As Brigid casts about, looking for the best way to deal with the human remains, she says, Impressive magicks, Kent. Vhere did you learn such arts?
"Not so impressive, I can't even get the spells to last for more then a minate. Also casting that enlarge person was fool hardy if one of those goblins had the persense of mind to shot me with a arrow it would have disrupted the spell"
Kent deftly avoids the question.
Brigid sets about building a pyre, somewhere off the road.
"the bodys will have to wait (I show the letter). We need to get to get to the trading post fast on the double these bodies are days old which means we might already be too late!"
I untie the goblins. Kent jumps on his horse and starts riding.
Staring incredulously at the wizard's rapid flight, Brigid snaps up the letter (that I imagine floating in the air in the wake of Kent riding hard down the trail).
Every new and full moon... Brigid thinks aloud.
After glossing over the letter I nod to Kent. I then follow the group closely as they take off. "I hope there is something left of the outpost when we arrive. I would very much like to assist against these bandits."
Svetlana nodded back to Areanna as the group rode along, a new sense of urgency pushing them forward. The priestess felt it too...but...why would the swordlords pull their soldiers from an area with increased bandit activity, while at the same time saying they are interested enough in the area to send bands such as ourselves into the Stolen Lands? Perhaps they didn't know about the bandits? Seems hard to believe though....Svetlana mostly trailed off in her words; she seemed to be thinking out loud as much as asking a real question.
Ulryk watched as half of his comrades suddenly bolted from the scene, leaving bodies to rot and freeing the goblins with not so much as a consultation. For those that remained, it was clear that the impulsive and chaotic action did not sit well with the noble son of house Lebeda. His mouth creased into a sharp frown and his chesnut eyes blazed with a fierceness.
"I have a spade in the wagon. I will not let these corpses go unburied. Though this is not hallowed ground, they should at least be given what little I can provide. I would want at least as much." He said to whoever remained.
Ulryk would not join those riding ahead to the trade-post until the two men were placed in graves. He estimated that they still had time to spare until the new moon.
Once the two graves were dug, he would place the bodies within. He did not have any holy symbol to spare to place on the graves, so settled for using two sticks as markers and afixing a single copper coin atop them. Coin was a symbol of Abadar wasn't it? He said what little he knew of the rites of Abadar and Pharasma.
With that done, he would seek to catch up to those who went ahead. Giving thanks to whoever remained with him to see the deed done.
Brigid also stays, though with only one spade, she'll not be able to halve the time. But trading digging chores should cut the time enough.
One suggestion is that those riding ahead take the wagon, as two light riders can probably catch up pretty easily.
Brigid stands solemnly as Ulryk creates the markers and makes an attempt at pleasing the gods. She says nothing, nor makes any sign of impatience or disdain. When he finishes, she leads his horse to him and passes him the reins with a nod. Then she takes to her own mount and spurs him up the trail and a quickened pace to catch up with the party.
Kent finally gets talked into staying and helping with the burial, but he's antsy.
Once the digging and his modest attempt at a prayer to Abadar and Pharasma are made, he would take the reins again and try to get a little distance onward before the diminishing of the light forced them to make camp once again.
"history has taught us that there is one in this company who is competent at picking a campsite"
Damen glanced around the battleground. Things looked under control, almost professionally so. For all that they'd had a slightly rocky beginning, his companions had promptly proved their worth in a fight. He didn't relax, not yet, but the danger seemed to have passed. As he moved to approach the remaining goblins, Svetlana's magic stopped him.
He caresses her dark hair. She smiles up at him crookedly, her brown eyes mischievous, her oval face smudged with dirt here and there. He is madly in love with her. She seems about to say something but instead gives him a tender kiss which he returns. Perhaps it could have turned into something more. Shouting intrudes.
He sees Lariska's face become a mask of fear. She recognizes the voice as well. It is her brother Dmitri. The other man emerges into the clearing. He is furious, his handsome face livid. He is shouting at Damen to stand up, to give account for himself. Two of their younger brothers follow him. Both look concerned.
Damen separates himself from his lover and stands. His clothes are across the clearing, lost in earlier passion. He does his best to ignore the fact that he's not wearing any. Dmitri sees Larissa hastily dressing. His face goes purple. He charges Damen. The two go down in a heap.
Dmitri is larger, stronger, powered by rage. Damen does his best to ward off the blows. Dmitri's fists are like iron bars. He is relentless. Damen believes he is going to die. An eternity passes before Dmitri's brothers pull him away. They struggle to contain their murderous sibling.
