GM Smashtag's PFS: In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master DSXMachina

Absalom, the Center of the World; she reaches to the sky as she embraces her people, and her teeming streets boast Ulfen, Chelaxian, elf, halfling, and gnome alike. Traders from Qadira rub shoulders with warriors from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. Colorful Varisian caravans come with their goods and their guards to haggle with dwarves emerged from their ancient mountain halls. Truly, you can find anything in Absalom...including your destiny.

Like flotsam washed into her bay, you have arrived in this shining city to seek your fortunes as Pathfinders, your reasons as varied as the colors of the ocean. The Grand Lodge is headquartered here, a combination barracks, training facility, and fortress. Here, you have been trained as a Pathfinder. Here, you have passed every test set before you, save one.

You have all been called by the Chamberlain to meet with Ambrus Valsin, the Venture-Captain in charge of the daily rounds of the Grand Lodge... and of all of you. An old warrior, as rough as the wood he appears to have been carved from, Venture-Captain Valsin has hounded each of you through your training, pushing you, forcing you to understand your true potential. Now, he has one final test for you that will determine the course of your future with the Society.

One by one, you arrive in the marbled foyer outside of Venture-Captain Valsin's office, and one by the one the waiting Chamberlain greets you all with words that seem practiced, smooth:

"Venture-Captain Valsin will see you shortly; as soon as the rest of the recruits arrive, in fact. Be patient. You are at the call of the Society, and not the other way around. If you grow impatient, well, you will soon have your fellow recruits for company."

He indicates several padded benches along the wall of the room.

"Be at ease. Venture-Captain Valsin will be seeing you all shortly."

Your adventure begins here! Please determine what gear you are carrying on your person and what gear is in saddlebags, your barracks room, etc and note that on your sheets. All animals are stabled at the Grand Lodge's stable behind your barracks.

Corbyn is actually surprised that he is the first to show. Usually he is prone to habitual tardiness.

Corbyn sits at the most comfortable looking bench and puts his feet up, waiting for the others to arrive.

Leaning against the marble columns a wry smile crosses Jaces face. 'Soon I may be part of this, I may find somewhere to belong. Somewhere to call my own, where I can lead.' He thinks quietly, to himself.

His dark eyes glisten with a lost past. The braiding on his soft jacket starting to fray, bright against the deep blue formal tones. Running a soft thumb along the light stubble making a rasping noise; Jace smiles 'Patience is a virtue and as all the women know I am virtuous'

Jace pushes off the hoary marble with it's grey veins, raising his hand in a slight wave he announces; "Hello all, I am Jace. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

A heavy tread announced the tall male before his armoured form became fully visible to those within the foyer. The gauntlet encased hand rested easily on the pommel of a longsword spoke even louder than his rolling, controled walk of his training while the more subtle sign was in the storm coloured orbs that swept the room and its occupants moments before entering. Noting escapes and positions with absent ease that was filed away before the green-haired male moved completely into the room acknowledging the chamberlain with a lift of his head and turning his grey gaze towards the rest of the room.

"Corbyn."His voice was low, touched with the accent of his home but not as much as a native's would be, husky almost but with a friendly edge that showed he was at ease with the other male. He had seen the half-orc several times on the training grounds and was passingly familiar with him. At the sound of another voice he turned his gaze and dipped his head in a formal manner while his lips tipped partially into a smile to the other who had introduced himself.

"Faeron. A pleasure, neighbor."He returned the introduction of the one known as Jace before taking a spot near the seats, feet set apart in a loose stance that he could maintain for hours despite the equipment he was wearing.

Standing to one side observing the pair. As the armoured man walks across the room, with a fighters gait. "An Elf, he seems to know the hardy man. I wouldn't want to cross either of them."

Jace feels a quick twinge up his thigh, an old wound shooting a pain up his leg. With an inconspicuous shake of his leg, trying to regain feeling. 'I am sure they did better on the training field than I. Hopefully there are others my equal.' his self-deprecating mental voice causes him to quirk his lip.

