720 Nuzyael 25 - 26

It’s well after Midnight on Nuzyael 24th as Quintin tries to locate the source of the fighting noises he heard. Moving cautiously though the dark woods, he spots a small fire along the side of the road. He can just make out the forms of a couple of horses and a wagon. Moving up silently, he spots three bodies on the ground. He moves around the far side of the small makeshift campground, being carful not to bring any attention to himself. As he moves, he spots quite a few tracks moving into and out of the campsite. Suspecting this must be the path of the attackers, he quickly follows the still fresh trail.

Moving along swiftly, he looses track of the trail and becomes lost. Giving up hope of gaining ground on the bandits, he makes his way back to the campsite. Upon scouting around, he finds that one of the men left was still alive. Assisting him as he could, he assures the man that help is on the way, and makes his way back to his own camp to awake his friends.

Returning this time with Bors the Large, Silias, and Annalease, they bandage up the man and question him. They discover that he was a merchant, and that the camp was set upon by bandits, and the other two men were his hired guards. Also, they learn that the mans wife and daughter were taken prisoner. The party quickly decides to set the man on his horses and send him to the nearest town so that the authorities could be alerted, and that they would try to follow the trail again to locate the bandits.

The party tracks the bandits back to their base camp deep into the woods. There, they just spot the look out as he was patrolling, but then quickly lose sight of him. Dousing their latten, they position themselves to approach the camp and check things out. With great luck, Quintin spots the scout as he is approaching Silias’ location. Letting lose an arrow from his bow, he strikes true and fells the man. However, it is not a kill shot, and the man howls in pain.

The bandit leader sends out his henchmen to find out what is going on. One man rushes to the aid of his fallen comrade, and is too felled by Quintin’s bow with a piercing shot to the foot.

The bandits realize there is a sniper in the woods, and take cover, advancing carefully. Quintin takes out another bandit before they reach him. Quickly, the bandit leader jumps out at Quintin, just in time to meet up with Bors’ war flail. Bors, along with Quintin, make quick work of the 3 bandits that approach them, while Annalease and Silias defend themselves admirably. Seeing defeat as eminent, the bandit leader surrenders himself and his men, preferring trial to death.

Having captured the bandits and doctoring their wounds, the party speaks to the imprisoned women. There, they learn that their father was seen smashed in the head with a club and killed. Realizing that the man left was one of the bandit’s men, and that they had just sent him off on the two horses, they hang their heads in embarrassment and escort the women and their prisoners back to town.

By the time you get back to town, it is coming on noon of the 25th.

The noon sun warms the small village, and a gentle spring breeze blows through the scattered buildings. The villagers look up from their varying tasks, observing the small band as they march down the street. Five are obviously prisoners, bound hand and foot, they are being escorted by an odd assortment of travelers. Two of their number stand out; one is a young woman, an exotic beauty with dark skin and red hair, the other is a giant of a man, quite easily the largest man many of these simple villagers have ever seen.

Conversations die down as the procession marches through the village, only to pick up again with vigor once they have passed. The band marches straight up the hill, stopping short of the Manor. Then the large man steps forward, and in a deep voice asks for the Sheriff.

An older man dressed as a yeoman swiftly approaches, along with a few other hastily dressed guards and greets you. He welcomes you, with some reserve, to Lancard, of the Habimas Hundred. He will inquire as to who you are, and who your prisoners are.

By the time your explanations are told, the yeoman calls for a young lad to run for Baron Bastune, Constable Lyndar, and Sir Nilath. The lad runs off to the north, along the main road. The yeoman advises all of you that they are grateful for the capture of the bandits, and that he has summoned the Baron and Constable to make judgment on them. He will ask if you are willing to give your statements to the Lords, as they will want to speak with you directly. He tells the guards to take the men and secure them to the post in the middle of town, and to put them under watch.

As the prisoners are being taken from you, a nobleman approaches from the Manor on horseback, his paige running behind him. The yeoman leans close and says that it is Sir Nilath, the Lord of Lancard that approaches you.

As the lord approaches, Quintin bows his head in respect to the noble lord of this area. He waits quietly and patiently for the lord to respond and only speaks when the lord asks a question, always asking permission to speak before answer the lord's questions, always addressing him as "me Lord."

Sir Nilath will dismount, then heartily greet all of you. He is a middle aged man, with salt and pepper colored hair and a jovial spirit. Upon getting a good look at each in the party, he will he will thank you for your brave deeds, then invite you to clean up near the stables and to join him for lunch behind his manor. He is quite excited to hear of your deeds of how you captured these troublesome bandits, noting that it will take a couple hours before the Baron and Constable will arrive.

Quintin responds by saying, "you are most gracious me Lord. We would be honored." He then says as he bows slightly, "We will join you as soon as we have washed ourselves. We would not want to spoil the pleasant nature of the lord's lunch with our assured foul odor. Especially you Bors." A slight grin forming as he turn his head slightly to look at Bors. Quintin then straightens himself still smiling slightly as he gives one last head bow to Sir Nilath, then he turns and heads towards the stables to begin cleaning up.

Bors takes a small step forward, and for just a moment a scowl begins to grow on his face. Then he stops, sniffs his armpit, and shrugs in agreement. The large man opens his mouth to say something, then thinking better of it, simply nods in agreement once again. He attempts and awkward bow, failing miserably, and follows Quintin to wash up.

Anneliese goes to freshen up, although she knows she already looks amazing. She begins creating a story in her mind recreating the events that she must report about to Sir Nilath. She reflects on the events leading up to finding the man who claimed he was the father, bandits, the two women and the battle. By the time she is done freshening up she feels confident with the story she has to tell.

