Zokon not understanding the language watches the seemingly strange goings on with a raised eyebrow
To himself he says "Ok mother I will finally apply myself to learning Sylvan."
It takes the treasure-laden (treasure being mostly weighed in two bushels each of ripe fangberries and moon radishes) four and a half days to return back to Oleg's Trading Post (see the dotted red path on Regional Folio map). All of them more or less uneventful aside from some rain on the second and third day as the party moved out of the shelter of the Narlmarches and onto the rough plains.
All the usual signs of life were present, birds overhead, small mammals in the underbrush, elk and deer, cicadas in the evening, and the howls of distant wolves at night.
The rough hills give way to the grasslands around Oleg's and soon enough the party can see the smoke of the trading post's hearths. To the north of the companions path lay the independent farmsteads now two weeks past their eventful and unexpectedly exciting Spring Flower Festival.
As the party rides up to the log walls of the outpost they notice that the bunkhouse's second story roof is now complete with all of it's shingles in place.
The gates are open and there seems to be quite a hullabaloo going on in the bailey. Someone has parked a rather ostentatious carriage in front of the small stable.
There is a guard at the gate.
"'allo, 'allo! Greeteng mon friénds! Mai ai 'ave yur names and reasons for visiteng ur fine traiding outpost todai?" says the guardsman wielding a quill pen and folio of paper.
"Pretty wagon! Is it yours? and as for us, I'm Celyne, this is Zokon, Scarlet, Alia, Numalar, Illthir, Erevenywg, Mikmek, Nakpik and Naleksa. We're here to deliver some items we were tasked to acquire and see Oleg. Is he around today?"
"'Saline' zat eez wiv zee 'Ess', cairrect?"
"It's with a See. Tell Oleg we're here." Scarlet stretches her muscles. The last few days have been a real journey, and she's learned a little bit of magic.
"He eez busy wiv la nobuhls. And you aire?"
"Busy with what nobles? There's company?"
"But of curse. You aire alwais busy when zere aire nobuhls around."
"Nobles huh?" Illthir looks around and over the guard. Maybe there was a crest or something somewhere she could spot? It didn't matter much of course - but she was curious. Also! Some nobles were much more generous with their gold! Hmm. Let's see ...
Zokon will look over what he can makeout and just walking past the guard unless he attempts to get in his way.
"Zokon Santyev.... charmed.. " he throws at the guard if he gets questionsome
If the guard further persists "Of House Medvyed." and pays him no more attention walking into the outpost.
There is another set of guardsmen beyond the gate wearing the somber livery of the Brevic Magisterial Guard. The carriage bears the personal crest of the Magister and though the party cannot see the man because of the angle, the carriage's suspension indicates the presence of a large person coming out of the cab and down the footsteps.
The guard at the gate continues to go through his questions when one of the Magisterial Guards calls over to his fellows they all draw their swords and advance upon the party with deadly purpose.
Scarlet seems more red than usual over the next few days. On the first day she just seems more excited than usual (especially when she shot flame out of her hands to ignite the campfire.) But day 2 there's a red spot where that giant tick bit her. It itches like crazy for a few days. By the time the swelling's gone, Scarlet seems a lot weaker than she used to be.
Scarlet spends some of her time talking to Erevenywg. Partially because Alia keeps her distance ans Scarlet worries the fairy may be a threat. Partially because Scarlet knows how it feels to be isolated. She learns a thing or two about Sylvan in the meantime until it finally starts to make sense to her.
Scarlet hops off the horse and wonders what the heck is going on when the guards advance. She steps ahead of Alia. 'So what, the Magister is out here? Why? And what's with the weapons? That ain't very diplomatic, is it?"
"RAIDERS!" shouts one of the advancing men.
"What!? Whaire!?" He looks over to Alia's saddle and notes the kobold sitting behind her. "Ai, Guardsman Platzholdur, shall save you Madémoisell!"
"Oi! We ain't no raiders!" Scarlet screams. "You get Oleg and you tell him Scarlet's here before you do something real stupid!" Scarlet puts her hands on her hips.
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"Raiders? How ridiculous! I won't stand for such an accusation! Fetch Oleg, or Sir Kesten, or Brother Kavken, or Svetlana. Any of them will vouch for us."
"We have a Royal Charter to explore the Greenbelt here, and to drive out the bandits. Look!"
Numalar pulls out his charter and offers it to the gate guard.
With his other hand, he pulls out his wand of enlarge person.
