Iron Kingdoms: War and Glory

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-11 03:56am

"Oh, well, I guess we can get over with the loss of a few coins for a bit of well deserved rest," Arkady answered the man.

"Oh by the way, now that money has been mentionned, we've heard of a bounty on troll heads."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-02-11 04:01am

"The city pays it," said Alexander. "Public menace and all that.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-11 04:17am

Arkady nodded, secretely appaled. He wasn't so much eager to get the money as impatient to get rid of the troll heads. They looked sinister, and some dishonest folks could get the idea that it would be easier to take these from a handful of tired adventurers than from trolls.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-11 06:36am

"Then we will take them to the city!" Guren laughed heartily and tapped his chest with his fist. He stepped up to Rostov and swept his hand out towards the steamjack and gruff, hard looking men. "A fine looking operation ye all have here. But enough talk, ye must show us to some place where we may drink and rest and bathe, becuase I tell ye, I have never been happier to see a logging camp in my life.

"I think my friends would agree."

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-11 01:10pm

A smiling Arkady nodded, his concerns partially taken off his mind by the thought of a warm meal, and the possibility of a good bath. He could also use the rest to replenish his supply of spells, worn down as he was by the battle, the journey and the backlash of his necromantic magic.

"I think I've never so much agreed with you, my dear Soloman."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-11 06:47pm

Guren seems to have hit it off with them, he can take point on this one.
Konrad stayed in the background throughout the evening. He was polite to his hosts, and he kept an eye on his fellow mercenaries as well as the loggers. He mainly just wanted a meal and some rest, hopefully without anyone getting any clever ideas.
Konrad made sure to buy his companions a round of drinks though.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-02-12 08:02pm

Auric interupted the chattering of his two companions.

"If we could get a hot meal and proper transportation back to the city that would be much appreciated. We're eager to get out of these woods."

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-02-12 08:30pm

"Chow's just about on," said Alexander. "Slip a coin to that guy over there and get a meal chit. As for transportation, we've got wagons heading back to the city tomorrow if you want to hitch a ride. A couple of hardcases like you can ride for free."

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-12 09:36pm

"We may just take you up on that offer of a ride into town, but if you'll excuse me, I need food."
Konrad then went over and gave up a coin to a beady eyed man who was dispensing the meal chits. He eyed Konrad suspicously before giving up a chit. The food was nothing special, just a meat and potato stew and a piece of black bread washed down by a weak ale.
Those farmers cooked better. And the ale is little better than horse piss. I'll have to wait till we get back to town for a proper round of drinks.
Ater dinner Konrad cleaned his firearms and sharpened his blades while sitting with his companions.
Let's see what the sleeping arrangements are like.
The acomadations were spartan, consisting mainly of tents and a few crude cabins. Konrad managed exchange the last of his strong spirits to a logger who was even more unsatisfied with the camp's ale than himself, for the use of the man's cabin for the night.
"I found us a place to sleep tonight. Basic, but it has four walls and a roof, which is pretty good for a camp like this."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-02-12 10:10pm

Auric likewise paid up for some food. It may be plain rations but food was food. As he ate he attempted to chat up the other men and find out the news of the day. That was always useful to know especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

He was also just a little bit of concern about the wagon trip; he couldn't imagine who would be attacking timber wagons beyond more trolls.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-12 10:19pm

Konrad, reflecting on events, realized that at dinner Auric had been doing the job he should have been doing.
I'm liking this crew more all the time. Just because Auric is covering for me doesn't mean I can slack off though. I got to get on the ball.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-13 02:25am

Arkady paid the food, and, while eating his blank repast, considered the loggers' offer. Of course it was implied that they could hitch a ride to town in exchange of protection.

Let's just hope that we don't need to fight once more. Hopefully, we won't meet more trolls.

