Peek: Ranger Patrol

Aelara, Ragnar, and Yvonne return to the Ranger camp, all three exhausted. The guards in the trees nod at them and Yvonne nods in return, the archers subtly informing each other of their respective states. The camp is secure, Yvonne's party is uninjured from their last trek, just tired.

Tempting as it is to head to their tents to collapse, the scent of food invigorates them enough to want to fill their bellies before closing their eyes. The source of the food isn't difficult to follow, coming from the campfire in the center, where a halfling on a step-stool stands tending to the camp stew.

Often, a camp stew is unappetizing, meant to nourish and fuel, like a warm trail ration. But Ranger Tirdu has enough ranks in his cooking skill to be easily able to retire and open a restaurant. Luckily for the Rangers, he prefers a campfire to a kitchen, and has the outdoorsman skills to be able to pull his weight and more. He warmly waves at the beleaguered party as they approach, smoothly transitioning to ladling three bowls with the savory ambrosia as they near.

"How was that last snarl?" he asks as he hands over the precious food, and Yvonne lets her friends sit on the nearby log and eat as she explains.

"Well, it was three, for starters."

Tirdu's eyes widen at that. "Three? Not to call you weak, but how did you handle three snarls?"

Yvonne chuckles as Ragnar grunts, though the dwarf doesn't elaborate further. "We were lucky. They were pretty weak, but they were showing signs of merging. If they had, I don't know what they would have spawned. So we decided to deal with them. They sent a lot at us to try to slow us down, but between Ragnar keeping their attention and Aelara handling the hordes, I was able to get the first one undone, then the second, and the third practically collapsed on its own after the other two were handled."

The halfling nods at that as he pulls out a ledger and makes a note. "Either way, a trio means a good payday for you three. Your delving is paying off, Yvonne. I don't care how 'weak' the stagnant monsters seemed to you, it takes a strong party to handle a trio of snarls." He makes a few more marks before nodding to himself.

"You three take the rest of the day easy. Do you want the first or last shifts for guard duty?"

"Last," grumbles Ragnar, with Aelara nodding.

"I want to sleep until fall, but going to bed early and getting up early is a fair compromise."

Tirdu nods and makes one last mark. "I think you'll get your chance soon. The Green Sea had way more snarls than it should have, but it looks like we're almost done with what the scouts have been able to find."

"Your scouts and the expeditions from the Southwood," corrects Yvonne with a smile, which the halfling nods to.

"I still can't believe the Southwood made a second scion, but I'm glad he's more cooperative than the Stag. We'll definitely want to coordinate with him next year, too. Getting quests to clear the snarls just makes doing our duties all the easier."

"And makes the Southwood happier and safer, which is good for everyone," adds Yvonne as she takes her own seat on the log to enjoy her meal. While she does, Tirdu hops down to chat with the group.

"So, Aelara and Ragnar. Have you two considered joining the Rangers? Clearing a snarl trio like that would see you ranked pretty high."

The elven woman shakes her head, taking a moment to swallow her mouthful before answering. "I'm far too used to the conveniences of things like walls and roofs... and showers. I'm happy to help my friend, but if not for her, I'd happily leave all of this to you." Tirdu nods at that and looks to Ragnar for his answer.

The dwarf gives a modest burp before doing so. "Th' pay's all well 'n' good, bu' I pr'fer m' campin' trips ta be underground." He considers for a few more moments before continuing. "An' I'm goin' soft, I s'pose. I miss showers, too."

The group laughs at that, with Tirdu eventually being the first to continue. "Fair points all around. There's a reason more people go for adventuring than rangering. Still, Yvonne's lucky to have you two, and we're lucky to have her. You three relax. I think the action is winding down, and we'll probably be headed back to Fourdock within the fortnight."

Yvonne and her friends smile at that thought, glad to hear it's not just their imaginations that things seem to be winding down. The birdwoman is also happy to learn that she can spend so much time away from Thedeim. She's still not certain how her undead condition actually works, but Aranya suggested she may need to return to Thedeim periodically to ensure his influence keeps everything working properly. About a month away now, and she only has the ordinary aches and pains of a long spring hunt to complain about. She hardly intends to abandon the crazy dungeon to go gallivanting across the world, but it soothes her mind to know she won't be restricted from exploring thanks to her condition.

Not that she sees much point in going so far, but it's good to have the option. There is a lot to see yet in this world, and she expects there will be a lot to see yet with Thedeim, too. With her other friends in Fourdock, she has no intentions of going anywhere for a while, and is looking forward to getting back home soon