Deputy Marshal's, that would be their new title. He liked the sound of that. It seemed that the sleeping arrangements foretold their future traveling arrangements as well. He'd hoped to have someone with him who knew the forest, like Rook, Zorah or Ari, but perhaps Percy or Vik had some familiarity with forest regions. He knew very little of Percy, perhaps he'd spent a few years in the forest.

He would be glad to have Vik as they traveled near the river, her history with boats would bode well. And he was more than happy to keep Valoria and Andalon at his side. Both had proven to be valuable traveling companions and helped pass the time. Perhaps he should ask for some tutelage in the ways of the woods...

"Andalon, what do you think of this offer from Oleg? It seems fair to me, but I'm not versed in the art of the sale." Cyrus jokes hoping to make it clear that he will accept whatever his much wiser counterparts deem to be fair compensation for the wagon.

"Borric, keep an eye out for a forge. We have a man trained in the ways of the smithy. I will cover the cost to get his forge up and running and work out an arrangement in goods and services with David."

Turning to Valoria, he says, "Valoria, perhaps you and I should spend some time with Zorah learning what we can about the forest today? Andalon, Vik, Percy, would you care to join us? I know very little of the woods and would welcome any information that may be of use. Zorah has shown herself to be quite capable of instructing, look what she did with young Lex."

Lex heard Oleg claim the furs and hides and knew whom he needed to speak with immediately. He'd been the one to nab them during the last raid and had worked on them when he had time, preparing the leather for his use. He'd keep that to himself for now though.

Not wasting anytime, he asked Oleg, "Would any of those hides be ready for use? Deputy Marshal Zorah is looking for a saddle and I was hoping to make it for her. For that matter, Oleg, I was wondering if you and I could work out an arrangement, you provide the raw materials and the storefront and I will shape the leather into boots, clothing, belts, armor, saddles, whatever is in demand. We can split the profits, after you cover the cost of the hides and furs, of course. What do you say?" Lex hoped that using Zorah's title would emphasize the need for these items, but he hoped she'd be ok with him using her name.

"Bonus to what exactly?" Pipre asks, the stem of grass in her mouth bobbing as she spoke. She had woken early to concoct her concoctions and prepare her explosives and put everything back away again. She was present at breakfast, having some of the bread but skipping the broth. She had listened to Henry and was now looking over the gathered things. As Oleg was moving things around she put her foot on top of the crate of wines. She flashes her teeth in a smile, "Alcohol is very useful in alchemic endeavors. You can take it out of my share, I suppose, but I was intending to make something to benefit us all.." She moves back to the table.

She puts down a cloth bundle and unwraps it. "Glisterwort. Crimson rhododendrons. Sunrise Azalea." She points to each of the piles of herbs and flowers as she calls out their names, making sure she gets the attention of the others and the new recruits. "Look for these as you go- perhaps we could even assign some of those with a knack for it to look for them full time. The more I get, the better off we'll be. Like, physically. The more physically well we will be. I can make healing elixirs with them." She winks at Oleg, "With a bit of alcohol as the aqueous solvent."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:48, Wed 08 June 2016.

Valoria bowed to Henry before speaking. “My lord, we have also encounter a band of kobolds. I was able to trade with them for information and radishes that Zorah now has. They know about the bandits in the area and the trading post here. They mentioned a swamp and a boat to the west and orcs in a ring, by an old bridge to the east. There are also mites in an old tree, also to the east...as they so claim. An entire tribe of them lives somewhere in the forest. I would suggest...if I may, forming a treaty with them. A tribe of allied natives could be useful, my lord.”

She then responded to the rest of the matters. “I will follow my cousin on what a good price is for said goods. Also Cyrus, I think it would be a grand idea to have Zorah teach us a few things about the wilds. That is, if you would be willing to do so Zorah?”

News of Moto's death hits Percy hard, the young gentlman looking almost guilty at the revelation, and lapsing into an uncharacteristic silence for the remainder of the journey, eyes straying towards the graves as he reluctantly accompanies the others for Henry's judgment, though he rouses at the prospect that the bandits they have brought back might be branded and seems much relieved when the requests for clemency are granted.

Similarly, though he joins those at the grave for Moto's memorial, it seems he pays little attention to the words spoken by Brother Bartholemew, his gaze fixed upon the fieldstone marker in silent vigil, only broken by puzzlement of Aris'ta's ritual with the shooting of the arrow, of which he understands little, though approves of the symbolic gesture.  Percy does not intrude on her conversation with Rook and Bai, but remains aware enough of the trio to slowly trudge after them when finally they return to the outpost.

