"I can hardly stop you from doing so whether I am present or not," she replies. "I have no desire to remain in Kelmarane now that there is no prospect of further battle, so I will return to my people on the savannah. As far as our paths are one, it would be wise to travel together, as a larger group dissuades predators and bandits -- unless, of course, your employer objects to my presence." She glares at Hamdi.
Zeladiel seems to relax somewhat, though he is still distant. "We are all pleased for your company, Nuveril, Hero of Kelmarane."
He bows and says with a slight edge to his voice, "Grall is so pleased to see you, he isn't even going to test to see if you are a gnome."
"I have talked of this before," snaps Zeladiel. "The djinni binder amulet she wears is attuned to her, may well have been that of the great halfling binder Andrathi and possibly contains the power of his djinni lover Nefeshti, whom Khalid's Templars of the Four Winds served, including Zayifid who seeks the Scroll of Kakishon. I wish you'd pay attention instead of... of... Oh, Linah. I am so sorry. Please, talk to me later."
"I can hardly stop you from doing so whether I am present or not," she replies. "I have no desire to remain in Kelmarane now that there is no prospect of further battle, so I will return to my people on the savannah. As far as our paths are one, it would be wise to travel together, as a larger group dissuades predators and bandits -- unless, of course, your employer objects to my presence." She glares at Hamdi.
The merchant cradles the polished wooden staff he uses as a walking stick and dry washes his hands when the question is put to him.
No objections. No objections at all my fine ah ... friend. You are most welcome as long as you like.
The man seems rather intimidated by the unpredictable halfling.
With your group six once more (discounting Haleen) the caravan moves on.
You make good time that day and indeed the next, passing the human community of Bronze Hook several miles to the east early on the second day. A small fishing village perched on the edge of an ancient river ford its inhabitants are rather insular although relations with the rebuilt Kelmarane are reasonable. With no cause to re-supply though you pass them by without stopping.
By the third day the terrain quickly flattens out, the temperature getting hotter if anything as you leave the foothills of the Barrier Mountain chain behind.
You fall into the routine of travel and camp easy enough. Grall forges out in front although Khalid and Nuveril share the burden of tracking duties. Born to the bustle of the city and the slave pens the gnoll is perhaps not naturally attuned to the outdoors, his enhanced senses, particularly of smell, more a genetic gift. Nuveril of course has no such advantages, the halflings skills born from paintstaking practise and honed in the dangerous crucible of the lands you are fast approaching. Khalids abilities stem from somewhere in between.
Here, as will be the case for most of your journey, it is wide open spaces. A good place for a bow like the one Zeladiel cradles as the elf walks at the caravan's rear.
As some of you may have feared the merchant proves to be a garrulous travelling companion, eager it seems to hear the "true story" of the Heroes of Kelmarane, their re-taking of the town and their defeat of the notorious Carrion King. Your asked to dispel a number of increasingly wild presumptions: the daemon Xulthos becoming a host of mighty div, powerful corrupted jinn, and an avatar of their dread master Ahriman.
The man directs the bulk of the torrent to Khalid, Zeladiel and Linah. Toward Arasmes he is obsequious and fawning. Grall and Haleen he mostly ignores while he continues to step carefully around Nuveril. Toward his employees he seems curt and direct although not demanding. The three keep mostly to themselves and they are so alike its hard to keep their names straight.
Haleen seems more or less happy just to be travelling with Grall, although the gnoll is perhaps less pleased when the woman weaves a few hardy flowers into a circlet for him to wear. Aside from Grall she seems to enjoy Linah's company the most, walking alongside the priestess and speaking of her mission. Several times she tries to initiate conversation with Nuveril, asking the halfling about her savannah home and responding patiently to the barbarian's (presumably) terse replies. She seems resistant to using her own magical gifts although there is indeed little cause for it.
By travel's end on the third day the savannah lands stretch out before you, flat and dry although the sparse trees and low pirckly grasses is an abundance of vegetation compared with the rocky hills you've been travelling through.
While the herders curry the animals and Grall prowls around you set your camp and fire. The moon is near full, large and luminous in the clear night sky. From the savannah still miles away you fancy you can hear a lion's distant roar. A normal animal hopefully. There are both kinds in the savannah. The other the widely famed great dire lions from which the local Badawi tribes take their name. While Nuveril's adopted people will sometimes hunt the former, noone of any sanity does anything but get out of the way of the later. Fortunately, these almost unchallenged masters of the savannah are rare, their hunting territories fairly well demarcated.
