Mia and Flitter do what any two women do when it is time for a new dress- they go shopping.  They don’t expect to find anything Flitter-size, but maybe, with the help of a creative seamstress, they can work something out.

Flitter’s small measurements are not the only issue.  Fabric that feels thin and soft to a Human might as well be cured hide, to someone her size.  Pixies normally work with things they find in nature, and things they get from Brownies.   A lot of Human cloth is just to thick for them.

So they look… and the town of Corbilo looks at them.  Flitter and Mia have something of a celebrity status.  The people of Corbilo have been are still amazed at Aramil’s friends- a woman made of metal (though it’s very hard to tell!) and a Pixie.  Wherever the go, curious people approach, some to be friendly, some to ask questions, some just to look at a “Real Pixie”.

Corbilo has a handful of shops belonging to traders close to the harbor.  The town isn’t much of a fabric producer on its own, but the traders pick up things in return for the things they export, like salt.  There is some local linen, but the cotton, silk, satin, and other fine fabrics all come from far away.  They find that this time of year, the traders of Corbilo put out decorative things, because people buy brightly colored cloth and ribbon and other accessories to prepare for Winter Solstice.

Flitter also finds out that if she’s looking for something bright and festive, she won’t even have to pay for the material- there are plenty of small scraps that for her, are just the right size.


.
* * * * * * *

Aramil sleep was more like a blackout that felt like it lasted a week. Even with the  ladies busy about he slept deeply through the ruckus of Flitter trying to cook.

He finally rises, well, falls out of his rest. He stumbles through the house looking for the others, and figures they must have went out. Noticing the breakfast on the table he enjoys the meal. Though he is not sure he is going to thank the ladies for the food, something will come to him.

There was little for him inside so he dresses, grabs his haversack and heads out to the dock for the early catch and to get some clams for a stew he read up on in his cookbook. Then he picks up some flowers to make his house a little more cozy and lady friendly.  Storing everything away he heads to the court wizard's hut to inquire if he has learned anything about the new pitch before heading home to see if Mia and Flitter had returned.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 03 Nov 2012.

Mia smiles and waves to greet some of the people of the village. She will greet them warmly happy to talk. If possible she answers their questions gently reminding them that Flitter is a touch shy. So that her pixie friend won't get crowded or overwhelmed.

Seeing that there are plenty of bright and festive scraps Mia decides to do her best to work with that. Hopefully they can put something nice together for flitter. Considering the Fabric shortage that is soft enough for her it's the best way to go!

She picks up a few warm blankets if she can possibly furs as long as flitter didn't object. With winter here it's important for Aramil and flitter to stay warm.  While talking to the people she asks for a nice woven basket that could be lined with soft material possibly fur that they could festively decorate. Her reason being is that it could be a huge bed for Flitter to relax on and even sleep in on occasion should she chose to do so. It would be sort of a nest that she could call all her own! "I would like to get a woven basket, lined with fur that can be festively decorated. I think it would be ideal for flitter to enjoy as a place all her own while inside Aramil's cottage."

Finally she picks up some fresh bread to go with lunch and perhaps dinner. Though she has no idea what they would eat just yet!

While moving about Mia spots Aramil. She takes a moment to whisper to flitter. "We should surprise him with your new dress when your ready! The look on his face should be priceless when he see's how lovely you look! That and how beautiful your clothing is flitter!"

Waving to him she calls softly. Aramil! We were just looking around town. Are you heading back to the cottage?" If not she's fine walking with Aramil while he runs his errands. She's fairly certain Flitter will want to keep him company!

With "the girls" out shopping, Aramil pays a visit to Siergens, who has been looking at the sample of sulfur-infused pitch Aramil brought back from Savanacum.

The wizard's home is a nice one, a decent sized townhouse in the heart of Corbilo.  Like most wizards, ,magic was his business and source of income, and quite a good one.  Magic is rare enough in most places so that a wizard living in a town is often the only wizard in the town.    Or at least, one of a few.  In Siergen's case, no other wizards were thrilled about the idea of staying in the town “next in line” in front of the Hun onslaught.   Kynda Seagate left her home and relocated to Dariatorium, and  Herras Delf went all the way to Brevastus, putting as much distance as possible between him and the Huns.