Morning sees the young gentlemen up and about astonishingly early, given his usual proclivity to linger abed ... and the rising of the sun on this new day seems to have done much to lift his mood, much as it does for Henry himself.  Indeed, Percy appears most eager to be about the next task set by their leader and nods towards those newly met (two of whom are cousins if he recalls half-heard conversations of the yesterday) and a quick smile for Vik whose kind treatment of Lolli did not pass unnoticed.

Cyrus's suggestion is a good one, the moreso that it might allow the new group of Deputy Marshals to get to know each other as well as teach them something.  "Oh. A fine idea," he smiles at the warrior, nodding enthusiastically as he looks for Zorah's response.  "I've some experience of commercial matters," he offers with a glance at Andalon, hoping not to be stepping on the priest's toes, "and to my mind Oleg's offer is more than fair," he assures them all.

At the mention of the Kobolds, Cyrus perked up to hear what Henry had to say, he'd almost forgotten their potential allies and the way Valoria had handled that situation so diplomatically. They could ease the initial exploration efforts and help the two groups navigate around hazards or take the Orcs and the bandits by surprise if needed.

He was also encouraged by both Valoria's assent to learning what they could from Zorah and Percy agreeing as well. Cyrus knew he was not the quickest study, but he would try and learn anything he could to help with this expedition.

While he waited to hear Zorah and Henry's response, he thought he would try and get to know Percy better, he'd missed him the night before and he'd been silent on the return back to Oleg's. He seemed to be upset at the loss of the one they'd called Moto. Cyrus felt oddly responsible, if only he'd gotten to him sooner, or been quicker in batting away the wolves...

"Percy, how well did you know Moto? Just so you know, he fought off the wolves valiantly but they proved to be too much for him, almost too much for us. Henry and I were both bit by the beasts. I'm just sorry we didn't get to him sooner..."

"Oh. Not well, I'm afraid," Percy does indeed seem regretful.  "We were paired up on watches and got to talking.  I'm afraid I may have treated him rather badly when ... well ..." the young gentleman shrugs, sadly.

"I didn't get the chance to apologize."

Cyrus hadn't expected to hit a nerve, and took a long moment to respond.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize..." Not sure what else to say at this point, he said to the gentleman "How did you come into Henry's service?"

Another fitful night of sleep had left Bai waking up early, well before dawn. She slowly made her way out of the tower doing her best not to disturb anyone in her passing. She found her way up onto one of the palisade walls and watched the sunrise. A few people had been up, moving about, but the grounds were quiet and something about that set Bai at peace. As the outpost slowly began to wake and come to life the woman sketched what she saw, filling her journal with notes. She frowned a bit as she kept finding herself sketching bears and elk whenever her mind wandered. When the others seemed to congregate she made her way down and joined everyone. She waited towards the back as the group went over the goods, never having been one with a good head for money. Finally when there was a short break she approached Henry again. She hoped that perhaps he'd have time for her today, but if not perhaps that was for the best too.

"A nature walk?!  That's a great idea!"  Zorah's boundless energy causes her to bounce slightly for the rest of the conversation while she tries to stay in place.  She finishes an apple as she continues to talk and starts on a second.  It's a wonder she still has stick arms and legs with the non-stopping eating, at least it's mostly fruit.

Zorah had forgotten of the radishes until reminded by Valoria.  "If we're lucky maybe we can find a few of your ingredients and plant them here Pipre.  It will have to start off small, but a small berry bush, some radishes, and a few azalea plants now could be a small garden by next season, and a large plot by the one after."

Relieved that Zorah's energy took over the situation and distracted Percy and himself from the  conversation he had so awkwardly started, he said "Zorah, when Henry is finished please lead the way!" The group waited to hear any parting words from Henry before making their way to the woods.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Wed 08 June 2016.

Henry responds to Pipre’s question about the bonus, with a soft smile. ”The retainer you received when we started out, your transportation and expenses for food and accommodation. As for the value of the herbal wine, well that is for you to agree with your colleagues.”

He nods as Valoria speaks of the information she had gleaned from the Kobolds.  ”That confirms what our new friends have been saying about the mites, and also tells us that they live in an old tree.” he  says recognising her contribution, ”However, I would be wary about long term arrangements with them.  They have a reputation for trickery and cowardice.” he counsels, but doesn’t dismiss the idea of an alliance out of hand.  ”And I am not sure about that Orcs in a ring, either.  That is something that you and your colleagues will need to be alert for when you map that area.