A short, lithe woman in loose yellow robes strides briskly into the foyer, sandaled feet making a soft patter on the marble. Her shining black hair is bound in several looped braids, raising it clear of the broad leather scabbard suspended across her back. A sword protrudes above her left shoulder with a long, dangling red tassle suspended from an opening in the hilt. A crooked dagger is sheathed at her side, opposite a small belt pouch .

She stops short as the Chamberlain says his piece, then inclines at the waist in a slight bow, including the rest of the room in the courtesy. Her carriage, upright almost to arrogance, could easily fool an observer into thinking her taller as she sweeps to one of the unoccupied benches. Swiftly kneeling on the floor immediately before the seat, she unwinds a string of wooden beads from around her left wrist, fingering them absently while her bright black eyes study the others in the room, her posture relaxed and comfortable.

The storm orbs swung to the sound of approaching footsteps, widening slightly as the small female came into view. His stance unconsciously stiffened, going more formal as his feet snapped together with military precision. When the dark haired female bowed to the room he cracked a fist to his chest and executed a perfectly courtly bow in return that was deeper than her own.

"My Lady."He glanced quickly at the other two males with a sharpness that suggested that the one sitting at least rise at the presence of a lady among them, before straightening and resuming his original pose. Although now he was canted slightly to keep the young woman in sight, both because she was clearly a fighter and not to be dismissed casually and because she was a female and chivalry dictated that he make sure she feel included and welcome at all times.

Jace shoves himself off the wall into a florid bow as a response to the graceful robed ladies greeting. 'It won't fool anyone with my grace, but everyone is so still and formal. I know I should mind my manners, however....'

"Sirs, Mademoiselle. So we are to attempt to become Pathfinders. I am sure that this will be quite the experience." he waves a hand dismissively "I know we should focus upon the task at hand, but we might need to rely upon each others talents as we have relied upon our own."

"I don't plan to fail against this task placed before me." as he steps from the walls the rapier at his hip clatters softly against the dark leather boots.

"None plan to find failure, yet it visits all eventually," the woman replies softly, eyes downcast demurely, "I wish you success, unless we are to be pitted against one another. If that is the case, I am sorry that you will become better acquainted with the Devil Failure." Her nimble fingers number the shining wooden beads hypnotically.

Keeping his eyes from the demure ladies ritual; Jace's smile breaks into a warm laugh. "A good sentiment, with the confidence of one unused to losing! This should prove interesting." his statement designed to observe and gently provoke.

"In losing a contest, one may gain in wisdom and so not lose. Take consolation in this." The woman remains expressionless but carefully keeps her eyes on the beads in her lap.

A few minutes late, an elf with white hair walks through into the door. She raises both of her hands near her face in a bit of a nervous gesture, "Sorry, sorry, I did not mean to be tardy, there were people talking to me. Asking for directions. How do you escape such conversations? I hear it is rude to just run away. Anyhow. Samara Nolien, treasure hunter, at your service." She fidgets with the rapier at her hip, making a bit of a clanking as she fiddles, adjusting it so it does not bump against her leg. "What did I miss?"

Looking away as the Tian woman answers so as not to intrude upon her meditations too greatly; "Self assurance in your abilities, I like that."

Jace's eyes are drawn to the elf that joins them; 'Whereas this one has the nervousness of a bride upon her wedding night, to ease her - I will try.' He moves towards the pale haired elf; and drops to one knee to take her hand. "Nothing of any great import, the Venture-Captain is on his way. I am Jace of Molthune, a pleasure it is to meet you."

He rises moving away from the elf lady, with a wide sweep of his hand. "The seated gentleman is Corben, the warrior elf is Faeron and the Tian lady..." He abruptly stops not knowing her name and not wishing to appear foolish before these people that he wishes to impress. "How did you find the training? It is good to be challenged?"

