Caine narrows his eyes a bit at the price.
"Two silver a head, including Ruhk. We help you load. You might still make your delivery on time, and we won't tell Payday that you were more interested in haggling out money for yourselves than you were about getting free labor and keeping to your schedule."
Even with the added threat of involving Payday, Greyson fails to move the men. Edric simply spits on the ground at the mention of the foreman. "Who you think he's going to believe? Us three, or the town drunk? Two silver. Who's trying to cheat who now?" That gets a little chuckle from the other two men. "No, I think we'll stick with 4 silver a head, or you all can enjoy the scenic walk." With that he turns and begins to head back towards the wagon.
Zirren suddenly steps forward, from his quiet spot near the back of the group. "Gentlemen, please, we are all here for a reason. I believe we can come to some sort of agreement. Clearly my companion here believes you are overcharging us for your services. I believe we can come to some sort of arrangement on price. We are, after all, offering our services in assisting you with loading the wagons for free. I believe that should count for quite a bit in negotiations. We are not looking for another for free, nor are such simpletons as to be cheated on hitching a ride in a direction you are already traveling. We are simply asking for you to find a common ground with us, which I believe good men such as yourselves would be inclined to agree. What do you say? Two silver a head, for all of us, and we help you load the rest of your supplies. Perhaps a few of us can even arrange to clean that muck off your clothes with a simple spell? Not a word will be spread by us at this proposition to Payday or his goons."
The three drivers look at Zirren for a moment, clearly taking his proposition seriously. Edric nods and spits onto the ground, sealing the deal. "Alright. Two silver each, you lot help us load the remaining supplies. And no word to Payday. He'd find some reason to tax our profit." He looks back to Jake and John. "Alright boys, lets get these loaded up and on the road."
Caine rolls his eyes. "Good idea. Wish I'd thought of that." he said sarcastically as he moved to heft one of the crates.
Belladonna keeps silent during this encounter, but keeps her ears and eyes sharp. She is learning what the loggers value most. (coin)
She helps out with the loading, but keeps to the small stuff.
Ruhk chuckles a little, forced once again to perform heavy work, despite fully intending to have little more to do with the lumber camp once this little adventure is over.
I wonder if they will realize I quit when I'm not there tomorrow? Or will they get it later today after we all leave for the forest?
While not as strong as some in the group, Ruhk have the healthy body of a relatively young man, one used to heavy work, eating well and generally taking pretty good care of himself, so the task is not all that difficult.
The three drivers take the silver from each of you and quickly disperses it into three equal shares...
20th of Lamashan, 4714, 10:45 AM
With the added help of our benevolent group of concerned citizens, the job of loading the three wagons went surprisingly quick. After only 45 minutes of work, all three wagons were loaded with supplies; a job which likely would have taken the three drivers a few hours to complete. The wagons are loaded in such a way that each one can accommodate two passengers amongst the supplies. The rain continues steadily...
With passengers and supplies stowed properly the drivers snap the reigns and the large work horses begin plodding through the streets. Edric's wagon takes the lead, with John in the middle, and Jake taking up the rear. Getting through the streets takes a little time, but the line of wagons makes it's way through the gates and out into the open fields.
A heavy fog still envelopes the area, keeping visibility down to less than 200 feet; however, the muddy road leading up to the Lumber Camp is plainly visible. Edric glances over his shoulder to those riding in his wagon, his voice muffled by the deep hood that cowls his head. "Goin' to take us about six hours to get there. Might as well get comfortable, as best you can with that damnable rain." He then turns back to his job of guiding the horse.
Having spent time on wagons like this plenty of times, Ruhk leans back and relaxes with a jaw creaking yawn.
"Back on the road again, who'da thunk it? At least there are no bandits on THIS road, which is more than I can say for some for the roads in the valley."
Caine didn't usually carry money. He happened to have a few spare coins in his pocket from a winning streak in a game of dice the night before, so he gave out the silver and chucked the rest of the smattered silver and copper in the mud after he paid. He didn't seem to care about the money, or who saw him toss it.
Belladonna watches the money lie in the mud, and she continued watching, and watching, and watching...
Goodbye, sweet sweet salvation
Sir, please, have some decency. We are availing ourselves of the generosity of these humble working folk, and you callously throw money on the ground in their presence? For shame, sir. Let not your pride bring upon our expedition the pallor of shame, nor add insult to injury for these men who put themselves out for us and obviously work for a wage well below their worth. Let us remember the small kindness done for us and return it to those less fortunate than we are, rather than push our well off status in their faces
Caine looked at Boote like he'd grown a second head. "Less fortunate. Right."
He took a swig off his flask and climbed into one of the wagons.
Its a g%&*$+n plague. Same as the one we're fighting. Gets inside, takes over. Worst part is no one seems to realize they're sick.
If you don't mind my asking, sir,Nathaniel addresses one of the wagon drivers,could you tell us what conditions are like in the logging camp these days. I, of course have not ever been there, or experienced a logging camp at all, and I understand my companions have not been there in some time. Should we be aware of anything unusual, or are there any peculiar dangers, troubling individuals we should be wary of?
