Elven Encampment

Blindfolded, the party is led the better of a half hour. The dwarf can be heard nearby, infinitely louder than the elves, who can only be heard when they talk. The dwarf, showing his first sides of surliness, grumbles repeatedly to himself about the party’s treatment and the irrationality of the king.

Soon enough though the party walks less through the jungle and more through level ground. The going gets easier and the party starts to feel more at ease. Shortly thereafter the party is halted by the elf in command, and the order to remove the blindfolds is given. The party eagerly removes them to take in the sites of the elven encampment.

Looking around the party notices … nothing. There is no encampment. No tents, no hustling and bustling, not even any elves. Atleast, that’s what they notice at first. Eventually the party notices small nuances that are out of place. What looks to be a set of small stairs twining around a tree. The ground, while still easily identifiable as jungle, has been softened so that it’s more easily transversed. Then you realize, it’s not much of a hidden encampment if it’s not hidden. Swearing to take nothing for granted within this place, you turn to face the elf, dwarf standing beside him.

“Welcome to our, hopefully temporary, home. You are free to move around as you please, but make no move to leave, or our scouts will kill you. The king has demanded an immediate audience, but I begged him off until tomorrow morning, to allow you all proper rest. Lordwyn here,” The elf indicates the dwarf, “will show you around as needed. As long as it doesn’t attract attention or deter our workers from their jobs safeguarding this place, you are free to visit anybody, to buy and sell your wares, and, of course, rest. If you have need of me before tomorrow morning, when I come to retrieve you, please ask Lordwyn and he will arrange it.”

With that the elf turns and walks away before the party has a chance to stop him.

Looking around at the new surroundings Krod shrugs, finds a tree and sits down and puts his back to it. Leaning back he stretches his almsot 8 ft frame, and comments simply. "Krod tired."

Krod like to fight but Krod like sleep too sometimes.

KORWIN

Korwin looks around, but his interest is dampened by his fatigue. Taking his cue from Krod, Korwin sits down on the ground next to the big warrior and promptly closes his eyes. Within moments he is fast asleep, his last thought...

We can sort and identify any items later. For now I just want to get some sleeee...

The dwarf, surprise on his face, turns to Kai.

"Well, we have rooms available for you all, but if you wish to sleep against a tree, by all means."

Krod looks down and grins at Korwin's sleeping form. "Krod fine, Korwin sleep Krod wait"

Krod always wonder why little body need so much sleep

Kai chuckles to himself at the pair.

"I, for one, think a room would be a wonderful idea. Please, by all means, lead the way."

Turning to Krod.

"Krod, if you have it in you, why don't you gently pick Korwin up and take him to one of the rooms. I am sure, after all we have been through thus far, that the rest will be better for him there than out here against a tree."

Krod looks at Kai, thinks a bit then nods. kneeling he picks the sleeping Korwin up and follows Kai to the rooms.

Lordwyn leads the party to a set of the small stairs curling around a tree. While he and Kai have no problems ascending the staircase, Krod has a little more trouble due to his size and the fact he is carrying Korwin, but he eventually makes it to the top.

Pressing a knothole in the tree itself, a man sized portal opens to reveal a rather cramped room. Four beds line the walls, two on the east side and two on the west side, with little lockers at the foot of each bed.

Seeing that finally he and Korwin are in a fairly safe place Krod gently sets korwin's sleeping frame down on one bed and lies on the floor beside his bed and within a few minute is softly snoring away.

Kai sits down on a bed in the opposite corner. He begins checking things in his pack before placing his pack, weapons, and armor within easy reach.

"Thank you for the hospitality Lordwyn."

Krod sleeps soundly for about 2 hours then awakens. He lays on his back on the floor, stretches and flexes his massive muscles feeling refreshed. Hearing the sounds of the others sleeping he sits up and pushes himself to the wall away from the door. Sitting there, in the dark he waits and watches...as he has done for so many years.

KORWIN

Korwin sleeps the sleep of the dead and wakes many hours later, still tired, but tired with that feeling of having slept extremely well. Opening his eyes, he's confused for a moment and experiences a bit of trepidation as he doesn't recognize his surroundings, but catches sight of Krod, on watch, and on guard. He knows everything is alright with the big warrior standing watch. Not ready to get out of the bed yet, Korwin closes his eyes and drifts in and out of consciousness, waiting for the others to wake.

