As the wagon trundles along the dirt road, Abigail chatters away with members of the group. Giving a bit of insight into what she had been up to on her late night sneaking excursions. There had been bandits harassing the town and she thought it would be fun to teach them a lesson. As she tells the story she gets more and more animated, adding some little gestures and even trying to mimic some of the voices of the various enemies she faced. The end though has a bit of a dramatic turn when she reveals that she kinda got in over her head a bit. But in escaping the bandit leader, she found an old ruin and a spirit that also wanted to see the bandits punished. Together they were able to defeat the leader and the rest of the bandits decided it was better to move on instead of squabble with a girl and her ghost. After the bandits fled, the ghost was able to finally move on as well. Needless to say, she never told the family about this as they would have been beside themselves with worry over her. That’s when she knew she had to leave if she wanted to keep making an impact.
Meanwhile, as she is telling the story, Tensei got a somewhat manic look in his face and hopped out of the wagon, jogging alongside. When asked what he was doing he just grunted and waved the others away while he kept pace for a few miles. Eventually he climbed back in, sweaty, but seemingly in better health than when he started.
The days go by fairly uneventfully. Mostly clear skies and dry roads as the team heads north.
Eventually you approach the a river and have to cross an ancient looking bridge. The boards look poorly maintained and it creaks as the winds shift it side to side. With a little ingenuity and elbow grease, the wagon is able to safely be moved across.
The evenings are largely uneventful as well, except for a duo of raccoons that kept trying to get into the food stuffs. When you all finally managed to chase them off you discovered they had successfully stolen some of your breads and tore a hole into the horse feed, spilling it and making a minor mess.
The road started to look a bit more worn, and widens a bit when Abigail announces that you’re not too far from Kaer Maga… she thinks. As the city comes into view you can see her face brighten and look almost relieved that she was right. Beyond the city you can see the ground slowly change from the green of the forest and grasslands to a burnt orange color that dominates the area. Trees and vegetation begin to thin out and just a feeling of desolation hovers in the air there.
At the city gates you’re stopped briefly to identify and directed to an inn that could possibly accommodate your horses and wagon.
The doctor sets about replenishing their supplies. While shopping, she asks around to gather information about their destination, and to find some local maps to show the best routes to and from.
Faust will go to a busy bar and get a drink while trying to gather information.
Bringing the wagon to the aforementioned inn, you do find that they have space to stables the animals and secure the wagon itself. The rooms are slightly more expensive, but it’s not too far out of line.
Meeting with some of the locals nearby, Hu is directed to some of the local shops. She is easily able to gather up some of the supplies needed, but gets turned around trying to follow the directions given for someone selling maps. Eventually she does locate a shop that sells some, and while they are somewhat crude and maybe not great on the scaling, they seem at least somewhat usable. On the quest for a guide however, she has less luck in that department. Most folks want to avoid traveling out into the badlands unless paid a pretty penny upfront.
Faust meanwhile chats up some folks at the common room of their inn. The place seems to be pretty well off, and looks to make most of their custom off of food and drink over the inn and stables. While enjoying his drink and learning a little of the area, a man in dark leathers enters, accompanied by a woman. As they scan the room, the woman spots Faust and a familiar, eerie grin curls her lips. She comes over to greet you.
”So odd seeing you all the way out here. Get tired of that queen and her iron fist or did you get pushed out?”. The man seeing her engage with you lot clicks his tongue, appearing to disapprove and pivots to head over to an empty table.
We just needed to leave for a bit to take care of some business. We are heading to the Cinterlands. What brings you out here?
”What is this ‘business’ you speak of?”
She looks intently at you, expecting a bit more to the story.
We are looking for information on something called Midnights Teeth. Ever heard of anything like that?
At the mention of the teeth, her usual smiling face slips and her eyes widen. She recovers quickly, but leans down and whispers to Faust.
”That is a dangerous thing you mentioned. Not many know of it, and those that do are not often keen to share their knowledge openly. We can talk more about it if you’d like… privately.”
She straightens back upright and her strange smile seems even more intense. ”if you lot are staying here, we should have dinner together tonight. My… associate is probably getting impatient over there, so I should get back to him. Tah.”
"Yeah sounds good we can talk more later. I will let the others know."
I make my way to the group. "Hey guy do you remember Laori the lady we met at Salvator Screams place. I seen her in the bar and she wants to have dinner with us and also she has information of Midnights Teeth that we are looking into."
