This very basic corral is made up of sections of very simple rustic fencing, joined up by stakes and rope.  It doesn't look like it would stop any real attempt to escape.  However the 20 or so horses in here seem to be grazing happily.

Lex finished up his work on the railings and made his way to the fire for a meal before looking for Oleg to see if he had any more tasks for today. Since the branding, Lex has been trying to make amends and hoping his hard work would help those who witnessed the branding, forget his outburst.

Zorah passed by the young man who appeared to have retired from theft.  She noticed the look of his hands and realized he made have some skill in a trade the others have not thought to ask about.

"I've heard the renovations here have been partly your doing?  You have the rough hands of a tradesman.  Some small remains of dye linger perhaps?  Have you worked with animal hides in the past?  Or is it woodworking?"

Lex noticed the young woman with all the animals entering the corral but ducked his head and kept to himself. When she spoke to him, he was a bit startled by the woman speaking to him, Lex looked up from the path and paused awkwardly and then blurted out, "You've got quite the eye. My father was a tanner and he taught me how to work with leathers and dyes. I made these boots. I have some small skill when it comes to wood as well, but that I learned out of necessity not from proper training. Do you have anything you'd like mended or made? If you have supplies, I am happy to try my hand at the craft."

"Now that you ask, I am in need of something.  I tend not to ride Puck there often."  She points out the grey horse she had ridden into Oleg's.  "He's more of a pack mule than a horse.  When I do ride him it's usually bareback.  We've been riding all day lately and that gets a bit difficult, especially when wolves attack.  I wonder if we can still find a few of those wolf carcasses?  I could really use a saddle for Puck.  You did a fine job on the boots, I'm sure you could manage a saddle."

Lex smiled at the complement, but continued to fidget, rubbing the brand mark on his hand as though he could wipe it away. "Saddles are a little bit harder than boots but I think I can manage. I will see if I can convince Oleg to part with the carcasses you brought with you. I guess technically they are Henry's and you work for him, right? Might I ask a favor in return?"

The young man shuffles his feet at he finishes his request for a favor.

"Of course!"  She nearly yells, before lower her voice once she realized how loud she responded.  "It wouldn't be fair for me to ask for something and pay nothing in return.  I'm afraid I'm not as skilled a healer as some of the others in the group so I hope it's not about the brand.  I'll do my best regardless.  What is it you need?"

"Oh no, not healing, the pain is gone..." He only then realized he was still rubbing the brand. "Sorry, that's a nervous habit. I wasn't nervous before. At least I don't remember being nervous, wait did I just say that out loud? My favor was not about the brand. You have taught animals tricks right? I watched the way you were with them. I would like a pet. Could you help me with that? It doesn't have to be anything fancy like that fox of yours. Maybe just a dog or a cat... Preferably a dog though..."

It's as though no one as spoken to him in weeks, which may actually be the case...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:49, Wed 01 June 2016.

With a twinkle in her eye Zorah gasps loudly.  "You want me to help train an animal!"  She squeals with delight.  "Do you have a dog in mind?  Oh!  What about a wolf?  We could find one of those wolves, maybe a pup so it's easier to tame.  No, a dog might be easier for your first shot at training.  What do you think?"  She seems to have either completely forgotten the nervous comment or ignored it.  Regardless of which is the case Zorah is off on a tangent about animals and there's no going back now.

"I was hoping you would train him for me. But I would very much like to help or at least watch. When I am done with the tanning and such though of course." Lex liked talking with Zorah, she seemed to get excited by things that excited Lex as well. He hoped she wouldn't change her mind later on and take the wolf pup for herself.

In reply to Lex (msg # 10):

The wind blows a few leaves across the corral.

"The winds speak."  Zorah says partly to herself, but loud enough that Lex can hear.  "Training pups is my favorite thing to do.  If you can grab them before they get all grown up pretty much any trick can be taught with enough time spent.  I'm more than happy to show you the basics.  Who knows, maybe one day you can train the horses here?"

