Continue  with RP from here inside Tou

<<< from  Caravan road.....

  Kre sat make as he  Buttered some more bread,...and....this ...creature?..It is  safely  inside? or does  one have to not  have the Gem shatter?

 Ivy  nods  as  he drinks a bit More..the  serving  gril, in her  mid 20's or  so is hovering near him with  the Bottle....we  teand to make  people what to break us...it is a fair  question?

Orlin thinks. "A lot was lost over the centuries.  As far as I can tell, the only way to destroy the winged cat was to remove it's spirit to another place.  The stone is now it's body unless it borrows mine.  As a Shaman I can use it's spirit to give me it's form but that's a little rough as it likes to go for joy rides.  You'll never see me drink alchohol for that reason."

   "I Imagine if you could shatter the stone that would kill it but I'm not sure how it can be done.  The stone is nearly invulnerable."

   "He's a bit of a trickster though so I must grant permission for you to be able to understand him."

Lasfisual perks up a bit as Orlin starts talking about this stone that he has.  It was an interesting story.  I wonder, does it like having a stone body or if it found a way would it just assume move to another permanently?  The trickster comment concerned him just a little.

Brie had bathed up and redressed shortly after Kree.  She'd come down in a creamy white peasant shirt that cinches up with a tie shortly above her pants.  She wears a dark brown vest and tan colored pants and boots that ride up to her knees.  Tonight, she dolled up her hair in a long braid and then puts the crimson arrow as an ornament in her hair tying back part of her bangs with it.

Putting just one of her short swords in a waist sheath, she returns back to the table with the fellas and takes a place between Kree and Ivy.  She over hears the conversation about the staff and the spirit in the crystal.

She reached for the ale carraffe and pours some into one of the mugs that had been placed out.

I've done something similar, she said.  She looks to Kree and smiles.  It is an interesting story regarding how Kree and I met.

She pulls one of the charmed pendants hanging from her neck up for Orlin and Ivy to see.  It holds the essense of a blonde servant elf I helped a few years ago.  It didn't take her soul or spirit, but I can call upon her essense to portray her for a limited amount of time.  Definitely helped to gain tips from other elven sirs who came along to the tavern I worked in.

She tucked it back with the other necklaces that she wore.  One being the tiefling princess she saved. That kept tucked away quietly behind all the others.  Another, the arrow tip of Kree's sister who she talked with before she passed when they had been captured.

    "The details of the old one and my people are long and complex.  I don't even know them all but there is a place where they have been written down.  In the end he is my companion until I train someone to take him then we will travel together till I'm too old for it and the trainee becomes the master and travels on alone.  Most firbolg Shamans don't want to give up their ability to freely shape shift to wrestle with the critter, even if it means having the potential to shift into a flying cat the size of a horse."

  Seeing that everyone  was  around the Table  now , Kree  , perhaps a bit  too loud, he  waves  his  wine  glass  about asking  Ivy to  top it off...

 Well... we stand  to  make  a few stacks more  before this is over...That is why i wanted the Chests  Upstairs.... let them try  to  find them!

 then He goes   off on a story, about his  travel to Brie's Lands..and the few  folks who were brave  enough to fight beside him...and others  who worried  more, of coin, then whittling  away the dark folks of the world.

 The waitresses had  retired to the Kitchen, it was Getting late, and they wanted to get the cleaning  down. The owner  went  down into the Cellar to start setting up fresh barrels  of  Ale  and casks of wine

 Kree voice  dropped in Volume, as it  did in slurred speech,...there are two  chests....i want  them in differant  rooms.... if there is going to be a Move  made, by whomever  tried to steal the chests....it will be tonight...before  we have had a chance to  'sleep off' or  road  drink.

 getting a  slice of Bread, he  uses gravel for ink, from his stew,the Whole upper  floor   has the rooms  on the outside walls... there is  a  door  on the  north wall that leads out the back and  down  ladders....and these  two stairs, reach up to the third floor  as well...The Middle is wide open...i should thing, so  they can sell space  during festivals , for  folk to  sleep on the floor....I don't want to know where the chests  are....In the Morning  we will take those chests for a little walk...but tonight...be  ready....

 he   dabs the bread into the Bowl and its it.then begins to pick up dirt bowls  and Mugs to take back to the kitchen to save  the  waitresses some work...he makes a  few trips  back with near empty pots,  finally says,...i am done...Brie..My door is open, should you wish...  The  Owner watches  him go up the stairs  and shakes his head.

  Orlin watches their leader leave.  The staff murmers something. "Of course you would approve.  You haven't had this much fun since I'd known you."  He turns to the others. Tell you what.  They won't be haven any beds here big enough for me so I'll roll out my bed roll in any place a sneak will trip over me in the dark.  You just tell me where."

Brie nods as Kree comments about his door being open.  Once out of his ear shot range, she looks to the others.  Ivy, you need rest, she said.  Whether it is with a bar wench or not.  You need to sleep it off.

She looks to the others.  I'll take the first few hours watching one of the chests.  I'll stay up stairs with one of the chests.  Orlin and another take a chest to your room.  Another person stand guard at the opposite entry.  If you want to double up to prevent from falling asleep, so be it.  Who else wants watch?

Riku gets a nod that she'll double up with Brie. She's not sleepy yet.

In reply to Brestine Darksbane (msg # 9):

"I'll take next watch." Diana says.

"Wake when it is my turn."  She added.

With that she went upstairs to catch some shut eye before her watch.

I can take a watch with someone who needs a partner.  First or second it matters little to me.  Lafisual waits to see how the various watches fall out.

Brie nods as Riku heads to the chests in their original location.  She looks between Laf and Diane.  You guys take the 2nd, morning shift in place of myself and Riku, she said. Rolf and Lucy can take the watch after Orlin and whomever he's in that room with.

Once everyone had a chance to get comfortable, Brie headed to the chest where Riku was waiting.

If you need to rest or meditate any feel free, I'll wake you if anything feels out of the ordinary.

Riku shook her head and sat above her watching from that angle.  If she could see any thing outside of this room, she'd watch from there and the door way.

Orlin nods Good with me

Makes sense to me.  With that, Lafisual heads up to meditate before it's time for his watch.

Orlin takes a chest up to a room, doesn't matter which one.  As his partner settles in for the night, he pulls out his leather breaches that had been drying by the fire and uses his brush to start reconditioning it and removing what dry mud remained.  He keeps a small candle burning to see yet not keep his bunk mate awake but sits with his back to the door in the strongest human sized chair he could find.  He'd have to look into the shirt latter.

  Kree  moved slowly  through the Uppper  floor, he   checked to see if  the 'back door' that lead to the  small  elevated porch, and down to the back of the  Inn was   unlocked. Then   slipped into   his  room.

  The Clock down in the Common  room could be  ...just barely..heard  as  the little  ship on its 'route' , would  swing past the hour  mark.

 One would think, when there are people downstairs, you could not hear it  at all... The rain had  lessened as it  the time passed, mid of night...there  seemed to be  an overly quiet , settle   around the upper  floor...

   Garrat worked on brushing the dried mud off his bracers, thank goodness he hadn't been wearing his mittens when he had gotten into that bog or he would have never gotten them clean, not that he'd have use for them down here.  Perhaps he could sell them though these lowlanders were so small he had no idea what they could be used for...he suppresses a snicker, perhaps even swaddling cloths for a newborn.

   All firbolgs were half woodsmen and had an ear for outside sounds, but this creaky old Inn settled so much couldn't seperate the sounds he needed to be hearing from the ones he didn't.  Garrat pulled his heavy cloak around him.  It was like wearing a sleeping roll down here, and if someone tried to punch a bolt through the door he was leaning on it should be thick enough to keep him alive.

   The Lamasa whispers.  "This really is better, why don't your people come down here more often?"

   Garrat speaks quietly, almost like a mumbled lullaby under his breath.  "This is a place of greed Lamar. I know your kitty like thoughts have trouble understanding humanoids as more than ants to play with, but people down here are greedy for power over their lives. Whether that is money or control of other people, it all comes down to effecting the world around them, and when they bite off more than the can chew, it becomes evil in their mouths.  The Firbolg love, live and stay one with nature.  We embody what few good traits our giant ancestors have, a harmony with the non living world born of our power to shape it just enough to be comfortable.  We may not be the mor social people but the highlands are at peace because welove our world.  You would have been destroyed if we didn't recognize you as part of it."

    The   night was  quiet.  There  were some murmurs coming from  rooms below them, as those who stayed in those  rooms  talked   and...otherwise...entertained themselves.

  On the Top  Floor  ,  The Arrows  waited...resting..or watching.. it was closing in on 3:00 in the morning...when the  first footfall was heard.

  it had  come through the  back  entrance..the brief gust of fresh air , heralding the opening, and closing of the Door.

As the team had gone to the rooms around midnight, Orlin was still calming his nerves.  It had been a long day.  He had been slipped some alcohol at a village celebration and the beast had taken control.  How long ago had that been?  He didn't know, all he knew was that he woke up here in this area who knows how far from home.  His charge had set a fire, hunted some game  and laid him down in a cave, an unusually sentimental action for the creature.  There was much to learn and do and he wasn't sleeping anytime soon.

  The sound of the footfalls reached his ears, and he paused in his brushing to draw his sax and his digging knife, then waited.

  The night creeps  along slowly...

   peopel hear sounds. But  see no  people. when the  3rd watch starts... the back door flies open, and the  wet  wind  blows into the  upper floor....

Well Diana, this might be what we are waiting for. Lafisual speaks quietly.  But lets not look outside.  I imagine that should have awoken some folks so lets hope they don't know where this is exactly. Lafisual nods to the chest and readies his bow.

Orlin keeps his chair to the door and waits quietly.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 21):

"Aye." Diana said.

She readied her blade.

She snuffed out any candles that might have been going.  Giving the idea that someone was going to bed.

She listened intently for any footballs in the hallway.  She signaled Laf to check the window, and see what he could see.  In the darkness, it would be easier to see outside, and not be seen at the window.

  the   door  was moving as the  wind  and  rain blew in... between those sounds.. a footfall or two  could be heard...or was that the wind  creaking  the timbers of the Inn...

  There was  some soft murmurs coming  from Ivy's room.. other then that..the only sounds where those of the door, wind   and rain..and..creaking.

Lafisual glances out the window to see if he can see anything per Diana's suggestion.  Not sure what those sounds from Ivy mean.  It doesn't sound ominous.  It would seem others must have been stirred by the noise so I imagine most folks are waiting like we are, Lafisual whispers.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 25):

Diana slip the door open, just a crack, so she can seen down the hall, and if anyone is coming.

 Diana ( and  anyone  else who might be taking a peek)..

  Doesn't   see too much... the  'wagon wheel'  Lanterns   have only 2 lights on the first wheel, and one on the second ( closest to the  door )

 they swing a bit  in the wind...there  seems to be  wet  spots,  every som often, and they appear to  spread out  from the open door.

 elsewise..there is not much else  you can see, looking out through a sliver

Brie closed her eyes and tried to see if she could feel any one around, other than their own group.  If she didn't feel anything, she went to find Riku to nudge her awake.

The small female shook startled at being awoken and without daylight.

Brie motioned for her to sneak out the window and go around another entrance to see who else might be here that look ominous or suspicious.  She quietly stepped to the window and opened it, just as quietly to let the other female out.

Riku fluttered out, still trying to wake up and maneuvered her way around to see if she could see who was first on the first level, where breakfast should be started.  Then would work her way around.

Brie grabbed one of her swords and readied herself with her back to the back of the door.

Orlin still sits quietly, listening, waiting.

He quietly wedges the thick digging knife under his door to keep it from opening.

  the creaking of the  wagon wheel lights was becoming   rhythmic , the   wind was showing   a ebb and  flow as gusts of  wind, and  splatters of rain  would push its  way through the door.

  there is  a slow  truning of Rolf's  door handle...

  At the same time..Brie's door is  pushed  slowly in, as it was not closed.....

Brie holds her breathe as her door was slowly opened.  She closed her eyes for a brief moment to focus.  She used the shadow of the person coming in that landed on the floor as a gauge to how tall and burly they are.

If they don't speak, she's going to crouch down and give them an upper cut with a sword that they've never seen.  If they do, she'll give them a moment to see if the voice is recognizable.  She'll also take the moment that she closes her eyes to focus on sensing if the smell is one of her own group or not.

  t the door does not open too wide..maybe  10 inches?... there are shadows  moving about , as the    wagon wheels with their   ...limited...lights cast as they swing.

   It does not look, like anyone  is  there... but the door is Open..and stops...odd...considering the    breeze...

Brie didnt see a shadow and that definitely was not a good sign.  She looked thru the small strip of the doorway to look and if she could see anything.

If she does she's going to visually watch who or what is in the hallway being elusive.

If not she's going to duck and roll into the door until she slams it shut hopefully alerting the others in their rooms when a loud thud is heard.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Tue 21 Feb 2017.

Diana was confused at first.  What she was seeing made no sense.  There were "wet spots" and yet no shadow nothing moving.  Slowly it dawned on her that whoever was out there was invisible.

She took a dagger and wedged it under the door, jamming it shut.  Or, so she hoped.

She quietly close the door, so as not to alert anyone.  She moved quickly and quietly to where Laf was.

"Laf, wake up." She whispered.

"We have intruders.  I don't know how many, but they are invisible." she whispered.

Sorry, was concentrating on the window, but I wasn't asleep.  He winks at her. He nods in understanding as he readies his bow and moves to a location that isn't near the window or the door.

 Rolf  readied his weapon, but the   door handle stopped moving..there was a scratch on the door... then quiet..

  Brie's door opened wider... she could see some  water  drip on the floor, a step or two into the room.

There has been nothing to encourage Orlin to take action other than possible murmurs from other rooms.

Rolf quietly gets out of the bed and moves to the door.  He has his dagger in his left hand, his right on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at need.  Moving quietly to the door, he moves the door ever so slightly to peer out.  Should he see nothing, he'll move the door wider open, take a more obvious look about.

  The door  handle to Rolfs  room stops its  slow  Movement. But the time he reaches the  door, and opens it  he only see the images of the open  door, swing Lights  and  rain blowing into the open area between the   rooms.

   As those, who  open their  doors   Take a Peek, the  end door  on the  Right side of the  floor opens, Kree stpes out with His  Bow  and says,...You may all stop there...show yourselves to my friends... and you may yet  live.


 There is a snicker  or two from the Middle of the Floor area...a Melodious , yet HArsh voice  speaks  something.

  Kree turns  smoothly  and lets  an arrow  Fly, just as smooth  he  has  another Arrow  nocked  and  aimed back at the center of the room..

 The arrow  struck something it Falls  with a slight  scream... a dark red  pool of  Blood begins to grow, out lining  the  side of a Body that was  hit..the  body  squirms..the arrow   east to see wiggling about.

 ...You Red  Abominations..need to stay in your lands.. now show yourselves to my people... or  none of you will leave this building alive...if you drop your weapons.. I may even allow you to take that fool on the floor  with you...

When Kree steps out and Brie hears him speak, she looks down at the drops of water to determine the stance of the fellow and about how tall he was.

She used that brief moment of the arrow being knocked back and the man falli g to the floor to take hold of her sword in the correct form to slice across a knee or ankle if the fella ended up being taller than her estimations.  He was going to be in pain, to say the least.

 Her    swing is rewarded  with the  solid  'thunk'  and a High pitched  scream...  her  blade seems  stuck Reddish Blood    beings  to  flow over the 'struggling blade"

............

"I saw water dripping on the floor." She whispers to Laf.

"When I open the door, you aim high, I'll aim low." She whispered.

Diana nodded to Laf, her bow notched and ready.

In a two second period, she threw the door, open, and drew and fired her bow at whatever was dripping water in the hallway.

Lucy had been taking what could only be called a cat nap.  While she rested, she as also alert for sounds and smells around her.

She had left the window to her room cracked just a bit, to let the smells from the outside in.

