I'm downgrading the vow "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort" from formidable to dangerous as I can't see how to fit 8 more milestones into the narrative; so, the current 2/10 progress becomes 4/10
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| Firstmeet area |
"Definitely," Dag replied. "They spent at least a day at that camp. I reckon we're not more than a day behind them now."
"That's good news," Brunvoldt repsonded, "Praise Holy Vanth."
The trail continued north into the hills west of Firstmeet. Distantly, to their east, they could make out the fields of Firstmeet, but it was too far to see if anyone was in those fields.
Night would arrive fairly soon, and rather than camp in the wilds and risk an unprotected encounter with the Restless, Brunvoldt decided they would make for Firstmeet and the safety of its walls. Also, once there, they could report what they'd discovered and learn if there had been other incursions by Varou. So they turned east toward Firstmeet which they reached as dusk fell without incident.
Ask the Oracle: Have the Varou attacked elsewhere? 50/50 <= 50 yes, roll 46
As they entered Firstmeet, they were met by Mayor Torgia - she had officially become the Mayor since Mayor Finnr had taken his Final Journey*.
* - See Brunvoldt 03 - A Dying Man
"Sentinel," the Mayor said as she approached. "You've not found our Priestess then?" she asked, seeking to confirm what her eyes told her.
"Not Gunnhildr, no," replied Brunvoldt, "We found Aric, though." He did not elaborate and Torgia understood what that meant.
"He was a good man - he will be missed," she said in a sad voice. "A caravan was attacked on the road here from Halfway earlier," she said. "The escort beat them off, but not without loss." She was leading Brunvoldt toward the stables where a bustle of men and animals were.
"Dag, find yourself a bed and get some rest," he said to the tracker. "We'll be off again early in the morning."
"Thank-you Sentinel," Dag replied, "I'll see to Scar and do just that." Taking the bison, he left Brunvoldt with Torgia.
One of the men in the group by the stables, dressed in the war-gear and mask of a Charun, seperated from them and approached Brunvoldt and Torgia.
"Sentinel," he said bowing to Brunvoldt, who half-bowed in return. "Mayor," he said to Torgia nodding to her. "We lost two men - a carter and a Warden. We managed to recover the bodies and they are in the temple being prepared. I'm not sure how many Varou we got - I saw at least two go down, but we could not stay," he reported to them.
"You did well Charun," praised Brunvoldt. "Getting through was the priority."
"Thank-you Sentinel," replied the Charun, "That is what I believed and I'm glad to hear that you agree."
"I'll make sure that the people of the caravan's needs are seen to," said Torgia, taking her leave.
"Thank-you," called the Charun to her as walked away. "I would like to pray - would you join me?" he asked Brunvoldt.
"I'd be delighted," said Brunvoldt and they walked to the temple.
Once they had prayed and given heartfelt thanks to Holy Vanth-the-Guide, they retired to Gunnhildr's office and turned to discussing the situation. Brunvoldt had grown up with the man who was currently Charun here - Knud - and they shared an easy friendship that dismissed any formality between them when alone.
"We agree that the Varou are almost certainly working up to an attack on Firstmeet?" asked Knud.
"That does seem to be the best scenario for their actions," agreed Brunvoldt. "In fact I don't see what else they could be up to."
"If it was just raiding, I don't see why they attacked the Giants," argued Knud. "They could've bypassed them and not taken the losses they must have done taking them on."
"Very true," agreed Brunvoldt once more. "So the question is, when? As we know, they are an impatient, impulsive, race, so definitely sooner rather than later. I'd guess the next couple of days."
"I agree," Knud stated. "Of course, my men and I will stay here to help the Captain-Warden with the defence and I'll send a rook to Templemount for further aid."
"There is nothing I'd like more than to fight at your side my friend," began Brunvoldt, "but I am Tasked to find our sister, Gunnhildr, or at the least what has become of her, which I'm sorry to say is more likely," he finished sadly.
"After all this time?" asked Knud rhetorically. "I don't believe that there is any chance of finding her alive now."
Reach a Milestone: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", progress now 6/10
Make a Connection: +Heart; 6 +3 vs. 8 & 6 => strong hit => Knud, 'troublesome', Charun
Descriptors & Goal for Knud: Flexible, Honourable, Friendly; 'Gain fame and glory'
On that sad, but realistic note, the friends went for their evening meal and afterward Brunvoldt retired, while Knud went to his guard duty.