"I am well enough, Tassira. Thank you. How do you fare?"
Tassira looks down at her feet, her hands clenching and relaxing. "Not very well. It was the first time I ever sentenced a man to death..."
Father tried to prepare me for such an event. But I don't think there's any real way you can truly prepare someone to deal with the consequences of ordering a death...
"You did well, today. We all did. We have lost Cadell - and his family will need to be informed. Will you write the letter when we return to Oleg's, Tassira, or would you like me to undertake the grave task?"
The sorceress looks up from the ground and sighs. "I think I should be the one to do it. I know we didn't get along too well before he died, but at the very least I can do that for him."
She crouches in the dirt and starts smoothing out her bedroll. "I got worried when you and Alex took longer than I thought to return with the wagon & the others... I didn't want to lose you or him as well."
With the graves dug and the camp set up Alex makes a concerted effort to stay close to Ro during the rest of the evening and the next day his mind was still in too much turmoil over everything that he had no energy for words his hope that a simple offering of companionable silence was enough for now.
"The first time is the hardest. It is not easy afterward, but one grows stronger with each death." Rowena's words were gentle, hoping to calm the present anxiety of her sorceress companion.
Upon the matter of Cadell's family, she continued to reassure,
"I have faith that you have the delicacy to relay such sorrowful news. Thank you for taking on this duty."
When Tassira spoke on her concern, Rowena gave her a sympathetic smile and moved to her side to squeeze her hand, "We did not mean to cause you unease. By Erastil's grace and by our spirit what remained of us prevailed this day."
It was not long after the graves were dug, the bodies buried and prayers provided by the young priestess, that Alexander joined her and stayed close to her side. The day seemed to weigh heavily on him and Rowena did not add to his disquiet with needless prattle.
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He remembered that, unlike the people of this land, who buried or burned their dead, his nomadic people left the bodies in the open. Part of this was practical, but a deeper reason (he remembered his mother explaining) was that, open to the sky, their spirits could be guided by Star Sister into the beyond.
Sheoll lifted the Kressel's corpse, and with some care, lay it on it's back near the stream. Making sure her eyes were open, he pulled her right hand across her chest (presumably her favored one, he didn't know for sure) and dipped her fingers in the stream.
He wasn't sure if this last part of the ritual was invented or remembered, but it seemed appropriate. The weak current would wash away her bitterness and evil, so that she was clear for the journey ahead.
Sheoll then returned to his post for the rest of the night, keeping an eye on the body, that any curious animals didn't disturb his sleeping companions, but if a hungry creature dragged it off, that was acceptable.
Before the end of his watch, if the body was still there, we would take it to where they disposed of the other bandits, before waking the next person and returning to sleep for a short while.
*************************************************
The next morning, Sheoll woke in a sweat as he often did. Going to the stream up a bit from the battle-site, he palmed some of the fresh water and doused his face. At least my head is a bit more quiet this morning. Perhaps I'll have a bit of respite.
He took in a breath of the morning air, and gathered the axes from the warrior Kressel and the sling Alex had made for him.
"I'll see if I can fetch us all some breakfast, hopefully I'll be back before you wake the others." He tell Tassira as he rouses her.
A short time later, he came back with a single rabbit, barely enough for one person. A look of disappointment shown on his furrowed brow, but he shrugged and lay the small corpse near the fire-pit for any to take.
Then, after a short while he packs up with everyone else and heads back to Oleg's, a contemplative look forming on his countenance.
Though her worries were soothed somewhat by Rowena's assurances, sleep didn't come easily to Tassira that night. The memories of losing Cadell, and nearly losing Sheoll & Rowena forced her eyes awake--if she were to close her eyes to them, it would be too much for her to bear.
Still, sleep won before her turn on watch...
She eyes the four of them. The three who fell to her sleep magic. The female leader, Kressel. She feels nothing but hate for each of them. It was easy to feel hate for what they did.
Cadell, felled by a poisoned dart before the battle began.
Sheoll, disemboweled by the leader's axes.
Alex, slain in battle, defending her.
Rowena, felled by crossbow bolts.
Punishment was to be administered. They deserved nothing less.
At least the leader didn't grovel or plead for mercy. Not like her underlings. At least she was going to meet her end with some dignity. The lowly dregs were easy enough to blast apart with her magic--their ends were swift. Cruel. Far too easy. No satisfaction only following orders cowards liars murderers all fit only for slaughter.