But Siergens stayed.  By default, he is the Wizard of Corbilo.  For almost two years he has been essential to the defense of the town, using his magic to aid Corbilo's warriors.

Like most wizards who made a living of it before the Huns came, Siergens specializes in the “Useful and Practical Arts”.  Making things, or casting spells, that help make lives easier and better.  People will pay for an enchantment on a roof to make it hold in the warmth better in winter, but not many people are interested in paying for a Fireball spell.  He was well known for spells of Finding and Location, and people came to him when things were lost.  But he's had to learn and adapt.

Demonology is new to him.  Every wizard knows what Demons are, and how they fit into the scheme of things, but until recently, studying too much about them was considered suspect in itself.  “Decent” wizards didn't delve into those mysteries.  So Siergen's knowledge is limited.

For help, he has already forwarded some of the pitch to the Druids' college at Lan Ternoc.  And today, he plans to use a spell to contact the wizards at Aurelianorum.  But so far, he can add little to what Aramil already knows, except this:  the pitch has a strong taint of evil to it.  It has traces of the magic of the Abyss.  Either it came from there, or more likely one of its ingredients was.

But that's a good thing, Siegens says.   The greatest weakness of magic is other magic.  If some of the power of this goop is drawn from the Abyss, it can be dispelled.

He starts working on spells to do exactly that.  In that task, there is little Aramil can do to help.

* * * * * * *

It is later in the day when the little group reunites.

Flitter, heeding Mia's advice, ducks out of site... which is very unusual behavior for Flitter, where Aramil is concerned.

Aramil takes solemn rejoice in the thought that the pitch can be countered. It has been a setback long enough and now with this new form, well, it was worrisome to say the least.  This little bit of good news did a bit to lift spirits.

*   *   *

Aramil busies himself trying to prepare an actual dinner for the first time since he left Aletum. Sure there was hunting and rations, but an actual kitchen is a treat. As he cooks he leaves the flowers on table unceremoniously, not sure what to do with them.

"I was told this would make it feel a little homier in here. Not sure they are doing much. I don't think I own a vase. So any ideas?"

"Well actually I had been thinking I could buy curtains and a rug for your cottage Aramil. Though I wanted to check with you first before I bought anything. It won't take long to pick up something to put the flowers in. I think it's a lovely touch Aramil. I did however buy us some nice fresh bread for our meals today. I also acquired a nice basket lined with soft fur. we can decorate it festively for Flitter! It's not just a bed it could be a small place for her to call all her own!"

She smiles for a moment knowing flitter wouldn't be able to contain herself for long. Pixies were delightful and a touch of the child would always be in them. Which meant springing her little surprise on Aramil would be surging to the forefront anytime no. Aramil we do have a surprise for you! Flitter would you like to show him?"

Pixies in their "natural habitat" usually have to do with clothing made from natural, available materials, which gets enchanted to offer a little more durability and suppleness.  But it needs to be replenished often, and Pixies spend a lot of time at this, like birds tending to preening.  Flitter long ago adopted some Brownie made linen doll clothes.

Now.. with a little help from Corbilo's merchants who have provided some small but colorful scraps, Mia and Flitter have put together her latest outfit, a short, puffy, bouncy dress inspired by spring flowers.

Flitter twirls happily in front of Aramil, and then comes to a landing on the table in front of him.

"I think it would be more effective if I was a lot bigger," she says.  A look of Pixie frustration crosses her face.

"Aramil, I'm too small," she says, as if she has just determined this is the number one problem of her life.

Then her mood lifts.  "We should still decide what we're going to do next.  We have a house!  I've never had a house before!"

Mia smiles cheering for flitter happy to see her twirling and showing off her dress to Aramil confidently. "You do look very lovely Flitter." Thinking about it Mia pauses then nods slightly. "Well actually magic could make that possible flitter. I remember a wizard in Lutita Parisorium. He liked to entertain children and he had this spell that made a cute rabbit much larger then it would normally be. I don't remember much beside that but I know it's possible."

Mia smiles again looking happy at the thought she just had. "We could decorate the house flitter. That or you could decorate the basket that I bought for you. Oh and Aramil flitter and I talked earlier. We thought perhaps it would be a good idea to seek out the King. There is a good chance he might have something important for us to do."

