Padraig considered "If you're heading north, we can travel with you for a time. But we're on our way to Freehold. If you're heading our way, then we could use more company he said.

He'd enjoyed the previous night and Melinda's attentions, he thought he'd enjoyt he companionship of a charismatic woman who had some wit and street-smarts about her, he realised that following morning that he'd much underestimated just how enjoyable her company would be.

You are all heading west, unless you plan to swim across the river.... the question is walking infantry speed or walking horse speed, which is faster.

Padraig considered, there wasn't much difference in walking speed when horse and infantry were walking, but given a horse's nature to trot or canter, over time it was much quicker on horse and so he opted for alacrity.

"We'll move on ahead, if we see any trouble I'll send one of our rangers back to let you know, for as long as we can. he said and then nodded to Melinda and the other rangers to kick their horses to a light canter.

You occasional see soldiers, but none close to you, all seem to be heading the same way you are. You stop under some trees by the river and eat, allowing the horses to rest, before starting off again.
Come late afternoon, you come upon another farm house, this one obviously burned out ... the rangers give it a wide berth and push on a bit further to a small clump of trees ... obviously used as a camp before so it takes little time to clean it up and get a fire going. The horses are fed, watered, and rubbed down by a ranger and Melinda while a supper of what have you stew is started. One of the rangers went back and brings firewood up to the cam while the last scouts forward a bit, coming back with three birds for the stew. They appear to be chickens of some sort and the Ranger suggests they have gone wild since the farms were destroyed.

It takes some work to clear outa place for the tent that Padraig insists on setting up "for the lady present".

This place looks like it hasn't endured the rebellion all too well. I hope it's not like this all the way up to freeport he said taking some of the stew and resolving to make things better once he had his family back in control of the area.

From what we have seen, it is, them rebels stole everything and killed a great many o' the freemen. They hate freemen.

"Seems a weird thing to hate... Though if they've been following D'astard it seems unsurprising that they are full of hate and loathing and have no love for people already here"

So it seems... other than the few who run for freedom.

Padraig will instruct one of the rangers to find food while the others stay in camp. He then asked "So, has anything happened out here that I should know about?

Well since they brought food in and you are eating it... that seems unnecessary. It's been sometime since sunset and not even the faintest glow exists in the west ... The Moon will rise soon enough, but likely only provide a little illumination.
Melinda gets up, ask what her guard shift is  and prepares to go to bed.  The Rangers are all confused, as a woman can't very well pull guard duty... they look to you for what to do.

Padraig had thought to omit Melinda from guard duty and hadn't expected her to join in so far he mentioned "Ah, you need to rest Lady Melinda, we can't have you up half the night... We'll take the shift. We're more used to this kind of thing"

Fsssst I have been awake and alert longer than most men on guard, and have no need for the weak little women act. I can pull guard as well as any of you, and perhaps better.

Padraig pulled Melinda to one side and spoke with her you're assigned by the duke. A lady given task by the duke to lend some credibility and additional smarts to our cause. You're a above these men in station and its expected that you are a lady of the courts. So play the part Melinda he implored.

It wasn't that anyone thought her weak just that they all had roles in this mission.

She smiled and softly said OK, but I know you just want to fuck me again is all... and I did bring my crossbow which I do know how to use.

Padraig glanced around to make sure nobody saw and then grabbed hold of Melinda and pulled her provocatively against him. "YOu know it's true, but lets keep up these roles now so we can keep everyone's mind focused. We'll find lots of time for fucking Melinda, not even a the Lord of storms could keep me away." he said fiercely with the unabashed passion he felt that the memory of his time with the woman.

"Save the crossbow for when we need it, until we're in dire straits let the rangers and me deal with the killing for now. These hands were meant for better things he said having had the vivid thoughts of her pass by and settling to a gentler persuasion.

Yeah, yeah... OK, I'll play helpless for a bit. Just make sure I enjoy it too...

"There'll be plenty of time for fun once we encounter usurping forces and take back my lands...

I'm not going to just be your toy, I am expecting benefit from this as well.

Padraig rolled his eyes at her assertion, and ignored the point as he guided her back to the fire to get food.

"Eat, lets rest and recover

Any scouting information?" he said and then asked the rangers.

She pulls away, I'm not sure we are communicating ... If you think I'm just another use her and throw her away woman, I'm in the wrong place.
The look leaves no doubt that she is hearing that you just don't really care about her.

Padraig stated clearly "I'm not bringing you along to be a play thing Melinda. You're here so we can both do things that make our lives better. Hopefully at the end of this, we'll both be in a better place and have something more than we have now.

I've no intention of using you and throwing you away Melinda he said candidly.

Her face softened slightly You did push a tender spot ... glad to hear we are still on the same tune.
She walks back to the fire with him.

Things are quiet for the night, but no woo-woo tonight.

Padraig wasn't pushing Melinda to do anything she didn't want but did say "Usually my acquiantances are long-standing and mutually beneficial. he said before camping down for the night.

Glad to hear it...



You pack up and move on ... by dusk you arrive at a small walled farming community with quite a few soldiers camped around it.
You quickly learn the farms are all but destitute do to frequent raids and that everyone is an escapee from the many raids where untold numbers of freemen were just cut down, man, woman and child with no quarter given.

You are safe for the night, but it's not a happy camp.

Padraig wandered around the camp talking to the soldiers camped there and listened to the stories they had to tell. He offered them what consolation he could for the troubles that they had to endure, and agreed that what had been done was horrible. He resolved to make those responsible pay for the rape of the land and people and went back to his tent later, angry.