[Pathfinder] mazzoli's Kingmaker IC

[Deuce Traveler]

Rhote fidgets a bit at first, though he settles down when a fire is set to cook the stew. He stares at the flickering flames and is soothed. "I do believe we have nearly tapped the limits of your knowledge when it comes to the bandits. Do they usually look out for signs of trouble or do they just stroll in?"

 

[SelcSilverhand]

Prince Liam fishes through his purse to draw out a single gold piece. He gives it to Oleg and says, "Be sure to give him the very best grain and bedding, I will need him at his best in the morning."

At the meal he eats heartily, complimenting his hosts on "simple but delicious country fare". He takes a double helping of honey upon hearing the story of the bear in the woods. "It is no small thing to face down a bear alone in the woods! You must have showed him you were the more ferocious! That reminds me of an encounter I had my own self. I was out hunting with some of my companions and we came upon the fresh track of the largest boar we had ever laid eyes upon. It took us most of a day to corner the wily hog in a patch of gorse. When I came close he boiled out of the thicket like a demon from the foul pits. Naturally I laid my spear low and charged straight back at him. I snapped my spear off in his chest but he still had enough fight left in him to gore my best stallion. I barely got out from under it as it fell. I had my sword in hand ready to sort out the beast when the spears of my companions struck his side. That was my chance to leap in and strike down the beast. His head adorns my fathers study even now." He leans back in his chair and smiles, certain that his story impressed his hosts.

 

[Scotley]

The horse seems to be of a skittish disposition by nature and does not seem to be trained for war, but he responds to Pixie's gentle approach and seems to relax a bit. She has made a friend.

 

[Scotley]

She considers, "They were pretty careful at first, but since we've been just giving them what they ask for the last time they were here they just strolled in." Oleg glowers at this obviously unhappy with the current state of affairs. "They don't send as many as they did early on and that awful cruel woman with the hatchets hasn't been back."

 

[Scotley]

Prince Liam fishes through his purse to draw out a single gold piece. He gives it to Oleg and says, "Be sure to give him the very best grain and bedding, I will need him at his best in the morning."

At the meal he eats heartily, complimenting his hosts on "simple but delicious country fare". He takes a double helping of honey upon hearing the story of the bear in the woods. "It is no small thing to face down a bear alone in the woods! You must have showed him you were the more ferocious! That reminds me of an encounter I had my own self. I was out hunting with some of my companions and we came upon the fresh track of the largest boar we had ever laid eyes upon. It took us most of a day to corner the wily hog in a patch of gorse. When I came close he boiled out of the thicket like a demon from the foul pits. Naturally I laid my spear low and charged straight back at him. I snapped my spear off in his chest but he still had enough fight left in him to gore my best stallion. I barely got out from under it as it fell. I had my sword in hand ready to sort out the beast when the spears of my companions struck his side. That was my chance to leap in and strike down the beast. His head adorns my fathers study even now." He leans back in his chair and smiles, certain that his story impressed his hosts.

Svetlana does seem impressed, and Oleg does brood less at the compliment to his own ferocity. "My lord that is a most rousing story. Would you care for more bread and honey?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Rhote smirks and says, "Well, their casualness shall be their undoing. Perhaps Prince Liam will see fit to stick them as he does a boar. I do believe we should turn in early, so we might wake in time to make our preparations. First these bandits, then perhaps we'll go after that woman you so fear." Rhote finishes his food and drink and itemizes his equipment before turning in.

 

[Shayuri]

"Tell us more about the woman," Kyria said from her place at the Prince's side. "What about her frightens you so much?"

 

[Scotley]

"She had a black sense of humor did that one. Chilled me right to the bone." Something about the off hand way she responds doesn't ring true. "Oleg love, My Lord Liam's cup has run dry. Fetch another bottle, I think there is one more at the back of the storeroom." Once he is out of earshot she leans in conspiratorially and continues. "The woman who carried two small hatchets did the majority of the talking on that first time, and her black sense of humor and the way she smiled when she spoke of what fate would await me if we didn’t comply frightened me so. With her men you see." She blushes and looks down, both fearful and embarrassed. "That woman also seemed to be particularly sharp and observant, whereas the man seemed to be a bit more crude and foolish. That the woman quite nearly lopped off Oleg’s right hand with one of her hatchets in a cruel bit of mockery, convinced the two of us that she was the most dangerous of the bandits. As it was, the woman took my wedding ring right off my hand and tossed it to one of her men as payment for 'not shortening Oleg’s reach.'" Her eyes water at this point and she wipes them with the back of her hand, "Poor Oleg, he would have taken up a weapon and died valiantly that first day if not for me. He loves me as I love him and fear of what would happen to me if he acted stays his hand. Oh but it pains him so. Do protect him, I fear he will hurl himself at them with you all here." She takes Prince Liam's hand in hers and looks him in the eye, tears on her cheeks. "Please my lord do not let them hurt him. If you fail tomorrow I will take my own life rather than let them have me. I care not, but Oleg is a good man he deserves better. All we wanted was a little place to call our own."

 

[SelcSilverhand]

The prince is moved by the woman's tale of cruelty. He pats her hand gently and says "Fear not my good woman, I will not let any harm come to Oleg or yourself. Tomorrow we will remove the bandit threat once and for all and give you a safe place to live in peace. This "hatchet woman" will know justice in the end. I give you my oath that I will not rest until they are destroyed!" He looks to his companions to see if they will meet his resolve.

 

[Shayuri]

"Tomorrow we'll remove the immediate threat," Kyria agrees. "With any luck we'll have a captive or two to find out where the rest of them are hiding. Then..." She nods at Liam, "...with the leadership of our Prince, we'll make a plan of attack and eliminate their leader, ending the threat."

Her tone softens as she reaches out to squeeze Svetlana's hand.

"We'll protect you in the meantime as well. If it goes well, they won't have time to strike back. Even if they do, we will be here to fight them back."