Holding the lead so the amazing beast doesn't get too far ahead, Noami turns and adds her opinions. "I'm with Ceirn, I don't want to ride the thing. As fast as it walks we should be able to acquire a cart or a wagon." She nods towards the Dwarf, "I like the idea of a covered wagon, hot cakes on the road sound like a good idea."
" Woot!!! Seems great! Though we need to slove this mystery" Priscilla says as she giggles and smiles as she struts with her hands behind her head.
Let's worry about the drow first
"Yes, perhaps a wagon would make more sense. But Aggghhh makes a good point as well. Drow now, wagon later."
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Rauthauvyr's road cuts through the great forest of Cormanthor, and guides you out of the shadows of the great trees and opens up onto the far eastern edge of the great plain that makes up the vital farmlands of Battledale.
The journey through the woods was fast paced, almost frantic. the Rothe kept walking so wickedly fast, much everyone's annoyance.
What was that- helna had gasped between breaths about saddles? yet she, and everyone else, kept up with the fast moving beast of burden.... barely.
The hallmark of Rauthauvyr's road was its system of fortified inns. One inn, every ten miles. Starting in the far off city of Sembia's own Selgaunt, every ten miles, an inn is established. Even if the mile marker is a mere 1 mile outside a city, an inn is established there. Depending upon the location of the inn, it may or may not have a wall, and may have one to three people manning said wall at any given time. Yet, the inns provide security, a surety throughout the dalelands.
as if by providence, or careful measurement, the town of Esembre is 120 miles north upon this road of Selgaunt. and ten miles out of town, you come upon an inn.
The Rat's Tooth? Ugggg.... Helna glowers at the inn.
the Rat's tooth was built with fortification in mind, for the threat from the black elves is ever present. A miniature fortress, it stands tall upon a tall hill overlooking the farming lands that stretch to the south and west, the road that runs north and south, and, most importantly, watches over the tall trees Cormanthor. Stout stone walls, no taller than 12 feet in height, guard the inn's perimeter, with an equally impressive wood and iron banded gate. Battledale patrolmen, mounted upon horses, thunder out of the open gate, and head south on the road. A tall, three story stone building stands proud atop the hill. Windows, no more than overly large arrow slits, are set into the stone face. Chips and gouges are clearly seen upon the shielding walls, evidence that there have been attacks upon the inn.
Priscilla looks and takes note as she begins to slip into a more catlike slink to her walk. She quiets down as she looks around.
Must be rather dangerous with such a fortified inn
Jerking on the large bovines lead, Naomi watches the events at the fortified inn. Turning to the dwarf she shrugs. "They build them about every ten miles."
"Perhaps they will have seen the men who left before us." Ceirn says.
Well let's get in and ask, maybe get this cow to walk slower.
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea."
stepping up to the front entrance, you see a single man dressed in full plate, complete with mail shirt draped to the knees, and helmet with closed faceplate. in his hands, he holds onto a large polished pike with practiced ease.
Wel- whoa! what the? a Rothe?! how in the nine hells did you get a Rothe on briddle?
Keen bargaining I reckon. Quite the quick footed beast it is, we're seeing if we can get a wagon so we can keep pace.
" Thats Sparklefoot! He is a great beast and longtime friend." Priscilla says givijf the rothe a friendly scratch on his shoulder area
"So tall and sexy man in a can, what is with all the um, well defensive measures!" Priscilla does as she smiles and puts on her hier of charm. She couldnt really tell how handsome he was but, hey guys like compliments and flirting.
Rolling her eyes at Priscilla's tall tale, Naomi tightens her grip on the lead rope, "The bridle came on, ah, Sparklefoot. We just haven't purchased him a new one yet."
Waiting until after the 'knight' answers Priscilla's question, Noami asks, "You got room for six more?" Turning to the others, "Unless you all want to keep going and sleep under the stars." She shrugs, "Or we can press on another ten miles and sleep at the next hostel."
"Do you have any other groups staying who were passing by?" Ceirn asks the man.
Sparklefoot? the guard asks in dismay, looking at the large bovine. that's uh... well, nope! he suddenly says not my problem. he grunts, shaking his head.
There's an open corral at the back, and you'll have to ask the keeper about accomodations. I stay in the small barracks we have here. he nods at his own statement. Man in a can? he looks down at Prisicilla, his mouth working slightly as he attempts to understand what she's saying. suddenly, his eyes grow big and a wide smile stretches his lips. Well, hello there. I, and nine others here, protect this inn. Thats our only job is to ensure that cute lil things such as yourself stay safe and secure, and have a good nights sleep! he winks at Priscilla.
he opens his mouth to continue, but is cut short by Ceirn's question.
