Tor takes the writ from father Konrad an quickly scans it rolling it up an setting it aside on the table.

"I'm sorry to see you leave so early on but the bishop's summons is not lightly rebuked. I wish you a quick an safe ride back to Richmond" tor couldn't help but let a slight tinge of relief colour her voice as she smiled wanly at Konrad.

momentarily sizing up the two men.

Jacob's outlandish appearance seemed to puzzle her as much as it intrigued her. most of the clergy she had come in contact with to point had bee staunchly stick to their chaste beliefs.

(i'll add a sec/back post for Elttom)

tor sighed an looked at the map again.

Jacob pulled a chair and sat. Wood made. Lovely. "So, what's for food? And what's our plan? And what might Brother Elttom and I need to know before we continue?"
tor looked at each of the men in turn, a slight tinge of ire in her voice having to repeat the plans a second time.

" when we get to Woodstock, this is what we know for now." pointed to the settlements marked in red on the map. "as far was we know these are the last scouted goblin camps, though being nomadic they've likely moved. we'll have to be careful of coming across a camp unexpectedly as we may have to search for the camps.

If the threat of raid doesn't seem iminate. i was going to have father Konrad access the village of Westlock's defensive capabilities.
tor looked at Jacob an Elttom. Do either of you take precedence of knowledge for this task?

Callin would access the other semi-permanent villages here and here. " tor pointed to the lesser points inside the hood.

"I'm loath to divide our forces early on but we'll cover more ground this way. Sir Anthony and myself would split up and scout for the goblin encampments and come back to the village by dark.

" Tor looked around at the mens faces. "comments, questions, objections?"

Jacob listened to Tor as she spoke. She had a rather solid plan, which was a good sign. Maybe he didn't need to instruct her as much as the bishop had said. Or maybe it was simply because the bishop may have a different idea of "instruct" and "educate" than Jacob did. Already he was feeling a bit better, with just one problem...

"Well, I'm glad you've thought this out m'lady. However, I have a slight suggestion that - should you wish to take it - may be beneficial. But, as the leader of this expedition as well as much more than that, as always, it is for your decision, and I shall abide by that."

"A city's defences are not my forté, as I am not one to order soldiers around, or discuss strategies efficiently with those who do. I am however, a rather qualified outdoorsman and scout, with sharp eyes in my head and in the sky." Jacob casually lifted his left hand to pet Leilos on his shoulder. "I feel as though I would be better suited to accompany you in the field than discuss defences against a raid."

"Other than that slight piece of council, I'm happy with the plan, and ready to hit the road whenever we desire."

Leilos let out a small sound, though it was still a shock and a bit out of place for a tavern setting, and got a couple of looks here and there. He paid them no heed though, as he knew that his companion was rooted to his shoulder... That is, unless someone warranted anything else.

Once Tor finished laying out her plan Elttom waited a moment then spoke. "I have some experience with battle. Though I am not a knight, I travel with them on many occasions and have picked up a few skills. I will do what I can to assess the defenses of the village. As for splitting up, that may sound good but it may put both groups in danger if they run into trouble. but, as my companion said, you are the leader and I will follow your guidance."

Listening to the removal then replacement of Fr. Konrad, when the man hadn't left yet, was a bit unsettling. Though having been a knight for some time, Anthony was more then used to this...however to trust these two men as if it were nothing...

Being from the church was one thing, but that did nothing to sooth his warrior's instinct. He would watch them for now, making sure nothing odd happened in their wake, especially the one with the eagle, he stood out as a trouble maker for sure. Couldn't even tow the line set at the church he was to represent. How irresponsible.

As for the plan, he saw the since of splitting up, not that he wouldn't worry about the others but they should be relatively safe while the more experienced fighters...and scout, took in the dangers ahead.

Callin sat off to the side of the table poking at his food while the others talked strategy. He was still sore from the horse ride to Mandala, and was loathe that he would have to be back in the saddle the next day.

He spent the next little while tuning in and out of the conversation, he looked up at the mention of Father Konrad being replaced by two others. Callin barely gave them a glance as he looked to Tor, gauging her reaction. He tuned back out again until he heard Tor mention his name while pointing at the map of the hood. "Callin would access the other semi-permanent villages here and here." While the others talked about the plan, Callin pulled out his bag from under his chair and started rifling through his equipment."Tor, what would you say these villages are like? Just want to know how light I should be travelling."

