For a day the party heads north and west through the tula of the Balmyr. Jorund Hendsson accompanies you and obtains hospitality at the last Balmyi stead in the north-west. This particular stead has quite a fortified look to it and in response to your questions Jorund spits a single word 'Horse-spawn'.

The next morning, Jorund rides with you as far as the tula stone and then bids you farewell, wishing you and your clan luck He warns you to take care of horse-spawn raiders though he doubts such a small well-armed group such as yourselves will attract much attention.

You wave and continue north. You're making good time now without all those cows to slow you down and you figure another 2 or 3 days should bring you into Dragon Pass proper.

That night you make camp and enjoy an evening without cows to take care of, and also the cooler temperatures. The lands starting to rise now as you approach Dragon Pass proper.

Night passes uneventfully, and you've just finished your morning porridge (bran today, yum!) when you see a lone runner crest the nearest ridge to the east, pause for a moment and then head for your camp. Everyone stands to and grabs their arms though its unlikely that one man will pose much of a threat.

The figure halts at a respectful distance. He has a bow in hand but no arrow knocked.

So Age, we have heard much of the Torkani but we have never met one.  I suspect you will impress us much more than Korol Tightarse of the Balmyri did.

My thanks for the porridge and water.  Thirsty work running across this land and didn't exactly have the time to fill my belly anywhere.

And it's truth, that there's some bad folk among the Balmyri though perhaps you are judging Korol too quickly if you include him among their number.  He spoke up for you before being sent off. 

But I am not supposed to speak of this. I was sent ahead to request that you wait here one day so that you can meet Thane Rolf, who is the leader of my party.

I was also told to mention that if you wait this one day it would allow your friend Orlev to reach you by nightfall and that it might save you much grief to wait, rather than to rush north.

I myself know little more than this and was told to speak less, and that Thane Rolf would explain all upon his arrival.

Will you wait?

Well, for certain sure, something funny was going on back there.  For the life of me, I still cannot figure out why Bjolf was so generous to give me victory in the bargaining session. I really blundered there and it would seem most unlike someone as skilled as he to let such a opportunity slide by.

takes a swig of water and swallows hard.

That's a pretty cunning plan. By the Hunter, I hope I'm wrong though.

Returning to the campfire.

Aye, friend Age we will wait upon your thane here for one day.  We need the rest anyways. Let's set some light guards.

Around mid-morning Orlev come thundering into camp. Age Swiftshanks looks considerably surprised. For the first time that you can remember, Orlev and his mount look quite tired.

Who's this? Is he Balmyri?

Nods his head when Age's presence is explained. Then draws Skerri and the others to one side.

Well I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Blunt and the rest of the clan have already crossed the Brown Boar Lands and should be passing through the Gap now. Apparently they quite impressed the Brown Boars by demolishing a troll village. And, of course, the Lonisi Elmali were adopted and are safe as well. Of course, I told him all of our news and told him to be careful of both bandits and horse-spawn, though I doubt either would seek to attack such a large force.

The bad news is the reception I received when I got back into Balmyri territory. I was only gone two days but when I got back to Thane Ulf's steading he offered to let me stay in the pig sty! When I questioned this he said it's all that thieves like us deserve. Needless to say, I choose not to accept his hospitality and instead rode on through the night. Very early this morning, as I crossed the Balmyri northern border, I was stopped by a patrol. Once they found out who I was they just spat at my feet and waved me on.

I tell you I like this not. I don't know what will happen once the clan arrives.

The gods are testing us for some reason.  I hope we prove equal to their forges!  I wonder what we stole?  I hope it was  worth it!

All thanks be to the gods for their aid to our folk against the trolls! 

Spits to the side for added emphasis.

Arene, let's practise some spear and shield fighting.

She makes Arene put on her coat of iron scale and the pair spend the day sparing.   (Well, until Arene collapses from exhaustion that is).

a surprised look crosses his face as he realizes what he has just said.

It appears the Captain is correct; the Balmyri are under the influence of a trickster.

***

As you prepare for the evening meal, the scouts come back in saying that an armed party has been sighted. All are on foot and appear to be lead by a man in iron armour. They appear to be a rather rough and ready lot. Age indicates that this must be Thane Rolf and walks out to meet him, and talk with him briefly a short distance from the camp.

Thane Rolf then approaches the camp.

Eat, drink, we offer you our hospitality for this night.

Ah, that hits the spot. We really had to rush to catch up with you guys and its well for both our clans that we did. Didn't even have time to piss. Let me take care of that now.

Voids himself nearby.

Much better. Now where was I?Ah yes, according to Age here, you're not too aware of what is going on back in the land of the Balmyr. It might be to both our good for me to fill you in on a few things we know from our ... ah friends in the Balmyr. Up to you to decide if they're true or not of course.

