Domitius returns Alisa's smile "Thank the goddess you did." he takes a sip of the punch then continued "Was the goblin a spellcaster of some kind?"

"Well, plainly it was magic of some kind.  That kind has their tricks, as do all the evil ones."   

She was not going to mention the hat -- not out in public.  It was Kiera's now.  The usefulness of such an item would be lessened, if it was known about.

"Have you fought many of the humanoid peoples, Domitius?  Gnolls, and sometimes bugbears were a threat on the fringers of our lands.  Both can be dangerous enemies."

Not many, orcs and goblins mostly.  We did fight against gnolls a time or too and often had to drive centaurs from raiding across the border.  However its generally been humans, thieves and bandits in and outside of Restov or the Saltikov's and their bravos. at the last he frowns The life of the Guard was never dull." At the last he straightens his jacket and smiles again  Though I am glad at the change of scenery Midmarch has given me. at that he gives Alisa a cheeky wink.

She smiled, reached up to assist him to straighten the jacket.    "That looks very nice on you, by the way.   Don't think I mentioned."   

"Centaurs, hey?  I'd like to think better of them - were they reacting to expansion into their lands?   Or are these raiders by nature?   Saltikovs - hm. Who are they?" 

"Well, I'd be a lot worse off if not for you, Alisa.  But it's still good to see you again."

As she introduces Domitus, Kiera looks him over with a grin, and nods.

"A pleasure to meet you."

At the description of the ambush, Kiera nods.

"Hairy as in the little green pests caught me trying to coax said illusioned goblin out from under the abandoned wagon we found it under.  Not to mention it nearly ran off with my bow.  Guess it wasn't shiny enough for them.  But we won in the end and if not for Alisa, I think I'd have come out of that a bit worse off."

As they further talk, she bites her lip with a smile at how they look together, and as Alisa outright adjusts his jacket, she grins.

"Can't say I've ever had to fight orcs, gnolls or centaurs, myself.  Had to fight off my share of thieves and bandits- just something about me, I suppose- but nothing so fancy."

"That's nice of you to say --  you and Stas ran the risks performing the scouting.  I'm just pleased Gwair and I were able to assist in keeping it from being any worse than it was.    As for the healing, Acavna can take that credit."  Her hand went briefly to the holy sigil which she wore even here.

Smiling at Alisa as she adjusts his jacket Domitius replied to Kiera"Oh there was nothing fancy about fighting the orcs or any of them.  We lost some good men but we saved many more in doing so." he looked Alisa in the eyes as she finished and whispered "Thank you"

"I'm sure you may have had a little to do with guiding Avacna's hand in this." Domitius added before answering Alisa's query. As for the centaurs they at least wouldn't just kill people for fun, they stole food or cattle for the most part.  Stories are most of Restov was once their land before the Taldan's came.

Then he begins to frown "The Saltikov's are a rival house in Restov, I arrested one of them and now they want payback.  Honourable enough that the will come for me rather than my family.  At least so I believe.  But enough of such things, this is a party after all."

"I should clarify, I've not fought gnolls or bugbears myself -- that falls to the rangers and other soldiers who guard the Medvyed lands.   Goblins, thankfully, are about the worst of what I've faced.   Though facing worse is inevitable, at some time in the future, I am rather sure."   

At Domitius' validation of working with her goddess, she said "Thank you.  I do my best to do my part.  As do we all, I think.   And I feel better about seeing the centaurs in that sort of a light.  It isn't easy for native inhabitants to be displaced by colonists, and 'progress.'"        Then, it was on to the Saltikovs...

Domitius was quick to try and brush it away, but it did not sound like a light matter, to her.  "Come for you?  Wherever it is you reside, I hope that it is secure, with guards.  A debt of vengeance like that is nothing to take lightly.   Please tell me you're taking it seriously, with precautions for your safety."    Alisa frowned, the party atmosphere suddenly become serious.

"The matter should be done with but I do remain wary.  One reason why I am nevrr far from my blade.  If they do come for me again it woild be another duel, I fought Leonidov once over the matter."  Domitius seemed completely unconcerned about thr matter. 

"Now when we head to Restov then I shall be more concerned,old man Saltikov doesn't have very long arms. he looked across the room at the nobles gathered Lord Henry is still an unkown quantity so he wouldn't want to take the chance at offending him.  Still if anything did happen to me then the Aldori-Blains may become involved that thought alone should give Ilyushin pause." he said with a more serious tone. "Besides I'm a bit tougher than I look.

"Now Kiera, what brings you to our little town?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:46, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

"I hired on with Alisa here, on the same job.  Got here, took a look around Tusk, and figured there was more work to be had, so I hired on.  Figured it beat walking around trying to stretch my supplies looking for work where there wasn't any, so... here I am.  Nice enough town- haven't really been able to go out and see what's what as of yet, but it looks like a pretty nice place, to be honest."

She just shrugs.

"Might not be the noblest of reasons, I know.  But it beats hoping you can scrape up enough in the way of work or coin to afford a room for a night and a bit of soap."

Alisa was listening to Kiera, but looking mostly at Domitius.

