Arma walking next to Kyrax nods under her helm. "I had also met Prince Doritian in his childhood. I lived with my father Quaerere Homini Sustinuit, in the city but due to his reputation and my awkward childhood I had no real friends. The prince would sneak out and during one of those times we met out in the nearby woods. He became my first real friend. He kept sneaking out and when he did, he would visit me. For close to eight years he came to visit me whenever he could escape his guard. Eventually as with you, he grew into his responsibility and his visits became fewer but I still saw him a few times more..."
"When my father passed on I was forced by the townspeople to leave the village for a time." Arma keeps walking forward as they speak, her visor covered face betraying little as her soft but neutral voice seems to never change tone much.
"After a few years of training, work and some wandering I found my way back to town. When I heard... he was to be married, I offered my service to help escort his bride back to him."
She stops speaking for a moment and they walk in silence. But soon enough she speaks up again in a level tone just as things start to feel strangely awkward. "I don't want to fail him. He is my closest friend even after all these years."
"Do you have many friends like Doritian, Sir Kyrax?" Her question is asked in the same pleasant if muted tone as she has spoken in for most of the conversation.
Mirandix walks with the others, content to remain silent while they talk. He is alert for any trouble, though he does not expect any from outside of the group; none but the largest bandit bands would tangle with such a large and well armed group.
When they reach the two he waits to learn that there is a healer before seeking the healer's attention. After which he returns to the inn for food and rest.
The bard nod knowingly as Arma tells her story. I have heard tales of your father. And his stranger little daughter, who seems to have grown up. he thinks to himself. I am not sure how to best serve the prince now. We are obviously not match for that wizard. Likely the best we can do is to be a thorn in his side. But if this is so, I plan to be a very annoying thorn.[b] He flashes a bright smile.
When she asks about Kyrax's friends, he responds lightly. [b]Oh, I have many friends, but certainly none like prince Doritian. Then slightly more seriously he adds But I would consider myself lucky to to count you among that number Arma. Friends? he asks, offering the woman his hand.
Arma looks at him through her visor and nods.
"I will be your friend and ally sir Kyrax." She clasps his hand in a firm but non-aggressive fashion her voice brighter but still oddly neutral in tone.
"Let us do this for our friends, Lord Doritian and the Lady Valeria!" She sounds confident and calm as she continues to walk alongside him.
Agreed. Shall we head to the Inn. I feel like a song.
Arma nods and follows Kyrax towards the Inn. "Yes. Let's!"
She walks with Kyrax to the Inn and turns over her horse Garnet to the stable boy as the two of them enter.
"Please take good care of Garnet for me!" She hands the boy a silver piece as she hands over the reigns.
As Pontia makes her way towards the temple of Erastil, she finds she has company; Mirandix, who is seeking healing, is directed to the same location!
You find the house of Erastil to be as small and rustic-looking as the rest of Apol's Thorp's buildings, but the inside is clean and tidy. Wooden benches stand facing a simple altar, where a man with a headdress made of genuine deer antlers is doing a little light cleaning.
"Oh! Good evening," the man says when he hears you enter, and turns to face you. He is clearly of advanced age - for a humsn - but spry enough as he comes to meet you and shake your hands. "My, my, my. You two do need the grace of Erastil, don't you? Hmm, yes. I've heard it all, heard it all. Those "Debbuls" again. Please, be seated; I shall pray on your behalf."
***************************************
Zhu finds himself in conversation with Quintus, who is a common soldier. In fact, he is as common as dirt; you know enough about him to know he was born on a farm and ran away to join the army and see the world. Thirty years later, and his greatest achievement has been to get kicked out of the army and join the Jeggare family's private army.
"Wizards are half-crazy at the best of times," the grizzled soldier says, shrugging before he tosses back half a mug of ale, which he just bought at the Inn you are all staying at. "As for repercussions, what's that to a man with a flying beast that'll take him anywhere? Don't tell the sergeant as I said so, but I don't think that man was hired by Andor, nor that he would flee there. It's just not their style."
Quintus finishes off his ale.
"She may be from a political family, but the Lady's a fine-looking young woman," he says. "Unless that bastard wizard sends a demand for ransom to the family, he might've just taken her to 'amuse' himself. Know what I mean?"
