Sherwoodshire roleplaying

Walker looks almost with panic to the grassland behind them, knowing that the dragon just set off a fiery blast. As he knows the area (and has, indeed planted a lot of these himself) he would prefer to check the plants in the area and possible harvest some herbs for Druid Kitty, hoping that they aren't just ash right now!

To Aislinn, "If you are confident to skin this beast, that is excellent. I need to go look over there........"

[You can see he is seriously bothered about these plants]

"Ok, so, you can get this skin off? I obviously don't need to say but the larger the pieces the better for the armourers. Regarding the insides..... echhhhhhhhh.... [he pulls a face] whatever we can get into whatever containers we have might be of some use. Aim for the larger organs, maybe?"

Walker walks to inspect the damage done to Kitty's plants while eating 2 healing berries. As he walks this area where the dragon's breath hit, he is looking for damage and anything he can fix or harvest (if it's not burned). Once he has check this area he will look further afield to the north and try to harvest whatever herbs he can get from there.

Aislinn watches Walker's beeline journey to the planting area. Perhaps he's a fair hand at potion-making himself, or used to be a gardener? His concern is almost palpable. She'll ask at some point, should she get a chance.

The berries seem to help her scorched wounds, but needless to say have no effect on her singed clothing; the damage was restricted to her left shoulder and sleeve, though, and it won't take much to mend--or to purchase another tunic, if the reward is generous enough to allow for some extra purchases.

She stares down at the slain beast, which even lying down is almost comically bigger than the person who's offered to skin it. But her heart's turned colder, she can almost feel the chill in her breast. If Kitty or someone else can make use of whatever they can take, Aislinn will just ignore what would have been repulsive for her scarcely a half-hour previous.

About to slice into the Dragon hide, she pauses and addresses her fellow Scouts with only a brief glance in their direction. "I've not done this before," she says dully. "If you can choose what parts are useful, or help carry away the hide, it would be of great help."

Assuming they assist, Aislinn will do whatever a small young woman is capable of to take that which is profitable from the dead dragon. As for how to dispose the body... she shrugs to herself. Will birds of prey or other carrion-eaters not take care of it soon enough?

Saradoc realises that Walker is concerned about both the battle and the damage to the Crag’s vegetation.
“Walker, your battle plan was excellent. We were remarkably unscathed despite confronting a very dangerous monster. Everyone made a real contribution.
I do hope we see that brave Wolf again. It saved Alf’s life when we fought the Lake Ness Monster and here it undoubtedly saved Walker from some serious burns.”
He adds “The Dragon’s fire will have hurt the forest – but I am sure it will recover. Vegetation often grows back fine after a fire. Perhaps Druid Kitty will be able to help?”

As Walker inspects the fire damage, he is cheered to see that it is not as bad as he feared. He realises this is for two reasons. The Dragon’s breath was slanted upwards (rather than straight ahead) to clear away the mysterious mist – and the trees themselves blocked the flames going too far.

Walker tastes the first Goodberry … and feels full. :o Suddenly he realises that he was already completely cured by Marron's spell – so he’s just used up a berry as a complete meal!
Walker sheepishly hands back the second berry to Aislinn, explaining that she should use all the remaining berries on herself – as she’s the only one injured.
Aislinn duly finishes off all the remaining berries and is fully cured for 7 hp.

Marron giggles as the healing is finally sorted out. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

He turns serious. “Aislinn, I’ll help you with the Dragon hide. Hopefully my skill as a Fisherman in removing fish skins will be of some assistance – though I never caught anything as big as this!”

DM: Marron makes a Fisherman roll. (This helps Aislinn's Dagger roll by 10%.)

DM: Aislinn makes a Presidigitation roll. (This helps Aislinn's Dagger roll by 10%.)

Aislinn starts to skin the Dragon with her dagger. (She can see that its body is long enough to potentially get three sets of hide to help make three fire-resistant leather armour suits.)

DM: Aislinn makes a Dagger roll.

She carefully sets aside a 10 foot section of leathery hide in perfect condition.
Marron nods in approval.

DM: Aislinn fails a Dagger roll.

Aislinn wipes her brow.
Marron comments "Although this particular hide is somewhat damaged, I expect a Tailor could make things like waistcoats, helmets or belts out of it.
And I'm sure Kitty could use some of it to make valuable Protection from Fire Potions!"

DM: Aislinn makes a Dagger roll.

She now has a second leathery hide in perfect condition.
Marron says "That was not easy - two out of three ain't bad. :)"

Walker is satisfied the damage to the vegetation is not too bad.

DM: Walker makes a Herbalism roll.

He organises the party to gather herbs, plants and similar ingredients for Kitty, clearly explaining what to look for.

DM: Walker makes a Tracking roll.

As Walker moves around the top of the Crag, he notices some tracks obviously made by the Dragon...

The hide taken care of, Aislinn pauses to help Walker with the herb and plant recovery. She's putting off handling the dragon's internal organs, especially as she's not sure how to carry them nor exactly which ones will be needed. Perhaps Druid Kitty could send a team from the Keep to deal with the rest.

When she's near Saradoc, she murmurs her gratitude to him for the kind words and wishes about Wolf, though she is brief as usual. Thinking about animals gives her an idea. Eye was helpful earlier, it seems only right for the bird to enjoy some raw flesh or whatever it eats. "I know the dragon parts might be... useful," she says to Walker, "but might your familiar like some for a meal?"

Walker looks relieved as he looks over what he considers to be his garden and also his ongoing tribute to Kitty Winters. There are many plants up here that have taken years to cultivate and can't be found in many places, so it is a huge relief to see them undamaged. As the group help him, he would point out the particular leaves and flower heads that would be useful to take back to the Keep, and also points out the younger plants and the seeding ones that need to be left alone.

The skinning of the dragon seems to be going remarkably well - he has never seen someone able to get a whole perfect dragon skin before, so two-thirds plus some scraps is impressive. These people work well as a team and lend their abilities to help each other...

In answer to Aislinn, he says, "........{to be continued when I know more about Eye!...}

As Marron helps gather Potion ingredients, he says "We've got a lot of raw meat here - it's probably not a good idea to pile it in the cart with all these pleasant plants and herbs. Sometimes when I caught a lot of fish, I would smoke them. That made them less messy, easier to carry and they lasted longer. Could we do something like that here?"

He thinks a bit and then adds "Do you think this Dragon had any treasure?!"

[continued...]
In answer to Aislinn, Walker says, "Thank you for the offer, but Eye up there doesn't actually eat food. She is a .... well, lets say more of a magical creation. That's not to say she doesn't have feelings and such, but no, she will not need to eat from this dragon."

Looking at the large amount of meat and nodding to Marron. "Smoking it might be a good plan, actually, there is a farm very nearby, the one that the dragon attacked. I am sure they could use the meat and also maybe smoke it? I wouldn't want them to climb the cliff, though, so.... [he shuffles awkwardly] ... maybe we could just sort of ... roll the body over the cliff? Then we could go and alert the farm and they could send their workers to come to the base of the crag and collect the useful meat. Maybe they would give us some cured meat later or if not then at least it will be comforting for them to know that the monster that killed their shepherd has now been slain.

"Treasure... that's an interesting thought. I don't know where up here any treasure would be hidden, but the dragon hasn't been here long so maybe its actual lair is somewhere else and it was just resting here? Probably best to check up here first."

Walker would like to make a thorough search of this plateau - a place he knows well - to check for anywhere that a dragon might hide its treasure.

Aislinn is surprised to hear about Eye's nature, and if she can see the bird, she'll take a closer look out of curiosity. If Eye is anything like the Wolf, she guesses Walker must possess greater power by far, to enable a magical creature to stay with him always. All Aislinn can do is summon a beast to die for her. The thought disturbs her.

The talk of the meat reminds her of some of the things she saw during her months with the Lizardmen. "Saradoc's skill with carpentry could be helpful, if we want to smoke some of the meat ourselves," she says with a brief glance at the Hobbit. "You could put wooden racks above a low fire. With a roof to keep the rain off. If... if that's something we might wish to do."

She nods at Walker's suggestions. Telling the farmers is certainly important, and finding treasure... well, that's even more so, at least to her. Not something she'd want to voice to the others. "Were there not tracks somewhere, sir?" she asks the ranger. "Could you follow them to a... a lair, or cave, or..." Or wherever dragons might hoard their possessions; Aislinn's imagination ends here.

Saradoc helps to gather plants, as directed by Walker.
He sees that one tree took the brunt of the Dragon's fiery breath and is sadly dead, however much of the tree is undamaged.
Saradoc says to Aislinn, "I like your idea of building a covered rack to smoke some meat. I could use my Hand Axes and Carpentry knowledge to collect some good wood."
He sets to work on this plan, cutting some useable wood from the burnt tree.

Marron announces cheerfully “We have slain the wicked Dragon; there’s not too much damage to the Crag’s vegetation and we’ve got two complete hides, plus some more hide and a load of suitable plants -all good for making magical items! Druid Kitty will be really pleased.
Now I do like your ideas – first we get the farm workers to help gather the meat. Then Saradoc can use the wood that he’s cutting to make a smoking room at the farm using Aislinn’s design.
This could really compensate the farm for the loss of their shepherd.
And even after they’ve smoked all the dragon meat, they could carry on smoking farm meat and fish. That would help all the local farmers and fishermen.”

He pauses for breath, then adds “OK, while Saradoc gets his wood, the rest of us could do two things.
First let the farm know we want them to come to the foot of the Crag to pick up the meat.
Suppose we write a message – after all there’s often one person at a farm who is literate – and on the back we could make a series of drawings as a back-up. So … ‘Dragon attacks farm’; ‘Dragon flies to the Crag’; ‘Adventurers climb Crag’; ‘Adventurers slay Dragon’; ‘Farm workers come to Crag’; ‘Adventurers roll Dragon off Crag’!
Walker, couldn’t Eye simply fly to the farm and drop off the message?”

Marron continues “Secondly look for treasure.“

DM: Aislinn makes an Awareness roll.

Aislinn remarks “Just here - these look like Dragon tracks – over to you Walker!”

DM: Saradoc makes a Carpentry roll.

Saradoc has gathered enough wood to make a simple smoking building.

With a blink of his eyes, Walker summons Eye down from the skies and she lands on his shoulder and nuzzles her beak against his face as he absent-mindedly scritches the top of her head. Despite being magical, she behaves very much like a real bird and a companion, and an intelligent one at that, and seems relieved that the battle went well. If you were to interpret her behaviour you could almost think that she is trying to reassure Walker that he had done ok in the fight and try to give him some confidence.

"Ok, that's a great idea to smoke the meat up here. We can leave the bones to be picked at by the animals then dry out in the sun... and then there will be a dragon skeleton up on Walker's Crag! That will certainly be a tale to tell! Imagine other people coming to visit here in the future - not that it's often visited, but if it was - they would wonder at what happened. [He gestures towards the burnt tree] and the burnt stump there will just be an excellent part of the scene as well!" Walker is imagining the bones of the dragon, the meat scavenged and the bones picked clean and bleached, partially covered with vegetation, moss and plants peeking through the ribcage, up here on this crag.

"Yes, ok, I hadn't thought of sending Eye with a message, that's so obvious, I'm an idiot, sorry. I visited the farm nearby recently - just before I met you - when I heard of their trouble with this dragon and I had Eye with me at the time. She was quite popular with a couple of the children on the farm so I am sure that they would recognise her if she was to visit there without me. In terms of the message, there are a few there who can read quite well so I think just a simple written message should be fine. Uhmmm.... does anyone have any paper and writing implements? Heh, that could scupper the whole 'send message via bird' if we don't have any means of writing it. The farm is actually fairly close and I'm familiar with this climb, so it wouldn't be too difficult for me to just go down and tell them in person if needed, then come back. I assume the smoking of the meat will take a while, I could be there and back before it's done.

"But now to these tracks... I don't think I was aware of a cave up here but the tracks are worth following to see. As I said, I've been up here many times and cultivated a lot of the herbs you can see, I think I would have noticed a dragon! Aislinn, will you come with me to look, while Saradoc and Marron sort out the smoking and the message, if we have paper and writing implements between us!"

[Walker would like to wait to see if we have paper etc. and if so, Eye will take the message to the farm, who will hopefully recognise her having petted her only a few days before. If we as a group don't have writing materials then Walker will go down the cliff and go to the farm in person, then come back up. Before that he will see if Aislinn is willing to come along and will attempt to follow the tracks.]

Glad to be done with the unpleasant if rewarding (and somewhat vengeful) act of flaying the dragon, Aislinn wipes her hands on the damp grass, then dries them on her skirt. All the while, she listens to the men, quite talkative companions after spending time alone and, before that, with a race not particularly inclined to speaking unless necessary.

When Marron speaks of writing a message, Aislinn quietly begins to look in her relatively small but well-packed satchel. She keeps a slate pencil, handy for times when speech is unwise, or when marking certain items as having been searched, or maps, or when playing games of chance (that for her wouldn't really be 'chance' at all), or really any number of things. She'll need something to write on--preferably slate itself, of course--but the bird will need to be able to carry it. Many things will suffice, even bark if it's hard and dark enough.

She turns to admire Eye and Walker's connection, but frowns slightly at the latter's harsh words. "You're not an idiot," is all she says, until she adds, "I'll join you, if you think it'll be of help." She pauses, then looks atypically amused. "And if you'll tell me aught of why this crag is named for you or your family."

Saradoc stacks his wood into a neat pile.
He says, “Actually, thinking about it, I don’t think it’s such a good idea to build the smoker up here on the Crag. We'd need to get some people up here with the expertise to smoke the meat, and I reckon they'd be stuck up here for a while. They'd be rather exposed. I think that we should do it all at the local farm. Much more convenient.”
Saradoc studies the skinned Dragon. “I didn’t realise how hollow a Dragon is – I suppose they have to be to fly. Anyway once we get some farmworkers below, we can easily push the Dragon remains off the Crag. Then the meat (and the skeleton if they want) can all go back to the farm. Or would it be easier to butcher the dragon up here and just carry the meat to the farm?”
He finishes with “This wood pile can easily be lowered using the climbing rope…”

Marron produces some blank paper for the message.
He explains “I can easily cast Clerical scrolls and even have a go at Magic-User ones – though that type usually takes me longer. Anyway once a scroll is used, the magic writing fades and … you have a blank piece of paper. So here are some scrolls I used earlier!”
He passes the paper to Walker. “You’ve been to the farm, so probably you’ll be the best to communicate with them.”

Marron agrees with Saradoc. “Yes, I also recommend the smoker gets built at the farm. Even if we make it easy for folk to climb up here to use the smoker, they could wander around and damage the plants.”

Finally Marron continues “I don’t think any of us are trained as butchers, but I am a good Fisherman. So I should be OK to get the most of meat off the Dragon bones. But I’ll need something sharp (as I only have Clubs.) May I borrow a sharp weapon?”

Aislinn stands by the Dragon corpse and points at the ground. She comments “As I said, these look like Dragon tracks…”

Walker slaps his forehead and apologies. “Of course – I found these earlier, but there was so much going on that I forgot. Anyway, no harm done.”

He thanks Aislinn and continues enthusiastically “I’d be glad of your company. Now you ask about how this Crag was named…” (he explains...)

DM: Walker makes a Tracking roll.

He follows the tracks a short distance into the forest, with Aislinn keeping a careful watch. They find a patch of disturbed earth.

DM: Walker makes another Tracking roll.

Walker looks thoughtful. “Actually it’s pretty clear. The Dragon dug a hole, presumably stuck something in it, then covered it up. Given it’s only a young Dragon, then it won’t have much treasure. It seems likely it was planning to make the Crag its home – and store treasure in the ground.”

Walker recovers just a single item from the earth. It’s a plain copper ring, with a bloodstained sheep’s hair stuck to it.

Walker gratefully takes the paper and writing implements to pen a letter to the folk at the farm, and looks around to see who has a dagger to carve the meat from the bones of the corpse. (out of character: I can't believe I wouldn't have a dagger but I can't see it on my sheet...? If I have one I would pass it to Marron)

He writes in a spidery but legible script:

"Rest easy. We have killed the dragon that took one of your own. We are on Walker's Crag and have skinned the beast. We would like to offer you the meat from the bones to cook or smoke it. Bring carts to the bottom of the cliff - south side - and we will lower the meat down to you when we see you coming. We also have wood prepared for smoking if needed.

- Walker"

He hands the small piece of paper to Eye and she takes it in her beak, then with a nod, she takes off and heads in the direction of the farmstead.

Turning to the rest as his bird flies away he says, "Ok, I've sent word, they should be sending transport here; carts and suchlike. I know we have our own transport but it would be good for them to be able to take it back themselves. I wonder, if we pull up the rope, we could make sort of parcels for the meat and lower them down the cliff? I mean.... rather than just shoving a whole dragon corpse off the cliffside... [ Walker does seem quite attached to the idea of a dragon skeleton being left up on "his" crag!] .... just a thought? I know it's a bit messy but I think I have some cloth in my bag and if necessary we could use my cloak... ick..... but I'll be able to clean it later.

"Aislinn, thank you, we will follow the tracks, and I'll tell you a rather boring tale. [they walk, following the tracks as described, and as they walk, Walker(!) tells a tale],

"So, I used to come here a lot. Still do I guess, hah! It's never had a name, this crag. You won't see it named on any map. Well... [he pauses]... I noticed it was good for viewing the surrounding area, safe to camp - well, when it's not got a sodding dragon on it! - and the best bit was the soil up here. With the stream and the lack of animals, it's a perfect place to grow herbs as well as being a great lookout point. So yes, I've spent quite a bit of time up here. Kitty back at the Keep has given me seeds sometimes to plant, or young plants, and I tend them, harvest them and take them back for her. Sometimes even some random new herb just pops up (probably from a bird doing ... you know... as it flies over) and I'll take it to her to identify and she can often make some pretty amazing potions with them. The seeds she gave me and the natural plants up here are mostly what you see here [ he gestures at the grass and plants they are walking through]. So yes, this is a sort of secret garden that fuels the healing potions! Just joking, it's not secret, but it does fuel a lot of useful potions. That one there, the red one with the tiny petals? That one can make a potion of strength. It's hard to get that one to grow and it doesn't like tough weather, and that one with the yellow leav... oh, sorry.

"Anyway. Sorry, got off-topic talking about plants, hah. It was one evening back at the Keep when someone asked me where I'd been in my days away, and someone else answered without hesitation, 'Ah, he's been up on Walker's Crag!' ... which I was a bit taken aback by I'll admit hah! But everyone around the table just nodded and knew where he was referring to. And since then, it's just been known as Walker's Crag! I think I even saw a recent map drawn that was commissioned to add the expansion to a nearby village, and the cartographer had put a label on the crag! So I guess that is it's official name now, and yes it does indeed exist on at least one map that I've seen!"

Walker recovers the ring and looks at it before holding it out to Aislinn,
"Is this special at all? I'm quite good at looking for tracks, hah, but not so good at the fine detail of items or their nature. Is that sheep's wool? Could this be from the shepherd? This isn't really a mightily impressive hoard for a dragon I'll admit, but I suppose that's a good thing... if this did indeed belong to the shepherd, finding more jewellery up here would just mean that there were more victims..."

[Walker would hand the ring over to Aislinn, presuming she will check for any initials or any details, before checking the ground for anything else, then would head back to the dragon corpse. He is willing to use his cloak if needed to make a bundle to lower the dragon meat over the cliff when we see the carts from the farm arrive. He really REALLY wants to leave the bones up here, and would possibly try to rearrange the skeleton slightly to look more aesthetically pleasing.]

https://i.ibb.co/1bpD2mZ/thumbnail-P...-014002435.jpg

Aislinn has listened to Walker's enthusiastic storytelling with little need to insert questions or solicit explanations. He has much skill and makes a pleasant companion--certainly an entertaining one. She smiles to herself when envisioning the sketch sent forth in Eye's claws, which managed to be both funny and informative. Although she's not sure Walker intended it to be funny, so she doesn't explain the source of her private amusement if he should notice it--which she doubts thanks to his exuberant gestures pointing out the various landmarks of "his" crag. Also people generally tend to avoid looking at her face, which means the bandages are worth the price she pays for wearing them.

At the end, Aislinn nods gratefully and replies, "For a ranger, you seem suited to settling down. It's a pretty place you've made. Even with..." She glances over her shoulder at the dragon carcass. "But time and nature will take care of that."

Letting Walker place the ring in the palm of her hand, she tries not to grimace at the unpleasant 'decorations' added to it. One thing she does feel relatively competent in, as far as magical arts are concerned, is simply detecting magic in an object. Particularly rings, as a matter of fact, she realizes. Looking down quickly to hide her expression, Aislinn attempts to determine if the ring is anything more than it appears.

Saradoc passes one of his hand-axes to Marron, then joins him using his other hand-axe to cut dragon meat away from the bones.

While working side-by-side with Marron, Saradoc's attention is drawn to Aislinn and Walker's conversation about the ring they have found. Saradoc asks them if he might have a look at it to see if it looks valuable.

Walker can see through Eye’s eyes as his hawk delivers the message to the nearby farm.
A farmhand looks a bit surprised as the paper flutters down, but quickly recovers and takes the letter inside the farmhouse.
Before long, the farmer (that Walker has already spoken to) comes out and gives a double thumbs-up signal to the hawk.
The farmer starts organising a group of farmhands to bring some carts to the Crag.

Eye returns to Walker, noting on the way that there is no sign of any danger – either on land or in the sky.

Meanwhile Walker has carefully passed the plain copper ring to Aislinn.
The Ranger then double-checks for any further signs of the Dragon nearby.

DM: Walker makes a Tracking roll.

He is confident that the ring is the only thing the Dragon buried.

…

Aislinn holds the ring and mutters “Magic.”
Immediately she sees that the ring is not magical.
However Aislinn notes that Walker has five magical items - Staff. Leather, Cloak and two Potions.
Aislinn herself discovers that she has also five magical items:

- Dagger with a 1st level Magic-User (MU) spell (undoubtedly a (+1) Dagger giving +5% to hit and doing +1 damage)
- Necklace with a 1st level MU spell (Aislinn already knows this is (+1) Necklace giving +5% on defence and saves)
- Gloves of Swimming (Aislinn already knows this)
- Ring with two (unknown) 1st level Illusionist spells (each spell can be cast 1/day)
- Potion of Cure (Aislinn already knows this heals d8 hit points)

Aislinn also realises that she can Detect Magic again immediately if she wants.

…

Marron thanks Saradoc for the hand-axe and the two adventurers soon remove all of the Dragon meat from the bones.
The Cleric produces a fisherman’s bag to carry the meat to the future smoke-room and tells the others “I’ve stored fish in here, so I know how to wash it out afterwards!”
Saradoc also offers a spare quiver and Walker his cloak, which means the meat can be lowered down off the Crag (it might take a few goes.)

Meanwhile the carts from the farm are arriving at the foot of the South side of Walker’s Crag…

Walker raises an eyebrow at Aislinn, seeing her eyes somehow flash slightly as she holds the ring, and then notices that she casts her gaze over him and over herself. What is she seeing?

Magic has always baffled Walker - he doesn't even know how Eye exists - but he has huge respect for those that can tap into this mystery. He assumes that Aislinn is somehow "seeing" the possible magic of this ring and waits for her to come out of her semi-trance to ask her what she saw. He knows himself that he has collected a number of magical items over the years to help him on his travels... can she see them? He wonders about his magical Underpants of Wonder and remembers with relief that he didn't put those ones on this morning.

Thinking of Eye (and underpants), suddenly Eye appears in the sky, Walker instinctively turning towards the approaching bird long before she would be visible to most people. She circles and then lands on his shoulder in her preferred position and leans in for a quick scritch, all the while giving Walker a rundown of what happened at the farm in his mind.

Walker would wait until Aislinn seems to be out of whatever it is she can see without interrupting her, and then give her the information from the farm and suggest that they move back to see how the others are getting on with the dragon-chopping.

As promised, Walker would hand over his cloak to help wrap up the dragon meat and lower it down the cliff, and would shout out to the farmhands when they arrive to greet them and relay what happened up here.

He would also (quite proud of "his" dragon not-quite-skeleton) invite any of them to be hoisted up to see it, if they would like.

Aislinn exhales and lowers the ring. "I don't think there's anything magical here. As for worth..." She'd like to take a guess at it, but she suspects Saradoc will indeed be better at that. Agreeing with Walker, she'll follow him to the others to hand the ring to the Hobbit for his estimation. "Although... it might not be up to us to decide on value," she adds reluctantly. "It's not ours. I mean, if this poor shepherd has--had--family."

Saradoc accepts the ring and studies it.

DM: Saradoc makes an Appraisal roll.

Saradoc explains that the ring is just a simple copper ring, of little value.
He adds “Perhaps it has some sentimental worth?”

Saradoc then moves to the Crag’s South edge to oversee the lowering of the wood for his smoking-room.

Marron helps with the dragon meat and smoking-room wood, which is duly lowered down the Crag and stored in the farm carts.
He announces “Good job, everyone! I’m sure Count Percival will be pleased that we are helping out his peasants.”

He looks back at the Dragon Skeleton and thinks a bit, then says “Actually I’m certain that the Count would like to have that Skeleton back at his Keep. It would show the population that the Count will not tolerate monsters attacking his folk – and also warn off such monsters!
We could ask Druid Kitty if she has any Potions that would help with transporting the Skeleton…”

The adventurers climb down the Crag and recover their climbing ropes.

Walker shakes hands with a weatherbeaten male human and introduces him to the party.
“This is Farmer Giles of Ham farm, and these are his workers. Ham farm was the one attacked by the Dragon. At least we have dealt with the monster.” (Walker gestures towards the Skeleton on the Crag, which is partially visible.)

Farmer Giles gratefully thanks the party then adds “Sadly my nephew Garm was murdered by the beast. I don’t suppose there was anything left of him on the Crag?”

Saradoc offers his approval of the suggestion to take the dragon skeleton back to the Count.
"That's a good idea. Not sure I can do much to help, but we could ask Will and Alf to use their trade wagon."

Walker gestures to Saradoc, who is holding the ring.

"Did this perhaps belong to your nephew? Or anyone else you know at the farm?"

He looks at the dragon skeleton again.

"I really think it would be nice to leave it up here. Maybe we can take part of it to show off in the Keep...? I just think.... I just.... it looks so amazing and intimidating up here on the crag.... and imagine when the moss starts to cover it, and it will be part of the landscape............"

[puppy-dog eyes from Walker. He really wants this dragon skeleton up on his crag.]

"How about as a compromise, we could take the head back as a trophy to the Count? I'm sure that's easier for him to accommodate than a 30-foot skeleton. And the REST of the 30-foot skeleton can stay here. Sans head. Which doesn't look anywhere near as epic, but it's better than nothing. Maybe the story could be that it was beheaded in the battle? Yes, that would work...."

"The Count has done naught to deserve part of the Lake Ness monster, much less the bones of a creature we risked ouir lives to defeat," Aislinn blurts uncharacteristically. "If he pays a pretty reward, all well and good, but even so--"

Her voice cuts off at once, mortified when she realizes she's said this aloud. Alongside her resentment, eating away at her confidence, is wariness--no, terror--at the thought of displeasing someone in power. An instinct she feels contempt for but can't seem to control.

She stares at the ground, cursing her indiscretion not just in front of her party, but in front of farmers and others she knows even less than her colleagues. Then she looks back up to take in the members of her party. After a deep breath, she continues with a much more measured, "That is... Walker's idea seems a good one. I daresay the Count would be satisfied enough with such a trophy."

Farmer Giles takes the ring from Saradoc, studies it carefully and announces “This is indeed my nephew Garm’s ring. Thank you so much for recovering it, as it will be a valuable memento.”

He looks up and points at the Dragon Skeleton on Walker’s Crag. “I don’t know if it is my place to suggest it, but I would like that to remain there as a reminder of good triumphing over evil. I shall call it ‘Walker’s Revenge!”

Next the farmer looks at the party, then addresses Marron. “Sir, you are clearly an Arthurian Cleric. Would you do me the honour of saying a few words at a memorial ceremony for Garm at my farm?”

Saradoc offers some further thoughts regarding the dragon skeleton.
"We could sort of do both options. We could leave the complete dragon skeleton up on the crag, and I could carve a wood replica of its skull to take back to the Count."

Marron replies politely to the farmer. “Of course I will speak as you request. All who live in Sherwoodshire shall receive the protection and respect of Count Percival.”
The Cleric pauses politely, then gets enthusiastic. “Saradoc, you’re on to something! Leave ‘Walker’s Revenge’ up on Walker’s Crag and get a decent replica made for Percival’s Keep.
It could be in wood, as you suggest, or we could get a Painter to do a picture. How about a Tailor making a Tapestry?!
We could even have a series of scenes, showing the Dragon flying in, being defeated and finally turned into a warning to other evil-doers.”

Farmer Giles chips in. “Well let’s discuss that idea on the way back to my farm. We should smoke this meat as soon as possible. And, most importantly, hold that memorial service.”

The party accompany the Farmer and his workers back to the farm.

(There is plenty of time to have conversation…)

Aislinn gives a small nod of approval to both the farmer and Saradoc. Better solutions, especially with Saradoc's clear talent as an artisan of carpentry. She would be interested in watching, in fact. Talents that require deft handiwork are always worth a look--and educational, too. She voices this encouragement to Saradoc. It's a clever idea.

