"I'm not a litigant of the Church, no," Marcus says in half-truth, "However at some point the Abadarans will get involved and a verbal agreement might not be enough to save the boy's neck then. A contract, independently witnessed, will mean that both Arkady and his charge will be protected under law. Of course, it will also ensure that Arkday is responsible for the boy's future conduct. Are you sure that you wish to undertake this commitment, Arkady?"
"At the moment," Arkady says, "Devlin is on probation. Not a bondsman, for I will not own a slave, but not yet a man-at-arms, much less a squire, till he proves himself. Papers and charters might be needed later, if he comes to a more honorable status and needs proof among those who do not know me. For now our witnessed oaths are enough for all concerned."
He paces back and forth, then glances at the others, growing more sure as the discussion moves away from judgment toward a military course of action. "I am guessing that the bandits did not travel in the storm, so they likely set out from their camp this morning. We could be there by nightfall with a proper guide. But perhaps it was a waycamp, not their main lair. Did the bandits stay here for a night on previous visits and enjoy forcing Oleg's hospitality, or did they ride back swiftly after collecting their loot? Let us see what our prisoners can tell us, and anything Oleg or Svetlana can contribute would be handy. They may have overheard the bandits speaking of their camps or their leaders or their habits. Happs was a fool, but we dare not assume that all of them are so. Let us not plan in advance of our knowledge!"
And then for the executions.
"So we are agreed then? Happs meets either the rope or sword, the old Varisian can die on his feet. Devlin is to be given a chance to prove himself, as the mute may should he prove to have useful information," Marcus nods as though agreeing with himself, "I would urge that you codify your agreement with the boy as soon as possible, Arkady. We do not know who these guards that have been dispatched are and they may well stick to the letter of the law more than I."
"Kheldor, do you wish to take responsibility for the mute?" Marcus looks at the shadow wizard with a quizzical look. "If no one is willing to offer to sponsor him then he will share Happs' fate."
Kheldor is visibly uncomfortable with all this talk of contracts, oaths and slaves. He shifts his feet a few times, as if wanting to get away, but knowing he can't. When Marcus talks to him, his discomfort increases "Look, you all may be fine with oaths and slaves and whatnot, but I'm a follower of Desna and we don't believe in binding a man's freedom like that. I will keep an eye on him, and if he proves troublesome or untrustyworthy, I will not hesitate to rid us of him, but that is as far as I will go. Already all this talk of contracts makes me sick."
"I have to agree with Kheldor on some of this," Arkady says, looking at the others. "A man is as good as his word. Asking me to sign a contract says the breath of my life is nothing. Oh, I understand the need among strangers or at a distance -- I am not one of those backwoods priests who believe that everything has been going wrong since the invention of writing -- but let us first see if there is any need for it. If Devlin is only lying in fear for his neck, then we can stretch it for him when we prove it on himm. If the guards make trouble when they come, we can deal with it then."
He turns to Kheldor. "But a sworn oath is not slavery. A free man is free to bind himself, or he is not free at all. If you say you will keep an eye on this mute -- we must ask Devlin if he knows any name for him -- I will trust you for it, and ask no contracts."
"Who are their leaders? (Particularly Kressel and the Stag Lord, since Happs mentioned them specifically.) What are they like? Where is their camp? How is it arranged? How many bandits are there? Do they keep a watch? Are there other camps? How many are there altogether, at these other camps or out on patrol?" Arkady also inspects the captured bandits' gear and weapons, to see what they have. Is it well-cared for? Is it uniform, or are each of them individual in their gear?
Upon questioning Oleg replies of Devlin. "That one was always worried, kept back from the others, didn't look to eager when they threatened me. I'd guess he's fair honest. Couldn't tell you a thing about the mute, he don't talk much." It's tough to tell if Oleg is aware he has made a joke.
Devlin nods when given orders and strips unceremoniously. He stops for a moment before putting down his bow. "Can I keep this? Leave me no arrows if you like or lock it up somewhere and hide it but... it was my Pa's." Whatever the answer Devlin accepts it and goes to work with the horses after all the speeches are done.
Anton finds little of true value on the bandits. Though he does find that Happs has a hollowed out silver amulet depicting a helmet with stag horns.
