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Mike Holmes: Serama and Elle, arrive in a circle of Rhiani tents, where two old women work over the central fire. The smells wafting up remind Serama of the camp, and the wide open plains.
Mike Holmes: One woman looks up suspicously, "Who are you?"
Serama: "i am serama," serama says. "This is my adopted sister, Elle. We come from Sarnak."
Mike Holmes: "Amazons?" says the woman looking back and forth at the both of you. Fortunately she doesn't bring up the racial difference in Serama's appearance as so many do.
Serama: "Yes," Serama confirms. "We come from Sarnak."
Mike Holmes: "We have a little ritual for arriving Amazons," she relates. "Interested?"
Mike Holmes: Her skin is wrinkled in a way that tells of her many years in the sun, and her pure Rhiani blood.
Serama: "We have been drawn by the smell of your fire. We have travelled for days through treacherous land. As long as you give word that your ritual will bring no harm to my sister and I, we will accept. May we share your fire?"
Mike Holmes: "Yes, but first the ritual. If you are honest folk, then it will cause no harm," she says.
Serama: "Fair enough," Serama says. Elle looks suspiciously at the old crone.
Mike Holmes: The woman knocks an ember from the fire, and speaks to it for a moment. Then she picks it up - apparently without the red hot wood burning her. She approaches Elle, and it becomes apparent that she intends to put it to her forehead. Elle recoils, "Oh, no, I'll have none of this superstition!"
Serama: Serama moves to stop the old woman. "You said that this ritual would not harm us. What trickery is this??" Serama says, mimicking the violent derision she so often heard in the voices of Rhiani who suspect they have been lied to.
Mike Holmes: "I said what I said," she retorts. "If you are honest the spirits will not burn you."
Serama: "You seek to take us for fools old woman," Serama says. "Your trickery would only earn you our swift deaths and what little possessions we have."
Serama: "We agreed to your ritual on the agreement that it would cause us no harm. Now you seek to use fire to burn us and then impugn us because fire burns. I have not ever seen such chicanery among the Rhiani. I am amazed you have lived to this advanced age."
Mike Holmes: "Does it burn me?" she says simply.
Mike Holmes: "If you really think this to be chicanery, then perhaps you would be best off eating elsewhere," she says, turning back towards the fire.
Serama: "I cannot tell," Serama says, drawing upon her training in the koans of the Sarnak. "Your hands are old and hardened by years of desert life. Your skin is like leather. It is likely that your hands are resistant to the heat."
Serama: "Yes," Serama says. "I think we would be."
Serama: "Are all Rhiani so... barbaric?" Elle asks.
Serama: "No," Serama says as they leave, reluctant to turn their back on the old woman. "This one just didn't want to share her food."
Mike Holmes: The old woman mutters to the other, intending Serama to hear, "She can't tell if I tell the truth, so she assumes that I must lie without testing it. Sounds typical of the Sarnaki wenches."
Serama: "Excuse me," Serama says coldly. "You ask me to trust and yet are unwilling to prove yourself first. You present a test whose sole basis of determination is that it works the way you say that it does."
Serama: "Who tests you?"
Serama: "And unlike your slight upon my people, I will not return with a similarly undignified response. Your behavior here is beneath the Rhiani."
Serama: "And is uncharacteristic of their proud devotion to truth and honesty. And is a slight against their commitment to honor and hospitality."
Serama: "I mean not to disrespect my elders but your behavior is beneath even the most petulant of Rhiani children. You may keep your food and your tricks. It is obvious to me why so few share your hearth."
Serama: With that, Serama turns again to walk away from the woman.
Mike Holmes: The woman turns back to Serama, "You protest too harshly, I only seek to protect my tribe."
Mike Holmes: Then, weakly, she adds, "Please come back and have some food with us. You are obviously of us...somehow."
Serama: "I offer no threat to your tribe and will defend their honor for as long as I may share your fire," Serama asserts. "I was raised among the Rhiani. I respect their ways, though I no longer walk their lands."
