Giles lays upon the infirmary bed, his back propped high with a pair of pillows as he uses the mid-day light cascading down from the high windows to read.  Though the subject matter was quite simple, Giles had thoroughly enjoyed the book Battlefield Medicine one of the handful of tomes he had managed to rescue from the Harpies' nest.  Several of the others still lay beside him, including a few which he could not read due to the entirely foreign language with which they were printed.  Though it was little more than an educated guess due to their proximity to the Wazifi border, Giles had decided the books were most likely written in Arabic, that language of the tribes to the south, the very tribes whose threats of incursion were the very reason he was stationed here at the border.

Flipping the page lazily, Giles moves on to Chapter 8 - Techniques for Staunching Overwhelming Blood Flow

As discussed in Chapter 5 - Securing the Patient, the most important and time critical priorities when treating a victim in the field follow the principles of APC:  Anaphylaxis, Pulmonary Circulation, and Cardionormalism.  However, no amount of breathing or beating of the heart will help when our patient is hemorrhaging blood from a severed limb!  Therefore, there will at times be injuries that we must treat even prior to administering Cardionormalizing Treatments (CNTS).  We will explore the treatments and options available based on combat supplies and the severity of the injury in this chapter.

Giles rubs his eyes, letting the book fall over on his stomach as he arches his back in a slow and powerful stretch.  Today was his Third day in the infirmary and he was already feeling much better, though the medic had insisted he stay the afternoon for monitoring in case the infection flared again.  At least the first day he had Pierce here to keep him company and there had been a thin stream of visitors who had heard of the curious turn of their tour and came seeking the story from the ones who had seen the action first hand.  Giles had smiled at first, letting Pierce do the majority of the storytelling, for the young man was boisterous and inventive in his retellings, progressively getting more and more outlandish until Giles eventually had to insist that he had not grabbed one of the things with two hands, bashing its head against the stone even as he had been grievously wounded about his head and face.  Even Captain Brashear had come, though briefly, to make sure his men were recovering well and Giles had taken the opportunity to hand his commanding officer one of his prized books from the haul, Raphael: The Geography and Environs.

Pierce however, had been released on his second day in the clinic and the steady stream of visitors had petered out, sucked back into their normal routines of watch, duty, eating, sleeping, and shooting the shit in the workspaces and galley.  So far today had been completely boring with no one but the medic, who was constantly hustling about the infirmary, assailing all types of busywork and minutia that constantly kept him from holding any sort of real conversation.  Instead, Giles had spent the whole day reading, staring off with the book he was holding in his hands.

Giles looks up as the doorway to the infirmary opens and in walks the captain, his heavy suit of mail jangling against his body and the hilt of his sword swinging lightly at his hip.  He smiles at Giles lightly as he sits down at the bed next to him.

"How are you feeling Giles?"  He starts off, leaning back slightly against the footboard of the infirmary bed.  "I heard you've been kicking and screaming but Halmad still won't let you go."

OOC:  This thread is only for Giles 'J'naeth' Hind.  Giles is now on his third day in the infirmary, and though he suffered infection from the cuts in his face, he was quickly treated by the medic with various salves that not only stemmed further damage, but mitigated most of the permanent scarring.  As of now, Giles still has some significant lacerations that have scabbed over and are not in danger of opening on their own.  You have recovered all HP and FP from he previous thread.  Halmad is the medic, who seems somewhat lacking in a personality and makes up for that deficiency by pretending to always be busy.
This message was last updated by the GM at 03:59, Tue 01 May 2018.

Giles had shown some stoicism in the tales that Pearced had spoken but had welcomed them. It always paid to tantalise soldiers with over-stories of mens' exploits - those were the basis of all heroes. As such, his efforts to stem the extravagance of Pearce's tales were more an attempt to appear humble in the face of their tales of glory. The books, while interesting, had been a dry read and ultimately the interactions had been a welcome break from the pages after the worst part of the pain had subsided.

