"How about we escort you to Oleg's, Bokken? We are setting up a stronghold there."
"Oh heh heh. Meh... I'd rather not. I value my privacy, gnome."
Rogar pokes his head in and hisses in a stage whisper, "What of Sal'dor? Ask him about Sal'dor!"
...to which Bokken replies, "Eh?"
"What he means to ask is if you have had dealings with a man named Sal'dor? He is in part the reason we have come."
"Heh, maybe better to start at the beginning here. The stag lord and a bandit named Sal'dor are competing for control of this area, making life a misery for honest men like Oleg and you as well seur Bokken.
We want to remove them both, And NOT to take over ourselves."
"Ehh.., There are far worse men- there are things far worse than Sal'dor." Bokken takes a step over to the window to get one last look. "He's a bandit and a criminal, but he takes care of his own and their kin... Started out leading a group of exiles. Call themselves the Bloodband from the swath of red paint they use to cover the crests of their stolen armor." Bokken stops and explains, "I helped him out years ago. Decent heart, deserved a shot. He's done what hes been able to for me since then."
He takes a breath and screws up his face. "Somehow got mixed up with the Stag Lord though, and now every other tree has a blasted magpie in it... and that broooding androgynous fellow I heard they've been grooming... Dovan, I believe his name is."
"Do you expect visitors, Bokken? You seem intent upon the window."
"We heard about these Magpies, although I'm not sure to understand what they are, and what's they relationship with Sal'dor or the Stag Lord if any. It's hard to tell with all the rumors going around, Can you tell us anything about them?"
"Just watching for the birds... I'm sure they'll come eventually."
Bokken leans in and whispers with manic gestures, "The Magpies are a coven of spies, manipulators and assassins... shapeshifter witches! I've heard they work for the Stag Lord, and serve as his eyes and ears while he sits in his fort. They've been in Sal'dor's lands for nearly two months now, and I haven't seen him or any of his trusted men since."
Bokken retracts, looking pained. His arms hugging himself, "Just the blasted birds..."
Norton doesn't move to the window to look, if the birds are here to spy better is to not let them see to much. He speaks quietly trying to bring Bokken out if his state of mind.
"I guess the birds you were talking about just arrived. Are these the magpies? How many of them do you reckon are out there."
"Sal'dor is or was a decent man...and now he has not been seen for two months...and then Sal'dor seems to be manipulating us from the shadows.
...
Might it be that it's only someone POSING as Sal'dor?"
"...
No, that doesn't work, Sal'dor seem to want us to elliminate the Stag lord, and the Magpies work for him...
...unless...
It's a trap to make us go charging in so he can eliminate us.
...but by all accounts he is a drunken brute, would he be capable of such a ploy?"
"...
Agh! All this thinking only leads me in circles!
..."
"As the stars see me, I have no idea of their numbers. I have seen only three with my own eyes." Bokken then watches Green... completely absorbed by his brainstorming. "No no. Sal'dor is no great manipulator, and he would not speak of acting against the Stag Lord. Even out here, the Stag Lord's viciousness is legendary. It would be... it would be foolish... a deadly mistake."
Bokken moves over to his junk drawer and finds a scrolled parchment. "This is the last I've heard from him." He hands it over with some hesitation.
Good friend Bokken,
I hope things are well. I have not been by as much in recent weeks, I know. It appears my roaming days are in the past. This Dovan sent by Him (who you met last time I was by) has taken over many of my duties... by His request. Rojeunet is well, and sends her good tidings. She says not to lose faith, old friend, we will be by when we can. Hatande erati mins urat, sieche tilfus domek ils... erati. You must find a way
to keep in touch.
Sal'dor
Winter always follows Spring, matters naught one's wish... always.
"Bokken, it is time to help settle these lands. Move to the trading post and set up shop there for a while. We would like to see you safe."
Furiel confers with the group when Bokken is not around. "Regardless, we have learned little to dissuade us from deposing the Stag Lord. Let us get our modified wagons and finish him."
"Hmm...This does not strike me as...right somehow. We ARE being manipulated, but if not by Sal'dor then by someone in a shadow we have yet to see...
Bah! Bah I say! Bah!
I'm tired of guessing, I'm tired of thinking through circles, hoops and deadfalls.
We HAVE an enemy to face, and we know where said enemy is, I say we strike where we can before it is too late."
Sal'dor's signature does not match what you have seen.
