Jed will motion to Jasmine and Easop to follow him closely, as he starts to hurry ahead. As he moves ahead, he'll keep an eye out for any odd tracks in the dirt.
The Aiel pull up their veils and disappear into the surrounding vegetation. Jed catches glimpses of them here and there and is able to mark their movements as he leads Easop and Jasmine forward.
A small path seems to lead off the road, which you take, cautiously scanning around you for danger. The Aiel ghost along, parrellel to the path, seeming to blend in and out of the shadows as they move.
Looking ahead, the smoke appears to be coming from a farm. Thin trees give out to a large field filled with tall, sagging stalks of wheat, heavy with rain. A narrow path leads into the wheat, angling toward several buildings beyond the field.
Smoke curls up from the charred husk of a large barn, twisting up into the dark mid-afternoon sky in wispy tendrils. The old farmhouse, and a sizable stable, seem untouched by the fire that has consumed the barn. The farm was prosperous, but there are no people to be seen now.
Searching around the buildings, asides from the lack of people and wheat needing harvesting, the rest of the grounds and buildings seem to be in good shape. It appears that whoever lived here seems to have left in a rush, with no real preparation beforehand.
Jed is flabbergasted at the sight before him. The barn has burned out but thankfully the farmhouse and stable nearby were untouched. Oddly, the farm looks to have been long abandoned.
Confused as to why such a place would be abandoned, and why the barn burned down, Jed will search for clues around the barn, such as recent tracks.
"What is going on"? "I don't understand what is happening here". "Is there danger"?
Knowledge Nature
Perception
Easop bends and picks up the head of one of the wheat plants, crushing it in his massive hands, and holding it to his nose. "This should have been harvested long ago". "It has gone bad".
Then suddenly his head darts around to stare towards the stable. "Wait"! "I hear something from over there in the stable". "It sounds like something alive".
Pandin upon hearing the sounds in the stable motions to the other Aiel to follow and goes to the backdoor of the stable.
Stealth:
Jasmine will stay near Easop and ready herself should anything rush to attack us.
Graul remains hidden behind the others incase it is a trap
Stealth:
Perception:
Pandin slowly eases open the stable door. He cautiously moves in, Jed behind him, sword raised.
The familiar smells of horses and manure fill the stable. The six stalls are fairly clean and sprinkled with straw, but there are no horses. The noise seems to be coming from the hayloft, back in the shadows.
Pandin flashes handtalk to the other Aiel and then begins to climb the ladder up into the hayloft. Jed sheathes his sword and follows him up, both men moving slowly, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Everyone is scanning the stable interior, keeping an eye out for any threats.
As Pandin and Jed reach the loft, they spot a young girl in a long, brown dress crying in the hay. Soot mars her pretty cheeks, and the hem of her dress seems to have been burned. She raises her eyes and sees the two men and screams. She scrambles towards the back of the loft, her eyes searching frantically for some way of escape but it appears that Pandin and Jed block the only way.
"Jed try and reassure the girl as I run to get Jasmine, seems like a woman's touch could be in order here."
Pandin quickly unveils his face and runs to get Jasmine,"Come quick there is a little girl who needs our help."
With that Pandin goes about looking all over the farm including the farmhouse.
Survival:
Perception:
Jasmine immediately runs in when Pandin lets her know the situation. When Jasmine enters and sees the child she will approach slowly Shhh child. We are not here to harm you. We saw the smoke and are here to help. These men are my friends and will not harm you. Jed why don't you go and see if you can get the child some water.
My name is Jasmine. What is yours?
Jed hands his waterskin to Jasmine. The water is probably a little warm and there is not as much left as he'd like, but it should do for the time being. Then, realizing he is part of the reason the girl is frightened, he'll climb back down the ladder out of sight. In the meantime, he'll search the stables for any signs recent use.
Thank you Jed. Here you go child. It's just water. Jasmine tosses the waterskin towards the girl.
Easop hops from foot to foot looking around frantically. He wants to help, but is not sure what to do. He is certain he would only scare the little girl, and he was not stealthy like the others...so he just danced in place with many false starts.
At Jasmine's soft words the girl slowly moves forward, her eyes sweeping around at the smallest sound. She slowly took the offered water and drank deeply. Wiping her mouth on her sleave, she handed the cup back to Jasmine.
