Yuto listens carefully, his gaze flicking between Helgarval, Koya, and Sandru as they speak. He nods slowly, accepting the rule of the caravan leadership, though his nervousness is still evident in his trembling voice "Y-you are right. W-we cannot ignore the village... i-if they are in trouble, we should h-help. B-but..." he pauses, glancing around at the group "W-we must approach cautiously. W-we should keep Ameiko's identity secret, t-to ensure the caravan's safety"
He takes a steadying breath, gripping the holy symbol at his belt for reassurance "L-let us hope th-they are willing to talk. A-and that the necromancer has not reached them yet"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Of course." Ameiko says with a gentle smile at Yuto. "It'd be a very bad idea to reveal who we are, given how widespread the Five Storms' agents are."
Ulf looks seriously at Torra. "Assuming the villagers are willing to let us do so, aye. They may not be - they need the food just as much as us, after all." He folds his arms. "But you're not wrong. They may at least allow us some shelter. It's been quite some time since I was up this way, so my memories of the settlement is... foggy."
Once the meeting is fully adjourned, the caravan takes a rest for the night, and moves onwards the following day.
The following morning is significantly warmer, but the skies have a handful of grey clouds that seem oddly ominous. After a few hours' journey, they arrive at another ill omen when Lone-Pillar and Shalelu arrive with a report.
"There's another caravan ahead." The half-orc says bluntly to the assembled heroes, Shalelu, the Kaijistu sisters, Koya, Ulf, and Sandru. "Ruined."
They are assembled near the front of the caravan, all bundled in heavy clothing to protect them from the harsh chill of the midmorning. Koya mutters a prayer to Desna, her eyes falling half-shut.
"Dammit." Sandru shakes his head. "Another one?"
Shalelu nods briefly. "I don't know what destroyed it, but there aren't any corpses around, either."
"Our necromancer, then?" Ameiko suggests, her expression dark.
"Unless there were animal tracks." Amaya suggests, glancing at the scouts.
Shalelu shakes her head gravely. "None that I saw." She glances at Lone-Pillar, who doesn't add anything, simply shaking his own head.
"We should investigate." Ameiko opines. "Anything we could learn about this enemy would be useful."
Yuto tenses at the report "A-a ruined caravan... w-with no corpses. Th-this does sound like the necromancer's work... i-if not something worse" he swallows hard, his eyes narrowing in thought "Y-you are right, Ameiko. W-we should investigate. B-but w-we must be careful. I-it could be a trap"
He tightens his grip on his holy symbol for courage and casts a wary glance at the gray clouds above. "I-I can go check" he offers and starts moving towards the caravan position.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"You are not going by yourself, Yuto! Remember, scouting groups of four - at least." Torra begins to check the fastenings of their boots and tugs their scarf more snugly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ritti wraps herself in some terrain-colored scarves. ”Trying to take my job, Chief? I’m not here cuz I’m pretty. Let me do the scouty stuff.” Fortunately, Ritti’s boots let her move along the top of the snow without having to plow through it so she easily outpaces the others. She answers Yuto ever-present question as she strides past him, "Yes, I'll be careful."
The party moves forwards to the broken caravan. True to Shalelu's report, there are no corpses, but there are four different carts in various states of damage. Several chunks are missing from one's frame, while a second's bed is cracked and broken. The third has wheels shattered, while the fourth looks like its doors were smashed in by heavy blows.
The few supplies left - a handful of arrows with snapped shafts, clothing soiled with blood and other, even less savory fluids, and more - are effectively ruined. This isn't a salvageable caravan. Just another worrying sign of what may yet come for them.
Torra points to the churned snow and dirt. "About thirty people. No animal tracks that I can see." Speaking of animals, the dwarf looks around to see what became of the caravan's beasts of burden, the oxen or horses or what have you that were pulling the carts.
Yuto stays close to the others as they approach the ruined caravan, his breaths shallow and his hand resting on Suishen's hilt. He listens carefully to Torra's observations, his gaze darting over the wreckage "N-no corpses... no animals..." he mutters under his breath, his brows furrowing in concern. He kneels briefly near one of the broken carts, inspecting the smashed wood and spilled contents "Th-they were... t-taken? Where? Why?" his voice rises slightly, betraying his unease.