Aw gee, I was kind of hoping we could travel in silence and enjoying the road, or at least spend it in genial conversation.
Now he poked the hornets nest, letting these guys have a chance to vent their bitter vitriol...
Aw, gee, I sure do like that Ruhk fellow, quiet, attentive, focused, I'll bet he's a trustworthy sort of fellow as well.
At first Nathaniel is not even sure his driver, Jake, even heard him as the hooded and cloaked figure hunched up in the driver seat did not respond. After a quiet moments he starts talking, though his voice is hard to pick over the sounds of the rain, the wagon wheels slushing through the muck, and the fact that Jake's voice is projecting the wrong direction. "Pretty much miserable. We work six out of seven days, and damn near the entire day. Or so it seems... The Swingers, they got the worst of it. Blisters, broken axeheads, splintered handles, you name it and it happens nearly every day. Folks are constantly gettin' injured from accidents because everyone is overly tired. The Cutters got it a little better, 'cept their accidents are a quite a bit worse when they happen. Just the other day some lad lost his arm above the elbow... The 'medics' just wrapped it up, shoved some herbs over the stump, and sent him home... I was lucky enough to get a position as a Driver. It presents its own dangers, but its easier and I don't have to be surrounded by the constant sounds of hackin' and cuttin'."
"My big brother works there. He's a general laborer. Carries things back and forth." says Belladonna, although rather quietly.
Ruhk grunts a little, opening his hands to check his callused palms.
"Yes...you know, hands should not look like this for at least 5 more years of hard work.
But damn, if my hands didn't look like this, they would be raw and bleeding for all the pain you get as a swinger."
Caine kept his mouth shut. He didn't feel like pissing off the people giving them a ride any more than he already had. Instead he took a pull off his flask and tried not to dwell on the fact that these people were clearly being taken advantage of but refused to do anything about it.
John looks over his shoulder at Belladonna's statement. "What's his name? Mayhap I know him."
Edric grunts his acknowledgement to Zilka. "Things are as they always have been. Work, eat, sleep, die. That's our lot in life in The Vale." He turns his head and spits. "You've got that right, missy. The roads are a sloppy mess, had too many wagons get stuck in the ruts. That puts delivers behind, which makes Payday mad, which makes us Drivers take unnecessary risks to try and get back on time. Which leads to more accidents... The fog ain't helpin' either. Can't see when someone's sneakin' up on you. I don't like it. Seems uncanny..."
"It's an old place, call me superstitious if you like, but old places tends to have a power of their own.
Still, for those with the smarts to show just a little respect, it's usually going to be ok."
So maybe Kreed and Payden will go too far soon enough, just hope it's not someone else who ends up paying the piper."
The hooded figure of Jake nodded, a somewhat silly looking gesture with the deep hood he wore. "Aye. The Fey startin' to get restless though, from what we hear. I heard a couple of Jacks went missin' a few days ago, but that's not sayin' much. Couple o' the Swingers keep sayin' the saw some torches out in The Woods."
"Well, now THAT is just crazy, only a complete fool would go into those woods."
The last bit is said with a very big grin and a self-deprecating chuckle.
"His name's Wilmo. Wilmo Goodbarrel."
She gave a little giggle at Ruhk's latest remark, though she begins feeling a little worried. She swings her little feet back and forth, slightly uncomfortable in her boots.
At hearing Belladonna giggle, Ruhk turns his head her way, puts his finger against his lip with a sly wink and a grin.
A swinger, I say looking at Ruhk's hands, and making a sour face. I'm afraid I don't understand the reference. If you don't mind could you tell me what it means? As to hard work, there is a dilemma, for in some ways hard work can be very rewarding, physically and spiritually, but when it is pressed upon you, when you are forced to work beyond what you can bear, then yes no one should have to work like that, but unfortunately the world is filled with situations that ought not to be and that are. We should work to make things better where we can.
How much further do we have to go now?
"You see, when a wedded couple is open minded..."
Belladonna pauses for a moment.
"Actually, maybe it's best not knowing teehee"
Ruhk's chuckle quickly turns into a full belly laugh at Belladonnas comment, and he can't help but reach out and tussle her hair again.
He waits a little to see if Nathaniel might fall for the ruse, eventually he does decide to let the poor guy of the hook.
"Well, that IS one of the explanations for what a swinger is, but in this case, it's even less complicated than that.
A "swinger" is one who swings the axe against the tree.
We fell the trees and let the cutters use the saws to cut them up just right.
We also got draggers, but there are little need for people dedicated to that alone."
He turned his attentions at their immediate surroundings. "Well I can't say for certain, but for the moment I think we'll be okay.
Zirren looked at Edric. "This man, Payday, who is he exactly? It sounds as though he needs a lesson on how to manage his work crews better."
If I am around Zirren when he says this, that is, if we are off of the wagons and I know he has said this. I respond quickly with...
