The Clerics  and nod  with smiles,..it has been a while , since  Young Quickshadow's Unit has past through.. we hope we see more of your   Group....  Clerics are more often wanders ... when we  see a holy warriros  with a group , such as the Arrows. it just gives  us pause to think.

 ..Indeed... there are  groups out there, that are comprised of Holy folk..whether they bee  for  light, dark, or greay...or even...mixed?.. I am sure you will see such folk. Young Quickshadow  has 'ner been the same, since they burned the holding of the Slavemaster who sent the slavers into  the Black Timber, in gusie if  merchants..... Burned the holding down with any slaves who had fought for thier master.... gave over the slavemaster's  children to golbins... and  his wives to orcs... then he staked the  ban to the door off his  manse.. before lighting it afire...sadly there are  two slavers of that group who are un accounted for.... Kree and Ivy seek them..yet.

 ..with the  death of  slavers  as common as rain.. one should think they have fled the realms... perhaps go through the great Mists?...but then again..Kree and Ivy  hunted some there as well....in the end.. they will hunt, until they find them... and kill what they feel needs killed.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:37, Fri 05 May 2017.

   The  Bets are made..  Grenwal stares  as Kree  until Kree moves  back a few more  paces. Upon hearing   Brie, Kree says  quietly...My father seeks to be the Elder, that  brings   the Black Timber Under the Emperor's rule...of course  if that happens... the Emperor will need some one here he can trust to rule it.....

 he waves a hand towards the  two magelings  at the start line,..making humans look like fools, is not a good way to do that....

 RIGHT THEN!... when the horn Blows.. ye start the contest... ye must enter  the path, and return by a differant  path... first one back to the bloody line..is the winner...

   Ivy helps move  folks  back of the Line.. people  are amost deadly quiet, when Grenwal Nods to the horns man... the Felow  Blow the horn...
  The Leader    veers to his left almost running the child over, and covering the kid  with mud and  dead leaves... the  kid  shakes it off  and runs into the path.

 The Horse  and man act as one,  they  reach the  fork,  and the man leans to have the Horse take the shortest  route ( that he could see)... He is laughing as he does...

 The Kid  passes the entrance to the  path... he  stops...  moves  around the nearest tree to his left...and walks  around the tree... and jogs  up to the Line..

  as he  Crosses the Line, the Horse man  is  just coming out of the path, some 20 yards  away.. he hears  cheers..he thinks  is for himself... until he  sees  Kree  Lifting the Kid  above hisn head.. the kid is waving his arms  about.... a voiceless cheer  coming from a tongueless mouth.

 Grenwal  Points to Carr....THE WINNER!

  The Leader  Jumps off his horse , before it even stops.. the Mageling  is screaming.....That's not   the race!...  he didn't   take any path.. he didn't race the  Horse man!

 Grenwal  looked to them..with a grim , harsh  voice.....none of our folks, called it a race....young Quickshadow  told you...knowledge  of the forest... and  who would get back to the line..... The Body took a path around the nearest tree.. he entered the path.. and returned,  from a different  direction... Carr..though as a  person of the forest.... you thought, of as a person of the cities.....

 The Mageling was crushed,...but..you did not explain?

 Kree   was  still holding the smiling child in the air,... i explained well enough for a  8 year old human child to understand?... i did not prompt him in any way.... he...outsmarted you...on his own.  then he   put the lad  Gently on the ground. Ivy moved up behind the child.

 ..now?  It is time to pay your debts.... i fear, this will cut  deeply...into you buying power...

 The Horseman  took off his  Helm , wiggling the    giant feather from  the top,  he  unstrapped the dagger  as he went to hand it to  Kree..

 Kree shook his head,..give it the Lad... he collects feathers,,, for what reason? i do not know... but i am certain he does not have a Griffon feather....

 The   Leader hand the   boy the  belt and Dagger  first, then  , gently , the feather.

  He looks at the child,... i have the dread feeling  , you will be an Arrow  someday...

 The  child  held the dagger and belt  and Feather..smiling   his eyes  full of happy tears. Meanwhile the Mageling    handed Kree 500 gold, for their Bet...  and the Two Mage Guild Members  moved back to the table they were sitting... the driver  was pocketing some coin as well.

  Kree calls out,..Another Tail to be told... Carr's Contest with  the Mage Guild!  Loa  came over and  kneels besides  the boy,..that will be  the grandest feather in your collection!

