Kressle looks at the crossbow from the corner of her eye, trying to calm herself before starting. "First, you have to understand Happs. He was an idiot but occasionally useful to me." She winks at Taisper. "Sometimes he'd scratch an itch for me, you know? But before he was a freelancer, he was a city guard in Restov. Made a bit of a life there for himself by occasionally arranging for some supplemental income. It came back to bite him, so he fled the city and came here. That's how we met."
She sighs as she continues. "Things were good for a while. We made a few raids, made a bit of a name for ourselves. When the Stag Lord found us and offered a few men and no supervision, we said sure. It was a pretty good deal, especially since he sent an arrow clean through the one guy dumb enough to say no. We began hitting more and more into Brevoy, where the money is. A few months back, we got surrounded by a squad of cav out of Restov. Thought we were done for, til their leader comes and shakes Happs' hand. Turns out, Happs used to work for him. Small world, right?"
"This guy makes us an offer. 1000 gold if we would put some pressure on this worthless trading post, then burn it down once reinforcements arrived from Restov. He had it all figured out: get the Swordlords' attention, send you guys down on an expedition, get you killed, and find himself an excuse to send a big force down. Seemed like a pretty solid plan."
She lets the information soak in for a moment. "The man was the Lord Mayor of Restov, Ioseph Sellimus. He's the one that ordered you all killed."
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"Ah, but you've got a sword in hand, I don't really like hangings the bodies... jerk. And they always void their bowels, and then you have to cut them down to get the rope back, because Brother Knesh says waste not want not and..." Verik turns faintly green and sucks in a deep breath, "Uh, I think the sword is neater if you don't mind."
"Is that it? You sounded like you knew more about the Stag Lord, his location, and maybe more on the Lord Mayor."
Berrin raises an eyebrow at Kressle's claim not sure if he should believe such an outlandish claim. Thinking about it he knew he shouldn't be surprised, people with power always seemed to have a plan. Politics.' he thinks bitterly to himself.
"Well, well. The Lord Mayor himself. Tsk, tsk. Well, I for one, am very glad to disapoint." he says more to himself than anyone.
"Well? What do you rekon? Shall we be heading back to let his erand boys know were still alive and kicking? Or do you rekon she's lying?" he says to the group in general.
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Verik turns to the men scowling, "More to the point if she is telling the truth wouldn't that mean that all of these men saw the meeting? And thus that they have been feeding us, pardon my Chelaxian, horse dung?"
He frowns again, "Are we sure that trap was meant for us? Now that I think about it the leader fellow, uh, Kesten? He said he had been sent by the Lord Mayor and that the Mayor had been very particular about the date. So either there was a mix up and it was meant to be the Restov guards being attacked, or... well they were just meant to find our charred remains and ride straight back to Restov. Or she's lying through her teeth, but somehow it, well it rings true..."
Zander isn't sure if he can trust this woman, but he knows he can't trust aristocratic politicians and let's her tale sink in. His ears do perk up at the mention of the Stag Lord apparently being an archer, wondering to himself who will be the faster and more accurate shot when they meet in battle.
Kressle let's out a little laugh at Verik's comment. "There were others there, but it's not like me and Happs were gonna split the score. We offed 'em, the smart thing to do."
Her words appear genuine, or at least her equivalent. It is true that the Lord Mayor has gone on a few trips to the countryside to clear out bandits. He was the main one pushing for the expedition into the Stolen Lands.
Taisper looks at Kressle. "Uh, so, the Lord Mayor is actually the Stag Lord Mayor?"
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Verik groans, "I think, I think that's pretty useful to know..." He says looking to Jemini. "It might just save our lives and it reveals a far bigger criminal in action, one who apparently has no compunction against seeing us dead to achieve his goals..."
Stupid having to keep my word, but I must, if we send her to prison in Restov the Lord Mayor will likely kill her anyway...
"And we probably can't send her to prison in Restov in good conscience, if we decide to let her live. By the sound of things that would be as good as a death sentence to."
Kressle pops her neck. "The Stag Lord... Well, he's an interesting fellow. I first heard of him a few years ago. He began assembling the local bandits, organizing them, training them. He took over an old fort to the southeast, by the lake."
"I've only met him the one time, but he scared the wits out of me. He's a big man, if you can call him that. He's got this helmet made of bone and stag antlers, hence the name. No one's ever seen him not wearing it, so some people think that it's not a helmet at all."
"The fort's well-defended, so you don't stand much of a chance if you want to try and take him out. Without the password and medallions, you can't get in at all unless you fight your way in. Unless, of course, you know the back way in like I do." She looks to each of them in turn. "As you can see, I have some handy information and you'll need to me to get in. That good enough for my life?"
