Turn 31 -- Return to Milbourne

As the party solemnly enters Milborne, the first thing anyone notices is that there are several more people walking along the dusty streets than before; quite a bit more actually. Several carry swords and other weapons and a few are even armoured. It appears that Milborne has begun to attract a few more adventurers to its little enclave. As you are seen walking the streets by the townsfolk, they all yell out at you and wave to you in greeting. As you walk toward the Baron of Mutton, there are a few kids playing in a side street, swinging wooden swords at one another, "It's my turn to be Beleg!" yells one red-haired boy. His smaller companion smacks him across the forearm with his wooden sword, "No, I'm Beleg, Paladin of Forseti and defender of the world!" The two go running off down the street chasing one another as they play. Both the young boys were wearing red feathers in their shirts.

"It appears that our fame is growing still," says Talimar as he nudges Beleg in the side.

Moving through the crowd toward the Inn, you overhear people talking about the group, "...drive off orcs they do!...they'll find that girl, I tell you...seen 'em speakin' with that Wild Woman of the Woods, I did!...friendly with that Ranger Kuiper too!" The deeds of the Red Feather Company appear to have spread like wildfire through the valley of Haranshire.

Stopping in front of the Baron of Mutton, Talimar sighs in relief before turning to the others, "Dain and I shall spend some time and try to work out the nature of this ring. Tomorrow we should all go and visit Darius and tell him what we learned." He then turns to grin at Ortho, "We shall also try to get recompense for your shield."

"After we visit Darius," he continues, "we will need to decide what to do, we may need to visit Tauster to learn further about the ring. Or we can head straight off to the mines, or maybe head to Shadowdale to equip for the mines."

"Until then, do what you will, however Ortho, Gnore, Druckner, I suggest you talk to Ol' Grizzler about the mines, especially the dangers we may come across and what equipment we will need."

With that said, the group begins to break up and go their separate ways. "Ahh, Milborne," sighs Ortho, "Time to load up on the 'holy water'. Gnore, Druckner, Garth, care to join me at yon tavern?"

"Tal, if ye need me to aid ye with the ring, just ask. Else, I'll be awaitin' ye at the tavern for our departure." says Ortho.

"We can handle the ring," replies Talimar, "you just get some information from Grizzler for us."

"Yes, Ortho, I will most certainly join you for a pint or three tonight. Our victory deserves to be celebrated. I hope a lot of you will join us!" says Druckner with enthusiasm to Ortho's offer.

"I'm afraid I won't be join' ye," says Gnore, "I must rest up from my extended watch last eve. See ye on the morrow." With that Gnore enters the Baron of Mutton to get a room.

Beleg approaches Talimar as everyone enters the Inn, "Friend, Talimar, unless you have a task that requires my attention, I will see to some personal business."

"Of course," replies Talimar, "I have nothing further, take care of your business and we shall see you in the morning to decide what we do next."

"Thank you," says Beleg before moving to one of the owners grandsons, Barthelew to inquire about a room.

"Aye," says Barthelew as Beleg asks about the room, "I saved all of ye's rooms for ye. Knew ye'd be comin' back, I did! Just like I told the little feller," he says with a nod toward the departing Gnore.

"Thank you," says Beleg, "One further question, if I may. Is there a place where I may get my clothing cleaned?"

Barthelew frowns at first at the question, then he smiles and answers, "Nay, there be not such a place in town, but for another silver crown I can have one of the barmaids wash 'em up fer ye. Make sure she does a fine job!"

"Agreed," says Beleg, "Also, how much to house my horse Asfalof for an extended period of time?"

"That'll be 5 sp a week to keep the animal."

"Agreed. Our accountant will pay up with ye in the morning," says Beleg as he heads up to his room.

"Excellent!" says Barthelew to the retreating Beleg.

When he gets up to his small room, Beleg removes his clothes and orders a hot bath from the serving girl as he gives her his clothes to be cleaned. Following the bath, he puts on his other set of clothes and sets about to cleaning his armour and weapons.

Garth, Druckner, and Ortho sit down at a table near the bar and order a round of ale for the table. "I'll just have some juice if possible," says Garth.

Responding to the looks from Druckner and Ortho at his undwarven drink he says, "I don't have anything against drinking, mind you, and neither does my religion; but for me, it is a poison that I can not tolerate."

"Well whatever," says Ortho as the first tankards arrive, "Me and Druckner here will drink enough for ye!" With that the three of them clap their mugs together and down the first salvo! The second round turns into the third and fourth before the dwarves realise they did have a purpose in drinking today as well.

"Waitress," says Ortho as one of the serving girls passes. "Ahanna." says the girl as she comes over to the table.

"What?" says Ortho.

"Ahanna, my name is Ahanna," she says a bit angrily.

"But of course, Ahanna," says Ortho with a wink towards Druckner, "Could you tell us if a surly dwarf by the name of Ol'Grizzler has been in today?"

"No, he's probably drinkin' over at the Silver Crown today," says Ahanna with a nod of her head out the door, "More like his crowd over there. You want anythin' else?"

"No," says Ortho, "I think we'll be headin' over ta the Silver Crown as well then."

"Whatever," says Ahanna, "That'll be 4sp for the drinks then."

"Of course," says Ortho as he lays the coins on her tray, "And here's a little extra for your help." With that he lays another silver coin on the tray.

"Oh, my lord is so gracious," replies Ahanna sarcastically as he sketches a deep mocking bow before walking off.

"Giants!" sniffs Ortho, "Even the females develop an attitude I see."

"Well let's drown it at the Silver Crown and find Grizzler," says Druckner with a clap to the back of Ortho.

"Aye," replies Ortho as they walk from the Baron of Mutton.

