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<blockquote data-quote="RedTonic" data-source="post: 5708548" data-attributes="member: 98994"><p>I had an interview! Yay!</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">*****</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus tended the fire while Agniprava worked on the wolf. The others ignored the monk’s inexplicable activities, instead working through their own shock by cleaning the campsite and favoring wounds. Cael prayed over Shuj’s body, asking safe passage for his soul despite the earlier words of al’Pacem promising that the man’s soul would wander Arcturus forever. Despite his sincerity, Cael heard no response from his lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Two of the tents had been befouled from death and combat. There was no fresh water at the camp, only the murky, standing water of the rice paddies. Belsea packed and sorted the mess left of her belongings, thankful that most of her possessions had escaped yet again unscathed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus, haunted by the prisoner’s last actions, quietly suggested that Shuj’s corpse be buried. No one had said anything. In fact, Khader and al’Pacem had wrapped the body in what could have been termed a burial shroud. The young paladin resigned himself for the time being, and rooted around in the packs for a fair breakfast. They all deserve some relief after what they’d gone through. He began heating a small rasher of bacon in addition to the morning’s rice porridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Pulling himself back into the land of the living, Cael asked the others, “Are you all okay? Any injuries requiring my immediate assistance?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Ravi demurred. “Just wonderin’ what to do with these… Don’t want them to bring other animals, but eating them what eats others is unclean.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea shook her head and pointed to the others now more wounded than she. Borche grunted. He was still badly wounded, but mobile.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Al'Pacem left Khader with the horses and body and went to Belsea's side. "If you're feeling up to it," he solicited, "I need you to scout around at first light. I can borrow the strength to heal you somewhat more as well, if necessary. I want to know what direction the pack came from, and if you note any others nearby. Two hands after dawn, we'll continue east. The next village has our supplies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea nodded, "Thanks to your intervention, I am almost as if the wolves had not attacked. I will have my things ready." She checked her bow and arrows, confirming that her gear was up to a scouting trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">He thanked her, then went to Mikealus’s side.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael wrapped up the wounded and then turned to the young paladin. "My friend, you spoke true when you said this man deserves burial. If we are close to his village, we may wish to take him there. He did mention a sister. If it is far, it may be best just to inter him here and give her word once we reach town." Most of the party are at the end of their personal rations, if not already relying on the patrol's supplies, which, Mikealus realizes, will soon be quite lean.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">He nodded appreciatively at the priest. "You speak true. I appreciate the suggestion. If the Captain is willing... then I would think that is a fair decision. I do not want to merely lay some stones over Shuj, and be on our way. Captain,” he said, noticing al’Pacem’s arrival, "Cael and I would like to bring Shuj to the next town for burial. Would you prefer us to inter him here?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"We will bury him, then," al'Pacem replied. "But we will not delay the patrol to search relatives. Burying him here would be... Unwise--we have no means of burying him deeply enough, nor is there enough stone for a cairn."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As the buffalo did no worse than dirty most of her gear, and the wolves had been more concerned with eating her than destroying her things, Belsea was content and began suiting up before continuing sorting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea began at the north edge, where she heard the noises before the attack. The edge of the clearing going down into the paddy had been trampled from where the monk raced back into camp. The muck there had been churned and the layer of water seen elsewhere was still grey with sediment. Tracking in water was difficult, so Belsea moved along the edge of the game to see the entrance points of the other wolves. She found three main points of entry into the camp: the first from the north, where at least one wolf emerged from the rice paddies in a hurry, for the tracks left by its rear paws dug in deep as it headed into camp. The second point is by the mounts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Several wolves had been there--the mud and blood made that clear, even if she hadn't seen the carnage during battle. There were several tracks departing this area to the southeast. The last point was south; muddy tracks along the road left no doubt where that wolf must have come from.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Over the course of the morning, Belsea foraged enough food to feed herself and two others for a day. Despite the early spring, there were still roots waiting to be dug; the first cattails had sprouted, and she knew their roots are edible. A few mudcrabs were foolish enough not to hide from her when she came to the paddies. She was also able to refill her water skin at a small spring she found.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The wounded party went about their morning routine as best as possible. Ravi gave the monk and his charge a wide berth. Borche and Khader secured Shuj's body to a stolid pack-mule and then rested by the fire with the other men. Mikealus just wanted to keep his hands busy. He even far as divided the group's breakfast up and brought it to those ranging away from the cookfire. Agniprava seemed to be keeping his own counsel this morning, and as their tracker was preparing to strike out already, so Mikealus instead commiserated with Borche and Khader. The watery light of false dawn was being driven away by true sunlight and the fog was at last thinning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Borche piped up as Mikealus doled food out to them. "Should we skin 'em?" he asks, jerking a thumb at the wolf corpses.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">He shrugged. "Do we have the time? Captain wants to keep the patrol moving."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I've sent Belsea to look around," al'Pacem replied. "If any of you know how it's done, I suppose there might be time."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"That's not my craft," Khader said. Ravi shakes his head, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus frowned. "Nor mine."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Monk?" Borche prompted. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The monk, who had been feeding the disconsolate - and rather enraged - wolf a share of his breakfast, glanced up. He approached the group calmly. "Yes?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus asked, "Do you know how to skin a beast? We've no desire to -eat- the animal.. but we agree that they shouldn't be wasted."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Agniprava was not -entirely- sure, but it didn't sound too difficult. The party wound up with three roughly cut but usable wolf pelts. Ravi requested their canine fangs as well. "Orcs like 'em," he shrugged. Borche snorted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea returned briefly, placing a few mudcrabs and roots next to the current food storage. She kept enough of the roots for herself for half a day. Saying nothing, she headed back south. Mikealus left the monk to skin, and prepared to decamp, snuffing the fire and gathering the foodstuffs. The others followed suit. The place still reeked of wolf and death.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael sighed. "And here we had just aired out the tents to make them stop reeking of our last wildlife encounter."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Ravi mourned over his dead horse and put together his equipment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"...it stinks in here," Mikealus grumbled to the captain as he dragged out his bedroll to examine it. He was pretty sure the only blood on it is his own, from that damned wolf.