20 Saraju 720

[OoC: Bjarni dosn't "want" or "need" help? It might make a difference ;-)]

Barak will cut accross Algared: "I don't think you understand. It is not a question of whether you need help, we know you don't. It is a question that we need to leave the thran and to have an opportunity for a chat in peace. We won't stop you kanoodling with Suri on the way there."

"Well then escort that lot over there," Bjarni says pointing to the other small group making their way to Yetin. "Try not to be a third wheel on my cart."

Time: End 2nd watch -

With the warband finalising their preparation to leave Ygesdram to escort some of the refugees to Yetin, the others about the hall are also making ready to leave. Nearing beginning of the 3rd watch everyone is ready to move. Exiting the meadhall the group gathers about for a moment as they sort themselves out before finally beginning their journey.

The morning is hot with a steady breeze blowing from the south, thick grey clouds dominate the southern sky and foretell of rain in the next watch or so. The ground is drying out from yesterdays rain but is still wet under foot despite the heat of the morning.

Heading west from the meadhall the group makes their way along paths between the fields and pastures before their path turns further south. They have walked barely half a league when the path they are following crests a small rise and below them is sprawled a small thran of no more than half a dozen clanhouses with numerous outbuildings scattered about. The land surrounding the thran continues to be the familiar pastures, meadows and fields that have walked past so far this morning.

The small thran seems normal upon entering, but one thing becomes apparent quickly upon entering - the lack of men. Women and children continue to work their small plots and gardens while tending to the chores about the household, a woman can be seen brewing the next batch of ale for her family. You have also noted that you have not seen the men working the fields that would normally be a common sight this time of year.

The group of refugees splits up from here, the majority taking the road heading south while a few including Jurn return to their families here. The smaller group turn and follow the trail west from this small thran.

You pass through another small thran not more than a mile from the first small thran, it too consists of no more than half a dozen clanhouses and numerous outbuildings. Again like the first thran the people are going about their daily chores tending their chickens, geese and pigs about their clanhouse, others tend their gardens picking herbs and the like while children play a chasing game along the path. They stop their running about to watch as you pass, returning to their game once you have passed by.

Over half a league later the warband catch sight of the thran of Yetin the walls about the thranaal are the first things seen, but as your group continues its journey it is not long before you enter the thran of Yetin. The thran consists of about a half dozen clanhouses running along the east west road near a small market square while another half dozen building are placed within the pallisade walls of the thranaal. The home of the Valhakar of clan Batheson resides within these walls.

Suri heads for the third clanhouse along the road, knocking on the door, the door is opened by a rotund women in her late forties, her grey hair hanging down to her hips is braided into a single ponytail. The woman immediately recognises Suri and greets her with a huge hug as she starts to cry.

Now in Yetin the sky has begun to darken as the grey clouds close in and the air begins to cool down, although it still remains warm.

GM wrote:Time: End 2nd watch -

The small thran seems normal upon entering, but one thing becomes apparent quickly upon entering - the lack of men. Women and children continue to work their small plots and gardens while tending to the chores about the household, a woman can be seen brewing the next batch of ale for her family. You have also noted that you have not seen the men working the fields that would normally be a common sight this time of year.

The group of refugees splits up from here, the majority taking the road heading south while a few including Jurn return to their families here. The smaller group turn and follow the trail west from this small thran.

If Any of the refugees, expecially those who were lacking men folk seem overburdened with thier possessions Algared will assist in lightening their load taking extra upon himself in order to make their passage easier.

As the refugees and their escort approach the small thran, Algared looks across the empty feilds and notes the lack of men. He knows many of the men are still with the Daas host or have been welcomed to the table of Sarajin, or have simply gone missing. He thanks Sarasjin that he has survived so far, while he dispises the Ibanvaal invaders. he knows that even if the Daas recieves the aid they need that life in Menglana has changed. At least for the remaining thir prostects of marriage have risen but the pain and loss experienced within every thran and every family will be a long time healing.

As the band reach the first small thran Algared slows to gauge how the refugees are faring, he calls a halt allowing them the opportunity to allow them a rest and drink if needed. While only a half leauge, he knows the littler ones and their mothers are likely still tired from the previous days trek.

Coming to the fork in the road where Jurn turns aside with some of the refuggess, Algared stops and farwells Jurn. "Farewell my friend," Algared says to Jurn as his offers his hand befoire he turns aside to head south, "May Sendryl continue to smile upon you and word of your craft continue to grow and bring you honour." Algared knows his fairwell likely sounds flowery but his farwell is well meant. Having fairwelled Jurn and those heading south the band continues the trek.

