by badams30 » Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:18 pm
As you quietly observe, the 5 riders you'd been watching split up, 3 going ahead, one remaining, staring back toward the approaching riders, and the other takes off to the rear at a trot. Within a minute, the column of riders gets close enough to see, and it appears to be orcs mounted on horses. Most are riding single file, some abreast, and when the end of the column passes, you'd estimate about 40 riders have passed. They disappear into the blowing snow and wind, and the road is empty again. No sooner does the last horse pass when Grossbart appears next to you all and says "Tymora shines on us this night." He motions toward the direction of the riders and says "I doubt they'll go too much farther toward Daggerford, as random patrols extend out about a day's ride from the city. We should keep the double watches up till morning, and then be on our way. There is a chance they will double back and pass here again before morning, or they could take the old side trail about 5 miles south of here, it leads toward the scrub where these things live." He waves a chubby finger and says "Keep sharp, fellas. If they double back by morning, they may try to pull into these trees to rest, and I don't need to tell you how bad that would be."
You pull back to the sheltered area and those of you not on guard return to a fitful, cold and uneasy sleep.
The morning dawns and Jayce tells you all that during the changeover of his shift and the last shift a good number of the riders passed by again heading North, but they are certain that not as many passed by this time. Grossbart shakes his head and says "Well, we've got to keep moving, so let's get out of here. If we run into these things en masse, the plan is to push the horses as hard as we can and make for Daggerford. It's our only chance if it's a large band." He smiles at Marcus and says "I'd love to stand and fight these things, but I've got some supplies that must make it to the Duke and the city, so we'll exercise some discretion rather than valor."
The snow stops about the time you push off, there is about 6-8 inches on the ground near the trees, but it thins to about 2 inches in the open. The wind lightly blows, not enough to push you around, but enough to send a chill down your backs. Grossbart urges everyone to push ahead at a fast pace, and he feels that it may be possible to make Daggerford shortly after dark on this night.
Riding on, you see signs that a large number of mounted riders has veered off to the north west, as Grossbart had predicted. He smiles and says "Well, they are headed to the scrub area, which means we probably won't see them again. Fine by me. Just the same, let's keep up the pace."
You ride along, through the day, pausing a couple of times to water and feed the horses, who seem to be doing well despite the increased speed. Darkness falls and you continue on, slowing slightly, and about two hours after dark, roughly 7PM or thereabouts, you crest a small ridge and see the lights of Daggerford ahead! Riding on, you see the caravan gates open, and a group of 5 riders approach at a saunter. From your experience on guard, you realize this is the militia of the gate, riding out to advance scout any large parties approaching after dark. Grossbart slows the caravan, and as the militia approach, you hear them welcome the caravan to the city, and to enter the gate one wagon at a time for quick inspection, as is normal.
You smile amongst yourselves, having done this detail many times. As your wagon enters the walls, a familiar face pokes through the door, it's Sgt Schultz, your old squad leader. His eyes light up and he chuckles merrily. "Welllll, what have we HERE? Looks like a band of miscreants, no doubt." He pauses and chuckles like a madman. "Glad to see you boys again! Word has it that you've been savin' the north, and all that. Sherlyn will be mightly glad to see you all back. Why don't you get some rest and come see me tomorrow morning sometime, eh?" He gives you all a thumbs up and continues to the next wagon.
Once all the wagons are in, Grossbart comes by and shakes each of your hands. "Thanks for sticking with us, men. I'm glad we didn't need you to fight, but we'd have been in a bad way if we needed to and didn't have you along. He gives each of you a sack of 50 gold, and he says I've rented the whole Lady Luck tavern for the next couple of days, so you'll be put up as my guests, food and drink included. I insist."
You all smile at each other, with fond memories of the Lady Luck Tavern - the place you started your journeys. The Lady Luck Awaits, Any stops in between?