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When Nigel is told that someone will look after the wolves in his absence, he visibly relaxes.
"Zank-you. I vas vorried about vhat might happen in my absence; zey are currently only controlled, because zey view me as zeir Alpha..."
Nigel is suitably impressed, both with the fact that it is actually a Lammasu, and with his generosity.
"Zank-you for zat. I am sure zat zeir families vill be overjoyed."
When Ratel raises his question, Nigel nods thoughtfully.
"Since ve are here now, ve might as vell sell vhat ve have, and make other purchases; vho knows vhen ve vill be in a capital city again?"
"Well, you said they're only controlled because they recognize you as their alpha, the problem with that is what if they get into trouble when you're not around?"Aubrin puts in."People need to be able to tell them to stand down."
She then approaches one of them by the side and kneels down, offering it a fist to sniff. As it does, she compliments it, "Good wolf!" and slips it a piece of jerky.
"Don't mention it. I'm glad to have been able to prevent some kids growing up without their Dad." Sir Amrivast replies.
There is the sound of some discussion from the other room, then the sound of spellcasting.
Azmythe recognizes the spell as teleport. Then a loud "Bamf!" is heard.
The party manages to find a shop labelled ”Your Ol’ Magic Shoppe,” run by a half elf with blonde hair and violet eyes. Nigel goes to the counter asking for the required wands, which she produces from a drawer at the counter, handing it to Nigel after receiving the required payment.
The party then heads to the general good store, run by a burly Brevoy man, and Nigel grabs the items off the shelves then goes to pay for them.
The party then heads back to the Ashfall lodge, where Esmerella has been waiting outside, reading her newly purchased ”Strange Aeons” book from the Pathfinder stand. ”You know,” she remarks to the party, ”There are worlds out there beyond this one. Like one of my colleagues, Nestor, is currently trying to improve the lives of a village of Vooniths in the Dreamlands.”
No one knows what the heck she’s talking about. Probably more obscure and snooty mage jabber. ”To the rest of the world, it might seem like a grand adventure. But from my studies, if even a small portion of what they wrote is true…it was a great disaster they managed to prevent.”
”Anyway, enough of that. You’ll need a teleport back to Phaendar, right? Distribute weight evenly and we can be off.” Esmerella replies. ”Oh, and welcome back.” She shakes both Geran and Victor’s hand.
After the party has gotten the logistics settled out, she teleports the party back to Phaendar, with a loud, ”Bamf!”
The party finds themselves at the edge of Phaendar among a whole bunch of colourful tents. ”Can I head back to my family? My mom Aurelia must be worried sick. Did she find out I died?” Victor asks the party anxiously.
"Kethry and the kids must miss me, not seeing me for a week.” Geran adds wistfully.
The party escorts Geran and Victor back to their families.
Geran calls out at the door, ”Honey, I’m home.” The door is opened by a blonde haired woman with green eyes, with two children, a young girl with wavy hair and blue eyes, and a young curly haired boy with flaming hair and green eyes. ”Papa! You’re back!” His family engage in a heartfelt bear hug, before he twirls his kids, one at a time, first his daughter, Georgia, who squeals with delight, then his son Ben, a young curly haired boy with flaming hair and green eyes, who enthusiastically chants, ”Again! Again!” after being twirled into the air.
His wife, Kethry, invites the party over for lunch in appreciation of the great miracle they have performed.
Victor walks up to his log cabin door and gives it a knock. A bald old woman with dark skin tone and a familial resemblance to Victor, walking with the aid of a walking stick opens the door. ”Ma, I’m back.” He says awkwardly. ”Oh Victor, I’m so glad you’re home.” Tears of joy stream from the old woman’s eyes. ”How can I ever thank you enough for bringing my son back to me?” She addresses the party.
"Being good is often reward enough. The rest will take care of itself."
Azmythe gives each of them 10 gold. "Like cherish your life, ya'know. Spend it at the festival with your family.
