Redlun XXIX

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Redlun Archives </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun I"><U><B>Volumes I to XXIV</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id295.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXVI"><U><B>Volumes XXXXVI to L</B></U></A><B>XV</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Village"><U><B>Redlun Village Map</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Plans"><U><B>Redlun Manor Plans</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id178.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Survey"><U><B>Redlun Survey</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Decree"><U><B>Redlun Decree</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id202.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXV"><U>Redlun XXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id204.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVI"><U>Redlun XXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVII"><U>Redlun XXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVIII"><U>Redlun XXVIII</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXIX</B>   |   <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXX"><U>Redlun XXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXI"><U>Redlun XXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXII"><U>Redlun XXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id261.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id264.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXV"><U>Redlun XXXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXVI"><U>Redlun XXXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id271.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Redlun XXXVII"><U> Redlun XXXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIIX"><U>Redlun XXXIIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id280.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIX"><U>Redlun XXXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id281.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXX"><U>Redlun XXXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXI"><U>Redlun XXXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXII"><U>Redlun XXXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id292.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXV"><U>Redlun XXXXV</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Redlun XXIX</I></div> <bR> <div> Missiledine: ok... hang on a sec</div> <div> Missiledine: hmm, didn't I post the last couple sessions of Redlun?</div> <div> Dukejr01: haven't checked</div> <div> tacit01: nor have I</div> <div> Missiledine: I don't see them...</div> <div> tacit01: wa had just met witht he rest of the party, and were riding for Redlun</div> <div> Missiledine: Actually you were headed east for a village called Windhook</div> <div> Missiledine: which is closer then home and you are hoping to get medical aid there</div> <div> tacit01: oh yeah - and sleep, sleep is good</div> <div> Dukejr01: right</div> <div> Missiledine: So.... you move out.</div> <div> Missiledine: You have abandoned the exhausted horses and are using fresh mounts</div> <div> Dukejr01: yup</div> <div> tacit01: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: moving east allows you to take advantage of the terrain and therefore make better speed</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is still out cold and shows no signs of coming too... however, he is still breathing</div> <div> Dukejr01: good</div> <div> Missiledine: you can make a pretty good clip, and for the moment you see no sign of pursuit.</div> <div> tacit01: also good</div> <div> Missiledine: what is your immediate plan?</div> <div> tacit01: run?</div> <div> Dukejr01: I can't think of anything but go to the nearby village and get medical aid for miklas.</div> <div> tacit01: kepp an eye out for pursut and defensible positionas as we go, but head for reinforcements</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you will keep moving.. you have a couple hours before dark</div> <div> Missiledine: basicly you will retrace your original course when you first started following the herd</div> <div> tacit01: once we get ot the village, we might be able to get reinforcements and ride against the raiders....</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will cast Seek earth every hour.</div> <div> Missiledine: looking for silver?</div> <div> tacit01: but that is a secondary concern</div> <div> Dukejr01: maybe, I doubt it. we need more information first.</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: I kinda think that few will be interested. I would like to hear what the locals know</div> <div> Missiledine: an hour into your retreat you cast Seek Silver... The enemy have not moved. They are still where you </div> <div> Missiledine: located them at an hour ago</div> <div> Dukejr01: that is at teh pond?</div> <div> Dukejr01: or were they south of that?</div> <div> Missiledine: you were at the pond when you cast it... they were less then a half mile away at that time... south</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh. okay. thanks</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmm.... cast again ignoring that source.</div> <div> Missiledine: the next largest quantity of silver is at the same location</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: keep moving</div> <div> Missiledine: <Are you sharing this info with anyone?></div> <div> Dukejr01: good idea. </div> <div> tacit01: consider it shared?