In the corridor a blonde woman hops awkwardly on one foot, grasping at the toes of the other. It looks like she just stubbed her toe on Kara's door frame. She curses again, before looking up at Kara and laughing out loud.
"Go back to sleep if you can't stomach a little fire, Saxon girl," she snorts. "This is a feasting hall, not a crypt."
Kara blinks, then laughs as well. Merriment was to be shared, and she retorts " And old blind women should not wander around at night, or the wolf will devour them whole. I am Kara, warrior in service to Freya, from up by the north sea." She then stands up and comes to check on the woman, making sure she had not broken anything, and giving her a steady place to rest on.
The women laugh together for a few moments and then, standing straight, the newcomer grasps Kara's forearm in greeting.
"My name is Conwenna. I guide Freya's faithful here in Caerwysg. What brings you here sister?"
Kara grasps the forearm back, happy to speak with a fellow follower. It had been too long it felt to her since she had, and she was not going to waste the chance before her.
" I came to seek guidance, ensure the path I walk is still blessed, and how goes the incursions from Hel's beast into the surrounding land. I am sure you have heard of our encounter."
Conwenna laughs again, only to be interrupted by a rogue hiccup.
"I have been walking amongst the faithful since dusk set in. You arrived tonight it would seem? I have yet to hear your story. Please, tell! Something new would please these ears. 'Beasts of Hel' sound more exciting than the drivel of the average tavern patron."
Conwenna indicates that Kara should follow her and staggers off through the corridors of the temple, half leading and half leaning on Kara for support. After a few twists and turns they arrive at a room with a door flanked by carved pillars. Conwenna digs out a fat brass key with surprising finesse and the lock clicks open.
These appear to be private chambers, with a large double bed opposite an elaborate shrine to Freya. Conwenna begins to rummage around in the bottom of a cupboard, until she finds a bottle of mead that she passes to Kara with a grin and a wink.
Kara helps the older woman to the room, making causal conversation about how it was nice to finally have good conversation. She was surprised by the movements with the key, and felt some of the drunk was an act, and knew it may be for the best it was kept that way. However, when the mead was passed, she looks at it, looks back to Conwenna, and states " We might need more mead." before opening and sampling.
After a good swig of mead, she starts in, starting with the bandit party they were of no size to fight, then to the girl. " However, after we started this way, we truly where attacked by beast from Hel's dungeons. Big beastly dogs, red eyes, and made a wolf seem like a lap dog. I am curious if we were targeted, or if it has been a common occurance here. And I still feel ill about those bandit... perhaps we should go back and sort that mess... Oh! I found this among the wreckage of a house they had ransacked." Kara digs out the small silver cat from a hidden pocket in her dress.
Conwenna gives Kara a dubious look and opens another bottle for herself.
"Hel's dungeons? No, that's not the kind of thing I often hear. Why should you be so unlucky as to have drawn Hel's wrath down upon yourself?"
She takes the tiny statuette from Kara and turns it over in her hands. Her eye widen slightly.
"This object has been touched by the gods. It is not meant for mortal hands. It could be the reason those beasts set upon you. It must bear a divine power of some kind!"
Kara eyes the old woman, stopping her before she opened the other bottle. This was no time to muddle their senses, and she did share with Conwenna. However, as they passed the bottle, she was confused for a second. Touched by divine power? Then it needs protecting... and the girl. She thinks best how to word it before asking " Elder who has traveled many paths, what would cause a bandit group to seek out such an object? For the bandit party we ran into I think was looking for similar items." After another swig of good mead she would then sigh and say " I feel our little friend needs to speak with you. It was her house if I recall correctly that held the raven. And who should touch it? Should we return it to the place found? Or should we keep it as a sign from Odin? If so I shall keep it. It has brought me luck so far."
Conwenna shakes her head in disbelief.
"I do not know. I certainly doubt those men were mere bandits. Did you not say they were led by a mysterious leader of some kind? Do not cast this thing aside. It may yet reveal its true purpose to you."
Kara nods sagely, thinking over the words. It does seem they needed to go back and finish that. And perhaps even figure out what that bandit leader was hunting. This however would have to wait until morning. " Well, I suppose we must do so. I shall keep the raven on me then. If you were not so blind, I would ask if you wished to assist in this defense of Freya's honor. For surely Hel herself is involved."
Cowenna laughs again at Kara's impudent manner.