  There is a smile on Ivy's face,..more so, in that, he earned with his  own  mind..and feet!.

 Kree  was counting the coin   and Motioned  for  Linny to come to him....200 gold... to be used  for  Carr, and yourselves for caring for him.... use it wisely

  Linny nods  to   Kree , then to Carr,.. indeed!.. we have a  box  for  coin Carr own on his own, he  is saving, for what?  we do not know.. but he  will get half of this  for his box.. the other have, we will use  to  aid in food and clothing...

 Kree  turned  and  fuzzed the Kids head,..get your prizes  home...  i hope to hear your story tonight , at the tellings!

 Carr looked at Linny who nodded, and the Boy ran off to their home.

   Kree counts out  30 gold for each Ivy, and  Brie.....loks like the Arrows  get some windfall , this night.

 making his way through the crowd..he hunts  down his Arrows giving them each 30  gold from what is left of the price money.

Orlin had put in what coin he had and was greatfull that it was well invested.

  To Grenwal. "Indeed, the boy has earned a reward.  It might be wise for one Adult to ride with him.  No one too heavy..."  Orlin is inerupted by the staff.  It sounds nhappy but no one can understand it.  "Did you want the boy falling off?"  The staff mumbles something.  "Of course you have a say, but it should be the boy's choice."  More mumbling.  "Well then you can say no."  a little more. "So Kree's an option, and who else."..."Why the Druidess?"...."Whoa, there my friend.  No matchmakin.  What about the Dwarf, he okayed it."...Orlin turns too Grenwal, "He says Dwarves like to keep their feet on the ground so you would never go fer it."

   Grenwal watches   Orlin speak to the    staff....  I  have been to the Top of the Jigh peaks  twice in my Lifetime... as high as any dwarf  to  climb... an' that is a rgand view , fer  certain.... But  i had  solid stone 'neath, me feet!

  ye have some  women folk  in yer unit? Ask one of them? Not of them look like they eat more then one meal a day!

..........

 The Mages  sat as  they licked their  wounds, trying to figure out  , what they can buy.. The Sun was going  'down'.. though outside the forest ,there would be another  2 or  3 hours of daylight... The trees stole the light  early as the  orb dipped below the tops of the  mountainous trees.

..................
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Fri 05 May 2017.

In reply to fest (msg # 234):

   "Kree helped us when we were in need.  The Druidess offered help for no reason other than we were part of the group, as did you.  The old ones are very selective in these things."

  Grenwal nods to  Orlin once more,.. well if    the old one will allow a ride for a child who has not had much joy in his   like... This is a day he'll remember.. and with the ..not so gentle command... The Bards will have his story wrote!

Diana watched the race intently.  When the boy dipped around the tree, she began to laugh.

Of course!

She had figured there was some "catch" to the whole thing.  A reason everyone was so confident in the boy.

She couldn't help but smile.

Lucy watched the "race" and began to laugh as the kid won the "race."  It had been a sucker's bet from the outset.

She collected her winnings, giving half to the kids who had began following her around since she come out of the inn.

"Kitty Lady" it seemed was very popular among the kiddies.

After the race, she found herself playing with the kids.  It was something she hadn't planned for.  It just seemed to happen.  She certainly wouldn't have planned it.  After a few hours, she broke away, much to the disappointment of the kiddies, and went  to find something else to do.  Well, at least for a while, till the kids found "Kitty Lady" again, and she once again got roped into playing with them.

Brie takes the coin and looks around.  She pats Kree on the arm that she was stepping away and would return promptly.

She walked towards Krell and takes all but 10 of the earned coin and places it in his hand.

This is for Madame Quickshadow and tending to her.  I best not hear "she's"not being cared for.

She gives Krell a serious look of her own, nods to the human female at his side and then turns to head back to Kree without giving Krell a moment to speak.

In reply to luth (msg # 231):

"Again, a matter of temperance. One does not wish to burn wheat with chaff. That is my task, then, to make sure those who do not need to die don't. It helps balance their colder moments, and that makes the whole unit better."

Luthien pauses, and adds, "In deference to the unit I choose to work with, however, to those who read dark, I simply do not interfere, and let them do as they will."

And Kree does hand out VERY brutal punishments.

