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[20:33:59] Sebastian: In the days since the attack Geera has been badgering Gennadi about meeting "the big hero man" who he has determined is Okhfels. He ran out of excuses this morning at breakfast, and the only way he could get her to calm down was to promise to take her to meet him today.
[20:34:46] Sebastian: At least she seems to be somewhat happy... Gennadi walks toward the forge with Geera on his shoulders. Okhfels is there with some of his men scattered about.
[20:35:40] * Gennadi is grateful he at least spoke with the man in passing on a few occassions... following the serpent and goblin attacks. He raises a hand in greeting as he approaches.
[20:36:11] * Gennadi notes that, while on his shoulders, Geera, almost comes eye to eye with the big man.
[20:36:12] * Okhfels smiles and waves back.
[20:36:31] * Okhfels isn't working at the forge so much these days... you're lucky to have caught him there.
[20:36:33] * Gennadi pulls up and waits for him to work free of the others.
[20:36:50] * Okhfels is pumping the bellows, and using his magic to run the forge quite a bit hotter than usual.
[20:37:25] Okhfels: The smith has a crucible on the fire... he appears to be melting the metal, rather than just heating it up.
[20:39:46] * Gennadi murmurs to his passenger, "What do you suppose they're making, Geera?"
[20:41:07] Okhfels: Some of the other workers bring over a big clay mold, and at the smith's direction, Okhfels takes the heavy crucible and pours it into the mold.
[20:42:06] * Okhfels then takes hold of the heavy rope handles on the mold, and starts swinging it, driving the metal into every little corner of the mold.
[20:43:40] Okhfels: After a few minutes of swinging the mold around, the smith nods to Okhfels, and he sets the block down gently. The smith thanks Okhfels for his help, and pats him on the shoulder.
[20:43:54] * Okhfels gives the smith a polite salute and walks over to Gennadi and Geera.
[20:44:06] Sebastian: A young Rhianni man steps up to Okhfels. "I wish to join your Band as well, your courage against the goblins was impressive. I believe you are the man to protect my family, and I wish to lend you my strength." Looking around Gennadi can see that quite a number of the men gathered around Okhfels are Rhianni, they seem to have great respect for him.
[20:45:55] Gennadi: "Greetings. You're quite popular these days -- I brought another fan of yours to meet you." He bounces his shoulders a bit. "This is Geera.
[20:46:59] Sebastian: Geera smiles shyly at the big man, her eyes wide as she realizes how tall he is up close. She's used to seeing over everyone's heads when she rides on Gennadi's shoulders.
[20:47:50] * Okhfels nods and smiles to the Rhiani men. "Do you understand, that to come and follow me, means that you may, some day, have to leave your families behind?"
[20:48:06] Okhfels: "I will not be staying here always."
[20:49:14] Sebastian: The man looks uncertain briefly, and glances back over his shoulder. He meets the eyes of some of the other Rhianni and seems to stand a bit straighter. "Yes, I wish to join you."
[20:51:13] * Okhfels crosses his arms in front of his chest. "I have not been so strict with the Kaitains because they do not have their families here."
[20:52:14] Sebastian: "I understand, and am willing to follow you."
[20:52:26] Sebastian: The young man seems quite sure of himself.
[20:52:37] Okhfels: "I would like to speak with your chief before I let you join me."
[20:52:57] * Gennadi . . . o o O (Smart man)
[20:53:31] Okhfels: "See if you can get him to come talk to me."
[20:54:02] Okhfels: "Or else, come tell me I should go to him."
[20:54:21] Sebastian: "Very well. I shall speak to him." The man turns and strides away, his step full of purpose
[20:54:57] * Okhfels looks around at the other Rhiani. "Do you think I will give you some other answer?"
[20:55:10] * Gennadi smirks.
[20:56:11] Okhfels: Once the Rhiani are shooed away, Okhfels goes over to Gennadi.
[20:58:06] Okhfels: He gives the girl a flash of his winning smile (3W!).
[20:58:33] * Gennadi smiles, out of sight of Geera's vision.
[20:59:06] Okhfels: "What can I do for you, Gennadi?"
[21:00:28] Gennadi: "Hardly anything at all, but I think Geera had something to ask you."
[21:01:45] Sebastian: Geera looks down shyly and mumbles something. It's too quiet for even Gennadi to hear.
[21:01:57] * Okhfels chuckles.
[21:03:34] Gennadi: "Go ahead and ask, Geera. He's only mean to people that deserve it."
[21:03:47] Gennadi: "Or whisper it to me, and I'll ask him."
[21:04:49] Sebastian: Geera squirms briefly, indicating a desire to be set on the ground.
[21:06:02] * Gennadi does so.
