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Sebastian: Gennadi sees Brianna picking up some things they might need. He also notices that a flashily dressed man llooking at her suspiciously. He starts forward, clearly intending to accost her.
Gennadi pointedly not watching where he is going (smiling back at two young ladies walking the other direction and bowing slightly) ploughs headlong into the man.
Gennadi: "OH! What I clumsy oaf I am! Are you alright?"
Sebastian: The sharply dressed man glances at where Breanna was before looking at Gennadi. "I believe so, do you think you could do me a favor my good man?"
Gennadi tries to dust the man off. "Well, I certainly should do something for you, after that, my good neighbor."
Sebastian: The man smiles at Gennadi, "Well, if you would come with me? I am Alexander."
Isadora: Rounding a corner, Isadora nearly bumps into the pair herself, busy thinking obscenities at the last ten generations of Rhiani. "Ah, Alexander. And... friend?"
Gennadi pats the man on the back of his fine jacket and again on his satin vest with the opposite hand. "I am your servant, so much as my life does not already belong to another."
Gennadi: Gennadi, sensing impending witnesses, pivots just in front of the man, drops a brass fountain pen from his left to right hand from there to a pocket, and comes full turn into a bow before the fine lady.
Gennadi: Gennadi, milady... I and this gentleman have only *just* met, but I sense we will become fast friends, indeed.
Sebastian: "Ah, Lady Isadora, I was hoping to speak to you and Master Sebastian... I believe this fellow may be of interest to you."
Isadora: "You sound confident." She flashes a smile at Gennadi, appreciating the bow, then quirks a brow at Alexander. "What interest is that?"
Gennadi , hearing this, looks surprised, manages to turn it into pleasant surprise and hide the suspicious surprise look entirely, and smiles even more broadly. "I live but to serve, milady Isadora."
Isadora: "That would make you a refreshing change around here."
Sebastian: "I believe he may be able to assist Master Sebastian in his work, and it seems to me that he may be of great help in understanding the Rhianni. He seems a bit less... uptight... than the others I have met."
Gennadi gamely attempts to look as though he's never heard anyone say that about him before.
Isadora: Isadora looks thoughtful. "Are you sure he's not ill?"
Gennadi: I'm impressed that I made such a fine first impression.
Sebastian: "I do not yet have Master Sebastian's eye, M'lady. But I do not believe I am mistaken in this."
Gennadi blinks. "Milady, I am in the peak of health -- a bit dusty, road-worn, perhaps... a trifle on the threadbare side... family quest to see to... but in the peak of health.
Gennadi . . . o o O (please let this be a *good* job, not like last time)
Isadora: "Well, we'll assume Alexander's judgment is good, for the moment. What are you here for?" Isadora eyes Gennadi with increasing interest.
Gennadi: I am on my way to certain death, milady.
Gennadi: if I were a braver man, that is, which I'm not.
Sebastian: Alexander half-listens as he looks around trying to spot Gennadi's companion, but she is no where to be seen.
Gennadi: I have learned that my sister has been taken ... kidnapped... enslaved, if you will, but the masters of the White Wood.
Gennadi: and I intend to have her back.
Isadora: "Dying young is the privilege of those loved by the gods. How do you intend to have her back, if you lack bravery?"
Gennadi: I'm going to steal her, milady. I'm quite good at such things, and they require much less bravery, a bit more thinking, and a good deal of running like mad... all of which I excel at.
Sebastian: Alexander raises his eyebrows at Isadora in a "see what I mean?" look.
Isadora suppresses a smirk at Alexander. To Gennadi she says, "Run in, run out--that's it? I'd not heard the place was so tame."
Gennadi nods.
Gennadi: Well, i'm only avoiding the *certain* death, milady. Unavoidable and unrelenting I might not be able to do anything about.
Gennadi: but I have to try, she's my sister.
Isadora: "You sound like you could be useful--pity to have you die before we can find out. What would make your death less likely?"
Gennadi blows air out of his teeth and looks at the sky, as though thinking the question over.
Sebastian: Alexander reaches into a pocket and gets a scrap of paper out.
Gennadi: well, a great deal of information about the white woods, some food, a bit of money for kit and so forth... it's been a long trip from Sherezak, milady.
