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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 30, 2017 15:25:21 GMT -8
"Well, we have done this once before," Ladonna points out as she follows along with Jherek. "Though, the terrain is different this time around. My legs are feeling a little more stiff after walking up and down a few of those hills," she admits. She knows that her body will get use to it after awhile, just like last time, so she isn't worried about her sore calf muscles as they are put to work on this trip. "This might seem a little odd, but since you are in the lead of our little group and I know your eyesight is much better than mine," she says. "I'm not really sure what you should be looking out for to be honest, but I have heard rumor that people have went missing in this hills," she explains. "So, if you see anything odd or out of the ordinary that might suggest that people, other than ourselves, are camping out in these hills, could you let me know?"
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Post by notARobot on Oct 30, 2017 15:40:27 GMT -8
Theron assents to lend Katya his assistance with the mules. Theron doesn't respond to Katya's question for a while, save for the wide-eyed look of bewilderment that instantly appears on his face. "Know...about Jherek getting into trouble?" he finally asks. By the time he gets the words out, he's started to rein in his initial reaction, and seems to be studying Katya's face in turn, as if searching for a clue about the reason behind this sudden interrogation.
After another drawn-out silence, he seems to come to a decision. Sighing, he says, "I guess if you already know about the smuggling, nothing I say now is gonna dig the hole he's in much deeper. I think you're kind of blowing it all out of proportion though, if you don't mind me saying. Sure, he does a bit of thieving here and there, and I've heard a tale or two about the nine different kinds of hell he's known to raise among the - what do they call themselves? - the Wild Boys. Our boy drinks more than a man ought to, I reckon, he gets into the odd tavern brawl now and again, and I'll wager he even puts his thumb upon the scale when he's weighing cuts of meat for some of the folks he's not terribly fond of...but whatever Jherek's flaws, I've got to credit him on the fact that he's pretty good at what he does."
"He hasn't kept his reputation squeaky clean, exactly -- but despite their damndest efforts, Buho's town watch haven't managed to make a single charge stick to him, save for the disturbance of Gonto's bloody peace," he continues. He flinches a moment later, adding, "Erm, sorry about that last bit, sweetheart. I forgot you count yourself among Gonto's faithful flock and all. But don't you worry about old Jherek Everfull; he's a big boy what knows how to take care of himself, though I'm sure he'd be awful pleased to hear how concerned you are on his behalf."
Theron is smiling, by the end of his speech. He seems proud of the defense he's mustered for his friend, and looks at Katya as though expecting her to confess that she'd overreacted and abandon this line of questioning.
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Post by Jherek Everfull on Oct 30, 2017 15:51:29 GMT -8
"A hardy hunknof timber would be grand, some dead dry limbs, and a bit of dry grass or twigs. I'm sure we will find what we are looking for quickly enough." He turns his eyes to the trail again and gives it a once over before continueing the conversation. Her request catches him off guard, and causes his mind to race. He stops walking and turns to give her a serious look. He was rather certain that she had never been out in the woods with him and the boys...he seems to weigh his response heavily before answering.
"I will certainly keep an eye out for anything unusual on our path. Have you lost someone out here? I hadn't heard of anyone going missing in recent memory." He tries to change his face to that jovial salesman thing he uses when trying to push a bit of meat on someone. He's certain she would notice his shift back and forth. He needs to master his emotions better.
pmStZmT31-100 vs 70 to find wood and kindling
1-100
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Post by Ezeze on Oct 30, 2017 17:00:44 GMT -8
Katya scratches one of the mules between the ears. When Theron first studies Katya's face her expression is set and grim. The first sentence out of his mouth - about not being able to dig the hole deeper - seems to ease her a little.
He doesn't know, then she thinks to herself. Or he's a very good liar.
She takes her hand from the mule's reigns for a second to wipe her eyes. It would tip everyone off that something was wrong if she started weeping, but it was threatening all the same. "I knew about the thieving and the drinking and the brawling. It didn't scare me away. I love him." She hadn't told Jherek that yet, but it was entirely true. Finbul had been right about that at least. "He and I have a great deal in common. More than you give me credit for, I wager" she meets Theron's eyes, daring him to disbelieve her. She tries to look intimidating but the effect is entirely ruined by being on the verge of tears.
"There is something else. I confronted him about it last night. He didn't deny it, and I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone." Katya takes a deep breath before she adds "and he promised no more smuggling, no more thievery."
"So, now you know that."
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Post by notARobot on Oct 30, 2017 20:45:41 GMT -8
Theron takes the reins of one of the three mules as he and Katya prepare to head back to camp. When Theron notices Katya's posture relax, his smile widens a bit, as if this change in her body language confirmed something he had suspected.
