Rhasa will move into the trees a short distance and circuit the clearing to see if there is something - Erastil's will, perhaps - protecting the clearing from the coming weather.
Her curiosity satisfied, she will return to the camp and bed down until her watch.
"Wha concerns us now, surely word from tha swordlords o news from Oleg might help us determine our next actions."
"I believe for some I retain a certain mystery, unlike Dyfrig I have I think surprised you all at least a time or two."
"Rhasadilara, seems tha spell which caught tha female bandit made an impression upon you....."
"Gorguk when I slumber-hexed tha sorcerous kobold, at tha time I did tha same."
"An most recently I spoke tah a boar an bear."
"It seems I need to be more forth-coming an speak a bit more, yet being raised among a coven o witches I was taught tah remain in silence....."
I must say Barnabus that some days I don't know if you are crazy or the sanest of us all. I mean talking a boar one day and a transmuted ex clerical bear the next. All I hear is grunts anyways, but I trust you know what you are doing. At least I hope you know what you are doing. As far as speaking up more, please do not be afraid that we will judge you harshly or unfavorably. You are just as much a part of the group as the next. I apologize if I sometimes leave you out of requests. It is not an oversight, I just don't know how best to incorporate your abilities. Please speak if there is something that I miss that you think is beneficial. We are not a coven of hags that will turn on you if we disagree.
For example, earlier when I asked Rhasa and Lothar to scout the nearby area while Cal and I started cleaning the shrine, I did not know which option you would feel best suited to help, so I remained silent. Please forgive me and know that no slight was intended or given.
Rhasa is up early checking gear and checking the results of the night's weather, making ready for the trip back to Oleg's.
Calinder prepares for the days travel. He also recasts the spell preserving the boar's head to make sure that it good condition when they return to Oleg's.
In the morning, Lothar approached Gorguk as he was saddling his mount.
I was wondering if, at some point, you could teach me the finer points of horsemanship. It doesn't have to be anytime soon, but there may come a time when I will have need of such skill and you're one of the finest horseman I've seen. I would consider it both a privilege and an honor to receive training from you. What do you say?
With a twinkle in her eye, Rhasa says, "To be a horseman like Gorguk, you need a horse like Durok. Your mule will need to take some lessons, too."
If I'm to do my job to safeguard this land, I will need to be a better horseman. Obviously, my current steed is a bit... lacking in comparison to Durok, but that will not always be the case. The last was said as he turned to look at the elven ranger with a wry smile. And for that, I will need your help when the time comes to select the proper steed for myself. Lothar turned back to the paladin. To do what I have to do, I will have to embrace a society that not only bears no love for me, but will scrutinize my every action. I will have to be perfect in all that I do. I am willing to do this, but I will need help to pull this off.
Somewhat taken aback by Lothar's request, Gorguk recovers quickly upon hearing the words of Rhasa. A smile comes to his face that matches the twinkle in Rhasa's eyes. The lady has spoken no truer words than these, yet I don't think that she even can fathom the depths of her statement. At this, Gorguk falls silent for a moment as he considers how to proceed with the explanation.
Let me use this as an illustration to try to help you understand the intracacies involved. You yourself are a unique individual in our group. You have chosen a path that requires strict training both in the body and in the mind. I have seen you practice both individually and simultaneously. Which of these then is the more important in your training? Either by itself may not compare to others in this group. In body, I very well have you outmatched, while Cal or Barnabus are your equal or greater in matters of the mind. Yet when you combine them both into the creation that you are you can rely upon both during any situation. Remeber our last fight how you won. It was not by sheer physical attributes or purely mental, it was the blend of both. The same is true of Durok and myself.
I want you to understand this relationship first, not to excuse myself from training you, but so you are not disappointed in the results. I could spend the next year training you and you may never fully realize the potential that Durok and I can have. I am not trying to boast, but being realistic. I have been with Durok for what feels like longer than I can remember. Yet even this answer is too simplistic and not complete. The bond we share goes beyond simple training and understanding. It is a completion that exist on a basic almost primitive level. The core existance of each one of us is linked together through Erastil. Together we are more than the sum of the individual.
Come the lecture is over and the application awaits. You shall ride Durok for brief periods to understand the flow of a horse's movements. Do not worry about falling as Durok will not let one fall carelessly. He is sure-footed and steady. Perhaps when we get back to Oleg's a horse will be secured for you so you may learn horsemanship while the horse learns to know you.
Do not put too great of a burden upon yourself or the society that may someday exist here. I do not believe that perfection will be required in all forms, just effort and understanding of all involved. If perfection was required of any of us, then we have all failed already. What is important is that we learn from our mistakes and not repeat them in the future. By doing that, then we will earn the love and adoration of the people. Do not worry about that love now. It will come and with it the feeling of righteousness that we are creating a place for the betterment of all.