Sebastian: He then seems to search fruitlessly in his pockets for something else.
Gennadi: but I certainly couldn't take anything without fair services rendered.
Sebastian: He finally settles on a stump of charcoal. He eyes it distastefully, but begins making some sort of notes on his paper with it.
Isadora: Keeping half an eye on Sebastian, she says to Gennadi, "Fair services rendered would be my next question. I've been here for long enough to feel like an age, and I still can't understand these damned Rhiani."
Gennadi: only some of us are damned, milady. The rest are simply disagreeable. Comes from too much cured meat.
Gennadi carefully takes the charcoal out of Alexander's hand while keeping his eyes on Isadora and tosses it away.
Isadora grins. "You sound tolerable. How soon are you determined to run off to this forest?"
Gennadi pulls out the pen and set it in his hand, pats him on the shoulder, leans in, and says "No hard feelings, neighbor, eh?"
Gennadi looks serious. "I think it must be soon, milady. Tomorrow or the day after. But whatever I can do for you in that period of time that can earn me a better chance of saving my sister, I'll do, and happily at that."
Gennadi glances askance to see if Alexander is going to knife him, then back to Isadora.
Sebastian: Alexander smiles briefly at Gennadi then signals to a small Rhianni girl, "Take this to Master Sebastian would you Alisha?"
Gennadi: with any luck, i'll be back within a day or two... or not
Gennadi seems to have an idea. "and perhaps you'd care for information on the woods themselves... a sort of scouting expedition. Funded... scouting expedition."
Sebastian: Alexander leans in close to Isadora and whispers, "Master Sebastian should be along shortly."
Isadora: "You're not local, so I'm guessing you don't have any dirt on the neighbors. On the other hand, I could use a straight-up Rhiani view on which way you might jump if I..." she trails off.
Gennadi takes a step off to the side to give the too room to talk as well... and, it should be noted, to give him a place to run if "Master Sebastian" is a gendarme with a large axe of some sort.
Isadora nods, ostensibly to Gennadi but also acknowledging Alexander's message. "I could use some information about the woods, yes."
Gennadi: I can certainly offer what meager insights I might have in that regard -- also, I may have kin here that can tell me something of the tribes... features.
Sebastian: A short thin faced man approaches, walking briskly. His eyes seem to dart around nervously. Alexander seems to relax slightly as he catches sight of him.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks over the group, "Is this the one Alexander?"
Isadora waits a moment to see this play out.
Gennadi tenses eeeeeever so slightly.
Gennadi nods his head to the newcomer and smiles.
Sebastian: After a slight nod from Alexander, Sebastian looks Gennadi over critically.
Gennadi: Gennadi ip Sacrenadi ip Mafesola ip Darni im Sherezak, if you like. (shrugs, smiles) Gennadi, if you don't.
Gennadi: Most don't.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, a smile that doesn't touch his eyes, "I am Sebastian, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Gennadi: I am very pleased to have met all of you -- I gather (glance to Isadora) that you are all somehow tied to the governing of this camp?
Isadora: "Tied is the perfect word for it."
Gennadi: My people /are/ quite handy with ropes, milady.
Isadora: "I doubt they can untie knots all the way in Kaitaine, however handy they are. Sebastian, Gennadi was just telling us about how he could help me understand the locals before he runs off to die or rescue his sister or something in the woods."
Sebastian: Sebastian nods to himself as if he has made a decision. "Yes, I believe we can help each other Gennadi. Perhaps you and your partner could join us somewhere a bit quieter, and bit more private?"
Sebastian: Sebastian looks inquisitively at Gennadi, "So, are you interested? I believe that we can assist you, and that you can assist us..."
Gennadi raises an eyebrow.
Gennadi: "Quiet, would certainly be better."
Sebastian: "I assume that your partner will be able to find us without help?"
Isadora pretends that she understands what's going on. If she nods and looks knowing, Sebastian can make her seem well-informed. She thinks.
Gennadi: Without a doubt.
Sebastian: "Perhaps it would be best if we used my tent... Shall we?" He gestures indicating that Alexander should lead the way.
Sebastian: Alexander begins moving away from the crowds and into the area with the larger tents.