”Oh ya…today’s the market festival.” Then he begins to count his fingers. ”1..2..we’ve been gone for a 9 days?” Geran asks Azmythe. ”And no, we can’t keep your money, you’ve already done so much for us!” Geran’s family refuses to accept the gold pieces.
"The whole town, like, gave to see you brought back. Now you go and give back to every booth and game you can." He holds the money out for them to take.
”Well if you put it like that…okay, but if we do win, we’ll give you the prizes. Problem is…I bet I’ve got a whole backlog of pottery orders.” Victor replies, as he reluctantly takes the money.
”And I’m not sure how my radishes are going, I did ask Sam to help me keep an eye on them, but he’s got his garden to tend to, too.” Geran answers, as he also reluctantly takes Azmythe’s coin.
Kethry invites Victor, his mother Aurelia, Ryan and Mura over for lunch, in a form of an impromptu , ”Welcome Back Party.” Lunch consists of roast leg of lamb, grilled pike, Vegetable stew, fried pork knuckle, Braised rabbit,salmon chowder. Mura especially is very relieved to see that Geran and Victor are fine, and apologize profusely during lunch. Victor waves it off, ”Well, hindsight is 20/20. How were we to know that it wasn’t some hapless traveller trying to take shelter in the crypt on a rainy night?”
”If you’re that interested in making amends…well maybe both of you could take off to help ME catch up on my backlog of orders?” Victor suggests.
Ryan and Mura look as if they’re about to volunteer, then Victor gives them an impish grin. ”Or maybe I shouldn’t take your offers up on it. The last time he,” Victor gives Ryan a pointed look, ”was in my workshop, it was like a bull in the chinashop.”
”Anyway, I’m glad to be back, how’s Father Noelan’s archery competition going? He holds one every year.” Geran asks his friends.
I went this morning, but those elves, Tarethelan and Lorethiel, said bows only. No crossbows. Even if they have the word bow in it. Oh wait. You use a shortbow. That’s so freaking unfair!” Ryan grumbles.
”Wouldn’t do ME any good. I’m a fair shot with a sling, but not much else.” Victor adds. ”But Father Noelan is a generous sort, has an attractive prize up for the top shot.” Victor grins at the pun.” So if any of you do happen to be good shots, I’d say go give it a shot.”
”Oh, and please take this.” Victor hands the party a teapot, with 4 teacups. ”Thanks for getting both of us raised.”
Hedran witnesses in silence the reunification of the families - his semblance is calm and composed, accepting Kethry's invitation with a nod, and simply replying to Victor's mother - "No need for thanks Madam" - seeming somewhat embarrassed.
"The food is simply amazing Mrs Kethry. My name is Hedran" - Hedran thanks and introduces himself - "You really should not have gone through all this work because of us... Or because of me at least" - he adds - "I brought these bottles of what I'm told is an excellent wine for us all to share" - and presents here with the bottles of wine.
”Wouldn’t do ME any good. I’m a fair shot with a sling, but not much else.” Victor adds. ”But Father Noelan is a generous sort, has an attractive prize up for the top shot.” Victor grins at the pun.” So if any of you do happen to be good shots, I’d say go give it a shot."
”Oh, and please take this.” Victor hands the party a teapot, with 4 teacups. ”Thanks for getting both of us raised.”
"I can use a bow, though I've never practiced with it much and don't own one" - he replies, taking the teapot and cups - "Did you make this yourself Victor? This is fine workmanship. My congratulations"
”Urm, wine?” Jet asks Hedran curiously. ”Most of us drink beer. Or Rum. Since you can grow hops and barley in your garden, and make rum from forest honey. Local produce you know. Wine’s more of a big city thing, and since most people can’t afford it, I don’t really stock much.”
Nontheless, she does produce bottles of Pinot noir.
"Thanks Hedran. After you went to all that trouble just to bring them back...this is nothing." Kethry waves off her efforts. "Besides I roped in Ryan and Mura to help in the kitchen."
”Thanks, I did and I was thinking of selling those to Elidir, but it’d require crossing Molthune territory.” Victor replies.
”And don’t worry about not having a bow.” Geran tells Hedran. ”For the competition, Father Noelan will provide bows, free of charge, to anyone who wants to compete.”
