The dinner at Lord Midway's estate seems to draw to a close as most of you are full and most of the food at the table has been eaten. Afterwards the lord brings out a few bottles of brandy and pours a glass for each of you.
"Now it is on for something more serious my friends. I've got a message from Tidewater, they've taken in a group of refugees from the road. Almost all people of Greenbrook. They mentioned they took in slightly more than a hundred people."
Midway looks to you with a worried look, knowing this to be tough for you all.
Only a hundred but dear gods what happened how many died?
|
David will partake in the copious amount of food and drink provided. He will eat with dignity and not like an animal, even though his stomach tells him otherwise.
As the festivities draw to a close, David take a sip of brandy, just as Lord Midway speaks about the hundred or so Greenbrook folk, David chokes a bit on the brandy.
What, only one hundred!? What happened to the others. My parents, what happened to my parents? he thinks, trying to hold back tears.
David then turns to Midway, What do you man only one hundred or so, where is everyone else? What happened!?, David asks. He is concerned and doesn't want to seem too pushy to the Lord, but this news is very unsettling to say the least.
I know the mayor and his wife made it safe so i assumed that everyone else did
Nathaniel had a last grape at the end of dinner.
At the mention of the limited number, it almost went down the wrong way and he was slightly couching.
"uck...pardon me.
Lord Midway, have any other towns reported Greenbrook refugees seeking shelter?"
"The letters and my scouts that have returned from the west report the same story. Attached to the letter was a witness report of one of your villagers, a man called Trufant, an apothecary."
Lord Midway holds up a piece of paper and begins speaking in a solemn voice.
"As we had set from Greenbrook to Tidewater, our small caravan was defended by our msiths and masons and a few people with crossbows. Every man or woman carried a weapon at least, even our elder. I myself carried a sling and a stock of alchemical weapons."
"The first day passed quite uneventful, but the days after we were beset bysmall bands of goblins, people got injured and taken care of in the wagons. The bands were small ten, twelve, twenty at most. Mostly attacking our rear. Once we had our defenses centered on our rear guard we were ambushed at day five at our front by a large band of 50 goblins. Some of them were even riding wolves and most of us were no match for them."
"The aftermath saw most of our defenders slain or wounded. Some of the families travelling with us were almost slain to the last man. The Thistleleafs, Garrocks, Greythumbs, Demaskis and Tarkins were hit the hardest, though every family has lost a family member. Our elder Arthin survived the battle only to die of a heartattack shortly after, the stress was too much for him."
Taliesin is at loss of words ...
"My scouts report they have buried the fallen people of your village that were not already buried." Lord Midway states as he rolls the report back up.
"I'm so very sorry to have to tell you this my friends."
"Tidewater reports that they have taken in multiple refugess from other outlying villages. Their walls are safer than the roads and the villages. Though they are confirming bands of goblin raiders on wolves as well as normal goblins and even orcs roaming with them." It seems the west has even more trouble than we have now.
more than goblin with orcs and wolf riders....They, we would not have standed any chance saying in Greenbrock
Silent Elenzar cries covering his eyes.
|
|
David hearing that his father write the note, listens intently to every word from the letter. He then looks to Lord Midway, may I please see the note.
After reading it with his own eyes, David is happy for a brief moment just seeing his fathers handwriting one last time. David can't help but to think about the others, Farfax, Taliesin, and Elenzar who breaks down almost immediately. If father wrote this then that must mean he survived and is alive, right? Only a live man can tell what happened right?! But what about the others, what happened to all our families? How in the hell are the goblins so organized, it's just not like them?, David's mind swirling with thoughts.
Hey..guys..my father must be alive right, cause only a live man can give a report right?! So..that must mean..our families must be okay right?!, David's voice shaky and light, trying to not face the facts of the current situation and peril. Clearly in a state of denial is David.
"According to the letter from Tidewater, the man who wrote this letter is fine, though a bit worse for the wear. His clothes were stained with acid and slightly singed, a few wounds on his arms. He will have definitely fought bravely David."
Midway sinks back to his seat.
"I don't know to what extent the losses are, who lives and who has died. If you want I can ask for a list on who they've taken in. I can imagine you might want to travel west to see for yourselves, however the road would be perilous to travel. I know I can't keep you here, but I'd prefer if you'd help us here for a last time before you might go west."
