CHAPTER 2:
Expedition to the Barren Hills
Day 22 –
Kravensford Town/County of Pembridgeshire/Dragon Empire of Aradanos
(Approx. 40 Miles north of the Independant City State of Amroth-Lyellus/
240 Miles north of the Independant City State of Amroth-Volenska)
Kaine still had the traveling clothes he was wearing. And also a spare set of sturdier travel clothes for rough weather travel. He also had a set of sturdy work clothes and boots that were suitable for laboring work.
He had kept his backpack with him to carry the possessions that still remained with him. Both of his traveling blankets. His waterproof fur hooded traveling cloak. A single coin purse. All of his five pendants which he would never part with as they meant too much to him to trust anyone else with them.
He had kept the lantern and five bottles of lamp oil and also carried five torches he had made while at O'Daullens place. He took his tinder box and two boxes of matches which he hadn't used yet. He had a few days rations left. But he would need more for the journey ahead.
He had a full set of travelling gear that included cups, knives, forks, spoons, dishes, plates, a cooking pot.
Several pieces of firewood, pans, kettle, metal spit for cooking meat.
His only weapon was a twenty four inch long steel hunting and skinning knife.
He had rented a room for the night at a quiet little inn called the Seven Hounds. It had been expensive at fifty copper pennies for a day and night but he wanted a good nights sleep before he set off for the city tomorrow. He had eagerly and hungrily tucked into a meal of baked bread, beef, vegetables, potatoes and thick hot gravy. It had all been washed down with two pint tankards of finest apple cider in the pleasant little barroom of the inn.
At least the room he had rented was single and not shared. Although it was very small with little room left for anything other than a single bed and wardrobe to store his traveling gear. The landlord and landlady of the Seven Hounds were no nonsense gods' worshiping folk that made it clear they would have no goings on under their roof.
Kaine was happy with that. He didn't want the distractions of livelier places and thought it best if he kept his pants on after what had happened at O'Daullen's place.
The next thing was to look for something that would pay his way to the city. He had a few things in mind. There was courier work though he would need his employer to temporarily supply him with a horse. There was carriage or wagon guard work. He would wait until reaching the city before signing on with any of the Adventuring Guilds.
And as he had sent all his gear ahead to the city he was very much under equipped to do anything that involved a possible confrontation of any kind.
There would be a notice board outside the town hall and post offices where people placed ads for fit young men and women. They offered all kinds of work and just maybe someone was headed to the city and needed someone else along for the ride. A town this size would likely have much to offer someone like himself especially being only forty miles from the nearest city.
The town was busy at this time of day. He eventually found the town hall and the notice board outside. There must have been over fifty notices for laboring work within the town from chopping firewood to helping one of the local blacksmiths. But he didn't want to settle in this place. All the jobs were long term employment and not really suitable for what he was looking for.
One that did catch his eye was for an assistant and guard to accompany a traveling merchant to the nearest city and protect him from any unwanted attention. A set of weapons and a suit of leather armor would be provided for the right applicant should they need them.
The pay was good. one silver shilling piece per day's travel and three meals per day provided as well as a comfortable wagon to sleep in. To anyone interested in the position they should go to the Merchants Guildhall and inquire at the desk.
Another that caught his eye was for a good cook and campsite guard for an expedition into the Barren Hills. The journey would take three days by wagon until the party reached the foothills and the wagon became too cumbersome to use on the difficult terrain. The party was a four person veteran adventuring group who needed someone to cook their meals and guard the camp while they were exploring the ruins of an old and hopefully abandoned fortress and its vaults. Experience of such a position was preferred but they would consider any suitable applicants.
That sounded more like it. He had wanted to get to the city as soon as possible but this was too good an opportunity to miss. According to the notice everything would be supplied. All he had to do was keep them well fed and guard the camp while they were away.
Pay was very good. Five silver shilling pieces per day with a bonus one gold crown when the expedition was completed successfully.
