Birthright: Chapter Seven

[ewancummins]

Torthur smiles at her. "Ye ain't nuthin o tha sort, ma'am. I be Torthur by the way. An that be Clyde the Bear. He's me friend. Now, once we git back ter Tuor, I gots a place ye kin work. It be honest work in a tavern. Ye kin serve brew or anythin else I kin fin fer ya ter do. Giver yer a roof o'er yer head. How's that sound?"

The woman peeks through her fingers.

"An alehouse? I serve drinks, and help cook, clean? That sounds good."

[Varrus the Ethical]

With the barge on its way to Haes, Roald borrows and lantern from one of the pirates and travels below decks to inspect the loot.

[Varrus the Ethical]

The Pleasure Barge, Earlier.

Torthur looks at Roald. "Now what we gonner do? Ya does know that Carilion gonner sends assassins after ye, right? I dun rightly care.
Jest more fun ter be had, anyways. So, whut's tha reward for this here shindig? I could be usin some gold fer me ale business an tha Inn."

The dwarf belches and puts a wineskin to his lips. Clyde grunts and the dwarf grins. "Less go find us a barrel o ale, pal."

Torthur and Clyde move off and search for ale.

"You'll get a quarter of the loot off the barge, same as me. Atli and his boys are getting the other half. You'll also get a share of the Ransom, Torthur." A smile appears on Roald's scared face. "I take care of my friend. Now, I think there's ale waiting to be discovered down in the hold. I'll be down after you in a moment."

[kintire]

Safana is mostly engrossed in her new book, but takes the time to visit Sir Ranald regularly to see if there is anything she can do. She takes the tone of the camp, and seems to be mildly curious about the brewing quarrel between the various nobles. Mostly, however, she spends her time reding, and in the evening entertaining the troopers with dance and glittering magical effects!

[RocEter]

ABBOT FOERDE LEADING HIS PEOPLE WITH FHYLIE THE SWORD, ON THE LOGGING ROADS IN THE EVENING, HEADED SOUTH TOWARDS FOX RUN AFTER LEAVING THE MOUNTAINS



Fhylie rides in the van with Abbot Foerde, keeping a sharp eye out for any goblins or Alamien raiders.

"The foe may be headed this way, falling back towards the Five Peaks after their withdrawal from Fox Run. If we counter enemies, I want to avoid them, ride around, and seek out Duke Devlin and Count Robin. Braedonnal should be with them. We are much stronger together than divided.
But if we cannot avoid contact, and we are forced to fight, I want to push the civilians back from the fray and delay the enemy as long as possible.”


She looks at Foerde.

"I prayed for the blessing of thunder and lightning today. Did you?"

Riding in the Van with Fhylie, Foerde looks almost lazy. He eyes stay focused on the path ahead unless spoken to or when he looks back to check on his people. The spears who rode with Fhylie the Sword might see this as man who has let his guard down now that help has arrived. However Fhylie knows different, she knows how keen his sense's are and that even the sneakiest of foes have a difficult sneaking up on him.

He nods, "A wise battle strategy Grand master." He says while looking forward.

He turns his head to face Fhylie.

"Of course." He says and then smiles.

''Good, good.''


She looks east and west, peering at the crumbled stone fences, low rows of coppiced trees, and the pine-covered hills that stretch out to either side of the road of rotting logs and beaten earth.

‘’In this sort of terrain, a large force may hide itself from view by laying along the reverse slopes of the hills. Even a short ridge could conceal a line of archers or a file of infantry with pole arms.

Foerde chuckles softly and then smiles at Fhylie. "Ah. Now I remember, you were always better with tactics and strategy then I was. I was, still am, more of 'play by it ear' kind of man." He says. "Don't think I have forgotten those lessons. I am aware that danger could be lurking over the next rise."

He scopes out the terrain and checks the rear again. "Still just as much as chance that we surprise our enemy. I'm fairly certain the goblins haven't a clue they lost the abbey."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

LOGGING CAMP TENT

Renn furrows his brow and considers his options. "I would have you here, I think, both of you. His Grace has heard my report of what Lynwerd's men did to our countryside. Their crimes go well beyond wartime. Let him hear the tales from the lips of those who saw it. Now let him see the men who fought off these invaders--not because they were ordered to, but for the love of land, kin, and honor. Let him see you, and understand why you deserve his praise."

And let that big damned mountain of a warrior buy us some time if things get ugly, Renn neglects to add.

[ewancummins]

LOGGING CAMP TENT

Renn furrows his brow and considers his options. "I would have you here, I think, both of you. His Grace has heard my report of what Lynwerd's men did to our countryside. Their crimes go well beyond wartime. Let him hear the tales from the lips of those who saw it. Now let him see the men who fought off these invaders--not because they were ordered to, but for the love of land, kin, and honor. Let him see you, and understand why you deserve his praise."

And let that big damned mountain of a warrior buy us some time if things get ugly, Renn neglects to add.

