Timerious wriggles forward after looking about the thicket and seeing nothing that looked immediately dangerous. Past a human sized rib cage and over several other bones that were buried by leaves and forest debris he went. Crouching by the stump he saw that the skulls and what he could see of the bones showing appeared human-ish, they definitely were not the remains of chickens or cows. Upon the stumps top were many heavy gouged cuts from some bladed implement, none had any signs of being recent. Timerious gathered up the wooden piece he had thrown away in his arms and turned back to the tunnel in the brush he had crawled through. There was a rustle of leaves behind him suddenly...
Adrianna rushed forward and gave her mother a big hug, Markas could not understand or clearly hear what they said to one another while they embraced. The warm reunion warmed Markas's thoughts, they had prevailed! Nowhere that Markas looked could he see the former prisoner Timerious as he and Erik walked toward Adrianna and Gertie and that saddened the cleric of Petra. The wounds the living had suffered with time and Petra's graces would mend but the loss of Timerious meant that their family had lost yet another of their kin. 'Truly this eccentric family has lost much to the Black Knight and the bandits of the southern rift. Petra, wherever their spirits now rest may you grant their addled minds serenity. For ...'
The start to Markas’s silent prayers for the dead was interrupted by the sudden and unexpected sound of rustling leaves in the underbrush of the nearby heavy brambles.
[spoiler=Timerious' turn]What is that sound?!
Louis continues to cautiously look about the empty and run down cabin, beyond the odor of many men having stayed in a poorly ventilated small space there is nothing he sees as a danger. This abandoned farm appears to have been used as a place for this bandit group to occasionally rest at but nothing from what he sees gives him the feeling that this was some sort of permanent base. "All clear in here... Every thing good with you?" Louis calls out loud enough to be heard through the leaky roof above him. He hears Latovius's foot falls as the rogue moves from the front of the building to the back. As the man crosses the roof a rotten section gives way beneath the rogue but Latovius is far too agile to fall through the hole. The noises on the roof cease at the back end of the building and Louis is left waiting in silence. Louis moves and looks out the side windows, single back window, and open back door and sees nothing of concern. Louis watches for several moments as Latovious searches the plains and woods behind the abandoned farm for signs or bandits.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary and with his stomach growling in protest Louis moves away from the open back door and tosses a few greasy rags from the counter into the fireplace onto the dying coals. The rags catch flame after smoldering for a bit, a nearby pile of haphazardly cut firewood and brush should provide enough fire materials for a few more hours. Smoke partially covers the first few inches of the ceiling as the fire catches and the poorly built fireplace leaks smoke that was trying to rise up the chimney.
Louis tosses broken crockery, rancid and inedible food scraps, and horribly soiled linens into the fire as he sorts through the contents of the messy counter. Sniffing the small amount of clear liquid contents of several bottles Louis determines that it is all the same type of strong spirits and consolidates the bottles into one and a half full liter bottles. Taking a swig after his efforts reveals only a brief bitter charcoal flavor to the alcohol, other than that it was flavorless and strong. Finishing cleaning the counter produces several pounds of unpeeled raw potatoes and onions from a sack along with several pounds of flour and some hardtack. There is nothing resembling clean drinking water in this cabin, there isn't even a proper dry sink in this broken down cabin! Louis has been in some rough homesteads and farms growing up, whoever settled here didn't have a clue on what they were doing and that probably lead to this farm's failure or even their demise. Chewing on one of the hard crackers Louis gives up on the counter and begins to toss the bedding while waiting for the others. There is a single 4 foot long bench and a slightly bigger table overturned against one of the back walls that were covered by odds and ends from those who bedded down here.
Surrounded by the old scattered remains of six or more individuals and with the recent unexpected reunion with his uncle Timonius fresh in his mind Timerious's ability to think clearly halted at the very instant the leaf litter behind him came to life. On pure survival instinct alone Timerious clutched the burned timber to his chest and he dove towards the hole in the thick briars he had blazed to crawl in by. Fear pushed his exhaustion aside for the time being and Timerious crawled forward and out of the brush as quickly as he possibly could to save himself. He clipped someone's leg hard as he exited the brush and sent them crashing into the thicket. Uncaring about whoever it was Timerious scrambled to his feet and took off running to escape from the undead scourge that was hot on his heels.
Markas is caught flat footed as someone or something lurches out of the brush and clips his right leg with such force that his entire body is spun around violently on just one leg. Unable to react quickly enough to catch his balance Markas twirls and falls toward the thicket he was standing by. He manages to shut his eyes, turn his face a bit, and bring his left hand before his face. The instinctual move probably saved his sight! Markas pushes himself out of the briars as quickly as he could after falling and witnessed the leather clad back of whoever it was that hit him as they fled the clearing.
"Yikes! Damned baby rabbit scared me half to death! Wait, who the hell is that?" Erik exclaimed as he jumped at the unexpected racket from the dense brush and something darted out past him. The fighter like Markas only could see the retreating back of the bandit in the brush from where he stood several feet behind Markas.
"Timerious, the boy's shattered mind is even more so after his trial. It is filled with so much anger and fear that I was forced to alter his thoughts with the last remaining powers I had." Gertie spoke up as Markas and Erik gathered nearby. The brush behind them was still and no sound came from it.