There is little Aramil can say Flitter about her size. Instead he says nothing, gives her a kiss on the top of her head and says, "It's lovely as is."

Mia's suggestion is an odd one. Magic is still this weird weird grey area for the ranger to grasp entirely. Sure he has been around it much, but like crafting with clay or iron, when working with magic, unless you learn it first hand, you can have an idea of what goes into it, but the possibilities and ideas are quite limited. "It's an idea, Mia, but I don't want to go back into that city. Not until we are taking it back, anyway. I think there are still wanted posters up from our little escape."

"I'll send a message to get word out to the king, but with the chaos around, finding him might not be easy and riding around blind does not seem wise at the time. In the mean time, I'm with you Flitter, I don't know what to do in a house. I'm never in one enough lately to know! I might go to the stable and see if any upstarts want to have a race or such."

(Actually, hanging around racing gives us a way to get this gang back in Time Synch with Togo, Alba, and Vinto, and allow for some more information to flow back.)

As Aramil has become a celebrity, Rhys the Wonder Horse has become locally famous as well, mostly as the four legged portion of the Legend of Aramil.  (Most people overlook the details:  Rhys wasn't actually around for most of it.  Rhys is sort of like one of those actors who appeared in just half a season of a Sci Fi series but shows up at every convention anyway).

Still, fame attracts certain offers.  When you are a famous horse, those offers are of a particular kind.  (Famous Humans get similar offers, but with horses, those offers tend to be much more straightforward.)  Aramil learns he can make a little money on the side, and Rhys probably wouldn't mind.

Flitter has been astounded by many things in Human culture, but the idea that Humans will pay for things like that is shocking.  So she dodges the issue and engages in house work, wielding a salad fork as a rake and doing battle with the fierce Dust Bunnies lurking under Aramil's furniture.  After a while, she comes to a decision:  this is TERRIBLE!  Flitter ends up dusty and tired and never wants to look under Aramil's furniture again.  She suggests getting a Brownie to do that.

Word comes of the scouting mission to Savanacum.  The Huns are hunkered down there, squabbling among themselves, possibly waiting for orders.  Hekram thinks now is the time- they are weakened and possibly running low on food, and the dreaded pitch is quite cold (it is the 2nd week of December) and they might have trouble setting it on fire.

He asks the advice of Aramil (and Mia, indirectly) on a key subject:  Do we organize a sudden strike out of Corbilo or try to coordinate this with Namnates?  Namnates could help, but then again, the more people that know a secret...

Aramil seems to have a knack when negotiating studding his horse. With a tidy profit from the work, he seeks to make sure he and the others are well stocked with suppies should the time for a haste retreat come to pass. Trailbars, waterskins, a new combat saddle and all the other odds and ends that come with the territory.

When called into the warchamber, the Scout expects the worst since that seems to be the lot in it all. A good victory, a homecoming and some calm, and next thing you know a demon would be walking down the street looking for some lunch. For him to find the plan for an offensive was in the work was much relief.

"It seems like a wise move to contact Namnates, but the strike seems like a poor option.  We have a network of information in those woods, but the army in Namnates is not ready for an open siege yet again unless we are reequipped. The only reason we took the city was because of the different roles of the fey taking on the burdens of other aspects of a normal force."

"What if we try a new type of siege? We keep our scouts at all passes, and I will see if the fey will keep an eye on the woods. From there we can waylay transports, intercept messengers and maybe send false correspondence.  If we an make them make a mistake, or desperate, we can exploit that wall they have. Perhaps our wizard has worked a solution to the pitch"

"Oh I didn't think we would go back to Lutita Parisorium. Any wizard would due that has the proper magic." Smiling she nods slightly understanding that he wasn't sure about what to do with his home.

"Ok I understand." Wandering about without any idea where to go wouldn't help. If Aramil being the ranger of the group didn't think they would be able to find the king in a timely fashion she wasn't going to argue. "Riding sounds like fun Aramil. I hope you find a truly exciting match for your race."

Mia tries to help flitter out with a twinkle in her eye and a touch of a amused expression. For her it's a bit easier to help with the cleaning of the floors. Since Aramil doesn't mind she gets nice new blankets, curtains, a nice rug, new dishes for the kitchen, as well as something nice for the flowers Aramil had brought home.

