Alice smiles at the eagerness of Rogar.
"Well I like your attitude this morning Rogar! I agree, let us get to work!"
"Given the last intel report from Kesten, I say we move up the trial and have done with it. If Kressle can get into two peoples' heads already (Oleg and Loomis), it is a risk to leave her here. We can go now if you want to take the risk."
Furiel gets his pony ready to ride.
Kesten goes on giving his first impressions of the other captives. Speaking mostly to Norton who seemed to show interest but glancing to the others around as well "Well .. they are starting to recover from their little stroll through the park.
The farmboy Kjell looks like he might be 18 or 20. Tall and strong .. expression looks like he might be a little slow. He has been the most polite of the bunch.
The fifth, Rook says he was mostly a hunter for the group. Anti-social and ill-mannered but no more cruel than any other of nature's predators. But, all said, too early for me to get a real good read on em."
Rogar parades his horse towards Kesten:"It's all well and good, Kesten, keep up the good job, and if you could make sure that woman isn't mistreated by the rest of that bunch, I would be in your debt. Now... why isn't everyone ready yet? What are we waiting for?". So saying the would be swordlord rides around the yard impatiently.
"Good Kesten, could you have Kjell and Rook ready for a ride? I want to bring them with us on the survey. They know the place, I believe they might be happy at the idea of being useful. I'll have the horses ready."
Ta'de-win remains silent as she prepares for the journey, making only the necessary conversation for the trip. She had given thought to many things during the night. This was not the wilds she had become accustomed to. No, this was civilization. Even with the time she had spent amongst her surrogate family the past four years, it was foreign to her. But she would not give up, she would come to understand.
She would have to apologzie to Rogar for her outburst, but not yet. An opportunity would hopefully present itself on this expedition, and she would do so. But her own pride prevented her from such an open display. She would wait and bide her time.
The news that Kressle had already begun to try to exert dominance gave her pause. Should she stay? No, that was not the way it was to be.
The Green Man shakes his head a little at Rogars comment about stopping the others from mistreating Kressel.
I doubt she would appreciate it if she heard it, and I am surprised...
Granted, I am not the sharpest of mother nature’s arrows, but I know people. None of the others would dare lay a hand on her.
If they are a pack of wolves, then she is a lioness.
Making a decision, The Green Man elects to speak to Kesten privately.
"Some of my companions are not sure what to do with Kressel yet, and out of respect for them I have not take it upon myself to make that decision for them...
However, if while we are away you get ANY sense that there might be trouble, that she might be planning an escape...execute her.
The rest of the bandits are chaff I believe, but SHE could rise again, form a new pack and be a thorn in the side of this land for years.
I would not risk it.
Should it come to pass, feel free to lay sole responsibility on me.
Some of my companions are perhaps a little too soft, but sometimes we do what must be done do we not?"
Kesten and his other guard prepare horses for the two bandits. Unsure of what Norton has in mind, Kesten asks "How would you like them .. bound?"
"Good man, I always fight better knowing that my back is watched by those I can rely on.
But it cuts both ways, so if there is something I can do to help you in turn, do not hesitate to ask."
"Well, so much for talking about the bandits on the road. I think even with he have a code name for them like bunnies, and I say I think we have too many bunnies around, they will probably figure it out."
Furiel rides his pony next to Green. "Well lets see more of this bountiful land."
Norton answer to Kresten
"No need to bound them, I'll just give them the worst horses. Up to them to try for a run."
Kesten nods and does as Norton says. After they mount Kesten walks them over. Kjell has his head down, Rook looks a bit cautious but nods at Norton.
Seeing Norton preparing horses for the outlaws, Rogar moves his horse near them:"I don't think we need them with us, Ambrosi... they are unlikely to have traveled far from the roads they used to prey upon, and besides that, can we really trust anything they say? Let them stew here I say"
"Well, I think we are ready to go. If we decided to bring two little bunnies along with us that could be no worse than leaving a really big, mean bunny behind in a cage with a bunch of scared bunnies and carrots we didn't want eaten."
Furiel winks at Green and prepares to ride alongside him on his pony.
"Let's explore our wonderful kingdom."
Norton replays to Rogar, away from the bandits.
