“You’ve shown your hand, Faramond. Unless you told him I don’t see how he would know that she wasn’t kidnapped.”
After a moment of brief consideration Sarah finally inclines her head. “Very well. The ram has touched the wall; there isn’t much of anything you could do to stop things now. I’ll consent to your return to Ironhall. And I’m sending Wilfred with you. When you see the old man tell him that his wife has been recovered safely and that he can expect her to return to him shortly.”
With that, the Baroness waves the party out of the room. They’re escorted back to their temporary quarters to make preparations to leave. The Lady Shedlund has ordered her men to release the party along with Wilfred Delacroix in the afternoon.
If there’s anything you’d like to let me know about marching orders or anything that you’re planning, especially in regards to Wilfred, now’s the time to do it. Otherwise I’ll continue immediately.
After arriving in their temporary quarters, “Oh brother, that went splendidly, don’t you think?” Baldur says and then pauses. “Yes, me too. And Henry, you didn’t do so bad yourself! Everyone was just wonderful.” Baldur turns towards the group. “Now onwards, to Ironhall!”
He smiles happily, his head full of thoughts of Fey bracers and restoring his brother to human form.
“We’re gonna gut Willie once we clear Shedlund, righ’?” Asks Cutter as he buckles the straps on his brigandine.
Choke disagrees with that plan. “Despite having you in their party,” he says while giving Cutter a baleful look, “the Faramonds are not mere thugs. Besides, nobles make good hostages.”
“You kiddin’ me? This bitch wouldn’t pull a hair for Delacroix. An’ you’re forgetting that he knows the truth about everything that’s happened; he could spill the beans and tear whatever story Henry cooks up wide open.”
“Why am I even talking to you? You aren’t being paid to think.”
Cutter laughs. “Paid? I ain’t been paid a single stinkin’ copper since signing on with this outfit.”
“We’ve got to be careful with how we deal with Shedlund. The impression I got from her is that she is incredibly cold blooded and would kill us for any reason without a second thought.”
Cyrus, to Cutter out of earshot of the others - “I’m with you, about Wilfred. If there’s a convenient opportunity to make him disappear without arousing suspicion, do it.”
To Henry, out of earshot of Wilfred - “What are your intentions, cousin? We’re going to have to pick a side, soon. We dont want the honorable Sir Delacroix around, if we put our lot in with Ironhall.”
Btw, we’re getting a lot of earshot questions. From now on (after Mosier has answered) let’s assume that unless your character is specifically mentioned or a part of a group that’s specifically mentioned he or she can hear.
Example: “Out of earshot of Bob…” means that everyone but Bob is privy to it. “To Bob, out of earshot of the others…” means that only Bob is privy to it.
Hrothgar saddles up. If he has any private misgivings that all these lordly shenanigans are going to lead to a murky corner somewhere and more sharp implements than he has an answer for, he keeps them to himself.
You’re likley right, but we have some time to figure out what do with Delacroix.
As the party moves on, when they’ve put a mile or so between them and Shedlunds lands; in earshot of the full party:
So Delacroix, it’s interesting that Mildred didn’t seem to tell her sister the whole story, don’t you think? After all, her sister was clearly unaware that Ironhall knew his wife wasn’t kidnapped.
See, Mildred absolutely feared returning to her husband. She even got on her knees and begged us not to return her for fear of what he’d do. He knows why she was sent to him. It’s amusing that Shedlund mentions us tipping our hand, when she actually tipped hers. I don’t think she realizes what she’s getting herself into, particularly since her sister isn’t being very forthcoming.
The party begins its trek in the mid-afternoon, shortly after the Sun has reached its highest point in the sky. The rains have stopped at last, but the ground is still wet and muddy in most places. Delacroix and the four peasant soldiers dispatched along with him, armed with spears, ride at the back of the group for most of the trip. They don’t talk much, keeping to themselves whenever the party stops to make camp.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Does Ironhall know his wife wasn’t kidnapped?”
“My Lady the Baroness hasn’t steered me wrong yet, Faramond. I’ve put my loyalty to her and I trust her judgment.”
The party eventually arrives at the edge of the Greatwood. Stopping to feed and water the horses near a small pond, Wilfred dismounts and announces his intent to relieve himself a short distance off. Two of his escort also dismount and follow.
Cutter, to the group, “We gonna do this now? Migh’ not get as good a chance before reachin’ the Ironway.”
By the way, I don’t think Ironhall knows Mildred left on her own. Mildred feared going back to Ironhall because she was afraid he would find out the truth. We can decide whether to tell him the truth once we get there.
I apologize everyone. I have a fever and I really need to get to bed now. I have an easy work schedule tomorrow so rest assured my post will be coming then (in about 10-12 hours). Oh, and the brothers have something to say so please don’t advance the main plot without me. Sory again.
I’m fine delaying the action until your return. But the rest of you can make good use of this time to tell me what your character does assuming violence breaks out. The group is paused at the edge of a pond. Two peasant soldiers are nearby, among the party, and Delacroix and the other two soldiers are maybe a hundred yards south, deeper into the Greatwood, taking care of their daily business. The immediate area is pure, lightly-forested wilderness.
Assuming Baldur and Henry agree, and violence breaks out, Cyrus will attack the two peasants nearest the group, prioritizing anyone who attempts to escape first, and already wounded targets next. Cyrus will attempt to kill any representative of Shedlund and not take prisoners, unless Baldur or Henry instruct him to keep Wilfred alive. If it appears that any Shedlund representative is escaping, Cyrus will disengage the others, attempt to order Brute to attack the fleeing party, and mount quickly as possible to attempt to catch them.
