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<blockquote data-quote="RedTonic" data-source="post: 5694211" data-attributes="member: 98994">The next log is actually a combination of two sessions. This time, we&nbsp; had some controversial events that the group is still getting mileage&nbsp; from in terms of mocking the monk.*****Missing during parts of this log: Agniprava, Belsea.Despite the presence of the two wounded peasants, the patrol made good&nbsp; time in reaching the next settlement towards sundown. This close to&nbsp; Ceteran, there were many settlements roughly half a day apart from each&nbsp; other. They tended to be extremely simple, but not necessarily&nbsp; poverty-stricken. This settlement had the good fortune to have a&nbsp; water-powered mill, which worked even this late in the day, pounding&nbsp; rice into flour. The large patrol drew attention from the locals, who&nbsp; paused in their daily work to appraise the group.The captain indicated to Mikealus and Khader to halt and keep an eye on&nbsp; their prisoners. He then asks the growing crowd, &quot;Where is your&nbsp; bailiff?&quot;Cael chimed in, &quot;Also, this man needs treatment beyond what we can&nbsp; provide him,&quot; and makes a motion the heavily injured man. &quot;We request&nbsp; your assistance.&quot;The back of the small but growing crowd stirred. A stocky, full-bearded&nbsp; man, only chest-high to the captain, pushed his way forward.&nbsp; &quot;I'm the&nbsp; one you'll be wanting to speak to,&quot; he said, voice gruff. &quot;We haven't&nbsp; any healers in the village to speak of, but we have some extra beds.&nbsp; What can I do for ye?&quot; He bobbed slightly at the captain and Cael,&nbsp; taking them to be the ones in charge of this group. Under his breath,&nbsp; the man muttered at a few of the children. &quot;Tell freeman Hojh and&nbsp; goodwife Khali we have injured guests.&quot; Others eyed the shackled man and&nbsp; the yet unconscious one with undeniable curiosity. This was probably as&nbsp; interesting as things got in the settlement.Al'Pacem nodded to your group, then took the bailiff by the shoulder and&nbsp; spoke quietly to him. The two departed to speak privately.Turning to their unconscious prisoner, Cael asked, &quot;Khader, please help&nbsp; me take this man to a bed. I can tend to him, but I need some clean&nbsp; water to wash his wounds and some rags.&quot;Ravi spat into the dust. &quot;Don't see how there's any point--they're gonna hang.&quot;Khader just shrugged. &quot;Give me a hand, priest; he's a hefty fella.&quot;&nbsp; The&nbsp; ties and straps on the military saddle had done a decent enough job of&nbsp; keeping their unconscious prisoner mounted, but the leather was going&nbsp; stiff with blood and took a while to undo.&quot;He did not earn his death at my hand, Ravi,&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus pointed out,&nbsp; still somewhat unpleased that he so completely maimed the man.&nbsp; &quot;If the&nbsp; gods see fit to spare him, and men do the same...&quot;&nbsp; He did not have the&nbsp; levity to shrug in dismissal, but he still gave Ravi a pointed look and&nbsp; helped unbind the unconscious man in the process.Cael took the man by legs and let Khader take the torso. &quot;Please, show&nbsp; me where we can lie him down,&quot; he asked of one of the townsfolk.&nbsp; The&nbsp; two children came bounding back just as Cael asked the question. A&nbsp; hefty, sun-dark woman and matching man, of similar stocky build to the&nbsp; bailiff, followed swiftly behind.&quot;You'll want to come this way, then,&quot; the goodwife said briskly. The man&nbsp; helped Khader and Cael carry their burden down the dirt lane into a&nbsp; small wood house. The goodwife fussed over her new guests and tried to&nbsp; ply everyone with buckwheat cakes. She was especially curious about the&nbsp; wounded man, but refrained from asking too many questions. Cael worked&nbsp; feverishly and managed to pack the remaining wounds more cleanly. In the&nbsp; interim, invigorated by the divine healing imparted earlier, the&nbsp; prisoner regained consciousness.&nbsp; Inside the cottage, Cael was finishing up his work. &quot;Khader, please help&nbsp; me restrain him. If he moves about suddenly, I fear his wounds may&nbsp; reopen,&quot; Cael said, wrapping a linen bandage tightly around the man’s&nbsp; chest. &quot;It doesn't look like it will grow infected, but he cannot be&nbsp; moving around.&quot; The two made short work of restraining Cael’s patient.&nbsp; Cael breathed a sigh of relief. The worst of it was over, now it relied&nbsp; on this man's will to live.The freeman left the cottage and headed back to where the rest of the party remained. The shackled prisoner coughed. &quot;Er, lord...&quot; He looked at Mikealus&nbsp; uneasily. Mikealus looked up at the man. &quot;What, er, you...&quot; He seemed to&nbsp; be at a loss for words, and in no inconsiderable pain besides.Mikealus returned to his horse.&nbsp; &quot;What now?&nbsp; I've not gagged you- speak.&quot;&quot;Well, uh, what will become of me?&quot; The man asked it in a tone that&nbsp; suggested he knew exactly what was coming next, but was still bewildered&nbsp; that he hadn't already been executed.&quot;I do not doubt you are familiar with the law.&nbsp; But I am neither your&nbsp; baliff nor your justice.&nbsp; If I were, you'd not have left that burial&nbsp; ground.&nbsp; It is these people's land you've desecrated, and their laws&nbsp; you'll reap the fruit of.&quot;The old freeman cleared his throat, interrupting Mikealus’s lecture.&nbsp;&nbsp; &quot;If'n you don't mind,&quot; he said, voice low and rumbly, &quot;I'm freeman&nbsp; Hojh.&nbsp; Bailiff is a talker, so'n you're hungry, masters and mistress,&nbsp; best we take to the mill.&quot; He eyed the prisoner, overhearing Mikealus's&nbsp; words. &quot;The children can take care of your horses.&quot;&quot;Off, then.&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus instructed his shackled responsibility.&nbsp; &quot;You'll stay with me until the bailiff is ready.&quot;Ravi grunted. Borche handed over his steed's reins to one of the&nbsp; children. &quot;Be very careful, and don't touch his hooves,&quot; he said&nbsp; sternly.As she dismounted, Belsea noticed Borche slip something to one of the&nbsp; children. Assuming it is some measure of coin, Belsea paid it no mind.Hojh nods. &quot;This way, then.&quot; He gestured at the few remaining onlookers,&nbsp; mostly children, &quot;off with ye then!&quot; The stragglers backtracked to the&nbsp; mill, leaving Cael and Khader with their patient. On the way back,&nbsp; Belsea saw down the road what she was certain was that old buffalo. She&nbsp; was bemused by the sight of the old creature. Had it followed them at a&nbsp; distance the entire time?The mill was the largest structure in the village, serving multiple&nbsp; purposes: a storage space, a meeting hall, a home, and a brewery. The&nbsp; faint yeasty scent of beer and sweet rice lingered inside. A woman is&nbsp; working over a stone stove, stirring a heavy pot of something which&nbsp; smells delicious. She greeted them. &quot;I'm Elhaym, the bailiff's wife.&nbsp; He's back by the well with your captain.&quot; She curtsied awkwardly. A long&nbsp; trestle table with benches that looked to have been hewn from truly&nbsp; mammoth trees had been cleared and wooden cups set out.Mikealus was distracted from the smells in part by the child who had taken his horse, and otherwise by his prisoner.Cael cleaned up his hands and headed outside to let the others know the&nbsp; man is stable; seeing them straggle back to the mill, he jogged to catch&nbsp; up. A child ran in behind Cael, clattering with wooden bowls and&nbsp; spoons. She set them down in a cacophany of spinning plates, dashed past&nbsp; Elhaym, who swatted her on the behind, and shrieked gleefully outside.&quot;You're welcome to our food; it's humble, but we'd be honored to have&nbsp; you,&quot; Elhaym said. The table was more than big enough to seat all of&nbsp; them and more besides. This part of the mill was also where the town&nbsp; meetings were held--and the miller was also the bailiff.&quot;Your generosity is much appreciated,&quot; Agniprava said, bowing to the hosts, and sat.At last, al'Pacem and the bailiff return and take their places.&nbsp; Agniprava rose as bailiff entered, bowed, and reseated himself. Cael&nbsp; bowed to Elhaym. &quot;Indeed.&quot; He sat close to Houshang and whispered to&nbsp; him, &quot;The man survived, and Khader is keeping watch.&quot;Mikealus considered the warm table.&nbsp; &quot;Not to dampen the spirit of your&nbsp; table, sir, but I would still commend our other charge to you.&nbsp; I do not&nbsp; know if you wish for him to share in your hospitality.&quot;&quot;You're right, milord,&quot; the bailiff said, casting a cool eye on the&nbsp; shackled man. &quot;Can't leave him out there to cause a fuss, though.&quot;Mikealus nodded understandingly.&nbsp; &quot;He will cause no trouble.&nbsp; I did not&nbsp; want to impose him upon your table without your word, regardless. I will&nbsp; remain without, with him, if that would be of better service to you?&quot;&quot;No milord, don't worry yourself.&quot;&quot;Could we not tie him to the water wheel?&nbsp; He can certainly cause no trouble there?” Agniprava suggested.&quot;Oh no, that would surely foul the water.&quot; The bailiff shook his head.&nbsp; He pointed to the man. &quot;You there. Go sit in the corner, where all can&nbsp; see your shame.&quot;Mikealus released his grip on the man's manacles, and joined his compatriots at table.The ascetic sighed. &quot;Such a travesty deserves worse.&quot; Meanwhile,&nbsp; al'Pacem's men were seated at the table, and Elhaym had begun serving&nbsp; everyone rice and vegetable potage. At this time of year, it was mainly&nbsp; root vegetables, young bracken, and the newest greens and shoots. Belsea&nbsp; thanked Elhaym as she received her share.&quot;He'll get his,&quot; the bailiff replied, confident. &quot;But for now, please,&nbsp; take your rest at my table. What is mine is yours. You have done us a&nbsp; great good.&quot;Mikealus bowed his head in silent thanks, observing his brothers' piety,&nbsp; before beginning. The others bowed their heads over their hands&nbsp; briefly, then began to eat, mixing the use of spoon and chopsticks. They&nbsp; were by no means graceful folk, with the exception of the nobles in the&nbsp; party.As he eats, Cael turns to the bailiff. &quot;Do incidents of grave robbery occur frequently?&quot;&quot;Well,&quot; the bailiff replied, glancing at Elhaym.&quot;Not til just before the new year,&quot; she finished. &quot;We'd not had any such thing in living memory.