She smelled them long before she heard them.

it took her a minute to shake off the sleepiness she had, and draw her bow and notch an arrow.

Slowly, she opened her door a peak, seeing the dripping of water, and no bodies.  At first, she didn't know what to make of it.  It made no sense.  Then, it dawned on her what was going on.

She replaced her bow, with her blade.  She looked for the closest "dripping water" and prepared to "pounce" on it.

She replaced her sword with a dagger, as it would be better for such close quarters work.

Then, there was the distraction in the hallway.  Kree stepped from his room and fired the arrow that hit ... something.

Her target was still in front of her.  She used the distraction to pounce, stabbing the dagger deep into whatever was there.  Then she used her claws to rip and tear at whatever was there.

In reply to Brie (msg # 42):

Brie scrambled to adjust her footing to take the man down if it called for it.

She looked down at the floor and if there was enough dust she'd pull the blanket from off the bed to create a dusty breeze to uncover the invisible men.

Lafisual nods, readies his bow, and then fires at the appropriate time.

At the noise of combat, Orlin sets his gear asid, clears the floor, and waits patiently with his back to the chest. His task is to guard the chest, the others can engage in combat.  He doesn't remove the wedged blade but keeps an eye on it in case something tries to remove it.

   "What do you think?"  He asks the staff.

  Orlin  heard the  sounds  and the  brief  talking..the screams of the surprised..'ambush' folks..

  the staff mumbled,...magic..of sometype.... The elf surprised them..as did the others....

........

   Brie is disappointed , it appears  The Mast is very well taken care of...  there is  blood outlining what appears to be, a right thigh..

... its  is backing away, as a Hand takes shape in the form of blood  as it grabs at the wound.

............

 Laf  and Diana  sent  shafts through the Door  way... Di's go high ( or misses   from one  side or the other)  and   hit the far  wall, next to a door.

  Laf's   Hits  something  Lower, another  surprised  scream as the shaft appears to waggle in mid air  as blood  drips  down  another leg

...........

 Lucy Leaps out from her door  she  almost misses, but her claw  digs into a shoulder and the  two go down on the  floor... an odd  sight as the  half-catfolk  rolls about  on the floor.

.............

  the  being that  Kree  Hit  had   crawled to the wall on Kree's  side.. a Hand Crossbow was left on the floor and the   shaft appeared to 'loose its  middle'.. as  the being gripped it...

 ..I would leave the Shaft in, if i were you.... Razorhawk arrows are designed to  do more damage  coming out, then going in...

  Then  he holds the bow up and draws it back,..I should think you would  want to take me up, on my offer now...

 ..you cannot see us.. you are guessing....You cannot  even tell what weapons are beign aimed at you!

 ...am I?... or is it, that i do not care?...regardless... you will not be  leaving here tonight, should i fall....maybe..even if i do not...? How much love  of the Sisters do you have..that you will roll the dice?

Brie sees the hand being coated in blood and then aims for the wrist of said hand in a swift blow.  She uses the next motion to take out the next thigh to ankle.

  Hmmm, sounds like invisibility spells.  If I open the door I have a chance of getting distracted so an unseen can slip in and pop our chest in a bag of holding before teleporting out.  I hope our new friends don't think me the coward for staying put."

Riku had fluttered around and was about to head back when she ran into what appeared to be a small spring shower on the way back to the rooms.

That's not right, she muttered to herself.  She did a detect evil and had to do a double take at what she saw.  Nearly second guessing herself, she procured her darts and bow and aimed at what appeared to be the two separate rain showers in an attempt to put it or them asleep.

Lafisual readies another arrow and tries to hit the same target he hit before unless it's clear they are going to surrender immediately.

Diana readies another arrow, firing this time to the right of where Laf fired his first arrow.

She figured that there must be multiple invisible targets. She left the one Laf had fired at to him to take care of.

Lucy stabs out with her dagger, and continues to rip and tear with her claws.  She will also even revert to her feline side and bite out at any flesh she can find.

    The scene is odd...  people rolling  about..body parts outlined in their own Blood.. and elf  with a drawn bow  aiming at the  , mostly empty floor.

 and the door  hanging open as  rain and  wind  blow  the  flickering lights  about.


  The  is a Thump at the Door, something is  lying is the door  as water pours over it, helping outline , a body with a dart stuck in its'lower back'?

 There   is another  dart that sticks in the door  frame... splashes  can be seen as  something  almost trips over the 'body'..Riku hovers out in the rain...

 Lucy... she  stabs, and  feels  the satisfactions of  warm Blood  and the gush of hot  air from an Open mouth..the breath..reeks of   burnt stone.. the Body  stops   fighting  as she  Bites into where  she  figures a neck would be..

 both  fall to the  floor..again, the blood betray's the body's  spot on the Floor.

  Diana... fires into the    Room. this time... the arrow hits  some    that would be about the  shoulder  Height of Luthien. the  arrow  is blocked  as  it seem to spin slowly around...

  Laf's  Arrow  follows  his first.. and  whomever..whatever he  hit.. falls  to the  floor..a brackish Blade appears  , not far from  the two arros  and the  legs that are   being'colored in' by the flowing blood.

 Brie's  Blade  lashes  out out, the  Hand..comes off... visible, only by the pouring of the blood..., the person screams  and  shouts in  a lilting, yet harsh  voice...  Rolf  and Luthien  wait   as they watch..

  The Voice  says,..ENOUGH.... we made a mistake.... allow us to leave as you said and...

 Kree Lets his arrow  fly, as the voice  talks.. it ends the sentence  with a gasp.. a hand becomes  slowly visible, as the others....ahhhh... well... you did not  take it when first offered, and ...like the merchants you deal with, prices   rise and fall, as need  becomes apparent... I always hated that....seeing   poor villagers pool their coppers together to buy one decent  axe, when folks like that could sell 5 of them?

 He  walks  Over Pointing to the body that now laid  quiet against the wall, Kree's  arrow being held  in a blood red  hand, that was still.....once more..some one failed to  listen to my wisdom...good thing, it was just a pile of Offal from the Red Lands?

 there are several grunts,  , Kree's Blade flashes  from its sheath.... there are at least 2 of you with no wounds.. those  that are wounded will die   soon, should you not make yourselves  appear..if you do not,,we will not aid you...

 The  Voice   that Kree has  hit with his shaft shouts  something in the odd  language .. there are sounds of  popping  caps, and drinks... people  become Visible...the bodies as well.... please....

 Kree looked down at the  fellow on the  ground, an older Red Elf..dark red skin...pale pink eyes...black hair .. he holds the shaft that kree  lodged in his side.  Kree  smiled at the arrow, he waved his blade by the elf,..This, My friend... is why i follow both the Ladies of luck... with them on either shoulder, i may take chances, none other  would...

  there were   three  dead  bodies... three wounded.. and one 'sleeping' tow  healthy   people stood.. one of the Dead  was a red Elf that Lucy killed.. as was the   one against the wall, who pulled out Kree's  arrow.

 weapons belts  dropped to the ground, as kree looked over those on their  feet, then looked back down,...your Name?

 Vizal......

  Kree nodded,...you know? Vizel...had you but took a ride out the road, you could have seen what happened  to Your Cousins...

   As if On Cue, a Bare chest Ivy stepped from his room, his Blade in his hand ..he went to the nearest  person..a  human who had no wounds, and Drove his Blade through the fellow...

  everyone the   attackers looked at Ivy whos teeth were gritted in anger... The others looked around...

 ...you said..you would  aid us/... You would allow us to leave..

 Kree looked coldly at Vizal,..you came...en force with weapons  ready and magics used... you were goign to kill us in our sleep, and steal from us?

  The other  prisoners   began to  pull closer to each other..looking at all the Arrows  around them.

 ...and?..Like your merchant friends.. you accepted  my deal, with out listening, to what i said, because you needed my good's  too badly?

 ..you said you would aid....

 ..nay, red one... i said we would not aid you, if you did not appear...i never said we would aid you..if you did...

 Vizal's eyes grew wide... there were Gasps, Clan Razorhawk's Motto..as well as that of the Crimson Arrows. Never leave a live Enemy behind You...

  Kree's  blade slashed  across Vizals throat.. the other  began to panic... Finish them... it is  time they reaped thier payment, for  crossing the Arrows....

  the Human's  tried to beg for mercy  as the Arrows  closed in............

Brie had stood and finished off what was left that no one laid claim to.

Riku flutters in drenched.  Last time I go scope out the scene for you, elf.  She waggled her finger at Brie.

Brie looked up at the small fierce finger pointed at her.  Nay, you'll still do it.  Merely due to loyalties to Him.  She nods her head back in Kree's direction.

The sprite sputtered a hmph and went to her room.

Brie looked to Kree and shrugged with a smirk.

Lafisual, looking over his handiwork and seeing the situation well in hand, moves back to the chest and takes stock of the room once again just to ensure there isn't some other unseen threat.  He draws his blade since in the case that he did find something or someone it would probably require some hand to hand action.

Orlin listens to the conversation and decides things are mostly well in hand.  He pulls the digging knife and opens his door keeping his body in it so he could feel someone trying to sneak past.  He simply watches the situation learning about these lowlanders.

Lucy rises, as she feels the body beneath her go soft, blood flowing from the neck wound.

For a moment, she feels shame.  She had reverted to her animal side, biting the neck of the enemy.

But that shame soon passed.  She watched the hallway,  Watching as bodies became visible, as the intruders were either wounded or died.  She could smell the blood in the air.  It was ... most ... satisfying.

Seeing things well in hand, she retreated back into her room.  She needed to wash up before presenting herself again.

Diana watched in surprise as the  arrow  is blocked  as  it seem to spin slowly around...

She was surprised.

She altered her stance, shifting from where she stood, to a new position, a foot away.

She rapidly, drew and fired another arrow, this time lower, more like a mid section, to an upper thigh.

 As the  People  became visible, Diana saw a bigger human who had her  arro  stuck in his back, he was  facing her   now. A look of  pain and angry, but he dropped  his weapons belt, and the  blade he carried in his  hand.

 Brie, Ivy  Kree Moved on the remainer. swift kills, mercy, without mercy. 8 bodies.. 3 for the Red Elves, the rest humans were Now  dead.

 ..Some one close that door and bar it... we're the only ones who have thios  floor, so we do not need the  door unbarred...

 Wiping the Blade on the dead leaders   tunic, he began to search the Body..Ivy?...send your  friend down to the owner..tell him we have bodies to be removed.

 The blue eyed  elf  waved the wench to get dressed and go down, she hurried along, almost passing out at the sight of Red Elves...

 As he  searched, Kree said to no one in particular,...we will be safe, at elast until  morning...whom ever  has the chests. lock your  doors..bar them  if needs be, But i do not see anyone else wishing to die this night...

Brie looked between everyone.  "Myself, Orlin, and Riku will man the chest in his room.  Lucy, Lafisual, and Diane the other.  Let's not have them near each other in an attempt to fool...the fool."

"Choose your room wisely." she took off towards the room where orlin was at.

Lafisual secures the room, finds something to block off the window and once the others are in the room, they can secure the door and figure out shifts the rest of the night.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 63):

"I will keep first watch." Lucy said.

She had moved to bard the back door, where the dumbasses had come.  When Kree said there would be no more excitement for tonight, she was kind of disappointed.

"Let them come." She said with a toothy grin.

She wiped her dagger on the body of the dead human she had killed.

Inside the room, she washed her claws clean of blood.  It would have been easier to lick them clean, but at the moment she felt embarrassed about doing that.  So, the water in the wash basic became bloody rather quickly.  She also washed her face clean as well.

Diana was relieved as she watched the man slowly fall to the floor, dead.  She searched his body for anything of value, not expecting to find much.

In the room, she helped secure the door, when Lucy had returned.  She watched the feline-Elf closely.  She was still amazed by her friend.  The lengths she went to to avoid her feline nature.

"We should be good for tonight, Like Kree said." She said.  "I'll take second watch.  Wake me in two hours." She said.

With that, she found a small space on the bed, just enough to get comfortable, and slowly faded off to sleep.

 Lucy, Diana and Brie Find a total of 8 swords... one of them is a wicked looking, jagged edge Red Elf  Blade... there are 8 daggers

 8 Pouches of  coin.

 Kree and  Ivy add to the Pile  with  two red elf Blades and daggers, as well as their pouches.

 From the Leader, Key pulled something from the red elf's  tunic.... when he hears the 2 owners  coming up the stairs He hisses  to Brie... and  Tosses her a 3 inch long, tube-like  container made of Whale Bone and  capped  with a copper  cap.

 The   Owners   look on in Horror.What have you done!

 The younger one  starts  fussing over the carpets ( blood and rain water...)

 ..Our sleep was disturbed....we tend to...frown..on that

 His voice was edgy as the older fellow  nodded,..what..happens now?

 Kree walks over to the  pile of  weapons, he picks  up 6 regular Blades, and 6 daggers.. he shoves them into the  younger owners Hands...

 He takes 2 pouches  and   hands them to the owners...Well? I should thyink yuou will call the guard to take away the bodies.... the blades and  the Pouches  should cover any cleaning costs?..though i do not know how much coin is in each one..it is more then you would have  received from them, had they managed to  kill us....

 The remaining 8 pouches he gives to the others, ( other then him and Ivy)...Make sure  Orlin, Rolf  and Luthien get a pouch....  The   Older owner sends the  half dressed  Girl to get the guards.. the younger  fellow  is  trying not to kill himself  with the armload of blades.

 ..thier  armor is light..leathers  for the most part... you might  be able to get coin for them as well...or..let the guard have the armor....
  He motions  for everyone to go back to their  rooms. and let the owners worry about the rest.

Brie grabs and tucks what Kree tosses her way and darts into the room.  She hidesnit under one of the blankets.

She tosses the smallest bag of coin to Riku who had been resting in the windowsill.  Riku looks at it mildly amused but grins looking in it then tucking it under her for a pillow.

Brie gets on the bed and let's the others filter through the gear.  She'll be content with what she gets.

Lafisual finds a place to lie down after a final check.  Feel free to wake me after that or if something comes up and either of you need a break.  With that he drifts off into his meditative rest.

  Through the night, there is a bit more noise,,as the owners  have   the town guard come in., between the   coin given them and the fact that Red Elves  died in their Inn, the owners did not make too much a fuss, and the Guards  were  not willing to bother  folks  who had  just wiped out a group led by the   Evil red ones.

  After that, the night was  quiet. Ivy Hammered a spike  into the top and Bottom of the back door, and folks   could sleep well. if they took the chance.

  around  8:00 in the morning,  noise was on the  floor  again as   laborers were hired to  put out the rug and scrub down the floor...

  Kree Whistled   and  called out,Morning Fest!.... bring all your  belongings  with you!

Orlin manages to get some sleep, then gets his gear together and carries the chest down to breakfast where he carefully uses it as a seat.

Lafisual get up, takes a quick peek out the window, and then the door to confirm that it's just inn workers and nothing to be concerned about.  Once the ladies seem ready to move they can escort the chest downstairs and get something to eat.

  sitting down at the Table, the  people of the Mast served them  with a bit more  respect ( fear?)

    Kree smiled at the waitresses and nodded  thanks  each time they brought  some food to the table, or poured a drink.

  He was already on his second cup of caffe . When they had  space to eat, he said , with out preamble,..when we are done here, we are going to the The Wizard's Guild to sell the goods  in the chests.... I understand, the goods  are...somewhat frowned  upon..but, they have been collected  and processed, we may as well cash in...

  Looking over the rest of the  group he says,..i know what you are thinking...but.. we  did not break our  contract.... the contract was  to get the goods and the merchant to Tou...and we did..now? its  time to earn some coin, for being  lied to.

   Orlin looks thoughtfully between bites.  "In short your policy is deal straight with us or winner takes all?"

Lafisual raises an eyebrow more with passive interest than anything else not being so worried about the money.  As much as anything his expression displays his curiosity and the realization that he's only just beginning to understand how things work in this world.

"There is little room for lies. Particularly in a company that includes those devoted to the truth."

