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I have to make sure she is safe.
Dealan leaves in an attempt to find Myla. Damn witch hunter is going to get everyone killed. Dealan seems to have no trouble saying this loudly as he moves a long
Lyari remains quiet as Jonith explains enough about the mission to appease the Squires.
As Trimar signed his name, next to it in another column appeared what he was taking from Arlen. After he was done Arlen handed him the vial with a nod.
As the norm, Marcia was in the stables... where oddly enough most of your other knights assigned to this mission, and your squires.
It must be out in the middle of no where."
Trimar respectfully signs and leaves. When he reaches the stables he announces himself to make sure he spooks no one, given they are around large animals who can accidentally murder a person.
"Marcia, Ser Jonith. We've been tasked with dealing with a foreign griffon...as such, I say we capture the beast and train it right. I'm sure we have room for another and who knows maybe we'll manage a mating pair out of the situation. As such, I feel we will need a large net, some chains and a griffin muzzle...could we round all that up?" he asks trying not to sound bossy.
"I will not deny the thought of taking the beast alive has crossed my mind", responded Ser Jonith. "Of course you know, training is much earlier when the griffon is very young, and will be much harder to train an adult."
"But the orders of our king supercedes our wishes", continued the cavalier. "If the beast gives us the opportunity to take it alive, we should try. But if the Fates are against us, we must do what must be done to protect Riverport."
Turning to his squire, Ser Jonith states, "Walden. I believe we have a spare griffon muzzle near the griffon enclosure. The hard leather one."
Giving a slight bow to Ser Trimar, Jonith asks, "If I may, I would ask your squire to aquire several strong chains from the blacksmith, 3 to 4 in roughly 20 ft. length. I bow to your experience with griffons to the quality and size of the net".
"If the Griffon is young enough, I may have a spell that could render it harmless Sir Jonith. Of course, we will still need the muzzle and chains..."
Walden gave Jonith a nod before he headed off to get the muzzle.
Faylinn looked over to Jonith and gave a small whimper. "There is no way I could lift all that..." She told him.
Dealan entered the stable looking furious. Myla get ready to leave. We are heading to my hometown. We have something we need to do before the damn witch hunter gets there. I'm not letting my family get killed because we have someone too thick in the books to know what they are getting into!
"Dealan, calm down." Myla sighed. "Getting angry isn't going to help is it?" She asked, though it was more like a statement.
Maybe not but it makes me feel better, Dealan replies, not caring about making a scene. Remeber the person I told you about? If I don't make sure she is safe before that bumbling idiot decides to mess around with the Forrest then she could die.
Dealan gives Myla the look he only gives her when explaining why jumping in front of wolves while wearing no armor is the right thing to do.
The cavalier huffed, "Fine. Walden, please assist Faylinn in the acquisition of the chains in question."
Bowing slightly to Lyari and Trimar, Jonith begged pardon. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Turning on his heel, Ser Jonith walked to the griffin enclosure to retrieve the specialized muzzle.
Still angered, Dealan hears that Faylinn could be getting away with wimping out of a job. He promptly grabs the chains and slams them into the squire's hands before getting on his Horse. Come on Myla, we need a good start.
Trimar actually looked disappointed at this moment. "Forgive me Faylinn...I believe you may have not gathered the full reasoning behind my lessons. One is to work smart, use one assets to do what one must with the least bit of effort....but you must also not show weakness, particularly to those you might want to impress at some point in your life should you wish to be a knight amongst them as equals." he said sternly.
He waves off Walden. "Figure out how best to do this task without using your peers for the work." he said, semi punishing her for making herself...and possibly him look bad.
Myla sighed as she took a hold of Dealan horse's bridles. "Dealan, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all of us order by the King to work together on this?" She asked. "I humbly suggest that we wait for them to finish getting ready. It will take us some time to get out there."
Faylinn give a small sigh as she said "Yes Ser Trimar." She then went off to gather the chains,speeding past Ser Jonith with ease.
Walden gave a small chuckle as he said "Man she can run." before heading off to get the muzzle as he had been ordered before.
Myla, the lives of everyone I know in my home are on the line, Dealan said. If you haven't gathered it by now, I would very much like to make sure I can minimize the damage to just myself before a few idiotic witch hunter decides to go marching into a fey forest.
Trimar waved his hand at the lass as she ran off with the chains. "I swear, teaching someone is such a challenge. You think you're getting the right message across...and then you realize you'd taught something else." he said simply to the situation.
He looked back to Ser Jonith. "Well, we should be ready to leave in a few minutes. I say we make sure the horses are in place, we have enough rations to complement some game along the way and mount up and be ready for their return?" he said trying to think of anything that might need to be done.
"I believe I speak for all of us in saying we have the provisions necessary for the travel ahead", said Ser Jonith, as he climbs onto his steed.
