A few moments later, there is a soft knock on the door, before it swings open and the Acolyte walks in with Dara.

"Mr Solanus?  This is lady is visiting and wished to see the library."  then with a slight bow ushers Dara into the  room.

The library is fairly small, and most people are expected to read books in situ, rather than taking them away.   The books are mainly factual, self-help guides or descriptions of travels - although there is a small section on the worship of Iomedae and, unusually, a small fiction section as well.

At the knock Domitius withdrew his hand though it remained close by.  For a moment he was caught between emotions, frustrattion and relief fought between themselves before he rose to his feet and calmly replied "Welcome Lady to Iomedae's library here in Tusk town.  I am Domitius and this is Lady Alisa D'Medvyed."

Walking through the property that belonged to Iomedae was something special to Dara and she drank it in with every step, every glance, every turn of the head.  The acolyte was polite answering a question here or commenting on a specific item there as they walked the courtyard, the hallways and eventually the library.  When the acolyte stopped to make introductions Dara paused and very nearly curtseyed until she caught herself for she was not wearing her dress at the moment but more practical trousers.  Instead she bowed her head in greeting.  With the acolyte gently slipping out of the room, she understood that her tour had been handed off to this rather large and admittedly handsome individual.

"Greetings to you, Domitius.  Lady D'Medvyed.  I am Dara, this is my traveling companion Lydia and the little one here who is being quite well behaved so far is Sara."  By "little one" she referred to the infant in her arms she had been carrying since before entering Iomedae's holdings.  Lydia shared a polite "hello" but largely remained quiet.  Sara seemed quite content to be oblivious to it all as she stared at the small toy she held in front of her contemplating how she might bite its head off without any teeth.  And in the mouth it went...  "I am a devout of Sarenrae though I have a long and happy history with Iomedae and have come to pay my respects to the Lady of Valor."  Dara paused to take in the library.  "I am new to this place having just arrived on a recent caravan from Varisia."

Alisa was unprepared when Domitius reached out to touch her hand for the second time, and then called her beautiful.

As a priestess, she was oriented toward the world of the soul; the physical, though still important, was secondary, and emotions such as vanity were to be avoided.

But, none of that changed the fact she was still a mortal woman.

She tried to tell herself this was running too fast...they'd only just met, after all.   She liked what she'd seen so far, but she didn't know him, nor he her.   That rationale didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat, however, at the touch and the compliment.    Her eyes found the floor.

"Domitius, I - I... "

And then came that knock, and the introduction of a new arrival.

Alisa's heart sank just a little.  No woman wants a red headed Varisian walking in right when she's met someone new, who does things to her heart that are thrilling.     Of course, this one might already be spoken for --  Alisa's eyes took in the infant almost immediately.    Had they come for a naming rite, a birth blessing, or the like?

That turned out not to be the case, and she noticed the symbol, at nearly the same time that Dara introduced herself as a faithful of Sarenrae.

"Greetings to you all," she said finally, her composure regained, the face of the priestess restored.   Mostly so, anyrate.  She laughed a little.

"Domitius is most courteous, and sweet, but no need for the 'lady.'   As yourself, I'm a visitor here, and devoted to another power.   What brings you all the way from Varisia?" she asked the obvious question.

Dara could not help but see it in Alisa's face.  She knew the look, she'd had it before herself.  Looking at Domitius she couldn't blame her either.  Mostly human but just enough flavor of elf blood to be exotic.  "I'm sorry... if I came at a bad time I can leave?"  Maybe Dara was imagining things and reading the other woman all wrong but Dara  knew she and Lydia were the new parties here and she was trying to be conscious of that with her offering to leave.

