The redheaded healer looked slightly askance at Kristi at her insistence from being from the future.  It was so strange, feeling the kinship and yet the strangeness of it all.  In any other circumstance, they'd both be committed.

She let Victoria and Heska handle the nature of divinity and their presence.  Vǫlundr might have had his confidence bolstered by such bluster, but Saskia knew better.  she (and the Einherjar she hosted) were anything but divine.

Saskia frowned at Zander's suggestion that they ask around Misty Valley, the skepticism in her voice creeping in, "We can ask around, but It is highly unlikely that Skuld incarnated here in the Valley, Zander.  I was at my homeland, in Laytown, in the Emerald Isles and Clotilde ..." she still couldn't look in her paramour's direction, "was abroad, far from here..."  Her red hair bobbed lightly, "Far from me... "  She couldn't help the bitter undertone as her voice failed her.

Shaking herself from her reverie and collecting what little dignity she could muster, "And so, Skuld may be anywhere in the world, right now.  Incarnated into one of millions, if not billions, of potential hosts..."  She shook her head, "A needle in a haystack."

She shook her head, not in disbelief, but perhaps frustration at the seeming impossibility of it all, "I still say we should go North."

Zander feels for Saskia.  The whole situation is understandably hitting her hardest.  He doesn't want to argue with her, and he almost doesn't, but he really thinks they'll regret leaving without at least looking into the possibility of Skuld coming to North Shire.

In his friendliest, least confrontational tone, he poses a question to Saskia.

"How unlikely is it that both Volundr and Heska ended up here?  Would million-to-one be a close guess?  Such things do not merely happen by chance.  That coincidence alone had to be guided by fate.  Why couldn't fate lead Skuld here too?  Are we in such a rush to charge off north that we can't spare a few hours asking around in the one place that we know two of our three time travelers ended up?"

Miffed that Zander ignored her, she chose to ignore him.  "I never said divinities.  I said they were immortals, or at least eternal in a sense they can travel here to guide us. Unraveling and preventing it works for me.  And someone said that going where you showed up is a good start.  Saskia mentioned Laytown.  Might be a trail there.  If not, we go where our other friend found Clotilde."

She was twirling a little coin that was clearly foreign in her fingers.  No one had seen her do that before.

"No puzzle is too big to solve.  Follow the crumbs.  It is better than doing nothing.  Or wandering uselessly.  If one of you wants to do mushrooms for divine intervention, you have my permission.  I think a true divine spell would work better.  Crumbs.  Find the crumbs."

She was clearly lost in thought.  And no one knew what those thoughts were.

At this point Kristi had mostly lost interest in the conversation.  Mainly as most of it went over her head.  The other part is her very short attention span.  Still while the discussion and other things are going on she does hum a diddy in her head to which she bobs to that song.

Maintaining a sour look on her face with arms crossed in front of her, Sara continues to listen to those who keep on speaking about such foreign lore. "If we are to assume that these beings are here for a purpose. If we are to assume that there is a plan in place. If these assumption are true, if Skuld is necessary, she is in a place that she can be found."

The Princess smiled at Sara, always the bastion of common sense.  "True.  While it might be a whole world to search, this would not be a valid search without the hands of luck and destiny working together.  All we can do is chose a smart start, and see what happens."

She looked at everyone.  "A day to rest and gather supplies, and we move the day after.  That way, we can gather information, say our goodbyes and Zander can have another night of revelry.  Let's plan to go forth then.  I'll arrange for horses and pack animals.  If you need potions, I might be able to do one or two beyond what I have made.  Let us be positive and go forth."

She stood up.  "If anyone wishes to speak to me, please follow.  I welcome any congress with any of you."

Saskia let out a simple plaintive sigh, she nodded lightly to his argument to look close to home for a start - it was as good of a place to begin as any, "That.. that is fine, Zander.  You are right.  Let us ask around today and tomorrow, while making preparations."

"But we cannot dwell too long here." she cautioned, "I am willing to look around here for a day or two, but after that, I agree with Victoria.  We move on."

Zander thought Victoria was just needling him with the stuff about writing a love song, especially after he'd offered to write a song for Kiara, but then the princess gave off subtle, but noticeable, irked vibes.  This happens more than he likes to admit, and not just with Victoria.  Zander is pretty sure she wanted attention, and he wants to give her that attention.  Side note: 'congress' is a seldom used euphemism for sexual relations in his circles, but he's sure it means something closer to advising in the royal court.  Was Victoria spinning a double entendre?  He contemplates this a bit too long.  By the time Zander snaps out of it, Victoria is gone and the conversation is over.

More than a touch startled by his return to reality, Zander glances around and then sighs.

"Let's go find out what the folks at the fort know," he says to Clotilde.

OKay information gathered was alloted in Message 89, and i was hoping to get some action to act on, not more information gathering, but...

We can presume that you're still at Fort McAlistar.  Just finished with your conversation.  You split up and try your various outets for information.

Will give an open summary of what is found.


Clotilde and Zander linger at Fort Mc Alistar.  They get nothing about Norse Lore, but they find a clue in the Barbarian tribes known as 'Nords' existing and raiding settlements up and down the coast North of the Capital.  This would be west of the Badlands.

Saskia comes across Cosette, a Champion (Paladin) of Luna.  They have a 'hypothetical' discussion of their problem.  A discussion of theology brings about the observation that this 'Skuld' feels akin to the sphere of influence closest to 'Kismit'.  That this Skuld involved in the process of the measuring life spans and weaving them into some cosmic tapestry, feels a lot like Kismit's book of fates, a legendary artifact that's said to bend all of creation.  While it doesn't help with 'where' to look, it does help with 'perhaps' the what to look for.

Victoria goes to check with 'PRINCESS', the news is surprisingly little.  Nothing is known about this lore. (the lore does not exist, so no one working on 'current' lore will have anything about it, STOP LOOKING)  She lets them know what she's getting into, and gets approval to be on 'official' business', which lets her access PRINCESS resources for this issue.  You could call in some back up now, but travelling with your friends you're not sure you want the extra complexity of introducing another agent to your friends, you've avoided it as much as possible.  They are personal, and this is business and having the two separated is the best way to keep your frineds from looking at you any odder than they already do, or revealing potentially embarassing things to your working associates.  You find out what you can gathering what you can about possible PRINCESS Operatives that might be useful.  'Rose' packs your 'lunch' and kisses your forehead and telling you to be careful.  Throwing your lunch in your pouch, you tell your mom you will be a little embarassed, and head back to the company of your friends.

Mei and Sara return to their personal quarters where Mei references some old books and scrolls that my have merit.  This whole Ragnarok thing sounds suspiciously to the lore of conduct that the Wyrm is seeking to inflict on the world.  It's not impossible that they are related, and that this threat be something of a more personal nature.  This being the case Mei calls in a few favors and 'borrows' a Klaive for herself, and a half dozen 'Jade' tipped throwing shuriken for Sara.  Against certain Wyrm foes, the jade tips might be rather useful.

Kristi goes to talk to Caroline.  She's mostly useless.  Curious mostly about the notion of magical fabric, and what sort of fashion might be fashioned from it.  You tell her you might be away for some time, and she's pretty casual about it, like it's normal to go out and see the world.  She doesnt mind as long as you pick up anything you think she might be find interesting for her, or learn interesting tidbits of lore that she might find interesting.  Dana thinks it's either a total waste of time, or a really dangerous thing you're doing... she finds that sort of disturbing but pretty typical for your bipolar nature, so perfect.  The orphanage is poor so they don't really have much in the way of anything useful to offer for your adventure.

I... think that's everyone...

After a hour or two of meandering around doing this you gather back together as the Magic Shoppe, as good a place as any to meet.  It's also a good time to settle accounts, depositing or withdrawing what you need, and do last minute shopping.

We didn't go around town asking about lore, we went around town asking about anyone acting strangely or speaking an unusual language, in an attempt to see if anyone knew of a possible Skuld vessel in the area (without going into the details with them).  This isn't addressed in that post at all.  I will assume we actually asked about this as planned but turned up nothing.

Zander thanks everyone for trying and very uncharacteristically shuts up and quietly follows along with their next move.

"I promise if I find anything I will bring it back and definitely something no matter what for you Dana."  She offers to Dana and does plan on helping the orphanage as always mainly for everyone there.  For all else she has what she has and that should be good enough for now.

When she arrive where everyone else is she takes a look around not that she has anything to buy with.  Not that she mind window shopping as that was almost always how it was for her.  Never really having enough to every buy anything.  Heck that is why the gang that took her in did a lot of theft.

"The Book of Fates..." Saskia repeated quietly, "Of course. I knew that the Fates and their skeins sounded familiar."  Naturally, she had Vǫlundr screaming in her metaphysical ear the entire time.  She thanked Cosette profusely, still with the virtual Einherjar prattling on to keep moving on.  But, the red-headed healer herself had found the conversation both useful and comforting.  So, she chose to ignore the rougher edges of Vǫlundr's expletives and focus on how to find Skuld.

North.  It still seemed the best bet to her, where was some subconscious affinity or draw for her (and Vǫlundr, it seemed) to search there first.  And now it could be the Book, the Bridge or the Babe that they might find some sign of.

Having gathered her (meagre) possessions together, she met with the others to start their journey.  "Are we ready?" the red-headed Chosen of Luna asked her boon companions, "To the portal to the Emerald Isle then north to parts unknown?"  That was where she thought they should start, but was willing to entertain any other leads that the others might have scrounged up.  She was excited to be going back to her homeland, even if it was only to pass through.  And she'd been there not more than a few days ago.

Noticing Zander's unusual melancholy, Saskia sidled up next to him as they departed, "What's on going on?  It's not like you to not have a tune on your mind or your lips at any given time..."

"Huh?  What?"  Zander looks a little startled like he's just waking up, but he was clearly awake the whole time.

He grasps on to the last thing in his auditory memory and lets his brain work with that.

"What's this portal like?  I assume it's magical.  How big is it?  And if we're going north from an island, does that mean we're taking a boat after we get to your homeland?"

Saskia and Victoria are both enthusiastic and optimistic about the upcoming journey, and that's good enough for him.  He likes seeing new places, but he's less keen on walking for days on end, especially if he has to lug a bunch of gear and armor around.  This portal of Saskia's sounds like the perfect solution.  He hopes it's nearby.

Was he even going to bring his armor this time?  It feels to him like something in the world changed this year and made armor useless.  Could something like that even happen?  It strikes him that he originally wore his armor on the flower picking adventure based on  ghoul-tastic danger.  Sure, it had turned out to be charlatans, but he hadn't heard any mention of potential dangers on this quest.  Wait, is that right?  Zander thought hard.  There was something about a Lich King's armies of darkness.  Zander and his pals were certainly not fighting those directly.   Nope.  Find Skuld, put her on this Bifrost bridge, problem solved.  Saving the world sounded pretty safe, actually.

Zander startles again, but in a milder fashion this time.  He hopes he didn't miss any of Saskia's answer about the portal and the boat.

Victoria walked in, then looked around, waiting for a break in conversation.  "I learned little, but I've been released to travel with you.  If you need any equipment, within reason, I can get it.  If we need horses, gear or other items, within reason, I can get it."

She looked a little tired.  "But I am happy to travel with you, presuming you still want me.  As a Princess, I can order it, but I would rather be with you by choice.  I could go alone, but again, I would rather be with you."

Ready to go and the voice and manner was Clotilde's, but there was a definite...distance and melancholia attached to the voice, as if it were one who knows that time is short. She was quietly singing something as she arrived.

_{Moving on is a simple thing
What it leaves behind is hard
You know the sleeping feel no more pain
And the living are scarred}

The red-headed healer shrugged slightly, when Zander asked about the portals.  "Well," she started and then describe, what little she knew about how they worked.  As far as she was aware, they were a global network of magically-powered quick transportation devices.  She'd no idea who created them or when, and she'd only really ever used the one to travel between the Emerald Isle and Misty Valley; but her parents had assured her that there were many more portals and destinations.

A lot of goods and such were transported that way as it was quick for the relative cost (if you had Mana to spare).  Paying the mana toll was often how she used them.

When she saw Zander's eyes glazing over, she knew that she'd the limit of the conversation.  Saskia poked him in the arm, "But, I remember my mother noting that there was portal that went north from the Isle.  So, I am hoping that we can avail ourselves of that..."

Saskia quirked an eyebrow at Victoria, "Of course we want you, Silly."  She gave the Princess a crooked smile, "What would make you think that you were unwelcome?  Or that we didn't need you."  Her burgundy lips pressed into a frown, "What did your mother say to you?  I know that I, for one, am counting on your breadth of knowledge to keep us pointed in the right direction...."  She looked to the others for some level of confirmation.

When equipment was mentioned, Saskia prompted, "Winter gear?  Can everyone keep warm?  In summer, the North is rumored to be mild.  But once the weather turns..."  She knew she had a heavy woolen cloak, but also knew that might not be enough if the weather turned particularly nasty.

Victoria blushed at Saskia's comment.  "Yes, we will have pack horses for summer and winter gear.  Think now, while I can request it, and let us go with a little overplanning and less underplanning.  Deal?"

"Two portals, huh?  That's even better than a portal and a boat.  Less chance of shipwreck."


Zander gives Victoria a big hug to show his confirmation of Saskia's sentiments.

Zander, normally staggering around in little more than his kilt and boots, shows up at the North Shire Exotic Imports and Exports fully wrapped in a very large wool cloak.  Apparently tailored for a hulking brutish man twice his size, the cloak all but envelopes him.  Within this cloak Zander ValBanjur has no hands and only the merest hint of booted feet.  His head and flowing mane of fabulously lush flowing blonde hair pops out the top, much to the cloak's dismay.  It is clear the cloak would prefer him to turtle up and pull the more-than-ample hood up over his head.  But no!  Zander's face must be seen.  The cloak has begrudgingly lost this one battle.  It will bide its time for now, knowing that come darkest night, when Zander succumbs to a fantastic volume of drink, it can finally fully consume his slumbering form.

"Christabel, my glowing ray of sunshine," says Zander's head from atop the cloak. "I have something to deposit."

Zander waits for a moment, then two moments, knowing that showmanship is important and timing is everything.  One must build just the right level of anticipation.  When he senses that the attractive and delightful, but somehow undatable Christabel is about to ask him what it is his wants to deposit he produces a small black kitten from inside the cloak.

"mew..." says the kitten in greeting.

"This is Lizzie.  Take good care of her while I'm away.  She likes chicken and ale, but don't give her too much ale.  She's just a baby, after all."

"As for gear, what was it I got last time?  You keep records, right?  It seemed to work well for my previous journey, so I'll have the same again."

This technique does wonders for Zander at taverns throughout the land as the staff have a much better recall of Zander's food and drink orders than he himself does.  They take good care of him, and he appreciates it.  They also bring him lots of drink, which he also appreciates.  That's one thing he does remember about his last purchase here at the Exotic Imports and Exports...

Two bottles of cheap wine, a bottle of strong spirits, and an empty bottle.

Why the empty bottle?  That's for water, which Zander will fill himself from the town fountain.

"A bedroll," Christabel reads off one of her many meticulous lists.

"What?  No.  I still have the first one.  Don't need it."

"A week's rations, a bar of soap, a spool of fishing line, a hook, flint and steel, a tinder box, 2 burlap sacks."

"You can put the sparkers, the tinderbox, and the sacks back on the shelf."

He didn't really need another spool of fishing line or another hook, but he'd already sent back so much of his order.  It was cheap and never hurt to have extras.

"Think I'll need anything else?" he asks Kristi who he thinks is there.  He looks over his shoulder to see if that's actually the case or not.  Either way, the question drifts to anyone within hearing distance.  Zander isn't a quiet speaker.

Kristi stops and thinks if she needs anything and hopes she has everything that is needed.  Mainly as she doe not want to be indebted to anyone as that has caused problems in the past.  Sure her stuff might not be nicest but it was hers.

Then it was when she realized she was spoken too by Zander, "What...um yes stuff.  No your list sounds like you have most of everything needed.  I would have to go through my pack to make sure but I should be good I hope."  Kristi responds back.  "But to be honest and fully transparent I am mot exactly the person you should ask for stuff like this.  I doubt I could take care of myself since I got here Dana was the one that made sure I did not screw up.  Now I am just hoping I don't screw up around all of you."  Truth be told that was her biggest fear as it seemed she always made the worst choices.  She only hopes hooking up with this group was not one of them.

"Don't you worry for even a second, Sugar Cookie.  You're gonna be amazing.  I'll take good care of you and you take care of me.  Deal?"

Suddenly Zander whips his cloak open.  He's holding his guitar and wearing his typical boots and kilt beneath the woolen mass.  Before you know it, he chicka-choos to a funk opening that twists into an unexpected building 4-chord progression lead-in to lyrics.

"You're gonna go faaaaaaaar!"
"You're gonna fly high!"
"You're never gonna die.
"You're gonna make it if you try."
"They're gonna love you."

"I've always had a deep respect."
"I mean that most sincere."

Oddly, you're pretty sure this song has no chorus.

"We're all just knocked out!"
"We're so happy we can hardly count."

"And did we tell you the name of the game, Sugar Cookie?"
"We call it riding the gravy train!"

Zander works the guitar so hard you'd think it had deeply wronged him, but what comes out is quite possibly the most astonishing solo you have ever laid ears on.  Sort of a shame there's no real audience to speak of and the acoustics of North Shire Exotic Imports and Exports are mediocre at best.  Also, Zander's cloak seems to be soaking up a considerable amount of the low end.  Still, the music flickers and dances like a mesmerizing bonfire of sound.  Zander somehow finds an opening to shoot you a finger gun while playing the solo to remind you that this song is for you, Kristi, and you alone.

Victoria was clearly surprised at Zander's hug.  She couldn't even blurt out a thank you when he was off.  For herself, she gathered cold weather gear, climbing gear (pitons, hammers, rope) and some warm bags for sleep and such.  She also selected some gear for others who might not plan as well (Zander) and plenty of food and such.  She had already secured pack horses, and set a few helpers to load them and get the gear ready so they could leave on the morrow.

"A lovely song, Zander.  How about one to wish us well?  We have a hard trip, portals or not, and we only have each other to depend on.  This is an epic quest, and in those, people can die.  I want no one dying on my shift, especially me, but if I must, I stand before all of you.  Let's pack and pack well, and have a hearty jolt of friendship.  We shall need it.  As Princess, I cannot command it.  It is in each of you to bind us together to one purpose... survival and the completion of this mission."

Exhausted, she sank down in a chair.  She had planned as best she could, and yet, she was worried, but dared not show that to anyone.  If anything, she chose Zander as cheerleader, and the rest would fall into place.

But who would she lean on?

Zander spins around.  The cloak had been blocking his view of Victoria.  He's glad she got to hear his glorious guitar solo.  It was quite bitchin'.

"No one is going to die," he assures her, patting her shoulder.  "All we have to do is find a girl and bring her to a bridge.  People don't die doing that.  Plus, we have Saskia and Chloe, who can kick the teeth in of any troublemakers we'd ever meet.  Nothing to worry about."

Zander sure isn't worried.

He ponders Victoria's song request for a moment.  Rock music isn't exactly brimming over with songs where the sentiment is 'Hey, good luck on your trip.'  None-the-less he comes up with one to fit the bill.

He begins with a strong catchy pattern of notes that slips a chord in the pauses to simulate two instruments bantering.  Then he shifts tone a little while still maintaining the back and forth interplay between the single notes and the occasional chord.  Finally, he returns to the original tune and starts singing.

"Once I rose above the noise and confusion,"
"just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion."
"I was soaring ever higher,"
"but I flew too high."

"I hear the voices when I'm dreaming."
"I can hear them say."

"Carry on, my wayward son."
"There'll be peace when you are done."

Yeah, that's good stuff.  You don't want a rock song to be too literal.  Best to leave it on the poetical side.  Chicks dig that.

When he finishes the song he climbs up on the counter to make an announcement.

"Hey!  Like the song said, we're leaving town tomorrow to go save the world.  If this puts any of you ladies in an amorous state of mind, I'm up for a steamy night of feverous lovemaking.  You will NOT regret it."

He gives all the attractive and eligible ladies within the projecting sound of his voice that look with the eyes.  This includes present company.

Saskia nodded in gratitude to Victoria's largess, thankful the that princess had been able to secure sponsorship for the expedition.  She was well aware of how fanciful it might seem, and knew that it was likely folly to place such trust and resources with such a young group.  To say nothing of quasi-possession and the strange voice in her head that berated her at almost every turn.

The red-headed healer made her way to Victoria's side and gave her a shoulder rub.  She could feel the tension in her friend's shoulders, as her fingers worked to help combat some of the knots.

As her fingers worked, her mind wandered a bit.  Saskia knew that she needed to talk to Clotilde (who was now Heska), and yet had been studiously avoiding doing so.  Part of her knew that procrastinating was the exact wrong thing to do, and yet she hoped beyond all hope that in delaying such a meeting that Saskia could hold onto her childhood friend who was now more than a friend for just a little while longer.  She hoped beyond hope that there was something more that she could do.

Victoria visibly relaxed.  "Oh my, that feels good."  In some cultures, no one would dare touch a princess to intimately.  Victoria was not that.  These were her friends, and even she considered a superior, she knew that her only superiority could be proven by knowledge, intelligence and success.  She still smarted from her lackluster response at the her gathering.  And to be given permission and to provide was something she thought of as duty, not consideration.  Perhaps that was a fault?

She only barely managed to keep a moan from her as she wiggled a little as Saskia found another knot.

"I know this is hard for you," she said softly.  "Voices in your head, what happened to Clotilde.  I would be stricken, in your place.  But you still feel a sense of duty, and you even take a moment with me.  That means so very much to me.  You're a treasure, with or without your extra person in you.  And I am honored to be your friend."

She broke the mood of the serious speech with a giggle.  "But I'll honor you more if you fix the knot in my neck!" she said with a chuckle.

At this moment, which she appreciated the efforts of Zander, she was not looking at him.  All that mattered were the fingers making her feel better.