(044) A Hinterlands Venture

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Flightcommander, Mgtremaine!

Your respective adventures start... now!

It is nearing noon on a fine spring morning outside Ket.

Armadno the Gooch and Wen the Owl are each on the road returning to Ket for their own reasons (see your PMs) in the company of a small band of Men loyal to Eberhart the Boar.

Despite the roads being oddly free of mercantile traffic in recent times they see ahead of them a large company of heavily armed men. Local "mercenaries", they surmise, which could be good or bad. As often as not these groups are on the lookout for easy takings, especially when times are as tight as they are.

Eberhart's four retainers seem confident in the protection that their red and white livery (and the sword arm that it represents) will afford them, but Armando and Wen wear no such garb...


Now, one of the mercenaries approaches to within hailing distance... a dashing chap (if one is to be honest) in gleaming plate armour with that particular mix of grace and arrogance which demands attention. And a few flakes of... what is that? Pastry? clinging to his mustache.

He strikes a pose upon the hill and hails you imperiously "What ho, gentlemen?"

What ho, indeed?

[mgtremaine]

mgtremaine wrote:
"Greetings, Sir Knight" says the the green robed traveller in Illiberal, looking at the the others for moment before offering more. "We are peaceful travelers on our way to Ket. Perhaps we can exchange information about the road ahead and behind."

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
Gustave looks momentarily confused, and glances behind himself before realising that he is the 'knight' being referred to, and more so, apparently by an elf...

"Well met", replies Gustave cautiously, adding in Serayenon "And what kind of elf is it that speaks for a group of men?"

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Desmond quickly throws his hood up as he tops the hill.

[mgtremaine]

mgtremaine wrote:
The Elf would switch to Serayenon "An honor to hear the music of the woods spoken in friendship. I am Lleuad-Wen, a traveller in search of knowledge, I speak not for these fine folks but vouch that the are peaceful. The warriors are in the service of Sir Eberhart the Boar, the other is Armando who I meet upon the road." Wen would say, gesturing to the others. Switching back to Illiberal he would continue "We are escorted to Ket by retainers of Sir Eberhart as courtesy for travelers, I think perhaps we are blessed by the moon to have been so fortunate. Now may I ask your name?" Wen finishes but looks up at the noon sun with a slight look of fatigue.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Strange days it is when elves emerge from their forests to travel to towns of goblins in the company of men" says Gustave, peering at the company intently, before breaking into a broad grin, "but stranger I have seen, and indeed, my comrades might be an apt accompaniment for any discussion on the topic, ha ha!" he adds, casting a glance behind.

"I am Gustave", he says by way of introduction, gracing those present with a precisely executed courtly bow, "My colleagues and I have business in the hills ahead, but perchance you would share bread with us, I believe it is high time for a noon feed" he says with an eye on the sun.

He beckons to the company behind to come forth, then strides toward the assembled men and elf, greeting each heartily. "Say, you don't happen to have any wine do you?", he enquires of noone in particular.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Olaf chooses his position well, and so it is that the full strength of the company reach him in dribs and drabs (those that set off apace first, while Ulric, Dieter and Rufus bring up the rear). The group of Men are still a hundred yards or so further up the road.

They have spied the company approaching, however, and now begin to tarry upon the road. Perhaps they are nervous about a dozen heavily armed Men approaching them?

What now?

"I was watching and there are no more of them than we see, so I don't think we have ambushers to worry about. They might just be travelers on the road." Olaf says his friends, "Let's try parley before we do anything else, all right?"

Olaf will keep his sword sheathed as he steps forward to greet the men on the road.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Gustave sighs deeply at this blatant display of impatience and haste, but nonetheless can't help but grin in anticipation of antics to come.
Flicking the last remnants of a surreptitious pastry from his fingers, he pursues his bi-cephalic comrade at a swift walk, sucking in deep lungfuls of the fresh country air and loosening his neck muscles as he goes.

Arriving at the crest, he spies the approaching mob.

"I'll take care of this", he declares to his assembled colleagues, and strides off down the road toward the group, armour gleaming in the sun, tufts of hair like honey-coloured flame flowing from beneath his helmet.

Halting some distance from the men, he strikes a somewhat magnanimous pose.
"What ho, gentlemen?", he cries imperiously.

Olaf also walks toward the strangers. He will be behind Gustave and to his left. He will keep a friendly expression on his face as he approaches them, but he is watching them carefully and is ready draw an arrow from his quiver if they prove unfriendly.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

"Strange days it is when elves emerge from their forests to travel to towns of goblins in the company of men" says Gustave, peering at the company intently, before breaking into a broad grin, "but stranger I have seen, and indeed, my comrades might be an apt accompaniment for any discussion on the topic, ha ha!" he adds, casting a glance behind.

"I am Gustave", he says by way of introduction, gracing those present with a precisely executed courtly bow, "My colleagues and I have business in the hills ahead, but perchance you would share bread with us, I believe it is high time for a noon feed" he says with an eye on the sun.

He beckons to the company behind to come forth, then strides toward the assembled men and elf, greeting each heartily. "Say, you don't happen to have any wine do you?", he enquires of noone in particular.

Seeing the exchange is going well, Olaf relaxes a bit and spares a glance back at his friends, "No fighting here, I'm happy to say!"

"Hey, Hightower, I think they have one of your people traveling with them." Olaf calls back to the tall elf who is probably well cloaked as is his normal way of travelling.

Olaf turns back to the travelers and walks forward, "I am called Olaf and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Might I ask, who is this Sir Eberhart of whom you speak?"

[waysoftheearth]

flightcommander wrote:
Armando replies, "Sir Eberhart is a quite formidable and puissant Knight. Yonder pavilion marks his current theater of activity; he challenges all passersby to martial contest. For my part, I thought best to forfeit and pay tribute. I now accompany Sir Eberhart's retainers here to fair Ket. Wen and I were just speaking of pastries. I am afraid my wineskin is quite spent."