Darry listened quietly as the Sheriff spoke. His eyes widening just a small amount as the sheriff chose him as part of the group. He beamed just a bit and nodded excitedly as the sheriff asked if they needed anything else.
"Just need to stop by the ol home and pick up some food and my pack,I have the time I hope?"
He asked with a half sly grin. He was already shuffling towards the crashed Caravan to pick up a simple pack, some trail rations, and a waterskin. (spent 5 g for a pack, a waterskin, and 4 days rations)
Quite the interesting turn around this, I hope its not bandits, well at least no bandits I know. It would certainly put a damper on my day to be faced with that rough choice. Ah well, Good to be doing something besides digging in dirt for radishes at least.
He thought to himself as he hurried back to meet the others.
"I'm ready to go sir. We will find out what happened to the missing merchant." Alex stated confidantly, taking the potion and stashing it in her pack safely.
Constable Reggard looks to Darry, "Be quick with it, then. Get what you'll be needing and hurry back. The ferry won't leave without you, but don't take all day."
Turning toward Rast, he continues. "The next town? Ah, that would be five days travel. The road runs roughly east about three days through the Vaerwood, until it reaches the Pass of Ferdroun, the only manageable way through the Skyreach Mountains. The Pass takes another two days to cross, but once you exit the town of Worenton will be within view." With a sigh and a slight chuckle, "Even during Kurdran reign Morgan's Ford was at the center of the wilds. That's why its founding, and the creation of a successful trade route through this misbegotten region, were so important to the Great Empire."
"That said, there are multiple campsites, locations that caravans would routinely use, located just off the road. Look for wooden post markers about the height of a man, with the top foot painted white, then you'll know one is nearby. They are about a half day's travel by wagon or foot apart. Perhaps the missing merchants fled to one of these. Beyond that, it is the wilds. I had hoped perhaps Caern would be in town and able to serve as a guide, but alas, he is not. As I said before, the road runs mostly east, with a rare turn or bend. If you leave it heading north, all you need to refind it is head south, and vice versa."
While a few of you run off to attend to last-minute preparations, the rest of your company begins loading its effects onto the ferry. As those who left return, Brother Warren comes out of the Church of Grayden's gates leading a mule laiden with several bundles. Speaking kindly and softly, he smiles, "Children of the Ford, you set off as servants of our small community. Let me offer you Kitzi, one of my mules, and a pack's worth of provisions to help you on your journey. I have included food and water, some blankets and a trio of tents to keep you dry on a wet eve. In addition there is a case of salves that can treat minor wounds and a few vials of an herbal concoction that will assist fighting off illness should you take sick. Grayden's blessing be upon all of you."
The Constable looks to each of you. "Well then lads and lady, best be on your way!"
----------------------------------------------
Votrick stands warily at the rail of the ferry as the gears of the ferry house can be heard fading in the distance. A touch of the morning's fog still lingers, increasing the strong feeling of the unknown resting on each of your minds. After a time the fog pulls back, revealing the eastern shore, the ferry bell, and the empty road ahead. The ferry reaches the dock.
Kitzi cautiously steps off the ferry onto the eastern shore.
On the ferry ride across the Stone River, Rast busied himself checking the chains and keeping a calm eye on the water. It was not a matter of fearing the fairy-stories told about the creatures that exist on the thin line between flesh and spirit. It was a matter of having heard things out on the water before, laughter and singing, not in the king's tongue either. Nothing in board daylight of course but things were turning strange these days.
He gave the mule a wide berth as he went about his duties. Ferry rides tended to make such beasts cagey and he knew that it only took one good kick to break a man's ribs, and that was if the sod was lucky. The others he paid little attention to for now.
Everyone knew the Dawnrays, Alex's family. There were few fair folk that sought the company of men, much less set up shop in their towns. They were well known and Rast carried a few of their fine products himself. They were a decent sort, he figured, never turned away his coin anyway. Not sure what she could do in a fight, though. SOme of her chemics he had seen at work, and he carried one such vial. Nasty stuff.
