Lisl places her book gently into her lap and folds her hands together. A curious expression comes over her eyes and she says, "No-one is ever ready to be a killer."
Forestalling an immediate reply, she looks up, takes a breath, then looks back to Darian and continues, "Mercy is a luxury of civilization. Here, on the frontier, where we cross sword and shield against the hard truths of survival, we are tasked with making the difficult choices that make civilization possible. Every reasonable parent wishes a better life for his or her own children. So, too, we are engaged in a generational saga, doing difficult tasks so that future people - people who come to live here, to make a life of their own and bring families and culture and prosperity - will not suffer those same difficulties."
"This does not absolve us, nor does it mean that we should ignore our consciences," she continues. "But we do what we do to make a better future for everyone - for people we may not even know, or ever meet. We do not do these things for our own selfish gratification. And, as is always the case, it is the difficult choices that are necessarily the right ones."
"I do not recommend the execution of a criminal lightly," says Lisl, "Nor should one accept such a recommendation without the most strenuous appeal to other means to a satisfactory resolution, but we must be mindful that our actions will shape the future here not only for ourselves, but for other people. If we leave a lasting impression upon the Stolen Lands, people will recall our choices, and those will inform the tenor of these lands for good or for ill. So we must remember that the highest goal is to redeem the criminal and repatriate them into society, but failing that we must also find ways to protect the innocent. And, as I am not a master magician, our remedies in that arena are slim."
"Was there something else troubling you?" she says. "Your companion Isabel seems unhappy with these challenges as well. Your comfort in each other will be a great balm, and a reminder that what we do here is not only for ourselves, but also for those we love and cherish, and yes, even for those whose paths we might never cross."
Lisl carefully touches the braids of her fire-red hair and smooths down a few loose ends.
Darian looks over to where Isabel is and smiles, "She...well, we are not accustomed to any of this, really. We are both born in the city, and our idea of a good time was going to see Shensen or some other performer perform in the theater. Sure, my family was fond of hunting, but more the formal hunting done from horseback and with hounds. You should see her dance...she was my dancing instructor for a time...I suppose she always will be," he adds with a chuckle.
"But ever since we fled the city from Barzillai's rule, we've been out of our element. On the run, for fear of House Thrune finding us and putting us to the gallows. Even our taking of this task was us on the run from a social faux pas at her relatives house. I don't know if we will ever be able to relax and find a place to call home again. It seems like it has been so long since we were able to even think about that sort of thing."
He sighs, and then smiles a genuine smile at Lisl. "Enough of my belly aching and the dark talk of all this. Tell me about yourself and your family. I know very little about the Brevish families, and it has been something I've been wanting to brush up a bit more on."
"I am from New Stetven," Lisl says simply. "My family is a family of some means, though not of the nobility. I had the luxury of a good upbringing and education. Issia - the northern part of the country - is often cold and the winter snows sometimes last for half the year. Thus, we spend a good deal of time indoors, which afforded me many opportunities to read, to socialize, and..." she says with a wry grin, "to aid my mother in preparing canned goods."
"Originally I was supposed to marry into a good family as well, but... I have four sisters, and in a series of unlikely events the match picked out wound up marrying one of my sisters instead, so I chose to spend time in a nunnery dedicated to Abadar. I found the lifestyle to my liking and I took up holy orders, and eventually the Church decided that I would be a worthwhile contributor to the effort to bring law to the lawless lands."
She clears her throat briefly and says, "I would imagine that the difficulties in Issia are different from those in Cheliax, but we have both had hurdles to overcome."
Darian nods. "True, but politics are politics. My parents hadn't yet chosen a suitor for me, I suppose they were waiting for a good enough offer, which I always found frustrating. But, then that all changed once Isabel and I got closer acquainted during the early days of our 'Silver Ravens.' If it wasn't for her...I'd probably not be alive right now," he confesses as he looks at her across the camp.
