The morning gradually brightened as a light rain accompanied by fog, rolled in from the nearby woods. Undaunted the Seekers set out from the Downs, following Drist's recollection of the hand drawn map, the original safely tucked away for dry keeping.
"This part isn't all that hard," the ranger noted, "we have to follow the road out of town, let it take us north for an hour or so. The tricky part might be find the old road, the one that spurs off into the woods. Delon seemed to think its entrance might be hard to find."
Drist led the way, accompanied by Grummie, Lwcynda and Andremar brought up the second rank. Gork guided the roped centaur. Jutos and Cassandra watched from the rear. The rogue had the pack animal in hand, while the dogs roamed somewhat freely on either side. The New Wilderness Road did indeed run roughly south to north, paralleling the Welkwood. The road was wide enough for two wagons to barely pass each other.
The woods grew close to the west side of the road, tall and old. The undergrowth shoved its way between the massive tree trunks, and the area was alive with animal sounds. Fog and mist emanated from within. After about an hour, the two leaders called a halt, and moved off to the left side. Sure enough, they had found traces of an old way. Grummie scurried inside, "Tis here sure enough," he called, his voice resounding in the fog. Hey all dealt with the branches, and came to the same realization. There was a road, of sorts in here.
Inside the wood, foliage blocked the much light, allowing only a few peeks to filter down from the leafy canopy. Water glistened on the leaves, and dripped down, making it difficult to say whether it still rained or not. The road was winding and bushy, obviously unused for some time. At times Drist and Grummie could see for 100' at other times for 10'. Grass grew across the path, and the woodland brush seemed to be reclaiming the area. While there were some faint tracks in the dirt, it was impossible to say what they might be from.
They had walked another hour. The mist and fog appeared to be lifting, and though the occasional drip was still felt, consensus had it that the rain had stopped. The occasional sun ray filtered though the canopy. It was at one of the better sight lines that the front ranks saw they were not alone. Coming around a bend, maybe 80' away, was a group of travelers, 5-7 strong, heading east, towards the party. Their faces were expressionless. One was dressed as a cleric of some sort; another as a traveling drummer. The others appeared peasant like, perhaps farmers. Each did have a weapon at the side. They certainly did not seem to be soldiers, as the walking style was haphazard. They seemed somewhat serious, as they neither talked nor sang as they approached.
Jutos looked over at Cassandra and sighed. "I had better slip into the trees before my presence brings ill." Pointing to a grouping of large trees with enough brush to conceal him, he continued, "I'll be beyond those trees, watching and listening."
Cassandra understood, and was comforted with the thought of someone nearby. She remembered the encounter with the bandits last time the Seekers went into woods. She moved forward cautiously.
Grummie stated in a low voice, loud enough for his companions to hear, but not the approaching group of travelers, "Well, certainly they doesn't nay mean us harm, or'en they had already been chargin' us wid sword in hand, woulds't they naught? Stand easy my friends.. and mayhaps we ken askin' these fine folk for a survey o' the path ahead." Grummie brushed off his clothes, sucked in his tummy (which proportionately matches his nose), and prepared to make a strong warm greeting.
Lwcynda waited to see what might happen as Grummie greeted these strangers, but just in case she began preparing a hold person spell, should the need arise.
Andremar recognized the cleric's action, if not the exact spell, and instinctively readied his specialty, the magic missile.
The strangers had not broken stride; it was almost as if they were unaware of the Seekers until they were almost upon them. The gnome, some 10' ahead of the others, offered, "Well met, fellow travelers, can yee nae tall us of the path ahead?"
The swiftness of their answer, as well as its violence, took the little one by surprise. Rather than extend hand or verbal reply, the first two strangers swiftly drew short blades and offered jabbed thrusts instead. Grummie was surprised to find them both hit their marks, cutting aside each arm. The nest two moved towards Drist before he had a chance to react. Fortunately, only one of them drew blood. The remaining three began advancing, drawing swords as they did so. Lwcynda's spell was directed at them; all three stood still, as if a sudden frost had fixed them in place. Andremar's missiles drew a bead on one of them nearest Drist, and hit the brigand in rapid succession. Knowing the mage had little hand to hand skills, Cassandra moved quickly to his defense.
Seeing the commencing of hostilities, Jutos took ahold of his holy symbol and said a prayer to Heironeous. He seemed to gain great confidence from this effort. He then pulled out his great mace as he made his way around to the right, intent on appearing towards the rear of the attackers. As he did so, he cast further prayed for the ~blessing of Heironeous~ to fall upon his friends.
