For once, Oleg is actually caught up on the trading post's most glaring problems. He does, however, tell Hadin he'd more than appreciate a little help when it comes time to expand the storage stalls... Which, if things keep up like they are, might be sooner rather than later. Still, the man bids him goodnight as he slumps off to bed.
Hadin spots Siril and Tork sitting to the far side of the camp, lurking in the shadows of the wall. The two ex-bandits appear to be getting on well. Siril, at least, looks mostly healed from his half-dead trek across the Narlmarches. The two men nod as Hadin approaches.
Turns out Tork has started to work for Oleg, helping to parse through the various furs and other goods traders bring in. Tork's more aggressive stance on matters and more practiced eye for nature's bounty plays nicely with Oleg's mercantile eye, helping drive good deals. Soon he's planning to venture out with a few of the traveling hunters, assuming Kesten will let him out the gate. Siril, too, has been busy. Between Hadin's previous lecture, his near-death experience, and now Jhod's care of Wetscale, the bowman is beginning to think that perhaps there really is more to life. He's taken to whittling a small symbol of Erastil--still very crude, but worked from his own hands.
With that, the sun sets on another day and the morrow awaits.
In the morning, Thomas goes through his devotions, and then prepares his spells.
After that, he then goes for breakfast with the group.
I am thinking that we ride to where the initial bandit camp was set, and then follow the river north from there.
Hadin studies the map
I think you're right, Thomas. Let's hope to find this ancient temple quick, for Wetscale's sake. The people that build the temple needed to drink too, and to use water for the building itself. I think it might be a simple wooden structure, or maybe something even more "primitive": Erastil teaches us to try to have the less impact possible on nature while we use it. Of course, I might be wrong, I'm not a scholar or a sage. Following the river will indeed lead us to water sources.
The elven ranger wanders over to where the discussion is going on. His horse was saddled and he had been fussing over the stowage of the groups gear to ensure that everything traveled well. Its a good plan Thomas. I too second it.
With a new day came new journeys, new adventures to be written into song. The group, reunited and reminded of the responsibility they have to saving Wetscale, mounted their horses and made for the Narlmarches. After a few hours ride, they once again come to the campsite where Kressle had made her camp.
It lay much as they left it, though with nature taking its course. The bodies that had been left behind have been picked at by scavengers, and the remaining tents and crates that had been left behind were starting to be reclaimed by the forest. Swarms of flies circle the rotting meats of old rations and dead bandits. The river, just to the west of the campsite, run lazily through the shallow ford but picks up some speed as it widens to the south. To the north, the narrow river grows deeper, though a number of rocks jut from its surface.
If I recall, we didn't explore this area. Let us check it for the temple before we head north along the river.
As expected, the river extends to the north and south for quite a distance. Hadin takes the lead, his shared faith with Jhod spurring him to even greater deeds than normal. It still takes a bit of time to explore one side of the river before trekking over the ford to repeat the process on the other side. Fortunately, daylight holds out long enough for you to just about finish the task.
The temple you seek is nowhere to be found, though perhaps that was expected. At the very least, there are no bandits to be found. It might be a bit too convenient to hope they've moved on after the defeats they suffered, but you can't help but wonder. Neither do any nightly predators bother you at the campsite that night. The watches come and go in peace, the sounds of the wilderness to keep you company.
Dawn rises over the Narlmarches, bringing another day of exploration and wonder. Hopefully you'd have better luck as you moved on to the north. Jhod's temple had to be somewhere!
Well another day, another copper piece.
Thomas does his morning routine.
Dimtri looks earnest at the newfound cooperation of his teammates. Perhaps they could save Wetscale. Rather than add his two copper, Dimtri kept silently to himself while Dendarial and Thomas attempted to navigate the wilderness.
How many days has it been? he mused to himself.
Today, Thomas takes the lead. You follow the river, heading upstream on its western banks. Eventually the river banks and heads more westward than northward.
The going is a bit more difficult. The trees are thicker and the undergrowth is wilder. There are fewer animals trails to follow, and certainly less man-made trails. You're not sure the bandits had ever frequented this side of the river.
With the combination of slower travel and the river's division of the region into two parts, you realize it's impossible to finish the mapping in a single day. Worse, you fail to find a narrow and shallow enough spot to cross the river. You could always try to swim across it... but it looks easier said than done.
You set up camp for the night and assume your usual watches. The night passes, once more, in peace. Dawn approaches and the final watch takes their stand just before dawn. Thomas and Brycen share a few quiet words while they stand against the darkness.
