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#61
04-10-2012, 01:22 PM
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Riding on the ram gives hardly an advantage in hight, when it comes to full grown human, Thalia realizes once more, the impatient snorting of Thalis on the other hand helps a lot, or maybe he intense smell of animal. Thalia sighs in relief, when she notices Ezraelar, the only one she had been talking to last night, except for Prod, who she decided not like, but to accept as part of Ehlonna's plan for her... The Lady was unexpectedly clear this morning. She welcomes with an shy wave and steers Thalis closer to him. Ehlonna bless you this day, Ezra. I can feel, she smiles on this venture. This is Thalis, my company. She smiles and pats the ram's neck. Did you already where you will sit or will you walk? You look like a strong walker, who can easily keep the pace of the carts or Thalis. 
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#62
04-10-2012, 02:30 PM
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Ezraelar couldn't help but smile at the scarred man's handling of the priests. A quick glance at his other travel companions told Ezra that they also approved. It seems not only my respect has been earned, Ezra thought amusedly as he notice the dancer's lingering glance. This job was getting more and more interesting by the minute, and when Prod's call came Ezraelar pushed himself off the gatepost and began to make his way towards the front of the caravan when he heard a familiar voice call out a blessing to him.
"Rao's blessing upon you as well, Thalia," Ezra replied with a warm smile, "and well met, Thalis. A fine companion you are, indeed." He reached out a hand to pet Thalis, ready to pull back in case his touch was undesired as he relayed his intentions to Thalia. "I'd planned on walking from the start, I could never be comfortable just sitting down. After spending so much time in the woods i've sort of developed an affinity for nature, so likely I'll scout ahead for any potential dangers. I assume you'll be doing the same? We'd make a pretty good scouting party, I think." Ezra glanced back at the remaining party, briefly wondering what position they'd take in guarding the caravan. He wished he'd had the time to get to know them a little better and to relay the warning that Rao had passed onto them, but he knew he'd have plenty of time for that during the inevitable breaks they would take throughout their journey. Last edited by Crystopher; 04-11-2012 at 02:52 PM. Reason: Added my OOC portion
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#63
04-10-2012, 03:35 PM
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Synnia gave Amora a short, light clap of approval as he sent the priest of Loksnek packing. She was about to heed Jubnuk's call when another event grabbed her attention. Even though the young woman spoke to Rayka and not the young wizard, she turned a half-curious, polite ear towards the conversation. Her message delivered and the young woman gone, Synnia hopped down from her perch and onto the ground.
She wasn't at all expecting to to be grabbed by Rayka, and nearly stumbled and fell during the initial pull. She caught herself, but still had to pump her legs furiously to keep up with her eager counterpart all the way to the caravan. "Someone's eager to get moving." Her tone was bemused as she answered Rayka. "Walk?" As if she would even consider that an option. She wasn't in bad shape per-say, but the forced sprint to the rest of their group had left her catching her breath as the bard rattled on. She certainly wasn't about to walk who knows how many miles when she had a free ride there. "What do you think," she responded, turning on her heels at the end of the second cart at the same time. The balls of her feet pressed into the soft earth for a split second before she sprung up and onto an open area in the middle cart. "The center lets me see everywhere easily, and it's usually the safest spot during combat. Protection on all sides, y'know?"
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#64
04-10-2012, 05:31 PM
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Sebastian grinned at the black haired man's stoic composure in the face of the begging priest. The brief exchange prompted Sebastian to equip his handful of unique weapons. he tied the end rope of his war-net across his chest, sitting comfortably over his chain shirt.
