While sending Kaileer to find Oleanne was discussed, it became apparent that even with the help of the bandit boy, who gave the name Heydrus, the elven ranger's help was still going to be required to get the unconscious party members anywhere other than where they were now. The group made their way carefully across the clearing and back into the woods, slowly making their way to Oleanne's camp. The miserable rain had finally let up and, as they walked, the clouds broke enough to allow some moonlight to stream through.
Kaileer was the only one who could follow the markings to the druid's camp with Etienne unconscious. When they arrived, they found Oleanne waiting for them. "Go now," she muttered at them, looking extremely peevish. The slight light provided by Selune allowed them all to see why. The camp had been attacked in their absence. Two bandits lay on the ground with their throats ripped out. Both wolves were matted with blood, their own and that of the bandits, and Oleanne was badly injured as well. A strange elf was in the camp with her, rubbing a knot on the back of his head. "They took horse," Oleanne added. Jana's horse remained in the camp, but Puddlejumper was gone.
"Sweet Corellon," the elf said aloud as he felt about the knot on the back of his head. He stood a little taller when he noticed the group that walked into the camp.
The druidess left very little room for discussion about them moving camp. She offered no explanation as to who the strange elf was, although she indicated that he was to come with them. She allowed them enough time to transfer some of the weight they were carrying to Horse before she headed off into the darkness, setting a pace that none of them could keep up with. She paused often to wait for them, looking continually more irritated. About thirty minutes after everyone had decided they couldn't take another step, she finally stopped.
"We be safe here," Oleanne announced. She had lead them to a spot near a small stream surrounded by very large oaks. She gave the three people who were down very worried looks and told the others, "I not heal more before sleep and pray. They not do good. Maybe not die before can heal."
Rumer introduced the strange one-armed man as Falgout and stayed protectively near him.
Arachne helped slow down the group's travel...as usual when she was on foot. At camp take two, she asked Lasiar which hurt partymember he wanted her to help with. With that person, since she assumed there would be no immediate need for glowing portals or any of the rest of her peculiar tricks, she did as much as she could to heal wounds. Then she either sat watch or slept, depending on what was required.
"I'll keep watch, as will the boy, the rest of you get some rest." Blacky said giving the boy a stern look as he hefted his large axe and paced the camp the boy in tow.
Rumer looked at the others. "Is there somewhere I can wash?" she asked plaintively. "I smell bad."
"Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. Several of the bandits we killed had that smell. Where did they keep you?" Blacky asked.
"In a cell. I think Ranchefus did..." Rumer stopped and shuddered for a moment, "...something. I don't know. I had weird dreams." The young girl looked terrified, but somehow managed to control herself.
Lasiar considered the various wounded party members, "If you want to help," he told Arachne, "try to aid on of the three who are down. Of them, there is no right answer. Etienne seems the closest to death, but Jana is in grave danger as well, having taken two near fatal woundings tonight. And this...Falgout...man..." he left it at that. Not having received a definite answer from Lasiar, Arachne went to see about Etienne. He looked a little, although not much, better once she had finished with him.
Oleanne did her best to clean and bandage everyone's wounds. "Wash in creek," she told Rumer. "Belshar watch for you." She sent the gypsy off the short distance to the small stream with one of her wolves. She walked off with Arlin and went to sleep, away from the rest of the camp.
"Thank you," said Rumer, mutedly. She went and tried to wash the smell from her body.
"I have need of study," said Aloysius. "Eric, if it be all right with thee, I shall watch with you and the boy. On the 'morrow, Stargazer will be able to discern the presence of any enchantments on the items we have garnered at yon keep."
The mage sat down next to a tree and took advantage of the break in the rain to study his spell book.
After a few minutes of looking through his spell book, the mages eyes grew heavy and he started nodding off. "Damn," he muttered. "I have not the strength for this now." He wearily placed his spellbook back into his pack and curled up next to the tree to sleep.
The stood patiently as the group began to make camp, with his hands well away from his belted longsword. The elf watched as Arachne and Oleanne began to tend the wounded, his hands fairly twitched in what appeared to be indecision.
"Good day to you travelers," he said as he strode toward the camp. His eyes swept about the group, he seemed to be taking in as much as possible. "You seem to have fallen amiss of the same brigands that did waylay me," he smiled, a warm smile that lit up an otherwise average face.