By the third day Giles had started to feel a pull of concern that he was still the only one in the infirmary. It was true that his wounds had been most grievous but he didn't want to be holed up in bed long enough for the whispers of weakness to start being sounded, he noted that toughening up in the face of the hard life that soldiers lived was the way forward and something he would have to re-double his efforts to attain. As he thought this, he shifted his lips and body to feel the tug of the wounds and smiled to himself at the notion of the claw-scars across his face and on his body. HE recalled, long ago, the telling of tales, much like Pierce had, of how his father's men had acquired their battle trophies and overcome the odds and now his shone pink and scabbed across his face, without having done any real damage. They were his first real promotion.


Good morning Sir he said in response before taking a moment's pause to really reflect on his current state of being.

"I'm surprisingly well given that I am currently holed up in the infirmary. Say one thing about Halmad, it's that he knows his trade well. he added with a hint of a grin.

"In truth, the bed time had given me some opportunity to read through these... Speaking of which, is there anyone here able to read this?" he pointed to the arabic books and traced his finger (the wrong way) along the scribbly looking lines.  "I expect I'll be out and about soon, everything has mostly healed now.



Alright! Cool, maybe I should have added 1cp to 'riding' skill

"Yeah,"  Brashear starts tenuously as Giles mentions the books.  "That's actually what I came here to ask you about."  the Captain holds the very book Giles had given him by the spine, cracking it open to a random page.

"You see, as I was looking through this, I came across a few notes written into it."  He points at a thin, scrawling writing in the margin, of the same infuriating alphabet that the last two books were written with.  In truth, Giles had seen similar markings in his own book, a few scrawled lines during the several paragraphs about treating shock, and once again in the chapter dealing with moving the patient, though Giles knew little what to make of them.

"You said that you found these in a Harpie's nest right?"  Brashear's brow furrows slightly as he looks directly at Giles, his face thoughtful as opposed to disapproving.  "What else can you tell me about the place?  Where did you find it?  I'm assuming you did not cross the border by accident?"  Brashear sighs and leans back, letting the book fall onto the bed beside him.

"Actually, why don't you just tell me the whole story, from the beginning.  I have a feeling this is going to be important."

Actually, the place was kind of interesting. It was more than a cave with just a few of those bird-bitches and stench. There were areas for sleeping and what appeared to be an old study of sorts....

Giles, began the story from start to finish and missed no detail. It was reminiscent of his wizardly training where the correct format, syntax and structure of spells was so important that he would often have to recall perfectly his day's endeavours. It seemed such a bore at the time, but with his memory being sharper for it all, he felt retrospectively that the endeavour had been well worth his time.

... We had deviated from the patrol route slightly, but I couldn't say how far or where exactly due to my lack of familiarity with the area. Though, if we were across the border nobody gave any indication of it and so I assume we were still in Megalos...

He was sure to mention all the things that he had found curious. A picture of a snake-headed woman, the nest, the pit, the pool with wazifi coin, a study and the open aired exit from which the final harpy had made its escape. He recounted everything.

Brashear listens attentively as Giles recreates the story, the mild tiff between Redman and Broskow when the Lieutenant realized the group was lost, the subsequent push to correct, his own horses ill temperament, and the impromptu exploration of the small caves.  Giles tells briefly of the small pond with the bag of coin and the entryway, saving most of his detail for the largest room, the one with beds, the table, study and the giant figure of the medusa tiled out in mosaic on the floor.

Brasher nods as Giles finishes his brief tale.  "Thank you Giles, I think that helped, though I'm not sure it made things any easier.  I realize that I have had you dragging along, for which I must apologize, so I will explain myself fully.  You see, this"  He points at the book in his hands, waving across the particular page and the ink written therein, "Is a book about the local area here as you must have imagined.  However, to a military mind, knowing the area is of extreme importance.  You'll see where these notes are made are all areas that are talking about the topography about how the land itself moves..."  Brashear looks at Giles, whose face still betrays a hint of confusion.