Luthien doesn't have sympathy for the guy.

  The  elf munches a bit on batter cake, that had  some syrup on. He smiles , just a bit as Orlin speaks, then replies,

  ..Most merchant folk, can't be trusted past thier coffers. If you do somehtign to save, or make them money, they will reward you...slightly. Otherwise you get paid..what you were agreed..either   it be wages, or a contract.

 stopping  for a brief  moment as the serving Girl Ivy had with him, yersternight repladed the cream  with a new pitcher, as well as the Caffe. Once she was gone,

 ...Arrows have been know to reject contracts that were outside the law, if it involved slaves and the like. More often then not, Mercs will take  a contract like this, and not blink an eye...the Arrows are no exception.

 he jams his  fork into  a slice of batter cake, perhaps a bit too hard,...but?... This.... they never brought up the drug....since  it was part of thier cargo..they were ...by word of contract..able to  make us help get it , were it was going.

 ..two ambushes on the road, with Red Elves leading both groups? Well... that turns the page a bit, so we can see what might be something a big bigger....

 The fact that Red Elves are even running about the lands.... is not a good thing, there is a 10 gold piece bounty on each head you bring into a guard post? and with times as they are..10 Gold, is not a bad wage... ivy grins.

 ..Dealing, with  Red Elves can get you ..anywhere..from a simple removal of a limb... to a ride up the Storm river, on the outside of the hull...depending on whether you gave them aid, or flat out worked with them....

 I can't  prove anything, about the head  wagoneer..nor the company itself...but neither  can they prove the Engar White is theirs...since it was not on the Manifest, and  should have been seized in  Ironmound...

 ..so?  to sum this  up..If you aid  enemies of the  Ironmound Empire...and you deal with something that is...at very least...unlawful... you are going to get burned...

 then he holds up his finger to add,For our part, as Arrows, We cannot prove either thing...from thier part, they cannot prove  they 2 chests are thiers, without bringing the guard down on them...and?... the guards in Ironmound will be lessed then pleased that someone bribed their people..

 ..so?.. the ledger  will show... The Arrows defended the  merchants and their goods as per contract... he then adds,..when we go to the Wizard's Guild, we state merely, the chests  are salvage from  our  contract...not any differant, they any weapons or coins we collected along the way...The Wizards will pay for the goods, because they have a habit of getting goods, most folks won't even try to get..and the Engar  White will  be used by them, in helping  thier   people when experiments go wrong, or handing  it out  to adventure folks , who take Contracts from them.. it is not the perfect end...but its the end, that keeps it from going where  the merchants had promised...while we still make some coin, and elevate  the Company's status...

Orlin nods.  He doesn't say much.  Words are for what you know and he doesn't know enough of the lowlands.

  Kree   is near then end of his Morningfest, he asks  the  waitress for  2 fresh loves a bread to be brought to him as well....wrapped in table towels.

  As he  sits  back, enjoying   his third  cup of Cafee, ,.. we will leave, once  everyone is finished, there is no hurry, we will be going to Razorhawk Village, I am most certain, we will find  some work there...as well...

  Anyone   getting information from the ledger, will assume  we are staying another  night. We will go to the  Wizard's Guild, then leave by the far gate. Sadly. my people do not get as much merchant traffic as we should, most of out trade comes from the dark skinned  desert folks, and those who come up the road from the coast...

 Taking another   sip, he adds,...but there is always something  going on in that area of the lands....

   "You'll need your best barter for the goods at hand.  It sounds as if that isn't usually you.  I'm not the best nor do I know the merchandise so I'm not a good bet."

Rolf had managed to survive the nights bloodletting and had been out early, looking to for tracks or signs of where the attackers might hailed from.  He came in late while the others were eating.  As one who always travels light, Rolf had already gathered up all of his gear for his outing.

Coming in, he takes whatever seat is available.  He eats a modest breakfast, some fruit, cheese, a bowl of porridge and water.

"I found out little enough of our visitors.  They covered their tracks well."

  Kree nods to Rolf,..you would be well, blessed by the gods of the Hunt , if you could find decent tracks  after that rain. And, the fact the  Red Elves where in charge... They have a way to enhance most potions... I am thinking, that's why they want the Engar White, so they can make it even more effective  for their  troops or agents in the  lands..

 Looking at Orlin,..most times.. things  like this would be sold to the potion shop, in town... they will pay well for ...how shoudl we say this...'hard to get' items..but they will not pay as much as the Wizards.

That might be a challenge for both of us. Also if we do find at least a trace, maybe a few of the animals in the area could tell us something...perhaps. Lafisual shrugs musing about that a bit.

  After a bit, The waitress beings the  two loaves  of bread out, wrapped in towels ,  Kree  reaches into his tunic  for the purse he uses  to cover  the unit's  costs.

 he counts out a few gold   our Room and board  was paid for up front. This   is  for your and the other ladies  for your service...thank you.

 Her mouth hangs open as she nods her head in thanks, hustling off to the Kitchen.

 Kree tosses one loaf to Ivy who catches it,storing it in his pack, As Kree is doing the same. The Elf also takes  a 3/4 bottle of wine from the table.

 Well , my friends.... lets cash in those chests, shall we... we got a day or so's  walk to The Black Timber.

Orlin puts on the satchel he packed up that morning and tucks his Otter skin medicine bag into his belt with the staff, that seems somehow shorter...or maybe not.  Orlin lifts the chest and follows where he is led.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:35, Mon 20 Mar 2017.

  With the sun about a hand  high in the sky, the city looks bigger.. steam rises  from the puddles  and shut, most of the streets  are  stone or cobbles of  smaller  stones... side streets are a bit muddy...

 Some of the poorer  folks  formed   street cleaner groups  that  sweep away the Mud... Prisoners, either  captured from ship battles, or brought in my guards or Mercs.. are forced to clean the side streets.

 The Wizard guild isn't hard to  find. It downed Tower, several stories higher the most buildings in the town.. the sun making the metal on the  dome shine.

 Pointing to the  Dome, Kree says,..That is where we are going, My friends.. those who carry the chests, stay in the Middle of the group.

Orlin does as he is told.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:05, Thu 16 Mar 2017.

Diana has one chest.  She stays within the middle of the group, her eyes shifting from one side of the street to the other.

Lafisual stays near Diana keeping an eye out bow at the ready.

 She sauntered down the street wondering what she should do next. She had a few items she could sell, but it wasn't going to be enough to keep her in coin for very long. She watched people along the route making sure she isn't being targeted by cutpurses.

 Coming along toward her, she saw a group of road weary travelers some carrying chests and others seemed to be carrying extra equipment. She watched them pass, then fades in behind them, following them, curious what they are carrying, and where they are going.

   The group walked  down the road towards the   Wizard's Guild. Most people avoided , what was  obviously, a group of mercs.

   Some , saw the Pins   and waved  , or watched  with a bit of a mix, of awe and excitement .

 Two people came  running towards them, one of them, was the Merchant that had contracted them...the other was someone new, wearing  the apron of a stall keeper.

  Captain?....

 Kree  kept walking with the group.

Captain?..I need to speak with you!

 ..Then? You best keep up..we have business to attend to, before  we head off to the Black Timber


 he scurries,..I...I need those  chests, Captain....

 There wasn't  even a hint of a slowdown as they walked,...maybe? you can buy them from the Guild, after we sell them, of course....

 ..you don't  under stand?... there are..PEOPLE..waiting for them....

 ..indeed..well? if i were you.. i would have your chief  Wagoneer talk to them..and? I do not  want to sound overly coarse....  then he laughs,..wait?..Aye...I do....You seem... Sir  Merchant... you lied to us from the moment  we took the contract... you lied   your manifest...  and you did not disclose that...perhaps... Red Elves would be  after them? By the way? a few folks  died in  The Mast, early this morning..a few of them were red Elves.....

 The Merchants  stopped..stunned for a bit as  group continued to walk by him

 he   turned to scurry after  Kree once more...Captain? what can i do..to get those chests?

  Kree chuckled and looked at Ivy  who wasn't smiling at all...oh?...good Nerchant?  if you want the chests, we will sell them to you...

  His eyes Lit up,..you have but, to name your price!

 we will sell you the chests, after we sell what is contained in them, to the wizard's Guild... I am most certain i could  deal with them to get the chests back...

  The merchant look at  Kree  with a mix of hate and desperation.

 Now...Ivy laughed.

 ..our  contract has ende, the moment we were paid off... I , othwerwise, have no wish to deal with a merchant, who will not  sent  goods to my Village...we took the escort, because we could earn some coin, while on the way there....Now..please, remove yourself from my sight.... if i should be bothered by you once more..i make have to see, just how much you knew  about the Red Elves..... and..should i find out you were working with them, there  is not a thing you may imagine, that would be worse, then what i will do to you...

 The merchant stopped. almost sobbing,..the people... they...they may kill me....

 ..That might be a better end, then what i would  do, should i find out you were working with Red Elves...

 The merchant blurted out,..you may be sorry for tis..you elven Bastard... there  people. more  powerful then yourself involved...'Captain'... you think too much of yourself...

  kree stopped  and whirled around on the merchant who was  som 5 yards  behind  now, turning the flash of  his cloak, his B lade was now in his right hand..he pointed it at the fellow, as if it were a wand.

 ..begone...foul merchant... and you best hope  the  Red Ones Kill you outright... because  I will find out..and  not only will you die...but it will take you days... and..thank you for the information, about powerful people... that will aid me...greatly...

 then he sheaths  the blade , and continues  to walk towards the guild... The Merchanst witht he apron  just looked down at his boots... The Other Mercahnt stood..shaking.. at not only losing the chest..but..perhaps..of what he has just done...

Brie is walking along and listening to the banter of the merchant who had hired them.

Once Ivy had commented, she shook her head and frowned.

Then maybe you should take better attentions to whom you hire, she said.  If we run across any more Reds, I'll have your skins hanging from the mounts.

She lifted her small dagger.  Cause I'll know who sent them after us.

She sheathed her blade as quick as she withdrew it.

She sped up her pace to match that of Kree's and to help with carrying the chests.

 She took off, hurrying to keep the group in sight. With her head down to watch her step on the unfamiliar street, she accidentally bumps into the merchant who had been yelling at the group's leader. She reached out to keep him from falling then hurried onward.

    "Lady Darksbane."  Orlin calls, "you have a moment?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Sun 19 Mar 2017.

 She kept following the group with the chests, wondering who they were and where they came from. Especially the ones that looked like warriors. She tucked the purse into her hidden pocket while she walked, not wanting to lose it on the streets. She sped up after she settles her purse trying to gain on the group.

 The walk through the streets, could have easily been shorten  Had  Kree too the  group through a side street.

 Instead, the walked on  one of the 'main' roads, that  went yhtpough an intersection of the same type...cobbled ..roads. ,Yhry past the Oils shop  with the Candles  and Leather  shop on the Opposite side..Coh's was  passed to..some folks who stayed there were on the Porch watching them walk up through the street.

 A wagon shop was  on the   'right hand  u far corner of the intersection..The House of Tou  down the  right hand side as well.

 A guards  barracks  was  down the  Left, and another shop on the far left corner. Tall Tree's..a Halfling run tavern ws also to the left.

 (( this is where the merchant met them))

 They continued  along, many folks moving out og their  way... though there was some brief instances, when  a  rider  would   not Veer off  unti they saw the eld   wa not changing speed or direction..and , he or she  would canter of to the side. They passed an Armor shoppe.. a Place  called ..Girls... and a Pet shop , just past the turn into the Wizard guild's gateway..Just down the   road  from the Guild..was a Spell Shop.  Kree was Just aproaching the  Gate to the Wizard's guild ...

If brestine comes back to GOrlin he says to her.  "Is there someone following us?  There is an itch between my shoulder blades like I'm being watched."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:36, Mon 20 Mar 2017.

 She stopped and looked at the items on display at the oil shop, then moseyed across the street to check on the leather shop, loving the scents of the scented oils and the leather goods. She might come back to see if she could afford anything later. Still, she worked her way down the street after the group of people, curious about what they were carrying and where they were going.

Brie had heard Orlins comment and threw a look over her shoulder at him.

Not at the moment, she said helping with the chests.  Then again, I'm not truly focusing on it. 

She gave a low whistle and Riku came fluttering down.  She gave a nod behind them and whispered to the Sprite.

Travel a few yards behind and see if we have followers.  Don't let on that you are trailing them.

She gave a look at Orlin as Riku smiled, winked, and took to the skies.

Riku took to the air and fluttered up and above the buildings.  She let a bit of distance gain between herself and behind the group, even a few feet behind any conspicuous followers.  She stays in the air for a bit before she comes back down slowly about 5 to 8 yards behind the group.  She scoped out any one who may be lurking from behind before completely dropping down.  About 30 feet in the air, she investigates cautiously, quietly.

 She was busy keeping an eye on the group and didn't see the bird at first. Then she flinches and pulls out a dagger. If the bird attacked her, she'd reluctantly try to knock it down! She ducks under a doorway to a shop to keep her back away from the bird.

  Kree  reached the gate as the others  were just seconds behind  him.

  A burley Half-orc  sat in a booth a few guards with bows made themselves  seen.

  ..wadda  want , pointy ear?... I don't thing the  Mages  need any folks to gather spells stuff  fer them..so you...

 The Elf smiles,..you..my friend...mat shut up...something i'm sure  your mother  did, whilest they made you..

 The  half orc  stood  quickly his chair fell back.

 ..Now?.. you can either go and feth one of the mages  so they can decide  whether they want to bid on our goods.... or  we can walk away... your bosses miss out...and when they learn what the missed out on, I be sure to tell them, thier ugly  guard dog barked too much..

 motioning with his hand to   the folks who had the chest, he said,well?

 The  Half orc growled.....I should kill you , where you stand....

 ..you may, of course, try. But you will end up as dead as the red Elves who tried to take these chests....Twice.. the 2nd time..early this morning..At the Mast

 one of the Bowmen said,Red Elves want those chests?

 I am thinking more, they want what is in them. But, If you do not want to bother the  MAges...we can simply take it to my people in the balck Timber.. I am sure they would  enjoy using it.

Orlin's staff says something to him quite clearly, yet no one can seem to understand it.  He snorts with an effort not to laugh, and says fairly quietly "I don't think he'd taste very good."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

Lafisual listens to the byplay but keeps looking around with his main focus on security of the chest.

 She tried to study the bird but it was flying around too fast to see what it was. Maybe it was an exotic bird. She tried to keep out of it's way but she leaned out now and then to see where the group was. Maybe the bird belonged to one of them.

  Shadowmist looked about, trying to keep up with the flying  creature. Between the  bustle of the street, and over hands of   of storfronts, buildings and even the trees that  Laynak folks were so fond of having in their towns.

 It was hard to get a good look.

   One of the younger  guards  ran towards the domed Building. The HAlf-orc  growled  at the other guard.

 The Bowman  shrugged,...This one will be one me..If the MAster's get angry, they can  yell at me... but if  Red Elves  want those chests... you have to think the Mages will wnat it more.

 ..well, Either way.. time is running short, I have  no doubt the Black Timber Sages and Mages would be quite happy with these chests.... but?  we  would have to deal with getting them there...so?.. You have until the  is barely touching that spire, of the  irounwood trees to the west..then, we shall go..and  the Guild will have to spend more coin, just to have us walk back, on top of what we  will take for the  items in the chests.

In reply to Mist (msg # 105):

Riku went in and above the buildings, this time staying there among the wood work as the person ducked and dodged into hiding.

I gotcha, she said mildly to herself.

She stayed put until the person decided to make a move to follow the group again and then she'd make her own move.

 She waited a long time to be sure the bird was gone or whatever it was, then she headed down the street. She wasn't in a hurry, she was just curious and somewhat bored. It had been awhile since she'd had a contract of any kind.

