Road to the White Tower- Campfire Tales

[redcoat]

Enjin Migration

[opius]

Ancelas:
One day out from Fort Bragh - two and a half more days until they reached the White Tower. They had made good time after their lunch break and managed to push on for a few miles before sundown, finding a clearing beside the White Road - the road that linked Ilia to the Kingsroad - shortly before sundown. They had plenty of time by now to work out their routine, so they made quick time in setting up their bedrolls, unhitching and hobbling their horse, and getting a fire started for the evening meal.

Alain had tended the horse and gone through their wagon supplies as he was want to do, humming softly to himself under his breath. With everything that had been scavenged earlier, they had enough supplies for a fair camp dinner - no need to go foraging. It appeared they were in for a quiet night.

Suzune:
Everyone was clearly comfortable with the traveling and the companionship Milly noticed. They had clearly enjoyed quite a journey together already. As she began to prepare for the night she reminisced about her only journey to this point and the people that she had formed relationships with. However, she felt out of place to interact on their stories and rather found it interesting to listen in on the day to day conversation. Smiling and being an appropriate audience.

Milly offered to aid in the cooking of dinner. It was the least that she could do since they had gratuitously allowed her to travel with them. They day has been a peaceful journey and after dinner she was sure to mark it on her map, this would give her a better idea of the journey and could advise someone else to the same route later.

The Red Coat:
+They had sat down for a dinner- one Sae did not help with, seeing as how she wanted it to be edible and she was, in fact, a terrible cook. She could make a fire, make a spit, scrub vegetables... but anything beyond that risked food that was burnt on outside, cold on the inside, and tasteless at best. No, best to leave cooking to the others, which included Millie now.

"I feel bad for not having a more in depth conversation with you." She said, cracking a wide smile as she sat down near to their new traveling companion. "All I know is that you're a cartographer. Is this your first time on the road? Or are you a bit more seasoned?" The questions were light- hopefully an invitation to their newest charge.+

Suzune:
Milly smiled at Sae's question while she cooked. She was interested in cooking and had learned some simple recipes through her job. "I would not say that I am a well seasoned traveler. I rarely travel for work directly unless something needs to be done. Such as this trade route. Often I make maps of major cities, something that many people who do not travel appreciate. When I am not traveling, I have often been known for my ability to read and write and do tasks for a bookkeeper that use my skill."

"Clearly I am not as much of a fighter as you are. Usually I am one for finding those who can defend well and rather being an aid to them." Milly prattled on and on, she loved to talk with people. She was working quite deftly on cutting some root vegetables for dinner.

"So what about you? What brings you out traveling? Or it is a trip with your lover?" Milly smiled gently. She did not want it to come off teasing but they had mentioned they were together back at the inn.

Survival 17 for cooking

The Red Coat:
+Sae smiled- she enjoyed watching people do things that she was terrible at- it was like watching some sort of magic... one that she could trust, as most magic was less than trustworthy. She grinned further as Milly mentioned her skill in reading, writing, and the such- more things that Sae embraced her inability in. Some things just weren't worth trying.

"Good to know- Alistair is a good reader and writer as well- I can't say I'm much good at either." She waived off the thought, long used to her faults and not shy of them. Lying about what one was good at was a tactical mistake, after all. What if everyone came to depend on you for something you were terrible at?

"I'm a Gunslinger- my services were purchased on behalf of our friend over there." She motioned her hand to Alain. "That's the short version, anyway. Mostly just being out in the world, following orders and where they take me."+

Opiii:
Alastair sat at the camp, watching the others as they gathered and cooked. Like Sae he offered to help clean and prep, but knew well he lacked a certain finesse for cooking outdoors. Inside a kitchen or mess, though... That was a different story.

He went about his business after helping clean the tubers, sharpening utensils, checking the pots and pans in the mess kit- Little things, really. Sae handled the vast majority of the camp creation and planning, which meant he was done early. He took a spot a ways back from the fire and with his bag nearby produced a series of small tools and materials. They weren't stacked neatly, but he did provide them a cloth to sit on.

He was wearing the leather half-glove from earlier, and seemingly moved onto another project without finishing. Absent minded, or artistic, it was hard to tell his method. As Milly and Sae provided comfortable, quiet white noise, he carried on sanding down a cut piece of wooden rod- occasionally holding it to firelight to check the size and shape. The night was young but he'd already produced a fair amount of saw dust and wood shavings- Strips that he'd offer to the flame, should it start running cold.

CautionCat:
Konane found it best to not bring too much help with cooking. Too many cooks in the kitchen was a phrase familiar enough, and it was true. She did help bring some dry timber from the side to help feed the fire. She wasn't sure if they would skewer the food onto sticks, or make a stew... Though she did suggest 'kabobs' being a popular, and easy meal set up at home. The Otonin would explain that in the city there were many food merchants, selling out of portable stove/wagons different treats during festivals.

After she helped and told her little story, she would put an empty feed sack on the ground near Alastair, and take a seat upon it. "Oh, what are you making this time?" She asked, as she got comfortable.

Opiii:
Alastair appeared to be ignoring Konane, at least for several long moments after she spoke. It was as if he was unaware of her. Currently he had measured a length of wood, roughly an inch wide by four or five inches long, and only a centimeter or so thick. He had a second, similarly shaped, and appeared to be measuring one against the other- just eyeballing it, it seemed.

