The main meeting place at Oleg's Trading Post, it is flanked by two large tables set with benches.  Meals are served here and it serves as a casual gathering place when work is finished.

It appeared that the group was going to be based for a few days and Valoria thought about something to keep her mind busy. She spoke with Henry and Oleg ...just long enough to get a quick ok on her project. With Henry being so busy, Valoria would have to discuss the kobolds on another day.

Moving to one of the run-down catapults,  Valoria took out a square and another level. She then began to take measurements. She wrote her findings down in a sketchbook used for Architecture and Engineering. They where Onager style catapults, tension of twisted ropes fired it.

She moved to one of the large tables and sat down. Muninn sat on the table, watching as Valoria made blueprints in her sketchbook for the Onager style catapult with repair notes.

Cyrus saw Valoria drawing and doing calculations. He remembered from his short academic career the focus required for doing work like what he guessed she might be doing. He considered leaving her to do the work in peace but his curiosity got the better of him. "What are these designs you are working on?" He asked with a smile.

Valoria looked up at Cyrus and smiled. “I'm working on a plan to fix the catapults. I'm not just a wizard, but I also been tutored in architecture and engineering. Admittedly, I've only received limited training in repairing siege weapons like this.” She then paused, showing him the design book. “The onager type catapult uses torsional force, from twisted rope, to store energy for the shot. On this one, some of the wood is rotten and needs to be replaced. Do you have any wood working skills or other craft skills to help with the manual work? If you follow my directions, I should be able to talk you through it. It would also help if we had one more person."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sun 29 May 2016.

Cyrus was shocked with the plan she had devised. And saddened he would not be able to help as much as Valoria was asking. He was never trained to work with wood. He could string a bow but he wasn't skilled in making them. But then he thought about the progress being made here at Oleg's and had an idea.

"Very impressive Miss Lebeda! Very impressive plans you have made. I was never the craftsman, but I saw Rook whittling on the road out yesterday and I think one or more of the reformed bandits have some skill, perhaps I can provide some unskilled lifting and carrying while the craftsmen follow your directions?

Valoria smiled and place a soft hand on his. “Thank you, Sir Cyrus...And please, don't called me miss Lebeda. Just call me Valoria.” Valoria blushed for a quick moment, before slowly withdrawing her hand and placing it on her sketchbook. “I think having yourself and one of the reformed bandits help with the catapult would do fine.”

In reply to Valoria der lin Lebeda (msg # 6):

"Please excuse my formality, I would never want to show you disrespect. Valoria, you may call me Cyrus." Cyrus did not blush but he did not pull his hand away either. He left it where it had been near Valoria's notebook.

After a long pause he looked up and saw that a few of the reformed bandits had come to the fire for a meal. "I believe the young one, Lex, was working on the corral earlier with the old man, David. Perhaps one of the two of them would be able to help us."

I think either this Lex or David would do nicely, as long as they have a simple understanding of the tools needed.” She then looked up at him and smiled warmly. “How about a meal? We can talk more of the catapults once we are done eatting.” She looked over for her cousin, Andalon to wave him over to join them. If she did not see him, Valoria just continued on in either case. “Cyrus, I don't believe I have heard how you came to be here on this quest? Forgive me if I over step with my questions.”

"Ah yes, a meal would be most welcome, all this talk of woodwork has got me quite famished." Cyrus returns Valoria's smile at the suggestion. He had worked up quite the appetite during his training exercises and the return journey.

"My father represented the Ondari line at the court in Restov. As his first son, I accompanied him when it was deemed appropriate. In retrospect, it should have been appropriate more often, but my father would leave me behind when he was making some of his poorer decisions. Like all men of his make, my father was trying to align himself with one of the great families, come to think of it, he may have had dealings with your own... When I discovered the nature of some of his dealings, not all of them mind you, I felt betrayed, he had brought shame to a once honorable name. I could not bear to show my face at court...

Cyrus' smile left as he spoke of his father and his vaguely described betrayal. He then went on, "I left my house a week later, taking my great grandfather's sword, my armor and my shield. I set out to find a more honorable path than my father and his kind... I'd met Henry while at court, he'd visited our estate on a couple of occasions and when I learned of his charter, I asked if he had need of my sword. That is how I came to this strange land. I hope to restore the Ondari name, at least for myself..."

"It would seem our fathers are both less than the role models we hoped for as children. I wonder what would have been had they lived up to there names. Perhaps we would be here still, of our own accord... Before your father sent you away, did you have any desire to travel like this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Tue 31 May 2016.

David approached the fire for a meal, but heard something of interest from the noble who called himself Cyrus.  A man of honor could be just what David was looking for, he just needed a way into the conversation.

"Pardon me Lord Cyrus.  Lady Valoria."  David gave a clumsy bow.  "I do not mean to interrupt your conversation, but as a boy I worked in my family's smith.  I'm much more comfortable with metal than wood, and more on the armor and shields side than swords and spear.  Either way, if I can be of use in this catapult I should like to prove my worth."

Hearing David's words brought a smile to Cyrus' face. He admired the old man's initiative and desire to work. "A smith? We must discuss that later, but yes, your labor would be greatly appreciated on these catapults. Do you have any tools for cutting and measuring the wood? Does Oleg?"

He looked to Valoria, fearing momentarily that he had overstepped by accepting the man's offer. "That is if the lady here would be so inclined."

"I'm afraid all I have left on me is a hammer I've been using in the construction here.  I could look around for some other tools.  That is, if you'd allow, Miss."  David indicates the hammer hanging at his belt that could be used equally well as a tool for building, smithing, or even combat in a pinch.

Thinking on Cyrus's question for only a quick few seconds, Valoria gestured to her tome. “I'm sure our fathers know each other, since both have been at the noble court around the same time. It is sad they did not live up to their names. As for me, knowledge is what I seek. I really had no desire to travel, especially like this.”

