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The campfire's embers crackled, spitting sparks into the night. She poked at a log with a stick, watching as the orange glow reflected in her eyes. The road was quiet, just a dark line stretching out in either direction.
It was in these quiet moments that the world seemed to shrink to just this small patch of light. The familiar weight of her mithral armor felt different here, less a suit of protection and more a second skin she wore for comfort. She ran a hand over the hilt of her blade, a habit she'd developed long ago. The cool metal was a steadying presence. She wasn't a stranger to herself when she sat here; she was Tessaria Moondown, a half-elf with a sword and a handful of spells, watching the fire die down.
A lone owl hooted from a distant tree, its call echoing through the darkness. She looked up at the stars, a blanket of silver dust against the black. She was just a small part of a larger, epic story, yet in this moment, under this vast sky, the only story that mattered was her own. She sighed, a wisp of breath in the cool night air, and soaked in the peace of the wilderness.
He saw the fire light in the distance. Taking his time he crept forward. One thing people often get wrong about moving silently is that people can move silently with speed. This is almost impossible in a wooded area at night. Sometimes elves can do it but they almost always cheat and use magic…
The other part of the trick is that its very difficult to be completely silent. However, the forest is usually filled with sounds. When you do make a mistake and cause noise that stands out from the forest sounds, you need to instantly freeze. You need to stay still and let the noise you made fade into the background. Maybe freeze for two minutes. Maybe freeze for fifteen mins depending on the situation.
While Delnin didnt have magic, he did have a natural advantage. He was a halfling. He weighed little even compared to a slim elf. Nor did his body take up much volume as he eeled through the brush.
The halfling found a small hillock that gave him a line of sight to see a figure sitting near a fire. Though the fire was somewhat small it wasnt made in a way to hide it much. It didnt appear as if the figure, no a woman was cooking or making tea. It wasnt cold enough to really need the fire’s heat either. perhaps she is just enjoying the night?
It was tough to tell if she was ignorant of the danger or maybe enough of a badazz to not have to care. He wasnt close enough to tell for sure but she had a slimness to her figure that he thought she might have some elven blood. Elves are often tricky … Maybe she was the bait. Maybe there are several hidden guards about.
Delnin would sit and watch for a while.
Enjoying the quiet of the night, Tess continued her campfire rituals. She reached over to grab a large sheathed blade, a greatsword of incredible craftsmanship, and slid it free of its scabbard. After a minute of study she returned it to its sheath, with Tess satisfied that her primary weapon is as sharp as always. I don't know why I keep doing this. The enchantments will hold for many years.
She looked up into the night sky, studying the moon's position. Late enough, I'd say.
Standing up, the half-elf then walked a small circle around the perimeter of her campfire, whispering sibilant arcane syllables. Completing the circuit, Tess then pulled out a tiny silver bell, shook it once so that it rang, and stowed it again.
Not done with her nightly rituals, she pulled out a pinch of dried carrot from a pouch, ate it, and spoke a different set of words in the language of magick.
Tess sat back down, watching the fire burn down low.
Stealth
The halfling watches the woman go about her business around the campfire. He doesnt like it when she rings the bell. that seems too much like a ritual, I dont like it. . He wracks his brain for a moment trying to remember if he knew of any religious rituals that seemed similar. …cant think of any…
Delnin watches a bit longer and is pretty satisfied she is alone. He creeps back to a small burrow like camp he found earlier. Some sticks and a big heap of pine needles makes a decent bed. Maybe tomorrow Ill make contact
The next day Delnin started with checking over his gear and taking stock in his supplies. He lingered a little longer looking through his food stuffs and what he could make for a meal...
Finally, he realized he was seeing if he could make something a little extra special for a second person. There was something about the woman he saw last night. He didn't think it was a physical attraction, he generally preferred his ladies much shorter and rounder. But there was something. Maybe a sense of power and purpose? He wasnt sure but he decided he would follow and hopefully meet her later today for a meal.
Now to find something good for a meal.
Survival A little luck from Chaldira!
Now with some fresh ingredients prepped and bagged, the ranger starts after the woman from last night.
Tracking
Tess sat by the fire most of the night, enjoying the warmth. She closed her eyes for only an hour, and packed up her few belongings to once more continue her journey to Tatzylford at sunrise. Not long for there now. It'll be nice to sleep in a bed.
Tracing with a finger in the air, the half-elf worked more magic to conjure a glowing, phantasmal horse. She studies the saddle, bit, and bridle worn by the magical beast, makes a few adjustments, and mounts up. She then sets out at a brisk walk. For anyone watching, it is obvious that the horse never tires. But for its rider this is a comfortable pace...
The halfling curses slightly as he checks her cold camp. A summoned horse, I knew there was the hint of magic about her... At that Delnin gives a high pitched whistle and shortly a large, shaggy canine trots into the clearing.
The great wolf has a light leather saddle with a bag slung over. The ranger does have a few magical tricks up his sleeve and pulls one out now. A quick spell to make Lobo's long stride into a mile eating gait. He gives the beast a few loving pets and scratches behind the ear. Speaking in halfling to the wolf Lets see if we can catch her, follow that strange smelling horse!
The large wolf gives a few sniffs around the camp, then with the scent in his nose he takes off at a quick pace.
At each intersection the wolf pauses and takes a few sniffs to insure he is still following the right path.
