Sam gets out of bed and goes over to the wash basin, patting his wolf, Birch on the way.
Come on now, Up and at'em! Can't be late for the funeral now.
"No... No..." Tamara sobs. "They can't be dead..." She shakes her head and hugs herself. "It was just a dream, right?" She whispers to herself. She shudders and tries to rub away the goosebumps all over her body, reminding herself that she is awake and that what she saw wasn't real.
As she gets cleans herself and get dressed she tries to shake away the horrible feelings from the dream. It was just a dream. It's not real and it's not a premonition of what is to come. I'm not a seer... The fresh water makes her feel more awake and freshened up, but it doesn't completely shake away her doubts. I'm not having visions... Even if I am, there gotta be a way to prevent it. Maybe it's a warning. If so I need to prevent it. I guess I should be ready for anything. With that decides to get her armor for the funeral. She'll still wear black clothes on top, but if something should come up, she would be ready. Her clothes are plain, though clean and well cared for. She doesn't own much wealth or nice clothing, though even if she did, she would not dress decadently for such an occasion as this.
On the way to the funeral she thinks about her dream, her thoughts keep returning to the man in it. Who was he? What was he doing there? I need to know.
Gwen wakes nearly falling out of the Gothic dark-wood bed onto the stony floor of her room at Castle McBride. Damz! Another Baron von Wolfsbane dream! Will I never be rid of that bastard?
After washing in the basin she pulls on her clothes for the funeral: bodice, bum roll, busk, and corset. Then , chemise shirt, and overskirt. Gwen always tried to look her best for such an occasion. But never went anywhere without armor.
Bless us today as we honor our dead friends she prays. Then she takes the greatsword from it's perch over the hearth, and departs for Ravengro...
Barek comes to, realizing he is standing in his nightware with a throat ravaged by screams. Cold sweat poors down his form, drenching everything including the gloves and socks he even wears to sleep clinging and sticky.
Get a hold of yourself! It was just a drea...a nightmare. Filled with everything you can't face. You're still just that scared boy being taken by the orcs!
Is everything all right? I heard screaming, and when you barbarians scream it just means bad business.
That'll be the inn-keepers wife. I do wish she'd stop calling me a barbarian. He coughs once or twice to clear his throat before replying, I'll be out in a few minutes, nothing is wrong here.
Barek starts gathering his things, taking care to wash himself quickly and efficiently using the nearby basin before putting on his clothing and ensuring every inch of skin is covered but for his head and neck. I might as well bring my gear with me, I doubt these folks will be hospitible much longer considering what they heard.
Barek heads out the door and toward his promise, heart in throat and pit slowly growing in his stomach.
Buttoning up his shirt that he wear's over his scail mail, Sam looks at sim... Still laying in the bed... Bending down close to sims ears Sam yells loud enough to make birch jump.
Sim jumps from his brother yell, almost falling from his bed and looking at him with utterly discontent.
"Oh you cursed... I almost got her this time and when I was finally taking her corset you FRICKING AWAKENED ME!" He was clearly making reference to the 'girl in his dream'... recurrent dream he has been having since they arrived in Ustalav.
He then notices Birch waving his tail, seaming to be happy. "You are a bad influence for him, Birch... he is forgetting 'how to Halfling' and becoming just like you... what is the next step? Will you start smelling other people's butt or humping their legs when you are in the mood?"
He sighs then starts to put his clothes on, first a plain shirt, just to avoid the cold from his chainmail, then his traveling clothes. A bandolier filled with daggers, a pair of shortswords at his belt and a pair of saps... not that he was expecting to be jumped (again) in the funeral but old habits die hard...
Sam let's a slight chuckle out at his brothers clear outrage.
Well, I may become more wolf than halfling but if your any example to go by that might be a good thing! Now, let's get going, don't want to be late.
As she round the corner Gwen spots the twins Sim and Sam as they jostle and chuckle and make their way up the steps of the Lorrimor House. Oh brother. *rolls eyes*
Barek wanders up to the Lorrimor household, ignoring the stares and barely concealed snears of the townsfolk along the way. He tugs once more on his gloves before stepping somberly inside.
As sam turns the corner to see Gwendolyn his tie spins.
My dear! Its a shame to first lay eyes on one such as you on such a... Sad, day.
Sam is clearly uncomfortable being in such close proximity with a person who is so visably grieving.
I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't know him well... But he must have been a good man...
All the professors books! What wonders of history they must contain.
Gwen sympathizes but just can't find words. She looks out the parlor window at the grey town as the carts and wagons go by, making new ruts in the muddy streets.
I wish there were something we could do, Ms. Lorrimor. The Professor was dear to me, years ago.
Barek, also uncomfortable, nods at the halfling's words, The professor was most certainly a good man, he helped me find and join the Pathfinder Society, as I'm sure he helped you all in some way as well .
