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Holmes: Okhfels makes his way down the row of tents, heading for the largish one in the center that contains the forge.
Holmes: Looking off to the side, Okhfels notes several men working on weapon skills, mostly practicing with a type of sword he's not seen before.
Okhfels only notes in passing as he goes. He's seen a lot of strange weapons over the years, has never taken special note of them.
Holmes: He also notes that amongst them is the man who tried to compare his height to Okhfels by the fire the previous night.
Holmes: He gets the impression that this man is a leader. And these are soldiers.
Holmes: OF a sort.
Okhfels throws a salute if the man he recognizes notices him.
Okhfels: A friendly one.
Holmes: The man returns the salute wit an uncertain smile.
Okhfels continues on to the blacksmith.
Okhfels: (uncertain smile?)
Holmes: At the smithy, a smallish man who looks to be made of muscles that seem somehow like the metals he works runs about ordering two other larger men.
Holmes: Okhfels sees that they're melting ingots right now.
Okhfels waits a minute for a pause in the work, but realizes that there isn't going to be one.
Holmes: The whole seems somewhat inefficient - and not just the function of the improvised works here.
Okhfels: "Hoi!" he says, trying to catch the small man's attention. "My name's Okhfels. I'm new around here. Wondering if you need any help."
Holmes: Eventually the small man looks his way, his eyes popping out somewhat when he sees the man speaking. He can't help but look the big man over.
Okhfels: "Looks like you've got a lot of work."
Holmes: As Okhfels says this, one of the assistants let's some of the molten metal flow over into a bucket of water sending a tiny explosion that stings the back of the smith.
Holmes: "Ahh!"
Holmes: He turns and slaps the head of the guilty party.
Okhfels just shakes his head a little... not really his place to say anything...
Holmes: He finishes directing the pouring of the metal and turns back to Okhfels.
Holmes: "You know smithing?" he says in the broken Rhiani that these foreigners all speak.
Okhfels: "I used to work in a forge... long time ago."
Okhfels: "I'm good with fire."
Holmes: The little man comes over to Okhfels and looks him over closely, walking around him slowly. When he gets back in front he gestures to the fire, "Show me."
Okhfels goes over to the fire.
Okhfels peers inside the furnace.
Okhfels shakes the handle on one of the crucibles.
Okhfels blows on the fire.
Okhfels tosses a handful of coal on the fire... a BIG handful... would be a shovelful for anyone else
Holmes: The smith watches Okhfels work. After a while he says, "Where you learn to smith like that? You work for me, OK? Same wage as other two, OK?"
Okhfels looks at the other two.
Holmes: The others look at Okhfels - if they are resentful, they don't seem to have the courage to show it.
Holmes: But their looks are definitely not particularly friendly, either.
Okhfels nods.
Okhfels: "Okay."
Okhfels: "Done at sunset?"
Holmes: "Good," the little man confirms. "You start right now. We have to get some horseshoes made to trade to the Rhiani! Then done at sunset, if we done at sunset!"
Okhfels rubs his hands together and gets to work.
Okhfels goes for the crappy jobs first...
Okhfels: Working the bellows, fetching coal...

Holmes: "Hello," says a friendly voice to Gennadi. "You are new to the camp, yes? I think I saw you the yesterday at the bazaar? When the ship was here?"
Holmes: He holds out a hand, "I am Speckler. I'm the quartermaster here."
Gennadi: "yes, although I wasn't from the ship, of course" he then turns.
Holmes: "No, no, of course not. Are you with the refugees who have been coming up the river then? You seem like the others from Sherezak," he notes, wiping his hands on his apron and reaching into a pocket.
Gennadi: "Gennadi..." he frowns, concentrating. "I believe I've heard your name... something from either Isadora or Sebastian... something about 'indespensible' and 'sharp as a razor'."
Gennadi: I am from Sherezak, yes.
Holmes: Speckler makes a gesture that says, "Well, yah I'm indispensible, but please don't mention it."
Holmes: Then he starts to reach into a pocket, and pull out some smokeweed to roll into a leaf.
Gennadi raises his hand. "I swear to keep your secret. In what other way may I be of assitance?"
Holmes: "You're a talented individual - well you and the girl," he says confidentially. "And you're no fool, I can tell that, too. Interested in making a quick profit?"
Gennadi raises an eyebrow and purses his lips; a thoughtful smirk. "We might be."