Serama: "I have much news to share over the mountains. Perhaps we can warm ourselves and share our travels?"
Mike Holmes: "Then this is a return home, and you shall be welcomed," she says. "And yes, please do tell us of the news from afar."
Mike Holmes: "I am Awehla," she says a smile cracking her ancient face.

Mike Holmes: Okhfels makes his way skirting the edge of the swamp to his right as he heads south. It doesn't look safe, and it's getting dark. Blood streaks his face - though it's not apparent if he's aware of it. He has the look of a many who is getting away from something bad. But also of one who can take the strain of the travel without problem.
Mike Holmes: Ahead he notes a Rhiani camp. Certainly too far from the last group of Rhiani to be related. Still....
Okhfels steers very clear of the swamp. Someone as big as he is doesn't do well in mud.
Okhfels whistles as he stumps along, casually pushing small trees out of his way. A massive iron hammer rests on his shoulder.
Mike Holmes: The camp is just ahead now, and he notes the voices of the Rhiani speaking about the days's hunt. They seem in good spirits. Definitely not the men who were involved in killing the rest of Okhfel's band.
Okhfels makes no attempt at stealth. He walks to the edge of the camp and sees who's about.
Mike Holmes: Given his Impressive stature, he's soon noticed. After a few moments, all of the Rhiani in the circle stare mutely at him.
Okhfels flashes his smile. "Hi."
Okhfels: "I, uh..."
Okhfels: "I'm lost."
Mike Holmes: For some reason, all the Rhiani, upon hearing this, look to the finely dressed gentleman who had entered the circle several minutes ago.
Okhfels smiles at the finely dressed gentleman.
Sebastian: The flashily dressed man steps forward. A second look reveals that he clearly has no sense of subtlety or understatement with regards to clothes.
Sebastian: "Hello, I am Alexander."
Mike Holmes: Alexander had arrived to ask the Rhiani on behalf of Isadora about whether or not they would be available to scout tomorrow. He had been waiting for an opening.
Mike Holmes: One doesn't generally interrupt Rhiani.
Okhfels: "My name is Okhfels." (OAK-fells)
Sebastian: "Welcome Okhfels," Alexander responds distractedly. Alexander looks around, hoping to find someone to turn Okhfels over to so he can get on with his errand...
Okhfels: "I'm not looking for any trouble," says Okhfels.
Mike Holmes: One of the Rhiani, a larger fellow, obviously one of the hunters, says, "You are from the mountains, are you not?"
Okhfels: "Yah. Well, you mean just now, or where I was born? Well, actually, yes to both, but different mountains."
Mike Holmes: The Rhiani nods, "What brings you down from your hold, mountain man?"
Okhfels grunts. "That... that is not something I tell to strangers. It is a private thing. Is it enough to say, that I do not have a home now?"
Mike Holmes: The Hunter raises his brows. "A man with no home is no man at all."
Mike Holmes: Somehow the way he said that, it doesn't seem to be as insulting as it sounds.
Okhfels takes the hammer from his shoulder, and puts the head on the ground, with his two hands on top of the handle. He cocks his head and says simply, "Then what is he?"
Mike Holmes: "Azudreth," says the Rhiani, a word that Okhfels and Alexander both have not heard before.
Mike Holmes: "It means one who's soul has no place to rest. A man can't be himself without such a place," says the hunter, the moon rising behind him.
Sebastian: "A stranger wherever he may be..." mutters Alexander
Okhfels grunts again. "It is truth that I do not rest well. But I carry this..." He takes a lump of coal from under his grimy shirt. "I have, always, a piece of my home with me. As long as I have it, I am myself... and if you wish to tell me I am not, then you must take it from me."
Mike Holmes: The hunter takes this as a challenge, not for any particularly good reason, "Well, let's test that, then, shall we. Our people take such tests to the circle. Would you allow me to test you there?"
Sebastian: Alexander arches an eyebrow... This could be interesting.
