Ordric sits in the front of the wagon.
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"Then we rest here. Let's prepare the camp."
"We can travel a bit further, and perhaps find a place with enough wood to make a fire," suggests Ordric and adds, "But if you wish to rest, then we can stop here."
Ordric nods and introduces Annalise. "Annalise here is a Fire Keeper. You might have a lot to speak about." He then whispers to Annalise. "Would you like me leave you alone?"
"Yes, see to the horses. I think we will be leaving today," nods Ordric. "But other than that you are free to do what you like."
"Speaking with them was my intention," nods Ordric. "You are of course welcome to accompany me."
Ordric eats the breakfast, noticing the increased morale. "At least some made it out alive." After the breakfast he searches for the pilgrims to ask what they plan to do next.
Ordric changes from his traveling clothes and armor into a modest, but appropriate for a noble outfit. "As Alder said, it was a joint effort. Alder, Drystan and the Fire Keeper Annalise supported us from the back-lines, while Sir Kearan, Sir Marius, honorable knight of Catarina and I surrounded the creature and attacked it in melee."
Ordric narrows his eyes when the Carim knight calls him a lapdog, but controls himself. "I'm afraid Patches is dead. At least, we were told that he is dead," he takes a pause and continues. "Now that we have found you, our mission of escorting you begins fully. We will follow and protect you, while you are on the territory of Astora."
I think I'll increase my Vigor as an Advance. That's Vigor d6 -> d8 and Tougness 6 -> 7.
"I am glad we were arrived in time to help you. Are you the Carim pilgrimes we were tasked to escort?"
Seeing both knights raise up and join the fight lightens the count up and Ordric swings his sword with more power, again forgoing defense.
Ordric presses on, now concentrating on the offense and slashing the creature with wide cuts.
Ordric attacks the creature again, lunging with his sword but not abandoning defense.
Ordric comes into the room and freezes at the sight of the... thing. "What is that?!" A few moments and he pulls himself together, charging into the giant.
"Dark magic..." whispers Ordric. "They are dead, yet they walk and something heals them."
The Count doesn't hear a thing, and, as his knight, draws the sword to prepare for any surprises.
"Are they even conscious?" yells Ordric, hacking the mob.
Sure. Just take care.
Ordric attempts to distract one of them with a slash across the chest.
After that he fights off the rest together with Kearan, slashing and lunging with his sword.
Ordric turns around to see what makes the noise, and just in time - at least he can ready his sword and shield.
"What are they?" he asks in shock. "Are those the dead Lord Hiram warned us about?"
Ordric touches the cold stone.
"We were tasked to see to the safety of the Carim pilgrims - I understand she is one of them. We move forward."
"Actually, we were supposed to meet with Patches, and then accompany the pilgrims." Ordric sighs. But of course it cannot be so easy.
"I am Count Ordric Ethelred," Ordric introduces himself, and then the others. "Firekeer Annalise. Drystan Kressothe. Alder Claybourne. Sir Kearan. We are carrying out the mission on behalf of Prince Ricard. We also met this brave knight from Catarina in the woods."
"Let's say I do not think it a coincidence. It most certainly has something to do with our task."
"Are these... crystals?" asks Ordric. "That is magic. No blight can do such a thing." "We should properly bury him. But first, we should investigate more."
"Fire? And maybe a plant disease? We should proceed carefully."
"No, you are not," agrees Ordric. He then continues with a question, while slowly preparing for moving forward to their destination.
"Firekeepers' craft never ceases to amaze me," says Ordric to Annalise, staring into the fire. "Do you always sense such bonfires? Or only when you're near them?"
"Good thinking. Better to see your surroundings, especially with that thing flying around."
To his shame, Ordric's knowledge of geography has some holes. "Is it far from here? We are traveling to the border. If it's close, then continuing our path together might be a good idea. The more, the better. At least until we leave the forest."
Ordric is not accustomed to carrying anything while crossing river, and it shows. He stumbles and constantly stops to regain his balance.
"Let's get to work then." Count will help carrying some of the lighter stuff.
Ordric follows Drystan, careful not to slip up and fall into the river.
"Well then, let's divide ourselves," Ordric clasps his hands. "Drystan and I go left, Kearan and Alder go right. And if you sir, are willing to give us a hand, than you come with either group. Annalise, it doesn't feel right to leave you alone, so you should probably go with someone too."
"Let's first look if there is a path around. Maybe we will find shallow water, or another bridge. If we don't, then we will think of another plan."
Sorry but I won't be able to post until Monday, at least - the part-time I took turned out to be quite time-consuming. But that's just for two more days. Three max.
"My name is Ordric, Count Ethelred," the man introduces himself. "These are my companions. Where are you going? We may be able to accompany you."
The Count just sighs and shakes his head when Alder takes the ring. "Yes," Ordric answers. "We've lingered enough."
"You want to rob the dead? We're not looters. Let her rest in peace."
"I don't know what is this light," the count shakes his head. "But I know that we should bury the body."
Ordric hurries to remove the supplies from over the bag to check if that's an alive person or dead body. Or - the worst possibility - just the leg, without any body.
"Is this her campsite?" wonder Ordric looking around.
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