(Casual D&D III) The Man in Black

[Sparky]

Leaving the Inn

Oliver goes up to his room to collect his belongings and finds a drift of downy gray blown up against the door. Winkle? I didn't put him back! He rushes to the curtains, remembering he'd cracked the window to air the room out. He finds Winkle poised on the window-sill, wings flared uncertainly. He warbles at Oliver as the wiry old man pulls the windows shut.

"Oh Winkle. Has it become this already? Flying the nest?" He glances at the cage, "Can't say I blame you. I had hoped you'd be more tame before it came to this." He gathers up his stuff, dons his newly tended and mended armor.

Dire and gleaming he walks out into the hall, making his way quietly to the balcony and calls down to the innkeeper for some help with his pack. Tatlock is still hovering about the inn, wavering between indecision and disappointment, he looks up as Oliver comes to the balcony to shout down, anxious eager eyes wide under his unruly thatch of red hair. Ashes, one fledgling is enough, but two...? The gods hate me. He purses his lips hard and shakes his head. And rightly so.

"Come on, boy. The others are waiting on me." He breathes a big sigh that turns into a nasty cough. After a lot of coaxing (and equal amounts of cursing) Oliver convinces Winkle to stand on his arm and allow himself to be carried. His wings flutter frequently into Oliver's face. He leaves a goodly tip in his room and another tip for tavern tenders, barkeeper, serving girls. I'm going to miss this place. He smiles tightly, touching his brow to the innkeeper as he trundles silently out to the stables.

****************
At the stables

The stableboy, anticipating a tip from the cantankerous old man, rushes off as Oliver approaches, Winkle awkwardly perched on his thin arm.

Oliver suffers the looks of the others as he ambles up with Tatlock in tow. He shrugs, ornery defensiveness and flinches away from Winkle's startled flapping.

The stableboy brings out Oliver's new horses and a fit and jaunty-looking Bastrop. My very own menagerie. He tosses a fat coin to the stable boy. "Thank you for your hard work, Ander. Saddle up the filly, please, lad - Tatlock will be riding with us as far as Sesphar." He glares at Tatlock, "And no further."

At the various looks of puzzlement and glowering from his friends Oliver mutters, "I can't turn away strays." He lowers his head, bullishly, "Hayseed needs to see the world. Who better than the elves to show him some culture?"

Oliver glances at Aerda and Astrule as he turns takes Bastrop's lead from the stableboy. He gives the donkey a friend pat before turning to mount his horse. Winkle squawks indignantly as Oliver deposits him on a bale of hay. The old man surprises the stableboy by roughly shaking his cupped and lowered hand before using the boy's hands as a stirrup to mount.

Struggling a bit as Winkle settles onto his arm again, Oliver guides the horse over to Shavah with his knees and lowers his voice, "I'll pay you back the coin you gave the boy."

He looks up at Raven and snaps, "What?"

 

[dpdx]

The chuckling turns into muttering as Hiritus looks ahead at Oliver and the boy.

"I still can't believe we're taking passengers on this quest. Look at him - he's not even-"

"-Hiritus!" whispers Fendric in an urgent manner, "That young man is under Oliver's care and protection, and it is not our position to challenge that, May The Thought Of It Die in Darkness!"

"Really?!" begins Hiritus' sotto voce retort, "Then is Oliver going to heal him if he gets hurt, or will Shavah, you or I?"

The horses, perhaps sensing an argument best left private, back away another ten feet, Justice leading this effort. The vehement whispering continues.

"I certainly will heal him, even save his life, if I must! And so should you! Is it not Code to heal the injured?"

"Fendric, we are bonded as friends, for life. But do not lecture me about my Code! It doesn't cover this situation! I tried to talk him out of it!"

"I apologize, my Brother. But it was Oliver's decision that wrought this result, not Tatlock's! Please do not blame the boy, and please do not hold this against Oliver!

"He'd better not die..."

"He will not! It is only as far as the Glades!"