Grummie winced notably at the impact of the bandit's swords against his flesh. As he quickly regained his composure, Grummie scowled at his attackers, and stuck out his tongue at them. They were temporarily taken aback by this unusual response. He had time to grasp his short sword, and drew it over his head. As the two rogues made to attack him once me, Grummie ran feverishly between them. They had to modify their thrusts lest they hit each other He sang to taunt them, "nana nana nana nana."
Grummie rushed to "held" bandits, and began threatening the life of one with the tip of his blade held at well, err.. well whatever vital organs were within his diminutive reach
The bandits seemed momentarily undecided.
On seeing Grummie's actions, Lwcynda shouted, "Do not attack the held ones." She also commented, "These strangers seem to be as mindless as our centaur."
Grummie heard Lwcynda's words, and paused ... just for an instant ... as many thoughts transgressed upon him simultaneously. He wondered, "Is she simply convinced that I intend to attack them? Or are these truly mindless farmers, captive to a mind-altering spell?" Just as quickly as the thoughts crossed his mind, Grummie decided to ignore held one's. He turned and dashed for the cover of the nearby foliage; hoping to gain the advantage of range, and the use of his bow. All the while, he muttered under his breath "Oh god o' the wood, I hope the lady is correct."
The two turned their attention towards the priestess. "Mindless? We'll show you mindless, lady." And they moved to attack her. One was delayed by her command to ~, but the other thrust at her with his short blade, catching her aside the upper left thigh
Drist held his quarterstaff firmly in both hands and swung it at one bandit's side as hard has he could. The bandit ducked under the staff and jabbed Drist solidly in the lower abdomen. The other one tried for Drist, but jabbed wide.
It was at this moment that Jutos burst from the trees, slugging one of Drists' assailants with his giant mace, diving the man into the ground, from which he did not rise.
Cassandra moved to aid Lwcynda, but her sword and dagger routine had no effect. Andremar came smartly to the aid of his two old friends. To the attacker he said, "My, er, friend, why do you, um, attack us? Are we, ah, not all, um, friends?" The bandit fell under the mage's charms.
Andremar called his new found friend to his side. "Er, defend me. These bad, ah, men, these scoundrels, er, um, ne'erdowells, must not, um, hurt me." The charmed rogue took up a defensive posture in front of the mage.
Lwcynda and Cassandra continued to fight, the priestess praising Mayaheime, and Cassandra hoping the fool had a fat purse. They both moved on to the sleeping bandit, who was moving but groggy. In short order he moved no more.
Drist struck out again with his staff, this time hitting his opponent hard in the side. The man struck back, but weakly and missed. Cassandra had time to move up to him, he dagger finding his rib cage. He went down for good.
Throughout, Grummie's head could be seen, bobbing up and down, from behind the bushes of the nearby wood. The sight would likely have been laughable, were it not for the obvious severity of the situation. He appeared to be looking for something, and can be heard yelling. "Rope, rope, I nay have it... ifen yea have it... hollar!"
Grummie searched for vines and the like, things that might make a good rope to bind the "held" parties. He managed to find some stout weeds, and gradually twisted them round the feet of one of the `still'. With the other attackers now down, Gork reacted to Grummie's earlier cry for rope, and brought some to tie up the other two, and to reinforce Grummies' handy work.
Seeing that Gork and Grummie had secured the three formerly held, Jutos examined the one he had crunched, he was not dead. Realizing that there was little which could be done for him, Jutos said a short prayer over his fallen foe.
Grummie sighed heavily; however, a slight grin crossed his face, as he remembered his adventures of yesteryear, prior to his position within the Knight Owl's Inn. He was obviously a bit shaken by the fray, but somehow happy to have been a part of it. He checked himself over, noting only minor wounds to each arm. He tore free small sections of his cloak, and began to wrap them snugly about his arms to control any bleeding. As he did so, he stated "Ifen yea all have this under control, den I shall scout about; whilst you await these brigands to awaken, an' question them. I will remain in ear-shot shoulds't trouble arrive."
Cassandra thought this was a good idea. "Yes, and I'll stand guard here while the others deal with the ruffians."
Grummie set off in the direction that the bandits had come from; taking slow careful note of all tracks and signs of activity. As he disappeared from visibility into the short foliage, he moves very quietly, hiding in the shadows of the wood.
Lwcynda asked if anyone needed healing. Realizing Drist was in need, she ~cured~ him. Then she simply bandaged her own minor wounds for now.
