Hunt Or Be Hunted

[Revenant]

Mave and Torvik go to the cell that holds the duo, Tobby's chubby cheeks grin with satisfaction while Clayte has a look only of resignation as they are led from their captivity. Once outside the two, if released, walk towards the drow and tiefling and the two empty horses beside them.

Trouble grins with satisfaction, "A pleasurable transaction in all measures it seems. I will leave you one last bit of wisdom. Do not trifle with the Ashcatchers again, for there will be no peaceful option given should that occur. Understand your ladyship?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik escorts the men but never actually 'sets them free' they might still be shackled but that is their problem not his as they are essentially free. He just has a silent look with Mave and doesn't say anything. But he certainly is thinking a lot of things, anyone that has spent time around him can see the gears turning in his head.

[Darithe]

Mave

Clenches her teeth, but says nothing at *Trouble's* words. She does say to the two prisoners, "If I ever see either of you in these lands again, prison will be the least of your worries." She stands ready as she watches them start walking.

[spanningtree]

Thena

Watches for any indication that something more is going to take place.

[tristenc]

Niserie keeps her bow half-drawn, watching and waiting. At any sign that 'trouble' intends to make an example by ordering the execution of innocents as 'reminder' or 'recompense' she will execute the aforementioned 'throat shots' to interrupt the order.

[Rex]

Bryne

Bryne peeks around the corner, bow at the ready.

[Revenant]

The two prisoners begin their march to the two Ashcatchers, Tobby nearly running in relief, Clayte walking almost as if headed for the gallows, he pauses giving one last look back at his captors. When they reach the two, the tiefling dismounts not bothering with their shackles merely helping them up onto the two horses they brought with them into town. The drow remains mounted a watchful eye on both Mave and Torvik. When they are all remounted, the drow says, "A pleasure your ladyship," she does a slight royal wave, "Pray we don't meet again." The tiefling takes hold of the reins of the two bound men and ties them to his sadlle horn. Then all four turn and ride off in the direction of Belay and a quickened pace.

After they leave, there is a long silence until at last both Theossia and Abaessa both reappear around the houses they searched. Abaessa appears relieved and says, "I found no one at the Alvar's save the family within." Theossia nods, "Tis the same at the Treevor's. I don't think anyone was actually there." A quick search of the other homes reveals all safe, sound and undisturbed.

[Rex]

Bryne

"A bluff then. I am glad that no one is hurt."

[tristenc]

Nis nods, Indeed. Well, that is quite enough excitement for one night. Wecoming the others back, Niserie prepares to settle down for the evening.

===
In the morning she will check the hide armor to see if it is in any condition to use or if it needs cleaning/repair. She will also need to acquire a new pair of boots (having given hers to De'Athrya). She will also see if the huntsman has any additional leather/hide armor she could get for De'Athrya to further protect the girl

[spanningtree]

Thena

Seeing the situation diffuse w/o harming the denizens of the town she relaxes and prays, the prayers turn into a chant that echos throughout the temple over and over until sunrise.

Tempus, I surrender all to your wisdom,
Thank you for your protection and direction,
Give me power in my state of powerlessness,
Help me to know to know my power,
Strengthen my mind, body and spirit,
Direct me Tempus

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik "Hope we got all tha info we need from them two, as the look one of em gave me I'm sure they ain't gonna be alive fer much longer. Notice they didn't even ask fer their shackles ta be removed. I bet we find em dead up tha road er in a ditch somewhere when we leave ere."

[Rex]

Bryne

"Very possible Torvik. Evil is evil."

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik nods "Aye, we could still shoot tha damned dark elf an Tieflin as they depart. We got ranged."

[Darithe]

Mave

Sighs in relief, that none appear harmed, though she insists on verifying that personally at each family's home. Once that is done, she returns to Torvik and apologizes for her actions, "I'm very sorry to have released the prisoners, but I couldn't risk harm to people under my father's protection. If you want to give them chase, I won't object, in fact I will ride with you. But I also don't want to cause a war between our homeland and the thieves' guild. So I leave that decision to you and will give my full support to whatever you decide."

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik shakes his head "No reason ta apologize I understand. They was wit tha guild? I best not go after em then. Just cause my command is wit tha Rages don't mean that is me skillset. I'm actually a warrior and a thief meself. I don't rob folks er nothin' well less they be evil sorts. But I dun wanna put me arse in a sling wit no thieves guild neither."

