The folks look at Justin, and older fellow, but still seemingly, in good  shape.. stacks a stone  about chest high. He wipes  his  foerhead. a kid  comes over with a Bucket of  water and a ladle. The fellow  drinks  and offers  some to the three travelers.

 ...we   fare, fair enough.... You folks    Mercs? or  just looking  fer  work?

As they had approached the first patch of houses, Javal had let out a sigh of relief.  They had traveled with no 'bumps in the road' and had made it down with out any problems.

Looks could be deceiving though.  As he traveled he carried his crossbow up, but now that they were near people he carried it angled down.   His arms ached from carrying the crossbow out, but it was important to be ready to fire.

The people seemed alright.  No blood was obvious and they were working their day to day activities.   What is the problem here?

As Justin motioned them to come up to him, Javal simply took two steps forward.  He was right behind or near Justin the whole way.

Scanning the area constantly, Javal was looking for an ambush.  He got the feeling the problem wasn't here but further in or perhaps at another area.

Nodding to the man, Javal gave a short nod and took a drink from the ladle.

Looking to Justin to speak, he did not wish to step on his toes and waited for Justin to say something.

In reply to Justin ect (msg # 25):

Indeed we be that, Master; two of our comrades in arms travelleth this way earlier this week. We were delayeth in Bowshot an seeketh to join them. Wouldst Perchance any of Thee hath seen them on the way. He asks describing Haildas and Krwyn
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Sat 11 Mar 2017.

Myranda takes the offered ladle dips it in the bucket and drinks two full ladles, giving the youth a friendly smile as she returns it thanking them for their kindness.

  The  older  fellow nodded,..They went  down the road... Lookin' fer  the one who sent the bounty  call out.... didn't think anyone would answer..not a lot of  coin, fer  riskin' yer  life...

 a Fellow  who was younger then the old guy, but  much older then the lad, brought a rather impressive  rock to the  pile  and put it  down , rather  gently , so's as not to crack it.

 ..if there is  risk to be had? I still say, then folks  just run off.... why do you think  this patch houses  are here.. why  they never grew into a town?  we ain't the first folks who lived here..won't be the last...

the  kid hands  a ladle to the  younger man,..i think the  serpants  got them...or gobs... gobs like to eat river folks...

The workers statements reflects an outlook that  saddens Myranda giving him the boy an empathatic look. Kneeling beside the boy she rests a caring hand on his shoulderIf there be Goblins hereabout; and it be The Sisters Will, we shall  persuade them to seek less hazardous place to be. she informs glancing at the arrows. Looking at the Mason Master Mason would you know how is it that the guard in Bowshot don't keep this area clear of such threats?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Tue 28 Feb 2017.

  The  fellow laughs,..Master Mason?.. not me... one of the ways  us patch houses make  coin, is to have good river stone waiting for the Stone  cutter to  buy , he comes  2 times a month...

 The older  man speaks up,..The Bowshot guard...is  the Bowshot guard.. they watch the roads..the ferry and  protect the town... they send patrols out..but.. we'd do better just  having a ranger or two  hunting in the  trees and grassland... If it weren't  for the Tress helping  keep teh shores in tact, we would have thinned them out long ago.. .they help keep the alrger  serpents from reaching too far in shore as well.... The trade off?  it  Gives  Gobs and kolbods  and such  cover to work.

"So far things here seem normal.  Let's just have a walk around the house quick; one can never be too sure."

His grip tightens around the leather wrapping of his mace.  Slowly creeping forward, he peers around the second house making certain to look towards the roof.  If some beast or man of ill-fortune were indeed present this night, he would make certain it regretted its' decision.

 there does not  seem to be anything lurking onto the houses... in the darkness, the flashes of  Lighting. light the place up rather well for a heartbeat or two, before going back to the wet piych dark.

 The Ranger's House seems to be the best built of the  3 in this Patch. There also seems to be an area Cleared across the road with some  logs lying  about. As if someone has intentions  on building there.