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"You're telling me," al'Pacem muttered. "May as well buy a new set of bedrolls at the village--we're going to a shop there, anyway." Al'Pacem's bedding was ruined and had been partially salvaged for Shuj. After a time, everyone has mostly sorted out their tents and packed up. Ravi has convinced Borche to haul his equipment as well. The now-horseless man paused to say a prayer over his dead beast, commending its spirit and sacrifice. Some of the other beasts were still wounded, but hale enough to continue at a modest pace.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Shall we be leaving without our guide or wait for her return?" Cael asked the captain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"We'll start east; none of us are in shape for speed, and she knows where we go."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Something tells me she'll find us." Mikealus admitted, petting Khon's ears.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Then I suggest we move out. The sooner we arrive, the sooner Shuj can be laid to rest," said Cael.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Al'Pacem showed his agreement by dousing the coals of the campfire with muddy water. "On we go, then." He and the rest of the Silver Horns led their mounts out by the reins, with the exception of Borche, who rode to give his wounded legs some rest. Farmers were already out on the road and filtering into the fields. They greeted to the party. A few were standing around the skinned wolf corpses and the dead horse, discussing what to do with the bodies. Khader led his horse back and entered quiet discussion with one of the men.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael hung back to listen. Khader was arranging for the beasts to be disposed of. To Cael, it was clear that this wasn't something he needed to pay for, but he had given the men some coin to dispose of the corpses to avoid more predators and scavengers coming to the fields. After clasping forearms with two of them, Khader rejoined the group. Cael caught up to Mikealus and asked, "Any idea how far it is to town?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Borche hummed something out of key as his mount ambled along behind the captain's. Ravi was uncommonly quiet. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus shook his head. "A few hours at most, I think."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"A ways longer than that, I expect,” Khader sighed. "But certainly before night. I haven't been there since I was a boy. The only thing I remember is that they make sweets in that village."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"We have shopping and such to do in town. If the Captain expects that, then I doubt we'll be arriving at nightfall, or such. Bigger than the last one?" Mikealus asked. Not that it'd be very hard. His family's stable was more exciting than that little village they'd passed through.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Yup," he confirmed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus nodded. "Alright then."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"No mill, but it has a shrine and the shop, plus a proper tavern," Khader added.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Al'Pacem spoke up. "I hadn't intended to do this, but given events, we'll stop there, take care of our business, and continue on in the morning."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Relieved, Cael said, "An agreeable plan. Plus it would allow some time to track down Shuj's next of kin. And we are all a bit road weary at this point, proper lodgings might do us good."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"At least a little time for Borche to get back on his feet. So to speak. What -happened- to him? I was too busy being trampled by that flea-bitten monster in our tent," groused Mikealus.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Got chewed on," he grumbled. "Lots."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I know the feeling." Mikealus frowned.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Cael," Borche said suddenly. "What's your family name?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">“Akbar, sir, my father is Treben. Why do you ask?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Just curious," Borche replied. "Didn't recognize you from town. How'd you come to the all-seeing one's service?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">I was spared a gruesome death when my god, Zauriel, showed pity on me. I have decided to take up his mantle in order to," he cleared his throat, "Um, improve his reputation. For a while I had another that taught me my duties, but he left suddenly with no word."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"How odd." Mikealus regarded him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Indeed, I thought so myself, though we were never particularly close. He had an air of mystery about him, but he was more or less trustworthy. He saved my neck on numerous occasions."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Borche laughed, but not scornfully. "Quite the task, that! Are you going to take up duties back at the temple?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Hm." Khader was following close behind them. "I'm sure your mentor is just using it as a test. Priests are just odd like that--er." He coughed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Borche just laughed at the faux pas. "You're both going to kill me at this rate." He had bandaged himself earlier, but it hadn't been the most graceful process. A little red was showing through. He didn't seem terribly pained, though.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael pondered for a moment," I had not given much thought. I truly am at a loss with out my Brother. I suppose I will set out on my own after this and see what good I can do. There are townsfolk that need care, just as much as knights do."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"How are your legs, brother?" Mikealus inquired.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Still hanging in there," Borche said. "N' thank you. I'll be well pleased if I'm never a wolf's soup bone again."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Be careful in town," Khader said seriously. "Not all like the one you serve, and some don't understand that he too walks in the light."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Soup bones," Ravi repeats mournfully, obviously thinking of his horse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I have found that to be the case in most places, but point well taken. Better to err on the side of caution." He turned to Borche, "Do you need some fresh bandages? If we stop for rest, I will clean the wound out for you."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Maybe later," Borche replied. "Fine for now--I guess they could use a swap at town. I'm just glad the wolves weren't actually mad."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"There'll be soup soon enough." Mikealus encouraged Ravi, missing the point. "Said there's a real tavern where we're heading - we'll get us a horn of ale, and curse the howling menaces until the moon rises."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael regaled them with tales of his travels and training to learn under Red Brother, until everyone is sufficiently tired of hearing his voice. Meanwhile, Ravi whispered about soup to himself. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Back in the rice paddies, Belsea calculated their location based on her previous travels, considering what Cael had asked days before. She knew that the highway continued east for quite a ways--practically to the sea, though she had not been that far, and that it continued west, beyond Ceteran, through a mountain pass; and that Ceteran was the crossroads for a north-south highway as well. At this point, the patrol was nowhere near the sea. Even at the very end of their patrol, they wouldn’t have made it even halfway to the coast.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">She refocused on tracking. She was initially able to follow the bulk of the wolves south-east and then south a ways as they criss-crossed the paddies and their earthen barriers, but lost the trail within half an hour. Far, far off in the distance, Belsea thought she saw something humanoid moving at the edge of the distant woods. She also noticed people coming up the road--humble farmers emerging to begin their daily labors. She looked down at her muddied clothing. She wiped at the worst of it and called to the farmers, "Good marrow."