"It dies," Kasha says with a chuckle. "Well that's definitely an odd collection of characters, but if you trust them, that's enough for me."
"Helping to set aside Koya's things, Kasha stops, thinking.[b]"Did you say she was mute? Given the average harpy's amazing talent for singing, that must be heartbreaking to her."
"Did you say she was mute? Given the average harpy's amazing talent for singing, that must be heartbreaking to her."
"Well, that's why I didn't ask her about it." Koya starts walking upstairs. "Just need to get some of my things before headin' back to the caravan. Do you have everything you need, Kasha?"
"Yes I do Mama. I only got in last night so everything is still packed up for travel. I'll just put my armor on and I'll be ready." Kasha says following Koya upstairs.
The day passes as everyone takes care of loose ends in town...
-----------------------
The Arm-Fang's Crown proves to be an entertaining watch, even if certain liberties were taken with how Saebjorn Arm-Fang's origin story went (as Kelda's keen to point out: "What? The sagas said he began as a jarl's son, not a carpenter's boy... ...he never liked riding. Couldn't stay in a saddle to save his life...") That being said, when it comes to depicting his climactic battle against the first crag linnorm, the level of effort put into the linnorm is nothing short of impressive--it's almost as if the Sandpoint Amphitheatre's players managed to wrangle a small linnorm. It's certainly enough to keep Kelda's attention riveted to the show after that.
Once the play is over, Kelda pulls you aside. "Hmph. Was quite enjoyable. Kelda hoped the story would be more like the sagas, but otherwise quite fun."
"A shame we won't be staying long, really."
-----------------------
Shalelu is quite open to spending the night at your parents' place. She's on nothing less than her best behaviour throughout the night, being a gracious guest.
-----------------------
By the time you return to the caravan proper, it appears Maxim and Uncle Leo have settled in comfortably as circumstances allow. You think you catch Maxim groaning about how he didn't know that there were monsters in the caravan as well, but Leo's quick to admonish him in his usual style.
-----------------------
Once you've gotten your things together, Koya leads you back to the caravan, which is currently sitting parked outside the White Deer inn. "Here's where the gang's gathering for another trip."
Wealday, 3rd of Desnus, 4715 AR
The new day dawns with an overcast sky. The caravan is gathered around the White Deer inn...
"Alright... I've gotten everything together." Sandru begins, sitting on his wagon and addressing the gathered crowd. "We've got enough supplies to get us north. I'm planning on making a couple of stopovers to replenish our supplies on our way there, and if everything goes well we should make it to the Lands of the Linnorm Kings by the end of the month. Has everyone said their farewells?"
Ameiko nods. "I've left the Dragon in Bethana's hands. She's been watching me run the place long enough--I think she'll be more than capable of keeping the tavern open."
Shalelu simply nods.
Koya nods. "And I've convinced your sister to come along with us, Sandru."
The other caravaneers nod in acknowledgement.
Sandru turns to the party. "What about you guys? Have you said your farewells?"
Kasha flashes her brother a grin. "My family's here, who's there to say goodbye to?"
"I don't really have anyone to..." Friday starts to say before the young woman speaks up. "Oh, hello, you are coming with us, Miss...?"
"Kasha......Kasha Mvashti." the shamaness says with a smile. "And yes I'll be joining you all. Sandru can't get away with running of and having adventures with Ameiko without me anymore." she says giving her brother a playful smirk.
"We've said our goodbyes," she said, gesturing to her brother and uncle, "Mum and Dad aren't here to see us off, though; something about some freeshooting competition Dad's training for. Probably won't be that big a deal; firearms are still kinda new here."
Friday bows as the woman introduces herself. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Kasha Mvashti."
When Valeria mentioned 'firearms' the only thing that came to the painter's mind was the Fiend in Brinewall... attempting to it's wand.
"Alrighty then!" Sandru claps his hands and takes his wagon's reins. "Everyone saddle up--we're heading north!"
The caravan slowly trundles north from the coastal town of Sandpoint. A few of the caravaneers look behind them as the town starts to fade beyond the horizon, taking in the view before turning back to the dusty trail.
-------------------------
Over the course of the next week or so, the caravan makes steady progress following the trail they took to Brinewall. The air around the campfires is abuzz with speculation on what awaits them in the north. Ameiko's meals and samisen music do much to keep spirits high on the road.
Shalelu spends most of her time scouting ahead of the caravan and occasionally bringing back some game for meals. When she's not occupied with either of those duties, she's quite happy to give Haru some more hands-on experience with refining her aim with her bow.
