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SESSION 2 - To the Hill Folk, and Meeting Misati!
ST ::The Circle found themselves treated as heroes upon their return to the Village of Nulam, having brought a decisive end to the depredations of the Bright River Gang and brought back over 40 survivors of their raids.::
ST ::The Villagers set out to tend to these Farmers, Traders and assorted other prisoners who had languished in their bamboo cage for nearly a month awaiting their appointment with the Fair Folk. Many were in abyssmal condition, as often for reasons of the mind as for reasons of the body, but all were honored and cared for equally.::
ST ::The various Ravagers that the Circle brought back, on the other hand, were regarded considerably less happily. Such mad Fae-touched souls are widely held as irredeemable, usually killed without fail if captured, and the people of Nulam were immediately in favor of such a plan. Nor did they intend for a slow painful death, but more of a quick extermination -- like of pests. Thus it was only with some difficulty that th
ST ::Thus, several days passed.::
ST ::Most of the Circle endeavored to help rebuild some of the pillaged farms, rallying Villagers and fellow Farmers around them as they built a large farmhouse and raised a new barn. Balthasar had little time for such a thing, however, having sequestered himself in the basement of the local Inne with Ahrmaine to attempt to wrest from him the secret of his association with Lady Niloga.::
ST ::It was a difficult, horrible task -- attempting to show Ahrmaine the man he had once been, and secure his aid. Eventually, though, Balthasar managed to wrest the rough location of the Ladies Freehold. It would be a long trek, many weeks travel, and he would not benefit from an exact location (as Ahrmaine did not know /exactly/ where it was). Not soon after emerging to share this with the others, another dam burst...::
ST ::Several huddled refugees, a single family of Farmers from a small homestead to the East, arrived in Nulam. Their men were injured, the mother mourned the passing of one of her sons and her husband, while the children seemed too shaken to notice much at all. The Hillsfolk had attacked again, a small raiding party (maybe 10) having set on their farm.::
ST ::It did not take long for the Solars to decide this task merited more immediate attention than their distant, and for the time-being unthreatening, Fair Folk. Especially once Merayen and Jackal stopped the Villagers from attempting to Lynch one of the local women, a former Hill Folk named Chill Breeze, who knew absolutely nothing of what was going on. Skyla, for her own part, was anxious to check on her old friend and s
ST ::So the Circle headed out again, into the wilderness, heading toward the nearest encampment of the Hill Folk.::
Jackal sticks as a rear guard, wearing his armor and carrying his old spear, he looks around anxiously as he marches through the snow. "Wish we had space for horses..."
Finnre`Merayen seemed little touched nor affected by the vagrities of travel, being quite used to traveling on her own. She quite skillfully both caught food and scavanged for other things to go with it.
Skyla is perhaps less wary of ambush than her friends... after all, the Hill Folk sheltered her, and they were more like her people than the villagers of Nulam. She walks with purpose, and goes between eagerness and worry.. "I don't know why they would do that... they've always been peaceful with Nulam."
ST ::Still, as a month in their care taught her, she wasn't really one of her people anymore... Being raised from when she was six made her more civilized than most of the Hill Folk, and it showed. But still...::
Balthasar drifts amidst the chilled foliage, a long brown robe around his shoulders. He's been in a quite ponderous mode since his time alone with Ahrmaine, though not so much withdrawn as he is incessantly reflective.
Jackal "Maybe they've got a new leader."
ST ::A small rabbit darts across the snowy field, moving from hiding place to hiding place.::
Finnre`Merayen was silent, deciding to wait on judgement till she knows more from these people themselves.
Skyla "I guess... leaders can make a big difference in a tribe..."
Jackal "Well did you see any beastmen in their midst the last time you were with them?"
ST ::Moving over the terrain, Skyla grins a bit -- they're getting near to the place where she Exalted.::
Skyla "No, they didn't have anyone like that. Just people."
Balthasar Hrm. Well, I'd say, Beastmen aside, you'll see plenty of change under certain leaders, to be honest.
Balthasar After all, we just encountered a perfect example of awry leadership.
Skyla "It's different when you're leading Ravagers... they have no souls left."
Jackal "Yes but in the end they seem to do the same thing..."
Finnre`Merayen True, even if it was one tainted by the madness of the Wyld. And they have souls, Skyla, but something has been done to them. Something deep and abiding.
ST ::That was definately true -- Ahrmaine, as he'd remembered him, was gone. Perhaps forever. What was left.... Well, it might as well not be the same man. It'd taken Balthasar days to get past his guard just a little; he's totally dedicated to his new Mistress.::
Balthasar It is different when you're leading men like that, yes. It's a bit harder, and wickeder.
Balthasar As for whether or not they bore souls...
Balthasar shrugs.
Skyla "Men like that, all they want to do is kill and maim and rape... they're not human anymore... I don't know if they can get that back."
Balthasar I have no way of telling.
Finnre`Merayen But, let us be honest... they were loyal and followed Niloga, one and all. Ahrmaine was at best a favored slave.
Skyla "Maybe with the Eye..."
Balthasar If it was conditioning and force that bent them, I don't know. It might just take time. No, they'd never get back to normal, but they might become something civil again.
ST ::Overhead, a Hawk squees. Kodo and Podo, hearing the shrill cry, hide deeper in Merayen's pouch.::
Finnre`Merayen slides her hand into the pouch to run her fingers over their heads, offering a calming touch.
ST ::A chill wind blows in from the North, offering a moment of chill. It's a bit refreshing. This promises to be a particularly bad winter, however.::
Skyla moves thoughtfully for a bit, "The Eye of the Wood Dragon could fix them. Stupid useless Opal Blossom!"
Balthasar wonders if, as a project, he could do such a thing with Ahrmaine. Just to prove that some element of Redemption is possible.
Jackal "I thought the eye only healed the body, not the soul..."
Balthasar I was speaking of Niloga, incidentally. Not Ahrmaine.
Skyla "no, it's far beyond that... the Eye can heal ANY woe. It's amazing!"
Finnre`Merayen nods, "I know, but I was explaining for Skyla."
ST ::Kodo and Podo chitter, reassured!::
Balthasar What she did was wrench reality away from these men, it seems. They're still there, if they're like Ahrmaine. Well, not there. Anchored there, but elsewhere.
Jackal "What IT did Balthasar. The Fae aren't people. They're things."
Finnre`Merayen Some of them were more there than others... some were little more than beasts anymore, rabid animals that did as Niloga commanded through Ahrmaine.
ST ::There was a battle here, a week or so ago.::
ST ::The signs of it are unmistakable. Some of the underbrush has been crushed under boot, one small tree has been hewn in two by what looks to have been a single blow and another looks to have been deeply scored.::
ST ::A bit of blood, long since dried, lingers here and there as well. Here, a bit of it on a solitary leaf. There, a bloody handprint on a rock where someone leaned for a bit. A good bit of it soaked into the ground, where someone lay bleeding for a bit.::
Skyla frowns
Finnre`Merayen stops and begins to examine the signs, looking to track this trail, even old as it is. The wounded left more marks upon the land than they would otherwise, be it through blood or moving less well than normal.
Skyla "So close?"
Jackal "Hmm...war between the tribes?"
ST ::Skyla, computing the mental landscape, knows that they're fairly near the Farmstead of... the Widow Binna. She hasn't been attacked, as far as she knows...::
Skyla "The Widow Binna lives around here... I hadn't heard she was attacked, or anything like that."
Jackal "Well have we heard from her lately?"
ST ::Inspecting the two trees; the one that was hacked clean in two is about as thick as someone's arm, sliced clean. The larger one, a good sized oak, was sliced quite a good ways through... Whomever did this was very strong, with a very sharp (and strong!) blade!::
Finnre`Merayen This was not the battle of forces, but the battle between two men... see here? This is obviously the work of a strong man... perhaps an axe weilder, where this was an agile swordsman
ST ::You've only been in town for a few days, but none of you heard anything...and this battle seems to have happened a while ago.::
ST ::It wouldn't be far out of your way to go check on her though.::
Finnre`Merayen I might even suggest that this was the work of someone stronger than simply mortal, from the way this tree was cut through.
