Udoeak sighs. Goblins aren't the only monsters, you know. There are those of your own kind, and mine, and any of a number of others, who could, and do, do far worse things than these could. And yet, they walk free for years, doing as they please in most cases. Why should some get to live, while others are slaughtered on sight? Or more accurately, I suppose, why are some slaughtered while others are allowed to live, and sometimes even the chance to reform?
Udoeak holds the bridge of his nose, squinting as though trying to think, or maybe get rid of a headache. He releases, looking back up to Imon."I do think that they ought to be given a chance. If a reformation is successful, they could even be useful, gathering information where it would be difficult for those of the civilized peoples to go, but I have nothing further to say on the matter.
"That which one takes pleasure in is no burden at all," observes Anwel sadly. Strictly speaking, both Imon and Warren had presented themselves as telling unpleasant truths rather than reveling in the prospect of more death. Still, let them deny it. "But as Imon points out, the main problem in transporting the prisoners is logistical. Fortunately, this problem is not insoluble. It only requires a little thought." Anwel remembers his first steps onto the wharf of Nisroch, how the chattel-to-be had been bound and led to the pens. They have no manacles or chains out here, but maybe what they do have can be made to serve.
"First," says Anwel, "it must be remembered that Andrei has a pack mule as well as a horse. Remove the goods from its back, tie its muzzle to the reins of Andrei's horse, and have Vrag ride, his hands bound together and his feet to the animal. The goods the mule carried can go in the cart. One goblin, bound hand and foot, and mouth if it makes everyone feel better, can ride in the cart with the goods, and one on Lairochal with me. This plan will preserve our speed and make collusion for escape very difficult." Escape, of course, is not Imon's biggest concern. "We can prevent violence by positioning the prisoners smartly. Andrei can ride at the front of the group, so that Vrag is in full view of everybody. He can be flanked by two riders, say, Gorax and Warren. I can ride behind him, towing the cart, and can be surrounded by, say, Imon, Stellan, and Udo. Should we need to dismount and fight, Thad and Tam will make fine guards." Anwel looks at Andrei. "Is this an acceptable alternative?"
..|AA|
Go|Vr|WK
TT|AL|Ta
IT|cc|SV
..|UD|
We can spread out more than this if the trail widens. I just drew the diagram this way for simplicity's sake.
Wonder of wonders, this discussion has actually been productive. There are two workable, practical plans of action for Andrei to consider: execute the goblins now, and Vrag when he is of no more use, or transport them all in convoy. Anwel feels confident in his plan. Now that all he has to do is wait for a decision, Anwel can turn to more personal matters. He drops the connection to Andrei and Stellan, and begins one with Gorax and Udo.
"Udo, I feel we need to talk at some length. I believe Stellan briefed you yesterday, about me and Natala, but I would like to hear your thoughts for myself. Perhaps we can take watch together when next we camp?"
Imon rolled his eyes and watched Anwel with something close to disdain. "Enough of this nonsense, I've grown tired of your political games. I was under the impression that we came here to make this place safe for settling, not take sides in how to deal with our foes! He paused for a moment, realizing he'd allowed his voice to rise too high. Once he calmed down, he added, "I understand your situation, the trouble you find yourself in. I'm willing to overlook the security risk that you pose becasue your only sin was keeping it from the rest of us. What I do not understand is your willingness to extend your trust to those most undeserving of it, up to and including our foes who were trying to kill us as recently as several hours ago. It is grand that you have a solution to this logistical problem we face right now, but what about later, when it is not two goblins and a bugbear, but an entire tribe of slavers, cannibals, and gods know what else? I ask becasue I don't see this charitable spirit of yours being restrained by the reality of what we face."
He quickly turned to Udo and added, "And yes, I'm well aware of the monsters among my own kind. I came here to get away from that. If the law will not lift a finger to stop the worst offenders, then I figured I would go somewhere without law, so that I would not be constrained by it in seeking justice."
"So much for tenderness," says Anwel laconically. "I know not what you mean by 'political games'. I have presented a plan for Andrei's consideration. So have you and Warren. What he decides is out of our hands. He needs quiet to weigh the options before him, and I wanted to talk about other matters, so I chose to do so quietly, with the technique you taught me to use.
"Frankly," Anwel frowns, his eyes narrowing, "those matters are personal, not political. I should be offended at your spying. That I am not speaks to the offensiveness of this whole discussion from beginning to end. You know my position on open war with the Bone Ravens, and in the interest of keeping quiet for Andrei to think, I will not restate it." Anwel crosses his arms, clearly done with this conversation. It will take a great effort to engage him again.
