"At least we can try and help with some of the repairs at Oleg's whenever we are resting up between our forays. Maybe in time it will resemble a fort again." Bein laugh's and continues breaking down the camp alongside Volpe.
"Its too bad those stragglers never showed, it would have been good to have some more 'informants'. He chuckles again.
He pauses in his labors and looks at everyone in turn "I know that it has been a few days now since we routed the bandits here, but I wanted to say to all of you that your skills and courage helped us win the day against greater numbers. I wanted to thank you especially Jack, without your heroism I shudder to think what would have happened if that woman had actually focused her strikes against me and Teacher Xarafine your courage was as awe inspiring as your voice. Forgive me for not being there sooner to lend aid in your time of need."
Xaraine meets the cavalier’s eyes with a warm smile. ”I appreciate your kind words, Master Ramoloce.”
She fingers the tassles of her stola. Her face growing more somber, she speaks to no one in particular as she rides, ”Upon my investiture, I was told that this would bring as much ire and disdain as it would respect and deference. Until this journey, I had only experienced the latter. These bandits offered me no quarter, and their leader most certainly wanted to ensure my death. Perhaps it is as it should be, an important Lesson for Those Who Serve.”
Bein is right, Jack. You should think about your triumphs, not your failures. If your mistakes only cost you a few sore days, that's a blessing. You saved lives today, and that's more important than one slip in judgement. We've all learned lessons from this. Some of us have been humbled. Some of us have been heartened. But we've all been soaked, so I suggest we return to Oleg's with all the haste this sloppy road will allow.
Jack looks to his feet self-consciously, not used to receiving such praise from anyone... well, other than his mother. "You're... too kind. But I will always work to protect my..." He faltered. They weren't his people, or his family, nor were they mere colleagues on a job. He searched for a word, and hoped he wasn't being presumptive in the one he found. "... my friends."
He took a breath, patting his horse on his neck, it having been geared up earlier in the conversation. "Indeed. If there are stragglers, let's be sure they don't head toward Oleg's. I will try to keep an eye for signs of them as we travel."
Bein smiles warmly at his comrades as he checks the last straps on Arundel's barding. "I am sure Master Oleg will be glad to see us, especially when Lady Lana forces us to eat her wonderful cooking, hopefully she makes plenty because I feel like could eat a boar on my own!" He chuckles at the poor merchant's position, having to give room and board, as he gives Arundel a through looking over. "It is a good day for a ride, albeit a slow one but it will be a good day none the less."
After strapping on his lance pennon Bein stands ready to ride, even with his sore leg he is energetic at the thought of being on the move.
Loading the cart and harnessing the pack-horse to it takes about an hour of light work in pleasent morning sunshine and before long you are ready to depart. As you travel back through the forest you have some initial probelams fording the muddy bank of the river, and for a moment it looks like the cart may become bogged, however the hard rocky surface just below the mud proves stable enough to carry the weight of the goods.
Once you leave the river behind and pass beneath the sheltering branches of the trees the going is easier, as fallen braches and leaves, shaken free by the storm provide a firm surface for the cart's wheels. The going is, however, a little slower than your first trip, but the journey is easy and the song of birds in the trees and the damp earthen smell of the wet forest makes for a pleasent ride. After an hour and a quater you reach the edge of the forest - the place you camped on your way to confront the bandits.
As you exit the forest into the brightness of the new spring day some of the small hopping animals - the "Teppecs" - which you encountered earlier are startled from their grazing and dart quickly into the forest. The path you've been travelling on slowley becomes less distinct as you retrace your journey northwards, scirting the edge of the forest. Now that the cart is travelling over grassland your progress is slowed each time you come to a small depression as the wheels stick in the muddy soil. After four further hours of travel you finally approach the stream where the bandits camped on their way to Oleg's just above the small rise ahead.
Bein hums a low soldiery tune, totally oblivious to his surroundings, as he moves with the rhythm of the creaking leather of his saddle and the jingle of the various trinkets in the cart shifting. He seems at ease and relaxed for the first time since he joined the group.
Hold up! It appears that someone has availed themselves of our old campsite. Look yonder!
Volpe indicates the smoke plume rising.
Volpe's shout brings Bein out of his reverie with an oath, he looks to where Volpe is pointing and visibly adjusts his grip on his lance. Bein continue's to look towards the distant smoke as he speaks "Excellent work Master Volpe! Lord Finnabar, perhaps it would be best to send our forward scouts to investigate? Mayhap they are simple travelers like us but it is best to be sure we haven't just found our missing stragglers..."
Finnabar reaches the group last and peers at the smoke.