At your questions to Oleg he answers easily. "Men always rode back. I'd say their camp is less than a days ride, though they always looked a bit haggard so perhaps longer than comfortable."
After a bit of interrogating the prisoners you find that the sentenced one is far too desolate at his fate to bother answering, the old Varisian gives you not a word, and Happs spits at you with a smile. "Boy doesn't know everything I know. He'll help you, but you'll die like idiots when you try to take on The Stag Lord." Devlin and the mute seem quite helpful, and both draw maps to the waycamp they come from (the mute manages to make his map look amazing despite the fact that it's drawn in charcoal on a wall, Devlin... not so much.) Devlin describes the camp as being about 8 hours hard ride to the southeast, at a ford in the Thorn River. It is generally populated by between 8 and 15 bandits, depending on who is out hunting and robbing, led by a woman named Kressel, who Devlin describes as "One crazy b%+~*. But strong, and she can damn near disappear in tress and brush." He describes the area as fairly quiet with most of the bandits gathering at the campfire. At a nudge and point from the mute Devlin remembers another detail. "There's two lookouts at any time, hidden in these stands in the trees." He points them out where the mute drew them on the map.
Upon questions of the Stag Lord Devlin shrugs a bit. "That amulet marks Happs as one of his. I know he's the big boss, over even Kressel, but I've never met him much less been to the fort. Only been in the group about 5 months. Hells, robbing Oleg the first time was my initiation. I just know he wears that helmet and never takes it off."
Kata looks bewildered over all of the talk of contracts, but since things seem to be taking a turn toward what she sees as more logical, she decided to remain silent on the issue.
As the prisoners have their gear taken, Kata speaks, "I'll take one of both of the alchemist's fire. I'm better at throwing than most girls. I'm not strong so I'd rather have the rations kept on one of the horses if that is all right. Perhaps we can make a deal with Oleg to sell anything we don't need and to keep an account for our gold."
Once we've listened to the interrogation, she observes "I think we need to make for the camp quickly before they realize something is awry. Eight to fifteen bandits sounds like a lot. Perhaps we can take out one or both of the lookouts and then see if we've gotten lucky. I think we could take a smaller group, but a large one, we would have to split up. Do any of you have any ideas?"
"I do have some other questions. Devlin, you mention a fort in addition to this camp. Even though you haven't been there, do either of you know where it is?" She looks at the mute, "Could you draw the fort?"
"Tell me about this helmet." Arkady orders Devlin. "Your father's bow we will leave here when we ride; it will be yours on our return if you have earned it back. Does this camp across the Thorn River keep any dogs, or extra horses?" He hands the bow to Oleg and asks him to store it in a safe place, inviting him to make an offer for any unneeded items. Is there any wargear in the store? Torches? He thinks Kata's idea of an account is a good one. "I will take Happs' bow and armor, and two-score arrows; if we need spare arrows, we will need them badly."
"As for the ride, we have seven horses and six riders. We will not make great speed over storm-soaked ground without remounts, but I doubt the bandits would have returned to camp before nightfall anyway, not with a hard eight-hour ride this time of year, and perhaps more rain coming."
"If we can reach their camp before nightfall, a surprise attack at dusk would do well, but I fear we would push our horses very hard, and if anything goes wrong, we would be riding worn horses and chased by bandits on fresh horses -- if they would pursue into the night, that is. Night battles are always deadly and confusing, even if Anton's eyes give us an advantage, and many might slip away in the night we could catch. I would ride most of the way there, rest our horses and ourselves for the night, and attack at early daybreak hoping to catch many of them sleeping, with all the day to pursue stragglers. But would they move their camp, or be suspicious, if Happs did not return as soon as they expected?"
Marcus studies the maps that Devlin and the mute draw. After a few minutes, he turns from them and speaks to the group.
"Well, let's get on with it, hmm?" Marcus turns to address the bandits again, "Happs, we've decided that your information isn't worth the risk of loosing you on the world again. You are to be executed, but you may choose the method of your execution: rope or beheading." He indicates to the morose bandit, "You are to share this fate."
Turning to the old Varisian, "You are also to be executed, but due to your courage in defeat, you will be permitted to die on your feet with a blade in your hand as is the custom of my colleague, Anton."
