The party spends some few days resting and planning in Faygrove, putting their new found knowledge of the land to use on the maps the village has to offer.
Orva spends her time in the library, researching sword techniques. She does not learn anything new, but that doesn't surprise her. Her sword-craft is second to very, very few in this world. With her learning at a standstill she instead used the time to compose and dispatch a letter to her family, letting them know where she was and recounting her adventures.
Rested, and with a new plan to sweep the surrounding woods defined, the Party set out from the village. Initially they encountered nothing, and as the day wore on they were beginning to speak of heading back to the Faygrove when Brold spotted signs of passage in the underbrush.
Moving quietly, the Party followed the broken twigs and trampled grass patches through the darkening forest. After some distance Brold held up his hand to signal a stop.
"They're soldiers, and not our soldiers." Alart whispered back. "Rading party?"
"Without doubt", Sigwald grunted. "I can see the bags of spoils from here. The question is, can we take them on? I count five, plus the guy in the robes. There are likely a few more about".
Moments of silence as the warriors silently studied the enemy where broken by Sigwald. "I think we can, aye. We split up, come at them from two points. Orva and I will come at them from here, Brold and Alart, you go there...and come at them from their flank."
The large warriors Tactical skill was formidable, so no one argued. They simply moved as quietly as possible into position, then crept forward. By the time any of the soldiers noticed them, the entire Party was almost on top of them.
Sigwald rushed from the trees and engaged two soldiers on his own, while Orva sprinted across the campsite to attack the robed leader.
On the road, Alart and Brold rushed into combat with the soldiers that had been standing guard, thankful that they weren't very good at that task.
Arrows flew, blades clashed, men fell.
Sigwald, overwhelmed by sheer numbers was the first to fall, though he took soldiers with him.
Orva reached the robed fanatical leader and ran him through, but in his last throes of life he managed to reciprocate and sink his own blade into her. Both fell.
Alart fought a long battle with a fork armed soldier, their blades clashing, driving each other back and forth into and out of the woods. Brold skipped around and took on the others in the road.
Several of the soldiers fled after seeing a comrade or friend fall, but the majority were slain outright.
Finally, after an intense fight in the underbrush, Sir Alart and a single follower, Elman, were all that remained standing.
Of nine enemy soldiers six lay dead in the forest, including their oddly robed leader.
In the camp they found sacks of silver jewelry, the spoils of the soldiers raids no doubt. Gold, a Shadowy Cloak, and a fine set of Full Armor, but nothing worth the heavy price of the days actions.Two of the followers were wounded badly, Chevell and Kelby, but could walk slowly with assistance. A third, Ivo, was dead.
Both Brold and Sigwald were up in short order. Brold's helmet having saved his skull, and only simple luck keeping Sigwald from something serious.
But Orva was not that lucky. The fanatic thrust his dagger true, straight through her heart. Orva is dead.
Save for the odd grunt of pain and the shuffling steps of the wounded, the trip back to Faygrove was silent.
 |
| Orva and Ivo laid to rest |
Faygrove
Outlaws Border Dark Secrets
5 5 6
The Border danger actually increased on this turn.
Orva died from her wounds.
Ivo died from his wounds.
Chevell would be out recovering for 2 turns.
Kelby would be out for 7 turns, so he elected to retire from adventuring.
Chevell has learned the Barter Skill.
Loot:
7 Gold Coins, a Shadowy Cloak, a Full set of Armor (Fine), and Silver Jewelry.
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