The natural beauty of Akrivel overwhelms Beau's senses and the young Andoran follows their hosts in stunned silence and quiet admiration. Could they make it so back home in Andoran, if only they tried? Probably not. Profit is the first brick to be laid down when building a house in Andoran ...
"Is it alright if I make sketches of Akrivel? I am no great artist by any stretch of the imagination, but it would mean a great deal to me to put to paper the beauty I find myself surrounded with."
Bea blushes a bit in startled embarrassment about her arm. Embarrassment because of what it is, and represents, and startled because no one, EVER, has praised it before.
The collective wonder at that dissipates her foul mood more than a little. "Thank you, I'd like that." the gnome says softly back.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Jeryn laughs softly at her father and sister's antics, followed by their guest's banter of child fantasies. Perhaps out of politeness, she waits for the others to make their way up first before vine-swinging and climbing herself up in extremely proficient fashion - as was expected from a native.
"Is it alright if I make sketches of Akrivel? I am no great artist by any stretch of the imagination, but it would mean a great deal to me to put to paper the beauty I find myself surrounded with."
"So long as you select but a limited portion of the settlement to draw, I am sure most would find that agreeable. The only real concern is safety to the village, should your drawings find themselves into more nefarious hands," Jeryn states. "Which we of course hope they never will," She adds with a wry grin.
"Father is correct in that not many Ekujae speak Taldane, as he already stated multiple times. My sister and I often joke between ourselves that his memory is slipping." She says, though with obvious fondness for her family. "As you are our guests, I can offer to translate should you wish to speak to the locals. Or I could point out some interesting aspects of the village, should you find it interesting."
Gofran looks around, thinking about eating and drinking something, and even wondering if the elves from the south also worshiped Calistria, as he'd not mind a visit to their temple. However, he soon shakes his head, as he was always a business first kind of dwarf.
"Vhile it vould cerrtainly be a pleasurre to visit the whole o' Akrivel, I must insist that beforre ve enjoy ourr visit, ve should discuss the rreason ve verre brrought herre." Gofran says.
"Vherre can ve talk in prrivate? I ask this not because of a lack o' trrust frrom my parrt, but just because I believe such matterrs arre better kept avay frrom the generral population."
As the group stands conversing, a pair of tall Ekujae girls approaches boldly, asking Jeryn and Nketiah to act as translators. After introducing themselves as Mauuko and Senyo, they issue a challenge.
"Some of you were very nimble earlier when you were climbing the great trees. That was fun to watch. So we're wondering if you'd be just as good at daikada," says Senyo, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
After she translates, Nketiah explains. "It's a dancing game. Each player wears copper anklets, and each pair makes a distinct sound when struck. You dance along with the beat of a song, and use clever footwork to strike the other player's anklets and make them chime. If you manage that, you get points, and the player who gets 5 points first wins. But if you stumble or miss the beat you lose points." She smiles. "It's a lot of fun. If you want to play, I'll be happy to keep the beat for you, or one of you can do that if you like."
"Oh, um... I can try." Bea says. She does not usually do things like dancing in front of others, typically just on her bed when a persistently pleasant tune gets stuck in her head. But she understood being an outsider in nearly every community she has been part of, and knew taking part in customs offered helped, even if it ended up with you looking like a fool.
Ankles had to be beared, which are usually covered in her skirts, Rolling up the waist line to her knees, helped with that. The sighing she Tried.
Surprisingly, and maybe to the unusual height, she manages to do okay.
Gofran crosses his arms while Bea dances, finding the whole thing an immense waste of time.
Beau agrees to embellish his representation of Akrivel so that while it captures its spirit, it does not paint an honest topographical picture.
"Are you sure you don't want to join in, Gofran? Fine, I'll give it a go. Hopefully I won't make a dog's breakfast out of it."
The rogue would later write in his journal that the experience was a terrifying one. Born in the north of Andoran, all things dancing are generally accompanied by alcohol. Before, during, and after. Could one even dance without alcohol? Apparently, yes, one can. Or in Beau's case, one can try.