"Besides, if he would hunt, it makes sense to bring a Hunter, does it not?"

   With Winnings   paid out, the  Village and visitors went  back to their business , whether it be having  fun, selling wares, and helping  run the  fest.

 While  Brie  went to 'visit' Krell.. Kree and  Ivy   split up and hunted down Arrows to give their Coin to

  Kree found  Rolf, enjoying  different types of meats, as well as samplings of  ale.

   Ivy  found Laf and Shadowmist in the  in to give them  their shares.

  Orlin was one of the fist to get his, since he was near the contest, Kree  give him a  Nudge,..do not get used to this?.. not all folk are as foolish as  magelings!

 Kree Last person to  find, was Luthien, with the Clerics. He  place the stack of  Coins by the  holy warrior with a grin.

 The Tra  Cleric   rasied a hand and  as Kree, as he was about to turn away,..a moment..Captain? What god..or Gods do you give credit  for your success.. the  clerics  eyes  darted in amusement  with his fellows  as they  waited.

  The elf   turned  with his halfsmile he said.....I am not  fool enough to  think any one god aids  us,  nor am i fool enough to think, we cound not succeed, without the people in my unit.... Eta  and Neta, get much credit... others get credit as thier  due allows... even  Vert?... his  wand motions   to the area of the Village where the MAgelings  wait for  the Elders to arrive,..for  how often  does  chance lay fools like this  before us?

 The Harg cleric asks , honestly,..and you do not  fear, that the Sisters  may grow angry at you choice of them as a pair?..Rather then holding one higher?

 there was a growing Smile,..I am not a cleric, nor  even holy warrior. But i spread their names through my actions...I use a bow  and Blade equaliy ... to be good at only one, would limit me...The Sisters... I feel... understand this.... they also understand, that should good luck and Bad luck cancel each other out... that would only leave Chance.. and  few people would survive a life , built wholy on that...he smiles at his pun..htne  waves   as he  heads over to watch the final dealing with the magelings..

  Brie walks  away from Krell , he looks a bit  embarrassed , if not  angry. The woman   gives a bit of a giggle,we now have more coin to drink with...

  Ivy   finds Lucy with some Kids... he does not   bother her, but stands  off to watch, until they  break up to do other things. He hands her  , her  stack of coin.... one thing, to think on, as you wear that Arrow?...At least half of those  children , have no families  alive, but are cared for by  people  who know loss, and are, kind of heart.... some folk ask why the Arrows  are so harsh on slavers and bandits... it is easy, when you raise your blade to one, while having an image of  these little ones, in the back of your mind..

 Diana is the last one he finds, Handing her the coin,..and thus?.. we find the Arrows reaping  rewards The Sister  bestow on us....  there is a grin,..and..we also must thank the   large  egos of foolish men!

 She thanked Ivy for handing her her winnings, and offered her a gold for luck. She always tried to give back for luck because she knew luck was fickle. She smiled and went to find the boy who had won the race to try to give him a coin as well, for winning.

 "Here's a coin for luck! Buy something fun."

 Once all the excitement was over, she went to browse along the market area to see if there was anything she might want or need.

  The Mageling   and his people sat on one side of the table.  Bleakroot , grenwal and Krell sat on the other  side.

 The woman stood  Behind Kree..only to be  pushed  back  by  Kree who seemed to to care he was  a bit more, then a head shorter then the Northman women..

 She  was about to say something, But Kree held Up his left hand , as if signaling  a group to halt,silence.... this is   clan business... you are nay clan, nor Arrow.. so you may stay, only if you are quiet.  Wardens  had  moved folks  back a bit ( even Kree was behind the line) leaving the  groups  to deal.

 The Mageling  said, in a sorrowful manner,....the  recent 'contest'...has  depleted  some of our  funds... before  we continue, what are the chances of  credits, for  coin to come?

 Bleakroot looks to the Dwarf, who says..,..ain't no bloody chance.... ifin we go to the city to buy a sheath  of arrows, and we are a copper or two short... they will nay sell us the full sheath... thus... we must try as best we can..to be equal with  the ....civilazed  cities....

 The Mage Nodded as he looked down at the sheet in his hands, they had been  pushing numbers   as soon as they paid out their losses.

 ..You are dealing, much too harsh... we are not your enemies...