Zorah checks the level of the moon in the sky and performs a few calculations in her head.  "I think we may have enough time tonight to work on one of my current friends.  Would you like to help me?  Wilson is learning an interesting trick, but it may be better for you to see Murdock or Puck.  Fox or horse training?"  Her enthusiasm causes Zorah to forget to wait for an answer to the first question before asking the next.

Lex hadn't really thought about his future, not for a long time... He found it lifted his spirits to hear the young woman say he could be a horse trainer. Not that he knew the first thing about training horses...

"I would really like that," he said. "I think we should start with the horses, it may help me get a sense of you need from your saddle." He smiled at the thought that he might learn more about how one of his goods might be used. Boots were pretty straightforward, although he'd learned to put a nice bend in the middle of the sole as a young boy to help his own stride. Armor was also pretty cut and dry except the fitted kind, which was becoming more and more popular these days. But a saddle, a lot could be done with a saddle. This would be a really interesting task. It would take some time for the skins from the recently killed wolves to be ready for his work. He'd seen Oleg setting them aside though. Perhaps Henry or Oleg had some other leather they could work with...

He looked up from his thoughts, realizing he'd been standing there smiling silently for a minute or more and quickly blurted the questions that were now bubbling to his mind, "What is the goal here? Is Henry founding a city? Are you starting a stable, you know bigger than the one I'm currently sleeping in?"

"Come on then, I'll answer your questions while we train Puck."  Zorah strides off toward the grey pack horse.  She slowly approaches the horse and strokes his side in long slow motions.  "Rapport is important.  If the animal doesn't trust you the task of training it will be all the more difficult."

"To answer some of your questions, I don't know much more than you."  This wasn't entirely true, but Zorah wasn't completely trusting of the boy yet.  She always gave others the benefit of the doubt.  That didn't mean she was fool enough to trust someone who made a living stealing from others.  "I'm not sure of Henry's intentions.  I'm hired help at this point.  As for myself, I hadn't really thought much about the long term.  An orchard or stable of animals could be a great way to pass my time between jobs for Henry."  Zorah invited Lex over to Puck.

"How do I build rapport with Puck? Is he hungry? We have some feed over in the corner?" As soon as he asked the questions, he'd noticed a difference in the way Zorah carried herself. There was a deeper calmness as she stood beside the animal. A peace even. Lex wasn't sure he could be so calm next to an animal of that stature...

And then he took a deep breath and stepped forward. He made eye contact with Puck and then fell in rhythm with Zorah's strokes on the opposite side. The repeated motion only deepened the sense of belonging Lex felt. This was great! Amazing even. He'd only ever felt such satisfaction in labor working with leather alongside his father and that felt like ages ago.

"I guess I am just lucky to be alive, but moments like this make me really grateful for the mercy of Henry..." A tear dropped from Lex's left eye, the mercy and the peace, emotion was welling up within him, the shame, but also the gratitude for his new life. "Thank you, thank you so much for showing me this, for teaching me your skills when what I deserve is so much worse..." It was all the young man could say.

OOC: I rolled a 20 for his Handle Animals check, I was prepared to get a 1 and have Zorah have to talk him through it all, but the opposite seems to be the case, what a great teacher :)
12:27, Today: Lex rolled 20 using 1d20. Handle Animals.

Empathizing with the young man, Zorah felt her own eyes well up as she saw his tears.  It could still be an attempt to gain her trust for some trickery, but Zorah didn't have it in her to see the bad in people for long.  She quickly bounded to the other side of Puck and gave Lex a large embrace.  She easily wrapped her arms around him being taller than normal for her race.  What she lacked was any meat on her bones to really give any substance to the hug.

After a short hug Zorah let go of the boy.  "We're all lucky to be alive.  It's best to see the good and happiness in the world.  Don't dwell on the things that bring you sadness.  You are quite welcome for helping you discover this hidden talent.  You seem to be a natural."

"Let's get started."  Zorah swung one leg up over Puck's back and mounted the horse.  "Eventually I want him to perform the trick with either a word command or a visual command.  To start off we use both."  Zorah waves four fingers clearly in front of Puck's face while repeating "four" a few times.  She pulls back on his mane a bit before calling out "throw rider" and hurling herself off Puck's back and into Lex, hoping the boy would soften her fall.  In hindsight she probably should have informed Lex of the plan, but that didn't occur to her until she was already falling.

