Your sweet words make a few of the other women in the inn swoon but they make little effect on Urza, though she does crack a smile. "You are funny, little man. Frail but funny." She replies giving you a rather strong pat on the back before standing up rather shakily to take her leave. "Hic*. Where is Amphitryon?" She asks no one as she sees the warrior surrounded by fans. She stumbles upstairs as the revelry continues.
The group takes their leave making their way north, though the directions are rough at best and far from exact.
Despite his training, Amphitryon’s head just wasn’t there. The past few days had been such a whirlwind of excitement and wine, that all he could do was regret partaking in too much of both. Still, the fresh air was good.
"The directions seem fairly clear to me. At least to get us to the general area. No, west is over there."
Despite knowing very little about navigation, Teledoros manages to make a landmark observation at a critical junction while strolling along and strumming his lyre.
+2 at sea
"Would that we were at sea, and I should be more useful navigating, but ashore I am all but worthless in this."
Kyronai easily leads the group in the right direction.
However, most of you notice that you are being watched as you walk through a small grove. You highly suspect that you are nearing your destination as it seems that there are some centaurs watching you.
"These horse-men give me the willies," whispers Varocles.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
”I hope not, you probably wouldn’t survive the experience.” Amphitryon whispered back. He then yelled out to the centaurs ”Hello there! We’re here for the girl.” He gave an account of her appearance based on the note. ”Her father is most worried, and people are wont to come to the wrong conclusions. Conclusions about centaur involvement which I’m sure are most unfair. Already it’s becoming the talk of glory seeking adventurers, and everyone knows how that type can be. If you have seen her, or could help return her home, then I’m sure this will all blow over.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Polyoinos chuckles bawdily at the Shadow Champion's jape, then addresses the centaurs in the distance with a booming shout;
"Hoi! We can offer a dwarf in exchange! Bit tough and salty but worth considering eh?!"
:
Silently, Kyronai places a ward hex on his brother.
Feeling the familiar protection of his brother’s shadow, Amphitryon nodded his thanks. And also took it as a warning...that despite their joviality, violence might well be imminent.
Teledoros strums his lyre and calls out to the centaurs as well. "Come, join us and we can share wine and song."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Varocles is taken aback, ”wait a minute! Nothing was said about swapping me for the lass! Ought we not have discussed this part of the plan?”
After the party states their intentions, six centaur warriors trot out from behind the trees. Two of them draw massive bows while the rest draw large swords. "If the old man Galen sent you, I suggest you turn back now. We have already dealt with the last band of thugs he has sent. The girl, Lysithea is at the settlement under her own free will. She would rather go back to Tartarus than to go back to her father. You have already shown more intelligence than the last bunch but if you provoke us, we will end you."
"We don't know anyone named Galen?" Kyronai looks at the others for confirmation. When he has it, he repeats with more certainty, "We don't know anyone named Galen."
"Please let us speak with Lysithea to confirm that she wants to be here."
Polyoinos leans in to Varocles at the dwarf's protestations;
"Shhhh. Fear not my seafaring friend, twas merely a cunning ruse to plant a spy in their camp while we secured the maiden. We would of course never abandon you!"
The skald claps his shoulder reassuringly as he simultaneously winks to the others.
At the centaurs challenge, the Bacchanal pulls forth his wineskin;
"Teledoros has the right of it! Come my friends - consider the greatest of your kind Chiron: Wise and just as he is. Come drink with us and share your wisdom on the matter of the girl and her father!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Amphitryon nodded, but held his tongue. The others had said what needed to be said. Despite the utmost seriousness of the situation, it still took self control to not laugh at Polyoinos‘ words.
"How did Lysithea come to visit your village?" Teledoros smiles jovially and keeps strumming a light tune.
