Locke had found the evening relatively pleasant, despite the growijg insistence he felt telling him to move, to travel. He felt a surge of excitement the next morning as they left the inn today I see Galduria again!
The sound of the shouts interrupted his quiet excitement. He dashes after Rikkan, wondering what it is the men see in the water.
By the time the friends get to the bridge, Gregor and one of his boys are already wading out into the river - a small rowing boat, seemingly empty from your vantage point, is drifting on the water. Shouting 'Hallo' as he wades out, Gregor reaches the boat and, grasping the side to stop it's drift, looks into the boat...
...and lets out a moan of disbelief and horror...
For a moment or two he is transfixed by whatever it is that he sees and, it isn't until the other man reaches the boat that he tries to wave him away. It's too late, the other man sees and instantly turns away... vomiting and retching into the cold water...
Moving away from the boat, Gregor and the other man use a trailing rope to bring it into the river bank...
...and now, although you still cannot see whatever is in the boat, you can see that the sides of the vessel are scorched with fire. Seeing you... but barely registering your presence... Gregor groans to no one in particular, "You shouldn't have to see this... Don't look... Don't look"
High above... carrion birds are circling...
Drancis follows along silently behind his companions, unwilling to break the silence. Of late he has been enjoying the silence as he tries to figure out more about his strange sight.
Breakfast is a solemn affair as he eats the food without tasting it. Every now and again his gaze strays to Astraea as it is wont to do. While he knew she was not interested in him in that way, she still gave him a measure of comfort.
I hope she does not leave...
As he walks in the cool autumn morning his mind elsewhere, the shouts ahead draw him back to the present. What in the Hells is going on?
As he sees Gregor, the blood drains from his face as he realizes what must have happened here. Despite his better judgement he finds himself drawn to the grisly scene with a morbid curiosity. He draws closer to see just what the boat was hiding...
Over breakfazt, Zorek muses, Well, this turned out to be not so bad a place after all. People here seem unusually friendly to strangers... I wonder what they're really up to...
After breakfast, Zoreck settles up his tavern bill and he joins the others on the road to Galduria.
But they don't get far.
At Gregor's shout of alarm, Zoreck mutters to himself, "Why does trouble always seem to find us?" He then runs over to the lakeshore, hand on the hilt of his sword.
"What is it?" he asks Gregor as he looks into the boat.
Illonna is once again armed and armored when morning comes around. She indulges in a bowl of simple porridge and pleasant conversation over breakfast.
Outside, she rushes forward at the first sign of trouble, wading into the water alongside Gregor and his companion so that she can help drag the boat ashore. Instinctively she is already preparing her healing kit. Once the opportunity presents itself she clambers into the boat to get a better view of the unfortunate occupant.
"Show them some respect... Please... Please don't... It's too late for them... Please move away", Gregor is sobbing as he ties the boat a pole at the water's edge... addressing his lads as much as talking to anyone else, "That was Yelena Dubrov in there... and her two lads. Who would... Who could do such a thing?"
Illonna ignores the sobbing man as she continues to look over the morbid scene. She does her best to go over all three of the bodies, trying to get any information she could.
Once she is satisfied with her search she returns her attention to Gregor. "I need you to tell me more, Gregor. Who were they, where did they live?"
Locke finds himself growing somber as he sees the horror in the boat. It seems my return will not be peaceful. He puts a hand on Gregor's shoulder, "Please let us inspect this terrible crime Gregor. I promise you we will find out who did this and bring them to justice."
Drancis turns away from the horror, the contents of his breakfast emptying from his stomach as he retches uncontrollably.
By the Gods! Is this what adventuring is like?
After taking a moment to compose himself he turns to face his companions, a striken look on his face. "Did you see...whoever did...THAT also damaged the boat! Whatever did it must have....did that while they were out on the river!"