Once the questions have been answered, he turns to Bai.  <aqua>”Perhaps you would care to join me in a short walk?  I was intending to go across and look at the work the new people have been doing on the corral.” he says, offering her his arm, as if he were preparing to accompany her into a state dinner.

Oleg builds upon his earlier offer by listing his stock.

”I have a couple of suits of leather armor, a heavy wooden shield, two hand axes, five javelins, a longbow, two short bows, five dozen arrows, a scythe, two spears, two potions of cure light wounds, a potion of shield of faith +2, two vials of antitoxin, six torches, two weeks of trail rations and a couple of short swords in stock if any of you are interested.  As well as various tanned hides, furs and skins.”

OOC: I updated my previous post so it didn't look like we walked away from Henry while he was still talking to us. Good luck with your private walk Bai :)

As Henry and Bai walked away toward the corral, Cyrus turned toward the group that were headed out for a nature walk and said, "Shall we?" Standing beside Valoria, he leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

Zorah lead the way and Cyrus fell in line.

"Zorah, is there anything we should pay special attention to on our walk?"

Bai gives a polite smile and nods, accepting Henry's arm. "That sounds like a lovely idea, Marshal." With that she follows him at his side as he walks towards the corral.

>>>> The Corral

The large half-orc grins toothily as he watches the pair leave, then leans down and says something quietly in Pipre's ear.

Having yet to find something to do with himself Jack mills around the outpost, watching people go about their work. He made his way over towards Big Job and David, "So what are you two getting up to?"

Pipre's half eyebrow arches slightly and she looks sideways and up the good foot and a half height difference. "Yeah, alright. You stink a bit after all--" She says with a teasing grin, "but hopefully that just means you've been working hard, right? Let me go put this away." She picks up the sheaf of ingredients and goes to replace them with a familiar bundle. She leaves her coat behind baring delicate, narrow, and pale shoulders. She cocks her head briefly to one side in the universal 'let's go'.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Thu 09 June 2016.

Andalon picked up the brass knife and handed it to Henry before anyone had left the gathering.

"This knife is enchanted. It only has a faint aura, the lowest level of enchantment for a magical weapon but it is still the most valuable item here. It could be a useful weapon if we encounter any sort of monster that is practically invulnerable to non-magical weapons. It should be entrusted to someone for future use if required. Either you or one of those who fought the bandits before, would seem appropriate."

Andalon left the decision about the knife to others to decide. He nodded agreement with Percy's opinion about Oleg's offer being fair and he was more than happy to join Zorah, Cyrus and friends on their nature walk after that.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Thu 09 June 2016.

Big Job grins, and with a shrug and a wink towards Jack, struts off after Pipre.

Henry nods as Andalon reveals the magical knife, and passes it across to Brother Bartholemew,  "You fellows need to decide how to handle it, after all, it is your bonus" he adds with a wink towards Pipre.

OOC:  I am happy for you to discuss that OOC as you decide on how to split stuff.  That way immediate conversations (and similar activities) don't get disrupted.

Valoria smiled to Cyrus as he whispered in her ear. She gently wrapped her arm around his and followed Zorah. Muninn was resting in her backpack. As Percy and Andalon also began to walk with them, Valoria spoke jovially. “Good of you to come along cousin. You as well,  Percy is it?”

"Oh."  Cyrus's question seems to surprise less than it might have.

"My family's business hasn't been doing so well of late, and I had an urge to travel," that was one way of putting it, "so Henry's offer presented me with an opportunity to not only get away from it all, but also to make some coin.  It's been rather exciting, thus far, I must say, though the bandits aren't such evil cutthroats as I'd been lead to believe - more desperate than bad."

"Yourself ?"  Percy responds politely, though his response may be lost in Zorah's enthusiasm and he is happy enough to just follow after the Half-Elf and her menagerie, listening carefully to whatever advice she proffers.

Cyrus rotates his forearm making it easier for Valoria's arm to sit supported as they walk together following Zorah, Percy and Andalon.

Hearing Percy's question and not wanting to be rude he answers quickly, "I'm sorry to hear of your family's misfortune. The Ondari estates have diminished as well. You might have heard of Donovan, my great, great grandfather. He fought beside Baron Aldori. Needless to say his descendants weren't quite as skilled in business or with a blade. I hope to change that on at least one front." As he speaks the final words, Cyrus' free hand pats the pommel of his sword and comes to rest on it. It seems a casual, graceful posture, but it is one poised for action, should it be required.

Cyrus then turns his attention to Zorah as she leads them into the surrounding woods.