Freeport Adventurers

[macquarie]

Camp

Arciris curse the merchant he had passed in the late afternoon,
"you'll make the town before night fall easily my young friend, just stick to the west road. Can't miss it." stated the rug seller.
Two hours after dark all Arciris found was more road. Faced with the choice of wondering till morning, he decided to camp for the night. Climbing down from his horse he led the animal onto the side of the road. Striking flint to steel with practice ease , he soon had a small fire going. Turning to the horse, he lifted the saddle bags down, then removing the saddle, setting them aside, while he cared for the mounts needs. Completing the task and tying the horse to a nearby tree, Arciris set about make camp. Finding firewood proved no problem, there was several adequate logs and kindling to make a good fire. With dinner cooking, Arciris settled back to wait. Taking sword in hand he began work out the nicks. Damn Goblin's he thought, examining the small cut on his let forearm for infections, before returning to honing his sword. Who knew that ten of the bastards could hide in such a small cave. He managed to kill one and maim another, before charging the group , scattering them long enough to breakthrough. With the forest covering his retreat, he manage to lose them. Only then did he feel the sting upon his arm. It was a minor scratch and could be left to heel on it own. The smell form the cooking fire, pushed thought of Goblin's from his mind, as he sat back down to enjoy his meal. It would be the last for awhile, if he didn't find this damn town. His money was no good if there was no store around to spend it. Curse of the noble born, not often was he force to hunt for his supper, his skills were somewhat lacking. Even during his time as the master at arms, most time spend out camping, tended to be within a days ride form home. He pushed that thought of home away, it always led to memories of the day of celebrating his son birth. The dreams were bad enough. They would be there when he closed his eyes, there was no escaping them. With the clean plate back in his pack Arciris turned to his blanket roll, kicked of his boots, and covered himself. The night was cool, and a few more logs would keep back the cold. Sleep came.
Arciris looked over to his wife, she grew more beautiful every day. She stood, watching the barges floating along, all dressed up in ribbon and flowers, awaiting the guest to be herded aboard Turning her head she noticed him staring, she smiled warmly and looked down at the small bundle she carried. Their son Dunfrey, named after Arciris's father. He stepped towards her, arms encircling from behind, left hand gently caressing his son head. Then a screamed ripped out, spinning around Arciris could see riders charging down the river, swords swinging.

 

[petrel]

Halia watched as perrin fell asleep, she smiled faintly and sat down next to him - other ideas may have been going through his mind but she had work to do. It was a couple of months since she had last tried to get in contact with her homeland, maybe it was time to take another look. She sat still, crosslegged, eyes open but staring blankly at the overhanging branches.
Slowly she let herself sink into a light trancelike state and then sent her thoughts towards home - she coudln't make a strong contact unless someone over there with more power was trying to reach her also but she could touch on the mood, and feelings of people close to her and so pick up if there was anything she needed to return home for.

Marcus, a fine day midmorning, light, calm peaceful
good, halia sighed it felt like he was at Tara but then she coudl be worng - just putting her interpritations on the feeling she got from him. Anyway nothing bad had come across and so she could withdraw before marcus realised she was watching - she hated keeping her cousin in the dark like this but if he knew where she was it wouldn't be long before someone else convinced him it was his responsibility to tell them where she was and she wasn't ready for that yet.

 

[Jeselynn]

Jeselynn

Waiting awhile at the tavern, and deciding that we havegathered out full party. I motioned to 'edge' that we'd be on our way, and our horses trotted down the road towards the camp set up by the others...

pulling into camp i dismounted and checked the edges of the camp. finding a tall curvy tree, I sit, legs crossed...

chanting, I place my hands into the dirt and pull handfuls up.. letting it sift and fall back to the ground.
As the dirt falls a slight glow starts to rise and spread over the ground. Growing to surround and engulf the camp, a wall of energy rises and encases every trace of our presence.

Opening my eyes and surveying my spell. I pick up the closest rock and hold it tight in my hand. humming a bit and chanting in a lower pitch, opening my eyes to look at my target. Moving my hand in a weaving motion, I control the growth and direction of some wild vines and make a hut like coccoun. standing I walk to the fire and explain that the small stone i gave them earlier will let them enter and exit the field. undetected...


