When evening approaches, Aedorn changes into a set of comfortable clothes, assumes his alternate identity, and makes his way to the brothel, whistling tunelessly and trying to look natural.
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Aedorn nods, grinning slightly. "It's a tough job, but I'll do my best to endure."
Grabbing his bow, Aedorn smiles genuinely at Tatya. "Ah, it's not so bad. At least we're not cramped in that boat." As they exit the inn, he looks down the road and continues in a low voice. "Do we just saunter down the road or would you prefer to approach by steath? I think it would be better if less people knew where we were going, so we may want to stay off the road. Mind you might dirty your dress a bit though."
Sticking to the woods, they arrive at the farmhouse and Aedorn wastes no time in putting an arrow through the old woman. While Tatya is checking out the house, he will look for a ditch or pit he can dump the body in so she doesn't stink up the place.
Looking at the map as it's copied down, Aedorn points excitedly when he recognizes the area he saw at the end of the tunnel. "See? I told you there was a tunnel leading all the way to the fort!"
"We have many options, it seems. We should decide on the best course of action, or perhaps two or three so we have backups should something go wrong. If Tatya is going to need that farmhouse, I could take care of the widow for her easily enough."
"I could probably make the swap quietly enough...that is if I can reach it. You said it was up on a wall or something?"
After the warning about the innkeeper, Aedorn decides it best to lay low for a bit and take advantage of having the room to himself to take a nap, catching up on missed sleep the night before.
Leaning forward again, Aedorn almost whispers "Like I told you, in the cellar of this very building. There's a hidden switch in the wall that opens it up. I'd be happy to show it to you but we can't risk it with folk about." He smiles. "You're just going to have to trust me on this one."
Aedorn nods enthusiastically. "I followed it down the entire length last night. It comes out in what looked like weapons cache or storage. Forges, the like. Might be a great way to sneak in, take them by surprise."
Aedorn grins wildly. "I found something." He pauses expectantly, still grinning. When nobody says anything he continues in hushed tones. "There's a secret passageway under the town that leads from this cellar all the way to the fort!" He folds his arms and leans back, looking quite pleased with himself.
Despite the lack of sleep, Aedorn is up with the rest of the group for breakfast and seems unusually cheerful, grinning wildly as they eat.
Weapons and forges - this must be part of the fort! Even if it isn't it'll certainly be important to them...and I probably wouldn't be able to see anything if I made it outside anyways. Satisfied that he has at least a clue of where the passageway leads, Aedorn carefully closes the trapdoor and makes his way back down, through the long passageway and back into the inn's cellar, moving quickly this time to make sure he's back before morning. Once he reaches the inn he moves quietly back to the upstairs suite, climbing into bed. Boy will I have news to tell them in the morning!
Almost relieved to see nothing but more darkness, Aedorn pushes the door open the rest of the way and continues, hoping to find some way to tell where he is.
I need to find out where this comes out. It could even be the tower! Aedorn quietly and carefully climbs the ladder. If there's a door or latch at the ceiling, he will open it just a crack to see if he can discern anything.
After considering briefly using a torch, Aedorn decides instead to follow along the dark passageway by feel, running his hand along the wall as he goes.
Aedorn smiles and accepts his offer, but makes a note to check back here later. He enjoys a quick drink with Bellam, making the most idle of small talk about the inn and the weather before making a show of going up to the suite for bed. Just outside the door, the small halfling waits in the shadows for all in the building to be still. He gives a generous extra hour before daring to make his way back downstairs and to the cellar, where he more cautiously sneaks to the wall that had previously been open, searching for a hidden latch or clue to its mechanism.
Aedorn smiles and nods at the man. "Jed. Oh, I'm glad it's just you. I heard the noise down here and just wanted to be sure nobody was breaking in or stealing from you. Anything I can help you with before I retire to bed?"
Hearing movement, Aedorn steps lightly to move closer, trying to find out who or what is making the noise.
Aedorn turns red with embarrassment and annoyance. "Yeah, I get it already! I already said I wouldn't cause any trouble and I mean it. I'm gonna go get some fresh air." Turning quickly, he hurries out of the room, passing through the tavern to the cool night air, where he picks a direction at random and walks slowly through the darkness, looking mostly up at the stars as he goes.
Aedorn turns back and looks up at the man, a dark gleam flashing in his eyes that you hadn't seen before as he smiles slightly. "That wouldn't be a problem."
