During the night Zirren had spent most of his watch relaxing and going over the notes he had written over the intervening days since his arrival back at the Vale. He was especially interested in everything he had seen at the Dwarven Monastery, and focused his impressive skill set at deciphering and memorizing how to read the Dwarven runes they'd come across. Though he would have liked to have had a little bit of his magic back to help him learn faster, his years training had helped him immensely in focusing on the task at hand.
He'd always found himself invigorated by his studies, and to his credit he managed to stay up well into Nathaniel's shift before he finally found himself nodding off.
He awakened after the night was over with a new understanding of his limits after all that had occurred. He had pushed himself to exhaustion after all.
He eyed Ruhk from over his notes as the man flaunted at them with his cooking skills.
"Never let it be said that you are a bad man to go into the woods with, Ruhk." Zirren said, as he stood up from his studies to walk over and examine the foods being cooked.
As Zirren speaks, Ruhk nearly chokes, then he laughs uproariously and slap his knee.
Then he flutter his eyelashes at Zirren and coquettishly bites the tip of a finger.
"Why Zirren, you handsome devil you. Maybe AFTER breakfast eh?"
Zirren stared at Ruhk for a long moment.
I wasn't trying to... perhaps I was too eloquent with my words? No. Surely, he's joking. But I should clarify, to be safe.
"That wasn't meant to be anything more than a compliment on your skills as a woodsman. Besides, we still have to get back to Falcon's Hallow as soon as we can."
"He's messing with you, kid." Caine said without opening his eyes. He was leaning against a tree trying to enjoy the peace of the forest, but mostly longing for a drink and frustrated at having to wait to get back to Falcon's Hollow.
Zirren coughed once and decided to head over to his pile of notes, picking them up and stowing them away.
"Well, whenever we're ready to cross, I'll summon us some creatures to help us get across the river."
"Ah, my artistry goes wasted..." Ruhk sighs theatrically, then he smirks.
"But yes, we should get going.
Everyone, grab a bread and some fry, chow down and let's go."
"Eat it now, taste it later." Caine grunted with a humorless laugh. He ate with a soldier's focus, putting it down almost mechanically. He was finished in moments.
He checked his gear and adjusted how it sat and moved toward the water ready to get on with it.
The group quickly wolfs down the delicious smelling breakfast that Ruhk had cooked for them and gathers their gear to find a suitable place to cross the river. As Caine edges toward the water's edge he suddenly hears faint conversation over the gentle roar of the small waterfall, coming from upriver. He cannot quite make out what is being spoken, but the dialect does not sound to be Taldan.
Caine holds up a clenched fist before realizing that the others don't know tactical hand signs, then brings a finger to his lips. He points in the direction of the conversation and tries to pick out what is being said.
At first, Ruhk thought Caine had spotted a good crossing, and was about to congratulate him, then he sees the finger to lip gesture and frowns.
Oh, what now?
Leaning forward a little, he too attempts to listen in.
Caine listens more intently and catches only a few words over the sounds of the nearby water; however, he believes that it is the same language that was spoken by Xanostar and his people... And its clear the source is getting closer and there are at least three different voices talking.
"Fae?" he whispered. Like Xanostar's language. Can't make it out. They're headed this way. Let's get out of sight in case they aren't friendly."
Belladonna dives behind a nearby bush
Zirrwn frowned and let out a sigh. "I'm really not cut out for this." he said to himself quietly.
I wonder if could ask them for help? Hiding from them might be the better choice though...
The group hunkers down quietly and listens intently... Zirren's and Belladonna's keen ears are able to discern that there are definitely three distinct voices speaking in Sylvan (which Zirren can understand, see spoiler below). You also determine that the voices are not in the woods, but rather on the river.
"Maybe they took earlier than we expected and crossed over?"
"No, I smelled wood fire smoke not too long ago. They must be around here still."
Zirren speaks in a low voice, hoping the approaching figures won't hear him. "Three Fey of some kind. Looking for us, I think. They smelled the camp fire. I don't know if they're friendly. I can start getting us across if we go now, but probably not all of us before they reach here."
"If that's the case, it may just be better to approach them now. If they are friendly, they might be able to help, and if not, then it's better we take them out now rather than risk them attacking us as we cross."
"What kind of fey? Can anyone see 'em?" Caine whispered.
"Not yet, still too far away, but if you want to test their friendliness, go first Ruhk. I'd go, but Caine's made it very clear I shouldn't put myself in harms way."
"Why not? If they are friendly, they are sure to appreciate my positive personality, and if not, they are sure to attack me out of jealousy.
Uh...but the rest of you, stay down for a bit eh?"
Ruhk stands up and begins to walk towards the fey.
"Oi! Over here, want to have a chat?"
Ruhk walks up to the edge of the river and quickly spots three canoes just a little way upriver from the falls, pulled over to the shoreline with three Faun still inside the canoes. They scramble for weapons as Ruhk calls out to them, but do not make any aggressive movements when they realize he is not holding any weapons. One of the Faun gestures towards him and speaks in halting Taldan. "You with the group from the lake? Xanostar?"