&quot;&quot;Why, the worst we'd had here since my great-great-grandfather was chicken thieves,&quot; the bailiff sighed.&quot;But since the new year.... there have been frequent incidents?&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus prompted, curious.&quot;More than none,&quot; the bailiff agreed. &quot;But we didn't know it til just&nbsp; before Thaw, when my cousin's uncle's daughter's bethrothed died n' we&nbsp; buried him there.&quot; “So more incidents of the same?&quot; Agniprava prompted.&quot;If just the one... would that it be the same two.&nbsp; I'd be much at ease&nbsp; to know no one else defiled your lands but these,” Mikealus added&nbsp; gravely.Belsea meditated on that while eating. Her eyes looked at their prisoner.&quot;Only that n' the other, but that one was only half dug, so I don't know that it counts.&quot;&quot;And these are suspected for both?&quot; asked Agniprava.&quot;Well, I haven't seen 'em before... So I s'pose they could've done the&nbsp; others. We're all gods-fearing folk here. We were going to send for a&nbsp; priest from the city when the sowing was done.&quot; The bailiff sighed into&nbsp; his bowl.Elhaym rose abruptly from the table. &quot;Oh, I'm so scattered,&quot; she&nbsp; muttered to herself. She came back after a while bearing tankards of&nbsp; beer. Not especially strong, but cool and refreshing enough, and&nbsp; generously poured.Agniprava looks into the tankard, &quot;This is?...&quot;&quot;My wife's,&quot; the bailiff replied proudly. &quot;She brews our beer! It's what&nbsp; the barley crop here goes toward. We sell it to the city.&quot; Mikealus thanked the woman, and turned back to the bailiff only once his&nbsp; thirst was quenched a bit.&nbsp; &quot;There is another matter, actually.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mikealus remembered to point out, as the group began.&nbsp; &quot;A tomb not only&nbsp; raided, but, I am sad to say, defaced in our attack.&nbsp; A.. Cheng-ji&nbsp; Suekh's marker was sadly broken.&nbsp; I would make reparations for it, to&nbsp; those who survive him.&quot;&quot;Beer?...&quot;&nbsp; Agniprava senses the enthusiasm, and drinks, finding it to his liking more so then he imagined he would.Hojh had settled at the table as well. &quot;Oh, them folk's long dead.&nbsp; Plague about when I was young,&quot; he said wistfully. &quot;No survivors.&quot;&quot;...Then I'd compensate whoever you'll direct me to for the labor,&nbsp; Goodman.&nbsp; I've no desire to add to the graves' destruction,&quot; Mikealus&nbsp; replied.&quot;Hmm, then why would they be a target? Were they particularly wealthy?&quot; Cael asked the bailiff.Belsea’s curious study of her mug ended at the bailiff's statement.&nbsp; Belsea raised the mug to Elhaym slightly before taking a drink. To cook&nbsp; and brewer.Elhaym smiled beatifically at Belsea. &quot;So,&quot; she asked, voice low as to&nbsp; not distract the men, &quot;Are you one of the Silver Horn? Or are you&nbsp; betrothed?&quot;&quot;I am hired on as a tracker and woodswoman.&quot;Elhaym's smile diminished only slightly. &quot;You travel alone, with all of these...? That's dangerous work for a young woman.&quot;Belsea shrugged. &quot;If I chose the wrong group. I imagine these gentlemen&nbsp; would react quite severely to someone who would cause peril to a young&nbsp; woman in such a way.&quot;&quot;I'm sure it's as you say.&quot; She eyed the captain and Mikealus. &quot;They do seem like upright men.&quot;Mikealus bit down on a smile as he finished his bowl.&nbsp; The woman obviously intended to make him blush. Bah.Hojh looked at the bailiff, who answered, &quot;You don't have to, milord,&nbsp; but that's right generous. We don't have a stonemason in this town, he's&nbsp; the next village over. I'm sure just a stater will be fine.&quot;&quot;I believe he has every intention of paying the man for the work of&nbsp; replacing the broken marker.&quot; Belsea stated by way of agreement.&quot;It is good for a man to be faithful,&quot; Elhaym remarked.Agniprava took note of the women's talk, and of Mikealus' reaction,&nbsp; which he found amusing. He didn't know that people could turn such an&nbsp; interesting shade of pink. &quot;You should not trouble yourself so anyway,&nbsp; Mikaelus,&quot; Agniprava opined. &quot;The cycle took its course when they were&nbsp; laid to rest.&nbsp; The markers are mere formality.&quot;Al'Pacem cleared his throat slightly. &quot;All this talk of death should&nbsp; wait til after dinner, or we'll all digest poorly,&quot; he said.Mikealus nodded and decided to be sure to find the man in the next&nbsp; town.&nbsp; &quot;It is not for the man - least of all if he has no one to mourn&nbsp; hi--…&quot; And so cut off by his captain, instead peaceably bowed his head&nbsp; -- and drank more beer.Agniprava nodded slightly. &quot;I am interested to hear the answer to Cael's&nbsp; question though.&quot;&nbsp; He turned to the bailiff. &quot;Were they wealthy?&quot;&quot;So the stories say,&quot; the bailiff replied. &quot;They were wanderers from the&nbsp; north, who hunted beasts for fame. Think they were actually third sons,&nbsp; though.&quot;&quot;What sort of beasts?&quot; the ascetic perked up.&quot;Mad beasts, feral hogs, bear--anything vicious enough for fools to wish to attack,&quot; the bailiff replied.&quot;And how long have they been dead?&quot;&nbsp; Agniprava asked.Hodj coughed. &quot;Oh, I say, bout a score years or so ago.&quot;Elhaym dutifully filled bowls and plates throughout the evening break.&nbsp; Outside, the sun was beginning to set. Before things could get much&nbsp; further, the bailiff set his clay tankard down on the table with a&nbsp; muffled thump. &quot;Well,&quot; he said, looking down at his mostly empty bowl.&nbsp; &quot;No point dragging it out.&quot;Agniprava blinks in a bit of a surprise.&nbsp; &quot;Forgive my ignorance of your&nbsp; ways but,&quot;&nbsp; He glances to the men, &quot;isn't the point of keeping them&nbsp; alive to question, to drag it out?&quot;&quot;Sir, what is to become of these men?&quot; Cael asked, declining a refill on&nbsp; his mug. &quot;The penalty in this area, hard labor, imprisonment,&nbsp; death...?&quot;The bailiff shook his head. &quot;Why question? I believe your words--these&nbsp; men are guilty. The Silver Horn are not liars; the clansmen do not speak&nbsp; false. The scaffold is risen; they hang.&quot;Agniprava looks a bit perturbed at this particular approach, &quot;But I wish to understand...&quot;&quot;I too would like some answers before the death knell, if possible. We&nbsp; did not have sufficient time to inquiry their motivation.&quot; Cael looked&nbsp; to the prisoner. &quot;Well, what say you? Why were you robbing that grave?&quot;The prisoner just shook his head and said nothing.Agniprava, looking around, and considering his company, walked to the&nbsp; prisoner and kicked him hard in the gut, &quot;once again?&quot; The man grunted,&nbsp; but didn't say anything. The pain of a blow could not possibly be worse&nbsp; than the pain of the wound he'd been dealt that afternoon.Belsea frowned. &quot;Would you not foul the atmosphere in here?&quot;Agniprava!&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus stands.&nbsp; &quot;The man is no longer our&nbsp; responsibility-- and certainly not to be struck.&nbsp; He is already headed&nbsp; for the gallows.&quot;Cael stepped between Agniprava and the prisoner. &quot;Please, let us not&nbsp; come to blows quite yet. I understand these are hard times. I understand&nbsp; you may feel you had no choice in this matter. I simply wish to know&nbsp; why. Why commit such an act?&quot;The prisoner hacks for a moment. &quot;We--we were--we were paid to do it,&quot; he stuttered.Belsea glanced at Elhaym and her husband. Elhaym looks aghast. She has&nbsp; not moved since Agniprava kicked the man. The bailiff is watching&nbsp; stoically. The anger radiating from him is palpable. One can tell that&nbsp; he wishes to beat the prisoner as well.Agniprava strode to the opposite side of the room, sat cross-legged and listened to the prisoner speak&quot;He just wanted some bones; din't see no harm to it.... They're dead, what does it matter?&quot; he said, half to himself.&quot;Paid? I see. Now, if someone was willing to pay you to do their work, I&nbsp; assume there was either a need for anonymity or your employer was going&nbsp; to get rid of you after the fact. How did he contact you?&quot;Mikealus' eyebrow twitched.&nbsp; &quot;He wanted....&quot;&nbsp; He looked at the captain, wondering if they're of one mind here:&nbsp; human bones?!Al'Pacem said nothing. He was intent on the unfolding scene.&quot;Well, he was just, you know, at a tavern, and we was at a tavern, and&nbsp; so'n we were talkin, and he said he would pay us for bones if we came on&nbsp; some...&quot;&quot;So it wasn't really specific remains, any remains would do? Curious.&nbsp; Now, was there a meeting place for when you found the bones?&quot;&quot;We was just gonna go back to that tavern...&quot;Interrupting, Mikealus bit out, &quot;Which.&nbsp; Tavern?&quot;&quot;Oh, er, Stone Walk Village...&quot;Cael continued smoothly. &quot;I see. My good fellows, might I make a&nbsp; suggestion. This man seems harmless enough, just a bit misguided. What&nbsp; say we use him to lure out the real culprit?&quot;&quot;What motivation has he to cooperate?&quot; Belsea asked.&quot;If his neck is truly set for the gallows, he has little other&nbsp; recourse,&quot; Cael replied. &quot;Perhaps a lightened sentence. If we kill him,&nbsp; this mystery man will surely find others to do his deeds. If we can&nbsp; catch the man behind the act...&quot;&quot;Killing a man who only meant to feed himself does little to stop the&nbsp; issue.&nbsp; There are other desperate men who will find coin just as&nbsp; promising,&quot; Mikealus pointed out to the ranger, rather surprised she&nbsp; wouldn't find that a given.Cael agreed. &quot;My thoughts exactly.&quot;Al'Pacem shook his head. &quot;One look at this one and our rabbit would&nbsp; bolt. The law says death; it is better for his soul than clinging to&nbsp; life.&quot;Belsea glanced at the young paladin, but did not say anything. Meanwhile, the bailiff was just barely keeping his temper.Mikealus frowned at Al'Pacem, but restrained himself.&nbsp; He was not&nbsp; pleased to have this man's life on his hands. The horror of his crime&nbsp; paled in comparison to the one who willed him to perform it.&quot;I suppose, but then we lose or best lead to catching a greater threat,&quot; Cael said reluctantly.Al'Pacem rose and stood over the man. &quot;Whether you live or die, you are a&nbsp; defiled one. You are unclean. You will be outcaste wherever you walk.