"Do you think I'd be here asking about the cost of horses and wagons if I had?" Naldoc then looks at the group and shrugs.
Corynne swept into the building, noticing the small group in the distance that appeared to be leaving the place. Shrugging to herself she moved on, smiling to the man by the door of what seemed to be the merchant's office, a brief nod as she walked past, entering as if it were simply what was supposed to happen, her presence both preceeding and following her accompanied by the scent of vanilla.
"It would appear that either I am late, or you haven't received the response you expected. Either way I'm here to help."
"Nothing wrong with walking." The knight said with a shrug. "It isn't as if he put us on a timetable. There are plenty of traveling merchants on these roads. If we are willing to trade protection from bandits for transportation, I'm sure we can hitch a ride."
Naldoc nods, seemingly satisfied by the answer the knight gave.
Corynne exits the building quickly heading towards the assembled group.
Seeing the woman approaching, the knight in the battered-looking armor nods to her and politely brings his hand to his forehead.
"Ma'am."
Well, quite the cast of characters we have here. The two women look like polar opposites in their outward appearances and the two men sound like they are polar opposites in mentality. I think I'll just stay out of everyone's way the best I can and see how things go down. I never imagined adventuring could be so complex and we haven't even left town yet! I wonder if anyone has even killed a goblin before... I know I haven't killed anything more than some small game animals. Might need to kill a few of them for food if this trip takes as long as it sounds.
Hmm, speaking of food, I just realized that if we are gonna walk I might need to pick up a few extra trail rations. Better find a trading post or something before we leave for good.
Corynne strides forward, her flawless dark skin and white hair granting her a cool appearance, reminicent of a statue in moonlight. Dressed in supple leathers of black, accented by red and gold, she is both stunning and regal.
"Looks like you've already gotten quite a group together, sorry I'm late. The name's Corynne." she says with smile, blue eyes twinkling as she takes in the eclectic group.
Rina is mildly awed by Corynne. She gawps at her for a bit before she finally remembers to close her mouth. Then she nods a bit and looks at her hands, feeling very dirty and underwhelming in comparison.
Naldoc quickly glances at Kale, lightly tapping on the knight's arm and then leading his eyes toward the man on the wagon. Maybe this will be the ride we were hoping for. Protecting a coal wagon, how hard could that be?
"I am Kale, Miss Corynne. Glad you could join-" the knight began replying to the woman before being interrupted by the teamster.
"Apologies, goodman." he says, moving his horse to the side of the road. "We are going that way as well. If you have an empty cart, would you mind a few stowaways?"
Naldoc smiles and gives a small sigh of relief while climbing aboard.
"Much Obliged."
Upon seeing Corynne, Chadwick offers her a hand to help her up on the wagon, "Well my lady it is an honor to have you in the group, my name is Chadwick Nor'vell. I know I know you have heard of me by my other name the Sure Shot, no need for praise. I am simply an adventurer like yourself." He helps her up then hops on himself, he turns to the wagon driver "Thank you for the ride good sir, and don't worry about trouble you might of heard that Chadwick "Sure Shot" Nor'vell is watching over you and your property. haha!" As he says Sure Shot he does a dynamic pose.
Kale sighs, and tries to busy himself with his horse rather than pay attention to the grandstanding.
Rina gives another of her sarcastic little smirks at Chadwick's lastest introduction, and winks at Sir Kale, amused. Even if he isn't. Then she wriggles off his horse with an attempt at a grateful bow (or something, its hard to tell) but fails to look at all formal. She mumbles her thanks, and scrambles up onto the wagon with the others, where she looks and feels a good deal more comfortable. Riding a horse is a little too grand for Rina.
Geez, this Chadwick guy is really a piece of work! I wonder if he is trying to overcompensate for something. Still, he seems to be a experienced bowman, I'll try to learn a thing or two from how he operates, especially with that bow.
"So, Chadwick, you've killed a bunch of goblins before, haven't you? Tell me about them. I've heard they are mean, ugly creatures." Naldoc then turns to Rina."Are they really easy to kill? I mean, how easy it it for you to kill one?"
"Oh! And I'm Naldoc, Miss Corynne." Naldoc waves meekly to the newest member of the adventuring party. "So, are you new at this too or are you a hardened adventurer like these other guys? You ever killed a goblin before?"
Bandits? I don't care for bandits but there is one man among those type that I would very much like to see one day...
Corynne smiles as Chadwick rambles his introduction, her expression somewhere between impressed and amused, easily taken either way depending on the observer’s inclination. She accepts the offered hand gracefully and takes a seat, a warm smile lighting up her features as the knight welcomes her to the group.
Taking in the eclectic group, she flashes Rina a grin at Chadwick’s bluster then turns to Naldoc.
