After waiting very patiently for an answer and receiving none, Eldiwen leans forward and brings his hands together matching fingertips touching to form a matrix just below his chin. "Your silence, it seems to me, means you are trying to formulate a lie. Or, perhaps you are deciding which version of the truth suits your needs most beneficially. Either way, such a lengthy pause does not instill me with great trust. Come Tamarelle, why camp out here, when civilization is just a short carriage ride away?"
"Well, usualy a "diverse" party like us doesn't recieve the warmest of welcomes in such a big city. With 5 of your archers aimed at my party, it sort of proves my point."
Eldiwen leans back, returning his hands casually to his sides. He nods, slowly, and you see him look to the trees around you. Whether that was some hidden signal, or just him looking around, you aren't sure. When he speaks again, it is with the voice of one that has seen too much hardship in his long life; it is a voice that speaks of sorrow, regret, and also pity. "Guun nussuw, Tamarelle. It was my pleasure to have gained your acquaintance. I wish you and your companions safe journey, wherever you are going. Should we meet again, I hope you will treat me as a friend. May Ketephys guard you." With that Eldiwen stands and saunters out of the light of the fire into the trees, and is gone. Tamarelle hears no sound, and after Eldiwen steps behind the trunk of a nearby tree, she sees no trace of him. After looking at the position of the moon, and the lightening of the horizon, she realizes her turn for watch is over, she should wake Sadira, and catch another hour or two of sleep.
Tamarelle still unsure of his intentions, puts her hand on her rapier just incase he decides to let loose a barrage of arrows on her camp. She slowly walks to her mother's bed roll and kneels down. She puts her hand on her shoulder and shakes her gently saying, Mother, wake up. It is your turn to keep watch.
Thank you daughter. Sadira walks around to get some more wood, then put it onto the fire this shouldn't be so bad, I will have time to pray as well this morning. Sadira begins praying to Magdh, while still maintaining knowledge of her surroundings.
Tamarelle lies back down on her bed rolls, with a hard thud as she did before. She does not feel the same as before. She is not reminded of good times or enjoyable memories. All she can think about is what should she tell the rest of the group? She has no idea what the intentions of Eldiwin could be, but it is the best decision to tell them the whole truth.
After a good nights rest Quimkithe wakes up and stretches. Morning Sadira, hows it going? Quimkithe grabs some meat from her pack and walks over to Sadira and sits down. Tearing into the meat she admires the sunrise.
It is fine so far, I got my prayer in this morning and nothing else happened this morning. It has been quiet. Sadira walks around takes a sip from her water skin. It is a shame I don't have any wine in here.
Kaze o stretches and yawns. He then takes off his breastplate and begins brushing down and fixing his "bed fur" so he looks somewhat presentable in the case that they do pass through the nearby even city. Afterwards he begins donning his fullplate. He looks around and sees his companions that have arisen from their sleep and walks in their direction, I almost forgot the openess of sleeping under the stars instead of in some fancy bed in a cave. It is quite refreshing to say the least. How did you sleep?
I slept well. It was nice to sleep outside with trees around me.
Imfazl grunts and drowsily begins to eat some jerky from his pack.
Well since you are all awake I have something to tell you.
Alright what is it?
Well...while I was on watch last night I was visited by a strange elf. He told me that he was the Lieutenant Ranger for Queen Telandia and he was doing border control around Lethaquel. He had surrounded us with archers whom hid in the shadows, so there wasn't much I could do to make him leave. He asked us why had we not camped with in the walls of his city. I refused to tell him any important information about us. He then left peaceably.
hmmmm interesting she got us out of that, but could they still be around?
It seems our presence is now known in this land. Coming back will be that much hard now... Kaze o swishes his tail around to his front and begins combing his fingers through it. So there was a potential danger and you didn't wake us. You are extremely lucky your diplomacizing skills kept our sleep undisturbed or the archers wouldn't have been your only enemy...
No matter, now that we are all up we should probably head into town. Sadira slowly walks back toward the carriage, and gets in.
I uoaerrv ba rak r'xo klo 'boae klaek Taedaeuorro vairb laeqo ae tokuok karqoutaek'ar v'kl tado org 'r klo d'bbro ag klo r'slk, dik aek roaetk tlo kargottob 'k ka it. Before we break camp and head into town I'm going to take a look around and make sure that those elves left, and nobody has taken their place.
I shall do the same
Both Quimkithe and Tamarelle have no trouble finding the tracks. It becomes apparent quickly that the elves not only weren't hiding their tracks, they seem to be brazenly displaying their numbers. The tracks corroborate the ranger's words, besides his tracks there are five distinct sets of humanoid footprints that leave the area. The footprints also bear out the fact that Fire and Ice was indeed surrounded. When the tracks leave the area they head east, towards the Sellen river, and the Kyonin border with Galt.