Did you know that there was a move within the Balmyr Clan to have Chief Harvar replaced this past winter? Apparently a lot of people were dissatisified with how he was dealing with the 'rapacious Torkani' and a few other matters. But ever since that Bjolf the Mighty started advising him people all seem to love their mighty Chief Harvar more than ever. Passing peculiar that, considering what a git he is.

Did you know that Chief Harvar has sent heralds to the nearby clans of Dragon Pass, warning them that a group of outlaws posing as emmisaries of an immigrating clan would be passing through their territory soon. And that these outlaws would be pretending to buy passage rights but what they're really up to is to check out the clan defenses. Need I mention the name of the clan these outlaws would be pretending to be?

Did you know that Chief Harvar has told his border guards to kill any of those 'cheating thieves' if they try and re-enter Balmyr territory. Don't know how yon Orlev made it through unless the orders didn't cover people leavin' only comin' back. Lucky for him he never stopped along the way I expect.

Did you know that Chief Harvar will honour the agreement he has made with your clan, allowing passage across the Balmyri tula?But now we get to the part where we Torkani actually care what happens.

Did you know that he has made an agreement with the Bright Sky Tribe of horse-spawn, that in exchange for the Balmyr aiding them take your entire clan into thralldom, the Bright Sky Tribe will ride to his aid when they attack us.

Apparently the Balmyri are rather upset with us. Any of you boys (directed at his own gang) think of a reason why?

return chorus of disingeneous refusals

Thane Rolf also shakes his head in 'confusion'.

I tell you, it was just a few cows ... and sheep ...

Anyway, for the Torkani to come out of this in some kind of good shape it would seem that we need your clan not to become thralls.

As for whether we're telling you the truth. I suggest that you send a rider north, south or west to see what kind of reception they might get. I'll tell you for free though, don't send anyone you like.

Say, you got anything more to drink. Man works up a powerful thirst after a talk like that.

Thank you for your dire news Thane Rolf.  It seems that I have managed to lose a great portion of our clan's wealth to a lying, rotten, stinkin' Orlanth rejected, thievin' broo fornicating, pre dark, sack of shit!!!!!!

Visibly calms herself.

If there was some way to get back at that git....  Nevermind that, we must warn the clan and find some alternative route to our new homeland. 

Kneels before Thane Rolf.

Thank you again for your aid and your advice.  The Amberi are forever in your debt.  If there is anything we can do ask and if it is within my power it shall be done.  My men and I must discuss what we will do next.  Make free of our fire and our food.  Do we have anything left stronger than water to drink for the Thane?

Gestures for the guys (and Arene) to follow her away from the campfire.

Well, now what do we do?  I don't think we need test our welcome among the stinkin' Balmyri, Orlev's done that already.  Orlev you will have to ride and warn Blunt of the Balmyri treachery once we decide what on Genertela we're going to do.   Any ideas?

Skerri, I think Orlev might be pretty tired from his last ride. Plus we could use his ability to discern truth. Maybe we should use one of your feathers?

Also, I think that Cedric has the right of it on several points. First we need, to find out if all that we've heard is the truth. I can vouch that Thane Rolf believes what he's saying but that does not necessarily make it so, nor does it mean that he has told us all he knows. I find it very suspicious that his 'friends' can tell him things almost as they happen. 

Second, is the question of the missing wealth.  Either the Torkani have it or someone else does. If we can find where the cows have gone, we may may be able to decide on the best course of action.

Third, the amount of wealth we've given the Balmyr while not to be sneezed at, is not that significant.  The bulk of the fee is to be paid by Blunt when the clan actually crosses the territory. This part unfortunately makes sense. The Balmyr let us cross their tula, collect their fee while maintaining their obligations and then weep Broo's tears on hearing that the clan has been enslaved by horse-spawn.

Finally, we have to do all this within three days, because four days from now Blunt will enter the Balmyr lands.

If he has been banished, I think Korol might be more forthcoming with information. There is no point being loyal to the chief who banished you.

As for the rest of the Amberi I think that I will tell Blunt to stop at the waterhole where we found our crow bait.  The Amberi should have enough fighters to keep Red Kare away, though if he is Torkani maybe that's not so important.   After I use the feather we'll have to find some other way to contact them though which probably won't be easy.  Let's see what we can find out as far as the truth goes.

Shakes her head at the thought of the "truth".

Skerri nods her agreement.

Orlev walks back over to Thane Rolf (fingering sword hilt).

Thane Rolf, we thank you for your information but we were wondering if we might glean a bit more.

