Cuddles raises his mug and drinks enough water to kill a man. Not a drop spills from his mouth. He sighs in satisfaction and grins. YES. GOOD.
Duška mutters an aside to the group as they try to remain low key despite the antics of a 7ft tall orc at the water trough...
"We should split up perhaps? Or at least find somewhere less... publik yes?"
Providing just as good an opportunity as any other the group is able to duck in to the currently unmanned stables for an opportunity to talk about next steps...
Ra'hl makes his way through the gate, and glances around. The sheer number of people inside the keep is discouraging, but expected. He had harbored hope they had lied about their numbers as well. No matter how angry he was, it was too many to realistically take in a head on assault. Hopefully they could kill the stag lord first and demoralize the rest into surrendering, but first they had to find him.
Poking his head out Ra'hl is able to consider the fort in more detail. Clearly built upon the ruins of a more substantial structure it is plain to see that where once there may have been much more stone and old buildings there has been considerable effort made recently to reconfigure the space.
The small stable serves as on corner of the "main floor" of the fort while a pair of large wooden walkways provide cover against the opposite corner of the facility connecting to the watchtower platform that overlooks the front gate. Large amounts of stone are piled and on the move clearing out what might have once been a large central tower.
Walls have been built under the walkways and appear to be where a set of three doors seem spaced to provide access within. One seems well traveled as the group watches (most likely the living quarters) one has a guard posted outside of it and the third door is broader and wider than the others seeming more like a pen or stable door but much more reinforced.
It actually occurs to Ra'hl that there is literally not enough space on the main floor to house as many people are milling about.
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Ra'hl watches for a moment and moves closer hoping to overhear the conversation.
The water is clearly the more interesting thing happening here.
Duška furtively scans the area as the group consider their next move;
:
She shoots Ra'hl a bewildered look as he wanders off toward some bandits...
Ai Maminka! The orc drinks from the trough and Drakblood wanders like a lost soul. We step private to whisper and no-one speaks! We are undone!
Matt watches Ra'hl walk out, poking his own head out he catches on before popping back in.
"Looks like he spotted the Lieutenants. It might be best if we don't all go out and draw attention, at least not initially. Perhaps we give him a few moments and then follow after, one by one?.
If any of us are going to talk our way out of a situation, it's him.
Thought?"
Matt wipes his hands as sweat glistens, whether from nerves or excitement of the hunt, he wasn't sure.
Ra'hl ambles closer, exiting the stable and milling about the various folks too and fro.
Coming closer to the walkway it is hard to hear as many people move about but the bloodrager does catch snippets
...ever since YOU became his bodyguard... says the man in black
...his moods are his own and are not an issue of mine. If he wants to stay in his room its not my fault... says the grey haired man
Meanwhile Anton offers an almost withering look as Ra'hl stalks off. Turning to listen to Mattrim the wizard shakes his head, If he is the only one who can talk his way out then maybe we should stay here. I mean, you can go out after him but I think Cuddles and I should wait until we know what is going on... The wizard gives the orc a look that seems to indicate that it might be best to keep Cuddles out of awkward social interactions...
"Alright, well, it would be best probably just in case he gets in trouble... Be ready in case something doesn't go well."
Not one for words or group planning, Matt looks at Duska and nods towards the moving group. He then focuses for a second as he features become slightly owl-like and he tries to follow after the group unnoticed.
Duška nods awkwardly back at Mattrim, clearly still not at ease with the hunter.
"If we need to deal with these brigands... have me close... I know their ways yes? I know how they think... How they act and re-act..."
She eyes her companions, then walks after Ra'hl.
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"I prepare for everything," Anton says dryly. "Especially the inevitable." He flicks his eyes once in Cuddles' direction, then back to Mattrim, watching as he and Duska stalk off.
Ra'hl does a passingly fair impression of "bandit who should be standing/milling around" while Matt melts into what little shadow and cover exists.
The conversation seems to come to a close with some inaudibly muttered words and the woman laughs sharply. The man in black and the oaf move to head to the stairs near the front gate.
The woman clearly says something else because the man with grey/white hair grabs her arm roughly. The woman smiles cooly but even at a distance it is plain her other hand is moving to an ax at her belt. The man lets her go with a final push and she shrugs and follows after the others.
The man remains alone looking out at the horizon for a moment leaving those in the yard below to their devices...
Matt pauses around trying to stay out of sight. He grumbles to himself, Duska was right whether he liked it or not. At the moment he would rather retrieve Saber and hunt together, rather than without. This is was making him uncomfortable feeling, exposed even. Focusing his mind back at hand he watched and waits for Duska and Ra'hl.
