Killing Time

[Game Master]

Firebug had wandered into Garratton from the south road. He had accumulated a small band of like minded adventures to travel with. Reeks, the dwarven Mercenary was the figure head of the group. He strutted as only a dwarf can with a methodical plodding step of brimming confidence, leading the group on. Firebug followed behind, quiet and unnoticed. The other members didn't know the truth. That suited Firebug just fine. Siff walked on Firebugs left, eyes bright with wonder. She was a pale skinned northern priestess of the Lord of Light. Originally from the Island Kingdom of Bizantium, she was unaccustomed to the heat and humidity of Timiro. She had heart though and took everything in as if she were a child discovering things for the first time that southerners take for granted. Then there was Arthur. The halfling that EVERYONE took for granted as someone not to worry about. That could be an asset to Firebug in the right situation. The Halflings Magical skills were impressive and would only grow stronger if Firebug had any say in it. Lastly there was Gaul. Probably one of the only free orcs roaming the entire Timiro Kingdom. Reeks had hired him at a bargain price. The orc was strong and would come in handy as a laborer as well as providing an intimidation factor that Firebug could use to his advantage. Not to mention he had shown some skill in the, shall we say shady arts. Yes this was a solid beginnings of a true adventure party. Firebug would mold them into a force that people would notice.

Reeks turned off the main street and for reasons unfathomable to Firebug walked into an Herbalist & holistic medicine shop called Androsias. Reeks didn't look sick. thought Firebug. With a mental push, firebug conveyed a question mark into the mercs. head. As if nothing had happened Reeks turned to the party. I was told back on the road that a fledgling Alchemist works here and offers odd jobs to those willing to help her out. I'd thought we could check it out before trying normal avenues of employment." And with that said Reeks turned back around and lead the group in with out the slightest protest. "Brilliant!" Firebug mused.

Androsia turned out to be a strikingly beautiful Elven maid. She was sophisticated, well mannered yet didn't mind getting dirty in her work. Reeks got along with her admirably considering the racial differences and soon struck up a bargain. While the group would clearly gain no fame, fortune, or even notoriety of any kind it would allow the group to work together as well as put the group and more importantly Firebug in the ladies good graces. If nothing else maybe this favor would provide discounted prices on her wares. Firebug covertly eyed some of the magical potions and other items the Alchemist had for sale. Yes, this could work to his advantage.

The job was simple. Head out of town. Cross the river to the north and collect some rare herbs and plants that grew there. Nothing to worry about at all really except the occasional tusker, Timiro Tiger and maybe a bandit or thirty. For this the group would get payed ten Timiro crowns each plus payment for the herbs collected. Well thought Firebug At least it would kill some time.

[sfliegel]

Arthur worked hard to conceal his excitement. He looked literally like a kid in a candy store. With large eyes and itchy feet he paced quickly around the aisles finding better and better things around each corner.

With a naive innocence Siff carefully touched some of the ointments on display on the counter next to her.

Reeks spoke quietly with Androsia as he scribbled some details down on a small map parchment. <excellent, now ask her to point out exactly where to find these herbs. Any landmarks to watch out for, and is there anything in the area that we should try to avoid>

Meanwhile, Gaul wandered right to the attractive display of small decorative metal canisters of blood poisons. He had already taken the lid off of one and was eyeing a large dried leaf when Firebug slipped up along side and gently slapped the back of his hand. "we'll eat later, please put that away now." Gaul grunted and looked at Firebug with squinted eyes, then a look of surprise washed across his face as turned his gaze to his hand that had begun to tingle. He quickly scrapped the dropped piece back into the can, replaced the lid and returned the can to the display. "Gaul think he wait outside"

Siff seemed to awaken from a dream and turned to see Gaul moving out the door, "I think I'll go with you, wait for me Gaul." and she walked quickly to catch up.

Arthur nervously fumbled with his money purse for a moment, then pulled a out his paper, quil and ink fountain, and wrote down some notes. Then quickly and carefully put them all away again. "yes, i think maybe it best if I also wait out of doors."