Damen feels soft hands on him, hears Larissa's voice but cannot make out words. Then she is gone. Dmitri's voice rings out as he leaves. "Never again, Medvyed! Never again touch an Orlovsky!"
Damen recovers. Endurance overcomes all.
He shook his head and cleared his throat, stunned for a few moments. "Thank you," he muttered to the priestess, subdued but miraculously whole of body. He kept watch, ranging a little as Ulryk and Brigid dug graves. No sense getting ambushed.
Later, sitting near the fire in camp, he poses a question. "I know Oleg a little from patrols. If his trading post is overrun, if bandits - or someone - have taken his little fort... what should our next move be?"
Brigid glances about at the faces around the fire. She picks up a few sticks and tosses them, one by one, into the flames. The bandits vould not overrun Oleg's, or else they are fools. She meets any challenging stares. Bandits take, but they do not conquer. If they vant traders to keep bringing their goods, they cannot take his outpost. If they do, the traders vill not come again.
She draws her knees up to her chin and rests her head, staring deep into the fire.
The ghost of a smile haunted Damen's face as he watched the sticks disappear. "They're brigands. That makes them fools by definition as far as I'm concerned. But your point is taken."
He took a deep breath and stretched, drumming his fingers on his thigh. "But the Stolen Lands aren't typical in a lot of ways. Perhaps there's a bandit kingdom down there, and a bandit king looking to grow his borders. This would be the time to do it, with the border no longer really guarded."
Svetlana nodded in agreement with Brigid's assessment. I don't know much about about forts and their taking, but I do know the minds of men a bit perhaps., the priestess spared a wink to Damen at that moment. She never knew exactly what the injured thought when Calistria's healing hit, but she knew it always promted something. Refocusing, she added, Bandits thrive on easy picking, but they need the good, stable folks to take from. Most likely they force Oleg into some sort of extortion racket, for "protection". Staring at the fire for a moment, an almost cruel look came across the beautiful priestess' face as she muttered, and Oleg should be more than ready for vengence.
"bandits are not known for being long term planners"
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Another night passes without incident and once again you are in the saddle as the sun rises over the horizon. A strong westerly wind blows the grey cloud about, and occasionally you can see the blue sky beneath.
By noon the weather has warmed to a nice spring day. While it is still partly cloudy, enough sunlight gets through to make your ride a pleasant one. Just before you begin to fear you will have to spend another night in the wilds, you spy a building ahead.
Arrival at Oleg's Trading Post
"well it doesn't look burned down or anything like that maybe we're in time."
Svetlana smiled upon seeing the trading post, thankful that it still stood. She wasn't surprised really; the priestess had meant what she said about bandit's behavior, but confirmation was always a good thing. Seeing no obvious enemies about, she spurred her horse forward a bit. Doing the talking for the group had worked well in the past, and although he apparently knew Damen already, this Oleg might need to be convinced that we are not another group of bandits. To Ulyrk she said, perhaps Damen and I should lead the introductions, yes? A pretty face and a familiar one can soothe the spirit. With a wistful look, Svetlana also turned in the saddle a bit to add, and Kent, if you could, let me do the talking this time. I'd hate for someone to get the, um, wrong idea about us.
The night before...
During and after digging the graves Ulryk spoke little, save for the make-shift prayer to two of the Gods he'd grown up with. When the expedition party eventually settled down to the fire, he contrbuted little to the conversation. A sullen mood hung over him and he ate his food cheerlessly and soon went to sleep within his tent.
During his turn during night watch he did offer a few quiet words, but they amounted to little.
The morning...
Some of his sulleness seemed to have been dispelled by sleep and sun. During the early part of their trek that day he offered a comment to words that were spoken the night before.
"If the bandits have taken the fort, I would recommend we lure them out. I can look the part of a man well off and lead them into an ambush in my flight... or perhaps the Lady Orlovsky can lure them from the defenses of the fort with her charms." He said as he rode point alongside Damen.
"The letter however seems to indicate Brigid and Svetlana's reasoning. They are probably extortionists. Whatever the case, they need to be stopped."
Oleg's Trade-Post...
The walled Trade-post looked a fairly impressive building to Ulryk's eyes. While it was no true fortress or a palace, it looked to be well built, taking into account the weather and the dangers of the region. The walls looked sturdy enough and he was thankful that the gate was open. Storming the trade-post did not seem a pleasing prospect.
As he rode forward, he looked about for any signs of recent battle or the possibility of ambush.
"I agree. Damen and Svetlana should make first contact, but keep alert everyone. If bandits have taken over the Trade-post, we will be riding right into their trap." Fear did not creep into Ulryk's voice, in fact it almost seemed as if he were a little eager for more bloodshed.
