"Zokon!"
"Oh no - a spurned lover?" Illthir giggles to whomever is within earshot as the woman approaches. Hopefully not loud enough for her to hear though! Then she resumes gathering the last of her things, preparing her half-elven ears for some eavesdropping.
Leaping forth Zokon runs and leaps and tears down the docks and run to his mother arms embracing her warmly... letting himself get lost in the moment.
"I've missed you so."
Serena suits up as the boat approaches the shore, accepting help from whoever will offer it. She raises an eyebrow at the sight of Zokon dashing to his mother but says nothing. She does not stray far from the child.
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Durgan mists up slightly.
He can tell his mother that he is engaged... even if to an elf... she will be so proud of him and happy for him!
Oh, but then she will want to know about when she can expect grandchildren. I don't even think his 'arrangement' with Alia includes such.
And even if it does they take a longer time to gestate... and in what faith would the child be brought up? They really should have taken my offer of drawing up a marriage contract... do they even have a guest list yet for the ceremony, let alone a seating chart? These details need to be hammered out years in advance!
Durgan worries about administrative details, then rallies himself to display some manners.
"Talasia, I presume." Not 'Lady', Zokon was clear about that. A commoner.
"I am Durgan Far-Walker, priest of Abadar and ally to Zokon. You have raised an honorable man in Zokon."
He bows.
Alia remains with the girl, for now. This, right now, was Zokons reunion. When he pointed her out or introduced her, she would step forward and present herself, but she was in no hurry to intrude - Zokon would know best when and how to tell his mother - and there was much to tell her, considering recent events.
"Come on, Auter, time to go.", she tells the girl, "I'll call you that. It means 'lost one' in my language. Since you never gave us a name, but you need one." She smiles, then helps pack things up.
Balzeros steps off of the barge with a sigh of relief, but stands around awkwardly while Zokon has his reunion. He stares at the floor, the sky, anything but the overwhelming show of affection. I guess that's what a loving family must be like. Good to know.
In the days that follow the girl keeps close Alia. When the elf turns around the waif always seems to be there.
Alia remains with the girl, for now. This, right now, was Zokons reunion. When he pointed her out or introduced her, she would step forward and present herself, but she was in no hurry to intrude - Zokon would know best when and how to tell his mother - and there was much to tell her, considering recent events.
"Come on, Auter, time to go.", she tells the girl, "I'll call you that. It means 'lost one' in my language. Since you never gave us a name, but you need one." She smiles, then helps pack things up.
The girl looks up with her big eyes that always seem to threaten tears and says: "Ilvah."
Leaping forth Zokon runs and leaps and tears down the docks and run to his mother arms embracing her warmly... letting himself get lost in the moment.
"I've missed you so."
"You should have said you were coming." she says and returns the hug. "Do they not they have owls down in the Stolen Land?"
"Talasia, I presume." Not 'Lady', Zokon was clear about that. A commoner.
"I am Durgan Far-Walker, priest of Abadar and ally to Zokon. You have raised an honorable man in Zokon."He bows.
"Well met, Durgan Far-Walker. Now if only I could teach him manners." she says flashing a smile for those still disembarking from the barge. "Zokon, if you would be so kind as to introduce us."
"Ilvah, then!", Alia responds with a smile that openly shows her happiness to have learned the Girls name. It was a great step, and Alia continued to pack up equipment and tools perfectly content with this milestone, for the time being, and unwilling to push the girl further, when she so clearly struggled to overcome her hesitation to even do that.
If the girl helps with packing, Alia will incorporate her in her efforts, handing her something or taking things Ilvah hands her.
Zokon will run through the names quite quickly.. leading to a more formal introduction later..
"Sorry mother, I should have tried to get a message, but I've been so swept up in what we are doing... Durgan Far-Walker mighty priest of Abadar, Serena Mistcastle steadfast Paladin of Sarenrae, Illthir Winlowe Skald and tale teller, Balzeros of the Narl.. Nature priest.. umm Shaman, yes a most useful man in this untamed land, Fergus Bouldershoulder Ironmug master of the arcane arts, the girl is one that we rescued from trolls, I do not know her name and the last."
He points at Alia and holds out his hand for her to come to him, when Alia gets to Zokon and has taken his hand "Mother you must meet this most special lady Alia of the blade, wizard and blademaster extraordinaire and my betrothed." he raises Alia's hand to his mouth and kisses it softly. He looks at his mother hopefully
Oh. He just went for it! Bold, hopefully he takes that into his leadership. At the least, it gives the impression that he knows what he is doing. Goes a long way with the locals. Balzeros also turns his attention to Talasia, both eyebrows raised.
