Orlin nods to the reptile, "Hello little one."  To the lady  Greatings lady, I have been traveling into these lands for the first time and am looking for someone to show me thinigs to use that might help the friends traveling with me.  Do you have any potions of healing or helping I can invest in?  Words to a fellow herbalist that might help me in this sea of grass?"

  The  woman looks up, her  practiced  hands keep grind  and pounding with her  stone 'motar and pestle'..

    you donna  come from the rgasses..nor the trees? You are from the  mountains.....

 she looked  at the  bowl  and  shifts it a bit and begins  to crush,...The grass riders?... they do not like  the potions.... sun and horse shake the  jars..not good  for the magic of the  earth....

 she nods  , pointing to  baskets  around her.....so the powders... they put in pouches... drink with water..... it is  as good as the Poctions...free to be making, if you can find the right  gifts that   the land  gives us...

 Pointing to  piles of  powder,..Red Dragon Flower..must  dry the petals..... Pods  from marsh vines... crush and dry the   seeds..and  the long fruit of the Riverbush..Yellow.. hot to eat...can be  deadly  if not  ripe..but it matters not, when you dry and  crush... you mix the three...take  a spoon full drink  water... it will heal you some...2 spoons..more  water..heal you better.. 3 spoon fulls ..you die.

Brie looks up at Kree when he aproaches and gigglea at the gifts he brought back.


"Well, it can definitely be added to my attire repertoire."

She put one in her side bag and another in her pack for safe keeping.

In reply to Orlin (msg # 50):

   "Excellent, yes the mountains have their own bounty but every place is special.  How long before you can take the potion again, and is the dosage universal or dependant on a persons body weight?"

   She shrugs,it matters not... the body's  size...but the bodies  needs.... To take it  when you body  needs help, is what it is  for... to take it for no reson, invites the punsihment of nature...take a  bit  now?.. you will get sick.. take abit more...ebcause you were sick could lead to death... Tahe a bit ebcause you have been Bladed..  , the  wounds  will begin to stich themselves... take an arrow  right after... you take it  again... in should not be abused... and?..to speak sooth, you will have  hard times fonding these three...it is natures gift, but one  you must earn...and  never  abuse.

   Orlin commits the plants to memory "Ah, so it is need based.  Thank you for what information you have given me.  Can the solution be diluted?"

  She  gave a  shrug as she  gathered  three  small pouches and rolled , a well used  square of leather into a funnel.

  getting the three , clay lined, baskets she poured them into her  mixing bowl......see the colors?... so easy to tell what plant? but that is not good... they must become one....  she  begins  to swirls the   ground  powers into  a mix... when it is  done a dull red, is what is   left.... a silver  spoon, old , but well cared for , is used to  shovel the powder into the funnel until each pouch is  full.

  ..Thinning  the powers..perhaps, even making  drink?.. is to insult the gift that nature gave... it may help..but the help will not  be as strong, and perhaps..not last?

  She olds out  a pouch to Orlin... ..four doses , in each pouch... In Mok? such a pouch can fetch 5 gold?.. In Tou, perhaps as high as 8..but rarely is it sold... Nature  has given it to us...Take this.. so you learn...

   Orlin accepts the bundle gratefully, "I thank ya."  He carefully opens his otter skin pouch and reaches inside.  pulling out a bit of left over twine he carefully knots the tips of the strings before tying the bag firmly shut. "I use the knots so I can reach in and feel what the item is even in darkness.  This knot on the left string for healing, this knot on the right for dosage, and a loop in the center for danger if used incorrectly.  Once I used beads but when one cracked off, only the smell kept me from using the wrong potion."  Orlin sniggers, the bead for reproductive potion was still in place but had I administered it would have given a man who wanted an heir full grown mammary glands within two weeks.

   He grows serious, "I am a big man by the standards of you lowlanders, and know my way around an apothecary.  While I enjoy a celebration as much as the next boy, I would rather lend a hand here than waste money on a game of chance, or strong drink."  The light in his staff flickers a little as if chuckling, "Is there anything I can do to help?

 she  raises a  thin finger  and points to a basket with some of the  dried items,... get that bowl... you can grind the powders with me.. get some learning to make your own, out in the wild...

   Orlin does as he is told and gets to work.