She noted to Andremar, "Well I guess you have a new friend for a while. Perhaps we should question him and find out what is going on here. Maybe we should question these people in groups to see if we can tell whether they lie. I have a spell called zone of truth which I can use on one, maybe 2, I have to check, and those within the zone must speak the truth. Let us decide what to do next."
Andremar answered, "Er, this new, um, friend, will answer truthfully. "He, um, likes me now."
Lwcynda consulted her memory to remember what this spell of hers could do. "Ah, yes, I remember now. When I cast this spell, all creatures within it, who fall under its spell, cannot tell a knowing untruth. They are aware of the magic, however, and can remain silent. I can creature a 30' cube. So the three trussed up fellows could be included."
Cassandra said, "Fine by me, just don't expect me to go within. A woman has a right to her secrets," she demurred.
As this discussion took place, Grummie returned from his scouting. He reported finding a pressed down grassy area, around the bend on the south side of the path, where these guys had probably lain in wait. And there was a single file broken trail heading into the woods to the south.
Jutos strode over to the trusted up "bandits" and grabbed each by his ropes, dragging them all over to Lwcynda. Dropping them hard to the ground, he turned to her. "Place your magic over them. Let us see what they know." Then, pulling out his ax and fingering the blade, he glared at the three bandits, revealing his ogrish fangs. "If it cannot loosen their tongues, perhaps this shall."
Grummie returned from his scouting. With the rush of adrenaline now gone, Grummie began to feel the ache of his wounds, and picked at the haphazard bandages he had created. He sauntered to Lwcynda's side. "Ifen when yea are finished, ken yea look upon me wounds? I know not enough o' medicine to trust me own handy work."
Lwcynda saw to Grummie's needs, "Yes, of course I will tend thee." She fixed up his bandages in a more orderly manner.
With this taken care of, the gnome stood aside, intending to await the completion of the interrogation. However, there were those other bodies .... sooo, he began to search the bodies of the deceased, for any evidence of their purpose in the woods, and perchance the occasional bauble, as he murmured to himself, "Well, he not need it nay more, an' be waste jes' to leave it here."
Lwcynda cast zone of truth in the area where Jutos held the three bandits.
Lwcynda began with "Who are you?
They stared at Jutos, and one spoke for all, "Moe, Larry, Curly."
"Where do you come from?"
"Our camp."
"Which is where, exactly?"
"`Bout half a mile south from here, through the woods."
"Why did you attack us so quickly and without even a parley?
"We're bandits. It is what we do. Few of importance, or talent, use this path. We rely on a quick overpowering forced surrender."
"Have you seen a group of gypsies pass this way?"
"No."
"What lies beyond?"
"The road path continues to the mountains."
To Jutos and the others she offered "Anyone may ask them questions. Be my guests."
Drist walked over to the three bandits under the ~truth~ spell and looked down at them for a moment. "I have no questions at the moment. I'll will await there answers to your questions, Lwcynda."
Cassandra asked, "This camp of yours, are there any others still in it?"
Moe fell silent, till shaken by Jutos. "Yes, another six or so can be found there."
"Hmm, so, about twelve to fifteen of you, out here on a seldom used path preying on the lesser lights. sounds like small time operators to me." She begins to walk away, then over her shoulder added, "Don't suppose you work for Papazian now, do you?"
To this point, Larry and Curly had been silent, watching Moe do the talking and keeping their facial features steady and somewhat stern. But now, "Papazian? Er, no, we don't-"
"Shut up fool," ordered Moe.
"Doesn't matter, if he finds out, we're done for. No, we don't work for Papazian."
Cassandra returned to them. "As I suspected. These fellows are freelance, hiding out here. If Papazain were to hear of them, well, it would not be a pretty sight. Nope, not pretty indeed."
She explained to Drist, Jutos, and Grummie. "We, Andremar, Lwcynda, myself, had the pleasure of meeting the great Papazian. He is the main bandit in these woods, at least this eastern portion. He was rather impressed with Lwcynda here. She took one of his men to task single handed."
"All I did was pin him," Lwcynda explained. "It was a simple wrestling maneuver. Anyone could have done it."
"In any case, Papazian was rather impressed. He did let us go without demanding payment, tribute, or the like. This little band's presence is another card we could play should we have the pleasure of his company again." The three men did not seem to be very comfortable with the way the rogue's mind was working. Their faces showed real concern.
Andremar asked his charmed friend, Shemp, similar questions, and got similar answers.
Grummie by now had had sufficient time to search around. He gathered a number of reasonable short swords, one of which seemed to be of better quality and balance. He also found assorted coins totaling 35 silvers, 12 coppers.
Drist turned to Grummie, "Did you find anything in the camp that these men were in? Or was it empty?"