He whispers to Scarlet, "Be prepared to become more impressive, my dear, assuming we need it."
"Whoah! Ah woods ken 'at banshee wail anywhaur! " Its the voice of Bloody Angus Makdoon--the Blue Beetle's herald and constant number two! And sure enough from amid the crowd, the dwarf warrior-poet, a master of both the nine-string Baliset, and the Dwarven waraxe charges out as if to trample Scarlet into the dust, or hug her in a way that might leave her with bruised and cracked ribs.
"Everyone stop! Lower your weapons!"
"Angus! There you are!" Scarlet switches from dead serious to boundless enthusiasm.
That tick bite really sapped her strength. "Haven't seen you since... well it's been a while. Tell 'em to stand down, will ya? They think we're raiders or somethin'!"
"WHAT!?" He looks incredulous. Angus grasps Scarlet by both shoulders. "What's wrang lassie? Ye look aw flush an' wane."
He places the back of his broad hand against her forehead. "Ye bin eatin' okay?"
"Yeah, I've been eatin'. A tick bit me a few days ago and I got this bump. I'm through the worst of it, but man am I tired!"
At hearing Kestens words Zokon will keep his hand on his weapon but not draw it, unless the guards keep to their stupid course.
"If I needed saving, I would stab things myself, good man. This is my Kobold, and it is my task to deliver it to civilized lands. Damage it, and I shall be greatly displeased.", Alia returns coldly.
She had no patience for these petty mannerisms of human nobles. It would be interesting to learn why the Magistrate had come here, but his visit by no means was a reason for a guard with a quill at the entrance of the trading post.
"The Fey is an entirely different manner.", she adds a moment later, glancing over at Erevenywg
"Oh - but weren't they supposed to meet with the magistrate? How fortunate that he appears to be here!" Illthir cuts in after Alia, hopefully redirecting any ideas of damaging either the fairy or the kobolds. While she hadn't really spoken much to either of the three they all seemed to be pretty nice. Also! "And *uh* what is the magistrate doing out here?"
After a bit o time has passed for all the information to be found Zokon will gather the group to talk
Zokon takes on a severe "Chasing Amy" stance and begins speaking
"We know where the stag lord is and he seems to have an army around him, we do not but Scarlets friend MacDoon does? Should we maybe consider contracting that mercenary company to help us take down the Stag Lord. We have a decent bit of cash at the moment? What do y'all think?"
"That's not a bad idea." Illthir considers Zokon's proposal while blowing a few absent minded tones in her flute. A heroic battle against the forces of bandits would certainly make a good song. And improve their odds of not dying horribly. "Though I must say I have no idea what a mercenary company costs to hire...?"
Scarlet would love to take the offer to see Macdoon's mercenary company. "I am on assignment, though. I'm guardian Alia now." Scarlet shrugs. "So if she's willing to go, I'll come with."
"Sounds like we need to help deal with the Stag Lord." Scarlet addresses the rest of the team. "Company values change over time. If they're desperate we can get them for cheap. We'll see when we get there."
Turning back to Macdoon, she gives him another hearty shake. "Hey, do you know what happened to BB? I lost track with my brother since the last time I went in exile."
"Weel waur dae ye hink he is!? He's wi' th' company! He's got a contract wi' a mivoni nobleman. Aam takin' ye tae heem if ye lit me, Thistle-top." he shouts shaking Scarlet back.
"Look at this." Oleg mutters through a mouthful of nails. "It's from the office of the Magister. I was just about to post it."
It appears that the Magister of Restov arrived with a pair of other noblemen.
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"Well if it isn't House Garess's tiresome, little, moth-eaten fool. What sends you to these cruel lands, buffoon? Are you here to caper for us?" He says to Numalar with a sneer.
"BB's in the Company!" Scarlet is overjoyed. "And a six thousand coin reward for the guy we were going after anyway? Sign me up... Uhh, right Alia?"
Scarlet doesn't really pay attention to the stuffy guys. They never really impressed her.
Illthir plays a quick melody on her flute then forces herself to put it away. It might be far too tempting to play something inappropriate ... But oh so funny! She doubted either of the nobles would appreciate it - and since she had just escaped one dark dungeon she wasn't all too tempted to find herself in another one.
"Huh I didn't realize you had such nice friends..." The half-elf whispered to Numalar. Her fingers inched back towards her flute again and the tone of 'Don Quijote, Swordlord' rushed trough her head. Maybe later ...
"Lord Solvis Orlovsky - A stern, conservative, senior courtier, and retired soldier (marshal) from the mountains to the southeast of the Lake of Mists and Veils."