***************************************
Bit by bit, you all trickle into the Inn, where simple rooms with clean beds and simple meals of hearty fare await you. Like the soldiers on both sides, you find yourselves eating with gusto, for who knows what tomorrow may bring.
You are halfway through your meal before you realize Doritian is not present. Before you can start to worry, though, that stalwart young man comes rushing into the common room with a wizened, hunchbacked little old man in tow!
"Listen up, everyone!" Doritian exclaims, one foot on an empty footstoo as he addresses you all. "I've found someone who's been in the Keleshite's stronghold! This man has been all the way to the top and managed to come back."
"Mostly," the old man corrects Doritian, and he lifts up his left trouser leg. Instead of flesh and bone, you find yourselves gazing at a lmb of solid bog oak...
Having listened to sir Kyrax song, Arma applauds with some noted enthusiasm even if it appears sort of stiff coming from the fully armored woman. "That was very good Sir Kyrax." It is hard to know exactly as she has left her visor down most of the time but she seems earnest in her interest in the song.
"That is great to hear Doritian. Tell us what he knows!" Arma with her visor raised is paying attention as she drinks her tea and looks at Doritian during his speech.
Mirandix sits with the others eating and listening to the music. He seems rather bored until Doritian comes in the door. He sits up and pays closer attention, but does not feel the need to echo Arma's request for information.
"Thank you, sir." Pontia leaves 10 gp in the offering plate before leaving.
The Chelaxian eats her food in a genteel but not too elaborate manner, face impassive as usual. Doritian's interruption comes as she is nearly done eating; Pontia keeps quiet and finishes her food while listening to the newcomer and attempting to judge his veracity.
I, um, Pontia, that is way too generous. Kyrax calls after the conjurer. Uh, thank you.
"Wizards are half-crazy at the best of times," the grizzled soldier says, shrugging before he tosses back half a mug of ale, which he just bought at the Inn you are all staying at. "As for repercussions, what's that to a man with a flying beast that'll take him anywhere? Don't tell the sergeant as I said so, but I don't think that man was hired by Andor, nor that he would flee there. It's just not their style."
Zhu chuckles at Quintus' comment about wizards. "Yes, they are quite mad at times, Quintus. I agree with you that the... kid-nap-per, kidnapper, yes? -- is no agent of Andor. As for him having ... less than honorable intentions, I hope that is not the case, but I have heard of wars beginning for less."
He applauds Kyrax's performance, surprised that one of his traveling companions was so musically talented. "Kyrax, please, may I buy you a drink?" the young Tien offers. "Where did you learn to play so well?"
He then pauses to hear what information this newcomer has to share -- and he uses the distraction to subtly cast a spell. History has taught him not to blindly open unexpected gifts with pretty bows -- or wooden legs.
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Kyrax seems to take the complement well, as though it means more to him coming from a traveling companion than just a bar regular. I'll take you up on that drink Zhu. I studied at the bard college of Almas in my youth. My instructors believed I only managed to chaise girls and drink ail while there, but perhaps I learned a little after all. he says with a grin as he moves to help block the view the spell the sorcerer is castling from his intended target.
Robert goes first to the inn, and tries to talk to the locals, and mainly to the keeper, trying to learn about any powerful warlord, wizard or other potentially dangerous characters living in the region as a whole.
Then, he relaxes as the others come in, and delights in the food, the song, and the general conversation, staying very attentive to not lose any minor reference that may be important later.
The general clientèle of the inn enjoys Kyrax's song as much as the rest of you do. The innkeeper even makes a less-than-subtle suggestion that the warrior bard might like to stop here in Apol's Thorp as an employee of the bar. "A free beer every night, and ye cin bed down in the straw over da horse-loft!" he offers in an encouraging tone of voice.
The old man Doritian brought shuffles forward -- and sits down with the rest of you without so much as a by your leave!
"Arr, I'll tell me own stories, if'n ye nevermind," he says as he nimbly snatches away Arma's goblet and drains it, then snatches a bit of meat off of Pontia's plate.
"Is thirsty work, telling tales, an' me with an empty belly," he says as he pops the bite of meat into his mouth.