Your still quite a way from the lands of your people although the eastern tribes that live here would certainly be known to you and yours to them. With many external enemies inter-tribe stife is rare although not unheard of. Rivalries are another matter although you personally could expect hospitality whereever you go. The outsiders are another matter.
You've felt a bit pensive today, the cause something you can't quite put your finger on.
You settle in for your evening meal. No game today unfortunately so its travel rations and hard bread washed down with a little bit of heavily spiced red wine from a large cask loaded onto the wagon.
While to date Radi has expressed all kinds of curiosity about your adventures he has veered away from the jinn in the room, the great treasure you apparently found.
Yet a few mugs of wine seem to fortify him perhaps as he stumbles into it, gesturing with the mug as he goes.
I am not one to pry. No, no. Radi Hamdi is a man of discretion they all say. And yet I am not one to avoid doing friends a service neither. The talk in town... well you know what they were saying.
It is smart to keep ones business to ones self. And by Abadar there is no better place to sell something than the markets of Katapesh! And I know everyone there. By which I mean I know which men are honest and which would as soon leave you facedown in an alley in Dogtown.
Perhaps I can help? Point you toward the former sort for whatever it is that you have.
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Khalid strains to hold back his disdain for the questions about the "great treasure" before answering, "As I have told those who have asked before, Master Hamdi, the rumors of a fantastic treasure are greatly exaggerated. While it is true, we have come back with some coin and items of monetary wealth, there is nothing as exceptional as what has been rumored."
Zeladiel ignores the man's prattle over dinner and addresses Nuveril quietly.
"I understand your desire to return to your people. However, my master in Katapesh may help us find out more about your family, if you wish. The group that sought that tomb before us may well have had backing from interested individuals about the capital. We can try and learn more there, if you wish."
Khalid is not sure if Radi is convinced although the evasion at least comes out smooth and believable.
Radi looks around at the rest of you and then turns his attention back to Khalid. I see, I see. Well if you'd like me to take a look at what items you do have. You know give them an expert appraisal, I'd be very happy to do so. I've been around, just so you know! I've traded with the dwarves, jann and elves so I have, and a dozen races stranger.
Did you know theres a village of gnomes in the south of Katapesh? An odd place that. Don't think I left with a single stich I came with. And that includes the clothes I wore! But I left with a whole new cargo so I did. Mmm what was its name again...
Well anyway, happy to assist.
The merchant studiously avoids looking at Khalid's magic haversack, never far from the inquisitor's reach.
I think I'll have just one more mug before I find my bedroll.
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A feeling of distrust creeps into the inquisitor's heart, hearing Radi's obvious greed and interest.
Khalid continues the idle chatter with the man, trying to steer the conversation away from what the coertie may or may not have, prefering to talk of less business like pursuits such as family...
Shortly after Radi stumbles off to his bedroll, Khalid makes his way over to each of his companions, whispering to each of them, "Keep an eye out for Hamdi, there is something about him that I do not trust."
Linah keeps a reserved demenour for the beginning of the journey. She is clearly distraught by Nuveril's sudden disappearence but tries her best to hide it. "Nuveril, there you are!" she exclaims as the halfling comes into view. She hurries forward to embrace the barbarian. "Where have you been?"
With Nuveril back and the group together once again Linah's spirits rise and the priestess seems much more content. She happily engages in conversation, talking to caravan master, his employees and Haleen.
She cannot help to smile when Haleen crafts the circlet for Grall. "Haha, what if your opponents could see you now?" she laughs as Haleen places the floral arrangement upon his head.
"Thank you for your offer, master Hamdi, but we do not travel to Katapesh to seek wealth. If we were to aquire something worth selling your services would be appreciated", Linah says hoping to put the subject to rest.
"He seems to have a greedy side, but then again that is not an uncommon trait in a merchant. What is it that has suspicious of him?" Linah asks Khalid.
Linah keeps a reserved demenour for the beginning of the journey. She is clearly distraught by Nuveril's sudden disappearence but tries her best to hide it. "Nuveril, there you are!" she exclaims as the halfling comes into view. She hurries forward to embrace the barbarian. "Where have you been?"
