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Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"He travelled east, towards Camulodunon." Alfius sighs. "That's the direction we were headed, which means that if he is the one responsible for this malfeasance, we may be attacked again. Does a red hat signify anything in these parts, or is it merely a bold fashion choice?"

Lieutenant Calogerus

"A red coat means you serve the Queen. A red hat just makes you look like a fool."

Cadmus the Confused

"Thank you, Lieutenant. And if he is the one responsible for the death of the young girl I aim to pay the aforementioned bounty, I swear it." Cadmus proposes to his comrades that they continue on eastward.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

Alfius nods in agreement with Cadmus' plan.

Decimus Numerous

Decimus binds his wounds before thanking the Lieutenant and mounting his horse. "I agree with us paying that bounty, now let us see if the man in the red hat has been caught."

Cadmus the Confused

"Did you see the green slime that dribbled out of that man's mouth? What's up with that?"

Lieutenant Calogerus

"Looks like he's been chewing evil-leaf. Not common around here, but the habit is spreading along the Perimeter and in the southlands. Filthy habit. Has all the repulsive charm of chewing tobacco combined with the addictive potential of black lotus."

Magistrate

"They say it makes men brave like berserker moss, but that it rots the mind quickly. I've heard that it's grown in shady vales in the Mother Mountains, or perhaps imported from the strange lands to the east."

20th Springmonth I

Lieutenant Calogerus

"Anyway, I'm half-tempted to detain you boys just out of curiosity, to find out why these filthy fellows attacked you. If it was a case of mistaken identity, I'd like to know who they were trying to kill so I can prevent whatever further lawlessness I might. That said, you've committed no crime of which I'm aware."

"I don't hold with detaining people for questioning without them having committed an actual crime. You might find in the future that some have different views. I hold strong to the rule of Law, though."

"Good day! I'm off to the lockhouse. As soon as that idiot that got captured snaps out of whatever state he's in, I need to figure out why in the name of hell we have people setting up ambushes in the swiving streets of a sleepy burg like this."

***

The lieutenant, the magistrates, and the rest of the townspeople go back about their business, save for a few who are engaged in hauling off the corpses. The adventurers finish mounting up and ride east out of town. Shortly after leaving, they are passed by a young red-coated men heading east on a riding horse. He is pushing his steed hard, and is presumably the man Calogerus sent to try to apprehend the red-capped individual.

After passing a mile, the adventurers find an area where a hedgerow, a haystack, and a huge hawthorn come together, forming a conveniently shielded spot. They dismount and examine the dagger in Decimus' pack. As the village elders back home described, it is a dark blade---"black mithril."

Cadmus uses all of his clerical cunning, priestly perceptiveness, and sacerdotal savvy to examine the mysterious dagger. The peripatetic parson soon announces to his comrades that he has not been able to discover any sign that the weird weapon has been either enhanced or cursed with any form of dweomercraft. Nevertheless, the blade is obviously of unusual aspect.

The youths cast their minds back to the blades formed by the village smith back home. The old man was, by all accounts, a surprisingly skilled smith for such a small town, but he made no weapons so well-made as this, even leaving aside the odd color of the metal. They also call to mind merchants' guards who came to Durans Well when their masters were buying wool, country crafts, or tobacco; no blades borne by the guards were so fine.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Someone has been spending enough money to purchase a castle, simply because we spread a rumour about this thing. There must be something more to it! Maybe whoever holds has the right to call himself 'king' or something?"

Decimus Numerous

"Certainly it must have great value even though it is not actually enchanted. I wonder why so much value is on one small blade?"

20th Springmonth I

As the adventurers debate the nature of the strange blade, they also debate their next course of action. Alfius and Cadmus are united in a desire to move forward at a standard pace and thus avoid over-tiring the horses. The rest of the group is swayed by their words. Cadmus also announces a desire to head north from the road and avoid Camulodunon.

