"Purse a little light eh? Well, don't you worry none. A cure, even at bargain cost is going to be worth a bit, I bet your boss, or someone else in town will pay us a nice share for it."
As Ruhk places a few items he needs on the counter and begins counting up the cash he chuckles.
"So we do good AND get paid for it to boot, don't that beat all?"
"As for looking over my book, weeeeeell now, might be we can arrange something of that nature "Student"?"
Vaashti lingered just long enough to pull her cloak back around herself, though she left it hanging off the right shoulder so that her tattoo was showing. It seemed as if at least some of the folks around here were more tolerant than she presumed.
She collected her things from the inn, and headed to he store to buy a few more supplies. There wasn't much that she needed, but more trail rations was probably a good idea.
At the store, she heard Sutandir and the tall fellow talking about the supplies they needed. "if you need more supplies, I can help. I don't have much, but an extra waterskin or so isn't like to bankrupt me. "
"Thanks, I think I'm ok, but if you have room for an extra bag of jerky or something, that would be appreciated. I've spent all my cash lately on my research ... I have a few things I've created with me, I can show you all once we get going."
Accepting that he's going to travel with the group, and that he has a few more preparations to make, Shartol visits the various vendors, pulling together a few more days worth of rations for himself and a couple of days worth of food for his siblings and the sick pair, before heading for his childhood home.
As he enters the shack, he sees that Ralla has gotten up, but she seems unhappy. "Morning, Sis! I've got some food here so that you and Hollin can eat better for the next couple of days. I've been . . .."
She cuts him off in mid-sentence. "For us, hunh? So, you buried Dad and now you're running away again, leaving us even worse off than we already were?" She knocks some of the goods off the table and onto the floor. "If we're not good enough for you to live with, we're not good enough for your CHARITY." She moves into an aggressive posture, obviously fuming at him and daring him to fight back.
His response is quiet, and delivered initially with his face turned down. "Not just for you. Laurel asked me to help find some things she needs that she thinks will help her brew up a cure for the plague." At this point he starts to look up, starts trying to look his big sister in the eye. "I'm not running off, I'm trying to help. She needs your help, too, Ralla. Some of the others that Laurel has asked to search for these ingredients have a problem we don't have, their family has the plague. They want to pay you to watch over their loved ones until we get back. You'll have to clean, cook, and care for them, so it will be work, but they said to offer you 20 gold a week, to cover all expenses and your time."
The young woman's eyes grew wide. "That's a lot of money, Shar. That's an awful lot of money."
"Yes, it is. But the work is really important. These people need looking after, and if we don't have someone we can trust looking after them, then we lose people from the team going out after Laurel's ingredients. They even gave me the first week's pay, so that you have the money to cover expenses until we get back. We're planning on not being gone more than about a week, but we'll see what happens." He reaches into his purse and pulls out the coins he just promised Ralla, handing them to her. "Now, gather the things that you think you'll want to have, and let's head over to Jak'a'Napes. Jak is one of the people you'll be caring for. We're supposed to meet there at noon and leave soon after. Let's leave Hollin a note about where you are." And the two began packing for two different destinations.
------
Kervos sat across from Livia for quite some time, reconciling the difference in appearance from the last time he had seen his older sister years ago. Even in sleep, he could still see traces of the severe look she had adopted following the death of their mother, as she had stepped into the role and taken on worrying for him and Elze. He knew after all this time that if he woke her to explain that he was going to have someone else watch Elze, she would fight him and he would eventually relent. With that in mind, he had instead written her a long note explaining the situation and how she needed to take the time to rest, lest she herself find herself succumbing to this illness that plagued the small town. He had no doubt she would immediately head to the inn and most likely would stay there the whole time once she woke, but such things couldn't be helped. She appeared as not to have slept well in weeks, so hopefully she would have some small respite for now.
Once he could not justify staying any longer, Kervos went to Elze's room and gathered up a small pack of necessities for her. Slinging the pack over his shoulder, he reached down and wrapped his little sister up in a cloak. She had weakly gotten dressed earlier when he had explained the situation, agreeing that Livia needed a break and willing to follow Kervos' lead. Cradling her against his chest, he left the home, remaining careful not to wake Livia as he did so.
