Smiling to himself, Odd'n turns the feather over in his hand marveling at its other-worldly sheen. Letting his eyes drift up up up, Odd'n smiles at the unusual creature; "Thank you.." is all he can manage, his words lost in the awe of the moment as he realizes the bird is inspecting him with an intelligence that almost seems beyond his own.
Awkwardly harvesting the cactus, I'll have to see what I can do with this later, Odd'n fumbles as he tries to gracefully stand up. Odd'n extends his hand towards the creature, his other hand grasping the feather tight to his chest, as a single tear begins finding its way down Odd'ns battle scarred cheek.
Two beats of the bird's magnificent wings kick up the aromas of the forest beneath it. One more beat and the bird is gone, further south, towards the mountains.
"Right," Umaveti says watching the bird fly over them, "onward then!"
Walking alongside Gwyn, Odd'n reaches into his rags and draws out the feather he recieved from the beautiful bird. Silently he hands it to her, asking if she has ever seen its like before...
Bronan snaps out of a daydream to look up at the departing bird with some interest. "Whatcha got there Odd'n?" he asks.
I watch the bird fly away and sigh as I begin walking down the path after Umaveti, Simple pleasures for simple people. I think to myself.
(Mentally) unaware that others might not find such wonder in a bird feather, and still wary of the dog-slaver, Odd'n positions himself as to block Bronan's view of his 'treasure'. "IT'S A GIFT FROM NATURE!!" Odd'n smugly shouts before hunching back over to wait for acknowledgement from Gwyn about his prize.
I do trust Gwyn.. and she did say I shouldn't be so suspicious of our companions here.. Odd'n thinks with a sigh, the gears in his head slowly clunking together, fashioning a plan such that he can be a bit more friendly to the others without out-rightly having to depend upon them. Well, no harm in letting him see.. not touch mind you.. and Milani help him if he dare try take it from me..
Lightly plucking the feather from Gwyn's hands, Odd'n turns towards Bronan and proudly displays his feather splayed across both his palms; the feather held as carefully as one might hold a new-born pup.
Speaking to the others Odd'n adds, "And, uhm, if anyone wants a little.. pump of energy.. I uhm, I found some stuff. We used to use it.. in the pits..", Odd'n stops briefly, then lets his voice lighten mildly as he remembers the victories. "We called it 'tears'.. it's sour.. but it can give you an edge in battle...".
Gwyn winces at Odd'n's shout, but curiosity brings her in close. The feather, and the bird, were not what she was used to seeing. She runs her fingers lightly along it's edges, wondering what kind of bird it was. The mention of pits and battle snaps the young woman out of her reverie.
"Pits? As in fighting pits? Are you sure that stuff doesn't have any ill effects?"
As the group follows the road as it bends to the east around the Wyrm, the hear jovial music and the sound of laughter and talking. Soon they see a few men camped on either side of the road.
Odd'n gingerly wraps the feather in a fold of rags (torn from his already thread-bare shirt) and tucks it into his pants, held in place by the length of rope keeping his linen 'shants' () up around his waist, at the small of his back
Still uncertain of others, and far enough off to not get a 'read' on those the group is approaching, Odd'n falls in behind Gwyn (but ready to spring over her if danger arises) as he tries to make out the appearance and activities of those they approach.
"Sounds like traders, or gypsies..."
"Maybe I should go ahead and see what they are about? I can call if I need help."
Whispering to Gwyn, Odd'n answers "Yes.. maybe.. uhm.. ok go.. but be careful.. I can't make heads or tails of those ahead."
"Good idea. No telling who or what anything is on this island."
As Gwyn approaches the camp, she notices she has a straggler. Experienced as she was with this world, it almost made her a bit...calmer.
The men get riled up at the sight of an angelic young lady passing by, sending out calls and hoots as she comes nearer. All the commotion brings forward a startlingly handsome man with pale green skin and golden eyes. "What's all this then?" He says with a grin staring straight into Gwyn's eyes. A tick later, his expression goes blank and he says, "Well I'll be skinned alive...if it isn't Gwyndolin Maulsen, the Angel of the Shanties," he turns to either side addressing his men, "Gents, we're in the presence of a legend!" Some laugh, others remain in a confused silence. Readdressing Gwyn, "I see you've dropped that silly gang of yours..." he looks past her, half-expecting them to pop out of the ground.
