After it was done, Kale thanked everyone and set about trying to wash the blood out of his clothes before it set too badly.
It was clear from the mottled stains on his arming doublet that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
As the work is done on both hose and ride, Corynne offers encouragement to both Kale and Rina, a gentle touch of support.
"How long does something like that take to heal? It looks pretty bad. You're not going to die from it, are you?" Naldoc looks at Kale with a look of genuine worry on his face.
Kale chuckles. "I don't think so. Goblins have a habit of smearing their blades with some pretty vile stuff, so infection is something to worry about. I guess we'll know tomorrow. It looks nasty, but it's actually pretty shallow. If I can keep the wound clean I'll be back in fighting shape in three or four days."
Rina just nods a bit, pleased with their bandaging efforts, "Say what you will for the booze, it'll kill most nasties." She manages to sound quite knowledgeable.
"You sound like the medic from my old unit. He used to make rotgut that would peel paint. Used it as anesthetic and drank it like water. He was the only one who could stomach the stuff, but he pretty much never got sick." Kale said with a smile.
Rina seems to agree with this story on principle. She nods, "Hey, it works."
Once he and his horse were patched up and his arming doublet dried out in the sun while they took lunch, Sir Kale put his armor back on and mounted up.
"Everyone ready to move on?"
"He's right, it would probably be the best idea unless we run into more goblins on the way." Corynne says with a disarming smile.
"It's actually quite relaxing."
"I don't know if relaxing is the word for it, but it sure does beat walking." Naldoc keeps looking out of the wagon, constantly scanning for more goblin ambushers. The last thing we need right now is another ambush. I'm not sure Kale could survive another battle and I'm not so sure I'll be lucky enough to come out unscathed again.
Kale sighs. "Right. Fine."
Rina grins, "I'll keep you company!" Cause that's a treat, right? The slightly dirty Monk shifts to make room for Kale in the wagon.
"Thank you." the knight says, hitching the reins of his horse to the back of the wagon and climbing in to sit next to Rina.
Rina chatters the whole way and offers to share her own brand of rot gut, propping her feet up. She yammers on about punching things and Irori and not being able to catch up with horses yet.
I'm really starting to miss home. All this bouncing aroud on the back of some wagon isn't exactly what I imagined adventuring would be like. I'm not sure I fancied the heat of battle over it, though.
However I have a score to settle and I will endure whatever I must in order to complete my task. I will find him and when I do..."
An exceptionally jarring thump from the wagon breaks Naldoc out of his thoughts. Recovering for the violent bump in the road he calls out to the group, "How much further is it to wherever it is that we are suppose to go? This road has grown to be, um, depressingly long."
Kale chuckles. "This is still day one. Long is a month in the saddle on dry rations."
"Hey, at least we have a ride - imagine if we were all walking!" As that was the original plan. Rina grins.
Chadwick smiles from under his hat, "Enjoy the peace now cause when were surrounded by goblins later you might wish for it. Hehe, though you all have me so it won't be that stressful."
And how many times have you found yourself surrounded by goblins? Or orcs? Bandits? Tell me a story about your adventuring, it'll certainly help to pass the time.
All this guy has done is brag about how he will do this or how he can do that. I'm sure whatever story he is willing to tell will be full of wonder and amazement. That should carry us over to the next stop on the road... either that or it'll induce a nap.
Then again, who am I to be critical? For all I know this Chadwick fella is some well-known do-gooder with a history of great deeds, famous beyond the small world that I have lived. Same of any of these people. Kale has a history for sure, look at all the scars he has. Even the women are have far greater experiences that I've ever had, being bullied included. In some ways, I look forward to watching how they work.
Corynne glances over at Chadwick with a hint of a raised eyebrow, the tiniest hint of a smile touching the corners of her mouth.
The scent of summer radiates from her.
Rina smirks a little, "Yeah! Tell us a story!" She claps a couple times.
Naldoc starts to set up his bedroll, remembering the tips that the knight had given him previously where possible. As he does so he keeps an ear out in case the archer starts to tell his tale.
”So you want to hear one of the many great tales of Chadwick the Sure Shot, well I start with one from my early days I don’t want to be too boastful.” The archer first double checks taking great care with his bow, he sets it down next to him within reach.
He then begins his tale, ”It all started in the town of Cormack which lies in the country of Sergaara. This dock was known for the very cunning thieves and all the shops were being hit. So it was no surprise that one of the hottest pawnshops in town hired good ole Sure Shot to provide security. I was vigilant and stood watch for many nights studying every noise from the beetle crawling by to the noisy carriage but none distracted me from duty to protect the finest jewelry shop in town. I started to ease, due to the fact that word got out the shop was under my protection but I was mistaken they had to wait to get their courage up to face me. As your dear Sure Shot let down his guard for 1 second the ch...elf known as Stealth Rat made his move, Dun Dun Dunn!!! He took the rare pendent known as the pearl of the lost cove; he was fast for an elf like he was part wolf or something. Though I took to the chase easily catching up to the werewolf elf, so my first duty was retrieval of the stolen goods so first shot hit caught the pendant and took it to the wall. The beastly creature had fear in its eyes after it witnessed my precise accuracy, took to all fours I swear and booked it. Since I had the pendant I decided to give the elven creature a head start, my tracking skills were getting a little rusty so I took the challenge. I was able to track him near his hide out I believed, hiding in the alley I saw my shot so I throw my dagger, what my aim is great and I didn’t want to freak all the people out my drawing my bow, it did the trick I pinned the thieves cloak to wall and it tripped up the pesky rogue. So Sure shot here moved in swiftly subduing the target his form must of changed back to a normal elf but even his elven reflexes were no match for my Sure shottedness! The elf was taken back to the orph…..JAIL jail that’s right I took him to the guards and got the bounty. So kid I got paid twice as much that’s why I always ask about local bounties double the pay for one job.” After he finishes his story he holds up his hands to the two women, ”I know after hearing one of my tales, women tend to fall in love with me. It’s okay to follow your urges, cause I am a lover and a fighter.’ He gives them a wink and a cheesy smile.