Indicating towards the mute, "You will be granted a reprieve, until we can ascertain if you are truly repentant."
Anton looks at Arkady wonderingly, "I think you are well-meaning but are also naive. You are clearly a Knightly man, maybe noble, but I think you misunderstand me, Marcus, and the law. Devlin is a bandit, who we have not determined to be repentant, by Brevoy law he dies; we can defer, upon an oath or bond, that sentence. To do that, someone of stature must stand for him. I never used the word slave, I said bondsman and meant it. I stated the oath to bind him to you and yours heirs, not for you but to protect him. A Brevic court will recognize your responsibility for him and refer his fate to you. By law that gives you power of life and death over him, is that not the essence of slavery? If the word offends you, do not use it. You cannot lawfully sell him, he is not chattel, you cannot take his children as bond unless you offer them property or rights in a lawful manner, but you and only you, can say kill him or not. At some point you may release him but it's your and your house's honor at stake. The most important point and the one I think Marcus attempted to make, is without that bond, without your protection, any noble, any arbiter of Abadar, any magistrate can and must order Devlin's death. And that can be horrible, I've seen my mother heat a cheap sword red-hot and slowly slay a cruel bandit with it, and it was lawful. Do you wish that fate upon him? So once again do you, Arkady the Knight, accept the bond of Devlin that Bandit so that he not die, lawfully, at the hand of any Knight, Lord, or Judge, or troop commander, that comes across him, gaining the lawful right to kill him, at will, or do you decline because of your delicate conscience, leaving him at the mercy of others who should kill him. Choose as you will but pick one or the other, you have no other lawful choice. Marcus just wanted that written down for Devlin's protection, understand, I think. No easy outs, for the great of the land, Brevic law has that much virtue to it. I'm done, do as you will."
Anton turns aside for Arkady leaving him his bitter choice.
"Kheldor, If you do not like the laws and custom of Brevoy, conquer it and change them as you will, that is what Choral did. Until then you hold the charter, issued under the authority of Brevoy, fulfill it or go home, or seize the Stolen Lands for yourself and make it paradise."
Marcus are you offering bond to the mute yourself or would you prefer I do it, I do not know your families standing or yours in your church. Mine is of the highest in the land, it would protect him better. He has talent." He turns to the mute. "Are you literate? Can you write your name?
Turning back to Marcus, "I agree we must go quickly so let's get on with the executions, and the final oaths. Walking up to Happs, he says, "You die now, like the coward you are, pick your death right now or I choose for you, no delays, you slick fool."
Arkady shrugs. "Taking his oath as I did is lawful in my family's lands. Having sworn, he is my man now, to judge and to command under ancient law and custom. I am his court and his judge and his commander in the field. It is enough for me and him. We will see what he is made of, riding south -- if he fails his oath will execute him as a bandit, with no need for more. If he keeps it, he is my man and no bandit.". He blinks, seemingly honestly confused by Anton's insistence on paperwork.
Kata looks on as the debate over paperwork seemingly goes on with no end in sight. Her foot taps and you can see color in her pale cheeks. She seems about to say something several times and then stops herself. At last, the words come out in avrush, "In Brevoy, these men would have been executed, repentant or not. The Swordlords in their wisdom have seen that we might need arms on our side. Thus, we are free to determine their fate as long as we judge that they are repentant. The mute has shown his willingness to help us, just as this boy. If you need an oath, have him swear it as best he can with no tongue. I do not understand this need for paperwork. We are days away from the nearest court. Perhaps weeks. The Swordlords have entrusted us to use them or execute them as we see fit. Finish Happs and the others. We need to ride for the camp."
Arkady merely nods, then lends himself to whatever the task of execution requires. Once the unpleasant business is done and the bandits' gear is distributed or stashed with Oleg, Arkady waits for reactions to his plan to ride south and camp short of the bandits' lair for a dawn attack.
"Arkady, I think the plan to ride to a location short of the camp and attack at dawn is sound. Kheldor and I will need to night to prepare a full set of spells and those appropriate for our plan."