The party cleans up and makes it way to lunch with Sir Nilath and his family. After some awkward moments where Bors get's confused as to what the functionality of silverware is supposed to be, things get smoothed out when Anneliese begins to tell her tale of all that has happened over the last week.

Awestruck with Anneliese's tales of your bravery and travels (glossing over the two counts of grave robbing you preformed), the knight insists that you all stay for supper and sends summons out to his family and friends to come and hear her songs and stories. You will each be offered quarter in the manor for the evening.

Sir Nilath has a respectably appointed manor, which you may rest. Around mid afternoon, a runner races up to Sir Nilath with word that the Baron and the Constable will be arriving within the hour to interrogate the prisoners, and to meet the brave travelers that apprehended them.

About an hour before supper is to be served, the Baron and the Constable, along with their Sergent at Arms, and a small entourage of footmen, arrive.

The nobles will exchange their formalities, and Sir Nilath will introduce you to the Baron Bastune, and his son, the Constable Lyndar. The Baron appears to be in his mid 50's, is dressed very finely, and is blessed with giant beard, and a belly to match. His opulent dress does little to hide the easily distinguishable fact that he he is a man that loves his food and his wine. To the other extreme, his son, Lyndar, while still dressed in fine, noble clothing, is attired far more simply, and is clean shaven, with a face that makes him appear just a few years older than yourselves.

When the two royal blooded men dismount, Baron Bastune's size truly manifests itself, as he is about as round as he is tall, being a bit shorter than Quintin stands. The dissimilarity between father and son become even more apparent, as the younger man seems to be a full foot taller than his sire.

Baron Bastune will come and greet you according to his station, which is to say that he is thankful for your service to his Hundred, you are not one of his vassals, and really doesn't care for the "adventuring types" to be hanging around his lands, as trouble seems to find them far to easily.

Constable Lyndar, while still of the noble air, is far more congenial with his greetings and initial dealings with you.

Quintin bows humbly before the Baron and constable as he greets each of them. He then Waits quietly, letting the events unfold. He takes care only to speak when spoken to. Keeping his responses short and to the point, but always keeping the utmost decorum when dealing with the nobles. He tries hard to keep as little attention as possible on himself. With Bors and Anneliese around, this is simple to do.

Bors the Large opens his mouth as if to speak, then wisely clamps it shut. Bors has always done his best speaking with his war flail, however this is neither the time nor the place, and besides the guards made him check his weapon and armor at the gate.

After spending an appropriate amount of time with the Party, the Baron and his men go over to the prisoners. The party stays a respecful distance away, but can still hear the Baron as he laughs at the bandit leader.

"Kathel, you fool. I told you I never wanted to see your face again, and so what do you do? You take up robbing the good merchants that bring us their goods? This is why I dismissed you in the first place." The Baron slaps Kathel across the face, then spits on him. Turning to walk back toward Sir Nilath's manor, he says to his son, "I've got nothing more to do with this man. See to it he is punished accordingly."

Lyndar looks down at the now groveling man and shakes his head. He looks towards the Sergent At Arms and speaks to him, and the Sergent nods quickly. After a few commands from the Sergent, the foot soldiers gather up the prisoners and start marching them northward, toward the keep in Kolorn.

From the distance of the manor, the Baron can be heard calling back, "Sir Nilath? Where is that fine wine you always brag about?"

The excitement of the day quickly diminishes as the household prepares a dinner feast for the royal visitors, as well as it's honored guests. The party is set midway along the table, near the lords, with Annelise taking the best spot, followed by Silias, Quintin, and Bors sitting along with the other guardsmen.

After dinner, Annelise is invited to preform for the crowd, in which she does a stunning dance number, followed by a beautiful ballad, and ending with a story of an ancient battle of two great warlords facing off to the death.

Afterwords, the Baron, in a drunken stupor, pleads for Annelise to visit his Keep any time she's in town. When she politely protests, he up's the ante with inviting the whole party to his keep, as well as allowing everyone open trade with any of his merchants holding court when you happen to arrive.

With everyone nodding briskly in acceptance, Annelise accepts his offer. Satisfied with the deal, the Baron heads off to his room for sleep. Shortly after, everyone starts to head off for their respective beds, and the party is shown where they will be sleeping tonight.

In the morning, having rested in a nice, comfortable bed and given another feast for breakfast, you are all welcome to go on your own way. Sir Nilath will offer you a letter with the Barons seal that you can give to another Lord to use as a one time Sanctuary, should you need it. He states to you in plain speak that the bandit leader you captured was the Barons nephew, who betrayed the Baron a couple years ago, and has been a thorn in his side ever since. Not being able to bring himself to actually imprison a favored nephew, your doing it releases him of the political burden of having to send his own knights to track him down and do it. This note is his thanks, though you will not get that from him in person.

With that, you are free to do as you will.

Bors reflects on the nights sleep that he had, besides waking up once in the middle of the night he slept better than he had for a long time. After having breakfast at the manor, he heads up north to Kolorn. The strong wind whips and whistles around the large man as he lumbers down the street. He hums a lively tune while he wanders from merchant to merchant checking prices, selling items, having clothing/armor repaired, and making purchases.

Once the afternoon begins to fade into evening, Bors deposits his goods in his room, then makes his way to a local tavern. He spends the evening visiting several taverns, sharing a few pints of ale, and listening for any sign of a new job for their small mercenary band.

Anneliese sees Bors heading to Kolorn and she follows behind. He doesn't mind the company as they go to several taverns and meet the merchants. Anneliese even gets the chance to tell some more stories, sings some more songs, and do a little dance.