"I agree chances of them to be useful are dim, master Rogar. But that is the least of the reason I want them with us. Is not what they can tell us about the land I'm concerned with, but what they would show about themselves. Why do you think these people are bandits? Cause they are evil by nature? Some of them might be, most of them probably cause didn't have any real choice. We bring them with us, they may decide to run. Well we chase and slay them." he pats on the horse rump "Murak is always eager for some good chase. Maybe they see a new option in their lives and decide to make themselves useful for the time being. By the way I feel like giving them a second chance. Do you believe in second chances my friend?"
"Say, Master Ambrosi, you are moving a little stiffly, do you still suffer wounds from the battle? Allow me..."
The Green Man puts a large hand on Nortons shoulder; he then touches the birthmark on his forehead and whispers a short incantation.
I wonder why he wants the bandits along, Master Valertis may well be right, so why?
...
Oooooh, I think I understand now, he is a clever one...destroy a pack and then claim the survivors as his own to build a pack of his own...
Master Ambrosi bears watching...
Mayhap I'll lend him my insight into human nature.
The Green Man chuckles and grins at Furiel.
"Personally I prefer my rabbits slow roasted over an open fire, with the carrots as a side dish."
"Has it been decided where we wish to explore today?" Ta'de-win waits to see who responds first to the question.
"We map to the goblins."
"It may be wise for us to bring a few days of provisions. I can feed myself ably, but for this many I cannot guarantee it. I would also recommend we camp a good distance from the goblin trail before following it. If we should hunt the goblins, it would be best to do so with daylight as our ally." She gives a look to the two men to travel with them. "It pains me to say this, but it may also be wise to at least give them rudimentary equipment to defend themselves, something we can take away at night. I doubt goblins will differentiate between us and them, and I'd rather not give over to protecting them if battle should be our fate."
"Anything else you wish from us while you are away? Miss Leveton mentioned there are several from nearby farms that would be willing to work cheap. And once you get the near area of the woods secure, we can start bringing in lumber. "
Rogar seems a little annoyed at Norton's reasoning:"Well, I suppose they can choose to make themselves useful... or not. But whatever, you want these two ne'er-do-well to come along? Fine, as long as they don't slow us down. But if you think them to just be victims of society I fear you'll be disappointed. They knew what they were doing, if you want them to behave you will have to show them how it benefits them more than banditry. And that means giving them a better life prospect than working for a hulking brute with a penchant for squeezing his hencemen's heads... Shouldn't be too difficult, I guess..."
The Green Man chuckles at Norton and Rogar.
"My, this is only the second day of our task, and already you two are bickering like an old married couple.
I would hate to see how you behave in a month’s time.
Come on now, let us go find these goblins and have a chat with them, who knows, they may be friendly."
For a second Rogar seems to not understand what Green is talking about, then he gives a roaring laugh:"Well, Green, I guess you are right! Like a married couple! Too bad Norton is way too much of a man for my taste! But I like your other suggestion, we showed some mercy to these outlaws if they want to take it, why not try the same with goblins?", still chuckling Rogar leads his horse out of the palisade and motions to the others to follow.
Furiel chuckles. "I think we hire a herald to visit the Stag Lord fort and offer him an opportunity to surrend his command. We offer him an honest life as a farmer on some of our massive lands. He will then take it and we will be the best of friends. Unfortunately I think this plan is only bound to orphan the children of a herald."
"Are we planning on paying our new men at arms for their service. It would seem unfair to start our new enterprise off with slavery. I do not condone slavery of any sort. In my culture it is a fate worse than death."
The Green Man was secretly quite pleased at the apperant willingness to avoid needless bloodshed.
He did not think that an offer of peace would go down well with the Stag "lord", but even suggesting it was a nice touch.
And so far, nobody had objected to offering the goblins mercy.
Norton smiled at Green's joke. It was strange how such a fearsome person could be as calm and easygoing as the half orc was proving himself.
"So let's go, a stroll in the fields is always good for the mood."
You head off to map out the area around the northeast corner of the woods. Kjell continues to mope in his saddle. Rook seems very much attentive, his eyes dart around like a hawk, taking in everything.
You go around the northern half of the hex on the map. Although you can see quite a distance in this seemingly featureless plain, it seems like a good idea to be thorough - especially so close to your current "home base."
