"I'm sure you heard of the trouble in town yesterday." he paused glancing back at the wagons he was supposed to be watching and then at Zulanda still in the stockade."This will take some time. Why don't we head back to the wagons and I will tell you what happened.
"Good boy... We'll have a drink later." Rooks says and taps Woyzeck on the shoulder. Of course, the strongman is bigger and older than her, but still she feels some sisterly affection towards him. Probably one reason she likes Woyzeck and Borag is that when she's with them she doesn't feel herself very big at all. Plus, with Woyzeck, Rooks certainly doesn't need to come up with any small talk.
Shandra's behaviour looks quite suspicious. Rooks picks up a small pebble next to the wagon's when, and tosses it at Nilelane, hoping to catch her attention. Rooks points at the exchange between Shandra and the mystery man. Since Nilelane isn't going to stay with the wagon, she could look into the matter.
"What's so special about the wagon?" she wonders out loud. "Why are those people so interested about it? And why we need to guard it so?"
Woyzeck shrugs cheerfully.
Borag emerges from the council doors. He is trying to hide the fact that he is smiling, but you know him too well. "Lets go my Zytas! Good job watching the wagon." He whispers in an excited tone. Beyond him you see council members staring back at Borag. Some scowling with their arms crossed, some smiling cheerfully.
Once you load back onto the wagons and head out of town Borag speaks. "We got a prime location! But with one simple task ahead of us. Shroomskins have taken over part of where they want us to set up. We clear them out, we get the spot. Tax free! I told them my Zytas are up to the task! Rooks I want you on point for this one. Ghost, Woyzeck and Nilelane you back her up. Not sure why they have come so close to town and away from their territory, but not our problem. They don't belong here and if we don't clear them out the town has already sent for mercs to do it for 'em. " He pauses to look over the party.
"Selvra might have some idea on how to deal with them. Talk to her when we get back to the rest. We will remain camping at our spot for tonight and move in once you report back to us. Be careful while out there, a huge angry bear with red eyes was reported wandering the forest last night. A woodsmen was reporting it to the council while I was in there. After our run in with the Fay'Aree I don't want to take any chances, but the faster you get this done the faster we get to making coin."
"Familiar?" he asked. But he followed her distracted gaze by the pebble toss back to Rooks.
Her comment about the old blood struck a chord. Ah, if only you knew.
"Nilelane" he began but there she went, running off again. Ghost was just a little too slow again.
He nodded to Borag.
"Sounds dangerous but we won't do anything foolish." he said assuredly.
"Oookayy..?" Rooks manages to reply to Borag's order, after a brief silence.
Me, leading? Worst idea ever...
But she keeps her thoughts to herself. At least it'll be in the woods, which is far more comfortable than here in town.
"It's the myconids we need to drive away, right?" she asks, not being sure about the term Borag used.
"Hmmpf. Figures they'd show up. I guess its time to share some of the less savory secrets of the cities we visit. The Butchers fancy themselves a bit of a crime family. They have some legitimate businesses and even a member on the council, Odil. A few Darktide's Eves ago, Brayan was challenged to a fist fight by Gwen Butcher. She was good, but Brayan made her look foolish. He isn't called the Blind Wind for nothin'. So might have something to do with that maybe some petty revenge, or an attempt to steal what they could. Nevermore has gotten a lot more desperate since last we were in these parts."
"Yes, dem be the ones! You being a forest lass should be a good choice to deal with 'em I be thinkin'." Borag looks at Rooks and nods.
Ghost felt a small hint of pride that he had been proven right about his guess with Shandra. Though he did feel a little bad for Woyzeck who had likely been charmed by her.
He nodded, trusting that what Borag said was true and also took to encouraging Rooks.
"Yeah, don't worry, Rooks. You'll do fine leading us out there, and with Selvra's advice we can take care of this quickly enough."
With so much talking going on Woyzeck patiently waited on the wagon for things to sort themselves out (they normally did) and a decision made. He missed his playmate but already she was fading from his thoughts.
"Horses maybe too noisy for this mission." Borag says plainly as you arrive to camp.
Many Hanataz rush to your party to hear news of what was negotiated. Borag looks back to you."Seek out Selvra and deal with that issue quickly. Some of the others may have some advice as well, but do not linger in camp too long."
"I have something I want to check on with Mother Salvensa, let's split up and then we can meet up to discuss what Selvra advised on our way out."
Before leaving he turned to Woyzeck. "Hey, Woyzeck. It occurs to me that we might all be out there all day. Why don't you go talk to Frenne and Sunnessy and see about getting us a good lunch for later?"
Get food? Okay... get everyone food for a day. I come back then.
He ambles off to find Frenne and Sunnessy.
Ghost say me and the others maybe gone all day. Will need many people food. He stops to think... brain struggling mightily. And small beer for drinking maybe.
Rooks sees the group scattering on their own way around the camp, and takes her leave as well. Come to think of it, should the dealing with myconids turn into fighting, she better get some real weapons - maybe Kray has some. But most of all she hopes there could be a peaceful solution. Best to seek out Selvra first.
She marches towards the druid's carriage, only to find Meega sleeping in front of it.
"Damn... Rooks whispers.
She's been around Selvra a lot lately, and thinks she's in good terms with Meega as well. But still, the owlbear could rip her apart with one bite. "Nice girl... Easy now, girl..." she tries to keep her voice and carefully approaches the beast. When she almost next to the owlbear, Meega lazily opens one eye and raises her head. For a moment, their eyes meet and Rooks feels panic kicking in. But the great beast just lowers her head and resumes her nap, much to Rooks' relief.
The ranger leaps over the owlbear, to the carriage's door and enters.
"Selvra, you here? We need your help."
Ghost made his way quietly through camp before coming upon Mother Salvensa's tent. Inside there was a light crackling of fire and a small amount of smoke wafted outside.
Stepping inside he saw that while still notable, the smoke wasn't as thick as he'd first thought. An iron kettle was hanging below a wooden spit which sat over the fire, boiling water.
"Ah, Ghost. I thought you might come. Sit down, the tea will be ready soon." she said, gesturing to a small wooden table with a pair of wooden cups which rested on top and two chairs sitting on opposite sides.
Ghost obliged and sat down. A few minutes later the water began to audibly boil and Mother Salvensa crumbled up something small and placed it within each cup, before she fetched the water and poured with a practiced hand.
"Now, while we wait for that to cool, why don't you tell me what happened yesterday, hmm."
Ghost relayed in quick detail what had occurred within Nevermore. Meeting Father Zyas. The search for Brother Liam at the market. The Fight in the alleyway. The investigation afterwards during the feast. Then at the end, he spoke of the second meeting he had with the Fay'Aree, Zulanda, and the warning she had given him.
"Mother Zavensa, I don't really know anything regarding The Old Ways. But do you know anything about something called a... Bruzundian?"