Okhfels: "Test me? You want to fight?" He puts the lump back into his shirt.
Mike Holmes: He refers, most likely, to the circle of stones that each Rhiani camp emplaces wherever they end up, in which ritual challenges take place. He continues, "Fight? No, just to try to get your bit of land."
Okhfels: "What will you wager against it?"
Mike Holmes: Sebastian notes the odd accent of the large man. Then it occurs to him (completely erroneuosly) - the man is from, of all places, Meluria, on the continent of Jaiman thousands of miles to the north. Melurians are known for their tempers...
Mike Holmes: "Wager?" the Rhiani says, then understanding dawns. "Ahh. If you win, then you can keep your home with us for a while, have some of the food from today's hunt."
Okhfels: "Hm." Okhfels considers.
Okhfels: "You will win if you can take my lump of coal. How will I know when I have won?"
Mike Holmes: "The traditional way," he counters, "when I leave the circle. By whatever means."
Okhfels: "That is fair."
Mike Holmes: As Okhfels looks the man over, he sees that he's got the grace of a very well trained hunter. And he's very fit, as well. Further he looks like he's a pretty smart customer as well. Still, no match at all for Okhfel's strength, should he be able to bring that to bear.
Okhfels: "I will meet you in the circle."
Mike Holmes: Without a word, the man turns and heads out of the circle of tents to a nearby field. There a patch of dirt has been cleared, with decorated stones encircling it. Between the stones, symbols are traced in the dirt. He steps inside confidently, and strips off his jerkin.
Mike Holmes: The rest of the Rhiani come along and stand about the challenge circle, waiting to see if his opponent will follow.
Sebastian: Alexander follows, muttering under his breath.
Okhfels leaves his shirt on, but pulls it tight and tucks it into his belt.
Okhfels: He steps into the ring, near the edge. He makes a wide stance, cracks his knuckles, and nods to the hunter.
Okhfels crouches, hands open and ready.
Mike Holmes: The hunter charges with a cry and little other warning, trying to leap high into the air so that he can grab down suddenly at Okhfel's coal.
Mike Holmes: Okhfels Impressive Stature means that he has a reach advantage. Using his Powerful Lungs he shouts as soon as the hunter makes a move that brings him within range, to startle him. Okhfels just takes the impact of the hunter landing without even grunting. Then he simply wraps his massive arms around the hunter, and gently sets him down outside the ring unharmed.
Mike Holmes: Impressed looks emerge from the Rhiani all around.
Okhfels pats the hunter on the shoulder. "Do not worry. You are not the first to think that I am slow."
Sebastian: A very impressed look emerges from Alexander... "Hmm, this one could be useful," he thinks.
Mike Holmes: Seeing something going on at the Challenge circle, and given the problems earlier today, several of the people from the Colony are attracted to the ring to see what's happening. Including Isadora and Sebastial (who is wondering where his aid has gotten off to).
Mike Holmes: Dhazari is amongst the people ringing the contestants, and he turns to greet Isadora, "It's all over, the mountain man beat one of my best hunters. I don't think he's so much a man as a mountain."
Mike Holmes: He grins.
Okhfels: (for those of you who haven't seen it, I put my description in the wiki)
Okhfels is a big, BIG man, with muscles and MORE muscles. His red hair and fair skin are usually stained with sweaty soot, though his teeth are clean and straight. His features look rough-hewn, bold and angular. His hair is not terribly long, but even so it's wildly unruly.
Isadora: "What caused the fight?" Isadora asks, eyeing Okhfels as best she can through the crowd. "And who is he? Another refugee?"
Okhfels: "I was asked to the circle. I am Okhfels."
Sebastian: Alexander ghosts over to Sebastian and begins murmuring.
Isadora: "And can speak for yourself, I see." She smiles at Okhfels and addresses him directly now. "What word do you bring, mountain man?"
Mike Holmes: "This was not a fight, just a test," says Dhazari. "Don't make of it more than it is."
