Jesset heaves his pack up onto the wagon then joins the others on board "Anything to save a lot of walking..." he says , propping himself up against his back.
Travelling through the day, pulled by tireless drays, you grow used to the knocking and rocking of the cart and to Atheric's taciturn conversation.
The sea air and dockside bustle is soon replaced by broad swathes of meadow and rolling hills, dotted with distant farmsteads. Travel along the main road is steady and you make good time: the road is a 'long road', one of the roads built by Taldor at the height of the empire but since re-named: 'Imperial March' not being a very Andoran title...
Side roads bump and bobble off the long road, seemingly at random, and as the day grows long Atheric takes one of these tracks to a small hamlet, "Edric's Forge it's called. Edric must have died a long time ago but there's still a smithy, as well as a stable and some bunks."
As you unload your gear in the half-light, Atheric arranges for some mats to be put down in a hayloft and gives you a question to mull over while he sees to the horses.
"Now, we're a little less than a day's ride from the Farrow, Cessington Farrow, or we could head out to Knoyle's place: that's closer to the cairnlands and he's seen the beasts himself. It means you won't see the town 'til you're done but it saves a day." He shrugs to indicate the decision is yours.
As you talk, a winsome young woman brings bowls of thick stew and an older woman, clearly her mother or aunt, brings a platter with bread, cheese and small beer.
Shol'a'saul nods in thanks to the women. "Your hospitality is much appreciated. Should you need me to return the favor I do have some healing skills."
Later as the rest of the party is finishing up their meal, she says quietly to them. "It seems we have one who has taken an interest in us." She points out the young girl. "I do not believe it something to be concerned about...yet. Perhaps we should approach her."
Navarro nods. When done eating, he picks up his dish and brings it towards the door. He fakes almost dropping, then catching it again before it hits the floor.
"Whoa! That was close." He winks at the young servitor. "That would have been a mess to clean yes? My name is Navarro, at your service! What shall we call you?"
Perception
Sense Motive
As Jesset makes his sleeping area ready, he takes note of both the transaction and the obvious interest of the servant girl.
He is about to comment to Shol when Navarro makes his awkward attempt to engage the interested girl.
Not a diplomat, he waits to see her reaction.
Morsai finds himself noticing things he doesn't usually notice.
After watching Navarro with her for a moment, he pulls out the chair next to himself. Why don't you come join us for a while...if that would be...acceptable...
Perception:
Sense Motive:
Timmins settles back and relaxes after the long ride in the bumpy wagon. After awhile Shadow whines and moves to the exit.
"Alright I hear you! Me and Shadow are going out to answer the call of nature. We should not be long."
With that, the two exit the barn and head outside for a walk around the farm.
The girl starts to rise, looks about the room and then comes over to join you, "Where are you from? Absalom? Can you do magic?"
---
Meanwhile, Timmins steps out into the cooling dark, just on the edge of night. A low gibbous moon lights the sky, otherwise the hamlet is mostly unlit. One cottage shows the flicker of a candle flame and a small, steady light emanates from the stables. There you can see Atheric and the older woman are deep in conversation as he runs his curry comb over the last horse.
Yes...I know some magic.
Morsai traces a quick symbol in the air and speaks an arcane word, casting Mage Hand...which he uses to casually draw his mug into his hand, then drinks.
Shol'a'saul eyes the young girl carefully, weighing how much to divulge of her own 'magic'. After a moment, she nods slowly and utters a magical word. Soon a pale silvery light fills the area.
"As you can see, we all have magic to one degree or another." She says softly to the young girl. "Why are you interested so? Do you believe you may desire to learn such magic?"
Timmins waves at Atheric and the woman as he and Shadow take a stroll around the hamlet. He will keep his eyes open for anything out of the ordinary.
"I know magic too!" Swears Navarro.
He takes out a Harrow deck and quickly shuffles it. Fanning the cards, he asks; "Take a card. Any card. Don't show it to anyone!"
The young woman squeels with delight at your spells, then looks guiltily about herself.
She begins to speak, "Me, oh, I love magic but I could never..." but is distracted by Navarro's magic.
"Oh, okay."
She takes a card and presses it guardedly to her breast and waits in breathless expectation.
Morsai chuckles...Mere cantrips. Useful, still...
Morsai looks on the ceiling and upper walls, for any soot or what have you...then uses Prestidigitation to clean it spotless.
The powerful magic we save for dangerous situations. Nice card trick, by the way, Navarro...you might have to teach me that...
Meanwhile, outside the barn, Timmins strolls through the deepening gloom.
Atheris doesn't seem to see Timmins' waving, perhaps he is light-blinded from the shadows in the night. Timmins himself can only make out his environs because of the clear, moonlit sky.
Night sounds from the fields pull at Shadow's senses as animals scurry in the dark. The houses sleep deeply but at the end of the village, Timmins catches some movement in the moonlight in the space between an animal shed and a wild hedge.
Morsai chuckles...Mere cantrips. Useful, still...
Morsai looks on the ceiling and upper walls, for any soot or what have you...then uses Prestidigitation to clean it spotless.
The powerful magic we save for dangerous situations. Nice card trick, by the way, Navarro...you might have to teach me that...
The cantrips aren't hard to learn, once you understand the basics. That can take time...
Morsai keeps watching Navarro's trick...unsure if he's using real magic or not...but appreciating the entertainment.