"I see well enough to tell the will of the gods, welp. You carry Freya's blessing, that is true enough. She has chosen you to bear this trinket. Find its purpose. Fulfil your destiny."
Kara looks and her before grinning widely, accepting the raven back from Cowenna. She then clasps arms again, before saying " Thank you Elder. May Freya guide all your merriment to good endings. I shall let you sleep now." She then would walk back to her room to think over what she was informed of, and to rest, unless interrupted by something.
The next morning the travellers gather outside the temple to discuss their plans. Prasutagus does not return. A courier has left a cryptic note from him at the temple speaking of 'ghosts' and saying not to wait for him.
Magan rubs his temples. Everything is becoming a little too much to follow. His understanding of the world has been challenged too much over the previous days and even the spiritual guidance of the temple was not enough to soothe him. A sacrifice of blood would need to be made. Now the loss of his friend troubled him. Perhaps Prasutagus felt the same and was too ashamed that he was too coward to continue against the threats from beyond the mortal realm to tell them in person. That didn't sound like him, but who could tell, he had never fought Hel's hounds before to know whether his companions could stand to continue after fighting them. Truth be told he was a little surprised to see that Felix was still with them. Either Bletius' judgement was very good after all, or his reasons for being there were stronger than gold. Everybody's spiritual strength had been tested to the limits, and Magan had a feeling that there was worse to come. He supposed it was time to take control of the situation, though he didn't really know the words to use.
"This is a blow. We cannot allow the Christian's a foothold on this land though so we must move forwards.We need funds if we are to continue though I think. Gawen you wished to meet with your order? Perhaps the rest of us should see if there is a caravan that needs protecting, try to find some work that we can complete over the next stage of our journey. We should spread word of the hounds and bandits on the road, more fear should make more people think of hiring protection. Maybe even cause some who were headed west to turn back in our direction.We should ask around in inns and taverns and at the market."
Kara listens to Magan's words, but as ill feeling as she had when fighting the hounds, she felt even more they had bypassed an evil they should have stopped. Cowenna's words echoing, she tells Magan privately about her feelings on the matter.
" I think we might need to go take care of those bandits. One of the priestess think it may not be so far fetched that those bandits are Hel's agents. We must act as Freya's agents and safeguard all that is sacred. Perhaps the Christians are working with Hel, and we can disrupt some of their plans by taking out that group we... we ran from." Her face twist as she admits they ran from a battle, but at the time it seemed foolish.
Magan, scowls at the suggestion.
"I do not claim to know of such things, but why would Hel work with Christians? There is something bad at work I am certain, but a fight for later I feel. She will need some closure, but she isn't ready yet. " He nods at the girl, who is playing with Pen around the cart.
"Perhaps you could take on them all by yourself, Kara, but for myself, I think I'd struggle!" Gawen says with a soft smile. "But I think if those bandits continue to cause problems they'll be dealt with anyway. Bletius didn't strike me as the kind of man to let bandits have free reign in his lands, nor did he strike me as one incapable of dealing with them. They'll reap what they sow no doubt, but we have our own task. Speaking of which..."
The druid looks slightly smarter than usual this morning - he's clearly made some effort to brush back his normally wild-looking hair, displaying his circlet of office more clearly.
"I would indeed like to speak with the druids here, and I agree that replenishing my funds would be welcome. I won't be much use defending caravans, but I could perhaps try and make some coin here by selling potions or suchlike. We could split up for now and meet at noon?"
Felix listens to the conversation quietly, confused by the apparent lack of focus Kara is displaying.
"I hear Bletius is not one for patience and he does not forgive easily. I don't know about you guys, but I do not want him to come after us for not doing the job we are paid to do.'
Felix pauses and ponders on the conversation that just took place.
"How about this? We give Gawen half a day to gather whatever funds he can and then we make a move out of here?
Kara grimaces and looks guilty as charged. While she felt they needed to get rid of that bandit, she had forgotten the main goal, and that was seeing this through to the end. It was a hard life for a paladin, trying to do everything correctly. She nods however, and says lowly " It is bad when the criminal reminds you what you need to do."
"Then it is agreed. Felix, Kara and I will search the town for paid work. Gawen, we shall meet you back here in the afternoon. Good luck."
Magan leads the way down into the town in search of a merchants guild or tavern pitched at travelers, somewhere where large wagons can be parked.
The Fat Pig is a major inn and tavern in the trade district close to the waterfront. It's frequented by all manner of merchants, mercenaries, soldiers of fortune and ne'er do wells. The common room is usually loud and full of music and conversation, but this early in the morning it's mostly occupied by residents taking breakfast.