Ra'hl tries to keep his distance, but keeps his focus on the grey haired man. If he is the "lord's" bodyguard, he had Ra'hl's undivided attention.
The man on the walkway above seems to shake his head and then also turn s to make his way to the stairs at the other end of the compound. At just that time you can hear the front gates opening as a large swell of bandits enter the place with a horse drawn cart. Within moments the yard is teeming with men and women picking up the stacks of rocks about the yard.
From the series of doors built into the wall below the walkway a slight screeching sound can be heard from the double wide door.
Duška listens to the screeching with keen interest, attempting to discern the nature of the sounds;
:
... but cannot identify it.
She tips the nod toward the doors and shrugs her shoulders in bafflement.
Matt's eyes go sharp. Strange creature to have in there.
Turning to Duska, he barely whispers "Ow-br". He points towards the "Bodyguard" and does a truly terrible job of pantomiming trying to get him alone.
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Ra'hl hopes this the wagon will be enough distraction to allow him to make his way to the stairs the grey haired man went to.
At Mattrim's words Duška shoot the door a hard look of concern;
Bagoly Medve? Ai Maminka their rage exceeds even Drakbloods!
The lithe ranger follows the lead of Ra'hl and moves toward the grey haired man...
With the various people milling about its actually easy for Ra'hl and Duska to make their way to towards the front gate. A set of wooden steps switchback off the platform and the pair note that the other people that the "bodyguard" was talking to are leaving the front gate.
The grey haired man exits the steps just as Ra'hl, with Duska in tow close the space across the yard. The man is tall, though not quite so as the bloodrager but like Ra'hl he carries a broad and powerful build. The man's eyes are shockingly green and sharp and Ra'hl can see them drift down to the silver medallion and up to the bloodrager's face before narrowing.
The grey-haired man gestures to the pair, Follow me. He moves towards the walkway doors, seemingly headed for the closest one (which is the unguarded regular one).
Ra'hl similarly eyes the man, though his glance focuses on armor and arms before he lets a grunt. "Yessir, what do you need?" Ra'hl asks as he falls in line.
The man grunts and walks, Follow
The group watches as the bodyguard leads Duska and Ra'hl within the makeshift rooms beneath the walkway...
The man sits at the table and motions for the pair to join him. Licking his teeth beneath his lips he keeps his eyes focused mainly on Ra'hl as he speaks, It was only a matter of time before another lot of you showed up. My...uh...colleagues don't understand how tenacious royals can be. Especially when they have so many men and women they can throw at a cause without a care for the cost...
Ra'hl eyes the man considering how to answer before he settles into a seat across from the man. "What makes you say that mister...?" Ra'hl is trying to stay alert but does not wish to appear overly threatening. This man had a chance to ambush them but was hesitating, Ra'hl wanted to know why.
Duška eyes the man cautiously;
A trap? A feint? Or perhaps one who, like me seeks redemption Maminka...
:
"Who are you Ezüst-haj? What do you wish of us?"
:
As she whispers, the fey-touched ranger unconsciously reaches for her pack of cards, her fingers seeking to the edge of the one that speaks to her most... that will lift the veil on this turn of events...
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The man practically guffaws at the pair's questions as he unconsciously pulls at the beard growing in around his mouth. In the dimmer light of the room a shadow plays against man's right eye showing a well word and faded scar that might well have been someone's attempt to take the man's eye a long time ago.
If you don't know my name, Akiros Ismort by the way, that proves you aren't one of ours. New recruits we see. Silver stags well I handed most of those out myself. The few I didn't? I was standing next to the Stag Lord himself when he did. So here you are now and here I am. I'm not yelling and you weren't stupid enough to storm the place like the last lot when there were half as many of us... What is your plan?
Ra'hl casts a glance to Duska, hoping she has a thought before proceeding.
As the man's words sink in, Duška looks to her chosen Harrow Card... Its identity clearly resonates as her fey eyes widen slightly.
"Duška Umírajícíkrev. Once a bandit like you. Now seeking redemption... Maybe we are alike yes?"
She eyes Akiros' with interest as she speaks, then gestures toward Ra'hl;
"He is Ra'hl Drakblood."
The lithe ranger flashes a hard smile, and continues, playing on the words she has heard:
"Our plan? We are here, you are not screaming yes? We are not stupid like the others... but we need to know more of this Stag Král... Stag Lord yes?"