Yuto's gaze shifts toward the churned snow "I-if there are no tracks leading away... c-could they have been taken by magic?" he looks to the spellcasters in the group, his expression searching.
"T-this cannot be the work of ordinary bandits. W-we need to be ready... for something much worse"
Ritti surveys the damage, "Well, seems like we have a choice of trying to track these folks down to see what's what or head back to the caravan for a chat with Sandru and Ameiko. They might want to ride past this one."
She adds, "Ameiko did say we should learn about any threats.. so I'm leaning towards chasing them down."
"There are tracks leading away, Yuto." Helgarval says, fluttering off of its bearer's head and flying over to indicate them. Indeed, there are a great many - the humanoid tracks all lead away from the site towards the west. The angel hovers for a moment before returning to Yuto's head.
"Not taken, they walked away. These animals, though... they were not dragged to this spot before being killed. Maybe lifted or thrown, so perhaps a giant - or magic."
Torra looks around for any giant tracks, as well as any clues to how long ago this gruesome episode occurred.
"Near as I can tell, there's no big giant prints... So maybe something that flies swooped on them."
As she looks through the destruction, Atsuko tries to put together a somewhat hopeful or positive take on what she's seeing and hearing.
"Well, the animals were attacked, and it looks like they'd have to be lifted to get where they are without any sign of being moved along the ground. Seems like a flying creature. The animals are torn up badly. Maybe a carnivore like a Roc or some other big bird?"
"Looks like the people walked away, maybe some injured, but if they were really targets like the animals were there would be at least a couple of them that wouldn't be walking away, and there are no dead."
"If whatever attacked was undead, why were only the people reanimated, but not the animals? So for several animals to be torn up from the air, and the people to be turned undead, we'd need an undead bird rider or something. Seems a little far-fetched."
"I'd think the attacks from the air were animal. If it was something smart, like a dragon, it would know the people were more dangerous than draft animals and go for them first. If I had to make a bet, and I'd rather not, I'd think the people walked off to try and find help after their draft animals became a meal. It would be better than sitting around until you starve or freeze. Since there the wagons are empty of any useful supplies, maybe the people carried the food and other stuff away with them. Again, that would be common sense in their situation."
Yuto nods as Helgarval indicates the tracks "Then we should follow. If there's a danger, we must find out w-what it is about" he says, his grip on Suishen tightening.
He glances at the others "We must move quickly before the snow obscures the trail—or worse, something else finds them first"
Atsuko's theory that a flying creature might have picked up the animals makes Torra recheck the area around the corpses. Even if an airborne creature might never touch the ground to leave tracks, the draft from its wings beating would sweep away the snow in a certain way - not to mention that feathers might be caught in branches, or lying around.
Through their careful forensic work - though it is hardly professional - the heroes come to the conclusion that it's likely this happened perhaps a week or so prior, though it could be as many as two.
Furthermore, their careful examination of the beast corpses reveal that (as with the dead elk before), the injuries seem to have marks of frostbite around them - as though whatever struck the poor animals drained their heat as well as shattering bone and tearing skin.
Torra finds no signs of flying creatures in the area, but the footprints leading away certainly are easy to follow, should they wish to do so.
Atsuko tries to stop Yuto. She sympathizes with his impulse, but "wait, if this happened a week ago or more they have the kind of lead on us that will take a real journey on our part. We should consult with the caravan first. I'm not sure we're in a good situation for that kind of pause in travel."
Yuto pauses at Atsuko's words, "Tha-that is certainly a good point Atsuko San" he admits, then turns to the group "If we choose to consult the caravan first, let's make it quick. Either way, we must decide soon, or the tracks will vanish with the snow"
With that, and assuming no one opposes, he starts to trace back in the direction of the caravan. Once there, he informs Ameiko, Sandru and the others about the findings.
The party returns to the caravan, where Sandru and the rest of the leadership await them. "So, what did you find?" Sandru asks. When they finish the report, his brows furrow. "That's... bad news indeed." He casts a quick glance at Ameiko. "I don't think we should follow them. It's unfortunate, but we've got to keep moving. Our supplies aren't limitless, and without a consistent source of food, we're risking a lot going haring off after a group of undead, even if they're not a large number."