Kai sleeps for about 6 hours before waking, refreshed from the rest. He performs some light stretching to limber up his body before strapping on his gear. In the limited space of the room, he performs several practice excercises with his weapons, passing the time until their "hosts" return.

KORWIN

Korwin, sensing Kai is awake, opens his eyes and stretches a bit, feeling quite refreshed. "What's for breakfast around here anyway? Are we prisoners still? Do we have free reign to explore and investigate? What about any meetings with the local leadership? Do we have to be anywhere at a certain time? Anyone know where we can get our loot identified and sold? What about purchasing additional equipment? What's for breakfast... did I say that already? I'm hungry."

Hopping out of bed, Korwin stretches toward the rafters ( that he'll never reach ) and bends down to touch his toes, jugs in place briefly and then pops up into a hand stand, walking around the room on his hands. "I have to get the blood flowing, you know?" Grinning broadly, he pops back onto his feet and joins Krod in his survey of the camp below.

Krod chuckles at the rapid-fire questions from Korwin. "Krod think Korwin all rested and ready for more fighting." Standing, Krod tries to stretch like Korwin but since he has to duck his head just to stand he gives up and heads outside the room.

Krod not know where Korwin put all the food he eat

Looking at Korwin, Kai addresses some of his questions.

"We were given permission to buy and sell items here, as well as wander, so long as it does not interfere with the normal day to day. We are also supposed to meet their King this morning so I would imagine that those activities will have to wait until after this meeting."

As the party discusses the possibilities before them today, the elf from the previous day enters with a knock, two elves with halberds in hand on each side of him. He is dressed in what appears to be formal ware, a metal breastplate bareing the insignia of a castle with the sun shining behind it, and a red cape. The elves behind him are wearing chain armor and metal helmets, complete with noseguards. The halberds are held loosely in their hands, as if they are unfamiliar with the weapon. With a apologetic smile and a small sigh the elf addresses the party formally.

"His Majesty, King Connor the First, requests your immediate presence in his quarters to discuss your ... transgressions. You are to accompany me now."

Barely looking back at the elves behind him, the elf commander nods, and the elves spread out behind the party, urging them forward. You notice that one of the elves has a large grin on his face, which looks silly on an elf.

The party is shuffled, not rudely, down the stairs and around the encampment. Krod, having woke up much earlier and walked around the camp already, recognizes the landscape and follows the elves easily. Kai and Korwin notice many trees have the spirals stairs, barely noticeable if you are not near them or looking for it, but do not know what each set of stairs lead to.

A couple of minutes later, as the party is walking through the encampment, the elves in front of the party stop. The elven commander speaks out from directly in front of the party. "This is the edge of our encampment. If you ever follow this route without an elven escort, you will be killed." Again a small nod and the party resumes its walk. Quickly the ground reverts to its "jungle" ground, where the roots and underbrush become heavy enough that it slows your movement, although the elves appear unaffected.

Another couple of minutes go by and the party begins to notice that one tree in the forest is bigger then the rest. A wider trunk and thicker branches mark this as an ancient tree and the party stares in awe at the sheer size of it. As they get closer, the party again notices the telltale signs of usage, the ground is flatter and easier to walk through, while still giving the appearance that this is nothing but jungle.

The elves walk directly towards the tree with the party behind them. A massive root juts from the ground in front of the elves, but they calmly walk up the root and the party notices that it is actually a set of stairs designed to look like a root. Continuing on, the elves in front open a gate made to blend into the massive tree. Inside looks like a mishmash of different environments. While the walls are masterfully sculpted to take on the appearance of a tree, bark included, pictures of castles and fair ladies align the walls, with more portraits along the floor, yet to be hung.

A barely audible sigh escapes the lips of the commander as the party walks through the corridor. The elf with the sloppy grin looks at the commander for a split second before returning his eyes before him. Down the corridor you notice a door with three elves on each side, wearing and carrying the same equipment as the elves "escorting" you to the king. As you reach the door, the commander makes as if to keep walking, before the elves at the door stop him by crossing their halberds.