Applicants were to go to the front desk of the local Adventurers, Explorers and Dungeoneers Guild. And ask about the position. A meeting with the party of four would be arranged and if selected for the position the group would leave immediately. Weather permitting.
Within the hour Kaine had visited the guildhall and arranged a meeting with the four adventurers. Apparently they were part of a larger party of twelve people including the adventurers. It was understood that the others were all employees of Lady Olivetta Vandregarion who was representing her father as the expedition sponsor.
Only the four adventurers would be entering the fortress and its vaults. The expedition was initially for just 8 days and a further six days travelling time for the journey there and back to Kravensford Town to resupply if there was a reason to go back to the fortress. Kaine didn't meet the extended party at the guildhall, only the four adventurers.
They introduced themselves as Tyrelle Veriksson a human male warrior. Osrich Lunsbert a human male thief. Scarlet Lannderez a human female mage. And Jadina Auriona a human female cleric.
To Kaine they all seemed like they knew what they were doing and they were probably experienced adventurers. Although he had little knowledge of the profession himself being brought up on a farm with only the stories of his grandfather and uncle to let him know there was plenty of adventure out there in the vast open world if only you went and looked for it.
After sizing him up and commenting on his broad shoulders and strong arms. Which he may have to use if the camp was attacked. The adventurers all seemed to want to know how good a cook he was. Kaine spent the rest of the afternoon preparing a meal using the guildhalls facilities for the group to try and judge whether he was a suitable cook or not. They ate heartily washing it down with tankards of mead.
"I say we hire the young fellow. Best meal I've tasted in weeks." Tyrelle the large portly warrior said to the others sat around the table as he stroked his considerably large belly and let out a ear bursting belch.
"We could do worst. And it would mean we could start the journey straight away. Although we'll have to supply him with some basic equipment. He looks like he's straight off the farm." Scarlet the bespectacled mage replied as she studied a scroll while gently sipping a glass of wine.
"He looks like a bit of an unscrupulous rogue. I don't know if we should trust him." Jadina the aged cleric said in her usual pompous tone.
"Stop your lips flapping, Crone. I've had my fill of that slop you call soup that you dish up for us when we're traveling. The young lad can cook a good meal. And maybe if he's interested I'll teach him a thing or two about the finer art of acquisition." Osrich laughed and downed a full tankard while greedily tucking into a roast chicken leg.
"Do not call me a crone. You oafish layabout. If you don't like my coooking ..." Jadina replied haughtily before being rudely interrupted.
"We hate it." The other three shouted out almost together. They laughed long and hard as the old priestess began to sulk and marched out of the room.
"We should go easier on her. One of these days she may forget on purpose to heal us in the middle of a fight." Scarlet said as she suddenly took on a serious tone.
"Good point, Scarlet. I suppose she tries and she did volunteer when the rest of us didn't want the job. It's unfortunate that Rollo gave up the adventuring life after he lost his leg. A fine cook he was. The best food I've ever tasted. But the lad's good as well and he looks like he can defend himself even if he did leave himself virtually unharmed.
There's not much wisdom in sending all his equipment hundreds of miles away just so he can ensure it reaches the city. He could have used it. Maybe he would have been an apprentice to one of us." Tyrelle explained and then unceremoniously let rip a massive fart that sent the others diving for cover.
"Your a pig, Tyrelle. A fat obnoxious, vulgar pig. And that's why I love you just the way you are." Scarlet said with a smile and pecked him on the cheek.
Tyrelle laughed and grabbed her around the waist and lifted her in a bear hug. She fought frantically to get loose but he held on tight and gave her a kiss on the lips. She stopped struggling and put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
"You'll have time for that later." Osrich giggled with a dirty grin.
"We get to ride in the wagon first." Tyrelle said with a wicked smile that did nothing to hide the fact that he and Scarlet would likely be otherwise engaged for the whole trip.
