Inari could feel the excitement in the air the next day, and he was quickly caught up in it.
He impatiently waited for Ameiko to get back with whatever she wanted to talk to them about.
After a leisurely breakfast Yuki and Inari regroup with Talene and walk to the mayor’s office at the town hall. They are shown in to a cozy, bookish office. Francesca Brishon, the new mayor since the election a couple of years ago, is well-known for her love of books, and several cases of them around the office reflect it. A painted portrait on the wall might be mistaken for the mayor when she was younger, but anyone from town knows it is her twin sister, who died during the events around five years ago that are collectively referred to as "The Runewar”. Chairs have been brought in for each of the visitors. Sheriff Hemlock already occupies one of the four in front of the desk.
Mayor Brishon is very young for her office, only in her mid-twenties. Her reserved, thoughtful manner makes her seem older though. Her appearance does little to change the impression of early maturity. Mayor Brishon’s clothing is of quality but plain, and her sandy brown hair is kept in a no-nonsense single braid that goes most of the way down her back.
She had won the election due mostly to her great fame as one of the heroes of the Runewar, and her argument about it being time for a mayor who wasn’t from one of the Merchant’s Guild families. Her win was a narrow one, and at the time there was a great amount of tongue wagging about the “revolution” and what it would mean for Sandpoint’s future. As it turned out, almost nothing changed. The most radical thing she had done was last year, when it became clear Old Niska, Madame Mvashti, would not be around for much longer. Mayor Brishon changed the terms of the agreement on Madame Mvashti’s house. Rather than returning to the town upon her death, it would permanently remain the property of the Mvashti family. Titus Scarnetti tried to raise a stink over it, saying the mayor was reckless with the town’s property. But, nobody had any idea what Sandpoint would do with the old place if it was the town’s anyway. Besides, the Mvashti family was far more popular than the Scarnettis.
The mayor smiles warmly at her guests. ”And so we have a new crop of heroes in town. Please, take a seat. There’s coffee or tea if you like, help yourselves.” She gestures toward a silver service and set of porcelain cups on a side table.
When everyone is settled, Mayor Brishon asks ”please tell Sheriff Hemlock and me what happened in Brinestump Marsh.” Over the next hour the new town heroes recount the events that took place. Occasionally one of them asks a question, but the only one that remains just partially answered is the fate of the group of bounty hunters who left before them. While it is now known that Micawber Lewsome was killed by the Licktoad goblins, what happened to his companions Milly Swidger and Losburn remains unknown.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Brishon places two bags holding the bounty on her desk. ”You’ve quite a story to tell now, I hope the bounty you’ve earned will be equally satisfying. You have my thanks, and the gratitude of all Sandpoint. Well done.”
Back at the Rusty Dragon, the group finds Ameiko waiting for them. She’s set up a table and some chairs in a far corner of the tavern’s main room for some privacy. Although they’ve clearly seen her, she waves the three over eagerly.
”Sit, sit friends, we have a lot to talk about.” Her use of “friends” is a particular tell of Ameiko’s. Those who know her well know when she uses the word to directly address a person, she’s going to be asking something of them.
Ameiko still seems unusually energized, excited even. ”So, I was up most of the night doing some research. I couldn’t quite remember a few things and had to track them down.” She pats a small stack of books beside her on the table.
”All the things you found in the marsh; the ships, the chests of valuables, the terrifying samurai skeletons, it’s all amazing stuff. It really is interesting, and wonderful to see these things that were part of Yuki’s and my family’s past. But the letter, it really takes the cake. It explains why the ships went aground in the marsh and were lost. But it also contains clues to so much more!” Ameiko leans in conspiratorially. ”All sorts of things about our parents and grandparents. Maybe enough to figure out what kinds of skeletons they were hiding in their closets.” Ameiko eyes are absolutely twinkling.
”Listen to what I put together last night. The letter is from my grandfather to my father, obviously. And it’s both an apology and a warning, again obviously. Rokuro apologizes for not telling Lonjiku some great secret. He also warns Lonjiku to stay away from Brinewall if Rokuro doesn’t return to Magnamar. There are enemies who will be seeking him, again also obvious from the letter.”
”This is where my research comes in. The letter was written on 29 Desnus, 4687. I did some checking and a storm hit the Varisian coast three days later. A massive storm, it would easily have grounded the ships, which were sailing south with the letter. That explains why the ships and what they were carrying wound up where they did for you to find. Where it gets really intriguing is when you consider the other things that happened in 4687.”
Ameiko takes a moment for a deep breath, and to let the suspense build. ”Tsuto was born early in 4688" she says, giving everyone a knowing look. "Father told me Grandmother Anya killed herself after Rokuro died, in 4687. He didn’t say exactly when though. But we know he never saw Lonjiku again after writing the letter. Now the big one.” Ameiko is looking very proud of herself.