Exploding in anger, the commander yells at the two elves, "How dare you prevent me access to the king. He asked me specifically to retrieve the prisoners and escort them into his presence. You are preventing me from doing the duty assigned to me by the king himself."

When no response comes from the guards, the commander attempts to lift the halberds by himself. As he touches the halberds, though, the other four elves lower theirs in a threatening manner. With a look of surprise, the commander moves away from the guards and stands a little closer to the party. The elves return their halberds to their original positions, uncrossing them from in front of the door.

The minutes go by as the party waits. Not knowing when they will be admitted, the party stays on their toes, but the wait slowly grates on the nerves of both the party and the commander, who looks dangerously mad. After over an hour of waiting, the doors open and an older elf, resplendent in red silk robes, looks at the fuming commander and states, "Hilarian, you have perfect timing. The king was just questioning if you were ever going to arrive. He asked me to have the guards search for you and make sure the prisoners had not accosted you."

As the commander steps forward to speak, anger plain on his face, the older elf puts up a hand in a placating motion, "But that isn't necessary now is it. You are here and that's what matters. Please, the king is expecting you." And with that the red robed elf turns and walks into the room, leaving the commander with no choice but to follow him.

The party enters what could only be described as organized chaos. The room is quite clearly a very large bedroom, but the bed has been moved to the corner and a throne of pure gold placed into the center of the room. Wooden chairs lay on either side of the throne, with four on its left and three on its right. Upon the throne is a younger elf who looks barely old enough to join the guard, much less rule an elven nation. The seven chairs are held by seven elven woman of such astonishing beauty that the party falters in their steps as they enter the room. Several other elves, older and more distinguished, stand behind the throne on either side. You notice the elf who let you into the room on the right side of the king, just behind the throne. Around the room in multiple locations are guards, all wearing breastplates similar to the commander with a longsword sheathed across their back and a short sword sheathed at their left hip.

As the party reaches the throne the escorting elves stop and turn, standing directly before the party, halberds at their side. The one elf is still grinning.

Looking at the party, the elf king surveys each of you with keen eyes before asking, in a soft, almost uncaring, voice, "Why should I not put you to death for coming here, spies?"

Krod, used to hours of standing and waiting is non-plussed at the delays. Upon entry into the King's chambers he looks around and spots areas of the room where he can best employ his spiked chain if it were ever to come to that. Glancing at the elven girls he ponders what men see in them. They are SO small and way too much hair, it makes them so ugly.

Listening to the King Krod simply stands, hands by his sides, a slight smile on his face as he takes in the room, occupants and the King himself.

"Krod and Korwin not spies and Krod getting tired of being priz-o-nur."

KORWIN

Korwin allows himself to be herded through the elven encampment and then on to the big tree and the throne room. The wait to enter seems interminably long, but recalling the lessons on patience that Master Ligand used to use on him, he stoically endures the delay.

There is something odd here. I believe there are factions within factions. Why would the commander be held up when he was ordered to bring us to the king? And now the doors open? Someone is either toying with US, or toying with the commander. I need to keep on my toes around this place. All is not as it seems.

Korwin, deciding that the best defense might be a strong offense decides to speak out. "Well. Your Majesty. If indeed you are the king, for I would not be surprised if this were some ruse designed to confuse and bewilder us. It could be that the king is in fact someone other than you who are sitting on the throne, so that you might gain some understanding of our reaction to the mistreatment we have received thus far.

No, I don't think you believe us to be spies. If you truly thought that, then why would we be allowed to sleep in beds? Why would we have been fed? Why would we have been allowed to bring our weapons into the presence of the king at all?" He says as he pats the spiked chain at his hip in a fashion reminiscent of someone who knows how to use the item. "If you truly believed us to be spies, we would be dead already, so let's dispense with the accusations and pettiness, shall we? We did not "come" here. We were "brought" here, so let's be sure we are all clear on that. We were captured, bound, and transported to somewhere, we know not where. Then, supposedly forces in league with you killed out captors and led us through the jungle to this place. Spies? I think not. Nor do I think you think so either.

So why don't you tell us the real reason we are here? I grow tired of the charade already, so either kill us for being the "spies" you think we are, or end this pathetic attempt at deception and misdirection. Killing us should pose no problem as we are hopelessly outnumbered, so be done with it already, I won't put up a fight."

