what do you guys think? Leaving seems like an insult and we may need to leverage him later. Why go in with a foe when we can travel with him as "allies"

Mainly just that it would let you get the lay of the figurative land before everything kicks off.  Caewin and his people have the furthest to come, so they'll be the last to arrive before the folk moot begins.

I probably should've made that clear in the narrative.

  is there a reason not to travel with him?  Leaves us time to send a message to Grimbeorn and get an answer back if one is required and provide more numbers for the journey.

Arbogast nods his agreement.  "Though the choosing is for the Woodmen alone, the Beornings are our kin and their words would not lightly be ignored.  We shall venture south," he says, the choice made by all.

"Grimbeorn should be told of what we have learned and of our purpose in going abroad, though we cannot expect his aid while so many other cares beset him.  There are those here in this hall, though, who would carry word to him were we to but ask it, and I doubt not that he would welcome an extra pair of hands as he rebuilds his hall." 

Turning to Esgalwen, he adds "Neither do I trust any gift from that man's hand, for the most precious of them will have lain long in deep-shadowed places.  I am thankful that he seems not long to remember what he has given, and to whom." 

"Then it only remains to make my excuses to the man," Hathcyn says.  With a thoughtful mien, he adds "He and his have already come a long way, and the greybeards among them will want to rest a day or two, I'm sure.  Nor can they travel faster than we, with most of them afoot.  If we leave with the morn, we'll have a fine head start on them.  No doubt there'll be a lot for us to do before the moot even begins!" 


As Hathcyn suggests, Tom, politeness demands that you say something to Caewin before you leave - you're his host, after all.  You can either a) tell him the truth about where you're going and why, b) lie about it (no roll necessary for the deception, though it'll count as a Misdeed) or c) dissemble and try to hide your true purpose with another Riddle roll. 

"And if a basket is overladen with stones how will one know the weight of one over another? The west vales are burnt, the old ford pillaged, the apiary of his father's knocked down. Grimbeorn did not give voice to his thoughts when the weight upon his shoulders was lesser, I doubt now he would be overflowing with words when these troubles are greater."

"What would he tell us that we dont already know? The moot is important and the Beornings should have an ear and maybe a voice to what happens."

"When will you see to Grimbeorn be appraised of these tidings, ill-seeming as they are?  Not lightly would recent events and this upcoming folk-meet lay upon his mind and he's likely to give voice to his thoughts," says Gwaithlim.

"Peace Ætheldreám, I said leader not King, and these are not my people. Firewatcher, Ingomer was first voice in council and had authority, but not rule over it. I suppose this Folk Moot will determine who shall take on that role, and Mogdred will claim it. Of that I have no doubt. Also, I do not say Caewin should have it, I say only that he could be our gateway to the moot a lever by which we may shape events. By oath and by desire I will thwart the Lord of Tyrant's Hill in this position. For now I say only that we head south with Caewin and attend this folk moot. Arbogast by birth, you as Emissary of the South, and I as Emissary of the Carrock. Our esteemed elves may travel at will and so none will refuse them. I do not believe this should be an event we do not engage in, and while I wont say it wont be dangerous at least this is something less lethal."

Esgalwen listened to Hathcyn and replied, "Since when has it been the way of the Men of the Vale to have a leader or king? Granted, each house has always relied on the wisdom an Elder council, but none have ever been named leader save for Beorn alone. And understand me, I am not necessarily opposed to such things - long have my people lived under the rule of King and Steward, but I worry here. I do not know the hearts of said candidate-kings, and I cannot counsel on the rightness of one choice. The problem of the Vale is that each clan has always had its sole interest at heart. Only since Ingomer has there been talk of a closer unity for your people - going back to the ancient days when Númenor still sat above the sea.

"That said, Hathcyn, beware the gifts given this day. I believe they have come from the trove of some long dead king or thane. Ceawin's man told me that by his order, the graves were despoiled and items taken... or maybe they were given? And if so, for what foul purpose?" She concluded, "I do not trust the heart and will of this Thane of Sunstead."

"I have marked some strangeness in the man, but what do his companions have to tell?"

Hathcyn listend to the others rely what they had learned and he commented on the "offness" of the man but guessed many thought themselves all off as well.

" I think he speaks true. He comes for the Folkmoot of the Woodmen and their choosing of a new leader. Would he not be a better candidate to the position than Mogdred? My first thought is for us to go and learn what we may between here and there. We all have some claim to be present at least and then we could judge who the contenders are and see how we could shape events. I believe the Brown Wizard will take an interest in this as matter as well."