"These notes."  The captain taps on the book.  "Are talking about tactics...  attack in the summer, when the grasses are high...  You can hide an army in the interleaving hills...  Cut off the river and you will cut off their lifeblood...  Giles, whoever made these notes was planning to attack somewhere here in Megalos, for the Wazifis have not held this land for nigh on eighty years and I can assure you these books are not that old...  And while it seems that this hideout may not have been used for some short time, perhaps thanks to the same harpies who injured you, it still rattles me that there might have been enemies that close to our fort without us ever knowing."

Brashear pauses in contemplation for a moment.  "I simply hope that there are no further consequences from this rebel group who seemed to be operating so close to us...  I wish I knew if they were still operating and if so, where...  The worst part of this is simply not knowing."

OOC:  To make sure you picked up on it, Brashear is reading you text from the Arabic notes, so he can read the language in answer to your earlier question (he didn't answer because he had other things on his mind).

Giles had sat up fully when Brashear began to speak. His face defied him for a moment, showing the confusion at the notion of the land itself moving but the elaboration by the captain cleared up things. A mention of harpies seemed to send a sharp jolt of pseudo-pain through his body but it hadn't sated his curious interest in the intrigue that had now surrounded them.

"So, a group is plotting to attack the area, this is only indicated by the cave and the notes in the book. The notes may have only been a scouting of the land and its benefits to an attack should it ever occur. The fact that the book never made it back to the Wazifi border might indicate that some attack had fallen short, or redefined its scope." he said contemplatively, while letting his now calloused hand stroke the fuzz that had been growing across his jaw.


"If the book has been there longer than a year, then it is likely any plotting had fallen on its face... But if something similar to this book's sentiment had been acquired by a group of rebels, or Wazifi, then they may indeed still have active people in the surrounding lands.

he added, having transitioned fully to the mode of thinking that he once enjoyed on a daily basis. It was analytical and cold and logically founded in reason. A curiosity whether a threat was still present and whether it would be able to overcome their fort.


"Perhaps the first thing to do, sir, is use those notes to try and determine exactly where the attack would take place, if it were to go ahead.

Using the tall grasses and hills as cover would only work if it were within a reasonably short range of its target. Any further distance would give the defenders time to signal for aid. He offered gently before continuing.


"Give me a group of capable men, and I will look for anything resembling such threat and find out if any attack is likely... he said, curiosity digging into his gut while he bit his tongue at maybe the inappropriateness of his suggestion.


// only if appropriate
Pausing a moment, the man stroked his chin and asked... "Rebels? is it not more likely to be an effort by the Wazif?




OOC:

OKay, he's tried to use some logic and reasoning to help figure out the implications of the book, the cave, the oldness, the language and all that good stuff.

I'll make a note of these ideas I have here, maybe something I can bring up in the next post depending on how it goes.

See if Captain has access to:

- any flying units.
- contacts enough to 'get/buy/barter/etc' some spell book containing anything vaguely related to movement/flight spells
- contacts or people that might know something.




The bit after the // note:

he used the term rebels, was that maybe a slip of the tongue? Or was it just the way he was phrasing when describing any arabic person in the area wishing to disrupt the MEgalan influence?

If it was a slip of the tongue, then maybe he has revealed his own connection to a rebel force.

Brashear nods as Giles talks, "You are thinking along the same lines as I sergeant, but perhaps you aren't giving them much credit.  If they plan to attack, moving at night and staying the high grass would nearly completely conceal their movement at least until they laid siege to a city...  It matters little as you say for this threat is no more but we do not know how many more caves hide how many more men that are spying over these lands..."

He pauses for a moment, considering Giles's suggestion.  "I don't know if we could find an exact plan for their attack...  I think their first target would be here, and then on to Raphael but we do not know what their goals are...  Apart from scouring this whole land I think it unlikely that we will find what we are looking for."  His gaze falls down in contemplation.

Giles mentions his use of the word 'rebels' and Brashear looks up, quickly addressing Giles's question.  "Oh, no, I think we are dealing with a rebel group, not the Wazifi infantry.  As I told you when you got here, the Wazifi ruling class have little appetite for war, but many of their clans feel otherwise.  I think it far more likely that one or two of the clans have broken off and have taken their thirst for revenge and battle beyond their means.  It would only take a single act of war before Megalos would respond, and all of Al-Wazif would be draw with them into battle."