Faeron's lips quick slightly as his grey eyes shift between the arguing pair, like a parent watching squabbling children. He did not add to the conversation, however, merely observed. The two seemed quite capable of keeping their cool even amid such a topic and unlikely to challenge one another to a duel here in the Venture-Captain's lobby. Fools did not last long in the Pathfinders and that alone proved his guess about them. It was still a welcome distraction when a white haired female made her own, nervous, appearance.

"Peace, little sister."the deep voice murmured as she stumbled through an excuse to her tardiness. Jace also seemed to sense her unease and dropped towards her hand in a courtly manner that the green-haired cavalier approved of. Sweeping her the same elegant bow he had given to the dark haired lady several moments before upon his introduction by the now rising male.

Before anyone can answer Jace's question, a human male comes running up the opening leading into the room. He looks flushed and has obviously been running hard. Leaning against a column framing the room's entrance, he breathes hard trying to catch his breath. There seems to be an energy in him tightly wound. His voice comes out explosively and loud following Jace's gentle and sophisticated tone.

"Did I make it? Have I missed him? Are you the team?"

A huge smile crosses his face as his head turns this way and that taking in the sight of everyone assembled. "Whew! I thought they would have brought everyone in already." He lets out a noisy breath and sags into the column. He scrubs a sleeve across his forehead, wiping the sweat on his brow away from his eyes. His clothing seems to be fairly nondescript except that subtly worked into the cloth appear to be the the outlines of a pattern of billowy clouds with jagged lightning and swirls to depict wind.

Straightening, he grins broadly and approaches the elf standing closest looking nervous. He starts to stick out his hand, when he suddenly gets an uncertain expression and the smile falters. He looks up and away as if trying to remember something. He returns to the column by the foyer's entrance and eyes it carefully. Then with an almost theatrical cautiousness, the man reaches out and touches the column. He sucks in a breath just before his fingers make contact...

Nothing happens.

"Whew!" he says again. Turning back to the group, his smile returns while relief is apparent on his face. "I couldn't remember if I had discharged it." Laughing, he once again strides toward the white-haired female and reaches out to catch her hand in both of his. He pumps it vigorously.

"Passio Mancini at your service!"

He will go around the room offering his hand to each of the assembled Pathfinder trainees. He seems full of gusto and excitement.

The woman in yellow rocks to her heels and rises in one smooth motion as the newcomers enter, wordlessly giving them a slight bow. At Passio's energetic approach, she offers a hand and allows him to shake it. "Lin Mai, Second Sister," she replies softly to his introduction, "You may call me Mai."

"Well met, Passio, I am Jace. You certainly seem like man full of vim and vigour." he claps the man gently upon the shoulder as they shake hands. "That would have been shocking if you had not discharged the spell. You are a master of the arcane?" his soft words hold an exotic accent.

Jace looks towards the yellow clad lady; 'Mai? I wonder what a 'Second Sister' is? A rank?' he nods towards her as she spots him looking, a slight colour flushes in his cheeks.

Passio puffs up with pride at Jace's question.

"Indeed I am! My power is not yet great, but one day I will command enough that storms will come at my call."

Seeing the next object of Jace's gaze, a sly smile creeps onto Passio's face. "Ah, I see I am already forgotten. And quite deservedly."

He bursts out laughing, and he claps the now blushing man's shoulder heartily as if they are old friends. Then turning to face the group as a whole, Passio says,

"So, are we waiting on anyone else? Or is it time to find out what honor we can bring the Lodge?"

"Passio, you are as sharp as lightning. As for others...." he looks around the hall awaiting confirmation or not. "I cannot say, a half-dozen of us? It depends on the nature of this test and training."

While Faeron's assurance had served to settle her down a little, Samara's skittishness spikes at Passio's enthusiastic greeting, "Aha... well, ah, hello. Samara Nolien, treasure hunter, at your service!" She smiles, but through her fidgety appearance, it looks more akin to a puppy baring teeth.
To Jace's question, her smile become a bit more genuine. "Oh, yes, the training has been pretty challenging hasn't it? I've enjoyed it thus far. I am rather excited to see what's next. Excited is a thing that I am."