And then, content with the shape, he spoke aloud, finally responding, "Well.." He began, placing both pieces of wood down before taking a piece of leather from the pile beside him, and a pair of shears to go with it. She could see an outline, vaguely square except for an erratic pattern of extruded shapes along the bottom left and top side, sketched onto the leather in a dark color. He began cutting the shape out. "...For right now it's just a proof of concept- a loose framework. I'm not really sure if it'll even work... But if I'm at least half right, I think I can take the arbalest's essential components and reduce them in size to produce something.. new. I've got a fuzzy idea for a mechanical tension launcher framework- a little something modified from an old mechanical reel design. Then, using the forearm en lieu of a dedicated barrel, I should be able to..."

He trailed off and then paused slightly. As it dawned on him that he might be rambling, it dawned on him that the Otonin might have already lost him in translation several miles ago.

CautionCat:
Konane was staring at Alastair, lips pursed, and thick brows raised high.
"...Nani?"

Opiii:
He pursed his own lips and nodded. A second or so later he bent his elbow and pointed out toward the tree line, thumb up, finger out.
"Rooty tooty, point and shooty."

CautionCat:
She raised a brow, looking to his hand, then to the tree, and tilted her head. "Sōdesu ka..." A pause, and she looked back to him. "So you are making a... wrist weapon?"

Opiii:
He inclined his head, nodding and bobbing his head. "Something like that. More like.." He tapped from the elbow to the back of his hand. "More along here, less wrist. But finishing depends on if I have the right pieces in my toolbox. I'll need to test the concept a couple times to see if it can work, and if it can, I'll need to fine tune it... But I'm mostly confident in it." He smiled a bit.
"It, ah, helps to pass the time if I've got a project. More so when there's others talking and telling stories.

Suzune:
While originally planning to make stew, Milly decided to yield to Konane's judgement that kabobs would be easier and also equally delicious.

Milly listened to the craftsman describe latest invention. She was sure she was not familiar with what was. But, decided not to press that issue, after hearing that he enjoyed listening to the stories of others. That idea of hearing others stories made her smile. She always enjoyed a good story herself.

"No stories of your own to tell, master craftsman?" Milly teased lightly, glancing back at him.

Opiii:
"Oh, ah, well... No, not really." He chuckled, looking briefly towards Milly. "This is kind of my first real adventure. I grew up north in Liore and spent most of my years attending class in the Lyceum. I think even Alain would be hard pressed to extract a decent story out of that."

CautionCat:
Konane smiled, leaning towards Alastair, but looking to Milly for a moment. "Hai, but you do have stories of your sensei- your teachers." She nodded, and leaned back. "They may not be much, but they are there. And what you lack in story, you have in other information. Like your eyes, and... What hetero... Chromia is."
She glanced around, looking where Jennar and Alain may be. "Jennar is full of stories, and Alain has many as well. Maybe we could ask one of them to tell a tale by the fire while we eat our meal?"

Opiii:
"Oh. Well, trivia I'm good at, certainly." He nodded to that, finishing his cuts. Holding the leather up to the fire he compared the angle. "As for school hijynx, well, that's a little dry. Couple pranks, sneaking out on a hot night to swim, getting caught doing stuff we shouldn't. Some of my professors were really great too, but I'm not about to recount the more, uh, interesting lectures and lessons. The only stuff that comes to mind that you all might find interesting is the stuff that happened in The Crucible's forge- and, ah, some of the things that came out of his mouth really shouldn't be repeated..."

He placed the leather square upon his lap and took another from the pile, clipping it with the shears. "I'd be more interested in hearing Jennar spin a yarn. And, uh, I know Jaeger doesn't talk much- but I'm sure he's got some really interesting stories from Nekohl." He glanced up to Sae as a thought occurred to him.

"And Sae, you're basically payed to investigate weird stuff and catch bad guys, right? You must have us all beat, least as far as stories go."

And then, a thought occurred to him. "...Unless... Alain can top that." He glanced at the older red headed mage for a second, just a second before going back to sewing a leather piece. "Though I'd be hard pressed to believe it, honestly. Wizarding is about as stuffy as schoolwork. Least, if old professor Lysandre is to be believed."

Ancelas:
Alain drifted around the campsite while Milly prepared dinner and the others chatted, scuffed the ground with one foot near the fire and abruptly sank into a cross-legged position. He watched Alistair cut the leather of his project with keen-eyed interest, and quietly produced a muffin from one of his coat's many inner pockets to munch on, chewing slowly as the conversation turned toward stories.

"Magic is a strange and wonderful science," he mused. "It is easy for a practitioner to forget that... to get so caught up in the mechanics of what they can do that they forget the wonder and majesty of imposing one's will on the world around them. A school full of young men and women learning to reshape the fabric of the universe... to build devices the world has never seen before, to expand the limits of mortal understanding... It is a wonderful story in and of itself, I think, yes?"

Munch. Chew.

