Yasami pauses checking her gear as Nketiah drops the question. Taken aback, she squints her eyes briefly before turning towards the elf with a much more controlled expression.
"That would be very kind of the Ekujae and yourself, and I would appreciate that very much. It would save us a lot of time. Both Cev and Joran deserve to find a way home, at least. Whatever state they are in."
She moves closer to Nketiah. To whispering distance. "In the spirit of openness, I would like to say something. And I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but somehow - you know more than you should. And while I do have secrets, they are not relevant to the Ekujae or this rag tag bunch of strangers that appeared in your home, it might put them in danger if my secrets were revealed to the wrong people. And that puts me on edge. So if you think you know, and you feel like sharing... Respectfully, I would ask you not to. People with influence might be after me, and they probably wouldn't care if they had to burn down your home to find me. But I assume both of us hope it never gets to that."
Nketiah is taken aback in turn but also quickly recovers her composure. To Yasami, it is a bit like watching a mirror. "My apologies, I thought we understood each other. I know full well that you are a finder and keeper of secrets, although I don't know what secrets you keep. I know things because I know to ask simple questions that invite open answers and I know when is time to listen and not speak. Please be assured I have acquired no information that the speaker did not deem themselves feel free to discuss, I know nothing about your secrets, and I am generally discreet with information that comes to me. I, of course, share matters relevant to the Ekujae with the Twin Leopards. And, as you have observed, I am free with the legends of the Ekujae when among the Ekujae and friends. I hope we better understand each other now."
Lisi observes the women whispering but chooses not to comment upon it. "We owe it to Joran and Cevendyll to find them," he says in agreement. "Jahsi, your maloscurwë--" (he uses the Elvish term for forestcrafting--"it is very impressive. I hope one day we can share skills between us, if it is allowed."
He waves to the archers, then turns to Jahsi again. "We rejoice in seeing the Ekujae again. Please understand if our hearts, so bent upon our rendezvous with Belmazog and her minions, may appear hardened or distracted, even after our respite in Avistan."
Nketiah is taken aback in turn but also quickly recovers her composure. To Yasami, it is a bit like watching a mirror. "My apologies, I thought we understood each other. I know full well that you are a finder and keeper of secrets, although I don't know what secrets you keep. I know things because I know to ask simple questions that invite open answers and I know when is time to listen and not speak. Please be assured I have acquired no information that the speaker did not deem themselves feel free to discuss, I know nothing about your secrets, and I am generally discreet with information that comes to me. I, of course, share matters relevant to the Ekujae with the Twin Leopards. And, as you have observed, I am free with the legends of the Ekujae when among the Ekujae and friends. I hope we better understand each other now."
"We do understand each other. I was not threatening you. Just warning you to be careful. Not in regards to me, but the people that are interested in me."
She relaxes a little. "In retrospect, it may have sounded aggressive. I'm a passionate person. Sometimes it simmers through the cracks. Apologies. Let's move on?" she smiles at the elf.
After passing through the portal, she looks around. She waves at everyone ni sight, knowing that Taldane doesn't do much here. "Well, this looks different. So does the tunnel, actually."
Before they leave, Catalina leaves Alak with a token of her affection--one of her many necklaces, this one a small chunk of surprisingly clear amethyst wrapped in copper wire.
On the other side of the portal, Catalina grins at the greeting and replies in Mwangi: "It's good to be back! Has anything transpired in our absence?"
"Well, this looks different. So does the tunnel, actually."
"I don't have enough experience with the tunnel to know if the differences are typical and perhaps periodic or if any changes are novel and significant. I am trying to avoid dwelling on such unknowns. We have other things to attend to that we have more knowledge about and control over."
Yasami nods to Caiten. "Hmm. That's fair."
She looks to Catalina, Lisi, and Nketiah. "Any chance Cev or Joran appeared or were sighted? Could you ask, guys?"
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Alak is very touched by Catalina's gesture and he immediately places the necklace around his neck. "I will treasure this part of you and keep it close to my heart." He gently touches Catalina's cheek with his hand and says quietly, "Please do take care. You always have a home here."
Nketiah returns Yasami's smile. "No apology needed. I did not feel threatened and I'm glad we had this talk."
Nketiah also responds to Lisi, "I'm afraid that sharing the sacred knowledge of our maloscurwë with non-Ekujae, even good friends, is out of the question, but, as I explained to Yasami, I do think I can convince my people to perform the ritual on your behalf."