When she's done, she turns to Kressel and meets her eyes. Still as defiant as ever. She had something special planned for her. Frost drips from her fingers as she advances on her...
...she doesn't see what she does to her.
All she hears is a strange voice telling her 'You did the right thing.'
When Sheoll wakes her, Tassira nearly shrieks in surprise. She takes her watch, not saying a word to anyone until morning comes.
-----------------
While the party is marching back to Oleg's, Tassira keeps looking at her hands. Dark circles are under her eyes, and she appears to be quite distracted.
The conflict even the final end of the bandits did not sit heavily on Alexander's mind he had learned to compartmentalize and process such things during the campaigns fighting such men. Even the initial shock of Cadell's death had eased mostly from his mind. However the conversation he had with Rowena was just the opposite. Dealing with others outside the regimented life of the military and school had mostly been difficult. The motivations of a bandit the wants of a soldier he understood but wooing and courting was beyond his experience and worse yet he had been inadvertently insulting Ro as he worked out how to handle the situation. With the return to Oleg's Alexander knew he needed to take the initiative. Taking the first opportunity Alexander took Ro off to the side and quietly explained his actions to the young priestess.
Rowena had risen at dawn, had acknowledged Tassira on watch and then found a place to sit and pray to prepare her spells for the coming day.
The young priestess had felt ... different upon waking. Like something within her had grown, blossomed and spread through her entire being, making her sight keener and her purpose all the more undeniable. During prayers she thanked Erastil for this awakening. The day before had been taxing and wrought with pain. Yet, she and the other three had endured and paid their final respects to Cadell.
She stood and stretched, her eyes watching the sun's quiet ascent. Today, they would return to Oleg's ...
**************************************************************
On the ride back to the Leveton's, she and the others were relatively silent. Tassira appeared tired -- the dark circles pronounced under her eyes and Sheoll seemed as stoic as ever. Alexander remained close to her as they rode but he seemed lost in his own deep thoughts.
They had called out to Oleg to let them through the gate, rode into the trading post and settled their horses in the stalls with water and fresh hay. Rowena aided the others in unloading the cart of the gear and the two captured bandits - Ulric and Jon. She wondered if they could be redeemed like Gernon, Hans and Kir had been earlier. "Hans, can you watch over these two, please?" gesturing to Ulric and Jon.
Turning to Oleg and Svetlana, she smiled and bid them good morning.
"We managed to defeat the bandit leader and her remaining men in their camp. It was not without great toll to us, for the nobleman, Cadell, was killed in battle. We buried his body in their camp site by the river."
Rowena's eyes strayed to Tassira to see how she would respond to bringing up Cadell's death and burial, again.
"Master Oleg, Mistress Svetlana, the gear and items here before you were seized from the bandits. Can you recognise any as your stolen possessions? If you cannot, then we are willing to sell them to you for we cannot carry such items with us as we explore these lands."
She paused and waited for any of her companions to speak or the Leveton's to respond.
*********************************************************************
Later, when they had broken their fast and resolved the issues of the gear, Alexander whispered to Rowena that he would speak with her and they moved to a discreet section of the post so they could talk. Rowena listened to the nobleman and when he had finished, and reached out for her hand, she responded.
Her fingers clasped his own. Her voice was low, a whisper for his ears only.
"I have a better understanding of why you have done the things you have done. I could not reconcile the image of the warm you from the cold you. I believe when you say you have feelings for me. I have them for you. And, I am willing to give you a chance, Alex. Just, please, do not shut me out again."
"I can always use more inventory, how about I buy the full lot from you?"
Sheoll had indeed been quiet on the ride back. He thought about the experiences of the past few days, and about his new companions. There was something to them, and though he wasn't sure, he hoped they could all become friends. The seemed to be working better together. It was his experience that pain and loss often brought people together faster than otherwise. He had even experienced it a small amount with the brigands he had traveled with in the past.
He watched, trying not to be too...intrusive, as the other's traveled. Tassira was quiet, obviously reflecting as well. She probably hadn't seen near the amount of violence as the others, and would have to get used to it fast. Alex was strangely close to Rowena, and for a reason he couldn't quite pin down, that bothered Sheoll. He would have to try to find a way to ask her about it later. There was so much he didn't understand about "civilized" people.
