Sulna shakes Oleg's hand, "Good to meet you sir. Thank you for allowing us into your Inn."
Looking at Polson, "Some hot food would do this belly some good."
Shortly after the group arrives, Svetlana announces the food is ready and your wash your hands. Looking at Donk, she says, "I don't think we have anything strong enough to hold...him. Would he mind either standing or sitting on the ground?"
Kthonos says, "Donk here shouldn't have any trouble sitting on the ground. It's where he used to sleep." He looks at the guards, specifically Kesten, then continues, "Donk is some kind of overgrown aberrant mite. From what little I could hear, when not unconscious, the mites used him as a rallying figure whenever they had to attack vastly larger groups. I'm sure those who've been with him can tell you all about his prowess in combat."
...time passes, Donk sits and eats...
After washing down some food, Kesten asks, "Are you all certain we're safe with Donk here?"
...more time passes...
Part way through the meal, Svetlana asks Polson, "You didn't happen to come across my ring, did you? I know the others didn't have it when they returned. I just...hoped."
...even more time passes...
At the meals end, Kesten asks, "So, adventurers, what can you report to us about this area?"
"Sorry Svetlana, I do not recall seeing it but maybe my recent companions can help you with it."
K'Tzhang eats quietly, it will take time to get used to this human settlement or trading post or whatever these humans call it. He doesn't quite understand all this talk of the ring, but waits for the end of the meal to excuse himself and find somewhere to rest and sleep.
Svetlana takes the news about her ring still being missing as best as can be imagined.
Kesten asks his question again, "What do you have to report about the Greenbelt?"
Sunny will pad over to where every one else is eating. Still only wearing her blanket as her clothes, having been thoroughly scrubbed and washed, now hang close to the water heating fire to dry. With her usual cheerful grin she sets about heaping her plate with food and digging in. She makes a point off sitting next to Milosh, the better to cheer him up and garner more information about his steading. Reassuring the fellow that as soon as they are able they will be racing off to see to the welfare of his loved ones.
At the end of the meal, when Svetlana is clearing the plates away, K'Tzhang plucks up the courage to speak to the woman. "May I thank you for the meal you prepared for us, it is indeed a meal that will provide sustenance for the forthcoming days. Whilst a quiet moment with my god has brought a burning desire to know more about this ring you seek. It is as though the divine knowledge of the gods has provided me with a quest to perform. So please can you describe this ring to me? How and when you lost it? I do not say I can help, only that my gods appear to have some insight."
Though the other soldiers don't mind, Kesten says to Sunny, "Miss, would you please go put some clothes on. My men are far too easily distracted from their duties."
...
Before Svetlan can reply, Oleg says to K'tzhang, "What would you care about such things? Ain't 'bolds supposed to be thieves? Odds are you and your tribe managed to steal it from the ones who took it from my wife's finger!" By the time he finishes, Oleg is red in the face and advancing on K'tzhang with a large carving knife in hand.
Kesten yells out, "OLEG! These folks have been vouched for, even the kobold and overgrown mite! If you did not want them in your place of business, you should have spoken sooner. Since you haven't, I assume they are still welcome here, and you will behave yourself. Do you understand me?!"
A very long, tense minute passes before Oleg returns to his seat, hand shaking as he sets the knife down on the table. Svetlana put a hand on her husbands arm, turns to K'tzhang and says, "It's a simple but beautiful brass band with a single flawless blue pearl. Have you seen or heard of it?"
...
Later in the evening, Gaelen approaches K'tzhang. "Oleg is a good man, but has been unduly stressed these last few months. Once things settle down and the bandits are taught enough lessons, I'm sure he'll become a calmer man, as Svetlana has assured me he normally is."
...
Sunny looks innocently and completely non-plussed at/by Kesten's words,
"But m' gear's all wet an' stuff..." She tilts her head, "I c'n be gettin' it on when it's all dried agin." She smiles at the simple resolve to the man's strange dilemma. At the events surrounding K'tzhang, she pads over and wraps her arms, and blanket, around the Kobold to offer him some moral support.