Cadmus the Confused

"It is becoming obvious to me that this dagger is far more valuable than any of us could have imagined, and I do not see being allowed to rest easy once we make it to Camulodunon. We were lucky that the man in the red cap fled; if he were to have stayed he could easily have told the authorities that we were in possession of a stolen dagger, or Black Lotus, or whatever. Despite our best effort he will reach the city and will have ample time to array himself against us. Therefore, I propose the following: let us immediately leave the road and head in a northeasterly direction, hoping to bypass the city and make for Far Valeria. With any luck our pursuer will believe that either we are retreating back to Danum or managed to evade him in Camulodunon, and will waste precious time pursuing these avenues. In fact, we could even return to yon village and spread tales about how the road is too dangerous for country bumpkins such as ourselves and announce our intention to return to our native hamlet."

Decimus Numerus

"This plan sounds of great sense to me as in this fabled city of mages I may be able to learn further enchantments to aid us in the future".

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"And thanks to Tacitus' foresight, we have enough food for a long journey. I agree that we should leave this road immediately -- let our pursuers think that we have been waylaid, but our conquerors disappeared with the dagger. We shall not be seen again."

Vektunaxa wrote:Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"And thanks to Tacitus' foresight, we have enough food for a long journey. I agree that we should leave this road immediately -- let our pursuers think that we have been waylaid, but our conquerors disappeared with the dagger. We shall not be seen again."

Cadmus the Confused

"I agree. Let us leave posthaste."

20th Springmonth I

With a decision delivered, the far-faring four double back to Concangis. Catching the eyes and ears of a number of locals as they pass through, they declare defeat and a deep-seated desire to return home. Some deliver derision, dolefully declaring the dearth of deep-seated derring-do among the double-duo of Durans Well deed-doers. Others, however, opine that this is certainly sensible; some even go so far as to confess that they had a few youthful adventures, but that after running into a few scrapes, they found it more prudent to return home and settle into mundane lives as farmers, farriers, fletchers, and the like.

Following this exercise in deceit, the adventurers head west on the Great Road for a mile, and then subtly, stealthily, and circuitously double back and begin riding through the wilderness, taking a course leading northeast from Concangis. They spot a few farmsteads but pass them by, reasoning that the men and women there must or might be in close communion with Concangis. Eventually, tilled fields become few and far between.

The adventurers pass by a farmstead that seems far more isolated. A number of dwellers can be seen; they seem deep-dipped in blithe rustic isolation. A few coarse-clothed youths who are tending the fields or driving off crows with slingshots hail the adventurers from a distance, entreating for news of the wider world.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"Lawlessness and danger. I saw three men killed right in front of me by a bunch of wanderers, and no one spoke against it. I wouldn't travel to Concangis any time soon, kids, until the spread of savagery from Severia stops."

Country Youths

"This must be why Maw and Paw don't want us goin' into town."

"That and people runnin' off to be hoors."

"Ayup."

"Thanks for the news of danger, mister. I reckon you could stand to look out for yourself, too. There's a big wild boar on the loose hereabout. Heard he done gored a man to death."

****

20th Springmonth I

The adventurers proceed to head out into the desolate country. The land here is flat with few trees. Being descended from a long line of farmers, the lads judge that much of the soil is rocky and not overly conducive to agriculture, but not so poor that men could not live here and eke a living from the soil. Trees are few and far between, and generally stand by themselves, or at most in small copses.

Aside from a few rabbits sighted through the day, there is little obvious sign of abundant wildlife. While none of the four from Durans Well are expert trackers, growing up in the country has given them a basic familiarity with the tracks of common animals. Prints and scat indicate that in addition to lapins, deer and foxes can be found here. An old bear paw-print is evident at one point, but no sign of fresh bear scat. No signs of boar are evident, aside from the discovery of some old bones that are likely from a pig of some sort.

The adventurers make camp beneath the stars. The night is cold, and made to feel more so, for the youths keep their fire banked low. The night watches pass without incident.

21st Springmonth I

The adventurers ride four dozen miles northeast, stopping here and there to let the horses graze upon grasses. On this day, the party passes no signs of human habitation. The day passes without incident.

22nd Springmonth I

Another uneventful day passes in the desolate country.

23rd Springmonth I

Another day passes in the same manner as the last.
24th Springmonth I

Yet another monotonous day slides by.

25th Springmonth I

After riding for much of the day, the party sights some stone buildings several hundred yards ahead of their present position along the same course which they are currently following.

Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter

"I think we should advance cautiously, but openly, for I do not wish to be mistaken for a skulking thief."