He coughs and stands, "Thanks for listening to my griping, Lady Morozov. I will let you get back to your reading. Feel free to seek me out anytime you wish to talk. I will try my best to return the favor." Darian bows his head to her and smiles, before walking over to the others in camp.
"Both of you, do join me for kahve in the morning," says Lisl as Darian departs.
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Isabel doesn't eavesdrop on Darian and Lisl's conversation but its easy enough to figure out, given how often he looks over at her, that they are talking about their lives before the Stolen Lands. When Darian returns she simply smiles and asks "Better?" before turning back to her conversation with Rok.
"Where did you grow up Rok? I've only heard of one city of assassins and that's far to the south."
"Daggermark." Rok answers Isabel. "We've got the Assassin's Guild and the Poisoners Guild, so everyone thinks we're a lawless bunch, but you'd be surprised. The assassin's in particular have got rules and regulations on just about anything that involves killing someone else." She frowns a little.
"Now that I think of it, seems those of us from the River Kingdoms get a bad reputation no matter which city we're from. Kind of why I took this job, wanted to work somewhere that my reputation and where I'm from didn't mean much."
She smiles at Isabel.
"How are you liking the frontier so far?"
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"It's cold, wet and full of things trying to kill me." Isabel deadpans to Rok before her smile appears again. "I'm enjoying it more than I ever thought I would! It's so different from Kintargo, and even from Restov. I never really imagined what life in the Wilds was like. Darian and I are city folk - I'm sure you noticed."
She pauses, pensive for a moment - her thoughts, unknowingly, following the same patterns Darian's had a few minutes before. "His family were keen on hunting, so he at least has some practical skills. But this is so far out of my experience..." She shakes her golden head. "I am... was a dancer. It's how we met you know? I tutored his little sister and then he arranged a private lesson - there was a ball, I forget whose now and he wanted to learn something to impress his date for the evening. I remember him being very nice, nicer than he had to be actually, and he wasn't bad at the dancing either. He came back for two more lessons although he didn't really need them - I thought at the time he was just trying to push some business my way for his sister's sake. Maria and I always got on well."
She pauses, by now thoroughly misty eyed. "We actually danced together that night, although I'm not sure he remembers it. I was almost always invited to the balls, generally in a professional capacity though - it was my job to dance with the elderly counts and make them look good, or with the young women who didn't have a paramour. We danced a waltz and ended up partnered." She looks down at her feet and Rok can see that her usually pale cheeks are red. "It sounds unbearably sappy but it was the best dance of the night - I felt something for him then I think. But he was there with a daughter of the Delronge. We didn't actually meet again until Aria Park - it was a complete accident." She looks up as Darian returns. "I'm glad of it though."
"A few interesting trinkets in the cache." Freya says to anyone listening, but more directed at those not engaged in another conversation. "I don't know if any of the rest of you can make use of the spells in the book, but I know I could make use a couple of them."
Jory pages through the spellbook absently, tossing it back on the pile of assembled items from the cache. "I cannot make use of these scribblings, sadly, but I know my way around wands. If no one objects?"
______
Darian shakes his head, ”I’ve never trained in how to use them properly, so by all means. Maybe you could give me some pointers on how to work them? The tutors I had in Kintargo were far too stuffy for me to tolerate,” he says with a chuckle as he hands the wand over to Jory and the tome to Freya.
Morning comes after a tense night and Lisl casts her spell to reveal the truth of your prisoners hearts.
GS
AB
AB
The two females are actually telling the truth, they expected to mess you up and scare you off, perhaps with a casualty or two in the fight. It was not a flat out murder attempt though. Hardly a shining example to anybody, but given their trade, and the rough and ready nature of the Stolen lands it's nearly normal.
The more heavily armed man however was happy to murder you, and is only upset because he loses out on more money with your survival.
What is the party doing now?
"Prepare the rope."