And giggles as the kobold disappears up inside said blanket.
She will eventually look for some where to settle down and snuggle up for the night.
Sulna tells Kesten, "There were some mites and some kobolds. I heard the mites were killed and the kobolds talked with us. Our horses were stolen and we were attacked by some giant river serpent. There was much walking in the forest besides from that."
Muffled sounds come from within Sunny's towel, as bulges appear at odd angles as K'Tzhang fights to get out, despite his abilities to navigate caves and caverns in total darkness. "What happened, let me out, whatisth the big idea!!" As he hears Sunny's voice telling to calm down, before popping his head out from beneath the towel. "Umm. Should I sthay thanksth Sthunny? That wasth rather a sthurpisthe you know." He smiles a kobold smile at Sunny, before a more serious look crosses his features. "Sthunny, can I have a quiet word?"
K'Tzhang takes Sunny to the side and speaks quietly into her ear. "Sthunny, you know that womansth ring? Well I think I sthaw it back in the cavernsth. Lastht I sthaw it, it wasth with that evil witch doctor Tartuk, you know it may sthtill be in there sthomewhere back home. But I doubt the Chief will let us take it back very easthily, if it can be found in the home cavernsth. Letsth hope sthomeone can convince him to part with it. I'll not be party to any bloodshed with my Sthootsthcale friendsth. Though if Tartuk hasth it, then I will gladly aid itsth recovery."
It is, obviously, entirely up to you as to whether or not you accept our offer of assistance.
We bid you good evening and await your answer."
...
Kesten says to Sulna, "You don't say much, and you leave out detail. Go find me someone who can tell me more. I need to know what my men and I face when we patrol beyond these walls."
...
One her way to one of the bunk houses, Sunny is intercepted by one of Kesten's men. He says, "Hey there lass. I couldn't help but notice your...charms during dinner. What say you and I spend a little time 'talking' tonight?" He winks and grins, revealing a few missing teeth.
Sunny is initially just as amused as K'tzhang at their encounter though as she walks off a-ways and kneels down to listen to what her freind has to say her face almost seems to take on a serious look.
"Hmmm...that be a right thing t' be thinkin' about." She scratches her head, "T'is a pity we din't get off on'a right foot with yer kin. T'would have made askin' fer Svetlan's band easier..." She pauses, "T'is somat I think we's gon'a have t' be thinkin' about a tad more afore we get t' a resolution, I'm afraid..." She sighs, gives K'tzhangs' shoulders a friendly squeeze before standing and wandering back towards the fireside.
One her way to one of the bunk houses, Sunny is intercepted by one of Kesten's men. He says,
"Hey there lass. I couldn't help but notice your...charms during dinner. What say you and I spend a little time 'talking' tonight?" He winks and grins, revealing a few missing teeth.
She giggles, "Nay matey, I like t' get t' know folks a way tad longer an that afore jumpin' int'a some hammock swingin'!" She laughs as she steps around him and settles down to enjoy the warmth of the fire side.
"Yeah, let me go do that."
Sulna then gets up while sopping some bread in the last of his gravy drippings and heads away from Kesten. He goes off to find a bath. After the bath he goes and looks for Sunny.
Sunny sighs, though her smile only dims a little,
"Here now! Watch th' set o' yer Jib when it comes t' ideas like that! Ye take th' wrong tack an' it'll be a kick in'a biscuits fer yer troubles!" She calls a warning to the man's back as he walks away, obviously loud enough for Sulna to hear.
"I dun't know, people folks all-a-ways seem t' be thinkin' along th' same weather course whenever they gets t' be sociable, like, aroun' th' kin...." Sunny mumbles to herself, some thoughts of home coming to the fore of her mind, "Never could un'erstand th' jib set o' 'em..." She,
Notices Sulna walking up and her grin brightens again,
"Hey-ya there! Whus up, matey?" She skips over to him, her eyes large and inquisitive.