On the same ticket was Alistar. Rast did not much care for preaching, especially when it was unsubtly pointed at him. In fact, he had little patience for holy men at all. Sure some might find comfort in promises of a great reward or a loving god but Rast was just as likely to fight harder just to get away from Alistar. He had never seen the preacher swing anything like a blade but some holy-types were surprisingly militant.
Darry was not someone Rast knew all that well. A shifty little bugger by the look of him. Not much in the way of muscle but there were plenty of ways to put the boot in when things got ugly. The Ritman boy was more worrying. Lad looked like a stiff breeze would knock him over. Rast had seen some magic of course, but nothing too impressive. There were stories of course, but stories did not do much good in a fight.
The only one who looked like he could really back Rast up in a straight fight was Reynard and Rast did not know if the lad had the minerals to swing that sword like he meant to do more than blunt it on a training dummy. He might have to talk to him about that before they got in any real trouble.
"Still, these're the cards I've been dealt, best not to spend too much time worrying," Rast thought as he lashed the ferry to the east dock and ran out a gangplank for the mule and the others.
"Hey, Votty, go ahead and take the ferry back across. I'll ring twice, pause, and twice again when we're ready for pick-up," Rast told his old compatriot, sure there was a pay-off on this shore but he saw no reason to risk his livelihood to desperate bandits.
Darry was silent on the ferry ride over, his hands slowly nervously checking his pockets and weapons again... and then again. He eyed the mule suspisciously, Much like Rast he knew those things could have a nasty kick.. and well his head was in height range to get a hoof. He hoped it wasn't bandits...well at least he hoped it wasn't any bandits he had known.
He shouldered the small pack he had for a moment then decided against It cautiously tying it to the mule Kitzy. He slid the crossbow from its sling over his shoulder and loaded it, whistling a cheery little tune as he did so.
"So which way do we go first? I assume when im scouting ahead you mates will be in a good running distance to get me out of a jam if something nasty is near mates? He asked as he glanced about the landing.
Alex secures her kit on the mule and gives her a appreciative pat on the way over. She doesn't really say anything, simply looking back at the Constable until he disappears from sight in the remaining fog. When they reach the other side she waits for Rast to get the mule off before jumping down herself and looking around. "Well now that we are at the other side." She turns back to 'Votty' and gives him a few coins for the passage.
She smiles as if she had said something funny but can't remember why it should be.
"Perhaps see which way it came from. Then find any tracks leading towards or away from it that shouldn't be there. I'm no tracker but I'll do my best to help."
Pleased that his words are resonating with the crowd, Alistar swings by the Lighthouse to collect the rest of his gear before joining the others at the ferry.
Once landed on the eastern shore:
Noticing Rast’s general unease, Alistar takes Kitzi’s reigns and guides the mule to the shore. “Rast my friend, let us put aside our fears. While we do not know what dangers lie before us, our mission is Just, and our Savior sends his support. Even now, as I speak, the fog dissipates before the warmth of the sun.”
Looking towards the others, “Rest assured that should we fall, his Luminance will guide our souls down the river and see that we are judged fairly for our actions.”
To inspect the shoreline.
“Someone, or something, rang the bell. Perhaps our foe had laid in wait nearby in hopes of springing a trap upon those waiting to cross. Shall we inspect the forest nearby for signs that someone was here?”
Votrick waves Alex's coins off. "No Lass, ye keep it." He then walks to Rast and grasps his hand firmly. "Take care ah yerself kid. Doncha be geettin' inta too much trouble, ye heer?" With that he rings the bell, steps onto the ferry, and disappears back into the fog.
Alistar's scan of the treeline turns up.... trees.
While the ruts of the path are well worn, there is a distinct clear set of wagon and horse tracks coming straight down the eastern road. One of the hoof sets actually leads directly to the bell pole, and you note that that part of the frame of the bell pole is cracked, suggesting something powerful hit the frame causing the bell to ring rather than someone actively ringing the bell.
