Kolo hesitates for a moment, listening for sounds of footsteps around the wagon to determine where people are, then tugs on Crystal's sleeve and carefully slips out of the hay at the furthest point he can get from where he thinks people are.
Kolo and Crystal manage to crawl out and crabwalk over into the nearby stables. The groomsmen begin their task, leaving the horse area empty of human habitation. The stables is outside the main castle keep, but there are a lot of people moving to and fro, busy with various disaster tasks. It would be easy enough to blend into the crowd and escape notice ...
Kolo whispers to Crystal, "Just act like you're supposed to be here. Works every time." He puts actions to his words and walks confidently towards a nearby entrance to the castle.
Myst seems eager to be travelling faster. "Whoa girl," Corvus says in a calming voice, patting the horse's neck. "You can smell them can't you."
Turning to the group, Corvus adds, by way of an explanation, "She's been trained to track. The orc's smell is strong and she's keen to pursue. If even one of them splits from the main group, she'll be able to pick up the scent. It should make for fewer surprises."
Warg pawprints churn the thick Spring mud of the fields surrounding Lumberton. They lead out, along with the heavier prints of the horses chasing them. They all seem to be headed out towards the setting sun and the Tharkad Pass.
Kolo whispers to Crystal, "Just act like you're supposed to be here. Works every time." He puts actions to his words and walks confidently towards a nearby entrance to the castle.
Crystal quickly brushes any stray bits of stray our of her clothes, adjusts her chain-mail as she runs a hand through her golden mane of hair and saunters across towards the main building. Absently picking a stray piece of straw out of Kolo's hair.
Crystal and Kolo get to the keep without incedent. There is a lot of activity. A harried baronial guard recognizes Crystal[/i]
"Aren't you part of Baroness Tallifer's entourage?"
Myst scents orcs on the breeze. The prints lead raggedly westward, but trails veer off north and south as well. It looks as if the bands of raiders were scattering
Merzahn travels along astride his borrowed horse, the livery of Sarenrae's temple obvious on the saddle.
Glancing over at Corvus he grins. "We'll show these filth the real reason they fear the sun shall we not."
"It is what I live for - to uphold the teachings of Sarenrae." Corvus blushes slightly before composing herself. "By the Light, we'll teach those disgusting creatures the meaning of divine retribution." She smiles now at Merzahn and then whispers, "I'm not so sure with plans and the like. Give me an orc and a sword and I know what to do. Deciding grand plans isn't a strength. I usually just follow them and kill them. Any advise would be appreciated."
Crystal and Kolo get to the keep without incident. There is a lot of activity. A harried baronial guard recognizes Crystal
"Aren't you part of Baroness Tallifer's entourage?"
"Yes." Crystal nods and smiles confidently.
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Merzhan smiles back at Corvus leaning toward her.
"I myself have been described as something of a ..what is the word..ah "hothead". Usually Sondergang does the planning, simply expecting me to do something....dramatic. Let me know when Myst thinks we are close, I may have a spell or two that will help you."
Kolo nods ingenuously to the guard as Crystal responds.
Crystal and Kolo make their way through the baronial keep with little problem thereafter. They reach the private wing of the building and are greeted by two more guards. They frown and look at the two.
"State your business."
As Merzhan and Corvus chat, Myst seems to pick up a split in the trail. The bulk of people are headed towards the Tharkad Pass, but Myst tugs northward, whinnying. Perhaps some other orcs split off the main trail?
When the group stops to discuss it, Sondergang offers to keep heading to the pass to warn the main Lumberton party that some orcs went north.
Crystal and Kolo make their way through the baronial keep with little problem thereafter. They reach the private wing of the building and are greeted by two more guards. They frown and look at the two. "State your business."
"I am returning to my suite." Crystal replies simply and honestly, though showing her breeding and bearing when speaking to the guard "There are a few things I wish to pick up."
She does show some strain and impatience in her stance and tone of voice.
"I am returning to my suite." Crystal replies simply and honestly, though showing her breeding and bearing when speaking to the guard "There are a few things I wish to pick up."
She does show some strain and impatience in her stance and tone of voice.
"She means there's some things she wants me to lug around for her." Kolo stage-whispers to the inquisitive guard.
"I say we go where Myst leads us. I trust any creature that carries the blessing of the Dawnflower. The will do well enogh at the gate with sondergan's aid."
"Aye, that makes sense to me."
"She means there's some things she wants me to lug around for her." Kolo stage-whispers to the inquisitive guard.
1d20+9
Crystal straightens slightly and gives a quiet sniff, since she obviously did not hear the Half-lings flippant remark.
Sondergang nods gruffly and lopes off, following the churned-up spring earth west towards the cloud-wrapped mountains.