Gennadi surreptitiously gives Breanna the "we're having a meeting, or possibly being arrested" signal.
Isadora: "Yes, let's. Time is apparently of the essence."

Holmes: Breanna makes her way between the tents carefully trying to get close to the one in question withuot being noticed so she can check out what's going on there. As she does, suddenly shes caught between two tents as two women come towards her. Circumstances being what they are, Breana can only walk past them, trying to be nonchalant. As they approach, one says, "So the worship of Andaras does well in Sel-Kai? That's good to hear. Oh, Breanna."
Holmes: Breanna notes that it's Zoora, the priestess.
Breanna smooths back her hair. "Zoora, good to see you. Shadow's blessing."
Breanna darts a glance askance at the second woman.
Holmes: Zoora introduces the other woman, "Breanna, this is Laura, from Sel-Kai far, far away. She is one of us as well."
Breanna: I am somewhat familiar with Sel-Kai, though I never reached it in my travels, be welcome in my homelands.
Breanna nod-bows.
Holmes: Laura says, "I had no idea that Andaras was so widely worshipped. But it makes me glad."
Holmes: She pauses
Holmes: "I do find it strange how different your worship is, however."
Breanna: It is part of the nature of my people.
Breanna: They're unrelenting... adherance to fact makes it difficult to introduce them to a nuanced entity such as Andaras.
Breanna: The aspects they most admire are those of the subtle and skilled hunter -- he-who-finds, they call him in Khitaine. Here, is is the shadow-panther, like our great cats on the plain.
Holmes: "Ah," says Zoora in realization. "This is why you always invoke the shadow when speaknig of Andaras. He is god of wisdom to our peoples."
Holmes: She gestures to include Laura in this
Holmes: "We're worshiping tonight at the rise of the red moon. Are you and your friend going to join us?" says Zoora.
Breanna: The wisdom of the hunter here -- you would be surprised, I think, spending time with a tribe that travels a bit more than this one -- but perhaps not. At any rate, the worship here is a newer thing -- simpler, I think.
Gennadi said he wanted to, and I certainly am.
Breanna smiles.
Breanna: But... you will excuse me, I think Gennadi wanted me to meet him very shortly.
Holmes: "But, of course," says Zoora pleasantly, nodding to Breanna as she and Laura continue on their way.

Holmes: Isadora's tent is easily large enough to accommodate all of the people there, being made for having meetings. The only larger structure was the storehouse (Speckler's domain). One of the men on service duty brings in some fruit and drink for everyone. The five people are seated on small folding chairs in a circle more or less.
Holmes: Several oil lamps provide illumination that occasionally flutters and sends odd shadows flying.
Gennadi introduces Breanna to people where necessary.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles and leans forward, "So why don't you two tell your story, I haven't heard it yet. Then we'll see if we can reach an accomadation."
Isadora flings herself into her chair and nods at Sebastian's request, her eyes on the two strangers.
Holmes: From the soldiers tent next door, comes the sound of a field lyre being plucked to an old Kaitaine standard. It's harsh sound is made melodic by the rather competent playing. This mixes softly with the sound of tree frogs from the marsh, which are loudest at this time of the night.
Gennadi shrugs. "It's a common enough tale these days, I think. We both lived in Sherezak. Sherezak fell to a filthy, dirt-eating worm of a necromancer and lies in ruins."
Gennadi: We fled, and I sought my sister, who was separated from me during the fall of the city.
Gennadi: I used a gift from a shaman to follow her, but it was only today that I learned that I have actually been following a slave train led by the same witch that rules those White Woods.
Gennadi: So Galina is there, and I must get her back.
Isadora: "He plans to steal her, so as to avoid dying," Isadora adds helpfully.
Gennadi smiles. "Perhaps that last part is not so common."
Holmes: There's a knock on the tent post, the only thing to knock on near the tent flap. A pretty little head pokes in, Leuta.
Holmes: "Isadora? I've not had a chance to meet with you yet since my arrival. Must I wait until tomorrow?" A note of fear of something can be detected in her voice.
Gennadi nods to Isadora. "Indeed. I'm no knight to go riding in and slay the witch. Better to get in and get out. Milady here," he gestures at Isadora, "thought I we might be able to mutually help one another."