Darian performs the necessary execution somberly, and then turns to the repentant ones and explains to them what to expect upon returning to Oleg’s. He then turns to the group and asks, ”Speaking of which, what do we do with these two in the mean time? Take them with us? Make a quick return to Oleg’s?”
Freya scowls, still rubbing the sore spots where the arrows had pierced her flesh, as it is determined that two of the three are deemed repentant.
"Take them back to Oleg's I suppose..." she says, leaving the rest of her feelings on the matter unspoken.
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"I don't see why they shouldn't come with us." Isabel counters. "We would lose more time going to Oleg's and back than we would carrying on."
After the results of the truth telling she makes a special effort to be nice to both women and asks their names, where they came from and other small details about their lives.
"If we take them with us we'll need to keep an eye on them. Make sure they don't run off with the horses. I can have Kasper watch them, but that leaves me less mobile if we get into a fight." Rok says weighing the options.
"But it feels too early to go back to Oleg's. I don't want to travel back so soon."
"If we have to drag these two with us, Fenrir can keep an eye on them." Freya concedes.
”Okay, we’ll work out the watches as necessary. On we go?”
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Delighted to have carried the group for once Isabel is in a good mood for the rest of the day, smiling, skipping and generally acting as a little ray of sunshine. Her happiness is practically infectious.
She spends much of the rest of the day with the two new companions, as she is careful to call them, chatting away merrily and asking them questions like their names, where they come from, that sort of thing - exerting all her natural charm as she does so. By the time they settle into camp Isabel, with her faith in Lisl's truth-telling magic, is convinced that she has found two new friends.
During the travels, Darian also spends time trying to assure their captives/companions that, so long as they remain true to their word on wishing to reform, that they would be treated well and fair. He lets Isabel do most of the talking though, as she seemed to be quite enjoying it.
He moves his horse up alongside Jory, Freya, and Roksana as they ride. ”So, once we get this whole region mapped out and cleared out of thieves, what do you all plan to do? Take up another contract from the Swordlords? Continue the life of high adventure?”
Hex17.
The thick growth of the Narlmarches looms to the west as you travel through the day. The weather is clear and cool, perfect for travelling through the plains and hill.
Ludi & Natalia are quiet and wary through the day, answering if spoken to, but not giving away much about themselves. As the day goes on and it becomes clear that they are not going to be used for anything dangerous, or killed out of hand if they displease you the pair become more relaxed. Even chatting a little more when Isabel talks to them.
Ludi is the leader of the two, she tends to talk more and is naturally friendly when not on the defensive. Natalia has a nasty looking burn scar across the back of her left hand and is the quiet one to the pair, content to let her friend fill the silence.
As it gets late in the afternoon Freya & Rok spot a rocky outcrop rising from the hills around it, and the overgrown 5-foot-wide crack that leads down 20 feet to a 30-foot-diameter cave.
The cave wall directly across from the entrance sparkles slightly in the light you bring with you. Freya blinks in shock as she sees it. "That's gold!" She exclaims.
Indeed, this cave can be transformed into a healthy gold mine with the proper time and equipment.
What are you doing now?
When Darian rides up closer and asks his question, Freya gets a puzzled look on her face. "I...I haven't really thought that far ahead." she admits.
Thinking a bit more on the subject, the red-haired woman says, "I'm not really one for cities...or even towns for that matter. So far this journey has been profitable enough, if it continues to be so perhaps I'll build a cabin in the woods and call it good enough...gods will maybe even have a family."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As the day wears on, Freya finally gives in to the discomfort of her remaining wounds and casts a curative spell on herself.
"We need to make a note on our map about this place...perhaps that settling down to a cabin in the woods thing will be possible afterall."
"I plan on running a mercenary company. Who knows, maybe I'll hire on these two if they can prove they aren't too much trouble." Rok says from a top Kasper as they travel. She listens in as Isabel interacts with Ludi and Katrina, sometimes offering a quib or her opinion on the conversation.
