Brom carefully removes his pack, and advances a few paces towards Fenn and the Wolf with the eight inch spearpoint of his lucerne hammer held low at the ready.
Fenn! He says softly What in the Abyss are you doing?
Fenn grins at the Wolf's response.. but knows better than to approach a wounded wild wolf. So Fenn will pull another piece of meat and set it down were he is then back away.
Watching the wolf closely he will comment to the party, "..he..should not be a problem... my first aid skills are not the best... specially for a wounded wild animal. He'll likely be followin' us... if ah keep giving scraps along the way. He may eventually let meh approach him.. but ah don't want Mrs. Legaian to try to waste a healing cure on a wild animal.. unless he's more friendly-like. For naow .. he won't be hostile. Jus' let meh deal with him if'n he shows again. Let's move on.. no sudden movements though..."
When Fenn backs away, the wolf slinks forward, warily keeping an eye on the party and takes the food. After eating, it slinks off into the underbrush.
Fenn smiles at Brom as the wolf slinks away into the woods again, "Ain't nothin' ta worry over Brom.. its jus' a hungry wolf.. he must have been powerful hungry and desperate ta approach us. Wolves.. unlike what mos' people think don't attack groups of people.. they are scavengers. Easy prey is what they go for.. and certainly a lone wolf would not attack unless he was really hungry and desperate... mos' likely cause he's not able with that wounded leg o' his, ta catch his regular share o' game. Don' worry about him.. I'll shoot a rabbit or two oalong tha' way and leave it fur him.. he won't attack. But right now.. he has ta learn ta trust us before we can trust him. I'll take care o' it. Wolves ain't malicious.. they jus' survivors survivin' tha' only ways they know how."
"Let's keep going.. jus' keep yur eyes open ..! There are other kinda o' predators tha' can be more ornery. Its moving into winter soon... scavagin' will be harder."
The rest of the day passes without incident and it is once again starting to get dark.
Skully watches the exchange with the wolf warily, her hand on her rapier.. When its all over.. "Wow Fenn! That was amazing, you like talk to animals huh? That's crazy.. I wanna learn!"
Fenn blushes rubbing his unkempt hair with a hand nervously, "Gosh Miss Skully it ain't nothing like that... well at least ways not yet. Its not speech .. its emotion really. Ya-sees animals have a real keen sense for the emotions o' others! Their prey instinctively fears them and they can smell it... sort of, its what they expect. Well, the trick is not just being brave but truly feeling 'No Fear'... not jus' not being afraid but not thinking in fear.. its.. more of a emotional respect and acknowledgement of the 'wildness' in the animal your trying ta commune with and accepting it. Understanding ya might get bit.. and not being scart o' that neither. When they don' smell fear on you.. it tells them yur not prey. You first mus' calm your heart... and live in the moment. Eventually.. nature speaks to you.. and not only tha'... it obeys yur commands... or so Ah've heard. The divinity o' nature itself will respond to yur will... but you must understand nature and respect it above all things!"
Fenn chuckles at her obvious confusion...
"Heh.. must sound kinda loco huh..? Its hard to explain.. but Ah can teach ya... if'n ya really want ta know? Part o' communing on a basic level with the animals o' the wild is to not fear tha' wild.. or the wilderness. I feel safer outdoors under tha' stars than in any o' man-made tavern or inn. Ah know tha' outdoors and Ah know there is nothing malicious out here.. not just knowning it.. but believe it as well. Nature takes care o' its own... so you mus' become one o' nature's own.. an understand tha nature o' the circle o' life. It might seem cruel... but its fair. When you understand that... ya loose yur fear o' it cause with yur understanding you can face it on its terms .. but you got an advantage.. you can reason.. you can master it... by becomin' a part o' it all! You already are in some sense...!"
He smiles, "But the key is knowing the working o' tha' wild. We'll start tomorrow.. Ah'll teach what Ah know o' wood craft an survival... with knowledge comes understanding and with understanding comes no fear .. its no longer unknown or mysterious. Ya know what is what, an more importantly WHY! You can use tha' learning to protect and sustain yourself and others! No Fear!"
Fenn tousles her Skully's hair affectionately and sets out on point again...
During the rest of the days travel ...true to his word Fenn lets fly a couple of shoots at small game ...rabbits, squirrels...
...to down some game for their wolf pursuer... should he be spotted following. He will make every effort to recover his arrows.
Fenn grouses having lost one of his arrows and as they travel forages for materials to replace his lost arrow.
But Fenns second shot scored a solid killing strike on a Hare. Fenn leaves it just off the road for the wolf to find. Fenn spits on the Hare's corpse to leave his scent clear on the kill to let the wolf know it was Fenn that left it.
When the evening comes again Fenn finds a concealed and sheltered Campsite from the elements... of the deepening fall chill.. slowly turning winter. This time there is no hill but a small copse of trees with a overgrown hedge along one side that serves as a very effective wind break and concealment for the fire pit.
Again Fenn sets off after the campsite is occupied and being set up by the party to hunt for the evening meal...
As usual Fenn will also scout around the area of the campsite in a 500 yard radius to identify any potential threat or concerns in the wilds.
