Astoria turns back to her companion. "Are you sure? Not that I mind, but you seem to be preoccupied this morning."
"Not that I can think of." Lysithia replies, after a moment of consideration. "I'm pretty sure I have everything I need." she says with a smile, giving Kelda's hand a squeeze.
"I'm good too, I just wandered in for the ceremony." Lup comments inebtween his meal.
Kelda nods, "Alright, then once everyone is done with breakfast, and ready to go, we'll head to the North gate and meet up with everyone else." It was her first time going on an adventure of this type, and she was feeling anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time.
Celanna nods absently. "Maybe I am. I think I'd better clear my head first...If we meet up again, then..."
The half-elf shrugs. "It was nice to meet you."
Kelda has some tea while they wait for Astoria, and her friend to finish eating.
"Looks like those two are parting ways." Lysithia says as she notices the shorter, more physically imposing of the two half-elves get up, leaving some coin on the table as she says something to her companion and leaves.
"Foo, oh well, four is better than three though still." Lup comments as he finishes up his meal.
"It was nice to meet you as well Celanna. I hope you find what your searching for." The half-elf says with a smile.
Astoria quickly finishes her small feast and settles her tab. After checking through her belongings Astoria approaches the others with a wave. "Hello again. I believe I still have all the essentials for a trip."
Kelda looks up at Astoria, and gives her a smile as she finishes her tea.
"That's great, I think we all have everything we need as well." Kelda says, pulling out enough gold to cover the meals and drinks. Laying the money on the table before standing, "Well, if we're all ready to go, should we just head to the North Gate and wait for my folks?"
"Ready when you are."
Kelda nods, and after leaving the bed and breakfast, heads to the North Gate with Lysithia, Lup, and Astoria.
"Tallyho!" lup says after organizing his plate and utensils on the table before following the others out.
As you make your way to the north end of Daedran, you notice many soldiers cleaning up the square after yesterday's event. Along the main road, you pass quaint little homes and small shops selling necessities. More than a handful of merchants walk along the road, perhaps headed out to other towns to peddle their wares. After about forty-five minutes, you finally arrive at the north gate. A few soldiers stand guard here, most of them gazing idly past the horizon.
Arriving at the gate, she looks around, "Well, looks like we beat them here. I'm sure they'll be here soon."
Looking over at Astoria she asks, "So, you seemed pretty interested in Cooperton when we were talking about it earlier. Are you looking for someone or something you're looking to find there? I'm sorry if it seems like an abrupt question, but I was just curious as to what it was about the town that interested you. I also tend to talk more when I'm nervous or anxious about something, so I apologize in advance to everyone if it becomes annoying." She didn't really know why she was feeling so nervous, she just was, and coming off like a blabbering idiot wouldn't make her feel better, so she forces herself to shut her mouth, and let someone else talk.
"Oh yes! I heard there was a girl there who once studied at the Tower and I was hoping to pick her brain about it." Astoria answers happily.
Nodding thoughtfully she says, "Ahhhh....so you're interested in becoming one of Ardin's students then? I've heard some things about that place. Don't know how much truth there is to em' though..." Kelda shrugs slightly, "I hope she's still there for you to talk to."
After a while, the flow of people heading out of the north gate begins to thin, leaving you and the guards alone. The guards glance at the group and, realizing that you probably won't bother them, sit off to the side to play cards.
"The tower isn't too far from Cooperton actually. Somewhere in the forest near Wodrick." Lysithia adds.
Kelda mods absently as she looks back toward the town, "They said they would meet us here....so, where could they be?" Kelda wonders aloud about her parents whereabouts. She was sure that it had been long enough, and though she didn't mind learning more about those she travelled with....she was starting to get worried.
"Oh well, yes. I've tried seeking out other teachers in the past but I've always been turned away, um... for one reason or another." Astoria answers somewhat dejectedly.
Turning to her fellow Half-Elf Astoria nods. "I had heard that too, quite convenient that, assuming things go well with this former apprentice."