"Whoooaaaa!!! It's going to catch me!!!!"
The fighter had been through much, maybe too much for one man to deal with. If he wasn't too far gone clearly Petra would heal. Praise Petra. If Latovius were near he would be more equipped for this job, but someone needed to do it. With that thought Markas sprang into action chasing Timerious in an attempt to catch, tackle, and hopefully subdue him until he could be calmed down. "I'm going after him."
Blinding fear continued to spur Timerious into an all-out run away from the dead who had risen to claim his flesh and soul. Up ahead he could see a few thicker trees and he thought if he could just reach them he could try and hide behind them. Using the last bit of effort and speed he could muster Timerious rounded the side of the trees and pressed his back against the largest one. Clutching the burned timber tightly to his chest while he gasped in mouthfuls of air Timerious risked a fearful look back the way he had come and saw... a chain mail armored man running after him in the distance. Pushing aside his fear Timerious pulled the black knight's sword from his belt to defend himself from this fast approaching foe. At the very moment Timerious recognized the man as Markas he heard him call out to him. "Timerious halt! We have won the day!"
The fleeing Timerious was too lightly burdened and fleet of foot for Markas to gain any ground on him. He saw the fleeing man dart behind a few larger trees quite some distance up ahead and stop. As he ran as fast as he could all Markas could muster was to call out to the hiding Timerious. "Timerious halt! We have won the day!". The cleric put all of his hopes in preventing a physical altercation with the supposedly maddened Timerious.
Louis stands up when finished tossing the interior of the cabin for food or anything of value or use. He sees through the three front windows that Latovius is standing in front of the cabin with Darcy, Brion, Murlsan & Garent all were looking down at the ground. Louis walked out the front door and saw Darcy writing on a parchment while they all looked down at one of the men she had cut down with an arrow buried deep into his skull. All of the survivors bore wounds; the bear and the ogre were the most seriously injured. Darcy held the parchment out and placed the quill she had been writing with behind her left ear. "Bounties to be collected upon and split seven ways evenly for the bandits: Marxian, Original Cain, Dilbin Senior,Lucky Red Orden, and twelve assorted 'bandits'. Please notify the estate of the merchant Karsten Roublis of his strangulation death at the hands of this bandit band and that his murder was avenged. Anyone have anything else?" At hearing the familiar name of the merchant they had left Melinir with spoken out loud Louis looked to the unmoving figure tied to one of the back wheels of the wagon near the farm house. The dead man's head hung low and to one side after someone had checked on his fate.
"Not unless you came across any information on the bodies of this group's leaders." Latovius kicked at the dirt in front of him and then looked upward at the sky. Darcy shook her head negatively while Latovius continued speaking. "Looks to be rain coming. Some of us should go fetch the horses and get them into the lean to shed while the others strip the bodies of the dead for funeral rites when Markas returns. There's plenty of potatoes and onions in the back of the wagon, we can pile the items retrieved from the dead on it to be divvied up later. Say, how do we collect our splits of the bounties?"
Darcy placed the quill in the middle of the parchment and rolled it up tightly before snapping the quill inside. The parchment in her hand glowed briefly blue before it disintegrated and fell towards the ground turning into glowing blue dust, not on spec ever made it to the ground before it vanished entirely from existence. "Melinir's city council has a meticulous halfling woman in charge of the bounties. Simply go see her and identify yourself, she will have the information I just sent within the day." Louis noticed a brief look of disappointment on Latovius's face when the bounty claiming process was explained. Given the thief's reluctance in the past to meet with the city guard and its leadership Louis had a pretty good idea what had caused the look.
"What happened? Where are the dead? I felt them. Where did they go?" Timerious questions the chain mail clad youth. "Did you see them?"
Timerious called out to whatever approached that looked to be Markas from the safety behind the trees; he could do little to cover the nerves and fear in his voice. "What happened? Where are the dead? I felt them. Where did they go? Did you see them?" Gripping his sword and the burned timber tighter to him Timerious whipped quickly about both sides of the tree he had been hiding behind. Neither side's view afforded him any vision of the undead that were hunting him. The person had been continuing their run towards Timerious but slowed and stopped some distance away. "There have been many dead this day and I will offer prayers to Petra for their souls if that is what you mean. Could you put away your sword? It is making me uncomfortable." From where Timerious partially hid behind the tree he saw the figure's arm and hand moved toward the mace at its side.
"What happened? Where are the dead? I felt them. Where did they go? Did you see them?" Markas heard in a rapid fire panic filled voice from the grouping of larger trees where he had seen Timerious running towards last. He continued running towards the worried fighter but stopped when he witnessed Timerious frantically looking about the sides of a large tree at him with his sword drawn. Hoping to diffuse the situation but still give himself a chance to fend off the man if he had been driven mad Markas spoke up while reaching towards his mace. "There have been many dead this day and I will offer prayers to Petra for their souls if that is what you mean. Could you put away your sword? It is making me uncomfortable."
Clutching the burned timber in his left arm Timerious draws it upward until it touches his face, eyes closed he murmurs"Halav save me. What is happening here?".
