Field of Daisies (a Harnic RPG)

“Sure you did. Which pond is that did some lady of the pond give it to you? What were you doing by a pond anyway? Your wagons full of grain shouldn’t have left the main road.”

“But I did! I was swimmin’ in it and 'it the dagger with me foot. Wasn’t no ladies there, though. Pond is over there, I think.”

Just then the Wylsens come out of the house. Mrs. Wylsen gives Kial a hug that nearly breaks him in half. Mr. Wylsen looks at Tarwal and says “'O’s 'E?”

(It’s really difficult to type “who’s he” with a cockney accent!)

"His name’s Tarwal. He’s possibly your son’s kidnapper, or possibly your son’s rescuer, but he’s admitted to holding your son captive in the cave, regardless. He also found a knife that he claims is evil.

“There should probably some formal inquiry set up to figure out exactly what transpired. But for now, I think the first priority is to make sure Kial is okay. Tarwal doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon with my companions and I keeping an eye on him.”

“This true?” asks Mr. Wylsen.

“I rescued 'im, I did!” replies Tarwal.

“'E did, them monsters was going to eat me. But then 'e tied me up and I was scared and I was in the dark and I was 'ungry and I was thirsty and it was scary!” says Kial.

Sir Mayald and his father arrive on the scene.

…and say “Hey, you found him! Great! Who’s this bozo?”

This is Tarwal. Never seen him before, anyone? He was in the cave, too. He says he found some kind of evil knife in a pond?

When we found Kial, this guy had him bound and gagged, but he had also saved the boy from some nasty lizards in the cave. We’re not sure what his story is, but he’s hurt.

Any of this seem familiar to any of you? Evil knife that controls your mind, lives in a pond? You’ve never seen this man before?

Tarwal, explain yourself to these people.

“It would also be interesting to hear if anyone has seen those lizard beasts before. There seems to be more than a few of them in that cave.”

Tarwal basically repeats what he said in post #612.

Nobody knows nothin’ about no evil knife, but everyone knows the pond. Occasionally some villagers swim in it. In fact, both Kial and Lern can verify that they saw Tarwal do so, maybe a tenday ago. No one else you’re talking to has.

The creatures are a mystery, but Tarwal swears he only saw the two. Not that he stuck around long to look for more.

I’m going away for a few days so I’ll see you guys on Tuesday.

“Hey hey, Ingmar killed a few of those lizardy thingies! Bork bork Bork! Don’t go hogging all the credit there Pond Shwimmer!”

"I’m thinking that unless we use a more invasive interrogation technique we have learned all that we can. Has anyone from the town found some abandoned wagons full of grain? Possibly we could have some of the villagers check around for that while we head back to the cave and explore it some more.

Could we get a larger supply of torches this time, Sir. We may be in there a while searching for more secret passages."

I’m back, and I’m tanned.

It’s still the middle of the night, so asking around to other villagers will have to wait for dawn.

The boys did indeed witness Tarwal with a cart full of something.

Cella has the ability to tell for certain whether Tarwal is lying. I recommend we pursue that avenue first.

Also, we could check out the chest.

Anyway, it’s the middle of the night and nothing much to be done until dawn. Kial vary much just wants to be inside with his family. Sir Mayald can give Tarwal a place to stay until he can be questioned later in the day. He’d like you to accompany him, where you can get cleaned up and have a comfortable sleep.

We should keep a good watch on that chest. That dagger sounds dangerous. Is there some way to destroy it?

You haven’t even looked at it yet.

We’d be glad to accompany Sir Mayald, provided that we can keep some kind of eye on Tarwal.

Kial of course should be allowed to go home and rest.

Mmmm… sleep.
Ingmar would love sleep and perhaps even mayhaps a good hot breakyfast, no?

That sounds like a plan. The manor is warm and dry, you’ll be able to keep an eye on Tarwal, and you’ll all feel better in the morning.

And Sir Mayald’s cook makes some mean bacon and eggs.

“Thank you for putting us up for the night, your hospitality is beyond reproach. I think many of our problems will resolve themselves in the morning’s light. But watching that chest is a good idea in case someone tries to walk off with it. Perhaps it should stay in the room with us.”