&nbsp; None will recognize you as man. Your soul will wander and no one will&nbsp; light a sacrifice by your grave. So; you have the means by which to&nbsp; avenge your foolishness--and die with some measure of honor. Co-operate,&nbsp; and you will not wander eternally.&quot; The wounded man recoiled.Cael turns to the prisoner. &quot;What say you? Lend us your aid and your&nbsp; transgressions may be forgiven, my—hmm, funny, I had not caught your&nbsp; name yet. You are?&quot;&quot;Shuj,&quot; he replied meekly, not meeting anyone's eyes.Belsea looked to the bailif. Did he find this an acceptable arrangement? The bailiff looked oddly satisfied...&quot;Well, Shuj, will you help us? If not for clearing your own name, then&nbsp; to strike back against the man who sent you to your fate?&quot;Shuj bowed his head. &quot;I--I will do what you say, lord.&quot;&quot;Sir, if it is agreeable with the rest of my company, could we take this&nbsp; man under our charge? I understand the law permits his death, but in&nbsp; these circumstances a second chance may serve us all for the better.&quot;Belsea shifted. She found the captain's ideas more satisfying for all then confusing with the talk of a 'second chance'.&quot;He'll go with you and yours,&quot; the bailiff said, &quot;But you must swear to&nbsp; me that once this is discharged, he dies--that is my condition. The law&nbsp; is the law. He gets his chance; but the dead deserve their due. How many&nbsp; graves has he sacked?&quot;&nbsp; The last was obviously a rhetorical question.&quot;Where is this tavern from here?&quot; Agniprava asked the room at large.&quot;East several days,&quot; al'Pacem replies. &quot;Which means for several days, we will have to maintain a watch on this one.&quot;&quot;He will be watched.&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus assured softly.&quot;What about the other?&quot; Belsea asked.&quot;He hangs,&quot; the bailiff replied curtly.Agniprava disagreed. “It may seem suspicious if they do not arrive together, no?&quot;&quot;There is no honor among thieves,&quot; the bailiff disagreed.&quot;His only crime is that I hit him harder,&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus pointed out, in&nbsp; agreement with Agniprava.&nbsp; &quot;...But it will be equally suspicious for a&nbsp; man so gravely wounded to show up at all.&quot;&quot;There is also difficulty in moving him,” Belsea replied.&quot;Although...&quot; Mikealus' expression soured. &quot;We will have trouble finding our buyer if we have no goods.&quot;Al'Pacem shook his head. &quot;I don't think that's necessary.&quot; Mikealus looks extrordinarily relieved.&quot;Honor among thieves has little to do with it it seems to me,&quot; Agniprava&nbsp; began. &quot;If we are worried about honor, I wonder how we expect a man&nbsp; willing to forsake his soul for a bit of coin to follow through at all&nbsp; when he knows death awaits him anyway.&quot;&nbsp; Cael pipes up. &quot;In several days’ time I can have the other man well off&nbsp; enough to sit in a chair. All we need is to make the man think they are&nbsp; making an exchange.&quot;&quot;There will be marching and travel before he gets to the chair to sit in.&quot; Belsea shakes her head.&quot;A bag filled with sticks will have a similar effect. An, when the trap is sprung, we will dispatch the ringleader,&quot; added Cael.The bailiff cleared his throat. &quot;I think you misunderstand; that is, I&nbsp; doubt their... Buyer would be surprised if only one showed up to take&nbsp; both shares of pay.&quot; He glanced at Shuj. &quot;This one looking battered,&nbsp; having murdered the other--natural enough to think, I say.&quot;Belsea nodded at the bailiff. Sometimes she found the interactions of people fascinating, if draining.Seeing there would be no convincing the bailiff, Cael sighed and said a&nbsp; silent prayer for the injured man. With his wounds, it would be&nbsp; remarkable for him to last much longer without proper treatment anyways.&nbsp; Perhaps a swift death would be better than an agonizing one.&quot;Does not my second point still bear considering?&quot; Agniprava asked of&nbsp; the room at large. &quot;After all, what are we to threaten him with should&nbsp; he betray us?&nbsp; Death?&nbsp; He will already die.&quot;&quot;I'd rather hang him now and be done with it,&quot; the bailiff growled.Agniprava ignored the bailiff in favor of hearing the opinion of his fellow travelers.&quot;I believe we were not threatening him into cooperation, but offering a&nbsp; chance to redeem a part of his soul or memory,&quot; Belsea stated mildly.Al'Pacem replied, &quot;No rest for the doomed soul is not a light sentence.&quot; Ravi and Khader nodded. Borche said nothing.&quot;I have already stated my opinion. If he sees this through, I would prefer to think of it as his atonement,” Cael said.&quot;And what of the soul of the one who kills the messanger?&quot;&nbsp; Agniprava&nbsp; retorted, with a slight bite.&nbsp; He shakes his head.&nbsp; &quot;Nevermind...&quot;&nbsp; He&nbsp; bowed from his seat, &quot;As you will it, captain.&quot;&quot;...Those who defile the sacred, their elders... They are not given&nbsp; mercy, Agniprava.&nbsp; It is not an easy truth, but it is the way we are&nbsp; sworn to.&quot;&nbsp; He's not happy either.&quot;Well. If you are all settled...?&quot; The captain looked at each in turn,&nbsp; excepting the prisoner at his feet. Daylight had already faded to dusk.&nbsp; Torches were being lit beyond the shuttered windows.&quot;Why don't we rest for the night and talk about his punishment on the&nbsp; road tomorrow. Even if we head to this tavern, we still have the rest of&nbsp; our duty to complete as well. We have all had a long day,&quot; Cael said,&nbsp; stalling for some more time to work out the problem. Belsea idly wondered how watch would proceed.The bailiff interjected, &quot;I would have done with the other tonight.&quot;&quot;What say you to that, lord captain?&quot; asked Agniprava. These proceedings had been of great interest to him… If a bit irritating.&quot;Let it be done, then. Borche, take this one. Bailiff, please set us up&nbsp; for the night; I hate to take advantage of your hospitality, but there&nbsp; is no sense in traveling at night under these conditions.&quot;Cael acquiesced. &quot;As you would. I believe he is not long for this world&nbsp; anyhow. His wounds were deep, and it would take constant care to give&nbsp; him the hope of a normal life. As much as I hate to see a man I worked&nbsp; hard to save to have his life ended, this is your town and your rules.&quot;&quot;Captain, I would check the horses while the bailiff makes preparations?&quot; Mikealus suggested.Al'Pacem nodded. &quot;As you wish.&quot;Mikealus bowed his head, and went for some much-needed air, and a moment&nbsp; to center himself before the trying task of watching a man die.Cael excuses himself. &quot;I would prefer not to watch such a spectacle. I will be in my lodgings, praying for this man's soul.&quot;The bailiff seemed tired suddenly. He is much older than anyone&nbsp; currently in your company, except Hojh. &quot;I will fetch the other, then.&quot;&nbsp; He stands and departs, Elhaym watching him worriedly. Agniprava rose to his feet, noticing the look Elhaym gave the bailiff.&nbsp; &quot;I will assist the bailiff.&quot;He and the bailiff arrive at the freeman's house; the goodwife is&nbsp; stitching by the fire. Khader rose when he saw his companion. &quot;Hasn't&nbsp; moved. What's the decision?&quot;Agniprava studied the prisoner. He was asleep and bound carefully and&nbsp; precisely. His face was pale from blood loss; the bandages around his&nbsp; chest were stained with seeping blood and fluid; his breath rattled.&quot;You may be out of luck Bailiff,&quot; Agniprava began, &quot;He may not survive the walk to the rope...&quot;&quot;It would be easier for everyone,&quot; the bailiff agreed. &quot;Well, lads... Let's get him up.&quot;Agniprava helped get the man to his feet with the others. Khader looks&nbsp; concerned, but not surprised. &quot;Hanging, huh.&quot; The goodwife looks up,&nbsp; startled, while the men hoist the wounded one out of the cottage.Back at the mill, Elhaym busies herself with cleaning up after the meal,&nbsp; avoiding everyone's gaze. She is deeply uncomfortable with what has&nbsp; transpired. Belsea observes her, saying nothing. She hesitated briefly&nbsp; before going out to see the hanging. After making sure the horses are properly settled, Mikealus joined his brethren at the gallows.Agniprava helped the bailiff walk the prisoner to the gallows, but then&nbsp; departed for the tree line to meditate.&nbsp; As he left the scene, Agniprava&nbsp; walked by Mikealus. The monk recalled the paladin’s similar discomfort&nbsp; with what was taking place and whispered, &quot;Always remember what happens&nbsp; to those who seek blood, Mikealus.&quot;Mikealus remained behind, left with unhelpful words from the monk, and&nbsp; the dull throb of frustration he is unsure of how to put at ease.&nbsp; He&nbsp; puts distance between himself and the ascetic - and then between himself&nbsp; and the gallows.&nbsp; He is almost loathe to leave it.&nbsp; And he is angry.&nbsp;&nbsp; It will be a long and trying watch, tonight, he has no doubt.One way or another, as the goodwife followed Agniprava, Khader, and the&nbsp; bailiff from the cottage, word has spread that the hastily erected&nbsp; scaffold--barely a wooden platform under a tall tree on the outskirts of&nbsp; the village&nbsp; is about to be put to use. A small crowd has assembled.&nbsp; With the doomed man lolling against Khader, the bailiff pronounces the&nbsp; graverobber's crimes and his sentence. After some awkwardness, the man&nbsp; dangles from the rope. The event is not terribly good spectacle; there&nbsp; is no fight in the man. The crowd mostly departs, except for a pair of&nbsp; burly fellows who wait by the scaffold, talking about the planting&nbsp; season.As the party sort through their thoughts, the bailiff and the two serfs&nbsp; cut down the body and take it away.&nbsp; Elhaym calmed herself through&nbsp; mundane tasks until the goodwife comes to the millhouse, and sorted&nbsp; everyone out into homes for the night. The village had a hard winter,&nbsp; and this spring there was extra space.Agniprava, not wanting to impose upon the people any more, decided to&nbsp; take his rest outside among nature as was his custom at home.The night watch passed without incident. In the morning, the patrol ate a&nbsp; hot, hearty porridge made from last night's dinner and rice. Thus full,&nbsp; the captain hustled everyone out on the road.Shuj was still in bad shape, but stronger than the day before. He was&nbsp; tethered to Borche's thick wrist. Everyone rode, excepting the prisoner.