Patrol defeated, bridge Merrow bribed, Ringeirr Malenkov rescued from the corrupt fishcamp guards, onward to the howling district of Whitethrone for papers.
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From the Diary of Zaaz Bloodfortune:
For once a warm night filled with happiness and laughter we thought, but oh the trials to come. The day started out at Elsprin as we said goodbye to Nadya’s children and relatives. Poor ones… The pain to come…
Not half a day out of Elsprin our eyes caught sight of birds ahead. Different than last time, crows these did be not. Cautiously we approached we knew what not, but soon we were beset. An ambush of hunting birds and archers did attack. And a mighty Winter Wolf did come with them, howling at us “those who cross Nazena will die!”
Wheeling his cat to face the mighty wolf, Sadobras charged at the wolf. Striking a mighty blow against it, he shouted back, “Those who cross Zaaz Bloodfortune will die a pointy death!”
Even as my heart labored under the fear of the attack, it filled with Joy to know my companions held me in such esteem. I will do all I can to be worthy of the accolade and take good care of them. Soon all of us were to fray, casting spells and attacking. Mighty Yoska took down the Wolf even as Sadobras went down. I poured potions down him as Noname summoned his eagles to attach the archers targeting us. Spells and flames and mighty blows we struck at the birds that did be attacking us, but just as the day seemed won, the ugly hand of fate did strike. Concentrating their fire, the enemy drew and let fly at Nadya. Arrow after arrow struck the vitals, blood fountaining out of her, a last cry for her children. Quickly in our rage the remaining archers were slaughtered, but a mother of two fine young ones cut down before any chance of healing. The voices in my head sang a dirge of sadness. They sang of her going to a more tranquil place, but their words don’t comfort me.
Pain, sadness and doubt upon us we carried her back to Elsprin so she could rest with family. As we walked, more determined we became that should the opportunity to bring her back presents, bring her back we shall. At the relatives house we packed her in ice and snow to preserve the body. Night had falled and we had not even the strength to tell the truth to the little ones. Oh, what pain they must feel.
Morning again and away again, we must press on to our mission. After long travel we came to a bridge. As we approached evil Merrow three rose from the waters the bridge traversed. Giant and scaly, green and be-gilled they demanded of us a tax of one horse each. Sick to our core from the battle whence we had lost Nadya, this time we opted for words. Strangely, my words held more power than usual and we were able to work towards a bargain. In the end, Noname managed to get them to trade 3 minor potions of healing for passage. Painful to trade my creations for passage, but less than we would likely spend come to battle.
Soon we made it to the fishing village we sought. A mean and cruel place this. Did be a gang of strong arms and warf tuffs beating a poor man senseless for not paying taxes. When the finished, a minor healing and help we gave him and an escort home. He did tell us the local watch is taken to inflating the taxes to almost 4 in every 10 of coin or fish he lay hands on. Recent it was that things had gotten so bad. Certainly not when Baba Yaga was around. Also he did tell us that Ringeirr Malenkov, the man we seek is in a cell, guest of those thugs. After escorting him home, and with some coin for his help and more coin to his wife for watching our horses, we did go and scout out the Gaol. Deciding to use a distraction to try to draw out the guards and sneak Sadobras in to free Ringeirr, Noname knocked on the door. He spun a tale of a giant spider attacking to the Ogre that answered the door. In moments it became clear the Ogre was too stupid to understand Nonames wonderful tale, so I gave him a weakening hex and then blinded him. In moments Sadobras slipped invisibly inside and the battle was on. Another Ogre and a rogue type defended against us. Back and forth the battle raged till finally they were all down. Freeing Ringeirr, we gathered his stuff and looted what other value we could from the guard shack.
Then off into the town and to a hiding spot of Ringeirr. We told him of our relationship with Nadya, her death, the fate of her two boys. We told him of our need for papers to enter the town and soon a way was devised. Earlier we had gathered the skin of the Winter Wolf and found with it we could make a Ryme coat. With that shaggy vest, one can easily pass for a transformed wolf and get easy passage into the Howling district of the city. Additionally, the Stilyagi nobles are known to not put up with the requirement for papers. Bluster our way in we shall, while Noname and Sadobras hide within the load of fish we shall be bringing in.
Will we get in safely? I know not, but I know the curse of the Black Rider pulls me on. The voices within cry me on. I must go on…
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