3 Gozran, 4710 (First Year)
The mountains become hills. The trees thin. The South Rostland Road becomes little more than wagon ruts and a hoof-packed trail surrounded by two to three foot tall shoots of green grass which sways in the breeze like an ocean's waves flowing to a shore that never comes.
By mid-morning Oleg's Trading Post can be seen at the edge of the horizon. A brown island in the sea of green. A tiny tendril of smoke touches the expansive, deep blue sky above. The smoke dissipates long before it can reach the mountainous fluffy white clouds that float lazily in the highest reaches of the sky.
Late in the afternoon a path branches off from the main road heading to Oleg's. The ruts are a little less deep and the horse trails less tightly packed by a stream of riders. The site is more visible from the top of a hill where the path starts. It is composed of several buildings surrounded by a tall wooden stockade. The post is supposed to be fairly recent construction, but it looks to have already been well weathered. The gate stands closed.
Far from home, far from Cheliax where Devil's Perch is the battleground between the dwindling numbers of threatened strix and their oppressive Chelaxian foes, a forbidding feathered woman stands on the road by the gate. Her garb is prepared for winter, and shows signs of long travel. Her face is sharp and severe, her eyes uncanny with brilliant orange irises and no pupils, her hair white, but most disturbing are the huge, black wings folded against her back.
A large girdle and set of pouches and packs circles her waist, with a functional dagger thrust into a tooled leather sheath and a quiver holding a sheaf of javelins on one hip. She scans the wall inquisitively, her head tilting this way and that as she takes in the derelict and declining stockade.
This must be the place" Jerrik thought to himself.
The big Ulfen man stood up, still standing on the wagon. He twisted and turned, pulled and popped as he stretched his large frame.
"OLEG..." he shouted. "open the gate. My men are hungry and my arse is sore. We've come a long way and some of them could use a bath" he said with a smile.
He wrapped the reigns around his hand a few times before hopping down. He walked up to the large horse that pulled the wagon, Jasper he had called him. His free hand ran over the horse as he walked to the front, his eyes taking in the scene in front of him as he patted the horse on his way.
Sore from riding all day again, Aleksara was immensely happy to see Oleg's place. She liked her new horse, but nobody had told her riding was such a painful process!
She quickly moves her steed, to a post and ties him off. She had yet to name the beast and wanted it to be fitting his nature.
"Oh gods curse me! That would be so much easier than riding all day long. My legs feel like wet branches that bend too easily."
"Oooh a wagon. Crossbow!" (can't call it shotgun after all) "So you're Jerrik the Paladin, I have a cousin who's, well she's not really my cousin..."Climbs into the back of the wagon."Aleksara that's a nice horse; you're not riding it right, not that I ride a lot or any really but I seen a lot of riding. Is it true that some Half-Elves aren't Half-elf and Half-Human but just Half-Elves?...Oh by the way all the guys say you're pretty what do you think of that?"Lays down in the wagon looking up"Hey flying Lady, well you're not a Lady Lady but you are female so I guess I can still call you lady. Is flying hard? It looks fun, once I saw some people fly but it wasn't Magic. It was a catapult. The landing didn't look too fun though." Later "And when I was 22, which is 8 in Human years but only 3 in elf...Did you know the Stolen Lands encompass 33,000 square miles... Later Still."I spy with my little eye something that begins with..." A while later. Sitting up front."Did you guys know that it takes over 2000 steps for a person to walk a mile. I wonder how many steps a horse takes to walk a mile.One, two, three...436, 437...1614...A good while later."Hey Oleg's outpost. We sure did get here fast."
"Ah, old Oleg's Post" Thorynn thinks to himself.
It's been a while since he has set foot back into his old stomping ground. His Duridic duties has taken him far form here but he feels a sense of relief to be back home.
Nasze's (Naw-zee) ears perk up at the sound of the large man shouting. The large black panther begins to stand up, a little anxious.
"It's okay, where here." Thorynn says as he strokes the top of the cats head, calming her down. "It's our new home."