Tandlara watches the proceedings evolve with great interest, arguements and viewpoints being traded and exchanged, rapidly rising emotions, and a chaotic undertone to the entire experience.
Her eyebrows raise substantially at Kressle's claim against the Lord Mayor, but it seems almost right to her somehow, she remembers the bureacracy of the offices, and general demeanour of the Mayor's staff. Judging the man by those in his service, this doesn't sound unreasonable. Politics can be deadly and treacherous.
"I think, Kressle, you have at least bought yourself the time for us to verify and act on your information. This also means that we need to ensure your safety to some extent - as such I think it would be better all around if we did not have you incarcerated in Restov, but in my family's holdings in Lebeda. How does everybody else feel about this?"
'That sounds like a good plan Jemini. We have to wonder though, if Kesten was sent by the Mayor, what will we find when we get back to the outpost. We may return to find it levelled or worse entrenched with men eager to kill us. That said, I didn't not feel that Kesten meant us harm. And it wouldn't be much of a conspiracy if that many people knew. We have to guess carefully where his loyalties will fall, what does anyone know about him form his noblity days?' Tandlara becomes much more involved in the conversation, cheerful almost with the prospect that there may be no executions this day.
Jemini's smile hints that she may know a bit more on Kesten's history, "I've found that Kesten has been pleasant in the past. He's a relatively minor noble, not typically privy to the machinations of the main House. I would be surprised if he had developed ambitions that were heretofore unknown."
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"Those all sound like sensible ideas." Verik says, he shoots Tandlara an apologetic glance, "What of the rest of the bandits though? One spoke out, but the rest? I think both justice and practicality dictate their fates... Though at this point sticking to the letter of the Charter seems rather foolish."
"The rest? There is only one other captured bandit - the rest are dead or fled. ...And I imagine this one here - " she points to the minion, "has run to the end of his luck."
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Verik blinks and glances around, for a moment his expression is profoundly sad before he croaks, "Oh well that solves that problem I guess."
"Well I suppose we should gather up those horses and head back. We don't want to be here if that bandit that escaped manages to find the Stag lord - unlikely as that seems."
"So...Kressle here...lives? But that guy..." he indicates the minion bandit who early had been spilling his guts, "...dies? Yes?" He lifts his crossbow away from Kressle's temple and starts to walk over to the minion, looking askance at Jemini and Verik.
Jemini turns away from Taisper, a pained look in her face. But she nods subtly.
Taisper's expression does not change. "Hey Verik, cousin, hey you want to go help Jemini and the others gather up the horses, there? I'll be along in just a second."
Taisper walks over to the other bandit and drags him around the shrub, out of sight. A prayer in celstial can be heard:
"I vusselct zuon luoh
Yu yrel telelqelly jaohy
Frulel xelzl anel vuocyhelll
Frulel zelanl anel elcthelll"
There is the sound of crossbow firing, then silence. Taisper comes out from behind the bushes and looks around. The look on his face could probably be called a smile. "Alright, let's hitch up and hit the road, then! Got a prisoner to, uh, imprison!"
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Verik turns around and vomits, keeps his back turned and chants summoning a pool of clear water which he splashes his face with before turning. he looks pale and unhappy, but resolved as he jogs off to fetch the horses.
Justice must be done, but I do not have to like it. I almost wish I was more like Taisper, water off a ducks back it seems, but I don't. Being sickened by death is probably a good quality for any man, but it is not an enjoyable one.
I wonder should we bury the corpses? No that would probably be foolish, they are dead and gone and we owe them nothing.
Jemini turns to Kressle. "Do you guys have a shallow or pit somewhere that we can bury your comrades in?"
Mulling over the information gathered from the bandit woman, Zander begins the work of hitching up the bandits' cart to one of the horses and loading everything up.
'So Restov is against us? No big surprise there, I should have guessed that anyone who calls himself the "Lord Mayor" would be scum. I should try to send word to Lorek, see if any of his men can get us any information on what's really going on in Restov...'
Sighing inwardly as Taispar leads the bandit away Berrin marvels at his cold-heartedness. "Well, you've convinced us uf your worth for now." he says to Kressel, a smirk on his face. "Who knows, you might find you possess other assets of worth to us. Bwahaha!" he laughs, shacking his head.
Berrin saunters over to the wagon to give it a once-over, "We should hitch up a team of horses to this thing, we can use it to haul back the loot." he says absent-mindedly as he gives one of the weels a tug. "I'll stear it and the b*!@* can ride crossbow. Bound and gaged preferably."