  As Kree  and Brie talked, a  Human who wore   leathers  and  carried a bow, came from the   water way... he had a sneer on his face as he called out..well..if it ain't the...Edhel  en' death

  Kree looked at the   fellow and  smirked,well... Friend..you butchers the  fair language.. but..yes....

  ..not your  friend...... never will be....there's a price on your  head..one day, I'll claim it....

 Kree  chuckled,..better do it soon, there is a big line waiting for that?

  ..you killed half  my family...Edhel  en' death..... and why?.. because they were  movin' some sand folk down river to sell to the  Reds?

  Turning to face the   man, Kree said,..I have no love for the sand folk..but those  that were in chains  were women and children... Slavers  die.... no matter what the slave...

 ...Yeah?.. well... you  start watchin'  yer back.... This is a  safe  place, or  else i would have  stuck a shaft in you, the moment i saw you....But you and Yours  will pay.. then?  I'll get paid...

 Kree nodded,..if you would like?.. we  can go above  ground..  past the limits of the  Grassfolk's   home....

 don't think i don't want to..... but i got to finish my  courier  job ...its fer the crown.. so's i can't just up and leave it...

 wise choice.. hard to deliver a message, when you are dead... the  forest green eyes  were a bit darker..

 The fellow  nodded  and turned  to walk towards    the stable to  buy/rent a horse of pony.

Brie looks up as her and Kree talk to the man approaching and speaks threats about Kree and kin.

"Best be careful where your words are spoken Sir," she said.  "Tis those same words that could lead to your own bounty."

Brie pats the dagger at her side.

  Walking away the  fellow  just waved in disgust.

  Watching him walk away, Kree nods   , saying   softly,..if he did not  carry a packet for the Crown?... I would make certain this was ended now. But we do not know the import of that packet, nor  why , one such as him, carries it.

Brie moves her ears into Kree's neck to play off her next comment.  Either way, I would still be weary of his intentions.  Should we send Riku to scout behind him?

Riku was on the wagon asleep soundly amid some hay.  The day and last battle had wiped her out.

  Kree frowned as he thought about it,... wait until she wakes..she has had a hard  Ten day...she deserves her rest... I am less concerned  with him... then  whatever  group he belonged to...might be good to find out.

Lafisual browses the wares in search of solid wood and hoping on the off chance that any of the vendors have some ClamsPort Steel whether it's raw or used in another item for sale.  Also he looks around from some quality wood for making arrows and perhaps a recorder or two.  He nods to Shadow, I don't know what the chances are but might as well look for ClamsPort Steel and wood.  Did you have anything you were looking for?

   Kree   looked around and  found a  pair of  young kids who were making   some kind of pictures in the dirt. How  would you like to each gold coin each?

 The little girl's eyes opened  and the boy  smiled   but then frowned,..how  do you know you'll pay us?

 Kree  nodded  and   took a knee...I will give you  one gold  now?.. if  i don't pay your the other..you can still split it   for 5 silvers  each!....all i need you to do, is  sit by out camp , make sure no one bothers  are  equipment... we need that to hut slavers, you know..

 the kids Nodded  and got up,  Kree handed the gold to the girl who looked  at it with  giant wide eyes......you can make your art work there as well, if you wish....

 Then he turns to brie...one more  cooked  meal..before  we head out to the rgasslands  again

 As they pass the  woman who had the general good he pointed to some itmes  in the back..she looked puzzled  a bit,but   gathered them up and wrapped them.. taking Kree's coin,. then the pair  entered the larger  'inn'

Brie got up and walked along with Kree.  Obviously, he had a reason for her to go with him, and she obligingly went along.  She gave the kids just as Kree turned his back to them, 2 more gold coins.  She gives them a wink and quickly makes her way back to Kree.

Just a meal is all we are going for, she said with a mischievous grin.

   Kree smiles   slightly,..a drink, some hot  food, then maybe  some fresh air up top before   sleep....

  Ivy was outside the smaller Inn with a drink and a Maiden on his lap.. Kree gave him a small  hand sign, Ivy  answered with a  upraised   mug of ale.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg # 67):

She giggled.  "So you're going to tske me sight seeing?  This will be fun."

She looked to where Ivy was at and shook her head.

   Noise in the inn was loud, but  mot like a normal  Inn. Smoke from pipes and  many different scented  Candle  filed the air... lanterns with   oils   hung from the ceiling.