Skyla "I don't know...Don't you think they would have said something when we got back?"
Balthasar We could drop in. It might be time for a small rest, in any event, if she is hospitable.
Skyla "She's always been nice to me"
Finnre`Merayen The stronger one was the one who bled here.
Balthasar meanwhile, listens to Merayen's appraisal.
Finnre`Merayen shakes her head. "That's all I can tell from this. But..."
Jackal "What, the one who chopped the tree? Must have been a powerful opponent then..."
Finnre`Merayen "Yes, as I said, I suspect that neither was merely mortal. But, that's just a gut feeling."
Skyla looks at the hewn trees, "So uh.. maybe it wasn't the Hill Tribes after all."
Balthasar raises a brow.
Jackal "I doubt the paniced and sobbing refugees would lie about it being barbarians Skyla..."
Skyla "Well the Tribes don't have people that can cut trees in half! They're just herders!"
Jackal "Maybe the tribes found someone who can then? It still doesn't explain who attacked our tree cleaver..."
Finnre`Merayen examines the area a bit more searching for any other signs, then stands back to mull this over in her mind for a moment.
ST ((Meh, while impressive enough, the tree-cutting is just stunt-material. A heroic mortal with a chopping sword could do it.))
Balthasar folds his hands and watches the rest. Then he turns, and begins to examine the surroundings himself. Nothing thorough, just noting what's there.
ST ((The guy was strong though.))
Finnre`Merayen lifts up her head to speak, "The winner covered their tracks carefully, but the loser lay here quite a while before traveling in that direction." She points off towards the hills beyond the farms.
ST ((But it definately wasn't just a bunch of extras. And few people can bleed that much and then get up.))
Skyla "Let's go check on Widow Binna)
Jackal nods and waits for the others to lead on.
Balthasar Heh. I believe, Skyla, you're the only one of us who knows the way.
Finnre`Merayen shrugs and motions for her to lead on.
Skyla looks in the direction Merayen is pointing for a moment, thoughtfully, then leads the way to the Widow's place'
ST ::The Widow Binna has lived alone with her three sons for about 5 years, her husband one of the victims of the Cholera outbreak that hit the farms and village about that time. A strong independent woman, her farm still seems to be in good shape, the fences freshly painted and the fields currently empty after the harvest.::
ST ::Past the fields, not far from the Barn, the small squat Farmhouse is currently belching a bit of smoke from a fire and sheltering the family itself. You'd imagine, given the time of day, that they're currently inside having lunch. The animals seem to have mostly been brought inside as well, though a solitary cow lurks on the families pasture.::
ST ::All in all, if there are any signs of violence here, you do not seem them...::
Skyla walks up to the farmstead and knocks on the door
Balthasar , for his part, keeps Skyla's flank, more or less staying in step with the girl.
Finnre`Merayen stands behind Skyla on the right, armored as always, masked helm over her head... "I hope she isn't put off by my dress."
Balthasar laughs.
Balthasar Well, we'll just have to find a way to make her at ease.
ST ::Moving over the empty fields, toward the farmhouse, Skyla gives the door a large knock and awaits the answer -- eventually hearing a voice, that of the Widow, asking who it is... The Farmsteads, especially ones as far out as this, tend to be a bit cautious of visitors...::
Widow "Who goes there, eh?"
Skyla "It's Skyla, from Nulam. Jhord's daughter. I brought some friends, too."
Widow "Aaah; Skyla dear! I'll let you right in,"
Widow`Binna gets to work on the latch and the bar at her door...
ST ::Mmmm. Something smells good!::
ST ::The interior of the Widow Binna's farmhouse is warm, kept that way by a large fireplace, and it seems like the Widow and her three sons are currently enjoying a bit of roast pork! Early in the year to be getting into the meat, so it must be some kind of special circumstances of some kind.::
ST ::The house isn't exceedingly large, but is obviously quite well-loved and very well taken-care of...though perhaps not as immaculately clean as it was when her Husband was alive, and she spent most of her time tending to it. The place is full of old bits of hand-crafted furniture, throw rugs, and little knick-knacks.::
Widow "Please, please, come in - all of you. I hadn't heard you'd made it back to town yet..."
Widow "Aaah, Balthasar as well..." *bow* "A pleasure to see you as well."
Widow isn't familiar with Jackal, and wouldn't know Merayen, but gives everyone a smile.
Balthasar grins broadly, and returns the bow.
Widow "How can I help you?"
Skyla smiles, "We have, and we brought back many of our people we thought must be dead!"
Balthasar Madam.
Finnre`Merayen smiles behind her mask. "Really, it's a pleasure to be welcome in your home."
Widow`Binna presumably hasn't heard that you stopped the bandits; it only happened a few days ago, and the farmsteads don't always get quick access to news. She was referring to your year-long trek!
Widow`Binna can be caught up to date quite quickly, if you want to share news though...
Skyla "Well, we just wanted to make sure you were okay. We saw signs that someone had gotten hurt back there," she gestures, and I was worried about you."
Widow "Hmmmm?" *she glances back at the direction you pointed...* "Oh? Are they alright??"
Skyla "We're not sure, nobody is there anymore. Do you know who it was?"
Finnre`Merayen "They seemed to have survived and wandered off. It happened maybe a week ago? Did you notice anything?
Balthasar Oh.
Balthasar Pardon me. Madam Binna, these are associates of mine and Skyla's, Finnre Merayen, and Jackal.
Balthasar gestures to each of them in turn, as he names them.
Widow`Binna stops and ponders this for a bit... The scent of her ham continues to drift; it smells gooooood. Her three sons, also, have come to the main room and are quietly watching their mother.
Widow`Binna closes the door once the last of you are in, to keep in the heat.
Widow smiles, and gives them each a light bow.
Finnre`Merayen bows to the Widow similarly at the introduction.
Widow "Any friend of Skyla and Balthasar is, of course, a friend of mine... And, hrmmm, Jackal -- you're the one that rescued that lost child, aren't you?"
Widow "Heard of you, I have..."
Balthasar wanders up and greets the sons. He's known each as they've grown the past few years, as he's known many of the younger who've come to see the exotic imports on his ship.
Jackal nods politely. "Good things I hope."
Widow "...about a week ago, though? Kenji! Did you not talk about seeing something strange out in the woods about a week ago?"
Kenji , the youngest of the three sons, gives Balthasar a smile when his mom hollars for him...
Kenji looks lost in thought for a bit, and then nods.
Finnre`Merayen silently prays to the Unconquered Sun that she go unrecognized.
Kenji ::None of them would know you; you're not a local. Even Jackal has lived here for a few years...::
Kenji "Now that I think about it, yes. That was when I was out late tending to the Herd, and I saw some strange lights out in the Woods. They were quite beautiful; I think I stayed and watched for about 15 minutes or so, until they stopped."
Skyla "What color were they?"
Finnre`Merayen looks to Balthasar.
Kenji ::Anoj, the older brother, just looks on disapproving -- it's not good to stare at strange lights in the woods.::
Kenji "Brilliant white, and a grayish-purple, I think, mostly."
Balthasar blinks a few times.
Skyla looks over at her companions
Balthasar glances back at the inscrutable mask. Then to the others.
Kenji ::How odd...::
Balthasar About how long ago, again?
Kenji "The white light was very strong, a glowing aura, the grayish-purple one was stranger though...like there was more there that I couldn't see? Just an edge of light, like a rim...."
Kenji "Oh... That'd be... 8 days hence?"
Kenji ::Tanni, the middle brother, nods.:: "8 days; I'm fairly sure."
Widow "Does this mean anything especial to you, then?"
Skyla "It sounds quite beautiful."
Skyla "Well there are certain gods and other powerful beings, that have auras like you describe. It does not tell us whether they are helpful or harmful though, as it depends on who they are."