 Before she stepped out of the doorway though, she turned her cloak inside out, tossed her hood back, raked her long hair out of it's braid so it lay in a rich chestnut wave down her back, and tied a scarf around her waist that was bright and colorful. And she stuffed her cheeks with a bit of herb to fill her cheeks out and alter her facial shape. Then she hung a pouch full of her clothes around her shoulder where before it had been under her cloak.

Riku had noticed a cloaked figure snuck out of hiding and covered its head.  She fluttered down when she thought safe and flittered behind the figure following it closely.  She didn't try to hide herself.  That way when it came time to go invisible, she could.

   The younger   Guard  was now  running  back towards the Gate... behind   him, and a very slow  pace, was a  young woman dressed in robes, followed  by , what appeared to be  a High Elf dressed in golden  armor

 Turning his head to the  Tree line to the  west, Kree says..It Appears. your mage will not make my deadline.....Perhaps you will  fare better. next time   Eta  or Neta , find it in there hearts to pass, suchalong to you.

 what?... Are you jesting?... I can see the MAge from here!

 Indeed?.. but  unlike your Porcine  eyes... I saw them  on the  enter balcony to the Guild, where they stood and talked  for three drops on the water clock...

 He Motions the Group back towards   the way they Came,..Come... we wil give   the items  to  my People..our pay might be lower, but it will be  put to good use..

  Turning and  walking back down the street.. the Young  Guard  stops , breathlesslyHOLD!...ELF!.... The Mages  send a Barter agent! he is almost out of  breath... the mage and her escort are at least 5 minutes away.

 ..We  ....'hold'...for no one. Should your  BArter  Agent wish to catch up to us...it will cost 100 gold  for   us to come back...Coin in hand...and that  does not  mean we will agree to sell to you.. should I think the price offered is poor!.

 The  Half orc  yells,..The Mages are not used to be treated thus!

 Aye?... well...they should get out more...

  kree begins to walk , again with a flourish of  his  arms to   have the group follow...

Orrin turns to follow

 She saw the group coming toward her and moved somewhat to the side, not completely out of the way but not confronting them in any commanding way. She eyed the fighters and the elf with curiosity, wondering who they were and why they were there. She smiled slightly and looked down just a bit to show she wasn't a danger to them...she hoped.

   If The Elf was bluffing, he seemed well versed at it. His walk away from the guild was just a fast, as it was towards it.

   passing through the middle of the group,  Ivy not far behind. there is the sound of clicking  chain mail as the younger guard caught up to Kree at the intersection.

 Elf!.... The Barter Agent is at the Gates now....

  ..good for her..I am sure the fresh air will have done wonders for her lungs...  he never stopped, Turning right where  the  gates opened to the  Trade road on the  'black Timber  side' of Tou.

  ..She  wishes  to see what  goods you  have,  since your  demands  were so Harsh..and...

 The elf stops  and Looks hard  at the  Young Guard,..I stated..we had items of great inetrest to the MAges Guild.... your  halfbreed ghate Captain, thought it wise  to treat us like common beggars....

 His  eyes  looks the young guard up and down,..you are but a lad, But   The Arrows..Nor Me....will suffer indigities, just because  some  pale skinned , robe wearing, finger flashing bookworms..thing they are better then others?

 He  Puts  a finger  ito the young man's  chest..This is Just as well.... perhaps it was Eta or Neta,..or both.showing me, I need take my own words to heart.... I berated merchants for not coming to my peoples Lands... so..I  will do what i have preached.

 ..But?  Captain?... if was  was to them to give you the  100 gold up front?

 Kree shook his head,... the 100 gold.. WAS..just to bring us back to the gate..withotu that coin in my hand we would  have left....now?  It is 500 gold....  and once i set my foot outside that gate..it will be 1000 gold, just for us to return....and?... I will count ever gods be damned coin before  we  return....Now?.. I know you cannot make it back to the Guild in time to reach  me  before i pass that gate... he points to the Gate a few 100 yards away
...so?...just  tell them it  will be 1500 , just to bring us back.... should they want to catch up, and barter on the road...it will be 2000...and..after you say all this...say these worlds... " Captain Quickshadow..would have  dealt  with you, had the halfbreed  Gate Guard been civil...'...Now?..Off you go...

 The Elf  marched  with renewed  vigor towards the gates

  while this  went On Riku and the  stranger  were passed  but he Arrows, and   more then a few onlookers..

 She watched with her mouth open as the elf man gave the young man an ultimatum of excessive amounts of gold coins just to get the group to go back! The group passed by her, with their warriors and the ones carrying trunks that seemed heavy enough. Whatever was inside must have great value indeed. But the elf's clear voice stating such amounts of gold was sure to attract many numbers of scavengers hoping for a windfall. She looked at the Arrows and wondered if they were enough help to keep the rest from being ambushed.

 She followed more closely now, wondering if they might be looking to hire more help.

Lafisual raises an eyebrow, more in amusement than anything else.  He wasn't too concerned about the money one way or another.  He glanced at the crowd to gauge the reactions and this clearly was noticed by a few.  To one quiet lady who seemed to be paying extra attention he just gives a shrug and wink as if this is how it always is and continues to follow along looking for potential hostiles.

 When the man (Lafisual) smiled at her, she grinned back and speeded up to catch up with him in a casual manner. If she could, she would attempt to speak with him, to see what they do and if they were hiring.

  By this  time, the party was  straighten out as to their  formation once again, the guards  at the gate opens them, as the  saw the group approach.

  ..look...Cousin? I rarely second guess you,,,,


  ..Most time... you second  Guess me....

  ..aye, but  most often....

  ..you tend to be  wrong..that is  why I am the Captain...

 Ivy's  face twisted in a mock frown,

..look..the guild is not going to  pay that much money, just to have  us come back?...

 Aye...In that, you are right...

 so we have to carry  these  chests to  The Black Timber?

 ..aye..and  allow our  Mages and sages to use the items  as they see fit..i am most certain, when the rumors  reach the ears of the Mages inside that damnable dome..that they will be short one Gate Captain

   "We almost didn't have to wait that long."

Lafisual glances over as the lady moves next to him.  It seems our group has caught your eye beyond normal curiosity.  Are you looking to tag along or something?

 "I am curious. Your group seems to be an interesting fellowship, and I find myself at loose ends. Are they looking to hire anyone? Or perhaps I could Tag Along as you said? Perhaps I could make myself useful."

 She smiled at him sideways, seeming a bit shy or unsure of his welcome.

Well, if you are ready to kill some red elves in the name of ... us...sure. He winks back at her.  Another person along would certainly be a help.  Actually though, as good a fit as I am sure you would be, Kree there is the one you want to talk to at this point. He motions in Kree's direction. Though for now maybe just tag along.  If we get ambushed and you help out, I am sure that would be enough.  We are a bit occupied at the moment.  He looks around a bit trying to avoid being too distracted.  If we get a moment where we are relatively safe that might be the time to talk to him.  Then again, he might just notice ya and see about it too.  Who knows?  He smiles and shrugs at her.

 "That sounds like a plan! I will help guard until we get to a safe place. Then I'll talk to your leader."

 She walked along happily and tried not to be a distraction for the others. She kept watch closely trying to see the surroundings from a thief's standpoint to see where hiding places might be, keeping her hand on her weapons.

 The GAte Opens. The SGT of the guard there  asks  Kree how his time was here... the elf responds with a,..we had a bit of trouble sleepign during the storm last night..but the morning found our  troubles gone...  he smiles at her.

 Her eyebrows raised, but she  shrugs as she waves them out the gate. About  20 yards out side the Gates.. Kree points to the  vast wall of  Ironwood  trees  that seem to stretch, like a  giant wall.  the trade road bends   back to the  east....Trees are there as well, but not as impressive  as the  tree in the Black Timber. From where they stand..they cannot see the  end either way.

 Instead of  a trade road...  a battered cart path leads off into the distance... weaving its  way  through the Grasslands.

 ..There inside the  great wall of nature... is where My people Hail from..the Village has grown in size, as rescued  slaves, with no where to go..settle..to either ly thier  trade..or become  Arrows....

 as they walk Ivy speaks up, as only he can,...Cousin?..I want to know..what you think the  Elders  will say, when we show up with theses chests...

 Kree   seems  to shrug off the comment, but answers,...There are three facts in play here.... 1 fact? is  we have  valuable goods, that can be of good use...2.. we will get paid....bot as well as from the wizards...but we will get paid..3...no matter how folks  view the goods..they are here...folks have died  for these to just be destroyed...and they may be of use in fighting the very folks who want it....

 ..and the darkness that is considered part of those goods?

 Kree waves it off,...My bow is concsidered  Evil by some...and a blessing to others.... Your  daggers, the  same..it is one the goods  that have darkness... it is the person who use them for darkness..either way.... fire Vs  fire..aye?

Orlin looks down at the chest.  He has no trouble carrying this item but he is not comfortable having his hands full and not being able to use his staff.  Oh well, these people helped him out with money and aid in his time of need.   He owes them this.

Riku finally flutters out from behind Shadowmist and crosses her arms.  Just keep your eyes open and on guard, she said.  There can be an enemy in any shape, form, or appearance...we aren't all tall and mighty to pack a wallop.

She then flutters up to Kree to see what her next bit of business is and if'n she needs to fly back to Justin's troup.

Once the gate opened and you could see the expanse of the land a string inside her that often hummed a pleasant welcome hymn played a pleasant tune.  Although she was not born here, part of her breeding lie here.  She looks to Kree and smiles probably the brightest, welcomed, smile she could have ever displayed.  Some where among the trees and grove, was "his home".  She was finally here to see it firsthand.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Tue 28 Mar 2017.

 About 500 yards or so, from Tou's  gates. Kree held up his hand to have everyone gather around.

 When all where near he , he pointed  once more to the Massive  wall for giant Trees in the distance.There are three Major  forests on this side of trhe Highpeak Mountains.... Trace Woods.... The Ironwood  forest...and The Black Timber...The Elves of the Black Timber  and Trace Woods..are strong allies..we also share the same Code, for the harvest of Ironwood trees.... WE... pick those to be harvested..and the numbers  are limited.... Ironmound was not too happy at this....

 He Points  north,  the  glisten of the ribbon of  water that is the Storm River, and  the Tou River feeding it...The Elves of the  Ironwood..grew greedy..not  just for the  City's gold..but  for the honors that were paid to  Their   Horsemen and archers..giving them high positions in the army and Navy..but it cost them , much of thier  land.

 Kree looks at the ground  and gives his head a shake, then looks back towards  the BLack Timber.we..treat  all allies the same... we come when there is a call...but..not  all come to our  aid...Only the Trace Elves have been there, each time we called, as  we have been for them...

 Turning back he smiles,..you wonder..why i give you this talk? because you will be entering My home....The birthplace of the Crimson Arrows...The name still carries much weight..heavy with respect...with fear..and  with Hate,,,, The phrase was coined some 800 years ago... when Hargen first came   over the Mountain to try and stop the Building of Ironmound... Hordes of Humans  , Gnomes, dark dwarves..and other fell creatures attacked Bowshot..where the  builders  headquarters were  and the first wooden palisades were set up..marking the   boundary of the city... 200  Blacktimber Elves  Held the walls...sheets of arrows    flew  from the small town..cutting down  the Force that  came up  from the swamps..as the  legend goes... arrows  became scarce   They send runners to  pull arrows  from the dead and Dying... and when  those weren't enough, they pulled arrows from their own Bodies and fired them back....13 elves were left..but the forces from the swamp retreated...The  attack was Broken...the wounded of the HArgen forces..were mindless they kept speaking of the Crimson Arrows , that sailed from the  wooden wall to strike   them down.

 Thee was a smile,..In honor of those 13... The Razorhawk Clan will allow 13  'hunters' to go on the Black Hunt... killing enemies of our clan, when  the time occurs that they must do that... Ivy and I are the last of the  , most recent 13..when our Village was raided...

 ...My people are stern...but you will see a  feast or two, I am sure, before  we leave. I will warn you this.... DO NOT... cut a tree down, for whatever the reason... should you travel  The Timber  with me  or on your own..only use  dead wood,or stumps to make a fire.... The first time you are caught..it will cost you, your right arm, the second time..it will cost you your head...and? there is nothing....no one...who can save you ,from either  verdict

 He waves towards  the trees once more,It will take us..roughly...2 days to reach the forest's  edge.... scouts  will see us.. in another hour or so......

  Then he snaps his fingers,..I almost forgot.... as we near the   forest.. you will see bodies  staked to dead  trees.. or  ..afixed to stones  with pitons... They are slavers...or woodcutters..or bandits....They are there to send a message, to those who might  wish to wrong my people...again...

 ..now..I want 2  scouts , out ahead , for the first day of travel... ... I need one other, to hang back with Rolf  as the rear Guard..... we keep the chests in the middle of the company..

 Ivy clears his throat, Kree turns  and nods to him...Cousin?... before  the day's end...The Maages wil have learned..one way or the  other..what we carry..they may send  the BArter Agent out here.... what do you plan to do then...

 ..I will sell them one chest..if they meet my price.... the other   chest goes to our people

 ...they are the Mage's Guild, Good Cousin....they may wish to...'take'..the chests, should you be overly tightfisted?

 Kree smiles  as he turns to walk once more,..then, My good Cousin?..we will have some magic items to sell..and flashing robes  to hand out..though..they may need blood  washed from them...

 Ivy looks at the others, gives a comic  shrug and follows  after.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

Letting others take on the task of hefting the chests, Rolf kept himself unencumbered, and ready to deal with more threats.  When the merchant approached, Rolf paid them little heed, more concerned with any more ambushes.

Rolf had found the day unsurprising.  He'd seen enough of Kree's dealings to have a fair expectation of how things would play out.  Rolf hadn't cared for being near the Mages Guild though.  Those Arts were not among the range of skills that would earn Rolf's respect.  Still, he saw it a shame to not have unburdened themselves of the chests.  If the contents were worth such fighting and dying, they would surely bring others down upon their heads.

Having left the town and hearing Kree speaking of the forests, Rolf was a heartened, despite the warnings.  He needed no such warnings to show respect for the forest, but the idea of spending time beneath the boughs appeals.  "It will be pleasing to walk among the boles, no matter what threat lurks."

 She listened with interest to the elven man's history, curious as to part of her heritage she hadn't learned before. Her mother had been human and hadn't spoken of her father much at all, and what little she had said was always filled with sorrow. It had hurt to hear her voice so filled with pain so she never asked after him. She knew only that he had come from the Trace Elves.

 She decided right then that if they would allow her to, she would travel with the group for awhile, and try to learn more about the elves and their forest life.

Lucy volunteered to take one scout position.

Diana volunteered to take the rear guard position with Rolf.

     Orlin is obviously in the middle.  He nods at the advice. "My people only cut live wood for permanent shelters...when there are no natural ones available, and we are selective in how we cut it."  He looks at the forest unused to the shape of large leaved trees. It is good to know that lowlanders have respect for the woods.  This is not what I was taught as a child."

  Kree looked to Riku...so?.. it would be nice to know, who  Lafisual 's new friend is...aye?

   When Orlin Speaks, Shadow nods,...we are Elves... had no elves , lived in any forest...most would have been thinned out to nothing...you notice the  Trees around Tou?..at one Time, Tou was surrounded  by a forest that would match the Trace Wood..but they cut them  down for housing, and used Ironwood , Black Oak and the Shining Birch for ships.

  My Village has used trees  for Homes... The  Largest Inn is fashioned out of one of the Oldest tree that are in the Forest... The rest are done with stone,,,the sages  made a mix using Sands  from the Great Desert..with water ..and   some  ground up stones..and they make stout walls

  His voice  rose a bit,so all could hear,..there are  large Lizards that roam the  Karth Swamp and the  Black Timber..some will try to eat you..have no fear of  killing any repitale in the  trees.

   Orlins staff speaks again.  "Yes,"  he says "That on the other hand would probably make good eating."

I think that's our signal Lafisual moves over to Kree and introduces his new friend.  Here she is.  I think she would like to join us, at least for a time.  If she would like she can join me in one of the scouting positions up front.  She seems sneaky enough.  He give her a nod toward Kree.