CautionCat:
Konane stared at Alain with some wonder in her eyes.
Not because of the small speach, but because suddenly muffin.
She decided to get up for a second and take out the rest of her bread, and the open jar of jam she bought to snack on.
"Did you go to a school, Alain?" She asked, as she sat back down and broke off a piece of bread- starting to go a little stale despite buttery bread being so moist. She would be sure to finish it between herself and Klinkle.

Opiii:
"Well- yeah, I mean-" Somewhat flabbergasted, Alastair couldn't quite think of a means to correct himself, to imply gently that the things that interested him wasn't the kind of thing the layman could widely consider a fun tale. The whole experience was a wonderous thing ... But told as a day to day story would be rather dry and episodic. It would be better as an abridged book than a campfire tale.

Yet despite his awkward feeling, he couldn't help but linger on Alain's words- 'it is easy for a practitioner to forget.' Had he allowed himself to fall into that trap? He'd only just mastered his first real spell less than two weeks ago, in Astor city, and already he'd referred to his experience in the Lyceum as dry.

He found himself thinking on Fenderberrin's old addage as he stared thoughtfully at his right wrist. Firelight danced along the rough facets of the focus he wore. "... It really was an amazing experience. I hope to go back once this..." He flared his nostrils, catching himself from misspeaking. "Some day."

Ancelas:
Alain's gaze flicked to Alistair and then to Konane. "For a time," he admitted. "I know some of the professors at the Lyceum, and have a deep respect for their work, but I was a student of the White Tower. For practical, hands-on experience, I think the Lyceum is the better place to study, but Ilia... Ilia is home to some of the finest minds in Samara.

"And some of the biggest egos," he admitted, after a moment's consideration. "I found the atmosphere somewhat stifling, after a time. Ilia is as much a political institution as it is a magical one... It is of Rhinoa, but it is not Rhinoan. It yields to the crown, but it is not beholden to the crown's authority. Some magi tend to forget that and believe that they can shape the future through political machinations. They've forgotten their purpose."

His words grew more heated as he spoke, his expression more sober, even... angry. But then he paused and regained his composure, his brow smoothing out, his smile returning.

"I have not been back there in some time. The circumstances for this visit are admittedly... not ideal."

Taliesin:
:: Shortly after lunch Taliesin had returned to the back of the cart to trance while he was still at peace. Even though they were returning to the tried and tested travel he didn't trust trancing at night for the time. He stayed in the cart until everyone had broke off to prepare for the night.

Silently he hopped down from the cart and walked as if on patrol just twenty feet outside of the cooking fire. He wasn't paying attention to the general talk until the talk of interesting stories came about. His circular path stopping behind Sae's right shoulder a few feet back. He was interested in learning more of Alastair's experience since he had a good deal of knowledge outside of his understandably naive sight of the outer world.

Lips curled into suspicion as his party worked to eek out some secrets from Alain. He was most intrigued by his outlook and description of education at The White Tower. 'Practical and hands-on experience,' now that seemed less altruistic as his initial statement. Matching the attitude to his prior interaction he began to wonder if perhaps Alain had a darker history, but couldn't get a read on whether he had hidden meaning. (Insight - rolled 2 + 2=4 )

In a low voice he piped in, a mild tone of skepticism to his voice. "You'll forgive me if the picture you painted seems to suggest you wouldn't be returning to The White Tower if you didn't feel you had to." He took a moment to look to each party member, avoiding confrontation with Alain outside of the single comment.::

Opiii:
Alastair was fixated, for a time. Alain knew some the professors at the Lyceum? Which ones? How well? It could have explained a lot in a neat little package.

He wasn't sure if that was frustrating or relieving.

He tilted his head slightly as Alain became passionate about the white tower. Kings and politics, it seemed it spoiled progress- or something deeper the couldn't yet comprehend. More details could be shared later perhaps.

When Taleisin spoke, he nodded. "We'd thought your relationship with that school was amicable. Are we going to have to stick close by in case if disgruntled alumni?"

The Red Coat:
+Sae, for once, was able to follow along with Alistair's description of the item that he was working on, tilting her head at the description. It sounded almost like a sling shot- with a reel mechanism? As she pondered on Alistair's possible design choices, she nearly missed the question.

Alistair didn't know what he hit on when he said that she investigated weird stuff and caught bad guys. The urge to freeze and not move, like a deer in a hunter's sights, was strong. Because she had investigated weird stuff, and had caught the bad guy. And killed the bad guy. In a very public, very bloody way.

While she was sympathetic to Alain as the conversation- and focus- turned to him, she was also a bit relieved as it moved off of her- soon, even moving to something even safer... their mission at hand. She did look to Milly out of the corner of her eye... but if the pleasant woman was going to be traveling with them for long, sooner or later she would find out about their real mission and the danger they courted.

"Of course, that would be well within the scope of our charge." She assured, in what she hoped would be a comforting way. To be fair, she wasn't a huge fan of fighting magic users, and their last several had not gone well on her end, but still. +

Ancelas:
Alain laughed. "Oh, I may have annoyed a professor or two in my time, but I assure, you, I'm on good terms with the White Tower. I think. Last time I checked." He cocked his head to the one side and rubbed his chin.

"At any rate, the reason for our trip is twofold. The Tower needs to be informed of the events in Astorea, but there is also an individual we need to speak with."

He glanced over at Milly as she cooked. "How long were you at Fort Bragh? Did any news reach you from the north?"

