I am sure we can call the landmarks whatever we please. Perhaps something highbrow to go over their head?
He pauses. Should we call the cows bovines, instead? I never understood why people got bovines and minotaurs confused.
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Kawa blushed slightly. I'm sorry Eva, was I being insensitive? I don't think of cows when I think of you. I didn't make that connection... but you have to admit, that situation turned real ugly, real fast.
Intimate? Like vulgar in a sexy way? Kawa asked Alice. Though right now, I'm feeling kind of hungry. Maybe we should name the places after food.
"Have you ever been called a Holstein?
Then you'd understand why I'm a bit touchy when people joke about cows."
I'm sure you look nothing like a cow. Io replies in good humor. Though I see things differently than most.
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I've heard that before. Never really understood what it means. Kawa said. You don't look like a cow, in this form or the other. You're a beautiful person, Eva. Don't let the comparisons to livestock you put in your head tell you differently.
"I don't like the comparison, it's just that they are more like bad memories when I was growing up."
I... understand. She said. I, uh... gargoyles. She stated, scratching at the back of her head. I see gargoyles and I still hear the, uh... the kids from my village telling me I look like one and should go crouch on top of a church. She laughed to lighten the mood, though a bit of pain was evident. If it's anything like that... I understand completely.
Frosch looked over to them and said "People used to pick on me, telling me to go eat flies." He grumbled but he had thick enough skin not to let it hurt him too deep but it made him think people would always seem him as little more then a talking frog.
Have you ever eaten a fly? Io asks, looking as perplexed as a faceless man can. I would be willing to try one, if you are curious. The people in this realm are fascinating, albeit close-minded much of the time.
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He made a face "Well no, but that is because I am not a frog. I am frog-like for sure. But still" crossing his arms and looking put off but mostly embarrassed. "So when we get further down the road, can we use the wagon to let people sleep in shifts?"
Of course. I also procured a pavilion tent for more of us to rest.
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"I've a tent for myself, and maybe one space more for us smaller ones." Veilwar says this, eyeing Eva with a smile. "The pavilion tent may be more spacious, but depending on the shift some of you snore like an Imperial Dragon roars."
"Eva I apologize, I did not think how the mention of cows would affect you, my friend. Among my own kind I was ridiculed when I chose to follow a diety of the western lands. To a point I found it easier to leave home, rather than endure the ridicule. During my travels there have been those who've called me demon or devil, sweeping their young ones inside, never taking the time to talk to me."
Veilwar concludes after a few moments of silence. I think we all know the cruelty of others, more intimately than we would like. Whatever we may name our new home lets ensure it is a place that welcomes all."
Eva don't be ridiculous, you're a minotaur a brave and insightful companion, and a friend. Cows are food, they're nothing like you. I'm closer to a fox than you are to a cow, and I'm so far beyond most foxes that you couldn't find a pelt to match me, could you? Of course not.
She grins fiercely and continues.
Mallord was a knight. They called him the Duck Knight, although what he had in common with a duck I couldn't say. I've never heard of a duck shifter?
She pauses to look around at the others.
He was the mayor's nephew or niece or some such, and Torag's servant. I bet he's why the mayor chose us for this expedition, he already lost one duckling and didn't want to risk more family, er flock? Tough fellow, if he's gone missing already it says something about the land. Ah well, nothing we can't handle I'm sure.
Alice broods a moment trying to remember if she's ever heard of a duck fey, then laughs it off.
Still, ducks or no ducks, Veil is right. A new home for all of us is just what we need. Let's work out shifts. My vision is suited to the dusk or the early morning, but I need at least 8 hours of restfulness if I'm to tackle memorizing anything. The wagon helps with that, but we'll want a midnight watch as well.
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I have my own tent for when the weather is not conducive for me to just sleep outside in my hammock.
She looks over at Alice, I am glad you were able to know something about the guy we are to keep a lookout for. It will make it easier to know when we have found him.
Coyote takes time to consider which shift she would prefer as she can do either dusk or early morning shifts easily. She then decides, I will be willing to take the early morning shift for watch, if that is good with everyone else.
I volunteer to take the morning shift.
I can take the night shift if you need me to. The coffee's got to go to use sometime, right? She held in a yawn. I'll just take a nap or two on the road when we get the chance.
"Well I can take night shift with Kawa if that's ok" Frosch said as he looked over to Kawa "Lets hope we don't get too much action tonight." he said as he slide down into the wagon to find somewhere small and comfortable.
