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Gunnar does indeed ask for a moment to step in at the end and report the actions and what he is up to and with such blessing and stops at the coach and grabs his javelins with a smirk knowing his father will be beside himself that he did not take the crossbow, but Abadar knows a man's heart and no symbol would speak that.
more missing dogs, this is a concern. Perhaps something taking them for more then blackmail Gunnar says as they move along and agrees with Robert with a nod to him on the pattern.
Robert waves at Benjamin and smiles when he mentions burning sheds. "There have been more dogs go missing. We are heading north to the Notting Hills as the Livianus' lost two dogs. Something is up. Keep an eye out for anyone with dogs that don't belong to them."
Maria was familiar enough to know that this was the farm of Robert's family. She looked down annoyed at the child, "Yes yes, and maybe rude children as well." she says in a bored manner. There was no threat in it and was sarcastic in tone. Jervis the bat poked out from under her cloak, right at her neckline.
”Eek! Maria is part bat, too!” Benji yelps, backing up quickly, tripping over a rock and down on his butt.
"That's right, she says with a small smirk on her face. Maybe being the black sheep wasn't all that bad after all, "And maybe I'll turn you into a fly to eat for supper too
Robert looks down at Benjamin and says "Get up! That is just her pet bat. Go inside and stop embarrassing yourself." He then turns on the young wizard, scythe blade in her direction and says "You go turning anyone into anything and you'll be short a head!" He then starts walking down the road "Come on now everyone we have things to look into."
"If you think I'd turn that child into an insect I have a bridge in Absalom to sell you," Maria spoke in a calm tone, even if internally she was frightened. Jervis hid back under her cloak, scared, "Don't point that farming tool of yours at me. Backwards farmers and their petty grudges are of little concern to me or my master. Maybe the quicker I make my leave of this place the better."
She as well continues on behind him.
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Gunnar looks to them both and says to Robert we must respect the law and then to Maria and protect the innocent. and finally he says to them both and we must act with others with honor and integrity or no one will value our deeds or actions Speaking directly from the word of Abadar . Please let us be as friends and solve this problem for the towns people. Let us create opportunity without being a burden to one another.
Fezzan frowns at Maria, "You had best listen to Robert. Besides, I think our farmers are more concerned with your grudges against their barns."
Pointedly turning away from her, he addresses the rest of the group. "So, it might be a little early to call it, but let's suppose that someone is taking our town's dogs. Why would anyone want a bunch of dogs."
As they walk up the road, Robert smiles at Gunnar and says "Gunnar my friend, I hope I can call you that, let me fill you in on a little history of our town. A while ago our "friend" Maria here burnt down a shed on our farm. Now to be fair to her her mistress did take responsibility for the destruction but no one in town really believes that Elrithrathiel is that irresponsible with her magic. It was certainly a burden on us to have to rebuild that shed with our hands. You are correct if you sense some distrust of Maria, she can go a long way toward removing that by fessing up. I for one will be putting this trouble with the dogs at the forefront of my dealings for the good of the town even if it does involve her."
"I don't need to confess to an act I have not committed. Further your belief that I would steal dogs in the night like a dragon to sheep is preposterous, what would I even do with them nor be told by my own master to look for them?" she says rolling her eyes.
Robert laughs at Maria and says "It had not even occurred to me that you would be able to steal the dogs let alone want to. As for your mistress you would do whatever she told you to and that is a good idea. Let's get on with what your mistress sent you to do and look for those dogs."
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Gunnar stops walking for a long moment and then begins walking again contemplating what was said carefully and says Robert, I would be glad to call you friend, and what you have done is admirable in desire to do good. You are kind hearted. Law and Justice must also be maintained, and honor and integrity upheld. Maria, perhaps you might consider if you did do such a thing, or even if you did not that you might take some coin of the reward if the dog is recovered and pay Robert's family the cost lost and simply have peace either way knowing that all will see you in a better light. Please accept this opportunity for while we seek the dogs and perhaps also this renegade bandit which I feel the greater crimes, trust when I say that we will be addressing this again at a later time if you find the inability to do so to repay Robert and his family.
