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"It seems there were quite a few who thought the Thakur had put his foot in it, when he outlawed the cult we have been dealing with. Yet they seem to be coming around with what we have accomplished so far. Later this evening, I'll take 1st watch as I have a ton of writing to do...... oh yeah, seems the far side of the river has gone quiet. People cross over but fail to return"
Alwyn will find a spot close to the fire, close enough to read and write by, but far enough away he can still keep watch. He would defer arrangement of the elephants to Master Bala.
"Master Bala would be best suited to see to his animals, Master Bvar, would you care to see to the placement of the ballista where, perhaps, should it be required, the camp can be protected by its use."
After a day of riding Pratavh finds himself relieved to have a chance to rest. He stretches to loosen up his stiffened muscles and lays out his bed roll near the fire. "Ugh, these extra years are killing me." He eats once food is prepared and then lays down to rest.
Shiko grumbles about the weather.
There is a momentary pause, as if Bvar was far away. A little too loudly he enthuses, "But of course! Ajīta ā'ō, hama ēka bāra mēṁ yaha karanē kē li'ē śāmila karanā cāhi'ē. Yahām̐ śivira kē pīchē. , Sabasē acchā hōgā. Dēśa kē rakhanā āga kē ēka khulē maidāna kē sātha hamēṁ pradāna karatā hai ki kaisē dēkhatē haiṁ? Aba tō hama bēhatara hāthī sthānāntarita karanē kē li'ē hai ki ālasī kulī milatā hai. Maiṁ tuma usē hathiyāra analōḍa karanē mēṁ madada karanē kē li'ē hōgā ajīta kā ḍara hai. Lēkina kō'ī ḍara nahīṁ hai, maiṁ samanvaya mēṁ madada karēgā." His tone to you is respectful, his tone to Ajit rather less so.
Mohktar aids aa best he can with camp setup, following direction and doing anunheard lifting as matter of conditioning. Then he volunteers for first watch.
remaining quiet on patrol
In the end Bala takes charge of setting up the camp. He hobbles the elephants in a wide circle and provides them with grain and some water. He then sets up the tents and the bedding with assistance from various members of the party.
Before long the sun sets and all you can hear is the rhythmic noises made by insects and the occasional scuttle of a night creature. The night passes peacefully.
The next day passes slowly on the road, there seems to be fewer and fewer and fewer travelers the further south you get. Hirati tells you that there's a great river a few miles upstream, but she can see no obvious way for you poor wingless creatures to cross.
Master Bvar laughs, "Of course not little dragon-kin. Bala has had us following the trade road, it bends west from here. Now there is a small town, well a hamlet really, two maybe three days the wrong way down the road. Called Bridgetown, I'm sure you can guess why. There is a quicker alternative... The river is a little lower than usual so Angora's ford may be passable. It's perhaps half a day's journey the other direction, which will probably save us a week or more in total."
So a shortcut? Those have never caused problems before... Shikyo snarks. Stick to the road.
"I think the quicker we finish this the better, unless someone has a reason not to take the shortcut."
.
.
.
Mohktar finishes gathering his belongings and shakes his head. "A shortcut with such large animals does not seem sens..." He pauses and slips a glance to Bvar, keen to observe his sensibilities and pride. "...my vote is to follow Bala's advisement in this instance. His is the purview of these majestic animals. I should think he desire to take the road is in the interest of keeping them...battle worthy. In the opposing view, I would see that all considerations be given in the use of tactics and the ballista."
To hopefully dissuade major argument, Mohktar reports his sighting during watch. "A rider past in the night. Horseback, very fast. They took pains to avoid our camp. We should be cautious."
"While i wouldn't reject a shortcut, we're with elephants here.
They are less mobile than we are. I'm going to go with sticking to the main route."
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Alwyn listens to the exchange, weighing it against what he knows, has learned from talking to Master Bala on the way to their first encampment.