'we shall leave at first light.' i state in a sigh. 'may luck smile on us'

 

[petrel]

I lean over and tickle Perrins' nose with a grass stalk - 'they got here' I say, he wakes up reaching for a weapon and then seeing me, rubs his nose ruefully while Jese sets up magical wards - I have to admit it is fairly impressive stuff.

I wander over to Fledge 'we thought you might have gotton lost - care to let me join you hunting tonight?'

I turn back to perrin 'It will take both of us to feed Perrin I think' smiling

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Edge (Fledgrin)

I nod.
"Company will be nice for a change," I return. "It'll be nice to get back to nature but not solitude."
I lead her into the woods, searching for tracks that might have been left by some mid-sized or small animal. Something too large would be wasting the meat. We'd never have time to cure that meat and sleep and still be up by first light.
I found a few tracks that looked like rabbits, but not fresh. I debated for only a second, then settled down and saited, sword in hand, near the path they'd left.
"We should wait until they pass through. They should come to feed after it's totally dark, and safe."

 

[macquarie]

I awoke to the sound of horses hooves on the hard pack road. Rolling form the blankets, scattering the fire with a quick kick Crouching my 6 foot, heavily muscled frame behind nearby bush. I waited, hand on hilt light green eyes scanning the road,. The camp was well hidden and the horse was asleep, it would be hard for anyone to spot them from the road. After a short time, dark shapes could be seen making there way towards me. Faces were lost in the gloom and only a mass of riders could I make out. One of the shapes spoke.
" She must be taken alive, anyone found with her, you my do as you like, as long as they do not survive the night. Any equipment found, I will take for myself, is that clear."
The group gave a dull murmur of agreement, never slowing there progress.
Waiting till I could not hear the horses, I rose to my feet an whispered under my breath.
" I'll bet the lady would not take kindly to being abducted. A damsel in distress what aspiring knight, would pass up that chance to ride to the rescue."
Leaping to the challenge, I quickly saddle my horse and donned my amour. Tying back my dark shoulder length hair, with a strip leather unadorned save a small hawk sown near the left temple, I rode after the riders sword drawn.

 

[Jeselynn]

Jeselynn

Nodding as our 'hunters' spoke about waiting... "sounds like a good idea.' I stated.

Standing from my crouch, and walking to the coccoon-like vine formation, I waved my hand and it opened. Looking back and stating, 'I must rest and prepare for the journey.. Don't worry about my meal i have rations. Good-evening'

Climbing into the vines adn motioning again, it closes and a soft light glows lightly.

Unnoticable from the outside. I pull a small bowl from my bag and sit it on the ground in front of me. Using the water from my wineskin, I fill it to a mark inside about 1/3 of the bottom.

Pulling out a small pouch, i reach in and take a pinch of a fine powder. Sprinkling it into the bowl, I use my long extended ring on my first finger to stir it.

Grabing a long thin hollow glass vessle, and pouring the liquid into it, I use dirt to clean the blow and my hand to dust it out. Placing the bowl back into my bag I carefully pick up the vessle, shaped very much like the shaft of an arrow, and place a carved cap on it's end to keep the liquid inside.

Spilling more water on the ground and chanting, it's surface, muddy and gray, shimmers and swirls. An image appears, dark and shadowed. 5 forms could be made out on horse-back. One a little clearer hiding in a bush...

Watching there movements, theie eyes started to glow. evil and red they grew brighter.

Reaching into my bag and grabbing one of the locatin stones, I speak a few words and it changes color. Barely able to make it out, I close my hand around it... Thrusting my arm deep inside the pool, I let my hand open and the stone dropped into the crouching mans bags.

pulling my arm out I chanted a quick cantation and placed one end of the glass vessle into the pool, putting my lips to the other, I blew a breath and the liquid flowed out into the pool, like smoke under the water. pulling the vessle out and breaking it in 2, I watched the scrying pools' surface change... a faint glow seemed to light everything for my viewing, and i could see the 5 men on horses. pulling more fine powder from my pouch i sprinkled it onto the surface of the pool... it settled and glittered. as if on cue the men could be seen falling from their horses and the horses falling asleep.