His trident always proved less convienent to carry. His local blacksmith had fashioned a hook-like contraption on his upper right shoulder and lower left back. These hooks were too small to keep any length of the trident in place, but he had fashioned handles on two points of his trident, spaced perfectly in sync with his armor. It took him quite a while for him to line up the handles with the hook, but drawing the weapon from his back took nothing more than a bit of force. He bustled around his things, deciding to keep his weapons and armor, and his waterskin to remain hydrated. Casually making his way toward the front caravan, he applauded the man with the morningstar for chasing the crazed priest away. "Aye there fella, name's Sebastian. If your trying to look like you've never used that morningstar, I'm afraid you ain't foolin' anyone. Whatdya' say we travel with the front of the group, not to brag but I know my way around a blade or two." He laughed and patted his rapier on his side. Naturally, his trident was the most noticeable, and Sebastian always downplayed his deadliness with the large weapon. He bade the armored cleric and began making his way to the front caravan, passing by the beautiful songstress and another girl with her. He could tell from her looks she was a mage of some sort, and quite young looking. He offered a humble wave to the pair and a foolish looking smirk. They both looked familiar from the night before, and obviously caught a bit of his spectacle of horrible judgement.
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#65
04-11-2012, 12:38 AM
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Amola relaxed his iron grip on his mace, and a dull pain throbbed through his knuckles as skin and bone tugged and pulled each other.
__________________Hiding his wince of pain under a fearsome grimace, he was rather surprised to hear cheering and applause. Quickly turning to make his way to the caravan without drawing any more attention to himself. He finds himself lost in the eyes of Rayka the bard. It was for a brief moment but he felt her soft brown eyes running over his face. Along his scar. After shaking his head and blinking an awful lot he finds himself talking to an eccentrically dressed man who asks Amola to deliver a letter. I am on my way to Coldwater, so this should not be a problem returning the bow, accepting the letter and payment. After he reached the caravan, Amola was approached by the brave young lad who had his hand mauled by Orcs. Greeting Sebastian, it would be a pleasure to ride with you. My name is Amola Bezro. It is true that I am required to use my weapon on occasion. I don't try to hide from that fact. Although, I do like to think of my morning star as a tool. Climbing to the top of the Frontward cart, he continued. I use this tool to provide me and others with protection. It can also teach others valuable life lessons. Similar to the one that you now wear on your hand. Last edited by Xom; 04-11-2012 at 12:42 AM.
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#66
04-11-2012, 10:36 AM
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“Oh, I’m all about staying near the center of the caravan,” Rayka says as she painstakingly watches Synnia take a seat on the center wagon. “But you have to know, you’re not going to be able to keep that cute little girlish figure if you always sit.”
She skips up besides Synnia and, without warning, playfully pinches the pale meat of her exposed leg, just above her boot. “You’ll end up looking like a blob, with flab hanging off her arms and legs!” She immediately puts a ‘safe’ distance between herself the young woman. Grinning wildly, she hustles back and raises her arms in a 'I don't want to fight' manner saying, “See now, I don’t really know anything about you, only that you’re quite capable of tickling me back with some unseen hand.” She giggles as she studies the girl. “But honestly, all I know is that your name is Synnia and," she adds sarcastically, "you're lazy and your 'all business all the time'. I think I’d like to get to know you a little better.” As Rayka walks alongside her new friend she lets her eyes wander over the rest of the group. Despite her relative ineptitude with hand to hand combat, Rayka keeps a careful eye on the crucial distances about her. She pays close attention to the range from wagon to wagon and the space between the wagons to any type of dense cover off the road. Last edited by ifdesign; 04-11-2012 at 10:38 AM.
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#67
04-11-2012, 10:38 AM
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Zook thanks the priest for his blessing just as the caravans begin to leave. Skipping towards the last of the three, he jumps up and sits down comfortably. He then begins to whistle a tune as they leave the town.