Still, resolving not to be too indiscreet again, she glances over to Marron and Walker. The latter is probably cock-a-hoop with the thought of the Farmer's flattering (and well deserved) name. The former might be more inclined to show the Count nothing but the true trophy of their battle in his honor. At least nobility would likely consider the battle having been in his honor. Aislinn is more glad to please the Farmer and his nephew's family. And to avenge Wolf.

"Would such a lifelike carving impress the Count enough?" she asks, trying to keep her tone from being dry. At least, not too dry. "He probably considers the Crag partly his, anyway. More people might see it in passing--and more dragons, for that matter. Plenty of warning for their kind."

EDiTED: Simulpost above. Argh. Can we pretend Aislinn spoke before glee's post?

On their way, Aislinn drops a little behind to match Saradoc's smaller strides--though he's hardly slow by any means. The thought occurs to her that maybe he could carve a little version of the Wolf. Not as a plaything; Aislinn doesn't remember much of her childhood but she can't fathom it was full of poppets or toys and the like. Or maybe it was and subsequent events just... vanished these pleasanter memories.

But she could use the carved animal as a talisman, sort of. Something to keep in her pocket. To hold and to...to... to inspire, perhaps? Maybe it's silly but she tucks the thought away to ask for the favor. She's even willing to pay, if it comes to that. She doesn't want to owe any favors.

For now Aislinn compliments his idea, and adds, "Where did you learn such artistry, if I may ask?"

Walker watches the exchange then shakes the farmer's hand, bowing his head.

"I am so sorry for your loss. I feel responsible in part, as sort-of-caretaker of this Crag and - as you know, wanderer of these area - that I did not know of this evil earlier and help your family and livestock... I am sorry. Anything I can do at all to help... let me know."

Walker appears more despondent than the others in the party would have seen of him so far, as he is usually fairly upbeat and chatty. Knowing that the ring did indeed belong to Farmer Giles' nephew, who he has almost certainly met over the years even if they were not on first-name terms, has hit him quite more hard than he would admit. He knows most of the farm and local village folk from his patrols around the area in his years of ranging here, and has met most of the shepherds. To know that some evil has taken from that community, something that he should have been alert to stopping before....... He sighs and turns away, noting the conversation between his companions. Woodcarving...?

After a moment of recomposing himself, Walker says, in a slightly-forced version of his usual upbeat tone,

"So, we shall head back to the farm. We have a smokery (is that a word? Hmm.) to build, some dragon to smoke and ... [pause] ... some people to talk to."

Still visibly not-quite-himself, he drops back into step with Aislinn and Saradoc. Raising an eyebrow,

"Saradoc, you are a carpenter? And Aislinn, at some point we really must talk about this wolf of yours... It seems we have quite a few things to learn...."

Eye soars above as usual, keeping an eye(!) out for any dangers nearby, hopefully ensuring our safe passage back to the farm.

Should Aislinn need an Awareness roll to see if she picks up Walker's distress, or can I assume his despondency is indeed something she's able to catch?

Hearing a sigh in front of her, Aislinn sees Walker hanging behind to join them as well. From his words he seems willing to take on a great deal of responsibility for this farming community. She can't remember if this is his place of birth, or where he grew up, to explain his loyalty to it. Truly what few rangers she's met--or more accurately, the ones she's eavesdropped on in various alehouses and taverns--have spoken mostly of their many explorations. Boasted, more like. Walker's connection here is curious.

She decides to slake her curiosity once she hears a little more about Saradoc, if her fellow Scout is forthcoming about his carpentry skills. But Walker has his own comments first.

"The locals likely know about smoking. Butchered meat has to last throughout winter. That requires smoking or salt-curing. Possibly pickling as well," she adds thoughtfully, looking reflexively down at her glove-covered hands... at first wondering why, until she realizes that her gaze expected to see brine-callused skin. But Lizardmen don't brine as a rule, and even if they do, she didn't participate. She knows her hands are somewhat scarred but not toughened by the salt.

She doesn't stop to wonder why she knows that, too--the natural side effect of working with salt and brine to preserve food. Shrugging, she just returns to Walker. It's awkward to have a conversation, but she has to get used to it. "The Wolf is dead," she says flatly.
(Her conversation skills clearly aren't well honed yet.) "Who else must we speak to?"

Walker looks slightly shocked by the blunt statement.

"The wolf... it's dead? It's ... gone? I somehow thought that you might have some magical connection to it, and that it wouldn't be gone if it "died" here? Didn't you mention that it had fought with you before and came back?

"...Though I don't know of course if these injuries were more............ ok, sorry. Apologies. It's just something I don't know much about. Did it come only in times of distress? Or did you manage to somehow summon it at will? Is there a chance we could heal it or bring it back?

"..... I really hate just saying "it"... do you know if your wolf had a name?"

Walker instinctively looks up to Eye circling above.

He adds quietly, intended only for her ears,
"Anyway, Giles here, he's a good guy. Family have been here a long while, I've met most of them on my travels in this area and though I don't know them all well... heh, pretty much everyone is related to each other in some way. Their family is respected and their farm is.... was... prosperous. The dragon thing was pretty bad for them. And... he might not show it, but knowing this family I would guess that he's grieving a lot for his nephew and just trying not to show it. Stiff upper lip and all that. You'll find that a lot in the communities here. Take the hardship, deal with it. But beneath all of that they are very close and tragedies like this hit them hard, though they might just plough on through it. I've seen quite a bit on my wanders and... well... there's a lot that happens that isn't nice, and the folk here are admirable at getting on with life anyway. I've been in this area for a while, you get to see people and get to know them even just a little bit. When we get to the farm... we... [he sighs] the family might put on an air of cheerfulness, gratitude, whatever, but we're no heroes here. We... I... failed, and they lost a member of their family, and however much they seem to be just getting on with life.... a lot of that is an act."

Walker shrugs slightly, realising that he's just been speaking in a hushed tone to his companions for a while.

Farmer Giles responds sympathetically to Walker. “Thank you for your kind words about Garm. You must not blame yourself. That evil beast probably came out of the Badlands (Giles gestures to the West of Sherwoodshire) – and it was dealt with as soon as possible.
Walker, we farmers all know of your good work in patrolling and we trust both you and Count Percival to look after us.”

Giles pauses, then adds “Actually it was a very dangerous situation. The Dragon could have settled down on Walker’s Crag and attacked all the nearby farms from there. Only a talented party of adventurers could have stopped such a horror!”

DM: Aislinn makes an Alertness roll.

(N.B. Just to clarify, Alertness is used to interpret humanoid behaviour; Awareness is for studying surroundings. See post 4 of the companion thread. ;))

She sees Walker is clearly upset about the farmhand’s death.

After Aislinn discusses how to preserve meat, Farmer Giles looks interested. “Aislinn, you clearly know about various methods to keep meat from rotting. Have you encountered any of the local Lizardmen tribes? They are all experts at catching fish and they always smoke it. They trade with the local farms and Count Percival’s Keep.”

Marron joins in the conversations. “Walker, I agree with Giles. You must not blame yourself. As soon as you reported the Dragon, Druid Kitty organised us into a party – and we were jolly successful.
You did NOT fail – you couldn’t have defeated that Dragon on your own. Honestly I think we are heroes.”

Giles chips in. “Walker, Marron is right – you have done a great thing. In fact, you should give your party a name!”

Marron turns politely to Aislinn. “I am confused about your brave Wolf companion. I’ve seen it in battle twice now – each time it really helped us … and then disappeared. I hope it may somehow return.
Oh and may I ask if you used Detect Magic on Garm’s ring? You announced it was not magical. If you are able to cast that spell, it would help us a lot. As I’ve said, I can cast Detect Magic myself, but that means I have one less Cure available that day.”

Marron pauses then adds “I know a little about preserving fish. I was brought up on the Crow Coast (he points to the North-West) and saw Ocean Barbarian fishermen bringing home their catches from the Empire Ocean. They method they used was called salting in brine.”

The men around her speak quickly, and vociferously, which allows Aislinn time to consider her own words. She has the most difficult time hiding a shudder during Marron's talk of his travels, but she needn't address that. Her head is starting to ache again, too. At any rate, the first and most pressing matter is Walker's assessment of himself. And the rest of the group, she realizes. Since Aislinn would hardly call herself a hero, she doesn't mind Walker's comment that they shouldn't be considered so. His own self-judgement, however, is unjust.

"The others are right," she says, in her usual quiet tone but with an edge of force to it. "Feeling remorse speaks well of you, Walker, but you're too harsh. That--that--" Her hard face turns back to glance in the direction of the remains of the dragon. "That murderous, would-be fellbeast killed the sheep and shepherd before you even saw it on the Crag. As you say, these people move on if they are to survive. You must too... when you can."

Her gaze sharply returns to the land ahead of them. It's rarely easy to move beyond such tragedies, and she won't pretend he can recover from grief in a few minutes. Which leads her to answer her party members' questions.

"I never saw the Wolf before the Lake Ness battle. At least... I'm not sure. It looked just like one I saw as a child. Like in that song," she begins simply.

"When the sea monster attacked, I was near the woods and suddenly the Wolf was just there.. I thought it had somehow come to--to protect me." It's such an embarrassingly childish admission that she swallows her tightening throat and looks away from the others. "But later, at the Keep, I caused something to happen that was similar. I needed to be away from the crowd. I wanted to hide, and just knew I could ask for fog. And it appeared. Mistress Kitty seemed to believe me. Maybe the Wolf was the same? It came because I wanted it to?"

She pauses, glancing very briefly towards Walker. "You are right. Wolf isn't--wasn't an 'it'. I should say 'him', I suppose. The one I saw in my childhood was male. He'd joined a she-wolf and their pups."

The attention is making her awkward, but they asked, and the truth is she needs to explain things to herself, too. "During the Lake Ness battle, Wolf had barely leapt to attack when I heard the monster snap at him. I hoped he'd only been injured, but he was nowhere. I knew the monster had eaten him. The creature wanted food and I tossed him a meal."

She watches her feet and the ground beneath her. "But today, something--some mad wish--made me call for Wolf. And when he appeared... I knew I'd clearly been wrong. After that monster had snapped at him, Wolf must have escaped into the forest. Injured or not, I don't know. And yet he came today when I beckoned him. I shouldn't have. This time I saw him die. And then he vanished to..to..."

She makes a weak, vague gesture, which describes her thoughts right now.

Cont'd next post. Sorry, this got even wordier than usual. How on earth did I think I could play a laconic character?!

Cont'd from above post. Sorry again.

Aislinn shakes her head, her neck tendons taut. "I don't know where Wolf could have disappeared to. I understand little of such uncanny things. As for actual magic, I have but little of. These new abilities..." She sighs and looks back at Marron. "I do know I can sense--that is, Detect Magic, I suppose I should say. Whenever we need it I'll spare you your effort, if I haven't lost the ability that day, so you can perform your Cure. Healing is... it's the finest power one can possess."

The words are almost reverent. And they take her back to her erstwhile guardian. "I do know Wolf's dead because I--I called for him, later. He didn't return. I called again, and still nothing. He's not here. I asked too much of him and now he's gone. Hopefully to whatever rest such noble guardian beasts are granted."

Wiping her burning eyes under the pretext of wiping sweat away and adjusting her bandage, she moves faster, her steps more like stomps. "Foolish to expect such protection anyway. It's a dangerous thing to count on. Makes you passive. Easy prey ripe for hunting."

Aislinn shrugs her shoulder to shift the weight of her satchel. When she speaks, she's dismissed the subject. Her voice is actually a little hoarse, not used to such a lengthy speech. "Anyroad, speaking of hunts... yes, I--I was invited to meals with Lizardmen."

It's a story she anticipated would be asked, and despite how painful she's found it to talk in such detail about Wolf, reciting such fripperies now is simple. As any good liar knows, the best falsehoods hew close to the truth without nearing the whole of it. So the words spill past her normal reticence like patter during Thimble-rig.

"My journey led me near their island. They offered me hospitality and as I was in no particular hurry, I made free to take my leisure there for a spell. And fish smoked and brined is delicious. Of course Lizardmen prefer it fresh, even raw, some of them." Aislinn tosses a look toward the others. "You dislike boats with good reason, Saradoc, but what of seafood? " To Marron: "What are the Ocean Barbarians called among their own kind? Surely that's not how they describe themselves?"

Her eyes (though of course only one is visible outside the bandages) winces when she feels another little sense of pressure, like fingers squeezing her temples with just enough force to cause discomfort. Probably from all this incessant talk. Well, she'll not do that again. The cork must go back on the bottle.

...And yet, she can't help one glance at Walker, measuring whether he's still as disheartened with himself and their performance. With sympathy and some bittersweet envy, she asks, "How did you first meet Eye? I don't know how such things as Familiars happen. And--is he--solid? I mean, can he be touched?"

Walker is silent for a moment, digesting this, and his shoulders slump a little further as he hears of Aislinn's certainty that her wolf is gone.

He hasn't known this group long, but he has picked up an impression that Aislinn isn't usually used to talking a lot or prolonged conversations. His time ranging in the local villages has given him a pretty keen sense of who's a talker and who isn't, and Aislinn so far has seemed to be an "isn't", so it's interesting to hear her speak so openly.

After a moment's pause to see if she has anything else to add, Walker nods and says,
"I truly hope you can find your wolf again. It... he... may just be recovering for a time in wherever it is he comes from. I really hope you get to see him again and not just in a battle situation. Eye here... well, that's a bit of a story to be honest."

Trying to defuse the mood he says,

"As you have probably astutely noticed, I am not a Person of Magic. Nope, nada, diddly-squat. Not a whiff. It's really impressive that you can detect it... Hmm, question: what does it look like? Do you see a glow, or is it more of a tingling? Fascinating. Anyway, I wish I could understand it but it's always been just beyond my grasp. I AM genuinely fascinated by the things that you can do [he nods at Marron] and yes, truly healing magic is the most noble of all.

"When I first came to this place I had a hawk - a true hawk - that was gifted to me as a young bird - the hawk was a young bird, not me - when I was training with my Ranger mentor. He became my companion. The hawk, that is, not my mentor. Well, he was as well I guess. But anyway. Of course I couldn't talk to him - again, the bird not the mentor, though he was a difficult bugger at times - ANYWAY... but we understood each other as I trained him. The bird not... oh, ok, yes, you get it. Anyway. We started off with the basics of commands and quite soon he could do basic scouting such as flying ahead and then coming back and nibbling on my ear if there was something bad ahead, and he could carry messages on parchment strapped to his leg or around his neck. He recognised commands for local villages and keeps so could navigate there with the messages, he also recognised a number of people and could find them and deliver notes. Very intelligent bird, Buddy. I called him that because he was like a friend to me as I was growing up and learning to do... well... this. [Walker gestures to the general walking through the countryside that the group are currently doing]

"But anyway, bird being birds, his life wasn't as long as I would have liked and he passed away a couple of years ago. I think he must have been close to 15 or 20 years old, which is good going for a bird. Anyway. It was Druid Kitty who saw my upset and realised how helpful it would be to be able to have not only a companion, but also how much more useful it would be if I could communicate with and use my companion more. She made a potion for me - as she has done often! - and said that it would grant me a spell. As I said, I know very little of magic apart from what I see others around me able to do, but when I drank the potion I was able to sit and concentrate, and she told me to focus on a companion. I immediately thought, of course, of a bird like Buddy. And when I opened my eyes this hawk appeared before me. Not quite like Buddy; the feather pattern is slightly different and she's, well, a she.

"It was Kitty who named her. She said it would be fitting as Eye would be able to be my 'Eye in the sky', heh. I think it suits her."

Walker concentrates for a second and almost instantly Eye circles down to land on his shoulder.

"So yes, I have a companion now. She doesn't seem to age, and we have a connection - as you just saw - where she can hear my thoughts and I can see through her eyes if needed. It is useful! And also it's comforting to have somebirdy(!) with you when you're out here on your own for long lengths of time.

"Oh, and yes, you can touch her. She particularly likes scritches on that bit at the side of her neck, just below the beak here..." [Walker gives scritches and Eye leans into them, closing her eyes slightly]

"You can pet her, she will let you know if she gets fed up. Hah. Believe me, she'll let you know!"

(addition, sorry)
Walker holds back on any comments about the Lizardfolk community, waiting to see what the others have experienced there.

Marron replies politely to Aislinn. "It's great that you can Detect Magic. As you say, that frees me up to Cure instead. If you don't mind me asking - do you have the Identify spell too? After detecting some magic, that spell explains exactly what spells are present and what they do. I can cast Identify myself.
As for the Ocean Barbarians - yes they do call themselves that! They take pride in their fighting prowess - although they are a decent lot (they despise the Empire for sure.) Here's a true story that shows what they are like. You know that most taverns ask any armed customers to leave their weapons in a rack before entering? Well you can't get into an Ocean Barbarian pub without carrying a weapon!

Walker raises an eyebrow.

"So you have been to these taverns with the Ocean Barbarians? [He directs this to Marron while giving a very slight nod to Aislinn as he hears mention of the Lizardfolk and is clearly interested in her experiences there, though still says nothing as he senses that this has been several days'-worth of talking for her]

"I have travelled to many places, but not as far as the Crow Coast. It sounds interesting. Tell me about this weapons thing. Do fights break out often? Or is it just a show of strength in that you could be a force to be reckoned with? Or do they settle their arguments by combat? Heh, I guess it probably deters any outsiders from causing trouble! I've been to villages where they hold regular small public courts for even the most minor of grievances.

"Truly, I witnessed one where a man was accused of deliberately spilling another man's drink into his lap during the course of the evening. In many inns that might have resulted in a bit of a brawl - or, I imagine, in the case of the Ocean Barbarians, a bit more than a simple fistfight! - but instead a note was taken by the barkeep and the next day when everyone was sober they all met up in the village hall and explained their side of the story. The man who knocked over the tankard was judged to be guilty of knocking it over, but not with malice of forethought, so was let off with the fine of buying the other man a pint that afternoon. All very amicable and no swords or fists involved! Bit weird though."

Saradoc answers the questions about his Carpentry. "I learnt carpentry as a trade in Nevrast, a town in Naugrimshire. I grew up there. Although the population is largely gnomes, they were quite friendly towards us hobbits.
I enjoy all sorts of woodworking - from building a smokery, carving bows and arrows to whittling small models."

He produces a tiny well-made Lizardman figurine. "I made friends with some Lizardmen fishermen in Naugrimshire - and even learnt their language."

He thinks a bit, then adds "I shall keep a couple of pieces of wood from Walker's Crag and carry on whittling!"

Curious, Walker asks,

"Can you carve bone as well? I've met people on my travels who make fantastic and detailed carvings in bone and horn... what's it called...... scrimshaw! That's it!" [ he glances back over his shoulder to the now-increasingly-distant crag with its dragon skeleton on top] "...maybe you could make something with a small part of what we just defeated?"

Aislinn twists uneasily at the fingers of her glove as she listens to first Marron's question, then the others. It's been awhile since she's had this much company, to be honest. At least, human or Hobbit company.

"No, I can't Identify, sir," she says to Marron, her voice tinged with regret. "I've long wished I could. It's such a useful spell." When she looks down at the glove and realizes what she's doing, she abruptly worrying it and drops both hands. But mentally she tucks Marron's ability away to be called upon later, if she can find a suitable time.

She eyes Saradoc's figurine with interest and a somewhat surprising pang of nostalgia. He does indeed do good work. The wooden Lizardman is very finely detailed. Aislinn is quick to compliment his skill, and his ability to learn Lizardmen language. It takes a good ear and, for lack of a better word, a flexible tongue. Spending a great deal of time immersed in their culture might make it easier, but he doesn't seem to have done so.

If she's able to speak in the language with him I'm not sure if that requires a check? she'll engage him with a simple, "Was this very long ago? When did you leave Naugrimshire?"

To Walker's story, she casts him a sidelong glance. It sounds implausible for men to be so amiable, so unwilling to rouse their temper. Still, though she's known him but a day, the ranger doesn't seem duplicitous. Of course it could just be a tall tale, told for their amusement. But that, too, doesn't seem to be something he'd do. Walker appears quite sincere and open. Some might say almost to a fault.

However, Aislinn likes his forthright and unguarded manner. She rubs her fingertips across her lips, hiding her slight smile at his eagerness about those bones. From anyone else it might seem ghoulish, but again, she doubts that's the case. "Taking a piece of its tailbones wouldn't lessen the effect of the skeleton," she says in support of his idea. "If Master Saradoc knows this... scrimshaw?" Aislinn looks at Walker for confirmation that she's got this word right.

Walker, aware that he's talked quite a bit and may have got a little carried away with possibily-questionable details, settles into his regular comfortable pace alongside the Farmer Giles as he listens in to the conversation. He recognises the sound of the Lizardfolk tongue as Aislinn speaks, but has no understanding of it. (assuming that she is talking in Lizardfolk!)

(Apologies, saw Aislinn's reply after I posted that. He would have nodded in her direction to indicate that she is correct.)

Marron chips in “Yes, I’ve seen some Ocean Barbarians make scrimshaw.
Oh, I should explain further about Ocean Barbarian taverns. It's true that you must bring in a weapon – but not to use it! It’s just for show – and they like to compare the blades and workmanship.
If there is a brawl in the tavern, the Ocean Barbarians only use their fists – and happily pay up afterwards for any damage caused!
Note that every tavern has a small arena out back where Ocean Barbarians can fight duels with wooden weapons. So they become doughty fighters – but there are no casualties…”

Saradoc smiles at Aislinn and replies (in Lizardman) “I learnt Carpentry as a trade when I was young, living in Nevrast.
Around this time I had a nasty encounter with some vicious Empire troops, who caused me to have a boating accident in which I nearly drowned. I survived by the grace of the Arthurian Way, but lost my hearing. This is why I learnt to read lips.
Many years later Thrimgol, the Head of the Arthurian Church in Nevrast, cured my deafness – and now I hear noise really well.
I decided to show my thanks to the Arthurian Way by travelling round Sherwoodshire, protecting good folk.”

DM: Walker and the others nearby do recognise that Lizardman is being spoken (it's a highly sibilant language.)

Saradoc adds in Common “I know about scrimshaw – when I lived in Nevrast, some visiting Ocean Barbarians made such carvings from whale bones and walrus tusks. I could have a go at that…”

Walker cocks his head as he hears the Lizardfolk tongue being spoken. He's heard it before of course, but hasn't really mastered anything other than "Beer please" and "Thank you", and "I come in peace". Those phrases have served him well, but it doesn't seem like that is what these two are saying. He tries to make it obvious that he's not listening in and doesn't understand a word they're saying by turning to Marron, leaving Saradoc and Aislinn to converse.

"Oh! So are they weapon-smiths as well? I try to take care of my blades as best I can when I'm out on the roads, but I know they need some better care. Maybe when we get back to the Keep, or if we encounter people who can upgrade and strengthen them....?" Walker pats the dagger at his belt. Looking at it, you can see that it's clearly well kept but has been a while without professional care.

He also pats the sturdy staff, slung over his back. "I have to admit, I wouldn't say no to our friend here - or you! - using some carving skills to make this a bit more ... fancy. You can see..." [ Walker pulls the staff over his shoulder and shows the shaft to Marron] "... that I did start making some tally marks. No, they're not kills... I * shudder* don't like that idea, but I made marks for a tally of places I've been, places I've seen, people I've ..... you get the idea." He shrugs. "Perhaps with some artistic skill I could make this staff a story of my journeys. If you or he [Walker nods over to Saradoc, who is still in conversation in probably-Lizardfolk with Aislinn] could do that, I think it would be amazing to have a walking - hah! - tale of our adventures. Maybe one day when I'm gone someone will find my staff, or maybe it will be passed on to someone... and the carvings in it will show more than just these... [he gestures in a rather embarrassed way at the scratching he's made on the shaft] tallies...." He tails off with another shrug. He's good at shrugs.

Brightening up, as the others may have noticed he seems to do when things seem to be getting a little too melancholy, "So, anyway, I think it would be most excellent if we could take a small - definitely just small, okay? - amount of the dragon skeleton and between you both, you could carve something maybe for the Count, but also maybe [he lowers his voice] something could be made for the family of Garm...? [brightening his tone again] And I really would think it would be great if you or Saradoc would consider spending some time to sort of make this staff into a journal........ I don't know if what I'm saying makes any sense; it's been a long day, hah."

The companionable discussion amongst the party is new to Aislinn--or feels new, anyway--and she listens avidly to Saradoc's background. She isn't exactly nostalgic for the months spent surrounded by the language he's currently speaking. But it's a hardwon skill, learning to understand and speak Lizardfolk, and she was, and is, proud to have done so under chaotic circumstances.

"You've an able tongue for Lizardfolk," she says, switching back to Common. She doesn't want the others to think they're sharing some secret. "I'm sorry about the accident. I remember your honesty about it the other day. To be sure, I'm uneasy at the thought of sailing somewhere for any lengthy..."

Distractedly, she reaches her hand up to rub her neck, which is where her headache seems to have moved. Letting her words trail into silence, she hears Walker talking at length about carving and his adventures and the dragon. He's certainly very enthusiastic about that dragon, commemorating the battle in multiple ways.

He seems a likable man, as far as she can tell, and she can't think of any reason he shouldn't get his keepsake. But the others might not want to double-back to the Crag for the bones to create this scrimshaw thing.

Aislinn flushes a little and reluctantly slips her hand into the pocket of her skirt. "I just realized," she says to Saradoc, "that I...accidentally took one of the pieces of the dragon's skeleton. From its tail." Her mind races to think of an explanation that won't make her sound, well, like she's a vengeful, superstitious thief. "Master Marron hacked away a bit too hard removing the meat. It flew up in the air and I caught it and intended to put it back but I guess I forgot."

Her hand fishes out the mid-size segment of tailbone. She closes her fingers around it, reluctant to give it up. But she forces herself to show it to Saradoc. Hopefully he doesn't notice just how carefully it's been rubbed clean of blood and any extra bits of flesh remaining. Not a great match for the 'casual' air she's striving for.

"Anyway here it is," she adds bluntly. Eyeing the ranger, she lifts the bone just long enough for him to see it, then returns her focus to Saradoc. "Is this enough for carving?"

Marron admits “Actually I have kept a piece of dragon bone too. I was going to give it to Count Percival as a memento when we returned to his Keep.”
Marron slides a large bone out of his pack. “Please feel free to use this.”

To cover his slight embarrassment, Marron now swiftly answers Walker. “Yes, Ocean Barbarians revere Weaponsmiths and the like – it’s a popular proficiency.

I know a fair bit about this from a Sage called Merlin, who I met in Freeport. Apart from information, he buys and sells magic items! He makes some himself, but also handles trade with the Empire (as they make quite a lot of stuff.)

Anyway, I know that it’s easy to keep our normal weapons in good order. Blacksmiths, Metalworkers, Woodworkers and Weaponsmiths can all do it.
Also all magical weapons are practically immune to any damage!”

Saradoc looks both relieved and surprised. “I apologise – but I too snaffled a bit of the dragon!”
He displays a small piece of bone, looks at the other two bones and adds “Aislinn, I’m sure I can carve something on all three of these.”

The hobbit turns to Farmer Giles. “Walker has suggested that we make you a memorial for Garm out of dragon bone. Would a simple carving of his name be appropriate?”

Farmer Giles nods thoughtfully. “That would be a welcome gesture. My family could add that to Garm’s ring you kindly recovered to make a suitable memorial.
As I’ve said, please come with me to my farm. You can rest there (and maybe do some carving) whilst our neighbours gather for Garm’s memorial service.
I know folk will want to thank you for your bravery.”

Saradoc looks pleased. “I’m glad to hear that. I'll use Aislinn's piece for Garm. Then if we bring back the other two pieces of bone to the Keep, I can carve something for the Count.”

Saradoc turns to Walker. "Your staff is impressive - may I ask if it's magical? If so, based on what Marron said, it would be then pretty safe to inscribe a few pictures on it."

Walker can't help but narrow his eyes slightly as it appears literally everyone except him has taken a memento from his dragon. >.>


-


Putting aside that thought, he nods at Saradoc. "Yes, I believe it has at least some magical properties. It doesn't shoot fireballs or anything - hah! - but it does seem to be stronger and more effective than a simple piece of wood might be. I was gifted it in return for helping some druids who had a deadly menace threatening their a grove... phew, that was a number of years ago! They gave me this and said it would serve me well, as I'd served them... and it has! I should really go and visit them sometime and see how they're doing. But anyway, I digress. I would certainly love if you or Mr Marron here could make this a little more fancy. If anything, it would give me something to show to the druids when I return to them, as a sort of story of what I've been doing.


... Yes, it needs a picture of a dragon."

Aislinn feels a little better seeing that the others--except Walker, ironically--have taken mementos themselves. She's a little disappointed that she won't get her piece back. Then again, it wouldn't be the same once scrimshawed. Could've sold it, though, she thinks with a grudging little frown. Not as if the Count doesn't have enough trinkets and tributes.

Stubborn, she sidles over to Walker as they continue their brief journey. "You should have the third bone," she says under her breath. "It was on your Crag."

Saradoc cheerfully agrees to work on Walker’s staff and suggests a tree (to represent the Druids) and a dragon.

Arriving at the farm, it is clear that preparations have been made for the memorial service. Quite a few nearby farmers and farmhands have come – and there are even a couple of local Lizardmen.
Farmer Giles speaks first, then introduces Marron.
Although brief, clearly the mourners are moved by the ceremony.

Giles now appoints several farmhands to assist Saradoc in building an outdoor smoking-room.
(This does not take long and soon the Dragon meat is being treated.)