”In fact there was a long standing debate between Father Noelan, Tarethelan. Tarethelan wanted everyone to use the bows provided, for fairness, but Father Noelan argued that if people wanted to use their own bows, they should have the freedom to.”
Geran laughs, ”Again the longbow is Erastil’s favoured weapon, so I suppose he’s secretly trying to encourage more people to use them.”
”Yeah he’s just biased against crossbows.” Ryan sulks.
”I don’t think it’s so much about bias, Ryan. You have to stop to load your crossbow. Whereas with longbows, you can just keep shooting. It might be more about pragmatism.” Mura comments.
”Well I can load my sling as fast as anyone can draw arrows, and I still can’t enter that competition with my sling.” Victor complains. ”So, Mura, how do you explain that?”
”The range? A shortbow has 60 ft range, a longbow 100 ft. Your sling only gets to 30 ft, making it not exactly a very practical weapon if you’re hunting game that’s easily spooked.” Mura replies.
Following Nigel around town, Ratel begins purchasing a few items here and there, selling his old and purchasing new or different. One item however stands out to him as he picks it up moving it around. He show the ‘Travelers Any Tool’ to the others. ”Look at this guys, you can make it into practically anything.” first making it a shovel, then a fishing pole, then a waffle iron. He smiles, ”I’m going to buy this!”
When they return to the ‘Ashfall Lodge’ ’A book, I love books, Bear likes it when I read to him.’ Ratel looks enviously at the book, but refrains from asking if he can borrow it. When the time comes he looks at Victor, and tells him, ”climb on my back, we have to make the spell think were one person.”
Once they get back to Phaendar Ratel lowers Victor to the ground, smiling, ”Of course, you go to your mom.” turning to the others, ”I’m going to go get Bear, I’ll catch up.” After excusing himself he heads to the shrine to get Bear. Helping his companion into the new leather armor that he purchased for him. Then taking the wooden armor to the festival to sell.
Hearing that the others are at Geran’s he finds them there. Smelling the food, he smiles and nudges Bear ”I hope were not too late!” Making himself at home, he helps himself to a large bowl of Chowder and grilled pike, slipping the pike to Bear when he thinks no one is looking. When he see’s the tea pot, he tells Bear, ”Now you leave that alone, it’s not for you.”
’Beer and rum? Interesting.’ Hearing Hedran would prefer wine, Ratel chimes in. ”Rum? I’m surprised you don’t make mead instead. As for wine Hedran you should come home with me to ‘Moreau’ we don’t grow a lot of grains, so we make mead, but we also make a lot of wine.”
He thinks for a moment, ”We make grape wine, both light and dark, strawberry wine, blackberry wine, elderberry wine, heck we even make dandelion wine. If you want something ‘harder’ like rum, we make this stuff from distilled potato’s called ‘vodka’ it burns all the way down.” Hearing the word vodka, Bear looks up from his pike and chuffs, shakes his head; as if remembering a terrible experience.
"Can I hug Bear?"Ben asks Ratel. "He looks like my teddy bear, just bigger."
An eagle eyed Kethry notices Ratel slipping some pike to bear."Oh yah, that big bear of yours,what does he like?"
"Isn't Mead more of an Ulfen kind of beverage?"Kethry asks Ratel.
"Well, back in Brevoy we had Mead. But again we had long winters with nothing to keep us warm. Sure, life's not that easy here, but at least the land isn't covered with snow most of the year through."Aurelia reminisces.
"Anyway for fair games, Vanes offering a prize for anyone who can find Rhyna's ferret in the woods."Kethry tells the entire group. "Kinning has this mallet smack board thing that is rigged such then when the board is smacked hard enough, will ring a bell."
"And Jet's organizing the goat cart races at late afternoon."
'Looks like a teddy bear?' Shrugging his shoulders, Ratel smiles. "You can hug him, heck you can climb on him for all I care. He likes people, kids especially.'