"That's all you ever think about. I thought you loved me for my witty charm and incredible intellect." Scarlet said cheekily.
"And don't forget your modesty, my dear." Tyrelle said as he lifted her back onto the floor.
"I'll leave modesty to our priestess. She does such a good job of playing the pious and virtuous cleric." Scarlet sneered.
Kaine wandered into the dining room with a tray full of desserts. Everyone's eyes lit up and Kaine was pleased to see they were all grinning like cheeky cats. After serving up the food, homemade pie and custard he sat down at the table and joined them.
"You've got the job, young fellow. If it works out we'll see about a longer contract if you're interested. Maybe if you stay with us we'll see about one of us taking you on as their apprentice. It all depends on this expedition into the hills. If that old fortress and its hidden vaults are loaded with lost treasures then we're more likely to give you a permanent contract." Tyrelle explained.
"That's very generous of you. It's fortunate I arrived in town and answered that notice when I did. As for becoming an apprentice. I'm naturally drawn towards bettering my skill with blades and bows and perhaps learning some of the more intricate styles of combat." Kaine said as his mind wandered off into a different place.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Lad. I'll be amazed if you can even hold a blade without dropping it." Osrich joked as Kaine turned a brighter shade of red which brought laughter from the three veteran adventurers.
"I see you've decided to employ him against my better judgement." Jadina said with a look of utter disgust. No one had seen her enter the room but the mood changed quickly.
"Have I done something to offend you?" Kaine asked.
"I Don't trust you. We don't need you. I can cook our meals." Jadina replied haughtily.
"Woman, stop pestering the lad with your damn nagging. It's three to one and we say he comes with us. And if he turns out to be an asset we'll give him a full time contract. So be quiet if you've got nothing better to say." Tyrelle shouted across the room at the old cleric.
"One day, Tyrelle. One day you're going to need me and I might just not be there." Jadina snarled.
"Gods cursed bitch, you'll do your damn job or we'll find ourselves a new healer. I run this group for better or worse and I say he comes. If you've got a problem with that then find some other group to nag to death." Tyrelle answered.
"No respect for your elders, Young man. I've been doing this since before anyone of you were born and I ..." Jadina argued loudly before being interrupted.
"Enough, woman. Go or stay I'm past caring. Bloody bitch knows how to ruin a good mood." Tyrelle complained loudly to all present.
Kaine stood there looking at the ground red faced and wishing he was somewhere else at that moment. The group finished their food in almost silence. The tension in the room was not something Kaine felt comfortable with, especially as he was the cause of it.
After another half an hour the group had finished their food and downed their last ale. Tyrelle found some leather armor. A round wooden shield. A short sword. And light crossbow along with two cases of twenty bolts each for Kaine to use.
Along with two weeks traveling rations for when there was no time for cooking. Various tools and items an aspiring cook and apprentice adventurer might need.
It took a further hour to load up the two wagons and then they were on the move. Tyrelle had sent a messenger with a note for Lady Olivetta to meet at the rendezvous point on the main highway. When all three wagons had met up they could continue on their journey to the fortress.
Kaine traveled on the male's wagon with Tyrelle, Osrich, Nobby Hobbs the wagon driver and Snuffy his guard dog. The other wagon was occupied by Scarlet, Jadina, Mila Tubbs the wagon driver and Gruffy her guard dog.
The third wagon they had met on the road and was occupied by two bodyguard knights/wagon drivers Sir Dennerich Calverhorn and Sir Larrimar Calverhorn. Lady Olivetta Vandregarion, Doctor Franeska Dalveris the lady's doctor, Emilia the lady's maid and Gertrude the lady's cook.
They all looked like they would be more at home in a lordly country manor house. Even the lady's cook was full of airs and graces. Kaine didn't think much to them. He especially didn't like the two young brothers who were both knights and had agreed with the lady's father to escort her safely to the site and back to the estate once the expedition was over.