"My name is Rennirolas Starchaser, and I pray you forgive this intrusion, I am not usually so hasty." He almost smiled again, just a hint of a smile at his lips, "But perhaps you may allow me to offer a few healing blessings," Rennirolas said, "and what nonmagical aid that I may give."
Aloysius had scarcely paid any attention to the newcomer until he announced his name. When he heard that, his gaze snapped towards the strange elf. "'Starchaser' didst thou say?" he asked. "I be StarGAZER." He stroked his chin in thought for a moment. "Hmmmmmm....this may well become confusing. Oh dear. Well, no matter. Who are you and where didst thou come from? We are all quite weary, so be brief."
Rennirolas arched an eyebrow and gave Aloysius a wry smile. "That is a longer story than you would care to hear this night Aloysius," Rennirolas began, though he stopped when Kaileer turned to speak with the mage.
"Aloysius! We are all weary, so more the need for courtesy..." the ranger said in elven with a frown, too tired to care that half the party wouldn't understand a word.
"Well met, Renniloras Starchaser, I am Kaileer Featherbow. I would stand to greet you but my leg was injured in one of the battles and frankly I'd be content to sit here untill it heals. As my companion has already stated, we are all weary, one of our company was captured by the enemy tonight and few are in an ideal mood for exchanging pleasantries... though your aid would indeed be welcome." The sylvan elf bowed his head, having the energy for little else and rested it against the tree again.
In the short time that Kaileer required to greet the new elf, it appeared that Aloysius had dozed off as he was now curled up in a ball on the ground and tiny whistling sounds were emanating from his nose as he exhaled.
"I do understand Kaileer," Rennirolas said in commonspeak, his eyes darted to the sleeping Aloysius. "And if it pleases the Protector, my healing skills should help you and your companions," he intoned quietly.
"That makes three of you who are tied to the heavens, any more show up and all we'll do is stare upward at night." Blacky said, trying to be humorous and failing in his present condition. "If you can be of aid to Jana, Etienne or this Falgout fellow, we would appreciate the aid. I'm Blacky by the way and we haven't fallen 'amiss' of these bandits. We're trying to keep them from kidnapping any more people as well as recover the ones they've taken so far." He explained
"I see," Renn replied smoothly, "they appear to be a strong band at that. I will do what I can, but I can make no promises." He moved among the unconscious and the wounded, and quickly used his healing magics. After that Rennirolas spent a great deal more time working with poultices, sewing needles, and other bandages pulled from a healer's bag at his side.
"Prithee proceed," Arachne invited. The small gnome (small, even for a gnome) gestured at the three persons in the makeshift infirmary. "I'm Arachne Convola, well met and pleasant journeying to you, and yes, we're all quite frazzled." She glanced at the drowsing wizard. "Except for those of us who are too tired to be frazzled.
"I should like to admire your handiwork," she added, "at healing the halt. It's not a question of trust. I am just curious as to the many methods healers have to effect their miracles."
"Certainly," Rennirolas replied, as he shucked his healers' bag to the ground. "Would that I could invoke the Father's blessing moreso than I can tonight, I am ill prepared for magical healing."
Rennirolas knelt beside the most seriously wounded. A soft bluish-white light wound itself around Rennirolas' hands once, then again, as he sang a short prayer.
He sighed and shook his head, but went to his healer's bag. Rennirolas' probed the injuries he could mend with gentle pressure of his long fingers, he wrapped bandages and worked with a number of herbs and poultices. After a while of mending and tending, Rennirolas stood. He washed his hands in a small basin, as he murmured apologies for not being able to do more.
Once he did as much as he could, Rennirolas retrieved his gear from the camp. Soon after, a small fire could be seen, with Rennirolas beside it, already deep in elven reverie.
Rumer could not help but notice the shiny things being stuffed in pockets. She murmured, "I can check that stuff out sometime, if you want."
"You can check it all in the morning, right now get some sleep. Oh, and let me know if you have any strange dreams or feel odd. I don't know what that dark priest does to people, but it can't be good." Blacky said
"I think the weird dreams are what caused the smell." Rumer said, in a very small voice after returning from her bath. She moved back to Falgout's side and began to weep.
Kaileer sat against a tree and leaned his spear against it in arm's reach. "What are we to do now?" he asked in elven after a long sigh. "It is likely too late to help Echo, and I hope I am not the only one to see the folly in returning to the keep before we have had time to recover. Yet while Ranchefus lives, there can be no real rest. What say you, Aloysius?" The elven ranger had a weary look of one who had seen too much battle in the last few days. His leather armor was ripped and slashed, his clothes bloodstained and his cape tattered along the edges.
