"Don't let the caster escape! She could be what is keeping these fighters prisoner!" Andochtuir cries. "Spivey or Zaiobe! Fly outside and make sure you keep an eye on her from the air!"
Meanwhile, he rushes after the woman inside the house! "Get out of my way! Surrender and be spared, or face us and die. " He growls, as he viciously cuts into the only non-drunk combatant left in his immediate path.
Andochtuir charges across the room, whirling his fauchard. The heavy attack tears through his target's guard and rips the warrior in two, splattering his nearby comrades in gore. One screams, flinching back from the attack.
Yuto's volley of attacks easily catches his target off-guard and cuts him down with equally terrible results - blood, bile and fly across the walls as he disembowels the hapless drunk.
"Wait! We surrender!" One of the warriors throws down her weapons as she shouts in broken Taldane.
Andochtuir gives the remaining cowering fighters a curt nod and motions to the side wall. "Throw down your weapons and lie there." He points with his Fuachard, then wastes no further time in opening the door the caster fled through, trying to locate her.
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Yuto halts out of confusion, he looks back to his comrades and specially to Riftun as the only Ulfen here "Do-do they even ha-have the right to surrender to a Wergild?"
Turning to the men and pushing away their weapons, he states "O-ok, you are so co-coward that you are not even willing to hold to your word and fight for the honor of your dead Lo-Lord?" the Tian seems confused about this behavior of the Ulfen.
When possible, he will register the body of the fallen Asvig.
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The warriors toss aside their weapons, and Andochtuir rushes through the doors, crashing through what looks to be a kitchen with a very distressed-looking and only partially clothed woman huddling in the corner with a few other noncombatants who had fled. The door to the north that is just swinging shut. He follows the door into what is obviously a pantry. Beyond, the door hangs open, and he sees the shadowy figure of the red-haired woman dashing off into the dark.
The Ulfen warriors look bemused at Yuto's question - it clearly is beyond their abilities in Taldane. Yuto discovers that Asvig is still alive - unconscious, but he doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger of bleeding out... yet.
Zaiobe looks around at the people present.
One of the noncombatants in the main hall slowly creeps out from beneath his hiding place under one of the tables.
"This one is still alive. We can bring him to Fynn Snaevald to cla-aim his right." Yuto removes from the fallen all weapons and equipment.
"Do you see anywhere the stolen blade?" he specially als to Andochtuir who got deeper in the building.
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"Yuto! Let them surrender, there's been enough killing!" Torra seems greatly relieved that the warriors are finally willing to stop fighting.
"You should go help Andochtuir follow that woman, I can keep an eye on these." The dwarf moves to check on the downed combatants, and if any of them should be still breathing she tries to keep them from bleeding out.
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Riftun seems flustered as Yuto questions him... Something about this whole scenario just seems... off doesn't it? The feeling stirs restlessly in the bard's stomach as he musters up a reply, "Wergild does allow oneself to submit to justice and there are paths other than bloodshed which it may take including monetary compensation."
His eyes then turn to Zaiobe and the bard shakes his head and offers a gentle smile.
"You've done amazingly and I'm so proud of you working on the side of justice! R-Really I am! If you still need to let off some more steam you could aid Andochtuir in tracking down that red-headed caster. With my spell, your flight, and your sight there's no chance of her getting away. I-I'll tend to things here. See if we can get some answers. You be safe, promise?"
After Zaiobe's response, Riftun sets his attention on the fallen foes and tries to steady his stomach...
So much... bloodshed.
The young man shakes his head regrettably. "I agree with Torra, we can handle things here now Yuto. P-Please go with Andy and Zaiobe after the woman, keep them safe."
He looks up to Spivey, "Spivey, would you mind lending your aid to preserve the lives of the fallen but not yet departed? Starting with Asvig? I-I have some questions I would like to ask, not the least of which is the location of the stolen sword."