"Very well. But if you try anything we will cut you down. Also, everyone name-drops Chiron. I am Stavros, leader of the warrior-scouts." The speaker introduces himself. "To answer your question, the girl ran away from home and was beset by bandits. Luckily we found her before they could harm her. For anymore, you should ask her." Stavros explains as they escort you to their camp which you find to be more of a makeshift village. There are young centaur children running about as older centaurs do chores. Most eye the group with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. You are led to the largest tent which is guarded by a pair of particularly burly centaur. As you walk inside the tent, you see their leader sitting at the other end of it. Sitting beside him is a young human girl, no more than 17 years of age. "Sir, these outsiders wish to speak with you about Lysithea."
The leader stands up as he eyes your group. "I am Typhonos, leader of this tribe. The girl is here under her own free will. Which means that no one will take her, especially back to her lout of a father. She deserves better."
Varocles nods at the centaur's words. Centaurs may very well be a mashup of two separate creatures, but one of those creatures was holy unto Poseidon, so he was inclined to not start killing them indiscriminately.
And for Amphitryon, he knew that they were famed archers. So he was glad that he wouldn’t be shot to death by foes fast enough to always stay at a distance.
”As you say. We will be on our best behavior when we see her.”
Kyronai walks over to Lysithea, nodding respectfully to Typhonos as he draws near.
"Hello, Lysithea. Are you well?"
Teledoros bows to Typhonos. "Wise Typhonos, thank you for welcoming us into your home. I am Teledoros. We may have arrived with a mind to bring Lysithea home, but know that we strive to bring justice and joy for this woman."
He turns to the young lady and drops to a knee with his lyre. "Fair Lysithea, we have answered the call of adventure. Please tell us how you came to be here and how you would like to live your tomorrows."
Lysithea is a dark haired girl wearing simple clothing looking very much like the farmer's daughter that she is. "Yes I am well. Far better than I would be if I had stayed home. My father attempted to sell me to some warlord to be his wife. So I ran away which is where I was found by these kind centaurs. I wish to stay here where I'm safe and free. And not some slave."
Varocles turns to Amphitryon, ”the girl runs from an arranged marriage to a powerful, and presumably rich man? One that her father arranged? Where do human kids get off these days? With their crazy notions of love. When my parents wed, it was a business arrangement to be proud of, and they grew to respect and love one another.”
”Ah, my friend. If the entire world were as the Stout dwarves, there would be few problems indeed. And then where would the gods get their entertainment? I think what we need is some way to convince this wealthy man that his daughter is no longer attainable...” He said, trailing off as he thought. ”...if we don’t, he will just send more men.” Then to everyone he said ”So, what shall it be? Shall we fake her death or convince him that she is on her way to...oh I don’t know...Macedonia or some-such?”
Lysithea is a dark haired girl wearing simple clothing looking very much like the farmer's daughter that she is. "Yes I am well. Far better than I would be if I had stayed home. My father attempted to sell me to some warlord to be his wife. So I ran away which is where I was found by these kind centaurs. I wish to stay here where I'm safe and free. And not some slave."
Kyronai discretely glances at the hovering centaur as he consideres Lysithea's words.
You sense no untruths or falsehoods whatsoever. She seems to be telling the truth.
"As it happens, I am Macedonian myself and could provide details to aid in such a deception."
Polyoinos listens to the exchange, pausing to chuckle at the notion of a wolrd run by dwarves before adding his own thoughts on the notions presented;
"We could indeed try to convince him... Yet we risk much without refutable proof. Fair Lysithea is there anything we could present to him that he would know to be yours and yours alone? A trinket or lock of hair perhaps?"
"Her ears? Humans often use ears for these purposes I am led to believe," suggests Varocles.
Teledoros cringes at the notion but his smooth face soon brightens again. "Perhaps he would listen to a fair and reasoned argument, or the heartfelt power of song!"
Polyoinos chuckles;
"My friend if we took her ears we would deprive her of hearing the songs and poetry of those of us with talent beyond casting nets and tickling fish! Ho-ho!"
The skald mulls Teledoros' words;
"That he might, but to add credence to such an ode or theatre we need something from our fair maid..."