</div> <div> Missiledine: Your senior, conscious, man at arms says... "Sounds like we got em out numbered and they know it."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Hmmm... possibly. But I want to get Miklas to a healer. We can deal with whoever they are later."</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you move on</div> <div> Dukejr01: <I think they have a mage></div> <div> Missiledine: another hour passes, you cast again... the silver source is still in the same spot.</div> <div> tacit01: you could ride to the village with Miklas and couple guards...</div> <div> tacit01: and the rest of us could ride back to see what they're up to</div> <div> tacit01: <that shoulda been in quotes></div> <div> Dukejr01: "I commend your courage. But I think they may have a mage or spellcaster of some sort....</div> <div> tacit01: "and I'm tired enough to prefer a tactical withdrawl"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "We will see to our wounded, get some rest, and return to recover the prisoner. I want to know more."</div> <div> Missiledine: you ride on... another hour passes. You cast the spell?</div> <div> Missiledine: How long will you continue doing this on an hourly basis?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Everyone is due for a bonus for the captured animals, we need to return to Redlun for that"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will wait two hours this time. he will nod off i nthe saddle.</div> <div> Dukejr01: continue until we reach (relative) safety.</div> <div> Missiledine: how far do you consider that?</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. how long til we reach the village?</div> <div> tacit01: <a room with a guard outside the door?></div> <div> Missiledine: lol... a day</div> <div> Dukejr01: first. tell everyone to keep an eye out for that bird.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will sleep in the saddle, have someone wake him every two hours if he isn't. A will contine to </div> <div> Dukejr01: track them until we reach the village.</div> <div> Dukejr01: isn't awake that is.</div> <div> Missiledine: after two hours travel you cast again. The silver source is moving back towards the south</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They are moving south."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Runnin fer home?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: how much longer to get to Redlun than this other village?</div> <div> Missiledine: an extra day</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Seems that way."</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. continue for the village.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar's first priority is Miklas. we can beat them later.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... the remaining daylight hours will pass quietly. Do you stop at dark?</div> <div> Dukejr01: how rested are the men and how much fathur to the village?</div> <div> Dukejr01: we can use cont light spells.</div> <div> Missiledine: the men are pretty good, so are the horses. If you push all night you should arrive after noon the </div> <div> Missiledine: next day</div> <div> Dukejr01: wow,. we are farther from home than I thought.</div> <div> tacit01: except those of us that went hunting - we've been up 60 hours, except for sleeping in the saddle</div> <div> Missiledine: you camped while working your way south initially... travel at night, even with CL is much slower the</div> <div> Missiledine: normal</div> <div> Dukejr01: I understand. </div> <div> Dukejr01: I think we should rest. get a few hours rest.</div> <div> Dukejr01: go for another two hours. cast seek earth again. and then if they re farthur away. camp</div> <div> Missiledine: they are continuing south</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. lets camp for say, 6 hours.</div> <div> Missiledine: right</div> <div> Dukejr01: how many hours have we been traveling away from them?</div> <div> Missiledine: You find a sheltered area and set your guards. Then you and Jacinta go off to la la land </div> <div> Dukejr01: good</div> <div> tacit01: <J sleeps like a baby - she wakes up every 2 hours crying></div> <div> tacit01: check Miklas before bed</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes. check mikas, make sure he is warm. and stays that way</div> <div> tacit01: <that was a joke, by the way></div> <div> Missiledine: lol... will a pacifier help?</div> <div> tacit01: no, but a pillow might</div> <div> Missiledine: <picky></div> <div> Missiledine: hey guys, brb... my dog is whining and everyone else is asleep</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> tacit01: k</div> <div> tacit01: <belch></div> <div> Dukejr01: grunt</div> <div> Dukejr01: <scratch></div> <div> Missiledine: My, I certainly have a cultured and refined bunch of players</div> <div> tacit01: bah!</div> <div> Dukejr01: <BTW. Michelob is actually brewing good beer. try the Amber Bock or Black and Tan></div> <div> Dukejr01: Harrumph!</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... the night will pass quietly. No one wakes you before the appointed hour, which is still very</div> <div> Missiledine: early and very dark</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar casts Seek earth again.</div> <div> Missiledine: <A Black and Tan?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <black and tan is usually a combo of two beers. say, a Guinness on the bottom and a Harps on top, </div> <div> Missiledine: the enemy is a long way south, seemingly headed home again</div> <div> Missiledine: <I know></div> <div> Dukejr01: <the diffferent density of the two keeps them separate></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. A checks Miklas</div> <div> Missiledine: <Its a favorite of mine></div> <div> Missiledine: <Yuengling makes a 'Black and Tan'></div> <div> Missiledine: he still breaths</div> <div> tacit01: change his bandages, ect...