”Brinewall was destroyed during or immediately after a storm. Every living thing was slaughtered. That storm was the great storm of 4687. Within about three days of writing the letter, Rokuro died in that attack. Nobody knows what happened at Brinewall exactly, there were no surviving witnesses. Most hold it was Ulfen raiders that did it. But it doesn’t fit the typical Ulfen raid. Sure, Ulfen raiders will kill to get what they want or intimidate, but mass murder is different. I’m beginning to think the “enemies” Rokuro talks about in the letter found him there. He implies they wanted two things, to wipe out the family, and get whatever was inside that warding box. They failed to wipe us out. Did they get the warding box?”
”I can’t absolutely prove what I’ve just told you is true. But I aim to find out. It’s time for me to do some digging in the family dirt and see what I can learn. An old friend of mine who owns a caravan is due here in town in two or three days. I’m pretty confident I can sweet-talk him into making Brinewall his next destination.”
”I’m not a big enough fool to think I can go wandering around Brinewall by myself though. It’s notoriously haunted. Nobody ever goes there. You though my friends, you have proven yourselves very capable with these sorts of things. Will you come with me? I need a vacation, and I want to make it an adventure!”
"It's about bloody time!"
At this point, Correna pops up from behind the bar at this point, puts several empty glasses down and starts pouring cheap brandy into each.
"Sounds like an adventure to me too. Ameiko! You really need to start washing you bar-rags more often, hiding under that pile made me so nauseous I almost couldn't drink. Almost."
She then grabs one of the glasses and downs it in one go with a grimace.
"That's better...sort of. Sorry to listen in to all the family stuff, sounds like poor luck there. Anyway, when do we leave?"
At this point Correna smiles like a cat who ate a gold dragon, and enjoyed every minute of it. Then she pours herself another drink with a wink.
Inari grinned and nudged Talene with his elbow. "Told ya."
"I'm in."
Or perhaps a different small town chain of causation will come into play.
Ameiko starts when Correna pops up out of nowhere. Then she laughs. "Well I'm certainly not turning down volunteers. Welcome aboard Correna!"
"I heard something about a family meeting, and I couldn't help myself Ameiko after the tales of what happened got out. But if there are no hard feelings...then let's travel together! To the open road my friends: enemies to defeat, a haunted city, and available young men to seduce...I mean...MEET along the way."
Correna starts passing out the brandy-filled glasses.
"To adventure!"
"We must thank Desna as well,but for her guiding hand we'd not have made it out alive with such a story".
---
Tal shakes her head at Ameiko's statement, "That storm three days later is what Sabyl mentioned to me as well. The story certainly checks out".
Tal winks at Inari, "I'll never doubt you again. If we are to go on a grand adventure I will need to get approval from Father Abstalar. We also need to get that sword fixed and buy a few supplies for the journey! So much to d, so little time all of the sudden".
In the Mayors office, Yuki can't quite keep calm. There were only so many things her sister could mean to tell them, and she had very clearly stated her intention. The fact Ameiko had not shot down the idea then and there told her plenty.
As such, this visit was mostly a formality, little else, and the reward paled compared to the value Yuki placed in the heirlooms of her family. Still, she did the polite thing and made sure to pay attention and go along with expectations.
____________________
"Oh please! It was my idea to go, first of all. And secondly, obviously count me in! This is gonna be awesome! The Kaijitsu Sisters on a road trip!", Yuki poses, then turns to Correna, Inari and Talene with a grin, "Plus supporting cast, obviously! No kidding, we were a great team! And Ameiko and Correna will make things even better! Oh, I can't wait."
Excited like a little child, Yuki hugs Ameiko thankfully:"Should we try and get horses? A wagon? Should I go organize something? The sooner we get to depart, the sooner I get to have an adventure together with you!", her smile is a bitter-sweet one as she remembers the time she tried to follow Ameiko when still a toddler, armed with wooden sword and a pot lid - and Shalelu had saved her just in time before she made it to the woods.
A couple of days after the discussion about travelling to Brinewall, the caravan, which will (hopefully) provide transportation to the abandoned town, pulls into Sandpoint. As the caravaners begin establishing camp just outside of town across the river, the caravan master calls on Ameiko at the Rusty Dragon.
Sandru Vhiski, the caravan master, is no stranger to Sandpoint. He is among the several orphaned children Koya Mvashti has fostered throughout her life. He is Correna’s foster brother, but from much earlier. Sandru is approaching middle age, and their time with Koya did not overlap. Sandru is well-liked around town for his considerable charm and the excellent stories about life on the road he tells. He’s known as honest, but with finely honed bargaining skills.