A loud clanking sound of a heavy bar being moved precedes the gate's opening. Two humans are opening it, both sturdy looking. The man stands a solid six feet tall and is well built. Thick muttonchops frame his wide face, showing signs of recently beginning to turn gray. The woman is younger and shorter, but has a hard and wary look in her eyes that relax some upon seeing the druid and his big cat.
"Thorryn!" she exclaims excitedly in a thick Restov accent, "You returned with guards? That is wonderful! The bandits have been coming back regularly! You see, husband? They would not simply abandon us back north!"
The man grunts, and seems less certain. "I do not think they are guards, Lana."
"Of course they are Oleg! Welcome, welcome! We are so glad to see you, please come in, let us stable your animals and feed you. Tomorrow will be an important day! We need you at your best! I am Svetlana, this is my husband, Oleg. We are the Levetons"
"Two silvers per stall, per night. Includes food, water, and grooming." Oleg adds gruffly as he examines the animals.
Despite it's small size, the trading post seems to be an ideal Oasis, as it were, at the edge of a civilization desert. A long stable fills the southern side, while a store and home for the couple and a cabin for guests occupy most of the north. Two long sets of tables and benches are arrayed around a large fire pit, where a stew is simmering.
Posters line the north wall near the gate, reminding visitors of various bounties and dangers. It appears bandits, kobolds, and a few wild beasts have drawn the attention of the post.
Hopping quickly down from the wagon the Avocado haired Gnome looks about the compound in wonder, as he adjusted his gold and black parade armor bearing the eagle crest of House Orlovsky. His Eggplant colored eyes fixing on each and every item, structure, creature, and person there. After a few moments of scanning and cataloging the area he rushes up to Oleg.
"Greetings, I am Tenzekil and on behalf of House Orlovsky...well they told me I couldn't officially promise anything in the House's name. Or come back to the House. But on behalf of...me I am at your service. Although we actually need your services with the animals and the food and...Ooh wanted posters"He scurries over to study the posted documents.
The dark feathered woman lets out a slight sigh as the gnome rushes off to find something distracting. She blinks, her large, orange eyes fixing the proprietor, then turns her head and says to Svetlana, "While the horses are being stabled, why don't you tell us the latest news about your situation here." She remains impassive, her thin fingers curling around the broad belt that bears her gear.
Aleksara walks her horse to the stable, silent as she watches Oleg and his spouse for anything odd. Her walk is also obviously painful, and indicative to a non-rider.
"Hello, Lana. It's nice to see you again." Thorynn says as he gives his old friend a hug.
"And you to Oleg my friend, sorry I've been gone for so long" Thorynn says as he extends his hand out for a hardy handshake.
Thorynn turns his head to the side and with a quick whistle Nasze is up and running, having fun on the lands he used to play on when she was a cub.
"Sorry where are my manners" Thorynn says as he starts to introduce everyone to Oleg and Lana. "And you have already met Tenzekil. He's . . . Thorynn pauses at for a moment, a loss for words. different?
Aleksara automatically corrects the druid, her frown evident as she stumbles back from the stable.
"Annoying. Little Tenzi is annoying Thorryn. Technically harmless, but VERY annoying." She then sits carefully near the large fire pit, staring at the flames.
"Now now Aleksara. I've told you, Tenzekil is just like the rest of us, if a bit more eccentric" Jerrik said as he began to escort Jasper and the cart through the now-open gate. He paused long enough to offer his hand in greeting to Oleg before continuing on to the stables.
"Just let me get the horses settled and I'd be all too happy to hear any news. Perhaps you could regale us over a hot meal?" he asked with a smile.
Jerrik was big, not the biggest Ulfen to ever come down from the lands of the Linorn, but bigger than most. His blond hair and beard screamed to his heritage even if his stature did not. The well-made breastplate he wore and the rare sword both spoke to money. Still, his walk and mannerisms all spoke to something else, something less obvious.
A little while later Tenzekil walks past the fire pit and says over his shoulder to Alejsara as he passes."Just talked to your horse, also says you didn't ride correctly. But he is willing to give you another chance. Or you could always sit with me in the wagon."He continues along and sits down beside Nasze and begins to pet her. The large predator seems to like the Gnome for some unfathomable reason.
