Alaeron nods slightly to the waitress, "Thank you.."
Terra reamins quiet as a proper girl would during meetings her noble upbringing seeping out. after a few moments she starts top feel uncomfortable. this is not what she wanted, she wanted to rid herself of that life.
Terra orders up some food and an ale. know full well that is something a proper girl would not order.
she continues to watch the room in the hopes of more entertainment.
The waitress returns shortly after departing and says, "My apologies sir, it appears we are currently out of Southern Elven wine. We do have some Elven vintage from across the Dagger Sea. Would that do, sir?"
Alaeron thinks for a moment, "Yes, that would be nice. Thanks for checking."
Too busy talking with the waitress, Alaeron doesn't notice anything amiss.
Piers smiles a bit wryly when he notices the waitress smiling at Doran but then his eye catches the figure in the corner and the smile drops off his face. He makes no effort to hide his realization that the figure has been watching and fixes it with his single exposed eye.
Doran gives the waitress a wide smile and nods in thanks as she deposits the drinks.
The young bard looks up at you and looks like she about to cry she's so happy. "Thank you for such generosity. My name is Natasha, and I hope to live up to the kindness you've shown me."
The waitress brings your portion of the free round of drinks.
** spoiler omitted **
"I am sure you will - just remember to never give up chasing your dream, and for what I have seen, your talent" - she finishes with a wink.
Turning to the others, she continues - "The heraldry is clearly consistent with a belonging of Artorias Argus, and the shield does not emanate any magic but... There is something askew with this, I cannot precise exactly what for the time being but..."
Noticing the exchange between Doran and the waitress, Tiriael smiles to herself, but she seems to be too absorbed with the shield to notice anything else at the moment.
The waitress disappears for a moment before returning with the glass of Elven Wine. It's aroma reminds you of the forest just after a spring rain, fresh, cool, and invigorating. Upon tasting it, you detect various types of berries and perhaps a touch of mint, it's hard to say, but it goes down smoothly like water.
Alaeron takes a long sip of the wine and sighs for a moment, lost in thought of all the overpowering civilization weighing on his mind, and for a brief moment he was lost in the forest. He sits down at the table and pets Nemesis who has poked his head out from within his pack.
"Must watch this wine or I may get some wanderlust. It will be good to put ground beneath my feet again..."
Piers turns back to the others as soon as he feels he has made it clear to the watch that he knows he is being observed.
Watching the cloaked observer, you get the feeling he's watching Terra. As to why, you are not entirely sure. Best keep an eye on her, even if she doesn't want it.
"We can meet at the North Gate in the morning and we can set off for Azeem then. Doran, a word please," the Captain said finishing his second drink and standing.
"It is agreed then" - Tiriael nods to the Captain - "We will meet at the North Gate at sunrise"
Repacking her scrolls and notes neatly into her pack, Tiriaels' posture becomes more relaxed, and she sits down intensely watching the activity all around the tavern.
Signaling the waitress she asks her for a glass of "what he is having" - pointing to Alaeron - "And something to bite on if you will - something typical of the region if possible. Surprise me" - she adds smiling widely - "And the tip will be worthwhile"
When the drink and snacks arrive, she promptly pays for it and offers a generous tip to the waitress, taking the rest of the evening to enjoy the bustling activity, the sights, the smells and the tastes, while she musing to herself about the endeavor they are about to embark on, coming to the conclusion that she is very eager to depart.
Doran stands and stretches, nodding inquisitively to the Captain. He follows him.
Once they are a little way away from the party, Piers leans in to whisper to Doran.
"Keep an eye on Terra for me. She seems to tolerate you better than she does me. That girl is dragging a whole mule train of baggage behind her and I'd prefer not to have it complicate matters."
Doran nods in agreement. "She has a few problems she's putting off or running away from; but she's a nice enough girl and I'm happy to try to help her with it or at least keep it out of the job. It shouldn't be a problem."
The night passes without incident, you each retire to your respective rooms and rest well. In the morning, you all meet at the North Gate and prepare to leave.
Being accustomed to early morning, Alaeron rises before sunrise. He gathers his pack and picks up the sleeping cat from his bed. Satisified that everything is ready, he picks up his bow and heads for the North Gate.
Once he has made it through town, he waits on the other side, being more comfortable in the wild. He lets Nemesis roam the area, attempting to teach him how to heel. He continues his teaching until everyone else arrives
in the morning Terra gets up as early as she can. and dresses in her usual. she gathers her stuff and grabs a quick breakfast as well as some food to take with her.
she heads outside and waits for Doran outside the inn, feeling the soft dirt between her toes as she waits for him.
Quite late in the morning, a speck of dust approaches the North Gate, rapidly growing to a monstrous size before diminishing to become Doran, bent over and panting hard. "Sorry! I slept in!"
as Doran first comes out Terra smiles but before she can even get out a good morning. he dashes off. Terra merely has a look of disappointment. she strolls toward what she hopes is the North gate.
The Captain is waiting on the other side of the gate, idly chatting with the guards posted there. He carries a hefty looking pack of obvious quality and had traded in his dress uniform for much more practical garments. His breastplate is a dull grey steel with the snarling face of some kind of beast stamped into it in profile.
Replacing his side sword his a massive greatsword that he carries, sheathed in one hand. Despite the blade being taller than some of the city's citizens, Piers handles its weight as if it were nothing.
