Barmk bestirs himself; for, given a chance, he's sleep until noon or later and prowl at night. I'll go; my skills may be needed.

"Hmph," mutters A'kos.  "You've yet to see me charge afield upon Storm's back...else you'd understand my angst."

"Busy memorizing spells over here."

I'll pick my list for today soon.

In reply to A'kos, the Falcon (msg #5):

Grinning, "Come now, A'kos, you know I was teasing. I have seen you upon Storm in battle and have an appreciation for the ferocity of your combined might."

"I don't think I would miss this for the world!"

Cuivi rises with the sun. He definitely feels his age this morning. Once this quest is over he wants to settle someplace for a while and worry about his own health and well being for a change.

"I am not Sir Jean's biggest fan but no one deserves to be taken by something like that."

Turning to Balthazar,
"I am not sure I understand this cube of your. You speak of pressing a side and something happens, what happens? Does a door open or does something get pulled through or what?"

"There was a child involved who discovered the cube's properties," growls A'kos.  "Pyotr, or some such.  He paid for his involvement after accidentally releasing the hellspawn Basrakan.  Seems to be a door of sorts to other," struggling a moment the Falcon finally settles on, "realms."

Nodding toward Balthazar and Dyanna he finishes, "They've been the item's wardens since then."

Loukas rubs his eyes and stands smiling resignedly, "Well, Cuivi, technically Sir Jean does deserve to have been captured by Basrakan. However, that is because when Pytor released the Efreet Lord, Sir Jean used its offer of wishes to send him back from where he had come. In doing so, it should be added, the Frank also healed hundreds of sick and wounded civilians and soldiers. Not only a clever act, but one of great wisdom.

"In other words, one completely different from that which got him into the position he in right now, though Basrakan has certainly been awaiting him to be vulnerable since that day, what, two years ago or more?"

"The cube apparently permits one to access different realms..."

Looking around at the group, "Am I correct in remembering that the realm Baskaran had been sent to was a frozen one? If I am, this means that he has since escaped from whomever had entrapped him. It seems most likely that we shall be visiting the realm of elemental fire..."

"Likely, aye," nods A'kos, seeing to his gear, his weapons and such.  "Let me know when we're ready; seems I've been adrift upon this floating log (no offense, Miro) since the dawn of time!  I chafe at the inactivity!"

Loukas laughs at A'kos's "log" comment, "Better log than branches, my friend. I too am ready whenever our spell casters are. Until then I shall stretch and practice."

Giving Magyar an appraising glance as he nonchalantly stretches his hands and fingers, "Perhaps you would care to spar with me a bit, warrior, while our friends prepare themselves? Maybe I could teach you a trick or two I have learned from Master Zmija and my brethren of Volos that you might use the next brawl?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Sat 20 Aug 2011.

"Ha!  I know too well the tricks of your ilk, Loukas!  I'll not have you tilt me on my backside in front of the women!  Though the calisthenics you run through are intriguing to me - what use are such exercises?"

Loukas shrugs, "They are of no use if one does not intend to be nimble. Come over here and I will show you something that will help you keep yourself prepared for whatever might occur..."

He begins to lead the warrior to a place where he might show the exercises off to the warrior, "Whenever it might occur."

He then begins showing A'kos some of the basic exercises he has learned.

Its something to do, and truth is that A'kos found muscles stretching he'd scarcely used in many a year.  Legs warped from too many hours in a saddle, arms and back sculpted by the weight of blade and armor, still there were many strange twitches and strains the longer they went on beneath the sun bronzed skin of the Magyar.  Finally, some hour into the regimen A'kos laughed and halted; heaving to his feet rubbed his hammies deeply.

"Enough, enough, friend Loukas!" he cried with a mock grimace.  "My arse will ride even more sore for these exercises you would teach me!  You'll find me not so willing a pupil next time, eh?"

Turning then, he called back to Jaleh.

"Some wine, woman, then your gentle ministrations!"

Chuckling, he waved a friendly hand toward Loukas and headed back toward the ship.

It had been a good work out for A'kos is a hardy warrior at his peak even if he is unused to the exercises Loukas put him through. Nevertheless, he could not help but make some sort of jest. Stepping back, "Right. Let it be known that Loukas the Greek sent A'kos the Magyar crying into the arms of his woman!"

Barmak calls out While you stand there all alone!

"Ha!"

In fine spirits A'kos settled next to Jaleh and awaited the others to finish what they may before the group set off to find Sir Jean.

Loukas pauses when Barmak speaks then turns to him with fake-confused look upon his face, "Yes? Well, better singular in victory than together in defeat, I think."

Grinning wryly, he wraps his sheep lined cow-hide cloak around himself, has a bit of wine from one skin and a lot of water from another and settles into a comfortable place on the beach. Bringing out a beautiful small, gem encrusted silver medal with Volos's symbols inscribed upon it and meditates until it is time to finally depart.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Sun 21 Aug 2011.

Dyanna watches the exploits of the men for a few moment with a smile laying across her full lips. She then Answers Cuivi,

"I was with Balthazar for most of the experimentation and research on the cube. When you press on a side it opens up a gateway to another world. It would seem that we will have to enter the elemental plane of fire and search for the abode of Basrakan and fetch Jean, or even buy him back perhaps."

Miroslav nods his shaggy head at Dyanna and says..."Then it is to Hell we travel then!"

He looks at the crew and counts out those who are coming..."Balthazar, A'Kos, Loukas, Barmak, Dyanna, Cuivi and myself. I will leave the ship in the capable hands of Oleg while we are gone."

Raising an eyebrow in the direction of Jaleh he asks..."Will you be joining us my lady?"

A'kos awaits her answer, his eyebrow raised in a modicum of interest...though his eyes reveal more intent than, perhaps, he would wish to show.

"Alright, I am ready" says Balthazar as he rises to his feet.  "I have prepared two strength spells today.  Who would like this buff cast on him or her?   It is most effective when given to a warrior.  It takes 10 minutes to cast, but will last for 8 hours."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:54, Fri 26 Aug 2011.

"Mmm," says A'kos suspiciously.  "What affect should such a dweomer have upon me?"

"Makes you stronger.  Big shocker, I know."

"Hells yes, I'll be coming." Jaleh called back to Miro. She then added with a short laugh, "You don't think I'd trust my man out on his own do you!"

Miroslav smiles at Jaleh..."Tis good! I for one did not want to have to keep my eye on the Magyar just in case something ill befell him. Facing a womans wrath is beyond my scale of bravery."

He then jangles his own iron gauntlets and says..."I have my own buff as you call it, best use the spell on A'kos and perhaps Barmak? A little more strength behind that curved blade of his could go a long way in our favor...but that is up to you and Barmak."