Almah considers the party's suggestion.
"Are you telling me that you have removed all of the threats from the monastery? Or that you have scouted it enough to ensure that the dangers there are less than they are here? Is the building clear of traps or harmful magic? Do we have a water source?"
"It certainly sounds like a more defensible position, if there are no threats within."
"I am not dismissing your counsel. My original idea was to keep a few of you here to help drive off the vulture if it returns, but if you have dealt with the threats at the monastery we can relocate there."
Kara bows deeply at the woman, waiting for permission to speak again. "Unfortunately, the monastery is not cleared of creatures yet - but I am confident we are able to handle any threat posed within its walls. We could move everyone within a league of the building while we clear it out, then come and give you the ok to move in.
However, if you'd prefer to stay here with some of us staying as guards," Kara glances briefly at each of her companions, trying to determine who would be best to leave behind, then back at her mistress, "but ultimately, the decision is yours."
Thadeous nods courteously at Almah, "If I may make a suggestion, Madam. I am in agreement with Kara, I think that splitting the group in two, to fight two enemies at once would weaken our overall effectiveness. While the monestary may not be clear, if we all move there together we can concentrate our fighting abilities there and then have a more defensible location to set up camp. In the meantime, if the vulture strikes again while we are moving, we will all be together to fight it, wherever that may be.
Thadeous stokes his beard in thought. "Hmm. At least, I think that is what Alzer Thaan would have done based on his ancient treatise, The Conduct of War.
"But, I myself am no expert in such matters," he adds, blushing slightly and bowing to Almah. "I have just read books on many different subjects."
Almah says, "I would like more time to think about this. It is too late in the day now to relocate in any case. Perhaps we can sleep on this decision."
"It may not seem like much to you to move this group a mile, but leaving water to go to a place of unknown safety... We wil speak more of this in the morning."
"Is there anything else that needs discussing? If not, we should call it an evening, and you can all go and get acquainted."
Kara bows deeply again before exiting the tent. She spends the afternoon and evening trying to busy herself helping out around the camp as much as possible, but ends up needing to rest frequently. During many of those rests she finds herself gazing at and studying the dark-skinned woman - the ex-slave Mirama.
Ikethru had fallen silent at Almah's question abut the monastery. She could not help but feel the sting of personal failure for not having reclaimed it already. But when brave Kara and the newcomers made their recommendation, she smiled faintly. Perhaps this was divine providence.
She bowed to Lady Roveshki and took her leave with the others. "It is good to have you with us." she said to Thadeous and Azten. "You have my thanks for your aid. If you will excuse me however, I must seek Father Zastoran. Our friend was badly hurt, and she needs healing."
She turned to Kara before the halfling took to bed. "We will have you well soon, I promise."
Javeed stretches as if his mighty muscles have not been used in days perhaps weeks. He looks to his companions in anticipation, "Where you go my friends I shall follow"
At Ikethru's request, Kara follows her to receive medical attention.
As the evening draws to a close, Kara wanders over to where several people have converged on the campfire and stares deep into the flames. Finally she starts humming, slowly at first, a sad, mournful melody. As the last bits of conversation die down, she opens her mouth with words:
Oft wandering in doubt or despair
Through endless fields of plain
Cold, chapped wind whips sandy hair
Though she's long been numb to pain
Sorrow creased into her eyes
Cannot forget remorse
Yet dreams untold within her lie
Of better life, or worse.
For stinging sand and darkened skin
Are all she ever knew
Her burning spirit, trapped within
Penetrates through and through
So forged within this hope and light
Hate torn from regret
And laughter of th'enemy's delight
Torment she can ne'er forget.
Upon finishing her song, she bows her head as if her entire body was weighed down by some heavy unseen force, and shuffling her feet, makes her way to her tent and falls quickly asleep.
"It is good to have you with us." she said to Thadeous and Azten. "You have my thanks for your aid. If you will excuse me however, I must seek Father Zastoran. Our friend was badly hurt, and she needs healing."
Thadeous bowed to Ikethru. "Thank you. I just hope I can be of more help in later days."
After introducing himself to each of the others, Thadeous sat by the fire and listened to Kara's song.
I had no idea such poetry existed, he thought to himself. I thought all of the knowledge and art in the world existed only in colleges, universities, and libraries. I may learn more than I ever imagined from these young people.
After laying out his bedroll, Thadeous drifted off to sleep with Kara's song still in his head.
A new day arrives, bestowing The Dawnflower's blessings upon her followers.
The adventurers are informed that Almah awaits them after they have broken their fast.
After eating, Thadeous walked directly to Almah's tent, eagerly awaiting what the new day would bring, but nervous, as well, wondering if he would be able to successfully turn his book knowledge into practical application.
Javeed strides his bulk to the mistress's tent.
Azten stands and walks to Almah's tent, still reading from a small book titled Magic Items: Creation and Use. He puts it away before he enters.
In the morning, Father Zastoran meets with Kara and returns her to full strength.
"Please, be more cautious. You are of great value to the Lady Almah, and Nethys will sometimes withhold his mysteries from those who grow too reliant upon them."
In the morning, Father Zastoran meets with Kara and returns her to full strength.
"Please, be more cautious. You are of great value to the Lady Almah, and Nethys will sometimes withhold his mysteries from those who grow too reliant upon them."
Feeling suddenly much more refreshed, Kara thanks the man for the healing and skips cheerfully to Almah's tent to gather with the others.
Lady Almah nods as you arrive.
"I have considered your suggestion, and agree that it is probably best for us to move the camp."
"I would like you to head out to the monastery and see how much more you can accomplish in securing the location while we begin preparations. It will probably take us a few hours to pack the tents, gather the livestock, ready the camels, and move closer to our goal. I would also like one or two of you to stay and assist with guarding against the return of the vulture, preferably at least one of you with some ranged capability."
"I do have a crossbow, but would prefer to face the bird with my blade. I may even be able to use to use two of my scrolls to either weaken it or force it to slumber. But I will go where I am needed."
"I suppose that my lightning blasts might help to drive off a bird, but I am sure that the party requires my arcane magick to help in their exploration."
"I suppose that my lightning blasts might help to drive off a bird, but I am sure that the party requires my arcane magick to help in their exploration."
Azten looks between Khalit and Thadeous.
"Two wizards perhaps? I think I see some interesting magical items in my future. Maybe they'll even let me use one..." he thinks to himself.
Martika sighs. "Lady Almah, my brother and I will remain with you for now, to help guard the camp and aid with moving. The others can finish exploring the monastery."
"Ikethru, perhaps you could take charge of Kara?"
"So let's get things moving again - I hate doing nothing!"
Kara nods at the two women before taking her place by Ikuthru's side, accepting her as guardian and master.
"Well, if no one has any objections, I guess I'll be a part of the scouting group."