When they discover the gold mine she whistles approvingly. "Maybe we'll get a bonus for finding this, or maybe some steady income once it's up and running. Wouldn't that be nice."
"Living out in the woods sounds nice Freya. Might be a nice way to retire when I'm too old to swing my hammer anymore." Rok nods smiling at the other woman and listens to the others plans as they continue with their planned exploration.
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"Wow!" Isabel exclaims when the gold veins are revealed. "This will take work but, my goodness. I'd heard the Stolen Lands were rich in resources, but this is something else altogether!"
The conversation about the future has Isabel eyeing her lover speculatively - she knows him far too well to think that his bringing it up was totally coincidental. She waits until evening to broach the subject however, looking for a time when they can secure some privacy.
"I heard what you said to the others today, about the future. Do you have some ideas you wanted to share?" She asks with a smile, trying not to make the question seem too loaded.
Darian nods to Freya, ”Sounds nice, but I think it may be a long time before this area is safe for individual homes. Though, that hermit east of Oleg’s seems to make it work...what was his name again? And maybe Rok’s employees can keep things in line,” he adds with a smile her way.
___________
Darian looks the mine over with wonder. ”Bonus nothing. They tasked us with mapping and exploring and clearing the bandits. We should be allowed to make a claim to this. Thecharter says nothing about claiming on behalf of Brevoy.”
___________
As Darian gets comfortable, he shrugs and replies to Isabel, ”I’m just thinking safety in numbers. Even though we are halfway across the world, I am loathe to let my guard down. Cheliax’s reach stretched all the way to Galt once before...what if they manage to again, even if just in agents and assassins rather than armies and conquest.”
He looks over at Ludicrous and Natalia and adds quietly, ”For all we know, House Thrune may have hired them...”
On to Hex16:
You travels bring you to familiar territory, you move into the Narlmarch, meeting the Thorn river, soon coming to the bandit camp you cleared so recently.
The presence of the Bandits in this area has obviously kept most predators away, no doubt it will soon become more alive as the wildlife returns, but for now you have a peaceful ride into the heavy forest.
Hex9:
Once again the journey is quiet, the only things you see are animals, and then at a distance, the animals all move away if you get lose to them.
When you make camp for the evening the first incident happens, as Lisl straightens and stretches after the days ride Darian walks behind her. Lisl feels a hand give her behind a pinch?
You happened to be looking that way when Darian wandered past Lisl, his hand went no where near her behind?[/b]
Lisl turns suddenly, hand raised with silver key in the palm, then takes a calming breath and says, "Darian, did you see that?"
Darian looks at her confused, ”See what?”
The cleric pauses and glances side to side, then says, "Someone distinctly pinched my derriere. Since you are quite satisfied with your arrangements with Isabel, I surmise that it was not you, but rather a cantrip or some kind of... prank." She takes on a decidedly disdainful cast at that last word.
Jory, having noticed something askew, pipes up.
"My lady, I happened to be reconnoitering in your direction a moment ago, and as the immortal gods are my witnesses, Darian made no such attempt on your dignity. Are you quite sure you felt something?" Jory glaces about with furrowed brow. "Quite....odd...."
Darian, still confused, shrugs and sets back to setting up camp. He looks to Freya, Isabel, and Roksana ”What are they on about?”
"Good sir, please trust that I am keenly aware of the feeling of someone pinching my derriere," says Lisl to Jory. "It is distinctly different from the feeling of a spider bite or a cramp. But it seems that the architect is hidden in some way."
Still keeping a wary eye on Ludi & Natalia, Freya looks over toward Darian when addressed.
"Hmmm? Sounds like someone or something grabbed Lisl's ass."
"I suppose the rest of us lady-folk should be a bit cautious." she adds with a smirk.
Turning her attention quickly to her raven, Muninn, she asks, "Så du noen eller noe som snek seg rundt?"