"You seemed to fair better than I. I did replenish our supplies and I was able to find these maps of the area, for what they are worth. Still... we should be cautious of discussing our plans with people. Especially those who know us from the city. I'm sure someone could turn us in, looking for a pay day."
"True I may have been a bit too loose lipped on that one. We have worked with her a bit and she helped us in in our motives at the time so I am inclined to trust her because she had ample time to turn on us. But I will be more careful for sure."
As evening approaches, the group gathers at the common room for dinner. As Laori enters, she has her usual smirk, but at seeing all gathered, she quirks her eyebrow at Faust.
”It seems you misunderstood my meaning.”. She approaches and pats the catfolk on the cheek. ”What I meant was we should have dinner. Aw well. Maybe we can have desert later.”
She selects a chair and sits. Soon food is brought out and the group makes conversation.
”Ive been told you’re looking for something out here. Or rather information about something. I find myself seeking knowledge of much the same. There have been rumors that Thousand Bones has been seen heading out to the Cinderlands. Tracking him down might be your best bet, he has been trying to find a way to bring peace between the varisians and Shoanti for years. He might be willing to answer if you can find him.”
As the meal winds down and the night grows late, Laori stands and heads towards the stairs to her room. ”Now about that desert. Coming kitten?”
I most certainly did. I say as she makes her first comment.
Do you know anything about Thousand Bones at all? Like what he looks like or anything?
After answering the questions I will look at the group. I will see you guys in the morning looks like I have....plans I follow Laori up the stairs.
She gives a brief description of the shoanti man. ”There has been some… difficulty in arranging an expedition to the Cinderlands. Mostly, we have been waiting for him to return to Kaer Maga to contact him, but if you are all heading there anyway, you may be able to assist getting the knowledge we seek of the artifacts.”
=-=-=-=-=-=
Upstairs, Laori opens the door to her room. The dark clad man is sitting at a desk writing something. He starts to speak, then glares at the two of you.
”What is the meaning of this?”. His voice rising as he stands from his chair.
Laori runs a hand along Faust’s chin and gives a wink to the man in black.
”Tsk. You are such a child. This is exactly why they sent me here to do your job.”
Laori’s hand twitches as if to reach for her weapon, but she just drags the catfolk inside the room and holds her hands towards the door as if demanding her roommate leave now.
”This will not go unpunished.”. He speaks the words flatly as he stalks out of the room.
”Well, now that that spoilsport is out of the way, I’ve got something to show you.”. She steps to the bed and starts to undress.
=-=-=-=-=-=
The next morning the group is able to reconvene in the common room. Supplies at the ready, maps prepare… as best as can be. You are all able to set out now, should you choose to do so.
Faust will come down stairs. How is everyone? Ready to go?
The Doctor raises an eyebrow at Faust.
"I'm ready if you are."
I am feeling fantastic and I am ready to go.
"You seem to know each other from your time in the city. I'm not trying to pry into your personal affairs but it's rather coincidental to... reconnect out here. It might behoove us to know what she's doing out here, if she has any companions, and how our goals are aligned... or misaligned. Did you manage to gather anything of note from the time you spent with her?"
The Doctor pauses, a look of concern crossing her face.
"The possibility still exists we are working at cross purposes and we may come to blows."
Making one last pass to pick up on any information before heading into the wastes, Faust happens across a couple younger folks running in the streets. Their facial features and skin tone indicate they may have at least one parent that is Shoanti, so he takes a shot and addresses them. Frightened at first, their curiosity at seeing a catfolk wins out and they chat with him for a bit. The boys do know a bit about the culture and that Thousand Bones is a pretty important person within the tribes, but also, you get the impression that the clan he is with is not well liked by the others. Moreso they are tolerated because of what they do as the Clan of Bones, overseeing the dead. They can usually be found in the eastern areas of the Cinderlands, but most of the tribes are nomadic.
I do know that she has a companion that does not like how she is not following what they are supposed to be doing. He seems a bit more by the books and they are working for someone but didn't get any names. It was just a bit of fun but trust me if we come to blows it will not cloud my vision from our mission or you all that I consider my friends.
The wagon creaks as the wheels turn and the group heads into the Cinderlands. Not too far outside of Kaer Maga the landscape begins to look very alien to what you have grown accustomed to. Small scrub brushes and some dry looking trees line the make shift path out into the wastes. Trade routes and paths worn over years mark the land and give an idea of which way to head, but you can tell that they are not traveled enough to be fully reliable.
Utilizing the maps gives you a good idea of where to go, but progress is slow.