"There be naught we can accomplish this night. Regardless of our plans, we all must rest. Howe'er, Echo was apparently, er.....'given'....to the orcs whilst we rested from our first trip to the keep. At best then, the orcs only have a few hours head start. We know that they foray into this wood from time to time and that they also inhabit the area north of Kuiper's. I like not the idea of simply leaving her to the orcs' tender mercies."
He glanced over at the unconcious Jana. "And doubts have I that Janathell will allow us that option in any event."
Kaileer nodded his agreement to the statement and shook his head. "As much as I would like to rescue Echo, she knew well the risk when we attacked the keep. She chose her own fate... Though that thought brings me no comfort..."
"I do not know what your intentions are, my friend, but I will not follow her to my death on some suicidal charge." he said as he glanced at the wizard.
An expression of disappointment swept across the mage's face. "Brave one, that she knew the risks of her actions be not reason enow' for us to abandon her. I intend to pursue these orcs and retrieve her if possible." He looked at the ranger soberly. "The same as I would do for thee or any of the others."
"And you call ME 'Brave one'," the ranger said with a smile, "I have every intention of hunting down every last orc involved with this abomination of a human, Ranchefus, but how many must die to secure the life of one? We have been lucky thus far, out enemy is better equipped and better prepared, I fear if we insist on pushing our luck it will run out at the worst possible moment. No, Aloysius, I wish not to abandon Echo, but I will not stand by and watch brave souls march into the maw of doom for a cause that may already be lost. The wounded need healing, the weary need rest and then, then my friend, I will gladly lead the assault on the orcs myself if such is the need. Their black blood will stain the ground and if Echo cannot be saved, she will most certainly be avenged."
The mage seemed to be put at ease by Kaileer's statement. "I advocate not for rushed actions, Kaileer. Agree with thee do I that we must not act in haste, but we must act soon. Heartened am I by thy strong words. I simply hope that we can rescue Echo rather than avenge her."
The sylvan elf nodded silently for a moment and looked up at the branches of the oaks in thought. "I believe we struck a critical blow to Ranchefus in the last attack. But it was not the killing blow. The priest still lives and there is little to prevent him from rebuilding his band. There may yet be more to learn from the keep. It is an unclean place and once we have learned what we can and saw to it that it is empty of innocents, I suggest we burn it to prevent Ranchefus from ever returning."
With the aid of Rennirolas, Oleanne, Arachne, and Lasiar were able to help Jana, Etienne, and Falgout rest a little more comfortably. Everyone was weary to the bone and Blacky's offer to stand watch was taken. He talked quietly with Heydrus as everyone settled off to sleep.
The Thornwood--Midday, 23 Eleasias 1374 DR
It was nearly midday before they awoke the next day. Oleanne and Lasiar took leave of the camp to perform their morning rituals, and Aloysius took to his spell book. Once the mage had completed his studies, he gathered the booty taken from the keep and incanted a spell, studying the items for a few moments.
Rumer, who didn't look well-rested at all, examined some of the things after Aloysius had finished with them. Aloysius started counting up coins they had collected.
"Rumer, you OK?" Blacky asked, concerned.
Rumer moved sluggishly. She started at the slightest sound and there was definitely something troubling her. She distractedly looked at items they had found and came up with the following values:
alestone (brown stone) 50 gp
faceted transparent green stone:100 gp
ring set with moonstones (that Jana was wearing):125 gp
ivory dice with bloodstone pips: Can't tell
a single gold earring:25 gp
gold bracelet inlaid with skulls: Can't tell
Oleanne and Lasiar returned and began to cast healing magics on the group. Etienne awoke before Aloysius had finished his studies, and the maimed Falgout awoke not too long thereafter. Jana, however, remained unconscious, her body in great need of healing rest after the massive and multiple wounds she had sustained.
Falgout's remaining eye squinted and blinked against the sunlight. He seemed quite uncomfortable in the large group of strangers. "Rumer?" he looked around for the gypsy girl. "These are your friends? What day is it?" He got to his feet, standing up shakily, and headed over to the little stream to wash some of the filth off of himself.
"It's just the next day, Falgout," Rumer said. "Yes, these are my friends."
She cleared her throat and spoke to all, "I've been having weird dreams since I was captured. I think there's a possibility that Ranchefus has done something to me and you may be better off if I leave you."
