"Mistress Oylin, we have come to enquire after some salves or remedies against vermin, swarms and diseases such as the plague. Also, if you have any garb or netting suitable against swarms. We have heard of the parasites and diseases in this region. We do not possess much in way of coin, but we have some and we wish to strike a reasonable bargain with you."
Letswalo is content to allow this clearly talented bargainer work on behalf of the group, and that him speaking would surely do more harm than good at this point.
Letswalo also wants jungle wear. Anti-plague, alchemist's fire and acid to deal with swarms.
"Anything with a kick to fight off swarms would certainly come in useful. I bet you know a lot about these jungles, Mistress Oylin." Oliya smiled, hoping to be useful to Eira in bargaining with the crotchety woman.
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"Hmm. Such sweet words from two pretty ladies. You two could make good coin in some of the pleasure houses, if you're as penniless as you say. I'll need to check the stock records. Come along," and the woman moved with stilted gait toward the counter.
Pulling a large, leather bound ledger from beneath the counter, Mirya put on her spectacles and began reading down each page - checking her stock and quantities with such keenness and deliberation that it was obvious the woman was good with account keeping.
Closing the book hard, Mirya returned it to its place beneath the counter and then gestured for the group to follow her to the rear of the warehouse. Her walk was still slow and laboured.
Pointing to the various boxes, she informed the party what she had, how many and at what price she was willing to sell them the items.
Antiplague (Alchemical Remedy) : Reduced Price per vial: 35 gp (Weight - lbs), Currently 10 vials in stock.
If you drink a vial of this foul-tasting, milky tonic, you gain a +5 alchemical bonus on Fortitude saving throws against disease for the next hour. If already infected, you may also make two saving throws (without the +5 bonus) that day and use the better result.
Antitoxin: Reduced Price per vial: 35 gp (Weight - lbs), Currently 20 vials in stock.
If you drink a vial of antitoxin, you get a +5 alchemical bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poison for 1 hour.
Like antiplague, antitoxin can augment certain healing spells.
Neutralize Poison (M): Add +2 on your caster level check to neutralize poison on a target creature. Antitoxin has no effect when you cast the spell on an object.
Repellent, Vermin: Reduced Price per small tub: 4 gp (Weight - lbs), Currently 30 tubs in stock.
This vile-smelling white paste keeps vermin at bay if spread on the skin. Normal-sized (Fine) vermin avoid you. Swarms of vermin must make a DC 15 Fortitude saving throw in order to enter your square. Once applied, vermin repellent remains effective for 4 hours or until you spend 1 round washing it off.
Oil, Alchemist’s Fire: Reduced Price per flask: 16 gp (Weight: 1 lbs), Currently 15 flasks in stock.
You can throw a flask of alchemist’s fire as a splash weapon with a range increment of 10 feet. A direct hit deals 1d6 points of fire damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of fire damage from the splash. On the round following a direct hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.
Acid: Reduced Price per flask: 8 gp (Weight: 1 lbs), Currently 15 flasks in stock.
You can throw a flask of acid as a splash weapon. Treat this attack as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet. A direct hit deals 1d6 points of acid damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the acid hits takes 1 point of acid damage from the splash.
Swarmsuit: Reduced Price per suit: 16 gp (Weight: 10 lbs), Currently 5 suits in stock.
These heavy and overlapping layers of clothing, coupled with a wide hat outfitted with a dense, veil-like netting around its brim makes it all but impossible for Diminutive and Fine creatures to make physical contact with your body. Wearing a swarmsuit cuts your speed in half, but gives you DR 10/— against swarms of Fine creatures and DR 5/— against swarms of Diminutive creatures.
Outfit, Jungle: Reduced Price per suit: 12 gp (Weight: - lbs), Currently 5 suits in stock.
Designed from the explorer's outfit, this has been tailored to be colour shades of green and brown and has places to attach sections of the local flora. Wearing a jungle outfit while in a jungle or swamp environment provides a +2 circumstance bonus to Stealth, but imposes a -4 penalty to Stealth in arctic, desert, urban or mountain environments.
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** spoiler omitted **
"Hmm. Such sweet words from two pretty ladies. You two could make good coin in some of the pleasure houses, if you're as penniless as you say. I'll need to check the stock records. Come along," and the woman moved with stilted gait toward the counter.