"Master Bvar is correct, the ford would save us time, however it has a nasty reputation for flash flooding. turning to Master Bvar While I admire you're desire to help us complete this task quicker, the loss of even one of these magnificent animals could significantly hamper that same mission, especially should that animal be the one carrying the ballista. We are on the edge of monsoon season I suggest we continue to follow Master Bala's course through the hamlet and across the bridge. It may be longer but supplies could be aquired in the hamlet if needed more so than at the ford."
Master Bvar simply shrugs, and Bala leads you on the the long trek towards the bridge. The day passes without further incident but as time goes on, you feel the weather is getting hotter and more and more humid. Sleeping may be uncomfortable tonight...
As dusk starts to fall Bala calls for a halt. There's a small hill by the river which is apparently used as a campsite judging from the ring of stones used for a camp fire. There is also a stone trough of what turns out to be crystal pure water. You and the elephants drink long to slake your thirst. This side of the river there are at least some cool breezes which do much to disperse the abundant midges and other flying nuisances. You have a horrible feeling the jungle is going to be uncomfortable...
Following the pattern from earlier, Master Bvar finds a suitable place for the Ballistae to go, and then his poor manservant and Bala have to manhandle it into position. Fortunately the elephants are able to do most of the really heavy lifting, but it's not exactly a graceful operation. And after that's done, Bala sets up the tents and starts cooking.
?
Pratavh once again takes his time sleeping, though he gets up and studies his spells after a few hours and then sits the third watch as he enjoys the view of the great void above and gives Hirati someone to lay on and keep warm.
Shiko notices nothing he instead grouses about the weather, the inclement conditions, the mosquitos....
This place is cursed...
.
.
Mohktar will sit first watch with Alwyn.
The night and the next two days pass quietly as the expedition hits its stride and life on the trail becomes a familiar rhythm. As you go it gets hotter and stickier and Bala keeps on looking at the sky mistrustfully. He grumbles, "Kō'ī galatī kisī bhī dina bāriśa hō jā'ēgā, aura."
On the second day after the camp, a large armed group thunders past on horses. Master Bvar recognizes them, "Ah contingent of the Thakur's mounted Hussars. We've not met any bandits so far, and they're the reason. I think I recognize their officer!"
He waves enthusiastically as the column passes, but they simply ignore your party and Bvar seems most put out and spends much of the afternoon brooding. Still that evening he perks up, "I recognize where we are now. It's been oh, maybe ten years but you see that field over there with the Ocra and the chillis? That's Raj's land. I spent a lot of time here as a lad. Bridgetown is not far away. Hopefully they'll have forgotten. Well, most of them won't care. It's more about what she thinks. T'was a long time ago though, never mind me. Chances are it's all forgotten."
Bala seems cheerful at the prospect of getting to Bridgetown and when Bvar can't hear him he laughs, "Pah! Hamēśā yaha usakē sātha ēka aurata hai. Kabhī nahīṁ, hama ucita bēḍa mēṁ sō hōgā āja rāta mana aura ucita bhōjana khātē haiṁ. Cūl'hā utkr̥ṣṭa bīyara kē sātha ēka baṛhiyā sarāya hai. Mārka mērē śabdōṁ, Bvar hamārē manōran̄jana kē li'ē apanē āpa kō ēka mīrā mūrkha banānā hōgā."
"Always a woman with him?
Does he have a sweetheart there?", Lilly harmlessly jokes.
Bala double checks that Bvar is otherwise engaged and whispers conspiratorially, "Bahuta samaya pahalē, ēka nijī Bvar Simrita nāmaka ēka saundarya kē li'ē prayāsarata thē. Jāhira hai vaha usē pyāra kē kābila mahasūsa karatē haiṁ aura kō'ī bhī unakī śādī virōdha karanā him'mata hōtī paryāpta hai ki kucha karanē kē li'ē bāhara sēṭa nahīṁ kiyā. Durbhāgya sē jīvana kāphī hai ki jisa taraha sē bāhara bārī nahīṁ thā."