Blushing slightly as Kethry asks about feeding Bear. Ratel, shakes his head, "Sorry, he really doesn't need anything, he had plenty of food at the shrine. I just feel guilty if I've got food and don't give him a little." Looking at Bear for a second, he asks. "If you had a soup bone, it would keep him busy. He like crunching up bone and licking out the marrow."
When the converation turns back to alchohol, Ratel shrugs. "Our mead recipe may have come from the north. We've had a few Ulfens join us through the years."
When he hears that there is a prize for finding a ferret, Ratel chimes in, "Would it be cheating if I let Bear sniff him out?"
Ben snuggles up with Bear. He's so warm and fuzzy." Seeing that Bear does not mind, Georgia hugs Bear as well, then tries to climb on Bear's shoulder.
"I should borrow your bear more often."Geran jokes as he looks fondly at his children's antics. "At least this way they aren't mobbing me!"
"Well, all I have are salmon bones, wouldnt those be a little too small for Bear?"Kethry asks.
"I don't think anyone cares really. It's all about finding that ferret in the quickest time possible. And she's pretty good at hiding."Kethry answers.
After lunch, Kethry brings out blue berry pie as a desert and everyone lounges around on the couch to digest the enormous lunch while Hedran feverishly starts copying out spells from the spellbook from the crypt.
After sufficient digestion, Geran declares he'll try his luck at Kinning's mallet smack, and bring his family along with him. Victor decides he'll go there and watch how Geran screws that one up, and maybe try his hand at mallet smacking as well.
As Azmythe heads towards Riverwood Shrine he sees Tarethelan and Lorethiel standing at the archery yard, but now no one is using it. There is scoreboard with names and points written beside it."Hey," Tarethelan hails Azmythe. "Want to see if you can beat the high scores here? 1 copper piece to try, you can borrow our longbows or shortbows, if you need."
Lorethiel points at the archery target. " You'll be given 3 arrows. If you hit the black, you score 1 point. If you hit the blue, you score 3 points, red 5 points and yellow, 7 points. The first prize is an oil of Gravity bow, the second price 20 gold pieces, the third prize 10 gold pieces."
On the scoreboard lists a list of people's names and their scores.
1) Lirosa - 13 points
1) Taidel - 13 points
2) Perkins - 11 points
3) Tara - 9 points
4) Angmar - 5 points
Azmythe gives over the copper. He takes an offered bow and pulls it a couple times to get a feel for it. Finally, he's ready. He steps up to the mark.
Longbow to hit
Longbow to hit
Longbow to hit
One arrow flies wide, but Azmythe's second shot hits the red ring, and his third shot the blue ring.
"One blue, one red, 8 points." Lorethiel dutifully marks down the new scoresheet.
1) Lirosa - 13 points
1) Taidel - 13 points
2) Perkins - 11 points
3) Tara - 9 points
4) Azmythe - 8 points
5) Angmar - 5 points
The shrine is full now, with lots of people Azmythe doesn't recognize, in merchant clothing praying to Abadar for more profits. It takes Azmythe a little while weaving through the crowd managing to find Rhyna. "Sorry, Father Noelan is tending to Norris, in his shack. Honestly I'm feeling a little lost without him, but he said he'd be back to lead the evening prayer." When Azmythe donates 200 gold pieces to the shrine, Rhyna asks, "Wait - have you managed to get Geran and Victor raised yet?"
’Beer and rum? Interesting.’ Hearing Hedran would prefer wine, Ratel chimes in. ”Rum? I’m surprised you don’t make mead instead. As for wine Hedran you should come home with me to ‘Moreau’ we don’t grow a lot of grains, so we make mead, but we also make a lot of wine.”
He thinks for a moment, ”We make grape wine, both light and dark, strawberry wine, blackberry wine, elderberry wine, heck we even make dandelion wine. If you want something ‘harder’ like rum, we make this stuff from distilled potato’s called ‘vodka’ it burns all the way down.” Hearing the word vodka, Bear looks up from his pike and chuffs, shakes his head; as if remembering a terrible experience....