As he walked through town towards Jak'a'Napes, Elze stared at his face, watching him carefully. When he caught her looking, he smiled at her, but the concern must have shown in his eyes.
"Kervos, for someone who's seeing his sisters for the first time in years," she paused, coughing briefly, "you certainly don't seem as happy as you should be."
"My apologies, El. How happy should I be?"
"This happy," she said, screwing up her face into a ridiculous mockery of a happy smile. Kervos laughed in spite of himself, smiling broadly at his sister's appearance. "See! That happy. We're together again, that's how you should look all the time."
Kervos nodded, the smile fading some but staying at the corners of his mouth.
"I promise you, as soon as we get you better, I shall smile like you wish for weeks."
"Good. If you came back just to look like Livia all the time, I would have to whoop that look off your face." Kervos laughed again and Elze joined him until once more a coughing fit overtook her. The two stayed silent then until they arrived at the inn.
Kervos strode into the inn carrying his sister without hesitation, then halted suddenly. Even though he hadn't noticed it when they had been walking down the street, in the more confined space he realized the awkward appearance they struck together. The tall, dark-haired half-orc looked about with the young blonde woman in his arms, feeling immensely self-conscious about his appearance for the first time since he had arrived in Falcon's Hollow. Seeing that a couple people had now turned their attention to him, he cleared his throat.
"Um...I'm looking for Cally?" Kervos announced to nobody in particular, still protectively holding his sister.
After whirling out of Roots and Remedies Cally made her way back to the Jak'a'Napes. At mid-morning the place was literally deserted, with only Morris half-heartedly scrubbing away at the already almost spotless tables in the common room, and with things the way they were in Falcon's Hollow it was unlikely there'd be much of a crowd over lunch either. Sighing to herself, the halfling called to Morris to come with her into the kitchen, where Vera was baking pies for dinner, more out of habit than anything else since the inn only had a handful of guests at present.
Sitting the only other two remaining employees down at the kitchen table, Cally explained the situation to them - she would be leaving for the Vale today, helping to search for a possible cure for the plague afflicting the village. "I've told several of the other volunteers that they could bring their loved ones who are sick here while we're gone. Otherwise it's best if we close the inn - no-one will want to stay here anyway while the place is being used as a hospital, and the only guests we had are coming with me to the Vale."
She looked at the middle-aged human cook and tried to appeal directly to her motherly instinct. "Vera, would you be willing to stay here and help see to Jak and the other ill people while I'm away? They'll need someone to cook for them, and there's no better person in Falcon's Hollow I would trust more to look after the inn. You'll still get your wages, of course, but I can't promise more at present."
Turning to Morris, the slow-witted but amiable scullery boy, she adds "And you too Morris, if you'll help. There's another girl who'll be along to assist with the patients, and Laurel from the apothecary will also be checking in every day, but I still really need both of you to tell me you'll stay and help. Please?" Cally was trying her best to get both Vera and Morris to agree. Otherwise I can't go and leave Jak and the inn in the hands of strangers, and this cure Laurel thinks she's found sounds like his best hope...
After speaking with the employees, Cally heads out back to the cottage to check on Jak, who although looking thin, pale and grey is thankfully sleeping. She spends a few minutes adjusting her master's bedclothes and seeing to it that he has fresh water flavored with squeezed lemon juice on the little table next to the bed, then takes a sheet of the cheap paper from the bureau and writes him a note explaining where she is going and the arrangements she has made. Leaving the signed note on the table, she heads back to her own room above the inn, and starts packing for the trip.
By the time Kervos arrives carrying his ailing sister in his arms, Cally has packed her gear - including rations - gotten Morris to help her ready several of the empty guestrooms for the use of the plague victims, and asked Vera to prepare a lunch for the party heading off to the Vale this afternoon. "Ah, Master Fletcher... Elze... yes, leave your gear over there by the counter, and bring her this way. I'll show you the rooms we have prepared."
