Ravna Reiersgaard

The next few days of travel are reasonably enjoyable. You have never done a lot of travel before. Occasional trips to Sofiholm, but Bayou d'Argent is only 2 days travel from the capital. This is different, Caer Uthis is weeks away, and knowing that the trip is one way, makes the whole thing a bit less enjoyable. Dyna insists on bringing meat to camp every night, rather than relying entirely on Alan's magic.
Seems wasteful to me, my spells already create more food than the three of us need anyway.
Yeah, but a big pile of shitty food isn't much better than a small pile of shitty food.
hmmm, language.
Sorry. She then gives an exaggerated bow A large stack of shitty food.
Your respect for your elders notwithstanding. It is an insult to the gods who have given us a mean of sustaining us without depleting the resources of this land. I have no doubt that you could lay this land bare with your hunting prowess. The true test of your character would be to have such power, and not exercise it.
That sounds awfully boring, and bland. Where is your sense of adventure? Maybe, just maybe, the jackrabbits around here taste better than they do back home.
Unlikely.

As their argument continues, you catch sight of a carriage stopped on the side of the road. The carriage is massive, ridiculously so. The outside is decorated beyond most manor houses you have seen. The top of the carriage is decorated with carved ebony or perhaps darkwood. It has silver inlaid around windows, perhaps even gold as well. You also catch sight sparkling crystal inside. A large team of oxen are strapped to the front of the cottage with wheels. You see no sign of a driver, or footmen, or servants of any kind. That seems odd, anyone who could afford such a monstrosity would surely travel with a sizeable entourage. The oxen are all chewing absently on feedbags, and seem content. You were so mesmerized by the appearance of the fantastic carriage, you did not notice that Dyna and Alan have stopped their playful argument. She has dropped off the wagon, with a bow in hand, arrow nocked.

As your wagon creaks by, a door opens silently, sliding along hidden tracks. A smiling halfling appears in the doorway.


'tis a beautiful day. Is it not? The halfling tips his hat.Far too beautiful a day to allow fellow sojourners to pass by ungreeted.
Hail and well met stranger. Alan shouts back, as he stops the wagon.
The halfling deftly hops from the carriage. His apparent grace would indicate that his cane is more an affectation than an aid. He hits the ground and strolls up to the side of the wagon, doffs his hat and bows low. Sembo Tery. Professional wanderer.
Alan climbs down from the wagon, getting between you and the strange halfling. He extends his own hand in greeting. Alan Babblebrook. Priest of the Church of Hope. This, is Ravna, my student.
Well met, Alan of Hope and young Ravna. He then leans in close to Alan, whispering so that you can just barely hear him. And who is that charming young woman with the bow? Is she just shy or is there some danger here that I am unaware of? Somewhat mockingly, he glances around feigning nervousness. Then he returns to a normal speaking voice If she is shy, that is alright. Her bow is unnecessary these roads are some of the safest in the world, and if anyone has a taste for some fresh meat, I have ample stores. In fact. I insist you all join me for lunch. I do so enjoy meeting new people on the road. We shall have a delightful picnic on the grass, as all civilized people do with new friends.

You can tell that Alan is somewhat mistrustful of this mirthful stranger, but his smile is utterly disarming. He does not appear to have any weapons, apart from his cane, which would be terribly impractical.

Sembo leads the impromptu lunch company to a large oak tree not far from the road. As the four of you walk away from the wagon and carriage, you hear a loud shout from the roof of the carriage. You look up to see Dyna struggling with a black clad figure. There are number of flashes of steel above, as Alan falls into a fighting stance, preparing to cast a spell of some kind. Sembo rolls his eyes with an audible sigh.
Leave the girl alone. If I wanted something that could harass my guests I would get a dog. For a moment nothing seems to change, but then the black figure seems to vanish from the roof of the carriage. Dyna looks around, confused, still on edge, both of her kukri blades drawn. The air is still tense. For the first time since you met him, Sembo does not seem to be smiling. His face contorted into a look of annoyance. You look back up to Dyna, who seem to be scanning the area for her previous foe. She glances at you and her eyes goes wide. Ravna! She leaps from the roof toward you. You turn around to see Sembo, and behind him is the figure in black. It looks massive, at this distance. He looks massive. What before looked like simply like a dark, shadowy form, is clearly a man.