"Right, Volpe, Jack, leave your mounts here and scout forward. Do not take undue risks."
Xarafine dismounts and approaches Jack and Volpe. She touches each of them on the shoulder, offering Belan's Blessing .
In Canari:
"Go forth, Belan's Chosen. May the Battle Lord grant you, courage, celerity, and fortitude in the coming fight."
Volpe dismounts and checks to make sure his bowstring is still sound. He bows his head respectfully for Xarafine's blessing , and pads off carefully. With an wink and smile toward Jack, replies to Finnabar,
Aye, sir. No climbing trees today.
Stealth
Jack carefully dismounts, scowling (a bit melodramatically, like he is holding back the urge to stick out his tongue) at Volpe as he joins his side.
He says low, and slightly perplexed, "Someone is singing."
The two of you dismount and, dropping to your bellies, sneak forward to the creast of the small rise above the campsite. Peering between the leaves of a small shrub with leathery leaves, you can a man sitting at a campfire and singing to himself in Illisarni.
On his lap the man has the body of one of the "Teppecs" which he appears to be skinning, several skins already hang from a line strung between two small trees, next to a worn and dusty white tent. A mule is tied to another tree and a dog lazes, sunning itself at the man's feet.
Hmm, just a fellow out hunting from the look of things. Good for him for finding a comfortable spot to clean his kills, but I don't see any reason to disturb him right now. We should just turn back and let the rest know.
Jack eyes the man, and nods at Volpe, agreeing more or less with his assessment.
He is curious why a man would be in this dangerous region by himself, and gives him a good lookover before they return to the others--while he may not recognize livery or fashion, if he can describe it to the others, it may provide clues to his origin and purpose.
He's singing in Illisarni which might imply that he's either from Illisarn or The River Kingdoms. He's wearing the typical clothes of a trapper or hunter - Rawhide trousers, a wide-brim hat and an off-white linen shirt.
Crawling back from the small rise you return to the others.
Jack picks himself up and dusts himself off as they reach their companions.
"Just a hunter, as far as we can tell. Skinning a teppec. Likely from Illesarn or the River Kingdoms."
Jack picks himself up and dusts himself off as they reach their companions.
"Just a hunter, as far as we can tell. Skinning a teppec. Likely from Illesarn or the River Kingdoms."
"Good. Let's go and have a chat with him. He may know more about things round here. But keep sharp and check his reactions when we talk about the bandits we've encountered.".
Bein nods and retakes his position in the marching order, "Aye, sir." Bein keeps his lance raised and tries to avoid looking to aggressive once they approach the hunters camp.
The man and his dog both looked pretty relaxed. Let's be careful not to startle them.
As you crest the small rise and come into view of the campsite the dog, a tan-and-black, solidly built animal, rises from its rest and starts loudly barking. In a moment the man, dressed in rawhide trousers and a linen shirt and sporting a bush-like brown beard, reaches for something on the ground and stands facing you with a composite longbow held in his left hand. He makes no move to aim at you but stands ready, waiting for you to approach or attack. The dog quiets and crouches growling at you at his master's heels.
Bein'Meleth moves to a forward position between the man and the rest of the party, he keeps his lance raised with his pennon hopefully in the breeze. As he sits astride Arundel he keeps his shield at his side, Bein remains courteous since the man hasn't offered any hostility and kept his bow at his side when they approached. He is slightly suspicious of the man, only because he is trying to perform his duties as a bodyguard, as such, he moves to make initial contact with the man.
In Illisarni: "Your hound is well trained and looks very formidable sir, I am most impressed. Since we have intruded on your camp allow me to introduce myself, I am Bein'Meleth Rámalóce, Cavalier of the Order of the Sword. I wish you good fortune and hope that you avoided the worst of the storm these past few days. We were traveling through it ourselves and had to wait until it passed before we could continue moving."
"Uhm,. " the man grunts "The rain were heavy for this time o' year, but notin' like we get back home. Strange to see a Swordsman this far north, and its some strange company yeh be keepin' a Rainbow, couple a scouts by the looks of it and a lame nobleman. What is it you be about anyhow?
[b]"Uh,. " the man grunts he then speaks quickly to Bein in the somewhat nasal language of Illisarn, gesturing at each of you as he talks.
As he talks the dog stops growling and sits on his haunches, occasionally looking up at his master.
Bein takes note of the dogs change in attitude and focuses back on the man, he thanks his stars that his visor hides the frown that had formed momentarily before he could marshal his features.