"Well, this didn't take long. A little rope, a hatchet for wood and some food and water...
I am set I think, and you two seem ok too right?"
Ruhk looks over at Sutandir and Vaashti, before either an answer, he favours them with another grin.
"So we have nearly an hour before we are to meet the others, either of you feel like getting into trouble?"
"Trouble in a town like this is the last thing I am looking for...Ruhk, was it? In case you were blinded by the reflections from that smile of yours, I'm very different looking from the folk around here, and small town folk tend to set fire to things they find different. And no matter what you've heard, fire will kill or main me the same as any other."
"I think I will return to the inn, and perhaps offer my help to Mistress Cally as she prepares to set aside her livelihood and that of her innkeeper patron. Yes, there's likely to be coin in it for all of us if we can find the cure, but not enough to pay for a business closed for so long."
Vaashti took her leave of the two men and walked quickly to the inn. There she saw the preparations underway for turning the place into a hospital for the sick. She shook her head at the sight, and went upstairs to her room to gather her traveling belongings. She left her cloak on, for now, and began helping Cally with any tasks the halfling woman had for her.
Then, tasks done, and merely waiting for the others to join them for lunch, Vaashti found a quiet corner and began a litany of prayers to Milani. She wasn't formally trained as a cleric, but Milani didn't seem to care. She worked through, and spoke to, Vaashti all the same. Usually the speaking was through visions or dreams, often showing the tiefling girl glimpes of places or people that the Everbloom wanted her to visit. She was hoping for one of those now, as they prepared to search for rare and strange ingredients for a curative that no one seemed to know where they might reside.
Ruhk chuckles a little and calls after Vaashti.
"I'd only be blinded by that if it was reflected in your lovely eyes m'lady."
After she has left, he shrugs at Sutandir.
"Well, can't say she doesn't have a point, and I guess I might wait to get into more trouble until we get back.
After all, I may still need ONE good eye out there.
Still, I don't feel like spending one hour sitting on my backside if I can help it, got any ideas?"
Sutandir listens to Vaashti, not sure if this is nervous banter or actual annoyance, and decides to stay out of it.
To Ruhk, he replies, "I do want to check up on someone before we go. You might like to meet him if he's around."
As they leave the shop, he continues, "Allustan is a wizard I've gotten to know a bit recently. He's the one who taught me how to read arcane script. I had been hoping to be able to get some of his spells turned into potions soon, but that will have to wait. Anyway, he's been away for a bit, but I wanted to see if he had returned. If he's been travelling, he might have some news of the road for us, and in any case he might have some advice or even some useful items we could borrow."
Ruhk shrugs and nods.
"Better than nothing I supose, i just hope he won't be too dry. I have already washed my hair, don't want to rinse dust out of it later today you know?"
Sutandir leads the way through the miner's quarter, nodding at the few people out of the homes at this hour. All of the men who weren't in bed from the plague were out at the mines, but there were always a few children out playing and the wives tending gardens or otherwise occupying themselves for the day. As they approached Allustan's home, they saw no signs of the wizard having returned.
"Oh well, it was worth a shot. Shall we join the rest, then?"
With that, the two men make their way back to Jak'a'napes to have their last comfortable meal for the next week.
Rakarech's eyes open and he looks down, letting out a long, slow breath. With a meaty paw he snatches a cricket from the ground and pops it in his mouth, crunching noisily.
"Grobu! Rokta!" he shouts out before he begins to trek back to the town. Having no real sense of time, he arrives a little early at the inn to find nobody else around. Shrugging his massive shoulders, Rakarech leans against the side of the inn and starts running his bear through a series of commands, feeding Grobu raspberries after each success.
As he goes through his training with his animal companion, Rakarech scowls, looking out over the town. He briefly spies Vaashti praying in the inn, but decides to let her be.
"I am about to venture out into unknown wilds with unknown people. I must be cautious, they are not to be trusted. I know nothing of them. I suppose I will learn. Most are a part of this community and have family here. They are complicit in the destruction of the forest. But they must be taught, not punished. Their loved ones are dying, and if I can help end this plague, there may be negotiations. The greedy ones who exploit for profit will not negotiate though. I will prepare for that."
