The Levetons take delivery of the thylacines suggesting that Svetlana can boil them into stew or broth if nothing else. The will reserve the hides and perhaps use them depending on the quality.
The sewing materials Teela asked for are rather easily procured from the house stock or trade goods available.
"No guards have arrived so far," says Oleg, in his usual dour way. "I sent word for them some time back, but unrest in Restov may make that request difficult to fulfill, yes?" He is not sad to learn the bandits were all slain, including an unrepentant man. "That sounds like a good start to me..." he says.
Oleg helps unload the supplies from the bandit camp from horseback and is quite pleased to have crates of hides and furs stolen from him back in his stores. He offers you a 5 gold crown reward for returning these items, and would trade for the other items you returned, or give you cash if you prefer. He does offer to make special requests for items not in his inventory with the next shipment from Restov.
"Yes," Svetlana says sweetly to Velas. "When travelers come through, we ask them to deliver mail when they pass through. It is slow but usually reliable. I am happy to hold your mail until the next trapper comes through."
Alvis curiously looks over the cartagraphers kit. Tucked in he finds a few notes on the working of the instruments included. After examining them for bit, he joins the others for a meal and says, "Perhaps I was too hasty, there are some notes included in the kit that I might be able to learn the use of the unfamiliar items. I do know the general theory of how to do surveying. I can try, but any map-making will require the services of our excellent seamstress."
He continues, "We will need to determine our next course of action, the quick run to the nearby camp and return posed little risk to this post but if we have to wander about the large land for weeks to find any trace of other bandits, the risk here rises greatly."
Velas thanks Svetlana for her help in sending word back to Restov. "Thank you, Svetlana. My family will appreciate hearing from me. Here are the letters I'd like sent."
As the group shows Oleg the items they'd like to sell, Velas sees the few magical items the group hasn't identified yet. "Given some time, I should be able to figure out what these are."
Assuming no one objects, Velas spends some time identifying the items.
After 10 minutes with it, Velas is able to identify the silver flask as a potion of healing (minor). He is still a bit puzzled over the mangy cloak, and may have to wait until the next day to work on its mysteries more.
As darkness falls over the trading post, the heroes share in the watch, and rest up from their travels to the bandit camp at Thorn River. Nothing eventful happens during the overnight hours.
9 Pharast, Oleg's Trading Post, The Stolen Lands
In the morning, Svetlana's rooster crow awakens those not on watch. The lady of the house is already up, baking by the aroma and she greets you with fresh eggs and rashers of bacon as you roll out.
As the trading post opens, its not more than an hour after sunrise when a strangely garbed figure limps inside the front gate. Dressed in scale mail armor and wearing a full helm, the figure is dressed in bright red, and carries a bow and longsword at their hip. They seem to be suffering from some injury, based on the limp.
The armored figure raises a gloved hand whose fingertips are stained with blood -- probably his own? But it's hard to tell. The humanoid is tall, definitely over six feet. He'll walk into the trading post area far enough until he encounters people or can be heard inside.
When he speaks, it's with a voice that sounds almost two-tone: half mellifluous, and half husky. He is clearly doing his best to mask the pain in his voice, but not effectively.
"Although I cannot promise you'll be paid,
I have great need of urgent healing aid.
With thanks, for any injury that's healed,
You'll earn my loyal use of sword and shield."
With that request delivered in rather good iambic pentameter, the armored man slowly slumps to the dirt. He's still breathing heavily, just no longer able to walk efficiently. Despite not knowing him well, you suspect his pride is wounded to be seen in such a state, as he seems to be trying to rally himself to get back up again.
Alvis says to Velas, "I cannot help much today, but tomorrow I'll pray to The Master of the First Vaults, for aid to see the auras of any magic that may exist."
Alvis quietly socializes with everyone answering any questions that come up. He tucks and falls swiftly to sleep after all that happened.
Alvis prays to Abadar and will preach a sermon to any that wish to attend services, even if it is just himself. He asks the miracle of seeing the true aura of things in place of divine magic. He asks for Abadar power of feasting over instead of his master's divine blessing for a weapon's enchantment. He concludes with great thanks for all his blessing from Abadar and, as always, renews his service to him.
