[Closed] [A'Hunting we shall go

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington, Ingrid Kief, Bellamy Blake, Ellana Ashara
WHAT: A small band heads out to kill some blood mages, some Red Templars, and an errand or two.
WHEN: Back-dated, second week of Bloomingtide
WHERE: The Hinterlands
NOTES: There will be violence! Also, annoying climbing.

Travelling

The trip to the Hinterlands is positively boring, compared to other trips that have headed out recently. The templars that Norrington have brought with him chat with one another, chat with those traveling with them, and the mood - if not light, is at least comfortable and friendly.

Camping

Norrington places them in the Camp off in the Rebel Queen's Ravine - it will be a long hike inward from the valley to where the Red Templars were seen, but Norrington wants to do a through sweep of the valley. So camp is established, and people are free to mingle with one another as wanted.

Hunting

Those heading out to find the Red Templars will leave early enough in the day, as to have the element of surprise. Norrington stops the group right outside their first spotting, frowning as he hunkers down low.

He turns to the others, murmuring, "They're moving red lyrium - large shards of the stuff. Where the name of the Maker are they getting it?"

or

The blood mages are conducting some sort of ritual, on the far end of the valley, near where those ... rather strange cultists live. The advantage is theirs - they are atop a large hill.

Norrington frowns as he looks up the sides of the hill. "We need a distraction, so the rest can charge around the back. Any ideas?"

An Enchanter's Favor

On the second or third day, Norrington packs up his horse on his own, and calls out to the others, "I'm heading out for First Enchanter Vivienne. Does anyone wish to come along?"

Comments

Enchanter's Favor

[judgemewhole]

Norrington nodded at her, gesturing for her to get her horse.

"I shall tell you once we are on our way. It is nothing taxing - but it may take some ... searching." His tone is wry. "And since it is considered valuable, perhaps some fighting with bandits."

[ingrid_kief]

"Yes, ser. I have little worry about bandits."

She mounts up, her horse trotting beside his.

"So... what do we seek? Some herb? Reagent? I am still learning what is in Ferelden."

[judgemewhole]

He pulled Dauntless off to the side, so he could turn to look at her.

"Something far more dangerous. A magical tome, stolen from the Circle in Tantervale. I doubt the bandits truly know what they have their hands on - but an untrained mage with that volume? Madame Vivienne was right to worry."

And be infuriated over, but he was not going to bring that up.

[ingrid_kief]

"A book." Ingrid frowns a little at that.

"You think they would just leave it somewhere? I would think perhaps try to sell it in a village," she muses.

[judgemewhole]

"A book." He affirmed, before he looked thoughtful.

"I honestly don't think they know what they've got their hands on - which is why we need to find it before they sell it to the wrong person."

[ingrid_kief]

"You have some idea where to start looking?" she asks. "Maybe ruins, or a cave... To keep things protected and dry. Ferelden has rain. A lot. Rain is not good for books."

[judgemewhole]

"I do, actually. There's the remains of an old castle wall, just outside of Redcliffe. I spoke to some of the locals - they said there are still a few bandits here and there."

[ingrid_kief]

"Just a wall? That does not seem practical. But lead the way, ser. I am with you," she says with a nod.

[judgemewhole]

"Ah, but remember this is Fereldan. It is not a wall - it will be a fortified wall. Possibly, with towers." He smirked, faintly amused. "Fereldans are perhaps some of the most paranoid builders I have ever met."

[ingrid_kief]

"You have not seen some of the fortresses of the Anderfels," she countered with a slight smile of her own, "Built to withstand darkspawn and blights and sand there. What would Fereldens be so afraid of?"

[judgemewhole]

"That is quite true - I never managed to get that far north in my travels. I should go to see it some time." He smiled in turn, before he tilted his head, "Orlesians. Darkspawn. Mages, it seems. Dragons - there seems to be dragons all over this bloody place. The undead, as well."

He snorted, "Now that I think about it, perhaps Fereldans have a right to be paranoid."

[ingrid_kief]

"Perhaps so. But it is not all bad in the Anderfels. There is beauty there, if you are willing to brave the danger. Our Lady is truly lovely. I hope you do see it sometime."

She trotted up beside him.
"So. Which way to the ruined wall?"

[judgemewhole]

"Is that not true of all beauty? You have to be willing to brave many things, to get to the heart of it." James murmured, his gaze becoming thoughtful.

He stirred when she road up next to him, then gestured. "Further west, here. It shouldn't be much longer."

And sure enough, there was a piece of wall, large with a balustrade, open. Above that, a number of bandits sat on the wall. Norrington's eyes narrowed. "There."

[ingrid_kief]

Ingrid silently counted the bandits she could see, her brow furrowing.

"Your orders, ser?" she asked, "Attempt diplomatic engagement first, or try and take them by surprise?"

[judgemewhole]

He eyes the bandits, before murmuring to her, "Normally I would suggest something like a distraction - rushing them from the front to draw them in while our other forces took them from the rear. Let us try diplomacy -- that will still force them to come to us. "

He eyed the wall ahead, "If we tuck ourselves under the balastrade, they will have to send troops down to face us, instead of reigning arrows down from above.

[ingrid_kief]

She nods.
"You... you should be the one to talk. You are better than me. I will continue to the balustrade, ready with backup, if you wish."

[judgemewhole]

He gave her a warm little smile, before he nodded, "I shall be glad to play diplomat, if I can. Just be prepared to hold your action."

He called out ahead of time, as they began to ride under the balustrade, and he climbed off his horse. "Ho there! We've come to treat with you!"

A response came back, in a clearly Orlesian accent, "We know who you are, you stinking Templar whore!"

James sighed, putting his hand on his sword. "I believe that you've got a wrong implication about Templars."

[ingrid_kief]

Ingrid went to wait where she was told, but at the response, she frowned and put a hand on her sword.

"My blade will not fail you, ser," she promised.

[judgemewhole]

"I know it won't."

He nodded at her, before looking up at the bandits again. He pitched his voice right now. "You can call me names, or we can settle this rationally. With gold."

And then, he lifted his shield as three arrows, a dagger, and a sword clanged off the top of it. He arched an eyebrow, then pulled his sword, "I am here with a lady, ser! You will not taunt me into leaving her here defenseless!"

Then he looked apologetically back at Ingrid, for the deception and the insult.

[ingrid_kief]

She counted the weapons and gritted her teeth, and nodded ever so slightly to him.

"Will you not have peace?" she called out in the most girlish voice she could muster.

[judgemewhole]

"We will have money! And you for ransom! Or ... other things!" Came down the Orlesian accent, with a 'Heheheheh' that was probably supposed to sound threatening but came out nasaly instead.

James eyed the criminals, before he came underneath the balastrade and pulled his sword free. "I will take north, you take south."

[ingrid_kief]

"Yes, ser."

Sword drawn, shield up, Ingrid took the south side.

"I am worth no ransom. And I'm no lady." The air filled with the sound of ringing steel as Ingrid engaged the bandits, her sword work brutally efficient.

[judgemewhole]

James had her back to the North -- clearly they weren't expecting to be ambushed on their ambush - and they are sloppy to boot. Ingrid clearly has an advantage, and James has her back completely as his sword swings through the air to take down the first bandit.

[ingrid_kief]

Ingrid's face is grim as she cuts down another two. Killing is not something she takes any pleasure in doing, clearly, but she serves her duty.

"I think the tables here have turned on these men," she observes.

[judgemewhole]

James swung his sword around to cut another bandit down. He met her back to back, his smile grim.

"I think you might be right.'