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Story Hour
"Out of the Frying Pan" - Book I: Gathering Wood (reprise)
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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 80887" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>Session #11</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Osilem, 3rd of Syet – 564 H.E.</strong></span></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Groggy and aching, Beorth awoke in a cold dark place that seemed to be the lower crypt with the sarcophagi where the party had fought the mummified creature. The tapestries seemed to be maps of places in Aquerra. Beorth recognize one as Herman Land and another as the Black Islands. The others were blurry and hard to read. The wall to Beorth’s right was covered with tall shelves filled with books, somehow Beorth just know that these are all books on herbal lore that Levekt would love to have. </em></p><p><em>Suddenly, Beorth realized that lying around him were the bodies of all his companions. Instinctively, he knew they were dead, but suddenly they sat up and began to crawl towards Beorth. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Jana, her face twisted into a permanent grimace of death, spoke, “You should not have let us die that way, Beorth.” </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“Better that you would have killed us yourself,” said Kazrack. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“Than to let us be turned into these painful abominations,” said Ratchis. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“The pain never ends,” said Jeremy. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“And it is your fault,” said Chance. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“You must join us,” said Jana. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“You are coming with us,” said Kazrack. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“You could have stopped this,” said Ratchis. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“But you cared more about yourself,” said Jeremy. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“Then for your duty,” said Chance. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“It is all your fault,” they all began to chant together, over and over. Crawling towards Beorth, they began to rip the flesh from Beorth’s body with their thickened and black fingernails. Beorth put his arms up and try to bat them away, but it is a feeble and futile attempt. He could feel blood pour over his raw and revealed flesh, and the comfort of death was replaced by the cold bitterness of the undead.”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Beorth awakened with a start, sweating. </p><p></p><p>“You okay?” Kazrack asked him. </p><p></p><p>“Uh, yes,” Beorth stood, and wiped some sweat from his brow despite the cold. “Just a dream.” </p><p></p><p>The snow had begun to fall again, just very light flurries, but already their tracks began to disappear. The pond was almost invisible under the blanket of white. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Ratchis stirred, and Beorth knelt beside him, placing his hand on the half-orc’s temple. “Anubis, please heal this brave warrior who fights for all to enter your realm as free men,” Beorth intoned. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis gasped and sat up, his normally ruddy hide was a yellowish color and he was breathing heavily. He groaned. </p><p></p><p>“It is okay,” Beorth said. “Rest. It will be some time before you are up and completely well.” </p><p></p><p>They built a small fire and ate some of the rations they found in the Menovian’s gear to regain their strength. Beorth wrapped the body of Kamir more tightly in the blankets, while Ratchis exhausted (79) from his travails stretched and eyed the prisoner, who shivered from the cold. </p><p></p><p>“What are we going to do with him?” Ratchis asked, gesturing to the Menovian. </p><p></p><p>“We can bring him to the authorities, I guess,” said Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“And how are we going to do that?” Ratchis said, with some sarcasm. “How do you think Crumb will feel about bringing along a Menovian prisoner?” </p><p></p><p>“Well, what do you want to do with him?” Kazrack asked. </p><p></p><p>“Either we kill him or we let him go,” Ratchis replied. “But first let’s ask him some questions.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis removed the gag from the man’s mouth. </p><p></p><p>“Why were you in this area?” Ratchis asked him. </p><p></p><p>“What do you mean?” the soldier asked through chattering teeth, a mix of fear and cold. “We were patrolling our border. You came into our territory.” </p><p></p><p>“We did?” asked Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“Yes, you did, and our standing orders are to question and capture anyone found on our side of the border with Gothanius,” the man said. “I was just doing my job.” </p><p></p><p>“And your job includes assaulting and killing innocent travelers?” Ratchis roared, kicking the man with the little strength he had in his exhausted body. </p><p></p><p>“Ow!” the man cried, trying to put his bound hands up to shield himself. “I was just following