[HQ Ignorance] Scene 74: On the road to Farthest

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 74: On the road to Farthest

The Sun Dome Templar had nodded wisely at Aalmon's truth explanation of
Icthya's background and history, and seemed to be more than pleased to
be rid of this headache. "Take her to your commanding officer, and ask
for leave there", he responded. And Aalmon did so, and his although his
commanding officer questioned his bravery, for it seemed that he was
finding an excuse for leave on the eve of battle, he let Aalmon and
Icthya go, for there would be only minimal use for a mounted scout such
as Aalmon in the environment through the wooded hills that they would be
travelling through. "But you are not getting off that easy", the Lunar
officer informed his scout. "There are other prisoners as well; take the
lot of them to the Temple of the Reaching Moon in Tarsh. I suspect there
will be more prisoners after the day, so if you can hurry you can give
advance warning as well."

Thus Aalmon found himself in charge of taking half a dozen prisoners
northwest each tied by leather thong to their fellow, away from the
coming Battle of Iceland. Apart from Icthya, there were five rebels,
four men and one woman. From his summation, at least two of the men were
battle-hardened, and wore runes of Wind and Movement, bearing their
membership to Orlanth cult. The others two, although also Orlanthi,
seemed to be simply peasants who had decided to fight against the
civilising invaders. The woman on the other hand was very unlike the
others; her eyes darted from one place to another; on her left arm she
wore the rune of Disorder.

Aalmon had to make a decision on which path to take through this harsh
and cold countryside. Through Duckpoint to the west was once
possibility, although it is likely there would be duck bandits in the
direction. Directly north through Upland Marsh did not seem particularly
feasible. Taking a north by northeast path would probably be the safest,
however it was also the one most distant from his nominal journey.