Chapter 3 - Many Meetings

[Cadrius]

Aashya, Aleina

His eyes are the first thing that strike them. They're sharp, worried, with none of the vacant glaze that had coated them the night before. Yet he looks tired as if he hadn't just slept for at least ten hours. Wary, he watches the two women as they observe him. He seems to recognize Aleina and gives her a brief, cautious nod.

The morning is warmer than yesterday's, the clouds keeping some of the heat closer to the land. It feels more like an autumn day in the Westlands, and will likely get warmer as the day progresses. In the distance, a herd of boros travels southward; the great beasts are oblivious to the nine camped a thousand feet away.

"Good morning," the Healer whispers, "I don't suppose we have fire for some tea?"

He looks around, realizing his horse and his bags are both gone, disappeared down a westerly road, and shrugs. There is no kindling to be burned and no tea to be brewed. Each of the companions is inspected in turn: the scholar, the erenlander, the dorn, the halfling, the wogren, and the sarcosan, and lastly Aleina.

He opens his mouth but hesitates a moment before whispering again, "I fear I owe you a debt, and it is not for what you think. I owe you a debt for damning yourselves. He will return, and his wrath will be terrible...it always is. Perhaps if I leave you now you may yet escape."

Lucien pushes himself to his feet and brushes the accumulated dirt from his clothes and looks about, as if trying to get his bearings. Then his eyes widen. When he speaks again his voice still half-hushed.

"My patient! I must leave."

[Berova]

Dun

When Aashya stirs him awake, Dun glimpses but an instant into the young woman's eyes. He quickly realizes it's their turn at the watch. While the night's sleep was all too cold and uncomfortable, the rest was nevertheless most welcomed and much needed. His head feels far better than last night.

Ahhh, the old man stirs... finally, he has broken out of his stupor. And he speaks...

When the Healer rises and speaks out again, Dun asks, "What patient?! Where must you go?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

When she lay down, sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. She shifts onto her side, head pillowed by her hands, eyes wide open and staring into the darkness, listening to the sounds of the night and hoping thats all they were.

What have I done?

The words tolled through her mind, reminding her with each chime that her life was now changed. How many oaths had she broken this day? How much blood was on her hands? Her eyelids drop, partly covering the icy pits of her eyes.

It had started as an effort to help people. To make the best of what was there without further violence. Without bloodshed. A way to combat the evil that was in the land without resorting to their tactics. Without becoming everything she despised about them. Yet things had twisted, the way narrowing until the only avenue remaining was the one she had vowed not to travel. Two conflicting promises: to help, to not harm.

There must be another way.

If there was, Aleina could not see it no matter how hard she tried. She is still staring, eyes half open, when sleep takes her. Throughout the short night and into the morning, she does not stir at all in her sleep; her body neither shifts nor twitches and even her eyes do not fully close. Inside the stillness of her physical presence, her mind churns restlessly in nebulous dreams, haunted by the unceasing pressure of the netherworld. The spirits of the dead haunt her dark dreamworld with teasings and horrors, glimmers of things past and slivers of things that might yet happen. She is tumbled without respite, rolling along through the mist as she had once been dragged along by the river Eren, powerless to do anything. Everything begins to fade into inky darkness, and then a bluish shimmering light waxes above her, seething icily. Crushing cold and sluggish wet, she knows that light. Far above her is the surface of the river, strangely beautiful as her body stiffens from lack of air. She opens her mouth and the river rushes in.

And then, just like that, Aashya is there in front of her, and she is awake in the chill plains, the wind hissing through the swordgrass. The dream is gone and the entire episode, the entire night's sleep, is gone as though she had never laid down at all. Her placid eyes find the healer, sitting up and looking guarded. She listens to his words, but frowns at his attitude. A shake of her head is the prelude to her words.

"There are things we must discuss. Your patient is far from here, and he is in less danger on his own than he would be with any of us. You must tell us all you know of the hound and his purpose."

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Sounds, off. They seep into his consciousness, and with a swallowed grunt the youthful scholar awakens. He looks around wildly for a moment, taking in the grey dawn-light as it builds around them, hearing the rustling and waking breaths of his companions.

He'd fallen asleep with his legs still tucked up in front of him, the book nestling in his angled lap like a quiet child. His first instinct is to protect the tome, and Lyr quickly closes the covers, brushing a vagrant leaf from the page. Rising, he claws splayed fingers through his knotted, lank hair, trying to scrape the residues of sleep form himself. Tiredness hangs from him like a cloak; whatever demoniac vitality had seized him last nigt was bannished by the interrupted night of rest and the effoert of staying awake on watch. Not that I did well at that, he thinks wit a squirm of guilt.

Looking around, though, Lyr sees no accusatory, reproachful glances sent his way; instead, those who are awake are speaking to the healer! The man had clearly recovered from the socery that had been placed on him.

"You must tell us all you know of the hound and his purpose."

Sidling over to join the group, Lyr chimes in to clarify Aleina's question, his voice quiet and serious as ever, but somewhat phlegmy as he shakes off the bonds of dormancy.

"The Hound is the name we have the severant of the Shadow who menaced you in Kingscross."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

With the coming of day light, Aashya's sense of self-confidence seems to have been renewed. No more stumbling around in the darkness, half-blind, unsure of her footing or of herself. She has done a good job on watch, fighting off sleep and enduring the night's cold to help safeguard the group. She's pleased to have made a contribution.

She stands, stamping her feet to warm them before walking around first to Dun, then to Rotha'ah, and shaking them awake. The Northman's muscles flex beneath his animal skins, and he grunts an unintelligible command (or perhaps it is a greeting?) as he makes his way out of the depths of sleep and comes fully to wakefulness.

Aashya moves on through the camp to the place where Aleina is sleeping. The dark-haired Erenlander appears already to be awake. Ebon eyes meet azure. Aashya feels a jolt almost of shock as she looks into those pools of pale blue fire. Is it the surprising color blazing out from beneath dark brows that is so unsettling? Or is it the way they seem to penetrate beyond the surface of what Aashya chooses to show the world, searching for and touching lightly upon the truth deep inside her? It's like Aleina can look at her, and see things of which even Aashya has no awareness.

And yet, Aleina regards her for only an instant. Her regal gaze moves past her to the one they call the Healer. Aashya turns to look also.

"There are things we must discuss."

Aleina speaks with certainty, beautiful and poised. But Aashya detects the strain in her voice. It is the Hound that worries her. And maybe something else, some secret torment that Aashya can't even imagine. Underneath the woman's strength there is a hint of weakness. Aashya can't help feeling somehow protective of her.

Now how will the Healer respond?

[Cadrius]

"My patient is safe?" the Healer snorts, "That d--" he stops and lowers his voice "--dwarf was unconscious when I left him. I very much doubt that he is well."

The worry remains but the Healer now seems much like a rope drawn taught. Yet a shadow remains in his eyes and he looks conflicted. Uncertain whether to be afraid or incensed, he settles for a little of both.

"The less you know of...this hound, the better off you are. It is sufficient to know that he follows me and comes closer to catching me with each attempt."

The shadow is revealed. He's haunted by the hound's tireless pursuit. Fleeing from one town, village, or cave to the next wears greatly on the healer. Aleina had once thought the mayor of Kingscross looked to be carrying the weight of the world. If that's true then it is the healer's shoulders that hold up Lusk.

"I suppose my gratitude is in order," he says, smiling mirthlessly, "you've spared me for now. I owe you that much and I'll see to any of your wounded, but do not ask me of him, I beg you. Your lives are already likely forfeit...I would not have other things to become the same. If we part now he is likely to leave you be so long as you never cross his path again."

The healer grimaces at his grim words and runs a hand through his greying hair. He's tired, that much is clear from the dark that rings his eyes, but he doggedly picks through his pockets until he produces some herbs.

"For the injured," he explains, examining the nine again, smiling wanly at his offer. He extends the plants to Aleina. She doesn't immediately recognize them, but Stephen had managed to stump her as well. "Do you need help with it?"

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Rhotha'ah stirs from a fitful sleep, urged awake by the Sarcosan woman's hand. His dreams of fire and ruin shatter and flee in a thousand pieces, and leave him slick with his own sweat, though the morning air is cool and crisp. As he awakes, he notices the healer is alert and not under whatever vile magic the Hound had placed on him.

The healer continued to plea for his release, a course of action that Rhotha'ah finds odd. "You stand here amongst your saviours begging for release, but would resign yourself and your fate to your captors." He says, his baritone voice rumbling low within his chest, even as the confused expression spreads across his countenance. He knew battle to do many a wierd thing to a man, but certainly not this.

"And do you not think that once the Hound is done with you, he will not come after us? After all, we brazenly defy the Shadow's laws but travelling from our homes, wield weapons and sorcery openly, and attack at the ministers of darkness. If we are to stand any chance at survival, we should stick together." The Dorn speaks, his eyes focused solely on the healer.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

She appraises the healer silently as he speaks, letting her eyes do her talking for the moment. The disappointment therein is writ bold enough for any to see, but there is strength in her gaze as well. Rhotha'ah once again surprises her with his astute assessment. The Dorn had a mind beneath all of his muscle. For the moment, she ignores the offered herbs, hands folded into the sleeves of her robe.

"Our lives are already likely forfeit, you say. That is the wisest thing you have uttered in my presence. You would have perished already were it not for us. Do you think you will survive his next assault? What then will happen to your patient? And then he will be after us, with death on his mind. You know this, and you know that it will happen.

"Yet you would deny us the benefit of knowledge: the knowledge of what we are up against, the knowledge that might help us survive. It is a fool's dream to believe he will forget about us. And I am not a fool."

[Cadrius]

The healer laughs but does not look bemused by the combined verbal assault from the dorn and erenlander. Yet his weariness looks to have grown. He gives them each their turn to say their peace, neither interrupting their accusations nor their admonishments. Each falls silent and yet the healer remains quiet. His eyes narrow in study of the two, taking their measure. When he speaks again it is in a soft, tightly controlled voice.

"Children risk their lives, lecture their elders, and then presume them fools. I wonder what is next? Perhaps an orc will come by and offer to be my servant.

"You are a fool despite your claim. A wise man, or woman in your case, would have let the encounter play out further. A wise man, would have taken better measure of this hound. You leaped into the fray, shouting brave words and making big threats. Valiant, but foolish."

His eyes travel from one to the next, but never strays far from Rhotha'ah and Aleina. He speaks again, pronouncing his words carefully, quietly.

"My life was never in danger. It has never been in the past and likely never will be in the future. I didn't kill that man in the valley, he did because he came too close to putting a sword in my gut.

"This...hound wants me to go with him, willing or not, back to White Cliffs. He has never revealed why, so you may save your breath on that front," he says, his eyes growing distant as he relives the memories of previous encounters, "He always tries to persuade me to go on my own. 'It will be easier on us both' he says."

Out of all those assembled only Lyr recognizes the name of the fallen city full mostly of brigands and the occasional goblinoid squatters. Why the Hound, presumably a legate, would take the Healer there rather than Theros Obsidia, is beyond the young scholar. And yet, didn't his own master keep himself apart from the rest of his brethren? Perhaps the Hound is an outsider as well.

Shaking his head, the Healer comes out of his reverie. "I can only imagine what he wants with me, but if death was his aim I would be another spirit floating through the aether right now. My best bet is to travel quickly and lightly. I would rather not have eight more deaths on my hands.

"But I cannot bar you from following me. I have no horse, and nothing but this staff to ward you off. Should you be so eager to die, be my guest, but I'll not have your blood on my soul."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

The picture is beginning to come together. And it seems that these people don't know as much as Aashya thought.

The Healer accuses them of acting rashly back in the valley. They'd jumped in too soon, before they were fully aware of what was going on. The Hound hadn't been trying to kill the Healer at all. He had, in fact, protected him, calling down the lightning against his own man. At least I finally know who worked that magic...... Aashya muses.

By why, if the Hound is a legate, does he insist on persuading the Healer to come with him? A legate would just take his quarry by force, wouldn't he?

"What did he do to you?" Aashya asks without bothering to consider whether she ought to interrupt. "You weren't like this last night. You were ..... in a daze, or something." When the Healer turns his gaze on her, she feels distinctly uncomfortable, but she can't help adding:

"And it seems to me that you're lucky they did 'leap into the fray' even if it was a rash thing to do. If they'd waited even a few moments longer, he probably would have magicked you away with him wherever he went."

And I'd be sleeping now instead of butting into conversations that don't concern me!

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

Her eyes blaze indignantly, sapphire flares beneath the storm tossed sky of her raven hair.

"Foolish would be to mock those who risked all to save you. Rash would be to presume others are not wise enough to make sense of what puzzles you. I understood what was at stake when I set my foot in the direction of the man that hunts you. We could have left you to your fate but we chose not to."

She pauses, gauging the resignation in his grey eyes.

"What I don't understand is why you do his work for him. Run, you say, far and fast. Yet you know he will find you, you know that when he does he will take you. You must take control of your own life at some point. Are you so dead that you are not at least curious of his purpose?"

