"Well, sort of?" I reply. "In the sense that I'm coming along, yes. In the sense that I take orders from you, no. Think of me as an...independent consultant, maybe."

"And why have you - attached yourself to this group?" Karlach asks, seemingly curious.

As Karlach speaks he is making his way over to the courier, and hands the letter to him along with a galifar.  "Please see this delivered with all haste; dismissed," he tells him.

The courier gives a brief bow, hops onto his leggy horse, and takes off.

"So," the chatty drover says, taking stock of the situation, "Looks like there's not much for us to do but let the fire burn itself out, eh?  Anyone need a ride?  We're heading east."

"I have relations that way, if you'll wait a bit for my daughter," the innkeeper says, making haste over to their wagon, separating himself from the combatants.

"And why have you - attached yourself to this group?" Karlach asks, seemingly curious.

"Doing a friend a favour," I reply. "Also, I was bored."

"Doing a friend a favour," I reply. "Also, I was bored."

"Mmm," Karlach replies, then continues in a light, pleasant tone.  "A bargain, then, ghost; so long as you do not endanger this mission, or act against Karrnath and its king while we remain in company - and so long as you can obey my reasonable orders in battle, if need be - I will indulge your continued presence, and make no attempts to see you banished to the Shadowfell when next we pass by Lake Dark."

[Intimidate: 12+13=25]

"Relax, buddy," I say with a smile. "As long as you're doing good things, we'll get along fine."

Karlach narrows his eyes at Mari.  "You refuse the bargain, then?"

I look at him quizzically. "Were you planning on doing bad things?"

"Ghost," he growls warningly.  "I prefer my life orderly, and my relationships and dealings well-defined.  I do not operate on trust.  My soldiers know their place and what commands they are expected to follow, and I know the same when it comes to my own superiors.  You fall outside this structure.  If I am to tolerate you accompanying my unit, then by the Five Nations, I will have you bind yourself not to put my men and women, my king, or my country at risk."

"Bind?" I retort. "I'm a ghost, not a devil. Now, I could promise you that I will disregard my moral compass and do as you instruct, but it would be a lie. Would you prefer that? Guessing 'no'. So perhaps you should simply trust that General ir'Dulinch knew what he was doing when he sent me along, Lieutenant Colonel."

Karlach narrows his eyes, looking to Olegov.  "The ghost is here on the general's orders, Captain?" he confirms.

oh ffs. An officious dick. Because, you know, that will help heaps where we're going. This peace time military crap is highly overrated.  Time to find a new career Val old mate

Karlach narrows his eyes, looking to Olegov.  "The ghost is here on the general's orders, Captain?" he confirms.

"That is correct," I say, before lowering my voice, "though I suspect it was only to rid himself of its presence. Still, orders are orders. And the spirit has proven itself useful."

I lead a parade of four clawfoots and one goat into the run-in and secure them.  Carefully I check over their condition and gear.  Then I begin to inspect our gear.

"Our weapons and gear the zealots secured ... have we found them ... what's he doing here?"

"That is correct," I say, before lowering my voice, "though I suspect it was only to rid himself of its presence. Still, orders are orders. And the spirit has proven itself useful."

Karlach looks vaguely annoyed.  "Very well," he says.  "I assume the elf and the girl are with us as well?"

"Soldier Astra, sir," Astra volunteers, stepping forward.  "Of Atur."

"And do you require rest as well before you may assist me, Soldier?" Karlach inquires.

"No sir," Astra says, then hesitates.  "But - can I speak to you, sir?  Before we keep on?"

"Set up what tents you four have, as well as the one in my left saddlebag - leave the satchel on the right to me - and build a fire," Karlach orders.  "You may come see me afterwards."

"Sir," Astra acknowledges, sounding vaguely disgruntled, but goes to start setting up his tent readily enough.

Karlach shakes his head, then asks again, "The elf?"

...

As the soldiers are conversing, Ebba comes galloping up on the pony, face panicked - she could see the fire from some distance.  Her expression loses the panic but stays confused as she sees her father is safe.  "What happened?" he blurts, as he hurries over to her.   Reaching up to give her shoulder a relieved squeeze, he says, "We can talk about it later.  These drovers are giving us a lift away from this," he says, with an emphasis on the last, and she nods understanding.  She knees the pony over to join the  wagon, and her father hops aboard the wagon with the cargo as the drovers click to their horses to move out.

[I encourage you guys to figure out where your party is headed next, and to take your extended rest.]

[Pepper searches the stables for the weapons and gear: Perception: 5+13+2 = 20]

[Pepper searches the stables for the weapons and gear: Perception: 5+13+2 = 20]

Your weapons are all there.  The only thing missing is Val's highwayman getup.  There's also a scrap of paper that simply says, Redemption is possible, pawns, the name "Melindri," and a street address in Korth.

Karlach shakes his head, then asks again, "The elf?"

"Captain," Karlach says sharply, drawing Olegov's attention.  "The elf, if you please."

Your weapons are all there.  The only thing missing is Val's highwayman getup.

[Oh, Astra got her sword back too when she went over there before.]

"Captain," Karlach says sharply, drawing Olegov's attention.  "The elf, if you please."

"Pardon, sir. That elf? Yes, the elf is with us. Sergeant First Class, Antigone Palatinate. Karnnathian Special Forces. Keep an eye on her--she's a bit of a lone wolf."

When the wagon is out of earshot, I ask Karlach, "Sir, have you been briefed on our mission?"

Satisfied with the condition of the animals and gear, and having secured my own weapons, I leave the barn and approach Oleg and the stranger and stop at a respectful distance and wait to be addressed.