Cudberct replies to Lady Jastian conversationally, moving only his eyes while remaining in formation, "I don't want to make the party presume we'll be going at the speed of our slowest donkey. I just want you, the Sgt., possibly Haddon as another goblin translator -- in case they try to hide things from us in parley we'll need all the ears we can -- and Winthrop as guiding scout to ride SW to the ravine bridge. That way we can follow up on our only real lead as soon as possible, while having a nearer supply base on the Old Road."

Breaking into a smile, "I'll gladly go in the forward parley party if you want, but I'm flexible and don't mind guarding the 'forward base.' Twenty miles is too long to push the horses in a day to ride back safely in an emergency. Besides, it'd be night if you do attempt it all today." Nodding his head towards the animals, "Given a full day however, our cart should easily be close enough by morning for you to parley and return safely to our camp. And also it will remain far enough to stay relatively safe from any angry goblins, while keeping a less aggressive posture. If their scouts have any reservations about our cart, say plainly that we're preparing transport of any wounded from the previous party.

"If we get our lost back at the broken bridge, a medic camp halfway would be best in case of any casualties. If we need to go into the ravine proper, we'll have a base to reassess the threat and plan accordingly. The Ashen Plain's terrain is just as dangerous a threat on our retreat as any monster, and it's a relentless one regardless of the type of pack animals we take."

Looks down unhappy at the thought, "At that point it'd be a rough slog through for survival; we'd have to think about supply trains. Twenty miles West of here is the easiest slope to get animals down into the ravine. Then another twenty or so miles South to get to the point of ravine's broken bridge. That's a choice of 40 miles through a dusty ravine and barren wasteland. Or we can take our chances with a sheer cliff only passable by old, broken, or goblin made, ropes."  Cudberct's sad eyes meets Lady Jastian's, "Neither's a choice I'd prefer with such a green crew. I think you already see how the terrain is against us."

Smiling, he adds, "Let's pray that this goes the easy way, then."

Mika and Maggie choose this moment to lead the cart from around the back of the Ol' Boar. As it grinds to a halt, Maggie reaches over the side and plucks out the short sword she was issued as a member of the volunteer militia. Mika is already wearing his and Maggie straps hers on as she strides over to Cudberct with a jaunty smile.

"I don't think Jordan will be joining us. The missus has him milking the goats. But we'll take our seven day wages and the money you promised us for rations and wine."

Mika turns to the rest of you. "Load 'em up, boys!"

OOC: These are the two hirelings Cudberct wanted. They're members of the town militia. Pay is 3 sp per day and they want seven days pay up front and they want money for rations and a few waterskins each. 4 gp, 2 sp total for their seven day wages. And if you go with Aminda's recommendation of 20 days of rations, they'll each want 15 gp more for rations and wineskins. They can probably ride in the cart unless it gets heavily filled. Otherwise, we'll also need to talk mounts for them.

Once paid, Mika and Maggie head towards Hucrele's general store, tossing their coinpurses in the air with a jolly air about them.

Previously in the morning, Cudberct gives staff instructions

"Eadric, go to the Hucrele compound and ask for any hired guards interested in a small job. If you can, report them and any militia locals interested to the inn."

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"Certh, rations can be expensive. Their prime advantage is their lightweight in the face of hard travel. I want to reserve those for any Ashen Plain travel.

Go to the market and get us some real food for the early part of this trip. Perishables make for better eating at the beginning, and might befriend us a hungry goblin or two. In fact, keep in mind some goblin favorite foods as potential bribes. The less combat the better. I trust your cooking talents here.

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"Hasor, I trust you to supply the feed for the animals in the cart. Thankfully donkeys are hardy and keep feed supply issues down. Put saddlebags into the cart as well just in case we plan to switch up our pack formation. Bring Buñuelo's leather barding just in case as well."

