A Stitch in Souragne - La Rue des Tristepas

[Rock of the Fraternity]

It takes a little time to get the stone dislodged from the earth. Even people not well-versed in geology can easily tell from the soil discoloration that the stone has been in this spot for a very long time. Once removed from its resting place, the stone is easy enough to move to the coach, and with some effort from all of you, it can even be pushed inside. If the passengers scrunch up a little or put their feet on top of the stone, you can just about manage.

Likewise, manhandling -- monsterhandling? -- your new bird-beaked acquaintance into the coach takes a little time. In some ways, it is easier than shifting the stone; the creature does not weigh as much. In other ways, it is much more difficult; the stone did not throw its weight around in attempts to trip you up or shriek insults at you in a foreign languge. Still, you manage.

As you all stand around the coach, congratulating yourselves on two jobs well done, there are but two items that remain on the agenda.

One: There is still a beautiful white horse, gummed to the ground and whinnying with distress.

Two: Who is going to drive the coach...?

[Ail]

"Hmmmm.... a horse",

mutters Zumba, doubtfully. He even stays a bit away from the animal, as if he were not very certain of it.

"I can't ride, though perhaps I'd be able to not fall from it, but I'd rather someone else rode it that could use it better. As for driving the coach...

he trails off without completing his sentence...


OOC: Zumba is sort of waiting our DM's next response. What does it take to drive a coach? what kind of skill? or is it like any of us is going to try without really knowing if he's got what it takes?

[Ken of Ghastria]

"I'll see to the horse," says Lucien, walking over the trapped steed. "Regarding the coach... oh yes, I hadn't even asked: Where are you heading? Based on the direction of the wagon, Marais d'Tarascon, I presume? That's where I'm staying."


_______________________
Rock, we hadn't spelled out exactly where Lucien has been staying in Souragne, but Marais d'Tarascon seems as good as any. He simply hasn't been there for very long. Also, would knock be useful in loosening the entangling glue? Probably not, since the glue isn't holding, say, two things together, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask.

[Guzrath]

"I'll drive the coach" he says quickly. "As for the horse, that stuff will dissipate any time now. Or, if you can't wait, you cut it loose."
He walks to the front of the carriage and climbs on. He sits down and takes the reins smiling, like a child having a new toy. "Get in" he says.

[Ail]

Zumba nods to Lucien and says

"To Marais d' Tarascon indeed".

Then he smiles discretely as he enters the coach.

[steveflam]

Goren does realize that now noone can guide the carriage. Vincent offers and he smiles a little. An afterthought about the whitehorse Souragnien: "Lucien, you bring white horse? No leave here. Bring....bring with us to Moraise da Terascon, yes? Give to someone need it there. Hmmm... maybe one of we keep?"

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Um, yes," says Lucien with some amusement, "yes, I'll bring the white horse." He talks softly to the horse and strokes its mane, hoping to ease the animal's anxiety. Examining the alchemical paste again, he sees that -- as Vincent had said -- it's beginning to lose its adhesiveness. Using the point of his dagger to hasten the process, he's confident that the horse will be free within another minute.

[Ail]

Zumba climbs to the bench besides Vincent and says.

I think I'd better stay here with you. You don't know Souragne as well as I, I may be of use up here to point the way.... even though the road should take us there without any problem.

[Guzrath]

"That is very kind of you monsieur Zumba" he smiles. He looks at Lucien and waits for him to release the horse. He also looks at the the coach thinking how this strange priest is now sitting in an extremely hot coach with a unknown magical stone and a frantic beak creature, raving. He stifles a laugh at that thought.
Looking back at Zumba he asks out of the blue "Who was your master and why are you not with him now?"
"I do believe that the natural order would be for your to work for the man and obey him. Are you a deserter or maybe a murderer?" he adds sincerely.
Vincent formulates his question specifically for a purpose, hoping to get a certain answer. His eyes take Zumba in as a whole, looking for any clue in his posture, since the spoken answer is not always the truth. The body never lies.

OOC: As soon as Lucien is on the horse, Vincent "giddy- ups" the horse into moving.

[Ail]

Vincent's question takes Zumba completely by surprise, but he tries to steel himself and avoid giving any clue to the turmoil that he suddenly feels inside.

OOC: Wil check as I don't think I have anything more appropriate:
1d20 + 5 = 15
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2808528/


Then he answers:

"Natural order? Natural order says I'm a man, and that men are free and not to be ordered about. The Maiden of the Swamp tells us that! Ovun Burundir teaches every man to defend himself and fight for his life and that of his kin, as I do, while Kurkva the Wailer weeps for all the misdeeds of men.

