Quest A Plea For Help: Godelier's Road

[Caliburnus]

<-- A Plea For Help

"You will arrive along the old road. It winds with a troubling, serpent-like suggestion through the corrupted countryside. Leading only, I fear, to ever more tenebrous places. There is a sickness in the ancient pitted cobbles of the old road and on its writhing path you will face viciousness, violence, and perhaps other damnably transcendent terrors. So steel yourself and remember: there can be no bravery without madness. The old road will take you to hell, but in that gaping abyss we will find our redemption." - The Ancestor, The Darkest Dungeon

Bronmaen had done all he could to send the three off well. The dwarf seemed to have a nagging worry for them that he could not shake and yet he hadn't spoke of it any more since last night. Still his anxiousness for them was displayed in how much aid he gave them. Even when what he was owed outweighed the coin he had been given he didn't complain. He made sure they had more than enough provisions and that each of their mounts were fit and prepared for the journey. He was there to send them off and they would never know that he prayed to his gods for their safe return.

Seldom is their great difficulty at the start of a journey and this was no exception. The road was straight and well maintained. The weather was clear and cool considering how late it was into spring. The way was not deserted. Many others came and went along it and often they would pass caravans of wagons carrying goods for trade. At first the way wound through fertile countryside. Farms and small clusters of homes were strung along the path like pearls along a necklace. It wasn't until late in the afternoon that true wilderness closed in on either side of the road and shadow fell upon the cobbles.

The further they went, the less traffic they saw until it was just them. Bird song could still be heard from the leafy canopy. Now the way curved to avoid stream or fissure but it was still easy. There, in the deep depths of the wood a mist of swirling fog caressed the loamy forest floor. It was just at the very edge of their sight but growing ever closer as the sun sunk in the sky.

Edmund Adelard | Aegand | Ryke

 

[Aegand]

Silence was a prevalent associate. The journey was nothing short of stares and occasional harrumphs among companions, but Aegand found it to be a pleasant circumstance. It was a retreat to peace from the unruly air of the tavern. He did his prayers intermittently while riding horseback along the cobbled pavements and lush vegetation. They were mumbled whispers, spoken in elvish and in archaic dialects from memorized scriptures.

On occasion, he would check on the others, wondering if they were still awake, hungry or in need for a stop. The latter occurred to Aegand, thinking if it would be an idea their thoughts were harmoniously mulling over.

"We should-" He paused as the consequence of time lashed his words quicker than an overseer whipping their miserable workers. Stopping would defeat the purpose of their urgency. While it wasn't wise for Aegand to rush himself, it wouldn't be any better if he were to slack off. Instead, his interrupted speech left him in an awkward predicament.

"Nevermind." Aegand slurred, looking away only to stare back at the others momentarily. He has no other words to put out, no chatter he could shove in to alleviate the awkwardness. Silence seemed to be the only conclusion.

In the midst of their excursion, they reached a point where no sight of huts and farms were seen. There were only the damp meadows that emanated the barely recognizable pavements ahead. Rags of mist started to encircle them. The sight of it swaddled Aegand and his horse as they continued to move forth. The animal let out an abrupt whine and Aegand was quick to calm it down. He reached for his staff and proceeded to look around.

"Stay alert." He subtly reminded the others. "There could be unpleasant creatures lurking in this kind of setting."

 

[Edmund Adelard]

Edmund huffed. He was a traveller, but he had never quite gotten used to long rides on horseback. It was quickly uncomfortable and his back was starting to grow stiff. He was not as young as he used to be.

"If we need to stop, we can," he said, "We are capable of taking any creature we may stumble upon."

The knight's head was still pounding from the ale he had the night before. And his stomach felt empty. A slight rest couldn't hurt the group terribly, he thought.

In addition, the fog from the distance had finally graced over them, blurring Edmund's sight and worsening his headache. He could handle the headache as he had fared worse, but riding with minimal sight was unpleasant and the horses were beginning to become restless.

"Besides," he started, "I could use some food and the horses might need to rest."