The halfling stands awkwardly still as Linah embraces her, unsure what to do with her arms, clearly unused to shows of affection yet not apparently displeased by the hug. "I went to say goodbye to the ancestor-dogs," she explains gruffly. "I knew I could easily catch up to you if you were only traveling as swiftly as a herd of camels." She glares at the smelly beasts with distaste.
While the herders curry the animals and Grall prowls around you set your camp and fire. The moon is near full, large and luminous in the clear night sky. From the savannah still miles away you fancy you can hear a lion's distant roar. A normal animal hopefully. There are both kinds in the savannah. The other the widely famed great dire lions from which the local Badawi tribes take their name. While Nuveril's adopted people will sometimes hunt the former, noone of any sanity does anything but get out of the way of the later. Fortunately, these almost unchallenged masters of the savannah are rare, their hunting territories fairly well demarcated.
While camp is being set, Nuveril keeps her eyes on Grall patrolling around the edge of the group and approaches Khalid and Linah to speak in a low voice.
You settle in for your evening meal. No game today unfortunately so its travel rations and hard bread washed down with a little bit of heavily spiced red wine from a large cask loaded onto the wagon.
While to date Radi has expressed all kinds of curiosity about your adventures he has veered away from the jinn in the room, the great treasure you apparently found.
Yet a few mugs of wine seem to fortify him perhaps as he stumbles into it, gesturing with the mug as he goes.
I am not one to pry. No, no. Radi Hamdi is a man of discretion they all say. And yet I am not one to avoid doing friends a service neither. The talk in town... well you know what they were saying.
It is smart to keep ones business to ones self. And by Abadar there is no better place to sell something than the markets of Katapesh! And I know everyone there. By which I mean I know which men are honest and which would as soon leave you facedown in an alley in Dogtown.
Perhaps I can help? Point you toward the former sort for whatever it is that you have.
For the past three days, Nuveril has taken full advantage of Hamdi's avoidance of her to ignore the merchant entirely. Tonight is no different, as she munches idly on the dry fare, its tastelessness somewhat balanced by the hunger generated by a long, dry day at camels' pace. Her eyes are on the horizon, watching for anything that might approach, but as he makes his offer, her gaze is jerked back to his firelit face. "What was that?" she asks urgently. "This place -- Dogtown: You know it?"
The merchant jerks his neck around at the halfling's sudden insertion into the conversation but stutters out a response.
Um ... yes. It is the district of Katapesh directly outside of the northern city gates. A slum for the poor and the do.. the gnolls. The first stink to the nostrils of our route I am afraid.
Does my answer suffice Mistress Nuveril? He glances briefly at her hammer.
As it gets dark Grall lopes into camp.
It is clear, but the hairrrs on the back of my neck arrre up. Therrre is someting...let's just say I feel a little uneasy. Stay alerrrt tonight.
Early the next morning...
Grall approaches the mechant away from the others, I may have use forrr yourrr serrrvices. I want to trrrade this.
he slowy slides out the deathblade, it black metal softly murmering for blood,
To someone who can make my blade into the same orrr trrrade me forrr a falchion of the same design. I have this blade and money I can trrrade for it.
You will help me yes? It will mean a commission and my good will.
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While camp is being set, Nuveril keeps her eyes on Grall patrolling around the edge of the group and approaches Khalid and Linah to speak in a low voice.
"Thank you, Nuveril. Your expertise in this area is certainly to be heeded. I will speak with him in the morning."
The next morning, prior to breaking camp, Khalid approaches Grall.
"Grall, may I have a moment?" The inquisitor asks, hoping to take the gnoll to the side.
The halfling stands awkwardly still as Linah embraces her, unsure what to do with her arms, clearly unused to shows of affection yet not apparently displeased by the hug. "I went to say goodbye to the ancestor-dogs," she explains gruffly. "I knew I could easily catch up to you if you were only traveling as swiftly as a herd of camels." She glares at the smelly beasts with distaste.
"It is nice to see you", Linah says smiling. "You had me worried that you had left."
While camp is being set, Nuveril keeps her eyes on Grall patrolling around the edge of the group and approaches Khalid and Linah to speak in a low voice.
"Perhaps he can wear his circlet of flowers to seem less threatning?" Linah suggests with a smile and stifles a snicker.
Whateverrr you feel is best Khalid. he bows in deference.
