Lyra ate of his meal and afterward thanked Siliwen for the work she put into it, and thanked Artur for providing it for them.  After conversing with the group over supper, he watched the women go and then leaned back and exhaled.

   He listened to Artur and then turned his eyes to Nal, " That's right, although we have one amongst our ranks that acted as guide.  But if there are such treacheries as that in these woods I would surely not want to go unaccompanied; as I am more versed in the song of the blade, than the symphony of the forest.  "

   He took a sip from his cup, and looked the way the women had gone.  As he glanced to the side he said, "Well, any surprises of that nature can be dealt with by the reassuring presence of my sword.  "

Siliwen finished braiding her hair again and washing her clothes while Haruuna took her bath.

When Haruuna was done dressing Siliwen stood and headed back towards Artur's.  They would still had some daylight left to bath if they wanted to.

"Haruuna it must be hard sometimes for you amongst the other races that see your kind as not good." Siliwen said as she walked back though she kept her eyes roaming about.   There were many predators about that became more active and daylight faded.

"I'm not too comfortable with mine, I admit," replies Nal. "Always preferred dancing with my hands to dancing with metal. Just having it, I hope, can stop most fights before they start."

He taps the hilt with a wry grin. "Not that forest predators would be that intelligent."

"Well, sometimes it is, but I do my god's work and my faith in him keeps me strong. I know they are prejudiced, they fear me because they don't know me. I am glad you and the others accepted me into your ranks. I thank you for that!"

Siliwen nods and walks among quietly after that enjoy the sounds of forest and field.  THe quick pace she set was easily matched by Haruuna's longer strides and before lone they were back to Artur's Cabin.

Giving a polite knock she called out.  "It is Harruna and Siliwen." as she walked in.

"If you two want their is plenty of time for you to get a bath in the stream. It was quite nice to remove the dust and dirt from our days travels."

"Thanks for the offer, but now I live in fear of the forest, especially as night draws near."

Siliwen's head turns to the young man. Not quite believing her ears Siliwen asks, "Do you jest?"

"Not at all! To a city boy like me, hearing stories of vicious predators raises a certain primal fear of the natural world," replies Nal, stretching. "Besides, I bathed this morning."

Siliwen turned away and if the dishes had not yet been done she sets to work cleclearing adn cleaning up the remains of eating and cooking.

Humming as she worked quickly.  This was one o fher many chores at home giving her parents time to work on their particular crafts or even a bit of free time.

Before long the remains of the meal were cleared up.

The sun was low in the sky, casting a red glow across the scene. Artur pointed out a few places that would make good spots to sleep in the clearing. He explained that he wasn't willing to share his cabin - that privilege was only for his dogs! Anyway, the weather looked fine, and not set to rain.

Artur carried out a barrel of ale and a few clay mugs, inviting all to help themselves. It was early yet to sleep, so it seemed wise to sit up awhile and plan, or perhaps just talk.

Finished with her self-appointed shores, Siliwen moved to join the other in and evening descends over the earth.  The night sounds change the crickets shirring changes tempo, it all makes a sort of music.

"Arutr, You wouldn't happen to have a flute or pan pipes would you?  I can usually coax a semblance of a tune out of them."

Nal reaches for the mugs and ale, quickly pouring out a couple of cups; one he keeps for himself, whilst he returns to Lyra with the other and sits down, legs crossed.

"Well, Sir, I'm afraid I didn't catch any of your names," he remarks, quietly. "Mind filling me in?"

"I am Haruuna Dhacuul. Glad to meet you!"

"Likewise! Are you from Alasch, or a traveller from far afield? Ah, if it's the latter, could you tell a story? Distant lands hold some wonder for me."

"I am not from near here. My tribe, the Khraarul, live far to the north from here, in the mountains we call the Bear's Teeth. I left them to carry the teachings of my god, Nym-Weselyn of War, to all people. I have been travelling for a few years now."