Suddenly Thomas spots a branch wriggling near the side of camp. The movement slows, then creeps closer to Tyanos. It's quiet, but Thomas swears he hears a muffed, tiny laughter...
Thomas taps Dmitri and points out the stealthy movement, as he whispers.
I am going to light it up there, be ready to react.
As soon as Dmitri indicates he is ready, Thomas will cast light in the area that he spotted the movement.
Upon Thomas' signal, Dimitri readies a hand upon his bastard sword and leans in position.
"Alrighty..."
What is this, again...
As soon as Thomas steps forward to cast his light, you hear a panicked little yelp and a surge of movement away from the campsite. Whatever it was, it was very small and damn quick. Hadin starts awake, searching for any signs of evil, but finds nothing.
Tyanos wakes at the sound of action and turns over to find a buzzing hive of bees merely a few feet from him. The bees swarm out of the hive and circle the air around it, clearly very upset.
Thomas steps up towards the bee's with his staff held crossways.
Tyanos, move away from them
as soon as tyranos is clear, Thomas casts burning hands on the bee's
Tyanos does not bother to wait for anything, much less Thomas' warning as he puts distance between himself and the insects. He makes a rude gesture and speaks into the night.
"Petty tricks for petty creatures. If you can't face me with any manners then you'll find a price to be paid."
If those cretins were looking to make an enemy they had done so. He would not forget and be it a week or year he would show them the same kindness, more so in fact. It seemed the creatures of this land were determined to provoke them, so be it. The rule of nature was a bloody one, no beast more so then man.
Rousing, Dendarial figures out what is going on and moves from the bees.Thomas, the bees are as much a victim as Taynos in this. There is no need to kill them. Follow Tyanos' lead and move away.
Later, once things have calmed Dendarial offers Tyanos, I believe some fay have decided they like you. I will be the first to admit that they have an annoying way of showing it and cannot blame you for your dislike of them. You do realize they have singled you out because they get a reaction from you, yes? Could you consider restraining your revenge on them to similar non-lethal tricks? If they could be befriended think of their value as scouts and messengers, and possibly emissaries to their kind. It would be a difficult thing, to befriend the fey. But if anyone could do it I think it would be you.
A number of the insects pop and crisp as a wave of flame washes outward from Thomas' hands. The survivors quickly flit away from the danger, abandoning their hive to an apparently more important instinct.
A branch cracks higher up in the trees, drawing your eye to its uppermost branches. A pair of gleaming golden eyes peer down through the leaves, though it's difficult to get a good look at what exactly they're attached to in the dim light.
"A price to pay, you say? Maybe gifts to give? Or trinkets to trade? Perhaps baubles to barter?"
The eyes fade away almost as quickly as you noticed them, accompanied by a peal of strange laughter and the rustling of branches. A strange breeze seems to swoop down and past Tyanos' shoulder before zipping away with a few whispered words in a strange tongue.
"Maybe listen to the elfy biggins! No play, no fun. Like those other bigginses we saw!"
And then, as quickly as it all began, the quiet solitude of the wilderness morning returns.
Dendarial looks into the trees when he hears the voice.
Well, I think that was our morning wake up call, unless you wish to go back to bed for the last couple of hours.
Dendarial's keen elven eyes dart to attention with the caution of a huntsman. Though his lids may be heavy with disturbed slumber, he catches a clear glimpse of the creature behind the eyes before it vanishes. The small, reptilian creature boasted a lanky, azure body and a pair of tiny ivory horns. Its head was draconic in form, though small and far more amiable than most portraiture of dragonkind. Butterfly wings folded down at its side as it clutched the branch it sat on with its foreclaws... and then it was gone.
You're fairly certain the creature is a faerie dragon. Playful and mischievous, these little dragons bear more similarity to the fey than to their larger cousins. Unfortunately, you've only heard a few stories about these elusive creatures--and thus, don't really know much more about them.
Its a faerie dragon. Dendarial says, wonder filling his voice. They are playful and mischievous but not deadly. I bet he would make a great friend if he could be befriended. Digging through his pack Dendarial comes up with some dried apples. He moves toward the tree and reaching up places the treat on the highest branch he can reach.
A gift for you my little friend. I hope you enjoy it.
He then backs away and only watches the spot out of the corner of his eye.
Dmitri also understood Sylvan but wanted to watch the development that was happening. A smile formed on his mouth as Dendarial attempted to pacify fey.