************************************
Later, back at Oleg's, he took on a quite posture as Rowena spoke with the keeper of the outpost. He nodded an affirmation at how the battle went and the loss of Cadell. She had moved quickly to return things to a sense of normalcy and order, and Sheoll admired that.
After breakfast, he noted that Alex and Rowena wandered off. He stared at his place, down at an empty plate and an almost empty mug. Before he knew it, he found himself slamming his fist onto the table angrily. This time the voice was whispering...the same deep sinister echo, but bothersome even more-so because he couldn't make out the words.
He awkwardly forced a laugh to try and cover his outburst,
"Once again, a good meal Svetlana." he said, honestly, but by way of cover.
He nodded to the new arrivals, the seargent, Kesten Garess, in particular. It was a short look, but one that he hoped would convey, I'm glad you're here to help the Levetons. He wondered how closely he was related to Cadell, or if that last name was common.
Afterwards, he checked his gear over. He pat his horse and scratched it behind the ear, waiting for the group to reconvene and plan their next move.
"Well met, Sergeant, to you and your men. I am Priestess Rowena Hunter, and my companions and I have been sanctioned by the Swordlords of Restov to explore these lands." She smiled and promptly withdrew the charter from her belt pouch and handed it to the soldier for his examination before retrieving it and stowing it in her pouch.
Later the same day, another arrived, this time a fellow follower of Old Dead Eye. "Good day, Priest Jhod. I am Priestess Rowena. I hope your journey was not over taxing." The young priestess' silver holy symbol lay openly upon her chest -- immediate, to any who knew their gods, to whom she had pledged her service to.
Rowena's eyes strayed to Tassira to see how she would respond to bringing up Cadell's death and burial, again.
Tassira closes her eyes and sighs. "Indeed." She offers nothing else on the matter.
-----------------------After breakfast, he noted that Alex and Rowena wandered off. He stared at his place, down at an empty plate and an almost empty mug. Before he knew it, he found himself slamming his fist onto the table angrily. This time the voice was whispering...the same deep sinister echo, but bothersome even more-so because he couldn't make out the words.
The sudden pounding on the breakfast table, along with Alex & Rowena's departure, snaps Tassira out of her distracted state. She looks over at Sheoll, rubbing an eye. "Er... Sheoll? Is something wrong?"
Somehow, I think I already know what's wrong. Her heart sinks as she watches Alex and Rowena leave. I should have told her sooner. This is what I get for not speaking up.
Oh, what's the use... he'd probably be a better match for her anyway...
------------------------
The arrival of the Garess company & their leader is a surprise for the young sorceress. While she recognized their leader, Kesten, she does understand that all she knows of him is his name.
She lets Rowena speak for them, seeing as how she's already said much of their purpose here. "I am Tassira." She mumbles, her heart still heavy.
With his mind at ease now that Rowena understood more of how he had been feeling Alexander excused himself from her to see to the care of the horses as well as going through the confiscated gear and separating out those items that would be impractical to keep on an expedition. The work is interrupted by the arrival of the armed soldiers. The introductions are well on there way by the time Alex comes on the scene taking a position close to Rowena. Alexander eyes the green troops critically but offers no remark on them only a word of greeting to there leader. Well met Kesten Garess I am Alexander Medyved I am glad to see the Leveton's plea for protection was taken seriously. You should find things relatively quiet at least for a while. Our party was able to successfully strike a nearby bandit camp a couple of days ago and captured or killed about a half dozen of that same group when they attempted to extort the owners here previous to that.
---------------------------------
With the work with horses completed loot sorted and greeting exchanged Alexander turned to practicing his fighting style working to perfect the combining of blade and spell until the magic was able to flow consistently through his blade and strike at a target. The technique had been understood by Alexander in the abstract but practice with the technique had finally bore fruit. With the high of his triumph fresh in his mind Alexander met the Priest Jhod and greeted him warmly. Welcome Jhod it is good to meet another of Erastil's faithful.
---------------------------------
The rest of the day Alex keeps close to Rowena offering help in the daily tasks where it is needed and providing verbal and emotional support to her and the rest of the party to include Hans and Gernon.
"So what price for the whole lot?.....did you find Svetlana's ring?"
