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Oleg enters the stable and sees the fresh blood on the block.
"Y'all wantin' me ta clean the blood off this? Cuz that ain't in my contract. And I don't really wanna see yer head choppin' aftermath if you don't mind. I thought you was a Paladin er sumtin'?"
Oleg hakes his head at Kyra and walks out.
Breakfast is a little less cordial with Oleg and Svetlana. The pair seem a bit afraid of you now. Oleg's encounter in the morning clearly had been misinterpreted.
Still, you're well fed and Svetlana brings you all a packed satchel full of about a week's field rations.
"Ser Jory said you'd be starting out this morning and would need about 5 days of rations each. I figured I'd give you 7, they never go as far as you'd like and you might be delayed."
After she hands you the rations she goes back into her kitchen. Oleg steps in from the door.
"Ser Jory's requestin' y'all to meet 'em in the stables."
Darvan rises early and is found on the roof, watching the sunrise. He comes down to breakfast, eating quietly until Oleg comments about the blood. He gives the others a stern look. "It is my fault Oleg. Apparently I did not set a good enough example by taking care of business outside." Seeing their fear, Darvan finishes breakfast and helps to clean up the dishes, being insistent upon helping.
As he scrubs one of the pans down, he raises a little small chat with Svetlana. "Sorry about that mess outside, I'll clean it up as soon as we're done here."
Darvan finishes cleaning up the dried blood, then stands and stretches his back as Oleg arrives. He nods stoically, following the others to the stables.
Kyra was in complete shock when she saw the mess.
He killed them and left the mess. Just chopped their heads off and left the stable looking like a butcher's shop. Didn't even wait for morning. After all of that effort and he couldn't even wait for morning.
"I did not do this. But I know who did." The venom dripping from her voice could probably be easily heard.
She joined Darvan in cleaning up, not saying a word as she aided in getting the blood and gore out of the stables. On their way out, she looked to him.
"We need to talk later. You may have made the wisest call in leaving the room when you did."
That would be all she would say on it for now, eating breakfast in silence, with a look of sorrow towards how Svetlana and Oleg were reacting, before nodding to the bit about being summoned. Svetlana got a smile and whispered thanks for the rations. She would stand near Darvan once they were at the stable, waiting for the others in place.
Kern eats the morning meal in silence, mostly oblivious to Oleg and Svetlana's discomfort, his mind on their next goal.
When Svetlana begins passing out rations, Kern will hesitate before accepting, "No disrespect madam, but are these paid for by Ser Jory?"
Kern then goes to the stables, stopping by to pat Termach fondly before saddling one of the bandit's horses, "Soon. We'll get you war-trained and up to combat weight, and then we can show them what a Lastwall mount can do"
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Brok does not join the others for breakfast, electing instead to dine in his room instead. 5gp placed on the table with a note explaing what they are for. Brok has already taken 10 Rations and placed the money, with an apology for the mess in the stable, promising to clean it up next time.
He'll be in the stables, saddling the horses but will not be speaking much to anyone else.
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Late Night, Wealday, 2 Pharast, 4710
Day 2
Fren will cart the bodies to Potbelly's corpse and dig them graves spending the night praying and giving them a small funeral as promised.
First Light, Oathday, 3 Pharast, 4710
Day 3
Fren will accept breakfast with the others and the rations from Svetlana barely speaking to anyone. He will answer any questions as simply as possible while keeping his brow furred and mumbling to himself.
Could I have done more for those two. Should I have done more though they were given a choice and a chance at living. But we promised them a chance and they didn't take it.
These and similar thoughts chasing there way through his head.
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"No, they are part of the contract Oleg and I negotiated when we agreed to be the base of operations. These are neither a gift from Ser Jory or from Oleg and myself, they are simply part of your salary for accepting the commission. We will provide you rations each week for exploring."
Ser Jory meets the party in the courtyard of the outpost. In his hands he has a sheathed sword. It looks much like a longsword, but it's hilt and weighting reveal it to be an Aldori Dueling blade. It is clearly a superbly made weapon. As Kyra approaches he hands her the blade.
"Well done," He says. "I've sent word to Restov, the rest of you will have a masterwork weapon upon your return, I just happened to have this blade on my person and thought it could assist in your mission. I reward faithful service well."
He steps to Fren.
"I apologize for the deceit friends. I had no intention of forcing you to break your oath, but I could not let these bandits go free. They already knew too much and if they had made it to Kessel or the Stag Lord. Well I'm afraid our garrison of reinforcements wouldn't have been enough. That said, let there be no more secrets between us. Ask any question of me and you shall have your answer. I'm sure our good Dwarf here knows a spell that he can cast upon me to know if I speak truth."