Lex was surprised by the hug from Zorah, but he found it comforting in a way he hadn't felt in a few years. He followed Zorah's lead, right up until the point that she landed on him. He did his best to catch her and break her fall, but they landed in a heap of arms and legs. As he pulled himself and her to their feet, he said to Zorah, "What exactly was the point of that trick?"

Zorah laughed through the pain of landing on Lex.  He probably took more of the brunt then she did anyway.  "I'm working on teaching Puck to throw his rider."  She stood and offered Lex a helping hand to get up.  "There are some not so nice people out there in the world.  The kind that like to steal horses.  I want to have a surprise in store in case that ever happens."

Zorah remounts Puck and repeats the process, this time landing on her feet instead of on Lex.  "Repetition."  She calls to him.  "When Puck gets it right we reinforce the behavior with praise until he understands what we want him to do."

Lex was impressed with the woman's patience and agility. To be repeatedly tossed from the horse and land and then praise the horse was quite the feat.

After watching the process a few times he had an idea, "Zorah, what if instead of Puck tossing a rider when he is told to, he tosses a rider when he is not told not to? Puck seems pretty smart, can he tell the difference between someone he knows and doesn't know?"

It was a good idea.  Zorah thought on it while she tumbled from the horse again.  "I like the idea, but I have a few concerns.  There may be times when I want someone unfamiliar to Puck to ride him.  I also think the element of surprise is important for this kind of a trick.  If Puck were to throw a friend or throw an enemy before I'm ready for him to it could be more trouble than not throwing the rider at all.  I love the suggestion though, keep them coming."  She tried to keep the conversation positive so as not to deter Lex in the future.

"There is something we could do later.  Once a trick is learned an animal can be taught to take a command from someone other than their handler.  We could train Puck to throw the rider anytime someone in the group gives him the command."

Lex laughed loudly at the suggestion Zorah made and the image he had of riding along with the others and then being tossed to the ground by Puck.

"What if we taught Puck a command, a word or an action, that made him trust someone. Anyone who didn't use that command couldn't ride him or would get tossed when Puck wanted him to. I guess then you don't get to randomly toss them to the ground as your making your way down the King's Road." He snorted at he finished the last statement.

"I think that degree of command will take steps.  It certainly is something we can try, but even so Puck will need to be trained to throw a rider first."  Zorah continued with Puck's training.

"About that saddle.  I'm not familiar with any kind of skilled work such as that.  What do you need from me?  Do you need to take measurements of Puck, like a tailor would for clothing?"

Lex thought about it for a minute and then spoke up saying, "Ah, I see you've got to walk before you can run. Sorry, I keep jumping ahead..."

He then answered Zorah's questions about the saddle, "Well that makes good sense. My pa always said 'measure twice, mark and then cut.'   If we wanted a perfect fit... No, let's see if I can walk before I run... For my first saddle I intend to follow the pattern of the other saddles in the stable. Maybe the second saddle I make can be designed specifically for you."

"Agreed."  Zorah smiles as she mounts Puck again.  "I think we both are getting ahead of ourselves.  You both have done well tonight."  The druid nods to Lex and then Puck.  "I'm not sure what Henry has planned for us, but next time I'm in we can work with Puck again.  Or maybe a pup by then.  Have you eaten yet?  I'm heading over to the fire soon."

"Thank you. I haven't eaten this evening." He looks around and notices it getting later, he's surprised by how quickly the time went. "And thank you again for, for, For teaching me a little bit about Puck and training." He stumbles over his words and emphasizes the final "for".

Zorah smiles, ready to answer when Puck hears Lex emphasize "for".  The horse mistakes it for "four" and bucks Zorah from his back.  Having learned from the past few days Zorah struggles to stay on Puck, but ultimately is tossed to the ground.  Landing hard on her hip she grimaces.  Lex's expression is cause for Zorah to pretend she was less injured than she actually was.  The grimace turned to a grin and all she could do was laugh.

