats are, River, she does enjoy swimming, and Chase. She's the most ornery of the bunch, but easily the fastest here. All of them but Domino are considered 'light horses', and run 70 gold per. Domino, because of his build and gait is a 'heavy horse' costs 175. Bits and Bridles I throw in free, and I have a spare cart out back, though you may have to reinforce the axle from time to time. That'll cost you 10 gold."
Gad looks askance at the animals.
"I never spent much time riding animals. I usually walk or float where I'm going. No horse for me, thanks. I can ride the cart and can almost move as fast as the horse myself when I need to do so."
Qina looked at the horses skeptically. They may have well have been mountains with legs for all the riding she thought she could do. She looked at the cart and wasn't too inspired by that either. She turned to look at Brezik, and then Vivian, and then to Gad.
"Could I just ride Gad?" she asked.
Gad shrugs and smiles casually.
"That would work for a while Mother Dragon, but if we were attacked...it would not be safe for either of us."
Brezik looks at the horses and harrumphs to himself.
I never have ridden a horse. Is it hard?
Gad shrugs and smiles again..
"If speed is not essential, we can simply walk and follow the river bank. Eventually we might come across a boat that will give us a ride. We might get really lucky and take a boat from some enemy, or find one abandoned that we can fix up enough o float. Anything is possible. We let chance be our guide..."
Mistress Karlyle comes back out soon after, "Have you made any decisions yet?" she asks with a kindly smile.
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Vivian sighs at how their morning has become a disorderly ramble though the town. "Yes Mrs., we'll just be taking Domino with us. Thank you for letting us in here and offering such beautiful animals."
Vivian pays the 175 and leads the bridled animals out of the stable. "I've seen horses on ships before. Not 5, but one or two can always fit on the deck, tied to the mast." she says while she ties her pack onto the beast and offers to do the same for any of the others.
"Well, shall we follow the river?"
Gad nods here.
"Its possible. As long as the journey is steady and quick, a horse or two can ride on any decent sized boat. Long journeys tend to make a horse sick or lame however unless the boat is big enough for the horse to move around in."
With Vivian's command your group begins its journey east, following the river downstream. The day is pleasant enough for travel, though you can definitely tell the season is turning with a slight morning chill. At the end of the day you find a small clearing that allows you to set up a reasonable camp. The fire you make cracks and sends sparks wandering into the air to mix with the stars. Knowing of the dangers lurking in Fangwood you set a watch, but it is unnecessary as the night goes on. Some wolves howl in the distance, but nothing attempts to approach your campsite.
The next day you reach the bend in the river, beginning to head northward. Today is less fine for walking, the wind cutting through clothing with a bite, making for interesting sensations as you walk through the shadows provided by the trees overhead.
First night camping: Gad seems energized by the simple trudging along.
"A good start so far! We covered some decent miles. No boats yet however. The further from town the more serious our watches need to be. Who knows what wanders these woods in these unsettling times.
Next day:
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Day 1:
"A agree, it's nice to be back out in the wild. Oddly enough, I had trouble sleeping in that bed, a simple roll and some soft ground." As she speaks Vivian winces, then fishes a rock out from under the bedroll. "Gad, would you be willing to scout around while we travel? I wouldn't want to miss a boat by a bend in the river when you can outpace us so easily."
Vivian sleeps well and wakes up early to take the morning watch. She also makes notes of their journey so far and habitually reviews the little information that they have on their quarry.
"See anything down river? Looks like we're getting to out last leg of daylight."
They walked and walked and walked, for days it seemed like. Qina did her best not to complain, but the more they walked, the harder it became to remain quiet. With her mouth closed, her mind seemed to open more. She began to think about everything, her family, her friends, her dreams, her magic, even the dragon blood apparently in her.
She day dreamed about dragons, about their size, their power, and especially their ability to fly. She looked skyward as they walked, and almost tripped a few times, but always managed to catch herself at the last second. When they finally rested for the night, she found a log to rest against as the others made camp. When it was time for dinner, she stood up and got started cooking.
The sun sets on your second day of travel, the rays blinding as they reflect off the Tourondel. Bedding down for the night is another simple , yet much chillier affair than the night before. The howls from the night before return, closer this night, though the people on watch, Gad for the most part, still don't see any signs of what is making the noise.
After a light breakfast you continue on your journey, and make good time along the river's edge. As you approach the next bend you begin to make out the far bank more clearly. Beached on the opposite shoreline is a small flat-bottomed merchant's vessel, used for travel along the rivers and shores of Lake Encarthan, not dissimilar from the Black Mist.
There are signs of scorch marks on the deck, several planks look as though they've been violently smashed, and there are several bolts sticking off the flanks of the vessel.
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"Shit! Down, a boat has run ashore up across the river. Signs of an ambush. Let's secure this side of the river and scout out the other." Vivian whispers and crouches before realizing she is leading a rather large horse. After speaking she begins to bring the horse to cover away from the immediate river's edge.
If she gets to moderate tree cover, she will wrap the reins around a thick tree or branch, then drawn her sword.
Moving carefully toward the river's bank, Gad tries to see what, if anything is still going on...or if this is a trap.
The opposite bank of the river is sandy while the nearer shore is a rocky tumble into the river. The river is rushing by a little quickly, but not enough to catch the barge and drag it back into the stream. Neither Gad nor Vivian are able to see any enemies on the other side of the river.
Moving back to the others, Gad whispers.
"Do you want me to try and swim across Captain? I'm not a great swimmer, but the current is not too bad here."
The far bank is about 250 feet away.
As a last effort, Gad pulls out a Feather Token.
"I could get most, or all of us across together with this. Maybe even the horse too. It summons a magical boat. It won't last forever however. Maybe an hour or so? I was saving it for an emergency..."