Nodding to Berrin as the big man joins him by the wagon, Zander says, "That sounds like a good plan. It looks like we've got enough rations here that we shouldn't have to forage much on the trip back and can make good time."
As he works loading the cart, Zander glances back just as Taisper is finishing up his work and coming out of the bushes. He makes eye contact with the inquisitor and nods approvingly. 'It had to be done. The time for high ideals and civility are passed; we're alone out here now and we have to accept that actions like this will be necessary.' As he finishes his thought and his eyes pass over the retching Cleric and the Lebeda woman fussing about burial rites he shakes his head and continues his work.
After Taispar has completed his grim work Tandlara goes to the bandit man and lays him out neatly, with a look of infinite sadness for Taispar as she passes the young man.
The elven woman straightens his legs and lays his arms folded on his chest, though she doesn't have the strength to remove the crossbow bolt she dabs at and cleans the man's dirty face, brushing his shaggy hair bag and away.
Just another child, in truth. But then children die all the time. Her shoulders straighten noticeably to anyone watching her, her sadness seeming to lift, though in truth it's replaced by a deeper melancholy and apathy.
'I think you'll receive cold words or religion upon your burial, but I don't think you were much for either of those in life. Maybe Pharasma will be more merciful than we were and give you another chance.' She smiles sadly and closes over the man's eyes, filled with his last moment of fear. There was no profundity to be found in them, no acceptance of the afterlife. Even knowing that we are going somewhere else, all that is left at the end is an animal who doesn't want to die.
She turns away from the body and watches the rest of the proceedings unfold.
The execution doesn't seem to phase Kressle in the least. At Berrin's comment about their return trip, she smiles at him. "Bound and gagged? Oh, I like that. Perhaps you and the executioner can take out your obvious issues on poor little ol' me." She offers her hands for the restraints. "Don't forget to make them tight. You don't want me wriggling around too much."
Taisper looks over at Berrin and Zander. "We're taking the most direct route back, right? I mean, especially with the, uh, passenger over there."
Looking Kressel in the eye Berrin holds her gaze for a moment. "Worried about somthing?" he asks, raising his eyebrow questioningly. Tieing her hands he leads her to the wagon to take her seat, then sets to tieing her legs and fastening her to the wagon. "We should see about getting some manacles since we're going to have a jail to fill up, eh?" he says in light tones, looking up to see if anybody got the joke. 'Me! A copper?' Hah!'
Mounting the wagon Berrin does his best to nudge the beasts along after Zander, hoping fervently he won't loose control of them.
In the interim Jemini determines a suitable shallow that can be deepened without much effort. It takes a little while, but she drags the dead remainder of the bandit camp into the dip. The elf woman. She seems kinder than most. Is her heart grown that weary or that kind over the centuries that she has lived?
It does not take particularly long afterward to fill up the shallow and drag some of the larger timbers used for the watch towers over the small mound. Keep the beasts away from you - and make sure you stay under the ground.
"Sarenrae - your heart burns fiercer than the sun above us - these souls have walked a path in shadows; let them see the light and if you deem them ready, lead them into your fold."
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Verik rides in sullen silence for a time before moving Virtue up besides Tandlara. "What do the elves do with murderers Tandlara? I suppose in a way both the crime and the punishment are more serious your lives being so much longer. I mean everything I've read, which is not much on elves I'll admit, tells me you are probably old enough to be my grandmother... is it, ah, rude to ask an elven woman's age?" He looks at her from the corner of his eye trying to reconcile the knowledge of her age with the youthful seeming form.
Verik rides in sullen silence for a time before moving Virtue up besides Tandlara. "What do the elves do with murderers Tandlara? I suppose in a way both the crime and the punishment are more serious your lives being so much longer. I mean everything I've read, which is not much on elves I'll admit, tells me you are probably old enough to be my grandmother... is it, ah, rude to ask an elven woman's age?" He looks at her from the corner of his eye trying to reconcile the knowledge of her age with the youthful seeming form.
'The gravest insult, given that I am older than a twinkle in your grandmother's grandmother's eye.' She looks at Verrik with wide clear eyes, the whites almost entirely hidden by the large irises of her race.
'Keep in mind that I rarely live among my own people in truth. Even then, elven communities are not close, we are all islands in a sea, some closer together than others, but never joined. For all our age, my people have never figured out family and kin as humans have. But in Kyonin, murderers are met with outrage and shock, their are few true laws among my people, but the breaking of taboos and our subtle traditions causes great anger. I think elves like to beleive that we don't fall prey to dark passions because we have time to let all wounds heal, but in truth there are fueds in Kyonin older than nations, and Calistria is an elven goddess.'