Finnre`Merayen nods slowly. It all makes sense... even the aura, if her suspicions were correct.
Kenji just nods...
Kenji "I thought as much."
Jackal glances at Sky for a moment, letting the others do the talking.
Finnre`Merayen "No, I don't know of anything quite like the second one. It sounds quite interesting."
Kenji "And you said this was a battle of some sorts??"
Kenji gets a little shiver down his spine; he's glad he didn't go get a closer look...
Balthasar 's face is mostly plain, though. He's not grinning anymore, but possibly thinking.
Skyla "It looked like it. There was some blood on the ground, and the area was a bit torn up."
Balthasar It... had to be a battle. Yes. Definitely.
Finnre`Merayen "There were trees cut, and someone lost some blood. Nothing too serious though, since they did wander away later."
Widow`Binna just nods...
Balthasar coughs.
Balthasar In any event, it's very good to know that all is well here.
Balthasar 's composure returns, as does his casual grin.
Balthasar You could understand, though, our concern.
Skyla "It is! In fact, I was wondering if you were celebrating some good news?"
Widow "Thank you for your worry though; I'll be sure to keep my boys out of harms way, in any event. Strange that such a thing would happen near to our humble farm..."
Widow`Binna just nods, and she clearly appreciates it.
Anoj decides that he'll definately be making sure the doors are barred at night.
Balthasar Well, I'm sure if there were some reason for them to come here, you would be the one who knew. In cases such as these, I would guess they merely passed by. It could have been anyone's stead.
Widow`Binna nods again; that makes sense to her at least.
Widow "Regardless of why you came, would you like to stop and have a little lunch? We had to slaughter one of our pigs, and are having a bit of fine pork this afternoon. It turned out quite good, and we have more than enough."
Balthasar smiles assuredly. "Madam Binna, we would be honored."
Balthasar looks apologetic.
Finnre`Merayen looks to Balthasar and Skyla, then nods. "Thank you, Madam Binna."
Skyla "Why did you have to slaughter it?"
Widow "Ah, think nothing of it..."
Kenji ::Explains, while she serves you all, that they had quite a surplus of pigs at the moment. More than they could feed the entire winter, and they hadn't managed to sell all their extras at the Harvest Faire, so they were taking advantage. A little extra meat never hurt anyone.::
Kenji ::A nice long lunch afterwards, and you all are off onto the trail again, heading off into the woods...::
Kenji ::Later that day, toward the evening, as the Sun begins to sink down below the Horizon. Soon, you'll have to find a place to stop and rest for the night, but you know you'll be wanting to make as much time as you can, and there's still more than enough light to see by...::
Kenji ::Mera, in the distance, can see that someone else has already set up camp -- there's a campfire, a bit ahead.::
Finnre`Merayen stops the others with a low hiss... "There are lights up ahead. A camp."
Skyla leads the way!
ST ::Merayen, used to being on the look out for such sights, is by far the first to notice.::
Balthasar squints, looking into the distance. "Eh?"
Finnre`Merayen "Perhaps we should be cautious and scout this first..."
Balthasar shrugs.
Balthasar We could go forth one at a time.
Finnre`Merayen thinks. "I can scout it, then come back and say if it's safe. I'm used to doing that."
Balthasar nods slowly.
Balthasar Alright.
Jackal "Alright, just yell if there's trouble..."
Finnre`Merayen nods and moves into the darkness, melting away silently. She slowly creeps towards the camp, watching to stop when she can clearly make out what is going on there."
Balthasar folds his arms beneath his cloak.
Balthasar Hell, I'm just a sailor. Sneak up and scout around?
Balthasar sighs.
Balthasar No, I'm not that man.
ST ::The camp seems to belong to a woodsman, by the look of it. Furs are hung up along the periphery of the camp, a fair sized haul from the look of it, with a bit of meat carefully packed and similarly hung from the trees to keep it out of reach of most predators. A number of supplies are tightly packed near the center of the camp, along with a sleeping-mat, not far from the large fire-pit.::
ST ::The entire camp smells of smoked venison, which is currently roasting on a spit above the fire, the Woodsman himself slowly turning the meat over to get a even golden brown.::
ST ::He's dressed mostly in heavy furs and leather, seemingly hand-stitched, and seems very much like someone who rarely if ever sees civilized lands. A wild mane of black hair falls down to his shoulders, his beard similarly unrestrained. Seemingly strong and rugged, he doesn't seem to have noticed your approach, simply working on his dinner...::
Finnre`Merayen moves back towards the other members of the party, "It seems to be a woodsman, safe from what I can see."
Balthasar uncrosses his arms, nodding.
Finnre`Merayen waves an arm and leads on.
Balthasar Well, I still think we should only go in one at a time.
Balthasar holds up his open palm in a "Hold on" gesture.
Finnre`Merayen stops
Balthasar If he's friendly, it won't be as frightening to only see us one at a time.
Balthasar And if he's unfriendly, he'll play his cards early.
Balthasar May I?
Balthasar nods to the campsite.
Finnre`Merayen nods
Balthasar smiles.
Finnre`Merayen "Please, you're better at close combat anyway."
Balthasar I'll come and get you if things go well. If things do not, I will call a flash of light, as a signal.
Balthasar sets forward soon after that comment, his stride bold compared to the stealthy efforts of Merayen just minutes earlier. No doubt many signs betray his approach, though he keeps his stride slow and unalarming.
Skyla watches Balthasar go, a little worried for him.
Huntsman does, indeed, glance up and look into the shadows as Balthasar appears -- showing no sign of having been expecting visitors.
Huntsman gives the fellow a smile.
Jackal watches Balthasar go on, waiting for his signal and hoping he doesn't get stabbed...
Balthasar calls, at the edge of the camp's light, "Ho, Trapper!" he says. He then bows shortly, "If I may intrude."
Huntsman "Greetings," he says, accented Riverspeak. "Feel free; there is room by the fire."
Balthasar drops into the familiar cadences of Riverspeak immediately, "Oh good, a fellow tradesman?"
Balthasar continues, in Riverspeak:
Balthasar I've a group of friends that I travel with. I came first so as not to alarm you, as things grow dark. May we all sit by your fire?
Masati watches the 4 she has been following from deep withing the shadows
Huntsman speaks with, you think, a Necharan accent... Far from home, this huntsman.
Huntsman "Ah; I appreciate your warning. Of course; you and your friends are welcome to share the fire. Though I warn you, just once, that I have little patience for Bandits or Ruffians."
Balthasar laughs.
Huntsman goes back to cooking his dinner, at that.
Skyla "It looks like he's not being skewered..."
Balthasar reaches out with his hand, to shake the Huntsman's. "I am Balthasar tal Valt, Captain of the Evening Crest. We are no threat."
Finnre`Merayen nods, "Yes, it does appear that way. I suspect we can join soon."
Huntsman glances up at the hand, and idly shakes it, giving him a good.
Balthasar with that, sets off back towards the rest, waving as he advances.
Huntsman "That is good to hear,"
Huntsman then watches you go, before turning his attention back to his meal.
Jackal "Good. I could use a fire right about now..."
Balthasar calls out, "Alright, it's okay! Come have a seat."
Skyla hurries to Balthasar's side, "I'm glad you're okay."
Balthasar grins, "Well, our new friend here may not have told me his name yet, but he isn't that rude."
Finnre`Merayen follows slowly and takes a seat near the huntsman.
Huntsman glances at the others as they come, giving Merayen a little bit of attention -- and then a bit more, even, than the armor warrants. She hopes she hasn't heard about that 'Maimed Goddess' stuff...that could get ackward.
Finnre`Merayen smooths the armor to lay properly as she sits, giving a nod to the huntsman. "Finnre Merayen."
Balthasar introduces everyone as he shows them into the light, and then has a seat in view of the Hunter.
Huntsman "I am Necha," he notes, quietly, once everyone has introduced themselves.
Jackal heads for the fire and takes a seat near the fire.
Balthasar is, however, unable to beat Merayen to the punch of her own introduction ;-)
Jackal "Jackal." He warms his hands near the fire.
