"I'm willing to help with any tasks around here, although I may not be much use at anything other than fetching and carrying."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Tue 13 Aug 2019.

Garam, when you say that best wait here. What are your plans if the slaughter visits your holdfast, how can my friends help?


OOC: Deise will happily (pretend) to do whatever to help thatch roofs. He will be eager to glean whatever information he can, such as (1) other than eviceration and laughter, are there any other signs such as a trail, sightings, eagles etc. (2) he is a  it perturbed by how normal things appear to be in the face of such a threat to lilihood, (3) does the village have a plan. Desise will not want to venture outside without information, a strategy, and plenty of stronger fighting men.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:56, Tue 13 Aug 2019.

Sir Uthen and Deise spend the rest of the day until sunset learning the finer arts of thatching with the local varieties of sedge.

Holt and Garam are quite garrulous as they work and Deise finds he does not need to probe very hard at all to get the answers he seeks.

He learns that when the attacks first happened many of the herdsmen and folk at the scattered holdings went out looking for tracks or signs and nothing was found, some of those men being experience hunters and woodsmen. No one, no matter how careful a watch is kept has caught so much as a glimpse of the perpetrators.

Garam nods at mention of a plan, making clear that no one will venture out into the open after dark, there has been scattered talk of all gathering at one holding, this one as the largest, but some of the holdings are so distant that they would not be able to move their animals all the way here before dark.

When Deise mentions his disquiet with the way daily life is proceeding under this threat and receives sudden and loud laughter from both Holt and Garram.

" Begging yer pardon, Stranger. But this is fooking Ereworn!  These last near two years is the first time since I was born that we've not been beaten half to death and had all our savings taken in taxes, that we've not lost most of the flock to disease, that we've had lambs born whole and healthy, that we've not had a child taken to the Castle as a servant and ne'er heard of again....its a bad spot....but I cannae complain about it compared to the past."

" We've not had an attack here for a week or more, thats why I advise ye wait here for them...it...whatever...to come to us.  I'm no coward, but I'm no trained for fighting unless its a ram that don't want rooing."

Chastened, I respond;

Lads, I apologise and meant no disrespect to you or your way of life. I am a stranger in your lands and have only heard vague rumours of the past. I am here to do a job, that is all.

Deise will try to push Garam and Holt on any views as to how the new regieme compares against the previous one, also where are the other holdfasts.

As tools were downed for the day and the men washed up to head into the house, Holt spoke a little, " The new King is a good lad, he hasn't gotten his feet under him yet but he is trying to do good. But you'd know that better than me."

" The others? Oh, scattered about through the Grey Hills, furthest is four days away. Small properties, there are a couple of two family holdings but its mostly just the one."

" Now, whose up for some food?"

"Yep. On my way."

Similar spend my day talking with their Healer about the injuries sustained. Take stock of their cupboard to find if there is anything they need and I could find locally, while we travel. Also, mix up a few healing potions.

From the herbal supplies on hand, an impressive collection, he is able to make two healing balms and a balm against disease.  He is impressed by Kells knowledge of injuries and proper bindings and the two spend the day discussing cures and treatments for ailments of both man, dog and sheep.

Then she gets up and begins preparing the evening meal for all.

"  Would you assist? I've some salt mutton hanging in the larder that needs breaking down.."

In reply to GM (msg # 57):

"Sure, I'll help in any way I can."

A hearty dinner is served for the family and the three men, who suspect this is a rather more grandious meal than the family usual has each night.

The meal consists of roasted salted mutton, boiled and mashed neeps in sheeps butter, bannock and a rather sharp blackberry conserve.  A covered bucket of small beer was also brought out.

Garam asked the others if they would like to say a blessing over the meal.

At the mention of a blessing Desise casually moves to the background, deferring to the others.

"If you please, yes, I would like to say a blessing.

"May all that is good and that which looks over the good, bless this food and the hands that brought it to us all, and bring peace to all who share at this table."

Kell thanked Sir Uthen and they ate their fill.

" Will you sit up with Holt tonight? He'll be keeping watch over the flock."

In reply to GM (msg # 62):

Deise will try and ascertain where exactly will Holt watch the sheep crom - if it is from within the holdfast then he will respond:
"We are here to help solve this mystery and I sill stay up"

If it is outside of the holdfast then Deise will wait for his stronger companions to volunteer, after which he will also accompany.

Holt looks a little startled and is very adamant indeed that he will be watching from the inner walls, he is not going out there.

"Of course - as Deise says, it is what we're here for."

In reply to Sir Uthen of Sadley (msg # 65):

"then we are in agreement."

Sir Uthen spends the next few days helping with anything he can around the holding - though gentleborn by the skin of his teeth, the village of Sadley where he grew up is definitely argicultural and while Uthen never got much detailed education about things like animal husbandry (beyond a little beekeeping) he is used to a life where everybody helps with the heavy lifting and manual labour when needed, even the steward's family, and he's not afraid of hard work.

Along with Deise and Beathan he suited up in his arms and explored the area within a mile or two of the holding - just getting the lay of the land so to speak.

Deise mostly spent the days from early morning scouting around the area getting his bearings, seeking hideouts/escape routes and trails of any description.

Beathan will join Deise in scouting, but I'll be gathering herbs and the like as I'm not much of a scout. After lunch, he can use his strength to help out where he can in the village and in the evenings' mix potions & lotions.

The nights were spent on watch but nothing troubled the flock for the four nights they stood watch.

Caer took the flocks out to pasture for the day light hours and returned before nightfall.

Beathan was able to make another of the healing balms but there were not many of the proper herbs amongst the sedges and firs.

They rose late on the 5th day after keeping watch all night, Caer had already been out in the hills with the flock for many hours.

As they rose from a hearty meal of pottage prepared by Kell, Holt called out that Caer was returning....and he wasn't alone.

In reply to GM (msg # 67):

"We should see what's happening."
Finish my last mouthful, give the bowl a quick clean and place it aside for washing. Collecting my sword and looping it over my back, I head out the door.

I arm myself and follow Beathan.

I look for a vantage point and ready my bow.

In reply to Deise (msg # 70):

Holt and Garram followed Beathan and Sir Uthen as Deise leapt up onto the roof and vanished from sight.

Looking out at the approaching group they were on foot, all the flock seemed to be present and Caer seemed well.  There was a man with them dressed similarly to Sir Uthen, another armoured man with a plaid wrap, two lightly dressed men and a woman wearing furs.

I will remain out of sight ready. Deise will be aware that all looks well with the young lad and the flock so the strangers do not necessarily pose a threat, however he will not reveal himself until after the first interaction.

”Hail friends!” Called the tall armoured man with a wave, ”Caer here is just showing us to your fine home, as we’ve come seeking to aid with whatever evil has been plaguing your herds!”

I pull up to allow Holt and Garram to draw even with me (if they choose to). I feel they should be the ones to answer first. This is their home after all.

OOC:

Head across to the Ereworn: Loss and gain thread and switch to third person for you posts. :)