Expedition to the Emerald Vale

The sun has barely raised over the horizon as High Council member Arthur Finneas approaches a caravan outside the Southwest gate of the metropolitan city of Arlae - the seat of the Arlaean Kingdom. The caravan is accompanied by six armed escorts from the Arlaean guard clad in heavy chain mail. They all wear the royal colors of the kingdom on a surcoat - a field of blue with silver trim and a shield with the head of a silver dragon in the middle. Flags matching this design are affixed to the top of halberds that they are all holding as well as from the caravan itself. Councilman Finneas walks up to the front of the carriage and strokes the mane of one of the large horses as he looks around at the members of his escort.

Sergeant Martin? Have the guild members arrived yet? he says as he looks around the caravan and back towards the city gates.

No sir. No one has arrived yet. the armored guard replies.

Arthur sighs Well we will wait for their arrival. While I have great confidence in you and your men's experience on the field of battle, this is an expedition of a different nature. We will be relying on their expertise to help us reach the Elven kingdom.

He stands with his arms crossed as he waits for the rest of the party.

Spoiler:

A brown haired plain looking man walks up to the Sergeant and Councilman and stands at attention.  He carriers a spear in one hand and a shield with a purple wolf painted onto it.  Wearing heavy chain mail with a moss green shirt that also bears the emblem of the mercenary guild, The Purple Shield Company. Not quite sure what to do with himself he stammers trough an introduction with no great ease.

Kaladin, 42nd Squad Captain, well captain of the 42nd Squad of uh Purple Shield Company.  Reporting for duty, sir.

The last bit cam out like a bolt out of a crossbow.

The two look over to the new addition to their traveling party and Arthur walks up to greet him.

Very good. Kaladin welcome aboard our little expedition. I believe that the council has had dealings with the Purple Shield before. Your guild's reputation precedes you - it is good to have you with us. Well now, should we be expecting the arrival of any other guild mates of yours or will you alone be the one to aid us in our journey?

Arthur reaches out to shake the mercenary's hand.

Kaladin grasps his hand with a firm handshake.

Thank you sir. I am unsure if uh anyone else from my guild will be joining us. Um, I just work there. I am only in charge of my squad. Sir.

Kaladin more than likely held the handshake for too long.

A blonde haired man approaches the caravan with the morning sun at his back. A behemoth of a man, standing nearly seven feet tall, he causes the earth to practically shake with every step. All conversation stops when he appears due to the loud swooning of all women within sight of him. Bright green and turquoise gem stones adorn the shoulders of his plate-mail armor glinting in the sun. The hilt of a massive sword juts out above his left shoulder complete with a bright jewel in the pommel. His other shoulder is equally accompanied by the smooth steel shine of a large axe. As he approaches the caravan the guards seemed rather pleased. Any person would gladly go to battle against an entire legion of demons if this incredible warrior simply asked them too. The councilman is nearly blushing that such a champion will be joining him. A couple of the guards subtly clear their throats as the they think of how to greet this knight. The hero smiles as he approaches and continues walking down the road past the caravan. A few small tears of disappointment may have been shed around the caravan this day. But no sooner had their eyes dried that they realized a much smaller man standing in their company. Dark hair, large pack, gray cloak, and a long bow adorned this man.

He speaks to the councilman
I am Bayort and am here to accompany your caravan to the Elven kingdom Bayort hands the councilman a small rolled up piece of parchment as he introduces himself.

Spoiler:

Arthur looks at the dark haired figure after a look of disappointment takes hold upon realizing that he would not be joined by Geoffrey the Gallant - the famous member of the Order of the Gauntlet - would not be joining the party this day.

I see.... well you must the other member to join our little expedition. I am Arthur Finneas member of the High Council of Arlae.
He takes a graceful bow
This fine gentleman is Kaladin of the Purple Shield Company.
He motions to Kaladin
If you don't mind my asking; which guild sent you?

Kaladin gives a brief nod to Bayort while still standing at attention in response to him being introduced.

Councilman Sir, I am Kaladin 42nd Squad Captain of Purple Shield Company. Oh.

He breaks from attention with obvious embarrassment and goes to talk to the guards assigned.

Who is our highest ranking officer?

That will be me, sir.
The clean shaven guard that councilman Finneas spoke with as Kaladin approached the caravan steps forward to address him. He is dressed the same as the others except that his surcoat has two diagonal silver stripes on the front to signify his military rank
Sergeant Martin at your service. My men and I are here under orders to defend the Councilman as well as the contents of this wagon from any dangers that may be encountered on the road to the Emerald Vale.
He motions to the wagon. It looks like the typical royal wagon with room enough for 4 to 6 people to ride comfortably inside. Shades are drawn over the windows on either side of the wagon to conceal the interior. There are supplies for the journey stowed on the roof as well as on a platform on the back of the wagon.
I look forward to journeying with you and your comrade. If you need anything from me or my men, do not hesitate to ask.