[21:06:53] Sebastian: Geera steps forward and looks up (way up) at Okhfels. Her eyes get very serious. "Are you going to make sure the bad goblins don't come back?"
[21:07:35] * Okhfels takes a deep breath.
[21:07:57] Okhfels: "If Isadora wants me to, I'll do what I can. I'm not in charge, though."
[21:08:37] Sebastian: The little girl's eyse waver a bit, "But, are you going to make sure the bad goblins don't come back?"
[21:09:00] * Okhfels chuckles and musses the girl's hair.
[21:09:32] Okhfels: "I'll talk to Isadora about it, okay?"
[21:10:35] * Gennadi makes pointed facial expressions at Okhfels, then the girl... then Okhfels; expressions that clearly say "Reassure this poor waif."
[21:11:04] Okhfels: "I'm sure she'll send me out to scare away those nasty goblins."
[21:11:15] Sebastian: "Promise?"
[21:11:48] * Gennadi coughs lightly, as a way to hide his emphatic nod.
[21:12:02] * Okhfels smiles. "I promise..."
[21:13:03] Sebastian: At that moment Narbin walks out from among the tents, clearly intending to speak to Okhfels. Narbin has been oddly scarce recently, he's one of the few men who has expressed no interest in Okhfels's band at all. "Ah, my large friend. Have you decided whether to join me in that expedition I spoke to you of?"
[21:13:09] Okhfels: "Now you run and play, child. Know that you're safe."
[21:13:37] * Gennadi ruffles her hair. "There, you've gotten your answer. Go find Breanna." Gennadi doesn't seem to be heading off anywhere.
[21:14:03] Sebastian: Geera smiles, seeming almost relaxed. She runs off giggling among the tents.
[21:14:32] * Okhfels straightens up and turns to Narbin. "Narbin... yes, yes I have decided."
[21:15:17] Sebastian: Narbin cocks his head questioningly.
[21:15:33] Okhfels: "I won't be going."
[21:17:43] * Gennadi listens while pointedly not listening, talking with a old woman at a small food stand before her humble tent nearby.
[21:18:23] Sebastian: Narbin's face betrays nothing. "Ah, I see. Well, I'm somewhat surprised, I had thought that recovering a relic of your people might interest you. If you change your mind before I depart feel free to find me."
[21:19:24] * Okhfels merely nods.
[21:21:04] Sebastian: "Then I shall let you get back to whatever it was that I interrupted. Good day." Narbin nods and turns to go.
[21:21:33] * Okhfels sighs after Narbin leaves.
[21:21:46] Sebastian: He stops suddenly and turns to Gennadi, "How about you, my friend? Interested in a profitable expedition?"
[21:22:16] * Okhfels smiles to himself and turns to find Isadora, as promised.
[21:48:19] Gennadi: "Unless the expedition is somewhere in the White Forest, I'm afraid we're heading the wrong direction from one another, Narbin. It just hasn't been my week for profitable ventures.
[21:53:53] Sebastian: "Actually the ruins I speak of are near the Woods. Not in them, of course, but not far from them at all. Are you interested?"
[21:55:40] * Gennadi frowns to himself. "I'll consider it. Talk to me tomorrow and I'll know my mind."
[21:56:46] Sebastian: "Of course. If you plan a journey into the Woods," Narbin looks a bit surprised at this idea, "the ruins are on the way."
[21:56:56] Sebastian: "I shall speak to you tomorrow, then."

[20:07:10] Mholmes: Isadora looks about the camp. Hard to believe that only a few days ago, the tents were a mess of blood and goblin corpses. Things had just about gone back to normal. That is, except for the tensness that everyone seemed to be feeling. Was that the only attack coming? Were there more goblins on the way?
[20:08:17] Mholmes: Indeed, why had the goblins attacked like they had? The Rhiani all said that it was a strange occurance, a daylight attack like that. Attacks were rare enough by themselves, but during the day? Unheard of, apparently.
[20:09:47] Mholmes: Other odd goings on were still happening as well. As Isadora looks about, she notes that Egani is finishing up his boat over by the lake in the distance across the big clearing. She hadn't bothered to ask him what that was all about. He was working hard in the sun, his wife assisting him.
[20:10:45] Mholmes: In the clearing some of the young Rhiani boys were practicing with their chegains. The whistling sounds were enough to drive somebody mad.
[20:13:04] * Isadora wants some answers, and is willing to test whether she earned some goodwill with the Rhiani during the battle. She goes looking for Dhazari, to ask about goblins.
[20:18:49] Mholmes: Isadora finds Dhazari readying a party of his men to head out into the swamp. He turns to her with his patient face on and says, "What can I do for you, oh patron?"