__________________Last edited by Draconis; 04-11-2012 at 10:38 AM.
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#68
04-11-2012, 11:00 AM
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In Fewarn, the girl looks relieved to Rayka and Synnia. ”Thank you very much. I’m Risha, the youngest daughter of the major.” she wisphers. Looking to the ground, she carefully strokes above her stomach. ”Please tell him to hurry up…”
______________________________________ Slightly puzzled, Prod watches the most of his guards going to the front of the caravan. He smiles, shakes his head and then shouts: ”Hey guys, I really appreciate your bravery, but it’s better to spread out! One scout as vanguard, two fighters at the front, a spellcaster and someone with range in the middle and one spellcaster with a melee fighter at the back as rearguards.”
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#69
04-11-2012, 11:57 AM
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After hearing Prod's latest request, Amola gave Sebastian a quick nudge and suggested.
__________________He's got a point, what do you say about guarding the rear of the caravan? Jumping down from the cart, and landing with a heavy thud as his armor clinked and rattled. Amola climbed the cart at the back and looked to Prod Jubnuk Where will you be seated?
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#70
04-11-2012, 01:20 PM
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Thalia giggles when she realizes that her fellow guards were in fact preparing to take their places mainly in the front carts. She lays her left hand arms while she tries to calm down. You were hired for the weapons you bear, I was hired for my eyes and ears. I guess you will have to stay close to carts. But I guess Master Prod, will allow to take a look after vanguard every now and then... to bring the news to the caravan she adds with a clandestine winking.
__________________With a soft pressure of Thalia's legs, Thalis starts to move towards the gate of Fehwarn I'll scout already ahead, to make sure the road clear and safe, Master Jubnuk.
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#71
04-11-2012, 02:55 PM
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Ezraelar let out an amused laugh at Prod's advice to the group, realizing just how ridiculous it seemed. He turned to Thalia and replied "Well, so much for that idea. I'll keep watch from here, you be careful up ahead. I've got a feeling we might run into a few rough patches te closer we get to Coldwater." Ezra hinted sligtly at the warning that Rao had given him.
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#72
04-11-2012, 04:22 PM
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Sebastian offered a heavy-hearted sigh. Half of the reason he took the mission was to work on his melee technique. Still, he ended up agreeing with his new comrade. He nodded but pointed out,
__________________"Aye, but I don't see this caravan getting ambushed anytime soon. Your armor looks heavy, why dont you sit on the back cart looking backwards while I walk along the side, able to keep an eye on the rest on the caravan. I'm not sure what else we got fer brawn, but the rest of the group must be worth sumthin." They made their way to the back of the caravan, only to find a gnome sitting comfortably on the last cart, whistling and relaxing. "Workin hard there brotha!!!" Sebastian chuckled as he regarded the gnome. "Sebastians the name, and this here is Amola. Looks like you've found yer spot here, and you've got a solid ally in either of us. No offense or anything, but I don't take you for much of a fighter. Yer a magic trickster ain't ya?" He turned to Amola and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, looks like we both won't be needed here. Yer choice brotha, although you'd be a saint to let me guard front." He grinned a toothy smile and turned to the gnome again, "no offense."
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#73
04-11-2012, 05:17 PM
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Synnia waves unenergetically to Sebastian on his way up the caravan chain, her attention really only half on what was going around her at this point. The other half of it was on Rayka, who flitted around her like a sparrow.
She kicked playfully at the bard following the pinch. "Yes mom," she called sarcastically to the already withdrawing woman. That really was about the same thing her mother would have told her if Lady Drak'el had been there, but Synnia didn't let the sour mood that thinking about her mother usually brought on overcome her. Instead, she turned with a flash of raven hair and smiled. "I'm not lazy! I just save my energy. I get paid to do more than walk around looking pretty, unlike you!" Her head cocked when she heard Jubnuk shout down the line, and then she tossed her thumb high in the air as a sign to her employer. "See Rayka, even if nobody else knows what's going on around here, I know where to be." Returning her attention to the bard, she bargained, "I'll tell you what: we put a good show on for the boss today, and then when we stop to rest tonight, I'll tell you about where I come from. Then you do the same; your story has got to be much more interesting than mine."
