"De très sages mots, pour sur."
"Though I fear I can't relate quite that much. The stones of the road have little judgement for those who would step upon them. I have spent rather little time under the judgemental eye of society, and the Antares Clan has always been rather open, suffice to say. If nothing else, I am not convinced the other half would avoid carrying the same thoughts."
"Shall we rejoin our companions and see what has been decided?"
"Yes we should. Thank you for talking to me about your concerns away from the others. I probably would have been more heated if we had had the same conversation with an audience."
Alayi smiles and gestures that Castor should lead the way.
Nodding in acknowledgment of Korinne's words, Rufus continues. "We...
have little experience with each other." He begins, obviously not comfortable with what he is preparing himself to say. "I...
have little experience with the...
puissance of ensorscelment in battle," he adds, turning to nod to both Arawn & Korinne, "I was honestly taken somewhat aback at the comparative ease by which what would quite possibly have been a melee hard-fought," he shrugs ruefully, "became simply an exercise in...
well." Rufus indicates with a wave of his hand the unscathed common yard as he grimaces in chagrin. "My reaction was no positive reflection upon my character & I apologize." He concludes, holding up the two flasks of alchemist's fire retrieved from the bandits. "Particularly given the ill they might have achived had they the opportunity to use ."
"That said," he continues, "Goodman Leveton's concerns regarding the...
appropriateness of containing them here are valid, especially as their leader, Happs, has a price on his head in Restov."
As the others contemplate his words, Rufus hold his hands up placatingly. "I understand, , your reticence to simply execute these men in cold blood. I agree with it in fact."
Sighing, he continues. "It is not a...
light burden & I have no desire to see it borne if it need not be. Oleg brought his concerns to me first, I will see if I might answer them, particularly if I remain here to see to their custodianship until such time as this guard force from Restov arrives."
"That said, Happs should not stay here; as I said, it would be all but a death sentence were he present when the guard force arrived, especially with the knowledge he lead these bandits, beyond his crimes in Restov. However," Rufus adds, "I feel he would make a useful addition to a force making for the bandit's camp. His knowledge of both the terrain & the other bandits could prove invaluable."
Seeing acquiesence, or at least a lack of compelling arguements counter, among the others Rufus makes his way to speak with Oleg.
"Master Leveton, would you speak with me? Privately?"
Once they are a ways distant from the bandits held captive, Rufus begins. "We understand your concerns regarding these men. They have been an unconscionable burden, both upon your family's livelihood & upon your wife's and your hopes, your dreams for new lives here in the Greenbelt."
"We do not ask that you shelter these men. We ask that you allow us to show them how to be, not a burden upon others, but instead a force to benefit others. In that hope, some of us intend to stay here and show them they have other paths available to them, will you allow this?"
Oleg, at first, seems ready to get into an argument with Rufus but then you mention some of you intending to stay behind. Mollified, he sighs, saying, "You helped us even though it wasn't really in your orders to do so. I owe you some consideration so as long as some of you, 2 of you would do it I think, stay behind...I think that would be...fine. The guards...the guards should show up any day now," He doesn't seem terribly convinced of this, "and you can be on your business." Convinced of your words, he says, "Well, if some of you are leaving to rid us of the other bandits, you best be off with all urgency."
Within an hour, Oleg has the bandit's horses kitted out for your trip. About 4 days worth of travel rations are added to their packs. A brief questioning of Happs tells you: "Assuming we don't take any detours, it should take us about a day to get to the camp."
As you are getting ready, Svetlana approaches the group, "You have done so much for us already so I know it may be too much for me to ask...The women who leads these men, Kressel. During the first time the bandits showed up, she was with them. When she didn't take Oleg's hand, she demanded my wedding ring as payment. It's not much, but if you could get it back...it would mean the world to me and Oleg." Overhearing the conversation, Oleg grunts in agreement.
"We will do our best to get it back." Castor promises, as he tends to Capella, finishing a thorough brushing of her coat before the party sets out. The mare appears in high spirits at being outside; she is clearly not used to spending time cooped up in a stable.