Glaring at the odd Gnome, Aleksara growls at him a little.
"I'm not sure what's worse: The fact you think you can talk to horses or that the cat possibly won't eat you."
The posters are mostly uninteresting in that bounties for bandits and clearing hostile species are not uncommon. The posters for both the bandits and kobolds look to be official from Brevoy. A hunter named Vekken is seeking a boar. Not just any boar, but a massive monster pig named Tuskgutter. Finally, Oleg himself has placed a poster seeking the head of a beast called a "tatzlwyrm".
Oleg returns Jerrik's handshake with a firm single pump and a weathered strong grip. "You are not guards posted here to protect us from bandits, are you?" He asks once his wife is out of earshot, gone to fetch clean bedding for the guest lodge.
"... or after we're done stabling the horses, I suppose," grumbles Quanah, clearly annoyed at being undercut instantly upon arriving in a new place.
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"Bandits huh? We'd be happy to help" Jerrik said with a smile and a clap to the man's back.
"What can you tell us about them? How many are there?"
Oleg sucks on his teeth. "I don't know for sure how many there are. They weren't a problem a year ago, the kobolds were. And not much of a problem, more of a nuisance. The Swordlords sent an expedition in and they reported contact with someone calling himself The Stag Lord. Promised to take care of them. A few months ago this crazy woman shows up with a bunch of goons. Says she represented the Eternal Stag Lord. Never good when they add to their already ridiculous title. Tells us that we owe taxes and forces her way in. They have come back every month since. In fact, they're due back any day now. When we first saw you, we thought it was them." He looks Jerrik in the eye and adds, "I can't help but notice you didn't answer my question. You're not guards assigned here long-term, are you?"
After retrieving the bedding, Svetlana seems to notice the strix for the first time, previously blinded by the prospect of some permanent security. She blinks, but instantly recovers. "Do you have any special needs, dear? I mean, I don't know if you sleep like a human or...perch?"
Jerrik returned Oleg look as he spoke "we are here on a larger mission, but if it is my help you need, it is my help you will have. Now, about that meal."
Oleg breathes a heavy, mouth-closed-nostrils-flared sigh. "We have been begging Restov for weeks now to send us soldiers or guards. They sent catapults instead. They didn't even finish assembling them! How am I going to tell Svetlana?"
Perking up at the idea of chopping the heads off some more bandits, Aleksara speaks up her hand resting easily on her katana's long hilt.
"I will help you against these bandits whole-heartedly. They will answer for their crimes! Do you want to display their heads on the gate posts to warn off any others? Unfinished catapults you say? I may be able to help there. Do you have any defenses besides those? Hidden pits or traps maybe?"
"Uh. Nooooo, no pit traps. They tend to be bad for day to day business. And I don't think the wife would take too kindly to heads hanging from the walls."
The couple both set about various tasks. Oleg explains he has some basic trade goods available as well as some useful survival and outdoor gear. While Svetlana seems to be offering stables, room, and board for free under the false assumption that everyone is here to stay and protect the family from all the dangers of the world, Oleg gruffly tells Jerrik, "Five silver per bed," he glances at Quanah, clearly thinking along the same lines as his wife. "Per person, I mean, per night. Gets you dinner and breakfast."
Sitting by the fire pit the Gnome relentlessly poking the flaming logs with a stick stops immediately upon hearing of the bandits. He pops up and scurries over to Oleg.
"Bandits, yes can't have them about. As I said before I am at you service. Now did you say catapults? Interesting. Nice thought on the traps A. But wouldn't multiple hidden shooters with overlapping fields of fire be more of a sure thing? Oh Ms. Leveton might I have one more of those wonderful biscuits?" Bowing slightly to Svetlana heads off to the table. Suddenly stopping he whirls to look at Oleg. "These bandits that have been troubling you, might they be the ones from the poster? you know the ones with the reward?