[20:21:27] Isadora: "Patron? Heh. I wanted to borrow your expertise, oh prince among guides. Although if you're heading out into the swamp, I'd love for you to bring back Salast. Any part of him, really."
[20:24:08] Mholmes: Dhazari's countenance falls at that comment, "Shahnsa didn't return this last trip. He's probably still out there somewhere just taking his time. But it's not like him. I hope that your sorcerer hasn't done something to him."
[20:24:28] *** Archelaus has joined #indie_nar2.
[20:24:42] Mholmes: "But if I see him, I'll make sure to bring him in," he says, fondling his knife.
[20:26:06] * Isadora looks concerned--and actually means it, in her newfound (maybe temporary) spirit of kinship. "I hope Shahnsa comes back soon. I don't want to keep you from important work, but I need to hear more about the goblins, and you're reliable. I can look up Gennadi if you need to head out."
[20:28:46] Mholmes: "Well, I'd love to chat, but my employer pays by the basket of flowers. So I'm afraid that I'll have to head out if I want to be able to buy some nice things for my family from the next skyship that'll arrive," he finishes. Something about the whole exchange seems vaguely sarcastic.
[20:31:01] Isadora: Rather than retorting, Isadora looks thoughtful. "Would you all be better off if we picked up and went home? I mean it."
[20:31:37] Mholmes: Dhazari looks at her quizzically. "Better off?"
[20:31:48] Mholmes: Then he thinks about it some more and his expression changes.
[20:32:18] Mholmes: "Maybe we would," he says. "But we've gotten quite accustomed to some of the things you provide our people."
[20:32:45] Mholmes: For a moment he looks almost ashamed, and in a moment of candor, "I'm not sure that we can give these things up now."
[20:34:22] * Isadora bites back a sarcastic remark, nodding instead. "The problems with Salast could be a big shakeup, is all. All the damage during the attack... maybe it didn't need to happen at all. But I suppose we're all stuck with each other now, aren't we?"
[20:35:31] Mholmes: "Only the Great Spirit knows how things will happen for certain," he replies.
[20:35:49] Mholmes: He considers for a moment, and decides not to be in a hurry, "What do you need to know about the goblins?
[20:35:50] Mholmes: ?
[20:35:53] Mholmes: "
[20:37:18] Isadora: "I heard that goblins don't attack during the day. I want to know what might drive them to do so, and why we haven't seen whatever was pushing them. Anything you know...?"
[20:40:26] Mholmes: "Well, I agree that there must be something pushing them, as you say," he says. "But who can say much of such things? There's a legend that a hero of our tribe once tread into the halls of the goblins. And it's said that they worshipped some dark being of the earth. Perhaps this is what now stirs them?"
[20:42:08] Isadora: "I don't normally worry too much about legends, but after the last week, I don't know what to believe. Is there someone of your people I could ask about these stories? And would they talk to me?"
[20:43:11] *** Drozdal has joined #indie_nar2.
[20:54:07] Mholmes: "Hmm. You could ask either the Shaman, or perhaps Suteh, the mystic," he replies after some thought. "They both may have more information about what you're looking for."
[20:54:55] Mholmes: "But I wouldn't wait for the horses to return on their own in this case," he says, obviously using a Rhiani aphorism. "There may simply be no good answer forthcoming on the nature of the goblins behavior."
[20:56:31] Isadora: "Thank you. Flowers are no use if we're overrun, so I'm pulling together a scouting troop or two from the Kataine side. If your people are doing anything... well, we could cooperate, if soldiers wouldn't get in the way of your guides."
[21:06:57] Mholmes: Dhazari frowns, "You're sending your own men into the swamp? That might not be wise. You're thinking to allow us to keep more of our numbers in the camp?"
[21:07:13] Mholmes: "I appreciate that, but..."
[21:07:55] Isadora: "I was thinking the hills, actually. I'm told there are plenty more goblins where these came from, and I don't want to just wait here for them."
[21:11:02] Mholmes: "Ah, I see, good thinking. Our horsemen will make far superior scouts. Agreed," he says.
[21:11:39] Mholmes: "But, the men will not want to quit working if it means they do not get their Kaitaine silver," he says.
[21:11:57] Mholmes: His look is an honest one, not one of a swindler.
[21:13:09] * Isadora makes a quick calculation. "Fair. I can swing enough silver to pay those wages for at least a couple of days of patrols--call it hazard pay. I can even send some soldiers over to your side, if you'll need them to cover while others are gone."
[21:13:43] Mholmes: Dhazari smiles, "Yes, that would all work best I think."
[21:14:21] Mholmes: He seems for a moment to genuinely seem to have a sort of raport with Isadora. Each fending for their people, he's found a common ground with her.
[21:15:29] * Isadora decides not to strain it by further conversation, at least for now. She returns his smile, a little of the tension going out of her shoulders. "With any luck, none of us will have to die together. I'll let you back to your business, then."