orders. They were on our territory. They could have been spies or bandits!” </p><p></p><p>“But they weren’t!” Ratchis said, and kicked the man again and again. Beorth stepped forward to stop the woodsman, but Ratchis stopped on his own. The man coughed blood, and was unconscious. </p><p></p><p>“We should just kill him,” Ratchis insisted. “He is a slaver and a murderer.” </p><p></p><p>“We can bring him to Gothanius and he will be imprisoned,” Kazrack suggested again. </p><p></p><p>“He should get a trial,” Beorth offered. </p><p></p><p>“What do you others say?” Ratchis asked. </p><p></p><p>“I don’t see how bringing him along will help or be possible,” said Jeremy. “But I’m not sure I want to let him go.” </p><p></p><p>“If we let him go, he will either starve out in the woods or bring more patrols down on us,” Kazrack said. </p><p></p><p>“Crumb will not want to bring him along. He will just be dead weight, and a worry if he escapes,” Jana said. </p><p></p><p>“Kill tha bahs-tahrd,” Chance said. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis pulled his long hunting knife. </p><p></p><p>“Any objections?” he asked. </p><p></p><p>“I object,” Beorth said quietly. </p><p></p><p>“Well, then I will bear your animosity for this act. You can blame me for it,” and with that Ratchis jerked his knife across the man’s throat, killing him. </p><p></p><p>Beorth sighed. </p><p></p><p>They collected stones and built a cairn over the soldier. </p><p></p><p>Beorth spoke briefly,</p><p></p><p>“Anubis, here comes one bound for Set’s Realm once his stay with you is done. Please watch over him as you watch over all others until Osiris has duly judged him.” </p><p></p><p>And then they headed back to the camp, Ratchis silently leading the way. </p><p></p><p>“Ya know they probably left without us,” Chance said. </p><p></p><p>“We’ll catch up with them,” Kazrack said.</p><p></p><p>--</p><p></p><p>They marched down the hill, their boots crunching in the snow, moving through the scattered barren trees towards where the camp had been. Kazrack carried Kamir’s tightly over his shoulder, huffing loudly with the weight. </p><p></p><p>Ratchis led the way, and soon spotted a lone figure moving from tree to tree. The woodsman called for everyone to stop. </p><p></p><p>“Did you see that?” Ratchis asked quietly. </p><p></p><p>“It looked like someone up ahead behind the trees,” Jana whispered. </p><p></p><p>The figure dashed to the group’s right, behind a larger fir, and Ratchis dashed in that direction, slowing down just before the tree and starting to slowly creep around it. </p><p></p><p>At that moment they all heard voices calling, “Ratchis! Kazrack! Jeremy! Jana!” </p><p></p><p>Carlos, Finn Frank and Gwar were making their way towards them calling their names. </p><p></p><p>“Aqui estan!” cried Carlos. </p><p></p><p>“There they are!” echoed Gwar. The four young men jogged forward waving. While Ratchis came around the tree, sword pulled to find the tall older man that traveled with Crumb’s group, spear in hand. He wore his studded leather armor and a fur cloak. The man grunted, and Ratchis could see how the spear was held lightly and comfortably in the man’s hand. He grimaced, and backed away moving back to where camp had been. </p><p>“Where did you guys go?” Frank asked. “We have groups divided up looking for you.” </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, Deet ordered everyone to pack up and move on without you guys, but I refused and organized people to look for you,” said Finn. “It would not have been right to just leave without you guys.” </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, Finn stood up to Crumb,” said Gwar. “He got him to give us `til noon to find you guys. We were worried when you did not come back by morning. What happened?” </p><p></p><p>“Kamir has been killed,” said Beorth. </p><p></p><p>“What? No!” said Frank and Gwar in a moment of confusion. </p><p>Finn’s shoulder’s sagged. </p><p></p><p>They headed back to the camp together, running into the other searching groups as they got closer, who were happy to see them, but then immediately saddened by the news about Kamir. </p><p>As camp came into view, they heard a loud voice proclaim, “Ah ho! I knew my fine searching plan would be successful!” </p><p>Garcon stood there. He took off his hat and bowed as the party passed him. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, but I see a sadness has come into our merry group! But I am much relieved that it was not the fairest of our number,” he blew a kiss at the passing Jana, who sneered. </p><p></p><p>Deet and Crumb emerged from the latter’s tent (the only tent left up). </p><p></p><p>“What were you wandering off for?” Crumb asked as he approached. “What happened?” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis, Jana, Chance and Jeremy just walked past the two men, but Kazrack stopped. </p><p></p><p>“Jeremy and Kamir became lost and we went out to find them. Unfortunately, Menovians found them first,” the dwarf said with anger smoldering under his sadness. </p><p></p><p>“Kamir is dead?” Deet asked. </p><p></p><p>“I am carrying him now,” said Kazrack gesturing to the wrapped body on his shoulder and then walked over to a spot where he lay the body down. He and Beorth cleaned the body, as Crumb addressed the collection of men and boys. </p><p></p><p>“We will stay here to eat lunch and bury the dead, and then we will put as much distance between us and this place as possible,” the stout man said. “We should be in 12 Trolls in four or five days. In that time you do not have my leave to wander from camp, or to go look for anyone if they do. We will keep a low profile, and march long hours until we are safely within Gothanian territory.” </p><p></p><p>Jana began to gather stones for a cairn for Kamir and Frank, Gwar, Carlos and Anthony (a short dark-haired lad who was traveling with the group) helped her. Chance merely sat to one side, resting his elbows on his knees, head hung low. </p><p>Eventually, they took turns placing stones over Kamir’s body, building a cairn, some saying a quiet word or prayer for his soul as they passed by. Chance played a mournful tune on his harmonica. </p><p></p><p>Finally, Beorth spoke, “Anubis, please watch over the spirit of this lad who never wanted anything more than to work hard and be helpful and to aid his fellow travelers to make their journey that much more comfortable and easy; who wanted nothing more than to do go and emulate the heroes of tales we have all heard all our lives. May Fallon take his kind spirit to her breast and bring him to a place where he need never work or suffer again.” </p><p></p><p>Everyone gathered their stuff, and as Kazrack walked to place Kamir’s flint and steel that he had used to light so many fires for others atop the cairn he passed Devon, who was adjusting the straps of his pack on his broad muscled shoulders. </p><p></p><p>“It was only a matter of time someone killed that kid,” Devon said, with his usual smirk. </p><p></p><p>“What do you mean?” asked Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“Come on, someone like that? Someone that ‘helpful’ is either up to something or just damn annoying, either way people like that always get killed. Ya can’t do anything for anyone else without being punished for it,” his smile broadened. “Then again, it is gonna be rough having to shine my own shoes. Stupid kid got himself kilt to soon.” </p><p></p><p>The march began again, though Jana looked back and saw that Chance sat beside the cairn for a long time until the line of men was nearly out of sight, and then he stood and sluggishly followed. </p><p></p><p>---- </p><p></p><p>As Crumb’s boys marched, they began to stretch out in a long line, walking in groups of two or three and mostly being silent, exhaustion having worked its way deep down into their bones and unshakeable. In time the distance between the head of the line (Crumb upon one of the mules) and Chance, by himself at the rear was a few hundred yards. </p><p></p><p>Kazrack walked beside Beorth. </p><p></p><p>“Oh, I found this among Kamir’s things,” Kazrack pulled out a small wooden flat stick stained with some red sticky stuff on one end. “Do you know what it is?” </p><p></p><p>Beorth’s normally emotionless face was filled with visible pity as he took the stick from Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“It was the stick of the candied apple I gave him when we were in Bountiful,” Beorth said quietly. </p><p></p><p>“Then I think you should keep it,” said the dwarf. </p><p></p><p>“I cannot believe that such a small gift meant so much to him,” Beorth said, looking down at the stick, and then fell silent. </p><p></p><p>They continued through the afternoon over barren hills that while they went up and down, were definitely ascending to a higher elevation. </p><p></p><p>As Ratchis moved up to speak quietly with Kazrack and Beorth, he noted that Markle slowed his pace to walk beside Jana who walked near the back. </p><p></p><p>“How are you holding up?” Markle asked with a smile. </p><p></p><p>“Tired, but okay,” Jana said simply. </p><p></p><p>“You have chosen good friends from among this group,” Markle said. “They seem pretty capable.” </p><p></p><p>“Yes, they are,” Jana replied. </p><p></p><p>“Well, the danger in such friends is that eventually they will take on something they can’t handle, or something that is just none of their business.” </p><p></p><p>Jana nodded. </p><p></p><p>“So, like I mentioned before, the favor we want of you is simple: Keep them out of it. Keep them from getting involved in whatever goes down when we arrive at Gothanius. However, we can offer you more, if you are willing to do more. It this can be very profitable for you, if you should choose to do so.” Markle’s handsome brown eyes sparkled in the dying light of Ra’s Glory.</p><p> </p><p>“I will keep that in mind, but you can assuredly rely on my returning your favor. I owe you,” said Jana. </p><p></p><p>“Of course,” Markle said, and increased his pace to move further up the line to where Devon and The Square walked. As he passed Ratchis he smiled and nodded. The large man grimaced and moved back towards Jeremy. </p><p></p><p>While Ratchis was with Beorth and Kazrack he told them to be on alert, he feared that they might be attacked by Menovians at anytime. His two companions convinced him that he should at least warn their other companions. So, he moved back and told Jeremy. </p><p></p><p>“Good,” Jeremy replied. “I want a chance to kill some of this bastards. I’ll want to kill as many as I can and make them suffer for what they did.