Thanks for the company, Frosch. I appreciate it. She said. I'm going to assume you aren't one of those races poisoned by caffein and brew you up a cup of coffee for the night.
"I'll take the shift after you two"
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Looks at Eva, Io and I can definitely use someone to stand in front of us, should we be attacked during our shift, so it is greatly appreciated to have you with us Eva.
Looking over towards Veil and Alice, Looks like that leaves you two, Veil and Alice, to take the dusk shift. I hope that works for both of you.
"I can have coffee, it will be good to keep us up during the night" Frosch said as he looked over to her and he said "I am excited, but extremely nervous about this adventurer"
Don't worry, Coyote. If anything happens, just scream like you're getting murdered and we'll all get the idea.
Looks like we got it all figured out for now, then. Kawa said. Tell me about it Frosch. Ever get that creeping suspicion something's more than it seems?
Sounds good. Veil and I can spend the time thinking up ways to tease Szo Cute. She's adorable when she blushes. For now, what do we think of this Stag Lord? I couldn't scare too much up about him in town, but I can't imagine any of my people or coyote's leaving enough left to spread rumors about their banditry, so he's probably some mortal child pretending to be other. Did anyone else hear something?
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Frosch nodded his head "Yeah, I thought about that, if this big named knight got killed.. this might be more than a simple walk in the woods" he said worried that they might get into deep crap here. Listening to Alice for a few minutes he shrugged his little shoulders "Never heard of 'im" meaning the Stag Lord.
As the hours passed the first shift would begin to take watch. Those who could would find time in the wagon to sleep and rest. It would take some time for them to travel from Restov down toward Oleg's Trading Post. As the sun began to set a form appeared on the road ahead. As they neared the horses out front slowed, spooked clearly and whinnied as they no longer wanted to approach what appeared to be an abandoned wagon.
Daphne ties the lines to the post, and stands easily against the rail drawing her bow.
Veil, check it out? I'll keep an eye on you and if you see something you can make a light and we'll wake the others. Maybe we'll even camp.
[dice=Perception]1d20
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Vielwar draws Szo as he nods his agreement. As he leaves Alice's side he replies off handedly, "You know swords don't blush, right?" Veilwar proceeds as silently as possible to approach the wagon, keeping vigilant for any surprises.
Szo do you sense anything?
Veilwar
Szo Cuta
As you look on Veil you notice it first, followed soon after by Alice and then by those who are either still awake or are being woken up by the horses frantic behavior.
Blood on the ground, a pool of it under the wagon coming from the other side of the wagon out of your line of sight. The pool is large enough to be noticed and reflecting the dimming light in a unsettling way. The horses still slowly not approaching any further.
As you watch a shadow moves behind one of the wagons wheels on the side you cannot see clearly. A shadow with four relatively short and hairy legs.
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Vielwar shouts, stopping his approach at the first sight of the creatures shadow. He assumes a defensive posture, awaiting the creature response to his shout, unwilling to approach closer alone. To himself Veilwar prays: Dawnflower, please protect your loyal servant.
"Szo Cuta, help me watch for any other threats."
"Yes, Veilwar. This creature will regret its choice of dinner tonight."
"I see it veil.
. "There's another wagon. Looks abandoned. Blood. At least one creature, quadruped. Veil on guard."
Alice's summary falls into the silence in clipped frozen bursts. Her mood shifting like the seasons towards winter.
Kawa slowly rises up, hugging her blanket, eyes half-shut. My shift already? She yawned. What's with all the yell- By the horns of Asmodeus! What's that? Her hands clenched to fists, moisture swirling around her forearms.
The gatekeeper leans out of the wagon, more curious than afraid. They were still in civilized territory, after all.
Eva wakes up groggy, but perceptive as her head pops out to look around.
The shadowy figure moves out from behind the wheel when the yelling grew loud enough to notice. It stood half as high as the wagon wheel. Its fur was shaggy and the light was dim but its color was grey and brown. The narrow muzzle of the canine was stained with blood, its nose wet with the sticky fluid that it tried to lick clean.
The large wolf stared at the wagon as the party gathered up. Coyote would easily see that the wolf was larger than normal, perhaps a dire wolf? It growled and its hair stood up on its neck making it appear larger than normal. It remained mostly hidden behind the wheel, and should anyone move suddenly, to ready a weapon or level a bow it would take off into a hard run parallel to the wagon toward the growing shadows in the distance.