"Leather armor, wooden shields and morningstars is what I was thinkin..."
Thoughtfully, "I was not even considering the tools yet, just the tactics. They will have little chance one on one with an experienced fighter or a serious natural threat. But if we can teach them to work together, define rallying points and such, their chance of some surviving against a threat is greater."
She shrugs, "And some may find that the warrior's road appeals to them, as you did. Those will be open to more training."
Yah know, your right. We do need to have a rally point. This ere fort would serve with a few men on th' walls.
As for tactics, longspears on the flank with crossbows in the center. A hunnerd men and six months to whip them into shape, I'd give ya as good as any in the River Kingdoms.
Nilus looks around Yeh, this place and Oleg's would serve.
Rhasadilara looks around, trying to picture it from the perspective of one trying to keep it rather than one trying to sneak in. "When the time comes, Lothar and I might have some ideas to shore up the defenses."
At the mention of his name, the magician looked about him, a quizzical expression apparent on his face.
Calinder listens with interest as he eats. He knows next to nothing of training armies, and so he says nothing for the moment. In fact about all he knows of fighting is what he has done at the side of his companions, other than a little training at the temple of Erastil that he receive, and it was mostly just basic self defense.
"Well Nilus, as far as I can tell at this point, your the best man for the job if an army is what we need. You'll certainly know more about armies than this religious historian knows."
"Most of my fighting experience has been gained standing alongside these great companions of mine you see here, and those that are no longer with us."
As Calinder finishes his statement the smile fades a bit from Calinder's face, as he remembers the loss of Kylia.
Places a hand on Calendar's shoulder....
"Aye to tha fightin man falls tha duties o fighten to Calendar falls tha tenderin o tha flock an to myself tha protection o tha kingdom from fell magics. Tis easier to witness tha toil o tha farmer but mine own toil is invisible an just beyond tha veil o awareness."
Lothar looked over at Seth. When you finish your meal, make sure all of your assigned chores are finished and get yourself off to bed. It is imperative that your studies in no way conflict with the obligations you have. Also, never use what you learn to oppress others. Use them only in defense of yourself or others. This is perhaps the most important lesson I can teach you, Seth. There are far too many people in this world that use the gifts they've acquired for their own betterment at the expense of others.
The magician then turned to the other Wardens. I take my leave of you now. The morning will be here all too soon and there is still much preparation that must be done. He regarded the newcomer. I'm sure most of would like to learn more about you. Would you be willing to accompany us on our journey tomorrow? I can't guarantee that something exciting will happen, but in the event it does, an extra capable hand will always be appreciated. What say you, Nilus?
I, ah, yeh. I'll go, not much else going on eh. Heh.
As the Vudran walks off Nilus thinks to himself
That one is dangerous and bears watching.
Well folks, this dinner was filling but I'd best be seeing to Bess. And getting ready to ride out.
Nilus walks off to see about his mount and prepare his things for a trip.
Rhasadilara watches him go. When he's out of earshot, she says, "Gorguk's mind lately seems to be on the town and the settlers. But he wants to ride with us and protect us. Perhaps if this Nilus travels with us, Gorguk will be able to remain here with a clear conscience."
She looks at Calindar and Barnabus for their thoughts on the matter.
"Aye he sees tha greater good in ensurin tha arrivals be good folk an tha resources an trade routes gets supplies here fer tha comin settlers. Tis a mighty task an one I am sure he will work dilligently tah accomplish."
Calinder nods in agreement to Barnabus' remarks about Gorguk and his ability to manage the building of this new city.
"I can think of no one better to manage the building of this new home of ours. He has such a passion for making this a place that will be home to those who wish for a secure place to live and work together."
Then rising from the table, Calinder says, "I too have much to do to prepare for our journey tomorrow. Please excuse me and I will see you in the morning."
Calinder arises in the morning and performs his daily meditation and asks Erastil to grant unto him the gifts that he will need in their travels to Oleg's and Bokken's.
He gathers his gear and head's towards the kitchen area on the way to the stable. "Dyfrig, do you have anything I can eat whole we travel? And have you seen any of the others this morning?"
He then goes to the stable, saddles his horse and goes to the gate to await the others.
After performing a routine of stretches to limber up, Lothar made his way to the stable, passing Calinder, who was leaving. He dipped his head quickly at the priest and spoke his greetings.