Timerious lowers the timber but raises his sword. "Do not threaten me. I've been threatened by the Black Knight and he has been put to rest. Only threaten me if you want the same."
Timerious steps away from the tree. "In the name of Halav I've found this timber that once was lost. I have to take it to Gertie so step back and don't come nearer!"
He is talking about the dead and ran from something. Does this relate to the tome Adrianna had me read? Timerious did spend a long time in the cursed place. Now he doesn't seem to recognize me, thought Markas.
Speaking clearly and softly, "Timerious it is I Markas. We have defeated the bandits. You are safe praise Petra."
Markas looked for a reaction from the fighter and surveyed his next action.
Timerious was fairly confident that the muscular man in front of him was Markas but then why did he seem to still be tense and at the ready for action? Was this man stalling or unaware of the horrid undead that were headed this way? To be completely safe Timerious kept his sword leveled at the possible foe and he circled slowly forward and to the left which would allow him to keep an eye on the man but would also allow him to look beyond Markas for signs of the spirits that sought his flesh.
Timerious leveled his sword directly at Markas as the man took a few steps closer to him and then he unexpectedly changed course and moved off to the left for several steps. Timerious's eyes darted quickly about the area as he walked but they were never off of Markas for more than a heartbeat. Something just didn't feel right to Markas ...
Since everyone is on the verge of starvation Louis thinks it's best to start making a meal for everyone, he will stoke the fire get it going, and make a large meal.
I don't think this big oaf is here to hurt me so I shan't hurt him unless he tries to lay hands on me.
"Move aside. I need to go back to the old woman Gertie. I believe she has answers for me. I don't believe you have anything for me. Better yet lead the way to Gertie and don't attempt to change my course or hinder me and I will not hurt you."
Timerious gestures for the youth to lead the way to the others.
Well it wasn't exactly the way Markas wanted the interaction to go but at least Timerious would be joining the others. Petra sometimes works in mysterious ways, thought Markas.
With Timerious calmed down Markas heeded his words and turned in the direction of the group, namely Gertie and said, "let us return to Gertie and the others." Once Timerious was reunited with Gertie, Markas intended on learning more about these dead the fighter was afraid of. In that moment his left hand felt naked without it's holy symbol laden shield that still resided with Murlsan's brothers.
Timerious motioned Markas forward ahead of him at sword point and the cleric complied with little said. Traveling a shorter route then what Timerious had chosen originally the two arrive at the spot where the others had been earlier. Timerious felt a great sense of unease at being back at that spot but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The others were no longer there but a quick look around located the trio moving away and to the south. Markas and Timerious changed direction and made haste to catch up to the three. Erik heard their approach and turned around, "You found him Markas! Wait, what is this? Why is he holding a sword to you? What are you about Timerious?" Erik exclaimed as he drew his own sword and raised his shield up in one fluid motion. Adrianna immediately put herself between Gertie and you while raising her palm to face you.
With Gertie in plain view Timerious becomes visibly more at ease.
"I have found the sign Gertie. I've also seen the error of my ways. Impatience and discord are my enemy and I shall struggle to overcome them. They will not hold sway over me any longer."
Timerious turns to Eric and replaces the sword in his belt. "You on the other hand are not my enemy. My sword will be put away until my stout companions have need of it's services."
"Thank you Eric for looking out for me. Timerious has had many a tough day and I fear that more of them are to come. Petra willing he will eventually find peace. For now let's reunite with the rest of the group."
"Now why again did you have Markas as a prisoner?" Adrianna lowered her hand slowly as she looked to Markas with concern on her face.
"Better yet, what the hell were you running from man? Wait, what the hells is that on your hand and neck? What the f&$~ did you get yourself into?" Erik recoiled from Timerious a step as he held his shield between himself and Timerious as if to keep at bay whatever affliction Timerious may have. All, except Timerious, could see now that it was pointed out to them that the flesh of Timerious's right hand and the skin on the right side of his neck from the collar of his leather armor up that side of his neck was a deep red color, similar to a birthmark.
Markas out of the corner of his eye sees Gertie turn at this time from the rest of the group as they stare at Timerious with alarm and concern. More then one person takes a nervous step or two away, Markas included, from Timerious at this moment. The old seer continues slowly walking southward by herself without saying a thing to anyone. Markas knows that her course is not likely the direction of the rest of the group but her progress is slow and so it should be easy enough to catch up to her if they don't spend too much time here.
"A vision of my dead uncle came to me.....and then the spirits were upon me. They were spirits of the dead. I needed to get away...and then I did. When someone chases me I don't ask questions first. I tell them to stop. If they don't stop then I stop them."
Timerious glares from one fool to the next. Why were they talking to him like this? It made him angry.
"I fetched this token for Gertie. It is for Gertie that I carry it and to Gertie that I will present it. I don't like your questions and I won't be wrongly chastised."
Timerious' eyes flashed. He turned to the runt with the shield. "There are signs. This token is a sign. There are signs everywhere. You may want to find a sign that says to stop up your mouth.....before I stop it for you."
With clenched jaw and grinding teeth Timerious spat words in staccato bursts. "My sword has been put away...all I hold is this token...in my red hand...will you try to take it from me?...or will you stop?...Or shall I help you?"