  Perhaps , you are not. Bleakroot says,...and..perhaps..in time, should  your guild make more trips to the   Timber to deal fairly  in merchandise and goods.. we  would set up a  credit system for you....but this is the first time the Tou Mage  guild has ventured this far to do business...though we know you travel to other  cities..and even the Trace wood ? So.. you are treated  as first time merchants until you show that here is commerce between us...

 The Leader   frowns,..if you treat us  , thus? This may be the last time  we have dealings...

 Grenwal speaks up,..then we don't lose  'nuthin' then..do we.... ye need, or want that Engar white...the bloody stuff should be returned to the sea elves...'cept they'd  sell it to the damanable reds too!...so.. we either keep it fer our own use..which..costs  us nothin'  or we  sell some ta you folks  and make some coin..

  The MAgeling  nods slowly, ...we  only have  enough coin to buy 4 flasks at 500 gold each.. and it wil give us some coin, incase we need it on the road.

 Krell says,..perhaps.. we could  deal...High Elder.. to allow the Mages a few more..since they  did pay their contest debts... it would show  good will and...

 Kree laughs.. Krell shot him a hard look, But Grenwal was already answering.

 it is my thoughts, that this is not a good practice? we..as a people, have not  been shown any good  will by the Magelings.... how many of us have  purchased items  from the Guild in Tou?  he looks around, no one  raises   a hand.....an' how many  times has the Guild brought  good here to sell?

 again there is no answer...

 ..there ya have it..they are here, cause they chased after Arrows who intercepted  illegal goods, that were , most like..intended fer the damn Reds....Illeagl or Nay.. they are here..now..an' should be used ta fight  what we stand against... if we can make a few coin, sellign a few to they Guild..fine.. they can buy what they can afford.... but not one more, until our  people are treated fairly....

 The Leader  Turns  to the Dwarf, the smile he gave Krell was gone as it looked at the dwarf,...Then, Elder. You may find you get , no merchants at all?

 Bleakroot says, calmly..but there is a hint of Ice in his voice...we  fight raiders and slavers in the  Sands... the people of the great  desert  trade with us..and  faily..so much so..we opened  a passage way that leads to the desert, so they need not travel as far.... The folks on the coast, and the trace wood trade with us... and  we send  merchants out to sell our own goods...

 He looks at Krell, then  a slight  glance back at Kree, before facing the Leader again,our traveling merchants , are nay treated fairly... as  they people of the towns  know, they would rather not bring back what they have taken with them, so they may have more room, to bring new things back...something, most cities  do not need to worry about.

 There is a sigh, as  Bleakroot ,looks towards the trees,..the  time for dealing with outlanders is  almost at an end.. the rest of the night  is for  Village merchants, and of course, the celebration..so?.. do you wish the 4..or nay?

 The leader slams his hand on the table...

 .... we  will take the 4 then , High Elder.. it is better, not to return  with none....

  grenwal  says,..yer coin then?

 The riding mage   pushed   the Pouch that has a parchment  in it.....2000 gold , High Elder..it is counted and marked  with my name...

 grenwal  Nods to the  Wardens  and hold up 4 thick fingers... an officer  takes out   four and  sets the  glass bottles  with a pure white  powder  infront of the Mages.

 ...I hope.. this  is a good learning experiance, not just for you...but  for   the Guild, and towns. Do not treat us  as if we were  bumpkins, eager to thrown coin away....If ever   regular trade is opened  between Tou and the Black Timber... we will  provide  wardens to guard the roads, at least, to the   bridge.

 The riding MAge   begins to wrap the  bottles in leather and hands them to the Driver.

 The leader  snorts,..i doubt if many in  Tou will wish to make the trip...now.

 ..again.. we do not lose nothing, that we did not have before....Enjoy the rest of the fest..

 The Maeling   nods slowly, there is  bitterness in his voice,..i think..it is time  for us to go.... we have nothing to celebrate....

 Krell says,..you will be safe within the woods... but our  wardens will go no further then the camp at the Hillocks...

 the Magelings go  to put away their  purchases and make the cart ready to go...The wardens  take the rest of the   powder and the coin to the Council building.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:34, Sat 06 May 2017.

In other deals, Luthien commissions a silvered sword and a cold iron sword, for use against creatures vulnerable only to such things. He also commissions two special quivers of arrows...20 with silver tips, 20 with cold iron tips. Not part of his usual quiver, they'll be saved only for when they're needed.