Jeryn, for her part, just joins her sister in maintaining the song with rhythmic voice and clap. "They seem quite adapt at this. At least better than might be suspected of a stanger." She compliments, brows raised, to her father and sister as Beau and Beatrix give them a good showing.
The girls whoop in excitement as both Bea and Beau manage to score a hit, making the anklets chime.
"Our turn!" they exclaim in Elven, and begin to show off their footwork.
Mauuko deftly touches Bea's left anklet with her own, while Beau manages to hop out of the way of Senyo's incoming strike.
"Oo-hooo! This one's quick! I'll have to play for real!"
Attracted by the whooping, music and laughter, several Ekujae drift closer, watching with interest. Among them, an elf with striking hazel eyes and twists of dense, curly hair that falls around his head like a mane, is staring intently at Gofran and Hammid.
Noticing that, Nketiah elbows Hammid. "That's Akosa, our hunt leader. If dancing is not to your liking, perhaps you'd like to go on a hunt? They're about to head out to find some food for tomorrow's feast."
Beau - Senyo: 1-0
Bea scrunches her nose at Mauuko's comment about having to play for real against Beau, but she understands. The gnome is both small in statue, with shorter legs, and she also would much rather speed nights reading than dancing.
Her sister's though insisted enough that she come out with them, and dance with them since they loved it so, that the bookworm moved well with the music.
Also being short meant the target was closer to her reach. That is something at least.
It wasn't her best signing, certainly. But the mood was cheery, and the entire situation with the other village women having a dance of with the newcomers was amusingly distracting, in her defense. In the end, she just kept to the well known Rhythm and lines as best she could, wondering who would come out on top.
"Betterr than dancing." Gofran simply says, frustrated that these elves do not have the urgency of his kin in discussing problems. Approaching Akosa, Gofran extends his hand. "I'm Gofrran. Hearrd ye arre going out on a hunt, and I'd rratherr join you, if possible, than dance orr vait vithout doing nothing."
Akosa nods curtly at Gofran, indicating his sword. "Never seen anyone hunt with one of those". His Taldane is heavily accented, but understandable. He grabs Gofran's forearm in a warrior's greeting, pointing a thumb at his chest.
"Akosa, of the Hawk Clan. My mother is of the River Clan." His gaze drifts past Gofran towards the dancing group, and a wry half-smile plays on his lips, pulling at the two white wavy lines painted on his right cheek. His clothes are various shades of green, down to his leather gloves, and a longbow is slung across his back.
"This is forr the morre intelligent and dangerrous prrey, like monsterrs and crriminals." He says as he pulls his sling from a pouch. "For regularr hunting I do have my sling, vhich I'm quite good at... prrobably not as good as ye arre vith that bow o' yerrs, but let's see, uhn?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Swinging between overconfidence and existential dread, Beau tries to focus on the game as best as he can while keeping the bothersome thoughts and fears at bay. Thoughts like 'hey, imagine what your mates back home would say if they knew you danced with two beautiful Ekujae women' and 'if you trip over your legs now and lose, the Ekujae will forever associate the Andoran with being unskilled dancers - and your name and memory will be the burden of proof'.
Oh, he tries hard not to think.
"I can't land a hit on him!" complains Senyo before conceding to Beau, breathless with laughter.
"They are very good," agrees Mauuko before likewise conceding to Bea.
By now, a sizeable crowd has gathered, and many of the spectators smile at Bea and Beau in appreciation, shouting friendly barbs at the losers.
Akosa nods at Gofran. "We each have our favourite weapons. Let's go." As they move towards the edge of the city, an unusual sight greets them - a slightly pudgy lioness lying on one of the higher branches and watching them intently.
Tired, but in a good way. Breathing at a heavy pant but through a beaming smile. Sweaty... well, nothing good about that, her clothes are clinging, her hair plastered around her face, ick.
"Thank... you." she manages "For the music, the game, and the company. But..." pinching her robe to pull it away from her skin "Is there a place I could, freshen up?"
Gofran frowns and gestures towards the lioness to the elves. "Something is off vith that one... do ye have trree-climbing lions in the jungle? I had always thought ye had jaguarrs and perrhaps tigerrs, but not lions." He then squints his eyes. "And is she prregnant orr just pudgy?"