Meanwhile Marron is approached by several locals to discuss the Arthurian Way, whilst Walker is congratulated by many for the party slaying the terrifying Dragon.

DM: Aislinn makes an Alertness roll.

Aislinn notices a small group of mourners on the outskirts of the farm. She sees they have gathered round a stile where a stranger is dealing some cards onto the step. An old memory stirs and so Aislinn heads over. As she arrives, Aislinn sees that another stranger is excitedly accepting some small coins from the dealer.

DM: Aislinn makes a Prestidigitation roll.

She recognises that the dealer is playing ‘Find the Lady’ (which is a scam where the dealer challenges the onlookers to find one Queen out of three face-down cards – but he actually palms the Queen so the punters always lose. One confederate of the dealer usually wins the first couple of games to draw the onlookers into the scam.)

Sure enough someone Aislinn can't see insists on going first and wins a couple of rounds. He jokes loudly that 'he doesn't want to use up all the good luck' and apparently moves away. The next local eagerly steps up and loses both his first and second game.

When he's about to try for a third time, Aislinn frowns, glances over the crowd to find the one winner pocketing his money and watching the game with a keen eye. Without a word she slips in front of the excited locals to be next in line.

The current player gives up and Aislinn sits down before anyone complains. The dealer does a slight double-take at her bandaged face (Aislinn is used to this) but hides the reaction before he shifts the card around. She watches his swift hands carefully and, when he stops, he challenges her to ‘Find the Lady.’

The man in front of her isn't unskilled, Aislinn notes objectively, although she's seen better and more nimble action at many a table. It's not very different from Thimble-rig, which coincidentally she had just been thinking of not long ago.

When he finally makes the switch she'd have missed it if she didn't know the common move and distraction he's used. Then he asks her to point out the Queen, and Aislinn makes a quick pretense of furrowing her brow in an attempt to discern where her royal highness might have landed.

She gives a sidelong glance to see if any of her party is around. They're busy. Which is good, as she's not quite certain they'd approve of how much she knows of this sort of trickery. (A tiny part, though, would rather like to impress someone. She feels a lack in her life. Someone to teach her, and praise her for originality. Someone in her past did that for her, and while she can't remember exactly who, she can't forget the feeling, either.)

After looking from card to card, she exhales and shakes her head innocently. "They moved so fast," she murmurs, as if frustrated. "I've never seen the like. One second I followed her, then suddenly, I... lost track of her." Her eyes shift upwards to meet the dealer's gaze, straight and dead serious. "I don't know if it's even fair to guess. She might have traveled anywhere. On the wings of a bird. Across the square. Of course that's just my fancy. I know she's not truly moved so far away." And her dagger-like focus stabs at the dealer's sleeve, black eyes sparking with pointed accusation even though she wears the faintest trace of a false smile.

"I can't choose," she says, now a trifle louder so others can better hear. "Maybe it's my fault for playing any such game after so somber a funeral. Luck wouldn't follow such disrespect. Doesn't seem right, does it? I'm sure you agree," she says to the first 'player' who is so clearly working with the dealer. "Even things went so incredibly well for you."

Aislinn holds her hand out toward the dealer, fingers beckoning not coincidentally at his sleeve again. "Will you return my coin? Have pity on me." Her voice softens again, just for the dealer. "I'll treat you in kind."

Saradoc completes the scrimshaw with Garm's name and politely hands it to Farmer Giles, who says he will add that to Garm's Ring as a memorial.

In the group of well-wishers, Walker has recognised Radagast, a local Druid friend. They shake hands and Radagast congratulates the party then adds "Walker, I see your Staff is of the finest Tsarinan Forest Oak. Very suitable - we Druids value the work that you Rangers do. I wish you luck in your future endeavours - a talented adventuring party like this is something Sherwoodshire needs!"
Radagast thinks a bit, then continues "By the way, I haven't heard from my illustrious colleagues in the Tsarinan Forest for some time. If you are ever up that way. do drop by and see what is afoot."

DM: The scammer makes an Alertness roll.

The scammer’s eyes widen slightly, then shift to the man Aislinn noticed earlier. It looks as if he's going to defend himself or challenge her but clearly he realises that Aislinn knows exactly what is going on.
So instead he whispers ‘voice’ and a loud voice from behind the crowd says "Look out! Dragon!"

While the locals instantly scatter, Aislinn's headache pounds as she feels a vague and unsettling sense of familiarity. She can see the confederate staring balefully at her while the dealer quickly packs up - grudgingly returning Aislinn’s small stake.

Now that only the two men and Aislinn are left by the stile, the scammer mutters “How come you know so much about the ‘game’? You’re running around with a bunch of heroes working for the Count!"
He seems resentful and glares at her bandages. "So what's all that meant to be then? Some disguise, is it?"

The man with him grimaces. "They must be hard-up for heroes. Wouldn't think the Guild'd allow in some pox-laden chit of a girl."

The two crooks turn away, ready to depart.

So much happens at once, Aislinn is overwhelmed with it all. The instant fear of a dragon followed almost immediately by the certainty that not only is there no dragon, but the voice in the back was the dealer. The pain in her head blinds her and she lifts a hand to her temple. Once the crowd has dispersed thanks to the trick--a vile thing to do but also... also...

...Also something she can do.

Or at least, she should be able to do it. She doesn't know how or why she thinks this, but--no, not thinks. Knows. Aislinn stares at the dealer and most of his begrudging remarks pass right through her. "What was that you did," she starts to say, stepping closer. "You--what is the spell? Is it--"

Then the large man's insults smack her in the face. She's heard insults or intrusive comments about the material bound around half her face for as long as she began using them, but not something so crudely insinuating as pox-laden.

She claps a hand over her cheek, feeling her skin burn beneath the material. A doxy is what he thinks her, or at least is calling her one. After a shame-filled, aghast moment that feels like a lifetime, Aislinn drops her arm, both hands now turned into fists. "Silence your filthy tongue!" she hisses up at him, then includes the dealer in her glare.

"If you think me a poor hero... well, mayhap I'm not of the best kind. But my companions are not far--" Aislinn has to cast a sideways glance to see if she's actually accurate. She thinks she sees Walker's tall frame nearby amongst a crowd. In any event, she could call for them, so the truth doesn't matter. "And they'd be quite happy to end the careers of clumsy cheats who'd fleece a grieving crowd. Not to mention trying to escape by stirring up fear of the very beast that killed their friend? A more vile pair of louts I've not seen in--in a--"

Again the vise around her temples tightens, but she's getting used to it and she shakily continues the questions she had for the dealer. "Listen. The voice thing," she says again, now demanding. "Tell me how you did it and I won't tell my friends what you've been up to. They'd arrest and send you to the Count for sure. Me, I'm fine with you leaving the county, if you tell me..." Aislinn tries not to sound desperate. "Please, the spell. What class is it? How do you--"

But the men aren't staying around to tutor her in a skill, the memory of which seems to be splitting open her head. They want to be off to escape the crowd, which no doubt will want their hides for not just cheating but frightening them so cruelly. They're not getting away with this. Everyone gets away with things. Not today.

Regardless of her tiny size compared to the dealer's confederate, she grabs onto his coat sleeve and tries to pull him closer. Given the difference in their weights and strength, Aislinn only succeeds in pulling herself closer to him in the process. But the effect is the same--she bumps up against him and says, sounding more like a girl asking for a present, "Tell me what I ask. It's the least you can do!"

Aislinn makes a Pickpocketing roll. If successful, she aims for the confederate's pocketed winnings (and anything else she finds there).

Walker has been mingling with the village folk that he knows well after his many visits here, impressed as always how these folk can bounce back and support each other in times like this. However, all the while he is on the alert for trouble. He keeps his eyes on his new friends as they move about as well. He notes Aislinn going to the table of obvious conmen who've set up to skim coin from these poor folk in their time of grief. Scum. "Surely Aislinn wouldn't fall for that? She seems timid but not stupid... " As he watches a smile creeps over his face as he realises that she's the one winning here. Staying back among the rest of the crowd he trusts her to handle herself, she looks like she knows what she's doing and isn't falling for their trick, hah!

Wait, aha! Even better, he sees as they appear to give up on their scamming here, knowing that someone is onto them. Aislinn appears to be confronting them and telling them to quite politely sod off. Nice one, Aislinn. Walker thinks, impressed and slightly bemused by her canniness about gambling tricks and scams.

At that moment a voice yells out from somewhere in the crowd, "Look out! Dragon!". There are screams from the villagers as they start to try to get to safety. Walker immediately goes on the alert, scanning the horizon. He sends Eye up to get a better view from above the village, but strangely no dragon can be seen. He tries to reassure the villagers closest to him as they go to scatter, "Don't be afraid! Be calm! I've just checked the skies, there is no dragon approaching! It was probably someone thinking it would be 'funny'." His mouth twists as he says that last word, thinking that whoever shouted that must have a pretty warped sense of "humour".

Trying to calm as many people as he can, he looks back to where Aislinn was standing with the two conmen, and sees one of them strike her across the face, "What?" he thinks in sudden alarm. He begins to push through towards her and sees the scammers apparently leaving, with Aislinn for some reason trying to drag one back...? Bemused he slows his walk and aims to get close while trying to remain inconspicuous, keeping an eye out for if they look like they're threatening violence again. He would like to get close enough to spring in if they look threatening, without interfering with whatever Aislinn is up to. It looks like... he doesn't know what it looks like is happening but it does look like she has it under control, for now. "I hope she's not hurt... she's holding her head... do I go over? Do I let her deal with whatever... this...is?. For now he will linger close and keep a watch on the trio, hopefully picking up some of what is being said. He doesn't really want to eavesdrop per se. That would be rude, but he is fairly close so if he happened to hear anything just by dint of him being close enough to help...........

DM: Aislinn fails a Pickpocketing roll.

The confederate spots the attempt and spins round, snarling “You silly bint! I should give you what for...”
He starts to raise a fist, but notices that Walker is clearly watching – and instead pulls out the coins he stole and throws them at Aislinn’s feet.
Meanwhile the scammer starts to climb the stile and laughingly says over his shoulder “Oh, I’ll tell you what I did – but you won’t understand it! I used the spell Ventriloquism … and I could have cast Wall of Fog instead. And we’re not staying in Sherwoodshire after your little performance.”

The two crooks hurry away.

As Aislinn picks up the coins, one of the Lizardmen who had attended the memorial comes over to her and says sibilantly in Lizardman “Aisslinn? Remember me? I’m Pssthpok and you sstayed with my tribe a year or so ago. How are you doing?”

As Eye confirms to Walker that there is no sign of a Dragon, the Ranger and Druid Radagast successfully calm the mourners.
Walker also keeps the two scammers under close observation. He nods and points menacingly when he catches the eye of one of the crooks … the thug promptly stops threatening Aislinn.
It then appears that the scammers have returned some money and scurried off.

A Lizardman now approaches Aislinn and says something in a language Walker doesn’t speak (through it sounds like Lizardman…)

Barely having time to regret being caught at pickpocketing, Aislinn ducks in alarm with the large man's threatening words and raised fist. But he stops and flings the coins to the ground anyway. Her attention, though, is riveted on the dealer. Ventriloquism. And Wall of Fog? She already knows the latter spell, and the former is so determinedly familiar it's trying to knock itself out of her head to be recognized.

Dazed, she stoops to the dirt for the coins, gathering both them and her warring thoughts. They're all of a piece. A disembodied voice, the fog... even poor Wolf--assuming he was a phantasm of a wolf and not real. Tricks of imagination. Falsehoods, ruses...

Her headache is spreading and she just kneels on the ground, absently toying with the coins. (Counting them, to be honest--even this distracted, she can't ignore the value she holds in her hand.) Then she spots Walker, who's looking in concern at her face, which she covers again in fear that the bandages have shifted. No, they are still doing their duty.

The hissing question in her ear doesn't faze her and she doesn't even register that it's in a different language. "I am all right, thank you sir," she says automatically. "They were just gamblers and thieves, nothing I haven't--"

Aislinn's brain catches up to what the Lizardman just said, and she spins around. "Pssthpok?!" Dark eyes wide, she examines his familiar face. Many outsiders can't tell much difference between the Lizardfolk--assuming they even bother. But after so much time in their company, Aislinn easily sees the features unique to each individual. "I remember your tribe gratefully. But it is surprising, finding you so far south."

Now aware that Walker is close enough to hear, she puts the coins in her pocket--fully intending to return them to the man who lost them--and scrambles to her feet, somewhat disheveled. And even more confused than before. First the gambler's false dragon scare, her poor pickpocketing, nearly getting struck, her bandages, the connection between Ventriloquism and her own abilities, and now Pssthpok, a reminder of a group that knows more of her background than even she does. And a reminder of their having protected her from a darkness... she's not sure what, an enemy or monster or other great danger. She felt safer among them than she has since leaving.

Ashen and somewhat nauseated from everything converging at once, Aislinn turns to Walker and gestures weakly to the stile. "The Dragon was false. Those men, they were trying to steal..." It's the least important thing she can think of right now, and she shakes her head and adds unnecessarily, "They're gone now. They probably saw you coming. Thank you for that, and helping calm the crowd, as well." From the concerned look he seems to be aiming at her face, she wonder if he heard that doxy insult. He seems too kind to believe such a slur--and even if he did, he likely wouldn't make her feel bad for it. Still, force of habit makes her lift her hood back up and tuck her hair beneath it, better hiding her left side, bandages and all.

"This is Pssthpok," she blurts at last, realizing that she's being rude. She exaggerates his name slightly, since the language contains some sounds not used often in Common. "And this is Walker, a new companion." Aislinn darts a look at Walker, suddenly wondering if he intends to travel with them now. It's a presumptuous thought, but he'd be an asset for sure, even without Eye. Affable, stalwart, loyal, skilled... a worthy compatriot to be sure.

Then, to Pssthpok again: "I did as you all suggested, I found another group to join. Not so numerous but as Scouts their skills seemed ideal, and I learned much from them. As you also recommended."

Aislinn gives a somewhat modified translation of what she's said to Walker. "I told him you're a friend... if I may call you so. And that I am glad to be surrounded by such a brave party." She looks between the two taller beings beside her. She really wants time to digest what she just experienced with the scammer and the spells and how they are all linked to whatever is locked in her mind but clamoring to be free: to what result, she doesn't know--prize or peril.

Druid Kitty might be the best person to ask. But Pssthpok might have information too; she always suspected her saviors hadn't told her everything. But, to be honest, she also would be glad of company while enjoying a meal. Safe company. Trustworthy and true.

"I--I ought to return the winnings to the local who lost them," she says, a trifle reluctantly to be sure. Too short to see through the crowd, she looks up at Walker and, describing the man who'd lost those first few rounds with the dealer, asks if he can see the unlucky target.

Walker is quietly pleased with himself for apparently looking intimidating just then. He's always tried to be a friendly and cheerful guy - hence why all the people in the villages around are friendly and greet him (and often feed him, hah!) when he ranges by on his travels. He supposes he is fairly tall and also armed, and also has a large hawk on his shoulder. Hmm. Ok, maybe he can see their point.

He notes that Aislinn seems bothered by something and is still concerned about her injury - is she holding her head from wear that foul person hit her? - , but leaves her to talk to this new person who is pretty clearly talking to her in the Lizardfolk tongue. "Interesting," he muses, "She didn't even hesitate to reply in their tongue...

After a moment she turns to him and tells him of the dragon. Walker looks relieved.

"Ah. Well, that is good, in a way. I thought I heard the shout coming from over there [he gestures over the crowd] so I assumed it was one of the villagers, which, truth be told, would have been disappointing. These are good folk and it took me aback to think one of these people would play such a prank as that. Good to know my faith in them can be restored, hah! But that's an impressive trick. You think it was one of the scammers who could cast a spell to do that?"

"I was just keeping an eye on the crowd in general earlier when I saw you with those conmen. I was concerned at first that you had fallen for it, but I soon saw that you were winning so I left you to it. Next time I look back at you he was striking you - are you ok? Is your head ok? I'm sorry I wasn't closer, I didn't want to intrude and make you feel like I didn't trust you to deal with the situation. I only stepped closer at the end as they were walking away by that point, just in case he tried to harm you again. I guess you really pissed them off by breaking up their little scam, heh."

As the two converse and Aislinn relays the information to him, Walker tries to practice in his head the very few words he has learned from meeting Lizardfolk in the past. When the pair appear to have finished talking and halting says in Lizardfolk,

"Greetings Pssthpok, Aisslinn friend"

He's pretty sure that his pronunciation was terrible, but he is sure that he knows the words for greetings and friend, he isn't sure of how to say "of". He hopes the message gets across and mutters to Aislinn, "I wanted to say Greetings Pssthpok, friend of Aislinn. I don't know if I got it right. Please tell him that's about my limit of understanding, hah!"

Aislinn tries to get a handle on her various emotions, and fortunately Walker is able to carry on the conversation without pausing too much for her to answer. His quick changes of subject allow her to wait for her stress to subside before responding.

It helps that his attempt at the Lizardman's language is, well, charming if not perfect. "You got it very nearly right," she says, showing a rare smile, and passes along Walker's message. "I am lucky to be with fellow travelers who aren't too set in their ways, where other races are concerned. I befriended an Ogre and they did not flinch. I think it shows they aren't likely to... judge whatever I may tell them."

She belatedly realizes that the ranger seems to have mistaken what occurred between her and the larger of the two scoundrels. "Oh no, he didn't hurt me," she says, forcing herself not to hide from his scrutiny. "Not physically. If you saw me adjusting my..." Her hand flutters up vaguely toward the tan cloth wound around her left side. "He just... made an ugly remark. It's nothing." She's glad to switch subjects. "The other man fooled the crowd using Ven--Ventriloquism, he called it. He stood in one place while a voice--not quite like his own--shouted from several feet away. The skill seems familiar. I think I've heard the like before," she says carefully.

While she says this she eyes Pssthpok. It's been a while and she's forgotten how much Common he speaks. For his benefit she quickly adds something that seems worth sharing. "My friend thought I'd been struck. It mattered to him. They are not all violent," she adds, glancing at Walker without realizing she's displaying a little wariness while doing so. "Not always. They battle but only when provoked. This lot aren't the ones to start a fight."

Aislinn hesitates before shrugging slightly. "Ought we to find Marron and Saradoc? With all...this..." She looks back near the stile, indicating the commotion. "...I've forgot what must do next. Other than get those bone carvings," she says with another tiny smile at Walker, remembering his enthusiasm for such mementos. Then her language swiftly switches to Lizardman. "Pssthpok, did you see the red dragon hunting in this area? Had you come across word of it in your travels? It was young and might have family."

Pssthpok smiles toothily at Walker and Aislinn.
He says in Common to Walker “Thank you for speaking my language! Actually I learnt Common from Aislinn and taught her Lizardman in return.
Now why don’t you two sort out that human that got cheated and then we can talk?”

Using Aislinn’s description, Walker spots the man in question, who is standing near Marron. Once Walker tells Aislinn this, she signals Marron (using Scout Signalling) to bring the man over.
Marron finishes reassuring the mourners that there is no dragon and politely escorts the man to Aislinn.
Aislinn refunds the stake money and warns the man not to fall for such scams in the future. He nods gratefully and wanders off.
Aislinn then introduces Marron to Pssthpok and they bow to each other. Pssthpok is wearing the holy symbol of the Nimue Way (a tree) and clearly recognises Marron’s symbol (a round table, representing the Arthurian Tradition.) The two exchange polite compliments on their respective beliefs.

Pssthpok now replies to Aislinn (in Common) “To answer your question – no, my tribe have not seen any Dragons flying overhead recently.
You probably know that the Badlands (he gestures to the West) are believed to be infested with Dragons and Giant Insects. As that area is almost all desert, my people never go there. We need to drink water and keep hydrated as well!
Anyway let me add my congratulations to your party for slaying the Dragon. Sherwoodshire needs adventurers like you!”

He takes a deep breath and then continues “Aislinn, you may not remember our first meeting. My tribe live near here, but I was visiting my cousin up North near Freeport. He brought you in from the Empire River, soaking wet and half-drowned. You couldn’t tell us what had happened, but clearly you really wanted to get away from there.
So after you were fit enough to travel, I brought you back to my tribe. Over time we managed to teach each other our languages – and you entertained us all with magical tricks and stories of Ancient History!
Eventually we suggested you try your luck in the City of Drannasmoor. And now here you are returned – slaying Dragons and dealing with cheap scammers. What will you get up to next?!”

Marron has listened to the story with great interest and says “I’d like to hear more of that sometime. Meanwhile Farmer Giles has offered us hospitality for the night. I think we deserve a rest…”

As Aislinn explains what had happened with the two men earlier, he is not quite sure what she means - surely if they slapped her, then she had done something wrong... like putting them out of some coin, for example! He shrugs, trying to show that he really hasn't looked at or pondered on her dressing. He has met people with all sorts of scars, injuries and disfigurements, so he deliberately raises himself on tiptoes while turning carefully in a circle looking for their companions. He doesn't really need to as Eye has already taken flight from his shoulder and is hovering above the crowd in bird-of-prey-mode. The crowds are starting to thin a bit making is little easier to spot... aha. Gotcha!

As Eye is scanning the area around, Walker hears Aislinn transferring back into Lizardfolk. He assumes that Pssthpok probably knows the Common Language as most folk do, but Aislinn is clearly fluent so she is doing it for Psshtpok's benefit, not to try to exclude himself. Satisfied that this is good reasoning, He listens in, waiting for any words he might recognise. He suspects there might be one...

Sure enough, the Ranger narrows his eyes slightly as he hears a word he knows. He understands the word for Dragon and though he couldn't hope to pronounce it, he can, however, often pick up facial expressions so as Aishlinn says this he casts his eye over the Lizardfolk friend. This is something he's not so familiar with reading.


*[i]Walker would like to check for any facial reaction such as unexpected fear, confirmation that this is known or some sort of quick flick of the eyes. He knows what he would be looking for in a humanoid face but is unsure what to expect to see here. He's not staring, just interested. Learning people is interesting! - See qu in companion thread.

Pssthpok's fluent use of Common--and the revelation that she was the one too teach him--completely escaped Aislinn's memory. She is about to apologize when he continues to share more of her experiences, which at first sound as if they occurred to someone in a bard's tale. As little rivulets of memories seep through her mind, her headache worsens.

But she ignores it, too busy trying to send a mute message to the Lizardman to please stop speaking what feels like her whole life's story to a set of men she doesn't necessarily wish to share such knowledge with--especially when she does not know it herself. Unfortunately Lizardfolk culture doesn't use particularly nuanced facial expressions, and so her widened, pleading eyes and tightly shaken head are of no use.

So she blurts out, if only to quiet him before he starts reenacting whatever else transpired during her months with them: "Yes, of course. Your cousin, Goltrahess--no--Gol'tresshall?" She pauses just long enough to confirm that she has the name correct. "I must owe him much. Those days are long past but a debt is a debt."

Uneasy, Aislinn pulls her gloves more tightly and gestures in the direction of the farmer's land. "Master Marron, you are right. We must not make Farmer Giles wait on us." She nearly starts to jog towards the path, but stops with a jerk when she decides it would be less obvious--and certainly more polite--to wait for Walker, Marron and the others. "Perhaps at table we might hear more of our party's travels," she adds awkwardly. "I daresay there is much to hear."

Walker raises an eyebrow slightly, noting Aislinn's initial hurried departure. It didn't seem to him that anything untoward was being shared, but everyone has their own things they like to keep close to their chests, perhaps.

Letting Aislinn hurry ahead a short while, he drops back into step with Pssthpok.

"So, friend of Aislinn, and I hope now friend of mine - I'm known generally as Walker, by the way. Not my real name - that would be rather cruel of my parents hah! - but it's a name that will do! You know Aislinn from before? She doesn't ummm... she doesn't seem too keen to discuss your past experiences in front of us. I think that as a group we've not been together too long and that your experiences with her probably pre-date anything we've done together. Just wanted to to say... I just sort of got the feeling that it was making her a little uncomfortable? Maybe you could catch her in a quiet moment without the rest of us around if you want to reminisce? Sorry, I'm possibly not great at "peopling" but I can spot someone who doesn't really want to have a particular conversation in front of others, if you get my meaning....?

[Trying to lighten the mood again] "HAH! ANYWAY! I'm sorry for my attempts at your language! I really must be quite an embarrassment! I've passed through Lizardfolk villages in the past and know only the very basics. I'm well aware that you far surpass me with your skills in Common but that isn't going to stop me making a fool of myself by trying to practice other tongues, my lizardfolk friend, Psssthpok! Me buy beer you?"

[Walker blushes slightly, aware that he has probably completely butchered that phrase but hoping that it's deflected slightly from whatever what making Aislinn uncomfortable.]

"Giles beer here good but wine better, think. You prefer?" Walker is seriously pushing his language memory to the limits here and it's doubtful that any of this is coherent! Back to Common:

"Well, Farmer Giles here is well known for being an excellent host and we should have plenty of time to chat about where we've all come from, what we've all seen, and plan where we are going next."

He nods ahead to Aislinn who, having initially hurried ahead, now appears to be waiting with Marron for them to catch up.

Pssthpok replies to Aislinn “Yes, my cousin is called Gol’tresshall. He will be happy you remember him. I will pass on your thanks.”

AS Aislinn moves away, the Lizardman turns to Walker. “I’m sorry if I said the wrong thing to Aislinn. Our tribe consider her a friend.”
Pssthpok gives Walker directions to his tribes’ settlement (Walker nods, because he already knows the lake and river that the Lizardmen live near.)
Pssthpok continues to the Ranger “It is also a pleasure to meet you at last – my tribe have heard good reports about you from local farmers and traders. And of course our thanks to your party for slaying that terrible Dragon.
I am sure you will be made welcome at Farmer Giles – meanwhile I will return to my tribe.
May I say one small thing? Whilst I welcome your attempts to speak our language, I would leave that to Aislinn! You have compared me to beer and suggested Farmer Giles is better than wine!”

Pssthpok heads off.

As the mourners depart, Farmer Giles welcomes the party into his large farmhouse.
A servant shows the party to a room where they can rest and prepare for dinner.

Walker blushes furiously. He had thought he was doing quite well! He makes a mental note to ask Aislinn for some pointers....

Aislinn tries to find a glass or something reflective to make sure that large scammer didn't disturb the bandages too much. If there's a water basin or even just a cloth, she'll also do a basic clean-up of any dust, dirt or anything else that she'd prefer to be without while eating.

Aislinn spots a metal trophy which would certainly serve as a mirror. (Apparently Farmer Giles has won it for 'Best Marrow at County Fair'!)

There is both a wash basin and towel (clearly Farmer Giles is quite well-off.)

Walker greets Farmer Giles and any of the farm hands and servants he's met in previous visits. Pleasantries out of the way, he is aware that he is probably not looking his best so politely asks one of the household staff if he could use a bathroom to freshen up a little. He would mainly like to ensure there are no traces of blood on his hands and clothes - if necessary he will change into a spare set of clothing he has in his pack - and will run his fingers through his hair in some attempt at taming it. It doesn't really work, and settles back into its usual wild mess of reddish-brown doing whatever it wants to do.

Having washed off the grime of travelling, climbing cliffs, slaying dragons, skinning dragons, and then more travelling, Walker emerges from the bathroom looking quite a bit more respectable. You can see perhaps how he is recognised as a respectable figure here; while before he might have more resembled a scruffy travelling scoundrel! He has cleaned his weapons and has on a fresh set of clothes - dark green cloak over worn but good quality leather armour - and generally scrubs up quite well. He can't really do much about his hair, which has a mind of its own, but he manages to make it look at least like he hasn't just been dragged through a hedge backwards.

Exiting the bathroom, Walker scans the room to see if he can spot his companions, assuming that dinner will be commencing imminently and then they will have to figure out the next step on their journey.... if they are going to stick together? Do they have a common goal?

Spotting Aislinn admiring one of Farmer Giles' trophies, he heads in that direction. He recalls this particular town fayre from a couple of years ago and plans to tell Aislinn of the runner-up prize for the "best marrow", which, while not the largest marrow, most certainly gave the ladies of the Village Womens' Institute quite a fit of the giggles due to its shape. Everyone agreed that it should have won but the stuffy judges ruled that it was "weight and not shape" that won the day. Ah well. The ladies of the Womens' Institute will definitely remember which marrow won their hearts that year, hah.

Wiping the grime from her face, neck, arms and hands makes Aislinn more awake and refreshed. She's still tired and somewhat on edge after the encounter with the scammers--and seeing Pssthpok again. But nothing a decent meal and some cider can't mend.

She starts to rinse out the cloth when, reflected in the shiny metal of the award, she spots Walker at not too great a distance. The memory of the primary thief's actions tickles her memory again, and since she feels safe enough here--even a bit prankish--she tries to see if her earlier instinct about Ventriloquism was based in truth.

Voice, Aislinn murmurs, and then--hiding her mouth with the small towel--tries to direct her words so they seem as if emanating from several strides behind her companion's position, near a group of women gathered in conversation.

"Why, that's the stalwart fellow whose Crag now boasts the bones of the fierce dragon he helped defeat!"

Aislinn watches in the mirror-like metal to see if the ranger can hear anything, a tiny and unaccustomed smile hidden by the towel over her mouth.

I'll use purple (as in "purple prose") to denote the words Aislinn might use when throwing her voice. Does the success or failure of this require a check of some kind? From what little I'm seeing via research maybe Charisma or Performance maybe?

DM: Aislinn makes a Ventriloquism roll.