</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... his color looks a tad better</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They are still heading south. I am anxious to get miklas to a healer. Lets move."</div> <div> Dukejr01: have breakfast, etc first</div> <div> Missiledine: you mount up and move out... it's a bit after midnight... you only camped for six hours starting from</div> <div> Missiledine: darkness</div> <div> Dukejr01: how arethe horses? annoyed?</div> <div> Missiledine: a bit</div> <div> Dukejr01: <sigh> k.</div> <div> Missiledine: still, they are in decent shape</div> <div> Dukejr01: use lights. lets not push them. but I want to get Miklas to medical help before sunset </div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you move out, taking your time and being careful...the night is very cold and very quiet</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: several hours later you are startled to hear a loud snarl, the call of a big cat. the horses start </div> <div> Missiledine: rearing and plunging</div> <div> Dukejr01: location?</div> <div> Missiledine: the men struggle to calm them... the sound came from your right, hard to localize distance... but the</div> <div> Missiledine: horses think its close</div> <div> Dukejr01: A tosses his light in that direction</div> <div> Dukejr01: And prepares a spell</div> <div> tacit01: <hungry cat> sword out</div> <div> Missiledine: there is brambles and boulders over there... and you think you see the glow of two, big, green eyes</div> <div> Missiledine: then they blink and vanish</div> <div> Missiledine: <what spell?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Cast sense life 2 hex radius on the brambles. looking for felines.</div> <div> Missiledine: yes.. there is one there... it is moving and is soon out of the radius</div> <div> Missiledine: going to its right (east) along your line of travel</div> <div> Dukejr01: Cast Rain of stones two hex radius, double the power.</div> <div> Dukejr01: for 2d-2 damage.</div> <div> Dukejr01: that will piss it off, but I don't want it stalking us.</div> <div> Missiledine: you hear a loud snarl and dimly see something big bound up slope, now heading south.</div> <div> Dukejr01: away from us?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I hope that keeps it from stalking us."</div> <div> Dukejr01: is it near daylight?</div> <div> Missiledine: one of the guards says, "Sounded like a Big Tooth... scary critters those."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods.</div> <div> Missiledine: it's about 4 am, still a couple hours till light</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. lets get out of the immediate area. then park it until daylight. we will put con;t lights aroun</div> <div> Dukejr01: d us so that the cat can't jump one of us.</div> <div> Missiledine: "They often hunt in pairs." the man volunteers</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Hmmm.... do they hunt in the day?</div> <div> Missiledine: "Sometimes... they ain't really afraid of much.. not even men. Still, like most animals, ya can </div> <div> Missiledine: spook em. Hopefully your spell did that."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A nods. "Didn't like the light either."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Does everyone have a cont light?</div> <div> Missiledine: it takes a few minutes to calm the horses down, but the do eventually settle, a sign that the cat is</div> <div> Missiledine: no longer near by</div> <div> Dukejr01: lets go, but be very alert</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, everyone should</div> <div> Missiledine: you move on... how far before camping again?</div> <div> Dukejr01: you mean to wait til daylight?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: say,. a quarter mile. </div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you find a spot and wait out the night</div> <div> Dukejr01: son't wanna lose a man to a hungry cat</div> <div> Missiledine: finally it is light enough to travel by, tho it is still grey and frosty</div> <div> Dukejr01: check miklas. make some hot tea. </div> <div> Dukejr01: then move out</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas seems better, tho not great... </div> <div> Dukejr01: didn't expect he would do jumping jacks.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, you head east again.... the hours seem to drag by but at last one of the lead riders calls out </div> <div> Dukejr01: still we should make better time in the day.</div> <div> Missiledine: "I see smoke, My Lord!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A stands up stirrups.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Looks like chimneys and cook fires."</div> <div> tacit01: oh, that sounds good</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Good. Hope this place has an Inn.</div> <div> Missiledine: you see it too... still several miles off and a bit south of your present course</div> <div> Missiledine: <I assume you head that way?></div> <div> Dukejr01: yes!</div> <div> tacit01: quite, yes</div> <div> Missiledine: your still a good hour out, and it is almost dusk when you top the last hill and see the cultivated </div> <div> Missiledine: fields that surround the settlement</div> <div> Missiledine: the village of Windhook looks to be home to perhaps 150+ people. It has a pallisade around it and in </div> <div> Dukejr01: this is Church land?