15 May 593h
The day start fair and there is not a cloud in the sky when the sun rises. Youngsters arrive with pitchers of hot water, you are informed that breakfast is available in the kitchens, and that the leaders will be ready to see you off in an hour and a half.
In the kitchens there is plenty of hot porridge, cheese and small beer for breakfast, and the cooks give you cold meats and cheese left over from the previous nights feast, along with fresh bread and fruit to make the first day, or so, of your journey pass more comfortably.
In the stables there are plenty of willing hands to saddle the horses and load the pack mules and you are easily ready for the road when it is time to leave.
Suddenly the leader come striding across the courtyard and, it seems, the whole population of the village stops what it is doing and gathers around. Richard Briganda leaps up on to a mounting block and addresses you and the assembly.
"I, and the people of Galinia thank you for the work you are about to do. It is the start of a programme that will make our country safe from the monsters that dwell on our borders, and will open up new lands that can be settled by our cousins who are still homeless from the later wars."
Turning slightly to this right, he continues, "Jen Jensen, I thank you for your support and Assistance in finding Rolf Liefson to lead this expedition as Constable Warder". Turning back to his left "Segovax, I thank both for last night’s feast, and allowing your grand niece, to assist the expedition."
"The Order of The Great Saga, have sent Madelyn Black Thorn to assist, and the merchants guild of Angasa have lent the support of Kerim and his family. The rest of you have decided to travel with them for your own purposes, and I wish you all well in fulfilling your goals.
Suddenly he leaps down and strides rapidly to where Rolf is standing. "Take these, your first reward as as Constable warder and your badge of office", he proclaims, holding out a small leather bag and a metal brooch bearing the Crest of Galinia. "Now go forth to glory and great honour".
At this signal the gates of Dingaic are thrown open and the crowds start to cheer as you head out into the wilds.
Around Dingaic are a few fields, and pens holding stock animals, mainly cattle and sheep. As you travel on these give way to general growths of gorse and heather, with the occasional small tree standing alone.
It does not take you long to realise that the Gnome and the halfling have troublke keeping pace with the party, and that you need to slow your pace to accommodate them. You had originally expected to make the journey to Farfobest in one, hard travelled, day but you realise it will now take two or perhaps even three days to cover the distance.
As you travel you a number of birds and small animals dart or fly away from you path, but otherwise the day passes quietly.
Towards evening you find a sensible place to stop and start to set up camp for the night.
OOC: I am assuming that you are using the last published marching order, unless you specify differently. One of the mules carries four, 4man, tents and a large cooking pot, a second carries bags of provisions. The other two belong to Kerim and carry his trade goods.
OOC: I hope Rolf doesn't annoy you guys too much.
Rolf rouses himself slowly from his bed and it's obvious he's feeling the effects of the feast. He bathes himself with the hot water and shaves away a couple days growth of beard. Then, commanding a bucket of cold water, he pours over his head. He gasps in the shock of the cold water and much of the damage from the night before seems diminished. Drying himself and donning his armor, he leaves in search of breakfast. He takes it easy with the beer, but does justice to the porridge and cheese.
Thanking the cooks for their gift, Rolf slips the package of food into his shoulder bag. Stopping in the courtyard, Rolf waits on the pleasure of the Count. As Richard finishes his comments, Rolf steps forward. "M'Lord, my companions and I welcome this chance to serve."
Taking the pouch, Rolf drops it into his shoulder bag, but he quickly affixes the brooch to his cloak and his chest fills with the pride of his new appointment. When the Count says, "Now go forth to glory and great honor." Rolf responds with a smile, "As my lord commands." He turns and instructs the others on the marching order and, with Callum at his side, lead the intrepid party through the gates.
The day is made for marching and aside from a few linger affects of the feast, Rolf enjoys it immensely. But by midday, he starts to feel annoyance creep up on him. He'd set off at what he thought to be a easy pace, but Mandrake and Smilo just couldn't keep up. After a few hours of the stunted pace, Rolf decides that constantly holding himself back is more wearying than a forced march. As the sun dips towards the horizon, Rolf picks a likely spot to camp for the night.