[Berova]

Dun

Dun listened to the Healer and his companions conversation unfold intently until he had finally had enough, "So, instead of geniuine gratitude for sparing you, you are telling us we shouldna've bothered?"

"Yes, you are indeed right. We are all young and inexperienced too, perhaps too young and filled with one ideal too many. Maybe the world has not crushed every ounce of hope from our little hearts, at least not yet. If you then call us fools, then perhaps that is what we are."

"And yes, it is readily apparent enough, if the Hound wanted you dead, that would've come easy. It is also obvious now, the rest of us were all so beneath the Hound's contempt, he did not even bother with the rest of us."

"But what of you? How self-serving of you, 'your life was never in danger'?! Are you so full of yourself that you cannot see the cards you are holding?! It is not simply your life at stake, but possibly the hundreds and hundreds of lives of others?"

"Are you so eager to be enthralled to whatever sinister machinations the Hound had in store for you? Perhaps, as you say, you cannot imagine what he wants of you. Perhaps his own evil master, undoubtedly a destroyer of lives innumerable, had fallen ill or sustained a near mortal wound, and now require your adept ministrations? Would you be so willing to serve the dark lord's bidding so that he may continue to carry out the Shadow's will?!"

"How much blood would you have on your soul then?"

"Nay, there is much more at stake than you or any of us." Dun almost laughs at the irony, "As far as persuading you to go with him on your own volition, you take that as an act of kindness? And you have the temerity to call us fools! And I suppose last night you were acting under your own compulsion when you were taking a midnight stroll with the Hound?"

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Lyr's mouth snaps closed, and he glances at Dun, impressed by his friends sudden passion and clarity of thought. Everything he might have said himself, had he a little more confidence or energy. He feels a surge of pride for the other Erenlander and looks back to the Healer, nodding to show his agreement.

[Cadrius]

Hushed words cut through the morning air as surely as the bits of sharp grass. The Healer doesn't look cowed, but defeated; he's unwilling to argue further with those assembled. A silence falls over the nine and nothing stirs but the distant cry of the wind. The Healer's eyes are closed and he breathes slowly, either thinking or asleep.

The heard of boros continues their way past, now several hundred yards away. The great, tusked beasts plot onward, skirting the thick patches of swordgrass. Oblivious to the argument, to the concerns, they're almost enviable in their simplicity. They only care about the grass cats and finding their next meal.

His eyes open again and the shadow has returned, yet with it comes a certain sadness. "Do you honestly believe you're the first to make such an offer?" he asks, his voice soft, without reproach, "I accepted their offer eagerly. This Hound has pursued me all of my days and I thought those made of sterner stuff might change things. They died. As did the next. As did the ones after them. It is not for lack of trying that I find myself trapped. The Hound is the whirlpool and I am but an errant leaf caught within its pull.

Come, if you're eager to see what lies beyond this life, but I promise nothing but shadows and pain" --his voice drops to a whisper-- "that's all that is left in my wake."

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Listening to grimness and despair in the Healer's voice, a cold shiver runs down Lyr's spine. His own feels horibly dry as he clears his throat and murmurs:

"It is folly to take the weight of the Shadow's evil on your own shoulders. The deeds your foes do in trying to harm you are not your fault. Think of the life you restore. That is your legacy and responsibility."

The scholar flinches minutely as he finishes; it might seem unforgivably pontifical for one as young and carefree as him to speak of responsibility to his elder.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

A small but rather annoying weight settles on her shoulders, mocking her intent and reminding her that one day she may end up just like this man she had tried to save. Was it truly as hopeless as he made it sound, or had he been hunted for so long that he was blind to any possibility of redemption? Aleina didn't know, nor did she think she would get the answers from him.

"I apologize for what must seem like an interrogation. We know there is danger, we know there is little hope. We have risked much to help. Understand that we are not trying to force you against your will, but it is painful to help someone only to find they will not share information that seems vital to all of our safety. I am only asking that you tell us what you know of the situation; it might help to keep us safer, and it may help you as well. Stay here a while and rest before you decide."

With that she leaves Lucien to his own thoughts, and moves a short distance away to contemplate her own.

[Berova]

Dun

Refusing to relent, Dun was about to start off once again, There he goes again, the old man presumes too much, much to all their detriment.

Somewhat relieved Lyr feels somewhat similar as he, Dun is nevertheless equally annoyed that Aleina presumed to blunt the stark reality he proffered the Healer. Dun wants to shout out, "He needs to face these demons if he is to be saved," but ultimately decides to hold back, feeling further persistence would be futile.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya still kneels next to Aleina's sleeping place, right where she was when the Healer woke up and this conversation began. She's been listening to the words back and forth, but staring off into the distance at the boro herd as it passes by.

Strange animals. She means the boros, but she might also be thinking about the people talking. She's certain that she's never seen anything like the boros before. Not while she travelled the river with the gnomes. And they seem so unfamiliar that she can't help thinking that'd she'd never come across them before that either. Nobody else seems to be taking any notice of them however. Perhaps they are common here in the Westlands.

Now, about the people talking...... They seem strange to her also. The words of the Healer frighten her. Everyone who has ever tried to help him has died. Everyone! No wonder he seems so...... beaten down. He must feel that responsibility to be a heavy burden.

How can we help him when others have failed, even lost their lives trying? She can't imagine that most people, hearing the man's story, would be as insistent as this group. What do they want from him?

The boros plod on, moving farther away, although Aashya can still see the cloud of dust they kick up and an occasional tusk glinting in the early morning light. She stifles a sudden yawn and rubs her eyes.

If I sit here much longer, I'll end up falling back to sleep! Looking around the camp she notices that Heulwen is still sleeping. Maybe there is time for her to rest a little longer.

Aashya stands and heads over to her small pile of belongings. She passes near Aleina who stands apart from the others now. The woman that Lyr had described as a healer is staring out at the grasslands, maybe even watching that same distant dust cloud that marks the boros' passing. She seems to be lost in her own thoughts.

Aashya hesitates, then approaches her. She feels like little more than a tag-along at this point - cetainly not someone who should have a say in the group's plans. She doesn't want to disturb the woman, but it would be nice to know when the party was going to be moving again.

"I'd like to thank you again for letting me travel with you," she says when Aleina turns toward her. "Do you have any idea how long we'll be stopping here?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

If their situation had not been so dire, Aleina might well have smiled at Aashya's words. They had dragged the girl into great danger and she was thanking them for it. Was it the lesser of two evils or had they damned this woman as well?

Too much uncertainty in her mind. The healer had been right in one thing at least: they had no idea what they had gotten into. Of course, had Lucien been more forthcoming to begin with Aleina would not have been forced to make assumptions. Not that it mattered, since despite the man's protestations she felt they could make a difference here. But she wasn't about to force him. They would need him as a willing ally if they had any hope.

Once more, her icy eyes appraise Aashya as the channeler turns to face her squarely, formally. It was a defense - to maintain her composure, to give the appearance that she had everything under control, even when the world was spinning chaotically away from her.

"Not long. Once the others have rested we will move again, though at this time I do not even know where."

Almost to herself she adds, "Perhaps there will be a sign."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

A sign?

"Do you believe in such things?"

Aashya remembers that Gylda used to have her own little superstitions. A black cat seen boarding a raft was a sure sign of bad luck. A hazy circle around the moon was a sign that storms were coming. Aashya had never put much stock in things like that. The signs just didn't hold true as far as she could see.

Besides, who was it that supposedly sent the signs?

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Leaving the Healer to his musings, Lyr mutters a breif 'good-night' to his companions, and shuffles back to the patch of crushed grass near his bags. Stiffling a yawn at almost the same moment as Aashya, he lowers himself to the ground and throws an arm over his face, determined to snatch a few more hours of sleep before they must move.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"I never used to."

She seems about to say more, but instead briskly changes the subject.

"It is my turn to watch but perhaps you will join me for a while?"

When Aashya indicates agreement, Aleina begins making a slow circuit of the camp, her long cloak flowing behind her. Her eyes scan the horizon, occaisionally moving to the other woman but always relaxed.

"We don't know very much about each other; our position is rather more familiar than new acquaintances generally tolerate. Doubtless the things you have seen and heard seem strange to you. If you would travel with us, then you should know more about us than just our names. We met just yesterday, in a town called Kingscross and for one reason or another, each of us was departing the town. We decided to travel together for a time."

She walks silently for a few moments, ordering her thoughts, before continuing.

"Before we managed to leave, we were accosted by the man we now call the Hound. He was looking for that man - ", she indicates the healer with a nod, " - Lucien. When the hound left to look for him, we came to a decision that we would try to help the healer, for he seemed a decent man. We caught up to him just after the hound did, and managed to foil his attempted kidnapping. That is when you found us."

She glances over at Aashya almost expectantly.

"Does that help you understand more fully what we are about? For myself, I will answer any other questions you might have, but first I should like to know more about you. If you don't mind."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

"You mean you're not... all of you are not... working for someone?" Aashya's face shows her puzzlement. She had begun to suspect that they were all part of some underground organization. "You hear whispers about secret groups that help people, like some that smuggle supplies to the dwarves," she goes on to explain. "I thought maybe you were part of something like that."

She's not sure if she's disappointed or not. They're just ordinary people. No, not ordinary. Ordinary people would not have decided to follow the Hound and help Lucien. It seems almost that fate must have brought them all together at the right moment. Does that mean that she was meant to join with them as well?

You might almost take it as a sign. If you believed in such things.

But Aleina wants to know more about her. A familiar feeling of inadequacy begins to rise up inside of Aashya. But this time she won't allow it to overwhelm her.

"I wish I could tell you all about myself," she says after struggling with the words for a moment. "A couple of seasons ago, I woke up on the raft of a family of gnomes. They said that they'd rescued me from the river, nearly dead. I remember the water......." Her eyes become distant as she thinks back to that time, a confusion of icy cold water, murky darkness, and pain. "But I can't remember anything before that." She shakes her head to clear it.

"Except for this - Greenfield. It's the name of a town, but that's all I know. When I heard that name for the first time...... it was just so familiar! I can't say why.

"I left the river then to try to find it. Nothing much happened on the road, until I met all of you."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

Her eyes narrow slightly at the mention of the river but her pace remains unchanged. Silently, she contemplates her dream the night before, wondering if it was coincidence that it was Aashya who had woken her from the chill grip of the not-quite-nightmare.

"Rivers are powerful places, and no river is so powerful as the Eren."

In a way, it had saved her life and taken it away at the same time. Aashya had most certainly lost something in her ordeal, but Aleina cannot help but wonder what she might have gained. For a moment, she almost wishes they could trade places, that she might forget those things which had pushed her - alone, naive - into the frigid baptismal waters.

A rebirth for us both.

Her old life was shed as surely as Aashya's. Yet Aleina might have within her the power to help the girl discover her past - the river giving back to it's own?

"No," her voice is distracted, "we are not a part of any group."

Aleina is torn between her choices. Clearly Aashya was searching for her past, clutching to Greenfield as the only link between her and it. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to let her find the town and go about the business of deciphering her past. Yet Aleina is quite certain that she can help, somehow. But if she gave Aashya that hope, then almost certainly the girl would stay with them, perhaps against her better judgement.

"You believe the key to your past is in Greenfield. That, I take it, is why you left your home. To find out what you no longer remember. You have given up the only life you know to find your past, so I know that it is important to you. How important is it? Would you become a fugitive? Risk death? What if you find out something that you don't like?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

"No, I-- It's not my past I'm looking for... I mean, if I wanted to find out where I came from, I would've left the gnomes sooner and gone back down river." Aashya looks over at the other dark-haried woman. How can she explain?

"Yes it's true that I've always been curious about my past. But I've been afraid of it too." Without being aware of it, she folds her arms protectively across her midsection. "I wasn't just nearly drowned in the river. I-- there was a terrible wound... made by a sharp blade, probably a sword, the gnomes said. Somebody wanted me dead." She remembers the paralysing fear that knowledge had inflicted on her as she lay in bed, slowly regaining her strength. "What if you find out something that you don't like?"

"But Greenfield - it's not my past, but my future. I know this. When I hear the name, when I think about it, I feel such hope! There is something..." she wants to say important, vital, "...something there for me. I can't explain it."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Yet you do not believe in signs."

If it wasn't a part of her past, then why the resonance with a name? It was something Aleina herself was used to. After all, the name Kingscross had resounded loudly enough in her soul that she went there with no idea why. Yet Aashya would be stepping on even more precarious ground. It was entirely possible - probable even - that Greenfield had some connection to her past. It was also possible that the people who had wounded her so grievously were there. With no memory of the event, she would not remember her enemies though they might well remember her.

"You are brave to set out so. I would like to help, but I don't know where we are destined to go. It might not be Greenfield, and even if it is, it might be long before we get there.

"You see, I do believe in signs. Things . . . come to me sometimes. So it was with my grandmother, I am told."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Signs......... Feelings......... Aashya is not sure that she believes in either one, really. The truth is, she had felt compelled to leave the gnomes and the river. She hadn't thought about it, or weighed her options. She'd simply said, "I am leaving", then left less than a day later.

