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"Mr. Grub? How long do you think we will be gone?" she asks the halfling, a bit worried about their food supplies given the way he eats. Grub blinks, a dribble of porridge on his bottom lip. "Uh..I dunno. How long do you plan to be gone?" He cocks his head. "Or is this some kind of riddle? I'm not terribly great at those I'm afraid."
"Are you talking about my little safe camp?" Grub says around a mouthful of porridge clearly spooned from the bowl he holds in one hand. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Luscious Legs, but that place is all buried in that hill. Unless you're excavators as well as explorers, all you'll find there is broken stone and a mound of dirt to walk over." He hops off the barrel he's sitting on and wanders closer. "'Sides. That's all in Brevoy anyway. Thought you guys were here to see the Greenbelt." He squints at the party with a smile.
"Well no point in standing around waiting. Let's get some food in us and some ale. I am famished!" She then winks slyly at Grub at the mention of being "famished." Grub's eyes widen, and while he's probably misinterpreting the situation, he grins back hopefully and dashes along after the slender and pretty elven ranger. "Food, ale, and fair company is all any hot-blooded halfling needs, I guarantee that!" he bursts out to no one in particular. "Oy, Oleg!" Grub says scrubbing his mouth as he and Kalica approach the roasting meaty marvel of wild pig. He gives the trader a familiar nod.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much. They're probably just sizing us up. Maybe just keeping an eye on us because we're close to their den. A band this size isn't likely to see much trouble." Grub chuckles and gestures at Arielle. "Unless she falls behind of course. They might get brazen enough to try and make a grab for what they think would be an easy meal." His voice softens until only those nearby can hear him. "But easy is far from the truth, now isn't it."
Night "I can only imagine that our escape will stoke any delusions the Issian Guard has about us. Are they likely to send anyone else after us?" Grub puffs out some smoke. "Mmm...maybe. Probably. I dunno. I only got to Fort Sarenko a couple weeks back, and mostly stayed out of the politics. I know that boy is trouble, but how much he's willing to divide his little squad when he still feels he needs to have enough swords on hand in case Pfarsis decides to just remove the thorn in his side..." The ranger shrugs to show his level of concern about the Issian Guard. "They ain't gonna find you here, if that's your worry." He waves his pipe towards the stone half-buried in the hill. "Whatever that is interferes with magic scrying and whatnot. Is why I use this place as a camp when I'm being more secret than usual. Plus, I know how to make sure our trail is invisible. Only someone better'n me is going to be able to track us." He winks. "Plus, they'd need to know where to start. Since you trussed up the gnome, I doubt they have clue other than to know we left from the smithy. The more obvious secret door in that place just leaves out the side of the building. More than likely that's what they'll assume."
The halfling chuckles and puffs on his pipe. "I would certainly love to take credit, but the captain and my cousin had more to do with it. The Issian Guard isn't privy to the secret escape tunnel should the fort need to escape or sustain a siege. Pfarsis is a sharp one. He had the foresight to know that no matter how things turned out in your little conference, there was absolutely no reason for your belongings to remain inside the fort." He pauses to blow odd shapes with the smoke. "That Issian Guard upstart actually thought you were being intentionally trapped in the fort, so didn't really pay attention to where your animals were sent as long as it didn't appear you would be able to get to them for an escape." Grub waves the pipe in an arc to indicate where they were. "This place? Yes, this part is all me. Not too many people know about this camp. Not many at all."
"Alrighty!" Grub says softly. "We definitely need to git, so we'll need to travel a bit to a spot I know; it's probably about two hours or so from here. All open wilderness; we won't be using any tracks, so it's best we run a length of rope through all the horse's bridles to keep us all together in the darkness." He hands the end of a rope to Armin to begin the process. Once it's attached to the saddle of the android's horse, Grub takes it back so he can lead the way. "Everyone ready? Let's go!"
Grub shivers. "Gah...that just never gets any less weird," he says to no one particular. "Anyway...!" Grub moves quickly to an area next to one of the cold forges and pushes on a pair of stones simultaneously in two different places. Suddenly a section of the floor near him pops up just enough to lift. "You there!" Grub calls to the hulking Armin. "Come lift this up."