  The  elf  continues to walk, but not as he did  when the  Mage's  peoplewere trying to talk with him,

  Indeed..... well...Good Lady, perhaps you can tell  me what skill you have, and what you may offer to the Unit?..his eyes also shift towards Riku to see if she has anything to offer.

Riku nodded at Kree's motion.

Seems that our damsel has been following us since we left with the chests, she said.  She raises her head proudly.  Though, I think she not a foe, more a friend looking for companionship or work.

She looks at Shadowmist.  Unless I'm mistaken.

She crosses her little arms.

 She looked at the three of them, studying their faces, their eyes, their body language to see how they reacted to her.

 "As they said I am able to sneak and lurk in shadows. I can fight if I must, but I prefer not to. I can kill if someone deserves it, depending upon their crimes. I am fast, and quick with my hands. I can climb and jump. I do not claim to have skills like your Crimson Arrows though."

  Kree stops  abruptly , turns  to  Shadow Mist, he digs out a pouch that  looks worn, yet still strong of purpose.

  He   opens in and hands his Bow  to  Brie, then  pushing the items  around in his pouch. Finally Hi picks out a pin, When she looks around  she can see pins, broaches, even  and earing, but they have a common thread.. an Arrow made of ruby...

  Holding the pin out in his left hand,...Killing people, is about 70% of our  contracts....the rest involve protection...transportation..and even exploration...but.. i have never had a contract yet, that did not involve the death of those who stand in our  way...

  ..by taking this Pin, your  name  will be added to the charter..which may help you, should you run afoul with the law....The pin also hurts you.. all companies..by law..are required to show their  insignia ...thus, a compnay that is an enemy to the Arrows  will spy you right away..just as those  companies, who are , our  friends....we have one standing order..at least in my unit.... we complete the  contracts ...but? Should  we  find slavers, we will step away from that contract to deal with them....along those  lines.. the  Razorhawk motto  still stands, ..." leave no live enemies , behind you.."

  ..should the time come. for you to wish to leave the arrows, you have only to give the  pin back...should you go rogue, and blacked the name of the Arrows..then you will be consider  the  main target of all Arrows...

 Ivy speaks,..um..cousin?..Is it possible   for our name to  be any further, blacken?

 Kree smiles,..it is true, our name does not carry favor  with the very rich..since, mor eoften then not.. those we  kill  or otherwise , end  their Business....tend to have  coin flowing to and from those folks...but?  for the most part..we have the good graces of the  common folks... and that, Is  of more import to me.

Congratulations.  You have found a home for a time. Lafisual smiles at her and nods as he heads to the front to assume his normal scouting position.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg # 138):

 "Does that include pick pocketing when necessary, or would that blacken the arrows? Because if someone has a letter or something you need swiped I could do that..."

 If he is ok with what she said, she'd take the pin and add it to her cloak.

Brie watches the pomp and circumstance of the handling of the insignia.  It was like a celebration everytime.  She always wondered if everyone felt as important as she did when she finally received hers.  She handed Kree back his bow when he tucked the pouch back into hiding.

It is a welcome sight to see a new one, she said.  I'm quite certain that it could be blackened more.  Though let's not test that theory either, Ivy.

 She thanked Kree first then turned to smile at Lafisual because she had befriended him first, then nodded and smiled at the others. "Thank you Sir. Thank you all for the welcome. I will do my best not to let you down."

 She pinned it to her cloak before straightening and looking at the others again.

 "Where do you want me?"

  For Now, stay with the  main body, give yourself a chance to know yor comrades...we will be   making camp by day's end... the closer  we are to the Trees, the better i will feel.

  The sky is as blue as it has been in some time, as if the harsh storm from the day before  had cleansed it.

 Now  and then, LArge  winged things  could be seen rising  from the trees, gliding, then diving back in...

 Ivy points to the Highpeaks,..looks..its in the air again! a small dot above the   tips of the mountain, was soaring a bit... when it turned  just right..glimpse of wings   could be  seen, by those , sharp of eye.

 ...for us to even see it at all...it must be a dragon....

 Ivy nods, his  smile not as bright,one has to wonder, what put it in the air?

 ...with luck?..Hunger.....if Anger brought it  forth... we  could be hearing from it soon.

 She nodded then looked at what they were pointing at above the mountain. She squinted at the distance unsure what the dot was.

 "Is that a dragon? Whatever it is I hope it isn't angry, or hungry!"

  Kree and Ivy seem  a bit more ...enthused . As they follow   the path By Lucy and  Laf.

    It is not  Until 2 hours or so after  Midday, that  Kree calls for a stop and whistles  for   the forward scouts  to come in pointing to  one of the 'stops' other travelers have made, he says, we  will eat and  rest here  for an hour or so... then we  will continue  until  the sun falls  well below the tree line... it will get darker hear first..with  the Sisters' Luck, we should readh the entrace to the Black Timber, this time tomorrow.. ...


 Taking off the pack, he pulls out the loaf  of bread, still wrapped in the  dish towel....Cut this  to slices so all may have, with whatever else we have to eat... Brie, Ivy and Myself  will try to gather  some more  wood  from the scrub trees.... and..if  luck smiles... find  some game...everyone  else  settled  down and rest...

Brie walked up to Kree and Ivy and looked where they spoke of.

Unless "she" has followed us, she said.  She shrugged slightly.

 She dug into her pack and brought out a hard loaf of bread. She sawed thin slices off it and offered bread around too. It's filled with seeds and nuts and dried fruits and bits of chopped jerky meat. It's very dense and heavy and filling. She offered some to everyone who wanted to try it.

 She took a slice of what Kree offered and gave him some of her travel bread in turn. She offered Brie and Ivy a slice too, and looked where they looked. No one had answered her earlier question so she didn't ask again.

 "May I offer you some travel bread? It's full of energy producing good things."

   Kree takes a slice, stick it in his teeth  and grins  as he goes off to Hunt  for wood and maybe some game.

I shall wait until i return... shakes his head..don't know how he things  he will get  Game , while chewing up a storm...

  This  leave the rest of the party and their  Good  in the small clearing  , with the  Crude stone fire  circle.

Lafisual sits down near the others and tries Shadow's bread.  You are right, it's good.  Thanks for sharing.  Alas, I don't have anything extra to share food wise.  But, if it seems safe enough, I can play a little bit of music. He pulls out his recorder and sets it aside for later.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 149):

Diana takes the time to relax.  She has nothing to offer food wise, and gladly accepts what is offered.

She takes the long reprieve to just lay back and relax.  Something she doesn't do very often.  She eyes the new comer up and down, and then goes over and introduces her self.

"Hi, I'm Diana." She says.

Lucy was scouting ahead, when she heard Kree's whistle.  She started back to where the group was resting.

She accepts the bread, finding that, indeed, it is good.

"You know, even up north, we've heard of the Black Timber and the Trace elves.  Their reputation is like that of the Tarakians.  Around 400 years ago, whenh the Elven-Human-Dwarf war ended, one hand of humans and one band of elves came together to live in peace, harmony and all that.  They are among the nastiest sons of bitches you want to cross." She said with a smile.

"When it comes to war, they only know one way to fight, and that's to the death.  No quarter asked, none given.  Between Elven archers and human infantry and cavalry, and the best damned horse archers you will ever see, nobody has tried to conquer them in close to 100 years." She said.

"And when it comes to slavers, bandit and the like, rarely do I feel sorry for their ilk, but to be captured by Tarakians I do." She said.

"But, I digress." She said, going back to eating.

She wasn't exactly sure how the elves of the Black Timber would react to her.  Sure, half elves might be seen, but how many were half elven and half Tiger?

 "Hello Diana. I am Mist. It is nice to meet you. Can you tell me a bit about the people here?"

 She offers the woman another thin slice of the travel bread, then munches on her own bread, switching between what Kree had given her and her own meal. She offered Diana her water bota before she takes a drink of her own.

  As the  unit  sits by the fire circle ..there is a slight  breeze coming  down from the south...The smell in the air is  the drying Grass lands , while tempered  with the Rich smell the flowers that have evolved to  stick their brightly colored  heads , a bit higher then the  4 foot tall grasses.

 Ivy is  heading  back from the North, a bundle of  scrub wood a small creature.

(( the  creature looks like a cross between a gopher and a rabbit..but is rather
Plump ))

 I got a root eater...would have  had a couple more, if my first shot  did not scare the others....

 pointing to the  small spot that was Tou, next to the Glistening LAke, he adds,..saw a glimmer for a  second or so from the gates... could be  sun on Armor, of  some one leaving the Town..i do not think there is reason to worry, but we should have  our guard  up as well.

Brie had ventured off once everyone started settling in and relaxing.  She had went deep into the woods before she realized she was pretty far off from everyone.  She became so entranced with the forest and all its beauty.  It was breathtaking and mesmerizing all in one.

The first she had found a small colony of rabbits but either it was Brie's nervousness or anxiousness that scared them off as she crunched on a small stick just above them.  She grumbled at herself but kept trudging on.

She'd come along a small herd of deer and her first target, a large female, was way off and the sound of the click of the metal tip against a boulder scared all the good ones off.

So, she decided to just meander around, if she found something good.  When she reached a small creek, she reached down and grabbed a handful of water, smelling it to make sure that it was safe to drink and then lapped at it like a dog.

When she looked up and where the creek was coming from a small humpty sized boar troddled to the water. He was less aware of her and more interested in the water.  Brie sat and watched it before she realized it would be a grand prize to bring back.  She quietly slipped out an arrow and knocked it back, balancing herself as much as she could with part of her footing in the edge of the water and the other on muddy ground.

As the arrow swift through the air, the boar had just looked up from his noisy lapping of the water before he realized that two arrows had already taken him down.

Brie got up and quickly stepped her way to him careful of any tusks or his teeth.  He seemed more surprised at arrows in him than her.  His eyes taking her in as she came in and took a kill show with her small dagger.

Blessed be, she said graciously to the boar, his kin, and to the Gods and Goddesses watching over her this day.  You will serve us well my friend.

She took her hand and closed his eyes as rigor mortis set in. Once he was ready to move, she hefted him up on her shoulders and carried him back to camp.

She ended up dragging him the last few yards as it was getting quiet heavy.  Guys, mind to help, she lightly shouted to the males in camp.

  Ivy Points  towards  Brie as she  walks through the grasses, shouting  for  some help with the Kill.


 Kree    is coming   a bit further  away with two  large bundles  of scrub wood from the trees that dot the  grasses..

 when he reaches them  he has a Bag some 28 pears... I could have  ha d more, but left a  good deal  for the beasties  to eat....

 He looks  at the   kills the other  two Made...Ivy?..Roast the root eater..  and  cut  the emat enough for all to have some...  The pears  and Baor  we will have tonight when we camp... be a goodly meal to have  on  a  night... use the wood you  bathered, we cahll tale  my two bundles  with  us for a decent fire this night.

 t Puling out his  Dirk, he nods a bit away from the  fire ring... Let us buther the boar,  and  Just carry its  meat..If  any one wants bones  and such, come along  and take what you will,  We chall be  cutting the emat close to the bone to get all we can for  the supper tonight.

Brie let Kree give out his orders before she approaches and begins cleaning her own items on a cleansing rag.  Should give you credit on that one in part, she said.  He snuck up on me at the creek a few  yards that way.

She points to the direction.  I'd never have had the guts or capability without you having taught me.  She leans over and kisses him on cheek and then goes to help with getting things prepped.

  He chuckles ..i would take the credit, if i thought it deserved... Your elven blood already gave you a head start, I merely  brought it to the surface.   he grins  at the   kiss and begins to   dig a hole for the bits of boar they would not be using...knowing the grasslands.. they would be dug  up and eaten  before the Moon was high.

  When he came  back to the fire... Ivy  had the rooteater on a stick, suing  some of the hide  to  catch the   drippings   and  pour it back over the    meat as it cooked.

    as he  began to cut slices off and  toss  them to folks  by calling their names, he said to Kree,..saw armor flashes from tou's gate while i was  scrounging,  I do not know  if it  is guards... travelers..merchants..or  our new friends from the Mages  guild?

 Kree  caught the slice  of  rooteater.. wincing a bit at the heat of the meat,  he  put it on a slice of  the Inn's  bread, took a bite  and said between  chews,we shall know soon enough, the trade road bends  back  towards Trace,,and meets with the road that heads to the coast...we know how much  human merchants  wish to travel to the Black Timber...so , if anything comes this way..its  either  the MAges... or  mercs...

 She thinks she'd have made root-eater stew herself but doesn't say anything. She gets up to help skin the boar she helps cut the heart and liver up to cook then helps dig a pit to place the boar in with coals from the fire and aromatic plants she finds around the edges of camp then shows how to cover the pit with the pig skin hair side down, covering the skin with the dirt dug out of the small pit to hold in the steam coming off the pig and the aromatic plants.

 "It should be ready for dinner. That was a good kill!"

 She cuts strips of the heart and liver places them on sticks and places them over the edge of the coals to cook slowly and get a smokey flavor. Once the liver cooked enough, she took a skewer and nibbled on it.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Sun 02 Apr 2017.

Since folks don't appear to be overly concerned about noise, Lafisual begins to play his recorder softly while the food gets prepared.

 Kree  watched the Sun as the others   ate and  talked or simply enjoyed the rest, with the Music.

 after   30 minutes or so , he stood,..Cover the fire..do not water  water on it... Gather the food  we are taking with us, and let us be on our  way... we go, until an Hour after he sun is  below the trees... then we camp for the night, and have a ...more hearty..meal

 Ivy  gathering one of the Bundles of  wood Kree had  gathered....kree had the other.

 Scouts..stay close... if any thing attacks from the direction of the forest..it will be animals...enemies  will have to  come from behind us....

 Showing some pique, she unpacks the pitted pig and packs it in the skin, placing the herbs inside the cavity and then places coals inside the cavity on the green herbs then wraps the skin tightly. She places a long limber stick through the rope tieing the skin around it then looks around at the others.

 "Can someone help me carry this to the night camp? It would be a shame to waste it, and it is still cooking from the inside out now. It should be nearly done by the time we camp for the night."

In reply to Shadow Mist (msg # 161):

Or Lin looks over her task. "I'd be happy to help but I'm carrying a chest."  He thinks a moment. "If you spit it and prop one end of the stick on the chest on the chest we should be able to carry it that way.  The spit will come across al shoulder height for you so you can carry it easily."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Mon 03 Apr 2017.

Lafisual puts down the music and makes himself ready for scouting.  Once the group is ready he moves to a closer scouting position than normal.  He's not really interested in killing wildlife beyond what is necessary for survival.

Brie packed up her stuff and settled in for the travel ahead of them.  She took one of the flanks where she felt a bowman would be needed instead of a swordsman.

She had stashed some of the bread that Shadow had passed out earlier.

Riku had determined that her services were not needed much longer for this group.  She fluttered down to Kree and cleared her throat.

Master Kree, she said. I will be heading out to find the other group.  Is there any thing more you wish of me?  Or any message you'd like to pass along?

  There is nothing of import to pass on...You may tell the others, that we will be entering the   Black Timber, and may stay a day or two, depending on the tasks the elders may have on hand.

 if you travel, as the crow flies... you may have to bed  down  for the night  in some shelter... there are dark things that hunt the air, at night
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Mon 03 Apr 2017.

  The group moved on.. slowed a bit  by the  extra Game  and  Bundles of  wood...But  Kree knew they weren't going to reach the   BlackTimber  today..so his aim was to make the Night's camp as comfortable as possible.

   The sun was  'half eaten' by the trees when a distant..but eerie sound ..something like a Horn..but it was more chilling ...

  Kree signaled to stop and  Held up a hand for the group to be  quiet...at first, noting  but the creak of leather  and metal from the group as  they waited..then..more  sounds..much like the first..coming at random intervals .

  The  elf  turned with a grin,..The Night's hunt has began.. Forest runners  are searching for  prey..or warning others off thier territoy..it is rare they come into the Grasslands..but they have been known to do so..