It is not right for man to take over man, as sheep are not masters of sheep nor the crocodile enslaves other crocodiles.

Natural order? Is it natural for man to be slave to another man? No, certainly not! So why should I have a master? Why should you NOT have a master then? I have no master, I am free, I believe in freedom of Man!
And since I have no master, how could I be with him?"

[Guzrath]

Vincent keeps a straight face as Zumba replies and then answers

"For all your tales of comparing animals to humans, which is slightly offense my dear monsieur, you haven't answered all of my questions. You were someone's property once and now you claim not to be. That makes me curious about your former master. Whether it is his lack of discipline or your devious cunning, it leaves me to wonder how come you are without a master. I feel that if there is a chance you killed your old master, I might not feel as safe. Or maybe I could take you back to your old master and make good friends in the proces." he pauses for a moment to let it sink. "However, I do not think that a free man as yourself would like that very much. The point simply is, that I am curious and I would like to know my options."

He smiles then "How much do you cost, by the way?"

OOC:
Sense Motive 25 to read Zumba's posture.

[Ail]

This time Zumba does not try to hide his feelings. He is truly incensed inside, to the point of bellowing with the foppish noble.


"I haven't answered all your questions?! Neither have I got to! What authority do you have? You insolent, insulting dandy.
I was not anyone's property. I am my only master and always have been, in truth and essence. It is others who maybe claimed rights to my person, my body, but that right... who gave it to them?! Those were vain claims, empty boistering, which yes, they did enforce by might... the might of the coward who has to use strength because he can not command respect."


He looks at Vincent menacingly.


"Fear not", he says as his eyes widen like those of a cat preparing to jump, "I'm just studying you... I like to know my options too... For the moment, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but if you try to betray me, be careful. The Swamp will not let you go free!
As for now, perhaps you should go on alone."


He jumps off the rider's bench. If the coach is going slowly, he gets back inside to the passengers's seat, if not, he will simply go on foot without caring to match his speed to that of the coach.

[Guzrath]

Vincent listens to Zumba's angry reply, he listens to every word carefully. He does not move nor shows any intentions to interject.
As Zumba's eyes widen he flineches back a bit, apparently a little surprised at all the anger towards him.

He watches Zumba jump off and follows him with his eyes. With a straight face he asks after Zumba "Does that mean you are very expensive?"

As the door of the coach slams shut he looks at Lucien who should be ready by now.
He then thrashes the reins to let the horse start his journey towards their next stop.

OOC: Driving Wagon 18

[Rock of the Fraternity]

While the white horse is initially a little skittish about having a new rider, it proves amenable enough once it feels a weight on its back and it becomes clear that it is going to be travelling with other horses, rather than with horrible creatures that smell like a wrong mixture of animal and human. Being with other horses is good, when you're a horse!

The coach rattles along quite merrily, wheels clattering against the uneven stones of la Rue des Tristepas. For those sitting inside, the ride is even more eventful than it is for the driver; every time the coach hits a bump in the road, everyone is briefly lifted into the air.
Vincent has ample reason to curse the driver's bench's lack of padding, but the people inside have to deal with a big stone for them to smash their calves against, as well as a squawking monster-thing, which is vocally unhappy to be in the shaking, lurching vehicle.

It is quite the relief when you first spot the outlying buildings of Marais d'Tarascon. Or at least it's a relief at first. As you come closer, you can see that the cypresses are drooping with the heat, the fields of a nearby plantation are looking unhealthy despite the number of people staggering around in an attempt to keep the plants alive, and the air is dry, dusty.

The deadly summer is as powerful here as it was in Port d'Elhour, it would seem.

[Guzrath]

Vincent stops the wagon in front what he suspects is the building they must be. He stretches his back, making small grunts as his back straightens itself in a normal position. He intended to take his handkerchief to wipe his forehead, but it is still clammy.
He checks to see if no one is watching and wipes his forehead with the insides of his clothing's ruffles.
He then sighs, that was quite a new experience. He wonders if there is such a thing as coach racing. That seems very entertaining. He can already picture the heated racing, the swearing and the tumbling of coaches taking turns to sharply. In the streets of Port-a-Lucine that would make for quite a show and might attract quite a crowd. Mental note.
As he thinks about all the bounces he heard inside the coach he smiles. "Zumba should be in a hell of a mood after this ride." he whispers to himself. He jumps of the coaches then gets his bag. He looks around to see where exactly they are. Without waiting for the others he goes to the building to see if he can enter. "It would be nice if it would be as cool in here as it was in the cathedral and I could use a warm bath".