Thane Rolf hawks, spits and nods his assent.

We were wondering if we might not be able to talk to Korol and see if we cannot get to the bottom of the Balmyr problem.  Perhaps it is not too late for Amber to reach some kind of negotiation with the Balmyr which does not involve good Orlanthi having to make treaties with the horse-spawn, especially ones that involve selling us into thralldom. Perhaps there is some way the three of us, Torkani, Balmyr and Amber can join forces and strike such a blow at the horse-spawn that their widows and orphans will hesitate to raid us for years to come!

Come, let us walk together.

Thane Rolf leads you off to one side, well out of earshot of either his men or yours.

With Korol, I cannot help you.  He was sent to join the fyrd, which even as we speak musters on our border and to cut off any Amberi retreat once they face the horse-spawn.

hesitates again ... considers and ever so reluctantly ...

No, Korol is not our man. Our man is Bjolf the Trickster.

Thane Rolf pauses as you absorb this.

But in truth, Bjolf is no man's but his own. Let me tell you how this all came about.

Perhaps 10 years ago, Bjolf was outlawed from the Balmyri for 5 hands of seasons. Apparently, he was the butt of many jokes of the Balmyr and when one got out of hand he ended up knifing some poor bastard.

Anyway, he came to us at first.  We Torkani have quite a reputation for being ... ahhh ... open to people of colorful backgrounds. He stayed with us for perhaps a handful of season and I must admit that we didn't treat him overly well. His size, his manners, his airs didn't sit well with many of the rougher and readier sort and he wasn't what you might call well treated. He stayed with us for perhaps a handful of seasons but then left to go his own way.

About 3 years ago, he came back. His outlawery was complete but his thirst for revenge was not. He spoke to us of a grand plan to beggar and humiliate the Balmyr, but he needed our help. If we agreed to follow his advice he would see to it that our raids were successful beyond our wildest dreams. We knew of his hatred for the Balmyr and saw nothing to lose so said 'why not?' Who were we to look a gift cow in the face. A fine trick on the Balmyri it would be. Or so we thought.

And sure enough, Bjolf went back to the Balmyr, got back into Chief Harvar's favour and told us where and when to raid and we were successful beyond our wildest dreams. 

But Bjolf's plan was deeper than we realised at first.  He turns out to be a man not to forget any slight, no matter how small, and he was no more looking after our interests than he was looking out for the Balmyri. But what Bjolf didn't know was that we had a listening wind.

Narrators Note: A wind capable of hearing a conversation in one place and carrying it to another.

This was how we learned that Bjolf was dealing with Kare the Kinslayer (Thane Rolf pauses to spit at that name). Not something we cared for but not something all that surprising considering what Bjolf was up to so we let the wind blow that news onward without us acting on it. 

However, it's also how we learned that Bjolf was dealing with the horse-spawn. His plan seems to be nothing less than the destruction of both Balmyri and Torkani, and I expect that there is something unpleasant in Kare's future as well, though I care nought about that. Whether you Amber slighted him in the past or he's just using you as opportunity allows I know not, but your doom will ensure ours.

What Bjolf has told us, is that the Balmyr are mustering to crush you Amberi. He can be a persuasive bastard when he wants to so at first we took this at face and made no preparations for war, just to do as we had for the past few years. We had planned to be raiding the far south-east steadings of the Balmyr (on Bjolf's advice of course) and would have come home to smoking rubble I think. Even with this knowledge I think we cannot stand up to the combined forces of Balmyr and the horse-spawn.

Unfortunately, we may have tipped our hand to Bjolf.  We thought to send a messenger to Chief Harvar but he never made it. As far as we know, he and his escort are feeding crows somewhere. Bjolf might now be aware of our suspicions.

Our thoughts have turned around in circles on all this but we admit that we are at something of a loss. We do know this for sure though. The road to Dragon Pass is closed this year. The Bright Sky Tribe will see to that. Even now they muster to the north-west of the Balmyr Tula. Your clan has to either turn back or find some other place to stay until Bright Sky moves on.

Our ring is willing to discuss this with yours but we have only days to make the most important decisions.

And you know what, in the back of our minds we still wonder if we aren't doing exactly what that little rat wants us to do. Curse it, there is no such thing as a free cow!

And the only winners are horsespawn and outlaws. Who'd think such a great amount of anger would fit in such a small package?

[Narrator's note : this is a dire threat as Maran Gor the Earthshaker is a terrible goddess not lightly invoked].

Thinks a bit.

So you Torkani are not positioned to provide us with any military aid?  It would just be the Amberi versus the Balmyri and a horsespawn tribe?

Affirmative shrug from Thane Rolf.

