"Good idea." Drelsh begins handing out watch times.
While there is still light Mike cuts down a number of the greener branches that are up in the trees and starts soaking them in the stream. After making sure that his collection wouldn't wash away he comes to the warmth of the fire. Even with his heavier clothing the cold was starting to sink into him. "Your giving me third watch with yourself and the musician? How kind of you." He says to Drlesh before he crunches up to try and stay warm as he focus's on Aldras as he tunes his instrument.
Bryn helps set up camp and gathers several loads of wood for the fire.
"That will have to wait for another night Aldras. You need to get what sleep you can."
He settles in to keep watch with Lambert
When the shift is over Bryn will wake his relief then roll up in his cloak by the fire and go to sleep.
"Well we best get what rest we can, brother of mine. Mid-watch can be a tiring time! Good night gentlemen!"
-
With the others doing more than their share of keeping the campsite stocked with firewood, Lambert occupies himself in keeping the fire tended to. He settles in quietly for the duration of his watch when the time comes.
Drelsh sits quietly by the fire, enjoying the others conversations. He gives Lambert a glance. He makes me look friendly.
Ulan settles in for the night, keeping a cautious eye on the darkness surrounding them.
"Night Breggel, Lambart." Mike sits there staring at the fire trying to remember if his dad had taught him anything about orc's or if he has read up on them in any of his books.
The night passes uneventfully, except for Breggel's little incident with his brother. It must have been the cheese...
The next morning you set out for the last leg of your trip to The Way Inn. After several uneventful hours on the Trade Way, you notice the traffic is a little heavier, much the same as it is on the road near Daggermark. About midday, you reach the small hamlet of Bowshot.
Bryn looks around with interest this is the furthest from home he has ever been. It doesn't look that much different than closer to Daggermark but there are none of the familar landmarks and no familiar faces on the people passing by.
Mike brings breaks formation to bring his horse around to the dwarfs as they approach the town. "Hey Breggel with a town named bowshot they might have some bows here on the cheap. Mind helping me find the best deal I can, or at least some good parts?
There is a small tavern if you want to stop for lunch. The Way Inn is another few hours down the road. =)
If Doc will give us some time lad, then sure. But its metal weapons that I am most familiar with, but lets see what we can find."
Breggel approaches Doc with Mike's request.
"It shouldn't take too long to find a bowyer and haggle out a price, and having some missile support might not be such a bad idea."
Mike rides back up into his position beside Drelsh. "It doesn't have to be pritty. I have a lot of experience working with my step-dads bow and will be able to get one even in poor condition working pritty well."
Bowshot is a small hamlet - the tavern also serves as the general store and is the only building that isn't a residence. Stopping for a mid-day meal finds the tavern busy but not really full. The barkeep is friendly, and answers your questions to the best of his knowledge.
"The town is named Bowshot because we used to only be a bow shot away from the Misty Forest. We started as a logging town, you see. Still are, really - just have to travel a bit farther to reach the forest now. Haven't heard of no trouble lately, either. You boys after something out here?"
Mike, you do not see a bow for sale in the tavern, but one of the customers overhears you and offers to sell you his old bow and some arrows for 30 gold. There isn't a bowyer here - most folks make their own arrows when needed.
Mike leans in inspecting the bow very closely."Sir what are you trying to pull? I wouldn't pay more than 15 gold for a bow in such condition. I mean look, the shaft here is cracked and the bow string is fraying." Mike runs his finger along the length of the crack in the top part of the bow and also pointing out the point on teh string.
"No skin off my teeth, boy. I'm not the one looking fer a bow. But this one is good enough, and it'll cost me dear to travel all the way to the city to replace it. Tell you what, I'll let it go for 26 and 5."
Breggel will take a look and try to gain some idea of the weapons true value and condition.
Appraise:
"Sir its 15 gold or i'll have to pass on this. I'll be over with the group i came in with." Mike gets up and rejoins the group. "That guy is nuts trying to charge me 26 plus gold for that bow of his.
|
"Well, might still be a bowshot away from the misty forest, depending on the archer I suppose.", Aldras replies jokingly and then continues
"We're checking the roads as part of our duty for the Daggermark militia. That's why we were wondering if there had been any news from further down the road. Good to hear that there isn't much trouble on the roads."
At that point in the conversation, Aldras' stomach growls a bit.
"As you might have noticed, what we're currently looking for is a warm meal, if that would be possible?"
"ha, ha, ha Aldras. Mike says very annoide at Aldra's comment. "I'm ordering some wine" Mike moves to the bar and throws a gold piece down."And a bottle for the road." He adds when the tavern master comes by.
Drelsh approves of the lunch and bow idea. "I know very well the effectiveness of a good arrow." He says, tapping his leg.
As Mike orders wine Drelsh raps his quarterstaff on the ground. "I don't believe I relieved you of duty yet. You can order one but so help me if I see you open it."
Mike jumps at the sudden impact to his seat. "For someone with a leg like yours you can be pritty dman stealthy!" Mike takes a breath before explaining himself. "Sorry for the outburst. I'm just ordering travel wine. I don't know what the water is like around here."
While the squad is eating Bryn asks Drelsh "How far do we still have to travel to reach the Way Inn?"
"I imagine you will want to push hard on the way back to report the orc sighting as soon as possible."
Drelsh chews his bread slowly. "Only another few hours. And you're right, on the back back they're be less sightseeing and more moving."