Sergeant?  

He snaps to attention and gives an Arlaean salute. Then relaxes a bit.

I served as a lieutenant in the Arlaean Military, sir.  Have your men been tested in combat?

I am from the Cassiopian Exploratorium Baort speaks out. It is all right there Baort motions towards the parchment.

Spoiler:

Martin salutes in return
Good to have you with us sir. The men are well trained in combat but it has been quite some time since there has been an all out conflict in the Arlaean Kingdom. Nearly 80 years have past since our last major conflict with the Azure Empire. Since then, we've enjoyed a long lasting peace, save for the occasional raid by the barbarians in the North.

Arthur reaches for the papers to give them a quick examination. He rolls them back up and returns them to Bayort

Very good. All seems to be in order. Now lets get down to business...

Spoiler:

Kaladin walks over to listen.

Arthur retrieves a map from one of the bags on the back of the wagon and unfolds it for all to see...


We are on a mission from the king to speak to the Elves of the Emerald Vale. They are notoriously reclusive and have maintained an isolationist approach to dealing with other societies for a very long time. It has been roughly 60 years since anyone has come in contact with the Elves of the Emerald Vale. What we know mainly comes for lore and first hand accounts of adventurers who journeyed deep within the woods in search of treasure but instead were met with hostility from the Elves. There is a story however of a group of adventurers though who made it through the woods unscathed and had an audience with the Ruler of the Emerald Vale. They say there is a enchanted city in the middle of the forest where the elves reside. The red circle on the map encompasses the area known as the Emerald Vale. That is our general destination. Once there though, we must find our way to their city. We should travel South on the King's Highway until we cross the river. After that, we will have more choices as other smaller roads will connect to the main Highway. Do you have any questions before we begin?

You begin your journey with an air of confidence and expeditious excitement. The miles at this point in your adventure seem to pass by easily as you travel through the countryside's rolling hills and scattered farmlands along the highway. The guards continue their march with stern, serious, and focused faces. Arthur sits on the driver's seat of the wagon as he drives his horses on at a slow and steady pace. After traveling about 5 miles or so you see up ahead wagon driven along by a man and one singular horse, this one headed Northbound on the same road. This wagon is sort of a cart - meant more for the transportation of goods than of people. In the back, the wagon seems to be loaded down with goods of a wide variety. As you get closer the man driving the wagon looks up and pays closer attention to you and your caravan. Once he is within shouting distance, he calls out to your traveling party.

Oy, ye lot wanna ease up on them road tolls? It's bad enough a man like me has ta scratch out a livin' peddlin wares, still has to pay taxes to sell in yer city, and deal with them lowlife crooks once i set up shop in the market. Why do ye have ta bleed me dry before i get there?

The guards look at one other with confused looks on their faces as the man in the wagon pulls on the reins to stop his horse beside you.

Kaladin looks just as confused as the rest of the guards.  What are you talking about, good tradesman?

The merchant looks to Kaladin and turns the pockets on his vest inside out

All me loose coins, that's what I'm talkin 'bout! Not even two miles down the road here some of yer fellow Arlaean guards got themselves a nice little road block set up and askin' fer a toll. Well, demanding more like! Look, I ain't askin' fer no trouble but could ye tell yer boyos down there to take it easy on honest men like me just tryin' ta get by.

Looking just as surprised as everyone else, Arthur shakes his head in denial. He leans in to whisper in hushed tones to Kaladin in order to keep others from hearing that he does not know what to do next.
I have no idea what he's talking about! The kingdom does not make it a custom to collect tolls on the highway. Unless there is some policy that has been enacted without my knowledge then this must be some mistake.... Oh my, perhaps some one is gunning for my position on the council! I bet it's that snake in the grass Basil Upperton!... What do you suppose we should do?

Sounds like this could be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Do we have any choice to but to continue down the road? Bayort says to Arthur

Arthur, still attempting to retain a policy of discretionary decision making while around the guards and Sergeant Martin, leans in now to whisper to Bayort...

While it is always safe to assume Basil Upperton is laying in wait and up to no good, perhaps we should indeed travel with caution. We could also always head back to the city to investigate the matter further or to use another road that connects to Arlae... but we will wait on you and your companions decision before we go anywhere. Since you are our guides, I shall differ to your judgement. What shall we do?

Bayort turns slightly to Kaladin I admit it is the horse that should ask the camel for directions while in the desert Turning back to Arthur  but a of group bears should not fear a pack of wolves.