9 Nuzyael 720

Algared wrote:"I doubt we have any friends amongst Clan Gerbhert Jurri.

"I wasn't thinking of clan Gerherbt, but I didn't make any enemies there either. As for risk to me, few are willing to harm a skald. Those who are deserve what's coming to them. There's a reason why I don't threaten people. But if you feel there is no gain, I will gladly defer."

"However, I would still recommend watching the escape routes. If Reike is hiding here, he might not be in the most obvious location."

Erdrick listens in on the plans and although thinks both plans (surround the thran or just the clan house) has pros and cons, he does not favor one plan over another. If Kuglad decides that we are to surround the clanhouse, having previously surveyed Rojanstad, Erdrick may be able to provide some recommendations from memory on where to station ourselves, and possible escape routes from the clanhouse if Reike is indeed here, and attempts to flee the thran.

Thorin nods his agreement.
He is impressed with the plans, except for the part where he has to play nursemaid to Hovik.....

"Come Hovik, we have our orders......"

The warband sit and wait until sunset, while waiting they catch sight of a lone figure heading east towards them along the Upsala trail. Moving so that you are able to identify this figure some of you stand others move on to the trail itself. As the man closes he is quickly identified as Barak returning from Upsala.

The sun is fast setting in the western sky and from your vantage point the view to the west is majestic, the Grey Slayer has truely used the colours of the rainbow to paint this evenings sky. Silent farmlands and pastures sit under the pink and oranges hues of the evening sky while what few clouds remain carry a brilliant silver lining.

GM wrote:As the man closes he is quickly identified as Barak returning from Upsala.

Barak greets the party slightly out of breath, but not too loundly in case they are hiding in these woods "Well met all. It took longer than i expected to gain the information I was after in Upsala. One thing that might interest you, is that I could find no evidence that Reike pass through Upsala ahead of us whilst we were held captive or later. Of course, just because you don't find the scent of your quarry it dosn't mean it isn't there."

"What is the plan? i presume you are not planning on camping here for the night when there is a Daas clanhouse just up the road. I'm famished."

Barak looks around then states "Its a lovely sunset, probably a good omen."

After the others greet him in their own ways, Barak can see that Kugald wants to speak to him - no doubt a rebuke is intended - so Barak lets himself be lead off by Kugald, after all he has some more information to impart.

"Well met cousin."

"So, what delayed you in Upsala?" Kugald waits with the rest of what he has to say until hearing his cousin's report.

"We are waiting until full dark to enter Rojanstad."

Kugald informs him of the plan, a blend of the two he originally proposed:

"We will take a quick meal while I talk." The party settles into a small group of shrubs, out of sight of the road. Kugald shares out some cold rations, sausage, cheese and hardtack for a cold dinner.

"Barak and Borygg, you stay here on the Upsala road where you can watch anyone leaving to the west."

"Thorin and Hovik, slip around to the south between Rojanstad and Nupon, where you can see anyone leaving to the south."

"Neirin and Edrick, you find a hide and watch the north road to Ygesdram.

"Myself and Algared will slip around to the north and take up position where we can watch the east road to Asarna."

"Jurri, you wait for half an hour after we depart and then proceed into the village. Go to the Daas. Check to see if Reike has returned and tell them we are here and what we are doing. Talk to Madin, find out what the rider we saw wanted."

"If Reike is back in Rojanstad, news of Jurri's arrival might flush him out and we will see him leave. If he flushes, the one with the best ability to watch or track him stays to watch where he goes. Do NOT follow him on your own unless you are CERTAIN you won't be seen. A fresh trail for all of us is better than one of you ambushed and killed. The other runs to the right to warn the nearest pair to provide assistance. While that pair goes to help the tracker, the runner informs each of the others in turn. We will gather where Reike was last seen so we don't destroy the trail, blundering around in the night."

"Jurri, if Reike has returned to Rojanstad and doesn't run, walk out to the village square carrying a lit torch and stand in one place, holding the torch still, for a hundred count. If that is the case, everyone is to stay in place and watch the village until full dark. Then, we all meet back on the Upsala road with Barak and Borygg. Jurri, you walk out to meet us, then you can tell us where Reike is. We leave the horses hidden in the woods. We slip into the village quietly and surround the building, or buildings where Reike is suspected of hiding. Thorin and I will knock on the door while the rest of you lie in wait in case he tries to escape, or we call for help."

"If Reike isn't there, walk out village square and wave the torch in a broad arc. Everyone then comes in from all four directions at once and converges on Jurri and we will head up to the Daas clanhouse."

"This combines the best of both plans. We watch the whole village in case Jurri's arrival flushes him like a rabbit. Once we know where he is, we converge to within voice range so we can communicate."

While everyone is eating he steps away as if to take a piss. He actually finds a quiet spot and whispers a fervent prayer to Sarajin that their man has returned home and his plan will work.

Looking at the sun descending, "Right, you know your places. Let's head out. Jurri, when the sun kisses the mountains, head in. Make no secret of your arrival."

TTYL

- Kerry

Algared listens to the plan, he is concerned about leaving the horse unguarded but imagines Kugald has already taken that into account. So many if's. Algared watches the setting sun, a good omen Barak called it. Algared hopes it is indeed a good omen, assuming all goes well the morrow will find them with their captive in tow. It would be a pleasant well to celebrate morn of his birth, with a success. Algared imagines he knows the content of the letter Hovik carries, likely a formal complaint and details of their failure to show courtesy to a Valhaker of the Tajaal. He shrugs slightly, there is little he can do about the contents of the letter, he like the rest can only do his best, trust his fellows and pray that Sarajin will grant them success.

Jurri will leave his armor and weapons with the horses, keeping only his dagger. He'll make sure he's got a torch on hand, his hunting horn tucked into his belt just in case this is a trap and he's not left with a hundred count to stand anywhere exposed.