When tears start to slowly trickle down from the corners of her eyes, however, that smile instantly vanishes without a trace. In its place his wears an expression that proves difficult to read. His eyebrows have arched up, and his mouth curves slightly downward in a frown-like shape. It almost looks as though his features are trying to contort themselves into an expression of sympathy, but his mind is so confused about what's happening that they just can't muster the enthusiasm to arrange themselves properly.
Then, as she accuses Theron of underestimating her and gives him a pathetic excuse for a challenging stare, he completely fails to suppress a smirk.
Upon hearing her final remarks, Theron adopts a blank, neutral expression. He takes his time formulating a response, not deigning to speak until the mules had drunk their fill and the two had started back towards the group. "There is an understanding that exists between Jherek and myself," Theron says. "He does not pry into the details of what I get up to when he is not around, and I in turn pay him the same respect. Professional courtesy, I suppose you could call it."
The two trod back towards camp with their mules in tow, reluctant to break the silence. Just before they are back in earshot of the others, though, Theron surprises Katya by whispering softly, "Some advice on the issuance of threats, Miss Katya: it is folly to make threats that one cannot or will not follow through on. It is equally unwise to make threats that one cannot intelligibly articulate, unless one knows that the person she is threatening is already terrified of her."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Oct 31, 2017 3:37:04 GMT -8
Lillian also goes to camp, carefully avoiding the mules.
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Post by Ezeze on Oct 31, 2017 5:02:41 GMT -8
Theron's statement - that he and Jherek do not discuss details - can be understood in two ways; either as further confirmation that he doesn't know what kind of trouble Jherek has gotten into, or that he doesn't particularly care that Jherek is 'out of the game.' In the absence of further elaboration Katya assumes that he means both. Katya and Theron lead the mules back towards the others and the gear, where the general shape of a camp is slowly coming into existance. A few feet out, just barely in hearing distance, Katya looks down and blushes fiercely. "I'm sorry" she says to Theron. Her apology is sincere and her expression contrite.
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Post by Daos on Oct 31, 2017 11:21:43 GMT -8
After an hour, the mules have their packs removed and allowed to drink from the river, and a campsite is set up with a small fireplace. Hopefully the placement of the hills will keep the light generally obscured, although if there are any goblin patrols out, they are likely to spot it if they get close enough.
"We should set up a watch," Finbul suggests once they are done. "Two people every two hours ought to cover it."
"What...is to become of the mules...once we reach the goblin...encampment?" asks Ingot as he breaks out his rations. "Surely...we are not...bringing them in...with us?"
"The one Garnet and me rode here looks like he's on his last legs anyway," Finbul states, readying his own food. "I don't think he'll make it that far."
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Post by Ezeze on Oct 31, 2017 12:04:50 GMT -8
Katya strips off her armor before she goes to sit with the others. Wearing it has been fatiguing and an attack isn't likely in the next few minutes. A short break is in order.
When she comes to settle near fire she brings a bit of her bread and some of her cheese (she had planned to eat the perishable food first). She also brings her water skin, freshly refilled from the river, and both her sword and shield; it was better to have those within arms reach, just in case.
Katya chooses the spot on Jherek's left without a second thought, folding her legs beneath her and to the side in a way that lets her lean against him. Being so far from home, and tired besides, has made propriety less of a priority.
She doesn't have an answer for Ingot, just another question to add to the discussion; "we made good time today" she notes. "We'll be upon the fork soon. It was visible earlier, before the sun set. We should decide now whether we want to ford the tributary, or go through the swamp, or circle around the swamp to the South. I'd rather not bicker about it while we are on the road." Her question asked she takes a bite of cheese and bread.
She casts her eyes skyward, admiring the heavens. Pyr was nearly gone; only a sliver of the smaller moon was visible near the horizon. It was overshadowed entirely by Ruse. The full moon dominated the night sky, drowning out even many of the stars with its luminance. Tomorrow night, and for nights to come, they would be unable to light a fire. The further they got into Bloody Spear territory the more danger they would be in and the less wisdom in broadcasting their location. For the moment, though, the benefits outweigh the risk; the fire is warm, and good for cooking, and good for morale besides - bringing a strange sense of normalcy to the whole scene.
"Our choice of route should decide what we do with the mules, not vice-versa" she comments.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 31, 2017 17:31:44 GMT -8
Having done this type of thing with Tavos on her previous quest, Ladonna picks up what kindling she can find to help Jherek along with the process. "Ah, no," she says with a shake of her head. "You know all of my family, but there is someone in Buho that has lost someone," she explains. "And it was years ago, so it is quite possible that there isn't any sign of this person or persons anywhere," she adds. "But, since I'm here, I do want to at least try. I'm hoping that if something is found that maybe I can help bring some peace of mind to the person that is affected," she explains. Concern seems to wash over features as she explains the situation to Jherek.