A bit later a bloody man enters and gives a most unusual request for healing aid.
Alvis moves swiftly to the man's side. Before he even looks over the man's details such as any sign of his allegiance to a ruler or a god, he speaks. "I am Alvis, priest of Abadar, the Lawgiver. I will heal you and only ask that you serve the law as best you can."
With deep intoning Alvis prays, "Oh, Mighty Abadar, in this wild land a stranger comes, please lend your grace to him in the service of bringing civilized conduct here today."
Heal as 2 actions.
The armored man sits up after being healed. He looks over at the cleric who healed him.
"The laws of mortals
Shift even as desert sands ...
But I obey them."
The man in red -- not exclusively, Alvis notes upon seeing that much of the armor on his limbs and body is naturally metallic colored -- speaks in a stronger voice now.
"Regretful I for needing aid. Hunger
Led me to neglect daily ablutions;
A fault I'd not have made were I younger.
Your magic -- and some food -- quick solutions.
You pray to, worship God of the First Vault?
I to Arazni bow, till she say 'Halt!'"
Teela pokes her head out the sleeping quarters, stretching. She sniffs at the air, smelling bacon in the area. Without sitting down, she picks up a piece and proceeds to nibble on it. "That's the stuff. Thank you, Svetlana."
A minute later, the armored figure approaches, and Teela goes into defensive mode. She kneels down near the window, poking her head out and watching. And then the figure collapses and Alvis does his thing. Teela sighs. "It's the damn blue giant all over again. Just this time, it's a red tin can.", she mutters under her breath.
She walks out the door and approaches the figure, scanning them for symbols resembling a deer skull, but keeping a respectable distance.
"Alvis, the man could have just run you through with a blade. What the hell are you doing?"
The armored man in red tilts his head sharply to the side in a questioning way, the horns on his helmet making this action seem more humorous than it would normally.
"Why would I kill one who showed me pity?
A cleric of the god of the city?"
His voice is tinged with humor. He braces himself for a moment, but stands up pretty efficiently from his sitting position, Alvis' healing obviously having done its work on his leg, which he tests gingerly. He takes the sword and sheath from his belt and tosses them both at Teela’s feet, then holds his gloved hands up.
“I came to plead, not to assail.
Fair strangers I do not impale.
Swordless now I, you may surveil.”
He pauses for several seconds, apparently thinking.
“Your vigilance, I do … wassail?”
Alvis shrugs and says to Teela, "I considered the risk small few bandits would give their life for a single attack. And in this land succor is rare, I hope to change that."
Alvis considers what he knows of Arazni.
+1 didn't update the macro.
"I've not met a follower of Arazni before, she is not particularly well-known in Brevoy. I'm guessing your speaking in rhyme is the result of some vow? May I ask your name and clan or family, good sir?", Alvis asks as he guides the man to a table.
“No vow, just a foolish challenge made fast
To speak poetry ‘til end of Pharast.”
The man shrugs a shoulder.
“I am the Scarlet Knight.
My family name, long gone.
I’m anonymous.”
Oleg and Svetlana stare side by side in wonder at the newcomer, but as it appears he is feeling better, and not an enemy despite his strange appearance, the lady calls out. "Come to breakfast then fair knight. Bacon is as good as any for what ails you. All who are friends are welcome at the table." She turns bustling back to the kitchen.
Oleg nods along. "Aye welcome to Oleg's Trading Post. Got anything to trade?" If the man is embarrassed by his primary concerns over commerce, he does not show it. Alvis notes his interest in business and thinks he may have a convert to Abadar already.
Graham is drawn by the scent of bacon himself, and shakes his head at Alvis' actions as he steps alongside Teela. Survival in spite of himself, sometimes, he says as Alvis passes by. Then, more quietly, So, ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah? he mutters to the bard.
With a silent sigh he steps forward. Welcome, Scarlet Knight, and come break your fast with these fine folks. We will personally vouch for Oleg, a fine fellow, and his lovely bride Svetlana. I daresay you'll not find a better cook in these parts than her.