(Aislinn, as part of your back story, I've added the non-weapon proficiency of Ventriloquism; when the characters go up a level (soon!), your sheet will include that ability and your chance of success.)

Quote:

---

Originally posted by choie

""Why, that's the stalwart fellow whose Crag now boasts the bones of the fierce dragon he helped defeat!"

---

"

Heading over towards Aislinn with a slight smile on his face as he recalls the phallic marrow, Walker is startled by a voice from behind him. He jumps and turns, seeing a group of women who appear to be gossiping and who are now most definitely looking in his direction. It's not clear who spoke, but they've all turned to look at him. Walker is aware that he's quite a recognisable figure, having visited here before and also being fairly tall and, well.... ranger-ish. He can't really think of a more accurate description, hah! Regardless, he does a sort of look-around in a poor attempt at pretending he thinks they might be talking about someone else nearby.

He is aware that he's probably blushing at this point so puts his head down and heads straight to Aislinn, ignoring the gossiping women.

"Hah. Umm. Did you hear that? Should I go say something? Just... look like you're talking to me, hah. Well, you are. Well, I mean, you would be if I wasn't talking at you, hah. Um. Sorry, babbling. I was going to tell you about this trophy, it's a funny story actually, because, umm, well, yes, I saw you looking at it. First prize! Hah! The ladies over there [he gestures vaguely while trying not to look over at the gaggle of ladies] didn't think that Farmer Giles' marrow should have won, hah, but the judge was too prudish to give the podium place to the crowd favourite, hah! It looked exactly like a giant... well... [Walker gestures vaguely, realising that this tale is probably getting more awkward than confronting the gossips]. I... um. Yess, well. Anyway. Tis a fine trophy. Umm. Are they still looking at us? Is anyone else looking? That was quite a loud exclamation. Are they coming over? Where's Marron got to? I think if they want to ... I don't know... ummm, thank us or something we should all be here. Argh. Not good at peopling like this and it certainly shouldn't be me they're looking at, are they still looking? Can you hear anything? I didn't see which one called out, though I think it's probably the one with the pink scarf. I know her from around the village and she's always done that fluttery-eye thing. Heh. Help."

Marron appears from behind the group of women, clearly also having 'tidied up' for dinner. He looks relaxed.

Meanwhile the group of women are looking around with a puzzled air.

Walker raises an eyebrow. (Would he have recognised if the voice that called out was male or female? ie. seeing Marron there, would it be logical to him that the voice was Marron, or still just some unknown or female voice?)

Walker definitely recognised the voice as female.

[loudly]


"AH! Marron! Good to see you there! I think these lovely ladies were just talking about you!"

[He shoos Marron in the direction of the confused-looking women]

"Apparently you slew a dragon! Very impressive! Wow! Much awesome! Wow!"

Aislinn, who started out amused by Walker's evident confusion, remains silent and somewhat confused herself. And not a little bit wary. The silence is understandable, since Walker can provide both sides of a conversation all by himself--probably a result of spending too much time alone and needing to release his pent-up thoughts somehow.

The reference to the vegetable and its shape, though... Of course Aislinn's not a prude; that's not a luxury afforded to her. But the tenor of the conversation is unexpected and adds an uncomfortable reminder that she's in a party consisting of two men, now with the possibility of a third if Walker is to join them. They all seem friendly and well-meaning, no harm to them. But does she know that? Besides, one man may be harmless. A group of them?

A beast may ignore prey it scents on the wind while alone. A pack are more likely to be bold enough to act on their instincts.

Aislinn shakes away the concern. They're all Arthurians, that should be enough to ensure their trustworthiness. Still. To her, nature holds more power than lofty ideals.

Walker's passing along the credit to Marron, however, eludes her understanding, and when there's finally a space between the ranger's words, she blurts, "But the compliment was for you. Why wouldn't you accept it? The ladies might be interested in your company."

A sudden thought strikes her and provides comfort. She's from a city and observed many sorts of people, and while she can't remember specific details of her own past, the general sense of just how varied life and tastes can be has certainly survived whatever happened before she woke up in the company of a Lizardfolk healer.

So she adds, with understanding and a little lilt of hope in her voice, "...Unless you aren't interested in theirs." A fact that would certainly come as a relief. She casts an eye at Marron, curious about his own reaction, but a more pressing thought occurs to her. "Master Walker," Aislinn begins awkwardly. "How much do you know of... magic? The different types and abilities and such?"

Realising that he's been babbling, Walker is relieved when Aislinn finally speaks up.

"Oh, hah, Yes I figured it might have been directed my way. I'm just not very good with compliments, heh. People can be far to quick to make a hero out of a simple action or ascribe great deeds to one person when it was the actions of many working together. The saints know we have all seen examples of that happening. And anyway, I'm pretty sure they're not interested in me in any... other way, if you catch my meaning. I um. Well. I think it's sort of known that I'm not ... lets just say I'm not really into the attentions of ladies, hah? I know it's not really spoken about but nobody seems to mind if I keep myself to myself and don't bother anyone, and I think in general I'm seen as useful and I certainly don't bother anyone... heh. Lets just say that they won't be chasing me down as husband material. Um. Yes."

Walker trails off, slightly wary about how this might be taken.

"ANYWAY. compliments - deserved or otherwise - aside, do we have a plan of action from here? For my own part, I've enjoyed my time recently travelling with companions. It does get a tad lonely out on the roads and Eye [who is perched up in the rafters nearby] isn't much of a talker, hah. She's a good listener but then again I don't think she has much of a choice in that, heh.

"Were you people on a mission before we came together at the keep? I, for my part, was just doing my usual ramblings... I have a sort of route that takes me through the villages. In general, I pick up some herbs from places I know, pick up news and gossip and any information about ailments or issues with crops or bandits and the like from the villagers, then bring them back - herbs and news - to the Keep and to Druid Kitty. She makes potions and salves which I can take back with me when I head out again, or sometimes it's some knowledge about what's ailing their crops or animals, or sometimes it's a matter for the Count and he sends out his men to tackle a particular problem such as bandits. It's only occasionally that I come across a creature that's an imminent threat to a village, or something like a rabid wolf that's a menace and can be fairly easily dealt with, and swiftly.

"But yes, that's my life in a nutshell. I ..., Walk. Hah. In terms of magic, I.... I am quite ashamed and sad to admit I don't have any ability whatsoever. The teachers and scribes in the Keep have tried - hah, believe me, they tried - but it's just something beyond my grasp. Sort of like...." [Walker pauses, seeming to be trying to put it into words] "...like, when you watch a master baker create a cake. You watch her measure all of the ingredients and you take a note of exactly how they are added together and mixed, and you take a note of exactly how hot she makes her oven and how long she places the mixture in, and it comes out as a beautiful masterpiece..... then you follow the exact steps and it just flops into a sort of half-burned-half-gooey mess? Magic to me is like that. I have spent some time with people who can use magic. I've watched the hand gestures they use and listened to the words, but it's just beyond me.

"I have seen some quite powerful magic cast; there are some powerful mages who have passed through the Keep here. But mainly I've seen magic on a smaller scale. Even quite a few of the villagers in the places I pass through have some minor magic that tends to run in the family, from what I can tell. Just things like making the water in the well safe to drink, or making the nighttime lanterns a little brighter than you'd expect from a simple gas-lamp, heh. Small things, not gigantic lightning storms or fireballs or death beams or anything, hah! I don't even know if those are possible, but I would think maybe someone might be powerful enough?

"In terms of other magic, I know that Druid Kitty has magic both in terms of spells and also her potions. She can... I don't know how to explain it... sort of ... bottle? a spell? Eye up there [Walker points to his eagle companion] from what I understand is a Familiar. She is bound to me, she's magical. Usually a quite powerful magic user would be able to summon a creature such as Eye, and use her to be able to scout... I can use her to carry messages, we can communicate in our minds... But, obviously, having no magic of my own, Kitty made a potion that sort of .... bottled up that spell. So that I could use it, and now I have Eye. I don't know exactly, but I get the idea that the ingredients and components that went into that potion weren't easy to come by, not like the fairly common herbs I bring back from my travels which she mixes up to make potions that I can deliver to the villages to cure their foot-rot or ease childbirth, hah. I think this was a great favour to me and probably cost her more than she will ever admit to me.

"But yes, sorry to disappoint on the magic front there. I know there's healing magic, I know there's magic that can be destructive, I know there's subtle.... I don't know how to describe.... mind magic? Stuff that can make people see or hear or sense things? I've certainly met some more cunning tricksters than those two earlier who can use subtle magics to manipulate their punters or cause distractions. [He shrugs] There's probably a bunch of fancy names for these things but as I say - and I know I do say a lot, please do tell me to shut up - it's all a bit beyond me. I've not got the right sort of brain for it, I don't think."

DM: Saradoc makes a Stealth roll.

Saradoc pops up with his completed scrimshaw for Count Percival.

He announces that a hobbit merchant (who was at the funeral) has hired him to escort a wagon to the Count's Keep.
He continues "I hope it's all right if I take this job. I can carry the Dragon Hide we skinned, plus the plants for Kitty and tell the Count exactly how we slew the beast.
That lot should earn us all a generous reward in magical items!
Also how about if Walker takes my place in our group? He knows this County well and is a better Fighter than me."

Marron smiles and acknowledges the nearby women.

He comes over to the others and says solemnly "They look nice, but I honestly need to fight evil before settling down."
Marron points at his Holy Symbol. "The respected Cleric Gawain was slain by those forest bandits and they took this off him. I want to use it on Undead!"

He then looks a bit embarrassed and mutters "Sorry if I'm a bit pompous - but I do feel strongly that I'm doing the right thing.
As for Saradoc's request, I agree. He can give the good news to the Count and it will be interesting to see what we get offered!"

Finally Marron turns to Walker. "Look, I'm not the leader or anything. Aislinn, Saradoc and I were tasked by our respectable Scout Guild with exploring Sherwoodshire, making friends with the Count and finding a base for a branch of the Guild here. Will you join us? Speaking for myself, you'd be most welcome!"

Walker similarly nods in a sort of acknowledging-but-awkward way towards the women, still unsure who called out, then says to Marron,

"Are there rumours of undead nearby? As I was just saying to Aislinn, my basic purpose here in this region is to travel between the villages and ... well... help where I can, collect and deliver news where I can... If an extra person could be of help to you, it's almost literally on my planned path, hah!

"I've certainly heard of Sir Gawain; he was well-respected in this area and I know we all mourned his passing. We all - and, to be fair, by that I mean me, Kitty and her two apprentices - had some thoughts about his demise. I mean no disrespect at all, of course, but he was known to be a strong knight. It seems.... just oddly wrong that his life should have been taken by mere bandits................. though, I suppose, that is the line that we tread...?" [Walker shrugs awkwardly].. I don't know. It just didn't seem right.

[Walker nods deferentially to the holy symbol] I think that I would like to find out more about what went on there. If that's okay with you, of course. I don't know where you were planning on heading, but if our paths are converging, I wouldn't say no to helping you with yours as long as we have the same goals in mind... which I think we do."

Looking around to see Aislinn's reaction to this (and also surreptitiously ducking behind Marron to get out of line of sight of the women), Walker continues,
"Look, I ... I'm just going to continue on my way, which may happen to converge with yours. I ... I recognise that symbol and I know that it must mean a lot for you. Do you have any news on actual undead in the area, or was this just a bandit attack? I personally haven't heard rumours of undead and as you know, the villagers around here are.......................... well, yes." [Walker shuffles slightly] ..... we take quite a lot of what they say with a rather large spoonful of salt, but sometimes what they say is worth listening to. Sorry, that sounded crass, I didn't mean to suggest they talk bollocks all the time. Though they do a bit.... *meep*"

There has been much to listen to, and Aislinn does so without expressing much until all the others have spoken their piece. "It will be a boon for you, Master Saradoc; I am sure we all wish you the best luck." To Walker, who seems to have confirmed her guess about his interest in women, she offers a small smile and bids him a welcome, if he does choose to join them. She thanks him for his magic information--there may not have much of it, but what little he had seemed generously shared. His storytelling abilities really would be useful to a bard. She wonders if he has any interest in training as such, and plans to ask him when next the opportunity arises.

Saradoc's proposed itinerary gives her pause, and she raises a question. "Do you mean we won't be returning to the Keep first?" she asks Marron. "Only I had hoped to speak with Mistress Kitty."

Walker looks between the two of them, unsure if he's being invited along for the ride here. Aislinn seems to be inviting him along, but he's not too sure what the plan is...

"Umm. Well. I thought my plan personally was to head back to the Keep to give the news of the dragon, and our most excellently carved bone... catch up with Druid Kitty and also see if there is news from elsewhere that might need my attention.... but that's just my usual way of working, hah! Wander, do a thing, head back, get info, wander back out to fix the thing, come back..... but if Marron has something pressing and you'd have my company then I'd join if you'd like. I just wonder if there's perhaps some sense in going ........ well, wherever we're going... [he raises an eyebrow at Marron] ...straight away or if going via the Keep is going to take us out of our way too far?

"I suppose, from my perspective, I'm accustomed to travelling alone and only really do.... "peopling" ... in short bursts, such as this gathering. I don't know if I'd be tolerable for any length of time. I've not really been with any group for a length of time, hah! I'm probably not a good companion for longer terms... I don't know.

"Ok, so here's my thoughts... how about we travel together to the Keep? Saradoc is heading there anyway, I have these herbs [Walker gestures to his pack] from the Crag that I would like to deliver to Kitty, and I think Aislinn? You would like to visit the druid too? I mean, all of this would depend on whether your friend here has a pressing need to do.... well... whatever it is? [Walker looks again at Marron, trying to judge how urgent the need is for him to go].

"Either way... hmm. I think I would personally go to the Keep, but if you have a personal and pressing quest that I can help with, Marron, then of course I'll help you if you'll have me. If we decide to go with you, then I'd like to pass these herbs on to you, Saradoc to pass on to Druid Kitty, She knows what she requested and I think I managed to get most of them."

Turning to Aislinn, Walker nods his head slightly in response to her welcoming tone, then says,
"It seems that you would like to return to the keep, and to Druid Kitty? I suppose that we are at a bit of a split here... I am happy either way, I can send my news and herbs along with Saradoc... though it would be good to talk in person there I suppose... but similarly I'm aware that Marron here has something possibly more important. I am free either way, if you'll have me... otherwise I will just continue on my usual route, hah! And I suppose we'll probably cross paths at some point, whichever you take!"

Marron hastily explains "Sorry if I didn't explain properly. I have no specific knowledge of any Undead around here. However wherever the Mordred Cabal are, there are evil Mordred Clerics - and they always use an evil spell (DM Animate Dead) to create and control Undead. Therefore I deduce the presence of UNdead somewhere in this County!
This Holy Symbol (he taps it) means I can destroy some Skeletons and Zombies every round in a battle. So if we meet such monsters, leave those Undead to me and hunt down the Mordred Cleric controlling them - he won't be far away...

Walker, you are most welcome to join our little band - perhaps we should celebrate by giving ourselves a name?

Now we have been invited to a feast by Farmer Giles (and then to stay overnight) and it would jolly rude to refuse.
However Saradoc can leave immediately (Saradoc nods) and use the merchant's wagon to carry the Dragon Hide and Kitty's plants straight to the Keep.
After we rest, we can perhaps gather any information and rumours (Marron winks at Walker) before returning to the Keep ourselves.
By then, the Count and Druid Kitty will undoubtedly have prepared a reward for our efforts!"

Marron pauses for breath. "Is that OK with everyone?"

"Yes, Marron," Aislinn says, "that sounds like a good plan. We're here to dine for now. There's no urgent need to speak with Mistress Kitty, I... I suppose." In truth she's noticing a restless feeling in her muscles, as if she needs to stretch or run, and a sense of anticipation accompanies it. She's expecting something, she realizes, and has been ever since the run-in with the scammer. Something to give her a purpose? Something that's eluded her?

She just doesn't know, and so she just massages her arms while thinking. I might ask Marron what he thinks. Or we might meet up with some knowledgeable stranger?

In the meantime she bids Saradoc farewell for now, wishing him ardently a safe journey all on his own. He seems likely to enjoy it, though.

Which leads her to reflect on Walker's remarks about his not being used to spending time with people for very long. She understands the discomfort, being so wary of others herself, but that doesn't seem to be what drives his need to travel alone.

Whatever it is, he continues to mention it, along with his willingness to stay separate for part of their travels, and Aislinn's sympathy breaks her own habit of keeping out of others' lives and business.

If Marron busies himself with parting with Saradoc, Aislinn will take advantage of a moment of privacy and speak quietly and understandingly with Walker. (She keeps a respectful distance from him, as he seems willing to do with her.) "Sir, if you... if at some point you don't feel comfortable in others' company, or feel concern that you're sort of... trapped, that there are too many people... saying yes to traveling with us needn't feel like an unbreakable bond. You may go and come as you like. We each of us might have our own preferences, or even tasks of greater priority, at times."

She pauses, then adds: "And--and if we are somewhere that gives you discomfort, I will assist in helping you extricate yourself. A diversion so you can take some air or solitude. I think..." Aislinn glances at the ladies for a second before quickly returning to Walker. "I think I might be able to do that." Ending with a fleeting smile, she pulls edgily at the fabric of her hood and waits.

Walker nods in agreement to Marron's statement.

"Yes, I agree, we need to stay this evening. If you, Saradoc, have matters elsewhere and want to get a headstart to the Keep then I'm sure that the grand show of ... us three... [Walker gestures vaguely at himself, Marron and Aislinn] will be enough to satisfy the villagers here. I do also agree that it would be seen as rude for us all to bugger off just after arriving, hah! Here, take this pack and just tell Druid Kitty that I managed to get The Herbs From The Crag. She'll know which I mean. Oh, actually, some of them are a bit singed... ehhhhh....no don't worry about that she'll figure it out. And- heh - I guess the dragon hide and scales are self explanatory! Do ask her if she's any 'top-ups' for existing potions... again she'll know what I mean hah."


"As to joining you..." Walker addresses Marron and Aislinn, "I'd be pleased to, if you'd have me. I just fear that I'd be something of an annoyance, hah. Since I was young I have always just been ... annoying to be around I assume? Heh. Put social awkwardness in a pot, add in some general inability to say the right thing around people, being over-friendly or not-friendly-enough (... and not knowing the difference, heh!) then a pinch of possible skill with being stealthy, tracking and hunting, and add a final dash of not minding one's own company, et voila! [Walker gestures to himself]. I generally get by by myself because I don't irritate other people if I'm not around them for long, hah, I can keep a good conversation going - well, as I say, it's the only way of ensuring an intelligent response, hah? - Heh. Hmm. Ok. Well anyway. Just so you know, I'm well accustomed to roaming these areas alone. The people in the villages know me and give me shelter and gossip, and I don't stay in any place too long. People will know me and are generally kind and helpful, and I never outstay my welcome... or talk as much as you are allowing me to do, hah! Most of my conversation goes to Eye and I am really not quite sure how much say she has in the matter." (Walker glances up to Eye, perched in the rafters, and if an eagle could raise an eyebrow and give *THAT* look, she does. Walker is definitely getting The Look)

"So, if you'll have me, I'll tag along with you on whatever you think is important. As I say, hah, again, I say many things! As I say though, I don't really have a particular mission unless I hear of something as I pass through a village or if the Count directs me to a certain place. I'm sure that... again, if you'll have me... tagging along with wherever you are leading is basically what I'd be doing anyway. Assuming, of course, we don't get some all-hands-on-deck-red-alert from Saradoc when he gets to the Keep?

[DM question because I don't know - how far can Eye go from me? I know I can only communicate for a certain distance, but does she poof out of existence at a distance? Narratively, if the answer from DM is that yes, she will disappear at a certain distance, pretend the next paragraph didn't happen. ASSUMING that she can go far from me and then return and communicate:]

"I can send Eye along with Saradoc and she can communicate with me for a short while, then after she's out of range she can just observe anything and fly straight back to us with the news or any issues. It will save a little on travel time if we get word from the Keep that there's something that needs our attention, hah."

Stepping away from Marron and Saradoc, Walker smiles at Aislinn, while still keeping a good metre or so distance, "Thank you, I don't know why I'm saying that, but I think that you... get me.... maybe. Most don't. Just... thank you for understanding. I'm not adverse to travelling with people at all. Just things like this [he gestures at the room] and people being up in your face is a bit much. I'm fine, honestly, totally fine with people when I'm out on my travels. It's sort of a different situation, isn't it? I mean, coming into a village, and a couple of people want to tell you about their cow that definitely got hexed by that witch who - by the way - is most definitely a witch because her nose is wonky, then another couple might tell me about how their sheep are being picked off during the night by thieves, or the tavern keep might have.... ok, there I am again talking. I really ought to stop that. It's what I think people find odd about me. I don't like people close to me, but I also just ... talk. Too much, it seems. People like to talk to... at... me and I think I'm a figure that sort of attracts the attention of "Someone Who Likes To Be Talked At" (Walker says this with audible capitalised letters)

"I'm still talking. Yes, I know. Sorry. Help. It gets worse if I'm nervous. Are those women still looking?"

Aislinn nods, still sympathetic, though a bit overwhelmed. In addition to some phrases that are new to her--what can a red alert be?--it seems that a conversation with Walker does somewhat resemble being among a noisy crowd and trying to pay attention to multiple discussions at once. Perhaps that is what it feels like to him, too. But the raucousness is inside his own head, which of course he cannot escape.

"I think you are very fortunate to have Eye," she says, following his upward glance. "And while I don't understand the... the bond between a Familiar and its--its--" Aislinn is at a loss for words and gestures with a flutter of her hand to Walker. Is he the Eagle's friend? Master? Owner? None of the three seems right.

"...Between you two," she continues, "I expect it takes something special to earn such loyalty as you share. If she can recognize your quality, I'm sure we will too." Aislinn lowers her voice. "I don't know much about Marron yet either, nor does he know me. We're all in the same boat."

She massages her arms, still feeling the strange buzzy sensation but also exhausted by all the time she's spent in others' company herself. She's spoken more than in quite some time--certainly more than she remembers clearly.

Walker's last question rouses her guilt. She meant to bring him amusement and pride by her use of Ventriloquism, not discomfort or anxiousness. "Don't worry about them," Aislinn assures him softly. "The truth is..."

Is she able to tell him the truth? He might be hurt by what might easily be misunderstood as a mocking prank. She's embarrassed to make her admission now. She'll have to work her way up to it over their meal. "The truth is they're looking around for someone else to discuss. They're grateful, that's all."

Flushing slightly, she starts (and encourages Walker to join her, if he wishes) toward wherever the meal will be presented.

Walker notes Aislinn rubbing her arms and notes that the evening air isn't chill, but perhaps she is cold?

"Ummm, would you like my cloak. I just noticed you maybe seem a little chilled. Um, don't worry, hah, it's clean!" He offers to shrug off his cloak as he walks with her towards the meal.

"So, um, you don't know Marron that well? I was under the impression when I met you all back at the Keep that you, Marron and Saradoc were something of a group... you know, like, an adventuring party. Hah. The ones that usually have names attached to them! Do you have a name for your group? From what you've just said it seems like perhaps I just stumbled across similar people who had stumbled across each other, hah! I just assumed you were all tightly together as companions, probably with some fancy party name!

"Anyway, regarding Eye... I don't think I know enough to answer your questions, sadly. Aforementioned lack of magical aptitude an' all that. I don't think there's loyalty or friendship there. I wish there was. But - as I said - I don't understand magic but I get the feeling here that she is here, not necessarily against her will but not willingly either, if that makes sense... she just... IS. And she obeys my mental commands, communicates, and... well... I assume but wouldn't like to test it, would take a wound for me. But not in the same way as a faithful hound would try to protect its master.... it's... I don't know how to explain it. Again - hah - magic is beyond me. Perhaps when we do get back to the Keep you could ask Kitty what the nature of the bond is. I know that she - Eye, that is, not Kitty as far as I know, hah! - has been injured in the past and forced to ... well.... disappear. But she reappears healthily enough on the following day as I've inevitably spent a whole night worrying about her, hah!"

(damn forum not allowing you to edit your posts, grr)

"Also, just, about the peopling thing. If we're going to be travelling together, I just wanted to sort of make it a bit clearer because I know I'm prone to babbling. I just.... I plan in advance what to say. I am basically, an actor, hah! If I know I'm going into a village or meeting someone in an inn, or talking to a lady or... well, you know, whatever... I have time to plan out in my head what I'm going to be saying and what the responses might be, and - hah - this in particular - what my face should look like. Is this the same for everyone? Anyway, I just assume so, but it takes effort to plan out what expression and response I should have in a situation, which is why it's just a little bit much when there's a lot of unexpected stuff going on. So I don't have my expressions or my responses prepared. Sorry, probably too much information again. I just wanted to sort of explain why most people in the villages we meet will say how I'm such a sociable bloke and all that... hah. They don't see me rehearsing all the time while I'm walking there hehe. When I don't get the rehearsal time hah I tend to do the talking thing. Sort of like what I'm doing now. Ehh, yep and if you were to say something in response I can't guarantee that my expression would be appropriate, hah. I really REALLY don't intend to offend. I just need a little preparation time to think about how you might react, and then how I should make my face look. I'm doing this quickly and probably badly in my head right now and I'm thinking that either you're going to go with pity, concern - most likely - agreement - unlikely but would be good - veiled terror - not so good... but I also need to figure out which one you are thinking! I mean, the yelling for the guards or stabbing me or something is probably obvious but people are so good at saying things and meaning something else. So I'm not so happy with my plan of action right now. I don't know if I need to prepare a reassuring smile, a grateful smile - what the hells the difference is going to look like - a placating action with no weapons visible and looking for a running-away-option. Heh. All possibilities, just started this conversation before I had time to think about what my outcomes might need to be. [Walker taps his fingers together] Yes. Yup. Hm. Anyway. Dinner." Walker gives a sort of hopeful tentative smile with his hands most definitely clear from his weapons.

Marron cheerfully congratulates Walker on joining the party and remarks "I can see why they call you Walker 'the Talker'!"

Marron then thanks Aislinn and Walker for agreeing to stay for the feast and moves away to help Saradoc load the Dragon Hide and the pack (letting the hobbit know to inform Kitty that it contains 'The Herbs from the Crag.')

Saradoc sets off with the hobbit merchant to Percival's Keep.

(DM: Assume that Walker and Eye can communicate if they are in line of sight - which is about a mile vertically up out of doors on a clear day with no ground cover!
Eye is a real bird that has been magically enhanced, so can indeed travel away to the Keep with Saradoc and listen in to his conversations. N.B. The staff at the Keep are familiar (heh) with Walker's familiar and will feed and generally look after her. Note that Eye would need to fly back to Walker to pass on any information gained that way.)

Walker and Aislinn have a quiet conversation (Walker notices that the women have giggled a bit in his direction and then dispersed.)

After all the above events have finished, Farmer Giles appears and greets Aislinn, Marron and Walker. He asks politely "Once our hearty meal is completed, would you do me the honour of providing some entertainment?
I heard that you impressed Count Percival on one such occasion - it would be a celebration of your great Deed as well.'

Marron nods. "I cannot speak for my companions, but I would be delighted to offer something."
Giles promptly thanks him.

Marron whispers to Aislinn and Walker "I can play my flute ... and then if it would assist either of you, I can cast the Clerical spell Light to make an object glow brightly."

Walker's eyes flick immediately to Aislinn in a brief panic-moment, given his (admittedly one-sided) conversation he just had with her.

"Umm. I, umm. Well, we could, umm. I'm not really anything of a performer, hah. I, umm. I suppose I could give an account of what occurred, but I am more used to giving these sorts of accounts to the - heh - to the Count, hah, sorry, bad pun, but anyway, I mean. Well. I'm used to reporting back when I've returned from a journey. I give the necessary information, I pass on questions and grievances, and suchlike... I wouldn't say it's anything particularly entertaining. I try to keep strictly to the facts and such, so that the scribe only gets the facts of the matter. I'm no bard spinning wild tales of glory, hah! I report the facts back to the Keep or bring the news to the villages. I don't see how I can be any help with entertaining people."

He thinks for a moment, genuinely lost in how he could possibly be of any use here. He wasn't telling a word of a lie when speaking to Aislinn just now - lying just isn't a thing that makes any sense to Walker, and it has taken him quite a bit of people-watching to spot the signs of people being untruthful, but it's a skill he's not quite mastered himself. It is just literally not in his nature to tell an untruth. Telling a story is... well, it's telling the facts*, like a report to the Count, or it's a story like the bards do. He's watched bards give fine performances that he knows quite well are works of fiction, but he just doesn't really quite get the point of it and certainly doesn't have any clue how he'd be able to do anything here. Maybe with enough time he could try to put words together that sound more like the bards manage than just a status report? Unlikely.

As he is internally arguing with himself in this fraction of a second as he processes Farmer Giles' request and Marron's apparent willingness to comply, Walker feels a familiar tug in his brain and looks up to see Eye. She gives him the Look again, and in his head he hears her familiar voice. "It's fine. We've got this. WE have got this, okay? Let the others lead. I can help."


* (though, admittedly, probably unbeknownst to Walker, he's probably taken someone at their word and repeated a story that was unwittingly untrue. He would tend to take someone at their word, or at least if there was some foul play going on, interrogate to be happy enough that the truth was being said. A simple tale about some shenanigins in a village he will probably just take at face-value. He's not an idiot, he just isn't good at people.)

