Knowing that it’s unlikely the party will get back to Ashdale before dark, Larix and Hadron discuss whether or not they should question the prisoners themselves. Hadron believing that it has nothing to do with them, and knowing they were only hired to capture the bandits, doesn’t see the point, whilst Larix thinks that any information is useful. Eventually, with all party members having had their say, it’s decided that Larix will question the bandits.
Taking them out into the clearing, Larix ties two of the prisoners to a tree, before blindfolding and gagging them. Taking the more frightened prisoner, he binds him to a tree across the clearing, without gag or blindfold, leaving him free to talk, and begins questioning him about what they’re doing in the area and why they’re burning fields. The bandit refuses to talk, so Larix walks over to one of the other prisoners, producing a dagger as he does so. Turning the weapon he places the tip of the hilt against the foot of one of the blind-folded bandits, preparing to use it to break the bones. Larix turns to the lone bandit. “You can stop this” he says. “I don’t have to do this. I only want information.” But the bandit turns away, ignoring him.
Bringing the hilt down with all his force, Larix diverts the action at the last second, driving the hilt into the ground, as Hadron, hidden behind the blind-folded bandit, snaps a handful of twigs, giving the impression of breaking bones. The bandit, already scared and worried about what this bunch of madmen will do to him, cracks at the sound, and starts talking.
“It was Delware, alright? He did it. He paid us to burn those fields. He wants power, but he isn’t on the village council and doesn’t own enough land to make himself heard in the town meetings. He wants his son to marry Arkson’s daughter, but she don’t want to. He thinks that by destroying their fields, he can take their power. That’s why he hired us. He gave us the stuff we needed & gave us this wand that makes loads of water so we can stop the fires going into other fields. Then he told us which fields to burn. But that’s it. I swear.”
Nodding Larix, walks back to the babbling prisoner, and calms him, before re-tying him with his friends. By now, the sun has started to set, and the party prepare for another night in the cave.
---------------------------------
The following morning, the party lead their three prisoners back to Ashdale, delivering them straight into the hands of Captain Swain. Larix explains what the bandit told him, and Swain thanks him for the information, although he will question the bandits again. Collecting their payments from the Quartermaster, the party realise that they currently have a large quantity of items acquired and cash.
Zambar offers to store the stuff at his mom’s place, but that would mean heading back to Tinderdale. The rest of the party have no issues with this, and, on reaching Tinderdale, run into Honest Thomas the merchant. After some haggling, a large portion of the acquired items are sold, and horses and tack are purchased, along with stabling at the Goblin’s Blade. The remaining items and money are held by Loretta, Zambar’s mother.
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