Gawen heads off to find some druids.
According to those at the Temple of the Æsir the Wistman's Wood is a day's hike into the heart of the Great Moor. Cowick on the other hand is just across the river in one of the city's poorer wards.
Magan has a look around the bar, looking for young soft merchant faces, or whether he can overhear somebody discussing needing to hire protection before heading towards the bar to ask around.
Gawen thanks the folk at the temple, and heads towards the river looking for Cowick.
Magan sees several patrons who might be of interest.
One man has braided grey hair and blue eyes, and a matted moustache. He wears tailored clothing and a mink fur cape.
Another is a woman with long golden hair and dark brown eyes. She wears studded leather and carries a battle axe.
A different young man is rough in appearance, with straight red hair and hazel eyes. He wears modest garments and several pouches hang from his belt.
A further merchant has curly golden hair, hazel eyes and a sharp nose. He wears fine clothing and a cloak embroidered with a dragonscale pattern.
Magan's eye is particular drawn to an exceptionally beautiful girl with messy white hair and light brown eyes. She wears modest garments and a black cloak.
Meanwhile in Cowick the streets are loud and raucous. Several market stalls are setting up their wares along the edges of the main street. One stall seems to be selling herbal remedies and other natural wares. The owner is a man in a rough brown robe, his face obscured by a long hood.
Gawen approaches the man.
"Mae gennych rai nwyddau gwych. Efallai y gallwch chi fy helpu - dwi'n chwilio am druid a ddywedwyd wrthyf fywydau yn y gymdogaeth hon."
The man is almost as tall as Gawen, with a wild mane of unkempt curls under the hood, accompanied by an enormous bushy beard.
"Aye tha's me, lad," he replies in a thick west-country accent. "Name's Tregereth, wha'can I do you for?"
Magan wrestles with himself for a moment. He knows the mission should come first and this girl does not offer the best chances of employment. But then again, what could it hurt? If she isn't looking for protection he can always try someone else. Besides, his instincts were usually right about these things. He approaches the young woman and moves to take the chair opposite her.
"Esguswch m'lady ydy'r sedd hon wedi'i gymryd? Taclus. Rwy'n cynrychioli grŵp o bobl sy'n cynnig gwasanaethau arbenigol mewn caffael defaid. Gallwn gwblhau dosbarthiadau, o bron unrhyw fath o ddefaid, yn fawr neu'n fach ac yn rhyfedd iawn ai peidio. A allwch chi feddwl am unrhyw angen sydd gennych o'n gwasanaethau naill ai nawr neu yn y dyfodol?"
The girl laughs out loud and the sound is light and proud. She seems entertained, but unimpressed by Magan's presence.
"Rywsut, rydych chi'n edrych fel eich bod chi'n eistedd i lawr, waeth beth rwy'n ei ddweud," she retorts. Her manner that of a woman older than this girl appears.
"Dywedwch wrthyf, dramor. Beth yw eich enw a beth ydych chi'n ei wybod am farwolaeth?"
Magan grins.
"Rwy'n Magan, ac o ddefaid rwyf yn fwy cyfarwydd nag yr hoffwn, ond rwy'n gwybod ychydig heblaw fy mod yn dod â nhw at eraill, at ddibenion, ni all y rhan fwyaf o stumog."
"A dwi'n Theli," she returns, raising her cup in greeting, her eyes twinkling in the candlelight.
"Rydw i wedi meddwl llawer o farwolaeth yn hwyr, Magan. Gofynnaf i mi pam ein bod ni'n lladd ein gilydd. Beth sy'n gyrru dyn i'w ladd? Yn eich achos chi, mae'n debyg y byddai'n ddarn arian," she adds with a wry smirk and takes a sip from her cup.
Magan considers for a moment, unsure as to whether she is serious.
"You have me wrong on that. I kill for survival. At least that is where it started, and I think the same is true for most men. Of course, sometimes you will put yourself in a position where you will have to kill to survive for coin. Or perhaps some men kill because they need the coin in order to survive. Perhaps there are a few that it is different for. And now, now I think I kill because being around danger and death is a way to search for meaning in it all. And maybe a little because the thrill of fighting is the only way to feel alive. Do you kill? "
Meanwhile, in a much less depressing conversation across town...