[The Bindoner]

Wilwayaisawén

Wilwarin kept her own council while the negotiations over the prisoners took place. It is not her place to intervene in matters of human justice, especially when a family member of the local Lord is present.

To Mave:

I do not involve myself in politics, but your decision has reduced our burden, and likely cost us little. Perhaps they could have corroborated our story, but I do not see any point in pursuing them. As Torvik said, I doubt we would find them alive anyway.

[Revenant]

“She had no time for sleep, with the weight of the world upon her shoulders. And she feared to dream. Sleep is a little death, dreams the whisperings of the Other, who would drag us all into his eternal night.” ~ George R.R. Martin



"Tempus, I surrender all to your wisdom,
Thank you for your protection and direction,
Give me power in my state of powerlessness,
Help me to know to know my power,
Strengthen my mind, body and spirit,
Direct me Tempus"
~ Thena's prayer

And as those words were spoken, her eyes closed and her head bent in prayer...a vision appeared in her mind. It was her grandfather, long years ago dead and buried in the cemetery outside of Lupre. No longer bent by age and disease, he stands before her as he had been when she was but a child still at her mother's milk. They stand in snow nearly a foot deep with more falling about them catching in their hair as he takes her hand and they walk. "The first steps will be found in the Temple to the Foehammer in the Landing. Seek my brother amongst the Order of the Broken Blade. Speak these words to him and him alone...Know thy self, Know thy enemy." He then leads you to the sight of a great impending battle.

Winter's Edge.jpg (1.89 MiB) Viewed 836 times

He points you to the warriors aligning in front of you facing legions of enemies. Soldiers are arrayed beside you two as you walk. Soldiers of many nations stand beside one another grim faces looking towards those in front of the icy castle beyond. You glance at the faces scattered throughout the side on which you stand. There are young halfling warriors, heavily armored dwarven men and women, and willowy elven archers and blademasters and humans of many lands with the kings and queens at the head. One helmed woman mounted on a great white stallion looks back over the forces she commands. She looks directly at you and when she removes her helm, it is your face beneath it. Your grandfather says, "I wish I could join the battle beside you Thena!" It is then the great shadow flies overhead blotting out the few rays of sun that break through the snowfall in the sky. A shadow that envelopes all until the vision is gone. You blink and find yourself looking at the rays of light that shine through the window of the shrine of Chauntea.

Abaessa and Theossia both say AMEN! at the end of your prayer. "Well said sister," Abaessa smiles warmly the light mixing with her golden hair.

At the same time Nis is at the huntman's, who also has a young apprentice in tow, who tells her the hide armor has some minor damage he could fix. He also has several pairs of leather riding boots he has crafted that are for sale. When she mentions some protective armor for De'Athyra, he says he could work up some leather armor that would fit her but he'd have to make it from several pieces he has. He estimates the job would cost about 15 gold and would require him and his apprentice to work on it and the hide armor for the full day. He says it could be ready by tomorrow morning.

The three prisoners that remain are under the watchful guard of the Rangers of the Horn.

Discuss what your next steps are and if you wish to wait the day for the armor to be made.

[tristenc]

Nis will thank him but not wish to delay the group. She will have the one set repaired and let De'Athrya wear that for now until Nis can find something else.

She will, however, inquire if the other suit can be begun and sent along after them, to meet them at whatever destination Lady Gallowhawk determines the prisoners are headed

====
Nis spends 3gp for boots,15 for hide armor
35gp -3 -15 => 17gp remain

How much for the repairs and to pay someone to deliver it to them when it is ready? (Wherever Lady Gallowhawk says they are bound)

[Darithe]

Mave

Mave checks on the prisoners, then meets with Miklos, wanting to be sure he sends words to Gull's Landing, should the two Ashcatchers return. She will then ask everyone to meet at the inn for a meal to discuss when they are setting out. She agrees with Nis that they shouldn't wait, knowing their mere presence in town might possibly endanger the townsfolk. She would like to leave as soon as they can, but she will listen to all of the other's opinions too, should their thoughts differ.

[GreyWolfVT]

Torvik checks on the prisoners and his recruits. Then checks in on the others though he figures they are capable enough to not need checking in on. When out and about he will check the local magistrate hoping he is all set, maybe see if he needs any extra help while Torvik and his crew are in the area.