Sebastian: Sebastian nods minutely, "Yes, you'll need provisions and knowledge of the area. Allies, at least waiting at the border; possibly medical supplies..." Sebastian trails off, he gives a slight nod to Isadora indicating that he can take care of things if she needs him to.
Gennadi: I thought, in addition to what insight I might have into my people, I might also return with information on the White Woods themselves that might be of use.
Gennadi: I must say, you pick strange neighbors, setting your camp here, so close to a haunted wood.
Isadora: "We like the flowers," Isadora says to Gennadi. Distractedly, she nods to Sebsatian--give him the supplies--as she rises and strides smoothly to the tent flap. "Sebastian can handle this, if I need him to. What is it?" she says quietly.
Gennadi makes use of the minor distraction to mouth "flowers?" to Breanna, who shrugs.
Sebastian: Sebastian pulls a small square from his robes and begins idly folding it as he speaks...
Sebastian: "The supplies are easily obtained, and we can have troops on the border of the wood awaiting your return. However, your real need is knowledge of the Wood itself..."
Holmes: Leuta says, "Well, it's...dark out here. And I'm all alone in that tent."
Holmes: Isadora realizes that her little sister has never slept a night out of Kaitaine before this little adventure.
Sebastian: "I may be able to help you with the knowledge you need, and possibly even be able to provide you some added protection..." Sebastian pauses and considers, then mutters a bit under his breath.
Sebastian: "Now the question is, what can you do for us?"
Sebastian: Sebastian pauses and studies the complexly folded paper critically, it is clear that he is awaiting a response.
Isadora smiles and manages to avoid expressing her relief that Leuta is all alone in that tent. She says to her sister, "The Rhiani are hard to understand, but good neighbors in this way--you'll be safe in your tent. You should come in if you want some company--it looks like Sebastian is up to his paper tricks again." She glances over her shoulder, torn between business and family.
Gennadi: It sounds to me as though you have difficulty predicting my people. I can help with that, and that prevents deaths. A small thing, perhaps, unless you have few people to spare.
Sebastian: Sebastian gives her one of his looks -- I'll fill you in later, if you like -- and then goes back to examing his paper.
Gennadi: I will be in the white woods, which you say you can tell me something of... by the time I return, I will be able to tell you more -- much more, probably.
Gennadi: aside from that...
Gennadi spreads his hands.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles, this time the smile actually touches his eyes, "Well, you could owe me a favor..."
Gennadi: I'm a poor rhiani. City rhiani, even, and no city to speak of anymore. I have little, and even less I'm willing to part with.
Holmes: Leuta seems relieved, and follows Isadora back into her tent. She sits on a bed listening quietly trying to discover who's who in the conversation.
Gennadi: A favor? I believe we both understand the value of such a thing. Yes, I could owe you a favor.
Sebastian: Sebastian smiles again, "Very well, I must talk to some people in order to prepare things. I suggest that you get some rest and see me in the morning. We can take care of the details then."
Isadora reseats herself, leaning back in her chair so that she can mutter narration to Leuta as the others negotiate. "Rhiani fellow, maybe saner than the rest. Maybe not--off to rescue his sister from the haunted forest. Useful if he comes back alive."
Gennadi nods, and rises with Breanna, who doesn't look as pleased.
Gennadi bows to Isadora... nods to Sebastian (politely, both).
Isadora: She lifts her glass to Gennadi. "Come back in one piece. I'm starting to like you."
Sebastian: Sebastian then looks down at his paper again, nods to himself, and presents it to Leuta. "My Lady, I hope you will accept this small token of appreciation for your beauty." In his hand he holds a small folded paper dove.
Gennadi inwardly winces at the rhiani-like honesty of that appraisal from Isadora.
Gennadi: Thank you, milady, I feel very much the same.
Gennadi exits.
Holmes: Leuta takes the dove, and gives an, "Awww. That's cute. Thank you so very much...Sebastian is it? You have the cutest accent!"

Holmes: As the night goes on people drift off after eating about the fire. Eventually there's only a couple of Rhiani hunters left, and the big man.
