46 – The road to Nokos
You suggest Kalz to stop and investigate this clearing. It's a rare opportunity and maybe you can gain some useful information on these people. Who knows when you'll be able to do it again! He thinks a bit and agrees with you, but states that the caravan should probably not stop here to wait for you. To that you consent quickly. With this group eliminated, chances are the caravan can actually make it to Bitak without any ambush. As such they should leave as soon as possible and set a brisk pace, while having a few more scouts in all directions in order to minimize risks.
As the caravan leaves, you set out to find as many clues as possible from this place. The investigation is actually rather short, after a day you are quite sure you found everything there is to find. There were twelve men, an equal number of horses, a giant centipede and eight smaller centipedes of various sizes. The men do not possess anything that might give you clues regarding their place of origin. Nor their culture. But you do find a few things that make you think this time was likely well spent.
You gather a few of their weapons, and pieces of armors. They are different from yours, and Kalz assures you that studying them might prove beneficial to your military if a war breaks out. It helps to know how the enemy is equipped after all. Also, you carefully copy the tattoos on the face of the pale man, because they might have some significance. More cultured people than you could make something of them. And finally you get your hands on a couple of those small bottles full of some sort of oil that were used at Qoor. This substance might be worthy studying, though once again you're not really the person for this at the moment.
With your investigation concluded, you prepare to depart for Nokos, where you will continue with your tasks. You and Kalz briefly considered whether or not to head directly for Bitak to talk to Jacob and Lord Medah, but you do have a mission to accomplish. You will write a letter to Jacob, explaining in detail everything that happened here, and that will be enough. If they want to hear from you directly, they will either wait for you to finish your task, or send for you earlier. But as things are now, you have a mission, and so to Nokos it is.
You write a long, detailed letter, and then give it to one of Kalz's men. He's also going to carry the weapons, the pieces of armor, the copy of the tattoos and the oil bottles. He salutes Kalz and leaves, riding fast towards Bitak. You instead sets out towards Nokos, and to whatever awaits for you there.
During the travel you think about what you saw in that clearing. Who or what could have killed those people? The more you think about it, the less you believe it to be the work of chance, or a natural event. And you're certainly not a very religious person. You consider the possibilities, and remember the stories you heard as a child, about witches and wizards. Even though a part of you scoffs at the notion, and think it's childish of you, after some pondering you conclude that as unlikely as it seems, those old stories might be right. Why they would help you though, you can't imagine. Maybe they're doing it all for their own agenda, or maybe they are "benevolent". But, as it is, only time will tell. For now you only know that what you saw is clearly supernatural in nature.
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Excerpt 5: Etiquette – Saluting your superiors
... and it is most important to correctly salute nobles in times of war.
A few men might find this an unnecessary display of discipline, only good for official events in times of peace. But it is not so. The salute should always be done with your right hand, and with your back straight. There is a very important reason for this.
It dates back to the war between Eskal and Werag, about three hundred years ago. The small Kingdom of Eskal had no chance against the much larger and powerful Werag. But after bloody, unfavorable battles white peace was signed, thanks to the negligence on the Werag army. Our king sent an assassin to eliminate the greatest Werag general. The mission was a success because the Werag army had horrible discipline. Our assassin, ignorant of the Werag military customs, was still able to reach the general and complete his mission.
While not the most glorious event in our kingdom's history, a valuable lesson can be learned here. An undisciplined force is not only less effective, but also easier to infiltrate. As such, one should always keep the proper discipline....
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With this, you complete the study of the book of etiquette you bought. You can still use it as reference if needs be, but there's nothing more to learn there for you. You'd need a more advanced book, an instructor, and/or some practice
(You skill has increased to: Etiquette 2 (Basic) )
What are you going to study now?
1) Book about the art of healing
2) Book about plants, herbs, and extracting useful substances from them
3) Book about the art of eloquence
4) Book with the History of Eskal
It takes three days to reach Nokos, the journey mercifully calm after so much excitement. As you reach the fringes of the big farming community, you can see how different from Strok and Bitak this place is. There are rather large fields in all directions, and the houses are mostly big farms. It resembles a bit your village, only on a much bigger scale. After all, almost 500 people inhabit Nokos, most of them farmers. You objective here is to secure a rather large shipment of provisions for bitak, mostly food. And to hire some more men for the construction works.
You are quickly introduced to the lord, who greets you warmly and assigns you some large, clean and... unremarkable lodgings. You spend the rest of the day familiarizing with the village and cannot avoid noticing how... dull it is. Not a single tavern, inn, anything really. Just farms, and more farms, a few buildings for food production, a mill and a few granaries, and a couple of buildings for the administration. And nothing else. You also notice how defenseless this place is. No walls, no palisades, nothing. Few soldiers too. In light of recent events, you feel a bit disturbed by this.
So, the place is dull, boring, empty. Apart from your work, what do you plan to do in your free time here Kyoss?
A) Practice the sword some more with Kalz's men. Might as well use the time in a profitable way
B) Study your books some more. Might as well use the time in a profitable way
C) The place might be dull, but pass your time with Kalz and his men. You can befriend them.
D) Other. Make a proposal, put a letter on it.