The gnome noted, "Nay nothing, jest a place where they lay in wait. Guess the good stuff's in their real camp. Did find a narrow foot trail `eading south."
Cassandra asked, "So, what shall we do. First of all, with these three. And, then about the others and their camp?
Drist looked to the rest of the group. "I suggest we take them with us for now, they might come in useful in the future. Then, If we have no other need of them, then we will decide what we should do with them when that time comes."
Grummie gathered the items he found and piled them together, so that they might be inspected by the others, and possibly divided. While inspecting the finer of the short swords, he turns an inquisitive eye towards the enspelled bandits and inquires. "Tell me, how can we safely pass your companions? Is there a password or secret symbol of any kind?"
They don't seem to understand the concept of a password. "We know who's who," was Moe's response. He kept eyeing Grummie as the gnome played with what had been his sword.
Upon their answer, Grummie turned to the others, and expressed agreement with the presumption that they are only a small-time rag-tag gang of thugs, disorganized and of little concern to their overall mission. Furthermore, he pointed out that they can't be left here alone, not alive anyway; for, to do so would risk their escape and they would warn the others of their presence.
"Does anyone else have any questions for these men?" Lwcynda wondered, but none seemed forthcoming.
"Well then I think I must agree that we should bring the brigands with us. When the others see their friends bound and Jutos there it is unlikely that they will attack us. Perhaps we can make a truce or something."
Cassandra seemed confused. She asked the men. "This camp of yours, unless I misunderstand, it does not monitor this road. It is south of here. We could continue on our way and not meet your comrades, could we not."
Moe answered that this was correct.
"So," Cassandra continued, "our choices as I see it, are as follows. We continue on our way, dragging these guys along or not. Or we make a detour to their camp, kick their theft ridden arses and take what ever ill-gotten gain they have. Then we put the fear of Papazian in them and scare them out of the woods." Again, at the mention of the name Papazian, the bandits certainly seem distressed.
"Oh, yes, we could just slit their throats and be done with it," she added as an afterthought.
She awaited a consensus, while looking through Grummie's grab bag of grift. "Hey, nice sword," she said as she saw the fine one the gnome was hefting. "Appears to be just like mine," she held hers out for comparison. "Why don't you hold on to that one for now?" she suggested to Grummie.
Drist turned to Cassandra. "I would rather we go on our way. I would not like to get into another fight at the moment, although I suggest we still take them with us. They could come in useful. For instance, if their friends find us, we can use them for human shields." Drist smiled momentarily at this idea, then went serious again. "Any more suggestions?"
Grummie nodded in agreement with the suggestions made by the others, and continues to inspect the sword... He says.. "I 'ave one last question for dis riff-raff, for we go." He shakes the fine sword in the face of the one called Moe, and inquired, "Tell me what makes this sword so special!"
Moe responded, "It tends to hit with a bit more accuracy and cut a little more deeply.
The Seekers huddled up our of earshot of the captives. Grummie spoke. "Aye, we should be on our way. Take dese fellows wid us, for now. We ken release dem later, once we are at a safe distance, or use dem as bargainin' chips ifen their friends come a'lookin' for dem." With that, Grummie removed one of the sheaths from the fallen brigands, and attached it to his waste on the side opposite his old one, and placed the new sword in it. He handed the coins to Cassandra, "M'lady, might I suggest that you divide these as yea see fit, at a later date." Knowing not the normal arrangement for division of findings, he glanced around at the others, awaiting their reactions.
Jutos winked to Drist so the bandits could not see, then turned back to them. "Nae, we should let them go. My tribe has not had a decent hunt in weeks, and now that I know of their presence, it seems we shall finally have one." Looking at the bandits, Jutos continued with a snarl. "You have one week to leave our lands. If, after then, you still remain, I shall lead the rest of my tribe and hunt ye down." Then, licking his fangs for effect, he finished, "We haven't eaten human in some time."
Lwcynda agreed. "It is true. These bandits will just slow us down. Now we know where to go to avoid the others so let's see how they feel about Jutos' threat and then be on our way. Between Jutos' tribe and the threat of Papazian we will most likely not see them again."
Grummie scratched his head a little bit, turns and snarled at the bandits, then turned again to his companions and whispered, "Aye, Jutos has a good idea. Mayhaps his threat will scaren' dem nuf to prevent any other encounters. Let us be on our way then, for time dis o' the essence."
The Seekers gathered their belonging and began to make their way round the trussed up men. Jutos snarled and licked his lips. Lwcynda said, "Now now, big guy. You can eat them on our return trip. Just think how much better they'll taste on an empty stomach."