Serena nods and smiles when introduced, but remains close to Alia and the girl. It is evident even to a casual observer that she does not entirely trust the girl.
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Zokon's mother (who looks more like, his older sister) looks at her rugged rangerish son, and cooly aloof, eleven swordswoman, and back again. "That's wonderful." she says with some confused surprise
"Come." she says growing to the idea. "We should celebrate and my son can tell me what he has been about."
She leads Zokon and the party up the hill to the small hamlet.
Balzeros walks with the group to the hamlet. Looks to me like being my own next of kin is going to save me from moments like this. Silver-lining, I suppose. While they walk, he does his best to appraise the status of the plant life in the area.
________
Slightly crestfallen he follows hoping that's there's a reason for her reaction he whispers to Alia "Something may be up?"
Fergus, who had been polishing some of his gems along with flipping through his spell book until now speaks up.
well thats a nice welcome I suppose. If you have water, I can prepare us some good hearty ale. Quickly, I might add.
Durgan follows, looking at the layout of the hamlet and any infrastructure that may need work.
If we'll be here for a few days, I could work on fixing a bridge or road or something. Even a public horse-trough. Just something to be useful.
"Oh 'celebration'. That's one of my favorite words!" Illthir grins and hops down from the boat. Serena and Alia was caring for the little one, Zokon had the locals so the skald felt wondrously free from responsibility.
Fergus, who had been polishing some of his gems along with flipping through his spell book until now speaks up.
well thats a nice welcome I suppose. If you have water, I can prepare us some good hearty ale. Quickly, I might add.
"Of course we live along a river after all." Talasia says with a laugh.
As the group moves through the hamlet they garner a lot of curious looks from the inhabitants, even as Talasia herself collects greetings and smiles.
A few of the townsfolk mark Zokon and give him a wave as well.
"Sooo" begins Talasia. "How did you both meet?"
Durgan follows, looking at the layout of the hamlet and any infrastructure that may need work.
If we'll be here for a few days, I could work on fixing a bridge or road or something. Even a public horse-trough. Just something to be useful.
Zokon waves back vigourously and gives a few greetings "Well met Lugo, catch that big one yet? he seems to be perking up.
At Talasia's question "Well that job that I went on, that Erlund paid his life for, well it seems to be paying off, we were successful, we have carved out an area of the wilderness and removed the bandit threat. Alia is one of my companions on that journey."
Lugo nearly swallows his pipe. The one of many pipes the big fisherman always effects to make himself look more sagely, even though in younger days Zokon learned how to carouse by watching Lugo and his buddies on the docks.
"Z-Zokon! What? W-Well met!?" his eyes dart about the procession in a panic as if he were surrounded by winter wolves. "YES! Well met! Very well met indeed!" he says while smiling manically, and pumping Zokon's hand with one of the hardest, wettest handshakes the slayer ever encountered. "Uh, I'm just fishing... here... on the dock." he says stiffly. "Being a fisherman and all. The Big One is not gonna catch himself, you know. Heheh." he says, and steps into his fish bucket.
At Talasia's question "Well that job that I went on, that Erlund paid his life for, well it seems to be paying off, we were successful, we have carved out an area of the wilderness and removed the bandit threat. Alia is one of my companions on that journey."
"Oh, Alia, are you a-" at this point Talasia she mimes being a "ranger" complete with pew, pew noises, "-too?"
"Well, here's the house. Not much when compared to the big city I'm sure, but it's home for us." she says side-hugging Zokon.
In fact it is one the largest structures in the village.
"Um, dear." Talasia turns concerned look to her to her son. "About your room. You see without you here, I had to find a way to make some extra coin for the upkeep, so I've been renting it out to travelers...."
"It is indeed wondrous. Look! There are even trees!"
"Good to see your well friend." as he continues on to the house
at Talasia's statement "I see well, yes that's a good option. Maybe if our venture takes off i'll be able to provide you with a better living."
"May I ask, Talisia, is there any work you need done around the house? Any doors that don't quite work right, or shelves that wobble, or things of that nature?"
Durgan has his Traveler's Any-Tool handy. He looks around for anything that might benefit from some maintenance.
If everything looks in order, he will look to the roads. Perhaps a muddy patch where he can improve the drainage, with permission of the locals.
Unless spoken to, Balzeros spends his time checking on the trees near the house. Wouldn't do if these weren't growing properly, now would it?
"Durgan, if you'd like any help, let me know. I'll just be outside," he offers. I like his attitude, very practical. Abadar doesn't usually care for nature, as far as I know, but I think Durgan and I could get along well enough.
"I don't know that we'll have enough room for everyone." Talasia says showing people through the house and up to Zokon's old room now cleared of his things which have been packed away in the cellar. "But there are three beds."