By the time the sun was starting to disappear over the horizon Tyrelle and Osrich had climbed into the back of the wagon with the supplies for a few hours sleep. Nobby had handed the reins over to Kaine and began playing his lute to the old tune 'Im Coming Home My Darling Valentine.' And was a surprisingly good singer and lute player.
Kaine listened but studied the road keenly. Not wanting to make a mistake. Snuffy lay between the two men gently snoring away. He was a massive Wolfhound Mastiff Hunting Dog but had been trained with his sister Gruffy from birth to be guard dogs.
As the lead wagon of the three. Nobby had control of the caravan. He used a loud whistle to sound the caravan to halt once he had spotted the turn off on the main highway. It would be rough country tracks from here onward.
There was only about two hours of daylight left and as they had traveled over thirty miles today they decided to set up camp within sight of the main highway and the highway mounted patrols that occasionally trotted past keeping the roads safe for travelers.
Kaine lit the lantern and placed it near the fire where he was cooking up the groups supper. The noble party seemed to want to keep to themselves and had no intention of dining with the hired help. It suited Kaine. It would have been more mouths to feed. He settled for beef stew and dumplings which he had acquired from the inn before they left.
There were sufficient supplies in the wagon for the next two weeks but he would have had to start from scratch where as he could now simply heat up the food and he had tried some it was delicious. The group ate hungrily all sat around the fire apart from Jadina who seemed to still be upset over what had been said.
Kaine looked over at the other fire and the small gathering of two man tents. Kaine got to share with Nobby which was fine by him. He liked the middle aged bard and could laugh all day at his legendary tales of heroes and damsels and dragons and demons.
He thought it might be a little too soon to really know but he could get used to this life. It brought all the stories of his grandpa's and uncle's adventures back to him. As everyone began falling asleep in their tents, he wondered what tomorrow would bring and thought he would probably like to start his apprenticeship if Tyrelle was willing.
Though a nagging doubt at the back of his mind kept telling him Osrich would teach him everything he knew about acquiring riches. It was a tempting thought. Perhaps he could do both although that meant twice the workload.
Tyrelle and Osrich had first watch. They would do two hours and then wake the next pair. Which happened to be Kaine and Nobby. Snuffy lay between them taking up quite a bit of the tent and immediately fell into a snoring deep sleep.
Kaine thought about the fortress and wondered what might be inside and how would they enter the vaults. He knew he wasn't going to sleep before his watch duty and settled for closing his eyes and thinking about tomorrow.
It couldn't come fast enough for Kaine.
The Characters
Wagon 1:
Nobby Hobbs – Human Male Camp Guard and wagon driver 2nd level Bard
Snuffy – Male Wolfhound, 2hd Guard Dog
Tyrelle Veriksson - Human Male Fighter 5th level
Osrich Lunsbert - Human Male Thief 5th level
Kaine Rivera – Human Male Fighter or Rogue 0 level
Wagon 2:
Mila Tubbs - Human Female Camp Guard and wagon driver 2nd level Fighter
Gruffy – Female Wolfhound, 2hd Guard Dog
Scarlet Lannderez – Human Female Mage 5th level
Jadina Auriona – Human Female Cleric 6th level
Wagon 3:
Sir Dennerich Calverhorn – The Lady's Bodyguard and wagon driver 3rd level human Fighter
Sir Larrimar Calverhorn – The Lady's Bodyguard and wagon driver 3rd level human Fighter
Lady Olivetta Vandregarion – The expedition sponsor acting on behalf of her father 3rd level human Expert (The Aristocracy/Noble Bloodlines)
Doctor Franeska Dalveris - The Lady's Doctor, Commoner 2nd level human Expert (Medicine/Doctor/Surgeon)
Emilia Wilkes – The Lady's maid, Commoner, human female, 0 level
Gertrude Gaunt – The Lady's cook, Commoner, human female, 0 level