[21:16:29] Mholmes: Dhazari continues to smile his agreement, but after a moment a thought comes to him, "One thing, if you have a moment?"
[21:16:45] Isadora: "Of course."
[21:21:57] Mholmes: "There was a jeweled dagger, an heirloom of one of the families in the camp. It's disappeared...," he seems at a loss.
[21:22:26] Mholmes: Forcing himself through the cultural barrier, "Several things have been lost in the past few weeks."
[21:26:43] Isadora: "You're wondering if someone on my side has been stealing?" Isadora frowns.
[21:27:34] Mholmes: "I would have our people work together through this time of troubles. But if there is somebody who has been taking our things, how can we all trust each other?" he says.
[21:27:46] * Okhfels strides between the tents, and spots Isadora.
[21:29:22] Isadora: "How, indeed. If you have any suspects, name them--it'll save me time asking questions..." she trails off as she sees Okhfels, nodding to him.
[21:30:20] * Okhfels salutes Isadora, and nods to Dhazari with a smile.
[21:30:52] Mholmes: "I don't have any 'suspects'," Dhazari replies. "Just things dissapearing. Some of it could be mistakes of my people. Some of it could be co-incidental mistakes. But too many co-incidences are not mistakes, but thefts."
[21:31:12] Mholmes: Dhazari nods to Okhfels, briefly.
[21:35:07] Okhfels: "Lady Isadora, when you can, I need to talk with you about a couple things."
[21:35:08] Isadora: "I'll look into it," Isadora says to Dhazari, and means it. She needs the Rhiani too much right now to risk alienating them.
[21:35:51] Mholmes: Dhazari nods believing her, and grabs his basket to head back to the swamp.
[21:38:12] Isadora: "What do you need, Okhfels? I just worked a deal with Dhazari to send out scout patrols, looking for more goblins or whatever drove them down here."
[21:38:40] Okhfels: "Well, that is good... I promised someone I would come talk to you about going after them."
[21:39:52] Isadora: "For once, we seem to be in step." She smiles wryly. "We may find more than we can handle, but it's better than waiting for them to come to us."
[21:40:50] Okhfels: "Yes, you're right. The other thing I wanted to talk about, was that some Riani men want to join my band."
[21:42:33] Isadora: "They've come to pledge loyalty to you, and... you're worried they might not follow my orders?"
[21:43:18] Okhfels: "No, but I knew it might not be good with the Riani leaders."
[21:43:30] Okhfels: "These men have families here. Not like your Kaitains."
[21:45:41] Isadora: "I'm missing something. Will the families stir up trouble besides the Rhiani leaders?"
[21:46:19] Mholmes: Those very families bustle about the Rhiani camp about the pair. A woman gathers some things to take to the lake to clean. A girl tends to a boiling pot.
[21:47:31] Okhfels: "I do not think it is good to take men away from their duties at home."
[21:48:25] * Isadora blinks. "Oh. Of course. Apologies... I'm used to only the spare family members being sent off for soldiering. I forget that they might be missed out here."
[21:48:34] Isadora: She tilts her head. "You're within your rights to just refuse them, of course."
[21:50:05] Okhfels: "Yes... but that might not be good either. So I sent them to talk to their chief."
[21:50:18] Okhfels: "If he lets them go, I'll take them."
[21:52:48] Isadora: "Pending his approval, it sounds solid to me. I'm beginning to understand that we all need each other out here."
[21:52:49] * Okhfels nods.
[21:52:55] Okhfels: "How long until we go after the goblins?"
[21:54:15] Isadora: "As soon as Dhazari gets his scouts riding out. I'm thinking of searching Salast's tent for valuables to pay them."
[21:54:52] Okhfels: "I'm pretty good at that, you know."
[21:55:41] * Isadora raises her eyebrows. "Looting tents, or finding goblins? I'm sure Dhazari could use you, if you're willing to go out."
[21:56:10] * Okhfels smiles. "Both."
[21:58:21] * Isadora laughs. "Come on, then. We can give his tent a once-over before you head out."
[21:59:08] * Okhfels follows Isadora to said tent.

[22:03:24] Mholmes: In Salast's tent, unsurprisingly the pair find little of value amongst what remains. Extra robes, some now rotting cheese, some worthless notes from Marvars telling them things they already know.
[22:06:17] Okhfels: "Not much here, Isadora."
[22:07:02] Okhfels: (have I searched it THOROUGHLY, or just begun?)
[22:11:09] Mholmes: As Okhfels looks about, he brushes the top of the tent, and fells something in the lining. He finds a note secreted in the tent wall.
[22:12:01] * Okhfels slips the note out, and just hands it to Isadora.
