Masha smiles and accepts the flowers from Loukas..."It is far too long that you have waited to be a guest in our home Loukas! Miro, is collecting something from the tower, he will join us shortly. So come in a make yourself comfortable."

Miroslav's wife produces a tray with salt and fresh baked bread...a traditional way of greeting guests among the Rus.

Loukas breaks a piece of bread from the loaf and dips it in the salt before tossing it into his mouth, "As always your hospitality is royal, Masha. Thank you for your generous greeting."

He nods at the children as he settles in to await his host and the others, "It seems as our Captain's primary crew is coming along well. Seeing you all one would never know that little more than a year ago you were just settling in. Are you finding the city to your liking?"

As is his wont, A'kos awaits Jaleh as his pretty makes herself ready, then accompanies her to Miro's residence.  They find Loukas waiting and enjoying a leavened snack, and A'kos grins at the roguish monk.

"Well met, Loukas.  Seems the time away from the rest of us has done you some good!  Any word yet what this business proposition is?"

"It is very good to see you, A'kos! Time's passage has not hurt you, either, I see. The Captain has not appeared yet, so I am also in the dark. His lovely lady tells me that he is collecting something from their tower, so perhaps it is related to matters? Regardless, I am pleased that whatever it is has brought us together again."

"Aye...I chafe at inaction," nods A'kos in reply.  "Though her nibs does make a fine job of keeping me occupied!"

Helping himself to a piece of bread, A'kos smiles at the diminutive Jaleh.

Balthazar makes his grand entrance, a lady in tow on either arm.  "Ah Loukas, A'kos, nice to see you both!  Masha, you look lovely.  I'd like to introduce you to Scylla (the blond on his left) and Aven (the red-head on his right)."  The two ladies each bow slightly when he says their name.

Balthazar says conversationally, "Life has been treating me well, but I must confess that I've been working hard on my studies."  He winks at his ladies, and they laugh.  Then he eyes Loukas curiously, "You ... look different."

Jean arrived riding a sleek running horse much smaller than Donnerhuf and leading a string of three spirited ponies.

He was dressed in simple but fine quality and obviously new clothing. A dark blue tunic belted with the wide leathern girdle, grey breeches tucked into high, hard, riding boots. His hair was pulled back into a tail and other than a dagger tucked into the wide belt the only concession to his normally militant dress was a baldric and scabbard carrying Coffin Nail.

Three weeks tending horses on his ranch seemed to have put the Frank in an unusually good mood.

He spoke briefly to a servant  and handed over the string of ponies before approaching Masha.

"I wonder at how God could bless such an ugly man with so beautiful a wife and so many fine children." Jean flashed a rare but shining smile as he spoke making it obvious that he was jesting.

"I thank you for inviting me into your home milady."

Masha answers Loukas..."I do like the city and this estate is quit a step up from our home in Kiev. It has taken some getting used to but worth the effort."

She offers A'Kos and Jaleh a smile and a warm greeting. She blushes at the antics of Balthazar and his companions as she offers all three of them the traditional greeting of bread and salt.

The offspring of Miroslav swarm the ponies brought by Sir Jean like wild Pechenegs. Masha smiles at the Frankish knight as she offers him bread and salt saying..."I thank you for the gifts...the children are already appreciating them! And I thank you for the compliment...Miroslav is indeed a brute!"

She smiles at her own jest then says..."I am not sure what is keeping Miro but he will join us shortly."

Loukas smiles wryly at Balthazar's comments, "If the seasons change, one should not be surprised if a man changes, eh?"

Glancing at the wizard's arresting assistants, "It seems that you have experienced a bit of growth yourself, my friend."

He laughs at Frank's comment, "For a man of firm faith, you seem to have little hope that the gods might take pity on a man and offer him blessings in return for his toils, Sir Jean!"

Miroslav comes down from the tower just in time to hear Loukas's comment and shakes his head..."I have no idea what you two are talking about and I think perhaps that is for the best...as I approached, I could feel my ears burning!"

He looks around at those gathered..."A few I invited are not here yet, but no matter. They will either show up or they will not, it will be their loss if all goes well." he says as he produces what looks to be a rolled piece of vellum, perhaps a map of some kind. He sets it on the feating table.

He looks to Masha..."I know you are eager to be a good hostess and serve our guests but please indulge me for a moment while I let them all know why they are here." He turns to the others and continues..."Remember back to when we found that accursed deck of cards...for good an bad, but mostly good, things changed for us. Part of my boon was a treasure map, which I now lay before you."

Miroslav unrolls the vellum carefully due to it's great age and frailty. It is a map of the eastern shore of the Euxine Sea, the area known as Colchis and the city of Dioskurias. There is an inset map that shows the city closer, or better put the ruins of a city. A tower near the docks is highlighted. There is a script at the bottom of the map in a very archaic dialect of Greek.

Loukas leans over the map, focused on the script at the bottom of the map. He reads it and then reads it again before stepping back, "If I read this correctly, it says, 'The great library lies beneath the tower of Dioskurios.' And goes on to say that a key can be found in possession of Phasis and without this key the libary will turn to dust..."

Glancing at Balthazar he continues, "Have you heard anything about The Library of Dioskurias or have you heard of this Phasis?"

