Red Day 2 In the Morning The next morning you awaken to a bountiful breakfast. Kyle is wide awake and whistling a cheery tune as he takes care of all your needs. Some of you are thinking it is too cheery of a tune for this time of morning, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with the amount of ale and other beverages that were consumed the night before. As noon approaches you begin to wander outside. Horses are saddled and tied up at a hitching post in front of the inn, and the carriage is drawn up and ready to go as well. Hearing a groan, you look across the way to see Darrin and a huge bulk of a man in a leather apron hefting a barrel into the back of a wagon. Then together they lay a tarp across the back and tie it down. Even from here, you note that Darrin's face is a might bit pale. Behind you the door to the inn opens and you see Darrin's cousin, blond haired and brightly blue-eyed on this fine morning. She stands on the porch in riding leathers, smiling prettily at each of you and bids you a fine and wonderful morning. Her voice is like a trickling waterfall as it alights upon your ears. You hear the crunch of gravel behind you, and Darrin's voice calls out, "You look well rested, cousin." She replies with a grin, "And you look ragged, Darrin. Up all night were you. And don't tell me you were out here guarding the wagon." Darrin places a hand to his temple, saying, "I wouldn't try to sneak a lie by you, Zep. But we are ready to go, eh lads? We need two drivers and grab a horse if you like," he says as he gingerly pulls himself up onto the back of a sharp lined black charger. Zeptha chooses a horse and before anyone can help her, is up in the saddle and urging the horse towards the bridge leading north. You can see she is an experienced rider and she sets a pace that most of you consider too fast for how you feel. One look at Darrin's face is enough to tell, that that is certainly his exact feelings." Red on the Road, Day one. As he crosses over the bridge, Darrin looks wistfully back at the small keep of Daggerford and mutters softly, "Bye, Tabek. May your glass never empty old man. And when I return, I'll drink another toast to your continued good health." Zeptha slows up when Christeel and Jeath catch up to her. Happily she replies to their questions. No, she has never been this far north. Darrin was the lucky one, always getting to travel. She had to stay home like a good little girl. But so far the road has been in excellent condition. It is a widely travelled road, and thus kept up. As for riding well, Darrin was always nice enough to go riding with her around Baldur's Gate whenever he was at home. Alas, she knows nothing of their cargo, and is sure that the caravan is only split because of the wagon's wheel getting repaired. Darrin has told her that from Daggerford, Waterdeep is only 150 miles away. They should be there in five more days, she informs them, if Darrin keeps up the pace they have been on for the last three weeks. True to Zeptha's word, the road is in good repair, paved and the miles are well marked as you travel north. There is not much to the scenery. Flat land abounds on either side of the road. There is not much cover for an ambush, and as much as some of you are intent on watching for danger, the only thing that looks threatening is Zeptha's beauty. You make good time and make it to a nice campsite at the side of the road as dusk begins to close in for the night. By the markers you have travelled ten miles since Daggerford. Responses to Red in the morning JEATH Jeath will immediately mount the smallest available horse. I will endeavor to keep up with Zeptha (I did not overindulge last evening). If she is willing I will attempt to find out something of her and her past life, as well as this cousin employer I have just taken on. I will ask where they are from, what cargo we haul that must be hauled separately, and how often they make these trips. I will ask if she has ventured far beyond this area, what her dreams are and where she learned to ride so well. If on the other hand I get the impression she would rather I left her alone, I will do so and I will go make a nuisance of myself talking loudly to anyone hung over from last night, especially the drunken mage. Onyx I jump up into the wagon since I have no idea how to ride a horse. I settle my shield and weapons around me so they are east to get to if the need should arise. I am not an experienced driver, so I will start out at a leisurely pace just to get the hang of it. I will do my best to keep up so I do not slow everyone down. If we stop to rest the horses sometime this morning I will see if I can find something sweet to give the ones pulling the carriage. It never hurts to make friends with the horses, maybe they will respond well to me in the future. I will keep an eye out for trouble as we travel. A small group like us may look pretty good to bandits, especially with a pretty woman in our midst. Christeel Once out side Christeel will see to his horse, getting it ready for travel. and once this is done and the party is monuting up Christeel will stand around and see if anyone required assistance in getting on to there horse and take the time to explain to the drivers how to get the wagons moving and how to get