Before they leave, Xelani says her goodbyes to the departing group.
"May Erastil's blessing be upon you, and may Old Deadeye guide your hearts as well as your hands" she says as Arawn, Castor, Korinne and Rufus are mounting the horses that will lead them to the bandit camp.
"And... please don't take unnecessary risks. As much as it would please me to see the Greenbelt pacified through non-lethal means, remember that we - no, you, as it stands - are probably the only chance the Stolen Lands have against a history of anarchy and violence. Just... take care, will you?"
You should probably tell them that this is no longer Erastil speaking, but you she reflects, feeling a pang of guilt in her heart.
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Once she has watched the four of them plus Happs disappear over the horizon, Xelani makes her way down form the palisade to approach Svetlana.
"What Oleg just did - agreeing to take four of their numbers in his own tradepost, prisoners as they might be - is very brave. And kind. I... too once suffered at the hands of their likes, felt what it means to be powerless as your dignity, your whole way of life is taken away from you." And Erastil willed it'd been only that. "Only because of my faith I was able to prevent my life from being consumed by vengeance; lesser men would be screaming right now for them to be executed on the spot. Your husband is a very good man, don't ever doubt that, Lady Svetlana."
After he speaks to Oleg, Alayi seeks out Rufus while the preparations for departure are being conducted.
"Castor and I had a few words while you were talking to Oleg. I have volunteered to stay behind to watch over our guests while you are out, but that is not why I bring it up. Talking with him made me realize that I was acting worse than a child earlier, and at a very poor moment to boot. I... apologize for my actions and my words. I will not try to justify them... and I do not ask that you forgive me for them, I have not earned that yet, any more than I have earned your respect or trust. I know you probably will not believe me when I say this... but... well... I hope that you return with no new wounds and having achieved success."
------
"Hah, we will try, though I have never had an order for such large scale weaponry before. Still, I am relatively certain we can at least get the pieces for them built."
Alayi smiles to Korinne as she says this.
"Don't worry about me and Xel, we will keep the fire ready for your triumphant return."
Arawn listens to Rufus' apology with raised eyebrows, but does not respond. After the suggestion of bringing the bandit leader along for the assault on their base, and during the subsequent discussion, the sorcerer raises his objections, and his concerns about Happs' loyalties. When the final decision is made, though, he accepts the plan, and heads back in to the stables to explain what is to come to Happs.
**************************************************************
Arawn smiles at Xelani's blessing and words of caution. He takes her hand in his own and lays a gentle kiss on the back side of it, "Worry not, my lady. We shall return with all haste, once we have routed these vermin from their vile nest and cleansed the area of their filth. You have my word." With that, he gives her a playful wink and climbs into the saddle of his palomino mare. Oooh, have not done this in a while.
He nods in agreement with Castor to Lana's request, "Of course. We shall keep our eyes open for it. What did it looks like?"
Rufus' expression grows increasingly bemused at Alayini's declaration of contrition. "I won't say I wasn't taken aback at the...
intensity of your response. I will say that I believe you however & I am heartened to know that you will be here to see to the wellbeing of the others present."
Turning to Korinne, he replies, briefly. "As it seems Mistress Fyodorova has claimed my place here, we may have oportunity to speak more on this on our way. If so, it would be well. I believe we all might be best served with a greater understanding of how each of our capabilities will perform in an encounter."
Nodding to them both, he makes his way to check the captured mounts, making certain they are able to carry riders after their unexpected slumber.
"Well, Master Byden," Rufus addresses their 'guide', his tone indicating the honorific is as ironic as it is a courtesy, "you know how to get us there, what direction shall we go?"
Once Happs has indicated the way we should go & we have begun, Rufus will see to it those members of the party not as well acquainted with riding a horse are reasonably secure. Once he has done that, he will take a series of naps on the journey so that he can remain awake for most of the night without being hindered on the next day.
As the party leaves the fort, Castor appears to take deep interest in the sky and the nearby plants, hoping to figure out the upcoming weather.
