Beatrix frowns. "If it changes weekly, we'd need to capture someone right before we get there and get them to tell us. And even then we've no guarantee they're being truthful. Risky."
Jacyn nods in agreement with Havrin's idea. "That could be a good idea. I might not be of much help, though." the halfelf says with a chuckle, nodding his head over in the direction of Smoke. "He and I are none too sneaky."
"Information gathering isn't exactly my specialty, at least not the sort that requires that type of activity." Adam chuckles a little to himself. "It'd be risky, or perhaps one of us could break in and see if we can find the password the hard way. I don't like getting split up like that, but if it helps the cause, I'd volunteer."
The man who walks into the room with one of Garess' soldiers is thin, almost gaunt, and a bit shorter than middling height. He has a narrow face, wearing a vague expression, and his head is topped with a tousled clump of dark hair. His well made traveling clothes are dusty from the road.
Ah, thank you, Peter, the thin man says to the soldier, adding Allow me to buy you and the rest of the men a round of drinks.
When he sees the group, he looks around, assessing whether he's in the right place and speaking to the right people. He finally approaches the half-elf, recognizing him as one of the men he seeks. As he walks up, he seems to lose his sense of purpose, and eventually slows down, stops, and studies the rolled parchment in his hand. He looks at it, puzzled, then finally says, I presume, based on the fact that I am still holding it, that I have not presented you with this writ from the Swordlords. Apparently, we are to defeat the Stag Lord, as he is wanted dead or alive. He continues to gaze vaguely at the half-elf, as if expecting something.
Bea smiles, a bit amused. "So you're the reinforcements from Brevoy, eh? Was beginning to think they'd forgotten about us." She extends her hand, "Name's Beatrix. You ever hold a sword before? Or you have some other skills to help us out in the wild?"
Adam swoops forward to take a quick look at the paperwork, guaranteeing its authenticity.
"Sure looks that way."
The Doktor releases the parchment to the swooping Halfling, almost dropping it and stepping back.
He tries a smile back at Bea, though it appears like half a grimace. Ah. Of course. I suppose I am not so impressive a sight, after all. He then gets distracted, and watches a dust mote float slowly through a shaft of light.
When he eventually looks back up at Bea he says, Oh! You've just introduced yourself. Of course we are not yet acquainted, and it's appropriate that I reciprocate. I am Doktor Zlotii Medvyed, and I assure you that I am an experienced field surgeon and professional soldier. Hmm...that is to say, I was once a soldier. He points at a shoulder-slung satchel hanging at his hip. You see, I am in possession of a fine medical kit! Though I must admit that swordplay is not one of my strengths. I prefer the anonymity of a quality crossbow. (He does, in fact, have an expensive looking crossbow hooked to his wide weapon belt.)
"A doctor, huh? Well it may have become apparent to us that this crew could use a medic. You don't make trouble and keep from doing anything crazy, you could maybe find a place here."
She smiles at the doctor, giving an impression that he's more welcome than her words may have implied.
Adam peers over at the doctor's weapon. "Very nice, indeed. I hope you're a gambling man, Doktor Medvyed, these nights can become long and boring with only the biting gnats to keep us company."
Havrin joins the group in welcoming Zlotii. "A pleasure to meet you, Doktor. Or should I say, 'Cousin'? I remember seeing you at the wedding of Lord Gurev Medvyed's daughter last year, though we never met. My name is Havrin Stahl. My mother was a distant cousin of Lord Gurev's," Havrin explains.
Jacyn looks over to Havrin, "We come all the way out here, and you run into a distant relative?"
Zlotii seems nonplussed by all the attention, assuring all and sundry that he would not intentionally make trouble, but that he unfortunately was unable to enjoy gambling due to an unspecified "condition".
When Havrin approaches him, he says enigmatically, Ah...the wedding; a thing which has happened. Though I of course would not have, moments ago, recognized your identity, it is now entirely reasonable that I would note your familial resemblance.
