Gregor goes to the window and looks out.  “Bayle … do you know the way to the Weeping Rock?”

Natalia raises an incredulous eyebrow at Gregor and Tormund. "You can question my motivations for money, but taking a child is reckless. A trained individual who has our employer's respect and returns it is far more sensible for a risk like this." She then turns to Pellor, mouth pressed into a straight line. "Bayle is a liability. If we lose him and come back without Jahia, will you hold us responsible? Agreements dont work without an understanding. If you still say he's worth it for the town," her eyes linger on the green gems that reflect in Pellor's hands. "Then I'll do it whichever way.

Gregor cocks his head and looks back at Natalia for a moment without speaking.  Then he says, “Yes, it would be reckless.”

Kas speaks up "Why don't we at least ask the boy. I've known many a 'boy or girl' that have stood down an owlbear while older men have run."

As Gregor moves toward the window, the boy notices his approach and ducks out of sight.

Pello, seeing this unfold, motions toward a back door to indicate the best way to intercept the youth. Anyone who decides to follow pushes their way through the already dispersing crowd and emerges out the rear of the building just in time to catch Bayle trying to sneak away towards the fields.

Bayle

"Oi, young Bayle!" Calls Pello. "Hold there, boy!"

The teenager looks to him and is about to bolt but Pello reassures him. "At ease, lad. No one's here to scold you. Just want to have a few words is all. Might need your help."

Young Bayle slides to a stop and turns to look at the party, stunned by that request. He takes his measure of the group and slowly steps forward asking, "What kind of help?".

Pello considers how to phrase his request. "First, lemme ask... Ye been to Weepin' Rock, yes? You know safe ways through the woods?"

Bayle looks suspiciously at the party and Pello.  "I'm not supposed to go down that way. It's not safe..."

An amused smirk crosses Pello's face, "Aye, lad. But that's not what I asked..." 

Bayle gives you all another look and continues, "There is no safe way. Not really, but I have some tricks, yeah. 'Course it's never been anyone doing the traveling but me, and I'm pretty good about keeping hidden..." He's quick to add. "So, you're really doing it then? You're gonna go to the rock looking for Jahia Frostwood?"

."Perhaps. Have you ever seen her?" Pello asks.

Bayle hesitates, looks like he's struggling to come up with a good answer..."I've seen some folk there, but not much. Bandits mostly... They've seen me too sometimes, but I think they figure I don't have any coin worth taking" He thinks for a moment, remembering. "There is a cottage I've seen once... Far off the traveler's paths... I'm not sure if it's the giantslayer's but..."

Eager to be at the precipice of this opportunity, he continues. "Do you want me to lead you there... I can probably do it" Then, second guessing, he equivocates further with. "I think."

As he looks to you for a response, Pello turns to you all, cocking an eyebrow, silently asking "What do you say?"

Gregor nods.  “A good question.  But what of you, Bayle?  What do you want?  And if you do not lead us there, what will you do?”

Bayle answers quickly. "I'd like to go." He says, nearly cutting Gregor off, but then modulates his tone to seem less eager and adds, "...if you'll have me."

Pello shifts, seeming uncomfortable. "It'll be dangerous, realize.... If you travel with these lot, you travel with a target on yer back."

Bayle quickly adds, "Aye, but I can hold my own. Promise... and I'll run if I cant. And I won't be no bother to no one. Cross my heart."

Pello seems dubious, but he leaves the choice to you.

Bayle tries to close the deal by appealing directly to Gregor. "You asked what I'll do... Honest when I say, I was asking myself the same thing when you all saw me in there... I mean... I could go with the hunters, yeah?... That would be best, right?... " He looks toward what appears to be a small village cemetery. "But I don't know... It doesn't seem right, not when I think about it... Because I've got things things here... Things I just cant take with me."

He looks back to you all, eager again, "But if I can help... Really help for once... In a way that only I can... Not just be a pity case or a burden... Well, that I would very much like to do. Will you let me?" His pleading eyes shift from Gregor to the rest of the group.