Holmes: Speckler lights his smoke from the small fire he's standing not far from.
Holmes: "I thought so, says Specler confidently.
Holmes: He takes a moment to turn some of the fish on the fire. It smells delicious, and Gennadi can see that the fish are heavily spiced.
Gennadi: "What, ahh..." he glances around. "What, specifically, did you have in mind?"
Holmes: "I'm going to have a lot of this fish...you want some?" Speckler asks.
Gennadi steps in closer. "Certainly."
Holmes: He finishes tending to the fish and let's them cook some moer, "Well, the Rhiani worship here at the lake worship these two tree spirits, more or less. Near the trees in question where their spirits reside, there's a ceremonial circle. Inside that circle they have this very nicely carved idol - solid silver you see," Speckler continues.
Gennadi frowns, ever so slightly. The lower half of his face is covered by his hand as he strokes his chin.
Holmes: "Simply a matter of getting there unseen and walking off with it. Should be no problem for someone of your talents," says Speckler with a smile.
Holmes: "Then I send it on to Kaitaine to fetch a nice price, and reward you handsomely," he concludes.
Holmes: "So what do you think?"
Gennadi: Well, obviously, I'll have to talk it over with my partner, first.
Gennadi: "And... the tribe... they're my people. It would be very... difficult to betray them.
Gennadi: I will have to think on this.
Gennadi: but I am intrigued.
Holmes: "Oh, come now, these aren't your people," Speckler says with a skeptical look.
Holmes: "You and they are worlds apart."
Gennadi shrugs. "Cousins, perhaps."
Gennadi: "well, right now, they are quite a bit closer to me... and angry neighbors make for difficult times at the market."
Gennadi: I will think on it... I will tell you before moonrise tonight.
Gennadi: 'but now, I must go... I feel the need to for a religious experience.
Gennadi winks.

Holmes: Isadora is passing the forge as the sun is getting low in the sky, and she notes Okhfels and the others working like mad to finish up their project. They finish the last horseshoe, and all four of the men let out a little cry of success. Smiles all around.
Isadora hangs back for a minute, watching. How well does this mercenary take to the forge?
Holmes: The men relax for a moment, one of them running to the well to get a bucket of water to share.
Holmes: They pass the water about, and the smiles grow larger as they cool off.
Holmes: The smith pops up suddenly remembering something. He goes over to a little pen he has in the back, and quickly slaughters a chicken. He spits it, and puts it over the forge to cook.
Okhfels takes a drink from the bucket, but makes sure everyone else has had enough before draining it.
Isadora moves forward. She says to Okhfels, "You've settled in quickly."
Okhfels shrugs. "Gotta do my part."
Isadora: "Are you satisfied with a part at the forge? There's definitely other work about, for a man of your skills."
Holmes: The little smith stands and pats Okhfels on the back where he sits. "This one is amazing, m'lady. Don't take him from me now."
Isadora: "I might want to... borrow him, that's all." She smiles a bit.
Okhfels smiles his winning smile.
Okhfels has TOTALLY the wrong idea.
Isadora: "So... a moment?" She tilts her head towards a lane of tents leading away from the forge. To the smith, she adds, "I won't keep him too late."
Okhfels smiles and winks at the other laborers.
Okhfels follows Isadora towards the tents.
Holmes: The smiths altogether let out a, "Oooohhh." And then they collapse into laughter watching Okhfels go.
Holmes: *
Holmes: *
Holmes: *
Isadora steps inside a supply tent, out of earshot, then turns to address Okhfels.
Okhfels moves in close.
Okhfels: "Don't worry... I can be gentle."
Isadora smiles, her face close to his, eyes catching the dimming light. She says, "How do you feel about... goblins?"
Okhfels blinks. Twice.
Okhfels shakes his head.
Okhfels: Uhm.. what?
Isadora: "There's a large group of goblins, about a week out to the north of us. I got your name as someone who might be able to help. I can make it worth your while."
Okhfels blinks again.
Okhfels: "How large?"
Isadora: "I'm hoping for better information than I've got, but Sebastian tells me the reports are we can't fight them off with the troops here. Leaving... isn't an option."
Okhfels seems a little confused. "And you want me to... do something about them?"
Isadora nods, looking determined. "No sense in waiting for them to come down on us. I want to send a scouting group, probably cause some mayhem, hopefully convince them that a lakeside view isn't worth the trouble. Like I said, your name came up."
Okhfels: "A mission like that... a man doesn't always come back."