As the group leaves in the morning northish, Gorguk starts by having Lothar ride Durok. Walking beside the horse, Gorguk will point out the cadence of the horse's steps, the tension in the body, and the subtle shifting of the harness and gear that go into accepting understanding horseback riding. For now Gorguk justs wants Lothar to feel comfortable upon the back of a larger beast than a mule. If possible Gorguk will have Lothar ride 25% of the time on Durok until we find him his own horse.
"So let me summarize then we have much tah learn about an from each other!"
Calinder listening to the conversation between Lothar, Rhasadillara, and Gorguk, smiles at the playful tone of the conversation and nods in agreement with Gorguk's statement.
Walking up to stand beside Barnabus, Calinder says, "Yes, our relationship with each other is still new and there is much that we can teach each other. Although I think that we will always be able to teach each other something new, even if it be years down the road."
Calinder then climbs aboard his horse and prepares for the days journey. He enjoys the nice weather and the sounds of the animals in the forest as they travel northward.
Rhasa continues to lead the party at a steady pace through the forest, enjoying the scent of the evergreens as they ride.
In addition, I don't think any of us truly realize our own potential or abilities either. the more we learn about ourselves and each other, the more we will realize there is to know and experience.
Gorguk will not have a clue about the weather or travelling conditions as he is more concentrated on helping Lothar on riding.
As they travel Calinder is looking around and trying to see how many different animals he can spot.
As they go along he is quite often pointing and saying, "Did you see that", or "Look at that one."
Before actually climbing on to Durok's back, Lothar began learning from Gorguk the importance of the equipment, or tack, used. Starting with the headgear (halter, bit, and bridle), reins, breastplate, martingale, and even the saddle itself, the magician began to understand that what both the paladin and ranger had told him was more true than he had realized.
When the time came for him to mount up, the Vudran began to worry that this endeavor he was undertaking was not as good of an idea as he had originally thought. But Lothar was determined to see this through.
After all, how hard could it truly be?
The experience of sitting on the destrier was indeed very different from what he was used to. For one, Lothar did not think that he would be up so high. His own riding mule, a blue roan that resembled an Andoran quarter horse, was not small by any means, standing a respectable 14 hands. This meant that Lothar stood taller than it did at the shoulder by four inches. Durok, on other hand, towered over the magician by the same number of inches, coming in at an impressive height of 16 hands.
But the height wasn't the only difference. The overall broadness of the shoulders was another factor. His mule, bred as it was for riding, was lighter and had narrower shoulders compared to a heavy warhorse like Durok. This meant that not only were his thighs were set further apart, but due to the height and weight differences between the mounts, their respective gaits were different. And though Lothar's martial arts training had conditioned him to be tough, the magician knew he was definitely going to be sore if Gorguk was holding true to the riding schedule that had been laid out for him. And while Lothar had not objected, knowing that this was for his own benefit, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a small part of the paladin that relished this, seeing this as an opportunity to get back at the magician for their often painful sparring sessions.
Patience was one of those things that Gorguk could have a limitless supply of in certain instances while almost none in others. In this endeavor with Lothar however, Gorguk was struggling in not rushing into the finer technique needed to ride a horse with grace. Lothar must learn some of this himself or he will never appreciate that which he has learned. I know that he seeks perfection, yet it will take time. Who will tire of this first Lothar or myself? I will do my best, but sometimes it is hard to teach that which comes naturally to me. I hope we both have the patience necessary to bring this to fruition. With these type of thoughts, Gorguk travels with the group enjoying the chance to stretch his legs even though the journey is more taxing this way.
Rhasa leads the party in a path back and forth as they explore the first region.
"Seems we are gettin in a hurry cuz we err not mappin as much as we should an seem tah be driftin back to Oleg's. Mus be tha excitement o tha tales tah share an a warm bed."
Looks at Dyfrig
"An Svetlana's home cookin."
adds a cackle at the mans distress.....
Rhasa is the guide and Gorguk probably wouldn't even know if we are exploring or just passing through. He is perfectly fine with Rhasa's judgement in this. That being said, if they 'stumble' upon another hidden shrine of Erastil, he might start to get suspicious.
Calinder is still just obviously overjoyed about finding the shrine of Erastil. He is also enjoying the time watching the wildlife as they travel through the forest.
Calinder will continue to cast his spell to keep the boar's head in good condition as they explore on the way back to Oleg's.
Calinder falls as silent as the birds hoping that whatever has caused the birds to go into hiding is not a threat to them, or at least not more of a threat then the Guardians can handle.
As soon as the birds return, Calinder asks, "Does anyone know what those creatures were?"