CautionCat:
Ko pursed her lips some, listening on. An individual he said... She looked to Alastair, unsure what to make of his reaction. He seemed... mixed? At least, that's as much as she could get out of him.
Alain shifted the conversation to Milly, which her eyes lingered to the shorter woman, before glancing to where Taliesin was.

Suzune:
Milly listened closely to the conversation about schools. She was interested in the different kind of schools that everyone had intended and found herself reflecting on her own adventures in school. The feelings that those memories brought with them washed over her. Being released from her reverie only when she noticed that the tension in the air had changed with Alain's comments.

She had not realized that the political situation between magic and government was quite so strong. Sure people in Rhinoa loved to gossip about the way the world worked, but, it was interesting to hear this perspective. It sounded to her like trouble was brewing. Milly was uncertain of what the relationship with everyone and else and him was. She wondered what information he was concerned about sharing. People live such interesting lives.

The conversation seemed to sway back to her. Milly smiled her easy smile at the question. "I had been asked to go to Fort Bragh to wait for this merchant trade. After my initial journey there, I found that the caravan I was waiting did not turn up. Attempts to find out what had happened, with discussion that perhaps they were just delayed. However, upon the seventh day in the city, I happened to run in to you. Perhaps with some hope, I will be able to find out what happened to that poor caravan. We have not seen any trouble, so perhaps something else delayed them from leaving. Just speculation though."

"Information wise," she closed her eyes, recalling information. "There has been little to no word from inside of Fort Bragh. A much concerning situation, almost makes me feel like I was abandoned there. In fact, there has been little word since in Fort Bragh period. So I am afraid there is little I can offer you but perhaps the gossip of other people who have arrived."

Milly shrugged her shoulders and turned to directly look at Alain, "Depends on whether you want to hear about rumors or whether you are looking for actual news. People tend to exaggerate the stories they tell."

((Insight check on Alain 16 +4 from deductive intuition, giving unnatural 20))

Ancelas:
Alain nodded along pleasantly as Milly spoke, although to her, it seemed as though her were only paying half-attention. She could recognize when someone subtly nudged a conversation in a certain direction, and it appeared she was the only one who had - Alain seemed to be using honest inquiry to deflect attention away from himself and toward another, coaxing others to inquire as well, and in so doing learn much while revealing... little.

It had happened so quickly and effortlessly that it seemed like second nature to him.

"Then it appears we are the stormcrows, riding ahead of a tempest that is sure to consume at least one nation before it subsides." He picked up a long stick and leaned forward to poke at the fire, the light dancing off his spectacles, casting flickering shades and shadows across his eyes. "You will find out sooner or later, but northern Astorea has been invaded. By who or what, we do not yet know, but we are certain they are followers of Ruin, at the very least."

Opiii:
Alastair frowned as Alain spoke. Consuming one nation before it was over. His thoughts turned toward the north, Nordyn, Liore. They were only a few weeks travel from Donal's crossing. What would happen if those beasts headed north..? He tried not to think on that too long before he sighed and scratched his head.
"It's.. not a good situation. They overtook Kyr, ransacked Donal's crossing, and headed east from there. We don't even know what they are- Mottled skin, ugly faces and tusks."

He shifted to face Alain. "The White Tower- do they have the means to contact the Lyceum? I've heard of sending stones and other things faster than carrier birds.. there has to be a couple of professors between the schools that're..." Pause. How to make an analogy here. "...Magical penpals or some such, yeah?"

The Red Coat:
+Sae nodded sadly at Alain's estimate- frankly, it was generous to assume they would lose only one country to Ruin's forces. She put the estimate higher- three, perhaps two if they could quickly amass some allies and information as to how to attack the source, instead of simply running from the ransacking hordes. "We were in Eastern Nordyn when we first came across them- we were working on a contract for some Otonin when we were.... overwhelmed." When they had been overrun, when Kaladin had been killed. She bowed her head at the thought- it seemed like ages ago, and yet... it really wasn't. Her head lifted at the thought of more magical means of sending messages- she had paid a pretty penny for her letter to get to Pyria, but if there was a faster way....+

CautionCat:
Konane frowned. She was expecting some fun stories of the past, but rather it was being reminded of what they were here for... She wasn't used to this. She wasn't sure if she would be. Thinking of negative thoughts made her unhappy, and her mind linger to other thoughts that were also negative.
But, she supposed Milly needed to be clued in on the situation. Being a stranger, traveling with other strangers and all. Didn't want to come off as... murder folks. Or something.
Konane sighed deeply, and leaned over some, before laying on her side and looking to Alain.
"Who is this person you must meet at the White Tower?"

Ancelas:
Alain nodded to Alistair. "That they do. The major schools here in the west - the Lyceum, the White Tower, and the Illyrian Ars Arcanum - all maintain long-distance communication networks. They even maintain teleportation circles to one another, and certain major cities. Once we tell our story there, word will spread quickly, and our enemy will not catch us unprepared."

He grinned and poked the fire with his stick, turning his attention to Konane. "A colleague of mine. The foremost expert on Ruin in the entire world. If anyone can share insight into the enemies we face and the way we think, it would be him."

