Birthright Chapter Six

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

CROAKER NORGE

"Thank you Filbert," he tells the half-man when he sees him bringing water to the men. "Are you sure you're the Duke's fool? From what I've seen, you're more like his workhorse."

Renn frowns to see just how badly the soldiers are all faring. He'd seen what the fire elemental could wreak, but even at the siege he'd not seen men so thoroughly beaten. He shakes his head, wondering how Edwer the Tall's subordinates could ever have let these men fall into such a disorganized route. He wonders who sounded the retreat, or who neglected to organize the troops as they fell back. Renn would have to find that man, if he'd survived, and make an example of him.

When he sees the old greybeard volunteer to help, Renn gives him an appreciative nod and claps him on the soldier. "Good man, good man. We need to help your comrades if they're ever going to be effective soldiers again. Others are already getting water, but we'll need food too, and blankets if we can find any. Ask around, see what the people of Croaker are willing to spare." If that didn't work, he'd have to commandeer supplies for the men. But for now, he'd try the diplomatic approach.

Another thought. "Are any of your leaders among the survivors?"

[steveflam]

THE BUSHWHACKERS
Reese soon returns to report that Cylde is sleeping under a willow tree, near the raft left by the boatmen (meant to provide the party's backlup means of escape if things go bad and the boatmen cannot return to pick them up).

The Tuor boatmen are 'fishing' along the opposite bank, ready for a signal to return.
Will the party try to cajole the bear into tagging along on the raid, or leave him sleeping near the raft?

Torthur assures everyone it will be better to leave Clyde there. The bear will fish and stay out of trouble.

[ewancummins]

CROAKER NORGE


"Survivors? Leaders?"

The old soldier looks around, counting men on his fingers.

"Ten. This is everyone who left alive with me, except two men who dropped dead in the road. We'd been running since this morning, with Alamien horsemen hunting us."

He sags a little, then straightens and turns his face towards the east.

"The Alamiens might still be coming."

[ewancummins]

BUSHWHACKERS


With Torthur leading the way on the back of his grumpy mule, the raiders ride cross country to the stretch of road between a hedge and a low stone fence that the dwarf had scouted earlier in the morning.
The cool humidity of the riverbank in early morning has given way to a warm spring day as the sun climbs in the bright, clear sky. If the information Roald was given, the wagon might be here within an hour or two, barring detours or accidents.

Looking about, everyone in the party can see a large barn standing a bowshot to the south, on the eastern side of the road not far beyond the stone fence. Smaller outbuildings and a farmhouse stand beyond that to the east, but no village in sight. The gentle swales and rises of the open country might hide men, if they were lying down flat or crouching low.
The hedges and stone fences promise better cover; but standing horses' heads would surely stick high up over the nearest hedge or fence.

The dwarf’s examination of the dirt road shows no fresh ruts and only one set of fresh hoofmarks, the latter going south and not north as the money shipment is bound (doubtless the marks left by that red robed rider). Torthur also finds dark, slightly moist pellets; the droppings of geese.

The only strangers in sight are a group of peasants working maybe half a mile out in the eastern fields, driving a team of two plow horses in one section of land and tilling with hand tools in another, closer, section.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

CROAKER NORGE

A raising of both eyebrows is all the visible reaction Renn gives to hearing that these men are the only survivors. "In that case, we should have no trouble feeding you at the farmhouse. His Grace Duke Devlin is here, I'm sure we can comfort you. I'm Commander Rennault Ghonallison. Who are you, soldier?"

[ewancummins]

THE MONASTERY

Cormac and Dietric return to find Foerde working with the two rescued monks and several of the other freed prisoners, removing dead goblins from the tangled ruin of the garden.

Brother Aelfred pauses work and turns to Foerde as the druid and his companion ride into the courtyard.

“I think maybe we should place them in a ravine and roll stones to make a cairn, or something like that. But what would you have us do?”

[ewancummins]

CROAKER NORGE

CROAKER NORGE

A raising of both eyebrows is all the visible reaction Renn gives to hearing that these men are the only survivors. "In that case, we should have no trouble feeding you at the farmhouse. His Grace Duke Devlin is here, I'm sure we can comfort you. I'm Commander Rennault Ghonallison. Who are you, soldier?"

''I'm called Wiggam the Butcher, my lord."

The man lets go of Renn's arm and plops down on his rump.

"If the Duke is here, where is his army? I don't see many men or horses..."

Worry deepens the wrinkles in the old man's face, making them deep as knife cuts.
"Is the Duke safe here? I--"

He clamps his teeth together.
"Beg your pardon; lord. “

[RocEter]

THE MONASTERY

Cormac and Dietric return to find Foerde working with the two rescued monks and several of the other freed prisoners, removing dead goblins from the tangled ruin of the garden.