(this is after any conversations with the priests)

Brie walked about and spoke with some of the people in the village.  She eventually found Kree but it wasn't long before Krell and the female came along too.

She nudged gently with her elbow to Kree's.  She didn't say anything as he was in mid conversation.

  People  were beginning to gather... Bards  were   setting up for song.  the  only business allowed now, would be that of  local Merchants.

 ......

 For Luthien.... he talk with  weapons makers  and fletchers  and such,  The  Arrow  MAkers   could have  such Arrows ready, by the time they leave...The Blades would take some time ( unless he wanted one 'off the rack')

    for the others   they  can browse  the shops and stalls set up. Mercahnts  are merchants , after  all and this is  a good  time to sell..especially with food and  drink for  no cost!

   Linny and Loa mad sure  Carr was  sitting up front by the stage, for  when the bards  would tell his tale.

   Krell and   The woman ( Azra)   approached ,  Kree smile  as he talked to a woman who was asking questions  about the whole Princess thing..faded away... as did the woman.

  Well?  Are you proud? You may have set the MAge Guild against us for all time....  The  woman  had a hand on her him and  looked down on Kree and D
Brie ( literally )

 ..Let us  think on that, Father? what happens had they  did not  treat us  rug saleman? And I sell them the Engar White?.....They would not have been sending  any fewer or any more..merchants  our way?... Had  i  gave into them, before  we left the city?.... They would think us, only  worried for Coin..nothing  better they gooding   orcs... So>. i stood my  ground... i slapped them  in the  face, with the same pride they wounded...and..they did not like it..They bartered  with us, as we were betters....why?..Because they needed..or wanted the powder, badly....now?  they go back..outtsmarted  by an 8 year old, human...RAZORHAWK BOY!

 people looked   briefly at the out Burst burst but turned  away... Krell was  getting   read faced when Azra  snapped,..your  son does not  know his   Place... in my lands.. he would be slapped down...

 Kree   snapped back,..Listen Ogress... no one here gives a damn in the 9 hells what your people  would do..its  all you  can do to try to string a sentence together, without screaming a  war cry....

 Then he  titled his head at Krell, Tell me  Father? what happened  to the dusky skinned  caravan  wench that was with you the last time.... or... the   Human woman for  The Furman's  Chain... or  whom ever else you chose to  dirty the bed that was  My mother's

  Krell's  arm   came up swift to slap Kree.. But Kree's hand caought it , with ease, at the  same  Motion he blocked a swipe from the large human woman...

 The elder's  hand  shook as he tried to Press   towards  Kree's face, But  Kree held him with ease,..and You...woman?  pray to eta, and Neta...or even Vert... that you did not lose  that hand this day....

 Kree pushed  down his fathers  HAnd,..I am strong, Father...  i need to wield  Blade and bow  with both hands... what exercise  i do not get in practice... i get  taking   the lives of my enemies....Do not become and Enemy of my Clan....

  Krell looked shaken, as  did his PAramour, as  Kree  turned to walk,...let us go, Listen to Carr's  tale.... at least he is a razorhawk of worth...

 grenwal  Appears out of the  crowd,..you risk much..going head to head with your  father..who is also an Elder.....

 .. I risk , nothing, Good Grenwal... i know my place in the Village.. I know my place in its history....Tell me... did you think we should have catered to the magelings...?

 The dwarf  grabbed  Kree's shoudlers  and Laughed  shaking him about  as though he were a child...Ack!...no Laddie? If it were up ta me,, i would have charged them fer the bottles too..or make them carry the bloodly power home in thier hands!


   they stod by , allowing townsfolks to hear some tales of great Hunts... or wonders of the forest...and..of course love  tales... But Carr's take started, it began as horrid as it was... btu belended into  his choice to stay in the Timber... and the acceptance  of him.. the story of the contest was  polished a bit more.....making the Leader a bit more  dark... and Carr a bit more  Heroic ... when it  was over    the people clapped and cheered.. CArr looked around smiling ..CARR!.....

 The  Lad stood and Turned  as  kree  reached into his tunic and tosses  a Pin to him, he nimbly caught it... and looked,..Welcome, to the Crimson Arrows...

 More folks cheered..some of his 'friends ' who picked on him were shocked..maybe  jealous..other    were happy for the Lad  who count not  speak.

