Onvyr goes to climb back on his horse and shrugs, "Actually I suspect that they don't know we are coming and are in no rush at all. Still, no reason to waste time." He turns to Kair as he starts to get his horse back on the road. "Just so you know, the burning doesn't stop...you know...people like me from doing our thing. If you want to prevent that, you should really douse things in holy water. Though burned bodies do make poor zombies."
With a shrug Vasili turns away from the wagon. Everyone is alright to travel, yes?
He walks to retrieve his horse, looking back to see if Cruentus uses the wagon. If not, he'll take the lead of the other horse, throw the gear on it's back in a sack, and head out. If he does, Vasili will simply ride up next to the wagon. In either case, he seems content to let the others lead the way.
Kair jumps on his horse, after taking to carry the gear the party decided to retrieve, and leads it in the right direction.
"I suggest we leave now. And thanks for the holy water advice. Good to know.", says Kair, with a completely neutral face towards Onvyr.
He then rides alongside Vasili along the way.
"So, Vasili, what's your tale? What brings you to the baron's employment?" Kair seems genuinely interested in what the well dressed man is to say.
Vasili tosses the gear and pouches down on the back of the wagon as the bodies of the Highwaymen burn. No, it appears they were even more common than I had thought. The horse tosses it's head back as he draws it closer to the wagon. Easy boy, easy. He looks around, Well, it seems you could ride a wagon if you like, Cruentus. Perhaps until we get to a town and get you a saddle? A chuckle and a sparkle in his eye, More comfortable than a bag, yes?
"You would be surprised" Cruentus replies, mirroring the man's mirth.
it has been so long since someone has been able to accept my heritage let alone joke about it
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A chuckle and a wink. The man throws his scarf over his shoulder and whistles sharply. A bird circles and lands on his shoulder lightly.
I am a man of mystery, yes? Another chuckle, My family has traveled through this area many times. And many times we have entertained the local folk. Nice people. The simple folk are simple and the rich...well, they have gold.
My people are known for getting into trouble. Sometimes of their own accord...sometimes not. His smile widens, But we have learned to accept this for what it is. Any chance for adventure. His horse hitches a little to the left, and the bird on his shoulder flaps its wings to keep balance. My cousin, a curious fellow, ran into a spot of trouble in town. This bit of trouble was prettier than rich, but not so poor as to be without complication. That was, that she was pretty enough to be noticed by the rich. One in particular.
Was the young lady seducing my cousin... or he seducing her. They were young. From what I gathered, neither even knew. And it does not matter. He winks as he carries on with a twinkle in his eye. Along came the complication. My cousin is not the smartest, nor even the most charming, but he is quick with a knife. And so, a young and rich boy ended up with a scar and a story to tell his friends and woo the ladies. Of course, at first, this didn't occur to him. He believed he'd been slighted and humiliated. furious, he went to his father's friend. A man known for having those in his employ that are very...decisive. And so the Baron's men came for my cousin.
Luckily, the Baron is less inclined to bloodshed than a brash young man. He was intrigued by my solution, and a few stories in town later, there was a new royal hero who saved a pretty local girl.
Vasili chuckles, We Varisians, if nothing else, know how to play a villain, no?
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The hunter looks back to Onvyr and asks, "Tell me, O sage, how great is their larder that they will not eat a fresh meal?"
Kair smiles at the story, and nods. "Words have power indeed. It's nice to hear a story that doesn't end tragically in Ustalav." He then reaches in his pack, taking out an old, worn pipe, and lights it up. The blue smoke fills the air and rises above the gnarled trees as the ranger looks around at his companions and the sky.
The minor threat of those amateurish highwaymen dealt with, you all return back to the road and manage to get in another solid hour of travel before dusk falls. Just when you are about to reach the point of whether or not you should make camp for the night, you catch sight of a small village off in the distance.
Should you choose to venture on closer, you can see that the village consists of about a dozen homes, an inn/tavern, a stable, a temple and a general store. Beyond the village, lies a wide river.
Onvyr shrugs at Amria's words.