Firebug moved along side Reek to check on his progress. Androsia had taken over marking on the map and the difference was striking and very impressive. Androsia obviously knew cartography and even identifying ideal rest spots, and points of interest along the way.

"Master Reek, if you have no further need of me I shall join the others outside." <are you about done here?>

Reek suddenly stood up straight and turned toward Firebug, "no that's fine, I think we're about finished here anyway. In fact, hold a moment. As a scholar I believe you best to secure this map. Do your best to keep safe." Reek shot Firebug a sly dwarven smile. Firebug realized that Reek was finally catching on their arrangement as seemed to be ready to really enjoy it.

Firebug accepted the map, rolled it up and inserted it into his pack. Then with a bow he spoke softly in Elven, "have a blessed day my lady." He turned and followed Reek out of the door.

Outside Reek and Firebug found Siff casting a neutralize poison on Gaul, whose hand had already swollen to twice its original size. Firebug smiled to himself, <Reek, it's getting late we should get started. I'd like to make some distance before dark>

Reek walked over to Gaul who now lay silently in the street, "if you're quite finished then we're moving out and heading north. Firebug you're up front with me. The rest of you do try to keep up."

[Game Master]

The fledgling adventurers marched through the small town. While small, Garrotton seemed to have every amenity for adventurers. Smithy, herb shop, trading post, even a real Alchemist shop called the Nexus Point. Siff had to pull Arthur back in line by his cloak to stop him from entering that establishment. The further through town they went the more Firebug decided that THIS town would be a good base of operations for his grand scheme. <Don't you think so?> He projected to Reeks.

"I think we'll look into renting rooms or even buying a cabin here upon our return. It seems like a good place to anchor ourselves." Reeks voiced to the group.

Arthur agreed wholeheartedly, Gaul said nothing and Siff responded that it depended on what kind of church they had. Firebug just nodded in agreement to all the comments equally.

The group reached the river. There were a few docks with a few small fishing boats as well as a sturdy looking ferry boat. A quick look at the map showed that a notation clearly marked this ferry as a bad idea. Androsia's comment stated; "If you wish to waste all your earnings for this expedition then by all means use the local ferry. It is run by a wicked lot of mercenaries out of Fort Brandt. They will charge 7-10 gold for a trip that should only cost 2. In fact I recommend an independent Farr bout two miles upriver. It is fair priced and safe. Though it will take you a little out of your way."

After reading that Reeks and Firebug began the hike up river.

[sfliegel]

The bank of the river was mostly flat and the ground was covered with smooth river stones which were slippery and the path began to narrow quickly as they reached the edge of town. <Reek we had better move to higher ground until we reach the Farr. We are vulnerable down here and fighting would be almost impossible on these stones>

Reek nodded his head as he stopped and turned to see that the others were also struggling to find footing. "There's a deer path here, let's take that uphill, travel should easier in the grass."

No one argued, they actually scurried to the deer path. Arthur found he was having trouble in the loose soil but Siff helped him without a word.

They found themselves on lush green plains that seemed to disappear into the horizon. Reek nodded again, "yes, travel should be much easier up here. We should reach the Farr before lunch." Reek looked to Firebug for a moment then repeated, "And Siff, perhaps you might be able to your own church of light here one day," with a crooked and uncomfortable smile. Firebug also smiled and gave her a slow nod.

Siff also smiled now at the thought that her new friends seemed to believe in her that much. She seemed to almost skip along now at the thought of being a priestess with her own church.

Arthur grumbled to himself, he cared very little about religion and some of the grass here was as tall as he was. "Reek, are you sure there isn't a road we can take?" But Reek seemed lost in thought. Arthur was about to call again when Siff picked him up and set him on her shoulders. Arthur was now beyond angry, "I am not a chi...," then he looked down and noticed where he was, he began to blush but also dropped his protest. He actually held his chin high, proud to be this close to someone, even a human, that was as attractive as Siff was.

Gaul on the other hand paid little attention to any of this. He hurried back and forth chasing brightly colored butterflies, and when he would catch one he would tear its wings off and crush the rest between his fingers. After a few minutes of this Siff called to Reek, "would you please do something about this one? It is wrong to torture and kill innocent creatures."

