I was waiting tonight for someone in that coach, a lawman, and I fear the worst, Herr Felver.
As far as Imrik can say, even if the local didn't answer his question verbally, his confused look-which doesn't seem tied to overdrinking- shows that he doesn't understand what the elf means.
Maybe the bells ringing wasn't so odd? Or the villagers, having heard the church's bell riniging that way all their life, don't understand what could be odd?
Still, both Imrik and Konrad feels ill at ease and are unable to say why, even if the rest of their traveling companions don't look troubled.
The reeve's attention turns to Konrad
Harrowing you say? Why?
Konrad scoffed at the question, and looked around with a smile on his face. "How would you describe having your coach attacked? Quaint? Interesting? A refreshing change of pace?" He shook his head "Harrowing. By trade, I am a duelist. My friend Felver here fights for the entertainment of others. I fight due to their legal concerns. But what happened? That was an attempt to kill all within, and I am not used to that." He paused, regarding the reeve, trying to size her up.
With a shake of his head he said "We are all just happy to be here, safe under your protection. Especially as you now have our weapons. Though after this excitement, what would really make me happy is just sinking into a bed."
Konrad took a deep breath. The reeve would certainly be checking the scene, and didn't seem like the sort who would overreact by throwing them all in jail. It was best to just be honest.
"But you are here to know the details, are you not? I will say it, though it does not bring me joy. We were in the coach when the attack happened. A single rider came at us, his single greatest defining feature being that he had no head of his own. He decapitated the horse pulling the coach, sending it crashing to the ground. When we crawled our way out, our poor coachman was already dead. What followed was a desperate fight, the like of which I have never experienced before. Like I said, I am a duelist. I am used to rules and formalities. This was a fight to the death against a creature of the Old Dark. Through the grace of Sigmar we prevailed, managing to put down both the creature's horse, who fought with a disturbingly high level of intelligence, and the figure itself. Once we had prevailed and given thanks to the good Gods, we dragged the body of our unfortunate coachman into the wreckage, to hopefully save it from wolves and other scavengers, and then we fled. Fled, because the coachman had warned us that the roads were not entirely free of bandits, and because we heard wolves howling in the distance. We fled to this town, where we shelter now. So yes! It was harrowing. And it is why I find myself here now, in a town that I do not know, with almost no coin left to my name, not even enough to afford a coach to complete my journey, let alone afford a room without pooling resources with my comrades here! So that is our tale. And with it told, I now ask something of you. For someone of my skills, is there work in this town? For as I said, this unfortunate incident has left me stranded here."
Brunhilde lets the others do the talking, having gotten on the wrong side of the law more than once in her life. Well, let's be honest, a lot more than once. She does try to keep an eye on things and listen in to best judge the woman's intentions.
Udo continues to staredown his ale as those fellow travellers of a more violent bent dance round the truth of night's fell events.
At the Reeve's question regarding who she sought, the Morrian frowns;
She speaks of Goswin. His corpse lies in the coach! On the morrow it will be found... and questions will be asked.
He shifts uncomfortably as Konrad spars with the facts...
Konrad feels the reeve is speaking the truth, just looking for information about the recent events, and the fate of Goswin.
She listens to Konrad.
And as the duelist talks, he realises everyone in the inn listens to him, in various states of surprise and emotion.
With an incredulous voice, the reeve just say, holding her glass of wine in a slightly shaking hand
You mean.. you defeated.. you killed the fabled Dullahan? But .. how? In a one on one fight? That' s unbelievable... And then I want to believe it, believe me.
The customers attention is focused on Konrad, like a bubble ready to explode
”The same way everything like him is put down. Faith and steel. Spent the entire fight praying to Sigmar. I am convinced that he guided my blade this night.” Konrad said, with sincerity. Showing the axe would do wonders for making the story he believed, but it wasn’t his, and he wasn’t willing to throw anyone else under the cart by risking their hard earned gold. ”Whether it stayed down will be known when the site is checked. It didn’t have a head, so the Gods know if piercing it’s heart will keep it from rising again.”
Udo looks up, clearly relieved that the truth was out.
"Frau Fellgiebel. You said you were waiting for Goswin Samter, the man we travelled with? He doubted the words of his own dooming... And lo, it came to pass."
To all and none he adds;
"Sceptics or believer it matters not. Morr claims all in the end."
She listens intensely Konrad.