"I'll keep an eye out as we travel. Since we've got much exploration to do in the upcoming future, we may as well see if we can find more to stock our food reserves."
"Has anyone here had any experience traveling the wild roads in the past? I should be able to lead us safely without a problem, but I would like to know what skills you fellows have brought with yourselves, so to speak. Has anyone studied the region's geography? I'm afraid my own knowledge is entirely the result of practice, rather than any kind of formal learning."
When Happs explains the direction to take, Castor can be seen looking up to the sky and thinking for a moment, making mental notes.
"Always good to have someone with wilderness survival skills in situations like this." Arawn says, somewhat sheepishly, "My own skillset is somewhat...less useful in the wilds, I am afraid. Besides my magic, my talents lie in leadership and the art of speech. I am skilled in the ways of the diplomat and the orator."
"That would be why my initial question of all of us when we variously first arrived at Oleg's was 'who has woodscraft?'" Rufus rumbles from his slouching nap upon his present mount. Rising once more to a fully upright posture, he adds. "Not especially well acquainted with the terrain. I know we are in the 'Stolen' lands between the South of Brevoy & the North of Mivon. I know bandits like it here because there's...
odd blood between the two nations."
"Learning what you can before getting into trouble is to be lauded, my master would often say." He nods in acknowledgment of Korinne's words.
"Yes, I do remember you asking, though admittedly I believe there were other concerns at the time. I thought best to reconfirm," Castor acknowledges Rufus's words.
At the mention of odd blood, the cleric speaks up again. "Might you fill me in on this odd blood? I'm afraid that, to me, Brevoy is merely 'where I call the roads "home"', and Mivon 'another place to the south.'"
As the group prepares to depart, Korinne smiles at Xelani's words. "Don't worry too much about us; you should be more concerned about yourselves. I can't speak for the rest of them, but I want to see working catapults and a moat around the perimeter by the time we get back - and it looks like you'll have your work cut out for you so you should get started right away!" she says with a wink.
"As you order, so it shall be done, Milady" Xelani jokingly replies to Korinne's words, feigning a bow.
Arawn smiles at Xelani's blessing and words of caution. He takes her hand in his own and lays a gentle kiss on the back side of it, "Worry not, my lady. We shall return with all haste, once we have routed these vermin from their vile nest and cleansed the area of their filth. You have my word." With that, he gives her a playful wink and climbs into the saddle of his palomino mare.
"And in the meantime, this one Lady here is going to wait for her valiant knights to make their triumphant return, eagerly praying for their safety" she adds as Arawn kisses her hand, happily playing along with his courtly affectations.
"Well, that and helping Alayi fixing those catapults. And guarding our prisoners."
"Both Brevoy & Mivon, as they are now, are just over two Centuries old.". Rufus replies. "When the...
cream, of Aldori swordsmanship met, (and died to), The forces of Choral the Conqueror at the Valley of Fire, they were hardly the only Swordlords who opposed him."
Sighing heavily in contemplation, he continues. "Other, less doughty Aldori, chose to consider defense of the Rostland a lost cause and...
fled, to the South. Passing through this," his arms spread wide to indicate the lands around us, "'Stolen' Land, they came to what is now called Mivon. The histories are...
vague as to whether they claimed those lands through force of arms or simply merged with the previous peoples, but in the two centuries since, the governing of Mivon is now firmly within the grasp of their descendants."
Aran listens to the story with interest, noting the information that had been missing in his education, "Intereresting. So I take it you are some manner of historian, then, Rufus?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
As her companions ride off, Alayi gives a smile to Xel. "Well, best take a look at those engines... like I said, I am by no means a siege engineer, but I should be able to figure out what pieces need replacing."
So saying she heads up to the towers to inspect them.
Rufus snorts in self-derision. "Not to hear my master assess me."
"Most of what I just shared is as much family history, on both sides, as aught else. No, once Lord Parsal twigged to who my father had to be, or at least his family, he set to seeing to my 'proper' training with a will."