"Tregereth, well met. My name is Gawen. Myself and some companions are travelling east to investigate the Christians who have landed there. On our way here across the moorland, however, we were attacked by what I believe to be hounds from the Otherworld. So, my first question is whether you've had any news here, either of the Christians, or of happenings that suggest an imbalance og the natural order."
Kara looks back and forth between Magan and the girl, and shifts her shield uneasily. She had no idea the conversation, but enough words sounded similar to others that she though they were either speaking of something dead, or something about bread needing to be delivered by the next sunrise. Neither made sense coming from such a slight woman.
"Yn anaml," Theli replies, holding Magan's gaze with piercing eyes as they talk. She sips her drink again. "Ond fel y dywedwch, weithiau mae'n rhaid i un ladd i oroesi."
Seemingly satisfied for the moment, she continues.
"Mae marwolaeth yn hwyr gennyf fi. Mae sawl cydnabyddiaeth o'm pwll wedi gostwng - neu wedi diflannu. Dylwn adael y ddinas cyn iddo fynd â mi hefyd ... ac eto rwyf hefyd yn dymuno gwreiddio'r hyn sy'n fy nghadw a'm pwll. Fel y gwelwch, yr wyf yn gwrthdaro. Efallai bod eich ymddangosiad yn arwydd y dylwn fynd. Dywedasoch eich bod yn darparu amddiffyniad ar y ffordd?"
Tregereth stares blankly at Gawen for a moment before throwing his head back and letting out a raucous laugh from the depths of his rounded belly.
"Tha's a good 'un friend, tha's a good 'un. Did Margh put ye up t' this? I'll bet 'e's 'avin' a good ole laugh at Sawyer's right now."
The laugh tapers off as he slowly reads Gawen's deathly serious expression.
"eeh... just wha' kinda custom'r are ye anyhow?"
Magan raises an eyebrow at the vagueness of her words.
"Wedi colli? Sut? Beth yw hyn sy'n eich dilyn chi?"
He leans back a little in his chair, gesturing at his companions behind him.
"Efallai ei fod yn arwydd, neu efallai beth bynnag yw ei fod yn eich helpu i barhau i ddilyn y ffordd, y naill ffordd neu'r llall, byddech yn well cael rhywfaint o ddulliau galluog o'ch cwmpas, a byddem yn eu darparu. Byddai'n haws dal rhywun ar y ffordd lle na allant guddio mewn tyrfa a diflannu wrth iddyn nhw ddymuno mewn cerdd."
Perhaps it is a sign, or perhaps whatever it is that hunts you will still follow on the road, either way, you would be better to have some capable hands around you which we would provide. It would be easier to catch someone on the road where they cannot hide in a crowd and disappear as they wish into an alleyway.
Theli shakes her head and the shimmering tresses of her hair fall across her face.
"Nid wyf yn gwybod pwy ydyn nhw, ond maent wedi hawlio llawer o fywydau. Gwenwyn, damwain hela, boddi. Bu gormod o farwolaethau cysylltiedig yn gyd-ddigwyddiad, ac yr wyf yn ofni fy mod yn nesaf."
She sighs, then looks up and meets Magan's gaze once more.
"Pryd wyt ti'n gadael y ddinas?"
Magan shakes his head in sympathy then smiles gently.
"Gadael wyr dilwyn, chy jutro ty pryched.Bydd y Pennaeth yn bodloni'n daclus, nid yw'n. Wrth gwrs, bydd angen inni roi eich defaid yn gyfnewid."
Theli gives Magan a disappointed look.
"O Magan ... a gwnaethoch argraff dda o'r fath. Roeddwn i'n meddwl eich bod yn gynharach na hynny. Alla i fforddio aros yn y Moch Fath na allaf i? Costau rhyfelwr, beth? Tri arian y dydd?"
She clinks a leather pouch on the table in front of her.
"A ddywedwn ddeg ar gyfer y tri ohonoch chi a byddwn yn gwneud hynny?"
The question is pointed and haughty.
Magan looks offended for a moment, but mostly as he tries to hide his embarrassment.
"Rwyf am roi defaid i chi, rydych chi'n gwybod. Roeddwn yn ddiddorol gan eich gwlân wrth i mi gerdded i mewn, a chan eich stori hyd yn oed yn fwy felly. Nid wyf am wneud hyn am yr arian ond i ddatrys y dirgelwch, ond rydym yn edrych am y gwaith gan ein bod ar frys ac ni allwn dreulio amser yn stopio fel y byddem fel arfer ac yn dal i fod yn rhaid i ni fwyta a phrynu llety ar y ffordd yn enwedig gyda merch ifanc i ofalu amdano, yn fwy cyffwrdd â marwolaeth hyd yn oed na chi."