Thorongil's eyes narrow dangerous at the veiled implication that either of the ladies would find employment at a brothel, yet he says nothing and lets the ladies work.
He speaks softy to Eira.
"A flask of Alchemist Fire, and perhaps one of Antiplague," he says.
He considers things a moment and then leans in to Eira.
"This woman does not seem very courteous; perhaps we should also try the Conservatorium - the proprietor may have better manners, and better prices..." he adds.
As he waits for the others to decide what to do, he pulls out his small journal and scribbles some notes in it.
1. Be more Diplomatic
2. Work on improving Knowledge about Local information and Geography
3. Focus more on Perception
As Thorongil waits for an answer, he peeks inside his pouch and counts the coin to himself.
"We are bound to complete a task together; I feel it is best to judge our company as a team rather than a collection of individuals."
"As such, I will put aside an amount of my own coin to assist the company with any purchases that will be shared collectively," he adds with a nod at the group.
Thorongil glances between Eira, Letswalo and Oliya.
He has said his peace, though, and for now he is merely going to wait politely for their response.
"...Such sweet words from two pretty ladies. You two could make good coin in some of the pleasure houses, if you're as penniless as you say..."
Sensing the woman's bark was worse than her bite and that Mirya enjoyed the witty exchange of barbs, Oliya let out a husky, mischievous laugh, "Old woman, those men and the women in the whorehouse wouldn't know what hit them if I was perfomin' there. Though, it was sweet of you to say I was pretty. I bet you were a feisty one when you were younger, yes? A right handful to be sure. I appreciate spirit," winking at the seemingly crotchety proprietress and then at Eira.
"I would enjoy exchanging such wit with you all day, alas we must be on our way to the fort soon. Come, my friends, let's finish our business here and then we must be away." Oliya gave Mirya a dimpled smile.
** spoiler omitted **
"...Such sweet words from two pretty ladies. You two could make good coin in some of the pleasure houses, if you're as penniless as you say..."
Sensing the woman's bark was worse than her bite and that Mirya enjoyed the witty exchange of barbs, Oliya let out a husky, mischievous laugh, "Old woman, those men and the women in the whorehouse wouldn't know what hit them if I was perfomin' there. Though, it was sweet of you to say I was pretty. I bet you were a feisty one when you were younger, yes? A right handful to be sure. I appreciate spirit," winking at the seemingly crotchety proprietress and then at Eira.
"I would enjoy exchanging such wit with you all day, alas we must be on our way to the fort soon. Come, my friends, let's finish our business here and then we must be away." Oliya gave Mirya a dimpled smile.
The corner of the elder woman's mouth turned up, amused and entertained by the dark-haired one.
Mira gave a soft whistle. "I have a soft spot for ya now, you little minx. Be still my ol' heart." You aren't sure whether Mirya is sincere or simply having some wicked fun - her only solace now that Cassia is dead and gone.
She turned and looked at Oliya and then the others, "You said the fort? I wonder if you could deliver a parcel to the Witterwil farmstead on your way to Fort Breakthrough? I can't walk very well these days - especially over a distance of a mile or so. And with my blasted Cassia gone, I can't spare the time. What say you? If you agree, I'll loan you the use of my handy haversack to carry the supplies and seed. And, if you are seekin' employment and a way to earn coin, then I'd be happy to hire you for the occasional delivery. To sweeten the pot, I'll toss in four flasks of alchemist's fire for free. Now there's a deal!"
Eira had simply listened to the exchange between Mirya and Oliya and they seemed to respond well to each other - perhaps possessing similar natures? Or wit. I don't believe Mirya is a bad person - sad, bitter and enjoys a little squabbling.
She had heard Thorongil's quiet words and gave a slight shake of her head at the suggestion of leaving abruptly. Quietly, she answered briefly, "We purchase what we can afford now. The rest we can buy when we have earned more coin. Best we have something to aid us in case we find ourselves trekking through the jungle."
Then focusing her attention to Mirya Oyin, she continued, a polite smile gracing her lips,
"Mistress Mirya, I have no issue with taking your haversack to carry the supplies for the farm, for it is on the way and will not inconvenience us. The free four flasks of alchemist's fire are gladly accepted. Thank you. I would like to purchase one tub of the vermin repellent and one flask of the acid, please."