Sim sighs at his brother lack of manners.
You'll never win a girl this way you fool...
Sim takes a close look at the others presented in Lorrimor house. Hum, a barbarian even if he doesn't have the 'crazy eyes' and a soldier woman... what war is she fighting?... WAIT! She looks exactly like the girl from my dreams... surely she is taller but... His thoughts were interrupted by the barbarian's words.
"Actually it was quite the opposite... one day, a couple years ago, the professor was caught by surprise by a group of ogres near Shrikewood, back in Molthune. Me, Sam and our platoon were marching nearby and I heard his call for aid and the rest is just story... the ogres were down and the Half-Man Army saved the famous professor. Oh, I'm Sim Calinean, nice to meet you all!" He offers his hand.
"Not sure why we were summoned here though... he was indeed a good man and even if we had talked a lot about our Halfling community and how me and Sam wanted to improve it, it was just talk, you know?"
Sam glances at sim with a thoughtful look on his face. wait... This was that professor. suddenly Sam is washed over with guilt at his forgetfulness. How could I have forgotten about this man?Sam wondered to himself.
Yea sorry... My brother has always had a better memory than me and a much shinier silver tongue.
*gasp* Oh my gosh yes! The professor used to tell that old Ogre story! Ambushed at Oaks Crossing on the road to Absolom. He said the halflings went crazy killin' Ogres. You guys are the heros of the Oaks Crossing Massacre?? Gwen can hardly believe it!
Sim nodded, even if less enthusiastic than the girl. "Not sure about the name of the crossing, since it has a dozen different names, depending to whom you ask... and it wasn't also a 'massacre'... a gang of seven ogres were indeed killed but we also lost three brothers... Marcus Billow, Zhal Klentis and the young Val Lissante..." The Half-Man Army was like family and Sim made sure to remember the names of every kin that was lost. "...also not sure about the heroes part. Sure, the good professor lived, as well as many of his caravan, but I'd hardly call that skirmish a victory."
Sim breathes deeply before putting a more joyful smile in his face. "Well, let's leave this story to the past where it belongs and focus the present, where we should be talking about the deeds of the professor and comfort those whose were left behind..."
He then approaches the professor's daughter. "My deepest condolences, My Lady, I'm at your service for anything you need. Why don't you sit here and let me take care of the drinks... we halflings have quite good abilities as hosts."
With a tight smile Barek replies, It is good to meet you, Sim, Sam, I just wish it were under better circumstances. My name is Barek, and you should not downplay your victory, seven ogres would be challenging even for my... Barek winces slightly, about to say tribe, but continues people.
A forlorn look glazes across his face, but Barek shakes it off quickly, I certainly hope no one noticed that hitch.
Tamara comes in a bit after the others. With a sorrowful expression she takes Kendra's hands in her own. "My condolences Kendra. I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could have done about it."
When she comes into the sitting area she stops in shock when she spots Barek, her mouth half-open and her eyes wide. "There he is! The man from my dream. What is this? What does it mean? Who is he? I must get to know him." She feels drawn to the man, and for more reasons than just her dream, suddenly her heart beats faster. Her heart is already filled with a mix of fright and sorrow. She needs something to help push away the bad feelings, maybe the man from he dreams can help.
She completely misses the question from Kendra, but still introduces herself. "Hello, I'm Tamra Hart. I'm glad to see that there are so many that care for the late professor, he was such a smart man. The world is a poorer place for losing him." As she waits for the others to introduce themselves to her, her eyes get drawn to Barek, her curiosity growing by the moment.
Hello Tamra. I am sam and this is my brother sim.
Barek feels Tamara's gaze on him and tugs on the cuffs of his gloves. Giving himself a quick once-over I'm certain everything is covered, I'm not sure what she's looking at. I am Barek, and this leaves only one name unknown here, he says glancing Gwendolyn's way. Under the scrutiny Barek fidgets some more and if his roving eyes stay on Tamara's slightly longer than the others he hopes no one notices She has pretty eyes.
Bless me, apologies for my rudeness! Gwen says with a proper puritan curtsie. I am Gwendolyn McBride of Clan McBride. My family has a small estate outside Ravengro and I knew the Professor as a teacher at university many years ago. I am at your service!
sam looks around at the small group of people gathered in the living space of their host. Well... Is this all? is everyone here?
Barek looks firmly at Tamara now and asks, Tamara,you were the last one to arrive, did you see anyone behind you approaching the residence?
I shall be honored to help carry him, Lady Lorrimor.
I will carry him as well.
I will help carry the professor as well. Barek turns and regards Sam fully. Um, Sam, I don't mean to sound rude, but will you or Sim be able to help with the casket?
Sam puffs up his chest at the large kellid man. Of course I can! I would reason to say I'm stronger than most humans!