Warren can only shake his head at Anwel's words and reply:
"The plan is for my consideration, so you are mistaken there. In calling Imon a spy you have crossed another line and my known limits of hypocrisy! You fail to mention keeping these goblins serve the goals of your mistress. Anwel, stop manipulating every person and situation."
So much for his resolve not to continue with the conversation. But if Andrei is not the one he must convince, but Warren, then the stakes are higher. Anwel is far from sure this matter is within Warren's jurisdiction, but if that is the case then Stellan or Andre can step in themselves, without Anwel tainting their interventions. "If you wish to consider the plan, Warren, then do so," says Anwel, "without prejudice against its subjects or the one who proposed it, but simply on its merits. You know I am willing to accept liability for its outcome. I believe it prevents both escape and violence, and preserves speed. Do you?" Anwel casts his eyes towards the sky. This is going to get him into trouble with somebody. At least two gods, possibly three, and their servants, including "Natala", will be offended if they hear and care. "As for my mistress, who are we to go against Lissala's wishes?" His eyes flick over to the goblins in an effort to remind Warren that they believe he is a blackrobe, a cultist of Lissala. Hopefully the other great powers that might be watching catch the gesture and its meaning too, and hopefully Lissala really is dead. Then he drops the communication spell and switches targets again.
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"Thank you Stellan, I appreciate your skills in dealing with my wounds. Indeed they seem to have almost disappeared, you a great healer indeed." Gorax moves his hands over his quickly gone injuries, quite taken aback by the wonder of it all.
...
With his belly full and the morning in full swing...
Gorax gets his mount ready, the thought of guard duty one which he feels he can handle. Indeed a smile crosses his lips, as he takes his place as the protector. The day does indeed seem brighter, he seems to bounce around with a new found jump in his steps. He smooths his rough and untidy hair, though it does little to remedy the wildness, he certainly seems pleased with the results. "Ready for whatever we cross." he beams.
Full HPs = 24.
"You're quite welcome, Gorax, it's what I do, and like to do.'
As part of the the grand meeting:
Perception
Stellan is looking weary of all the talk as well. "I'm not arguing so much for them as for you. Attack a camp that, at that time, had done nothing to you, then slaughter the captives when convenient is the easy way out. That will not end well. I say it risks little to let them flee, if we see them again, then do as you will with them. We need Vrag for now to do what we must, then keep the bargain made. It's good, it's honorable, and it sets the tone for the way we can work here. And by the way I would say this with no urging by anyone, I'm not easy to manipulate, I always say what I think, I'm considered irrepressible. But I'm done now, do as you will; we need to go and get the 'package' now before more troubles arise."
At Warren's words, concerning Anwel's hypocrisy and such, Udoeak gets flustered. "Calling Imon a spy? Hypocrisy? I suppose, then, that I am a spy too, for I have known similar circumstances. What our lives give us is not under our control, but the way we live it means all in the world. Do you really think that, if Anwel were a spy, he would divulge the information so easily? Do you really think that, if Anwel were a spy, he would be sent here of all places, to gather useful information on enemies? Do you really think that, if Anwel were a spy, he would have leave "companions," who knew of his ties, alive during the night? His being a spy makes no more sense to me than if I were branded the same."
Udoeak manages to keep his voice down for this, although he is still quite flustered, with a look of anger seldom seen in his eyes. "The largest difference between he and I is that my bonds have been broken, while his hold fast. Something that needs to be changed, and will be changed, for that matter. I stand beside him, and if his plan is taken, and fails, I will take whatever punishment be placed upon him twofold.
"If we follow Anwel's plan and it fails, there will be no punishment for anyone, save that we will die forgotten out here, at the hands of a bugbear and two goblins. I would not be making such an issue of this if the consequences were less than that. And as for accusations of spying, He added, turning his gaze back to Anwel, "Are you aware that that spell you are using to thank those who take your side does not still your tongue? I was not spying on you, I daresay I don't have the means to do so, I heard you. From here on out, I would prefer that we all assume that those who agree with us are doing so because their conscience compels them, and so resist the urge to thank them for their support."