"Well, 'twere five years ago to a day. I was workin' in yon forest, tackling a particularly resistant elm tree, when I was attacked by a warband of Orcs. I fought to the mest of me ability, but they took me down in the end. Didn't kill me, though; dragged me through the forest, up to the mountains ta the north. There, there was a cave in the rock wall; and high above, a tower was carved outta the living stone!"
The old man rolls his eyes like a feverish horse -- and nicks some food off of Mirandix' plate.
"Frightful it were ta behold! A tower carved with da faces of demons fouler than words can describe. An' I DID see a man on a griffon, flying out from the battlements before I was dragged into the dark, away from the living sky. The Orcs dragged me inta tha cave, past the ranks'a tha jeering Debbulls -- yon Goblins you stout heroes fought just ta'day! Up a great staircase we went, past doors of iron, doors of fire, doors of water and doors of snapping teeth! Inta their dungeons they cast me, for their master were an Ogre magician of some sort, terrible fierce he were, and gathering victims fer his wicked experiments.
Arr, but what he wanted me for weren't tha magic. He wanted me fer lunch! I was tall and stout in those days, and there were good muscle on me leg. The Orcs carved it off before I found a way ta escape, an' maybe I as escaped because of it, for they was feasting on me poor, lost limb as I finally picked the lock and crept out past the Debbulls.
Ye want ta know what's what? I'll write ye a map ta tha tower after I've eaten me fill and had some drinks to chase the food down. Ye can follow or not, as ye please, but know ye that not only do yon Debbulls nest under the tower, there's Orcs an' a Ogre shaman inside! Really, ye're better off turning back and going home."
Arma having watched as the old man drank down her goblet of tea debated if she should object as she spent the next few minutes listening intently to his story.
Eventually as he spoke and gave them the requested information and his obvious hunger and odd behavior calmed her some. She continued to watch in curiosity as he spoke on of his adventure. By the end she had only two questions.
"You told that story well sir. If I may ask? What is your name? And also... If your a lumberjack, then how did you learn to pick a lock?" Arma's look of rather obviously innocent curiosity when asking the second question shows a very honest interest in where the old man learned such a skill.
"Ye may well ask, lass," the old man says in a lofty tone of voice. "Old Henneth Brewer be I, lumberjack from the time I were old enough ta swing the littlest axe in me Da's toolshed! And as fer picking da locks... Well, Da liked his beer and he'd often lose his keys. Rather'n smash windows all the time, us as was his children learned ta pick the locks. Perfectly honest."
Kyrax thanks the inn keep for his offer, accepting for this very night and ordering his free beer before the man might think to say men intended the offer to be for the next time they are through town. My thanks good man. I've slept in much less comfortable places that fresh straw in a loft. You and you inn shall have a song or two from me every time I chance by.
If Kyrax hears the man speak of Aniseed he notes the man and keeps his eye on him through the evening. He plans to try to catch the man alone, perhaps as he leaves.
Mirandix smiles slightly as the man takes a bit of food, and again when he finishes his story, "You have been very helpful, Goodman Brewer, allow me to provide a meal for you in exchange for your help." He gestures to the barkeep, "Bring this good fellow a meal and a mug!"
"Arr, ye're a toff, lad!" Henneth says, grinning widely -- though somewhat toothlessly -- and gratefully accepts the meal that the innkeep puts in front of him.
"On the house, milord," the innkeep cheerfully tells Mirandix. "Young lord Doritian paid ahead for your dining and drinking pleasure tonight."
"And well-deserved," Doritian says, nodding firmly. "You all fought like champions against the 'Debbulls'. Henneth deserves his meal as well; he has promised to draw us a map to the Goblins' stronghold, which will lead us to the wizard's tower -- those of us who are willing to go there, still."
Noya enters the bar after doing a few exercises, since she failed in her duty.
She approaches the barkeep
"Whats the strongest stuff you have?"
"Elderberry gin, miss," the innkeep tells Noya as he pours her a small shot glass of something red and clear -- with a smell fit to strip paint from a wall. "I'd recommend the apple brandy, but the apple harvest isn't in yet. Happy trails!"
"Thank you."
