Evert stands up and glances at the unconscious Astoria. "What happened?"
Kelda sighs, "My idea of drawing a couple away at a time didn't work out. We weren't able to sneak around them, and once we were spotted they killed one of the hostages, shot Lysi full of arrows and almost killed Tori. It didn't go well, but at least we were able to bring back two of them. We need to hurry and get back though, they were waiting on slavers...some Kharan lords or something. Let's move, these folks have been through enough." Kelda readjusts Tori in her arms and heads back to the small hamlet with the others. She would talk to Lysi later and make sure that she understood that what happened wasn't her fault.
Evert fishes a healing potion from his backpack. "Give this to Astoria. If there are Kharan lords about, then we need to get out of here."
Kelda stops and takes the potion from Evert. Putting Astoria down, Kelda slowly pours the potion down Astoria's throat.
Astoria's eyes flutter open as some of her wounds close shut. "What happened, did we win?" She asks while struggling back to her feet.
Kelda shakes her head as she puts out a hand to help Astoria steady herself, "Not exactly, but we can discuss it later. Right now, we need to get out of here....like quickly."
"Not really, but we're alive." Lysithia replies, clearly bothered by how everything went, but focused on getting the hobgoblins' victims to safety.
Kelda nods, "Yeah, let's get going. We'll explain later." Not wanting to be caught out by slave traders, Kelda tries to hurry everyone along back to the small town.
As they quickly head back to town, Kelda slips an arm around Lysithia's waist to offer comfort and support.
The two hostages, beaten and bruised, do their best to keep up with their group. As you walk along the road, you are approached by a kindly cleric who offers to heal you free of charge.
Kelda gratefully accepts and brings the two that they managed to "rescue" forward to be healed first.
As the Cleric is healing the others, "Are you sure there is nothing I can give you to repay this kindness?"
"Thank you for your generosity." Lysithia extends to the helpful cleric.
The cleric smiles and shakes his head. "It is my sacred duty to heal those in need."
Kelda smiles back as she waits for everyone to be healed, "Well, thank you again. We really appreciate it. Make sure you are careful on this road and while in this area. There are some pretty tough hobgoblins in the area and they were waiting for some Kharan Lords or something. Apparently really awful people that are into slave trading for a living. There wasn't much we could do against the hobgoblins except throw gold at them so they would let us take these two and leave before the slavers arrived. I hate that we weren't able to save all three of them, but I thank Torag that at least these two are safe and able to go home."
Looking at the two they rescued, "I'm so sorry that we couldn't rescue all of you in time and end those that caused you so much pain." Kelda says with great regret and remorse in her voice.
Finally looking at Astoria she says, "I'm so sorry that it turned out that way Tori, and that you were hurt so badly. We'll have to be more careful from now on, and I'll try to come up with plans that don't put us in mortal danger."
Kelda looks over at Astoria to see how she's doing.
"We have to take on the mindset that the wilds of the valley have become far more dangerous, and deal with potential threats accordingly." Lysithia says solemnly.
The two hostages, a female half-orc and a male human, shrug simultaneously. The half-orc looks at Kelda with a wistful smile. "That's more concern than we're used to getting. Don't get me wrong...it's nice to be alive, but we're not the sort expecting to get out of scrapes like that."
The cleric takes a good long look down the road you came down before nodding at Lysithia. "Unfortunately, I'll probably turn back here. I haven't been able to make my way to Cooperton or Vorota in some time. Most sailors won't head that way up the river either, unless you can pay them a good amount."
Kelda nods, still feeling a bit discouraged from the encounter with the hobgoblins.
"Well, I'm concerned about what happens to everyone in this valley...no matter who they are, or what they believe. The only way we are going to come out of this alive, is if we stop fighting against each other and start fighting against the real threat. It's time for people to put their petty differences aside, pull their heads out of their butts, and just...just come together as one to overcome these evils that have invaded our lands." Kelda sighs, realizing that her words probably ring hollow to those that have been put through so much, and that there was little chance of it actually happening since most were raised with preconceived notions of the other races, none of them very kind.
Looking at the Cleric she sighs again, "I don't blame you. We've been trying for days to get to Cooperton, and things keep getting in our way. I don't even know if my folks made it back to Vorota....but I can't think about that right now because there are people that need our help. I'm just not sure how to get to them. I don't think I've ever seen things this bad in the valley before and it feels like it's gonna get worse before it gets better." Even though she feels discouraged, she tries to keep her voice positive and light. It's very difficult though, considering everything they've been through.
"Thank you, I'll be fine. I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess I thought if we got the drop on them things would turn out alright." Astoria replies with a sigh.
Kelda nods, "Yeah, I was kind of thinking along those lines. I was hoping we could lure a couple of them away....but it's okay. Any battle you can walk away from and all that. I'm just relieved that you're alright, and we were able to rescue at least these two. I think we should get back to the Inn and let them know what we found out."
Kelda puts an arm around Lysithia's waist and gives her a supportive squeeze, "I think we could all use a little time to recharge as well."
