"I healed a girl's leg", Serila replies. "She'd been bitten by one of those stray mutts in the streets."
More people seemed to want my help after...
Serila looks at the two strangers, then back at Laurel. "These two men seem to be sympathetic to our cause. They offered to aid us in finding a cure against the Blackscour Taint."
Alperion looks at the hand proffered by the stranger and hesitates, then slowly he offers his own hand "It is not often that someone offers aid without thought of receiving anything in return especially in this town and, most especially, to me but my need is great and the assistance of a doughty warrior when traveling in Darkmoon Wood is welcome. You have my thanks."
Laurel nods her head with acceptance of Serila's explanation of the noise outside and the two new strangers.
"Well what are you waiting for, people are dying for goodness sake, go get me those ingredients."
Hearing the noise getting louder from the crowd in front of the shop, Laurel waves the group to follow to the rear of the shop. "Your not getting out thur the front."
Unlocking the back door. "Good luck and hurry back.
"Well, I know the pretty lady's name is Serila, but I don't know the names of you other fellows. Perhaps a bit of introductions are in order. And oh yes," Keanan walks over to the lioness laying behind the store, "my best friend Balazar here will probably give us a hand, just don't give her yours! HA!" Keanan giggles at his jests, unaware if anyone else thinks it's funny.
"She's a good guard as well in case you might need one. Serila, would you like Balazar to stay by your side should something terrible come our way? She's pretty intimidating and might keep you safe."
Pretty down to earth, Serila doesn't mind Keanan's way of addressing her simply as Serila. The offer to help her by letting Balazar guard her also seems friendly, but Serila can't help but feel uncomfortable. Though the feeling isn't caused by fear of the lioness, as Serila finds the animal quite fascinating.
Why does he offer me protection? Does he want something from me? He acts quite familiar with my name... I don't mind that, but it feels like he wants something from me...
Deep in thoughts about conspiracies against her, Serila steps outside without replying. It's then she looks Balazar in the eyes, and her fascination with the animal wins the tug of war inside her head. "I'd... very much like that... Can I... pat her?", she finally replies hesitantly.
"Sure can. You can give her a big'ol hug if ya want. I wouldn't pull her tail though, she seems to think that's a sign for play time and the claws come out. Found that out the hard way." Keanan points to a big scratch on his right arm.
"Since it doesn't look you're swinging a sword since you probably weigh as much as one, I think Balazar should stay close to you."
Keanan pulls out his scimitar and swings it around and points it at Balazar. "You behave Balazar and guard this here little lady. She's here to help."
August turns to the dwarf and introduces himself.
"You may call me August. I found my way here on hire with the recent dwarven caravan from Highhelm.
This town looks like it could use some aid. I don't typically work for free, but considering my own health could be at risk...I'll make an exception"
When she walks over to Keanan and Balazar, Serila notices something.
What was...?
However, occupied by watching the lioness , she decides to not ask about it now.
Serila moves closer to Balazar and holds out an arm in front of the lioness, giving the animal a chance to sniff up her smell. "She's beautiful." Carefully she pats Balazar's back, then pets her head.
...
Alperion looks at the hand proffered by the stranger and hesitates, then slowly he offers his own hand "It is not often that someone offers aid without thought of receiving anything in return especially in this town and, most especially, to me but my need is great and the assistance of a doughty warrior when traveling in Darkmoon Wood is welcome. You have my thanks."
Not often and not now. It's an investment in future good will. The 'people' don't seem very friendly and there probably isn't much good will to be had. But I'm hoping that if I do this as a favor to the sheriff, he will give me some assistance on my own project.
After a slight pause.Sigh... Though I suppose if I'm being completely honest, I'd probably help out anyway. Desna would want me to even if I didn't.
He takes the proffered hand.
Name is Nebdel Melfcane. I'm a ... I was a minor priest of Desna in a town called Liberthane in the River Kingdoms. Now I suppose I'm just a wanderer looking for someone.
Keanan's head turns abruptly when he hears Nebdel say he's looking for someone. "A wanderer looking for someone? How about we go wander around looking for Milon Rhoddam? He's north east of here in the lumber consortium."