Unfortunately, the forage for this evening is a little scarce... so Fenn breaks out rations for himself eating nothing himself from his hunting... which he only found a few small tubers which he heats in the fire, some almost-bitter beets, and a single small squirrel which he cooks over the fire. Fenn will keep a watchful eye out for the wolf.. and leave a small portion of the cooked squirrel for him off to the side of the camp but closer then the last meeting with the wolf.
Fenn takes second watch.. and spend half of first watch in practice and repetitive drill with Quolamin working on his pronunciation and speach. Ending the watch in mediation.
Before turning in he sets to crafting a new arrow to replace his lost one. A relatively straight wooden shaft cut from a spruce tree, a flint arrowhead he scuplted with his dagger from a suitable stone found in a creek, and some feathers he found up a tree in an abandoned starling nest for the fletching... he is unhurried and takes his time to make sure the arrow will fly true and is sound to hit and not shatter.
When the sun finally dips behind the trees, the temperature drops quickly and each of you are forced to sleep closer to the fire. During the first watch, there is the occasional snap of a limb or glimpse of something just outside the fires light, but nothing comes of it, other than making the person on watch a little jumpy.
During Fenn's watch, he hears something, deliberately, approaching the camp. Standing, he begins to reach for his bow. But, he relaxes when he sees that it is the same wolf making his way to the food he had left. After eating, the wolf makes his way to the outer edge of the fires light (and warmth). Watching the group for several minutes, it lies down and drifts to sleep.
A little while before Fenn's watch is up, the wolf stands and stretches before he lops off into the forest.
Fenn will note the wolf's arrival but will not approach him, accepting what level of trust the lonewolf... who will call "Shadow", is willing to offer with patience.
When the others awake in the early morning, Legainn's tucked away her book and is looking over her gear spread out on a blanket. She glances briefly up at Fenn when he starts to move around the camp. "Still encouraging that loner to hang around, I reckon?" she asks, retying her javelins together. "I won't tell you you're doing wrong, but no good comes of taking in the wild, by what I know. Many more times at home I've seen a child try to play with beasts and come away wounded. They are deep marks, that rarely heal well. Nature is proficient at death. I'm sure you know." She stands, slinging the bundle around her belt where they are easily drawn, then kneels again to pick up the sheath of her claymore.
Fenn smiles at Lagainn and stoops to pick up her claymore and heft it into position across her back for her to buckle the sheath strap across her chest {absently contouring the shapely view of her womanly figure nicely it occurs to her}. Lightly touching her shoulder he whispers to her ear from behind,
...his words are simple.. but the stress tense the softness of his tone, the innuendo in his tenor, the warmth of his closeness at her back... and the light brush of his breath on the back of her neck. There is no doubt, Fenn just made a pass at her!
But when she turns he's already walking away a silly mischievous grin on his handsome features... his freckles frosting his nose and cheeks catching in the morning glare.
"Let's get moving everyone... gonna try to make us some more time for our limited pace yesterday. Brom will you carry Skully?"
I will only carry Skully if she wants to be carried. We are not making such bad time that we need to make a forced march. Brom replies to Fenns request.
If Brom notices the wolf following the group he shakes his head Feeding that beast was a bad idea. Farmers don't care for wolves if we get seen with that animal we are going to get blamed for every missing sheep and chicken in the county. If it is hurt we should kill it. The Pelt is worth some coin and would make a handsome cloak besides.
Fenn hakes his head in mirth, "I swear Brom you are still on about a single wolf? Our 'Shadow' ain't gonna be commin' into any town cause he's jus' as afraid o' humans as they are of him! An there is no town nor' farms around here out in the middle o' the wild. This is not a farming area if'n it were the towns would only be a day a part on foot... instead of three ta four days apart. I come from a farming community.. trust me farmers don't want to take three days or 4 days ta get their wares to market! Too long ta be away from tha' farm... chores ta be don' and all. 'Shadow' ain't harming anyone as a long as I feed him... he won't be foraging anything other than wild life... certainly nothing tha' smells o' humans! Too risky when food is easy ta get an I'll make sure getting food is easy fur him get! Wolves are scavengers. They do not come anywhere near human communities unless they are very hungry or desperate. Ah'll look after him."
I still think it would make a nice cloak.
Brom checks the map Fenn made trying to figure out about how much further they have to go before they get near the manor.
Fenn chuckles, but move out.
"Skully you try ta keep up with me.. and I'll tell ya a few things about being a woodsman... naow you tell me if yur legs start getting tired! I'll go slower.. or carry you if ya want."
With that Fenn sets off on point again... occasionally pausing ta talk with Skully.. true to his word telling her the ins and outs of tracking, plant and animal identification.. especially finding food from unlikely sources.
Fenn is also being mindful to look for tracks from travelers and especially looking for spot where potential bandit lookouts might be watching the road for Travelers. Fenn keeps an eye out for ambush spots and steers the party off-road occasionally to avoid locations where they are exposed or in threat of ambush.
The next day passes as the last. The morning chill, however, drags out longer into the day. You travel and talk, passing no one on the road. The wolf follows at a distant and at night, he again sleeps by the fire while Fenn is on watch. And, again, he wakes at the end of the watch and disappears into the night. It is half way through the night when you first hear it.