Mike Holmes: He shakes his head patronizingly.
Mike Holmes: And grins more.
Okhfels: "Word? Hm." He ponders. "Hard to pick just one."
Isadora: "Use two, if you need. Even five. I'm in charge here, so I can allow these things." Her tone is sardonic, but there's some respect in her eyes. He's just... huge.
Sebastian: A ghost of a smile flows accross Sebastian's eyes.
Okhfels smiles and laughs. "I was told I could have some food. Can I tell the news from the mountains while we eat?"
Isadora: "Of course." Isadora waves at someone likely-looking. "Food. Lots of it, by the look of him."
Sebastian: Sebastian mutters something to Alexander. Alexander nods slightly and fades into the crowd
Mike Holmes: Dhazari says, "yes, we have promised, and we shall provide for our guest."
Mike Holmes: He looks at the hunter who is trying to slink away from the crowd, shaking his head.
Isadora: "Wonderful; I feared I'd have to find a herd of my own to butcher." She follows Dhazari's gaze. "Is that the fellow who thought he was the stronger one?"
Okhfels goes where he is led, to get to the food.
Sebastian: Sebastian notes the slinking hunter... Less than perfectly honorable?
Mike Holmes: "Taharek is a good hunter, but no judge of his opponents. I knew the moment he offered our food that we'd all be eating light tonight," Says Dhazari continuing to be humorous.
Okhfels laughs again. "Don't worry," he says, "I will not use your honor to make you hungry. Give me no more than any other of your warriors."
Okhfels: "If it fills my mouth only once, it will be enough."
Mike Holmes: "Oh, no, there's plenty for all," Dhazari replies. "It was a good hunt today. We caught three gazelle."
Isadora silently makes note of that. As the encampment grows, she's started to worry about the food supply.
Okhfels retrieves his big hammer from the edge of the circle, and hefts it easily on his shoulder again.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks up at Okhfels, "And what is your business sir?"
Mike Holmes: Captain Jilliams and about a dozen other Rhiani arive on the scene. "Any trouble, milady?"
Okhfels: "My business? Mostly, people pay me to hit things."
Sebastian: "Fascinating, and what brings you to our budding little colony?"
Mike Holmes: A Rhiani brings Okhfels some of the gazelle fresh from the fire on a kinfe for him to eat. Okhfels notes that he has strange beads in his hair, and looks Okhfels over very closely.
Okhfels: "My captain got killed, and I got lost trying to find the Marshal."
Okhfels takes the meat in one big hand, and smiles and nods to the Rhiani fellow.
Isadora shakes her head to Jilliams. "Goodness, no. The mountain has come to us."
Isadora: To Okhfels, she says, "How far from here?"
Okhfels nods in the direction of the mountains. "Up there. I walked, two days."
Mike Holmes: "Huh," says Jilliams. He walks over to Okhfels, and is actually taller than the mountain. Somehow it doesn't seem to matter at all, however. The shorter Okhfels seems in no way smaller than Jilliams. He then turns around seeing that he made a mistake in trying to compare himself to the small giant.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks to Isadora, "I have heard nothing. I shall see what I can find out..."
Isadora suppresses a smile at Jilliams--it's not often someone makes him look small.
Isadora: "Good," she says to Sebastian. She's dubious about Okhfels' story.
Mike Holmes: As he eats, Okhfels notes a small figure in the shadows. Once it passes between two tents, and the fire illuminates it - a goblin!
Okhfels: Okhfel's face suddenly turns dark.
Okhfels: He points into the space where he spotted the goblin.
Okhfels: "There's a goblin over there."
Isadora: "Hmm? Yes, we have one or two of those." Isadora hasn't been bothered to learn the creature's name, of course. She doesn't seem to understand Okhfels' reaction.
Mike Holmes: Dharazi draws his dagger and turns. Then he gets Isadora's implication. "Oh, Agok. He's no trouble."