Farmer Giles ushers Aislinn, Marron and Walker into the large farm kitchen, where heaps of food with a jolly pleasant aroma awaits.
The party are invited to join the Farmer at the head of the table, with shepherds, farmhands and other workers also seated.
Before the meal, Giles says cheerfully "Blessing to Nimue for her bounty and to Arthur for his protection...now let's eat!"

There is a happy hum of conversation and plenty of plate-passing of the delicious simple fare.

The party are welcome to chat ...

... and later on in the meal Giles remarks proudly "All this food is from my farm, so as local as you like. Farmer Maggot is my good neighbour and he also produces fine food. You may have noticed that we compete every year for trophies at the Shire Fair."

As the meal comes to a close, Giles looks expectantly at the party.

Marron mutters to his colleagues "Would you like me to perform on the flute now? Remember I can cast a Light spell if desired..."

Aislinn, when she had the opportunity earlier, reassured Walker that she finds nothing odd about having to wear a sort of figurative 'mask' to fit in, or to practice one's behavior and reactions with care--not to mention the desire to hide whatever differences that seem to exist between oneself and others. The bandages are one example, although she didn't express that to Walker.

"If you ever need help to 'translate' something that is hard to understand," she told him earlier, "...or even a hint how to react should you wish, I'll try to oblige. Me, it's more of a choice. I prefer to hide my own reactions to things. It's easier to be ignored that way. But that's just..." She had shrugged and left the rest unspoken.

Now she sees Walker's reaction and places a very gentle, light and hopefully calming hand on his sleeve before slipping it away. Although she herself would very much like to hide--she's brought enough attention to herself in the square with the gamblers--she'll try to keep attention off him if necessary.

"I suppose if we must sing for our supper," she murmurs to Marron and Walker with a quick, guarded look at Farmer Giles some yards away, "I could do the lullaby again. I'm no poet or entertainer. I could do card tricks for them but after those knaves pulled their stunt, I'd rather not. Why don't you play first, Marron. That might appease them all."

Privately, to Walker, she belatedly thanks him for the offer of the cloak, but denies being cold. "Ever since the funeral I've been oddly... restless. Like I've been sitting too long and need to run. But even moving's not enough. I'm waiting for something. Good or bad, I don't know, but something in me is expecting something and it's just... not... happening."

She scowls, trying to think of a better explanation, since Walker might need a clearer description given the things he told her about himself. Then one strikes her. "You know when you think you have to sneeze and you're all ready to, it's almost there, but then... don't? And it's almost disappointing? That's how I feel."

Walker nods his thanks to Aislinn. She seems to understand him in some way, though he wasn't really sure that his sentences or thoughts were coherent. Maybe other people think the same way? He has noticed the bandages on her face but doesn't know about the reason for them, and - knowing himself how sometimes people like to conceal an aspect of themselves, be that personality or physicality, or ... whatever. It's not his place to ask or to draw attention. He certainly knows that he himself is more comfortable if people don't draw attention to anything that he would do to seem "odd".

"I understand what you mean about the sneeze, by the way. That thing you know is about to happen and then just ... doesn't. Hah. Sorry. I just thought you might be cold. But this itch.... is it something you think you need to act on? Is it something you've had before? If you've had it before, is it like... sort of something that portends an event or something worry about? Is it... do you think it's something that is affecting you personally, or is it something that is .... I don't know, a warning from elsewhere? Or maybe the nearby presence of something that is affecting you? Do you have any allergies? Or has someone perhaps hexed you in some way, do you think? Have you annoyed anyone... sorry, personal question. Actually, sorry, too many questions in general. Anyway. It seems we have...... ehhhhh..... it seems we have to perform." Walker's shoulders visibly slump.

Looking up at Eye, he then shrugs at Aislinn, "I have nothing for a performance. I'm not a performer. But if you can sing and Marron can play, I think Eye here could perform some aerial tricks. She would be even more impressive if Marron could use this 'Light' he mentioned to maybe illuminate her as she flies? I have a length of string and a lure that we practice with out in the fields - she swoops and comes to catch it then it's snatched away, that sort of thing. I don't think I'd even need to swing the lure around, to be honest, she knows what we need to do here. If Marron can maybe make her a bit more ... shiny? ... [Eye is currently a dark brown shape up in the dark brown shadows in the rafters] then she could perhaps put on a bit of a display of swooping and suchlike. Hah. I don't know. She just said that she'd help me. If you're singing and he's playing, perhaps she can be some visual display?"

Walker shrugs awkwardly and looks up at Eye, knowing she has heard all of this both with her keen hearing and in their mind link. He hears a soft voice in his mind, "I'll do what I can."

Marron quietly thanks Walker and Eye for offering to help.
He adds to his comrades "I'm sure that just having a magically-lit hawk fly whilst I play will really suit this audience. And Aislinn can then see if she wants to join in or not."

Marron casts Light on Eye, then begins a gentle tune on his flute as the illuminated Eye flies overhead.
Soon the two performers are working together - when Marron plays a flowing ripple, Eye swoops in accompaniment.

When they finish, the spectators beat the table in appreciation, then rise in a standing ovation.

Aislinn relaxes and stays seated as it's clear the party have fully entertained Farmer Giles and company.

As the workers wave cheerily at the party and depart, Farmer Giles heartily congratulates the adventurers, who are then shown to their room...

Walker looks visibly relieved as Eye takes centre-stage along with Marron's playing. She really is a beautiful bird and he always appreciates seeing her in flight like this - the way she can tuck her wings in for a swift dive, or spread them and soar. He hears her voice again in his head, with a certain cheeky tone to it, "I think I've got a career in this, what do you reckon?", as she swoops down over the guests again, wings alight and trailing flickers of the light spell that Marron has cast, managing to time it to the lilting tune he is playing.

As the evening draws to a close Walker would like to speak with his new companions before they turn in for the night.

"So, um. I think that went well. They didn't pelt us with rotten fruit at least! Seriously though, lovely playing, Marron. And thank you for the light display for my friend here. [He gives scritches to the back of Eye's neck]. I just wanted to sort of ask... where are you headed from here? Saradoc's going ahead to the keep and Eye's about to set off to fly with him and hopefully send back any urgent news, but have you two got any business I can help you with? What were you planning on doing. Hah! I guess we never really got to that part of the introductions. I've said what I do, but I don't know what your purpose is. I don't mean your life's purpose, hah! Just as in, where are you planning on heading next? Or do you just wait for news from the Keep? I suppose what I'm asking is, do either of you have a pressing Thing that you would like us all to help you with? I, for my part, am literally just wandering and helping out where I can, I have no pressing matters unless one gets pressed upon me, hah!"

Aislinn sits on a chair, hugging both knees up against her chest, as she looks at Eye and Walker with longing--not for the first time.

"I don't think we've anything specific ahead of us," she says eventually. "We only fought the dragon because it happened to attack while we were nearby. If the Count plans to assign us anything, I suppose we'll hear that from Saradoc--or your hawk. Walking around seems aimless to me but if that's what the Guild expects of us..."

With a shrug she looks down at her feet, toes curling inside her boots to keep warm--and also, more unconsciously, to make herself smaller. It's similar to the way she sleeps. She's slept curled up in a tiny ball since she left the Lizardfolk, and the habit hasn't changed even after a year with the scouts.

Walker shrugs, "Ok, well, I assume we'll see what tomorrow brings."

(with DM's permission for potential extension of a spell for narrative effect! - I assume the Light spell would have ended, but it would be nice for Eye to still be glowing :) )

A still-glowing Eye sits up on Walker's shoulder, but with the mental equivalent of a glance, she hops down to sit on the table between Walker and Aislinn. She stretches her neck in a way that's clearly showing the part where Aislinn has seen Walker give her scritches in their time together, sort of like a cat might look like it wants petting. It's hard to convey emotion in the black eyes of a hawk, but her slight slight shrug of the shoulders and stretch of the neck should convey the meaning. As she knows that she can't talk into Aislinn's mind as she can with Walker, she says to him in his mind, "I'd like scritches, please. She looks like she has nice hands. Also, she looks like she needs someone to give scritches to. I've seen her looking at me. Maybe she used to have a pet? Maybe she just wants to ruffle my lovely feathers. But I think she'd appreciate it. Don't tell her this, of course."

Eye preens herself calmly.

Walker blushes again and says to Aislinn, "Umm. Eye would like some petting, she says apparently your hands look better than mine. I feel a bit bad that I've been giving her inadequate scritches, hah!"

Marron smiles happily as Walker and Aislinn seem to bond.

He explains to Walker that the Light spell will last for about 20 minutes (the time increases as Marron gains levels) and adds "So far so good for our Guild - we have the respect of the Count and many locals."

Marron continues carefully "Walker, you are an ideal chap to help us with your fighting prowess and local knowledge. Would you consider joining us as an associate member of the respected Drannasmor Scout Guild?
Our mission (should you decide to accept it) would be to first return to the Keep to claim our reward, then look for a possible headquarters for a branch of the Scout Guild here in Sherwoodshire. All the while we would try to help the decent folk in the area and foil the plans of evildoers!"

Blinking in surprise at Walker's offer, Aislinn distractedly agrees with Marron that returning to the Keep for any reward is a good plan. Possibly there will be some order from the Count, as well, or perhaps other word from the Guild.

She looks from Eye to Walker and back again, then starts to reach out slowly toward the hawk. Then, seeing her glove, she retreats and pulls off the glove from her ringless right hand before again moving closer.

Her fingertips tremble a bit as they rest on Eye's smooth brow. Aislinn inhales and holds her breath while gingerly petting and, when comfortable doing so, scritching the bird's incredibly soft neck. She glances quickly at Walker to flash him a small grateful smile before returning focus to Eye.

"I'm sure you do a fine job," she says in a reverent whisper to the ranger. "I can't imagine what having a Familiar is like but I doubt Eye would be so trusting now if you'd displeased her in some way. Likely she'd not tolerate anyone touching her if she had been mistreated." Aislinn's face burns and she falls silent, just enjoying the ability to connect, even briefly, with such a wild and noble creature.

When the bird seems to have had enough, she'll give Eye's head a final stroke and retreat a respectful distance, putting her glove back on while murmuring her thanks to both Eye and Walker.

Eye looks to Walker and communicates something at length that Aislinn can't catch - obviously - and Walker nods before passing on the message.

"Umm. Eye would like me to convey that your scritiches were [and at this point he gives a brief glare at his hawk] 'above average' [second glare] and that if you wouldn't mind, she would like you to be be - her words, not mine - "Chief Scritcher". So. Ummm. I sort of guess that means she likes you, hah!"

At this point, Eye would hop up to Aislinn's shoulder, tentatively.... she has been on the bench next to her so would judge whether it would be ok to hop up onto her shoulder. In Walker's head he just hears, "I like this one. Good scritches. I assume you don't mind if I perch here...?" She will attempt to hop up to sit in the familiar place Aislinn has seen her on Walker's shoulder.

Eye being a very cunning bird, would react to any sense that this wasn't comfortable. She just liked the petting she got there and wouldn't mind more of it.

Walker, of course hearing the echoes of all of this in his mind, is a little miffed that Eye has found someone to give better scritches. But then again, at the end of the day, she is a boon to him that he never thought he - him with no magical ability at all! - would ever have as a companion, and if someone else's hands are softer for stroking, then so be it!

Walker also wonders how he can convey Eye's thoughts to Aislinn better, so that she can ... he doesn't know... somehow have something like the communication or connection that he has? Probably not possible, but he thinks that Eye has made a good connection with Aislinn. Something to think on for further communications,,,,


"Umm! And, Marron, yes, I would be heading back to the keep anyway probably. My plan was for Eye to fly along with Saradoc here, who clearly wants a headstart, then let her give us notice of what might be needing our attention. Mine and Eye's, that was, hah. You're welcome to join in! If you would accept me, then yes I would gladly take the role of an associate member and of course I would do as I've always been doing here - helping the decent folk and trying to stop the others, hah! I mean, it's not a difficult decision to make in life, is it?"

For
[DM: not sure who's check this is? would like Eye to attempt to perch upon Aislinn's shoulder. Not sure if it's an Aislinn "WTF GET AWAY FROM ME" roll or what]

Pleased--for some reason embarrassingly so--by the news that Eye approves of her, Aislinn thanks and conveys her willingness to, well, scritch, first addressing Eye, then Walker. (It seems like the proper order of things, if Eye is as individual as any thinking living creature.)

When Eye hops closer and makes overtures to flap up on her shoulder, Aislinn instinctively jerks back in surprise. The hawk is not a little bird, particularly to someone as small as her. But from the looks Walker's giving her, and even... she's not sure how she knows this, but even from something in Eye's gem-like onyx gaze... there's no threat or anger intended.

If Eye does actually flap up to her shoulder, this too will alarm the young woman. Eye's wings are powerful and talons not exactly gentle as they grip her left shoulder. But small discomfort aside, it's a breathtaking honor (literally, since again Aislinn is holding her breath in wonder) to be so trusted. And how wonderful to consider the possibility that, not only has Aislinn proven her trustworthiness, but Aislinn can trust Eye, as well.

She remembers that Arctic Wolf from her childhood, far away in the forest but still near enough to reveal pale, ice-blue eyes glinting in the moonlight and the wind ruffling the soft white fur on its neck and chest. She felt safe then and with its mystical counterpart, perhaps gone forever now. But here is Eye. Not her bird, not her Familiar or even a friend. But it's someone she might let in.

Wincing--Eye's claws are sharp enough to be felt even though her shoulder's covered with her tunic, leather jacket and wool cloak--Aislinn nonetheless gives another smile to first Eye, then Marron to see if he approves of this, and finally Walker. "You may have said," she says in a quiet even voice intended not to disturb the hawk. "Forgive me if so. But how long have you and Eye--I mean, the hawk, not me--been... together? How do such connections form?"

Walker nods in approval to Eye, who checks over her shoulder before hopping as gently as she can up onto Aislinn's arm, noting that there is a slight flinch but that overall it seems acceptable. She is aware that her talons might be painful but can't do much about that. She senses that Aislinn seems somewhat comforted by the presence of a creature and conveys this to Walker's mind, "This one has an affinity for animals... I'm not sure if birds or.... something else. Did she not summon a wolf before? I was far away but I caught it in your mind and you've mentioned it since. Does she have a pet or companion like me? Or lost one? Is the wolf lost? Or something more mundane like a pet at home?"

Walker blinks, it's always a little confusing when someone is talking to you in person and then Eye's voice is also in your head! It's like trying to follow two conversations at the same time and he misses part of Aislinn's question [waiting on GM info!] but replies, "Oh, hah! As I think I've said, probably too many times hah, I don't have any magic myself. Druid Kitty managed to bottle up a spell...? I think...? I don't know how it works. I've met wizards and suchlike who can summon companions like Eye here, but they do it via a spell. Druid Kitty managed, I think, to make that spell into a potion... I drank the potion - which tasted vile, by the way - and then sort of, meditated? for a while and Eye came to me. She just flew down from the sky and seems just like a normal hawk [ Eye turns to give a definite glare to him ] but just spoke straight into my mind, and said that she would be my companion. She sometimes goes and does her own thing [at this point Walker gives a semi-glare to Eye, perched on Aislinn's arm and preening herself ] but we have this.... .I don't know to to explain. Maybe someone with magic can explain? She speaks... not out loud, obviously... but she speaks and I hear it in my mind, and she can hear me too. So, that's how the connection formed, I guess. I don't know, sorry, if I could give more info I would.

"Umm. Eye says that she notices you are good with animals, or at least seem to be comfortable. She says she noted your flinch initially, hah, and says she's trying to be gentle with her talons. Heh, there is a reason I wear this! [Walker gestures to his thick leather pauldrons] But yes, she just wanted to know, do you have a pet or a companion? Sorry if it's a personal question, it's just difficult to convey what a bird is saying in my head to you, I'm basically being a translator here, hah! I admit now that obviously I don't know anything about you or your background, I don't even know if you live just around the corner and have a beloved dog to return home to, hah!"

(Walker is back to babbling because asking personal questions is difficult, and he knows - though Eye knows less - that there is an issue about a wolf that seems to appear sometimes and maybe die? Or not die? He is desperate to ask about this, prompted by Eye's comments about Aislinn being seemingly comforted by an animal, but it's just too difficult to ask and even with his social awkwardness, gets that this might be a step too far and that breaching the wolf-issue will come up when Aislinn's ready. For now maybe it's just a family pet sitting at home that she's thinking of. Yup.)

"So, yep. Yep yep. I'm going to stop talking now and let you and Marron do your planning. Just wanted to let you know that Eye is happy there if you're happy with her there. She's pretty keen at sensing if it's not comfortable for you. Just saying. She seemed to think you would like it, and she clearly [another slight glare] appreciates your touch, so just shrug her off if it becomes annoying, or painful. I guess, if she is going to be landing on you for a while I should probably lend me one of my pauldrons, hah!"

[DM: If both Eye and Walker are happy for Aislinn to pet Eye, then no roll is needed by them. Meanwhile Aislinn can react however she likes.
P.S. There are some notes on Familiars in the companion thread.]

Marron is nodding cheerfully at this sign of friendship between his companions and he welcomes Walker joining the Scouts.

Eye settles on Aislinn’s shoulder and accepts her scritches.
The bird then swivels its head and takes a gentle peck at the bandage on Aislinn’s left cheek. Before Aislinn can react, the bandage is drawn back enough to reveal a tattoo – a capital E followed by two upright oars.

As Aislinn hastily replaces the bandage (and Eye flutters back to Walker), Marron gasps “That E means an Empire Slave tattoo! But have no fear - your secret is safe with me. I will never let the evil Empire recapture you!”
After a slight pause he adds “Errr … what does the rest of the tattoo mean?”

Aislinn, who was about to respond to Walker's courteous questions, is shocked by Eye's sudden gesture and though she yanks the bandages back in place in hopes that the others might not have seen, that hope is dashed.

Face aflame with mortification, Aislinn jumps up from her seat and backs away from her colleagues. She can't bear to look at either of them, especially Marron. His blurted observation hardly gives her confidence in his ability to keep secrets, noble Arthurian though he may be.

(She does give Eye a stricken look of betrayal, although of course the Hawk was just doing what birds do.)

The day has been a disaster. First Psshtpok reveals far more than she would wish to have shared--else she would have, after a year of training with the Scouts--and now this.

At least they have not seen the whole of her face. She doesn't know what the rest means any more than any of the Lizardfolk did, or these men either. But it means something and she suspects it is not to her favor.

"I--I don't know what to do," she manages, aiming the words at Walker. "I've tried so hard to..." Her hand flutters weakly toward her bandage before she drops her arm and finally faces Marron. "Why would you--how could you not understand that I did not want you to know, much less speak of this? You may mean your promise, but how can I trust it?"

After a few seconds Aislinn exhales and covers her eyes. "But what choice have I? If I leave I'll never know what you've shared, accidentally or purposely. If you are lawful you would have a right to report me to any Empire patrol you meet up with; I am theirs legally. If I stay..."

She shakes her head wearily and hugs herself. "You might know already that harboring an escaped--someone like me--endangers the group. Me most of all, but you as well. Empire patrols will not spare any protectors. I am in your hands now. If you have questions of me, do so. But I can't provide much." Her voice is soft but bitter. "I don't know much."

Walker sees this happen and has an immediate - and quite angry - conversation in his head with Eye.

"WHAT THE HECK? EYE! You and I BOTH know that whatever Aislinn is covering is something important to her! I know as well as you do that we've both seen her adjust those bandages because she didn't want whatever scar, tattoo, disfigurement, whatever was seen! We've both seen this and we haven't commented because IT WOULDN'T BE POLITE! You KNEW this! What the heck were you thinking?! I thought you had just managed to gain her trust and now you do this??"

Eye just glances at Walker and gives a bird-shrug.

As this mental tirade happens, Walker would glance aside as Aislinn adjusts her bandages, but would not help but notice Marron's reaction, and seeing the tattoo himself he knows what it means, but would not say anything until she speaks.

"Aislinn. I... I know what it means. Both parts. I know what it must have taken you to get here, and I know that there are some who would use that to their advantage, [he gives one of his customary shrugs] and would [he hesitates slightly]... sell you back to where you came from. I have only just met the pair of you but I hope you can take me at my Word. I swear that I would not reveal anything you do not want revealed, and I also swear that I would protect you against those who would try to.... well, either reveal what you don't want revealing [at this point he gives a very pointed glare at Marron and a mental-equivalent of a glare at Eye] and certainly against those who would try to capture you to sell you back into ... whatever hells you were in. I'm sorry for Eye. She... I guess she knew what she was doing, but I had no part in that. I could see - as could she, the little sod - that you wanted to keep that from us.

"I know you have no reason to trust me, so all I can do is give you my Word, and to me, that is the most important thing a man can give. I give my Word that you are safe with me - as far as I can protect you - and there is the Law, and the LAW. Some laws are not right. I believe myself to be lawful of character but I will not - cannot - abide by laws that cause harm or imprisonment or enslavement of innocents."

Walker looks up to Marron, unsure how to judge this. "I would not report, nor fear an Empire patrol. You have known each other longer as a pair of Scouts. I would assume that you would be the same and that your promise is true."

Looking back to Aislinn, "I honestly with all of my heart trust Druid Kitty. There may be something, some potion or salve that could help disguise whatever else you are hiding. I recognised the sigil - you were on a boat? I don't want to ask too many questions, hah! You said you don't have much to give us, but do you know where you came from? Also.... it's probably too much to ask, but Eye only revealed that, which both Marron and I - and Eye - recognised.... is there anything else? Maybe one of us would know something if you don't?

"Also, just as a suggestion, and we don't have to even mention you.... Druid Kitty is well used to me coming to her to ask for various potions and poultices for the villagers I've visited, so even if you would be unwilling to reveal your face to her, I'm sure we could come up with something that would possibly conceal it, if you were concerned that your bandage might come loose?

"In terms of Empire patrols... well, your disguise seems to have worked well so far, hah! At least until some sodding bird decided to intervene [another glare at Eye, who is studiously ignoring him] so if you want to continue together, as I said, I would aim to protect you and I swear that I would not give you up to the Empire."

Walker bows his head slightly, and Aislinn would notice that his hand reaches up and just for a moment he grasps the circular pendant that hangs on a chain around his neck.

Marron is mortified and apologises to Aislinn. "I am so sorry - I should have realised you did not want to speak of this. My only defence is that I stand completely opposed to everything the Mordred Cabal does."

He waits for Walker to speak, then adds "I cannot believe that Count Percival would allow escaped slaves to be taken back from within his beloved Sherwoodshire. It is one thing to have diplomatic relations with an enemy - quite another to allow them to operate with impunity. Now the Empire may try to seize you illegally - but I will defend your liberty with my life if necessary! That is the Arthurian Tradition."

Marron chokes back a tear.

Aislinn tries to slow her breathing. The trained instinct to kneel in apology--it must have been trained into her, she cannot believe this comes naturally--is so strong she must hold onto the door handle to remain on her feet.

"Forgive my harshness, Master Marron. Of course you meant no harm." She tries to meet his gaze, then shifts to Walker. "Please don't blame Eye, sir. It wasn't purposeful. Unless ensorcelled, animals aren't capable of cruelty. Not that sort of cruelty, anyway."

She swallows. "I'm very grateful for your assurances. Both of you. Truly, I don't know what I should do. No one but the Lizardmen have seen this--this thing." Her hand rises to her cheek, as if hiding what's already beneath the bandage. "I didn't even know I had it when they rescued me. They told me what I must have escaped, but I remember nothing of that life before waking up in their care. Almost nothing," she says softly, gaze falling to the floor before she looks up again.

"I was warned of the danger, if anyone saw the marks. Lizardfolk have little magic, so they couldn't have vanished or obscured it even if there's some spell or potion to do so. But I've never heard of there being any such ability, not for long."

Aislinn turns back to Walker. "You may be right about Mistress Kitty; I would like to return to her and ask for the boon; she does seem powerful. Whether I should travel with you both, though... I'm honored by your promises of protection and secrecy. But I--I don't know I should believe them, or if they even can be fulfilled." Her face burns in awkward embarrassment. "Please know, if I don't trust such vows, it's not because of you yourselves. I'm just--there are reasons--" She cuts off her words, knowing they must seem insulting to people with such fervent beliefs.

The thought of leaving Marron, a familiar face since beginning her training, is overwhelming. And Walker too. She's known him but a single day and already he's been so kind and gallant. Will she have to be alone again? Return to the year she spent scurrying through villages like a fleeing mouse?

But surely that's better than relying on near-strangers. Or worse, far worse, endangering them.

Aislinn shakes her head. The magnitude of what she's just done--how vulnerable she's made herself by speaking so much, revealing all this after years of silence. Panic churns in her stomach and threatens to move up to constrict her breath.

"I'm sorry, I need the night air," she finishes weakly, her hand clutching the door handle even more tightly. "And we should rest, anyway. Can we speak on the morrow?"

Marron replies to Aislinn "Of course - it's been a long day and we deserve some relaxation."

Aislinn steps out of the room.

Marron grins at Walker "We did really well today - I look forward to our reward when we return to Percival's Keep."

As Aislinn leaves the room, she almost collides with a manservant who is carrying a wooden crate.
The startled chap stares at Aislinn, gives out a scream, drops the crate and scurries off towards the kitchen.

Just seeing a man right outside the door--inches from where she's been revealing dangerous, shameful truths about herself--seizes Aislinn's heart with a clenched fist of fear. He heard, she thinks with grim certainty. He heard!

And he's searching for someone to report her to.

She staggers back several steps toward the opposite end of the corridor, preparing to run, but then realizes flight will do little if this man gets away and shares her location. Terrified and furious at herself, she stares from right to left, seeing nothing to use as a weapon. Really there's nowhere to flee, anyway.

The man must be stopped. But Aislinn isn't fast enough, she can't possibly pose a threat--

A single impulse bursts from where it lay buried in her brain, her head aching as if it's physically split her skull in two. Crying out and closing her eyes against the pain, she doesn't think, she doesn't move, she just does the only thing that feels right and true. It's hopeless, she knows: the protection she seeks died thanks to her poor use of it--killed in front of her.

All this flashes in her thoughts before it's crushed into a tiny speck, enveloped by a greater power. The futility of what she's about to do doesn't seem to matter to her instinct, which seems to act on its own, practically forcing her to swing her arm out in front of her to aim a gloved finger at the hallway ahead.

Aislinn holds her breath before uttering a single whispered command: "Wolf."

As then manservant disappears round a corner, a large, muscular White Wolf appears next to Aislinn.

Hearing the scream, Marron glances at Walker, then strides out of the room (one hand on his Holy Symbol and the other on one of his Clubs.)

Seeing no combat, Marron studies the White Wolf with a mixture of nervousness, respect and recognition. He murmurs "I've seen you before - you're on our side, aren't you?"

The crate the manservant was carrying has slightly split open - revealing freshly picked vegetables.

Hearing the feminine-sounding scream, Walker notes that it doesn't sound like Aislinn, but came from the direction she just left in. Seeing Marron striding ahead he murmurs in his mind and Eye flies on ahead above Marron while Walker follows behind Marron. Eye would probably see first, and would convey to Walker in his mind, "Uhh. Massive wolf. This one the friendly one? Can't see any damsels in distress. Aislinn looks ok. Bit panicked but I don't think she's been attacked. There's some vegetables....?"

Walker at this point would have received this information and caught up to Marron and sees him talking to the wolf. He looks to Aislinn and asks, quietly and tentatively, as she still seems somewhat panicky and/or unsure of the situation, "Is this your wolf? The one that helped you before? How did it come here? I... I didn't see it come in? I thought it was de... never mind... Also, is someone injured? We heard a woman scream."

Eye would fly ahead to see what she can see around the end of the corridor.

Eye flies down the corridor and makes a smooth turn.
The hawk can see (and hear) Farmer Giles comforting a slightly distressed manservant.

Giles is reassuring and comments that anyone could be on edge after the events of the last two days.
He tells the manservant to get a cup of hot mead from the kitchen and recover the vegetables later.

Giles then looks up, sees Eye and raises a hand in salute.
He speaks to the bird "Everything OK? Tell Walker I'm coming."
Giles starts to stroll down the corridor towards the party.

Aislinn stands stock still. She's shocked by what she just did, shocked by the strange circle of warmth on her left ring finger that's now fading, and above all shocked to see Wolf again. Kneeling to the animal's height--actually, he's large enough to be a little taller than her when she kneels--she stares into his arctic blue eyes. "You're back," she murmurs in wonder.

But there's no time for a reunion. She recovers and quickly points down the corridor. "Hurry, attack the--"

The order dies unspoken--probably luckily for her companions. For beyond the wolf, she sees Walker. Marron. Eye flying towards her. They're in Wolf's way if he's going to catch the stranger.

But then she also sees a box of vegetables strewn on the floor. When reason seeps back into her panicked mind, Aislinn cringes in shame. The man had been afraid. Not predatory. Not greedy. Just scared.

"Hold. There is no danger," she says hoarsely. Marron--and then Walker--approaches to examine Wolf. "I'm sorry," she blurts to the men, so aghast she can't look at them. "I--I'm all right. I thought--there was someone right by the door, and I thought he might be... a threat."

This is precisely what Aislinn has tried to avoid since leaving the first Lizardfolk tribe: calling attention to herself. As she feared, being among people may not be good for her.