Other groups? could you be more specific? there's lots of groups on the road this time of year. Wont thin down until late autumn when the early rains come to slop up the roads.
" You are too kind, Mister?" She asks as she waits for an answer then replies.
" Yes, The folk we ask about where Sembians, who are some of those Silver Ravens. Any information would be greatly appreciated. For me Especially" She said with a wink. Though she didnt have any inkling to go much kore then some drinks and food, it never hurt to let them think more was on the line.
Watching the halfling flirt with the 'man in the can' Naomi raises an eyebrow. Looking from the halfling towards the Dwarf sorceress then back again, she moves closer to the randy halfling. Leaning over she asks softly, "Does this mean you intend to spend the night, or can we move on?"
Priscilla winks at Naomi and gestures with her hand in a no fashion. As she does she says in a whisper " No, we can continue on" she appears dejected. Even letting her little lip stick out and pout.
Ceirn looks around as they talk to see if anyone seems to be paying attention beyond the guards.
The man's demeanor changes from jovial to grim. Mpfh. those guys. he hocks a huge gob of spit and spits it far from his mouth. Na're do wells if you ask me. Oh sure, they talk a good game, and some of them do help out round these parts. but he shifts closer to the group. They always are looking for some sort of payment. I heard that there was a group of them up in over in Mistdale, and they saved a village, that they did. theiving black elves, the whole lot of them. a rather large battle group. well, these men, they were all men you know, well, they rolled in in the knick of time and did kill off all them slant eyes. Not that i care much about that, mind you! but, when the consolidated in the towns square, they asked for payment. Well, the town you see, well, it wasnt one for richness, except for the women folk. he spits again as his knuckles turn white. Let me tell you, i hear they spent the night availing themselves upon the daughters of that village. And then, in the morning, they took all the meat and drink, and let off. he shifts his stance, from left to right.
It's not right. i heard that eight of them women all got pregnant, now carry around bastard kids. Lost their chances at having good, solid, hard working husbands. Going to be beggard cuz of this. It's not right, its not. he slams the but of his pike into the hard earth, emphasizing his point.
you look about, listening to the man as he speaks. Commerce moves up and down the lone road to Esembre. Wagon trains 6 horses long pulling wagons, mule trains 16 long jingle down into the open farm land to the west, a lone farmer sitting upon a buggy piled high with chains. what he was pulling you do not know, but it had to have been massive. Each clop of hoof, each crack of whip, each shout at a unruly donkey, all of it sounds like money to a merchant from Calimshan.
Bunch of major arses that is for sure, hopefully they get themselves killed by something in the woods. Anyways fellas, should we have a rest and look for a wagon? My feet are hurting.
Helna says out loud My desire to meet these Silver ravens... seems like its upon a knifes edge. I dont wish to run into them she pulls a dagger out and tests the edge upon her nail would be nice to clip their wings
Listening carefully as the fellow tells his story, Naomi now wants to get to Hap even faster to keep the Silver Ravens from doing the same there. Hearing the dwarf say something about his feet hurting, she resist the urge to comment about being lighter on his feet if he washed some of the dirt off. Instead she nodded in agreement with Helna, "We can't clip there wings if we don't catch them." She looks to Aggghhh, asking, "You think you can press on till the next hostel?"
She then looks around the group asking in general, "Shall we stop and lose precious time or press on?"
"How much more daylight do we have? That is the more pressing concern and can we set up a secure camp. That is the quandry." She says as she then looks back to the guard.
"Well, thankyou, we are in pursuit of such ner do wells. We dont want to waste much more time. So can you tell us of any good camping spots for nearby that will serve us in our pursuit?" She says as she smiles and shifts to show her small yet feminine curves.
"It would be prudent to move on. There is still plenty of light and they are well ahead of us. There is much traffic on this road. That might slow them down some if they are using a cart. Less so if they are all on horses only." Ceirn notes as he watches those passing by.
The guard looks at the lot of you all. Well, there's the next inn ten mouths from here. Much like this one, but has a few more rooms in the Inn. he looks at Priscilla, a slight grin etches his face though, with slim legs like that, i dare say theyd get a little tired from walking even further. he coughs slightly. Well, best make up your mind. your blocking the entrance. he steps back to his post.
