"Many a fit man can outdistance a thoroughbred but should we have need for haste you will still be a burden. Never the less it is your life to spend as you will."

That said Jean wheeled his mount back into line.

"Relax, Jean. If our friend here cannot keep up, which I sincerely doubt, then we shall leave him behind. Let us continue."

Taking a spot near that back of the party, Loukas keeps his short bow and an arrow ready.

While there was something unnerving about the holy man, seeing Zmija's ease of movement so far, he can not help but feel a bit envious. Being on foot in these mountains could be quite an advantage... "Given the terrain before us it seems unlikely that our mounts legs might actually be a disadvantage here. After all, this place is better made for mountain goats or mules than warhorses, eh? Come, fellows, it is too early in this mission to be biting at each others' heels."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Tue 08 Dec 2009.

"You were born to be a diplomat, Loukas," says A'kos.  "Let them figure things out for themselves...perhaps the knight shall have need of the runner's skills before too long and shall see thing differently then.  If not, then he and Conn are right - we leave the man behind."

"You misunderstand. I do not doubt his abilities. I simply wish to know what they are. In war knowledge is greater than strength."

"And apparently you were born to be a philosopher," shrugs the Falcon.  "I've little need for either...and if you were that concerned perhaps you should have studied the man more carefully aboard the ship.  In the meantime we've some miles to ride..."

Allowing his thought to trail off A'kos pushes Storm's Wind further up the trail, summarily dismissing the conversation out of hand, his thoughts already elsewhere.

Balthazar says to Zmija, "Ah, you belong to an Order diametrically opposed to mine.  To bring your body and mind to such a fine state of conditioning takes considerable self-denial.  While I can clearly see the benefits of your rigors in the skills you are putting on display, I believe ascetic abnegation runs counter to the human condition.  Perhaps after this mission you'll at least submit to trying my chocolate mousse cake?  It's a specialty of mine I learned during my time in the Frankish heartland a few years back."

"Make no mistake Falcon...I was born to make War."

Jean rode with his eyes out for trouble but he could not help but listen to Blathazar's mention of Frankish deserts.

"If you two keep shouting at one another you'll have more war than you can handle shortly," Jaleh says, pulling the fine Arabian up next to the Frankish Knight.  "Of your prowess, I've no doubt, but let your actions shout of it from the mountainside and your words be left for prayers for the dead."

With her little speech done she too rides forward, following closely on the heels of the Magyar.

Bringing his speed back up to a jog Zmija replies to Balthazar..."Some in the brotherhood, do deprive themselves of pleasure but those of us who follow the way of Veles know the feeling of inspiration to the extent of the "wod" or fury. It is true that I am conservative with regards to how I treat my body but for the sake of friendship, i wil try your Frankish treat when we finish here in Khorusn."

It is with a smile that Conn enjoys the exchange between Sir Jean and the Falcon, and he finds himself in agreement with the latter, though he is equally sure Jean is more than capable - in many respects. He rides off behind A'kos and Jaleh, while catching Balthazar's mention of cake, which sounds quite delicious, moreso to one who has lived on meat and ale for longer than he can remember...

"Excellent.  The 'wod' - is that something you experience in regular seven year intervals?"

As he jogs..."We experience it whenever the Lord Veles deems we should."

Balthazar is intrigued about this Lord Veles fellow, but mindful of Jaleh's scolding, he saves them for a later date.

It is clear that the night will fall before making it to the city walls. As the sky begins to grow dark, Zmija finds a suitable cleft along the mountain trails for the party to camp in for the night.

Loukas wraps himself in his cloak and keeps his weapons near to hand as they settle in for the night.

Michael, even though the effects of the spell are long worn off has glommed onto Balthazar as almost a personal servant. Within minutes of stopping to camp for the night, Michael has all of Balthazar's gear unpacked and his mount cared for. He asks no one in particular..."Shall I collect wood for a fire or are we not going to make one?"

The party is far enough away from the city that a fire should not be a problem.

Conn will also wrap his cloak around him, and keep his weapons close to hand. He will help in building the fire, if required.

Jean sees to his horse and then looks over the mounts of the others (with the exception of A'Kos' who is certain does an adequate job) before coming into the camp and settling in by the fire.

"Best we keep a watch by turns lest someone steal in an end our expedition prematurely."

To Jean A'kos says, "I've this little toy from the dead Persian - I'd activate it and do a quick circuit around our camp to make sure none are about."

He indicates the Figurine of the Lion...

When A'kos suggest that he could make use of the Lion Figurine, Loukas agrees, "Aye, that would be a wise use of its powers; nevertheless, we should remember that the city may well have patrols protecting its rear, and while we are probably quite safe from them if they do, we should each take a turn at watch as well."

"Agreed," nodded the Falcon tersely.  "I've a mind to get to know my new companion now, however, and will take a bit of a walkabout in the surrounding area."

With that, he sets the figurine on the ground and whispers a word, then stands back and awaits whatever may happen.

Jean sat up slightly to see what, if anything, the figurine did.

"That would be great, Michael."

(OOC: Maybe I've lost track of how long it's been, but I highly doubt the spell has worn off yet.  If MIchael has an average intelligence of 11, he doesn't get a new saving throw for 3 weeks.  Furthermore, that's just a new save, and a 0 level human needs a 19, which is only a 10% chance.  So every 3 weeks Michael has a 10% chance to shake off the spell, so that averages out to something like 30 weeks for a single casting.)

I know I'm going to regret this, but Balthazar swaps out shield for charm person from his memorized list, seeing as how we may need to convince some enemies to let us past.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Mon 14 Dec 2009.

NO you are right. i lost count of the days. Or actually just forgot about paying attention to them altogether:)