"I know no more than what the Chamberlain said to those who followed," Mai says placidly. "I suggest patience. Perhaps we will be fortunate and this will be more than simply another test."

Jace mind races for a second, then he nods his head. "Yes, excited. My interest is peaked by both the prospect of this mission and the company I find I am in."

Jace goes quiet.

Having already forgotten the look Jace was giving Mai, Passio stands proudly erect and says in response to Jace, "I will do my best to live up to your expectations.". Passio is unused to such admiration from his fellow Pathfinder trainees and is rather excited at his reception so far.

The Chamberlain looks around the foyer and nods to himself.

"Good; you're all here."

He then frowns to himself.

"I will go see what is keeping Venture-Captain Valsin. Please, be patient. I would also suggest that you all get comfortable with one another."

He sweeps from the room, muttering under his breath.

"'Get comfortable with each other.' We may indeed be working as a team on this venture." Mai muses. She deliberately studies the other candidates in the room, dark eyes neither shy nor demure as she assess her fellows. "Strength, intelligence, power both arcane and divine... I believe this group can be very effective if we work well together."

A commotion temporarily ceased all discussion as yet another individual entered the room. Smiling widely and reminding the cavalier a bit of a bear eating honey. Overly pleased, wide of motion, and quite vocal. His own lips quirked in amusement as he watched the male jerk around the room through various trains of thought. Introduction, apparently touching random pillars, and finally introduction again. It was sufficient to set off the little white haired lady once more as she became the focus of all that attention for a moment as introductions were made. Amusement flavouring the smokey eyes darker as he observed the interactions with each of the other members. Their responses to such abundance of personality. Until that moment he had believed Jace to be the more exuberant of those in the room, he paled in comparison Passio Mancini.

"Faeron, neighbor"He calmly introduced himself upon his turn, having filed the names of those that went before him for future reference. Given the nature of those here, he doubted a test against each other was to come. Their abilities varied too much, as did their personalities. He hoped it was so at least, because the effect the tiny dark haired female was having on the two excitable males was worth watching further for its entertainment value if nothing else. Any further thoughts were interrupted by the return of the chamberlain who was just as quick to excuse himself while confirming Faeron's earlier beliefs on their mission. Madam Mai looked critically across the room at each of them and seemed to find no fault in their appearances. It was a more direct stare than he was used to receiving from women but he dipped his courtly bow once more.

"Thank you, little sister. I'll take comfort in your assessment."His lightly accented voice held touches of humour that danced in the storm orbs and along the reappearance of his smile.

Passio rubs his hands together briskly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He looks from one to the other of his fellows.

"Excellent! I can't wait to get started. We'll do good work, I'm sure. If the small one there is right," he gestures to Mai Lin, "We will be back and successful in no time."

At Passio's gesture, Mai Lin looks behind her for the halfling, or possibly gnome, which must be standing there. Finding nobody, she turns back to the much taller man, eyebrows raised in astonishment.

Am I the 'small one' he refers to?

Samara nods at Jace once with a kind of awkward expression. "Right. The company. I am used to... less company. That will be different. Interesting. Challenging." There's a pause before she adds, smiling, "But I am sure the mission shall be enjoyable!"

At the Chamberlain's appearance, she falls silent and still, displaying attentiveness. Once he is gone, she continues to adjust her equipment here and there. At Mai's assessment she nods and says, "Well, I'd rather be working together with such people rather than against. So that's good at least."

Booming footsteps herald Venture-Captain Valsin's arrival. The gruff man strides purposefully into the room, stopping in the center with his fists on his hips, a piece of parchment folded in one hand. He glances at each of you in turn: silent Corbyn, diffident Jace, noble Faeron, arrogant Mai Lin, excitable Samara, and enthusiastic Passio.

"Greetings, Pathfinders," he rumbles in his gravelly voice, so familiar from training. "As I gather the Chamberlain has been so good as to hint at, you have all been selected for some, shall we say, errands, for the Decemvirate."

