In reply to Melock (msg # 264):

Having thanked the guards for their tip, still keeping a careful watch around him, making sure not to be overheard, Hoskar chuckles at Melock's question.

Us? We do quite nicely. Just a precaution.

The laugh is struck from him at the sound of the whistles. And now we move it along home, I think. Much as I like our guards I would rather not pay extra for dealing with trouble.

Melock notices Hoskar look around at the crowds and so walks next to him and puts an arm round his shoulders, "With Grundar and me here do you need the guards?" He drops his voice, "Surely having them here," Melock nods towards the guards, "just draws attention that you have something worth stealing?"

The guards had moved to stop Melock and Grundar, but stop when they realise that they are friends.

"I suggest we continue..."

Becx's house is a few metres away.

In reply to Melock (msg # 266):

Henal laughs"trust you to think that Melock. Now let's get back and relax away from the crowds".

Still smiling, Melock shakes his head, "In a place like this, it's the only way to think." Looking closely at Henal, "That bag looks heavy, would you me to carry it for you?"

Henal grins and replies "No, its not heavy with what it will do for us".

Rhino Alley

Amara shrugged "It's our first day in the city. We're out and about and taking a look around when we heard a commotion here." she raised an eyebrow "I'm getting from inference, that we probably should not take notice of such things from now on. I have no problem with that."

The alley truly is a dead end or is at least to those not familiar with the ways of the city. The sounds of struggle has abated now that the watch has led off the troublemakers, enabling the two braves to hear was sounds like Ohanzee singing somewhere nearby

Amara glanced at Kobal with the eyes of the weary once they'd left the commotion on the street. <Blue>"I swear that if there's any possibility of causing mischief within a thousand miles, my husband is in the middle of it." she led Kobal towards the sounds of the singing.

Amara and Kobal, with some help from the locals are soon standing outside a pretty shabby looking tavern. From inside comes the bellows and cheers of perhaps a score or more drunk Praxians. The two braves had been told that the place was called The Stomp And Brew and frequented by Storm Bull cultists.

There's no sound of Ohanze singing, perhaps he's having a break.

In search of a Raven

Kobal has a quick look around, listening as well for music played badly, lyrics murdered, or vocal objections.  No sight nor sound to suggest Ohanzee.

"I'm tired of chasing the Raven," he says to Amara.  "I'm going to head to the Waha temple now.  I'm sure he'll find his own way back.  Even if the people here have to chase him back there."

Quickly poking their heads indoors Kobal and Amara find themselves being observed by a score of very drunk Storm Bull followers, who on realising that the new arrivals are not locals but in fact nomads, greet them with a rousing cheer


"WAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

There's nobody else inside, with even the staff seemingly hiding for the moment

"Come, grab a seat and join us" hollers one of the braves.

"Look she has the same clan markings as the singer." crows another.

"Can you sing too?"

and so on...

Amara greeted the Urox with a smile. "Ah, you have met my husband then? I can indeed sing...and dance, but I feel that perhaps my performance would not be as good as his. He can tell stories too. Did any of you happen to know where he went?"

On mass the Storm Bull worshippers point to a nearby doorway covered with a length of material.

Given they suddenly became the centre of attention they had no choice but to enter the tavern.  Though it's nice to be back among nomads as well.  Kobal strides to the doorway indicated, along the way, giving a friendly back slap, headbutt or hand clasp to the cheery Uroxi.

Pushing back the material reveals a room with a bed, a naked lady and a naked Ohanzee.

They look to be having fun...

Kobal rolls his eyes, pulls the curtain back into place, and says to Amara, "I found your husband."

He walks back out of the tavern and continues his way to the Waha temple.

Kobal finds the temple easily enough, the magical emanations it gives off visible to one of it's worshippers. The corral outside is filled with Holy beasts, the animals walking slowly around Totems set into the ground, whilst several initiates look on, sending prayers to their gods with power filled chants.

The air is thick with familiar incenses and as he approaches the unguarded main door, it swings open by itself.  It takes a few moments for his eyes to adjust but he sees several people standing just inside as if waiting for him.

"Kobal of the Wandering Rangers?" enquires an elderly priestess of Eiritha. Her companions are several Waha Initiates of advanced age.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:04, Mon 26 Feb 2018.

Amara's lips thinned as she opened the curtains "So I go out looking to save your hide and what do I find? You're cavorting with other ladies and without asking my permission? When I have other husbands I will be asking them to beat the living daylights out of you as I don't trust myself to stop myself short of killing you. Next time you get yourself into trouble, you can get yourself out of it without my help, Ohanzee. You aren't Ohanzee BlueArm, you're Ohanzee the Helpless, Ohanzee the Heartless, Ohanzee the Weak willed. The only story of your bravery will be of your willingness to do this when you're married to me. Now leave the poor girl alone and come with me before I kick you all the way back to where we're staying."

Surprised, Kobal bows before the priestess, with his fist over his heart.  "Yes, Wise One.  The Great Khan and Mother have guided my path here."  He touches the helmet he's wearing.  "This is the helmet of Emesh-Ga, the Earth Knight who leads we Wandering Rangers."

The woman with Ohanzee listens to Amara and then with a laugh tips the brave out of bed.
"Your wife calls Ohanzee big horn. You know where to find me."

Ohanzee looks up from the floor at Amara through bleary eyes, his cheeks reddened but through alcohol rather than embarrassment.

"Amara my steadfast Earth Queen for a year I am as ever at your service, your capricious River King."

His smile is doppy but it looks as though there is genuine love behind the slightly unfocused eyes gazing in her direction.

He starts pulling on his leathers having obvious difficulty getting comfortable in his trews, but eventually stands, bows to Sheela with a wink and then turns and walks to Amara's side.

"We heard that you had arrived, son of Colnar Three Steps, I remember your Grandfather Tarabula Lightfoot, I hope he is alive and well."

"Come we shall offer prayers for your safe journey and then you must give us the news of the Wastes."

The elderly priestess, a High Llama brave, escorts Kobal around the temple, paying homage to Eiritha the cow and Waha the butcher. A sacrifice is made and prayers made. Kobal feels his Mastery rune glow and the gods smiling on him.

"Both my father and grandfather still ride the Wastes," Kobal smiles.  "I am grateful for your prayers, Wise One."

He tells them of the enemies of the nomads that appear to be gathering - the Basmoli they encountered, the destruction of the Big Pecker clan, the Moon worshippers in Corflu, but also of the Earth temple reborn and the oasis that has grown around it, the restoration of the Wandering Rangers, the return of spirits from ages past.

The brave joins them in their prayers to the nomad gods, donating a silver necklace  to the temple.  "Thank you for maintaining this place among these foreigners.  I will be back."  He doesn't voice the question that had been on his mind when he first met the priestess - why stay amongst these intruders, and in one place, not roaming Prax.  Instead, he takes his leave and returns to Becx's.

Amara's eyes narrowed as she walked staying distinctly ahead of Ohanzee and walking swiftly enough to make it uncomfortable for him to keep pace with her as she headed back to the place where they were staying. She said not another word, remaining silent the entire time. Her stride telling everyone around how angry she was.