She pauses, looking thoughtful, and gazes away into the distance. For a time longer than most humans would deem comfortable. When she turns back a small smile turns her lips.
'I'm not answering your question very well. Truth is, we are fewer, and our murderers fewer, but those that there are are often exiled. I'll be the first to say that it is a horrible aspect of my people that they would rather set a nearly unaging killer loose on the world than deal with them. But the idea that time will resolve everything, even the search for the Brightness, is hard to shake when you never leave the forests and encounter humans. As you say, life is precious and not precious, its simply different.'[b]
[b]'I've always been more fond of humans in truth, so am not the most unbiased of sources. Doesn't mean I'd rather avoid killing where I can..' She trails off growing slightly sad, before smiling again at Verrik though it doesn't reach her eyes.
'Could this aged woman enlighten you?'
Taisper brings his horse up by Zander's, wanting to ask the masked archer something that's been bugging him since the first arrows flew. "Zander, hey, I was wondering, that was some pretty amazing shooting you did earlier. Do you think I should pick up a bow instead of the crossbow? The teachers at Hunting School had us use 'em 'cos they're one of Abadar's chosen weapons, they said, but I don't know if I could even shoot that fast with a crossbow, you know? Even a light one. And well, since we got a few bows from those bandits..."
Slightly startled by Taisper's intrusion into his thoughts, Zander quickly perks up at the mention of archery, "You're right. The crossbow is simpler to use, but the longbow is the superior weapon, especially in the hands of an expert. Umm, If you want we could set up some targets when we make camp and I could show you a few things? If you'd like to, that is..."
"Hey really? That would be terrific! Yeah, thanks Zander. I've only ever shot a bow a couple times, so I might be pretty bad, but I'd like to try it, see the difference. Maybe it'll make a better weapon. It sure seems lighter anyway." Taisper pauses. "Uh. We did get arrows off those guys too, right? I don't wanna waste anyone else's ammo."
Incompatible
Incompatible
Clear
Afternoon becomes dusk, and dusk quickly becomes night. Slowed down by the cart, additional horses, and prisoner, the expedition presses on for hours. Aided by a full moon's bright light, the trek is slow but steady. After a few hours of the rockier terrain, they pass through another forest.
Finally, late into the night or perhaps early in the morning, Oleg's Trading Post comes in sight. Much like the living dead, the members of the expedition shuffle up to the gates. One of the guardsmen opens it for them, then awakens the camp.
Oleg and Svetlana come out of their house, which shows some signs of repair, dressed in nightclothes despite the cold air. Oleg looks healthier but just as annoyed. He mutters to himself. "Can't a man sleep through the night anymore?"
Svetlana runs up to the group and starts hugging them. "I'm so glad you're back safely! I was getting worried! Are you hungry? Have you slept?"
Amid the commotion, Kesten walks up, brushing the sleep out of his eyes. "Looks like you were pretty successful. Hey, whatever makes my job easier."
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Verik nods slowly at Tandlara's words, "I could see exile being more of a punishment for your people... Ha. A bit naive of me, I was hoping for some mythical solution, some right way of doing things after... that. But if such a way existed people far brighter than I would have put it forward long ago I suppose. I just wish I could see the world as black and white like Taisper, it must be nice to be free of doubt... So sure of everything. I just have to see what feels right, or more oftne less wrong."
He sighs heavily and laughs, a single bark bitter and weary, "Sorry you don't need me making you morose I am sure. I heard this joke - not from Taisper - how did it go let's see. Um, two men were walking through a graveyard, one turns to the other and says, "Morning." The other turns back to him and says, "No just walking the dog." Oh wait... I was supposed to say they were walking with their dogs I think... Ah, hmmm. Sorry Taisper tried to teach me to tell a joke, but that's like trying to learn etiquette from an ogre.
Greeting Oleg and Svetlana with a weary smile and a wave, and Kesten with a respectful nod Verik stifles a yawn.
"Oleg, Svetlana, we took a prisoner, and not the most pleasant one, do you have anything we might use to confine her? Manacles perhaps, a storeroom with a door that can be secured or the like? And Kesten we need to talk with you, perhaps over some of Svetlana's delicious food?" He smiles hopefully at Svetlana again and rubs his eyes. "In the meantime would you be able to have some of your men take over watching the prisoner? I warn you she is dangerous, a leader among the bandits."
"Now I need to get of this accursed horse. What I want to know is how horse riding ever caught on, I mean I understand its convenient and people develop a tolerance for it, but why would the first man who tried it have continued after this?" He slumps out of the saddle and pats Virtue on the nose before leading him bow legedly to where the guards horse are being kept.