Darvan stares at him for a moment. Just exactly how full of shit are you, will you answer that question? Still remaining undecided on how he feels about the whole situation, Darvan mostly stays quiet. But he perks up a bit at the weapon offer. "You know I've been messing around with that bow I picked up from them the other day. The mechanism is genius, but the pull is light. Think there's any chance I could trade this one for a heavier pull?"
Not a gift; a reward for service. A trap. Still, no need to antagonize him.
"No, thank you. My current weapon is sufficient."
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Brok heads out at this point having saddled the horses.
Hearing the man's words.
He remains silent.
Two more deaths because mercy given was denied. I pray that you never have to experience this. They are not worth more than a mere weapons? He thinks.
Glancing at Kyra and Fren, he sighs to himself.
My hands are already stained with blood, better mine than yours friends. May you never have to have your hearts pained by these actions. Let me take them and keep yours free. Of course I suspect Darvan will be more than happy to take my place.
He speaks.
"What is next for today?"
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Darvan stares at him for a moment. Just exactly how full of s+~& are you, will you answer that question? Still remaining undecided on how he feels about the whole situation, Darvan mostly stays quiet. But he perks up a bit at the weapon offer. "You know I've been messing around with that bow I picked up from them the other day. The mechanism is genius, but the pull is light. Think there's any chance I could trade this one for a heavier pull?"
Ser Jory nods.
"I will send a raven at once to alter the order."
Darvan nods, handing him the bow he scavenged the other day. He scratches the back of his head, and after a moment makes eye contact. "If you knew me at all you'd know I have a particular dislike of dishonest politics. I am with you on this mission, but no more secrets."
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Day 3
Ser Jory motions behind him. The great table from the bunkhouse with the map has been positioned in the courtyard. He leans over it and points a dagger at Kessel's camp.
"According to your informants, this Kessel's camp is located here. She has a force of approximately 8 men. Well armed and clearly terrified of her. I would suggest cutting the head off the viper and offering quarter to the remainder. You may spare those who surrender and swear oaths of loyalty to your charter. Those who will not agree to work off their crimes, can pay for them with their lives."
He pauses.
"I know you all distrust me—hell—you may even hate me. But we want the same thing. To bring peace to this land and create a safe haven for those wishing to settle here. Which I fear may be more than we anticipated if civil war erupts into the north."
He looks down for a moment.
"Once this butcher's work is done. We'll have some breathing room before the Stag Lord is made aware of our presence. This should allow for our garrison from Restov to arrive and give us the reinforcements we need to deter the Stag Lord riding out to meet us in force. It is then that we can begin surveying the lands, before we prepare for our assault on the Stag Fort. Good luck."
Kyra held the sword, uncertain what to say for a moment. She just stood there, holding it.
These two get slaughtered like a couple of chickens being prepared for stew and you reward us. I've openly called what you're doing treason and you give me a gift for the stables being left such of a mess that Oleg was horrified.
She then tilted her head. On the other hand, there is a certain poetic justice to keeping a gift from someone known to be questionable just in case you have to leave it in their corpse later.
Brok she ignores for now... in fact, she makes every effort not to look at him, even as she glances to the other members of the group. Then, she sighs and looks to Jory, listening to what he says.
Wait, reinforcements?
"Are these reinforcements your guard?"
That will give us an idea of who they are loyal to.
"Also, how did the Stag Lord gain such power in this region?"
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"Yes, they are my guards and your guards and Oleg and Svetlana's guards. They answer to me first, your party second, which is what you're really asking. But I pray my wishes and yours will be the same in any matter involving them." He says with a smile. "As for the Stag Lord's rise, well local rumors say that he was once a very brave and charismatic man. That his bandits were less thugs and more toll-takers. Yes, he collected from those who passed by, but he also protected them from the myriad of threats that plague this land. A noble cad, I suppose would be how to refer to him. But over time, he grew rich with power and weak to the temptations of his bottle. The bottle brought out a darker side of him and those with a vicious streak started rising through his ranks. Power corrupts, as they say. And in this place, the Stag Lord had absolute power."
Kern mounts silently, lost in thought. Eventually, he shakes his head as if to clear out the cobwebs, "We can work out tactics on the way, if that is desirable, but I'd just as soon get moving as quickly as possible."
He'll nudge the mount out of the stables and out the gate, and will await the rest of the party there.
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Day 3
Brok remembers that the ex bandits had the following items;
1 Silver Stag Lord Amulet
5 Lead Stag Lord Amulets
Speaking up, knowing that the others probably hold contempt for him now. With Kyra's steadfast action of ignoring him, nothing could be clearer.