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis just nodded, and slowed his pace even more to let Jana catch up to him. </p><p></p><p>“We may be attacked, I fear,” Ratchis said to her. </p><p></p><p>“I figured it might be a possibility,” Jana replied. </p><p></p><p>“How is Chance doing?” Ratchis looked back at the sullen gambler, bringing up the rear, but falling farther and farther behind. </p><p></p><p>“Not too well, I am going to go talk to him and get him to walk faster before he slips to far behind,” Jana said with a note of sadness in her usual cold voice. </p><p></p><p>Jana slowed down to speak with Chance, while Ratchis moved up, but was interrupted by Finn Fisher. Finn had a look of worry on his travel weary face, and his growing black stuck out from beneath the hood of a black fur coat he wore. </p><p></p><p>“Um, Ratchis,” he said through his Herman-Lander fisherman drawl. “What’s going on?” </p><p></p><p>“What do you mean?” Ratchis asked. </p><p></p><p>“Come on, Ratchis,” Finn’s face became serious as his brow furrowed. “I saw you go and talk to Beorth and Kazrack, and then to Jeremy and then to Jana and now Jana went back to Chance. Something is happening.” </p><p></p><p>Ratchis sighed, “We have reason to believe we might be ambushed by Menovians. I just wanted people to stay alert, without causing panic.” </p><p></p><p>“Oh,” Finn’s face turned back to one of fear. “Well, I’m gonna tell Carlos and Frank and Gwar at least. The more capable people that are watchful the better.” </p><p></p><p>“Ok, but be discrete,” Ratchis replied. </p><p></p><p>“Thanks,” and with that Finn walked briskly to alert his new friends. Soon, Ratchis could see them all looking around with paranoia, and rolled his eyes. </p><p></p><p>Jana got Chance to quicken his step a bit, but he still lagged behind and was for the most part, silent. </p><p></p><p>---- </p><p></p><p>The march continued into the cold night, including a very steep climb up a hill to a plateau where camp was finally made. Jana spent sometime before going to sleep looking over the weary travelers for ills or frost-bite, when Anthony led her to his younger brother, Stefan. </p><p></p><p>Stefan had one boot off, and Jana found a burst and badly infected blister that now made the entire front part of his right foot a yellow and scarlet mess. She did what she could to comfort him and tend to the wound, but she knew that more marching would only make the situation worse. She wrapped the pus-oozing wound, and retired for the night. </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Tholem, 4th of Syet – 564 H.E.</strong></span></p><p>In the morning, Jana pleaded with Deet and Crumb to allow Stefan to ride the other mule. They grudgingly acquiesced, as the supplies were running so low there was not so much extra to be spread among the walkers. Kazrack and Ratchis offered to carry an extra share. </p><p></p><p>Of course, Devon had to comment when he saw Stefan get hoisted upon the mule. </p><p></p><p>“Aw, look the baby!” the tall man said. “Does your footsie hurt? Markle, maybe we should rub his foot.” Devon erupted into loud laughter. Anthont sneered at Devon, who growled in return. Ratchis cracked his knuckles, but no conflict ensued. </p><p></p><p>They marched the whole morning through, with just a gradual incline. The river moved far away to their left, while to the right was a steep drop off to another narrow stream and a thick coniferous forest. They walked among increasingly thick pines and firs themselves. </p><p></p><p>As their stop for lunch, Ratchis scouted out the area around, checking for the possibility of attack. Looking to the east, he noted a line of figures dressed in black walking parallel to their own route, but southward along the stream a mile or so away. He summoned the others to take a look, while they all stayed low and out of sight. </p><p></p><p>“Menovians?” asked Kazrack. </p><p></p><p>“Could be,” replied Ratchis. “Looks like there are over a hundred of whoever they are.” </p><p></p><p>They relayed this information to Crumb, and the break was cut short. Ratchis and Kazrack took up the rear guard for the rest of the day’s march. </p><p></p><p>It began to snow again, and it was after dark when they camped again, Ratchis and Jeremy taking first watch. </p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Balem, 5th of Syet – 564 H.E.</strong></span></p><p></p><p>In the morning, Ratchis woke up earliest and went to check on Stefan’s foot, as the young lad had been moaning in pain through the night. The early odor of putrescence wafted up from the foot. </p><p></p><p>“We may have to amputate,” Ratchis said to Jana when she came over. </p><p></p><p>“I fear it might be so, but I think we still have some time to make the choice,” she replied. She bathed the foot in the water in which different herbs had been steeped, and bandaged it a bit. </p><p></p><p>Flurries began again as the group began their northward march once more. The set a faster pace than the few days before, and all were silent in their single-minded exhaustion and desire to arrive. </p><p></p><p>At lunch, all there was to eat were the cold scraps of meat left from the