(Adventure) A hunting trip

[Uriel]

OoC:Sprout is a He, and a Pony, so he's not that big to an Elf-Lass...
Providing Katherine is ready as well

IC: Bron Bekkle smiles and says 'Well, if all is ready then, let us be off, we have a few miles ahead of us.'

The trip out along the east Road is an easy one, even for folks unacustomed to horseback, as the east Road is a particularly well-maintained one. A RoadHouse is passed about 4 miles out, where you take a quick rest to water the horses. One of the Roadwardens greets Bekkle with a warm smile and a clasping of hands. After a moment, bekkle returns to you and says 'Rolf there says that a Trapper thet wuz werkin out this way has failed to return here, though he left his rig and Horse two days ago. It may be the work of our Ormfene, or p'raps a bear er a Wolf. can't say I feel much bad at the latter, as the Creatures o'the Wood sometimes take it upon the'selfs ta give a little Payback to such Men.'
It is clear that Bekkle, a Hunter and Forrester has a profound distaste for Trappers, who despoil the Forest for pelts and leave the animal's to rot in the Sun.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Katherine makes a quick stop into the stables to check on a mature but hardy pony of her own. "Nibbles is willing to walk without tire and carry my paltry belongings, but I haven't ridden him since I was a child, and he hasn't Sprout's bravery," she comments as she hops up on one of Father Bekkle's mounts.

For the first part of the ride she is quiet, obseving her companions and especially the two hunters in the group. Eventually she falls in beside Aranel and talks to her quietly about matters of little import. Though her elven is fluent, it is apparent that she was raised primarily among her human kin, and is curious about the home lives of elves.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

'Rolf there says that a Trapper thet wuz werkin out this way has failed to return here, though he left his rig and Horse two days ago. It may be the work of our Ormfene, or p'raps a bear er a Wolf. can't say I feel much bad at the latter, as the Creatures o'the Wood sometimes take it upon the'selfs ta give a little Payback to such Men.'[/COLOR]

Telerin nodded, and glanced down to Whitefang, who wasn't looking tired at all. The wolf enjoyed a good run.
"I know that if I find a trapper in my wood," Telerin said quietly, " 'ed not survive very long. Be it at my hand, or of one of the animals that make it home. But I suppose that we should look into this...it may lead us to our quarry."

 

[Aranel]

Aranel was just as curious about the half-human, answering questions easily and telling a few stories of elven homes and a few of the greater elves. She asked questions in return, what human life was like, what her view on each side. Nothing she hoped, too probing or political.

 

[Uriel]

Remounting and bidding the Roadwardens farewell (and receiving wishes of a successful Hunt for whatever draws your group out in such weather), Bron leads on, saying that the farm was a mere 4 miles further.

The fairly open Road gives way to light woods ad then to a heavier forest, with signs of less and less interference from Man.
Telerin is pleased to see little in the way of cut trees this close to The City and Bekkle explains that the Wood has a Reputation as a bit of a Haunted one. Farmer Krimp is thought a bit Mad, living so near to it, but he does a htriving and brisk trade in mushrooms and lichens that he harvests from the Wood selling these to Wizards and Alchemists requiring myconic samples of a less common variety, as well as more edible types that he sells at Market in The City.

Before long, with the rain falling in ever heavier sheets, a dim light becomes visable ahead.

Sitting off of the Road, at the very edge of of The Wood is a small Farmhouse, a cottage really. There is a barn that looks big enough to shelter a dozen horses or cows in comfort, as well as an outhouse and a chicken coop. Riding right up to the farmhouse,Bekkle calls out 'Old man, come on out here. It's me Bron! I've visitors and business desperate and dire in the Wood.'

There seems to be no response as of yet, the only sounds the fall of the rain and the wind-chime banging on the porch, it's metal triangle slamming against the porch-post in the increasing wind...

 

[Pyrex]

There seems to be no response as of yet, the only sounds the fall of the rain and the wind-chime banging on the porch, it's metal triangle slamming against the porch-post in the increasing wind...

When there is no response to Bron's hail, Remi dismounts hands Red's reins to Telerin and moves up to the door.

KNOCK
KNOCK
KNOCK

"Hello! Is there anyone home?"

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Telerin held the reins and watched. After a short moment, still sitting on Spot, he looked down to Whitefang and nodded towards Remi, "Go follow him if you want. See if you smell anything."
The wolf eyed Telerin a moment before trotting over to smell the door.

 

[Uriel]

Remi mounts the steps of the Cottage, Knocking loudly, the pounding echoes briefly and then all is silent again.

"Hello! Is there anyone home?"

There is no answer.

Just as Remi is turining back to the group to see what they think, he hears something move inside the Cottage. It was a brief sound, distinctive. It sounded like a cup for plate falling to the ground and shattering.

Whitefang begins nozing around the porch, quickly picking up a Scent. Following it over towards the Barn, the wolf stays low to the ground, a barely audible growl escaping his lupine lips.

Katherine's head suddenly whis around to wards the Wood off to the left of the Cottage. She clearly saw something there, a large form form standing near the edge of the Wood, watching the Companions...a brief moment later, it is gone, faded back behind the screening rain and canopy of the Wood.

 

[Aranel]

Aranel turned her attention first to the door, then to the Wolf...and then to katherine who was looking into the forest. "Do you see something of interest?" she asked twisting around in her saddle to look. Not seeing anything she turned her attention back to the door. "I believe I can be of assistance in opening that door should we need to..."
She had a funny feeling everything wasn't as it should b and it was about to go pear-shaped.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Though he stayed atop the horse, Telerin felt a bit nervous. He dismounted and kneeled down, doing his best to still hold the reins and looking over to Whitefang, "Come here...what is it?"
The wolf was still growling as he back towards Telerin. The Druid looked to the others, patting the wolf carefully, "This is not a good sign..."