Opiii:
So surprised to hear Alain had had a straightforward, helpful answer, Alastair almost didn't realize Konane shifting closer as she lay. Curious. This wasn't the first time she'd done this. He understood her curiosity toward his craft, but the occasional invasion of space went beyond that. He'd also woken up to her snoring beside him. Pondering if maybe he reminded her of someone, or if his smaller, unassuming stature made him approachable, he filed the note away for later discussion.

His focus was more on Alain. "An expert on Ruin, is he from Albione? They haven't outright forbidden her worship there, from what I understand."

The Red Coat:
+Sae smiled softly- hoping, that perhaps, she could bribe a letter through such channels- the Ars Arcanum? That was several days ride south of Kel Mar, but perhaps....

And then, Alistair asked what might have been a simple, academic question of a colleague's credentials... if they hadn't been sitting next to Sae Cairel. In an instant, the even tempered, almost hopeful look had been replaced by smoldering anger, the air around her filling with the tension of a storm and a bolt of lightening about to strike.

"What." She demanded, standing and looking between the two mages, her hand going to her dagger, that dagger, gripping the hilt of it tightly. "We are going to see a filthy Ruin cultist?" She spat the words, losing the affected Common accent she used most of the time, the clipped, proper tones of a Mareki noblewoman spilling from her lips.

Shedding the cool affectation, the fake common accent, and the relaxed posture, it was easy to see the temper that had often been mentioned. This wasn't the urge to punch a particularly awful farmer, or stubbing her toe. This was a pure rage.+

Ancelas:
Alain's brows rose at Sae's sudden ire. He hadn't seen her get so worked up since... well, since her last argument with Taliesin.

"Cultist? No, not at all. A scholar. He's not Albion. Albionese? Albionite... hrm..." He glanced at Alistair and then back at Sae, raising his hands - one of which still held his stick - in a gesture of peace. "Worship of Ruin is banned in most western countries. In Albion, they respect the role she once served, but they do not worship her, exactly. They're just.. odd, that's all."

Opiii:
His lips were pursed tight, Sae's sudden rage could be felt. Quickly he spoke, stammering after Alain. "D-did I say worship? That's not an accurate depiction, sorry, uh, venerate? Y'know gods and pantheons are so weird and complicated, it's hard to really gauge how a people relate to, uh, the things they believe in but don't necessarily agree with."

He twiddled his thumbs. "Weird. Yes. Albione elves are peculiar folk."

CautionCat:
Konane furrowed her brows some, and sat back up, looking to Sae. That anger felt... very personal? (12 insight)
But she wasn't sure if the elf was still on her ire-ride from Taliesin earlier. That, and she seemed to have quite the personal vendetta against Ruin. She pursed her lips some, looking between Alain, and Sae. She then looked to Milly.
"I think our hunger is controlling some emotions here... Do you think the food is cooked enough?"

Kyt:
((You guys post too much XD))
Jennar seemed to have been taken by some distracted fancy ever since they'd left Fort Bragh. They'd wandered around whenever they broke camp, and didn't seem to be paying quite as much attention to conversations. Sometimes the half-elf's gaze would snap to something or someone with a piercing intensity, before they'd suddenly be grinning and talking as if nothing had happened.

As the current conversation was going on, Jennar sat lazily near the fire, with Shai draped across their lap. The fact that the panther-shape was essentially as large as they were didn't seem to bother them.

"Honestly, people will revere the oddest things. I once passed through a village that prayed to a rock every day."

Whether Jennar was attempting to diffuse the situation with humor, or was just mentioning a related story...well. It was always hard to tell with them.

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin had quietly bade his time planning to ask his own questions once others had gotten their fill. That was until Milly had turned the tide and caused a little cascade. The information spilling from Alain's lips intrigued him. The thought of teleportation circles that would bridge the gap and get him into the heart of the Naithrani city. They would be so close to his home.

His heart ached with the pangs of home. It was torn when the connection was mentioned. The simple mention of someone well versed in Ruin. He immediately assumed it was an elf, after all whom else would have more knowledge than one who might have a connection to the separation of Drow to the ranks of Hectapol.

He was making his own assumptions as Alastair made his. He was too slow to grab Sae initially as her passion showed through. He took several steps forward in the wind wake and grabbed Sae by the back of her shirt, spitting out a command as if talking down to a subordinate rather than a close friend. "Stand down Second Class!"

One further step to the side and he was just behind her shoulder. His voice dropped to a stern near whisper speaking in Elven to her. "I don't think Alain would be bringing us to a follower of Ruin. And if he were it would be to allow us to help them join Elta." ::

Ancelas:
Alain glanced at Jennar and frowned. "I think I've been to that village..."

And then he cocked his head ever-so-slightly in Taliesin and Sae's direction.

The Red Coat:
+Konane, and really everyone, would see how affected Sae was at the mere thought of having to face down a Ruin cultist- worshiper- as an ally. It was far deeper than a tiff with Taliesin, or even her smoldering displeasure at the ranch.

As Tali gave his order, she did seem to snap out of whatever had come over her as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown on her. Blushing deeply as she realized that she was standing as everyone else sat, with her hand on her dagger. That dagger.