them to stop and to give him a whistle if they need his assistance. (Christeel will avoid using the word help some people seem to take offense to that word). Once the party is mounted up and on there way Christeel will make a sound (kinda like a crowing bird) and his horse will trot over to him. (Christeel has his own horse), the horse is a tan brown but nothing else is special about it. Christeel will swing himself up into the saddle and have is horse get into a light trot. Once he feels that his horse is warmed up , he will urge his horse into a gallop to catch up to the Lady Zep. "Good moring to you Lady Zep" Christeel rises in his saddle smiles and bows while still riding. "Would you be so kind as to tell me how far Waterdeep, far I have never been there before and have only heard tales of the city" Christeel will chat a bit longer if Lady Zep seems like talking if not he will leave her to be by herself. As the Wagon train gets under way and the group is into the rut of traveling Christeel will get out his flute as he is riding and play the little tune that the story teller taught him last night | (#)==|===Christeel=====> | Phearez - Stoic and quiet. Facial tone - pale but normal. Hungry. He eats more than you think possible for such a skinny lad. Stuffing biscuts in pockets, and pouches he slopply enjoys his last meal before the road. On his belt, is a worn, brown sheath, which houses a large knife. Phearez does not have his cloak about him any longer, and you see that his close match what his social standing must be - poor. Silent - quiet. He moves about his morning routine. Washing his face at a nearby river or water bucket, if given the chance. o o o At Noon. Ushered outward, Phe.. Erilyx - will mount any horse given to him, and if there is not one readily avaliable or if the situation is right, he may just sit on the back of the wagon, or atop a barrel. True or not, He would see that as an easier way to travel, and still stay near to the caravan - instead of falling off his steed. Plans for the ride? Heh, what else. Stare, watch. Be silent. Talk as little as possible and ONLY when it will save his back or he is badgered by questions. Also - he is alert, and if riding the wagon, will be focused on watching the sides of the road - instead of his horses mane. NOTE: (DM) Foldis Foldis takes the reins of the carriage and offers Erilyx the option of riding with her. She is not talkative during the ride. (DM) Cyril Cyril clambers onto a horse and rides near the center of the group. Hello All, Foldis is back. 1st a late response to turn four. On hearing the conversation between Phearez and Onyx, Foldis replies with - "In case you two haven't noticed I'm a dwarf as well and will have as many, if not more, problems with horses as Onyx. Would either of you care to share driving duties with me." Depending on the reply to the above Foldis will either 1) Get into the back of one of the wagons saying "There's no way I'm going to sit on one of them all day!" while pointing at the horses. 2) Climb up beside whoever accepts her as a co-driver The only other thing she will do before starting out in the morning is to check the state of the wagons making comments on the state of the wheels. Onyx I will help take care of the horses before doing anything else. I don't know much about horses, but if someone tells me what to do I will gladly lend a hand. After the horses are taken care of I will help set up camp, doing whatever is necessary. I will take first watch if no one has any objestions. Under no circumstances will I drink anything but water tonight. I want to be alert when I am on watch. When I do settle in to get some sleep after my watch my shield and axe are right next to me so I can grab them quickly if I need to. Cyril When we get there I atempt to help as much as I can, I'm not used to these conditions. If I feel I'm out classed and just getting in the way I'll just watch the more experienced outdoors men set up camp. In a attempt to make my self look useful I offer to cook any meat anyone gets. Christeel Christeel will help set up camp, showing Onyx what needs to be done and help pitch at tent if need be for the beautiful maiden Zeptha. He will help secure the horses and if there is any available game that can be found. [If Christeel does find any tracks he will determine what type of creature it is if possible and the hunt will be on] Christeel will ask Onyx if he would care to hunt some game Christeel will ask Darrin a few question before nightfall. "Since myself and the rest of the newly hired guards are new to this area perhaps you could inform us of any possible area that could possible be hostile along the way to Waterdeep. Will we be going through any addition towns or villages along the way?" Who is in charge of caravan protection? [how many other guards are in this caravan including ourselves] "I would be intrested in any stories or tales you care to share with us" When it comes to night time, Christeel will take his turn on watch if watches are to be set up. Onyx Strongarm If Christeel does find any tracks I will go hunting with him. I am not very skilled in woodsmanship, but I am handy with my bow. Phearez Dismounts from the wagon and sits off to the side of the camp, not wanting to get in anyone's way. Jeath