Silver-Haired Elf, Buchek On A Short Leash
Subject: Re: Setting out
[OOC--The map doesn't seem to have come through, at least to me]
Along the way, Buchek will have been making friends with Telwyn's wolf, if the wolf (and Telwyn) seem at all open to this, and with Holn's cat (again, assuming that the cat and Holn are okay with this--I don't quite know how familiars would act toward other people).
As they approach the tower, Buchek nudges Telwyn with his elbow, nodding toward the tavern. "there may be trouble. That elf took our measure, and didn't like what he saw."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Setting out
Erk says, ?I too saw the elf, and he had an ill look to him. Now, elves are a surly and untrustworthy race even at the best of times, but this one looked even more suspicious air than most. We should be careful.? As he says this, he pointedly reaches down to his belt and loosens one of his throwing axes for quick retrieval.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Setting out
Telwyn watches the goodbyes impassively; he made his farewells a while ago and is eager to get underway. As the party passes through the gate onto the East Road, he feels a slight tension unwind from his shoulders, and he begins to loosen up. It's nice to be out in the open again.
At first Liwanu stays close by Telwyn, but after a time his curiosity comes out, and he checks out the other party members. Several times Telwyn has to call him back, as the pack mules become more than a bit skittish when the wolf approaches. When Buchek approaches Liwanu, he is at first a bit standoffish. Eventually he warms to the tribesman, though, and Telwyn smiles at the wolf's playful good mood.
The party has scarcely reached the outpost when Buchek, and then Erk, make their comments. At first Telwyn is a bit confused, not having seen any elf. Erk's remark, though, draws a quick askance look from Telwyn; does the dwarf have no idea who he's talking to? Still, if someone has sized them up, that may be significant. Telwyn looks over toward the tavern to see what he can see.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Setting out
[OOC-Am I correct in thinking that at this point Buchek is still tied up?
By the way, were we sent a final party inventory? I didn't see anything of the sort, but I'm not sure that attachments are making it through to me. If not, should we just assume that everything on Mike's list from last week is on there?]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Setting out
Erk is watching Telwyn, and when he catches the look, gives him a mischievous grin. It is clear he expected such a reaction, and was goading a bit.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Setting out
Buchek watches Erk and Telwyn's non-verbal exchange without comment. After a moment he says "if the elf means us harm, we'll do ourselves no favors by giving him time", and heads toward the tavern.
From: Erik
Subject: The Silver Haired Elf
Holn approaches the elf, smiling.
"I couldn't help but notice your concern, sir. Is there something wrong?" he asks.
From: Clara
Subject: Kayla's response to elf
Kayla, completely confused at the exchanges, watches Buchek start for the tavern. She thinks to herself, "I'm not followin' him right yet."
She starts to ask what is happening, and decides against it. "I'll just watch, for now."
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 1; Silver Hair
The look from the elf was so fleeting that most of the assembly was oblivious to it. By the time Buchek and Erk begin to make their comments, the elf has already passed into the tavern (the inn, really, but there's a tavern sign hanging over the door) and disappeared. (So, I'm going to ignore Holn's comment at this point, since it would require him walking down the street aways and into the inn, etc.)
As Buchek moves toward the tavern door, he feels his movement checked by the rope around his waist, and subsequently feels his anger rise quickly.
"Not so fast, you!" The guard holding the rope pulls it fast, stopping Buchek in his tracks and causing the other guards to stir. "You sleep in the guardhouse tonight. Only after we cross the river are you free to go."
Tension in the air rises between them, and Liwanu even stands beside Buchek and growls softly in his throat back at the guard. The man backs off a bit, but still holds the rope firm. The other guards aren't sure what to do about the wolf, while still keeping their prisoner in check. The one with the rope speaks to Telwyn.
"These are the rules, as you were told. We don't want trouble. He is in *our* charge until you cross the river. Until then, you may stay at the inn, but he stays with us. Now, if you'll please call off your wolf - we have no desire to defend ourselves against it."
He glances to Bermid and then to Telwyn, though keeping his eyes focused mainly on Buchek.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Just some technical things.
Yes, Buchek is tied. But only around the waist, not his hands. His weapons are still peacebound.
Here's a written description of the scene.
You've just entered the outer portion of town. Ahead of you, about fifty yards away, are two buildings directly across the path from one another. The one on the left is a stone tower, two stories high, which appears to be the guardhouse the guards mentioned. The one on the right is a tavern/inn type structure, but far less obvious than those in Segreda. It almost looks like a longhouse with a stable and an old tavern sign hanging above the door.
Beyond these two buildings lie several small wooden structures, which appear to be craftsman's shops (from the smoke issueing from some, there are a few smithies), and barracks. Beyond these is a wall made of sturdy tree trunks set side by side. The wall is broken where the path meets it, revealing a bridge over a river (some fifty feet across, but slow and shallow-looking).
The whole outpost town is only maybe 80 yards from where you stand to the other side, and beyond the bridge you can see the sun reflecting off the grass. The grass is cut very short for some ways away from the bridge, and there are guardhouses on the other side, but after some ways, it increases in depth and the path becomes very narrow through it.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Caro 1; Silver Hair
Telwyn pauses for a moment, regarding the man skeptically. But there's nothing to be gained by a fight right now, so, giving Buchek an apologetic glance, he motions for Liwanu to come to him.
Telwyn turns back to the guard and speaks softly. "If I remember right, Buchek was to be taken here, at which point he would be turned over to us." He shrugs, his expression leaving no question of his opinion of the guards. "I hope you'll have room for one more in your guardhouse tonight." He looks down at Liwanu, who, though silent, is still far from calm. "Make that two more," Telwyn says with a smirk. With that, he turns and heads toward the inn, looking for this elf.
From: Erik
Subject: The Silverhaired Elf
Holn will follow Telwyn after the elf. Fancek Fa will follow Holn.