Brunvoldt spent most of the night helping his colleagues remove and burn the Varou corpses and then washing down the courtyard, cleaning up the results of the fight. After they finished there was time for a couple of hours more sleep, but they left with the dawn, fearing that more Varou might come to avenge their dead. Although he had been directed to find the Varou after situating the masons, he decided it best to return with them to Templemount following the attack.
Fortune was with them, though, for they got back to Templemount by mid-afternoon with no further encounters. Brunvoldt helped with the unloading of the wagons and then went to Lady Sibila's secretary to deliver the Master-Stonemason's report, report the Varou attack and his subsequent decision to return to Templemount. He asked the secretary to inform Lady Sibilia he intended to leave in the morning to find the Varou. Having done that, he went to his quarters. Once there, he drew his sword to discharge his vow and knelt in front of his shrine, speaking the words, "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I have escorted the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensured their safety."
Fulfill an Iron Vow: "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", progress 9 vs. 7 & 4 => strong hit => troublesome vow 1 tick on quests track
Brunvoldt was pleased to feel the vow's weight removed from him and he murmured, "Holy Vanth concurs," as he rose and sheathed his sword.
After changing his clothing and cleaning up, Brunvoldt went to the Healer's Hall to have his arm treated.
Heal: +Iron; 2 +2 vs. 10 & 1 => weak hit => +3 Health now 5, -2 momentum now +8
Feeling better for the treatment, Brunvoldt headed to the Temple-Stables. He had decided that given all the travelling he had been doing - and was likely to keep doing - that he should become more comfortable riding. His own dislike of it was immaterial and besides, it was surely due to lack of practice at the skill ... surely?
At the stable, he spoke to the Master and they agreed that Scar - the bison Brunvoldt had ridden to Portwater recently - would be designated for Brunvoldt's use only. The arrangement made, Brunvoldt went to see Scar in his stall and was pleased when the animal gave him a friendly butt of recognition - even though it nearly knocked him off his feet.
Advance: 3xp to buy Support Vehicle Rover, reskinned as Scar the Riding Bison
Picking up a brush, Brunvoldt began to brush the bison, trying to create a connection between himself and the massive beast and was gratified to see the animal responding. The wound that gave Scar his name was a long scar across his face caused, so one of the grooms told him, by a cave lion when Scar had been a calf on Firstmeet's fields.
When time for the evening meal came, Brunvoldt fed Scar then left for his own meal. He was pleased to see Maghilde with Sven in the Hall and sat with them as he wanted to discuss a couple of things with Maghilde. First he asked about the torch - would it be possible to put some protective bands around it? Maghilde was sure they could; if he brought the torch to the armoury, they'd be pleased to look at it. Secondly, did they have any armour for a bison? something like they had made for Magnus perhaps? There was no metal armour for bison - they were too contrary to wear it, but maybe they could fashion something from leather? perhaps extend the saddle to cover the vitals and hindquarters? Brunvoldt would bring Scar to the armoury for measurements in the morning.
He was still at the dining table talking with Maghilde, Sven and Gunnvor, who had joined them, when a messenger arrived with a summons for Brunvoldt from the Lady Sibila. Excusing himself, Brunvoldt made his way to the Lady's office where he was shown straight into the Lady's presence.
She was sat behind her desk, fingers steepled in front of her face, as was her habit when contemplating something. "Sit Brunvoldt," she said, "and read the rook-slip on the desk." Brunvoldt sat as instructed and retrieved the slip. He noted that the outside had the colour strip indicating low priority, then he turned it over and read it. It was from Eindride, Gunnhildr's acolyte at Firtsmeet asking when Gunnhildr would be leaving Templemount to return to Firstmeet.
Gunnhildr had left days ago and it was only a two day journey to Firstmeet - she was long overdue. Thinking it over, Brunvoldt reached the obvious conclusion - "You suspect the Varou?" he asked.
"What else?" Lady Sibila asked rhetorically. "Especially after your fight at Halfway-House. You did well there Brunvoldt. Master-Stonemason Herta came to see me and told me what happened - your modesty is all well and good, Sentinel, but I do expect comprehensive reports from you," she reproached him.
"Yes my Lady," replied Brunvoldt, suitably chastened.
"So Brunvoldt," the Lady continued, "You will leave in the morning, but not to find the Varou - although you will probably do so - but to find Priestess Gunnhildr and the two Wardens who were escorting her. What do you need for this?"
"I think a small party would be best my Lady," said Brunvoldt considering. "The tracker, Dag, from Highfall will be waiting at Halfway by now, so I think the Wardens Chandra and Adalbjorg would be sufficient - they impressed me at Halfway."
"Very well, I will have the arrangements made. Go now and Vanth bless you," she said.
Another opportunity for Brunvoldt to
Develop Your Relationship: with Lady Sibila, mark progress per rank => formidable, prog. 4/10
Brunvoldt returned to his quarters and swore a vow, "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort."
Swear an Iron Vow: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", formidable; Devotant 2nd ability +Wits, +1 connection with Lady Sibila; 4 +3 +1 vs. 6 & 2 => strong hit => +2 momentum from strong hit +2 momentum from Devotant 2nd ability now +10 (max)