What is done is done. We can't go back. If they had stayed in the village the same outcome would have happened and with 50 goblins and support they would have been trapped in Greenbrook until all would have been killed. I still believed it was the correct decision that was made. And if all of us had been there it wouldn't have changed much. Here he had training in various arts and if this city falls then the region will be under goblin control.
Taliesin stops to think for a few seconds
Will i will appreciate to have a list and news of the survivors i will stay and help. Lord Midway the fight will be won here. An army of still hundreds of goblin with the advance equipment we saw and the military strategist we suspect has to be stopped. My presence here will contribute more to the safety of everyone in the region.
Talisin pase and grabs a full glass of wine and down's it in one gulp.
Elenzar whispers a prayer for Arthin.
He wipes his eyes and returns to the business at hand. "This means that we have confirmed goblin activity in the very region you were planning on us investigating. Is this sufficient to answer the question or do we need to look further? Lastly what does this mean that your own plans of possible fleeing Hartham are no longer viable?"
Midway folds his hands together at Elenzar's question and Taliesin's comments.
"I intended to send you east, from which we had no report, though with Tidewater giving these tidings, it's only safe to assume that east of us is the same situation if not worse. Though thenews is not as good as I had hoped, we've got new now at leat from the west. From the northern towns we've had no word either, but as the goblin agression comes from the south, I'd say they're not touched yet. The south is dangerous as is probably the east as well.."
He hums a soft and sad tune while he thinks.
"I will build siege engines and cut down trees with an armed force and wagons for them. Heartham needs to be fortified as best as we can. We might hold out for awhile, though it would be wise to search for other places for the civilians to go, probably up north. Nathan Heminson, you've met him in Greenbrook, tells me that the the goblins around Heartham come from the south-east, they picked up a few goblins along the way and interrogated them."
"Information is what we need, safe havens or their numbers, or survivors from the eastern villages. Any of that would be helpful now."
So what exactly do you need us to do? Since we were waiting for the return of one of your best scout to escort him during his next outing.
"For now the people in Tidewater are safe. The bands along the west seem smaller than the ones out here, though armed more. Tidewater is more powerful in terms of military than we are, before the goblins try to assault it would be a month or longer. That's just an estimate though, I don't know of larger armies that are on the march."
"My best scout has returned, you know him as Nathan." Midway smiles a wry smile for the first time after telling you the news.
"Nathan is my best scout and a good hand in a fight, I'll trust you'd be okay with travelling with him again."
If tidewater as good walls and a decent army then all the more reason to try and break the goblin hordes here. The more small bands we can catch and with little loss on our end the better we will be. I'll be ready at first light and escort nathan during his mission.
"I'll send for Nathan the first thing in the morning, for now he too is resting. As should you all too, grief is still fresh on your memories, it takes so very much out of you." Midway says, turning towards the fireplace, something in his tone speaks of him having known a good deal of grief himself.
"Discuss amongst each other which direction you want to go, any direction is good help for us."
Nathan sits at the table in the Rosepetal Inn, breaking his fast on boiled eggs, bread and three slices of bacon. "Good morning to you, though I fear your night's rest was probably troubled. Come sit and tell me what our destination and mission will be."
Elenzar greets Nathan warmly joins him at the table and orders a modest breakfast.
"I am glad to see you back with us Nathan. We have been busy waiting for your return. As to where to go from here I do not know. I believe we wanted to scout in the direction of Greenbrook and Tidewater but word has come in from that direction. I think I am more disturbed that any direction has open questions than only one."
Well honestly the original mission Lord midway wanted 3 days ago was for us to escort you East as he didn't have any reports coming from that area. Now we just heard that there is a band a bit over 50 goblin strong + wolves on the way from greenbrock to Tidewater
He pause for a second
But last night during diner Lord Midway also mentioned the possibility of us heading south, into enemy territory or occupied friendly territory, search for signs of the goblin leader and kill him, ease the pressure the goblins have on Heartham. We talked about it this morning and depending what you felt was necessary we would like to try to mow down some goblin leadership
Nathan almost chokes on a piece of bread as he hears Taliesin, say: "Go South".
