Volpe shook his head at Jack's rueful smile. "True but we still left our share of corpses even then, so what is the difference? Best keep our eyes forward my friend, lets not be looking behind. Maybe we should have left sooner then we did. But what can we do now? Its done and past. Besides your a father now so better keep an eye on that egg." Volpe gives Jack a sly wink and a good natured smile despite the rolling in his stomach. He didn't like the odds or the Cavaliers attitude, his teacher wouldn't have approved...
Volpe pointedly looked towards Bein as he scolded the young knight. "At least you admit it young Cavalier but you still lack the discipline to keep your lip buttoned. Instead of focusing on them being savages, how about we think of them as potential allies. So if this comes to blows, you better be leaving more of them alive then dead and maybe, just maybe, we can salvage this like the Teacher said..."
As he finished the young cavalier seemed to react as he expected, just before Bein burst to the fore of the formation. With Bein moving to take point, Volpe was content to follow at the rear with Jack. With an arrow nocked and a firm draw on his bow Volpe prepared himself for the worst.
Finnabar shugs as the party makes to the relative safety of the forest. "Bein, I'm not happy to retreat and leave this place like that. However, I sensed no evil in them and I would not want to attack them or kill them just because they were angered by our actions. Jack is right about trying to have them as allies. I think we need to find a way to do that, despite our actions. For now, let's got through the woods back to the bandits camp. That will provide us shelter."
Finnabar then turns to Xarafine: "Cousin, you did very well in a tense situation. I hope we find a way to gain their trust. But you saved the situation by helping us not to kill any of them, even defending ourselves."
Xarafine's face lights up with compliment, and for a moment, beams with the pride of accomplishment recognized. Quickly her demeanor returns with the realization of her childishness.
"We were favored by the Nine's Mercy, today. No blood was shed unnecessarily, and there is, I believe, a spark of new faith flickering in the heart of one of them. If I can but learn their tongue, I can begin the task of Teaching them. First the one, most likely. The others will be more accepting of the Lessons from one of their own."
"Indeed, you were very brave, Xarafine, and it's good we have a chance to talk to one of them later, maybe, thanks to you."
He turned to Bein. "Yes, there were no markers of habitation--they must go in and out through that sort of chimney we were in. If we find any more such ruins, we should be sure to examine the outside for high entry."
Bein nods to Jack, acknowledging his words, from his lead position in their formation. He kept his lance at the ready as he thought on ways to bludgeon a foe with it rather then skewer them. He spoke to Lord Finnabar in a calm and confident voice. "Retreat was our only option. If the creatures had threatened any of you, despite our previous actions, I would have defended you as I had swore to do so. If they decide to press the attack I will do my best to incapacitate them."
He looked to the Teacher through his visor before looking back ahead of him and watching the leafy canopy above. With his heavy armor on it was easy to hide his motions...
Jack:
To the East the forest seems to become more dense as the land slopes gradually downwards. Turning the horses in that direction you soon enter an area of forest within which you think you'll be able to lose the Pterans.
"Bein," Jack calls to him from the rear, since he is at the head of the group. "See that way, where the land slopes a little? I think we can lose them if we go that way."
"Bein," Jack calls to him from the rear, since he is at the head of the group. "See that way, where the land slopes a little? I think we can lose them if we go that way."
"Let's move quickly. Jack, you've got the lead. Bein, as you're the best horse-rider, I want you at the rear guard and looking up for the flying people. Every one else, look round. Only the gods know what kind of other creatures lurk here."
Bein reacted to both Jacks words and Finnabars command by doing as he was asked, Arundel turned sharply when Bein tapped his ribs lightly with his armored boots. As he rode alongside their short formation he nodded to Jack to take the lead while looking for any possible threats from behind or above.
Volpe held his position at the back of the formation as Bein rode past him and took up the rearguard. He nodded to jack and gave him a small smile as his half-elven friend rode to the fore. "Show us what you got my friend! We'll cover you from back here, where its safe." Volpe chuckled as he mean't the last part of his words more as a joke.
As Jack moved to his new position, volpe did something unexpected,he removed the arrow head from his arrow and placed it in his belt pouch. "It'll hurt them worst then a blunted arrow but at least it won't penetrate as easily. Besides I can fix it later if need be." With that he nocked the, now blunted, arrow and prepared for what came next...
Jack guides his horse to the front of the group, leading them toward the east into the thicker part of the forest. He goes at a steady pace, constantly looking about for signs of more unwanted visitors.