The rest begin to trek northwards. The path seems much more hidden, but an occasional paw print keeps them travelling acrosss the rolling foothills. Before long it grows dark. Distant howls show that wolves or wargs hunt nearby.
"She means there's some things she wants me to lug around for her." Kolo stage-whispers to the inquisitive guard.
1d20+9
Crystal straightens slightly and gives a quiet sniff, since she obviously did not hear the Half-lings flippant remark.
The two guards frown, but one heads back into the chamber with a hurried "One moment please m'lady."
He returns after a bit, and lets them enter.
"The Baroness would like to see you in her chambers" He says
Travelling to the Baronial chambers, the two are met with Lady Arianna and little Mellie. Mellie hugs Crystal tight sobbing. Arianna looks very relieved to see Crystal. Her elderly duenna can be seen at a chair, looking over and frowning. Several baronial guards keep watch by the windows of the appartment.
Arianna is dressed in black, her hair under a widow's wimple. She has the white-eyed look of someone tilting towards shock.
"Crystal, I cannot imagine what has happened! What is going on outside?"
The two guards frown, but one heads back into the chamber with a hurried
"One moment please m'lady."He returns after a bit, and lets them enter.
"The Baroness would like to see you in her chambers" He says
Traveling to the Baronial chambers, the two are met with Lady Arianna and little Mellie. Mellie hugs Crystal tight sobbing. Arianna looks very relieved to see Crystal. Her elderly duenna can be seen at a chair, looking over and frowning. Several baronial guards keep watch by the windows of the apartment. Arianna is dressed in black, her hair under a widow's wimple. She has the white-eyed look of someone tilting towards shock.
"Crystal, I cannot imagine what has happened! What is going on outside?"
Crystal hugs both Mellie and Arianna, reassuring them and comforting them with soft, well spoken words and soothing tones. She quickly summarizes the fight the party had against the Orcs, how quick and efficient Kolo and the rest were at defeating said enemies. Such tales of success and valor sure to rouse her friends spirits. ^_^
"So, there, you see? This is but a distraction, some small group of ruffians who were able to take advantage of a situation." She finishes reassuringly.
"We're happy to see you all safe and I'm glad to see you're doing well." She hugs Lady Arianna. "So, who is ordering the troops about and taking charge here?" Crystal asks.
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Merzhan looks over at Corvus, taking in their group with his gaze.
Borondon, Eitri, Navorn, Corvus and Myself. Heavy on combat ability.
The young mage thinks, unaccustomed to making leadership decisions.
"As I said, I usually act first and consider later, but....I am trying. Those of our number capable of seeing in the darkness should move to our outer perimeter. WE CANNOT BE FAR NOW, BUT WE ARE THE HUNTERS. WE WILL NOT BECOME THE HUNTED!"
"Aye. I'll take the point then."
Borondon moves out to the front of the party.
Corvus smiles as her fellow party members take control of the situation. Myst gives no outward sign of any new scent, so she's happy to follow Borondon and keep next to Merzhan.
"I'll stick with Borondon. If we run into any trouble, I'll back him up."
Daris pulls up shortly afterwards. "A messy night for a hunt, but it's what we've got." She makes sure her bow is encased appropriately for the weather, and has her arrows ready at her saddle.
The group halts for the moment, appraising the dark Spring evening. There is a small treeless hill nearby, and they take a moment to rest and listen to the howls. They seem to be growing closer.
"So, who is ordering the troops about and taking charge here?" Crystal asks.
Lady (Baroness?) Arianna shudders.
"Vladomar's brother Bretoslan. He is now the Fifth Baron Lumberton. He had been fighting in the Black Vale but he was home for the wedding. The Garonan party included several noble deputies of the king, and they are empowered to make emergency enlargements of rank, pending His Majesty's approval.
I know little of him, but he seems a cruel man. He has kept up shut up in here for hours! I am surprised you got through. I am not sure what he plans for us. "
Arianna looks vaguely ill
"I am surprised you got through."
"Nothing a little ingenuity and fast talking couldn't solve!" Kolo pipes up from his position a respectful one-and-a-half human steps behind and to the side of Crystal.
Bondon stops his march. "Quiet."
Perception
Lady (Baroness?) Arianna shudders.
"Vladomar's brother Bretoslan. He is now the Fifth Baron Lumberton. He had been fighting in the Black Vale but he was home for the wedding. The Garonan party included several noble deputies of the king, and they are empowered to make emergency enlargements of rank, pending His Majesty's approval.
I know little of him, but he seems a cruel man. He has kept up shut up in here for hours! I am surprised you got through. I am not sure what he plans for us. " Arianna looks vaguely ill
Crystal quickly moves Arianna to the bed and sets her to rest.
