Roads to Valland (Post Here First)

Roy, having a week off from school, has decided to try his hand at adventuring again. Normally, he would go home and visit his family during his time off. However, his time with Vera has made him somewhat more adventurous. He now wants to see new things, go new places. No more boring ol' Roy! He's taken it upon himself to be the kind of adventurer that Vera would like, the kind of adventurer that would make Gran and Roxy proud. And so, he's decided to go to Asgeir. It shouldn't be that bad. After all, Roxy is from around here.

Roy looks up at the birds and shivers. Must be a bird disease. Poor creatures. He hurries to the inn, in case the ravens try to eat him.

At the name of their master, the heads of the ravens turn simultaneously to peer down at the guards with their beady, lifeless eyes. Suddenly, they begin to vocalise. Ravens are very good at imitating sounds and words, it's true, but the fact that so many have learned the same three phrases is beyond eerie.
"Harenhall," they caw out in unison, their heads bobbing as their throats pronounce the word, "blackvale. Return."

If this doesn't prove to the guards that The Black Vale is open for business again, nothing will.

   Renner walked along the road of this northern country, between farmlands and forests, brooks and stones. He had come north finally, one of the last places he hadn't ventured to in his wandering. He had heard tales of great hunters of beasts and sturdy men and women who live in the cooler climes. Mostly he was interested in what manner of beast and tree he might find new to him.

   Still, he knew better than to just set upon and hunt a land without first greetings its caretakers. The farms were growing closer together and the road simultaneously more worn and more maintained. He was probably coming close to a village or town within the next day or so.

   He adjusted his pack without changing his stride and kept walking. If he were lucky, he'd make it before nightfall.

Rose Merosiky

"There, m'lord," one of the Varan scouts pointed at a group of individuals down the road.

Ubba squinted in the direction, growled, and nodded, "aye, I see them. Come," he urged his horse to gallop on down the road and towards Rose Merosiky and his band of followers. With Ubba was ten of Valland's young men, all armed with chainmail, leather armor, spears, and their preference of swords or axes. It was a scouting party, led by Valland's captain of the guard, Ubba. He was some fifty years old, with a greying blonde beard, one blind eye, and enough scars that would make even the most seasoned veteran jealous.

The ten-man scouting party would slow down to a trot and begin to circle around Rose and his followers, surrounding them. They all finally stopped and aimed their lances at the concession. Ubba dismounted from his horse and approached them on foot. "Oi," he pointed his finger at Rose, "state'chur name and business," he demanded, like a military officer demands from his soldiers.

Most visitors to Valland were treated more nicely. Then again, most visitors would not be harassed by a special patrol like this. But the Jarl of Valland, Ralf Valgard, had requested the assistance of a group known as the Merosiky Convenant. They were known to be vampires - and the Varan did not trust such dark beings. So the jarl sent Ubba and some armed men out on the roads to find the Merosiky before they came upon a settlement. Ubba would need to feel them out before letting them continue to Wulfenheim.

Assuming the Merosiky displayed honor and friendliness, Ubba would smile and greet them in a friendlier tone, and then allow them to proceed to Wulfenheim.  If Ubba received anything he thought was a threat, then the vampires would be turned away.

Ubba dismounted and took the letter and, with stern eyes, scanned the text on it. He crumpled the paper in his fist and returned his stern gaze back to Rose. After a few moments he grinned and looked a bit more friendlier. "Hail and well met, friend," he said eagerly, holding his hand out for Rose to shake it. The scout riders raised their spears and backed up, turning to a more relaxed state. "Sorry for the welcomin' committee," Ubba continued, "but when Jarl Ralf invited vampires we had to make sure the right ones were comin', I'm sure you understand! Could've been anyone in that guise comin' in our lands..."

One of the scouts spoke up, "don't forget, it was probably best a band of vampires be escorted back to Wulfenheim by armed guards."

Ubba shook his head, "indeed, indeed, I'd hate to think what would have happened if someone confronted you with rakes and hoes." Ubba laughed at the thought of farmers arming themselves to fight off the Merosiky. Although, truth be told, the farmers would have armed themselves with swords, shields, axes, and spears rather than rakes or hoes (all Varan have sufficient weapons and armor to fight off raiders).

Mounting his horse, the now-friendly captain of the guard waved his hand and began to lead the Merosiky down the road and towards Wulfenheim, where they would meet with the jarl at Wulfenheim Hall.  The scouts took up guard behind the group.