"Is he wearing armor?"

"Is he wh- I cannot tell from here!"

"You were going to bring Kester."

"Yes, I was - what of it?"

"You trust too many people. And I'm not the only one who says so."

"Oh?"

"Yes. So, you'd better not die, either."

"Who else says so?"

"I'm not telling you that. Anyway, he didn't come, so it's nothing."

"As you wish..."

"Oh, Nerull's Breath, I can't believe this: did the old man take him along without armor?"

 

[DrZombie]

He looks up at Raven and snaps, "What?"

"I didn't say anything, old man. I'm just looking." Raven says, a faint smile on his face. "You brought him along, you make sure he doesn't get himself killed. Or someone else."​

He wheels his horse around, facing the boy. "You're riding with the big boys now, son. When you are tired, cold, hungry and sore, you'd better remember that this is the exciting life you volunteered for. For now, you can take care of my good friend here. He hardly ever bites, and he has't kicked anyone lately. Here you go" he says, handing him the reins of his mule.
He leans forward, looking the mule in the eyes. "Behave"

"Allright people, I'll be scouting ahead. If you don't hear from me every two hours, there's trouble ahead."

 

[dpdx]

[Worry not - I can edit my last posts as not being underway yet.]

Fendric looks up from his and Hiritus' 'conversation' to notice Raven handing Tatlock the reins to his mule. Fendric then walks Vespers up to within pontificating distance of Oliver, Tatlock, and Raven.

"Oh, blood. - Raven? If he is being required to ride Oliver's horse and care for his creatures and then by you, for your mule at the same time, it is only just that you compensate him for your part of his travail - he is not a vassal, he is a squire of Oliver. Are you prepared to do that?

As for you, Mr. Tatlock, if you own armor, I strongly suggest that you put it on, immediately. It does no good to you in your pack, and as I was just explaining to Hiritus," who duly cringes at the mention of his name, "We are susceptible to attack from the moment we leave this sallyport.

If you do not own armor, I suggest that someone," Fendric pauses to briefly glare at Oliver, "provide him it. This is not a pleasure excursion to the Glades of Sesphar. Therefore I suggest you do not treat it as such. May Pelor Guide Your Hand. We go soon."

 

[DrZombie]

Oh, blood. - Raven? If he is being required to ride Oliver's horse and care for his creatures and then by you, for your mule at the same time, it is only just that you compensate him for your part of his travail - he is not a vassal, he is a squire of Oliver. Are you prepared to do that?
[/color]

"Pay him for looking after the mule? Sure. Sure. I"ll scout for him, hunt for him, try to make sure he doesn't walk into an ambush and I'll shoot anyone trying to attack him. Like I do for the rest. But I can't do all those things while looking after good ol' Jake here. And I don't plan to carry all my stuff on my back and leaving poor ol' Jake here. I'll miss the intelligent conversations, for starters.
So, for now, he'll take care of the mule, try to gather some firewood whilst we travel, make sure we get fresh water, help put up the tents at the evening, clean whatever it is I hunt down, and if he still has some strength left I'll train him in using a bow and I'll lend him my shortsword so that Oliver can teach him a trick or two. I suspect that you, Shavah and Hiritus might have something to say about morality and filosofy whilst we're underway, and Nurthk can tell him what's edible and what's poisonous. And if he falls asleep dead tired and wakes sore as hell every day, and still wants to go on, we might make something out of him yet."
He smiles a wicked grin at the boy. "This ain't no camping trip, son. Remember, you wanted to join us. If you think you're up to it, come. If not, stay, and I'll find someone else to hold onto Jake while I go scouting."

 

[Sparky]

Oliver rounds his mount on Fendric and Vespers, anger boiling in his bright eyes. "Save your sanctimony for someone else, Fendric."

He turns to Tatlock, "You can ride with me, Hayseed. Or stay here. Though I think the others would prefer it if you came with me." He spares a squinting glance at Fendric and Raven. He takes Jake's lead and ties it with more slack than Bastrop's to his mount's saddle.

