Turn 39 -- Unexpected Help

With a smile upon his face, Kre waits until the Count leaves before speaking, "I for one vote we stay the night. If anything, it'll give us some time to rest and get our supplies together but if any of you want to leave," Kre shrugs, "then I'll go." He then takes out one of his knives and begins sliding it back and forth on a whetstone as he awaits the response from the others.

"I vote we accept his lordship's hospitality," says Beleg. "I'd rather be on the road during daylight. With all the trouble we've run into lately, it might be wiser to have a good night's sleep and leave at dawn." Beleg then moves to Talimar's side and speaks to him in a low voice, inaudible to any of the others.

Talimar nods his head faintly in agreement with Beleg and then asks the young paladin a question of his own. Beleg shakes his head in answer to Talimar.

"Let's stay here for the night," quips in Ortho. "Something interesting may turn up."

Kersath, who up until now has stayed in the shadows, moves a bit forward to speak his mind, "I say we stay the night. We'd better get some rest and there is something else too." He then motions to Talimar to get closer. As Talimar is within whispering range, Kersath says to him, "There's something about this situation that doesn't quite fit together. I may just be overly suspicious but when I see a man of his status and power turn as pale as chalk at the mention of the Thornwood, I think there is more to it than he's willing to let us know." He then looks around to see if any of the guards are listening before continuing, "Let's stay here tonight and see if anything pops up."

After hearing these discussion, Dain whispers to the group so the guards do not overhear, "I don't know about the rest of you but I don't care much for royalty, be it a count, duke, prince, or king. While you talk to them they seem to be thinking about something else entirely and they look at you like some toy whose only purpose is to further their own standing at your expense. I would much rather head back to Thurmaster. I'd rather battle a hundred orcs than to stay here at the Count's whim. Besides, I have an appointment with Tauster." Dain seems rather flushed after giving his views about royalty and he takes a seat at the table, draining his goblet of wine.

Waiting until everyone has had his say, Gnore offers up his opinion in between gulps of wine, "I for one, would rather not stay. This situation could easily become grave for us encased in the count's lair." Another gulp of wine. "I'll do as the company decides though. At least we won't have to stand guard tonight and I'll be able to rest properly, sort of." Gnore finishes with an uneasy feeling and a little anxious about the count's freely given hospitality.

Seeing that all appear in agreement, Talimar turns to motion the guard captain back over, "Very well, lead us to our rooms."

"That won't be necessary, Captain Dalaes," says a middle-aged man who entered the room unexpectedly from the north. The man walks over to stand before the captain. The man has short, greying hair with beady little eyes. He has hands folded before him that appear to have never known a days hard work. Beleg looks at the stranger and tries to detect any evil intent in the man. There is none given off by him but Beleg has the feeling that the man would not stop at many things in order to further his position with the Count.

"You and your men may go now, Dalaes," says the man to the captain, "I wish to speak with these men for a few minutes. I will see that they get to their rooms."

"As you wish," says Dalaes with a bow to the stranger.

As Dalaes and his men leave the room, the stranger turns to address the company, "Greetings. My name is Anderon. I am the Count's councillor and chief financial officer. He apologises for his quick departure and sent me to answer any further questions that you might have. So please, ask away."

At first everyone is shocked at the sudden appearance of Anderon but the opportunity to ask further questions is welcomed.

Randor is the first to speak up, "Excuse me sir but do you have any information which might lead us to finding the orc lair and or the mage kidnappers? We believe they are hiding in some deserted mines but they may also be in the Thornwood. Oh, and since the Count feels so concerned for his citizens and we are looking for the threat to them, would he be so kind as to supply us with a few things to help us in the mines? If you would like we would return them once we were done. As a hand of Tyr I promise they will be returned if they aren't lost or broken and if my oath is not enough there is a paladin here," motioning to Beleg, "and he is forbidden to lie."

The man listens passively as Randor speaks and shows no sign of any outward emotion. He merely shakes his head at Randor's mention of the Count's concern for his citizens and appears to ponder Randor's question of assistance.

"Why yes, of course we can help you out with that. I can give you a voucher and you can buy whatever tools would be necessary for the expedition. No need to return them, we trust the company."