&nbsp; Despite being cold and damp, the morning is a pretty one. As they&nbsp; passed the river bend, Khader discussed a rumor he heard about bandits&nbsp; nearby.Cael sidled up to Khader. &quot;Is there any chance this might be related to&nbsp; the parcel we found the other night?&quot; He said, not mentioning the value&nbsp; of the find.Mikealus rode along beside them.&nbsp; Their shared attempts to break the ice&nbsp; on the first day of their meeting, he reflected, must have gone well -&nbsp; the strained silence no longer exists, to his imagination.&quot;Hm.&quot; Khader thought about it for a moment. &quot;I don't think so. Sounded&nbsp; like the bandits would be further west of here--a day or so out. If&nbsp; they're still around. That village hadn't been hit. Just cousins of&nbsp; cousins, you know how it is.&quot;Cael nodded understandingly. He then turns to Shuj, &quot;And do you have any dealings with these miscreants?&quot;Shuj shook his head painfully. &quot;Dunno 'em. We weren't part o' no band,&quot; he replied dully.&quot;How did the two of you meet?&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus tilted his head.&nbsp; &quot;Come to&nbsp; think of it, no one ever asked, did they?&nbsp; The name of your partner?&quot;&quot;...Ursas was my sister's husband.&quot;Belsea was silently keeping a watchful eye out for rabid animals. There&nbsp; were other folks on the road today, but they were mainly farmhands on&nbsp; their way to and from various fields. No one stood out in particular.&nbsp; Al'Pacem rode at the head of the patrol. Ravi scouted, riding ahead and&nbsp; back with nothing of note to report. He was pleased to put distance&nbsp; between himself and the prisoner.Cael bowed his head. &quot;We are sorry for your loss, but what made you&nbsp; accept this man's offer? How much was he going to pay you for this ...&nbsp; deed?&quot;&quot;Enough for us to maybe move to the city...&quot; He plodded along, not really looking at anyone.&quot;And what would you do there? Do you have a trade or skill suited for city work?&quot; asked Cael.&quot;What d'you care.&quot;&quot;Just making conversation, friend. The road is long and these gentlemen are not very talkative.&quot; He motioned to the rest.Shuj turned his face away from Cael, which pretty much means he's&nbsp; staring down Borche's foot. Borche raised a thick eyebrow at Cael.&nbsp; &quot;Don't think he wants t'be your friend, friend.&quot;&quot;Hardly a kindness to have the man dwell on what he's lost, Cael,&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus reminded the initiate. Borche grunted in agreement. &quot;Let him think on what he's done. We need&nbsp; to think on what's yet to be doing. Stone Water is a couple days out at&nbsp; best, 'n I haven't been there in a while.&quot;&quot;The rest of the road won't be this good,&quot; Khader added grimly. Given&nbsp; that the stone paving disappeared less than a day out of Ceteran, that&nbsp; was bad news in a wet spring.Cael replied amiably, “True enough. What course of action shall we take?&nbsp; I assume if we are all sitting in a tavern, weapons drawn, the mystery&nbsp; man is apt to run off.&quot;&quot;Is it a place worth thinking on, Borche?&nbsp; I've never been out at it.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mikealus frowned in agreement with Khader, though.&nbsp; It would hardly be&nbsp; good traveling - more like swimming than riding, at least calf-high in&nbsp; some places.Of course, the lack of a trail was no hindrance to Belsea. &quot;Any place is equally worth thinking on.&quot; Borche shrugged.Al'Pacem's voice carried back to them. &quot;Our mystery buyer won't miss a&nbsp; group as large as ours coming in; take that under advisement.&quot; He&nbsp; seemed, however, content to let the younger bunch figure out what to do.&nbsp; Mikealus frowned, thinking. &quot;Any authority would be a point to make the&nbsp; man skittish.&nbsp; Our being there at all might make him hesitate to seek&nbsp; out his supplier.&quot;“Hmm, I see your point. Though if we just let Shuj go to meet with the&nbsp; man, we would need to unshackle him, which presents its own problems,&quot;&nbsp; Cael said.&quot;I've no doubt Shuj will do his duty.&nbsp; In the very worst case, he will&nbsp; cause trouble for the entire town - if we do not find hide nor hair of&nbsp; his employer, we will need to search ourselves.&nbsp; Which will be a great&nbsp; trouble to everyone - cause a witchhunt amongst the people, besides… And&nbsp; then we will hunt him down anyway.&quot;Khader scratched at his beard. &quot;I dunno. May be better just to... Let&nbsp; him hang himself, as it were, than to panic the people if we can't find&nbsp; him.&quot;&quot;To hang himself how, do you mean?&nbsp; We cannot be complacent.&nbsp; What do you expect him to do?&quot;Cael interjected.&nbsp; &quot;Perhaps a trap then? I have, on my journey learned a&nbsp; way to change my appearance. Shuj and I could lure the man to a place&nbsp; outside of town, where an ambush would lie in wait.&quot;&quot;Someone who gets that stuff's gonna use it somehow--try and sell it.&nbsp; It'll come up if we don't get him this time, is what I'm sayin.&quot;Belsea turned to the group. &quot;It seems such a waste of effort to have&nbsp; brought him all this way, just to kill him.&quot; Her piece said, she trotted&nbsp; ahead.No doubt if Ravi were with the patrol right now, he'd say that was his&nbsp; point all along. But the grumbler is off in the distance somewhere.&quot;I don't think we want to allow this man to continue, Khader.&nbsp; To doom&nbsp; more villagers to such treasonous acts?&nbsp; To harm anyone else?&nbsp; How long&nbsp; -could- we wait before we are given a better opportunity than this?&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus agonized.Khader shook his head. &quot;I'm just sayin, if he gets away, he won't get&nbsp; away forever. I'd rather catch him another day than start, like you&nbsp; said, a witch hunt.&quot;&quot;True words, both of you, but were we not sent to protect this route?&nbsp; Would not this fall under our direct duty to uphold?&quot; asked Cael.&quot;A great deal of that unpleasantry can be avoided if Shuj agrees to&nbsp; cooperate.&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus pointed out.&nbsp; &quot;Is it not better we be forthright&nbsp; with our options, whichever we choose?&quot;Belsea returned to the group, unable to avoid speaking her own mind. &quot;I&nbsp; was under the assumption he had agreed to aid us, so that his soul will&nbsp; not wander the earth until the end of times.&quot;&quot;Yes, but men sometimes choose unwise paths.&nbsp; I do not blame him for his doubt, or his fear,” said Mikealus.&quot;I just don't think it's in the interest of protectin anybody if we work&nbsp; up the villagers until they start pointin fingers at each other,&quot;&nbsp; Khader muttered. The group had ridden a long way. During their discussion, the sun had&nbsp; reached its apex. Ahead, al'Pacem was already into his saddlebags and&nbsp; gnawing on a trail bar. Borche dismounted carefully, trying not to jerk&nbsp; the prisoner around unduly. Khader followed suit, walking awkwardly as&nbsp; he stretched his legs. None of them showed any intent of stopping,&nbsp; however--midday meal was on the move.&quot;That is why we should attempt to lure him outside of town. Our troop&nbsp; will go unnoticed and keep the villagers calm. Plus, less likely to&nbsp; involve innocents. Perhaps one or two of you could arrive first, and&nbsp; scatter around town. Shuj and I would meet with this man, and attempt to&nbsp; lure him to where we had hidden his goods. After which, we could setup&nbsp; an advantageous position for the rest of you to capture this man,&quot; Cael&nbsp; suggested.&quot;Probably good,&quot; Borche allowed.&quot;Three paladins on horseback won't be unnoticed by anyone.&nbsp; Even if we&nbsp; wait on the outskirts, someone will see us, and someone might bring word&nbsp; into town.&nbsp; ....though it does make sense that you wouldn't cart a&nbsp; corpse into the middle of town for the man to inspect his wares...”&nbsp; Mikealus was ambivalent.&quot;I could walk in unnoticed I'm sure,&quot; Agniprava volunteered.&quot;What was your arrangement, Shuj?&nbsp; How were you to deliver?&quot; Mikealus asked. Khader snorted at Agniprava. &quot;You're a stranger. Ain't nobody NOT gonna notice you.&quot;I was just gonna come inta the inn and he'd get it from our horses.&quot;&quot;Fair I suppose, but I don't look like much....perhaps no one will think twice about it?&quot;&quot;Yes, Shuj, how was the arrangement made to meet with this man? At a certain hour or was there a signal?&quot; Cael pressed.&quot;Naw... Was just gonna go in and wait. We was gonna be there in about four days.&quot;“He said he'd come for them himself?&quot; asked Agniprava, seeking clarification.&quot;Well, I guess...&quot;Mikealus looked impatient.&nbsp; &quot;Well what did he say?&nbsp; As best you can remember?&quot;&quot;We just agreed on meeting and paying. Nobody said nothin else about not&nbsp; comin or not comin hisself.&quot; The prisoner sounded annoyed and tired.&quot;So we best be prepared in case he is springing a trap for us,&quot; Cael finished.&quot;How would he know what happened to his thief for hire?&quot; Agniprav asked.&quot;I was more thinking if he no longer had use for his thief he may just kill him to avoid having to pay him.&quot;&quot;Ahhh... Yes, yes, I see...&quot;&quot;Less witnesses and more money for himself.&quot;&quot;I don't know if money is what this person treasures....&nbsp; But&nbsp; nevertheless I see your point. But what remains is the question of how&nbsp; we watch the horses without watching the horses....&quot; Agniprava mused.&nbsp; “Horses with the corpses that is...&quot;“That’s what is missing!” Khader sighed gustily. “We didn’t take the horses! Damn…”If he simply wanted corpses, he could make them.&nbsp; Either he doubts&nbsp; his abiliity to&nbsp; kill, or he has some other reason for profaning the&nbsp; dead.&nbsp; Mikealus shook his head again.&nbsp; &quot;Perhaps the best course of&nbsp; action would be for us to simply ride through town?&nbsp; If we don't stay&nbsp; for the night, but instead go right through, and wait for the buyer to&nbsp; leave?&nbsp; He might very well come right to us.&quot;The ascetic asked the prisoner, &quot;How many ways out of town are there?&quot;&quot;...It ain't got walls.&quot;&quot;Well then flushing him out won't work unless we know where he might go....the buyer, that is,&quot; Agniprava concluded.&quot;The better question would be if there's more than one road going through it,” Mikealus said.&quot;There's just the one,&quot; Shuj volunteered.Agniprava observed, &quot;But with no walls, he needs to road no leave...