Taylar replies, "We can burn the armor, but I do not think disposing of evidence will help these villagers. The next priests or soldiers that come along will blame them no matter what. We must convince these people that this village is no longer safe and they must move to another home. We might convince them to return with us to Refuge; then they would have allies in case these zealots try to bother them again. I think we should also teach these people to fight. That way, they can be their own heroes next time."
After returning to the village Taylar attempts to communicate that the priests and soldiers will return to harm them, and they must find a new home. He offers a safe place in Refuge, but if they refuse, he will not object.
Taylar replies, "... I do not think disposing of evidence will help these villagers... We might convince them to return with us to Refuge...."
... Taylar attempts to communicate...
Adisakti agrees with with logic. "You have a point. We cannot really talk with these people, but we can sure try to communicate."
The bodies are still removed from town, just for the sake of it. The weaponry is collected, just for the metal. The swords are not really distinctive. They are standard fare, wether manufactured in West Cove or Outpost.
Using a lot of gesture and props, it is conveyed to the Centrin villagers that they need to move. The village leaders gather for the conversation. They respond with words, gesture, and props, intending to convey their thoughts and desires.
Some discussion follows among the Centrin people, who, surprisingly, pack up their belongings in very short order. It is obvious by the assimilation, that some of the villagers intend to follow the Outliers, but some intend to go their own way. No one shows any sign of remaining in town. This nature is unique to the Centrin people and previously unknown to any outside of their culture. Though they will settle, they remain unafraid of nomadic necessity should a cause arise. It is learned that some were able to sneak away earlier, despite the occupation by the Cathedral soldiers.
Travel with such a group is much slower than travel alone. At the junction of the river with the mining camp, it is necessary to break for the night. Unaware of the full scope of the previous situation, the few miners who engage the party in conversation because of the proximity, all convey that they think it is a right and good thing that three competent guards are escorting families to live in a newly forming village. They even like the name Refuge and ask of its priest. When Vittero Plascimon is given for the name, the reputation of his father wins approving nods and encouragement.
It takes two more days to reach Refuge, instead of one. It is late when the group walks into the village proper. Sentries have been established along the road and conversation is necessary to maintain peaceableness.
Vittero comes to meet the group as they are walking in. He communicates welcome to the Centrin people with gesture, as best he can. He sends for Maka and Retinia. He explains that Retinia is what the rescued girl had decided to call herself.
When she arrives, she greets the three reservedly at first, then more warmly. She is still physically harder than a child of her age should be, but her psyche has somewhat improved, being around better people. She tells Taylar that he will have to watch her shoot the next day. Maka says that she is quite good.
Pleasantries aside, Vittero says that he has some information about the Daughters of Dawn but that it can wait until the morrow when everyone is rested.
Along the way, Taylar teaches the villagers what he can of Thisidan, since that seems to be the common tongue. He will also teach the basics of combat training. He tries to convey that they may have to fight the same kind of soldiers again.
At Refuge he greets everyone warmly, and tells the story of how the Centrin people came to follow them there. He warns, "These Cathedral soldiers won't give up. If they are able to track us back to Refuge they might retaliate. Everyone should be on guard." To Retinia he says, "I'll watch you shoot, but then we'll practice with close combat. You won't always have access to your bow."
Raven Elk and Adisakti, also, engage with the Centrin people as much as possible. Conversation is simple and chopped, basically pointing to things and calling them by name. The Centrin people reciprocate the intent with their own language. Children find it funny and do things like point to their nose and ears.
The Centrin people seem naturally gifted toward education and take to everything offered, only a refusal of reciprocation would be considered an offense. As it so happens their are two of the Centrins who can bend waylines. One is an older man, the other is a young girl. The exchange of information with either does not have to be spoken. It is amazing what can be shared among Benders without having to say a word.
On to the business at hand, after a few days, Vittero speaks to the three and says that he has some information about the Daughters of Dawn, when they are ready to hear it.
Once things settle a bit, Vittero sits at an outdoor table, with his friends, at the newly renovated cafe. He takes a drink and a deep breath before beginning.
