Red takes a moment to chat with Ca’armine as we travel through the Westlands.
“Ca’armine, I have gotten the sense you are increasingly unhappy with the direction the group has been going. We have been distracted from our shared goal: pursuing Bandesingh.
We know of many possible locations we could head to get information about Bandesingh, or encounter those working for him. We know he had forces in the Copper Hills Fort. We know he had forces near the Grayfax estate. I assume he would have forces watching the MiddleBar fort. He likely has forces near Fjællsby. Last time we were in the Twins he had forces there.
But most importantly we know he has at least a few people in Gahnil, which we are getting very close to.
We have very little information about Bandesingh. We know he works with many humans. We know he works with the ‘3 cheek’ Orcs. I would assume he works with ‘normal’ Orcs and other non humans.
But we need more information about him We do not even know what he looks like, Is he human? Can he cast magic?
We have focused so far just on ‘where’ he might be, but that doesn’t seem like the most important piece of information.
Do you know anything about Bandesingh? Is there anything specific you would like to learn?”
“These are good questions, and I wish I had easy answers. I left the Raidensblud when I saw firsthand, that the priesthood was corrupt, and learned that the canonization of King Adelfred was fraudulent. I took to the hills and timber, and gathered what intelligence I could. I learned, and believed, that the Dark Hand, far from being the enemy of the realm and the Raidensblud, in fact corrupts and controls the priesthood and the throne.
I heard the name ‘Bandesingh’ many times, interchanged with ‘Dark Hand,’ and came to the realization that there was a dread agent whose malice drives the evil agenda.
It was then, that I heard about the exploits of a band of heroes who sought what I sought, the destruction of the Dark Hand. That was you, Red, and Alexis, Gustav, and Rask. I heard of you and I came to join you.
My prayers have not been answered in words—I do not know ‘Bandesingh is here,’ or ‘come to this place to take the next step.’ I wish that was the case! I pray every night for such clear guidance. What I have instead is disquiet, and a fascination with the turn in the road that comes up in just a few days now.
I think we need to go North and East, to the lands you describe—Copper Hills, Grayfax, Fjaellsby, Middlebar, the Twins… I think there is a stronghold there. Our banishment to the westernmost edge of the realm, seems to me to be another clue. Why were we dispatched to the end of the earth, if not to keep us away from something at the other extreme?
I hope that we will all decide to go that direction, when the choice comes upon us. But I must admit, this is my heart and soul speaking, not my mind.”
Red listens closely as Ca’armine speaks waiting to hear something actionable.
“I agree we seem to be on the false, or wrong path. What purpose was the misdirection to the west? Unknown for sure.
What I implore you to do is think about what we do know, what we do not know and what we would like to know. I fear going directly to Bandisign would be folly at this point as we know little but his name.
What we do know is he has many allies, many accomplices. And many we have met are formidable foes. This speaks to his ability.
We know that he has been gathering items of power to him. This speaks of his ambition.
We know he has bend people to believe in his mission, in his vision. This speaks to his leadership.
I worry there is much more we do not know about him.”