[22:12:44] * Isadora reads...
[22:13:07] * Okhfels cracks his knuckles.
[22:13:20] * Okhfels keeps looking while Isadora reads.
[22:13:23] Mholmes: Sebastian notes that just outside of the tent, lying on the ground, is a strange looking stone, white with grey streaks in it, carved to a very fine octagon shape. It looks like it was probably dropped there.
[22:15:33] Mholmes: The note is from Marvars to Salast. In it, he responds to Salast's worry about Isadora's leadership becoming too inquisitive. Marvars says that if there are troubles with her, he intends to send an assassin to deal with her. Better to silence her in the wilds than to let her ruin their plans.
[22:18:47] * Isadora sighs, then laughs. "What can I say? I had plans to kill Salast before he disappeared, so it would be rather shameless of me to complain that he returned the favor." She hands the note to Sebastian.
[22:19:34] Sebastian: Sebastian picks up the rock and steps inside. He glances at the note, "Idiot, who did he think to send? I would have spotted hiim on his arrival..." Sebastian looks almost insulted at the implication that an assassin might get past him.
[22:20:11] Mholmes: As they speak, Fazeris comes into the tent. "There you are, Isadora!"
[22:21:02] Isadora: "Fazeris, the light of my lunchtime... you haven't seen our missing Salast, have you?"
[22:22:42] Sebastian: Sebastian deftly pockets the note and the rock.
[22:31:07] Mholmes: Fazeris replies, "Salast? No, of course not. Not since Leera said he fled the camp. But I must talk with you."
[22:31:14] Okhfels: "Do you think he might have gone to the goblins?" Okhfels asks of Isadora.
[22:33:14] Isadora: "Maybe, but I'd look elsewhere first," she says to Okhfels. To Fazeris, she says, "Privately, I assume? Okhfels and Sebastian are more than capable of handling things here."
[22:33:41] Sebastian: Fazeris looks a bit upset by something, "This shouldn't take a minute."
[22:34:20] Isadora: "Minutes, I have." She steps outside with him.
[22:39:26] Sebastian: "I am hoping that you have decided to support me with the council."
[22:41:02] Isadora: "That." She rubs her temples. "I was right in the middle of deciding when the goblins arrived. Perhaps you heard them?"
[22:41:49] Sebastian: Fazeris smiles a bit coldly, "Yes, I did. I understand that you need time to decide, but time is something that you are in shorter supply than I. Remember your mother's plans..."
[22:42:40] Isadora: "Yes, about them." Isadora sighs. "Here's the thing. I... I don't know if I'm going back to Kaitaine. At all."
[22:43:28] Sebastian: Fazeris seems shocked, "What? What else would you do, my dear? Live among these savages?"
[22:46:04] * Isadora laughs, but it comes out a little hollow. "Of course not. This place is a dead end, and we both know it. But I don't know if I'd make it back home, either. I miss it, but I think about the people I'd have to face, and my blood starts to boil again. Maybe the Rhiani have rubbed off on me--I don't know if I could stand the lies."
[22:47:28] * Okhfels slips out of the tent. "Isadora? We've been through it all."
[22:47:32] Sebastian: "Well what alternatives do you have? Go home or stay out here in the middle of nowhere... I don't see a decision to be made there."
[22:48:08] Sebastian: Fazeris glares at Okhfels, clearly not happy with the interruption.
[22:48:25] Sebastian: "If you don't mind...?" he says pointedly.
[22:48:40] Isadora: "There are other cities. I could..." she trails off, Okhfels' interruption saving her from being unable to finish the sentence.
[22:48:44] Okhfels: "If I don't mind what?"
[22:49:23] Sebastian: Fazeris throws up his hands, "Bah!" He turns to Isadora, "Do I have your support?"
[22:51:43] Isadora: She straightens and shakes her head at Fazeris. "You'll have to stand without my support. I mean no insult, but I can't." What she doesn't say is that she already trusts Okhfels more than Fazeris.
[22:52:55] Sebastian: Fazeris straightens his shoulders and a cold, blank look comes over his face. "Very well my dear. If that is the way it must be..." He turns and walks quickly away.
[22:54:06] Isadora: "And good health to you and your family!" Isadora calls after him, then laughs weakly once he's out of earshot. "Thank you," she says to Okhfels. "You either just saved me from making a bad decision, or pushed me into the worst."
[22:54:32] Okhfels: "Uh... you are welcome."
[22:55:29] Okhfels: "By now the Riani should be ready to move. It would probably be better to leave Garoumbadaour here at the camp, I think."
[22:55:50] Isadora: "Does it need any special... er, care?"
[22:56:20] Okhfels: "The men I have initiated will be able to handle that."