Arkady remained silent throughout the meal, listening to Auric's conversation.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-13 02:37am

I'm eating eating eating. Guren hummed in his head, having slipped over some of his quickly dwindling reserves of hard cash. A well paying, cushy job was needed - either that or a spot of gambling as soon as possible.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-15 08:57pm

Before bedding down for the night, Konrad sought out the wagon drivers and struck up a conversation. He mainly wanted to find out what the trip was like, especially if it was dangerous. He also made observations about how people were looking at him, was anyone talking lowly in the corners and looking in his direction?

Before laying down in his procured shack, konrad put a chair with a bottle balanced on the edge of it in ront of the door. If anyone opened the door they would hoefully upset the bottle and thus wake him up. Konrad placed a loaded a pistol and his dagger within easy reach, and slept.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-16 07:28am

For Guren, the main order of business was mathematics. He had on his 'thinking eye-glasses', nothing more than clear glass in a wire frame. He thought it made him look like an intellectual, when in actuality it made him look ridiculous. Naturally he would hear it when working out exactly how much his next handful of rune bullets was going to cost.

Too much was the general gist.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-16 05:50pm

Arkady quickly got to his resting spot, following Konrad. He was too tired to take real precaution - his familiar was a light sleeper, and his own senses were reinforced by the raven's presence, and his exhaustion momentarily killed his paranoia. He took as much rest as he could, so that he could restore his supply of magic.

Imperial Overlord · Post by **Imperial Overlord** » 2007-02-19 04:50pm

The next day the loggers got up early, ate a simple breakfast of porridge and black bread, and went to work. Massive wagons full of lumber started began to head back through the forest to the city.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-19 06:27pm

Konrad woke up early with the loggers, in order to try and do his morning exercises and weapons drill. Many of the exercises were quite painfull, and Konrad would have to abondon some of them until his ribs healed.
At least my face is looking better.
His morning rituals completed, Konrad went over to the teamsters who would be driving the timber into town and asked if it was still alright for his little band to tag along and waited patiently for his companians to join him. He was eager to get back into town however.
Patience can definitely be a virtue in this line of work.

Edited to make more sense.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-19 08:28pm

Guren propped his feet up on the rear of the wagon and settled his lucky hat down over his eyes. "Does any bod know how long this going to take?" he asked.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2007-02-19 09:31pm

"Likely long enough. We aren't exactly riding in some lord's carriage here." Auric quipped.

He was expecting some sort of trouble. One reason he had a loaded pistol riding in his holster and his sword loose in it's scabbard.

Raj Ahten · Post by **Raj Ahten** » 2007-02-19 10:08pm

As the mercenaries and lumber laden wagons set out, Konrad fell into his customary postion of rear gaurd. He started off by walking; it was easy to keep up with the wagons. Besides being able to be sure no one was sneaking up behind the convoy, being in the rear had the advantage of being in a postion to keep an eye on the teamsters in case of any duplicity, no matter its likelyhood.
It's not like I've never been disapointed by someone's lack of morals or sense before. Best to always plan for disapointment.

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-20 06:16am

"You are so droll sometimes, Kaptain." Guren sighed, then turned to look at their wizard, pushing up his hat. "How are you findin' it, lad?"

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-20 06:33am

Arkady closed his spellbook, the remainder of his magic supply etching into his mind.

"It's clear to me that they are expecting something. Having us pay our meal and stay and then deciding to offer a free ride is a not-so-subtle way of making sure some heavy support is available in case trouble occurs. What trouble it is, I know not."

Sycorax, perched on Arkady's shoulder, muttered something.

"On a more philosophical note, troll eyes give the runs."

Ford Prefect · Post by **Ford Prefect** » 2007-02-20 06:54am

"Aye, that they do. That - they - do." Soloman nodded sagely towards the bird. He tried to get comfortable, found it basically impossible considering that he was reclining on logs, and didn't bother glancing towards his loaded pistols. He knew they were there, and as always, ready to be drawn at a moments notice.

The Nomad · Post by **The Nomad** » 2007-02-20 07:02am

Arkady readied his crossbow, and made sure his Staff was both within easy reach - and that it would not get between logs - and unconspicuous, then sent Sycorax to scout out the path ahead. He would try to remain quiet during the journey. He longed for true civilization - as much as it amazed him.