Brother Aelfred pauses work and turns to Foerde as the druid and his companion ride into the courtyard.

“I think maybe we should place them in a ravine and roll stones to make a cairn, or something like that. But what would you have us do?”

"Yes, do that. Take Neb, Hob and few others with you. Have Neb and Hob stand over watch, you see anything and the lot of you come back here." Foerde says.

Leaving Brother Aelfred to his work, Foerde walks up to Cormac and Dietric. "I take it you found what ever is you were looking for out there?" He says to them.

[steveflam]

BUSHWHACKERS


With Torthur leading the way on the back of his grumpy mule, the raiders ride cross country to the stretch of road between a hedge and a low stone fence that the dwarf had scouted earlier in the morning.
The cool humidity of the riverbank in early morning has given way to a warm spring day as the sun climbs in the bright, clear sky. If the information Roald was given, the wagon might be here within an hour or two, barring detours or accidents.

Looking about, everyone in the party can see a large barn standing a bowshot to the south, on the eastern side of the road not far beyond the stone fence. Smaller outbuildings and a farmhouse stand beyond that to the east, but no village in sight. The gentle swales and rises of the open country might hide men, if they were lying down flat or crouching low.
The hedges and stone fences promise better cover; but standing horses' heads would surely stick high up over the nearest hedge or fence.

The dwarf’s examination of the dirt road shows no fresh ruts and only one set of fresh hoofmarks, the latter going south and not north as the money shipment is bound (doubtless the marks left by that red robed rider). Torthur also finds dark, slightly moist pellets; the droppings of geese.

The only strangers in sight are a group of peasants working maybe half a mile out in the eastern fields, driving a team of two plow horses in one section of land and tilling with hand tools in another, closer, section.

Torthur turns to Roald. "We kin use the barn ter hide tha horses but it might be in use. We kin check an quickly. Tha fance an hedge can conceal us ones on foot. Shall we? There be peasants aroun but they be tendin tha fields."

[JMaytr]

Croaker Norge-

Devlin, upon hearing that Captain Ghonallison is in Croaker Norge, he sends Filbert out to retrieve the man. He is eager to meet up with the army and continue to Hildon.

And then the Monsedge pike return home.

Horrified at the outcome, Devlin rushes personally to see the survivors.

[Varrus the Ethical]

BUSHWACKERS

"A good idea, Torthur. You go ahead and scout out the barn. I'm going to work on ways of stopping the that wagon and any riders that will be escorting it," says Roald.

[kintire]

Safana shakes her head.

"Invisible is invisible I'm afraid. I suggest we use short lengths of cord and hold each end to stay together!"

She begins weaving her incantations. First Ranald suddenly vanishes, then she and everyone within ten feet disappears as well. gripping the cord in her hand she prepares to slip silently towards the wagon!

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

CROAKER NORGE

"Well then Wiggam, I'm glad to see you made it back alive. The Duke will want to hear your tale."

He fixes Wiggam with a confident grin when he asks if the Duke is safe. "Let me tell you Wiggam, His Grace has been in worse danger before and come out no worse for wear. During the Siege, he personally led a sortie against Count Alam himself. i should know, I was there. The half-man, too," he says, pointing back at Filbert. "Fights like a little demon, that one. We fought him, the three of us, and we turned that bastard's flank and broke the siege." With more than a little help from Roald, of course, but that particular bit of truth would not serve to reassure Wiggam of his Duke's safety.

"Ah, there he is now," Renn says, pointing to the Farmhouse from which Devlin has just emerged. "Let him know what happened."

He turns and looks to the other men, seeing if any are grievously wounded.

[steveflam]

BUSHWACKERS

"A good idea, Torthur. You go ahead and scout out the barn. I'm going to work on ways of stopping the that wagon and any riders that will be escorting it," says Roald.

Torthur scouts ahead to check out the barn.

[Adam]

Cormac nods, dismounting and slapping the furred monk on the shoulder. "Aye, there's a fine grove an hour's ride from here. Aeric guided me to it, yeh might say. Thinking about putting down some roots there, eventually. Fer the time bein', however, I'm thinkin' it's time to press the offensive against the vermin."

"From what yer brother there said, most o' the abbey's occupants have been marched outta here. They're probably headin' to goblin lairs as we speak. I'm thinkin' the best thing we can do is try to harry their supply caravans, get to the plan we had in mind from the first place. I'm thinkin' ye're ready fer some more payback, too, so ye're welcome to join. What do ye think?"