As the sun crests the horizon to the east, Tamarelle must squint as the bright sunlight causes her a small amount of discomfort. With everyone's fast broken, it appears to be time to rehitch the horses to the carriage, and continue the journey. As with last night, the decision of whether or not to ride into, either to stop, or just ride through, or to just go around Lethaquel, looms on everyone's mind.
Kaze o drops his tail and heads to the carriage, I'm not too sure that we should head into Lethaquel. Imfazl looking somewhat like a demon and Sadira being Drow could and more than likely would cause problems. Tamarelle is Half-drow which is barely noticeable, and Quimkithe is Half-orc where as long as she doesn't change hybrid or full wolf in the middle of town should be fine. I myself should have no difficulties getting into and out of there. Kaze o then give a devious smirk, pulls out his sword, and then sits down and begins to polish it.
I'm all for going into town, you never know what goodies you'll find in a town.
I agree with Kaze O', I don't think it's such a good idea for someone like me to enter the city.
Especially after that encounter with Eldiwin
I would prefer staying away from towns... My appearance tends to spook others. I am perfectly fine with staying in the carriage while you get your supplies though.
Alright, it sounds like Kaze o and I will enter town while the rest of you wait for us. Do you all want to wait for us here, or shall we find somewhere closer to town?
I am fine with waiting here
Perfect, so Quimkithe and I will head over to Lethaquel. Imfazl should drive the carriage around Lethaquel to the other side along with Sadira and Tamarelle so we aren't wasting time coming back here. Quim you ready?
Sadira already being in the carriage begins to speak just loud enough for everyone to hear. I am going with, Tamarelle I would appreciate it if you came with, because we can drop Kaze o and Quim off. Then talk.
With plans to send Quimkithe and Kaze O into Lethaquel for a quick look through the shops for supplies, Fire and Ice breaks camp quickly, rehitching the horses, and stamping out the remnants of their breakfast fire. Once all packs are loaded on the carriage, Imfazl drives the mile to Lethaquel, the road is packed with merchants, farmers, and craftsmen making their morning trek into the city. After pulling up several hundred feet from the entrance, Quimkithe and Kaze O exit the carriage, and walk the rest of the way, watching as Imfazl drives the carriage on the packed dirt that serves as a way-route around the city's walls. After riding around the small city, Imfazl sees that the ancient elven road does not continue north, which is where they are headed. Instead the road turns northwest, moving directly to the Fierani Forest, and Kyonin proper. The only "road" that goes north is nothing more than dead grass, dirt, and a few wagon-wheel ruts. Travel north will not be as swift. Hopefully Quimkithe and Kaze O finish their shopping quickly, so Fire and Ice can use all the daylight to close as much distance as possible to the ferry across the Sellen near Dabril.
how'd the shopping go? Sadira looks over at Kaze o and Quim.
As Quimkithe and Kaze o travel underneath the guarded, wooden, palisade gate and enter Lethaquel, they see a sprawling city engineered like a spider web radiating out from a central marketplace. The city was obviously a frontier village that steadily grew over the years. There is enough pedestrian, horse, wagon, and carriage traffic that Quimkithe and Kaze o are able to blend into the crowd, at least for the most part. Occasionally an elf or dwarf, whose races make up the majority of this city's inhabitants, gives them a snide look, or a turned up nose, but here in civilized society no one would dare attack them just out of some overactive sense of racial bias. Following the crowd leads to a rather large central bazaar. Tents, lean-tos, and other shacks are haphazardly spread out with zero semblance of order, with merchants hawking food and wares of just about every kind. This makeshift market is circumscribed by well built brick and wooden buildings, some of which are taverns and eateries, but others are stores and markets that have obviously been here long enough, and made enough gold, to warrant setting up in a permanent abode. Both Quimkithe and Kaze o are fairly certain they can find just about anything within their price range somewhere in this grand central market. Now they just need to decide which needs, or wants, are most pressing, and find a seller to match.
Kaze o glares at those who give him any look that could be perceived as negative. He then turns toward Quimkithe, I'll be back. Give me a minute. He then looks around for a nearby empty alleyway and shifts to his human form.
He then makes his way back to where he left Quimkithe and smiles a bit at the fact that he was no longer receiving rude glances from people. Alright, I'm ready. Let's just pick up necessary supplies and leave.
Quimkithe looks around, sounds good to me.