Staring off into the distance with her uncanny orange eyes, Quanah rummages around and produces a gold coin, then says, "I don't need a perch for sleeping, thank you. I will not impose any special requests upon you."
Jerrik nodded and untied his belt pouch. He counted out a few gold coins and offered them to Oleg. This should keep us for a few nights. He nodded again and turned away from the man, walking in Quanah's direction. He slowly approached her and took up a position next to her and slightly behind.
"What do you see out there?"
"Nothing suspicious... yet. But we are at the edge of settled lands. Trouble will find us sooner rather than later," says Quanah.
"Then I guess we should be ready. I know how the others feel. What do you think about the bandits plaguing these lands? How would you suggest we deal with them?" Jerrik asked, trying to gauge the Strix.
Aleksara moves to Oleg, bowing slightly placing the silver payment requested in Oleg's hand.
"Show me the catapults please. I would like to see what can be done about them. The idea of killing bandits 'en masse' pleases me."
"Then I guess we should be ready. I know how the others feel. What do you think about the bandits plaguing these lands? How would you suggest we deal with them?" Jerrik asked, trying to gauge the Strix.
It takes a few seconds for Quanah to reply; she seems to cogitate on the question before speaking, rather than offering an instantaneous response.
"I suppose that depends on how they operate. Are they simply displaced people trying to make a living? Or are they thirsty for blood and gold, bringing chaos and destruction in their wake?" she asks.
"If Oleg's commentary is any hint, then we will likely find out tomorrow."
Tenzekil walks up to Quanah, the Stryx towering over the Gnome. He studies her wings for a moment then looks into her large orange eyes."So Q. how much can carry and still fly? Do you think you could carry me. We could scout the area from the air. And four eyes are better than two."
Quanah pauses to regard the gnome, then looks out to the east again and says, "If I left my pack behind, I could carry you while flying."
The catapults are half-assembled, with the disassembled parts lying under tarps beside the partly finished frames.
”You were saying about tomorrow... ?” Quanah says leadingly to Oleg.
The burly human shrugs his broad shoulders. "Maybe tomorrow. Maybe they finally got what was coming to them. If they come, it is always in the first week of the month, and always early. The first time that woman was here. She was...vile," Oleg glances at his wife and swallows hard. "Just evil. She came with a dozen men. Second time they came she only had eight. Last month she wasn't with them and there were only a half dozen." He shrugs again and watches his wife get dinner ready. "I pray to Erastil every morning, 'keep my wife safe.'"
”If they come tomorrow, they shall have a rude surprise.”
”Jerrik... we should sleep early, in case these vagabonds appear in the early morning, as Goodman Oleg has described.”
The strix surveys the walls of the fortification for what might be good defensive points.
Aleksara nods.
"Quanah is correct. If they come early, we should be fully prepared and rested. Maybe a couple of us should hide out in the open so we can flank them quickly after they arrive? Or pretend to draw them in as simple settlers, then perform a surprise attack? My experience tells me almost all bandits are fairly lazy once they start to get what they want. Idiots."
After a few moments of intense concentration and scribbling some notes in a well work little leather book
"We should probably save the carry thing for emergencies only. Too bad though." Looking disappointed and turning away. He pivots and snaps his fingers. "Now as to the bandits, I think that I should greet them alone in the courtyard. The others, especially the Lavetons hidden. Let me talk to them first. You be surprised the things you tall-folk say around cute little Gnomes. Who you rarely notice and never consider a threat. Which is really one of the greatest pranks of all. Although I would like a little prepared cover to dive into when the conversation drys up."
Aleksara raises one raven-colored eye-brow, then points at the gnome casually.
"You want to be the bait? And you think you can get some information out of them too? This I gotta see. I don't have problem with it."
"For cover, we could perhaps move a wagon over near the front gate, or even a pile of hay," suggests Quanah. "I will stay out of sight up on the wall and use my magic if things go awry, then take to the air to harass the bandits if necessary."
"That's not a bad idea. I can position the wagon and have it facing the gate. With Jasper hooked up, that'd be a hefty surprise if needed. And if not it should provide plenty of protection. Good thinking Quanah."