Maria would scoff at such accusations, "Why would I admit to a crime I never committed. It's not even Robert's damnable barn if I recall. Further I already seek no payment from this little errand,"
"Your acceptance to petty unreliable grudges is beyond me," she responds to Gunnar with an obvious frown.
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it is obvious you wish to do something to improve your standing because you are still standing here. I said to you we would table it now to concentrate on this task and discuss it later but I will say that I find it of particular interest to seek justice in all things. Enough of unpleasantries, eh? Gunnar says running the hand through his hair a bit with a nod to the woman
Finishing your journey, you turn off the road onto a one-cart lane, past a rough wooden sign that reads “Notting Hills”. Behind the farmstead up ahead rise three low hills, cleared of trees and swarming with sheep. The flocks are moving about as they’re brought in for the evening, but not as tightly as one would expect.
The farmyard itself is a neat array of three buildings: farmhouse, storage shed, and barn. A middle-aged half-elf woman is pinning sheets on the line to catch the late-afternoon sun. The three locals know that Fideria, the matron of Notting Hills is actually the daughter of Brus, Mrs. Pumpherus’ cantankerous gardener, though her personality must have come from her mother. Rufus, a nervous-looking young man, sits on a bench nearby mending some harness.
Fideria pauses hanging out the wash as you walk up and waves you over.
”Robert, this is surprise. What you doin’ all the way out ‘ere?” Her smile takes in the rest of you, though it falters only for a second when she sees Maria. ”Would one you grab that end? Sheet’s gettin’ away from me.”
Robert grabs the sheet and says "We came out here because Mrs. Pumpherus' dog went missing and the one who took it left no trace of where he went but left other signs, a trail of meat and a depression in the ground. Then we heard you were missing dogs as well so we came to investigate here."
”Someone stole Tricia? Da must be beside ‘imself with worry.” Fideria laughs a few good belly chuckles then becomes serious again.
”Still, dog gives good company to Mrs. Pumpherus. And our missin’ two sheepdogs making it rough for Surus. Elipho’s headin’ out soon to look for dogs, but if someone’s takin’ them, I don’t want ‘im goin’ alone.”
Robert smiles and says "Oh yes! Your pop is afwul worried the dog is gone. He almost can't contain his glee. If Elipho would lead us out to where the dogs were last seen, we'll be happy to take a look around. Tricia was lured with meat that was pulled along under the hedge to where the person waited. Once she got there they both disappeared. No tracks, no broken branches, no nothing."
Robert pauses with a blank look on his face for a moment and then says to Gunnar "I take your point but I doubt she was the one that is pulling this off as she lost her dogs too. I doubt it is any of the locals but who knows. I will be more careful. I was hoping to see if she saw any of those signs herself."
Fezzan shifts and tugs at his patched armor, trying to get it to settle comfortably.
"I don't know if we want to be quiet about this. We should definitely warn people. Everyone should know that there is a dognapper on the loose."
This is a sheep town, so all the farmers have dogs. Dogs are used for rounding up sheep and for fending off wolves and bears. The MacIntyres would have sheep dogs (they even helped Benji kill a nasty wolf that had attacked the flock a week ago).
Many folks in town also have dogs. For example, the Scaevas have a big white and brown thing that drools a lot (St. Bernard), while the Eburnuses (millers) own a pair of well-trained bloodhounds they use to keep rats out of the grain (along with a plethora of cats).
Euda continues to follow along somewhat awkwardly. She acts as though she's completely unaware of the tense conversation taking place and occasionally smiles at different wildflowers they pass by. She gives a polite little curtsy to the lady of the house when they arrive and then listens to the discussion of secrecy and warning as they wait for the son to arrive and take them out to where the dogs disappeared.