Ruhk waves, all friendly and smiles.
"That's right, we fought together with Xanostar, helped him bury the dead and healed a small fey.
oh and gave over some nasty men to justice."
That'd prove it's us, who else could know all that?
"Xanostar sent you? Could...could you help us across the river maybe?"
The three faun visibly relax and place their weapons back into their respective canoes. "Can do better. These for you!" He indicates the canoes!
"Well now, isn't this a nice surprise! Be sure to thank Xanostar from us when you see him."
Turning around, Ruhk calls to the others.
"It's alright, they are friends of Xanostar, and they've brought us presents too!"
Belladonna happily skips out and thanks the nice, pretty faun for the canoes.
Um, are they, are they, you know, safe? I've never been in a boat before
Zirren stands, brushing off the dirt from his clothes.
"Well that is certainly better than what I thought we were going to have to do. Thank you for the assistance. Now I believe we can make far better time along the river than we could have otherwise."
"I believe the correct phrase is canoeing, Zilka."
The faun who seemed to be in charge smiles and nods at the excitement. "Yes, our friend Milon asked to watch you in case you need help. A dryad spied you camp and we told speed important. Xanostar send us with boat to send you home. Current is powerful now with rain. Trip should be fast. We will row first so you can eat."
Ruhk covers his mouth to stop a massive guffaw at Zilka's comments.
That's a good one! And there is no way she doesn't know what canoodeling means.
Deciding to play along for a bit, he adopts a completely deadpan expression.
"Ah yes, canoodeling, it is great fun, let me tell you.
Of course, if it is your first time, then partnering up with an old hand is a good idea.
Caine is an inspired choice, with his steady hand, he can gently guide you through the motions..."
She looks so damn innocent, she's either blessed with one hell of a poker-face, or she really don't know...that's even better!
"Also, as a beginner, it's vital you have a firm grip on the oar, and use slow, steady strokes, taking your time to find a good rhythm.
Of course, explaining is all well and good, but nothing beats just jumping in and getting a feel for the process yourself."
Caine had been waving to the the fauns and about to thank them.
He slowly turned, looking Zilka right in the eye, and stepped into the boat. "Sure, Zil. Get in. I'll show you the ropes..."
Heh, I hope SOMEONE gets it, otherwise it won't be as much fun
...
Still a BIT funny though.
The group gathers up their things and assist the faun in dragging the canoes from the river and carrying them downriver from the waterfall. The canoes are set back into the water and everyone takes a seat. The fauns start off rowing and allow the group to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery as the munch of Ruhk's delicious breakfast... The waters are fairly swift with all the excess rain the past few days and it seems to be the quickest way back to Falcon's Hollow, but it is still many, many miles to go...
Leaning back in the canoe with his eyes closed, letting the peaceful sun hit his face, Caine felt awful.
His whole body hurt with the kind of soreness that could only be caused by extreme overexertion. The most exercise he'd gotten in years was the occasional bar fight. The last three days had been an endurance trial that he'd gotten though by sheer stubbornness, and he was paying for it now. His muscles trembled and cramped randomly. He'd long since sweated the last drop of alcohol out of his system, and his head was pounding. Watch the night before had been quiet enough that he could hear his own sluggish, thudding heartbeat. The waved of nausea that occasionally washed over him were compounded by the motion of the boats. He concentrated on breathing, slow and even.
He was smiling.
Zirren relaxed as he rode along with the Faun's in their canoe's. He pulled out a small journal, as well some ink, a quill, and sheet of parchment before he began writing.
As he began writing he looked over to the Faun rowing the boat.
I don't mean to sound rude, and we thank you for the assistance getting us back to town faster but could I trouble you for some answers? like to spend my time chronicling my adventures and mysteries I come across. Recently we came to a Druidic grove which held a menhir near it covered in their writings. I believe it has something to do with Leylines, could you tell me more about that? Or at the least point me in the direction of one who might know more?"
Ruhk was slowly stroking his chin in though, the other hand over the edge of the canoe, gently lapping against the water.
Is this what it feels like to be a hero? Could be...won't really know until we get back and see if everything works out like it should I suppose.
But...
...
Mum would be proud of me if she saw, even dad might grudgingly give me the nod of approval.
The faun smiles as Zirren begins speaking in his native tongue and listens intently, nodding occasionally.
Zirren nodded.
Yala grins at Zirren's request, looking quite excited to be part of a Chronicle of events.
"Uhm, Mr. Faun, sir. I was just wondering, what do your people think of Vale and the Valers? Is there anything that the average person can do to help any... bad feelings between the two peoples?"
Ruhk opens half an eye at Bella's question. This was something he might like to know himself.
The faun in Bella and Ruhk's canoe looks at the little halfling. "Hard to see for everyone. Most of us just want to be left alone have them stop cutting down our forest... Much of it is already gone. Those humans are wasteful, they do not even replant what they take. There are some, though, that want to drive them out of the forest... To retaliate for all the wrongs done to us. Those fey are violent and seem to have changed, they will not see reason and refuse to compromise." He looks sad for a moment. "My brother is one of those fey. He has turned dark and cold...."