The next three weeks pass quickly as the four friends return to their daily routines. Donnal and Irenia’s wedding on Summerday is a joyful affair, and it serves to wash away any of the stress left over from the theft and subsequent recovery.

The arl judged the four surviving thieves on the 6th of Bloomingtide:

He turned d’Aveliard and Therioux over to the Circle, recognizing the Templars’ authority to pass judgement over apostates.

Gaius Secundus is given a sentence of ten years’ hard labor, the work to be determined by the captain of the guard, with locals being allowed to purchase his services for a day; half of all wages so earned will be returned to Gaius at the end of his term.

(OOC: This was actually a thing in medieval Europe. Prisoners were often allowed out of their cells to beg in the streets, and half of their proceeds would be taken by the lord; charity was also encouraged, and could be seen in food and coin being donated by townsfolk, including endowments left in wills.)

Sexta is given a sentence of a year and a day. Like Gaius, she is allowed to be hired out for a day for tasks appropriate to her ability. Mother Hanna states that the Chantry will make frequent use of her services.

Richard uses his newfound fame to establish himself as a locksmith, working with Owen (much to his daughter Valena’s delight) until he can afford his own crafting tools and workshop.

Fost goes back to his regular work of driving carts for locals moving goods between the village, Crossroads, and the farms beyond.

Mikhail continues his practice under Elias & Faustine’s watchful eyes. Senior Enchanter Alva and a group of six Templars arrive on the 11th; Alva is overjoyed to see her apprentice doing well, and tells him that, given his good works, First Enchanter Irving has extended Mikhail’s “study abroad” indefinitely. The Kinloch Hold group departs on the 12th, their prisoners in tow.

(OOC: Irving is considered an indulging and lax first enchanter and, between himself and Knight-Commander Greagoir, the mages of Kinloch Hold have more individual freedoms than those in others. Mikhail's extended furlough is meant to reflect that.)

Brother Loran spends at least an hour each day with Sexta leading up to her sentence. Mother Hanna follows through on her promise to make extensive use of the she-elf during her imprisonment, and assigns Loran to oversee her duties as assigned by the sisters. Sexta seems to appreciate his continued presence.

On the afternoon of the 21st of Bloomingtide, the four friends trickle into Lloyd’s tavern after a long day of work. Richard strides (struts?) in, wearing his new suit of heavy leather armor just fitted by Corwin. He finds Fost stretching his legs near their regular table, having been sitting on a hard cart bench for most of the day. Mikhail and Loran arrive together from the Chantry, as they often do.

Lloyd comes over with four bowls of fish stew, and follows shortly with three stout ales and a watered-down cup of wine; and, just as he has for the past 19 days, refuses to take payment for it. The quartet hasn’t paid for a dinner meal since they captured the false magister and his gang of thieves; a change of menu is starting to look rather desirable...not that you can get much else in Redcliffe. Fishing is the primary trade of the village, and fish is the main thing in abundance. Still, an occasional nug would be nice.

They sit down to eat and begin to talk about their days; many comments on Richard’s new leathers follow, and Loran updates the others on his work with Sexta. Fost recalls an interesting conversation about coursers with the arl’s horsemaster while delivering goods to the castle, and Mikhail shares a funny story about growing up in the Circle.

Their conversation is cut short by the sudden appearance of Ser Perth. The young knight is in his armor and has a concerned look on his face. It's clear this isn’t a social call.

“The arl has need of your services,” he says. They knew this would come at some point; the emblems of the arl gave them privileges, but it also meant he could call them into service when he needed their assistance. “I’m sorry to drag you away from your supper, but it’s rather urgent.”

Mikhail nods at this, "Of course it is. Your face says a lot more than you think it does. Still, what is it that the Arl wants from us? I assume we have another issue with local bandits of some kind?"

"Nothing so trivial, but the rest is for the arl to tell you." He gives an apologetic look; apparently, whatever the problem is, it's apparently sensitive.

Richard makes a mental note, certainly not for the first time, to hunt some game when next they went on the road as the constant diet of fish, while tasty, was starting to get old.  He was stretching out, testing the fit of his new armor when Ser Perth arrived and announced their summons, "Certainly, friend, we shall leave right away."

He is speaking for himself, of course, but it is difficult to imagine his companions would refuse such an urgent sounding summon.