Tor listened to their comments in turn an nodded, each seemed to have a level head an a decent about of common sense. Tor looked to Sir.Anthony an watched his stance shift slightly as the clergy spoke. Tor made a mental side note to ask Sir.Anthony his opinions of the new comers when they got a moment aside.

"for the moment i'd like to treat this as a reconnaissance, moreover to access our situation. the numbers an what we have to work with. Other then surprise skirmishes or an all out raid on a village, i'm hopping to keep altercations to a minimal. if we find the numbers higher then we can expected or that we feel we can handle. I will send word to Lord Ravenwindhelm to send reinforcements.

we'll take an hour two at most to see to what supplies we may need an rest our mounts." Tor looked at Callen, suppressing a smirk knowing his momentary discomfort.

" we'll take supplies enough for 3-4 days but not enough to encumber our speed. I want our presence to seem natural so i'm loath to push our pace, yet at the same time i neither wish to dawdle. I do not think the situation is yet dire or that an hour spent watering our mounts will cost some poor villager their life. Yet all the same the sooner the situation is dealt with the better. "

Tor looked around the table again.
"Dose this suffice ? if their is no other question we'll leave in an hour. we have a way's yet before we need part company."

"For the moment I'd like to treat this as a reconnaissance, moreover to access our situation. the numbers an what we have to work with. Other then surprise skirmishes or an all out raid on a village, I'm hopping to keep altercations to a minimal. if we find the numbers higher then we can expected or that we feel we can handle. I will send word to Lord Ravenwindhelm to send reinforcements. We'll take an hour two at most to see to what supplies we may need an rest our mounts. We'll take supplies enough for 3-4 days but not enough to encumber our speed. I want our presence to seem natural so I'm loath to push our pace, yet at the same time i neither wish to dawdle. I do not think the situation is yet dire or that an hour spent watering our mounts will cost some poor villager their life. Yet all the same the sooner the situation is dealt with the better."
Callen sat and nodded with his eyes closed as Tor spoke about their plan. "Does this suffice? If there is no other question we'll leave in an hour. We have a way's yet before we need part company." Callen looked to Sir Anthony and the two new clergy men that were to replace Father Konrad. They seemed interesting enough. The one seemed like just another Cleric, though the blonde haired boy with the tattoos was interesting. He didn't seem like the run of the mill Cleric. Shaking his head Callen went placed his bag back on the floor beside him. "I'll be ready to go whenever you are Tor."

Shortly after finishing the meal, Fr. Konrad takes his leave of you, and heads back to Richmond.

The stable boys bring around your horses, and gear. The towns people are still going about their business.

Though still a nice day, the sky starts to fill with clouds, as you ride out of town.

Jacob's brow furrowed as the clouds began to close in. Slightly dimmer conditions could be a bit of a difficulty for the upcoming search. Jacob strained his eyes though, making sure that what he saw were natural clouds and not something more sinister.

(OoC: I want to do a spot check and a Knowledge (Nature) check to see if I can determine if they're natural or magical clouds)

After mounting the horse, Jacob let out an exclamatory "HA!" and Leilos took to the sky. Having the eyes in the air from the start would provide a nice overview of the terrain, and anything that could be useful. Or anyone that may be approaching. That, and he could tell she wanted to fly. Being stuck on his Jacob's shoulder for so long inside the tavern is hardly the way to exist for an eagle.

On ground level however, Jacob decided to keep things interesting. "So, m'lady, how does it feel to be out on your own? You seem to be taking to the outdoor life quite well."

Natural clouds, chance of rain later in the afternoon.

Tor nodded to Callen smiling curtly at him. "rest up as much as you can till we leave." Tor patted his shoulder an moved on to speak to Sir Anthony.

taking Sir Anthony aside with out causing the others offence was easy enough, giving the two clergy a simple out to go about what task they needed to gather what they saw fit in the time they had left.

tor turned to sir Anthony when they were sufficiently out of ear shot.

"i dont like this, theirs naught we can do the bishops summons seems legit enough. the two clergy seem well enough but i'm not green enough to trust them other then at arms reach just yet.
Jacob seems...interesting." tor paused an cleared her throat "he's unorthodox appearance doesn't seem to fit with his title but Elttom's complete oppositeness seemed to bother me more so." not one to completely judge but appearance being herself a tomboyish lady in warrior fashion she chuckled.