"Brave? I don't know about that....." She hadn't considered the danger at the time, although Gylda and the others had warned her. "It seemed that I'd let the gnomes take care of me long enough. Could I have stayed with them always?" While she talks, her fingers restlessly play with the ribbons tied to the front of her shirt. She twists them together - blue, green, and yellow - then lets them hang free. "I never wanted them to find trouble on my account.

"And I've seen no sign of trouble following me, so you don't have to worry." She stops to look Aleina in the eye when she says this. "I hope that all that is in the past, behind me.

"As for what lies ahead....... I'll make it to Greenfield eventually, I'm sure. I don't expect you to help me find my way."

The gnomes had stories about strangely gifted individuals - they called them fortune tellers, and Gylda had even suggested once that they try to find one for Aashya. Perhaps if she'd stayed with them longer.......

"Things.. come to you. Signs, you mean. Really?"

Oddly, Aashya almost believes in the woman. Is it her eyes maybe? She finds herself looking into them now - crystal blue orbs that speak of hidden power.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"We are alike in that the Eren has made us strangers to ourselves."

There was strength in this slight woman; Aleina could sense it lurking beneath her uncertain exterior. There was, she thought, more strength than Aashya knew herself.

"Maybe signs isn't the right word. You know that the dark one is the only god left to this world, and that he resides here - in physical form - not in the afterworld. You must know too that the dead lie restlessly here. These things are related. The spirits of the deceased cannot pass to any afterworld, just as the gods cannot pierce the veil to affect our phsyical world. Those spirits surround us, severed from life but retaining some cognizance. Maybe it is simply that I can perceive some small bit of the collective conscious those spirits represent. Or maybe the border between worlds is thinner in some people, and in those cases the spirits find it possible to send messages. Much can be learned about the future from the past."

She stops near the area where she had slept, taking a seat on a small jumble of stone. Her finely shaped hands brush back her dark hair before she folds them once more within her sleeves.

"So, I know that you seek Greenfield and that you lived with gnomes. I also know that you believed us a part of some underground movement, yet you agreed to travel with us anyway. I have two questions for you, which may tell you something about yourself as well as whether or not you want to stay with us for any length of time. Do you despise the shadow? And do you wish to make a difference in the world?"

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

As the Dorn watches over the two women, listening in on their conversation, his own mind takes a little solace in the words spoken. A confirmation of purpose beyond his immediate goal, of something beyond this world drawing people together. He takes the porcelain amulet in his hands and looks over it, then towards the healer.

"Healer, my apologies for speaking so to you earlier when I didn't know the situation beyond the immediate as to why you sounded so defeated and resigned to your fate." Rhotha'ah says, his tone truly apologetic and washed with an undercurrent of his own remorse. "But, if you would leave us and not take our aid, there is one thing I must ask of you."

He shows the healer the porcelain mask, handing it to him. "My tribe was attacked only a week ago by men wearing masks of black porcelain. In your travels have you seen or heard anything of such men? Anything at all?" The Dorn's eyes contain both hope that the healer might know something of his attackers, and despair that he might not.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

"Do you despise the shadow? And do you wish to make a difference in the world?"

"Of course I despise the shadow! But what can I do to make a difference?"

Aashya is caught off guard. It is one thing to travel with these people who, she had already decided, were indeed making a difference. But to work with them, to aid their purpose? That really would be dangerous! She shrinks from the idea, telling herself that there is nothing she can do to help them. What skills does she have?

Well, as she has recently discovered, she may have been trained to fight. Is it possible that in the past she had worked with people like these before? Agreeing to stay with them might help bring some of that back to her.

Most of what Aleina had said about spirits and collective conscious had been difficult to understand. But she seemed to be saying that she received messages from somewhere beyond the physical world. Perhaps in time the spirits would tell her something about Greenfield......

"I don't know what I can do to help you," Aashya finally continues. "But I'm willing to try."

[Cadrius]

The Healer looks appeased by the dorn's, and Aleina's, words. Yet worry still lurks in the depths of his eyes. He stares, gauging them, and bites part of his lip in thought. Minutes pass before he speaks.

"I don't know why you're eager to throw your lives away, but I could at least use the company until I find my horse and patient. I'm rather" --he gestures to the plain staff at his feet-- "defenseless. There is one thing you should know," he says, turning his gaze to Dun, "if any asks for my aid, I am bound to give it no matter their allegiance. Such is the life of a healer. Although without my herbs I doubt I will be of much use."

He looks at Aashya, apparently having heard part of her conversation, and two emotions war on his face: cynicism and sorrow. She isn't certain she likes what either could mean. The man has clearly seen death, if his words are to be believed, and that could explain both. The sarcosan feels a slight twinge of regret for being so eager to jump into the unknown. Could these people ever really help her? Or did she abandon her chance at a happy life when she left the Eren?

Lyr dreams fitfully, reliving his flight from the astirax, and feeling its talons rending through the meat of his shoulders again. He twitches. The phantom wounds haunt what should be a restful sleep.

Dun's blood cools slightly. The Healer is an idiot, to be sure, why else would someone refuse such help? Do healers carry the weight of those they could not save? And what of those they put in front of the sword? The man is likely just being a stubborn fool, isn't he?

The dorn, Rhotha'ah, holds out the broken piece of porcelain to the Healer who takes it in hand and runs one thumb across the surface. He frowns, deep in thought.

"Maybe...I'm not sure. A raider, you said? Could you tell me more?"

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Rhotha'ah nods his head, allowing the memories to surge forward but under his control this time. "They all were garbed in black clothing and wore black masks to cover their faces. I don't know if all of them wore porcelain, but the one from whom I cleaved that chunk off of his face did. We fought them off, but barely, and not before they stole women from my people."

He stretches his neck before looking at the healer once more. "I had tracked them south toward Kingscross, but from there, I found no information regarding them, as circumstances," he says, motioning toward his companions, "prevented me from gleaning anything of use from the innkeeper."

[Cadrius]

The Healer's mouth twitches at the dorn's words, but nods once. He drops his gaze to avoid the man's and falls silent for a moment. Rhotha'ah cannot see his face, but Aleina and Aashya can. He looks pained and full of sorrow.

"Were there any others taken?" he asks softly, keeping his head bowed and focused on the mask. "If there were these black riders were likely looking to take slaves either north to the sea or south to the cities. If she was the only one...they would find other uses."

Lifting his head, the Healer hands the cloven porcelain back to Rhotha'ah.

"If you and your kin live, then they are not who I feared. Had the Red Reavers come across you...there would have been nothing left. Nothing recognizable. Yet they haven't left the Northlands, not to my knowledge. No, these black riders are likely nothing more than unsanctioned brigands. If they haven't been killed by orcs, and aren't headed to the slave markets, they're either looking for a new village to attack or are holed up somewhere...enjoying the spoils. I'm sorry for...for everything."

And he is. The dorn can see it as clearly as the tufts of blade grass. Shining past the sadness and bitterness is an empathy for Rhotha'ah. A moment later it's gone, lost in the murky depths of the man's eyes; the clouds of misery roll back in and extinguish the light.

"How long will your companions need to sleep? I don't like the thought of leaving that dw--patient alone."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

She considers Aashya's words for a moment, thinking how much they echoed feelings she used to have. Even as she considers, though, the healer makes a comment that causes her heart to skip wildly.

He is only an herbalist? And bound to help the shadow as well?

From Stephen's comments, she had assumed that Lucien used more than just normal herb lore to heal. She had assumed he was a channeler, like herself. Of course, he might be lying to protect himself.

It was his other words that disturbed her more deeply, because it was a problem with which she had not yet been presented. What would she do if a shadow friend was in need of healing? Was she truly a healer if she would refused to aid them?

Almost absently, she replies to the woman.

"It is enough that you understand what it means to travel with us. As for what you can do, I don't even know what we can do. But it seems we are determined to find out."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The large Dorn's jaw clenches hard at the words the healer gives, not in sorrow or rage, but just because that is what they do when he is thinking of something, as if he locks his own jaw in place while carefully picking his next choice of words.

"Where is the nearest slave market to Kingscross?" He flicks a gaze to Lyr and his book, arching an eyebrow at the sleeping Erenlander, before turning back to the healer looking for answers he may or may not have.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya is quiet again. She feels that she has just done something momentous, and needs a little time to think about it. I'm not really a tag-along any more, she can't help thinking. For now she stays near Aleina, but looks around at the rest of the group, one by one.

Ordinary people, except for their willingness to risk their necks to maybe change things a little. A scholar. A huntress. A warrior. She looks at the Erenlander called Dun and wonders... What is his contribution to the group? Lyr called him 'a man of limitless versatility', whatever that meant.

And then there is Aleina, the healer. More than just a healer, it would seem. Where did her gift of seeing things come from?

"Aleina, what did you mean a moment ago when you said that we are alike, you and I, because the Eren made us strangers to ourselves?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

This time the pause is longer, and in the silence she hears Lucien drop his grim news upon Rhotha'ah, who accepts it like the pounding of surf upon rock. She feels another stab of pain work relentlessly into her heart, to join it's brothers and sisters already secreted there. She wants to go to this fortress of a man and tell him that things will be alright, but young though she is, Aleina has already lived too long to believe that lie. Her voice is soft, sad even, when she answers Aashya.

"I fell into the river, and it swept me away. I . . . I am a poor swimmer and I could not stay afloat. I went under, and could not come up. What happened next, I'm not sure . . ."

There had been nobody around when she woke up, nobody to tell her for sure. But she didn't really need anyone to tell her, because in her soul she knew what had happened. She shakes her head.

"When I awoke on that cold shore, so did some other part of me. That is when my sight first began to manifest itself."

And I have not been the same since.

"I sometimes have trouble remembering what it was like, before. Almost as though I was a different person then."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun listens on to the conversations in silence, holding back, biting his tongue where he deemed it inappropriate to interrupt. He listened to the Healer, no, Herbalist, and the Dorn's sad tale of loss as well as Aleina the Channeler and the Sarcosan's story of being lost and of being awaken. He listened and weeped inside for their loss and for his though he could not come forth with his own tale.


I don't know why you're eager to throw your lives away, but I could at least use the company until I find my horse and patient. I'm rather" --he gestures to the plain staff at his feet-- "defenseless. There is one thing you should know," he says, turning his gaze to Dun, "if any asks for my aid, I am bound to give it no matter their allegiance. Such is the life of a healer. Although without my herbs I doubt I will be of much use."

Then what was the reason for the Hound's compulsion?! Dun wanted to shout out once more at the Herbalist. But in the end, Dun was resigned the Herbalist and he would never understand each other.

He would never understand why the Herbalist would even lift a finger to save one who had and would cause so much the torment and so many deaths. And the Herbalist would never understand why Dun would go out of his way to help those in need. Or perhaps they are not at all that different, perhaps they are, and perhaps it does not matter at all. Never transpires in a blink of an eye, Dun never knew that was possible.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

In his sleep, Lyr rolls onto his shoulder. A lock of hair falls across his lips, and he murmurs fuzzily before sliding back deeper into blade-clawed nightmare.

"Mszzz.... sea monkeys stole my money..."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Hearing Aleina's story brings back Aashya's own memories of her struggle in the river. She too had been swept away by the river's swift current. She remembers being battered and bruised by jagged rocks, forced down and dragged along in the muck and sand of the river bottom. Her lungs had felt like they'd burst for lack of air.....

But she had found the strength to swim up to the surface each time the river tried to drag her down.

And Aleina? She'd either found her own inner reserve of strength and saved herself, or-

"The gnomes believe in a great river spirit they call the Watcher," Aashya says quietly. She'd witnessed the gnomes' simple, daily rituals, and a few of their more elaborate seasonal celebrations in honor of the Watcher, although she hadn't taken part herself. But there had been times when she thought that she had felt something, a presence, in or around the water, especially on those cool, spring nights when the river was shrouded in mist. Aashya stops short of suggesting that the Watcher could have had a hand in Aleina's rescue.

So. Aleina and Aashya both had come near to death in the Eren, and the experience had changed their lives. Aleina seems to have gained something. Has Aashya? She always believed that she had lost something, either in the river, or just before it took her. Looking back or trying too hard to remember usually leaves her feeling overwhelmed by melancholy. Does she really want to know what happened back then?

"I think I should try to get a little more rest," Aashya says suddenly. She nods to Aleina, then continues on her way to the place where she left her pack and blanket. There she finds a little patch of sunlight to lie down in, but she's never really able to fall back to sleep.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The Watcher

Aleina absorbs the words with her typical detachment, her face not betraying any sign of recognition. The name itself meant nothing to her, but the phenomenon roused her curiousity. It was something she would like to know more about, but not here and not now.

