Omast notices Alicia. "Well," he grins, "what is it, little lady? Looks like just a slip of a thing, doesn't she, lads? But she helped hold the Inner Gate against waves of orcs!" he admonishes the soldiers. "Get up and give her a chair; she's more than earned a place at the table."
Alicia nods to Omast. "Thanks. Got a question for you. What do you know about hill giants in the Mindspin mountains?"
"What don't I know about hill giants in the Mindspins?" he boasts. "Except maybe where to find tham at any given time. It's not like they put down roots, build homes, plant crops, bury their dead like civilized people. They'll camp out at one rocky outcrop or another until they've fouled it enough with their stench that even they can't stand it and move on to someplace else. In the Mindspins, you'd most likely be talking about the Heart Eaters."
"No historical caves or forts or something these Heart Eaters lived in?" Alicia asks. "Maybe one named Uskroth?"
"Uskroth?" The dwarf's eyes flare with interest. "You're a few hundred years too late to find the so-called Hero Chieftain of the Twisted Hearts."
Alicia laughs harshly. "Pretty sure we found him below Trunau. He have any old hangouts? Or maybe the Twisted Hearts have one in the Mindspins you know of?"
Omast is momentarily speechless, an unusual occurrence. "Uskroth's Tomb? It actually exists? In Bloodmarch Hill? Was Aggrimosh there? The Hammer of Unmaking? Supposed to be the hammer of Minderhal himself, right old bastard that he may be?"
Alicia nods. "Probably. Big hammer? Found something like it, anyway."
Omast shakes his head slowly, still in disbelief. "Under Trunau? No, no idea where Uskroth may have holed up in the Mindspins before he had gathered his armies. The stories only picked up the tale of the Twisted Hearts when they came down from the mountains to drive back the crusaders. That was when the orcs breached the Sunwall, so I'd guess they started from the northern edge of the Mindspins, up past the source of the Esk. But that's just a supposition."
"Who's Minderhal?" Alicia asks.
"'Who's Minderhal?'" Omast repeats incredulously. "Don't they teach you anything at that daft crusader chapel? Minderhal's the smith god of the stone giants. The story goes that he used his hammer Aggrimosh to forge the first giant. Of course, when he saw what he'd ended up with, he chucked it over and tried again, like anyone would. Next attempt, he came up with the first stone giant, and here he loses me, because he thought that was a good day's work. So he granted life to the first stone giant, a colossal mistake if ever there was one, and then used Aggrimosh to smash the first attempt; and the stone giants say that all the other sorts of giants grew out of its shattered pieces."
"Really, if you think about it," he muses, "Aggrimosh should be the Hammer of Making and Unmaking, not just Unmaking. But stone giants aren't known for their deep thoughts."
"Likely enough, Uskroth was lying about the hammer being Minderhal's," he concedes. "How would a hill giant come across the hammer of a stone giant god? But it must have been something special."
Alicia grunts and nods. Turning toward the door, she calls over her shoulder, "Thanks."
With that, she heads back to rejoin the others.
"Thank you, Agrit. I'll try to be your eyes and ears in the field."
If Agrit doesn't have anything else, Mahath hoists the gear they examined, carrying it out with it resting against a thigh like he's bucking a bail of hay. He hefts it into Dorn's arms and says "There is much power and value there. We should talk about it with the others."
Dorn quits what he's doing as Mahath makes his way back out. The dwarf rises from his seat. "Sounds good. Let's get goin'. And it's about time too. I didn't think that old goat in there was EVER goin' ta shut up. Feels like it's nearly dark. REAVER!" the dwarf calls as they head out. His oversized bird friend catching up at his own leisurely pace.
The foursome (plus the roc) reunite at Sanctuary's door.
"Excellent, I was just coming to find you all." Marikel raises a hand in greeting.
He gushes, "Miss Varvatos has provided us with some maps of the Mindspins with old forts that were once used by the crusades. There are one or two near the river that would make an ideal place to start our search for Gorewillow and his accomplices. With this information, we should leave in the next day or two, before the trail gets too cold."
Marikel gives a sly smile. "How did your investigations go?"
"Mindspins seem like the place," Alicia says. "I think it's safe to say the giant corpse is Uskroth, and the hammer was his too. North end of the Mindspins, near the source of the Esk is probably where he came out of."
"The lad here has got some information he wants ta share. Somethin' about 'power' and 'value' and all that I believe. That is correct, isn't it, lad?" he asks Mahath, a bit unsure if he actually has that right.
Mahath stirs from his deep thoughts. ”Hmm. Oh, yes. Both items have great power to them.”
He touches the hammer. ”This will grow or shrink to match the bearer. It will allow the bearer to grow to the size of an ogre, though that will only work once between sunrises. And when a blow is well struck against a foe, it may cause them to shrink.”