Keanan then turns to the half-elf he's seen jump from one spot to another all morning and says, "And what do you wish to be called? Or do you have a name? I know your kin are ill, but we need to focus, the Darkmoon woods are not to be traveled with an unfocused mind."
Apparently we will need a pass to approach the lumber consortium.
.
.
.
Unless of course it is critical enough to do it the hard way.
"Well, I prefer to do it the right way. Follow the rules and such, otherwise all the non-stoutfolk seem to get mighty upset. Who provides these passes and do you think they could resist my (buuurrppp) charm? Hmmm, on second burp, better ask the pretty girl to get it."
I was told they are given out by Mr Kreed. Whoever that is. And the speaker didn't think one such as myself could get a pass. Of course since the Sheriff wants us to go maybe he can get us in?
.
.
.
Or wait, did you mean the actual logging camp? I don't know anything about that place. So maybe a pass isn't needed.
Serila grins at the mention of the pass. "I'm quite familiar with the location of the Lumber headquarters. My parents work for the Lumber Consortium, and I live two houses east of their headquarters."
Gesturing into the direction of the Lumber HQ she starts walking. "If you follow me they'll let you in."
Keanan falls in line behind Serila, as does Balazar.
Alperion ignores the strange dwarf who has insulted him multiple times despite having only just met.
"Mistress Serila, Milon usually frequents the Consortium's camp northeast of town at the edge of the Darkwood forest. We are unlikely to find him at the headquarters in town."
He thinks to himself, I'm not sure where we are going, but I suppose it will be better to stay in one group. I guess if nothing else the guys at the office will tell us we went to the wrong place.
Nebdel trails along with the other three searchers.
This is quite the group August thinks to himself. Everybody clearly has an opinion. I know little of herbs, or healing, and I've not had dealings with this consortium before. I best simply follow for now.
"Are we in need of any provisions before we set off? I travel light, with only a few days of trail rations for myself.
"In any case, I do not know where we are headed, but lead the way, and I'll take up the rear"
"Ooohhhhh, wait", Serila says, halting after a few steps. "I forgot my pass only allows me to bring family members with me." She slightly shrugs as she scratches the back of her head. "Oops..."
Alperion then mentions it's more likely to find Milon at the camp northeast of town. "Oh, really? Well you know him better than I do, Alperion. The lack of passes doesn't matter much if Milon's there, so I guess that's solved."
"I'll go to the northern exit of town. If anyone wants to buy some rations first, I suggest we wait at the wall until we're all ready." Serila starts her way to the wall, first walking through the grass west of the building next to Roots and Remedies before she gets back on the road. Doing so hopefully prevents the crowd of people in front of the shop from noticing her.
How long of trip is it? I have some supplies but it is more than a day away, I better get some more.
Alperion responds to Nebdels query, "The trip to the camp should not take more than a day, but I do not know if they will have provisions on hand there. We will most likely need to set out into the Darkwood Vale immediately after speaking with Milon and that may involve several days of travel. I have some ability to hunt for game while in the wild but that takes time...which is a resource we do not have in abundance."
"Balazar, good girl!" Serila pets Balazar's head while waiting for the others to gather.
Sounds more reasonable for me to buy a few more provisions before we leave. I will meet you at the edge of town shortly.
August feel confident that he has enough provisions to endure the upcoming journey. The caravan he was paid to guard had many resources and when the dwarves got a few mugs of ale into they easily parted with some hard cheeses and dry bread.
Plus in a pinch, he is not totally inept in finding food in the wilderness.
Shouldering his simply bedroll and pack, August looks fit for travel. He has a small sword at his belt and clutches a spear with his right hand. A shiny metal shield is slung over his back, with his bedroll/pack sitting comfortably beside it.
"I'm ready to go. Let us get on with this task quickly before any of us fall ill to this sickness"
Grumbling about his own lack of preparation, Nebdel hustles to the low market to purchase a few more days worth of rations. He then hurries back to meet the group at the edge of town.
Ready to go. I'm no sneak or scout, but neither do I mind breaking trail. You guys want me in front?
"Okay, lets go! We may arrive before sunset if we leave now."