Perception
Knowledge nature
"Fey creatures at least two an different types, at play it seems...."
perception check
Being somewhat more observant than usual, Gorguk notices the silence as well. Slowly he rests his hand next to where his lance rests on Durok. Eyes darting about warily Gorguk tenses every muscled waiting for something to happen. Durok can sense the tension but the only signal he gives is a soft low snort. To Gorguk however, the cadence of his movements has altered ever so slightly. Together they are ready to unleash the fury of ERastil. Trying to sound normal and not alert the creatures that he is aware of the, Gorguk asks Lothar How are you feeling after so much riding?
Once the silence has passed, Gorguk and Durok calm with Barnabus's explanation. However, the forest peril opened GOrguk's eyes t the need to have everyone of the Guardians mounts prepared like Durok. That last thing he wanted was for a mount to get spooked and cary off one of his companions. To that end, along with helping Lothar understand horsemandship, GOrguk was also spending time training Cal's mount to be combat ready.
"Me thinks tha creatures might note our presence here, iffen they does mighten be best tah play along, perhaps befriend as I may one day desire such a familiar."
That may be so Barnabus, but how do we befreind someone who does not show themselves or stop to speak? If you know of such a way then please share and I will be happy to try to communicate and extend teh hand of friendship if they are so inclined.
Ah, there you are... Feeling more at ease now that she's seen what causes the birds to fall silent and believing Barnarbus to have the right idea, Rhasa continues to explore and allow for mapping. The occasional pauses to take notes are used to openly watch for the little visitors.
Once Dyfrig mutters about supper, Gorguk will agree to call a halt for the day set up camp. In the morning however, Gorguk is ready to press on with the exploration. During the downtime, Gorguk will spend more time than usual with Durok making sure that there is no hard feelings having Lothar riding him so much.
When she hears the grumbling, Rhasa chuckles to herself and switches her focus from exploration to finding a campsite.
Despite the soreness that he felt from his riding lesson (or perhaps because of it), Lothar was preparing for his nightly sparring session when he heard the commotion being made by Dyfrig. The magician rushed to the cook's side and, upon learning what had transpired, began the process of investigating the scene of the crime.
Not trying to offend our cook and companion, Gorguk is never the less compelled to ask, Are you sure last night you didn't switch the lids with the labels by mistake? It seems innocent enough and we will be back to Oleg's shortly to restock on salt and other supplies. there is no need to worry or get mad. It could happen to anyone.
Rhasadilara looks around the clearing from where she stands, trusting the magician's perception to find what clues there might be. "Aye, but less likely to happen to Dyfrig. Unless he had help."
She seems to be looking up into the canopy of the trees, not at the ground.
"Dyfrig ken I get a bite o tha salty dissert?"
"Sugar an salt who knowed they were so differt."
"MIght need tah taste tha contents while yer cookin till we gets back tah Oleg's."
Cackles wildly....
Still looking around at the trees, Rhasa asks, her voice intentionally louder than normal, "Dyfrig, I suspect that we have guests. Do you have enough ingredients to try making your wonderful dessert again? Even just a small serving? I think they would love a sample."
After discovering the clue and tucking it into a pocket hidden in the folds of his robe , the magician stood and focused his attention on the ruined dessert. Sweets for the sweet, indeed.
Who are you referring to Rhasa? It is just us here. Soon you are going to start talking like Barnabus in growls grunts and squeals if you keep this behaivor up.
"Gorguk have you not learneded tha birds hear and speak to those who listen, methinks we have been pranked, likely twill not be tha last."
"Consider it a test o yer measure in bein slow tah anger an quick tah laughter."
"Well done, Lothar. Dyfrig, can you dish an extra serving, please?"
She will take the 'extra' plate and sets it off to the side of the camp. Looking up into the trees, she says, "I hope you appreciate this little gift. Our cook is quite good. We would like to meet with you if you are willing - we have come in hopes of protecting the area and would know those that live here." With that, she will back away from the dessert and return to the campsite to eat with the others.
Gorguk will bide his tongue and wait patiently for whatever Rahsa is doing to transpire. Everyone has their idiosyncrasies and this must be one of hers. Only time will tell if this will pay off. In the meantime, Gorguk will enjoy the lovely dessert that Lothar helped to create.
At Dyfrig's outburst, Calinder jumps and then once he learns what the real problem is and the suspected cause, he can't help but smile.
Sitting near Gorguk he watches as Rhasa offers a portion of the 'repaired' dessert to whatever may be out there, if anything. As they sit there, Calinder says to Gorguk, "I am more than happy to have you train my mount if you think it is possible. I'll have to work on my riding skills though to make use of your efforts I believe."