Octavius
Where are you heading? I have herbs to sell and supplies to buy. Perhaps we can travel together?
The peddler gathers his reins and peers along the rain-dark road toward the nearest market town. Behind him, the three dead watchers remain among cart, fern, and boulder, while the loose signal cord lies undisturbed.
Edrin Vale
The market at Dunmere, two days east if the road holds. I sell cloth, needles, and small comforts there, then buy salt, lamp oil, and flour for the return.
Patter slips beneath the cart and settles close to its wheel, muzzle low and ears alert. The peddler checks the harness, then studies Octavius with renewed care.
Edrin Vale
Herbs would fetch fair coin in Dunmere, especially dried feverfew or goodroot. Travel with me, and we share the road, but I should know what else you carry.
Edrin Vale
No hidden debts, no trouble brought to my cart, and we keep watch by turns. In return, I can offer space beneath the canvas and a fair share of the cooking.
He leaves the reins slack, waiting rather than urging the mule onward. Rain whispers through the firs, and the road toward Dunmere opens quietly before them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a mutually acceptable travel arrangement with the peddler
✓ Quest Accepted
Travel with the peddler to Dunmere
“"Most of what I carry is of little interest to the wealthy. Mostly medicinal herbs that the smallfolk can use but may not be able to get on their own. Thyme, mint, feverfew, soaproot... a very nice piece of stone that may interest a sculpter, but would be worthless otherwise." "I can offer," I mention, since he brought up cooking a fair share, "I can handle the meat, forage, and seasoning for every evening meal between here and there, if that sweetens the offer."”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled -1)
Octavius
Most of what I carry is of little interest to the wealthy. Medicinal herbs for smallfolk: thyme, mint, feverfew, and soaproot. I also have a fine stone that may interest a sculptor, though little else.
Octavius
And for the cooking, I can handle the meat, forage, and seasoning for every evening meal between here and Dunmere, if that sweetens the offer.
The peddler listens without interrupting. His gaze passes over the rain-dark road, the cart, and the herbs, weighing practical value rather than imagined riches.
Edrin Vale
It sweetens it considerably. Feverfew and soaproot are worth more to my neighbors than silver is to a lord, and a hot meal keeps a traveler cheerful.
He draws the reins through his hand and shifts along the bench, making room beneath the patched canvas. Patter noses from beneath the cart, then watches the road.
Edrin Vale
Done, then. We travel together to Dunmere. You forage and cook in the evenings, I provide the shelter and what provisions I can spare, and we keep watch by turns.
Edrin Vale
When we reach the market, I will help you find buyers for the herbs and the stone. Come along, friend. The rain will not wait for our bargain.
Quest Complete
Establish a mutually acceptable travel arrangement with the peddler