Koya and Spivey get along quite well, even with Spivey's jokes about her age. The tiny lyrakien seems a bit curious about Kasha's dedication to Nature instead of following the tenets of Desna like her foster mother, but tries not to be too obvious about it.
Sandru occasionally has to get down from his wagon to fix a broken wagon part here and there. He frequently pats himself on the back--literally--when he's done, congratulating himself on bringing enough spare parts for the trip.
Ishgha and Kelda are almost always on patrol around the caravan when it's on the move and especially when it's called a halt for the night. Ishgha gives Kavell the occasional glance as if he want's to ask him something, and Kelda is more than happy to regale anyone who will listen with stories of the harsh winters and the daring men who conquer them.
Zaiobe keeps to herself for most of the trip, only coming out of the women's wagon to take flight into the air. She lingers the most around Friday, and can often be seen darting away from the caravan. She always returns smelling nicer than before, and more than a little damp.
Maxim & Uncle Leo continue training as usual, when Maxim isn't driving one of the caravan's wagons.
Until one day...
Fireday, 12th of Desnus, 4715 AR
It's early afternoon when Sandru pauses along the Velashu River. "Hold up--looks like something's coming our way!"
A cloud of dust is making its way towards the caravan... it looks like a band of men on horses.
"You smell really nice, is it perfume-I think that's what it is called-you're using?" Friday asked when Zaiobe returned one day, his nose becoming accustomed to the increases and fading in fragrance. If she was he could keep an eye out for more of it whenever they went through towns to restock, at the rate she was using it she couldn't have that much left (he saw how fast Valeria went through her coffee, he was starting to worry about her too). Or maybe she was using magic?
Friday narrows his eyes on those approaching.
...there appear to be about four people, all dressed in hide armour and with weapons at their sides. Their faces are decorated with various shades of war paint. They seem to be leading a train of riderless horses--some of them have saddlebags on them.
Friday tilted his head a bit. "Oh... do you not like taking them?"
"Four riders with painted faces, the rest of the horses only seem to be carrying saddlebags. And they're armed." Friday calls to the others.
"Harpy culture?" Friday parrots without thought before adding "If you don't want to take so many baths you shouldn't have to, outside of staying clean and healthy that is."
Haru looks wary. "Something about that seems odd to me. Not sure why." She cautiously gets her bow out and strings it.
"Warriors leading horses with just saddlebags but no riders. That sounds an awful lot like the end results of a raid." Kasha says with concern, rubbing her thumb over the back of Sly's head as he peers out of the bag on her hip that he was sleeping in.
"Well if it makes you happy I see no reason you should stop then. If you start to get low on anything just let me know when we reach a new town so I can get you some more." Friday happily replies.
Friday nods to Kasha and Haru's observations. And then he notices the weasel sticking out of the Shamaness' bag.
"Oh, hello little one." he says, surprised to find another animal other than Xel that would tolerate being around him.
The sudden squeak of alarm and Sly diving back into the bag coupled with a an empathic spike of displeasure grab Kasha's attention, her head turning to stare at the placid swordsman, an eyebrow arching in question.
"He's....usually much more.....friendly than that." she says in response. It is then that she notices that the driver was exerting more control over the horses than would normally be required.
Friday looks down as the usal reaction to animals resurface. "My apologies... I had forgot about that." he mumbles sadly.
"Xel, recon?" she asked the raven sitting on the wagon hear her.
"Why do I have to do it?" he replied indignantly, "Why am I the only one who can scout out potential threats? Why me?"
"Because you can fly, can talk, and can be mistaken for an ordinary animal that won't draw attention."
There was a pause as Xel tried to think of a reply to that. "Fine," he said, finally, before taking to the skies.
<I'll be sure to.> Zaiobe gives you a toothy smile and takes her hand off your shoulder.
----------------------
The riders come to a stop across from the caravan, and their leader walks his horse forward, a hand raised to the sky. "Ho there, travellers! What brings your caravan up to the north?"
Friday happily smiles back at the harpy.
"The road?" Friday simply answers.
A lot of horses for so few men are you in a grand hurry you need that many remounts?
He asked stepping forward and eyeing the men, his holy medallion displayed on his chest plain to see. He had been working on a carving of a raven wings stretched wide but he set it aside for now watching those with painted faces.
Kasha watches the horses and the way the men manage them seeking to determine if these were war trained mounts, wild horses barely tamed, or something else and determining the skill of the handlers.
"A lot of horses for so few men are you in a grand hurry you need that many remounts?"
The leader chuckles. "Not at all, sir. We're simply riding south to Riddleport to trade our stock of horses." He waves a hand at the group of horses behind him.
"As to the north... might I ask how far north you're planning to travel?"
"Thier horses are quite well trained, but not for war." Kasha says quietly.