Finnabar, true his own words, follows Jack into the forest, wary of any new creature or trap that may threaten the party.
Bein wheeled Arundel around at the rear of the group, keeping his lance aimed high and watching out for unseen foes...
Guiding his horse with his knees proved difficult as Volpe tried to keep both hands on his bow and his bowstring taut just in case the Pterans tried to test their defenses. He was also keeping a wary eye out as they followed behind Jack and Finnabar...
Xarafine's mind wanders in the silence of the group moving to their respective purposes. The cadence of her horses hooves, the creaking of saddle leather, and the gentle crackling of the underbrush draw tunes of various songs, unbidden from her memory, she sings them quietly to herself, changing songs mid-chorus, and the rhythm of their ride changes.
"Thaaaaaa ship sailed into harborrrrr, after fifteen months at seeaaaaa. The Captain hit the tavern with his crew of fifty threeeeeee. After drinking up their pay, they stagger'd through the towwwn. But all the inns and public houses turned the sailors dowwwnnnn..."
Xarafine blushes deeply when it occurs to her that the song she is singing is one that is most certainly not appropriate. She quickly searches her mind for another song, humming a bar or two before switching to another.
After a few minutes of futility, she stops humming all together, and begins a quiet, tittering laugh, embarassed at her own behavior.
She stops laughing, and mutters under her breath to herself in Canari:
You work your way deeper into the forest, the sky growing steadily darker as the sun works its way towards the western horizen before slipping behind the mountains. In the half-light of the golden-yellow sunset Jack manages to find a sheltered area in the lee of a great tree which shades you from above.
Jack blinks at Xarafine, not noticing her muttering as he's more focused on what's going on beyond them. "Why did you stop singing?" He smiled slightly, with a sad glint in his eyes. "It reminded me of better days of traveling with my family."
He shrugs and points at a large tree. "Anyway, I think there's a good spot for camping, no one will see us through the canopy, and that dip over there suggests there's water close by. Bein, where do you want to picket the horses?"
Bein had been quietly listening to Teacher Xarafines singing and was surprised at the ballad she was singing. When she stopped though and started acting all nervous and embarrassed, he politely looked elsewhere just in case it had been him who had embarrassed her.
Bein rides in closer to see where Jack was pointing and indicates a spot near the water. "Best keep them close to the water and then all we have to do is let them graze some and they will be good to go."
As Volpe rode up to join the freshly started picket line, he fixed his blunted arrow and then slung his bow over his shoulder. After he dismounted and started pulling the saddle off his horse he looked to the thick overhead canopy with a wary eye. "Looks like we will be doin two man watches tonight eh Jack? If these creatures can get us from on high, then a single rope could take down a lone sentry. Best to have two of us, extra long watches. Just in case."
After setting his gear down Volpe went about the task of ready a fire and finding some roots to make the iron rations a little more bearable.
"Ah, I'm not so young but I'm getting used to this riding, even if my leg cramps on the saddle."
Finnabar dismounts heavily, then limps to gather wood for a fire.
"Jack, can you tell me the best place to lit the fire without it being seen from above. Once it's going, I wish to review our map and plot our next route."
Once the camp area is defined, Xarafine begins unpacking the Shrine. She hums a very proper hymn to herself, occasionally going to full voice on the higher notes. Once the Shrine is in place, she steps into an open space and commences her martial drill. Something seemed different. Her body seemed to flow more smoothly, almost without thought. Her muscles followed the forms of their own accord.
She could feel power coursing through her limbs, something primal. She felt like she could break steel.
Still sad that Xarafine stopped singing, Jack nonetheless sticks to setting up the campsite, looking for a spot for a fire as Finnabar asked.
He answers Volpe as he looks. "A two man watch is a good idea." He looked up at the others. "How should we split it up?"
Still sad that Xarafine stopped singing, Jack nonetheless sticks to setting up the campsite, looking for a spot for a fire as Finnabar asked.
1d20+9
He answers Volpe as he looks. "A two man watch is a good idea." He looked up at the others. "How should we split it up?"
"I'll take first watch with you and Xarafine can take the second with Bein. Volpe should get as much rest as possible with the injuries he sustained fighting the blood sucking bats"
"I'll take first watch with you and Xarafine can take the second with Bein. Volpe should get as much rest as possible with the injuries he sustained fighting the blood sucking bats"
Xarafine abruptly stops her drill. "I am sorry, Master Volpe, I completely forgot..."