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(during last night) "Johannes, I entrust to you the greatest of tasks, guarding my family from violent travelers and tavern drinkers. As an experienced farmer, yours is a watchful eye and keen judgment to nip problems in the bud before bloom. Eadric's a big lad and can help, but he needs to know how a mature man's talk can stave off even more."

---------

"Ysmeina and Merewyn, while away listen to Ermengilda in all things. She's familiar with large homes before and has seen to my defense during perilous times. She won't admit to it, but she's heavily pregnant now and needs helping hands to enact her better judgment. She's capable in a crisis. Oh, and do rest your troubles as we will be successful."

"Excellent to see you Mika and Maggie! Worry not about rations and water, it will be covered, for do I not run an inn? Certh was at our pantry and market busy gathering perishables, which saves money and preserves rations in case we face the real danger of travel in the Ashen Plain and cut off by the ravine bottom. I'll provide two weeks worth of dry rations, but we will have at least a week of regular perishable food."

OOC: (Naturally, I'm not profiting off myself here. Don't know how you'll class it JA, but perishable good/common meals per day wouldn't be at cost.)

"We'll be bringing at least one barrel of water and another of small beer (1~2%), which works well as compact food and drink. Liquid bread for the road we call it! And not as much alcohol as wine to get so dehydrated. We shall all share this as it will cut down on personal costs and our faithful mounts' loads during forays. You won't need but one or two wineskins. As long as we don't overload the cart, about a ton, the donkeys will be alright."

Winthrop nudges Llewellyn with his elbow, gesturing discretely at Lady Jastian.  In a low tone, he murmurs "have you had a chance to meet our dear leader? She does go on, doesn't she? Doesn't she know brevity is the soul of wit?"

He is completely unaware of the hypocrisy in his statement.
Chuckling softly, Llewellyn mutters back, "I think all 'officers' are like that on their first few expeditions.  One must exercise patience with children, small dogs, and newly minted leaders..." finishing with a broad wink to his compatriot.

Cudberct replies to Lady Jastian conversationally, moving only his eyes while remaining in formation, "I don't want to make the party presume we'll be going at the speed of our slowest donkey. I just want you, the Sgt., possibly Haddon as another goblin translator -- in case they try to hide things from us in parley we'll need all the ears we can -- and Winthrop as guiding scout to ride SW to the ravine bridge. That way we can follow up on our only real lead as soon as possible, while having a nearer supply base on the Old Road."



Smiling, he adds, "Let's pray that this goes the easy way, then."
"If I may interject, milady...  This seems like the best plan.  As much as I would normally advise against dividing the...", Llewellyn glances about the group searching for the right word,  "platoon under normal circumstances, I would also very much advise against leaving the horses hobbled with minimal guard while we explore the ravine and possibly beyond.  As well, bringing a number of adults and children whose health we do not know with us on our return with only horses would be a near impossibility.  Wouldn't you agree?"  Llewellyn carefully words the plan as a suggestion to allow Lady Jastian the appearance of decision, while using inflection to emphasize the importance of agreeing; the rest of the group will put their faith in her if she is seen making important decisions.

(EDIT:  I don't know if this next bit was before or after the previous discussion; I think it was in a later post, however.  Whichever of these two parts needs to come first, I will edit to re-arrange)

"We'll be bringing at least one barrel of water and another of small beer (1~2%), which works well as compact food and drink. Liquid bread for the road we call it! And not as much alcohol as wine to get so dehydrated. We shall all share this as it will cut down on personal costs and our faithful mounts' loads during forays. You won't need but one or two wineskins. As long as we don't overload the cart, about a ton, the donkeys will be alright."
"As this concerns village business, there will be no problem for the village to pay for it.  I have some reserves for such expenditures, and the success of this effort is critical.  Obtain what victuals you deem necessary, and charge them to my office" Llewellyn instructs Cudberct, "I can think of no better reasons to open the coffers than the safety and well being of our citizens, after all."