Tassira looks at her feet and shakes her head. "Unfortunately, no. We were unable to find her ring at the bandit's camp. That being said..." She looks up at Oleg. "...we were able to learn that there are more bandits in the region. They answer to someone called the 'Stag Lord'. It may be possible that, depending on how valuable her ring is, that it was sent to his location."
Alexander was surprised about the mention of a ring but simply went along with the question. We will try to keep an eye out for it Oleg. As to the items I have them separated but we still need to see if the two new men are willing to commit to the oath and get a consensus on what we wish to keep and what we wish to sell off. I am sure we will have both things decided within the day though.
---------------
When Jhod mentions dreams Alex is wary. Not to be uncharitable Jhod but that is rather vague, it is a big country after all. Did your dream provide you any other insights?
---------------
Alexander doesn't take offense to Kesten's answer as he had met and worked with similar men previously offering only a nod and inoffensive dismissal. Then I will let you get back to your work.
---------------
Alexander finds the two followers Hans and Gernon. Hans, Gernon I wanted to let you know that I thought you handled yourselves well considering the circumstances. You have shown you can be trusted and that means something. Alexander hands each man a gold coin. We haven't formalized a document of employment yet but we will do that soon. This is a simple reward for good service. When we leave again we may be out on the trail for a while you might wish to purchase some small comforts for the road maybe something to fight off boredom.
Alexander nods his agreement. We will Oleg.
----------------
Alexander shrugs at the priests words. I will keep an eye out for it Jhod.
-----------------------------------
Alexander takes notice of Kesten as he speaks up. These are two of the men I mentioned earlier. They have sworn an oath of service to the expedition to explore the Stolen lands in return for leniency in there sentence for banditry. The good priestess over saw the swearing and offered prayers to Erastil to test the truth of there oath.
The sudden pounding on the breakfast table, along with Alex & Rowena's departure, snaps Tassira out of her distracted state. She looks over at Sheoll, rubbing an eye. "Er... Sheoll? Is something wrong?"
Sheoll just looked up at the sorceress, fixing his face as plainly as possible and putting on a smile.
"Just...nothing that needs tending to now."******************
Seeing the others questioning the newcomers, Sheoll took notice of the board with several notices. He hadn't seen it before, but then again they were quite preoccupied with this bandit problem, so he wasn't overly surprised. He looked over the papers carefully. The each seemed to have some merit to them, and he also remembered hearing the new priest, Jhod, mention something about an immense bear.
He stood for a moment, looking them over a second time. He was itching for something to do. Work can bring focus, and focus can bring balance he thought to himself.
Calling back to the others,
"Did you see this? Not sure how long these have been up. But perhaps we should take on one of these...quests?" he said with a slight smirk.
At the priest's mention of a lost temple of Erastil, Rowena inclined her head. "If such a temple exists to the south, then we will discover it. I will keep your vision in mind, Priest Jhod." Rowena's hand brushed the holy symbol around her neck.
When Alex relayed the story of the bandits they had redeemed and recruited, Rowena's clear green eyes sought the officer and confirmed Alexander's recount, "While under a divine truth-telling spell, they swore to turn away from banditry and remain in dutiful service until their debt is paid. There are two in our service and one in Master Oleg's. He is called Kir."
At Sheoll's suggestion of undertaking a quest, Rowena turned her focus on the warrior. She looked around their small group of explorers and wondered where next the gods would lead them ... "Which would you suggest, Sheoll?"
Alexander nods to Kesten. We do have two prisoners who need to be put to the oath. Maybe we can work something out. This outpost is vitally important to our work So we do have a vested interest in its continued success and security. Just understand that we are trying to reform these men and women not exploit them.
Rowena listened as Alexander spoke with the sergeant.
Sheoll squints a bit as he looks over the notices once more before answering Rowena's question.
"Well, I looks to me like the best two options are either here," he says pointing at the Kobold problem,
"...Or here, finding this Sneeg person. 4 Masterwork weapons is quite a reward, though I'm not sure where we would start looking for the man. I suppose we could ask the guard captain where his last lead was."
he crosses his arms, and cocks his head.
And the Kobolds offer a fair reward. If we were somehow able to negotiate with hem, they may even be able to help us learn about the area."