"Hell if I know. But I doubt they actually plan to, you know, eat her. At least not quickly. If they do have actual vampires as well as dhampir I'd guess they want to keep her alive to drink her blood for as long as possible. And if they actually want to make her undead...well, we're probably too late for that already. Either way, if an extra ten minutes is the difference between success and failure, I'll buy a hat just to eat it for you."
All this talk of vampires clearly unerves Cruentus. Flashing back to his early years his features start to shift, but before his full transformation gets underway he catches hold of himself and calms.
Filthy undead, all they do is corrupt
Once again embarrassed, Cruentus turns to move on once again, wanting to change the scenery, and turn his thoughts to more productive things, like finding the truth of the situation.
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Onvyr raises an eyebrow and looks over at Cruentus.
"You...uh...have twitch problems over there? I can't say I know anything at all about lycanthropy or its ilk, but should we be concerned about unpredictable changes?" He shrugs a bit, seeming to take it in stride, "Eating people I've got no issue with, but unpredictable we might have to try to predict. Don't want to suddenly start fights we didn't plan to after all. I guess unless that's the secret plan..."
"You have nothing to fear from me unless warranted. It's just this topic hits closer to home than most. Just know that aside from the task at hand I require other information from this Redgrave when we meet him. "
My old master, we will meet again soon if this pans out.
"let us take refuge in this town. Perhaps closer this way we can get more information about the compound we head off to. "
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Kair smiles at the story, and nods. "Words have power indeed. It's nice to hear a story that doesn't end tragically in Ustalav." He then reaches in his pack, taking out an old, worn pipe, and lights it up. The blue smoke fills the air and rises above the gnarled trees as the ranger looks around at his companions and the sky.
A quick nod of his head and a wry, though sad, smile, Well, the pretty girl is dead, a young and brash royal is a hero to his people, and my cousin must avoid this town when our family passes through. So yes, happy enough for Ustalav. His remarks are surprisingly good-natured considering the news.
Well, we should at least stop for some dinner, yes? Perhaps we can sell the equipment of those poor highwaymen to pay for it. After all, they might as well give us something for the trouble they put us through. And perhaps we can find a saddle for this one. Nodding to the horse he's guiding.
With a kick he guides his horse forward.
You approach the village easily enough and even pass by the guard tower without incident, though the crossbowmen up there give your group a cautious look over. There are few people still about this late at night and they seem willing to give your group a wide berth in the street.
Looking about the village, it doesn't take long to see that the largest center of activity is the Inn/tavern. Beneath the sign of a boar's head is a door propped open to let the cool night air into what appears to be a crowded tavern room.
The only other public building you have noticed that is still open for business at this late hour is the stables.
The look on Kair's face seem to change a bit, then goes to normal, if a bit long-faced. "Should've expected that...", as he hears the aftermath of the story.
Seeing Cruentus start changing, Kair reaches for his pocket with one hand, and the handle of his axe with the other, before realizing what's happening, and mumbling an apology. "Don't know about you, Onvyr, but I'd leave eating people as a last resort only."
Walking in the town, Kair heads to the stables. "I can take the horses in, Vasili can find us a table in the tavern." He will take other people's horses if they decide to give them to him.
As he's done with the horses, after paying the toll, he walks over to the tavern and tries to walk in through the door.
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Handing the reins over to Kair with a smile, Vasili turns toward the Inn. I'll be sure to find us good seats. Any preference on food or drink?
He leans his head over and whispers something, seemingly speaking to the bird on his shoulder. It sounds...Varisian, perhaps? Take a look around. Stay close. The bird takes flight.
Vasili makes his way towards the Inn, entering with a flourish and standing in the doorway, letting his eyes adjust. Let's get something to eat, shall we?
The sound of conversation in the Inn seems to dim a bit as your group enters. The looks given your way suggest that the folk here don't think highly of any outsiders. Though seeing that none of you are openly brandishing weapons or showing fangs, they resume their previous conversations and only glance your way every now and then.
Vasili, you are able to find a table for the group to sit at and shortly after you take a seat, a serving wench saunters over. "Evenin' sirs. Can I get you something to eat or drink?"