&quot;“True, though revealing his identity will be an undeniable boon in our&nbsp; favor,&quot; said Cael. &quot;Even if he escapes, we can track him easier.&quot;&quot;Perhaps we can get him to try to take what he needs as he tries to&nbsp; escape...&quot; Agniprava was trying to flesh out a plan. &quot;Give him a chance&nbsp; at them after causing some confusion.&quot; The shadows of lonely stands of&nbsp; trees stretched across the highway. &quot;Maybe we're thinking about this the&nbsp; wrong way entirely.&quot;The fieldhands were still hard at work planting as the patrol passed,&nbsp; but even the monk was becoming sore from a long day of riding. &quot;If he&nbsp; was only supposed to return to the town in four days, a man such as this&nbsp; may not risk being there longer than he needs.&quot;After a while, al'Pacem presided over an orderly dismount at another&nbsp; smoothed out patch by the side of the road. This time, there was no&nbsp; helpful stream nearby; instead, the patrol would sleep near the rice&nbsp; paddies, with a treebreak for shelter. Some wood had been left near the&nbsp; treebreak in a neat pile. &quot;Alright, time to set camp. You can pick up&nbsp; the discussion after.&quot;&quot;Certainly, captain.&quot; Agniprava eased himself off the mule and went to work setting up the campfire. Mikealus is quick to dismount, and ease Khongordsol in for the night while the group set up camp.Everyone quickly set to their tasks, with Ravi returning and helping&nbsp; Agniprava stack wood, Cael resuming his work on the tents, and Ravi and&nbsp; Khader jury-rigging a tent between two trees. In no time, there was a&nbsp; cozy enough looking camp on the small green. They had just enough&nbsp; of a&nbsp; border between the tents and the rice paddies to avoid an unpleasantly&nbsp; muddy night, but things would no doubt be damp anyway. After finishing his work, Cael asked, &quot;I suppose we'll take lots again&nbsp; for shifts? I once again volunteer myself for the midnight watch.&quot;Al’Pacem was pacing around the small clearing, looking at the nearby&nbsp; plantings. There was a long, wide corridor of land running perpendicular&nbsp; to the road, and the fields are crisscrossed with narrow levies.&nbsp; &quot;Yes--let's,&quot; the captain replied, turning toward Cael after a few&nbsp; beats.&quot;Does something trouble you, captain?&quot; the monk asked.&quot;...Nothing particular.&quot;&quot;Something in general, then?&quot;&nbsp; Mikealus asked the captain, with a sheepish smile.Al'Pacem chuckled. &quot;You could say that.&quot;Lots drawn, the patrol all set to making dinner, arguing over plans and criminal minds, and eventually settled in for the night.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="RedTonic, post: 5694211, member: 98994"] The next log is actually a combination of two sessions. This time, we had some controversial events that the group is still getting mileage from in terms of mocking the monk. [CENTER]*****[/CENTER] Missing during parts of this log: Agniprava, Belsea. Despite the presence of the two wounded peasants, the patrol made good time in reaching the next settlement towards sundown. This close to Ceteran, there were many settlements roughly half a day apart from each other. They tended to be extremely simple, but not necessarily poverty-stricken. This settlement had the good fortune to have a water-powered mill, which worked even this late in the day, pounding rice into flour. The large patrol drew attention from the locals, who paused in their daily work to appraise the group. The captain indicated to Mikealus and Khader to halt and keep an eye on their prisoners. He then asks the growing crowd, "Where is your bailiff?" Cael chimed in, "Also, this man needs treatment beyond what we can provide him," and makes a motion the heavily injured man. "We request your assistance." The back of the small but growing crowd stirred. A stocky, full-bearded man, only chest-high to the captain, pushed his way forward. "I'm the one you'll be wanting to speak to," he said, voice gruff. "We haven't any healers in the village to speak of, but we have some extra beds. What can I do for ye?" He bobbed slightly at the captain and Cael, taking them to be the ones in charge of this group. Under his breath, the man muttered at a few of the children. "Tell freeman Hojh and goodwife Khali we have injured guests." Others eyed the shackled man and the yet unconscious one with undeniable curiosity. This was probably as interesting as things got in the settlement. Al'Pacem nodded to your group, then took the bailiff by the shoulder and spoke quietly to him. The two departed to speak privately. Turning to their unconscious prisoner, Cael asked, "Khader, please help me take this man to a bed. I can tend to him, but I need some clean water to wash his wounds and some rags." Ravi spat into the dust. "Don't see how there's any point--they're gonna hang." Khader just shrugged. "Give me a hand, priest; he's a hefty fella." The ties and straps on the military saddle had done a decent enough job of keeping their unconscious prisoner mounted, but the leather was going stiff with blood and took a while to undo. "He did not earn his death at my hand, Ravi," Mikealus pointed out, still somewhat unpleased that he so completely maimed the man. "If the gods see fit to spare him, and men do the same..." He did not have the levity to shrug in dismissal, but he still gave Ravi a pointed look and helped unbind the unconscious man in the process. Cael took the man by legs and let Khader take the torso. "Please, show me where we can lie him down," he asked of one of the townsfolk. The two children came bounding back just as Cael asked the question. A hefty, sun-dark woman and matching man, of similar stocky build to the bailiff, followed swiftly behind. "You'll want to come this way, then," the goodwife said briskly. The man helped Khader and Cael carry their burden down the dirt lane into a small wood house. The goodwife fussed over her new guests and tried to ply everyone with buckwheat cakes. She was especially curious about the wounded man, but refrained from asking too many questions. Cael worked feverishly and managed to pack the remaining wounds more cleanly. In the interim, invigorated by the divine healing imparted earlier, the prisoner regained consciousness. Inside the cottage, Cael was finishing up his work. "Khader, please help me restrain him. If he moves about suddenly, I fear his wounds may reopen," Cael said, wrapping a linen bandage tightly around the man’s chest. "It doesn't look like it will grow infected, but he cannot be moving around." The two made short work of restraining Cael’s patient. Cael breathed a sigh of relief. The worst of it was over, now it relied on this man's will to live. The freeman left the cottage and headed back to where the rest of the party remained. The shackled prisoner coughed. "Er, lord..." He looked at Mikealus uneasily. Mikealus looked up at the man. "What, er, you..." He seemed to be at a loss for words, and in no inconsiderable pain besides. Mikealus returned to his horse. "What now? I've not gagged you- speak." "Well, uh, what will become of me?" The man asked it in a tone that suggested he knew exactly what was coming next, but was still bewildered that he hadn't already been executed. "I do not doubt you are familiar with the law. But I am neither your baliff nor your justice. If I were, you'd not have left that burial ground. It is these people's land you've desecrated, and their laws you'll reap the fruit of." The old freeman cleared his throat, interrupting Mikealus’s lecture. "If'n you don't mind," he said, voice low and rumbly, "I'm freeman Hojh. Bailiff is a talker, so'n you're hungry, masters and mistress, best we take to the mill." He eyed the prisoner, overhearing Mikealus's words. "The children can take care of your horses." "Off, then." Mikealus instructed his shackled responsibility. "You'll stay with me until the bailiff is ready." Ravi grunted. Borche handed over his steed's reins to one of the children. "Be very careful, and don't touch his hooves," he said sternly. As she dismounted, Belsea noticed Borche slip something to one of the children. Assuming it is some measure of coin, Belsea paid it no mind. Hojh nods. "This way, then." He gestured at the few remaining onlookers, mostly children, "off with ye then!" The stragglers backtracked to the mill, leaving Cael and Khader with their patient. On the way back, Belsea saw down the road what she was certain was that old buffalo. She was bemused by the sight of the old creature. Had it followed them at a distance the entire time? The mill was the largest structure in the village, serving multiple purposes: a storage space, a meeting hall, a home, and a brewery. The faint yeasty scent of beer and sweet rice lingered inside. A woman is working over a stone stove, stirring a heavy pot of something which smells delicious. She greeted them. "I'm Elhaym, the bailiff's wife. He's back by the well with your captain." She curtsied awkwardly. A long trestle table with benches that looked to have been hewn from truly mammoth trees had been cleared and wooden cups set out. Mikealus was distracted from the smells in part by the child who had taken his horse, and otherwise by his prisoner. Cael cleaned up his hands and headed outside to let the others know the man is stable; seeing them straggle back to the mill, he jogged to catch up. A child ran in behind Cael, clattering with wooden bowls and spoons. She set them down in a cacophany of spinning plates, dashed past Elhaym, who swatted her on the behind, and shrieked gleefully outside. "You're welcome to our food; it's humble, but we'd be honored to have you," Elhaym said. The table was more than big enough to seat all of them and more besides. This part of the mill was also where the town meetings were held--and the miller was also the bailiff. "Your generosity is much appreciated," Agniprava said, bowing to the hosts, and sat. At last, al'Pacem and the bailiff return and take their places. Agniprava rose as bailiff entered, bowed, and reseated himself. Cael bowed to Elhaym. "Indeed." He sat close to Houshang and whispered to him, "The man survived, and Khader is keeping watch." Mikealus considered the warm table. "Not to dampen the spirit of your table, sir, but I would still commend our other charge to you. I do not know if you wish for him to share in your hospitality." "You're right, milord," the bailiff said, casting a cool eye on the shackled man. "Can't leave him out there to cause a fuss, though." Mikealus nodded understandingly. "He will cause no trouble. I did not want to impose him upon your table without your word, regardless. I will remain