Getting to know each other

When he told his new comrades about the troll, Janno got varying reactions from the party. Elektra, for one, was excited about getting a chance to use her spells. Her sister Gloria was almost the opposite. She heard that trolls were very dangerous and difficult. The cleric was naturally worried about the party. Caroline privately told Janno that she was up for a fight with the troll, but doubted the other companions could handle it, even questioning Janno's judgment about accepting the mission.

Eventually, Janno introduced them all to Trista. The auburn-haired adventuress then added that her town of Creekside had offered a reward of 150 gold pieces for each adventurer in the party that helped defeat the troll. Also, the town was willing to let each member choose one item from an assortment of equipment and jewelry. That was enough convince Caroline to make the journey.

So the five of them quickly packed up and set out first thing the next morning. Trista led the way along the road. She knew where she was going, but considering that they traveling through woods, Janno wished that a ranger or a druid would have been in the party. The group stopped for a brief lunch and then continued on. Trista explained that they would arrive at Creekside by nightfall if they continue at their current pace.

The journey allowed Janno some time to get to know his new companions some more. Actually, that meant mostly the sisters Elektra and Gloria. Trista was busy leading the way and Caroline was her usual strictly business self who wasn't in the mood for gossip. The female fighter followed right behind the fighter/wizard.

So Janno was left to talk to the sisters. Mostly Elektra talked. She told Janno of how she and her sister grew up in an orphanage after their parents were killed by a bandit attack. It was a group of ravaging barbarian nomads who attacked their town in which they don't remember (so young were they). So with no real prospects, the pair grew up in an orphanage and eventually decided to become adventurers to acquire wealth. Elektra loved spells and Gloria followed her, though she was more protective.

Janno listened to the pair, with Elektra talking and Gloria chipping in now and then. They seemed like a nice pair, both friendly and supportive. Janno worried about their inexperience, but he figured he didn't have to worry about either one of the two trying to backstab him at some point.

Eventually, they got to within sight of Creekside as the sun was setting. As they were about to enter, everyone heard a noise from off the road nearby, just to the right-hand side. Quickly, Janno drew his sword, noting that Caroline did the same, as he turned to face where the noise came from.