The wind in her hair (RP)

Continued from Crystal Cave Adventure

Roald was able to climb a tree, and from there espied a road that logic dictates must lead somewhere. This logging track has seen better days and has fallen out of use, but it is still navigable on foot even if a wagon would have trouble, and provides direction.

Albert is still weak after his ordeal, the captain is obviously in pain, but stoically limps along, helping in whatever small ways she can. Ahsa, though, is in high spirits --having awoken a while after the party got to the road. The overgrown nature of the road made dragging a travois harder than carrying a stretcher, and Ahsa did not object to being lifted onto the shoulders of two of the men --indeed she seemed relieved that she did not need to complain and ask to be elevated.

After some hours she said that she was even feeling strong enough to sit up --walking proved impossible during the brief breaks-- and persuaded the party to adjust her stretcher to include a seat and backrest so she could look around and spectacle of nature and the wide open world after the confines of the caves. And it is in such style that she is arrayed --above you all-- when you arrive at the village.

You had been smelling the village for a while --the normal smells of smoke and human waste that are not noticed till they have been absent for a while-- but are surprised to see that it sports a newly erected palisade wall and high, closed gate barring entry.

As you approach, an unseen speaker calls out in a quavering voice: "Halt and identify yourselves! Who do you represent? We don't want any trouble."

What do you do?

- Albert -

The road is empty, there is no one coming or going, and you don't see the customary queue of farmers wagons waiting to be allowed in, as you would be used to seeing on the road outside your bar. There are no guards visible, and whoever was calling from the other side of the gate has not shown themself.

You might not be able to judge this sort of thing, but the captain mutters: "What sort of palisade do they call that. It is like a bunch of villagers heard about one but had no soldiers to show them how to make it." Indeed, the village looks too small to have a garrison and no flag flies above it that you can see, but --this far into the country-- there is no reason to suspect allegiance to a foreign power.

"Looks new too." She notes, and indeed you can all see that the earth around the wall has been dug since the last rains, so the fortifications are probably less than a few weeks old.

"Wait? You... You're not from Chlodomer?" The hidden voice asks, then adds: "Or from Childebert?" This seeming like the only other feasible option in his mind.

"Well, I suppose I had better fetch Theuderic." Sharp ears might hear, but equally easily it may seem the speaker just runs off, leaving the travellers alone outside the gate.

After quite a few minutes there is a clattering and clanking from the other side of the wall, and a man is raised into view above you --stumbling a bit as the platform halts is climb. His clothing looks like what a peasant thinks would constitute 'noble wear', and a gold mayoral chain hangs round his neck.

"How shall you pay?" He demands in a high, imperious voice, not bothering to greet you or ask your business.

What do you do?

"I doubt it. But we can see." The captain says in reply to Albert's query. Then she raises her voice to the wall and starts to explain that she or her employers might be known to the merchants here --she has never been here personally, but the caravan gets around-- and that that party might be able to help as payment, but the mayor interrupts her.

"I," he declares pompously. "Do not talk to... women." The fact that he is talking to a woman to say this does not seem to register with him.

The captain shuts up in sheer surprise at this, but, her patience might not last unless someone can come to an arrangement quickly, and you don't get the impression that angry outbursts from her would smooth things over.

What do you do?

- Roald -

The mayor rankles at your implication that you are in any position to judge what is 'enough to stay in his town', but --on the off-chance that you correct-- focuses on Ahsa and the encrutched captain.

"And for the healer?" He demands. "Medicines don't grow on trees, you know. How will you pay for that?"

He does seem interested by the idea of 'respected guards', but will need some convincing. "The law?" He postulates. "Does not reach out here... But, if you can impose some semblance of such order on our neighbors...?" He leaves this hanging, possibly assuming you must already know what he is talking about, or possibly testing for your reactions.

What do you do?

"Ha! God luck with that." The mayor says cryptically. "We are the only village in this area."

With that he turns his back, looks down, and speaks in a carrying whisper that he probably would be embarrassed by your overhearing."Lower me down. But slowly this time, don't jerk me around!"

He seems quite happy for you to leave. If he is bluffing he is really good at it, which you doubt is the case.

What do you do?

At the slight of the glint of gold --even dirty, gold has an almost magical property of drawing the eye and engendering 'respect'-- the mayor stops his elevator-contrivance and leans over the wall for you toss the coin up. After briefly polishing and then biting it, his attitude changes dramatically and he starts shouting orders for the gate to be opened and people to attend to their guests.

Stepping off his ridiculous-looking board-on-ropes-and-pulleys as you enter, the mayor introduces himself as Theuderic, and invites you to dine with him and his wife, right away. He indicates a few lads to help carry the litter.

It turns out the village healer had made her way to the gate anyway, not waiting for authorisation to do her job. She tuts and shakes her head as she takes charge of Ahsa, but does not seem concerned for her prospects of healing. She directs the carriers to her small hut, near the gate, and newly cramped in by the wooden wall, without any mention of payment.

• Do you insist on staying with Ahsa or accept the mayor's offer?

"As you can clearly see, sir Theuderic, we are filthy from our battle." Albert gestures towards the group. "If you will allow us to go and freshen up first, we will be happy to join you and your lovely wife for dinner." He's really not in the mood for these annoying pleasantries, but realizes he needs to keep this jerk on their side. "I'm sure the healers will be heading to a place with water. We can go with them for now."