Kheldor stands directly in front of the mute and Anton. "Killing him means you kill me. We are a court, a magistrate, judge, or anything else. If your word is utterly without meaning and as empty of worth as a skeleton is of brains, that is not my problem. You will stop trying to order me around, or I will walk right now, and aid the bandits in slaying you. And I promise, if such happens, you will not win the day. I have lived in these lands, where might makes right. That is all they believe in. Stop throwing around the weight of your family, here, it matters not if your the White Witch herself, or the seventh son of the seventh son. If you can not enforce your will, without papers which burn, or laws which nobody cares about, you do not matter."
Kata slips in between all four men. The sight of the tiny half-elf is almost comical among the much larger men, but her eyes are filled with fire. "That is enough from all of you! By all accounts we have a bandit camp and a fort full of them to deal with. We need to go. Both Devlin and the mute are our responsibility. We spared them. If they break that trust, it is our responsibility to bring them to heel and their lives are forfeit. Right now, we need their help to find this camp and deal with the lookouts. Let's go."
Anton looks stunned at the slight wizard. "Your a lunatic, I think, I'm trying to save some of these men, including the mute. And if we kill prisoners without being a court of some sort we are murderers, which come to think of it is fine by me. Fine, you're in charge, point to those you want dead and I'll kill them, the others live. You can tell any innocent they harm after your sorry."Anton stalks over to the other side of the courtyard and waits sign to start the killing.
Arkady says, bluntly, "Say what you would have done with all of these, then. What would you do, instead of telling us not to do? And I would take it as a courtesy if you could be as plain and full-spoken as lies in you."
Marcus shakes his head at Kheldor. "We are here to take these lands, Kheldor, and part of that will be eliminating those who stand opposed to us, such as this Kressel and the Stag Lord. As such, we are the only bastion of civilisation in these lawless lands. I never suggested executing those who were repentant, only that judging how repentant someone truly is can be difficult when they repent at the point of a sword. We'll take the boy and the mute as guides on our travels which can help us judge their true character. However, we should execute and bury the others before we leave. To leave Oleg and Svetlana to bury hen would be the height of bad manners."
The Varisian seems thankful to have the chance to die with blade in hand, and even as Anton strikes him down the man's eyes seem to thank him. The other man is silent as he is led to the block, and when asked for last words he replies only, "If you ever meet a girl named Shayla... tell her that Brint loved her." Happs is less poetic, and he screams and fights as he is taken to the block, before finally his curses and screams are silenced by the blade.
Oleg takes the two heads and places them on sharpened sticks above the gate. "As a warning." He says darkly as he finishes his grisly work.
The mute indicates his inability to write and shrugs. Devlin, returning with the horses for travel, mentions "We called him Silas at the camp. It was a joke, we used to call him Silence, but Happs thought that weren't a proper name. Nobody knew his real name." Devlin has the horses saddled and ready to ride. To Arkady's trained eye the horses look well tended, though the boy did make some mistakes.
Before you leave the fort Oleg stops Devlin for a moment. "Boy. A couple times back when they was here that woman took something from my wife and gave it to one of your bandits. I hoped it would be here but they didn't find it on their search." Oleg looks momentarily down, and lowers his already quiet voice. "That man still have it?"
Devlin looks at Oleg with sad eyes. "I'm afraid not, Sir. Bryce had it in the loot and it got taken when mites stole some of our supplies."
Oleg looks destitute at this news. Then asks the group to gather. "That woman... took my Svetlana's wedding ring. It's not worth much, but it was all I could afford at the time, and it means something to me. I'll have a good reward if you find it out there."
The ride to the bandit camp is easy and simple, with the night clearing significantly as you approach the ford. You stop a few miles away to set up camp, and the wind seems to have stopped, leaving wisps of mist weaving between the trees of the forest you've just entered. Somewhere ahead you can hear the Thorn River tearing down its bank, but here the night seems calm and peaceful.
Kata listens to the conversation between Devlin and Oleg. When Oleg makes his plea, she responds, "Oleg, that's awful. Her wedding ring? We'll find it for you. After the hospitality shown by you and Svetlana, its the least we could do in return."
When we camp for the night, Kata asks, "Anton, our last battle did not go to your liking. We undoubtedly face a larger force this time. I'm sure we will face hand to hand combat. The lookouts will be isolated. What if Kheldor and I take them out so we can even the odds before meeting the main force?"