When the strange one-armed lady insists upon inspecting the bodies, Gregor gives in, "If you must... If you think it will help... but for the love of Desna, please be gentle with whatever remains of those poor folks"
Sat dejectedly by the shore, Gregor reiterates that the lady on the boat was Yelena Dubrov, "She moved up to Holver's Ferry a few years back... She was fed up with life in the town and wanted a better upbringing for her lads... And now this!!! Now I am worried about Vesk... No, it's worse.... I'm worried about the whole damned village. Have they been attacked or raided? The Churlwood isn't the safest of places but the militia has kept the wilderness at bay for years"
When he turns to look at you, his eyes are filled with tears, "I've got friends up there... and, Galduria won't react quickly to this... You did offer before...and I know, oh, I know it's a hell of a thing to ask... Could you... Would you go to Holver's Ferry?"
Illonna nods "If you can see to making funeral arrangements for these we can head out immediately."
She will offer any amount of gold in her possession if it will help.
Once she is well out of earshot of Gregor, she speaks to her companions: "By the look of the wounds I'd hazard that they set upon by a group; at least two or three individuals at least. Nor was this the work of beasts - the wounds all appear to be manufactured in nature."
Looking at the brutalized woman and children draws Zoreck's ire. His eyes harden and jaw stiffens...and his hand reaches reflexively to the grip of his pistol. "I've seen the likes of that in the Stellen Hills, and again in Belkzen: Raiders. Raiders without mercy or honor. If that village is close, this whole area is not safe."
The long-haired Kellid gazes at the peaceful and lush woods and farmland nearby. The bucolic scene is far more pleasant than the arid hills of his youth. ...and no Technic League presence to speak of either.
He looks to his companions. "I say we go check out what happened at Holver's Ferry. And give those raiders a taste of their own medicine!"
"Hopefully, not Belkzan orcs. Those were bad things all right. Chip..whir, we need to go check to the town then. Murderers aplenty by what you say, Illona. The town seems to eed us."
While Drancis feels scared about the prospects of entangling with what sounds like cold blooded murderers, he knows this crime cannot stand.
I just wish I had more courage...I don't know just how my control over these bubbles will work when my life depends on it!
"I...I have to agree here. We need to do something about those marauders. We need to get there and see where these killers are striking from!"
Illonna shakes her head "There is something that yet bothers me about this. These bodies are old, at least a couple of days, and had been left floating on the water. It seems strange for raiders, to me at least. Why go to such lengths to brutalize them, only to let them escape via boat?"
"Even so...we should make haste. Raiders or common criminals, much time has passed and our window to act is closing."
"I agree that something seems strange about this, but the people of Dolver's Ferry are good folk and once helped me when I needed it most. I will see to it that they are safe, and I am glad to see we are of one mind on this." Locke smiles at this allies in what might be his first genuine smile directed to them. I would have gone whether it was alone or with an army behind my back, but it is good to know I have allies.
The morning passes all too quickly for Astraea's tastes. She feels Drancis' gaze on her again, and sighs inwardly. She should be flattered. A part of her is, perhaps. Instead, she feels strangely sad... Perhaps it was because the stars looked so curiously solemn last night when she stared at them as she always does.
The sight of Gregor and his friends should lift her spirits, but that hope is dashed as soon as she sees the alarm- and then the apt horror- on their faces.
The fate of poor Yelena Dubrov and her boys shakes Astraea to the core. She does not respond for some time when Gregor asks the party to help. When the words finally come, minutes after her companions have already committed to the cause, they still issue forth only as a stammer.
"I... uh... I... I think... I think we should..." She rubs her arms, feeling a distinct chill inside her. Bandits? Raiders? Orcs? Something worse? She has braved more than a few dangerous situations in her travels, but never anything this... palpable. Nothing this real.
She feels the eyes of the others on her as she fails to finish her thought. She glances up at the sky, wishing the stars were there to comfort her and guide her. Oh, well- even without them, her course of action was clear. "Gregor, I'm with the others. Looks like we're headed to Holver's Ferry. Please, like Illonna said- do whatever you can to provide rest to these poor souls. With any luck, your friend Vesk is still alive... but either way, we'll do whatever we can to make sure things are put right."
It sounds good, but Astraea's stomach turns. Drancis might have had the right idea in puking up his breakfast.