Nowwait just a second Zirren, we don't know each other that well, and I wont tell anyone else what's proper, but if we are in this together I must object. It is not our place to barge into this community and tell them they must changes their rules. Now, I don't like unfair treatment, I really don't like it, but I don't know all the facts, and if this man or woman, "Payday" is in charge I recommend we respect that authority
|
"This is Zirren's community, Nathaniel, if he wants to make inquiries, well... might not be the best idea though since this Payday fellow sounds like the local boss, and might not take kindly to it. I don't expect it's earned authority, but the authority of might-makes-right."
Zilka mutters in a soft voice, loud enough for Zirren and Nathaniel and the other PCs to hear, but hopefully not loud enough for others.
20th of Lamashan, 4714, 5:00 PM
The day continues to drag on as they three wagons plod along through the fog and rain... The drivers share a bit of their food with any of the party members who would like to partake; it's a simple meal of some dried fruits, cheese, and smoked sausage. A while later the fog begins to lift, but still lingers as little more than a haze that keeps visibility down to less than a thousand feet. The rain, however, continues in a rather irritating on and off fashion.
About halfway to the logging camp their caravan passes by another group of wagons heading back to Falcon's Hollow, loaded up with darkwood logs. The drivers acknowledge each other with little more than a nod of the head. Those hours drag along in mind-numbing repetition... the creak of the wagon wheels, the wet sucking sound of the horses' hooves in the mud, the pattering sound of rain drops striking tin. The only signs of the passing day is the darkening of the sky, until faintly the sounds of life can be heard in the distance. The shouting of workers, the crack of axes splitting wood, and the occasional crash and thump of a tree being felled.
The sight of the supply-laden wagons brings about a cheer from some of the nearby Cutters who were taking a short break from their back breaking work. It would seem that morale was fairly low out in the Logging Camp with the persistent rain and the early winter coming... The wagons come to a stop before a ramshackle little building of wooden planks haphazardly erected. A simple wooden sign swings from rusted iron hinges with the impressive title of "Store" hand-painted in black. The Driver hop down from their posts and move to tie the reins of their horses to a couple of wooden posts pounded into the ground.
Jake then turns to the group while Edric and John head into the store. "We're here."
As Ruhk dismounts the wagon, he looks around to make sure he can speak to the others without being overheard for a moment.
"Well, let's try and make things quick, if we catch the attention of the likes of payday, we might end up in trouble, or causing trouble for people working here.
It's rough you know, if possible, I'd rather avoid giving him reason to take his anger out on anyone else here."
Zirren's eyes widened with recognition at Zilka's words. It was as though a door had been cracked open in his mind. A small rush of information that he had thought to put behind him when he had left to join the Society suddenly came back.
"No Zilka, Nathaniel's correct in this instance. It was my community at one time, but I might as well be an outsider now. Payday is vicious and you couldn't mistake him for anyone else. It would probably be best if we avoid dealing with him for now. Now let's find the man who might know what we're looking for."
That's thinking on the green side of the sod, as they say. Good advice, I'll follow, just leads us where we need to go.
Nathaniel whispers.
"Right, tell you what, I'm not exactly Paydays favourite person since I been taken under the Sheriffs wing, seeing as he is the one guy who can stand up to Payday and get away with it.
I'm going to go wait over there, by the treeline, when you have what we need, lets meet up there."
Ruhk then casually strolls away from the group and disappears into the forest, just far enough away to be able to hide and observe.
Caine looked incredulously at Nathaniel. "Being willing to just go along with the way things are done ain't something to be proud of around here. Payday ain't the master of coin. He's the guy who pays out beatings to workers who don't fall in line fast enough. Then they get fined for missing work."
I find, that is it has been my experience, that jumping to conclusions about "the way things are", is neither prudent nor wise. I agree that no one should suffer unjustly, but suffering is often part of life, and suffering is often doled out for reasons that I will never understand. No one ever promised me a rose garden, as they say. Why things are the way they are here is a mystery to me, and I have no authority to challenge the laws of this land and will not do so. What is right is not always what is reasonable, understanding must come first, before acting rashly.
"Everyone has the authority to challenge the laws of the land. If they are just they will hold on their own merit. Constant legal challenge is the only way to maintain a just society." Caine said. His response was without any real conviction though. It was as thought he was quoting something.
Zirren looked like he was about to say something to Ruhk, but his attention was pulled by the sudden argument between Art and Caine.
Maybe it was the combination of the rain, the six hour wagon ride, or how much of what he had remembered of his life had been before he'd left, but after he spent a few moments trying to get a word in edgewise, he became frustrated. "Alright, that's enough of you two arguing over who's in charge or how things are done here! We are here to try to help Laurel end this plague before any more people have to die needlessly."
He put a hand to his head and took a deep breath. Remember, calm rational thought. Then action.
"I didn't mean to lose my temper." he began calmly after a moment. "We are here to find Milon or anyone else who might known about that tree. Now let's ask around and see if he's nearby. I'll try the shop first."
With that, he turned and headed off to the ramshackle of a building.
Caine shrugged and followed.
Belladonna looks like she's ready to kill, but she keeps her opinions to herself and follows Zirren in a huff.
The only thing Payday needs is a bolt between the eyes.
I will follow Zirren, keeping my distance from Grey and Belladonna, perhaps staying close to Zilka, who I am beginning to think is the more level headed one of this group.