"If they can pinch me through the armor and the saddle sores, I'll consider that an accomplishment!" Rok says laughing as Jory and Lisl continue their discussion.
Not seeing anyone looking particularly pleased at a prank, Rok scans the camp looking for anything else that might have causes the misunderstanding.
Following Rok's comment, Freya likewise scans the area.
(Muninn within 30 ft.)
Despite everybody looking around no one can detect any strangers in the area?
After the evening meal you set the watches and retire for some much needed sleep.
Despite all your precautions it seems the mystery prankster struck again in the night! It takes a few moments to sink in as you awake, but soon you are all blinking in disbelief as you try to work out why Darian is now wearing a pair of ladies undergarments as a nightcap?
Isabel is especially curious as to why her knickers are now adorning his head, especially as they were stored in her pack in case of the very dim chance there might be a social occasion that required fine dress.
It seems you have attracted the attention of some Fey and are now being pranked. The successful Knowledge (nature) check also reveals that trickster fey can often be befriended with bribes (although fey
generally think of these as gifts, eschewing the ugly word “bribe”).
Gifts of shiny bits of jewelry, alcohol, sugary food, and potions are particularly useful, although items that incorporate cold iron are generally hated.
Darian removes the underwear from his head, confusedly looking at Isabel. ”Did someone spoke my canteen and I miss out on something that I wish I hadn’t missed out on, hun?”
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"So there's someone following us and playing jokes?" Isabel asks, retrieving her clothing from Darian's hand. "And no dear - you'd still remember." She rejoins with a wink before calling out to the darkness.
"This is a good joke! But please leave my clothes alone next time - I don't need them smelling of man!"
Laughing at seeing the sight of Darian's current plight, Freya comments, "If Old Nan's teachings are correct, I believe we may have encountered a mischievous fey creature. If I remember right, in the stories these fey may often be befriended by gifting them shiny bits of jewelry, alcohol, sugary food, or potions."
Remembering something else she adds, "Just make sure there is no cold iron worked into these gifts, lest the pranks get worse...perhaps even deadly."
"Well, I don't have anything shiny for our fey friend, any of you?" Rok asks with a shrug. "If the worst we have to deal with is stolen knickers and the occasional pinched ass, I'm fine leaving it be." She looks to her companions, wondering if the rest of them are relaxed enough to let the fey pull more pranks.
"Pinching a woman's derriere unsolicited is never appropriate," says Lisl with a sniff. "I have some kahve. It is only sweet with honey and milk added, but perhaps we can make some sort of arrangement. A coffee party, if you will."
Jory looks about with some concern. ”What other powers have these fey? I would gladly donate my portion of the group’s sweets to avoid finding myself adorned with ladies...smallclothes upon awakening.”
When Isabel calls out that it was a good joke there is a rustle in the bushes and a small head pops out. "Really? You really liked him wearing your naughty pants on his head?"
The small head belongs to a young female Grig named Tyg-Titter-Tut. She is soon joined by her best friend Perlivash, who appears in mid air. Perlivash is a Faerie dragon who flies in loops above you.
Once assured that you did admire their pranks the pair congratulate you on being good sports and ask if you are here to “kick out the mean bigginses.”
Darian, only half amused, goes along with being the brunt of the jokes as best he can. Once it seems these two are somewhat friendly, he lightens up. ”If by ‘mean bigginses’ you are referring to the bandits, then yes, that is part of our mission here. We’ve already gotten a good start at that. Another part is to explore and map out the region.”
Darian twists one hand within the other, seemingly debating something, before removes and holds out a glistening silver ring to the pair. ”Freya says that you might like jewelry. This is my signet ring. It bears the mark of House Aulamaxa. If it proves to you we aim to be friends, I offer it to you gladly.”
A rare smile graces Freya's face seeing the two fey creatures overtly make their presence known.
While Darian negotiates with the pair, Freya gets a pot of water going while sorting through her pouches of herbs to make a bit of tea.