After all, she barely knew Aashya. True, the question and answer session had told her a bit more but they still knew very little of each other. Which might be for the best. Aleina had certainly doled out information in a miserly fashion, though she had taken pains to make it seem like more than it really was. Most of what she had related was bits that Aashya had either already known or would easily guess from the conversations going on all around. She had deliberately avoided any mention of channeling, prefering to focus the attention on her second sight - which most people might well dismiss as nothing more than self delusion.

She is almost relieved when the other woman excuses herself. The river brought back too many painful memories, and it was only too easy to let her guard down with this girl who seemed to have shared at least something of her pain. No, it would not be prudent to tell anyone too much about herself and how she ended up where she is now. They were all recent acquaintences.

She passes the time mulling over the influx of information her brain has received in the past day, trying to sort it out into workable bundles. Occaisionally her eyes pass over Lyr's sleeping form, reminding her of what she'd done. The shame of it was still strong.

We will need to talk.

[Cadrius]

The Healer blinks and shakes his head at the dorn's question. He seems somehow surprised by it. Yet he recovers quickly enough, brow furrowing in thought. A moment passes and then he shakes his head sadly.

"I'm sorry, lad, but I could only guess. Maybe Baden's Bluff. I...I don't deal much with slaves. I've just seen brigands attack villages before and learned what they do."

Aashya finds no rest on this shallow depression of the Westlands; her mind is a whirl with thoughts. Aleina had gained, true, but she had also lost. The Eren never gives freely, it seems. The question becomes then, if Aashya lost her memories, what had she received in the process?

Aleina's guilt over the skirmish the night before brews within her. Her knowledge of the arcane is limited, but the thought of taking another's energy could not be anything other than evil, could it? She'd taken a fraction of Lyr's essense, his life, perhaps even his soul, in order to power her enchantment. It wasn't a permanent loss, she doesn't think, but does it make it any less wrong?

Lyr's dreams take a darker turn. He flees through a tunnel, away from the astirax, and into a subterranian night. Down into the blackness he blindly runs until his feet splash into water. He trips and falls into a deep, salty pool. His arms flail, trying to grant him buoyancy, but it's no use. Downward he sinks, drowning but not dying, and he is lost for a time amidst the watery oblivion. And finally, after an unknowable amount of time, he reaches the bottom. It's there, that two great red eyes open and look into him, into his soul. And those eyes, those cold, alien eyes fill him with more dread than any legate or astirax.

Awaken...

[Dirigible]

Lyr

His eyes open.

Lyr stares at the [morning] sky for a long time, his dark eyes unseeing, stinging with the salt of his dream. After some time, he loses the undeclared staring contest between himself and the waning starlight and his lids snap shut. Part of him is afraid that the darkness behind them will hold two red demon-glares, and that he will never open them again.

Lyr rolls onto his side, shivering, remembering the feel of icy water enveloping him, sucking him down. He gets up quickly, shaking twigs and grass out of his cloak and wrapping it around himself.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Awaken by Cytaill begining to stir next to her, Heulwen takes a moment to orient herself as she does every morning, before reaching into her saddle bags for some food for herself and Cytaill. Meat for him and some more of that fresh (well, day old now) bread, an apple, and some cheese for her.

"If you have provisions," she advises the others, "you should eat something quickly. We don't exactly have time for a proper breakfast."

Noticing for the first time that the Healer is no longer is a daze, she directs her attention to him, "I hope your patient was alright last night when you and he split up."

Noting that the Healer has no bags with him, she reaches into her saddle bags and takes out a bit more of the bread and cheese, offering it to him, "Its not much, but it will have to do for now."

[Cadrius]

The Healer looks at the offer; it's a simple kindness and yet it carries a strong current with it. None of them can go long without food, and a loaf of bread is just as valuable to a starving man as a full wineskin is to a thirsty one. The Healer does not look particularly hungry, but he accepts the offer all the same with a polite nod of gratitude.

Those still sleeping begin to awaken, Lyr from his nightmares, and Heulwen from her blissfully empty sleep. She'd dreamed of this Healer before she met him, but the memory of him is almost wiped clean by the dark wings enveloping Kingscross. She wonders how the residents fared. Some would've, and perhaps did, alert the Shadow to her presence; a runaway slave would likely be killed on sight. Yet there were those who had a bit of kindness, but Stafford was the only one she met that hadn't travelled with her. Him and that odd one, Feyd. The halfling idly wonders what has become of the man.

The Healer casts a mournful eye at the Dorn, but holds his tongue. There's very little that can be said to a man who's lost his wife, particularly at the hands of raiders. If he's very lucky, she's been left unharmed in hopes of fetching a higher price. If not...well, best not to think of such things. The sky is overcast enough without black thoughts clouding things further.

Dun shakes his head and looks away from the Healer. The man seems good enough, but the young erenlander doesn't like how the Healer behaves. A wise man wouldn't have been caught on the open road like that. So he wonders, what have they agreed to risk their lives for? What sort of man are they following?

"My patient?" the Healer asks, sounding ever so slightly irritated, "Who knows if he still draws breath. An unconscious dwarf would be easy prey, provided his snoring didn't scare every living creature away."

They gather themselves, breaking what can only barely be called a camp. Shouldering possessions, they swallow their dry food and drink from their skins. They've enough supplies for now, but Kingscross likely isn't safe and the Westlands hold little mercy for the unprepared. The warmth of the day is already beginning to settle in, dispelling last night's unusual chill. Setting off again, the nine move south west in search of the patient.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

When the Healer mentions that the dwarf was still unconcious when they parted, a look of concern crosses Heulwen's face.

"We must try and find him then," she says.

Finishing her breakfast, Heulwen packs up what few belongings she had gotten out for the night and prepares to leave. Mentally calculating the amount of food she has as she does so, Heulwen comes to the conclusion that she has provisions enough for herself for several days of hurried movement, but that she will have to allow Cytaill time to hunt for himself very soon, slowing her down again. She also realizes that she doesn't know how much food and water the others carry with them and that while she can easily scavenge for herself, scavenging enough food for so many people would be difficult, if not impossible.

As the party moves back towards the road, hoping to pick up the dwarf's trail, Heulwen discreetly asks the others about the state of their personal provisions.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

Heulwen is obviously eager to get started, and she is quick to be ready. Aleina moves more slowly, having had the past few hours to consider their situation. The crux of the matter was Lucien: did they want to help him or not?

On the one hand, Aleina thinks the halfling's preferred course of action was sound. They could help the dwarf and keep an eye on the healer. However, that course also put them on a collision course with the hound, and she wasn't at all sure they'd survive a second encounter like that.

Aashya would go whichever way they chose, but she was certain that Dun had ideas of his own. Rhotha'ah, understandably, had other destinations in mind. What Lyr might want was anybody's guess. Now would not be a good time to pressure them one way or the other, particularly after her display yesterday. They would doubtless distrust her, though they ought to know well enough why she would keep her channeling a secret. No, they must make a decision as a group, and the less she said to influence that decision, the better.

Even as Heulwen is preparing to set out, Aleina calls a hasty meeting, asking Lucien to give them a few moments of privacy.

"It seems we need to choose our path once again. We can follow Lucien and hope to find his charge and see that he is healed, and perhaps find some way to aid this healer. That may well lead to another encounter with the hound. Or we could return to Kingscross to see what help we can lend in the wake of the raid they surely endured. Or we can choose some other path that is suggested. Or we can go our separate ways, though I do not think that is wise."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya's little patch of sunlight had slowly been obliterated by the spreading cloud cover. She hugged the fringe of her wool blanket closer to her chin, trying her best to ignore the hard patch of earth that was boring into her back, and shut her eyes tightly. She's not sleepy, or even tired, really. But she just isn't ready yet to get up and face the day.

The others are stirring. Aashya hears voices speaking softly, the coming and going of booted feet, and the unmistakable sounds of camp being broken. Like it or not, it's time to rise and shine.

At least this day is different from the most recent ones that came before. She has companions again. Heulwen and Cytaill come by as she's packing up her things, and they discuss provisions. Aashya is curious about the wogren: does it eat trail rations too? She discovers that Heulwen carries meat for her animal companion, but that Cytaill can hunt for his own food if need be.

Aashya packs up quickly, and soon she is waiting for the rest of the group. Her limbs are stiff and sore, as are her neck and back. She's not used to all the walking she's been doing lately, or to sleeping on the cold, stony ground. She stretches, stomping her feet and swinging her arms, in an effort to get her blood flowing.

Her movements turn into something else though, without her even realizing it at first. She steps and turns, shifting her weight precisely. Her arms move rhythmically through a serious of positions, and all of a sudden she is aware of what she is doing. It's a morning routine that she hasn't been through in....... how long? She doesn't know.

What's next? Flying Snake. Move like this, and then like this. Transition to Water Circle. Hands up. No, turn them like this.

How do I know this? It doesn't matter. A few minutes later Aashya stops the strange, dancelike movements, feeling that the morning routine is completed. He body is invigorated and yet her mind is calm. She feels much more capable of facing the day now, whatever it brings.

Aleina calls a meeting, gathering everyone except the healer around her. Which way shall they go?

Aashya dislikes the idea of going back, either to Kingscross, or to search for Lucien's patient. She can't help feeling that the healer doesn't really want their help, so why risk another encounter with the hound and his men if they don't have to? On the other hand, what about the poor man (no, he's a dwarf, isn't he?) that was left behind? She's not clear on the relationship between Lucien and his patient, but the one was clearly in a bad state and would likely die if left on his own. But wouldn't Lucien draw the hound to him if he tried to find him again?

"Why don't we offer to look after the dw- er, patient for the healer," she suggests. "We can go back and help him while Lucien tries to stay ahead of the hound. You're a healer too, aren't you Aleina? Do you think you could take care of this patient?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

She doesn't let her irritation at the question show. It would only bring more attention to herself, place yet more focus on her, completely the opposite of what Aleina wanted this meeting to accomplish. The others must come to a decision without feeling as if she influenced them.

She only shrugs slightly at Aashya's words. Her ice blue eyes seem to consider the query for a moment, impassive.

"Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. I do not know what is wrong with him, or how my skill compares to Lucien's."

[Dirigible]

Lyr

The erenlander slowly turns his face from the awakening world, looking back at the group. His eyes look a little darker, a little hollower than usual, and he turns them away from any gazes that try to meet them.

Standing with his arms tucked into his cloak, he listenes quietly to Aleina’s words. He shiveres when she speaks of the raid on Kingscross - he hadn’t considered what might have become of the town.

“My heart yearns to know of Kingscross’ fate...” he says softly, “but those who wrought it might still be there, and the Hound with them. Going back might bring more danger to the people there, and to us. I say we seek out the patient.”

But his eyes turn from time to lingering time to Aleina. Whatever he says, a part of him roils in patheticness and knows that wherever she goes, it will follow. He had tasted the fruit of Magic, and could not go back to a diet of ash.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Slightly perplexed by the hesitancy that Aleina shows in pursuing the logical course of action, Heulwen is at first resentful of the delay that her meeting will cause. However, when Aleina mentions the possibility of returning to Kingscross to help the people there after what most likely happened when the orcs arrived, Heulwen thinks she understands her concerns. These others are humans, and naturally are more worried about what might happen to a group of humans, especially a group which they have been in contact with, than a solitary unknown dwarf. Were Kingscross a halfling village, Heulwen might feel the same way. However, given that there is little chance of Heulwen ever encountering a halfling village, there is almost no chance that she'll ever be in their shoes, and the opinion she voices reflects that.

"The healer's patient will be more in need of our help than Kingscross. He was unconcious when the healer left him and may still be if his injury isn't completely healed. Alone and unconcious he stands little chance of survival. At least in Kingscross the survivors of the orc raid will have each other to rely on as they rebuild."

[Berova]

Dun

"I too wish we could turn back and learn of the fate of Kingscross," Dun looks down saddened by what he is about to say, "but Lyr is right, we can't go back, at least not right now and not without endangering Kingscross."

His gaze turns towards the Healer, "I find Lucius ... well, if he doesn't want any help ... he's sure a stubborn old man." Dun looks back at the others, "And well, yes, his patient deserves our help, even if he does not."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The Dorn looks at the assembled group sans the healer, his thoughts still clouded by the continuing lack of information regarding his wife. He has but one clue, though, and that is the township of Baden's Bluff.

"While I would like to know the fate of Kingscross also, I fear that should we be seen there, we will get weighed down by the pleas of those left to pick up the pieces of what is left, or worse.." He lets the pause hit like a pick striking a soft cavern wall, leaving the implications of what might happen to them there be imagined by each individual in the group.

"I also say we hunt down the healer's pet and the quarry atop it, before deciding what to do next."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

The way the Dorn says it: "I also say we hunt down the healer's pet and the quarry atop it," gives Aashya pause. The big Northman seems so alien standing there in his animal skins and with his weapons strapped to his back. Hadn't she heard him say something about searching for women that had been stolen in a raid?

"Are we decided then?" she asks, looking at each member of the group in turn ending with Aleina. "We'll go back and see if we can find the healer's patient.

"But you don't know what's wrong with him?" she continues, directing the question at Aleina. Aashya hadn't even known there was a patient till this morning. What else doesn't she know?