Graham keeps a watchful eye on the newcomer , but as long as there are no signs of threat to them or to the Levetons, he remains genial and all smiles.
The Scarlet Knight shakes his head no at Oleg and says sadly,
"Good sir Oleg, no.
My fortunes for now are poor --
I am unladen."
The knight slowly takes his metal helm off, revealing ... not much. He's wearing a scarlet red cowl over his hair and head, and a thin red mask covering up his nose and mouth. Graham, Teela, and Alvis can tell that his eyes are a bright green, and there's the faintest hint of red hair on his face from a beard of some kind.
The knight takes off his shield and picks up the sword he'd thrown on the ground by Teela's feet, then lays his shortbow and quiver down as well, putting all of them up against the wall beside the door leading to the eating area, but carefully making sure to arrange them in such a way that they don't trip anyone or get in anyone's way. He squats down temporarily to do so before standing back up to his full height. The helm, he tucks under his arm and brings with him, however.
"I thank you for the chance to break my fast.
I've not eaten a square meal two days past.”
He raises his voice to speak to the cook.
“Lady Svetlana, the food you’re makin’
Has me salivating. … Did you say bacon?”
While plans are discussed, Teela sits down and starts preparing the map canvas. Making sure it's not fraying, fixing any holes, and what have you.
As she does so, she hums a soothing tune, almost like a lullaby, as if to calm the fabric and make it more malleable. She listens to the chatter, but eyes the newcomer frequently with a suspicious look.
Once the canvas is ready, she invites Alvis to join and make the first drawings with coal and chalk. "Don't worry about soiling it. That's an easy fix.", she encourages the dwarf to go ham.
Once he is done, she pulls out a needle, several colourful threads, and starts stitching.
Velas uses breakfast as an opportunity to have a conversation with the newcomer.
"Scarlet Knight, eh? That's a funny name. Well no matter. What brought you out to the middle of nowhere? Not too many folks come wondering this way."
As conversation goes back and forth, Velas tries to weigh the man's responses - can he be trusted.
In response to Velas' question, the man in piecemeal red says:
"I seek my fortunes,
whether they good or ill, out
in the Stolen Lands."
He pauses, a piece of bacon in one hand, lost in thought momentarily. Without trying to rhyme, he says, "I have no home to return to anymore."
Shaking off his melancholy, the Scarlet Knight looks up at Velas again.
"As for my name, surely not the oddest?
Red's the favored color of my goddess.
A bandit attack quite left me reeling.
Requiring me to find Alvis' healing."
As the Knight continues to clean his plate, he says to Svetlana,
"Your cooking shows an expert hand.
A boon, in this desolate land."
Graham sits forward at the mention of bandits. We've had our share of bandit trouble, friend, he says, holding a piece of bacon himself. I entreat you, please, tell us of yours.
The Scarlet Knight frowns from behind his red cowl, his mask down as he eats, revealing a red goatee.
"The roads here seem overrun with bandit.
I gave as good as I got, not to brag --
I was hit from behind; not how I'd planned it.
They all wore 'round their necks a silver stag.
'Twas strange. The likes of it unseen before.
I know it not, just not Erastil's sign --
But if these curs yet should appear encore
And you oppose them, our goals do align.
I owe you thanks for the food and the aid;
Repayment must be my strength or my blade.
My oath on my goddess: you'll not be betrayed.
I'll aid you all 'til your kindness repaid.
Know this: to Arazni oaths I have sworn.
If I betray them, or you, she'll see me shorn."
Alvis reddens slightly at Teela's reasonable request. "I'm sorry Teela, but it would not be good if I touched your head work. Somehow, I always manage to find a way to break anything I try to craft, no matter how small. I'll be happen to use my notes to describe the areas and give an indication by pointing or using a stick to draw badly on the ground but anyone but me should do the markings on the actual map.", Alvis finishes sheepishly.