Myla sighed "Okay, you're not hearing me because you're too upset." She told him softly. "This witch hunter, isn't just going to be able to match off into the fey forest. For one they're not that stupid. Not to mention Dealan, we wouldn't let them." Finally she turned and looked to the other knights. "Give me a hand here?" Myla asked.
It took a bit for Faylinn to come back with all the chains. She wasn't lying that they where too heavy.
Walden had come back and helped Faylinn make sure everything was put away properly before the two of them also got onto their horses.
Lyari dismounts and begins to aid Myla with her request though he remains quiet throughout.
Alright Myla, Dealan said. You win. We have to get people clear before going into the forest.
And I will have to go off on my own.
The squires ensure that nothing if left unattended and all made their way to the gates of Camelot. You are let by and the road before opens wide and long. The journey south has now begun.
The lands upon the road seem bright, people wave as you pass and those older than two decades can remember a time when the common people hid in fear of war from neighboring nobility when the throne had no heir. Yet it seems that Arthur's rise to the throne has calmed many minds.
Days turn into weeks as you reach the edge of the darkwood forest known as Black Leaf to the common folk. The forest is old, even the newest parts have the look of centuries pass. Whispers surround talk of these woods, spinning tails of Fey and wild things.
A small arm of the forest does have a path and leads you to where you are to go, or you can take a extra half a day to journey around it off the road.
"I was told once that this road was always clear, but the forest has reached up to take a part of it." Faylinn said as the came to a stop at the entrance to the forest. "It looks... clouded in mist..." She muttered worriedly.
"Sers? Are we really going in there?" Walden asks as he looks to each of you in turn.
"Ser Garnett", said Ser Jonith addressing the polemaster, "you are most familiar with this region, I cede to you experience in this matter. What say you?"
We make sure everyone in the town is safe. No one touches the forest without me there. It's not safe if the forest rejects you, Dealan will say. And There is someone there who would make sure I am safe. Or would try to. When we do get there touch nothing with cold iron unless we have no choice.
"But... we have to go through this part of the forest just to reach the town on the other side no?" Myla asked as she looked to her knight. "Is all of the forest like this?"
The cavalier chuckled slightly. "Ser Garnett, you make it sound like the forest is alive!"
"The forest is alive Ser Jonith." Faylinn said, however quietly. "Tis the realm of the Fey King that bleeds into this world..." She continued, never taking her eyes off the forest path. "My father use to tell of how the forest always seems to be old, yet the deeper one goes the trees seem to be more alive."
Ahh. The fey." Ser Jonith tries to recover his flippant attitude in the shadow of Faylinn's sincerity. "That's an entirely different matter, then."
For the first time since he got it, Ser Garnett pulled out the necklace he received. The Forrest can easily kill you Ser Jonith, he will say. I got lucky as a child. I wasn't a warrior back then. Walking through is dangerous. We may have to go through but put away your cold iron. Myla take my spear, I will not use it in the forest.
Dealan will pass his ransuer off to his squire, and give a pointed look to her weapon. Last time I was here I left in peace, he said with all the seriousness he could muster. I won't walk in for war. Hopefully, she is still here.
Trimar let the others talk for a bit, this particular forest was not one in which he was familiar so he assumed he would be most unwelcome. Though it depended all upon what manner of creature or party they managed to run into. He let the others draw their own conclusions for now for how to deal with the Forest, but if he had the chance, he'd try to speak on their behalf. Who knows, maybe it'll even work.
He looked at Ser Garnett "Indeed, it is best to offer a hand in friendship first, with your dagger unsheathed behind your back when dealing with most of the Fey. Though, I'll not pretend to know this forest and it's inhabitants." he said smiling. It was rare to be back in Fey territory, he was hoping this would not land in the pile of unpleasant.
Trimar I have a friend in there who I won't have hurt by a skittish knight or squire. Dealan said bluntly. This forest is an old one, full of fey and whatever can make a scale like this.
Dealan pointed to his necklace.
The forest can tell our intentions. I never had problems as a child but I can't tell if we will now. It is best to be safe and not have weapons out when anyone can get hurt.
Trimar raised his brow "Squires I could understand, but I'd hope that by knighthood you lot would have your wits about you enough not to be skittish." he said chuckling a bit.
The second bit of info just seemed a bit to superstitious "Perhaps the gods could tell, though the only bits of the forest beyond that that could tell would be a Dryad hiding in a tree or the other various Fey. I've not met a tree yet who could talk let alone react to my approach lest they were magic'd upon by a fey." he said trying to offer some conversation or insight.
Honestly, sometimes the thoughts of men confused him.
Dealan looked at Trimar and smiled. I am sure there are Dryads out here, but as far as I know, the forest can't talk to us. But the tree's can talk to eachother.
Lyari remains silent as his companions discuss the forest and its environs. Not wishing to be dragged into a conversation about Fey when he is of elven blood he is content to be quiet and keep wary.
