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[howandwhy99]

Lord Ratcliff and Father Ben
Ben: "I have found the supposed escaped prisoners in very poor shape. They tell a story of Dwarf Darius releasing them and taking Warrior Dram's father with them to the South. The refugees (or perhaps escapees) tell a different story about the current state of Hamfast. Tom, the actual mayor of Hamfast, tells of a hundred goblins having slaved for the town to forge weapons for the front. However, he implored to me that the entire town was enslaved when the goblins rebelled. That every man, woman, and child of Hamfast now slaves away at the smithies forging weapons. I don't know the new destination of these weapons, but I fear it is the work of the enemy."

"Another man named Samuelle told me of how a rival smith accused Dram's father of dereliction of duty and even now aids the goblins in their brutality. How all the leaders of the town including the Sheriff were put in irons. And how only by the work of friends Dram and Darius did they escape and flee to Outpost Bayer and from whence to here."

"I must say that I believe these folk and that is why I have yet to turn them in to your custody. It seems that the path is clear. A military force lead by a true hero must travel to Hamfast and see to the truth of these stories.

“Returning prisoners is a simple matter and they are safe in the temple. If you must have them in the prison, please let it be under the care of the temple parishioners and myself. Once the truth is discovered about Hamfast, then their fate can be decided."

"I suggest we put our heads together to decide what like-to-be hero will lead the military force. It cannot be I, as I am still reading over numerous letters and have need of supervising the builders of the keep and temple. Perhaps you know?"

Ratcliffe seemed rather bright of mind that day.... “It is as I feared. I have sent for Sgt Keenan Powell already. The Sgt will take a squad with him to the town to get a better idea. The weapons have traveled to the front for the Army. So for good or ill the goblins are serving our cause. My guess is the Black Market has a controlling interest in the sale of those goods.”

Radcliff asked that the men be moved to the prison just in case. He ordered Father Ben to release them to the watch. Ben acquiesced.

As he had rarely seen the Lord since his fellows left, Father Ben took the initiative and started asking more questions. In his heart he was worried. Ben knew he was in a dangerous position as Father Hedrach had been when he was in charge of the temple. He also knew Lord Radcliffe’s guilelessness would potentially lead the Keep into even greater peril unless someone else made more competent decisions. Ben started formulating a plan on how to protect the Keep and its inhabitants in spite of all the pitfalls.

He asked to see any and all of the reports from the Outposts. “Where are they going to?”Ratcliffe inquired. Ben explained he needed to transcribe them for records purposes. The Lord shrugged and pointed to the letter from Darius. It was the only communication he had received.

Father Ben & Lord Ratcliffe
Ben: “What of word from Harling and Lord and Lady Margrave? Have they been in contact since your ascension to nobility?

Radcliffe: “No word from Harling from Lady Margrave. No word from the front from Lord Margrave. No word on Lady Devereaux's whereabouts still also.”

Ben asked of Lord Radcliffe's ascension into the position of Captain and his military accomplishments too. He tried to keep this short. Ben wondered how such an untutored man could come to a position of authority.

“I served under Lady Devereaux as a Cpl and then eventually as a Sgt when she was Capt of the Watch. When she became Castellan. I became Capt. I became Sgt when Capt Devereaux mount was slain. The Sgt at the time took an arrow in the throat from a gnoll archer. Capt Devereaux charged me with taking the men back to the Keep while she went to defend the fallen Sgt. Her mount, Skywalking, died carrying the two of them clear of the ambush site. She walked back to the Keep dragging Sgt Katana's body. Skywalking was left in the field.”

Benedict then asked about Radcliffe's knowledge regarding Guido, and also of Darius.

“Guido became Cpl of the watch when I replaced his older brother. Sgt Darius is a fine gentleman. But he is not quite right in the head.” He thought aloud, "I can't read." (laughs)

Ben: “Do you mean that Guido's older brother was the Captain of the Watch before yourself?”

“No, no. Guido's older brother was the Sgt of patrol. I was corporal and Lady Devereaux was the Captain.