"I guess we need a little more work still."  She continues to laugh through the pain.  "Let's go eat."  She extends a hand waiting for Lex to help her up.


12:04, Today: Zorah rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  ride check (-5 bareback, so 11 total)

"I'm so sorry, miss Zorah. Are you ok? I'm so sorry." Lex grabs her hand and pulls her from the ground gently. He is clearly embarrassed and frustrated that he would be so careless with his words.

Still laughing, Zorah waves off the comment.  "No worries.  You actually gave me a good idea.  I'm glad this is Puck's fourth trick to learn, some well placed emphasis in a real situation could be very useful."  Using Lex to get up off the ground Zorah gives Puck a few pats on the flank before heading for the gate.  "Let's get some food."


-------> To Fire

"I'm glad you're ok." Lex says as he follows Zorah over to the fire to get some dinner.

-----> To Fire

---

New Day

---

Henry walks slowly, pointing out occasional pieces of work to his companion and speaking quietly with her.

Bai smiled keeping her voice equally quiet as the two of them spoke.  She looked down, a slight look of embarrassment on her face.

Henry reaches across to pat Bai's hand as he says something to her.


His hand rests companionably on Bai's for a moment or two, before he moves it to point out a weak spot in the fencing.  "I will have to get one of the men out here to make sure that is built up properly."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:32, Thu 09 June 2016.

Bai blushed, covering her smile with her hand as she followed him by his side.  When Henry points to the fencing she nods in agreement, "I'd not even noticed that, it's good that you did, I'd hate to think someone would be able to sneak in here under the cloak of darkness."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:20, Thu 09 June 2016.

henry smiles and inclines his head  in  acknowledgement towards Bai. 

"Or the horses getting out without the watchman spotting them." he comments as they walk a bit further.

Giving another polite smile and small blush.

Henry nods approvingly as Bai speaks.  "Of course you are." he says laughing, before his voice drops again.

Bai's eyes go wide. how does their society work, do they really have kings and queens of their own, is it a monarchy or is..." She blushes again looking down at towards the ground letting her voice return to its quiet nature.

At Bai reaction Henry smiles and looks pleased with himself, before he speaking, "I am pleased that I can make you so happy."  Then his voice drops again.

Vik entered the corral fairly unaware of Henry and Bai. Lolli trailed behind her, not keeping pace though her employer was the generally heavier armoured. Vik walked like one who had been roused unasked, her hair a mess from when she finally collapsed from drinking the previous night.

"Alright Lolli, we're here. Show me what you're talking about with my horse. I honestly just chose the horse that suited me."

She had ridden horses since she was a girl, but traits and breeds and all that evaded her.

Bai looked to Henry keeping her voice low still. She turned to look towards Viktoria and Lolli, she still had a bit of a sour taste in her mouth about how the girl had acted, but she was interested in what she could learn about the animals from her.

"Of course." Henry says with a smile, "I really should make my way back to Oleg's.  Always work to do.  Never enough hours in the day." he says brusquely, however, his final comment is much quieter.

 Then with a nod towards Vik and lolli, he makes his way back towards the outpost.

In reply to Viktoria d'Lodovka (msg # 40):

"Well you chose well, Lady Viktoria. This was the horse that belonged to Happs, one of the bandit commanders. Happs took a lot of pride in his mount, and stole a very prized one, brought up from the sands, where the sun beats bright. Endurance, speed, and trained for war."

Lolli ran a hand softly across Vik's steed, looking back at Vik

"The only other warhorse I've seen is Henry's . . . pardon my lady, Lord de le Maistre's horse. A fine and strong steed, to carry a warrior into battle. Certainly a fortunate find."

She then turned, briefly noticing Bai's watching before addressing Vik

"Either way, I thought you should know, since you've been riding it like a common pack mule. All due respect."

The change in Lolli's tone surprised Bai a bit, though it wasn't a bad surprise. Even more so, calling Viktoria lady, still perhaps this was a good change. She hoped that interjecting wouldn't cause any offense, and she gave Vik a look before speaking. "Lolli, if I may ask, you said she'd been riding the horse like a pack mule, and I'm sure I've been doing no better. What exactly are we doing wrong?" Her voice was filled with honest curiosity.