Gregor's voice cracks, "We will do for Yelena the best that we can… my people have always thought a pyre within a boat – and a return to the lake that has sustained our family over the ages – to be fitting. But the Dubrovs were townsfolk at heart, we shall bury them and mark their resting place with a monument to tell they were good people …innocent people”, Gregor’s lads nod in agreement at his words. ”There is another thing… Yelena had another child, a girl of… about ten I’d say… if she yet lives, then that would be a small mercy”
”Holver’s Ferry is about two days hike upstream… I would suggest you take a boat upriver but what with the rains and all, the river will fight you for every mile – much better to walk… and keep your wits about you – what befell the Dubrovs may have occurred in the woods between here and Holver’s Ferry”
Whilst the imperceptible strings of fate pull the friends into the Churlwood, an impassive and oblivious sun makes its way into the early morning sky – imparting a much needed warmth on the coldest of scenes…
"Looks like we'll miss the fireworks show, but this is more important. We already geared up for the trek to Galduria, so I guess we're ready to go."
After a pause, he adds, "Send word to Galduria to get their milita ready. If we don't come back... well, take care of yourselves best you can."
Turning to his comapnions, "Let's go." He starts toward the trail leading upriver.
I hope I will see you again Galduria, but I cannot allow such atrocity to go unpunished.
"Yes, stay safe Gregor and take care of yourselves, we shall do our best to handle this." And with these final words Locke follows Zoreck down the trail.
Drancis mutters under his breath, "Didn't really want to see the fireworks anyway..." as he hurries after the others, pulling his cloak tightly around his shoulders.
I hope these bandits...or whoever theya re have moved on...but I doubt we will be so lucky. I...I hope these powers I have will prove useful here. I have not used them but for practice....Ohhh is this what adventurers do all the time??
Heading in a broadly north-westerly direction, with the sun on their backs, the friends make good progress hiking along the riverbank. There is an easily navigable path trailing through the meadows that lie next to the gently churning river and, at least for a while, the pastoral scenery provides a welcome distraction from the horrors of the morning. Rolling hills dotted with the occasional farm building make up your horizons in every direction for a few pleasant hours… and, high in the sky, the sun climbs towards it midday zenith.
With a good few miles underneath their belt, the first opportunity to stop for lunch comes when the Churlwood comes into view. Telegraphed by a few copses nestled within the hills when it does arrive, the vast forest of the Churlwood is, at the same time, both glorious and imposing. Dark coniferous trees form a blanket of the deepest green that stretches from east to west as far as can be seen… and already, the insistent sound of birdsong accompanying the creaking of trees moving in the wind fills the air.
…the river, and the trail that runs alongside it, leads directly into this ominous place.
"Looks quite ominous, doesn't it, brrrr? Plenty of things in there that want to eat us, I bet. Maybe big cats, squeak. Must be on watch, but good. Doubt anyone will come looking for us if something goes wrong. Who wants to lead us into the dark forest?"
"Yes, the Churlwood can be dangerous if you aren't careful. But it certainly looks even more so today." While Locke speaks he contemplates Rikkan's words. "I think it is best I stick somewhere in the middle of our group, that way I can support those in any direction."
The trail, running along the eastern bank of the river, draws you into the forest – and, almost instantly, the atmosphere changes from the warm autumnal afternoon the friends had been enjoying to a cold, almost dusk-like trek beneath the canopy of the towering Churlwood trees. The gentle babbling of the river seems to take on an angry tone and each bird call or animal howl seems somehow more threatening…
…despite this change in tone, the party presses on – eyes and ears searching and examining for anything that may see the adventurers as prey - into the forest.
Surprisingly, the trail seems reasonably well-trodden – maybe an indication that travel to and from Holver’s Ferry is not exclusively water-borne – and, other than the occasional scramble over rocky-slopes running alongside short sections of river rapids, the journey through that first afternoon and into the late evening passes without incident.
