(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Guilt Puppy]

Aerda: You notice the dark silhouette of a cloaked figure riding a horse down the road, far in the distance -- it's not quite clear if he's on the same path as you, as it winds through the hills and disappears behind brush quite a bit. The figure itself is near the top of a hill, on the edge of the horizon.

The figure is standing fairly still, but you'd swear he was looking at you. After a few moments, it makes a sweeping motion with its arm and bolts down the road, out of view.

(OOC: If that's not an adequate description of the scenery -- as it's kind of a tough situation to describe -- I can try drawing a picture, heh.)

Within short time, you hear the sound of horse-steps as Exantrius emerges from the woods. He is smiling, somewhat solemnly, but is quick about reaching your position.

"I apologize for the wait, but even in a hurried quest as ours it is still inexcusable to yet ill deeds, be they even just ones, go unatoned. Now, though, let us travel."

 

[dpdx]

[By now, what time of day is it?]

Fendric breathes an audible sigh of relief when Exantrius returns from the goblin village. Upon hearing "let us travel," Fendric responds, "I'm ready," and turns his horse in the direction they were headed.

 

[wings]

Iiinteresting

Aerda raises his brow at the sight, which moments later is obvious that no one else saw. He will try to dedicate the figure to memory, to perhaps describe later.

He turned to Exantrius, "Would it be possible that we are being followed?"

 

[Guilt Puppy]

"It's certainly a possibility... In fact, highly probable. I wouldn't worry about it much, though. If anyone was planning a move they would have made it already -- certainly before I had you young heroes at my defense!"

Despite his outward confidence, his gaze betrays a certain unease.

"We should take extra care making camp tonight all the same... Try to keep things private and defensible. I do not intend for you to meet an early end!"

He seems to choke on these final words, and grows very silent for a while, staring off into space.

(BTW, in case it wasn't clear, the figure you saw was down the road -- ie, in the direction you're going -- although it's still not quite clear it's the same road at all. Also, timewise I believe it's early afternoon -- only a few hours after the initial sighting of the hobgoblin camp.)

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo keeps close to the old Knight, his eyes keen for assailants. Trying to keep atop the horse that he rode on, he turned, grinning in a silly manner at Merrin, acting like a miniature Knight himself, Jesting for the Jester as it were.

 

[dpdx]

As he sat atop his horse, with the wind running past his ears as the party rode, Fendric was in a pleasant mood: good company, interesting countryside, and the sensation of speed on horseback.

("I shall need to get word back to Father Brewek that our quest may outlast my annual leave; oh, I hope the Temple won't miss me!")

"Please, Niccolo..." Fendric looks briefly behind him, laughing, "Although you're very amusing, it's still hard enough for me to stay atop our steed without you fidgeting back there..."

Trying hard to regain his composure from Niccolo's antics, and also to keep up with the elder cavalier, he turns to Exantrius, smiling. "So, Sir Exantrius, shall we be making camp a good way off the main road, so as not to attract undue attention? I'm afraid that as much as I have enjoyed it, that I might still be a little out of my element here in the outdoors!"

(edit: Arggh! I have to remember to uncheck my .sig! Sorry!)

 

[National Acrobat]

Merrim laughs at Niccolo's humor. "That's what we need, uplifted spirits on this journey. Perhaps I could get a story out of you tonight?" Merrim does her best to not look awkward while riding the horse.

Upon hearing Sir Exantrius mention 'safe' camp, Merrim cannot help but ask, "do you think that there will be trouble tonight, Master Exantrius?"

 

[wings]

Well

Aerda rides with his eyes looking for the figure again."Well, it's just that, I spotted a man quite a ride away, he seemed to be looking at us, he might've been on this very path, but i cannot know for sure." He looks over at Exantrius as he speaks, then turns his eyes back to the point he saw the man, as to indicate where, maybe.

"Astrule, why don't you go get yourself some meat, but keep your eyes open, alright?" WIth that he takes the bird onto his arm, pets him a couple of times, then pushes him skyward.

Aerda had been alive quite a while, as all elves tend to have done. He had wasted more time than many of these adventurer's whole lifespans. He knew how to wait, unease didn't reach him, he seemed content just riding, looking either way for the man again.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Merrim: "I don't expect trouble, but it is best to be prepared for it. Brother Fendric, I am sure you will find that a night among the trees is not so rough as one might think." His voice is confident yet weary... It has been, after all, a trying day.

As nightfall descends, he searches around for a good path, leading you off into the wilderness. He eventually settles on a rocky enclave: Sheltered and hidden, but with a good view nonetheless, and clearly well-defensible, considering you have to leave your horses tied to climb up.

After aiding the last of your numbers to the perch, and dragging up a few of his own belongings, Exantrius exhales strongly, slumping into a seat against the rocks. "We should keep a vigilant watch tonight, but if you don't mind, I should like to have my sleep unbroken..." His face twinges into a smile: "Or at least, let me take last watch, that my rest may be immediate."

He lays out his bedroll, grumbling a little, and lays back in it, not bothering to remove his armor. As he drifts to sleep he remains responsive, although his mutterings become less and less conscious as the minutes pass.

(Watch order please, including hours covered, with Spot checks. Exantrius will take the last two hours of the ten-hour span, Victus the first two. That leaves six to cover, plus any overlap you deem necessary.)

 

[wings]

Hrm

(He will take middle watch, cause why not. Spot = 16(rolled 11))