Naldoc sits as the ranger weaves his tale of drama and danger, seemingly fascinated by his every word. That was amazing! Did you stay at that store for much longer after that? What happened to Stealth Rat, is he still in jail? Oh, and what's a werewolf?
I was right, these guys are professionals. I'll be sure to learn a few things for the likes of Chad, maybe he can teach me how to shoot even better that Rizzy could ever be able to do!
Hey, Chad'wick? Umm, could you show me how to shoot and throw like that? You know, taking stuff out of people's hands and pinning them to walls and trees and stuff? I think I could do it if you could just show me how. Naldoc looks at the ranger, hopeful for a positive reaction from the bowman.
Corynne listens to the tale, her expression displaying interest and amusement almost equally as she gives Chadwick a knowing smile
Rina seems oblivious and indifferent to whether its true or not, laughing and slapping her knee at appropriate moments.
At that last bit about being a lover though, RIna just pulls a face and rolls her eyes, hugging her arms.
Kale said nothing, keeping his eyes glued to the sights around them.
Chadwick pats the young Naldoc on the shoulder, "You got some talent kid, under my guidence you could be a great archer no where near my caliber but still better then others. Though if you become my apprentice there are a few things on treasure shares we can work out when we get to it. So what do you say kid a chance of a lifetime lies at your feet, you want to be your idol's apprentice or what?"
Wow, it would really be something to be able to be a great archer, however I know that most of my training has been for stealthy combat with blades, not firing arrows from afar. After all the work I've done with Rizzy I just don't think it would be wise to throw all that away and become an archer.
That's a swell offer, Chaddy, but I don't know if I'm really the arrow shooting type. At least not as a full-time career. I already have a mentor, though he has shown me a different set of skills. I was just hoping for a tip or two, not an apprenticeship.
Naldoc shrugs at the bowman, almost apologeticly. He smiles and then says, Though I really wouldn't mind hearing another story.
Rina finds herself a place to curl up under something warmish, still apparently grumpy about something the ranger said earlier.
A shocked look comes over Chadwick's face when Naldoc declines his offer. He tries to hide it and looks away from the kid, "Your loss kid, no time for another story I gotta check the perimeter." Chadwick checks the area for trouble and looks around for food.
Before going to sleep Corynne approaches Rina, noticing the other woman's mood.
"Is everything all right? You seem upset by something."
Naldoc doesn't seem to take Chad's words too harshly, considering how few he gave him. Instead he looks quite content to keep to himself this evening, barely saying a word to anyone. Quietly he sits, moving his fingers slowly over the edges of the charm attached to the necklace that he wears at all times.
I wish I could speak to Faldoc one last time, just once. While I am in the company of who seem to be good people I still feel alone. If I were just able to sit and talk with my brother again it would be a welcome relief. We wouldn't really have to talk about anything in particular, just idle words would be more than enough right now.
I am worried about my family though. Will they be alright without me as I chase a man that I do not have any clue of his location? My lust for revenge is burning hot, maybe Rizzy was right and I should have waited at home instead of taking the first oppportunity to leave. I hope I do not die to goblins before I even begin my hunt for Culven Tait.
Rina just grumbles at Corynne. "Just dunno why a person's gotta ruin a good story to make passes at girls." A bit petulant, maybe. Such is Rina.
"I didn't think the story was so bad, was it? I mean, sure he seems to paint with a bit too much color, as my dad would say, but otherwise I can believe it."
Sir Kale just surreptitiously shakes his head.
Wonder if she'll realize that half the reason braggarts tell stories at all is to make passes at girls
He says nothing though, content to keep his watch. When the weather starts to change he mentions it quietly to the others and checks his tarps and lines and makes sure his trenches are dug. He'd be staying dry tonight.
Tomorrow's going to be rough on them if they spend the night damp. No better way to learn though.
"Well, it looks like we are truly about to begin our task. Anyone have any ideas on the best approach?"
So this is what we came to clear? There doesn't seem to be all that much. Where are the boundries for this estate anyway? Maybe we should go check out what little of the house is standing.
"Outside, we can cover more ground if we split up, but we should stay in pairs and not ever be out of sight of each other. If we go inside, we stick together."
"I'll move around the property and try to find the goblin's trail. I will take the kid with me, so we can stay out of sight." If no one objects he will motion Naldoc to trail him.
Sure thing, Chad. Let's go. Naldoc will have his bow ready and tries to hide his nerves.
Clearly being stealthy in the wild is much different from the streets of the city that Naldoc is accustomed to. Ugh! I'm hitting every twig and leaf that I see! Chaddy is gonna shoot me himself. Some adventurer I'm making out to be...