He quickly turns to introductions, "To the group I present The Scarlet Knight, as he has introduced himself. I present Lady Quintessa Orlovsky, our groups adjudicator. Teela, our Quartermaster and skilled seamstress, with many talents. Graham, a valiant warrior, Velas, also a great warrior with surprising gifts. Faen, also a person of many skills.
Myself, you already know."
"Sir Scarlet, if you are willing, at some point, I'd like to know more of Arazni but that can wait till after your pledge to speak in poetry is over to not make the burden of speaking so heavy.", Alvis gently asks.
Alvis address Svetlana, "Goodwomen Svetlana, I would ask, if you can, to make a block of any unprepared food you have that is not of high quality or even spoiled about so big. Abadar will provide a good meal. Divided among so many it may not suffice so a simple side of cheese or the like would help. Your excellent cooking is most appreciated, but it must be a great deal of work to make it. Let the lord of merchants and wealth provide tonight's meal and give you a well-earned break."
"Well, I need someone to draw the map on the thing to make the embroidery.", she squints her eyes towards Alvis, then the others. "Has anyone been actually outlining the land features on something?"
She raises her hands, questioning the time the group spent surveying if we have nothing to show for it. "If it's on some parchemnt, just give me the thing, and I'll copy the outline."
She idles and looks around, waiting for a response.
Svetlana is surprised by Alvis' offer to make the evening meal, but politely acquiesces. "I will be interested to see what Abadar provides, and to take a night from the kitchen. I am preparing my famous Radish Soup for you with the moon radishes you brought in. This will be something rather easy to travel with and warm up if you are spending nights in the wilderness. I think you will find it has its own value, even if its not fancy, like Abadar's dinners."
Oleg chews his breakfast listening to the conversation and says to the group, "If you took care of the bandits at Thorn River, as you say, what do you plan to do next? There's still Svetlana's missing ring out there, and this Stag Lord to see about, and maybe some other things, like the missing priest you mentioned."
Alvis follows up with Teela, "I have some notes but no drawings. I can give dates, travel time and descriptions of landmarks but any crafting must come from someone else. Truly I'd hate to set your fine work on fire, but that could somehow happen with me." Alvis says the last with a look that seems to reflect a painful memory.
Alvis bows to Svetlana saying, "Oh, I agree that your cooking is beyond excellent, Svetlana, not fancy but truly remarkable. But I just thought you could use a break; cooking for so many must be laborious."
Nods to Oleg's words, "All that is true, but we are limited in our knowledge of where to go. The bandit we hanged said Svetlana's ring was stolen from them and we have little to go on there. Same for the other items you mentioned. We do not have a sure way to go."
Alvis turn to the newest arrival, "Sir Scarlett, could you describe the bandits that attacked you and where? We can describe Kressle and her group, if they were not the bandits that attacked you perhaps that could give us a lead on another camp. This time we could take care to capture the leader for questioning."
Sighing, Teela caves in. She looks at the ceiling. "See the material I have to work with?", as if speaking to a higher power. Then she looks at Alvis again. "Alright, come here and give me the notes, Stubby."
She picks up some chalk and coal and starts drawing based on what Alvis provides.
"Go drink the buff woman under the table, Teela...Go buy provisions, Teela... Go fix my dress, Teela... Go design a complicated mechanism traps mechanism, Teela..." she mumbles under her nose, then takes a breath and sighs. "Okay, point taken, that one didn't work." she chuckles. "Still, some effort would be nice."
She starts embroidering around the drawing with various colors.
Oh, Graham replies, cracking a grin as he lends a hand to the sketches, is that anything like "Curtsey to the nice noble, Graham...Pretend to be a spouse, Graham...Go kill those bandits, Graham." Okay, that last one's a freebie.
"Hey now, that spouse thing was voluntary.", the seamstress raises her hands in a defensive gesture. "You could have suggested a different plan, so I don't accept the blame."
She chuckles. "Don't worry about me. I'm just being grumpy. Must be the lack of civilization getting to me. City girl, you know?" she points to herself. "Anyway, thank you for the help. I appreciate it. Truly."