</div> <div> Missiledine: the center is a two story stone/log and sod keep that has the look of temporay work being stretched </div> <div> Missiledine: beyond its intended lifespan</div> <div> Missiledine: it is part of the Barony of Oak Hall. the southern most settlement of the Barony</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay,. so Baron.... Lodloss?</div> <div> Dukejr01: we ride up. </div> <div> Missiledine: it is held in fee by the Baron himself, tho he is rarely if ever here.(correct) consequently there </div> <div> Missiledine: is no lord in residence.</div> <div> Dukejr01: gotcha. </div> <div> Missiledine: it is run by a steward of the Baron's</div> <div> Missiledine: the gates are still open, they are bringing in the geese and a few sheep etc for the night. The area</div> <div> Missiledine: is very poor, the soil is thin and barren, only goats seem to thrive here and they have large herds </div> <div> Missiledine: that graze the whole area here abouts.</div> <div> Missiledine: It is not one of the jewels in the Baron's collection</div> <div> Dukejr01: yeah. I am sure that the folks appreciate it too</div> <div> Missiledine: still, it does support itself and pays its taxes....</div> <div> Dukejr01: better than nothing.</div> <div> Missiledine: as you approach the gates you hear an alarm being rung and can see men running here and there, </div> <div> Missiledine: gathering arms and readying themselves to fight if needed</div> <div> Dukejr01: Stop outside of bowshot.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Jacinta. Introduce us if you will."</div> <div> Missiledine: from the keep you see several men, hastily strapping on armor, hurrying down the ramp to the main </div> <div> Dukejr01: <give troy something to do..."</div> <div> Missiledine: courtyard</div> <div> Dukejr01: :-D</div> <div> tacit01: <oh goody></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> tacit01: "This is Lord Athamar of Redlun - we require lodging and a healer"</div> <div> tacit01: <indicating Athamar, of course></div> <div> Missiledine: There is a few momenbts as they digest this... A voice calls back "I have heard of Lord Athamar... </div> <div> Missiledine: bring forward a token."</div> <div> tacit01: J will dismount, approach Athamar for a signet ring or something she can present</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Cautious... " Athamar comments as he takes off his signet ring and hands it to Jacinta. </div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <div> tacit01: she takes it, turns ot the crowd "have you a steward or lord present here?"</div> <div> Dukejr01 has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: dog</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: "I am a steward of Baron Lodlass." A man in mail and a helm answers</div> <div> tacit01: she asks as she approaches whomever asked to see a token</div> <div> Missiledine: The man looks to be in his forties, he has a double bladed axe and a medium shield. He passes the axe</div> <div> Missiledine: to another man and extends his hand for the ring</div> <div> tacit01: <good> she turns and approaches the steward "I am Jacinta, a man-at arms for Lord Athamar...</div> <div> tacit01: and this is his signet ring" she presents it</div> <div> Missiledine: "My name is Beal. I am the Steward of Windhook." He takes the ring and studies it, then passes it to </div> <div> Missiledine: another man, older and more weathered looking, who also studies it before returning it to Beal who </div> <div> tacit01: "Have you a healer? One of our men was badly wounded."</div> <div> Missiledine: then hands it back to you.</div> <div> tacit01: she nods slighy when it is returned to her</div> <div> Missiledine: "Bid Lord Athamar welcome. We have an Herbalist and healer, but no priest or Druids."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <expected as much></div> <div> Missiledine: "How came you to be here?"</div> <div> tacit01: "That will do. Thank you for your hospitality." She will turn and nod to Athamar</div> <div> Dukejr01: A waves his party forward.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A stops to meet the man J is talking to. </div> <div> tacit01: "We were securing the lands near Redlun when we encountered a band of horse thieves....</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal bows, "Welcome Lord Athamar."</div> <div> tacit01: our purtuit diverted us somewhat." j does the introductions</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods. "Thank you. If you please. one of my men was gravely wounded and should see a healer </div> <div> Dukejr01: promptly"</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal indicates the two other armored men. The elder one is named Donicus, he is commander of the </div> <div> Missiledine: militia and guard of Windhook. The other is Felot, a trusted servant of the Baron</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal nods, "Of course My Lord. This way if you please."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods to each. smiling slightly.</div> <div> Missiledine: he will lead the way through the village, the thong of villagers parts to let you by</div> <div> Missiledine: as he approaches one cottage with a large garden, a young woman hurries from the throng of onlookers </div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar gives the older one of his men some money from spoils and tells him to ge the men a hot meal </div> <div> Dukejr01: and a couple rounds of beer, and rooms.