[22:57:49] Isadora: "Good." She looks a little relieved. "Take care out there. I'm learning to rely on you."
[22:58:20] * Okhfels smiles toothily. "It makes me proud that you do, Isadora."
[22:59:52] Okhfels: "We will show those goblins what it means to wake up sleeping dogs, eh?"

[20:20:03] Mholmes: Down at the lake, Haikain arrives back to the site where Egani is working on the boat. Archelaus trails him, looking intently at a scroll with astrological and mathematical symbols on it.
[20:22:47] Egani: "She's just about ready, fellows. Another coat of varnish and she'll be ready for lake, swamp or river. Check out this cool geared pivot that I built for controlling the rudder...blah, blah, blah..."
[20:23:37] Haikain: "Fantastic." He nods politely, listening for as long as Egani talks, though his eyes start wandering out to the lake fairly quickly.
[20:28:17] Archelaus: Archelaus starts to inscribe what looks like a partial star chart on the bottom of the boat.
[20:28:36] Egani: Continuing to rub noxious chemicals into the flat bottom of the overturned boat, Egani starts talking about the upcoming trip(s). "I figure at some point we should work out a plan of inquiry for our expedition. I realize that our first jaunt in will be primarily for getting our bearings, making rough observations, and determining future courses of study, but cataloging our areas of interest might be a good preliminary step. I do wish we had a na
[20:30:14] Egani: "
[20:30:21] Archelaus: "This may hide us from dangerous spirits. With a bit of luck we can trick them into thinking we're part of the sky."
[20:30:43] Archelaus: "...at least in theory"
[20:30:56] Egani: "I do wish we had a naturalist of some kind."
[20:31:47] Haikain: "My expertise ends at the shoreline. I have a passing knowledge of the natural world, however. What do you have in mind?"
[20:32:33] Archelaus: "I do wish we were looking up rather than down."
[20:33:11] Haikain: "I do wish we would get on with it." He snaps his mouth shut, looking surprised at his own outburst.
[20:33:19] Egani: "Well, I knew a gentleman back home who undertook expeditions to remote locations to observe and collect living specimens. He was able to explain the most fascinating details about a place based on the plants and animals."
[20:36:40] Haikain: "My apologies." He shakes his head. "Well, that would fall outside of my knowledge. What more preperation do you fellows need?"
[20:37:24] Archelaus: "Cartographers are so impatient. I suppose it's because the terrestrial world changes so quickly, they have to run to keep up. The eternal world of the stars, on the other..." He trails off as he carelessly steps into the water then jumps back to dry land.
[20:37:31] Egani: "The boat will be ready to float this afternoon."
[20:38:52] Haikain: "Change is interesting. I'll return this afternoon, then." He turns to leave...in a noticeably worse mood than seen thus far.
[20:42:19] Mholmes: Off in the distance the whistling of the chegains continues as the boys practice. At one point the whistling gets a bit louder, and then stops. One of the chegain has fallen close to where the boat is being constructed, and has stuck in the ground.
[20:42:45] Mholmes: Marcia, helpful as always, goes to investigate.
[20:43:11] *** Drozdal has joined #indie_nar.
[20:43:53] Mholmes: She stoops down to pick up the chegain, and makes a startled noise. The boy who must have thrown it comes up, and gets it from her. She returns to Egani, "Husband, I need your help."
[20:44:20] * Egani stops what he's doing and attends to Marcia.
[20:49:20] Mholmes: Haikain notes that Marcia seems to be bleeding. The trickle of blood, however, that she tries to keep hidden, is a very dark color. Unaturally dark.
[20:49:55] Egani: Is it a serious laceration?
[20:52:06] * Haikain takes a couple steps towards the pair. "Do you need a healer?"
[20:53:01] Haikain: He doesn't get too close - around a woman, and someone else's woman at that, he plays it safe.
[20:53:18] * Egani begins to apply pressure while leading his wife toward their house, "How did this happen, my pet?"
[20:53:34] Egani: "I believe that we'll be OK, but is there one?"
[20:54:22] Haikain: "Oh, there must be at least one in the camp. I can attemp a basic dressing until one is found, if you wish."
[20:55:49] * Egani -- now talking back over his shoulder to Haikain, "I'll dress the wound, but thanks."
[20:56:06] * Archelaus sits down on a rock and removes his boot, trying to empty the water from it.
[20:56:30] Mholmes: Marcian responds, "So silly of me, I didn't realize that the metal throwing thing that belonged to the boy could be so sharp."
[20:57:23] Mholmes: As she passes a tall plant, a few drops fall on a leaf and Haikain gets a closer look at the substance as the move along. It seems to be almost black and...greasy?
[20:57:31] Egani: "Keen blades, those. They're meant to kill."
