He paused at the door for a moment trying to both recall the parable story from his holy texts and trying to remember the priestess's name. He knew Sister Dawn in Magnimar well. Quietly he made his way (still holding her hand) into the room, reaching down and pulling out his holy symbol displaying it freely. It shouldnt take too long for her Sermon and the words of the goddess where always welcome to his ears.
"Oh, I thought you were set with drivers," Maxim admitted, "I've done a bit of it while travelling with Dad down to Magnimar. I don't think I'm as good as a proper driver, but I've got the basics and I can learn."
Kairi looks at Shalelu when she clears her throat, and stops ranting about grandchildren. "Ah, pardon me. We get few visitors out here, and sometimes I forget myself."
Haru grumbles to herself, but changes the subject. "Where's Father?"
"He's visiting the market, should be home in a few hours."
Haru turns to her elfin mentor. "Would you mind waiting, Shae? If this subject hasn't made you too uncomfortable?"
Shalelu shrugs. "If you'd like, I'd be happy to stick around. Perhaps your mother can show me around the home?"
"Really?" Sandru sounds quite relieved. "That'll save me a lot of time, then."
"In that case, I'd be more than happy to have you come with us, Maxim." He offers his hand to Maxim for a handshake.
The priestess glances over at the two of you as her sermon ends. "Oh, hello!"
As the worshippers begin to rise and gather their things, she approaches you and offers her hand to shake. "Sister Marina, formerly of Magnimar. Always a pleasure to meet a brother in the faith. How may I help you?"
"Oh! Thanks." he responds to the compliment, starting to redden slightly as he becomes aware of how close she is now. "It was a nice place, very peaceful, but yes, busy."
"I'm sure you've seen plenty of interesting places in your travels."
The priestess glances over at the two of you as her sermon ends. "Oh, hello!"
As the worshippers begin to rise and gather their things, she approaches you and offers her hand to shake. "Sister Marina, formerly of Magnimar. Always a pleasure to meet a brother in the faith. How may I help you?"
Well met sister,I have been traveling up north where we discovered an old fallen castle. My companion here was captured by the foulness within and wounded. I have done for her what I could, but her arm..."
He began gently coaxing the lovely Kelda to let the priestess examine her arm.
We will be traveling back to the wilds of the north and miss Kelda would like the use of her swordarm back.
Kelda doesn't resist as you gently hold out her cast-bound arm for Sister Marina to examine. "Kelda hopes your Shelyn can fix her arm. Kelda feels useless without it."
"Oh, I'm certain that's untrue, miss Kelda." She takes her holy symbol in hand and carefully examines the cast. "In fact, it looks like it's healing quite nicely. If it were severed muscles that were the problem, then I wouldn't be able to be of much help... but these are simply sprained & broken arm bones." She tenderly pats the cast. "Of course, the Eternal Rose will need a proper donation first before I can work any healing magic."
"Have you gold? Or perhaps a work of art to donate?"
I rescued a lot of the art in that castle, but here is the gold. I will return with the rescueds artwork, there may be other divine items we need for the return trip.
He began offering Kelda a soft smile and going for his coin pouch.
Zaiobe glances over at you. <Well, I've flown over the Calphiak Mountains, roosted in the eaves of Riddleport, and flown away from a few more places... but I've never been that far up north. Every time I got to the Kodar Mountains, I've...>
She looks away and her expression turns somber. <...well, let's just say I don't have many good memories of those mountains.>
Friday listens intently as she looks at him and her thoughts slip into his mind. Once the conversation goes to the mountains and she looks away Friday gently puts his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"Thank you, sir," Maxim said, looking somewhat relieved, probably because it meant Leo wouldn't be making a scene. "I'll go pack."
"And I'll go get us some supplies," Leo declared.
"Just be sure to buy more than booze."
"Hey; don't make me sound like an alcoholic!" the giant whined.
"Observational evidence is backing him up," Xel remarked as he landed on a nearby fence.
Sandru looks like he's about to object to Leo coming along, but just sighs and throws his hands up. "Fine. You can come along too, Leo, but you're paying for your own booze, alright? I'm not dedicating half the caravan's supplies to alcohol."
Friday smiles at Zaiobe.
Dark.
There's lot of forests, and swamps. And graves. Not that they're all being used. It's peaceful. Usually.
"Y'know that, uh, kinda hurt m' feelin's, Leo muttered as he and Maxim left.
"Sorry about Leo," Valeria said, "Maxim and I can keep him in line." More or less. she mentally added. "And he won't be training the guards as harshly as he trains Max. He only goes to those extremes because he sees promise in Max and because Max hasn't given up yet."