   "Yes, do play a tune.  I wish I could join in,  but alas many of my skills are of the warrior's profession, rather than the poet's.  "

   Lyra gave a nod of appreciation, "Thank you, Nal.  I didn't acquaint myself with you before? I'm Lyra Duphaneus, son of Sir Vernum Aprostius.  "

   "Distant lands can be somewhat unkind, and the wonder of their mystery stifled by the horrors of their truth.  ", he said, somewhat distractedly, gazing off into the distance, speaking to know one in particular.

   He turned toward Haruuna, gettign a sip of ale before speaking, " I haven't been there before.  My travels have carried me over some distance, but not that far.  My quest to join the Knights of Xvern brought me here to this town where my father lays to rest an eternal sleep.  "
This message was last edited by the player at 10:56, Tue 14 July 2009.

Artur sat quietly listening to the conversation.

He shook his head at Siliwen's request for an instrument. "I'm not a musical man! But by all means, if you wish to sing, go ahead."

He grinned a little mischieviously.

Siliwen though not a trained bard does have a good natural voice HEr tones are pure and ture, her pitch is not as high as some elven voices but rather a bit more mellow.  She first sings a simple sheep hearder's song, use to settle the sheep down at night. and then a young lovver's lament that is quite popular as it is a bit funny. She drops her voice for the boy;s part and raise it higher for the girls.   Then she sings a rather baudy dittty knows and the Near-Sighted Knight and the Old Whore.  IT has a rockling chorus that is easy to follow.

Finally she sings a child's lullaby and softens her voice to a mother/s loving tone and words to her child. A song her mother often sang to her.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Wed 15 July 2009.

Nal claps softly after each piece, and tilts his head after a moment, addressing Lyra once again. "You must know better than me, by the sounds of it- I've not travelled beyond Alasch's borders in my time, and it seems duty will always keep me here. I'm sorry if I brought up some bad memories."

Haruuna obviously likes the music and clapps after each piece. "You have a wonderful voice!" she says.

   He applauded Siliwen's performance, "Beautiful, beautiful, it seems like your talents are infinite.  I would be sung to sleep like an baby if not for our company. "

   He smiled, to Nal "Don't fret, I've seen other lands than these, but I am by no means a grand adventurer and my words are just musings of a mind left to wander.  "

   "What form of duty, if you don't mind my asking? I've sworn allegiance as a Knight, but Knights are free to wander where ever their order bids them or where ever a Knight is needed.  "

"Oh, I earn my keep working for the Trakli family on odds and ends. They've fallen on hard times, recently, so there's much to do- good for my pockets, but not for my legs. One of my jobs is- well, headhunting," replies Nal, gesturing at Artur.

"Often, I serve as a messenger and liason, however, and bring back news of what goes on across Alasch to Grenfall."

"Thank you, you are all most kind,  My parents were gifted caraftsmen, but there ws alwasy music in out home, mostly we made it ourselves,  sometimes I would sneak inot the castle when they had a party and listen ot the musicians they had or eavn a b" that would come on the holidays.  My simple songs are nothing to compare to what they can do."

She sat quietly as the others shared things aobut themselves.  Itis good to know more about those you travel with and may hav to depend on with you life.  though she hoped it would not come to that.

   He nodded, arching his brow inquiringly, "A head hunter? I see, then, so that's what you were about around these parts.  Well, we'd be glad for your expertise, and your experience with the blade couldn't be that bad if that's your profession.  I'd be rather confident in your ability to hold you own in a fight if we ever had to fight side-by-side.  "

   "Don't be so modest.  ", Lyra said with a smile toward Siliwen.

   "But tell me of the Trakli family, Nal, I don't believe I've heard of them, or if I have the time and place is lost to my mind.  "

"No shame in that, Alasch is too large for any one man to know every noble in it," replies Nal, grinning at Lyra. "Well, they're quite an old family, with several branches, and they own most of the land about three or four of the westernmost towns, Grenfall chief amongst them- where I hail from.

"I mostly do work for Alan and Emma, the youngest children of age in the head household, though it seems Emma's getting set up for marriage- can't say with who, though. They used to have some strong ties with other houses- with the Mist and Wietheral families in particular, but there's been a series of disputes, lately, and it's a damn shame."

Nal pulls up against the wall, and looks Lyra in the eye. "What's the most important quality a knight can have?"