"Take it easy, old man. I'll be back before long, heat up some mead for me when you get back," Rast said as Votty shook his hand. Votrick and Logan had always been good to him, they were some of the few people he consistently treated with respect. He watched the ferry vanish in the distance and ignored Alistar's platitudes for the moment. Once the old boat was out of sight he turned to the bell pole and inspected it. He would have to come back with some tools and replace it later.
"The wagon probably stopped when it struck the pole, made the bell ring well enough. When we came across earlier, one of the horses was leaning against it," he explained, unslinging his shield but not drawing his axe for the moment. Now that he thought about it, bringing the wagon back across and taking it along the route would have been a great way to provoke whatever might be hiding out here. Too late for that now.
"The horses had been running for a while when he found them. Seems that what ever scared them into bolting happened some distance away. We'd have better luck following the wagon tracks."
A small hint of glee ran across the face of Reynard as the ferry pulled away into the dense mists. The eerie feeling that crept up along his spine doubled with the heavy fog - and the excitement and edge was apparent as he drank in this precocious experience.
Alistar, you make it sound like we're going to die. It's worse between the mystery ahead and an odd feeling. So where do we go now that we're here. I've never really had time to venture out far from Morgan's Ford.
Looking at the path ahead and then back to the post, Reynard evaluates the damage.
I could probably fix this... maybe.
The thought was fleeting because he lacked the materials and he knew it. Making his way a few steps further on the path, staring intently down at the ruts and where they lead Reynard turns back inquisitively.
Should stay here for a bit and look around?
Alex examines the post with the others.
"We should find the location where the horses started running from. Likely we will find evidence of some sort of struggle. Perhaps some items left lying on the ground. Or tracks where the merchant might have been taken."
The heavy hoof tracks lead you east down the forgotten road. Though at one point it was a wide, well maintained trade route, the eastern road now bore little resemblance to its former self. Trees had spread there branches well into the corridor, creating a canopy of leaves, while undergrowth had surged inward, narrowing the once-grand road to a path barely wide enough for a single wagon. Still, the way was clear.
After perhaps forty minutes following the road, Darry holds up a hand signalling the rest of the company to stop. Going down on one knee, he reaches into the undergrowth and withdraws an arrow, very similar to the one that was found imbedded in the frame of the wagon. Scouring the area, Alistar moves closer to Darry while also seeking these any other signs of evidence, finding to more arrows on the southern side of the road, suggesting perhaps an attack from the north.
The heavy hoof tracks lead you east down the forgotten road. Though at one point it was a wide, well maintained trade route, the eastern road now bore little resemblance to its former self. Trees had spread there branches well into the corridor, creating a canopy of leaves, while undergrowth had surged inward, narrowing the once-grand road to a path barely wide enough for a single wagon. Still, the way was clear.
After perhaps forty minutes following the road, Darry holds up a hand signalling the rest of the company to stop. Going down on one knee, he reaches into the undergrowth and withdraws an arrow, very similar to the one that was found imbedded in the frame of the wagon. Scouring the area, Rast moves closer to Darry while also seeking any other signs of evidence, finding two more arrows on the southern side of the road, suggesting perhaps an attack from the north. Through the undergrowth, Alex just might see something resembling a clearing.
The statuesque Halfling frowned as he studied the area. He glanced about the place and promptly moved more into the undergrowth. It was indeed a good place for an ambush.
"fan out a bit."
The Halfling whispered harshly scanning the area for A threat. He gripped his heavy crossbow even tighter now. He shot back another glance to make sure his friend Alex was safe and not in the open.
“As assuredly as Illandros rises in the east, so too will all mortals die, Reynard. It is one of the few certainties of our existence. The question is simply in what fashion will we pass? And what we will do with the time we are given? Keep His radiance in your heart Reynard, and in the end He will welcome you with His Glory.”
“Our Savior is the Light of Resurrection and Life. All who walk in his radiance will live, even though they die.”
