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Post by Game Master on Mar 27, 2008 1:32:38 GMT -5
The caravan was persuaded to stay an extra day so Stone could help with the strengthening of the foundation. The Captain tried valiantly to pay Stone but he insisted his payment go to the reconstruction fund and was overjoyed just to work the stone and earth to solidify key points of the structure for the soldiers that depended on the Fort. He also helped with the plan for the entire foundation project that was to be set in motion after he left.
The Caravan marched out of Fort Alandia in good spirits. Even Leknora was singing an old elvish song that was melodious and cheering to the heart. That day passed without incident as did the next where the caravan put in for the night at Fort Saka just past the town of Sino. Only partially walled, this boarder town had a population of about six hundred that revolved around farming. Stone slept not a wink that night as he took watch.
Leaving Fort Saka the caravan headed south west on the way to Fort Ibi. It was that night while Tull dozed and Sull was upfront with Aiko in the cart that Sull made an inquiry. "Stone?"
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 30, 2008 23:26:16 GMT -5
" Yes, brother?"
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Post by Game Master on Mar 31, 2008 2:04:57 GMT -5
"Umm, aren't we guarding weapons while we take them to the capital?" Sull asked in a perplexed manner.
Aiko half grinned at his little brother as he seemed to be working hard to figure something out. "Yes." he said slowly prompting the dwarf to continue.
"Well...I mean....why get them from Garrotten? Why not somewhere closer?"
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 1, 2008 19:01:49 GMT -5
Stone pondered this simple question. He was so involved with trying to escape his heroism that he never stopped to really think about what they were doing. Why did the capital need weapons from Garrotten? " I don't know, Sull," Stone admitted," But maybe I should find this out." It was getting late, so Stone would have to ask Captain Mohay in the morning this same question.
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Post by Game Master on Apr 2, 2008 23:32:52 GMT -5
The moment came at breakfast time when Aiko was invited to sit in on The Captain's morning meeting. He had one every day with Mason and a couple of his lieutenants but, Aiko hadn't been invited since Fort Alandia.
"I'm glad you could make it Earth Master. It's time to discuss the direction we will be taking to the Capital. Do to the recent attacks on our weapon shipments, no set path was set in motion beforehand. It was deemed safer by the Baron to allow me to make the decision when the time came. That time is now. Once we get to Fort Ibi later this evening we can either follow the Fort path from there heading to Fort Clay then Fort Areal then finally to the Capital city of Timiro. That path is the shortest and we would have less peasantry to deal with. Indeed there would be little traffic on the road at all other then patrols. The down side to this path is there is a good amount of open country to cover and we would be skirting Ogre territory." Captain Mohay let that sink in before he continued.
"The other option is to head south from Fort Ibi to the town of Erat and from there follow the coast to Smia city and then Timiro proper. This route has a lot more contact with peasants as well as merchants, slavers and all manner of folk. We would also be forced to put up for the nights in the cities instead of the well protected Forts. Mason, Master Stone, what are your opinions?"
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 3, 2008 23:23:14 GMT -5
" I have a question," Stone starts," These weapons, why are they from Garrotten? Wouldn't weapons from a closer city, be more precise? This is such a long journey for weapons." Stone looks straight into eyes with a calm, expressionless gaze.
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Post by Game Master on Apr 4, 2008 2:03:00 GMT -5
Captain Mohay smiled knowingly. "I forget you are not from these parts Earth Master. There are a couple reasons for the shipments of weapons to come from Garrotten. First and formost Master Halfhelm is the most renowned weapons smith in all of Timiro. Since the local Iron mine belongs to his clan that is where he set up shop. If Master Halfhelm lived in the Capital city I suppose it would be iron shipments we would be defending right now instead of high quality steel swords and pikes." The Captain took a swig of water before continuing. The sun was rising and the heat in the tents was already sweltering.
"Secondly not all Timiro cities and towns pay taxes through traditional gold crowns. Many, escpecially boarder towns like Garratton pay tribute to the King through able bodied men for the military or food stuffs or cattle. It all depends on the recources of the given town. Garrotten has an agreement with the Halfhelm Clan. A certain percentage of the weapons cover the towns taxes. This is one reason that it is vital we get this shipment to the Capital. With the last two shipments not making it, our taxes have not been payed this year."
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 5, 2008 23:04:38 GMT -5
" Good!" Stone exclaims, a satisfied smile appears across his face," Now I have the answer. The fort path seems best for me. What are the risks of skimming these Ogre territories?"
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Post by Game Master on Apr 6, 2008 1:22:36 GMT -5
"Oh, just what you would expect. Raids or ambushes from Ogres, orcs, bandits or escaped slaves. We'll have to be on our toes while on the road but at least we know we can sleep safe at night. What about you Ranger?"
Mason gave the captain a steely eyed look. "I'd just assume stay out of big cities if it's all the same to you. Ogres and orcs are a lot easier to spot then some renegade humans."
"It's settled then. We'll continue to go from Fort to Fort until we reach Timiro. Excellent. Lets get camp broken down and get on our way, shall we?"
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Post by Game Master on Apr 10, 2008 1:53:59 GMT -5
An hour later the wagon train was back on the road headed to Fort Ibi. Aiko tried to explain in a simple way what he had found out to Sull as they traveled.
"Well brother, Captain Mohay said that the reason the weapons come from Garrotten is mainly because of Master Smith Halfhelm's skills in weapon making. The weapons also pay tribute to the King as a form of tax. Do you understand little brother?"
"Uhmm. yee.no. Sull think Halfhelm not great weapon smith. Sull think Halfhelm cheating King."
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 12, 2008 1:03:55 GMT -5
"HAH!" Stone laughs loud. The statement takes him completely off guard," Why do you say this Sull?"
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Post by Game Master on Apr 12, 2008 3:02:34 GMT -5
Sull looks away embarrassed speaking into the wind. "Maybe Sull say to much." Sull gives Stone a sideways glance and sighs with shoulders slumped. Still not making eye contact "Sull not help it. Sull always curious. Hate locked boxes! Those worst for Sull. Maybe....Sull open just one box to see pretty weapons, only...weapons not pretty. Just stones for cat..catcha..rock throwers." Sull glanced at Aiko again to see if he was upset.
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 13, 2008 14:54:17 GMT -5
"Stones?" Stone asks curiously," Why would he need special stones from Halfhelm? How boxes did you look into Sull and where are they?" Stone gently investigates. He doesn't want to alarm Sull, but something just isn't right.
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Post by Game Master on Apr 14, 2008 2:52:54 GMT -5
Sull looks up at Aiko sharply. "Just one! Sull promise only look in one box. That one there." the Dwarf pointed at a long box that was branded 'Pikes'. It lay in the back of the cart as one of three where Sull had made a make shift hidey hole.
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Post by homeskillet on Apr 15, 2008 10:24:38 GMT -5
"Pikes?" Stone is very curios of this," It is okay Sull. I am glad you told me of this. Let us keep between each other until I can bring Mason into it." Stone smiles.
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