Quote from: Drohem;420209"You misspeak yourself, Bryce," Norel looks Bryce in the eyes and says, "I saw no brigandry nor murder done by these Geornlings this day."

The sorcerer scowls in puzzlement at the dwarf's words.

"These men serve Baron Robert Fitzwell, a brigand and murderous lord -- in the words of his own son!  Moreover, these henchmen were sent by said brigand lord to forcibly retrieve young Daniel against the lad's will.  Perhaps such craven henchmen are chivalrous knights in your estimation, but they are not in mine."  

Bryce then shrugs, and adds, "If you feel it necessary to continue to aid this Geornling scoundrel, I will not oppose your misguided charity.  However, I ask you to remember the villagers who suffer as we indulge this cutthroat."

The sorcerer then turns to Daniel and says, "I am reluctant to let you wander off on your own into such dangerous territory, lad.  However, it likely would be dangerous to accompany us.  You are welcome to do so, though, if that is your choice.  You are your own man, now, to do as you choose."

"Ah, your words reveal you naivety," Norel says with a sense of understanding to Bryce, "if not your foolishness.  Do you know Baron Robert Fitzwell?  Do you know of his reputation?  I have not heard of this man personally, nor his reputation.  No, Bryce, it your words that are misguided this day.  Do not suppose to know my mind, nor to remind me of anything."

Looking toward Daniel, he continues, "in regards to Daniel, you are right though.  The village of Breakwood is further up the road if want to continue on your own."

After helping Norel with the grave and wiping the worst of the dirt from my clothing I dig a few silvers from my pouch...I come over to the boy,kneeling to get at his eye level ,placing one hand on his shoulder "Daniel, I am Amra of Dakon,are you familiar with my homeland?"

"I thank you for your offer, but I will endanger you if I stay. I shall go to Breakwood and see about getting to Carlaw from there, if you please."

Daniel turns to Amra "I have heard of Dakonia, but I don't know anything more than childish stories, sir."

Norel nods at Daniel's words and reaches into his belt pouch.  He counts out ten silver coins and then hands the coins to Daniel.

"Here," Norel says, "take it.  It will help you get to Carlaw.  When you get to Breakwood, speak with Father Walter.  He may be able to help you, or find someone in Breakwood who could help you."

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OOC: Coins have been deducted from character sheet.

"Well, perhaps when we get back into town you can tell me what you have heard!" I drop 5 silvers onto Norels and squeeze Daniels shoulder before standing,adjusting my gear for travel.

"Thank you sirs!" Daniel gratefully replies.

"I had best be gone. I hope to make Breakwood before Gelf can return to my father with the bad news. I beg you to be on your way before my lord's scouts come."

Daniel touches his forehead respectfully, shoulders the piglet, and heads off south.

Gunnar stands around watching the boy go.

"I am thrall of Borvr who is dead, so I am free. No oaths sworn to chief of Wolf Hall by me. I go back to Arntlings. You never cross my path again, and I never cross yours." He directs this to Bryce and Norrel expectantly.

Norel looks Gunnar in the eyes and nods knowingly in the affirmative, and then simply says, "I understand."

"We really should be going as well. Come on." Engeram starts to walk.

OK, walking time again! It's early afternoon. Are you covering your tracks, or taking steps to be less visible on the heath, or keeping a watch out for patrols from Wolf Hall? It'll slow you down if you are.

Edit: Forgot to bold this as it's OOC

"nothing will slow us down like being killed, everyone, be careful to cover your tracks."

Engeram is doing the best he can to walk on rocky ground and cover his trail. He will also walk out on front, leading by example.

Norel picks his steps cautiously and try not to step in damp ground.  He will also try to step in his companions' feet depressions.

"Aye," Norel nods in agreement, "try to step in each others' footprints as well."

following the others example I walk on the rocks and in their tracks while occasionaly scanning the horizon,bow in hand.

Sighard follows the group, taking up position as rear guard.

Weapons at the ready, it takes longer to traverse the heath, but the terrain begins to break up and become more rugged around mid-afternoon. Deep ridges and gorges begin to appear sporadically, and after crossing a few of them, you find one that seems the most likely to be the southernmost branch of the river on Adalbert's map.

Following it for another hour, you can feel the temperature drop as the wind picks up. There are still occasional patches of snow up here, mostly in the lees of stones and hills. The gorge begins to level out and you can see the southernmost hill on Adalbert's map aglow in the late afternoon sun.

Beyond it, to the north-west, an evergreen forest swaddles a solitary, low mountain with a rounded top. Somewhere on that horn lays the lost shrine of Rondag, and the monk's hidden treasure.


What's the plan here? It's late afternoon, with maybe three or four hours to sunset. You estimate you're about an hour and a half from the base of the mountain, just south-east of the rightmost / easternmost hill on Adalbert's map and a little north of the river before it comes onto his map from the southern edge. You haven't seen any signs of the Baron's patrols yet. Out here you've got good sight-lines and can see anything coming, but the forest looks thick and might hide you better if you do decide to camp.

There's no sign of the path to Rondag at your current distance, but you can see that the eastern slope of the mountain is more shallow than the western side, which is where Adalbert claimed to have found the path. In both cases, it's thickly treed and would be slow going.

Images are of the gorge you follow and the hill you're nearest to.