He seemed placated by this. He looked hungrily at them as he walked by.
Cassandra and rubbed her hands together in anticipation as she smiled at the men. "No, Andremar, we already have three dogs and one centaur. And now you have a new playmate to practice spells on." Shemp walked next to the mage. "Don't you be polymorphing any of them into anything, I want them as is. Papazian prefers real evidence if he's to pay me a reward."
Soon the Seekers were around the bend and on their way once more.
The road curved a few more times, then straightened, becoming more and more of a path. The forest trail was straight. Leaves of countless trees paved the path, preventing grass from growing. Squirrels played in the trees, the occasional bird flew by, the sun filtered down. All was normal and serene. They came upon the skeleton of a deer which lay amongst the scattered paw prints of wolves; both seemed weeks old.
They had continued on for a few more miles when things began to change. Gradually the forest began quiet. There was little animal movement, no sounds of birds, though the sun still filtered through. It was not ominous so much as it seemed sad. After about a mile, the forest cleared to the south, maybe a quarter mile wide. The path became more of a road again. Some 500' south a lake, very calm and serene extended to the southwest. At the water edge an animal of some sort appeared to be resting. Nearby, a small, yet seemingly sturdy pavilion stood on raised stilts.
"Well," said Jutos from the forest's edge. "Looks like this is my cue to disappear once again. My heritage may be useful at times, like with them bandits, but," and he turned and looked out over the lake, "usually it is a heavy burdern."
Grummie glanced up at the hunking Jutos, and grimaced sideways at the woe of his new companions racial plight. He then grinned, and with a wink, he said in a whisper "I know yea burden all too well, me friend. Alas, did nae do me much good in our last encounter. Naytheless, Jutos, do not think that thee must always hide upon our meeting with others. Ifen yea show no agression, an' smile a bit, yea might fair better than yea think." With that, Grummie patted his friend on the lower leg (it's as high as he can reach), and turned to the others. "So, what say yea that we see what be this creature? Slowly and quietly. I care not to be so casual as before." Grummie rubbed lightly at the bandages on his arms, and prepared to advance.
Jutos looked down in amazement at Grummie, and his resigned look gradually gave way to a hopeful smile. "Truly, the size of one's heart be not restricted by the body. I thank you for your trust. 'Tis a rare thing for any man, let alone a half-man such as I." Rubbing his chin, Jutos couldn't help but smile, revealing those trademark fangs. "Perhaps," he continued with a laugh, "I should not smile too much."
"I must agree with Grummie." siad. Lwcynda. "You are our friend and companion and we are a group. Together we stand. So I too say do not be so quick to hide from others. We can usually talk our way out of things. Others will never learn that ogres can be kind and thoughtful if you do not show them. Why even Gork is no longer so afraid of you -- are you Gork?"
The goblin gave his famous `who, me?' look and pretended to be busy with the centaur.
"Gork, I asked you a question."
He hesitated further, then stuttered, "N no. me not afraid of heem. He good to hide beehind."
Lwcynda said to Jutos. "Well, there you have it. "Please think on this, Jutos."
Grummie, Drist, and Cassandra, being the three most quiet members of the little party moved forward with care. The others hung back, but kept a line of sight. As the three advancers neared the lake, they got a better view of the pavillion, which sat at the edge of the lake. From where they stood, some 100' to their left, it did not appear to have been lived in for some time. The wood was old and a few cobwebs hung cross the curtained windows. The door was shut.
Cassandra kept watch on the building; Drist looked for tracks;Grummie snuck up on the animal, which had not moved since they had begun their approach. The closer he got, he did detect a gentle breathing. Soon he was standing next to a deer, a sleeping deer, at the lake edge. Drist noted the animal's tracks came from the woods to the lake, and that was it. Cassandra noted nothing new about the cabin. "No movements, no sounds, nothing."
Those who had remained on the path, some 400' away, were still absorbed in the quiet stillness.
Drist turned to Cassandra and said quietly, "Do you think there is anyhere or shall we have a look about. It doesn't seem like anything is going on around here." Drist looked at the deer for a moment then said, "I would think that a deer would not be here If it sensed people nearby, so I would think that no one is here." Drist listened for any kind of sound coming from the pavilion.
Grummie remains very quiet, but inspects the deer closely, looking for wounds, man-made markings or anything unusual. He then, quietly as he approached, backs away from the creature, prepare to react, should it awaken and react violently.