(For those who are there to see it.)
When Sandru arrives at the Rusty Dragon, he and Ameiko greet each other warmly, with a long hug. Soon Ameiko has sequestered herself with Sandru in a back room, where they remain for a couple of hours. When they emerge, Ameiko is smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Sandu is harder to read, a mixture of indulgent amusement and concern perhaps.
After Sandru leaves Ameiko sneaks up behind Yuki and taps her on the shoulder. ”It took some talking, but we have a ride!”
Correna will comply with her foster mother's wishes, the aged woman deserving great respect for her raising Correna and many others over many years. Correna spends most of her time at the Rusty Dragon, or roaming outside of town looking for trouble, so is rarely at home on any regular basis most days.
She will arrive early to help with the preparations, her clothing spotless and her sword sharpened and oiled, but hanging by the front door as per the house rules.
Putting on a spotless, but old apron, Correna will begin to help by stirring up the fire, and using a slightly rusty, but sharp knife to trim and slice roots and vegetables for the meal to come. Normally Correna stays silent while her mother hums in the kitchen or speaks of deep thoughts, but Correna can't help bursting out first with her latest news.
"It is good to be home again mother-of-my-heart. I'm sorry to be away so much, but I feel the need to wander and to test myself! Must be my orcish blood again. My tutors taught me everything I might need to know about fighting and sorcery, but finding a good reason to fight? TO accomplish something useful? THAT has still eluded me...until now! Have you heard of Aimeko's new adventure? They...I...they are letting me participate! I will join the caravan with them and travel beyond! My first adventure awaits!"
Tal approaches the Father and asks to have a private meeting with him the next morning after the Kaijitsu announcement.
"I know that I have long been here, A stalwart even when my friends, the Godtouched, left the Cathedral. It seemed that my connection to Desna waned a bit as the powers I had received faded with the defeat of the Runelords.
I love it here, I always have, my heart will always be here.
But...
Ameiko and Yuki have asked me to accompany them on a trip to I suppose re-discover their family roots. I want very much to go. I ask your permission to do so as I do not want to leave you if you feel you need me. While my heart is here my mind wanders free and wishes to see the world in a way I never have before.
So, well, that's.. that's it".
She smiles and looks at her superior expectantly not sure of how he will react.
When Ameiko meets up with Sandru, Yuki eyes the long hug suspiciously. Getting, as part of the greeting, a pat on the head and her hair ruffled by Sandru as if he were family does not help put her at ease.
Yuki LIKED things as they were...with Ameiko running the dragon and Yuki living with her and working for her. If Ameiko ever decided to pursue a more permanent relationship with one of her suitors, everything would change...and she was all the family Yuki had left.
As such, the hours Ameiko sequesters herself in a back room with Sandru cause Yuki to both be excited for adventure and in a sour mood when she considers the bonding taking place between her sister and that charmer - (and, heaves forbid, the possibility they are more than friends).
Still lost in thought, Yuki does not notice Ameiko sneaking up to bring the news. Excitement wins over, at that moment: "Awesome! When do we leave?"
The dinner Koya wants help preparing is for her foster son Sandru, just arriving in town that day. They settle into their work, Correna chopping vegetables for a stew, and Koya getting bread ready to bake.
Koya is in good spirits. Sandru is no stranger to town, but he only added in his Sandpoint stops a few years ago, and prefers to winter in Magnimar, so Koya tends to see him less than most of her other children.
When Correna brings up her recent absences from home with an apology and tells Koya about her upcoming journey to Brinewall, Koya “tsks” her with amusement.
”It’s the natural way of things Correna. You’re not the first of my children I‘ve had this talk with. I’m not so old I don’t remember being young and wanting to see more of the world. I’m also far too young to need someone around to take care of me. You don’t need to apologize for anything. You won’t be rid of me that easily.”
”And yes, I already know about Ameiko’s plans, and your part in them. She’s wanting to take a caravan up to Brinewall. She’ll ask Sandru to be the one who takes her there. I have my sources around town” Koya adds slyly. ”Sandru will agree to do it. He’s always had a soft spot for her. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to hear about it from him this evening at dinner.”
Dinner is pleasant and intimate. Koya and Sandru catch up on recent events. Sandru tells of his summer travels to Korvosa and back. Koya weighs going ahead with or putting off some repairs to the mansion now that it’s permanently family property. Toward the end Sandru announces what Koya had expected. Ameiko has asked him to take her and some friends, including Correna, up to Brinewall.