”And this…” he says, now touching the armor ”This also changes size for its wearer. It too will cause you to grow, and imbue you with extra magical protections as well. Again, just once between sunrises.”
Marikel looks at the armour and nods once.
"I've not much experience with hammers. The sword is the holy weapon of Iomedae. But if no one objects, I could use some comfortable armour."
He spreads his arms.
"But again, I'd like to thank each of you for the sacrifices you've made. The town would not be standing without your efforts and many of the folk here realise that. I'm sure you'd find much welcome and gratitude if you stay. None of you need come with me on this mission, though I would very much welcome your companionship."
He glances to Alicia before continuing.
"Be warned, however, this will be dangerous. The lands beyond are infested with vicious orcs and brutal giants and our chances of returning are slim. But I have to try. Who knows what damage I've done so far. We've a destination and we've lost much time. I'd like to leave tomorrow, or the next day if that's too early for you to settle your affairs. Those who wish to stay, you have my gratitude and my admiration for the good you've done already. Thank you."
Marikel nods to the group, and heads into Sanctuary to prepare.
The party gathers at the reconstructed main gate. Horses have again been provided by the Patrol. This time, a small group of well-wishers and other onlookers have gathered at the gate to see the group off: Halgra Blackblade and Omast Frum, Agrit Staginsdar and Sara Morninghawk, Tyari Varvatos and Brantos Calderon with Ruby Wilder, some of Cham Larringfass's employees there to pick up any bits of information or scuttlebutt she might find worth spreading, even Baseil Sawyer standing to one side with a silky smile.
Marikel nods politely to Sara and Agrit before making his way towards Baseil Sawyer and firmly shaking his hand.
"Well done, Councillor," Marikel says loudly enough for those nearby to overhear. "Your discovery of this traitor may have saved countless lives. We'll be sure to bring Iomedae's justice to him."
He walks over to Halgra and Omast, shaking their hands in turn. "Your strength and leadership are a blessing to Trunau. I know the citizens will be safe with you both around."
Marikel looks around a little sadly, before leaning in towards Omast. "Please, look out for Banny for me. I haven't forgotten that I owe her my life."
Marikel bends on one knee before Ruby. "Miss Wilder. You behave yourself and don't end up like Miss Dawnblade here. There's nothing wrong with settling down to a peaceful life." He grins and gives Ruby a wink.
Marikel rises slowly and offers a hand to Brantos. To Ruby he says,"Brantos here will look after you."
He turns finally to Tyari and gently takes her hand. "Miss Varvatos. Tyari. I l..., I'll look after the others. And thank you. For everything." Marikel lets her hand go, sighs, and turns to the others.
"Let's go."
Marikel bends on one knee before Ruby. "Miss Wilder. You behave yourself and don't end up like Miss Dawnblade here. There's nothing wrong with settling down to a peaceful life." He grins and gives Ruby a wink.
Alicia hardly looks amused, offering a vocal harrumph along with a glare aimed squarely at Marikel. "You wouldn't know what to do without me, anyway," she snorts. The nearest hint of a smile creases the corners of her lips.
Mahath steps over to Agrit. Knowing she's not one for displays of affection, he just asks "If you get a moment, can you check on the farm?" The one question conveys his concerns about his family and about surviving the mission ahead, but he knows he doesn't have to tell Agrit all of that.
With that, he nods to Marikel. "We should go."
"Ready when you are, lad." Dorn looks over at his lazy bird friend and shakes his head. "C'mon, Reaver. Time ta go. No time for lazin' about." They both then head out with the others.
"Well done, Councillor," Marikel says loudly enough for those nearby to overhear. "Your discovery of this traitor may have saved countless lives. We'll be sure to bring Iomedae's justice to him."
A muscle in Sawyer's cheek twitches slightly, but he maintains his smile as he shakes the priest's hand.
He walks over to Halgra and Omast, shaking their hands in turn. "Your strength and leadership are a blessing to Trunau. I know the citizens will be safe with you both around."
"We've a great deal to thank you for as well, Padre," Halgra replies. "If there's ever anything we can do for you, we'd be pleased to lend you a hand; you'll always find a friend and neighbor in Trunau. And if you discover any further danger to the town, I trust you'll get us word."
Marikel bends on one knee before Ruby. "Miss Wilder. You behave yourself and don't end up like Miss Dawnblade here. There's nothing wrong with settling down to a peaceful life." He grins and gives Ruby a wink.
The girl blushes a little and averts her eyes, embarrassed by the attention, but she runs over to throw her arms around Alicia. "You're coming back, aren't you?" she asks anxiously.
He turns finally to Tyari and gently takes her hand. "Miss Varvatos. Tyari. I l..., I'll look after the others. And thank you. For everything."
"Thank you," she replies. "You've been the biggest part of our success in Trunau. If you don't find what you're looking for on the Kestrel, come back by on your way to the Esk. You'll be heading back into Lastwall then; you can carry some messages for us."