Okhfels slips a hand up to isadora's shoulder.
Isadora coughs as she finally notices where this is going. She takes his hand on her shoulder and lifts it, but gently. "A man who did come back would be pretty special, though. Not just a dangerous unknown."
Okhfels smiles his winning smile and inclines his head. "You're asking a lot."
Okhfels turns his hand and takes her hand in his.
Isadora: "I'm a demanding person. Can you handle that?" She looks serious, but doesn't remove her hand.
Okhfels doesn't reply. He just takes her hand, gently as if he were holding a baby bird, and puts it to his chest.
Okhfels nods.
Isadora clears her throat, and speaks in a quiet but controlled voice. "I'll send for you when I've spoken to the others and the plan is coming together. It'll be soon. I... hope you come back."
Okhfels looks intensely into Isadora's eyes. She can feel heat coming from his skin... "So do I."

Gennadi bursts into the tent he and Breann are using. "We're going to steal the tribe's idol."
Breann stares blankly, then: "... ahh. Ah..." Blinks. "Why?"
Gennadi grins. "So I can give the payment to Andaras." His eyes are not entirely... reassuring.

Holmes: Gennadiand Breann head down the lakeshore to where he's discovered the Trees are located. As they do, they come across three men traveling the other way. One is the trailblazer he's seen about the Kaitaini camp. Another is a porter carrying an absurd amount of things. The last is a white haired old man who's neck seems constantly craned at things, including watching the sky a lot of the time.
Gennadi has heard of these people... "One of those people who goes out to look for... birds?" He murmurs to Breanna.
Gennadi mutters... "and then just... *looks* at them?"
Gennadi nods politely to the very crazy old man as they approach.
Gennadi: Good day, old father... how are the... birds... today?
Archelaus: The birds are not aligning in terms of the regular solids.
Archelaus: I must assume they are not perfect creatures.
Gennadi stops, cold.
Archelaus assumes the man is asking a serious philosophical question
Gennadi nods slowly, his eyes wide... not unlike the way someone moves after accidentally entering a dangerous animals den.
Gennadi: Well... no... I imagine they aren't... perfect.
Gennadi: which is...
Gennadi: disappointing?
Gennadi: for you?
Gennadi makes room on the path... a lot of room.
Archelaus makes a strange gesture. Is this rustic a member of his order, he wonders
Gennadi: did you find... any aligning solids, today?
Archelaus: Not today, no. But my calculations have led me here.
Gennadi looks around the immediate area. "Really."
Gennadi: "led you from... where?"
Gennadi . . . o o O ( Locations... he can't possibly be as confusing talking about locations! )
Archelaus: I examine the stars tonight, but soon, soon...There is a pale forest, I believe? Something of that nature?
Gennadi blinks. "Yes, yes there is."
Gennadi glances at the guide and the porter. "You're not... you don't plan to visit the White Wood, do you?"
Gennadi: "I'm sure there are many fine birds elsewhere."
Archelaus: But my calculations were quite clear. That does seem to be the best location for my observations. Do you know the area?
Gennadi: I am sorry, I do not. I am a newcomer.
Gennadi: "just arrived from fallen Sherezak, in fact, and on my way to visit my cousins." (indicates the camp)
Archelaus: A pity. Are your cousins in that camp?
Gennadi: All Rhiani are cousins, after a fashion.
Gennadi begins to walk on, but slows and stops. "Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"
Archelaus: Well, they might think of moving on a bit.
Gennadi tips his head, as though he'd just heard someone say something like "well, the floor is sound, except for all those traps" and wants to make sure he's heard correctly.
Gennadi: And... why is that?
Archelaus: I think it's going to get very dark.
Archelaus continues towards the camp, singing quietly under his breath.

Holmes: Sebastian considers the information given to him by the Rhiani outrider. The man had been through on a couple of occasions, and was telling him now that a large band of goblins was stirring in the Morbek Highlands to the north.
Sebastian mutters, "Damn it. I know Isadora doesn't need these kinds of complications at the moment... I wonder if that Okhfels fellow could be useful, he seems to have a personal problem with goblins."
Sebastian: "Well, nothing I can do except give Isadora warning. Then I can begin planning contingencies."
Sebastian heads off to find Isadora
Isadora is in her tent, writing a letter, but she keeps crossing out lines and finally wads the whole thing up, tossing it at the tent flap just as Sebastian would be entering.