Unfortunatly, the snow is falling hard again tonight. But even if he's only gravely wounded, it's the best news we received for a while. If the death of the Duhanan is confirmed tomorrow morning, you will have the town's gratitude, of course. But, just for this slice of hope in the grimest night, I guess a drink is in order, while we listen for your tale.Innkeeper, clean glasses and your best bottle of wine on my table, right now, and a whole round of drinks on me for the customers!
The shouts of joy are nearly deafening, and then every chair is dragged on the floor, so you are surrounded by the whole crowd of villagers. The innkeeper and Brunhilde are busy as bees, bringing drinks here and there
The reeve fulls your glasses with a perfumed red wine
Drink first. The tale might even be better. And don't dare to stop the story before the end, asking for another drink..
The inn is now silent, ready to be filled with your words.
I'll say not much apart from I though we were dead when he cut off the carriage horses head with a single blow! I thought us dead again when Konrad and Felver stood toe to toe with him.
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the carriage rolled as the horse died and we were tossed like wash in the barrel. I came rolling out as the creature charged and attacked the man you are seeking Reeve. The coachman was mangled and tossed off the coach seat to lie broken on the ground at the attack on the horses. I drew my hammer and attacked the horse of our attacker and Konrad joined me against the beast. We downed it and the headless creature approached us. I felt at ease with my hammer in hand and decided I would face my enemy rather then die a coward running. My blows were parried and turned aside by skill and armor but Konrad slammed his blade home and as our enemy fell to the ground I pounded him with my hammer right at the top of his form to ensure he was down.
Imrik remains silent but nods vigorously when Gottfriend mentions Konrad and Felver standing toe to toe with the creature. The less these superstitious villagers looked at him, the better it would be.
Udo too remains stoically silent, not keen to relive the ill-omened bloodshed and death for a second time...
Konrad remained silent; letting Felver speak. It was good that they were all bring in this together, as free drinks and slaps on the back could quickly turn into public burnings. Too much credit was dangerous. Not enough was just as bad, as he didn’t have the coin to support himself at the moment. ”As my friend here says, it was a brutal fight, and one that I hope to never experience again. I much prefer a civilized duel under the eyes of the law than facing such a…thing.” He made the sign of Sigmar as he finished, and then reached for his cup once more.
Having listened your tale, the reeve speaks again, weighting her words.
You are a bunch of heroes, it seems. Or at least you are a bunch of skilled and lucky men, which is sometimes enough. If the Dullahan is truly dead and defeated, that's quite the thorn you took from our side, from the side of Halt. Of course, before we start drinking ourselves nuts to celebrate, we have to find confirmation of your deeds tomorrow morning. Even if the Dullahan isn't dead-it's Hexennachts after all..-it will be the first time it's defeated, and we can only hope it needs time to lick his wounds. And even if it comes back, your heroic stands shows that men-with the right training, and more than a bit of luck-can beat it.
She sips her wine, looking pensive for a few seconds, and adresses Felver, totally changing the subject
So you are a pitfighter? How does that work? Can someone hire you? And your companions, what does they do for a living, when they aren't trapped on snowy roads?
Brunhilde will approach the table she thinks she heard the conversation coming from. As she is clearing the mugs and asking for new orders she casually mentions, "So I'm new here in Halt. That new priest of Sigmar I heard you mention, he's not a good one? I've known some drunken priests in my day, and there's nothing worse than a man who pretends to be beyond reproach, but is just as human as the rest of us, eh?"
Not game to draw too much attention to himself, he sits quietly hoping not to be noticed.
Konrad smiled and slapped Felver on the back. ”We’re two sides of the same coin. As a duelist, I settle disputes under the auspices of the law. The difference between us is that I work with a rapier in duels of honor between gentlemen. A phrase which, as one might guess, does not apply in my friend here’s pitfighting. Speaking of which, is there any such work in this town? And if not, how might men like is earn our way here?”
She listens to Felver, and Konrad
So anyone willing to pay you can buy your services? Or do your choose who your work for? Not that I am judging, but I must know if you can be a threat to the town. I honestly thought pit fighters were just rough men payed to kill each other in seedy place, for the enjoyment of onlookers.And that duelist were all of noble blood. No offense meant.
She turns to Imrik
An elf is a rare sight, especially so near the mountains. Dwarves are way more expected, if not common. Do you have special business in Hallt, or are we just a town like any other along your mysterious ways?
Brunhilde smiles at the man's joke and leaves for the bar to fill any orders.
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pit fighters, duelists, and reeves all have good and bad folk doing their profession. Some pit fighters will take jobs in the streets and be nothing more then enforcers and thugs. Same for duelists, same for reeves. You don't have to look for those with no code or little beliefs. You have to look for those who do Felver says.