Upon reaching the others, Grummie relates what he found in a whisper, and adds "Me not sure what be goin' on here, but tis strange. Dat deer shoulds't 'ave smelled me, or heard me, least I be better than me thinks. I know not much o' these druids, but coulds't this be one o' dem, in anoder form? Might explain the pavilion, for it must 'ave a purpose. I suggest we search the area carefully 'fore we move onward."
Cassandra had been listening also, "I haven't heard a thing." She turned and waved to those who had hung back, waving them up. She said to Drist, "Guess I could sneak up a take a look inside." Cassandra moved around the side of the cottage. She checked out the rear where she found a door, but would have to swim to reach it. Then she slowly worked her way around the front, peering in the dirt streaked, curtained windows.
The others advanced. Lwcynda and Andramar came up to Grummie and Drist. Jutos, Gork and the Centaur hung back some 50'.
The ever-curious Lwcynda spoke. "Maybe the deer is under a spell too. Let us carefully look around. Drist, you are good with animals, why not have a look at that deer?"
Drist approached the dozing animal. It still did not move. He looked carefully but found no wounds of any kind. "Never seen anything like this before. It really seems zonked out. "
"Pssst. Pissst," Cassandra psssted. "get a load of this." She waved the others over to the porch of the pavilion.
Lwcynda, Drist, and Grummie walked over and up the squeaky stairs. "Listen," said Cassandra. As they did so, they heard the sound of gentle, rhythmic breathing from within. "Look here," she said, pointing to a sort of clean spot on one window. Though the inside of the building was rather dark, the outlining of a reclining figure could be seen on what appeared to be a cot, across the room from the door.
Andremar walked closer but still kept a distance. He whispered, "Errrr, whooo could that..that be?"
Having trouble seeing what is within, being not tall enough to see through the window without a boost, Grummie yanked at the leggings of those around him, whispering "What see ya? What see ya?" Once he was aware of the snoozing figure inside, he whispered, "Let us not be akin to brigands here. Let a few o' us hide, for the safety of the many, and have the others simply knock upon da door... We nae need to barge o' sneak in on him. We nae know ifen he be dangerous."
Lwcynda said "I think you are right Grummie. How about if you and I approach the cabin and knock and the others can hide. Maybe that person in there is 'zonked' too. Oh well, let us have a look." Then she added, "If no one comes to the door perhaps we can try and open it. What do you think?"
Grummie said "Aye, I be with thee... ifen nae one of yea disagree." Grummie prepared for what might come.
Lwcynda knocked on the door, while Cassandra tried to observe any reaction inside. Jutos, who along with Nork and the Centaur were still away from the cabin, kept careful watch of the surrounding area.
"Knock, Knock," she knocked, firmly.
"Not a stir," observed Cassandra.
"KNOCK, KNOCK," she tried again.
"Nope, nothing. Here, let me check the door." As Cassandra did so, the knob turned easily in her hand. The afternoon rays of sun streamed in. With this aid, they could see that it was a young man sleeping on the bed. The room was furnished with two wooden chairs, a table, couch, pantry, chest, and a stack of firewood for the fireplace. A closed rear door was across from them.
Cassandra tried, "Excuse me, Mister. Can we come in?" He stirred not; he continued to breathe gently in sleep.
Jutos and Nork noted nothing new; the deer still lay, er, it lay still, er, ah, well it didn't move.
Drist followed behind Lwcynda and Grummie and walked slowly towards the man in the chair, while saying softly "Excuse me, sir...Hello? Are you awake, sir?" Drist stopped about two feet from the chair and looked down on the sleeping man then at Lwcynda and Grummie. "I wonder why he doesn't wait up?" Drist looked back at the man, then said louder, "Excuse me, sir... Sir?"
But the man continued to sleep.
Lwcynda said, "Yes, this is very mysterious. I think I will try to detect for any evil or magic within these walls." She cast the spells, and found neither magic nor evil. "Strange, very strange."
Grummie became uncomfortable with his surroundings, and the events at hand. His eyed widen and darted from side to side. His hands fidgeted and he picked at the hilt of his sword nervously. He carefully glanced around the room, looking for signs of recent activity, the thickness of the dust, or any indication of how long this young man has been asleep. All the while, he walked carefully, and touched nothing, in fear of falling victim to the same magic that apparently haunted this seemingly rather cabin. He stuttered slightly, no longer whispering, for it seems to be of no use... "I-I-I dddon't like dis. Nae... Nae... I nae like it one bit. Tis somethin' v-v-very wrong in dis wood. I caution thee, tread lightly least w-w-we all fall into the long slumber dat curses this wood." Grummie continued his search, inspecting the food, drink, flowers, etc... for any signs of poisons, mystic magic, or (gulp) traps! All the while, he muttered lightly under his breath, "I should be in me shop. Me nae should'a lef' it"
Grummie's search of the pantry turned up an old, moldy sack of flour, a corked jug, three wooden plates, four wooden spoons, and two pewter mugs. In the chest, which Cassandra inspected, lay blankets , two candlesticks, tinder and flint, and a dried-out wreath of water lilies. Drist noted a longbow and a quiver of maybe ten arrows in the northeast corner of the room.
