-----"'Ere now!" Runik grumbles, "'ave some respect fer the Cap'n 'ere er I'll be showin' ye yer value in the face o' spit!" The dwarf begins tapping his warhammer in his open palm.
-----He then leans over to look Amdracks square in the eye. "Cap'n, I don' t'ink it be wise to be a'lettin' this one be 'citin' his magic rit'als," Runik says to the Dread Pirate. "I don' want me children one day be born wit' two heads n' some such!"
-----Brandel grabs the reins and turns toward Kazel and the Dread Pirate. Quietly, he asks them, "So, we're off to Hearthorn by way of Oakwood, is it?"
-----Seth nods at Brandel, "Yes, we are off but I believe that we are going to Hearthorne without visiting Oakwood, with perhaps a detour to Mistress V's residence." He raises his eyebrows and waits for Kazel to confirm this.
-----"In any case we need to locate Marast so we will probably travel towards Oakwood and send somebody to retrieve him while the rest of us wait outside town." He now indicates Amdracks. "If nothing, he will be useful as a gift to Mistress V."
-----As Brandel starts the wagon moving forward, Runik groans, "Back to Oakwood? I sup'ose we be headin' fer t'at one village t'at had them strange peoples."
-----"Navlot," Brandel says simply with his eyes on the road ahead. "We will have to keep to the road too with this wagon. There won't be any skirting through the woods like we had on the way here."
-----A few hours later, the party moves along the road back on its northeasterly direction away from the Town of Redmarsh. Brandel drives the wagon still pulled by the gray mare the Dread Pirate had come across in the town the day before. Krord and Runik ride along in the wagon keeping an eye on the curious looking Amdracks making sure the mage priest does not slip his bonds. Seth reclines also in the wagon taking in the scenery part of the time and napping for the rest. Albert takes wing for short distances only to glide back to land and squawk on the wagon rail.
-----The Dread Pirate and Kazel ride along on their own horses while El Binko is tied to the rear of the wagon. The little girl sits quietly in the saddle in front of the half-elven butcher.
-----The weather remains pleasant as it has for the past few days. A gentle breeze blows the scent of fresh spring blossoms through the air, while the sky remains clear.
-----After riding into the late afternoon, Brandel speaks up, saying, "We may wish to look for a place to camp. I do not think we will make it to Grute before night fall." The young mercenary then points out a somewhat familiar castle structure off to the east. It happens to be the castle the Dread Pirate had liberated from a host of bandits and the party had stayed at two nights ago.
-----"By the way," Brandel adds, "did we not have another horse along with us this morning?"
-----Runik grunts, "Aye, t'at we did! Ye might be askin' the Cap'n 'bout it. Me thinks there be a corn-demon digestin' it 'bout now."
-----The Dread Pirate shrugs at the mention of the pony, then says, "Arrr. We'd best scout the keep out again afore we go traipsin in. Just in case those bandits came back. Or somethin worse moved in.
-----Seth idly watches the castle as Brandel points it out. "Do not worry about that horse! We'll get another one in Grute. Anyway I am enjoying this wagon riding, I can concentrate on other things."
-----He turns to Runik and states, "If Amdracks's lips start moving and you don't understand what he is saying, hit him IN the head. Remember with magic if you can't concentrate, you cannot cast the spell."
-----He settles back down and dreams of sipping fine beverages and sorting through his new possessions with Books back in Hearthorne. After a bath of course!! He then adds as an afterthought for Runik. "You might want to make sure his fingers cannot move as well."
-----"Oh well, it must've been sacrificed for a noble cause," Kazel mumbles as she examines the dragon hide over the head of the girl as she rides along. She puts it away as they approach the keep. "Are we staying here then? Let's go scout it out." With that she hops off the horse and proceeds towards the keep.
-----The Dread Pirate and Kazel both move out through the high weeds as the others wait behind around the wagon. Krord lifts the little girl down from the horse and carries her on his massive shoulders as he stretches his legs.
-----Runik stands over the tied Amdracks as Brandel keeps an eye on the road. "Interesting we have not met a soul this day with so many people wanting to leave Redmarsh," the mercenary quips as he looks back toward the early evening sun.
-----"Mayhaps t'at be changin' wit' Marast bringin' help wit' 'em in the next few days," Runik replies, "if'n the blasted pointy ear don' get 'imself lost."
-----After a while, Kazel and the Dread Pirate are sighted in the distance emerging from the castle. They make their way across the field where everyone waits with the wagon.