Brigid likewise dismounts, and leads her horse up the path. She looks for the tell-tale signs of habitation, like cookfire plumes or the sounds of domesticated animals. As her approach at the earlier fort, she'll keep her bow strung, but leave her arrows in their quivers, and lets the others do the talking.
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You all dismount and slowly approach the trading post. From within you can hear the sounds of chickens, and perhaps some goats. You can smell a cooking fire, as well the stench of domestic animals. A plume of white smoke rises from the main building's chimney, to be quickly shredded by the brisk wind. As you get closer you can hear the sound of someone whistling a jaunty song. Not long after the rhythmic sound of a hammer on an anvil can be clearly heard from the open gate.
As you cross the threshold of the gate, you can see a well laid out interior. To the left is an obvious stable. The main doors are open and within you can see the stalls and a number of chickens scratch at the ground just inside. On your right is another building; the function of which you cannot discern from a casual glance. A third building stands just ahead of you, and again you are not sure what the function of this structure might be. The largest building in the compound is obviously the main keep. Although it is only a single story and made of wood, the doors are bound with iron, and the windows have heavy shutters, although on this warm day, the shutters stand open. Between the main house and the other building on your right is an open area taken up with a couple of trestle tables and benches. It is here you can see one of the occupants of the trading post. He has a portable forge setup and is hammering away at a bar of iron. He senses your presence and whirls around, hammer held out in a very belligerence manner.
"Who in the hells are you!"
Having likewise dismounted before entering the compound, Svetlana approached the man with Damen at her side and the rest a few paces behind. The priestess was happy to see that bandits were not present, making the quick assumption that a lone bandit was unlikely to be blacksmithing here. About ready to say something, Svetlana jumped back in a bit of a startle as the man whirled around with his hammer. Oh my! I didn't think a man so obviously strong could also be so fast! You startle me sir...but I apologise for coming up on you this way. I am Svetlana, and these are my traveling companions. I believe you know Damen already, yes? We are heading to the Greenbelt on writ from the swordlords of Restov and were hoping we could partake of your hospitality here. I do hope that is still possible; we've heard of the bandit activity in the area and even come across the bodies of two unfortunate souls carrying a note it looks that you tried to send. Perhaps there is a way we could help with the bandits too while we are here? Svetlana did her best to be non-threatening, sensing that the man had endured more than few threats in recent days.
Damen entered the fort beside Svetlana, alert and with his bow ready in case the worst had happened. It seemed unlikely, but he'd rather have his weapon at hand and not need it. His caution proved merited when an enemy whirled, weapon at hand, and an arrow was out of his quiver before he realized the enemy was Oleg. It was hard to blame the man for his response.
With a quiet prayer of thanks for Svetlana's gift with words, he slowly returned the arrow and raised a hand in greeting to the other man. "It seems we're all a little nervous today," he offered by way of explanation.
Kent sullenly keeps silent.
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Oleg seems stunned. First by the beautiful and well spoken priestess, and secondly by someone he actually knows.
"Well I'll be! Devon is it?? Well whatever; you are a sight for sore eyes." He turns and calls back towards the blockhouse, "Svetlana! They are here! They sent soldiers!"
He turns back to your group, a sudden puzzled look on his face.
"But wait. I only sent Petre and Eric a few days ago. With the loaded mules they could not have reached Restov so quick. Are you on patrol from the Fort? Is this all. Just 6 of you? And some are not even dressed like soldiers. What is going on here??"
I enter the fort happy to see it still in one piece. I let the pristiest do the talking. I am still a bit out of sorts with the battle. I killed something. I have never killed something before. It is a strange feeling.
When Oleg greets us and asks about his friends I lower my head. "We found their bodies and the bodies of the mules on the way here. I am sorry Oleg."
Kent is still being quiet he looks like he might blow up. There are practically neon words on his for-head saying get on with it.
Damen ran his hand over his head. He had probably met Svetlana as well, but only in passing. Less than Oleg certainly. He glanced at his companion Svetlana with a smirk, then back to Oleg's wife as his face fell grave.
"Svetlana. You may not remember me - we've met before. My name is Damen. Ah... how to explain? We've been sent by the Swordlords to explore the Stolen Lands. On the way here we found the messengers you sent. They had been killed, although we don't know by whom. We, ah, gave them a burial before continuing on."
He looked around at his companions, and barely suppressed a smile at Kent's clear struggle to keep himself quiet. "I realize we aren't soldiers - at least most of us aren't - but I think we can still help you with your bandit problem. Tell us what's going on and we'll do what we can."