last dinner. Stefan did not have much of an appetite, but Ratchis fed him some dry rations regardless. </p><p></p><p>As Ra’s Glory set, Crumb’s Boys found themselves marching along a narrow ravine, the walls of which flanked them high on either side, plunging them into shadow when the sun should have still been visible. The marched quickly, but nervously, all inherently knowing that such an area was very dangerous, but when the last light was long gone, they say before them a beacon light burning brightly. It was up upon an earthen wall, which as they approached they could see reached from one cliff to another blocking the way. They could see the silhouetted forms of soldiers atop the walls, and the hulking shapes of war engines. </p><p></p><p>“Who approaches the North Fork Wall at this hour of darkness?” a voice called down.</p><p></p><p>“It is I, Boris E. Crumb the Third,” Crumb declared. “I bring you those who would be great heroes and save your realm in this time of great need! They are here to answer the king’s call and slay the dragon of Greenreed Valley or die trying!”</p><p></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p></p><p>(79) In Aquerra, when one returns from negative hit points (whether it be by magical healing (except Heal) or natural healing) you are considered <em>exhausted</em> (-6 Str and Dex, no running, no charging, move at ½ normal speed) until you have rested for one hour, and <em>fatigued</em> (-2 Str and Dex, no running, no charging) until you have rested for 8 hours.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 80887, member: 11"] [b]Session #11[/b] [size=3][b]Osilem, 3rd of Syet – 564 H.E.[/b][/size] [i] Groggy and aching, Beorth awoke in a cold dark place that seemed to be the lower crypt with the sarcophagi where the party had fought the mummified creature. The tapestries seemed to be maps of places in Aquerra. Beorth recognize one as Herman Land and another as the Black Islands. The others were blurry and hard to read. The wall to Beorth’s right was covered with tall shelves filled with books, somehow Beorth just know that these are all books on herbal lore that Levekt would love to have. Suddenly, Beorth realized that lying around him were the bodies of all his companions. Instinctively, he knew they were dead, but suddenly they sat up and began to crawl towards Beorth. Jana, her face twisted into a permanent grimace of death, spoke, “You should not have let us die that way, Beorth.” “Better that you would have killed us yourself,” said Kazrack. “Than to let us be turned into these painful abominations,” said Ratchis. “The pain never ends,” said Jeremy. “And it is your fault,” said Chance. “You must join us,” said Jana. “You are coming with us,” said Kazrack. “You could have stopped this,” said Ratchis. “But you cared more about yourself,” said Jeremy. “Then for your duty,” said Chance. “It is all your fault,” they all began to chant together, over and over. Crawling towards Beorth, they began to rip the flesh from Beorth’s body with their thickened and black fingernails. Beorth put his arms up and try to bat them away, but it is a feeble and futile attempt. He could feel blood pour over his raw and revealed flesh, and the comfort of death was replaced by the cold bitterness of the undead.” [/i] ---- Beorth awakened with a start, sweating. “You okay?” Kazrack asked him. “Uh, yes,” Beorth stood, and wiped some sweat from his brow despite the cold. “Just a dream.” The snow had begun to fall again, just very light flurries, but already their tracks began to disappear. The pond was almost invisible under the blanket of white. Ratchis stirred, and Beorth knelt beside him, placing his hand on the half-orc’s temple. “Anubis, please heal this brave warrior who fights for all to enter your realm as free men,” Beorth intoned. Ratchis gasped and sat up, his normally ruddy hide was a yellowish color and he was breathing heavily. He groaned. “It is okay,” Beorth said. “Rest. It will be some time before you are up and completely well.” They built a small fire and ate some of the rations they found in the Menovian’s gear to regain their strength. Beorth wrapped the body of Kamir more tightly in the blankets, while Ratchis exhausted (79) from his travails stretched and eyed the prisoner, who shivered from the cold. “What are we going to do with him?” Ratchis asked, gesturing to the Menovian. “We can bring him to the authorities, I guess,” said Kazrack. “And how are we going to do that?” Ratchis said, with some sarcasm. “How do you think Crumb will feel about bringing along a Menovian prisoner?” “Well, what do you want to do with him?” Kazrack asked. “Either we kill him or we let him go,” Ratchis replied. “But first let’s ask him some questions.” Ratchis removed the gag from the man’s mouth. “Why were you in this area?” Ratchis asked him. “What do you mean?” the soldier asked through chattering teeth, a mix of fear and cold. “We were patrolling our border. You came into our territory.” “We did?” asked Kazrack. “Yes, you did, and our standing orders are to question and capture anyone found on our side of the border with Gothanius,” the man said. “I was just doing my job.” “And your job includes assaulting and killing innocent travelers?” Ratchis roared, kicking