The traveling to the lumber camp was uneventful and as the sun touches the horizon you see the Camp ahead. The Lumber Consortium Camp cuts an ugly scar of stumps into a dense stand of proud darkwood trees. Five sturdy-looking log buildings—seemingly a bunkhouse, meal hall, office, barn, and smithy—stand with numerous wide carts and sleds amid the sawdust-covered clearing. The clearing is near empty of people expect for a few lumberjacks cleaning up after a long day within the forest.
Keanan saunters up to Serila "Seems like Balazar likes walking with someone faster than me. HA!" Amused, then realizing he just made fun of himself, Keanan stops laughing. "Probably not wise to walk into a strange town with a lion." Keanan ponders what was he thinking this morning when he did the same thing. "Or at least let them know right away Balazar is just your guard. Until we know more about this place, best to be prepared."
Keanan rubs his beard thinking that he might just be a bit paranoid, but better paranoid than dead. "Yep, things seem quiet here. Never did like it when it's quiet, means a storm of some sort's a comin."
Serila laughs at Keanan's comment. "Well maybe she does, Keanan!" Looking from Balazar to Keanan, she shrugs. "I think if Balazar walks in our midst without hurting us, that should prove she won't harm anyone without reason?"
"Where do you think Milon is at this time of day?", Serila asks Alperion.
Alperion turns over his shoulder and replies, "I am not sure where Milon would be. We may wish to speak with the camp foreman, Jarlben Trookshavits, first. I believe his office is the easternmost building in the camp. He may be able to direct us to Milon."
Alperion takes the turn towards the camp office building and proceeds in that direction.
Serila nods and follows after Alperion, Balazar walking right next to her.
"I haven't been in this camp that often. I recognize the buildings from the few times I was, but can't exactly remember which building is what."
The few loggers that are outside cleaning stop what they are doing as they see the group. They approach with caution and weapons in hand due to the large cat and weapon laden warrior among the strangers.
"What is your business her...Alperion? Ah, who are you new friends?"
"My name is Serila Gudlinck." Serila steps up to the workers, Balazar following her. "We're here for Milon Rhoddam, do you happened to know where we can find him? We were on our way to the foreman to ask him the same."
Alperion raises his hands, palms outward towards the approaching men, to signal his peaceful intent.
"We are trying to locate Milon to speak with him about matters important to The Hollow, is he in the camp? If you do not know where Milon is at present, we should probably speak with Jarlben."
The front lumberjack eyes Serila lustfully and gives her a big smile."Well hello beautiful, I'm ..."
Just as he was about to say something he would have regretted, one of the other lumberjacks grabs him by the shoulder and not so quietly whispers in his ear. "That is the Gudlinck's daughter."
The first lumberjack changes his tune very fast. "I...mean..ah..the foreman is in his office. Milon is in camp but I'm not sure where he is. I'll go search for him. Have a good evening Miss Gudlinck."
All the lumberjacks move back toward the bunkhouse and meal hall. As they walk away they give the whole group a couple of glaces and you hear mumbles."How did that half-breed.....did you see that cat....what about the guy with..."
Mutters to himself, Where ever you go, people are still idiots.
This large but filthy, cramped office smells of sweat and is thickly decorated with taxidermies of fierce forest animals. A chubby older man sits at a desk at to the rear of the room. As the group moves into the room the man's face shows both confusion and impatience.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
That was... odd...
Serila moves back to the building and enters it with the others. Once inside they're greeted by an impatient sounding and looking man. Rather unfamiliar with being addressed in such a manner Serila blinks.
Huh, what?
Confused, Serila answers the man. "I'm Serila... uhm... Serila Gudlinck. We're searching for Milon... Milon Rhoddam..." She eyes her companions for a second, then recovers and continues to speak. "Do you happen to know where we can find him, foreman?"
This place smells... Don't they ever let their housemaids come here?
Still with a confused look on his face."Miss Gudlinck what are you doing here and why do you need to see Milon?"
"We're here at the request of sheriff Baleson and Laurel", Serila starts explaining as she steps forward, out of the group. "Laurel has found a recipe that might help cure the Blackscour Taint that many people in Falcon's Hollow are suffering from. We believe Milon knows the location of a witch, who we'll need to find if we want to obtain one of the ingredients."
She smiles friendly at the man at the desk. "Please tell us where we can find Milon. We want to find the ingredients so we can end this horrible illness."
Or won't they have housemaids here? Hmm... but... then who cleans here?