Goodbye to Manut, Enemy Camp?
Subject: Morning activities
The conversation gradually peters out. One by one, the party falls back asleep, though for some rest does not come easily. Rennik sits gnawing at the handle of his axe. The halfling boy's tale of corruption and murder within the Logi has clearly brought to mind his own tribe, and worry etches his face. Mission too sleeps slowly. Here is yet another child in danger. Some kind of madness infects this seemingly idyllic island.
Garyth moves about the camp, the boys tale reminding him that evil men are on the move this night. He is determined not to be taken by surprise.
The following morning a quiet cold breakfast is eaten, and then someone says, "What now?" Everyone looks at the boy.
[Give me your final decision. Farron, if you are memorizing Mount, let me know.]
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Morning activities
In the light of day, the forest seems to be quite a bit less menacing in Farron's eyes. He rises and stretches and eats his cold breakfast while memorizing and preparing the day's spells. At the sound of "What now?", Farron takes a good look at the boy and says aloud, "Well, the boy managed to escape what we should expect was a well-armed party, and has managed to survive alone and unaided in the forest thus far. Surely he should be able to survive a relatively short ride back to Gully's. If the safety of the boy is of prime concern, I say we send him back across ground we've seen rather than chance dragging him toward dangers unknown, especially dangers we have no way of knowing we can even protect ourselves from, let alone the boy.
"To that end, I have taken the liberty of writing a short note to Gully that we can send along with the boy on my mount, if that is agreeable to the rest of you."
Farron presents the note, which reads as follows:
Master Gully,
This boy, we believe, has escaped the same evil that we encountered at your lodge. We are loath to drag him into further unknown dangers, and cannot divert our mission to return him to his tribe. If we may impose on your hospitality further, we ask that you provide shelter and food for him until either we are able to return to claim him, or you come across means to return him to his tribe. In the meantime, he should be able to earn at least a portion of his keep, and I will personally cover the difference and any additional expenses you may encounter on his behalf.
We thank you in advance,
Farron Uphill
[There is ample space left for anyone else to add a signature, or a post-script if required.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Morning activities
Mission swallows. "I agree, Farron." His eyes are troubled and his gaze restless.
He says no more, untrusting of his own emotions.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Morning activities
Sa'id nods. "It seems to be the most prudent course."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Morning activities
Lost in thought, Rennik eventually turns his attention to the boy and speaks in the halfling tongue.
"We will send you by magical horse back to an inn owned by a human named Gully." He smiles at the boy's distaste at the word 'magical' and tries to allay his fears. "It is necessary. You will be safe. This human Gully will take care of you. He has already aided us once, and he is of good heart. He knows of our customs and will protect you until we can return home. May Mielikki guard your path."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Morning activities
OODM: ok, it looks like the magic horse is the consensus. Mike and Dan, just check in for me and I will write up the next turn. Thanks.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Morning activities
Garyth looks a bit uncomfortable as the group decides to send the boy off without doing more to ensure his safety, but he says nothing.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Morning activities
Cadfael nods gravely with the others.
"It would seem that this is the only realistic course of action. Would that we could return with him, but there is no time. The sooner we are on are way, the better."
From: Ty
Subject: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
There is an uncomfortable silence after Cadfael speaks. Garyth especially looks like he wants to say something, and is only barely suppressing it. When no one speaks out against it, Farron steps to the side and casts a spell, summoning into being a small but sturdy looking pony. He speaks to it for a moment, as if giving it orders. When he's finished, he gestures to Mission, who lifts the boy up and sets him on the saddle.
Farron motions for Rennik to come over to him and says, "Say this to him: The pony has been told to follow your lead. Use the path we told you about to get back to the lodge. If you move quickly, you will be at the lodge before the Pony leaves."
Rennik gives the boy these instructions, then grips his small hand once, very firmly. Only Sa'id understands Rennik's words when he tells the boy, "Go safely, little one. And know that your father would be proud of the courage you have shown here." He then swats the pony once on the rump, and it trots off following the path out of the forest.