Sir Ranald bows.

"As you wish, my lord."

...

[ewancummins]

SOMETIME LATER, AFTER SUNDOWN, THE LOGGING CAMP

DEVLIN
News of this arrival spreads like wildfire, soon everyone knows

The Ghonallison-raised company of heavy horse rides into camp as the rain begins to fall in heavy sheets, with the Duke, Count Robin, and Hotspur coming at the head of the column.

RENN
A runner, a squire personally known to Renn, brings the Captain this message from Count Robin-

VIEW CONTENT:

''Your lord father says that things may be mending with Duke Devlin, but it's too soon to tell for sure. He urges caution and a close watch kept on the Duke’s words and deeds.''

CORMAC

As the drizzle grows into a downpour Cormac’s audience drifts away, headed to a tent where Safana is putting on a magic show.

Dietric, munching on some dried meat, comments to his boss,
''You got a knack for stump preaching. She does magic. Maybe we should start a revival and travelling show? Gunnar could be our strongman.”
He chuckles.
“But, really, I think they liked your preaching, Boss. I bet you some of these men, foresters and hunters and charcoal burners, already say a little prayer or leave a little offering to the Old Father of Forests, time and again. We just got to get that temple built and put out the word. ‘’

He drops his voice.
“You think we’ll have trouble from them thunder-monks, or will being pals with Foerde smooth that over? Only so much in offering money and goods to be collected from the same set of folk, right?”

SAFANA

The men clap and cheer at the magic show, as excited as little Khinasi children by even simple feats of prestidigitation and glamour.

[steveflam]

Torthur smiles at her. "Ye ain't nuthin o tha sort, ma'am. I be Torthur by the way. An that be Clyde the Bear. He's me friend. Now, once we git back ter Tuor, I gots a place ye kin work. It be honest work in a tavern. Ye kin serve brew or anythin else I kin fin fer ya ter do. Giver yer a roof o'er yer head. How's that sound?"

The woman peeks through her fingers.

"An alehouse? I serve drinks, and help cook, clean? That sounds good."

"Yes, tha be it. Now tell me whuss yer name?"

[ewancummins]

FOERDE

Foerde chuckles softly and then smiles at Fhylie. "Ah. Now I remember, you were always better with tactics and strategy then I was. I was, still am, more of 'play by it ear' kind of man." He says. "Don't think I have forgotten those lessons. I am aware that danger could be lurking over the next rise."

He scopes out the terrain and checks the rear again. "Still just as much as chance that we surprise our enemy. I'm fairly certain the goblins haven't a clue they lost the abbey."

"I hope that they don't know. But we cannot be sure. They may be headed north in wild flight, or perhaps they are going there to retake the abbey, having had news of your capture of it. But, yes, I suspect they don't have a clear idea about what's gone on up there, as much as we aren't entirely clear about their movements and intent. That’s war."

She shrugs and rides further ahead, still surveying the land after the sun’s uppermost rim finally drops out of sight behind the rounded, pink-veiled tops of the Seamists.

Foerde may recall that half-elves typically carry the gift of elven sight.

There is a new moon tonight, so that when the gloaming dies, the cloud-wrapped stars will be all the large party has got to see by, unless someone lights torches or lanterns.

The rain still falls, more heavily now, as the troupe enters lower country.

[ewancummins]

THE BOAT, HOLD

"Yes, tha be it. Now tell me whuss yer name?"

"Lora."

She shrinks back, looking fearfully over the dwarf's shoulder.

If he looks that way, Torthur sees Roald coming down the short steps into the barge's shallow hold.

The thief holding the lantern hangs back and makes no comment.

Clyde laps up some sour beer and then walks in a circle on a heap of canvas, preparing a place to sleep.

[steveflam]

"Roald, c'mere. I finds a woman 'ere. Er name be Lora an she might be able to tell us somethin bout Duke Carilion an 'is bruther" He looks at Lora. "Dun worry. E ain't gonner touch ye or urt ya. I promise. Once we git back ter Tour, we gonner clean ye up n git yer some decent clothes, ok?"

[Varrus the Ethical]

The Boat, Hold.

Roald arches an eyebrow at the ragged woman. "What can she tell us?"

OOC: Edit, crossposted.

[ewancummins]

"Roald, c'mere. I finds a woman 'ere. Er name be Lora an she might be able to tell us somethin bout Duke Carilion an 'is bruther" He looks at Lora. "Dun worry. E ain't gonner touch ye or urt ya. I promise. Once we git back ter Tour, we gonner clean ye up n git yer some decent clothes, ok?"

Lora murmurs a vague affirmative.

The thief with the lantern tosses the wretched woman a woolen blanket.
She wraps herself in that and passes out.

[Varrus the Ethical]

Boat, Hold

Roald looks down at the sleeping woman, his face blank. "Looks like we'll have to wait a bit before we question her." He looks to Torthur. "You said she could tell us something about Duke Carlion and his brother?"