What are we going to do?  You say that the Bright Sky Tribe is to the northwest of the Balmyri.  Is there any chance that the Amberi could skirt around the south east edge of Balmyri territory and enter your territory?  If they are expecting us to strike straight through into their territory maybe this would take them by surprise?

Well we know that most of the Balmyri fyrd has mustered in the north so certainly the southern route would not be so heavily contested.

As for entering our territory though I don't know.  Ours is a harsh land and we mainly survive by raiding the Balmyri, the beast people to the north and the animal riders from Prax. I doubt we could support so many people through the winter (a warning grunt from Orlev at which Thane Rolf adds) or guarantee them a place to go to after (which Orlev reluctantly nods agreement to). No telling when Bright Sky will up stakes and move on.

I have heard that there's empty lands far to the south-east. Kind of a no man's land between the animal riders and the mountain clans. You might be able to settle there.  

You get out the map Bjarni gave you and Thane Rolf traces out the route (green).

The land's hard between here and there though. I think that the Torkani would be willing to help out some as it would be good for us to have some friendly neighbours down there.

I'm not quite sure what other choices you might have. Even with Torkani help you're not strong enough to drive the Balmyri from their tula and if the horse-spawn get involved we're all back to being thrall.

looks to Thane Rolf.

Are the Bright Sky the only horsespawn operating in this area, Thane Rolf? Perhaps we might find another tribe that would deal with the Bright Sky in exchange for a fine but somewhat worse for wear horse?

While I admire all this talk of helping the Torkani and talking to Horsespawn slaves of the Evil Emperor you're both losing sight of the big picture.  Our most important goal is to find a new home for our people and soon.  We cannot spend too much time wandering hither and yon fighting everyone we meet.  Yes I would like to help the Torkani and punish these oath breaking Balmyri but

pauses for emphasis

we have to find a new home and get ready for winter.  Time is our biggest enemy.  We don't have time to seek new allies who are unlikely to be ready to wage war on anyone on such short notice anyway.  We also cannot let the Amberi fight a big battle.  Who will protect the noncombatants?  Defeat would be disastrous! We have only a few days to make a decision and I'm afraid that the decision is getting much too big for us alone.  Our original plan was to head further north and settle.   If we have to settle somewhere else we will need the approval of the ring, the chief and the people first.  I'm afraid that we must try and rejoin the main body of the Amberi and present these facts and options to them for a decision.

Turns to Thane Rolf

Would you be willing to travel with us to speak with our Chief and clan ring?

at Thane Rolf's nod, leads Skerri away from the group, looks her straight in the eye and whispers to her.

My apologies, Captain, but I must make a most dishonourable suggestion. As you said we must settle in new lands before winter and our forces aren't strong enough to defeat the Balmyr-Horsespawn alliance. It would seem our only hope is to break that alliance. To do that, we must kill Bjolf the Mighty. If we are successful, we may be able to convince the Balmyri they have been tricked and get them to switch sides.

looks at his feet for a moment and returns his gaze to Skerri's eyes.

May the Gods forgive me for uttering such shameful words, but I see no other way, Captain. Bjolf must die, but we cannot do so honourably for his trickery is strong.

pauses and looks back at the group.

If this option is offensive, I will not speak of this matter again. If you wish to consider this option, I will suggest it infront of the group. What say you, Captain?

Claps her arm around Per's shoulders.

Let us go back to the fire and you can suggest your plan to the others.

follows Skerri back to the group.

Thank you for your patience, Thane Rolf. If I may beg your indulgence once more, I have a plan that may solve our problems.

looks around at the group and clears his throat.

The Balmyri-Horsespawn alliance has built a wall between us and our new homeland, but that wall is held together by a single keystone. If we remove it, the entire wall comes down. That keystone is Bjolf the Mighty. He has beggared the Balmyri, allied with Horsespawn and outlaws, and plotted our downfall. If we kill him, we may be able to bring the Balmyri over to our side.

pauses for a moment.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to challenge him to honourable combat for he has too much protection and his tricks are too powerful. But he must die so that our kin may pass in safety.

looks into Orlev's icy stare.

It is to my shame that I utter these words, Lieutenant, but I fear our options are few and our time limited. If there be a lawful way to remove Bjolf and undo his handiwork, I pray you will tell us so.

Such a course of action would make us no better than Bjolf. Secret murder is one of the most terrible crimes there is and always leads to more trouble than it solves.

starts to cite several historical examples ...

Yes, yes a terrible thing.  And worse yet, I doubt it would work. Even with raiding magic, only a small force would be able to sneak into the heart of Balmyr territory. Yet that force would have to be large enough to overwhelm Chief Harvar's personal guard before it could get a chance to slay Bjolf.  

