Turn 42 -- Lyntern's Adventure

Talimar frowns at the boy's excitement, hoping to impress on him the seriousness of the outing, "Dain must return to the town this night. Normally this would not be of no great moment, but we were ambushed on the river this morning where Dain and myself nearly died." Talimar shows the boy one of his arrow wounds.

Lyntern makes a slight frown at the sight of the wound, but he appears to be unfazed by the sight. "Only by the intervention of the healing magic wielded by our clerics did I survive." continues Talimar. "Then in Thurmaster we were set upon again. So Gnore, Brother Randor, Kre, and Kersath are going with Dain to protect him until the rest of us join him tomorrow. You are welcome to go along if you wish, another sword arm always comes in handy."

"YES!" shouts the boy enthusiastically as he pumps his fist into the air. "I won't let you down," he says to the group.

"Fine, I'm sure you won't," answers Talimar somewhat sceptically. "In the meantime, you should be off to your quarters to change your clothes into something more suitable for travel." He says as he scans the fine silk court clothes that the lad is wearing. "Bring a sword if you have it. And don't let anyone see you unless you want your father knowing!"

"I won't!" says Lyntern as he runs out of the room. "Pray to your god Randor that we haven't made a mistake," says Talimar slightly under his breath as the boy leaves the room.

The party spends the next hour or so lounging in the dining room as they await the return of Beleg and Lyntern. "I sure hope Beleg can convince the Count, now that we've told the lad he could go," says Druckner to Talimar.

"Aye, I hope he can too," answers Talimar.

Just then, Beleg comes crashing through one of the side doors to join his companions. He is dressed in a simple tunic and breeches and carries only his main-gauche. His face is pure fury though as he steps up to the table.

"That Count is an idiot!" begins Beleg forcefully. "I was able to convince him to let the boy go but it took all my powers of persuasion possible! There is one hitch though, that snake of a councillor Anderon suggested that Captain Dalaes and ten of his men follow along behind the group, out of sight or course, just in case something goes wrong. It's the only way the Count would agree to let the boy go with us."

"Damn!" says Talimar.

"Aye, I don' like that t'all," says Gnore. "I've no need for mounted swords at me back. 'Specially swords I've got no idea who they are."

"It couldn't be helped," answers Beleg. "It was either that or not take the boy and from the way he was acting, I felt that he would just sneak out to join us. I believe if that were to happen the Count would have accused us of kidnapping the brat!"

"We can't worry about it now," says Talimar. "I don't think the count is up to anything, he's just worried about his son and trusting him to us. Those who are leaving make your preparations to go now, you leave as soon as the boy returns. The rest of you may return to your quarters if you wish."