When she was not shuffled out the door immediately Dara settled on her feet.  When Dara was asked what brought her there she answered, "A caravan."  But the true answer was in the way she answered it.  Dara answered as if it were as commonplace and normal as waking up in the morning.  Having spent most of her life in caravans Dara didn't immediately grasp the nature of the question.  "Oh you mean... I'm sorry."  She blushed a little at her embarrassment.  "I really do not have a reason.  Tusk Town is just one of many stops.  I often time sign on with a caravan to offer my services as a priestess of Sarenrae but also as a practitioner of the healing arts.  While I specialty is in caring for new mothers, I am generally skilled enough to help those who become sick or injured.  Those who are beyond my skill I leave in my goddess's hands."  Dara paused when she saw the symbol on Alisa.  A curious face came over her as she visibly dug into her memory trying to place it.  The moment of concentration was dispelled when Sara suddenly kicked Dara's breast hard.  "Hey now!" she said to the infant.  Looking at the two half-elves she quickly apologized before kneeling to the floor and setting the child down on her bottom.  The infant, roughly ten months old, continued her effort to maul the small toy in her hands before throwing it aside and rolling onto her hands and knees.  Seeing something in the distance, she started off towards it only to be intercepted when Lydia left her place at Dara's side and followed the baby observantly.

"They get so heavy after a while," Dara said as she gently moved her arms about to loosen them up.  "Do you have any of your own?"

"No, please, it's alright," Alisa assured her, turning to regard Domitius with a smile and a wink.  She was immediately sensitive to the presence of the little one;  she was hardly going to chase out what was likely a hard working mother.

While Alisa was no student of foreign culture, she knew enough about Varisia, and Varisians, to understand Dara's response regarding the reason for her journey here.   She should have thought of that, before asking it in that way.

"That's a very worthy calling," she remarked, after Dara described her purpose and livelihood.   She then winced a bit as the little one dealt her mother that blow to the bosom.    Alisa had had that happen, knew what it felt like...

"Oh, she's adorable," Alisa put in. "I am certain you must hear that a lot.   No, I do not have any of my own."   Had she meant herself and Domitius as a couple?   Again, she colored a little.   Did Domitius have any children-?  He'd said nothing so far, but it was of course possible..

"However, my younger two cousins, a boy and a girl, I aided my aunt in their care when I was in my later childhood and adolescence.  It was a most rewarding experience.  I look forward to having my own, some day.  After other priorities are accomplished."   
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Wed 20 Mar 2019.

Domitius looked between the two women and at the child he waited for Alisa to answer Dara's question before he added "I don't have any children either not even nieces or nephews, though one day I hope I will have a big family. he smiles at the thought of lots of little half elves running around.  His grin grew broader as he looked across at Alisa.

"Likewise there are things I plan on doing beforehand, I want to make sure that I can provide for a family before I start it.

"Sara tends to make a lot of friends," she said in response to Alisa.  She watched in prideful silence as the child went about her business under the watchful stewardship of Lydia.  Her eyes went back to Alisa curiously.  "Other priorities?"  The question was unintentionally misleading.  Dara's curiosity was not so much on the priorities as with the presumably holy symbol the half-elf woman wore as evident by the way Dara could be seen studying it.  She knew this symbol, but from where?

Domitius's comment dispelled Dara's most recent brain wracking before she could ask about it.  "No family at all?"  She considered saying more but she turned her head away before saying something that might not be correct for this place.  She was in a new country after all and differing customs were always something to keep in mind, especially when elven lineage was involved which was evident in both of her current companions.  "Well," she said to both of them together, "if either of you take the first step towards starting a family and I am in the area, I would be honored if you were to call on me to guide you through those nine or so months and into the rewarding though often exhausting and frustrating step into parenthood."  Whether they choose to take that step together or with other partners was none of Dara's concern.

"If I may ask, Lydia and I are looking for a place to stay, nothing long term but not short like a room at the inn, either.  Do you have any suggestions?  A nice gentleman outside suggested a few spots but I was wondering if you might have any thoughts?  And what about schools, I suspect I will need to settle down when Sara gets to school age so I am doing some research into that aspect as well?  Do you know anything or can you point me in the right direction?"

From somewhere outside you hear the clash of blades.

The clash of blades piqued Dara's interest but unless there was something obviously amiss about the location, timing and sound of the metal on metal, she attributed it to training.  After all there was a training yard so such sound was not wholly unexpected.  Still, she gave a curious look to her current companions as if asking if there was something wrong.

"Yes, that is of course important," she replied to Domitius' remark about being able to provide for a family.    He'd a good head on his shoulders, this one.   And quite impressive shoulders they were...