  Come.... we have  2 more hours.. 3 at best, before  we make  camp...

Orlin had taken the heavy side of the pig but had needed to lash the stick in place.  He made as good a time as Mist could make.  Teasing her a little to encourage speed.

Riku nods.

As I will do, she said.  Edhul En'Gurtha!

She says and flutters into the apparent direction that the second group may be in.

She would reach a town or barn between here and there and rest.  Letting the sounds of animals lure her.

 She laughed as Orlin teased her and urged her to hurry. Sometimes she made him take more weight as they went up and down the hillocks but mostly she did her best to take her share or the load. If necessary, she can always stop and add a second stick and drag it like a travois, should the load become too much for Orlin with his chest.

"Let me know if it gets to heavy. We can always add a second sapling and make a travois so I can drag it. Or we can load both things and take turns dragging it, or share both loads by both carrying the load."

   The  rest of the day was   uneventful as the sounds  of the  forest carried over the rgass lands , towards them..Birds..and Beasts...

 some 400 yards to the  west  some..catlike  beast was in a Struggle  with a stout looking  deer, while another   Deer rammed it repeatedly with its  horns..

 Ivy smiles  as he   turns to look at Kree,..was the time, cousin.. you would have  moved in and planted some shafts into the  Tree lion....

 Kree nodded, he looked a bit  sad,..Aye.... But the tree Lion needs to eat as much as the  Grassland Deer needs to live....I see nothing out of balance there, for me to interfere ...

 ...and Slavers?...

 Kree's   eyes  narrowed,..slavers  are abominations.. they prey on the weak..even those who are forced to work with them..have a choice..perhaps? Not a goodly one..But a choice none the less..so..Aye?..They die....and it is a grim insult to the Balance to compare  slavers in such a way to the struggles laid out by the gods....

 ..There should be a clearing  with a Fire   pit, on the left side of the road....it will have a mound between the   firepit and the view from Tou...that's were  we will camp this  night. With   The sister's to watch  over us?.. it will be our last night of discomfort..

   Orlin was present for the comments. "These creatures are natural animals.  Slavers are cowards and monsters.  These are sentient beings who chose to live off the suffering of others.  Their evil is malignant as it okays others to commit the same monstrosity out of the need to keep up with free labor. If my being in the lowlands can help stamp out this disease, thin perhaps my curse is a blessing in this case."

   The scouts found the place Kree had  spoken. Though the light  from the  cook fire  would still send a 'glow'.. it couldn't be  pinpointed , as it would, without the   Hillock...but? from the forest, it would be a bright beacon, that someone was out there.

  Kree   shrugged off his pack a setting it  down,we should be able to eat hearty enough..and have something for  mornfest...

 Ivy takes out his  loaf  of  bread and sets it near the fire  pit on a flat stone that rings the edge., it will warm with the cook fire...

 We should have  enough  wood to cook and warm outselves   for a bit.. I will see if i might gather more.. the rest of you, eat as soon as the  food is ready, i will have  some when i return.. he moves off into the   Grasses , in the direction of Tou...

Orlin sets down the chest, and helps get the pig where Shadow Mist wants it.  He looks at Kree. "BY way of thanx for your kindnesses yesterday, I have dedicated tha night n' the day to guardin this box.  I find meself in need of personal time right now.  Is it safe to leave the box by the fire pit?"

  He nods to Orlin,..if somethign can come  and take the cehsts  with the rest of us here?.. then they  have more love  from the sisters then i do!

Lafisual moves to a location in the camp on the side toward TOU where he can relax but also respond if he hears or sees something coming from that direction.

   "By your actions I feel that is unlikely."  Orlin goes to the stream pulls out a sliver of his soap [let from the in] and pounds it into a froth before collecting it on a piece of oiled cloth.  He disappears into the bush where a lot of water is heard hitting a tree then returns, washes his hands and starts scouting the immediate area for herbs to gather.

 She sets the pig up to finish cooking, gathering more wood to build up the fire if that is permissible, unwrapping the pig and raking the old coals from inside, placing it to cook at the edge of the fire, using the pig skin to shield the fire somewhat from being seen from a distance.

 She sat watch over the pig, and the chest in repayment to Orlin for his help carrying the girl's pig.

 There is a bit of a chill in the  wind, being  in the shadows of the  Forest. for the last part of the  day.

 The breeze didn't  bother the  fire much, being in a pit. thus..it  served  a few purposes... hide the light, protect and concentrate the  heat, and protect the grasslands  from careless travelers .

   Ivy used   his rain Cloak  and a collapsible pole and some  silk rope to set up an extra bit of windbreak on the wind side of the  fire. Though he  may seem  relaxed.. His bow  was  near him and two arrows  stuck in the ground to grab and shoot.

  the  wind  carried with it, the faint  sounds of  horses...snorts  and a whinney...but it seemed far away.

  ..I am thinking Kree will be  back soon, everyone help yourself...let us not waste the bounty we gathered this day.

Brie had helped to set up camp and pitch tents, specifically hers and Krees.  If it were to be cold, she would rather stay warm than catch a cold.

She was now sitting by the fire on a log she found off in the woods a few feet from their tent.

If you wish, Ivy, I can go find him. She offered.

  Ivy shakes his head,not  quite  yet..he would not  want the group thinned out... it sounds like someone is coming, but the night air?.. it could be the mages..could be anyone...

 She sliced more of her dense travel bread, one per person, and helped slice and pass out bits of cooked pork. She also used part of the pig skin to put bits of pork in with water and herbs to make a kind of soup to simmer over night for morning. Hot broth in the morning would do them all good as a warm up if it turned ool.

 "Help yourselves everyone. Try to take the most cooked bits first though. Here's a slice of bread too."

Lafisual gets up to get some pork. Thanks for sharing.  This is a nice change from tavern food.  Lafisual sits down nearby to eat but also stays alert to the sounds they were all hearing.

 She smiled at Lafisual but shook her head. "Alas I didn't kill it. Another here did. I just helped skin it and cook it. Nature provided herbs but she also provided hunger to make it all taste better."

 She sliced off another piece of tender meat and used her knife to spear it until it was cool enough to bite into, holding it in her fingers once it cooled enough to hold.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Fri 07 Apr 2017.

You shared your skills.  And the bread. He smiles and winks at her.

...Coming  back, the  elf has his Bow  slung and  carried  two  Bundles of dead wood.

 His breeches  are soaked from the tall wet grasses.,we should use one  bundle through the rest of the  night, save a bundle   for  hot  food and the Caffee.

 He  smiles slightly,When i swung around the Hillock , I could  smell the  food...

 Ivy shifts over to Let Kree sit and dry out......and?    Kree grabs his pack and  brings out the Open Bottle of  wine, and one that has not had the wax seal broken yet. He tosses the Open Bottle to Lafisual and motions with his hand to pass it  around.

 Then he   cracks the seal on the other  pours  some into his pack  Up and hands it to Brie, with the same HAnd Motion.

 ...and?..I might have seen the  fools who approach.

 Ivy grins at the others, then looks  back to Kree... fools?

 ..The Mages  come..a small but  sturdy 2 wheeled cart... two armored  riders..Guardians I should think.... 4  foottroops in  Leather.. a Driver..and a Mageling  sits next to him..there was a tracking beast....

 ..was?

 Aye...they do not have it  any longer.....

   how soon?

 ...i would say about an hour  after we finish mornfest...  one of the riders   had dismounted  and  began to make a fire  , two rest styops   , down the road....

 two!.... That's almost 8 miles..give or take  a deer's  leap!

 ..aye..something like that...

  Ivy shook his head,..if one of us....

 I know what i am about, Good Cousin. I wanted to see who approaches... I am certain, that whuchever one  summoned the tracker is in a great deal of pain right now...and magelings  may be , well eager, to crawel through  tunnels  and  ruins... they are not to eager to walk the wilds at night.

 ..Now?..relax.... we have  the Timber  to our south.. the MAges  to the north.. and wide  Grasslands   on either side....The chances of  us being distrubed are small... The  riders will catch up to us about an hour or so after  we break  camp... should they prove to  be overly inisitant....then..their  cart horses and gear will be a welcome additon to  Razorhawk Village...

 he takes a bit of the meat, and a bite of  Mist's bread..  with a grin.

Brie fixed Kree some food and helped mildly with the dead wood.

What mischief did you get into tonight, she mumbled to him.  And I wasn't along for it.  Shamey shamey.

She relaxed in the seat as it was Kree's turn to relax for a moment.

Orlin had returned with some vegetables and berries he had harvested from the woods and had begun to work them on a stone setting a bowl out for fat drippings from the pork.

  He and his staff over heard the conversation.  The staff makes a comment.  Orlin snorts and says out loud, "The old one wishes to visit the mages and play with them."

 She took a small amount of wine from the bottle Kree handed out, leaving most for others. In fact, she added a little bit of water to it, but not too much. She didn't want to be stumbling around outside camp tonight. She wondered if anyone had set up a trench out there before, if this was a common stopping off place. She shrugged to herself.

 "Nice wine Kree. Thank you. Is all of your traveling so well supplied? If so, I could get use to this!"

  Kree smiles  a bit a Brie,..I went  to get the wood, I turned  down a few root eaters, since we had enough food  for the night, and the Mornfest..but I saw the bobbing  light..and figured  it must be who was following us...then i saw some 4 legged  beast..that would  stand on its   back legs now and again as it  searched.....I figured the gods  would for give me if i made one extra kill this night.

 To Shadow Mist he says,..There was  an old Hnomish Theif..SnapJack Ribbons.  He taught  Ivy and Myself the  ways of the streets... while we also learned the path of the Trees...Ivy..is Much better  in the Cites then Myself...

 Ivy chuckles,..Ah..Snapjack..... and kree took to the  forst running better then I.

  Kree nodded  slowly as he took a small bite of the neat...Though we have rations and such...and  can eat almost any creature we kill, if needs be. TYhe Gnome stresssed taking a bottle of wine, and a fresh loaf of bread, before  we leave  the  village or town...That way you have a little extra to eact, that does not weight to much.

Then To Orlin,I do not know   who the Old One Is.....but you must bear in mind,  At elast one of those folks are  Magelings..perhaps all of them, have some sory fo spellflinging in them...They may be very interested  in .....the study...of whom ever the old one is?

   "True enough.  He'd probably want to drop a tree on them while they were still sleeping and that wouldn't be well received in these woods."

 She listened to the stories about the Old Thief and how he had trained some of them with a smile, remembering her own mentor and how she had been taught. It took lots of practice to become good enough to survive and not get caught, was true. She practiced as often as she could when there was someone to practice with.

 She carved off another crispy sizzling piece of pork, eating as much as she could without being a pig herself, since one never knew when the next meal may be missed. She enjoyed the wild flavors of the boar, as it was rare she had a chance to eat any of that. She usually ate rabbit or squirrel or wood-rat or bird of some sort out in the woodlands.

 "It is nice to have a full belly, this is true. It's tempting to fill up and sleep all night, though. Sometimes too much ease can lead to mistakes, in my experience. But I can see we have enough people to have guards set."

  Kree smiled slightly,..it will be a  couple days, before you worry about not having food.. the Village will have something waiting for us in the center..where the totem stands.  I will give them the latest numbers of our  unit I send , as often as possible..up dates on our Kills.

  we will be staying at least 2 Days, if the Elders  do not have anything for us, we will go back to Ironmound, by way of the  Trace Wood..The Unit  leader there is....questionable...and no friend of mine. But I should like to think, his people are true Arrows...This needs to be found out, quickly.

 Ivy  smiles  as he sips some of the wine from a small tin cup,..I am hoping they know of a nest of slavers.....nice to kill folks who no one will miss...

 ..depending on what the MAges want?... we may still yet, do that5..

   he waves his hand  about the Camp,we will only need one on watch this night..perhaps to the dark side of the Hillock, Just to watch the road and the Magelings.... I am counting on them, not having traveled much...

Orlin adds to the food supply with dandelion greens, camas root, and wild onions, and grinds  some seeds he found or has with him and oats to pack together with some nuts and dark skinned berries.  Hr uses the fat to make them into portion bars. "The ones on this stone are for males and the ones here are for females.  Best eaten in the morning as it will effect your energy use for the day."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Tue 11 Apr 2017.

  The  elf  down another  mouthful of wine,..I will rest for a bit now.. But i wish to take the deep watch...wake me  when its  My turn... counting Myself, we  will only need 3  more  , at about 2  hours  apeice ...anyone  not  working a watch, can take care of starting the morning fire  and  heating our mornfest.. we will not stop until we are in the trees tomorrow..so..eat what you will..rest the best you are able.

 There is a cry on anguish , that carries  over the Night  air... a voice  some ways off....

 Ivy Grins at Kree and goes back to his wine.

 Kree has a satisfied smile,we are not in the city, any longer...Mages need to be taught manners..when trying to stalk someone , with summoned beasties..aye?

   he  chuckles  softly and makes his way into the tend, Brie   had  set up.

 Ivy muses  a bit,Towns  and such, have rules about  magic beings  being used to follow folks, or spy on them. Sometimes even the use  of flesh and blood can get you into trouble....but out side the walls?... laws get bent and twisted...They  rolled the dice...now? they have to wonder..who or what killed thier   sniffer....and? is it close by?

 She jumped and looked around, knife in hand without realizing she had drawn it, looking for danger.

 "Mages? Beasts? What?"

  Kree stopped at the entrance to the Tent, Looking at  Mist, then to Ivy.. Both  shrugged as Kree entered the tent.

 Ivy  grinned,..we  went to deal with the Magelings at thier Guild house...They chose to  allow us  to wait, instead of being  ushered into the rgounds, as most merchants?..  Even Merc  groups, looking for coin are  admitted more  freely...

 ..so?..we left... As   Kree said, there is no doubt, rumors  about what we have reached thier  ears..or maybe the Merchant made a deal with them..who knows..... but theThe Mages  are  well behind us...and they are  not noted for thier  travel. At neast? tghey have  some Mage-rangers  or  fighters  and such, that may do alot of thier relic hunting? Or go out to gather beasts and creatures they need for thier  thrice damned experiments? In the end.. their  outriders will catch us a bit before  we reach The Timber...should they be 'over insistent' that we strike a deal...There is a goodly chance the guild  will be short a few members..  his grin  is wide as he winks...

 ..I will take   the frist watch... let me know, whom i should wake in 2 hours?

 he stands     taking the arrows from the  dirt  and cleaning  them with the hem of his cloak.  Slipping on his quiver and Pack  he stats to move to the Hillock..

You can wake me, Lafisual responds.  Getting a last bit of food and drink he finds a place to get some rest until it's time.

Diana volunteers for the third watch.

"Wake me as well." She said.

She then ate some of the stew when it was ready, and then got ready for a short nap.

Brie waved to everyone as she retired for the evening.

"Good nite all" she said slipping into the darkness of the tent.

     Ivy's  watch went  through the  2 Hours  rather  quietly...He   not  only kept watch on the distant  dot of the Campfire behind them. But also studied  the  land  around them..looking for  movements in the grasses..or  sounds  of disturbed animals.... None  Came.

   He   came back around from the Hillock..gently..quietly woke Laf...Your  Up... stay to the sides of the  fire light. it  will make  harder for them to see you.

Aye Lafisual finds such a place and begins his watch.

 "Oh. You can wake me when you need me to watch."

 She saw to the safe storage of the food that wasn't simmering slowly for morning, then found herself a place to spread her bedroll. She got as comfortable as she could and made herself sleep.

  "Catch me for the morning watch."  Orlin had walked all day with a heavy load after a somewhat sleepless night but he wasn't about to shirk his duties.  Still, rest was needed or the old one might be able to work his way around Orlin's mental defenses and release himself without binding conditions.

 Laf only sees  some grass deer  jumping through the grasses on the Storm Ricer side of the Camp.

 he  wakes   Shadow Mist for her turn to watch...Then she  taps on the tent for  Kree to take the deep night watch.