Poison takes note of the male and keeps a keen eye on his actions from here on in.
K'Thang smiles weakly at Svetlana, as he sees her doing the chores after the meal. He pulls his robes around himself and prepares for prayers and reflection on the days events, before seeking out the safe haven of his friends, Sulna or Sunny.
Polson
"Well I did not want to eavesdrop on you but, you should take their offer, unless you don't trust them with such a task I will understand but ya need strong foundation to build something so might as well start with someone you trust no? gives him a friendly smile at the end implying some sort of joke
Sulna looks at the man while he walks away, then he looks to Sunny and he figures out what the man was doing, then his cheeks get red for a second.
"Hi Sunny. He wasn't bothering you was he? Hey, Kesten wants to talk to you about the last few days. I tried to tell him what happened but I am not good with words like you and I don't think he likes me. Can you go talk to him?"
"Hi Sunny. He wasn't bothering you was he? Hey, Kesten wants to talk to you about the last few days. I tried to tell him what happened but I am not good with words like you and I don't think he likes me. Can you go talk to him?"
Sunny smiles and nods, "Okeys!" She chirps, giving Sula a quick hug before skipping away in search of Kesten. She spins round,
"Th' feller weren't botherin' me none, jus' a mix up in flags, me thinks.." She says with a shrug as she spins around, continuing on.
Polson** spoiler omitted **
*Steps back in shadows, watching the strange creature and following if it moves.*
K'Tzhang keeps a low profile, he watches how the group interacts with Oleg and the others at the outpost, especially the armed warrior types.
Sulna blushes slightly with the hug.
Then wonders where the 'flags' come into things while he watches Sunny walk away.
Sulna then finds a spot to sleep for the night.
Sulna makes his way to one of the bunkhouses and find a bed that's not being used.
After a brief moment of being lost behind the stable, Sunny finds Kesten. He says, "What?"
Sunny looks at Kesten, blinking expectantly,
"Um, some one said ye wanted t' speak t' me? Somat about how me prattle would fill ye in on'a past few days our lot wus out an'a 'bout?" She asks, her voice a little quieter in her own confusion.
Visibly irritated, Kesten says, "Yes, the vagabond gave a piss-poor accounting of your activities. I told him to find someone better capable of giving me a proper report. Are you that someone? Or are you just another country idiot here to waste my time?"
Sunny blinks for a few seconds, purses her lips,
"Well, I in't from th' country, nor even this country. I in't sure whut yer callin' an edjot is, so I dun't thinkI be one o' them, neither. As fer whut happened..." "Whuch, by th' by, brings me t' a point. Ye wouldn't know whut th' critter wus that, by anychance?" She continues to look expectantly at Kelsten.
*After the creature disappears into the night, wanders back to the rest of his companions, looking for Sunny as she always seems to generate torment in some fashion or another*
As Sunny finishes her "report", Kesten wakens with a start, "Oh, you're finally finished. Well, it sounds like you've done a good bit more than that other fellow said. Anyways, g'night." With that, he turns and makes his way into one of the bunkhouses, shutting and locking the door behind him.
As Sunny is standing there, wondering what to do next, she notices that Nerik is standing next to her.
For a moment a look passes over Sunny's face. It might have been a frown...or perhaps just a very long 'blink' over her large blue eyes. She turns to Nerik,
"Hey-ya, there. We's not had much chance t' be greetin' one 'nother." She waits for the large, pale figure to possibly speak. Absently wrapping her arms further around herself as she does so.
K'Tzhang looks for a cavern or cave in the compound to sleep in, decides to sleep somewhere quiet and out of the way, probably end up in some stables or outside to sleep the night away.
He wakes next morning early, and prepares his prayers and gets ready for the new day.
