-----Amdracks seems to relax more as he stares at the last few passing buildings of Grute.
-----From inside the confines of his burlap nest, the Dread Pirate snorts in his sleep a couple of times as though to protest all the shouting going on while he is resting. He shifts about, soundly kicking Amdracks, then settles down and begins a monotonous, droning snore.
-----Seth nods at Brandel as well, "Oh, not the temple in Redmarsh, it is deserted, or it was when we were there. Our friend went to Oakwood - I think, Brandel will know, anyway we destroyed the evil priests in Redmarsh and things should be getting back to normal. As for those fellows there," he points at the three sleeping men, "that attacked you, I think the 'Swift Kick of Joren' to the side of the head would suffice as punishment for now, we really need to toodle off and find our friend Marast."
-----Kazel nods to Brandel. "Probably not much we can do in Redmarsh for now." She whispers to Seth. "Are we taking that wizard with us or should we present him as a gift to the emissary of Joren?"
-----She then turns to the girl to see what she wants.
-----Seth eyes the Wizard and shrugs his shoulders. "You know we could sell him as a contestant to those two merchants. He should provide some stout competition in their arena!"
-----"We shall catch up to you, my friends!" Lotley shouts as the horses begin picking up the pace. Soon the forms of the paladin, the orc and the village peasants dwindle in the distance along with the small buildings of Grute.
-----Later the village is lost as the wagon passes where the countryside is dotted with hills. A gentle breeze blows from the south, carrying a warmth that hints at the approaching summer season. Spring flowers poke through the grass adding a pleasant fragrance to the air.
-----Many of the riders in the wagon relax and the whole assemblage begins to resemble a party on an outing. The little girl rides along with Kazel smiling happily at the birds that flitter and dive across the wide, open plains. Krord sits with a large loopy grin on his face enjoying the breeze rushing over his face. Brandel remains quiet watching the trail road ahead although he long ago slowed the horses to a comfortable riding pace.
-----Even Amdracks looks content as he stares down the way the wagon had come from. His eyes above his gag reflecting little emotion.
-----"The way be lookin' clear," Runik says turning toward Seth, "Might be a good time to hear a few o' yer best tunes!" The dwarf raises his eyebrows urging the musician to play.
-----As the hours roll on and the village vanishes in the distance, a snort is heard emanating from the interior of the burlap sack. Moments later, one of Dread's throwing knives sticks out the through the burlap. Vigorous sawing ensues as the Dread Pirate slowly emerges from the bag. Sniffing the sweet air of freedom, the Dread Pirate looks about the passing countryside as though nothing has occurred in the last few hours. Apparently with no curiosity about why he woke up stuffed into a sack, riding in the back of the wagon, Dread clambers out of the wagon and onto Joren's back. He then says, "So, where did Nylan get to?"
-----Seth smiles at the request for music and settles down and begins to play some jaunty tunes. When Dread appears from the burlap sack, he merely smiles at the Dread Pirate and continues playing.
-----Runik's eyebrows rise in complete surprise at the Dread Pirate's inquiry. "Ye be talkin' 'bout that snooty knight wit' the orc? We left 'em back at Grute wit' the men what tried to stop us."
-----Peering back down the road, the dwarf adds, "He mentioned somethin' 'bout catchin' back up to us." Runik now stares southward while cupping his hand over his eyes. Seeing nothing, he asks, "Ye s'pose we wants 'em joinin' our little company?"
-----Amdracks glares at the dwarf. In return, Runik growls, "Ay, how long we has to keep this one? I be gittin' the feelin' he's gonna be more troublin' he's worth."
-----The Dread Pirate casts a jaundiced eye at the still bound and gagged Amdracks, "Aye, he's not a real cheerful sort to have about, is he? And havin him layin there in the belly of our wagon is bound to raise questions from those more discernin than Nylan Lotley. I suppose we could always slit his throat and bury him in a shallow grave by the side of the road. I mean really, who'd miss him? All he does is lay there and make faces at us. He's probably thinkin up all sorts o' foul things to do to us. Look at that face on him, he's probably dreamin up nasty things to do to us right now. I imagine he's out on the road because his superiors couldn't stand havin his sour disoposition taintin the atmosphere around 'em, so they kicked him out and inflicted him on the rest of the world. It was just our bad luck to be the ones to meet up with him."
-----Dread contemplates for a bit then says, "But I'd feel badly if we keelhauled him and he turned out not to be evil. I guess I'm just gettin soft in me old age, but maybe we could just tie him to a tree and leave him for the next wayfarers to happen upon. Kind of leave his fate up to the gods. If'n the gods are smilin on him, then maybe some merchants will pass by and cut him loose. If they aren't smilin, then maybe it'll be a group of Eastern Sawoojian Bugtussle Apes, out looking fer a good time. A course that's all dependin on whether or not he vows by Ora not to seek vengeance on us, or get anyone else to come after us either. And fer that matter, he'd have to vow not to tell anyone any of our plans that he might have overheard."