"The ex-bandit Happs explained that the amulet they wore were some form of identification. The sliver amulet given to officers and the lead amulets as men in the in the service of the Stag lord. The password apparently is 'The ride was long, but the wolves remain in the north' in answer to 'How our journey had been.' This could grant us safe passage within the camp and maybe then strike at her swiftly and quickly. It's supposed to grant us safe conduct into any of the bandits camps or fort."
Brok continues on.
"I do believe that we should still have those amulets."
Mid Morning, Oathday, 3 Pharast, 4710
Day 3
Fren perks up at the idea and then rubs his chin for a moment.
That's a good idea but I think it best to only use the lead amulets when assaulting the camp she may notice something is wrong with one of us having such rank when she never say us before. Kyra should disguise herself a bit to look more mannish.
Fren quickly blushes
Not that you look mannish now but from our new allies earlier comments there aren't any female bandits besides her and that might give away our trick.
She ponders those amulets a moment.
"I am not certain how well disguising me would work. Or if it is something I would be comfortable with. But using the amulets to gain entry seems to be the best way to get into the camp. I have no disguising skills anyway."
She frowned more. "But Kern is right; it may be best if we decide this on the road. And if we need to whip up a quick disguise, I'm certain we could just coat me in gore."
Kyra then closed her mouth before she followed that up with the next statement that came to mind. It is not paladin-like to give verbal jabs to Brock like I almost did. Not paladin-like at all.
She then heads for her horse, to saddle up and follow Kern.
Darvan shrugs. "We'll just drag you in tied up and say you're our prisoner."
"It seems prudent to me to explore along the route; I'd rather not be in a situation where we have to retreat and have no understanding of the terrain. I suggest we also explore the area around the camp itself before we make the assault, so that we have the same level of understanding of the local terrain as our quarry"
Kern takes an amulet from Brok, "It can't hurt to be wearing these, but I don't expect that we are going to be able to fool any of Kressel's band...we are riding the same mounts that Happs and friends left the camp with."
" I think detouring west would risk arriving late, particularly as we don't know if there is anything there to delay us."
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The party rides out from Oleg's and the surrounding areas. Determined to put an end to this Kessel before she's even aware of their presence.
As they ride south they enter into a great woods. Large and dense. It slows the horses pace down significantly. As the Sun reaches its apex they pass through an opening.
Darvan, Fren, Kyra and Kern notice that this clearing is not a natural clearing, but one that has been culled form the woods and the ground has been cultivated. In the center of the clearing, there's a well-ordered radish patch.
To the northeast of the patch, the see an odd sight. Six armored kobolds lying in a heap, basking in the warm spring sun. They seem to be napping, their long polearms have been balanced to form a small pyramid near them.
The Kobolds don't seem to notice you.
Darvan holds up a hand to halt the party, silently pointing towards the head of kobolds. He looks at Kern and Fren, arcing a brow as if to say Any spells you want to cast now? Then he motions for the less stealthy members to move forward while he sneaks up behind them, raising his brows again as if to say Thoughts?
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Brok gives Darvan a thumbs up to indicate he understands as he unlimbers his flailpole thinking its extra reach might come in handy now.
He moves away from Kyra, Fren and Kern to cover more distance, making sure to keep to the trees and out of sight as much as possible, taking care to watch his step.
Darvan makes his way into the woods, swinging around so he can flank the kobolds.
Somewhat surprised that the Kobolds did not immediately attack, Kern holds up a finger, "Give me a moment here, please."
Seeing Kern give some sort of signal, Darvan gets into position to flank but sits tight for the moment. That's right, wizards learn all sorts of languages. Maybe he can speak that garbage.
"Peace. I must talk with my others. I think we can be Friends."
Kern turns towards the others, "These are the Sootscales. They are apparently the ones who cultivated this patch. Personally, if they can decide not to immediately attack us, I'd feel pretty barbaric if we are unable to do the same."
"I'd like to try some negotiation here, and I can translate if someone else wants to speak to them. Does anyone have an issue with Parley?"
Kyra holds up her hands as the kobolds start speaking.
Okay, this is either an improvement over how our luck is, or...
She frowns. Yeah, this might end badly.
She was about to make a suggestion, but then closed her mouth. No, Kyra, let the guy who actually knows what they're saying speak...
She frowned, just a bit. I need to learn a few more languages soon...
Fren fishes in his pocket for his holy symbol
Kern if you would translate. I am a servant of a god of law as long as you do not attack us or other travelers we will not trouble you and your people.
Fren places his holy symbol away.