Since her spells revealed little, and the others had found nothing special, Lwcynda resorted to the last resort. She approached the sleeping figure and shook him gently trying to wake him. The young man grunted a bit, almost seemed to stir, but still slept.
"Give him a shove this time," said Cassandra.
Lwcynda was less than gentle; the man responded accordingly. "Harumph, huh, er, what? Who?," he stretched, looked through glassy eyes at the four in the house, then let out a huge yawn, as he sat up, and his feet reached for the floor. He scratched at his head. The side of his face that had been on the pillow was deeply lined and red.
Meanwhile, familiar voices could be heard outside. "Er, what the, ah, where'd you, um come from?"
"Mee no see heeer beeefore. Sheee just beeee there."
Lwcynda directed her attention to the waking man. "Oh please excuse me Sir. I did not wish to alarm you, I only wanted to wake you. You seemed to be so very very asleep and when you did not respond to my voice I thought I might just shake you a bit. I am Lwcynda and these are my companions. We mean no harm. Actually we are here to help if we can. How long have you been asleep? Perhaps you would like a little refreshment?"
"Yes, I certainly am thirsty. My throat is very dry." He accepted the water from the cleric. He drank deeply. "Now, how long have I been asleep? I don't know. What is the date?"
Lwcynda informed him that it was some time in Patchwall.
"Patchwall?," he asked in confusion. "Did you say Patchwall? Last I remember, it was Flocktime. Was planning to head out to get some supplies." As he mention this, he looked about his cabin and noticed the very poor shape of things. "Guess I need them now more than ever."
Drist, realizing what might have just appeared, ran out the door and stood beside his companions. He saw what had attracted the attention of Jutos and Gork.
Grummie was also deeply concerned about what might have transpired outside. He moved quickly, but not offensively, in hopes of not startling the man within the cabin. He stopped at the doorway, so he could watch both the interior and exterior.
He saw what the others saw, and whispered to Lwcynda and Cassandra who were still within the cabin.
"Aye sees a little girl. Well, mebe not so little. Think she's a teen. Innocent look upon `er face. Seems ta be saying somthin, but I can't hear what."
Jutos and Gork had been startled by her sudden appearance. She was crying and wringing her hands, her soft voice saying, "You must help me. My lover needs your help."
Jutos looked to the young girl, wanting to go to her and offer his help, but his doubts and fears quickly worked to shackle any attempt. He did not wish to frighten her any more than she already seemed, and considered retreating back into the brush when she girl started to sob. Her plight moved him and he took a step forwards, uncertainty gripping him like a bear. He thought of his companion's words, reassuring himself that they were true, that maybe his good intentions will show through.
Striding over the girl, Jutos smiled slightly, so as not to show his fangs, moving with as much grace as he could. Kneeling before her, he looked into her eyes, wet with tears. "Please lass," he consoled her, "do not cry. You are among friends now." Offering her piece of cloth he continued, "Here, dry your tears. We are here to help you. Now, what is this about your lover? "
Drist waited and watched Jutos to see what he could learn.
The young girl took the cloth and tampered her tears. She spoke in sobs. "My man, he lives in there." She pointed to the pavilion, and sobbed. She took a breath. "He was leaving me, so I caused him to," and she broke down again.
"To what, lass," Jutos asked, then softly repeated, "to what."
"To, ah, ah, to sleep. And I cannot wake him. He'll sleep forever lest you help." She continued to cry. She wiped her face with the cloth, but it was like trying to stop a river.
Drist had been in the cabin. "Miss? You man, the one in the cabin? He is awake. Lwcynda has awakened him."
She continued to cry, then as the words gradually sunk in, she gasped, "Awake? He's awake?" She bolted for the building.
Inside, Lwcynda was responding to the waken man's questions, naturally with more of her own.
"Well, you have been asleep for a while. Do you remember anything that happened before you fell asleep? Did anyone come by here, like a band of gypsies? Were strange things happening around here before you fell asleep? Have you ever heard of the lost druids? Oh here I go rambling on again. Perhaps we can all sit down and eat and talk about what has been happening around here?"