Ameiko looks unhappy, but she nods. "I agree. It's... not ideal, but I think it's something we've got to accept. If it was only a day or less ago, I'd say we should give chase, but if it was a week or more ago, then we really shouldn't take that much time out of our way."
Ritti pipes up, "And the group split into four or five directions... It seems like someone was trying to muddle the trail."
Yuto vows in signal of respect "Le-let's press on then. W-we need to f-find food before we run out of supplies..."
In fact, Yuto will help to look for food as they move, armed with his bow, ready to hunt whatever the wilderness can provide.
"Honestly, or bluntly if you prefer, a week in they have either found shelter by now or they're dead. At this point we can't help, only satisfy our curiosity"
Although she agrees they should hurry, Atsuko does mention they could replenish their firewood stores from the wagons. They won't ever be going anywhere again, so busting off what they need from them could be done in a fairly short time.
"Still... we should widen the range of the scout parties. Whatever destroyed that caravan might be a threat to us. And keep an eye on the sky." Torra seems eager to move on as well, without pursuing the tracks, but the dwarf still urges caution.
"Yes." Shalelu agrees grimly with Ritti. "I think that's likely the case... though that would mean there's definitely an intelligence guiding the undead."
The consensus is quickly reached - the caravan will move on with some increased concern for the ongoing threats of the undead. They do stop briefly to gather what little firewood they can from the caravan - there's not much to salvage, even from the wagons, because of how long they've been left exposed to the elements.
Nevertheless, they continue on, attempting to gather as many supplies as they can along the way.
The following day is not too much a trial, but it is growing ever colder, and the charges of the endure elements wands that the caravan picked up in Kalsgard dwindle slowly as more and more people request their use.
Yuto gathers his coat closer against the cold as he helps pack what little firewood they've salvaged. Concerned by Ritti maybe not feeling still bond to the caravan, he pauses to encourage the girl "Ri-Ritti San, y-your insights and skills have been v-v-valuable to us so far" he says, his voice wavering but earnest "I-it takes time for trust to grow, b-but I believe actions speak loudly. D-do not lose heart despite the frigid coldness"
The Tian is eager to engage with his companions and get to know them but generally he is quick to have his hand over Suishen, willing to proof himself in combat and protect the caravan the way he knows the best.
"I know, but Spivey can't call upon Desna's wisdom again for a little time yet. And we're only a few days away- ah, Ritti." The elderly woman turns to smile at her, wrapping her kapenia bit tighter around her. "We were just speaking of how concerning the path ahead might be."
Sandru scratches his mustache, looking slightly uncomfortable, but takes a deep breath and faces the young woman. "Is there something we can help you with?"
As she seeks the caravan master out, Ritti finds that he's deep in conversation with Koya. "... need to get a resupply soon. Ulf... well, he doesn't seem hopeful about the chances of this lakeside settlement's survival. Given how many signs of undead we've encountered, I don't blame him." The man is saying.
"I know, but Spivey can't call upon Desna's wisdom again for a little time yet. And we're only a few days away- ah, Ritti." The elderly woman turns to smile at her, wrapping her kapenia bit tighter around her. "We were just speaking of how concerning the path ahead might be."
Ritti had been preparing herself for an awkward two-person chat and now it was a threesome. She almost turns around and scampers away, but that would look… well… bad. She had some thoughts on Koya’s news. Unfortunately, her notions would likely undermine what she’d come to discuss with the caravan master. Maybe he’s right about me. But she couldn’t just say something useless like, ”Yeah, that’s a problem” and press on like it wasn’t a dire issue.
”Hullo, Miss Koya. Are you warm enough? If you're chilled, you can always borrow my boots. Warm you right up.” She liked the older lady greatly but she was also stalling.