When Flitter suggest getting a brownie Mia smiles speaking softly. "I think the brownie has to come on his or her own. We could set out milk for them though it's not a guarantee. Perhaps you could invite one if you can find any flitter. Although the Brownie won't stay for long if we leave. Why don't I heat up a little water for you and you can take a bath."

Due to flitters small size a large pot used for stew would probably be luxurious for her. She just makes certain that the water is only warm enough for flitter to enjoy. Mia sets up a privacy curtain for flitter. "It's better then a freezing lake or river this time of year."

When Aramil gets back she was happy to try to help with the idea of taking down the nearby Hun threat. "Aramil we might not have the luxury of prolonging things. The orcs are short on food they might consider eating any townsfolk they are keeping as slaves. Even if they don't the humans are likely to starve long before the Huns do. Worse if the Emperor see's a opportunity to take back the area the first thing he's going to do is reinforce any existing troops he has in the area. We might not ever have a better opportunity to drive them out for good. Another defeat might make them start to question the emperor's worthiness to rule. Hopefully that might cause a little infighting amongst their orc warlords."

After considering it for a while she nods slightly. "There might be a way to trick them into making the mistake you want. Though it's going to require making them think a large army is coming their way. They should leave on their own. If we know what direction they are going you can pick the land that gives us the greatest advantage. Then hit them hard and take them down far from the safety of hiding inside any sort of fortification."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Sat 17 Nov 2012.

Flitter explores the very Human concept of the Hot Bath.  This is something the Fey folk just don't have, except when they have access to a natural Hot Spring.  The Fey do not like the light fires.

"Civilization is not a completely bad thing," Flitter says as she soaks in a small pot.  "How long do you think Aramil will want to stay here?"

* * * * *

Aramil spends his time dealing with his horse, and helping Hekram plan the offensive against the last of the Huns here..

Rhys is not a race horse.  This might be a handicap, if he was racing against race horses.  But in this age, no one in all of Brittany could afford a luxury like a race horse.  They still do, in far off Byzantium, but from Brittany that might as well be another world.  Here, horses work for a living.  The finest, like Rhys, are warhorses, and that is the kind of horse Rhys is generally matched against.

Rhys does well, and is quite pleased with himself.   A few winning races, and extra carrots, and he is a happy horse.

Meanwhile, Hekram sends messages to Namnates, by way of boat, and by way of Druid.
The messages explain Hekram’s desire to finish off the Huns now that they are weak and isolated.

Siergens tests the pitch.  He’s not an alchemist, but wizards are clever.  He rapidly discovers a second weakness:  Like any ordinary pitch, it is harder to set alight in cold weather.  During the battle for Namnates, the Fey called rain.  If they attack after a cold rain, or even better, a snow, the Huns at Savanacum will have a hard time getting their pitch to light.

Messages come back to Corbilo:  The Fey folk will keep a steady watch from their end, to make sure that Hun reinforcements do not slip in unnoticed.

Mia smiles happy to be able to give flitter a relaxing moment of happiness. She's careful and attentive to flitters needs while she's bathing. She sets aside a tiny absorbent cloth so flitter can dry off when she's ready. As well as setting up something for privacy in case Aramil shows up unexpectedly. "Honestly I am not sure flitter. I really though he would be itching to get back out there. Unless something comes  up that we need to do it's possible he might choose to stay here for the winter. Though if the people decide to do that last push to rid this area of the Huns I can't see Aramil sitting it out. If that is the case we could leave in a few days or weeks depending on  how long it takes for the army to gather and plan their strategy."

Mia looks a touch worried as people will be hurt or killed. However she knows it's vital that the Huns be soundly defeated. The evil they would visit on all the people of the land over the years if they win would be unimaginable in it's magnitude and horror.

She looks at flitter worried for another reason as she speaks. "Do you think it's worth it flitter to try to find out about yourself. If your happy with your current life. I don't remember who I was aside from the fact I lived in Lutita Parisorium. I know I love dancing and I enjoy the company of people a lot. It's just so frustrating that tidbits will come and go. Never when I want them to it seems."