Miroslav smiles broadly..."I knew either you, Balthazar or Dyanna would be able to read this! Dioskuias isa ruined city, I have never been there but getting there aboard the Heart of Oak should be easy enough. I know nothing of Phasis though."

 The Argo carrying its fifty heroes has anchored in the Phasis after passing through the Bosphoros and the Clashing Rocks. You see the river [Phasis] himself lying on this deep bed of rushes; his countenance is grim, for his hair is thick and stands upright, his beard bristles, and his eyes glare; and the abundant water of the stream, since it does not flow from a pitcher as is usually the case, but comes in flood from his whole figure, gives us to understand how large a stream is poured into the Pontos."

 Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 5. 205 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :  "[Jason prays to River-God Phasis of Kolkhis :] `O Phasis, offspring of fecund Jove [Zeus], born in the snowy region of the Arcadian Nympha, do thou but accept with tranquil stream the bark of Pallas [u,e, the ship Argo], neither gifts nor shrines shall be lacking to thee in my land; an effigy awaits thee, O Phasis, that whoso beholds may reverence, as mighty as great Enipeus or father Inachus outstretched in golden cave.'"

 Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 5. 425 ff :  "[Depicted on the walls of the palace of King Aeetes :] In frenzied desire savage [River] Phasis pursues [the Nymphe] Aea upon her native hills; in maiden distress and panic she shoots frightened arrows, and now her strength fails from her running to and fro and the god has overcome her, and binds her fast beneath his rapid wave."

Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 6. 295 ff :  "Aquites, priest of mighty Phasis, consecrated to his native waters, roamed among the warriors of the North [i.e. the Skythian army attacking Aeetes’ kingdom], poplar decked his brow and his temples were conspicuous with its gray entwining sprays."]

"Phasis is a river and a god, and Jason and the Argonauts passed his way.  Ooh, this Library quest could be quite exciting!  I'm in.  Ladies, " he says to the women on either side of him, " it looks like I'll be out of town for a while."

Balthazar goes to get maps to locate where the legendary river Phasis is supposed to be.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Tue 24 May 2011.

Miroslav watches as Balthazar leaves in search of maps..."A Library? That was not the sort of treasure that I had expected but it seems to have put our hedonistic friend into a frenzy! I was going to split the take on this venture between us with one share going tot he ship itself...now I am unsure how to do so but surely there is something or worth held within. I still offer an even split between us all if you are interested."

"It seems we need to do a bit more planning, but this sounds like an adventure out of legend and that is sufficient for me."

"I will journey with you of course. If only to help you claim that which that damnable deck promised."

A'kos nods in satisfaction as their next odyssey is presented.

"A fitting sojourn indeed," he says in his deep voice.  "I'll leave the details to the rest of you and will prepare fittingly for travel."

Busting out a big grin, Balthazar says, "Well, I don't know if we have the same concept of 'treasure'.  My reward will be dusty old tomes telling of the secrets of the ancient world and spell books."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:34, Thu 26 May 2011.

"That is good - it leaves arms and armor for me!" laughs A'kos with a nod toward the mage.  "'Tis enough for this horseman to have a sword that fits his hand and a bow that looses true!"

Laughing himself, "Well, then I may claim a greater share of the gold and gems? Such are the basis of Trade, my friends, and the Bearded One may do much with such. After all, the basis of civilization is Trade, is it not, and our Kingdom will benefit from this, it seems to me."

Jean smirks.

"The basis of civilization is Strength. It is foremost of the classical virtues."

"Without Strength there can be no Law, no Honor, and certainly no Trade for those with greater strength will simply take the goods of those with less."

Loukas looked at his feet when when the Frank spoke, but when he looked up his face was very serious, "We learned of Strength from Emperor John Tzimiskes, did we not? Is this what you mean, Sir Jean?

"Strength does not impart Honor, though it often creates Laws used to overpower and oppress the weak. Wisdom, my friend, tempers Strength, guides Honor, and leads to those things that Plato determined to be of central importance: σωφροσύνη (sōphrosynē = temperance), φρόνησις (phronēsis = prudence), ανδρεία (andreia = fortitude), and δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē = justice).

"If these are what you meant as your 'classical virtues' I admit that I misspoke myself and that Trade is merely a vital element of a healthy civilization, and wisely used Strength permits its growth."

"Oy, politics," grimaces A'kos.  "I have no use for it.  What bargain can you strike with words that cannot be struck down with steel, eh?"

In reply to A'kos, the Falcon (msg #25):

"None at all Falcon. A treaty that is not backed by strength has no relevance."

"Wisdom is a fine thing. I pray for more of it every day for I fear I am sadly lacking. Without the strength to act upon it however Wisdom, like Ethics, is a hollow concept with no real meaning."

"Wisdom without Strength has no power. Strength without wisdom, sadly, retains it power to cause harm. Thus it is the stronger of the two."

"It is as you say however. The two together are stronger than either. Just as we are stronger together than even the most dangerous of us apart."

Thank you for taking up my considerable slack!

Miroslav listens to his comrades discuss the virtues of strength, wisdom and politics. When the conversation lulls he stands and raises his horn of mead and says..."Then it is settled! The Heart of Oak sails once again, this time to the east! We will set sail in one weeks time at sunrise. I have made some modifications to the ship to accommodate our mounts better."

So get your traveling gear together and meet me in the new thread....Sailing East!