Chapter 3: A Party Forms
"Idiot," Captain Gavin muttered to himself in disgust as the slovenly man with rusty sword he'd just interviewed slumped away from the table.
The Knight in Silver ran a hand through his greying hair in frustration. He couldn't believe the quality of those who had responded to the notice thus far. He'd never heard bigger tales of ability or worse lies about skill in all his years. The accomplished and battle-tested fighter had set up in the village of St. Vincent with a sense of anticipation that at least some qualified adventurers could be found. But this?
Dove Falconhand had an advantage, being a regular explorer. She picked her own party and already was out on the trail searching for clues to the missing orb. She'd taken the longer route but at this rate she'd be finished and back before he even set out. Though the quest was not a competition, Gavin wanted to contribute.
He was a soldier, used to following orders and working with trained, disciplined troops. But then he pondered that competing with a group as formidable as the Krakens had likely scared off those with real talent. No, it was a hard thing to ask one to do for mere gold. His motivation had been drawn from a deeper well. He thought again that his offer of help had been somewhat rash but the look on Lady Alustriel's face had caused him to act.
And now here he was. It was going to be a long, and he began to believe, unfruitful day which it turned out almost prophetically to be. The soldier left the inn where he'd set up shop as darkness fell for his rented room in the village hoping the next day would bring better fortune.
The following morning the captain sat again at the same polished wooden table in the Golden Acorn Inn with little optimism. But it seems as if the gods favour the faithful for this proved to be a different day.
The first useful and skilled applicants arrived before the mid-day meal. At first the pair of brawny females seemed no better then unruly barbarians but upon closer examination Gavin found them to possess unexpected discipline. Sisters Nikaela and Kaitlym Strongsword had until recently been members of the Axe of Mirabar but the continued arrogance of the Marchion of the town had caused the Strongsword sisters to finally leave the city guard and seek their own way in the world. They seem ill-named since both favoured the axe over the blade but the soldier found this more ironic then problematic. No, the pair would provide much-needed combat power if they were to face the Krakens.
The sisters were looking for employment and this seemed their best opportunity. Gavin wasn't surprised by this since he'd heard rumours of increasing tension in the city due to the aggression of the leader. He accepted their offer on the spot.
Finally things were beginning to look up.
Later in the morning a lady ranger with her golden hair pulled back and tied with a leather string approached his post.
"I'm Sarai Swiftdeer and I'd like to join your party if there's still room," the woman declared with quiet confidence.
Her name was a familiar one to the Captain from Silverymoon. Having traveled extensively throughout the north she was well versed in the area and known for her adventuring skills. Though her clothes were rumpled from many days in the wilds a polished and freshly strung bow slung on her back showed the lady ranger's priorities were in the right place.
"If you're seeking Dove's group they've already left," Gavin stated with a note of bitterness in his voice he immediately regretted since it hadn't been intended.
"I would think the Lady Dove's party is already well represented with those of my skills," Sarai answered without a hint of response to the man's barb. "My offer is to help you with yours captain. I desire to assist the Lady Alustriel who has done so much for so many, myself included. I heard of the opportunity to serve so traveled to St. Vincent to be part of the quest."
"Well met then," Captain Gavin responded, knowing her desire to be sincere. Extending his hand to the ranger he added, "You are a welcome addition."
A willowy, dark-haired traveling bard who had been drifting through the area and was staying at the inn shocked Gavin by stepping up right after Sarai Swiftdeer left. She'd overheard the Captain of the Knights in Silver and Dove Falconhand several days earlier talking about the Orb and the potential trouble with the Krakens. The story captured her attention so she decided to stay in the village and see how it turned out. She'd watched the soldier since then and listened to his conversations realizing what a great story this quest could turn into. Not usually one to be part of such missions the fair-skinned woman found herself overcome with the romance of the seemingly hopeless quest. So Skylah Clearsong, bard of Waterdeep, joined the adventuring party.
Captain Gavin enjoyed a mid-day meal of cold mutton, bread and cheese, satisfied that he was making good progress and would have a group capable of undertaking his part of the quest. He flinched in surprise when a slender, blond-haired, female elf brashly sat down uninvited at his table and grabbed some cheese from his plate.
"Hey!" Gavin shouted in surprise. "Leave my vittles and my table, I'm in no mood for company," he gruffly ordered the finely-dressed elf.
"Oh but mine is the type of company you seek," she replied coyly.
The soldier flushed at the table causing the attractive young woman to laugh at his discomfort.
"You misunderstand my intention sir," she corrected, eyes sparkling playfully. "But I do appreciate the thought!" she added saucily.
Gavin's face flushed with anger. The perceptive elf easily caught this so knew she'd best not push her luck further.
"I've come to join your party and assist in the noble quest you've advertised," she declared.
The woman explained her reasons for wanting to join but although possessing a regal air, there was something about her that Gavin didn't like. All her reasons for wanting to join were evasive and really didn't answer his questions, as were here responses about what skills she possessed.
"Be gone!" the soldier declared. "We have no need for a rogue on this honourable journey," he spat out, pegging her for what she was.
Without saying a word, the petite elf deftly handed Gavin his dagger, which he hadn't even realized she'd taken.