Markas wondered if Timerious' mind would ever be right. Petra willing it would. The warrior priest would not likely allow himself to be held a sword point again. Now Gertie was on the move. So far her sight has proven to be heeded, but now the group needed to be re-United and food needed to be consumed before weakness overcomes the group thought Markas.
"Timerious I am glad you are back amoung us. I saw no spirits of the dead but believe that you did. Next time rather then running let's face them together while we are strongest. Can we agree on that?" Markas did not mention being threatened.
Erik stood silent and stared directly into the face of Timerious as he gave his explanation complete with threats. The fighter stood his ground unflinching and unconcerned with whatever emotions were getting stirred up in Timerious. "This one has some sort of affliction and has gone stark raving mad! Why placate the disturbed Markas? He should know the truth and not what his mind has created, maybe it will motivate him to get help. Timerious, there were no spirits or booger men that fled that brush along with you. It was just a young spring hare! You turned tail and ran from a rabbit not some ghost! Then you took Markas prisoner, one of the men who freed you from the Black Knight's shackles. In your madness you held your sword to him and then returned to us as if you had accomplished some great deed that warranted high praise. Your lucky brother Markas is a caring soul and is devoted to Petra." Erik put his sword away but his shield remained where it was protecting himself from Timerious. "Remember Simien the Pigeon Man? I'll not allow Timerious to do the same! Prove yourself to be of sound mind over the course of our remaining travels and I shall forgive your odd behaviors else I'll see to it that you never again set foot in Melinir. Melinir has enough problems with bandits and would be kings it has no need for crazed madmen to roam its streets."
Adrianna walked away from Timerious, as she did she rested a hand on Erik's armored shoulder. "Mother said she had nothing to fear from Timerious. She didn't say anything about him and the rest of us though, the devil's always in the details with her. Stay on your guard if you wish to do so. Mother is on the move to somewhere and so shall I be on my way." The beautiful sorceress walked after her mother leaving Erik, Markas, and Timerious staring at one another. An awkward moment of silence passed among the three. Timerious clutched the burned foot long building timber protectively to his chest as he stared daggers at the heavy plate wearing Erik. Erik remained stoic and unimpressed with the hateful looks he was receiving. Markas scratched at the scruff on his left cheek with his right hand while he tried to figure out what Petra would have him do.
Markas recalls easily enough Simien the Pigeon Man, an eccentric middle aged man who sold bird seed outside of the temples and loved to feed the pigeons that flocked to the gathering square over the years. As the man's mental health became more frail over the years he would occasionally have outbursts and fits if no one would buy his bird food or if children chased away the pigeons. One day a merchant's cart and horse escaped from the market square and tore through the gathering square, many pigeons were crushed under beast and wheels. As the owner of the cart and his assistant chased after the run away horse Simien fell upon them and savagely beat them to death with his bare hands right there in the gathering square in front of many onlookers. The city guard apprehended Simien and took him away to the Melinir city jail, where he resides to this day, as he continued to inflict damage upon the corpses of the merchant and his assistant unable to stop himself.
Timerious recalls hearing whispers and rumors about Simien the Pigeon Man. A middle aged man who sold bird seed outside of the city temples and loved to feed the pigeons that flocked to the gathering square over the years. Timerious recalls having the man snap at him when he refused to buy his bird food. The rumors go that one day a merchant's cart and horse escaped from the market square and tore through the gathering square, many pigeons were crushed under beast and wheels. As the owner of the cart and his assistant chased after the run away horse Simien fell upon them and savagely beat them to death with his bare hands right there in the gathering square in front of many onlookers. The city guard apprehended Simien and took him away to the Melinir city jail, where he resides to this day, as he continued to inflict damage upon the corpses of the merchant and his assistant unable to stop himself.
Louis walked over to the rickety shed and beneath its holey roof mounds of dry grasses were piled. Darcy and Latovius set out to return with the horses while Murlsan and the bear had a seat where they had been standing. Their serious wounds and exhaustion left them with little energy to do much more. Brion took it upon himself to properly inventory the bandits. In the shed there was evidence of the bandits using this as a place to sleep in the form of a few small sacks, empty bottles, clothing strewn about, and a small ring of stones with ashes inside. Moving the straw and things about for five minutes Louis found a pair of back packs, a sling and twenty stones, and a small coin purse with 17 silver pieces inside.
With nothing else to be found in the shed Louis made his way over to the wagon and checked on Karsten. The man had been strangled to death and not long ago judging by the lack of stiffness in the body. Louis cut the man's ties and gently laid his body flat upon the ground. While kneeling next to the dead man he offered a silent prayer for the good merchant's soul. 'Truly the farm families and small hamlets of the Thunder Rift are going to be hard off with this dear kind man's death. Karsten dealt fairly and compassionately with all, I pray his soul is judged the same as he lived.' Wiping a couple of tears from his eyes Louis snorted and stood up, no one appeared to have noticed his humble prayer.
