Brie stood quickly, bow in the ready not knowing what to expect and standing firm and tall.  Or at least as tall as her small half-elf frame could muster.  She nay batted a lash as the others came about and her senses tingled with nervous delight at the sight of more elves.

Her eyes looked over at Myranda, who know her delight to find more elves and learn from them.  It was one of their many discussions back in her village.

In reply to Brestine Darksbane (msg # 314):

Following a short discussion with the Roller Myranda glanced about the elves who had come to greet them. Catching Bre's expression; giving her friend a conspiratorial wink; for she too was pleased to greet another Elfmaid. As the Elves brought forth the Provisions Myranda stood called for a moment of their time and gave a loud Prayer of thanks to the Sisters in thanks for their Gifts and Bounty.

  Ironwood Elves bring in more  firewood, and some  are walking through the groups of arrows and slaves to see if they need food or drink. Some of the people are given Tunics or cloaks as well.

  Mollen waves to the  largest of  the fires,..Come , sit ..you all rest this night. My people  will keep watch.

 Elsa sits  with Mollen as kree Motions for Arrows to come over if they wish,Elsa says,Lere said she saw the battle take place. She was  scouting the   mountainside for  stray slavers...She  said you left some alive?

 Mollen's  eyes  widen in mock surprise,

 Aye, We had little choice. We killed  a number of them in the Mountain..and some  thing that had... he makes  wiggling  motions with his figures in front of his face,..snake like things on its  face...There is a door  in there...it oozes the feeling of Evil, My holy warriors could feel it...

 he  takes  another drink and shrugs,I had  no way of knowing how many more are in there..but  we hit them rather hard...they lost alot of people, , three wagons...and  we saved these folks...good  days  work , by any measure...

In reply to camp (msg # 316):

It was pleasing for Myranda to sit with her Kinsfolk, allowing her to partake of their company. She enjoyed the sounds and smells of the Ironwood forest which brought memories of her own Forested Glen.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Wed 08 Apr 2015.

In reply to Jenna McKillian (msg # 312):

"Diana." She said, shaking the woman's hand.

She didn't give a last name, just plain "Diana".

Looking over her shoulder Jenna addresses Bailey, Stay here, I'll bring you some apples or something if they have any.  The horse nickers in agreement and proceeds to stand near the bedroll without moving around.

Jenna joins the group of people and gets some food, listening to the conversations around her and doing her best to be attentive to anything about Gnolls in the area.  She puts some fruit into her pockets to give to Bailey later.

Mira remains silent throughout the confrontation and quick conversation that followed. Knowing nothing of the area, and little of the people who inhabit it, she can be of no real help here. Kree seems to know and trust the elves of this wood, so Mira assumes they are rather safe under their watch. Silence is probably the best stance Mira can take, since she rapidly gets the impression of arrogance and exclusionism. These elves do not seem like pleasent people to her at all.

As their makeshift camp starts to settle, Mira rolls onto her side and clutches her bedroll about her. Sleep is not too far away after the vigorous activities of the day.

  I will leave  a few of  my People Here, Quickshadow. I will take a small unit  up towards that Mountain and see if anyhting is stirring...the  burning wagons, make for a Good marker... he  Smiles  as he  gives Kree  a slap on the back...calling out to a dozen Elves, they leave, at least 6 are still in the Camp, Handing out  food and feeding the fires.

  Kree Looks  around  then walks Of  to Mira, he Waves  Brie and Jenna over as well.

 as he  waits for them, he gives Isra a Glance to see if her and her LAdies  are doing well, it seems to be that they have settled  in after  the 'feast'.

   Sitting  on a Broken tree truck, Kree says  to the the He has  Gathered together...This...was sheer Luck on our part, Eta and Neta teaming  up, aiding us to save the people and  put , more then a few, slavers in the ground...

 We  must finish the Mission at had, and return the  Lady to the palace.....from there we shall retune to  the Razorhawk Village...unless we are handed some task of import.

 Looking at Jenna  he says,Mollen says there are a few packs of Gnolls  running about the area, My guess  is, they come to join up with the slavers..or perhaps..are being used to sniff out  good  places sfringes of  the BlackTimber....This  could be  the one you seek...but it is hard to tell with these creatures. Regardless....we  make for Ironmound in the Morning...

"Indeed. Let's get her back safe and sound."

Because rescuing princesses are what Knights did best!