Thank you milady. I was terrified you was more of those men. Some soldiers came. There was a bad man, with big whiskers. He took my ma and da and brother, and all our horses and animals. She sniffles and wipes her nose on her dress. They didn't see me in the barn. They burned it, and the fire came up where I was, but I ran down. But they was gone already by then. I want my ma and da...
She seems fairly calm now though sad. Other than her obvious shock at what happened she seems in fairly good health.
No need to worry now you are safe with us. Do you know what direction these men went in? Do you have any other family in the area?
Jasmine will slip her arm around her and walk her outside.
Unveiling his face, Lain crouches down before the young girl, smiling softly. "Jasmine Raleen speaks true little one. You are safe now. I need to ask you some questions. Do you think you can answer them for me? All I need to know is what your parents look like, and how many men you saw!" He looks to Pandin and Graul, before his hands flicker.
Graul lowers his veil and nods at Lain.
Nodding softly, Lain stands, before relying.
"Treebrother, would you accompany Graul while he searches for tracks? I do not think it wise for us to move alone right now!"
"Oh Yes". The Ogier seems to be thankful to have something to do. "Thank you of course I will...though he is hard to keep an eye on".
No need to worry now you are safe with us. Do you know what direction these men went in? Do you have any other family in the area?
Jasmine will slip her arm around her and walk her outside.
"Jasmine Raleen speaks true little one. You are safe now. I need to ask you some questions. Do you think you can answer them for me? All I need to know is what your parents look like, and how many men you saw!"
The child follows Jasmine out of the stables and then clings to her sharply at sight of the Aiel. At Jasmine's calming touch she visibly settles down and looks to her and Lain.
My name's Issa. Issa DaVoren. My uncle Hobbs owns the Three Crowns Inn in Aturo's Orchard and he's the only other family I have. I don't know how many men there were, I was too scared to come out of the barn. After they lit it on fire, I barely managed to get out and into the stables after they left. I think they headed back to the road after they were done but I only caught a glimpse of them leaving. Issa bites back a sob at the end, trying to keep a brave face in front of the strangers as she describes her missing family.
Graul and Easop comb the farmstead's area, looking for tracks or some sign of where the men might have gone.
Perception
Perception:
Graul returns to the others after his and Easop's scouting.
"We found tracks of a large mounted force and followed them back to the road, but the it is so tore up we could not tell their direction of travel."
Do not fear Issa, they are friends. You say your uncle lives in Arturo's Orchard? Well the light is shining on us this day in some regard then for we are traveling that way ourselves. I think it would be best if you came with us and we could bring you to your uncle. I know how terrible this must be for you and I give you my word we will do what we can to get your family back but first we need to get you to safety.
"Thank you Issa DaVoren. That is all we need to know. We will indeed take you to your Uncle. Jasmine Raleen speaks for us all when she says this!" Standing up, he smiled encouragingly at the girl, before turning to Graul and Pandin.
Graul gives Lain a lopsided grin.
Lain grins and shrugs before replying.
Pandin grins and simply nods to the other two.
[spoiler=Aiel Handspeak] "I pitty these Wetlanders, and sneaking up at the changing of the curad would be most wise.'
Not finding anything inside the stables, Jed walks outside to Jasmine and the young girl. He speaks quietly to Jasmine, "Perhaps we should get moving. The sooner we are away from this place, the better I think."
Jed will smile at the young girl, to make sure she knows he won't harm her. He makes some small talk with her to reinforce this. "We will protect you, I promise. You know, I have a sister who is only a little bit older than you. You two would get along well!"
Clearing the rest of the farmstead, the Aiel fan out and lead the group back to the road. Jasmine and Jed help guide Issa along, making sure the young girl is able to keep up with the rest of the party.
Eyes alert for signs of bandits, you continue on your journey north towards Aturo's Orchard. You travel for about a mile when you see up ahead an overturned cart and a rather upset looking heavyset man. He is wearing baggy trousers, full-length sleaves, and a knee-length vest. He appears to be a peddler or merchant of some kind.