With Kesten's attention diverted Alexander excuses himself. Excuse me Keston. Alexander steps away and quickly walks after the wildman. Pardon me sir may I have a moment of your time. Me and my friends have been charged with exploring this portion of the Stolen Lands and I wished to know of any places of note. Dangerous areas that may require caution moving through. Places with plentiful drinking water or game. Any knowledge of the area could be of interest to us. We have also been charged with getting the bandits and any knowledge of there movements would be helpful as well.
Not having much to contribute, Tassira merely listens as the party decides what to do next.
On the subject of looking for 'Sneeg', she finally decides to speak up. "Excuse me, Ser Kesten, but do you have any leads as to where we should begin looking for Sneeg?"
Hearing Tassira's attempt to gain information from the sergeant, Rowena added her own voice to the request in hopes it would sway him to be open/generous.
"Any piece of information you have will be of help, sir."
Alexander is unaccustomed to someone talking to him in such a manor and pauses for a moment before answering the man his tone offering no ground in the argument. I am not trying to step in and steal your hunting areas. The group I am part of are charged with exploring this land and "killing" bandits for the kingdom of Brevoy. I am concerned about the dangers we might blunder into. If you have nothing you wish to offer that's fine but understand me if we come upon each other out in the wilds do not offer threat to this expedition.
Alexander lets the man go seeing no sense in pushing the matter further. Walking towards Rowena Alexander says in a bemused tone directed at himself. Well that went well. Once he is within arms reach of the priestess and has her attention Alexander offers his arm to Ro Care to take breakfast with me. Might as well plan our next moves on a full stomach.
As the magus approached Rowena and Sheoll standing at the notice board, the warrior crossed his arms, almost unconsciously puffing out his chest. He cought himself after a few seconds and tried to relax his posture. I can't let jealousy cloud my mind. This is a good man, if a bit confused.
"Yes, Alexander. We were just discussing what the group should do best." he pointed at one parchment in particular, jabbing it with his finger.
"I think this..." he looked back at the notice about the Kobolds "is probably a good place to start. We should attempt to find them...and see if they can be reasoned with."
Alexander exams the parchment Sheoll points to quickly reading the notice before making comment. Trying to make peaceful contact with the Kobolds and negotiating some kind of settlement with them sounds like a fine idea but we need more information to go on first. The Kamelands are hundreds maybe thousands of miles in size and the notice is pretty vague on the location of there camp.
Alexander glances at the remaining postings on the board before continuing. The others appear to mostly focus on hunting men or beasts. I can't claim to have a great deal of practice in tracking either type of quarry.
Alexander smiles and chuckles a little. Finding a whole village of people might be more my speed. As I understand things as long as we stay south east of the forest we should be in the general area of the Kamelands. Unless we can find someone with the specific knowledge of the kobold village. I suggest we push off from the forest edge and using it as a boundary focus our exploration on the areas east and west of there at least until we find the kobolds or something else significant happens to change our plans.
"Night be a good idea to let us know what the plan is and just as important when you expect to be back, I Svetlana likes to cook a special meal when she knows you will be back."
Tassira notices Sheoll's change in posture as Alex & Rowena approach, arm in arm. She feels a stab of envy.
"Are you jealous of him as well?" She asks him, quietly scraping her boot against the ground.
"Trying to make peaceful contact with the Kobolds and negotiating some kind of settlement with them sounds like a fine idea but we need more information to go on first. The Kamelands are hundreds maybe thousands of miles in size and the notice is pretty vague on the location of there camp."
"There might be another problem, however." She scratches her head. "Can anyone communicate with them?"
Walking towards Rowena Alexander says in a bemused tone directed at himself. Well that went well. Once he is within arms reach of the priestess and has her attention Alexander offers his arm to Ro Care to take breakfast with me. Might as well plan our next moves on a full stomach.
"He is accustomed to his own company and that of the wild creatures, I am certain. You spoke well to him and that is what matters, Alex." She gave him a reassuring smile before linking her arm with his and moving toward the dining hall, "Aye, I am eager to taste of the freshly made biscuits Svetlana has prepared this day."
As they neared Sheoll by the notice board, Rowena noted the other man's crossed arms and wondered at the stance before listening to the warrior's suggestion,
"I think this..." he looked back at the notice about the Kobolds "is probably a good place to start. We should attempt to find them...and see if they can be reasoned with."