”Did they have somewhere else they needed to stop by first before meeting you here?” Lup asks Kelda.
Thinking back to earlier that morning, "Well....Da did say that they needed to get ready, but it's not like they brought the whole forge with them or anything like that. I don't know, maybe I'm just feeling a little anxious since this will be my first real adventure, outside of just doing regular patrols that is. There's four of them to get ready, and my two younger cousins are probably feeling disappointed that they couldn't find someone to finish training with here."
Looking over at Astoria she says, "Well, I don't know why anyone wouldn't want you as a student. You seem very nice, energetic, and eager to learn. I say it's their loss, and if you think this Ardin can help you, then I hope it works out for you. Life can be the greatest teacher of all." Kelda tries to be encouraging as she can hear the disappointment in Astoria's voice.
A short while later Kelda's parents and cousins arrive at the north gate.
"Been waiting long?" Gavril asks.
”We were worried the owlbears had gotten you.” Lup replies in an even tone, though he does smile on seeing the dwarves.
Kelda just shakes her head, "Not a really long time. We've just been talking, and getting to know each other mostly. So, we all ready to go then?" The hint of excitement is unmistakable in her voice, as she seems to have trouble standing still. This was a whole new chapter in her life. The adventure, the new budding romance between her and Lysithia. There was a whole lot of world to explore, and she couldn't wait to get started.
"Aye," Gavril says. "It'll be a three day journey back home. Probably just as long for you to get to Cooperton."
"Well then, I suppose we should be on our way." Lysithia says with an enthusiastic smile.
Kelda nods, "Yeah, let's get going."
Kelda shoulders her pack after attaching her hammer to her back, as they get ready to head out.
Kelda walks over to Lysithia and takes her hand with a smile, "Now, I'm ready for anything."
"Oh...before I forget, Astoria, these are my parents, and my cousins. Ma, Da, this is Astoria, she's going to be travelling with us as well." After making introductions, she smiles up at Lysithia while still holding her hand, as they start walking down the road together.
The dwarves exchange pleasantries with Astoria as they walk down the road. While not heavily traveled at the moment, you notice that you come across an armed soldier patrolling the road about every twenty minutes. As a result, the trip to the Owlbear Outlook is uneventful.
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Lysithia spends much of the trek pointing out interesting birds, trees and flowers to anyone interested, adding little tidbits of useful woodlore.
Kelda listens as Lysithia talks about the various flora and fauna in the surrounding area, asking questions here and there.
Getting to their midday destination, she looks around, "Well, here we are. I wonder what they have today, that walk made me hungry."
"Oh. Well thank you. That was nice of you to say." Astoria says flashing another smile.
Looking up at Astoria she kind of shrugs and returns the smile, "You're welcome, but I just call em' like I see em'."
The inn appears to be an old hunting lodge at first glance, but, upon walking in, you see that it has been renovated over the years to become a cozy spot on the road. The walls are adorned with hunting regalia, but, noticeably, no trophies. A middle-aged woman, her eyes a warm topaz, approaches the group. "Staying the night or just here for a meal?"
"Just a meal," Gavril says. "Have a few too many miles ahead of us."
The woman nods and smiles. "Would you like to eat inside or on the deck?"
Gavril turns to look at the rest of the group and shrugs.
"I think eating out on the deck would be nice, if that's okay with everyone else." Kelda says, putting in her two copper.
"It is nice weather to eat outside." Lysithia agrees.
Lup listens intently as Lysithia serves as a nature guide, all the while keeping an eye out for, well ,anything.
When they reach the inn he is nearly bouncing on his feet. Taking it all in he almost ignores the conversation playing out. "Deck sounds good."
Kelda looks at Astoria to see if she has a preference.
Astoria looks up from her notes. "The deck sounds wonderful." She answers eagerly.
Looking back at the woman, "Looks like we're going to be dining on the deck today ma'am." Kelda gives her a smile and polite nod of her head, as her stomach grumbles loudly. Her cheeks flush slightly, "I guess it's good that we made it here when we did."