She fell silent and picked at an unraveling thread in the tatters of the hem in her skirt.
"I think we'll all be better off if we just kill Ranchefus. That should solve a lot of our problems, including yours Rumer." Blacky replied
"Whatever you think is best," replied Rumer, staring at the ground.
"We need go kill orc too," Kaileer reminded the bearded warrior before putting a hand on Rumer's shoulder.
"You be young, if you want go home, I take you." he said, trying to comfort the distraught youth.
Rumer thought hard for a few moments. It was clear she was seriously considering the offer. "No," she finally whispered. "If Ranchefus has some control over me, then I would be a danger to my grandmother. I wouldn't want that. At least with you all, you could kill me quickly."
"Kaileer, don't let them take me again though. Kill me if you have to." Her eyes are clear brown as they looked up into his. "Please." she added.
"What did they do to you, child?" he whispered in elven as he shook his head, too shocked by the loss of innocence Rumer had suffered to remember to speak common.
Oleanne walked over to Blacky, "You watch long. You want, I cast spell, make you sleep short, feel good rest." That was apparently a question, as the druid looked at him in anticipation of an answer.
Aloysius counted through the coins from the various purses the party acquired. He separated each type of coin into its own pile. There seemed to be quite few gold and copper pieces.
"One hundred even........." he said, dropping a final copper piece onto the pile. "Hmmmmm.......According to my calculations, there be approximately 174 gold pieces worth of coin of various sort, not including the copper pieces." He looked at Kaileer. "Brave one, thy past practice has been to pass over any monetary treasure. If thou wouldst like, Stargazer can hold thy coin for thee and provide for whatever material goods thou needest in the future." He then tried to get Oleanne's attention. He seemed unsure as to how he might communicate with her. He pointed to the coins and said, "You are welcome to your share, if thou hast need of such things." He glanced around uncomfortably, and then saw Etienne. "Ah! Thou hast spoken with her afore. Wouldst thou ask if she wants any of the money?"
Aloysius then took to arranging the weapons and miscellaneous pieces of equipment retrieved from the keep. He concentrated for a moment and cast a spell on the pile of items. His eyes grew wide as the spell took effect.
"By the love of the Elbian Cow!" he exclaimed. He quickly sorted out specific items from the pile and set them aside. "All of these things bear enchantment!" he said excitedly. The items he set aside were a gold ring, the bracers he had been wearing earlier, a short sword, a long sword, a bastard sword, a potion, and a short bow. He looked around at the others, unsure how to proceed.
"The rest of you divide up the magic items, I already have my fair share from previous booty. Just set aside my portion of the coins for me, I'm going to take advantage of the kind lady's offer of some sleep." Blacky said and then nodded to the druid as he began preparing himself for sleep.
Blacky fell asleep from Oleanne's spell, slumbering for about an hour. When he woke, he looked very refreshed and completely recovered from the previous night's ordeal.
Etienne awoke slowly and looked around at the group to see who was there and if anyone didn't make it. He stood up slowly and stretched himself out. He listened quietly as the others talked about their plans. Upon seeing Oleanne, he moved over to talk to her for awhile.
After talking to Oleanne for a while he made his way back to the group, " Well, what are we going to do? Are we going after Echo? Are we going after Ranchefus or are we going back to town?" He looked over at the boy, "You. What do you know of Ranchefus? Why were you there?"
When Etienne asked what the next plan was, Arachne suggested, "I'd thought that was pretty obvious: We go after the orcs who have Echo. Of course, I don't have much idea which way the orcs went," she sighed. "And they're not very likely to smell like fish," she added. "But they are pretty likely to smell like orcs and their trail away from the keep is likely to be fresh -- and perhaps well-worn. Kaileer or Oleanne likely could point it out for us."
Since people were still wounded the next day, Arachne continued to put her effort into healing them. In particular, she went to Farout and examined his face and stump. "I can help you," she offered softly. "At least, I'm pretty sure that I can. Would you like me to try?"
"Do what you can for the others first," Falgout replied, looking at the little gnome somewhat suspiciously.
"Very well," Arachne said agreeably. "I think, though, that that might leave me unable to address your injuries until a fair while from now."
When Aloysius examined the collected stuff and announced all the magical things, Arachne glanced at it, sighed, and went back to what she was doing. "You all have more use for it than me," she said. "And with Puddlejumper missing, I'll have to be even more careful about what I weigh myself down with."
