A simple journey

[Rex]

Fili, "The key allows safe entry to any outpost to whoever bears it, we were trained that it was critical this always happen. I do not know the reason but if that key is not in Azadmere I fear something is wrong."

[GreyWolfVT]

Algrim "Things been wrong fer a long time Fili. But yah likely dun know bout most of it since ya been stuck ere in yer afterlife."

[Rex]

Fili, "Perhaps then the key no longer has the same function as it once does. It is too much for me to consider at the moment. I will think on it some."

He drifts towards the privy, "The bag is in here."

[sastaz]

Turnip looks at Fili as he floats by.

"And it's not trapped or anything?"

[Rex]

Fili, "No traps, just a simple hidden space. Sometimes simple is best."

[sastaz]

On her way to the Privy to find the hidden location of the message bag, Turnip stops for a moment and thinks out loudly.

"But that has to mean that the wearer of that key hailed from Azadmere and either he or she lost it or was attacked and killed. Right?"

[shaidar]

Arngeir

"Was hidden by man, Baild of Elendsa, hundreds year ago. Given to him after he return body of Onar Kuhrdin to clan in Azadmere."

[Rex]

Fili, "It sounds like the key was freely given as a reward for something. Very odd, the outposts must not be considered as valuable as before for some reason. I am growing weak, talking to you is exhausting, I must rest now." With that Fili begins to fade away. Turnip can still see him but he is drifting away into the far wall.

[shaidar]

Arngeir

"We go find body, yes? We need to bury in particular way or place?"

Can we make a rough estimate of the journey time?

[Rex]

10 leagues is about 25 miles or about 40km. Maybe with a serious push you could do it in 1 day but 1.5 to 2 would be reasonable.

[shaidar]

Arngeir pauses, thinking for a short while.

"I need return to town. Big religious observance I need to do, Bjarri's Feast. Biggest of year, 9 days."

[sastaz]

Turnip answers Arngeir.

"Sure, we're not in a hurry. If his remains have been there for hundreds and hundreds of years, surely a few weeks won't make a difference. We should finish up in this outpost before we go home though, because I fear the gargun will come looking for their dead, and when they do they will stalk this area. And with these three gold crowns we found, we'll eat like kings!"

She starts moving towards the privy.

"I need that other bag, I'll go get it."

[shaidar]

Arngeir

"Yes, finish up inside, then put rock back on top."

[GreyWolfVT]

Algrim nods his head "Alright, ya do what ya gotta do. I'm considerin' stayin ere an trying ta restore the outpost ta it's former glory."

[shaidar]

Arngeir

"Not safe, just you, with roof open with orcs. If no other way in but roof, why not we all come back later?"

[Rex]

Just then you hear something above, then Idril's voice from the top of the stairs. "Something or someone is coming, I caught a glimpse of a horse in the vale we came up."

[shaidar]

Arngeir looks at the others.

"We should go see."

He slips the gold coins into his pouch as he makes his way back to the ladder.

[GreyWolfVT]

Algrim sighs and mutters to himself for a minute then goes back topside to see what is going on. "What now eh?" he asks once topside.

[Tamerlaine]

Gerolt is moving slowly up the vale, his two horses trailing from behind as his eyes take in the trail before him. He was alert and wary, one gauntleted hand on the hilt of his sword, his other arm carrying his shield. He was wearing a white tabard edged in red over his mail emblazoned with a saltire of the same color; a diagonal cross with sawtoothed edges. His shield bore the same heraldic device. There were orcs here, he knew, for he had counted eight dead ones further back down the vale. Of the travelers he had come to warn about the orc menace, Gerolt had only traces of their passage in the grass and tussock. Four sets of prints leading to the battle and four leaving. He was too late but the knight was relieved to see all were yet still alive. He knelt to one knee, reaching out to trace the outline of a heel in the dirt and grass. One was a dwarf, he mused as he rose and kept following the trail, sharp eyes watching out for danger.

[sastaz]

Turnip

"Hey Algrim, what's happening up there?"