Holmes: Okhfels notes that their leader is one of them, Dhazari. He seems to be musing the night's events, poking at the fire pensively.
Holmes: At one point, he looks up suddenly, noticing something outside the ring of tents. He seems interested, but not too worried, as he doesn't move. Still he tracks it's movement intently...
Okhfels decides to show off a little. He reaches down into the fire, grabs an ember between two fingers, pops it into his mouth and eats it.
Okhfels: He takes a swig of wine to wash down the charcoal.
Holmes: Dhazari loses track of whatever is in the dark, and stares at Okhfels. After a bit his stare becomes a smile. "You are full of surprises. Not just the blood of a giant, but a fire giant at that?"
Holmes: He laughs to himself a tad nervously, as if wondering if perhaps what he's said is true - it was almost a question. His eyes then go back to whatever's in the darkness. "An interesting friend is with us tonight..."
Okhfels: "M Mmmm ?, spicy. Where, out there?"
Holmes: "He's circling the tents," says Dhazari, his eyes staying glued on the subject. "It's the half-breed."
Okhfels: "That goblin I saw before?"
Holmes: "No, not him. He's a half Lugrok who lives out in the swamp," he relates.
Okhfels: "Is he trouble?"
Holmes: "Don't know," he continues tersely continuing to watch. "He hasn't been to this point. But he's been prowling about a lot lately."
Okhfels shrugs. "Scout'n for someone else?"
Okhfels: "...or just scavenging?"
Holmes: "You're pretty sharp," he looks at Okhfels taking a break. "I think that's exactly what it is. Scouting."
Holmes: "But for whom?" he says, and then looking back into the dark, "or what."
Okhfels: "If ya don't trust 'im, run 'im out.
Okhfels: "Can't be friendly. Yah don't sneak around when yer scoutin' a friend."
Holmes: Dhazari looks at Okhfels and thinks about it for a moment, "OK, sure. Makes sense. Want to help me? You go that way around the tents, and I'll go the other, and we'll come up on both sides of him. Make sense?"
Okhfels: "Yup." Okhfels stands up, hefts his hammer, and walks out. "I'll make the noise, get him to run your way if he decides to run."
Holmes: "Good," Says Dhazari simply, and gets up and heads out.
Okhfels: As he rounds the tents, Okhfels calls out, "Hoo-ooo! Half-breed! C'mere, I wanna have a little TALK widja."
Holmes: Moments later, there's some noise in the dark, sounds of running and a scuffle, and Okhfels comes back into the firelight dragging the creature with him, Dhazari almost laughing behind him. "I thought he looked surprised to see me, but when he turned and ran into you like you were a stone, that was hilarious!"
Holmes: The creature struggles to get free of Okhfel's grip, but it's useless.
Okhfels: Okhfels chuckles. "Glad to help."
Holmes: Dhazari trys to get more serious, "OK, ugly one, why are you snooping around the camp?!"
Okhfels uses his magical talent to stoke the fire.
Holmes: The light blazes up, and the pair can see fear in the eyes of the creature. It stammers in broken Rhiani, "I hungry and cold. Saw fire."
Holmes: The two other Rhiani stand close by watching the exchange.
Holmes: With the burst of light, Okhfels notes that there's one of the "civilized" folks coming into the circle.
Okhfels looks over to see if he recognizes any of them.
Holmes: "Hungry, eh?" says Dhazari coming close to the creature, it's tusks coming close to his face. "You live near here - we've seen you before. I'm sure you've got some way to feed yourself in the swamp."
Holmes: Okhfels notes that the man approaching is not one he's familiar with. He's dressed in dark leather, making him hard to see at night, and has an air of confidence about him. He stops to watch the exchange as well, just inside the circle.
Okhfels: Okhfels just holds on. He's not really skilled in the art of interrogation, so he lets Dhazari run the show.
Holmes: The creature doesn't want to speak. It cowers in Okhfels grip.
Holmes: "Who sent you?" Dhazari cuts to the chase. "C'mon, it'll go better for you if you just tell what you know. I could cut you down where you stand for not telling me the truth."
Holmes: He pulls out his chegain and puts it against the sorry creature's throat.
Holmes: It gurgles in discomfort.
Okhfels: "Don't get yer blade dirty. Give the word and I'll break 'im in half."