Nketiah smiles at Bea. "You danced really well! Come, I will take you to wash, and we'll find some clean clothes for you." She gestures to the others. "For you as well, if you wish."
Some distance away, Akosa snorts at Gofran's remarks. "Well spotted. That's Zélie, she thinks she's a leopard. And she is not pregnant, just... well fed."
The lioness watches Gofran warily, her ears perked and alert, her body half-crouched as she stretches her neck to sniff in his direction.
"Rright, I take she is a hunt companion, then?" He asks, looking at her. and trying to put her at ease. "Will ye hunt vith us, Zélie, orr arre ye happy sleeping up therre?"
Zélie hops off her branch and slowly approaches Gofran, sniffing in his direction. Her huge head is above his own, and she lowers it to playfully rub her cheek against his in a move that almost sends him stumbling backwards with the force.
Akosa laughs at that, a delighted rather than mocking sound. "Hah! She likes you! But I think she's too lazy to come hunt with us. What of your companions, will they join us?"
Beatrix is heading to wash up when she sees the large and pretty cat rubbing against Gofran. That makes her rather happy, so she stops behind him and asks "You made a friend, I see," the delight in her voice evident.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If Gofran was not a dwarf, who are famous for their stability, he was sure he'd have lost his balance. Gofran puts both hands around Zélie's face to rub her cheeks, lost in the moment until Bea comments on this. "Vhy do ye seem so delighted and surrprrised? I'm verry charrismatic and I'm prrety good in making frriends." He says, trying to remain serious.
"It rather seems like the ousiders are getting along well with the locals," Jeryn says to her sister, and should he be nearby, his father. "I admit, I am curious to see how they hunt. Or should I stand back to give them more of an opportunity to prove themselves?" She asks them.
Beatrix's face lights up in surprise, before she laughs, a bright and delighted one. "Yes..." she beams at her friend "... yes you are, both very charismatic and and good at making friends."
"Indeed, it looks promising so far, but it's too early to tell how things will unfold," replies Nketiah. "I'm busy preparing for the feast tomorrow, but you should join them on the hunt. Besides, you could use the practice." Her sister elbows Jeryn playfully in the ribs, grinning.
The hunt. The whole idea irks Beau. Like, don't they have a grocer who sells them the necessities? No, but of course they don't. Still, the notion of having to kill to eat bothers him. That, and he'd rather be lazy than tired today.
"Do the Ekujae have any particular animal they hunt?", Beau asks Nketiah and Jeryn. "Back home in Andoran, hunters often catch small game. Rabbits, certain birds, that sort of stuff. Deers and the like find our settlements to be too busy, too noisy, and thus they stay well away from where we live."
"In this season, we hunt the red river hogs and the waterbucks. There's also river turtles and crocodiles, but the latter are very dangerous to hunt." Nketiah responds. "And there are plenty of tubers, fruit and nuts to forage, if meat is not to your taste."
Akosa begins to show signs of impatience. "If we keep talking about it rather than doing, no-one will eat anything. Come, follow."
The elf moves quickly along the treepaths, proceeding quite deep into the jungle before finally stopping to point at something below. "That's a stream there, animals often come to drink from it. If there aren't any there now, we will at least find tracks in the soft earth near the water." He begins to descend to the forest floor using a cleverly disguised vine ladder.
Bea is looking around, looking for things that are interesting, so MIGHT see something but is more likely just going to point out something smell that might help someone else paying more attention.
Gofran follows Akosa in silence, paying attention to everything.
Between them, Gofran and Bea find tracks of deer. Akosa, who has been watching them, nods in satisfaction. "Good, we can hunt these without too much danger. I would never live it down if something happened to you on my watch." He raises his head, concentrating for a moment.
"There's no wind, so we'll need to find a good spot to approach them from without startling them. I hope you can be quiet."
Gofran leads the group in a stealthy approach but Beatrix is too focused on following directions and NOT to what is underfoot. A root practically jumps out at her, hooking her poor foot and causing her to fall, tumble, and roll into a noisy heap.