And you for yours, Graham says with surprising earnestness. We'd not have made it this far without you.
Teela's skill with the pencil on the linen surprises even her, and she is able to sketch with some detail where they have been, and then start to outline it with embroidery floss. All in all, she is pretty happy with the start to the mapping project.
Alvis relates the distinguishing characteristics of the bandits that were slain at Thorn River camp, but no axe-wielding females were in that group, and as you narrow down the timing (in iambic pentameter of course), you realize the bandits you met were already dead when the Scarlet Knight was accosted on the road.
The newcomer does relate they wore silver stag amulets but that's the only easily identifiable mark that sounds familiar. Badly hurt, the Knight did not pursue the bandits, but felt like he gave as good as he got. They seemed to head off south from the Restov Road but that does not narrow things down overmuch.
With news from The Scarlet Knight that he may have come across bandits from the same group, Velas suggests that he join them in searching the area.
"Once you are ready for travel, your previous run-in with those bandits may help us find another bandit camp." Velas turns to the others to see how they feel about that suggestion. "Perhaps we want to start our next excursion by heading slightly south of here and then back to the east? There is a lot of ground to cover, but we may just find more bandits."
Alvis bows to Teela saying, "Thank you for all your hard work. It is unfortunate that you suffer from the burden of a great curse. The curse of competence. Your great skill at many tasks will, undoubtably be a cornerstone of of any success we achieve here."
Proceeding to other matters, "It seems today is a day of planning, it's good, the horses need the rest. Giving what little we know, moving to the area of last encounter and exploring from there is as good as any action."
Alvis reflects for a moment, then says, "Graham, Velas, might I prevail on you for a hour or two of your time, in martial instuction? I seem to be falling a bit behind in my training to master more difficult weapons."
After any response Alvis turns to the unusally quiet Lady Quintessa, "Any thoughts mi'lady? I worry about the security of this place but we need to get about if we are to make any progress. Oleg, Svetlana your thoughts as well, of course.", looking at the two as he addresses them.
Oleg only nods and says, "We are making our way here now that the nearby bandits are decimated and our trade goods returned. I have no thoughts about your next move, other than what we have told you already. You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish." Svetlana politely and demurely agrees with a nod of her head and then she bustles back to the kitchen.
Alvis reflects for a moment, then says, "Graham, Velas, might I prevail on you for a hour or two of your time, in martial instuction? I seem to be falling a bit behind in my training to master more difficult weapons."
The Scarlet Knight speaks up, looking to Alvis and saying,
"Which potent weapon do you wish to learn?
Good Alvis, my time you've already earned."
Having finished eating, the tall man takes his plate, plus a couple of other empty plates and cups, to the sink and indicates to Svetlana he would like permission to clean up.
With news from The Scarlet Knight that he may have come across bandits from the same group, Velas suggests that he join them in searching the area.
"Once you are ready for travel, your previous run-in with those bandits may help us find another bandit camp." Velas turns to the others to see how they feel about that suggestion. "Perhaps we want to start our next excursion by heading slightly south of here and then back to the east? There is a lot of ground to cover, but we may just find more bandits."
To Velas, the Scarlet Knight nods his head and his upper body in an approximation of a courtly bow. You might even suspect he know more about such matters than he's letting on.
"I will be ready
when you say. My mind is sharp;
my sword, shield yours."
Svetlana reluctantly agrees to let the newcomer help wash up from breakfast. "Oh what good am I? First Abadar will provide dinner and now the Scarlet Knight takes on scullery duties. Wonder who will tend to my gardent for me next?" She is, of courses, good natured about it all.
The Knight chuckles good-naturedly at Svetlana's little joke about being put out of work in her own kitchen.
"Thank you for the meal, Lady Svetlana," he says matter-of-factly after he's done washing the plate and two cups he cleaned.
Graham is pleased to partake of anything that is not Svetlana's famous radish soup; he's never had a taste for radishes, so a dish with that as the main course is not appealing.
"Perhaps we want to start our next excursion by heading slightly south of here and then back to the east? There is a lot of ground to cover, but we may just find more bandits."