"Bah, well, I guess we'll just have to settle for a pint or two. Nothing stronger than ale however, we're going to need to be sober when we travel.
Don't worry, it’s my treat."
I better settle for two pints at most, otherwise I'll get rambunctious and then I'll get left behind. But two pints will be like mother’s milk.
"A pint for me and one for my friend here please, might it light ale, we've got plenty of ground to cover.
And have one yourself if you like; it will be some time before we get back I suspect."
I think I'll see if they can fill a skin with some sour wine or something, for the road.
"Looks like everyone is already here, why don't we share a pint and then we can get an early start."
Ruhk turns to include the whole group in his next statment.
"One round for everyone, and don't offend me by saying no, we Ulfen don't appreciate when someone refuses to drink with us, but you can have what you like even....water."
Rakarech nods to Ruhk and Sutandir as they head into th einn, and as Ruhk calls out for ale he shrugs.
"Ill luck to those who reject a gift. Hm. Beer for me. It is what they drink when the water is bad."
"A moment," he says before taking Grobu over to a tree and convincing the little bear to scamper up and hide. He walks into the Jak'a'napes to grab a tankard and stand with the group.
"Fools turn down an offered drink. Thanks to you Ruhk. Tsoch, death to our enemies." He raises his beer in an orcish toast before drinking deeply. Lowering the tankard, he wipes some foam from his beard with his arm. "I am not at home in these towns. But the beer is good."
"Haha, you drink like a champion Rakarech, but while you are right about the beer being good, it doesn't hold a candle to some brews I've tasted from the old country.
There is one called "The whych teat" that is served ice cold, half the mug filled with ground up ice, and even half full and diluted with water like that, it is still strong enough to knock an ogre flat on its backside.
Good thing we don't have that here, because I couldn't have resisted a tankard, and then you'd have to leave me behind."
"By my blood he does -talk-."
Rakarech takes another swallow of beer and continues speaking in his simple common. "Orcs brew bad beer, but very strong. The Druid in the Fangwood brew none at all. What is your old country? I mean to travel far and will look forward to their drinks."
"Land of the Linnorm Kings, the only land I know of that has more than one king.
Do you know why they call it that? Anyone can become king there, all they have to do is pass one little test.
They have to go out and kill a Linnorm and bring back the head.
Do that and you can name yourself king and nobody will gainsay you."
"Just Kervos, Cally, I insist."
Kervos followed Cally's lead and took Elze to the area made ready for her arrival. Tucking his sister in, he knelt beside her and spoke quietly to her for a few minutes until she drifted off to sleep. He remained kneeling next to her for a few more minutes, silently praying for her sustained health, before heading back into the common area of the inn.
After Ruhk's invitation to drink, Kervos stayed back, watching the responses of the rest of the party carefully. Without attempting to be offensive by verbally opposing the offer, he instead remained quiet, re-checking the contents of his pack before the journey ahead of them.
"Haha, you drink like a champion Rakarech, but while you are right about the beer being good, it doesn't hold a candle to some brews I've tasted from the old country.
Cally gives Ruhk a ferocious scowl when he starts running off at the mouth. "You certainly don't seem to have any problem choking down our poor swill here, do you? Ulfen warrior or not, you have a mighty big mouth on you, one that's like as not to get you into a world of hurt one day, boyo." She slams down his next tankard on the table in front of him before storming off, nose held up in the air with an offended sniff. However moments later while helping Vera serve lunch she finds herself quietly singing an old Ulfen song which Jak taught her, almost without realising it...
"Drikk til Glory-feltet
der en mann omfavner døden, og
takker gudene at vi lever i det hele tatt
med vår gledelige døende pusten..."
where a man embraces death, and
thank the gods that we live at all
with our joyous dying breath..."
Brother Shartol and a young woman, presumably his sister, enter Jak'a'Napes carrying those things they each thought they would need. "Everyone, this is my sister, Ralla. She has agreed to care for your sick families while we search for these special ingredients. I think it would probably be a good idea to get her settled into a room and then introduce her to the people she'll be working with and for." He looks to his sister. "That sound about right?"