Huntsman "Large group; five of you, eh?"
Skyla smiles in a friendly fashion, and takes a seat near Balth.
Balthasar winds up only introducing Skyla!
Balthasar raises a brow.
Balthasar No, just four. Why?
Masati "May I share the fire?" a quiet timid voice asks from the shadows
Huntsman glances at the new figure, and grins a bit, turning his deer a bit.
Huntsman "Why not."
Huntsman waves her in.
Finnre`Merayen looks around, then glances at Masati... "Hello?"
Balthasar blinks, looking up.
Huntsman ::It's...one of the villagers.::
Masati shyly comes closer and finds and empty place next to the fire
Skyla blinks at Masati, "Oh... hello. You're from Nulam aren't you? New, though..."
Huntsman ::Xocoltl, the large black panther, remains out in the shadows beyond the camp... Hunters, especially, make him nervous...::
Balthasar Hold on, I recognize you.
Finnre`Merayen "Welcome... I'm afraid I don't know your name."
Masati "Everyone just calls me Masiti"
Balthasar Uh...
Balthasar Did you follow us here, from the village, Masiti?
Balthasar looks puzzled.
Huntsman watches this all, somewhat amused.
Huntsman continues to turn his deer; it's cooking quite well.
Balthasar ((...Okay, now loot the deer! Loot it!))
Masati nods her head as if following strangers in the woods was the most natural thing in the world
Jackal studies Masati for a moment, letting Balthasar as the important question on this one...why are village girls following them around?
Huntsman cuts a bit of meat off, and takes a bit, to see how it's cooking...
Balthasar looks even more incredulous than he did when he first asked. "Really, now? Why?"
Skyla "Uh... yeah... why follow us?"
Balthasar How?
Huntsman ::None of you saw a THING. Including Merayen.::
Masati "I was told too...and I walked"
Finnre`Merayen is a bit suprised, and looks over this girl carefully. "Told by who, if I might ask?"
Skyla blinks
Masati "By the old wise-woman, Madaska"
Finnre`Merayen is about 5'7", wearing lamellar armor and a masked helm. She has dark hair and eyes, the hair bound down her back in a short braid. She seems to be very self concious, and tries to cover almost all of her skin in armor. The mask is of a beautiful woman.
Finnre`Merayen seems very imposing and something isn't quite right about how she looks, even covered by armor such is obvious.
Balthasar is a long-limbed, dusky-skinned man, wearing what appears to be a long, sternly fastened black silk coat, embroidered with gold trim. Several sashes are bound around his waist, the knots sequenced along the sheath of a very intricately-hilted blade. His pitch black hair is braided in certain spots, strung with small colored beads in those spots, but is otherwise tied behind his head.
Huntsman is a tall, broad fellow with a LOT of hair, as described above! Dressed in furs and leather that looks hand-stitched (probably by the Huntsman himself). He looks very much like someone who very verrrrrry rarely goes anywhere "civilized"; an accomplished Woodsman.
Balthasar Madaska? Dear me.
Finnre`Merayen "Who is Madaska?"
Skyla sits by the fire, a tall girl, about 16, and radiantly beautiful, although she does not seem terribly aware of it. She is sleekly muscled, and carries herself easily, if not gracefully. She is wearing a set of custom-made armor that fits her perfectly, made of solid steel with engraved motifs of Tigers in various poses, all of them radiating strength. The shining steel seems to only highlight her beauty, and enhance he
Huntsman continues turning the deer; it needs a bit more...
Balthasar She's one of the Elders in Nulam. An accomplished thaumaturge.
Masati is a pretty, young girl (18-20) with pale skin and long black hair. She has green eyes and is wearing a pale green dress that is amazingly clean. At 5'7 she has a slight, willowy build and appears unarmed.
Balthasar I have to confess I'm a bit confused. I didn't know Madaska even paid us much mind.
Jackal is warming himself by the fire, he's an older man, looks to be in his late 30's, early 40's with light brown skin and brown eyes, he has a few scars and is wearing a cold weather coat. He currently has an old looking spear at his side and there's the glint of some sort of metal under his coat.
Jackal "I remembered she screamed and threw as fiash at me once..."
Skyla The shining steel seems to only highlight her beauty, and enhance her figure. Long blue-green hair is pulled over her shoulder, the long, thick braid reaching past her knees. Near her, rests a truly enormous smithing hammer, wrapped all in leather, with the head covered by a protective leather hood that is also tooled with images of tigers. The tool is as tall as she is, but she carries it with ease, as if it weighed nothing.
Jackal "I figured dealing with the supernatural just made her a bit..excentric."
Skyla "Madaska? Why would she want you to follow us?"
Huntsman also glances, now and again, at the massive hammer. Less conspicious than the massive Orichalcum head, though, even if it is positively huge...
Masati "I was a little unclear on that myself, actually. I'm also fairly sure that she was completly mad"
Huntsman goes back to cooking his dear...
Huntsman ((Nah, she was always like that.))
Balthasar 's eyes narrow slightly in speculation, "You must have had some other compulsion, if you thought she was mad."
Huntsman ::The Hunter, of course, also has a bow nearby, some arrows, a few knives, and a short sword within easy reach. Few Huntsmen travel unnarmed; hell, few people travel unnarmed...::
Finnre`Merayen pulls out Kodo and Podo to feed them, while near the fire, listening to them speak of this woman she had never known.
Skyla "Mad perhaps, but she knew things nobody else could."
Balthasar then shakes his head, "No, nevermind. We can speak of it later.
Skyla "Can I hold one of your ferrets? They're so cute!"
Balthasar grins, "I'm glad you made it to us safely, it doesn't seem like the way is perfectly safe."
Finnre`Merayen smiles and carefully holds out Podo to Skyla. "That's Podo, if you couldn't tell."
Masati shrugs "My guess is that the things she knew did things to her. But it's really only a guess"
Huntsman picks at the meat, and nods...
Huntsman "I believe that's done,"
Huntsman peels off some of the meat, and offers it to whomever wants some...
Skyla takes Podo from Merayen carefully and holds him up in front of her "Hello little one!" she grins, and cautiously scratches him behind the ears.
Finnre`Merayen nods. "It smells like it. Thank you." She takes the offered meat.
Balthasar Very gracious of you, Necha.
Balthasar accepts it, as well.
Skyla "Thank you.. I love venison.. do you like venison, Podo?"
Masati "Thank you, that's very kind"
Masati takes some of the meat and starts eating with small dainty bites
Huntsman gets some meat for himself last of all, eating...
Jackal accepts it and nods to the huntsman, not one to take free food for granted!
Huntsman "Would your cat like some meat too?"
Huntsman glances at Masati?
Finnre`Merayen sighs as she lays Kodo in her lap to remove the helm from her head, revealing a face scarred deeply and old.
Huntsman 's brown eyes Twinkle.
Balthasar , too polite to continue showing open skepticism of the cirucmstances, he instead displays some skilled small-talk while he dines.
Masati looks behind her curiously. "Well I suppose that's up to him. He don't imagine he gets on well with hunters"
Huntsman ::Xocoltl, from the shadows, kinda purrs confusedly and upset -- how'd this one see him? There's something not right here, he feels...::
Skyla "You have a cat?"
Huntsman ::None the less, the great Black Panther slips slowly forward...::
Balthasar Cat?
Huntsman ::The HUGE Black Panther...::
Balthasar 's small-talk halts.
Skyla "Wow, that's a big cat."
Huntsman ::Skyla, the only real native of the area, recognizes him immediately. Xocoltl!::
Balthasar 's eyes widen at the sight of the panther. Then, after a few moments, he realizes that he certainly didn't see a panther out there.
Skyla blinks and stares at him for a few minutes
Finnre`Merayen is unsuprised... if this one could hide, it makes sense that she would have a companion that would hide just as easily as herself.