Eira carefully removed the coin pouch with the 25 gold pieces she received from the banker and counted out 12 gold coins and handed them to the elder woman before tying the pouch and putting it securely away.
=====
Oliya hearing what Eira had purchased nodded and added, "I'll take the same as the Princess, and sure, we'll take the Witterwil's their supplies," taking out the required coin and handing them across to Mirya.
"A flask of Alchemist Fire, and perhaps one of Antiplague," he says.
He considers things a moment and then leans in to Eira.
"This woman does not seem very courteous; perhaps we should also try the Conservatorium - the proprietor may have better manners, and better prices..." he adds.
The astute business woman managed to catch the quiet words spoken by the warrior to the pale haired one.
"Heri's an easy-going Halfling lass, but be warned, her potions can be surprising and not always in the best way. If you'd like to try your luck there, then by all means." There was a particular twinkle in the older woman's bright brown eyes.
Mirya accepted the females' coin and handed over the purchased items.
"I say we accept. It is on our way, after all. And I would have a jungle outfit and three tubs of insect repellent."
"I will happily purchase an antiplauge remedy," he says with a polite voice.
The astute business woman managed to catch the quiet words spoken by the warrior to the pale haired one.
"Heri's an easy-going Halfling lass, but be warned, her potions can be surprising and not always in the best way. If you'd like to try your luck there, then by all means." There was a particular twinkle in the older woman's bright brown eyes.
Mirya accepted the females' coin and handed over the purchased items.
Thorongil's eyes widen somewhat at the knowledge that Heri is not only female, but Halfling.
"Truly?" he says, somewhat skeptically.
So many folk judge the Halfling as rogues... I wonder if she speaks facts on this matter or if she is trying to dissuade us from a competitor?
But as the women do not seem to be troubled by purchasing gear here he says no more on the subject.
When they have purchased their goods he thanks the woman politely and exits into the streets.
"I should like to stop at this Halfling's shop," he says to the others.
"Is this agreeable to you all?" he asks.
Mirya handed over two small tubs of vermin repellent and one jungle suit to the dark-skinned Letswalo and took his coin.
When the Northman asked for the antiplague, Mirya handed over the vial and happily accepted his coin.
To each person she handed over a flask of Alchemist's Fire and to Thorongil she handed the handy haversack filled with the supplies and seedlings for the Witterwils. He appeared the strongest of muscle, so was the best choice.
"Make sure you get these parcels to the Witterwils. They rely on them."
Then the older woman moved slowly back to the main counter and took out the ledger and made the necessary notation via the sold items and the coin received.
Satisfied, she gave a brisk smile, and then bade the group farewell, "Pass along my regards to Heri. And, hopefully you get everything done on your way to the fort and once there." Giving a brief wave, Mirya Oyin moved slowly to the back of her warehouse.
"I should like to stop at this Halfling's shop," he says to the others.
"Is this agreeable to you all?" he asks.
The party consented to visiting Heri's Conservatorium. They made their way to the small docks and then back over the bridge to Pridon's Hearth proper. The apothecary was situated one street over from Stone Hall according to the map the sheriff had given them.
They group stood before a single-storey shop made entirely of wood. Over the bold red door hung a sign proclaiming it to be Heri's Conservatorium.
Opening the front door, a little bell tinkled over head, signalling their entrance. The store's interior was quite deep with various counters and shelves; the strong smell of herbs, flowers, tinctures and poultices hovered in the air. And, also something a little more potent/pungent, although not revolting or particularly/immediately dangerous.
Moving down the aisle from one of the counters in the back was a Halfling woman, possibly in her mid 30's, with blueish, braided hair and large, warm green eyes. She smiled and it appeared as if she was not entirely there - her eyes were a little misty/unfocused as if she were soused.
"Come closer, my friends! Welcome to Heri's Conservatorium. I'm Heri Lightstep. What can I do for ye this day?" The Halfling woman waved them ever nearer, even though she stood barely ten feet from the party. (It's as though she saw them standing much further away for some reason.)