And I think that Bjolf may be especially cautious since our messengers to Harvar went astray.  If he thinks we have an inkling of the truth he'll take every precaution and the chances of success in the next few days would be small indeed.

Finally, even if we kill Bjolf the deal still might go through.  We'd probably also have to kill Chief Harvar to stop everything.

I care not for such thinking.  Secret murder is wrong and goes against the very essence of Heort's Law. 

Thane Rolf sniffs.

I would suggest instead that we stick with Skerri's original plan.  But we also tell Blunt to send a warning back to Heortland about what's happening here.  If no other clan tries to come north this year the Bright Sky will soon move on for lack of prey, or perhaps they'll decide to punish the Balmyr for wasting their time.

And if circumstances allow, before we leave Balmyr lands, we could try and warn as many Balmyr as possible about the plans of Bjolf. Surely his influence is centred about himself and Chief Harvar. If we can warn enough people the truth will out.

Well, I suppose there's a thought.  Certainly, it is the Balmyri on our border that are most dissatisfied with Chief Harvar.  If we were to stop raiding and start talking that might put the wind up old Bjolf.

We would need to buy time though for this to work.

Just as well. That's a good suggestion Orlev, the one about warning people to the south about what sort of bastards the Balmyri leadership is and what sort of nefarious schemes they're up to. Maybe we could send that bard, you know what's his name south with a nice song or poem about our friend Bjolf.

Pauses, looks puzzled and asks

What do you mean by buying time Thane Rolf?  What's your idea.

Buy time? I mean that for the Balmyri themselves to do anything about Bjolf and Harvar would take some time.  They'll have to get organised and call a moot and so on. 

For any of this to do us any good we must survive these next few days, which means the deal between the Balmyri and the Bright Sky must somehow be unseated, which means that your clan must somehow avoid the noose that Bjolf has contrived.

So far the only plans that sounds like it might be successful, assuming you cannot just go back, is that you head east and then take your chances in the south.

If he carried the day outside Smithstone, then I expect that those of the our tribe that fought him are now outlawed and the very tribe broken up.

Here's one more thought. Bjolf's influence is strongest on those who are nearest and been with him for the longest time, like Chief Harvar and most of his ring members.

Now Korol, he's been away from Bjolf most of the past while on his cattle buying missions.  We know that he has gone to muster with the Balmyri fyrd near the Torkani border.  So perhaps he's less under the influence of Bjolf than some of the others. 

While he's hardly the war master he's still a member of the inner ring. If we could convince him that by serving Bjolf's scheme he acts against the Balmyri, well that might throw the rat into the grain pile.

So, if you want to come with us around the north edge of the Balmyri lands and then down through our territory to meet the rest of your clan, we could try contacting Korol along the way.

What should we do?

Let's get some sleep.

Well, maybe a small group of people could reach Dragon Pass but almost impossible for a clan on the move. To the north is impassable mountains, to the northwest is hard lands and the Balmyri, while to the north east is an even worse route with harder lands and the animal nomads.

One day passes in hilly country. Up the hill, down the hill,  across the stream, up the next hill and so on. The on-foot Torkani seem to have little trouble keeping up with the mounted Amberi. Snorri is slowed some by the Golden Eye which looks much the worse for this fast pace. 

That night, over the campfire, Thane Rolf examines the options.

Another half-day or so to the east will take you into Torkani lands where our own fyrd is mustering. A day to the south of that will pretty much put you in the line of march that your clan would be taking.

I'll be heading that way myself. You coming with me or you gonna try and talk to Korol?

We will have to warn Blunt before we do anything else. I will use the feather to tell him to stop outside of Balmyri lands and to keep an extra watch out for Horsespawn.

Now, the other question is do we want to endanger our lives to speak with Korol. As long as Blunt's warned we can risk a few people to help our new Torkani friends.

Pause for effect

What I need are some volunteers to go speak with Korol. I myself will go to stress the seriousness of these charges. I'd like Orlev to go because of his inability to lie.

Holds her hand up.

No, Cedric I want you to take charge of the scouting party and make sure it gets back to the Amberi. I'd like at least two other volunteers though. And no Arene you cannot come along.

I will go with you, Captain. 

You are always welcome at my side, Per.  Glad to have you along.

pauses to think

Although I guess Cat Boy also has a lot of experience sneaking into steadings at night.

Welcome to the party.

So that makes four of us plus Age. That should be plenty for any Balmyri we meet, though of course we will try and avoid them all if we can.

The rest of you go with Thane Rolf until you can turn south to the Amberi and we will meet you when we can. Any questions?