As the afternoon turns into early evening, the expedition reaches the small hamlet known as Bridgetown. There is indeed a serviceable bridge over the mighty River Sald although it's plaint obvious that little traffic goes over it. Instead most travelers carry on to the various proper towns a week or so's hard travel downriver. The town itself has a half way decent smithy, a post office and the Hearthstone inn.
What are your intentions?
Lilly stretches, after sitting for a long while.
"Yawn....time for my own legs."
After standing on said own legs, Lilly takes in the scene, for orientation purposes for now.
"Hey boys, don't linger up there, there's places to see."
Lilly would visit the inn first, postal offices are boring.
Shikyo heads to the inn, anxious to get himself into a bed.
I'll be here if you need me...
Pratavh makes his way down from the elephant and nods at the men who keep the elephants going in the right direction. Hirat, as usual, is flying all over the place exploring the new town, Pratavh calls to her, "Hirati, please behave, and stay out of trouble if you can." The little dragon makes a rude thought noise back at him but calms down a bit, not ranging as far as she initially planned and flying in to the inn when Pratavh enters the building after telling Lilly and Shikyomaru, "I think you both have an excellent idea."
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Alwyn's rolling gait is a bit funny as he strides towards the inn; the elephant ride inducing the same motion as the ships he normally plies. Taking in the sights, small as they might be in this little hamlet.
"Many of the buildings here used to be in much better shape, the farmers as the town has declined are taking them apart piece by piece to build their walls marking out their farmland boundaries. A chance to wash the dust from my throat sounds like the best use of the evening to me." He quips
"Besides, Simrita Tamasi runs the Hearthstone here and was once a beauty well known to those who traveled through this area, I understand she or her cook has a recipe for an absolutely fabulous stew, it might burn the dust out of your throat but hearty all the same."
That evening he will spend time using his magics and performance to entertain whatever patrons Mistress Tamasi has; with recreations of the bard's firework performance and the Parade of Souls.
The party walks into the inn, which is a two story affair made out of huge bricks of some kind of stone you don't recognize. It's blessedly cool inside which is a bit of a surprise. You notice the cold air appears to be coming from somewhere upstairs.
The lady of the house dressed in an immaculate lavender Sari bids you welcome, "Yātrī! Ā'ō aura mērē cūl'hā para svāgata kiyā hai, tō āpa khānē kē li'ē samaya basa mēṁ kara rahē haiṁ!"
Dinner proves to consist of rice, very tender mystery meat in a dark brown fiery sauce, with hints of lime and ginger. There are several smaller pots of various vegetable stews along with something that looks turns out to be sweetened yogurt spiced with something you don't recognize. It counterbalances the fiery main in a pleasing way. To mop the whole feat up are copious flat breads.
There are a few other people in the inn, a couple of well at heel merchants, a small group of soldiers who keep to themselves and the blacksmith.
Later when Alwyn preforms his rendition of the parade of souls, there is a standing ovation. Simrita smiles at Alywn, pleased to have such refined guests.
Pratavh says, "Maiṁ bhōjana karanē kē li'ē tatpara haiṁ, maiḍama dhan'yavāda."
Pratavh talks to his companions over dinner, "I have heard of this place before, quite fascinating, they have bound elementals into it to help regulate the temperature. Truly inventive. I wonder if they'd allow me to examine the binding spells."
Shiko can be found lounging near the fire, enjoying the comforts of civilization.
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Alwyn bows to those gathered in the room happy to have an audience. Moving back to join the others he laughs as he catches sight of Shiyko, for such an uptight fellow he seemed to be relaxing quite well.
"They worry that the weather will change before the end of the week. They're still trying to get the harvest in. And Bvar seems to have some old friends here and someone special lost in the past."
