Golden Arm, the job is done our end. How are things with you? Is everything okay?
"All seems to be well. And quiet. I shall return directly."
"Aye Barnabus, that be true, had we thought ahead, we could of perhaps completed this task easier. And that may be a lesson to us all as we take on the task of running this new land."
"And now our task is done even if we had to do it the hard way, but we've had some fun, even if it's at Barnabus' expense a bit.
"Now are we off to the berry patch to see if we can collect some of those berries that Bokken would love so much?"
Lothar regarded Gorguk with a serious expression. Rhasa is on her way back. All appears to be well.
Good, then let us clean up and be ready for when she returns. There is still daylight left and much to do if we want to make this place the best we can for the settlers.
Shortly after speaking to the magician, Rhasadilara leads Sunset into the clearing, both of them moving very quietly. She puts her hand on the horse's nose and speaks in his ear. He nods his head as though in agreement and whinnies quietly. When she looks back, there is a smile on her face.
"This area is very peaceful at the moment. When we discuss areas to set aside as a park for all to enjoy, this is a place I would like to consider."
Calinder gladly helps finish the task of making this place safe once again man and animal alike. He then helps to clean up and gather the tools used.
With a smile he accepts Lothar's offer to use magic to be cleaned and says, Thank you once again friend Lothar."
Then watching as Rhasadilara returns to the clearing, speaking softly with her horse. When Rhasadilara smiles and speaks of her thoughts of the place now and it's suitability as a place to be set aside for all to enjoy, he thinks of how peaceful she appears at this time.
"And Rhasa, I believe there would be no one better to watch over this place if it is set aside for such purpose, than yourself.
Barnabus smiles once the job is finished....the horses smile at them the hooved creatures happy that during the shoveling not one glance was cast towards them....
"And Rhasa, I believe there would be no one better to watch over this place if it is set aside for such purpose, than yourself.
"It would be an honor and a pleasure. It's a little early for that decision, but thank you."
The work done and the light fading, Gorguk looks to make camp for the night if the others are agreeable to it. He checksin on Durok to make sure that he is fine before getting some rest to wake for his usual midnight shift for watch.
"Shall we set camp upon tha firm ground!"
With an eye toward the night-time creatures of the area and what she expects the weather to do, Rhasa offers her thoughts on how to arrange the camp for the night.
As the talk turns to staying where they are for the night, and camp is being made, Calinder says, "I'll be more than happy to help prepare a meal. It will not match what Dyfrig could prepare for us, but it'll be filling all the same. If you want to contribute some of your foodstuffs, I'm sure I could put together a fine meal for us."
Calinder then begins gathering wood for building a small fire to cook on and begins preparing the evening meal for the Wardens.
Once dinner is cooking and there is time, Calinder sees to his horses needs and then lays out his bedroll in a nice soft area not too far from the fire.
He studies for awhile, checking the dinner occasionally, and then writes some in his journal.
Barnabus settles in to commune with his familiar, and is soon nearly driven mad with the aroma of whatever Calendar is cooking....
After he prepares for tomorrow he approaches the cooking area and says...
"This would make Dyfrig weep.wail and gnash his teeth. We should eat this meal and never speak o it again!"
"I saw a few things on my patrol that will help."
She returns with a bounty of foodstuffs. "There's more, but I thought a variety of different things would be more interesting than a basket of all one."
Dont sell your abilities short Cal. This was a fine meal with bountiful game provided by Rhasa. If only we could always eat so well. Perhaps it is Erastil blessing us for filling in the it so others won't get hurt. It is one thing to have the thrill of a hunt. Another to injure animals for no purpose with such a trap.
For the first time since joining up with the Wardens, Lothar eats the entirety of his meal, satisfied with the lack of meat. Like the others, the magician complemented Calinder's impressive cooking skills.
Barnabus appreciates the earthy flavor of the mushrooms and remembers his life in the swamps and the many types of mushrooms of all shapes and sizes...