Louis hopped up into the wagon, there were open burlap sacks and barrels covering the bed. There was probably two thousand pounds or so of last fall's potatoes and onions, they would not starve! These were likely bartered for the goods the merchant provided the farming communities with and were to be sold in the market square of Melinir. Looking up from the back of the wagon Louis realized that there were no horses around to pull this thing, obviously there had been enough bandits and manpower to drag it here but moving this much weight without horses was going to be impossible. Brion was returning towards him with two heavy looking makeshift bundles slung across his back while Louis took a large bite from raw potato. The man's wounds made him wince with every trudging step towards Louis.
When Brion is close enough Louis will take the healing ring and hand it over to the wounded warior here my friend use thiz for a while and recover Louis will then take some potatoes and onions to Murlsan and the bear to eat, and then go in make a large meal for the group.
"I have as much of a right to live in Melinir as you do. If you are highborn or not means nothing to me. I am on my way back to Melinir. Do not try to stop me. I am a stout friend and a worse enemy. It may serve you well to recognize that."
With that Timerious turns to follow Gertie.
Erik says nothing in response to Timerious's words, he merely takes it all in without any emotion. As Timerious storms off after Gertie Markas sees that Erik's hand remained on the handle of his sword behind his shield the whole time. Markas has no doubts that Erik would cut down Timerious should the man become fully unhinged or threatened the life of any allies. Whether or not that would happen before they reached Melinir only Petra knew.
Gertie continued moving in a mostly south direction even though Adrianna, who had caught up to her mother, seemed to point eastward while in conversation with her mother ahead of you. The two of them approached a few scraggly twisted pines up ahead and stopped there. When you arrive and stand near them you see a pool of water about six to eight foot across, fairly shallow with a black sludge bottom and a reddish orange band on shoreline edges of the pool. "The only water that can be easily gotten for several miles around. Heavy water but we shant be able to consume enough of it to suffer the effects. Fill all the water skins and then let us find the others." Erik filled his nearly empty water skin from the pool and took a small sip and then recoiled as if he'd just taken a shot of strong liquor. "Eeeghhh, that tastes of metal. I pray to Petra that Louis has found something to cover up the bad taste of this stuff." Adrianna also fills her water skin at the pool, upon standing back up she reaches a delicate hand to a branch from a nearby pine tree. "With good clean water these trees would be much larger."
Timerious stands proudly alongside Gertie and offers her the timber with both hands and a beaming smile upon his face. The old woman pats him on the shoulder, "Well done. Thank you my friend, gather some water and then we shall be off for the cabin. Could you carry that boon a bit longer for me?"
Louis hands over the enchanted ring as Brion sets down the two makeshift bundles of weapons onto the back of the wagon. An eclectic collection of weapons is suddenly on display in front of the two fighters. Mostly blades of varying lengths and qualities but a few hammers and an exquisitely carved spiked wooden club make up these two bundles. "My thanks Louis, there's probably another trip or two before I account for everything. I shall give this to the next injured ally I come across. Sorry about that earlier misunderstanding we had, you're all right in my book." Brion slaps Louis's shoulder with a smile and takes the two empty blankets back with him to gather more.
As Brion leaves Louis lugs a fifty pound sack of potatoes to where Murlsan and Garent were resting. The hungry ogre and bear thank Louis in their own ways and begin to quickly consume the gift. Louis chuckled to himself, the ogre would pop two or three potatoes into its mouth as if they were boiled peanuts.
Leaving the two and telling them where more potatoes and onions were Louis walked over to the cabin. The air in the cabin was heavy with smoke when Louis entered, easily the top third of the single room was blanketed in dense smoke. Holes in the roof, especially the one Latovius created accidentally allowed some of it to lazily exit but the poor state of the chimney was the main cause of the problem. Louis's own water skin was mostly empty and so there would be no boiled potatoes and onions until water could be located.'Why again did someone choose to build here?' Louis found himself wondering as he filled a pot with potatoes and covered it with an ill fitting lid. Louis put the vessel into the coals on the side of the fire he had built to bake them.
Becoming light headed from the smoke Louis stepped out of the cabin for some fresh air, sprinkles had begun to fall as the spring rain advanced on the cabin. Latovius and Darcy were returning in the distance with only one horse each in tow, from the looks of it the beast was likely Darcy's well trained steed and only one of those they had taken from the Black Knight's castle. Brion was bringing back another heavy bundle, this time the remaining weapons and some armor by the looks of it.
"I don't have any water skins but will gladly carry several. Toss me one and I will fill it up." Timerious seems to have forgotten his petulant attitude toward Erik.
Perhaps he was being foolish and Erik was the wise one concerning Timerious' behavior. After all the man had been through his body has recovered but perhaps his mind was too far gone. Another Pigeon man could not be afforded with all the other dangers abound.
Markas gave Erik a nod to which he hoped the young pupil of Petra understood to be a thank you for his caution. Catching up with Gertie and the others and hearing the conversation of the water Markas offered, "Mother Petra has granted me the ability to purify food and water should this water prove to be off."