"Moreau? Is it far from here Ratel? I don't think I ever visited" - Hedran replies - "I'm not a serious connoisseur of wines but its been growing on me so to speak. So that is definitely a yes - invitation accepted to taste at least one glass of each" - he nods at his companion - "And I'll give Vodka a try also"
After lunch, Hedran thanks again for the hospitality - "I will not join the fair just yet, as I have still some studies to finish" - he addresses Ratel - "Will meet up with you later on, should not take longer than an hour"
Geran, his family, Victor, and Hedran head towards the Phaendar Trading Company for Kinning's Mallet Smash.
A signpost by the road announces the clapboard wooden shop and barn like smithy sharing a single large stone wall to be the Phaendar Trading Company. The smithy's double doors stand open, and there is a ringing sound of metal on metal as Thomas is trying to turn out as many horseshoes as possible for the waiting horses, in the adjacent animal pan. Danny the groundskeeper and Tammylan, a fellow half orc who Hedran recognizes as the town veterinarian, are busy shoeing the horses, so they can be hitched back up to their carts. Behind the Phaendar's Trading Company are a whole bunch of merchants yelling at Tammylan and Danny to hurry up so they can their horses hitched back to the carts, and moving out to make way for the next batch of merchants coming in.
Kinning, a pale burn scarred dwarf with her iron gray hair cut into a wedge, with her strange contraption of a weight is placed on one end of a board set over a pivot and in a groove on a split log that runs some 10 feet up to a bell with three different colors brightly painted along the groove noting degrees of success is a short way from the Phaendar Trading Company, so as not to aggravate the already congested situation.
The moment Kinning catches sight of Geran, she starts grousing."Oh so it was both of YOU that caused those guys," she points at Hedran, "to come and bother me yesterday. On peak season! The Gall!"
"Since you're here, I supposed they managed to put you guys back together again." Kinning drawls sarcastically. "Anyway, Father Noelan started poking his nose in and said I lacked community spirit, and blackmailed me to set up SOMETHING for today's carnival. Gah. When the smithy could use an extra hand. Can you see how much profits I'm missing out on?"
"You know," Geran winks at his family and Hedran, "I think Father Noelan thought of the best punishment ever."
"To see those business opportunities go by you while you're busy with something else, yes I think that's fitting." Geran states.
"Anyway I'm pretty sure if Father Noelan set you up to this, he'd probably have made you give prizes as well, right? I'm here to get it." Geran gives Kinning a devil may care grin."So why don't you explain the rules."
"You hit the board with the mallet. One try only, and one copper piece to play. Most of the participants today have only been getting ribbons and shawls out of me. I'd say that oil of lead blades would still be mine to keep at the end of the day!" Kinning boasts.
"Go Daddy! Show the ugly dwarf who's boss!" His children cheer.
Geran then hands the copper piece over, takes up the mallet, swings, and gives it a good whack on the board.
The bell rises midway up the blue stripe. "Well for all your bragging, that's pretty average. Still, rules are rules," Kinning then presents him with a blue ribbon.
"I'll give it a shot." Victor then rubs his hands together, before taking up the mallet and giving it a good swing.
The bell climbs up the green section and dings the bell. Kinning gives Victor a look of grudging respect. "Well that's not too bad, maybe I take my back my words that Phaendarians as noodled armed as previously thought." She then presents Victor with a green shawl.
"You mean I don't get that oil of lead blades for ringing the bell?" Victor questions Kinning.
"Nah, Tolman and Leo got to the green too. That Oil of lead blades is only for those who perform exceptionally, but I doubt its going to happen here." Kinning gives a smirk.
"Since you're here, I supposed they managed to put you guys back together again." Kinning drawls sarcastically. "Anyway, Father Noelan started poking his nose in and said I lacked community spirit, and blackmailed me to set up SOMETHING for today's carnival. Gah. When the smithy could use an extra hand. Can you see how much profits I'm missing out on?"
"You need an extra hand at the smithy?" - Hedran starts, then catches himself and stops - "Apologies, I am Hedran - I lived here a while back" - he nods - "I have learned the basics of weaponsmithing while traveling - would that be of use for your establishment?"