With the tall trees of the forest, it is difficult to use the track of the sun as an indicator of passing time…but, as the light starts to dim and the temperature drops, it is clear that nightfall approaches – and, with a stroke of fortune, the next turn of the river brings the friends to a clearing in the woods… the tree-line withdrawing to some thirty or so metres from the river bank and within this sudden open space, a single-storey hut. The wooden door into the stone-built building is closed and, from the stubby chimney, no smoke rises…
…all is quiet.
"I don't like the looks of this...at all. If this trail is well-traveled, we should have noticed more signs of their passage."
He looks up at the stone hut studying it for a moment before shrugging. "I know not who lives here yet that is the only shelter around here. We need to check it out." He finishes while shivering against the growing chill of the evening.
Survival
"Squee, this is a good thing. Look at the building. Simply made, right here on the river, about a day into the forest. This building is almost certainly a communal shelter for people making the journey between Holver’s Ferry and Lake Ember. And no smoke probably means there's no one here tonight. Other than, click, maybe a rat or two," he smiles, "...or a snake, it should serve us very well to hole up in for the evening."
"I've seen those before: a shelter for travelers. Gregor said that the trek from the inn to Holver's Ferry was a two-day walk, so it makes sense that someone would have built this place that's halfway between them." He shakes his head an mutters to himself, "People around here are too friendly and trusting for their own good...". He continues, "Still... let's make sure we'll have the place to ourselves."
Motioning for quiet, Zoreck approaches the hut, then presses his ear to the door.
Zoreck – Rikkan was correct, there is no one currently occupying the hut and when you do enter the hut it becomes clear, from the early state of decay of the fruit on the simple wooden table, that no-one has stayed here for at least a week.
The furnishings inside are as simple as the hut itself, there are four wooden bunks, a table with a four chairs and a hearth for a fire. Despite its simplicity, the hut is quite welcoming and, as an unexpected bonus, several nets and a fishing line have been left here. Above the hearth, there is a small engraving in the stone, ‘Built through the generous donation from the Vesk family of Holver’s Ferry, 4712 AR’.
While the others start to work on the fire, Rikkan grabs a net. "Me try to get fish," he says while digging in his pocket. He pulls out a large fish scale and holds it up. "If I get one this size, you will hear me yelling, chee chee chee, he laughs. "Wirr, hopefully be back in just a few minutes with fish to eat tonight. Someone start a fire. Anyone want to come with me?"
Survival
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Drancis nods eagerly, "I can come with you to help you fish Rikkan!" It beats hanging out in this creepy hut right?
As the ratfolk starts to fish, Drancis assist in as best he can using his telekinesis ability to help snag some of the choicer fish that get snagged in the net.
Illonna remains at the hut, doing her best to clean things up for their stay overnight.
Looking at the inscription, Zoreck asks, "Vesk. Wasn't that Gregor's friend's name?"
Whilst the water jumps and gurgles in a most unnatural way, the sum product of Drancis' efforts, Rikkan nets one, then two and, shortly before daylight surrenders to the darkness, a third fish. With some skill, the ratfolk guts them in readiness for cooking over the fire...
...and some twenty minutes later, the friends are greedily enjoying the fruits of Rikkan's efforts. Whilst the meal is wolfed down, the moon shines a cold light down into the clearing... a light that is strangely added to by purples and blues exploding in the atmosphere from somewhere towards the south east.
The fire has warmed the hut most admirably... and outside, only the occasional hoot of an owl punctuates the silence.
"Rikkan, that was excellent! Now that we're fed, we should probably figure out our watches. Even though this little cabin provides more shelter than our usual camp under the stars, we don't know what we're up against. I would recommend our usualy three watches, with two of us awake per watch. I don't mind if my sleep gets interrupted, so I'm fine with middle watch."
Fish are nice. She nods appreciatively to Rikkan for his efforts- it is a nice distraction from the gloomy mood of the day thus far.
Zoreck was right- Vesk was indeed the name they had been given for Gregor's friend. She wonders if there might be some clues as to the man's fate hidden here in the shack, and after dinner, she decides to poke around a bit.