Mia was right with her assessment. If there were friendlies trapped in the fort, they would be the first to suffer in a siege.  They needed to force a mistake while planning the approach carefully.  So Aramil takes hours over the days to sift through every map and every strategy that he can think of for this endeavor. Its certain that they don't know enough.

*  *  *

Aramil arrives home sometime after Flitter's bath looking distraught. While the races are fun, there is still a lot going on in his head about the coming fight, and the coming season. The war efforts are going to shift dramatically in the coming cold. 

"It looks like we will be here for a while as a home base for things going around us.  With the season's change, so will everything else. For now, I want to try and make the most of this. If the snows come heavy, getting from city to city will be a difficult task compared to what we are used to."

"I do intend on taking a few scout trips. Flitter, I would like you with me, as I want to meet with the fey watching the city, and to see for myself if we can get a bead on their practices for resources and scouting. Nothing extended."

When things are settled for the evening, he turns to Mia.

"What do you think we should do? Or more important, what do you want to do? You have felt a little more distant lately, and I want to help. Is there anything we can do?"

"It's true for most people. I think though I will be able to handle the snow far better then most. Being a ranger your the most skilled for traveling regardless of the season. However I don't have a problem with staying if it's needed." If others couldn't travel it was possible many would chose to stay till things improved. Others wouldn't as they needed to press on regardless. She had a feeling King Theoderic couldn't afford to stay put right now.

She felt a bit surprised when he asked her what she wanted to do. Mia hadn't thought she had been distant. Thinking about it she answers with what she thought at least at the moment. "I want to stop the Huns. They are doing awful things to a lot of people including what they did to me. I wouldn't mind finding out more about myself, however that is less important then stopping the Huns.  We could help the people here try to finish pushing the Huns our or rejoin others that are fighting the Huns."

"It's not less important," remarks Aramil as he fetches some wine from the cupboard. "Don't lose yourself to the war, you might not get yourself back. Before the war broke I was out of place. I became a soldier and that is who I am now. I am not sure if I regret that but it is how things have become."

"You have a past to find, and a life that was outside of all this. I'm afraid all I have been doing this last year has been dragging those around me deeper into this. Morgan, the Soulwaters, Rita." he looks over to Flitter, then back to Mia. "I do not want you to be defined by this war. Do not think it selfish to want to do something unrelated the the war effort. If you lose yourself, you might not like what you find when you look for it."

She listens to Aramil nodding slightly then thinks about it for a moment. "We live in all sorts of different times Aramil. I know we will take something from our experiences although I think when the war is over we will still be able to choose what we wish to be or do. I don't think you can take responsibility for the Soulwaters, or Rita. They all decide what they wish to do and continue to do so even in your absence."

She hadn't missed his glance at flitter understanding how he might feel. Although she felt flitter also chose her path. Although she had to admit a large part of that choice had been to fulfill her desire to be with Aramil. From what she could tell flitter is happy and that's important. She could hope that Aramil saw that was well.

Turning her thoughts to what he had said about finding out about herself she makes a soft sound. "Honestly Aramil I don't think it's wise as I would have to go back to Lutita Parisorium to try to find out about my past. It's dangerous because the people involved in what happened to me are probably still there. They know what happened while I don't. It's also occupied by the Huns. You helped me leave that place so you know what it's like right now. Though I admit I would like to know."

Flitter often feels lost when the conversation turns serious.  She is a Pixie, and much as she tries, Pixies are not known for their ability to handle serious.

For them it is like a sickness or injury, that must be treated.  She flies up to Aramil, and gently strokes the top of his ear.

”It’s okay,” she says.  “We don’t have to go to Aurelianorum or anywhere.  We can be ourselves. It’s a good thing to be, because we already know how to do it.”

She turns to face Mia.

”We have done a lot of Hun stopping, haven’t we? But.. I know.  They make my people suffer too.  Maybe we should join in the battle against Savanacum.  We can go get Alba and Togo and the others from Namnates, and we’ll show those Huns!  Then they’ll be gone from the Fey Forest, and we can have a party.  A big party, and we’ll decorate the trees and invite everyone around!”

Getting back to Namnates, if the party chooses to follow Flitter's idea, is easy now- there are boats that can make the trip.  Not big boats that can move large numbers of people, but for Aramil and Mia it would not be a problem.