[20:58:39] * Archelaus puts his boot back on and follows the others.
[20:58:54] Haikain: "Oh...well...I'll send a healer to you when I find one, then..."
[20:59:15] Egani: Super.
[20:59:36] * Haikain waits for the others to move a little distance away, and then stoops down, attempting to identify the substance on the leaf
[21:01:09] Mholmes: "I just didn't realize...children back home aren't allowed to play with such sharp things," she says.
[21:02:24] Archelaus: "Are you quite sure you're alright? I think one of my books has something about festering wounds, if that would be a help."
[21:02:31] Egani: As Egani and Marcia arrive back at the only building in sight, Egani leans his beautiful wife back on a desk and begins to repair her wound with a combination of medical, mechanical and magical means.
[21:03:50] Egani: "Please, come along. I'm a physician, but an extra pair or two of hands may be valuable."
[21:05:19] Mholmes: Looking at the stuff on the leaf, Haikain realizes that it's something like the whale oil that his people use to grease ropes. But this stuff is pulled from the ground, and is used in some parts of Danarchis to lubricate the most complex of machines. It must be common in Sel-kai.
[21:07:46] * Haikain sits back on his haunches. .oO(Who am I getting myself involved with here...)
[21:14:42] Archelaus: "I wouldn't want to interfere with the work of an expert physician. Unless you need my help, I'll take my leave"
[21:16:05] Egani: "I'm certainly no master, but as always, you may suit yourself."
[21:25:41] Mholmes: Egani quickly assesses the damage. He can fix it without too much fuss with just some of the things around the workshop. Fortunately nothing important inside was too damaged.
[21:28:23] * Egani repairs the internal damage and stitches the tissue up to heal. He then takes some time out to consider improving the stability of his wife's systems.
[21:30:20] * Archelaus returns to Haikain. "Come cartographer, shall we not explore some of this land you love so well? There are some ruins just north of the lake. Perhaps those who lived there knew of the lake spirits and left some clue for us to find, carved in stone."
[21:31:10] Haikain: "That sounds like a fine plan, Astrologer."
[21:35:07] Archelaus: Tehu, Archelaus' servant mutters something like, "Didn't somebody say they were dangerous?"

[21:40:38] Mholmes: Archelaus and Haikain head back from Egani's house to where they've been working on the boat and otherwise preparing their expeditions. When they get back to the water, there, standing looking out onto the lake in the fading light is a small woman, slender, yet wiry looking for her advanced age. She wears a black dress created with some detail in it.
[21:41:29] Mholmes: She turns to look at them as they approach.
[21:42:14] Mholmes: Her hair, grey and tough stands in a high and elaborate array above her hard features. Her movements speak of some unnatural grace.
[21:42:20] * Haikain gets a nervous smile.
[21:42:54] Mholmes: "You people intend to disturb what lies in the Lake?" she questions quite directly.
[21:44:42] Haikain: "Well...it disturbed me first, technically..."
[21:45:01] Archelaus: "We are merely natural philosophers, hoping to increse our store of knowledge."
[21:47:26] Archelaus: "Where might your interest lie?"
[21:47:58] Mholmes: She shoots a glare at him, "Wise Andaras says that men like you are blind to truth. My interest lies in you not killing us all by dealing with things best left undisturbed!"
[21:48:28] Mholmes: Her eyes seem to flare, and for a moment in the odd waning light, it seems as if they're not the eyes of a human, but the slit eyes of a cat.
[21:49:58] Haikain: "I would ask you, lady, why they disturbed me if they wish to be left alone."
[21:53:42] Mholmes: "I do not know what the things in the lake want. But why listen?" she replies.
[21:54:37] * Haikain opens his mouth...the thought of not -wanting- to know something is so alien that he has no response
[21:55:02] Mholmes: Both men of knowledge have heard of the cult of Andaras - obviously this woman is an adherent. Andaras, they say is god of cats and wisdom. But the wisdom of cats seems not to be that of men in many cases.
[21:55:14] * Haikain stammers
[21:56:55] Mholmes: She walks up to Haikain, "What god is it that you follow that tells you to listen to voices from deep places?"
[21:58:12] Haikain: he sneezes. "Apologies..." he gets out a hankercheif and talks through it. "The Great Island Spirit is far from this place, so I follow only my...*sneeze*...nose."
[21:58:28] Archelaus: "I sometimes think that the darkness of the heavens and the darkness of the deeps are not all that different. Wisdom might be gained from both."
[22:00:03] Haikain: "But something in there WANTS TO TALK TO ME!" He stares...for some reason he just can't get ahold of himself, especially not around this person.
[22:01:16] Mholmes: Disgusted with Haikain she turns to Archelaus, "Wisdom is from Andaras, not from the sky, or things in lakes!"