He issues orders to have the tents put up, firewood collected, a cooking fire built, food prepared and the animals staked out for the night. At least Rolf puts in as much effort as any to prepare things as he deems appropriate. Before seeking his nights ease, he assigns Madelyn and Elsbeth first watch. Using his cloak as a blanket, his shoulder bag as a pillow, Rolf drifts off.
OOC: I feel like I'm setting a pattern of my moves all ending with Rolf going to sleep. :)
Madelyn awakes early and spends some time in meditation before setting too polishing her armours and shield. She is in high spirits as it is a fine day and she is looking forward to the quest ahead. When the water arrives she welcomes it and thanks the youngster; she sets to washing her hair, as she is not sure when she will be able to do this again in comfort.
Once washed and dressed she strolls down to the kitchen and enjoys the warm breakfast that she is offered. She thanks the cooks, collects her belongings from the room and heads down to the stables to assist with the saddling of Keldon.
She then steps out into the courtyard to gather with the others and is pleasantly surprised by the gathering there, it seems that the whole population of the village is there. She watches as Richard Briganda leaps up on to the mounting block and addresses the party.
When the speech is over and the gates are thrown open the crowd starts cheering and applauding. Madelyn makes her way over to Rolf, offers her hand and congratulates him on the new position “I am honoured to be at your service Rolf Liefson, and look forward to our duties and adventures ahead”.
Before exiting the gate she mounts Keldon, and waits for the party to fall into the marching order that Rolf has advised. She enjoys the days march, and never ventures far from the party, but makes sure all sides are covered. She enjoys the quiet time and takes in her surroundings and spends time observing her companions. Early afternoon, she notices the frustration on Rolf’s face at the slow pace they have to resume to accommodate Smilo and Mandrake.
As the evening comes Rolf finds a spot to camp, and Madelyn assists Kerim in settling and feeding the animals, before assisting everyone else in setting up camp. After supper, she settles down with Elsbeth for the first watch, and takes the opportunity to polish her shield and strike up conversation with her, “I know little about you fair maiden, what brings you on this quest?”
Kerim rises early and offers up prayers to his god. He then marches into breakfast, eating a hearty meal. After breakfast he helps load the mules and ensures that they are ready for the trip.
After seeing the badge presented to Rolf, he takes his place in the marching order and stands just that bit taller as the crowd cheer.
As the day progresses, he obviously looks at his pack mules, with an eye to letting the smaller members of the party ride them, obviously calculating how much more load the mules will take (how much can a gnome or halfling weigh anyway?).
When the party settle down to camp, he will unload, settle, feed and water the mules, as others get a fire going, start putting up the tents and start preparing a meal (Peter I assume).
He places his goods where they are safe (not too close to the fire but near the people on watch) and settles down to sleep until he is woken for his watch period.
OOC: Before setting out "Kin we small folk borrow a mule or two, yer lordship?" asks the hobbit of his hosts. "It'll surely speed things up." OOC: If that doesn't work, Smilo will try to buy transport along the way. He doesn't know how to ride, but if they tie the animal to the pack mules, it might help. Might even consider renting the services of a handler. "That's the sorryest ass I e'er laid eyes on 'n won't pay a copper's more than 5 silver." etc OOC: I don't know how important speed is. OOC: So this McCullough guy is on vacation in England, sees them tearing down a bridge, figures he can cart it back to the US and make a killing with it as a tourist attaction, plus sell some worthless desert land he's been trying to unload for years. He gets it to the US, puts it back together in the desert, nobody comes, since his company pays millions a year in taxes, he writes it off. He losses nothing. It's us the tax payers who ultimately paid. I hope it does fall down. But then he'd collect on the insurance.
Elsbeth awakes in the morning much at her usual time, despite her very long evening's revelry. As she busies herself cleansing her very long tresses and braiding them, her thoughts wander again to her companions. The silence of the huge Callum still fascinates her, even as she found herself wondering about the man who was to be their charge. He seemed to live life to the fullest, a trait she appreciates. What grand adventures would he lead them on?
After breaking her fast, she hurries to the stables. She is not surprised to find that her new mare recognizes her- they were immediate friends. In fact, Elsbeth spends an inordinate amount of time readying her mount for the journey. Her joy at her new friend and the prospect of the adventure make her as giddy as a colt.