"We will end the Stag, the rest of you have the chance of redemption. Any aid given would be handsomely rewarded in whatever manner we are able to provide."
Matt watches the men who seem to be doing hard labor of some sort, boiling anger growing. Until he see's Duska and Ra'hl go off. Swallowing, he works on calming himself down for the moment.
Soon enough there will be time for that.
He continues watching the men who appear to be whipped or chained, looking to try and figure out how many there are and who is overseeing them.
The man called Akiros actually looks uncomfortable at the word "redemption" and all together seems far more vulnerable a man for a moment. But it is indeed a moment as hardness once more sets in as he looks Ra'hl up and down.
The Stag is no fool but he is drunk an awful lot lately. Some of the men here care not a bit about saving their souls or anything else. Aurochs is too stupid and Dovan too cruel. But some...they don't like using the prisoners as slaves...Kressle she acts fine with it all but she'll go whichever way the wind blows....
Akiros looks lost in thought for a moment then re-focuses, Not a man or woman here will help you if you mean to put chains on them and ship them back to Brevoy when its all done. That goes double for me. You want to end the Stag I walk away a free man...
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Mattrim watches carefully and realizes there seem to only be 6 main bandits around. The two above the gate, two in the cart, two moving among the dozen or so workers.
Matt seeing little else to do for the moment moves back towards Anton and Cuddles to inform them of his findings.
"There appear to be only six actual bandits out here at the moment. Many of the workers appear to be chained, and their are whip marks on several."
"I have no intention of sending you back to Brevoy for certain. If you stand against us, we will not hesitate to end you. That having been said, most of you that we have captured have joined us and live a free and happy life. I would offer the same to you, were you to aid us." Ra'hl talks, but mostly listens, commitin gthe names and information to memory. Aurochs, Dovan, Kressel, I assume those are the other 3 gold stags he spoke to earlier.
Akrios considers Ra'hls words and nods, Then I think I can get you some help. Honestly, we could probably ambush the Stag and his father and cut the head from the snake but if you don't get rid of or capture Dovan you'll have trouble down the road...so how do you want to handle this?
============================================
Anton nods at the news...
"So they're using captives as labour?" Anton asks, running a finger down a stained margin in his spellbook and snorting derisively. "It seems they aren't the mobilized force we imagined them to be. We should see about helping these people, after we take care of the main problem of course."
Before that, what is in it for you? Why do you seek to betray your lord?' Ra'hl asks. There is no judgement in his words, only the question posed.
"Some lord...Once it seemed like we were heading to something...more than just bandits. But the Stag has turned darker than he was and I have started to...remember some of who I used to be. Less rage and more honor. What's in it for me is to see it done with properly and a chance to try something...else." Akiros seems to bristle at the conversation but keeps his eyes on Duska and Ra'hl with full attention.
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Mattrim snorts.
"No, they definitely do not appear to be living up to their reputation. Perhaps some could be useful, what better way to win a fight than to turn the other wolves against the alpha.
Cuddles... if you could decide between hugging a bandit and hugging a wooden pole, which would you like?"
Ra'hl stares the man down for a few silents moments before responding. "The battle of rage and honor is one I can understand. I would like to hear your thoughts on the best way to deal with the lord and this Dovan character."
Duška listens intently at Akiros' words before adding her own;
"Drakblood knows of blood and rage yes... I know of loss and redemption... Of ghosts laid to rest yes? Stand with us and belong again..."
Mattrim snorts.
"No, they definitely do not appear to be living up to their reputation. Perhaps some could be useful, what better way to win a fight than to turn the other wolves against the alpha.Cuddles... if you could decide between hugging a bandit and hugging a wooden pole, which would you like?"
Cuddles points the question, his shaggy brows knitting together in concentration. BANDITS NEED HUGS FOR LIFE. POLES NEED HUGS FOR ME. PEOPLE BE HURTING BECAUSE BANDITS HUG WRONG. His eyes light up as the obvious conclusion manifests itself. I HUG BANDITS TODAY, POLES TOMORROW!
The bandit furrows his brow at Ra'hl and Duska, Honestly. He has chamber below. He is lost in drink and dark thoughts. Were you to sneak down there and kill him without warning...I could guide the way... Akiros raises an eyebrow as he looks at the pair.
Duska's face is hard for Ra'hl to read. She was certainly capable of sneaking off but she has (up until now) consistently tried to involve the others. She seems to raise an eyebrow of her own, look to see how the son of Rogarvia might respond to the idea...