He waits only long enough for Tatlock to mount the firey filly and then wheels his horse around, heading off to the trade district, and specifically to Gilter's shop hoping that without Raven along he can convince Gilter to honor the discount the Gnome had revoked.

****
In a silversmith's store before Oliver rejoins the Company:

The old man turns a slim, silvery object over in his hands. It's not the best work this craftsman could do, I'll wager. But the best he could do in a short time. He smiles as he inspects the dozen similar objects before him. Tatlock waits outside with the horses, trying largely in vain to hide the discomfort of the strange weight of new gear.

"Nicely done, Goodman Smith. I apologize for the haste that I put this task to you in, but I assure you, these are just what I wanted." He puts a bag of coin in the man's hand, a little heavier than is quite neccessary, and nods. He undoes a few pack ties and slips the bundle inside, patting the pack after he seals it back up.

*****
Back with the Company:

Oliver rides up wordlessly and purses his lips, a picture of impatience, "Well, are we going to get this show on the road or not?"

Winkle has decided that the saddlehorn is a much more pleasant perch and, truth be told, the old man's arm aches from the short time he carried the fledgling owl.


OOC: Buying basic gear for the kid. Will hash out in OOC thread. I know that Gilter was willing to trade at normal prices, just wanted to angle for the discount again.

 

[dpdx]

"Pay him for looking after the mule? Sure. Sure. I"ll scout for him, hunt for him, try to make sure he doesn't walk into an ambush and I'll shoot anyone trying to attack him. Like I do for the rest. But I can't do all those things while looking after good ol' Jake here. And I don't plan to carry all my stuff on my back and leaving poor ol' Jake here. I'll miss the intelligent conversations, for starters.

So, for now, he'll take care of the mule, try to gather some firewood whilst we travel, make sure we get fresh water, help put up the tents at the evening, clean whatever it is I hunt down, and if he still has some strength left I'll train him in using a bow and I'll lend him my shortsword so that Oliver can teach him a trick or two. I suspect that you, Shavah and Hiritus might have something to say about morality and filosofy whilst we're underway, and Nurthk can tell him what's edible and what's poisonous. And if he falls asleep dead tired and wakes sore as hell every day, and still wants to go on, we might make something out of him yet."

"Save your sanctimony for someone else, Fendric."

Fendric's brow furrows in response to Raven: "Goodness yes, let us levy a rate for everything we do here! I'm sure we can work out an exchange rate per blow struck, per spell cast, per wound closed, per fish caught, water carried, and deer slain, and we will, all of us, end up with about the same as we had before, and possibly ALL DIE while we haggle over our just compensation! What a splendid idea!

Why, May the Light Glorify Any Such Present, that is worthy of accountants and bookkeepers, true heroes as any to walk the Realm!

And if I may be permitted an additional bout of 'sanctimony', Oliver, Mr. Tatlock's keep to earn is whatever you say it is, not me, not Raven, and especially not anyone else who told him he should not have come. I was merely trying to assert that, since you would not. Thank You, then, for the convulsive epithet of 'confidence', you bitter, divisive old ingrate!

Worry not, Mr. Tatlock, this is not about you. This is about the education of others in this Fellowship who have much to learn about the fair and proper treatment of foundlings."

Fendric returns Vespers to his position at the back, where Hiritus successfully executes a low whistle whilst grinning from ear to ear.

"It would appear, my young Brother, that the 'old man' got him some armor."

 

[DrZombie]

Raven gives a chuckle at the tirade of fendric, a lopsided grin on his face. As Fendric sputters to an end, he just shakes his head.
"Fendric, Fendric, you wouldn't recognise sarcasm if it bit you in the bollocks, would you? Have I ever asked even a tarnished half piece of copper from anyone here? Or have I offered anyone to pay for whatever it was they did for me?" He shakes his head. "Do you really have so low an opinion of me? Am I naught but a mercenary for you?" He turnes around, clearly distressed by the thought.