Yuto nods relieved "It is good the law offers some civilized way out this situation"
Accepting Torra and Riftun suggestion, the young man strides through the building looking after Andochtuir and the fleeing woman "W-we should not forget w-we are here because of our friend's blade"
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The harpy glares around at the warriors who were (and remain) in a drunken stupor when the party arrived.
"I can." Spivey says, fluttering down before looking briefly at Asvig. "Any healing I do for him will wake him up." She notes. "I'll look after the others first, shall I?"
The servant approaches Riftun cautiously.
The samurai joins Andochtuir as quickly as he's able. With their armor weighing them down, there's no easy way for them to catch a fleeing woman in the relative dark - and one who knows the area, no less.
Riftun nods to Spivey gratefully, "Y-Yes please Spivey. You're a true blessing upon us from the Starsong herself. Torra and I will handle tying up those that remain alive in the meantime."
The bard offers a sad smile to the approaching servant in an attempt to ease him.
Zaiobe shrugs at Riftun and says nothing, but she is clearly displeased.
The man, meanwhile, replies to Riftun, gesturing at the warriors.
Seeing the advantage and light encumbrance of the woman, Yuto decides to come back into the building "Th-the woman is gone, and I am not leaving you alone w-with these drunk traitorous pe-eople..."
Overhearing the response of the servant Yuto says in Skald "Hvis du ikke er involveret i overfaldet, så kan vi love. Fortæl os nu, hvorfor Asvig ville have bladet, og hvor det er lige nu."
Seeing that chasing the woman was a lost cause, and equally unwilling to leave his friends alone with the still armed or easily armable 'prisoners', Andochtuir returns alongside Yuto, trying not to look at the partially dressed woman on the way back. Once he makes it there, he is unable to understand most of the conversation.
"If they're asking what we're going to do, by Wergild Asvig's life now belongs to Fynn," He says to those speaking in skald. "As does the sword, as it was originally his. However, Fynn-san's property was also damaged, as well as multiple of his servants killed, aside from whether more was stolen than just the sword. And there is the earlier attack on us, where I at least was gravely injured as a direct result of Asvig's actions. I will show mercy to the survivors as promised, but I do believe we have a right to claim part of Asvig's possesions here to ourselves in personal recompense."
An image of the unknown Ulfen women dying a horrific death in front of the collective caravan flashes through his mind. "Oh, and if someone could ask, perhaps it would be worthwhile discussing how Asvig has bound these people to him and how we could release them from that deathcurse or such?"
The thrall nods briefly at Yuto, and begins talking.
Andochtuir's search of the premises reveals a number of interesting and valuable objects. Asvig himself wears masterwork chainmail, a masterwork heavy wooden shield, a finely crafted short spear, two throwing axes, a platinum lion’s head arm-ring, a fine felt cloak, a gold neck ring, and a gold-ringed pin brooch.
[spoiler=Appraise DC 15 - Platinum Arm-Ring]The craftsmanship of this ring makes it worth more than its weight in platinum - about 350 gp.
Each of the warriors have a pair of throwing axes to their name and their larger battle-axes. They re also wearing leather armor, though many of them are damaged. Each also has a gold lion arm-ring.
Behind the folding screen is what must be Asvig's bedroom, based on the unusually long bed frame. At the back of the room there's a door, beyond which are the most interesting pieces of loot from Asvig's home, which hang on hooks or lie within chests.
The valuables include a masterwork short sword with an ivory pommel - probably from walrus - a pair of finely crafted boots, 19 more lion's head arm-rings, a wide variety of jewelry, an ornately carved tally stick made from whale bone, three small bales of valuable angora wool, and a felt bag full of gold and silver .
Riftun's quick scan of the equipment reveals that the short spear Asvig used is magical, enchanted to hit harder and more precisely . He notices the boots are also magical, but cannot identify exactly how.
Riftun nods at Andy's suggestions and turns to the servant with a puzzled look,
He then explains to Andochtuir, "He says that Asvig did steal the sword but it is no longer here... I-It's with a prisoner he sent away f-from my understanding."
