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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Celtavian" data-source="post: 873508" data-attributes="member: 5834">Little Girl Lost...Session 2: Little Girl LostEleasis 11, 1371…    “Town is not far” Archametes assured his sister in elvish as they dragged the makeshift stretcher along the dirt road. Tavitha walked next to him putting forth all the effort she could muster to help drag the makeshift stretcher carrying the two humans. She nodded to Archametes; an expression of grim determination upon her beautiful face.  Her body was sore and sweat-soaked.     The two wood elves had dragged the stretcher for nearly two hours with few rest breaks. They were both tired, yet determined to reach town before sundown. The injured humans needed care and the townsfolk would be more likely to help strangers before sundown.    Holly had been no help dragging the stretcher. Her body was bruised and tired. She could barely stay on her feet much less help the elves. Both the elves felt pity for the young girl and did not press her for aid.    Laethan was quiet upon the makeshift stretcher. He lay next to the wounded and unconcious brigand. Nearly the entire trip he kept his eyes were upon Holly, concerned that she might fall too far behind.    The road had changed from a relatively unused winding dirt road surrounded by forest to a well-traveled reasonably straight dirt road surrounded by farmland. A few farmers were on the road ahead. Archametes halted and approached the farmers cautiously. The farmers, not often having met elves, eyed the rugged well-armed wood elf suspiciously. A short conversation ensued. The farmers told Archametes to speak to Garyld when he reached the town of Milbourne. “Garyld is town constable and an able carpenter” the farmers informed him. Archametes thanked them and set out again down the road lighter of heart knowing the journey would soon be over.    Holly trudged along quite a ways back. Her mind lost in the events of the day. So many questions filled her mind: ‘Why were they attacked? Who were the men that attacked them? Is Laethan going to live?’ She looked ahead at her friend who lay still on the makeshift stretcher; his armor stained with his own blood from arrow wounds inflicted on him by the ambushers they had met earlier in the day.     She sighed and looked to the sky hoping to see some sign from Shaundakul that might explain the events of the day. The sky was clear and blue and no signs could be seen whether real or imagined. Disappointed, she said a quiet prayer to the Windrider to watch over her and her friends and to guide them all to a safe haven where they may heal and rest, and then continued on her way. ‘How can men be so cruel?’ she thought. ‘People are not so cruel in Cormyr. My sister told me that leaving Cormyr on my own would be a mistake. She always seems to be right. I wish she were here. I really miss her.’ Holly’s eyes welled up with tears as thoughts of her family made her homesick and sad. She wished she had her sister to talk to, or even her father, but she was alone and her only friend lay grievously injured not far ahead. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’ll not be driven home by brigands” she told herself defiantly.The sun was just beginning to set as they entered the town of Milbourne, a small quiet town of well-built wooden buildings with a well-traveled dirt road leading further into the heart of the town. Very few people could be seen, but the few townsfolk who were out and about eyed the strangers warily.Archametes managed to find a boy willing to show them to Garyld’s home. The boy took them to a large one-story house built of sturdy wood. Archametes approached the door and knocked. The loud barking of dogs could be heard from inside and after a short time the door was answered by a tall, lean middle-aged man with a thick mop of black hair and careful eyes. He looked at Archametes curiously, “Well, if this isn’t a surprise, an elf, grim and well-armed, what brings you to my door?”Archametes bowed respectfully, “I am Archametes Stormblade. I hail from the Cormanthyr. I do not often walk amongst your people without need. I bring wounded humans seeking care. One is a criminal who sought to murder the others. I am told that you are an elder of the humans who handles such matters.”“Well, you don’t mix words do you? Let’s see if I can help. We may need the assistance of Semheis, the local priest. Then again, he may not be willing to help folk of other faiths” Garyld replied.  Garyld limped quickly towards the small group favoring his left leg over his lame right leg. Archametes followed. He looked over the two men lying on the stretcher. “I think I know this one” he pointed to the brigand. “Not sure of his name, but looks like a local I’ve seen about town; usually working for passing riverboat captains and spending most of his days at the The Silver Crown, a local tavern frequented by the riff raff of Milbourne. Bit off more than he could chew from the look of it. Never seen the other one, so which ones the criminal?”Archametes pointed to the unconscious brigand as he recounted the events of the day telling Garyld of the attack upon Laethan and Holly and subsequent battle that cost most of the brigands their lives.  Garyld listened intently occasionally glancing at Holly and nodding his head slightly. Holly was too tired and sad to add much. When questioned by Garyld, she nodded weakly and told him she didn’t know why they were attacked. “Maybe they were trying to kidnap me for some evil purpose or to steal this chest we are delivering” she offered as possible reasons.  Garyld didn’t press the young girl for answers. It was obvious to him that she wasn’t hiding anything and didn’t know why she was attacked. He figured such a young girl wouldn’t be up to no good unless she was tricked. Holly didn’t look much different from many of the local men’s young daughters save that they weren’t as brave and didn’t carry Greatswords on their backs, and none of the local girls plotted much worse than a way to marry a suitable husband.  Garyld looked over the small chest Holly carried on her back. It didn’t seem like anything special. Holly told him it was spell components they were paid to deliver to a wizard named Tauster. Tauster was well-known to Garyld and he was sure Tauster wouldn’t be paying folks to bring him anything dangerous or evil.Garyld turned his attention back to the brigand. He studied the man and thought to himself for a few moments before speaking again. “Well, I’ll definitely look into this matter. Let me take this here brigand off your hands. I have a secure room inside I can keep him in until he’s well enough to appear before Darius Carman. He’ll probably end up doing work in the mines, which is better than he deserves.”    Garyld had Archametes carry the brigand into his home. After the brigand was secure, Garyld and Archametes walked joined the others.“Will you be staying around Milbourne for a bit?” Garyld inquired. “The young man and woman will most likely need some rest. If you’re looking for lodging, The Baron of Mutton is a fine Inn. You should be able to rest up there with no trouble from brigands and such, should be a safer place to sleep than the road given the circumstances.”“I must speak with my sister first. I am fairly sure we will spend some time in Milbourne. My sister will wish to care for the humans until they are healthy. Our faith demands that we care for those in need and my sister is a priestess” Archametes replied.“Good, good. The young lass looks a bit like a lost child. I’ll feel better knowing she is being looked after. The man is sorely wounded. He’ll definitely need healing which I’m sure your sister will attend to.  And if you don’t mind, I’d be much obliged if you’d keep an eye on the local roads for a bit. Make sure no further brigands are ambushing travelers bringing goods to Milbourne. I’ll do some searching myself, but I can’t get around like I used to as you can probably see” Garyld said while patting his lame right leg.“I will speak with my sister. She will pray for guidance. I am sure that our goddess will wish us to aid your people. That is the only assurance I can give you” Archametes said as he helped Laethan stand. His sister Tavitha comforted Holly who seemed overcome with fatigue.“Good enough. The Baron of Mutton is not far. I’ll walk you over there.”Little Girl Lost continues...</blockquote>

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