Rolemaster 

As the light of pre-dawn begins to shine over Norek, the party are roused from their slumber. The money for the insurance claim is divided between the 5 of them to "minimise losses". The party tiredly gather their belongings, hitch up their cloaks and weapons, and shuffle to the town gate to meet Frost.

In the grey pre-dawn light, they assess their travelling accommodation for the next couple of days. The caravan consists of three wagons, linked together, with three guard-posts situated atop them -- one on the point wagon, just behind the driver, and the other two on the trailing caravan.

Ulrich, Biryn and Lysar are elected as the guards for the journey -- Lysar nominates herself for the point guard, and the others tiredly climb aboard the rear wagon and assume their stations.

Asheren and Berrak ride in the cooks' wagon with Gunther, one of frosts' permanents. "Gun" is an amicable fellow, and chatters away idly as the caravan begins it's bumpy journey.

As the wagons begin their slow journey, Biryn idly points to the harbour, and Ulrich shakes his head -- most ships have begun battening down, and those that haven't have already hoisted sail to take the morning tide away from the harbour, and the impending storm. 

All along the road are signs of the impending Thrus Ku, as people nail shutters across their windows and haul their valuables, livestock, and children inside.

Eventually the caravan reaches Wayside, there is nary a soul to be seen, and by the time they are  travelling through the deserted streets of Gosford all are truly getting an uneasy feeling in the pits of their stomachs about this storm.

As the day dawns the heat starts to pick up. By mid-morning it is sweltering, and the guards doff their travelling cloaks and heavier clothing to remain cool.

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The caravan wends its way towards Cynar, passing along the northern borders of the Elven forest around mid-morning. Even the trees seem to feel the heat, and there is a haze of heat above the forest.

Biryn idly surveys the road they have travelled, when he hears Lysar announce that she is going to disembark to "feed the trees".  He glances at Ulrich, and by unspoken agreement they both unsling and ready their bows. With a hiss three arrows fly in and impact with the trailing wagon. THUNK-THUNK THUNK, and the rear-guards roll from their posts onto the ground.

In the mean-time Lysar, who had previously seen a figure move in the undergrowth, watches in horror as three elves detach themselves from the trees and position themselves in front of the caravan. They level their loaded long-bows at the driver, who wisely reins in the dray, and dismounts, hands raised.

"Stand and deliver!" yells the leader in melodious High Elven.

Lysar slowly climbs down from the wagon, and, arms akimbo, walks slowly towards the leader. "Do you speak common?" she utters, and the elves shake their heads.

The lead elf utters another directive "Hand over your valuables, NOW!"

Ulrich and Biryn, on opposite sides of the caravan, are advancing towards the confrontation, bows drawn.

Lysar reaches down and detaches her Elven belt-buckle, holding it up to the leader "Do you know what this is?"

"No" his eyes narrow "But it looks valuable. We'll have it as well."

Lysar flinches.

"What are they saying?" yells Biryn, who can see the confrontation.

Asheren and Berrak, hearing the noises, debark from the cooks wagon. Berrak scans the forest, trying to pick out any further opposition. Meanwhile Asheren, assessing the situation, readies himself to cast an air-wall, intoning the syllables of the spell with a practiced precision, his old frame straightening with the surge of magical power.

The lead elf re-assesses the situation, seeing the armed warriors advancing on him and hearing the chanting of the magician. The leader grabs the driver, forces him to his knees, and levels an arrow at his face. His companions sight down either side of the caravan, covering the advancing characters.

"They're robbing us!" Lysar replies, over the pulse of fear she feels for the driver.

Ulrich tries to communicate with the elves, but they merely shrug their shoulders, not properly understanding his pidgin grammar. "Lysar!" he cries "you have to tell them -- tell them we aren't carrying any valuables!"

Lysar tries to convey this point, but the lead elf merely glances at her, then adjusts his bow to full draw, and hisses "Then we'll just have to make do."

The driver is about to faint, and a stain is spreading down his trouser leg.

Ulrich and Biryn are both outraged at this treatment of an un-armed man -- Ulrich shoulders his bow, un-shoulders his shield, and with a steely hiss draws his Kynac, preparing to throw himself in front of the man he has promised to protect, while Biryn draws his bow to full extension.

Asheren is starting to glow with restrained power. He briefly considers switching to a more offensive spell, but decides his first duty is to protect the driver, if he can.

Berrak, still scanning the trees, moves between the wagons, when he finally spots the remaining antagonists "There's two more in the trees!" he cries, clambering over the wagon-tongue and readying his bow.

For a moment, the clearing is silent.

Asheren, judging the moment to be right, unleashes the air-wall. Simultaneously, Berrak and Biryn fire their arrows at the elves -- Biryn's shaft punches through the leg of the left-hand elf, but Berrak's shot is wide of his target.

Ulrich primed and ready, concentrates on the lead elfs' arrow, warping the elfs' aim, then with a roar launches himself at his foe, who has been stunned and blinded by the magic used against him, causing his loosed arrow to bury itself harmlessly in the forest loam

In the meantime, Lysar has launched herself at the driver, knocking him out of the way. She quickly recovers, and - hauling the driver along - she slithers under the lead wagon. She turns to survey the scene, and is horrified when an arrow streaks in from the trees to embed itself in Ulrich's' lower back. His roar is cut short, and he plows face-first into the turf, limp and unconscious.