In a matter of seconds Gwyn goes from cautious to stunned, to very, very wary, and more than a little scared, at the man's response to seeing her.
She knew she wasn't famous, and most of those who knew her name likened her to a fairy, good at heart, but with some rather unfortunate habits.
Most of all, the only gang she was in had almost been wiped out. As far as she knew, she was the only survivor, and the man's mention of it sent a warning ringing in the back of her mind.
"I'm afraid you have mistaken me for someone else. Not many people know me, and this is the first I've heard of being a legend. If you don't mind, I'd like to find out what the conditions are like up ahead. I'd like to make it a little further before nightfall."
The greenish man chuckled to himself. "No, perhaps not famous by most standards, but among pickpockets, you're absolutely on the tip of everyone's tongues. Stealing your boss's kerambit off him in the middle of a sparring match without him noticing, the stuff of legends!" He emphasizes the word "legends" with a look and open arms skyward. He takes a step around her, encircling her as he steps, "As for the conditions ahead..." he looks up around at his troupe with another wide grin, "...I hear the Wish and his gang are patrolling these parts." This time a hearty laugh from all his comrades nearly shook the rocky, rolling hills. He leans in close to her, and whispers "So I'd say you're trip will take a while," this comment cracked him up considerably.
"Think she is ok?" Odd'n asks the rest of the group, his mounting anxiety becoming more and more obvious. Fidgeting with his gauntlets, unstrapping them then retightening them over and over, Odd'n finds it impossible to calm his mind and shut his mouth; "Why is he circling her.. what are they saying.. we shouldn't have let her go alone. No... no... no.. we should go help."
Removing the feather from his waste-band, Odd'n forces himself to take a knee. With the feather pressed between his two hands up against his forehead, Odd'n begins whispering a prayer under his breath. Milani, please protect my.. friend.. if trouble comes her way please see her to safety, he stops a moment before adding- ..or see to it that I find my way to whatever or whomever dares bring trouble her way..
Standing back up, Odd'n places the feather back in its wrappings and tucks it back into his waste-band. His mind, somewhat soothed by reciting his brief little prayer, has gained a little more focus. The anxiety from before was gone, somewhat replaced by a sense of courage and duty-- a confidence that no harm will come to Gwyn as long as he is around to aid her.
"Yes, prayer is good warrior. Unless I'm mistaken I think these might be the bandits from whom we're meant to protect the Mayor's son." He quickly adds, "Not to worry though, if they were going to hurt her, they'd have done so by now. It seems she looks poor enough not to bother with."
"Perhaps.. perhaps we should clear the road now so we have an easier return later.." Odd'n scowls, a heat growing in his voice as he observes the interaction between Gwyn and what he supposes is the gangs leader. "Besides, I look, uhm.. poor enough not to be bothered with. Perhaps we can.. surprise this unscrupulous crew." Looking towards Garret, Odd'n winks and bares his teeth in what he hopes is a fierce scowl.
"Oh, that. That was just dumb luck and I paid for it later." Gwyn says, rubbing her left arm like it had been bruised.
"Can you tell me more about this Wish?"
At this last remark, the scaly man and his gang absolutely erupt with laughter, one rogue even falls on his back and rolls while laughing. Laughing too hard, the green man waves one of his more composed henchmen over as if to let him do the honors of answering Gwyn's question, after a few quick breaths to calm himself, the roguish-looking human says, "Yes, Landis the Wish is a vashkanya Highwayman, devilishly handsome with a dozen men at his back!"
Another of the gents chimes in, "Oy Fillip! Tell him how he got his name!"
The leader stops Fillip before he says it, "Men wish they could be him, and women wish they could be with him!"
The man who is now quite clearly Landis the Wish finishes with a sly grin, but it sends the rest of his gang into another uproar, the one who'd called out before answers back, "He wishes! Bahahaha..."
