Chapter 2: Mired Waters

"We should get moving then. Maybe we will be able to solve the mire and orc problem at the same time."

The warrior looked to Shiraz and Hanzel to make sure he was headed the right direction and got ready to go.

After saying their goodbyes, Shiraz goes about her way while the group makes a beeline for Cutter Brook, following its course upstream to its source. The further up one goes, the area is dotted with abandoned farms, quickly falling into ruin. The ground becomes increasingly waterlogged to the point where movement is slow and exhausting, if not outright treacherous for some of the shorter party members. It was already late afternoon when the meeting with Shiraz happened, so some four hours of walking later, the sun is well on its way down past the horizon. It will be dark soon and there's still searching to be done. Doing it under cover of darkness will be harder, but it may also grant you the advantage of surprise. Marching back to a drier spot to spend the night, whether camping or hoping to be hosted at some farm, will allow a fresh return by daylight, but it would make the trudging through the waters thus far feel wasted, not to mention you'd have to march back out to safety and back through the mire's waters the next day. It's not an ideal situation, but a decision must be made.

"Now I don't know about the rest of you," Hanzel says, "but I find it easier to search when I can see what I'm looking at."

The fighter nodded, "I agree. Darkness favors those familiar with the terrain, which we do not. Let's travel back to one of the farms or some other place with solid ground."

Constantine is not the arguing type, he's to busy polishing his gems anyway. But he does feel a bit better about being such a slow walker and holding the group back, knowing that they can't see in the dark, like he can.

But all he says, is; "sure, sure, of course" as he stays transfixed by his gems.

Simply nodding, the lad waits for a direction.

It's an arduous march back along the waterlogged terrain, made worse by the stress as the sun goes down. By the time the group is back on solid ground that may look somewhat defensible and suitable to make camp, they figure they might as well do a bit of extra walking and spend the night under a roof, safe from whatever may be lurking out here. Lord Carman's note about their mission is enough to open doors and warrant a shelter for the night, but the family of farmers are quite happy to comply if there's the prospect of aiding you in stopping what's causing the expansion of the Mire. Over dinner, the group try to cross-reference the rumors they've heard about the creatures in the swamp. The farmers have not seen or heard of any such thing, nor have they lost any supplies or livestock recently. They do however mention it's only a few days left till the Blood Moon, a time beasts and monsters are on the prowl, so it might be best to deal whatever's causing the Mire to expand "before it reaches its full power".

9th of Coldeven (Spring), 576 CY
The march starts early next morning, in hopes of providing enough time to look around the area for as long as there's sunlight. The sky is still overcast and the light breeze of the morning intensifies the chill that still hangs around despite it being Springtime. Which is to say, things get even more unpleasant once the group are yet again knee deep in water.

It takes a couple of hours searching around the headwaters of Cutter Brook, but eventually Aldeera alerts the group to a discovery. With everyone huddling together for a look, they see what appears to be the mouth of a cave or tunnel, some 50 feet ahead. On the sides of it, two small and miserable creatures stand guard. They are definitely blue skinned, with wrinkled skin and long, pointed ears, wearing ratty armor while carrying what appears to be makeshift shields and pointed sticks resembling a spear of sorts. As if that wasn't enough, these two "guards" seem to take notice of the movement of the group nearby and react how every self-respecting guard on watch duty wouldn't: they scuttle in terror and try to hide behind the nearest rock.

There is no doubt these things are some sort of goblinoid creature. Maybe blue skinned instead of the usual green skinned variety, but everything else seems to match what every party member knows of goblins.

What do you do?

As much as his first boat ride made him fall in love with the water, this bloody mire is making him hate it. Turning his naive search for adventure into a personal grudge. He trudges along, miserable, cold, his water filled boots putting blisters on his blisters. Knowing that he's slowing down the whole group hurts his pride even more. When Aldeera points out the cave, it takes all his strength to remain calm. Those little blue cretins look feeble enough for even a little gnome to rough up. He indulges himself in a bit of heroic fantasy; striding out like a mighty warrior, demanding they surrender, then humbling them with a stunning display of martial prowess. He grins, then sighs. Even these two pathetic blue wretches would likely beat him to a pulp. Or worse.

But smarts? These two don't seem the deep thinking type. Constantine is sure he can outsmart them.

"I have an idea" he whipers to the group,
"as cowardly as these two appear, they won't be scared of a soggy gnome, all alone in this murky slop. I can barely keep moving. They've already heard something, let it be me. I'll just walk right out into plain view, and pretend I'm lost. Ask them for help. I'll make enough noise to cover for you to move into position, and grab them!"

He points to the path he'll take and the ambush point as he talks.

"They don't look smart, but they have to know something"

"It's worth a try," Hanzel whispers back.

The warrior readied his bow in case he needed to engage quickly to rescue the gnome. Then Devon nodded his agreement with the plan.

Looking from one to another, Theobald nods and asks the Gnome:

"Should I accompany you? A second one who is small? Or is it better you go alone?"

Constantine thinks for a moment.
"Yes...that might work. If things go poorly, we run in different directions and meet back here "

He takes a moment to steady himself, check his gear. Then he takes the young lad by the hand and walks straight out towards the cave mouth.

"Hello there!" he says towards where the creatures are hiding.

Hanzel watches from where he's hiding, his sling ready to shoot.

The idea sounded so good before he said it out loud, but now he's all alone with the gnome here at the front. Theobald doesn't have to pretend to be worried; it's written all over his face.

But he bravely goes along, perhaps gripping the gnome's fingers more tightly than necessary. Constantine has the calloused hand of an adult, definitely bigger than his own, which gives him some confidence.

Aldeera readies her shortsword.