As promised...another chapter. With 13 minutes to spare. Again, not edited.=================================================================Ozzy smiled at Ben, "You look tired and parched, help yourself to some of the Baron's fine wine to fortify yourself. I'm sure he'd offer, but you know how shy he is."Ben bowed to Ozzy, "Why, thank you. I think I will. And yes, it's been a hard days night. I was at the barbarian camp yesterday, fought a small duel, made new friends, negotiated all night long, and rode out with the dawn. We're on a tight schedule if we want to save the tribes from a pounding by the nastiest bullyboys in the north.""Save them? Why are we saving them? They're either enemy soldiers, or invading squatters. The Empire wants them gone and so do I.""Or, they might be something else." Ben placed the drinking horn on the table. "That's an old heirloom that tells the story of their last stand against the Swarm that ate its way across the Empire long ago, around the time Gadobhra got put under ice. They retreated north to avoid the bugs and have been fighting ever sense. But, technically, the tribes are descendants of citizens of the Empire."Billy stared at the horn from close up, then set it back down, "And now you can tell me the ramifications of that.""Shit." Layla exclaimed, "That means they could actually claim refugee status, or someone will claim it for them, even if they're dead. And, they're on our land. That opens us up to all kinds of shit those idiots in the court will throw at us. Proof we don't protect Empire citizens, can't handle the land the Emperor gave us, and any other arcane law they can dig out. Won't matter that a bunch of Vikings tried to conquer the Empire. Some idiot Viscount will say they only wanted to come home to their ancestral lands, which the nasty people in Gadobhra and Wolfsburg were denying them. It's crap, but they'll toss it at us for years. The nobles do this all the time, vying for power and tearing each other down."Ben nodded, "Excellent analysis. Which is why I think the best course of action is to fight beside them against the giants."Billy stared at Ben, who was pouring the entire contents of his best bottle of the wine into the drinking horn. "Help the invading squatters?""No no, you are welcoming sons and daughters of the Empire back to their ancestral lands. You arrive in the nick of time as the benevolent and wise baron that you are and convince them that becoming part of the Barony of Gadobhra is in their best interests. You'll gain a new village in the far corner of your barony, complete with belligerent and warlike people who will keep greedy land grabbers from the Empire at bay. We can spin this as you welcoming refugees who's ancestors were forced from the Empire and were simple pawns, manipulated by the evil monsters of the north.""Yeah, and what will they want out of the deal?""Mostly to be left alone to raise crops and breed horses. They'll reinforce your claim to the land, keep down the local monster population, and start wanting all the fine things you can provide them. Extend the east-west trade road to that area and you'll have trade moving along it from Sedgewick, Hurlsford, and all the little villages you're supporting in the other direction. You know there will be resources along that route no one has discovered: Mines, timber, dungeons and who knows what else."Billy looked at map, seeing a trade rout that stretched across almost the entirety of the Empire's northern boarder. He nodded, liking what he saw. Ozzy waited for him to turn around, then spoke. "One more thing: Northguard is gone. Obliterated. And frankly, the name doesn't make sense. You'd be the new guardian of the north."Layla looked at Billy, smiling, "And wouldn't that piss people off. It might even open up more land going south. Let's do it."Billy glanced around the room. "Can we make it in time?"Ben nodded, "I think so, if we pack fast and get moving. Teleport to Hurlsford and then across the lands that border the scrublands. I just rode the length of it, and it wasn't too bad. With Rolly and I working together, it won't be a long trip."Billy only thought for another few seconds. "Fine. Let's do it. Ben, you're in charge of logistics. Ozzy and Suzette know what we need to take. There's no time to pry loose any troops from Rowan, but we do have a big shipments of catapults Gus ordered. We'll take those and ask forgiveness later. My murder machines won't have any power to get there, but I'm sure the Baroness will be happy to bring her guard so they can get some playtime in. If there's anyone else we can con into fighting giants, gather them up. There has to be a few players who'd like to take part in a special one-time battle. And I want every Contract Worker who can swing an adze along on this trip. The veterans will be useful and the new folk will get some experience. Let's get moving people. Except for Ozzy. Hang back a bit."Ozzy shrugged and refilled his glass of whiskey, waiting for whatever Billy wanted. The Baron filled his glass and sat down. "One loose end I want to talk about. The big giants, Jotun. They were part of the shit that went down up north, but Ben didn't mention them as a threat. Are they?""I don't know. Ben said that the Jotun were actually sort of polite as they moved the humans out of those valleys, and those lands were theirs a long time ago. The assholes pursuing the tribes are a mix of monsters and giants and cross breeds. The Jotun don't like them, and keep to themselves. Brogthall told me that he and his tribe weren't heading south for Glacia's war, but that doesn't mean they won't tiptoe over the border, or push it back a few miles on their maps and hit the barbarians hard. Three of them were tough. A dozen? Fifty? Not sure what would stop them, but I suggest we take every barrel of Greek Fire we have, just in case. They don't like fire."Billy sipped his own whiskey, wheels turning. "But you said they were mercenaries?""They are, and strict about their contracts. Brogthall won't break his word, if I'm any judge of character. We had a deal for an ox, and he's delivered it, but his daughter is still in Sedgewick. I get the feeling she doesn't want him getting involved down here, and is planning to stay until this is all over. She's technically a hostage and they take family real serious. Between her and our contract, he won't leave the North to fight in the Empire."" Ok, that's all I needed to know. Have to just hope they don't get involved. I imagine it's going to be tough enough fighting the smaller giants. Why is everything getting big? Don't answer that, don't need to know. Go load some wagons and we'll pack our favorite fighting clothes and get ready to ride."Ozzy nodded, feeling a bit uneasy, but not sure why. As soon as he left, Billy stood up and took Layla by the arm. "I need more information. Let's head to Sedgewick. We haven't tried out this churn milk yet. Time to see how it tastes."