"By the gods," the soldier sputtered, "how did you do that?"
She laughed happily in reply, her smile lighting up her fine features.
Initially angry, Gavin then considered that perhaps there might be a use for one with such talents. Knowing he would likely regret this, the Knight in Silver decided to extend an invitation.
"Well, that's fine rogue. We may have a use for one with your unique skills," he admitted. "But nothing funny, this is a serious quest. Agreed?"
"Agreed," she replied lightly.
Realizing he'd made an offer without even knowing who this was he became frustrated with himself for being distracted. "So if you are to join us, what are you called?" Gavin asked, trying to regain control of the interview.
"Talindra Illuvatar," she replied matter of factly.
"Tal…," he started in surprise, "Talindra Illuvatar, daughter of Anandra Illuvatar of the Moonwood?"
"One and the same," she answered, looking him square in the eyes. "Is that a problem?"
Talindra Illuvatar, the wayward daughter of the one of the ruling elders of the Moonwood elves, in his party. That couldn't be a good thing. He'd heard of the falling out within the family, how the young woman had wanted to live a life of adventure rather then study and had finally broken from her family against her father's wishes. How would this go over? But his need was desperate and she did have talent.
"No, it's not a problem," he answered evenly, not sure who he was lying to whom.
Talindra didn't respond to the declaration. Instead she winked at the soldier jauntily then skipped out of the tap room.
The party became complete by mid-afternoon.
The door to the inn opened and a tall, willowy, female half-elf dressed in worn but well-maintained armour with an imposing bastard sword strapped to her hip confidently walked in then came to attention before his table.
"You are?" Captain Gavin asked impressed by the presentation of the one who was obviously more then a simple blade for hire.
"Alariya Hawkstone, Sir," she responded, meeting his gaze.
Now he knew why he was impressed. Alariya Hawkstone was a paladin knight known in the Silver Marches. Though he'd never met her Captain Gavin knew her reputation as more then a mere fighter. She was a capable leader in her own right. Her desire to assist the noble High Lady of the Silver Marches was appreciated considering the other opportunities she would have to use her considerable skills.
The young woman's story had been a sad one thus far from what had been circulated. Her grandfather had been a great fighter in the land of Cormyr, a Purple Dragon Knight in fact, but had fallen from grace for some unknown reason. Stripped of rank and unable to fight, he became a well-regarded armourer, a trade he passed on to his son. His child Alariya, so the rumours went, had forsaken the trade and instead took the paladin's charge despite great opposition and now was trying to redeem the family name, and eventually earn a place among the Purple Dragons.
Though knowing he'd accept her offer without question he knew he had to test her motivation. "Ms Hawkstone, well met. It's good to meet you finally. I've heard much about you.
"As I have of you," she responded, meeting his gaze with piercing blue eyes.
"So what makes you, one capable of leading your own party, desire to submit to the authority of another and serve as a hirling for mere coin?" the soldier threw out to test her resolve.
"If you know me then you know gold is of no interest to me. The righteousness of the cause is," Alariya replied. "The High Lady is one who asks so little from those she gives so much too. How could anyone with the ability to assist not do so?" The logic of the answer could not be argued with, nor could the reflection on character the statement made. Then she sealed it by adding, "As for leading, it's always been my view that one who is capable of leading should also be willing to follow, especially when the one she submits too is eminently more capable. No, this is no imposition for me, quite the opposite, it's an honour."
Captain Gavin was not only taken back but touched by the honest nobility of this woman. She was worthy not only of the Purple Dragons but of the Knights in Silver. Then she showed him she was more then brusque formality. With an elegant bow she accepted the implied acceptance of her offer then added, "Besides, it beats serving as a guard on another merchant's caravan!"
Gavin burst out laughing at the comment, the tension broken. He invited Alariya to join him for a glass of mead and for the next hour they enjoyed each others company like they were old comrades-at-arms together.
By the end of the day what had seemingly been impossible when it began had now become a reality. But then the truth of the composition of the party hit him like a hammer. It was an all-female party!
In his desperation to begin the quest he'd not considered this development. He had no issue with females; he'd served with many over the years. But a whole party of women?
Some wags would have congratulated him on his good fortune. Of course they'd do it with a wink and a tipping of their mug of ale. But would they go into the field with such a crew? Likely not. Their interests lay elsewhere.
Should he rethink? Should he add at least one man? He carefully considered all he'd seen and the time urgency of the quest.
No, he had to begin; he'd already delayed too long.
Gavin thought again of those who'd applied for the party and knew he would choose the same ones again regardless of their sex. Each possessed the skills to accomplish the task.
Hang those who would question or smirk, he thought, this was not their burden anyway. He had no time for fireside generals. No, these ladies were the right ones.
Satisfied that he possessed a party capable of undertaking the quest the soldier stood up from the table to return to his room, his recruiting work complete. Now would begin the truly challenging part, the quest to find the hidden Orb of Bera Shinar.
He sent word to those he'd selected to meet him at the inn that evening to begin the quest. He was content that he'd looked after everything and they would be successful.
What he didn't realize was that there were others in the establishment who had been watching with a keen interest.