Imrik gives her a thin smile and says, "I had business beyond your town and hoped to just be passing through, but I have been asked to aid with some small matters in this town on the morrow. I honestly am not sure how long I will need to remain in your fine town past this harrowing evening."
At Imrik's words, Udo interjects his own
"To expand further Frau Fellgiebel, the matters Magier Farstrider refers to giving aid to are my own business affairs here in Hallt."
He gestures toward the enscrolled letter upon the table;
"A letter, most likely brokering an arrangement between my Meister to your own Herr Auffarth. I am to deliver it to your town's mason and honour his decision."
The Reeve listens to all of you.
Good. Sorry for all the questionning, my status requires me to take care of the town and its safety. I hope the morning will bring us good news. If you don't mind, I have a few other people to talk too now.
She finishes her glass of wine.
Keep the bottle and enjoy it.
She salutes you, and walks throught the crowd, enjoying some small talk with the locals, who all treat her with deference, having a few words with the innkeeper, Frau Brotzmann.
Then she speaks with a woman, who was playing a game in a corner of the inn with other customers, and finally sits with the brewmaster, Bachmaye, for a few moments, before leaving the inn.
People starts talking to you, wanting to hear again the tale of your fight
Imrik watches the man approach and says, "It appears someone is unhappy at my being here. Any help would be appreciated." He announces to the table as he keeps his hands on the table and watches the man approach preparing to dodge should the balled fists start flying.
Awwwww s#%~..., the youth moans but in truth he was no stranger to a fist fight and better at it than some men a decade senior to him.
I've got your back, he says shaping up and attempting to look intimidating.
+0 SL?
While he wasn't able to convey great danger to the oncomers, at least he was showing confidence and resolve.
Konrad pulled the brewmaster to the side, and with an arm around `the man's shoulder said: "Look, I'll be honest with you. What you are selling? It's a thousand times better than anything being sold here. But that's the problem. Small town people like this are always proud of what they make themselves. Getting them to try something new? It's like pulling teeth out of an orc. But as you can see, the locals here have accepted me. So why not work together? Give me a shot at selling these fine wares and I'll take a sales cut. Certainly much cheaper than transporting it all somewhere else and trying again, right? When you factor in the cost of moving it, and the time wasted, why, I think that we can both end up being good friends by the end of this. And if it doesn't work? You lose nothing. What do you say?"
Udo is engaged in deep conversation with an older man, who you noted walked with a limp.
As he hears Imrik call for assistance, the normally stoic stoneworker rises to stand beside Gottfried, his pale face and thick neck flushed with anger;
"Magier Farstrider has business with myself on the morrow! So return ye to your cups dullard, lest you wish to join the dead this night..."
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The angered man was probably too drunk to get afraid by Gottfried-people don't talk about "liquid courage" for nothing-but the more massive Udo was another piece of business.
His friends try to bring him back to his senses, telling him he should be ashamed of himself, and that he wouldn't stand a chance against the folk who stood to the Dullahan and defeated it. These words seems to sober him up, and he quickly find his way to the door.
A mug of beer is put on the table, right by Imrik, as a peace offering probably, and soon the dinner is served. The customers leave you more or less alone, as your enjoy some warm food.
Still a little flushed from his own actions, Udo returns to his seat, then takes gulp of ale before shooting a weak smile toward Gottfried and Imrik;
"Mein Gott! I am glad he backed down..."
I too... I couldn't have struck him because of my earlier oath.
Nothing more happens during the evening, the warm food and a few drinks offered by the locals mellow you a little, after all the tension of the fight against the Dullahan, and the clod of the snowy night.
After an hour or so, you leave your table and get upstairs, as the last customers are showed the door by the innkeeper.
The quaint room is big and quaint, with three solid-looking beds, which were probably already there a generation ago. But the sheets are clean, the quilt is warm, and the pillows are soft.
You close the door behind you, and the weariness of the events finally fall on your shoulders.
The six of you divide the beds, two by two.
After sitting watch, Konrad crawled into bed, ready for a well earned rest. It did not last long though, as he was plagued by a nightmare which felt all too real. Konrad woke up, sitting upright, covered in sweat. He hurriedly reached up and felt his neck to make sure that his head was still there. It was, of course, but the nightmare had been so real that he still had to check. For what felt like an eternity he sat there, staring out into the darkness. A small voice in his head said that he should prove to himself that it was just a dream by putting the armor on, so as to allay his fears. But he couldn't do that, for it felt like an omen. He resolved to sell the armor as soon as he could, and to keep an eye on anyone using Dullahan's axe. The duelist lay back down, but found that he could not sleep. All he could think about was the events of the day and the nightmare which had visited him. He tossed and turned until the sun crept up and a new day began.
