Liandoli goes with Doran to help track.
Reiko stays with the prisoners, waiting for his companions to return. When the farmer returns, Reiko calls out to him.
Sir Gotson, are you sure you wish to return there? If you need time, or someone to help, I will do whatever you need me to.
Thank you, son. I gotta get my boy's bodies...and my wife's...ready for burial...he breaks into tears, sobbing.
It's just something I gotta do. I appreciate yer help...but they just can't be left like this.
With that, Farmer Gotson lovingly lifts his wife's body...and carries her to a sheet he's spread out...he lays her gently on the sheet...kisses her forehead, and starts wrapping the body.
He looks up for a moment...I thank ya for yer help with my revenge.
There is no need to thank me. I know all too well the loss of family. As I said, if you need help, I will do anything I can. Starting with finding out exactly what these men were doing.
Reiko kicks one in the side of the head, hard.
Antonio stares after his companions, but it was his idea to take the prisoners alive. He will drag the prisoners back to the sheriff's station.
As Antonio starts to drag prisoners, Farmer Gotson steps out of the house...Use the wagon. I've got a little donkey cart, but it's big enough for my kin...the farmer has to stop for a moment...he points toward the barn...the wagon can haul 'em all...just throw the live ones in with the dead. Don't deserve no better.
Antonio nods his appreciation and does as the farmer asks.
Not long after he rests his sons in the cart next to his wife, Farmer Gotson comes out to those still around. I've done cleaned the house as good as I can. I can't sleep in there...I'll sleep on the back porch. Feel free to sleep anywhere you might be comfortable...oh...and eat all the stew and bread. No sense in it goin' bad. I got no stomach for it, myself. We can take the cart and wagon into town in the morning.
With that, he heads to the back porch to unroll a bedroll, and sit.
Liandoli gives a comforting pat on Farmer Gotson's shoulder, but knows not what words would help him.
Seeing Reiko's wounds, Liandoli uses her magic to heal him.
Oh, my most sincere thanks my lady. That feels wonderful.
He looks back at the house, and Farmer Gotson, and then at Liandoli.
I wish I could ease his pain, but I know there is nothing I can do. I was in his very place before.
His eyes focus on a far away point as he relives his past, and then he sighs heavily.
I need to find out what is going here, and stop it.
Aya also goes with Doran.
|
Unless someone has something urgent to do, the night passes without further disasters, or any other big events. Those who wish have the house available...or the barn, for that matter. You don't have to sleep, but if you don't, you'll have to deal with the effects of not getting any...something I'm ridiculously familiar with. :p
Elves, of course, don't *actually* sleep. but they need rest.
Assuming nobody has big plans at this point, Farmer Gotson is busy loading up at the crack of dawn.
Reiko will rest outside, and in the morning, he will perform his katas and prepare his spells for the new day.
|
|
Doran being utterly Frustrated with the whole situation turns and heads back to the farmhouse he will volunteer to take first watch. Doran will wait until he has an opportunity to be alone with farmer gotson and will begin to speak. Sir I am sorry but the trail turned cold once it turned onto the road. I will do all in my power to find that wretched bastard. I cant offer you comfort but i will do my damnest to exact vengence for you and your family
Damn clever, for a madman. Cauis spits on the road. Guess we better head back to the farmhouse.
Aya will take first watch with Doran.
Once the wagon and cart are loaded, the farmer hitches his mules up and invites you all to ride back...I'll drive one...someone else will have ta take t'other.
Reiko gathers his pack and starts to walk alongside the pack mule.
I have no skill driving animals or carts, but I shall accompany you back to the town, good farmer.
We should probably get cleaned up before entering town. Or, barring that, go in one of the side alleys. Cauis suggests.
Well, this would certainly make for a dramatic entrance... Is there anywhere we can clean up? No sense in throwing the festival attendees into a blind panic first thing in the morning.
Well...we can detour to the lake...
That may be a good idea. This blood on all of us does give away the circumstances we found. We may want to keep it a secret for now.
|
|
The cart veers off the road onto a path toward the lake when you're nearing that village... the farmer stops at the edge.
|
|
Doran grunts in acceptance of the lake as he struggles to keep the animals on the road. He will wash up making sure to clean the blood off himself and the cloak as well as possible. Once he is satisfied with the way he looks in the lake he speaks up to Cauis. [b] So i recommend we wait outside of the town with these scumbags and you get the sheriff. There's no need to start a ruckus with the festival going on and all.
By the gods! Did anyone else see something strange when you looked in the lake? I saw an old lady, with eyes of madness! Is this connected to the stone?
As he cleans his clothing, Antonio looks up at Reiko's outburst.
"What?" He looks around and in the lake itself.
He looks at Reiko and shakes his head.
"I did not see anything like that. Are you sure?"
Aya also cleans up at the lake shore Sorry, I didn't see anything unusual either.
No, I'm certain it was there.
Reiko takes note of Doran's expression.
Well, no need to make enemies. Perhaps I'll keep anything else like this to myself...
|
|
|
|
It's a beautiful, warm, serene day...but nobody in your little group feels the serenity.
As the wagons approach the tiny village, the buzz of voices remind you of the normalcy that hundreds of others feel...that seems so alien, now. Merchants are hawking their wares...haggling...a singer's song wafts through...people discussing the weather and boasting, children laughing and playing. From the bridge, you even see it all.
Not long ago, it was such a cheerful sight.
Aya looks around with a seriously concerned expression on her face I just thought I saw an old woman. She looked like a faded drawing. Her hair was long and unkempt. Her dress was threadbare and seem in motion. She was only there for a moment and then she was gone. Something is happening to us. I know hot what.
Reiko lets out a relieved sigh.
So I'm not going mad, at least. What do these visions mean, though? Who is she?
Nothing says your not both going mad. Cauis notes grimly. No telling what seeing such carnage will have. Still, I wonder if this old woman had something to do with the calling stone. The two of you did spend awhile trying to decipher its meaning.
|
|
As your little caravan rolls slowly into the village, at first, people wave and call out greetings...then they note the sombre mood...and get quieter... some watch, their attention drawn from previous activities... then the whispering starts. You can imagine what they're saying, even if you can't hear it...
Liandoli holds her silence as they walk, eying the villages.
Aya tries to put on a happy face but fails miserably.
Antonio smiles and waived back at the crowd.
"Everything is in order! No need to panic!"
Reiko does his best to look like he's not walking next to a cart filled with the mutilated bodies of an innocent family. He seems to failing miserably, as his face is a mix of contemplation, sadness, and disgust.
By the time you're alongside of the Giant's Mug, Sheriff Perton has been notified, and he comes out with a serious look on his face.
This don't look good.
Reiko looks around at the festival goers and makes sure no one is listening before he says
Its much, much, worse. We need to go somewhere private.