He crosses his arms over his chest, his brows lowering.

"All of the people you will be meeting in the course of these errands is an agent for the Society, and I expect all of you to treat them with the respect such affiliation deserves."

Taking stock of the various young Pathfinders standing around him, he moves swiftly to Corbyn's side, holding out the parchment.

"This is the assignment for all of you. This will not only be the final test of your training, but will also ensure that all of you can work together as a team. Pathfinders must always be able to work with a wide variety of people in their mission. Half-orc, sorcerer, Tian-Xin, elf... none of this matters to the Society. The mission is what is important, and the Decemvirate has no use for those who will let race, religion, or creed affect their performance!"

He moves back to the center of the room, and he seems to relax somewhat.

"This should not be overly dangerous for you, younglings. You have all proven quite capable in training."

"Now, are there any last questions for me? If there are, make it quick, for I frown on those who do not accomplish their tasks with a swiftness."

Corbyn, the parchment VC Valsin has handed you reads as follows:

Mai Lin bows low at the Venture-Captain's entrance, listens in silence, and bows again at the end of his speech. She twines the prayer beads around her wrist as she moves to Corbyn's side, waiting for him to finish reading but not trying to read over (or under) his shoulder.

Samara also listens in silence, arms crossed tightly across her body and she nods to the instructions with furrowed brow. "Okay. Hmmm. Okay. Books. Orphans. Don't embarrass the society. Loan collection. Okay. I've got it," says the elf, probably speaking to herself. "I think we will be able to do that swiftly enough. And in a team."

Jace squirms slightly under Mai Lins' attention, trying to put on a nonchalant air as he can feel her assess him. 'She's astute, she sees that I am strong, intelligent and infused with power.' He nods his head with a small, "Thanks."

Samara shyness combined with Mai's modesty intrigue Jace, certainly it'll be interesting if they are grouped together he thinks.

The entrance of the brusk Venture-Captain causes Jace to snap to an surprising military attention. Hands beside his waist, brushing against the dark material of his tailored trousers. He looks disciplined and intently as the austere Captain quickly scans the group.

'So this will be the final test, I am sure there will be testing times in the future, but if I pass this then...' Jace can barely thing of the future as his breath catches in his throat.

'So the mission is timed?' Jace wonders; 'This is no time for asinine comments or clever witticisms. I'll wait to hear the mission and try to think of pertinent questions.'

He wasn't surprised not to receive an response from the small, dark haired Mai. Most choose to ignore his more sarcastic responses. The corners of his lips quirked, deepening the laugh lines there while his head turned towards the sound of approaching feet, hearing them quickly thanks to his races enhanced sense but waiting until their leader appeared before actually responding to his presence. Heels coming back together while he gained a more stiff stance, much like Jace. The training having him raise his storm coloured orbs to a spot just above the Venture-captain's right shoulder and gained a distant quality to them as he listened to their assignment. A set of errands regarding individuals of the society itself from what he gathered. Not a hint of reaction touching his parade neutral features.

Keeping his gaze distance locked when their leader was chosen, the parchment set into the hands of the only male still sitting. He trusted the Venture-captain enough to assume that Corbyn's personality was more suitable to their task and was content with this. Their errands would be more about Faeron learning about those in his team anyway. He was unfamiliar with all except for Corbyn in passing so it would ensure any future interactions would run more efficiently if he knew what to expect.

Only the slightest hint of amusement and appreciation touched the stormy eyes as the human called them younglings as well as complimenting them. Having seen the venture-captain in action once on the training field he was quite proud to have the compliment. Not that he was allowing for any further reaction but he would ensure to live up to that praise in the time to come. He finally moved at the request of questions. Clicking his heels together, a hand touching his heart in a closed fist, and dipping a formal military bow to the male to show he didn't have any questions as well as his respect. If he had questions he would find them himself or the team as a whole. He might trust the Venture-captain but some traits were too deeply ingrained to change.