After several hours of surveying, your stomachs and the sun tell you it is time for lunch.
"So Mr. Rook and Mr. Kjell--what is Kressle's story. I hope your account agrees with that of others."
Bluff
Rogar spends most of the day joking with the others, while giving threatening glances to the outlaws.
"Eh .. won't get much outta him." Rook cocks his head to indicate Kjell. "Happened upon him a few years ago .. tongue cut out. He listens alright, but haven't heard much from him." He shrugs and continues talking to Furiel.
"Don't know how much you know or think you know .. Story on Kressle is she was just a young outlaw with a chip on her shoulder. Some of the fellas that ran with Hruska tried to take somethin she weren't offerin. Didn't end well for them and she left. Started her own enterprise, Papa Grundy and his late wife paid her and her boys for protection. Grundys were fine with it cos Mr Graenkin, Kressle's old leader took easily twice as much from the Grundys."
"That's about when I joined. Was on my own, fendin for myself when I came across Kressle and Grundy's boys. They saw value in me they did. The lot were lousy hunters, living on Ma'am Grundy's vegetables and whatever they could steal."
"Bout 4 or 5 months ago, we woke up to "Him", the Stag Lord, and a dozen men - including Hruska and Fenning Grundy - holding swords to our throats. Nasty press gang. He said 'You work for me now' and told us Hruska and Fenning were staying with us, last we knew they were still with Mr Graenkin."
"So...this Mr Graenkin is still around? Because Hruska and Fenning are not, and good riddance I must say personally."
The Green Man makes a sour face and spits on the ground.
"As a healer, I do not enjoy taking lives, but some people truly do not deserve a chance to walk on the land and spread their pollution. From what I understand so far, the Stag "Lord" is one such man, I am not sure about Kressle yet."
The Green Man shrugs and reaches over his shoulder to make sure his axe is still there.
"Time to make sure we have some food in our bellies."
Feeling his stomach growl, he begins to look for a likely spot for a temporary camp, preferably somewhere that might contain fresh water and something to harvest as supplements for whatever meat that can be found.
"Believe Mr Graenkin is still leading the Bloodbands. Good to hear about the other two. Both monsters .. things got right awkward when Fenning came back. Budge seemed to think he had somethin to do with Ma'am Grundy's disappearance a while back, but hadn't the stones to face him. Kept on me and Happs to get rid of Fenning for em." Rook shakes his head .. "I'll kill a man if I hafta ..." He stops and rubs his wrist which still carried a scar the shape of Murak's bite. ".. but if ain't about survival .." shakes his head again.
After 30 minutes of searching, you find a fair amount of various edible greens and shallots to supplement your food from Olegs.
"Maybe Kressle isn't a lost cause. I would sure want to break the Stag Lord to show these others we are the true power here. While he rules from his fortress, I am afraid we are the pretenders.
"We just need to isolate him from his allies first."
"We just need to drag him out of his lair. As long as he can stay hidden in a fort with an army of enchemen to protect him we stand little chance of a fair fight. But if we start to harass his other troops and challange his authority... then he NEEDS to show these other dogs he's still worthy of their respect. Then he needs to come out of hiding and challange us on a ground of our choosing... and we'll see who really rules this land. When we defeat the Stag Lord we also force the remainder of his "troops" to aknowledge us as the "top dog" around here..."
Since the others seem to have adjusted to the presence of Rook, and well into conversation with him Norton takes time to talk with Ta'de-win, since he still can't understand her way of thinking.
"What do you think about the land here? I'm no scout for me is just bushes and grass."
And then after a while
"You were quite strong about the treatment Kressle should undergo, you seem to really hate her." An leaves the topic open, in hope she expands a little bit on that.
"Well, that would work normally, but we ARE dealing with a drug abusing alcoholic madman here...if indeed he IS a man."
The Green Man nods at Furiel and Rogar.
"Your problem is that you are sane, and think like sane people do. For all we know, He may see it as proof that they were too weak to serve him and be grateful for us to removing the chaff."
Oh look, Greens...
The Green Man picks up a particularly large shallot which he chews with obvious relish.
"But seeing as we are all sane, I think we have no choice but to do things the sane way.
Besides...I believe this may be useful, ridding the land of some weeds."
"Well, we'll see when and if things don't turn out as expected. But the plan is sound, so why not pursuing it?"