------
Hmm, what’s this I see… ah it’s just another stick. Alsitar thinks to himself as Darry suddenly throws up his hand in caution. Alistar, pulls off his backpack and quickly straps it to Kitzi, while tightening his grip on the reigns.
In a hushed tone he calls to the others: “Keep a careful watch. If they are bandits, and they know the wagon escaped, then surely they will be expecting someone from the Ford to investigate. It would be a great injustice should we fall to an ambush before our adventure truly begins.”
Rast toes an arrow and pulls his axe from the loop on his belt.
"Eyesight on at least two others at all times. Don't risk yourselves over something stupid, let me deal out the violence if need be and if I say run, we run," Rast orders the others. Alistar's little speech earlier struck him as rather suicidal and he wanted to make it clear that this was not a fight worth dying over.
"Darry," Rast said to get the halfling's attention. He jerked his head to the underbrush to the north and started moving toward it.
With a return nod the lithe halfling crept forward keeping his eyes searching for any trouble.
Alex prepares an extract while they track (shield) and readies in case they run into trouble. She follows behind Rast and Darry.
Alistar quickly ties the mules reigns to a nearby tree. Giving a silent prayer to Illandros he draws his Crusaders blade and with a nod to Evan and Reynard he follows behind the others.
Kitzi neighs a bit as you tie her to the tree but seems relatively calm. She starts eating a bush. *munch munch*
The air about you is tense, as though electricity danced across your skin. Your ears perked in anticipation makes the rustling of the leaves and the bending of branches as you make your way through the scrub toward the clearing sound like a roar.
Darry moves through smoother than the others, though even he is not silent as a ghost. Despite his lower stature, he spots a strange rope and wood contraption hanging high up in a tree on the edge of the clearing, with several more ropes running across the canopy at perhaps 30 feet in height.
In contrast to the limited evidence on the road, the clearing shows obvious signs of a struggle: foot and drag marks in the dirt, broken branches along the tree line, and a dark brown stain from where a large amount of liquid flowed onto the soil...
Instantly he froze and held up a hand trying to catch the others attentions. When everyone else stopped he made a gesture pointing up torwards the contraption.
To see what Darry is pointing too?
"It would be a great injustice should we fall to an ambush before our adventure truly begins.” Yeah, couldn't agree more... Fan out? They're here?! Is now the time? Are there enemies among us? What's Derry pointing at?
Reynard looks toward the direction of Derry's pointing arm. And tries to follow what the Halfling insinuates. Fanning out and then remaining still behind some brush, Reynard quietly observes the scenery until the vanguard gives the sign to keep moving.
Reynard unclasps what must be the most odd weapon in his arsenal, a chakram, as quietly as possible. As with all his weapons, an immaculate sheen ran among the metal weaponry strewn across his body, it glinted a keen edge for lethal force. Holding it with care, he prepares himself for a battle from a distance. Staying as still as possible with his companions, Reynard looks properly poised for full combat despite his normally timid reactions.
About to whisper toward Rast but realizing the distance, Reynard chokes off a retort and holds his breath for the anticipation of a fight.
Rast starts for the contraption, ax in hand and studying the surrounding area as he moves but his eyes strayed time and again to the machine. Stories of human ingenuity put to the purpose of pain were abound but this was his first time trying to figure out just how such a machine would work.
Crouching under the tree, Rast drags two fingers through the brown stained leaf litter and brought them to his nose. He knew blood dried brown having had his nose busted more than a few times in his childhood but he figured it would be best to be certain in this instance. Possibilities swirled about in his head but now was not the time for supposition. He was never the most imaginative man but such things only got in the way. He needed quantifiable facts to run on.
Evan had remained quiet since boarding the ferry, observing his companions - most whom he knew, and he knew of the rest. As they got to the other side he began to take in their skills, watching what each one did as they examined the bell and the tracks - then started up the road. He felt some comfort in knowing that his companions had some experience in the field, as he didn't have a whole lot. But he was highly intrigued and was paying close attention to learn more about it.