Shalelu shrugs. "If you'd like, I'd be happy to stick around. Perhaps your mother can show me around the home?"
"Oh, um, I can do that. There's lots to see!"
Haru gives Shalelu a tour, showing her the numerous small workrooms containing different art projects. Among them are the paintings she mentioned, some of them showing the entire family in their natural, furry states. One is somewhat more natural than expected -- two portraits of Haru on one canvass, one in human form, the other in fox form, both nude. Haru feels a little self-conscious about it, but her parents have always insisted that the naked body, when portrayed in art, is a thing of pure beauty that one should not be ashamed of. So she includes in her tour without making special mention of it.
Other things that Shalelu sees include looms for weaving, colored fabrics and paper and all manner of colored glass fragments from the town glassworks.
Finally, Haru's father returns. Haru runs out to greet him, and beckons for Shalelu to follow her. "Ah, Miss Andosana," he says. "Come to take our daughter away for good this time, to go out rambling in the woods for all time?"
Haru shifts nervously, and comes to the subjects that she came here to tell him. After she explains about the plans for the journey, he chuckles, "Guess my joke wasn't a joke then? Well, I can't help feeling a little jealous of you, shojo. Your mother was just about your age when we traveled the Path of Anghai ourselves, with you still in her belly the whole way -- yes! We were worried you'd decide to come out in the bitter cold of the Crown, but you waited until we were here in Varisia. So, I'm glad you're going on an adventure yourself. I expect you to keep her safe, Miss Andosana, hear me? If you return without her, I want it to be because she's found a pretty girl and married her!"
Haru gapes at her father, her second revelation apparently already known to him. "Father... you knew I..."
"What, that your compass was fixed to the south, shojo? I've known that for years. You never once acted around a boy like you did around girls. I haven't told your mother, because she's fixated on the idea of grandchildren --"
"She knows. I told her."
"Good. Best to have things out in the open, at least among family. Right?" he says, looking at Shalelu with a smile as he relaxes and lets himself shift into his fox form. "Once you've left, and Karu moves on from Sandpoint -- he's been talking about following Ezren to Absalom and joining the Pathfinders -- I think it might be about time to let the folks here know about us. Without children in the picture, the ignorant and superstitious have fewer targets for their foolishness. We can take care of ourselves."
"Well, I'm not sure we'll need to worry about training guards. Between Friday, Ishgha, you, and the others, I think caravan security won't be that much of an issue." Sandru shrugs.
"Just... promise me that I won't regret this, okay?"
Shalelu takes in the tour with her usual reserved interest, admiring the many art projects your family has completed. The nude paintings of you in both your forms seem to catch her eye, but it's difficult to tell aside from an arching of her eyebrow.
She doesn't say much as your father returns, but she finally smiles when the conversation ends on a happy note. "I'm glad to hear it, sir. And, rest assured, if anything does happen to Haru while we're away, I'll..." She clears her throat and wrinkles her nose. "...well, I won't let that happen."
Once you produce the appropriate donation that Sister Marina asks for, she takes it and gratefully sets it aside. "My thanks, Brother. Now, Miss Oxgutter? Let me see that cast again."
Kelda tentatively holds her cast-bound arm out again as the priestess takes up a small paintbrush and artist's palette. Directing the berserker to have a seat in a nearby pew, Sister Marina sits next to her and starts painting something on her cast.
"Shelyn, Mother of Art and Rose Eternal, your humble servant asks a boon of you." The priestess prays as she lets her paintbrush run over the cloth cast, spreading colourful paint along it. "This woman, a gem of the northern lands, has had harm visited upon her by outside forces, and has been robbed of her strength."
Kelda gives you an odd look as the priestess works. Looking down at her cast, you see that she's painting a picture of a night sky, but with strange colours.
"Let your grace restore her arm, so that she may defend others once more."
The cast glows, and the painting seems to come alive. The colours in the night sky shift and blend for a few moments before the paint completely fades away. Kelda flexes her hand, and sighs in relief.
"Ah... my thanks, priestess."
Friday keeps smiling at Zaiobe. "'Usually', because the things that can cause trouble usually don't, not because they don't exist. They do. I was a guard for most of my life, and it appears I still am."
At her second question he looks caught off guard. "Oh! My apologies if that worries you, I didn't even know my sleeping habits were off until Ameiko asked me once. She was worried something was wrong with the Rusty Dragon's beds.
I just... I don't know, I have other things I rather do than sleep. Practice on my art, or keep an eye out for the others so that they can sleep peacefully. So I don't sleep that much, until I need to, and then I tend to sleep too much. When I sleep, I dream, and then I don't want to wake up. Or I have nightmares, and then I want to wake up immediately.