At first you think it's just the wind, but then you can make out. . .moaning.
Fenn takes note of the lingering cold pondering soon... cold weather clothing will be needed.
At the sound of the eerie low moan... Fenn's mind runs through a myriad of naturally occurring things that could cause such a sound with the wind blowing. Whatever it is ... it should be investigated.
Fenn holds up a hand calling for the party to stop.
His voice is soft but insistent, "Everyone wait here.. Skully your with meh we'll sweep the area stay within sight of me... 30'ft no more.. let's go!"
Fenn removes his buckler and attaches it to his belt so it does not rattle on his arm.. and give away his position. Fenn heads into the underbrush sweeping his way toward the sound... Silently he draws his Curve Blade... ready to fight if need be...
Having been roused, Legainn quickly gathers her equipment and dons her armor, then checks the others for their own preparedness. "Snuff the fire and make ready. I'll bring light up for us if it's necessary." Finally, she stands still with claymore drawn in the middle of the camp, waiting for her night vision to come back as she watches the area for movement of either friend or foe.
Quolamin, over here. Brom calls softly as he moves to stand at Legainn's back. He settles his bastard sword across his back. He settles into a defensive stance with the spike on his Lucerne hammer advanced.
Do you think it could really be ghosts? he asks softly.
Well wizard, Brom says as he tries to see in the dark. do you have any good spells in that book? Fireballs maybe, lightning bolts, or maybe turning people to stone?
You notice that the moaning gets louder and stronger as the wind picks up and that it seems to be coming from deeper in the bush. It doesn't take Fenn long to find the source of the wailing. Up in several trees are hollow reeds, of varying sizes, hanging from pieces of twine. As the wind blows, it flows through holes cut out in the reeds, creating the ghostly sounds.
Fenn smirks on finding the wind chimes muttering, "..heh. Jus' as I figured!"
Drawing close to Skully Fenn whispers, "Ah'm gonna leave tha' chimes be... the bandits or whoever has ears too.. if the chimes stop they know somethin's messed with them! You sneak back and inform everyone o' the nature of the moaning.. its an ole bandit trick. Don' let them mess with ta' chime either! I'm gonna try an track em' back to their hideout. You lead everyone to here. I'm not gonna be long if'n I don't find a trail in 5 minute or so.. I'll come back.. go!"
With that Fenn sneaks off into the forest quietly seeking tracks and clues to follow to the ones who put the chimes up in the first place.. whoever they are...
Skully follows Fen..
And then returns to bring the group to the chimes to wait..
Fenn moves into the bush as Skully makes her way back to the camp. It doesn't take Fenn long to find the path taken by, in all likely-hood, whoever hung the reeds. After a few minutes it becomes apparent that the path is taking him around to the parties camp.
Noting the path leading away.. likely to the chime-hanger's camp.. Fenn looks about getting his bearings and noting some specific land marks so he may find the path again.
Then Fenn returns to the place he left Skully and waits for her to return with the party... his non-human vision making even the dim light of the stars almost as daylight.
Legainn will follow Skully into the night, near as she can, shushing the others. "Stay close."
Quolamin
Fenn
?
Legainn
Brom
Skully
Brom walks at the back of the group and tries to keep an eye on what is behind them.
The party stumbles around in the brush, making their way back to Fenn. More than once, Skully has to stop and retrace her steps to get back on the right path.
The two goblins running from the undergrowth are on you before you know it. They separate, one swings and misses Brom as the other lands a solid hit on Quolamin.
Fenn is waiting wondering whats taking so long for Skully to lead the others back...
Fenn puts his back to a tree and retrieves his buckler from his belt securing it to his right fist.. clutching his elven curve blade close to his body listening for sounds of the party's approach as he he waits in the shadows.
Fenn hears a twig snap out before him. He looks up just as the goblin releases it's arrow. With speed, and more than a little luck, the ranger brings his shield up, deflecting the arrow.
On her turn Skully will move to flank with Q..
That prob doesnt beat its CMD so you'll get an AoO..
Fenn realizes the threat now rolling his eyes, "Goblins.. gah... no reasoning with them I suppose.. Little pests, can't live and let live.. gotta burn everything or just be plain mean!"
With a sigh of some regret... not too much but some {as Fenn doesn't like bullies.. and attacking a single foe smaller than him seems 'not-sporting'}, but somewhat familiar with goblins... he knows 'when you see one.. there's likely 5 more hiding in wait somewhere...'}, Fenn moves to engage the little pest... mindful he is not likely alone!
Fenn puts his back to the nearest tree and takes a slash at the Goblin with his elven curve blade firmly saying, "Go Away!"
Gah! Brom yells as the goblins appear out of the darkness. One of the the little creatures nearly takes a chunk out of his leg with it's notched shortsword. It's excited wild swinging is the only thing that prevented it from injuring Brom.
Brom drops his lucerne hammer. The eight foot pole arm is useless at close quarters. He draws his bastard sword and chops at the shieking green beast that is attacking him, but the nimble little beast dodges out of the way of the decending blade.
miss