PlanetADnD.com

Calah settles in at the front and leads the way without further comment, assuming no further noteworthy events.

The afternoon's trip to the way station is uneventful, the most noteworthy event being that, right around the time they begin smelling the smoke of a cookfire, the wagon passes a young man walking in the same direction, carrying an unstrung bow in one hand and a large dead bird, probably a turkey, in the other.

"Well met." Angel raises her hand in greeting to the young man, her eyes darting around the brush. "We are travellers looking for sanctuary." The warrior adds as she fixes her gaze on him.

Galanis watches the man, waiting for his reaction. He wonders though were he alone would he greet the stranger.

The man quickens his stride (very slightly) to keep pace with the group and says, "You are well on your way. It may not be sanctuary, but it is shelter. Just a few miles."
He walks up to the side of the wagon and says to Hiric: "A beer for a ride. Fair trade."
Hiric doesn't speak, but he does bob his head toward the back of the wagon. The youth tosses the turkey into the bed and hoists himself up onto the moving wagon.

"You live there I presume." Angel moves closer to the wagon. "We have traveled a long road, we will be thankful for a safe place to rest." Flicking back her hair Angel allows a small smile to cross her lips, Liri was safe, that matters.

"I do live there," the youth says. "And will live there for the rest of my days, most likely, for I was recently married, and have a child on the way."

He takes the group's congratulations with joy, and the news of a recent marriage and upcoming birth seems to break Papa out of his foul mood.

The group arrives at the way station near sundown, and finds it quite active in response to the news of their imminent arrival. At the entrance to the clearing, the young boy Calah and Liri met earlier, and his ugly dog, remain, as if standing guard. The dog growls at each new arrival in turn, and Praesul bares his teeth and puts back his ears in reply.

The way station consists of five buildings - a tired looking wooden barn, a large unadorned building which from the outside looks like a legion barracks, a building with a porch wrapped around two sides and several shuttered windows, a plain house with a walled forecourt, and off to one side a smokehouse. The roof of the barracks has collapsed in places.

Hiric insists on seeing to the animals himself, but sends his sister to attend Fraso as the group dismounts. Troya, the landlady, comes out to greet the group and directs them to the dining hall - the building with the large porch.

Delicious smells waft from the smokehouse as Troya walks with the group, reciting e bill of fare - unsurprisingly, a variety of smoked meats plus bread and vegetables. As the group arrives at the dining hall, a very pregnant young woman steps out of the kitchen, bearing four pitchers, which she places on a large trestle table where cups and plates have already been set out.

"Stable the mounts first, make sure they are settled." Angel says with some authority, as she slides off the skittish Stallion. "It will be ok." She whispers softly to Praesul patting him gently.

Stabling the horse she throws her pack blanket and other gear effortlessly over her shoulder and walks to the dining house. She doesn't seek out Liri, but doesn't make it obvious that she isnt. Instead as the last to arrive she takes a seat a little to the side.

Galanis also stables the horse and then catches up with Calah. "Ahh... finally the ride is over. Hot meal! Comfortable bed! the Gods are smiling upon us."

Liri had made herself comfortable in the dining room to wait for the others. when Angel arrives, she gets up and greets her woth a peck on the cheek. "So everything is well?" she asks.

"Well?" The warrior asks with a slight falter to her voice, "If you class well as the constant feeling of.. Something on your back.." She shudders letting Liris lips linger on her cheek before looking up.

"At least this place us passable, I have slept in a burnt out awning with a leaky roof before. This is veritable heaven in comparison." Shifting along she pats the bench once, her only invitation.

Liri smiles and sits down. "Yes, is Maughus getting on us all or is there really something still interested in us? At least we seem to be reasonably safe here."

"Its not just him." She looks over where Salia might be, fully expecting to get distracted. "Something doesn't want us to know its here, yet its presence tells us its there." Angel rubs her forehead and sighs deeply.

"But yes this place seems safe.." She forces a smile and sits up, "How are you?"

Galanis looks around trying to sniff what is cooking for dinner.

"It was nice to have some time to relax and pamper Casta a bit" Liri says with a smile. "But I'm glad you are here now."