With a smile Thorn turned to Dobryna and nodded his head in deference. He was a pleasantly-appearing man with a relaxed and easy manner, which was a sure sign that trouble tended to follow him around. A mandolin was slung over one shoulder.

"Your Grace is too kind, too kind by far. In truth, the depth of your kindness is only matched by the depth of your beard."

It was the sort of joke that could have most people executed on the spot, but Thorn had earned Dobryna's friendship the hard way, and knew his jest would well received. He now looked to each of his prospective new companions in turn, exuding warmth and openness.

"Greetings and salutations, friends! I am honoured to make your acquaintance. I am Thorn ~ bard, soldier, rogue, thespian, occasional jade merchant, regaler of fables, and opportunist. Although I may actually have some actual use beyond that. If you would have me in your merry troupe, I would consider myself most fortunate."

Thorn took his mandolin from his shoulder and thrummed it gently, and briefly.

"Perhaps a song is in order..."

Loukas turns to Thorn expectantly with Dobrynya's introduction and when he makes the verbal jab at the former Regent's beard the Brother of Veles can not help but laugh aloud and make his own as he strokes his own naturally thin beard, "Aye, and on behalf of myself as a follower of the Woolly One I thank Your Lordship for growing extra!"

When Thorn begins to play he smiles and pulls out his own Gusli and strums along with his brother player.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Thu 01 Nov 2012.

Dyanna smiles at the bard as he is joined by Loukas in song.

"Greetings Thorn. It is good to know you and if Lord Dobrynya speaks highly of you, I am sure we will all come to value your company."

Dyanna lets her darks eyes light upon the protective cloak lying with the loot on the table.

Miroslav nods his shaggy head in Thorns direction and smiles..."At my ...Lords suggestion, you are welcome into our fold Thorn. You will have to tell us more about your journey here while we feast."

He moves over tot he table again and hands the protective cloak to Dyanna, A dagger  to Heinrich, a heavy hammer to Radvila the worker of wood and the ultra fine longsword to Oleg saying..."As you are now the captain of the Heart of Oak, this sword shall be yours to keep and you will be charged to protect the ship with your life."

Oleg accepts both the sword and the responsibility and bows his head to the new Regent of Khorsun, Lord Miroslav.

A'kos lifts a tankard in Oleg's direction.

"Steer her well, Captain!"

He quaffs a swallow and listens to the bard and the monk play while taking in the scene around him.  He looks toward Jaleh and smiles.

"A fine feast, lass...yet you speak little tonight.  Is aught amiss, or would you care, perhaps, to retreat to our home for a less public celebration."

His tone is solicitous, and but few sitting near can hear him.

Jaleh frowns for a moment then begins to pout, "I have not been feeling well at all, perhaps I will go home, but you stay here. You are needed. I on the otherhand am not and just would rather sleep for a few days."

A'kos raises an eyebrow, says quietly, "If go you must, then go...but not without escort.  I will see you home and return."

He stands, says to Miro, "Hold the big celebration for my return - Jaleh has an ague, and I would see her home.  But I will return."

Loukas raises his glass to A'kos's toast and after the exchange between the Falcon and Jaleh a look of concern crosses his face, "Take care of yourself, Jaleh, and hurry back to us A'kos."

He settles back into his chair and continues playing his Gusli along with Thorn's Mandolin. He will await the Magyar's return before returning the conversation to their plans. Until then he intends to learn some new music.

Strumming his mandolin to the tune of "The Harlot of Aquitane", and delightedly so when Loukas joins in with his gusli, Thorn sings to the assembled celebrants with some gusto and no little flair. He follows that up with a sea shanty, "Captain Shackle's Whacking Paddles", which is perhaps a little colorful for this occasion, but hopefully it goes down well anyway.

After a song or two more he takes a seat at the table and joins in with the celebrations, though he does not over-indulge on either food or wine. But he will share something of his past.

"I have spent the last few months here, as my Lord said. Prior to that I had been in Bulgaria, where I spent some weeks after leaving Constantinople, owing to a misunderstanding concerning the twin daughters of a wealthy nobleman. It was unfortunate then, that afterwards fortune took me into the employ of a Bulgar Baron, who had a winsome daughter who was greatly enamoured of my...erm, singing...else I may have dallied there a little longer, but these events are the exception rather than the rule, I assure you."

Thorn paused, a rather dubious smile upon his face, then gulped down the rest of his wine, before pouring himself another. After another sip he relaxed, although it seemed perhaps his the joy had escaped him momentarily.