Firebug turned a heavy gaze to Gaul, <stop that now, you are making the female upset. I will find you something better to kill later.> Gaul stopped dead in his tracks and looked slowly around him, then looked up to the clear blue sky. <Yes, it is I, now do what I have said and get back to your group.> Gaul sprinted back to the group, came along Siff's left side and walked just behind her.

The group was now making good time and Firebug glanced to the sky to see the sun hadn't reached its height yet. "We'll be done before we know it," Firebug thought to himself.

[Game Master]

The group soon came to the Farr. A raft could be seen on the river attached to both sides by a rope and pulley system. Two rather large Ogres could be seen tugging on the rope, pulling the wooden raft ever closer to the group. A smaller, stalky figure probably a halfling or dwarf could be seen as well, pacing back and forth. A long wooden bench protected from the sun by a free standing wood awning stood not ten feet from the rivers edge. "I suppose we should sit and wait." Siff mused aloud. The river was wide at this point and looked as if the raft had some ten minutes or so before it reached the bank. Seeing no reason to do otherwise the group sat or stood as each ones want and waited.

It wasn't long before the Dwarf was hopping off the ferry as the Ogres tied it off. "Welcome to the farr, Lords & Ladies. I assume you be wanting passage across the Old Kingdom River then. Well know that I charge two gold per person and I don't bargain." The dwarf looked at Gaul with a studious eye. "Slaves are free of charge as you might expect."

[sfliegel]

Gaul was next to Siff under the awning lying in the dirt on his stomach and was patiently crushing ants one by one with his thumb then licking the remains off. Siff could feel breakfast for an encore appearance. She quickly rose from the bench and moved down to the water's edge. Arthur had been sitting next to her, now he stared at Gaul with a burning gaze. As if he could feel the heat he turned and looked back into Arthur's eyes and gave a big happy smile, exposing bug covered teeth and some were still moving, darting this way and that. Arthur suddenly felt ill too and joined Siff by the water as he quickly fished for a waterskin or wineskin, which ever he found first, it didn't matter right then.

As the dwarf makes reference to the slave, all eyes turn to Gaul who was brushing dirt from his mouth. Gaul began to stand, turning slowly toward the dwarf, emitting a low growl.

<Reek go and make arrangements to cross the river. I'll take care of Gaul, and he is a slave so we don't have to pay for him.> With a large bounding Reek made his way to the dwarf and offered a good hardy handshake. Firebug stepped up to Gaul and leaned in close, whispering softly in his ear and in ogremesh said, "you must calm down, do you understand me? We will play along for now, but when the time is right we will make it very clear who the slave really is. Wont we? Behave yourself now and maybe later you can eat that dirty little dwarf. How does that sound?"

Gaul smiled his insect covered smile again, this time it was a wide, thin smile that sent chills down Firebug's spine. "Me understand, me can wait, me can wait." Firebug attached a length of rope to a ring on Gaul's leather armor, "remember this is just part of the game, stay next to me and everything will fine." Gaul nodded quickly and followed on Firebug's left side, the side opposite from where the dwarf was standing and moved toward the raft.

As Firebug and Gaul neared the raft, Reek turned and called out, "Hey that's 2 gold for you to cross." Firebug smiled back at him, "but master Reek, I am but a humble scholar and have no money. Surely you possess the means to pay my fare."

Reek had the slightest hint of red in his cheeks as he turned back. He grumbled under his breath as he fished out 2 more gold coins. "You other 2 are on your own to pay your fare." He then stomped toward the raft.

Siff and Arthur, having composed themselves, walked to the dwarf and handed him their fares, then made their way to the raft as well.

The ogres stood on either side of the raft patiently awaiting orders from the dwarf who was placing the last of the coins in his coin purse. He looked up to see them standing motionless. After a moment he waved the ogres to continue. And then they were off, moving across the river.

The trip across took little time but the trip was done in complete silence so it felt like an eternity. Until they finally grew closer to the other side.

