Once Upon a Rheim (Erekose13 Judging)

[Corwyn]

Aiken munches on some of the food. Hmmm there should be some rumors of this going on in the under layers of society

 

[El Jefe]

"It was, maybe 70 years ago," Valdor says. "Some illness came through the area, took my grandfather and them as well. Was a sad bit of Riem history, almost 20% of the population died."

Again, Oirhandir did the sums. If Valdor's father had been old enough to take over the estate when the grandfather had died, and had sired Valdor before becoming a doddering old fool, that would mean... He wordlessly finished his calculations and glanced at Valdor. "Yes, he's old enough, barely", thought the elf. And that would mean that Scarlet was a stripling of oh, 80 or so when this man was a babe in his mother's arms. "Must be odd to see your master grow up in front of you", he mused.

Turning his thoughts to the here and now, Valdor's revelation had all but absolved the Harewinds of any principal role in the latest events. Even if disease hadn't taken Scarlet's parents, had someone wanted to lash out against the children, then would have been the time to do it. They were helpless, and Valdor's father would have been just a lad, barely able to make a go of it even with three young elven slaves and a large plantation to work. And if the plot was really against the Harewinds, wouldn't it be much easier to strike at them directly instead of through Valdor? No, Valdor must be the target.

"So, tell me of this Garza Vahan", suggested the bard. "Do you think he might be capable of something like this? And how long has he been trying to buy the Harewinds from you?"

 

[Bront]

"Garza? Oh, well I don't know too much about him realy. Scarlet actualy sent him to me. We made a deal for some clothing, and several days later he made an offer on Scarlet. I turned him down of course, as politely as possable, and within a week he made another offer for the entire family. Been coming back every few months for years now. Gets some clothes, buys a load, and makes an offer."

 

[El Jefe]

"Garza?...Scarlet actualy sent him to me."

Oirhandir pondered that for a moment. "Hmmm...well, I had come here to see Scarlet, anyway, and maybe she knows something of use here", he declared. "I should go see her...how would I get to her lands from here?

 

[Bront]

"She's just about half a day south of here. Not too hard to find, but I wouldn't advise traveling at night. You're welcome to stay here of course."

"So, Scarlett brings you here? What about the rest of your friends?"

 

[El Jefe]

"She's just about half a day south of here. Not too hard to find, but I wouldn't advise traveling at night. You're welcome to stay here of course."

As it was a near thing just to travel from the ambush site to Lord Valdor's domicile in one day, Oirhandir had suspected that he wouldn't be able to see Scarlet until the morning, anyhow. "Your offer is most gracious, Lord Valdor", he replied. "We would be honored to be your guests for the evening."

"So, Scarlett brings you here? What about the rest of your friends?"

Oirhandir smiled wanly. "Well, my old friends scattered here and there", he explained. "You recall that Fang stayed in Covington for a while, yes?" And Sunny had gone off chasing the Freefolk caravan, and he'd heard that Troi and Lasair had gone off to solve some kidnapping or something like that. "And I thought I heard something about Elise wanting to visit you, or something like that, but I couldn't find her in Orussus when I was making plans for this journey. You haven't seen her, have you?", he asked.

"And as for my new friends, well, I was suitably chastened by the experience we had at the bridge to Lathirn. I'm an able elf, and fear not many things that lurk along the highways, but I didn't think I could deal with a band the size of Phineas's by myself. So I sought out brave travelers who wanted nothing but to see Rheim, and to share in any fortune we might encounter. These four stepped forward, and they have served well. Not far beyond the turnoff to Lathirn, we were attacked at night by a savage beast, some sort of a cross between a goblin and a wolf. I don't think it was a werewolf, as the moon wasn't full. Anyway, it came straight for me and rent me until I lay senseless on the ground. I'm sure I would have ended my days in that creature's belly had not these adventurers put it to flight. I owe them my gratitude and my life."

Oirhandir continued to sit and talk with Valdor, but started looking for an opportunity to have some private words with either Violet or Blue, or both.

 

[Corwyn]

"Well sir I for one will try and help to unmask any nefarious plot, I'll gladly help Oirhandir get to the bottom of these troubles. Says Aiken

 

[Someone]

"Ah, thanks. It's been a while since we don't use a real bed." says Nodis.

Turning to his neares party member he whispers "I have the funny feeling that this Garza dude may have something to do with the caravan attacks"

 

[Bront]

"Elise went to spend some time with Scarlet. She wasn't thrilled with me owning slaves you see, and went to talk to Scarlet after she spent a little time here. I do hope she returns, though I'm beginning to have my doubts."

"You surround youself with good company Oirhandir. Tis something more men should do."

 

[Bront]

"Well sir I for one will try and help to unmask any nefarious plot, I'll gladly help Oirhandir get to the bottom of these troubles. Says Aiken

"I thank you. I can only hope you can. Perhaps I can offer you some kind of reward if you can. I'm sure I'll figure out something. I just feel bad for the others who didn't make it back."