In the square, she blushes with the acknowledgment of Richard Briganda and looks again at her companions. What a grand quest! She feels so fortunate to travel with such. The gods themselves seem to be smiling on them as they depart amid the cheers and waves.
Come night she cares for Lorna (a perfect name, she thinks) while watching the others. She sings softly to herself as she prepares for her watch, happy despite her slight aches from riding. She idly braids flowers for her hair as Madelyn questions her.
"Please be calling me Elsbeth," she responds, extending a hand. "Maiden I might yet be, but fair? I'd be supposing that depends on who you ask!" She smiles gaily. "Still, only the gods know why I'm here other than my great uncle and the Druid himself requested it. Perhaps to stay out of trouble, I wouldn't wonder?"
Elsbeth sighs. "Brigantia herself mayhap had a hand as well, as she knows I love the outdoors more than the round home and hearth. No man holds me there and the wilds call. So here I am." She looks the other woman frankly in the eye, working the flowers into the end of her braid.. "But what of yourself then? After all, you don't be looking like the kind for frolic in the fields or a quiet country stroll."
Peter gets up and washes and dress quickly, running to the kitchen he takes a hearty breakfast and gratefully accepts the food pack offered to him. He spends the rest of the time, until the party are ready to leave, quietly studying a book.
As the speaches are made Peter looks slightly embassassed and uncomfortable, but takes his place and marches out with the rest of the party.
As the day progresses Peter walks more or less in his place, but occasionally darts out to one side or the other to examine something on the ground or in a tree. On one occasion he has a small tree branch with him when he returns, which he stores securely in his pack.
When the party camp, Peter goes to the food and camping supplies, selects a cauldron and starts to prepare an evening meal. By the time he has finished there is vegetable stew, flame grilled belly pork and some fresh bread, for everybody. "Make the most of it", he says, "we only have the one loaf. It's biscuits tomorrow."
After dinner Peter settles down and starts drawing the a picture of the branch he collected earlier in a book that he has with him.
There were no mules in Dingaic. You noticed that there were only about a dozen horses, and that oxen are used to haul carts and ploughs.
Mandrake rolls over in his cot and pulls the blanket up over his head as the others start to get up and go about their business. The evening before was a good one, but it’s not that Mandrake is hung over, he has had plenty of practice at eating and drinking to excess, along with a good degree of natural ability.
No, the problem is that he is not a morning person. With rising frustration he gives up on the idea of going to sleep again grumbling to himself, though rather loudly says “They don’t make quiet floors and walls like you get in a nice burrow.”
Mandrake gathers his blanket around himself and sits on the edge of the bunk and then vigorously shakes the cobwebs out of his head. He then leans down and pulls his pack out from below the bed and rummages through it, finally pulling out a scroll.
Sitting there on the edge of his bed, Mandrake studies the scroll for a short while before carefully replacing it into the scroll case and that into the case.
“Right”, he announces aloud to himself “that’s yer head filled, now it’s time to fill yer belly.” Crossing to the bowl and jug that the young boy brought in, he tips the basin out of the window and uses a little more water to rinse it, before testing the temperature “Hum, still a little warm.” Using a little of his soap, Mandrake rinses his hands and face and then tips the bowl out of the window again.
Mandrake then makes his way down the tall corridors to the kitchens for a hearty breakfast and a last bit of flirting with the cook before the journey ahead. “Good morning m’lady” he says bowing low “this old soldier is reporting to have his stomach filled before the long march ahead and if this mornings offerings are but half as good as last night, then I could march all the way to the end of the world. And I could run all the way back on the promise of some more.”
OOC: Before setting out "Kin we small folk borrow a mule or two, yer lordship?" asks the hobbit of his hosts. "It'll surely speed things up."
Mandrake eyes widen and a look of discomfort crosses his face as Smilo asks about riding animals, and any standing close can hear the sigh of relief when it is discovered that there are none.
As the group march on, it becomes obvious that the small folk are going to be the limiting factor on the speed of travel, more than this though, it is also obvious to any that observe Mandrake that he is no soldier. Accustomed as he is to travelling long distances on foot, Mandrake does not do so by marching in a trained step, but more in the fashion in which Peter does, letting his mind wander away from the drudgery of the distance. In fact he frequently accompanies Peter on his wanderings, jogging to keep up with the tall man, and questioning him on the use of the herbs or plants, normally along the lines of whether they are edible.