Sebastian: "Well, no more trouble than any other goblin outcast..."
Okhfels: Okhfel's stance loses a good deal of its relaxation. He grunts, but says nothing more on the topic.
Mike Holmes: A small mishapen creature seems to materialize below all of the tall people. It speaks with a creaky little voice, "I heard my name. What can I do for your greatnesses?"
Isadora watches Okhfels, wondering if he's more than usually bothered by it. She wants a key to get answers from him.
Mike Holmes: It wears a shapeless shift, and has ears that point almost straight up. It's eyes dance in the firelight. "I'm glad it's dark - the sun burns, burns."
Okhfels: Okhfel's eyes blaze, but he says nothing. His hatred for the creature is clear, however.
Sebastian: "Agok, perhaps you could go find Alexander for me, hm?"
Mike Holmes: "Yes your majesticness!" it says, and scrambles off.
Mike Holmes: Jilliams looks ebulient as he gets back to some of the Rhiani he was with. He turns to Isadora. "I have some news!"
Isadora: Casually, Isadora says, "Don't bother about the servants, my good mountain man. I was just about to ask who your captain was--who he fought for."
Isadora looks up to Jilliams. "Tell!"
Mike Holmes: "Well, as you know, I'm a member of the Order of Cay, associated with the temple in Kaitaine. And as you also probably know, these good men also worship the god of strength," he looks over at Okhfels momentarily.
Isadora: "Of course." If she didn't know, she certainly won't admit it now.
Mike Holmes: "Well, they have asked me to join their band! I'm to be initiated a week from today!" he grins all too widely.
Sebastian: Sebastian's eyes flicker... How could this have happened without him hearing anything?
Isadora: "Good man." She smiles in return, if not as broadly. "Maybe it'll help you make sense of their ways. And do you honor, of course."
Mike Holmes: Jilliams continues to grin, apparently unable to stop.
Isadora: "What's their initiation?" she asks, half an ear still tuned to Okhfels.
Okhfels waits politely for Isadora and Jilliam to finish, eating.
Mike Holmes: "Well, apparently it's a dreadfully arduous set of tests," he relates. "But I think I'm up to it."
Mike Holmes: He sorta flexes as he stands as tall as possible.
Isadora certainly wouldn't insult him by suggesting otherwise. "Eat hard, drink hard, train hard, and gods be with you, then."
Okhfels: "Good advice."
Sebastian: "The Lady Isadora is wise," Sebastian comments with a slight smile.
Okhfels grunts approval.
Isadora: "A sage in the rough," she smiles to Sebastian. "But I don't want to ignore our newest of guests--I hope the food suits you, traveler?"
Okhfels: "It is good.
Okhfels: "
Mike Holmes: Just as he grunts, a woman goes in front of Okhfels. He might not notice her, except that she is a very pretty Rhiani woman, and she seems to be looking at him as she lingers in passing.
Okhfels nods.
Okhfels smiles at her.
Mike Holmes: She stops by some of the men, and turns to meet his gaze. She smiles back.
Isadora holds her questions, watching the little scene unfold.
Sebastian: Sebastian catches Isadora's attention and arches an eyebrow.
Mike Holmes: A Rhiani that she's standing next to, turns to the woman, and then looks at Okhfels. Isadora notes that it is Shahnsa, her best guide.
Mike Holmes: He gets a deep furrow in his brow.
Isadora meets Sebastian's gaze, flicks her eyes sideways at Okhfels, and matches his raised eyebrow. What new troops are in the area, and how did they die? She wonders if Sebastian is as suspicious as she.
Sebastian: Sebastian gives her a slight nod. He's way more suspicious than she is, that's what he gets paid for.
Mike Holmes: It occurs to Sebastian that Nurek had said something about some troops he had seen on his last expedition along the path to the coast.
Sebastian: Sebastian begins mentally reviewing all the reports from that region... What could possibly bring troops to that area?