She turns to Nerik,
"Hey-ya, there. We's not had much chance t' be greetin' one 'nother." She waits for the large, pale figure to possibly speak. Absently wrapping her arms further around herself as she does so.
"Greetings, little one." Stares and is still, apparently waiting for Sunny to do something.
"Greetings, little one." Stares and is still, apparently waiting for Sunny to do something.
Sunny listens intently to the man's speech, her large blue eyes seeming to stare intently at him. after but a moments silence,
"Ye c'n be callin' me 'Sunny'. T'is a good fit fer whut I be called in th' speakin' o' th' kin. So's, if'n ye want t' be more formal, like. Whut is it that I may be havin' th' pleasure o' callin' yerself then?" She replies.
** spoiler omitted **
"Greetings, little one." Stares and is still, apparently waiting for Sunny to do something.Sunny listens intently to the man's speech, her large blue eyes seeming to stare intently at him. after but a moments silence,
"Ye c'n be callin' me 'Sunny'. T'is a good fit fer whut I be called in th' speakin' o' th' kin. So's, if'n ye want t' be more formal, like. Whut is it that I may be havin' th' pleasure o' callin' yerself then?" She replies.
"Nerik is what I am called, Sunny."
"Nerik is what I am called, Sunny."
Sunny nods, sticking out a hand,
"Well then, t'is pleased I am t' meet'cha!" She says, grinning widely. (^_^)
"I know me brogue in't perzac'ly whut all t'uthers 'ere be used t' speakin', but t'is a by way o' th' one whut showed it to me." She glances away, a slight colour rising in her cheeks, possibly from embarrassment. "Still, I give it an' all-a whut I do me best shot." She giggles brighly at something she finds funny in her own statement, "Which I been brought up t' be doin' by m' kin, anywho." She finishes with a smile.
"Be there somat ye be wantin' t' share with me? Nerik." She asks, again wide eye and curiosity filled.
20 Pharast - Morning
Another day dawns in The Greenbelt. This morning is bright, and unseasonably warm.
As people go about their morning rituals, you notice Constance, Dra, Erian, and Gaelen saddling some mounts. Angus is loading a weeks worth of supplies for the five of them into a small wagon designed for rough traveling.
...
Part way through breakfast, Kesten asks, "So, what will you all be doing now? Not wasting the day here, I hope."
Sulna looks at the others.
"There's going to look for our horses and I'm not sure what else. We were rushed here after Emerys had his 'vision'..." Sulna trails off and continues eating.
Sunny looks to Sulna,
"No, first things first, we's gotta go an' make sure Milosh's holdin's be sound." She makes a point of nodding towards the man.
"About th' only reason we come back here were t' get fresh mounts t' make that journey quicker." She smiles warmly at Milosh, but turns to her companions,
"Though, once we've settled things there, usin' th' new mounts t' get a hold o' th' old ones'll be maybe a tad easier."
"I have a score to settle and the recovery of my things, I don't think I'm staying and looks like the rest is not hanging around either for long" as he stands up for a moment, looks at his fellow companions "We have met briefly I know, but will you aid me in the recovery of my equipment? I have nothing to offer by my gratitude, friendship and my marksmanship and an extra sword when in need"
Over breakfast, K'Tzhang asks, "Stho what'sth the plan then? I'd rather leave here sthoon, stho we can sthtart our adventuring again. D'you think we should buy sthome itemst to make mapsth as we go. We really don't know thesthe areasth that well? It will make traveling stho much easier and quicker in the future."
He continues to fill his stomach with as much wholesome food as he can eat, although this human fare really isn't as edible as his usual. He is intrigued by the man Oleg and quietly reminds the party in hushed tones, "And we sthtill need to find that human womansth sthpecial ring, the one they call Sthvetlana."
Quizzically at the end of the meal, watching the other group make their preparations, he says, "Anyone know where they are off to, they stheem to be going for sthome time? They can be trusted can't they?"