”As regards that settlement, we should put out more scout patrols as we get close - looking for signs of trouble.” She takes a breath. ”I hope nothing has happened to that village and that we can get supplies. But, if something bad has happened to the village…” She stops, backs up, and starts over, ”In my line of work, sometimes all you got are shi… poor choices. You try to find the best you can in any situation, no matter how bad. So, I hate to say this, but if the village is gone, well… zombies don’t need food like we do. If we’re lucky, there might be supplies we can scavenge. Maybe enough to get us out of this area as quick as can be.” She looks down, unwilling to meet what she expects are judging looks. ”I’m sorry to put it that blunt but being squeamish about it won’t help. Like I said, I hope that village is fine.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sandru looks slightly disapproving at the mention of Ritti's profession, folding his arms over his chest, but doesn't address it, instead focusing on the rest of her words. "Depending on how recently something happened to the village - if indeed anything did - you're correct that there could be supplies to salvage. However, it's possible that they've been gone for longer-"
"Sandru Vhiski." Koya's voice is sharp. "Be polite, young man."
The caravan master flinches, and has the good grace to look abashed. "Sorry, Ritti." The apology, to his credit, doesn't even sound grudging. "It doesn't excuse my shortness of temper, but there's a lot to worry about recently." He glances back at the way they've came, likely thinking of the undead.
"We can only entrust the fate of the village to the gods." Koya says. "I'll consult with Spivey about performing another divination with our prayers - rather than her natural abilities. Now, I assume you had something to say to Sandru, here." She looks at Ritti. "I'll leave you two to it, but be sure to keep things civil. The last thing we need in the caravan is internal strife." With that, the old woman gathers her many layers of skirts and heads off to her own cart.
Sandru looks at Ritti silently for several moments. "Look, I want to apologize again for how I've been treating you. You've done a lot for us, and I don't want to deny that. It's just..." He frowns, considering his words. "I've traveled through a lot of western and northern Avistan. Plenty of Taldans, Chelaxians, and other folks see Varisians and think 'thief' or 'liar.' The Sczarni are a big reason for that, but every time someone catches one of us in theft or something goes missing when we're around, it makes all of them nod sagely, telling each other 'Of course the Varisian was a thief. What else can you expect?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Yes, young lady, I am warm enough. I've been casting a spell that keeps me from feeling the cold, so that the younger folk can keep themselves a bit warmer." Koya replies with a slight smile. "I hope that you're warm enough yourself." She adds, expression growing slightly concerned as she looks over the younger Varisian.
"I'll leave you two to it, but be sure to keep things civil. The last thing we need in the caravan is internal strife."
Ritti calls to her before she can escape, in part to delay the inevitable. ”Before you go… that’s something I wanted to talk to you both about. See, I’m good in this weather. My boots, well, they got magic a bit like your spell, I guess. Keeps me warm, makes it easier to walk across the snow ‘stead of trudging through it. I only wear this coat and pants because, well, I don’t want to stand out or give anyone a reason to resent what I got that they don’t. That’s bad for a caravan because we’re all in this together. As some folks have… gotten more comfortable with me… I’ve offered to lend my boots to them when I’m in a wagon and they ain’t. Not too many have taken my offer. Maybe they think I stole ‘em – I didn’t. Or maybe they think I’m doin’ something shady.” She trails off for a moment, considering an unvoiced alternate possibility. ”My point is, the path is getting colder and I’m not trusted – but you are. So, I was thinking, when I’m not workin’ that maybe you could, I dunno, lend my boots out to folks each day or night… so that everyone, every so often, can go for a long stretch feeling warm and getting the damned cold out of their bones. I think it would hearten people to know, they’ll get to escape the cold a bit in a day or a week. Might be something they can look forward to. How does that sound?”
Sandru looks at Ritti silently for several moments. "Look, I want to apologize again for how I've been treating you. You've done a lot for us, and I don't want to deny that. It's just..." He frowns, considering his words. "I've traveled through a lot of western and northern Avistan. Plenty of Taldans, Chelaxians, and other folks see Varisians and think 'thief' or 'liar.' The Sczarni are a big reason for that, but every time someone catches one of us in theft or something goes missing when we're around, it makes all of them nod sagely, telling each other 'Of course the Varisian was a thief. What else can you expect?"