Reigning his mount back a bit as it had begun walking faster with his own increased liveliness, Rufus turned to address Arawn directly. "You mentioned training in 'leadership'," he noted, " well, knowing the history of a people & their land is as necessary to lead well as knowing how to strike a blow, cast a spell," at that, his gaze flicked between Arawn, Castor, and Korinne, "or speak a fair phrase. 'If you don't know a man's history, you don't know the man', he liked to say, said much the same of peoples."
@Arawn: Svetlana says "It was just a simple thing. A small gold band. It does have an S inscribed onto the inner ring. For all I know, they've sold it off already."
@Rufus:
Happs shrugs. "I'd suggest going the southern route across the plains. You can save some time going through the forest but I wouldn't do it. Walking through those forests, even in day, is a dangerous business. All told it'll probably take use about 12 hours to get there. Never really went through the forest to get to Oleg's so can't really guess there."
@Alayi:
The 4 towers have seen better days. It's apparent that this "fortress" was abandoned sometime ago and has only recently been rebuilt by Oleg. The catapults that sit on top of each are quite old. Most need to have some of their lumber replaced in certain parts as well as some mechanisms replaced. You realize that you could potentially salvage two of them to full repair the other two, however this would take several days and quite a few more men to accomplish.
After assessing the general wear and tear on the catapults, Alayi seeks out Oleg and Xel.
"Well, I have had a sufficient look and what I have seen is not terrible, but not exactly promising either. All four, as you probably know Oleg, are nonfunctional in their current states. I might be able to pull enough pieces to bring two up and running, at the cost of the other two being effectively down until we replace everything in them. If our friends come back warning of imminent raids we might just have to do that, though it will take all of us working together to pull it off."
Alayi lets this sink in as she thinks about her other options.
"Assuming we can get the right lumber... and either specific parts or enough iron for me to attempt to recreate them... we might be able to get all four back into working order. It will take time though, time that will be compounded by whatever time is spent waiting for the parts in the first place. Oleg, would you happen to have some usable iron scraps laying about that I can use in the meantime to begin attempting to create some of the pieces... at least so that I can get a feel for the making of the mechanics that are wrong?"
As her companions ride off, Alayi gives a smile to Xel. "Well, best take a look at those engines... like I said, I am by no means a siege engineer, but I should be able to figure out what pieces need replacing."
"Sure thing. Make way" Xelani replies to her bronze-skinned friend. "My skills with wood and iron are somewhat limited, but I surely won't shy away from some heavy lifting should it be required - but you already know that, don't you? Hey, once everything's over, I might settle down as your apprentice, how does that sound?" she jokes as she watches Alayi carefully inspecting the catapults.
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"Well, I have had a sufficient look and what I have seen is not terrible, but not exactly promising either. All four, as you probably know Oleg, are nonfunctional in their current states. I might be able to pull enough pieces to bring two up and running, at the cost of the other two being effectively down until we replace everything in them. If our friends come back warning of imminent raids we might just have to do that, though it will take all of us working together to pull it off."
Xelani gives Alayi's words some thought, then she replies. "Hmmm... Happs and his henchmen didn't mention other camps being nearby, and they seemed sincere in that regard. Their main base of operations - the place where this... Stag Lord... is supposed to reside - should be much further south; meaning that if - no, when the others manage to neutralize the one those raids were coming from, it'll take a while for the news to reach their leader, and even more for him to be able to make a proper counter-move. I'd say we should have enough time to have all four catapults back in a working status - it'd pain me to see two of those beauties go to waste."
Arawn chuckles, "Indeed it is. Though as they say, 'History is written by the victors.' And any story changes, based on who tells it. What was interesting was the different perspective, as well as some information that had been missing from what my tutors had presented to me."
He looks over the other man, a curious look on his face, "Armor and sword, but not a knight. A knowledge of the history of this land, but not a historian. What are you, Rufus? Where does your speciality lie?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Casually arching a brow at the sorcerer, Rufus' expression is bemused. "These are the Riverlands, master Vasska, specialities get you dead."
Features softening somewhat, he adds. "My mother was an Aldori Swordlord, though she was born in Lepidstadt. My father," at this, Rufus pauses, clearly weighing his words with care, "disappeared ten years ago. I am a man who has received a charter to assess & document this land, just as you."
