Oops, fixed that. Also the ring is your guys' and also no one has tried to discern its value with an Appraise check yet. Ox's retrieval has been noted. "It's about forty miles 3 hexes downriver from the campsite. We just followed the water until it met Tuskwater Lake. From there it was a short hike to the hill it's on," He explains. "To the south."
"While I don't think he realizes it, this guy does have a point. If the Stag Lord is after your group and everyone is at Oleg's you'll bring the trouble there. If he's just issuing a bounty like he usually does, and you stay mobile, the random bandit groups will have to find you first." Tuck glares at the annoying man.
"I know I'm not much more then a prisoner myself, but I could take these two back to Oleg's tonight and return to the group tomorrow. That way you can continue exploring and keeping an eye open for the other bandits. I could also give Keston a heads up, maybe they can send a letter for a couple more men," says Tuck stepping forward. "If not me, maybe one of the others but that'll leave your numbers short should something happen tomorrow."
Tuck looks up and studies the trees around them. After rubbing his hand on his chin he finally concludes, "If we ride southwest we'll hit the Thorn River, follow it to the edge of the forest and then cut across the hills...hrmm...I think we might be able to make it in twenty-four hours. Be there by early evening tomorrow. However if that messenger left Kressle's two days ago and ran through the night he's there for sure."
"When I was at the fort I only counted seven bandits in addition to the Stag Lord. I'm sure that number changes but with Keston at Oleg's he'll need more to have a successful attack. These bandits usually won't go into a fight unless the odds are at least even. If this group is their target it's probably the field lieutenants we need to worry about." Tuck comments while double checking the knots on the two extra prisoners. "What will you guys do with these two? We don't have a wagon or any extra horses, and the mule only has packs on it."
Tuck approaches the group leading most of the unattended animals. "Sorry about not helping. I was busy keeping the horses from panicking and racing off into the woods. I'm not the best with animals though. Kressle dealt with this Rok a couple times, he's right, the two didn't get along well." After handing off the horses to their proper owners he stands with a leg crossed. "There where two others who seemed to lead their own groups of men in the woods. One was a crafty fellow, a halfling with the name of Bennin Barrowsnatch. He's a story teller with a sharp tongue.It surprised me to see one of the small folk take to banditry but there was a cruel streak to his stories." "The other was an elf. I only caught his first name when we dealt with him and his. Lyndalan. He showed up in the middle of the night with four other elves like wraiths. They traded compliments and left before morning."
Tuck has been helping Svetlana resupply the companies rations and waterskins. "Padre, it sounds like you really angered The Hunstman. I would count yourself lucky he even gave you a chance to redeem yourself." The ex-bandit doesn't seem to impressed by the near groveling of the priest. "When I was with Kressle we never came across a temple like you described. Of course she mainly kept her men in the northern parts of the forest."
He laughs a little, "Sort of, except you don't look anything like a group of bandits. If you tried it on someone else with a pendant the general rule is you work together or head to the Stag Lord's to see who's right." Tuck lends a hand with preparing the dead man. "If you're lucky you would just speak with Akiros his second in command. There is a misplaced soul if I've heard of one. It's said he used to be a paladin."
"Hrmm, that was Davvel. Stephen was a bandit who tried to keep some of the Stag Lord's loot for his own. The Lord found out and has been torturing him for some time, making an example. A week ago we heard that Davvel had run off. He was one of those bandits the Stag Lord put a price on for cowardice. I didn't realize the two where connected. Wonder if this leads to the missing goods." Tuck explains. "Men with those pendants are considered trusted by the Stag Lord. With so many bandits scattered over such a large area a strict chain of command is difficult. If someone with a pendant tells you the Stag Lord says to do something, then you generally follow those orders. There was a pass-phrase used with it too, 'By the Bloody Bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know?' was the last one."
"I..uh...would rather not go near this. Spiders the size of a horse? I understand the need to make sure this land is safe, but frankly I'm terrified. Spiders and tight spaces." Tuck looks visibly distraught. The color has washed from his face. "Father had me fetch our savings from under the floor boards once....dozens...."
Tuck points forward with his manacled wrists. "There it is. Home of Bokken the mad hermit. Not many people set up homes in the Greenbelt, but he's not like most folk. The bandits don't even bother shaking him down for money." He chuckles to himself. "I've been here before...you'll just have to see."
"I am exactly who I told you, a thief." Tuck's grin vanishes, "I've stolen bread, money, and secrets and I was placed on a mission to keep an eye on the Greenbelt. No one in Brevoy knows too much about what is going on down here and some of the lords decided to remedy that." He gestures to his wounds again. "You woke me with a kick after shooting me, and began demanding information about the bandits and the Stag Lord. Then you threatened to kill me for banditry by association." "So I decided to keep who I worked for private. Not everyone on Golarion is friend to the Swordlords. Perhaps you'd been sent by House Surtova." Tuck says this last part while deftly twisting his hands free of the rope bonds and re-tieing them to be more comfortable. "As I'm tasked with watching the Greenbelt...your group would appear to be the most interesting site since a man with a dear skull for a head."
Tuck raises the bonds around his wrists. "You have the right of it, Oleg. However I'm currently under a new contract with Priest Janku. Like Kalsgrim said, I promised a year for my head and hide." He lifts the side of his shirt to show the two pink scars from the arrow wounds. "Sheer luck saved me when these men attacked Kressle's camp. I don't think she even knew what did her in at the end."
Having remained quite for most of the mornings conversation Tuck speaks up over dinner, "I suppose you're right about being able to leave whenever we like. Although I've seen a couple men try that before. The Stag Lord set's a bounty for them and bandits will turn on each other quick as that. Kressle's turned three men to the Lord himself after she played with them for a bit. Though he's a powerful drunk, he doesn't turn a blind eye to cowardice." He shudders at the thought of what the Stag Lord does to those who are caught. "I'm willing to help you all because of your numbers and you seem pretty strong yourself. If'n there was only a couple of you...I probably would have cut my own throat rather then seem to have fled the forest."
The reformed bandit attends to any duties put to him by his captors without complaint. During the days travels he even points out a few hidden trails he's familiar with. While washing the dishes in the river he looks up at Corso's question. "Of course. Like I said, I could lead you to the fort if you like. We follow the river south to where it meets up with the Shrike. That'll take a day. Then by evening the following we would meet the Tuskwater and from there the Stag Lord." |