Kair, you approach the stable and see a few horses and a pony milling about the attached corral. A couple small carts are parked along side it and you can see a young lad of about 12, perched atop on of the fence posts and keeping an eye on them. Guessing what you are here for, he hops off the post and with the fearlessness of youth, approaches you.
"Evening, if you're looking to stable your horses here, Father charges two coppers a night per horse. He's also the blacksmith here if they happen to need new shoes."
If you agree to the price, the lad will take the horse from you and you may join the other at the Inn. The same drop in conversation and introductory stares happen again when you enter.
Kair looks at the boy and hands him the coins. "Thank you, son. What's your name?" After receiving an answer, he gives the kid the reigns, giving him one silver coin, just by being impressed by him not being scared of the big tattooed orc, and heads to the inn.
Walking in there, Kair notices the onlookers and stretches, showing some Pharasman silvers. He nods at the bartender, and proceeds to sit next to the others at the table.
"It seems these folks aren't used to outsiders. Can't blame them, waryness keeps you alive in here." He looks at the wench and replies, "I'll take some stew and a wine, if you have it. Beer, if not. Is it you we have to speak to about rooms?" He then sits back and starts looking at other people in the room, slightly less tense than before.
"So, Cruentus, how did you find yourself working for his Highness? I hope that your story is less tragic than Vasili's... He looks as if making small talk isn't his forte, but the intention to have a conversation flowing is there.
Amria nods at the half-orc's offer and allows his horse to be led away with the others. He follows the others inside the inn and takes a seat at the table. When the serving wench arrives, he places his own order for whatever is being served and mead to drink. He also requests raw meat from the wench.
Onvyr nods to woman, "Something with meat. Preferably rare but not of that raw garbage that people think of when you say rare." He takes out five gold pieces from his belt pouch and offers them to her. "And what sort of things are there to do around here? We'll be moving on soon, but I always like to sample the local flavor. No better way to learn about the history of a people than to take the advice of the locals."
"I'm Tad, sir." The boy seems suitably impressed at being handed a silver instead of some coppers and scrambles off to properly care for the horses.
Kair then makes it to the Inn in time to catch the serving wench still by the table. "Tonight's stew is goat. No wine to serve though, got meade, ale and even some hard cider from the nearby orchard though."
The wench seems a bit taken aback by the request for raw meat from Amria, but at the sight of Onvyr taking some gold pieces out of his pouch, her eyes go wide and she voices no complaints. Clearly she isn't used to being handed gold pieces.
In response to his question: "Well, not usually a whole lot to do for fun around here. The fall harvest festival is going on all this week though. It's why we're busier than usual and why the gates are still open this late. Usually they would close as soon as got dark and stay that way until dawn."
Kair listens to the serving wench as she lists the things, then nods, and says, "The cider, then, with stew." As he sits down and hears about the harvest festival, he smiles for a brief moment, looking in the distance. As he hears about the gates being shut at dusk, he nods approvingly.
Cider and stew as well. With a wink and a chuckle he leans back in his chair. As Onvyr throws gold on the table, Vasili laughs. I assumed we'd make the highwaymen pay for our meals tonight. They had enough copper pennies to drown a faerie.
He nods, smiling at the woman. "Thanks. Any big attractions we should make sure we see at the harvest festival?"
He turns to Vasili and shrugs, "I agree. The gold was just a tip. I find it tends to improve moods. It isn't like we were going to do well at the incognito thing anyway, so I figure a good unusual is better than a bad unusual, right?"
Amria reaches down and lifts the flap on one of his saddlebags. Reaching in, he pulls out a black ball of wriggling fur. Setting it in his lap, he begins to ruffle it's ears and quietly speak to what turns out to be a good sized puppy.
"Attractions? Well, tomorrow is going to be the apple pie judging and then eating contests. There will be an archery contest that involves shooting at apples hanging from string. Lastly there'll be dance, we have some actual minstrels to play at it this year."
The serving wench will then head off to the kitchen area. After placing your food orders, she picks up your drinks from the bar and brings them back to your table. "Food will be done up in just a moment."
After taking off again to see to some of the other tables, she then heads back into the kitchen again and will return with the rood for your table. "Here you go sirs."
Looking to the bar wench as she speaks of the festival Cruentus asks "Will and nobles of note be attending the festivities?"