The excitement of the travel ahead has Tiriael out of bed bright and early, as the first rays of sunlight hit her window.
As she moves towards the appointed meeting, the city is already bustling with all its morning preparations - wares being carted, advertised and sold, shouts from the merchants and an inebriating multitude of sounds.
At the Norther Gates she greets the others - "Hello everyone, it is a beautiful morning is it not?"
Noticing the inscription on the Captains' breastplate, she cannot help but ask him - "I haven't seen one of those in a while... May I inquire why such symbol Captain?"
"You ever had to fight one?" Piers replies with a wiry smile.
"Back when I was still a cadet, my captain loved to tell the story of the company's first encounter with one. It ambushed them and hit like a wagon rolling down hill. If it weren't for the steel running in Captain Calieo's veins, casualties would have been much worse. I later had to deal with a couple during a retreat. Regardless, after the first one, the men took the skull as a trophy and it earned them the moniker 'Hodag Company'. Calieo loved the idea," Piers got a slightly far away look in his eye as he remembered better times long past.
Nebari walked through the city towards the gate his new artifact wrapped and stored deep in his pack. He watched the people around him go about their lives, some were happy and smiling others were grumpy and rude. Children played in the street and were scolded by their parents, house pets were napping away. Though Nebari's own shadow seemed to be missing today.
Would all of this be here in a years time, would Nebari and his fellow adventures be hero's or would they be healds of catastrophe? Nebari still wasn't sure how things would turn out and what price he would be willing to pay, but he still had time to figure everything out.
The Aasimar crossed the gate to meet the others including the strange house cat. Nebari responded to Tiriael's question with a halfhearted nod while he triple checks his pack.
Once you are all gathered at the gate, you set out for Azeem. For the first few days, nothing really exciting happens. Just a leasurly pace with a rather serene countryside.
You arrive at the edge of the Forest of Azeem just as the sun starts to set.
Terra keeps to herself as they travel. she will answer people if they address her except for Doran whom she apparently refuses to notice.
The Captain takes the lead and sets an easy pace for the others. It is apparent to him that several of the others might not be accustomed to a rapid march across the countryside so he takes it relatively easy on them. He is easy enough to get along with for anyone willing to try and seems to know a dozen tricks for keeping feet from getting sore or making trail rations more palatable and the like.
As much as Terra seems to ignore Doran, Piers gives her a similar treatment. She made her attitude towards him abundantly clear back in the city. Soon enough she would have to adjust that attitude all on her own.
When they reach the edge of the forest, he slows to a stop.
"Seems like a good place to stop for the night. How far in is that clearing?"
Doran keeps mostly silent during the journey, enjoying the fresh air, though me makes a point to chatter for awhile with everyone. Midway through his conversation with Terra- hard to hold a conversation with someone who isn't answering back, though he tries hard- he looks at her quizzically and asks "So, why are you refusing to notice me?"
As they pull up at the forest, Doran raises an eyebrow at the Captain and stretches his legs. "It's only been barely a day's march, we've still got another mile in us, surely, cmon!"
after a few hours of travel on the first day. Terra finally decides to answer him I waited for you this morning. and about the only glimpse I get is you running off down the street without even a hello or anything.
On day two it soon becomes apparent that the others are not after the reward. the military man does not seem to know her nor after her. so after stopping for a rest (on day two) Terra finally approaches the captain.
I guess I owe you an apology. You see I really don't get along well with military people. and I thought you were ...well that doesn't matter. lets just say I'm sorry and leave it at that.
Throught the trek Nebari is polite and sincere in conversation but overall is somewhat quiet and distracted. He actively takes notice of the groups demeanor and personality traits when he can. He also uses his survival skills to procure fresh food and water when he can.
"Assumptions get you killed, kid. You got problems, I get that, got my own fair share. Those problems don't mean much of anything right now, 'cause we have lives relying on us. I don't much care what you're running from but if it makes things more difficult, you can either deal with it yourself or you can ask for help. Your choice, kid."
Doran's face shifts to an expression of surprise. "I slept in, I was in a hurry, I only had time to notice things important to me.... kidding! Kidding!" He raises his hands mock-defensively. "Sorry Terra for missing you, I thought I'd see you at the gate! Sorry."
Tiriael seems quite content with the trip itself - every once in a while during meals, or before sleeping she reviews the information and mapping she has managed to gather, trying to piece in any additional information or details that may have gone unnoticed.
As they reach the edge of the forest, at Captain Piers' question she takes out the map and looks it over.
Alaeron sighs happily once they begin the trek towards the forest, his mood slightly elevated since leaving the confines of civilization. While walking, he will signal to Nemesis to begin scouting the area in training for the adventure to come.
Once they stop several days later, Alaeron will nod at the choice of campsite. "It will do, but I will need to find us a suitable stream to re-fill our waterskins" He pulls up closer to the Captain and speaks lower "Going to also take a small look around as well, make sure we are alone out here"
Alaeron will signal at Nemesis with a whistle to heel by his side and will begin to look around for a source of water.
Looking up from the map, Tiriael comments to the Captain - "The map has no scale information, but taking into account what we have travelled so far, I would say it will take us another three days to reach the clearing, provided the forest doesn't slow our progression too much"