Dain, Randor and Talimar take a table at the Baron and order drinks to wash the trail dust away. After drinking a few rounds, Dain begins to take his leave.

"I'm going to go prepare the spell to identify yon ring," he says to Talimar and Randor, "It will take a number of hours and I cannot be disturbed. When finished I shall return to you with the results." Dain then leaves them to their table and asks Barthelew for his room. He also tells him he is not to be disturbed until at least ten hours from now at which time he would like any hot meal that the kitchen might have available.

"I'm sure I can have somethin' brought up to ye then," says Barthelew, "Anythin' for a member of the Red Feather Company."

"Of course," says Dain with a smile, "thank you sir."

Dain then walks up to his room, locking the meagre down behind him he takes a seat in the middle of the room and places the goblin ring in front of him. For the next eight hours, Dain goes through a process of cleansing and purifying the ring, removing any other auras or bad influences that could blur or interfere with his chances of identifying the ring.

Back at the table, Talimar and Randor are in deep discussion as to the course of the group when Garyld walks up to join them.

"Well met," greets Talimar to Garyld, "How go things here in town? Any news from the other Rangers?"

"Aye, well met," replies Garyld, "No news from any of the other rangers in the valley. Shiraz has been busy with some problems with a nixie to the north around the Eelhold and I've been busy here in town. What with all the new folk flocking here."

"Aye, we noticed all the new folk in town when we entered. What gives?" asks Randor.

"Apparently, the news of the troubles here in Milborne have travelled far. Any soul with a sword within a hundred miles has taken upon himself to travel here and search for gold. None of them seem to believe the stories of the orc raids I guess."

"I've been finding slain men all over the valley lately. Fools rushing into trouble they can't handle!" continues Garyld.

As Randor and Talimar tell Garyld about their most recent encounter with orcs, he again becomes disturbed. "I can't believe they be attackin' in those numbers. These fools don't stand a chance!"

"Good to hear about the mire though," says Garyld after they relate that story to him, "Sure saved many a folks livelihood here in the valley!"

"If I can offer you a bit of advice though," asks Garyld. Following nods from Randor and Talimar, he continues, "You'd best have the ring identified by Tauster or someone known in the valley. Darius Carman didn't get where he is by trusting the words of every adventuring group that passes through. If you want payment on solving the mystery, ye'd best have someone known identify that ring and tie it to the problems. Ye can try without it, but it might save ye some time to get it identified first."

"Thank you," says Randor, "We'll certainly consider that."

"Well thank you," says Garyld, "I'd best go get some rest for the evening. There'll be many more bodies to hunt for come mornin' time I'm sure. Good eve."

"Thank you," says Talimar.

"Tyr be with you," says Randor.

"Looks like we'd best be on our toes from now on," says Talimar to Randor.

"Aye, that's for sure," agrees the Hand of Tyr, "Disturbing about Darius Carman, that'll add almost a weeks time before we can depart for the mines if we have to travel to Thurmaster."

"Did I hear you say Thurmaster?" asks a thin, beady-eyed little man who was walking over to their table.

"That we did," says Talimar, "What business be it of yours?"

"Ah, allow me to introduce myself," says the man as he sticks out a long-fingered, pale hand, "Names Gelderon, and I'm a merchant down from Shadowdale carrying goods to Count Parlfray at Thurmaster." Gelderon pulls out a chair and sits down at the table beside Talimar, "I had a number of guards for the journey but as soon as I got here to Milborne they jumped ship on me. Said they could find more gold here killing orcs than doing barge duty! Left me high and dry!"

"I can't take my goods downriver through orc-infested terrain with no guards! I'll be your company 30gp a man to guard my cargo for me."

"Seventy-five," counters Talimar.

"Seventy-five!" chokes Gelderon, "I might as well sink the cargo here, there'll be no profits for that! Waitress! A drink please!" He says as he feigns choking.

"Forty," he offers after downing his drink.
"Fifty-five," says Talimar, "And that's our final offer."

"Agreed." says Gelderon, "We will leave on the morrow when your group shows up. Earlier the better."

"Wait," says Talimar, "I will have to run it by the entire company first. We'll let you know of our decision in the morning."

"Aye," says Gelderon hesitantly, "I don't trust to hire some of these other fools here in town now. Some would just as soon slit me throat and take the goods as guard 'em! On the morrow then." And with that he leaves the Inn.

"Well, there's another fee to carry us where we wish to go anyway. Will cut down a day's travel anyway." says Randor.

"Aye, that it will," says Talimar thoughtfully as he drinks from his mug of ale.

At this point, Kersath moves over to the table with Randor and Talimar, "Is there anything that you would require of me?"

"Nay," says Talimar, "Rest this evening and we will head out tomorrow. Somewhere anyway."

"Well, I think we should head for Shadowdale for the equipment. And I heard there's a couple of interesting people living in Shadowdale." says Kersath.

"We have another offer to escort a barge downriver," offers Talimar, "And we may need to have Tauster identify the ring for us. We can decide in the morning though. Sleep well, friend."

"I will sleep on that decision this evening," says Kersath, "We'll meet in the morning." With that, Kersath goes over to his room and asks for his room, requesting a hot meal to be brought up to him along with a large foaming mug of ale.

As the other companions have been taking care of business and getting some food in their stomachs, Kre and Ras have been doing the same. The friends eat a warm meal and down several mugs of drink as they survey the room, looking for potential 'victims'.

They spend several hours drinking and looking about the tavern, waiting for the come of evening and an increase in the number of patrons in the Inn. Finally, Ras excuses himself as he is quite tired and wishing to go with Talimar on the morrow to get payment from Darius Carman, goes off to bed early. With the number of patrons increasing by the hour, Kre spots the nightly dice game over in the corner and moves off to join it.