without, with him, if that would be of better service to you?" "No milord, don't worry yourself." "Could we not tie him to the water wheel? He can certainly cause no trouble there?” Agniprava suggested. "Oh no, that would surely foul the water." The bailiff shook his head. He pointed to the man. "You there. Go sit in the corner, where all can see your shame." Mikealus released his grip on the man's manacles, and joined his compatriots at table. The ascetic sighed. "Such a travesty deserves worse." Meanwhile, al'Pacem's men were seated at the table, and Elhaym had begun serving everyone rice and vegetable potage. At this time of year, it was mainly root vegetables, young bracken, and the newest greens and shoots. Belsea thanked Elhaym as she received her share. "He'll get his," the bailiff replied, confident. "But for now, please, take your rest at my table. What is mine is yours. You have done us a great good." Mikealus bowed his head in silent thanks, observing his brothers' piety, before beginning. The others bowed their heads over their hands briefly, then began to eat, mixing the use of spoon and chopsticks. They were by no means graceful folk, with the exception of the nobles in the party. As he eats, Cael turns to the bailiff. "Do incidents of grave robbery occur frequently?" "Well," the bailiff replied, glancing at Elhaym. "Not til just before the new year," she finished. "We'd not had any such thing in living memory." "Why, the worst we'd had here since my great-great-grandfather was chicken thieves," the bailiff sighed. "But since the new year.... there have been frequent incidents?" Mikealus prompted, curious. "More than none," the bailiff agreed. "But we didn't know it til just before Thaw, when my cousin's uncle's daughter's bethrothed died n' we buried him there." “So more incidents of the same?" Agniprava prompted. "If just the one... would that it be the same two. I'd be much at ease to know no one else defiled your lands but these,” Mikealus added gravely. Belsea meditated on that while eating. Her eyes looked at their prisoner. "Only that n' the other, but that one was only half dug, so I don't know that it counts." "And these are suspected for both?" asked Agniprava. "Well, I haven't seen 'em before... So I s'pose they could've done the others. We're all gods-fearing folk here. We were going to send for a priest from the city when the sowing was done." The bailiff sighed into his bowl. Elhaym rose abruptly from the table. "Oh, I'm so scattered," she muttered to herself. She came back after a while bearing tankards of beer. Not especially strong, but cool and refreshing enough, and generously poured. Agniprava looks into the tankard, "This is?..." "My wife's," the bailiff replied proudly. "She brews our beer! It's what the barley crop here goes toward. We sell it to the city." Mikealus thanked the woman, and turned back to the bailiff only once his thirst was quenched a bit. "There is another matter, actually." Mikealus remembered to point out, as the group began. "A tomb not only raided, but, I am sad to say, defaced in our attack. A.. Cheng-ji Suekh's marker was sadly broken. I would make reparations for it, to those who survive him." "Beer?..." Agniprava senses the enthusiasm, and drinks, finding it to his liking more so then he imagined he would. Hojh had settled at the table as well. "Oh, them folk's long dead. Plague about when I was young," he said wistfully. "No survivors." "...Then I'd compensate whoever you'll direct me to for the labor, Goodman. I've no desire to add to the graves' destruction," Mikealus replied. "Hmm, then why would they be a target? Were they particularly wealthy?" Cael asked the bailiff. Belsea’s curious study of her mug ended at the bailiff's statement. Belsea raised the mug to Elhaym slightly before taking a drink. To cook and brewer. Elhaym smiled beatifically at Belsea. "So," she asked, voice low as to not distract the men, "Are you one of the Silver Horn? Or are you betrothed?" "I am hired on as a tracker and woodswoman." Elhaym's smile diminished only slightly. "You travel alone, with all of these...? That's dangerous work for a young woman." Belsea shrugged. "If I chose the wrong group. I imagine these gentlemen would react quite severely to someone who would cause peril to a young woman in such a way." "I'm sure it's as you say." She eyed the captain and Mikealus. "They do seem like upright men." Mikealus bit down on a smile as he finished his bowl. The woman obviously intended to make him blush. Bah. Hojh looked at the bailiff, who answered, "You don't have to, milord, but that's right generous. We don't have a stonemason in this town, he's the next village over. I'm sure just a stater will be fine." "I believe he has every intention of paying the man for the work of replacing the broken marker." Belsea stated by way of agreement. "It is good for a man to be faithful," Elhaym remarked. Agniprava took note of the women's talk, and of Mikealus' reaction, which he found amusing. He didn't know that people could turn such an interesting shade of pink. "You should not trouble yourself so anyway, Mikaelus," Agniprava opined. "The cycle took its course when they were laid to rest. The markers are mere formality." Al'Pacem cleared his throat slightly. "All this talk of death should wait til after dinner, or we'll all digest poorly," he said. Mikealus nodded and decided to be sure to find the man in the next town. "It is not for the man - least of all if he has no one to mourn hi--…" And so cut off by his captain, instead peaceably bowed his head -- and drank more beer. Agniprava nodded slightly. "I am interested to hear the answer to Cael's question though." He turned to the bailiff. "Were they wealthy?" "So the stories say," the bailiff replied. "They were wanderers from the north, who hunted beasts for fame. Think they were actually third sons, though." "What sort of beasts?" the ascetic perked up. "Mad beasts, feral hogs, bear--anything vicious enough for fools to wish to attack," the bailiff replied. "And how long have they been dead?" Agniprava asked. Hodj coughed. "Oh, I say, bout a score years or so ago." Elhaym dutifully filled bowls and plates throughout the evening break. Outside, the sun was beginning to set. Before things could get much further, the bailiff set his clay tankard down on the table with a muffled thump. "Well," he said, looking down at his mostly empty bowl. "No point dragging it out." Agniprava blinks in a bit of a surprise. "Forgive my ignorance of your ways but," He glances to the men, "isn't the point of keeping them alive to question, to drag it out?" "Sir, what is to become of these men?" Cael asked, declining a refill on his mug. "The penalty in this area, hard labor, imprisonment, death...?" The bailiff shook his head. "Why question? I believe your words--these men are guilty. The Silver Horn are not liars; the clansmen do not speak false. The scaffold is risen; they hang." Agniprava looks a bit perturbed at this particular approach, "But I wish to understand..." "I too would like some answers before the death knell, if possible. We did not have sufficient time to inquiry their motivation." Cael looked to the prisoner. "Well, what say you? Why were you robbing that grave?" The prisoner just shook his head and said nothing. Agniprava, looking around, and considering his company, walked to the prisoner and kicked him hard in the gut, "once again?" The man grunted, but didn't say anything. The pain of a blow could not possibly be worse than the pain of the wound he'd been dealt that afternoon. Belsea frowned. "Would you not foul the atmosphere in here?" Agniprava!" Mikealus stands. "The man is no longer our responsibility-- and certainly not to be struck. He is already headed for the gallows." Cael stepped between Agniprava and the prisoner. "Please, let us not come to blows quite yet. I understand these are hard times. I understand you may feel you had no choice in this matter. I simply wish to know why. Why commit such an act?" The prisoner hacks for a moment. "We--we were--we were paid to do it," he stuttered. Belsea glanced at Elhaym and her husband. Elhaym looks aghast. She has not moved since Agniprava kicked the man. The bailiff is watching stoically. The anger radiating from him is palpable. One can tell that he wishes to beat the prisoner as well. Agniprava strode to the opposite side of the room, sat cross-legged and listened to the prisoner speak "He just wanted some bones; din't see no harm to it.... They're dead, what does it matter?" he said, half to himself. "Paid? I see. Now, if someone was willing to pay you to do their work, I assume there was either a need for anonymity or your employer was going to get rid of you after the fact. How did he contact you?" Mikealus' eyebrow twitched. "He wanted...." He looked at the captain, wondering if they're of one mind here: human bones?! Al'Pacem said nothing. He was intent on the unfolding scene. "Well, he was just, you know, at a tavern, and we was at a tavern, and so'n we were talkin, and he said he would pay us for bones if we came on some..." "So it wasn't really specific remains, any remains would do? Curious. Now, was there a meeting place for when you found the bones?" "We was just gonna go back to that tavern..." Interrupting, Mikealus bit out, "Which. Tavern?" "Oh, er, Stone Walk Village..." Cael continued smoothly. "I see. My good fellows, might I make a suggestion. This man seems harmless enough, just a bit misguided. What say we use him to lure out the real culprit?" "What motivation has he to cooperate?" Belsea asked. "If his neck is truly set for the gallows, he has little other recourse," Cael replied. "Perhaps a lightened sentence. If we kill him, this mystery man will surely find others to do his deeds. If we can catch the man behind the act..." "Killing a man who only meant to feed himself does little to stop the issue. There are other desperate men who will find coin just as promising," Mikealus pointed out to the ranger, rather surprised she wouldn't find that a given. Cael agreed. "My thoughts exactly." Al'Pacem shook his head. "One look at this one and our rabbit would bolt. The law says death; it is better for his soul than clinging to life." Belsea glanced at the young paladin, but did not say anything. Meanwhile, the bailiff was just barely keeping his temper. Mikealus frowned at Al'Pacem, but restrained himself. He was not pleased to have this man's life on his hands. The horror of his crime paled in comparison to the one who willed him to perform it. "I suppose, but then we lose or best lead to catching a greater threat," Cael said reluctantly. Al'Pacem rose and stood over the man. "Whether you live or die, you are a defiled one. You are unclean. You will be outcaste wherever