Skyla "Wait a minute, that's not a CAT"
Masati smiles at the panther, just like she would a kitten, and offers him some meat
Huntsman ::That's the Panther That Did Not Fall! The one that survived 13 years of Dynastic Hunting Parties, and managed to turn the tables on more than a few Hunting Parties...::
Skyla "That's XOCOLTL!"
Jackal glances at the cat for a moment, not sure if this is a threat or just another bit of dinner theatre. He decides to just continue eatting.
Huntsman smiles at the Cat, and gives Misati some more meat to feed him.
Balthasar is, however, now turning his scrutiny to the Hunter. "Eh?" he asks distractedly, "Xocoltl?"
Huntsman "You not heard of Xocoltl? He's quite the legend around these parts, I hear."
Finnre`Merayen decides she's too young to let herself go being suprised by just any animal... even such a fine and majestic one as this was."
Masati listens to the hunter, intently, always happy to hear stories
Finnre`Merayen "I was going to ask myself... I'm new to this area."
Huntsman nods softly, and checks to see if Skyla would rather share the tale -- or Misati, for that matter, though she doesn't know it nearly as well as some of the locals.
Balthasar smiles slowly at the Huntsman, "No; would you tell me of Xocoltl, Necha?"
Skyla stumbles to her feet, and stares at him warily, "He's legendary! He's the Panther that Did Not Fall... since even before I came to the village, he's been avoiding hunters' traps, and killing those that tried to take his pelt!
Jackal "Don't look at me. I don't pay too much attention to stories about giant panthers and the like...of course in this case it might have a bit of merit." Smiles and continues to eat.
Huntsman just nods, softly.
Masati immediatly casts Skyla a wary look, waiting to see if she's going to do anything
Skyla "How come he's... he's eating from your hand? Coming to the fire of a Hunter?"
Skyla "Are you some kind of spirit?"
Huntsman "The Dynasts, you see, they used to have a hunting lodge about midway between Nulam and their city of Grayforks. Deep in the wilderness. Sometimes, they'd come out in small hunting parties of 5 or 6 and spend a few weeks chasing after Panthers, Tyrant Lizards, and other such game. Most of the Panthers in the region are dead, in fact."
Masati looks at Skyla "because he's hungry..."
Balthasar focuses on Necha, pondering him as he speaks.
Huntsman "But Xocoltl never died; he managed to send the Hunting Parties back on more than a few occasions. They say he has a soul of ever-burning fire, and a fierceness. More than a few have sought to claim him, ever since the Dynasts abandoned their lodge."
Finnre`Merayen It makes perfect sense to me. Why would a panther not come to the fire if hungry?
Skyla sliiides a hand onto the haft of her hammer, just in case.
Huntsman "Oh, and plus, just look at them."
Huntsman "There is a deep bond between those two, I feel."
Balthasar Hm?
Huntsman nods a bit.
Huntsman regards Misati and the Panther.
Balthasar Your name is Necha, you say?
Huntsman is, Balthasar suspects, not a mere Hunter.
Finnre`Merayen looks to Podo, who crawls up to curl against Skyla's neck.
Masati continues to watch Skyla and edges closer to the big cat, not paying attention to anyone else
Huntsman is, in fact, a God of some sorts...
Balthasar As in, the land, Necha?
Skyla "And who are you, that you can tell that Xocoltl is bonded to this girl-spirit thing?
Huntsman just grins a bit at Balthasar.
Balthasar I thought it was just a native's name.
Balthasar But it isn't, is it?
Masati widenes her eyes and looks mildly offended at being called 'a girl-spirit thing'
Masati I am not a thing.
Skyla "What are you then, that you can command Xocolotl?" she sounds alarmed, and there is a hint of fear in her voice.
Huntsman smiles a bit, nodding lightly...
Balthasar laughs.
Masati I command nothing, he is a friend.
Finnre`Merayen She does not command, but is a companion and friend.
Balthasar You had to know we were here, though. And you let me get on like you hadn't any idea?
Skyla "What's going ON?"
Jackal "Calm down Skyla, it's not like an overgrown cat and a ghost or a spirit are going to give us much trouble..."
Huntsman "Aaah; the other one took quite a lot of care in trying to go unobserved -- it would have been rude."
Finnre`Merayen looks to Skyla, and places a hand on her shoulder. "Calm yourself, please."
Balthasar Ha.
Masati "Well there seems to be a quite a bit of 'rude' going around"
Balthasar 's grin fades, as he gradually comes to realize there are other things afoot around the fire.
Balthasar frowns slightly.
Balthasar Wait. What's going on?
Huntsman glances over at Skyla and Masati, deciding not to reveal just who he is juuuust yet.
Skyla "We just discovered a battle scene not far from here, and just got back from rescuing villagers Ravaged by Fae, don't tell me to calm down. Things aren't RIGHT here.. somethings happening, and everything is changing, and I.."
Skyla closes her mouth, and refuses to finish the statement.
Balthasar says, softly, but with marked determination, "Yes. Everything is changing."
Balthasar rises to his feet.
Masati looks at Balthasar "battle scene?"
Balthasar Yes, if you followed us, you must have seen it.
Jackal continues to eat, figuring that they all have plenty of energy to worry about overgrown cats and ghosts.
Finnre`Merayen taps Skyla softly on the shoulder, "May I have Podo back, you're upsetting him."
Balthasar A blood-soaked hollow in the trees.
Masati "Was there a body?"
Huntsman ::Masati can't help but be a bit annoyed at that all oevr again; he was supposed to be /dead/. That'd been a hellish battle...::
Skyla "..sorry.." she gives the ferret back, totally missing the connection between merayen's ferrets and masati's panther.
Finnre`Merayen "No, he survived after some time to rest. He went off alone later on."
Balthasar raises a brow.
Balthasar What do you mean, was there a body?
Masati narrows her eyes and looks thorougly put out
Finnre`Merayen looks to Balthasar, then at this young woman.
Huntsman isn't doing as good a job at hiding his rapt interest as he, perhaps could... This is too exciting, really.
Balthasar Alright. No.
Balthasar No, no.
Skyla "It was you, wasn't it? You were fighting in the woods! With your panther!"
Balthasar Stop. Everything stop.
Balthasar touches his forehead.
Huntsman frowns a bit.
Balthasar pulls his hand away, and where his fingers touched his skin, a golden disk gleams with subdermal incandescence. A Solar Castemark.
Masati sits quietly looking a bit...pouty, like a child who didn't get her way
Balthasar I am Balthasar tal Valt. I am a Chosen One. My friends are Chosen Ones.
Huntsman glances a bit at the Castemark; he'd already known this one was an Eclipse, though...
Balthasar glances between the Hunter and Masati.
Balthasar I have revealed us. Now, please, be courteous. Reveal yourselves.
Huntsman doesn't give up the girls secret if she doesn't want to.
Masati (player is waitng on the gm to answer a question :) )
Huntsman nods, softly, standing -- his current form shifting and falling away, revealing a tall man garbed in "rugged" hunting clothes finer than the finest kings, his long black hair straightening and his beard becoming perfectly proportioned for his angular handsome face...
Finnre`Merayen shrugs now, deciding that she would have prefered to reveal herself, but...
Huntsman "I am Lord Nechantir, Prince of the Hunt in these parts,"
Huntsman bows, lightly.
Huntsman "And lesser divinity,"
Balthasar returns the bow, "An honor, Lord Prince."
Skyla looks at Balthasar, and then to the God as he reveals himself... she gasps..
Huntsman "Forgive my minor prank," he notes with a small smile. "I had not wished to reveal myself; but I see you are too wise for such tricks, Prince of the Earth."
Skyla "I'm sorry, Lord Nechantir... I did not know it was you.."
Balthasar I would not claim wisdom, but circumstances did conspire against the ruse.
Finnre`Merayen bows her head to the God. "A pleasure to know you."
Huntsman isn't particularly worshipped by the Villagers of Nulam, for they don't engage in a lot of hunting.
Skyla bows deeply to Lord Nechantir, to whom many of her people, as well as herself on occasion, have dedicated many hunts to.