"Lord Solvis Orlovsky is considered past his prime by most other Brevic nobles, even within his own very powerful house."
he says to just his companions
To the nobleman and magister
"Welcome all to the stolen lands and our expedition."
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Numalar bows pleasantly.
"Lord Solvis, A pleasure! What brings you to these parts? And Lord..."
"Well if it isn't House Garess's tiresome, little, moth-eaten fool. What sends you to these cruel lands, buffoon? Are you here to caper for us?" He says to Numalar with a sneer.
Numalar's features close up. He frowns and his jaws clench.
"...Tybolt. ... How wonderful. What are you doing here? Are you through with carving up young boys for the crime of wishing to learn the sword? Or did they kick you out of the country finally? I should warn you, you'll need to wipe your own behind while you're out here in the stolen lands. Or did you bring servants for that?"
"I left the house of Duke Garess a long time ago, if you must know. And I'm not here for you, at all. You'll have to do your own capering, I'm afraid."
Scarlet has a good laugh as Numalar greets Lord Tybolt. She manages to not sound like she's laughing at his expense, but rather at a completely unrelated joke that happened to reach the punchline at the same time Numalar finished his greeting.
"Well let's not be hasty - I know someone that produces the finest manure *ahem* letters..." Illthir whispered back. It was a challenge to do it discreetly with someone so short, but she did her best and combined it with a curtsy for the nobles. "Yes, what would such an esteemed swordlord do in these parts?"
Anyway, while everyone is giving the noblemen too much time, Scarlet grabs the bundle of moonradishes (and the ring) and finds Svetlana. "Hey. The trading outpost sure got a lot bigger while we were out, huh?" She hefts the bag up, which is a lot harder to do now. "Bah! Lousy tick bite."
"These are the moon radishes, right? You needed these for a soup, or something?"
"Lord Solvis Orlovsky - A stern, conservative, senior courtier, and retired soldier (marshal) from the mountains to the southeast of the Lake of Mists and Veils."
"Lord Solvis Orlovsky is considered past his prime by most other Brevic nobles, even within his own very powerful house."
he says to just his companions
To the nobleman and magister
"Welcome all to the stolen lands and our expedition."
"Yes.... You're old Remuros's stable boy aren't you?" the older man says stroking his pointed beard.
Numalar bows pleasantly.
"Lord Solvis, A pleasure! What brings you to these parts? And Lord..."
"Well if it isn't House Garess's tiresome, little, moth-eaten fool. What sends you to these cruel lands, buffoon? Are you here to caper for us?" He says to Numalar with a sneer.Numalar's features close up. He frowns and his jaws clench.
"...Tybolt. ... How wonderful. What are you doing here? Are you through with carving up young boys for the crime of wishing to learn the sword? Or did they kick you out of the country finally? I should warn you, you'll need to wipe your own behind while you're out here in the stolen lands. Or did you bring servants for that?"
"I left the house of Duke Garess a long time ago, if you must know. And I'm not here for you, at all. You'll have to do your own capering, I'm afraid."
If Langrave were a gorgon Numalar would be stone dead. The tall man looks ready to draw steel when the Magister interrupts.
"Now, now. Ribbing can only go so far. We must all remember whose side is whose. Now I'm here to set things aright. The Lord Mayor of Restov, and his Majesty the King-Regent are both concerned about the continuing bandit activity in the region. In particular, all the trade that is not flowing from the south through the Greenbelt. And all the lurid rumors. That headless woman a month past, and so forth. So? What's being done?"
Langrave sneers and steps away.
"BB's in the Company!" Scarlet is overjoyed. "And a six thousand coin reward for the guy we were going after anyway? Sign me up... Uhh, right Alia?"
Scarlet doesn't really pay attention to the stuffy guys. They never really impressed her.
"Dornt be lang in th' decidin'. Ah lae tha' moorns nicht."
"Scarlet! When did you get back? Are the others here? Two whole bushels!* Goodness! You must have picked them all. Oh you look sick! Here, sit down. Tell me everything that happened and I'll warm some soup." Svetlana hesitates for a moment as if unsure how to proceed and then ladles some soup into a pot and rushes outside to hang it over the fire.
"Don't start until I get back!" she calls from the hall on her way to the door.
"Um, are those kobolds?"
None of the guardsmen, magisterial or otherwise seem willing to let Mikmek and Nakpik (or Erevenywg, who is standing by them) in.
"Hmm...."