Anton does the executions as needed. After the burials, he says a few words. Over the grave of the Varisian he says, "Pharasma, Goddess of the Path of the Dead, guide this brave and loyal soul to Gorum that he may fight on the Eternal Battlefield. Gorum take him as one of your own. Brint, who went to judgement without compliant, may he receive justice deserved, whatever it may be. For Happs, he died as he lived, a bully, a coward, and a fool. May he dwell forever in some hell."
To the others he says, "I have no horse of my own, I'll need one of the bandits ones, if it can bear my bulk. And I was the despair of my riding instructors."
Talking to Kata, "Battle without risk is no battle at all but, contrary to common belief, followers of Gorum aren't always insane. There will be many targets and I suspect that this Krissie? woman rules by terror of her fighting prowess, so she will be their best. Of all there, she is the one to fight. So yes, take out the guards and lookouts, no point in being worn down before a glorious clash. Anton smiles at the thought. Addressing everyone. "Hmmm, I require rest and services to recover the favor of Gorum, but services in his name are not quiet. How far will we camp from them or do we attack in the evening or night or dawn? Any may work for and against us, what are your thoughts."
Addressing everyone. "Hmmm, I require rest and services to recover the favor of Gorum, but services in his name are not quiet. How far will we camp from them or do we attack in the evening or night or dawn? Any may work for and against us, what are your thoughts."
"If I had my choice, I would prefer to attack when it is less light out. It does not need to be middle of the night however. We should try to find the lookouts first, anybody wanna help me with that?"
"I would prefer right before dawn. I can see in low-light and it will give me the opportunity to prepare new spells. I do not know if we are far enough for hour services Anton."
"What else can one expect of bandits? Stealing treasures and then losing them!" Arkady seems rather disgusted with the bandits. "If we find your wife's ring, Oleg, be assured we will return it to you." He makes sure he has an exact description from either Oleg or Svetlana.
As they saddle the horses and load packs, he turns to Anton and says, "I am thinking we attack at dawn, for the reasons I stated earlier, and because all our spellcasters could use the time to recover. While Anton can see in the dark, none of the rest of us can, and night battles are very confusing unless we have the moon with us." He corrects Devlin's errors in saddling the horses, explaining briefly how to do it right before returning to the combat discussion, and helping anyone who needs practice getting into the saddle and positioning themselves for long-distance riding.
As the party swings into the saddle and rides out the gate under the still-dripping heads, he turns to his cousin and says, "Taking out the lookouts first would be wise. Surprise would make the attack on the main camp much esier. Kata, if you or Kheldor or anyone else can approach them quietly and take them out quietly, do that. Any other volunteers?" Arkady will loan one of the volunteers his horn so they can blow it if they are detected and need help.
"I think we should camp far enough from the bandits that Anton's prayers will not rouse them. Our scouts would take the lookouts under cover of night, then return to us; we move back as quietly as we can and attack in the half-light before the dawn. Anton, can you do what you must in that span of time? What of you other spellcasters?"
"I plan to be mounted for the attack if there is enough room in the woods; those of you without training should be afoot since horses are hard to control in combat. Perhaps the bandits will think me the best target and ignore the rest of you till we are among them. If we are lucky we will catch them in their tents or bedrolls; if we are less lucky, some of them will be awake preparing breakfast. Devlin, tell us everything you know about the camp routine. We have hours of riding ahead of us. We have the layout. Start with whether there is enough open space among the brush for a horseman to move or charge."
Once the discussion on the attack is over, Arkady asks Devlin to ride beside him for a while and asks him to tell how he came to be here among these bandits. Meanwhile he critiques the boy's seat, explains the basics of combat horsemanship, and how to hold and use a lance.
During a rest period, he asks Devlin to tell him about the mites, where they live, and what the bandits know about them. Perhaps we can swing back through that area after dealing with the bandits.
"No need for the horn for me Arkady. I have a whistle. If you hear it, I'll need help. I think it would be helpful if I take Devlin or Silas to help point out the lookout."
"I also have another spell that lets me whisper messages back and forth with another person a little over 100 feet. Rather than have the rest of you far away, I think we need to have you close. I can let one of you when I have been successful with the lookout."