Astraea's search around the hut reveals nothing of any great interest until, behind one of the beds, she finds a loose stone within the wall. Giving it a speculative pull, it comes away revealing a hollow... and, in that hollow, a small leather pouch containing thirty gold pieces...
Rikkan was happy he had a catch to share with the group. He munched away happily on the fish with the hard traveling bread he carried with him. Food builds bonds and bonds build friendship. Perhaps these people will be my new warren?
If the group watches him closely, they'll notice him pick up a tiny stone from the floor here, a tiny memento of the happy experience he had here.
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Astraea turns the pouch of coins over in her hand, briefly considering taking it along- but thinks better of it. She commits to memory that it is there, but does not wish to take money that someone could, hopefully, be coming back for.
She spots Rikkan pick up the stone and offers him a smile. "A fond memory?" she inquires as she finds a seat. "Maybe I'll take one for myself."
Locke smiles wide when offered dinner by Rikkan. "I am impressed! You are indeed a skillful fisherman my friend."
"I hope the folk in Holver's Ferry are all right. I especially worry for Tabin Vesk, knowing he didn't show up when he was expected. He and his wife owned the lumber mill last I'd seen, and had done a lot of good for the village. Like this cabin as you pointed out Zoreck." Locke reminisces about his time in Holver's Ferry, a troubled look crossing his face as worry for its people starts to get to him.
Drancis speaks up a hurt tone in his voice, "I helped too!" I did not realize how slippery those fish are! I think I need to practice more.
As dinner is winding down, he looks down at the stone floor and thinks for a moment.
I think these are my new family...it is time for trust here.... He concentrates briefly and a small piece of stone floats upwards and into his hand. "Here is my fond memory, though I think all of you are more important to me than some lousy stone."
Locke grimaces as Drancis exclaims his participation, the kid is dying for approval, I should be more careful not to hurt his feelings "Yes of course! I'm sorry. Thank you Drancis for dinner."
When he sees Drancis perform some kind of magic to float the stone into his hand Locke doesn't bat an eye. "Fond memories are important, they keep you going when you are alone." a moment of melancholy falls over Aten at his words, before he visibly forces a smile onto his face. "That is some impressive control you have there Drancis, what kind of magic do you practice?"
Drancis turns to face the half-elf with a look of uncertainty mixed with fear. [smaller]"I...Locke...I...I don't know. I am no wizard though I know wizards can cast spells but I was told they need to study for years... to learn even the simple spells!" He points a finger off into a corner and another rock rises into the air. "This...comes naturally to me. I can see...I don't know what to call it...I just call it bubbles. I can manipulate these bubbles as easily as you can move your arm up and down." He turns to look at each one of you, the near palpable fear radiating from his eyes. "I don't KNOW what this is! NOBODY does!"
"Interesting..." Locke contemplates Drancis's words. "That is certainly a most useful and powerful ability you have there. I am impressed. I wonder how these bubbles relate to your power? Are they something physical that only you can see, or perhaps something your brain manifests to make sense of your power?" Noticing Drancis's distress he adds " I will do my best to help you find out more about this ability of yours when we have a chance. Everyone deserves to know thyself."
"Interesting indeed." comments Illonna as she reenters the shack. She had stepped out for a bit to conduct her daily prayer without disturbing any of her companions. "But you seem well able to command it; hardly any reason to be afraid from where I'm standing. After all, many things in life remain a mystery. The magnificence of the soul, for example. 'Tis part of the majesty of life to face these great unknowns of the mortal coil."
She sits back down and sets a pot over the fire, mixing in the remains of their fish dinner with fresh water and roots, intending to prepare a hearty broth from the scraps.
Zoreck nods in approval of Drancis' parlor trick. "Not bad, Drancis! Growing up, we had a witch in our clan who could move things without touching then. She never studied magic, either. She was just born with the gift. Don't be scared of your own gift. Use it. In this world, everyone needs whatever edge they've got!"
To Astrea and the found money, "Good find! I'd say finders-keepers, but if you want to leave that treasure for whoever hid it, that's okay."