And she takes the shot in one go
Kyrax follows the man out and jogs to catch up to him. A moment my good fellow. he calls. I appreciated your candor more than your friends did in there and thought to give you another chance to finish your tale about Aniseed in private. Your information could help the prince out, and who would not want the prince owing them a favor, after all. Kyrax smiles friendly and falls into pace with the man, fully intent to walk along with him.
The elderberry gin hits your stomach like a Storm Giant's fist and burns like molten magma on the way down -- this in spite of the fact that it's been chilled.
After the initial discomfort, though, it settles quite nicely. Noya finds herself with a pleasant buzz, but not quite inebriated.
Pontia shakes her head very slightly as the "lumberjack" tells his tale, one corner of her mouth twitching in what might be the precursor to a smile. "Thank you for that...interesting...story, Master Henneth. If the map is as you have promised, we will be in your debt."
Arma looks around as the inn gets lively with activity. As Doritian again attempts to rally the group to the cause she nods letting her visor fall into place. "I am sure they are with you my friend, just as I and sir Kyrax surely are." Arma stands next to him awkwardly for a moment and then midway through raising her arm slowly she turns her head sharply as she lets the hand fall firmly back to her side and walks away toward the bar.
She walks up seemingly tense and begins ordering a new glass of tea as she looks around the room. "Some Grey tea please!"
After a quick inspection of the area from the bar seems fruitless, she turns and moves toward Noya who she noticed near the bar. "Lady Aiba? You fought well today. I do not believe we have been properly introduced. I am Arma Fili Sustinuit." Arma will hold her tea standing nearby as she waits looking around the room talking to her.
She appears to be looking for someone. In truth she had been wondering what had become of Lady Annalise?
The farmer flinches when Kyrax addresses him, frantically looks around and then tries to hustle him into an alley. Provided the Bard allows this, the man whispers in a frantic tone: "Don't say the name! I shouldn'a done it, meself, but the devil drink was in me... Is jus'... well... She'm a Witch. She'm born in Apol's Thorp, some do say, others say in anudder town in da Woods, but it don' make no ne'ermind anyway."
The now very sweaty farmer wipes his big, red face and then whispers on: "She'm a Witch what steals men. Some as says she roasts an' eats 'em, but anyways they never comes home again. An' she been doin' it fer o'er fourty years! An' still 'er lookin' like on her sweet sixteenth! That be A -- her! She'm dangerous! Lea' well enough alone, man, if'n ye be wise!"
Again, the man wipes his face. When he continues, it is in a monotone. "Women an' girls. They goes ta see her some times. If'n the pay be good, she'll do them the magic they asks an' send 'em on home. If'n the pay ain't good, they don't come back. She'm powerful, but ye needs ta be careful like 'round a dragon or a devil wit' a sore tooth. An' I didn' say tha'!"
Having delivered this barely coherent warning, the farmer lurches out of the alley and sets off at speed, clearly eager to shake Kyrax off...
Zhu has difficulty understanding much of what Henneth says. The man speaks in a dialect that the young Tien has never encountered before! It's like listening to a suddenly sentient raccoon. But what he does comprehend certainly catches his interest. If what the old lumberjack says is true, this continent is even more full of wonders and dangers than he expected! Still, if there is an ogre shaman in this castle, blood will be spilled.
"Twenty-five years ago, you say, Honored Sir," he ventures. He looks at his companions as he continues addressing Henneth. "Could we really be talking about the same man on a griffon that we saw today? If so, I am surprised that a man of his apparent power has not been seen more often. Bullies usually feel they have no strength unless they can show it."
Armed with a little more information than he had before, Kyrax allows the farmer to flee down the lane in relative peace and returns to the bar. Later, when there is some privacy he will share his newly gained knowledge with the others, including the prince .
Henneth shrugs at Zhu's question.
"Dunno why he en't out an' about more," he says. "Debbulls we see oft enough, though. They attacks travellers an' smaller towns. Ha! Used ta be, folks actually believed they was devils an' just ran when they saw 'em comin'! Musta been golden times fer the li'l buggers -- an' who knows, they might be tithin' to yon wizard..."
"Such is sometimes the way with wizards," Doritian says, shaking his head. "They may be studying something quietly for years, perfecting it, and only leave their homes to acquire something -- or someone -- they desperately need... Or to show off the fruits of their work."
***********************************
The evening progresses relatively quietly after that.