"Though sometimes children, as other things in life, occur before we are as prepared as we might ideally wish to be."   Had it been something like that in Dara's case-?  She was beginning to get that idea.    And silently wished her well;  parenthood was no light duty, especially if you were the only parent.   As she was beginning to suspect was the case here.

Having noted the other woman's glances, Alisa's hand finally went to her own holy sigil.  "Acavna," she supplied.  "A goddess long forgotten by most in this world.  And claimed to be dead by most who do remember.  Yet, she empowers me to care for others in the very same way you've described Great Sarenrae bestowing upon you.   My other priorities include seeing that she is not wholly forgotten.   And that some day, a shrine or even temple of hers stands in these lands."   Alisa shrugged, smiled spiritedly.  "My work is cut out for me, you might say."

"That's kind of you," she replied to the offer of midwifery services.    "Not there yet, maybe one day we'll talk!"

And lastly, regarding lodging, habitations, schools and the like- "I'm sorry, Dara, my origins are in the eastern part of Brevoy.  I'm not so familiar with this region.  But, surely there are others who will be able to aid you with that, help you find a place where you and your daughter will be safe and secure."   

As to the courtyard-   "Ah, it is just the acolytes and others training, I believe.  Iomedae's is a martial order, after all." 
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 20 Mar 2019.

"Acavan?"  Dara considered the name but she'd never heard of it.  "Forgotten indeed.  Sadly I have never heard of her and I like to think I am somewhat educated in the pantheon.  Sure I am no bard but still... I know not of your goddess.  Perhaps someday we might sit down and share some stories, traditions and dogma?"  Curiously she turned to Domitius.  "Do you follow Iomedae then?  Surely we are not all from different faiths standing in this holy place?"

Domitius hadn't even reacted to the sound of blades making contact, it sounded like one of the more advanced groups must be training.

"I am one of Iomedae's faithful, though I have not been called to her service." Domitius replied to Dara "I usually train here when I am in town mostly with Ser Kendrick or some of the acolytes.  I have heard there are plans to open a sword school soon but we shall see who's style they follow."

Domitius strokes his beard for a moment in thought.  "Thinking about accomadatoon there is the Dragon's Den at the top end of the market, then there is the Mithral which the Mayor owns.  However there are other sources of accomadation in each of the quarters of the city.  You could rent rooms from above some of the small businesses in town as well if you are planning to stay.

Lydia, who had been practically silent to this point, chimed in to ask her own questions. "Dara is a doctor and a midwife but I am an herbalist.  Do you know of any such places around town where I might be able to find some work?  I am proficient in making salves, ointments and other medicinal items so perhaps there is a garden or a local business I might be able to see?  I know you're not from around here so if you don't know I understand."  The tall, willowy woman kept an eye on the child but looked to the others to see if there might be some answers to her question.

"A sword school?"  The idea seemed to pique some interest.  Her hand went to the hilt of her blade reflexively, the palm resting on the pommel but showing no intent to draw it.  "I would be interested in seeing such a place.  Sarenrae expects Her faithful to be compassionate and seek the redemption and salvation of others but demands Her faithful also be skilled and ready to redeem by the sword.  I admit I have been lacking in my martial studies of late spending so much of my time between my family here and making end's meet with the caravans."  She paused when Sara got to her leg and used it to climb to her feet.  "Tusk Town seems like it might be a place I'd want come back to often.  It seems there is a lot of potential here."  She turned to Lydia.  "Maybe this might even be the kind of place to settle down for a time, get Sara into school and grow a little before going back on the road again."

Domitius thought aboit Lydia's question "Winters wares and spices may be interested in some of the herbs and healing salves, Ser Kendrick is the owner though he was just outside earlier.  Dara you are correct Tuskton does seem to be a place of great potential, the addition of a sword school or two will also make it a safer one.
 I take it you also train Alisa, with the spear perchance? "

She nodded.   "That is my Lady's sacred weapon.   Most of my skill at arms I learned from my eldest cousin, Markos...who is something of a natural when it comes to such things.   I think you might like him," she told Domitius. "A rough and tumble sort, but one with a good heart, whom you can count on to have your back. Anyway, I continue to train, but I'm not a natural.  Yet, Acavna is a goddess of defensive battle; it would be affront to her not to be able to defend others and myself.  So I do the best I can.   A braced spear can make a very good defense.   I have learned that."   