The night passes peacefully at the inn and next morning, feeling refreshed you head over the old stone bridge, crossing the mighty River Sald. The river itself has a deep brown color from sediment and moves rapidly. Swimming in it would be difficult at best, and you notice huge eddies coming from massive the support pillars sunk into the river bed.
Safely across the river you notice that the road isn't half as good, there are a great number of pot holes and deep ruts. Fortunately this present little problem for the elephants, but it would be a nightmare for a horse and cart. Quarter of a mile south of the bridge the road forks, you take the western fork which bends south after a while. As you travel south west the road becomes steadily worse, there are a few spotted settlements here and there but these seem increasingly far apart and some of them are abandoned. With just the shells of the buildings remaining. As you travel the agricultural lands soon give way to a light forest and then into deep mosquito infested jungle. The temperature gets steadily hotter and sweaty until it's most unpleasant. There are many strange smells and noises in the jungle, and Bala lists off names of exotic sounding animals that make the calls. Still there is one sound you've been dreading that needs no explanation, for in the distance you hear the rumble of thunder.
Lilly had slept well, even got up before the men.
Them coming down, she was leaning back in a chair.
"What took you sleepyheads so long? I've not seen women follow you to your rooms after all." *Chuckle*
When the group is underway she waves her hand to coll off a bit.
"I've seen some warm climates, but the heat with humidity is quite something else."
Pratavh makes his way downstairs, leaning on his staff, Hirati flying circles around his head until she sees Lilly. The little dragonette flies at the oracle and does a flying plop onto her lap. Pratavh takes a seat and says in response to Lilly's wry observation, "Why would I take another to my bed when none would compare to your beauty miss Lilly? They would pale in comparison to you."
Pratavh shifts frequently to relieve the pains his recently aged body provide for his entertainment, watching the miles go by. At the first sound of thunder Hirati lands near him, content to stay nearby with the threat of storms.
Lilly rolls her eyes.
"You're too old for me.", she adds with a friendly smile."Besides, you're a mage, i want a guy who can best me in combat in a fair fight."
Some things are just red rag to a bull.
Master Bvar's ears prick up and like an over enthusiastic puppy dog he says, "My lady, did you call?"
Pff, heh, as if.
"You're even older than my wizard friend here, plus i don't fancy moustaches. I'm a picky girl on some things."
Bala snorts, and comes to Lilly's rescue, "Kāśa māsṭara Bvar, āpakō lagatā hai ki dhāraṇā bharanā cāhi'ē. Hama sabhī gaṛagaṛāhaṭa sunī, hama ucca bhūmi para milanā cāhi'ē. Āpa ēka machalī kī taraha taira kara sakatē haiṁ ki jaba taka. Yaha saba jalda hī pānī kē bhītara hō jā'ēgā.
Maiṁ tō dakṣiṇa yahāṁ kī ēka pahāṛī kē ēka mīla yā lagatā hai ki vahām̐ "
Shiko can make none of those perception checks...so he remains oblivious. He does however spur Master Bvar on... I hear that she enjoys someone who puts forth some effort, and shows dogged determination. Don't let the first NO be the only one! he whispers to the man.
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Alwyn enjoys the days ride, trying to imitate many of the animal calls he hears as well as making quick sketch of those creatures that hang around as the elephants march by.
"Master Bala is correct look at the trees, those trunks aren't split. That is the actual root systems much like the mangroves you would see in a tidal area. That would only come about from repeated flooding,with rain coming it would be wise to seek higher ground."
To underscore Alwyn's words it starts raining, lightly at first although from what little you can see of the angry clouds peeping through the canopy, it's going to get heavier. The coming of the rains seems to be causing quite a ruckus among the wildlife.
What are you going to do?
Hanging back in her seat, half daydreaming and half watching the landscape, Lilly comments casually on the weather.
"With this rain and water, the animals around here would seek higher ground, wouldn't they? We could even follow trails, find our dinner maybe, like a boar?"
"There, some animal tracks!"