You eat. You drink. You make such merry as you are capable of.
Doritian initially joins you, chatting quietly with Arma and Kyrax of days gone by, but the Andoran soldiers soon call him over to spend some time with them.
"We shall meet in the morning, friends!" the young Andoran nobleman tells you. "When we go to rescue my fiancée."
Henneth excuses himself around the same time, but invites you to visit his shack at the edge of town in the morning. He'll have the map ready for you by then. "Ye'll know it's me shack by the smell'a fruits fermentin'," he chuckles as he limps off.
**********************************
The evening ends with all of you finding your beds, probably after a bit of chatter and sharing of what little information you have managed to collect. When you arrive in the common room, you arrive to two unpleasant surprises: the Chelaxian group left sometime before dawn, while you were still asleep, with the sole exception being the Lady Secunda.
"I am coming with you," she says, her voice waspish. "The lady Valeria is my blood-kin. Of course I am coming with you!" Brave words, except she is clutching her clothes around her as if cold, and her hands are trembling...
The other unpleasant surprise is that the Andorans are in the process of packing up, and the soldier Zhu talked to last night, Quintus, tells you in a flat and unhappy tone of voice: "Sarge says we need to report home about what happened, 'stead of going after some loony wizard into his stronghold. Sarge says it's suicide and... and so he put something in the young lord's beer last night. He won't be joining you. Chances are he won't wake up before we're halfway back to Andor, so... sorry. Best of luck."
On the upside, apparently breakfast is free...
Shrugging at the foibles of nobles, Mirandix eats hearty that morning, greeting any who come near with a muffled, "G'mornin'."
Noya awakens with a slight hangover,
And begins her morning stretches and exercises.
When Kyrax learns of the drugging of the prince he is outraged. You may have your orders Sargent, but I hope the prince has your stripes for this, at the least. Maybe I've been in Cheliax too long because I'd have you flayed for drugging him if it were up to me. What if you are attack on the road? If any harm come to the man while he is unable to defend himself know that I will hunt you down and hold you responsible. He glares at the old sergeant angrily.
The sergeant, for his part, casts a brief, disinterested look at Kyrax and shrugs.
"My orders are to bring the young lord and his fiancée back to Andor, alive and well," he replies with a gravelly voice. "Girl's lost, dead or worse, so I'll do the best I can. If you're done spitting at me, think about whether you'd like to come with us. Andor's a sight safer than a Goblin hole with a wizard in it."
You are not in Andor yet sergeant. Guard the prince as if your life depends on it. And expect to never have his trust again after this treachery. He turns his back on the man and goes to prepare his gear.
Zhu is amazed and frustrated by the morning's revelations. He watches Kyrax correctly admonish the sergeant, then he speaks quietly to Quintus.
"Your sergeant shames you and your comrades, Quintus," he says sadly. "I understand that there is little you can do about it. But protect the prince, from all threats from the outside -- and the inside. Now that your sergeant has made the first steps down the path of dishonor, each new step will be that much easier. Watch him -- for Prince Doritian's safety and your own."
He then moves to speak with Kyrax and his other companions. "It seems that neither nation's leader was committed to the path of peace. The day's events seem almost preordained, as though more powerful hands in both Cheliax and Andor wanted this precise outcome."
Zhu's brow furrows. "I do not like to be a pawn on a board. We were charged with the task of protecting Lady Valeria, and I intend to honor that as best as I can. Do you all feel that way?"
I am with you. It maybe a fool's errand but I will not let this wizard go unchallenged.
Mirandix watches the Andoran soldiers closely, but without rancor. They, like him, had been charged with the safety of their Noble; how could he fault them for doing their best to keep that person safe?
After Zhu finishes speaking to them, Mirandix nods once, "The job is not done."
Arma walks out from the stables leading Garnet by the reigns gently as the Sergeant and the others are preparing on leaving. She does not however see Doritian nor hear him in the cluster of men moving about to leave.
"Doritian? Are you there?"
After a few moments she looks through her visor to her country men around her that she had in a sense fought beside. They seemed somewhat quiet and tense though she could little understand why other than preparing for something.
She turns at a measured pace to approach the Sergeant and speaks in a level questioning tone to him?