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Miss!" One replied, waving. She was an older woman. All of the farmers, male and female, were dressed in breeches and mainly barefoot. Further off, a few individuals were coming along with hand-drawn carts--probably bearing more for planting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea hesitantly returned the wave and asks, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Heh," the elder woman chuckled. "Naw. What may I do for you?" She was polite, and addresses Belsea as a serf would a freeman.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I was wondering if you knew of trouble with wolves about these parts."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"There've been some troubles... They got one of the freemen's cows, and the Blackfeets been buyin up the chickens cause of 'em raidin coops. Heard a shepard an a child were recently killt. Some're sayin it's sickness, but most folk think it's just hunger. Most the time they're shy n' don't bother us types; can't say I've seen any myself since I was a girl." She scratched her neck. "Nope, not since. Are you huntin, miss?" She gestured to Belsea's bow.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea nodded and thought for a moment, " 'N tracking. Got a rude awakening this morning because of those wolves. Not sure what all of you do as a precaution, but I'd be careful. They've gotten mean in their hunger."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The old woman's eyes widened. "Ah, thank you for the warnin! I'll let the others know." She darted a glance around. "You should know," she murmured quickly, "that out east there've been some banditry, so be careful. It's no place for someone alone. Jus keep your eyes about ye."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Thank you, I'll keep it close at hand." Belsea nodded and then waved as she departed, "Good luck with planting and keep safe!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"'N you n' yers!" The woman called back.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea backtracked to the last place there was a certain trail, keeping in mind the hunger of wolves and men. From there she attempted once again to follow their trail. After searching among reeds in the fallow paddy, she was able to find a trace of print, then more tracks. She followed them further south as it became obvious they were trending toward the trees where she had previously seen someone. She could easily reach the woods if she wished, but that would take some time, especially with mud making the going slow. She glanced to the sky; the sun was still rising. After peering about the surroundings, she resigned herself to a bit of trudging.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Birdsong colored the morning more cheerfully than it had originally begun. The woods, though distant, included an old grove of strong hardwood, along with a stretch of young pine. She didn't see another human shape as she approached, though she was sure she spied the silhouette of a deer. At the edge of the woods was at least one stone cairn; it was not large like a burial mound, but rather a stack of stones--probably a shrine to a small god or spirit of the woods, given the apparent age of the grove. A good place for wolves, unless there were too many. She walked up to the cairn, and placed a couple of the roots upon it and ponder the forest before continuing her work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">She felt a sense of well-being descend upon her as she contemplated the shrine. There was a small, crude idol there that she suspected was supposed to be a stag. A few tiny purple and yellow flowers had bloomed at the shrine's base; the stones were old enough to be covered in lichen. She returned to her task, searching for rabbit tracks as well. As she investigated the border of the woods, she was unable to find any tracks suggesting that someone had actually been here. She did find a narrow run that was likely a deer trail, plus small rabbit tracks leading to a warren.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">She crouched on the balls of her feet. Hmph. She trusted her eyes, had to in her line, but no tracks. She looked about for the wolf tracks as well. They petered into the woods; she could clearly see that this was the way the pack fled much earlier this morning. Hm. No traces of another pack, and she'd found at least rabbit readily enough. Perhaps it was different further in the woods. Belsea shrugged. Before departing, she gave a loose salute to the cairn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Afterwards, Belsea began to work towards reuniting with the rest of her party. The sun inched higher as she angled back toward the road, cutting through the fields. Farmers greeted her as she passed; many were female, young and old, and they were diligently planting and replanting the rice crop. Around these parts, rice made up the backbone of the diet and was the principal way of measuring something's cost; the local lords also traded on the basis of sacks of rice. Even the laws had a great deal to say about the grain, and the boxes used to measure it out were also used to drink alcohol fermented from it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As she passed the peasants, she repeated her message about the wolves several times by the time she got back to the road. It was not quite noon when Belsea rejoined the group. She raised a hand in greeting on the approach, and headed for the Captain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Hello!" Cael greeted her with a wave and smile, already beginning to forget last night’s encounter. "Are we clear of the wolves?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Anything?" the captain asks. He was munching absently on a ration bar.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"No signs of any other pack than the one. I broke off when their tracks led into an old wood towards the south. The locals have had some trouble with them, the worst being shepard and son being eaten. One lady says there's possible banditry to the east."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Thank you," the captain replied, thinking over the information. He handed over Sage's reins to her. "He's quite well-behaved."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Thank you," Belsea responded as she took them. Hopefully the report to the Captain would also answer any questions the others had.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">As Cael told his strories, the group traveled on down the road. The day was warm and the wind redolent with the sweet-mud smell of the farms. Some clouds gathered much further east, but the patrol outpaced the rain and arrived to town dry. The village was significantly larger than the last settlement. The horse trough was located on the front of a long two-story building, the largest in town. It had a faded shingle hanging out front with a mug and bed painted on it. There was a porch as well, and an old man and a dog sitting there, both asleep. A dirt road led north, lined by almost a dozen thatched houses, and the sound of a smithy rang clearly through the mostly-empty village.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Captain, while you requisition some supplies, I am going to inquire about Shuj's family," Cael said to al'Pacem.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus sighed in relief. Before unhorsing, though, he waited to see if al'Pacem wanted them to ride out and help resupply. "As you wish," al'Pacem granted.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'll water the mounts," Khader added. "Don't want 'em getting too greedy."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"If anyone needs to make purchases, I'll be heading there before arranging rooms," said al'Pacem. "Otherwise, take your ease."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Ravi disappeared inside the tavern, presumably to drink away his sorrows. Borche hobbled in after him. Belsea patted Sage's neck before reliquishing him so she could work mud out of the crevices of her boots. Khader took care of the rest. Mikealus made his way into the market square as well - buying some extra supplies for the road might not be the worst idea. The center of town was arranged around the smithy, a small stone-walled compound, a bakery, and a general supplies store. A cart had stopped near the center here, on a patch of green with an old, bare tree.