He then turns around again:"Offcourse, if I am but a mercenary for you, you've racked up quite an account." He starts counting on his fingers :"Those halforcs at teh cabin, the orcs at the canyon, scouting fee, wear and tear on armor, arrow money, foraging bonus, minus the healing, ooh, forgot about the mad charge at the bear to save that silly gnome, that would make...
Sarcasm, Fendric. Sarcasm. The trademark of a desillusioned optimist.
As for the boy, evryone has to do his share. And he'll do more than his. To see what he's made of. To see if he got what it takes. To see if he has the will to go the extra mile, lift the extra pound, 'cause if he doesn't, he'll be dangerous to evryone including himself, and I'd rather have him disillusiouned and dead-tired then just plain dead. It might be hard on him, but I never said I was soft. I'll teach him, and try to keep him alive, but I won't coddle him. Foundling or not."
He takes a deep breath, realising that he raised his voice louder than his usual volume..
"Whoa, you've allmost made me angry there, Fendric. That hasn't happened in a while. Well, last time was the day we've met, actually."

"Let's get some fresh air, I know it'll do me some good. I'll shoot you and Hiritus a fat hare, for free. How about that, huh?"

He wheels his horse around and sets off to scout ahead.

 

[dpdx]

"So you object to 'mercenary'? Then is the proper term, 'slaver'?

Get Oliver to carry your damned firewood! He hasn't worked his way to full membership, either, by your standard, and he's been among us as long as you have!"

As he rides ahead, Hiritus regards Raven as he would the insane. "Happy Hunting, then, I guess. What did I ever do to him?"

"He is angry with me for daring to suggest that one should not need to labor, buy or otherwise prove his way into this Fellowship. He presumes, I suspect, that you hold the same opinion," replies Fendric.

"I just wanted to make sure the kid wasn't naked at our next skirmish. Arrows go through clothes pretty easily. And goblins? They're like starving wolves - always go for whoever seems weakest. Not much honor in that, but there it is."

"But, do you believe Tatlock should be asked to perform services of the other members in exchange for traveling with us?"

"Well, if we applied that to everyone who joined this quest after it started, several of us are sorely lacking in 'chore equity,' including me.

But no, I can carry my own water and take care of Justice with Pelor's help, no problem. I'd rather see the boy rested, fed and at his best the next time we fight, than I would have him squiring everyone in our group."

"That is fair. But the woodsman seeks to use the boy for his own benefit, as if he has the right!"

"Well, I won't know if the boy's ready to hold his end in a fight until it happens, and Raven's offering to train him. No harm in that."

"Ah, but it comes with a price no one else has had to pay."

"Which, so far, amounts to the care of one mule. He said he was joking about the firewood and the other 'woodsy' things."

"Would that it remain that inexpensive. Do you suppose we could not just go to the Inn, instead of the Glades?"

"He'd find you. You'd need two days, at least, and he's due back every two hours."

"Perhaps we could leave them both at the Glades..."

"He seems pretty set on staying with you, even if it's only to cause you aggravation. It's not in your nature to turn people away, I don't think, and you couldn't force him to leave even if you wanted to. It's not Our Way, and what's more, it isn't yours, either. Don't think I haven't heard your life story from Niccolo."

"And I wouldn't, but you are right. I'll not speak of it any more. Perhaps I can try to help the boy once in a while, in case either of them are too hard on him. I have worked for Oliver before - I do not envy the boy, May the Light Protect Him."

"I think we're about ready to get going."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk leans forward and gives some thought to the exchange of words.

"I think the essence of the problem is the boy being exposed to unnessecary risk, and a layer of armour isn't going to be able to compensate for the fact that his kind isn't cut out to handle this. But-" he pauses, "I could teach him a thing or two, if he wanted to learn. Anyone can adapt given the right conditions."