Yes, restrained... Kers agrees mindlessly.
Food is provided to those who still hunger and a deep, dark beer is tapped. The Captain speaks pretty freely of keeping his town under a tight lock, for as long as he does it, the Shadow's legates and Orcs aren't needed. It's not ideal, but it's a sort of freedom.
Israfel looks from from her meal at the Captain's comment, "At least you keep the people safe. It is more than most manage."
Captain Wolf smiles, but it's a sad smile. "Enough of me. What brings you kids to town?"
Kers tries to keep his head down, but his curiousity is drawn toward Allain. Finishing his portions, Kers wanders over and sits down near the man, but at a seperate table.
Care to swap tales from the road? he asks casually.
The hooded man, Allain, peers at you from beneath his hood. You can see his nose and mouth, but not much beyond. His voice, when he speaks, is barely more than a whisper. "Not much to tell. Avoid the wolves, they've become pretty bold. Keep your head down and your nose clean. All hail the Shadow."
Aye, all Hail the Shadow Kers offers quietly in reply.
"Indeed. I've traveled from place to place, but I have no wisdom to share. The roads are rough and getting worse. Things do not get better." He stands and nods at Kers, then starts to head toward the stairs up to the rooms.
Captain Wolf grabs his arm in an iron grip as he passes. "And where do you think you're off to, elf?"
Israfel makes a point of being very focused on eating her supper.
This is the last thing we need. A fight over an elf will bring the Legates and Orcs down upon this town like locusts.
"Did you think I was stupid, elf? I know a guilty soul when I see one and no one keeps a hood up in a warm room save an elf. You're far too stupid to live long. Only one thing to do with you now, I'm afraid." The Captain shakes his head sadly.
"This lot of rebels will have to take you out of town under the cover of dark tonight. Eat up and rest, you leave with the elf at the witching hour."
"I am alright with helping him, though I am sure he has a name... no need to just refer to him as 'elf' sir...." She says with a wry smile.
"The less I know, the better," The Captain says with a twisted smile, "Frankly I would have been happier not knowing he was lurking in town, but it is what it is."
Finishing her meal, Israfel stands and begins walking towards the stairs.
If we are to leave at the witching hour I indent to get at least some rest. You have an empty room I can rent for a few hours?
"I need relatively little sleep myself so if we want to take care just in case I can spend a fair amount of time on watch." She glances to the man, the last time she saw a full elf that wasn't about to be killed was her own father.
"I could use a place to rest as well until it's time to leave."
Rufus the innkeeper nods, "Aye, top of the stairs, first two doors on the right. You're welcome to sleep. I'll be up for a while." The Captain nods in agreement. You should be safe to sleep.
Kers says nothing but thinks, "We are the worst freedom fighters ever. Captain Hawk smelled our deception and did not even think enough of it to inquire. Almost as if we were playing at what we are doing. We are going to need to be tougher, or we shall be very dead, very fast."
Looking Captain Hawk up and down once again and trying to get his measure, Kers wonders what they have gotten themselves into. He takes his place upstairs and keeping his ax close he goes to sleep.
Somewhat less alert than Israfel, but awake and ready nonetheless, Kers waits for the others and then leads the way downstairs.
Fleur readies herself for travel and heads downstairs just about midnight.
As you all head downstairs you see Allain the furtive elf, the innkeeper and Captain Wolf waiting for you. The Innkeeper smiles kindly at you and hands you each a small bundle. It holds a loaf of bread, a round of cheese, two apples and a wineskin. "It's the least we could do for you. Good luck."
Captain Wolf speaks quickly and in a low tone, " I've arranged for a trusted man to be on the West gate. Tell him you're off to visit your grandmother and he'll open the gate. Keep to the roads, but if you hear horses, hide. I'll arrange to send the horse and cart back to Red Grove. Good luck to you, and keep your lies simple; people will believe them easier."
Israfel smiles as she addresses Captain Wolf, "Thank you sir, I will take your advice to heart. It is good to know not everyone has fallen under the Shadow's sway."
With luck exchanged, you leave the town via the West gate, giving the code phrase as you were told. Allain is silent until you leave the town behind. Suddenly he turns with a fierce anger on you. "I didn't ask for your help. I didn't want or need your help. I certainly don't need the help of a half-breed or," he spits on the ground, "humans."
You are free to leave at any time, Israfel says. I am sure the Shadow approves of your hatred.
Kers looks from Israfel to Allain. He opts to take a more direct approach.
Funny how this brave elf waits to object until we have already gotten him out of the city Kers growls to no one in particular.
