Loukas greets members of the Fellowship and the new Hedonite, "Well met, Brother!

In his own way he is as impatient to get moving as A'kos. The road calls!

Onfim smiles and says..."We will have plenty of time to get acquainted once we are on the trail...shall we?"

Seeing that the cart with Ciuvi and all the others are here and look ready to go he suggests...'A'Kos you will take point of course yes?" as he spurs his own mount forward.

To be clear, here's what I believe we have in the travelling party:
Onfim
A'kos
Balthazar
Finnegan
Michael (I decided to take him after all)
Loukas
Thorn
Yaro
Cuivi
Cassius
6 men-at-arms: Abel, Benjamin, Connor, Darius, Edel, Fredo (all wearing red shirts)
cart
wagon
21 horses (15 riders, 2 for the cart, 2 for the wagon, 2 for additional supplies)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Thu 11 July 2013.

Yes that is it...Onfim chose all the men at arms himself for the trip. Most speaking more than two languages.

OOC: Loukas isn't riding a horse. He's fast enough on his feet that he doesn't need one to keep up. His mount may be used as an extra or to carry additional supplies.

Thanks for the disclaimer.  A'kos was ready to take his head off.  ;)

A'kos rides out with Onfim, Storm's Wind mane flowing as wind rushes into his face.  It feels good to ride, to gallop, even if only on a road - the press of city on all sides had left him, betimes, breathless.  Now he was free...but not stupid.  After a short jaunt, he reined in and allowed the party to close the distance somewhat between them before kicking Storm to a canter.

ooc: As long as we're on the road I'll go up to a couple miles away, but still within sight.  If we hit difficult terrain, I'll limit my scouting to no more than 300 yards.  Suggestions as far as this goes are welcome as well - I'd rather not have a Sir Jean moment.

Loukas walks along side of Thorn and once A'kos takes point and the party gets moving and challenges him, "So, brother Bard, let us keep our fellows entertained! You begin -- sing a song and I'll accompany you. When your song's over, then I'll sing one. The first one of us that can't come up with a new song takes care of the winner's mount that evening. Or, in my case, since I'm walking, you'll give my feet a rub."

He raises his eyebrow and grins, "What do you say?"

The small caravan lead by A'Kos makes good time heading on the roads to the northeast. The cart is slow compared to the horses but with the aid of the Magyar, excellent horses were chosen for this journey...Cuivi was interested in oxen pulling the cart but luckily was talked out of that idea.

Yaro and the men at arms ride along next to the cart. Most of the men at arms are Greek since they seemed to be among the best educated in the city of Khorsun. Rather than considering themselves part of the Emperors Greek Byzantium, they consider themselves to be of Khorsun and are very loyal to the city and it's leader.

The first day of travel is without incident as the roads between Khorsun and Kiev and fairly safe...the destination lies a few days northeast of Kiev, more into the wilds. It will take the better part of a week just to make it to Kiev.

OOC: I realize Thorn's being NPC'd right now, but I'm going to assume that he would take Loukas up on his challenge. Feel free to cut-in Nestor or Thorn-the-player if you think I'm taking advantage. If so, I'll re-write, etc.

Thorn was a bit put off by Loukas's challenge, Rub YOUR feet?, but he presumed he was not only a more experienced Bard, but he was, after all, on horseback, which is a theoretically more accommodating position. Accepting the challenge the two draw their instruments and trade songs for the first day. And the second day. And the third day.

Between the two of them they have visited a large part of Europa or known someone that has, so everyone present hears a song from, if not their homeland, one that sounds very similar to one they know from their homeland. The Greek soldiers respond enthusiastically to several of Loukas's from Byzantium and other parts of Greece. Figuring that Loukas is playing to his home crowd, Thorn actually comes up with a Magyar tune at one point when A'kos is actually close enough to the company in his ranging to hear it. The songs themselves range as widely from great epics to low, bawdy tunes. From the city to the country and back again. Some are variations on others, but as they are still unique songs they are valid. While the contest only occurs while they are moving, later that night one or the other receive requests for reprisals or Loukas attempts to play one that Thorn had used earlier that day or before or Thorn plays one of Loukas's.

Finally, on the fourth day, Loukas draws a blank. He begins a tune, muffs the the cord, and with a shout of frustration and a laugh, "Gah! I... I can't. I have nothing more in my feeble head. You win, damn your Eireman's Tongue!

He bows his head to Thorn as he walks, "Well, played, my friend. You have taught me some good ones and I look forward to using them against you the next time we try this little game!""