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"Nobles? Just the lord and lady that own this bit of land. A harvest festival isn't usually the type of thing to attract any noble-born."
Why thank you, fine lady!
Leaning forward in his chair, he eats his food quietly, listening to the others speak.
Amria accepts the food with a smile and a nod. He proceeds to take the raw meat and feed it to the puppy in his lap all the while speaking to it in low tones.
Onvyr eats a bit and then leans back in his chair. "So what is the plan gentlemen? Do we just enjoy the festival or do you think we should get straight to business? I'm all for a bit of enjoyment and information gathering but if we are in a rush, I won't stand in the way of our more...driven colleagues."
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The prospect of letting another join the ranks of undead troubles Cruentus and with that in mind he address his companions.
"While the festival is sure to be a happy event, I think it's prudent we rescue the baron's daughter first. She may not have much time if our suspicions prove correct. "
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Kair eats slowly for a while, saying nothing. He eventually speaks, after rubbing his mouth with a napkin.
"As enjoyable as the festival seems, I agree with Cruentus. We're not paid to win archery contests, and I'd think that'd be considered simply rude to the Baron." He then eats his last bit of stew, chewing slowly, and leans back, sipping from his drink.
"I'd not keep you away from here, though. We should ask about someone looking like Redgrave appearing soon.", he says, turning to Vasili, as if telling him to ask the wench or the innkeeper. He then fills his pipe, puts his tobacco pouch on the table, and gestures to the others to help themselves, leaning back.
Vasili nods along with the conversation, seemingly agreeing, though too polite to say anything with his mouth full.
With a shrug, Vasili finishes off his stew and leans back. As the server approaches, he gives her his best smile. Speaking of Nobles, young lady. Have there been any through here recently?
In any case, we should get a full nights sleep and be ready to ride in the morning, yes? He rises with a flourish and a nod to the server. It was a pleasure.
The serving wench smiles back as she picks up the now empty dinnerware. "You mean besides the Lord and Lady of this patch of land? Well, we don't get too many Noble travelers through here. Most are too scared to use the ferry. I think that the last one belonged to the young Bathory heir. He usually passes through a couple times a year at least, carrying out family business I suppose. Rumor has it that both his parents are ill can't be traveling far from their manor. They sound like wonderful folks despite being nobles, the even fund an orphanage and temple right near their home."
"Now, as for you fine fellows getting a full nights sleep, we still have some open rooms if you are interested in staying here. Breakfast is included in the price."
Amria places a hand upon his untouched meal to keep the barmaid from taking it away. "I would like to eat that before you take it from me." He goes back to feeding the large puppy the last of the raw meat and then let's it settle on his lap as he begins to eat his stew.
Waiting until the barmaid moves on, the quiet man resolves to address his companions; at least one of them. In response to Onvyr's suggestion that they might find some fun at the festival, he frowns. "Again you offer to delay our progress. We suspect that our quarry are undead and that they mean nothing good for the young Lady Dorumand; yet you have failed to display the slightest impetus for a swift and satisfactory resolution to the dilemma at hand. In fact, you have several times touted a favorable opinion of associating with the undead. Your cavalier attitude toward our task is unfitting to the severity of the situation. Please take the evening to consider your commitment to our cause and decide if it is right for you to continue on this journey. Perhaps you would find spending a few days here enjoying the festival more to your tastes."
Onvyr nods to the woman and then laughs at Amria's comment.
"Allow me to be clear about a few things. First, I have no commitment whatsoever to some "cause". I do, however, have a strong commitment to getting paid. And our employer pays well and pays promptly. Second, I think that this assertion that an hour or two will make all of the difference is something that makes no sense. We can sit to eat a meal and spend the night in an inn instead of sleeping shifts in the back of a wagon but it is some great affront to your very ideals that anyone would suggest that seeing a festival might be an option?"
He shakes his head before continuing, "And yes, I've got an extremely favorable opinion of associating with undead. But right now undead are not, as far as I know, paying me to get a job done. If we have to kill vampires to rescue this fair maiden, then kill vampires we shall. Perhaps I should question this idiotic commitment to bringing a small pet into the manor of suspected vampires. But I don't. Do you know why? Because it matters to me not at all what your affectations are. Unless you refuse to do something that is required to get paid, I couldn't care less what decisions you make, poor or otherwise."