Caiten is exactly correct that the tunnel is a situation such without precedent that you all have no basis to assess what the changes mean precisely, although everyone was certainly glad of them. The changes in the temple/garden are, on the other hand, clearly due to the Ekujae's hard work and, to Lisi's eyes, reflect some druidly magic as well.
Jahsi nods gravely in response to Lisi's comment. "Yes, of course. We are always pleased to see our friends, and we are grateful for your determination to rid these lands of Belmazog's scourge." And answers Yasami's question, "No significant changes to report. Our scouts still cannot progress far due to the remaining pillars, but neither have we detected any Cinderclaw incursions. I'm very sorry to report we have no information about Joran and Cev. The pillars, again, limit our ability to search. I can tell you there are no tracks suggesting that he ever reached the area to which we are currently constrained." Jahsi's expression is of great frustration and, uncharacteristically, he utters what must be some local profanities, judging from the surprised reactions of the warriors under his charge. Jahsi then composes himself and seems embarrassed, "My apologies. We Ekujae warriors are not accustomed or well-suited to feeling powerless."
Jahsi leads the group back to Akrivel; Nketiah walks beside him and speaks to him quietly. Once again, the group's approach is noticed well before you spot signs of he magnificent settlement in the rainforest canopy. The Twin Leopards themselves are there to greet the group once you ascend into the tress. “Welcome back, friends. We are eager to speak of your travels and plans. Let us proceed to the communal circle. After you have the chance to rest and eat and drink, we can talk."
Ose Panin and Ose Atsu lead you to the sunken circular communal theater and take their seats on the simple woven platform in the center. Simple but delicious food and fruit drinks, all fresh from the jungle, are brought to you, as the Twin Leopards patiently sit in silent contemplation, perhaps meditation, as they wait for you to eat and be rested. When it is clear you are done, with a waive of their wrists they invite community members to join. The Twin Leopards speak, alternating phrases and essentially speaking as one, "We want to hear from Nketiah, but perhaps you can share with us of your visit home, your current plans, and if there is anything we can do to help."
Lisi stands to speak.
"Our visit home was restful. We grieved and honored our fallen friend, and we saw our kin. We hoped to find our lost friends here in your lands, but at the very least, we shall make our approach to Belmazog's fastness and stop her and the Cinderclaws once and for all."
He pauses. "We will face boggards and charau-ka. Anything that will slow them down, confuse them, and protect us from the croak of the boggards, would be useful. Also, on the way, we will destroy any remaining pillars we find."
He bows to the Twin Leopards.
Yasami greets the Ekujae with a polite wave, and waits her turn. She looks at Nketiah as if urging her to start.
"I'll speak after if needed." she whispers to the "ambassador".
"It is, essentially, as Lisi says," Catalina adds, crossing her legs.
"At this point, I believe we just need to nail down where, exactly, we are going...?" She glances around at her peers to confirm; the events of the past day or two (how long had even passed? so much had happened) overwrote her memory.
"Totems. Totems first." Yasami whispers to Catalina.
"Did we...get information from the kobolds...as to the location of Belmazog's fortress?"
Lisi sneaks back towards Yasami and Catalina.
Yasami nods quietly.
"Ah...then, yes, as it stands." Lisi gives a firm nod; confirmations all around.
He looks to Yasami and Catalina. "As we did with the mines--I'd like to scout around in animal shape. Belmazog may have better ways to detect interlopers, but we can work on that." I think, says Lisi to himself.
The Twin Leopards, Nketiah, and the gathered Ekujae listen to the comments offered. The Twin Leopards nod gravely at the reference to Dario, and the crowd murmurs sympathetically. At Lisi's reference to taking the fight to the Cinderclaws there are many approving comments from the audience.
Once the party members that wanted to speak initially have done so, Nketiah stands and walks to the center, acknowledges the Twin Leopards and then the crowd. "I return flush with confidence in the intentions of our new friends and the strength of their community. It is a small remote town in the shadow of an old citadel, a giant building made of stone with walls the height of our guard posts." Nketiah seems successful in her attempt to translate the notion to the community, which echoes with curiosity. "And where here we are all Ekujae, except for the occasional visitor," Nketiah acknowledges Catalina, "in their town, called Breachill," which sounds weird in Elven, "many races live and work together. And there are elves that live there too, and, indeed, the leaders of their temples to Desna and Shelyn are elves. I met with each and they embrace the possibility of making connections to our community. I know you will have many questions for me, and I look forward to sharing more about the remarkable community."
As the party reflects on Nketiah's comments, knowing full well that she is well-traveled and has been exposed to many small towns, it occurs to you that Breachill really is a quite remarkable little community, even putting aside your own recent contributions...
