Feint Whispers Chapter #6: A Modest Proposal

[Tokiwong]

As Tarowyn again takes the lead and moves the group forward, he turns back to the rest, holding up one of the coins, "This gold may hold a greater threat than those ogres, friends. If the south is funding operations here, we might be in for a quite a bit more trouble..."

Jericho grumbles listening to Tarowyn, "Aye, there is always someone waiting to profit from conflict. Perhaps this is a ploy to weaken the North for Southern subjugation, that could make things rather interesting."

 

[jasamcarl]

Jericho: Bhartus' prayer mends some of your remaining wounds. You regains 6.


Kyrie replies to Jericho and Whitney, urging her horse forward, "You are welcome, brave warrior; fight that well in the this war, and you might be knighted, though you are too polite and probably too much of a D'orite to be a Knight. Lord Gellen hasn't seen fit to formaly dispense with my services as of yet, so I will return to him...duty calls." Turning to Whitney, "I do fear though, my Lady, that I am loosing your father's favour. He is increasingly coming under the King's righteous influence and coordinating your House's policy with Paladin's of Lothar. The King's adherence to the Crusader is half of what has gotten us in this mess, if you ask me. Converting orcs....ha!!! And the Valley Lord's haven't taken the Crown's heavy handedness well either...."

After Tarowyn's revelation, "Very astute, elf. I didn't think your kind had such a grasp on politics..mercenaries usually don't care who their employers are. But yes, generation past, Hoator was subject to the Empire. The Lords of the Valley still hold allegiance to the Emperor of the South. A civil war would do much to increase the Emperor's influence in Northern Som.."

OOC: Going for a jog. I will post one more update later tonight. I will give Bhartus and Norri a chance to respond if they wish.

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Whitney frowns. "I always thought the paladins were too heavy handed and idealistic." shakes her head and mulls over the bits that Kyrie had let on.

 

[Krug]

"Converting orcs? That is a trick that will come back and slap the one foolish enough to do so," says Bhartus.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Norri simply listens to the others, and keeps an eye out for any friends the ogres may have had.

 

[Tokiwong]

This woman seems trusting enough....

Jericho nods listening to her words, "That makes things even more complicated. This war should be averted, but I doubt we can change the tides of war, the forces at work are already in motion, foolhardy or not, it is coming. Converting orcs though, I find that funny, I personally convert them with me sword."

 

[jasamcarl]

The party and wagon continue winding through and over the hills into the night and the next couple of days without incident. One the morning of the third day of the journey, the map leads the group south into heavily wooded lands at a lower elevation. A rough path leads south towards Evenwood castle.

Along the sides of the trail, small green bodies, goblins, punctuate the journey. Some are in groups, some lone, all still. Arrow shafts protrude from the leather armor of many of the corpses. Others have obviously been mauled or sliced by a more 'direct' weapon.

A few hours into the Evenwoods and the party spots a group of riders a mere 40ft down the trail, seemingly emerging from the trees. They are mounted on light warhorses and draped in green capes which cover the glinting of their chainmail underneath. There are five in all, two holding shortbows, the other three longswords.

One rides ahead of the rest. He is a large human, with flowing bushy red hair covering both head and face. And a mean voice as well, "Halt, travelers!!! On behalf of the Lord Drexel Evenwood, lawful ruler of these forests, I ask that you declare you intentions!!!"

 

[KaintheSeeker]

"Messengers from Lord Gellen, and what happened to the right of the highway. This is still the crown's roadway isn't it?" Whitney asks as she looks around for a possible ambush, half prayign for a battle over the rapidly approaching metting of her her bethrothed.

 

[Tokiwong]

Jericho keeps his distance, "We are travelers from Duvik, we are passing through, and mean no harm. These lands are not the safest but the road is well-kept," he gestures to the corpses, "so we ask that we may continue down the road."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Norri scrutinizes the riders. His crossbow rests across his lap, should it be needed at short notice.