So where should we start? There are 4 tasks listed here. I'm assuming we will need to go about them in some sort of order."

Sorry about the lac of posts. I'll catch up eventually. Busy. Feel free to RP Corbyn's actions in your posts until I can keep up with the group.

"If these errands were as simple as they seem, I would suggest splitting up to accomplish them more swiftly. The Venture-Captain seems insistent that we work together, so there may be more to them than is apparent. Perhaps the geography of the city would suggest an order. If we pick up the package that needs to be delivered first, we can easily put the delivery on our rounds of the city." Mai ponders a moment. "I admit to not being terribly familiar with Absalom. Perhaps somebody else is?"

"I don't think splitting the party is a good idea. These tasks couldn't be as simple as they seem. We are Pathfinders, not messengers. Why would our final test be anything but a challenge? Working together is our best option."

The Venture Captain smiles to himself and slips quietly from the room, an air of satisfaction obvious as his Pathfinders bend to their task.

"Weeell. I know some things. About Absalom. And other things, too. But I am familiar with it... just not... geographically. Or well, I know some things geographically, but how about we just find a map?" suggests Samara, helpfully, before awkwardly continuing, "I can try to just remember, but... well, then everyone will get angry if we get lost, and then there will be yelling. It seems very upsetting."

He allowed the others several moments to look through the sheet of paper before moving towards the crowded Corbyn and using his height to his advantage. Grey eyes sweeping over the list, taking a moment to read them as he was mostly doing so from a position that had the letters appearing upside down. As he did so the half-orc was asking about an order while to his side mistress Mai also participated in the discussion followed by several more options. However, he did approve of the suggestion that the order of the city would have an impact on their actions. Faeron stepped back out of the way in one smooth motion to avoid over crowding anyone and attempted to think of the area around the lodge in order. Mistress Samara began attempting to picture the city much like Faeron was now, but after a moment he agreed with her and gave up to pull a map free.

"Mistress Samara?"He motioned the other elf to move over with him to a free bench where he leaned over to spread the paper where anyone who wished could see. "The geography suggests an arc of the city would be most productive. I have not spent a significant amount of time in the city itself if you know an area that may be the most dangerous we can add that into our plan."He murmured calmly, eyes lifting to glance at the white-haired female he was addressing while his gauntlet encased finger touched lightly on the Foreign Quarter where they were at now, then slid up to the Ivy, around Wise, and down through the very arc he was speaking of. His green head then shifted so he could look around the room at general, gauging everyone's reactions to his suggestion while mostly staying bent over to hold his finger on their last destination which was in the Docks.

Jace stands back slightly watching how the others and the Venture-Captain reacts to the challenge, all the while standing to attention. As the man leaves the room Jaces eyes follow him with slight nod of his head. The soft click of the door and Jace relaxes, he whole demeanour softens and a wry smile breaks across his face.

Padding across the soft carpet, Jace stands beside the raven-tressed martial artist. He looks down at the map as the stormy-eyed elf points a sweeping route; "A good idea, that seems a logical order. Though an evening down at the docks should prove....interesting."

"With this map and Samara's knowledge, we should ensure that we don't get lost." Jace pauses; "I do have a few thinks left in my lodgings, which may be of use."

Mai Lin regards the map of Asalom and nods with satisfaction. "It is simplicity itself to stop first in the Ascendant Court to pick up the package and ascertain its delivery address, then continue through the honorable elf's suggested arc. I need only an item or two from my quarters, then can leave immediately. We can reconvene here when everybody is ready."

Unless something else happens, Mai returns to her quarters for a few moments, then returns wearing a pack which looks to be mostly empty.

Adjusted equipment list to show new item locations.

Corbyn stands up and moves to his Donkey and begins rummaging through the packs.

"I have some extra space in my saddle if anybody else needs to store anything. I'm not sure Plod will be able to accompany us the whole way, but he should have no problem accompanying us through the majority of the city."

