The Northlands Saga - Spears in the Ice IC

[Ghostfoot]

Inga doesn't even acknowledge Skorri's response, simply turning her horse and showing her back to him, the horse itself choosing this moment to break wind at him. Looking over at Gunnar she does give him the courtesy of waiting until his nod of readiness before she flicks her reigns and she and the other girls move forward out of the gates at a trot.

As soon as you are out of sight of the holdfast Fastvi bunches up her green smock and whips the whole thing off, revealing functional tunic and trousers underneath. "Hah, that's better!" She glowers at her elder sister's disapproving look before urging her horse forward, darting about the party and riding well ahead clearly enjoying her freedom away from the restrictions and expectations of her parents at Silvermeade Hall.

It should only take an hour's ride through farmland and well-coppiced woods to the Meadows where the girls want to pick flowers. The Meadows are beyond the settlements, just inside the boundaries of the forest and more wild, but still near enough to largely be safe. Freemen out in fields still spotted here and there with snow in the shadows, or traveling along the muddy road wave to your group as you ride past, and some of the higher-status hirdmen stop and call greetings. Inga continues her brusque manner with all encountered. She only deigns to give freemen and their families a slight wave or nod of the head and is too curt and short with the hirdmen who greet her. Runa rides quietly nearby, muttering to herself in an unsettling way and occasionally laughing softly.

Spoiler: Perception DC12 - all pass except Freyja & Signy

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Gunnar (1d20+4)[14]
DDW (1d20+7)[15]
Freyja (1d20-1)[11]
Skorri (1d20+3)[15]
Signy (1d20)[2]

Runa is obviously holding half of a conversation with some unseen (imaginary?) person. She's a peculiar wee girl.

Will Save DC10 for those who know of her origins:
Gunnar (1d20)[7]
Skorri (1d20+1)[14]

Knowing the background of Little Runa's birth, her behaviour is quite unsettling to you. DC10 will save or shaken until further notice.

Your horses travel on at a trot as you make your way toward the Meadows, Fastvi darting about on her horse eager to be ahead. It's been not 20 minutes since you left the holdfast when on the muddy track ahead of you, you spot a group of five armed warriors riding your way down the trail. Their horses move slowly as if exhausted from long riding, and they and their mounts are spattered with the mud of hard travel. They've clearly seen you too but make no move to alter their gait, continuing to approach at their weary pace. At this distance you can't make out their identities.