But the man just looked confused. "Gypsies? Druids? Who? What?" Till he heard `eat' which reminded him of his long fast. "Food, yes, food."
Lwcynda said to Grummie and Cassandra, "Why don't you tell the others to come in and we can talk about what has been happening here and about this girl's problem. Maybe we can do something about it."
Cassandra answered, "They seem to be heading this way. That young girl is leading them."
Shortly the young girl entered. She took one look at the man sitting on the edge of the cot. "Evan, oh Evan. I am so sorry, I didn't mean it. Please forgive me."
From the way she ran to him and he held her, it seemed forgiven, whatever it was.
It took a few minutes to sort things out. It seemed that Evan had said something about `leaving' to go and get supplies, but all she, `Chloe,' had heard was the leaving part. So, rather than lose him, she fashioned a powerful sleep enchantment, and doused the lake.
"Aye, t`would explain the sleepin' deer," noted Grummie.
Evan assured her he would not be going anywhere for long. "But what can be done about the lake?" he wondered. "It is where I get my water."
Chloe answered, producing a vial. "Here, pour this in the lake," offering it to anyone, and the waters will be safe once more. And to you who woke my Even, here." She produced a second vial. "You should have this. It will allow the imbiber to become unseen."
While the Seekers decided what to do about each of the vials, and some food was prepared from what remained intact, and what the Seekers carried, Lwcynda asked Evan about the gypsies and the Druids once more.
"Gypsies? Can't say that I've seen any of their kind in these parts. But then, I've been asleep for some time now. As far as druids, or `lost druids' as you call them, I have heard of them, though I do not know if they exist, or are they just idle chatter. "
Cassandra asked, "Supposing they do exist. Where do you guess they might be found?"
Evan answered. "OK, if they do exist, they are certainly far west from here. You'll have to continued on that road, till you come to the mountains. There used to be a path through them, though don't know if it still exists, or else go over them. If they do exist, they'll be somewhere the other side of those hills, that is for sure."
Drist asked the girl, "How can you be so young if he," Drist pointed to the old man, "is so old? Is it some other kind of spell? And where did you come from? We didn't see you earlier?"
Chloe just smiled. "It is best that you did not see me. Sometimes those who do see very little else."
Evan added. "Age is no barrier to love, my young friend. As you will no doubt learn some day.
Grummie relaxed significantly, stowing his weapons. Having watched and listened intently to the stories of the couple, he approached the young girl "Aye, I be willin' to pour da mixture in da' lake fur yea." He then turned and faced Lwcynda, trying to make sure that neither the old man or the young lady could see his face, and said with a slight wink and a nod towards the door, "Lwcynda, would yea accompany me to da lake, an 'elp me out?"
"Yes," replied Jutos, looking at Grummie and nodding. "Let us heal the waters lest others fall prey to their magics." As he reached the door, he looked back over his shoulder, continuing, "Pray tell us, lass, how did you accomplish this wizardry?"
"With but a lock of my golden hair."
Jutos began, "But your hair is brown--" then decided better no to pursue it any further.
He and Lwcynda accompanied Grummie to the great out of doors, where Grummie expressed his concerns about possible dangers in this vial. Neither professed the ability to detect poison, so it was decided to go on faith. The vial was poured into the lake. In moments life began again. The lake began to ripple; birds could be heard and seen; small game scampered about; the deer rose up, shook itself off, and groggily moved off into the woods.
"I guess our faith was rewarded," said Lwcynda.
"Aye, dis time," said Grummie. But he had not forgotten his run in with those rogues back along the pathway.
They went back into the cabin. They had to decide to head off or stay over. It was late afternoon and Evan welcomed all to stay.
Lwcynda said, "Well, I think we have a long road ahead so it might be best to rest here tonight and start fresh in the morning. What say you? Shall we post guards?"
Evan said, "Not to worry, now that I'm awake, I'll keep watch, though very few people come this way."
Lwcynda continued, "As for this vial, maybe Grummie or Cassandra might like to carry it in case they should need it?"
Grummie agreed with the idea of staying over, nodding his head and yawning... "Aye... dis been a long day. I be ready fer a rest a bit. Ifen we post guards, den I take da wee hours o' da morn. Before da sun rise. Dat be me best hour."
Cassandra volunteered to hold on to the vial for now, "Just so we know where it is."
It was a very peaceful, restful night. Before sleeping, Lwcynda and Jutos helped those who had been wounded by that ill-fated bandit attack to fully recover. The fresh air, forest sounds and smells helped the Seekers to relax and recuperate.
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