GM wrote:
You pass through another small thran not more than a mile from the first small thran, it too consists of no more than half a dozen clanhouses and numerous outbuildings. Again like the first thran the people are going about their daily chores tending their chickens, geese and pigs about their clanhouse, others tend their gardens picking herbs and the like while children play a chasing game along the path. They stop their running about to watch as you pass, returning to their game once you have passed by.

Once again Algared allows the women and children rest, he approaches one of the women tending their feilds and asks if their is any place he could purchase some berries or fruits. He seeks to aqcuire some berries and fruits which he intends to distributes to women and children. He knows the loss of their fathers, husbands and other men folk likely weigh heavily upon them and hopes to ease the pain, even if a little, while also making the continued trek easier. He also knows that although Yeltin is not that far it will not hurt.

GM wrote:
Over half a league later the warband catch sight of the thran of Yetin the walls about the thranaal are the first things seen, but as your group continues its journey it is not long before you enter the thran of Yetin. The thran consists of about a half dozen clanhouses running along the east west road near a small market square while another half dozen building are placed within the pallisade walls of the thranaal. The home of the Valhakar of clan Batheson resides within these walls.

Suri heads for the third clanhouse along the road, knocking on the door, the door is opened by a rotund women in her late forties, her grey hair hanging down to her hips is braided into a single ponytail. The woman immediately recognises Suri and greets her with a huge hug as she starts to cry.

Now in Yetin the sky has begun to darken as the grey clouds close in and the air begins to cool down, although it still remains warm.

Once the warband have seen Suri and their other charges safely escorted to their destinations, Algared says, "I had best go give our respects to the Valhaker. I'll meet you in the meadhall afterwards and once we have finished our business here, we can return home." He looks at the darkening sky and says, "What do you think Barak. Will the storm hold off?"

"No I think it will be arranged. What meadhall?" asks Barak looking around.

Once Algared is gone, Barak says to everyone else "Algared has some news that we need to discuss. We can't discuss it in Ygresdram, it is best we talk about it on the road, just outside Yetin."

Your warband stop near a clanhouse and while Algared heads towards the thranaal, Bjarni escorts Suri and her children to a clanhouse where after a short conversation the clanhouse door opens, Suri hugs Bjarni before entering the clanhouse leaving Bjarni standing outside.

Suri and one other family seem to be stopping here, while the rest of the refugees after taking a rest for water from the well continue on their journey westward.

Before long the group of refugees have disappeared from view after cresting a small rise to the west.

"I wonder how long Algared will be." says Barak as he stares up at the sky and triesto estimate how long it will be before it rains. He then looks around for a sheltered space where the warband can rest out of the weather whilst waiting for Algared.

Barak Daas wrote:"No I think it will be arranged. What meadhall?" asks Barak looking around.

"Well once everyone has been seen safe to their kin folk we can meet in the in the market place then."

Bjarni will return to the group and say "so what is this big secret that Algared knows?"

"Well it is Algared's secret, so he has to tell it. I hope Algared isn't going to be long, catching up with those refugees will not be easy if they get too far ahead of us."

Algared returns to the group after visiting the thranaal and rejoins his companions as they wait near the small market square. The other refugees have long since gone by the time Algared has returned.

It is but a few moments after Barak casts a wary eye skyward that the rain begins to fall, slowly at first, with a few drops falling intermittantly as it slowly builds in intensity until a steady shower of rain begins to fall.

From the look of the sky it does not look like the weather is going to break at least for the coming watch.

"Well Algared, do we hurry on to catch up with the refugees going west, or give them up for lost and head back to Ygresdeam?"

Regardless of the direction they take, when on the road and Yetin is disappearing behind them, Barak will muse: "This all look so peaceful and idyllic. It is a shame this land is going to end up war torn when the Ibanvaal invade. No doubt in a few tendays that thran will be inflame." he pauses for a moment before continuing "What is your home town like Bjarni? The one in Orbaal? Would it welcome an extra hunter or even a few war veterans?"

After giving Bjarni a chance to reply, assuming they are still alone Barak will say "So Algared, do you want to share your news so that we can discuss what we want to do about it?"

Barak Daas wrote:"Well Algared, do we hurry on to catch up with the refugees going west, or give them up for lost and head back to Ygresdeam?"

Algared groans when barak asks the question. "They weren't staying here also? Why didnt any of you encourage them to wait we cou ..." He sighs deeply, "Why didn't I check where everyone was going. How long have been gone?"