"Good day, Mistress Heri. The Sheriff and Mistress Mirya bade us to visit your store and become acquainted. Both send their regards. I am Eira and my companions and I are new arrivals. It is a pleasure to meet you."
================================
"Come closer, my friends! Welcome to Heri's Conservatorium. I'm Heri Lightstep. What can I do for ye this day?" The Halfling woman waved them ever nearer, even though she stood barely ten feet from the party. (It's as though she saw them standing much further away for some reason.)
Thorongil bows graciously to the Halfling.
"Greetings, Lady," he says politely.
"We are new to the town and I have recently become well-acquainted with the local Halfling folk at the tavern, for they are a goodly sort and I am pleased to know them."
"When I discovered you were a Halfling as well, I confess that I wished to meet with you; for I find your people to be fill with a unique wisdom and wit and I am glad I and my companions had time to meet you," he adds with a genuine smile of sincere warmth.
"Sadly I confess I do not have much coin to purchase any gear from you at this time, yet I hope that may change in time during our venture here."
Letswalo quietly observes.
Let us see if the description is accurate.
On a closer inspection of the Halfling's face, you notice that the pupils of her eyes are noticeably larger and she is moving as if she is dazed and not entirely cognitive of the physical world. You begin to wonder if she has imbibed too many of her own recreational concoctions. Heri Lightstep appears happy and quite amiable in her current, almost euphoric state.
Letswalo leans towards Eira and Thorongil and whispers:
"Our hostess has dilated pupils. She may be more amiable thanks to sampling her own wares."
"Sadly I confess I do not have much coin to purchase any gear from you at this time, yet I hope that may change in time during our venture here."
Heri nodded and smiled upon the man's words. She patted the man on the arm, "You're a big one, aren't you...and with such manners. Yes, yes," continuing to pat his forearm.
"And, if you tell me what you'd like, I'd be willing to mark down my potions by eighty percent for ye," smiling up at Thorongil and then the others.
The adding, in lowered voice, "For the sake of honesty I must tell ye, some of my potions are known to cause confusion in weaker folk. Yet, it doesn't last long, so it's all good as they still do what they're intended for!"
The adding, in lowered voice, "For the sake of honesty I must tell ye, some of my potions are known to cause confusion in weaker folk. Yet, it doesn't last long, so it's all good as they still do what they're intended for!"
Thorongil's eyes widen at this friendly gesture and he looks toward his companions.
"With such a generous offer I must admit I am very interested; yet I do not know what sort of items you have for sale as of yet."
"What is it which you have to offer? Whence we know more then I am sure we can a better decision," he adds, glancing to his companions, curious to know if they have any input at this time.
Letswalo is a little surprised at her honesty in this regard.
Though perhaps I should not be. The alchemically-addled are rarely the most cunning.
He nods his head and looks at the others.
"For now, I must admit I do not have the wealth to make such purchases; though if you offer stands when we return from our journey to the southern fort I may be more able to make such purchases in the future," he adds.
After he hears her response he will graciously bid her good morning and then, with the others, he shall likely begin the journey to the fort.
Heri was still stroking/patting Thorongil's arm and smiling, when the Northman made his remark about the fort, "The Fort!" she exclaimed excitedly and then giggled as if her loud voice amused her. She then disengaged herself from Thorongil, retrived a small leather bound book from her apron pocket and a piece of charcoal and quickly scribbled something before tearing the page out.
"I am short on supplies, so it's good you didn't buy anything now. Usually the troops from the Fort bring me jungle plants when they return to town to deliver their weekly report. Yet, it's been some time since they have come to town." Handing the list to Thorongil, who was closest to her, Heri added, "If you could keep an eyeball open for these, I'd appreciate it muchly. I promise an amazing reward if you can bring me back usable samples. So, please, come again!"
• Pale fruit of the Lotus Tree
• Elderberry - berries and leaves
• Ginseng root
• Passion flower
• Yarrow
• Fruit of Papaya
• Blossoms of a Moonflower
Letswalo smiles beneficently at the shopkeeper.
"I believe that will be little trouble for us. Would you all not agree?"
Letswalo smiles beneficently at the shopkeeper.
"I believe that will be little trouble for us. Would you all not agree?"
Thorongil looks at the shopkeeper.
"We are tasked with a duty we must perform, yet this does not conflict with it; therefore, we shall accept your humble request," he says with a polite smile.