"Sorry." She muttered, leaning back into Tali's chest, blushing a dark red as everyone looked at her. Of course they were looking at her, she was acting like an emotional idiot. She gave a faint smile at Tali before sitting down once more, looking around for a piece of wood to play with.+

Opiii:
Alastair coughed and cleared his throat, averting his eyes from anyone in particular. "Yes. Angry and hungry. Hangry, even. Maybe, uh, maybe we focus on food, yeah. Spiced meats on skewers," He seemed to feign enthusiasm at the mention of the meat, but then, "And roasted potatoes- Potatoes are wonderfully versatile tubers! And beats, oh if we had some beats- roasted, boiled, cooked in butter, it's all rather.. uhm.." He pursed his lips. "Good...?"

CautionCat:
Konane just blinked at Alastair. What he described sounded... bland as hell.
She pursed her lips, and furrowed her brows some. "I enjoy kebabs... smothered in soy and sprinkled with... Goma..." She paused, searching for the word in a more familiar language for the majority of the crew. "I think it is called... Sesame. Or... even with a sweet glaze upon the meat, cooked until they are savory... umami... Just barely burnt." She sighed, looking to her bits of bread and jam.
The one thing she missed the most was flavorful food. Right next to her mother, and home.

Opiii:
"...Sweet? On meat? And... burnt?" He pictured a caramel apple. Except with a slab of blackened, well done beef. He couldn't help but scowl. He wasn't sold. "...That sounds weird. And what in the world is a Soy?"

CautionCat:
If going back to Otori wasn't going to kill her, then she would turn this party around and learn the hell out of Alastair about what GOOD FOOD WAS.
But that wasn't going to happen.
During her fleeted thought process, she looked to Alastair like he had grown two heads. "There is nothing weird about flavor on food. And soy is a bean, they... ferment it to make it a sauce."

Opiii:
He looked up and away, "Well beans aren't that flavorful, unless you add salt or tomato, but even then- and fermenting?" He looked to Konane a second before again glancing away, "Well no wonder- most folk think alcohol makes everything taste better, I'm not surprised a bean ferment stupor would make sweet on meat taste good."

He was back in his sewing, now vigorously working away.

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin knelt down beside Sae resting his hand on her shoulder. He whispered gently to her, still in elven. "We outnumber Alain and if he were enough to take us all then he wouldn't need our protection to the tower." A soft squeeze of her shoulder was an attempt to reassure her in spite of his own misgivings.

The talk of food filled his ears. He was hungry, but the seeming disagreement was intriguing. "Jaegar still has the pouch of seasonings, doesn't he?" His eyes shifted to Konane. "Maybe you could remember some seasonings from your home and help Milly prepare the food?"

With that distraction handled he turned his gaze back to Alain. His speech switched back to Elven as he asked another question in a calm voice. "This friend, scholar, if they are not from Albion what is the basis for their abundance of knowledge on Hectapol?" ::

The Red Coat:
+Sae rolled her eyes. "I am not worried about Alain, he is fine. I just... didn't like the idea of spilling blood to go meet a cultist as allies. I... misjudged the situation." She whispered back, still leaning into his side. It had been a long day with far too many emotions. Frankly, she's rather fight a hundred bouts and do a full pack march than deal with another strong emotion.

Alistair and Konane's back and forth had been a welcome distraction, and she remained leaning on Tali as if their fight this morning and the afternoon before hadn't happened. As far as she cared, it didn't.+

Ancelas:
Alain watched Konane and Alistair's back and forth with a smile on his face, answering Taliesin without looking over at him. "The same basis every scholar draws from in their field of expertise. Extensive research." He glanced over at the elves and gave them a little wink before standing.

"If you'll excuse me, I feel a pressing need to take a walk. I'll return momentarily." He gave a slight bow with a littler flourish of his poking stick and turned to head into the treeline, whistling as he did so.

CautionCat:
Konane squinted at Taliesin, the tip of her tongue poking out from between her lips. Something about him ordering her around made the hair on the back of her neck rise.
She shook her head. "The bag does not create liquid. It is for powdered spice. Maybe seeds." She furrowed her brows, looking between the elf and the wizard. Why did he have to speak to Alain in elven? Was it really necessary?
Sighing, she got up and dusted her knees off, making her way to aid Milly. Maybe stabbing meat with green twigs would let off some steam. When Alain decided to walk off, she watched as he went.
A strange, sad man, he was.

Opiii:
Alastair pursed his lips as the conversation turned, and Alain left. He gave up on his argument of flavors, content that he'd soundly expressed the logic and truth of prepared meats. Konane went her own way, Alain walked toward the tree line. Alastair carried on sewing as things died down, clearing his throat a little. His focus shifted to Sae and Taleisin. It was nice to see they were patching things up, even if it was a little... rocky. He noted the differences in their reactions- Sae was furious at the idea of interacting with a cultist, yet Taleisin seemed unphased.
"So, uh, cultists...Iffin you don't mind sharing, Is that uh... outlook... a Mareki thing? Or a Black tower thing?"

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin welcomed the weight against him as he got into a comfortable spot. Sae's response was much what he had guessed after her outburst. His words were an attempt to reassure her.

Looking to Konane and Alastair still he was caught off guard by Konane's child like response to his initial words regarding seasoning. Thinking on it for a moment he thought he may have missed the upward inflection of a question. His shoulders lifted with a shrug as he watched her leave their company.