Landis deftly draws his knife blade-in-hand ready to throw it, looking behind him with a serious look on his face shouting, "Who said that!?" A hush falls over them.
Landis points and laughs at the man who spoke, "Ha! Gotcha!" And this brings the third and final wave of laughter, with Landis doubling over and slapping his knee.
Gwyn's eyes narrow slightly, something clicking into place behind her eyes.
"Am I to assume that you're Landis the Wish?"
Landis bows, takes Gwyn's hand and says before kissing it gingerly, "At your service."
He stands, claps, and shouts back at a henchman who the troop is surprised to see just beside them, "Now, who are your new friends Janus?!"
Janus looks the members of the group up and down, stares blankly at Umaveti, turns to his boss and simply shrugs.
"Come!" Landis says, "Put my gang at ease, and join us!" Landis says, waving them all to where he and Gwyn are.
At Janus's not-so-polite behest, the group joins them all in the camp.
Landis addresses the lot, "So Gwyn tells me you're headed south! On to Fwey, I imagine?"
As the companions approach Gwyn and Landis in the camp, all the anxiety that had left Odd'n following his prayer came crashing back through whatever mental block he put up while conversing with Milani.
This is a trap, it must be a trap.. why are they camped around this road.. what was he saying to Gwyn.. why.., his mind rattles off a thousand questions at once without any clear answer to any of them. As the anxiety builds, Odd'n begins picking at his gauntlets once again. His legs begin to feel restless. We shouldn't stop.. no, must keep going.. they will trap us.. trap me.. can't let them.. no.. but Gwyn.. why is she still talking with him.. why... Aggresively, Odd'n begins to trudge around as his companions talk with Landis, clenching and unclenching his fists as he counts the number of those whom follow this highwayman.
"One, two.. three.. wait, no.. " Odd'n stops, unsure about the numbers as the bandits mill about around him-- mixing and mingling. ".. four.. five..? Milani save us.." he mutters, his steps becoming a little less certain.
After a too long, and too awkward silence, Gwyn is the first to speak.
"And what if we are?" she asks.
Hearing Gwyn's friendly voice take on a mildly defensive tone snaps Odd'n out of his anxiety-driven idiocy. Having shuffled away from his companions as his mind ran rampant, Odd'n takes long, quick strides to bring himself back up behind Gwyn.
Touching the back of her upper arm to let her know he is there, Odd'n snarls at the Highwayman, baring his teeth-- daring him to try anything..
I just look on with a slight smirk on my face, and my arm around Tanwen's shoulder.
With hands up and palms forward, Landis returns, "Whoa now, hold your horses, it was just a question." He calms down a bit, then walks over to Bronan and takes a good look at Sky, "That's a beautiful mare," he pets her a bit then turns on his heals, and walks back a few steps to address the whole group, "Now then, if you do wish to continue on this path, I'm afraid there's a toll. But! As there's a legend--whether she admits it or not--in our midst, I'm going to change the rules a bit." His men get twisted looks on their faces, as they were sincerely hoping to weight their pockets at the expense of these newcomers. "Rather than simply taking what you have at sword-point as we have been with the less impressive entities what choose this path, we're going to race for it!" With this his men cheer and grin, and he turns to receive the applause like a true showman. "Your best horse rider vs. mine, the winner gets 1,000 gold. That way no matter who wins there's no hard feelings, no fights, no blood...unless you can't pay, that is...what do you say?" He's making eye contact with Tanwen toward the end, and winks at her in spite of Garret, which elicits a blush from the young acolyte.
Leaning forward, the stubble on his chin tickling Gwyn's ear, Odd'n whispers "He admits to praying on the weak, let me teach him and his men a lesson. I know not if we have 1000g, I certainly don't, and I've yet to see any of our party ride a horse, never mind race one. I.. I shy away from my past quite often, but.. uhm, it might be useful.. in this instance. Let me face their best.. bare knuckled.."
Standing upright, Odd'n lets his voice rise just enough to be carried past Landis towards his henchmen, "Non-lethal.. or otherwise.."