Balthasar turns to Masati, "Such as the circumstance of finding a young woman who 'followed' us, yet was out in these parts nearly eight days ago, if I guess right."
Huntsman glances at her, wondering if she'll let slip the secret...
Huntsman can, of course, quite clearly tell that she's an Exalt...
Skyla bows deeply to Lord Nechantir, to whom the odd villager has dedicated a successful hunt to.
Masati looks at Balthasar, thinking
Balthasar states, calmly, "...Eight days ago, when some friends said that lights shone in the darkness."
Finnre`Merayen shrugs and eats more, feeding both Kodo and Podo.
Masati sighs and gives a small shrug "I had a rough day..." she say in a chagrined tone
Jackal glances at Nechantir then at the deer. "Rough day?"
Balthasar 's shoulders loosen slightly.
Balthasar We are all Chosen, here. Except for my Lord Prince.
Balthasar nods to Nechantir.
Huntsman nods back.
Skyla keeps an uneasy eye on Masati, "Chosen by who?"
Balthasar turns back to Masati, and smiles, "So, since we are all revealed, now... We may continue. Without these cumbersome prejudices."
Finnre`Merayen shows her caste mark, a complete golden disk on her forehead as she looks to both the Lord Prince and Masati
Skyla reveals her calling and God, as the half-filled golden circle appears on her brow.
Masati shows her own cast mark, an empty golden circle on her own forehead
Skyla looks around, finding it odd yet strangely..right.. that they each have a different mark.
Balthasar returns to his seat, the chaos abated, and turns back to Nechantir.
Balthasar grins.
Finnre`Merayen nods and continues to feed her ferrets, listening and looking to the God. "If I might ask, why the deception? Just a small amusement, or to test our mettle?"
Lord`Prince "Such are the ways of the Gods, Zenith," he notes, regarding your Castemark. "I often show myself to travellers on the road, to see how I am in turn treated -- though I will admit, once I realized what you were, I was quite curious."
Lord`Prince "It has been centuries, and now it seems like I'm practically tripping over you all."
Lord`Prince "First you, and then that...Opal...character."
Balthasar raises a brow. "Aside from the five of us?"
Skyla "The Wyld... OPAL?"
Skyla "Where is she?"'
Lord`Prince "Opal Blossom, I think she said her name was... Hmmmm?"
Balthasar sighs. "Oh dear."
Finnre`Merayen "Miss Blossom once betrayed something of our trust. We all are very curious to hear news of her."
Lord`Prince "I met her in the woods not some distance outside of Nevin," he notes. Which makes sense -- if she was going to unload the Eye anywhere in the Scavenger Lands, she'd have to pass by Nevin. Presumably she left by road, rather than River, to avoid pursuit if she ran across this God in the Woods...
Skyla "Nevin.. maybe it's in Nevin.."
Masati listens curiously to the news
Lord`Prince "That was almost three weeks ago, however," she notes. "I hope my information will not lead her to any trouble; she was delightful company."
Finnre`Merayen thinks... "Lord Prince, do you know the White Haired Wanderer?"
Skyla "Hah, I bet. Did you find anything of yours missing when she left?"
Balthasar wonders about this White Haired Wanderer business for a moment, still waiting for the chance to speak again.
Lord`Prince hrmmms a bit; "I seldom travel near roads," he notes, a bit disdainfully. "I am familiar with him, however."
Masati quirks a delicate eyebrow at Skyla, guessing that the Opal woman was, indeed, going to have trouble
Lord`Prince doesn't deign to answer the theft question; as if someone would steal from him ;)
Finnre`Merayen nods. "I understand. I myself prefer the path untrodden by others, but sometimes the road must be taken."
Lord`Prince "Not all can engage in an endless Hunt," he agrees.
Lord`Prince glances, then, at Balthasar -- sensing that he has something else to ask...
Finnre`Merayen thinks quietly, deciding to wait for a while, but having another question.
Balthasar mentions, slowly, glancing around as he does, "I wondered if you knew of the nearby Hill Folk."
Balthasar We follow them, and if you knew any news, it would be well-recieved
Lord`Prince ::The Lord Prince of the Hunt nods softly, listening to your question -- he is much more familiar with the Hill Folk than he is with the people of Nulam, as they are Hunters and Herders. Even so, he is not their primary God...and, in fact, Balthasar suspects he is a much smaller God than he perhaps puts on. None the less, he has a little information...::
Skyla keeps an eye on Masati, wondering who it was she was fighting
Lord`Prince ::He believes that, much as you suspected, a new leader has come among the Tribes -- a leader who is not entirely mortal. One of the Shapeshifters, you suspected, though he didn't say as much...::
Lord`Prince ::Once that conversation began to die down, Merayen brought up the Fair Folk -- of that subject, the Hunters God knew little. Her Freehold was, it turned out, outside of the Gods traditional territory and he'd not heard anything about them. None the less, it was interesting to know, with her sending Ravagers here...::
Lord`Prince ::Gods have little love for the Fair Folk. He would keep an eye open.::
Lord`Prince ::The use of the camp was offered, and after a bit more conversation and the telling of tales, you all eventually drifted off to sleep. When you awoke in the morning, the fire remained but the camp...and the God...was gone.::
Lord`Prince ::The next days travel goes quickly; Skyla begins to recognize more of the landmarks, as she grows closer to the Settlement she'd been heading toward...::
Lord`Prince ::They should reach their destination about mid-morning, if she's correct. They'd made good time.::
Jackal "So a shapeshifter? One of those monsters from the wyld? That's not good..."
Skyla "Is that who you were fighting?" She asks Masati, whom she still does not entirely trust, but has not threatened since the first time she placed her hand on the Dalias.
Finnre`Merayen shakes her head... moving towards Balthasar and motioning for them to drift back some.
Balthasar complies quietly, his hands crossed behind his back and his expression serene.
Masati walks quietly next to Skyla
Masati "I'm pretty sure it wasn't a shape shifter."
Finnre`Merayen Do you think you could speak to Skyla? I know that Masati is new, and that doesn't mean she need be trusted, but neither has she done anything hostile.
Balthasar raises a brow.
Skyla "So it didn't change shape when you fought it... what did it do?"
Finnre`Merayen Skyla seems to trust and respect you greatly... looking to you almost as a relative, I daresay.
Balthasar seems a bit surprised he even needs to say it, but does, "Nothing will happen with me present."
Balthasar levels Merayen with a steely gaze, "And there's no exceptions to that. None of you will go against another on my watch. Believe me."
Finnre`Merayen I know, but even now, she is verbally hostile. Such does not engender trust or positive action.
Masati "It was doing something in the fields...something bad. I took offense and wanted to stop it before it did anthing. He called himself the Crimsom Executioner"
Balthasar nods ahead, where Skyla and Masati walk side-by-side chatting, even now.
Balthasar I think you need to reevaluate your concerns.
Finnre`Merayen sounds insulted, "I would not think to bring harm to anyone of our party."
Balthasar You do not need to think of it. I am here.
Skyla "Why don't you answer my questions? You say things, but you don't tell me what happened. What are you trying to hide?"
Jackal keeps an eye on their flank, not wanting to be attacked by any mad wyld monster, esecialy after all of those stories he heard from the older soldiers.
Finnre`Merayen looks ahead and sees agitation... "And I think you need reevaluate your vision of Skyla."
Finnre`Merayen sighs and steps back forward to join the others after saying, "I'll trust you to keep the peace."
Balthasar says, calmly, "I've got my eye on everyone. Relax and let me stress the peace."
Balthasar watches her walk forward, and smiles slightly when his face is undetected. No doubt Merayen identifies strongly with what she sees to be an outcast. Yet, what this new young woman is, he himself is still pondering.
Masati "I am answering your question. He wanted to do something, i'm not sure what, but i didn't want him to do it. So I stopped him. As to who he was, I told, as to what...my guess is a deathknight."
Balthasar however, doesn't at all buy this "concerned about Skyla" nonsense. Of course she is. Everyone is concerned about everyone. That's not the reason.
