[Lakelands] Six For Adventure

[Samuel Leming]

OOC: I'm holding off from saying anything more to give everyone else a chance to respond.

Sam

 

[Raven Crowking]

My daughter turned 6 on May the 4th, and I have a lot of prep to do for Free Comic Book Day this Saturday (I am co-owner of Golden City Comics, www.goldencitycomics.com). So, if I haven't had a chance to respond yet, fear not. Just other things requiring my attention.

RC

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Happy birthday, Little RC.

 

[maddmic]

Kregor nods to Malordo, glad to see the small one still alive. "Well, I believe that we will make a grand enough entrance by just walking back into town with this thing in the cart. The news will reach the Miller and he'll have to face the fact that we were victorious. And I too would like to see justice served on that wicked soul. So, shall we head back to town? I will carry the cart so that the donkey is not made skittish by this fowl beat's blood.'

 

[Krug]

"Rats... hmm... me suddenly hungry," says Glom. "Yes, back to town we shall go, for the Miller's head as well." The goblin giggles, snorting a green fluid out of his nose.

 

[Samuel Leming]

"Return to Kell's Reach, yes, but I'm not in a rush to personally administer justice to the miller. He no longer has a reason to harm anyone and now that Amalric has rediscovered his own backbone the miller may not even have the ability to do any harm anyway. I say we leave him to his grief and guilt while he waits to answer to the local law, and I want no part of the law, local or otherwise. Though his crime was large, the miller himself is petty and beneath our attention. If somebody summoned this manticore, it was somebody else. These two barrows we've found are more likely to be worthy of our interest."

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

"Return to Kell's Reach, yes, but I'm not in a rush to personally administer justice to the miller. He no longer has a reason to harm anyone and now that Amalric has rediscovered his own backbone the miller may not even have the ability to do any harm anyway. I say we leave him to his grief and guilt while he waits to answer to the local law, and I want no part of the law, local or otherwise. Though his crime was large, the miller himself is petty and beneath our attention. If somebody summoned this manticore, it was somebody else. These two barrows we've found are more likely to be worthy of our interest."

Horsom nodded in agreement. "Let the Church deal with the miller. We should still question him though. He may have been reluctant to speak candidly earlier, what with the manticore still around. Now that it's dead, he may share more with us. I agree that the barrows may have secrets to yield."

 

[Raven Crowking]

With the carcass of the beast in the wagon, Kregor asked Dain to unhitch the donkey. He then took hold of the harness and began to pull the cart back toward Kell's Reach. Even had the magical enhancement to the brawny half-orc's strength faded before reaching the little village, he would have been strong enough. As it was, he didn't even break a sweat.

The first villagers they encountered seemed surprised at their return. When they caught sight of the dead manticore, however, their faces quickly changed from astonishment to joy. Those who could get away from their springtime chores sent children running to other farms. Soon enough, the group was thronged by young and old alike.

As they reached the church, Amalric came out, beaming.

"You have succeeded, I see!" he cried. "And much more quickly than we had expected! The Seven must have smiled upon your plans!"

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

As the crowds grew and the shouts of joy and praise clamoured forth, Horsom's heart swelled with a strange mixture of pleasure and relief. Horsom was at his core a good-natured lad; the charade the group had been forced to put on for the village a few hours earlier, and especially the ensuing anger and disappointment of the hapless villagers, had torn at the warrior. To now see the joyous reaction of the townsfolk bolstered Horsom's spirits tremendously.

As the cheers grew stronger, Horsom's grin broadened. He clasped hands with the villagers and shouted innumerable "You're welcome!"s as the creaking cart and its entourage crept through the throng. He spotted the elder he had catcalled to earlier, and struggled not to blush at the memory. He favoured the man with a broad wink. "A necessary deception, my friend!"

Eventually, Kregor halted the cart in front of the church, where Amalric rushed out to greet them. Horsom stepped forward and clapped the priest on the shoulder. As he did so, he leaned in and quietly whispered: "The beast is dead, but the roots of this evil may run deep. We would speak to Selwark Miller as soon as possible.".

 

[maddmic]

Kregor looked at Maldordo. "While I may have been ready to submit judgement and sentence upon first hearing of the sacrificing of children, I have come to the conclusion that the local law should handle the situation as well. However, I will ensure that he is delivered to the local law as I believe that is my duty to protect the people of this town."

________________________________________________________________

As the pulled into town, the half-orc smiled as the party was met by the joyous villagers. For once, he could hear the cheers of the people instead of their dark silence while staring at his disfigured appearance. It was indeed a blessing to be sent to this needy village, even if he had come face to face with atrocities that had tormented him. As he stopped the cart, he locates a suitable place for it to be propped upon while the villagers gather and look at the beast that terrorized them. Once he has secured the cart, he clasps forearms with Amalric and nods. "Yes. It would seem that Gragnor has granted us favor on this day as we were able to find its lair. Now I have only one other piece of business to take care of. As Horsom has requested, I would like to speak to the miller."