There's just so much I need to do, rather than be trapped in my thoughts, I do that enough while I'm awake."
Friday looks to the floor but raises his head once Zaiobe puts a comforting wing around him. "You're right. I'm not much of a bodyguard if I'm sleepy, I'll just... cut back on my painting I guess. Or see if Miss Valeria will share some of her coffee.
Friday can't help but chuckle. "Okay then, I'll try. I promise."
Friday smiles and waves as the Harpy heads out.
At her look he looks down too, gently gripping one of the jade moo shanking around his neck and then back to her.
Once you produce the appropriate donation that Sister Marina asks for, she takes it and gratefully sets it aside. "My thanks, Brother. Now, Miss Oxgutter? Let me see that cast again."
Kelda tentatively holds her cast-bound arm out again as the priestess takes up a small paintbrush and artist's palette. Directing the berserker to have a seat in a nearby pew, Sister Marina sits next to her and starts painting something on her cast.
"Shelyn, Mother of Art and Rose Eternal, your humble servant asks a boon of you." The priestess prays as she lets her paintbrush run over the cloth cast, spreading colourful paint along it. "This woman, a gem of the northern lands, has had harm visited upon her by outside forces, and has been robbed of her strength."
Kelda gives you an odd look as the priestess works. Looking down at her cast, you see that she's painting a picture of a night sky, but with strange colours.
"Let your grace restore her arm, so that she may defend others once more."
[dice=Lesser Restoration]1d4
The cast glows, and the painting seems to come alive. The colours in the night sky shift and blend for a few moments before the paint completely fades away. Kelda flexes her hand, and sighs in relief.
"Ah... my thanks, priestess."
He smiled and sat watching the good sister go about her healing magics. He sat nearby not really taking his eyes off of Miss Kelda or the preistess tending her, though he lapsed into a silent prayer for his goddess as well.
You have my thanks as well Sister Marina.The caravan I ... we are traveling with is going on a lengthy journey I am sure I will be back sometime later to see about supplies for that trip. Miss Kelda here has never seen Sandpoint however andI thought I would be her guide."
He said only blushing a small amount. Once outside he offered Kelda his hand awkwardly and then asked.
What sort of sights would you like to see first? Sandpoint has an old crumbling tower, a theatre several bars and taverns a.. He paused and coughed unsure really how to explain the well bawdry house in town.
"You have my thanks as well Sister Marina. The caravan I... we are traveling with is going on a lengthy journey I am sure I will be back sometime later to see about supplies for that trip. Miss Kelda here has never seen Sandpoint however andI thought I would be her guide."
"In that case, I await our next meeting, Brother. Be well." The priestess bows to you before seeing to your donation.
"What sort of sights would you like to see first? Sandpoint has an old crumbling tower, a theatre, several bars and taverns, a..."
Kelda practically tears the cast off her arm as you ask your question.
"Hmm... Kelda would not object to a stiff drink. But... uh, what is this 'theatre' you speak of?"
They stage plays and shows on well a stage, people go to watch and listen to the story being told and acted out. We can stop by Miss Ameiko's and see about a drink or two for you and we can see if they have any shows playing tonight.. I would love to take you to one.
He said blushing slightly picturing her in a dress... they might have to get a dress for her. maybe, He wasnt sure how to convince her to wear a dress.
Kelda blinks before tilting her head. "Oh--a bit like skalds telling sagas, then?"
The berserker shrugs. "Eh, why not. Sounds interesting."
The family home is peaceful and quiet today. Your foster mother didn't care much for expensive adornments--aside from a few maps of far-off countries, star charts, colourful Varisian silks and Desnan holy garb, Koya has always preferred to live simply. It's a principle that she's tried to teach you ever since she adopted you.
The quiet at home is a subtly different sort compared to the quiet one can find wandering the wilds; the rivers and forests of Varisia all have their own sounds and smells to offer, their own ways of communicating with one attuned to Nature. A well-versed shaman such as yourself can learn much of tranquility, if you're willing to listen. The silence of home, by comparison, feels as if Nature is stifled; the wood and stone buildings around you are a gag on the Green Mother's mouth.
The silence is broken by the sound of the front door opening, and the sound of shuffling feet.
"Kasha? Darling, are you home?" Koya's voice echoes from downstairs. It sounds like she has a bit of a spring in her step today.
Shalelu takes in the tour with her usual reserved interest, admiring the many art projects your family has completed. The nude paintings of you in both your forms seem to catch her eye, but it's difficult to tell aside from an arching of her eyebrow.