Later Riftun inspects the items thoroughly, "U-Unfortunately I can't be sure on the armband or the neck-ring but the brooch and the cloak are quite nice... probably worth around thirty-five gold all together... Asvig's spear and boots are magical though! The spear bares a simple enchantment to make it his a little harder and more accurately but... I can't say what the boots do, which is unfortunate since those were what I was most curious about." The bard explains his findings.
"En fange? Hvilken fange, hvem er ham? Og hvor eller til hvem sendte han fangen og bladet?" intervenes Yuto.
"A prisoner? What prisoner, who is him? And where or to whom did he send the prisoner and the blade?"
Yuto quickly observes the valuables but shrugs unable to price them just by eye.
"Truly a mystery..." mutters Torra as they inspect the armband. "But this neck-ring is worth about 50 gold, I'd say." The dwarf frowns at the small pile of loot. "And still no sword."
The thrall shrugs before replying to Riftun and Yuto.
The man gestures at the feast hall.
One of the warriors speaks shakily.
Spivey floats over to the boots. "These are elf-made boots. They help you run and jump around."
"A boat?" Yuto echos perplexed, looking at what remains of the feast "So-so-so that is... this was all a party celebration for Asvig's Thane Snorri Stone-Eye..."
Translating for the ones who do not know Skald, he further clarifies "It seems they brought a kidnapped Ulfen by the name of Ulf Gormundr to join their dead thane. Along with the blade I suppose..."
"Ohm! Do-does it mean they brought them into a pyre-boat for the funeral?!" Yuto exclaims suddenly realizing where this is going.
Turning to Asvig's men, he asks "Hvor er begravelsesbåden? Var den allerede sat i brand?"
"Where is the funeral boat? Was it set to fire already?"
"It sho-should be launched soon from a peninsula close to Kalsgard?" echoes Yuto again blinking his eyes.
The young man continues with his investigations unless someone already has an idea of where that might be "Nogen der kender den præcise placering? Hvem organiserede begravelsen?"
"Wait, they are going to burn him alive? This Ulf?" Torra looks shocked. "Why would they do that!"
The dwarf racks their brain, trying to remember a peninsula nearby. "Yuto, ask them if any of them can guide us there, we'll pay!"
Yuto nods to Torra and translates for Asvig's men.
"If any of you can guide us there, we will not only set you free but we will pay you for the service."
Riftun sucks on his cheek and casts his eyes to the ground as he thinks on his people and some of their less savory cultural habits.
"Human sacrifice... isn't terribly uncommon among my people a-and a thrall may be sacrificed along his lord to serve in the afterlife but... a prisoner wouldn't really serve that purpose would they? R-Regardless we'll need to get there quickly if we want to save this man a-along with the sword of course or it could be lost to the sea!" The young bard begins to panic as he thinks on where the peninsula could be.
The thrall says with a helpless shrug.
The talkative warrior adds something else.
Asking around Kalsgard would probably earn him more information about the jarl and his ultimate fate. It might even reveal some of his associates - hopefully, it might point to reasons for Asvig (who served him) to have ordered an attack on the caravan and Snaevald.
"Spear-shaker's Point, ok. Well i-it is good we have time until tomorrow. But perhaps we should hurry up, ju-just in case..." Yuto thanks the men for their help " Let's go to Karlsgard and confirm the story"
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Riftun does sigh with relief upon hearing that they at least had some time until the boat was to be launched... still not THAT much time however... They'd have to use their time wisely.
"He says they intend to take Ulf to a peninsula, Spear-shaker's Point, for the funeral of Jarl Snorri Stone-Eye. I-I know exactly how to get us there s-so a guide shouldn't be necessary. Besides it could put the man's life in danger." Riftun shakes his head, the blue bead on his single braid dangling and reflecting the light about him. "I still think it may be wise to head to Karlsgard first, w-we could find out why Asvig would have attacked us in the first place." He suggests hopefully.