Graham considers this a moment. The river near the camp likely flows into the Shrike, he muses, and any number of bandits will continue to need fresh water. Perhaps we set south indeed, but to the Shrike itself, then follow it to the confluence of that we found? He frowns. Hmm, we should have asked Elly what river that was, to learn if we've found the Skunk and the border of our charter, or if it's another and we have more to explore beyond.
"Yes, I know... I still appreciate the recognition." Teela jests in response to both Alvis and Graham's thanks while she continues embroidering and listening in. She gives the red-armored knight a few inquisitive glances with a raised eyebrow.
"I was actually having a similar thought regarding the rivers. Bandits -probably- camping near the water and all that. I think it's a good start, and it also prevents us from getting lost in the woods. You just follow the river back until you're in familiar territory."
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Quintessa gives an approving look at Teela’s half-embroidered map. "Exquisite work, Teela. When this canvas is finished it will be the envy of Restov’s cartographers."
She taps the outline of the Thorn River. "And it tells us precisely where trouble still lingers."
Turning to the red-armoured newcomer. "Sir Scarlet, welcome to our company. Any blade raised against the stag-marked outlaws is welcome at our hearth side and at my flank. Your strength, and your verses, are most appreciated."
Hmm, we should have asked Elly what river that was, to learn if we've found the Skunk and the border of our charter, or if it's another and we have more to explore beyond.
Quintessa, who had been taking her own notes, sets her quill down and lifts an eyebrow at Graham, the corner of her mouth quirking into a half-smile. "Master Snodgrass, you fence like a duelist born, but Gods, you do let words slip past your guard sometimes."
"We already know the Shrike: we followed it from Restov. The tributary that fed the bandit camp was the Thorn, Oleg named it only moments ago. Which means..." She sketches a quick triangle on the map Teela is working. "We have not yet reached the Skunk, and the southern edge of our warrant still lies unexplored."
"Your memory is forgiven, provided your blade remembers its work the next time a stag-marked brigand steps from the brush to poke us."
"So then, the ring and the Stag Lord both likely lie south of here, beyond the Thorn. We’ll trace the Shrike down to its next junction. If fortune favors us, we’ll strike the Skunk and any lairs that fester along it."
Quintessa straightens and claps her hands twice, loudly. "Maps checked, supplies tallied. Saddle up, friends. The Greenbelt will not tame itself!"
Alvis murmers, "Sounds like the start of a plan." He stops as Lady Quintesssa breaks her uncharacteristic silence. Alvis is a bit taken aback at her sudden call for riding out. "Uh, mi'lady. I expected that today would be a day of planning and rest. Good for us but more for the horses, we have pushed them somewhat these past days. Also they are not of the best of their kind, nags really. I was expecting to check their health in detail today so we could ride tomorrow in confidence."
Looking placatingly, "I understand well the desire to do justice to these lands quickly. But, lacking a specific clear goal, we are doing a general search, one day of rest should pay more dividends than one day of action will. But, of course, it's your decision to make."
Quintessa, who had been taking her own notes, sets her quill down and lifts an eyebrow at Graham, the corner of her mouth quirking into a half-smile. "Master Snodgrass, you fence like a duelist born, but Gods, you do let words slip past your guard sometimes."
"We already know the Shrike: we followed it from Restov. The tributary that fed the bandit camp was the Thorn, Oleg named it only moments ago. Which means..." She sketches a quick triangle on the map Teela is working. "We have not yet reached the Skunk, and the southern edge of our warrant still lies unexplored."
"Your memory is forgiven, provided your blade remembers its work the next time a stag-marked brigand steps from the brush to poke us."
Graham arches an eyebrow and considers his response. His first inclination –"Oleg mentioned a thorn, so naturally I assumed he was talking about you." – feels a little too harsh.
Instead he says, Alas, I was talking to Teela about Important Things, and then to Velas about Other Important Things, and I missed Oleg's remarks. He deliberately addresses Oleg: My apologies, good sir.
