The Forgotten Wish

Nuria nods, "Yes, I agree." Then follows the halfling through the trees.

Perception: 8

Stealth: 11

"Well, let's just hope not to meet such opportunistic bandits, then, since we've no valuable cargo.  I may be of little help in a fight to start with, but being strapped up to haul this cart would make it particularly difficult for me to do much."

Rick nods along with the merchant before hissing softly and takes a set away from the wagon.

"Rick wishes you all the luck with your stink juice powder."

He doesn't sound like he means it.

Breldo and Nuria work together, skipping ahead through the brush, remaining hidden as they do. It seems that Pallen occasionally glances at least at Breldo, making sure that the two of them weren't getting in potential trouble. But there is no trouble to be found, this time. It becomes quite evident to Nuria that there is no disturbance of any kind in the foliage and surrounding trees, now that they've moved further away from that fallen tree, and their surroundings seem clear. Any potential bandits, if there ever were any, must have long ran away. Either that, or be up ahead somewhere in the forest... But that makes very little sense, does it? In each case, the further both of them go, the more it starts to seem that any threat that may have been there is now gone.

Back on the cart, Khond states the obvious, and the merchant nods in agreement. He considers saying for a moment maybe any hidden bandits thought it was not enough potential reward for the risk, what with them not carrying any real goods, but swallows those words and just gives a simple agreement instead. Slick on the other hand, shows far more disdain when he learns what the primary cargo supposedly is.

"Ah, are you more of a tea person? We carry a bit of that too- We'll sell you some at Mezzra rates, as thanks?" he offers, as his assistant let's out a slight snicker.

"I think we might have some herbs he likes too..."

The merchant pauses, appearing confused, then suddenly seems to be hit with realization.

"Bjorn! That is offensive! I think-"

(Do any of you have particular plans/ actions you want to keep performing while you travel through the forest? You're looking at a little under a hour of traveling through the woods.)

Breldo will catch Nuria's attention and loop back to the trail and wait for the carts to catch up.

"Doesn't seem to have been anyone who brought the tree down, or if they did, they didn't stick around to see what mischief it caused.", he reports to Pallen.

"I can keep ranging ahead and making sure things are clear, or stick closer, if you'd rather."

Nope, Oren will just continue on, staying within 40 feet of Pallen on the trek.

Pallen listens attentively when Breldo comes circling back around, now the earlier nervosity writ plain on his face. There is a sense of relief hearing that nothing is found, and for a moment it's clear the he considers saying perhaps they are just being paranoid... Then realizes that if nothing else, this is what he is paying for.

"Whichever you think is best. It's fine if you want to stick closer, but we should probably be on guard until we leave the forest... Just in case."

"I'll range ahead. Miss Nuria, do you want to join me, or stay back with the wagons?"

Nuria followed Breldo in silence when he looped ahead of the wagon then back to it. She glances nervously around when the halfling reports back to Pallen, then stiffens when he addresses her. "Ah..Um..." She glances at Silva then back to Breldo. "I-I'll go with you." She grips the hilt of her dagger, and tries to look more confident. "S-Shall we each take one side of the road? Or would it be better to stay together?"

Rick leans in,

"Rick is interested in hearing what herbs and teas  Merchant and Björn have."

He leans over to sniff at the wagon,

"Catnip? Lemon?"

Sylvera continues walking in silence, doing her best to ignore the pointless conversation around her. She was more of a 'tea person' but the merchants didn't need to know that. If they got even an inkling of what she was interested in then they probably would start trying to market their goods--and she wasn't about to waste money on them. So she focuses on setting the pace, walking briskly and only barely slowing down to ensure that she stays within a reasonable distance. 

She eyes Breldo and Nuria. At least they were trying to be useful, though she hopes they have enough sense to stay within eyesight or at the very least earshot, of the cart. 

"Good idea, Boss. You take the left, I take the right? Check back in on each other as we go?"

Pallen flashes a smile to both Breldo and Nuria, appreciating the effort and care, as both cover one side of the road, and move on ahead. Hopefully things will remain as peaceful as they've been..?

(Perception or survival checks?)

Sylvera, for her own part, ignores the jabbering of the commoners around her... While Slick has no issue showing some potential interest. This time the merchant doesn't explicitly point anything out, realizing this isn't the time or place to be selling, or unpacking, anything. The response is telling, however.

"Guess it's not as offensive as I thought. Ahem- Yes, it's not a lot, but there is some catnip back there somewhere. Carry a lot of spices and worst case you'll still sell at a profit, best case there's a high need and you get a good pay day. Usually. No lemon, some sage and ironwort for tea... Is there anything in particular you'd want?"

Perception: 9

Plodding on, Khond shakes his head, "I'll have to pass on trade, myself.  Was recently 'relieved' of my purse, unfortunately."

Breldo perception: 12

Rick gives Khond a friendly pat on the shoulder,

"Rick would help ponyman buy some nice tea! No coffee."

To the merchant,

"Rick would like some catnip, yes. Rick wonders if merchant has any lemongrass instead? Rick finds catnip to overpower Rick's senses without a bit of citrus!"

The group in general continues ahead, keeping their eyes peeled out, but no signs of any bandits. They do notice eventually some more travelers coming from the other side however, merchants presumably, their cart notably less packed than the one Richard is bringing in. They raise a hand in greeting, but otherwise seem intent on just moving on by your side.

Khond in the meantime, regrets his current funding, which Slick helpfully offers to sponsor for him. One has to wonder how he got in such fortune recently to be offering handouts like that! The merchant turning to his assistant, considering.

"Lemongrass, lemongrass... Did we buy some this time? Was that last time?"

"Ah... We'll have to see in Passley! We gotta stop over there regardless, so."

Nuria blushes. Boss? Why is he calling her that? ...or is he just joking, he did just compliment her, but...Boss? "Y-yes. let's do that!" She says quickly before scurrying off to the left of the road.

Nuria's perception if still relevant: 13

After checking with Breldo and reporting nothing, she will head back to flank the left side of the road, however when seeing the approaching wagons she sinks farther into the bushes hoping that they do not see her. She seems to do this out of habit rather than out of actual fear of the people.

Breldo notes Nuria's flush, and wonders if he's upset her. (Insight: 17)

He'll take his side of the trail, similarly keeping out of sight of wagons that he writes off as non-threatening, not wanting them to take his presence for that of a bandit. He's on the lookout for any that seem particularly shifty or edgy as they travel though, and would circle back to at least be nearby as they pass the cart, if not rejoining the cart for a bit to give them notice before they pass. 

During his movements back through the undergrowth, the stumbles into a spider's web, breaking a few of the strands as the web's occupant crawls up his arm. He apologizes for damaging her home, and extending a finger, allows her to crawl on and lifts her off to place her on a nearby leaf. He apologizes again as he departs. He checks in at the cart, and when Khond's tail stuns a fly that landed on his flank, Breldo snags it and takes it with him, returning to the spider and offering it as compensation, holding it by the wings for her to bite and wrap in silk.

The girl's young, but competent. She just needs some more seasoning, and an extra couple doses of confidence, and who better to guide her along than a veteran campaigner like Breldo Bramblepelt! Maybe just call her Nuria from now on though...