It was an 'What, are you kidding me-?' sort of expression that she wore.

Right. Never make a man feel like he can't take care of himself!  Just watch out for him, instead... 

There are many oppurtunities to be had here for an enterprising individual, some of those I travelled here with have now opened their own business's.  I have just started my second business here.  New villages are springing up as well and Lord Henry Domitius indicates with his hand holding a glass of punch. "Is really quite generous when it comes to helping people start out.  Did you have something in mind?"

Domitius noticed the look on Alisa's face and thought to himself 'Probably should look after things a little better, maybe it's time to test the locks again or move inns.'

"...have to admit, I never really had the whole 'sit down and think of where I'm going' bit, you know?  Used to be too busy with thinking of just the next day- where's dinner coming from, where was I going to sleep, where's a job that was hiring- never really thought I was going to be something more than what I am.

...come to think about it, I always wanted to try a few things.  Maybe alchemy- I mean, I know a bit about cooking, and alchemy's almost like that... on the other hand, I was told I'd make a fine entertainer, too... I wonder why?"

She plants a hand on her hip and makes an exaggerated thinking expression.

"But anyways... maybe I'll see if I can find someone who could teach me not to explode myself.  Be nice to have something to fill my time with that's not lazing around and letting the world pass by, I suppose."

Eventually Sir Ferdinand returns to the nursey corner, where he stands talking chatting in a group with his daughter, Mia diVentus and the captain of a House Yitis  vessel that is currently docked in town.

Rather than her travelling gear, Mia is dressed is a junior member of the Southern Sword Schools in Restov, although the jacket is decorated with the Blowing Wind symbol of her house, set on the upper sleeve.  She raises a hand in silent greeting when she sees Alisa and Kiera.

"Ha!  Not exploding is a good thing!" Alisa chimed in her concurrence with that point.  "I bet one day, Kiera, something will really feel right for you, and then..."     She paused, glancing off toward the new arrivals to the nursery area, where somebody had made a gesture of greeting. Which she returned, upon realizing who it was:

"Oh, hey, it's Mia -- Domitius, that's the girl Kiera, I and the others were hired to escort.   Who is the man she's with, do you know?" 
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Sat 30 Mar 2019.

Adoven eventually comes into the Nursery to check on Viktoria and Marie. When he spots the captain of the House Yitis vessel, he goes over to greet him. "Fair weather to you, Captain. I trust that business is good? I had a question for you, if I may?"

The captain looks around at Ferdinand, Alex and Mia, raises his eyebrows slightly, and comments "This won't take long."  The conversation goes quiet as all four of them turn towards Adoven.  "Yes?"

"If I am not mistaken that is Sir Ferdinand, he owns some of the best horse stock in Restov, my Argos is one of theirs.  Cost a pretty penny but worth every gold crown. he strokes his beard in thought for a moment.  "I wonder what he is doing this far south."

Then he turns to Kiera "Have you met Pipre yet,  she owns an alchemy shop here in Tuskton.  She may be looking for an apprentice or be able to give you some guidance on where to start.

Adoven asks the captain "the spur of land north of Jovvox, where the Lesser Sellen meets the river out of Candlemere....who owns title to it?"

The captain  smiles and shrugs, "I don't really know.  We don't tend to stop there and ask,  And of course, this is a new route for me."

"Probably some sort of River Kingdoms warlord." Ferdinand adds with a shug?

"Really?" Mia asks turning toward Ferdinand.

"We will have to talks steeds, some day," she added to Domitius.

"My own Somala -- from the Azlanti 'somal', for 'moon' -- is of Rostland origin.   I've been in love with that long legged, high tailed breed since I was a child.  Once I had to travel, I too put down the gold. Worth every last piece, as you say."     

Kiera responds to Mia's greeting with a friendly raised hand, and answers Alisa's question.

"Yeah, I hope so... I mean, anything's better than what I had before."

Looking over to where Domitius is, she quirks her head and nods.

"...never really had the opportunity to get a nice horse of my own.  Wanted one, but figured if I couldn't reliably keep myself in food, well... didn't seem right to do that to a horse.  Maybe someday, yeah?"

And as he mentioned getting started in alchemy, well, she nods.

"I've been meaning to stop in and see if they offered lessons, yeah- haven't had a chance to, though.  I think I will, though- better than just sleeping the days away."

Domitius smiled and nodded to Keira "Perhaps sooner than you expect, I'm no farrier but I do have some inkling when is comes to horses.  I would be happy to assist when the time comes about.  There are times when a good horses will save your life." 

"Somala is a fine name for a horse, I look forward to meeting her, perhaps we should go riding soon Alisa?  There is a lovely spot near the river about an hour away from town, we could take a packed lunch and make a day of it when you are free."

Oh, as if I would turn that down...

But, she shook her head, her expression grave.    "I'm sorry, but I can't. You see, it's against the Acavanite code to eat lunch in the presence of horses...   Kidding, kidding! Yes, I'd like that very much. It sounds wonderful." 

Domitius's face began to fall as Alisa shook her head he was about to speak when she dropped the boom...  she's kidding recovering quickly he laughed "OK you got me there."