At the mention of Gnolls, Jenna's attention hones in on Kree.  Did one of them have a scar across the left side of it's face, big red nasty thing?  Jenna's whole demeanor changes from easy going and uninterested to seeming like she is ready to jump on her horse and ride all night if necessary.  When and where were they last spotted?

  The elf  smiled  slightly as his eyes shifted to Jenna,..Mollen did not say. But  we have  heard rumors for the last month or so. The the  South and  west of  out forest is  a large Desert. The people and creatuyres that live there are.... he frowns,..independant. They are  just as likely to trade with Red Isle Halflings, Red Elves and slavers, as they are to trade with the empire. This Gnoll?, if the rumors are true....seems ti have  found a Niche...

Between discussing recent events with her kin and assisting the humans Myranda takes advantage of Krees decision to draw Mira, Bri and Jenna aside to converse, thus drawing others attention to him and affording he an opportunity to enquire about several of her cousins along with fellow brethren in the Ironwoods. Asking that her best wishes be related to each.

Once the Rescued had been fed Justin moved through the campsite to where the Princess and her ladies were and enquired about their comfort.

Brie had stayed on edge until most of the group, including the slaves and the Lady and her company felt safe and free to return to a semi-norm type of conversation.  

She'd felt much better when Myranda had given her a look of confirmation towards the Ironwood elves.  

Gathering towards Kree with the others, she'd crossed her arms but felt much better with him near.  She'd grown a bit timid towards newcomers since their departure.  Maybe it was still learning to be "who she was" versus what her mother had told her about "who she should be".  It was quite a robust mental conflict at times.

Having her new elven friends near, helped that greatly.  Having Kree near, definitely had her feeling at home with what she wanted to be.  She gave him a soft, subtle grin letting him know she would be okay.

Listening to the plan, she nodded and took a seat.  I agree.  Once we get them there, we can then review and adjust to what we need to do next.  Their safety is of utmost importance.  Especially with the younger slaves that we've just attained, they need to feel safe and a place they can feel at home before we go gallivanting around on other dangerous missions.

Jenna nods in understanding.  They are not close, nor accessible.  Her eyes grow hard and she looks around at the people camped about and says, I've given you my word and I'll keep it.  I'll help you get these people where they need to go, but I have to tell you, if we come anywhere close to these gnolls, I must go find them, word or no.

She knows this is not something that would make her father proud.  A mercenary's word is their bond as well as their reputation, and the reality was that if the opportunity came she would struggle to make the decision.  But Cracked-Fang was responsible for taking her father from her, and that hate burned brighter than any concern for her honor or reputation.

  With a Grin to Brie, Quickshadow listens to the others and says ,( see Map of Laynak )as he draws in the dirt,Right Now...we are here, Just a bit  north of trader's  rest. The Ironwood Elves will take the  people  to Here.....the  Bowshot Ferry on this   side of the storm river..

 He Looks around at some of the Ironwood elves as he continues,They would  be wise to stay at one of the Forts over  the next night...but that is thier call to make, Cat Folk still Hunt the Grasslands...

 Meanwhile, we travel back down the Furman's Chian to Olant. We will signal out  ship and return to Ironmound and Meet with the Emperor...At that point, our Mission will be done,..and we will be able to seek Bounties   or what not, We will stay one Night  in Ironmound, to see what is happening, then return to  the Black Timber...

 Turning to Jenna,..and see what the Village scouts  have on the Gnoll slvers..

As the humans fell to sleep sated by both food and warmth, Myranda sat with the her Elfkin glancing up at Elsa and nodding.

Rolf listens to Kree's words, his eyes growing hard at the mention of Catfolk hunting the Grasslands.  "Maybe we should ward them through the Grasslands."  Any who know Rolf can tell that while guarding the freed slaves is important, the chance of putting down Catfolk is even more important to him.

 With a  small smile at Rolf, he says,we shall not see the Graslands  for a while, My friend..the  Ironwood  elves will escort the people to  the forts, and the Bowshot Ferry....we will....be taking the Grasslands across  the otherside, when we leave Ironmound and retrun to the Village...

 the people fall into a tired, relaxed rest. who knows when the  last time they had a full meal, and slept with no fear?

  a few adults  slept  By themselves...some of them gathered  children around them. to ease  both  there sadness.

  One small Girl , about 6 sat by a fire, wrapped in a Blanket the  Elves  handed out. she looked  tired and overly sad.