Natalia shifts uneasily during the conversation, briefly locking eyes with Bayle before returning her gaze to the sparkling gems in Pellor's hands. She crosses her arms, tension settling heavily on her shoulders. "Alright, fine. Like Tormund, I’ll alsobdo my best to keep you safe—after all, I agreed to protect the town and that includes you." She turns to Pello. "Bayle's taking on a job. You should pay him—whatever my share was, give him some. And I mean some, not half—I'm handling the tougher part here." She looks to the rest of the group. "You lot were already convinced. Let's get started."

Gregor bows to Natalia.  “I did not come to stop a town from opposing a giant.  It seemed only two of us needed convincing, Bayle and …  hm.  Kas, Tormund, and I have given you our names.  Perhaps you might tell us yours?”  

Gregor hesitates and bows again.  I understand if you do not wish to.  My master does not use a name and he has told me that Qoneus had no name until he created us.”  Gregor pauses.  “Still, it would make our journey … simpler … I am not used to traveling in a crowd.  I too am eager to begin.”

Gregor turns to Bayle.  “Pello has offered us supplies.  For my part I will see what additional herbs and bandages he might spare since I no longer travel alone.  Do you need anything?” 

(Gregor takes a second healer’s kit.)

Tormund sees much of himself in Bayle as he speaks of wanting to help and prove himself. He kneels with surprising grace for his size and says kindly, "I would be honored to have you accompany us, it seems your help could be invaluable." Looking to the rest of the group, he'll say, "perhaps the boy has given us some great help already. If he has managed to pass seen yet unhindered by the bandits through their assumption that he had nothing worth stealing, perhaps we could do the same. If we can hide any valuables and our weapons and perhaps keep just a bit of coin to give away as a diversion, we may make it through without unnecessary trouble."

(Tormund will request a hunters trap and a healer's kit if they have one to spare)

While waiting for the others, Gregor collects a handful of cast off bent nails and some marbles.

(caltrops and ball bearings)

Gregor says to Tormund, “You might speak to the hunters and ask them to hold off a bit in case we are successful.  If the slayer of giants returns with us, they’re skills could tip the balance.”

Pello nods to Natalia, agreeing with the notion that the boy deserves payment.

"No doubt, the boy deserves his share. Unfortunately, these gems are all I have. Perhaps if you sell them, you can share the profits."

Bayle's eyes go wide at the notion of receiving payment for his service. He adds, "I don't need much. I'm just excited to help. And if one of you could teach me how to wield a blade or a bow like a real warrior well then..." he almost goes into a giggling fit, excited by the thought.

Pello also supports Gregor's request that Tormund speak to the hunters. "Aye, if you can convince the to stay, it might turn the tide. We'd be at a severe disadvantage without their bows and traps. The farmers won't be much use as warriors, but perhaps there's some other work they could do while you seek out the Giantslayer."

Out of Character: 

Tormund will approach Tastra directly, ducking his head to avoid the low ceiling and weaving his way through the crowd. He'll do his best to not allow his height or size to make it seem as though he's attempting to intimidate the hunters. He will stop a small distance away and begin by addressing Tastra, but then look to the other hunters in the crowd hoping to sway them individually rather than appeal only to their leader. "Tastra, I have heard your words and though this threat has created a divide in the people, I know your bond to each other is strong. You were right when you said the people make the village, not the houses, but many of your people have decided to remain here. They want to defend their home and their way of life and cannot bring themselves to leave even facing such a great danger.

You are all skilled hunters and in my experience there are two things that make for a great hunter. Knowledge of your prey, and knowledge of your hunting grounds. Perhaps Jahia can provide us the knowledge we seek of the Giant, and as you mentioned earlier, Tastra, you know every stone, every blade of grass of this village. What better ground to stand against a great beast and end this terror? If you would be willing to stay and fight at our side, we could save the town and all those who would be lost of the giant returned to find half the people and no food. With each of your help, we could build a defense before the giant returns and use the town itself to provide the necessary advantages to guarantee victory."

 (Persuasion: 9)

Kas, not being the4 talkative type, lets the others work out the details. He goes to Bayle and tells him to stick close and he will do his best to protect him. 

Tastra's expression softens upon hearing Tormund's plea.