Maria doesn't speak up this time, instead opting to think of all the animals here in the small town. If anything one could steal a lone animal out in the field easy enough, but a dog was another thing. Why though?
After five minutes of waiting, Elipho comes out of the farmhouse, still strapping on the last of his gear. The 16-year-old looks like he hasn't bathed in a week (which for those of you who know him, is on the clean side for him) and his clothes are loose and baggy, though clearly the Livianus' are a family of some means who could afford better for him if he wanted them.
"I'm heading out, ma. Be back tomorrow."
"El, before you go, Robert and some of his friends are here to talk with you."
"Oh hey, Robert, what's up?"
Given a brief explanation about the missing Tricia and how they are also looking for missing dogs, Elipho is happy to have you come along to the upper field where the Livianus' dogs were last seen, and he leads the way. Unfortunately, for those of you with delicate sensitivities, the general direction seems to be into the wind.
Still, it's a short fifteen minute jaunt across one pasture and into another, all the way to an upper field, which does give a commanding view in two directions. From here, you can see Lyon's Brook and the East Falls, the western manor houses, and the main roads running south and west. A stretch of untouched forest leads west (Robert knows that stretch of forest goes along behind several farms on the way to town, including his). Higher hills block your view to the north and east.
A young man in his mid-twenties, clearly related to your guide, tends a flock of sheep here in the upper field, through he clearly struggles with only one sheep dog on hand. He waves at you as you pass, but doesn't stop from his task. The three locals know that this is Eudox Livianus, Elipho's older and rather dim-witted brother.
Elipho takes you to a stretch of field near the western woods. The combination of oak and maple, lush in their late spring greenery, mixed with the darker greens of hemlock and white pine, makes for an inviting environment in the late-afternoon warmth. A brief waft of unpleasant body odour rips Eudamonia from any reverie, as she turns to find Elipho standing uncomfortably close and smiling what is presumably supposed to be a pleasant, flirty smile.
"Pretty, ain't it? I think I seen you around town once or twice, but ain't had the pleasure of your name."
Never having mastered the subtleties practiced at court, Euda winces noticably at the smell. "The forest is pretty, yes," she agrees awkwardly, "I like trees. Not as much as flowers, but better than most people. You can call me Miss Solanis."
"Misolanus? That's a pretty name. I'll remember that."
He smiles again and moves off to point to a large rocky outcropping sticking out of the pasture. "Eudox was sitting on them rocks eating lunch when the two dogs just up and bolted into them woods. Totally against their training to do that and these were good dogs. Even if they sniffed a wolf or something, they'd know to stay with the flock, not try to drive it off in there. Eudox ran after them, but he couldn't leave the flock so he didn't go far. He didn't hear no barking or growling, so they didn't get in a fight with something. Eudox ain't no good with tracking, so I was hoping I'd be able to pick up a trail, even if it is a day old. If you wanna come, you're welcome, but I don't expect to find them before nightfall."
Robert waves at Elipho and says "Hello. Good to see you again." when they meet. He walks next to him up to the pasture. He he tells them what happened he says "I'll be glad to have a look with you. That doesn't sound like those dogs, they are better than that. Shall we?"
maria keeps rather quiet this time, not speaking up and instead letting those of her party that didn't seem to have target on their backs. She'd instead let Jervis the bat free to survey the land, the small creature traveling up into the sky while she surveyed below.
Between Robert and Elipho, you are able to pick up where the running dogs disturbed last fall's leaf litter. The dogs went to a small clear area underneath a particularly large pine tree, stayed there awhile, given the number of tracks back and forth, then moved off west in a slower fashion. Tracking is slow going, but you follow the trail for half a mile before it gets to the point where you'll have to turn around if you want to make it back to town before dark.
Jervis isn't able to see anything out of the ordinary, but that could just the problem of the forest canopy.