you walk. None will recognize you as man. Your soul will wander and no one will light a sacrifice by your grave. So; you have the means by which to avenge your foolishness--and die with some measure of honor. Co-operate, and you will not wander eternally." The wounded man recoiled. Cael turns to the prisoner. "What say you? Lend us your aid and your transgressions may be forgiven, my—hmm, funny, I had not caught your name yet. You are?" "Shuj," he replied meekly, not meeting anyone's eyes. Belsea looked to the bailif. Did he find this an acceptable arrangement? The bailiff looked oddly satisfied... "Well, Shuj, will you help us? If not for clearing your own name, then to strike back against the man who sent you to your fate?" Shuj bowed his head. "I--I will do what you say, lord." "Sir, if it is agreeable with the rest of my company, could we take this man under our charge? I understand the law permits his death, but in these circumstances a second chance may serve us all for the better." Belsea shifted. She found the captain's ideas more satisfying for all then confusing with the talk of a 'second chance'. "He'll go with you and yours," the bailiff said, "But you must swear to me that once this is discharged, he dies--that is my condition. The law is the law. He gets his chance; but the dead deserve their due. How many graves has he sacked?" The last was obviously a rhetorical question. "Where is this tavern from here?" Agniprava asked the room at large. "East several days," al'Pacem replies. "Which means for several days, we will have to maintain a watch on this one." "He will be watched." Mikealus assured softly. "What about the other?" Belsea asked. "He hangs," the bailiff replied curtly. Agniprava disagreed. “It may seem suspicious if they do not arrive together, no?" "There is no honor among thieves," the bailiff disagreed. "His only crime is that I hit him harder," Mikealus pointed out, in agreement with Agniprava. "...But it will be equally suspicious for a man so gravely wounded to show up at all." "There is also difficulty in moving him,” Belsea replied. "Although..." Mikealus' expression soured. "We will have trouble finding our buyer if we have no goods." Al'Pacem shook his head. "I don't think that's necessary." Mikealus looks extrordinarily relieved. "Honor among thieves has little to do with it it seems to me," Agniprava began. "If we are worried about honor, I wonder how we expect a man willing to forsake his soul for a bit of coin to follow through at all when he knows death awaits him anyway." Cael pipes up. "In several days’ time I can have the other man well off enough to sit in a chair. All we need is to make the man think they are making an exchange." "There will be marching and travel before he gets to the chair to sit in." Belsea shakes her head. "A bag filled with sticks will have a similar effect. An, when the trap is sprung, we will dispatch the ringleader," added Cael. The bailiff cleared his throat. "I think you misunderstand; that is, I doubt their... Buyer would be surprised if only one showed up to take both shares of pay." He glanced at Shuj. "This one looking battered, having murdered the other--natural enough to think, I say." Belsea nodded at the bailiff. Sometimes she found the interactions of people fascinating, if draining. Seeing there would be no convincing the bailiff, Cael sighed and said a silent prayer for the injured man. With his wounds, it would be remarkable for him to last much longer without proper treatment anyways. Perhaps a swift death would be better than an agonizing one. "Does not my second point still bear considering?" Agniprava asked of the room at large. "After all, what are we to threaten him with should he betray us? Death? He will already die." "I'd rather hang him now and be done with it," the bailiff growled. Agniprava ignored the bailiff in favor of hearing the opinion of his fellow travelers. "I believe we were not threatening him into cooperation, but offering a chance to redeem a part of his soul or memory," Belsea stated mildly. Al'Pacem replied, "No rest for the doomed soul is not a light sentence." Ravi and Khader nodded. Borche said nothing. "I have already stated my opinion. If he sees this through, I would prefer to think of it as his atonement,” Cael said. "And what of the soul of the one who kills the messanger?" Agniprava retorted, with a slight bite. He shakes his head. "Nevermind..." He bowed from his seat, "As you will it, captain." "...Those who defile the sacred, their elders... They are not given mercy, Agniprava. It is not an easy truth, but it is the way we are sworn to." He's not happy either. "Well. If you are all settled...?" The captain looked at each in turn, excepting the prisoner at his feet. Daylight had already faded to dusk. Torches were being lit beyond the shuttered windows. "Why don't we rest for the night and talk about his punishment on the road tomorrow. Even if we head to this tavern, we still have the rest of our duty to complete as well. We have all had a long day," Cael said, stalling for some more time to work out the problem. Belsea idly wondered how watch would proceed. The bailiff interjected, "I would have done with the other tonight." "What say you to that, lord captain?" asked Agniprava. These proceedings had been of great interest to him… If a bit irritating. "Let it be done, then. Borche, take this one. Bailiff, please set us up for the night; I hate to take advantage of your hospitality, but there is no sense in traveling at night under these conditions." Cael acquiesced. "As you would. I believe he is not long for this world anyhow. His wounds were deep, and it would take constant care to give him the hope of a normal life. As much as I hate to see a man I worked hard to save to have his life ended, this is your town and your rules." "Captain, I would check the horses while the bailiff makes preparations?" Mikealus suggested. Al'Pacem nodded. "As you wish." Mikealus bowed his head, and went for some much-needed air, and a moment to center himself before the trying task of watching a man die. Cael excuses himself. "I would prefer not to watch such a spectacle. I will be in my lodgings, praying for this man's soul." The bailiff seemed tired suddenly. He is much older than anyone currently in your company, except Hojh. "I will fetch the other, then." He stands and departs, Elhaym watching him worriedly. Agniprava rose to his feet, noticing the look Elhaym gave the bailiff. "I will assist the bailiff." He and the bailiff arrive at the freeman's house; the goodwife is stitching by the fire. Khader rose when he saw his companion. "Hasn't moved. What's the decision?" Agniprava studied the prisoner. He was asleep and bound carefully and precisely. His face was pale from blood loss; the bandages around his chest were stained with seeping blood and fluid; his breath rattled. "You may be out of luck Bailiff," Agniprava began, "He may not survive the walk to the rope..." "It would be easier for everyone," the bailiff agreed. "Well, lads... Let's get him up." Agniprava helped get the man to his feet with the others. Khader looks concerned, but not surprised. "Hanging, huh." The goodwife looks up, startled, while the men hoist the wounded one out of the cottage. Back at the mill, Elhaym busies herself with cleaning up after the meal, avoiding everyone's gaze. She is deeply uncomfortable with what has transpired. Belsea observes her, saying nothing. She hesitated briefly before going out to see the hanging. After making sure the horses are properly settled, Mikealus joined his brethren at the gallows. Agniprava helped the bailiff walk the prisoner to the gallows, but then departed for the tree line to meditate. As he left the scene, Agniprava walked by Mikealus. The monk recalled the paladin’s similar discomfort with what was taking place and whispered, "Always remember what happens to those who seek blood, Mikealus." Mikealus remained behind, left with unhelpful words from the monk, and the dull throb of frustration he is unsure of how to put at ease. He puts distance between himself and the ascetic - and then between himself and the gallows. He is almost loathe to leave it. And he is angry. It will be a long and trying watch, tonight, he has no doubt. One way or another, as the goodwife followed Agniprava, Khader, and the bailiff from the cottage, word has spread that the hastily erected scaffold--barely a wooden platform under a tall tree on the outskirts of the village is about to be put to use. A small crowd has assembled. With the doomed man lolling against Khader, the bailiff pronounces the graverobber's crimes and his sentence. After some awkwardness, the man dangles from the rope. The event is not terribly good spectacle; there is no fight in the man. The crowd mostly departs, except for a pair of burly fellows who wait by the scaffold, talking about the planting season. As the party sort through their thoughts, the bailiff and the two serfs cut down the body and take it away. Elhaym calmed herself through mundane tasks until the goodwife comes to the millhouse, and sorted everyone out into homes for the night. The village had a hard winter, and this spring there was extra space. Agniprava, not wanting to impose upon the people any more, decided to take his rest outside among nature as was his custom at home. The night watch passed without incident. In the morning, the patrol ate a hot, hearty porridge made from last night's dinner and rice. Thus full, the captain hustled everyone out on the road. Shuj was still in bad shape, but stronger than the day before. He was tethered to Borche's thick wrist. Everyone rode, excepting the prisoner. Despite being cold and damp, the morning is a pretty one. As they passed the river bend, Khader discussed a rumor he heard about bandits nearby. Cael sidled up to Khader. "Is there any chance this might be related to the parcel we found the other night?" He said, not mentioning the value of the find. Mikealus rode along beside them. Their shared attempts to break the ice on the first day of their meeting, he reflected, must have gone well - the strained silence no longer exists, to his imagination. "Hm." Khader thought about it for a moment. "I don't think so. Sounded like the bandits would be further west of here--a day or so out. If they're still around. That village hadn't been hit. Just cousins of cousins, you know how it is." Cael nodded understandingly. He then turns to Shuj, "And do you have any dealings with these miscreants?" Shuj shook his head painfully. "Dunno 'em. We weren't part o' no band," he replied dully. "How did the two of you meet?" Mikealus tilted his head. "Come to think of it, no one ever asked, did they? The name of your partner?" "...Ursas was my sister's