Shattered Sea Chronicles, Book II: Of Rocks and Red Eagles

[Blarkon Dragonslayer]

May 9, 1106, Noon
Red Axe Pass

The man who spoke for the riders listens to Nathaniel, and is about to reply, when Larren speaks up. He smiles thinly, looking at the young cleric. "Well now...there's freedom, then there's freedom. We've nothing against the dwarves, and if the Thane wants to send his lads up to fight for those thieving bastards at Bright Rock, that's his business. But the Men of Mallon hold what is theirs, and this pass is ours, by right of blood spilled to hold it, whilst others hid and hoped the evil might spare them. We've been hoping that the thieves at Bright Rock, and the orcs, would slaughter each other, and save us the trouble of it." He looks at the group, and finally shakes his head. "Now...I think a 25 gp donation from each of you will be enough."

 

[Fenris]

Redbeard promptly spits out an apple seed onto the side of the road. "And be spreading the bounty of Nature's Balance as well."

"Aye, but most beast leave the seeds in thier dung Red. Warm fertilizer." grins the dwarf at Redbeard as he grabs an apple.



When the riders challenge them, Broderick takes careful stock of the situation. A crossbow he thinks, I knew I forgot to buy somethin' at the fair.

Broderick lets Nathaniel speak and winces when Larren does, no small feat to be less tactful than a dwarf. Still, though a dwarf, Broderick quietly heads to the front of the group, his hand on his axe.

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Pauli 'This Psion'

"Oh boy." Whispers Pauli in response to the mercenary's claim. He can breifly hear the muffled clanks of gear begin to shuffle amongst the more physical types within his group.

OOC: If Pauli believes that physical harm is about to incure, he will attempt to get a jump on the mercanaries with his prepared manifestation. a.k.a. Surprise round.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Redbeard

"Aye, but most beast leave the seeds in thier dung Red. Warm fertilizer." grins the dwarf at Redbeard as he grabs an apple.

"That be true, friend Broderick, but an apples worth of seeds be unpleasant, be trustin' me. Ralph 'ere don't be mindin' though." Redbeard hands the core of the apple down to the dog, who eagerly gulps it down in one bite.

Seeing a little bit of hostilities with the riders and not wanting to see any of their numbers fall from combat, Redbead speaks up finally. "Why ye callin' the people o' Bright Rock thieves? They be takin' somethin' from you?" Redbeard notes the position of the lancers and is ready to cast a spell should cooler heads not prevail.

[sblock]Should the horseman move to attack the group, Redbeard will cast an entangle spell to mess them up. . (Action Readied)[/sblock]

 

[pathfinderq1]

For the first portion of the journey, Johanna seemed to simply enjoy the trip itself. While she had traveled through terrain like this on her initial route to the festival, this was different- now she had battle-tested friends, and folk who knew the local stories of the area. The walking itself did not seem to trouble her at all- with her bedroll and extra gear stowed on one of the pack mules, she seemed to have boundless energy and was ready to help set up camp when most of the others seemed weary from the day's trek.

As the riders approached, she stepped up behind Nathaniel- while she had not drawn the greatsword from across her back, her hands clenched in anticpation of a possible fight. The young townsman's words were well-spoken indeed, as sweet to the ear as Redbeard's apple had been to the stomach during the long walk.

But things did not turn out so simply after all, of course. Still, the leader of the riders had said perhaps more than he intended, and a number of possible alternatives presented themselves. Johanna stepped forward a pace or two, past Nathaniel and Larren- she clapped the bard on the shoulder gently for his effort, and whispered a "Looks like Chaos well-served," to Larren under the cover of Redbeard's quick question. Then she stood in a wary stance, facing the leader of the riders. Her voice was not as sweet as the bard's, but it was pleasant enough, trained tones that held the undercurrent of great cat.

"We've heard of the men of Mallon Hill, and of their valor- in fact we might be able to tell you tales even you don't know of your ancestors' prowess and honor, for we've found lost and ancient record of those deeds. But we are free folk as well, and we'll not be forced to pay up, when all we want is passage to slay the beasts that the Thane has asked us to kill. Maybe you're tired of killing such scum, but we've not yet had our fill of orc-blood. So as I see it, we've two ways of putting this problem behind us..."

"You can grant us passage, of your own free choice, and we'll do our best to wipe out the orcish rabble- even if we were to fail, we'll thin their numbers by a good bit, and if we triumph we'll be glad to tell of your generosity when we sing of this. Perhaps we can even share camp with you tonight, and trade food and tales, and we'll all come out friends. But if that choice isn't to your liking, I've another idea that will make just as good a song. Let me know if you'd like to hear it..."

 

[Nathaniel Frost]

Nathaniel returns to the group, shaking his head in utter disbelief. Perhaps next time tact is required i'll silence the priest... "How about one of those apples, Red?"

 

[Blarkon Dragonslayer]

The leader, or at least the spokesman, for the riders smiles when Johanna is done speaking, a thoughtful look in his eye. "There are orcs in plenty for all, warrior woman. Haven't you heard, there's a bloody great nation of them just over the pass, not five days easy ride from this spot. "
His eyes move over the group, and dwarves beyond them. Kanek has said nothing, just listening, though the dwarven soldiers have drawn up in two ranks, the first with heavy shields and waraxes, the second with crossbows held.

Then he looks at Broderick, and the way the dwarf is obviously ready to fight with the others. He nods faintly. "As you like. I've rarely been spoken to so prettily and threatened so well in the same bit of words. Your halfelf has a rare way with speech, he does. Come with us to the camp, then. It's on your way to the den of thieves', or near enough."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Redbeard

Redbeard breathes a sigh of relief as the encounter with rider's doesn't end in bloodshed. How were they supposed to explain to the Thane that the half the force that was supposed to fortify Bright Rock were killed. Redbeard was sure that if they paid the men, that the Thane would surely reimburse them. Redbeard hands Nathaniel an apple, "Here be some fruit for ye." Redbeard adds when there are no riders in earshot, "I not be trustin' these men, they call the people of Bright Rock thieves. I be not sure what they be meanin', but perhaps with some more of ye flowery words their tongues be loosin'. We need bein' on guard in thar camp."

 

[Nathaniel Frost]

Nathaniel nods in agreement. "I don't like the sound of things here, either. When we reach their camp, i'll find out what's going on..." He idly nibbles at his apple, wracking his brain for any reason these men would think so ill of the townsmen in Bright Rock. Are we being thrown right in the middle of some kind of clan feud?

 

[Bloodweaver1]

'Pauli' The Psion

Pauli gives an autable sigh of relief as he hears the sound of a truce between the two groups. Falling in step with the rest of the dwarfs the mind mage keeps a sharp eye on their surroundings. That went over well. Just hope that getting intp the Keep will not be too difficult.