Yasamins steps closer to Catalina. "Can you translate for me?" she asks and clears her throat. She takes a few steps towards the Twins. "Esteemed Leopards. Again, we are grateful for the warm welcome upon our arrival to Akrivel. I only hope Nketiah felt just as welcome during her visit. We have rested and believe that we have come prepared for the tasks you asked of us. While we" she gestures towards the party " don't speak for Breachill, it is my hope we can establish friendly relations between the Ekujae and our home. I believe Nketiah had already made the first steps in doing so with our temples. And before that, it is my hope that we continue pursuing our common goal to rid your home of the Cinderclaw pestilence. Our campaign against Belmazog and their cronies is further fueled by personal motivation. They had ended the life of one of ours, and I intend to make them regret them doing that. With that said, two others are still not accounted for. Joran Bravestone and Cevendyl Liressade. I would ask this favour of you - to help locate them while we go destroy the other totems in your jungles. Or, if you are able to, contact them by help of mystical means while we are in Akrivel to arrange their return home. Alive or otherwise."
Yasmai offers a slight nod of courtesy and waits for a response before stepping back.
Catalina grins at Nketiah, inclining her head gratefully at the mention.
At Yasami's request, the thaumaturge dutifully translates, doing her best to emphasize just how important finding Joran and Cev is to them. She adds on a plea of her own in Mwangi: "I did not know either gentlemen long, but they are important to this group of people. To me. To us. Anything you can help us with..." She bows low at the waist. "We would owe you quite the favor."
Lisi remains quiet, thinking about his own parental conflicts, but then thinks about a future with Narine. They're calling them--us--'aiuvarin' in some places. Perhaps it's the birth of a new race. And even with the Goblinblood Wars in our memory, we have the friendship of the goblins.
He thinks about Nketiah's description of the fort, and of Adare's description of dragon headed pillars. "I wonder if those pillars Adare described are more magical pillars. If so, it will be hard to attack the fort, or even sneak up on it," he says to Caiten. "Can you detect magic from afar somehow?"
The Twin Leopards listen to Yasami's request with a neutral expression, which appears typical of them. Nketiah steps forward before the Twin Leopards respond. "Yasami refers, of course, to the gerio mellyn ritual. I told her our people could not share the sacred knowledge of the ritual, but that I would speak in support of the Ekujae performing the ritual, with Yasami's participation, in order to try to locate Joran and Cev. Based on my experiences with this group and what I have seen in Breachill, I do support Yasami's request, but it is, of course, up to your wisdom to decide."
The Twin Leopards listen and confer in their almost unspoken language and respond, trading phrases back and forth. "Yes, certainly, we will perform the gerio mellyn ceremony. We believe we have enough mellothond root to perform it. Yasami will need to participate as a focus for the ritual, but she may not be permitted to observe the preparations, as the ritual is sacred to our people."
They continue, "Lisi, our wise ones have studied the functioning of the pillars based on examining remains of the pillars and based on the descriptions provided to us, and the wise ones are confident that the pillars remote from the fortress sustain the pillars around the fortress. They believe if you destroy the pillars in the jungle, the fortress will no longer be protected by the pillars that surround it. And we will, of course, provide anything we can to help protect against the croaking of the boggards, and anything else you seek that we have on hand."
After some further back and forth, the assembly ends and you are led to huts where you can rest and prepare for the next part of your journey. They bring you all earplugs () and moderate healing potions ().
It is Yasami's understanding that preparations for the ritual are underway and that Yasami will be participating as a secondary caster.
"I wonder if those pillars Adare described are more magical pillars. If so, it will be hard to attack the fort, or even sneak up on it," he says to Caiten. "Can you detect magic from afar somehow?"
"Not very far, no. I expect that there will be several barriers. The one that we were warned most about was that we would have to take down the totems scattered around the Expanse first. Apparently in addition to their other duties, they draw and direct additional power to the defenses of the fortress. Without understanding the magic involved, I am not able to give any more specifics. It is not magic that I am familiar with directly, though I have read some hypotheses on similar ideas."
"I wonder if they'll know each time a pillar is destroyed," says Lisi. "I can't think of a magic that does that easily."
"I am having to make some assumptions here, so my information may not be accurate. If it was my security system, I would be monitoring the incoming power. I may not be able to know which sources are still functioning, but I would be able to detect when the incoming power drops."
"And the few that we have destroyed did cause a rather large surge of power. That may be detectable if someone is paying attention and looking specifically for it."