In reply to Bai Kao (msg # 44):

"A horse like this, it's not meant to be laid down with a pack saddle. It's a warhorse. It's meant to have barding, to be cared for and known."

Lolli looked at Bai

"Your horse is likely fine. Maybe a few more oats would do. Real insight, I'd think, could be found with that nature magic lady among your band."

Bai looked at the horse for a bit, she didn't see much difference between this one and the one she had ridden, a bit stockier perhaps, but how much could that matter. Still she was wise enough to know when she didn't know about a subject so she simply shrugged and left Lolli and Vik to their conversation.

In reply to Lolli (msg # 45):

Vik watched Bai leave and turned to Lolli

"Well, your technique for speaking to my allies could use work, but I understood what you're talking about I'd say. I've been handed a horse and mistreating it in ignorance. That ends here."

Vik considered Lolli

"We must get proper tools, and you will instruct me in what I need to know in order to properly care for this steed."

This very basic corral is made up of sections of very simple rustic fencing, joined up by stakes and rope.  It doesn't look like it would stop any real attempt to escape.  However it can hold 20 or so horses comfortably.

Ferdinand walks into the corral and walks over to his large, imposing horse.    He reaches up and pats it on the side of the neck, while he seems to whisper into its ear.

Having needed her space, the dark Elf had first considered the graveyard for her rest. But in the end had maneuvered herself to the stables and gathered a few items she had left behind on her own horse. As she moved from the building, her eyes had caught the movement over near the corral. Usually a social place, she avoided it as she did regular society. But today she moved and lingered, watching the animals with a keen eye and perhaps a sad one.

From her relative place in the shadows she watches as the newcomer comes into view and strides easily into place. It was as though he belonged there and his connection to his animal was apparent and commendable. After a moment curiosity got the better of her and she cleared her throat to make her presence known. No need to alarm the guard afterall.

"Do you always make it a habit of speaking with the animals?" Her words almost sound in jest, but then one wonders if she means the horse or something different. "A magnificent anima. Much like the rider I assume." She turns her eyes and considers, having made up her mind "I am Aris'ta."

Its an awkward introduction and likely ill placed, but she's not much practice in making acquaintances.

Sir Ferdinand bows his head slightly at the compliment from Atis'ta, "This is Fleetheart, we have been together for quite a long time.  He looks after me when we are in battle and I try to make sure that he is happy while we aren't." He says introducing his horse.

"Pleased to meet you, Aris'ta"

Turning her gaze upon Fleetheart, she admires the horse and nods her head quietly.

"In times of battle and uncertainty it is always good to have a reliable companion. I must admit, it is nice to see the gesture returned." her voice is hesitant, yet she holds no reserve in what she says. "You have been with each other long you said? How long is that if I can inquire?" she asks, attempting to keep the conversation moving forward. Not her strongest suit.

"Years." the older man returns "I helped train him when he was a foal and he has been with me ever since.  It is not all that long before he will have to retire, but I have a couple of his colts in training back home." he says affectionately.

"Do you keep horse?" he asks politely, perhaps wondering if that is the reason that Aris'ta has decided to spend her time in the corral.
This message was last updated by the GM at 17:42, Sun 09 Oct 2016.

Put at ease by the clear affection that man has for his horse, she comes further still, but stops a good distance away. Very much as a scared filly ready to bolt at a moments notice. "No. I mean, I ride one here, for the task at hand, but it is not one of my own." She pauses to consider her next thought. "It would be hard to keep such an animal in the wilds of the forest and road. There are too many traps and natural snares. They belong in the open, where they can roam and run free. But that does not mean I do not enjoy their company from time to time." Folding her arms more tightly over her chest as she surveys the animal once more and the setting about them.

"If I may ask, Sir, will you be staying long?" The fact the individual has been pleasant to this point confuses her. That De La Maistre managed to find so many tolerant people seems beyond her comprehension and yet she is not quite so convinced at the tolerance of others. More convinced is she that they keep it in check for the sake of their given task and the size of their coin purses.