Turning to Thorn's horse he says, "I shall give you the first proper treatment you have received since that lout saddled you, my friend." and the horse neighs as if he understands and is suggesting that it had better be at least as good as the care he has been receiving.

A'kos spends most of his time during daylight scouting the way.  He rides for 30 minutes, walks Wind for ten, then rides thirty minutes more, repeating the process as each day unfolds.

At rises, he dismounts and climbs the height, making sure to stay below the edge, crawling the last few feet in each instance.  Once there, he lays on his belly to survey what's before him, then descends, climbs upon his mount and continues on.

Each night, he settles into camp routine, though he makes sure to spend time with Onfim, trying to get to know the man in some manner.

"What do you think of our merry little band?" he asks one night, while eating before the fire.

OOC: Praise be that Thorn has avoided both losing his head AND having to rub Loukas's feet - at least thus far! ;) And excellent RP btw, Loukas.

Although he had planned to spend the trip getting to know his companions better, Thorn was unable to resist Loukas's offer of a contest, and so spent the first few days in a battle of ballads, so to speak. He very much doubted that there was any degree of experience between the two of them as bards, so perhaps it was simply the grind of travel that pulled Loukas back. He grinned.

"You played most excellently, my friend, and if I am feeling anything right now, it is relief - relief at not having to rub those feet of yours after four days walking in fur-lined boots! I am sure we will have more fun with this in future."

Around the campfire at night he will ask Finnegan and Onfim of those lands they have travelled most recently, showing a particular interest in anything the Brother has to offer.

Onfim rubs his stubbled chin as he answers the Magyar..."A good group to be sure but cumbersome. Hard to move fast with a wagon in tow. I suspect as we near our goal that we may need to leave some of the party at a safe location. If this grail is as valuable as I am lead to believe then we will not get ahold of it by asking nicely."

In reply to Thorn's query on the lands he has traveled to..."My studies have taken me far and wide from the Western shore of Britain to the land of the Hindus. Language and learning have always been my passion, I have little talent for magic and am passable with a sword but learning will always be my first love."

A'kos agrees with the man's assessment.

"We are familiar with those who submit to this one god.  Two companions did we have who were knight's of one of the church's orders.  They were doughty warriors, but at times they were difficult in tactical situations.  One road headlong into a flight of arrows...the other seemed intent on conquering the world by himself in the name of Christendom."

"I have seen in my travels that the White Christ holds sway over many lands but not all. Even in Christian lands, there are pockets of those who worship and revere the old ways and to the South and to the East the religions are even more different.

He then produces a small bone flute from his pack and plays a quick tune...a familiar melody heard through out the region as a drinking song. He smiles around the flute at Loukas and Thorn, fully expecting them to join in.

"Ah Ha!", shouts Loukas with a grin when he hears the song Onfim begins playing. Quickly he grabs his gusli and joins in on the tune.

In the morning the small caravan once again heads northeast on the rough roads of the Rus empire.

For the following days it is the same routine...travel camp, sleep, wake and travel some more. On day six, about midday a plume of smoke can be seen in the distance, most likely a few miles up the trail. It looks considerably larger than a campfire.

A'kos rides carefully ahead, taking on the role of scout.  He looks for a suitable thicket in which to picket Storm's Wind, then creeps toward the edge to see what he may...

When they see the smoke his instinct is to move ahead using his speed and stealth to take a look; however, doing so may split the party. So, he takes a breath, "The Falcon is probably investigating. We should probably pause until he comes back and lets us know what is ahead."

Onfim nods his head..."That is probably for the best. I am sure he will report what he sees shortly."

Finnegan and turns to Balthazar and says, "May I accompany A'kos?  I am an excellent scout.  I can crawl on my belly faster than most men can walk."

Balthazar rolls his eyes and answers, "Sure, although crawling won't be necessary.  Just do as A'kos does."  Finnegan eagerly moves as silently and as low as he can up to scout.

Balthazar whispers to Loukas, "I bet you 10 gold the boy doesn't last the week."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Mon 12 Aug 2013.

A'kos retreats swiftly from his vantage, and returns to the party at a gallop.  On the way he passes by Finnegan, with a bemused expression, but says nothing.

Upon his return, he says, "Pechanegs, full bloods and half.  About 30 or so that I saw, burning a village and taking slaves.  Mostly women and children."

"Burning a village..." Balthazar's voice cuts off as he grimaces.  "I'll show those uglies how to play with fire.  Separate them from the slaves, and I'll fireball the whole lot of them."

A'kos shrugs.

"Save your spells, Hedonite.  Send me, the minstrel and monks, and we'll make short work of them."