[Game Master]

Almost at the other side, Reeks moved away from the others but made eye contact with Firebug. Unable to send thoughts to Firebug unless he opened the telepathic link first reeks patiently waited. After making the dwarf wait just a fraction longer then was needed Firebug once again opened a link to his figure head, Reeks. <What is it my friend?> Firebug sent.

<You pull that poor scholar bit on me again and I'll make sure you get payed a henchman's wage of 50 gold a month instead of a full share. You got me? I'll play along with your little deception but don't EVER mess with my gold!>

"Here we are My Lords & Lady. Should I be looking out for you for a return trip or was this a one way trip?" Asked the ferryboat master.

[sfliegel]

<worry not my friend, but teasing can go both. Stay with me and I'll make sure your coffers are always full> Reek tries to conceal his smile and he marches off the raft taking the lead.

Firebug and Gaul follow behind but Gaul had discovered that his taste of freedom has soured him on the thought of being a slave again and began to tug at the other end of his lead, gently at first. Together they hurry off to the grassy area beyond the river. After a moment Firebug manages to rein Gaul in long enough to untie the rope, "Calm will you. There you go, but don't wonder off."

Reek watches as Firebug and Gaul disappear into the tall grass and only shook his head slowly for a moment before turning back to the ferryboat master, "Yes sir, we would be in need of a return trip. You should expect us in two days hence."

Arthur and Siff step off the boat together. Arthur stares proudly at the jungle of tall grass before him, while Siff looks back nervously across the river. Each gives a sigh then moves in the direction that Firebug and Gaul went.

Reek stays for a moment to work out their return trip with the ferryboat master. When they finish the dwarves shake hand and the ferryboat master returns to the raft, grumbles an order to the ogers and they begin the trip back.

Reek moves along side of Siff and Arthur and staring at the sea of green before them Arthur askes, "so, which way now?"

Absentmindedly, Reek puts a hand on his hand on his chest and pats his beast plate, " I have no idea. That idiot Firebug has the map."

Just then the grass began to russle and Firebug pops his head out and with a smile asks, "did I hear someone using my name in vein?"

The three mumbled their displeasure to one another but Firebug interupted, "the ground is higher further in. I estimate, if we hurry that is, we can have the herbs and be back to FT Brant by nightfall."

Reluctantly, the others push their way through the grass. After about 5 feet they find themselves in a clearing and small risethat leads out of the river bed. The grass was only ankle deep here so travel was going to be easy. In the distance was the edge of a great forest. Somewhat close was Gaul, crouched on the ground holding the remains of a bird in his hands, he tore viciously at it with his sharp teeth and feathers flew everywhere.

Firebug couldn't resist a smile, " I think Gaul has the right idea. Let's break for lunch, we'll need our strength if we want to make good time in reaching to the herbs."

[Game Master]

Lunch proceeded with Arthur producing a plentiful bounty of food for the others. It appeared that he had brought just over three weeks of food on this short journey. Gaul to, tried to share his own food as he dumped out a large sack of misc. tidbits. Siff tried a bit of dried fruit out of politeness, but no one would attempt to take part in the mysterious strips of tough looking, dried out, meat that Gaul happily gnawed on. Firebug managed to just squeeze in an hour of meditation before the rest were ready to continue. He was glad for it. He needed to recoup some of his inner strength. Communicating telepathically with a non-gifted dwarf was taxing.

Once on the move again Firebug informed the others that Androsia's notes suggested giving Fort Brandt a wide berth as they headed North. Some of the more common herbs Androsia requested could be found not to far away deep within the grassland area they now traveled. The herbs grew very low to the ground however and would require hours of searching until they could find a suitably large patch. Another more uncommon herb called Gorvon or Lion's paw lay just within the great forest's edge. She gave instruction on how to harvest the giant seed pods from the plant itself for easier packing. The last herb on the list was quite rare and she had told Reeks not to worry if they couldn't find any this time a year. Al-Kazin as it was called tended to grow much further north within the forest. However Androsia had found a spot where this super healing herb could be found to the north West.