Not alone, and ergo not fearing his own Dooming, Udo sees little sense in guard duty and takes to his bed.
Resolved that on the morrow he would share what he had heard from the old mason, conduct his Meisters business, and bid his erstwhile companions farewell and fairer lives, the apprentice stoneworker sleeps the slumber of the dead.
The young man sleeps deeply and soundly.... it's been a BIG day and he is both mentally and emotionally wrung out.
Imrik sleeps but finds it hard to be truly restful in the strange surroundings.
Brunhilde manage to keep on the innkeeper soft spot, and is offered a small room, where brooms and buckets are usually kept, and a blanket to keep warm.
The other sleep well, more or less, with Udo and Konrad having a few strange dreams, or even nightmares.
The morning comes, with new opportunities, and hopefully less lethal encounters. What will you do today?
I need honest employment... I can't afford a second day here, he states in the common room.
Brunhilde makes her way to the common room to check in with the men in her group there.
"Everyone sleep okay? The inkeeper was nice enough to get me a decent place to sleep in exchange for my work yesterday. I don't know if she's got work for me today, however. Anyone get any leads for work in the common room last night?"
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Felver gets up from the ground and makes his way downstairs and says how about some warmed water to rub myself down with this morning? and then Felver says the Reeve and some of the people here seemed particularly interested in my fighting capacity last night as well as Konrad's. I think they may have something in mind
Udo rubs his neck as he stirs, nodding at Brunhilde's greeting;
"Alas while my body lay still, my mind did not Brunhilde. Morr teaches us to ware our dreams... In mine I was working on the Dullahan's tombstone, carving the stone with its name..."
He frowns mulling his dream as he speaks;
...Yet I could not get it right. The name was wrong, letters faded before the name could be finished. My chisel could not penetrate the stone... I used all my strength with naught but a scratch."
The apprentice stoneworker looks to the others as he continues to speak in a low tone;
"The old stonemason said the Dullahan could not come into Hallt on account of the stones of the ancient steinkreis. It is the old magic in these stones that keep all threats at bay. Similar stones were used on the old mill upon the hill. He also said the fell Dullahan had taken o'er a dozen heads... a mason, farmers and fishmonger among them... All acquaintances. All dead. An axe to grind he said. The Dullahan's axe..."
Udo voice sounds grave as he nods toward the heavy hatchet taken from the creature;
"My dream... the stones... the victims... That axe... I know not what it all means, but it is fear it is fell."
As the Calm Toad inn is, in fact, quite calm on the morning, Gerwine Brotzmann, the innkeeper, seems happier.
It was a good evening yesterday, many beers were sold, as the customers wanted to drink to the Dullahan's defeat. Breakfast is on the house, but don't you dare spreading the news in the streets. Hope you slept well.
t.[/
She looks at Brunhilde
Need your help in the kitchen, girl, so you can eat earlier. Mostly bread and cheese for breakfast. Twas a bad year for grain in the fields around, so the price of food went high. As I said yesterday, there is a small, local market in town this morning.You
she points at Konrad
seem to have impressed that drunkard Bachmaye. If he's not too hung over, and the man know to drink, he'll be on the market, maybe he'll have some work for you. I'm pretty sure the Reeve will be soon gone to check on the Dullahan's body and the fallen coach. So far the snow isn't falling.
Konrad gave Felver a long look. ”I…” He began. He was talking as he thought. ”This isn’t a job that requires fists.” He said. ”I’ll most likely be trying to sell goods. Hoping to earn enough to get out of this town, as I really can’t afford to stay a night here.” He rubbed his eyes, obviously fatigued. ”If you want a piece of that action, is that the kind of work you are familiar with?” He chose his words carefully. He barely knew anyone, and while they had bled together, he also had the feeling that the pit fighter would make him bleed for coin as well. Anyone in their profession had to be comfortable with violence. And desperate men took desperate actions. That, and he didn’t know if he could beat the man without his rapier. ”If it’s you’re area, then meet me there. I’ll be running some errands first, but it shouldn’t take long.” First he’d try to sell the chain. Doing so would hopefully get him enough coin to get out of town. From there it was all traveling expenses, and that was easier to split. He smiled, coming to the conclusion as he talked that it was cheaper to split the job than to bleed out in an alley.