Onfim, although new to Khorsun is a gifted scholar who actually enjoys organizing things, takes charge is getting this together for the trip while Yaro finds suitable men at arms. Cuivi has a cart ready pulled by a team of horses with Cassius in the back.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:42, Fri 05 July 2013.

Loukas appeared at their gathering place dressed for travelling in a white silk rubakha and grey woolen pants tucked into leather, fur-lined boots. Over the shirt he wears a black, knee-length svita with a pattern of vine wrapped dragons of grey silken thread woven into it. A broad cloth belt of thick black and grey weave tightens the svita around his upper and lower torso permitting him to move with ease despite the luxuriousness of the cloth. On his back is a pack and the case for his Gusli, Volsu Blüskú. From the belt hang leather pouches and a dagger, but no other weapons may be seen. With him come two of his monks who bear the camping and extra adventuring gear that is his contribution. While they load one of the pack horses and then depart respectfully, he greets his comrades enthusiastically.

Despite his enthusiasm, Loukas was somewhat skeptical about this quest. It seemed like a distraction at a time when focus on the Emperor what was needed. His motivation over the past few years had evolved from mere vengeance. He now saw himself as more Rus than Greek and if his new home and leader, Sviatoslav, were going to survive it would require his old home and leader to be neutralized, if not defeated entirely.

Despite all of this, he had come to realize that sometimes the least direct route towards a goal can offer greater rewards. His father the merchant had a quote about this, but Loukas had long forgotten it. In pursuit of the mythic Grail they will not only have the opportunity to learn things to make them each and together more effective warriors, but if John's magi are indeed attempting to track them then it will distract Him from Khorsun and permit Miroslav's diplomacy to better knit together an alliance that will lead to Byzantium being checked to the advantage of everyone else. It is time for a new Rome and why could it not be Kiev or even Khorsun?, he has thought to himself.

While he has spoken of this to Zmija and Miroslav he does not do so with the others. Dyanna, it seems to him, would be the most interested, but she is Greek and he is uncertain that her pride would not be insulted by his thinking. Balthazar, in his search for experiences certainly has no interest in politics and he has said as much in the past. A'kos? The Magyar is foremost interested in the fight regardless or where it takes place and add to that the tragedy of the past week, well, Loukas knows better than to broach the topic. Thorn is new to the Fellowship and while he seems to be in many ways a kindred spirit, it seems clear that this is a superficial assumption and, ultimately, the Bard is more akin to Balthazar than himself. He looked forward to getting to know Onfim, and hoped to find some commonality there, and Cuivi and Yaro, though he had traveled with both men, he still suspected that neither would be much interested in his concerns.

So. Loukas has sucked it in and prepared himself for the coming journey. Whatever else the important thing is that these are new days, indeed, a new Chapter for the Fellowship of the Heart of Oak. It is time to write the next stanza!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:55, Wed 10 July 2013.

Balthazar is there doing the finishing touches on the wagon that will carry his precious spellbooks.  He is explaining to some men-at-arms about making sure the books are well cared for.

And then a cloaked man approaches ...

"Hello Balthazar, " says the Irish monk, "My name is Brother Finnegan Wake, the Hedonite.  You've been appointed my mentor."

Balthazar explains that he received the sending earlier in the day and that Finnegan was expected.  Finnegan then strikes up a conversation with the horses.

"Another such as he," mutters A'kos, as the newest member approaches and greets his new mentor.  "Such a world we live in."

Shaking his head, he makes sure to check on Storm's Wind - the horse has been well cared for, but the beast is restive, shaking his head and snorting at his approach.  Gently, he lays a hand on the beast's neck and commiserates with it's impatience - he too is ready to be gone from the city.

The recent stretch has left him shaken.  The 'loss' of Jaleh, her pending birthing and not least, the loss of his Lion, Leo - that wondrous item gone from him in the battle with the fell Mage - all of this is a burden that he girds himself to carry.  He wishes the waiflike woman were still here to share in her pain, realizes the folly of such thoughts - were she there, likely he would not feel so much unhappiness.

Yet, Storm's eagerness rubs off on him, and he allows himself a smile - the first in what seemed ages.  Returning to the party, he declares, "I am ready."

ooc: a bit out of sequence, but wanted to put something up quickly.  Sword's high folks.  Let's go kill some s(tuff).  Oh, and new color for quotes...fwiw.

Thorn arrives ready to go. He nods a greeting to the gathered but stays to himself, a bit strange for one so verbose.

Thorn npc'd while his player is away...don't read anything into this post:)

Onfim's eyes light up when he hears Finnegan's name and accent..."A Brother of Eriu? So far from home eh? In my travels I have seen your homeland but only from a deck of a ship. Such greenery!"