With a startled yelp, Dain spills some wine down his front as he leans forward from the table, "That reminds me, do you know what this symbol means? It was on several orc shields that we have seen in the past weeks." Dain then takes out one of his books and shows Anderon the orc symbol.

Taking the book in his hand, Anderon looks over the drawing for several moments before answering, "No. I can't say I have ever seen that symbol. But then, we don't normally have that many run-ins with orcs in these parts I'm happy to say." He then hands the book back to Dain.

Druckner then moves forward to address Anderon, "We've heard about something mysterious that might relate to our investigation. Do you know anything about the Scourge in the Thornwood?"

"Hmm, of course I've heard about the Scourge. Nothing much really to tell though, the local people tend to embellish a bit on it, especially as the years have gone by. I don't believe that that could have anything to do with the recent events though. That matter was settled many decades ago."

As the companions look upon Anderon, it is obvious that there is more to the Scourge than he or the Count are willing to tell but even the more sceptical of the party members seem to believe him when he says that the two events are not related.

"Well, it appears that we have talked over into the dinner hour." says Anderon with a smile on his face. "You gentlemen are free to dine here. The Count will be dining alone this evening as he seems to be a bit under the weather. Captain Dalaes will return after the meal to show you to your rooms. Thank you for your time." He says as he moves to leave the room. Almost as soon as he is gone, servants enter the room from hidden side doors, all carrying loaded trays of roasted meat, vegetables and other strange delicacies. The dwarven members of the party happily notice that they also enter with several tall mugs of ale for the party. The trays barely touch the table before Gnore, Kre, Ras, Druckner, and Ortho are digging into the meat.

"Well you can't beat this!" says Druckner as he takes a bite out of a large turkey leg.

The party spends the next few minutes quietly eating the meal provided by the count. As Talimar is taking a swallow of the fine Cormyrean wine before him, a young boy who Talimar thought was one of the servants clears his throat behind him.

"No, thank you, I've got enough wine," answers Talimar. "Maybe Ortho or Gnore would like more ale though."

The young man puffs his chest up as he answers, "I'm no servant! My name is Lyntern and I'm the Count's son!"

Talimar coughs as he chokes on the wine as Dain claps him on the back to help him breath, a slight smile is on the face of Dain as he enjoys Talimar's faux pas.

"Forgive me, I had no idea," answers Talimar.

"It's ok," says Lyntern, "How could you have known."

The boy that stands to Talimar's right appears to still have some of his baby fat on his face. Not old enough to shave yet either, he appears to be in his middle teens. Unlike most of the youth of this area though, Lyntern does not have the already muscular or fit physique of one used to daily chores. He appears to have been coddled all his life.

"I've heard all about you," he says to the group in general. There is a look of genuine awe on his face as he speaks. "You are heroes in this land."

"Well thank you," says Kre proudly as he tries to puff himself up.

"I heard you talking to Anderon. I listen in on conversations now and then to learn more. I want to be an adventurer!" he says finally.

Gnore and Druckner look the boy over sceptically after hearing him say this last part and both try very hard, somewhat unsuccessfully, to stifle a laugh.

"No really! I am!"

"I'm sure you will be," answers Dain. "Not all adventurers live by brute force alone." He then casts a meaningful glance at the smiling dwarves.

"I want to go adventuring with you," says Lyntern to Dain.

This time it is Dain's turn to choke on his wine after hearing Lyntern's desire to travel with the Red Feather Adventuring Company. Talimar smiles as he raps Dain's on his back to help his breathing.

"Just went down the wrong pipe," answers Dain.

Talimar finally stops clapping Dain on his back to turn and answer Lyntern, "We would be honoured to have you in our company, but I'm sure your father would forbid it. He can't have his heir running around dark caverns hunting orcs. He needs you here to learn the ways of ruling."

"I don't care what my father wants!" answers Lyntern. "I am going to be a great warrior!"

The boy continues to plead to come along with the group but all of his begging is for naught as no one is for taking the youth on. Finally, desperate, Lyntern plays his trump card.

"Let me go on an adventure with you," begins Lyntern tentatively, "and I'll tell you all you need to know about the Scourge and the Thornwood!"

"What could you possibly know, boy?" asks Druckner rather forcefully.

Undaunted by the roughness of the dwarf, Lyntern pushes on, "I know plenty, bearded one! I know all about it but I'm not going to tell you anything until you let me go adventuring with you."