Crashing my fist into the surface the image was shattered and sent splashing.. returning to the muddy gray before. mixing the dirt and mud in a circle, and lighting it with my candle, it caught fire and smoked black. A small red glow grew from the fire as it died and picking up the stone, I placed it into a pouch and put it back into bag and laid back against the tree..


Asleep and relaxed, only the noise of the camp and adventurers could be lowly heard.

Slipping into a dream of color....

 

[petrel]

I crouch down next to Fledge and nod in agreement when he suggests waiting a while.

Its a soft dusk and the smells of the wood are pleasent and warm after the days sun.

'what do you think of this assignment' I whisper softly - 'for myself I think there is something our employer is not telling us yet, she seems overly cautious and a bit distracted'

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

Perrin startles awake when Halia woke him up. He reached for his sword, then realized it was only her telling him that the others had finally arrived. He looks over at Jeselynn and Fledge, gives them a warm smile and then rolls back over to sleep. His stentorian snores can be heard at the edges of their camp.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Edge

I debated what she has said for a moment, then replied, whispering, "I think we might have better luck if that guy's snoring wasn't chasing away the prey."
I smiled, agreeing silently with her observations, but I was willing to wait and see. I had a good feeling about this Jeselyn.
Just as I was about to suggest a better hunting ground, a rather large rabbit moved onto the path just ahead, looking around as if searching for the loud snoring man. It settled when it found no one, and began sniffing through the grass and bushes.
Perhaps ther methodical snoring of this man might come in handy. I crept out toward the animal, drawing my sword slowly, making pace with the snores, steping as he inhaled so as to mask my movements.
As the rabbit caught sight of me, I lopped off its head. QUick and painless, as animals should be killed, not left to suffer at all.
I grabbed the kill and held it out to Halia.
"This shall feed us well enough, yes?"

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

Perrin rolled over in his sleep. He was having a nightmare about the walrus men that had come and slaughtered many people at the village. Perrin came awake for a brief second , hearing two people talking about his snoring.

Bah, I dont snore. What are they talking about over there?

Realizing that it is not an important conversation. Perrin rolls back over and the pace of his snoring increases.

 

[petrel]

'that should feed us all I would think, maybe we should always hunt to the sound of snores - it seems to work!'

I take the Rabbit - 'you caught it so I guess that means I skin it - there's a stream over there and we may be able to get some wild herbs to go with this in a stewpot unless you and our large freidn back there prefer your meat roasted?'

I have my old cookpot with me and intended on making up campbread whilst the meat cooked - a few herbs woduln't go amiss though to liven the taste up a bit. With any luck Perrin still had some wine left and we could settle down for the night in comfort

 

[Jeselynn]

Jeselynn

Hiding in the coccoon, awake to all the sounds around... The hunting dou... the sleeping giant.

Keeping the attention of two man is a feat for any woman..

Looking into my own mind for the image of the would be saviour.. watching over my would be killers...Sounds all around me..

Picturing the man... meditating, I chanted and hummed... 'come to us... seek us, for it's glow will lead you too us...' My mind locked on the deep black stone hidden in a thin pouch...Sending a thought.. my mind aching to give the image to follow the glow of the stone .. like a beckon to theis stranger...

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Edge

"Stewed sounds good," i replied. "ANd I think our large friend might sleep through the meal..."
I watched as she skinned and rinsed the meat, then began to cook it over the fire.
I settled back, deciding that killing the rabbit had been the easy part of preparing the meal.

 

[macquarie]

Meating

Rounding a bend in the road, I came across a curious sight, those I had been following had stopped, three riders were slumped over their horses necks, while the others seamed to be flat on the ground. Riding up slowly, I dismounted and approached the first. Lying flat on his back one foot still caught in the stirrup. He still breathed.
"Sorcery !. Perhaps not bandits at all, maybe a group of vigilantes after a evil sorceress or a baby stealing witch."
Whatever the case, I set myself to investigate. Following the road I soon came to the unmistakable source of whoever had cast the spell. Just off to the side, stood a hut made from leaves and vines, seemingly grown for the earth itself. a few horses were hobbled to one side and a steady stream of smoke drifted out of a hole in the huts roof.
" HO THE CAMP, MY I APPROACH ?" I called.