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael inquired around, but was unable to learn about their deceased prisoner. Mikealus went into the general supplies store a bit after Cael, and inquires the prices of some replacement stock. Once her leather was in order, Belsea went to take care of her own shopping. Belsea found the captain in the general store, sorting out the details of resupply with the young woman. She ably assisted the ranger as well. Al'Pacem was also acquiring some new bedding and tents. As Belsea wraps up her purchase, the woman slipped her a small leather pouch along with the leaf-wrapped rations. "It's our town's specialty," she beamed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea blinked and said, "Thank you." She wondered if the Captain had been so favored as well. Inside the pouch was another leaf-wrapped bar. It smelled somewhat sweet and faintly like pine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">After a while, Cael returned to the tavern. Borche and Ravi were sharing a table. The mounts had been tied, but Khader was not in the tavern. The old man on the porch didn't awaken at Cael's approach. There was another man inside, behind a long bar; he was polishing the top. Cael silently greeted his companions and approached the barkeep. "Evening, sir. My name is Cael Akbar. Might I trouble you for a drink? Whatever the house specialty is or what you recommend."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The man regarded Cael silently for a few moments, then smiled. He wa missing some teeth, but appeared pretty hearty. "We've got rice wine, blackberry wine, I got a plum brandy from the far north, a light ale, and a beer so dark it'll put the hair on your chest," he said proudly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"He's not jokin bout that last part," Borche quipped. His leg was propped up on one of the long benches.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Well then, I have but little choice but to take a draft of the dark beer," he smiled and placed some coin on the bar. "We have just arrived in town and are trying to track down the family of a man. I thought you may be able to help me, um, I'm afraid I didn't get your name?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'm Partha al'Mirra, stranger," he says. "Light's blessing on you and yours." He turns to pour Cael a draft out of a keg against the back wall. "Who'n might you be lookin for?'</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"The sister of a young man named Shuj. We believe she may live in this town or the next. Unfortunately, not much else is known about the poor boy. We found him, attacked by wolves out in the woods. We got into a bit of a scrape ourselves," he said, motioning towards Borche. "In his dying breath, he told us of a sister nearby. We were hoping to get his body to her for proper burial."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Shuj, eh?" The tavernkeeper slides the beer across the bar. Borche chokes on his beer. "Y'alright, master?" The man regards the half-orc with concern, but the latter waves him off. "Shame about the wolves. Blessings on him. Did you get his family name?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Alas, no. I can give a rough description of the boy though." Cael briefly described Shuj's appearance.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The tavernkeep leans against the bar, listening. He's a big man and obviously well fond of gossip. He thinks about what Cael's said. "Well, saw 'im not long ago--stopped in some nights ago from out east. Said he's one of the Tamahsbi's, from out there--you'll find 'em all over the place, they come out here time to time. If we see one stop by, we'll spread the word."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"My thanks, friend," he says taking another polite sip. At burns on the way down and he turns away to blink out the tears. "Have you been having trouble with the local wildlife as well? There have been reports of attacks recently."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Been some troubles--heard a couple been killed, some attacks on livestock. After dark though, so anyone home on time is more or less safe."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I see. Troubling times when one cannot even go for a late night stroll. So if everyone is in during the night, I suppose this place gets pretty lively? Any unusual folk traveling through, present company excluded," he smiled.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The captain joined Cael at the bar, coming in with two sacks of supplies. "Hail, freeman," he greeted the barkeep heartily. "We'll need some rooms for the night--this is quite the place! I'd say 3 rooms will do us, if you'll give us your hospitality." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">He chuckled at Cael's comment. "Lively, by gods--this is the only watering hole to speak of for miles around!" The barkeep looked pleased. "Al'Partha at your service, lord. Are you the patrol?" </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus came back to the tavern, Khon's saddlebags a bit heavier, and joined the crew in the tavern.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Your man was here, and we've a tinker in town--you might've seen him on the green. Selling some fripperies and sugar and salt; he's staying here for a while. Had some holy folks out on a pilgrimage, even a lord's retinue a few tendays past, though the roads weren't to good on 'em."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The captain agreed. "All our party, yes; all these young bucks and a huntress--she'll have the third room," he added, and slid more coin across the bar. At about that time, Belsea returned from her shopping.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The innkeep makes the coinage disappear. "I'll have your rooms ready while you prepare."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 10px">"I saw the temple in town; have you a consecrated land? We have an unfortunate," the captain asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Seems like a fairly good trade for you." Cael relayed to the captain the information about Shuj's family. "If you will excuse me, I must purchase my supplies before the shops close. I shall return in a bit." He bowed and left.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Your Tamahsbi," the innkeeper replies sympathetically. "Your man told me." He gestured to Cael as the man left. "We have--you can arrange with the old priest. He's one of the Gardener's."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Al'Pacem tendered his thanks and leaves once more. "Can I get you anything, miss?" </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Tambshi..." Mikealus glances at Borche and Ravi to confirm: <em>That's his name? Huh.</em> "Oh, sir." Remembering the broken marker stone, he caught the barkeep’s eye. "You have a stoneworker in town? The village over has need for a grave to be carved."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea looked up but returned to her business as Mikealus took the man's attention.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"That we do; the smith does it--his apprentice'll make the rounds next tenday," he replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus acknowledged the barkeep with a nod. "I'll take it up with him on the morn, then. My thanks."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"The two of you are mighty dry." He grabbed two wooden tankards. "A soju for the huntress and a beer for the warrior?" At the paladin’s agreement, the barkeep set about his work. A fresh poured beer with a foamy head found its way to Mikealus. How'd it get there? Who knew!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea asked if the soju was from local rice.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Of course-only the best!" he replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea grinned slightly, "Then, yes please."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I know a good woman when I see one," he said knowingly, and poured a draft from another keg into a masu.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus lifted his tankard to the room, and sipped.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">A dark-haired woman came down the stairs of the tavern and slipped behind the bar, patting the innkeeper on one broad shoulder. "Guests, dear," the innkeeper told her. "Three rooms." She kissed him and disappeared back upstairs. The innkeeper seemed very pleased.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Belsea sipped the sujo. The sujo had a clear, strong taste that was almost flowery; Belsea knew that the stuff could get anyone drunk in a hurry. In no hurry to get drunk, Belsea took her time savoring the drink.