She continues staring at the Wolf. "As for Wolf... I thought he was dead, killed by the dragon. I wasn't able to call him back before and I assumed... I don't understand it. I don't understand why he's here now. If I ask when I need him, he appears. That's what he did when I was a child, too. But if I ask when I just want him... That doesn't seem to be enough." She looks questioningly at Wolf. "Is that it?" she whispers.

But he doesn't speak, which disappoints but doesn't surprise her. She and the Wolf are not like Walker and Eye.

Aislinn would test her theory by asking Wolf to leave, then attempting to call him back now that she doesn't need him. But she's afraid to be without him just now. She's confused and unnerved, and would very much like to have him by her side as she walks.

"Forgive me for causing any alarm. And thank you for trying to help." The words are to both her companions and Wolf. After a slight hesitation, she reaches out and tries to let Wolf catch the scent of her hand. Maybe it will trust her enough to allow her to pet him? While doing this, she forces herself to add: "Master Walker... when Eye flew down there, she didn't see anything untoward? I know it was nothing but I--I must ask."

Walker's eyes blink briefly as Aislinn and Marron would assume he is hearing something in his mind from Eye.

"She says the man - really that was a man? Wow, ok. Anyway - is ok. Farmer Giles is here, he's reassured the man.... he was only scared because everything has been a little nervy around here recently and he wasn't expecting someone to come in through that staff door.

"Your ...? wolf, is she... it... they.... here for good? Are they ok? I........."

At this point you can see Walker clearly running through situations in his head.

"That's a very .... very nice........ very nice, yes.... but also very large and ......... sorry, can't put it in other words... very obvious wolf. Can you ..... I don't know how this works, you say it comes when you need it, but what after then? The imminent need (not sure there actually was one) has gone (and dropped his vegetables along the way) so does your wolf - assuming it's yours and it's not about to attack us - just disappear? Or did it jump through a window to get to you? I don't see how it could BE here, aside from magic. Which I guess came from you? And now....... I don't want to be awkward about this, but there's a massive wolf right next to you, and if it doesn't go away with magic, we are going to have a slight problem walking out of here."

[noticing as he says this that Aislinn is indeed kneeling next to the wolf]

"Are you talking to it in its mind? - it looks like you're talking to it - ok, what does it say? Is it magical? Will it stay or leave? ................... if it's staying then we have the aforementioned problem of getting out of here without terrifying everyone with a massive WOLF!"

At that point, presumably, or not too much later, Eye would swoop gracefully back around the corner, followed not too far behind by Farmer Giles.

As Wolf makes no defensive reaction to her gesture, Aislinn bites her lip and removes the glove from her right hand. Then hesitantly, cautiously, she extends her reach to stroke his head. His fur is as luxuriously thick and warm as she imagined--and the wolf pushes up against her hand as if pleased. Oh, how wonderful, she thinks in delight.

Continuing to pet Wolf very gently, she hears Walker's questions and obvious anxiousness about the possibility of suddenly being saddled with a huge Arctic Wolf.

"Truthfully I don't know who's doing the magic. I think it's... both?" Aislinn again looks into Wolf's eyes for some sign of an answer, but again gets confirmation that Wolf is not a Familiar.

"When in jeopardy I've called out for him three times now. First, when this large sea monster attacked us before arriving at the Keep, he appeared and attacked the enemy. I didn't see exactly what happened but the beast snapped out at Wolf and--injured him, I suppose. I don't remember. I'm sorry, my memory is..."

Flushing, Aislinn shakes her head. "I don't even recall how I knew to call for a wolf. Or for the mist, either. It just seems instinctive. I must have done it before."

She sighs when, predictably now, her head begins to throb. Quickly Aislinn changes her thoughts to the present and focuses on petting Wolf from nose to back. This too seems to be welcome. Perhaps Eye is right, and her scritching is of high quality.

"Anyway, then we fought the Dragon and I saw, I saw, the Dragon bite into and swallow him." Did she really see that? Or did she assume that after the bite, once Wolf was gone, it must have been eaten?

"And I called him just now, when I thought--I thought that man had listened outside our door and heard about my--my situation. But nothing's happened to Wolf this time. I wonder if he's in some realm, and can hear me if I beckon? And if he has the ability to vanish back there, to save himself, if actual harm befalls him?"

Aislinn gives Wolf a faint, rueful smile. "Marvelous indeed to have such a skill. I would give anything for that." Then she glances back to Walker. "You see he isn't dangerous, not to me. He doesn't talk to me, nor understand--well, I suppose he must; he does do as asked when I tell him what I need. So he has some intelligence. But otherwise he's a wolf." A miraculous wolf. Thank you, noble creature.

Finally she must address Walker's most serious concern. "As far as how long he stays, or how he goes, I don't know. I suspect not long. I think he would leave, if I wished it, but to be honest I don't want to ask him that, not right now."

Aislinn looks up at the men, now scratching behind Wolf's ear in a way he seems to like. "I want to walk with him while I take some air. If he stays, and is not welcome... well, it may not matter. We agreed to sleep on the matter of whether it's wise or even safe for me to travel with you." She rises at last, leaning against Wolf a little protectively. "We should talk on the morrow, as promised."

Eye flies back round the corner and settles on Walker's shoulder.

Farmer Giles follows shortly afterwards.
As soon as he sees the Wolf, he stops and assesses the situation.
Seeing everyone is standing calmly (and Aislinn is petting the Wolf) he remarks "What an ... impressive Wolf! I didn't see it arriving - but it seems to like you lot, so that's all right. Um - perhaps you could keep it away from the servants? Understandably, they've been on edge the last few days."
He adds "Well it's been a long day and we get up early on the farm - so I'm off to bed. Your room is ready (he points) and you're welcome to have a little patrol round outside if you want. Good night."

Walker nods at Aislinn, calmed slightly by her obvious friendship(?) with the wolf and that it's not an immediate danger, nor does there appear to be any other danger nearby. He's already seen she seems to have an affinity with animals and Eye has told him she had sensed the same as well, but he is bemused at her comment that she isn't speaking with the wolf, as he watches her pet the animal and instinctively seem to know where to pet the creature, he is confused slightly that she isn't somehow talking to it as he talks to Eye, and has become second-nature to him. As Eye returns he knows that Farmer Giles is just around the corner, and is slightly concerned still about the presence of a large wolf in the corridor, so would call out,

"Farmer Giles! I know you saw Eye! Just know that we are all ok and whatever you see here is not a problem!"

[edit: I don't know why but I sent this two hours ago so it should have arrived before GLee's post. Don't think there is a difference though.]

After nodding her agreement to Farmer Giles's request, Aislinn keeps her fingers scritching Wolf's head as she does the same to her companions. (The nodding, not the scritching.) "I won't be long. If you are sleeping when we--when I return, I will see you at sun-up."

She starts to turn but hesitates, looking down at the floor while addressing the men. "Perhaps when you are both without my company, you might consider whether your offers of protection are truly wise, or even well placed."

(If anyone says anything Aislinn will remain to respond if necessary; otherwise, she'll walk beside Wolf in search of a door outside, where she hopes to find a private path to stroll, take some air, and think on the problems whirling in her mind.

As Aislinn leaves, Walker would just say quietly, "I've known you for only a little time, but I put my trust in you and whatever....... past..... power....... whatever you have here. I trust you as a person, from what I've seen and felt in you. You are a good and honest person from what I've seen, even if you seem a bit... confused at times. That's fine. Eye is a far better judge of character and intentions than I ever have been, so if she has put her trust in you, then you are trusted by me as well. [Eye makes a soft almost purring caw]

"I could never force anyone to trust in me. Trust can't be forced upon someone, it's earned ......... you earned mine by your words, your actions up on the Crag, the way Eye is with you..... But I understand that you haven't known me long and that a man is often known for not keeping their word or for being ..... [Walker looks uncomfortable] ... unseemly... in their behaviour with women (or other men, hah!) but trust me or not; my word is true. I hope to earn yours some day. That is the best I can give you, and I don't know if you will believe in me, but I hope you will. And my word is that I will give you my protection, and I believe [he glances at Eye, who nods both physically and in his brain with a "don't be an idiot" comment] that it is very well placed."

He bows his head slightly again as she leaves and again reaches up to briefly grasp his pendant.

Marron responds solemnly to Aislinn's comment. "We have trained as Scouts together - and they only admit decent folk. I've seen you and you Wolf here do excellent things in combats against several dangerous and evil opponents. Thanks to you I have the Holy Symbol of Cleric Gawain."
Marron touches the Symbol reverently, takes a breath and continues "I gather there have been troubling events in your past - but all the evidence is that you are a true worshipper of Nimue. I renew my vow of protection and hope the three of us (he nods respectfully at Walker) will continue together to frustrate the Mordred Cabal!"

Marron bows at the other two and heads for bed.

DM: After replying (if she wishes) Aislinn has no difficulty in fond the front door. Outside there is plenty of light from the sunset for her to follow a path around the barn and animal sheds and back to the door.
All is quiet (apart from some snoring from the servant's quarters.)

Aislinn listens gratefully to the men, appreciating their strong beliefs and sincerity of their words. She notices both Walker's reflexive touch of the item around his neck as well as Marron's ardent hold on the Symbol; the latter is familiar to her, the former is not. Before she takes her permanent leave of their company in the morning--if she does--she hopes she remembers to ask Walker of the pendant's significance.

"Thank you, sirs. Till the morrow, then," she repeats gently. Turning, holding Wolf's thick fur as if he is holding her up, she finds her way outside and ruminates on everything that has happened, what her connection is to Wolf, whether she is more of a burden than her gallant companions are prepared for, if she'll ever truly remember the past without the pain of its breaking through her skull...

...And, as she suddenly recalls when she looks down at her left hand, just what that peculiar warm, tingling sensation had been when she'd last called for Wolf. She takes a furtive look around to ensure no one is about, then gingerly removes the leather glove to examine the usually hidden ring gleaming around her fourth finger. Politely she shows it to Wolf, too. Its gem is highly valuable, of course; she wouldn't have it otherwise. It's also magic--she knows that, having Detected its nature within the first Lizardfolk tribe that rescued her.

But exactly what it does eludes her. Why has it awoken only now? What is different? The other times she called Wolf, or the fog for that matter, it had remained as ever, a cool circlet easy to forget like any other piece of jewelry.

"Perhaps I should ask Marron," she murmurs to Wolf as she slips the glove back on. "If I truly do trust him with my life, I should trust him to Identify whatever this thing is. Especially if it will be part of the danger..."

She does not continue the thought, and they walk in silence. Wolf has remained by her side throughout, though Aislinn notices that when she is a little less certain of the path, he pads slightly ahead, as if aware just how much she needs his reassurance. "You may not be a Familiar," she whispers to him, "yet somehow you know me as well as one. I do wish you could speak."

Aislinn pauses near a curving of the path underneath some willowy trees shading them from view. "But if you spoke," she adds slowly, "perhaps you would be less... unhuman. I have not had the trouble with animals I have with humans."

She has to bend beneath the drooping leafy branches and move them aside to continue down the path to return where they started. They reach the door and she kneels down, looking into the pale blue depths of Wolf's eyes. "I am content with who you are," she vows. "Your natural self, a proper wild and free wolf. Even if you are somehow... enchanted. I hope you do not--"

A noise interrupts her. It's not very far, and sounds like the willows' leaves fluttering or scraping against something. But there is no wind that would disturb them. It must be something else brushing against them. Something moving towards her.

Heart leaping up within and almost choking her, Aislinn inhales sharply and lunges to her feet. The sound--sounds, they are continuing--come from around the curve of the path, past which she can't see. With hands clenched around the hilts of her knives, she takes a few stealthy, tentative steps nearer, and narrows her eyes to focus entirely on the likely spot where whoever it is will emerge. Thus she readies herself for whoever followed her.

To her extreme relief, a soft lowing sound precedes the appearance of a cow--a calf, really--who walks through the leaf-shrouded path to stare, just as surprised at seeing the small young woman crouching with knives clenched in her hands.

Aislinn exhales with a shaky laugh. "You seem lost," she says, sheathing her weapons. "Oughtn't you to be with the others back in barnyard? Or do you have free rein here?" Uncertain whether she needs to lead the calf elsewhere, she straightens, pats the gangly calf's hide with reassurance. "Do you know how to get back?"

The animal makes a sort of whuffing noise and seems to have received the encouragement it needed. Turning around, it trots away along the path. Somewhat protectively, Aislinn follows it a few paces around the bend to make sure the calf is indeed heading in the direction of the barn.

"I'm glad she's not the one who comes when I call," Aislinn murmurs with a slight smile, and turns back on the path, ducking past and beneath the hanging willow branches until--her mood considerably lighter than just five minutes ago--she's again able to see the door where she left Wolf.

Aislinn's cheerful mood suddenly changes when she realises that there is no sign of Wolf.
Apart from the path she just came from, there is a clear view across the farm - yet her companion is nowhere to be seen.

Aislinn thinks quickly - perhaps one of her companions can track where Wolf went?
She hurries back to their room...

Aislinn's pace slows when she reaches the room Farmer Giles indicated and, just before opening the door, she manages to remember to quietly announce her presence before entering.

(Are the men readying for sleep, or already lying down? On beds? Bedrolls? Hay? What do they have to sleep on here?)

"He's gone again," she says without preamble, her voice strangled by her attempt to control herself. "Wolf. I left him for only moments, there was this sound and I had to see what it was."

Swallowing, she fights the swell of regret for having been foolish enough to be afraid of a mere calf. "I know he's likely left just as he arrives--from thin air. But maybe--" Aislinn's gaze focuses on Walker. "Please, sir, I'm sorry to ask this. I know you're tired and you don't much approve of his being with us, but--but if you are willing to get up again, do you think you could track him? In case he did run somewhere, rather than just... vanish." She shakes her head and finishes softly, "I wish to understand him."

DM: Farmer Giles has a couple of carpenters on hand, so as honoured guests the party have simple wooden bedsteads with feather mattresses (from geese and ducks, but not chickens!)
Servants have mattresses stuffed with straw.

Walker would have been readying himself for the next day, rather than for bed, so he is currently sitting and unstringing his bow, checking and waxing the string, laying out his daggers and checking they are clean and sharp. (He hasn't got round to his armour yet, so he's still fully clothed!)

Seeing Aislinn enter he's honestly quite surprised, as he wasn't sure if she was going to return this evening... or at all.

"I... Ok, firstly, thank you for returning, and... I don't know what to say.... sorry for your loss? But... it seems you don't think he's *gone*, he's just... wandered off? Well, I can certainly track beasts, but I'm not sure if your wolf - and just to be clear, I have no issue whatsoever with it, hah! I was just, understandably, concerned by its presence at first! - is indeed even a beast so something I can track with my usual skills. I can follow the trail of a regular wolf through the forest, or bandits, or well, most things, but I don't honestly know if your wolf is a creature that I can track. It appears from nowhere and similarly disappears to ... wherever.... but I can try."

Standing up, Walker re-strings his bow and re-sheaths his daggers - just in case - then would say,

"Ok, no problem if you don't know, and sorry if it's an awkward question as well, but firstly, when you walked with your wolf, did you notice if he made any tracks? Any imprints in the ground? I don't know where you walked outside but there are some softer patches, did you notice if his paws even made a dent? Secondly - sorry - I know that you touched him, you were petting him, does your.... heh.... awkward, sorry.... does your hand smell? You know how when you pet a dog there's a dog-smell on your hand afterwards? Does your wolf......... again, sorry, awkward question........ does your wolf smell? Sorry, that won't help me track him but I am just trying to find out if we're looking for something that's an actual real beast or something magical that doesn't necessarily leave a trace..."

Walker looks to see what Marron's reaction is (or if he's asleep already!), but regardless would offer, "I'll come outside with you and you can show me where you last saw your wolf, and we'll see what I can do."

Marron was just dozing off, but rapidly gets up and dresses (also arming himself.)

He says to Aislinn "Don't worry - we'll all look for your Wolf. I can see he means a lot to you."

Marron then addresses Walker "I won't get in your way, but I can still be useful. As the sun has set, I can supply a magical spell of Light to help you find any tracks."

Walker nods thoughtfully. Again, this magic is beyond his ken, but he does know tracking and moving at night, so he would ask Marron,

"That could indeed be useful when looking for tracks.... but I have found when tracking or hunting in the night, a light source will blind you to things occurring outside of the light. How are you able to control this magical light? If it is like a simple torch or lantern then we will be blinded to anything but what it is pointing at. Are you able to control its colour? Others I have travelled with in the past have used lanterns but painted with red on the glass or with chemicals added to their torches that made the flames red - you have to buy these from the alchemists so painting your lantern is easier - and it means your darkvision is not affected as much...... otherwise I think I might be more effective by simply letting my eyes adjust to the darkness and going from there.

"Basically, if your light is going to illuminate a massive area then it would be helpful, yes, but if it is a small area such like a torch or lantern, unless you can make it glow red I would prefer darkness and moonlight."

He does a characteristic shrug. "I don't know how your magic works. But that is how I work. Red light could help me, LOTS of light could help me, but a smaller amount of light would make it possibly more dangerous because we'd be visible to others, and our OWN vision would be impaired beyond the light. This is just from experience... again, I don't know how this 'light' spell works, heh!"

Marron smiles happily at Walker's explanation of the tracking requirements and says "The Light spell brings bright daylight. If I cast it inside a lantern with coloured glass, it would naturally change the colour. It's versatile - I can cast the spell on a pebble and throw it (to light our path ahead); negate a Darkness spell cast by a monster or even try to block an opponent's vision by casting directly at their eyes.
In this case it's pure white light and I offer you two choices: general illumination of a wide area or give you effectively a 'miner's lamp' (by casting the spell on your forehead.)"

He adds "I appreciate your thought of the spell attracting unwanted attention - but we are on a friendly farm and well-armed!"

Aislinn has opened her mouth to speak a few times, but doesn't want to interrupt the men's discussion over the details of their abilities and how best to prepare for a search.

She's overwhelmed, honestly. Also upset, and a little embarrassed as well. Her fingers worry the edges of her cloak while they speak. The extent of their willingness to go into action as a result of her request surprises her.

When she can jump in, Aislinn grips her hands together. "Please--I don't mean for you to go to such trouble. I do think it's much more likely that Wolf left as he came. I only wanted to make sure. It's just... I don't like not knowing." She sighs and turns to Walker. "I didn't notice any tracks of either of us, Master Walker, but the sunset was deepening and I wasn't paying attention anyway. As for smell..."

She lifts her glove-clad hands. "They smell of hide, as usual. I don't think I'd notice anything different. There was a cow--a calf--and I touched her, just a pat to get her back on the path to the barn."

Aislinn shakes her head uselessly. "You needn't go to such trouble. I only thought if it was something easy... I suppose it was a foolish impulse. I want to understand Wolf; I care for him, and as he has helped me so often, I think he must feel the same. To the extent a wolf can care about anyone. I'm not used to even being liked. At least not in a--in a good way. He wants nothing from me."

Her cheeks burn and she looks around the room at the new beds. "They've been hospitable, giving us such comfort," she says awkwardly, trying to change the subject, before turning swiftly to Marron and Walker. "Please, forget the search. If you doubt it'll come to anything, you're probably right. If you think it worthwhile..." She shrugs and tugs her cloak around her.

Walker is already up and putting on his cloak, and noting Marron is getting dressed as well, replies and thanks him for his explanation of his spell abilities. "Well, if we are just looking for signs of where the wolf went, then I suspect that illuminating the area as best you could would be the most sensible option. If it is indeed a beast then I should be able to find traces of where it went.... though, being on a farm might make finding specific tracks a bit difficult, hah! I assume there are a fair few animals wandering around. Aislinn - you said you saw a wandering calf, for example?

"And, Aislinn, I see you don't want to bother us, but.. for me at least... this is no bother. It is almost literally my job, hah! I know this wolf is important to you, and is also something of a mystery that I personally would like to find more about. Even if you think you don't want me to go out and search, I'm going to anyway. I've said before that magic is beyond me, so I am fascinated by this wolf that comes to you in ... times of need? ... and then leaves. If it is a true beast that has wandered away (still doesn't explain how it got in, or up to the crag, hmm) then I'll be able to find it. And if I do or don't, at least I - we - will know something more about it, maybe.

"Just on something you said before, that it came when you needed it. I mean no offence, but in the corridor down there, you did seem a little panicked, and perhaps your walk outside which you said you needed to clear your head, meant that this wolf that comes when you need it, felt you were calm enough that it wasn't needed any more?"

Walker shrugs again, "But I know nothing of magic. I do know tracking, however, and if you would like to stay here and rest then that's fine, but I'm going out to look for a wolf!"

He would look over his shoulder to see if Marron is joining him and give a mental nod to Eye, who hops up to rest in her usual position, and wait a moment to see Aislinn's response before intending to head outside, hopefully with some light!

"If you are going, I will too." Aislinn adds that she's grateful for their help. "Yes, there was a calf. And it's clear to me that Wolf appears from... nowhere. He is Summoned. I believe that at least twice, he's departed the same way. It's just with him having stayed so long after the danger had passed--"

She cuts herself off. "Well. There was no real danger. I just thought there was. But Wolf came anyway, and would have helped protect me if necessary, I think. And then I left him behind for a witless calf." Exhaling in irritation at herself, Aislinn ties her cloak's clasp. "I worry, you see, because I know Wolf can be hurt--I've seen that. I felt responsible each time, for beckoning him only to see him fall."

About to move to the door, she pauses and backs away. "I suppose you should go first, Master Walker; Master Marron. If there are tracks to be found, I mustn't disturb them."

"It would be most certainly helpful if you came along to be honest and for now, well, if you could show us to where you walked I'm sure that would be the best place to start so I will let you go ahead. Don't worry, I will be able to distinguish between your new tracks and older ones, and others... it might even help me to see your tracks from earlier at the same time."

While holding open the door for Aislinn to pass through first, Walker hesitates a moment, unsure both of the nature of the magic - it's clearly different to what is between himself and Eye - and Aislinn's emotional state. Aislinn is obviously both somehow attached to and yet unknowing of this wolf and is also looking a bit fraught right now.

"If you..... if you don't mind me asking, you said you think the wolf is "summoned" - is that a spell? And... it doesn't work if you just try it, only when you need it? How many times have you had your wolf come to you... you mentioned a time fighting some water creature and then again on the crag and now in the corridor... I know we've only just met so I don't know your background, hah. Has it come to you all through your life? Also, I have to ask... sorry... do you think the wolf actually gets hurt when you've seen it being attacked? Sorry, I know that's possibly an upsetting question as we both saw what happened up on the Crag. Also... were you talking to it earlier, down in the corridor? Does it understand you? Does it talk back? I don't know but I'm thinking not, or you'd know more about it, hah!"

Almost as a reflex he reaches up to pet Eye on his shoulder. "Eye is a physical bird, she's a creature. If she is harmed, she is.... well, harmed. If she were to...." he trails off, "Well. She would not come back, just as any other normal creature would not. But I can speak with her, obviously. It seems almost like your wolf is the opposite, hah!"

Looking a bit awkward again, Walker looks to Marron to see if he's ready to head out and avoids Aislinn's eyes, though he is interested in what she has to say he is embarrassed at having been so forward in asking so many questions that may be personal. There was a lot of blurting there and a lot of questions all came out at once, he realises, as he makes a very obvious careful check that his daggers and bow are in place.

Aislinn passes through the door, as Walker seems to wish, and tries not to be flustered and frustrated by both the barrage of questions--all of which are perfectly understandable--or especially her own utter ignorance. If she knew more, she wouldn't be frustrated by the questions at all.

She gathers her wits and tries to respond. "I saw Wolf for the first time a long time ago," she begins. "I was lost in the woods one winter, and it was dark and scary. Then he appeared through the trees, light enough to stand out from everything but the snow. All he did was look at me--didn't attack, didn't even growl--before turning and letting me follow him out. His family was there," she adds with a rare smile, gentle and tender.

The brief open expression disappears when Aislinn glances at Marron. "That was in the poem I wrote down, back at the Keep, if you recall." Back to Walker, she adds, "My mother made a lullaby of my experience. She was... creative when I was little."

Her words are slow, mainly because when it comes to the past, she's as tentative as someone walking on a lake of thin ice. Instinctively she fears the pain that memories usually bring. "I'm sorry, I don't exactly know how many times I've seen him. I can't recall almost anything before I was--" She lowers her voice to a whisper. "Before I was with the Lizardfolk. It's strange, and I suppose I should--"

She interrupts herself and flutters her hand as if brushing this all away. "I'm sorry. None of that matters or helps you right now."

Once they start moving, she'll continue.

"Anyway, the only other times I've seen Wolf that I clearly recall have been those you both already know about. Back when that sea creature attacked, I didn't even realize I had summoned him. I'm not quite sure I did. All I know is I saw the attack, then noticed Wolf appear from behind the trees, and I pointed at him at once. He seemed to know what to do."

She frowns. "Or did I point first? It was so sudden... I don't know. Everything was a blur once we fought the monster. 'We'," she repeats sarcastically. "That's generous. All I did was watch Wolf, Marron, Saradoc and the others.

"Did he feel pain when the sea creature snapped at him? I truly don't know. I thought I heard a whimper, but there was so much noise I can't be sure. Then he was gone. It was similar with the Dragon. I have no idea if he felt the Dragon's jaws on him. I hope not. I just don't know if he vanishes because he's hurt, or to protect himself by escaping it."

The number of times she's repeating I don't know must be as irritating to them as it is to Aislinn. She holds her arms out helplessly then lets them drop at her sides. "I can't fathom this is of use. He and I aren't connected in the sense that I feel what he feels, or that I hear him speak or think. Perhaps that's my failing. Wolf certainly seems to know what I want, intuitively."

She sighs. "What else did you wish to know?"


Just giving some breathing space so y'all can answer. I know she needs to respond about the magic part.

Marron is suddenly wide-awake with a mixture of emotions. He's concerned that Aislinn appears somewhat distressed; interested to see Walker in action and excited to make use of a Clerical spell.

He casts the Light spell on one of his clubs, holds the weapon high to provide as much illumination as possible and carefully follows Walker out of the door, making sure not to tread over any tracks.

Meanwhile he responds carefully to Aislinn, saying "Look, Walker and I are honestly happy to help you. Your Wolf has proved himself in combat more than once."
He pauses and adds "As you know I follow the Arthurian Tradition. I believe in helping those who deserve it, keeping my word, setting an example and fighting evil. And having this (he touches Cleric Gawain's Holy Symbol) reinforces all those ideals."

Walker nods in agreement with Marron and instinctively reaches up to touch his own pendant, which does not appear to be a holy symbol, but clearly means something important to him beyond a religious significance.

"Thank you for your help. I recognise your symbol and know what - and who - that represents. Cleric Gawain was honest, loyal, courteous, brave and chivalrous - everything we on the Arthurian Path should be. You must certainly be worthy to carry it. I have no doubts at all about your integrity." He glances across at Aislinn as he says this, as he has the feeling that she still is unsure of their intent.***OOC see companion thread just because this made me giggle


As they head out and Aislinn shows the path she took, and with Marron's Light helping massively, Walker would look for tracks. In the soft mud and leaves of the farmyard and path he would immediately spot the heavy footprints of Farmer Giles. which he already recognises, along with other heavy prints from other farmhands, and some lighter and smaller prints that he would assess to be of some of the women and children who live here and visit, and also a mess of various animals. Using his tracking skills he also notes Aislinn's prints that she leaves as she walks out with them, and can then hone in now to spot hers amongst all the others, and sees clearly the path she took earlier on her walk. Following the tracks he can see where she veered off and the tracks of hoof-prints such like a small cow. However, [and this is with a DM roll for Tracking] does NOT spot any traces of prints that would be similar to a wolfs... there are some prints that are clearly the farm dogs, but alongside Aislinn's from the very beginning to the end of her path, he does not see any evidence of a wolf's prints.

Walker turns to Aislinn and his shoulders slump slightly, "I'm sorry. I am confident in my abilities, and I can see and identify pretty much everything that has passed through here," [he indicates what is - to him - Aislinn's clear tracks from earlier] and continues, "but there's no wolf tracks. Nothing at all... I'm sorry, it looks to me like you walked out here alone, though we all saw the wolf alongside you, it did not leave any tracks, at least that I can detect."

While this is happening Aislinn could be responding to earlier stuff! We don't walk in silence :)

After thanking both men for their reassurance of their intentions, Aislinn hangs back and watches Walker as he tracks. She remains silent at first because she's not exactly sure how much concentration is necessary in such a task. When she does speak, it's very quietly (even for her).

“I remember you asked about whether my calling him is a spell. I think it must be? Except if I try it doesn't work. After Wolf was killed by the Dragon--so I feared--I tried Summoning him again. Doing what I remembered doing before--saying his name, pointing where I wished him to be. But he didn't respond. That's why I thought he was indeed dead, and why I told you he was when you asked."

She sees some of what Walker is observing and pointing out--her own footprints, barely visible or distinguishable to her. Such things must be much clearer to an expert at this sort of thing. It would be well if I could learn to fake such tracks. If someone's following me... maybe if I practice my stealth I would be able to. She didn't pay enough attention to these details during the journeys after her rescue. The Lizardfolk steered her well, recommending a route to their next tribe's encampment that took her off well-traveled paths. Still, she had been lucky.

Continuing her thoughts about Wolf's magic nature, or her own for that matter: "Even though Wolf hadn't come when I beckoned earlier, later--when I was certain that servant had heard me and I was panicking--I called for Wolf without even thinking. That's when he appeared."

Walker's begun to explain what he sees--and what he doesn't. Now, he reveals what she expected: Nothing.