Though Graham may have been addressing Oleg, she says quickly "Apology accepted." before turning to give Alvis a nod. " “Quite right, Brother Alvis. Quite right. I’m so eager to make progress I nearly forgot our poor horses can’t subsist on pure ambition."
She taps her quill thoughtfully against her lip. "Let us keep today for planning, mending tack, and letting the mounts rest. Tomorrow at dawn we ride."
"That gives plenty of time for Graham to finsh all of the Remaining Important Things, I would think."
Velas agrees with Quintessa's remarks about the ring. "Speaking of Svetlana's ring, I just remembered what that bandit Elly said. Alvis is right - the ring was stolen from them. Apparently by some 'grelins' that live under a big sycamore tree. Elly said it was east of their camp. Seems like our next best lead. Following the river, like Quintessa and Teela said, is a safe bet."
Velas nods at the suggestions to use today as a recovery and planning day. "Plus, our new friend needs to get back on his feet. Let me see that shield, sir. Does it need repair?"
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Velas agrees with Quintessa's remarks about the ring. "Speaking of Svetlana's ring, I just remembered what that bandit Elly said. Alvis is right - the ring was stolen from them. Apparently by some 'grelins' that live under a big sycamore tree. Elly said it was east of their camp. Seems like our next best lead. Following the river, like Quintessa and Teela said, is a safe bet."
Velas nods at the suggestions to use today as a recovery and planning day. "Plus, our new friend needs to get back on his feet. Let me see that shield, sir. Does it need repair?"
The Scarlet Knight takes the steel shield he's been using off his back and examines it closely.
"Thank you, Velas. It could use minor care.
No true breaks or flaws, of which I'm aware.
Despite many months of quite fine shielding?
Unbroken. As my goddess: Unyielding."
He hands Velas the shield and, while unskilled in smithing, obviously intends to join Velas and be of whatever aid he can.
Alvis quickly says, "Thank you mi'lady. I guess i should get about it too." Alvis turns to our newest member. "Oh, I should have included you, it will take a while to get to know each other better. Come to think of it I have met everyone here in the past month at most. We all much to learn so we can work together better, we are still not working as a team in combat." Alvis sighs, "I getting off on a tangent here. Sir Scarlet, I do accept your offer. I need to practise all the common weapons that fully trained warriors use. Larger one and two hand swords, lances, mauls and suchlike. Perhaps this afternoon after I further care for the horses? Uhm, do we have a spare mount for Sir Scarlet?"
After any responses and with the conclusion of the meal, Alvis expresses his thanks to the hosts and goes to check in detail on the horses' health and works to make their rest day goes as well as it can. Afterward he will practice marital weaponry with any warriors that show up.
The Scarlet Knight shows up to do some work mid-afternoon with Alvis, showing him some of the basics of using a longsword one-handed (as is customary) and how a larger sword, called a bastard sword, can be used two-handed for more power. The Knight mentions that he is looking to get his hands on one somewhere, but that he's happy to use any and all weapons the party happens to run across.
The day is spent in rest, quiet contemplation, and marital practice. Just after mid-day before the sun is really setting, Faen re-appears through the gate in the trading post palisade wall. Just where they where is not divulged but they slide right back into the table next to the others.
At the evening meal, Svetlana brings out some old tripe and potatoes that have grown long hairy whiskers well past their prime. "Your patron can make this into a feast as good as my cooking?" she says to Alvis rather dubiously.
Teela's lips twist into a smile. "Svetlana, I'm sure Oleg will agree - not even Abadar can do that. But it is a satisfying meal. You should get some rest as well."
Wanting to have the map done by the time she heads to bed, she continues embroidering the map while the boys spar outside and offers to participate in a conversation throughout the process.
The sound of clanking blades piques her curiosity, however, and she moves her work outside to glance at the training every now and then.
Being the prankster she is, she does interfere with the training once or twice by throwing her voice as a distraction and moving small rocks across the impromptu arena.
In between instructing Alvis on handling of the longsword, the Knight looks over at the sewing Teela. ” Did you have questions?
Observations, then? Silence
‘Tis not true golden.”