 

[Ryke]

Ryke had longed for the road yet again. She knew that somewhere out in the world awaited her greatest challenge.

Thankfully, she was well provided for this time. It had been a few months since she rode on horseback, so unlike Edmund she was rustier. Though she wondered if her steed wasn't just stubborn, too. Ryke was also thankful she didn't have to ration her meals along the way.

When Aegand warned of trouble, her attention turned from the road and to their conversation.

"If we are to rest, let us venture off the main road. If there are bandits, they'd surely be watching the roads." She said.

The last time Ryke encountered trouble, it was in the form of three deserters from a nearby town. Guardsmen who had taken what they could and left. Though they were armed, and capable of intimidation, none had truly encountered trouble behind the odd thief or drunkard.

However, she knew not all situations would be as favorable. Even in the company of others, there was always the possibility of a greater threat.

Her horse started to steer itself towards the side of the road.

"I think my mount is angry with me..." She wasn't happy.

 

[Caliburnus]

​

Now cool tendrils of mist caressed their cheeks and though they could not see it the sun flirted with the western horizon. Eve would soon give way to dusk and darkness would enclose these woods and the road. There were no ghosts in the fog and no ghoul crept from the mist to eat their flesh. It was quiet now, disturbingly so.

The heroes three would need to decide. Would they press on through the fog and the night? If they did they could make the town of Vigil by sunrise and would be that much closer to their destination. Anyone familiar with the road near Alliria would know of the town. Riding through the night would not be good for the horses and they were more likely to loose the trail, especially in this fog. Didn't the woman Elisabeta say not to travel the road at night?

If they did make camp a watch would need to be set. With the siege of Belgrath underway by the orcs in Spine bandits were attacking caravans on the Gold Road more often. Three travelers alone would be juicy targets. They would need to split the night into shifts and each take a turn at it. Who would go first and who would go last? Would they start a fire to keep the darkness and other cursed things at bay? A fire can mean safety but it is like a beacon in the darkness and they had no need for the added warmth.

Ryke | Edmund Adelard | Aegand

 

[Aegand]

Aegand's horse stopped again, snorting, then shied and took a hesitant step back. Almost a similar behaviour was then noticed from one of his companion's horse. It must have been the mist and the path now becoming murkier than the ones where they've traversed from. It could be bandits, wolves or perhaps a presence both uncanny and sinister. Aegand glanced to his behind, ears trying to catch any hints of leaves rustling from faint, careful footsteps.

There was nothing.

There were only the visible threads of vapour, drifting through tangled thickets like a swarm of insects. The night was imminent, the sun bleeding to encroaching darkness. Moments after, a blanket shaded with black and blue mantled the sky with bright, silver dots glistening from a great distance and with the moon casting a luminescent sheen over roofs of leaves.

"Alright, Let's stop." Aegand concurred, smiling as if his thoughts weren't protesting to the notion. Reluctance pushed against the inside of his closed lips, fighting to repeal his spoken words contradictory to earlier reasoning. He was hesitant, mainly bothered by the weight of the quest and time, but now his indecisiveness was lulled to a choice slightly against his way of doing things. After all, horses could be the ideal prey of nightly predators, and it wouldn't be wise to let them trot endlessly without rest, especially when they have longer hours to spend on travelling.

He then sighed quietly, bringing himself to a focus. With eyes closed, he breathed in and out.

May The Faith pardon my negligence.

Shortly after, he jumped from the saddle, petting the horse and adjusted its reins.

"So," Aegand commenced. "Any suggestions where we can set up camp? Perhaps somewhere where there's enough space for firewood?"

He heaved a sack he was carrying along the journey, realizing just now how heavy it was.

"Speaking of firewood though," He gently tossed the sack to the ground for his companions to see. He was panting thereafter, not understanding how he failed to notice the weight it bore. He then untied its knots, revealing a bundle of firewood and a basket full of potatoes and onions. "I guess this will be enough for the night. We still have a long way before we reach Kinallen."