Haru shrugs at Shalelu as the elf notices the paintings. "We're a little less, well, shy than most Sandpointers -- we have a Minakaian-style family bath when we can get everyone home at the same time, sometimes, and, well, it's just normal for us."
She doesn't say much as your father returns, but she finally smiles when the conversation ends on a happy note. "I'm glad to hear it, sir. And, rest assured, if anything does happen to Haru while we're away, I'll..." She clears her throat and wrinkles her nose. "...well, I won't let that happen."
Haru smiles at Shalelu, and nods at her father. "Don't worry, Shae has been a wonderful teacher. My arrows are deadly and my songs are uplifting and empowering, just as you and mother taught me."
She invites Shalelu to spend the night at the cottage if she wants to, and the next morning returns to town to meet the others.
Coming home to find no one there was, while not an immediate cause for alarm, a source of concern for the young shaman. Upon heading to the Rusty Dragon and finding that Koya had headed out on an expedition with Ameiko and that they were with her brother and Kavell, she felt far more at ease.
Still, the stagnant silence being broken by the voice that meant comfort and safety for the majority of her life fills her with joy.
"Yes I am Mama! Welcome back." she says coming into the living room.
"Kasha, honeybun!" Koya walks over to you with a grin on her face and hugs you. "How've you been doin'?"
"I'm good Mama! Even better seeing you smiling like that." Kasha replies returning her mother's heartfelt hug. "Looks like your trip went well?"
"It went quite well, I think." Koya nods and starts walking into the living room. "Granted, a guardian spirit of some sort possessed Ameiko when we got to where we were going, but that all worked out in the end. We went up to Brinewall, and we came back in preparation for a longer journey Northwards."
"See, apparently Ameiko's the heir to some sorta throne far to the north. You ever heard of Tian-Xia, young lady?"
At miss Ameiko's business the Celestial holyman moved to the bar to get the drinks for himself and miss Kelda, asking if anyone knew what show the theater was playing and when it might start.
"Only in passing. i think i remember hearing somebody talking about that being where Mr. Kaijutsu was from when we were kids." Kasha replies thoughtfully. "So Ameiko's......some sort of princess? And you're planning on going with her to her homeland?"
In between drinks, you learn that a showing of The Arm-Fang's Crown is going to be on in the Sandpoint Amphitheatre in a couple of hours. It's supposedly an autobiographical account of the first Linnorm King's duel with a linnorm, which he slew in single combat.
Koya nods. "Mmhm. In fact, Sandru's putting together another caravan to head north. And this time, I doubt we'll be returning to Sandpoint."
"With that in mind..." The old priestess' eyes blink back a tear or two. "...I was hoping you could come with me. With us. It was... a bit selfish of me to journey north without you the first time 'round, and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I left you behind again."
In the time it takes her to process the words, Kasha moves forward with a warm smile, wrapping her arms tightly around Koya. "Of course I'll come with you, you and Sandru are my family. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Everything she was she owed to Koya, the woman who'd raised her, taught her and given her a loving home. If Koya was going on this long journey, answering Desna's call, Kasha would definitely be there. "Besides...for once Sandru and Ameiko don't get to leave me behind." she says with a grin that makes it easy to remember her age.
Leaving the lovely Kelda there for just a few moments he hurried his way towards the theatre looking to inquire about ticket prices and sections. He didnt think she would want a box seat, or even a seat in general he was picturing her wanting to well be a bit closer to the action of things. .. but he also wasnt sure.
"Of course I'll come with you, you and Sandru are my family. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Koya breathes a sigh of relief and returns your hug. "Praise be to the stars."
"Now, I feel it's only fair to let you know beforehand--we picked up a few... well, 'odd ducks' I suppose would be the most appropriate term--going to and coming from Brinewall." Koya starts to stand up from her chair. "A broken hobgoblin, a mute harpy, and even a tiny green ball of light that loves to flit about." She chuckles to herself. "Sounds like the makings of a stupid joke, if you ask me, but that's how things stand."
Tickets in hand, he returned back to The rusty dragon to catch up so to speak with miss Kelda Part of him really really wanted to see Miss Kelda in a dress or gown of sorts, but he didnt think she would take to that well at all. It didnt matter really.
Tickets are ready, evidently the show is the Arm Fangs crown supposedly tis about the first Linnorm King's duel with a Linnorm. for whatever that is worth.
He offered Kelda his best smile.
Kelda's eyes light up when you mention what sort of play is being performed. "Really?"
She finishes chugging her ale down in one swig and gets up.