husband." Belsea was silently keeping a watchful eye out for rabid animals. There were other folks on the road today, but they were mainly farmhands on their way to and from various fields. No one stood out in particular. Al'Pacem rode at the head of the patrol. Ravi scouted, riding ahead and back with nothing of note to report. He was pleased to put distance between himself and the prisoner. Cael bowed his head. "We are sorry for your loss, but what made you accept this man's offer? How much was he going to pay you for this ... deed?" "Enough for us to maybe move to the city..." He plodded along, not really looking at anyone. "And what would you do there? Do you have a trade or skill suited for city work?" asked Cael. "What d'you care." "Just making conversation, friend. The road is long and these gentlemen are not very talkative." He motioned to the rest. Shuj turned his face away from Cael, which pretty much means he's staring down Borche's foot. Borche raised a thick eyebrow at Cael. "Don't think he wants t'be your friend, friend." "Hardly a kindness to have the man dwell on what he's lost, Cael," Mikealus reminded the initiate. Borche grunted in agreement. "Let him think on what he's done. We need to think on what's yet to be doing. Stone Water is a couple days out at best, 'n I haven't been there in a while." "The rest of the road won't be this good," Khader added grimly. Given that the stone paving disappeared less than a day out of Ceteran, that was bad news in a wet spring. Cael replied amiably, “True enough. What course of action shall we take? I assume if we are all sitting in a tavern, weapons drawn, the mystery man is apt to run off." "Is it a place worth thinking on, Borche? I've never been out at it." Mikealus frowned in agreement with Khader, though. It would hardly be good traveling - more like swimming than riding, at least calf-high in some places. Of course, the lack of a trail was no hindrance to Belsea. "Any place is equally worth thinking on." Borche shrugged. Al'Pacem's voice carried back to them. "Our mystery buyer won't miss a group as large as ours coming in; take that under advisement." He seemed, however, content to let the younger bunch figure out what to do. Mikealus frowned, thinking. "Any authority would be a point to make the man skittish. Our being there at all might make him hesitate to seek out his supplier." “Hmm, I see your point. Though if we just let Shuj go to meet with the man, we would need to unshackle him, which presents its own problems," Cael said. "I've no doubt Shuj will do his duty. In the very worst case, he will cause trouble for the entire town - if we do not find hide nor hair of his employer, we will need to search ourselves. Which will be a great trouble to everyone - cause a witchhunt amongst the people, besides… And then we will hunt him down anyway." Khader scratched at his beard. "I dunno. May be better just to... Let him hang himself, as it were, than to panic the people if we can't find him." "To hang himself how, do you mean? We cannot be complacent. What do you expect him to do?" Cael interjected. "Perhaps a trap then? I have, on my journey learned a way to change my appearance. Shuj and I could lure the man to a place outside of town, where an ambush would lie in wait." "Someone who gets that stuff's gonna use it somehow--try and sell it. It'll come up if we don't get him this time, is what I'm sayin." Belsea turned to the group. "It seems such a waste of effort to have brought him all this way, just to kill him." Her piece said, she trotted ahead. No doubt if Ravi were with the patrol right now, he'd say that was his point all along. But the grumbler is off in the distance somewhere. "I don't think we want to allow this man to continue, Khader. To doom more villagers to such treasonous acts? To harm anyone else? How long -could- we wait before we are given a better opportunity than this?" Mikealus agonized. Khader shook his head. "I'm just sayin, if he gets away, he won't get away forever. I'd rather catch him another day than start, like you said, a witch hunt." "True words, both of you, but were we not sent to protect this route? Would not this fall under our direct duty to uphold?" asked Cael. "A great deal of that unpleasantry can be avoided if Shuj agrees to cooperate." Mikealus pointed out. "Is it not better we be forthright with our options, whichever we choose?" Belsea returned to the group, unable to avoid speaking her own mind. "I was under the assumption he had agreed to aid us, so that his soul will not wander the earth until the end of times." "Yes, but men sometimes choose unwise paths. I do not blame him for his doubt, or his fear,” said Mikealus. "I just don't think it's in the interest of protectin anybody if we work up the villagers until they start pointin fingers at each other," Khader muttered. The group had ridden a long way. During their discussion, the sun had reached its apex. Ahead, al'Pacem was already into his saddlebags and gnawing on a trail bar. Borche dismounted carefully, trying not to jerk the prisoner around unduly. Khader followed suit, walking awkwardly as he stretched his legs. None of them showed any intent of stopping, however--midday meal was on the move. "That is why we should attempt to lure him outside of town. Our troop will go unnoticed and keep the villagers calm. Plus, less likely to involve innocents. Perhaps one or two of you could arrive first, and scatter around town. Shuj and I would meet with this man, and attempt to lure him to where we had hidden his goods. After which, we could setup an advantageous position for the rest of you to capture this man," Cael suggested. "Probably good," Borche allowed. "Three paladins on horseback won't be unnoticed by anyone. Even if we wait on the outskirts, someone will see us, and someone might bring word into town. ....though it does make sense that you wouldn't cart a corpse into the middle of town for the man to inspect his wares...” Mikealus was ambivalent. "I could walk in unnoticed I'm sure," Agniprava volunteered. "What was your arrangement, Shuj? How were you to deliver?" Mikealus asked. Khader snorted at Agniprava. "You're a stranger. Ain't nobody NOT gonna notice you. "I was just gonna come inta the inn and he'd get it from our horses." "Fair I suppose, but I don't look like much....perhaps no one will think twice about it?" "Yes, Shuj, how was the arrangement made to meet with this man? At a certain hour or was there a signal?" Cael pressed. "Naw... Was just gonna go in and wait. We was gonna be there in about four days." “He said he'd come for them himself?" asked Agniprava, seeking clarification. "Well, I guess..." Mikealus looked impatient. "Well what did he say? As best you can remember?" "We just agreed on meeting and paying. Nobody said nothin else about not comin or not comin hisself." The prisoner sounded annoyed and tired. "So we best be prepared in case he is springing a trap for us," Cael finished. "How would he know what happened to his thief for hire?" Agniprav asked. "I was more thinking if he no longer had use for his thief he may just kill him to avoid having to pay him." "Ahhh... Yes, yes, I see..." "Less witnesses and more money for himself." "I don't know if money is what this person treasures.... But nevertheless I see your point. But what remains is the question of how we watch the horses without watching the horses...." Agniprava mused. “Horses with the corpses that is..." “That’s what is missing!” Khader sighed gustily. “We didn’t take the horses! Damn…” [I]If he simply wanted corpses, he could make them. Either he doubts his abiliity to kill, or he has some other reason for profaning the dead.[/I] Mikealus shook his head again. "Perhaps the best course of action would be for us to simply ride through town? If we don't stay for the night, but instead go right through, and wait for the buyer to leave? He might very well come right to us." The ascetic asked the prisoner, "How many ways out of town are there?" "...It ain't got walls." "Well then flushing him out won't work unless we know where he might go....the buyer, that is," Agniprava concluded. "The better question would be if there's more than one road going through it,” Mikealus said. "There's just the one," Shuj volunteered. Agniprava observed, "But with no walls, he needs to road no leave..." “True, though revealing his identity will be an undeniable boon in our favor," said Cael. "Even if he escapes, we can track him easier." "Perhaps we can get him to try to take what he needs as he tries to escape..." Agniprava was trying to flesh out a plan. "Give him a chance at them after causing some confusion." The shadows of lonely stands of trees stretched across the highway. "Maybe we're thinking about this the wrong way entirely." The fieldhands were still hard at work planting as the patrol passed, but even the monk was becoming sore from a long day of riding. "If he was only supposed to return to the town in four days, a man such as this may not risk being there longer than he needs." After a while, al'Pacem presided over an orderly dismount at another smoothed out patch by the side of the road. This time, there was no helpful stream nearby; instead, the patrol would sleep near the rice paddies, with a treebreak for shelter. Some wood had been left near the treebreak in a neat pile. "Alright, time to set camp. You can pick up the discussion after." "Certainly, captain." Agniprava eased himself off the mule and went to work setting up the campfire. Mikealus is quick to dismount, and ease Khongordsol in for the night while the group set up camp. Everyone quickly set to their tasks, with Ravi returning and helping Agniprava stack wood, Cael resuming his work on the tents, and Ravi and Khader jury-rigging a tent between two trees. In no time, there was a cozy enough looking camp on the small green. They had just enough of a border between the tents and the rice paddies to avoid an unpleasantly muddy night, but things would no doubt be damp anyway. After finishing his work, Cael asked, "I suppose we'll take lots again for shifts? I once again volunteer myself for the midnight watch." Al’Pacem was pacing around the small clearing, looking at the nearby plantings. There was a long, wide corridor of land running perpendicular to the road, and the fields are crisscrossed with narrow levies. "Yes--let's," the captain replied, turning toward Cael after a few beats. "Does something trouble you, captain?" the monk asked. "...Nothing particular." "Something in general, then?" Mikealus asked the captain, with a sheepish smile. Al'Pacem chuckled. "You could say that." Lots drawn, the patrol all set to making dinner, arguing over plans and criminal minds, and eventually settled in for the night. [/QUOTE]

Verification