A few moments later, the gear has been gathered up, and the group begins to move along the now northerly bound trail. Rennik points off to the east as you travel, "We skirt the jungle here. If they were only looking for the most direct path to the mountain, they would go east, not north. They were looking for something other than the straightest path."
The trail is still easy to follow, and Rennik also knows the landmarks the boy told him of. If it were not for the rain that begins in late morning, and continues on throughout the day, it would be an easy day's travel. The creatures that live here do not seem to be deterred by the rain, and this close to the true jungle the wildlife is rich in diversity. Farron, whose work with summoning spells has made him interested in unusual fauna, counts dozens of life forms he has never seen before. None of them look particularly threatening, though several of the snakes are large enough that the party gives them a wide berth.
As evening approaches, there is a brief conversation about stopping for the night. A few moments discussion ends this idea when Mission and Rennik both push to move further and everyone else agrees that there would be little rest gained in this heavy rain. When it has become truly dark, Cadfael moves to the front of the group and takes out his glowing glove.
The rain finally starts to thin at about 8 in the evening. Rennik begins looking for a place to camp, but stops suddenly, looking off into the distance. He says quietly, "Mission, come to me. Cadfael, please hide that light." Mission has just moved over next to Rennik when suddenly the forest is plunged into darkness. The group has been traveling by Cadfael's light for several hours, and the darkness is shocking. It is as black as a cave. Mission feels Rennik's hand touch his arm. "You have sharp eyes, Monk. Do you see anything out there?" Mission feels himself turned slightly.
Off in the distance, very faint, but becoming more obvious as his eyes grown accustomed to the dark, is a dim, flickering yellow light. "Yes, Rennik, I see it. It looks like firelight, but the fire itself is behind something. I see only its dim reflection."
Rennik says, "Aye. That's what I thought. Do you see aught else?"
The monk stands quietly for a moment. "Yes. It's a building. Probably made of stone. See how the light is coming through the cracks? Perhaps it is the boy's tower. I think it's about 300 yards away, but it would be invisible if it weren't so dark. How did you see it, Rennik?"
Rennik's face is invisible, but you hear his grin in his voice as he says, "I did not. But my nose picked up the smoke, and the wind comes at us from the direction I pointed you in. Not many jungle beasts need a campfire."
[Waiting for party moves]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
Mission removes his hat, and wraps a black cloth around his hair.
"Whoever they are, they are brave enough to light a fire. They're not expecting visitors." Or perhaps they were.
He loads his crossbow. "Let's go take a look, eh, Rennick?"
If no one has any objections, Mission will get close enough to the fire to see if he can make out any people, or the general layout of the building, if no people are visible.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
Being as stealthy as possible, of course. . .
From: Matt
Subject: Re: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
Rennik decides this is a good idea, quietly remembering what happened the last time he went off to scout with only one of the party. He comforts himself with the thought that Mission is far less shiny and clanky - though he did show at the inn that he will engage against heavy odds with little at his back. A little uneasily, Rennik sheathes his axe behind his back and draws his bow.
"I would normally think to flank the camp, but I don't want to lose you in this darkness. We should stay close."
He pauses a moment before continuing.
"If we get separated and need to regroup, I will make the call of the hoop owl, like this." He makes a low, cooing sound with a trilled tongue. "It does not live this close to the jungle, but further toward the edges of the island. It is familiar enough that they will not find it unusual, but it is not indiginous to this area."
Again, he pauses, clicking his tongue against his teeth in thought, remembering the precious time lost as the party tried to cover ground toward the halflings days earlier.
"I think the group should get a little closer before we split off. In darkness the sun will not give away position from their armor, and I've secured their loose objects so they will make less noise. I think we will be safe if we all move within 200 yards before we split off."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
(OOC: "aught else"?)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: A Jungle Path; Bidding Manut goodbye
Mission says softly, "I agree."
He'll stay as close to Rennick as possible in this darkness, grateful that his training at the monastery equipped him well for night-fighting.