"If you can make horseshoes, go make yourself useful in the smithy, I'll pay you a two copper pieces per hour until we get all of the merchants horses shoed." Kinning answers. "But show me your first few horseshoes first so I can be sure they pass muster."
"I might be able to make an horseshoe... But I am more interested in weaponsmithing" - Hedran reiterates - "Thank you for the offer nonetheless" - he offers a curt bow and moves over to join Geran and Victor - "Well done to you. The green shawl becomes you" - he smiles.
"To be honest, the only time it can get cold is when you're caught outdoors on a rainy night. Good thing I spend most nights in a log cabin." Victor replies.
.... When Azmythe donates 200 gold pieces to the shrine, Rhyna asks, "Wait - have you managed to get Geran and Victor raised yet?"
"Oh! Like yeah. We did. They spent some time with their families, ya'know. I think they're, like, making their way through the festival. Letting folk see them and stuff. I'm sure they'll come here to."
Afterwards, Azmythe will go find a nice place to partake of his herbal remedies. Preferably out in the open with a lot of space. He brought enough to share. Hopefully Robert will come by or Bear. This stuff will blow their minds. Speaking of, where is that wizard? Did he perfect his stuff yet?
Robert wanders about the fair and sees Azmythe.
Azmythe greets his friend warmly. "We haven't had time to sit and, like, talk, ya'know. Bears, and wolves, and skeletons, and death, and teleportation, and life. Like, wow! Ya'know?" He offers Robert a smoke.
"Not really my thing, but I'll try a little."
"Oh ok, but you're returning this to us? So we can help others?"Rhya replies. "I guess I'll accept it."
"And no, didn't I pass you 5 gold pieces?"Rhyna asks Azmythe.
Azmythe does find a large shed, previously empty but now flagging the sign, "Holdergast's drug trials"
Entering, he sees Holdergast and a few teenagers, Connie, one of the goat herders, Roger, the beekeeper, Nigel's son, and Adrian, a farmhand. Roger is telling people to lie on the mattresses already laid out in the room, before taking a single cup of tea that will be carried to them by an unseen hand. Adrian and Connie recording down what people have been telling them about their trip.
A number of Phaendarians and non Phaendarians lie asleep on the mattresses, as a half elf walks among them, checking on their vital signs.
"Hey Azymthe!" Holdergast hails him. "I'm doing the drug trials now. Still a little unreliable. Some people report No trips at all, but I've had some interesting trips recorded down. Side effect of being a little muddled for the next day or two."
"If you're interested, lie yourself down on a mattress, then grab a cup of tea that's floating over. They're a lot around, constantly being refilled."
Azmythe and Robert manage to get out of the fairgrounds and find a quiet spot close to the forest and starts passing out flayleaf to be chewed.
Azmythe and Robert feel that the world seem more sharp and into focus, grounded into here and now, but also feel more relaxed at the same time.
Their attempt at mallet smacking done, Geran, his family and Victor head towards Riverwood Shrine, with the townsfolk happily congratulating them on being back.
As Geran, his family, Victor and Hedran head towards Riverwood Shrine they see Tarethelan and Lorethiel standing at the archery yard, but now no one is using it. There is scoreboard with names and points written beside it."Hey, Geran and Victor, and welcome back!"Tarethelan walks over and gives them a hearty pat on their shoulders. "Want to try your luck again this year? 1 copper piece for the attempt, you know the rules."
Lorethiel points at the archery target. " For the benefit of Hedran, who hasn't seem this before, you'll be given 3 arrows. If you hit the black, you score 1 point. If you hit the blue, you score 3 points, red 5 points and yellow, 7 points. The first prize is an oil of Gravity bow, the second price 20 gold pieces, the third prize 10 gold pieces."
Geran, already prepared for this, takes out his own shortbow, standing at the starting line, 60ft away from the targets, takes the offered arrows and starts firing.
"3 blues, 9 points, tied for third place with Tara." Lorethiel announces, as she puts up changes in the scoreboard.