As the group set up camp, Mandrake assists in preparing the fire and offers Peter help in tasting the food as he cooks it.
During their watch, Kerim chats to Smilo. He has a suggestion for Smilo. "If the loads were re-arranged, Smilo and Mandrake could ride on the mules. It wouldn't be comfortable though. Also, if the loads on the mules aren't balanced, or the mules are too uncomfortable, I'm going to insist you walk" - Sorry, about that.
"Are you interested? Or do you want to discuss it with Mandrake?"
"Haven't I seen you around somewhere, around town perhaps, busking or performing in an inn? Saw you juggling and tumbling act didn't I - Good at those things aren't you?"
"Me, I'm just a common sailor - can't do anything like that, not me. Got any other clever tricks you can do?"
"Are you interested? Or do you want to discuss it with Mandrake?" asked Kerim. "Sounds like it'd be worth a go. Give me a lift up," replied the hobbit. "Don't know 'bout Mandrake. Gnomes are nearly dwarves and dwarves don't much like to ride. Can't hurt to ask 'im. I suppose." "Haven't I seen you around somewhere, around town perhaps, busking or performing in an inn? Saw you juggling and tumbling act didn't I - Good at those things aren't you?" "Bruskin' What's that? Nothing agin the law, eh? Don't do nothin' agin' the law, mind you." Smilo looks around to see who is within earshot. "My act? It surely coulda been me. Not to many o' my ilk about, at least doing that bit o' business. You liked it? Well thanks. Yer name's Kerim, ain't it? Well met Kerim." Smilo extends his hand. His shake is firm and his hands are hard. At the end of the shake, the hobbit does a curious thing, he turns his hand up and goes to grab Kerim's thumb, but stops when there is no reaction. "Yep, yer not the first to say I got a talent fer it. It's true." He looks around for some wood to knock on. Seeing a tree nearby, he runs over and knocks on it. "There's always room fer improvment, though. Always lookin fer new gimmicks." "Me, I'm just a common sailor - can't do anything like that, not me. Got any other clever tricks you can do?" "Jugglin, 'n tumblin 'bout it, Kerim." He rubs his whiskery chin. "Ah, I do have a story er two, but I have to be jugglin when I's does it 'n all this road dust is makin m' throat a bit dry." Smilo coughs a few times for emphasis.
"Sounds like it'd be worth a go. Give me a lift
up," replied the hobbit. "Don't know 'bout Mandrake. Gnomes are
nearly dwarves and dwarves don't much like to ride. Can't hurt to ask
'im. I suppose."
"Well, let's ask Mandrake in the morning shall we. That should please Rolf. Mandrake's sure to prefer riding to walking any day, isn't he?"
"Bruskin' What's that? Nothing agin the law, eh? Don't do nothin' agin' the law, mind you." .......Yer name's Kerim, ain't it? Well met Kerim."
Kerim will return the handshake with an equally strong grip. "Strange handshake you've got there [Said with a grin on his face].....Only trick I know is with a rope [demonstrating some minor trick using Rope Use]."
"Ah, I do have a story er two, but I have to be jugglin when I's does it 'n all this road dust is makin m' throat a bit dry."
"Well I could tell a few stories of my own you know, but I haven't got anything to drink, only water. I drank all of my wine before we got started." Assuming water's ok (or Smilo has something more refreshing), Kerim will launch into a traditional tale of Sea Monsters, Pirates and rescuing a Sheikh's daughter and tell him about his background [See Character Sheet].
I have had another hellish week at work. I promise that I'll make a meaningful contribution next week.
As Kerim's & Smilo's watch ends, he says "really interesting to meet you, must discuss what else we have common some time". He then falls asleep with a big grin on his face.
He will talk to Rolf & Mandrake in the morning about re- arranging the Mule's loads so that Smilo & Mandrake can ride the supply mules.
OOC: Forgot to say Kerim's trade goods were, bolts of cloth, Pelts, a locked box & 2 large barrels (125 Gallons each).