”I was reluctant for several reasons” he says. ”It’s getting late in the year for travel that far north. Not a problem necessarily, but if the fall turns chilly and wet earlier than usual the trip could get unpleasant. I’ll also have to scramble to find an inventory I can sell in Riddleport. About half the distance to Brinewall is past Riddleport, and there’s precious little up on the northern edge of Varisia. I’ll have to make all my profit on the trip in Riddleport or I’ll be taking a hard loss at the very end of the season. But, Ameiko is going as a paying passenger, which will offset the risk some. Besides, it’s almost impossible to say no to Ameiko when she’s determined about something.”
Koya sees her opening and springs on it. ”You know Sandru, Desna always provides when a person chooses the right thing to do. You will have two paying passengers actually. I will be coming as well. Now that mother has passed on, it’s time for me to do something new. I’ve never regretted staying with mother these many years to care for her. Niska was extraordinary, one of a kind. But now I’m going to do some of the things I’ve always wanted for myself.”
”I always planned to see more of the world than I have so far. The time isn’t too far away when I’ll be too old for a long journey, so if I’m to take one it must be soon. I’ve consulted the Harrow and it shows I will travel soon. It must surely be this trip to Brinewall that I have been shown. After all, why would my dear son let his mother travel with others when she could do so with him?”
”Anyway, I’ve asked Bilivar Wheen to come pick up the caravan wagon from out back and start refurbishing it for travel. You’ll want to check in with him in the next couple of days to make sure he’s on top of it.”
At one point early on in Koya’s little speech Sandru opens his mouth as if to protest. He closes it without saying anything though. Finally, in the end, he answers only with ”Of course mother, I’ll check in with him to make sure he doesn’t miss anything.”
Koya looks over at Correna. ”I told you that you wouldn’t be rid of me so easily” she says with a satisfied smile.
Father Abstalar Zantus is silent for a few moments, but he smiles. ”Of course you should go. I have sometimes wondered why it has taken you so long to decide to expand your horizons. You will always have a place here if you want it, and we all appreciate your presence, and your service, greatly. But still water grows stagnant if left too long, and the house that is closed to fresh air becomes musty.”
”I envy you, and I should not be an example for you to follow. As you’re aware, my health is fragile. I chose sedentary service to the Song of the Spheres because it was my only option. I must content myself with occasional day hikes.”
Father Zantus’s expression grows serious, and perhaps slightly disappointed. ”We have discussed it before, and I cannot change your thinking to match my own. That said, I will tell you again that I believe you do not see your course as one of the godtouched in the worthy light you should. You were not alone among them in remaining in Sandpoint. All of you who did played a role just as vital as those who did not. If it was a war, as people now label it, it was one with more than a single front. Sandpoint was always a front line as well.”
”I was here for all of it too remember. You, Windsight, Gwyddym, were always more the adults among the godtouched. Each of you showed the maturity needed to take on the roles which did not seem so glamorous, but still had to be done. Don’t be fooled by the attention the others received from regular folk into thinking otherwise. And don’t believe Desna’s view of you is similarly shallow.”
”All of the marks faded away at the same time, not just yours. I think each of the godtouched was loaned a tool in order to complete a task. When that task was completed, and it was by all of you, the tools returned to their owners. If you feel your connection to Desna is somehow diminished, I advise you to look elsewhere for the reason.”
Father Zantus rises from his worktable. ”I should be on my way to the storerooms now, it’s time for the monthly inventory. Please come to say goodbye before you depart. If the opportunity presents itself, do send a letter or two if you will. I would greatly enjoy reading about your travels.”
Koya looks over at Correna. ”I told you that you wouldn’t be rid of me so easily” she says with a satisfied smile....
Correna has the same reaction as Sandru at first, her orcish tusks very prominent when she leaves her mouth gaping open.
"Mother...I..."
She stops suddenly and smiles broadly.
"THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!"
Oh dear. That's it for the 'me meeting new guys' idea.
”Sandru figures it will take a week or so to get ready. He wasn’t planning for the extra travel” she adds waggishly.
Ameiko begins rattling off lists of things that need to get done before departing to Yuki.
”He has some small repairs to wagons to take care of. He’ll also need to lay in new supplies and find a cargo to sell off in Riddleport. I’m buying a caravan wagon, and the addition to the train will require a couple of extra hands to be hired on.”
”I’ll have plenty to take care of myself before leaving. Travelling to Brinewall and back will take between 2 and 3 months depending on weather and how long we stay there. Bethana will running the Rusty Dragon while we’re gone, so I’ll need to make sure she’s ready. That’ll take some managing, you know how nervous she can get about things.”
”Within the next couple of days you and your friends will need to have a talk with Sandru to figure out what you can help with on the journey. He’d like to keep his hiring to a minimum so he wants to know what caravan jobs you all might be able to fill.”