"I travelled widely prior to that, and have done ever since my sixteenth birthday, when I left Denmark. Hopefully for ever."

He took another sip of wine, stared into the distance for a time, and then seemed to gather himself. He looked around, picking up his mandolin again.

"Has anyone heard "The Cheesemaker of Upsala" before?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:31, Fri 02 Nov 2012.

Miroslav shares a smile with both Dobrynya and Loukas..."I can now see whay the lord Dobrynya has kept Thorn all to himself these past months!"

He then turns once again to the table with the collected loot...he hands the incense to Zmija as well as the hand axe. He gives the periapt of proof against poison to Jaleh as she is leaving. The Hammer of Thunderbolts gets thrust into his own belt."I know there are items here that some of you are still interested in. I ask that you tell me again and we will make a final distribution of them."


 potion of diminuation to loukas

 splint mail +3
 1 leather armor +2
 shield +2 to Yaro
 2 studded leather+2 1 to Yaro and 1 to Barmak
 mail +2
 splint mail +1
 scale mail +2

 scimitar +2 to Barmak
 dagger +2
 1 spear +2 to A'Kos
 long sword +3 frostbrand To Thorn
This message was last edited by the player at 10:01, Wed 07 Nov 2012.

Loukas nods to Miroslav's comment and when the new Regent asked about the remaining goods he speaks, "I might find a use for the Potion."

It is only now Thorn becomes aware of the pile of loot spread before the collected throng. He raises an eyebrow as he peruses the booty.

"I say, you have been busy! Is this just one haul, or several, for the gods themselves would be impressed by such an array."

The bard paused a moment, absently strumming his mandolin.

"Now that looks like a fine sword," he said, innocently.

Loukas raises an eyebrow at the bard, "You do recall the huge Pecheneg army at the gates recently, don't you? Or perhaps you were distracted by the beautiful daughters of Khorsun?"

"I am well aware," shot back the bard, grinning. "And someone had to protect those beauteous maidens - I did so...with great purpose and attention!"

"In that case you will understand whence all of this stuff comes and certainly deserve a sword for you efforts in the defense of Khorsun's daughters!"

ooc: A'kos will take the other spear if no one else is willing.  Short post I know.  Headache.  Off to bed.

Miroslav nods and hands the potion to Loukas and the second spear to A'Kos. He gives a fine suit of studded leather to both Barmak and the Captian of the archers, Yaro. He also gives Yaro the shield and Barmak the scimitar. To Thorn he hands the frostbrand and says with a smile...."But who protects our ladies from you?"

"The rest will go in the armoury. We will have use for them soon enough if the Emperor has any say in the matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Wed 07 Nov 2012.

Zmija leans back against a feast table and asks..."So the plan now is to use the mirror to gather information about John...yes?"

With a deep bow Thorn accepts the frostbrand from Miroslav, and he is smiling when he straightens.

"You are too kind, milord. As to the ladies...let's say our relationships are mutually beneficial, and leave it at that!"

Loukas smiles at Thorn's response to Miroslav, but when Zmija speak his becomes attentive and he glances at Dyanna and Balthazar, "Yes. It seems to me that at some point soon our enemies are going to realize that we are using magic rather effectively and may move to defend themselves against it to whatever extent they are able."

Dyanna purses her lips again as she seems lost in thought, she then smiles and speaks,
"I would suggest that we set the mirror up in a safe place, possibly the Regents household or event he lab that Balthazar and I have been using for magical research. Regardless we best make sure that whoever is manning the mirror is well versed in it's use. We also much make sure that we can realize when and if our scrying has been compromised. I am far for the greatest illusionist but I do know there are ways to know if one is being scryed and ways to block it as well."

She drinks deeply from her goblet of wine and continues,
"I suggest that when we finish here that we go set up the mirror and begin right away, before John even has a chance to learn all of what has just transpired here."

"Your lab sounds ideal for this...and you a e correct, for now the Emperor will not know the recent events. If we can learn something we may be able to get the drop on him while he basks in the idea of our destruction. But then again he may already know."

"Very well then. I will go prepare both the lab and the mirror."

Dyanna bows before the Lord Dobrynya and says,
"I wish you safe passage my Lord."

A'kos walks Jaleh back to the manor, considers staying, but makes his way back to the dinner in time to hear Dyanna speak of the lab.  Enlivened with a sense of wonder, he is curious enough to overcome his natural inclinations against mages and their sort, so will quietly join them to watch, silently, as she and Balthazar do their work.