The night passes, filled with Havrin and Zlotii's reminiscences of times past (though it's clear to the astute ranger, and to any other listeners with more than +0 in Sense Motive, that the good doctor has some issues with sequence of events). Next morning, Sabrina is anxious to reach her new station, and presses for a quick departure.
As the group packs their thigns and prepares to leave, Jacyn's gaze lingers on Katya, unsure if he should go speak to her about the events of the night before. If she catches his gaze, he immediately looks away, embarassed.
Perhaps surprisingly, Zlotii is organized and on time, packed an ready to go in the morning. He says very little, standing around with a distracted expression except when faced with an obvious task.
Adam is also awake at an early time, whistling a jaunty tune as he flips a coin in the air, sitting at the table with his feet propped up on his small backpack.
"Good to see you awake already, Doctor Medvyed. Here's to a successful start."
He raises and drinks from a small tankard of ale.
Katya is late to wake up in the morning, almost needing to be woken up before she comes to. Her eyes bleary as she shoves food into her mouth almost mechanically; a complete opposite of her usual proper eating style. Her clothes have changed as well, to a more practical set of soft leather pants and shirt. The same fur lined cloak settled over her shoulders is still the same with its arcane runes running along the edges. Once she has finished preparing her horse for the next excursion into the Stolen Lands, Katya finally notices the newest person to arrive at the trading post and she moves over to Jacyn without the bleariness of the earlier morning.
Katya asks, "Good morning. Who is the new man? Is he joining us?"
Her head turning half way towards Doktor Zlotii for a moment as she steps next to Jacyn to wait for everybody to mount up and call for the start of another march.
"His name is Doktor Zlotii, and appears to be of some distant relation to Havrin. And yes, I think he intends to come with us. Probably a good thing, too, since Sabrina is wanting to stay at the temple once we drop her off."
The weather is pleasant enough, though a bit blustery. The party is able to make it about 3/4 of the way to the Temple before having to break for the night.
During dinner, Jacyn notices the horses getting a little skittish, just before his keen ears pick out a distant buzzing sound. It's getting louder quickly; within a few seconds everyone can hear it, interspersed with high-pitched giggles. Four flying shapes streak across the clearing you're camped in, and in their wake you all hear some familiar voices (well, familiar to everyone but the good doctor). "Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" "Sorry about that!" It's Rhoa, Laeg, Yenri, and Pryx. Doktor Medvyed, the glimpse you caught of the creatures showed them to be rather like centaurs in that they're part humanoid, part animal. They're only a couple of feet tall, if that. From the waist up, they look like elvish women, and from the waist down they look like grasshoppers or crickets. (Their insect halves have wings.)
After a minute or two, a small blue dragon with butterfly wings flits into the clearing. It's Perlivash. "Hello, again! Still out exploring?"
Zlotii stops short and stares at the little creatures. He looks more confused than surprised. Um. Exploring...still? He rubs his face, as if feeling for stubble, then sniffs an armpit. He mumbles, Not very long, I think. Looking decidedly uncomfortable, the good doktor tries his best to fade into the background.
"Not really. Just helping our friend get back to the Shrine of the Hunter." Adam says congenially. "How have you ladies been? Hopefully the trapping has stopped?" It's obvious Adam is speaking to the female fey, and the fey in general.
The initial quartet had left the clearing at speed before Perlivash showed up. Hovering over the party, the faerie dragon gives a metallic chuckle. "They'll be back soon enough. Tyg got roped into judging the race, so she's out there...somewhere." He points up ahead with his tail. "While it's still quiet, I found something you might be interested in. If you're still working on your map, that is."
Adam nods. "Of course. Completing the map is one of our prime objectives."
The diminutive dragon peers at Doktor Medvyed. "You're new here, aren't you? I am Perlivash." His attention returns to the halfling. "As it happens, I was out in the plains thirty miles or so north of here, and I found a small burial cairn. The dead man had been buried with his armor and weapons, all of which looked to be in fine shape. If you're interested, I can mark it on your map."
