Spheres of Influence:Rhiannon in Jepardy? GAME

[Tilmamir]

As the group is deciding where to spend the day, the big barn doors of Caldwells opens and a horse pulling a wagon comes out. Then another wagon follows into the circle, and a third. The pale man Airith talked to is walking beside the last wagon pointing in your direction and you hear "Yea, those two"

The older man on the wagon bench, wide brimmed hat on his head and pipe in his mouth, looks your way. They are talking quickly and quietly, but at last you overhear "Get 'em"

The pale man scampers to you over the cobble of the road, all apologetic like. As he approaches, he straightens up a little, but keeps looking past you without making eye contact.
"Uh, Are you still interested in going ta Malta? My boss there," pointing to the third wagon driver, "says he can take ya there now, but ya have to help provide your own grub. And can't pay ya but 8 gold Crowns for the lot of ya."

 

[Gwaihir]

Relsyn

"I'm in" says Relsyn hurriedly. "The rest of you ready to go?"

 

[Zachian]

Airith

"Sounds good to me." Airith makes his way to the first wagon with Smoke following behind. "So where do you want us."
The caravan leader replies, "Pick a wagon and get on. We're kind of in a hurry and would like to get out of the city and on the road before things get busy around here. I'll give all ya 2 crowns tonight and the rest when we get to Malta. That is provided we don't lose to much along the way to raiders."
Airith loosens Somke's saddle and bags, "A, Wrinkle could you put this stuff in the back of the wagon for me? I would but the height of the back end is a bit of a challenge for me." Wrinkle smiles and gladly puts the saddle and bags in the back. "Thanks" Airith replies. He climbs up unto the first wagon and takes a seat.

 

[Tinuviel]

Inwe

"Be right back" Inwe says, then makes her way quickly across to Youngblood to leave word for the farmer not to wait. Then quickly back to the wagons. She climbs up with her gear also into the first wagon, setting her pack within reach but out of the way. Cildar jumps up beside her and settles his head on her knee.

 

[Tilmamir]

The wagons start moving the second that Wrinkle seats himself on the back of the middle wagon.
Each wagon is tarped, with little room to spare.

In the first wagon, Inwe sits on a medium size box, with Cildar eventually playing with one of the strings of the tarp. Airith, gear at his feat, sits cross-legged on the only spot on the wagon floor not otherwise occupied with boxes. On the driving bench is a tall lean man, probably about thirty years old. His hands hold the reigns of the horses comfortably, but you notice that both arms are covered to the elbows with red scar patches. After reaching the main road, he looks back and nods at the two sitting there. "Earle's the name. Guess y'all will be riding with us to Malta. Should be there in … Three weeks, if I guess right."
He faces forward again and continues to drive.

On the second wagon, Relsyn and Wrinkle ride at the back of the wagon next to the cooking supplies. Wrinkle whistles a tune or two while watching the people of Antioch begin to come out of their houses and join the hustle of life in the city. Relsyn sits back and closes his eyes in meditation or prayer. The driver introduced himself just after turning out of the square heading North towards the main road. Zane is a medium sized human, with wiry arms and legs. He is quite smartly dressed in brown cotton trousers, a handsomely cut leather vest, and heavy wool overcoat and mittens.

On the seat on the last wagon sits the man who invited you along. He is older, perhaps in his fifties. He is wearing a wide brimmed pressed felt hat that has seen a day or two too many. His eyes are black, and he squints as he drives his wagon along the road behind you. Every so often, he looks as though he is about to talk to Relsyn or Wrinkle, but he stops before saying anything. As the party passes out of town and into the plain beyond the city, he introduces himself as Sheldon Havenhill.

By the time the sun rises half way to its peak in the sky, the party has made its way over the bridge and on to the road heading East. The party has begun its journey.


THUS ENDS THE PROLOGUE OF
Spheres of influence: Rhiannon: in Jepardy.


CHAPTER ONE - a ride in the wilderness (or) A trek to Malta

 

[Gwaihir]

Relsyn

Relsyn Saffire sits in the back of the wagon, eyes closed, silently enduring the bumpy ride of the wagon and trying to look as un-bookish as possible. Jewel the Raven, speaks into his ear, then beats his wings and soars high above the small caravan, riding the updrafts as he cruises through the air.

But despite the outward appearance Relsyn's mind races. The thoughts come rapidly, often interspersed with prayer as they often do when a true state of meditation eludes him.

Why would Salix order the third company to attack uphill against fortified enemy position; the third comapny was beaten soundly, and though Salix carried the day, the third companies actions don't seem to fit with the overall flow of the battle.

Illumine my mind, St Macedone, that I might discern patterns where they exist and bring to light Truth long obscured in darkness.

What is Wrinkles story?

Macedone, light my path on this journey that I may walk in Truth.

There as many animals as people in this party... I would have prefered the ship.

I've never been to Malta before. I hope we don't mess this up. I wonder if the Gem is really Elis tear. It must have been a special tree he yanked the staff out of.

I would hate to this for full time employment.

"Sheldon," Relsyn looks over to the driver, " how long have you been driving caravans?"

 

[Zachian]

Airith

Airith enjoys the country side scenery. He adjusts his belongings and tries to make a comfortable seat on the floor of the wagon. Smoke is following just behind the wagon and looks much more comfortable without all his gear on. Airith sits quietly trying to think of what their first move should be when they get to Malta.

How are we going to get close enough to get a good look at each staff? What if we get caught? Where are we going to start looking for this gem? When is the first stop?

Airith adjusts his seat trying still to find a comfortable sitting position.

"Hey Earle, when is our first stop and how many of them are there on the way."

 

[Tilmamir]

Earle and Airith

"Hey Earle, when is our first stop and how many of them are there on the way."

"Well now, let me think. First light [8:00am] we get the camp broke and horses hitched. On the road by 'two bells' of the first day watch, as the mariners say. [9:00am]

First stop is two or three hours later, usually for a quick feed and water of the horses.

We usually stop for two hours or so 'round high noon [12:30pm - 2:30pm] to rest the horses and then again at supper.

Afternoon break is three hours later, usually for another quick feed and water of the horses.

We try to make camp just before dusk, wherever we find a good spot. Not many people living out here you know."

 

[Tilmamir]

Sheldon and Relsyn

Sheldon squints harder, grunts and spits off to the side, and then says "thirty year."

 

[Zachian]

Airith

Airith not looking forward to sitting for two to three hours adjusts his seat again. He looks out of the wagon to the acres of farmland and forest they are passing through. It reminds him of home.
I wonder how the folks are doing?
Airith looks at Inwe and then back to the farmland.
And how did she get involved in this?
Finding a somewhat comfortable position Airith closes his eyes and rests his head back on his pack.
If we get caught stealing the staff from any family we are all in big trouble. How are we going to keep the other families from hearing the staff has been taken. Once they here someone is after it they will be more protective of their own staff making that much harder to get a look at. I wonder if we could have a duplicate made? Replacing the staff would give us some time, but we would have to hire someone and that would be another person that would know about it.
Airith almost drifts to sleep when the wagons lurches a bit. "Sorry about that," Earle calls out "the road ain't so good around here."
Probably due to the high traffic. Oh well, I should be keeping a look out anyway.
Airith stretches his arms and looks out the wagon once more.