"Then I suppose we should ask Lucien to tell us more about him."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Even though Aaysha directs her question at Aleina, Heulwen provides the answer, since as far as she knows, the others haven't met the dwarf, "The dwarf had a grave injury that smelt of death. Indeed, were it not for the fact that he was talking and moving when I saw him, it would have been easy to mistake him for dead."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

The dwarf had smelt of death, Heulwen said. Aashya would not recognize such a thing herself. Is a halfling like its wogren companion then? she wonders. She had already discovered Heulwen's special ability to see in the dark; now it seems the halfling huntress has a sensitive nose as well.

Aashya looks for Aleina's reaction to the other's responses. She tries, but it is impossible for Aashya to guess what Aleina's preferred course of action might be. The woman seems to wear a mask of impartiality that can hardly be a reflection of her true feelings. Why hide herself from them?

"He may be dead already, if what you say is true," Aashya says, turning back to Heulwen. "How long has it been since the healer and patient parted company?" And how long will it take us to backtrack to find him? It seems to her now a hopeless errand, but the sooner they get it over with, the sooner they can move on to other things.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"If he has died since parting company with the Healer it was not because of the injury that drove him into Kingscross. The Healer passed me on his way out of Kingscross with his patient. The smell of death no longer clung to the dwarf, and I was as close to him at the time as I am to you now. I would have noticed it if it was still there."

"Still, there are other things besides a lingering injury that can kill a lone person out here in the wild. The sooner we find the dwarf the less the risk that something has transpired."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler remains silent in the face of Aashya's continued inquiry. As she hopes, someone else steps forward and answers the question. The halfling had been a slave, but from everything Aleina has seen so far, she wonders how that could be true. Heulwen certainly didn't act like someone who had been stripped of her freedom by beings as foul as orcs. In contrast to what the seer would expect, the ex-slave seemed confident, sure of herself , and not at all inclined to look over her shoulder. Maybe having a giant wolfish companion eased her mind.

Her concern for the dwarf was certainly more believable, given that both were hunted races. Her blue-white eyes linger on Heulwen slightly longer than they do the others. He smelled near death. That was how the halfling had put it last night - though it seemed an age ago - when she'd asked Aleina to warn the dwarf about the raid on Kingscross. The same wording she used now; an odd way to put it, for sure. Aleina is tempted to question it but decides not to delay their departure any longer than is necessary. The group seems in agreement - a solid step forward and she'd rather they left on that note.

"If he was mending then I can probably take over his recovery. I will speak to Lucien about it."

[Black Plauge]

Huelwen

"Good! Are we decided then?" Heulwen asks, looking to their faces for confirmation. This talking was begining to strain her. Couldn't humans do anything without talking about if forever? If you discussed things for to long you never get anything done; fear and indecision would paralyze you. It was far better to act, and think only about the action than to dwell on the past and the future. For a slave there is only today.

Of course, Heulwen is no longer a slave, a fact of which she must continually remind herself. She does have a future and should probably spend some time thinking about it. For now however, her thoughts are consumed with their present predicament; how to help the healer's dwarven patient while still keeping themselves out of harms way. Time was their enemy in both situtations, but in a land ruled by the Dark God, time was everybody's enemy.

Seeing everyone nod or otherwise signify thier agreement, Heulwen leads the party out of their encampment, taking a little bit of time to try and hide the signs of their presence.

"We dare not back track, in case the Hound is following us. We will just have to hope that the healer's horse stayed on the road."

Leading the group across country, Heulwen directs them towards the westward road, but always makes sure that the distance between them and last night's battle continues to increase.

[Cadrius]

At last, their way is decided, despite the debate and discussion. They return to their makeshift camp and find the Healer waiting patiently, running one hand along Bombur's neck. The mule, as always, seems content with the attention no matter where it might come from. Yet it turns its eyes to Aleina and almost shows an inclination of plodding over to her, but instead it bends its neck and starts to graze.

"Come to a decision?" the Healer asks, looking at each of their faces but finding little there. He listens to the proposal and shakes his head.

"I'll need what's on my horse. In the saddlebags. Even if you can care for him," he gives Aleina an appraising and doubtful look, "how will you find me? Am I to tell you where I'll go next? And what if the Hound should overtake you instead?"

He pauses a moment, watching Heulwen slowly try and hide the signs of human presence. It isn't easy; the various sleeping forms and foot prints make clear indentations in the grass and yet her efforts are far better than nothing at all.

"Perhaps. Maybe I can say that I will travel west for a time and will leave you a sign to follow. Should the dwarf take a bad turn he will need to be seen to...and I would like my effects as well. Yes, he can find me, but I'd rather force him to work for it. Is this agreeable?"

There aren't any sharp words this time. The Healer has seems to have elected a fairer path in dealing with the others. His features are relaxed, but a subtle tension is held in his eyes. The reluctance and danger in trusting them is clear, but what other choice does he have?

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

She considers the words and the man behind them, nettled only slightly by his insinuation that she might not be good enough to care for his patient. He was true, that much she had to give him, even if he refused to see the folly of his course. He would not refuse to aid another, were it his direst enemy. Could she say the same? More importantly, did she want to?

"Let me suggest this then: accompany us until such time as we find your patient. In the meantime you can instruct me on his illness and the method of care you intended. Once we reach him, you can assess his condition yourself and collect your belongings."

And we buy some time to decide our next course of action.

[Cadrius]

"That is acceptable, but...no. You've been warned of him once. I doubt I need voice it again. Very well, let us walk and I shall tell you what I can of the dwarf."

They start to move, skirting a particularly large patch of bladegrass, and begin their cross-country journey. The warmth of the autumn day slowly seeps into their bones, driving away the chill, and a bit of the fear, of the previous night. Moving in a loose line, they file their way through the Westlands.

"He was dying when he came to me," the Healer recounts, his mind reliving the previous night's event, "and I didn't...wasn't certain I could save him. The wound was very bad. Infected. He didn't say how he came by it, but he either didn't, or couldn't, treat it. I don't know many dwarves who are too stupid to take care of themselves. Then again, I don't know many of them to begin with.

"As to the treatment. I saw to it as best as I could and made a poultice of emphalo stalks," he says, looking at Aleina, "Do you know what they are? Good. If that dwarf had come to me an hour later, I doubt I could have helped him. Time was running short."

He falls silent, letting the luke warm breeze join into the conversation; it drifts past, whispering softly of the summer past and winter's slow arrival. Perhaps it will snow south of the Pellurian this year.

Heulwen does her best to guide them in the proper direction. For a time she uses their camp as a reference point, but the overcast sky shrouds the sun. Yet she keeps the sight of sparse panock trees to her left. Within an hour, perhaps two, she comes across what she believes to be the western road. A quick search of the road reveals some hoof marks...and a half-dozen heavy boot prints, each of which travel further away from Kingscross.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

He is glad that his companions have at last come to a decision as to their immediate objectives. He graduallys drifts back into the circles as they talk, but doesn't contribute anything.

But he's as eager as the rest when they set off, trekking surely through the grass that claws at the air like the promise of bloodshed. He listens to the Healer's words keenly, filing the scraps of lore the man lets slip away to be recorded later. He shares a few snatches of conversation with Dun and Aasyha when they come up.

He watches Aleina. Against his own rational intentions, but he does it anyway.

When they come to the road, he lurks behind Heulwin, studying the way she examines the tracks, trying to pick p a few pointers.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Scuff marks in the dust. The tracks are just that to Aashya, and pretty much meaningless except for one or two clear and easily recognized outlines of a horse's hoof. She watches and waits while Heulwen examines them more closely.

She has been thinking about the situation while they walked along. The healer left the dwarf, unconscious and on horseback, then drew the Hound away from his patient, evidently hoping to have the chance to come back for him later.

"How long ago?" she wonders out loud. When the others look her way, she repeats the question, directing it at Lucien:

"How long ago was it that you left him?"

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"One horse, six sets of heavy boots," Heulwen mutters to herself as she studies the tracks. "All head away from Kingscross. One horse, thats a good sign. It could very well be our dwarf, still on the healer's horse. The boot tracks though, not good. They're the right kind to be orc tracks, but in all fairness they could be made by men too. The horse came through first, then then group in the boots. They could be chasing the horse, or it could be coincidence..."

Straigtening up, Heulwen notices the others all looking to the healer, waiting for him to say something it would appear.

Now what?

[Berova]

Dun

While they await the Healer's reply, Dun asks Heulwen, "Can you tell how old are the tracks?"

Dun then turns to Aleina and the Healer, "Well, your ministrations will all be for nought if these orcs catch up to the dwarf."

[Cadrius]

Dun's remark has the Healer's mouth pull into a tight line, but the man makes no reply. Instead he watches the halfling inspect the tracks for a moment before turning his eyes back to Aleina.

"Last night, perhaps midway through. I'd thought the dwarf safe. I may have erred."

The halfling is mostly oblivious to the exchange, reinspecting the footprints, this time for age. She paces a slow semi-circle, back and forth and back again. Her small brow furrows with concentration, but the tracks are hard to read. They must've been made close together, unless she's mistaken, yet whether the boots came before or after the horse is unclear.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

A cold sliver of wind finds its way down her spine, urging her to shiver. She resists whispering of that chill voice, folding her arms into her sleeves instead. Suppose the horse was Lucien's, with the dwarf still aboard. Who would be following him? Orcs out of Kingscross did not seem very likely as they had no way of knowing about the demihuman.

"The Hound may have decided you would return to your patient and sent his men to wait for you. We must be wary."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"Who ever made the boot tracks must have been behind us at the fork," Heulwen reminds the others, "Either that or they were already out along this road and were passed last night by the horse. These boot tracks were not present last night at the fork."

"Time, however, is wasting. Whoever made these tracks is ahead of us and we will be coming up on them from behind. Chances are better that we will catch them by suprise rather than they us. We know they are there, while they do not know that we are here."

[Cadrius]

They hasten along the road, the halfling keeping half an eye on the tracks to make certain that they do not diverge. A hush falls along the nine and each is left to their thoughts once more. Yet they do not have to wait long. Ten minutes later, near a copse of panock trees, they come across a bloody mess.

Four orcs lay dead, each with gaping wounds. Some are missing limbs, others look to have had their banded armor torn under the impact of a mighty blow. Dried blood stain the low grasses. One thing remains the same, each of the corpses has been decapitated. Heulwen immediately looks for tracks, but it will take a while to separate them out and learn what happened in the skirmish.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

It's strange.

Dark, orcish blood smells - rancid - much better than the human variety. Lyr closes his eyes, stomach complaining, and lets the winter zephyr caress his face. No, not better, exactly - it reeks like midden run-off - but it doesn't make him want to pass out as the human gore from the battle with the Hound did.

"This couldn't be the work of the dwarf, surely?" he asks quietly. "Surely he was too badly wounded to wield his axe against four foes..." Suddenly, Lyr realises the implication of this, and casts a nervous glance in all directions. "There must be two others, still out here somewhere..."

Slowly, he slides his satchel from his narrow shoulders and withdraws his lorebook. Something about the way the bodies were treated sits uneasily with him, and he must satisfy his own curiosity. Once again, he stands to the side of the group, and once agains unconsciously clsoe to Aleina.

OOC: Lyr makes a Lorebook or appropriate skill check to determine which Eredanean culture uses decapitation as its prefered method of Fell-prevention, cross-referencing anything Heulwen finds in her search.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler barely has time to begin thinking about the implications of the past day when they stumble across a scene of slaughter. She grits her teeth against the nausea that rises up, grips her forearms within the sleeves of her robe and presses them into her stomach. Despite these small accomodations, her eyes remain clear and steady, observing as always. Behind the placid wall, her mind whirls while she waits for Heulwen's analysis.

Her stomach turns, and then she feels the electric shock of Lyr's presence at her side. The yearning is still there, intensified perhaps because she so wishes it wasn't, because she begins to understand it's meaning. Suddenly, she is quite sure that if she chose to cast a spell at this moment, it would be nothing to place the drain on him.

Her still eyes flicker uncertainly; the double edged blade of magic, death so close at hand, danger lurking nearby, the imminence of the fell. She sways very slightly, seeing in her mind once again a horrid once-elvish face, feels the clawing fingers slide down her back . . .

She pushes the memories away with a shudder and slides the imperturbable mask back on.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

It doesn't look real. All that dark blood contrasting sharply with the drained, greyish flesh of the bodies. Look up and you can see the pannock trees swaying in the breeze, the sun trying in vain to shine through the overcast - an ordinary scene.

Only there are too many crows hanging around for it to be ordinary. Aashya suddenly notices the black birds, a few on the ground, most in the trees. They are silent except for the flapping of their wings. Two or three bold ones edge closer to the bodies, eyeing the newcomers warily. They are anxious to get back to the feast.

For some reason, Aashya's eyes are drawn to the dead orcs even though the sight is making her stomach turn. There is one in particular that lies quite near to where she is standing. It's severed head has rolled to one side and almost seems to be staring back at her. She doesn't think that she has ever been this close to an orc - dead or alive - before in her life.

