The Rescue of Column

Pushing on from the stirges we got to a fork in the road and had to make a decision. Polrain was a day's travel in one direction, and Column was half a day in another direction (and then a day on from there to Polrain). Happily everyone felt that going half a day out of our way was not unreasonable and we went to see what had become of my horse.

Unfortunately it was not as simple as that. When we got there, Column had been drugged and he, and my gear, were being stolen by a mercenary called "The Great" Sevich and two companions. Although claiming to be a fine and noble gentleman adventurer, when confronted with indisputable evidence that this was my horse and my gear, chose to instead interpret it in such a way to be to his profit, showing his true mercenary nature. He told us it was his horse and to begone or he would kill us.

My horse is, of course, dear to me, and, pretty much, represents all of my worldly wealth. I was unwilling to leave it go under the force of any threat. I did not wish to commit my companions to any such conflict, as it appeared rather one sided. To my great surprise, and endearing gratitude, all of them, to a man, threw in their lot and stood with me against the injustice of the theft. My heart was warmed and I focused harder on how we might prevail as that would be the true reward for their steadfastness.

As a true mercenary, I figured we could count on Sevich to only fight as long as he felt there was profit in it, and as soon as there appeared to be none, to deal as best he could. So my plan was to concentrate all of our offenses on his own personage, and ignore his companions. If we could bring enough to bear and put him in personal danger, he would call off the fight. Most of us arrayed themselves with the wagon as a base, while I and Zakkur stood forth to bait him.

We advanced, his troops withdrew, and kept in missile range of their crossbow. Ilmer and Hendrick took the initiative and started moving The Wagon forward, to keep in range, and under cover. Zakkur and I continued the advance, but sidled to one side. This kept us in cover range of The Wagon, and, like Alexander the Great fighting Darius it also put their defenses in disarray.

Sevich finally broke under our ranged fire and charged, avoiding me, taking a cheap shot at Zakkur, and bearing down on The Wagon. The remaining retainer charged me, giving both me an opportunity to engage and Zakkur the chance to flank. Between tactics and skill Zakkur dealt a telling blow and struck the fellow sensless. Noting what appeared to be a familial simiarity between Savach and the retainer I chose to redirect our tactics, putting the blade of my glaive to his throat, and called upon them to surrender my horse and possessions to me in return for their man.

Reluctantly, and with many petty words and threats, Sevich agreed. They slunk off and spent some time watching us from the bushes. It's not unlikely that they will attempt some revenge if it is to their profit. Ilmer tried to repair things and swap information, but their arrogance prevented them.

We camped for the night to let all our steeds recover, and paid off the local farmer for the damage to his fields.