In reply to Justin,team (msg # 31):

True, Bowshot be for bowshot. Justin remarks in support of the Homesteaders statement. Glancing at the trees clustered on the Rivers edge.  Tis a pity there be nay Rangers hereabouts. But such be beyond we mortals to fathom. Wouldst Thee be able to direct us to the House Our associates, headed towards.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Sat 11 Mar 2017.

  The older Fellow points  to down the road......two more  sets of Patch houses  down the road. I think the young woman who got the bounty letter together lives there...

 The younger man motions for another ladle  of water, as the boy  gives it to him, he says,got rangers  running about... the last set of  rangers has an older fellow, who is  retring from  the job.....Still..a  ranger  slipping threough the grasses or the trees, might scare them off... or?  might just push them towards  someone else

In reply to Justin,team (msg # 35):

Thanking the Homesteaders Justin handed each a gp for their assistance. Heading towards the house they indicated.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Wed 01 Mar 2017.

Javal nodded to them and thanked them for the water.  As Justin turned to move, Javal followed.

He scouted the trees and landscape for places of ambush with his eyes always darting.  Areas near the river afforded embankments and low areas to shield oneself or hide.

"Hope they are ok.  Sounds like goblins could be an issue.  Do slavers roam so close to Bowshot?"

In reply to Javal Enrouse (msg # 37):

One would hessitate to speculate, however there be those who wouldst try. If they were successful it wouldst prompt such to continue.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Sat 11 Mar 2017.

Haildas continues to hold his grip, nodding to Krwyn that all seemed clear.  Moving back around to the front again he peers into the surrounding darkness.  The storm was beating down making it near impossible to see...until the lightning flashed.  For a moment the world was bathed in light and he frantically flashed his gaze to and fro in search of any movement.

  to the  three who stood in the storm, two thinks were plain to see.

  1.....If there was anyone here...they would have a damn tough time seeing them, let alone  tracking them.

  2... If there was someone here...they would have been aware of them, when they lit up the cabin..and thus.. knew right were they were...

   after chatting  with the who were out, The  three continued  down the road,The ruts   were filmed  with Muddy water... and the sunn was starting to cause the air to get thick from the soggy grass giving up, some of its  moisture.

 the  road  didn't veer much from the river,  and  was it bent  a little with the shore line, they could see the second  path houses in the diatance

"In this storm, we can't find anyting or anyone and we can be seen by everyone who would like to avoid us. Lets go back to your house and wait till the morning for a proper search, although the storm would have washed away much, I'm afraid," tells Kr'wyn his companions.

He sighs heavily...

"Alas, you are correct."

The day was beginning to feel muggy the rainwater drying as the sun started warming the earth. Trudging along the road they continued to move towards the homes each yard they negotiated bringing them close.

Javal was nervous and it showed.  He wasn't used to walking directly into danger and a possible ambush.

Exhaling slightly, he looked to Justin.

"I'm going to spread out slightly in case there is a trap."

Moving to the right of Justin about sixty feet, he walked off to the side and kept his view of their surroundings.

Myranda closed to a point 12' from the rollers flank and opposite Javal. Matching the others pace she scanned the approach for threat as they headed towards the houses.

   Gring stands  Near Haildas, looking  about   as Krwyn seems to agree,..Then?  we should go to  hsi house, Until morning, or until the rain lets up...? Or do you want to  knock on doors.....

  Although the heat was causing the  air to be thick, the  grpound was not an easy travel, on the  road the Muddy ruts would squash and suck at their books.

 Off the side  the grasses where wet and the  Ground  Soft.

  off to  their Right, they here a  huge splash, and  see the back of a decent  sized serpent  diving  under the water as feathers    floated in the air, and a dozen of  so, huge  River  Ducks, take to the air.

 to their  left they can see rolling grasslands..Dotted  with  copses of  some  fruit  tress...peaceful looking. But like the waters, one never new, what was   under the surface.

As they all three agree, there is not much to do or see in this storm in the dark, so Kr'wyn joins Haildas en Gring on their way to Grings home. Although he is not satisfied that they did not find anything about the slaughtered dog and it's missing owner,, he realises that they now are hot on a trail. In this weather just a faint trail perhaps, but a trail nevertheless!