In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 558):

Brennan accepts the money, eats, and accompanies Enrei out of town toward the horses and Bryce.

They do not start as early as possible, but they are not as late as Titus might have wanted either.

He notes the change in Enrei's demeanor as they travel toward Bryce's campsite.

"Is there something about the village that bothers you?"

"No, is nice village.  But we have to go.  Like I say, is bad idea to wait," he replies sincerely.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 560):

"I agree with that. I've had... a vision. Men are coming, and they will not be kind to us if they catch us. We must away to Losthelm. I just hope Titus and Deev make it out sooner rather than later."

He smiles slightly.

"Well. That's not my only hope. Right now I'm hoping Bryce is still out here with our horses, tack, and saddles. And your goat. We shall soon see."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 561):

Up and Over

Brennan and Enrei set off for the mountains before noon, with Enrei eagerly leading.

The ascent and subsequent descent are uneventful, but exhausting.

When you reach the new camp, it is not long before nightfall.

As promised, Bryce is still there with the horses, your supplies, and, fortunately, the goat.

"Took ya long'nuff!"  he snorts with a smile.  "Had morning come I would have been on my way."

He looks you over.  "Had an adventure I hear... care to share?"  his voice becomes almost a whisper.  "Are the witches TRULY dead or is this another of Titus' stories"

The Village

Titus remains behind, telling stories, getting sultry looks, and collecting more Fastbender trappings.

Night finally approaches, and Titus is again asked to tell tales by firelight.

In reply to GM (msg # 562):

He hugs every villager individually and kisses the ladies in a courtly fashion.  While holding on to some of the younger ones longer than strictly necessary.  He wishes them adieu as he and Deev will be leaving as soon as they wake the next morning.

He feebly waves away the requests and then acquiesces.  By firelight he tells the tale as true horror lengthing shadows and playing tricks on the eyes of the villagers.  Even making sounds in the undergrowth.

There comes a point where Titus cuts the performance short and ushers the smith and Deev to strategic positions through the town.  He positions himself up on a central roof.

Keep a sharp eye out when we catch this guy I'll find out if my new sword works on humans as well as witches. 
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Thu 01 Sept 2016.

In reply to GM (msg # 562):

Brennan breathes deeply before responding.

"They're dead, yes. They did not wish to abide by our bargain, and they tried to enforce that treachery with force."

He looks over the campsite.

"You remained safe from the wolves, I see. Well done. We are heading to Losthelm next. Are you coming? We could use you, and you'd be paid. Plus... That's the best way to hear the story of what happened.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Thu 01 Sept 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 564):

The Village

Titus prepares his watch, though he is still exhausted from lack of sleep the night before.

The Camp

Bryce thinks for a moment.

"Aye, I'll accompany you a little farther still.  Might be Losthelm is too far, and too cold, for my liking, but this adventure may last a bit longer.

What's the plan then?  My knowledge of terrain and town will soon run short as we move north, but I  know my way as far as Eastwatch."

In reply to GM (msg # 565):

Their course of action clear for the moment, Brennan helps pack up the camp and prepares to set out.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 566):

The Camp

Enrei tends to his nervous but unharmed goat.

Wood is more plentiful here, so keeping up a fire is not troublesome.

You pass the evening uneventfully, listening to distant wolves but not seeing more of them tonight.

The Village

Titus keeps close watch on the town from the safety of the rooftops, and is kept company by Deev.

The town's usual watch continue to patrol, so there is always some activity about, but otherwise the night is uneventful.

OOC:  Titus now suffers -1d to all pools for lack of sleep

It is the 18th Day of the Queen's Month

On both Camp and Town, a light rain is falling.  This troubles Titus somewhat less as he is able to take refuge under roof.

As for our campers, their only shelter is trees and soon everything not packed up is lightly damp.

In reply to GM (msg # 567):

Before the end of the night Titus tells the smith's apprentice that he will be leaving early in the morning and to tell the rest of the town his good byes.

I'm planning on leaving at first light.  Look to my return.  Tell the rest of the town that we will be back.

He gives him a warm embrace.  After pulling away he holds out a red headband.

Will you accept being the protectorate of this town?  This is a solemn promise, and you have seen how seriously I take this commitment. 

As the grey daylight spreads, Enrei helps to pack up camp, especially indifferent to the precipitation slowly soaking its way into everything.  The acts of working and preparing for travel clearly alleviate whatever kept him on edge while in town.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 569):

The Town

The apprentice accepts the gift with solemn silence.  He immediately thereafter falls to his knees and thanks Titus a thousand times, pledging to make the Fastbender name proud.