Ralla came into the room and started looking around. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of the barbaric half-orc, but almost come out of her head when she sees the tiefling. "Are any of the sick like . . . HER?"
After a second of shocked silence fills the room, Shartol replies with pure honesty. "I don't know. It is possible, I guess."
"Hah!" barks Rakarech as the little halfling storms off. He turns as Shartol introduces Ralla. "Be gracious, you are a guest here and she is scared. Try to be cordial. Find something to talk about!".
Rakarech drains the rest of his tankard and stalks over to Ralla. He looms over her, looking smelly and shaggy and weird.
"Hello. I am Rakarech. Do you like trees?"
"Unless you want the rest of us to think you're an overly tall, ill-mannered, ignorant village hick without the sense to behave like a civilized person around strangers, you'd best be minding that tongue of yours, Ralla." Says Cally in a deceptively mild voice to Shartol's sister. "What damned difference does it make what a soul looks like on the outside, when it's what's inside that counts? By that measure you aren't doing yourself any favors with that outburst, lassie. I'll be thanking you to behave properly towards folks in this inn!"
Ralla looks down at Cally as the halfling tongue lashes her. "Riiiight. She's not staying, though?" Her nervous tone gets swallowed as she rolls her shoulders back and stands up, her hand clutching tightly around a small bag hanging from her belt. "Where are the people I'm supposed to help? The sick I'm to care for?"
Her brother shakes his head gently, behind her back, before finding a seat and putting his pack on the table near at hand. "I seem to remember mention of a good, hot meal before we leave? I figure that second part should be soon, so . . .."
Rakarech looks incredulously at Cally as she quietly berates Ralla. "Uncivilized? Tall?" Slowly, he sets his tankard down as he stares at Cally.
"Two guests who are here to help that you insult as host. I do not want to be the third. I will be outside and ready to go." He turns and stalks out of the inn, muttering under his breath.
Ruhk looks around a little sheepishly, rubbing his nose with one finger.
"Is this the way we're going to behave the whole trip?
I don't mind an argument, and if I am making an ass of myself then a tongue lashing could be called for, but I never said this beer was swill, in fact, I seem to recall myself saying that it WAS good."
"In my homeland, a man can only get the true measure of another man, OR woman, by sharing a drink, sharing a fight or sharing a deadly peril with them.
I guess I'll go outside, and join the only one who DID share a drink.
Hope you won't all be so hesitant to join in battle or peril then..."
Saying that, Ruhk walks outside to join Rakarech.
Cally sighs and realizes that she's let her mouth run away from her again. I'm on edge with leaving Jak and heading off into the Vale with these strangers, but I'm taking it out on these folk - who have volunteered to help, they're right - so keep a lid on your tongue girl! It's not in her wilful nature to back down however, so instead of apologizing she stalks into the kitchen and tells Morris to take three of the lunches Vera has prepared outside to Rakarech, Ruhk and the bear...
Vaashti felt first embarrassment, then hot anger at the girl's words. Then, one very deep breath later, calm. it wasn't as if she hadn't dealt with similar reactions most of her life. "No, girl, I am not staying. I am off with these others to help find the cure for the plague scourging this town. Perhaps you should consider the fact that I am doing so of my free will, so that people with prejudices very much the same as yours will not die in the agonies of disease. The Everbloom does not discriminate, either by skin or by prejudice. Now then, why don't you go about your duties while I help Mistress Calla in the kitchen?"
With that, Vaashti followed Cally into the kitchen and began to help her. Morris, I'll take those lunches outside if you need to stay and help Mistress Calla"
Kervos looked up from the re-arranging of his pack that he had been using to avoid the conversations going on. Well now, that escalated rather quickly. I do hope this is not an indicator for how this journey will unfold. Once more slinging his pack over his shoulder, Kervos brought himself up to his full height and made his way over to Ralla.