She moves purposefully to her tent, retrieves her healer's bag, then heads directly to Volpe.
"Please remove your armor and shirt, and sit down, so that I may inspect your wounds."
"The Captain is correct. Once you have eaten, you should go straight to bed. The more sleep you can get, the faster you will recover your strength."
Bein nods in agreement. "That should allow her her time to pray in the morning as well. If there is any weapons in need of sharpening leave them for me to tend, it'll give me something to pass the time and hone my skills as well."
With his adrenaline fading, Volpe was keenly aware of his injuries again and even more so when everyone started to talk about it. He started to rise when Xarafine approached, mainly to protest that he was fine. But he was betrayed by an injured rib and quite quickly sat back down.
"Can't remember when a Lady asked me to remove my shirt, you didn't even buy me dinner..." He smiles broadly and quickly follows his previous words with an apology. "Forgive me Teacher, just trying to lighten the mood." He removes his armor and shirt with a few grimaces. "That is the last time I sword fight a beast!"
Once camp is set up, with a small fire safely going, Jack sits down and take the egg out of its wrappings and check on it with some concern. He realizes with all they've been through it may have gotten too cool, even though he tried to keep it close to him. But with so much running and wading through pools, did he manage to keep it safe?
"Can't remember when a Lady asked me to remove my shirt, you didn't even buy me dinner..." He smiles broadly and quickly follows his previous words with an apology. "Forgive me Teacher, just trying to lighten the mood." He removes his armor and shirt with a few grimaces. "That is the last time I sword fight a beast!"
Xarafine continues to examine Volpe's injuries as she replies, softly, but with a firm tone. "Humor has value, in its proper time and place, Master Volpe. And so long as good natured mirth does not cross into impertinence or blasphemy, I shall have no cause to chastise you."
Volpe grimaces at the thought of the last man she chastised with a well aimed staff blow. "No Marm, no impertinence or blasphemy here. Besides you don't anger the hand that's sewing your wounds shut or else they may stitch your lip for good measure."
"Not one nor a hundred stitches could hold the razor sharp wit of your tongue behind your teeth, Master Volpe," Xarafine replies with a small smile.
"Your wounds seem none the worse for our travels. Food and sleep in abundance are what you require. Fill your stomach, and be off to your blankets, good sir."
Xarafine repacks her healing kit in a quick, efficient manner. She returns it to her tent, then rejoins the group around the fire.
15th Day of Pharast (HEX 26)
The night passes without incident in the shadow of the tree and the 14th Day of Pharast dawns. The sky is overcast and a strong, cold dry wind blows from the north casing showers of leaves to slowly drop from above. Although unpleasant, the wind might keep the Pterans, which looked to be poor flyers, from the skies.
15th Day of Pharast (HEX 26)
The night passes without incident in the shadow of the tree and the 14th Day of Pharast dawns. The sky is overcast and a strong, cold dry wind blows from the north casing showers of leaves to slowly drop from above. Although unpleasant, the wind might keep the Pterans, which looked to be poor flyers, from the skies.
You carefully pack your belongings and begin making your way, once again, through the dense forest. The dark grey of the overcast sky is only occasionally visible through the leafy canopy of the forest, making it difficult for you to accurately get your bearings as you travel . The land slopes gradually downward and the tall rounded rocks that surrounded the area of the Elk temple become fewer and fewer until you are moving across deeper soils with towering oaks and dense underbrush.
Although the going is slow, you manage to chart a significant part of this region of the forest before nightfall.
If no one in the party objects, Jack takes the lead to keep an eye on the paths and the thick brush surrounding them.
And while we're at it
-
Bein spent his watch unusually quiet, simply sharpening the parties weapons and maintaining their gear as he quietly passed the night away. He sat by the fire for a long time inspecting each weapon and slowly making a fine edge after the fighting they had experienced today. Once he finished with the parties weapons he placed each weapon quietly back near its wielders and proceeded to brush down the animals in an almost ritualistic way.
Before the end of the watch he sat before the fire again and clasped his hands together as he chanted the same words he had said back at Olegs.