Sebastian catches the paper and nonchalantly pockets it. "My Lady, I have some disturbing news..." and then proceeds to relate the report he's recieved as well as his ideas about using Okhfels.
Isadora: Isadora, who has had more wine than is strictly necessary at this time of day, curses at the news of goblins. "Morbek Highlands. How far is that from here, at the speed they're likely traveling?"
Sebastian: "If they continue travelling at their current speed, they should arrive in about seven days."
Sebastian: "And if the count I have is correct, we don't have the men to stop them at the moment."
Isadora: "Figures. We can try to link up with the Rhiani, or..." Her expression becomes thoughtful. "We can make it more trouble to get here than it's worth. Ground's pretty dry right now, eh? And that Okhfels fellow might be up for a little mission."
Sebastian smiles, "Hmm... sending a small raiding party to intercept them may very well be a good idea... In fact, if we handle this right we can probably enlist that Gennadi fellow and his partner as well."
Sebastian: "I'm not sure that burning the highlands is necessary... but it might improve the scenery a bit..."
Isadora: "Couldn't hurt. Might end up doing it, if a raid doesn't deter them. Right. I'll send for our recently arrived riffraff and put the suggestion to them."
Sebastian: "This could very well be 'payment' for assistance rendered. I do have a report prepared for Gennadi regarding what we have on the Wood..."
Isadora raises a brow. "Is it very long?"
Sebastian: "Unfortunately our knowledge is quite limited. I'm sure I have some material that few others have, but I wouldn't mind a bit more. That's another advantage of giving it to him, if he comes back he can make a report."
Sebastian smiles happily thinking about getting a new report...
Isadora nods, but seems a little distracted. She leans back, taking another sip of wine, and says, "You've been busy, I know, but you hear a lot. Have you heard anything about Fazeris since he arrived?
Sebastian: "I have not My Lady, would you like me to make some discreet inquiries?"
Isadora frowns, but nods. "Discreet, yes." She doesn't seem inclined to explain further.
Sebastian nods, understanding.

Holmes: Sebastian arrives at Leuta's tent, but she isn't present. Defeated only momentarily, he notes her standing not too far off talking to one of the soldiers who apparently is acting as a Rhiani translator for her to speak to the tribesman standing near them.
Sebastian approaches quietly, hoping to discover what they are discussing before he is noticed.
Holmes: "So you actually hunt for your food out there in the swamp, and in the hills with those big curved knife things? That's just so...barbaric. I mean, what about crossbows for hunting? What abouot farming?" the translator struggles to keep up.
Holmes: The Rhiani rolls his eyes.
Holmes: He lifts his chegain from it's harness, and holds it unthreateningly before him with a look like, "you mean this insignificant thing?"
Holmes: "It's somewhat pretty, but it can hardly be a good way to kill prey, can it?" she says. The trooper seems reticent to translate and only does so after she prompts him to do so.
Holmes: The Rhiani gets the message and seems somewhat deflated - but Sebastian can see that this is an act.
Holmes: The Rhiani
Holmes: The Rhiani's faux stance suddenly corrects, and he heaves the chegain with all his body. The curved metal blade whirls out making a horrible sound as it does, cutting some cattails down at the apex of it's flight, and then it begins it's return.
Sebastian approaches, folding a violet square of paper absently. His eyes lock onto Leuta, "Ah, there you are My Lady. I was wondering if I might steal a bit of your time this afternoon?"
Sebastian offers up the paper tulip, and then his arm. "I thought I might show you around, my dear."
Holmes: As Sebastian speaks a sound grows louder, and as he looks the Rhiani catchs the chegain just before it cuts his head from his shoulders.
Holmes: Looking down at the paper flower, it's stem has been cut by the other end.
Holmes: The Rhiani's face gets an apollogetic look, and he moves off.
Sebastian bows in thanks. Then frowns slightly at his flower, and shrugs...
Holmes: Leuta lets out her breath.
Holmes: She's apparently been trying not to scream.
Holmes: Even so, a little "eek" seeps out with the exhalation.
Sebastian pats her hand comfortingly, "Your sister seemed surprised at your arrival my dear... How are you adjusting to our little colony?"
Holmes: "Not so well," she whines. "That was dangerous. He could have killed somebody. He almost killed you!"
Sebastian: "Well, it is a rough and untamed land, my Lady. What brought you here, so far from the comforts of civilization?"