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Post by Jherek Everfull on Oct 31, 2017 18:14:03 GMT -8
He nods abit as understanding washes over him, followed by a quick flood of relief. "Sure, so proper camps, old camps, and...traces of the dead?" He thinks about the likely hood of finding anything left, nature was not forgiving of the dead...like that there would be nothing to find. The two don't stray terribly far from the camp sight before finding what Jherek considers enough fuel for the night. With an arm load of deadwood and one solid branch dragging behind them, the two return to camp.
Jherek sets about building his fire asking for Ladonna's assistance in stacking the timber and placing that bit of kindling. Scrounging up some dry grass Jherek uses his flint and steel to spark up a small fire, just big enough to warm the party and make use of his Iron Pot. Seeing the fire started he turns his attention to making a small soup to share among those interested. He had refrained from eating his days ration of sausage, which leaves him with three nice dry links to work with. He chops them, then one of each vegetable he brought along. He fills the pot with a quart of ale, brings it to a simmer and adds all the ingredients. He allows the pot to bubble and adds a few punches of salt and a bit of that mushroom that smells and tastes like peppercorn into the mix. He fussed about using a stick to stir the mixture together, he finally decides to add some of the herbs, filling the small area with the smell of stewing meat.
(WPsyrJWf1-20 vs 13 Cooking )
While the pot simmers he digs out five pieces of his hard crusted bread. He cuts the loafs in half and digs out the centers a bit. Making gen small bowls. He places them on top of the food sack he's been carrying, then looks to find himself a comfortable seat near the pot.
He removes his over tunic of brigandine and unstraps the splint mail covering his right arm. He uses thes and his backpack as a sort of chair back, something to lean into comfortably while he waits for dinner to finish. He stretches his right leg out and bends his knee, insticntly wrapping an arm around Kats shoulder when she comes to sit.
"I say we head through the swamp. With one near lame mule we will make better time crossing the bog. Those animals are smart enough to make it back to Buho. The will have fat grass bellies, but they'll be back there waiting for Ryan when he gets home." He voices his opinion to Ingot and Kat.
Turning to Finbul his face now deadly serious. "As far as watches go, I figure Theron and I should be part of the watches towards early morning. We see fine in the dark, spreading us over two watches will maximize our ability to warn our fellows when it comes down to a fight."
1-20
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Post by notARobot on Oct 31, 2017 18:45:08 GMT -8
When Jherek suggests traveling through the swamp, Theron says, "If you think it's a good idea, I'll defer to your judgment. The reeve sure seemed to think that way would be quicker -- though it's easy to see how she might be biased in favor of that option, seeing as it's not her who'll have to slog through it. I don't look forward to all the wet and the stink and the insects, personally...but then again, I'm not exactly great at traipsing about through the hills, either."
He turns to Katya and asks her, "Do you think he's right, about the mules? Would they find their way back to Buho on their own?"
Theron interjects into the conversation between the half-elf and the halfling, after Jherek's last comment. "When it comes down to a fight...not if? That is a more pessimistic forecast than I'd hoped for. Do you really think goblins will find us in the night, this far from their encampment? Setting up a rotating watch shift makes sense, sure, just to err on the side of caution...but I really thought that tonight, at least, we might get a decent night's sleep in..."
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Post by Nuke on Oct 31, 2017 18:50:46 GMT -8
Ryan spends his time helping out in getting camp prepared and food ready. He digs out the feed for the mules, feeding them a healthy dose of grain, both refreshing them and lightening their burden.
As he sits he wants to discuss the situation. "I'd like an early or late watch, preferably early, so I can maintain my schedule. As for the route and the mules, "I suggest we re balance the load and give the tired one a break, no load for that one. We might need to abandon some stuff to keep moving fast. We did good today, but it is only day one. I am tired but not hungry, thanks be to Jherek. If we can get another days use out of the mules it's would be great."
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Post by notARobot on Oct 31, 2017 19:04:26 GMT -8
Theron chimes in, "I'll be happy to share the first watch with you, Acolyte McIntyre. As Jherek pointed out, my keen eyes suffer little from the darkness. And perhaps we'll even get to know one another a little." Theron manages to catch Ladonna's eye as he says this, and for the briefest moment, gives her a knowing look. In a flash, his attention has returned to Ryan, a friendly smile on his face. The glance he shot her passed so quickly, she can scarcely be sure she didn't imagine it.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 31, 2017 19:25:34 GMT -8
After helping Jherek the best that she can, she walks back over to her blanket and sits down. "That smells amazing," she says before she looks to Finbal as he mentions the watch. She seems almost thankful when Theorn offers to watch with Ryan. " I'll take the second. "
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