The herd of the deer they had been stalking startles at the noise and bolt, and although Akosa is quick in reacting and looses several arrows after them, only two fall. The elf sighs.
"I will have to hunt again tomorrow to get enough meat for the feast. Let's head back now, before it gets dark."
It is clear that the failure bothers him, so any chance the party might have had at striking up friendly conversation with him will need to wait until he cools off.
Back in Akrivel, Nketiah is waiting for their return. Her eyes dart at the two small deer that they bring with them, but diplomatically refrains from commenting. "Our leaders would like to meet you, so after you have refreshed yourselves please meet me on that platform."
She points to an empty platform woven from tree branches, on which two figures sit cross-legged.
Beau simply goes along with the flow and follows the elves and Gofran. The bow on his back makes itself be felt with every step he takes.
Gofran rests a hand on Bea's shoulder. "Yerr lush jungles arre trickierr to move in silence than the forrests ve arre used to." He says to Akosa. While confident that he could still track the deers and even be able to do so in the dark night, he knows he'll not be able to hunt enough for the feast all on his own.
---
After Gofran has cleaned himself, not because he needed, but more because they elves have unnecessarily insisted, he meets their leaders. He bows to them, showing respect.
Bea feels rather shamed about her mistake, but manages a thankful smile at Gofran's attempt to make her feel better.
On the platform Bea curtsey's low, "It is a pleasure to meet you both." she says, introducing her companions.
The leaders of the Ekujae are identical twins, their ages difficult to discern. As the group reaches their platform, they nod in greeting.
"We are Ose Panin and Ose Atsu of the Leopard Clan. Our mother is of the Heart Clan. Welcome to Akrivel." They both gesture to grass woven cushions set on colourful rugs. "Please, sit, we are curious about you."
Ose Panin wears a patterned green dress and copper jewellery studded with uncut gems, while Ose Atsu wears a dark blue tunic covered with amulets wrapped in copper and green cloth. Both twins wear black leather sandals decorated with copper studs and wear their hair long.
"So, tell us. What lies on the other side of Huntergate, and how did you come to pass through it?" asks Ose Atsu. Their sibling adds. "And what about you all? Which clan..." They dart a look at Nketiah, and correct themselves. "I mean, what of you families? Your friends? What do you do in your daily lives? What is important to each of you, and what are you most proud about?"
Bea settles on a cushion, smoothing out her skirts as she did so. "I have sisters, many in truth, though only two live with me anymore. They both work at the Pickled Ear, a local tavern, where I worked as well, before I started helping out with our side of the Huntergate. Family and friends..." her violet eyes look over her companions "... are both what is important to me and what I am most proud of." the gnome smiles, her cheeks flushing a little at the embarrassing sappiness of her statement.
Gofran orders the question in his head, trying to go through all of them. "Beyond the Hunterrgate derre is a place called the Alseta's Rring, an old elven ruin vith vhat ve believe to be otherr Ayudarras." He tries to pronounce the elven word with care, not to butcher it. "The Rring is located in a rregion called Isgerr, a vassal state of the human nation of Cheliax. Very few people know about the Rring." He adds.
"Ve passad thrrough it vith a key, as farr as I underrstood." He explains, retrieving the magical arrow that they used, presenting them for inspection if they wish to do so. "Ve have found this vith the cultists o' Dahak, and as ve passed thrrough ve verre even attacked by Dahak's spirrit, orr essence, orr whateverr the terrm is..." He says, looking at Bea. "... Bea knows the rright terrm, but the imporrtant thing is that ve think ve have dealt vith it."
"My clan, the Axebanes, is ancient but not prrominent in terrms o' poverr. Ve arre mostly arrtisans, yet I did not follow theirr path, forr I'm a bounty hunterr, yet I only accept jobs to brring crriminals to face justice." He adds the last bit to clarify and distinguish himself from other bounty hunters with a less than reputable name and honor.
"The orrderr, the law and the trraditions o' my kin arre vhat is imporrtant to me. I'm prroud o' them and I believe we dvarrves have much to teach." He then turns to point to Bea and Beau. "These two arre who I'm mostly prroud off." He doesn't elaborate further and doesn't include the annoying Moonlight in his declaration.