Upon learning that the refugees are long gone Algared looks to the west, then up to the clouds as the first rain drops fall.
"In my heart I feel duty bound bound to follow them and ensure they reach their destination safely, it is the honourable thing I doubt I would sleep well were I to learn any of them came to harm.... and yet it seems they would likely reach Upsala before we catch them." Algared ponders a moment then setting his face to the west says "Come my friends, We follow after the refugees, if I recall there was only one man amongst them, they may have need if there are wild dogs or wolves, they were feirce enough in the winter and I would imagine they have grown more brazen without as many men folk around." Not to mention the carrion that may attract them as well, Algared thinks to himself. "Unless in your opnion Barak, as our tracker you feel to do so would be futile given the distance they will have travelled already."

Replying to Barak Bjarni says "In Orbaal the fjiords are long and deep, the women are beautiful, the game is plentiful and a man can make his way. Harn offers a lot for an ambitious man. Many of my cousins fight in the wars of the Rethemi, a kingdom in the west. Lots of opportunities for loot. In fact, it makes me wonder why I ever came here"

Bjarni Daasen wrote:In fact, it makes me wonder why I ever came here"

"To meet me of course my friend." Svardkell announces with a smile and a flourish.

Algared wrote:"Unless in your opnion Barak, as our tracker you feel to do so would be futile given the distance they will have travelled already."

"No it would not be futile. We may or may not catch up with them before the next thran, but some will be travelling further. If they are slowed down for any reason then we'll catch them. I can set a fast pace, faster than they were getting here, and we will gain ground on them."

Bjarni Daasen wrote:Replying to Barak Bjarni says "In Orbaal the fjiords are long and deep, the women are beautiful, the game is plentiful and a man can make his way.

"That sounds like the place for me. A new start, a new life, moving away from this war. It sounds better than many place I've heard of."

As they head up the road west, leaving Yetin behind, he says: "So Algared, do you want to share your news so that we can discuss what we want to do about it?"

"Well lets hope we can be oarmates on day with this land behind our stern-post. But for that we still need a ship. When the Dagen comes down here I would want to get Suri away, and some of the others here have family they would see safe as well I assume"

"I have family I'd like to see safe. I am just not sure that they won't be safer here. My mother and sisters are not senior members of the clan. They'd unlikely suffer any retribute from the Dagen. They'd just continue as fisherwomen. Life on the road is harsh. I am not sure they woud survive that. Gelda is a different story. As a thraal, and what some consider a whore, her life would probably short once the Dagan's men caught her. But she refuses to leave, and Jabor refuses to let her go."

"Your sister will end up some Ilbanvaaler's war-bride. You know how it works"

"I know how it works. If she will leave I will take her with me; but what sort of life would she have? She is better a warbride in Ygresdram."

With the band heading west in pursuit of the refugees and with Yeltin behind them. Algared replies to Barak's question. "You all know I recieved a letter from Jurri, whom the Daas sent to Pelyn as a liason with the king and to help co-ordinate. While Jurri sends his greetings his purpose, I believe, was to ensure his message to the Daas arrived. When we left Ygesdram the Daas was still in council discussing the contents of a letter he recieved, and he had yet to even share the contents with Erling Storzar, who I imagine is his oldest and closest friend.

Jurri warns us not to look to the king for aid. The Kings sons squabble and one has had himself comfirmed as king after killing or exiling his kin. This so-called king claims the unnamed and unknown assassins were agents of Cunate Daas and Erling Storzar. I cannot believe Cunate would commit such a act, it is against the Ljarl, and it makes no sense since he had sent to the king requesting aid and was tild that menglana would come. However, the so called king in Pelyn a murderer of his own brothers is the one I believe committed regicide and is now and preparing a fleet to exact revenge, or as I believe to remove every element of the truth.

My desire is to protect my mother and sister, and also to support my Valhaker... but this news I think also adds greater danger for us for his warband and any who was amongst those who were sent to the king for aid. Foe we know that the king was planning to send aid as such I imagine that being in this company also makes us marked men and women."

"You know - those tidings have done nothing to improve my day. I say again, we need a boat and we need one soon. Between the Dagen and the Menglanan King, Daaslund is going to be ground up like fish meal. We should look to our best interests."

"Yes. My question is do we keep marching west until we can find a boat to take us to Daasenlund in Orbaal; or do we return to Ygresdram to give what ais we can to Cunate for a little longer."

"Depends on how long it is before the Dagen moves on Ygesdram. And when I say 'find a boat', I mean steal one"

"The king might beat the Dagen to it." says Barak increasing the pace.