Somewhere along the line I will ask Darrin what unfriendlies haunt these parts (besides the drow), and approximately how soon we'll be done with our trip. I may be an elf, but I don't hunt. I can help with setting up camp, caring for horses, cooking (if I have to) and just about anything around camp someone needs help with. I shall offer to take my turn at watch, preferably last watch, but whatever. If the drow is around I shall endeavor to get him really annoyed at me at least once before the evening is over. Come morning I'll be up early, ready to break camp and hit the road. Settling down at the campsite The campsite is a flurry of activity. Darrin busily sets about taking care of the horses, though Zeptha cares for her own. Darrin combs them down and sets out feed for them and is quick to helping any of the others. He thanks Christeel and Onyx for their help with the cart horses. And even Cyril helps as best he can until all is done. Even as Cyril gets a fire going, Christeel returns after a quick foray into the forest with Onyx at his side. Darrin quickly grabs the offered meat and after a proper cleaning, he spits the unlucky animal and hangs it over the fire. While dinner cooks, Darrin is glad to answer all questions. The road runs by two more small villages on the way to Waterdeep, and there are no areas more dangerous than others. Mostly they will have to guard against outlaws and other wild animals. The road is too well traveled for orcs or other nefarious monsters to operate upon. (You are the only caravan guards, at present). Tag is less than a day ahead of us and we should catch up to him before hitting Waterdeep in six days. The aroma is wonderful, and by the time the meal is ready, everyone has growls coming from their stomachs. THE STORYTELLER Darrin is distracted. It is hard to notice, except to a practised eye. He tries to hide his distraction in service to his new workers. He helps care for the horses, he helps cook, and he steps up with ladle in hand, waiting to serve himself until last. Even before he settles down to eat his portion, Darrin makes sure that our mugs are full, drawing some Tabek's Red from the keg which sits nearest the back of the cart. Darrin, after Onyx asks, gets him water from the fresh water barrel at the back of the cart. During the course of the meal, he sympathizes with those who are sore from their first day's ride, and jokes that on the morrow they will feel even worse. All well and good, but at times the talk of his companions passes him by and I see him look to the North, along the road we have yet to travel. And then he shakes himself from his revery and comes back to us to refill our mugs again, though after one round of ale, he has now boiled an aromatic cider, to warm us against the chill to come later. For it is still early spring and the night's can prove shivering cold even after the warmest days. Compared to Darrin's wistfulness, Zeptha is the life of our gathering. She also inquires of our aching thighs and backsides, and is quick to provide a salve from inside one of her bags. She says she is fretfully sorry that she did not visit with us in Daggerford, but she was dreadfully tired. They have already been on the road for a month, and that was the first decent night's rest they have had. Softly she confides in us that Darrin and Tag hardly ever stop for a break even. She mingles with us gracefully, explaining to us that this is her first trip to Waterdeep. She has always wanted to travel in such pleasant company. She says this with a warm smile spread upon her features. Continuing, she explains that Darrin has been the lucky one, growing up on the road, seeing the world. Darrin finally breaks from his revery as he realizes his cousin is speaking of him. He grins and makes a joke about how well he has learned to boil water on chilly nights. He is up again this young one and refilling the mugs of those who wish to be a little warmer. She mingles with us gracefully, but I watch Darrin. When his eyes are not on the road north, his eyes are on her. To my mind, she is a gracious hostess, but she flatter's Cyril with praise for trying to be so helpful, and she asks Phearez if she can help him, he looks to be in pain eventhough he road on the carriage and not on a horse. Suddenly Darrin breaks up the festivities. He calls out to Zeptha, "That is unseemly of one to be soon married, cousin." Shortly she replies, "Of course, you are right, Darrin. It is late and I should be resting. Good night all." Without a backwards glance to her cousin, she reiterates a gentler good night to the rest of us and makes her way into the carriage with regal air to match her majestic beauty. To my eyes, I can see the regret in Darrin's face instantly upon the words flying from his lips. But his cousin has already turned away. But even so, under his breath, perhaps a bit louder than he had intended, he is heard to mutter to one who is not present, "I was never the lucky one. She will have more than I, eh friend." He is back on his feet and his gaze is back on the road, and for awhile his spirit is gone again from our present location. The Watch first watch Onyx Christeel second watch Foldis Darrin third watch Phearez Cyril fourth watch Jeath Storyteller Watches consist of two hours each