Ten miles... awful long way to walk. took us most of the daylight to walk here. Dont feel like walking in the darkness to the next place Helna grunts sourly. But, if we wish to walk some more, i am up for it. I still have some more energy in these thighs to make the distance. We'd have to be on guard for Drow, or other creatures that come out at night in old Myth Drannor. she sheaths her blade upon her bandolier.
What about a wagon so some of us can rest our feet?
"It is probably a good idea not to be out past dark, especially if half our group is going to be on sore feet." Remembering the morning's issues, he grimaces. "Maybe we can get away early in the morning and make up time then."
"Oh trust me,Handsome I have stamina to go all night long if I want" Priscilla says with a wink and strikes a pose looking sexy before she then turns and looks at others.
She makes gestures showing her wanting to leave.
Rolling her eyes at Priscilla's retort, Naomi looks at the Paladin, "Really? The bringer of Amaunator's light is afraid of the dark?" More sypathetic to the dwarves short legs, she looks towards the soldier. "Would anyone have an extra wagon for sale?"
Turning from the soldier towards, Aggghhh, "If we can't find a wagon real quick you can ride in a bag hanging from the pack saddle. Either way, let's keep moving."
Agghhh glares. Don't insult someone who is the perfect height to punch your kneecaps off.
Hellig shakes his head. "Hardly. But with some of our fellows wanting to stop, I thought it better not to force them on. I, like our little friend" he says, with a nod to Priscilla, "can go all night. Given the right traveling company."
[B]" Wait, Dows Hollier Than Thou, capable of such things? Wouldnt that hurt your devotion to That sun guy?"]/b] giggles Priscilla as she tties not to double over at the thought of her internal idea of innocent Hellig with the Man in the Can!
"I think we need to decide if we wish to try and catch up to those who left before us. If we do, then we should move quickly and a cart will not help with that. If we are not concerned about catching up to them, then stopping here and getting a cart if possible makes sense." Ceirn says. "I thought we wished to catch up to them quickly. If that is not the case then I agree we should stop here and have a real bed."
Resisting the urge to chuckle at Priscilla's comment about the 'holy' warrior, Naomi shakes her head. She'd grown tired of all the talking, it didn't seem like anyone wanted to make a decision. Understanding, she didn't want to make a decision for a whole group of strangers she'd just met either. But, she was willing to make one for herself and the giant cow she'd purchased. Turning to the others, "I agree with Ceirn, we're supposed to be in a hurry. You all can do what you want, Buttercup, Thistle and I are heading on. If you want to stay here for the night, get whatever gear is yours off of Buttercup and stay." Tugging on the rope, she calls, "Come Thistle." and begins to slowly move forwards as the wolf trots ahead smelling the road.
" Ill come. You deserve a great fire and some food. Besides If those thar wanna stay wanna get a wagon, before you turn in then that would be nice." Priscilla says as she smiles and then bows to the Mercenary.
" Maybe next time love" She says following Naomi.
Once outside." So what sort of dinner do you want I could do some hearty stew with enough veggies and a good bit of meat" She says thinkinf up various ideas of what to make leaving the past conversation behind.
Aghhhh sighed. Very well, then. Let's keep walking.
Our present speed is 2 miles an hour, we've walked five hours, we have three more hours until halflings and dwarves start fighting fatigue. So do we stop at eight hours, or continue the last two hours of the ten mile trek to the next fortified place to rest?
Rizz, how soon is sunset? In theory we left in the morning and have been traveling five hours.
Our present speed is 2 miles an hour, we've walked five hours, we have three more hours until halflings and dwarves start fighting fatigue. So do we stop at eight hours, or continue the last two hours of the ten mile trek to the next fortified place to rest?
Rizz, how soon is sunset? In theory we left in the morning and have been traveling five hours.
Aghhh stomps along, grumbling in dwarven.
Helna scratches her head as she steps off, following the group.
are- are we going to be able to catch up to the silver ravens? i mean, the stableman said that they rode off on horses... and we have- she motions to the Rothe. well, we have a Sparklefoot. i dont think a foot race against horses can be won, lest we force it and walk all night. There are stories of whole armies marching through the night and able to make it to a fight... Im all for figuring out whats going on in Hap, and claiming that reward, but, i dont want to be dog tired going into an unknown situation. Im sure Hellig there would confirm that squaring off against an enemy when youre tired is a bad idea.
Rizz, how soon is sunset? In theory we left in the morning and have been traveling five hours.
Naomi turns and looks at Henlna, "It's just the slower we move the longer they'll have to abuse the town." She shrugs, "Tell us when you get tired, we can stop." She gives a light smile, Or you can ride in a sack on sparklefoot."