He turns his nose up at the price. The insult real on his face this time.
"Rydych chi'n meddwl ein bod ni'n gleddyf wedi ei llogi yn gyffredin, yn addas i'w dorri yn erbyn wal y castell? Rydym yn gyn-filwyr ymgyrchoedd tramor a domestig, rydyn ni wedi trechu cŵn y dan-ddaear â dwyn crafiadau yn unig, wedi goroesi yn gwrthdaro â bandiau dynion deg gwaith ein nifer. ac yn byw i ddweud wrth y stori. Rydym yn cynnig sefyll rhwng chi a llain mor gyffyrddol a marwol, a'ch bod yn cynnig yr un cyflog y byddech chi'n ei gael i briodferydd? Rwy'n ffyrnig rydw i, dywedaf yn smynnu i ddweud wrthych y lleiaf "
Theli takes a second look at Magan after his fiery reaction, reassessing the rag tag trio of fighters stood before her. She can't help but raise an eyebrow at his talk of 'hounds of the underworld' and ten to one odds though.
"...a beth mae gwasanaethau arwyr o'r fath yn ei gostio, gweddïo ddweud?"
Gawen raises his eyebrows. This wasn't the reaction he'd hoped for, though perhaps the one he should have expected. Certainly the fact that the man was running a market stall rather than acting as adviser to the city's leaders had not been a promising sign, but he'd hoped for a man who at least had the gweledigaeth. Instead, this man seemed likely to be a mere herbalist at best, a charlatan at worst.
He sighs, hoping that his morning won't have been wasted.
"I'm to take that as a 'no', then? A shame, but you may be able to help me yet. I've some concoctions that I've no current use for, do you buy as well as sell?"
Magan settles back into his chair, calming himself after his outburst.
"Firstly it costs a little respect. If we are protecting you we are not underlings to be bossed around like common serving folk,if we say move, you move, we sleep where and when I say, and you help out with the chores. As for the silver, we are fair. If nothing happens then 3 per day it is. If we have to save you though it becomes 12 per day. You will see that we are worth it. If we track down and remove the threat, a healthy bonus is only fair, a one off payment of 25 silver each. And we are 4, not 3.The big man has business elsewhere."
He gestures for her to make a decision.
"Aye," Tregereth responds with a stoic nod, shifting somewhat uncomfortably left and right on his feet as he tries to get his bearings with Gawen. His eyes narrow a little as he inspects the tall man carefully.
"...ye from t'circle? Ye can tell Lowenna I ain't seen nothin' 'n' I don't wanna neither!"
Theli grimaces at the talk of chores, but nods at the price.
"Gallaf fyw gyda hynny," she answers. "Os ydych chi cystal â'ch bod chi'n dweud eich bod chi, hynny yw. Pryd rydyn ni'n gadael?"
Magan waves his hand as though it doesn't really matter.
"Fel y dywedais, nid cyn canol dydd, ond nid ydym mewn unrhyw frys penodol ar ôl hynny."
"Bydd hynny'n gwneud hynny," Theli accedes, inclining her head slightly towards Magan.
"Yn yr achos hwnnw, byddaf yn pacio fy nherthnasoedd ac yn casglu fy nghwmni gyda'r gwesteiwr, she begins. "...a fydd un o'ch rhif yn cyd-fynd â mi? Byddai'n well gennyf fod fy amddiffyniad yn dechrau ar unwaith."
Magan nods his agreement and as she leaves he turns and translates the discussion for Kara.
Frowned and looked grim over what she was told, but at the end of it she tells him " It may not have been the best choice as we do not know much of the nature of her enemies, but I shall see to it she survives. I will go with her to gather her things, some of it may be of a personally nature. But I would not be far either Magan. This doesnt seem exactly proper." Something about it was bothering her, and it may just be because of the woman's looks, but she felt uneasy.
She would however accompany the woman, even without a shared language. Protecting people didnt mean you had to speak the same tongue
Kara follows Theli upstairs. The white haired girl chats idly with her in Cornish as they walk, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Kara cannot understand a word of it.
Out of the corner of her eye Kara thinks she sees something blur in a dark corner, but when she looks there is nothing there. When she looks back, Theli is looking at her expectantly, having clearly just asked some kind of question.