Ritti nods glumly, ”Maybe I haven’t gone as far as you, but I’ve seen my share of places, desperate times, and sczarni who’d steal the last coin out of a widow’s hand. I’m Varisian, too. I know how some people see us and I don’t like it, either.” She thinks for a moment, framing her next comment. ”When I met Miss Ameiko and you, I could have said I was an ‘entertainer’, an acrobat, or some other convenient thing… and with a wink and a nod, you’d have some idea of what I’ve done without words being spoken. Then we could all pretend I wasn’t what I am… But I didn’t do that. I told you straight up who I am because I’m a thief… but I’m no liar.” She lets the point stand before pressing on, more forcefully.
”You got every right not to like what I do. But give me credit for being honest and know that what I promised Miss Ameiko is just as true: I got ethics. I don’t steal from my allies. I don’t sell people out. I can keep a secret. And I’m not stealing from anyone so long as I’m with the caravan unless Ameiko says I should. I can’t change my past. I don’t know my future. But, for this whole journey, I’m NOT a thief. I just wish you’d stop treating me like a pit viper.”
Ritti is breathing more heavily than she wished as her frustration and fears pour out. ”You look at me and I feel like I’m no different than a… a axle, to you. And like that busted axle we replaced and left on the side of the road, I wonder when my turn to be thrown away will come. If I get grabbed by some frost giant, will anyone try to save me or will the caravan just roll on? Shame we lost Ritti, she was useful at times. Well, she was just a thief, so no loss.”
”You are the caravan master. People respect your position, your views, and you. Maybe even more than Miss Ameiko, you set the tone for how folks should treat each other. They’ve seen how you treat me and that’s been the standard I’ve had to bear from nearly everyone. We met on the 28th of Lamashan. It’s now the 10th of Kuthona… call it six weeks and a bit. Only in the last week or so have many folks thawed toward me.” She wipes at her largely-dry eyes with irritation. ”Can you imagine how that feels? I don’t mind being punished for a crime I committed. That’s a risk of the job. But you’re punishing me for the opinions and biases of Chelaxians and Taldans probably made before my great-great-great grandmother was even born. You’re acting like the reputation of all Varisians is solely my fault. That isn’t fair.”
Ritti lapses into silence, having run out of words.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Koya examines Ritti carefully, a faint smile dancing at the edges of her lips. "Your offer is appreciated, and I'll let the people know. That said, there may be more mundane concerns at work - such as the discomfort that can come with walking around in uncomfortable boots. I believe magical items such as clothing and necklaces resizes, but I'm not sure everyone is aware."
Sandru nods slowly. "That would be fine, Ritti. I'll let some folks know as well. It could maybe keep some of the night watchers warmer."
Sandru looks at Ritti seriously. "If you'd lied, I'd have been even more opposed to taking you with us. Your choice - and maybe your nature - made a better impression." He barks a harsh laugh. "Well, I say 'better', but what I mean is 'less bad.'"
"But let me repay your honesty with some of my own. An honest thief is still a thief - it's a bit like saying a charming Hellknight." He shakes his head. "I've had bad experiences with the Sczarni, Ritti. When my parents died, Koya took me and my younger brother Alder in. But my oldest brother? Jubrayl was already getting entangled in the local criminals work - no one could ever prove anything, of course, but I'm positive he fell in with the Sczarni himself. I've spent most of my life fighting the image and trying to be as different from Jubrayl as I can be, and every time I come into a small Ustalavic village or a Chelaxian town I get some of the same fear and hate. Hell, even in Varisia I sometimes see it."
He shakes his head. "I'm sorry if you feel like I'm putting everything on your head. It's not just your line of work - it's that you, and people like you, are giving arrows to the bowmen that are the bastards who hate us." The caravan master takes a deep breath. "I'll try to treat you better, I promise, but it's not easy."
After a few moments of silence, he looks at Ritti seriously. "Why did you decide to start stealing?"
"So... it's pretty cold, huh? Do- do you get winters like this in... where you're from? With, um, snow and- and cold?"
Idiot! Are you really talking about the WEATHER?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"D-do you suppose undead have to deal with frostbite?" Yuto asks to his companions but no one in particular, feigning casual curiosity "O-or is that one of the few perks of becoming a fr-frozen husk?" he rubs his gloved hands together for warmth "Th-though I can't imagine I would m-make a very intimidating undead. I would probably shuffle around apologizing f-for my swordsmanship and a-asking for tips on a proper groan" Yuto gives a soft chuckle trying to cut the tension, then added, more seriously "If we are facing w-what I think w-we are..."