Ulan turns sullen soon after the group arrives in Bowshot. There is precious little to interest him in and he is more concerned about the potential danger of orcs. He knows better than to drink alcohol on duty and is bored by the hamlet.
He is pleased when he hears Drelsh's insistence on haste.
Mike - The bow really isn't worth what the man is asking for...but ya never know when some young pup eager for adventure will actually buy the thing!
After a brief pit stop after lunch to take care of the necessaries, the group hits the road for the last leg of your trip. It is late in the afternoon when you ride into the little village built around The Way Inn. You notice that most of the citizens are wearing armor of some sort and carrying weapons. Approaching the entrance to the village, you are challenged by an armed patrol of six spearmen, who look very similar to you and are likely this town's militia. The spearmen are covered by four archers on a nearby rooftop. The patrol leader steps forward and asks you to identify yourselves.
Mike leaning forward on his horse and raises his opened right hand to show he isn't armed before looking over to Drelsh.
"From the look of things it's not as peaceful around here as we hoped." Bryn says softly to Aldras. He guides his horse a little away from the others to give everyone room to manuver if need be.
"We are militia from Daggermark to learn and report about the road conditions as well as any news. And it appears from all the metal walking around you might have some news."
"Thought you looked like militia. Welcome to The Way Inn. You'll have to direct any questions to Dauravyn Redbeard, the townmaster and innkeeper." the patrol leader says and waves you through. The village is unfortified, but the inn looks like it could withstand a siege.
Once you get your horses taken care of and enter the inn, you are welcomed by Redbeard himself. He is a middle-aged man whose beard is mostly grey now, but he is still rather imposing. He seats you at a large table in the common room and puts a huge meal before you. He excuses himself while you eat (he has a lot to do, after all!) but returns when you are finished to answer your questions.
Drelsh gives the man a grateful nod.
~~~~~
Drelsh enjoys his meal slowly, wiping his mouth when Redbeard returns. "We appreciate the hospitality as well as the warm meal, so we won't be bothering you too much longer. We are just looking for any general disturbances for the road, any news or anything out of the ordinary."
Mike sits there quietly praying to whatever god he thinks might listen to him that this Redbeard fellow will just send them back off to Daggermark. "They are just practicing or something. Yeah just some army practice. I will get to go back to Two Creak in less than a day. He thinks to himself.
Dauravyn answers Drelsh, "No threats to the village recently, but being this close to the Misty Forest and the old ruins of Dragonspear Castle, we prefer to be cautious. Speaking of being cautious, there's someone who wishes to speak with you if you're willing." He leads you to a smaller table in the back of the inn. At the table are three young men, and older man, and a beautiful young woman.
"This is Meldar Farwander," says Dauravyn indicating the older gentleman. "Maybe you can help him out." He then steps back and returns to work.
"Please, please, sit down with us. I am Meldar, this is my daughter Delora, and my handlers Ian, Finn and Dooley. My caravan was attacked by marauders the other day, and my guards were all killed. I'd like to ask for your help, and escort, to get the caravan to Daggermark. You're from this area, and I assume you are heading back, so we could travel together, yes?" the man says all in a rush, taking a deep breath when he is done. "Redbeard has been very hospitable, but I can't take advantage of his generosity much longer..."
Drelsh shakes the man's hand and listens to him quietly.
He nods after a moment of thought. "We could certainly do that, we are heading strait to Daggermark."
Mike wonders why he riled himself up so much at the table they were just at. He convinces himself that he might just have to start reading those old books of his dads again when he gets back home and get a bit more education.
He leans into Drelsh after he agrees to help the trader. "I'm worried about them slowing us down. It could take us twice as long to get back with them and we didn't encounter anything on the way down." Mike whispers.
"What is it yer caravan is carrying, if I may ask?" Breggel asks the merchant.
Lambert sat back and listened as the conversation progressed, but his expression took on a slightly more sour tone than usual at Meldar's approach and proposal. Escorting caravans now? Really? He obviously was less than enthused with the notion. Of course, he said nothing and grew pointedly more interested in picking at his food.
Bryn pays little attention to the older man's pitch for protection from Drelsh. He focused on the more important things.
"hello Delora, my name is Bryn." he gives the girl a friendly smile.
Meldar smiles at Drelsh. "A man of action. I knew you would be the answer to our prayers this day! We can be ready to leave first thing tomorrow. Our wagons and horses are in the large clearing just outside the inn - we will meet you there!"
In response to Breggel's query, Meldar answers, "Oh, we carry a number of trade goods for the larger towns and cities along the route. Our final destination is Rookwarden, but there are several items to deliver in Daggermark. You know, foodstuffs, metal ores, linens and fleece, that kind of stuff."
Delora returns Bryn's smile, saying "I'm glad you all are going to escort us. It's vital we reach Daggermark before the last Thousandheads Trading Coster caravan leaves and gets ahead of us!"
"Hmmm..ore you say? Might I and my brother have a look? We are smiths and might be interested in purchasing some of your stock."
"Unfortunately, all of our cargo is spoken for. Plus the ore is on the bottom because of its weight! I couldn't get to it on the road without emptying out the wagons!!" Meldar looks apologetic. "However, perhaps we can work out an arrangement for future shipments - ore to you and worked goods back out. Yes...we will have to talk more on this as we travel to Daggermark!"