His left hand lifted from Sae's shoulder and dragged his arm to capture her in a gentle embrace. This hold tightened a little at the questions Alastair asked. Seeing a delay in response from Sae he offered his answer first. "I think it's more of an elf thing and specifically Hectapol. There is history for why- "

The pause preceded a deep inhale and a focus on recounting what little was touched on when he was Allurani and then Mareki. "Before the Days of Fury all elves were one. During the Days of Fury there was a fracture among the elves based on whom they supported. Those who chose Hectapol - you might know them as Drow, fought for her. After the Adonai and others had won they banished Hectapol and her followers - but some of the Drow had survived and went into hiding beneath the earth." Another pause punctuated the breath he needed to take before speaking further.

"It's fuzzy but I think the Allurani themselves see Hectapol and her followers as the force preventing the unification of the tribes. Might be mixing stories though since I was quite young." He turned his head to look at Sae from the corner of his eye and allow her a chance to reply as well. ::

The Red Coat:
+Sae let Tali talk first, gathering her thoughts and trying to decide how much truth she was ready to tell Alistair. Not about Elta, no, not that, not yet. Maybe when everything was no longer new, and the trust ran deeper, and they knew her better than... well. Maybe never, even, unless it was really and truly necessary.

"Those are more cultural reasons- I also have... a personal hatred of those that would declare themselves for Ruin. From infancy, I was raised to be a Priestess of Talos. I am... more devout than the average Mareki by a wide margin, and even spent a year training as a Priestess before I was dismissed. While my devotion was appreciated, I tend to rub authority the wrong way." She waved off the thought, trying not to picture her father's disappointed face at her return.

"I did have a run in with a Ruin cult in Illyria, and they were dealt with harshly. It was after that I was invited to apprentice at the Black Tower- Gunslingers also do not hold with cults of fell gods. While our services can be purchased, eliminating such cults is a service we provide freely and happily."+

Opiii:
He scratched his cheek and nodded slowly, listening. The Days of Fury was a time of great interest for some of his professors, and as scary and mysterious as the Drow were, he couldn't deny his own curiosity concerning them. Sae spoke second and he began to nod, a picture slowly forming in his mind.
"So... it's personal then. For both of you, I mean. That explains a bit. Here I'd thought it was, y'know, just a job, stopping the cult and monsters up north."
He nodded and tilted his head slightly to the left and right. Though as much as he tried to picture as a lady of the cloth, he couldn't. The aforementioned difficulties with authority came to mind right away.

Taliesin:
::Taliesin cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brows. It was not so much personal for him, but arguing to explain what it truly was would just be arguing semantics.

"Those in Albion might think that Hectapol is necessary to return balance or some other cycle explanation. I don't know honestly. But everyone beneath Adonai should rightfully fight against her followers with great prejudice." He shifted his position to stretch out his right arm in front of Sae.

"Hectapol is in direct opposition to Silvanis." Green mist formed at his outstretched hand and turned into tendrils of ivy that stretched out and formed the Allurani blade with the crest of Silvanis amidst the vines. "I am performing the deed required by my pact with Silvanis, but even without that I would be against her."

With a quick flip he offered the sword to be taken for investigation by Sae or Alastair. ::

Opiii:
The conversation turned toward religion, a militant kind with a zealous sort of language he recognized and initially worried about. When Taleisin produced that blade out of nothing, his wariness wasn't exactly mollified.

Yet, here Taleisin was bearing his heart, sharing something deep and profound. If Sae didn't take the blade for study, he would. He waited for her reaction first, and spoke.

"So... When you say you've made a pact with Silvanus, you mean... As part of your order? A group of crusaders," He eyed the blade. Clerics and Paladins couldn't quite pull weapons from thin air, or change their form so easily. "... Or...?"

The Red Coat:
+Sae nodded at Alistair's question- yes, it was personal, for both of them. Happy to let Tali speak to his heart's content about his mission and his pact. At least this time it was with allies, and not every random elf they ran into.

She didn't touch the blade, noting his newest magic trick with a soft frown. Mareki, in their nature, distrusted most magic and mages on principle. So, instead she stayed quiet, letting the two gentlemen talk about such things.+

Taliesin:
:: Taliesin recognized Sae's apprehension and leaned further on the right to offer the blade for closer inspection. He fell back into speaking elvish again. Not because he was trying to hide anything, but the words flowed more readily in his native tongue.

"Pact - as in agreement. I am not a Cleric or a Paladin. I am not a holy man, not a holy avenger, not what you might call an acolyte." He paused and quieted. The next bit felt strange telling to a human. After all, he was practiced in imagining that the next words be spoken to groups of Elven kind as a reassurance of his devotion.

"During my first time back in my homeland with the man I was honored to trust like a father ... I saw the emptiness of the woods and the destruction of areas that I vaguely recalled as home. Each night the pain grew within to find my people to help rebuild and turn eyes against those at fault rather than those caught in the decisions." A heavy sigh left his lips as he stopped to gaze at Sae. He was being long winded - but this was what he practiced in his mind amidst his nightly trances.