The turning his attention to Allain, he menacingly says, And I did not ask to be an errand boy to get your bacon out of the fire. Watch your tone or the shadow will be the least of your worries.
With this, Kers leans forward and glares at the elf.
Fleur watches these exchanges impassively, then shrugs. "Your choice, Allain to go your own way. With the dangers of wolves and worse on or off the roads, it might be safer to travel together, but as I said, it's your choice. We can't force you to travel with us."
Xochtli narrows her eyes, "I don't care if you don't need our help, I won't see another elf die like my father, call me all the names you want, you got help out... go your own way or whatever else you like...." She glances to the rest of the group, "I'll scout ahead, our unhappy friend aside I have the best vision this time of night of us." She then walks ahead ignoring any further chatter.
Allain pauses for a moment, his sullen face softening a bit. "I... I'm sorry." He looks down at his feet and scowls. "I wasn't supposed to be noticed. My mission is vital. It's worth more than my life. I need to head north; if you're going that way, too, may I... May I travel with you?" He fairly spits the last bit out, clearly not liking its taste.
If we were to travel together, what skills would you bring to the group? Kers asks, and his early harsher tone fades.
For a moment the elf looks offended and his nose goes into the air. Then he seems to deflate a bit and looks, well, lost. "I have some woodlore, as all elves do. I am good with a bow. I... I have magic." This last part he whispers, clearly afraid of being overheard.
Israfel smiles, Then you are free to join us Allain. Anyone who would stand against the Shadow is welcome to walk by my side
The elf nods, looking slightly pained, then begins to walk down the road. "So. Where are you bound?"
Kers chooses to not answer. He thinks to himself, "So long as out paths are the same, why does our destination matter?" And then he smiles. Sometimes it was like his father was speaking in his ear.
Stopping momentarily and leaning on her staff, Israfel answers, We are heading to Brindenford for now.
Kers continues to keep watch, hoping for no unpleasant surprises this night.
"Brindenford? I've headed there, too."
The road turns cold as night heads into morning. By the time the sun is up, the trees are getting sparser and giving way to rocky fields as you head upward into hill country. You begin to see small cottages here and there, their chimneys softly smoking with morning fires. Sheep are evident as well, although they're a bit skinnier and more gamy than the sheep of Red Grove.
You manage to find a small abandoned barn off the main road around mid-afternoon and your aching feet lead you to rest there. The elf makes himself useful, gathering wood and starting a small fire. The shelter is definitely necessary, as a cold rain begins to fall with sundown and when you start to consider leaving, it only gets worse. Faced with the prospect of walking in a hard cold rain or warm dry shelter, your choice is easy. You spend the night in the barn, sleeping on old hay and listening to the elf sing a long low song in elven that seems to be both sad and hopeful, a lament for some forgotten day.
The next morning dawns misty and cool, but thankfully the rain has passed. You set out, and the road is deserted until you top a hill and look down into a valley below. The road continues onward into a small village, a cluster of maybe ten buildings surrounded by a wooden wall.
In the evening, resting in the barn, Kers enjoys the music provided, and does his best to offer something in return, a sad folk song about a couple that died on thier way to thier wedding. Not only is the song sad, and a terrible accompaniment to the rain and cold and dark, but Kers seems to have gotten a bit of a cold and his voice rasps and misses as he sings. Overall, silence would have been preferred.
Taking his cue, he stops at one song, and asks Allain where he will go after Bridenford?
Even though Kers' voice is a bit shaky, the elf seems genuinely impressed that you bothered to sing at all. His reticence around you seems to be slipping and you catch him watching you all thoughtfully a few times.
"Do we need supplies or can we avoid this town entirely?" Xochtli asks as she glances to the rest of the group.
"Nothing I need, but we should maybe discuss while we walk what our 'story' is should we be questioned again about our purpose on the road and our destination."
Should we even stay on the road once we move past Brindenford? Israfel asks the group.
Something strikes you as you pause to discuss tactics: the village ahead should be full of activity, yet there is none. Even the cook fires seem to be out and you've heard no sounds of children or even voices since you approached. Even at this distance, you should hear something.
On noting the quiet, Kers jerks a thumb at the village and says, It does not sound like they have started my breakfast yet. Lets go check it out.
Xochtli frowns and she glances at the village, "This is a bad idea but perhaps we should check it out...."
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Kers grins for the first time at Xochtli. This whole thing is a bad idea. Hard to make it much worse.
Taking the lead, and with his eyes looking wide for danger, Kers begins to approach the village.
Israfel halts, leaning upon her staff I have a bad feeling about this. It does not feel right. Please, let us not walk into the lion's den until there is true need. Better the Shadow remain unaware of our passage.