the man with the little strength he had in his exhausted body. “Ow!” the man cried, trying to put his bound hands up to shield himself. “I was just following orders. They were on our territory. They could have been spies or bandits!” “But they weren’t!” Ratchis said, and kicked the man again and again. Beorth stepped forward to stop the woodsman, but Ratchis stopped on his own. The man coughed blood, and was unconscious. “We should just kill him,” Ratchis insisted. “He is a slaver and a murderer.” “We can bring him to Gothanius and he will be imprisoned,” Kazrack suggested again. “He should get a trial,” Beorth offered. “What do you others say?” Ratchis asked. “I don’t see how bringing him along will help or be possible,” said Jeremy. “But I’m not sure I want to let him go.” “If we let him go, he will either starve out in the woods or bring more patrols down on us,” Kazrack said. “Crumb will not want to bring him along. He will just be dead weight, and a worry if he escapes,” Jana said. “Kill tha bahs-tahrd,” Chance said. Ratchis pulled his long hunting knife. “Any objections?” he asked. “I object,” Beorth said quietly. “Well, then I will bear your animosity for this act. You can blame me for it,” and with that Ratchis jerked his knife across the man’s throat, killing him. Beorth sighed. They collected stones and built a cairn over the soldier. Beorth spoke briefly, “Anubis, here comes one bound for Set’s Realm once his stay with you is done. Please watch over him as you watch over all others until Osiris has duly judged him.” And then they headed back to the camp, Ratchis silently leading the way. “Ya know they probably left without us,” Chance said. “We’ll catch up with them,” Kazrack said. -- They marched down the hill, their boots crunching in the snow, moving through the scattered barren trees towards where the camp had been. Kazrack carried Kamir’s tightly over his shoulder, huffing loudly with the weight. Ratchis led the way, and soon spotted a lone figure moving from tree to tree. The woodsman called for everyone to stop. “Did you see that?” Ratchis asked quietly. “It looked like someone up ahead behind the trees,” Jana whispered. The figure dashed to the group’s right, behind a larger fir, and Ratchis dashed in that direction, slowing down just before the tree and starting to slowly creep around it. At that moment they all heard voices calling, “Ratchis! Kazrack! Jeremy! Jana!” Carlos, Finn Frank and Gwar were making their way towards them calling their names. “Aqui estan!” cried Carlos. “There they are!” echoed Gwar. The four young men jogged forward waving. While Ratchis came around the tree, sword pulled to find the tall older man that traveled with Crumb’s group, spear in hand. He wore his studded leather armor and a fur cloak. The man grunted, and Ratchis could see how the spear was held lightly and comfortably in the man’s hand. He grimaced, and backed away moving back to where camp had been. “Where did you guys go?” Frank asked. “We have groups divided up looking for you.” “Yeah, Deet ordered everyone to pack up and move on without you guys, but I refused and organized people to look for you,” said Finn. “It would not have been right to just leave without you guys.” “Yeah, Finn stood up to Crumb,” said Gwar. “He got him to give us `til noon to find you guys. We were worried when you did not come back by morning. What happened?” “Kamir has been killed,” said Beorth. “What? No!” said Frank and Gwar in a moment of confusion. Finn’s shoulder’s sagged. They headed back to the camp together, running into the other searching groups as they got closer, who were happy to see them, but then immediately saddened by the news about Kamir. As camp came into view, they heard a loud voice proclaim, “Ah ho! I knew my fine searching plan would be successful!” Garcon stood there. He took off his hat and bowed as the party passed him. “Oh, but I see a sadness has come into our merry group! But I am much relieved that it was not the fairest of our number,” he blew a kiss at the passing Jana, who sneered. Deet and Crumb emerged from the latter’s tent (the only tent left up). “What were you wandering off for?” Crumb asked as he approached. “What happened?” Ratchis, Jana, Chance and Jeremy just walked past the two men, but Kazrack stopped. “Jeremy and Kamir became lost and we went out to find them. Unfortunately, Menovians found them first,” the dwarf said with anger smoldering under his sadness. “Kamir is dead?” Deet asked. “I am carrying him now,” said Kazrack gesturing to the wrapped body on his shoulder and then walked over to a spot where he lay the body down. He and Beorth cleaned the body, as Crumb addressed the collection of men and boys. “We will stay here to eat lunch and bury the dead, and then we will put as much distance between us and this place as possible,” the stout man said. “We should be in 12 Trolls in four or five days. In that time you do not have my leave to wander from camp, or to go look for anyone if they do. We will keep a low profile, and march long hours until we are safely within Gothanian territory.” Jana began to gather stones for a cairn for Kamir and Frank, Gwar, Carlos and Anthony (a short dark-haired lad who was traveling with the group) helped her. Chance merely