WOT Adv 67

--- The Wheel Turns ---
In the remaining afternoon hours of daylight you spend the time tracking down the wandering warhorses from the fallen Whitecloaks. You manage to round up five of the twelve. The others grew violent and scattered when you approached. You give one horse to Thenlir and take the other for yourself. The remaining three you donate to the town.

That evening over the much famed and promised apple pie, and a tankard of spiced cider, you go over some of your plans and recommendeations with the mayor and with Hobbs. The mayor takes notes on some paper:
Item - To have a volunteer militia equipped with the armor and the weapons of the fallen Whitecloaks.
Item - To have the militia trained by Hobbs.
Item - To examine how to improve their defenses. Perhaps have an early warning system with farmers in outlying settlements and homesteads who can alert the town to prepare for approaching trouble.
Item - Start a defense fund for training and for those who help in the defence of Aturo's Villiage. Those who participated in the defence, especially those families who lost loved ones on the field of battle could receive a pension of some sort.
Item - Have a memorial of some sort for those who fought in the Battle of Aturo's Village.

The mayor nods politely though it all and is very thoughtful about many of the items you propose, as is Hobbs. Young Issa sits on Hobbs lap and munches on pie, looking at you and smiling happily. The mayor says for sure they will start a volunteer militia with Hobbs as their trainer and leader and they will impose a small tax in order to provide the needed funds for the militia and the overall defense of the town. Although some lives were lost in the battle, the battle was won and so they figure morale will be high and coming up with stout lads to train shouldn't be a problem.

At Nels Trading Post you manage to secure the needed tents, rope, bedding, food, and feed for the horses, and any other supplies you think you might need for the relatively short journey to Tobin's Hollow. You see Thenlir there, handing over a heavy bag of silver marks to purchase a used, but servicable metal breastplate, that only has minimal damage.
"Burn me, but I'll not have any more swords sliding into me so easily!" Thenlir gives his new breastplate a gong with his fist as it to emphasize this and then moves on.

The next morning dawns bright and clear, but crisp as well. Gable and Nadira have already left for Tanchico.
For nearly three days you travel west towards Tobin's Hollow, without incident, through plains mixed with rolling hills and the occassional smatterings of woods. Keb's attitude remains soured by what she calls a "bad business deal". She is obviously upset about not getting her share of the funds from Nadira. But she grudgingly sticks to her bargain to aid Maeslyn.

"I won't have it be said that I can't be trusted." She sniffs to Maeslyn and the rest of you and then kicks her horse into a faster trot.

About mid-morning of the third day of your journey a large shadow passes over your heads causing you to all look up. Suddenly, the shriek of a high-flying creature rings out from the sky above. A huge beast glides through the air, circling in an ever-tightening spiral. It has mottled brown skin, a long horny snout, and enormous leathery wings. The creature, perhaps half a mile away, descends out of sight beyond the tres that line your muddy road.