QM's Notes: Got a bit of writers block on this one, but I think I managed.
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It takes you a moment to consider, but not much longer. "I suppose we have an arrangement, Ms. Saphine."
She smiles winsomely - "Excellent. I knew you were a reasonable type."
"I must warn you though, I have to prioritize the defence of the road before any sort of hunting expedition."
"Naturally." She nods, "With the Warden-General in his current state, things are bound to get nasty."
"What exactly is it that you know about the Warden-General?"
"He's gone off his rocker." She replies, "Thinks his dead wife is talking to him in his dreams, telling him to come find her in the swamp. Rumor has it that he's called off all the usual patrols, and is sending his men to search the depths of the Ichormeer instead."
"Has no one tried to stop this madness?" It seems incredible to you that such blatant stupidity could go unchallenged.
"Supposedly he's threatening to shoot anyone who disobeys for treason and desertion. This is secondhand info though, so take it with a grain of salt."
"Still, it's most disturbing. As I was saying though, I have duties to attend to along the road. Speaking of, it's time to put all this fancy equipment I brought with me to use."
It takes two days to take all the measurements you need and set up the markers you've prepared. When it's all finished though, you can't help but feel a bit of pride at the work you've done. The demonstration put on by the cothouse's artillerymen sees them hit their marks with incredible precision. The thanks showered on you by the Major-of-House are so effusive and longwinded that Saphine starts glaring at you from the window of the carriage you've hired - you manage to make your excuses and board just as it prepares to leave.
The ride over is a bit nerve-wracking as the threwd washes over you, but having a companion to make friendly conversation with takes the edge off some. Saphine is apparently quite used to the haunting atmosphere, and proves to have a knack for storytelling. As she launches into another tale about how she acquired one of the many cruorpunxis adorning her arms, you and your fellow passengers can't help but be drawn in. As you draw close to Cripplebolt, the mood in the carriage is - if not jovial - at least somewhat relaxed.
There is a great deal of concern, however, when the carriage slows to a stop outside the walls of the cothouse. Getting out to take a look, you see the reason - A butchers wagon has been stopped at the gates, as the drivers argue with the sentry about some kind of documentation.
"It's all right here - orders signed by your very own Master-of-Clerks! We have every right to take our goods westwards." A nervous looking man exclaims, "Whadda you need to search us for?"
"The Master-of-Clerks may have given you a charter to operate along the road, but that doesn't make you immune from scrutiny." The sentry replies in an exasperated tone. "All conveyance coming to or from Bleaklynche must be searched. Marshal's orders, just came in last night. Search the wagon." He motions to the other guards.
'THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! YOU'LL BE SORRY FOR THIS - I WILL REPORT THIS TO YOUR SUPERIORS!" The butcher and his assistants move to block the sentries from the doors of the wagon. As it happens, you catch a whiff of swine's lard on the wind - probably the butchers cargo. You move quickly forward to support the Lighters, Saphine behind you. Taking advantage of the butcher's distraction to throw open the back of the wagon, you are confronted with a series of crates covered with a tarp. The smell of the lard is almost overpowering here.
"NO! YOU CAN'T - DON'T OPEN THOSE-" You ignore the butcher's protests and remove the tarp.
You're so taken aback by the sight that you take an involuntary step backwards. The crates start rattling dangerously. Swearing, you leap out of the wagon.
"EVERYONE" You shout, "GET BACK! LIGHTERS, READY YOUR WEAPONS!" They scramble to obey. You hear the sound of cracking wood. A dessicated head pokes out of the wagon and fixes its eyes on you.
"yyooouuuuuuu..." The whisper seems to stun everyone watching. "Yyyoooouuuuu mmaakke me hungreeeeeEEE!" The zombie screeches, leaping forward.
[]Make a break for the gates: There can't possibly be enough of those things inside the wagon to overwhelm the cothouse. If you can make it inside, you'll be safe.
[]Try to gather a defence: Between you, Saphine, and the Lighters, there should be enough of you to dispatch these horrors. You just need to bring some sort of order to the battlefield.
[]See if you can set the wagon ablaze: Surely there must be
something around here you can use to burn that blasted wagon to a crisp - and any monsters inside with it.
[]Write in
(Vote for one option only please)