Holmes: The thing looks back over it's shoulder at Okhfels and whimpers again, "Rhosiar sent me!"
Holmes: Dhazari steps back as if slapped. "Rhosiar? That old crone yet lives? What's she doing out there in the swamp?"
Holmes: "Well that sounds like the truth, and explains a great many things," says Dhazari. "Well, what do you think huge one?"
Okhfels: "Any more he says will be lies. I got an idea."
Okhfels: Holding the creature in one hand, Okhfels reaches into the fire and pulls out another ember.
Holmes: Looking back at the creature Okhfels notes that it's wearing only rags, pitiful, really.
Okhfels: Okhfels gives the creature a burn in the middle of its forehead. "Can't go back to her now... they'll know we caught him."
Okhfels: He tosses the ember back into the fire.
Holmes: The being cries out piteously in pain, and tries to go limp in Okhfels grasp.
Okhfels: "Want me to take him to the edge of camp for ye?"
Holmes: "Certainly, but..." he pauses thinking. "Maybe we should give a message to Rhosiar?"
Okhfels: "He won't go back to Rhosiar... she'll kill him if she knows he talked."
Okhfels: "And it ain't fair to kill him here."
Okhfels: "I'll get rid of 'im. He won't be back."
Okhfels uses some of the respect he's earned to get his way on this one.
Okhfels frogmarches the pitiful creature to the edge of the camp, the edge furthest from the swamp. On the way, though, he grabs a loaf of bread (they have bread, right?) and hands it to the wretch. "We all do what we gotta do. Ain't wrong to follow orders. G'wan... git goin'."
Holmes: The creature looks down at the loaf of bread, and then back at Okhfels. It then slinks off into the night, unsure of what path to take.
Holmes: As Okhfels gets back to the circle in the dying firelight as it gets late, the man in black comes forth. "Greetings."
Holmes: He offers a hand.
Okhfels takes his hand. He politely doesn't test the man in black's strength. "I'm Okhfels."
Holmes: "I am Narbin. Welcome to Green Lake," he says expansively.
Okhfels yawns and stretches. "Thanks. You a scout?"
Holmes: "Yes, that's very perceptive of you. I've heard all sorts of good things about you. You're making quite a stir around here," he stops just for a moment. "I even heard that you're from the mountains: Teth hold?"
Okhfels: "Yeah. You're not local either, are yeh?"
Holmes: "Well, I'm with the Kaitaine colony," he says. "As you point out, I'm a scout. And I think that I've seen something that you might be interested in. Something I saw while scouting."
Okhfels: "Yeah? Well... go ahead."
Holmes: "Well, a man like you understands...everything at a price," Narbin grins through his short beard an moustache. "I need some help with something. In return I have information about something important to your people, I think. A place nearby."
Okhfels: "Alright... what yah need help with?"
Holmes: "Well, as it happens, they're related. You see, there are these ruins on the north side of the lake. Well hidden by trees, it would take you a year to find it on your own," he continues. "There are symbols there on the rocks that make me think that your people may have once lived in these ruins."
Holmes: "And I'd like to see if there's anything there of value."
Holmes: "You could allow me to keep anything in terms of precious metals, etc. And you would take anything of importance for your people, of course." He looks at Okhfels expectantly.
Okhfels rubs his chin.
Okhfels: "I dunno... you thinkin' there's gonna be a fight?"
Holmes: "I will not fool you, there are creatures in this swamp that are of an ill nature to say the least. I am asking you to come because it's more than possible we'd find something that might find us tasty," he admits.
Okhfels: "Just you and me?"
Holmes: "Well, I've not convinced anyone else of the value of such an expedition. In any case, it makes more for the both of us, does it not?" he says. "Do you need help?"
Holmes: He looks Okhfels up and down, indicating his size.
Okhfels laughs. "I thought you said you were going to get all the gold."
Holmes: "Precisely," says Narbin with a grin.
Holmes: "Again, if you feel you need help, and can convince somebody else, that's the price I'll have to pay"
Okhfels: "The rocks ain't goin' anywhere... I'll sleep on it."
Holmes: Narbin nods, bows slightly, and dissappears back into the night.

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