Re: After the Fires
Villhalas manages to attract the attention of the barmaid, who, upon closer inspection in the dim light of the lantern-lit, is decidedly not as attractive as Villhalas first presumed. More ales arrive, along with a clay mug of water for Asher--which Dominique reaches across the table and confiscates. Pouring out the contents onto the floor, the little priest proceeds to refill the mug with water from his own waterskin. Somewhat apologetically, the Palonish man explains, "It is less than adviseable to drink the water here, my friend, or so I have been told by travelers. This is fresh water, graced and provided by Mithran magic." The priest sips his own stein of ale. "Ale and wine are much less liable to...harbor ill humors."
The party continues to chat quietly, after the initial outburst by Totmacher. Villhalas' speech is met with mixed reviews. Aine shakes her head, but says nothing. Caylin's response is a soft snort, followed by the comment, "Yer owt yer head. Only th' dead an' soon t' be dead go east, down these days."
The companions spend some more time in the Sparrow and Briar's common room, but soon retire--the day has been long and arduous. A night's rest in the little second story rooms of the inn does everyone some good, and Dominique spends some time with Asher and Aine the following day, expending a number of Mithran healing prayers on the both of them. The ranger and the monk both feel much of their vitality and energy return to them, as burns heal and are replaced with only a minor amount of shiny scar tissue, and deep punctures and lacerations disappear and show only a faint network of scars.
The following days fly by quickly. Savin is true to his word, albeit somewhat distant when he encounters the party. Training is provided--Borderton seems to have no lack of hedge wizards, mercenaries, soldiers, and knights of the cross-trade who would agree to share a bit of what they know...for the right price. And it seems that Savin has provided the price.
Aine and Totmacher accompany an older South Paldorian man to the hills near Borderton, where they spend four days and three nights camping, hunting, and running through a series of combat exercises. Hau'dn is accepted as an accompaniest for a Cazistani minstrel fleeing from the east, and spends some time listening to stories, histories, and playing music at the Silken Manacle during the evenings. Garryn falls in with a blunt-talking human who had spent some time in the bleak lands to the northeast of Phanar, but who was skilled in certain intricacies of locks, keys, and warding devices. Villhalas associates with an egotistical half-elf who claims that he is the second coming of the Demon Toad Xchoqualli'th'qua, and who enjoys throwing things at Villhalas. Nonetheless, Vil is able to hone his skills to a surprising degree. Caylin spends his time in the company of the Paldorian soldiers recently arrived in town. Apparently, the halfling knows someone from that company, and hones his archery skills with the Imperial troops. Dominique attaches himself to the small Mithran presence in town, and manages to find the time and devotion to examine the teachings of the quiet devotees of Mairya-Canha, the Amentos Spanta of Death in the Mithran pantheon. Asher also accompanies the Palonish priest, and has a number of insights--both physical and spiritual--while training with a silent monk who reveres the Death Maiden.
Soon enough, the four days of training have passed, and the party meets once again at the Sparrow and Briar. No word of the expected caravan, which Arkexis was to accompany, has reached Borderton. The caravan is three days late, according to the estimated time of arrival from the Borderton Caravanasi's offices...but this could be due to anything...
OOC: Post me with questions. We're moving to the next thread. Scott, please get Totmacher's updated character up on the RPOL site--you're the only one missing now.