 He stays on watch  for 4 hours... before  Nudging  Orlin.

 By this  time its time to start the Fires.. kree works on getting the Caffee ready..

Orlin packs and helps with waking up and starting the camp off.

  while they sat by the morning fire, Kree sipped  the Caffee after dropping sugar and honey into it.... before i woke  Orlin, it seemed like thier  camp was up, getting thier Mornfest ready...so?... 2 hours, they should be  about packed up and Moving... if they ctach us at all?  it will be   within yards of the Treeline... if they send thier outriders..they should be able to over take us... but they only have 2 horsemen..either way?..it will be interesting to see  if..and why they are coming out here.

Lafisual rests a bit with his eyes closed as the morning preparations start.  He listens to everything he can pick out as a bit of relaxation but also to maintain his senses.  He then gets up and has some caffee when it's ready.

The staff whispers, Orlin's eyes distract for a brief moment.  But his eye's return to Krey.  A wee bit of Fresh blood and some herbs from the wood and we could burn out the noses of any critter trackin us, any distraction sounds like it would allow us to make the woods. But why not confront 'em head on in our own terms?  There is no way those children can stand against a prepared ambush.  They might find it most...educational.

 She wakes as the camp stirs and lays there for a bit listening.After she wakes more, she gets up and rolls up her bedroll, tying it up and adding it to her pack. After heading over to stir the pork and barley porridge and put on a pot of tea, she went to the edge of the woods where a dead and leaning tree made for a good target. She practiced throwing her knives for awhile and did some limbering up before putting her knives away and heading over to eat.
 She poured some of the porridge on some hot rocks to make a kind of flat bread and stacked it up. She took a slice then dished up some food into her bowl and grabbed some tea from the pot before sitting down to eat.


"Good Morning everyone. Did everyone sleep well? Help yourself to the food so I can scrape the hide and pack the pot."

  While he waits  for tohers to eat and drink, he takes  down the tent  for Brie, Snugging it up  fighter to fit her  pack.


 Chewing on a piece of meat as he does this, he talks  around the bit that hangs out of his mouth like a Halfling smoke stick.So as everyone is  filled and ready.. we start... I am... a bit   in a hurry to see my  Village again....

 Ivy refilled  Kree's  Caffee and took some himself..with out milk, he too, adds  extra honey and  sugar. He stands..purposfully at the top of the Hillock as he looks out over the  'road' behind Them.

 One can tell.... he says over his shoulders to the others, That we do not get our fair share of Commerce, from the Ironmound 's lands....

 he points to  the  'path', they have been walking,... there would be a better road built..if we had....we almost get more traffic, from the sandfolk, then the one's whom we help protect,,,

..Do You see Movement?

 Aye..it appears they are getting thier   cart, back on the road....

  Kree  chuckles darkly,well..it better be full of gold..because it will take alot of merchendise..or  coin, to get me to part with these chests...whether or not, our people can sell it for more..or just plain use it... there is the fact, that  the very merchant we aided, did not wish to travel to the Village to sell goods...I will be thrice damned, if i sell this  cheaply...especially, since we were treated like  dockworkers, looking for  a cure spell  they we picked up for an inch we gathered by  finding pleaseure on the docks...

Thank you again Lafisaul says as he takes a modest helping from the pot Shadow provided and sits in an open spot nearby.

Brie dresses and finishes up packing their gear and hands him his own pack once she was done.

I'm sure they aren't quite ready to face a group like ours.

Brie comments but listens as well when Ivy starts talking with Kree over the movement of thw other group.

    He steps up to the Top of the Hillock, standing next to Ivy, his Pack in one hand, the bow in the other.

 Think they see us? Ivy asks  as he sips on the last of  his caffee.

 They would have seen the   dull light..if nothing else? reflected off the cooler nights  air, as it came down to greet us. It is one reason i insisted on a fire to keep us warm...they would have seen it , regardless...no use in discomfort?

 The Blue-eye  elf nodded,..why do you think they chase after us?.. there is no way , in the 9 hells, they have the gold you told their  lackey...

 ..They have to save face..Thier Guild  hall strikes  fear..and awe..in most the folk there..even some Merc  groups  are afraid of them..so..they are coming   out.... I am sure they  will have some offer  that many folks would  jump at, but they will not have  what i demanded... to do that would make them look ...weak.

 ...but..if you are not going to sell  them one of the chests...will not  that, make them look even worse...

 Kree  chuckled as he  shouldered his pack and tightened the straps,turning, he clapped his cousin on the shoulder,..because of those  chests... we had to face  groups  led  my Red Elves... the abominations were not ready for us...and only our training, made us ready for them... I was not going to let the merchant, sell such things that would make its  way into the hands of those creatures....But i was willing to  sell them to the Guild..... my thinking was..at least half the goods , would have been used to aid the Empire. But... They made us stand outside the Gate...in front of all the towns folks who watched the "mighty Crimson Arrows' parade down the street?.... NO..Good Cousin...No unit  led  by me will be made to look , the lackey.

 ..and..should they offer armed displeasure?

 ..Then? they will die..the Village gains alot more equipment  and the Guild looks even worse.... I did  warn them before  we left..so?..there is not much the Town can do about it. I am sure  the bpunties will go up on our  heads..but that is just another  way for us  to earn coin...taking the  purses and goods  off the bodies, of fools who try to collect..

    coming  down the hillock  Kree  calls out,//let us  be on our way , my friends...Elven cooking awaits... and the  safely of the living walls beckons.

 She listens and watches as she loads a pipe and lights it from a twig stuck in the coals for a flame. She sucked in a lungful as she tossed the twig into the ashes. When finished she knocked out the ash from the bowl and tucked it away. She scattered the coals and ashes so they would burn out. Grabbing the last of the food from the skin, she scraped it out on the rocks and folded it around the last of the roasted meat from last night, and packed it up with her other things. She swung the pack up on her back and stepped out along with the rest.

 She walked along in a meditative mood, listening more to the birds and nature more than the others, though she did listen with half an ear to the voices of the team. She hummed softly to herself inside her head.

Lafisual finishes up and gets ready to take his scouting position as folks pack up and get ready to leave.

   "Ay, that does sound attractive."  Orlin takes up his usual task of carrying a chest.

Brie smiled excitedly.  She too was ready to see Kree's home, territory.

She goes around and helps any one to finish up packing or getting stuff ready so they can go.

 The Group moved   along The chests in the Middle of the  Group...Kree towards the front...

  Ivy was  just behind as he said,...how soon, before they see us?

 Kree chuckled, They better  have seen our  fire, and  have been watching us since we broke camp... If not.. they need to train, new watchers...

  the   walked along,  there wasn't much of a  road...but  the sign there was one, along  with another Camp spot, told those who did not know, that they were close to the 'entrance".

 Even from where they were, the  trees look gigantic seeming to  rgow  taller  every few minutes they walked.

 Kree called over his shoulder,One , Black Timber  , Black Oak. Could  provide enough  wood, for a very nice  sloop..maybe even the mast, depending on how they cut it... Two Ironwood trees could  provide a frigate with a stock 'armored' hull and  sides....But.. The Black Timber Elves do  not  allow logging, and  any trees that are sold to Ironmond. are picked and Cut  by my people...

 ..There are  but 3....real..entrances to The Black Timber.. and they are guarded well.... but..those  fools   who simply enter  the wood, where they feel like?..are seldom seen again....

  we are going to continue to walk... if you grow  hunger, eat rations  while you walk.. i want to reach the trees, no later the  an Hour  after sundown....if there is feasting going on... you'er bellies will  be glad you didn't eat... if there is no feast.. The Inns will provide.... and I will pay the  tab.

Brie takes up where she is needed.  She's growing anxious as the time comes that she enters his lands.  If her knees were weak, she didn't show it.  Though her eyes were aflitter with excitement.

   The Band Of Arrows were  making decent time..Though Kree's  walk was a bit  brisk, it was, at the same  time, easy  for the group to remain, more or less, in a bunch.

    Rolf  called up from the Back that he heard Rider....Kree looked at the  Giant trees that where getting closer..and the  Sun that just tipped over to start its  downward  slid  that would take it behind  the forest.

 ..Keep Moving... we have no business to conduct with them, until they reach us.... if they are polite enough ..i might even stop to listen...

  Anyone  looking back  could see the   Hillock where they camped in the Distance, and two riders rounding it, not stopping as they saw the group.

 ..looks like they are sending both thier Horsemen?


  Kree turns, not  stopping, walking backwards  for a bit,I would say... the   one in Leathers... as ornate as it is..  can fling spells.. the other   has guilded armor.. so i wager to say,  his magic  comes  from weapons..or perhaps the god

  To Luthian he  says,Alot of the gods, will be watching this encounter..I am sure..Eta and Neta. will watch....

 Ivy  Grins,..Nar..the goddess of thieves...Kar the Goddess of assassins ..Tra the God of Hunters...

  Kree nods and points to him,..HArg the God of Archers...and maybe Guua god of Travelers?.....And Bilr... Goddess of Chance... the sister's Cousin....

 they both started   to laugh as Kree turned towards the  trees....

Brie hears the conversation and moves in closer.  When she peeps out from the tree line she catches a brief glimpse of the riders and gives a low whistle to Kree that she's going to fall back and let the riders pass her as she tails them.  Just in case, they go to make a scene.

 She loosened her knives in case there's an argument that has a point to be made on politeness. She often found that a sharp knife could stop arguments fairly quickly if folks started getting too hot under the collar. Other than that, and keeping a discrete eye upon the approaching horse riders, she acted as if she had no care in the world.

 She wouldn't mind having a horse of her own though. And a wagon would make the journey easier in the body if it carried the chests and left them free to walk unburdened. Even a pony, goat or dog cart would carry their gear and leave their hands free.

Orlin continues making time towards the big trees.   Until hhe hears orders to stop or gets told to form up a defense, he's carrying a chest and wants to be as close to those protective woods as possible.  The trees will help.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Tue 18 Apr 2017.

Lafisual takes a cursory glance in the direct of the riders but then returns to his scouting duties up front since it's clear there aren't any surprises coming from their direction.

  It is  another   45 minutes..maybe an Hour..before they can hear in the Distance , the  hooves of the Horses and a shout,>>YOU THERE!...HOLD.... THE MAGE GUILD HAS BUSINESS WITH YOU!


  Kree  says softly to the Others......Keep walking. allow them to tire their horses more....we are in Black Timber Lands now....Laws, are what we make them....

   Stepping  out so the Horseman  can easily see him, Kree gives  motion with his  arm as if he was telling the others to continue.. He stays on the outside  so the Riders can note his distain as he turns his back on them.

  We have a Good  5 miles before reaching the trees..... They will be on us in..maybe..5 minutes... Ivy says to the party after Glancing back at the Horsmen.

Diana watched the riders close the distance.  She was aware of the position Kree was in, and only smiled to herself.

This was going to be good.

She tightened her grip on her bow, removing a single arrow just in case.

Lucy drew her bow, and an arrow.  She took cover in the tall grasses.  She used  the grasses for cover.

She hear the rider hail Kree, and chuckled.

This was certainly going to be good.

But she would also be ready, should things go to hell.  Let these idiots make a hostile move.   She had doubts they would live to regret it.

Especially with this bunch.

Now that the riders are in shouting distance Lafisual takes a covered position and readies his bow.

    Orlin picks up the pace a little and walks on unconcerned. [as ordered]

   Ivy was more or less  right.. about 7 Minutes..with the tired Horses being reigned in, 20 yards away, the mad in metal Armor  shouted,...YOU!.....I SAID TO HOLD...

 ....I heard You.... Kree said with a grin as he walked  backwards....but i do not  hold for lackeys .....

    He   waved his arm forward once more. Perhaps more  for the riders to see his action, then for his comrades.

  The  Horse  were  coming at a slow Trot Now, The  leader  called,..The Mages Guild wishes to conduct business!


 They were closer Now... and Kree's  grin was rapidly loosing its  luster.Aye?  Damnabale shame  they did not think of that when we were made to wait outside thier Gate, like some beggars..... Yours Guildsmen  better be able to talk while we walk, because we are not stopping....

 The   Leader   spurred his tired  Horse and  Hand it  gallop around  the Elf  to Be  several yards in front of him...I think..good  Sir..yu can do us the respect of a meeting?


  Kree's  smile was gone, His Hand  rested on his  sword hilt,..they had thier chance... they chose to show us no respect...seems like you will go home empty handed....if... you go home at all....

 the Clatter of a cart was heard as the  cart tried to  catch up to its horsemen.

In reply to meeting (msg # 231):

Diana now notched her arrow.  Should Kree give the word, the rider would be the first to die.

Yet, she didn't draw it back.  Not yet.  But she was damned sure ready.

  The Horserman stood firm, even  as Kree kept moving forward. He gave the elf a Sneer.

  ...My home  Beckons, Lackey.. and you are in my way...do not think i will not strike down your horse, and finish you at me Liesure..

 The Other Horseman bellied out  a little Behind  Kree, he was  fussing with his belt  pouches ..

  The wagon was  bouncing as the  2 wheeled cart moved  along the  ruts of the 'road"..the MAgeling in the   side seat held on for dear life....

   He Raised  a Hand,HOLD....WE WISH TO BARTER!

   The   leader Horse man  stood in his stirrups, His Own sabre Hissed out of its sheath.. he looked down at the  elf  with hatred ..

  He  Still had His  Hand  On  the   Sword Hilt , the razorhawk Pommel feeing eager in his hand.

  Orlin sets down the chest he's carrying and pounds the butt of his staff into the ground.  One of the seals breaks, blue energy crackles down the staff. Orlin murmers something then pounds it again.  Again the blue energy crackles.  He has a look of boardom "I would strongly advise you not challenge the leader of the arrows my friend.  He has been very antsy lately and your people have had your chance>"

  Kree's step becomes a bit   faster as he  grips the Balde On his  Left Hip, with His  right  hand.. the left arm still holds his Bow.

 The  Leader Looks at Him and Canter's  towards the trees Just a  Bit... Ivy Has His  Bow aimed at the Other Horseman,...  You will have to Move a lot more than that... and you will count yourself  Lucky, if you only lose your  horse...
.... The  Other fellow  Has  things   In his hands  and Looks over the  rest of the group.


 The Leader  Gives  Kree another  Sneer,I do not fear some Elven sell sword.. I have been taught the art of war by the best swordmen is the LAnds!

 Kree Spits out,... most  folks do not fear me... because those who crossed baldes..have died..

  Ivy  Nods  to the Lader, the   draws his Bow back as he shouts to the other  rider,...you better  hope  that spell you cast, is  faster, the  then speed of  my arrow....


 The   Cart is Bouncing and the MAgeling is Shouting for  both side to HOLD...A flock of Razorhawks  take to the Air, some 3 miles  away... They are attacking , what appears to be a cowsized, winged Lizard...the  small little Hawks   dive in with heir  sharp  boned  heads wounding the  creature , even as one or two fal, from the lash of the  Lizard thing's  tail..... But the   Bigger  creature  is  starting to lose  altitude..

 She moves toward the trees from near the back, slipping through them without a sound, trying to find a place she can throw from without appearing, or to sneak attack from if it becomes necessary.

Brie remains quiet and continues following the riders and wagon waiting for someone to do something stupid.

Lafisaul continues to keep watch with his bow at the ready and moving with the group as appropriate.

Orlin doesn't show any expression but pounds the staff once more.  One seal away from release.  He mutters a binding and then continues to carry the chest as ordered.  A deep ghostly laugh comes from the staff, then a deep voice booms "I do hope he causes a problem.  It will be amusing to see the look on his face before he dies."

    "Your not helping."  Orlin says as he continues.

  The  Boomign Voice, Causes the Leders    to fall Back In his  saddle.. the Horse  trears  as he  wheels it  around  and Bellies out a bit...