Koya sees right through Correna's enthusiasm.
"We should get something straight right now. This is a pleasure trip for me. A little present to myself. I certainly will not be running around after you trying to mind what you're doing. You're welcome to stay in my wagon if you want, but otherwise your affairs are your own."
Glad her greenish skin hides her blushing, Correna brushes off the woman's words.
"MOTHER!! You need not worry. I won't be hovering over you, making sure you drink your evening tea...or other stuff."
She then steps behind the older woman and mouths silently at Sandru:
'Try to convince her to stay!'
"Ok, so we'll be having a Wagon of our own? That makes things easier since we can take anything with us we might need."
Yuki makes a list of all her stuff and items she would consider bringing along...surprisingly, that list was rather short...much of the everyday items she made use of were actually inventory of the Dragon.
Most of what she came up with, in the end, was vanity items. A few sets of clothing, stuff for personal hygiene...all the better to have the privacy of a wagon, then.
"I'll make sure to have a talk with Sandru, but I figure I can do pretty much anything he needs me to. I'm so glad to be going I'd clean the nightspots if that's what it takes!", Yuki references her least favorite duty at the Rusty Dragon.
"I'll also need to say goodbye at the House of Blue Stone, and to the others. 2 to 3 months...it could be an early winter by then! That seems so far of..."
Of course, she had been gone longer than that, during her time in Magnimar...but when she returned, everything in Sandpoint had changed - with that memory, there was a little anxiety mixed in with Yuki's excitement.
"Anything you need me to do, tell me. I can help keep Bethana calm if nothing else-, Yuki smiles.
Talene holds back tears of joy as Father Zantus agrees that it is time for her to spread her wings, "Thank you Father. I will do my best to write as much as I can.
It's not that I am jealous of their attention as much as I regret not having been there to make a difference. You are right, I did make a difference and I suppose I just lament the lost experiences more so than the difference I have made here. The people I have aided and befriended here in Sandpoint will always be near my heart.
I promise I will try to say goodbye one more time before I go". She gives Zantus a hug and a kiss on the cheek and rushes to the Rusty Dragon as if she were just a young girl.
She waves and smiles at those she sees in the streets and bursts through the doors of teh Dragon like her hair is on fire.
"Ameiko. Yuki. Great news!"
"Mother of my heart...you really need to do this? Now? OK. I will support you. You MUST promise me and Sandru that you WILL ask for help if you need it. You are not a spring faun anymore! We could not live with ourselves if you were not to make it back safely!"
Remaining calm outwardly, Correna is silently cursing inside and wondering what god or gods hated her this much...
Inari didn't have anyone to say goodbye to. The people he knew best and cared about where all coming along.
He busied himself by introducing himself to Shandru and asking if there was anything he could do to help with preparation. He also spent two days finally fixing the roof of the Rusty Dragon. When Talene came in, he'd just climbed down to clean up.
"What is it, Talene?"
She turns to Inari and hugs him, dirt and all, "I can go. I'm free to go with you all!"
Inari was surprised at the hug, but was only stiff for an eyeblink before he returned it with the same easy adaptability that he did everything. "I never doubted," he grinned.
"Bring your earplugs. Apparently we're going to be sharing a wagon, and Yuki snores like three congested bears." he teased.
Koya can tell Correna's concerns are not completely genuine. She might have her guesses about why, but she's growing tired of games. Her voice no longer sounds indulgent toward Correna as it did before.
"Correna, you act as if I've never traveled with a caravan before. Incredible as it sounds, I was actually young once myself. I may not have traveled as much or as far as I might have preferred, but I can tell you that I certainly do know more about what's involved than you."
Koya looks over at Sandru. "What do you think Sandru? Do you see any difficulties with me coming along?"
Sandru answers tersely, it's clear he doesn't want to get mixed up on whatever is brewing at the table, and he's more than willing to hang Correna out to dry.
"No mother, it will be no problem at all."
Koya turns back to Corrana victoriously. "There. It's settled, as if it needed to be. I can take care of myself quite well enough thank you. In fact, so there's no chance I might somehow burden you, I think it is a good idea for you to find your own accommodations elsewhere in the caravan. Unless it turns out you need to stay with me because there is no space elsewhere. You may let me know if that is the case."
"Now, I would like to catch up some more with Sandru. Clear the table and do the dishes please."
Downcast, Correna nods.
"Yes mother."
Correna does as she was asked, and keeps her opinions to herself the remainder of the time there.
In the late afternoon three days after the caravan’s arrival, a scruffy blonde elven woman walks into the Rusty Dragon. Shalelu Andosana goes to the bar and asks for watered-down ale. When it comes, she takes it and walks straight into the back kitchen without asking permission.