"Now, master Byden," Rufus begins as he hands the former bandit his share of the food for the evening, "Tell me what you know of this Kressle, for a start, if you would be so kind."
Arawn rolls his eyes, but says nothing more on the subject. No need to start another argument over something so trivial.
As Happs explains the path he would take, Castor ponders both paths, wondering whether or not the bandit's proposed path is truly the ideal one. He listens in on the conversation quietly, having little to add except the occasional indication of one path over another.
At Oleg's:
Oleg replies to Alayni with a thoughtful look. "I don't think I really have much in the way...you could maybe smelt down those nave's swords for the iron. I can put in a special order with some contacts in Restov if you want."
Out on the Trail:
The group sets up camp not too shortly before dawn. It is a simple matter with Castor leading the group.
During dinner, Happs replies to Rufus's question, "Kressle? Ah she's a fine tussle every now and again but mean as anything in that forest. She's a good fighter. Probably the best in the camp. She's cut plenty of people with those two axes she likes to brandish. Cut a man's pride off after an argument over who go a piece of beef one dinner. Don't really know much about her beyond that. Never came up in our day to day lives." Happs finishes with a grin.
As night slowly falls, Castor notices something off in the nearby forest. It is a dim glowing light. It seems to shift up and down lazily as if flying. You can't make out too much more from here. While not harmful to you, seeing the light feels you with unease.
"And the others?" Rufus prompts. "We know there are more there than came with you, how many? What are their names, their strengths?"
Out on the Trail:
Happs seems a bit disgruntled at the grilling but says "There's usually 4 at the camp...sometimes 8...sometimes 12...It all sort of differs. People come to the camp and leave mostly of their own free will. Sometimes Kressle has them go out to do something, like us and Oleg's. Names? I don't really know them all that well. People don't just stay at the camp. Some come from the south, stay a night, leave and we don't hear back from em." Happs shrugs, "It's dangerous out in these lands, and none of us really cared enough to find out what happened. Other than Kressle, each of them are ok with a blade and bow but nothing special."
To Korinne, he says "Eh, we don't really have any traps or anything. We have a couple of watch posts in the area that Kressle makes sure is manned at all times. If anything gets close, we would kill it and eat it so no reason to ward em off."
Back at Oleg's:
The day goes by without much happening. Xelani maintains a guard over the prisoners while Alayi works with the catapults. Svetlana delivers food out to the two of you as you work and Oleg goes about doing minor repairs on the post.
Night comes and Oleg buttons up the trading post, closing the gates for the night. Svetlana serves a small dinner for the both of you and Oleg. Small portions are provided for the prisoners. However, in the middle of dinner, you hear a voice of a man yelling from the direction of the gates, "HO THERE! IS ANYONE AWAKE? WE'RE SOMEWHAT TIRED FROM OUR LONG JOURNEY AND COULD USE SOME REST!"
Alayi starts at the voice outside. "Were you expecting company or trappers?"
"Alright..." Rufus replies, obviously unmoved by Happs disgruntlement. His demeanor also makes it plain he doesn't entirely believe that the former bandit could know so little about the men he had lived & worked with, risked his life with, for several months.
"As you say, it is dangerous here in the River Kingdoms. To that end, how has Kressle handled attacks against your band before?" Nodding in acknowledgment of Korinne's query, "What other kinds of defenses does the camp maintain? How do they keep watch?"
"That might be those guards you were telling us about, Master Oleg - though considering the nature of our last visitors, a little bit of caution won't hurt, I reckon" Xelani says in a somewhat hushed tone.
"With your permission, I'd like to climb up the palisades and check who our guests are. Luckily both Alayi and me have our bows with us should they prove to be of the... unaccommodating kind"
"Are there any of your lot who know some form of magic?" Castor pipes up between two bites of bread.