"Heading off already? Is Doritian ready?" Arma takes a wide look around. "Certainly the Cheliax delegation would not abandon Lady Valeria's rescue to us?"
Pontia shakes her head slightly as the magnitude of the task comes home to her. Conflicting desires war in her mind...does she give in to temptation to vent at the easiest target, or does she try not to alienate the only other Chelaxian in the party? In the end, she splits the difference. "Lady Secunda, I am of course grateful that you alone have remembered the importance of the mission...and of family ties, yes. What skills do you bring to the endeavor? I admit to having been taken by that wizard's magic and distracted by a band of militant goblins, but I do not seem to recall what you did during the attack."
Robert comes down from the rooms to have his breakfast, and at the news of the Andoran retreat he can't help but smiling, and then laughing out loud.
"So, you run away. Fair enough, let us do the dirty job, but I assure that you will not be the ones to take the laurels later.
Anyhow, we have a work to do", he says finally in a more resigned tone.
Then he approaches the Lady Secunda.
With a bow, that is really is not mocking her, he addresses the Lady
"My lady, I think I am glad to have you, though this will not be an easy trip for any of us, and I guess, in particular to you. You look cold and uncomfortable, is something amiss?"
The Andorans eye Arma warily, with one of them actually making a sign to ward off the Evil Eye as they set off up the road, headed towards home. Curiously, they are carrying along a sedan chair of their own, the curtains drawn. You're sure they didn't have one yesterday...
"His lordship is ready for travel arright, undead," the Andoran sergeant says, a look of intense dislike on his face. "Go join the fools you came in with and ask your questions of them -- we're off."
A little distance off, Arma can see the Chelish group already marching down the road -- headed back whence you all came, not so long ago!
The Lady Secunda's eyes flash with undisguised loathing at Pontia´s questions -- and what they insinuate.
"I am skilled with knives," she says, seeming to bite off the words. "That wizard's magic took me by surprise. If it hadn't, then..."
With a flick of the wrist, Lady Secunda causes a blade to slap into her palm. She flicks it up, catches it by the tip and flips it again, catching it with her other hand and causing it to shoot up the other sleeve.
The Lady´s demeanor improves a little at Robert´s concern.
"I am concerned for my niece," she replies. "I am also aware we might none of us return alive... No matter. I have a duty to blood and country. Let us be off."
The bard does take the time to buy some winder clothing, bedroll, tent, and a backpack with necessities, including food and water.
Arma watches in silent observance as the Andoran delegation departs, apparently with Prince Doritian. She stares at first directly at the Sargent who had spoken to her but her gaze goes to the sedan chair that the Prince surely rode within. She says only in response. "Keep Doritian safe..." She says this as earnestly as she can, though her voice is somewhat halting as if perhaps hurt.
It takes a long time till the contingent departs and she stays still watching as it does.
She remained silent other than the clanking of her armor as she led Garnet to the side of the road and ties her mount to the post outside by her reigns.
She enters and speaks politely with the inn keeper about buying ten days of dry feed for Garnet, but otherwise does nothing but watch and wait as the others get ready to depart. She is so still and to any observing her armored form it would be hard to tell if she was deep in thought or not.
When they are on the road she might find time to ask one of the others what the Sargent had meant. For now however she grabbed the wooden holy symbol around her neck and whispered a prayer to Shelyn that Doritian was alright.
Noya goes for some shopping and also looking for info of any use.
"I am concerned for my niece," she replies. "I am also aware we might none of us return alive... No matter. I have a duty to blood and country. Let us be off."
Zhu says simply, "And we shall be, my lady, once we have the right... equipment, yes? Let us get what we need, come back here, and leave as soon as we can."
The young Tian follows Kyrax when the other man goes shopping. "Excuse me, please, Kyrax. I am not familiar with the changing temperatures here. You believe we need clothing to protect from the cold, yes?"
As they purchase their goods, he says in a hushed voice so that the merchant won't hear, "What is your opinion of Lady Secunda? From what I have seen, I believe her desire to accompany us is based less on affection for her niece and more on fear of punishment from her family."
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The corner of the wizard's mouth twitches once. Sensitive, isn't she? Her voice carries a slight tone of satisfaction as she replies. "Good. Next time, I'll do what I can to deal with the magic and leave the knife work to you."