In the short time that she'd spent with the gnomes, she had never seen any of these, the dark god's most loyal minions, up close. She knew that they sometimes boarded the rafts, and that the gnomes would buy them off with ale or other goods. But as luck would have it, that had not happened while she travelled the river.

This face though........ As ghastly and as unreal as it seems in death, it brings to life in her mind a picture of a similar grim face, but one that is alive and glaring hatred at her from its red-rimmed eyes. She can see it leering over her, dark but lit by the flickering light of red flame. Now it turns away, shouting something in an uncouth language that Aashya thinks she could understand if only she could hear the words. Suddenly, she knows.

It is shouting orders. There are more coming. Something is burning. People are screaming. In the brief moment when the orc is distracted and looking away, she...............................

Aashya takes a step forward. And the image is gone from her mind. There are the dead orcs, looking eerily unreal again. Aashya has to resist an almost overwhelming urge to kick the dead face into a bloody pulp. She stands there with her hands balled into fists, and a fierce light in her eyes.

Orcs. She'll kill them, if any survived.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Her suspicion that orcs made the tracks was one that she'd rather have not had confirmed, but it seemed the evidence was right here in front of her face. Four dead orcs, each decapitated to prevent them from rising as Fell.

"What of the other two?" Heulwen mutters, as she begins to search the tracks, trying to piece together what happened and answer that question. "The bodies were not cut for meat so either the other two fled when their comrades went down, or something drove the last two on.

Trying to put all speculation out of her mind, Heulwen concentrates on what the tracks tell her.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

"Perhaps they were pursued themselves, but more likely they were hunting their prey too closely to delay to collect meat," Lyr says, without glancing up from his book. "It is the work of a moment to 'protect' a body from arising as one of the Fell, but to butcher it for flesh takes longer."

He doesn't even notice how cool and detatched his voice is, speaking of such brutal and terrible matters when moments before the mere thought made him queasy.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Have you nothing more useful to offer?"

Her eyes flash indignant and the sound of her voice is like the crack of a whip, a proverbial dose of icy water onto the unsuspecting sleeper. His words stung and the shame he unwittingly tapped ran deep. Almost as soon as the words are out, she regrets them. The channeler turns on her heel quickly and moves towards the halfling before Lyr can look up from his book.

"Heulwen, what do you see?"

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The Dornish barbarian looks over the scene of death and battle before him, crouching by the small halfling and surveying the scene. His eyes scan the four bodies, bloated and decaying even in the overcast day, and he is grateful that the sun refused to shine brightly over them and make the only just bareable stench overwhelming.

He stands up and looks around him, a stoic countenance set on his being. "I wouldn't consider your patient capable of causing these wounds, so we should keep an ear out in case who or whatever did this may come back." His hands instinctively reach for the axes at his back, and not a moment later is the barbarian standing as if ready for battle once more, a small axe with a haft curved neatly for better throwing held firmly in each hand.

[Cadrius]

"You wouldn't," the healer asks, arching an eyebrow, "my dornish friend, I don't suppose you've ever known a dwarf? You're likely correct. He was unconscious last I saw, and while he still had most of his belongings, it would have taken a mighty effort to best several foes."

Lyr reaches into his bag and pulls forth a book and opens the tome, listening to the spine of it crack ever so slightly and the pages whisper softly as they brush against each other. It still smells faintly of its home, a long-overrun tower where he'd been the pet of Legate Voreen. Memories wash over the young man and he can still remember Pitas's laugh, and his temper. A chill runs across Lyr's back, across his scars, and he hastens through the pages.

Decapitation is actually common in many of the cultures of Eredane. Most have their own traditions: gnomes sinking the bodies to the bottom of a river, elves binding a spirit to a tree, dwarves locking the bodies deep within earthen tombs, and the orcs, well, Lyr knows how they handle the dead. And yet, failing those means, a beheading is one of the better ways to make certain none rise again.

Heulwen

So much. There's just so much.

Her brain is almost overloaded by the sheer amount of information present. There's too much. Too much to comprehend all of it. The halfling draws a slow, steadying breath, and starts from the outside, from the first track she can find outside of the skirmish.

They spread out, the orcs, they must've known their prey was close. Perhaps they could see him. It must've been the dwarf and the Healer's horse, right? She squints at the tracks and furrows her brow. How did this all happen?

They spread out, hefting their weapons. Judging by the tracks, two stood back, two spread to the side with wider stances, and two came up the middle with quick, short steps. Well, short for an orc. For Heulwen it'd be a long stride.

The halfling circles around, closer to the copse of trees. They must've known to check here; it's the only sign of life outside of Kingscross. Attentive eyes flick back and forth across the trampled grass. The horse. She spots the hoofprints by a tree. The horse was here and over...there! A set of bootprints unlike the orcs. Broad, but a bit shorter. Had the dwarf awakened and tried to defend himself? They're spread, he looked like he was trying to ready himself for them.

Her eyes roam into the middle, into the chaos. For a few minutes this small patch of the Westlands was an incarnation of hell. Weapons clashed and blows were exchanged. There was a furious battle. One of the orcs in the middle was the first to fall, crashing to his knees, trying to keep his innards, well, in.

One of the outside orcs went next, but how? What happened to the other four? The halfling frowns. Had someone else been here? Or is this dwarf more doughty than she thought? Heulwen searches the area, looking for something, anything to tell her more about this.

She sighs. Nothing.

Wait!

There's a bootprint, not as broad as the orcs, and longer than the dwarf's. It's interspersed with the rest of combat. The two orcs, seeing their four comrades dead or dying fled west, likely aiming for Kingscross. If so, a patrol would likely be along come dark, and they will be looking for a fight.

She searches the area by the panock trees again. This time she finds the hoofprints leading away from the fight and back into the copse. Yet she finds no sight of the stranger's prints. Heulwen doubles back and checks again. She finds but one print that looks like its leading away from the fight. Perhaps the stranger knew to try and cover his tracks.

Still, it looks as if the horse had gone back into the grove, likely to drink from the water. She hopes that no grasscats are prowling nearby. One would make short work of a horse and a tired, and wounded, person. But where's the dwarf? She isn't certain, but what she does know is that there's at least one other in this section of the Westlands who's dangerous.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Rhotha'ah turns his head only enough to look at the healer from the corner of his eye, irritation burrowed deep into the frown on his face. "I do not need to have known a dwarf to know someone as ill as you all say he is could not have made these wounds." He gives an inelegant snort, almost but not quite a growl, in the healer's direction before turning back to his vigil of keeping an eye and ear out for any who would disturb their gathering.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

The scene before her is rich in detail, almost as if she had witnessed it herself and not merely its traces. Studying the tracks intently, Heulwen doesn't even acknowledge Aleina's question.

When she straighten's up and realizes that Aleina is looking at her expectantly, however, she can easily guess what it is she wants to know.

"The dwarf must have stopped here, either by choice or expediency. Either way, he made a stand against the orcs when they came upon him. The orcs attempted to flank him. Two came in from there," she replies, pointing to indicate the appropriate directions, "two from there, and the last two direct from the road. The dwarf proved to be a capable combatant though. He downed the first one, but that's also where things get interesting."

"One of the orcs moving to flank went down next, but not by the dwarf if I read the signs correctly. Some other, a man by the looks of his tracks, came upon the scene and helped the dwarf out. He downed the flanking orc. After that the signs are a confusing mess, two more orcs went down and then the other two fled towards Kingscross, but that's all I can read of them."

"After the battle, though, the signs become clearer again. The horse headed into the grove, likely with the dwarf on his back again as I can find no further tracks for him and he obviously didn't die here. The stranger left on his feet, but that is all I can tell. He appears to be a competant woodsman, as outside of the battle he left no tracks."

"If we're lucky, the horse and the dwarf may still be within the grove. Let us just hope the grasscats did not find them before we do."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The stiffness in her bearing remains unchanged during Heulwen's recount, the wind pushing the heavy gray cloak against her rigid form. Her head tilts slightly to the side as the halfling mentions the presence of another benefactor for the elusive dwarf. A woodsman, and one who did not hesitate to kill orcs or aid another. Words spoken not long ago echo in her mind.

And soon, I shall begin to kill the orcs as best as I can, for as long as I can.

At the time Aleina had been disturbed by his tone and his intent. Now, only a day later, she is more disturbed by her own sliding values. There was relief that the dwarf was alive and horror at the bloodshed, but also something else. Something she did not want to believe existed within her. She shakes her head ever so slightly.

"I believe Feyd has been here."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Upset with herself for forgetting the possibility that Aleina raises, Heulwen immediately questions it, "Fyed? What would he be doing here? What motivation would he have for helping the dwarf? Hell, how would he have known about the dwarf in the first place?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Six against one!

As Aashya listens to Heulwen describe the way that the orcs had gone after the lone dwarf, she finds the sudden and unexpected rage kindled by her 'memory' of an apparent orc raid burning brighter and hotter inside her.

Why are things the way they are? she thinks, still staring angrily at the decapitated corpses. Why don't more of us fight back? The dwarf had certainly not given up. He'd battled against overwhelming odds when defeat must have seemed to him to be a sure thing. And he had survived!

The panock grove...... Aashya looks up, and imagines the dwarf slumped over in the saddle and riding slowly into the trees. He could well be badly injured after the fight. She catches the watchful Dorn's eye briefly, then begins to walk toward the grove herself.

She can still hear Heulwen and Aleina talking. Who's Feyd? she wonders idly, but she's concentrating mainly on moving cautiously and quietly forward. She doesn't want to startle the dwarf into attacking her, if he still lingers nearby.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

The Erenlander too frowns at the mention of 'Feyd'. Who - what? - is that?

He slips the book back into his pack, abashed that he can offer no information byond what Heulwen had divined.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"He is skilled in both woodcraft and combat, and motivated to oppose the minions of shadow. I was supposed to meet him at the ruins but he never arrived. I don't pretend to know what happened to him but it seems likely that he arrived after we left and followed our trail. When it split perhaps he chose to follow the horse and so came upon the dwarf. Or maybe he was trailing the orcs the whole time."

She pauses, icy eyes following Ashya's tenative movements.

"The dwarf was in combat when he arrived, or so it would seem. You forget Feyd's story if you believe he needs any more reason to help another or slay orcs."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Catching the Sarcosan woman's eye for a moment before watching her walk back into the copse of panock trees, he frowns slightly before catching on to what she may be doing. The Dornish man turns to Aleina, a pensive look etched across his face. "Perhaps the dwarf is still nearby? We should check in case he has fallen after his supposed battle."

That is if he fought these orcs at all. Either he was not as ill as these people say, or there is something more to this story than the healer is saying.

As he stalks off after Aashya in search of the dwarf, he gives the healer a distrusting glance from the corner of his eye before looking forward once more.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Realizing that in challenging Aleina's assesment she let her emotions cloud her judgement and memory, Heulwen checks any further reply for fear of having the same thing happen again.

Instead she turns back to the tracks before her, focusing in particular on the Feyd's tracks, The tracks that might have been left by Feyd, Heulwen reminds herself, looking for something familiar. She had not taken the opportunity to study Feyd's tracks back near Kingscross, but maybe there was some tell tale marker she had missed the first time.

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Noticing the sillowy Sarcosan woman and the bearish Dorn steppig aside, Lyr elects to join them - a parting glance at Aleina's back is laced with bitterness at the hostility her voice held for him.

[Berova]

Dun

Not sure exactly what was transpiring between Aleina and the others about this woodsman Aleina called Feyd, Dun still had difficulty accepting the heavily wounded dwarf was able to defeat, let alone survive, an attack by so many orcs, woodsman or no. He supposed that was irrelevant for now, at least until the dwarf can be found. Dun makes his way after Lyr and the Sarcosan woman and Dorn.

[Cadrius]

Hands on her knees, eyes squinting, Heulwen barely notices the others slip into the copse of trees. Could these mystery prints belong to Feyd? The lanky man seems almost a distant memory given the whirlwind events of the evening. Yet the halfling recalls Feyd promising to meet Aleina and her at the ruins the night before. Perhaps he really had chosen the other path, or maybe this was done by another stranger altogether.

The others make their way toward the center of the oasis, stepping between the graceful panock trees. Breath comes in slow and steady, but heart beats pick up a bit. Are the two orcs laying in wait? Where's the dwarf? Did he survive? Would they need to add a fell dwarf to their list of worries?

The answer, it seems, is no.

A pool of water greets the visitors, its water lapping ever so slightly against the earthen shore. A few flowers still bloom here, fed by the oasis, and birds sing their territorial songs. And at the far side of the pool, stands a white horse, saddlebags full to the brim, and next to it, lays an unconscious dwarf. He's likely seen better days, but he still draws breath.

"You've made new friends, I see," a familiar voice calls, but there is little humor in it.

Feyd, dressed for travel, edges around the side of a tree. A smooth, wooden bow is in his hands and a broadheaded arrow is nocked, but not drawn, not yet. He seems uncertain, clearly recognizing Aleina, but disliking the sight of the strangers. Lyr notices four arrows planted in the ground near the man's feet.