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As Damen finishes talking to Svetlana, Oleg tosses his hammer to the ground and stalks off.
Svetlana watches him go before she turns to face the group again. Her face is drawn and haggard as she speaks.
"Please forgive my husband. We have been under a great amount of strain these last few months, and even though it hurt his pride to do so, he was placing all his hope on those men getting through and help being sent."
She looks over your group, then seems to come back to herself.
"Oh, please excuse me. It is growing late and I just leave you standing there in the growing dark. The stables are over there, and to your right is the bunk house. I will put some more food on for dinner. Make yourselves at home."
Svetlana quickly gives you a tour of the trading post, then leaves you to stable your animals and settle down in the bunkhouse.
Brigid walks her horse as well as the horses of those speaking with Oleg and Svetlana to the stables. Patting them down briefly and unsaddling them, she joins in the tour of the post, casting her eyes around the fortifications with appraisal.
While unpacking her gear in the bunkhouse, she casually observes, It appears ve are not the group Oleg vas expecting. Vas he more upset vith us or the deaths of his men?
I make myself at home.
"I think we should still do watches there is no telling when the bandits my come back"
Earlier: We're pleased to make your acquintance Svetlana, that's my name as well! And I'm sorry to bother you and your husband at this late hour. Thank you for the hospitality, a warm meal would be delightful! The priestess' cheerful attitude continued despite the change in audience. If meeting someone with the same name bothered her, it did not show.
Svetlana also walks her horse to the stables with Brigid and then to the guest house to unpack her gear as well. No, I suspect we aren't the group Oleg wanted. I think he was staking his future on a band of soldiers to arrive from Restov to solve his bandit problem, not a group of "happens-along" adventurers to stumble upon him. He is scared and frustrated, that's all. Let us see tonight if we might not get a bit more information from Svetlana and Oleg about the problem and what we might be able to do about it. It will be helping ourselves as well; we'll want this location stable as we explore the Greenbelt, yes?
After unpacking her things, Svetlana joined the others at dinner. Seeking to speak to either Oleg or Svetlana (ideally both), the priestess sits herself next to them to initiate a conversation. If you could, tell us a bit about this trouble with bandits. We seek to explore the Greenbelt, and would hope this area to be secure as we do so. Perhaps we can help solve this problem if given a chance. Please trust me in saying that we are quite capable, and a resolution of this bandit problem could be a boon to us all.
Now that introduction have been made Kent feels that he is justified in talking.
"Any information that you can give us may help us help you.
What is the largest number of bandits that you have seen at one time before?
How many individually recognizable bandit have you seen?"
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At the trestle tables Svetlana has begun to serve the evenings dinner. The firepit close by helps keep the cool night air at bay, and the warm chicken stew and dumplings sits well in your stomach. Oleg continues to ignore the party, but Svetlana is more then willing to tell you what has been going on. Once she has cleared the table, and made sure you all have a warm mug of mulled cider, she tells the couples story.
”The bandits’ first visit was 3 months ago. They threatened to burn down the trading post and abduct me for their own amusements back at their camp if we didn’t agree to hand over all of the furs and trade goods we had accumulated over the past month from hunters and trappers.
Since then, the bandits have returned on the full and new moon, each time within an hour of sunrise. We have learned to have their “taxes” ready and hand them over quickly; if made to wait they take it out on whatever is closest. We lost our only cow that way.
The first time the bandits visited, there were dozens of them; 15 lower-ranking thugs led by a cloaked man armed with a bow, and a woman who carried two small hatchets. The woman did the majority of the talking on that first trip, and her black sense of humor and the way she smiled when she spoke of what would happen to me if we didn’t comply frightened us both.
She was a sharp one, and cruel. She noticed my wedding band and was determined to take it. Oleg tried to stop her, but there were too many. She had the others stretch out his arm as she readied her ax to take his hand. It was the cloaked one who stopped her. She kept the ring, saying it was payment for “not shorting Oleg’s reach”.
On all the other visits, only the hooded man accompanied the bandits. The second visit, he came with only eight other men and since then only six. We suspect that the bandits have let down their guard and think we are completely cowed."
At this Oleg grunts, ”We ARE completely cowed!’ He finally looks up from his pot of ale and looks the group over.
”I am sorry for my outburst earlier, and sulking. It is not your fault, and you did good by old Petre and Eric. I thank you for that. It’s..well…I fear for ‘Lana here. The bandits have grown bold and most of our customers have either disappeared or fled. With little or no trade goods, I cannot see them letting us alone much longer. I will not beg, but any help you can give us..well I would truly be grateful.”