"South? That is almost as much madness as going west." he declares, scratching his head.
"No worries there, sending me and the guys west was sending fewer men into a dangerous situation, we knew as much then. I will escort you south as best as I can, hopefully we will find something to give us some directions to their leader."
"Then my next question would be...When do you mean to leave?"
"As soon as we are ready. You as well of course."
"I will need some time to get my things in order. The soonest would be slightly passed midday I'd wager. I'd need to saddle my horse again, new provisions for the road, which you should also procure, a new light shield; my former is broken in two. Also some personal items that need taken care of. Perhaps I need some more time."
Right then meet here after lunch.
|
|
Forfax nods absent mindedly with an almost dazed look on his face. He walks to the stable very forlorn hoping that somehow the sight of Scout, his only remaining family, will somehow ease his haggered heart.
At the stables he ignores all friendly greetings the stablemaster sends his way as if they were never uttered and walk straight to Scout. "It's just you and me now boy, mom and dad are gone, but we'll be okay." he almost whispers to Scout more to reassure himself then the horse.
Forfax will spend the rest of the morning brushing and saddling Scout, ignoring the rest of the world around him, just lost in his memories.
At lunch it dawns on him all he needs to get done to get ready for the trip. So he is forced to eat a light lunch and then run around like a chicken with his head cut off to get everything ready.
|
|
David, will listen intently to Lord Midway and Nathan. He will listen to the options before him. I agree, if we go South, we can try to catch the goblin leader off guard. If we cut off that resource, we could help ease the pressure here in Hearthem. The goblin leader may not be expecting resistance, coming from these neck of the woods.
When the dinner is over, he offers a welcome handshake to Lord Midway for the fabulous dinner and bath, then heads back to Arvinth's for a good nights rest. In the morning, he sets out his things, and makes sure that he has everything he needs and is packed in such a way that it is readily accessible.
David counts
"Hello my poor students, I knew you were coming, it was bery tough new you'd need to hear tonight wasn't it?" He shuffles to the side and puts some more flasks inside the bags.
"My skills with scrying have gone up considerably and I'm so very sorry I couldn't see more of your families. I tried to scry them for you, but my connection to them is almost non-existent." He sighs and walks over to you bags in hand.
"I've compiled these bags for you, hopefully they will be of use to each of you." He says as he hands them over to you.
After hearing Nathan's plan to leave in the afternoon, Nathaniel goes out of his way to the church and look if he could help people, perhaps pray at the altar. Most of the people that need healing are already tended too, however and he seems to be doing small chores before heading to the altar to pray for a safe voyage.
As he prays, a situation unfolds like before, only now his armor seems to light up and seems to shine with a light that is as bright as the sun.
Taliesin is confused at first by the gifts and he promises to return the want.
You are too nice for your own good Arvinth. he says walking out the door ready
Elenzar looks over the breakfast table, "South it is. Though I am not sure our purpose. If our enemy's leader is to the south then it would be safe to assume that a good number of his forces are as well. If we are scouts then our target is information. If we are more than scouts we are few to face an army." He finishes eating. "I know we will need provisions. Though in our last salvage run we turned it all over. Thankfully they gave us some fresh clothes and so on. I however have nothing to buy food or supplies with."
After breakfast he makes his way to the library and speaks to the elf. "We will be striking out again. South this time in hopes of learning of or facing down the goblin's leader. I wanted to thank you for your time and what you have helped me with. I am not sure I will see you again. Is there anything I need to learn about the region south."
Ervirel looks to you with a small smile. The rest of the library seems full of people again, many of them young children and teenagers. Mostly looking through grand tales of heroism or books about different crafts and trades.
"What you'd need to know is that the area gets rougher the more you go south Elenzar. If you're going to face goblins be prepared of meeting their wolf raiders, usually they are goblins that are higher in rank and standing, they might know more about that leader you're chasing."
He scratches his beardless chin and seems to think about something for a while. "My teachings to you are at end, for now, though you'll learn much more than you think you'll know. I've got something you could make better use of than I could here.follow me."
At Ervirel's own little chamber he plucks off a splendid looking chain shirt from the wall. The chain is painted green and there is a large gold dragon depicted on it, standing on its hind legs and looking down to the right.