"May I ask, Talisia, is there any work you need done around the house? Any doors that don't quite work right, or shelves that wobble, or things of that nature?"
"Not at present the woodpile is full, though we might move any festivities to the town hall just for space and if we do there will have to be some moving of tables, and benches."
The gathering hall actually smaller than Talasia's house, but looks bigger, and fits more thanks to it being mainly one large room inside.
Used for meetings, weddings, and winter storage. The villagers work quickly to clear the space, of mid-spring clutter, dragging canoes and old fishing and farming equipment out, and shooing out Old Ranklin the rooster who had taken it as his home during the cold months.
"We would have had to clean it anyhow for Solstice." says one older villager deferentially to Zokon. The geezer goes to slap the lad on the back as usual, but grows skittish and withdraws with a nod.
The villagers don't let their guests, let alone their local hero do much of the work. Saying things like "nonsense" and "don't be silly" when pressed about it.
"So when's the big day?" Talasia asks her son, and would-be daughter-in-law.
While the adults and older kids work at cleaning and preparing a pot-luck community meal the children have all gathered around watching an older-looking man, with a brown beard perform magic.
"HAHA! Well, you shouldn't get so close." he tells one child in the circle. "I did warn you! Here let me try to put that nose back on. There. What do you all think? Is it straight?"
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Durgan tries to lend a hand cleaning out the gathering hall. As the villagers try to shoo him away, he says, "Abadar wills it. The Order of Numbers, Chapter 52, Subsection A(4). 'The duties of the Clergy of Abadar during festivals'." He does not attempt to direct anybody, happy to be just another set of hands.
If the locals insist that they have things under control, he will sit down with some of the old farming equipment moved out of storage and start ensuring it is in proper shape. Sharpening plow blades, tightening wheels, and so on.
The wizard. I wonder what he wants.
Serena stays close to the girl, unwilling to let her out of sight.
Illthir happily avoids doing any sort of work and instead settles down somewhere comfortable to play music on her flute and practice her violin skills. Plus she'd better figure out what level to put her after party songs on - a small blush from Alia and Zokon was desired but she did want the villagers laughing. Hmm ...
Oh and figure out more about their strange rescue. The skald sits down near Serena and the girl and plays some more songs. Perhaps they could coax something out of her? "So Serena - what sort of things do you like? I adore a good party."
Balzeros is having a grand time inspecting the trees and other noteworthy plantlife, but frowns when people start moving things out of the hall. Bet I'm going to get looked down on for not helping in a more recognizable way.
With a sigh, he goes to help. After the first rebuff, however, he happily returns to his inspection of the plants. There! I offered, it was refused, perfect! On his way back out, he asks Durgan about the mage and does a double take. What is HE doing here?
________
"I am the same person who grew up here, please feel free to be casual with me, I will always be from Forests Edge." he tries to look sincere and disarming
He replies to his mother
"We have to consult with father as this marriage cannot help but be political, the expedition and forming of our new ***** is backed by Brevoy and so he must be involved. Probably within a month or so, depending on political arrangements."
"Grapes," Serena replies, not taking her eyes from the girl. "I love good purple grapes, bursting with flavor. I'm also partial to delicious red apples."
"Oh yes apples. They're crisp and delicious. Oh! Have you had warm apple pie? Perhaps we should bake some; we can say we're testing for the wedding!" Illthir shines up briefly then slumps back with all the theatrical skill she could muster. "But oh - we'd need three people; one to peel the apples, one to slice them and a third to arrange them neatly..."
Alia makes sure to remain with Ilvah, offering her a hand on the way down from the raft, holding it as long as the girl wishes. Alia had carried Ilvah before, but physical contact was still something special, and maybe easier for those finding it hard to open up verbally.
She approaches Zokon and his mother, letting him speak. It came unexpected that he would tell her right here, right after meeting her, but it made little difference.
It was his home, and she let Zokon do the talking, unless directly addressed by Talassia. When asked if she was a Ranger like her son, Alia does her best to imitate it:"I do some of this...", then swiftly moves into performing some casual street level magic with her active prestidigitation...."and some of that." and smiling, hoping that being a good sport about it scored her some points with Talasia.
___
When the house is reached, Alia comments:"It looks lovely. Do not worry about accomodation - we're very flexible in that regard. After weeks on the road, I can do with most bedding - but if you do have a tub, I would love a chance for a hot bath during our stay - if that is not too bold a request!"
___
A bit later, Alia also takes note of Eldiocesan and approaches the Mage:"Well met, Friend. What brings you here? I do believe in luck, but not that we'll randomly run into you again all the way here. All the same, I would like to invite you to join us for a drink after dinner...I do feel you may shed some light on things still hidden from us - and maybe we can help each other, again..."