Imon noticed that he seemed to be loosing the debate yet again, though he couldn't help but smile at the realization that Anwel hadn't denied believing Imon to be a sadist. Well that said it all didn't it? He looked over the members of the group that were involved and added, "This is all irrelevant anyway, it doesn't matter if you agree with Anwel because you pity him, or think he's right, or because you think I'm a monster. What matters is if you believe that you can trust Vrag and the goblins with your life, and the lives of any future settlers we are clearing the way for. If you can say yes to that, then I suppose nothing else I say makes a difference either."
"The plan does not involve trusting Vrag and the goblins, Imon," says Anwel, sighing a little. "The goblin on the cart will be bound hand and foot. The one riding with me will have his hands bound together and his ankles bound to Lairochal. Vrag's wrists will be bound together, and his ankles to the mule. None of the three seem to have the mental fortitude or training to move so much as a dagger with their minds. All three will be surrounded by watchful eyes and ready blades. That is not trust," he concludes, sounding exasperated. "That is reasonable security for prisoners.
"As for spying," says Anwel, "I will admit I spoke harshly. As I said, I find this discussion offensive and I let my temper get the better of me. I apologize. Perhaps I should owe you the same favor I owe Gorax for my harsh words last night, as long as it will not involve harming anyone else. Perhaps, too, I misremember how the spell works. The last time I used it before today was many decades ago. The way I understand it, one can only hear the words whispered into the spell if one is the target, if the source speech is magnified into audibility, spell or no, or if one is concertedly trying to do so . Is this correct?
"Regardless," he continues, "I have no idea why you would object to my being polite. Even if you did, I tried my best to be unobtrusive about it! You already know I can be insulting and offensive, but I really do not wish to be, and I look to express gratitude where I can to make up for it. Speaking of which," he says, turning to Udo, "thank you for your very generous offer." He will explain how generous later, on watch, since apparently the communication spell is not as secure as he had thought. His voice is firm and assertive. Though still high-pitched, it seems to come from the bottom of Anwel's chest rather than the top of his throat. "Though I would strongly urge you to reconsider until you know precisely what you are offering. And thank you as well for your moral support. It makes me feel better to know that someone shares my principles, and good feelings are rare enough for me these days to warrant comment." He turns back to Imon. "Is what I mean by 'support' plain?"
Udoeak notices something as some needles drop down, and looks up, grabbing for his sword as he realizes something is amiss.
"Well, do we agree that the goblins are my decision?"
Perception
Stellan sighs at Warren statement and says, "Yes, I do, and the consequences for years to come will be born by everyone, like it or not, the burden will not be yours alone."
"We agreed that Stellan would settle jurisdictional disputes," sighs Anwel. "He has made his decision: prisoners are your responsibility. Now I suppose you must make yours. Choose wisely." He would be very surprised to discover that the druid's mind is not already made up, but there is a slim possibility that the others' words have had a small effect on him. He turns away from the whole business just in time to see Udo grab his sword.
"Is something the matter, Udo?" he says.
Warren packs up camp and nods at Stellan: "OK, we move straight to the Seed. The goblins will be gagged and blindfolded under the watch of Tams and I. At just past midday, we release the goblins and point them toward home. And we will bear the consequences of a compromise solution."
Warren is obviously somewhat dissatisfied.
These needles shouldn't be falling without provocation. The air is still, and while needles have been falling through the night and morning, it has only been while wind has been blowing.
"Groga bann tirar," reasons Anwel, dropping his voice to match Udo's and adopting the elven tongue. That could be a problem. No doubt there are small animals up in the trees, but their scurryings would not cause needles to drop. That would take something bigger, and, being bigger, that something would have to be invisible to avoid being spotted. Anwel's first thought is of invisible spider-riders, but Bone Ravens would have attacked already to free the prisoners, and they could not make their spiders invisible with potions - the most likely way to generate invisible goblins - anyway. Thad had mentioned meeting fey, grigs he had called them...could they become invisible?
Udo nods, sitting back where he was, resting both hands on the hilt of his sword. This time, he responds in the language shared between them, and maybe others.
Although amused at the falling needles, Warren gets the goblins moving fully secured.
"We go."
Imon nocked the arrow again as he looked up in the direction that Udo was watching. He was about to address the unseen watcher, inviting them to come down and either fight or speak, but saw Warren ordering the beasts up as he opened his mouth. He decided that moving on was probably a better idea, considering what might be out here, and so remained silent.
"We shall just have to conduct ourselves as though we are being watched and judged," shrugs Anwel, pulling Jink with him onto his horse. He can hear the other goblin being settled into the cart. "It would appear we have made an excellent start," he says, flashing a smile at Warren as the latter triple-checked the goblin's bonds.