Easing swords in sheaths and spears in holders, you cautiously approach the man. As you pull closer Issa suddenly giggles at the profanity you can now clearly hear coming from the man's mouth. Seeing you approach, he looks abashadly at the ground, wringing his hands and cutting off his curses abruptly. Mi'lords, mi'lady.
Making an effort to dissuade the girl's fears, Easop crouches down as close to her level as he can, and from a non-threatening distance, tries to make himself likable.
"Hi There". "My name is Easop, and though I might be large and strange to your eyes, I can assure you I'm not any kind of Monster". "Would these others travel with me if I were any danger to them".
Diplomacy
Making an effort to dissuade the girl's fears, Easop crouches down as close to her level as he can, and from a non-threatening distance, tries to make himself likable.
"Hi There". "My name is Easop, and though I might be large and strange to your eyes, I can assure you I'm not any kind of Monster". "Would these others travel with me if I were any danger to them".
1d20+7 Diplomacy
Before the girl goes running and screaming, Jasmine says Easop is an Ogier and a friend. You have no need to fear from him either.
While initially startled by the Ogier's looming size and appearance, Jasmine is quickly able to calm poor Issa down for their journey.
Pandin feeling uneasy still with bandits and shadowspawn on the loose leaves the diplomacy for others and takes his spot on lookout to the left side of the party.
I think I draw out more fear than our Treebrother, best if I stay on lookout.
Perception:
Taking up a flanking position, to the right of the party, Lain lopes off in to the forest, scouting ahead for any sign of danger. As they approach the Merchant he slows, looking over at Pandin, in time to see him sign.
Lain slowed, lowering his veil, before moving towards the Merchant, making sure to look him over, before approaching fully.
Reasonably sure the man holds no concealed weaponry, Lain steps forward and inclines his head slightly to the Merchant. "Greetings Merchant. May you find water and shade this day. I wonder, may I ask you a few questions?"
Pandin nods solomly and unveils his face. Pandin moves closer to the Merchant to hear what is going on without actually engaging in conversation at this point. He still remains vigil and scans the horizon.
Reasonably sure the man holds no concealed weaponry, Lain steps forward and inclines his head slightly to the Merchant. "Greetings Merchant. May you find water and shade this day. I wonder, may I ask you a few questions?"
The man casts an uneasy look your way but seeing the others you travel with quickly composes himself. Uh, ask your questions master Aiel.
Graul stands behind the group looking outwards, trusting the others to take care of any threat from the man.
Perception:
"I have but two really. I would know if you spotted a large contingent of mounted men passing you this day? They would have captives with them I would think! Also, could you tell me, how far are we from the town of Arturo's Orchard?" Lain smiled pleasantly.
Burn me but... I mean yeah, they passed me. A few hours ago. They're the ones that stole my bloody wares and killed my damned horse! All cause I wouldn't give them the stuff for free. He kicks the cart lying toppled on the ground.
Name's Gideon Faun, peddler by trade. Bloody Taraboner soldiers are what did this, couple hours ago I reckon. Their leader was a hard man, big guy with gray eyes and a long, thick mustache. His description seems to hold with the man Issa told you she saw leading the raid on her farm.
Gideon heaved a loud sigh as he looked further up the road to the north. As for Aturo's Orchard, you're not more than two miles away from it, just up the road. I was heading that way myself before the damned bandits came along. He eyes the group of you, Say, if you lot wouldn't mind helping me with this here cart, I'd happily pay for your meals tonight in town.
Gideon's cart is lying overturned on its side. If righted, it could easily be harnessed to one of your horses and brought into town for him.
"Sure, I don't mind if you come along." Jed walks over to the cart and rights it with only a little bit of effort. "Sounds like the roads are getting more dangerous. Though why would Taraboner soldiers be engaging in banditry?"
"I see. Well it seems they are hitting everyone in their path. I will not be surprised when we get to Arturo's Orchard and they have hit that too. What say you Jed al'Raes? Think you, we have a fight ahead of us?" Lain grins over his shoulder at the Andoran man, before turning back to the man.
"It would be our pleasure to aid you Master Merchant. I ask only one thing, when we get your Cart moving, you allow our young friend here to ride in it. She has had a long day and I doubt she will last much longer!" Lain nods towards the young girl. "And as for the offer to buy us food, you may save that till we help get some of your wares back at least!"