Kethry claps appreciatively at the result.
"Sorry Geran, I'll need to borrow your shortbow. I don't think this is going to come to anything, but we did promise Azmythe on this."
Victor then draws Geran's shortbow, but to Hedran's experienced eye he can see that Victor is holding it all wrong.
"You're holding all wrong, your elbow is supposed to be parallel to the bowstring,"Geran moves as if to correct him, but Tarethelan waves no."Has to be an individual effort. No assists allowed."
Victor draws the bow awkwardly and fires.
"One black, two blues. 7 points. Considering that you still managed to hit something while holding the bow wrongly, that's pretty decent." Lorethiel congratulates him.
"Yeah had I been able to use my sling I would be able to do much better."Victor grumbles.
’ugh, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned home. Oh well.’ Shaking his head, answering Hedron, Ratel gestures towards Fangwood. ”Moreau is deep into the Fangwood, we intentionally keep things simple, occasionally trading for what we can’t grow or make.”
He leans in closer, confiding in his new friend. ”We are a village of skinwalkers, so we intentionally don’t publicize our location. We are known to a few who help those that contract lycanthropy.”
Sitting back in his chair, ”But I will take you there so you can try the wine and Vodka.”
Ratel smiles at Bear and the children, then answers Kethry. ”Well, he likes the attention, but your right samon bones wouldn’t be great for him. But like I said, he’s had plenty. But I do think he would have fun hunting the ferret.”
Getting up with the others, he follows Geran and Victor to Kinning’s game. ’I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself with all of these people here.’ Frowning when Kinning is so mean to the two resurrected men. Watching as Kenning tries the game. Ratel asks Victor, ”So where are they staging the ferret hunt?”
"Well, Salmon Chowder, so it's all fishbones thats on leftovers."Kethry replies. "So where did you find your bear anyway?" Kethry asks Ratel.
"Vane's running it at Oreld's Fine Goods. You have to find Coco in the woods behind his shop."Kethry overhears the conversation and helpfully supplies the information.
"Yeah what she said. What I'd have told you would have been guesswork, since I just got back with the rest of you."Victor replies.
Robert wanders about the fair, pausing to watch the Archery competition. He puts down a Copper on the table. "Mind if I try?"
"Go ahead," Tarethelan collects the copper piece from Robert.
Robert’s first shot misses, but his second and third shots hit the blue ring. ”Hmm, 2 blues, one out…”Lorethiel remarks, as she marks down the scores. ”You’re in the 6th place, Robert.”
The score board now reads as follows:
1) Lirosa - 13 points
1) Taidel - 13 points
2) Perkins - 11 points
3) Tara - 9 points
3) Geran – 9 points
4) Azmythe - 8 points
5) Victor – 7 points
6) Robert – 6 points
7) Angmar - 5 points
”Can I try too, Daddy?” Geogia begs Geran. ”Ok, but just be careful not to let the bowstring cut your elbow."
”Do you have small bows?” He asks Tarethelan as he hands over the copper piece.
”Actually we do. Perkins had to borrow a small shortbow from us. “ Tarethelan hands Gerogia a small shortbow.
Georgia seems to have problems drawing the bow to its full capacity, but fires off 3 arrows at the archery target.
One of Georgia's arrows hits the red ring, but two of them fall short. Lorethiel claps encouragingly. "Good job! More practice and you'll become better then your Dad in the future."
However the extra attention makes Georgia shy and she hands the bow back to Tarethelan and hides behind Kethry.
Robert purchases the following items from the general goods store in Tamran and stuffs it into the bag of holding.
10 Flasks of Acid
10 Flasks of Alchemist's Fire
10 Vials of Antitoxin
10 Sunrods
10 Tindertwigs
2 Healer's kits
’How much to tell.’ Ratel looks at Kethry for a moment then shrugs, ”There is a man in our village we called Grizzly Adams, he had an affinity for bears. Bear here was a cub from one of his companion’s litters.”
Nodding politely, ”well, Bear and I will head over that way then. Have a good day. Come on Bear.” Nudging his companion, Bear looks up and chuffs at him and then follows along.
