Turn 44--Evening with Lyntern

Before Lyntern can actually drop off to sleep, Garth moves over beside the boy and begins unrolling a common looking blanket. He then sets himself to taking off his armor, "Lyntern," he begins, shaking the boy awake. "Be a good lad and get that strap for me." Lyntern shakes the already forming cobwebs from his head as he stares at the dwarf. He frowns before helping Garth with his armor. Once out of his armor, Garth sees the rings of sleep under the boy's eyes threatening once again to drive him to sleep. Keeping it short, Garth continues, "I don't know if this evening was to your liking lad, but it represents most of what we 'adventurers' do. Meself, I enjoy it because I like the travel and meeting of people. It certainly helps if you have a skill and purpose to make the slow times pass. Mine is religion. For others it is swordcraft or magic. Either way, if you develop a fair skill at one of these, it makes the slow parts more enjoyable. I strongly recommend gaining one of these skills afore you go adventuring much more." Rolling over in his blanket, using his pack and armor as a makeshift pillow, Garth says, "Night, lad" before he himself falls asleep.

"Thank you, friend Garth," answers Lyntern, "I will think about what you say even though I have not been bored."

This night has not been good for Gnore and he wonders why he insisted on taking the front of the group. Ever the vigilant watchman, Gnore moves about the common room to make sure that everyone is asleep and keep an eye on the sleeping Lyntern.

Kre tries hard to hide his resentment of the 'adventure' and scowls darkly at Lyntern whenever his eyes pass over the boy. He stays in the corner of the inn and looks around the room for a dice game or anyone awake to start one. Because of the late hour, there are no patrons to play with so the young thief mutters to himself as he moves to bed down for the evening.

Randor searches around the room until he lays eyes on Kersath, he then moves over to talk silently with the ranger. "Kersath, do you know where Captain Dalaes and his men are? I think one of us should go look for them. Anyone who can disguise himself to almost fool you sets me on edge. What do they look like? If you do not go check on them I will. Or perhaps we both should?"

Kersath frowns at the suggestion from the priest, "Yes, you have a point there. I'll go check and come back soon. Don't worry."The dark elf then pulls his cloak around him tightly and with a hand on his swords, steps out into the chill night air. Moving out into the night, Kersath quietly searches through the town for any sign of the captain and his men. Seeing what appears to be one of the men from the captain's 'caravan' earlier hanging out by the stables, he heads there to check it out.

Easily slipping past the guard, Kersath moves into the stables to find the captain and his men quietly sleeping up in the loft. Apparently the captain had nothing devious in mind and he and his men are merely staying close by in case the party needed any assistance, keeping up the ruse of caravan merchants as well. Kersath stays a few minutes outside the stables to make sure that the sleeping guards wasn't a ruse before going back to report to Brother Randor.

"Well that's a comfort," answers the priest after hearing the report from Kersath.

"I don't believe they would have tried anything in this common room anyway," says Kersath as he settles down next to Lyntern, his back to the wall.

"Maybe you're right," says Randor as he makes his bedroll and settles down to sleep. Kersath pulls his hood down low, enough to hide his face and eyes but leaving enough for him to see the approach of anyone to the boy.

The evening passes quietly for the next three hours, the only noises in the room being the loud snoring of the other sleeping patrons. Having finished his watch, Gnore moves over to the sleeping form of Lyntern and begins shaking the boy awake.

"What is it? I'm ready, are we being attacked?" asks the sleeping boy as Gnore roughly shakes him awake.

"Nothing's wrong, it's your turn at watch! Don't leave the room or fall asleep!" Gnore hisses as he grabs the front of Lyntern's tunic and glares at him. "We need you to watch over us." He then moves to position himself to bed down for the night with his armor still on. Not actually wanting to sleep, Gnore decides to leave his armor on hoping that he can somewhat doze but that the uncomfortable suit will keep him awake to make sure that Lyntern keeps the watch.

"Yes, watch. I've got it." says Lyntern as he sits up on the floor. Pulling his cloak tight around his shoulders, he sets down to scan the room, looking for attackers. Kersath smiles to himself as he watches the boy.

Kre awakens at the commotion from Gnore and Lyntern as he moves over by the boy. "You up for a little game of dice?"

"I'm on watch." answers Lyntern rather proudly.

"That's ok, it's what we do on watch some times," answers Kre. "You are in a common room in a peaceful town and in the company of the Red Feathers. No one will mess with us here! Let's play some dice."

"Well ok, but I don't have any money."