Lysithea seems to be a bit concerned when the talk of taking her ears is brought up. "If we faked my death, my father would just send some men here for revenge. You should convince him to leave me alone. "
”And how would we do that? We do not know your father, but he does not sound to be a reasonable man. I was thinking of bringing back ‘proof’ that you paid these fine centaurs to provide you transportation to a foreign land. Give just enough clues to get him lost. But...if you insist, I would like to hear your thoughts on how to go about convincing him.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kyronai shifts his attention to Typhonos.
"It seems very generous of you to take her in. But why would you do this? It's obviously drawing unwanted attention to you."
Lysithea shrugs. "I wish I knew. I am hoping that clever adventurers like yourself would think of something. I have tried to reason with him. I am honestly more worried about the warlord I was promised to. I have heard he is an unusually violent man, even for a warlord."
Typhonos looks to Kyronai when asked. "It was the right thing to do. And while we are generally accepted in society, some still view us as monsters. So anything to dispel that notion is good. Obviously it can be misconstrued which is why you are all here. We would appreciate any aid you can give us."
"Who is this warlord that you are supposed to be marrying?"
"His name is Euromenes." Lysithea replies.
"He is not a powerful warlord when it comes to sheer forces, but he makes up for it by being a powerful combatant in his own right and particularly sadistic." Typhonos speaks up.
”It seems to me that asking us to reason with him is a clear way of getting us killed. That is...much to ask of us. And staying here will lead to the deaths of your hosts, and...or...whatever men are sent after you. Why not flee further? It would be safest for everyone involved if neither your father or would-be husband knew your location.”
At Kyronai's words the Bacchanal nods sagely;
"Indeed. I have the blood of the satyr in my veins... so I heed your words concerning monstrous misconceptions... though I oft wonder if a Titan gifted me a certain part of my anatomy! Ho-ho-ho!"
Bawdily chuckling to himself Polyoinos nudges Amphitryon with a grin;
"Sounds like this warlord is an opponent worthy of The Shadow Warrior himself eh?"
Teledoros plays along with a sage nod of his own. "Indeed, what my friend Polyoinos Titan's-Belly here says is true, perhaps we can challenge this warlord for your fate, as the Shadow Warrior and his merry band would certainly be a suitable challenge."
"He's a warlord. There's no reason for him to accept a challenge. He gains nothing from it.
"How big is his warband?" Kyronai asks Typhonos and Lysithea.
"What kind of a warlord would he was too cowardly to accept a challenge?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"If he's the kind that consistently pays his warband, he can be any kind of warlord he wants to be."
"If I fled further, they would track me down eventually." Lysithea answers Amphitryon.
"His warband is maybe a dozen soldiers at most. Perhaps if you did challenge him you could instill enough fear into the rest of his men to stand down."
”Kyronai might be right. In fact, he probably is. He almost always is. But...” They has struck him at his one weakness. Well, one of his weaknesses. Which was close enough. His vanity. To turn his back on that, even for logic, was physically painful.
”...maybe with a letter and proof of authenticity. Saying that our fine lass here will return to him if he can defeat me. But should he lose then he forfeits her hand. She could even renege by fleeing again should I fail.”
”Failing seems a somewhat permanent ending to your story. I question the wisdom of actually needing to fight, we have amongst our number a champion of the games. With that pedigree, perhaps this warlord will have no interest in even taking on such a challenge. All that is needed will be a herald to provide a proper introduction.”
Typhonos cocks an eyebrow. "So your plan is to scare this warlord away then? Interesting plan."
Polyoinos chuckles at the canny retort from his fellow bard, before focusing on the task at hand;
"Or perhaps such a warlord would see it as an opportunity to elevate his local mythology even further! Vanquisher of the famed Shadow Champion..."
At the mention of a heralding the skald arcs a bushy brow, then takes smiles broadly;
"Ho-ho! We count one of the Bless'ed of Apollo and a true Son of Bacchus amongst our number! If we cannot provide provide an introduction befitting of our Amphitryon then who can!?"
Pausing he eyes Typhonos;
"Of course should his men dispute the match's result, we would count on your support to... set them straight?"