"Oh, thank you Corbyn, I find my pack a little bit heavy as it is, and I don't like carrying heavy things. I mean, uncomfortably heavy things. That are hard to run with..." says Samara, transferring some items of varying usefulness over to Plod, pausing for a few moments once she is done and very very slowly reaching to pat the donkey on the nose.

You can hear the Chamberlain yelling outside of the foyer.

"What kind of stable boys are you? How did that donkey make it all the way from the stables to the foyer of the Venture-Captain's office? Well, it's too late now, he found his master, but you'd better not let another animal just come wandering into the Grand Lodge or you'll be cleaning ship holds down at the docks!"

Mai shakes her head at Corbyn's offer. "Many thanks, but my pack is almost empty, in case we need to secure something from view indoors where the beast... cannot.. go?" She looks around the foyer and at the beast of burden, then mumbles something.

"Interesting is a good word for it."The cavalier murmured, his lips teasing at a smile. It did not matter what the city, the area surrounding a harbor always drew in the more interesting individuals. His storm gaze flickered towards the two female's who would be accompanying them. It wouldn't do to protect them from all the hazards, but a shield between them and any that might get the wrong idea of a female in that quarter at night would be a good idea. Mistress Mai also voiced her opinion of their route and he nodded crisply. So that would be their path then. Not difficult, but it would be best that they keep their wits about them regardless.

"Indeed, neighbor."He drawled in agreement with Jace's feelings that between the map and someone who knew the area they wouldn't get lost. Gracing those present with a brief bow to excuse himself as well. "Ladies."He couldn't simply leave a room without a brief acknowledgment of the female's presence but as many of them where leaving as well it was the only sign he showed before striding towards his quarters with the solid sounds of his booted feet on the flooring.

The tall elf returned after several minutes with a pack that would fit to his saddle easily, only to come to a halt as he walked in to find a donkey being loaded casually by his companions.

"After some time I should cease to be amazed at the sheer absurdity of life."He murmured to himself before turning his head at the shout of the chamberlain. A brief look of worry passed over his features and he turned to the softly chatting group.

"I apologize but I will have to meet you in front of the building. I would not wish to cost the jobs of our stable boys."There was hints of exasperation, worry, and amusement in his lightly accented voice as he turned crisply and once more left. Taking his bags down at a clipped pace to the stable to keep his own mount from deciding that it was not acceptable for a mere donkey to have access to the building while he could not. Turin could get very...creative when thwarted.

"I shall accompany you, Faeron," Mai says decidedly and strides briskly out the door beside the tall elf.

The grey eyes slid to the side and down where the dark haired female had quickly placed herself. In response to her words he inclined his head with a friendly twitch of a smile.

"If that is your wish, little sister."he settled a hand on the pommel of his sword to keep it from knocking into his legs as the pair of them quickly left the halls and out to the stables of the lodge. Which was about the time Faeron sighed softly and looked at the gathered group of stable boys who were clearly dodging and attempting to control something.

"You may wish to cover your ears, Mistress Mai."He resignedly sighed to the dark haired warrior before releasing a sharp, piercing whistle that sounded like a bird native to his home forest. A fierce war cry answered his noise and a massive grey nose shoved its way through the stable boys who were already moving back recognizing Faeron. A moment later the thick chest and massive horse followed. Trotting with the particular clipped motion that managed to convey annoyance the horse crossed the distance that separated them. Once there Turin nickered in his master's face, huffing and giving the general idea he was speaking by the chuffing noises he was making before he tossed his head and made the long silver strands fly about his face and settle in an equally messy pattern as before the move.

"I take no blame for that, Turin. If you were as small perhaps you too would be let in. Now mind your manners; we have a guest."He turned smiling grey eyes towards the lady at his side. "Mistress Mai, may I introduce Turin my horse?" Said horse shoved his master with his nose before looking from his tall master to the smaller female with a questioning nicker and then dropped his head to lip politely at the young woman's tassels on her sword.