"Right..." Evert says, taking the lead back to Duncan's.
The cleric walks with you back to the village, taking leave of you once you return to the inn. The half-orc woman exchanges some whispered words with her comrade and takes a seat on the ground outside.
"DO you all have anywhere to stay or anyone you know in the area?" Lysithia asks the pair.
Kelda stops next to Lysithia, to see what the half orc says. They really should find out her name at some point.
The human turns to Lysithia. "We're not from around here. We'll be heading to Daedran as soon as we get our receipt from our client, Duncan."
"All right then We can at least accompany you safely to him." Lysithia replies.
Kelda rubs Lysithia's back while giving her a look of concern, "Do you mean escort them back to Daedran, where we met sweetie? I know a lot has happened since then, so it's completely understandable if you forgot the name of the town where we met."
"I'll be inside," Evert says. "I'll let Duncan know what's going on."
Kelda looks over at Evert, "We haven't decided anything for sure as of yet. We don't even know if they want an escort back to Daedran or not."
"I think the trip to Daedran is likely to be a lot safer than going the other way. We should finish up with Duncan and push to get to Cooperton." Lystihia responds, leaning against Kelda.
Kelda gives her love a light reassuring squeeze and kisses her on the temple, "Okay, then that's what we'll do." Looking over at the couple, "Be careful on your way back. Are you sure you wouldn't like to at least rest for a night, and get a fresh start in the morning?" She asks the human and his half orc counter part.
The human shakes his head. "There's plenty of daylight left."
"Most places prefer not to have a half-orc hanging about," the woman adds.
"I'll be right back," the human tells the half-orc before going inside.
Kelda frowns, "Well...that's just not right. How could they treat someone that literally risked their life to bring them supplies that way? You would think they'd be at least grateful enough not to treat you like you have the plague or something."
Shaking her head she says, "See...this is the problem right here, and exactly what I was talking about before. Until people get over these ridiculous biases, we'll constantly be struggling to get out from under the evil that is encroaching on our homes. Well, I actually think they're past encroaching since you can't seem to go anywhere without running into some evil jerk or another." She states grumpily, while kicking a rock across the road.
"It's strictly business," the half-orc answers before realizing that the question was probably rhetorical.
The human returns and regards Kelda and Lysithia with a smile. "Thank you for saving us. Hopefully, we can avoid this area and get some safer work. Best of luck to you.""
He helps the half-orc up and they head south toward Daedran.
Kelda sighs as the couple gets ready to go, "You're welcome and safe journey."
As they head back toward Daedran, she shakes her head. Even if most people had those feelings about half orcs, it didn't make it right. She felt as if she was just talking into the wind though. She supposed that most had grown up being taught these biases against other races, just as she was taught that goblins were evil. Not that she didn't see enough of the destruction and chaos they caused to come to her own conclusions. How could she expect anyone else to suddenly change the way they felt about other races?
Kelda just stands on the side of the road watching them walk away as she gets lost in her own thoughts.
"We should get some rest and get back on track." ;ysithia says, finally breaking the silence.
Snapping back to the present she nods, "Yeah, let's go inside." Kelda says, before heading for the door to the Inn.
Duncan gives you all a nod as you walk in.
As they go inside Kelda returns the nod before looking over at Astoria, "Tori, are you okay? I know things didn't go exactly as we hoped they would, but it wasn't anyone's fault okay? We didn't know they would be so tough, and so adept with their weapons." Astoria had been more quiet than usual on the way back, and Kelda wanted to make sure she wasn't blaming herself for what happened.
Looking at Lysithia, Kelda hopes she's hearing what she's telling Tori, and takes what she's saying to heart as well. They would have a discussion of their own once they got back to the room later.
Astoria nods. "Oh yes, I'll be alright. I shouldn't have been so blase when there were lives on the line though. I really didn't think they'd do it you know? "
Kelda nods solemnly, "Yeah, I know. I didn't really know what to expect either....but, it wasn't that. Saving two, is better than saving none though. I'm just grateful that we're all okay. Maybe before we clean up and rest we should talk to Duncan and see if he knows anything about that other wagon that's missing?" She asks, looking around from Astoria, to Lysithia and Evert.
"Sure."
Kelda nods and approaches Duncan, "So, there's still another cart missing right? Do you have any idea where we should start looking?"
Duncan shrugs. "Should have been a day behind the last one. My best guess is, if things have gotten too bad, that it's stuck in Cooperton or thereabouts."
Running a hand through her hair, Kelda sighs, "Well, seeing as we were headed to Cooperton before all this other stuff happened, we'll try again to get there. We were supposed to be there a couple of days ago, but things just kept happening and we couldn't make it. We were on our way there to try and help someone else...I just hope it isn't too late."
Pausing for a moment to look at the others before looking back at Duncan she says, "We'll head out for Cooperton first thing in the morning once we've had breakfast. Even though it's not late in the day, it's felt like quite a long one...so, I think we'll get cleaned up and rest a bit before dinner."
Giving her love a tired smile she holds out her hand to Lysithia, "Come on honey, I think we could use a good soak."