Erik tossed Timerious the full water skin he had and knelt by the pool to fill the other one he had. Timerious faltered with trying to hold onto the 18" long and 13" around burned building timber while trying to catch the water. The water skin bounced off of Timerious's chest and fell to the ground while he barely maintained a firm hold on the timber. Timerious's anger returned right back to where it had been in an instant. "You damned oaf! Why I ..." shot from his mouth and his reddened right hand balled into a fist on impulse before a gentle hand touched his forearm. "Let it go. Rain will soon be here and there is no need to get drenched to the bone. Come." Gertie bade of Timerious as she began moving to the east. Urged by the elderly woman he admired Timerious calmed slightly and he turned to leave. As he passed the fallen water skin he bent and violently snatched it up and stormed off after Gertie.
The others watched the angry outburst and the storming off after Gertie from Timerious with concern. Adrianna's hand released from the handle of her dagger and Erik rolled his eyes as he finished filling the second water skin and rose from the pool. "Your blessing will be needed, the water has a horrible metallic taste to it. Praise Petra, it appears we are finally returning to the others! We must be vigilant that Timerious doesn't blow his top and lash out at someone." Erik spoke up and he began following after Gertie and Timerious while putting the water skin away.
Part of the way to the cabin it started to sprinkle upon the group and darker clouds were not far off. Arriving near the cabin the bodies of the slain bandits had been collected and laid next to one another, anything of interest has been removed. Darcy's horse and one other were tied to the most solid looking section of old animal fencing, the mule and other horse were no where to be seen. Sitting in front of the cabin in the drizzle was Murlsan the ogre and Garent the bear. Both were still seriously wounded as they rested and ate something together from a large sack between them. Smoke drifted out of the chimney, roof, windows, and doors of the single room cabin. The inside of the building was mostly dark, Brion saw the group through one of the broken out front windows of the building. The fighter waived his hand in a gesture of welcome to those who approached.
Brion laid his makeshift packs down with a thud onto the back of the wagon, spilling their contents. He tossed Louis's ring to Latovius when the two returned, the rogue caught it without issue and examined it briefly before putting it on his finger. The pair of horses were tied to the strongest looking section of fencing in the old animal pen. A light rain started to fall and the four humans retired inside of the smoky cabin to get out of the weather. "The halfling took the horse and mule we couldn't find. We tracked him for a bit and are pretty sure he met up with someone else and they rode southward." Darcy informed Louis of what they found while Latovius passed her the ring when his wounds were mended. She turned and moved a few of the logs around on the fire in an attempt to reduce the amount of smoke it was producing.
The thief looked about the cabin and then he walked over to the counter Louis had cleaned and organized. Taking a few of the dried travel crackers and a couple of empty bottles Latovius handed out the food and had a seat at the single bench and table Louis had found and setup. After a moment of sitting Latovius noticed that rain water was running down the roof and was beginning to spill in through the hole he had made so he got up and placed the empty bottles beneath it to collect water. "What did you find us for food Louis?" Latovius asked as he walked over to one of the hammocks and climbed in. Brion was looking out one of the broken front windows near the door, "Erik and the others are returning." The fighter raised a hand and waved them inside and out of the worst of the rain.
Timerious accompanies Gertie to the edge of the camp before stopping dead in his tracks. Timerious bolts into the camp waving his arms wildly. "Get out of here! Hey, you! Get out of that food! Animals hunt in the woods...the same place they s~&@!
Gesturing at the window Timerious turns to Gertie.
"What is that beast doing here? I'll never understand why normally sensible people can abide with wild animals roaming in their mist. That young knight is sitting inside this ramshackle house while those beasts steal their food!"
Markas was glad to see the others especially Garent, although both he and Murlsan didn't look so well. A sudden growl from his belly reminded the cleric of his need for food. They all were in a sorry state. Perhaps a full belly and the curative power of Petra would set things straight. "Has any food been found?"
Markas strides past the irrate antics of Timerious as well as the corpses of the bandits, his empty stomach keeping him singularily focused. "Has any food been found?" he asked of Murlsan, the large ogre pointed toward the wagon next to the ricekty cabin. The wounded ogre pushed himself up to standing with several painful groans. Murlsan slung a wet and half empty large sack over his shoulder and hefted his heavy hammer in the other. "Louis find food der. Come bear, we go rest in grasses out of rain." Murlsan and Garent moved, taking up residence in the rickety and leaky lean to shed. The cabin's entrance would have proven much too small for the ogre to enter by. At the base of the wagon rested a body on its back with arms folded over its chest. The rain began to come down harder upon Markas and the others still out in the weather.
Timerious could hardly believe his eyes when Markas, Adrianna, and Erik strolled right past him without saying a word. None of the three appeared to pay any heed to his concerns over the filthy ogre consuming food they desperately needed to survive! Timerious watched on as the rain became heavier and the ogre took up residence in the rickety shed near the wagon and cabin. The proximity of that piece of sub human s!&$ to the civilized structures bothered Timerious to no end. "Do what you believe is best son, I will not stand out in the rain any longer then I need to. It takes these old bones too long to get warm." Gertie softly said to Timerious as she too walked past and towards the cabin leaning heavily on her quarterstaff.
"Why did you even release that beast? It is no different than it's friends the orcs! As long as that animal is welcome I'm not!"
Timerious grabs a sack of food from the wagon and stalks out of the camp.