Done with the other mounts, Hasor makes a final trip to bring Gileus' mule outside. Another double check of Cudberct's barding is in order as well, then to bring out the extra saddlebags. As he finishes up, Hasor does another quick head count: enough mounts for everyone except Mika and Maggie, and two donkeys left over to pull the cart, or carry supplies on their saddles.

"Mika! Please tell me you put the barrels on the cart before you wheeled it all the way out here. I don't relish the idea of lugging them both out by hand."

OOC: I've purchased saddlebags for whichever mounts Winthrop, Aminda, Certh, and Haddon use (they're the only ones without saddlebags on the character sheets already). Full details in the other thread.

Winthrop watches the furor of the assembling party with amusement. This notion of baggage carts and supply lines is foreign to him.  Why travel with such burdens when the land provides such things in plenty? He is impatient to depart, but as he waits he wanders amidst the group with a cheerful greeting here and an amusing anecdote there, knowing that nothing sours an expedition faster than a poor start.

He supports Cudberct's plan if that is what the other leaders desire, so long as "A stout fellow like you remains with the less experienced guarding the train." He also doesn't stand in parade formation, daring Cudberct to challenge him with a wry smile.

Quote from: StormBringer;602973Smiling, he adds, "Let's pray that this goes the easy way, then."[/COLOR]
"If I may interject, milady...  This seems like the best plan.  As much as I would normally advise against dividing the...", Llewellyn glances about the group searching for the right word,  "platoon under normal circumstances, I would also very much advise against leaving the horses hobbled with minimal guard while we explore the ravine and possibly beyond.  As well, bringing a number of adults and children whose health we do not know with us on our return with only horses would be a near impossibility.  Wouldn't you agree?"  Llewellyn carefully words the plan as a suggestion to allow Lady Jastian the appearance of decision, while using inflection to emphasize the importance of agreeing; the rest of the group will put their faith in her if she is seen making important decisions.

"M'lady never suggested splitting the party or hobbling horses lad. She said we'd leave the cart and ride around. Awfully similar to Cudberct's plan but without a cart. Without a cart it would be a day to get down to parley, 3 days, maybe a bit more, to circle around into the ravine and then 3 days back ta town. Well maybe more coming back if stretchers for the wounded slow us down. That is 7 days of travel time instead of 12.

But do not be concerned I am sure the boys can wait for us." Aminda gives the Llewellyn a broad smile of full of crooked teeth but it doesn't reach her eyes.

OOC: DonEstaban's character sheet had a saddlebag, Tanthius, so Aminda won't be needing one. Thanks though.

Just turning his neck in the general direction of Sgt & healer, Cudberct says, "Ahh, then it must have been my misunderstanding, Aminda. I'm sure Lady Jastian has the best intentions for us. It just has been a rather squished time frame to get everyone marching together. That and, well, this expedition has been overdue -- it seems a lot of nervous energy is being released. My apologies."

"And thank you Sgt., I will take you up on that offer to help cover provisions. Perhaps the militia could use more saddlebags anyway, but I'll pay for at least two to cover my staff's horses (Certh & Hasor). I see no reason to tap town reserves for something I might need in the future." Smiling, "We'll have time to talk expense details on our return. Ermengilda and your deputy can hash out a receipt for it while we're away."

"Shoulders back, Winthrop." Wry smile slowly follows a sideways look, "It's good for your posture."

Haddon is long-accustomed to hunting for food with his companion, but those assembled are quite insistent on bringing rations and there may be little game so close to the Ashen Plain. If Cudberct is providing them himself, there is no reason to refuse.

Haddon is a little uncomfortable in the large group without Ashur. He does his best to speak and plan with the others, but is noticeably more at-ease when Ashur returns, smelling of fresh blood.

Gileus stands quietly aside while the others talk strategy and tactics.  Best to leave that to the experts.  He fidgets nervously, and checks his pack for the umpteenth time.  He's learned little about the ravine, and nothing about the citadel, and it makes him uneasy heading into the unknown.