   They sat  down, an Older elf  woman approached ,..So..you'er the  lad who the fuss is about?....Some big Hunters, i hear?

  ..My Comrades and I...aye. We are the Crimson Arrows....

 ..who now?... Can't

 say i've heard of ye...but..I do not leave the  Burrow much.

  ..Burrow?... I have roamed these lands  for   many years..I have not heard that term, when it comes to elf folk?


 ..it was   10 years ago...maybe a tad longer... the fisst grasslanders  found the  carverns... from when the LAther River and Tou were once  joined? When trhe gods  shook the world The Tou and LAther were separated..but still cling to each other... touching under the plains.... There are  least 3 Burrows  that cover the lands  between your forest and  Toun...ranging  down from The Lather, to the Storm.... we keep to ourselves for the most part..with false   villages  above..but the reach settlement  below..we Count the Black Timber Elves and trace Wood  Elves as  friends... and Thus.. Dwarves from the High peaks  made treat with us... so that could use the water  ways as well..in return.. they help patrol and keep the evil creatures at bay, while improving the caverns the Burrows live and travel in..

 ..That is something  I did not know? I thought  the grassland elves where nomads.

 it is a think we do.. to try and confuse enemies... the scouts go out, and set up small places... take some   woman and even a child or two... very few have been trusted here... you should feel honored.

 ..I am....Mize  and his riders came to our  aid... sandfolk, catfolk and  orcs had breeched the  Timber.. and  we   found them.. the battle  may have went worse  without them..at very least.. some of them would have escaped.

 The woman nodded in disgust,..I sooner  bed a Catfolk, then serve a meal to a sandfolk... they smile and trade with ye..but  can just as easy  slit yer throat....

 ..Indeed....well?.. waht would  your recommend  for two tired travelers...

 well.. we have an Ox stew with  some  roots and tubers that rgow, as well as mushrooms, should you like...or we have some frish..ye can have it fried with bread crubs..or  grilled on the  rack?..for  drinks  we have some wines from Tou.. or  our own spiced Mushroom wine.. we got the mix from the dwarves and added our own bit of taste....and , off course  we have Ale from Tou and Mok

 ..A bowel of stew  for me...with mushrooms..and  mushroom wine.. you do have rolls or bread?


 She gives   kree a pat,..if we don't . i make them ..make some...Now?.. what about your Lady here?

   As orlin works he chants a little chant beneath his breath, barely understandable in common through his accent.  It thanks the plants for their bounty, asks the elements of storm and stone to bless his friends and calls the earth to guide his steps, a simple tune taught to the children of the firbolgs in common that others may be drawn into the rythem of the working tune.

   Between tasks he comments to the Herbalist.  "I travel with the arrows to the sands," he says carefully laying another dried plant into the mortar stone so that his strokes may be more affective. "Is there anything we should know as we head in that direction?"

  The woman  pours  more   powders into pouches,..the grasslands...will have dangers.. none  should be new  to you.....

  ..but the  sands.. are not  meant for goodly folk.. the dry , hot winds  turn folks into dark beings... thinking  only the base thoughts.rare is it, to  find Sand folk who are goodly...when you do..mark them well..for they have survived the tests of the Sands and thier  twisted gods...as for Mok? better to walk naked into a snake pit..

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg # 69):

Brie leans back in the seat as the other man and Kree spoke.  She smiles when asked what she would like to order.  I'll take me some of that grilled fish with a side of some local veggies if you have them.  I'll take some of the wine, surprise me.

She looks to Kree with a nonchalant wink.  She leans in and whispers.  They called me lady.

  Kree smiles, rare indeed,..it shows  they are smart and have a bit of good  taste..

  ..these folk remind me much, of the Trace Elves.... no hidden feelings.. they like you..or they do not..

 the server  comes back with the  Food. Kree nods   his thanks  as he sees the  fresh  rolls and butter.


 Kree asks  what the cost will be and the server say it will be 2 silvers each..he  give over 2  gold.....split  what is left from the emal cost for you and the  cook...


  ..are you so rich with coin, that you can toss this  much  to strangers?

  ..an  arrow  or lucky blade could take me tomorrow...what good  will the extra  coin be?  Better to let folks, who are kind to me..have some coin, to make themselevs a bit more happye..aye...?

 The server  grins  and  walked   back into the cook area.

  Now ..let us enjoy  this  food , and go for that walk...