___
Alia enjoys the bantering between Serena and Illthir, then sits down next to Ilvah, grinning at Illthir: "So, you need me to slice some apples?" Using Prestidigitation, she lifts one of the apples of the table, then hovers it close, letting it fall into her hand. "I should probably learn to cook. Kinda. So if you'd let me join, I'd appreciate it. If that is okay with you, Ilvah?", she asks the girl.
She was unsure, but had a feeling the girl was more comfortable if she was around - on the boat, she had been following her all the time.
She might more easily find the courage to open up to the others if she feels safe...
"Aha fine by me." The skald had hoped the child would perk up instead, but perhaps she'd need the actual taste and smell of pie rather then the mere promise to thaw. She retrieves a knife so she can start peeling. "You know, we should probably all learn to cook. No more soggy bread and wandermeal! Instead we could have pies and steak every day. That'd be perfect!"
Illthir happily avoids doing any sort of work and instead settles down somewhere comfortable to play music on her flute and practice her violin skills. Plus she'd better figure out what level to put her after party songs on - a small blush from Alia and Zokon was desired but she did want the villagers laughing. Hmm ...
Oh and figure out more about their strange rescue. The skald sits down near Serena and the girl and plays some more songs. Perhaps they could coax something out of her? "So Serena - what sort of things do you like? I adore a good party."
Alia enjoys the bantering between Serena and Illthir, then sits down next to Ilvah, grinning at Illthir: "So, you need me to slice some apples?" Using Prestidigitation, she lifts one of the apples of the table, then hovers it close, letting it fall into her hand. "I should probably learn to cook. Kinda. So if you'd let me join, I'd appreciate it. If that is okay with you,...
"I am the same person who grew up here, please feel free to be casual with me, I will always be from Forests Edge." he tries to look sincere and disarming
He replies to his mother
"We have to consult with father as this marriage cannot help but be political, the expedition and forming of our new ***** is backed by Brevoy and so he must be involved. Probably within a month or so, depending on political arrangements."
"Grapes," Serena replies, not taking her eyes from the girl. "I love good purple grapes, bursting with flavor. I'm also partial to delicious red apples."
"Oh, there aren't many vineyards this far north, but I suspect Talanova's Vineyard to be the best in Brevoy." Talasia says adding to the ladies' chit chat.
She approaches Zokon and his mother, letting him speak. It came unexpected that he would tell her right here, right after meeting her, but it made little difference.
It was his home, and she let Zokon do the talking, unless directly addressed by Talassia. When asked if she was a Ranger like her son, Alia does her best to imitate it:"I do some of this...", then swiftly moves into performing some casual street level magic with her active prestidigitation...."and some of that." and smiling, hoping that being a good sport about it scored her some points with Talasia.
"Well, yes." Talasia says apparently not knowing what to make of Alia.
"Though I suppose being a Duchess will cut into your busking time quite a lot." she says, and forces a laugh.
A bit later, Alia also takes note of Eldiocesan and approaches the Mage:"Well met, Friend. What brings you here?"
"I'm a bit of a wanderer, and follow where the wind blows me."
"I do believe in luck, but not that we'll randomly run into you again all the way here. All the same, I would like to invite you to join us for a drink after dinner...I do feel you may shed some light on things still hidden from us - and maybe we can help each other, again..."
"Perhaps." the wizard says with a bit of a rakish smile.
Festivities that night are grand in that way that small community gatherings always are. Music is played with the melody provided by a couple of fiddles, and the beat furnished by clapping hands, and stomping feet. There is dancing, and drinking, and simple, fortifying food, including: fresh fish, spring vegetables. The children play at games. The oldsters sit and blow smoke rings from their pipes, and tell embarrassing stories of Zokon's youth.
Zokon mingles as he needs to reminiscing about his youth and the times he had in his home Life is changing and my life will contain paths that will be challenging to my morals, I think I need the reminder of what is important in life.
He looses himself in dancing, bad singing and watching the children at play.
Durgan offers to help in the kitchen. At the very least, his Traveler's Any-Tool can be of use, and he lends his modest cooking skills while explaining (quite honestly) that he is interested in learning how the locals prepare their food. He is actually fairly good at preparing fish, having grown up on the Lake of Mists and Veils.
Afterwards, he mostly sits and listens to the music, not being much of a dancer. He listens politely to the locals, and his answers to any questions are courteous, honest, tactful, and appropriately short.
Serena sits near Alia and Ilvah during the party, keeping close watch over her "charge". She relaxes somewhat during the party, even taking part in the storytelling by adding memories from her own youth. She politely declines any offers to dance, however.