Having Nuverrril lead will be good, herrr eyes arrre a sharrrp as mine and as you say she will not be as thrrreatening to herrr people. Do you want me to hide my face? They may still trrrouble us if I am seen.
"It is nice to see you", Linah says smiling. "You had me worried that you had left."The halfling stands awkwardly still as Linah embraces her, unsure what to do with her arms, clearly unused to shows of affection yet not apparently displeased by the hug. "I went to say goodbye to the ancestor-dogs," she explains gruffly. "I knew I could easily catch up to you if you were only traveling as swiftly as a herd of camels." She glares at the smelly beasts with distaste.
"Where would I go?" she shrugs.
Um ... yes. It is the district of Katapesh directly outside of the northern city gates. A slum for the poor and the do.. the gnolls. The first stink to the nostrils of our route I am afraid.
Does my answer suffice Mistress Nuveril? He glances briefly at her hammer.
Her eyes narrow, and she nods but makes no further inquiries, allowing the conversation to return to the buying and selling in which she has no interest, making note only to avoid at all costs south Katapesh and this village of Gnomes to which the man refers.
"I understand your desire to return to your people. However, my master in Katapesh may help us find out more about your family, if you wish. The group that sought that tomb before us may well have had backing from interested individuals about the capital. We can try and learn more there, if you wish."
As always, she grimaces when the elf refers so readily to his "master." "The man has not been born whom I would name my master," she growls quietly but considers for a moment. "This Dogtown the merchant speaks of, the dead thief was there. If he came from Katapesh, it is possible my sister might be known there as well. She still used her birth name, so she was not abandoned as I was. Someone raised her to know her heritage. Perhaps my father...." She shakes her head. "But I am told that if all the tribes of the Badawi came together in one place, they would be but a fraction of the people that live in the city. How could I hope to find news of one halfling out of so many?"
Shortly after Radi stumbles off to his bedroll, Khalid makes his way over to each of his companions, whispering to each of them, "Keep an eye out for Hamdi, there is something about him that I do not trust."
Nuveril scoffs. "And there is something about the sky which is blue. He is too solicitous, too eager to do what he thinks will please us. It could be nothing more than the flattery which makes your civilized world turn and my teeth stand on edge ... but it is convenient that he was available to hire the elf to do what the elf always does, just as it was convenient when the sun-priest knew the oh-so-helpful ranger who could point us to the Carrion King."
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Whateverrr you feel is best Khalid. he bows in deference.
Having Nuverrril lead will be good, herrr eyes arrre a sharrrp as mine and as you say she will not be as thrrreatening to herrr people. Do you want me to hide my face? They may still trrrouble us if I am seen.
Khalid ponders the gnoll's question for a moment before responding, "I do not believe that will be necessary, but if it is something you are willing to do, my friend, it could be beneficial. May I suggest that you keep a hood handy and if need be, you can disguise yourself?"
Grall looks over his shoulder at the hooded cloak on his back, The sand even botherrrs me sometimes Khalid, he smiles, and 5 Nuverrril's challenging me is cerrrtain to botherrr me much morrre.. he growls and chuckles to himself.
He takes a position next to Haleen and spends the rest of the night sharing her company...
You find your bedroll and blankets after a bit more talk, Zeladiel having first watch.
Haleen has just fallen asleep and you are gazing idly around taking in the moonlit landscape when you do feel a chill at the back of your neck.
Its as if a soft raspy voice whispers in your ear in the gnollish tongue.
I .. see... you..
Your whip your head around but there is noone standing over you.
Grall stands and draws his blade,
Cowarrrd...therrre will come a time when yourrr powerrrs will not help you and I will be standing therrre, ready to rend yourrr flesh frrrom yourrr bone...slowly for what you did to Sajan.
Grall speaks to apparently no one....
"How could I hope to find news of one halfling out of so many?"
Zeladiel shrugs. "We are different. We are easy to find. And my master..." Zeladiel smirks, "... has many allies and contacts. He is wiser and more powerful than me, yet he has taught me much. That is why I name him master."
Grall speaks to apparently no one....
Zeladiel snatches up a rock and hurls it. It bursts into light and lands in the desert where Grall is facing, illuminating the darkness outside their camp.
"Grall- report," orders Zeladiel snatching up his bow.
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Grall's challenge and Zeladiel's cantrip draw the rest of you from your shallow sleep but no enemy is visible.
There is a whisper of a laugh again as if right in your ear and then nothing. In your surprise you couldn't determine anything about the voice other than it spoke gnoll.