Aislinn exhales. "Yes. Of course. I thought that likely, I just hoped... you see, if he had just walked off for a little while, he could come back of his own accord. If he's disappeared, then... of course it must be magic, but I can't seem to control it. Why is it so unpredictable?"

She gestures to Marron. "Master Marron says a spell or uses a potion, and it does what he wishes. Why not me? As Scouts we were trained that sometimes spells may only used a certain number of times a day. For a little while I hoped that was why I'd failed to summon Wolf: that I'd 'run out.'" Her sigh is exasperated. "But clearly I hadn't, since he showed up again. When I was terrified. Why must it be so? What use is a spell if it comes and goes when it feels like it? And why does it hurt?"

She hadn't meant to blurt that last part; she's getting upset, and likely making herself seem more flighty and irresponsible than she already appears. While taking a calming breath she realizes something's nagging at her, she's forgetting something, but Aislinn shoves the feeling away like she's defending herself from a bully. Her mind is a trickster, taunting and fooling her as cruelly as she does to others. It can't be trusted.

Becalmed, she speaks in a more measured tone. "Forgive me. I know it's absurd to understand so little about that which should be part of me. Thank you, Master Walker. Your skills are impressive. I can't see half of what you're noticing. And what I do see, I don't think I could understand--interpret--what you get out of it. Thank you too," she adds with another nod to the Cleric. "Both of you, for your trouble. I am very grateful. Of course there were no footprints, I suppose Wolf is--"

Aislinn stops in place. "He does make tracks," she whispers, her mind rolling back ten years or so. "He did, anyway. When I first saw him as a child. His pawprints in the snow, they were a trail I could follow. Him and his family. They all had the prints." Her hand measures out their approximate size, at least twice that of an average dog. "Huge ones. Arctic Wolves are so very large..."

But that was ten years ago.

She looks with a combination of realization and dread toward Marron. "Of course. I was only six. He might be dead by now, ten or eleven years later. Could he be a spirit? Are there... guardians? I thought he must be watching over me somehow, at least I hoped so, but... it might explain why he's so hard to predict. I just don't know."

With a sigh she turns to Walker. "How did you learn such skills, sir? Did you always have them?"

Walker turns to Aislinn at the end of the trail, having heard her explanation, a lot of which did not make a lot of sense to him, until the last part.

"Wait, so... you saw this wolf when you were a child? As an actual physical wolf? Were you attacked? It seems to be friendly to you, but it's odd that you saw it back then - I don't presume to guess your age, that would be rude, hah! - but I assume that if you saw him as a child that was a while ago? Sorry, hah. There was no way of saying that that wasn't going to be possibly offensive, hah! Umm. Anyway, you saw it as a child, and it was a physical wolf... it made actual tracks, and had a family? I.. I don't know about magic as I've said, but perhaps Marron here will know more about spirits. It does seem to me like you have got some sort of guardian spirit who is watching over you when you need it, and doesn't just turn up on your whim, hah!
[This is obviously beyond Walker's ken and he isn't sure if he's comfortable with the idea of spirits of animals coming back at someone's command, having being taught from a young age that good people are granted peace when they die. There is Good, and there is Bad. If you are Good, then you can die in peace knowing that your spirit will be at rest. Is it the same for wolves? He had never thought of animals having to be at rest when they die, because they act on instinct and therefore cannot be 'good' or 'bad'.... if one kills another it's an instinct not with motive? If animals are like people, what does the spirit of the wolf coming back mean? What defines "good"? Is it not at rest? Is this some punishment for this wolf to keep returning and dying or getting injured?.... which has been witnessed now at least twice....]

"As to my tracking... it's been something I've been taught since I could walk pretty much, hah! My father was the huntsman and groundsman for the Count and I was with him on his (less dangerous) treks around the area." Walker again puts his hand up to his pendant.

"He showed me what he was looking for in the dirt and the paths and the forests we walked through. So see - there - that ... can you see where the leaves have been pressed down? And then look back a little bit to where it was muddy, and you see the same print? It's in the shape you'd expect from a shoe... and see how it's slightly thin and .........." [at this point Walker would put his foot into the ground to make a mark with his own boot] "...see the difference? That suggests to me that this print here was made by someone wearing larger boots and heavier, so possibly - not necessarily, but probably - a man. Whereas this one," [pointing back at the impressions in the leaves and the mud] "Is smaller and made less of an impression, so I would assume - again, just an assumption - that it might be from a female or a child. As we walked here I observed your footwear and the tracks you made as you walked, and that," " [he points again at the imprint] "is from your foot. This here, see? This is an imprint from the type of hoofs that cows or bulls have, but see how it's smaller and doesn't press in so far? This would mean it's possible a young calf.

"I can show you how to spot tracks but also...... sometimes I have learned that it is good to not be tracked. Sorry, I know you seem nervous and it's been a bit of an evening, hah! But for example if you were planning on leaving us tonight..... and to be honest I wasn't sure that you weren't going to, if I had wanted to, I - or any other tracker such as I - could have followed your trail. Well, I just did. Heh, anyway, my point is, if you know what one is needing to look for IN a trail, you can learn how to make it difficult for anyone else to find it."

Marron has listened carefully to both his companions.

He tackles each topic in turn:

"Thanks to Walker for his kind words over Cleric Gawain - a great well-respected man. I only hope I can live up to his ideals ... I will certainly try!"

"Here is what I know about spells, devices and potions. Although I am just a junior Cleric, I have had clear explanations of these magical powers during my training.
Spells in our minds come from our beliefs and our class training - so my Clerical spells like Cure Wounds, Detect Magic and Light are granted afresh by Arthur each morning.
Devices grant spells and are also renewed each morning. I don't have such a device at present, but a common one for Clerics would be a Rod of Cure Wounds that gave its owner three such spells daily. There are also devices that give a permanent power like Gawain's Holy Symbol. This means I can turn (or even destroy!) Undead several levels higher than my training. I believe (he turns to Walker) that our Ranger has an Elven Cloak that gives him Stealth.
Finally Potions are stored spells made by the skill of a trained Potion maker (like Druid Kitty.) They can only be used once.
I can tell the difference between a spell from my mind as opposed to using a device or a Potion. A device gives a gentle signal ... like a feeling of warmth, for example."

"I also know a little about magical companions and summoned creatures or weapons. I gather (he looks to Walker again) that the very helpful Eye is the result of a Potion binding the bird permanently to our Ranger.
I know that some of my more experienced Clerical brethren can call for a magical Hammer to aid in a single combat (I hope that I may eventually be worthy of such a skill!)
The despised Mordred Cabal (he spits on the floor) can learn to summon Undead for foul reasons.
There is of course more to know - but I can only tell you of Clerical examples..."

Marron pauses for breath and then says "We have had an action-packed day and done much that is good and worthy - from saving an entire neighbourhood from a lethal Dragon to driving away scammers from innocent farmhands. Let us take our rest now - and discuss our experiences afresh in the morning."

He suits the action to his words and is soon fast asleep (and very gently snoring.)

Walker would turn to Aislinn just before they head to their respective rooms and say, "I'm sorry your wolf went away again, and that I couldn't track it. But at least it does seem that it can return to you when needed. It's not dead and didn't die up there with the dragon, despite what it looked like. Whether it's a spirit or...... whatever..... I just feel like when it comes it comes because of some link to you. Beyond that, I can't say, I'm sorry."

[Unless Aislinn has anything to say, Walker would also turn in for the night, unstringing his bow again, and putting some small plugs of cloth into his ears to block out the sound of Marron's snoring.]

Aislinn listens carefully to both men, and while exhausted Marron leaves quickly before she has a chance to thank him, offers sincere gratitude to Walker before he goes. She lingers near the entrance--but safely indoors--to look out for a few moments at the path they just followed. Truth is, as informative as Walker's explanations of tracking were, she's unnerved by his reminder that she was so easily tracked.

She'd felt safe walking with Wolf; didn't even consider any danger, which for her is rare indeed. When she left to follow the calf, briefly by herself, she thought her companion was still waiting for her where she'd left him. His absence was startling and disappointing. But not frightening. At the time.

Only now, she realizes she hadn't been safe at all. Anyone could have been waiting around the bend when she ducked out from beneath the willow. They weren't, and it was exceedingly unlikely in such surroundings. But 'unlikely' isn't good enough. If she can't be certain of Wolf's arrival, and if when he does appear he can vanish on her without a hint of warning.. how can she take any steps away from him and consider herself protected?

Biting her lip, she kneels into a crouch and concentrates on the ground before her, pointing at it. "Wolf?" she whispers, not very hopefully.

Sometimes lack of hope is good. Because that means there's little disappointment when, as expected, Wolf does not appear. There's no tingling feeling either, as there was before. Just cool breeze, the rippling of grass and lowing of cows in the distance, along with crickets and other unidentifiable creatures.

Aislinn stands up, hugs herself, and shuts the door, bolting it behind her. She rubs her hands, cold even within their gloves, and starts back to their room.

Then she stops.

What had Marron said in his lengthy explanation about magical things? Much had been in danger of causing a lump on her skull as the information flew over her head, but there'd been a hint... She feels as she did earlier, when she'd started to suspect that she was forgetting something but pushed the sense out of her mind.

Searching her mind like a fly buzzing around seeking somewhere to land, Aislinn suddenly hears the cleric's resonant voice: "I can tell the difference between a spell from my mind as opposed to using a device or a Potion. A device gives a gentle signal ... like a feeling of warmth, for example."

She inhales sharply. After a quick glance to make sure she's alone, she yanks off her left-hand glove, staring at the sole ring on her finger. The gem gleams in the dim flickering lights, but otherwise the bright piece of jewelry is as it usually is. But it wasn't normal, earlier. That's what she felt, when she'd impulsively pleaded for Wolf back in the corridor. The ring. It was warm, slightly tingly. It did something. Why? How did it work? And why didn't it work just now?!

A curious combination of excitement and frustration mingles in her chest as she breathes, her gaze lost in the depths of the gem. Then she hurriedly returns the glove to her hand and dashes down the corridors to reach the room once more. She shuts the door, seeing the sleeping men, and takes a quiet seat on the remaining empty bed. Before she lies down, she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and holds it.

Please let me understand, she thinks, wishing with all her heart. No, no: More than that, let me have some control! There must be some way to control... whatever it is that I do. Mustn't there? Or am I doomed to ignorance all my days, not just my past but what I can do now, today or in the future?

Exhaling, she extinguishes the candle near her bed and lies down to sleep at last.

Eye, being often a nocturnal hunter, would perch on the windowsill and watch over the others as they sleep, and then when she requires her own rest, would give Walker a gentle nudge in his mind. If he awakes, he would "sleep with one eye open" while Eye rests, otherwise he would continue to sleep on and Eye would similarly flick - as birds of prey do - between restfulness and awareness. However generally between them, and with their time together out in the wilds, they have a sort of common agreement about how sleeping works. She'll awake him immediately if there's a threat, as would he for her, but equally they each let each other get their rest and swap out "shifts" without it even possibly being noticeable to those around.

As he falls asleep, Walker gets a familiar feeling that he will again receive training directly from Arthur.

Sure enough, in a dream Walker sees a ‘projection’ of Arthur appear at the foot of Walker’s bed.
As a ‘projection’ of Walker himself hastily rises from his mattress and salutes, Arthur speaks “At ease. You have continued to do good work and uphold the Arthurian Tradition.
Therefore I am pleased to grant you further Ranger powers.”

As Arthur’s ‘projection’ fades, Walker sees a few short scenes of himself:

- looking tougher
- fighting better with Staff and Sling
- showing new combat moves with his Staff
- doing more damage to Giant Class opponents (e.g. Goblins, Orcs, Giants)
- improving his tracking
- learning a new skill

Walker happily falls back asleep and later wakes realizing that he has been successfully trained in all those areas.

As he snores contentedly and dreams, Marron is delighted to see Arthur appear in spirit.
Marron’s spirit quickly stands up and grasps his Holy Symbol. Arthur speaks “Welcome brother. Your actions are true to the Arthurian Tradition.
Therefore I am pleased to grant you further Clerical powers.”

As Arthur’s ‘projection’ fades, Marron sees himself in action:

- looking tougher
- casting new spells: e.g. speaking to animals; using a spirit hammer in combat
- having greater powers over undead (i.e. turning or even destroying)

Marron smiles and later wakes understanding that he has gained those abilities

In the night Aislinn stirs restlessly, but is relieved to see Nimue appear in spirit.
As Aislinn’s spirit climbs out of bed, Nimue speaks “Greetings daughter. Despite your troubles, you have remained faithful to the Nimue Way.
I realise you have some difficulty remembering your traumatic past, but you have earnt further powers. If you would like to discuss anything, I am here for you.”

Aislinn sees herself in action:

- looking tougher
- saying single words: “Scout’ and “Speak”

Nimue remains, looking at Aislinn…

As Aislinn sleeps, her non-corporeal self is awed, humbled and confused in equal measure. "My Lady Nimue," she whispers after watching and dropping into an instinctive curtsy and bowed head. "Thank you for your graciousness and generosity. Please, madam... I understand so little. I suppose I'm not to know everything yet and will await till the time is right--and till I feel truly safe. But--"

She doesn't dare look directly at the deity, but continues in a rush. "I don't know if I'm a good servant or of use to anyone, least of all You, My Lady, without having the least understanding of... of what I am. If you please, might I just understand... what is the nature of what I can do? I recognize 'Speak'--that is ventriloquism, I heard that earlier yesterday. But that, and the fog I produced, and ... and now this 'Scout' command. The only connection is that they seem to be... invoking things? Is that what 'Scout' does? Are these things real? Are they... are they always helpful and not harmful?"

She hesitates and finally looks straight at the lovely woman before her. "And... and Wolf? He is such a comfort to me. I--I suspect he isn't real. I don't seem to know when he'll show up. But he knows me, he knows what I need of him. Not even just fighting to defend me, but walking with me, as he did this eve. He doesn't need me to speak.

"And he seems the very image of the Wolf I met as a child. Is he one of that wolf's pups? May I know his nature? May I know what he needs from me in order to stay, if he can? Please, My Lady. He means so much. I don't know why, except... except I haven't anyone." Aislinn hesitates and clasps her hands together. "Forgive me. I ask much of you and I don't deserve such favor. But if you would answer, I would be much more at ease."

Walker - in his head - immediately stands to attention as the dream comes to him, as he has seen and learned from many at the Keep do in deference to Arthur and has copied and done himself a few times in the past when this strange recurring dream has come to him. He bows his head, and, even knowing that this is only a dream, says, "Thank you Sir. I am doing my best but will keep trying. I know I am not as devoted as some - " [dream-state Walker looks at snoring Marron] "- but I try to do good in all things regardless. I think you know this anyway. I know this is just a dream but so similar to ones I have had before. I'm not one to question but just be thankful. Thank you, Sir."

As he stops waffling and falls back into his deeper sleep, the dream fading, he hears Eye's familiar voice in his mind just saying, "Sleep well, friend. I saw your visit. I was watching, of course. It was well-earned and you should rest feeling proud and honoured by this. This was no mere dream... but you know that." She ruffles her feathers and settles back in her comfortable position on the windowsill, as always keeping one eye on her companions and half-an-ear in Walker's head. She just hears a murmured, "It WAS him again, wasn't it? Like in the past." Eye gives a mental nod.

Nimue speaks gently to Aislinn. “Be not afraid – your actions have been faithful to me. Let me answer your questions. Firstly you are a Scout / Illusionist! You already know that you have Stealth and other Scout abilities, but you can also cast Illusionist spells and use Illusionist devices.
To cast your spells, you simply stand still and say a word. At present you know to say ‘Wolf’ and ‘Mist’ … but I shall fill your mind* with all that you can do – including from the device that you possess.
As for your second request – the Illusions that you cast come from your memory. So you remember that Wolf and can summon him again and again, though not permanently. The Scout you will bring must be a companion you have known.



*spell word list sent to Aislinn separately

The words of the ethereal deity before Aislinn seem soft and musical, and resound in her head like a sweet-toned lute. An Illusionist? Yes, that does make sense. Not invoking something real, but simply the image of it. Or the sound, in the case of the false speech she created that inadvertently upset Walker.

She looks down at her hand when Nimue mentions a magical device--the Ring, of course, as she suspected. Even though she went to sleep in her clothes and gloves, now dream-Aislinn discovers her small, delicate hands are bare but for the pretty gem and its band, and she herself wears only a light muslin chemise she doesn't recognize. It is a dream. Perhaps the Lady sees me this way? Or how I wish her to see me?

It's too confusing for her and she just takes in all Nimue tells her. Wolf's nature... So he is from my mind. That must be why he disappeared when I was distracted by the calf. He left my mind completely and so existed no more.

And of course he knows what she wants; that is how she wishes him to be. I am walking with a figment of my imagination. Talking to a figment of my imagination. What does that make me?

The thoughts rustle something disturbing from her mind. "If I see such things that aren't really there... am I mad, then? Do I induce madness in others if they see my--my delusion?"

Aislinn bites her lip in consternation and tries to think of more she should ask, before she wakes.

"And pray forgive me, My Lady, but this--this Scout. What can he do--or what may I have him do? Can he act independently of me? Can he do things I cannot? If--if I think of Saradoc, he had skills I don't. Does this--this fantasy version have such abilities?"

Nimue smiles reassuringly at Aislinn. "I hear your worried thoughts - but please stay calm and relaxed. You are not mad, but skilled!
You are casting an illusion of a Wolf because you have happy memories of it. Others see the Wolf simply because of the spell's power. For example, when the good Cleric Marron casts a Cure, it works the same way - and real healing takes place.
As for your Scout spell, use your memory of Saradoc to bring an illusion of him onto the battlefield. The illusion will only do things that you would expect Saradoc to do - for example appear out of Stealth or attack with two Hand Axes. Sadly your spell will not be realistic if your illusion of Saradoc fires his bow - creating both a Scout and arrows is beyond the power of the spell."

Nodding, Aislinn absorbs the reassurances and explanations from Nimue. "I think I understand," she says slowly, concentrating. "I don't think I could focus on maintaining both an image of Saradoc as well as an arrow flying off somewhere." A few more curiosities gallop around her thoughts but she's not able to corral them into a cogent question.

"Thank you, My Lady Nimue. I hope to deserve the gifts you've granted me. I dare not lie and say I'll always do what's right--I'll try, but I'm not... I don't trust promises, either others' or my own. But I will try," she repeats quietly but fervently, then bows her head and curtsies again. Her own voice sounds like an echo and she's feeling insubstantial, as if being borne away by no more than a breath. If Nimue departs, Aislinn will understand she is returning to her own dream.

Nimue starts to fade, leaving Aislinn with these last words of advice: "Continue to use your Illusionist spells wisely - they can really assist the party. Also yes, trust others by their actions, not just their words."

The rest of the night passes and the party awake refreshed and with spells fully restored.

After a pleasant breakfast with Farmer Giles, the party are preparing to make their departure for the Keep (knowing that Saradoc has gone ahead with valuable items - including the three parts of Dragonskin that Aislinn carved.)
Walker is confident that Count Percival and Druid Kitty will between them offer each party member something useful as a reward.

Just then a man rides up hurriedly on a carthorse. Both the horse and the man seem out of breath.
Giles calls out "Welcome Farmer Maggot - what brings you here in such a rush?"

Farmer Maggot slides off the horse and gasps "Empire Soldiers ... attacked my farm ... shepherd and sheepdog slain ... on their way here through forest path ... rode as fast as I could..."
He wheezes to a halt and Giles turns to the party.
"Please help us. Empire soldiers are always well-armed and dangerous outside neutral territory. The forest path linking Maggot's farm to mine comes out there."
He points at an opening in the trees nearby.

Awake, refreshed and ready to set off back to the Keep, Walker sends Eye ahead to catch up with Saradoc and return with any information if required. She is not too far ahead but is swift and would be able to get there and back before we'd reached it, if needed, or return if needed here.

Walker is surprised by the sudden arrival of Farmer Maggot, whom he has crossed paths with on his travels previously and he probably also knew the poor shepherd who was slain. Hearing his words his eyes immediately flick to Aislinn, knowing what fear she might have here. He is aware of the Empire and the danger this situation could put her in.

"Farmer Maggot, sir. So sorry about your losses. But importantly, are you sure they were heading here? How many and how fast?"

His eyes flick again to Aislinn, almost subconsciously, judging her reaction to this, while trying not to make it obvious that he is looking to her.

"Farmer Giles, you need to make sure that your family and workers are safe, if you have a safe place to retreat to. I know these Empire people can be cruel and merciless if they think there's something to gain and nobody to hold them accountable. Depending on how long Mr Maggot here thinks we have, I would also try to get your livestock to safety - even if you just release them, give them a whack on the backside and make them run, I'm sure I can track them down and return them later. I have some experience with that as you know, hah! .... It would be better than them sitting just as ... well... "

He trails off then looks again at Aislinn, this time just by reflex.

"I am sure Marron here can help co-ordinate...

"And Farmer Giles, again, do you have a place that is safe? Hidden? Just in case it was needed, of course, hah!"

Walker looks again to Aislinn properly and says to her, as quietly as he can as Farmer Maggot explains further and Marron and Farmer Giles talk, "Listen. I know - well I don't know, obviously, I don't read minds, hah! - but I can suspect what you're thinking. Would you prefer to find somewhere safe and hide, or stay out with us? I swore I would try to protect you if an Empire patrol came across our path, and my Word is my Bond. [again, he reaches up to his pendant] so I will do that, whether it involves fighting them or helping to hide you. I must help to protect the farm people here as well, that is my job, but I made an oath to you. You don't seem to trust easily and I can understand that, but I hope you can trust me on this. Mr Marron's holy symbol there proves enough to me that he is also trustworthy, but you should judge people by their actions of course. I personally put my trust in him as I know how much that symbol means. If he said he would protect you, I truly believe he will... it is the fundamental core of his faith to be true and protect those in need... it will all just crumble if those were lies or if he betrayed you. Anyway, whatever you choose to do, I will go with it and try as best I can to ensure you are safe... whether that is by hiding or fighting.... heh." .... he trails off again as he turns back in to focus on what Farmer Maggot and the others are saying, while also side-eyeing Aislinn for her reaction.

Walker would then mentally call to Eye if she is still within range - having just set off - to ask her to return immediately but to stay high and look from the sky for approaching patrols. If in range of his communication, he would warn her that they are Empire patrols and have already killed members on a nearby farm.

Aislinn has spent the morning somewhat distracted--trying to decipher why her dream of Nimue last night seems like a memory, while so many of what she thinks ought to be memories seem more like mere dreams. With more confidence, while alone in their room she attempted to cast Identify on her ring--a spell Nimue granted her, or perhaps just reminded her of, or... or and or and or. Will I never know for sure?

Now thoughts must fly from her mind and she unthinkingly takes hold of the horse's bridle, patting its sweat-foaming neck both for its comfort and her own, which is much needed once the news of Empire soldiers blasts into her like a slap.

She listens with rising dread to Farmer Maggot, then Giles. Then Walker speaks to her directly and despite her terror she is quite moved by his concern for her welfare.

"I can't thank you enough," she says, reluctantly letting go of the horse so Farmer Maggot can get him to the stables and hopefully comb, brush and water him properly. "Every instinct tells me to run. But--I don't know if this is madness to say, but I dreamed of Nimue last night. The Lady of the Lake, some call her. I don't know why I'd be favored with such a visit, but I think it was real. She told me I do have a specific type of magic: Illusions. I think it means I can fool people into seeing or hearing things, basically.

"At the very least," Aislinn adds, looking back up at Walker with a somewhat pained expression, "I have a better knowledge of what Wolf is, now. Or what I think he is. Was. And I think if I can dredge some spells up, I might have a way to hide myself. Better than these bandages--or at least, in combination with them. It's--"

Aislinn suddenly shakes her head irritably. "There's no time for all this, but I just mean to say..." She starts to reach out to Walker, but some instinct makes her withhold her touch. She's not very comfortable being close with others, and for all she knows Walker might feel the same, strong brave man or not. "...To say that if you and Master Marron are willing to make such promises to me, and act on them, despite the danger to yourselves, or risk to your own duties are... I can't just be a burden, or a grateful recipient. I must join you properly and do my share."

She darts a glance at Farmer Giles. "Besides, Master Giles's family and workers must be protected, especially after their hospitality. So I'll stay and do what I can, however little that may be. Anyway as long as they don't see that--that mark on my face, I should be all right. If they do..." She stops and swallows back her nausea. Her face is probably green with the ill feeling.

"Well I should let you prepare your weapons and such. I'll try to help the people here hide. Will that be all right, sir?"

Farmer Maggot has got his breath back. "I can't be sure how many ... not a lot ... my shepherd was no match for fully-armed men. The path they left by only leads here." (Farmer Giles nods in agreement.)
Maggot continues "I rode cross-country to beat them here ... they were only walking. And they stole a wheelbarrow!"
Maggot bursts into tears and is gently led away by a servant to the farmhouse.


DM: Walker makes a Charisma roll.
Giles has listened carefully to Walker and now cups his hands round his mouth and bellows "Listen up! Empire soldiers coming!
Andy, take the flock of sheep to the far meadow behind the farmhouse.
Sam, keep the cattle inside their barn and bar the doors. Then hide in the hay.
Edward, you and the servants get inside the farmhouse. Shutter all the windows and once we're all inside, bar the doors."

He turns to Aislinn. "Thanks for offering to help Miss. But we've practised defending this - so you join your fellows against the Empire."

As instructed by Walker, Eye flies off towards the Keep. She spots Saradoc arriving safely at the Keep - then in response to Walker's urgent request, Eye flies rapidly back towards Giles' farm.

From a suitable high distance, Eye spots a group of four men striding through the forest path between the two farms.
They are still at least twenty minutes away from reaching the end of the path (and Giles' farm.)
The sun glints on their metal armour and long swords.
The soldier at the back is wheeling a barrow, which contains a unconscious fifth man and a sheep...

https://btcloud.bt.com/web/app/share/invite/YML27nDGuq

Marron makes an Ambush roll.

He speaks urgently to Walker and Aislinn.
"Look, no matter how many Empire soldiers are coming, our best bet to deal with them is an ambush on the forest path. We Scouts have Stealth and (he nods at Walker) you have concealment.
Thanks to Arthur's grace last night, I can now conjure a magical hammer and also leap out from Stealth using my clubs. I can take the left-hand side of the path and our Ranger the right-hand side. Aislinn, you can be some way back, but still use your Illusions, correct?
Walker, Eye can tell you the exact moment to spring the ambush.
Either we actually win ... or at least we can put them off attacking the farm.
What do you think?"

Aislinn glances back at Farmer Giles without expression. Grateful for his hospitality or not, she cannot help thinking: 'Yes, little girl two feet shorter than me, please go and defend my entire farm against some armed soldiers whilst we lock ourselves up nice and snug.'

She quickly ignores them and pays close attention to Marron, and whatever Walker shares from Eye's perspective. Marron's having a new weapon is good news indeed. If Walker agrees with Marron that his ambush idea is well planned, Aislinn will follow his lead with a nod. "Yes, sir, I think that is a good idea."

After gnawing on her lower lip, she answers. "If you wish me to distract them before an ambush, I can do so--I think I can," she corrects hurriedly. "I'm not entirely certain how it will work, but I believe I can create an image of Saradoc on the road. A sort of decoy, I suppose? They might not fear a Hobbit overmuch, to their downfall. The decoy can attack, after which you both might then take advantage... and once the false Saradoc is not needed, I could try something else."

It strikes her that once the soldiers learn the False Saradoc is a mere illusion, they might start doubting anyone else who appears similarly vulnerable. She might herself be thought another fake. A tactic she keeps to herself, as it might not be needed and to be honest she's not sure she's brave enough to pull off such a ruse.

Marron thanks Aislinn for sharing her new knowledge - it should be at least as useful as Marron's new weapon.

Marron asks Walker "Can Eye see how many soldiers exactly are coming?"

He adds "How about combining plans? I use Stealth to hide on the left side of the path; Walker conceals himself on the opposite side; Aislinn is in Stealth some way back. Aislinn prepares a Saradoc figure (good to see him again!) on the forest path between myself and Walker.
When Eye sees the enemy are close, she signals Walker, who signals me. I cast Spirit Hammer and Aislinn makes Saradoc appear drunk (or anything else that will hold the Empire soldiers attention for a moment.)

As the enemy reach Saradoc, he suddenly attacks - and so do Walker and I ... what do you think?"

Anxiety thrumming along with the blood in her veins, Aislinn nods at Marron's suggestion. She tries to keep her gloved but fear-chilled hands warm by clasping and unclasping them, and looks at Walker for confirmation of his own thoughts.

Right now she'd give anything for the chance to practice using this skill. But if her experience with Wolf proved anything, it's that she does not have innumerable opportunities to cast such spells. Since she can't yet be certain how many times she can use the new False Scout spell, she must not use it up in mere practice.

She reaches for her knife hilt, just to hold on to it. The phantom Saradoc... is it like a puppet? If she wishes it to appear drunk... does she have to mimic that too? If she wishes it to lift an axe, must she lift her weapon as well? Or does she just imagine it? Wolf didn't need such maneuvers, but a wolf has its own instincts to attack. Can she do any of these actions while also maintaining her stealth?

Either way, she must keep the fake Saradoc "alive" to preserve Marron and Walker's ambush plan. I must not look away from him, Aislinn warns herself, looking at the road as if already picturing the fight. Wolf disappeared last night when she lost her concentration, and she cannot let the same happen now. Unless I have no choice. Unless they see me.