[sfliegel]

After passing Androsia's note back and forth between Firebug and Reeks, they agree that the best course of action will be for everyone to line up, side by side at double arm's length distance from each other. Then to move forward at a slower pace to better scan the ground for the more common herbs. After giving everyone the description of the herbs that they are searching for, they begin moving together.

After about 20 min of searching Reek, looks up staring at the hazy image of FT Brandt. He glances back and forth as the rest of the group continue moving forward, "I think that's enough for now. We're getting too close to Ft Brandt for my taste."

Firebug didn't need to hear his thoughts to tell something was wrong. Reeks looked really nervous as they got closer to the fort. "Excellent idea master Reeks, shall we move into the forest and search for the more rare herbs?"

Reeks shook his head but said nothing and quietly moved toward the forest. Gaul stared after Reeks while sniffing a dead squirrel he had found, then stuffed it into his pack. He then slowly jogged toward the woods wondering what other good things he might find in there.

Arthur gave a heavy sigh as he walked after Gaul into the woods. Firebug stood watching Siff for a minute who was now staring back across the river. Moving along side of Siff, Firebug put a hand on her shoulder, "is all well dear Siff?"

She spun around and brushed his hand off of her shoulder, "I'm fine. We'd better get moving if we want to find these herbs before nightfall." Then stomped off toward the woods.

For a moment Firebug scanned the horizon across the river, looking for something that was perhaps out of place or something out of the ordinary. His imagination began running wild with thoughts that there was something following them and he laughed softly in spite of himself. He then turned and hurried to catch up with the rest of the group.

Firebug was surprised as he stepped into the forest by how dark it was at this time of day. Looking up he saw that there was a multi-leveled canopy. He could imagine that at sometime, long ago this could have been a vast forest, dense and heavy with ancient trees and all the things that live in them.

Reek and the others were already lined up searching for the next herb, with Reek closest to the wood line, then Gaul, Arthur and Siff. Firebug fell in line next to Siff.

Without looking away from the forest floor Siff said to Firebug, "Reek said we are looking for the herb Gorvon, or Lion's Paw." Firebug simply nodded and also scanned the ground.

[Game Master]

The party soon found herbs of various types. Nothing exotic or even on Androsia's list but maybe they would fetch a good price anyway. Besides there was always an off chance she didn't realize she needed these. At first everyone had silently handed the herbs to Gaul for carrying since he was hired as laborer and brute force. However it was Arthur who first noticed Gaul experimentally eating some of the herbs he was given so the job was given to the other henchman of the group....Firebug.

A snapped twig was heard and the group looked up as one. With all their attention focused on the ground no one had noticed the small band of armed men approaching them. Four in all the three men and one orc were all dressed in various types of armor from soft leather to chain mail. All had falchion short swords at their sides, small wooden shields and two of the men carried long pikes as well. The scraggly looking man with no pike stepped forward, drawn long sword in hand. He had a mischievous looking grin. "Halt. I'm sergeant Cull. Patrol officer out of Fort Brandt. Why don't..." To Firebug, Cull seemed stunned when his eyes met Reeks'.

"Well if it isn't the runaway dwarf, Copperforge." Cull continued. "What brings you to the back end of the Kingdom?"

Reeks cleared his throat. "I didn't realize the company was transfered to Ft. Brandt Cull, or I sure as hell wouldn't be here. My squad here and I are just gathering medicinal herbs for a doctor is all."

Firebug opened the link as quickly as he could. <Trouble?>

<Maybe. An old friend of sorts. Still best be prepared. He's as unpredictable as his mood.>

"Squad huh? Thought you quit the business Copperforge? No stomach for it if I remember."

"I left because of the Captain. You know that Cull. How's the company?"

"Theres sixty four of us now. Yarnov is doing well. Perchanka lost his left arm a few months back in a raid." Cull shrugged.

"Sorry to hear that. I really have to get going Cull." Reeks emphasized this last bit. he could be quite intimidating when he wished.

"I'll have to report seeing you to the Captain." Cull responded as if giving a challenge.

"Do what you must Cull. Fate will decide the repercussions."

And with that the squad of men walked on toward Fort Brandt.