A half-orc in fact. His face is like stone. As Dyna comes running toward him, his face betrays no reaction, no emotion. Dyna grabs your shoulder and throws you behind her.
Wait! Sembo throws up his hands before Dyna is within striking distance. My dear lady, I apologize for my companion. His rudeness is a stain upon my honor, but I assure you he is no threat to you or your charges. If he has wounded you or your pride, I beg you, allow me to make amends. Sembo removes his hat and gently bows before Dyna. You can see the rage in her eyes, she seems to barely see the halfling, staring at the half-orc. The half-orc stares ahead, passively. His stare is unsettling to say the least. Dyna steps away from Sembo, diffusing the situation somewhat.

Even in these peaceful times, the roads can be dangerous. It gladdens me to see that my new friends have such a stalwart defense. Azzan here may be entirely bereft of manners, but he is a great warrior, few survive a few seconds against his blades. That you were a challenge to him convinces me that you are a woman well worth knowing. Dyna eyes the stranger, with a resurgent smile. She seems unphased by his flattery, but she does sheath her daggers.
Dyna.
A pleasure. Sembo puts his hat back on. And takes Dyna by the hand There is a foe that is far more dangerous to your friends than Azzan's rudeness, you and I must face this challenge together. Of course, I refer to that great halfling demon called overeating.

You take your eyes off the half-orc for a moment, and he is suddenly gone. You quickly look around, but cannot find a trace of the massive half-orc. Seeing your unease, Rancent taps your shoulder, then points back to the roof of the carriage. There Azzan stands, arms crossed, with the same vacant stare. Do not worry about him. I am not sure why, but he is fiercely loyal to Sembo. He would never strike at someone Sembo has named a friend. Unfortunately for Azzan, Sembo tends to name everyone he meets a friend. Speaking seems to be a bit of an effort for Rancent, given the way he keeps his eyes hooded, you would surmise that his aversion is more to bright light, and not necessarily sunlight. He offers you his arm, to escort you to the oak. His noble claim may have been genuine, he has clearly been instructed in proper courtesy. His efforts to be civil and sociable remind you of a morality tale you heard many times as a child.



As you eat lunch you converse with Lord Rancent.
Forgive me, but I am unfamiliar with Galiv.
No forgiveness is necessary. Galiv is an insignificant backwater, on Forlinde's border with Alainta. Truthfully, I spent so little time there myself that I am not entirely sure where it begins and ends. Pretty sure there is a keep there. My father serves on the council for the King of Forlinde, I grew up in Bafford myself, or travelling around Forlinde with my father. His pain and discomfort seem to be lessened in the shade of the large oak.
I suppose when it is yours, it might be helpful to know where your authority extends.
Helpful. But not necessary. He smiles.
Galiv sounds far from here, Bafford even further. What brings you so far.
My father and I were in Sofiholm, meeting with High King Rodigar. Well, my father was meeting with him. I was watching, trying to learn and trying harder not to make a fool of myself. Now, I am off to Caer Uthis, with Sembo as my 'escort'. He is a close friend of my father's and he insisted that I travel with him to Caer Uthis. I generally do not mind his company, but a two week trip has taken three so far, and we are not even halfway. He looks over at Sembo who seems to have finally gotten Dyna to warm up to him, he has her enraptured with a tale of bravery and heroism. Whether the bravery or heroism is his, seems doubtful. What about you. Where does Lady Ravna hail from?
What makes you think I am lady....a noble lady......
hehehe. Simply deduction, My Lady. It seems unlikely, that a commoner would have a powerful mage and savage warrior willing to face an unknown danger for her protection. Sembo was not exaggerating about Azzan, there are very few in this world who have seen his blades, and lived. That Dyna is brave and strong to challenge him. You also did not flinch when I offered you my arm. Any common girl would run and hide in that situation, she certainly would not graciously accept and then sit and eat with me.
Perhaps I am merely confident, and well aware that nobleman is still, just a man.
A common girl with that level of confidence is rare.
Almost as rare as a nobleman with a keen mind.