An energy, not felt since he gained his freedom, begins to stir in his belly.
Gwyn gives Odd'n a nod of agreement, and whispers back, "You're right, but perhaps we can do this without violence. I have to try anyway."
She turns her attention to Landis and grins wickedly.
"I must admit I'm a bit disappointed. I would never have guessed the contest you had chosen would be so... sedate. Perhaps something more interesting? Surely Landis the Wish could come up with a contest that is worthy of his cunning?"
"Flattery will get you everywhere, my dear." Landis says, clearly having expected a little wheeling and dealing, "What did you have in mind?"
"A battle of skill, wit, and cunning. Something that is far more interesting than a mere horse race. A contest that is sure to be made into legend. I bet my hands versus your keen eyes. I must pick an item off of you. A dagger, a coin, a fine piece of jewelry. The only thing is I must know what it is and see you put it in a pocket on your person. If I am caught, I lose. If I manage to grab it without your notice, You lose. Does this sound fitting to one such as yourself?"
Gwyn's voice was sweet as honey, but devilish delight danced in her eyes.
Odd'n tenses at Gwyns suggestion, remembering their bad-luck back in the city and their near-capture at the hands of the guards.
Putting on a confident face to hide his anxiety from Landis, Odd'n once again leans a little forward to whisper to Gwyn; "Let's hope this goes a little better than when we first met..". Standing up, he offers an awkward wink towards Landis and his men.
After Gwyn makes her statement I smile even wider. I remove my arm from Tanwen's shoulder and start moving through the crowd of men "Who wants to place a bet? 2:1 odds that Landis the Wish sees our pretty little lady try to take his item. Any betters here? Place your bets!"
"Curb your enthusiasm, archer, I haven't agreed to anything yet." The Wish holds his chin in thought, "If I know which item you're going for and when, I will most certainly see you go for it. How about this instead: I'll have myself and four others stand about, singing a song so that we're not paying all our attention to you, and then you pick something off each of us." He pauses for effect before holding up a finger, "Then, and this is the important part, I get to do the same to five of you. To be fair, I think we'll leave out the librarian. Whoever gets caught the most, loses the bet. How does that sound?"
Bronan's grip on the mare's bridle tightens as the bandits pet Sky. Caltrop lolls out his tongue, happy to sniff all of these new arrivals. To Gwyn under his breath he whispers "I hope you know what you're doing. There's no way we can cover that bet."
Hearing the new offer from Landis causes Odd'n to step back from Gwyn, his hand placed over the feather tucked against the flat of his back.
"I.. uhm.. I'm not one to let others gamble with my.. things, but uhm.. you can try Gwyn, but.. I'm not letting them take my gift..", Odd'n lets the sentence trail off into some worried grumblings.
I hope this works.
"That certainly sounds fair. Shall we get started?"
"Right then, Janus, Lars, Fillip, and of course, Beshoi! Come now, we shall put on a show for Gwyn's friends."
The five men line up in a crescent, facing the group.
Landis looks back at Gwyn, "Whenever you're ready, and try not to let my figure distract you...haha!"
Beshoi count's them off and begins the song "Sipololo Sami..."
The rest join in, "Sasethekwini Sipo..."
Gwyn Takes a moment to see who has what before going for what looks like the easiest to get items on them.
Bronan bites his lip. While he isn't too concerned about the prospect of being robbed, he's wary of the violence likely to ensue afterwards. He approaches the pit fighter with Caltrop following close behind. "I think we'd have the best chance back to back Odd'n."
Odd'n eyes the dog slaver warily. He did help the horse at his own expense.. maybe just this once we can work together...
"I imagine we will be in a line like them, I dont imagine we can be standing back to back during this.. test..", Odd'n mutters, unsure if Bronan was referring to the latter half of this test of skill or the likely resulting fight. "If it comes to it, and if he dares take my prize, lets take their leader out first.. I can't stand those that pray on the weak..
"I suppose you're right. Though I'd rather it didn't descend to violence. Maybe you could find somewhere to hide the feather not on your person before it's our turn? The challenge is about picking pockets, not stealing things from other places."