Louis continues to cook food for the starving group, it's his first priority
This situation with Timerious might end badly thought Markas. Both Murlsan and Garent have proven there worth to this group and to the land. Clearly that is why Petra put them in my path. Timerious' mind has them cast as villains when it simply is only that in his mind. I will have to ponder this and when I pray to Petra perhaps she will give me a sign.
Markas paid no heed to Timerious' words and entered the cabin. All the smells weren't rosy however they still made his stomach growl again. "Praise Petra it is good to see you again friend Louis! I would like to sample your feast." Remembering his lessons he added, "Once the rest of the group has had a helping that is."
Timerious stomps angrily through the wet grasses and weeds of this clearing towards the wagon next to the cabin. Snapping at Markas and the others as he caught up to them. "Why did you even release that beast? It is no different than it's friend the orcs! As long as that animal is welcome I'm not!" Giving pause in front of the shed and it's offending occupants, Timerious shot a murderous hateful stare at Murlsan through the rain. "I lost kin and my own daughter to de grey orcs and my old master! Shut your mouth hum-ee or I'll move it to de other side of your head for you'se." Murlsan growled loudly at Timerious as anger flashed across the ogre's face. Murlsan lifted his massive warmaul from the ground with one hand and pointed the head of the heavy weapon directly at Timerious. The adolescent bear next to the ogre raised it's head from where it had been resting to look out of the shelter at the rain covered Timerious.
Inside the cabin, the fire that Darcy had scattered a bit was not producing nearly as much smoke as before. Louis busied himself with trying to find more vessels to place potatoes into and onto the coals. With insufficient rain water at this time to boil any of the potatoes and onions he had discovered Louis was forced to resort to offering raw potatoes and onions to folks for the next hour or two. Looking to the small amount of firewood remaining near the shoddy fireplace there might be about two more hours of dry wood left. Out the window and through the hole in the roof Louis could see that the light rain has turned into a moderate rain.
Markas heard Timerious stomp up to the group of Erik, Adrianna, Gertie, and himself. The angered and upset Timerious sputtered and pointed to the shed in the rain. "Why did you even release that beast? It is no different than it's friend the orcs! As long as that animal is welcome I'm not!" Markas is caught off gaurd by this latest emotional explosion from Timerious and he could only stop and watch as the irrate man took several steps towards the wagon. Timerious suddenly paused in front of the shed and stared down its occupants. Murlsan must have overheard Timerious this time and the ogre's head snapped up and his focus squarely rested on the angry human staring daggers at him. "I lost kin and my own daughter to de grey orcs and my old master! Shut your mouth hum-ee or I'll move it to de other side of your head for you'se." The ogre commanded angrily as it easily lifted the maul from the ground and pointed the business end at Timerious.
Louis INT = 14
Louis hears Markus and Timerious yelling, The starving warrior tries to keep at the task at hand making dinner. What iz going on out there? he ask the others, thoze two should fetch some more firewood before it all gets soaked out there
Sensing that things may come to a head quicker then expected Markas abandoned the idea of eating and moved to get in between Timerious and Murlsan. Addressing Timerious, "That's enough Timerious. I understand you have been through much at the hands of some non-humans, but Murlsan is a friend and enemy of who you hate. You have much in common and if he had wanted to hurt you he already could have. I know it isn't enough to change your views but let it be enough for now that at least this one Ogre is a protector of the land and is playing an important role for Lady Petra."
Timerious glanced at Markas as the cleric started his soliloquy but turned back to the shelter before it was finished. Taking several steps forward Timerious enters the shed.
"What did you say to me ogre?"
Timerious shakes the water from his hair.
"Are you talking to me?"
Timerious stops in front of the ogre and looks into it's battered face. He raises his ruddy colored right hand with the open palm pointing upward.
"I bear the mark of a god and with this red hand I'll choke the life from any enemy I touch. I saw your anger with the filthy orcs and share it. Now, tell me of your daughter. I will help avenge your loss and pray for her memory." Timerious sinks to the ground and places the burned timber across his knees.
I know he is mine enemy Great and Powerful Halav but his power cannot be denied. If we can but harness it he can help so much. I pray to understand your will.
As glad he was for the situation being diffused he also felt a sting of disrespect. This was a regular occurrence from the unbelievers but new to Markas from an ally. Thank you Petra for teaching me another lesson.
Louis overhears the growing racket outside of the cabin and comments on it to those near him. Having little to actually do but wait for enough rain water to collect and then boil or to stare at three pots of potatoes sitting in coals Louis tries unsuccessfully to appear too busy to get wet collecting firewood. "Come Louis, I shall give you a hand collecting more wood for the fire." Brion rises from the bench and heads to the door. Latovius is fast asleep in the dry hammock he had crawled into and Darcy is dozing seated against the wall near the fireplace. Seeing no way to avoid getting good and wet Louis shrugs his shoulders in defeat and mutters under his breath. Following Brion out the front door of the cabin Louis sees an unexpected scene unfolding in front of him. Gertie, Adrianna, and Erik are grouped together near the old animal pen with the two horses tied to it while Markas stands between Timerious and the front of the run down stables. Timerious walks around Markas and under the roof of the shed to stand in front of its occupants. Murlsan and Garent the bear rouse themselves from the piled grasses of the stable and ....