"Where to begin? The individual units for the Daughters of Dawn are kept separate unless temporarily housing in the Citadel. In there, they are sworn to silence, so basically no information passes between units. Something seriously malevolent is going on here, and I am afraid that it is growing faster than we are."
"Sorry. I should not be so negative. The girls are captured as children, like Retinia, the one you rescued, and raised cruelly until puberty. At that time, they are grouped as a unit and trained together. I have learned that there is a training site near the active quarry close to West Cove. I know there are at least three other training sites, but I have not learned their locations."
"These girls are being trained to be killers, but they are not beyond hope. I know this because I have made an inroad with the unit that we chose not to kill, which is how I have come by even this little information. They are reticent to divulge anything; but that younger unit, they are unsure if they should refuse me or help, based on my station. It seems I am developing a talent to be persuasive."
"The older girls, of which I have spoken with one unit, are as cold as stone in the Chilling Season. They are beyond redemption."
"I do not know the exact location of this training site. I know that it is for initial unit training. My thinking is that the elimination of the trainers would put a wrinkle in this movement, but I may be overly hopeful. I will leave the necessity of any action at your decision. It is not mine to make. I will support whatever you decide must be done."
Disturbed by Vittero's words, Taylar takes a while to think. He always thought of himself as just a man strong of arm, but now he knows if he and his friends are to survive, he must be strong in mind as well. He calls all in Refuge to hear his words and addresses all that gather to hear him.
He says, "Before Refuge was founded, the Outliers wandered the land, seeing many wondrous things. We also saw terrible things, and decided to oppose them. To us, strength is not about the right to do harm and tear down those that cannot stop us, but to defend and lift up those that need help. We took down many villains, but it did not do their victims any good. In my former home of Outpost, I sought to encourage people to resist the crimes committed in the name of belief. For this I was arrested and imprisoned for days, and so I no longer call it my home. Even my own father supported my arrest, and now he is as a stranger to me, and I no longer hear his words. Refuge is my home now, as it is yours, and I tell you truly if you do not train and learn to defend it, then the same kind of soldiers that destroyed the Pelimonra village that once was here will come back and destroy Refuge. My friends and I must leave to continue to oppose this evil group of zealots. It is my fondest desire to always return to find Refuge still intact, but that is in your hands. Train well and fight hard, for you know that mercy is not in the hearts of our enemies."
Taylar meets with the Outliers to plan out the investigation of the training site near West Cove. "In case they are expecting an attack, we should approach in a way they will not anticipate. I think this should be another stealth mission, and not let anyone see us."
Taylar is pleased to learn that while Vittero has been overseeing the reconstruction of the village and the care of its residents, Maka has established a scout group and sentry relays that protect its perimeter. There are as yet too few people to establish any kind of a military force, but the addition of the Centrin people will make such possible. While circumnavigating the perimeter, Maka has begun training the individuals who accompany him, never using the same location to do so. When Taylar and Adisakti are in town, it will be possible to add melee proficiencies to the skillset. Differing people take to each of the differing combat skills. It is good.
It is a day and a half walk to West Cove from Refuge. Having a crude map, at a day's stop point would be a good location to cross through the forest to approach the area of the quarry from the opposite direction of its road and avoid any proximity to the kingdom seat.
Mid-afternoon of that first day, some activity along the eastern side of the road catches the attention of the three men. Moving closer, it appears that two wolverines are periodically arguing over and devouring a slain pig. Wolverines are known to be intelligent and possibly sentient fowlers that hunt during the day instead of at night, like all other fowlers. They are also known to attack anything, but their hides are valuable and their mysticism makes them a curiosity.
Taylar spends time in Refuge helping to train with melee, and also about the tactics of the enemy soldiers.
Since a fight with the wolverines could possibly slow down the timing of their mission, he suggests the group pass the fowlers by. "It's not like we need the money or the pelts," he says softly in Malgrog.
Posting for @Waynan
Raven Elk takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, quietly. He turns to Taylar, commenting in Markidian. "You have a point. These beasts are dangerous to people, but I know of no incident involving a community. Let's give them a wide circumference."