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael returned with supplies packed under his arms. He stowed them by his stool while the rooms were prepared. He unwrapped his little package the nice woman gave him, folding back the dried leaves to reveal a yellow, rectangular bar of puffed rice, bound together by a sweet pine-scented resin. He broke off a corner and ate it; it was chewy, crispy, and strongly sweet, with a slightly antiseptic evergreen flavor. It was certainly interesting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I 'spect you'll all want the common board for dinner--the lord already gave enough to cover that." The innkeeper was pouring a drink for another newcomer; the sound of conversation was starting to fill the inn, and someone had begun a fire in the wide hearth in the common area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Mikealus nursed his beer, succeeding in his goal of not brooding too hard. He kept an eye on Agniprava, who had been suspiciously quiet today - and who seemed quite entertained by the tides of people going about the tavern.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael moved to sit next to Mikealus. "Did you get a little treat as well?" he asked, showing the paladin his treat. Belsea peered at what Cael was showing off.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I'm afraid not." The young man frowned. "What is it?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael broke off a piece and handed it to him. "A local sweet. Have a piece." Cael offered it to whoever else is around if they want any, until it was gone. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">The captain returned around dusk, looking a little tired.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Ah, lord," the innkeeper greeted him. "Your rooms should be ready. I told your men I'd have the common board out for them tonight. Would you like a beer?" The shop girl arrived with two children, hauling in the rest of the supplies. She waved to the innkeeper and al'Pacem and headed upstairs after some brief discussion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Dinner is passed around in short order after the innkeeper's wife returns downstairs. The girl from the shop waves to the party and chivvies her helpers out of the inn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Al'Partha, a glass of your blackberry wine, if you would. I'm afraid your beer put too much hair on my chest the last time," Cael said with a smirk. "Besides, I always enjoy wine with my meal, and beer for my stories."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Soon thereafter, Khader arrived and sat at the bar as well. Mikealus, who yet chewed on the sweet, and was quite puzzled by it, lifted his glass to Khader. "Hail, brother."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Good taste!" The innkeeper retrieved a bottle from the back shelf and a dull metal goblet, poured it, and passed it over to Cael. "My brother makes it." Cael accepted graciously and set to his meal.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"Hail," Khader replied. "A beer, good man, and what they're having." Everyone was settled with food and drink soon enough, and their belongings sorted out upstairs. Al'Pacem arranged proper stabling for the mounts, which made Ravi briefly sulk. Mikealus joined the others at the table, and took it upon himself to regale the others with a few horse stories - which were rather like fish tales, except they involved hooves.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Cael turned to Borche and the others who were wounded. "How are you all feeling? Do your bandages need to be changed or wounds cleaned out?" All in all, it was a nice night, despite the rain which started after sunset. The meal was filling, the beer flowed freely, and the villagers were happy to swap tales.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px">"I could use a change," Borche said. "I was gonna head up anyway; tired." Cael followed him to cleanse the wounds and redress the bandages. Ravi finished his supper and last beer and went after the others, weaving slightly. </span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RedTonic, post: 5708548, member: 98994"] I had an interview! Yay! [center]*****[/center] [SIZE=2]Mikealus tended the fire while Agniprava worked on the wolf. The others ignored the monk’s inexplicable activities, instead working through their own shock by cleaning the campsite and favoring wounds. Cael prayed over Shuj’s body, asking safe passage for his soul despite the earlier words of al’Pacem promising that the man’s soul would wander Arcturus forever. Despite his sincerity, Cael heard no response from his lord. Two of the tents had been befouled from death and combat. There was no fresh water at the camp, only the murky, standing water of the rice paddies. Belsea packed and sorted the mess left of her belongings, thankful that most of her possessions had escaped yet again unscathed. Mikealus, haunted by the prisoner’s last actions, quietly suggested that Shuj’s corpse be buried. No one had said anything. In fact, Khader and al’Pacem had wrapped the body in what could have been termed a burial shroud. The young paladin resigned himself for the time being, and rooted around in the packs for a fair breakfast. They all deserve some relief after what they’d gone through. He began heating a small rasher of bacon in addition to the morning’s rice porridge. Pulling himself back into the land of the living, Cael asked the others, “Are you all okay? Any injuries requiring my immediate assistance?” Ravi demurred. “Just wonderin’ what to do with these… Don’t want them to bring other animals, but eating them what eats others is unclean.” Belsea shook her head and pointed to the others now more wounded than she. Borche grunted. He was still badly wounded, but mobile. Al'Pacem left Khader with the horses and body and went to Belsea's side. "If you're feeling up to it," he solicited, "I need you to scout around at first light. I can borrow the strength to heal you somewhat more as well, if necessary. I want to know what direction the pack came from, and if you note any others nearby. Two hands after dawn, we'll continue east. The next village has our supplies. Belsea nodded, "Thanks to your intervention, I am almost as if the wolves had not attacked. I will have my things ready." She checked her bow and arrows, confirming that her gear was up to a scouting trip. He thanked her, then went to Mikealus’s side. Cael wrapped up the wounded and then turned to the young paladin. "My friend, you spoke true when you said this man deserves burial. If we are close to his village, we may wish to take him there. He did mention a sister. If it is far, it may be best just to inter him here and give her word once we reach town." Most of the party are at the end of their personal rations, if not already relying on the patrol's supplies, which, Mikealus realizes, will soon be quite lean. He nodded appreciatively at the priest. "You speak true. I appreciate the suggestion. If the Captain is willing... then I would think that is a fair decision. I do not want to merely lay some stones over Shuj, and be on our way. Captain,” he said, noticing al’Pacem’s arrival, "Cael and I would like to bring Shuj to the next town for burial. Would you prefer us to inter him here?" "We will bury him, then," al'Pacem replied. "But we will not delay the patrol to search relatives. Burying him here would be... Unwise--we have no means of burying him deeply enough, nor is there enough stone for a cairn." As the buffalo did no worse than dirty most of her gear, and the wolves had been more concerned with eating her than destroying her things, Belsea was content and began suiting up before continuing sorting. Belsea began at the north edge, where she heard the noises before the attack. The edge of the clearing going down into the paddy had been trampled from where the monk raced back into camp. The muck there had been churned and the layer of water seen elsewhere was still grey with sediment. Tracking in water was difficult, so Belsea moved along the edge of the game to see the entrance points of the other wolves. She found three main points of entry into the camp: the first from the north, where at least one wolf emerged from the rice paddies in a hurry, for the tracks left by its rear paws dug in deep as it headed into camp. The second point is by the mounts. Several wolves had been there--the mud and blood made that clear, even if she hadn't seen the carnage during battle. There were several tracks departing this area to the southeast. The last point was south; muddy tracks along the road left no doubt where that wolf must have come from. Over the course of the morning, Belsea foraged enough food to feed herself and two others for a day. Despite the early spring, there were still roots waiting to be dug; the first cattails had sprouted, and she knew their roots are edible. A few mudcrabs were foolish enough not to hide from her when she came to the paddies. She was also able to refill her water skin at a small spring she found. The wounded party went about their morning routine as best as possible. Ravi gave the monk and his charge a wide berth. Borche and Khader secured Shuj's body to a stolid pack-mule and then rested by the fire with the other men. Mikealus just