Then reaching into her pack, Skerri draws out the feather linked to Blunt (leaving only a feather linked to Bjarni) and holds it high above her head. Without further ado she tosses the feather into the air and shouts Come to me!  The feather rises and then slowly disintegrates into a growing swirling mass of air. You feel the entry of a presence.

Skerri holds out Orlev's message and says 

Carry this to your other half and speak these words there 'Treachery. Do not enter Balmyri lands. Watch out for the Horsespawn. Go east. We will join you.' 

On your way then and with our thanks.

And with a clap of thunder and a rush of wind the spirit leaves. 

In the dark of the very early morning, the small group prepares to leave.  Age is on foot while the rest of you are mounted (with the exception of Ost of course). Ulf and Eric promise Snorri that they will take good care of the Golden Eyes and tell him that he shouldn't steal any more injured horses, only 'good ones'. Leaving the rest to their slumbers, and with a muffled 'Farewell' to the watch you depart.

You push hard, using no light, depending on Orlev and Age to warn you of any dangers on this moonless night. And your plan seems to work since some 4-5 hours later, with the sun just coming over the horizon, Age announces that just over that next rise is a steading where the Balmyri are mustering. 

Age, Per and Snorri do a swift scout and sure enough, looks like over a hundred spears have gathered in a camp around the steading.  They have a watch out to, though it doesn't seem to rove too far from the stead itself. Doubtless the Balmyri scouts are covering the lands along the Balmyr-Torkani border rather than the odd direction you approached from.

Now the problem is, how do you approach Korol? It would seem to be virtually impossible to sneak into the camp undetected during the daytime.

Pauses dramatically

Or the other alternative is to approach under a flag of truce and ask to speak to him.  If we do it properly they won't be able to attack us and we will get a chance to speak with him.

Which do you prefer?

Hiding something?

Well, the privy appears to be a trench outside the camp but inside the watch line.  Might be difficult to snatch someone from there.  

On the other hand, plenty of people are starting to drive animals to pasture for the day.  It would be easy to grab one of them.

Ok I can handle that. Shall we wait for them to get a bit farther from camp, then grab anyone we recognize from cattle drive up here, hopefully they will recognize Orlev. If Orlev does the actual grab or approach, he can start with a believable I won't hurt and will let you go, if you listen quitely. Skerri as I probably have the most experiance sneaking up on people guarding animals shall I lead the snatch?

If we can find a good spot to watch from all of us can hide there.  Warrior training might not cover stalking but it certainly covers hiding.  That way we don't have to worry about all of us being split up and we'll have a better chance of overpowering someone if we have to.  Per can watch the horses and bugger off if he has to.  We should set a place where we can regroup should we get split up.  How about at that tumbled-down stick picker cottage we passed a while back? 

You can certainly do the approach Snorri, you're our best stalker and one person will be less threatening.  You can pretend to be an Orlanthi travelling north to settle if you have to.

Orlev looks disapproving at the mention of deception.

If he has to.  Even a herdsman shouldn't be too scared of a lone man.  Of course we can always just use the truce flag, if Korol's in charge he'll want to talk first and shoot later.

By now the Balmyri wyter has probably alerted Chief Harvar to our presence here and a fast rider from the chief could probably reach here by noon. I doubt that we will have much success if Korol listens to that rider before us.

Other than that, it should not be difficult to, as Snorri puts it, steal one person.

Oh suuuure you're with the fyrd.

to the rest of you

Lucky for you you got up close otherwise me and my trusty sling here would have a proper greeting for the likes of you. You varmints ain't gonna get away with even one of my sheep. Soon as those boys over the hill get wind of this I'll be off to collect the wood for your pyre.

What we would actually like from you is for you to carry a message from us to Korol Borngoldson.  We have urgent news for him.  I of course will reward such a service with this gold ring  [holds it away from the old man as he reaches for it] which I will give to you when you bring Korol back here.   You have my word as a follower of Vinga that I will do so.  Tell Korol that Skerri would like to speak with him.  Will you do this?  Additionally I swear that no harm will come to your clan from this act.

Skerri indicates her assent

What about my sheep? How do I know that you won't just run off with them as soon as my back is turned.

Old man, I swear that I will ward your sheep and keep them safe here until your return.

You a Hoo-mak aintcha. Guess that'll have to do then. But don't be letting Heort the Almighty be buttin heads with King Ormgard over there.  And little Bjorngold over there has a tendency to be wandering off so keep an eye on him and (considerably more information in this vein, Orlev looks like he's beginning to regret his promise).

Finally ...

Right then, I'm off to talk to Korol.  What he does is his business though.

From the ridge, you see the herdsman wander back to the fyrd encampment and disappear inside. A short time after that, you see a group of about 10 people mount horses and head in your direction, including the old shepherd.