"I think we just ran out of time folks. I suggest we continue looking till nightfall and then decide what to do. If they come back it won't be pretty."

[sfliegel]

<I think we need to talk Reek> Firebug and Reeks move back in the direction they had come and deeper into the woods.

Siff and Arthur tend to Gaul who suddenly complains of stomach pains.

"Must have been something he ate," said Siff.

"Must have been everything he ate, have been watching him?" replied Arthur.

Gaul rolled around on the ground for a long moment, moaning and holding his stomach. Arthur and Siff moved in closer trying to figure out what to do. "Did you see which herbs we ate?" Siff asked Arthur.

"I think all of them. Nothing is same from him," snipped Arthur.

Then came a long thunderous, ground shaking, paint peeling, make a week long dead cat get and leave the room, fart.

Arthur and Siff were actually pushed backwards from the intesity of the blast. Siff stumbled backward and landed on her butt. Arthur turned and ran behind the nearest tree and threw up.

Gaul jumped to his feet laughing, "little man funny, make Gaul laugh."

Once Firebug and Reek were out of ear shot of the others they finally stopped to talk. "Okay Reeks, Copperforge is it? Out with it. What is going on? And how much trouble are we in now?"

Reeks seemed to be squirming and reluctant to answer at first. "i'm not putting everyone in danger from some old ghost from your past. You need to level with me right now. What kind of trouble are you in?"

Again Reeks hesitated to answer, he only stared at the ground. "Fine, let's get back to the river. We'll find another way around the fort."

"They wont be back or even look for us until late tomorrow afternoon," Reeks mumbled, still looking at the ground.

"Fine, then we have to move deeper into the woods. We'll still try to find these herbs but we have to move now to make for the time we'll lose for the round about way we'll have to go. This isn't over either, we will talk more about this."

Firebug left Reeks by himself looking like an embarrassed child. When He made it back to where the other were, Gaul was laughing and dancing about something, Siff was dusting herself off and Arthur was dabbing at his chin with a brightly colored handkerchief.

"Look, I don't want to know. There's been a change of plan. We're moving to the northeast, then doubling back around to the west in a wide arc. We have to hurry to if we hope avoid those guards." Firebug pointed to where Reeks was standing and Siff and Arthur walked off quickly.

As Gaul moved by, Firebug pushed the bag of herbs to his chest, "please don't eat these. If you get hungry, eat out of your other bag. Now catch up with the others."

Siff and Gaul grab Reeks by either arm to move him along as they passed, just long enough to get him moving. Firebug, with the map moved to the lead, "try to keep talking to a minimum, and then only use a whisper."

[Game Master]

Arthur was the first to spot the Lion's paw. The three plants were bunched together, hugging an enormous, dead tree trunk. The pods Androsia had instructed to be harvested were the size of Arthur's skull. 7 pods in all they made a great find. The group all agreed that it was getting late and camp should be set up soon so they could get an early start the next day. A quick look around showed that the location Androsia had marked for the Al-Kazin was probably another ten miles or so deeper into the forest. There was a good chance there was none growing yet however plus the fact that the small caves nearby were notorious bandit hideouts.

Reeks got the groups attention as everyone finished with camp. "Alright folks. I'd normally be happy with single guards during watch but with those mercs out there I say we have two, 4 hour shifts of two people each. Gaul and I are the best fighters so I'll take first watch & Gaul can have second. I need volunteers to stay up with us. Only one of us is getting a full nights rest. So who's it going to be?"

[sfliegel]

"I vote for Lady Siff to be allowed to rest. She is our healer and will need her strength to tend to any injuries," said Firebug. "I also believe that a minimum of one person on each shift have night vision, and unless I'm mistaken that would be you Reeks and Arthur."

"Excellent suggestion Firebug," Reeks said with a surprised smile, "there might be military man in you yet. Gaul, go with Firebug and collect some fire wood, the rest we need to do some more work on the camp."

Firebug gladly left with Gaul, it was nice to see Reeks really taking charge. In his heart he really hoped that Reeks could bring his military experience to bare. They went back the way they had come to gather wood.