Out on the trail:
"I joined up when the Stag Lord had pretty much already laid claimed to these lands so never really had much in the way of attacks. A few attacks by beasts or some band who didn't know what was up have come around but we dealt with them easily enough. Kressle tends to lead the group in fighting and the men fight as best as they can. Don't really have an exact "plan". Just whatever comes up really." Happs continues, "There aren't really any other defenses. There are a couple of watchtowers that are always manned, Kressle beats the tar out of anyone who is slacking off. We don't have any kind of schedule, just whenever someone gets tired they have to find someone to replace em."
At Oleg's:
Oleg replies, "I wasn't really expecting anyone. It could be well the guards or a hunter...though he doesn't sound familiar...You have my permission to talk with them...I'll look after the prisoners for the time."
The two of you approach the palisades and climb onto the walls. In front of the gates are 5 men, each riding a horse. Each horse is laden with gear and items commonly used for traveling. One man wears a breast plate with a bow, sword and shield arranged on his horse. The others are also fairly well equipped, wearing chain shirts and having a crossbow, shield and sword in their possessions on their horse. All of the horses seem to have a light leather barding to it, the leather seems stained in the colors of the city of Restov.
The man in the breastplate notices the two of you but doesn't say anything immediately.
Happs replies to Castor with a laugh, "None of us are fancy enough to have something like that."
Not thrilled, but of the opinion there is little more to be learned from Happs in the time available, Rufus leaves him to his meal.
"I see you bear Restov's colors. Are you the contingent sent by the Swordlords to ensure the safety of this trading post?"
"And if so, why are you so late in coming? You were supposed to be here well before now."
Alayi calls out after Xel does, clearly a bit suspicious of their new guests.
The central guard speaks up the Xelani's query, "Aye, I was hired to lead these men down here to help with the defense of this place." He shrugs at Alayi's point, "I cannot help it if the nobles in Brevoy are slow to respond to an outcry for help in this forsaken place. It wasn't until recently that they cared about these lands anyway. We're here now to help as best as we can, and I'd say that's all that matters." He pats his horse and continues, "Now, I understand that this place is owned by one Oleg Leveton. As both of you are beautiful women, I imagine neither of you are him. I am Kesten Garess and it is a pleasure to meet you. I assume Mr. Leveton asked for you to come in his stead. Are you going to open the gates or not?"
"He seems legitimate enough in his claims" Xelani whispers to Alayi. "And I think he just tried to flatter us - which in and of itself would make this too sophisticate a ruse for any bandit in the Stolen Lands to credibly pull off".
"You are right about that, though we might want them to disarm first... I would rather not have them trying to execute our guests before we talk to them about them." Alayi whispers back. She turns to the riders.
"We will indeed get Oleg for you. Out of curiousity, do you have any skill with the repair or crafting of siege weapons Ser Garess?"
"You are right about that, though we might want them to disarm first... I would rather not have them trying to execute our guests before we talk to them about them." Alayi whispers back.
"I hope there will be no need for that; they're guards, not executioners, after all - not really likely to blindly take justice into their own hands once a foe has been subdued. But mostly, I'm quite loath to antagonize our new guests with such a request, not when it's five of them against the two of us. Still, I hope they'll prove reasonable" she sighs.
"That said, you know I'll have your back whatever you decide. I'll follow your judgement on this one - in the meantime, let me go fetch Oleg" she adds as she rapidly descends the ladder leading down to the courtyard and enters the stone building where they left their hosts.
"It looks like the detachment from Restov has indeed arrived, Master Oleg. Five men-at-arms, mounted, led by one Ser Garess - if the name rings any bell with you. They're currently asking for you to let them in."
On the way back to the front gate, Xelani stops by the captured bandits. "Shem, Fin, Ward, Healy - we've got a contingent of men-at-arms from Restov about to enter the trading post. I'm a woman of her word, still I'd suggest you put your best contrite faces on for the next few minutes. And try to make sure they're more convincing than the ones you used this morning, will you?"
"All the more reason for them not to be armed, if you ask me... I am good, but not that good, even against mounted foes with you at my back." Alayi shakes her head, her long black hair flowing freely. "Still, you are probably right. If they are what they say they are anyway."