"As for Snorri... I recognize the name... My mother was quite the fan after all and told tales of his exploits as a true example of Ulfen warrior tradition. H-He was a Jarl and he was famous for leading many successful raids against the southlands... Kind of a folk hero to some... I wonder..." Riftun turns back to the servant before him and switches back to his native language.
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Torra looks considerably relieved that at least someone knew where the place was. "I don't understand the politics around all this, but we should hurry, like Yuto says." The dwarf gestures at the fallen bodies in the room. "Is this enough wergild or do we need to do more?"
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Yuto assents to Riftun explanations "Th-that is a relief... well, let's then try to-to figure out what has gone out with Snorri and Ulf."
The young man waits to hear if Riftun's last question about how Snorri died is properly answered, but otherwise he is ready to depart "Ho-ow far is this peninsula from Karlsgard? Do we really have the time to vi-visit the city and ask questions or shall we just head straight for the peninsula?"
The thrall shrugs at Riftun.
True to Riftun's word and his own intent, Andochtuir donates half of Asvig's found money in the hallway to remaining servants and warriors.
"Thank you for the information, it was most helpful. Should be enough to keep them from looting - well, more than usual I'd imagine," He glances at their Bard, wondering how true the Ulfen stereotype help overall. "Or perhaps use it to flee and build a new existence elsewhere. I do not know of these other warriors, but there is always a chance they will blame you for failing to protect Asvig, even if doing so would have certainly led to your deaths. Honor is a cruel thing at times."
A shadow passes his face as he utters the final words, and he walks away into the cold night, leaving behind the hall filled with blood and death. "Let's stop in the city for a quick rest. We should have the time if we keep it brief, and we need to be at our best if this unknown female sorceror attempts to come at us with the rest of Asvig's men. They obviously know where we're going and where to ambush us."
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Yuto secures Asvig's body "Perhaps we can stop at Fynn Snaevald home, deliver Asvig to him and take a rest on his villa before heading to Spear-shaker's Point"
The young man thanks the Ulfen that gave them the information and then exits the house "Let's go before the remaining warriors come back"
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With that, the heroes take their prisoner and head back towards the city. As they go, Riftun's body grows increasingly chilly - his extremities become number and more distant. The bard is more than aware enough to realize that this is not a good sign.
Eventually, however, they arrive at Kalsgard, long after dark. Through their careful pleading, the night watch permits them to enter despite the usual closed gates, ushering them along hastily - especially with the idea that they have a prisoner under wergild. It takes them another half hour to arrive at Fynn Snaevald's home - by this point it is nearly midnight, but a servant answers the door nonetheless.
They are escorted to a warm room, and soon enough Snaevald arrives with a young Varki woman. Neither look like they were asleep. "Good evening." He says dryly, before looking at Asvig. "Looks like you have a prisoner." He turns to his servant, who promptly scurries off.
He turns his attention to the heroes once more. "This is Uksahkka - she's a tracker who heard that I had sent you out after Asvig."
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"We got him ce-celebrating his Thane's death. I would not surprise he is responsible for that too" Yuto delivers the prisoner and points to Riftun, he talks in Skald "Could we have place at your hearth? The weather is too cold for what we a-are used..."
The young man greets Uksahkka "Do you happen to know anything about Snorri Stone-Eye, his funeral and the kidnapping of Ulf Gormundr to be offered in that funeral?"
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"I should really have someone teach me Skald..." Andochtuir wonders as he overhears the conversation. Well, it wasn't particularly hard to guess Snyvald didn't have the best of intentions with Asvig. Though, he didn't particularly care. Asvig was a villain and such was the law.
"Well-met, Uksahkka," He nods to the woman. "To what do we owe your curiousity? Were you poised to hunt down Asvig yourself?" He asks, unsure how Fynn's statement regarding her mattered for this particular moment. And Yuto had already asked the moment important questions, in his endearingly direct, no-nonsense way.