Dara listened with great interest as Alisa spoke of her faith and family.  In a sense she could see herself sitting at a campfire with these two talking about their lives over a glass of wine.  Feeling a bit like a third wheel at the moment, Dara said nothing but rather enjoyed hearing the stories of their lives.  She'd likely depart soon for fear of intruding on them for too long.

"My old sergeant Iavo would agree with you there, he is quite the spearman, though in a city of swordsmen you need to be in his position.  Does Avacna sphere include such things as castles and fortifications?  I ask as I am by training an engineer, building castles is the family business." Domitius said with a smile.

"That's impressive.   I love castles, but know next to nothing about what goes into building one.    To the best of my understanding, Acavna is a goddess of defense more in the sense of tactics, action, and intervention.    Her domain does not include buildings, insofar as I have seen.   Though, I feel rather certain a secure, defensible castle where innocents are safe could only please her.    Did your family teach you themselves, or did you study that at a school?"   

To Dara, and her caring assistant, "Calling me a physician or herbalist would be a stretch, but I have studied and applied the basics.  And aspire to learn more. Amongst other things we might one day discuss, I'd love to know more about your work.   Especially if it helps me to better care for others." 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

Domitius thought for a moment, "I learnt from my grandfather and he learnt from his so it's been at least six generations of the family, we are also quite close to the Silverhammer clan of Dwarves and I did some training with them.  I'm trying to get one of them out here to help with setting up a business.  We will see if Hargrym is interested though.  Maybe I should go into the Temple building business as well,
I think there could be a bit of work coming up for them.  he scratches at the back of his head subconsciously as he thinks on the possibilities.

"That might be enough to tempt a few of Grandfathers old crew down here."

Sensing that her place within this pair might be slowing its development, Dara replied, "We could perhaps meet out for lunch or tea and talk?"  The comment disguised the beginning of a departure.  If Alisa wanted to be alone with this fine fellow she had found she needed only follow the same train of though in which case Dara would take the hint and depart.  If thy wanted her to remain they could respond in kind.  "If there are three things I am always happy to talk about it is Sarenrae of course, Sara and my chosen profession.  If you're really interested beyond a casual curiosity I could bring with me some of the tools I use and probably bore you to tears talking about it."  Obviously a joke judging by Dara's friendly smile.

"I would not be bored," she assured Dara.    "It's a deal, some day when we both have time.  Of course, we may discuss religion and the gods as well.   I seek to learn more about the others, as well of my own.   And, I would love to hear about Varisia.  Of course, you know, most Brevoy girls dream of running off to your homeland, and joining a dancing troupe or such.  My friends and I were no exception."

Then to Domitius-    "Dwarves, hey?   I've known only one, and him shortly.   No pun intended!  I hope that they are less grumpy while they work."  She smiled, remembering Lutz. "Assistance with temple construction...you've no idea how much that would mean.  I've no clue where to begin, and so very much to plan out."

And there was of course the matter of how well a supposedly dead goddess would be received.   But, that she didn't truly need to worry about.  That was a matter of faith, and hers was so strong.

Build it, and they will come, it has been said-?   It is my fervent hope...

The conversation of her homeland gave Dara a faint smile but also a bit of a forlorn look as well.  "I could spend an entire night talking of Varisia.  It's a vast country and there is so much to see in it."  Without thinking her hand went to the scarf she wore with all of its embroidery, rainbow colors and emblems.  Her eyes seemed to go off into the distance in thought.  It lasted only a moment before her eyes refocused on the here and now.  "So long as the girls don't become Harrow readers."

Alisa could tell that she'd touched on a point of pain.    Had there been more of a reason for Dara to leave, than merely a Varisian instinct to move?   It sure sounded and felt so.  And made sense, given she was now speaking of raising the little one here.   Harrow readers...she recalled what little, general things she knew of those, and wondered.

"It seems we all have blessings and curses in our pasts," she offered softly.    "The gods gift us, but we are always tested, as well."