Gingerly, Anton takes the sturdiest looking horse of the bandits. The horse seems very nervous at the vast size of the half-orc and lets out a protesting bray as his bulk settles in. Feebly trying to reassure his mount, Anton inexpertly tries to follow the others.
On the way his sniffs the scents of Devlin and Silas, and all the horses for future reference.
Listening gravely to the battle-plans, Anton replies, "I agree with Kata, we cannot be sure that taking out the lookouts would go perfectly; while I have confidence in our stealthy comrades, all plans fall apart when battle is joined. If possible, we should circle downwind of their camp, giving away nothing, and maybe learning more of their numbers and locations. And indeed I'll attack afoot, unless you expect them to die of laughter." Anton says the last with a grin.
Kata doesn't think that Anton would be likely to be heard, especially if the bandits are closer to the roaring river.
Devlin sits fairly easily on a horse, but not incredibly so. He listens intently as Arkady attempts to teach him better knightship, then answers. "Mites are ugly little bluish creatures. They're hard to hurt, normal weapons just slide right off their skin. They don't bother us much. I think they're pretty far away, but they usually hit from the east of the camp."
"Good suggestions, both., Arkady says, pleased. riding out on a clear afternoon is always a pleasure, and riding fast a greater, though he holds the pace down in consideration of the long miles yet to go. "Circling the camp, particularly on horseback, will depend on the lay of the land, but downwind is good, especially if they have dogs, and so is Kata's talking spell. Can you arrange several of those links, cousin, to talk to each of us? And I think we will trust Devlin as a guide here -- perhaps you and he approach one lookout, while Silas and Kheldor try the other? I will lend Kheldor my horn, if he desires it". He glances quietly at his cousin, worry in his eye. Unspoken, the words float between them, We must learn if we can trust them...
He looks over at Anton, the corners of his lips turning up. "And does Gorum count laughter as a weapon? My mother often said a good joke was deadlier than a lance thrust, on the right battlefield."
"Aye. I've met mites before in the Gronzi Forest. Pretty common anywhere the barriers between our world and the First World are thin. Nasty little fey. Ugly as all get out. We'll need cold iron to hit them properly, though normal weapons will still do some damage. They also have the nasty ability to cause bad luck for their enemies. Shouldn't be surprising that we'd run into them here. These forests are old too."
"As I gain more experience, I should be able to link more than one of us, but right now I can only connect with one other. I could cast more, but I have a couple of other spells that might be helpful in this battle. Why don't I link with you or Anton. I'm hoping Kheldor might be able to do the same."
She catches, the look from Arkady, nodding her head. Not to worry cousin, I have a few tricks up my sleeve if I need them. "All right Devlin, you ready to do this in the morning?"
When they camp, with the stars coming out overhead, Arkady says "Better to light no fires. Cold food and a cold camp, I fear, but fires are visible far across these empty lands, and the smell of smoke carries. Best not to light beacons for bandit eyes. Also, we will need to set a watch. I will take the first watch. Anton, will you take the second and Marcus the third? Wake the spellcasters in time for them to prepare before sneaking out. Everyone else, sleep well."
"Thank you for the good night of sleep Arkady. It will make the hard tack taste much better," says Kata with a smile. Blackthorn nibbles at a piece of dried meat as conversation continues until it is time to rest.
"If Marcus is willing, I'd like him to come with me. I can make both of us utterly unseen, for short period of time, but it will be long enough to help deal with the lookout."
To Arkady as we ride. "Ha! Any weapon that harms is good for Gorum but he prefers the physical. But I agree with your mother, on some battlefields laughter is best. Gorum's laughter is grim, that which happens after you know you live, surviving a battle or the triumph over enemies."
"We can ask your man if there are any dogs, they tend to be smelly, so if I'm downwind, I'll know they are there. I might tell the numbers in camp, if Gorum is generous."
As to watches, "I prefer the final watch, the hours before dawn when the night is most still, and surprise attacks most likely. Also, I'm a spellcaster too, an unbroken sleep is better."
Mites can create minor magical effects at will.
Mites can empathize with and control vermin, and are often surrounded by insects or rodents.
Mites hate bright light and cannot see well in it.