Reeks had Siff and Arthur clear the camp of debris, anything that might make noise for the guards as they patrol the camp. Reeks took out his dagger and worked the soil loose in the very center of the camp. Once the soil was loose he used his hands to dig out a small fire pit. By the time Reeks, Arthur and Siff were finished Gaul and Firebug were returning both with their arms full of wood.

Reeks took some of the wood and began lying into the pit, "Gaul, I want to start a small fire in this pit. Keep it small so it wont be visible from far away and stack that extra wood up next to the pit. Each watch will keep an eye on the fire, keep it going but don't make too big." He moved away as Gaul moved in with his tinder box.

"We need to move these bed rolls in even closer, we have to keep a low profile and we have to maintain light and noise discipline. There will be no unnecessary talking and never about a whisper unless there is trouble. If you have lanterns please do not use them tonight." Siff and Arthur began moving the bed rolls again.

Firebug stepped closer to Reeks and produced the map, "I had a thought." Reeks smiled and they both took a knee.

"I'm guessing that from where we met your friends we were a good 20 miles from the fort. Since we kept moving that would mean somewhere around 45 mile round trip for those guards. If they did return to report your presence, that would be about a days travel by foot. Coming back this way right now would be suicide," explained Firebug.

"What do you suggest then. The ferryboat captain will be waiting for us."

"That might work to our advantage. If the guards also spoke with him, they might just be waiting for us to return in the hope of crossing the river. This is what I'm thinking; if we continue north another 10 miles or so tomorrow, hit the spot on the map that Androsia identified on the map, then move in an arc to the northwest. We move around the fort and hit the river about 20 miles up river from the fort, the river seems to narrow there."

Reeks smiled and slapped Firebug on the arm, "that's good, damn good my boy. There's a bit of military training in that head of yours. We'll move out first thing in the morning." Reeks and Firebug rose together and returned to the others who were starting to get settled for the long night.

"It'll be dark soon, but everyone will need to stay low until it is. It looks like Firebug, you're staying up with me and Arthur you're with Gaul. You boys try to get some rest, if all goes well, we will all have a good nights sleep," Reeks whispered with a solemn but worried face.

"Look I don't want to be a bother but I'm not to be left alone with this animal," protested Arthur, "let me take first watch."

Anger replaced worry across Reeks' face, "this is not the time for this. Firebug was right, we someone on each shift that can see well in the dark, but we also need a strong fighter in each shift. We have to make due with what we have. Do you have a problem with that?"

Arthur lowered his head and in a soft, humble whisper, "No, I don't have a problem." He then moved to his bed roll without another word.

Before Gaul could do the same, Firebug caught his shoulder, and leaned in close to whisper into his ear, "Please wake me before first light. We'll have to break camp early tomorrow." Gaul nodded and patted Firebug on his shoulder, then moved to his bed.

[Game Master]

The night ended without incident. A few strange noises were heard and once, Firebug may have saw a shadowy figure moving among the underbrush outside the camps perimeter but nothing ever came of it.

Camp was broke quickly, quietly and almost in complete silence. Both Reeks and Firebug were impressed. Gaul had begged to go hunting but was declined by Reeks who insisted they had no time. "We're gonna move at double time for the next nine miles or so people. Keep sharp. There may be bandits holed up close to where Androsia has us looking for this herb of hers. With any luck we'll get there and out before anyone even wakes up."

The party made good time with only a few complaints from Arthur about the grueling pace. It was Siff who first spotted the bear head shaped rock formation they were looking for. A quick circle around the great boulder produced one small Al-Kazin plant not yet in bloom. A short debate later had the plant picked anyway and given to Arthur for safe keeping. No one wanted to press their luck with Gauls apatite.

Arthur had just put the herb in a small pouch when Firebugs sixth sense screamed at him. He turned just in time to see a 'Tusker' charging from the brush. The brute was five feet long, hairless and angry. It bore down on firebug with snapping jaws and 4 wicked looking tusks protruding from the beasts cheek bones. Two to a side.

ooc: Please read ooc thread before resonding.