=================The mallard messenger caught up to Rolly and Squirmy as they were flying toward Sedgewick, coming down from the North where they had been scouting and meeting up with the Snow Goose Rebels. Squirmie was in her 'great snowy owl' form to gain both speed bonuses and protection from the cold air of the North. The geese they had met up with were enthusiastic and looking forward to attending the festivities after their ban was up. They were going to make the most of it, expecting to be banned again, but such was the life of the people who took partying to a high art form.It was a short message, written in Ben's code: 'Need you back in Gadobhra. Speed run for a the relief force, as we talked. Leaving as soon as you get here.' He popped the message into his mouth and swallowed it for operational security, then yelled to Squirmy, "Need to check in on the expecting mother as we pass by, then get to Gadobhra fast as we can."<Squirmie things that if you need more speed, you should learn to fly faster! Why is it always me carrying you?>"Easy, because your the 'power' in this power couple. Also the brains and beauty. I'm just hanging around to bask in your glory."<Good answer. Now hold tight. I need to shift forms. She won't be happy if I show up wearing her face. You should do the same. Having to look at two of her Beastmaster would upset her as well. She is close to laying her eggs. Everyone knows that is when the killing fury can take over.> Shifting took only a few seconds, and where before there was a strange owl-man riding a gigantic snowy owl, now anyone looking up with see a simple shepherd riding a large butterfly.As the glided over the dense swamps near the Wyvern Nest, Rolly screamed out greetings to the creatures below, letting them know this was a 'no-hunting-day' for Squirmie. Most of the creatures still hid deep in their burrows, still nervous, but the older wyverns relaxed, trusting the Shepherd. The old Wyvern who ruled the colony in the swamps was glad the Shepherd had returned again. She liked having him around, even when his little princess was hungry and hunting. Life had been good lately. The swamp only had so many resources, and young wyverns were always hungry. More of her young were living now and being provided hunting grounds by the Shepherd. Clutches of extra eggs were taken far away from other packs where they could hunt fish and snails until they grew large enough to form hunting packs and stake out their territories. The bravest and fiercest joined the Shepherd as he roamed the lands, protecting creatures no one else cared for.The Matriarch and the Great Owl had met. Not as adversaries or competitors, but as two mothers raising their young. Both were very old, and they had formed a bond based on that. The Great Owl would soon lay her last clutch. No males of her kind were left in the far north, and she would not live long enough for her own progeny to grow old enough. Her nest was in a tight grouping of old snags, built of sticks and webbing. It would do for now, until her Beastmaster healed and could do the work of building her a better one. Squirmie landed on the edge of the nest, and Rolly hopped off. The butterfly flew higher in the snag and found a secure perch to keep watch from, making anyone who could see her a little nervous. Rolly dumped his pack, full of the offal owls like best. Then tossed a loaf of bread to Gillihowlet. "How's our lady here coming along?" The old Beastmaster caught the loaf with his good arm, the other was in a sling and still healing. He tore chunks and swallowed quickly, his eyes on Rolly."She is good, better than I had hoped. The wounds your damned ducks inflicted on her are healing with the help of the tonics you brought and my magic. Good food, and no need to travel means her body can concentrate on healing and her eggs. She will lay them within a month."Rolly whistled, "Wow, so quick. That's great. How about you?""About as good as a man beaten within an inch of his life and soundly defeated can expect to be.""Yeah, but that beating saved you and your lady from being part of a losing war. It wasn't pretty at all. If I hadn't been near when you went after my ducks they would have killed you and her, and that would be a shame. This way, you get to play nursemaid to the little owlets and enjoy the fun of watching them grow up."Gillihowlet finished the bread, down to the last crust. "She's hungry all the time now, and needs more food. It's making me ravenous. You need to bring us no food."Rolly grinned, "Boy, do I know what that's like. I'll make sure you get a delivery every day. The goblins will do it for me in exchange for a keg or two. I know what she likes. How about you? Feeling like human food again, now that your wounds are healing.""The bread was good. More bread, cheese, meat cooked or uncooked, I'm not picky. But some beer would be nice." He tossed a worn pouch to Rolly. Rolly tossed it back. "I told you, I feel responsible for your injuries. As long as you stay here, food is on me. We have lots of food in the city, especially what she likes. I'll get a barrel of dark beer out to you. Anything else?"The strange old man hesitated and then said, "Yes, a book of nursery rhymes. I've always read to the little ones, but my books are gone, like everything else that was taken from me in the north.""Good choice! Start them young. It will be out with the first shipment. Now, if you don't mind, I need some help with a sticky problem. A big one? What do you know about the giants? Not the Jotun, the wild ones with the crazy horns and tails and fur going in every direction?""The Bumbles? Little more than beasts. Stupid and quick to anger, but they hunt as a pack and little can stop a pack of trash-giants when they charge. They hate those names, by the way. They call themselves the Pursar. They don't share the Jotun weakness to fire, but they still burn. They can still be buried in an avalanche or killed by a large enough trap. Heroes have fought and killed them, but not many, and only when they get one alone." He laughed. "We got a contract once, from an Ice Lord who didn't fancy his Elk herds feeding the local Pursar tribe. We hunted them from the air, and as they moved through the forest, we swooped down on the last in line and heaved it into the sky, then dropped it into a deep crevasse in a nearby glacier. We got six of the ten that way before the idiots realized what was going on. After that, it was easy to pick off one a day and claim the Ice Lord's gold. That's how I suggest dealing with them. But make sure the hole you drop them into is deep. Bumbles bounce." Rolly grinned at the story, and nodded. From high in the crag, Squirmie's laughter filtered down.