"Miss Ralla, my sister Elze is one of the sick you will be caring for while we are gone. If you would like to see her now, I can show you where she is resting while everyone else begins partaking in their lunch."
Kervos gestured in the general direction of where Elze had been set up, calmly looking Shartol's sister in the eyes to gauge her response.
Ralla hesitates, but nods. "I think I've seen Elze before. Yes, if you could show me where she is, that would be good."
As Ruhk turns to step outside, Sutandir puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a look asking him to stay.
"Let's all take a deep breath and start over. We who live here have been under some serious strain lately, so perhaps we can let inappropriate outbursts slide just once." At this he pointedly does not look at anyone in particular, but lets everyone decide for themselves who he means.
Stepping over to the window, he calls out to Rakarech. "I realize you are more comfortable out of doors than in, but if you could at least come over to the window, while we have our meal I think we should do a more formal introduction. If we're going to be travelling in potentially dangerous areas, we should know each others' strengths and weaknesses, eh?"
Turning to face the group, he takes a long sip of the drink Ruhk bought him. "I am Sutandir Zarill, Laurel's apprentice. My parents came here after being subject to prejudices among both of their families in Kyonin and Taldor. I've learned to get along, and besides my apothecary training I also have some skill and getting in and out of places. I have a small supply of items I have made that may be of some help as we travel. I'm not a trained fighter, so if we get into trouble on the road, I'll be relying on all of you."
He takes another drink, then sets his mug down and waits to let others speak.
Kervos nodded once, leading Ralla back to where his sister is resting. Standing over Elze once more, Kervos glances sideways at Ralla.
"No offense is meant here, but you seem to not deal well with non-humans. I assume you would feel more comfortable amongst your own kind for the time being," Kervos said as he nodded his head at Elze.
"Do understand I appreciate your assistance with my sister. I hope your brother told you I had promised to pay for your time spent away from your job. Take this now, and if you require more when we return, please, let me know." Kervos reached out and placed a few coins into Ralla's hands, then turned and walked away from his sister once more to rejoin the rest of the group. After listening to Sutandir's introduction, Kervos chimed in.
"A wonderful idea, Sutandir. My name is Kervos Fletcher. Those of you who have lived here for some time may know my sisters, Elze and Livia. Our...", Kervos paused, obviously not liking the taste of the word to come in his mouth, "father, Erwin, passed away recently from the malady that appears to afflict this town, so I have come at my sisters' request, only to find that Elze has also fallen ill. I will do whatever it takes to secure a cure for my sister, rest assured. Most recently I spent time in Taldor, spreading the word of Milani to the Unbearded. That has afforded me some small measure of being able to read people and situations well, but I can also handle myself in a fight thanks to Her grace that She provides in such times of need."
His piece said, Kervos takes a seat and looks to learn more about the others he will soon travel with.
Ruhk has somewhat reluctantly allowed himself to be coaxed back to his seat, where he spends some time quietly sipping his ale and listening to the others talk.
As the conversation begins to slide towards personal introductions, he suddenly perks up, grins boyishly and announces in a high clear voice.
"I'm Ruhk, and I'm a wanted fugitive."
After a short pause he chuckles.
"Well, "wanted" in the sense someone very much wanting to slit my throat, and "fugitive" from some very bad men indeed.
A lot of illegal activities were involved, but only by the other side, so if anyone wanted to make some money on my head, all you need to do is sell me to the criminal underground in Oldfen.
Tends to be hard to explain that you just didn't know who they were or that you only wanted to help the lill' lady they were accosting."
Ruhks smile slips a little, and a serious look enters his eyes for just a moment as he mumbles softly.
"No matter what my father says, I DO know right from wrong..."
"I think some of you may remember me. I'm Shartol. I grew up around here, until I had one of THOSE fights with my dad and, well, I basically ran away from home. That stupidity nearly killed me, but the Monks of the Extended Hand took me in and rebuilt me." He looks around, focusing on his pack and fiddling with his Kama before continuing. "I don't do much, really. I can get around pretty well. That's one things the monks kept me doing, moving. But they taught me to worry about everyone, not specific people. If I do little more than burn food for the rest of you, but manage to help you gather the ingredients that can save this village, well, then I'll have done the right thing. Not trying would be the wrong thing. At least that's how I understand what I think they were trying to teach me."