He tried to remain as quiet as possible as they moved. When they stopped and Darry pointed out the contraption, he looked from afar, waiting word from the others who were cautiously moving forward.
Alistar's eyes, along with the others, easily find the strange rope and wooden contraption hanging limply up in the branches. Loose ropes dangle in multiple locations.
Gazing up at the strange contraption, your eyes run from one rope to another, analyzing each branch, log, and knot along the way. After a few moments you come to the conclusion that the trap has already been sprung, having possibly been set up as a snare to pull a rider off the road and throw them into the clearing where most of the blood stain is. Ingenius, and deadly.
Its some sort of trap, it was designed to well take out the driver of a wagon. I think its sprung but still better to be careful with these sorts of things.
The halfling said aloud buy lowly, not wanting to make too much noise. He crept forward again still on the alert looking for a possible trail for whever set the trap. He didnt like how this was going down. That was a very complicated and effective trap. It spoke of organazation and training, not the work of simple bandits.
"Why go to the trouble. Wouldn't it be easier just to block the road?" she asks with a quick look at Darry.
"That depends luv, blockages take time to set up and take down, A sharp eye can spot the trouble coming and prepare for it... a contraption like this and well...Catches you with your pants down."
The tall (for a Halfling mind you!) began once more letting his eyes wander over the ingenuity of the device. His face held a pensive and worried look.
"Someone had to set it up and empty it," Rast said, wiping his fingers on the leg of his trousers and searching around for a trail as well.
Keeping an eye and ear out Alex moves towards the clearing to inspect the blood and the area.
As you converge on the clearing, seeking answers in the blood and dirt, the intensity of the situation continues to grow. It is both terrifying and intoxicating knowing that a hidden foe might strike at you at any moment.
Yet no attack comes.
Darry's mind wanders through the possibilities and design mechanics of the ingenious trap. Interestingly, as complex as it was, it was also rather simple - a snare, as one might use to catch varmit digging in the vegetable patches. And its components, rope and wood. No blades, no chains, no iron of any kind. It is intriguing.
There are several splotches of blood in the clearing, each rather close to the next. It is possible that either one individual was injured several times, or a few individuals, grouped closely, were each injured. Whatever the truth, there are a great many boot prints smearing the blood and dirt together.
Rast moves toward the north side of the clearing, and distinctly identifies not only boot prints leaving in a northern direction, but also four ruts, grouped two together, as though two people had been dragged from the clearing in the same northward direction. For Rast, the path is clear...
Wound tightly in anticipation, Reynard remained still. He whispered loudly, but his voice was still a soft carry on the wind.
Does that mean they're not showing up here? Should we move or stay in position?
"They've been taken somewhere else. They may be alive."
"Alive, sure," Rast said, looking over the patches of blood and the trails. Rolling his shoulders as he stands, he considers the odds and his own merry little band.
"I've found a trail here. Leads off that way," the ferryman finally said, pointing in the direction the ruts went in. "Before we move on, I want an honest answer out of the lot of you. How many of you have been in a fight before? A real one, not a childhood scrap." It was hard to tell with the habitually frowning Rast, but it seemed like he was not asking the question judgmentally. The minute they picked up the trail and were swept up in the potential danger, he realized he had not taken the chance to figure how to get this lot operating dangerously.
The Halfling rolled his eyes, it was hard not to. It hadn't been the first time someone questioned what he was doing with a blade. Still he glanced back at the preacher and at Evan and Reynard. The blacksmith's apprentence at least looked like he knew how to handle his sword. Evan on the other hand, well that would remain to be seen. And of course there was his Ahq'ira. he knew she was no gentle flower but still...
"I seen enough to know its best to hit first and hard, and to get out when the gettings good. Worry about the other tall folk more would ya?"
Darry said standing up as straight as possible. He didn't cut the intimidating figure he knew he should be but then his easy smirk came back.
"Ill be up on the trail waiting."
He added sliding up ahead at the start of the trail studying it.