Alexander stepped closer, drawing Rowena with him, to examine the parchment Sheoll had pointed out,
"Trying to make peaceful contact with the Kobolds and negotiating some kind of settlement with them sounds like a fine idea but we need more information to go on first. The Kamelands are hundreds maybe thousands of miles in size and the notice is pretty vague on the location of there camp."
Tassira was also acting strangely and Rowena was about to ask her if something was amiss when the noble sorceror offered her own thoughts on the subject and Rowena held her tongue on the former matter,
"There might be another problem, however." She scratches her head. "Can anyone communicate with them?"
Turning her gaze to the roof, where Oleg was making repairs, she called up to the proprietor, "Do you know of a hunter or tracker who speaks the Kobold tongue, Master Oleg?" Her eyes travelled to the gate where moments before the cantankerous trapper had departed. He was an unfriendly man and she suspected he would not aid them even if he could speak with Kobolds.
Tassira ponders the nature of kobolds and their language.
Tassira regrets falling asleep and goofing off when she should have been learning about kobolds.
When Ro takes his arm and try's to provide comfort with her words Alex only nods in agreement and gives her arm an affectionate squeeze in thank you.
Alexander answers Oleg question as best he can not wishing to offend the man despite the lack of a clear decision on the subject. We haven't worked out our plan of action just yet Oleg. So it would be difficult to say what route we might take at this moment. We are interested in settling the current troubles with the Kobolds but the location of there village isn't made clear in the posting. Do you happen to know where they reside or at least something better then somewhere in the Kamelands?
Wishing to clear up the question of what language the Kobolds speak Alexander turns back to the group for a moment to provide the answer before giving Oleg his attention again. If I recall correctly they speak Draconic. I am well versed in the language. Its used often in magical treatise and spell formulas so it was required learning during my magical training. Honestly though I am a poor diplomat I will happily translate for someone else if it comes to that.
Oleg: "I thought kobolds just barked and yapped or talked like goblins, I haven't seen one since I been here."
"I hope you plan to secure the vicinity before you wander too far afield."
We are trying to explore as well as make the area safer for travel. So I understand your concerns Oleg. If everyone else is willing we could make a sweep of the areas immediately around your place first before moving farther afield.
"Aye" Sheoll adds, at a bit of a loss. He scratches his head. He had been unused to planning...when he was with his tribe, they just wandered, and when he was with the brigands, they went along trade routes, so again he was out of his element. But he was willing to learn.
"Perhaps," he said, looking from Rowena to Alex to Tassira, "Yes. Alexander's idea has merit. If we move several miles to the east or west and then move back a bit more southerly and continue on..." He pursed his lips in thought. "I am no mapmaker though, what techniques do they employ, does anyone know?"
"If I recall correctly they speak Draconic. I am well versed in the language. Its used often in magical treatise and spell formulas so it was required learning during my magical training. Honestly though I am a poor diplomat I will happily translate for someone else if it comes to that."
"I could give it another shot." Tassira nods. "I gotta step up and pull my weight too, ya know."
Wishing to put to rest Tassira's concerns Alex speaks up. You have been doing fine Tassira and I am sure you will continue doing admirable work. With Tassira's insecurities hopefully eased he diverts his attention back to Sheoll.
Alexander considers Shoel's concerns before answering I understand the basic premise but I can't claim any formal training in there making. As long as we take reasonably accurate measures of distance and directions to major land marks and are consistent in how we lay them out on paper we should do ok. I also have my journal and will keep note of our travel. Together they should hopefully be enough for someone to follow our trail and get a sense of land.
Alexander reflects for a moment before continuing I am sure a real expert in the craft will eventually detail a better map but I am sure that will be after the land is more secure. I wish we had a compass though it would help improve accuracy when sighting landmarks. I didn't have the funds to purchase one before. Maybe Oleg can order one. How about it Oleg do you think you could acquire a compass in a reasonable amount of time?
Since Tassira spoke up as wanting to be the emissary between the party and the kobolds, Rowena held her tongue. It seemed important for the sorceress to undertake the talks once translation was made by Alexander.
She listened to the two men speak of map-making and plotting distance and offered her service as best as she could, "I have a decent skill with moving about the wilds. I am a fair tracker."
Upon Alex's request of a compass, Rowena added her own request, "Master Oleg, I am in need of a longbow and arrows. Could you also acquire those in good time?"