Turn 15 -- Return to Milbourne

Following Brother Randor's sermon to Kre, the young half-elf walks over to address the cleric, "I didn't ask for the job of holding the money just for the sake of holding it, I really felt compelled to help out Ras, to whom I owe a lot." With that, Kre sits down on the hard earth to rest until a decision is reached on what the group is going to do.

Ras is not nearly as kind as Kre in his rebuttal, he instantly walks over to Brother Randor and angrily speaks to him, "I think sir you are judging without warning, my friend Kre is obviously making a heartfelt request to help me, I think I will evenly distribute the money between everyone including OUR friend Kre. As long as that is ok with Talimar."

With a surprised look on his face, Brother Randor attempts to explain, "No offence was meant my friends, I was merely pointing out that those most easily susceptible to temptation should not be required to..."

"Enough!" interjects Talimar, "I will allow no in-fighting in this group while I am leader. The enemies we face here are real, need I take you back to Zir'zool's grave to remind you all of that? We have to time for fighting amongst ourselves. Ras, that is fine with me for you to distribute the money whenever you wish as long as the books are kept and available for audit."

Kre sighs and clutches his ever aching head, "It seems that we have a job to do and by golly I'm gonna help, besides, I still want revenge on those orcs. For both Zir'zool and I." Kre gives a slight wink to his friend Ras before continuing, "And who knows, someone just might reward us, though I wish I knew who."

At this point, Druckner steps forward from the edge of the group to speak, "Well, I'm glad the boy Maxim is going to be all right but let's get out of here. This rain is driving me batty, I for one will be glad to go back to Milborne and sleep in a warm bed at the Baron of Mutton."

"I second that notion!" says Dain around a quick burst of sneezes.

Druckner eyes the wizard carefully before continuing, "Besides, if what Kuiper says is true, we must warn the villagers if there are bands of beastmen running around, 16 orcs can easily overwhelm a farmstead. And we can also look up this Ol' Grizzler that we didn't see last time. He'll know a bit more about this Scourge thing not being as short-lived as all these giants." With that said, Druckner grabs his beard with both hands and squeezes, releasing close to a gallon of rainwater.

Half-way managing to suppress a grin at the soaking dwarf, Ras speaks again, "I don't mind going back to Milborne but I would like to collect our money for the letter as soon as possible. I am getting quite hungry. I do think we should get back to protect the poor citizens."

"Aye, on to Milborne," says Ortho with axe in hand, "We should honour the request of our true friend Kuiper."

Beleg walks up to Kuiper to speak, "I think that my companions and I will do as you ask, but we would ask something of you in return. In addition to sending for us if Oleanne discovers anything, would you also share anything you learn about these strange events? It seems to me that there is some malignant conspiracy at work. If this is true, all folk of good will must work together to thwart it."

"Of course I will share any information that I can gather. If I am unable to find you personally I will pass my information on to Garyld and he will pass it on to you whenever possible. I bid you all a safe journey to Milborne and await our next meeting."

With that the Ranger of the Thornwood departs his farm with the boy Maxim to escort him back to his home.

Turning back to his companions, Beleg speaks again, "It seems that Druckner, Ortho, Ras, Dain and I are for returning to Milborne. What say the rest of you?"

Gnore listens as everyone speaks their mind and sits on the ground, "Are we going or shall I start building a hall here?" He then crosses his arms and blows at the flock of hair that fell onto his right eye.

"I believe our friend Gnore here has put it the best, we have nothing further to discuss here," says Talimar after taking his walking stick in hand again, "We should be off now. As for our destination, while we do need to go to Thurmaster to collect our money, Milborne is closer and I think we should spend a day there to recover fully from our battle." He rubs his shoulder slightly before continuing, "We may even be able to get another job there to deliver goods to Thurmaster."

"Good!" states Gnore with more than slight conviction, "I'd really like to talk to that barkeep."

With that, the party sets out on the road back to Milborne. Leaving mid-afternoon, Kersath sets as quick a pace as possible so that you can arrive not too long after dark. After a few hours of quietly moving along the road, Druckner begins to speak to everyone but no one in particular, "I've been thinking on this name question and I'd like to follow my friend Ortho's suggestion. I propose that we call ourselves the 'Red Feather Adventuring Company' in honour of Zir'zool's bravery. Besides, red is a fine colour," he says as he strokes his long red beard, "What do you think?"

"That sounds like a fine name to me," says Ras.

"Fine name indeed, I like The Blackfeather Adventuring Company better, but you can't blame me for trying," grins Dain happily.

Beleg looks at the red plume rising from his great helm and his bright red surcoat, "I think that is a fine name as well, for several reasons," he says with a sly grin. "I've never considered becoming a member of a 'company' as I have oaths and responsibilities to fulfil, but at least for now I would be honoured to be numbered among you. What say you leader?" asks Beleg of Talimar.

"I think it's a great name," says Talimar, "from this point on we are the Red Feather Adventuring Company. All we need now is a red feather to put in everyone's helm, hat, hair, or beard."

Taking the opportunity of new conversation, Ras approaches Talimar, "I found this on the orc leader," he says as he pulls out a very nice gold brooch set with carnelians, "What do you make of this little thing? Does it mean anything to you? If not I will hang onto it until we can have it appraised."

Talimar gives it a cursory look, "Keep it for now Ras, just add it to your book. When we do detect magic on the shield we should include it as well."

Druckner comes closer to Ras, "Ahem, friend Ras! May I take a look at that fine looking trinket you've got there? I have, ahem, a small talent at appraising. My Pa Alizor knows all there is to know about buying and selling fine gems and jewellery and he taught me some of it."

Ras hands him the necklace and Druckner turns it over several times in his hand checking the stones as well as the settings and even lifts it up to check its colour by the fading daylight, "I'd say we'd easily get around 1,250 gp for that fine piece."

"Before you go off with dreams of selling that thing, perhaps I should remind you that fine jewellery makes a perfect object for magical vestment. At least wait until we can cast a detect magic spell on it, Ok?" asks Dain.

Druckner replies, "But of course, wizard, we were merely assessing the items wealth should your divination proves ineffective."

With that the conversation from the group dies down as nightfall eases around the group. Not wanting to stop only a few hours outside of Milborne everyone continues on. As night has fallen though everyone is a bit alert and even edgy, eyes always searching the trees looking for a possible ambush. The rest of the journey passes without event though and the party arrives in Milborne several hours after dark a bit close to exhausted after the events of the past few days and the anxiety of the trail.

Upon entering town, Brother Randor makes his apologies and says that he is off to the Temple of Tyr for prayer and his offering. The rest of the group first make a call on Garyld's carpentry shop to report to him but upon finding it closed decide to head on over to the Baron of Mutton.

Arriving in the Baron, the party is warmly greeted by a number of the townsfolk inside. It seems that one of the farmhands from Krynen's farm (Maxim's fathers farm) had rushed on over to Milborne after Kuiper appeared telling the story of the groups attack from the orcs. The man just finished telling the tale of the Company's skill and heroism and now several of the townsfolk are trying to buy you all several mugs of ale.

Gnore, Ortho, and Druckner are greeted by an old dwarf who introduces himself as Ol' Grizzler and shows the three of them over to a table in the corner.

Garyld pushes through to greet the rest of the party and offers everyone a seat at his table and inquires as to the events of the past few days.

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