”Oh yes, he is certainly a creature of the open country.  He doesn’t much like forests, wetlands or mountains.” he says with a slight smile.  ”And, as a cavalryman at heart,  they are not  places I go comfortably either.  Although I have generally found all three to be home to hardy people who are more interested in how a person behaves than someone’s looks, accent or wealth.”

”While it is nice to be away from the city environs for a few days, I must return shortly.  I will join  those of you heading for the Orcy-Ring, for the first part of that journey, but will continue on, hoping to follow the trail continues along the banks of the river to  join the main road at Fort Sarenko.  From there back into Resov to report to my masters.” He continues.

”But what of you?  Will you brave the battle at the fort?  Of are you heading back into the forest to talk with the fey?”

Listening thoughtfully, Aris'ta nodded her head at the occasionally pause, but otherwise said nothing for the moment, letting her companion speak and answer her question. When he spoke of their next task, she seemed inclined to decline her presence at the 'ring' until he made mention of the Fey. Her features turned a decidedly pale shade of gray before she gathered herself and swallowed with a shake of her head.

"I think it would take a great deal of persuasion for me to return to those creatures of the wood. I prefer to see my enemy, or friend if the case may be, such ghosts are best left to others with stronger constitutions." She place a hand over her stomach to settle herself and then lifted her head, "So I shall more than likely be joining you in your examination and securing of the 'ring.'"

"Oh, I won't be going as far as the ring.  I will leave that to you and the rest of Henry's people.  After all, if you can't take it and hold that - then you can't take and hold the rest of this land." he says bluntly.

"But I know what you mean.  I would much rather have a foe I can see and treat with by force of arms, than a foe who hides and skulks about."

"You mean lead an army?" She asks with a loft of her brow, wrapping her arms across her chest and pivoting to stand more heavily upon one heel.

"But yes, I see what you mean. I'm more inclined to have more rather than less, but perhaps that it the best plan of action in both cases. The Fey were not inclined to our visit, so perhaps it would be wise to send a small force not so visibly armed and send the fighters to hold the fort." Flipping one hand out to indicate the end of her thought.

"I would imagine that the Stag Lord's fort will be larger and better defended than this ring, so you might as well get the idea now.  I rather think tha Henry will want you all to challenge the Stag Lord sooner rather than later.  And as for the Fey, I understand that it can be tricky to get them to face you in a fair battle.  Where as, if they are prepared to talk ...."

"It is not for certain they are." She finishes for him, with a slight nod of her head.

"As for the Stag Lord, given that others have pulled from his forces, of course it would be wise to attack sooner than later as it gives him less time to prepare for our arrival. It will be a hard-won fight, regardless." Wincing slight to her wounded pride and her pitiful display of skill on their last journey. "We can do only what we can do and hold to that. They appear a strong-willed group and well skilled when their minds are set to it. Unless this Stag Lord offers something unexpected, it is likely to be a victory."

"One can only hope so."

Aris'ta couldn't help but smirk, "I've heard somewhere, that to assume battles of great importance will be a failure will likely make failure a certainty. I am not greatly superstitious, of course, but one likes to err on the side of caution."

"But then, a general who assumes success will often underestimate their opponent." he says with the air of someone quoting a strategy manual.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:37, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Pausing a moment, the woman reflects and then nods her head with clearer understanding. Turning, she lifts her eyes and looks around uncomfortably, before simply shaking her head at some inward thought. "I will keep that in mind, if you'll excuse me..." Not giving a moment to protest, as per usual, she twists and departs towards her initial destination, suddenly greatly fatigued.


-->Off to sleep near the dead.-->

"Of course ..." he nods his farewells.
This message was last updated by the player at 15:06, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Zorah passes Aris'ta on the way to the corral.  "Good night."  She cheerily offers, somehow still good-natured after lack of sleep and physically exhausted.

"Good evening, sir."  She says to Sir Ferdinand as she makes her way to Puck.  "You have a gorgeous animal, but I'm sure everyone tells you that.  Very strong willed, as well."