With that, Korwin folds his arms across his tiny gnome chest and scowls fiercely at the figure on the throne.

As the group waits, Kai plays the previous day's events over in his mind.

Wonderful, politics. Just like home.

Once the group is admitted into the "King's" presence, Kai listens to Krods words, to Korwin's outburst, before speaking himself. When he does speak, he does so in a very calm, controlled manner.

"Your majesty, if that is indeed who you are, as my companion here has stated, we were brought to you. We did not infiltrate your camp, we did not come here to spy, and, to be quite honest, we don't even have any idea where in the world we are. We believe that we are all quite far from our homelands. I do not know of any way to convince you that we are not spies. I know nothing of your politics,"

This is said with a glance between the commander and the robed elf next to the "King".

"Your ways, or even of this conflict that brews between you and the one who kidnapped us. If you have thoughts on having us prove ourselves to you, by all means let us hear them. If you have concerns that we are under geas by your enemies, have your wizards examine us. I have nothing to hide and neither do my companions. As he stated,"

This said with an indication towards Korwin.

"if you wanted us dead, we'd be dead already. By the fact that you have brought us here, the indication would seem to be that you have some use for us."

Leaning back into the throne more fully, the young king takes stock of the words spoken. A small grin slowly spreads across his face as he speaks, "You are right of course."

Turning to Hilarion the king continues on, "How dare you treat these visitors as prisoners. Did I not tell you to provide them with rooms and the ability to use our hospitality to their advantage. Leave me."

As Hilarion begins to speak up, the young king flashes forward to the edge of his seat, anger evident in his face. "I said LEAVE ME!" he yells, and Hilarion, with a glance to the party, departs out the door. You hear the sound of ringing metal seconds later.

With a pleased smile, the king settles back into his seat. Turning back to the party he says, "Now, back to business. Why are you here?"

With a deep bow to the King, Kai begins with an apology.

"Your majesty, I apologize if my companion's words were misunderstood. We were provided quarters and given permission to roam the boundaries of the encampment... at least to a certain point. We were not mistreated. I would hate for Hilarion to suffer over a misunderstanding. He has been quite concerned with your safety and I believe he is being cautious in his dealings with us because of that concern."

Kai gathers his thoughts as he takes a breath.

"The three of us, as well as a fourth who perished in battle with a pet of the vreshka, were kidnapped from our homelands by the forces of one who calls himself Ockli. Apparently the lot of us, as well as two others, were seen as a threat for some reason. Lordwyn slew those who sought to enslave us. We fled with him, fighting one of the vreshka on the way, and were then brought here. We were blindfolded for the journey, to preserve the secrecy of your encampment's location. And now we are here before you, though I do not know where here is. The only reason we are here is the fact that we were saved by Lordwyn. I know not his reasons for doing so, but I am forever grateful that he did."

Looking over at Kai as if for the first time, the King looks slightly perturbed.

"Lordwyn did NOT slay the orcs holding you. I sent my archers to do that while Lordwyn waited for you to find him, which he tells me you did not. We lost three dozen archers that day, and Abjuran sent his army to attack MY capital while my archers were keeping the orcs off of you long enough for you to stumble your way here. I lost my city, although only temporarily, for the prisoners that were so dangerous to Abjuran, and now you tell that one of you died. If only one died, where are the other two? You all better be worth the trouble I have gone to."

As the battle of words drones on Krod gets bored and looking around, finally takes a seat against the wall near the door.

Krod think words kill him before weapons do

"Ockli, or one of his minions slew a man who was among us. There was also another woman. I do not know what happened to her. We three are all that is left."

Kai pauses for a moment.

"I am sorry for the loss of your people. I was not aware that Lordwyn was only waiting for us. I know how painful it is to lose those who are important to you."

Kai seems to think hard about his next words.

"I know not why we are considered dangerous to this Abjuran. I do know that I believe in paying my debts. If I can assist you, and you are willing to allow me to do so, I will help in whatever way that I can. I owe you my life, even more so for the sacrifice that you and your people have paid. While nothing that I do can repay the cost of that sacrifice, I am willing to do my best to repay your kindness."