The Two Barons (RP)

Continued from The wind in her hair

The past few days have been hard on you all. Did you lie in and catch up on some rest this morning? --there is no time pressure to deal with the 'barons', but the innkeeper will have had to work to keep people from waking you earlier, and the locals --still as exited to see you this morning as they were yesterday-- were all waiting to share their opinions on how you should approach your task.

Breakfast was good, and plentiful, and the innkeeper has packed you lunch. After your recent bout of dehydration, it would not be surprising if you found yourselves carrying a bit more water than you really need.

The 'guard' bows low as she lets you out the gate --maybe hoping for a gratuity for the service-- and the morning (if it is still 'morning') is nice and warm. You are sure Ahsa would be gushing about its "beauty" or somesuch, but she was still abed if you checked.

As you approach the forest's edge (hopefully without traumatic memories) you spot a group of people on the road. You can identify the tall form of Daryl by his armour and helem --all now gleaming in the sunlight, and smelling strongly of polish.

Daryl's companions are: --you may be surprised to discover-- the mayor's son, carrying what you guess is his father's hunting crossbow and dagger; a smaller, quiet boy wearing ill-fitting leathers and a leather helmet, who appears to be constantly trying to hide behind Theuderic (Jr.); and two older men, armed only with pitchforks.

What do you do?

"Er... well." Daryl says sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck before remembering his role and dropping to one knee before the heroes. "I needed to find the scriptures to get 3 of the virtues of battle: --know you men--" He sates, motioning to the people with him. "--know your ... er... enemy... um... opposition... um, you in this case?... um... so I predicted you would be coming this way and set up here in your path--" He sounds rather proud of that. "--and know yourself--"

He takes a deep breath at this last one. "I know I can't actually read, so I had to also find someone who could read the scriptures to me. I called upon the aid of Theo," me motions to Theuderic, "but we needed help with some of it and... Phil? was it?" He enquires from the small figure behind 'Theo'. "Would only translate if we promised to bring him with us."

Daryl is almost quivering with pride at what he has accomplished in the hours since you assigned him his quest.

- Norbert -

How did you fall in with this group? Did they need your help with any of the quest?
You don't think you know Phil. But what can you tell us about the other two older men in the group? Did they come with you, or try to talk you out of- or into- coming yourself?

How do you introduce yourself, or did Daryl introduce you? (Narrate it as much as you like.)

"Yes sir!" Daryl says standing to attention and putting on his helmet.

Theo's bodyguards look uncomfortable and unsure about their job. The dog especially makes them nervous, and they seem to be struggling to decide how they can both stay far away from the dog and still 'protect' their charge from it.

Phil reaches out a tentative hand to the dog, making Theo look quite worried.

Norbert: How does your dog respond to Phil? Why is that unusual?

Phil seems very enamoured by the dog, and would have very much wanted to play with her if not for Theo's protectively restraining hand and warning shake of his head.

"What's her name?" Phil asks in a small, but high and clear voice?

Daryl sets off, his long legs carrying him at a pace that the older or shorter of you might find hard to maintain.

"What? Oh!" Daryl says looking around apparently realising for the first time how big he's gotten.

"Oh, er, yes." He agrees. "Of course. But... if we want to get there and back before dark..." He sounds worried about being out of the village at night.

- Norbert -

"I was never allowed. But I always wanted a pet   dog." Phil says, though there is the slightest of pauses that suggest he was maybe indicating a desire for a 'pet' and specified 'dog' only to appease you.

- Roald -

Daryl swells with pride at your comment about his intimidating armour, but his sweaty face does turn pale under his helmet at your question.

"It's just... you know. You hear stories about 'things'." He admits. "But I know they are just stories to scare little children into being good." It does not sound at all like he 'knows' that, but your joking attitude does not allow his ego to admit otherwise.

You can his see mind working at your question about sword use, but he apparently settles upon honesty (there is 'virtue' in honesty and honest assessment). "I have never used it." He admits, hanging his head. "My father will be so angry when he finds I have taken it." There is a pleading note to his voice, as if to say 'please don't send me back home as anything other than a hero'.

Your promise of lessons brightens his mood a lot. "You just 'stick them with the pointy bit'." He asserts, drawing the sword and showing you that he at least knows which end that is.

What do you do?