Working for the Baron - The Adventure

[Phoenix8008]

***With a fluid motion, the beautiful girl sheaths her scimitar before nodding at the dwarf***

"I will gladly aid in this battle against the foul Orcs threatening this place. I see you are all studying a map of this town. You are trying to plan town defenses, or planning on becoming the wolf and hunting them instead?"

 

[Verbatim]

As Sheriff Brin took the matter under control, Balin slid the silver coin back into his pouch and smiled at Zyrial.

"Looks like the first round is on you my friend."

Turning back to face the newcomer, Balin listened to her oath, as well as Hargrim's honest and blunt reply.

~There may be hope for that one yet...~

"If Alton did take the gem you speak of, I have no doubt that it is long since sold, and we do not have the time it would take for Father Zyrial to prepare a spell of truth. However, we will ask you to honor your oath and assist us as Alton had pledged to do. I am Balin, to my right is Father Zyrial, priest of the Silver Song, and the blunt speaking dwarf before you is Hargrim."

Balin looked down to the blade still balanced in her hands and waved it away dismissively.

"Put that thing away before you hurt someone with it, and let us allow Sheriff Brin to finish his discussion of the orcs we will be facing all too soon."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Zyrial

"Pleased to make your aquaintance. May the Silver Song lift you to the heavens and back." Zyrial says to the girl. He hands over his money to the bartender and says "A round of drinks for my friends here. And a room to rest in if there is one."

He turns back toHargrim and Balin and says "Are we to go out now and attempt to stop the Orcs or do we have time to rest? I strongly suggest resting first."

 

[Verbatim]

Balin chuckled at the suggestion that they would leave right away to confront the orcs.

"If I am to ride into the wolves' den tomorrow, you can bet that I will be giving myself one last peaceful night of sleep. Besides, these old bones of mine could use a long soak to ease the knots out of them."

His opinion stated, Balin looked back towards the Sheriff and waited to see the young man was going to finish his statements on the orcs, as well as answer his question on if there was a local wizard or priest in the town.

 

[AmorFati]

At the mention of the Heart of the Desert Alton visibly flinch and glance at the door.
"There you go." Brin says with a sigh. "That is all the proof we need. Niko! Rolen! Put this thief in the lockhouse." Two of the men in the tavern, probably the two local deputies Brin mentioned earlier, rise and walk over to where Alton is currenly fidgeting with his dagger. A defeated look cross his face as one of them grab hold of his arms. A few moments later the other pull out a golden chain with a big sapphire attached to it. He then hands it over to the newcomer, and together the two men lead the thief out in the evening.

Sighing yet again, the sheriff turns back to the map on the table. "Now that this business is dealt with, where was I.... Ah, yes. The orcs. If you think you are able to harass them so as to disuade them from attacking, that would be great. Rexar is known for his stubborness and cunning though, so I am not so sure that is a wise plan myself. However, if that is what you choose, we should plan more tomorrow perhaps?"

At Balins request for a local mage or priest, Brin shakes his head sadly. "I fear there is no such men in Goodland. There was a druid living outside Whilfreys Well, but we havn't heard from him since the orcs first started to appear."

 

[Verbatim]

~There goes any chance of assistance. I guess we shall have to do this the old fashioned way...~

"While I do not know what we four can do against all of his men directly, perhaps we can weaken him some and buy you time to get some defenses set around the city. Surely the hunters can place some basic traps, perhaps begin forming sharpened wooden spear rows, or anything that Hargrim might suggest, as even small things when added together make large impacts."

Sighing, Balin turned back to the map and examined it intently.

"You should also begin to consider your escape routes Sheriff, should the worse come to pass. Staying here to be slaughterd like cattle if we fail should not be an option. Arrange for the women and children to leave first, and then any who you feel are too important to lose should the fighting favor those who hide in the Dark Coin's gaze."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Zyrial

"Balin is wise. I would suggest this as well. Has your town been attacked before? Do you know of any areas of weakness that the Orcs may try to exploit?" The elf asked. He has gone back to softly strumming the harp.

"Young Lady? Yes you with the scimatar. I am Zyrial of the Silver Song. Can we count on your help to save this town?"

 

[Phoenix8008]

Looking at Alton as he is escorted out, Nyra speaks to him one final time...
"Goodbye thief and remember, 'Fate fools us, but we cannot fool Fate'."

Nyra greets the return of her family's treasure with a smile. Bowing deeply to Brin, she speaks before wiping a single tear from the corner of her eye...

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sheriff Brin. My father will be very relieved to know that our family honor has been restored. I only wish that I could hold onto my mother's treasure for a longer time. Please Brin, do me the favor of sending this with a rider to return it to my tribe in the desert to the south. They can follow this map to get there." *She hands over a parchment to Brin* "My father will reward them greatly for it's return. I would deliver it myself, but I cannot be sure that I will return from this foray against the Orcs to do so."

Turning to Zyrial, Nyra nods her head in his direction before answering him...

"My name is Nyra, and yes Zyrial, I have pledged myself and my blade to assist you in this endeavour. I also agree with Balin's ideas for what the townsfolk can and should do. I would also ask how far away this Whilfreys Well place is. Perhaps if it is anywhere near where we are heading towards, we could also check it out and see if we can contact the druid there. I know that I would like to be able to purchase some healing draughts before getting into battle with hundreds of Orcs."

 

[Verbatim]

As the formalities were finished, Balin nodded his head with the girl's suggestion.

~She doesn't look old enough to be allowed to braid her hair...much less be traveling alone. I think she could use your guidance Shal, you also left home far too early, and left me far too early as well...

Forcing his mind back to the task at hand, Balin knew that there would be little he could do in planning the defense of the town, but if his spells were needed, he would need to consult his spellbook.

"Forgive an old man for the weariness of the road, but I think I am going to retrieve my pack and retire for awhile. I leave you in good hands Nyra, perhaps the best you can be in away from the desert. Just don't let Zyr talk you into a game of sava, he is far better than he pretends to be."

Leaning on his staff as he started back out the door, Balin rested one hand lightly on Hargrim's shoulder.

"Now is the time to honor your people lad. Many lives will be saved with your thoughts."

Moving through the crowd once more with his odd gait, Balin exited the inn and looked around the peaceful town. How long did they have before the orcs attacked? How much could four do against the many?

~We shall see soon enough I suppose, may the Song have mercy on us all...~

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Zyrial

Zyrial puts his Sava chits away and says to Nyra "Well so much for that." He smiles and continues to play the harp. "I wish he hadn't left on his own Balin is not in the best of health."