’I’ve been on an adventure or two, but not quite the hardened “goblin killer” that others appear to be.” she says before leaning in close. “At least we know which brave souls to stand behind should things become dangerous.”
The confident seeming bowman looks down at Naldoc with a soft chuckle and puts his hand on the young man's shoulder, "Haha, goblins should be a simple act for one that specializes in hunting down bandits and thieves! Stay within my bow range and you will make it out of this."
Then losing his interest with the lad he looks back to the teamster, "So my good sir, what could you tell me of the bandits in this area? Are there bounties for them?"
’I’ve been on an adventure or two, but not quite the hardened “goblin killer” that others appear to be.” she says before leaning in close. “At least we know which brave souls to stand behind should things become dangerous.”
Naldoc feels soothed by Corynne's comforting tone but yet still finds her striking appearance quite intimidating. He manages a shy smile and then lifts an eyebrow toward Kale. "True, seems we could have fared much worse in the protection department."
The confident seeming bowman looks down at Naldoc with a soft chuckle and puts his hand on the young man's shoulder, "Haha, goblins should be a simple act for one that specializes in hunting down bandits and thieves! Stay within my bow range and you will make it out of this."
Hunting down bandits and thieves? Maybe this Chadwick fella has seen, or at least heard about, the one man that I wish to find.
Upon hearing Chadwick's question to the teamster, Naldoc sits up straighter and leans in a little closer, eagerly awaiting the response.
Kale didn't say much more as they traveled. Once Rina decided the wagon was preferable to his horse, he remounted and rode behind, leaning on his lance a bit and listening to the conversations to get a feel for his new companions.
Naldoc turns to Chadwick, "How far is this One Eye Peak to where we're going?"
Rina tucks herself into a corner of the wagon to observe, pulling her dirty feet up under her and propping her chin on her palm as she watches the scenery trundle by. She also watches her companions for a bit, and listens to the rumors curiously. She reserves judgement for the moment.
It's about two days farther than the estate....
Naldoc settles in, scanning the areas they pass thru for anything out of the ordinary or strange movements. The further they get from the city the more out-of-sorts Naldoc feels.
Naldoc peers out at Kale as he rides on his horse behind the wagon. Why isn't this knight out on noble quests for great kingdoms? Seems where he should belong. Instead he is out here with the likes of me, answering some vague ad calling for adventurers.
Naldoc then studies Rina for a bit. Hmm, she never did answer me about killing goblins, maybe she didn't hear me? Maybe she never killed a goblin before. Maybe I should ust keep my mouth shut and let these guys do their job.
Chadwick getting tired, looks sluggishly towards Naldoc and hands him the map. "It's like a few days away from the estate." He gives a yawn, "Here you go lad, you can take a look at it if you wish." He brings the brim of his hat over his face and starts napping.
Rina doesn't sleep, though she does seem pretty relaxed into the swaying of the wagon. She also doesn't look like much of a fighter of any kind. But still, she keeps her own council on that, and seems comfortable enough just observing in silence for the ride there.
Realizing the small shack was likely too small for all of them, Kale dismounted, dug a small tent out of his saddlebags and began quietly setting it up while his horse grazed.
"We're sleeping in there?" Naldoc wonders exactly how safe they'll be in such a place.
Seeing the knight making camp, Naldoc thinks it likely that Kale is going to have the ladies sleep inside while the men take positions outside. Naldoc fumbles with his backback briefly while removing the bedroll. Finding a spot near the tent, Naldoc prepares for his first night out on the road.
"Never set your roll on the leeward side of a building." Kale says as Naldoc starts laying out his roll. "If it rains, the water will get shunted off by the roof, right towards where you are sleeping. Instead, move a little further away, preferably under a tree, and use some rope and a tarp or a cloak to tie off an angled cover over your roll."
Embarrassed but thankful for the tips, Naldoc does as he was advised. I wonder what else I don't know...
Remembering how Kale initially introduced himself to the party, Naldoc tried to emulate the same style when answering the old man. "I'm Naldoc, of Dorter."
"Pleased to meet you." Kale said with a simple nod as he finished setting up his tent and moved to take care of his horse.
"So, Kale... um, so how long have you been doing this, you know, adventurer's stuff?" Naldoc continues to work on securing his bedding for the night as he waits for an answer... if one comes.
"I've never been an adventurer before. Until last year I was just a soldier. I've routed goblin nests before and driven back orc raiders and things like that, but as far as the rest of the stuff you hear about in the stories, I don't know much."
"Why aren't you a soldier now? You certainly have the look of one."
Kale shrugged. "My family fell into debt and soldiering doesn't really pay that well. I figured I could earn more this way."