Fost's face had lightened up when the knight came to the inn. Admittedly he did not remember that much about the revelry after receiving the thanks of the Arl but he had come to like Perth and while still respective amd serious about him he did consider him a friend of sorts. Nothing like the others at the table, of course, but seeing him at the castle whenever he delivered goods he had become used to chatting with him. Of course, with a purpose. Fost hoped to be allowed to be training with the warriors of the Arl to improve his skills. He was suitably fitted out for a warrior, his body was strong and healthy. Still, he lacked the skill at arms he had seen in the fight and had vowed to become a proficient fighter like Perth.

Fost had particularly enjoyed the trips to the Crossroads village. Ever since Richard's fancy had turned elsewhere Fost had secret hopes about Gemma. Not that he presumed to stand any chances but she deigned to chat to him every now and then and Fost had learned rather befuddedly that he came to like her pretty smile, very much so. He had taken to bring her small trinkets or gifts, nothibg orecious, nothing that qould betray his interest too much. A couple of flowers picked at the side of the road, a pretty stone found at the river's shore, once even a green light scarf. Unfortunately he had no idea whether she liked those gifts or whether she thought him a nuissance. Many young men had taken an interest in the lovely girl so he was just one among many.
As it were, the whole matter was rather confusing to himself and he was beginning to think that he made a fool of himself. The last two days his restlessness had turned him into bad mood and he had muttered in the evenings at the inn that he intended to leave soon to roam the mountains searching for his father again.

A change was long overdue and thus Perth's urgency fit nicely.
"Let's go.", he said quite simply.

Brother Loran nodded and followed the others. Uncertain of his place in the group all seemed to have abilities and skills that might be called upon all he was was a priest and couldn't work out his worth against that of the others.

Still he had taken the gift so he was honour bound to go when called

OOC: Will Fost win Gemma's heart? Will her eyes always be turned to Richard? Will Richard even notice? Find out on the next installment of As the Stewpot Stirs!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;) That said, building relationships is an important part of the Dragon Age setting (even if the core rules don't codify building friendships/rivalries), so I definitely encourage that the gents build a life for themselves.

The arl's men make their way up the hill to the castle and into the main keep. In the main chamber, they find Eamon, Randon, and Mother Hanna waiting for them, the latter pair flanking the arl on his throne. Off to the side, horse master Dennet stands respectfully by.

"I'm sorry to tear you away from your respite, but a matter a grave urgency requires your assistance," the arl begins. "Four days ago, I sent four of my men to deliver an orphaned boy in my care to Our Lady Redeemer Monastery at Bournshire in the Bannorns. This afternoon, one of those escorts returned to us in the gravest of conditions.

"He reported an ambush on the road east to Lothering that slaughtered his fellow soldiers and took the child; he was lucky enough to be thought dead, and was able to use the last of his strength to reach Redcliffe. We do not expect him to survive the night, unless your singular talents are able to bring him back from the edge of the cliff, Brother Loran."

Randon continues for the arl, "We need you men to track the boy down, rescue him, and deliver him to Bournshire. You'll receive mounts, a cart, provisions for four weeks, and some silver for expenses. Any questions?"

"Will I be joining them, my lord?" Ser Perth asks expectantly. Something in his tone makes him appear eager to help out.

"No, Ser Knight. With four men now out of commission, I'll need you close," the arl says, sympathy in his words.

Brother Kiran stepped forward and looked first at mother Hanna before turning to the Arl "if you will permit while the provisions and equipment are being made ready I would indeed wish to look at the wounded soldier to see if all is lost for him or not and if he cannot be saved give him comfort in his last moments"

Fost listened with a grave face.
"Name of the person the boy was supposed to be delivered to. Name and description of the boy himself. Location, as best possible, of the ambush site. Any idea how many foes were encountered? Was magic used...", he muttered until he started in surprise as he realized that he had spoken out loud.
He cleared his throat.
"Apologies, I did not mean to..."
He repeated his musings and questions in a more civil and respectful manner.
"Of course, we are at your service and will depart as soon as possible."
Fost graved for a change and this was it. Of course, four guards had been overwhelmed. Did they stand even a chance to succeed where they failed? Even so, he was happy to leave the town for some time.
"We also need something the boy will recognize, so he will trust us completely and not fear a ruse. Something only he will know about."
Je frowned, cleared his throat again.
"I take it the survivor did not mention betrayal bx his comrades?"

Richard is delighted at the chance to go adventuring again, even more so when it's on a mission of importance assigned by Eamon himself.  "We shall find the boy and return him, while making sure those responsible are held accountable for their actions!  The site of the ambush sounds like the best place to start looking and we should depart before someone interferes with the site." he solemnly declares.

But first, he has to go say 'farewell' to someone very important to him.