Valoria then looked over to the newcomer and nodded to the old man. “Yes, David I assume? Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.” She then showed David her sketchbook with the Onager style catapult design with repair notes. Valoria then took out of her bag a square with a drawing-compass, a level, a pencil and a piece of chalk. “As we have the ok, from Oleg and I see wood work has been done around here...I am almost sure the tools can be borrowed. Just let Oleg know if we do borrow anything. Please sit and eat with us David while you take a look at the repair notes. I should be able to talk you through it.”
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Wed 01 June 2016.

Cyrus welcomed David to the table. He was interested to hear more about this smith and how he became a bandit, but he found his interest in getting to know Valoria had not been sated. "Interesting, I have always found that I learn more from guided experience than I could from a book or a scroll. Perhaps that is because I am not as smart or witty as you. My father once gave me a scroll that spoke of the charm of the Lebeda's but meeting you has taught me much more than the scroll ever attempted to detail."

David joined the others for a meal.  He scrunched up his face trying to make heads or tails of the sketch.  Reading blueprints was not something he did often, ever really, even as a younger man working with his father on armors and shields.  The ex-bandit didn't want to give up, but had no idea where to start looking, it may as well have been elven.  Not wishing to interrupt the conversation of those he was attempting to impress David sat and shoveled stew into his mouth.

Valoria laughed warmly as Cyrus spoke of the charm of the Lebeda's. “A family of deft merchants, bankers and general hard-nosed money makers. I guess one needs charm to suck the gold from a vict...I mean...a customer's coin purse. I love my family, but the noble warriors of house Ondari seem more honest at times....speaking of money makers, where is my dear Andalon?” Once again she looked over for her cousin, but had yet to see him.

Looking over to David, Valoria smiled and wrote down more simplistic directions. She then waved her hand, lighting the candle that was on the table.  “A very good stew.”

"Thank you." Svetlana  smiles as she walks past.

Cyrus was flattered by the complement paid to his house, despite the fact the current members of his house resented more than resembled the description of noble warriors. To hear someone speak of his name as such brought great pride to him.

"Thank you for the commendation Valoria, I hope to restore that reputation, for now I find my family is all too often reaching after someone else's purse. I haven't seen your cousin since the gathering with Henry earlier, I wonder if he hasn't found some other activity to pursue. I would very much like to hear about his time in the city watch."

As Valoria lit the candle with a wave of her hand, Cyrus was reminded of the power of this woman's intellect. "On the trail, you said your spells wouldn't be of much use in a fight, is there any way I can help prepare you for future conflicts? I would hate to see you harmed."

"Ah."  Comprehension dawned on David with the new drawing.  "Thank you, m'lady.  This new sketch is of much more help to me, though the original is a fine blueprint I'm sure."  He nearly spoke again immediately after removing the spoon from his mouth.  Thoughts of nobles leaving the table in disgust flashed through his mind.  This may be more difficult than he first thought.  David finished chewing and swallow before speaking again.  "A family of bankers?  So if I need a loan you would be the person to see?"  David laughed despite the question only being a partial joke.  The distinction was clear to Valoria have spent enough time hearing men and women of all walks of life asking for money.

Cyrus chuckled at David's joke, he was glad the man spoke up. From the moment Cyrus heard David mention he was a smith, he'd wanted to ask more. "That hammer you carry, you have used it at a forge?"

"No, sir.  I left home with only the clothes on my back.  The same way I left the bandit camp.  The hammer I was given here to help.  I don't imagine it's mine to keep, but it does feel right being back in my hand."  David smiled as he said this and thought back to his years as a young man.  "I haven't stood at the forge for nearly two decades.  I was a much younger man.  My spirit is willing though.  If I may ask, what do you need forged, m'lord?"

--->From Pipre's Pool

Viktoria arrived at the fire, having briefly stopped off to leave her armour and get some clothes to wear, hair still dripping. She carried her axes in her belt loops, having left the swords to be sharpened by Lolli, who was currently working off in the corner

"Good evening, lovely night to keep warm by the fire, no?"

In reply to David Hart (msg # 21):

"Nothing today, but if we build these catapults and recruit more of your former colleagues to aid us in this endeavor, weapons and armor, even tools might aid us in the future. Have you been in these woods for the past 20 years?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Thu 02 June 2016.

Valoria laughed at David's jest. “I am afraid I no longer have that kind of pull with my family.” She then paused and replied to Cyrus. “I thank you for your concern, Cyrus. However, I just need to think over my spellbook. I do have a few spells memorized now, that may be useful...if deployed properly.” Taking note of the shout..person that gave greeting. Nodding with a smile, Valoria spoke in a friendly tone. “Indeed it is a lovely night by the fire. Greetings. Forgive me, I do not believe we where properly introduced? I am Valoria of house Lebeda. This is Sir Cyrus, of house Ondari and David, our generous craftsmen.” Muninn, the owl looked slowly at everyone, glaring with human-like intelligence. ”And this is Muninn.” She then motioned to the table. “The stew is very good. Would you care to join us?”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:21, Fri 03 June 2016.

David's face fell at Valoria's answer.  There may not be a fortune to be had here, but surely he could find a few coins here and there.  That's all he needed for one lucky night of cards or dice.  Then his fortune would surely turn.  "Of course.  I would be happy to help out where I can.  If we can create some kind of a space for even a makeshift forge I'd also be happy to work on some personal orders as well, provided we have the coin to pay for any needed materials that is."

David had deflected Cyrus's question but thought he better answer to stay on the lord's good side.  "I very recently joined up with this lot."  He motions to the other bandits.  "Not even close to twenty years, most of that time was spent traveling from village to village."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:21, Fri 03 June 2016.