Arachne glanced from Falgout to Rumer. "Him I think I can help," she said. "But whatever the dark priest may have done to you, I don't think I can counter it. Perhaps one of our brighter priests? Etienne or the Starchaser? Lasiar?"
"Dreams..I should have to think about dreams," Rennirolas replied. "I am not sure how much control over something of that nature I would have, but perhaps I will find a supernal guide." His brow furrowed slightly, "I promise you I will do what I can."
Rumer looked at several of the items longingly, the ring, bracers, short sword and potion. But she did not speak up. "I guess I should wait to see if you guys kick me out or not." she murmured sadly.
"Bah!" barked Aloysius. "Care not what the dark priest did to thee, thou shalt not be 'kicked out'". He thought for a moment as he studied the pile of goodies. "'Twould seem that certain decisions be simple. Janathell be the only one who employs the bastard sword, so she should get that. Rumer uses a short sword, so she should get that."
He picked up the long sword, taking a moment to admire it. "Kaileer and Rennirolas employ this type of blade, and Kaileer hath already acquired previous magics. Mayhap we should bestow this blade 'pon the new comer?" He set the long sword aside and looked at the short bow. "Be this the same type of bow employed by both Kaileer and Etienne? If so, perhaps they can reach some type of agreement."
The mage then picked up the bracers and tossed them at the gypsy's feet. "Suspect do I that these evoke magic of a protective nature. Thou wearest not armor, so these would work well for thee." He grinned slyly at the gypsy girl. "Then mayhap we will not have to rescue thee again."
He then picked up the ring and the potion bottle. "Brightmantle, I know not what either of these do. Howe'er, without thine aid, we would have been sorely pressed indeed. Arachne," he said turning towards the gnome, "although thou fought not, do not belittle thy importance in our achieving ingress to yon keep. Perhaps thee and the Silverstar can agree on which will take the ring and which the potion?"
The mage grinned broadly and seemed quite pleased with himself. "There! That 'twas not so difficult. And all have been accounted for!" He looked at the piles of coinage. "Once I know who is claiming a share of the money, I can distribute it accordingly. Certain am I that Eric, Janathell, Lasiar, Etienne, Arachne, myself, and Rumer shall make such a claim. Unsure am I if Kaileer or Oleanne shall do so. We have either 7, 8, or 9 shares to determine. If Kaileer and Oleanne will advise me, I shall proceed accordingly."
Kaileer picked up a single shiny gold piece from the pile and waved away the rest. "It be sad day when I need many coin," he said as he turned the coin over a few times before dropping it into his belt pouch, "Keep or give to other share that go to me, I not want carry many weight."
"Nay, you have forgotten about yourself, Aloysius. I suggest you keep those bracers, you can cast more spells if you don't have to worry about battle so much. If those bracers do indeed protect, you are the best choice to have them. With Echo missing, we need your spells more than ever." Blacky argued.
Blacky bent down and took one of the first four pouches. "If you wish, I'll carry the extra weight of what we don't divide."
Rumer didn't even look up. She just stared at the ground.
Arachne promptly took him up on his offer, handing him a sack of some coins that had been in her backpack for some time. She also hefted the sacks and held onto the one that weighed the least.
Rumer shrugged, "If Blacky wants you to have them, you probably should take them. I wouldn't want him mad at me. I'll try to stay out of combat next time; too bad that's all I know how to do. I guess you might as well take the sword too. Not muct use in me having a nice weapon if I can't go into combat to use it."
"I never meant that you shouldn't fight, Rumer. From what I've seen you're damn good with short sword of yours, so I think it would be best if you took the magical one. Your mistake last time was separating from the group and getting into a situation where you were they teamed up on you and none of us could help. I know we don't always agree as a group, but that is no reason to go of on your own. We are always stronger as a whole. If Aloysius wants you to take the bracers, then I will not be mad if you do. I was merely pointing out that he had forgotten himself in the process and making a suggestion that would probably make us a more effective unit in combat." Blacky explained to Rumer "Don't worry, next time we meet Ranchefus he won't walk away from the experience." He reassured her.
Despite Blacky's kind words, Rumer backed off from both sword and bracers. She withdrew with her back to a tree and pulled out a dagger and sat toying with it idly. The deep shadows looked like bruises beneath her haunted brown eyes.