"I think perhaps this medusa is our point to focus on.  But searching our lands will prove more difficult, for if they are here, then they will be well concealed... even the den that you stumbled upon was only by luck.  But the mass of their forces is surely still behind the border or we would have found them...  I can't spare a large group, we still have watches and patrols which limits our force every day, but if you wish, take two men, scout south of the border, and report on any disturbance you find.  But I do not want this turning into an incident...  wear no indication of your rank or military allegiance."

OOC:  Brashear is essentially asking you to take a small patrol and investigate south of the border.  There are obviously several skills that may help you with this and you can feel free to use the rest of your saved up character points before you leave.  Otherwise, the expectation would be to leave in a few days, whenever you are cleared by the medic.  If you wish, you can request men with specific skills to help you out.  Realize, the more skills you request (i.e. I want someone who is a good shot with a bow, a tracker, and speaks Arabic) the more watered down each of those skills is going to be (or possibly you won't find them at all).

Giles listened intently, and an odd ominous sensation befell him. It was an odd thing to be knowledgeable of a plot of your own demise but not privvy to any of the details, it gave his core an undertow of discontent that manifest in a vague sickness at the thought of dying unknown. He caught himself reaching for the hilt of a knife, as if automatically ensuring its presence, ready for some unknown endeavour to face off against demons that had risen from the chaos to confront him. You're just being dramatic Jnaeth... he said inwardly at the dramatic tale he'd spun in his head. He was just to scout and find a force of wazifi.

I will do as you ask and find any indicators of a hostile force, whether the head wears a clan herald or a helmet of snakes he said, sure that he would be up to the task and enjoying the possibility of coming across the Wazifis.

Should the opportunity present itself, somehow, I'll do what I can to ensure no progress is made by these possible rebels. (OOC: Almost added 'scum'  in homage to starwars :D)

Captain Brashear, could I borrow three of our quickest horses for the mission? I expect that time is a factor and therefore anything to help our celerity would be important


As for requirements:

A sword, Spear, small shield
cloak

1 Man who is a good bowman and ranger type (survivalist etc.)
1 Man who is capable of talking arabic and vaguely understands wazifi culture/customs etc.

Obviously I'd hope that each of these people would be at least vaguely familiar with a blade but frankly if they have a weapon and just run past people on a horse and swing something at them, they're probably okay.




I mentioned the horses because they're relatively big.

Brashear nods at Giles as he accepts the offer.  "Be exceedingly careful.  While the Wazifis have been peaceable, their trust for us does not extend very far.  If you approach them dressed in battle gear, it is likely they won't take well.  I'm counting on you because you were there and saw the sign, you saw what the men lived like, and perhaps might be more ready to recognize them if you saw it again.  I'll make sure you have three of the best horses we have and you may use my sword as you need.  With any luck I won't be needing it while you are gone."

Brashear smiles, and puts his hand atop Giles's for a moment.  "All that when you are ready.  The medic insists that you spend another day here and you may take another day to prepare if you need.

---

December 9th
2008 A.D.
River Makarem

Giles stands next to the rushing currents of the River Makarem some five miles east of the Fort.  Though the area has few trees to speak of, the banks of the river are built up with scrub brush and dull green grasses that stretch out for a few yards before the color fades to the yellow-brown of the surrounding terrain.

The two men around him eye the waters appraisingly.  Corporal Edenburg, the same man from Giles's last harrowing adventure, had been assigned as Giles's ranger for the scouting mission.  The other man was Private Rodrickson, another member of the company staff who worked mostly as an interpreter and intelligence analyst for the captain.

"I don't know that it's going to get any narrower, but it's hard to tell how deep that is."  Edenburg says from right beside him.