The possibility sends a shudder through her. If the soldiers spot her she has no confidence that she'll be able to maintain any thought other than fleeing like a rabbit, much less keeping an illusory drunk Hobbit in place. Shaking off the concern, she pays closer attention to whatever her companions say.

Walker nods in response to Aislinn's wanting to be a part of this fight, if it comes to that. He has seen her in action up on the crag but is just still concerned that her fear might impede her. No, she's a fine Scout, she will overcome it. And seems to be more sure of herself all the time. I wonder if she could use this illusory ability to just cover up the mark on her face? Then if she is indeed who is being hunted here then she could hide in plain sight... or perhaps she isn't being hunted and this is just a roving group looking for whatever they can get. I don't like coincidences though.

His eyes then close briefly as he listens for Eye, then says,

"Eye has eyes - hah - on them. Ok, there are four of them... four and........ I'm not sure... what?" [He blinks again] "Eye isn't sure. It looks like some sort of barrow with another person lying on it, unconscious or dead, she isn't sure. They're about 20 minutes away from here, at the pace they're moving and they have a..." Walker pauses and closes his eyes briefly again as he questions Eye, who responds irritably, "... ok apparently they also have a sheep?

"Right, so, they're armed and armoured as we'd expect and look ready for a fight, so your plan, Marron, sounds good. I don't know if they're looking for a person" -he glances at Aislinn- "or just for trouble, but they won't be expecting us, hah! I am sure I can hide quite adequately and the idea of an illusory distraction would be good. Aislinn... I'm sorry, I don't know how it works, hah, if you make this...... illusion of Saradoc? .... can you also summon your wolf? As in, can they both be around at the same time? Will this illusion of Saradoc just be that - an illusion, or will he actually be useful in a fight as your wolf was? Can he die? Will REAL Saradoc feel anything? .... sorry too many questions for the time we have and I probably won't understand the answers anyway, hah! You can tell me on the way, we need to be getting out there. Onwards...

"Farmer Giles, get your people to safety, I think we have a good plan here. We should head out maybe five minutes along the track? That will give us some time to find a good position and still be away from the farm to keep these people and animals safe. Eye will keep us updated when they are getting close, but we should head out as soon as possible to get some distance between us and the farm, and also get into position."

Walker, having cleaned and prepared his weapons the previous evening, has come down to breakfast fully ready for action.

There's much to absorb and Walker's mode of speech makes it a little hard for Aislinn to keep everything straight--or maybe it's just her fear that's making it so difficult. If they start walking, she'll begin softly to respond on the way.

"Your questions are very good, and many I haven't thought to wonder myself. I saw Nimue last night, in a dream, or a vision anyway, and when I woke up I just... knew some spells. I truly don't know all the--the techniques to the spells I was granted. There's much I may have to learn as I go." Aislinn looks absently down at her gloved hands, twisting the ring beneath the left one.

"I'm almost certain I wouldn't be able to conjure up illusions of both Saradoc and Wolf. If I learned anything from what happened last night, it's that I must concentrate very hard on the vision I want others to see. Oh! I do recall Nimue saying that I may not have this false Saradoc loose his arrows; that would be too much to concentrate on. So that is likely the same for two Summoned creatures. Or illusions. Images. I don't really..."

Very tired of saying I don't know, Aislinn just falls silent for a second in thought. "But I also recall that this false Scout--I don't think it must be Saradoc, actually just someone I know--I recall that he can attack with his weapon, much as Wolf did. I forget if Wolf did any actual damage to either the dragon or monster. They were distracted by him, which helped the party. But whether they actually were hurt by Wolf's teeth or claws? I don't know. I will try to find out, if it comes to that."

She does her best to remember anything that Nimue told her last night. Then she belatedly realizes what Walker was referring to when he spoke of someone being hunted. Her face reddens with a fiery flush and she shakes her head, speaking very carefully.

"I doubt they are hunting anyone specific, if hunting is what they're after. I've been--" Aislinn lowers her voice as best she can while still being heard amid the leaves and grass rustling around them. "It's been more than a year since I... came to live with the Lizardfolk. I believe the others I was with prior to that must think me dead. I've not heard anything of any specific targets. Any escaped slave is a prize. There are so few of them. Almost none, if the Lizardfolk spoke truth to me. Most are killed while trying to flee, or if they fail yet live, once back in servitude they're tortured so brutally they don't long survive the punishment. Or wish they hadn't."

Her last words are weak. She feels a little sick and swallows painfully, forcing her focus to the imminent matter. "A-anyway I don't think that's what they're after. Especially so few, and in such a strange grouping... with a sheep? One sheep after slaughtering a shepherd and his dog?"

Is this an Emperial cultural tradition, some religious ritual feast they need lamb for? Aislinn searches her memory for anything she might have heard in her travels prior to joining the Guild, or farther back for anything the Lizardfolk might have told her. Or, farther still, anything she might remember from life with her vile captors.

But as ever, thoughts of that time that brings on the tight, viselike grip of her familiar headache. With a tiny whispered warning, no, she takes an actual step backwards, as if distancing herself from whatever treacherous trap lies in wait for her hidden in her mind. It is always thus when she tries to drag such recollections from wherever they lurk.

She thinks about what Eye passed along to Walker. Four soldiers, just four? Or five if the person in the wheelbarrow is a soldier. Of course he might not be. He could be...

Aislinn's eyes widen. A slave, she thinks with mounting horror. This unconscious man could have been captured, now destined for a life in bondage--physical or magical--but either way, cruel servitude with no end in sight but death.

"Walker," she says, clutching at his sleeve for just an instant before jerking her hand away. "Please, Walker. Can you ask Eye whether she can see if the unconscious man wears chains?"

Walker is actually somewhat comforted by the fact that Aislinn doesn't seem to fully understand how her magic works, it makes him feel a little bit less like the bumbling idiot that he usually feels like when in the presence of magic-users with their powers far beyond his ken no matter how much he has tried to understand. Knowing that this is a person who also doesn't understand it, even though she can use it, makes him feel a bit less stupid.

"Thank you for explaining. Don't worry, I'm sure that it will come to you when you need it. Nimue will take care of you. Do what you can. Even if your .... image... illusion.... whatever, can't do physical damage then yes, I'm sure it will be a good distraction.

"It's good to know that you don't think you're a specific target, but either way you can't be taken. I know what they do. That.... that is not going to happen to you."

He pauses as Aislinn reaches out to him suddenly, then realises what she is thinking of when she mentions chains, "I - I don't know, Eye just said it was a man lying on the barrow, I assumed it was maybe one of their own who had been wounded or was dead, but..." He trails off as he stops on the path, closing his eyes again, subconsciously reaching his hand out to Aislinn to steady himself as he concentrates on Eye.

"Eye. Can you get a closer look at the figure on the cart? Is he bound? In chains? Alive? Don't get too close."

Eye responds quickly to Walker, her voice and flickers of her vision comes to him as he pauses on the track, seeing short glimpses and hearing what she is experiencing.

Opening his eyes and realising he had reached out a hand to Aislinn without meaning to, Walker quickly retracts his hand and stands back in his usual posture. "I can see that the man on the cart... he's not a slave or someone who has been captured. From what I - Eye - can see, he's another Empire soldier, just severely injured... close to death. He needs healing, and soon. As for the rest... I... I'm not sure, the sheep is alive but tied up, I'm not sure why they would do that? ... For the rest of the patrol there seems to be someone up front with more ribbons, you know, fancy outfit and better armour and weapon... probably some sort of leader. From experience I'd say that they're three regular soldiers and possibly their sergeant, and I think the poor fellow on the barrow isn't too healthy... I have no sodding clue about the sheep. Apologies, language!"

Aislinn sees Walker's almost pained look as he reaches out with his hand, alarming her that he's having some sort of spell such as she has with her memories. She inhales in worry and is prepared to steady him if need be.

Then she realizes he's in communication with Eye. Not wanting to break his concentration, and in somewhat awed respect for this level of connection the man and bird share, she waits motionless for his report.

When it comes, it's relieving; no slave to rescue. But quickly a new dread freezes her lungs. The description of their armor, colors and ribbons are what one would expect from Empire soldiers, but their proximity and the details Eye (via Walker) is imparting make the enemy all too real. Unless Marron and Walker--and faux Saradoc, if he turns out to be useful--can dispatch these men all by themselves, Aislinn will have to face what she's managed to evade for nearly two years.

"I've heard far worse language," she says distractedly to Walker's apology. Indeed, she suspects she's said far worse herself. "But thank you, Master Walker. You've eased my mind." Which isn't a total lie. She's certainly glad the injured man is no innocent captive. "And thank Eye for me, please. I hope she's safe from them now."

The injured man. A thought occurs to her and her gaze darts to Marron. "If they are in need of Healing, I expect they may take special interest in a Cleric. They'll want his assistance by request or force. Since they wouldn't harm Master Marron before he can help them..." Aislinn looks back at Walker. "...You might be in greater danger of... whatever plan they concoct. Please be careful. I suppose you wouldn't both consider--"

She can't finish, knowing the futility of what she was about to suggest. Aislinn might be content scurrying around like a hunted rodent, fleeing and hiding rather than enter into conflict, but her companions? She's known Walker for barely a day and he's already proven he has the heart of a gallant knight; Marron possesses the courage, power and righteous fervor so common to Arthurian clerics.

No, they won't just escape, nor would they approve her suggesting it. Especially not having promised their help to Farmer Giles.

"I'll follow you both," she goes on, ignoring what she'd been about to say. "And once you decide we're near enough, I'll... I'll hang back and wait for you to hide. Lead on, sirs."

Walker pauses again, thoughts and plans running through his head.

"Wait, you were possibly on to something there... Marroc, this man, from what I saw and heard from Eye, is in desperate need of healing. Is there a possibility that we could avoid conflict altogether if you offer your healing skills and send them on their way? Admittedly, that would, in the case of a fight, give us one more enemy... and we do know that they killed at Farmer Maggot's farm, but... these people aren't evil and they're not beyond reason. Why would they take a sheep? And carry their near-fallen comrade? We are not dealing with monsters, but men."

He looks to Aislinn. "Sorry, I know that men can be monsters, and the Empire have their fair share of them.

"Regardless, we need to keep them from Farmer Giles' farm and from moving onwards to any other farms. I'm just not sure if outright killing them is the right way, especially by way of stealth. It just doesn't feel good to me, particularly as they are carting their own injured companion." Walker gives a trademark shrug. "This isn't a dragon, these are people. Though, again, I know not all people are good....

"We can go ahead and hide alongside the trail if that is still the plan, and you can send your 'Saradoc' on to distract them as I and Marron attack, if we're going with the original plan."

Marron thanks Eye for the accurate information, then reassures Aislinn that he and Walker will do everything they can to keep her safe.

Marron politely disagrees with Walker. "I've been told that Empire Patrols outside neutral territory are evil and just kill to take whatever they want. This lot have attacked defenceless peasants and have shown no mercy."
Farmer Giles agrees. "These are bad people."

Giles then consults with Marron, who then sketches a plan of attack a short way up the forest path.

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Marron explains "Aislinn, you stand well back in the trees but with a clear line of sight to our ambush. When Eye tells Walker the soldiers are getting near, conjure your 'Saradoc' and have him stand in the middle of the path. If you can make him look harmless, so much the better!
I'll use Stealth to hide on the left side of the path and Walker can conceal himself on the right.
When I hear the enemy are very close, I'll cast my Spirit Hammer spell.

As soon as the chap in front reaches 'Saradoc', the Hobbit will suddenly attack with his two 'Hand Axes'.
Simultaneously Walker and I leap out and also attack the same bloke.

That's a really good start to the combat.

Aislinn, you stay back and cast whatever spells you can. Walker, 'Saradoc' and I block the path - so you should be safe.
Walker, you and I use our judgement who to hit each time ... until they surrender or die.

I know I was once told 'A plan only lasts until contact with the enemy' - but with our surprise attacks we must have a jolly good chance of victory.

Is this agreeable to you both?"

"Ok, if you are sure we must attack them then... that sounds a solid plan to me. One thought: should we focus our efforts on the one Eye identified as what seemed to be their sergeant? When she showed me, he was the fellow at the front, but that may have changed as they walk, but he is quite easy to spot as his armour is a bit more fancy and he has the ribbons... I think he might be the toughest and also, if we can take him out the others might be more inclined to surrender. I will hide in the trees on the opposite side of the path to you, my Cloak of Elvenkind will help me to blend in well, hah!"

[Walker pulls his hood up and majestically swooshes his cloak, which is a dark green - or is it grey? - lighter green? - no, brown...? - the colours seem to shift as it moves around him, almost like the colour is dependent on his surroundings. You aren't sure why, but would have been sure that with his hood down, the cloak just appeared as a regular dark-green as you might expect of a ranger, but now it is difficult to pin down the colour as it shifts. Was it dark green? You're not sure any more. You can imagine how this would make him almost invisible if he were to try to be unseen]

Walker leaves his hood up as they continue walking.

"We should be close to where we need to take our positions. There's a dense bit of forest ahead that will work well, and a bend in the path that we can use to our advantage. We should wait on this side of the bend and I will let you know when Eye says they are close, and then we should be able to hear them coming... They're not trying to be stealthy at all it seems, and they have a barrow with them which is hardly quiet, hah!


"I'll attack with my staff. Agreed to focus on the sergeant and fend off the others until he is down? Then we can turn to the others and see if they still want a fight!"


Walker pauses and looks to Marron.
"If they do surrender, would you consider giving healing to the wounded man? From Eye's perspective he is near to death and I cannot just stand by and watch... he is helpless." Walker's expression is pained as he understands the arguments from the farmers and from Marron but still - this is a person, not a mindless monster.



(Many edits, sorry)

The suggested plans seem reasonable enough--if going up against Empire soldiers can be considered reasonable--and Aislinn nods when approval is sought. The mere description of the leader unnerves her, though she can't recall having seen anyone particularly high in ranks during her travels.

She is startled by Walker's near-total disappearance before her eyes. It's a wondrous cloak. She knows of a skill that might create a similar effect, but it's nothing like a piece of clothing one can just wear on one's person at all times. It's not a very worthy thought, but she envies the friendly ranger. Not just for the cloak. For his good nature. And physical strength. And Eye.

With a rough shake of her head Aislinn decides she'd best try to imagine Saradoc right now. She won't invoke the spell now, of course--she daren't risk the possibility of not having the mental fortitude to hold onto such an Illusion. Truth is, while Nimue gave her visions of how to use some of the new spells in her dream, Aislinn is untried and uncertain how well she can actually conjure up a believable person. She's conjured the believable version of Wolf... so believable none of them were certain of his nature. But she's pictured that first Winter Wolf so often that of course she's memorized his appearance. But Saradoc? Her eye is keen enough to have noticed his general features. Is that enough to create a believable copy? How he walks, talks? Will he sound like Saradoc? I'll just have to remember his gait and voice as well, I suppose, she thinks with growing doubt.

While she tries to recall every interaction she had with Saradoc--not many, given how solitary she's kept herself--she hears Walker's request of Marron. To heal a soldier, when they would kill the others? None of whom would take such mercy upon them? Walker truly is a better person than she is. Aislinn values life, but...

Empire soldiers have no hearts, she thinks grimly. So they're not alive. Not truly. Not in a way worth preserving.

Thus she tells herself as her gaze flits from the winding path to the trees on either side of them to her companions. She pays particular attention to the trees to her left. That's where she'll hide, at whatever point the others up ahead choose. Aislinn peers at the trees for a better look at what sort they are. Are they easy to climb? They needn't be too easy--she's scrambled up walls with far fewer handholds or areas to balance.

She'd better tell the others of this plan. "If there's a suitable tree I'll go up into its branches. I'll be less visible to them, but I should think I'll have a better vantage point to view the group as a whole. Do you think that's wise?" After a second, an idea occurs to her.

"Walker... if I talk to Eye, would she understand me? I know I can't hear her, but I thought... If I see something that I think you two ought to know, I could whisper to Eye. Of course she can see more than I can, but I don't know how well she knows what to look for. If you'll pardon me," she says, both to Walker and to the bird just in case she can understand Aislinn's words.

"I - I don't know. She's intelligent. Obviously she speaks to me in my mind but before Kitty made that possible she was a trained hawk, she understands human commands. She will most likely understand if you give clear words such as "seek" or similar, she's been trained with these even before she was a familiar. She will not be able to hear you if you whisper, unless perhaps she can see your lips, and of course cannot to reply to you anyway, aside from being generally irritating and pecking your ear to get your attention, hah! But if you like, I could message her mentally with some communication you might want to use and how she can reply. Sort of a pre-planned language by sign, for example ... you tell me, and I'll tell her, that if she sees you doing a certain gesture, how to respond so that you know the answer."

Walker pauses a moment to check in on Eye's view and confirms the position of the patrol.

"Also, umm.... Are you sure about this Saradoc idea? I am not doubting you in the slightest, but you do seem to doubt yourself. I notice that... I notice you twist that ring you have hidden under your glove when you are nervous. Sorry. I notice things, it's my job, hah. Your hand is already doing that and of course it might be because we're walking into a fight, I understand, but....... are you ok with this? Would it be easier for you to - damn I don't know how this works - summon... imagine... something you're already familiar with and have done before, like your wolf? It would surely be equally distracting to they enemy. Sorry, I don't presume to know your relationship with Saradoc of course, so perhaps you can conjure a detailed image of ... well... hmm. Yes." Walker trails off, blushing slightly as he studies the trees intently.

Aislinn has already started trying to decide on the most simple hand signals to use with Eye, although she's not sure how Eye will be able to see her unlessthe bird's always watching. Perhaps just four signs--Hark to danger to your right, or your left, or from behind, or above. She decides she needn't bother with "in front" since Walker will surely be able to see that clearly enough to--

Her thoughts freeze when she registers Walker's concerned words have mentioned her Ring.

Aislinn's eyes don't blink or widen--she's usually good enough at bluffing to keep her face neutral even in shock--but the fact that she can't blink is probably obvious enough proof that he's hit his mark. The instinct to demand How do you know about my Ring? is strong, but again she's learned to hold her tongue far too well to be that indiscreet.

But she does ask it of herself. When was she so foolish as to reveal the gem in front of anyone? Never. Never. Her left glove remains in place unless there's no one around--she makes bloody sure of that. Then how? He claims he has no magic. But he does carry magic items, quite a few. Does he have some... some mind-reading ability? Something allowing him to see through my glove? Maybe those potions?

She shakes her head quickly, looking down at her hands. "Thank you for your consideration, sir. But I'm fine. Just a bad habit when I'm nervous. My hands and fingers are rough with scars from... work... as you see." She slips off the right glove and turns her hand palm-upwards.

Unlike her dream self, with its smooth and delicate hand, Aislinn's real one shows a network of scars and calluses, most notably with a red, oblong shape, somewhat like one might get from gripping the dash of a butter churn--a very large one. This was clearly something heavy and poorly hewn.

She snatches her hand back and covers it again. "The other one is the same. Anyway, they itch sometimes." Her voice is quiet but, if Walker is as good an observer as he says, she suspects he'll surely hear the thin layer of steel that's entered her tone. Well, her control over her emotions isn't perfect. Serenity is not an illusion she's been granted yet.

Still, she takes a deep breath to attempt to calm her racing heart. "I'll do my part, if you please, sir. I'm safe enough from far away. I don't think Wolf would be a good first option--they'd instantly recognize him as an enemy. I'll stick with Saradoc. If I fail, yes, I will try Wolf if I can. I suppose with both options the ruse will be noticed and will distract the soldiers. But if I succeed, you'll have a little more time to assess and prepare. I'll be able to see their faces, I hope, and will tell you through Eye if they seem..."

Eye. Of course. He doesn't need magic to spy on me. Just his... Eye.

Face burning with a flush from this realization--Aislinn can't prevent that either--she barrels forward. "If they seem ready to turn against one of you. Here. I'll use these signals to warn of danger to the left or right--these directions will be from your perspective, mind--or above or behind you." She shows him a simple version of the Scout signals for such basic warnings.* Without looking at Eye, she finishes, "Share them with your Familiar, so it can tell you what I'm doing. Easy enough for you both, I've no doubt."

Turning from him to Marron, she asks the Cleric if he has any advice for her as well. If not, she will addresses them both with more warmth. "May your Arthur show you his favor and grant you the fortune you need. But most of all... please be careful as well, and good wishes to you both."

Whenever Marron directs them to stop, and if she can find a good tree to climb, Aislinn will leave their side to clamber up.



* Is this possible? Can she pass along basic directions this way?

Walker nods and makes a mental note that whatever he said about Aislinn's nervous habit of touching her ring seems to have been a no-go area. He has many such notes in his head. Allan doesn't like it if you mention his ex-wife, Jenny doesn't like to talk about their gambling, Andrew down at the mill is cheating on... anyway. Aislinn doesn't want to talk about her habit of fiddling with that ring. On the list of Things Not To Mention. Surely it's s ring under there? She wouldn't be just fiddling with her finger. That would be even more strange, unless it is another tattoo, a marking? She has obvious scars on her hand... but that was her other hand. She took off the glove of her right hand. Why not the one I was mentioning? No. I am sure there is a ring. I've seen her adjust her glove just as I've seen her adjust the bandages on her face. She does it when she is nervous or when they are disturbed... Maybe it is just nervous itching. Only with the left hand though. Either way, off-limits. Noted. I shall not mention it again. As for her relationship with Saradoc, it seems she is confident enough that she can recall him in detail. I'll file that in another no-go area just in case.

Mentally filng these notes, Walker flicks his attention up to Eye and asks her to watch Aislinn's movements, she responds back - again with a slightly irritated tone - that she isn't an idiot, and can see perfectly well what the signals mean.

Marron agrees with Walker’s idea – since their leader will undoubtedly be the toughest, we should concentrate on him, then attack the others.
Marron adds “Of course anyone who surrenders will get proper treatment including healing. I admire your concern. Sadly I am more pessimistic - I reckon that soldier got badly injured attacking innocent peasants!”

Marron turns to Aislinn. “Climbing a tree sounds jolly good to me. I remember taking climbing classes with you in the Scout Guild. Given those were to climb up walls with just tiny cracks as handholds, a tree would be easy!”

(DM note: If a character has the Climb Walls ability, they can climb any tree…)
(DM note: Eye can easily pass on ‘messages' to Walker – provided the bird is close enough to see or hear as appropriate. However Walker cannot send information back via Eye (she is just a bird!)

Marron leads the others to the spot Giles suggested on the forest path.
Aislinn is easily able to find a suitable branch up a tree with a clear view of the ambush point up ahead. She uses her Stealth.
Walker slips into the trees on the right and his cloak duly blends in.
Marron gives Aislinn a ‘thumbs-up’ signal and points to where ‘Saradoc’ is expected. Marron then steps left into the trees and goes into Stealth.

As they get into position, Walker clarifies to the others, "Eye can see what you do and tell me, she can't communicate with you. If you - for example - give her a hand signal that means danger, or "Marron go left", or whatever, she is intelligent enough to pass that message on to me. She can tell me what signal you sent and I can interpret it and communicate it to where it's needed. If you're in danger that you don't see coming and she does or someone else communicates it to her and then to me, I'll tell her to come down and peck you on your ear or something. Basically if Eye swoops down on you, there's danger you haven't seen or something you need to react to. Sorry that she cannot communicate with you directly, and also will need to stay away when the fighting starts."

[edit: Walker gets into position and is ready to fight, keeping a mind/ear open for updates from Eye. He will alert the others when she says they are close, and then will listen for the impending enemy.]

Aislinn nods and thanks Walker for his explanation. Once she's up in the tree, she's about to envision Saradoc when she realizes she could take a look to see if anyone is visible from her vantage point. Probably Eye has a much better view but Aislinn can't help peering out, tense at the thought of seeing the soldiers.

Seeing Aislinn and Marron safely in place, and trusting his cloak to obscure him, Walker shifts his focus entirely to Eye, watching and waiting for when the patrol is just around the bend in the road ahead. As soon as they are just approaching the bend but still out of sight and earshot, he will "*PSSSTT*" to Aislinn so she can do her.... whatever... and make the "Saradoc".



[To DM: this notification would be when they are still far enough away that we couldn't see or hear them, perhaps 200 ft beyond the bend in the path ahead of us? So a minute or so away.]

Eye is keeping the patrol under observation. They are moving at a steady marching pace, so it’s easy to predict when they will arrive at the ‘ambush’ point between Walker and Marron.
The trooper at the back is using a large wheelbarrow (almost a small cart) to ferry the badly injured soldier and the stolen sheep.
Walker is able to time his signal to Aislinn whilst the patrol are still out of sight and earshot.
Marron notes this and gets ready with his ‘Spirit Hammer’ spell.

DM: Marron makes a Hear Noise roll.

Marron can hear the sound of clanking metal armour, which duly confirms Walker’s timing.

From her elevated post, Aislinn can see the glint of metal from the helmets of the patrol.
She notes Walker’s signal…

A quick double-jab of alarm runs through Aislinn as she sees first Walker's sign, then the shining helmet. She shuts her eyes for a second or two to calm herself and clear her head so she can concentrate. Once she envisions the young Hobbit companion, she again looks at the road, points a finger equidistant between the hidden men, and whispers "Sarad--" Then she amends quickly, "Drunk Saradoc!"

As soon as Walker sees the "Drunk Saradoc" appear, he's amazed once again how real he seems, just like the wolf he's witnessed before. This really is an astonishing ability. Having mainly only witnessed magic used for healing and, of course, his connection with Eye, a small part of his mind niggles at him with the concern of how this could be used to deceive people. Can she make sounds as well? Make someone think they're hearing something that isn't there? Make something appear not as it actually is? I'd thought this was a benign effect that could conjure a harmless image or distraction, like the wolf seemed to do, but seeing her doing this now... there is a lot more potential here and not all of it is good... I don't know if I should ask, she still seems unsure herself. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with whatever magic this is...

Seeing the illusory Saradoc, Walker gets into position with his staff, being sure that he is still hidden, but readies himself to spring out at the leader of the group when they are in range.

Marron is also impressed by the vividness of 'Saradoc'. If the Hobbit can both attack and absorb blows like 'Wolf', then this is a wonderful asset to the party!
Given Marron is about to conjure an 'imaginary' weapon himself, he fully approves of Aislinn's tactics.

When the soldiers are one round away from the ambush, Marron mutters 'hammer' and (concealed in the trees) a 'Spirit Hammer' appears above his head.

Walker notices Marron’s Spirit Hammer appear. It looks just like a regular hammer, but of high quality (the sort of thing that magic items are made from.)

The Empire Patrol round a bend in the forest path and come into view.

DM: Walker’s Cloak Conceals him.

DM: Aislinn makes a Stealth roll.

DM: Marron makes a Stealth roll.

The Sergeant (who is in the lead) sees ‘Saradoc’ staggering a little, gives a snort and announces “I’m going to have fun with this one!”
One of the troopers says “Bet you Sarge takes the Hobbit out in one blow…”

The patrol continues marching forward, drawing their swords out of their scabbards.

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Just as the Sergeant is about to strike ‘Saradoc’, Walker leaps out of concealment and attacks the Sergeant with his Staff.

DM: The Ranger Surprises his opposition. (This means the opposition miss one attack.)

Both ‘Saradoc’ and Marron also strike at the Sergeant (who does not use his Shield for now as he is Surprised.)

Walker’s Staff strikes for 6 damage.

‘Saradoc’ produces two Hand Axes. Both hit, doing 10 and 12 damage respectively.

Marron attacks from behind the Sergeant (who is facing Walker and ‘Saradoc’.)
His first Club hits for 12 damage, his second slldes off the the Sergeant’s Chain Mail but his Spirit Hammer strikes for 13 damage.

With an astonished look, the Sergeant collapses – clearly dead.

Walker instinctively give a quick respectful nod to "Saradoc" for his impressive performance, then realises that is just silly and pointless, as he is simply an illusion... yet an illusion that did a lot of damage to this enemy. There is that little niggle in the back of his mind again, but he puts that thought aside as he turns to shout out to the other soldiers,

"Halt and surrender! We have you surrounded!"

He steps up closer and holds up his staff ready to attack if they don't seem to be amenable to this command.

The troopers simply sneer at Walker’s offer, shouting “Empire forever!”
However hearing they are ‘surrounded’, one trooper calls out “Decimus, guard the rear” and the badly injured soldier in the wheelbarrow slowly struggles to get up.

Despite the loss of their leader, the three marching troopers advance, using Longswords and Shields. One takes on Walker, the second attacks ‘Saradoc’ and the third tackles Marron.
The party are ready for this and three separate duels begin.

Walker’s next blow misses.
His opponent also fails to do any damage.

‘Saradoc’ gets one miss and one hit for 8 damage.
The trooper facing the Hobbit misses.

Marron does not connect with either of his Clubs or his Spirit Hammer.
His trooper also fails to connect.

As the duels continue, the injured soldier finally manages to stand up. He faces back down the path and calls out “Can’t see anything.”

Walker misses again (and looks disappointed.)
Once again his trooper fails to hit.

‘Saradoc’ does not hit with either blow.
The trooper facing the Hobbit takes a wild swing and almost overbalances.

Marron does not connect with either of his Clubs or his Spirit Hammer. (He notes that Chain Mail and a Shield is an effective defence.)
Finally a trooper hits and Marron takes 3 damage.

The injured soldier sits down gingerly on the wheelbarrow as the combat continues...