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"We're being watched?" asked Gorax to anyone in general, there is a look of resignation, that once again he had been too wrapped up in his own world to notice. "Where are they?" He looks around, but sees nothing up in the trees, save a couple of squirrels running along a bough. He puts any pine leaves falling down to their movements and games in the trees.
He holds tightly to his reigns on the horse, still not really comfortable with this riding thing. But he supposes one ache in the rear, is better than a whole more lot of aches from walking, sore toes and feet, horses are sort of better.
Gorax mainly follows the others, watching the antics of the captives closely, as much as his attention will allow.
Stellan nods at Warren's compromise and starts to make ready. He notes that Udo and others are talking about being watched because some nettles fell from the tree with a wind.
Stellan looks up at the tree, trying to tell what might be there.
Perception
"Interesting, I cannot see it but it moved through the tree that way, and is laughing, a tiny voice though, it's rather small I think. Given the tales of these lands, I'd guess one of the smaller fae. Wish I had a gift to offer, I'd like a another friend in these lands."
The goblins seem relatively docile as you bundle them up and load them onto the skid. Having remained silent throughout the earlier debate about himself and the goblins, the bugbear continues to watch, listen, and think as the party finally starts to get under way. He says nothing as a horse is brought up for him to ride or when everyone starts to watch the trees as Udoeak notices the signs of a possible intruder.
When asked the quickest way to Arrowhead Butte, Vrag points to the smaller trail leading north, which just happens to be the same direction Stellan heard the mysterious intruder going.
"Thad's grigs are small and can become invisible," offers Anwel as they start the morning's trek. He seems positively tickled at the prospect of meeting them, though he hopes they do not show themselves til the Sowers pass this way again, returning from Arrowhead Butte. It would not do to have the fey believe what Vrag believes about them. Vrag's delusion, however, might be an acceptable price to pay for their friendship.
"A number of small fey probably share that ability, though," he temporizes. "As for gifts, loan me a ration each when we make camp for the night and I will make us the sweetest gifts they have ever received." He flourishes with his fingers to show that he means to magick the hardtack into sweetmeats, or near enough.
Andrei rides ignoring their captives apart from a firm grip on his mule's lead rope. He seems uncharacteristically quiet while he scans the path ahead and the trees for trouble.
You heard it going? I lost it after I saw sign of it. In any case, we'll just have to keep an eye out.
Udoeak keeps to himself on the trek, watching intently for anything that might threaten him or the others, one hand always kept on his longsword.
Warren lets Anwel know that both goblins will be bound, gagged, and restrained in the cart where the can be watched together. He has Tam watch the prisoners while he stays with Vrag and Tuney scouts ahead. Warren checks on the prisoners every hour until their appointed release time at an hour past midday.
Warren attempts to have Vrag explain the way they will be going so he can visualize the terrain and in his head. He asks Vrag about the terrain they will be passing through and possible ambush sites.
Vrag shrugs his shoulders at Warren's question and then answers in a casual tone.
"We follow a series of trails that will take us generally west and a bit south from here into the hills. As for possible ambushes..." He pauses to offer the druid another shrug followed by a slight grin as he looks into the dense forest of fir, pine, alder and numerous underlying shrubs, nettles, and briars. "Well, as for ambushes, look around, above, behind. An attack could come from anywhere." He pauses and then adds with a toothy grin, "For instance, you and your band could be traveling along minding your own business when a group of madmen come charging out of the woods swords swinging and magic blazing."
After about an hour of travel Vrag says to those in the lead, "Should be another path coming up that leads west. We'll want to follow....that...to get...." He voice fades while he stares up the trail. At about the same time Tuney lets out a quick puzzled chirp of alarm as he flies from branch to branch along the path a few horse lengths in front of Warren.
The cause of concern is up ahead about 100 paces. The path and surrounding forest is filled with what appear to be a multitude of soap bubbles. The bubbles range from small thumb sized all the way up to great ponderous soapy monsters the size of a giant's head. The sphere's drift quietly and slowly among the trees, reflecting the late morning sunlight as it filters down through the forest canopy.
Anwel shrugs and gives up the goblin to Warren. Keeping the goblins together is, in his opinion, a little less secure than transporting them separately, but it will make riding easier. Besides, Anwel is not about to object to Warren's being, in his opinion, lenient. Lairochal looks mournfully at him when she realizes she will be pulling the cart, but Anwel rubs her neck. "It will not be for long," he says.