Finnre`Merayen nods as she comes forward. "I would say your assessment is likely correct. From what I've heard, he certainly seemed like the deathknight I encountered once."
Balthasar comes up on the two girls soon.
Balthasar keeps pace alongside Merayen, though, behind them.
Skyla "A deathknight? I guess that would explain the black aura.. I've heard about them... There's a shadowland close to here."
Jackal notices everyone bunching up and approaches. "Something come up?"
Masati gives a shrug and smiles "I'll get back to him eventually."
Balthasar Masati, apparently, had a conflict with someone our Merayen is familiar with.
Skyla "What about Opal Blossom? Have you met her?"
Masati "Not as far as I know"
Finnre`Merayen No no, the deathknight I saw was a woman... and she was at Thorns. This need not be related.
Skyla describes her in detail
Balthasar Ah.
Lord`Prince ::Nope; Masati has never run into Opal Blossom...::
Masati shakes her head "Sorry but she doesn't sound familiar"
Jackal "Well if they're hiding out in the shadowland I think that's reason enough to turn over a few rocks in there."
Finnre`Merayen But, I saw how they worked in battle, so I've come to understand a bit about them.
Skyla "Yeah... when you pointed towards where they'd gone, that's where you pointed."
Lord`Prince ::Sky imagines she's probably dressed in, like, silk and covered in jewelry by now if she's sold the Claw. It must have brought her a Fortune... Meh.::
Lord`Prince ::On the other hand...your getting close to the Settlement! You should reach it fairly soon!::
Skyla scowls, picturing Opal Blossom covered in fine jewels... then squished flat. She smiles.
Finnre`Merayen smiles to at least see Skyla not focusing her upset on young Masati anymore.
Lord`Prince ::The small settlement of the Hill Folk looks much as Skyla remembers it, from the time immediately after her Exaltation. A small ring of extremely roughly assembled buildings, gathered around a central building that severs as a meeting place and feast hall, and ringed by a loose barricate of sharp wooden poles.::
Lord`Prince ::The Circle manuevers around to approach the settlement from its front, walking as visitors and ambassadors, getting a feel for the Hill Folk as they do so...::
Lord`Prince ::The main difference between the settlement and Nulam is a slight air of violence and strife, and the dependence on herding rather than farming among the people that live there. Even without considering the outlying farms, the Settlement is also much smaller than your own village -- maybe consisting of five or so families. Yet it is just one of many such settlements threaded through the area, and in total the Hill Folk
Lord`Prince ::The Feast Hall is by far the most elaborate of the buildings in the settlement, and the oldest. Constructed with care and no small amount of ritual, each section of it bearing carved images or idols to the Tribes gods or its long lost Ancestors, the Feast Hall serves as the center of all culture for the Hill Folk -- so it is that your eyes immediately fall upon it, and your path naturally takes you in its direction.::
Lord`Prince ::Most of the Barbarians gathered around glare at you, and you can't help but feel a little unwelcome. No one makes any unkind word, and a few people lightly nod at Skyla as they recognize her. It's not long, though, before you all hear a yelled greeting and see a young green-haired woman running toward you. A few months pregnant, wearing the same clothes as everyone else, it takes Skyla a few moments to recognize Janna
Skyla "Oh, Suns, is that you Janna? Janna!" she squeals and hurls herself forward to hug her friend, being careful not to squeeze her too hard
Janna smiles, running up and giving you a huge hug! "Skyla! It's been over a year; I've missed you!!! Did you find your...claw-thing?"
Janna pulls back and smiles happily at her friend.
Finnre`Merayen smiles and stays back.
Balthasar 's eyes sweep the barbarians around him. He doesn't seem, at all, afraid. Instead, his gaze is evidently analytical and studious. He notes their clothing, their architecture, and in particular, he notes their interest in himself and his allies.
Masati hangs back a bit, her gaze casting around the people around them
Skyla scowls, her beautiful visage darkening, "No, this bitch pretended to be our friend, and then STOLE it! can you BELIEVE?"
Janna frowns a bit, and pats your forehead a bit.
Janna "I'm sorry,"
Janna "While you were away, I was wed..." *smiles softly* "Now I'm having a child!"
Skyla "I see!" her face clears, and she beams, "Who's the lucky man?"
Jackal glances around at the less than friendly welcome but atleast there's one friendly face.
Janna ::The Barbarians keep their distance, not spending too much time glaring or staring at the Circle -- most of them, indeed, turning their attention elsewhere or getting back to their other tasks once they notice Balthasar's attention.::
Janna ::The homes are fairly shoddy compared to most of the construction in Nulam, even on the farms, but seem sturdy and strong enough. The Feast All, of course, is a veritable work of art...::
Finnre`Merayen focuses little on the village and rather on the joyful reunion occuring before her.
Janna "One of the local herders; he is a very nice man, and was very patient with me." *smiles* "It has been hard.... after you freed me from the Guild."
Janna ::You remember; Janna just wasn't the same.::
Janna gives you a kiss on the cheek, and smiles.
Janna "I cannot thank you enough."
Balthasar glances over to Janna slowly, and blinks at her a few times.
Janna "I imagine you did not come because of me; you are concerned by the attacks, yes?"
Skyla "I just wish... I wish you didn't have to go through all that... before... "
Jackal mutters to Balthasar. "Well I don't *See* and beastmen atleast..."
Balthasar nods to Jackal.
Janna ::Indeed, there are no Beastmen... Nor any great shapeshifting Barbarians...::
Skyla nods solemnly "Yeah... what's happened?"
Janna ::The place does seem to be on something of a martial footing...::
Balthasar whispers back, "Well, everyone seemed normal. But they're afraid of us, just the same."
Janna nods, and notes: "Let us go talk in my husbands house,"
Janna gestures for Skyla and her friends to come.
Skyla follows Janna inside
Janna smiles lightly at Jackal, the only one she vaguely remembers, from the time after he first Exalted...
Finnre`Merayen follows close behind inside.
Masati looks at the obviouse warrior and whispers to Balthasar "I'd be afraid of you too"
Balthasar looks surprised, "I'm not that frightening, am I?"
Balthasar begins to follow the rest towards the husband's abode, but pauses outside, and looks at Misati.
Janna leads them into a very small, very humble dwelling with a single fire-pit in the middle and ventalation holes for the smoke to exit, some bed-mats here and there, lots of straw and materials.. The ground is mostly hard-pack, but covered in places with heavy rugs or furs. The Hill Folk live /very/ simply...
Masati "Well you are certainly don't look like you are from around here and different is scary to a lot of people"
Jackal follow Janna and Sky. "So what are you going to name it?" He smiles and pats her on the back.
Balthasar grins, "Oh. Well, yes, I do seem a bit out of place, I suppose. I don't know."
Balthasar holds the way open for Misati, before going in himself.
Finnre`Merayen takes up a seat on the floor, kneeling there. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Skyla sits don around the fire-pit
Janna "We have not decided yet; such decisions can only be made once the Child is seen and his soul can be measured."
Janna smiles lightly.
Janna sits down around the firepit, as well, carefully...perhaps even with a bit of assistance.
Janna "My husband is out with his herds, so we can talk here privately."
Masati gives Balthasar a small flirty curtsey and finds her own seat
Jackal sits down on one of the hides, leaving his spear outside the door of the house out of respect.
Janna "It all began some time after you left. We had heard rumors, and rumblings, that one of the Silver Gods of the Tribes had emerged and was arming his people for war. To take back the lands that belonged to them, drive out the Guild and the weak folk who huddle in the cities. Most paid it only little heed; such rumors can spread on their own, often, and most of the people here have long since lost their taste for raiding in an
Balthasar crouches next to the gathering crowd at the fire pit, and sits calmly.
Janna "Then the Silver God came here,"
Janna glances down at the Fire...
Janna ::Knows, of course, what Skyla is...what Jackal is... Most likely, she guesses -- and, indeed, the entire Settlement guesses -- what all of you are. That is the reason they were so wary of them. Five gods just walked into their settlement, or so they suspect.::
Balthasar gradually tunes into the conversation, until his brow is arched in interest.