Aloysius shook his head. "These bracers can do naught for Stargazer that Stargazer's magic can't do for Stargazer." He paused momentarily as if to consider whethr his last utterance made sense. "Rumer, take the bracers and the short sword. I did not forget msyelf. Magic be my specialty, and no need have I of additional instruments to enhance my effectiveness." His tone of voice indicated that his argument was not truly heartfelt, but he seemed solid in his resolve to let the gypsy have the bracers.
Rumer sat beneath the tree. "I think you should have them. I don't want anything." she added still staring oddly at the dagger.
"I think you DO", said Aloysius with a suddenly forceful voice. "Methinks that thou wouldst gladly welcome the chance to cut out the dark priest's heart. On the 'morrow, thou may well have that chance, and your odds of success shall be augmented due to these bracers and this sword."
He glared at the gypsy with his hands on his hips. "So, take them, and use them in contributing to the dark priest's demise. You injure him not by sitting piteously 'neath yon tree thinking bleak thoughts. In fact, I'm sure he would delight at such a thing."
He looked at the others. "Now, let us divide these items along the lines discussed afore. We have much work ahead of us tomorrow, and our preparations must be complete."
"I just hope the dreams go away when he's dead." Rumer replied getting a hold of herself. "I'll try. She picked up the sword. "Maybe you should take the bracers though. I mean, maybe you need them more." she blushed slightly.
Aloyius flashed Blacky an exasperated look. "Very well," he said, taking the bracers. "If thou shouldst have a change of heart, let me know." The mage headed off to the stream to try and wash some of the fish smell from the bracers.
Practical almost to the point of tactlessness, Arachne piped up, "If no-one else wants them, I'll wear the bracers." She shrugged. "I don't figure on staying lucky forever."
Aloysius was en route to taking the bracers to the creek to be cleaned. He grinned broadly at the gnome, looked down at the bracers contemplatively for a moment, and then walked over to her and handed them down. "Wear them well, small one, " he said before moving away to his tree.
"Thank you," Arachne said, taking the bracers. She tried them on, sniffed them, started toward the creek, then stopped and considered them again. Then she refrained from going to the creek, deciding instead to smell a little fishy.
Rumer turned around with a growl. "No, you sleep through fights. If Aloysius truly doesn't want them, then I'll take them. I may need them. You will not."
Aloysius glanced frantically back and forth between Rumer and Arachne. "Er........methinks I would be wise to allow the two of thee to resolve this matter on your own." He nervously wrung his hands and stared at his feet.
Rumer watched for Arachne's reaction. "I don't mind you getting stuff that's not combat related. But you should leave stuff like this, weapons and defensive things, to the folks that might get killed while you're off hiding. No offense, but we need it more."
"Of course you'll need them," Arachne agreed, taking off the bracers again. "You, unlike me, will fight. Here." She handed them over.
Aloysius cautiously peeked upwards (away from his shoes) and let out a sigh of relief.
Rumer blinked at her in surprise then took them. "Th thanks." She stammered. Rumer turned back to Aloysius. "If you ever want them, you can have them. Just say the word. You are in combat and a stray arrow could get you or something. OK?"
Arachne said, "You're welcome," then raised an eyebrow and added, "But they're not mine to give. Actually, I don't know who -- if anyone -- there is to thank. Just use them. That's probably the best way to honor their crafter." She turned and wandered away, muttering, "I can't help doubting the moral purity of an enchanted sword, but the articles of protection..."
Aloysius cocked an eyebrow at Rumer. "A stray arrow?" He shook his head slowly. "Stargazer be not worthy of such trouble."
Etienne looked to the gnome then to Rumer, "I am unsure of what has happened to you. What do you remember of your dreams and of what happened while you were prisoners?" Etienne looked very tired and still weak.
"I don't wanna talk about it." replied Rumer quietly, looking at the ground.
He looked over to Oleanne and then to Aloysius, "Oleanne has no desire for any of the gold that has been collected. She would like to have the brown stone. I think it's the least we can do for her, considering what she has done for us."
"Give her whatever she desires. Whithout her aid we'd all surely be dead right now." Blacky chimed in.
Around sunset, Jana stirred and finally awoke. Clenching her teeth to hold back the majority of moans and other pained noises, she finally managed to sit up. She looked around, noting the new people but declining to comment at the moment. She focused on Rumer, then looked around again. "Where's Echo?" she asked, then tried to stand.
Aloysius somberly approached the woman warrior. He set a bastard sword down next to her. "This blade doth carry a minor enchantment," he said. "'Tis thine to do with as thou wouldst."