He looks at the others.
"Are there any other shops in town we should see, or should we proceed?" he asks them.
Upon Letswalo's and Thorongil's words, Eira nodded at the Halfling woman's request, "Indeed, we shall see what plants we can find and bring back for you, Mistress Heri. We will return another day. Farewell."
"Are there any other shops in town we should see, or should we proceed?" he asks them.
"If you do not require new weapons, then we can visit the Smithy another day and we can set off for Fort Breakthrough now."
=======
The party bid Heri Lightstep farewell and with four tasks in hand: Check on Fort Breakthrough, find Quinn Vanicus, drop off seedlings and supplies to the Witterwil farmstead and source some jungle plants for Heri, they hired a mule from the local livery to carry their heavier equipment and supplies and moved down the street and exited through the main gates of Pridon's Hearth, heading south-east of the colony town.
The dirt trail to Fort Breakthrough was wet and muddy and the four companions, with Runa trotting beside Eira, and the pack mule led by Thorongil, slogged through the mud. Fortunately, it was not deep mud at present (only reaching the top of their boots), yet it could be slippery in the pockets/small pools of rainwater along the trail. The trail itself was surrounded by marshlands, light tropical hummocks and grassy lowlands with the edge of the jungle - known locally as the Jungle of Hungry Trees - beginning in the far east.
A flash of lightning criss-crossed the sky and a low rumble rolled across the lowlands. Luckily, the rain held off (for now) as the party continued on foot toward the fort.
Away from Pridon's Hearth, the nature of Letswalo's wariness shifts, from knowing certainty to a slightly disconcerted ill-easiness.
He watches for dangers, quietly, his jungle suit affixed and insext repellent applied.
"If you do not require new weapons, then we can visit the Smithy another day and we can set off for Fort Breakthrough now."
Thorongil gives her a small smile.
"Would that we had the coin for such devices, yet as it is, we must do our best with what we have."
As the party leaves the town he keeps his eyes open for any potential threats, as does Letswalo.
However, he also keeps his eyes open for those things which we are required to to find for the owner of the Emporium.
What little jungle craft Letswalo possesses, he uses to aid Thorongil.
Except for the growing rain clouds filling the once open sky, there were no signs of other threats or pitfalls, except the muddy trail would prove more difficult once the rain fell. The pack mule moved through the wet ground; giving into Thorongil's tugging upon the lead rope. With the occasional flash of lightning, the plodding creature issued a strange whinny-bray; yet settled upon Thorongil's firm hand on its rope. Hiring the John mule was smart idea for the creature possessed more endurance than the average horse and was more resistant to parasites and disease. The stable lad had called the creature, Guss and had told them to use its name when it acted particularly stubborn.
With the group's collective knowledge of the wilderness it was soon realised that the jungle herbs and alike requested by the addled Halfling Heri would be found off the main dirt trail - perhaps beside the surrounding hummocks and better yet, deep inside the Jungle of Hungry Trees to the far east.
Eira arched her head up toward the grey clouds and gazed for a few moments before she bent down to pick up Runa; placing the tiny fox inside the shawl pouch about her neck. She then spoke, "Perhaps it is best we wait until after we have visited the fort to look for Mistress Heri's jungle plants? It looks like rain will be upon us soon and I would see us at least at the Witterwil's farmstead than searching knee deep in the marshes or jungles."
Oliya looked from Eira to the males, "I'm with her. Fort before foraging for plants."
An hour and a half had passed as they walked along the muddy trail and the first raindrops began to fall lightly upon their heads as they noted a farmstead not far ahead and close to the trail. From the position of the faint/obscured sun above them, the group believed it to be around noon time. The building ahead was simple/rustic, mostly a single-storey, long structure made of wood with a thick, thatched roof. A covered verandah wrapped itself around the structure. An old wooden fence with knotted wire surrounded the property and a large grey barn stood at the very back of the property. A shingle, nailed to a post by the side of the trail/road swung/creaked lightly in the growing wind; its painted surface was beginning to flake and peel; yet the name Witterwil could be made out well enough on the wooden plank.
"That sounds most wise. Let us not drown for the sake of a few plants, which will surely be there afterwards."