Skyla "What happened?"
Skyla puts her arm around Janna's shoulders, comfortingly
Finnre`Merayen listens carefully, examining everything that Janna says.
Janna "He was glorious; I have never seen his like. He was tall, and broad shouldered, with straight silver hair and eyes as clear as perfect sapphires. He spoke with raw conviction, and his words were much as the rumors we had heard, but all paid them vastly more attention than the rumors."
Janna "After one evening, the herders of this simple settlement were ready to raise up their spears and fight against the men. But,"
Janna "That was not what the Silver God wished -- he took the strongest of our men, including my Husband's brother, and took them with him to train under him. And to the rest of the men, he told them to train amongst themselves and ready themselves. That is what the raids have been; people seeking practice at war. Not all of them have been against your villages."
Janna pauses a bit...
Skyla "But some of them have..."
Janna "I warned him," she says, looking up and pausing at Skyla. "I spoke up to him, and told him that the Villages along the Sarine Valley had gods of their own. And that you would defend the Village of Nulam."
Masati listens quietly
Balthasar 's face has gone quite neutral.
Janna "I have seen you in combat, and my words were heeded -- the Silver God took me into the Feast Hall and spoke with me at length of you, and of you,"
Skyla "What does your husband's brother look like? I can make sure he is not harmed by us."
Janna glances over at Jackal...
Janna "He said that he does not truly care of your villages, but that when the time came, they would be burn and pillaged liked all the others -- unless you were strong enough to prove that your lands should be spared. He told me, when you came -- and he was confident that you would -- that I should tell you that."
Finnre`Merayen clenches her fist slowly, feeling a slow anger begin to burn in her belly... attacks as "practice at war"? It was horrible.
Janna looks at Jackal, particularly.
Janna "He seemed especially keen to match his wits with you,"
Janna bows her heads a bit...
Janna also, for Skyla, describes her husband's brother...
Skyla scowls, "The people here were at peace... there was no need for this! He should turn his efforts against the Golden Warlord, not our people!"
Balthasar smiles, and inclines his head, "If you will excuse me one moment."
Janna ::...or Madaan.::
Jackal "Hmph. Where is he?"
Balthasar rises smoothly to his feet.
Masati raises one eyebrow just a bit, but appears unaffected by the news
Janna glances at Balthasar as he leaves...
Masati curious, gracefully rises to her feet and quietly follows after Balthasar
Balthasar drifts outside, and again analyzes the barbarian village. His eyes narrow slightly as he takes in the features a second time. A Silver God, eh?
Janna "He dwells in Caer Dharrow," he notes. A great lost Ruin of the East, in the exact center of the lands most heavily settled by this particular People. "I do not know exactly, but he said that any who thought themselves worthy should go there and seek to prove themselves."
Finnre`Merayen guesses what Balthasar is at, and looks to Janna. "So, does he wish to match wits with just Skyla, or any of us?"
Janna ::Glancing around a second time, Balthasar can indeed see the subtle signs of a village upturned via having a fair number of people leave it...::
Janna "I did not know of any except Skyla and Jackal," she notes.
Masati quietly walks up behind Balthasar. "That looked like an important thought" she whispers
Balthasar nods to himself, his weathered hands going to his chin, in a customary gesture of consideration.
Janna "But it was Jackal that he seemed most interested in."
Balthasar I'm not sure just yet. It might not be the right thought to have.
Finnre`Merayen rises to her feet from her knees. She bows to Janna, "Thank you, I think I should prepare." She turns and walks out angry visage hidden behind her mask.
Balthasar nods to himself, slowly, "But I do think I'm going to try it, anyway."
Masati "Oh? Is there such a thing as a 'wrong'thought"
Balthasar blinks.
Masati "I mean there may be wrong actions, but can there be a wrong thought?"
Balthasar looks puzzled.
Finnre`Merayen turns to Balthasar. "I think that I wish to speak with this 'God' sooner than later. We know where he lays down now."
Balthasar Maybe not. But is there a better idea, I wonder?
Balthasar Hmm?
Jackal nods to Janna. "Thank you for your help."
Balthasar Yes, I agree. As soon as possible.
Masati "That there might me...what was the thought?"
Jackal "Tell me, the god. Does he have any men like animals with him?"
Janna just nods, softly...
Janna "I owe you all so much; it is as nothing."
Janna smiles at Skyla.
Balthasar doesn't answer, but instead lapses into silence, his hand rising from his chin, and covering his mouth contemplatively.
Finnre`Merayen still has clenched hands, and her voice sounds tense, ready to burst as a child's bubble.
Balthasar notes Merayen's anxiety, after a moment, "What's wrong?"
Finnre`Merayen "If he can convince me that those people deserved to have their homes razed, only then will I not seek to see him struck down should he decide to not end this folly of his."
Masati stands quietly next to the two warriors, listening
Finnre`Merayen I can not stand by and listen to the cries of those who deserve the aegis of power. Power such as his should protect, not be used as a sword indescriminately.
Balthasar smirks.
Finnre`Merayen I will see peace in this land in some way... even should he need to die to fulfill it.
Balthasar I do not see malice in this. There are no dead left here.
Balthasar I see mistakes.
Balthasar And brashness.
Skyla falls into a light chatter with Janna, catching up on the year and more that they have been apart
Finnre`Merayen But, first, we must speak to the people here.
Balthasar I think this Silver God is young. Possibly as young as I.
Jackal "Someone should stay back at Nulam, he might make a move for it while I make my way to him." Stands.
Finnre`Merayen The people must be shown the path of peace again... I suggest we both show them the light of said path, and then deal with the Silver God.
Balthasar is, however, seemingly in his thirties, so maybe he means young in the sense that he's only been an Exalt a while.
Skyla "You're not going alone, Jackal," she interrupts herself to say, "Don't even think about it."
Balthasar We are born to do better. What we need to do is show this God the light.
Balthasar And I think his thirst to face Jackal, if I heard correctly before I left, will be just the way.
Jackal "What, you want a chance to watch me kick a dog?" He smirks nods to Janna again. "Thank you for this again, you didn't have to say anything."
Finnre`Merayen I suggest the violent path only if he refuses to choose the way of peace.
Masati looks over to Jackal and makes a note to keep an eye on him, she doesn't want him to sneak of alone.
Balthasar If my guess is right, he will want to test our mettle. Not our lives.
Balthasar He's young. And he's not a fool.
Skyla "He's over a week's travel away, and he's made these lands hostile. You'll need us... At least a little. What will you eat without Merayen around?"
Jackal chuckles to himself. "You have a point."
Skyla "Besides, he's hurt my village. People I know."
Finnre`Merayen I still say we speak to the village before we leave. This serpent will not die once the head has decided to stop war so quickly, I think.
Balthasar raises a brow.
Balthasar Hmm.
Balthasar considers.
Balthasar Is it that you want me to speak to them, Merayen?
Finnre`Merayen Perhaps that would be best. We both could speak, but you are... more easily heard by most.
Balthasar purses his lips.
Balthasar nods.
Balthasar Very well. If we can find some way to gather them.
Balthasar 's eyes immediately gravitate to the Feast Hall.
Jackal "Hmph. Ghosts and fae and now shapeshifting gods...I moved to Nulam to find somplace quiet."
Skyla "It USED to be quiet.... Ten years, it was quiet."
Masati watches with interest
Balthasar throws back his cloak, and strides forward, going to the Feast Hall. He looks inside, when he approaches. Then he goes some distance in front of it, to roughly the center of all the Hill Folk dwellings.
Jackal "Well atleast it's quieter than Nexus..."
Balthasar bellows, "Hear me!" Then, after a pause, and a few turned heads, he takes a deep breath.
Balthasar clenches his fists, and looks skyward. In an instant, he bursts bright, the center of a brief column of blinding light. With a thundering shout, he roars, "Hear me, people of the Hills!"
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