In no time, the magician had his mule saddled and ready for the road. Then he too went to the gate and waited for the others to arrive.
Nilus attends to Bess and gets her ready for a trip.
Ready to go girl? I know I know, been a few moons since we did some freeridin. He brushes her down some more and gives her the half apple from breakfast he hasn't finished.
Let's go make friends.
Rhasadilara walks through the gate, leading Sunset. She has a small smile seeing her companions.
She nods at each of them.
"Lead on Rhasadilara, our course is yours to determine!"
Lothar nodded at Barnabus' exclamation, then mounted his mule.
Indeed. Lead on.
"Rhasadilara, will we deliver the fangberries to Bokken on the way to Oleg's or afterwards?"
It may be best to make for Bokken's first.
She tilts her head as she considers. "I was inclined to see our friends at Oleg's first, but either would work. We might as well make for Bokken's to give him the freshest product we can, I suppose."
And then an idea strikes her. "Friend Calindar, are you able to keep the berries fresh with a blessing from Erastil? Like when you kept the trophy from decaying on the way back to Oleg's?"
"We will follow the river valley. If we wish to go to the potion-maker first, we will take the right branch north of here and follow it east and then north. When it turns back east, we will continue overland to the north toward the road from the trading post. That will bring us quite close to his cabin."
"Yes, not like the spell I used to preserve Tuskgutter, but similar. It can only be done once, so it would be best to wait until we are near Bokken's home."
Rhasadilara leads at a reasonable pace, not pushing the horses, allowing for everyone to chat and get to know the new warrior. It also allows her to keep her eyes open for anything threatening or unusual.
Nilus rides out with the group, Bess under him, wind in his face.
Ahh, the life of a freerider Bess, its the best one we know.
Rhasa, should we check that out or should we let it be?
Rhasa reins in and frowns. "Well, we are not on a tight schedule and we hope to keep the peace... I will investigate. Come if I don't reappear soon."
She wheels Sunset toward the voices and trots him that way, hands on the reins away from her weapons.
Calinder has a look of concern on his face as Rhasa says that she will go alone to investigates the voices. But he also know that Rhasa can and will make her own decisions.
As Rhasa turns Sunset in the direction of the voices, Calinder says, "Take care Rhasadilara, these lands are still far from tame, as you well know."
Rhasadilara stops and turns to look at the cleric. Waving him to join her, she says, "You are right. Come - if there is talking to be done, you'll do it better than I."
Nilus loosens his weapons in their holdings and adjusts his spear so he can bring it to bear if necessary.
Just say the words and I'm there. The halfelf might be better for talking, but I'm better for killing. Nilus thinks as the other two ride off to see what is causing the noise.
Rhasadilara looks over her shoulder with a nod.
The Vudran dismounted, trying his best to not show anything more than concern where his team mates were concerned.
His mind racing, Lothar began searching for options. Something, anything that could give the Wardens any sort of advantage. He looked to Nilus. Though my hope is that cooler heads will prevail, we must be vigilant should the need for combat arise. Maybe you will get some excitement after all.
@Barnabus: Ready your spells. Your craft may be needed should the situation become more dire.
Lothar's hands clench then unclench as he prepared to do the one thing he hated more than anything.
Wait.
Nilus response to the Vudrani is a toothy grin. Countin on it. He says, raising his spearpoint a fraction.
Knowledge nature/arcane
Barnabus looks over the creatures trying to determine what they might be. Or if the argument might become violent......
"Tricksy little pixies."
"They be fey fer certain, an remnants o tha first world, their weird does hold much arcane might, though tha guise o it is a paucity o reason."
Lothar rubbed his bald head nervously, recalling the last encounter the Wardens had with fey. Though it had gone well, he knew that the creatures were emotionally unpredictable and so caution would be needed.
Best to leave those little bastards alone Nilus thinks but stays silent. He does however switch to his warhammer, restrapping the spear to Bess.
"Lothar canst though create tha illusion o wings upon mah person?"
"I recall pixies like humor an I might approach them as one o there own and perhaps even claim tah be touched in tha head."
He probably is touched in the head. Nilus thinks, eyeing the witch warily. Best to leave them be yeah?
Calinder decides that since their arrival has not caught the attention of the pixies, he will try a more direct method.
"Excuse us, we were riding by and heard your conversation. Is there something we can assist you with?"
Rhasadilara was strongly considering letting them be, but since the cleric has spoken up, she waits.