Nodding softly, Lain claps the man on the shoulder, before moving over to the two Aiel.
"Two miles. Not much longer now my friends. We can be there in no time. Perhaps it would be wise for us to range a little ways away from you, come upon the Orchard by the sides, what do you think?"
Lain watches as the Andoran man rights the cart, before laughing.
[b]Gladly will I lend my strength to you to get your cart back up and I would wager that should you require it we could pull your cart seems as your horse is dead at our feet.
Strength check:
Placing his hands on the cart and beginning to lift the board breaks under the strain and leaves Pandin cursing in Aiel.
"Though why would Taraboner soldiers be engaging in banditry?"
Sure as I don't know mi'lord. These are rough times and men are want to do awful things at the slightest hint that they can get away with it. I just know the flag they carried was the flag of Tarabon, the Light blind me but it was.
"It would be our pleasure to aid you Master Merchant. I ask only one thing, when we get your Cart moving, you allow our young friend here to ride in it. She has had a long day and I doubt she will last much longer!" Lain nods towards the young girl. "And as for the offer to buy us food, you may save that till we help get some of your wares back at least!"
Of course Master Aiel, the little one can ride in the cart. And as for my wares, if you happen across them I would appreciate them back but don't trouble yourselves over me. Gideon Faun always manages to make do, don't you worry.
With the cart righted, you hitch a horse to it and begin traveling north again, knowing Aturo's Orchard is just over the horizon.
Easop goes to help right the cart with his broad back, but the Wastelanders already have it righted before he even gets there. "I can see you are as strong as you are quick". "Remind me not to challenge you to a game of Boffo"
Boffo? What is boffo? Jasmine says while mounting her large black mare. She felt a bit useless while the cart was being turned. She wanted to help with the one power but when she went to embrace the source she was stymied by her cursed block. I will get rid of it! If I have to kill myself trying I WILL BE RID OF IT! she thinks furiously. The joy of the one power and I can only embrace it while feeling sadness, what cruel twist of irony is that?
So good Master Faun, what sort of items do you trade in? Jasmine walks her horse beside the wagon and attempts to engage with the merchant and Issa in a bit of small talk to pass the time.
Gideon smiles warmly at Jasmine and says with a laugh. Why miss, I sell whatever people are buying. But on this particular trip I had a good supply of fresh vegetables, which given this weather and the conflict in these lands, you can imagine would have fetched a pretty penny. And of course all sorts of odds and ends you would imagine a small town needing, pots, pans, and the like. Gideon continues to converse, sometimes to one of you specifically but often as not just filling the air with his own musings on his areas of expertise, which after a while becomes clear is everything, at least according to him.
After about an hour you crest a smile rise and before you lies the town of Aturo's Orchard. The single-story stone buildings look comfortable and inviting. Little welcoming curls of smoke wind up from the chimneys of several buildings, but despite the midday hour the streets are empty. In fact, except for your group, nothing seems to be moving in the village.
Continuing into the center of town, eyes alert, you see the largest building in town appears to be an inn - a sign hanging near the front door displays three golden crowns, apparently the Three Crowns Inn of Issa's uncle Hobbs in fact. It looks pleasant enough on the outside.
Easing open the door, it appears the entire village has gathered for some sort of meeting - every table, stool and chair in the common room is occupied. A tall man in an apron is addressing the crowd but pauses as you all enter the inn. The villagers turn silently towards the door to catch a look at you.
From behind you Issa lets out a sob, Uh-Uncle! and then runs into the room with her arms outstretched. It appears that the speaker is none other than her uncle Hobbs himself. He quickly drops to a knee and gathers her up into his arms.
Issa girl, what's wrong? Where's your father hun? He holds her close as she cries, looking a question in your direction.
The brief moment of silence is suddenly over as the worried villagers all start throwing questions towards you all. How did you find Issa all alone? What happened to her family? Have you seen other farms raided? Who did this? Are you hear to help us? Where are you from? The villagers eye you expectantly as their questions stream out.
Graul takes a step back as the wetlanders begin their questions, his hand stopping half way to his veil.
"Mind your manners folk. We can only answer so many questions at a time! Now quieten down so young Issa and her uncle can speak! We will answer questions after."