"If, as Algared fears, something goes wrong, three sharp notes means I am in trouble and cannot carry out your instructions."

He tries to imagine those circumstances. Perhaps the men Kugald nearly skirmished with last time have made some plans for his eventual return. Jurri considers this unlikely, since those men are still not a match for a warband. However, he doesn't know what message was delivered here, so it's best to be prepared.

He'll wait for the appointed time, then begin walking into the thran, playing his harp and singing Hjardaal's Edda. He'll keep an eye on his surroundings. Unless he is stopped, he'll make his way to the Daas clanhouse and seek permission to enter.

As everyone heads off to their appointed spots, Borygg will make sure the horses are secured away from the road, then find himself a good place where he can remain unseen yet keep an eye on the road and the thran. He'll stow his knapsack with the horses and have his bow strung and other weapons handy.

Hovik quietly listens and follows his orders with a nod. He's glad it's Thorin he's assigned to. He remembers Thorin's prank at the meadhall some nights ago - that was probably the funniest joke he'd ever been the butt of. That night seems a long time past.

[OoC I assume that Barak will manage to attrack Kugald's attention to impart to him some information in private - but he probably won't follow him in to his abultions to do so]

After the plan is laid out and the party breaks up, Barak follows Borygg to deal with the horses - not that he has any experience or skill in this area. He will leave his spear, shield and pack (well concealed) near the horses. He will string his bow. He will join Borygg in his concealled vantage point. He'll ensure that he has a good view up the road in both directions, but especially that he has a good view of the settlement so that he can see Jurri and his antics. He'll take three arrows out of his quiver and plant them in the ground before him - in case he has need of them in a hurry.

As an experienced hunter he is very used to staying still and quiet whilst waiting for a trap to be strung. So that is what he does...

Before heading out Algared will place his equipment near the horses, he will resling his shield to his back, and have both broadsword and spear as weapons. checking that his two peices of jewellry is where it should be he then ensures his gambeson is fastened. He will carry his helm until he and Kugald are in place before wearing it and securing it in place.

With darkness approaching the warband begin to gather what gear they will need and set out to take up their respective positions.

With a quick shake of their hands and short farewell they bid each other good luck and head out into the fading light.

Barak, Borygg and Jurri remain as they watch the other members disappear amid the flora and terrain surrounding the thran.

Kugald and Algared reach their appointed position. Kugald tries to find a good view of both the square and the road out of town.

Now they wait for Jurri's signal.

- Kerry

Thorin and Hovik take up positions as well........And settle in to react to whatever happens next.

In the darkness you all notice a glow appear from within the Daas clanhouse, you manage to catch a glimpse of a silouhetted figured underneath torch but you can easily follow it's path by the glow generated.

It moves slowly from the clanhouse down the slope and into the market square, the torch light can be seen by everyone as it signals.....

Kugald strains to see the signal in the darkness.

- Kerry

To keep the game moving....

You follow the glow of the torch into the market square where it stops.

It remains stationary for a brief moment and then begins to make a broad arc through the darkness, Jurri appears to be turning slowly around in a circle but it is quite obvious that the torch is tracing an arc as it is waved from left to right and back again....

(We keep this up and we'll invent semaphore. "Looks like...Z...O...M...B...")

"I guess everything is all clear."

Kugald stands up, hefting his spear and shield. "Come on Algared, let's go get something to eat and drink. But be on your guard, I don't trust these Gerherbts."

TTYL

- Kerry

Borygg collects any gear that anyone left behind and loads it onto the horses.

"Come, Barak, let's go get some dinner and a warm place to sleep."

Each group in turn makes it's way in towards the markey square and meet up with Jurri. Algared and Kugald are the last to arrive the pair are moving slowly and cautiously towards the square. When they catch sight of the other members of the warband gathered underneath the glow of the torch they close the distance slowly scanning the darkness for danger.

Soon everyone is gathered around the burning torch....

"Now we've made sure that we stand out like a black bear on a icefloe, we may as well head to the Daas clanhouse and see if they will offer us hospitality. I am sure clan Gerherbt will ensure Reike gets word of our presence." Barak starts to pull the horse he is leading in the direction of the Dasshouse stable.

As he leads them back toward the Daas clanhouse, Jurri summarizes:

"Madrin says he has at least another day's work, but that everything appears to be in order. He thinks this is a wild goose chase."

"The rider was ordering us to return to Ygesdram."

"Aside from some shouts and arguments occasionally coming from the Gerherbt clanhouse, there has been no sign of Reike or of anything else unusual. Thurgell thinks the arguments might be because the valhakar has left."

"Hmmm…"

"Thank you Jurri. That makes my decision about what to do next rather simple. We spend the night here, get a good night's sleep and head back to Ygesdram tomorrow."

Kugald does his best to look stoic and unconcerned; however, privately he is worried about what is to come. They have failed to find Reike, they have failed to observe the most basic forms of courtesy and respect to the Jarl of a neighbouring clan, and one of their warband has offended the Jarl and verbally sparred with the Tejaal. The question he keeps asking himself is what is on this scroll that Hovik carries?

His first opportunity leading a warband started well, but has gotten worse since then.

For all his strength and endurance, Kugald is still a young man and inexperienced. Failure is not something he handles well, though he does his best to hide it.

When they arrive at the hall, he extends friendly greetings Thurgell and Madrin.

He will stay and talk if they wish, otherwise, he will lay out his gear and try and get some sleep. Given the relations with Clan Gerherbt, Kugald selects a spot away from the door and very discretely unsheathes his sword and lays it next to his blankets and does the same with his dagger which he hides under his pillow, both are ready for easy access in the night.

TTYL

- Kerry