Some while later Shalelu comes back with Ameiko, chatting. Ameiko refills her drink, and returns to the kitchen. Shalelu nurses her drink for a few minutes, seeming deep in thought. Then she notices Inari and Talene when she comes to give Inari her news. Shalelu saunters over to them, saying “hello”.
As well as Inari can remember from several months before, she is wearing exactly the same clothes she wore the last time he saw her. Though perhaps there are a few more mends and patches now.
”So you’re both part of the Ameiko’s crew going to Brinewall eh?” Shalelu’s voice is soft and even. Not monotone, but it conveys very little of what she might think behind her words.
”I’ve been recruited too. Ameiko sent me a message telling me she needed me in Sandpoint immediately. ‘An emergency’ she called it. Would have been nice of her to elaborate just a little. I busted ass two days and nights to get here.” Shalelu sighs. ”Ameiko does like her drama though no?”
”There’s a dinner here tonight for everyone who’s going. Supposed to be a combination of a planning session and a meet and greet. Should be interesting.” She does emphasize the last word.
”I’m going to get a little rest first. See you then.”
With that she goes upstairs to her traditional room.
"It's good to see you, Shalelu," Inari said. There was soemthing different in Inari's voice when he spoke to her that wasn't really there. A sort of gravity. His good nature was still there, but his usual flippant humor and attitude was not. It was clear that for whatever reason, she was not something to be joked about. "I'm glad you're coming with us. That relieves some of my concerns." If he'd had any concerns, he hadn't given them voice.
"Let me know if you need anything," he said as she went upstairs. He knew she wouldn't. She wasn't the sort to ask others for anything she could do herself. Still, he offered.
He glanced around at the others after Shalelu had left, noticing the funny looks they were giving him. {b]"What?"[/b]
Tal grins at Shelelu, "Glad to have you with us".
That evening all of the caravan’s members gather for a dinner at the Rusty Dragon. Sandru brings his team with him as well. Two brothers, Harman and Yanor, and a woman named Stela are his drivers. A woman in her late thirties by the name of Catia cooks for the caravan. Kerey, an old friend of Sandru’s from Magnimar is a guard, and when needed a wainwright. All of them are very Varisian.
The meal is a merry one, and the excitement for the journey is palpable. Amidst it all Sandru makes rounds, eventually chatting with all of the new members to find out about their aptitudes and how those may fit into the caravan’s labor needs.
Amid a few toasts, and a short speech by Ameiko thanking everyone for their willingness to help her satisfy her ”whim” as she self-deprecatingly describes her desire to visit Brinewall, Sandru also briefly explains to the group the route the caravan will take.
”The first leg of route will follow the Kaspakari, the Lost Coast Road. From here it will take us to Galduria on Ember Lake. From Galduria we will take the Cinder Road along Ember Lake through Wolf’s Ear, and then cut across the northeastern reach of the Churlwood and on to Roderick’s Cove. “
”Given the time of year we’re starting, we’ll bypass Riddleport and take a shorter road along the southern edge of the Stony Mountains onto the Velashu Uplands. It’s straight north across the uplands to Brinewall. If we keep good time and all goes well, we will be able to make the journey there and back to Sandpoint before any snows start falling.”
"Snow huh? Better be prepared then."
Correna makes a mental shopping list for some basic cold weather gear.
Inari was was flat out terrible at noticing what was going on around him.
He did a little last minute shopping and swapped his summer weather clothes for winter, and was ready to leave within an hour.
As soon as she is able, Correna goes out to buy some Cold Weather Gear and a small trunk for storage of items like this.
Within a couple more days Sandru has hired two more drivers and purchased goods for trade along the way. The the addition of Ameiko's and Koya's wagons the caravan has grown to a total of six vehicles.
On the morning the caravan pulls out and begins to roll away from Sandpoint, Sandru's wagon takes the lead with another of his wagons following. Ameiko's and Koya's wagons take the middle positions while Sandru's two remaining wagons bring up the rear.
The journey to Galduria, on Ember Lake, takes five days. It is surprising to those who have not traveled by caravan before just how slow the caravan's progress is. The wagons are pulled by oxen, not known for their speed but strong and reliable for long hauls. It is not difficult to walk along with the caravan if one keeps a rapid pace, and people regularly jog from one wagon to another while the caravan is traveling.
The weather is pleasantly warm during the day, with only a hint of chill at night to suggest summer is giving way to autumn. The journey to Galduria is easy. The Lost Coast Road is well-traveled, and not a day goes by without the caravan encountering fellow travelers at least once.