Walking into Oreld's Fine Goods, Ratel locates Vane, smiling as he pats Bear on the head. ”Bear and I want to try and find Coco, can we play as a team, or do we have to compete on our own?”
"Oh wow. I've only heard of people with affinity with wolves, but not bears."Kethry remarks.
Ben and Georgia,on hearing the story, exclaim,"That is so cool!"
Then they start pestering Kethry,"Can we have a bear cub too?"
"Uhhhh..."
Oreld’s Fine Shop—labeled with a small shingle hanging out front—is one of the few buildings in town made entirely of stone. Mortared white blocks form the walls of this odd-shaped cottage.Vane is a middle-aged Taldan with light brown skin, amber eyes, dark brown hair, and a neatly trimmed goatee. He wears a shirt whose cuffs are stained with unknown substances and breeches under a thick leather apron.
Perched on his shoulder is Coco, a chocolate coloured ferret with a white head. "Oh hello Ratel, you're here for the ferret chase?"
When Ratel affirms he is, and requests that him and Bear do it as a team, Oreld shrugs. "Go ahead. The whole point of this game was to see who are the best trackers. If you can find a ferret in the woods, you can definitely find those herbs I'm looking for!"
"Coco will be given a five minute headstart. I've got a stopwatch to see when that 5 minutes is up. And also how long you take to find her and bring her back here."He announces.
Hoping to offer Geran an out, Ratel smiles and tells the children, ”There is one only problem. There not like dogs or even wolves. You need someone who actually knows how to speak ‘Bear’”
Nodding in response to”We would at least like to try, but finding something that leaves a trail, would preclude plants wouldn’t it?”
Once he hears the rules, Ratel kneels down turning Bears face to look into his. Then using his strange ability to speak with animals he tells bear ”We are going to play a game. The ferret is going to go hide and we are going to try and find it. Get a good smell of him so you know what he smells like. Then we will wait and follow.”
Once Ratel and Bears conversation is over, Ratel tells Vane, ”Ok, I think were ready.”
When the stop watch strikes 5 min. Ratel and Bear attempt to find sign of the Ferret.
”But I’m sure Father Noelan speaks Bear. Father Noelan speaks to all animals!” Ben bursts out.
Sensing the opportunity, Geran takes it, ”And Father Noelan is a busy, busy man. He can’t be coming to our house everyday to be talking to Bear. ”
”Oh.” Ben seems crestfallen.
”Nah, I’ve noticed that people who can find sneaky ferrets in the forest are pretty good at finding the herbs I want them to.” Oreld waves a hand. ”Afterall what’s finding a sneaky ferret compared to finding a stationary object that isn’t trying to run away from you?”
On hearing what Ratel tells him, Bear takes a good sniff as if sniffing for a beehive. Then chuffs at Ratel, correcting him.
The ferret is a she.
”So far, only Tara has actually managed to find Coco. The rest of the participants came back empty-handed.”Oreld informs Ratel.
Coco seems to be rather smug on hearing Oreld’s statement.
Oreld tells his shoulder ferret. ”You can go, now.” With a happy clucking noise, Coco scurries off his shoulder, and into the woods, disappearing easily into the undergrowth.
After 5 min, Oreld indicates to Ratel he can go now. Ratel does not see any signs of that little sneaky ferret, but does manage to find little ferret pawprints into the woods. Bear sniffs at the pawprints, nods affirmative, and continues sniffing along those paw prints. At some point of time, the pawprints stop at a rock formation, but Ratel notes a tuff of brown ferret fur on one of the rocks, and Bear continues to follow the scent trail through the rocks, finally stopping near one of them. And tapping it with his paw. Ratel looks carefully and notes a little bit of white ferret fur on one of the rocks, looks in the gap between the rocks and finds Coco curled up in there.
Hedran continues following along with the others, witnessing the archery competition with an approving nod, then moving off with Ratel for the ferret hunt.
"No need to tell Bear not to eat the ferret?" - Hedran asks Ratel.