wanted to keep his hands busy. He even far as divided the group's breakfast up and brought it to those ranging away from the cookfire. Agniprava seemed to be keeping his own counsel this morning, and as their tracker was preparing to strike out already, so Mikealus instead commiserated with Borche and Khader. The watery light of false dawn was being driven away by true sunlight and the fog was at last thinning. Borche piped up as Mikealus doled food out to them. "Should we skin 'em?" he asks, jerking a thumb at the wolf corpses. He shrugged. "Do we have the time? Captain wants to keep the patrol moving." "I've sent Belsea to look around," al'Pacem replied. "If any of you know how it's done, I suppose there might be time." "That's not my craft," Khader said. Ravi shakes his head, too. Mikealus frowned. "Nor mine." "Monk?" Borche prompted. The monk, who had been feeding the disconsolate - and rather enraged - wolf a share of his breakfast, glanced up. He approached the group calmly. "Yes?" Mikealus asked, "Do you know how to skin a beast? We've no desire to -eat- the animal.. but we agree that they shouldn't be wasted." Agniprava was not -entirely- sure, but it didn't sound too difficult. The party wound up with three roughly cut but usable wolf pelts. Ravi requested their canine fangs as well. "Orcs like 'em," he shrugged. Borche snorted. Belsea returned briefly, placing a few mudcrabs and roots next to the current food storage. She kept enough of the roots for herself for half a day. Saying nothing, she headed back south. Mikealus left the monk to skin, and prepared to decamp, snuffing the fire and gathering the foodstuffs. The others followed suit. The place still reeked of wolf and death. Cael sighed. "And here we had just aired out the tents to make them stop reeking of our last wildlife encounter." Ravi mourned over his dead horse and put together his equipment. "...it stinks in here," Mikealus grumbled to the captain as he dragged out his bedroll to examine it. He was pretty sure the only blood on it is his own, from that damned wolf. "You're telling me," al'Pacem muttered. "May as well buy a new set of bedrolls at the village--we're going to a shop there, anyway." Al'Pacem's bedding was ruined and had been partially salvaged for Shuj. After a time, everyone has mostly sorted out their tents and packed up. Ravi has convinced Borche to haul his equipment as well. The now-horseless man paused to say a prayer over his dead beast, commending its spirit and sacrifice. Some of the other beasts were still wounded, but hale enough to continue at a modest pace. "Shall we be leaving without our guide or wait for her return?" Cael asked the captain. "We'll start east; none of us are in shape for speed, and she knows where we go." "Something tells me she'll find us." Mikealus admitted, petting Khon's ears. "Then I suggest we move out. The sooner we arrive, the sooner Shuj can be laid to rest," said Cael. Al'Pacem showed his agreement by dousing the coals of the campfire with muddy water. "On we go, then." He and the rest of the Silver Horns led their mounts out by the reins, with the exception of Borche, who rode to give his wounded legs some rest. Farmers were already out on the road and filtering into the fields. They greeted to the party. A few were standing around the skinned wolf corpses and the dead horse, discussing what to do with the bodies. Khader led his horse back and entered quiet discussion with one of the men. Cael hung back to listen. Khader was arranging for the beasts to be disposed of. To Cael, it was clear that this wasn't something he needed to pay for, but he had given the men some coin to dispose of the corpses to avoid more predators and scavengers coming to the fields. After clasping forearms with two of them, Khader rejoined the group. Cael caught up to Mikealus and asked, "Any idea how far it is to town?" Borche hummed something out of key as his mount ambled along behind the captain's. Ravi was uncommonly quiet. Mikealus shook his head. "A few hours at most, I think." "A ways longer than that, I expect,” Khader sighed. "But certainly before night. I haven't been there since I was a boy. The only thing I remember is that they make sweets in that village." "We have shopping and such to do in town. If the Captain expects that, then I doubt we'll be arriving at nightfall, or such. Bigger than the last one?" Mikealus asked. Not that it'd be very hard. His family's stable was more exciting than that little village they'd passed through. "Yup," he confirmed. Mikealus nodded. "Alright then." "No mill, but it has a shrine and the shop, plus a proper tavern," Khader added. Al'Pacem spoke up. "I hadn't intended to do this, but given events, we'll stop there, take care of our business, and continue on in the morning." Relieved, Cael said, "An agreeable plan. Plus it would allow some time to track down Shuj's next of kin. And we are all a bit road weary at this point, proper lodgings might do us good." "At least a little time for Borche to get back on his feet. So to speak. What -happened- to him? I was too busy being trampled by that flea-bitten monster in our tent," groused Mikealus. “Got chewed on," he grumbled. "Lots." "I know the feeling." Mikealus frowned. "Cael," Borche said suddenly. "What's your family name?" “Akbar, sir, my father is Treben. Why do you ask?" "Just curious," Borche replied. "Didn't recognize you from town. How'd you come to the all-seeing one's service?" I was spared a gruesome death when my god, Zauriel, showed pity on me. I have decided to take up his mantle in order to," he cleared his throat, "Um, improve his reputation. For a while I had another that taught me my duties, but he left suddenly with no word." "How odd." Mikealus regarded him. "Indeed, I thought so myself, though we were never particularly close. He had an air of mystery about him, but he was more or less trustworthy. He saved my neck on numerous occasions." Borche laughed, but not scornfully. "Quite the task, that! Are you going to take up duties back at the temple?” "Hm." Khader was following close behind them. "I'm sure your mentor is just using it as a test. Priests are just odd like that--er." He coughed. Borche just laughed at the faux pas. "You're both going to kill me at this rate." He had bandaged himself earlier, but it hadn't been the most graceful process. A little red was showing through. He didn't seem terribly pained, though. Cael pondered for a moment," I had not given much thought. I truly am at a loss with out my Brother. I suppose I will set out on my own after this and see what good I can do. There are townsfolk that need care, just as much as knights do." "How are your legs, brother?" Mikealus inquired. "Still hanging in there," Borche said. "N' thank you. I'll be well pleased if I'm never a wolf's soup bone again." "Be careful in town," Khader said seriously. "Not all like the one you serve, and some don't understand that he too walks in the light." "Soup bones," Ravi repeats mournfully, obviously thinking of his horse. "I have found that to be the case in most places, but point well taken. Better to err on the side of caution." He turned to Borche, "Do you need some fresh bandages? If we stop for rest, I will clean the wound out for you." "Maybe later," Borche replied. "Fine for now--I guess they could use a swap at town. I'm just glad the wolves weren't actually mad." "There'll be soup soon enough." Mikealus encouraged Ravi, missing the point. "Said there's a real tavern where we're heading - we'll get us a horn of ale, and curse the howling menaces until the moon rises." Cael regaled them with tales of his travels and training to learn under Red Brother, until everyone is sufficiently tired of hearing his voice. Meanwhile, Ravi whispered about soup to himself. Back in the rice paddies, Belsea calculated their location based on her previous travels, considering what Cael had asked days before. She knew that the highway continued east for quite a ways--practically to the sea, though she had not been that far, and that it continued west, beyond Ceteran, through a mountain pass; and that Ceteran was the crossroads for a north-south highway as well. At this point, the patrol was nowhere near the sea. Even at the very end of their patrol, they wouldn’t have made it even halfway to the coast. She refocused on tracking. She was initially able to follow the bulk of the wolves south-east and then south a ways as they criss-crossed the paddies and their earthen barriers, but lost the trail within half an hour. Far, far off in the distance, Belsea thought she saw something humanoid moving at the edge of the distant woods. She also noticed people coming up the road--humble farmers emerging to begin their daily labors. She looked down at her muddied clothing. She wiped at the worst of it and called to the farmers, "Good marrow." "Miss!" One replied, waving. She was an older woman. All