Kair looks at the conversation darken, his relaxed face intensifying. "I suggest we all finish our meals and head to bed. We're all tired and prone to arguments. So, if we're to forget the last exchange of words, we can enjoy another drink and enjoy the night. If we have time, we can pass through the festival on the way back."
A half-vampire, a half-necromancer, a half-werebeast and a half-orc. I swear, if Vasili turns out to be half-something, I'll shut up until the rest of the task...
Leaning over the table, Vasili's smile is grim. This conversation was enlightening, yes? I think we should follow our friend's advice and retire for the evening. We all have the same goal, even if our reasons are different. I'm sure we can find a way to work together.
With that he turns away from the table and arranges for a room.
With the serving wench acting as the go-between for Vasili and the innkeeper behind the bar, your group is able to secure the left half of the attic common room for your use at the price of twenty silver pieces total.
When you are all ready to retire for the night, the serving wench will escort your group up the back stairs that bypass the second floor and lead straight to two doors. Opening the left hand door, she motions to the 6 narrow beds, each with a small table beside them and a small wooden chest at the foot for personal belongings. A lantern hangs from the center of the ceiling and each little table bears a single candle.
"You gentlemen can come back down to the common room for your breakfast in the morning. If you have a full day of travel tomorrow, you can toss a few silvers to the cook for a travel lunch."
If there are no further questions or advances, she will head back down the stairs. Aside from a few thumps and muffled conversations from the other side of the wall, your group will remain undisturbed during the night and waken to the sound a rooster crowing from somewhere outside.
When you venture back to the common, you will see other customers already seated at some of the tables and eating breakfast.
Amria nods in agreement. "Yes, most enlightening." Amria strokes the puppy's head, a small smile playing over his features. He finishes his meal and heads up to their room.
In the morning, he orders traveling lunches for all of them at breakfast, paying the wench for them with a couple of gold coins. Asking for some more raw meat, he feeds the puppy again before taking it with him to the stables to help ready the horses.
Vasili has a good-natured smile on his face as he comes down stairs. He eats swiftly and says his good mornings all around, then heads out the door ready for a day of riding on the road.
At your groups appearance, the stable master and his lads quickly have your horses saddled up and ready for you. As you cross the town and come the river side of it, you see that what was once a bridge across the river has been reduced to a few support pillars left sticking above the water line.
The alternate method of transportation across the river appears to be an old barge that has been converted into a ferry for river crossings. It is easily large enough to carry a large coach and horses across it, so you feel certain that your entire group can ride across together. The ferry master charges you each one silver piece to cross and assures you that price covers your mounts.
In the morning, Kair goes outside the inn, sharpening his axe and checking his gear, looking at the people of the small town passing by in the red shine of the morning sun. As he's done, he walks inside, and sees Vasili walking down the stairs with a smile on his face.
At least someone is happy. He responds with a good morning, and begins his meal next to him, waiting for the others to show up.
At the ferry, he looks at all the others, and says in a informative tone, "You know, there's a superstition that says vampires can't cross flowing water. It's complete non-sense, of course, but I wonder if they feel something strange or uncomfortable when they're moving over it. Amria, do you feel anything strange?", says Kair, turning towards the dhampir.
Looking up at the sky Cruentus ponders.
Goodly creatures take comfort in the light....yet I feel exsposed and uncomfortable. What does that say of me?
Shaking off these negative thoughts he mutters to himself "Its too early in the day for such thoughts. "
Looking to his companions he sees in them something most do not understand. All of them outsiders in one way or another, and yet they serve the common man's ruler, granted at a handsome fee, but surely the brigand life would have suited any one of us just as well.
Strengthened by his reassurance that they are all, at least in part, goodly folk he begins his reckless to the stables with renewed gusto. Looking to his companions he says
"Tis a fine day and I have an inkling that it shall be a fortuitous one for us, or at the very least interesting. "
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Amria looks to Kair, "Why would I?"