*********
Seeing the farmstead, Letswalo's suspicious nature bubbles up.
I must see if it is safe.
He quietly says to the others:
[smaller]"I will approach quietly. If I spy nothing amiss, I shall return quietly and inform ye. If there is trouble, my signal may be...louder.", he finishes with a slight grin.
Briefly checking his jungle gear, and assuming no objections, he cautiously approaches the farmstead, using whatever cover he can find.
You can hear the creak of the wind as it picks up and moves/weaves in and out of the wooden structure. There is no sign of any farm animal or person out in the yard or near vicinity and the large barn doors are shut. You think you may hear a voice or two on the wind and an animal's loud, frightened whinny and then they are gone and replaced by the sound of light rainfall hitting the structures around you.
On the ground you can see tracks - there is a pair of prominent human boot tracks - one larger and one medium in size - perhaps a man and woman's and only the obvious tracks of animals - possibly made by the Witterwil's farm animals.
As you draw closer to one of the windows to the side of the farmstead, you note the one with open shutters and carefully and quietly peering inside, you first hear the sounds of children - young - and there are two voices - conversing inside. Then you see two figures by a large, old pot belly stove; a girl perhaps ten years old and a small boy around four or five years of age. The girl is stirring something in a pot and the little boy is clutching at the girl's apron. A flash of lighting streaks across the sky overhead and you hear the first rumble of thunder and then a louder *boom*. The small boy cries out in fear at the sound and clutches harder at the girl's leg as she attempts to calm him. There is no sign of other people in the house from your current vantage point.
Thorongil concedes to the wisdom of his companions and will agree to search for the plants afterwards.
At the mention of the farm he brightens somewhat, for it is possible that the homesteaders - if not the residents of the fort itself - may have already such herbs or plants which are required in storage.
However, as he observes Letswalo move forward he waits patiently until the man returns with a report on what was discovered.
Letswalo will quietly return to the others.
"There are tracks of two adults and the usual farm animals. Inside, by a stove are two small children. I saw and heard no adults from where I stood. I suspect that the children's parents are out. Regardless, there appears no significant threat to us approaching the farm house openly."
Just as Letswalo returned to the others to inform them of what he had seen and heard, then the door at the side of the house opened and a young girl of around ten stepped over the threshold and turned on the verandah leading to the unsecured window that only moments ago Letswalo had been peering through.
She instantly noted the four strangers standing by the front gate and her blue eyes hardened as she rushed back to grab something from just inside the door.
She quickly levelled a musket at the group; a younger boy appearing and clutching at the rough door frame, sobbing.
"Who are ye? Don't step any closer or I'll shoot you where ye stand."
The girl is pretty, with long blonde hair braided on each side of her head and piercing blue, stormy eyes. She is lean and on the tall side for her age. Her clothes are clean, yet had seen better days (the dress and apron she wore had been mended many times over it seemed). From how she is holding the musket, it would seem she is versed in such a weapon and you hazard a guess that she could shoot one of you at least, if she fired.
Eira, noting the children and the defensive stance of the elder, lifted her hands slowly in the air, a gesture of good faith to show she was not holding or pointing a weapon of her own. The rain fell gently against Eira's face, even for the poncho she was wearing.
"Please, dear child, we mean you and your family no harm. My name is Eira and we have been sent by Mirya Oyin of the Emporium in Pridon's Hearth to deliver seed and supplies to the Witterwils. Are your parents about so we may speak with them directly? And, what is your name?"
The children appeared fearful and the elder child was protecting the younger and the house.
The girl listened to the beautiful, albeit unusual woman speaking to her in the rain and noting that none of the party were directing their own weapons toward her, she lowered the musket, yet kept it in hand before speaking again, "I'm Alice Witterwil and the sobbin' one is my brother, Aedan. You may shelter on the porch, out of the rain, while I call in me folks." Alice moved back without taking her eyes off the four and then lifting her free hand took hold of the clapper of the ornate but tarnished bell near the front door and began to ring it in short intervals; signalling to her parents it would appear. The sound surprised the small, sobbing Aedan by the door and he stopped crying long enough to give a small hiccup and stare at the four strangers with dewy, blue eyes, the same colour as his sister's.
