Crossed Paths - Part I

[Jarval]

"A visit to the Hold may serve both of these goals." Brioc adds. "There is nothing to say we must speak only of the Wendol to the dwarves, and who better to ask about long-lost alchemical secrets. Yes, let us go to the Hold, and we may yet bring ourselves closer to our final objective."

 

[Manzanita]

"Well, goodnight, then. And thank you, noble dwarves, for your offer of assistance. With the dwarven knowledge and these heros' courage, we cannot but triumph." Says Burne. The wizard then nods at the warrior, and he and Rufus stand to return to their keep. Angrinion waves them goodnight with his pint of ale and stays at the table.

A neatly dressed and perfectly groomed young man approaches Brioc. "Sir, " says Mendicus, "would you like me to accompany you on your mission tomorrow, or would you prefer I remain with our two stricken companions? I think the townspeople would be perfectly capable of taking care of them if I accompany you."

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Octar groans and rolls out of bed. The illness has passed, but it has left him hungry, thirsty, and groggy. He stumbles over to the wash basin in his room, splashes his face with water, and heads downstairs. As he enters the main room, sounds assault his ears, and he does his best to quickly sit down next to Brioc, whom, with some effort, he spots. He nods in greeting to the others at the table with a mumbled "Morning", and then catches the attention of a passing serving girl. "Water, please. And food- lots of it." With that, he turns back to the others. "So, what'd I-" he begins, than does a double take and leaps up. "Marcus!" he says in surprise, noticing the man for the first time.

 

[Manzanita]

September 29 8 am

I'll keep this moving, since it seems everyone wanted to visit the Dwarven Hold, but keep up the dialogue!

The day dawn cold and gray. Angrinion sleeps in, but evidently he had arranged for horses and warm clothes to be provided for the party before he had turned in. Tula, the merchant Ranger, sees you off in the morning.

"It's a two day ride to The Hold," she says "You should get there tomorrow evening. You'll need the warm clothes too, I think it may snow. Good luck with the Dwarves. They are important trading partners, but they've never been particularly friendly beyond that. Thorvald is my friend, but we'll see if the elders really give you much help. Be wary what you tell them; they care only about themselves."

 

[Manzanita]

9/29 cont

Everyone who wants a horse is provided one. Octar and Ehlannis have theirs brought out, healthy and happy to be on the road. Dhormuin sits in the wagon, where there is room for two. The wagon is about 12 feet long and drawn by two draft horses. It is laden with boxes and barrels, mostly expensive food items such as dried fish, wine, figs, dates, jerky and cheese. There are also several bolts of fine linen, and some books on architechture and astronomy, all boxes up.

I'll assume everyone else rides horses, unless you tell me differently. Please chime in with the position you'll be taking in the group, weapon at hand,etc., or questions before you go. There are six of you going (maybe seven, if Brioc asks Mendicus to accompany them.) Unfortunately Ecgthow falls ill that evening and seems to have the same symptoms as Khen and Glaucon.

 

[Jarval]

"Aye, come with us." Brioc replies to Mendicus. "We might need your help, and I'm sure Khen and Glaucon can look after themselves. The townsfolk seem to have taken a shine to us all, so I'm sure they'll get the best of treatment."

**********

The next day, Brioc is up early, and out inspecting the horses.

"Fine animals, they've given us. They're showing quite some trust that we'll bring them back." He smiles, enjoying the outdoors, despite the dull greyness of the dawn.

"No sign of Ecgthow? He's ill, you say? I'm sure it must have been something they eat. I hope none of us fall foul of it while we're on the road." Brioc quickly loads his gear onto a horse as he chats.

As they start on their journey, Brioc sends Wolf off ahead of the group, partly to scout ahead, but mainly so the horses aren't bothered by his proximity.

 

[Inez Hull]

The next day Ehldannis is up early, packed and horse saddled. Depite his insistance on continuing to debate the merits of the parties decision to head to the Hold rather than continue the search for the formula, his companions can't help but notice the big grin on his face or the multitude of curious questions he fires at the Dwarves.

As they travel Ehldannis patrols his horse around the flanks of the group (when not talking), "as I am suited to with my superior vision", but spends most of his time looking at plants animals and the scenery. Tarlli however scouts the skies above, with the instruction to return to his master if he spies any 'man-things'.

 

[doghead]

In the tavern.

<snip>With that, [Octar] turns back to the others. "So, what'd I-" he begins, than does a double take and leaps up. "Marcus!" he says in surprise, noticing the man for the first time.

"Octar. As happy as I am to have recovered to be here, I am as happy to see that you have done the same."

Marcus reaches over and siezes Octar's hand with both of his for a moment.

"It would seem that we ride out tomorrow to visit the Dwarves. We shall have plent of time to share stories. Now did someone say something about food? I'm starving."

Outside, the next day.

Marcus is pleasantly surprised to find his horse brushed and saddled when he arrives outside. As he gives everything a once over, he greets the others as they arrive, getting names where he has not been introduced. He straps the last of his gear onto his hourse and mounts up. He hangs his crossbow, uncocked, from his pommel for easy access and loosens his sword in its sheath one more time.

As they ride he chats with Octar about what has happened since they last met, unless asked to do something specific.

 

[Manzanita]

September 29, 2 pm

The morning ride is uneventful. Marcus and Octar catch up on news and the happenings of the party. Mendicus rides alongside Dhormium in the wagon, smiling politely and saying little. At noon, he does break out a tasty lunch of olives, fresh bread, feta cheese, apples, pistachios and wine. Ehldannis chats with Dhormium, displaying his fluent command of the Dwarven tongue, much impressing the dwarf, who has never met an elf before, let alone one so knowledgeable about the ways of the dwarves. From Dhormium, the party learns that The Hold is an ancient, though isolated Dwarven stronghold. It was granted to them approximately 3500 years ago by the ruling Melnibonean Elves in return for their aid in combating a now-extinct race of intelligent lizards. There are no other nearby Dwarven enclaves, and Sevastopol is their main trading partner.

 

[Manzanita]

The land is beautiful, with clear streams, green pine trees, and snow-capped mountains miles ahead. Game is ocationally seen. Dhormium is only barely familiar with the path, having first traveled it on his way to Sevastopol a few days earlier. He keeps his eyes out for an abandoned farmhouse, his next landmark.

It is Brioc who first notices the flying creature. From over a hill to the East a shape emerges. It is too far away to determine its exact nature, but it is clearly heading directly for the party. It has large wings on it’s back, a large head, a long thin tail, and seems to have four legs.