While Crystal understands these are harrowing times for the young , now en-noble'd and suddenly widowed woman, a smaller part of crystal's more suspicious nature cannot but help wondering about more sinister causes for her friends ailment. Crystal also casts her mind back to a certain evening and the entertainments she performed, does this new fellow match anything from her memory? If this person was in a certain place of ill repute upon a certain night, then he wasn't off in this 'Black Vale' now, was he?
Crystal looks to Kolo for help in these matters as well.
"There, there," Crystal does her best to sooth her friends, both Arianna and Mellie.
At Crystal's wordless plea for help, Kolo steps forward and introduces himself to Lady Arianna, using the introduction as cover for a closer inspection.
"Greetings, Lady Arianna. I don't think we've met; I am Koloarkestri Isgrimnur, son of the Isgrimnur merchant family and a friend of Crystal's. I grieve for your loss; your husband was a good man and the Barony is poorer for his absence."
Perception 1d20 + 4
Eitri:
Lady Arinanna is distrcted by Kolo and her courty training kicks in
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintence Ser Kolo." She says, extending her hand
Crystal checks her, but she seems healthy. It seems to be more mental shock than anything else. Her eyes are showing a bit too much white, but considering she saw her brand-new husband turn into a maggot pile, it's not really surprising. Crystal has her lie back down and has one of the servants feth cloths and warm water to make a compress.
Crystal doesn't remember Bretoslan, but there were many people at the feasting hall. She does remember gossip heard about town that the man was darkly handsome, and several of the dancers she had talked to had had liasons with him at some point or another. He was thought of as the 'black sheep' of the Tallifer house
Crystal does give a mental sigh of relief at the ladies relative good health. She smiles and makes small talk for a short while, the better to comfort her friends.
"Well, yourself and Mellie can rest easy. Kolo and our friends have chased the miscreants all the way out of town." She smiles reassuringly again.
After what seems too short a time for her, Crystal takes her formal leave of the Lady, giving some final instructions and assurances to Mellie, Arianna and the servant. Then she (and I assume Kolo?) head back down to the stables, this time making for Crystal's Light War Horse.
"Hmm, I did leave my charger around here some where..." Crystal ponders quietly to herself. "Friend Kolo? You have no qualms about sharing a saddle with me, do you?" She asks looking to the halfling. "It shouldn't be too hard to find the others, don't you think?"
"Hmm, I did leave my charger around here some where..." Crystal ponders quietly to herself. "Friend Kolo? You have no qualms about sharing a saddle with me, do you?" She asks looking to the halfling. "It shouldn't be too hard to find the others, don't you think?"
"Wouldn't bother me a bit," Kolo beams at Crystal.
"Wouldn't bother me a bit," Kolo beams at Crystal.
Crystal smiles back, "Aye, but finding our friends might be the hard part. Um, should we perhaps hire a guide while we're here? Some one who could help us track them down?" She asks, all the while sauntering through the stables looking for where she 'parked' her horse.
"Wouldn't bother me a bit," Kolo beams at Crystal.Crystal smiles back, "Aye, but finding our friends might be the hard part. Um, should we perhaps hire a guide while we're here? Some one who could help us track them down?" She asks, all the while sauntering through the stables looking for where she 'parked' her horse.
Crystal finds her charger in the inn stables after her and Kolo finish their quick visit. She helps Kolo up and they ride off westwards onto the lenghtening shadows. After a few hours of riding she sees a familiar face. Sondergang lopes along in the tireless way that dwarves cover long distances. Crystal hails him and learns that the others have turned north. He is tasked with letting the main force know.
Turing northwards, Crystal and Kolo see sign of their friends' passage. The mixed wood and hills thin a bit as the sun sets behind the Darkspire Mountains. She and Kolo ride up to their friends as they halt on a small hill.
Daris looks back at the two riding pillion, wincing a bit. She turns to Sondergang. "Where are the Orcs?" She eyes the sky, trying to decide if she should get the bow out, and risk wet strings, or just take out the blade across her back.
Corvus continues to rely on Myst to give her any indication that there is anything to show interest it.
Daris looks back at the two riding pillion, wincing a bit. She turns to Sondergang. "Where are the Orcs?" She eyes the sky, trying to decide if she should get the bow out, and risk wet strings, or just take out the blade across her back.
Daris turns to Sondergang and realizes she has forgotten that the gruff dwarf headed west.
The group can hear more growling, mixed in with the unmistakable sounds of orcs grunting. Whereever the orcs are, they seem to be psyching themselves up for a charge.
Myst whickers and stares downslope towards the dark slash of the forest's edge. It would be the logical place for the orc force to be ...
"Welcome back." Borondon says to Crystal and Kolo "You join us just in time for a fight." Then to everyone "I say we stand here seeing as we have the high ground."