(069) Pilgrims & Practicalities

[flightcommander]

Armando nods in agreement with Helmut. "We two should have a quick reconnoiter of the Ring Room. And perhaps Josiane will join us, once her curious deliberations with that owl are concluded?"

[ehiker133]

Before the small group leaves for the ogre lair, Desmond approaches Josiane and hands over 8 days worth of his elven waybread.

"We're going to need to figure out food and water sources in short order. I believe there were gardens in the yard of the abbey; maybe they can be revived? In any case, this should help feed the pilgrims in the mean time."

Before she can reply, he leaves and heads out with Dorgan the the others to find out what happened to Beringar and Valorn.

Inventory updated to reflect Desmond just has 8 days of elven waybread remaining.

[waysoftheearth]

The Vagabond Knight is already deep in magical conversation with her owl companion...

"Hello to you, my dear friend. Praise be to Saint Tamaræ that I am at last granted the honour of speaking to you in words we can both understand. Tell me, how came you to be with the man we found you with? What purpose had the two of you in these Hinterlands?"

Hoot the Owl gazes unblinking at Josiane for a long while with his yellow eyes before finally replying | 2d6=9 | in a low croaky voice...

"Well met young cleric; I am called Bejesbakk among Owls.

Envongr? That poor man was a fool. 'Twas my good fortune--and his ill--that he fancied himself a woodsman, for he freed my tangled claw from a wretched goblin-snare a season hence, and likely preserved me. Alas he heeded not my many warnings and thou I tried to warder him, I could do naught when he threw himself upon the wolf pack.

His mission in these parts, as I believe it, was to skin hares and rabbits."

[doctorx]

"Well met indeed, Bejesbakk," Josiane replies; "I am honoured to be granted knowledge of the name thou hast among thy kinfolk. It is a gift I shall treasure."

She bows low before her avian friend.

"Now, might I ask a boon of thee? As thou knowest, my dear friend Dorgan is threatened by a foul poison in his blood. You recall the Elf enclave of Southwatch? If I were to pen a message to the Lady Gallaine, might I ask thee to carry it hence for me? Time is pressing - we have but four days before death comes to claim Dorgan and the Owl flies faster than the Dwarf walks, I wager..."

[waysoftheearth]

"This seems a valorous course." croaks Bejesbakk after some consideration. "Pen your missive, young cleric, and I will carry it hence."

[flightcommander]

Armando fishes around in his belongings and recovers the leather tube with parchment and quills he purchased from the Elven Quartermaster. He lays out a sheet, and prepares a quill and ink for Josiane ...

[waysoftheearth]

Armando and Helmut head to the Ring room for a look around...

Over to thread 72 please...

[flightcommander]

Waits for thread 072 to exist ...

[waysoftheearth]

Bejesbakk pocks and hobbles on the spot--as a wise old owl might--while Josiane composes her thoughts...

[doctorx]

"To the most noble Gallaine, Warder of the Southwatch, from Josiane, called the Vagabond Knight, greetings.

Our quest to reclaim the Abbey of Saint Madeleine from the forces of darkness that have o'errun it proceeds apace. Once again, my gratitude for the aid you have already granted to my comrades and myself in this matter. I do most humbly pray your pardon that I must ask further assistance of you, but our need is great. My friend and boon companion the Dwarf Dorgan has been smitten by a most foul poison that would have claimed his life but for my intervention. By the Saint's grace, Praise Unto Her, I was able to still the flow of the evil through his veins, but it is beyond my skill to drive it out. Dorgan and a small accompanying party are duly making towards the Southwatch with all the haste they may, in the hope that the skills of the Elvish healers may accomplish what I, a humble knight in the service of a Saint, cannot. I have asked my dear friend, the wise owl Bejesbakk, to fly ahead with this message to speed the preparation of an antidote. If I may further impose, might I ask that a party of hippogriff riders be despatched forthwith to locate my dear friend and bring him to you with all haste? We shall of course make full payment for all these services.

I can but pray that my words find favour with you. Dwarf he may be, but you will find no more valiant fighter against the forces of evil that Dorgan son of Dorgamond , and he is dear as a father to me. I place my trust in your wisdom and your compassion.

May the blessings of Saint Tamaræ be upon you,

Josiane the Guided."

The Vagabond Knight puts down her quill and looks up from the parchment with a sigh.

"Now, if I could only find someone to translate this into Elvish..."

"Oh, where in the Saint's name is Wen?"