IoK Session 19

“Heading South West, 5 miles.  7 stops to reset snares, spent an hour installing a blast gem, and then returned to the hole.”

Regnit penciled the words as Veldamere recited his report.  It was a nightly routine and provided a comforting order to the strange mission they were on.  Hired several weeks ago, the brothers had found themselves far from Justicar Keep’s roadside taverns.  They had grown bored of escorting merchant wagons across The Ambassador’s Way and had agreed to a short notice scouting job. 

____________________________

“It’s simple really… Stay in the woods at the coordinates provided.  Record any activity noticed in a 3 mile block, and stay low.  I’ll return once a week to the coordinates and retrieve the reports.  If we move, we’ll adjust your location.  Otherwise, you’re just living off the land and penning promissory notes with your names on them.”

The Darian never introduced himself, he just made the offer after purchasing a round and asking for a minute of time in return.  This first deal was honest, so Regnit and Veldamere provided their minute of attention.

“I’m not going to ask why we're in the woods, but what are we looking for?  Those coordinates are south west of Vernfelle and I really don’t feel like hiding from Dramic.”

Regnit feigned a concerned look into his empty mug, waiting for the stranger to take the hint.  A raven slid in the direction of the alehouse’s lady and he felt comfortable that the stranger wasn’t clueless… another good sign.

“No Dramic.  There is a hunting party of flatlanders nearby, but we’re not anticipating any problems.  Still, my buyer is concerned about security and would like some additional insurance.  This isn’t a merchant guard job, we already have a crew for that.  We also have a disposable scout party… created ones with a bit of sense, but you don’t want to put too much faith in talking animals.  We need professionals in the wings.”

Veldamere frowned, a common habit which shown on his otherwise young face.  Stirring another honeystick into his tea, the dwarf tediously pulled another question from his beard.

“If your employer is so concerned about security, why hire hynlings at all?  Justicar Keep is full of rangers looking for an extra coin between trainings.  Deltans and Darians make fine security.  Why us?”

“Because you’re Vernish.  We believe this is a job you may appreciate.”

____________________________

It was those words that sealed the deal and blackened their thumbs.  The stranger then rolled up the inked contracts and departed, leaving a small sack of ravens as a down payment on their loyalty. 

“Are you paying attention?  Reg… your smearing your ledger.”

Veldamere’s ‘big brother tone’ snapped Regnit back to the now.  Sure enough, his glove had brushed the still wet ink and left a black stain across the notebook.  The ink seemed heavy, blacker.  The gloves had been stained many times before, but this time he may have ruined today’s notes.

“I’m sorry Veld… let’s start again.  We have time”, letting the last few words roll out with a cynical smile.  Boredom had been their greatest enemy of late.  Watching golyn place traps and gather berries was not the most exciting work.  Their instructions did not allow for any ‘hunting’ of their own, so the simply watched as the vermin flowed from the watery pit near the mountains foot.

“At least we’re kinda home for a change, that should give you something to focus on.”  Veldamere kneeled a pulled an apple from his satchel.  “You never got to see the great smelters of Vern as a child.  Father would take me there sometimes… it was a sight.  The Darian smiths never built anything so grand.”

Years ago, Veldamere would finish this same story with an ‘I’ll show you one day’, but that part of the tale stopped about 5 years ago.  The Vernish elders had made no progress procuring aid in reclaiming the city.  The Merchant Kings were slow to move, especially for humans, and the Justicarians couldn’t afford to send troops.  Seemed the old monarchs of Covel were up to something and small raids had become a common event amongst the nation borders. 

“OK… heading south west, 5 miles.  What was the rest?”  Regnit held the pen ready.

“Never mind that… I believe our guests have arrived.  Retrieve Landralsine from watch and meet me near the pit.”