[22:01:33] Mholmes: She seeths for a moment, and then seems to calm with some thought that occurs to her.
[22:03:55] Mholmes: "You will not be disuaded, will you?" she says appraisingly.
[22:05:07] Archelaus: "Valris' order can be apprehended in many strange places. Perhaps you may be persuaded to join us."
[22:05:54] * Haikain , frustrated, lets Archelaus do the talkign
[22:05:57] Mholmes: She makes a warding sign, and hisses at Archelaus. "No, but if you will not be disuaded, perhaps a deal can be made?"
[22:06:53] Archelaus: "Go on."
[22:08:46] Mholmes: "I will give to you a stone that I found near here that may be of some use to you. In return," she says eying the pair carfully, "You will include in your ritual a passage from the Wisdom of Andaras that will keep whatever you raise from affecting those of us who follow Andaras. Will you do this?"
[22:10:28] * Haikain gives a "it's your call" look to Arch
[22:21:46] Archelaus: "We will raise this thing, if raise it we do, under the full glare of your red moon. I doubt that you will have anything to fear."
[22:22:46] Mholmes: She gets a very perturbed look on her face, "So you deny me? Be plain. You intend to do this thing without my addition to your ritual? You refuse my offer?"
[22:23:02] Mholmes: Her voice ascends in volume as she goes on.
[22:24:30] Archelaus: "Or do you have something to fear? What is it that you know?"
[22:37:33] Mholmes: "I, fear?" she shrieks at Archelaus. "I have the Lord of the Cats as my guide, I fear naught!"
[22:38:01] Mholmes: "But you'll know fear before I'm done with you, you small minded man!"
[22:38:14] Mholmes: She turns and heads away from the lake.
[22:41:32] Haikain: "I feel that that could have been handled better, Elder..."

[22:18:42] Mholmes: As Egani finishes the repairs on his wife, Chelli the cat comes into the dilapidated house. It seems to be carrying some sort of local bird with it. Very odd green coloring to it.
[22:25:47] Mholmes: Suddenly the bird explodes in his vision into something much more than it was a moment ago. Remembering some things he'd read from a book on natural forms of essence, he realizes that this bird is no normal bird, but a thing of near pure magic. Such a living being, if captured, could be invaluable either as a source of magic, or...Egani can't begin to think of all of the things he could use such essence for. As he looks at it, the patterns i
[22:26:43] Mholmes: in it are so intricate, so...linkable, that the possibilities seem near endless.
[22:28:51] * Egani wipes his hands off on his vest and goes to praise Chelli for her catch.
[22:31:06] Mholmes: The thing seems not quite dead yet, but Chelli seems not to want to give up it's prey.
[22:31:51] Egani: With the flick of a hidden switch, Chelli ceases movement and Egani tenderly removes the small bird from the brass jaws. Remembering to free the cat, Egani triggers the switch again.
[22:34:11] Egani: To placate the moping cat's ego, Egani reaches into the large jar in the corner and absently fetches one of the mamma shrews from within -- three wormlike pink young clinging to her teats, as a treat.
[22:35:30] Mholmes: Marcia comes looks over, "What is it Egani?"
[22:37:31] Egani: "Our Chelli caught this little beauty. It's broken here and here, I think" pointing to one leg and the same side's wing. "And it may be bleeding internally, but it's still alive. It is strongly magical. It's actually quite wonderous."
[22:39:13] Mholmes: Marcia comes over to the bird. When she gets close, her face contorts. "I...I don't.."
[22:40:31] * Egani gazes into the world of essence, trying to see the relation between the bird and his wife.
[22:41:44] Mholmes: Still seeing the patterns of the thing, Egani notes the problem. The third spheres of each of their essences are in complete harmonic opposition. As if each ceases to exist when they are near each other, magically.
[22:43:14] Mholmes: She backs away from it, and seems to recover a bit. Still she glares at it, as if it offends her.
[22:44:23] * Egani Egani continues to observe carefully, hoping to determine safe distances to keep between the two beauties.
[22:48:00] Mholmes: As Marcia gets to the other end of the room, she seems to regain her composure. She still seems to be concerned about it's presence.
[22:48:28] Egani: "Are you feeling poorly?"
[22:49:54] Mholmes: She nods. I'm not sure if it's the afteraffect, or if it's still making me ill, even from here.
[22:51:49] Egani: "Why don't you take Chelli and lie down in the garden. Your injury could stand some down time to promote healing."
[22:52:08] Mholmes: She nods, and takes the cat out back.
[22:52:27] Mholmes: The bird, Egani notes, is definitely salvageable.
[22:52:32] * Egani begins attending to the bird's wounds, hoping to nurse it back to health and study it some more.

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