Luthien decides the best way to do things is get one 'off the rack' version of the good old common longsword (in silver and cold iron) and then commission special versions of those weapons (dedicated to Tra) to use later. For now, though, preparedness is the idea.

Orlin swings by the Druidic part of the village to go through his herbs with the healers there.

 Orlin's  path takes him out to the west a bit more.. even though  he is only about  500 yards or so from the Village  proper.. it seems darker and more  quiet.

 He can see faint Light  coming from  a Cottage, as he gets closer  he can see a  ring of 13  Cottages.. some have  lights on, some do not. in the  center of the cottage is  a very old Black Oak tree.

Otlin strolls up and places his hand on the tree. "Hello old mother.  It's good to see you looking after these people."  His staff flickers but doesn't say anything.

Brie would have stepped up and partook in defending Kree, but this was his fight.  He knew who his enemy was, how to play the game.

This, Brie knew, why she cared for him so much.  In so many ways, they were the child of a parent who thought less of them, underestimated them.

She smiled but turned to look at the taller human woman as if challenging her to say anything.  Brie remained quiet and when Kree called for them to go, she took steps backing away from Krell and Azra.  She took Kree's hand and walked with him to the seating for the bards tell.

When she had a moment to speak between the telling of Carrs story, she leaned over and whispered in Kree's ear.  I see why you completely understood me and my mom's relationship, if you call it that.

She patted his arm, gave him a smile, and went back to watching the show.

  Kree chuckles,..he was tough to live  with, before  my mother's passing... it is worse  since he became an Elder.  I am uncertain, whether he fails to see , the women use him for his position...or if he uses his position, to use the women....

  They settle in after Carr's  tale  to listen  to a few more  songs  and stories..before  Kree asks if she wants to look at the shops, or if there are good  she needs  for when the set off tomorrow .

  Bleakroot stops    by Kree , as the  bards  set the stage for  the next act....Captain?...  Does your  Unit  have any thing to hunt ?

  There have  been reports of  a Missing Unit   near the trace Wood...  I have, with purpose...had my group come here... i did not  want  the others to know we would be  coming in from the   the town of Mok's  direction...

 ..You think  something is amiss?

 Aye...we had three other  captains in the Plank..Orria and Malog..I trust.. I have no trust...nor  Love for Carn... The Trace area is his area..yet he has   found nothing?... Orria is the one who got the first tidings.... Malog contirmed those .  when he was  near Lake Orre... Carn is a Human who took over  for a former Razorhawk, when she died... So... we  will travel through the Black Timber towards the south .. we will leave near the  opening that the Desert folk use  for trade and   follow the  Lather  river    Until we  reach the trace Wood  area.. then we  will move   further inland  to see what we can find...

 Bleakroot nods  slowly... you should stop at Mok..and ask there?

 we could, it will mean a ferry ride  both ways..but , it would be a good place to ask about. mayhaps  pick up a contract of two?

 The High Elder smiled,..i was going to ask  for your  unit to make a sweep of the boarder between the  Timber and the Swamp..but we have enough Wardens  for such things.....

 As he turns  to Leave he says,..your  Nickname is  well earned,  Young Captain...it makes an old one proud, that when he hears  that name Mentioned by travelers , that i know that is one of our clan, who bears it...

   Thank You...High Elder. I am not  a lair, so i will not say, i do not like  to hear the title... in all truth, i can say... i love to see the eyes of the enemy when they hear it...

 ..enjoy  the  Night, Captain...Lady Arrow....
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Sun 07 May 2017.

  The Black oak is only rivaled by the tallest of the  older Ironwood tress...  the  Grith of the  trunk could have been the Center of  Razorhawk  Village.

  There is some movement  about...a few of the druids  heading , either into the  Village..or into the   field, just outside the   circle of  Cottages.

Brie thinks briefly over a few ideas and mentions that she'll tend to them before she leaves.

Definitely not an ideal fatherly figure that's certain, but neither were either of my own.  I never even met my father, but my half brother appeared to be quite dangerous.  I can only saw the apple didn't fall far from the tree there.

She listens as the other comes to speak with and nods when he mentions her name.

Then again, one in higher authority typically thinks in over abundance of what their power actually entails.  I would say both.  Not good either way.

In reply to Orlin (msg # 253):

Rather than intruding, Orlin sits beneath the tree and waits.