of the farmers, male and female, were dressed in breeches and mainly barefoot. Further off, a few individuals were coming along with hand-drawn carts--probably bearing more for planting. Belsea hesitantly returned the wave and asks, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?" "Heh," the elder woman chuckled. "Naw. What may I do for you?" She was polite, and addresses Belsea as a serf would a freeman. "I was wondering if you knew of trouble with wolves about these parts." "There've been some troubles... They got one of the freemen's cows, and the Blackfeets been buyin up the chickens cause of 'em raidin coops. Heard a shepard an a child were recently killt. Some're sayin it's sickness, but most folk think it's just hunger. Most the time they're shy n' don't bother us types; can't say I've seen any myself since I was a girl." She scratched her neck. "Nope, not since. Are you huntin, miss?" She gestured to Belsea's bow. Belsea nodded and thought for a moment, " 'N tracking. Got a rude awakening this morning because of those wolves. Not sure what all of you do as a precaution, but I'd be careful. They've gotten mean in their hunger." The old woman's eyes widened. "Ah, thank you for the warnin! I'll let the others know." She darted a glance around. "You should know," she murmured quickly, "that out east there've been some banditry, so be careful. It's no place for someone alone. Jus keep your eyes about ye." "Thank you, I'll keep it close at hand." Belsea nodded and then waved as she departed, "Good luck with planting and keep safe!" "'N you n' yers!" The woman called back. Belsea backtracked to the last place there was a certain trail, keeping in mind the hunger of wolves and men. From there she attempted once again to follow their trail. After searching among reeds in the fallow paddy, she was able to find a trace of print, then more tracks. She followed them further south as it became obvious they were trending toward the trees where she had previously seen someone. She could easily reach the woods if she wished, but that would take some time, especially with mud making the going slow. She glanced to the sky; the sun was still rising. After peering about the surroundings, she resigned herself to a bit of trudging. Birdsong colored the morning more cheerfully than it had originally begun. The woods, though distant, included an old grove of strong hardwood, along with a stretch of young pine. She didn't see another human shape as she approached, though she was sure she spied the silhouette of a deer. At the edge of the woods was at least one stone cairn; it was not large like a burial mound, but rather a stack of stones--probably a shrine to a small god or spirit of the woods, given the apparent age of the grove. A good place for wolves, unless there were too many. She walked up to the cairn, and placed a couple of the roots upon it and ponder the forest before continuing her work. She felt a sense of well-being descend upon her as she contemplated the shrine. There was a small, crude idol there that she suspected was supposed to be a stag. A few tiny purple and yellow flowers had bloomed at the shrine's base; the stones were old enough to be covered in lichen. She returned to her task, searching for rabbit tracks as well. As she investigated the border of the woods, she was unable to find any tracks suggesting that someone had actually been here. She did find a narrow run that was likely a deer trail, plus small rabbit tracks leading to a warren. She crouched on the balls of her feet. Hmph. She trusted her eyes, had to in her line, but no tracks. She looked about for the wolf tracks as well. They petered into the woods; she could clearly see that this was the way the pack fled much earlier this morning. Hm. No traces of another pack, and she'd found at least rabbit readily enough. Perhaps it was different further in the woods. Belsea shrugged. Before departing, she gave a loose salute to the cairn. Afterwards, Belsea began to work towards reuniting with the rest of her party. The sun inched higher as she angled back toward the road, cutting through the fields. Farmers greeted her as she passed; many were female, young and old, and they were diligently planting and replanting the rice crop. Around these parts, rice made up the backbone of the diet and was the principal way of measuring something's cost; the local lords also traded on the basis of sacks of rice. Even the laws had a great deal to say about the grain, and the boxes used to measure it out were also used to drink alcohol fermented from it. As she passed the peasants, she repeated her message about the wolves several times by the time she got back to the road. It was not quite noon when Belsea rejoined the group. She raised a hand in greeting on the approach, and headed for the Captain. "Hello!" Cael greeted her with a wave and smile, already beginning to forget last night’s encounter. "Are we clear of the wolves?" "Anything?" the captain asks. He was munching absently on a ration bar. "No signs of any other pack than the one. I broke off when their tracks led into an old wood towards the south. The locals have had some trouble with them, the worst being shepard and son being eaten. One lady says there's possible banditry to the east." "Thank you," the captain replied, thinking over the information. He handed over Sage's reins to her. "He's quite well-behaved." "Thank you," Belsea responded as she took them. Hopefully the report to the Captain would also answer any questions the others had. As Cael told his strories, the group traveled on down the road. The day was warm and the wind redolent with the sweet-mud smell of the farms. Some clouds gathered much further east, but the patrol outpaced the rain and arrived to town dry. The village was significantly larger than the last settlement. The horse trough was located on the front of a long two-story building, the largest in town. It had a faded shingle hanging out front with a mug and bed painted on it. There was a porch as well, and an old man and a dog sitting there, both asleep. A dirt road led north, lined by almost a dozen thatched houses, and the sound of a smithy rang clearly through the mostly-empty village. "Captain, while you requisition some supplies, I am going to inquire about Shuj's family," Cael said to al'Pacem. Mikealus sighed in relief. Before unhorsing, though, he waited to see if al'Pacem wanted them to ride out and help resupply. "As you wish," al'Pacem granted. "I'll water the mounts," Khader added. "Don't want 'em getting too greedy." "If anyone needs to make purchases, I'll be heading there before arranging rooms," said al'Pacem. "Otherwise, take your ease." Ravi disappeared inside the tavern, presumably to drink away his sorrows. Borche hobbled in after him. Belsea patted Sage's neck before reliquishing him so she could work mud out of the crevices of her boots. Khader took care of the rest. Mikealus made his way into the market square as well - buying some extra supplies for the road might not be the worst idea. The center of town was arranged around the smithy, a small stone-walled compound, a bakery, and a general supplies store. A cart had stopped near the center here, on a patch of green with an old, bare tree. Cael inquired around, but was unable to learn about their deceased prisoner. Mikealus went into the general supplies store a bit after Cael, and inquires the prices of some replacement stock. Once her leather was in order, Belsea went to take care of her own shopping. Belsea found the captain in the general store, sorting out the details of resupply with the young woman. She ably assisted the ranger as well. Al'Pacem was also acquiring some new bedding and tents. As Belsea wraps up her purchase, the woman slipped her a small leather pouch along with the leaf-wrapped rations. "It's our town's specialty," she beamed. Belsea blinked and said, "Thank you." She wondered if the Captain had been so favored as well. Inside the pouch was another leaf-wrapped bar. It smelled somewhat sweet and faintly like pine. After a while, Cael returned to the tavern. Borche and Ravi were sharing a table. The mounts had been tied, but Khader was not in the tavern. The old man on the porch didn't awaken at Cael's approach. There was another man inside, behind a long bar; he was polishing the top. Cael silently greeted his companions and approached the barkeep. "Evening, sir. My name is Cael Akbar. Might I trouble you for a drink? Whatever the house specialty is or what you recommend." The man regarded Cael silently for a few moments, then smiled. He wa missing some teeth, but appeared pretty hearty. "We've got rice wine, blackberry wine, I got a plum brandy from the far north, a light ale, and a beer so dark it'll put the hair on your chest," he said proudly. "He's not jokin bout that last part," Borche quipped. His leg was propped up on one of the long