-----"Dread, do something please! This is now, what my fourth day without a bath. I have not been home to my shop to enjoy the company of my woman or our room full of interesting and unusual objects. We have an unruly priest of magic and now you are telling me that an ogre or something worse is denying me my rights as a clean living person!"
-----Seth stands up in the wagon and raises a hand. "Brandel, Runik and My Dear Krord, in our short time together we have never faced a crisis quite like this one. Nor have been in such dire need." He searches through his pockets and finds some gold. "A bounty of 5 gold each for the best bodyguards any merchant of curios could want. At any cost we must reach Grute!"
-----He now strikes what he believes to be his most dramatic pose and shouts in his best tavern resonating voice, "Onward to Grute!"
-----The Dread Pirate shrugs and replies, "Onward to Grute then. I guess we all have to have our priorities."
-----Kazel rides along but then adds, "What about that stone building on the hill there? There might be a hot springs bath there. And loofahs and other things of interest."
-----The Dread Pirate works hard to stifle a laugh at the mention of loofahs, then agrees with Kazel, "Aye, there may be all manner o' wonders there. What if we were to miss out on some sort o' wonder o' the ancients that's hidden in there. Bathing implements that haven't seen the light o' day in untold centuries."
-----"Bah!" Runik groans, "if there be breakfast a'waitin' fer us there, I be all fer a'headin' in t'at direction. Seems I 'member it bein' nothin' but a deserted tower." The dwarf rests his hand on Amdracks's head as he looks dismally at the distant stone building.
-----"Aye," Brandel adds as he takes back the reins, "that is what I remember of it too. We are only two hours' ride from Grute now and we have yet to pass the village ruins where we met the ogres. Hopefully, there are no more of the beasts that may lie hidden there. What if we journey on to Grute, take our breakfast and plan to come back and explore it if you must?"
-----Krord pounds his fist into his other hand when Brandel mentions ogres.
-----"One more thing," the young mercenary says with an apologetic look, "I do not know how much of a chance you will have to bathe, Master Seth. There are no inns in Grute and I do not know how much help the taverns will be to your request. I suppose you could offer to pay even a farmer with a bit of your new coins."
-----Seth smiles at Brandel and says, "Oh thank you for that information. Perhaps you would know of a stream near by, that might be sufficient for now."
-----The Dread Pirate chimes in helpfully, "Aye, on to Grute it is then. Perhaps they have a horse trough ye can make use of while we're there. I'm sure the horses won't mind too much if'n ye borrow their trough."
-----As the wagon continues on up the road toward Grute, within an hour's time they come in sight of the ancient ruins where the rogues had encountered the ogres. Krord immediately stiffens in anticipation and seems to sniff the air.
-----Close to the right side of the road, a huge creature lies facedown in a pool of its own dried blood. The creature looks to be over nine feet tall with long greasy greenish hair. Animal furs adorn its dead yellowish skin. A stench rises from the carcass though the carrion birds that peck around at the dead ogre seem not to mind.
-----"Ye reckon we be a'findin' all sorts a'dead things betwixt 'ere n' Grute?" Runik rumbles, turning his nose up at the smell.
-----As the entourage passes the ruins by, the village of Grute is seen off about a mile across the flat land. The mood seems a bit lighter as the light breeze and the warm sun make the ride all the more comfortable. Amdracks remains quiet, riding most of the time with his eyes closed.
-----As they approach, Brandel points out the road that comes directly south from Nox. A few yards ahead it joins with the road from the Town of Redmarsh as it enters Grute. Where the two roads meet, a farm belonging to a teamster stands between the two forks.
-----Brandel then points to another farmhouse coming up on their left. "Between those trees," he says to Seth, "I see a pond. Perhaps the farmer will allow you to bathe there."
-----Seth eyes the large body as they drive past. A brighter look comes over his face at the mention of the pond. "You know, if it is ok with you two, that pond might be a good idea. We could pay the farmer's wife to provide us with a farm fresh breakfast of chickens, hams, cheese, eggs and bread. While she is preparing it Kazel, myself and any of you others could use the pond, and you, Dread, could question the farmer about all of these dead bodies." He waits with his fingers crossed hoping his suggestion is acted upon.