"I'm Alice Witterwil and the sobbin' one is my brother, Aedan. You may shelter on the porch, out of the rain, while I call in me folks."
Thorongil studies the girl for a moment, not overly concerned with black powder weapons with the rain coming so hard; instead, he is more interested in why the girl is guarding the house so intently if her parents are close enough to hear the ringing of a bell over the rain.
That the boy is crying is also unusual to him; something clearly has these children concerned, and while it may be the presence of armed foreigners on the doorstep to their house, he is not entirely sure if that is the only cause of their concern.
"I am Thorongil; a northman and I thank you for your courtesy," he says to her with a gracious bow before accepting her offer to shelter from the rain on the porch.
When he does he turns and looks at the young boy.
"You are a good brother to tell your sister that strangers have arrived; she is lucky to have you to help her," he says with a gentle voice and a friendly smile, hoping to soothe the fears of the boy so he is not so afraid of them.
He looks up at the girl.
"I have seen black powder weapons in my homeland; you carry it well," he says to her with a calm and sincere voice.
While he may have humored the four year old somewhat, he treats the girl with the courtesy and manners that he would treat a grown woman. It is his experience that even young children can discern when adults are treating them as if they were a child.
Further, in his experience, they seem to respond far better to sincere manners and respect, no matter how old they may be.
Alice continued ringing the bell in a consistent pattern for a few moments as was taught to her by her parents.
As the figure of the Northman drew closer, his stature filled the space under low-roofed/pitched porch. The boy, Aedan, watched the man with wide blue eyes, and, upon his words, stuck his thumb in his mouth in comfort at the sight of the commanding man who was saying nice things to him. Aedan simply nodded in response to Thorongil and continued to suck on his thumb.
Upon his words of praise to her, Alice gave a small smile and continued clanging the bell.
It was not long before two figures appeared around the corner of the large barn; the Human woman, skirts lifted in half run and the Human man pulling a skittish young horse behind him. He lifted the barn latch and proceeded to stable the frightened horse and the woman made her way to the porch and her daughter holding the musket.
The woman was an older version of the daughter - for they shared the same colouring and features. The woman appeared in her early thirties, her blonde hair sprinkled with raindrops and beginning to fall away from the low bun at the nape.
Looking around the small assembled group of strangers on her porch, she spoke, a little out of breath, "Good day. The weather has taken a turn for the worse. I'm Drusila Witterwil. How may I help ye?"
Before the group could reply, Alice spoke up, "They're makin' a delivery from Auntie Mirya. The blonde, beautiful lady's called Eira and the tall Northman's Thorongil." It was simply stated as would be the way of any ten year old child.
The man who had entered the barn earlier had secured the latch and made his way to the doorway under the porch; wiping his hands on a scrap of faded fabric. He was a little over average height, toned from hard work with light brown hair and warm brown eyes. He appeared to be in his late thirties.
"I'm Henry Witterwil. If Mirya's sent you, then come in and rest a bit." Then looking to his eldest child, his brows shot up and he nodded and responded, "Hand me the musket, love, and take yer brother inside now."
Alice looked the group over one more time and did as she was told - giving the weapon to her father. Moving to the doorway, she took hold of Aedan's hand and led the youngest back inside the homestead. Their mother followed dutifully behind her children.
"Our colt bolted with the first flash of lightning and we gave chase. He's calm enough now and we're glad to have heard the bell. Now, be welcome," gesturing them inside and waiting for the four visitors to walk into the house before wiping his muddy boots on the mat by the door, then following them in and closing the door behind him.
"Our colt bolted with the first flash of lightning and we gave chase. He's calm enough now and we're glad to have heard the bell. Now, be welcome," gesturing them inside and waiting for the four visitors to walk into the house before wiping his muddy boots on the mat by the door, then following them in and closing the door behind him.
Thorongil nods politely to the man, but he waits until all the others have entered the house before he takes time to clean his boots at the door and then follows them inside.
Once he is inside he will wait patiently for the women to explain their purpose regarding the gear they brought and - when it is explained - will then volunteer to aid the man in offloading it to wherever it needs to be stored.
As Thorongil waits for the explanation he will peer out the window and study the surrounding terrain and weather, curious to see what he can see from the house.
