Kesten_Garess's page

"It would seem that our neighbors have not quite gotten over the fact that they do not control us any more."

"Thieves and swindlers, the lot, by all accounts."

"We don't keep track of who comes in and out of Fairhaven. At least, not in any formal sense. Our gates are pretty open during the day, and people come and go as they please."

"...right. No sense in causing a panic."

We've asked around and about Fairhaven, Master Comarenza," Kesten says, "neither person seems to have any enemies. Of course a few people swear that wolves have been howling about the borders. Some even whispered the word 'werewolf' under their breath...."

"Worgs don't hunt alone. I'm no tracker, but I didn't see any signs of a pack. Maybe you could tell better than I could if you examined the scene?"

"We've the bodies, Warden. We felt you would want to investigate the issue. They're in the dungeon under the keep."

"The victims were killed on successive nights," Kesten tells Dregan, "the night before your return to Fairhaven and the night before that. Both were killed outside of the town, Saki two nights ago while she was apparently gathering berries for breakfast, and Beven the next night as he returned his sheep to town."

"I agree with Gavril. Writing another letter just gives them more time to prepare if they so choose. I'm sure Kaalib could confirm, but it's not like they won't have traps as it is. As I recall, you said that you had to be guided around such things the first time you went in there."

"True. They will take it as an unwise decision on your part. But in the end, that isn't any of their business. They'll try for the mine, of course, but they can't keep it on their own. They'll need us."

Kesten looks hard at Vosil, but the touch of a smile turns the corners of his normally-serious face.

"I came here exepcting to avoid these types of confrontations, Vosil. 'Your house' you say, I'd rather not think of them. I do understand what you mean, and I appreciate it."

"I followed Darrick for two reasons: one, he should not ride alone in these lands, despite your recent efforts. Two, the three of us wanted to take council among ourselves. Frankly, to see if maybe we had made a mistake in joining this venture."

"...Fairhaven is not bound by their fate." Kesten finishes.

"The dwarves didn't take the oath, Master Comarenza, we did. In fact, only Talia did by the letter of the law. She committed the money and the agreement. Fairhaven did not exist at that time."

"Ahem." Ketsen clears his throat to get your attention. He and Asha have been standing quietly in the Council Chamber listening to the interaction with the dwarves.

"Fairhaven is a River Kingdom, Vosil, that is beyond our control. It's geographical, really."

"Nein, Herr Comarenza. Ich mochte Schoenhafen."

Apologies for bad German.

"At your service, milady."

"As do I."

"There is something you should see. A caravan train, moving west along the road. They are coming here."

"No one is really sure how we found out," Kesten says, "but yet we knew for sure this morning that you had ended the Stag Lord's reign, and were returning safely."

He takes the remaining bandits into custody, and gives a status report.

"Nothing out of the ordinary to report, Miss Talia. It's been quiet since you left. Although Nat claims he sees something in and about the farm plot. Something small, that he can't quite set eyes on. Always on the edge of his vision. He's out there now, trying to catch sight of it."

Kesten watches as his men lead the bandits away. He turns to speak. "Although we have had a prankster in our midst. No one will admit to it, but someone thinks they are quite funny."

"There's been a significant drop in bandit activity, the trapper's report. Almost nothing seen or heard from them in some time. Still, I would think the Stag Lord has been active. It's just not around here."

"I must say I agree with...Edric? Is it? On the plan to scout along the forest." Kesten says from the doorway where he was waiting. "Our risk is minimal with Asha patrolling daily, and the local trappers have been keeping me abreast of goings on in the area. No bandits or camps have been spotted since you dealt with the group away south at Thorn Ford."

He sits down and pulls up a plate heaped with bacon. "My two coppers, anyway." Then he digs in.

Kesten finds Talia after she leaves Gavriil. "Are you certain about this house idea, Talia?" He waves a hand to stop her protest about meddling in her affairs. "This land is far from safe. A home like that just screams: 'Look! We have a wealthy person here!' We haven't settled the bandit issue yet. It doesn't matter how close you are to the gate, we can't protect you if something happens. I'd suggest you reconsider."

"Evening. Rough journey?' Kesten says. He takes in the huge boar on the travois, your soaked persons, and the fact that Magna and Gavriil don't stop to talk. He raises an eyebrow. "Trouble? Well, I don't know what that I'd add to your concerns, but you should know: two men came in to the post today, out of the east. They say they are here from Fort Serenko. Not trappers, not bandits far as I can tell. But they've seen some things. 'Accomplished' is a word I'd use. They are staying here tonight. You should probably speak with them. I have a man watching them."

"State your names and business."

"Welcome back! How did it go?"

"I'm afraid I tend to side with Miss Magna. I don't know kobolds from personal experience, but I've talked to plenty of veteran of the borders who have, and the stories aren't good."

"The reports indicate that there is a tribe of kobolds south of here, in the Greenbelt. Others say that the mites are also south of this trading post."

"While I appreciate Miss Magna's dedication to the elimination of the bandits, we can't ignore the other threats in the area. Just keep an eye out."

Sometime after the morning ritual at the forge, Kesten comes over to where you are enjoying a breakfast of fresh eggs and bacon.

"Your pardon, Miss Talia," he begins, "but I thought we might discuss the next steps we might take." He pauses. "I know the Stag Lord and the bandits are foremost on your minds, but I have had reports that there are other concerns out in the Greenbelt that make the area less attractive for settlement and such. Tribes of mites and kobolds, in the hills, are the reports."

"I can make such a request, but I doubt at this point they'd grant it. For now, we are on our own."

"He's a solid one," Kesten says, noticing your attention on Nat. "with a penchant for hard work. I haven't had a guard watching him for a week. Spends a lot of time with Asha to boot."

A passing trapper can tell you that the Tuskwater is 'away south, a loong ways away. A week's journey at least'.

Kesten, ever present in your planning, adds some advice. "That's a week through unexplored territory. Who knows what lies between here and there? We may want to continue to scout out the land around here. Remember: the charter's primary mandate is to explore and map the Greenbelt, dealing with banditry is secondary."