sat to one side, resting his elbows on his knees, head hung low. Eventually, they took turns placing stones over Kamir’s body, building a cairn, some saying a quiet word or prayer for his soul as they passed by. Chance played a mournful tune on his harmonica. Finally, Beorth spoke, “Anubis, please watch over the spirit of this lad who never wanted anything more than to work hard and be helpful and to aid his fellow travelers to make their journey that much more comfortable and easy; who wanted nothing more than to do go and emulate the heroes of tales we have all heard all our lives. May Fallon take his kind spirit to her breast and bring him to a place where he need never work or suffer again.” Everyone gathered their stuff, and as Kazrack walked to place Kamir’s flint and steel that he had used to light so many fires for others atop the cairn he passed Devon, who was adjusting the straps of his pack on his broad muscled shoulders. “It was only a matter of time someone killed that kid,” Devon said, with his usual smirk. “What do you mean?” asked Kazrack. “Come on, someone like that? Someone that ‘helpful’ is either up to something or just damn annoying, either way people like that always get killed. Ya can’t do anything for anyone else without being punished for it,” his smile broadened. “Then again, it is gonna be rough having to shine my own shoes. Stupid kid got himself kilt to soon.” The march began again, though Jana looked back and saw that Chance sat beside the cairn for a long time until the line of men was nearly out of sight, and then he stood and sluggishly followed. ---- As Crumb’s boys marched, they began to stretch out in a long line, walking in groups of two or three and mostly being silent, exhaustion having worked its way deep down into their bones and unshakeable. In time the distance between the head of the line (Crumb upon one of the mules) and Chance, by himself at the rear was a few hundred yards. Kazrack walked beside Beorth. “Oh, I found this among Kamir’s things,” Kazrack pulled out a small wooden flat stick stained with some red sticky stuff on one end. “Do you know what it is?” Beorth’s normally emotionless face was filled with visible pity as he took the stick from Kazrack. “It was the stick of the candied apple I gave him when we were in Bountiful,” Beorth said quietly. “Then I think you should keep it,” said the dwarf. “I cannot believe that such a small gift meant so much to him,” Beorth said, looking down at the stick, and then fell silent. They continued through the afternoon over barren hills that while they went up and down, were definitely ascending to a higher elevation. As Ratchis moved up to speak quietly with Kazrack and Beorth, he noted that Markle slowed his pace to walk beside Jana who walked near the back. “How are you holding up?” Markle asked with a smile. “Tired, but okay,” Jana said simply. “You have chosen good friends from among this group,” Markle said. “They seem pretty capable.” “Yes, they are,” Jana replied. “Well, the danger in such friends is that eventually they will take on something they can’t handle, or something that is just none of their business.” Jana nodded. “So, like I mentioned before, the favor we want of you is simple: Keep them out of it. Keep them from getting involved in whatever goes down when we arrive at Gothanius. However, we can offer you more, if you are willing to do more. It this can be very profitable for you, if you should choose to do so.” Markle’s handsome brown eyes sparkled in the dying light of Ra’s Glory. “I will keep that in mind, but you can assuredly rely on my returning your favor. I owe you,” said Jana. “Of course,” Markle said, and increased his pace to move further up the line to where Devon and The Square walked. As he passed Ratchis he smiled and nodded. The large man grimaced and moved back towards Jeremy. While Ratchis was with Beorth and Kazrack he told them to be on alert, he feared that they might be attacked by Menovians at anytime. His two companions convinced him that he should at least warn their other companions. So, he moved back and told Jeremy. “Good,” Jeremy replied. “I want a chance to kill some of this bastards. I’ll want to kill as many as I can and make them suffer for what they did.” Ratchis just nodded, and slowed his pace even more to let Jana catch up to him. “We may be attacked, I fear,” Ratchis said to her. “I figured it might be a possibility,” Jana replied. “How is Chance doing?” Ratchis looked back at the sullen gambler, bringing up the rear, but falling farther and farther behind. “Not too well, I am going to go talk to him and get him to walk faster before he slips to far behind,” Jana said with a note of sadness in her usual cold voice. Jana slowed down to speak with Chance, while Ratchis moved up, but was interrupted by Finn Fisher. Finn had a look of worry on his travel weary face, and his growing black stuck out from beneath the hood of a black fur coat he wore. “Um, Ratchis,” he said through his Herman-Lander fisherman drawl. “What’s going on?” “What do you mean?” Ratchis asked. “Come on, Ratchis,” Finn’s face became serious as his brow furrowed. “I saw you go and talk to Beorth and Kazrack, and then to Jeremy and then to Jana and now Jana went back to