Surprised at Morthos' concern, Aedorn looks up at him for a moment before shrugging. "I'm sorry, I'm just feeling a bit useless at the moment. I'm sure I could be of help to Bostarg in scouting out the town - I'm far lighter on my feet and in the dark than he is, but I get the distinct impression he wouldn't be fond of my company at the moment." He looks a bit ashamed and doesn't meet Morthos's eye at this point. "I really didn't mean to cause trouble - I didn't think he'd take such offense to wanting to have a bit of fun with a girl."
Feeling a bit unwanted, Aedorn pulls out a book and tries his best not to think about how long he'd have to wait in this town and how he'd bide his time without getting on anyone else's nerves. He smiles at each companion as they enter or leave the room but is feeling a bit dejected as the evening wears on.
Aedorn laughs heartily. "True, I hadn't considered that. Ah well, I promised Bostarg anyway. I'll be more careful in your company."
Aedorn's eyes follow the gnome as he leaves, then glances over at Tatya. Laughing nervously, he shrugs. "I honestly didn't see that coming. Who would've thought a bunch of hardened warriors like them would be such prudes? It's not like having a bit of fun with the local help would endanger our mission - if anything, it'd just establish us as normal folk with normal desires. I understand not wanting to draw undue attention, but I wasn't gonna hurt the lass!"
No worries, thanks for the update. I finally managed to level up Aedorn, I just need to update his profile. Also, I'm glad I'm able to be here for comic relief. My apologies for never flirting with Tatya - I think she intimidates him.
No, he's going by something else...that I'm still working on. Until it becomes an issue we'll assume he's had the alias all along.
Aedorns eyes widen and he looks surprised, but swallows and nods at Bostarg. "I won't make any trouble."
Queue entrance of Danny Kaye?
Aedorn finds his eyes pulled to the serving girl's curvy waist and can't help but smile slightly as they walk up the stairs. After food is delivered he speaks up, smiling with a wry grin. "How can I get you on the menu?"
I think Aedorn will be the younger brother of Jonas. Adult but just barely. Need to come up with a name...
"Bostarg, would it be acceptable to pose as brothers? Family members traveling together is common enough as Halflings. Especially if part of a family merchant business."
Aedorn allows a bit of a smile on seeing blood gush from the wound caused by Alazandaru while firing two more arrows at the guards in front of him.
Aedorn nods, steps back , and fires a pair of arrows .
As soon as everyone's in position, Aedorn produces an arrow and fires at the captain.
"It's almost a shame. The captain's skilled at what he does. Still, we'll do what must be done."
Aedorn finds himself sitting next to Tatya - near the others but away from captain and crew as they sail in silence. "That Fire-Axe is a natural leader, and the glue holding all those...uh, them together. Never seen anything like it, and I just bet he'll be able to pull it off." He casts a cautious glance at the captain before continuing in a low voice. "What're we going to do with these when we get there?"
GM: "Heh. Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with a bunch of guys over twice my size when I'm all alone. If they had tried to fight me I'd have more likely just run away. I can be pretty slippery - they'd have a harder time catching me than you might think. Anyway, I bet my friends are wondering where I am - I'll take your advice and get back to them." He nods at the bugbear and makes his way to the feast.
GM:
Aedorn smiles at the bugbear. "I wasn't scared of them - but I was heading back anyways." After a moment, he adds, "Thanks." In response to Sakkarot, Aedorn shrugs and replies, "Most of the people I knew or cared about are dead already, and I've no love for the nobility and class division that exists there. The way I see it, the only way to fix that is to wipe it out entirely and start over."
Aedorn comes along at Morthos' side, but keeps his silence for now, trying not to do anything that might provoke their ire.
Aedorn snickers and turns away quickly to avoid offending the guests.
Aedorn shrugs and nods at Tatya.
Aedorn snorts. "Imagine you probably just want to offload your seal pelts and make a bit of extra coin. We really don't have time for this, but if avoiding them would be more difficult than it's worth..."
Aedorn keeps his bow ready, eyes sharp looking for prey as they row.
Aedorn eyes the captain curiously. "I'm game for a hunt. Might give me some much needed practice with my bow, if nothing else." He's up to something. Better come along just in case.
Aedorn watches the discourse with interest, but makes no comment. He does lean over to his soggy companion however. "Alazandaru, you proved an able swimmer and fought well in the water. Are you sure you're all right? A swig of ale might warm you up a bit."
Aedorn sits on the deck, exhausted from the ordeal. "I...I'm sorry, my fellows. Never have my arrows been so untrue. It seems I must practice more to avoid a repeat of that dismal performance."
Aedorn launches two more arrows at the casting triton.
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