Around midday Tess stopped by a brook, dismounting off her spectral steed to stretch her legs. She placed her hands into the cold water, splashing her face to wash away the road dust.
Feeling refreshed, the half-elven warrior then spent the next twenty minutes performing a series of slow, continuous, circular movements meant to stretch her stiff limbs and work muscles that have been doing very little over the last few hours.
She then moves back to her mount, ready to continue her journey.
The halfling was happy to find his quarry so quickly. From a good distance he dismounted and told Lobo stay
He slowly walked forward as the woman was finishing her blade practice. He carried his bow down by his side and a brace of quail in his other arm. He hailed her from a little bit of a distance as he approached. Hail fellow traveller. I was going to prepare a meal. He holds up the fresh game. This is a good spot. Will you have fellowship with me?
Unless she stops him, he comes a little bit closer and gives a slight bow. I am called Delnin SureShot. Im a ranger and on a bit of a wander. He quickly starts prepping a fire and food. Its very clear that he has done this many times before. Soon there is a fire going with three birds roasting. He is stirring a pan in flames with mushrooms and a few greens. Some good luck this morning with these fresh mushrooms. They are called “chicken of the woods”. Odd name, but they are a favorite of mine. He even has some cornmeal batter baking on a flat rock on the side of the coals. While Delnin is polite and friendly, he says little.
Prof Cook
The halfling smiles and looks pleased with the meal. On a bit of cloth he sets out a roasted quail, some fried mushroom and greens mixture, and a hunk of cornbread. Im afraid I dont have any butter, but here is a crock a good honey… He sets down the small honey crock and gestures for her to eat. He moves back a few feet to an identically laid cloth and begins eating his own quail and mushrooms.
Caught off guard, Tess whirled towards the voice, her hand moving to grasp her sword. She stopped when the words were obviously friendly. I guess I know how it feels now when someone gets the jump on you. If I see Marc again, might be I should apologize.
"Well met, Delnin. I am Tessaria Moondown, though you can call me Tess..."
She watched as the halfling quickly set to the task of building a fire and cooking the game. He seemed very excited to be doing this. "I don't much eat, but... sure, I will join you to break your fast."
Tess did her best to help out, retrieving her long unused mess kit and using the bowl to bring fresh water. She was not much of a cook even before the days when she stopped eating, so most of the time was spent watching Delnin cook.
Sitting opposite the ranger, Tess nibbled at the food. I'm still so full, she thought. "This is delicious." Blasted ring. He's going to think I hate his cooking. "I can't remember the last time I had quail." Technically not a lie. "I, uh, don't each much. I have a strict fasting regimen most days. Helps me stay fit." Ok, now that's a lie.
Tess could hear how hollow her words were, and pushed the food away from her. "I'm sorry. I really can't eat another bite. And it's not because of your cooking. I can taste how good it is. There was a time when I'd have relished having someone like you as a travelling companion. There are very few really good cooks I've found. It's just... I don't eat. My body is magically sustained, meaning that I never need food or water. I suppose I should thank Yuelral for providing me this," She held up a hand to show a gold band on the middle finger of her left hand. "But really it's my father's doing. Once he knew I was going to be wandering about in the wild he decided that I had best not starve."
The halfling doesnt seem to upset about her lack appetite. Though his face turns to wonder and a little horror at the thought of not needing or wanting to eat…
Delnin even helps himself to her share of mushrooms as he listens and ponders. He finally speaks I can see the practicality of such magic. Hunger is a terrible thing. He starts cleaning up. I served many years as a guide. For a while I had a route that led through an underground cave complex. I was taught the route and caves by a dwarf. I remember one horror story he had of surviving a cave in. He was trapped for over a week before comrades were able to rescue him. A ring of such enchantment would have eased his wait.
Where do you head on this road? He asks Tess. By the time he has his considerable cook kit cleaned and packed up, he speaks again. When I said I was a guide, that was truth. But not really the whole picture. I helped escaped slaves from Cheliax to the free lands of Andora. Yet, when Cheliax finally abolished slavery, I somewhat lost my purpose.
Im going to call my partner in. Dont freak out. At a sharp whistle a massive wolf ambles into camp. Delnin tosses him the leftover quail. The beast’s jaws open and snap shut with terrifying efficiency.
Lobo and I have been on a bit of a wander. Ive heard tales of bandit problems in the River Kingdoms. We were going to try and find some sort of work we can be proud of. .
Tess nodded along as Delnin told his story, somehow intuiting that this tale is one not told often. She felt that hearing it was a privilege.
At the introduction of Lobo she just smiled. "Would you believe me if I told you that you aren't the first person I've met who kept a wild animal as a travelling companion? A newly made noble, no less."
"I'm making my way towards Tatzylford, having left Solaasgard. Looking for that same noble and his travelling companions. I'd adventured with them for a time, doing battle with a lich. It was a... challenging time, and I'd needed to step away to deal with the fallout of that battle."
"At heart I'm a Rostlander, and so I needed to come back. Needed to do some good again," Tess said these words, somehow feeling their weight for the first time. She was silent for a time before changing the subject. "If you are looking to deal with bandits, you should probably make your way to Tatzylford too. Speak with the ruler of these lands."
Delnin smiled and nodded. He was glad his hunch about her was correct. He rode out with her shortly after.