Listening to Vrag's explanation, Anwel notices a discrepancy. He wonders why, if they want to head south and west, they started by taking a path that led north. He does not find Vrag's prediction that they will come to a path leading west entirely convincing, but he will be able to take the Sowers' latitude and longitude when they rest. That will let him know whether Vrag is lying or not.
That determination, however, will have to wait it seems. "Interesting," he says, dismounting. He gives the goblins a hard look, warning them against trying anything, then makes his way to the front of the group to get a better view. "I suppose it is too much to hope that these are harmless?" he says sarcastically, a smile playing over his face. He suspects they are just that, but one of the others is sure to be better equipped to make sure. He really needs to scribe the spell into his tome one of these years, once he has paid off his debt to Oleg, scribed the spells in the book from the tree...
"Andrei, Stellan," he says, looking at each, "would you mind training your mystic sight on these bubbles? I suspect this is an illusion, but would like to be sure."
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"Magic users, they think nothing is as it seems, bubbles are not bubbles, then what the hell are they, no they are bubbles, oh well done, bubbles! There's no harm in being ready though. And what was Anwel saying, leave gifts for something we can't even see, mad, bonking mad. Oh well, what now!" Gorax thinks as he dismounts and ties his pony to a tree.
Then he arms himself and starts to plod forward, "Well, have you found the bubbles?" he asks in Andrei and Stellan's direction. "Or have we found some strange natural phenomenon? I heard tell of strange things that pump water into the air, geyser or some at like that?"
Replying to Udo, Stellan says, "Yes, putting my attention to the trees, I could hear it leave through the leaves. But I doubt it'll go far if we are still interesting."
With Andrei appearing to take the lead with Vrag, Stellan rides as close as he can to them, scouting all the way.
Perception
Survival +1 if in hills or mountains.
Stellan takes Vrag's jab in stride, already having pointed it out himself earlier. I wonder how that will play out, using tactics with a ruthlessness that they are familiar with and understand, since it is so like their own? Stellan thinks to himself.
Stellan stops and looks at the maze of bubbles blocking the road. He laughs, "Hah, that's an amusing and new way to prank us. I do wonder how it was done." Stellan looks about and at Anwel's question says, "Wish I could but I did not prepare to see auras. Hopefully, someone else has."
He looks over that area, looking for subtle clues as to the spell or other effect that created this scene.
Spellcraft Is it magic? Can I tell anything about it?
Knowledge Nature Natural phenomenon?
At Gorax's statement Stellan shruggs and says, "Hmm, I suppose it might be natural let me think..."
Anwel and Stellan spend a few minutes trying to gain more understanding of the bubbles. While they study and observe the odd phenomenon, the area affected seems to be slowly growing in size. Now the nearest bubble drifts along the trail chest high and is a little less than 90 paces away from those at the front of the party.
"Well, I think it's a magical effect, but I can't tell if it's by a 'working' or some innate event in these magic soaked lands. See that bubble over by that thorny bush? See it bounce off? If it were a natual bubble I'm sure it would burst not just bounce away. It's also growing, does anyone see if any of the bubbles are trapping anything? Smothering anything? If not then my first assumption that it's a prank would still be a good one. If it's actually harmful though, well that would not be a nice prank."
Stellan looks for any forest creatures trapped or harmed by the bubbles, he'll dismount and leave Hjarta with the others but brings Vinur with as he closes to 50' from the expanding zone.
Perception
"There is a simple enough method for determining if the bubbles trap anything," says Anwel, walking purposefully towards the nearest large bubble. "And also to discover whether or not they are even real," he continues, reaching out his hand to the iridescent apparition. "An illusory bubble might not pop," he concludes, his fingertips making contact with the bubble's surface.
"Wait!" Imon shouted as Anwel was about to touch the bubbles. "Get away so I can shoot it, and then you can touch them all you like if nothing bad happens.
Assuming Anwell pulled back in time to not touch the bubbles, Imon fired an arrow at it after waiting for him to move away.
"Aww, that's sweet," says Anwel, watching the arrow zip past him and into the bubbles. "You do care." Then he touches the bubble anyway. If the field is an illusion, and the illusionist is competent, any bubble the arrow touches will either pop or be pushed harmlessly out of its path, and they will have learned nothing. Only magical sight or a living imagination will really be able to discern the reality of the situation.
Udoeak watches intently, not sure what to make of the bubbles.