The orc looks to his elven companion, something like pleading or impatience written on his face.

"We would ask that you help us to gain entry to Emperor Hroka's court at the Eye of the Rose, the Roka clan's stronghold." The elf explains.

"Alachran has been exiled due to his.. our love for one another. We would ask that you help us get an audience to perform for the Emperor to show that our two peoples are not so different." She speaks quickly, clearly emotional, prepared to risk everything for her love.

The orc, looks on, awaiting your reply.

In reply to Heldemin (msg # 25):

Brevis conveys a plain and obvious look upon his face.

It is done. I've spent much time in court, and it is like a second home to me.  Should we be successful, I'd be fulfilled dying to do so.  Should we not be successful, I'd still die to do so.  Have I made myself clear?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Sat 22 Aug 2020.

Harinder approach and looks up at the orc with an expression of disbelief.

"My good sir", he lets out a sigh and shakes his head slowly.  Under his breath he adds, as to himself "Never did I expect to speak so to an orc." And to the orc he says "Why do you presume that we are better fit to convince your kin than yourself? We have no alliegence to the ... Hroka or the Hurhur clans. They are your kin, man! Not ours ..."

Putting a firm hand on the old druids shoulder, Caile makes a dismissive wave with his other hand to the couple.

"Never mind our old fool of a companion, he's barely coherent and when he speaks it is usually utter poppycock. You have our aid, as long as we have yours, I swear it. As to the order of our quests I must point out that our quandary seems of a somewhat more pressing nature, wouldn't you agree? And as you can see we are more than..."

Turning to Harinder he notices the absence of Eins and Lothar.

"Harinder? Where are the others? Where are Lothar and Eins?"

Wary of another strangers appearance, the orc brings himself up to his full height, towering a full head above the old druid, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Aye, strangers you are, but no bias of my kin do you have. You see us as we are, together, and hopefully you could convince my kin that our love is real and natural."

To Caile, the orc turns, nodding somewhat reluctantly. "Aye, I agree....."

From the copse of trees a short distance away, stumbles the dwarf, blood streaming from a cut above his eye.

"Bloody little bugger.." He curses as he nears the group. "Lothar, that snide little half-man, hit me while I wasn't looking and made off. He's dumped his leathers and disappeared.

"Oh, we're consorting with orcs now I see? As if my day couldn't get any worse..."

"Hold your tongue little man, or our troupe will have one less to travel..." The orc says, his voice low and loaded with threat.

"You did not mention this." He says looking pointedly to Caile and Brevis.

In reply to Alachran (msg # 31):

Eins here is ok.  From the sound of it, we can attribute his foul mood to being attacked and robbed before even having his breakfast ale.  An injustice if there ever was one.

We've no ill will here, Eins, and have come to an understanding with both of these travelers.  A mutually beneficial understanding.

The elf maiden moves close to Alachran, a hand resting on his arm soothingly.

Eins huffs a little more, until he seems to lose interest in the animosity between his kin and lifts a hand to his temple, the blood streaked down his cheek suddenly more important.

"That little sneak.. Harinder, you were closest to him, are you sure he gave no hint as to his intentions?" The dwarf asks, bitterness in his voice.
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:46, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

Harinder shakes his head slowly and turns to Eins.

"We should thank Horn he did not try more than what he did. Brander warned me about him. Said the halfling had the look of a murderer, not just a thief. And Brander would know, if anyone would. I ... tried to get him on our side. By stealing for us, with my help, I was sure he would see the gain that was to get from our company. But alas ..."

He turns to the elf maiden, bowing his head slightly and touching his chest with two fingers before bending down, touching the earth with the same fingers.

The elf nods to Harinder, her eyes closing briefly as she does so, but she says nothing.

She turns to Alachran and speaks to him quietly for a moment before the pair seem to relax a little.

"I can tend to your injury Eins, if you will let me." She says, to which the dwarf agrees after a moments muttering.

A short while later the bleeding is stopped and the wound treated.

In reply to Heldemin (msg # 35):

Brevis speaks to Heldemin as another with elfish blood in their veins, in their seemingly noble heart.

You're very kind to help a stranger (motioning to Eins with an upturned palm), let alone one with friends asking for a favor.  Yet here I am, doing just that and I beg you forgive then impropriety.  If you know of Grindbone the way your voice seemed to indicate, then I humbly ask that you and Alachran aid us in our purpose.  Starting as soon as we are able.  I know that Eins here is up to it, and I thank you again.

If you know it well, then give me a word of hope.  Do we stand a chance to rescue the innocent from their bonds?  Every armor has a weakness.  Share with me your knowledge of that which guards those evil gates.