"What? No money?" asks Kre increduously. "Your father is the Count and you don't have any money?"

"I didn't think I'd need it."

"Didn't think you'd need it," mumbles Kre as he shakes his head and moves back to his bedroll. "Just forget it then. Pay attention when your on watch."

"Ok."

The remainder of the evening passes without incident, Lyntern wakes Randor after his three hour shift on watch and lets the Hand of Tyr complete the evening's watch. The party rises later than normal and decides to take a late breakfast. Setting down to enjoy the overcooked bacon and runny eggs, the party members watch with some amusement as Lyntern dives into the mutton pies that they were earlier warned to stay away from.

"These are great!" says the boy, "you all should try some!"

"No thanks," says Kre, "We have them all the time, you know. Kinda get tired of them."

"Oh well, more for me then."

The party notices that Gnore is of course in a more somber mood than normal as he was unable to get much sleep last night and that marks at least the third night in a row he has had little to none sleep. Most attempts to converse with the dwarf have been met with short, venomous responses.

Just as Lyntern is finishing his fifth mutton pie, the other party members walk into the Hound and Tails and join their companions. More ale is ordered as well as a breakfast meal for them.

"Well, how was the trip?" asks Talimar merrily. He and his companions appear to be very refreshed and well-rested.

"Wonderful," answers Gnore gruffly.

"It was great!" says Lyntern excitedly. "I learned a lot from Gnore, Garth and Brother Randor. Of course, no one would dare mess with us."

"Well good," answers Talimar, "Glad it was a learning experience for you. Now, I believe it is time for you to hold up your end of the bargain and tell us why your father doesn't wish to discuss the Thornwood."

"Right! Of course," says Lyntern rather excitedly. "I'm glad you mentioned that. I think that is where we should go next. To check out the heart of the Thornwood."

"Well, we will see about that after you tell us what is there," says Ortho.

"Well, my family used to have an old Keep there deep within the Thornwood. Something evil happened there one time while my great, great grandfather was away and everyone was horribly killed. I believe that the evil was defeated but my ancestor was so embarassed by the whole thing that he forbade anyone to ever speak of it again. I believe that through the years, people have forgotten about it, except my family of course. I believe that this keep could be being used as a base for the men who have been attacking you! What do you think? Do we go there today?"

"Well, we have many things to discuss," begins Talimar, "I do not believe that your father would like you walking into such a dangerous area, escpecially considering your families history there."

"I have to go!" protests Lyntern. "You all but promised me I could. I told you about it. If not for me, you would still be walking blindly around looking for their camp!"

"We did not promise anything," answers Talimar angrily. "We made a deal that we would bring you here to Thurmaster with us if you would tell us what you knew of the Thornwood, that was the end of our bargain. We did that and now you have told us. We are no more obligated to you."

At this time in the conversation, Captain Dalaes comes bursting into the common room. He is once again dressed in his guard uniform and there is sweat and dirt stained to his face as if he has ridden hard all morning from the Keep to get here now. As Gnore, Beleg, Ortho and Druckner take their seats again after quickly rising, hands on weapons at the possible threat of attack, Kersath smiles to himself as he anticipates what he believes Dalaes is about to say.

Moving toward the table, Dalaes bows deeply before Lyntern, "Your Lordship, your father sent me here in haste as he requires your presence back at the keep. There is a matter of utmost urgency that he needs you there. My men and I are watering the horses and then we will be ready to leave once again." He motions toward the door hoping that Lyntern will fall for the ruse and head back to the Keep with him.
"What matter?" asks Lyntern. "Father has never needed my help before now."

"I do not question your father, my lord," says Dalaes, "Perhaps with your leaving on this adventure he has come to realize that the time for further instruction for you is necessary? I believe it is a matter for you and he to discuss my lord."

Lyntern puts up a few more objections but each is easily overcome by the quick thinking Dalaes. After a few more minutes and no further objections, Lyntern gets up from the table and turns to the party.

"It appears that I am needed by my father. After this matter is handled, I will meet up with you again. Thank you, friends." He then bows to the party and gives a salute with his fist to breast.

"Hurry back," says Kre sarcastically as the boy and Dalaes walk out of the Inn.

"Well it appears that Captain Dalaes was much more capable all around than we gave him credit for," says Kersath.

"Aye, that he is," answers Garth.

Randor then begins to relay the events of the journey and the evening to Talimar and the companions. After this is done, Talimar opens the discussion as to what the party will do next.

"Well, what say you all? We head to Shadowdale and then the mines or investigate the Thornwood?"