"Hold me fast and guide me, In the narrow ways, So, I shall never stray. Lest I forget, Those who have fallen, Those who rode before me, That through their strength, and their everlasting grace. Do I yet live, to enjoy another day, such as this, among good friends. Muistaa Aina" (Remembered Always)
Bein rode with his lance pointing towards the heavens and his banners flapping in the wind, he was proud to see another day and to be fully healed after their ordeal in the temple. He was feeling rather robust after escaping the Pterans, despite them constantly hounding his group. This attitude though did not distract him from his duties as he was ever watchful as they made their way through the forest.
-
- Examining the egg you think that it's probably still viable, however it does seem a little cooler than it did.
As you make your way through the forest, Jack and Xerafine both notice that you seem to be circling around on yourselves. Fortunately they manage to pull you back onto the right direction before your mapping of the area would be effected.
As night falls over the campsite, the sky clears somewhat and Jack climbs a tree to get a good view of the sky to find your coordinates with the sextant. As Jack takes the reading the mirror slips and slides slightly - It seems that the Pterans must have damaged it during their search.
While checking on the egg, he makes sure he wraps it up as Bein did and puts it near the fire to warm it while not so close/unprotected that it would cook instead. He asks Bein to keep an eye on it while he goes to double check on their whereabouts, since they've spent some time going in circles.
Up in the tree, Jack frowns as he discovers the sextant was damaged. Since he's at least looking at the sky, he resorts to his desert wandering training and tries to see if he can judge where they are without the sextant's help, even if he lacks the device's precision.
When he descends, he notes to Finnabar and the others that the sextant's been damaged. "It's a complex device, I am not confident with trying to fix it. Unless one of you are good at fixing such devices... we can't really properly map without it, though I will do my best to keep note of where we are. I think we should try to find the river which ran through the bandit's area, and find our way back to Oleg's from there and see if we can find someone who can fix the sextant."
Xarafine carefully lifts the sextant, peering at its structure and pondering the interactions of its components. She reflected on the dry engineering tomes she had perused during her years of study.
Xarafine carefully lifts the sextant, peering at its structure and pondering the interactions of its components. She reflected on the dry engineering tomes she had perused during her years of study.
You turn the complex mechanism over in your hands, peering intently at its interlocking pieces. Whilst you think you can see how the object might be put right, you don't have any tools with which you could try.
"I believe I could possibly repair it, if I had a set of fine tools. It appears that we may have to return to Master Oleg's Post, and peruse his stocks for the necessary items. It does not seem prudent to continue our cartography if the map will need to be redrawn later."
"So, what shall it be, gentlemen? Shall we press on, or return to Oleg's Post, and re-organize?"
Beijn ponders for a moment before replying "It would be best to head back to Olegs and resupply, repair our items and regain our bearings." He remains quiet after that, taking care of the horses as he waits for everyone to decide there next course of action.
Jack nodded. "Good. All we need to do is head straight northwest. There is much to navigate by even if the sextant is not working properly--but it is necessary to make the most accurate map. There's no point in us exploring further if we can't map properly.
"Plus, we still get back through the bandit camp areas and the moon radish patches, which we wanted to return to regardless."
Jack volunteers for middle watch. If morning comes without incident he will help pack up the camp to get ready to go.
Jack nodded. "Good. All we need to do is head straight northwest. There is much to navigate by even if the sextant is not working properly--but it is necessary to make the most accurate map. There's no point in us exploring further if we can't map properly.
"Plus, we still get back through the bandit camp areas and the moon radish patches, which we wanted to return to regardless."
Jack volunteers for middle watch. If morning comes without incident he will help pack up the camp to get ready to go.
"If you're worried about our catography, let's go back, then. Before leaving, we can still finish exploring around here, as I think we have'nt finished completely."
"I don't think you're understanding, Finnabar. If we explore this place, we will still have to come back here later and make sure it's mapped properly. That is, if you want to complete the mission we were assigned. If we wish to break mission and simply explore at our leisure, I am fine with that, but that seems contrary to our earlier goals."
Given his druthers, Jack would actually prefer to stay and explore, and damn the map and the mission. But he'd rather stay to his promises and do the job right that he agreed to do.
"I don't think you're understanding, Finnabar. If we explore this place, we will still have to come back here later and make sure it's mapped properly. That is, if you want to complete the mission we were assigned. If we wish to break mission and simply explore at our leisure, I am fine with that, but that seems contrary to our earlier goals."
Given his druthers, Jack would actually prefer to stay and explore, and damn the map and the mission. But he'd rather stay to his promises and do the job right that he agreed to do.
”All right, you're the cartographer, Jack, so we'll follow your advice."