Zorah makes sure Puck is fed and watered.  She spends a few minutes brushing him before calling Murdock over to do the same, and finally Wilson.  She takes the next hour to continue Wilson's training.  Zorah holds an empty bottle in one hand and releases Wilson with the other.  The hawk is able to grab the bottle and keep it in his grasp as he flies up into the air.  Zorah points to a small bush nearby.  The hawk tries to fly over and drop the bottle on the bush but misses by a long way.  Zorah seems pleased with Wilson's progress so far.

Ferdinand leans against the railing for a while watch Zorah at work.   Then with a "That's going nicely" to the young druid he strolls away to stretch his legs.

About the same time Ferdinand left, Lex appeared. He watched Zorah with her animals for a bit before approaching carrying the saddle she'd commissioned. "I hope you like it. How was your journey? Did you meet any new animal friends?"

"Lex!"  Zorah embraces the young man in an awkward hug as she tries to get her arms around both him and the saddle in his hands.  She looks over the saddle.  "May I?"  She holds out her hands to examine it more closely.

"The trip was mostly as expected.  Slow going, but a few intriguing bits here and there.  We found some fey out in the woods.  Beautiful creatures.  I saw tiny glowing fey, like tiny torches.  Brilliantly bright and colorful.  A ghostly tree spirit helped us with some bandits.  Oh!  And I found a faerie dragon nest.  He was gorgeous!" 

Lex recovers from the awkward hug and shows Zorah the saddle, pointing out the care and details he had added for her. "That's an owl, and that's a... hedgehog, and that's a horse, of course. Do you want me to add any other designs? I assumed you would like these."

"A faerie dragon? The Fey? We were always doing our best to avoid the Fey and a faerie dragon sounds scary not beautiful, but you must be right. Any signs of the Stag Lord?"

"Hmm, oh yes, yes.  In a fort or something."  Zorah answers only half paying attention to the question.  "This is beautiful Lex.  Thank you so much.  I don't recall if I paid you for this yet or not.  What do I owe you?  Oh, and I'm trying to call dibs on some furs we found out there from the loot pile.  If I can get them they're all yours."

Taking her eyes off the saddle Zorah remembers his other comment.  "Oh no, it was quite beautiful.  Small, the size of a dog maybe.  Kind of like a lizard dog, a flying lizard dog.  Maybe if things go well I can bring one back here and you'll get to see.  Oh, silly me.  I forgot to mention.  I'm going back out to speak to them soon.  They are intelligent so I wouldn't dream of trying to capture one, but a partnership could be very beneficial."

Lex answered Zorah's question a bit sheepishly, "We didn't discuss payment before you left, but I assumed we would work it out when you returned. Thank you for thinking of me! The leather will help as Oleg doesn't have a lot and the more material I have the more goods I can make for you and your companions. I am sure some new boots would be in order, right? Did you have anything else that I could make for you?"

"How does ten gold sound?  I think that's about market price for a riding saddle.  The detailing is beautiful, I'd hate for you to think I was trying to cheat you."

"You should ask around and see if anyone else is in need of supplies.  If I hear anything I'll point them in your direction.  Have you worked with any of the horses since I've been away?"

"Oh, I nearly forgot!" Zorah rummages through Puck's saddle bag.  She pulls out a pile of animal skins and a small knife.  "I thought these would be of more use to you than any of us.  I'm told this is a high quality skinner's knife."

Lex looks at the woman as though she has just handed him a diamond, which maybe she had, and says, "Thank you so much Zorah, I find it hard to accept this and the 10 gold, this knife is worth far more, though I will need the gold to buy more skins, especially if there are others among you in need of saddles or other leather goods."

He takes the gold and the knife and examines it feeling the weight of it in his hands. Though this could be used to injure, it was clearly made for a craftsman to aid in the skinning process. "Anything you need, I am your man."

"We'll talk in the coming weeks.  I may need someone with skill in working with animals, but for now I need to head back out on a short trip with Bai and Pipre.  Take care of yourself and thank you for the beautiful saddle."

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Some time later
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A simple fenced enclosure that holds a number of horses.  A worker nods a greeting to you then goes back to working on a horses hoof.