"M'lady never suggested splitting the party or hobbling horses lad. She  said we'd leave the cart and ride around. Awfully similar to Cudberct's  plan but without a cart. Without a cart it would be a day to get down to  parley, 3 days, maybe a bit more, to circle around into the ravine and  then 3 days back ta town. Well maybe more coming back if stretchers for  the wounded slow us down. That is 7 days of travel time instead of 12.
Llewellyn faces away from Lady Jastian and addresses Aminda directly so his words do not carry, "And I would rather not have the options seem worthy to her, lest her inexperience draws her to a less than optimal conclusion.  Without the cart, getting even the children back would be nigh impossible, let alone the whole party, unless they are in perfect health."

Glancing to the side at the sound of his name, Llewellyn turns to Cudberct and smiles at the doughty tavern owner.

"And thank you Sgt., I will take you up on that offer to help cover provisions. Perhaps the militia could use more saddlebags anyway, but I'll pay for at least two to cover my staff's horses (Certh & Hasor). I see no reason to tap town reserves for something I might need in the future." Smiling, "We'll have time to talk expense details on our return. Ermengilda and your deputy can hash out a receipt for it while we're away."
"I have no doubts that your wife is as honest and shrewd as yourself, good innkeep!  I will take her word on the details of the provisioning." Llewellyn smiles as he gives Cudberct a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder and lowers his voice somewhat, "Besides, I would not want to face her wrath if all she had to do was worry about your return while we were gone!"

Watching as the others prepared, Lady Jastian tried to keep her frustration to herself.  These rustics clearly had little experience with nobility.  She must be patient with their thoughtless slights and petty argument:  Until she had proven her worth, they doubtless regarded her as little better than the feckless knight-errant who had led their sons to doom.  

Gileus seemed ill-at-ease as well, likely as bewildered as Jastian by the villagers’ chaotic preparation.  Perhaps a distraction would lay his mind at ease.  “Scholar Gileus, coulds’t thou bring Nanny Scroppings some of the bread and honey butter I saw in the inn?  ‘Tis like she has not broken her fast this morn, laboring like a dwarf chiselmaster in the last hours of a masterwork.”

Winthrop looks around the green nervously. Already he sees strife. The sergeant and Aminda make an almost comical pair, he a tower of muscle speaking to such a tiny old woman in low, heated tones.  Cudberct, trying once again to impose his military aesthetic on the free spirited others - Winthrop included, the woodsman was forced to admit.  And where he had seen Jastian's exuberance last night as the sign of a natural leader, in the morning it looked more like inexperience, and dare he say, drunkenness?  Something had to be done.

Raising his voice, he called out "so it's settled then? One group on horse to parley, one with the wagon for supplies? Then we should set off, with haste, the morning is wasting.  Could the parley expedition follow me? I will leave trail markers for the other group, Cudberct knows what to look for."

He mounts Barnaby, and slowly makes for the south gate, hoping the others will follow. He will turn back to collect the party if necessary, but knows from years of experience that often the only thing necessary to galvanize a party is for someone to take the first step.

Inwardly, Winthrop dislikes the idea of splitting the group already. But his desire to get on the road easily overrides his willingness to stay and argue.

Quote from: StormBringer;603436"And I would rather not have the options seem worthy to her, lest her inexperience draws her to a less than optimal conclusion."

Aminda genuinely smiles at this, places her hand on his forearm and, in equally hushed tones, says "You should realize that I support the cartless plan, lad. I feel that if there is any hope for these boys it is in getting to them quickly so we can dig them out of the trouble they are in before it worsens or treat their wounds before it is too late. I think, as I originally stated, that stretchers will work for transporting wounded. I fear the cart will only arrive late enough to carry their corpses home."

"But I can tell you young lads won't listen to an old lady. And I hope you prove me wrong. But you should carry away at least this, Lady Jastian is not as inexperienced as you may believe."