For More Than Glory

[crystorix]

"And they call this civilization?" Rolf mutters to himself.

"Nonetheless, Fleck, I will go out anyway. I expect these merchants and diplomats to travel by the roads, but I have a suspicion that those hunting Gadreman will think like hunters, and will not be on the roads."

Rolf turns to Valdir. "You are of course welcome to join me, but if I'm sighted, I think that one woodsman alone with his wolf will be less suspicious that a woodsman accompanied by an elf. Though I will be endeavoring not to get that close."

"I shall return here at sunset."

((I'm not trying to find any hobgoblins right now, just evidence of their passage so we have a place to start. If I find older tracks, I follow them until they're a bit fresher - say within a half day. Rolf has a +17 for tracking goblinoids, +19 if Pup assists (he only needs to roll a 5).))

 

[Emiricol]

((Nothing distinctive could be found. Possibly due to the closeness to this giant city, or because they left no tracks that scream "hobgoblin!" or because you didn't happen to find that one track, no one can say. The end result is the same though.))

 

[evandariel]

Gadreman returns to the campsite, and to those of keen eye, the only noticeable difference being a ruby-red earring in his right ear, although it is difficult to see from under the hood of his dusty grey cloak.

"Excuse my absense. I was looking into the bounty upon my head." He gives a half-smile as he says this last thing. "What has been happening since?"

 

[Memnus]

Bristletail leaps from the back of the burning wagon, whose passenger has been thankfully released. He leaps up onto the seat of Fleck's cart, and yaps at him a few seconds. Suddenly, Fleck jumps up in rage, turning on the released noblewoman. "What? Who did this to you??" His small voice quakes with anger.

 

[firehorse]

Valdir, with adrenaline still coursing through his veins, starts at Fleck's outburst and nocks an arrow instinctively. "What is it Fleck?", he states as he watches the upcoming scene unfold. (ready action)

 

[Memnus]

Fleck glances at Valdir a second, but his attention is still mostly on the noblewoman. "What disgraceful sort of creature - driven so low as to lock one of their own in a cage and ship her away as cargo - nothing you could have done, good lady, could possibly be so shameful as what has been done to you!"

 

[firehorse]

Valdir relaxes markedly as he realizes there are no more enemies around and that Fleck was merely shocked at the plight of the rescued woman than by anything she might be or have done.

"Are you saying that she is a slave Fleck? She hardly looks the part."

 

[Memnus]

"She's no slave, but might as well be if this is how her 'family' treats her." His rage seems to have burned off some, but the indignance and desire for justice still burn in his eyes. He addresses her again. "Good lady, I do not know what you have done to earn this treatment, but it certainly doesn't merit treating you like a creature. Who did this to you?"

 

[Emiricol]

The lady looks down, clearly embarrassed at the whole thing, but the adrenaline of being locked up in a wagon on fire is fading.

"Good guardsmen, I thank you from rescuing me from the attackers. You have performed your task with skill, and I will assuredly let my family know once I arrive in Solinburg." She pauses, and takes a deep breath, a light sob escaping her. "I am the niece of the Chancellor, Helen by name. I... The Chancellor's advisors have arranged for me to wed a man of great trading power in Solinburg, with a prestigious family line. I... kept trying to escape my duty."

She pauses, eyes watering, trying to maintain control. "I was in love with a common bard, and he with me, but I fear he is dead. He said he would ride ahead to Solinburg to effect my escape on arrival, but I have not heard from him since."

She looks from face to face, searching for... well, who knows. "Lord Strom has handled most of the arrangements, though I know not how discretely. I do not know why he would arrange this marriage, though, as it would surely weaken his own position!" At this she cries openly. Confused, the poor young woman. And scared.

"Please don't bind me," she pleads quietly. "I swear that I will not try to run, just don't bind me!"

 

[firehorse]

((Ok, since I missed most of last session, could someone please fill me in on who she is and who we just fought and where we are and why we fought them and why they kept going over the cliff, and, and.....))