Arkady takes the first watch after supper, after making sure that camp is reasonably well set-up and everyone is sleeping. He keeps a particular eye on Devlin and Silas in case they try to slip away. At the end of his watch, assuming nothing happens, he wakes Marcus (assuming Marcus takes second watch), and slips into his bedroll.
The night passes without incident, though in the morning when asked, Devlin and Silas both seem to have reservations about helping against the bandits. "Sir... they may not be good men. Hell, I'd help you slit Kressel's damn throat myself, but they kept me alive when I couldn't do it myself." Is Devlin's answer, and the mute seems to agree.
The morning is windy, but fairly warm for this part of the year, dispelling the ominous fog of the night and showing the bright forest. It's quite an enjoyable change to the morning and aside from a few puddles the mud even begins to clear.
There is another change with the morning, and whoever goes to see to the horses finds that they have turned into bright, pastel colors. The horses seem shocked themselves, the red one nuzzling a confused looking blue one, and when you go to calm them down you can tell this trick was not caused by mere paint, but seems to have actually changed the color of the horses coats.
Anton pays little attention to any unhappiness on the part of the horse due to his unfortunately poor relationship with them. As dawn sweeps in though the obvious difference in the horse color leaps to his attention.
Um, Arkady, I don't think horses change color like that, something weird is going on.
He looks and sniffs around, looking like a confused bloodhound.
"No, they shouldn't! What happened?!". Arkady is clearly upset and alarmed. To Devlin and Silas he says, "We do not ask you to fight against these folk you just shared bread with. We may ask later against other bandits, but if you are to be with us, you must guide us to Kressle's camp. Only guide us there: we do not ask you to lift weapons. It will be enough for now.". Arkady glances into their eyes, trying to convince each of them, offering the benefit of belonging and following.
Marcus rouses from his sleep and looks at the horses in bemusement. "It appears that our horses are chameleon cross-breeds." Despite the oddness, Marcus prepares himself as best as he can following a night under the stars.
"Kheldor and I shall incapacitate one of their watchmen while Kata does the same for the other. We'll then mop up the rest of the bandits while Anton takes out Kressle," Marcus stretches and loads a bolt into his crossbow.
"Some dark enchantment," Arkady whispered. "Or some forest spirit playing a trick on us." He examines the horses quickly, and his own horse Gildas in particular, to see if anything but the color has changed. Are the beasts still healthy and hearty, or is something more subtle going on. "Kata, Kheldor, what is this enchantment? Can you tell us anything of who might have wrought it? For what end, besides the obvious? Will the beasts stay this way, or may the spell be broken somehow, or pass off in time?"
"I think we must press on. We will never have so favorable a chance to take the bandit camp again. I mislike this thing, but I doubt the worker of it intended harm, else they would have hamstrung the horses, or struck us sleeping."
Perception See or smell anything?
Anton after looking and sniffing around and likely finding nothing turns to the others and says,
" Whatever this mystery is, it must wait, the remaining choice is do I perform full services and regain the favor of Gorum I used yesterday or just brief prayers and attack? Gorum will understand the need to press forward to battle. Either after services or prayers we will need to attack before they grow suspicious."
"Can you perform your full services now, before dawn?" Arkady asks, his face a half-shadow in the night. "If so, do so. To strike before the sunrise would be best. If not, then I think we had best press on."
Arkady steps away from Anton and looks to see how Devlin and Silas are doing.
Anton catches two distinct scents. One of them is an oddly clean, sterile smell, while the other is clearly reptillian. The scent trails circle your camp several times before rising into the air... to follow them now the cleric would have to grow wings.
The horses seem healthy and hale, other than the odd coloring there seems to be no change.
Devlin and Silas both nod at your terms, and seem ready to guide the group to the campsite when ready.
Kata giggles as she catches sight of the horses. She considers what spell this might be and what may have caused it given Anton's clues.
Kata guesses that this is a longer term version of a common cantrip used for light trickery. She has no idea what could have done it however.
Kheldor glances over at the horses, curious, but not overly worried. He had played similar pranks back in 'school'
"Seems like it was caused by a lesser type of fey, who are known for their generally harmless pranks. While we will likely be targeted more often now, we can each attempt to appease them via gifts or small trinkets."