"The land here, it has a power in it. This power is what calls me here. Many times man has intruded here, and each time the land reclaims what has been claimed. I intend to find out what that power is."
After further conversation, "It is not that I hate Kressle, but rather what she is. I would think the feeling would be felt by those in civilized lands as well. She is a plague, a parasite on civilization. Her type, they do not try to exist within the cycle, but would disrupt the cycle for their own benefit. A look of sadness appears in Ta'de-win's eyes, tempered by her own emotions.
"But my outburst was not intended. I realized long ago that if I do not feel as many do, not just on this, but on many things. I had thought I quelled these feelings. Even knowing that Kressle may not face the fate she deserved, I believed I could handle it. But to find out that may not be the case, and for a reason I could not understand, it was too much.
"But it matters not. I have tempered my feelings on this matter once more, and will endure what decision has been made by the packleader.
"On that subject, who is the packleader of our group? I believe it was to be that Sir Ogden, but now I do not know."
Alice listens as her comrades talk.
"It appears as if we all have a voice in matters at this moment in time Ta'de-win. At least that is how I feel about it. When the time comes I am sure a leader will emerge. Though I feel the best leaders don't give orders or make all the decisions, they just show everyone else how to do the right thing through action.
I can say I have seen already seen great heroics by everyone here, which is needed if we are to tame this wild."
"I think we put this down as another deferred decision. Consider our decision-making process somewhat similar to an Entmoot."
This somewhat appeals to Furiel's chaotic side.
[b]"Similar to an ent-what?"[b] Rogar seems pretty puzzled by furiel's last comment
"Ent I believe is short for Treant, a sort of massive living tree that is a guardian for certain age old forests, at least that is what the legends tells us.
I would assume an "Entmoot" is when Ent's meet for a serious discussion, but I think that rather than "chewing the fat" it would be "grinding the bark" in that case."
After your meal you spend a couple hours finishing with the plains area. All that is left is the woods.
After the chat with Tar Norton has a better understanding of her way to think.
"She thinks in terms of packs, natural struggle, and survival, I'll keep that in mind."
"Well, miss de-win we lost our alpha leader and we need a new one, but how to sort he or she out? Wolves and other animals fight cause they need the strongest, but humans relay on mind and feelings too, I would say that we compete in a more subtle way, and the thing could last much longer than a fist fight."
The puzzled look on Rogar's face only deepens at Greens explanation:"Well... never heard anything 'bout that... good to know... I guess"
As the rest of the exploration proceeds without trouble Rogar seems to grow bored. When it's clear the grassland offers no challanges he poits to the woods and then talks in a clear, loud voice, words meant for the two outlaws:"All that's left it's the woodland, let's get things clear here boys: we want to explore it, and you are coming with us. If you think it's a good chance for running away, just remember if you behave and collaborate with us you are going to get pardoned, but if you run and we catch you again you are going to get hanged... so if I were in you I would behave and maybe even help a bit..."
Kjell grunts and nods .. Rook nods as well and adds "Understood sir .. never been in this part of the woods, but I'll provide whatever help I can."
You come back to the area around the treeline that had been reduced to rotting stumps.
Furiel is affected by Kjell's tale. Another tale of the strong bullying the weak. Unfortunately forcing him to come along exploring a hostile land is another example of the strong bullying the weak again.
"Forcing these men to come along under the threat of being ridden down and hanged is not a proper legacy of the sword lords. It is glorified bondage and slavery."
Furiel rides over to Kjell.
"Kjell, do you wish to help explore these lands for a chance at working them? Nod if you understand the question and shake your head or nod again when you have an answer."
These humans, it is important for them to establish who can tell who what to do. This is also disturbing.
At hearing Rogar's words Norton makes another note to himself.
"I must explain him something about not telling to people under scrutiny which of their options are going to make you happy."
Kjell looks at Rook "Don't look at me boy .. Time to make your own decisions."
Kjell takes a moment, looks around .. and then nods at Furiel.
Ta'de-win accepts the description offered by the rest of the group, though still puzzled. She had heard of Entmoots before, but never bourne witness to one. "If the way of the Treants are to be our government, how shall we ever get anything accomplished? We do not have such time in this life. I shall wait this out and see how things are done."