"W...there was trouble. Have you brought more?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

The sighing of the wind in the trees and the gentle lapping of the water on the shore speaks of peace and promises contentment. Aashya is drawn to the pristine pool and the bright eyes of the blossoms peaking out from among the lush spring-fed grasses. She doesn't see the horse at first, or the fallen dwarf.

The unfamiliar voice of a man calling out to those he seems to know startles her. He is threatening, but non-threatening, with his half-drawn bow and his arrows ready for firing. She takes in the scene, trying to make sense of things.

Well, he must know Aleina and the others, but not too well it seems. What does he mean when he says, 'You've made new friends'? I guess he's wondering about me, but he said 'friends' - plural - so who else does he mean? Oh..... the Healer, of course!

But what about the dwarf? At least he seems to be breathing. Aashya turns back to the rest of the group as they enter the little grove. Lucien will want to see to his patient, she presumes. And Aleina....... how will she react to the archer and his questions?

[Dirigible]

Lyr

The scholar tenses visibly, looking very disquiet at the implicit threat of the bow. He doesn't recognise the man, but the man clearly recognises someone here... Lyr glances amongst his companions, looking for a spark of familiarity.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler turns towards the sound of Feyd's voice, somehow making the movement dramatic enough to attract the notice of those present. When she is certain all eyes are on her, she moves deliberately forward, her grey cloak swishing rythmically with the mechanical precision of her steps. The channeler stops between Feyd and the others, hoping that is enough to prevent the situation from turning volatile. Those normally frosty eyes seem deeper now, warmer, as she stares at Feyd and holds up her hands.

"Feyd, I am glad to see you well. There was trouble in Kingscross - these people stood with me against the shadow. I feared for you when you did not arrive as we discussed, but there were other circumstances.

"We have been looking for the dwarf, hoping to find him before trouble did. It seems we were not quick enough, but you were. The man who healed him is with us, Feyd. We are here to help, as you would know if you consider for a moment."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

At the sound of the man's voice, the barbarian clenches the haft of the small axe in his hand, the weapon coupled with the fact the witch seems to know him soothing the rage that lurks beneath the surface of his skin. Giving a non-commital grunt at the man, he continues his walk to the dwarf, wetting his finger and placing it in front of the short man's mouth and nose to feel for breath.

Satisfied that the dwarf still lives, Rhotha'ah turns his gaze to the healer. "Your patient is alive. Should you not be tending to him?" His baritone voice cascades through the air, carrying with it a little more than a hint of an accusatory tone.

[Cadrius]

"I was waiting to see if I was going to be shot," the Healer says to Rhotha'ah, a wry look upon his face. "I can't do much good with an arrow in my chest. Could you?"

Aleina strides forward, placing herself between Feyd and the others is both a symbol of outreach and one of protection. Fortunately for her, only the former is needed; Feyd slowly removes the arrow from its resting place, letting it hang at his side in one hand.

"Yes, I see," he says, and his body relaxes, if only by a little. The man still resembles a tightly wound coil, but he doesn't look to spring anytime soon. His eyes flick over the others: the healer, the dorn, and the two men behind her.

"Didn't I see you two" --he points at Lyr and Dun-- "in Kingscross yesterday? Thought I recognized you."

His gaze turns and lingers on Rhotha'ah, sizing the man up and not seeming to like the comparison. While Feyd comes closer to the dorn's height than any of the others, he in no way compares in depth. Where Rhotha'ah is broad and thickly packed with muscle, Feyd is sinewy and agile, moving with a subtle, deadly grace.

Moving his eyes to the Healer he nods once and casts a glance over his shoulder to the dwarf. Two or three fresh wounds look to have been dressed, or at least cleaned.

"Did all I could for him, but he was too weak to fight long. Put on a good show though."

He raises an eyebrow when he sees Aashya, the sarcosan seeming a bit out of place amidst the others. Feyd looks to Aleina once more.

"What of the little one? Did you meet her?"

The Healer, apparently deciding he will not, in fact, be shot, strides around the spring and kneels next to the dwarf, examining the wounds while muttering to himself.

[Berova]

Dun

Dun gives a curt nod to Feyd, answering, "We were there yesterday. What brings you to this neck of the woods... and where are you headed?"

[Dirigible]

Lyr

"Didn't I see you two" --he points at Lyr and Dun-- "in Kingscross yesterday? Thought I recognized you."

"Perhaps," Lyr says flatly, "but I do not recall you."

To anyone who cares to look, his body language is painfully clear; with folded arms, furrowed brow and slightly downward-tilted face indicate he does not trust Feyd, and is all but attempting to construct a metaphysical wall between them.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The big barbarian looks at the man as he walks over to his patient, standing up to allow the healer some room. "Were he an enemy, I'd wager we'd all have been shot at by now." He says to the healer, his baritone voice having lost it's harsher edge now. He continues his vigil for danger in the area, axe gripped tight in his hand.

"If you need him moved onto the horse, I can do that for you. A healer is of no use to his patient when hurt himself." He says, giving a small glance before continuing his watch

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

With Lucien seeing to the dwarf Aleina elects to stay at her present location. Feyd still looked mistrustful, though after what he'd been through it hardly seemed surprising.

"Yes, I met her and she accompanied us. Her skill is what led us here. But what happened to you? Were you waylaid after we split up? Bombur was still at the inn and I didn't know . . . well, I didn't know if you were coming back. And then you failed to meet us . . ."

She trails off her eyes still warm, and now concerned as well. Part of her had assumed that Feyd had simply decided that this particular crusade was not where he wanted to spend his time. Another part of her thought that perhaps he had met the Hound before she did. Either way, there wasn't much that she could have done but it bothered her anyway. In the little time she'd known him, Aleina was fairly certain he hadn't missed their appointment out of fear.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

How is it that Aleina always seems to know the right thing to say? Aashya wonders, admiring the woman for her calm yet commanding presence.

Lyr and Dun are still distrustful of this man called Feyd. It is not so surprising, Aashya supposes. After all, even though he's greatly outnumbered, he's in a good position to shoot and flee before any of the party can do anything to stop him.

But he helped defend the dwarf against the orcs - Dun and Lyr ought to be taking that into account. We're on the same side! Aashya thinks. They all ought to be able to see that . . . Men can be very strange creatures sometimes.

Aashya turns away. She doesn't fear Feyd, maybe because she knows that she cannot seem like much of a threat to him. If he shoots at anybody in the party, it probably won't be her. She notes that he and Aleina are talking about 'the little one' now - Heulwen, obviously.

Where is Heulwen anyway? Still back in the clearing with the dead orcs? Aashya is concerned about that. With two orcs still unaccounted for, no-one should be left alone, even a huntress as skilled as Heulwen. She looks back the way they came, hoping to see that the small woman is making her way toward them even now.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Her belabored search of the tracks turns up no new informtaion, but still serves an important purpose. Heulwen is once again calm and in control of her emotions when she looks up to discover the others gone. The sound of voices drifts to her sensitive ears through the trees, however, and though she cannot make out what is being said, the voices are most assuredly speaking Ernlander.

Calling Cytaill to her side, Heulwen makes her way into the copse of trees, pausing only to look around make sure there is nothing dangerous on the horizon before the trees hide it from sight.

[Cadrius]

"I had other matters to attend to."

Feyd speaks in simple tone for a matter that likely involved the assault and murder of agents of the Shadow. Then again, they were all guilty in one way or another. Those that did not actually attack, aided those that did. In one day life has transitioned from simple to complex.

The Healer gives Rhotha'ah a grateful nod and beckons him. While the dorn gathers the unconscious dwarf into his arms, the Healer starts rustling through the saddlebags.

"Thank you, Rhotha'ah," he says, his back to the man, "it was hard enough getting him up on the horse the first time. I don't think my back could take another try."

Feyd shifts his gaze away from Aleina and back to Dun and Lyr. If he notices the scholar's cold demeanor, he makes no sign of it. He jerks his thumb at Aleina.

"Gonna meet her and the little one. Was on my way too, when I saw a man and a horse leaving. Figured I should take a look. Lucky for the dwarf that I did. As to where I'm headed" --he shrugs "--that's anywhere my feet take me."

Heulwen catches the end of Feyd's statement, striding into the small clearing. He raises his eyebrows at the sight of Cytaill but otherwise gives her a quick nod of recognition.

"So, what're you all doing here? Figured you'd be gone by now."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

She listens intently to Feyd's words, striving to hear something of the man beneath them. What she hears leaves her both relieved and disconcerted. Clearly, he was not an enemy - indeed, he was very much the man she believed he was when they had parted company. And that was the part that disturbed her too. He was a hunter, a killer of the minions of shadow. The purpose was noble but the method . . . it hurt to think about.

There must be another way.

A way that would leave them free? How? Aleina had no answers and yet no room for uncertainty. How much time did she have to find an answer? In the absence of a different solution there would be a time when she must needs make a choice. And no matter what that choice would mean death.

"We made the decision to help the healer, having by chance discovered that he was in danger. That tooks us away, but concern for the dwarf brought us back."

She pauses, guessing now that he has tasted his vengeance he would be unwilling to leave the table. That path was death for him - sooner or later he would be overwhelmed.

"We planned on looking after the dwarf for a time, yet even now we might be pursued. Your skill might be the difference between life and death. Will you join us?"

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Returning Feyd's nod of recognition, Heulwen does her best not to scowl at the proof of Aleina's guess. Instead she unbriddles Cytaill, allowing him to drink freely, and procedes to fill her waterskin, drink deeply, and fill it again. Opportunities such as this were not to be wasted. There was no telling when they might chance upon such a water souce again, and they certianly couldn't stay at this one. Not with four orcs dead just outside the copse of trees that hid it and two more headed back towards Kingscross (and likely their fellows).

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya joins Heulwen at the little pool's edge. She kneels and plunges her hands into the cool water, splashing her face and her arms with it, washing away a little bit of the dust of the road. She, too, drinks and fills her waterskin.

A hunter like Feyd would be a good one to have with them. The proof of his abilities lay outside the cluster of trees in the pile of dead orcs that he and the dwarf had left to rot in the sun.

But what now? They'd reunited Lucien with his patient, the dwarf. Where would the two of them go from here? Was the healer just running from the Hound, or did he have a destination in mind? Aashya feels suddenly that time is ticking away; and she realizes that this lovely oasis is no safe place for any of them to stay.

[Berova]

Dun

Dun returns Feyd's gaze, nodding back as the hunter recounted his actions between now and Kingscross. Dun was intrigued to learn how Aleina and Heulwen were involved with the hunter from the beginning. The central question, however, was the dwarf, and only the Healer would have the answer.

Dun waits quietly while the Healer worked and the others traded looks and words. After a while, he spoke up, tentatively at first, "So... Lucien... can you save him? And more importantly, will he be able to travel?"

[Cadrius]

The Healer looks up at the young man, his eyebrows raised at the question. One hand is raised to scratch at his cheek, feeling the stubble. He mulls the question over, casting a few glances back at the dwarf before clearing his throat.

"Ah, yes, he should recover, I would think. Just wore himself out. Then again, if your friend is right, I don't suppose there's much choice but to run, is there? No, there never is," he sighs heavily and resumes his fussing over the dwarf.

Heulwen kneels to fill her waterskin from the oasis. The water is cool and fairly clear; it's a good source. Cytaill pads up next to her and takes a drink of his own. Sated, he leans against the halfling, his tongue lolling ever so slightly.

Feyd shrugs at Aleina's question. The tall man runs a hand through his tangle of dark hair and looks again at her companions. He spends little time on Rhotha'ah or Heulwen, content to study Dun and Lyr before lingering on Aashya. One might imagine he'd shiver from Lyr's cool demeanor, but the woodsman seems unaware of the distrust.

"Interesting bunch you run with, 'leina," he says, folding his arms over his chest, "but maybe I'll come for a while. Gotta make sure you stay out of trouble, yeah?"

[Dirigible]

Lyr

At " 'Leina " Lyr unfolds his arms, hard, with an audible snap. He snorts, loud enough for both Dun and Aleina to hear.

Suddenly, he hesitates. What am I doing? The simple fact is he doesn't like Feyd - but if there is one thing Lyr a'Corian isn't capable of, it's self-deception. He knows why he doesn't like Feyd. And it humiliates him. Aleina's request for Feyd to join them proves she has confidene in him, and Lyr has too much respect for her insight to waste breath asking the painfully obvious question do you trust him?

With a little internal effort, Lyr softens his features, unclenching his jaw and freeing his brow from lines. His face is not accustomed to smiling, and he can only think how odd it would look if he started grinning at Feyd now, no he simply lets it sink into it's normal withdrawn thoughtfulness, free from undue suspicion.

[Berova]

Dun

There is always choice old man. Maybe that's the difference between you and I. How ironic that when there is no choice to run, that is the very thing we cannot since the dwarf is 'worn' out. Dun thinks to himself.

