Mel seems ambivilant about sharing a room in the first place...he opts in the end for a spot on the floor alongside the bed Adjunta is using spreading his bed roll there and claiming that he doesn't want to be disturbing people as he is a light sleeper who tosses and turns in the night.
He sleeps in his armour..
Heren has been on the road, and is large and well able to take care of himself. He volunteers to take the stranger-shared room.
That's generous of you. I'm afraid I'm not voluteering the same. I've been rather leery of strangers for some time.
Mel removes his armour in bad grace though he still sleeps in his shirt and breeches
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In the morning Adjunta carfully shaves his head and face. Under his veil Adjunta looks very much like an ordinary person. With his veil on the priests gains a bit of mystery.
"We should eat breakfast and perhaps buy a pack lunch," the priest says as he finishes his shaving and dawns his armour, "I hope we can make good distance today. Anyone else looking to shave?"
Mel wakes early and is up and about before any of the others..he joins them at breakfast and eats heartily.
He takes a professional interest in the map that Ianthe is drawing up.
Heren arises and makes his way to the common room, that man snore like an ox, he rubbed at his eyes, oh well, chivalry doesn't come free.
'Good morning all,' he smiles broadly and sets about ordering a large breakfast.
Mel nods.."My Scribes training may be off help there Lady..I can take notes on the terrain"
He greets each member of the party as they arrive..though his eyes never stop darting around the common room taking note of any other traveller in the place.
Malgasir awakens from a surprisingly good night of sleep and heads down to the common room to meet his fellow travelers. Making his way to the table, he sees Ianthé's copy of the map sprawled out on the table. "Hard at work on that map, eh Ianthé? I see afew of you have already ate." Malgasir then gestures to the waiter and orders a big breakfast. "My favorite meal of the day. I look forward to another day of travel. How 'bout you?" He asks sitting down across the table from the woman.
Mel takes the book and begins to read..soon deeply engrossed in the subject..the young man it seems has a thirst for knowledge.
'I have no issue with it Madame, indeed I would consider it my chivalrous honor,' Heren smiles widely at the woman, inclining his head respectufuly.
Mel barely looks up from the book.."I don't have a problem" he says..
However Mel does take more of an interest than (s)he shows outwardly...why is this woman so desperate for company..
"You know, Mr Adjunta, I thought I detected a bit of a lump in the wagon yesterday. Could you come check it out with me? I'll show you what I mean."
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"Yes, yes," Adjunta says rising, "if you would excuse us."
Adjunta gives a slight bow to his companions before following Hasim outside. Adjunta makes sure no one is near before turning to sorcerer.
"What's up Hasim?" Adjunta asks, "I trust you didn't summon me out to look at the wagon. You concerned about this woman?"
"Exactly. I was just thinking how to word a polite refusal, when Heren and Mel said yes.
"Don't get me wrong. I thought the woman had an honest face... just like the man who sold me property with a fake title deed. I wonder how she knew we were going North? Did she listen in just because she wanted some protection on her journey? Or was there something more?
"But perhaps things in Taldor are different from in my own land. Perhaps the good sirs Andercrote and Evendale understand these things better than I. It's been my experience that clerics are generally wise in the way of people, so what do you think?"
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"I think it would be unwise to jump to any conclusions at this point," Adjunta advises, "this woman might be in some sort of trouble and in need of aid, or an opportunistic thief, or something else entirely. I think we would need to observe her for some time before we can make a judgment.
"Ordinarily I'd be inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt and lend her aid," the priest muses, "but we are on a holy mission here, we have been entrusted to carry it out, and I for one am not prepared to fail. Perhaps this is not a chance encounter and it is in fact divine providence, but that is very unlikely. If the woman is one who is indeed in need of aid I could never forgive myself if I didn't help her. Plus as a priest of Abadar it is my duty to give aid to travelers and promote commerce."
Adjunta turns to Hasim to see if he has anything else to add.
Hasim finds Paul's argument quite persuasive, though not for all the same reasons Paul intends.
