Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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jcftao
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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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The man blinks and looks dazed when Alexander mentions New Wickersham.

"Wickersham! By the gods! Is Lord Wickersham still alive? We never knew it to be so. Even if we had, the trip to Wickersham is too dangerous. If the villagers are not cut down by Dunley's men, they would be killed by the awful things that prowl in the night."

"Some brave souls have tried, some are captured, but most never come back 'ere...it's like they done vanished off the face 'o the earth."

"If I were young and brave like you, sir knight, then I'd give it a go. But we are just old men and young children here...most of the women folk have been carted off to keep his lord's men warm at night."

At these words, the woman starts to sob softly.

"Our own daughter, Felicity, was taken but a fortnight ago by Dunley's men," he shakes his head and tries to put it out of his mind.

"Nay, you best be off wit ye. I can lead you through the back of the village and a trail to take that skirts the old road. You don't have any victuals on ye, now? My wife and I had naught but the thin gruel by the fire...and it's thinner every evening."

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Wouter
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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Alexander reaches into his backpack to share one day's worth of rations with the man and woman. "I'm afraid this is all I can spare... What are your names, good man?" He tries to reassure the man and woman, and plant a seed of hope: "Even though successful escape may seem against all odds, I know for a fact that Peter and Belle, children of Harkbone, should by now be safe and sound in New Wickersham. If they can do it, so can you!" He beckons Aldarren and Milton to move in more closely and whispers: "What do you think, are all men of Lord Dunley in this one hut right now..? Maybe we can silently jam the door, buying time to make our escape and lead the people of Harkbone to safety."

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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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"My name is Sep and my wife is Erlane, we are but poor farmers."

The man's face brightens at the mention of Peter and Belle, "Oh fortune! I haven't seen those two since their mother left many weeks ago. Their father was killed by the guards for speaking out when my daughter was taken. His wife fled with the children after that, hoping to find a safe haven. It was only a matter of time before they came for her as well."

"May Adalbern smite them for the evil they have done. I long to see the day that Dunley lays dead in a muddy ditch!", Erlane says through her tears.

Sep nods at his wife's comments, "Someday, my love, we will be united with our own Felicity, perhaps not in this world though."

"We need to get you men away from here. They will kill us all if you are discovered."

Alexander remembers that the great hall in which the guards are staying, has at least two doors.

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Wouter
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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Alexander consults Aldarren and Milton: "What do you say, brothers? Should we flee or pull something clever on Lord Dunley's men?"

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greyarea
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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Milton nods and shares his food as well, including the raw fish he caught earlier. It would be great to have my revenge on they that set themselves upon me with neither warning nor mercy. However, we could also be the escorts for these fine folk who seek refuge.

Sep, where does Dunley reside? Perhaps if we cut off the snake's head, the body will die.

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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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The villager paces around the hut, looking out the door and walking around to the windows.

"Dunley and his men have taken over our lord's manor. It is a day's walk to the southeast. I've been there in the past, before Palandria died during God Fall, and never since. I have heard that Dunley has a garrison of men-at-arms at the manor. His forces well outnumber your own."

Sep rushes to the door. "Torches! They are looking for you now! You need to leave before they search this place!"

"Head north out of the village and make for the trees. From there you can work your way back to the Cormandy road and flee this place. For your sake and my own, please go now!"

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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Alexander doesn't wish to put Sep and Erlane in any danger, and it is clear to him that they don't stand a chance fighting Lord Dunley's men. "Let's heed Sep's advice and head for Cormandy Road. Once we are sure we are not being followed we can think of a plan..." he urges Aldarren and Milton.

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greyarea
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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Milton prepares to leave. Agreed

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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Aldarren - Ranger

"Yes, agreed."

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Re: Chapter 3 --- Journey to Harkbone

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Sep looks through the doorway, "They are searching another hut. Hurry!"

He opens the door. Aldarren, Alexander, and Milton move into the night, keeping low and running towards the woods in the north.

No sign of pursuit, but as you look back, you can see torchlight in the village and the cry of villagers rudely awakened in the night.

The woods provide cover as Aldarren leads the others along. A few hundred yards in and you stop to catch your breath.

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