Perception:
Knowing something is there, Timmins and Shadow move towards the disturbance. He does not strike a light, but keeps to the darkness. When he gets closer to the area he will try to see what is there again.
"Alright, now put it back in the deck, not letting anyone see it..."
Navarro has the girl put the card back into the deck.
"Now, with my magic, I will cause it to rise from the deck! Alakazam!"
"Your card madame; the Queen of Cups!"
Morsai applauds and smiles.
The girl joins in Morsai's applause, "Are you a harrower?"
no problem...
Stealth:
"What? Me? Not a chance." Replied Navarro, cutting and fanning the cards again with one hand.
"For me, they're just cards."
He arches an eyebrow at the girl.
"That is the kind of question usually directed at elderly ladies with 'Madame' somewhere in her name. Why do you ask?"
She smiles impishly at Navarro, "Well, all of those old harrow-readers were young once, weren't they?"
"Why are you all out here? Are you going to explore an ancient castle and come out with a cart full of jewels and a dead king's magic sword? Like in the chronicles?"
With a silence so complete it seems to wash across the ground, Timmins draws close to a pair of young men deep in a loving embrace. They have clearly found a quiet spot between a barn wall and a thick hedge for a night-time tryst. They are still mostly dressed, so if Timmins wants to interrupt it won't be too awkward...
We're supposed to be going...after dragons. A pair of them...
Morsai watches for her response...
Her eyes widen, "The dragons? But... that's impossible! They'll eat you all up in one bite. They're as big as castles, with eyes of pure flame and claws bigger than ploughs. They'll gobble you up!"
You've seen them?
Again, Morsai watches her reaction...
Quietly Timmins withdraws from the lovers, leaving them to their evening tryst. He heads back into the barn with Shadow at his heels.
"Oh, no, not me. But Lietta has: she's Auntie Olna's eldest and she told me that she heard all about it from some men in town."
Atheris is just shutting the stable door as Timmins returns and he hails the ranger with a wave.
He nods at Shadow, Off chasing rabbits?
"Yeah, something like that!" The ranger smiles and slips inside the barn before the doors are closed. He turns to Atheris and asks, "So, what do we owe for this meal and lodgings?"
Atheris gives Timmins a quick grin, "Oh, don't you worry about that. The council will provide for you while your here."
Sense Motive:
Smiling, Timmins walks over to the older man and quietly asks, "Is there something wrong? What are you not telling us? Best get it out now before we decide to no longer trust you and return home! So out with it!"
Diplomacy:
Ever the suspicious inquisitor , Jesset watches the interplay between Navarro and the girl, watching her for any sign of falseness.
Sense Motive
Atheris bristles, "Nothing's wrong except a little trouble with dragons. You just stay focused on the task at hand, I'll take care of everything else."
Over Atheris' shoulder, Timmins spies the woman who is providing their hospitality. She looks at him pleadingly and shakes her head.
Timmins makes plans to slip out later in the night and speak with this woman, but for now he shrugs his shoulders, smiles and says, "No harm! Just want to make sure we are all understanding one another is all."
Navarro starts a 'three card monte' type game with the girl.
"Now, as you can see, this is a pretty simple game..." He said, deftly switching the cards about. "All you have to do is keep your eye on your card. Was was that?" He looks behind her, wide eyed. "Oh, false alarm then! Now where were we?"
Spinning round at Navarro's bluff, the girl sees the host-woman and gasps, "Sorry, um, yes... very simple... I."
She bustles away from the table and hefts the pot she was fiddling with before she began talking to you, "I forgot, sorry, I need to finish this..."
The girl casts one longing gaze back at you as she disappears out of the far door.
Moments later your host enters the room with a pile of blankets, "Atheris will show you your places," she dumps the thick material on the clean, empty end of the long table and points toward a door at the end of the barn, the door through which the girl left, "If you find yourselves in need of anything, I'll be in there. Most folk stir with the sun but travellers often wake later, either is fine but breakfast'll be warm around sun up."
Every word seems an effort and the woman drags her limbs toward the exit.
Morsai will tuck in for the night...all too familiar with the floor of a dozen inns...
Atheris shows you upstairs into the hayloft and shows you the cots where you can roll out your blankets. Then he heads out to the stables: he intends to sleep out there in order to keep an eye on the horses.
Once the party has settled in for the night, Shol'a'saul speaks up softly. "While I cannot fault our host's hospitality so far, there is something which I cannot place my finger on. These townsfolk...they do not act as they should." She rolls up out of her cot and stands to her feet. "I suggest we have a look around. Perhaps we can learn more of what is truly taking place here."
Something seemed...not quite on the...up-and-up to begin with. I've wondered if they aren't looking for sacrifices for these dragons...
Morsai sits on a cot and puts a keen edge on his scimitar as he speaks.
"Hmmm, not an idle threat, if true, Morsai." Jesset rumbles from where he leans against the wall, then looks to Shol'a'saul, and bears his teeth in his tigrish grin "Let us suss out exactly what this town is about, shall we?"
Navarro flung his cape on a handy peg, stood his sword against the wall and flopped down onto his cot. Using his hat as a pillow, he gazed into the ceiling.
"That girl was pretty cute. I wonder what she was working herself up to say? I'll see what I can find out tomorrow."