Giles agrees.  Though the rippling waters at the edges of the banks are easy indicators of the shallow waters the farther towards the middle the less and less the disturbances seem to be.  The water moves along at a reasonable clip, and Giles is not want to be knocked out of the saddle as they try to ford but this has been the most promising spot they have seen as of yet and at some point they will have to cross the river if they want to get into the borders of Al-Wazif.

"What do you think Sarge?"  Edenburg asks.  "We gonna cross here or keep looking?"

OOC:  Thanks for your patience with the delay.  I have marked down all your possetions in my notes.  Basically the stuff that you did not bring that is on your character sheet is your knife, club, axe, and the wolf statue and short staff.  I added these items:  Small shield, thrusting broadsword, group basics, 21 rations, water skins, personal basics, 3 man tent.  You also have 3 of the faster horses in the fort stables.  If there anything that you want to change from that list put it in your next post, otherwise you did not bring it.

The river is approximately twenty yards long at this particular junction, and it is hard to tell how deep it is in the middle.  You have the option to ford it here if you want, or to continue further up along the border.  If you opt to ford, please make a roll against riding at -1.

River Mackarem
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:41, Tue 06 June 2017.

ANother day in the infirmary caused a sigh from the half-elf, and he figured that maybe it was a little over-cautious. He used the time to continue reading, and familiarise himself with the area, considering the plot that might be uncovered and the suppositions that came with 'what if' scenarios. It was an important role that had been given and Giles felt that perhaps this would push his star into ascension if he was successful.

---

It seems that the Hind third child had been conditioned out of enjoying the vast open wilderness when his magic studies had begun. Pushed into reading books, it became habit that made sitting and reading in stone-worked rooms by the blue or grey skies or a softer yellow candle light the most fulfilling thing in his life. It was only of the past few months where he'd travelled and been able to see the texture of the land and its unfamiliarity as the beginnings of new adventure and the first steps to a potential realised. Here there was no strong connection to his family, to magic or even any part of his history - it was a good feeling he could metamorphose into an entirely different being.

Giles took a deep breath, enjoying his new comfort in the saddle, with a sword hanging from belt and the overwhelming importance of the mission on which his path currently rested. Good things to come, he reflected inwardly before addressing his men.

"I hope you healed fully and well Edenburg.

You should have seen him against those vicious beasts... he said first to his known companion and secondly to the new comer. Pushing peoples pride always helped, and he even had been genuinely impressed.


"Do you know anything of this mission that might help, Rodrickson? he asked casually as they rode, hoping that the private may have some additional data that Brashear had missed, forgotten or neglected to mention.

---

Giles loathed the idea of swimming, drowning or otherwise coming to an untimely demise in the water but it might have been right that this was the only decent place to attempt fording. But Giles thought he'd read somewhere that fortune often favoured those brave, bold and intrepid and here was no difference.

Okay, we can try here, but I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. Our mission is of critical importance..." he said, leaving the last statement as a way of shielding his discomfort with their current predicament. He definitely didn't want to die at the bottom of a river, nor risk killing any horses or troops in an unwise decision.

Giles, having found his rhythm on horse back, kicked his heels into its flank and let it trot to the water's edge. Wading into the river he let his horse's belly dip lightly into the water, to avoid the brunt of its downstream force and then lean forward in his saddle to reach out with his spear and try and find the floor further out. He figured using it as a probe would help make sure they did not delve deeper than his horse's ability to withstand.

"It's okay girl, just nice and slowly we'll find our way or turn back. I won't let anything bad happen to you" he said softly into his horse's ear and then let her wade a little deeper. He would take his time, and they really did have all day to get across, despite what he'd said about the criticality of the mission.





Riding -1 is probably going to kill me...


Okay:

Reaction roll for rodrickson, I'd hope rank and the 'boasting of pearce' might help here too:
13:14, Today: Giles 'J'naeth' Hind rolled 15 using 3d6.  reaction rodrickson. // very glad that wasn't my riding roll....

riding: (i'm going to take plenty of extra time to do this... hopeing i might be able to get a bonus, also will use the spear as support, for measuring depth and bracing)
13:15, Today: Giles 'J'naeth' Hind rolled 9 using 3d6.  riding. // PHEW!!