The caravan has a routine. The newcomers to it quickly realize Sandru is not only an experienced and efficient manager, the caravan is very much his home, and its members are family, or at least guests. With guidance from the more experienced members of the team, the newcomers integrate into the caravan's workings without any difficulty.
Yuki assists Catia in preparing and serving the two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Considering the camp-like conditions, the food is quite good. Lunch is catch as catch can, the caravan can't afford a midday stop for it. Catia does usually make hand pies or something of the like for the midday, sometimes there are some leftovers, and of course trail rations are easy to eat on the go. It doesn't take long for Yuki to understand that Catia is queen of her realm. While she isn't unpleasant, her orders are to be followed.
Inari shares guard responsibilities with Kerey, and others sometimes pitch in as well if they have nothing better to do. The only difficult part of guard shifts is the overnight watch. which is traded around among them. Shalelu also takes night watch occasionally so the others can catch up on sleep.
If Correna thought her position as scout would partner her with Shalelu, she is mostly wrong. Correna's job mostly involves riding one of the two horses ahead and behind the caravan to keep an eye out for trouble before it arrives. Shalelu, the guide, tends to wander farther out on foot, sometimes overnight, and coming back to consult with Sandru. Correna spends more time with Ameiko, who is fond of taking the other horse out with her to pass the time.
Talene finds herself mostly just riding along with the caravan throughout the day. There are no mishaps and her skills as a healer are not required. Koya's preferred way of spending the day is to ride up with her wagon's driver, watching the scenery.
Galduria could easily remind one of Sandpoint if one wasn't intimately familiar with the towns. Galduria is slightly larger, but not by much. Like Sandpoint Galduria sits by the water, and it's docks ship lumber, agricultural goods, and fish. Rather than a Cathedral, the Twilight Academy is Galuria's seat of learning, and another source of prosperity. The arcane college is among the very finest in all of Varisia, and lends the town a cultural depth beyond its size.
Correna will love spending more time with Ameiko, who loves listening to her stories of old adventures and bar-room brawls.
Once they get to Galduria, she will squint at the Twilight academy and comment to anyone nearby, especially Ameiko.
"All of my tutors graduated from there. Not much for adventuring, most of them, but they knew their arcana! I hear their Library is the best in Varisia. I wonder if they let anyone do research there..."
Correna is a little disappointed to find Ameiko has little to tell her about her younger days of adventure beyond the well-curated tales she (and everyone else at the Rusty Dragon) have heard many times before. Still she tells them well, and they are certainly still entertaining.
Unfortunately Correna finds the Twilight Academy’s library is open only to students, faculty, and designated guests.
The caravan remains camped on the outskirts of Galduria for an extra day. Much of the cargo Sandru loaded for the journey is casks of Two Knights ale, which he knows will sell readily in the settlements along Ember Lake. He spends the sedentary day on trade with the taverns in Galduria, leaving everyone else with a mostly leisurely day.
Early the next morning the caravan breaks camp and moves on north, along Ember Lake toward Wolf’s Ear. The road is a little less traveled than the one between Sandpoint and Galduria, but the caravan is still in the heart of civilized Varisia. The two days to Wolf’s Ear are uneventful except for the occasional fellow travelers on the road.
Wolf’s Ear sits at the mouth of the Lampblack River where it flows into Ember Lake. As the caravan crosses the bridge across the river, it is obvious Wolf’s Ear is a much smaller settlement than Galduria. It is a village built around agriculture, with a few services like stores and taverns to meet the needs of local farmers. There is time the same day for Sandru to offload the few remaining kegs of ale at the tavern interested in them, and the caravan moves on the next morning. Nobody is disappointed. Wolf’s Ear seems a sleepy place, and lacks Galduria’s welcoming feel.
Those members of the caravan who have never traveled so far north before notice a change in the more experienced caravaners after Wolf’s Ear. They are less relaxed, more watchful. Both Sandru and Shalelu stress vigilance to the novice travelers. The Churlwood comes right up to the banks of the other side of the Lampblack River. Both describe the forest as a refuge for bandits, as well as dangerous beasts. The forest looks intimidating from across the river, dense, old, and huge.
Whether by luck or because the caravan is too large and alert to be easy pickings, the next four days pass without incident. The caravan has come to a fork in the road. One way leads on north, the other crosses a bridge and proceeds into the northern part of the Churlwood. That evening in camp, the two new drivers hired in Sandpoint, Remus and Calin, voice their unhappiness with Sandru’s intention to take the route into the forest, wanting instead to continue north. Sandru is adamant though. He explains the road north goes through the village of Ravenmoor. He describes the people of Ravenmoor as “strange”, and says an ominous feeling hangs on the village. Outsiders are not wanted there, and after his last time passing through the place he is determined to never visit it again. Sandru’s old crew stands by their boss and his decision, so the new drivers are overruled.
