The Six Kingdoms of Talia

Most of the dragonborn ignore you but one, who appears to be the leader, moves to ride beside you. "I would say you're even further, dear firbolg. As for news from home when we left things were quiet. We were in the Crownlands when the world went crazy. No recall order yet so we're continuing with the job." With a better look now, Fenro, you can see that the dragonborn are military, wearing the metal armbands of the Kahbradorian army.

Oryxis strides up close to Fenro and recognising the insignia of service, strikes his chest and says: "Oryxis of the Brightmanes. May I ask what that job is?" He is trying to use a tone he picked up from working along sellswords and other military types, while also trying to figure out who among them is the person in charge, preferrably the respected sergeant over the commanding officer.

Aramae is listening in from inside the cart, but not making any moves to peek out or anything.

“One of the hardest things to find in times like this is purpose, yet that is probably most important if we are to survive.” Fenro falls quiet as Oryxis interrupts the conversation, as that was a question he wished to know also.  

The one who you're taking to, clearly an officer to Oryxis's keen gaze, continues speaking. "We're here to escort an exchange of goods. We delivered to Bolope and will now get the payment to bring back home."

Oryxis grunts affirmatively: "I'd expect you'll come back to a lot more lucrative- and dangerous- business. I doubt I myself will be used as a bodyguard in the weeks and months to come."

Can Oryxis determine whether this troops is hired, like he himself was, or whether they are operating as representatives of their states' armed forces?

Insight maybe?: 4

Looking at them they seem to be in full military kit and every one of them seems like it's standard issue, so no extra coin. Seems like they're working for the state.

"You may not need to look too far for work. There will be many companies of sellswords looking to earn some coin from any fighting that does happen."

Aramae casts Message to Oryxis.

'I had thought to ask these men if they would travel with is, should they also be headed where we are, but then the thought occured to me that, as far as we know, it is possible they hail from lands uninterested in alliance. So I refrained. You are our resident expert on military affairs, so I trust your judgement. You may reply to me silently in this manner if you wish.'

Oryxis tries his best not too look too surprised at suddenly hearing Aramae's voice inside his head. He looks at the officer, and after a bit asks "Do you know what the future holds for you? Are you expecting to be deployed any time soon? If you don't mind, do you want to share the road with my traveling companions? We've picked up a bard and she isn't half bad..."

The dragonborn shrugs. "Like I said, we have no new orders so we're continuing as planned. As for travel, we are on the road. Whether you would like to be near us or not is up to you." The response seems a bit rude but Fenro remembers that this is just the dragonborn way. They always seem standoffish and aloof towards anyone who is not dragonborn.

“Thank you for the offer,” Fenro says quickly. He suspected the others, particularly Oryxis, might misread their demeanour and felt it best to speak up. “Strength in numbers is advisable, especially when orders are unclear. We will travel with you while are paths intertwine. Should the need to seperate come, we will at least be closer to our destinations.”

The dragonborn nods. "A sensible solution at least. Very well. You may stay as close as you like until our paths depart." You ride on for the rest of the day, considerably slowed by the larger troupe of dragonborn. In a lucid moment Edgar tells you that at this speed, if you're going the same way, your arrival in Bost will be two days slower.

Aramae speaks aloud to the group but quiet enough for the dragonborn not to hear.

"It seems we have a choice to make on our pace. What do you all think? If Urthar does end up aligning with Tulcanis and Novgortah, then getting this letter to initiate said partnership would probably be prudent. Of course, at the same time, it would do us no good to be hampered along the way due to Tisus knows what may be on the way. I say we stick with these dragonborn men for as far as possible, but that is my opinion."

"Aramae, I second that. If the delivery of this letter were urgent, they'd have entrusted it to an envoy or a messenger, not the first group of people travelling in that general direction."

"I would like to think us more than mere passersby, but you do have a point. The Aethling likely saw us as perfectly adequate for this job. We did save her life, after all. But that is at this point irrelevant. We have a lengthy journey ahead of us. Lyrika, care to spin a yarn, a tall tale? Or perhaps allow our ears to experience your terrific tones once more? Might even those dragonborn to loosen up a bit. Ah, if only we had the wherewithal to have purchased more wine before we departed."

"Whether by choice or convenience, we have a task to do. I would rather not have an obligation hanging over my head. Once this letter is out of our hands, we will be free to explore our own concerns."

"Unless something requiring our immediate attention happens soon after, yes, and I look forward to such journeys together."

Upon hearing Lyrikas music he opens his eyes and feel as if he stepped out a thick fog. Bleary eyed he sits up and putting a hand on the person closest to him. 

“Good lord! That was worse then the days I spend hang over on the Aurelius!” He looks around and see the troops around them. “Did I miss anything important? Where are we right now?” He slowly reach for his two daggers. 

Aramae reaches out and gently grabs Edgar's wrist, slowly lowering it.

"We are fine, Edgar. We had met these men on the road while you were recovering. They will be riding with us for as long as our paths align."