(Aside to the party) Let's keep this friendly folks.  As the group nears she stands up, in armour but without prepared weapons.  Friend Korol, greetings, we have news that will benefit both you and the Balmyri.  Will you speak with us?  

Here's your promised reward grandfather.  Tosses ring to the herder and waits for Korol's reply.

Well thank you right kindly.

Casts an eye towards his flock and starts

Tarnation what is that fool Hoo-mak up to?

The herdsman's arrival however, quickly brings the situation under control and Orlev (and Per who seems to have recovered) return to join the discussion underway.

The rest of you turn back to greet Korol and a smallish man in iron armour (who is trailed by four other men in chain armor), have come out in advance of the rest of their party.

Well well well, so we meet again. All my travel companions reunited. Except Cedric? Where is he? Chief Harvar seems most interested in talking with him.

Oh, and let me introduce my cousin, Henrik the Pig (indicates the small man in iron armour). When the old man came with the news, Henrik expressed an interest in finding out why you had come.

as if an afterthought

Oh yes, Henrik commands the fyrd here.

Turns to Orlev.

Could you tell Korol and Henrik what Cedric told us after the negotiations and what we have learned from the Torkani.

Whew.  That was close.  For a while there I didn't know if he was going to believe you.

Must say that it was a good thing you turned up when you did as I wasn't getting too far with Henrik on my own. The only way he would ever consider acting against Chief Harvar is if the clan itself was at stake.  Never thought that little rat had it in him though, to do all this. Sure does explain a lot.

Anyway, I guess we better get going.  Wouldn't do to be here when Harvar's messenger arrives.

Stops suddenly as a look of horror crosses her face.

You don't suppose this Bjolf has been tainted by the Predark do you?  That would certainly explain a lot.  Do you have many Uroxi among your people Korol?

I doubt it or perhaps I should say he needn't be.  Even if everything you say about Bjolf is true, it's not outside of what tricksters have been known to have done before.

Doesn't really matter in a way.  Either way he has to go.

That's true.  Tricksters don't need to be contaminated by Predark to be pests.  Well he continues to be your problem.   Thank you for all your help Korol.  I admit that I neither treated nor spoke as well of you as I could and for that I am sorry.  I will henceforth treat you as my friend and as the Amberi's friends.

Moves closer and offers to clasp forearms with him.

Thank you again.  Shall we get going?

By nightfall you approach the Torkani tula but choose to camp just outside.  No point is trying to surprise anyone in the dark. 

An early morning shout drags you all out of bed and you mount up and head on into the land of the Torkani.  This time it is Age Swiftshanks' face that gets you passage, though he does send word on ahead to alert the clan ring that an emissary from the Balmyri approaches.

You bypass the first steading you reach, instead choosing to head straight through to meet the clan ring this day and by mid-afternoon that's what you do. Stop outside of a large steading where a delegation of Torkani await to greet you.

Cedric is off to one side as is Thane Rolf, who quickly gets all the Amberi off to one side. A very elaborate greeting is then gone through between the Torkani and Balmyri. Several tense spots are met, and negotiated, before the entire group of you is welcomed to the steading itself.

A large feast is laid out and there is much casual talk.  Towards the end of it all, Korol and Thane Rolf approach you.

It's true we helped each other but the Torkani forget neither enemies nor friends, though (with a nod to Korol) there's always hopes that enemies can become friends. We shall see.

Best of luck to you and yours in the days ahead.  I expect we'll see something of each other now and then.

Anyway, Thane Rolf, we had better return to the main table.  We have much work ahead of us.

In the morning, somewhat the worse for wear you are shaken awake by Age Swiftshanks.

Come I will help you prepare.

Let me sleep if Orlanth loves me. How quickly can seven hundred people walking with a herd of sheep and cattle be moving?

Her head slumps down on the table and she falls back asleep.

Age acts with some urgency however so perhaps there are other reasons for the Amberi to get moving. Whatever the reason, you do get moving before too much longer. 

Age shepherds you to the south and pushes a hard pace despite your groaning. And as your eyes begin to clear you notice the rising majesty of Old Wind, one of the sacred mountains of Orlanth.

Does it call to you? In some fashion perhaps, because your heads seems to clear and your soul fills and you begin to push onward at an almost breakneck pace.  

To the south-west a huge cloud of dust can be seen. Can it be? Yes! There, frowning his mighty frown, rides Blunt Ash-bjorn. Beside him rides Branbrig Slayer, Ashart Bolison, Dagbjartr Haukson and others. Behind them comes the entire yelling, yeowling, lowing, baaing Amber clan.

You meet and there is much rejoicing at your safe reunion.