(tor taking sir Anthony's advice into consideration)

Tor waved Callen after her she left the tavern, raising her hand to cover her eyes squinting at the metered sunlight dappled by the building clouds.

jacob's loud "HA!" caused tor to jump slightly but the sight of the large egal taking wing entranced her momentarily. the creatures sheer power as it lept forth taking flight.

Tor smiled scenting the air the telling hint of moisture causing her to smile.

"So, m'lady, how does it feel to be out on your own? You seem to be taking to the outdoor life quite well." jacob asked

smiling at jacob she stretched slightly looking across the open yard an waving to a stable boy to get his attention, all the while not seeming to taking any attention from the conversation with jacob.

"yes, i quite enjoy it outside. much to many of my tutor's animosity most days." Tor quickly gave the stable boy orders to ready the horses an with out pause continued the conversation. " the title of lady is real just dont let it fool you into a false sense of expectation. i may surprise you, or not." Tor gave Jacob a winning smile an turned taking the reigns from the boy as he brought several of the horses out saddled an ready.

Tor checked over all of the mounts saddles pulling several straps tighter. Tor handed Jacob the reigns to a soft buckskin mare with chestnut mane, with a soft grin. "I think she'd suit you a slight more then Elttom." gesturing for the boy to take the other mounts a large dark chestnut bay an Sir Anthony's distrider over to the tavern to await Elttom an Sir Anthony. (possibly one for father konrad)

Tor mounted in a graceful leap an pulled herself into the saddle, she manoeuvred her mount over an offered Callen an arm to help steady him as he mounted. As if it was the most natural thing to do she smiled at Callen an stroked his mounts neck an murmured softly to the horse with a side long glance she asked in a hushed tone.

"you good cal?"

(once everyone is mounted we'll head out. sry this one is so long )

Listening in on the conversation was beginning to grate rather heavily on Sir Anthony's nerves. While information was important, the true knowledge was out there with the enemy. When Lady Toralaian approached him, he was unsurprised. Figuring it would be about their new companions they moved to a more secluded area.

"i dont like this, theirs naught we can do the bishops summons seems legit enough. the two clergy seem well enough but i'm not green enough to trust them other then at arms reach just yet.
Jacob seems...interesting." tor paused an cleared her throat "he's unorthodox appearance doesn't seem to fit with his title but Elttom's complete oppositeness seemed to bother me more so."
"I must commend you on your situational alertness. I, too, refuse to trust them based upon some note, and will be keeping a very close eye on the both of them. As for Jacob... there is something very odd about that one. Please be cautious."

Following the others outside after the meal, Sir Anthony bid Fr. Konrad a very short farewell knowing full well the time constraints they were under. One of his old war wounds was aching slightly, just enough to be an annoyance. Rain was coming, they needed to leave soon. Retrieving his horse from the stable boy, Sir Anthony gave the saddle a once over. After praising the lad for getting it right, he mounted and prepared to take rear guard until they split. He was very serious about keeping watch on these new members.

Fr Konrad waves goodbye as he rides in the opposite direction, as you all ride north out of town.
The ride north is uneventful for the most part. As you leave Mandala the sun is out and there is a slight breeze.

The only other people you see on the road is a single caravan of three wagons with guards, heading south loaded heavy with lumber. (feel free to interact with the caravan if desired )

Shortly before the supper hour the sky begins to cloud over and the wind starts to pick up. (You can smell rain on the winds)

You all can see in the distance the beginning of Hood Forest. Though it is still about an hour out.
You know that there is an often used campsite at the edge of the forest.

Tor eager to set a brisk pace for the rest of the day leaving Mandala, spurred her mount into a brisk canter. the bright sunshine glinted off of something ahead of them. being on the main road tor didn't feel to much reason to worry. they soon came upon a guarded lumber cart. Tor pulled back her mount abreast with Sir Anthony, brow furrowed.

"why would they guard a lumber shipment?" she hissed under her breath to Sir Anthony. Tor's eyes dared from the caravan to each of the riders trying to judge their reactions to the caravan.

(pending reactions or something suspicious with the caravan tor would keep ridding. thought making a mental note of the oddity;s starting to pile up)

as the tree's loomed on the horizon Tor relaxed the scent of rain carried on the wind. Tor moved to ride beside Callen chatting with him smiling an joking about his growing detesting of the saddle, even she was starting to feel stiff an achy. Moving to Sir Anthony she asked if he'd discern a spot to stop for the night.

The guards and wagon drivers look bored as they ride by. The driver of the lead wagon nods in acknowledgement in passing.