Kaze o nods and begins to meander around to the various stalls seeing many odds and oddities. Better that I get necessities before I buy commodities. He specifically looks for female merchants to play his charms against for lower prices. He finds a merchant selling various travel equipment. Kaze o picks up a Silk Rope and some Flint and Steel. He tosses a few coins on the table and proceeds to a weapon's table where he buys a fair amount of Whetstones. I think I got everything that I need, but it could be beneficial to try and win the hearts of my companions with some gifts. It could be to my advantage if they have no reason to wish harm upon me. He then proceeds to buy three bags of Caltrops and a Weapon Cord. He then hands Quimkithe the weapon cord accompanied with his charming smile, Here, it's for you! It seems that when you change to your wolf form you don't really have any thumbs to hold onto your bow or sword. This cord if you tie it around your wrist should allow you to drag your weapon behind you when in wolf form. He then proceeds to a scribe where he looks around, Imfazl seems quite sophisticated, although very brutish, he knows how to exquisitely formulate his words to the liking of others. He might want to write some things down at some point in time. He buys a good amount of Parchment, some Black Ink and an Inkpen. Kaze o then stops for a minute and gets an idea then begins to head toward a food vendor he saw down the street, but gets side tracked looking at himself in a polished steel Mirror. He then notices a bit of dirt had smudged his jaw. He tries to rub it off without any luck. Kaze o quickly looks around and finds a bar of soap and uses it to clean his face. Realizing what he'd just down he looked at the owner sheepishly, My bad, I'll pay for that. he then tosses two copper coins on the counter and picks up another bar of soap and stuffs it in his pocket. He then picks up the mirror again and tosses a few more coins on the counter and walks to the a stall selling food. And finally Sadira. She always seemed to have a glass of wine on her. I think I know what I'm going to get her! He then asks if there is any wine for sale. The clerk looks around and pulls out a cheap bottle of wine. Kaze o shakes his head, No, something for someone with a better palette. The clerk pulls out a wine that is known quite well throughout the land a fine wine. Kaze o smiles and asks for a second bottle. He then tosses some coins on the table and looks at Quimkithe, Well, unless there was anything you needed, I think I'm all ready to head out.
Quimkithe looks down at the gift, thank you, Kaze o. That was very generous. Quimkithe looks around and, finding a stall to her liking, she walks over and examines the wares. Hov! Tlov laeqo ae kaedaigraeso rokk'rs louo. I'qo door raax'rs gau klaek gau aevl'ro. I'rr do daekx gau kl't taar. Quimkithe looks around and after a few minutes finds Kaze o. Seeing that he seemed to be haggling with some merchants over the price of their wares she decided to help.
Kaze o, in his shifted form, garners a lot of favorable attention from women and men alike. His almost supernatural good looks, and eloquent speech, give him the ability to barter and haggle down the cost of his goods a fair amount. Therefore he ends up getting his host of supplies for much cheaper than normal. Afterwards he follows Quimkithe to the booth where she saw the camouflage netting. Perhaps he'll attempt to work his charms on this savvy merchant as well...
Kaze o, thank you for coming with me. This is where I found that camouflage netting I was telling you about. Since, for whatever reason, these people find you more charming than they do me, why don't you take the lead here.
Kaze o nods his head and follows Quimkithe to the booth where he looks around at the various items stopping to take a look at the net that she was telling him about, Hmm, I wonder what this will be used for? No matter, I need to earn their trust.
Kaze o haggles for bit over the price with the merchant trying to get it for as cheap as possible.
The man, dressed in fine clothes, who strokes the mane of a large dog at his side, more than likely named Bendrigar, since the small wooden placard on his stall says "Bendrigar's Baubles" listens to Kaze o's terms, and smiles a debonair grin. "You're a shrewd haggler sir, and I appreciate it, I'll shave 2 gold off the price. You can have the netting for 18 gold. That's my final offer. If it isn't good enough, you can look elsewhere, though, I promise you, no other seller here has netting this well crafted."
Quimkithe holds up her hand, just a second, sir. Let me deliberate with my friend. Quimkithe walks a little bit off and whispers to Kaze o. What do you think? Should we go to somewhere else, maybe I can help you haggle and get it cheaper there.
Kaze o whispers to Quimkithe How cheap did you want it? I might have an idea... He then glances at the merchant and gives him reassuring smile.
As low as we can.
Kaze o give Quimkithe a wink and then turns back toward the merchant, That is pretty funny, I saw a merchant who was selling these same things for 16 gold just down the street, but he had this way of talking that drove us to come here. If you could lower the price to match that we can do business, if not I'll just head down the street, Kaze o then wipes his finger along one of the shelves and rubs his fingers together as if there was some dust, and judging by the condition of this place, you need the gold so how about it? 16 gold and then we will be on our way.
"Dam... Ahem, excuse me. It was Terren wasn't it? That dirty scoundrel is always undercutting my prices. Fine, 16 gold, but you're taking food out of the mouths of my babes at home." Bendrigar hands over the camouflage netting, and accepts your 16 gold pieces with a grand show of being personally insulted. "Here, take it and go!" He exclaims.
Quimkithe gives him a toothy grin, you are a gentlemen and a scholar. Good luck to you, and a happy life as well. She then turns around, netting in hand, purse 16 gold pieces lighter, and walks away.
Kaze o grins slightly at the the merchant's indignant behavior, Yes, I do believe that Terren sounded about right. He then hands Quimkithe the net and begins walking toward the north exit of Lethaquel.
After a successful bit of shopping Kaze o and Quimkithe head north, out of town, to meet up with their companions. The trip is short, and traffic out of town in that direction is light. Once they reach Temerlyth's carriage and their companions, Kaze o begins handing out the small gifts that he purchased for his new friends.