Glancing then at Ritti he nods "A-and you, Ritti San. D-don't let anyone's grumpiness get to you. You are braver than most I've met" with a sheepish grin, he adjusts his sword belt, glancing at Atsuko "I just hope you've got some prayers or spells ready to keep me from embarrassing myself too badly if I end up on the wrong side of this fight..." he looks to touch the holy symbol for sacred protection.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Ri-Ritti San, y-your insights and skills have been v-v-valuable to us so far" he says, his voice wavering but earnest "I-it takes time for trust to grow, b-but I believe actions speak loudly. D-do not lose heart despite the frigid coldness."
Her smile is almost as bitter as the wind. ”Yes, my skills are valued, but I’m not. If folks don’t want to trust me, they never will, Yuto. What have I done – actually – to anyone here to earn this distrust? I don’t think I saw any of you folks before six weeks ago. I probably never stole from any of you, never broke into your homes, or anything. I’ve never even been to… Sandpoint, was it? Now, what have I done for this troop? I’ve scouted, spied, fought, bled, helped out, and given gear to make the trip easier for everyone. For that, I’ve gotten doubt and mistrust. If actions speak… those actions are speaking loudly to me.”
Her tone softens as she regards the samurai. ”I know you mean well. I get that. But, in my experience, people don’t change unless they want to… and I’m seeing some folks who aren’t interested.”
The rest of the conversation seems little better than a mummer’s farce but she plays it through until she can leave.
”Why did you decide to start stealing?”
”Books.” she says soberly. ”My village is tiny and up-mountain. Hard work, scratching a living during the warmer months and setting things by for the long winters. We were happy, mostly. I was a bit of a troublemaker. Just kids’ pranks really, nothing too bad. I had a lot of energy and a Varisian’s desire to wander and see things. Mum gave me books over the winter to keep me from climbing the walls too much. I read all these great stories about far away places, grand adventures, and such like. And there were dashing thieves in those stories with their exciting lives and spectacular capers and escapes. And I’ve always been quick… so I thought I could be one of those lovable rogues in the stories.”
She pauses only briefly. ”What did I know? I lived in a tiny speck on the map with a dozen other families. So, one day, I leave a note for my family and I head out on this grand adventure expecting I’ll be back in a year with a journal full of stories and a backpack full of riches that I pilfered from charlatans and bastards across Avistan… I was 14.”
A shadow crosses her face, ”I didn’t learn all the truths they left out of those books until I was starving, penniless, and trapped in Riddleport. Those tales never talk about bully boys breaking your ribs, guardsmen robbing you, ‘friends’ selling you out, Sczarni hunting you for working on their turf, the joys of gaol, how close you come to getting raped or murdered, or the friends who don’t escape one, the other, or both. The stories are silent on those parts.”
She shakes off the bitter tone, verging into matter-of-factness, ”I didn’t want to starve or die in a gutter… so I learned. I learned how to steal to stay alive. I learned to fight to keep what I had. I learned how to scrimp and save enough to buy and scratch my way out of Hell. Falling into Riddleport is easy. Climbing out is hard.”
She regards Sandru for a moment before excusing herself. ”Good day, Caravan Master.”
"The greater risk is ember storms, not this... snow." He grunts, shaking his head, then looks down at Torra again. "I am curious. Why do you insist on spending time with me so?" He doesn't sound offended, upset, or even mocking. No, he seems genuinely puzzled why anyone would do so.
"Riddleport's a hellhole, and I'm sorry you had to deal with being poor there. I hate even visiting the place." He does sound genuinely sympathetic, now. "I apologize for my assumptions. I'm... well, I'm clearly little better than the people I hate dealing with. I'll try to extend more trust to you in the future. You've done a lot to help us, and that means something to me."
He looks at Ritti, expression unreadable, but nods. "Goodbye. I'll spread word about your offer."
She gives the caravan master a cursory nod and immediately leaves, not trusting herself to keep her emotions in check.