Barek holds up his hands in the universal gesture of easy, no offense intended. Its not your strength I question, merely your...stature. A sour look crosses Barek's face as he says this, knowing that it might not end well. Were we ,indicating Gwen and himself to hold the casket at shoulder height, as is tradition, I'm not sure you or your brother would be much help. Saying so Barek looks askance at Sim, pleading with his eyes for help convincing Sam.
Sim steps forward, trying to help in the messy situation. "You are perfectly right, Mr. Barek... one alternative would be for Sam to carry me on his shoulders so I can carry the casket, but I imagine it would only offend the family for such a ridiculous and comic situation."
Turning his attention to Sam, Sim continues. "I think we should leave this task to humans while we accompany Ms. Lorrimor... if that pleases you, my lady..." Sim then bows slightly.
Sam looks at Barek, then at everyone else. Oh... Um I suppose it would be rather awkward... Yes... Let's just keep out of it... Sam takes a sideways glance at Gwendolyn to see her reaction.
Gwen knows better than to turn height into a joke around halfling warriors. As long as you all have stature in drinking ale in the Professor's honor after this funeral, I'd say you've stature enough for me. A Paladin? yes. A prude? no.
Tamra is somewhat slow to respond, still transfixed by seeing someone from her dream in real life, but she finally gets herself together and just as she opens her mouth to respond to Barek Kendra speaks up rendering the question moot.
On the matter of the cask Tamara looks nervously at it, she doesn't relish the thought of carrying something heavy at all, it would hurt her senstivie hands, but she still wants to pay her respects to the deceased professor. "I'm not very strong... Still, it's probably better if four people carry the cask right? I'll help out if needed. Can't you just carry it at the level of shoulders of the halfling so Sam and Sim can help out? That would still be respectful and be practical for everyone."
Barek puts a hand to his chin and rubs thoughtfully That might work actually. It might be a bit awkward to hold at first, but I do believe it is feasible. I am ashamed I was not trying to find solutions that would accommodate all who wish to help.
Barek turns and bows to Sim and Sam from the waist Please forgive my rudeness Masters Calinean.
Oh it wasn't rudeness. I didn't attempt to look for a solution either. Sam smiles at Barek then gives a thumbs up to Tamara.
"That might work pretty well Mr. Barek... more if you allow me and Sam to be on the front, so we can see where we are going and not someone's butt..." He then remembers there are ladies among them. "Sorry for my poor choice of words my ladies." He then smiles.
Tamra shakes her head with a faint smile, she doesn't really feel happy given that they are at a funeral of a person who she held dear, but Sim's words doesn't offend her either. "No harm done Sim, we are not some daintly ladies who'll faint at the mention of someone's backside. I at least have not lead a sheltered life." At the mention of sheltered life she can't help but remember the awful things that happened with her dad and later with the professor and most recently the dream with Barek. This of course draws her gaze to Barek again. She's afraid something will happen to him, though also curious to learn more about him. "I'm glad we were able to work something out so we can move out."
As they prepare to leave Tamara walks up to Barek, to study him more closely, but also to talk to him more naturally. "So how did you meet the professor? I can't say I'm not curious."
I am not offended Master Sim. There are far worse things in the woods surrounding Ravengro than a foul mouth!
Barek offers Sim a rueful smile of his own Point well made.
Turning back to Tamara and tugging on the cuffs of his gloves once again he replies to her queston Well, everyone else has explained how they know the professor, I guess it's my turn. He breathes a sigh then begins, There was an...incident while I was staying in the town of Vigil where I was greatly injured. After waking several days later I learned that it was the professor who saved me. He asked me what I wanted from life, and when I told him I wished to be a Pathfinder he sent messages to some of his contacts and sent me on my way to Absolom.
Before I left he extracted a promise from me, that I would join him whenever he called. It was as I was about to take my Confirmation that I received the letter stating he had died and called me here. I didn't think I would be asked to go to him in such...dire circumstances. But I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.
Barek tries to turn jovial again, but it is obviously strained as he turns to Sim and Sam, I guess this means I should thank you as well. Had you not saved the professor I would not be here today.
He looks Tamara in the eyes once more Perhaps, one day I can tell her everything that happened. He shakes his head Bah, she'd just laugh at insane antics of a pair of adolescents that got in way over their heads
Sam claps his hands together in a finalizing way. Well now that introductions and explanations are out of the way, perhaps its time to focus on the grim matter at hand. Sam looks at kendra with sorrowful eyes, full to the brim with condolences and says Shall we be heading out then?
Gwen is repulsed by the song. Little witches. I'd like to interrogate those brats some time.
Calm yourself Gwen. I'm sure that it's just a fad with the children, They'll be singing a new odd song to suit their fancy tomorrow morning Sam puts his fingers up and touches Gwen on the sholder. He's tall... For a halfling.