</div> <div> Missiledine: to greet you at the door. Beal says, "This is Avita, she is our healer."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar looks over the crowd in a not-unfriendly manner</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Hello, Avita. Please take a look at my man here. he was wounded by a crossbow bolt."</div> <div> Missiledine: there is no actual inn here, but there is a tavern that has a common room and a single spare bedroom.</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: hot food at least.</div> <div> tacit01: <all J needs is a dry patch of ground somewhere></div> <div> Missiledine: she bows, "Of course, My Lord." She opens the door and leads the way in</div> <div> Missiledine: <to do what?>:-D</div> <div> Dukejr01: A gestures for the men to bring Miklas in.</div> <div> tacit01: um, sleep?</div> <div> Missiledine: Avita shows them to a curtained alcove where there is a cot, a table and an upright chest with at </div> <div> Missiledine: least twenty small drawers in it</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is placed on the cot and Avita sets to work immediately</div> <div> Dukejr01: A dismisses the men, and tells them to get something to eat and some beer. Jacinta can stay</div> <div> tacit01: she does </div> <div> Missiledine: ok, they leave. Avita opens Miklas' clothing and carefully removes the bandage. She studies the wound</div> <div> Missiledine: then replaces the bandage while sho goes to the table to prepare something or other</div> <div> tacit01: <yup, that's a wound, allright></div> <div> Missiledine: Beal says, "My Lord, what happened? Where you ambushed?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <were></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar says. "While scouting we came across the tracks of several men and horses driving a number </div> <div> Dukejr01: of horses west. toward the mountains. That in itselfwsa rather suspicious, so I followed. they turned</div> <div> Dukejr01: and attacked us. the fight was short. WE killed 6, captured one and one escaped. "</div> <div> Dukejr01: "It was during the pursuit of the escaped one that man man was injured"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, I see. Did you catch him?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "No. he reached his camp. Far to the south, almost to the cliffs. I notice that you are wary here in </div> <div> Dukejr01: Windhook, Do you have trouble with raiders?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "We are far from any help, and tho we have little wealth worth the effort, we do see our share of </div> <div> Missiledine: brigands. Most trouble tho is from smugglers."</div> <div> tacit01: "smugglers?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Of course." Athamar nods. "hmmm... yes, smugglers."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "It wouldnt' surprise me if that was who we encountered. Tell me about them."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes, trade with the desert barbarians is taxed, and certain goods are proscribed, such as Mali and</div> <div> Missiledine: Bhagra. Then there are slaves. It is an unfortunate fact that many in the desert kingdoms find </div> <div> Missiledine: Velitar women most desirable."</div> <div> tacit01: J furrows her brow at that</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar frowns as he ponders this. "Do you have any notion of the smugglers numbers?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar keeps an eye on the healer's activities.</div> <div> Missiledine: "No, we rarely encounter them in force and I am not certain that they are all affiliated."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar grunts, nodding. "As we are neighbors, I expect we will share some of the same concerns."</div> <div> Missiledine: Avita prepares some type of paste which she applies with fresh bandages to Miklas' wound. Next she</div> <div> Missiledine: prepares some type of draught which she will gently pour down Miklas' throat.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Do you have cause to venture overmuch to the east or south?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "South, no. From here there is nothing between us and the cliffs. Only in search of strays or an </div> <div> Missiledine: occaissional hunting trip. East we do travel, there are other manors east of here."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "of course. and west? I wonder how well patrolled that area is."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <meant to say south and west.></div> <div> Missiledine: "As with the south, we do not go far. I lack any strong forces for serious patrols. I have four </div> <div> Missiledine: professional fighters, in addition to myself and those two you met, plus the militia</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods. "A large area to cover and we ran across eight men. Well, we will just have to see </div> <div> Dukejr01: about that."</div> <div> Missiledine: <Gents, it is about time to pack it in!></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. </div> <div> tacit01: yup</div> <div> Dukejr01: I am getting ideas in my head.....</div> <div> Missiledine: good night all!</div> <div> Dukejr01: night</div> <div> Missiledine: hah!</div> <div> Missiledine: you?</div> <div> Missiledine: :-D</div> <div> Dukejr01: you're right. Its the beer talking</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: catch you later</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>