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"Hrm. Snorri Stone-Eye? No, the two were quite close. Celebration is what we do when someone close to us dies. To celebrate that they lived, rather than mourn that they're gone." Fynn says, stroking his beard. "And yes, of course, make yourselves comfortable."
"Ulf? So they did have something to do with his disappearance. F#$~ing Hell." She rubs her face wearily. "Ulf's a guide, and my business parter. Since he's not been playing any of the local guilds' games about 'exclusive' services, he's been struggling with his end of the business. So when Asvig hired him to develop a new trade route through Grungir Forest. That was a few weeks ago, though, and I haven't heard from him since."
She pauses, frowning. "To be offered?"
"Burning people alive in a funeral? That's... an old custom, but not practiced these days. I'm not surprised that Snorri's subordinates would do it, though."
"Ulf's going to be burned?" She curses in her native tongue. "Alright. Do you know where they're sending him off? It probably won't be until evening. There's going to be a heavy fog all day tomorrow."
"A-are you guides? W-we actually were looking for some guides guides fo-for our caravan..." Yuto starts, almost caught by surprise, but happy to starting to piece together what Ulf role is playing in this business "O-oh, sorry, I guess you are worried for your friend... w-we were told the funeral will be in Spear-shaker's Point peninsula"
The man looks at his companions "Sh-shall we help Uksahkka save her friend? W-we were planning to go there to f-fetch the katana anyway..."
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Riftun hobbles into the home, his teeth constantly chattering in his head, his eyes tired, and his body shaking. He is too exhausted to take much in but is glad mostly for the warmth of the home even though it does feel somewhat like it's burningly hot in comparison to the outdoors. The bard finds himself a seat close to the fire and bows his head. "Th-Thank you for taking us in at this late hour."
When the bard hears Fynn's request for an axe the bard does frown a bit, however, "H-Hasn't there been enough death? Can't Asvig find a way to pay his dues through service? So many lives have already been claimed... A-And besides, we still don't even know why he targeted you specifically." The young man pleads before looking up at Uksahkka with exhausted eyes.
"Spear-shaker's Point is where they're headed... We would be headed their first thing tomorrow but... For now, we absolutely must rest."
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Torra smiles at Snaevald's explanation. "Celebrating someone's life when they die sounds like something dwarves would do as well. I like the idea of this custom." Yuto's question generates a quizzical look from her. "Of course, we're not going to let someone be burned alive! The katana is secondary to saving someone's life."
Noticing Riftun's shaking and chattering, Torra moves to kneel by his chair next to the fire. "Show me your hands. Can you wriggle your toes? Do they hurt?" She examines the bard, looking for signs of frostbite.
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"Guides? Yeah, we're the only ones who aren't associated with any of the local guilds. It's why Ulf was so willing to jump at the opportunity Asvig seemed to be offering." Uksahkka replies to Yuto, before frowning thoughtfully. "Spear-shaker's Point? I know of it. Now, if you head over there during the day tomorrow, I think you're likely to face heavy resistance. Snorri was a jarl, and he would have a large honor guard for his funeral."
She stands up and begins pacing. "I have an alternate suggestion. The launch won't be until evening - the fog will keep them from doing it until then. My people use small boats for fishing - kayaks - that are small, close to the water, and most of all quiet. I can arrange for you all to get enough kayaks for each of you and Ulf, then you can row out to sea - catch the boat when it's in the water."
The tracker looks at Riftun. "Besides, he'll need more time to recover than to head out first thing in the morning."
Torra finds that although he's not frostbitten, Riftun's hands are not far off.
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Yuto gulps under the proposal "To-to catch the boat? I barely can swim... nor I know ma-anage one of those... kayaks?" the young man turns pale.
"Bu-but if you are a local guide, you-ou know better Uksahkka, I will abide to your advice " Yuto looks at the others for what do they think" Perhaps one of us should bring notice of our advances to the caravan "
Torra frowns at the suggestion. "I'm not good with water, or boats, but it seems a better alternative than fighting the guards. Perhaps there is something in Karlsgard that can help us swim?"
