"Ahh, there he is" Kothas said with a booming baritone, "Let us be on with it shall we ?" he cheerfully chuckled to Kethas as he rode by. The midmorning sun began to heat the day, though armor and clothing remained comfortable, as the breeze of spring keept the riders cool on their journey. Kothas and his men surrounded the group, watching in all directions with crossbows drawn and ready for trouble. Kothas didn’t carry a crossbow, though he didn’t appear to really need one, his demeanor being enough to scare any normal man away. The road heading north out of Dunador started off wide, many a shoe print of oxen and horse to be seen in the dirt. Kothas motioned his men forth, down the trail. Soon, within a few miles of the castle the Three Feathers Inn was passed along the road, an important landmark to Da Ghiri and Culdat, as it was there, where they began their search for the prince when he was kidnapped. Now though, there was a sign declaring 'Closed for princes Coronation'. Several miles further down the road, a fork in the road split the path. One lead to the northeast, the other to the northwest. Kothas pointed to the one to the left, "That one goes northwest, alongside the Laine River. That would be the most direct route, but probably more dangerous as there are patrols of hobgoblins and dark elves roaming the forests to either side of the road." Pointing to the right one, "That one goes northeast, through villages and towns and mountains ... you name it, and you'll have to go through it. It would take twice as long to reach the Caves going that way, it's up to you guys though" he spoke, unsure for the first time since you've met him.
Humus turned to the others in the party. "I feel that we should take the direct route. We need to obtain the scepter as soon as possible so that the princes wizards and priests might be able to determine how it works. Every hour that we can buy them would be well worth it. In the long run, the realm would possibly suffer should we take the longer route. Anyway, I'm sure that we could take on any forces that are unfortunate enough to oppose us on our quest. What say you?"
"I agree with Humus," Caladan answered directly, "we should hurry. I don't think the forces of evil are going to wait because we decided to take the long route, so let’s get moving. Besides the wizards and priests might need a lot of time examining this scepter and if you hurry too much with a spell, what follows might be terrible." Caladan looked upon everyone with his all white eyes, his pulled-up sleeves revealing dozens of small scars and burning marks.
Riding along, Jardel was sweating in his plate mail armor. "Humus, my valiant cavalier, you speak with an air of wisdom which belies your failing 'holy' dedication. I too say we should take the northwest route. Time is our enemy with these unholy forces. The prince has aided our cause with trained men. What more can we ask for. Talthan, you as a tracker should be proficient with the woodland lore. Dost any other unspeakable foe name the upcoming forests his home. Caladan, forgive my intrusion, but what in Heimdalls name is wrong with your eyes ?"
Caladan brushed his cheek with a faint smile across his lips, "Once long ago, I was a promising mage, I was obsessed with power and I used all my time and money becoming more powerful, until one day, when I was conducting an experiment, I was doing great until something happend. I don't know what but I was knocked out and I didn't awake until a week later. At that time I found that the accident had changed me in several ways, I've forgotten a lot of my knowledge and my body had changed. My eyes have become as you see them now and most of my body is covered with scars from the accident, but most remarkable was that I who had always been weak and clumsy was now strong and agile, but all that happened with a price, my price being my intelligence. I've never regained any of the knowledge I lost in the accident, but I use what little I have left to help me. That is the story behind my eyes, so don't worry, I can see as good as the day before the accident." Looking at the two roads he pondered. "Which way do we choose?"
Kethas sat in the saddle and thought about all those humanoids that lay in their path. If they took the direct route they could just as easily spend the next few days fighting off scouting parties. In his estimation it would have been best to appraoch the area in secret. If word got back to the invaders generals what they were trying to do might make their goal harder to accomplish.
He shifted from one side of his saddle to the other while the warriors debated which road to take. Then he remarked quietly. "Wouldn't the long way allow some measure of safety and take the enemy off guard ?"
Humus turned to Kethas and said, "I understand your concerns, but just as easily a spy in one of those little towns could tell the generals what we were doing. We couldn't kill the people that we came across going the indirect route without any proof of their allegiance. I will not kill the innocent ! With the direct path, the true enemies are better known, and we could push forward before any message could be sent to the generals - if any message is sent at all. We could possibly take out any forces that would report in on us. If we take the indirect path, a spy in the first town we came to could tell the generals what we were up to without us even knowing it. They could then have extra forces at the cave long before we even got there. I say we press onward down the direct path as fast - but as cautiously - as we can."
The little halfling sat astride his pony and pondered .... "I have never been one to charge headlong into the fray, however, my feeling is that no matter which route we choose we will see more than our share of distress. Therefore, and this goes against my training, I feel it would be prudent that we take the shortest route. I only hope that the shortest route by land will be the shortest route by time." Having said his peace, Culdat climbed down off his pony and began re-arranging his pack.
Da Ghiri reflected a moment and spoke, "I agreee with Kethas. I don't think we ought to risk oourselves in battle unnecessarily and the less oour enemies find out aboout us the better. If we can approach them in seecret, so much the better".
Seeing that the party had reached an impass, Jardel confered his thoughts forcefully "Well, well, it seems that we have diverging opinions pertaining to our travelling route. As we all are strangers yet, I suggest the fair democratic way of reaching simple decisions. A majority vote should be sufficient to decide our next move. So far Humus, Caladan, Culdat and myself are for the quick route. I guess that says it all. If no reasonable objections are made we'll take the northwest route, alongside the Laine River. Kothas, inform your men."
Kothas nodded in agreement, "Democracy rules in this kingdom, and as the law of this kingdom I recognize that democracy has been given its chance. I think that the new king chose well with this group, besides, I haven’t been in a good fight in a while, it seems I might get one soon enough," He turned his horse around he barked orders to his men to surround the group in a protective formation and to head northwest. His booming baritone gave his men encouragement as he rode to the head of the entourage.
Da Ghiri sighed, shaking his head, "So eeager to fight and invite troouble," but he followed the group down the northwest route.
Talthan perused the choices before him "We sould take the most direct route, hobgoblins and dark elves never frightened me and besides they probably don’t get many travelers down this road and would not expect us. It could give us the extra advantage of both speed and surprise if we need them."
Humus steadied his mount "Jardel, what you say is fair and just. Let us take the northwest route." Turning to Talthan he gripped his reigns tightly. "Talthan, since you are the expert woodsman, why don't you take point and scout ahead a little. I feel like you would notice if any scouting parties would be in the area long before the rest of us would."
Talthan started to move forward along the trail to take point yelling over his sholder "You obviously are a good judge of character Humas, I shall scout out the trail and give you fair warning of what lies ahead."
With Kothas in the lead, the group moved forward. The soldiers had their crossbows at the ready and kept their eyes peeled on the surrounding woods. For many leagues the road was clear all around. After about 20 leagues the dirt road wound along treelines of dense forest on the west and close to the beautiful River Laine on the other side. Fisherman were seen throwing nets into the river, pulling up various fish to feed their villages and families. An occasional farm was seen settled in open areas. Everyone appeared to be at the coronation, as there wasn’t anyone around these farms. This was an obvious invitation to thieves.
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