Bea;s eyes widen at Gofran's last statement, a slow but bright smile spreads across her face, nodding in agreement.
Like Bea, Beau is somewhat stunned and he needs a moment to (re)collect his thoughts before giving an answer to the twin's many-layered question. "What 'brought' us to the Gate is more complicated, as it involves nasty individuals who were trying to access the gate for reasons beyond my knowledge, but I'm willing to put money on said reasons being nefarious and selfish in nature. Like you, we too now have to guard the Ring."
He gives the twins a moment to take it in and if needed, answer any further questions. Beau then continues. "I'm from Andoran, a country to the east of Isger, and it is a place where freedom is highly valued. Oddly enough, I found a new sense of freedom in Breachill, an Isgerian town that happens to be right next to the Ring. What I'm most proud of? I guess that like the father of a newborn, I've stumbled upon something so important that I'm ... eh ... finally adult enough to willingly take on the burden of responsibility."
The twins listen as answers are given to their questions, their expressions betraying no reaction. Only when Gofran presents the arrowhead there is a flicker of surprise and recognition, and Ose Atsu nods.
"That was stolen from us some time ago. I am glad that it found its ways into hands that can use it for good."
Ose Atsu shakes their head sadly as Gofran asserts that the manifestation of Dahak has been dealt with. "Long ago, when our people fought the Great Darkness, we did not manage to destroy him, only imprison him in the gates. He is still there, and next time you pass through you might encounter him again."
Then they look curiously at Moonlight, who has been silent so far.
As Hammid shakes his head, indicating he does not wish to respond, the twin leaders smile. "You must be tired. Jeryn, will you please show them to the guest platform that was prepared? You can rest there."
With the audience apparently concluded, the group retires for the night. There are no burning torches to light the way, but strategically placed openings in the canopy let in the light of the stars and that of the almost-full moon. Here and there the paths are marked with softly glowing fungus, and their guest platform has two magically-lit lamps in tones of yellow and green.
Bea still feels more than a little foolish at her attempts at hunting so she keeps her conversation light, but her violet eyes take in all she can, enamored by the newness of it all.
Today has given Beau much to think about. From Dahak lingering in the place between the gates, to the fact they've got access to the far-away Mwangi! The jungle and its resplendent color and vibrance are beyond his wildest imagination, leaving him with a sense that the books he's read undersold it. "Do you think that the Hellknights saw this Dahak as an evil that ought to be tamed? Is that why the Citadel happened to be right on top of the gate?"
Questions, questions, questions, but no answers.
"Hum... I have no high rrespect for theirr orrderr, but one thing the Hellknights arre famous is forr theirr loyalty to theirr causes. I feel that if they knew about the Rring and about Dahak, they wouldn't have vacated the place." Gofran says. While he is impressed by the place, the fact that he is not on the ground does mess with his mood a bit.
Bea agrees "Everything I have read coroporates that. Hellnights never give up. No matter the good or bad of it. Once they believe they would rather die." she rolls out her bed roll, brushing off leaves and bits of twig to get comfortable. "Most logical conclusion is that they didn't know how to open the portal. Decided it was 'dead'"
After a night's rest, the atmosphere in Akrivel the next morning is buzzing as the Ekujae prepare for the harvest moon feast. The elves sing as the enticing smells of food spread under the dense canopy - roasted venison and root vegetables seasoned with herbs and fiery chilies. The sweet and tangy aroma of fermented fruit drinks joins them as large vats are uncovered and their contents decanted into pitchers. Jeryn is sent to fetch the guests once they awaken, and everyone breaks their fast on a simple meal of unleavened bread, honey, beries and nuts, accompanied by a strong-smelling hot herbal brew and water.
"A joyful day to you," greets Nketiah, approaching once everyone has eaten. "You are welcome to join us in our preparations, or just take in the sights until noon. But at noon you are invited to our storyteller's circle, and I think you will want to hear the tales we tell there - and maybe share one of your own, eh?"
After savoring the luscious new flavors, Bea immediately asks "How can I help?" idleness does not become her.