Alex examines the trail of blood and footprints, careful not to touch any of it herself. She looks at Darry since he seems to know something, "How big of a group do you guess these might be?"
After giving the contraption some thought, Alistar comments: ”If these be bandits I can’t image live prisoners would be of much worth. Ransom perhaps, but to whom? Yet if they be Orc…
By the Light I pray they are bandits."
Walking over to see the trail that Rast has identified, Alistar rests a hand upon Rast’s shoulder: ”I fight for the salvation of our people everyday Rast. But if it’s my blade you are concerned with, fear not. When the time comes, the Light of our Savior will steer my hands and bear my blade true. Accept His Light, Rast, and you too shall feel his blessing.”
After pausing to inspect the tracks. ”Can anyone identify a human foot from that of an orc?”
"I haven't seen an orc in my life but I imagine their feet are bigger. They would be heavier also therefore leaving a deeper imprint than most." Alex helps look for any imprints in the tracks that they find and compares them to the size of their own feet.
"Your gods don't want nothin' to do with me," Rast snorted and shrugged off the hand on his shoulder, "If it comes to it, bunch up in a group and watch each other's backs. Don't let anyone get surrounded alone. Gang up on one thing at a time and surround your enemies when you can. Don't be afraid to strike low blows. Honor is for poncy knights and there ain't many of them runnin' around is there? Let's go."
”Quite the contrary, Rast. The Radiant Dawn shines generously for All, without reproach. You must but ask, and accept.”
As usual, Alistar is troubled by the refutation of Rast’s words. If only Corvin had lived…but no, such was not His will that day. But we must not dwell on the difficulties of the trials He puts before us, for therein is only darkness. As Jonah proclaimed to the twelve tribes of Dispersion…
“Count it all Joy, my Brothers” Alistar suddenly murmurs, in his usual preaching tone “When you encounter trials of various kinds, for you Know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Speaking the verse aloud brings smile to Alistar's face. And he is overcome with a renewed sense of hope, a hope which had darkened since learning of this foul trap. Returning his attention to the matter at hand: "Come, let us follow this trail, while the flame of hope is still kindled."
Clasping the chakram in place again, Reynard leads out of the brush and toward the rogue trap, blood, and trail.
I guess I'm alright in a fight... I mean... I actually had more than a few lessons. And Evan taught me a bit... So I think I'm ok.
Looking down nervously, Reynard continues.
So, I don't know much about following the trail if it gets difficult. I'm not sure if I'd be much help at all. I could try though.
Hearing the nervousness in Reynard's voice, Alistar looks back and addresses him:
"Reynard, keep you eyes up and in the Light. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Light of the Lord, for the Light shall be your confidence and shall keep your foot from the snare of darkness."
You all spend some time examining the prints left about the clearing, paying particular attention to those near the drags marks heading north. There are several different sets, of slightly varying sizes. Darry is able to identify a total of seven unique bootprints, while Alex and Evan come to the conclusion that most of the assailants were human sized (5'6" - 6'), but with one smaller set from either a very petite human or some smaller race, and one noticeably larger set as well, from other a massive man (7') or some larger species.
All of the bootprints head north in the direction of the drag marks.
He frowned as he went over the footprints again. There was no mistaking it ...seven is the number he kept coming up with.
"Bah, I count seven. One is a big fellow, biggar than you even Rastavar."
The halfling concluded frowning and fiddling with his crossbow. He glanced back down the path with a slight frown.
"You know what they say about big guys," Rast said dismissively. Seven against their six were long odds since some of them had were not big fighters. They would need to play this smart. "C'mon, where there's blood there's a body."
Seven... Let's hope the merchant is still alive and we can get him out somehow.
Alex looks at the trail ahead and takes a breath. Her thoughts on her reagent pouches and going over the steps to combine them in seconds. Only as a last resort of course. She could accidentally hurt her friends with it if she wasn't careful. She kept moving with them.
When the time comes to follow the trail once more the halfing would scurry forward doing his best to disapear into the underbrush along the trail like a ghost.