Mike Holmes: Shahnsa says something to Elarha (the woman in question), and then she gets a furrow in her brow. In fact, she gets so agitated that her second eyelid flutters up and down over one eye.
Isadora: Blissfully unburdened by Sebastian's facts and rumors, Isadora notes that Okhfels doesn't seem to be further encouraging the woman. Well, that's something.
Mike Holmes: Ehlara leaves Shahnsa, and comes over to Okhfels, smiling as she does.
Mike Holmes: "You are mighty, sir."
Sebastian: Sebastian pauses in his thoughts to watch Shahnsa's reaction.
Okhfels smiles. "Yes," he says, "I get that a lot."
Mike Holmes: "Would you like me to show you about the camp?" she continues.
Okhfels: "Well, I was talking to the lady... erm... I do not know your name," he says to Isadora.
Okhfels: Back to Ehlara, he says, "She seems to be in charge."
Sebastian: Sebastian admires Okhfels deft deflection. That or his utter obliviousness.
Mike Holmes: 3qa53235w35335r
Isadora: "Clever man. I'm Isadora." To Ehlara, she adds, "I'm sure he'll be available later."
Okhfels smiles at being called clever, and takes another big bite of meat.
Mike Holmes: Elahra looks at Isadora for a moment, and then at Shahnsa, and then back at Okhfels, "It seems that lots of people who are not in charge, think they are. You seem in charge to me."
Okhfels shrugs, and grunts noncomittally.
Mike Holmes: "What, a big man like you isn't afraid to walk about the camp with a little girl like myself, is he?" she says coyly.
Okhfels pats her on the shoulder. "Not now. Maybe later."
Mike Holmes: She looks back at Shahnsa, who now is grinning. This sets her off, "Get out of my way, you big scared oaf!!!"
Mike Holmes: She tries to push Okhfels unsuccessfully, then starts off in another direction.
Okhfels looks confused at Elahra's behavior.
Okhfels watches her go.
Isadora grins at Okhfels. "Get used to it--you're a major new addition to the scenery here."
Sebastian: Sebastian catches Ehlara's attention. "You seem to have nimble fingers my dear... Perhaps you migh be able to learn the Ancient Art." Sebastian pulls a small square of paper, seemingly from nowhere. His fingers flash, and when he is done an incredibly intricate paper rose lies in his palm.
Okhfels shakes his head. He takes a deep breath, and says, "You wanted to know who my captain was fighting for. I think the Marshal's name was Tistagar.
Okhfels: "
Sebastian: Ehlara turns and looks at the rose. "Here my dear, if you are interested in learning find me tomorrow." Sebastian holds the rose out to her and catches Shahnsa's eye, giving him a subtle nod.
Isadora blinks at Sebastian's diversion, glad that he diverted the woman. Returning her attention to Okhfels, she says, "It's my business to care what forces are moving in the area. Is whatever got your captain a threat to this camp?"
Mike Holmes: Sebastian's performance drew the attention of much of the crowd. But it's growing dark now, and smaller groups are forming or splitting off for fires or tents.
Okhfels shrugs. "I don't know. I don't know who won or lost, or how many were left."
Isadora: "Sounds chaotic. You came this way randomly?"
Okhfels: "I went downstream. There are always people near rivers and lakes."
Mike Holmes: "So, Lady Isadora, when are you going to let poor Mitsis go? Certainly you've made your point, and keeping an innocent man prisoner can help nobody?" says Dhazari, nonchalantly interrupting, obviously afraid that he'll lose her in the dark if he doesn't say something soon.
Isadora: "It can help the morale of a dead man's friends, who have different thoughts about innocence." Isadora leans back, deliberately casual, then nods. "Very well, I'll give him a choice. He can serve the dead man's commander for a period of two months--and serve loyally--or he can leave the camp. Permanently."
Mike Holmes: Dhazari says, "That might work. Of course, you'll have to ask him, it's his choice."
Isadora smiles, her teeth glinting in the firelight. "I'll put it to him nicely."

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