Eitherrr ourrr "frrriend" has rrreturrrned to botherrr us orrr we have a new enemy. Something whisperrred to me...can he speak into minds?
Did the voice sound familiar, like the deceiver or maybe something else or can't tell?
You couldn't tell from the three words spoken.
Nuveril rolls over, her fingers curling around the shaft of her hammer, but cannot locate anything at which to swing it. "Damn it, gnoll, if you are going to wake me, I expect something to fight. If a whisper is all our enemy can muster, you might as well have let me sleep. Or is it his plan to disturb our rest every night until we are too exhausted to oppose him?"
Linah tries to push the sleep form her eyes and fumbles for her scimitar. "What is it? What do you see?", she asks and casts a light spell on her weapon.
I had a visitorrr, it is prrrobably gone now...
"Then why wake the camp?" she grumbles, but pulls her hammer closer, squinting into the night suspiciously. "Elf, if you set up your magic tent, could someone whisper into it without your permission?" she asks, referring to the tiny hut the group made use of on their way to the Pale Mountain.
When Nuveril asks about the workings of Zeladiel's spell, he is more startled than he had been at Grall's challenge into the night. He settles himself carefully back to his bedroll and responds thoughtfully.
"Because the permeable membrane... I mean, yes, yes they could. I'll work on a better spell, one that will stop that."
Not inclined to treat Grall's experience as a flight of fancy, you search the area carefully. But there is nothing no sign of anything and no tracks beyond the ones you made.
There are no further whispers and with nothing more to go on you reluctantly return to your bedrolls.
Radi, clearly bemused, stays silent through this although the herders speak quietly to each other in their own tongue. All four regard Grall rather carefully.
The remainder of the night passes without incident, the morning light revealing nothing more.
So you continue on and by noon's break you are deep into the savannah. You make good time on the flat, the dry ground hard but much better suited to the wheels of the small wagon than rocky hills.
Following your discussions Grall and Nuveril have switched places, the halfling seemingly very comfortable out front while Grall walks with the wagon, the gnoll showing his black bladed greatsword to the merchant. Radi is all smiles and promises to assist although he looks a bit queasy when Grall explains the nature of the blade's enchantment.
Grall keeps his hood near to hand although clearly his near seven foot of height is conspicious with or without it.
When the day's heat recedes you continue. In the hours that follow there are plenty of signs of animal life if not human.
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The caravan is only just visible some way behind you and you are perhaps enjoying yourself quite a bit as you break the trail.
Your in your element, feeling attuned to the swaying of the grass in the wind and you sense it very quickly when you feel like you are being watched from a low thicket just to the right of your path. Humanoid you think, perhaps two or three. No more would fit into that thicket.
You would pass right by if you stuck to your current path. But that would take another thirty seconds or so.
"Was it Zayifid? What did he whisper?", Linah asks Grall quietly.
@ Nuverrril, Would you rrratherrr I wake when I see the blade enterrr yourrr rrribs?
I believe that city dwelling has made you soft that you covet yourrr sleep so much.
@ Linah, Nothing specific, just that it could see me. I can't be surrre it was him. Zayifid is a cowarrrd and these arrre theirrr ways, nothing morrre.
The next day Grall actually puts his cloak up over his head, just in case someone starts watching them as they travel...
When Nuveril asks about the workings of Zeladiel's spell, he is more startled than he had been at Grall's challenge into the night. He settles himself carefully back to his bedroll and responds thoughtfully.
"Because the permeable membrane... I mean, yes, yes they could. I'll work on a better spell, one that will stop that."
"Then do that," she replies, dropping her head back onto her folded arm, "and stick the gnoll in it, put an end to this nonsense." To Grall's insult she makes no response.
On the first evening of the journey, Arasmes' hands wandered to the letter Garavel had passed him; and he opened it, mind fluttering with possibilities.
Still feeling like something of an outside amongst the established group, Arasmes kept mostly to Zeladiel's side throughout the days. As they saw various beasts upon the savannah he discussed their relative merits, strengths and weaknesses with the Elf, as well as idly conversing about life in Katapesh. He was far more at ease with the evoker than the others, having felt that he was still waiting for a definitive answer from Khalid and Linah. When approached or conversed with, he was civil but a little cautious, wary of worrying the Sarenrae worshippers with his talk of glory and deeds once more.