He eyes the gnome briefly before looking back to his sword, apparently indifferent to her fate. "It doesn't matter to me. You're the one holding the knife, at any rate." Grub shivers. "Whew! So cold you are!" "She's unarmed and very outnumbered, Glen would think there is not too much risk to treat her with a bit more courtesy. If she's a mercenary like you surmise her job is already botched, and I doubt she is so foolish as to try anything. Glen says we should let her up, or at the very least remove your dagger from her neck." Grub laughs and removes the knife. He lifts his foot and steps to one side. "I would never have done such a thing anyways. I was just trying to scare the wee one here a bit." He looks at Kalica with a smile. "Already agreeing with Grub. I like that very much." He blows Kalica a kiss then suddenly snaps his fingers. "As for getting out of here, I know a way. But first let's lock this lass in one of these rooms so she won't be seeing my secrets."
Grub looks at the little girl in surprise. "Well lookey here! It's the R-L!" He leans forward, and the pressure makes the gnome wheeze. "How do you always manage to get mixed up in crazy stuff, girl?" He waves a hand to head off any innocent replies to his mostly rhetorical question. "Later, later. Definitely more pressing business now." Cocking his head in Miyari's direction, the raggedy halfling says, "Seems a certain commander is less than pleased about your group but determined he couldn't be directly associated with your murder. So he hired these mercs that are left over from the civvies that usually collect around these parts." Gesturing at the gnome, "Our little gnome's friend—the one who ran out of here?—will probably be back with more dangerous opponents. I suggest a quick exit from the fort before the certain commander decides he is willing to get his hands dirty after all." The "little" gnome snarls from down under Grub's boot and spits into the dust to show what she thinks of him. He reaches down to press his dagger against her neck causing her to freeze. "What would you lot like to do with this one anyway?" He chuckles menacingly.
"Let's just get that bit there," the halfling says nudging the gnome's rapier away with his boot. "Getoffame!" the gnome says her voice tinged with fear and anger. Ignoring her, the halfling pushes his straw hat back exposing a rather comical face with a broad smile. Though missing one here and there, the halfling has rather white teeth which seems surprising. His eyes flicker between Roswitha, Miyari, and Kalica for a moment before finally settling on Kalica and her bloody blade. He whistles softly. "My cuz not be lying. You really are something!" He waggles his eyebrows. "I don't know if I've ever seen an angrier elf. But damn if it isn't a damn fine look on you, sweetleaf!" He quite adroitly somersaults backwards off the gnome to end up on his feet. Attempting to take advantage the gnome starts to rise, but the halfling plants a boot squarely between her shoulder blades and roughly pushes her back down. He doffs his straw hat and twirls his raggedy mud splattered cloak in a bard-like flourish. "My name is Haller Grubbens. You can call me Grub seeing as how everyone else does. My fancy pants magic man cousin advised me you had requested a guide, so I came to see if you would be worthy of my time." Once again he rather unsubtly looks over Kalica's slender elven form. "I'm happy to inform you that I accept and look forward to showing you the Greenbelt!" He grins and then smooths his unruly eyebrows down with a forefinger and pinky.
Thanks to Subotai's helping hand, Grub manages to catch his balance and finish climbing the stairs. He sees Oleg and Svetlana beating down on the flames on the roof with the blankets and yells to them to come dip them in the tub. They look at him gratefully, and the trio begin to slap wet blankets on the burning wood. It will probably take them half a minute to fully extinguish the flames.
Grub eyes Subotai and grunts. "Oh gee, tanks fer helpin' me." Grub struggles with the unwieldy basin and tries to climb the stairs.
About halfway up, Grub's foot catches on the step above. He emits an "Oy!" and starts to almost comically lean backwards. It is very obvious he is about to tumble back down the stairs.
Just as Subotai reaches the bottom of the stair, he hears a thumping like someone is kicking the door. "Hey! I gots the water tub. Open up, Oleg! It's Grub."
Grub looks up, eyes wide, as the whoosh of green flame splashes across the roof above. "Uhhhh...that's not good," he states to anyone listening. He jumps to his feet and runs to the common eating area where a tub of water used that morning for cleaning dishes sits with cooling soapy water. Hoisting up the tub, Grub grunts at the effort and begins to slowly waddle towards the main building door.
Grub seizes the opportunity to leap onto the back of the horse closest to him. Clutched in his hand is a lasso of rope which is tied to both gate doors.