Mia laughs and smiles looking happy at the thought of a party. "I would love to have a big party assuming we have enough time to celebrate. I am fine with helping Togo and Alba in Savanacum. The sooner the Huns are on the run the better. Besides If we push them far enough back I should be able to find out about my past much more safely don't you think."

Flitter says rather triumphantly; "We can always find the time for a party."

She points outside, to where decorations for the upcoming winter solstice holidays have been increasing every day.  The solstice is still more than two weeks away, but the decorating takes a couple of weeks, and then the "holiday season" lasts a few more weeks.

"Look," she says, "people are getting ready for parties!  It will be easy!"

The Fey folk have their own version of winter solstice tradition, but it is different.

Meanwhile, if the party is going to reconnect with their friends in Namnates, there is Hekram to meet with, to work out the plans.  He is all in favor of Aramil's suggestion for highly limiting the help they get from Namnates, but still, some help would be good.  Especially, unusual help from the Fey folk that might still be there.

His concerns are, what kind of help can they provide, and more importantly, how do we combine it with the fairly mundane "Human" force that Corbilo has available?

Although, as Aramil recalls, the Corbilo force isn't entirely mundane.  There are some Elves here, members of the small Atlantic Elven Kingdom, of which he is half descended from, and Farafei too.  And there are a few druids and clerics, and Seirgens, but Hekram is protective of the the town's wizard and doesn't want him to go.

Mia couldn't help but smile again at Flitters triumphant and confident replay about always finding time for a party. "In that case flitter I look forward to the celebration. We should  invite as many of the fey as we can. Mmm yes they are getting ready aren't they. IN times like this it's important to honor such celebrations. Laughter and fun are good for the soul flitter."

With Hekram she listens to his concerns nodding slightly. "I have lead the fey in battle. Believe it or not they are a potent force that the Huns now likely fear. They won't anger the fey lightly again. If we can get Korrigans, pixies and Treants to help us I assure you the Huns will be in big trouble. Though if they come to our side we must defend them as well. If they agree to help I will lead them again."

"The Korrigans make the orcs dance, The pixies can blind them, the Treants are very, very strong. The humans should take advantage of when the Fey make the orcs vulnerable to attack. That and make certain that the orcs are focused on us rather then the fey so they can get in the first strike. I still have the Spear of the Orc leader I tossed from a high tower. He's alive and no doubt very angry about it."

Something glints in Aramil's eyes at a thought of a party. The weakest night of the year, where the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, taking it back. It was something that wasn't a war, for all the recuperate from the events just past. There was also some strategic aspects as well.

"A party sounds wonderful. Perhaps we can do it as grand as the elves always have and give. The battle can wait, it seems. We should get word around to see if we can make this a reality."

When dealing with Hekram, "Mia is right, where we build weapons and tools to fight, the fey are aspects of nature that themselves fill these roles. Her assessment is spot on, but there is something we are neglecting. They aren't born for war. We are taking plowshares and bending them into swords. To push them into another battle is dangerous. They are not like us. They have their own nature, their own way and while we can bend them and ask their help, too much might break them. I want this party to rekindle their spirits, as well as ours."

"Also, if we have a force from Namnates come, the guise of a pilgrimage for a Solstice festival is a good cover for the trip."

Hekram agrees to the plan- they do not need or want a large force from Namnates, just some who can make use of special powers.  Corbilo has enough warriors for the job, and extending the invitation too far risks sacrificing surprise.

So Mia, Aramil, and Flitter are transported to Namnates the quickest, most effective way- boat.  The boat travels along the south side of the river, away from the north bank which might still be patrolled by the Huns.

A day and a half later, they are back at Namnates, where people are still cleaning and repairing, and at the same time, doing what they can to prepare for the Winter Solstice celebration.

They go to a new thread:  Namnates in December.

"I would love that. I don't think I have ever attended a elvish festival. They likely share some of the traditions of the fey when they celebrate because of their love of the forest and the world. It's essentially sacred to them isn't it?"

She nods accepting Hekrams take on what they needed. Heading out she travels staying close to Aramil and flitter.

OOC: next stop. Namnates in December ^_^