Chapter 16: Misdirecting Imps and a Journey by Barge

From the Chronicles of Brother Jacques.

3/6 We employed local workmen to repair the sabotaged sailing barge.

4/6 Early. Sir Zacharias, Jean-Marc (Erenion) and Darianne bought fresh horses (not suitable warhorses, but 2 of them were at least large enough to carry the armoured knights), and rode Southwards to the small fishing town of Mortilo, at the mouth of the river.
They arrived in the morning.
The rest of us: Baroness Keruna, 7 of her men, 4 mercenaries, Marcello, Olivier and myself followed on the barge (which had it's own crew). We arrived in the afternoon.

Sir Z's group found Dave Nosey Bones, who seemed to know everything:

§ Strangers arrived; total number unknown, but including a short, slender man, apparently in charge (actually an Elf), 2 in armour, and 1 who was a woman dressed as a man.
§ They had at least 1 heavy chest with them (probably full of Han's silver ore).
§ They left by fishing boat (a fast, sound one, bought from an old, but unfortunately diligent fisherman).
§ They sailed Eastwards, with provisions for a few days (enough to get to the East end of Long Isle).
§ With the conditions today (easy seas, and light, but adequate wind from the West), could make 60 miles (more, if they had an Elf on board, as they could sail more safely at night).
§ The coast (Eastern part of Long Isle's Southern coast), is dangerous, with a rocky shore, hidden reefs, and several islands (and, no doubt, treacherous currents, ferocious sea monsters, and pirates as well).

The rest of us arrived later, and we thought about things:

§ Our quarry had used at least one bird to watch for pursuit. Therefore they had (at least) some sort of magician.
§ Probably they could raise and control small Imps, and bind these into... birds (or make them assume the forms of birds, but the Imps could remain longer as possessors). To those who can raise Imps, this is fairly cheap.
§ So they would have left watchers. Human informants would have difficulty reporting (or at least, the sort of expenable informant that we suspect that they would leave behind), so we expected Imps.
§ Imps can see Spirits... and Souls, like Keruna's, mine, Darianne's and J-M / E's, which are pretty obvious as we can work magic.
§ Cheap Imps are stupid; they would have simple instructions such as report at once and/or report after a few days.

I SAW SPIRITS, and informed Keruna, when I found 3.
Keruna (with the aid of 2 of her men to work it simultaneously), drew some death magic around the Imps, such that they would see nothing suspicious.

We face a problem; how to catch up with these people, and capture them. They lead us by a day.

§ Keruna could have taken us (or myself) through the Land of the Dead. Unfortunately I had the real Dagger with me at the time, and taking into the realm of her patron deity would have been utter folly.
§ We could travel by land, going back and taking the main road running Eastwards along the centre of the island.
§ We could take the river barge after them, risking waterspouts and all that (and still not catching them up, although Keruna could probably arrange for favourable winds).
§ We could wait, and follow later, arriving at their destination by surprise. Unfortunately, our quarry might spot Keruna's (and others') watchers (more birds and such), especially if they approach one of their bases, which would have all sorts of defences.
§ We could tip off ESP; Elven Intelligence, who have watchers keeping an eye on Kiellevain's abandoned island base (which is just to the East of us). Elves would then capture this part of Kiellevain's organisation, and keep the information to themselves.
§ Wait for the moment, as Keruna obtains some sort of light warship (or fast transport... maybe some sort of merchant galley).

I wanted to follow by barge, Keruna suggested going through the Country of the Dead, and the Knights wanted to ride.
We sort of combined these ideas, waiting at Mortilo whilst Keruna's ship came to us.
I prayed, and learned that the Elf is Kassael, Kiellevain's son.
Soro arrived, and will contact local ESP.