Oleg quietly shuffles off, griping the whole way, as he seeks out something to tie Kressle down with. Svetlana rushes off to make some early breakfast. Kesten motions for one of the guards to take custody of Kressle. He orders them to not speak to her without permission, sternly pointing a finger at them.
As everyone heads in different directions, Kesten looks at the group of adventurers. "What do you need to talk to me about?"
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Verik pauses and looks to his companions before asking, "Kesten what do you think of the Lord Mayor? Because we have received troubling information that he may have made deal with the bandits. The prisoner claims he arranged to have Oleg's trade post burnt to the ground so that he could get backing to send a larger force here. Now of course, it would be foolish to lend too much credence to the words of a bandit and murderer, but she seems to know too much, and facts - like the Lord Mayor's insistence you arrive the very day after the raid took place - also support her claims. of course you can question her yourself, but I, we, would like to know where you stand if the Lord Mayor is guilty of treating with bandits and ordering the deaths of oleg, Svetlana, and all of us. I hope that you will see that if he has done this he is a criminal, and a traitor, and not worthy of your loyalty."
"Yes Kesten, it is likely that we'll spend time and resources tracking down the motives of the Lord Mayor - and we need to know that your loyalties run true. And that of your men. It may be that this conspiracy runs deeper than it appears on the surface; and if so we, I, would appreciate to know that House Garess is on the side of justice."
Leaving Jemini and Verik to the political work for which he has no talents, Taisper walks over by Svetlana and Oleg. He speaks loudly, intending for Berrin or Zander or Tandlara to hear, as well. "Hey Svetlana, Oleg, hey you guys look really great! Look lots better. That's excellent. So I was wondering, just idly, you know, I was just thinking, it's a long ride back, you know, so I do a lot. Of thinking. But do you guys have problems with...uh...wolves of any sort? They come after your horses or anything like that?"
Joining Taisper near Oleg and Svetlana, Zander says in an even tone, "I also heard some wolves on the trip over. I'm imagining the wall keeps them out of the Post, but we should be cautious while exploring. Speaking of which, once we get things settled with the prisoner and the guards, perhaps we should start mapping out the area. I have some general ideas about the lay of the land from the travelling we've done. Oleg, do you have any paper of pens that we could use to make some maps? I can buy them of course... which reminds me, we have some things to sell you if you're interested."
Privately Jemini approaches Kestin, for a few words of warning: "Oh, just an idle thought. I'm sure your men are straight as an arrow; but temptation can be great, especially this far away from loved ones. The prisoner, Kressle, she's fond of making not-so-subtle advances on her guards. I thought I should warn you about that."
Kesten listens to the story with growing interest. Barely awake at the beginning, he is completely focused at the end. "There have been a few rumors about the Lord Mayor in the guard, so I'm not particularly surprised. It was a little unusual that he sent us out before your expedition, but we were ordered to arrive no sooner than yesterday."
He seems strangely excited by the news. "I can't speak for the rest of my House, but I definitely will not stand for this. As you know, to file a charge such as this, you need the assistance of at least one representative from at least three of the six remaining houses. We have two, so all we need is someone from Lodovka, Medvyed, Surtova, or Orlovsky to endorse the formal charge. We would also be required to present evidence in front of the King in New Stetven, so we would need something to corroborate the bandit's words."
Svetlana rushes out with some stew, happily pouring it into bowls and handing them out. "The wolves? They howl, but we haven't seen them anywhere nearby. Eat up and get to bed! It will be dawn soon and you need some rest!"
Oleg returns with a pair of rusty manacles, wordlessly handing them to Verik. He tells Zander, "Just put it over there. I'll check through it and make arrangements. We might need to sell them on consignment, as the bandits took nearly all our coins over the last few months. I'll tell you when I've had a chance to properly wake up."
Berrin endures the ride in silence, focusing on staying awake and not loosing sight of the party although he nods off a few times under the yoke onæy to start up by a bump in the so-called path. 'This is fun.' he thinks to himself on more than one ocation.
Arriving at the trade post worn and tired Berrin barely greets anyone meeting them on arrival. Standing up stiffly from the wagon he is glad to hand of Kressel and head to the benches for stew. "Wolves huh? Not surprising concidering where we are." he mutters in replie to Taisper's question, or warning, Berrin can't decide and is too tired to wonder.
Finishing his stew he gets up with a "Mam." to Svetlana and a "G'night." to everyone else and heads in to find his bunk. Stripping off his gear into a pile he collapses into his bed, tired to exhoustion, and instantly falls asleep, his last thoughts on beeing glad he's not on guard duty now.