Suddenly something strikes The Green Man with the force of a sledgehammer, right between his bloodshot eyes.
furiously he stabs one large finger at the letter.
"That's not Sal'dors singature! Well, maybe it is, but it is not the signature that WE know him to use...I think I may be right, it's not the same man that we have "encountered" before."
"We came here for answers, yet we only find new questions."
"Do we believe Bokken words, and trust Sal'dor as a possible ally? Is this Sal'dor real signature, or is it the old one? Are those birds outside magpies?"
"Ta', there is little we can do about those birds, swords are going to be useless, what about you and Furiel, given the surprise factor would you be able to take some of them down?"
"I can throw flame far and incapacitate with illusions up close. I can summon creatures, including eagles to chase and hunt birds."
If the birds are magpies.........Furiel casts and a few moments later an eagle appears. He casts again, and a second one joins. When Furiel steps outside, he sends two eagles after magpies and looks for another to launch fire at.
The gnome advises Rogar to be ready with his bow and Ta to add to his flock of hunting birds before springing his surprise.
"We can most certainly try."
The eagle scare off, and chase a couple black birds with white feathers at the wingtips. Bokken nervously rushes forward "No no you mustn't provoke them!"
Furiel does not find any targets as he readies his spell.
Bokken sighs. "Very well. You've forced my hand. If I stay here, they will come for me... To Oleg's then... for now." He starts packing up supplies emphatically; broadcasting his displeasure.
Ta'de-win will offer any aid she can provide in packing up his supplies. "We did not mean to force our aid upon you. But if the rabbit never leaves his hole in fear of the falcon, then he will starve. Please, have faith in us. We seek to improve the lives of those in these lands."
"Bah. Just because what you say is true doesn't mean I wanna hear it." Bokken packs his saddlebags, apart from a wand. He glances at Furiel as he gestures with it at the ground in front of his cabin. Within seconds, a horse forms out of a thick clump of smoke. He places the bags on the horse and mounts up.
With one last look around the treeline he speaks. "Lead on."
"We can get Bokken settled and get the wagon ready for tomorrow."
I wonder how it feels to leave a home one has known for a long time? I do not even rememer the only such place that I have known...
The Green Man's ahnd slips down to the pouch he carries, squeezing it reassuringly, to remind him of his promise.
"Soon mother..."
You arrive at Oleg's just before nightfall. Bokken grumbles about the number of residents "..place is busting at the seams... don't think that you are stickin me in a tent. And I ain't shackin up with Grundy. Put in the tent!"
With some help, Svetlana is able to serve an impressive meal of braised boar and spicy root stew for the eve of your trek to the Stag Lord's fort. Arliss and Budgie had spent the day foraging; Rook and Jhod hunting.
Furiel toast the group:
"To the end of one despot and the beginning of an enlightened rule of the new lords."
He speaks to the gnomes: "Great job on the wagon. Can't wait to try it out."
Furiel is anxious to begin the trek to the Stag Lord.
He looks up hopefully to ride with Green again on horseback.
As the group leaves, he is careful to make sure they bring the two most knowledgeable bandits to help with the information and possibly entry into the keep.
As you prepare, Kesten approaches. "I would like to go with you. I know my place is here, but... this will be a glorious battle. One I don't wish to miss. Several others have said the same... It is your call, of course."
Furiel speaks to the volunteers:
"All volunteering to face the Stag Lord will receive a full pardon if their conduct is deemed exemplary by Lord Ambrosia."
The small gnome looks serious as he conjures balls of flame in his hands and idly passes them back and forth.
"This is a mission of great import. I would not deny anyone an opportunity to change this land for the better."
Arliss and Budgie run off to pick through Oleg's wares for battle. Rook nods in appreciation, and follows them. Errol and Kressle both act as though they already assumed they were going. Kesten clears his throat. He looks to Furiel and then to Norton. "And what of me? Will you do me the honor of allowing me to ride along side of you in battle?"
Ta'de-win finds a moment to consult with the others privately. "It would be unwise to take all our fangs with us. We would leave our den unguarded while we are on the hunt."
"On the other hand...he especially want to go don't I feel, let me ask him something..."
The Green Man takes Kresten aside just a little.
"Tell me why, be honest with me. I promise you that if I like your words then I'll take you, the others will not refuse me."