He did try to draw Nuveril into his conversations about the Savannah and its wildlife, attempting to build on the fragile dynamic he had established with her and often volunteering to accompany her. While he liked the fiery warrior, his attempts to build friendship with her were also pragmatic. There was a clear rift, a schism within the group he journeyed with. Perhaps it was the death of this man "Sajan" that had caused it, or was he simply the proverbial adhesive holding a shaky foundation from collapsing? Either way- if he was to assist with this rift and keep the warrior woman in the fold, surely the leaders of the expedition would be more willing to allow him to accompany them after the sojourn to Katapesh?
Arasmes said little as the Gnoll Grall spoke of hidden voices in the night; but he filed the detail away in his intricate mind, hoping to eventually see a pattern. He did approach Zeladiel with one thought though, the next morning.
As I recall, a Message spell could easily be transferred through scrying measures... It is quite feasible that this genie you have mentioned has such capabilities. Do we have any measures against such acts, other than keen eyes?
For a few long moments there is silence from the thicket. Then rustling as two figures emerge.
It is obvious from a glance that they are of the tribes, clad in brown hunting leathers and wearing scimitars at their belts, madu and a brace of javelins strapped to their backs.
Yet they are not what you would have expected either. The first, tall and lean, looks to be in his late thirties, a veteran from the easy way he moves. The other is maybe thirteen, still more boy than man, although you know from experience that children grow up fast on the savannah.
Both look red eyed and tired, the boy nearing exhaustion, although he looks at you excitedly with wide eyes. Neither look wounded but it is evident that they have recently encountered some kind of trouble. The man's leggings are ripped in several places, something that would have taken more than working around in that thicket. A long graze marks his left cheek as if he'd fallen and caught his face against rock. Several javelins are missing from hs back brace.
The man gestures with his left hand. Polite greeting
I see you Nuveril. I am Herne, Walker-under-the-moon. This is my son Liet.
He looks past you to the caravan behind and narrows his eyes.
He gestures again. Apology, slight embarassment I should have given you a proper greeting rather than hiding my face.
He keeps one eye on the caravan though.
The boy is practically hoping from foot to foot, clearly bursting to speak but unable to do so unless bidden.
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The rest of you see Nuveril, a fair way ahead of the caravan, stop abruptly. A few moments later you see two leather clad figures emerge from a nearby thicket.
If it was an ambush it seems clear that the halfling spotted it first but the three seem to be talking.
Walking aside the small wagon, Radi stops in place and turns to Khalid. What should we do?
With the caravan stopped the man turns his attention fully to you. Or most of it. He seems pre-occupied.
No message. We search for my other son. He seems unwilling to go further even with another Lion.
The boy though finally bursts out.
She is the one the singer talked about! She has the hammer! She can help da, she is one of us!
He cuts off at a furious look from the father.
I...
The man lapses into silence. You can see anger, frustration and perhaps more than a dose of desperation behind his grey eyes.
My other son, Devin. He is just turned eighteen summers.
He laid his scimitar at Mirsha's feet. She is the eldest daughter of our smith. She would not have him: although that is only right and proper as he has not yet earned a name.
There is a place, not far. An oasis.. green. But it is cursed. Every child knows this. Cursed and full of spirits.
He touches his lips with crooked fingers and spits in the dirt. That the spirits are evil goes without saying.
Devin is a foolish boy. Headstrong. He decided that he would pick a flower from the pool. To show his bravery and earn Mirsha's favor.
This one, he gestures at Liet who looks back miserably, did not tell me until it was too late to stop him. I tracked him to the place of evil. He entered the dark place.
But I could not follow! Some spirit guards the entrance! It cannot be seen by the eye!
It mocked me! Forced me back. Roared at me like a lion! How can I fight something I cannot see?!
I have fought and killed many things in my time Nuveril. Gnolls by the score. I would give every drop of blood in my body for my sons. But how can I fight a spirit?!
Linah walks up to the front of the caravan and stands next to Khalid. She tries to peer ahead to see if she can make out some indication what Nuveril and the strangers are talking about and how the conversation is going.
"Hold our position for now, we will give Nuveril a bit of time, these are her people after all. Or at least that is what I am assuming, given that she is talking and not pounding on them with a hammer."
"Yes, I will take it as a good sign", she jokes with a hint of nervousness embedded in her voice.