"Every night brought more memories back that are best left forgotten. That is until the 8th night of trance. The vision of my meditation clouded over with the cool mist of a fall night. Around me the land became a beautiful glade bathed in moonlight. Among the mist a silhouette formed and knew me by my true name. Silvanus knew my pain and gave me a choice - If I were to do his bidding when he called upon me, then he would give me the strength to find my people and bring them home. I agreed and when I woke up the other blade had appeared in my hands."

He pulled the sword back an inch and then offered it again. "This is a strength he has offered me since he called in the agreement and we've fought against Hectapol." ::

Opiii:
He furrowed his brows, listening. The Elven dialects were all... different.. but fluency came with the benefit of understanding the core of the language, enough so that each dialect could be identified by the inconsistencies.

Gods, it was a pretty language too. It wasn't bouncy with fractal alliteration like gnomish, or hard and powerful like Dwarven. When Taliesin spoke, he almost got dragged into the belief in Silvanus.

Of course, so soon as he began to slip, he was reminded of how outlandish the tale was. Alastair immediately went to work tempering the tale with science, logic, arcane understanding. Taking the blade with careful hands, he looked it over, identified the markings and symbol from his studies of lore and religion- a pastime and fascination of his. He spoke, returning in that same language Taliesin spoke- though the dialect was unfamiliar. Floaty, flowery, delicate, and eloquent. Many things Alastair was not.

Were it coming from anyone else, or were he speaking in the dark, it could otherwise be considered 'pretty'. His disheveled appearance did not fit the words, yet he spoke them. "Nyar-i' sanya, I've spent quite some time studying the gods... Less of a religious thing, more of a... Personal curiosity. Their mannerisms, who they were, what they did before becoming champions. How much they're like us. I've often wondered what it took for the dragons of creation to choose their champions, what went into that, you know?" Lifting the blade he attempted to identify the materials, compared it to the mythical metals spoken of in lore and myth. Oricalcum? Damascus alloy? Celestial steel?

"You know, It's theorized that Moradin and Ehlonna crafted the Warforged together. A perfect warrior of machine and life, iron and wood. The common belief suggests they were beings born of necessity... But some of us theorize it was more than that. As much as a tool of war they were also a symbol of love and life. Art. A divine collaboration. Or maybe just a 'fling' between two lovers who never quite saw eye to eye, but found love on a battlefield." He cocked a brow and eased the sword back toward Taliesin. He spoke in common, his drawl and goofy colloquial in full effect. "Though that's only a theory- A lore theory. This sword reminds me of that, though. Crafted for beauty, yet designed to get a specific job done. It's a powerful symbol. I hope your people can rally behind it."

The Red Coat:
+Something stuck with her through all of Alistair's talk.

What did it take for a Dragon of Creation to choose their champion?

Is that what had happened? Or rather, some variant? Now that Tali was a champion of Sylvanus, would he eventually ascend into his own godhood? And what the hell did that mean for her?

She shook the too deep thoughts out of her head. It was Tali, and chosen for some sort of Godly mission or not, she would be next to him. Looking about, she tilted her head to the side.

"Alistair, it looks as though Alain has slipped off. Now might be a good time to try to have that conversation with him." She advised, running a hand over her red hair as she stood, looking to Tali.

"And since you have that thing out, care to go a couple of bouts?"+

Ancelas:
((I have to wonder what all those people who don't speak Elvish think about such a long conversation in Elvish...))

Opiii:
((I would think a combination of distrust and eye rolling.))

CautionCat:
With all the talk in elven by the fire, as she assisted Milly with preparing the meal, Konane would make a point of talking to Klinkle in Otonin. Often. Even if it wasn't anything important.
Just out of spite.
((That's what she thinks.))

Taliesin:
::Taliesin understood where Alastair was coming from if only due to some Mareki's natural distrust of non-divine arts. This was the approach of learning that tried to find meaning behind gifts. But he also knew that there was magic natural to some who weren't bestowed it through a deity and some still who could take a book and recite words to cast spells. In this way he respected where he came from in his view.

He took the sword when it was offered back. "You know, if Wizards were willing to have a relationship with a god or goddess, they might be able to get the actual answer rather than theorizing." He said simply without tone of malice. It was a genuine offer of an answer. "Besides, the sword isn't the rallying point. Their rallying force is the Prince of Leaves. These blades are simply proof that Silvanus has not forgotten them."

He tilted his head in interest at Sae's offer for a fight and after a moment agreed. "Take this one and I will use the other." He said as he offered her the blade that Alastair had just returned. ::

Opiii:
He nodded to Sae, glancing toward the woods to find...

No one. Oh, he'd lost track of Alain in his conversation! He mentally cursed himself before scratching his head. "Oh, oof. Maybe I'll... Catch him when he returns. I'd hate to trip in the woods looking for him, or worse- stumble upon him... Y'know... Wiping." He grimaced.

Then Talesin said something interesting, and.. possibly a little controversial. He smiled and shrugged. "Maybe. Then again, the beings we think are god, least the ones who actually answer back, tend to be cryptic, incomprehensible, and more often than not, impostors of the real deal." He returned the statement without malice.. It was more jovial and frank.

"What I do know is, I wouldn't mind seeing that thing in action. You two spar away, I'd love to take notes."