Our journey takes will take us very far I beleive, Well met, you will want to speak to our Caravan leader for details precisely. But please be welcome amongst our wagons.
He called moving to find Sandru himself. If they were to travel across the world to reach this Minkai for miss Ameiko extra horses would be needed probably and certainly fine bred well trained ones at that.
The leader grins and dismounts from his horse as Sandru approaches. The caravan master gives the party a grin. "Good thinking, folks!"
With that, he turns to the horse trainer and begins discussing the horses on offer... and starting to haggle over the price.
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Dismounting, Kasha studies each of the horses intently noticing the tiniest flaws and the notable strengths to guarantee that they get the best horses at no more than what they are truly worth.
The riding horses all seem to be in good health and on their best behaviour. A couple of them look rather undersized than the rest, but otherwise they seem to all check out.
Some of the draft horses, on the other hand, look to be past their prime. In fact, you're fairly certain at least three of them were lagging behind the rest of the herd. Taking a look at the three who fell behind, you notice they're short of breath. It's likely that age is catching up to them, considering the rest of the horses are healthy.
Moving over to Sandru, Kasha points out the horses strengths and weaknesses specifically pointing out the three draft horses that are well past their prime.
Sandru gives Kasha a wide grin and a nod of thanks, making good use of her appraisal of the riders' offered horses. "Sometimes I forget why you're my little sister."
The negotiations soon conclude, with Kasha's decisive insights into the age and health of the three draft horses to net a good deal on the remaining four draft horses in their prime. The rider's leader appears to be at once irritated at being haggled down and quietly impressed with the young shamaness' discerning eye.
"You have yourselves a deal, then. Now, the northern roads are going to get colder and colder the further you go. And beware of the wilds--those who dwell within them are not as hospitable as those of Varisia. Be on your guard." He says as the other riders bring the good draft horses forward and start adding them to the caravan's wagons.
Haru doesn't know a lot about horses, always having preferred her own feet to riding, but she watches Kasha carefully to see what the clever shamaness knows about the beasts.
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Once Kasha divulges what she knows of the beasts and the draft horses are added to the wagon train, the riders leave, and the caravan continues its journey to the north...
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The caravan travels through the vast plains of Varisia as they gradually begin changing from lush green grasses to the windswept, battered tundra of the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. The road the caravan is travelling on appears to be quite well-trodden, but not entirely free of dangers: occasionally, a mountain lion or two can be seen shadowing the caravan for a mile before losing interest and moving on.
The rolling hills eventually give way to the great pines of Grungir Forest, and Shalelu leads the caravan along the forest's eastern neck, crossing a well-used bridge and continuing on. Songs, good food and general merriment do much to keep the caravan's spirits high.
After the caravan resupplies in the small village of Losthome, it's a simple matter to follow the western bank of the Thundering River as the trail starts becoming rougher.
It turns and flies away when you notice it.
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24th of Desnus, 4715 AR
The caravan stops at a bridge known as the Skalsbrïdge, at the confluence of the Thundering River and the Rimeflow. It's late in the evening, and the caravan's fires are burning brightly as always.
...
...wait a minute, is that a raven perched on one of the bridge's lintel posts? It looks like it has a blood-red wing, and it's about as large as a small dog.
Frowning slightly as she glances up into the sky, Kasha falls back to the womens' wagon, getting Koya's attention. "Mama, ever you ever seen a raven with a blood red wing?"
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24th of Desnus, 4715 AR
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Haru doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
She is sitting by the fire, maintaining her bow and arrows and talking to Shalelu. "It's getting colder. I'm glad I can wear my fur around these days -- makes it that much easier to deal. How are you holding up?" She leans closer to the elf. "If you're getting cold at night, that offer I made during the last trip still stands," she whispers.
The first time she'd seen the bird, she'd been curious. Seeing it on the bridge now had her worried.
"What is that thing?" she muttered to herself. She was familiar enough with ravens that she could tell at a glance that it was far from a normal one, regardless of the physical similarities. She started going over what she knew of magical creatures to try and determine what it could be, while hoping her initial hunch was wrong.
At first excited about traveling Friday started to become a bit morose when he noticed the colder weatehr was making it harder to paint, so for the meantime he had to content himself with just sketching what he saw, hoping he'd remember enough to paint in the true colors later.
Spotting a rather odd looking crow Friday began to get his materials before he stops himself. "Miss Kasha, at the beginning of the month didn't you mention seeing a raven with a blood red wing?" he asks the Shamaness without turning away.
"I did actually, back when we were resupplying in that village..... Losthome. What makes you ask?" Kasha asks looking at Friday.