The scene is still unfolding as Griswold approached with the food and drink. The priests are busy working with the unconscious. The half-orc looks like he has calmed down and has propped himself up against a post. He graciously accepts food, but the priests are ignoring you, focusing healing the injured.

Meanwhile, the pavilion seems to be calming down once Roland is pacified with more wine.

As his companions departed, Wrenn wrestled with the idea of confronting Roland for the next several minutes. With a deep breath, a shake of his head, and popping his neck, Wrenn did his best to relax and put the thought out of his mind as he went in search of a place to sleep it all off instead.

Griswold remains with the last group until he turns in for the night, or the youths he had offered training to turn up.

Griswold discovers that two of them actually show up to his offer, Chris and Farrissa. Farrissa still seems nervous, though not as much with Roland not around. Chris has a battered longsword with him and a buckler that may have served as a cask lid at some point in its life. "We have come for training, the others did not want to come. In fact, they don't know that we are here."

---

The rest of the players find themselves back at the inn, the mood much more dour after the state of the last group. None seem to know what the next task will entail, but if it is in line with the previous, nothing good can come of it seems to be the consensus.

Griswold raises an eyebrow at the pair's arrival, but quickly replaces his surprise with a smile.  "Glad you came and don't worry: I can keep a secret." As they get started the young squire recalls his years of training, showing them how to hold their weapons, simple parries and counters that they can perform as well as discussing tactics.

"I can show you some simple techniques, but a few hours training will not turn you into whirling dervishes.  The best I can do is offer some advice...

"...Keep your blades and shields up.  Don't straighten or lock your joints.  If you keep your arms, torso and knees bent, you'll be able to move quicker and with more force.  You'll be a smaller target too.  Harder to hit, but with a stronger guard...

"...Focus on the hit, not the strike.  You want to incapacitate your target quickly, but missing achieves nothing and it doesn't take much to draw blood.  Pain can be an effective distraction...

"...Remember, you are not alone.  You are a team - a hunting pack.  You will be stronger as a group than individuals.  Have someone distract your enemy, then everyone else can lunge forward.  See if you can't give out instructions and declare your intentions to your companions, without giving them away to your foe.  If you're clever you may even be able to make them think you are going to do something entirely different...

"...Focus your attacks on one target and be quick.  Also be fluid.  If someone's distraction is not working, or if they are suffering, try to take the focus away from them.  It may save them, or even allow for a counterattack...

"Don't always go for the kill.  Tripping an enemy or otherwise unbalancing them can end a fight quickly. And you don't wan't to get drawn into a long fight.  Your enemies' experience will win out as your endurance flags."

"...not all battlefields are level playing fields.  Look for environmental advantages.  Objects that can be used as weapons, ropes that can be cut to send barrels tumbling towards unsuspecting foes, high grounds to fight down from, pitfalls enemies would have to jump over to get to you, liquids that can be thrown in faces.  There is nothing wrong with fighting dirty...

"...Always keep your guard up.  Is can be very difficult to react to a quick attack, so putting yourself in a position ready to intercept it gives you a supreme advantage.  Deflecting or slipping past enemy blows, opens them up for attack and makes it harder for them to react in kind...

"...concentrate on your enemy's body movements.  Especially their shoulders.  You'll be forewarned of their intentions...

"As you attack, keep your arm loose until the very end.  Then 'pop' out the strike.  It will make your impact all the more forceful and allow you to recover quicker if they manage to parry you early...

"It is okay to be scared.  Fear and bravery are not opposites.  They work together.  Fear will make you quicker, stronger and more alert.  Being brave will let you use that extra strength.  So swallow the lump in your throat and make your body move.  Don't freeze up..."

"...and remember.  My fighting style is not exactly traditional.  It favours flexibility over brawn.  Intelligence over single-mindedness.  Don't expect your enemies to behave in the same way.  Out-think, out-pace and outmanoeuvre them."

He doesn't train them for too long.  Not knowing what trials await them.

"Okay, that'll have to do.  Think about what I've shown you, but make sure to get some rest.  I don't want you aching tomorrow.  Just one more thing before you go.

"Watch out for Roland.  He is over confident and may take offence if anything I taught you shows him up.  I know he is your..."  Griswold considers his words looking sadly at Farissa, "...friend, but he may be a liability too.  If you have to make a choice between him and everyone else, choose him." He waits for the perhaps unexpected words to sink in.  "Lady Inara has told me that she will not let anyone die.  That means Roland too.  And his father may be watching.  If he is in danger - and I mean real danger, not just threatened as it would be bad if he saw your assistance as stealing his thunder - you should do everything you can to protect him.  It might mean you get hurt.  Badly.  But the clerics will help you after and it will be better for you and your loved ones in the long run.

"Oh, and take this." Griswold fishes around in his purse and pulls out 6 gold. "I'd offer you more, but a squire is not well paid and this is almost all that I have.  Take it and try to buy yourselves and your friends some cheap weapons.  Say you won the money at the festival or something."

OOC - Sorry if Griswold's 'advice' is complete rubbish - whilst he may know the correct way to fight, I have no idea.  It's mostly just cliche.  So just imagine he says the right things ^^
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Mon 31 July 2017.

Chris is quick to take the instruction and Farrissa seems somewhat interested as well. Chris tells you, on behalf of Farrissa, that she has magical talent that manifested during the trial. She seems eager to learn the swordplay, but more in the way that a child plays at fighting than learning the skill. While she is practicing, Chris leads Griswold away from her. He speaks in a hushed voice and looks at Griswold seriously.