Chance. Something is happening.” Ratchis sighed, “We have reason to believe we might be ambushed by Menovians. I just wanted people to stay alert, without causing panic.” “Oh,” Finn’s face turned back to one of fear. “Well, I’m gonna tell Carlos and Frank and Gwar at least. The more capable people that are watchful the better.” “Ok, but be discrete,” Ratchis replied. “Thanks,” and with that Finn walked briskly to alert his new friends. Soon, Ratchis could see them all looking around with paranoia, and rolled his eyes. Jana got Chance to quicken his step a bit, but he still lagged behind and was for the most part, silent. ---- The march continued into the cold night, including a very steep climb up a hill to a plateau where camp was finally made. Jana spent sometime before going to sleep looking over the weary travelers for ills or frost-bite, when Anthony led her to his younger brother, Stefan. Stefan had one boot off, and Jana found a burst and badly infected blister that now made the entire front part of his right foot a yellow and scarlet mess. She did what she could to comfort him and tend to the wound, but she knew that more marching would only make the situation worse. She wrapped the pus-oozing wound, and retired for the night. [size=3][b]Tholem, 4th of Syet – 564 H.E.[/b][/size] In the morning, Jana pleaded with Deet and Crumb to allow Stefan to ride the other mule. They grudgingly acquiesced, as the supplies were running so low there was not so much extra to be spread among the walkers. Kazrack and Ratchis offered to carry an extra share. Of course, Devon had to comment when he saw Stefan get hoisted upon the mule. “Aw, look the baby!” the tall man said. “Does your footsie hurt? Markle, maybe we should rub his foot.” Devon erupted into loud laughter. Anthont sneered at Devon, who growled in return. Ratchis cracked his knuckles, but no conflict ensued. They marched the whole morning through, with just a gradual incline. The river moved far away to their left, while to the right was a steep drop off to another narrow stream and a thick coniferous forest. They walked among increasingly thick pines and firs themselves. As their stop for lunch, Ratchis scouted out the area around, checking for the possibility of attack. Looking to the east, he noted a line of figures dressed in black walking parallel to their own route, but southward along the stream a mile or so away. He summoned the others to take a look, while they all stayed low and out of sight. “Menovians?” asked Kazrack. “Could be,” replied Ratchis. “Looks like there are over a hundred of whoever they are.” They relayed this information to Crumb, and the break was cut short. Ratchis and Kazrack took up the rear guard for the rest of the day’s march. It began to snow again, and it was after dark when they camped again, Ratchis and Jeremy taking first watch. [size=3][b]Balem, 5th of Syet – 564 H.E.[/b][/size] In the morning, Ratchis woke up earliest and went to check on Stefan’s foot, as the young lad had been moaning in pain through the night. The early odor of putrescence wafted up from the foot. “We may have to amputate,” Ratchis said to Jana when she came over. “I fear it might be so, but I think we still have some time to make the choice,” she replied. She bathed the foot in the water in which different herbs had been steeped, and bandaged it a bit. Flurries began again as the group began their northward march once more. The set a faster pace than the few days before, and all were silent in their single-minded exhaustion and desire to arrive. At lunch, all there was to eat were the cold scraps of meat left from the last dinner. Stefan did not have much of an appetite, but Ratchis fed him some dry rations regardless. As Ra’s Glory set, Crumb’s Boys found themselves marching along a narrow ravine, the walls of which flanked them high on either side, plunging them into shadow when the sun should have still been visible. The marched quickly, but nervously, all inherently knowing that such an area was very dangerous, but when the last light was long gone, they say before them a beacon light burning brightly. It was up upon an earthen wall, which as they approached they could see reached from one cliff to another blocking the way. They could see the silhouetted forms of soldiers atop the walls, and the hulking shapes of war engines. “Who approaches the North Fork Wall at this hour of darkness?” a voice called down. “It is I, Boris E. Crumb the Third,” Crumb declared. “I bring you those who would be great heroes and save your realm in this time of great need! They are here to answer the king’s call and slay the dragon of Greenreed Valley or die trying!” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Notes:[/b] (79) In Aquerra, when one returns from negative hit points (whether it be by magical healing (except Heal) or natural healing) you are considered [i]exhausted[/i] (-6 Str and Dex, no running, no charging, move at ½ normal speed) until you have rested for one hour, and [i]fatigued[/i] (-2 Str and Dex, no running, no charging) until you have rested for 8 hours. [/QUOTE]
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"Out of the Frying Pan" - Book I: Gathering Wood (reprise)
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