"In my day, this ain't so bad. Sometimes things can get nasty but you'll be 'right, Tyanos. Take a lead from Den'. Never know what ya might get, ya 'know?" he said while munching on a small reed.
A faerie dragon ? Thomas looks at Dendarial I have heard of such, but I had thought they were a myth.
The apples sit untouched on the branch. Regrettably, the faerie dragon seems to have already made his departure. Dendarial's words are met with no response but the quiet morning breeze.
Tyanos gives the pair a look.
"You get what you give. I've seen grown men fall dead from a bite of some of these bugs. If you want their attentions then by all means. But I would not be hurt at all if they loss interest in me, I dare say I would be likely to live longer as a result."
He didn't care if it was fey or dragons, if they had sense they would use it. If not then they would be treated as such in kind. You don't gain kindness, loyalty, or good will by attacking the subjects of such. The fey wanted to be on good terms with him, they would have to put the effort into digging themselves out of the hole they put themselves in. Otherwise he would return their treatment, that was a fair trade after all.
"As far as what I may or may not do. That depends on them more then me. Actions have a price, don't make them if you lack the coin to pay."
Thomas sits back, and starts to finish his watch.
There is still a couple of hours until the dawn, so if you wish to stay up, that is on you.
Dendarial considers the words of Tyanos for a moment before nodding. If I understand you right then I have a proposition for you. I offer you payment for enduring the attentions of these fey without paying them back as you would prefer. These creatures are important to me and if you will endure their insults to your person I shall compensate you how you most prefer, be that in coin, or service, or my support for some venture that is important to you. Is there some set of terms that we can agree upon?
Tyanos shakes his head, keeping his already raw temper from being bared.
"I am no harlot for coin, I am a merchant. Their is a difference. A man may suffer many things but he will not be insulted. Should they push me far enough to invoke a blood feud then they may choose weregild or not. But that is nether here or there. They have their ways and I have mine, they force theirs on me then I may force mine on them in turn. They have been the aggressors from the start, once may be forgiven but time and again will not. I wonder if you would feel the same if they were goblins. I care less for what they are then who they are, so far they are becoming more an enemy then anything else. Their choice not mine."
With a huff he moves his things to another location not near a formerly live beehive and settles in to return to sleep.
"May Desna grant me one peaceful night without nonsense."
He keeps the energies of a spell in his head before he drifts off to sleep.
The ranger shrugs and says mostly to himself He said actions have a price and mentioned coin. I figured I could appeal and appease with the offer of payment. I guess I do not understand that man. He too goes back to bed.
With nothing else to discuss, the group returns to sleep for a short nap as the sun finishes its journey up above the horizon. Day breaks across the Stolen Lands, and the day's journeys await.
After rising and checking on his mount Den sends Acio up to get to look for any threats near the camp or along the path they will take. He then goes and checks the tree to see if the dried apple slice has been removed.
After he helps break camp and makes sure everyone's gear is stowed properly for efficient travel.
After everyone starts to rouse, Thomas puts breakfast on, and then leaves it for Dimitri to finish while he goes to study and prepare his spells for the day.
Once that is done, he packs up his gear, and then returns for breakfast.
So shall we try to finish looking around this clump of woods today
I hope that we find this temple soon for wetscales sake
A dragon? A faerie dragon? What does it look like? Can we trust it? Last time I tried to discern evil creatures, but it wasn't evil. Maybe we could politely ask him where the temple might be? Aren't dragons supposed to live very long lifes? It might know more about this place than anyone else, so...
That is a good idea Hadin. It might very well know where the temple is. But we will have to befriend it before we can ask it. He shoots a worried look over towards Tyanos.
With the river barring passageway north, the group continues to follow the river upstream. Progress is still somewhat slowed by the thick forest, but the thinning trees beside the river's banks allow you to pick up a bit of speed.
The river spirals inward upon itself as you follow it, and near noontime you've found the river's source: a spring bubbling from a small outcropping nestled in the heart of the Narlmarches. Not much later you find a half-cut clearing. A number of jagged stumps and fallen trees lay along the southern banks of the river (which, as it so happens, is now the opposite bank you'd been following). An axe lay firmly planted into one of the stumps, while an unmoving figure appears trapped beneath the nearest of the logs.
Dismounting, Thomas quickly looks around and then starts to make his way to the trapped person.
Hoping to get a response of some sort.
Standing tall on his horse Dendarial looks around for any threat. Acio similarly takes off from the ranger's shoulder and begins to circle above.