Holmes: "Well, my sister, and the adventure, and..." she trails off, looking at Sebastian and deciding to come clean. "Truth be told...you won't tell my sister this, will you?"
Sebastian smiles reassuringly, "Not if you don't want me to, my dear..."
Holmes: "Well, then. I've wanted to tell sombody. See," she pauses for a moment and then blurts it out. "I'm betrothed to somebody that my family wants me to marry, but I don't like him, and I thought that if I could just get away for a while that they'd see I was serious, and then think that maybe I'd like to have a say in what happens in my life, which is, after all mine to some extent, isn't it?"* Sebastian: "Well, it is often difficult to balance freedom with duty." Sebastian smiles kindly, "Some decisions are difficult to make. But then why is Fazeris here? He accompanied you, yes?"
Holmes: "Well, yes. See, he's one of the reasons I don't want to get married," she gets a dreamy look. "He's just so.."
Holmes: She sighs.
Sebastian: "I can understand that. He must feel the same way, correct? Else why would he accompany you?"
Holmes: "Yes, he does," she says with a big silly grin.
Sebastian: "And was it his idea to run here instead of to some other city?
Holmes: "Well, we discussed it together..." she thinks. "But, yes, he pointed out how remote this place would be. They can't get us here, can they?"
Holmes: "He's so smart," she smiles again.
Sebastian: "Why haven't you told your sister? Aren't you worried that the family might send for you?"
Holmes: "I'm worried that when she finds out, she'll send me back, yes," she says.
Sebastian: "Hmm... wouldn't it be better that she find out from you rather than from a letter?"
Holmes: "Well..."she pauses, and then lights up. "You could tell her for me. That would probably be the best way. But..."
Sebastian: "But what, my dear?"
Holmes: "Could you wait a couple of days? A letter can't get here that quickly. It'll give me some time to...breathe," she says finally. Indeed, she's right, no letter can arrive until the next land caravan or airship arrives. Barring special circumstances.
Sebastian: "Of course my dear. Why don't we find something to eat and you can tell me all about how wonderful Fazeris is?" Sebastian smiles encouragingly.
Holmes: As they walk along to Speckler's place, they discuss Fazeris. It seems to Sebastian that there's something wrong with the whole story. Fazeris wouldn't have chosen this location unless...it has to be something with Isadora.
Holmes: She's the link.
Sebastian thinkgs to himself, "Poor child, she has no idea how the world works... How is it possible that she's related to such a capable woman as Isadora?"

Holmes: As Okhfels exits Isadora's tent, a man in an embroidered robe comes up to him. "Hello there," he says gregariously, stroking his pointy beard. "My name is Salast. Adept Salast, if you please. And you must be the inimitable Okhfels?"
Okhfels: "I must be. Everyone tells me I am." He smiles.
Holmes: "Indeed," he says with a grin. "I understand that you are in tune with the forces of fire. Is this true? I myself am a worshipper of that same elemental force."
Okhfels: "I'm good with fire."
Okhfels says it with a tone that says, "Yeah, so?"
Holmes: "Yes, so I understand," says Salast continuing to smile. "But magically talented with it. You have an affinity for it, do you not? It's part of you on some level?"
Okhfels scratches his chin.
Okhfels: "Some of the women say I have a fire in my belly."
Holmes: "Hmm. Yes, I suppose you do," Salast seems to be tired tonight. Still he tries to smile.
Okhfels: "Do you need me for something, too?"
Holmes: "Well, what I'm trying to get at...."he thinks a bit. "What if there were somebody here who hated fire? So much so that he might be a danger to sombody like yourself?"
Okhfels grunts inquisitively.
Holmes: "Oh, never mind, my elephantine friend," he says with surrender in his voice. "I shouldn't have bothered you with it."
Holmes: "Maybe someday we can talk about fire magic?" he says partingly.
Okhfels: "Wait... is someone out to try to hurt me?"
Holmes: "Well..." says Salast conspiritorially. "It depends. I think there's somebody in this camp who's inimical to fire, and those who use it's magic."
Holmes: "I doubt anyone could hurt you easily," he says.
Holmes: "But still."
Okhfels: "Thank you for warning me. I will stay alert."
Okhfels looks a lot more serious.
Holmes: "Look for those who use the products of wood. For it is they who worship the wood that would sek to quench all fires," says Salast mysteriously. "I bid you goodnight."
Holmes: He then bows, and turns to leave.
Okhfels nods.

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