In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 258):

Brennan just shrugs.

"She said doing this would make the wolves ignore us. It seemed a better option than trying to fight them, and an easy way to protect Enrei's prize. Besides... if it doesn't work, better to know sooner rather than later that we cannot rely upon her protection."

He smiles slightly.

"Though I have no reason to doubt it at this point."

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 258):

The Valley Beyond

"I do not know... Brennan spoke of something drawn on the ground..."  he squints in the dark.

"More like they are protecting their drawing."

In reply to Deev (msg # 260):

Base Camp

Bryce mutters something about fool ideas, but takes a cautious sip.

The wine from the cup is deeply refreshing, cool and perfect.  (OOC: some of your injuries are soothed as well, I have updated your character sheets).

The horses lap at the proffered goblet, but the goat is not quite as trusting.

It takes some wrangling, but you finally manage to jam its nose into the cup until you are satisfied that it has taken in some of the liquid.

You wait quietly, the fire crackling softly.

The wolves howl again.

You wait.

The wolves howl once more, but their sound is receding...

In reply to GM (msg # 261):

Brennan smiles as the wolves' braying begins to fade.

"Thank you," he says softly to the cup before turning to the other. "And thank you all for being cooperative."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 262):

It is not long before the wolves can no longer be heard and you can, presumably, sleep safely.


OOC:  Set watch if you like, nothing more will happen until you are asleep...

In reply to GM (msg # 263):

Brennan sets a watch all the same (no reason to get sloppy, and besides, Enrei and Deev could return at any time with something nasty on their heels).

"We should find out," Enrei decides, his course veering slightly toward the closest torch.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 265):

Well...

Titus says nonplused as everyone lets go of their collected breath.  When Brennan talks to it he pops his head over his shoulder.

Are you going to give me a better dream tonight?

He says to the cup.

I'll take the first watch...

He holds up his arms in the armor...

I'm dressed for it.

If the group is interested in a story and a song he'll do a quick performance before bed telling tales of paladins.  If not then He'll let them drift off and he will hum to himself as he slowly works his way towards the goat establishing a rapport with the animal.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 265):

Village Beyond

It is not difficult for Enrei to make his way to one of the torches circling the small town.  In fact, as he gets closer, a shout rings out and several more torches come to join the one Enrei was heading for.

The town is circled by a low wall, not much more than waist height, of mortared stones.  At regular intervals are hanging lanterns on wooden poles.  Beyond, Enre can see that the buildings are mounted on thick legs made of tree trunks so that they have a few feet of clearance beneath them.

Enrei is many paces from the wall (2 rounds movement) when he is met by a half dozen torch-bearing individuals armed with spears and wearing clothes made of buck hide.

"HO THERE!" one calls out.  "WHO APPROACHES IN THE DARK OF NIGHT?"

The men stop in a rough semicircle, spears pointing toward Enrei and Deev.

"Hello, I am Enrei.  This is Deev," Enrei gives his companion a gentle pat on the back that nearly leaves him impaled on the bristling spears, "We are doing errand.  Who are you?" he asks congenially of the speaking spear man.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 268):

"I am Robert Stone," the man replies, looking to his companions.  "What errand do you have here in the witching hours?"

"Witching? No, no, we do not even know how to fly," Enrei corrects Robert, "We are looking for town with circle made of...powder?" he looks at Deev to make sure his description of their goal is accurate.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 270):

Deev does his best impression of a person who does not want to run away.

It's only partly convincing.

In reply to Deev (msg # 271):

"A jester, are you?" Robert smirks.  "And if you found such a town, what would your business be there that has you out at all hours... and so far from your home?"

"No, not jester, I am Enrei," he attempts to enunciate his name more clearly, "Our business is mercenary, but I leave home to be sailor," he explains proudly.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 273):

Outskirts of a Town

Robert Stone frowns and looks to his companions.  They tighten their fingers around their weapons and set their stances.

"I'm afraid you're in the wrong place, then, Enrei.  We have no work for mercenaries here."

Behind the group of men, you can make out more figures moving about with torches.

"It would be best, I think, if you and your friend turned around and left."

"Oh this is okay, I have work.  Brennan is pay me twelve pennies," Enrei states proudly, "He send me to find town with circle to do errand.  If you do not have circle, maybe we can stay the night, yes?  There is sea serpent," he jerks a thumb over his shoulder, "I do not slay it very good at night, maybe is be easier at daytime."

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 275):

"Sea serpent, you say" Robert replies incredulously.  "That's interesting indeed."

He whispers something to one of his companions, who rushes back to the wall and relays some sort of message before returning.

"I would like very much for you to tell me your errand.  If you do not, I'm afraid I cannot let you come any further."

"Yes, I would like to slay it and be hero," Enrei responds to Robert's observation on the serpent.  At his request for an explanation Enrei's expression becomes conflicted for a moment, "Brennan said we were not supposed to explain what we have done," he looks at Deev, but seeing his obvious distress decides he's not any more of an authority on the matter, "But, we are not done yet.  So maybe you can help," he brightens up at this conclusion, "We need to make circle not cont...gew...us..." he says uncertainly, nodding at each syllable to reassure himself.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 277):

Robert relaxes a little, but spears are still pointed at Enrei and Deev.

"Might be someone has played a cruel prank on you, for I truly believe you are too simple for this to be a ruse.

You ARE NOT coming into this town tonight.  However, if you agree to sit quietly, you may remain here under guard until sunrise.  At that time we will allow you to leave, or stay for the day if you wish."

He purses his lips.  "The choice is yours."

Enrei looks at Robert for a moment, considering his deal, then simply replies "Okay." He looks at Deev, "We will stay here tonight and meet Brennan and Titus when they come to find us in the morning.  This is fine."

If their guard leads the pair anywhere to be watched for the rest of the night Enrei is compliant.  If not, he suggests letting them lay against the town's wall, dutifully outside of town.  Wherever they end up, Enrei attempts to get a couple hours of rest.  Discomforted by his new armor he first removes his helmet, then struggles to find any kind of latches on the rest of it before the whole thing just disolves into a splatter of water that leaves Enrei damp, but otherwise much more comfortable.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 279):

The Town In the Valley

Enrei and Deev spend the night sitting and resting quietly on the thin grasses.  At least two men guard them all night long, though they swap now and again.

Before not too long, the sun rises.

Base Camp

Night passes without incident, and morning follows.

No Enrei.

In reply to GM (msg # 280):

Titus wakes, stretches and shoots an ugly look at the cup at Brennan's belt.

Come on.  One happy dream is all I ask from you.

He begins to gather his possessions and pack up the camp.

So he's either lost, dead, captured, or confused.  I think it would be best to approach the town with caution.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 281):

"Maybe he couldn't figure out how to climb back up with all the new goats he captured," Brennan smiles. "Ok, let's pack up and head to the village. Figure out what happened last night, and we can go from there."

Enrei sleeps soundly, if wetly, through the night, rising some time after the sun.  He stands and stretches, taking in the valley in the waxing light of day, "We can go into town now, yes?" Enrei asks of one of their guards.