  The Voice saved the Horse, as Kree   Drew his  longsword  with a swift cross Cut Moton that would  Have  Maimed the horses  left front  Leg, if not removed It... The Elf  Galred for a second  and the Staff... but  quickly controlled his Blood lust with a Not ot the  Big man with the stick.

      meanwhile, the  second  Rider  Had Lifted His arms , and Ivy  pulled back his Bow  string... Ivy was done  talking...

  Then the Wagon reached where the Rider was....I SAY AGAIN...HOLD!!!

 The Voice  wasn't  commanding type..it was  soft and high, but..it  came from a  male... the  fellows  thin wrists waved  around as  he   tired to keep His Balance.. when the wagon stopped.

 ..Please?....  we will make a deal   we have  come to offer you..good Coin for the goods you carry...

 Kree   gave the leader a savage look.. to be fair, the Leader  didn't seem too concerned  as he cantered  back  and  forth, Sneering at the elf.

  forcing himself to  turn hi face towards the  mageling,..'good Coin'...may not  be  enough, Mageling.... we are within hours of  entering my  homeland.... you stand...now... on Razorhawk lands,  we have carved out  with  blood and Blade... so?    You  must bend to our terms  now........We start..easy enough....1000 Gold   for each  bottle you wish....

 The Leader's  horse  spun around. eager to stomp enemies into the ..you are a fool...ground.....You are a fool....

   Kree sword   came up to point  at the leader, but he never took his eyes of the Mageling,..Silence!...Lackey!..Your  Betters  are talking...

  The  Horseman  growled.. the  other  horseman. moved his  horse with his   legs.. he stilkl had, whatever  was in his hands..ready.

 ..You cannot   be serious.....we did not bring that kind of  Coin, nor would  we pay that much.... he looked   angry and surprised.

 ..Then? leave Now, before you  find yourself short a few  riders... with a jerk of his head to the trees,.. My Home is but an hour or so away.... if you cannot pay the price..then begone...

 ..perhaps... we could enter the  Black Timber with you?.. and strike a deal there?

 There is an honest laugh from Kree.....You want to  follow, as Merchants? that is  fine.. you will not  enter with us...and you will have to strike the deal on your own, with Whomever i give the chests too.....otherwise... if you  turn around now, you can use the Campsite  we used, when  night  falls.

 ..we should  just  kill the   pointed eared bastard  now.... we would do the lands a great service...

 ..You are welcome to try, Lackey....  he   Nods to the Others,Let us be on our way.... Perhaps..this will teach the guild some manners, when dealing  with those who come as equals, and are treated as gutter scum...

  Kreee  Truns his back on the   wagon and  uses his sword to wave  folks forward...

 The Leader's teeth are gritted as he looks to the MAgeling , then to Kree and Back.

   The deep resonant growl of an imense lion comes from the staff. "Hold lions soul, without command we cannot strike until they make the first attempt." Orlin again sets down the chest, and holds the butt of his staff above the ground, looking at Kree

As things began to turn sour, Diana took aim at the "leader".  Now, she had her arrow notched and ready to fly.  She itched for Kree to give a nod.  Kills these rude sons of bitches and move on.

Lucy use the tall grasses to move close to the mageling.  Should things go sour, he would also be one to die.  She was within 30 feet of him.  She notched and cocked her bow.

She hoped things wouldn't go sour, but she was very much ready for them to do so.  She figured the others had the soldiers covered, but she had the mage in her sights.

  The Mageling  stood on the wagon and said......Look?... Kree... Is it?

 His  eyes  narrowed,Captain Quickshadow , to you....folks  such as you, must earn the right to use  My name...

 The  Leader was almost frothing...

 Of course...Captain..Quickshadow. We will offer you 3000 gold coins  for those  two chest..and...

 ...3000 will buy you three bottles.....

 The Mage  almost fell back into his  seat...You are mad!...Howmany Bottles  do you have?

  Give me 1000 gold,  and I will have my people count them for you...but you do not get that information...free...

 ..Just kill them..take the damned chests..what use is our  powers if we do not use them...

  Kree just grinned...

 ..Only Fools  act thus!.... You speak as if you came from Hargen, iteslf!.... Captain....  we know what  price you can get for what you have.... our offer..is very..generous...


 Kree shook his head,..when did you learn what we had? And? is this supposed to make me docile?.... YOu would not allow us in the gates of your guild..a Guild  full of  magelings.... he looks at the 'leader'....and thier bootlickers....To insult me?.. or the Elven race to  stand by like some  trinket saleman..is one thing...my to insult the crimson Arrows?.... It may be many years, before  this slight is forgotten..and..NEVER...by me.

Brie has had enough of the insults and since she is at the back of the group of riders and magelings, she comes out from hiding to let them know, she too means business.

With her bow up and arrow knocked, she has the arrow pointed and ready to hid the insulting one without even a hesitation.  She just needed the word.  She dealt with this kind back home.  She took care of them, and would take care of these just the same.

Just say the word Captain! she shouts from behind.

   The MAgeling...a Younger  Human Male struggles to get down from the  cart... the  driver is a Mage Guild Guard... he  now has a crossbow in his   hands and is  looking over the Group.

  ...Captain.... Quickshadow. I am sure   we can make  some sort of deal...we need not  have a battle!

  The  elf's  Eyes shift from side to side before  they center on the approaching Mageling.It wiull not be much of a Battle, regardless of what powers you wield. Some of us may fall...but all of you will lead us to the 9 hells..

 ..Be reasonable?.... We are offering you a great deal of coin...and...

  Reason left...when we were treated like beggars outside the gate of the 'mighty' Mage's Guild...

  Turning to the others  , then refocusing on the Mageling....We are taking the chests  to my Village. Should you care to barter?.. you may follow us into the Black Timber, If the Wardens  allow it. Very  few of our 'friends" bother to trade with us, inside the beauty of the trees..... It is up  to you...if you wish to be one of those  few...

 ..This is beyond  Foolish... Cut the bastard  down, the others  will gladly trade the chest...

  Kree's Blade   comes up and points to the  leader some distance from him, he  does not bother to give the  fellow a look,..If the Lackey opens his Mouth again... fill it  with shafts.... That is the last warning...

 The Mageling, does look at the  leader  and  holds up his  hand to stop any further agreement. Then turning to Kree he asks,...and?  If your wardens  do not let us pass?

 ..Then..Good Mageling.... you will be out of the Sister's own Luck.

 The MAgeling looked a bit put off , but Nodded...

 ..You will remain 100 yards  behind us..and  closer, we will view that as an attack....


 Turning to his   Unit he says, Those with teh Chests. Move to the front.. and lead us to the  entrance of the Black Timber..it is hard to miss... Scouts..spread out... if   one of the Guild's  folks  act to attack..Kill them...

 The Mageling  looks horrified,what if your  scouts,Misinterpret an action.... 

 Kree smiles,..then we will send a letter of apology to your guild...It would be better... to not  make them, make the choice...

 Waving the chest  bearers  ahead..  Ivy Fans out a Bit  to the   right, winking at the Leader  was he   walks  by.

Brie hesitates, but listens to Kree as he makes the word of their next move. She keeps the bow up but takes side strides to follow at the back of the pack.  She keeps her eyes alert and ready for the group to make a stupid move.

Lucy, to tell the truth, was disappointed.  She had been looking forward to putting at least one arrow into the mage.  She didn't really like mages.  But that was her thing.

She unnotched her bow, and put the arrow away.  She moved out as Kree ordered.  She quickly took her place as a scout on the right side.  Still, she kept an eye on the mage.  If things went sideways, he was hers!

Lafisual shrugs and moves to his scouting position as the group moves on.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 249):

Diana unnotched her arrow, putting it away.  She quickly took her place among the scouts, to the left.  She gave the loud mouth a backwards glance.  She wondered if he realized just how close he came to dying?  She doubted it, but she also relished a second shot should it happen.

   Orlin closes his eyes and mumbles something.  There is a movement of power.  The staff says something faintly...agai it can't be understood by others. Orlin responds.  "Perhaps you can request permission for a fly over from our hosts this night."  The staff murmurs again while Orlin picks up the chest and Orlin laughs as he walks where instructed.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Tue 25 Apr 2017.

 She came out of hiding twirling her knives then sheathing then with graceful practice. She headed back to her spot near the rear of the group, giving a piercing glance at the horseman leader as she walked by.

  The  folks with the chest were in front... the nearer they approached the Huge trees..the easier  it was to  see   cart paths, that served as  roads into the  trees.

  Though, it was true, that    any one of them  could have entered the    forest  at any one area... there was something dark, and forboding , about..'just walking in'.

  But, where the  cart Paths  Converged.. there were a Pair of giant Ironwood trees  , that  Bent and intertwined, like an arch way...

 Cart paths  came  from the   South.. splitting the difference between the  Black Timber and the Tou  trees...the Lather  river  was  there  somewhere  and Beyond that , the Sands..Oddly enough, that road  was not only more  worn, but sort of paved with stones, though, nothing like the paving Ironmound had.

 The  great archway was dark..and there seemed to be no one around.

  "Hello friends."  Orlin greets the two great trees, "thank you for sheltering our path"

 Kree's  group move to Black Timber.

  When the Leader  reaches the Arch way.. he finds  two serious figures.. on , larther large  Human and a slight elfmaid.. Both have Bows  readies..the HUman has  scars around his  neck.

 ..you will hold..... what is your Business in the BLack Timber?

 The Leader growled, we seek to barter with that  group  that enetred..and if failing that..barter  in your village for the Goods they carry in those chests...

 ... since you are not normal merchants.. we will need to send a runner to the Village... you may make  campe, by one for the fire pits..or you may leave?

 The Mageling stopped the leader from losing his  mind... How Long will it  take....

 The  runner should return by morning... we will alert you as soon as we here..either way...

 WHAT!.... you mean  we might not be allowed in?

  Tou's Mage's Guild has never offered a firm allience with Black Timber elves , or  our Mages...but, the Elders  may wish to allow you to enter...since there  seems not to be a big crush of Merchants...

 ...we will wait....

 She makes a motion  to someone inside the archway.. and nods.....you will need  no guards  tonight... Black Timber folks do not allow harm to come to those under our protection

 The Leader snorts,..you will understand  if  we still post a guard...

 It is up to you, of course.... but bear in mind? if  we wished you dead... you would have been cut  down when you appraoched   the Arrows, not long ago...

  The  little wagon  rolled to the  nearest of the   camp sites.  They set about gathering  wood and  the mageling started a quick  fire...

 the  driver set to task, on making the evening meal.

  The leader and   riding Mage  took care of their horses and sat down by the fire.

  ...You know...that bastard elf is making us  wait...just to be petty....

 The Mageling  shrugged,..This...is their lands  now.... The incident at our gate should have been handled, better... we would have let in carpet  merchants..but we chose to offend a group, we would be better off...not offending...

 The rider  Mage spoke,our   good Leader.. did not help, by egging the elf on....


 ..the pointed  eared bastard  almost killed my horse....

 The Driver  was  mixing  a  stew, with meats and vegetables brought from Tou, and  adding wonderous spices  from the Sand People,..he bloody would have... he  would have  cut  down yer horse..and  took yer bloody head whilst you lay under its bulk.... I've seen him do such things... when   they got me an' mine from a slaver pack... shot two horses in the   head with two bow shots.. he was on the riders before  the  second horse  hit the ground..don't think the slavers even had a chance ta cuss....

 The leader look even more angry..I'm not a slaver.... and those are the Empire's Lands...not the elves...


 The riding Mage laughed outright, causing everyone to look at him,..Tell you what?.. You ride to the Emperor, tell him those   Ironwood trees and great black oaks are his... and he should sent an army to wipe out those who live there..and take it  for the glory of ironmond...better still?..Say you'll lead them?..It would  be a war, the Empire would not win...trace elevs would come to their aid... The High  Peak Dwarves would be split... the navy would me  split, considering the Arrows  have taken out as many  slaver  ships  as the Navy has...and?..That is not  counting the beasts.... inside those  trees?.... the Black Timber  folks  hunt what they need... and protect what they do not....but  if anyone comes in that  forest to do harm.... yo might see creatures  fighting  side by side with  elves, humans  , halfbreeds and whatever else they collect in there...

 The Driver nodded as he stirred,...count yerself lucky... The Elf  raised his Balde  to you...and you still live ta talk about it?..I'm thinkin you owe  Eta and Neta  some coin, next shrine you see..

  They sat and ate, True to the elves  word, they could see an elf, or Human in leathers  pop up, now and again, a few  100 yards from their  camp, as they patrolled to keep their 'guests' safe.

 what would the  elves do, I wonder, if i decided to  ride down thier road to thier  Village.... Is that not an empire  road?

 The Mageling  just shook his head as he ate....The riding Mage  just laughed.

 The Driver  said over a mouthful of bread,...you go do that... they would bring your Body out, lookin' like a bloody porcupine ...not that they would need more then one arrow... they have bloody kids  that could  stick a shaft in your eyesocket while you full gallop...they would just stick the other's in as a decoration..or?..maybe Bets ta see who  could closest to yer  heart...they do stuff like that..play with their enemies...

 The Leader looked at the Driver,..you seem to have a damn high respect for them..why do you not go live with them!


 ..almost did...but I like the city... even thier  Village , though great it is?..is not a city...

  After    every one had  eaten. The driver   contained the  leftovers keeping it  warm with embers  and piled  stones.

 The two riders  saw to the horses on last  time. The Mageling  had  shut down his lantern and  put his  spell book away. nestled as best he could in his robes and Blanket.

 the riding Mage was asleep quickly as the leader sat at the   banked fire and finished his  Cafee..

 Tell me , Driver...do you really think  that band of  mercs  could have taken us?

  There was a good  NAtured  chuckle from the driver as he settled into his own blanket.. You and  the riding Mage  would have died  first....The good Mageling here?.. would   have felt the impact of  arrows from many directions at once..... I might have lived though...

 ..and why is that.....

 ..'cause i would have  dove on the  ground, with me bloody arms in the air.... I will  never live  the good life... I will never have tile under me  feet, in my home.... but I am not a stupid man...

 The Leader   titled his  head  and snorted....

 the mageling  said, in a tired voice,If that is true... the good driver is one of only a handful in these realms...

  The driver  was Up, stirring the pot  from last nights fare, and setting tea to boil.

  By the time he had his horse  hooked up, the other three had  taken care of  their morning needs and  sat around the small fire.

 three elves  were walking across the  field, in the daylight it was  easy to see the elves kept a good  50 -100 yards of  grasses cut to give them a killing field, infront of the trees...already some  of those who did not  fight for a living where Bundling up grasses to take back to villages, either for fodder, or fuel

  The three elevs reached the mages.. a..for an elf..middle aged scout spoke , her  eyes were on the Mageling, ignoring the 'leader'....when you are ready? You will approach the   entrance to  The Timber... you will follow the scout that will lead you down the trade road.... any exit from that road, will be considered a hostile act, and you will be  treated thus...

  A bitter chuckle  came from the leader,..I am most certain, we can follow  a road. elf....

 she looked at him, her right  eyebrow  rising  to disappear under her green armored helm...perhaps...i should think not, after your actions on the road? At any rate, you are ....guests... it will be ill mannered  for us to allow your deaths in the Timber..unless, of course, we caused it ourselves...please... Keep that in mind, when you enter the trees...

 she turned    and  the  group walked towards the entrance to await them... The Leader was about to stand, and the driver   put a hand on his leg, shaking his head.

  The leader  relaxed..and stared at the driver's hand, then at his face, causing the driver to withdraw the hand...touch me again, you low born trash.. and i will remove that hand...

 the driver  merely smiled at the leader, this caused him  to lean back from the driver,..look?..I don't bloody give a damn if ye get yerself killed.. if you lack the brains of a rooteater, that isn no concern of mine....what concern there is? is that yer ego will get us all killed....and i don't feel like dying, because some fool's ego was cut to the quick...

 The Mageling   just nodded  and shrugged,..the man has a point, Captain? We do the guild, no good if we are dead...

 about   fifteen minutes later, the driver was cleaning the pot  and taking  care to make sure the fires  was dead... then the small group  moved towards the  dark entrance to the trees...