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

His nostrils twitching at the scent, Perrin wakes up fully to the wonderful smell of the stew. He looks over and sees that Halia is tending the stew so it will not burn. He sits up slowly , wiping the sleep from his eyes. He knows that on the road ahead , there will be little sleep, so he will get it when he can.

 

[petrel]

I prepare the food quickly, I've no idea if either of the men can cook and Jese seems to have done her share for tonight by making us secure.

I look over to see Perrin waking up - 'If you're all done sleeping you could go and get some more water from the stream for washing and drinking' I say holding out a spare pan to him.

Just then I hear someone calling out to us asking if they can approach - laying my hand on my sword I turn to Fledge and Jese raising my eyebrows questioningly.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Edge

I stood upon hearing the voice, then look over to Perrin, raising my eyebrows, wondering if he will accompany me.
I don't wait for an answer, but trust that he will follow, and head in the direction of the voice.
when the man comes into view, I stop, my hand on the handle of my long sword.
"Who goes there, and what business do you have here?" I request.

 

[Jeselynn]

Standing and exiting the coccoon. Halia looked to me and i look back and motioned for calm..

'they cannot see us unless they are invited' i spoke

looking around i moved to the edge of our camp and looked at the ground seeing a small glittering lin on the inside of the shield, I placed my hand on it and parted a small space to see who was comming..

Looking around carefully...

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

Perrin gets up off the ground with a heavy sigh. He ignores the stew as he follows Edge out of the campsite. He watches Edges back as he walks towards the source of the voice. Perrin pulls his axe from its holder as he stands at Edge's side, looking at the man that approaches.

 

[macquarie]

Camp

I stand, hand away from my blade, as two men appear. Two more shapes gather amongst the shadows.
" I mean no harm, I only wish to warn you that five men were approaching. Though they seem some what preoccupied. If I may be of assistance, they are but a few leagues behind"
Getting a better look, one figure would easily stand a head taller than myself, the other of a size to me. Emerging from the hut like structure, came a Drow. My hand tightened upon my sword. Drow were notoriously evil and seldom ventured from there native lands. Chivalry warred against duty, this Drow was not only female, but potentially innocent of whatever crime could be made against her.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Edge

As jese moved closer to the man, I stepped ahead, following closely behind her, seeing the man's hand on his weapon.
"Halt right there," i announced, drawing my own blade. "A fight isn't necessary here. If you have no peaceful business, go about your way. We are appreciative of your warning, but not so much as to excuse aggression toward one of our own."

 

[petrel]

Oh marvellous I mutter to myself as I see the newcomer - a Paladin - oh well at least he's unlikely to be dangerous unless he sudddenly gets the impression that we are evil.
My months on this continent had left me with little respect for paladins as a calling. Whilst I had met a few who were pleasant and honourable companions that often seemed to be despite the paladin calling not because of it. The worst of them were bigoted, narrowminded and all to fond of trying to tell me what to do.

I step up next to Fledge and Perrin slipping my smaller frame between the two of them,
'Friends whilst I am more than certian that Jese can defend herself I would not allow you to stand alone as her defenders.'

I bow slightly to the newcomer 'Sir common courtesy has me thank you for the warning - however I would ask what leads you to believe these men are intent on our camp?'

 

[chewbacca71]

Perrin

The hair at the back of his neck stands up when the newcommer mentions men waiting for them. He puts his nose to the air, yes, he can smell the men. But, he can also smell some enchantment on them.

I have been so long in the company of men, that my senses are dulling. I need to pay more attention.

Perrin looks over this new companion. He seems like his is assured of himself and carries himself well. They could always use another fighter.

 

[Jeselynn]

Jeselynn


Walking to the man and holding my stone charm necklace towards him, it begins to glow faintly.. a dulled light glows from him.

'he is safe for the time, he carries my gift' I spoke.

'put down your weapons, all of you... there is no need , besides the men will not be awaken anytime soon I assure you.'

'Please join us.. i believe we are ready for the evening meal...' i motioned