The next morning the caravan crosses the bridge into the forest. The road is little more than a track, and movement is slower, but the first day passes without anything more than the sounds of birds and animals to disturb the travelers.
In the late morning on the second day as she rides out ahead of the caravan, Correna notices something odd. The forest has gone quiet. She no longer hears birds, or anything else for that matter. This puts her on her guard. As she continues riding on full alert, it is not long before she spots something just off the road in the forest. Her cautious investigation discovers it is the body of a man. He is perhaps in his thirties, neither young nor old. His clothes are those of a traveler or maybe woodsman, and his few mundane possessions are still on the body. However if he had a weapon other than a dagger, she cannot find it. The body has several wounds. Correna’s lack of expertise leaves her uncertain, but she believes the wounds are mostly from claws, while one at least seems to be the work of a blade.
Worried she might suddenly become hunted herself, Correna immediately moves back to her horse and attempts to ride back to the caravan as soon as possible without breaking her neck or her horse's leg.
It's clear to Correna the man has been dead for more than a few hours at the least, but she can't tell much more. His body has stiffened some, so taking him anywhere would be a chore.
She also notices no disturbance on the ground between the man and the road. On the other hand, she sees evidence of a large quadruped, possibly a bear, and at least two bipeds extending back into the forest. It seems the man was not on the road or leaving it, but coming toward the road from deeper into the forest.
The forest remains strangely silent as she remounts her horse and turns back to the caravan. She doesn't see or hear anything suggesting she is being watched or is in immediate danger.
Dismounting back at the caravan, Correna pulls her scraggly black orcish hair back into a sweaty top-knot as she approaches Sandru. Giving him the basics of what she found, she continues.
"Doesn't look bad, just damn odd. This dead man was obviously moving to the road, and two men with a bear-like quadruped attacked him. Is this a sign of bandit activity? I can't say brother. Maybe Shalelu can take a look at the scene and determine something more than I can. The man appeared to be in decent health before the attack and dressed appropriately for someone traveling in the forest. If you ask me...maybe a bandit giving up on the life? Trying to leave and the rest hunted him down and took him out for trying to sneak away? I hope its safe enough, but I'm worried what this all means for us. This caravan is just too slow if we get ambushed on this narrow road."
Yuki does quite enjoy her new assignment. She was used to both kitchen work and to following orders - she knew her place, and had no intent to challenge the authority of Catia over her kitchen.
Instead, she used spare time during the stops to roam the inmediate vicinity of the caravan for herbs, berries and mushrooms, to add to the menu.
When she pitches in with guard duties, it's both a curse and a blessing. Not used to life outside the city, Yuki is not quite aware that in the wilderness it's a whole lot more serious business being a guard than in cities.
She is light-hearted and easy-going, keeping the spirits up - but at the same time, potentially distracting others and only doing a half-decent job herself.
When she has no duties or during the days when not cooking, she spends her time with Ameiko. Her sister always made sure she had some time for her - but she was a businesswoman as well. Now? They had basically all day to talk, play, and come up with new songs and music, the better of which they played and performed for entertainment in the evenings.
Sandru, driving the lead wagon, can tell by Correna's demeanor as she rides back something is amiss. He calls for the caravan to halt, and climbs down from the wagon to meet her.
When Correna describes her discovery up the road, he gathers Shalelu and Ameiko for a consultation. An agreement is quickly reached on what to do. Correna will gather up her friends and go back with Shalelu to take a better look around. The caravan will give the scouts an hour's lead then proceed.
While Correna and her friends investigate further and act as an armed screen between whatever might be a problem and the caravan, Shalelu will keep an eye on the road and rejoin the caravan when it passes through. The caravan will continue on to a place about five miles farther down the road, where it will stop to set up camp for the night. When the scouts are ready, they will rejoin the caravan where it's camped.
When the group plus Shalelu arrive back at the place where she discovered the body, it does not seem to Correna that anything has changed since she left...
Correna glances around and points.
"The tracks come from further in the woods. I worry I've missed something here. Shalelu? Any advice? Can you see something I'm missing?"
Correna's bluster and bravado seems to have cooled a bit, worry evident on her face.
"Oh my...are those the bear tracks? They look large..."
Looking at the treeline, then back at the body, Yuki suggests:"Maybe he did something corrupting the forest, and some druid and his pet went and punished him?"
In a voice that makes perfectly clear that 'someone' excludes herself, she continues:"Someone could take a look, see if his possessions provide any more hints...I mean, it's not like we should let him rot there, either. Should we bury him next to the road or something?"