"I am not held on high regard by my family. Those who cared enough to even comment on my decision to volunteer, were not shy about voicing their low expectations.... I am meant to lead men, and yet I've never seen real battle."
The Green Man considers Kesten for some time, his green eyes seeking the hidden truth behind the man's words.
Does this man perhaps nurse a death wish? If taken, will he stand by his men as a leader or will he seek death and glory on his own?
"Before we go we need to have a sound plan."
He sits down to talk we the other 3 members of the party.
"I reckon we can enter the place fooling the people there in believing we are bandits as well. But that is just the first step. We still don't know how many of the stag lord minions we are going to find there."
"My idea is to gain access and stay put for a while, see if we can bluff our presence and get better intelligence. If the past is of any use we saw that these people are quick to change side. I wonder if we can swing a few more hearts before unsheathing steel. It might take a while, but it could be worth the risk."
What he says sounds rehearsed, although not untrue. While you see an expectation of death in his eyes, you do not detect a desire for death... or any out of character foolishness.
The Green Man considers for a little while, clearly Kesten needed something in life, something that can help him regain his zeal.
Placing a big hand on Kestens shoulder the Green Man gives him a tusked grin and a nod, he then points towards Budgie and the others.
"Not the type of men you were trained to lead I bet?
The rest of us, us "adventurers", we work as individuals.
But those people over there, they need a leader.
So if you want to come, then you can, as a leader."
Let’s see how he takes that...
"Surprise is a temporary advantage. We push our entry to maximize the effect of the surprise, but the moment surprise is gone, we unleash the fire and fury."
Furiel adds, "We cannot risk entry twice. This is not a recon mission. We get the wagon in, let the rest in. We keep the alert level as low as possible till we meet the Stag Lord. Once he is neutralized, the resistance should be minimal."
He looks around:
"We can do this."
"Don't get too excited and don't be impulsive. These lands have seen the Stag lord, Sal'dor, the magpies, the mites, rushing in and starting a fight won't set us as better than the lot."
"By the way, how many people can be hidden in the wagon?"
On the way to the Stag Lord's fort, Furiel has the two gnomes explain the wagon to Norton. As long as so many were coming, what was a few gnomes in the equation?
"So, we have a passprase, we know that the Stag lord is keen on booze and drugs, and unless my mind missremembers we have some of that too.
I guess we have a way to get in without arousing suspicion, and hey, we even have someone they know by sight with us in Kressel.
I think we have a good chance at this."
"So if you want to come, then you can, as a leader."
"Thank you Master Green, I will do what I can to not disappoint."
"By the way, how many people can be hidden in the wagon?"
"Four, sir. No more than four."
Kesten nods in agreement with Green's thoughts and adds, "We have Errol as well. If he was sent to clean up after Kressle, he may be the one to use."
"Didn't the Stag Lord find out about Kressle joining with us, I think I remember a note of some sort."
Furiel thinks furiously on the march.
"Errol, you can talk the wagon in with Green and a gnome. The ingenious gnome is best equipped to pop the surprise and let us out. Norton can rush through the gate on horseback, so he can probably wait with Kesten's crew and the support group. In the wagon now we need myself and our powerful druid for magic support. The last two spots can be Kressle and Kesten to provide our best non-mounted fighters. That leaves Norton to bring the relief as we hold the gate, hopefully without blowing surprise."
He adds, "The primary objective of the wagon group is to preserve surprise and allow the support group to come in unopposed and hopefully unobserved."
As you are finishing preparations, a rider approaches from the northwest. Kesten, who had been glancing in that direction for some time, speaks up. "Ah, good. I took the liberty of sending word we could use an extra hand."
The Green Man peers at the rider.
"So who is this then?"
As the rider comes closer you see the unarmored dark haired female. "With the Remeika and Gielgud lumber mill cleared out and running, we can speed up building. Also, they no longer need Miss Morell." Kesten gives a slight bow to greet her.
The Green Man gets a perplexed look on his face, eyes darting to and fro for a moment, trying to remember if he is suposed to know who the woman is.
"Right...well, good then...I guess?"
The Green Man suddenly laughs and slaps Kesten on the back.
"Miss Morell indeed...you know, you had me worried for a moment. You see, I never knew her surname, to me she was just Alice.
Well...I probably DID know her name, we were introduced all courtly like back in Restov, but I never managed to memorize it.
I thought it was someone new at first bwahahahaha!"