>>
|
12b116.jpg
Bright High Brush
12b116
You decide to hire the War Wizard and get two units of trade goods and one of apothecary supplies. Some nice breads is perfect. Soldiers and civilians alike need food, and if Genlaud was right, bread will sell even better if you go further west.
You had found a crossbow previously and have practiced with it a bit, but aren't very good. Unfortunately, Caoiran can't use a bow at all, and can use a crossbow very poorly with only one hand.
"So, this a bodyguard job?" Ireka asks, slinging her pack up on her back. Milkweed shuffles behind you, chains clinking, as you walk toward the edge of town.
You explain that you're a merchant, and you intend on travelling through Gliff's Pass and on to Wick to trade supplies.
Ireka nods.
You ask if she's ever heard of Kilbeth Tere. You say she was a War Wizard you'd thought of hiring a while back.
"Can't say that I recognize the name, but it's not like we all know each other."
You decide the sooner to explain the Kelepee situation, the better, so you breifly go over the very basics of your time in the orc camp, including the captured War Wizard.
Ireka gives you a sideways look. "So you're that merchant?" she asks, then smiles. "I can see why you'd hire me, then. You're the one that travells with the lunatic orc that you pretend is a War Wolf, right? I've heard about you."
You grimace, but she doesn't seem overly concerned. She actually seems a little too calm if you're being perfectly honest.
Well, the cat's clearly out of the bag, so you ask if you think Milkweed will be able to restrain Kelepee.
Ireka snorts and smiles. "Milkweed doesn't feel pain, is stronger than even her giant body looks to be, and heals basically instantly. Oh yeah, she can restrain an orc no problem. I'm the weakest link here." She taps herself on the chest.
She stops once you get close to the caravan but before you're back to your wagon and starts undoing the buckles and chains that restrain Milkweed. You can see the War Wolf has a short, dented metal breastplate, Ireka takes off the thick belts around her abdomen and waist. She unbuckles the strap around her mouth, and you can see the helmet is open underneath. Milkweed immediately yawns, and leaves her long tongue hanging out.
Ireka leaves the heavy cuffs on her arms and legs and bundles up all the chains and restraints, including the leash she was leading Milkweed with, and shoves them into her pack. Milkweed picks it up, carrying it effortlessly in one hand.
You explain that you think Kelepee's lunacy has to do with damage to her soul from some concoction she drank, and asks Ireka if she'd know anything about something like that.
"Well, yeah. We learn quite a bit about souls. You have to know what you're doing to make a War Wolf. You have to deal with your own soul, and with other souls do the ritual right." She pats Milkweed on the head, and the monster leans into her hand. Even without the War Wolf towering over her, you note that Ireka is quite short.
"Oh, and this is just part of my standard ... War Wolf disclaimer or whatever, but if I get killed or hurt so bad I'm not going to make it, cut my heart out and feed it to the wolf. You'll have about half an hour." She shoots you a wink, and you're somewhat disturbed by how blaise she says that. "She'll probably be going berserk, so just toss it at her where she can see."
You do your best to keep your face neutral, but you feel like you don't succeed particularly well.
You also aren't sure you'd be able to manage that even if you wanted to, but keep that to yourself.
As you approach the wagon, you see Caoiran sitting in the driver's seat and Kelepee fidgeting nearby. When you approach, Caoiran rolls her eyes and sighs. You tell her she should bring the wagon into town to pick up the supplies, and you'll get Kelepee and Ireka Faul, the War Wizard you hired, acquainted with one another.
Caoiran turns your horse toward town, and then Ireka turns to Kelepee and says "So, you must be the crazy orc I've been hearing about."
Kelepee jumps to her feet, darting toward you and Ireka, but Milkweed takes one long-legged step forward, putting herself directly in Kelepee's way.
"I'll show you a crazy orc," Kelepee says, snarling.
"Damn, you're naughty aren't you," Ireka says, her eyes half-closed. "Am I gonna have to give you a spanking?"
Kelepee growls, her eyes fixed on Ireka, only glancing up at Milkweed every second or two. She slowly circles, clearly intent on attacking the War Wizard instead of the wolf, but Milkweed easily matches her, and Ireka backs away, putting more distance between herself and the orc.
You could:
Try to diffuse the situation. You'd have to think of what to tell who.
Just let 'em go at each other. This is what you hired Ireka for, isn't it?
Even then, you might want to take some other action or say something to somebody. Caoiran is still in earshot as well, You could yell for her to come back.
|