Yells for the clan to halt and camp for the day.

Let us feast and exchange news. Let us take joy in the good events as we can, for surely we have our fill of troubles as well.

The next day, Blunt calls for an inner and outer ring meeting to make the decisions that must be made and agreed upon by the entire clan. Perhaps people need to recover from the feast or perhaps its also good just to take a break after all the labours to date. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the summer solstice which some take to be a good omen and others as a sign that time is passing by.

Una Oxen Lover and Orlaront Mosdorlson seem to be of the latter camp. In very loud voices, and with loud agreement from most of the audience, they say that whereever the clan is going, it better get there pretty soon. The cattle and people will need shelter built before dark season and the winter planting must be done during the end of Earth season. Orlaront adds that unless food is found soon they'll have to slaughter some of the herds and eat of the seeds which would make coming years very difficult indeed.

Well, none of this surprises anyone and no one speaks against the need to settle soon. Blunt calls upon Age Swiftshanks, and while there is some muttering about an outsider speaking at meeting of the rings, no one actually shouts him down while he tells the little he knows about their destination.

Age swiftly relates that the valley is unclaimed, lying as it does between the mountain Orlanthis and the wasteland nomads. It can definitely be reached before the end of Fire season, though the clan would have to push through some very hard country. At present the Torkani have no dealings in this area as there's really nothing there to trade or raid for. A few questions are sent to him but Age pleads ignorance on most everything.

Things wrap up quickly after that. With no real other choice, Blunt announces the decision to press on to this valley as quickly as possible. A scouting party would push on ahead at all possible speed to select the best possible site for the clan to settle. The various parties affirm their agreement and the meeting breaks up.

The scouting party leaves that same day while the clan begins to march south the next. The land becomes progressively more inhospitable and the cattle and people begin to feel the strain, with the old and weak of both being buried or burnt off to one side as circumstances allow. Perhaps, Blunt feels some personal spirit pushing him but he drives the clan from morning until dusk, barely even halting for a half0day to allow the Elmali to celebrate their Victorious Sun Day.

Very occassionaly, scouts report of sighting figures either to the east or west but none approach the scouts and the scouts stay only long enough to ensure that the figures pose no threat to the clan.

Some three weeks later, Orlev Ice-eyes comes thundering back into the camp saying the scouts have found a suitable site to settle the clan, at least for the near future. A stream-fed valley, surrounded by protective hills, one of which is sacred to Orlanth and marked by some forgotten people by a dolmen.

There is one surprise. A very small settlement of strange people already exists in the valley. They offered us no violence and Cedric the Fox is staying with them now, studying their ways and languages. He is also coordinating the scouting of the valley from that base.

The clan is greatly heartened by this news and pushes south with renewed vigour. And a day or two later brings the clan to a majestic vista. A last rise is climbed and then before them a huge valley opens, cutting from east to west, well watered and green even at this time of year. The clan stands at the extreme north slope, leading into the valley, and Orlev points out the side valley where the clan is expected to stay for this first winter. Even now, Cedric can be seen riding forth to welcome the clan to their new home.

Blunt stands and views the land that will become the Amber Tula. Off to one side, is a hill thrusting higher than its neighbours and on top is the lonely dolmen that Orlev spoke of earlier. Blunt strides to that hill and the ring and the rest of the clan follow. Blunt places his hand on the dolmen and shouts to the sky Orlanth! Mark my words. Here I stand and here I stay. Amber has found its way home.

A roar and a cheer go up from the assembled clan and the reply is shouted back Here we stand and here we stay!

Amidst the cheering Skerri asks Per to follow her to where Blunt stands. She then takes the tiny arrow out of her pouch.  She holds it respectfully in her hands and snaps it in two while saying "I hearby release Per from his oath of service to me and give him my heartfelt thanks for his skills and loyalty, his advice and his words, and all of his actions." She then hands Per the pieces, Gives him a comradely hug and moves to stand beside Blunt.

Towards evening, the guards on the hill-side report the return of a group of scouts that went to reconnoiter the main valley. They seem to be returning in unseemly haste. A moment later, Per, Cat-boy and a few fyrd-men come thundering up to Blunt. All are ashen-faced and shouting at the top of their lungs:

...we were exploring the valley ...

...we got to the river ...

...a big blob came out of the river ...

...it swallowed the Jorundsson cousins ...

...then three skeletons wearing their armor came out of the blob and attacked us ...

...we destroyed the skeletons but not before the blob ate a horse and then a horse skeleton came out and attacked us...

...we rode off before the blob could catch us...

Everyone within ear-shot looks at each other in dismay and then turns to stare at Blunt. Just where had he led them?

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