Maria opens her cape again and soon through empathic ability Jervis is recalled underneath it, snuggly clasping at her side before she closes it, "Nothing," she says with an unamused face.
Before leaving the tree where the dogs spent time, Euda climbs under its branches and hunts for any sign of meat or other lures. ”Hello Mister Pine, did you see who led these dogs away?”
She follows quietly while Robert and Elipho track the dogs away. When the hour grows late she frowns and says, ”Sir Eustus is expecting me back soon… when will we be turning back?”
The tree doesn't reply, and Eudamonia doesn't find any signs of meat or lure this time.
Robert looks around when Eudamonia mentions turning back. He says "I wasn't thinking of going back yet as we still have light. If you think we need to go we can but I'd rather use all the light we have. I am prepared to camp out as well."
"We'll have to settle for torches and our own sight. I did not prepare a light spell for the day. Wasn't planning on searching for lost pets and farm animals," she spoke with an unamused look.
”Camp?!?” the quiet young girl exclaims. ”We don’t even have any tents or cots… won’t your parents, or masters, be worried if you don’t come home tonight?”
A whiff of BO is her only warning as Elipho gently pats her on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Misolanus. There ain't much dangerous here this close to the farms and with a big fire to keep the chill off, only thing you got to worry about is a sleeping spot without a root and some black flies."
The spring in his step that Fezzan started the day with slowly fades as the hours of searching pass and the initial excitement of the mystery is replaced by the actual tedium of the investigation.
When discussion turns to returning to town, he pipes up, "Auguster might be a little miffed about me not being around to help out this eve, but I doubt he'll be worried. Besides, sleeping rough seems a fair trade for not having to mop the floor and clear tables tonight."
He looks around at the lengthening shadows. "If we head back, it would take the better part of the day just to get back here tomorrow, and we would be in the same situation again. Might as well keep pressing on now and ask for forgiveness when we get back to town. Considering how important dogs are to everyone around here, I think it's worth breaking curfew to get to the bottom of all this."
There was no need for her to really go back home. The door was well locked, an enchantment placed upon it for a certain passphrase that she knew to unlock the door. They'd have to be an excellent climber or obtain magical ability or equipment to get in.
"Camping is fine."
Euda pulls away from Elipho and frowns, although Gunnar’s words do seem to reassure her some. “Maria,” she says with a hint of desperation, “you know magic… if we can’t go home can you please send a message to Sir Eustus for me? I didn’t even tell him about the investigation, he thinks I spent the day eating and shopping in town and will be home soon…”
Robert looks at Eudamonia in shock for a second Outsiders He then says to her "I have a bedroll you can borrow for the night when it comes time. For now let's use what daylight we can and then set up camp when we have to."
"Sadly my knowledge and ability for a spell that long distance is beyond my own ability as well as preparation. You'll have to do with roughing it for the evening and damning the issue for the next day," says the young wizard, taking her seat on a stump dragging out a canteen filled with water.
With sleeping rough the general consensus, you continue to follow the trail for another hour, still in a generally western direction. As the night begins to fall, Robert and Elipho find a secluded spot under some pines with good drainage and get a fire going.
Somehow during the afternoon of tracking, Elipho had managed to sling you a plump pheasant, and so spends some time plucking and preparing the bird, getting it roasting on a makeshift spit. Once it’s ready, he hands Eudamonia a hot steaming drumstick.
Maria brings out a bed roll and blanket as she sets up her spot for the evening. She sets up solitarily by her lonesome, before getting comfortably into a spot where she could rest and meditate. She'd take out a stick of incense and would light it with flint and steel, sticking in down nearby as she rested in a seated position.
Robert pulls out his bed roll and hands it to Eudamonia, "Here this should help you sleep some. Stay close to the fire and you will be warm." He then gets out his blanket to lay on. He looks to the group and says "We should set up some sort of watch rotation to make sure nothing bothers us during the night."