"I am being a petulant child, but that loud-mouthed halfling will probably have learned her lesson. A host will bear insult with good grace and will not return it tenfold or be cursed. This is the way."
After a little sulk Rakarech stalks back into the inn. He settles in to listen. He eventually speaks up.
"Shartol is wise. We should not argue over small things when there are big things we must face. I will buy a drink for everybody who wants another like Ruhk do." After getting another ale he takes a long draught as he listens to Shartol.
"I am a Druid of Fangwood. The Circle helped me when I was lost. I am still young and learning. You have met Grobu, the bear who follows me. He is not full grown, but will fight well. I call on the land for aid and have a big axe for other times." He sips his ale again. "I am here to learn your lands. And learn how people and the land work together. Your town is sick, so it is good to help. Shartol is right. I do not like a roof on my head or many people. But I must learn respect and wisdom."
The conversation continues for a little while as Rakarech quiets down and listens to everyone, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. After finishing his second ale, Rakarech smacks his hand on the table to get everyone's attention.
"We are done talking. It is time to go. We do not know where witch is, but may find out in forest. I say we go to the old dwarf ruins, which is in north. Old tree is in north too, maybe we find both. Witch is harder. Nobody knows where she is, but maybe we find something in forest."
"I'm not woodswoman, and some of you know this area far better than I do. You lead and I'll follow."
Sutandir stands and picks up his pack. "I agree, it is time. As you say, we at least have a direction for the dwarf ruins, so lets start with that, and be watching for signs of the oldest tree or the witch as we travel."
"You're the boss, but didn't someone talk about having a father who might know more? Or visiting the lumber camp for possible directions?
I'm not really one for ordering others around, but since people are dying, "maybe" directions might not be good enough if we can find better?"
Rakarech shrugs his massive shoulders.
"I am nobody's boss, just want to get moving. Our path starts where we say it starts. Sutandir, is your father near the lumber camp? Or is it so far we can only visit one?"
"Well, towards the lumbercamp then. Does any of you local folks know someone we could ask there? Your local friendly lumberjack story teller, chewing baccy, grinning through yellow stumps of teeth and full of salt-of-the-earth wisdom and local legends to speed us on our way?"
Ruhk begins tromping away, after maybe twenty steps, he stops short, turns around, tromps over to Sultandir and grins.
"After you local boy, YOU know the way and I don't"
Sutandir starts to speak when Ruhk makes his "you're the boss" comment, but then stops as Rakarach responds. At Ruhk's final comment, he just raises an eyebrow, rolls his eyes slightly, then leads the group up the road toward the lumber camp.
"You're right, of course. We can't accomplish a task we never start. The way to the logging camp is pretty well worn. You would have to have your eyes closed to not find your way at least that far."
After gathering your supplies and saying your goodbyes, you set out north through town and out onto the trail toward the Darkmoon Wood. After a few hours of traveling, the Lumber Consortium camp comes into view.
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.
As you get closer, a band of surly looking loggers put down their tools and approach, looking gruff.
"What business do you have hear?" says one of the pack, perhaps the gruffest and surliest of them all.
Rakarech's distant, but sedate mood sours the moment he sees the brutality caused to the land. His skin darkens in anger and he ceases to speak to anyone. Eventually he stays near the back of the group, Grobu obediently on tow.
"And they call me barbaric. I will spill blood here one day and the trees will grow again."
He remains silent, instead staring at the lumberjack with an expression of unreserved loathing.
Sutandir gives the speaker an odd look, then turns to Rakarech and says, "Did you hear that? What business do *I* have here?"
He winks at Rakarech while his back is to the loggers, then turns back and heads right up to them.
"What business do *you* have here, I think is the question. Shouldn't you be at work right now, instead of loafing here? I'm pretty sure Jarlben would have something to say about that, don't you? You recognize me, don't you? One word from me and your job is history."