Mahath steps over to Agrit. Knowing she's not one for displays of affection, he just asks "If you get a moment, can you check on the farm?"
"Oh, aye, nothing but time on my hands to go tramping around the countryside," she answers roughly. "Not like I've an orc-damaged store to repair all on my own with you leaving." But Mahath feels certain his family won't lack for any help they may need.
Marikel bends on one knee before Ruby. "Miss Wilder. You behave yourself and don't end up like Miss Dawnblade here. There's nothing wrong with settling down to a peaceful life." He grins and gives Ruby a wink.The girl blushes a little and averts her eyes, embarrassed by the attention, but she runs over to throw her arms around Alicia. "You're coming back, aren't you?" she asks anxiously.
Alicia makes a show of scoffing again even as she embraces her friend in return. "Of course I am. Don't you worry--I'll be back before you know it."
As they wave and head off down the road, Marikel moves closer to Alicia.
"You are correct Miss Dawnblade, I would indeed be lost without you." Marikel smiles. "How else would I find so much trouble?"
He spurs his horse forward a few steps.
"Let's find this farm of kidnappers and see what they know of Mister Gorewillow," Marikel growls.
For a long time, Bloodmarch Hill is still visible behind them as the party rides north. At first, they are heading in the same general direction they did when meeting Gorewillow to make the hostage exchange, but the drake's nest was downriver from the farmhouse where Zola had been held so they turn their horses' heads northeast toward the Mindspins. On horseback, they ought to reach the farm well before dark ... if they can find it. Mahath keeps an eye out for any glitter of crystal in the rocks they pass.
"Little Miss Sawyer said the woman at the farmhouse was called Melira. It wasn't quite at the river and it wasn't a full days journey."
Marikel looks to the others.
"Does anyone have a better plan than heading to that area and asking the locals? I'm given to understand that farmers know every other resident within a mile of their farm."
Scratching the top of his head in thought, Dorn simply shrugs. "Ya got me, lad. I'm willin' ta bet that's probably our only option. Not sure what other option could exist ta be honest."
Alicia recognized the name as belonging to a human woman from Freedom Town who works as a guide to travelers.
Jess Meeson said Melira has recently specialized in bringing prospectors to Trunau -- probably the "prospectors" Skreed Gorewillow was employing to try to find Uskroth's Tomb.
"Door knocking it is, then. Mister Mahath, are you acquainted with any in this area who might be able to direct us, if not to Melira, then a local gossip."
Mahath looks around, trying to recall what he's heard about the folks in this area. Being the only one native to this area, he feels tremendous pressure to prove his worth to the team by giving guidance now.
Knowledge (local) Does he know where to find Melira, or someone who can point the way?
Alicia grunts. "I could always scout ahead as we get nearer."
Mahath knows the badlands to be sparsely populated. Farmsteads and huts are widely scattered and frequently abandoned due to harsh conditions and the constant danger of attacking orcs. Still, there was a Shoanti woman his family met at the Barterstones last harvest who was trying to make a go of a farm near the Kestrel; if the winter hasn't driven her back to her quah, she may be able to give them some direction.
"We'll follow the Kestrel while staying inland. There can't be many farms. And certainly Miss Alicia. You're scouting skills will be invaluable for observing anything untoward before our more conventional approach," Marikel smirks.
Mahath chews his lip for a moment before he says "If we stay close to the Kestrel, we should hit a farm there. I met a Shoanti woman last harvest at the market. She mentioned making a go of it there. Even as a farmer, a Shoanti would want to know their territory. She might know the local area better than most."
"Excellent, Mister Mahath. If you'd be so kind as to guide us."
Marikel turns his steed towards the Kestrel and maintains the lead.
Rubbing his hands together, "Alright! Now we're gettin' somewhere."
At Mahath's direction, the party turns their horses' heads toward the northeast, away from the Mindspins and their ultimate destination, in search of the Shoanti woman Tama Turns-Her-Shoulder and her farm. Ten lonely miles across the badlands the party espies a small lean-to built of rock and animal hide.
Ali looks to Mahath. "That look like our woman?" she asks, indicating the lean-to with a wide sweep of her arm.
Mahath calls out "Hello! I'm looking for Tama! Hello!"
There is a ripple in the hide hanging at the door of the hut, and the business end of an arrow nudges out into the sunlight. "Who is it that looks for Tama?" a woman's voice asks from inside the lean-to. "Stand and state your business!"
Mahath dismounts, hoping it will make him seem less threatening.
"Tama? It is Mahath. Mahath Kishion! We spoke at the Barterstones last harvest. You traded with my family for apples and onions. We were just hoping to get some directions from you."
Another ripple at the doorway: the arrow lowers, and a cautious eye peers out. "You come from Bloodmarch Hill? What news? Many orc have been afoot since the last moon."