Perhaps this is not a chance encounter and it is in fact divine providence, but that is very unlikely.
Hasim smirks, reflecting that EVERYTHING is providence.
If the woman is one who is indeed in need of aid I could never forgive myself if I didn't help her. Plus as a priest of Abadar it is my duty to give aid to travelers and promote commerce.
Hasim nods. "Very well. The people of my land always preach hospitality to travellers. That's one of the many ways in which I'm different from my fellows... but perhaps they were right. And if we are to keep a eye on her, the best place to do that right now would be in the common room. Let's go back."
Returning to the inn, Hasim casually remarks "I think I'll take the next leg of the journey on foot."
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Adjunta clasps Hasim's shoulder before also returning inside as well.
"I think this is the best choice."
Adjunta sighs as he returns.
"Regrettably I am no cart wright," Adjunta says to the others, "the wagon seems fine but trust Hasim's opinion. We shall have to watch her carefully if we are to proceed."
Returning to the inn, Hasim casually remarks "I think I'll take the next leg of the journey on foot."
'Well, you won't slow the cart down, but your more exposed to any danger we face, and you'll be wearing down your boot soles.'
'There's lots of folk may be dangerous towards a Qadiran walking the Empire's roads. Not that I'd allow anyone safety to come to risk, but it may be attracting trouble, unless you want to dress Taldan. Which is to say shave or dress noble.'
Heren rides his horse close to where the stranger is sitting.
'What has you travelling to the north end of our fair land lady, and may I inquire of your name?'
'A beautiful name, we should arrive in Sehir by the evening time. You weren't expecting trouble on the road were you?'
This leg of the journey will be much like the first for Malgasir. He takes leave every so often to scout ahead a few miles for dangers.
Mel listens to everything the woman has to say for herself...whilst still pretending to be engrossed in the book
sense motive
'Yes indeed, you can trust us.'
Mel draws Adjunta aside whispering quietly..."She seems to be genuine..though I doubt she is telling us the whole story here I sense no trickery in her tale..."
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"There are few of us that want to reveal our entire stories," the priest says nodding, "not to strangers anyways, and especially not when we think our selves wronged by the other party. I suspect she knows this man better then she claims, that he is not a stranger to her, but as too their exact history who can say? People become very strange when money is involved."
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"Well," Adjunta says after they had parted company with the lady, "I hate to say it, but I am glad to see her leave. Something didn't quite feel right. She seemed sincere but so can the great actors of the stage. Either way we have an important mission to do and we can't afford to be side tracked."
When they reach Sehir Adjunta advises them to top up any supplies and to check the local tavern for any rumors. Travelers tend to talk and knowing if there are any dangers on the road ahead would be wise.
Heren sets to immediately. Stabling his horse after agreeing a place to meet up later with his companions, he sets off to gether what information he can about the dangers of the plains between here and there destination.
Mel heads into town to find out what he can find..
knowledge(local)
He makes enquiries about Elissa
"Curiouser and curiouser" mutters Mel as yet another dead end occurs in the search for the mysterious 'piemaker'
Returning to the Inn the youth seeks out Adjunta and reports what he has found to the priest
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"Perhaps the young lady was a thief then," Adjunta muses, "good work by the way Mel, but now we have to ask what she was really after? Was she just a chance encounter, a young vagabond after coin, or is someone aware of our mission? If she were on horse she could have easily gotten ahead of us. She was in Ianthé's room and Ianthé has our maps."
Adjunta stands, "Regardless we should warn the others," he says, "there is a possibility that our mission has been compromised."
Mel nods.."Aye the lady should not be left alone in future..I suggest one of us sleeps across her door from now on..I'll do it if no-one else wants the task"."
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"No offense," Adjunta says, "but I can't condone putting a young man in the room of a lady, no matter how much I trust him. It is a pity that we don't have any other woman in the group but we must make do with what we have. I am married and have some experience with women. ! shall see if any of the others members of the group are married so we can share with the guard duty."