"Thanks," Jana said, still waiting to hear about Echo.
The mage then looked at the ground and seemed to squirm uncomfortably. "Rumer hath indicated that Ranchefus gave Echo to the orcs. We know not with certainty where the orcs took her."
"Shit!" Jana exclaimed, then followed with a truly inventive string of curses. "We've got to find her. We've got to go back and pick up the orc's trail." Staggering slightly, Jana started walking toward her horse. She strapped her old sword to the packs and replaced it with the new one. Jana paused to take a deep breath, then hauled herself into the saddle.
"As far as Stargazer be concerned," said the mage to Etienne, "Oleanne can have whatever she wishes. Her assistance has been of immeasureable value." Aloysius spied Jana heading for Horse and scurried after her. They appeared to speak for a moment.
"Foolish girl!" The ranger muttered in elven as he stood up, then switched to common so Jana would understand at least the words, if not the implications.
"We not be in condition to fight! If you even find orc they kill you and still have Echo. I hate orc as much as any but this be wrong time for go. If they not kill her yet, they keep her live for more long... You not can help Echo if you be dead, and you almost be dead two time in last day."
"I'd rather be dead," Jana growled, "then not try to save a friend, even if it means I might die. You can leave if you don't want to help," she pointed out with a sneer.
At Jana's words Rumer looked up though her hands were shaking. "Ranchefus gave her to the orcs. He gives all the spellcasters to the orcs. And he needs to die. I need to be free of him. If I can't be free of him...." she allowed her voice to fade out and focused again on the dagger in her hands.
"Jana, there's no need for that kind of attitude. Kaileer is just pointing out the obvious, we carried your *ss out of hell twice yesterday. You're lucky to still be breathing much less walking around. We _will_ find Echo and Ranchefus _will_ die. Tomorrow." Blacky said stone faced with absolute resolve.
Rumer looked up at Blacky with a slight look of hope in her eyes, "thank you." she whispered.
Jana spoke briefly with Aloysius, then walked away, stomped away really, and stopped in front of a smallish tree. She stood there for a moment, looking at it with her hand on her sword hilt, then with a snarl, walked away and over to Oleanne. "Thanks for taking care of my horse," she said to the druid, making an obvious effort to be pleasant, or at least not unpleasant, to the woman.
Jana glared at Blacky. "Yeah, damned lucky," she said, her voice quiet but filled with a mixture of anger and frustration. She spun on her heel and stalked off to the extreme edge of the camp. She sat down heavily against a tree, facing away from the others, the sulky picture spoiled a little by the involuntary yelp of pain as she dropped a little too enthusiastically.
"She be more danger for her than she be for Ranchefus..." Kaileer said quietly to Blacky. "What be your plan for fight him?"
Blacky shrugged his shoulders and said. "If I can get one on one with him, I'm sure I can take him down. Either my axe or this sword should do the job. Our problem has been that he hides behind his minions and undead. If the rest of you can handle them, I'll handle Ranchefus."
"You're forgetting Echo," Jana interjected, quite firmly. "Count her in the shares too. Someone can hold it for her for now."
A reddish hue colored the mage's face. "Ah.......of course. I meant not to leave her out. We shall indeed share our bounty with her after we retrieve her."
"Come now," he implored. "The day grows old. If we are to search for Echo, then methinks it wise to commence as soon as possible lest the trail grows cold. If there be more healing magics to be used, let us employ them now so we can plan our actions."
As Aloysius waited for the others to comment about their plans, he began once again to count the money into various piles and then placed the piles into the coin purses they had taken from the denizens of the keep.
When he finished, he poured the contents of one coin purse into his own, and then placed seven other purses on the ground. "There. Four of these contain 1 pp, 4 ep, 5 sp, and 14 gp. The other three contain 2 pp, 4 ep, 5 sp, and 9 gp. I took a bag containing the latter combination." He counted through the few coins that remained. "Once Kaileer has taken his gold piece, there be but 6 ep left, and the 100 cps." He then placed the broach the party had taken from the orcs many moons ago and placed it on the treasure pile. "Along with this, we have a variety of different jewelry pieces. I don't care if we divide them, or if someone wishes to simply carry them for a later division." Along with the broach, Aloysius had also been carrying a gold earring and a gold bracelet with ivory skulls, both of which he added to the pile.
"Booty certainly does create problems," he muttered to no one in particular.