He strikes the side of the horse comically, never even close to landing on its back. Even as he tumbles backwards, the horse rears startled whinnying in panic. The lasso manages to get tangled up in the saddle straps as the horse and the riderless one next to it both scramble to leave. Jostling one another the two horses turn and flee through the open gate. With a great creak, the gate doors slam shut. Grub pushes his hat up looking at the shuddering gates, as the panicked horse continues struggling against the evil tentacle that keeps it tied to the wooden doors. He gives a low whistle. "Well, would you look at that!" Then he glances over and sees the shocked and swiftly darkening face of the ugly woman who is now staring at the chubby halfling.
Grub looks at the gate, then looks at the bandits. "They're in the way!" he hisses in Ciri's direction.
Grub looks confused and uncertain how to proceed.
She crooks a long finger at poor Grub. "You. With me. Help me find a good hidey-hole, maybe outside the palisade? Almost Ciri's finger used a spell to draw him forward, Grub hops up and runs up to Ciri. It is obvious he is desperate to please the pretty woman. "Ol' Grubbins knows all kind of hidey holes in the woods. No nasty bandits will get us there." When Grub realizes that Ciri doesn't mean a "hiding place" he looks a tad deflated. "Oh...if you're looking to actually fight," Grub looks as if this is a really stupid idea, than you might find hiding up on one of the catapult towers is a good spot. Higher up and if you need to, you can get behind the ruined weapon for cover."
Grub looks startled for a moment. "Uh...what can I say? Lots of wilderness, bandits, hermits, and some scattering of people who think there is a new life to be had here in the wilds of the 'Stolen Lands'." Grub snickers a little. "If I heard correctly from the outrider who delivered the message to meet up with our Ulfen friend here, charters of exploration are being written up from the lords in Restov." At this the halfling bursts into a somewhat wheezing type of laugh that makes him sound like a braying mule. "As if they have any authority here," he chokes out. As his mirth subsides, Grub looks at Ragnar and then at Ciri. "I know a few landmarks and where danger lives, but it's not as if I bothered to map things out or make it easy to follow my tracks. The usual rule around the Greenbelt is leave well enough alone and live well enough." He shrugs. "So if ya be wanting to head out into the wild to do those fools the courtesy of a map, I can help you survive, show you safe passage, but exploring proper is going to test your mettle. You will definitely have to step into danger well enough and often to clean up these lands."
"Here,I am here." A muffled grunt comes from Grub who is finishing off the remaining stew in his bowl. He is sitting legs dangling from the window of one of the upstairs rooms. "I put my money on you baby! Don't worry, ol' Grubbins won't let these pretty men harm your virtue." He winks at Ciri, and then disappears from the window to reappear from the lodgings door within seconds. He belches loudly and calls to Svetlana, "Stew's good, but it could use more salt!"
" You're probably in a better position to hire me." Grub's eyes light up and his herb-toothed smile reappears. "And I don't mean I'm for hire for that." The smile wilts under Ciri's glare. He casts a somewhat rueful glance towards Ragnar.
"Maybe. I bet you would be handy if a bear attacked." Grub smiles broadly and spoons up a mouthful of stew. "Ah, but the trick is to not even let the bear know you're there. I know how to gets around attacking bears, heh heh." This time when Grub grins, there's a bit of herb stuck in between his front to teeth. "I might at that. Have you perchance heard anything about a colony of tieflings 'round these parts?" For a second, the halfling blinks then too casually gives Ciri a much more thorough once over with his eyes. He mutters to himself for a second and then shrugs. His final words are slightly more audible than the rest. "...still be worth it..." "I have heard...some rumors of rumors. Not too much more than whispers in the wind around these parts. Some of the more...wild living hermits I have come across said something about some "devil-spawn" taking over somewhere. I always be thinking it meant some devils or demons about...but possible it meant the children of such." "You look hungry and I eat like a bird. Feel free to help yourself if you'll tell me something about this place." With no hesitation, Grub grabs a hunk of bread and tears off a piece, secures a small piece of meat and dips both right into the stew before stuffing into his his mouth. Cheeks bulging, he nods excitedly, and says, "Eye nofe evweytink wiffin thurdee mowf!" Then he glances at Ragnar when the blond warrior calls out to him, and a dejected look appears on his face. Swallowing, he then mumbles, "But...uh, I kinda am hired by him already..."
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