As for equipment:

Chakram, definitely.
Did the wolf statues give off any magical feelings? Giles would probasbly keep with him
I'll also keep a knife with me.

DO people usually take rope? I've already got the spear, (read: 10ft pole for setting off traps ;)

This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Fri 21 Apr 2017.

Finding as good a place as any to ford the river, Giles decides to make their crossing here rather than to waste valuable time staying north of the border.  He prepares his horse, tightening the saddlebags and putting the food stores as high as they can be, and then pushes off into the river.  The banks ride swiftly down, and within just a few steps his horse is knee deep in the flow.  He nudges his horse gently on, letting the beast take careful but strident steps as the opposite bank approaches ever closer.

With a slow but constant pace, the water climbs ever higher, first to the beast's belly, then rump.  Having left his stirrups in place Giles finds the feet of his boots forced under the water to maintain control.  Giles holds his breath hoping that it does not get any higher...  Slowly his horse plods on, and with a sigh Giles finds that the waters are receding rather than getting deeper.

In another few moments, Giles's horse, Cutlass has driven his hooves back up onto dry ground.  There now.  He thinks to himself, that wasn't so...

"Shit!"  SPLASH!

Giles whips his head around and watches the form of Rodrickson hit the water as his horse nickers and shakes its head.

"Easy girl!"  Edenburg holds back in his movement, beckoning the horse behind him with a few kissing noises, but it proves unnecessary as the horse continues on in the river, eager to follow the other pack animals to dry ground.

As for Rodrickson, the man is whisked downriver by the current though he quickly aligns himself with the flow and starts swimming to the Wazifi shore.

Several minutes later, the group is together again on the bank, Rodrickson pulled up from the waters, his clothes stripped off for the moment to wring them out and dry as much as possible before they start moving on again.  "I lost my spear."  The private ejaculates the words in disgust, though in truth the man could have lost much more.

The men press on farther east after a short rest, Rodrickson dawning his equipment and mounting his horse and the group finds no further impediments to their trek.

"Won't be too much longer until sundown."  Edenburg says from behind Giles some hours later.  "What do you think Sarge, I haven't seen much in the way of shelter around here."  Giles agrees, scanning the horizon for any useful information though there is little to be had.  Off in the distance to the east and southeast, a wide mountain range crawls up from the horizon, casting a blue hue as it rises from the yellowed grasses.  To the southeast the badlands seem to continue on ad nausium.

OOC:  Sorry to have skipped over your question to Rodrickson but one of my pet peeves as a writer is bouncing back and forth between two different times, I'd rather just keep moving in one direction and solve everything that falls out in OOC or behind the scenes.  Suffice to say, Rodrickson does not have anything in particular that he can think of that will help the mission out.  He's sort of a specialist in the Arabic language and Islam, though most of his study is based on Cardiel, so he's less knowledgeable in specific Wazifi culture and social graces.  Thanks for the rection roll, I forgot to ask for it, but it is well appreciated.

It is about 1 hour to sunset.  You will have burned through 6 or your 21 rations that you brought for the mission as of tonight.  You refilled your water at the river.  If you wish you, (or one of your people - Edenburg likely) can roll vs. plains survival to try and find the opportunity to obtain food or water.  You'll also need to find someplace to bed down for the night.  Finding natural shelter will also require a survival roll, but you did bring a 3 man tent to use if you just want to plop down.  If you do set down camp then let me know 1. If you are starting a fire and 2. if you are setting a watch.

Also, roll vs. perception, if you succeed, PM me before posting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:35, Sat 22 Apr 2017.

The heart plummeted when he heard the splashing and exclamation of horror by Rodrickson. Turning to glance at the man Giles had dashed back into the water to possibly help, but it was all a little late as the man fell from the horse and swept down into the water "Fuck..." the man said under his breath as he watched the other man struggle in the water. There was little else to do except take control of the riderless horse and hope.