  Elsa  turns to Myra, giving her a look of quiet distain,..How could you ever hope to be  as good an archer  as one of  the ironwood  elves.....


  Ivy, who is  walking through the Camp, his eyes  checking on the   people, his Bow in his hand, with a grin towards Myra as he passed Ivy says,..she is right  , Cousin...Its hard to miss so many targets, and still be allowed to carry a bow...

 Elsa Glares  at Ivy, but the fellow  just keeps walking, paying her no mind.

Brie looks over the maps drawn on the ground, the light of the fire creating eerie shadows upon it.

So the princess and her ladies in waiting first, then we hunt down the Catfolk? she asks just confirming what Kree had noted.  Are any of these new elves going to be joining with us after the girls and slavers are in safe keeping?

Brie wanted to know more about elves, Kree would know this, if not for mere conversation.  But for a much rooted deeper understanding of her elven background.  Above all, she was content being in a group, especially this one with elven cousins hosting the party.  She'd gotten to spend a bit of time with Myranda, but not much with Ivy.  He was still a bit perplexing, but still similar to Kree in some ways.

   Taking off his pack , he walks a bit away from the fire ,sets it down and tiredly drops to the Ground, using the pack  to support his  back and head.

 placing the  quiver and Bow in easy reach , Kree smiles  at Brie,....The  people will be guided to  Bowshot's  Ferry By the   Ironwood  Elves....we must go down through the Furman's Chain  and  get our ship back to Ironmound....

 we will check  Ironmound  to see if there is anything that needs done...then head to  the Village...while  we cross the  grasslands  we will see if  we can  cut down on Catfolks..if  we find any...

 This...would be a good chance  for you to ask these   elves  about thier people? he takes a deep swig from the bottle and offers it to Brie.

Brie followed and after visually confirming that her horse was safe and tied to a tree securely, let her own bag and pack fall on the ground near Kree's.  She took a seat and reclined back letting what their next journey would be sink in for a bit.  While it sounded all so tiring to some, it was not or her.  It gave her great pride in knowing she was helping others as well as learning more about part of her bloodline.  With every adventure, she felt even that much closer to being one with herself.

When he commented on her talking to this group, she smiled and took the bottle and a swig.  Mmm, she said taking another sip before handing it back to him.  Would be a good idea?  Who'd you suggest first?

Justin glances from the saddened child to Mira. Mistress Mira wouldst Thee be willing to assist One in such undertaking ast to lighten Yon youth's situation he enquired

Seeing that others were tending to the freed slaves, Jenna says her goodnights and returns to her bedroll.  Reaching into her pocket she produces three apples and feeds them to Bailey.  Afterward she takes the saddle and reigns from the horse, freeing her to rest easy tonight.  The horse whinnies her appreciation and finds a spot nearby Jenna's bedroll to stand and rest.

Jenna lays down and is about to fall asleep when a child approaches her, a young, dark-haired girl, face dirty from the road and clutching a ragged doll.  Jenna guessed her age at around five.  Can I sleep by you and your big horse tonight?  I really like horses.

Jenna sits up looking around for another adult that should be looking for this child.  Where are your parents child?  You should be with them, they'll worry.

The girl's dark eyes drop toward the grass and her voice is barely audible as she whispers, They're not here.  I was took a long way ago.  I ain't seen my mom or da for ages.  I just been with the other kids, but I saw you and how you talk to your horse and I..  The girl looks up, tears slowly rolling down her face, cutting through the road grit.  I just thought maybe I could sleep by the horse.

Jenna pulls her blanket back and motions for the girl to come share the blanket with her.  The little girl fairly bolts onto the bedroll and, as if Jenna was some long lost aunt she hadn't seen in years, snuggles up to her and hugs the doll.  Jenna smiles a bit, then drops the blanket over the two of them and rests her head on her pack.  Bailey drops her big head to both sniff the child and to receive a scratch under the chin from her and nickers her acceptance.

The warmth of the child under the blankets with her turns her mind to her father, how, as a girl, she used to do much the same as this child when the thunder would roll through the mountains around their home and she would be afraid.  Though her father would most times reek of ale and sweat she would always feel safe listening to his deep snore beside her.  The girl had already fallen asleep, and not long after, Jenna drifted off into her own fitful dreams.  Dreams of fire, battle and crack-fanged gnolls.