Though he has many questions he does not ask them yet, trusting the more diplomatic members of the company to broach any queries with more skill than he yet possesses.
Letswalo sees Eira and Thorongil handle the children well, and he sees no need to intervene.
I'm surprised that they managed to spot me. What did I miss?
When the offer of shelter is made, Letswalo will enter the porch, remove any headgear from the suit, and warmly smile.
"I am Letswalo. I was the man who looked in the window, checking for danger to my group. I apologise for giving you reason for fright. We mean you no harm. And are grateful for shelter."
And not being shot!
After their parents arrive, and the group enters:
"My thanks for your hospitality. I am Letswalo, who accidentally scared your children when checking for danger. Which I apologise for. I am unsure if my skills would be of much direct help in return, but I have experience as a clerk should you require advice on paperwork.", he says with an apologetic expression.
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The land where the farmstead is situated is flat, open grassland with two wooden structures on the property - the main homestead and the large barn you noted from the road/gate. There are fruit trees on the property and a large garden bed. The animals have been secured in the barn due to the poor weather, so you cannot see them out in their pens and like. From the condition of the property, the Witterwil's are managing well enough, although they are not rich folk; simply hard workers. You note the occasional lightning bolt in the sky and the thickening rain clouds.
From the look of the clouds and what you've encountered so far in regard to the weather pattern in this region, it looks like there will be light, yet consistent rainfall for the remainder of the day and into the night. The next morning will be clear and warm again and you believe light rain will come again in the afternoon of the next day. Such consistent rainfall isn't entirely uncommon, yet, it is a little strange, too, to have rain fall like clockwork each day.
"I am Letswalo. I was the man who looked in the window, checking for danger to my group. I apologise for giving you reason for fright. We mean you no harm. And are grateful for shelter."
Alice looked puzzled by Letswalo's words and glanced over at her parents before fixing her bright blue eyes on the dark-skinned man,
"Pardon, Mister Letswalo, but we didn't see you lookin' in the window. I saw you all talkin' near our gate when I came out to close the shutters. You didn't scare us."
"My thanks for your hospitality. I am Letswalo, who accidentally scared your children when checking for danger. Which I apologise for. I am unsure if my skills would be of much direct help in return, but I have experience as a clerk should you require advice on paperwork.", he says with an apologetic expression.
"Well, it looks like the children never saw ye, so there's nothin' to apologise for. Best you should have just knocked on the door. Alice would have called us back quicksmart." Henry rubbed at his face and the stubble on his chin and simply smiled and looked slightly embarrassed, "We're not much for bookkeepin', though the Missus there makes sure we don't go broke. I thank you for the offer; it's kind of you, but there's no need." Drusila Witterwil nodded and politely smiled from across the room.
"I made some fresh, spiced apple cider earlier, if you care for a drink? You did us a service, it's the least we can do." Drusila stood and made her way to the cookery where there was a large clay jug covered with a clean cloth. She pulled out some mugs and brought it to the table and poured drinks for the party.
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Eira, who had remained politely quiet as the men spoke to the Witterwil's, happily accepted the apple cider and smiled gently at Drusila.
"We do not mean to disturb you this day. We are most grateful for the kind hospitality."
Eira then gestured to Thorongil to open the handy haversack Mirya had loaned them for the delivery. "Mistress Mirya has sent seeds and a few farming supplies."
Once he is inside he will wait patiently for the women to explain their purpose regarding the gear they brought and - when it is explained - will then volunteer to aid the man in offloading it to wherever it needs to be stored.
Thorongil opened the holding bag and Henry pointed to a small section in the corner of the small kitchen where the supplies could be left. "They can be left there, Thorongil. We'll move them to the barn once the rain stops. Bringin' our supplies from town is most helpful. Are ye headed back soon?"
Eira smiled and answered in quiet accented voice, "No, we are headed for the fort for we have other errands to attend to this day. Once we are done there, then we'll return to town."
Henry Witterwil nodded, "You don't have much further 'til you reach Fort Breakthrough - less than two hours. Still, the trail's getting muddier with the rain, so have a mind where you step."
"As long as the rain stays light, we'll be alright. We hope the stubborn mule won't cause too much trouble on the muddier road." Oliya smiled, her dimple showing prettily, before taking a long sip of her apple cider.