"You're not any stranger than the rest of the tsha-" He pauses, editing his words. "The rest of the folk I've met since leaving the Cinderlands. You're all strange to me." A dry, bitter chuckle. "Of course, I've felt that way about everyone, even among the Sklar-Quah."
At the mention of the undead bison, Ritti unconsciously rubs at the spot where she was gored. She replies with a note of wry humor, ”I’ll give you that; Zom-bison was a first for me. That story is goin’ squarely in my journal.” She reflects on his, likely rhetorical, question. ”I never saw a undead in Riddleport but there were always rumors… people vanished by vampires, corpse-chewin’ ghouls, ghost pirates, an’ the like. But pirates and thieves are a superstitious lot, mostly. There’s a game I heard about called Two Lies and a Truth where you tell a couple lies and a truth and the other person has to sort out which is which. Way they'd play it in Riddleport, it should be called Twenty Lies an’ a Half Truth.”
Atsuko recommits herself to getting to know the people attached to the caravan. She starts with the group she's been around the most, the caravan drivers. Over the next few evenings, when they have the time free for conversation, Atsuko talks with Ragnhildr, Haungalon, and Aspexia.
She asks them general questions initially to warm them up. Atsuko can always come back to them later to get into deeper subjects if it seems any of them might be receptive. At first though she tries to find out things like why they're drivers and how long they have done it, where the work has taken them as they've traveled, and any parts of their life histories they're willing to share.
She also slips a more personal agenda into each talk, trying to slyly find out what she can about Sandru. As a broad strategy she asks each of the drivers about differences between Sandru's caravan and any others they may have been attached to in the past, and what they think it says about Sandru as a boss and as a person.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yuto listens to Ritti's words with a solemn expression. He hesitates, unsure how to respond to such raw honesty, but then nods slowly "R-Ritti-San, y-you've done more than enough to prove your worth. I c-cannot speak for others, but I see someone willing to fight and bleed for the rest of us. T-that's all I need to trust you" he fumbles with his words but continues, "Ma-maybe some folks aren't ready to see it... b-but that's their failing, not yours"
He glances at Atsuko, then Torra, as if silently asking for support, before clutching the hilt of his sword "M-my father's books say trust is like steel. It takes heat and pressure to forge, b-but when it's done... it doesn't break" his voice softens as he looks at Ritti "Give them time. They will come around. A-and if they do not... well, you have got my sword either way..."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The thief considers the samurai’s words and pats him on the shoulder. She respected Yuto's optimism, even when she didn't share it. ”I’m very glad some of you have my back. I rely on that. An’ I’m not losing heart… I’m just tired of trying to skate uphill. This trip is hard enough without folks making it tougher on each other.”
Ragnhildr proves to be quite open and honest about anything Atsuko's interested in. "Well, you see, I'm from Taldor, originally. I was born there, anyhow, but I was raised up in Southmoor. Pa decided he wanted to go home after his ma died in the Ulfen Guard. I eventually settled in with the driver's life when I was old enough. Wanted to see the world - 'specially some of the warmer spots. Nowadays, seems I'm headed away from 'em, but that's all well and good. Could use a bit of a chill every now and then."
"I'm from Kyonin, originally." Haungalon offers. "Omesta, to be precise. I've always been fond of going further afield and meeting interesting new people, seeing new sights, that sort of thing. Spent some time down in Brastlewark in Cheliax - terribly boring people, Chelaxians - then decided to head through Molthune and Nirmithas - they have wonderful smoked game there - and on to Varisia. I fell in with Sandru down in Korvosa, along with this lovely young lady." He waves a hand at Aspexia, who shoots him a glare.
When it's her turn to answer, the scarred woman shrugs. "I'm from Korvosa originally. Grew up there, learned to fight there. Got involved in an organization that fell apart, and I had to get out of the city. Too many memories."
"She and I have been with Sandru since then." Haungalon offers cheerily. "What about you, Atsuko?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yuto says it better than Torra could, so the dwarf just nods vigorously along. "I trust you as well, Ritti. You cannot please everyone. And sometimes people don't like you not because of you, but because of them." It looks like Torra is speaking from experience here.