"These mushrooms taste like orc's ear mushrooms."
He also recalls some mushrooms the coven used to create false images and create other problems, though his knowledge was limited in cookery...
"Should we find the proper mushrooms I might be able to concot a potion o confusion."
"You can brew potions? You'll have to let me know what sort of mushroom you seek."
Indeed, a potion maker is very useful. I will have to remember Thant unless you told me once already and I forget then I apologize. What potions can you make or is it all dependent on the ingredients?
The discussion concerning Barnabus's ability to brew potions piqued the magician's interest. He leaned in a little closer as the others continued speaking.
"I have seen it done, but have not yet risked it myself, but I feel confident tha ability shall come in time."
"I had focused upon tha speech wit animals in my contemplations an studies, but now mine mind turns towards tha memories o potions an tha procedures I witnessed."
"Potions can bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses and even put a stopper in death."
Professor Severus Snape or Harry Potter
Calinder smiles at the compliments given with respect to the meal he cooked, it really did turn out better than he expected.
"Thank you all, Dyfrig is a good teacher and all that time spent assisting him must have imparted more skill then I thought. Although I could have just been lucky as well.
Thank you to Rhasa and everyone that contributed, for without good ingredients, it doesn't matter how good a cook you are, the meal will not be good."
Calinder then sets about cleaning up after everyone has had as much to eat as they want, listening as conversation turns from food to magical potions.
"I too might be interested in learning such a thing as well. Although I like and appreciate the talent that I have for being able to scribe powers granted to me, to be able to use at a later time, being able to drink or apply such a power in liquid form would have some distinct advantages."
Lothar settled down for the night, but not before declaring that he would take second watch and to wake him when his turn came.
"I'll take first watch if that is okay with everyone else."
Barnabus has been trying to learn the best ways to climb trees, even though a hex allows him to fly he feels the urge to sometimes use his physical abilities as well, not to the extent of Lothar or Rasha, but some is better than none.
Barnabus finishes his climb and joins the others for breakfast....
"Foggy morning...Will it last the day?"
Calinder wakes in the morning after an quiet, undisturbed nights rest after taking his turn watching.
"Good morning Barnabus. It's unlikely, but Rhasa may be able to say better than I. Would you like something to eat before we resume our journey? I feel like a warm breakfast this morning."
Calinder then revives the small fire from the previous night, rummages around in his food supply and starts preparing a quick but warm meal for breakfast.
Gorguk takes a long look at the fox and even detects evil on it just to make sure. Once it passes his scrutiny Gorguk relaxes and finishes his watch. I nthe morning he eats another wonderful meal by Cal and starts to wonder why they even brought Dyfrig along before.
Well I hope it clears up so we can make good time to the berry patch. We must still find a way to retrieve them for Bokken with or without destroying the spiders.
Barnabus eats his breakfast and only dropping hints about...
"Calendar hast deep an mysterious gifts, yet he tells us naught o them!"
Calinder smiles at Barnabus' remark and says, "Well before assisting Dyfrig for a time I do not think I could have done so well. It's good to know that we have other options if Dyfrig cannot join us on our journeys. Hopefully I will continue to do as well as I am currently."
After cleaning up from breakfast, Calinder stows all his belongings and prepares to leave.
Absolutely, though probably not at a full run......
Calinder rides along with the others as they make their unhurried way towards the berry patch, to try to gather berries amongst the spiders.
Talking out loud more to himself than anyone else, Calinder says, "I wonder what I could make for dinner with some of those berries?"
"Don't count yer berries before they are in yer basket an before thar ripe."
Barnabus butchers any wise saying ever but managed to get berries in there somehow....
Lothar shook his head, a pained grimace evident on his face.
Barnabus, remind me to get you a copy of 'The Child's Book of Proverbs and Anecdotes' for you to read once we get settled in.
;)
"If we consult tha map an see where we are then tha next opportunity should present itself."