Gold Dragon
"You should take this with you, it's part of your heritage as well. I won't take no for an answer."
As you all seem to gather up in front of the inn to wait for Nathan, the sun seems to shine, but clouds are gathering in the east with a wind blowing from the east; there might be rain later this day.
When Nathan arrives he brings six bags, one for each of you and one for himself.
"These are rations for the coming days, fresh bread, a hunk of cheese, dried sausages and apples. Also two waterskins and hard tack that should last us two weeks if we don't overeat ourselves. With the courtesies of Lord Midway."
Nathan himself looks more of a poor knight than a scout as he sits across his horse, armed and armoured he might be a real challenge for any goblin or raider.
"All ready to go?" Nathan calls out to you.
|
|
Running around town has given Forfax something to keep his mind off of his troubles and it's helped ease his sorrows a small bit, but now, as he sits atop Scout, waiting for the party to depart he finds himself only half listening as the others talk of the journey ahead, otherwise his mind is drifting back to his poor parents. When he left he was sure that when he returned they'd be waiting for him and life would just return to the way it was, but now he's not even sure he'll ever see them again and that thought above all else scares the snot out of him. That scares him more then any goblin or ork ever could. He could kill a goblin, he hadn't tried but he was sure he could kill an ork too, but this loss was something he could do nothing about and that scared him out of his wits.
When Nathan hands him his bag he thanks Nathan graciously, but then his mind jumps right back to his parents. And Nathan asks if they were ready to go Forfax just kind of half nods, back to not really paying attention. As they ride off Forfax places himself toward the back of the pack, still a bit forlorn, but starting, albeit slowly, to accept what he can not control.
Ready as we'll ever be.
It's a cool afternoon as you leave the safety of Heartham behind you, Nathan decides it is best to head out through the eastern gate, surely the southern gates will be watched. From there on he takes you across the fields a little east before turning south. Eventually you can see Heartham rising up in the distance to your north-west as a small blob of a dark wooden colour.
Late in the afternoon a small drizzle starts as Nathan rides on ahead a bit too scout out any potential problems you might have and returns a few minutes later.
"The way south near the roads seems to be guarded, a path along the forest line seems clear enough to me though. Old signs of a goblin camp there, but the fire has been cold for days. We could camp there or camp deeper in the forest if you'd feel safer."
I'll let you be the judge of that Nathan. None of us have any significant wood lore skills and you do know the lay of the land. We are here to provide the punch to make it trough the mission. Or so i hope he finish with a attempt to humor.
"Don't be so negatve", in an equally joking way,"We survived the last times."
Ha, you are right Nathaniel ! we sure did
Nathan leads you along the forest's edge towards a small abandoned camp which is sheltered by a few makeshift stakes and barbed wire, there are also thornbushes to the forest edge. There are lots of bones of different animals strewn about the place as well as broken and splintered weapons.
The ground is mainly dirt and tough grass, with an occasional rotten pinecone and pine needles lying about.
Nathan looks around for a last time quickly in the camp and then dismounts.
"My woodlore skills are not that great in fact Taliesin, though I know my way around the countryside. The goblins seem to have had this place crudely defended, it will serve as a good place for us."
Nathan gives some instructions to prepare a fire, digging a hole in the ground and making a small tunnel to funnel the smoke away from the main fire.
Besides a portion of fresh rations from Heartham, Nathan finds you each some sort of wild carrot to eat and two squirrels to roast on the fire.
"I'll take 1st watch."
Nathan will take any watch that's left in the end.
Well nathan you are still better at this than any of us he says cheerfully obeying his instructions
I can take last watch as i haven't used anything today
|
|
Thank you Arvinth. I look forward to speaking with you about what we see and find. Also, thank you for helping me better understand who I am, even if for a brief moment. I still have much to learn, and that will take time. I will put these items to good use, until we meet again a few moments in time , David says with a warm smile and handshake.
David, prepares for the journey ahead of him, and makes sure everything is packed away as such. He stands at the gate, staring around at Hearthem. He just hopes it can hold out until he returns with good news.
When asked about which way to go, and watches at night, David shrugs at the first one. David was a city slicker, didn't know much about the woods. He again says he wouldn't mind taking watch, he wants to "pull his own weight", as it were.