Perception
"Okay, we've spoken enough about the creepy forest." Myla said as she leaned down onto the neck of her horse. "Are we going to the village on the other side or what?"
"We still plan to go, we're just wondering if we should go through this little off shoot of the forest or if we should take longer and go around." Walden stated.
"Be silent Walden." Myla said without looking at him. "I'm talking to our knights."
Faylinn sighed and looked to Trimar "We could go through the forest. We wouldn't be in there long and if we keep to the path we shouldn't have problems right? Once we get to the village we could get a better idea of what's happening." She pointed out while Myla and Walden kept arguing behind them.
Myla finally just held her hand up to Walden as she looked to her knight Dealan. "Faylinn does have a point there. We could head to the village first and leave what shouldn't be taken into the forest at the inn. Not to mention we could speak with the Mayor and learn more on the griffin attacks."
"I am of the opinion that we go through the forest, unless Ser Garnett deems it folly", states Ser Jonith.
"If the fey want to show their displeasure at our present, better sooner than later. We can take the chance to try and talk with them then and if things can be solved once we get to the town then it's one more bit of information to better resolve what we're here for." He said, looking at the bickering squires.
Dealan sides off his horse and hands Myla his spear. Let us be on our way then, he said, taking the horse by the reins and starting down the path.
Also Myla, Dealan said with a smile. Remeber that Faylinn needs to learn to do some real work. No reason to agree with her all the time.
"Either leads to our ultimate destination. Both will no doubt have it's own challenges..." He then goes silent once more.
Lyari casts Mage Armor.
"Just because I agree with her idea does not mean I agree with her all the time." Myla said with a smirk as she took Dealan's spear.
"Right... through the forest it is..." Faylinn said with a nervous laugh.
As the last of the squires enter the forest it seemed as if time itself had sped up. The light was like that seen at evening just as the sun is going down yet without the pleasant view of the horizon. However the more eerie thing was... there was no sound of animals. No birds. No forest rodents like squirrels or rabbits. Nothing.
"Does anyone else feel like something is off?" Walden asked as he kept shifting in his saddle to look behind them.
"He's right, the forest is quiet." Faylinn said as she looked around "For the Fey forest that is a very bad thing."
Are you here? Dealan called. I'm back
Dealan looked around carefully, hoping to see who he was looking for. It's Dealan. I brought some friends with me. We are heading out to the village but I can stay and catch up. Or you could come with us if you hear me.
The baker will turn to the rest of the group. Don't mind me. Just checking to see if my... friend... is around.
Trina shrugged a bit as the others noticed the stillness and the mood seemed to sour quickly. "Just keep your eyes open and listen carefully. There is nothing to fear if you stay prepared. he said quietly trying to reassure his squire.
Bewilderment registers on the cavalier's face. "As you say,..Ser Garnett."
Ser Jonith also feels the general unease of the very quiet forest.
The horseman gently pats his steed neck to calm it.
Lyari rides in silence to better concentrate on the forest about him.
The forest seems almost deathly silent, and any voice one was waiting for doesn't seem to have answered. Yet any other wild life has seem to fled for not even the bugs make a sound now. Then low from the brush to the left comes a long growl. Out from the brush, as if the shadow from the plants themselves, stepped three wolves. Their pelts not made of fur but twisting shadows. Their crimson eyes burning like embers.
"THAT is not Fey!!" Faylinn scream as she back her horse, though the frightened beast seemed to be doing a fair amount of that on its own.
"Orders?" Walden asked as he readied his blade.
Initiative Order:
Dealan
Trimar
Squires
Jonith
Wolves
Lyari
Dealan grimaced but stood firm in his decision to not take his spear. Dammit! Who pissed off the forest! Myla use my spear!
Dealan tried to remember what those things Ryari had called upon were, hoping to gain allies, but quickly brushed that thought aside.
Bring it on you damn wolves! I won't let you hurt my allies.
Dealan will move toward the nearest wolf, unarmed and unarmored. Ryari if you are out there I could use some help! he will call out as he moves.
Trimar looked alarmed at Dealan as he drew his bow "How is a wolf the forest's fault!" he said as he quickly knocked an arrow and fired at one of the wolves.
He sent the arrows flying "Fall back with the horses, those who can, rain hell on these beasts...someone dismount and give em something to eat!"
Walden pulled his horse back, keeping his and the other squires mounts calm as the wolves came from the shadows.
Myla readied her razor just in case any of the creatures made their was past the knights, and for once she was greatful to Walden. His time with Jonth had paid off quiet a bit.
Faylinn, hands shaking, pull out her rapier thought she prayed she wouldn't have to use it.
These are incorporeal creatures.
Trimar's hand tremors a bit and lets out a tsk "Careful, they're shadow wolves and they aren't entirely a part of our world. What are they doing here of all places..."