Some of the hunters she leads look to her, curious to hear her response. She extends a hand of gratitude and says, "You council is wise, outlander... and I have nothing but respect for what you're about to attempt... but I gave my word to lead this exodus... and lead it I shall." The hunters, hearing their leader's definitive response turn away from the conversation and resume their preparations.

However, Tastra has more to say. "You are right, though, to say that those who remain deserve some measure of protection. We will equip them with basic weapons and provide as much training as we can over the course of a single evening. I'm sure one or two of my hunters would be willing to remain to help as well, if only to help avoid a rout when time comes..."

She steps forward and speaks in a taut but hushed tone. "My request to you, in return, is this."  She nods in the direction of the farmers working to coordinate a rapid harvest. "Consider your motives. Remember you are here to protect a town... not kill a giant. Do not spend the blood of these innocents to pay for your own glory." She adds. "You seem to be a man of honor, and I do not doubt your heart... But even honorable men can turn callous when their blood runs hot."

She holds Tormund's gaze for a moment to ensure her point lands, then steps back with a gentler tone. "Now, it seems we both have much to do. I bid you good fortune on your quest. Truly. I do hope that this Jahia Frostwind, if she yet lives, fills the shadow cast by her legend. And I hope that you and your companions live long enough to cast a shadow of your own."

With that she offers a respectful bow of her head, then turns to resume preparations.

The Weeping Rock Trail

(Link for Soundscape)

With disorienting haste you gather the equipment you need and set off for the Weeping Rock with young Bayle as your guide.

The trail begins a few hundred yards east of the village gates and quickly disappears into a heavily wooded area. The weather is fair and the atmosphere is incongruously tranquil for such a dangerous mission.

Bayle peppers Tormund and Natalia with questions about their exploits, occasionally forgetting to offer a piece of direction until Kas or Gregor asks where to turn.

After half a mile or so, Bayle's questions become fewer and farther between and he spends more time scanning the tree line. In the distance, you hear the sounds of running water. After a few more yards, the boy slows his pace and explains the reason behind his caution...

"We're coming to the Bluebeak River... Steady hunting ground for local brigands." He points eastward, off the well-beaten path. "I usually cross upstream to avoid 'em. There's a few stepping stones that way.  It's an easy crossing for me..." He looks at you and your gear,  "...But I'm just one person and I'm not carrying nothing....You all might have a harder time of it."

He points further down the road. "The stone bridge is a surer crossing but more likely to encounter brigands." He back and shrugs. "So, it's really up to you all. I can lead you down either path."

Tastra's parting words weigh heavily on Tormund's mind as he fears for the fate of the town without the hunters and wonders how he can prevent the slaughter of these kind people. He will tell a few stories when requested by Bayle, of scaring off a pack of wolves threatening farmer's livestock and chasing them deeper into the forest to leave them in safer hunting grounds, of guiding an old woman through the mountains to see her grandson who had moved to find work years earlier. Each story paints a picture of his eagerness to use his strengths to help those he feels are good and kind.

Upon reaching the fork, Tormund will remove his pack and draw out a size-able bundle of rope. "If you're familiar with the crossing, perhaps you could help us to fashion a line to the other side that would help us to keep our footing."

Gregor nods.  “None of us are weighed down by heavy armor and a rope across might smooth the way.  The bridge seems likely to draw bandits.”

Bayle nods in agreement with Gregor. He beams at Tormund's suggestion.

"Yes, I can do that." He says, then quickens his pace, eager to get to his task.

Over the next few minutes, the sound of running water starts to drift down the path towards you. Before long you emerge onto the steep banks of a narrow but fast-flowing river.

(Soundscape)

The river is about 20' across. Several slick moss-covered stones rise about 3' above the surface of foaming white water, forming a loose path. Each stone is spaced about 4' apart.

After taking one end of the rope from Tormund, Bayle makes his way to the rocks. He gingerly, but quickly hops his way across, showing speed and confidence over caution in a way that would put most adults' nerves on end...

...fortunately the boy manages to cross without so much as a slip or stumble. He arrives at the far shore with a hop, moves to a tree and ties the rope firmly in place. He then beckons each of you to cross.

PARTY CHECK: