"Very well," Arnan replied when Hengar voiced his opinion that bringing along a pack animal on the harsh journey to his tribe's winter camp would be a bad idea.

The scout was pleased to hear that both Kira and Thane had planned well and already had a sufficient supply of trail rations, but he was uncertain about Ellie, Dalgura, and Morgrim -- whom he had not seen as of yet this morning.

When Hengar spoke of the dangers facing his tribe and his intent to leave Bryn Shander early if any of the group needed time to purchase supplies (and Kira spoke of her own readiness to depart), Arnan nodded. "I understand your concern. If any of our group needs rations, I will remain behind and lead them to your tribe's camp. I should be able to follow your trail easily enough, unless a blizzard blows through and wipes out any sign that you leave. Just in case, tell me the route that you will follow, in case I need to make my way to you with no signs to follow."


Arnan listened with interest as Thane -- who looked as if he had not slept at all well -- asked his question to the Elksman about the number of people in his tribe, as compared to Bryn Shander.

"I suspect the others are set in their ways, but I will bring your offer to them," Morgrim replied. "This hunter, Algonell, could he lead us to the Reghed encampment if we had to follow along after the fact?"

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 257):

Dal nodded and had to agree with Morgrim.  If anybody knew about people being set in their ways, it was Dwarves!

"Still we can ask and keep an eye out for your friend.  We should get some food for the trip Morgrim before we meet up with the others.  Perhaps a few extra too in case we meet up with her friends?"

"Far less than those huddled behind the safety of these walls," Hengar responds. He estimates his tribe numbers perhaps 300 men, women and children.

Mithann simply nods, though Morgrim detects disappointment in Mithann's body language. "I understand," she says, her voice almost a whisper. "Yes. Algonell knows the land well and can be counted on as a guide, should you need one."

Hengar provides directions to his camp, relating the route by waypoints. Arnan feels reasonably confident he can lead the party to the Elk Tribe's camp, should they decide to follow along behind Hengar.

In reply to Hengar Aensvaard (msg # 261):

Arnan nodded. "Got it. I believe that I can lead any laggards there, if it comes to that. But hopefully everyone already has a goodly supply of rations on hand. 'Tis foolish to travel in the far north at this time of year without preparing for ill luck."

While some would argue that 300 weren't as important as the amount in the walled city, Kira would argue that it's always the poorer numbers that suffered the most and that was why they needed help first.  She had given their collective word but even if some had to stay long enough to gather supplies, she was going with Hengar and possibly Thane if he was willing.

"I'll make little mounds of snowballs every so often.  Hopefully they'll be compact enough they won't roll away and they won't get completely covered by any new snow," she informed Arnan.  She was fingering that ivory scrimshaw pendant again with a thoughtful expression, not really focusing on anyone's face as she spoke.

Thane nodded in understanding.  "There was more trouble in this town last night," he shared.  Perhaps Hengar knew already, or perhaps he did not, but Thane spoke up because it affected his thoughts on what seemed the right thing to do.  "A building got burned down.  A warehouse.  Not a good sign of peace and safety here," he continued.

Thane was not the sort to see conspiracy behind every tree and leaf, or every too-sweet smile of a woman or flattering greeting from a man.  His simple mind just didn't look at the world that way.  "I think whatever trouble the town is facing, they have more than enough people here to deal with it.  Maybe the common folk don't have the right kind of wind in their sails to fight, but if they don't they better sailor-up and find that wind," he opined, seeming a bit miffed that a village of so many people could be cowed by a band of ruffians.  Even Luskan ones, Rethnors if the rumor mill was true.  "I'm still of a mind to help you and your people.  And I don't think it's a good idea for you to travel back to your people alone.  I'm no magicky person but I can fight and I know mundy ways to heal folk."

"Keep your chin up, Mithann," Morgrim said warmly. "One way or another we'll try to make it work. The Gods work in mysterious ways. Perhaps the road ahead will lead us right back here."

Turning to his sister, Morgrim smiled. "Come Dal, we should find the others."

Bidding farewell to Mithann and leaving the comfortable warmth of the shrine of Amaunator behind, Morgrim started out across the city of Bryn Shander.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 265):

Dal bowed to Mithann and gave her hand a squeeze and then lifted up one hand in a benediction.  Even though they didn't worship the same diety, it was a simple and nice thing to do a benediction.  "I know that I don't have to tell you to trust in our Gods.  They will lead us in the right direction even though it might not seem like it at the time.  May our Gods be with you and give you comfort in the upcoming days.  Until we meet again Priestess Mithann may your light always shine."

Dal took her hand back and smiled at Mithann.  "If or when we are in the area again, we will look you up.  You're right Morgrim.  We need to get going.  I'm ready now."

In reply to Thane Harkensen (msg # 264):

"Aye, that sounds good," Arnan replied to Kira's mentioning making snow cairns to mark their path. He supposed that would work well enough unless a howling white-out blizzard blew up, in which case any sort of a trail or markers would be obliterated and he would simply have to travel to the various way-points that Hengar had mentioned.

"But I how that it does not come to that. I plan to leave with you, unless I need to stay behind due to someone needing to stock up on rations. And I take the fact that the three of us are ready to leave immediately to be a good sign -- hopefully the others will be of a similar mind."

From his expression as Thane spoke, it was clear that Arnan agreed with the man about the people of Bryn Shander needing to toughen up and take care of things in their own town -- as Thane had said, they certainly had the numbers to do it, but they would need to lose the sheep-like mentality that seemed to be fairly common amongst those who had walls to hide behind.

Still and all, Thane's news about a warehouse burning last night is troubling. And if the trouble-makers from Luskan truly are were-creatures . . . well, I'll admit that that could be a problem. But that may simply be a tavern-tale that is told to justify the townsfolk sitting on their hands and not taking action. Hells, for all we know Slim himself may have started it, in the hopes of keeping the townspeople cowed.

And all things considered, I'm still thinking that Hengar's people are the more hard-pressed at the moment, and are less well-equipped to deal with this Snow-Witch than all of the many people in this place are to deal with a handfull of ruffians -- especially if the people here have the Harpers coming in on their side.

When Thane had finished, Arnan nodded to him and said simply, "Agreed."

Morgrim and Dalgura joined the others late, but no more rested for the delay. Morgrim if anything looked more haggard than he had the night before. As he arrived Arnan and Thane were discussing the previous night's fire. Morgrim nodded solemnly. "I saw it. No fire should burn that colour. It was a most unnatural thing."

Morgrim proceeded to fill the others in on the events of the evening after they parted ways and of their most recent meeting with Mithann.

"Aarun is meant to take possession of the weapons tonight. Dunavan is looking for someone to safeguard his remaining warehouse until then. The pay is good, but more to the point I fear for what might happen to Bryn Shander and its townsfolk should we walk away. The Sheriff is clearly overwhelmed. Mithann is desperate. The city is a veritable powder keg."

"And we are here, now. Quite possibly when we are needed most."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 268):

Dal looked at her brother and then had a internal conversation with herself about their situation.  ~Oh this is one of those times when there isn't any good thing to do isn't it.  I mean we can do good but not enough of us to do good for everybody at the same time.  Such is life.  Grim is better at these decisions.  I am better at patching him up when he gets over zealous.  I wonder which way we will go?  What happens to the others then?~ Finally she looked over at her brother.

"You decide big brother.  I chose last time, it's your turn.  My teachings say that we cannot please and help everybody but no matter where we go or what we do, we must do our best.  Pick the one who needs us most.  I shall have abide by thy wisdom..umm...by thy decision I mean."

Dal grinned at her brother because it was a standard joke between them about who was wiser.  She had the book learning and her faith and he had his wordly experience and his faith.  Truth be told each was great in their own field but when things got serious she liked to tone it down with a little jab at him.  One needed to keep a cap on emotions to be able to think in order to see the big picture and if that meant messing with her brother, she felt it was her duty to do that.

Morgrim winked at his sister. "You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but ye can't please all the people all of the time," he announced, quite pleased with his little sentiment. "I think we stay, Dal. Even if its just a day or so for the folks here to find their nerves and get back on their feet.

"I do feel for the Reghed tribe, truly I do. But its also not right for us to turn our backs on the people who need us here right now."

"Gods willing we can catch the others up in two or three more days."

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 270):

Dal gave her brother a soft smile and nodded.  "So says the head of my family so I comply."  She paused a bit and then slugged her brother in the arm.  "Just don't let that head of the family title go to YOUR head else I might have to knock it off.  Of course I'd heal you afterwards because that's just the kind of sister I am."

Dal looked around and then, just to make sure, verbalized what they planned to do.  "<blue>So if I have it right, at least you and I will remain here for at least a day or two.  If, after that, you think we should move on we do.  And you get to tell everybody our decision while I try to look like a dutiful little sister.<blue>"

Dal hunched her shoulders just slightly and crossed her arms into her robe that she was wearing.  It looked innocent enough but then they didn't need to know about the daggers in the robe pockets.  She looked up at Grim and tried to get a penitent look on her face and soften her features although she feared she still needed to work a bit on that.

Morgrim looked to the others with a raised brow. "I should hope they heard it, Dal," he said with a wink. "But if it needs saying again, Dalgura and I will remain behind at least for a short while. We will try to join you as soon as the unpleasant business here has been settled, or at least tamed."

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 272):

Dal figured that the other had heard but it was always nice to make her brother say things so that if something went wrong she could blame him.  That might not have been a nice "cleric" thing to do but Dwarven clerics were sometimes different and he was family after all.

Dal then smiled at her brother and nodded.

Thane smiled at the dwarves as their sibling banter added some needed levity to the otherwise grim situation. "I wish you both good luck!" he said heartily.  And then he blurted some things out that sounded like maaaaybe it was Dwarven.  [Private to Dalgura Ironhammer; Morgrim Ironhammer: "May the sky-lords trapped in the earth keep their eyes stuck on your backsides!"] he finished with a questioning grin, as if he was hopeful he'd used the right words but was not entirely sure that he had.

I've assumed Ellie is here, too.
Then he nodded at Ellie, perhaps a bit curtly, but in Thane's eyes the Aasimar could see that his words were backed by sincerity of heart.  "And to you, miss Ellie, I wish you peace, safety, and success.  You're smart, and have a good way with words, too, so I think you will be of help in this town."

Then he gave his attention back to Hengar.  "I only have one question for you before we all leave.  What's the plan for sheltering between now and when we get to your tribe's camp?  Maybe we need to get a tent or something else useful so we won't have to lie out exposed to the snow and wind.  Such supplies would be well worth a small wait, yes?"

"Luck," Arnan said after Thane had spoken, nodding to the three who had decided to remain and help out in Bryn Shander. He didn't see any need to add words to those that had already been spoken.

Thane's question about a tent -- or tents -- mayhaps one for each of them, since they might need to pull their gear inside with them if the weather turned . . . was a good one. Arnan himself had always built himself a lean-to when he needed shelter, but if their route took them across stretches of tundra, there would be no trees or branches available to build any sort of a temporary structure.

Dal giggled when Thane spoke his version of Dwarf.  "I thank you for the well wishes and sentiment Thane.  Your Dwarvish is getting better.  That was probably about 95% correct. The comment about the Gods keeping their eye on my backside is interesting and I might borrow that phrase sometime.  I already know that Sharindlar has my heart but it doesn't hurt to have others have my back...side."

Dal then looked at the group that was leaving and raised her hand to give them a blessing.

"May Sharindlar keep watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time and for ever.  Until we meet again may Her blessings be upon you."

Kira felt immense disappointment well within her when three of their newly formed group decided to stay in town instead of helping Hengar and the tribe as they'd said they would.  Of course most people she'd known didn't keep their word but at least these three had a good and honorable reason.  She was quite fond of the dwarven siblings, their giving her a glimpse into what family could be more valuable to her than they could ever possibly know.

When Dalgura finished her blessing, Kira impulsively hugged her.  "Thank you and stay safe," she murmured but didn't stop there.  She swooped in and hugged Morgrim though it was a quicker hug in case he didn't appreciate such a gesture, ducking out of the way in case he took a swipe at her.  She turned to Ellie then and would hug her if she allowed.  "May your travels lead you to what you wish for most," she said quietly, then moved back by the others.

Morgrim smiled and winked at his sister as Kira pulled away from him. "They cannae keep their hands off of me," he said jovially.

"Aye, lass," he continued, addressing Kira now directly. "May Marthammor Duin watch over you and yours. I pray we cross paths again soon. And hopefully under kinder circumstances."

Ellie was more than happy to accept a hug from Kira, and offered likewise to the two human men leaving with her as well. "It was good to meet you all, and fight alongside you as short as it was. Thank you... for showing acceptance of me, and I promise that I'll show myself worthy of it as these two and I do what we can for the people here at hand."

"Well then," Arnan said, looking a little uncomfortable after rising to his feet and accepting a hug from Ellie, "shall we move along?" he asked Kira and Thane.

Arnan was not one for effusive good-byes -- at least not with people whom he scarcely knew, and might never see again. Seemingly oft-times in these parts the will of the gods -- or mayhaps Nature Herself -- made short shrift of mortals who otherwise seemed to be good and worthy people. To the scout's way of thinking, it made little sense to get too close to people, at least until that they had shown that they had the sort of staying power and toughness needed to make a go of it up here in the far North.

"There's some old saying about Time and Tide that I can't quite recollect at the moment, but I think that it discouraged us from dithering about for too long. And as well you know, the hours of light are very short in these parts, especially as winter looms near. We should not waste what daylight we have."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Mon 13 Feb 2017.