When Mara-Kai makes it to the room the group is sharing (because it goes without saying the whole group would stick together in Trollsville), she asides quietly to Hoal to stay up with her. Once she is relatively sure Gale is asleep, she sneaks off with Hoal to a private spot not in the room, but not too far from it. She doesn't want to abandon her allies, but she doesn't want them hearing the conversation either.

"...How much do you trust our new allies?" Mara asks Hoal.

  Hoal considers the question for a long moment. "It is a difficult question.  Neither have done anything to cause mistrust, even going out of their way to aid us in a dangerous situation.  However, the seriousness of our situation is something that instills a greater sense of paranoia than usual."

  He allows himself a sigh, "It is the situation I do not trust.  A Fey Artifact of such claimed significance could be a strong temptation, just as one from our own people would be to us.  A worse yet viewpoint would be to allow her to hold it in the off chance the Fey forces attacking our existence would not kill her outright in seeking it, a flimsy hope after the destruction of her home with her father still inside."

  Hoal considers the Troll architecture around them, "However while we wonder about trust, those with even less reason to do so have given us the artifact, regardless of who or what we are.  While not the most logical method, it would be missing a point of our task if we dismissed this gesture as foolishness on their part."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:43, Thu 26 Jan 2012.

Mara-Kai considers this. "Foolishness, no... Trolls aren't known for their smarts, but still, he had a point. He wouldn't be able to bargain with it."

She considers. "The whole issue makes me wonder things. The us vs them factor. Are we really going to be united by a common enemy? Maybe for the most part, but I remember someone mentioning opportunists who will betray the Prime Material for their personal gain. Gale is from our school, so we don't have any rivalry background... but humans are incredibly fickle. It's what makes them able to adapt as is their staple. Gale's very smart. I know she's one of our school's top students. But she's more than just book smart like you and I are. I think she knows a lot more than she's letting on. Nobody has said anything about that medallion since, but I remember reading about it. I know what it does. The Medallion of Eternal Nature is able to restore a whole forest that has been burned, cut down, or whatever else may have destroyed it. But more than that, it's valued as sacred by the fey. They believe it was once a gift given by Corellon to Lolth before she betrayed him. According to legend, the medallion was stolen and has never been in fey hands since, but is remembered and honored in ceremonies, rituals, rites, and such. Some search their whole lives for it..."

  Just think of the benefits to the sustainable logging industry, for one.

  "Interesting...  I find myself wondering what their prophecies expect shall befall this artifact.  From what we know, they claim that the Feywild shall be destroyed and our world reduced to a barren wasteland.  So long as something like this exists, even if such damage occurred it could be repaired.  Of course, even without this artifact there are countless methods of repairing the land should the effort and recourses be applied, but an artifact such as this is far easier to use."

  Really, the Dark Sun setting, just as many settings, kind of falls apart in it's origins if you examine it for any length beyond allowing 'The world is in ruins because the backstory says so'.

  "Even still, I lack an unbiased judgment of which of us should carry it.  For the others there is the possibility of mistrust, for ourselves there is the fact holding such a thing makes us a target.  Of which is more acceptable I can not say."

Mara-Kai ponders. "Maybe we can talk it over with Gale and Quelenna, hopefully agreeing we could all take turns carrying it. A burden that big should never be carried alone anyway."

  Have we mentioned that Hoal's sister is smart?  Because she is (And not just because of that Int Primary).  "That is a wonderful solution.  Someone being willing to let go of the artifact for an extended period would of course also be a reassuring sign."  Or, a sign of someone having the patience for proper deviousness, but minor detail we shall ignore.

  Besides, it's not like they were talking about the One Ring or anything here.

Mara-Kai seems really thrilled as it sinks in just how good a solution that idea really is. "Alright then." she manages to say calmly so she can still be quiet. "We'll do that. Before we do, I'll be curious if Quelenna or Gale will bring up the topic. I'll hear them first and then give the suggestion. Fair enough?"

  Hoal nods, "Fair enough, hearing their initial reactions and thoughts could be insightful as well.  Of course, all this talk about trust has me wondering what their views on us may be somewhat.  They have done nothing distrustful so far any more than we have, after all.  Though I am sure we shall find out over time without bluntly asking."

  Considering every one of them had Arcane schooling and background, it would not surprise Hoal if Gale and Quelena new some of the implied aspects a Voidsoul had.

Mara-Kai leans over to hug Hoal. "Let's get some sleep. We'll have a lot of walking ahead of us, no doubt."

  Holds his sister close, Hoal isn't emotionless so much as having a preference to try and keep overtly calm.  "Safe and sound among the Trolls, there is a certain amusement in that being why we have no need to keep watch through the night.  Sleep well Mara-Kai."