"You will have to pardon my bluntness but never use the term 'Rainbow' to describe our Teacher, she has cared for my wounds and showed me respect in our travels. I will also treat all we meet with respect, no matter their profession, so long as they keep their tongues civil sir. With that aside, I am not at liberty to say what our purpose is, mainly because I am here as a bodyguard against the bandits that prowl this region. Pray tell what is your name sir? So I may show proper respect. Your brave to be hunting in this region with the bandits prowling hereabouts."
Xarafine colors slightly at the word, "rainbow," but maintains her composure. She watches the man carefully, looking for signs that he might not be trustworthy.
Volpe is trying so damn hard to keep his mouth shut. Bein'Meleth said everything with all the right words, but not the ones Volpe wanted to use. Keeping in mind that this might be how folks are this far away from the cities and highways of Canarin, Volpe manages not to try to teach him a lesson in manners.
Jack tilts an eyebrow at Volpe, seeing him chomping at the bit to speak, and gives him a slight smile, silently advising patience.
Finnabar eventually leans on his horse and in a slightly accented Illisarni:
"That's good to know. We've met some of these in the last few days. A woman named Kressele and her band that are settled at the ford over there. Have you met them ?"
The trapper draws his attention away from Bein and glances over Finnabar. "Kressele, that'd be the woman's name? Nah, I've not met 'er miself but that's the name o' the woman they always threaten me with." he spits again to the side. They did try'nd hunt us down but those bastards couldn't track a Thirden through a snowdrift. They camp somwhere in the forest bit south of here, that's all i know. The ford you say? Well i suppose that makes sense. Miself i hunt mostly out on the plains. Aint so many of the bastards out there.
"Then the good news for you is that they won't bother you anymore. We sorted the problem once for all."
Finnabar draws out one of the amulets from one of his pockets: "But we found these amulets on the bodies. do you know what they represent? And have you seen or heard of other badints or dangers where you hunt and trap?"
Now that Finnbar had taken over talking to this man, Bein shrugged off the mans rough attitude and lack of morality. Nothing dies so hard, or rallies so often, as intolerance and bigotry. He frowns slightly behind his visor, but continues to stay close to Finnabar and every once and awhile he looks around them to make sure there isn't someone possibly sneaking up on them. He doesn't hide the fact that he is somewhat on edge and ready to move to block a possible attack against his comrades. He didn't trust any man who wouldn't offer his own name in fair greeting...
The man takes one of the amulets asnd turns it over in his hands,...
"looks like a stag's head?" he says I guess its probably something to do with "The Stag" - bah, he's a myth, I reackon that woman you mentioned,.. Krasele? she probably made him up up to scare the other an' maybe skim a bit off the top if you know what i mean." He pauses a moment, "There are bandits all over, some worked for Kressele, some work by 'emselves, they all know to keep clear o' me."
Xarafine sits tall in her saddle. She speaks with (what she hopes) is an authoritative, but not haughty, voice.
"You seem very familiar with the perils of this land. Are the bandits the only danger? Surely, with the prevalence of these treppecs, there are predators other than yourself that hunt them. Is there anything of which we should be wary?"
"Ah, milady," the scruffy man replies "There do be some animals, and other things you should watch out for as you travel. The most common'd be the Chythen. Kind of like wolves they are - hunt in packs mostly and'll stay clear of groups of you or dogs for some reason. The one's you 'av to watch out for are them as are all alone - they be the mean ones."
Then there's the Tatzleworms - They mostly live in the forest, especially near rivers or streams fer some reason. Kind o' like big snakes with a dragon's head. Now they're ambushers they are, like to hide in the trees or in the water and grab passing prey quick-like. Nasty buggers too." he chuckles. Then there's the Kalds an the Merkes, Frogs, Owlbears, Tuskers, Fairies, Slurks, Bargs, Trolls, an' Shamblers. Yeah, there might be some other stuff to watch out fer' too."
"Perhaps it would be best if we made camp here before moving on. At least in a group we will be less likely to attract much attention and even if we do so... It shall be easily dealt with." Bein purposefully adjust's his lance to emphasize his point and continues looking about casually for anyone approaching the group unannounced.
Jack takes silent note of the names of the creatures the hunter mentions.
Since the group seems ready to finish the conversation, Jack speaks up softly to the hunter. "What's your name?"
To Bein: "I'd prefer to push forward a little more, if we've time."
Bein nods with deference upon hearing Jacks wanting to continue on. "I only proffered so that we could settle down and get acquainted in a more comfortable setting, but I am willing to do whatever the group wishes to do of course. But if we wish to make a hard push to the Trading Outpost i'm up for that too." He gives a low chuckle.