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#74
04-12-2012, 01:40 AM
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Grinning enthusiastically, Rayka responds. “Doubt it. But I’ll share just the same.” Raising an eyebrow at Synnia she adds, “And for the record, you look like you’re practically my age, so don’t get off calling me mom. I’m not old, and that word reeks of adulthood.”
Towards the back of the center wagon, Rayka casually dances about, skipping along with the slow moving caravan. Her feet lightly stamp on the packed dirt road, pat-patting as she moves. “I won’t be walking the whole time,” she calls out, mostly to Synnia. “I’m sure I’ll get tired just like anyone else… but the road just lifts me up. I can’t help it.” Rayka reaches into the pouch at her belt and draws out her small, disc-shaped pitch pipe. It catches the reflection of the rising sun and shoots glimmers of light across the caravan. “How bout a children’s’ song to start us off?” She sounds a faint note and starts pleasantly singing as she dances. Whence the wind blows From thence to the folds We’ll all return home One day, We’ll dance all about In a daze some will shout ‘How great tis to run And play’ When we, for a walk Go in groups, like a flock We’ll smile to ourselves And say: 'We’ll kick up our heels And relax with warm meals When at last to home We can stray When at last, to home we can stray.' Rayka finishes the tune with an audible, “bum-Bum,” laughing to herself as she goes. “Sometimes the kids' songs are the best.” She says, giggling once more. As she continues to sing and dance, Rayka lets her thoughts drift to Coldwater. Although I’ve never been there I’ve heard its history in passing. She continues to think on it as she dreamily sings another tune and unconsciously palms a slender silver dart from the pouch at her waist. Last edited by ifdesign; 04-12-2012 at 01:43 AM.
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#75
04-12-2012, 10:57 AM
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All Rayka knows about Cold Water is that it is close to the Nadan Mountains. Cold Water lies in Cold Valley, notorious for the steady icy-cold streams of water from the glaciers which cools the shadowy valley the whole year.
__________________The province is very poor and barren, ruled more by the greedy priesthood of Loksned than by the weak earl of Winkurt. In spring, many children and teens are sent by their parents as seasonal workers to the lower towns and village to earn their livings. In early spring, traders like Prod Jubnuk pick up them on village markets, negotiating their summer wage and buying trading goods as wood articles, woodcrafts, scrimshaw and woven goods which were made during the long winter. You travel the whole day along the cobblestone road to North. There only few other travellers or people there – some peasants with their ox carts, a group of pilgrims and a couple of road maintenance groups with chained up workers and their guards. In the evening, you reach an inn at a small hamlet. The inn is a former manor – a square building with thick masonry walls and arrow slits at the outside. The inner courtyard is protected by a massive, reinforced wooden gate. The inn keeper seems to know Prod and the men greet each other very friendly. Your accommodation is quite simple – a few small beds with straw – and the dinner of bread and vegetable stew is from poor quality. However, after dinner, the innkeeper brings a bottle of self-burned fluff and forces everyone very polite to drink a glass. The oily liquid is strong, burns in your throats and is surely suitable as rust remover. To your surprise, nobody becomes blind, but you decide to do without provoking destiny and leave Prod and the innkeeper back in the bar room where both empty the bottle. The next day starts with a light rain, changes to heavy rain and goes back to drizzle with icy-cold wind. It is early afternoon, when the caravan enters a small valley with thick coniferous forests on both sides of the road. The drizzle stays, but the wind is shielded by the hills and the forest. Thalia is riding as vanguard about 40 feet before the first cart, when she passes a large puddle of mud and on the road. The drizzle makes the surface uneven, but she can still see some branches of fir lying in it. Nothing suspicious so far, but nevertheless, something is wrong! For a moment, her thoughts go wild in her mind and then, the solution flashes out: there are only pine trees around! Immediately she raises her hand. ”STOP! A TRAP! TAKE YOUR ARMS!”
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