The first light is dim and hazy as Titus prepares to leave.  Those who are awake give parting embraces, handshakes, and tears.

With a heavy heart, Titus begins the long march up and over the mountain with Deev trudging beside him.

The rain is light but unyeilding.  It takes a while to soak into leggings and hair, but once it does, it's there to stay.

In reply to GM (msg # 570):

Titus trudges and curses and does his best to catch Brennan as quickly as possible.  At one point halfway up the mountain he tosses a lopsided smile at Deev.

It was you wasn't it?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Tue 27 Sept 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 571):


"I..." Deev gulps.  "What was who?"

The poor lad stammers and stutters more than ever, but denies any wrongdoing.

In reply to Deev (msg # 572):

Brennan continues to lead the way toward Losthelm, keeping the group moving steadily but still taking more stops for "scouting" and "hunting" than strictly necessary.

He spends the first and last half-hour of daylight in prolonged meditation, clutching an amber rod all the while.

"We are being pursued," he reiterates after the first day. "And not just by Titus. We must stay ahead of our foe."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

"Is good thing we leave and do not wait," Enrei replies to Brennan's assertion, his tone ever so slightly more self congratulatory than usual.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 574):

Heh. 

Titus snorts a laugh, then claps Deev on the shoulder.

Its ok, but much like everything in stagecraft its your timing that matters.  Don't do it in small towns where it is so noticeable.  Otherwise your going to get your ass kicked awake after half a nights sleep and dragged over a mountain.

I feel like shit.  Do you feel like shit?

He makes a rude gesture at the sky and speaking to the clouds...

And you're not helping!

He shoulders up their pack of new clothes wrapped in an oilskin and trudges over the mountain.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 575):

Wet, exhausted, and sore, Titus and Deev regroup with the rest of the group around midday.

From there you begin your journey north.  You could wish for better weather, but other than that there are no serious obstacles.

OOC:  If anyone has any activity (like Brennan) while on the road for a couple days, just post it.

After a half day travel and a soggy night, the rains let up.

It is the 19th Day of the Queen's Month

You continue to march.  The road twists here and there but mostly follows the feet of the mountain to the East and the line of the forest to the West.

You see some small game here and there but no travelers.

Bryce asks many questions about your adventures, but mostly ignores Titus' response in favor of wringing all meaning out of Brennan's.

Not long before you will need to camp, he notes:

"We will soon come upon a crossroads.  If we keep due North, we will come to the keep at Eastwatch.  It is well settled and safe enough if you don't mind folk.  The other way dips down into the valley for some time.  Both will take us North eventually."

In reply to GM (msg # 576):

Eastwatch.

Titus says definitively.

People mean an audience, audiences mean money, nice places to stay, warm food and dry clothes.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 577):

While Brennan and Enrei stand in silent contemplation, Bryce rambles on a bit.

"Eastwatch is fine enough, far as 'civilization goes.  That also is where my guidance ends... our band never went further than the walls of Eastwatch.  Too well defended.

Used to be a great keep back in the old wars, then when everything went to hell it got isolated out here.  Still has a titled Lord an' all, from what I hear they mostly grow grapes up in the flats above... we met a few people bringing raisins and wine out a year back.  Good stuff."

It is clear from "met" he means robbed.

Enrei finally breaks his silence, "Why is north where to go to watch east?  Is not better view if you go east?"

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 579):

Titus demonstrates the finer points of changing lines of site and relative positions to towns using trees as an example.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 580):

Brennan concurs with the consensus opinion toward Eastwatch, though he does furrow is brow a bit in concentration.

Eastwatch was built to protect a mountain pass that has since collapsed. I hope we can indeed continue onward to our goal from there once we reach it. Doubling back would give our pursuers more time to catch up. Also... as a military outpost of questionable modern importance, it may be home to a restless commander anxious for an excuse to prove himself and earn a transfer someplace relevant. We must be cautious.

Brennan then turns to Bryce.

When you say your guidance ends, does that mean you intent to part ways with us there, or are you just warning us that your usefulness as a guide is diminished from that point onward? You are welcome to stay on regardless. You have earned a place in my troupe if you wish it. Besides... there are answers at Losthelm I suspect you will appreciate.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Wed 05 Oct 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 581):

"Don't get your smallclothes in a bind my scholarly friend," Bryce chuckles.  "I mean Eastwatch is as far as my knowledge of the land goes.  After that, it's down to maps and your book learnin'."

In reply to GM (msg # 582):

Eastwatch it is! 

Titus says starting to walk along the road.