As I have said and will continue to do, my loyalty will be to you for your help.

Having stood silent for a while with a far off look in his eyes, Caile suddenly speaks.

"I think we may have more pressing matters still, dear friends. If Lothar is indeed both murderer and thief, I fear that he may be in league with the slavers of Grindbone. I sensed that something was off with a halfling so far removed from Belifar. They are after all a rather lazy bunch, are they not? Should he reach Grindbone before us he will most likely betray us to his masters. This we must prevent, at all costs."

In reply to Caile (msg # 37):

Caile makes an excellent point.  Another reason to hurry on, if he makes it there first I fear our cause all but lost.

Harinder squints at the frailers.

"Do you know something I do not about the halfling? What makes you think he has anything to do with Grindbone slavers?"

"If that little hairy footed bastard has anything to do with those slavers in Grindbone, I'll be sure to beat it out of him when I catch him.." Eins growls after going through his pack with a growing desperation.

"That little thief has stolen my... possessions..." He says pausing for a moment.

"Listen," He speaks to Caile and the others. "You lot carry on with your new friends, I'm sure you'll get there quicker with longer legs anyways. I'm going to run down Lothar and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble to anyone!"

With that, the dwarf storms off, without a backward glance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:59, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

Caile looks on as Eins' back disappears among the stunted trees of the small copse. He raises his hand and waves goodbye.

"Goodbye and good luck, master dwarf! It was a pleasure while it lasted! May our paths cross again somewhere along the everwinding river of time!"

Returning his attention to the others, he adjusts the straps on his backpack and clears his throat.

"Shall we? Grindbone awaits, and I am loath to keep that fel beast waiting."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

In reply to Caile (msg # 41):

Yes, without delay!  And now that our Lothar problem is undoubtedly solved, perhaps you two musically gifted souls could treat us to a walking tune.  Not to mention, the epic ballad of Grindbones Last Days has yet to be written.

Brevis stares at the dwarf as he barrels away, legs buzzing and beard flowing majestically in the crisp air.

No doubt, it will be a comedy.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

Caile laughs softly as he produces his flute from its sheath on his thigh. He blows softly through it, producing a clear and slightly haunting tune. Raising an inviting eyebrow to the orcish warrior he starts playing a low-key melody, evoking images of starcrossed lovers and aching hearts on the verge of breaking.

Harinder approaches the elf woman during the music, as they walk.

"Heldemin, fair one" he begins, plucking at his beard, as if nervous or simply trying to appear more proper "Will you allow us to escort you to your camp? We will wait for you to prepare, but then we must be on our way. Tell me, do you know of any safe path through these forests? They are unknown to me and my companions."

While he does not break into song, the burly orc begins humming in accompaniment to Caile's flute, as the group set off the short distance to Heldemin and Alachran's camp at the edge of the woods.

The tattoo'd elf nods in reply to Harinder's queries.

"I myself have not entered Grindbone." She says, a tone of disgust in her voice. "Yet, I may be able to help by way of an introduction."

"Myself and Alachran have few friends among our own kind these times, but there is one I know who has spent time, unwillingly, in that wretched hive of scum and villainy, and escaped to tell of it." She says, keeping a pace suited to the old druid.

"A fellow elf, Moon Fox... he was enslaved there for a time, but won his freedom. He speaks little of his time there, but he knows the way and doubtless has knowledge of it's customs." She explains.

EDIT: "Well, lets move on, if time is of the essence, we should press on to Moon Fox's camp and see if he will aid us."

OOC: There you go. I'm going to say that the cave you were heading for on the forest edge, isn't an orc outpost after all, but home to the elf that Heldemin speaks of. Our new player, Eyrar.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

In reply to Heldemin (msg # 46):

Brevis spirits are lifted to be one step closer, his mind becoming singularly focused on Grindbone and its demise.

OOC:
10:32, Today: Brevis rolled 1 success using 1d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 6.  Food roll.

10:33, Today: Brevis rolled 1 success using 1d8 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 6.  Water roll.

Caile keeps playing his flute for a little while, but as they draw close to the border of the Arina Forest he stops, putting the flute back in its sheath. He unslings his shield from his back and rests his hand on the pommel of his sword. One can never be sure of what lurks in the shadows beneath the forest's dark canopy.

(OOC: 00:19, Today: Caile rolled 1 success using 1d12 with the Target Number system with a target of 3 with rolls of 10.  Water roll.
00:18, Today: Caile rolled 1 success using 1d8 with the Target Number system with a target of 3 with rolls of 7.  Food roll.)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Sat 12 Sept 2020.