"H-Hasn't there been enough death? Can't Asvig find a way to pay his dues through service? So many lives have already been claimed... A-And besides, we still don't even know why he targeted you specifically." The young man pleads before looking up at Uksahkka with exhausted eyes.
"My young friend does have a point in that we don't know the why of this attack; if there was more behind it than simple greed. If there is, it would help to know who enlisted him. That strange caster woman that was with him managed to escape as well," Andochtuir muses.
He regards Asvig's unconscious body until Fynn's servant returns with an axe, when his eyes travel to the weapon. "Of course, his life is yours to decide what to do with if my understanding of Wergild is correct."
His gaze softens as he turns back to Riftun, who clearly had enough of death. "That you bargain for his life speaks well of you, Riftun, but keeping alive does not have to be a mercy. Common punishments in lands like that of the Osiriani are chopping off the hands of thieves. Or... well, their, ah, 'spears'. Perhaps Master Fynn is just too kind to resort to such methods and prefers granting him a quick and easy death. "
After the matter of what to do with Asvig is resolved, he nods at Ukhsakka. "Of course we will help you save your friend. We happen to be in need to reliable guides as well, should you seek employment when we finish. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement?"
"No." Fynn says flatly in response to Riftun. "His wergild is mine, and I will see him dead." He kicks the tall man sharply, though Asvig only stirs slightly. "I might ask him some questions first, though."
Uksahkka looks to the others. "Not to worry, kayaks are fairly easy to manage. It shouldn't take more than an hour or two to get you proficient enough to row out to the boat and back. We can meet out near Spear-shaker's Point tomorrow evening - an hour or two before nightfall, and I'll show you how to do it."
She rubs her hands together absently. "That way, you'll have all day tomorrow to prepare, as well as the rest of the night to rest. Maybe you can ask around Kalsgard to figure out how large an honor guard he has, if you really want to challenge them, and you can definitely make your shopping trips."
Yuto nods to Uksahkka and turns to Torra seeing she shares his worries "I-it seems this Uksahkka knows wha-at she's doing. She seems a de-ecent and able guide, so perhaps we re-really do not have to worry"
The Tian will agree to pass some time in Kalsgard to try fetch some information, sell stuff and buy any equipment we need "We also should inform the caravan. P-perhaps they did discover something more while we were away..."
Riftun nods along and tries his best to wiggle his fingers and toes for Torra. They are stiff but they do move at his command.
"Th-Thank you Torra, you're too kind, b-but I'm alright I just need some rest..." He confesses, exhausted.
The bard does flinch at the sharpness of Fynn's denial of his request but bows his head in understanding. "A-As you will... We... We should rest... The sooner we can get started the better.. a-and I confess... I may need to rest a while... maybe I'm not so cut out for this adventuring business after all."
Yuto looks at the young Ulfen with concern. He asks Fynn "Co-could I use your fire?" the Tian will then bring one of the pots he is carrying over and put it into the fire with some water inside. After a few minutes, he fills a cup with a few herbs and slowly pours the warm water inside. He makes a small reverence to the smoking cup and mutters a few words, only to stand up a few seconds afterwards, bringing the humming cup to Riftun and placing it into his hands and against his chest "Mo-mother would warm me like this on the coldest winters... I hope it helps you some..."
After the group's rest, Yuto will follow Uksahkka's lead into Kalsgard, and while the guide looks after the kayaks, he does sell as much stuff as he can, buying a nice belt he fits into his waist. While he does the selling and buying, he asks questions around, trying to gather as much information as possible:
"Have you heard anything recent about the Path of Aganhei? Anyone that knows the road?"
"Did you hear about the funeral of Snorri Stone-Eye? Have you heard anything about his honor guard?"
"Ever been to Spear-shaker's Point peninsula? Any dangers there?"