Gunall nervously starts at the greeting from UB, and nods back.
"Greetings, Buzkari. P-pleased to make your acquaintance." His voice does not have the grinding accent of the Ironhearts, but the softer vowels of the Suthrunder people.
Irudune, for his part, wastes not time in turning his horse around and beginning to trot off down the road. Gunall starts again to follow him.
Time passes as you travel down the uneven road. It was once paved, but peasants have stolen many stones for their houses, and grass grows freely in many spots. The land around you turns from flat fields of wheat and barley, nervous peasants standing watch near villages and hold-fasts, into wilder forests. Brambles sprout in clusters along side the road, and there are little signs of living people. The few you pass on the road are wary and well armed.
You have little conversation on the road - despite the tiles, the lack of maintenance means it is not particularly easy going. It would be much easier mounted - a surefooted horse would make things significantly easier. The two ironhearts keep their distance ahead, far enough to discourage conversation. Occasionally, Gunall will look back at you nervously.
When you stop for the night, the caravan's attack site not yet reached, a traveller appears out the darkening twilight. You make a large fire, to stave off the cold and the beasts of the night. You know there are worse than wolves in these woods. The Forest Brothers assist, and sit quietly together, sharing dried meat. You hear the grinding voice of Alarune, and the smoother of Gunall, but it's too quiet to casually catch more than the occasional word. You could probably try to listen in, though. Yorkin has already passed out near the fire and is snoring loudly. If the flames don't keep the beasts off, the sawing rasp of the sleeping miner certainly might.
The traveller is dressed warmly in a thick cloak over a chainmail byrnie. Little can be seen under his hat than a thick mustache and large beard - the wide brim shadows his eyes and face. He carries a glaive carried over a shoulder and a shortsword buckled at his waist.
"There a space by your fire, travellers?" he calls, stopping a short distance away.
"It's not good country for a man on his own, so I'd appreciate it greatly to share in your light."The two Forest Brothers glance over, but Alarune nods his head in your direction and they return to conversation. Hmm. Seems they're leaving the decision to you, or they've already accepted him. Either way, you have a chance to reply to the stranger. You could also take some other kind of action if you wished.
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Topic: The Flame's Last Flickers IC (Read 7917 times)