benches. "Well then, I have but little choice but to take a draft of the dark beer," he smiled and placed some coin on the bar. "We have just arrived in town and are trying to track down the family of a man. I thought you may be able to help me, um, I'm afraid I didn't get your name?" "I'm Partha al'Mirra, stranger," he says. "Light's blessing on you and yours." He turns to pour Cael a draft out of a keg against the back wall. "Who'n might you be lookin for?' "The sister of a young man named Shuj. We believe she may live in this town or the next. Unfortunately, not much else is known about the poor boy. We found him, attacked by wolves out in the woods. We got into a bit of a scrape ourselves," he said, motioning towards Borche. "In his dying breath, he told us of a sister nearby. We were hoping to get his body to her for proper burial." "Shuj, eh?" The tavernkeeper slides the beer across the bar. Borche chokes on his beer. "Y'alright, master?" The man regards the half-orc with concern, but the latter waves him off. "Shame about the wolves. Blessings on him. Did you get his family name?" "Alas, no. I can give a rough description of the boy though." Cael briefly described Shuj's appearance. The tavernkeep leans against the bar, listening. He's a big man and obviously well fond of gossip. He thinks about what Cael's said. "Well, saw 'im not long ago--stopped in some nights ago from out east. Said he's one of the Tamahsbi's, from out there--you'll find 'em all over the place, they come out here time to time. If we see one stop by, we'll spread the word." "My thanks, friend," he says taking another polite sip. At burns on the way down and he turns away to blink out the tears. "Have you been having trouble with the local wildlife as well? There have been reports of attacks recently." "Been some troubles--heard a couple been killed, some attacks on livestock. After dark though, so anyone home on time is more or less safe." "I see. Troubling times when one cannot even go for a late night stroll. So if everyone is in during the night, I suppose this place gets pretty lively? Any unusual folk traveling through, present company excluded," he smiled. The captain joined Cael at the bar, coming in with two sacks of supplies. "Hail, freeman," he greeted the barkeep heartily. "We'll need some rooms for the night--this is quite the place! I'd say 3 rooms will do us, if you'll give us your hospitality." He chuckled at Cael's comment. "Lively, by gods--this is the only watering hole to speak of for miles around!" The barkeep looked pleased. "Al'Partha at your service, lord. Are you the patrol?" Mikealus came back to the tavern, Khon's saddlebags a bit heavier, and joined the crew in the tavern. "Your man was here, and we've a tinker in town--you might've seen him on the green. Selling some fripperies and sugar and salt; he's staying here for a while. Had some holy folks out on a pilgrimage, even a lord's retinue a few tendays past, though the roads weren't to good on 'em." The captain agreed. "All our party, yes; all these young bucks and a huntress--she'll have the third room," he added, and slid more coin across the bar. At about that time, Belsea returned from her shopping. The innkeep makes the coinage disappear. "I'll have your rooms ready while you prepare." "I saw the temple in town; have you a consecrated land? We have an unfortunate," the captain asked. "Seems like a fairly good trade for you." Cael relayed to the captain the information about Shuj's family. "If you will excuse me, I must purchase my supplies before the shops close. I shall return in a bit." He bowed and left. "Your Tamahsbi," the innkeeper replies sympathetically. "Your man told me." He gestured to Cael as the man left. "We have--you can arrange with the old priest. He's one of the Gardener's." Al'Pacem tendered his thanks and leaves once more. "Can I get you anything, miss?" "Tambshi..." Mikealus glances at Borche and Ravi to confirm: [I]That's his name? Huh.[/I] "Oh, sir." Remembering the broken marker stone, he caught the barkeep’s eye. "You have a stoneworker in town? The village over has need for a grave to be carved." Belsea looked up but returned to her business as Mikealus took the man's attention. "That we do; the smith does it--his apprentice'll make the rounds next tenday," he replied. Mikealus acknowledged the barkeep with a nod. "I'll take it up with him on the morn, then. My thanks." "The two of you are mighty dry." He grabbed two wooden tankards. "A soju for the huntress and a beer for the warrior?" At the paladin’s agreement, the barkeep set about his work. A fresh poured beer with a foamy head found its way to Mikealus. How'd it get there? Who knew! Belsea asked if the soju was from local rice. "Of course-only the best!" he replied. Belsea grinned slightly, "Then, yes please." "I know a good woman when I see one," he said knowingly, and poured a draft from another keg into a masu. Mikealus lifted his tankard to the room, and sipped. A dark-haired woman came down the stairs of the tavern and slipped behind the bar, patting the innkeeper on one broad shoulder. "Guests, dear," the innkeeper told her. "Three rooms." She kissed him and disappeared back upstairs. The innkeeper seemed very pleased. Belsea sipped the sujo. The sujo had a clear, strong taste that was almost flowery; Belsea knew that the stuff could get anyone drunk in a hurry. In no hurry to get drunk, Belsea took her time savoring the drink. Cael returned with supplies packed under his arms. He stowed them by his stool while the rooms were prepared. He unwrapped his little package the nice woman gave him, folding back the dried leaves to reveal a yellow, rectangular bar of puffed rice, bound together by a sweet pine-scented resin. He broke off a corner and ate it; it was chewy, crispy, and strongly sweet, with a slightly antiseptic evergreen flavor. It was certainly interesting. "I 'spect you'll all want the common board for dinner--the lord already gave enough to cover that." The innkeeper was pouring a drink for another newcomer; the sound of conversation was starting to fill the inn, and someone had begun a fire in the wide hearth in the common area. Mikealus nursed his beer, succeeding in his goal of not brooding too hard. He kept an eye on Agniprava, who had been suspiciously quiet today - and who seemed quite entertained by the tides of people going about the tavern. Cael moved to sit next to Mikealus. "Did you get a little treat as well?" he asked, showing the paladin his treat. Belsea peered at what Cael was showing off. "I'm afraid not." The young man frowned. "What is it?" Cael broke off a piece and handed it to him. "A local sweet. Have a piece." Cael offered it to whoever else is around if they want any, until it was gone. The captain returned around dusk, looking a little tired. "Ah, lord," the innkeeper greeted him. "Your rooms should be ready. I told your men I'd have the common board out for them tonight. Would you like a beer?" The shop girl arrived with two children, hauling in the rest of the supplies. She waved to the innkeeper and al'Pacem and headed upstairs after some brief discussion. Dinner is passed around in short order after the innkeeper's wife returns downstairs. The girl from the shop waves to the party and chivvies her helpers out of the inn. "Al'Partha, a glass of your blackberry wine, if you would. I'm afraid your beer put too much hair on my chest the last time," Cael said with a smirk. "Besides, I always enjoy wine with my meal, and beer for my stories." Soon thereafter, Khader arrived and sat at the bar as well. Mikealus, who yet chewed on the sweet, and was quite puzzled by it, lifted his glass to Khader. "Hail, brother." "Good taste!" The innkeeper retrieved a bottle from the back shelf and a dull metal goblet, poured it, and passed it over to Cael. "My brother makes it." Cael accepted graciously and set to his meal. "Hail," Khader replied. "A beer, good man, and what they're having." Everyone was settled with food and drink soon enough, and their belongings sorted out upstairs. Al'Pacem arranged proper stabling for the mounts, which made Ravi briefly sulk. Mikealus joined the others at the table, and took it upon himself to regale the others with a few horse stories - which were rather like fish tales, except they involved hooves. Cael turned to Borche and the others who were wounded. "How are you all feeling? Do your bandages need to be changed or wounds cleaned out?" All in all, it was a nice night, despite the rain which started after sunset. The meal was filling, the beer flowed freely, and the villagers were happy to swap tales. "I could use a change," Borche said. "I was gonna head up anyway; tired." Cael followed him to cleanse the wounds and redress the bandages. Ravi finished his supper and last beer and went after the others, weaving slightly. [/SIZE] [/QUOTE]
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