Markas moves between Timerious and Murlsan and begins addressing Timerious, his voice as stern and commanding as he could make it. Praying to Petra that words and not actions would reach the shattered mind of Timerious, Markas is momentarily hopeful as the man seemed to be listening to him. Moments later that hope is dashed as the crazed man walked around him to stand under the roof of the shed. Markas heard Timerious snap at Murlsan, "What did you say to me ogre? Are you talking to me? I bear the mark of a god and with this red hand I'll choke the life from any enemy I touch. I saw your anger with the filthy orcs and share it. Now, tell me of your daughter..."
Timerious blinked his eyes in the rain and let what had just been said by the ogre sink in for a moment. In that moment Markas moved into his path and Markas was trying to preach to him about what to do and how to think. The cleric's words and intentions meant nothing to him, and part of the way through this latest sermon Timerious walked around him and came to a stop under the overhang of the shed. "What did you say to me ogre? Are you talking to me? I bear the mark of a god and with this red hand I'll choke the life from any enemy I touch. I saw your anger with the filthy orcs and share it. Now, tell me of your daughter..."
Murlsan lurches upward too quickly for the unprepared Timerous to do anything about it, his words and thoughts end abruptly at the unexpected movement from the furious ogre. Murlsan grabs the right forearm of Timerious in one fluid motion and a split second later Timerious's feet are hoisted off of the ground four feet into the open air outside of the shed. Those within twenty feet of the shed's entrance hear the sickening pop of the appendage dislocating from its shoulder socket.
Waves of nausea roll over Timerious as he dangled limply in the mighty Murlsan's grip, ages of toil at the forge have gifted the massive ogre with strength that easily surpasses what Markas is capable of. Timerious is held aloft in the ogre's left hand as if he was a doll; his face is suspended looking directly into Murlsan's because of his dislocated appendage. Spittle washed over Timerious's face as the ogre barked, Timerious reached across his body with his left hand for the Black Knight's sword instinctively to protect himself but the head of the maul made contact ever so gently with the weapon at his side before he could reach it. Upon contact a magical blast of force spun Timerious's body away from the head of the maul, sending new waves of pain across his body from his damaged shoulder as he swayed in midair held suspended effortlessly by the ogre. Murlsan shook Timerious and his body righted itself, he once again found himself staring Murlsan in the face. With that Murlsan threw Timerious to the ground, the fighter's body bounced and slid upon the wet earth. He lay where he stopped, gasping in excruciating pain as the rain fell down upon him.
Murlsan nodded to Markas when Timerious did not rise from the mud where he was thrown. "You have me thanks healer for youse gifts and for trying to save de fool. You talk de words of Djaea taught to us by our new master. Let us find me family tomorrow or de next day, I have been away too long."
Murlsan took a step or two back under the shelter offered by the shed, the ogre and bear kept watch as Markas bent down and assisted Timerious up from the ground. The flames of anger within the warrior of Halav had been momentarily doused by the literal manhandling from the big ogre, the pain from his dislocated shoulder made it difficult to even manage standing much less focus his thoughts. Markas, Timerious, and the others retired to the cabin while Louis and Brion left and returned shortly with several arm loads of damp wood.
Hammocks suspended from the walls to the two main support posts as well as piles of clothing and grasses litter the floor of the single room, some were damp or wet from the rain outside and inside. A battered L shaped counter top extends from a wall nearest to the smoke leaking fireplace, it's top has been sort of organized by Louis with some silverware and cups etc... a pair of bottles with clear contents also rest on its top. In the fire's coals are three battered pots, two of which are covered by a plate or an ill-fitting top. Two - fifty pound sacks of potatoes and onions rest on the flooring under the counter. Near the fireplace is a five foot long table with a single narrow bench upon which sits Darcy. Near the back door in a hammock that is completely dry sleeps Latovius. There is a large hole in the ceiling of the building in the southeast corner of the room as if someone's foot had punched through, beneath it the remaining reclaimed cups and bottles collect rain water. "Welcome back, I see you found Gertie and Timerious. A little roughed up but alive. Raw potato?" Darcy said as folks entered the cabin while holding up a potato.
Louis earned 350 XP from this encounter, please add your experience % bonus if applicable to that and record it. Let me know privately if you have advanced to the next character level and I'll work with you on that.
Markas earned 650 XP from this encounter, please add your experience % bonus if applicable to that and record it. Let me know privately if you have advanced to the next character level and I'll work with you on that.
Great adventure Quadrial! Excellent story and writing! Looking forward to the next installment!
Timerious accepts the proferred potato with his left hand and takes a bite as he staggers into the room. After several more steps he drops the juicy tuber to the ground and eases into a hammock.
Timerious tossed in pain in the hammock. Why did I ever think that the animals could be reasoned with? It is my own fault for thinking such a ridiculous thought.
The agony in his shoulder fed the flame in his heart. Stupid, stupid fool! They are nothing but beasts. They will never be different from a snake or a spider. They bite you when they can but a boot snuffs out their will!
A low groan escapes from Timerious' lips as the hammock jerks in time to his painful struggles. His eyes close. Halav is the way. Halav is the fire and flame is what will burn them clean. The might of Halav is the only way!