Forum

[howandwhy99]

[DAY 80 – Thunderday, Azer 12th, CY 81]

In the morning Father Ben helped the team prepare for their journey. Lord Ratcliffe was with them at the gates as they loaded up all the horses. Having learned of their departure only that morning he ordered a guardian to travel along with them. The dirty red-bearded dwarf shambled over and introduced himself again as “Cyrus... The Black.” The group nodded with half smiles and gave the dwarf a horse. He was to ride with Kayla and Igor to the west. It was then Ben discovered the travelers would split up temporarily. Most would go with Dram whose father lived in Hamfast to the south, while Kayla and Igor went to buy supplies in Hommlet to the west. Both were on Dram’s map and the two roads eventually led to Holmfaust Kayla’s home. Everyone waved goodbye and the two teams walked their horses down the winding hill as one. It was only then Ben realized Mirel was not around to see them off.

At the bottom of the Keep’s ramp Kayla, Igor and Cyrus split off waving back to the others. Dram took lead for the southbound crew. Pax, Darius, Dalin, and Ormand the Redd followed beind. The day’s journey was slow going, so Dram started asking Pax where he was from. The huge man interested him. Pax was easily seven feet tall and perhaps twice the weight of Dram who was considered large by most. Perhaps it was envy which spurred him as he was now only the second strongest in the group. Pax bellowed out simple answers in his deep voice as his horse struggled to carry him. “I am originally from the Keep, but I had just returned from my outpost when Darius hired me.”
“Ahh...” Dram paused. “How in Thor’s name did you get so... BIG?”
Pax smiled, “I don’t know. I don’t even exercise”

Dalin thought back on his conversation with the slaves. He had learned only yesterday about Cyrus’s involvement at the Chaos caves. He wondered why no one had thought to ask the dwarf of his actions there. What intrigued Dalin however, was one of the slaves. When he heard the name Reynaldo last eve he had nearly spit up his wine. Tracking down the slaves was simple as they were still held under the protection of the watchguard. To Dalin, Reynaldo looked the picture of a knight even in rags. Dalin offered him his plate armor. He apologized to Ronaldo about the scratches. The former slave stopped him. “No. I am Reynaldo…not Ronaldo. You say it wrong. And I am not from this Claris of which you speak. I am REYNALDO!” He beat on his chest. Dalin thought it was simply best to agree and back away. Perhaps he was wrong.

By mid afternoon a tower was sighted down the trail. “Hail on the road!”
“Hail in the tower!” called back Darius. Two youths came forward with spears in hand. They jumped to attention when they recognized Captain Darius. Introductions were made all around and the team settled into the small tower. Outpost Bayer was a great deal more comfortable than Xavier ever was. Dalin suspected the other twenty-four were too. The tower militia brushed down their horses and prepared what food they had. The team simply let them run around while they tried to impress Darius. They decided to camp in Bayer for the night. No one knew how far Hamfast was and the map had no measurements. In the evening, Dalin introduced some of Outpost Bear’s soldiers to dicing. He won ten coppers before sleep got the better of him.

Cyrus was pleased simply not to have to walk. It had been many a year since he owned a horse. He was determined not to sell his newly won dagger for coin just yet. Of the two he traveled with the bug-eyed man looked dull enough, but the woman in robes had a refined look about her. Not to mention a rather large purse on her belt. He did not think it wise to ask where they were headed, but he did inquire when he had to give back the horse.
“Oh? Never. It is yours to keep” the woman responded.
Cyrus peed himself a little when he heard her. “By Gods I’ve found me the Motherload!” he thought to himself.