This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The wary traveller has been watching Naomi, not Carter, trying to keep tabs on her without seeming to. (Perception: 21). He'll follow if he sees.her leave.
He sees the halfling slip through the back door and follows, trying to keep from being noticed. (Stealth: 9; Naomi's Perception: 2). If he succeeds, he's content to find an empty stall under the hayloft, away from watchful eyes.
Despite the late night, Carter is up early for breakfast. It takes time to fill a belly like his. He eats hastily - for him, at least - and heads to the stable to relieve Naomi, wiping away the bleary-eyed sleep.
The siblings arrive about an hour after sunrise, right on schedule. Alora has a longsword at her hip and a shield slung over her pack; Aleric has a light crossbow and lute slung over his own pack. Alora's expression is grim, but Aleric seems to think this is going to be a grand adventure. When they get to the Horse and Hound, the innkeeper asks if they need anything, but they've eaten, so he shows them back to the stable.
The smells of horse and hay fill the stable air. In the middle of the stable, facing the bay doors, is a cart laden with goods, its tongues resting on upended barrels. Between them, the harness has been replaced with two large loops of leather, well padded. Carter is making a final check of the cargo, making sure it's secure. He wears a padded tunic, the sort one might wear under a hauberk, and a pair of leather gloves. He gives a silent nod to Alora and Aleric as he finishes with the straps.
Alora frowns at the harness for a moment, then looks around at the stalls. "That's an odd getup you have there," she comments, breaking the silences. "Which one of these beasts is it for?"
Naomi hustles in from the common room. "Ah, good," she says, "we're all here." She looks up at the loaded cart towering above her - the wheels alone are almost twice her height. Without pause she scrambles up one of the wheels, using its spokes like a ladder, and settles herself comfortably upon the cargo. "How's that?"
As if on cue, last night's traveler stirs. He groans, stands, and gives a loud stretching yawn. It is on cue, really; he's been waiting for Naomi to arrive, and he's doing his best to be seen and heard before confronting the group. He leans over and grabs his armor, strapping it on as he turns to look at Naomi. "Would you mind if I travel with you? It's not safe walking alone," he asks.
"None of them," Carter replies to Alora. Once Naomi gets comfortable, he slips his arms into the straps and lifts the tongues of the cart. He nods, satisfied with the balance. "I use an ox to pull my cart," the colossus tells the soldier with a grin.
When the traveler interrupts, Carter gives him a shrug and lets the others decide.
The wary traveller has been watching Naomi, not Carter, trying to keep tabs on her without seeming to. (Perception: 21). He'll follow if he sees.her leave.
He sees the halfling slip through the back door and follows, trying to keep from being noticed. (Stealth: 9; Naomi's Perception: 2). If he succeeds, he's content to find an empty stall under the hayloft, away from watchful eyes.
Despite the late night, Carter is up early for breakfast. It takes time to fill a belly like his. He eats hastily - for him, at least - and heads to the stable to relieve Naomi, wiping away the bleary-eyed sleep.
The siblings arrive about an hour after sunrise, right on schedule. Alora has a longsword at her hip and a shield slung over her pack; Aleric has a light crossbow and lute slung over his own pack. Alora's expression is grim, but Aleric seems to think this is going to be a grand adventure. When they get to the Horse and Hound, the innkeeper asks if they need anything, but they've eaten, so he shows them back to the stable.
The smells of horse and hay fill the stable air. In the middle of the stable, facing the bay doors, is a cart laden with goods, its tongues resting on upended barrels. Between them, the harness has been replaced with two large loops of leather, well padded. Carter is making a final check of the cargo, making sure it's secure. He wears a padded tunic, the sort one might wear under a hauberk, and a pair of leather gloves. He gives a silent nod to Alora and Aleric as he finishes with the straps.
Alora frowns at the harness for a moment, then looks around at the stalls. "That's an odd getup you have there," she comments, breaking the silences. "Which one of these beasts is it for?"
Naomi hustles in from the common room. "Ah, good," she says, "we're all here." She looks up at the loaded cart towering above her - the wheels alone are almost twice her height. Without pause she scrambles up one of the wheels, using its spokes like a ladder, and settles herself comfortably upon the cargo. "How's that?"
As if on cue, last night's traveler stirs. He groans, stands, and gives a loud stretching yawn. It is on cue, really; he's been waiting for Naomi to arrive, and he's doing his best to be seen and heard before confronting the group. He leans over and grabs his armor, strapping it on as he turns to look at Naomi. "Would you mind if I travel with you? It's not safe walking alone," he asks.
"None of them," Carter replies to Alora. Once Naomi gets comfortable, he slips his arms into the straps and lifts the tongues of the cart. He nods, satisfied with the balance. "I use an ox to pull my cart," the colossus tells the soldier with a grin.
When the traveler interrupts, Carter gives him a shrug and lets the others decide.
Alora objects almost immediately. "We don't need any mercenaries," she challenges, looking the traveler over. "There's no coin to be made here."