Bea jumps up with a start but relaxes and smiles when she recognizes their small friends. Upon hearing about the cairn, she scratches her head. [b]"Thank you. I...I'm not sure how I feel about disturbing a burial site like that, but on the other hand we need all the help we can get to overthrow the Stag Lord in the south. Good weapons and armor are in short supply." She obviously looks very conflicted.
"If it makes you feel any better, we can reconsecrate the mound after we desecrate it." Adam laughs a little at his own joke, but begins to realize belatedly that it's likely in bad taste.
When the giggling begins, Jacyn reaches for the hilt of his cold iron morningstar, but releases it once the group fairies* make it known they are only here to help, not play tricks.
Adam gets out the map so that the little dragon can point out where to go.
Adam, Perlivash marks the location for you.
Yes, Perlivash, I am...new, here. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Just now. We greatly appreciate the intelligence.
He peers over the halfling's shoulder, to get a look at the map.
"Have you seen any other bandits...humans...in the area since we last saw you?"
Havrin smiles and waves to the grigs as they fly through the clearing. When Perlivash arrives the ranger respectfully bows his head in greeting to the faerie dragon. "Hail, Brave Perlivash! Your information regarding the cairn is most intriguing. It sounds like a very interesting location to investigate."
"By the way, I brought some things that I thought you and Tyg would find entertaining," Havrin says, reaching into his pack to retrieve a small package, which he opens before the small dragon. "They're fireworks. These five finger-sized ones explode with a loud bang when you light them with fire. This long wooden tube launches several flaming candles when lit. I thought the two of you might be able to find some creative uses for them. Oh," Havrin pauses, retrieving another small bag. "I also brought another bag of honey candy. The young ladies may like them as a prize for their race."
Perlivash gives what would be a rather disconcertingly toothy grin (if he were larger) at the sight of the fireworks. "Well! I have some ideas for how to use these...." His voice trails off as his tongue darts out quickly. "Oh! No, I haven't seen any other humans around here recently. At least no one new. Except him." He indicates the doctor.
Bea smiles at the excitement shown for the fireworks. "I suppose that's good news. Some of the first we've had for awhile - maybe our work out here is really paying off. We just need to finish things with the Stag Lord."
Adam nods enthusiastically after grabbing a honey candy for himself. (Just one, he's not too greedy.)
The four racing grigs eventually return, followed by a larger grig (who is introduced to Doktor Zlotii as Tyg-titter-tut, or Tyg for short). Honey candies are shared out to all and sundry, and the sound of crystalline fey laughter fills the air. At some point, though, the most sensible of the grig quartet nudges Havrin. "From the looks of things, Tyg and Perlivash have some minor mischief in mind. It might be a good idea to take your leave."
Memories of the pair's previous pranks (even though Perlivash promised) lends a certain impetus to the party. By the end of the day you reach the Temple of the Elk, and the night is uneventful. The next day, though, brings a choice: where will you go now?
Hmm. Why are we here?
Havrin studies the party's map. "How about we explore this area here," he suggests pointing to the region to the southwest and south of the Temple of the Elk , "And then head in the direction where we heard the Stag Lord's fort is located."
Zlotii agrees with a simple nod.
Peering over Havrin's shoulder, Katya takes a moment to think over the course Havrin suggests then nods softly, "No point leaving a potential ambush behind us, and that route takes us towards the river. That will make keeping our horses fresh easier."
If no one has any objections, I'll assume that's what the party is doing and get a post up about that later today or tonight.
The party makes their way southwest from the temple. Although the land starts out as the familiar forest, as you begin to get into the Skunk River bottomlands the ground becomes soggier and soggier, reminiscent of the area where you found the dead unicorn. To make matters worse, it starts to rain steadily. There is at least no lightning, although it's slow going and the horses aren't very happy.
It's coming on for noon. Even through the rain, Adam, Jacyn, and Doktor Medvyed all see what looks like some ruined buildings up ahead.
Doktor Medvyed stops dead in his tracks, staring at the ruins. The corner of his mouth experiences a single twitch. He stares for a full minute, generating a thin trickle of drool before finally shaking his head violently. Oh. I hope that wasn't one of the long ones. He looks around. I don't think it was one of the long ones.