(Casual D&D IV) A Knight for a Pawn

"I worship no such dire god, Fendric. Reverence is another matter. When you live in the shadows, you don't scorn the gods of darkness."

Oliver is still mounted and remains that way as the group apporaches the patently suspicious bundle. As it is untied and the group's focus narrows, he gropes awkwardly for the crossbow lashed to his saddle. Trusting as children, this lot. I hope their eyes are never opened to wickedness. He pulled the string into a locked and ready position, scanning the scrub and trees and grasses with sharp eyes, sparing a glance or two for the package. Or that if their eyes are finally opened, they are not closed forever in the same heartbeat. He looks at Raven as he reaches back for a bolt, That one's eyes are open. And Nurthk as he seats the bolt, the crossbow is ready, And maybe Nurthk's too. He shakes his head at the scarf handed him, hands on his crossbow. Tatlock opts to tie it festively to the saddle horn and Oliver's mouth twitches.

Hirtius stands tall saluting the trees. Oliver's eyes snap to the young man waving like mad from the bushes. He squints, bringing the crossbow up and scanning the area, mistrustful of the obvious friendliness. He lowers it as the young man, Redrick apparently, approaches and conversation ensues.

And to Fendric's question a hopeful bleakness settles into Oliver's mind... A better world awaits. The words had been tugging at Oliver since Fendric relayed them. He had survived against slim odds so many times, scraped through trials by the skin of his teeth more than he could count. So often that now every moment felt borrowed. Stolen. A treasure. Each dawn a fresh taunt to the gods of chance and justice. Or maybe I'm just getting paranoid in my dotage. Some dotage.

He moves up to Raven, Whistler nimbly sidepassing at pressure from Oliver's knees. He passes a knowing look to the woodsman, and another to Nurthk. They were dangerous men, not ones who would allow their comrades to be cut down unawares.
 
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Guilt Puppy said:
Redrick grins, looking a bit taken aback at the same time. "Nay, not to what they'd call their border yet, though you're close. I'd recommend taking the scarves off then, to be safest... I don't think they know our signia, but can't be certain soon enough. For now you're in Malita, by border-writ, but more importantly... well, let's just say this is a stretch we watch over carefully, and it would be awfully embarrassing if you saw trouble from us for sake of some comrade overlooking or not respecting your symbol."
"Well, then I thank you for providing us with the scarves you would prefer to see us wear, instead of leaving us to guess at the color and pattern."

Hiritus shifts subtlely, as if he recognizes something.

He smiles away the vaguely sinister implications of this last bit, and continues on.

"Are you headed to Tourne, then? What's your business there, if I could ask?"
Hiritus interjects.

"You can, but the answer would bore you. We're letter carriers, and we have deliveries for Tourne."
 

Xiao Yu, male human monk

As the conversation continues, Xiao finds himself, once more, understanding less and less. Which makes him grumpy. He looks around for something to hit. Finding nothing, he stomps off and plonks himself down under a tree.
 

Nurthk nods respectfully to Oliver's knowing look. Experience knows best. Once his rations are packed he takes up his bow once more and remains watchful.
 

Redrick nods, maintaining his smile. "Well, then, I'll wish you the best of travels." He turns his eyes down and offers a modest bow before jogging off the resume his post.

(Spot/Listen checks, please.)
 


Oliver watches the young man move off, relaxing only when his compatriots are all remounted or ready to be on their way. And even then he doesn't relax much. I'll be glad to be done with these letters. He glances at the yellow scarf and back up. The yellow is the same color as the banners his old neighborhood flew during the races. Good times, the races, for a young man with sticky fingers. He grits his teeth and resumes scanning the horizon and the nearest undergrowth and stands of trees. I do miss Hedrogura. I hope I'll see her again.

OOC:
Spot: 24
Listen: 22
 


Fendric returns the bow to Redrick, relieved that Hiritus overcame the cleric's own propensity to overshare, and reboards Vespers.

Hiritus smiles at Redrick before boarding Justice again. Making a mental note of his surroundings, and the good people of this area, he promises himself he'll be back again.

Hiritus: Listen = 11; Spot = 13.
Fendric: Listen = 19; Spot = 8.

Kinda weird results, there, for Fendric...
 

Raven swears under his breath when the stranger emerges from the undergrowth. I'm losing my touch
He doesnt even consider wearing the yellow scarf, being aware that it would spoil all attempts at staying hidden. He doesn't touch his part of the rations, and keeps his eyes open, trying to find the other hidden watchers.

He nods at the old rogue as he passes and loosens his sword in his scabbard.
"Do you know anything about these jokers?" he asks quietly.

(knowledge geography 11
 

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