Lysar scrambles out from under the wagon and rushes to Ulrich's side, trying to aid him.

The third elf screams something in Elven, then turns to flee. The other two follow him, and the elves in the trees melt back into the forest.

Biryn sights along his bow, and releases his shaft at the back of the retreating leader. The arrow punches through his shoulder, spraying blood and lashing snapped tendons as the rolls to the ground, squealing in agony.

Asheren has readied his shock bolt, and releases it after the other injured elf. The coruscating ball of energy surges after the staggering boy taking him in his good leg.

The threat apparently vanquished for the moment, the party gather around Ulrich as Lysar attempts to heal him. Luckily, there does not appear to be any permanent damage, though he will be incapacitated for a few days. The party load him into Frosts' wagon, while Lysar and Biryn interrogate the elves, eventually releasing them into the forest.

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Eventually, the caravan winds away from the forest and back into cultivated lands – the town of Tharp is close at hand.

It is early in the morning, and Lysar, lounging in the guards’ seat at the front of the caravan, starts to hear voices carried by the wind – in celebration, by the sounds of it.

The caravan rounds the final bend and the town of Tharp unfolds before the caravan. The fair is in full swing, with areas set aside for archery, pugilism, and other competitive events. There is a pavilion set to one side of the town, and preparations therein would seem to indicate that the town will also be hosting a wedding today.

As they roll into the town, the dejected party start to perk up – the sounds of merriment and cheerful conversation soon have all in a better humour.

Lysar elects to enter an endurance race, which will be commencing later that morning. Berrak sizes up the competition in a dagger-throwing contest, and Biryn announces that he will enter the archery and duelling competitions. Asheren is going to investigate the market in search of herbs.

Lysar is not very successful in the race. In fact, she suffers a stress fracture from the efforts, and must spend the next couple of days laid up.

Berrak has no more luck in the dagger throwing contest, and gives up in disgust – he decides instead to investigate the markets to see what he can “acquire”

Biryn's’ archery skills are no match for the local champion, but his duelling skills are above average, and he bests his competitors with only minor cheating –casting shielding spells on himself for that extra “edge”.

The party meets after midday to discuss their results, and the direction they want to take when they reach Cynar. A stranger standing nearby excitedly strides up when he hears mention of the crowns and introduces himself as Vryce.

Biryn is guarded in his response to the stranger “What do you know of the crowns?”

“Little enough – but I am seeking more information – that’s why I am heading towards Cynar!”

They trade some information, but Biryn is sceptical “Good for you, eh? But, I must return to the duel”

Biryn's’ third opponent, is a different order of warrior to the previous two. As he strides out into the ring, Biryn is immediately aware that he is facing a powerful opponent. They spend several moments sizing each other up, then the contest begins. They trade blows, each trying to determine a weakness in the others defences. The match continues for several minutes, and Biryn realises that he is going to have to do something soon, or the match will be drawn.

In a surprise movement, Biryn disregards all defence and lunges at his opponent, who is taken off guard. He clumsily tries to block the blow, and manages to catch Biryn's wooden sword on his wrist – snapping it in half. The two warriors combined momentum throws them together, and when they separate the warrior falls to his knees, clutching his wrist from which projects the ragged handle of Biryn's sword.

There is a sudden clamour, and the stunned Biryn is forced to one side by the rush of villagers into the ring to try and aid the downed warrior, who has started convulsing. Despite attempts to stop the bleeding and resuscitate him, the warrior eventually succumbs to the bleeding, and lies quiescent in death.

Biryn is stunned and outraged “Why did this have to happen!?” He screams to the heavens, perhaps seeking a divine answer. None is forthcoming, and our disheartened paladin slowly makes his way back to the caravan.

A pall is cast over the town by the death of the warrior – he was not a local, but even so it is considered a terrible omen and the preparations for the wedding are postponed.

As dusk falls the party regather at the caravan. Whilst Biryn is morose, Berrak is quite cheerful, showing some of the party the dagger he “acquired” at the market.

They party quietly settle in for the night, prepared to continue their travels on the morn.

Sometime in the night Biryn departs, leaving a note saying he is returning to Norek to atone and come to terms with the accident. There is some debate, but it is decided that it would be difficult to catch him, and the party has to live up to it’s agreement with Snow.

As they prepare for departure, Vryce strides up and loads his pack into the caravan – he has hired passage on the caravan to Cynar.

Snow emerges from his caravan and takes stock of his travelling companions.

“Where’s the warrior?” He demands “Who is going to guard this caravan!?”

It is proposed that Asheren and Berrak take the other two posts – Snow sizes them up and agrees that Berrak can guard. He is not so keen on Asheren, however.  

“How is this little man going to protect my wagons??” he demands.

Vryce strides forward “Maybe I can be of assistance?” He enquires, trying to lower his voice an octave.

“Yes… I suppose so” Snow is not happy, but he will accept this.

                        *            *            *            *            *

The caravan loads up and wends it’s way towards Cynar. Midway there the Thrus Ku strikes, but the party are all safely ensconced within the caravan for it’s duration.

There is some concern for Biryn, but it’s generally concluded that he would be smart enough to find shelter before the coming of the storm.

The storm passes, and the caravan continues slowly along the muddy trail, eventually reaching Cynar.

Chapter 15