"I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please take her away. Roland is a cruel man and his father is no better. You are a squire and can protect her from them. As it stands now, she will never be able to pay her family debt and be free. If Roland's father discovers she has talent, he will force her to serve him instead of being Roland's plaything. Please, sir. I'm begging you and this might be her only chance."

Griswold is quiet for a long time and eventually makes a pained face at the boy.  "I would truly like to help her.  But you are wrong - I cannot protect her.  I am only a squire.  I have no means.  No estate.  No walls to hide her behind.  And I am on my trial.  If she followed me who knows what sorts of dangers she'd have to face."  He pauses for a minute and asks, "How much is her debt?"

Chris gives a long look at Farrissa, who flashes a smile at the two men before returning to practice with the sword. He looks at Griswold with his own pained expression. "I understand it is close to eighty crowns. Her grandfather borrowed the money to start a mine and nothing panned out."

"I see.  And who owns her contract, Roland or his father?"

Chris begins to perk up. "The viscount does. The debt is to the family."

"Ah.  Roland I may have been able to deal with.  His father not so much"  He scratches his chin in thought.  "Are you sure she wants this?  What will she do if she is freed - how will she survive?"

Chris shakes his head. "She hasn't spoken in nearly two years. Roland dragged her along because he fancies her and she can handle a bow well. Her father and brothers hunt the Green Wood for the viscount. The entire family, save her mother and the youngest sibling, are experts with the shortbow and familiar with surviving in the wilderness."

Griswold looks even more sympathetic.  "She hasn't spoken for two years?  Do you know why?  And are her family part of this indentured servitude too, all for eighty crowns, or just her?"

Chris shrugged. "She vanished for a few weeks back then and when she returned, she never spoken after. I think the terms is that she bears the brunt of the debt in return for her services. She only wore the collar after she got back. We don't know what the terms are, though we have asked Roland during nights of drinking. He gets very sober around that time."

"Wait,"  Griswold barely managed to stop himself from calling out in surprise. After calming down, he reiterated what he had heard.  "She disappeared, then returned two week later, fully alive and well, but with a collar around her neck and never speaking a word since?  And she has now shown an aptitude for the arcane?  As in casting spells - without speaking?  Okay, wait here.  I'll be back in a moment."

OOC Griswold needs to talk to Wrenn about this.

Griswold entered the tent, looking for Wrenn.  "Hey Wrenn.  Do you think you could help me with something outside?"

Wrenn swung around to face Griswold, and asked as he followed, "Of course! What can I do for you?"

"It will be easier if you see for yourself." Griswold smiles, trying to remain nonchalant as he leads the gnome out of the tent.  Outside, after a little way and making sure no one was in earshot, he leaned conspiratorially in toward Wrenn.

"That girl, Farrissa, the indentured servant came to me with one of the boys, Chris, for some martial training.  Well, pointers really.  Anyway, after some time Chris appealed for me to help in her escape.  He thought I could provide for her, which I told him I cannot.  I'm only a lowly squire, after all and have no safe haven for her to hide in.  But I said I would look into it all the same.  Apparently, her grandfather's debt is 80 gold.

"More importantly though, he told me some curious things.  Apparently Farrissa disappeared some time ago and was wearing a collar when she returned.  She never spoke afterwards and now has been seen showing signs of magical potential.  Do you understand?  Summoning magic without words?  So anyway, I need you, as our expert in such things, to see if there is anything special about her or that collar.

"Then, maybe we can think of a way to help her.  I could try selling my horse and armour, but it'd be painful to part from the flea-bitten grey."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Mon 07 Aug 2017.

Wrenn followed Griswold outside. With no particular clue beforehand as to what was needed, he assumed it would be something simple and mundane. As the elf spoke, matters certainly changed. "I would be happy to speak with her, or to her I suppose, and see what I can do. I have some forty gold to my name right now, and I will happily set aside the lot for her release. You know better than I how things are handled on that side of things."

"The use of magical spells without the need to speak is, in and of itself, an absolute phenomenon. There are some spells that do not require a spoken word, but in words there is great power and as such is quite often a requirement. Are they ready to meet now, or have you scheduled a future meeting?"

"Thank you.  The youthful two-full should still be just around the corner.  Time is short, so let's hurry.  But they do not know that I went to get you.  Farrissa is shy and flighty.  She may scare if you bring up the topic of her magic too readily."

Griswold led the arcanist two the small patch of dirt where he had left Chris and Farrissa a few moments earlier, trying to make sure they they were not being followed in the process.

01:09, Today: Griswold Ortmann rolled 1 using 1d20-1.  Perception.
Nice.

You come back to find Chris and Farrissa playfully sparing using the techniques that you taught them. Chris notices you and holds up a hand for Farrissa to stop. She stops and looks slightly worried at the sight of Wrenn. She moves to stand behind Chris, who glances quickly and repeatedly between Griswold and Wrenn. "You didn't say you were getting anybody else."

"I'm sorry, but he might be able to help.  In more ways than one.  Chris, Farrissa, meet Wrenn Muerning.  A friend."

Chris looked over at Wrenn and cocked an eyebrow. "Help with which part?"

"A friend indeed. I am a traveling merchant tinkerer who stumbled into this area quite by...ah, accident, we shall say. Griswold didn't tell me much about your situation for the sake of your privacy, but enough that I know well your situation. So, please do not fear as your safety and freedom are my only concern. In addition to those two things I offer: friendship, understanding, and if you desire, perhaps training and control."

Wrenn looked specifically at the girl for the second half of what he said, to hopefully indicate to her that he had a better understanding of her situation than most would.

Chris had a doubtful look on his face. "I don't know. This is getting much bigger than I expected. What do you think you want to do to help?"