---

Later that day, all relieved now that the man had relieved himself from the tug of the river and fed Giles turned to Edenburg and suggested that he build a fire, for their camp and see if he could find anything a little more satisfying for their dinner. The risk of being outdoors was no more or no less than any other traveller and it was tradition to build fires at night. No emblems were with them and so they could not readily be tied to Megalos, or the fort.

"Edenburg, lets get this fire going and pitch our tent and then if you're up to it, lets see if you can find us some dinner. Rodrickson, dry your clothes - today was a close call but luckily spears are easily enough replaced.


When we're fed, you both get your head down and sleep, I'll wake up Edenburg for second watch... he commented while curling his lips at the distaste of their rations - they definitely needed something better than this.




OOC:

1) I'm not quite sure 'how it is done normally' I guess casual conversation with edenburg would give this away but we will pitch the tent if it's required. Otherwise we'll sleep on our rolls. (if that's what is usually done in these parts)

2) We will make a fire...

3) we definitely will keep watch

4) Also, I would like Edenburg to go hunt for something. It doesn't have to be much, but at this rate we have 3 days worth of rations, which probably isn't enough without supplementing.

Edenburg nods.  "I'll go out now then, there's only an hour or so of light, if I wait much longer, there's not much chance I'll be able to find any food of note.  Rodrickson can help set up the camp, you're probably right sarge, we aughta have a fire at least to dry out his stuff.  Tent should be pretty easy to set up too."

And with that, Edenburg gets off his horse and makes his way off towards the distant mountains of the south.

Rodrickson makes likewise, dismounting before he loosens the straps on his saddle and removes the tack from his horse, laying out the saddle pad on top of the rest of the gear for the horse sweat to start to dry off.  Noticing that Edenburg has neglected to do the same, Rodrickson removes the tack on Edenburg's horse as well and Giles is sure that he can hear the man muttering under his breath.

Less than thirty minutes later the tent is set up, the horses are brushed and set off to graze and Rodrickson has stripped down to his underclothes, put his boots and socks out to dry, and collected enough of the dry grasses to act as kindling for the fire...  The problem is, there simply isn't enough large material to get anything of significance going.  "I suppose I'll see what I can gather."  Rodrickson offers, standing up and making his way out of camp as well.

As for Giles he gets out a few more of the rations from the packs and sets them out.  For while he knows he brought Edenburg specifically for his scouting and hunting abilities, he wouldn't bank on the man brining back dinner tonight for Giles had seen little more than a few birds and a groundhog poking its head out from the terrain for the briefest of moments.

And after another few minutes, Giles efforts are validated, for Edenburg returns with empty hands though he has a smile on his face.  "Found a game trail."  He says with obvious hopes.  "I set up a snare there, but there's not a lot I can do in the meantime, I'll check it tomorrow."

Rodrickson comes back shortly later although his gains are meager, an armful of thin sticks, some of which are green.  "Not a lot out there."  Rodrickson admits, laying the small stack down beside the tent, not enough for a meaningful fire for any length of time.

Deciding that they will wait for the fire for the case in which Edenburg's trap is successful, the three eat their rations and make plans for the following day as the sun is absorbed by the glowing horizon.

The next morning, Giles and Rodrickson pack up the tent and saddle the horses as Edenburg goes out to check his snare.  Giles is immensely happy they pitched the tent, for the temperatures last night must have gotten close to freezing, and without the fire there is little chance they would have managed any sleep without the added insulation.  Overhead, clouds have rolled in during the night bringing the promise of rain, though Giles can see none on the horizons.  Several minutes later, Edenburg comes back with a huge smile on his face and a hare hanging limp in his hand.  The three make use of the available dry grass and wood, and manage to cook the thing well enough once it is cut into small bits.  As they eat the three talk about the day ahead.

"We're going to need water soon, the horses are drinking a ton and we haven't filled up since the river."  Edenburg offers.   "Think we should start back north a ways?  Or keep heading east and try and pick some up as we move on?"

OOC:  It is about 7 a.m. on the 9th of December.  It is a chilly morning, though quickly warming from the overnight cold.