Lwentano sniffs the air as he sees the light of day again. With a nice purse to allow him to get some better items he is ready to head back to town with the books. Making sure his sword is ready and his bow is dry Lwentano readies to head back south.
I think we be going as soon as possible so we are once again pass the forest before we must stop for the night.
Valdalen puzzles over the curious bone sculpture but replaces it where she found it, finding it too unlikely it is there by accident, in an underground temple of Heironeous, and it is an innocent enough item, save for being carved from bone, but it's some sort of animal of course, so she pushes it from her mind as she rejoins the others and enjoys the repast and pleasant company and conversation.
Valdalen amiably accepts the shared responsibility of returning the simple backpacks of books to Grumar - perhaps he would be more willing to talk now that the boy is safe. She blinks uncomprehendingly as she draws back her hand from Amber, now holding a pouch filled with a hundred gold crowns. "... Buh... ?" she manages intelligently, looking at the bag, not quite able to identify what it was. She turns to exchange looks with Lwentano and Gabriel, blinks some more at Amber then bows and finally squeaks out a stunned "thank you, Mother."
* * *
After morning devotionals, Sir Valdalen pulls the cloak tight against the seemingly unnatural chill permeating the area even in the bright sun, and listens uncomfortably as the coins jingle heavily as she walks, even though she secured them firmly where even she couldn't get to them easily - and they were HEAVY. But she was beyond grateful. She looked at the elf and her brother and nodded.
"Oui, mon ami, je conviens, je suis prêt à aller quand vous êtes." She blushed slightly, realizing not only had she spoken native Cormyrian without realizing it, she had done it in her feminine voice - she was really thrown off by something recently - maybe it was the money reward, she wasn't sure. She cleared her throat.
"Pardon me. I meant to say 'Yes, I am ready whenever the two of you are.' I would like to get out of this dark forest before having to stop as well - it is hard on the spirit."
Valdalen looks horrified, a sickening feeling building, at the clouds of smoke pouring into the sky in the distance. "It surely isn't," she says, stunned for entirely different reasons now, "but yet I am certain it is. Is it the whole town? What has happened? These 'imps'? Things escalate from nothing to a town full of innocents being burned to the ground, in the space of days. This is unconscionable!" She says, gripping her sword's handle angrily. "We must hurry!" she says and doubles her pace, heading off.
Sorry I just want to jump in here. The fire is with the farms (about 5 hours south) some where in between Klagek and the party, not Klagek (Klagek is near 10 hours south). Also no more ground can be travelled today, the party is past exhaustion and needs rest.
Edited: Oliron on 13th Apr, 2010 - 3:31am
Val sighs and groans as she comes to rest against a tree not too far down the road, still looking at the billowing smoke. "Maybe... Maybe it isn't the whole town. But... I can't... We can't get there without resting. Willpower alone won't do it. I'm ready for camp. Let us rest ourselves and hopefully return in time to do what we can to help."
Gabriel says, "There is fire. It looks like the farm has or is being attacked, but we will have to see what we can do after a nights rest. Let's be careful as our enemies may be looking for us. Also if our enemies do find us, we must be prepared for an even greater threat then last time as 'they" will not wish to fail again," Gabriel gave the group his advice."
Gabriel moved to stand next to Sir Valdalen, "Careful brother, as the ones in our group understand not the Cormyrian tongue. You need to focus is you wish for this to work and to not lose track of where and who you are," Gabriel gave his sister quietly as a reminder for her little stumble in her words and voice.
Gabriel turns back to the group, "I feel we should possible spite the crowns between us, as I think it would not be good to have money all in one place," Gabriel said, as they rested. Ooc: I apologize for being gone so long, I will do what I can to post at least once a day.
Lwentano looks at the two paladins and studies them a little closer. After hearing one talking in a bit higher voice he begins to wonder just what is up? He does not mind traveling with these two as they have proven their worth in a fight. His only concern now if for the monk as each of them having 100 gold coins is a bonus and a bane. He can picture the monk drinking till she is passed totally out.
I agree a night of rest and watchfulness is at hand. We can not do anyone any good if we hurry to their assistance totally fatigued and unable to lift our feet off the ground. Let us rest the night and do as we can in the morning. I will take the middle watch as my eyes are the best in the dark.
Lwentano really does not see a reason why there five goblins should walk the earth at night knowing that they have caused grief to some of the farmers. Lwentano will quietly wake the others so they can prepare for battle. Lwentano will Draw his bow and take careful aim. He will send two arrows at each of the first two. If he has time he will send two more at the third one.
D20 Rolls with my adjustment included: 17, 19, 22, 15, 11, 18