In contrast to Lyr, it Dun has always had a ready smile. But upon hearing the hunter's decision to accept Aleina's offer, Dun could not bring himself to offer a genuine smile. Had he been so jaded by the events of the last couple of days? No matter, they faced a conundrum, one posed by the Healer himself. Dun asks to no one in particular, "What now? Lucien himself said the dwarf is in not much condition to run and yet, how much longer can we afford to stay here?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya is unaware of Feyd's scrutiny; she's watching Lyr. His posture betrays his tension, but what is bothering the man? Something about Feyd... Is it his easy conversation and familiarity with Aleina? Aashya suspects that it is.

That will bear watching..... she decides ..but not right now. On her knees at the water's edge, she finishes filling her waterskin. Then she crawls a short distant away from the little pool, seeming almost to be swimming in a sea of sweet-smelling grasses. She sighs, and drops down into the soft green stuff, folding her arms behind her head and staring up at the cloud-veiled sky. It may not be safe here for long, but she can at least rest for a bit while the others decide what to do next.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"With two orcs fleeing back towards Kingscross, not more than an hour or so," Heulwen replies to Dun's question, "In fact, it probably be better if we left right away. We have no idea how far back the orcs have to go for reinfocements. It may be all the way back to Kingscross, or it may be less than half that."

"We've also got to take into account the fact that the Hound may be looking for us again, or rather for the Healer. The longer we stay in one place the more likely we are to be found."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The smallest of smiles tugs at the corner of Aleina's mouth when Feyd answers.

"When last we spoke, staying out of trouble did not seem to be on your agenda. We would be glad for your company."

She smiles at him then, apparently satisfied that the situation will not turn hostile, and turns her attention to Heulwen.

"Yes. All very good points."

Her head inclines ever so slightly and her eyes continue the motion until she is staring at the ground. Very slowly, her eyelids close, covering her ice blue eyes like a death shroud. She feels her heart beat, louder now in her ears, until it drowns out all other thought.

One . . . two . . . three . . . four

Nothing but darkness shot through with sun streaked afterimages.

Five . . . six . . . seven

Nothing.

The dazzling eyes snap open and the world assaults her senses as though she leapt into a frigid sea.

"We will go now."

With a swirl of her long cloak she turns and walks to Lucien. Hesitantly she puts one hand on his sleeve, careful to touch lightly and only where his arm is covered.

"The hound follows. You have seen to your patient but his danger is greater if you stay with him. I will care for the dwarf and you can be free of our help."

[Dirigible]

Lyr

Aleina's plan sounds good, Lyr concludes as he mulls it over. Lucien wants to run his own path, and is it not just possible that the Hound is after the dwarf, or even one of the other companions, instead of or as much as he seeks the healer?

Lyr sighs, and picks up his pack again, making sure that his lorebook is well tucked into its secret pocket, and settles it onto his shoulders. He has nothing to say; they should be elaving soon, but Aleina seems to have taken matters well in hand.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

The long grass stalks rustle softly as Aleina walks by. She has declared that it is time to go, and Aashya stirs herself, stretching as she stands up, and gathers her things. She watches as Aleina speaks with Lucien.

We gain one, and lose another... she muses. If the Healer is willing to leave the dwarf in our care.

Aashya turns away, and considers the newcomer, Feyd. He's tall, fair-haired, and a little rough-looking - although come to think of it, so am I, by now! She waits till she catches his eye, then smiles.

"Welcome, Feyd. I'm Aashya. Glad to have you with us."

[Cadrius]

"I'm never looking for trouble, 'leina," Feyd says, grinning, "it's always the one looking for me."

Feyd turns his blue eyes to Aashya, giving her a polite nod in response to her greeting. He juts his chin to one side, as if he were considering her for the first time. Yet what, if any, opinion he might have is not revealed by his weathered features.

"Pleasure's mine. Didn't expect to see one of your kind up here."

Aleina touches the simple linen sleeve and she feels the Healer shift his arm away from her hand, pulling it as far back as the clothing will allow. He does not pull away, but his eye twiches slightly at her closeness. His mouth draws into a tight line at her words, but his voice is cordial, if a bit cool.

"Would you have me leave...my horse as well? Will you build him a litter? Or will the mighty dorn simply bear him on his back? What herbs will you use to ease his pain and speed his healing? Forgive the questions, but I would know the skill and intentions of my replacement."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Cutting into the conversation between Aleina and the Healer, Heulwen hopes to speed things along.

"No one would have you leave. It seemed, however, that earlier you were more interested in getting away from us than in accepting our help. Has the presence of your patient changed that?"

"In any case," Heulwen goes on, not waiting for a reply, "None of us are safe here. Even if two orcs had not escaped the slaughter of their fellows, the ample evidence of the fight outside this stand of trees would be a beacon for the Dark Gods agents. Let us get your patient on horseback and be away from here."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler ignores Heulwen's interruption completely, her eyes remaining focused on Lucien. Another encounter with the Hound would have dire consequences and she was unwilling to take that chance.

"Bombur can carry him. You will need your horse in the days to come."

Her eyes do not waver as Lucien questions skill. The question was not unexpected, but she feels the warmth of anger in her belly and supresses it. Truthfully, her supply of herbs was painfully short and with their hasty departure she would have little time to search while they travelled.

"I have Parhaila Shoots, which will speed his recovery now that he is stable. That should be sufficient to see him well, but I will be foraging as I am able. In any event, I have tended many wounds in a more traditional fashion and those in my care heal very quickly."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

'One of your kind'? I could almost take offense at that, Aashya thinks. But she doesn't take offense; nor does her demeanor become less friendly or open.

"I suppose Sarcosans are pretty rare in these parts," she admits with a smile.

Of course, I hardly feel like a Sarcosan at all.......

Feyd seems like a man of few words, and Aashya can't really think of anything else to say. She shrugs a bit awkwardly, then pretends that she needs to rearrange the things in her pack, effectively ending the conversation.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

With the dwarf cradled in the large arms of the Dorn, Rhotha'ah watches the interactions between his companions and the newest of the arrivals. He notes the sorceress' complete disregard of the halfling's comments and frowns. The little one was right, they should leave and fast before the Hound brings another cadre of goons to assault them, and judging from the defeat of the last time, whomever he brings with him next would likely be nastier.

"Aleina," he says, finally deciding to inject his voice into the conversation, "we should leave now. The stench of those corpses will likely bring predators to this place if nothing else." He flicks his gaze to the halfling wogren-rider and the scholar, alternating between the two. "How far from here to Baden's Bluff, do either of you know?"

[Cadrius]

Lucien gives Aleina a curt nod, accepting her proposed care as if it no longer mattered to him. He casts his gaze to Lyr, Heulwen, and Rhotha'ah. The scholar furrows his brow at the question posed to him by the dorn and produces a book. Lucien raises an eyebrow.

"No," he says to Aleina, keeping his voice soft, "I don't believe I shall stay here any longer." He catches Aleina's gaze and leans closer to her, whispering a few words. The others are too engrossed in conversation to notice this save Dun and Aashya.

"Well, then," he says, running one hand along the neck of his horse, "I suppose I shall take my leave. For your sakes, I hope we never meet again."

And with that, he leaves. Not much of a farewell, but then again, he never did seem to want to be a part of the happenstance band. They find themselves alone in the deceptively safe oasis. Yet once more they can feel time passing. Each moment passing is one closer to the inevitable return of the orcs, but this time they will send a capable force, one looking for resistance.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"Baden's Bluff? I've never been that far north, but as I understand it its maybe 12 days travel from here," Heulwen replies, "If we pushed hard, we could cut that by 4 maybe 5 days. Why go there though? We're far better off in the wild. Few trails, fewer people. We could hide out almost indefinatly."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The healer moves his arm away from her touch and she almost starts, half expecting a vision to accompany the gesture. It does not and a certain tension fades from her mind as Lucien releases his patient to her care. She had not lied: when it came to healing the body she was more than capable. The tension returns with his whisper and the channeler finds herself staring into his unreadable grey eyes. Did he know or was he only guessing. Impossible to tell.

Aleina says nothing when he leaves, merely watches him go, apparently lost in thought. She crosses her arms in front of her, hands within her sleeves, and listens to the wind blow as if that slow, eerie sound might hold the answers to her questions.

Baden's Bluff.

Heulwen was right. With a halfing and a sick dwarf in tow, Baden's Bluff was a bad idea. She remains silent, not acknowledging the conversation, and places one slim hand on the dwarf's broad forehead, using her other hand to steady Bombur. Poor Bombur. It was more than he was used to carrying, but he didn't complain. Twelve days was a long time, and she was fairly certain the dwarf would be well before then. Which meant if they decided to go to Baden's Bluff they could stick to the wilderness as Heulwen suggested, and the dwarf could choose his own path before they got there.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

"We're far better off in the wild. Few trails, fewer people. We could hide out almost indefinatly."

The Dornish man stands still, his jaw clenching as he ponders the little woman's words. They would indeed be safer in the wild, but he had made a promise to his people, one he could not break.

"We may be safer in not going, but I made an oath to my people to find those of us who were taken, and I have already left it too long. That man," he says, pointing toward the direction the healer had left the clearing, "has given me the name of a settlement that might know where they are, and I intend to go there."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Knowing full well what its like to be a captive to Izador's minions, Heulwen merely nods in understanding and begins to ready herself and Cytaill to leave.

"Time is wasting then. We'll head for Baden's Bluff, but stick to the wilderness for the most part. If we push ourselves then we will need to obtain supplies in a town or two along the way. Any one of you could do so without arrousing suspicion, but I would advise against any more than two of you going into town at once. A larger group would be more easily recognized. On the other hand, we could live off the land as we go. Cytaill and I can do so indefinatly by ourselves, but what about the rest of you? Have you any experience trying to live on nothing but what you can kill or forage?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya stoops, still sorting through the things in her pack, but focusing intently on the conversation as it flows around Aleina. The healer takes his leave, and Aashya feels lighter, more at ease. The Hound and his henchmen may still pursue the party, but it seems less likely now.

She stands, and walks over to join Aleina. Heulwen's suggestion brings a pained expression to the Sarcosan woman's face. "Hide out?" she moans under her breath. "But why?" Twelve days in the wilderness will be bad enough, but to hide out there indefinitely would be unbearable!

The big Northman wants to find the people kidnapped from his village, and Aashya nods in agreement. She's willing to go with him to this place called Baden's Bluff. But again, her face blanches when Heulwen mentions 'living off the land'. "I don't have that kind of skill," Aashya confesses.

[Berova]

Dun

Questions, so many questions... Dun is somewhat relieved, now that the Healer was gone... somehow that one gave him an unease that he could not quite place. Nevertheless, he was gone now, and Dun cared not whether he saw him again or not.

Now to the matter at hand, "Heulwen, I am afraid I am neither skilled in the ways of the wilderlands nor am I equiped for such, however, I am wise to the ways of the city and Badens Bluff is where I call home."

"Rhotha'ah, you said you were given a name of a settlement, may I ask what was its name?"

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Relief floods the big Dorn's eyes as he looks at the halfling woman, nodding a silent thank you to her. "I am able to hunt for my own food also, as it's something my father began to teach me when I was only just taller than you are currently, Heulwen."

Turning his eyes to Dun, his expression turns to that of slight confusion. "Baden's Bluff, as I asked. I am not from these parts, and this place is the first name for a settlement I've come across sice leaving. The healer said we may be able to find slave traders in or near to this Baden's Bluff who might have my people."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun nods in empathy to the big Dorn. He does not have the heart, nor is he able to muster the courage, to comment on the likely fate of his people. "I... did not realize that was why you asked about Baden's Bluff... but as I have said, I am from there so I may be of service... though... I too seek a loved one..." Dun paused as if lost in thought, fighting back emotions he's held back these many weeks.

Dun steels himself as he tells his tale anew, if only more pensively, "M-My father. I've journeyed my way from Baden's Bluff to Kingscross in search of him... He was due home many weeks ago. The last word I received was he passed through KingsCross two or three weeks ago and headed either south or perhaps east to the Eren."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"I can live off the land if need be."

Her back is still to the others when she speaks, but her voice is clear. Apparently finished with her examination of the dwarf, the channeler turns to Aashya.

"With a dwarf and a halfling in our company, any encounter with the forces of Shadow will go badly for us. Even decent folk might turn us in, if their fear is great enough. It will not be forever."

The question now seemed to be North or South. Aleina looks from Dun to Rhotha'ah and back. The big Dorn was not to be denied, she could see it in his face. Dun, on the other hand, was much harder to read. He was less obvious in his stance but she sensed in him metal as strong as any she had known. She studies him a moment longer, wondering which path to choose.

Baden's Bluff was a clearer destination but to her it also seemed an almost fruitless quest. The odds of finding Rhotha'ah's family were slim. Yet looking for Dun's father was nearly as daunting, given the lack of information on his possible whereabouts.

"I will not choose between these two courses. Dun and Rhotha'ah, together you must decide where we will go."

[Cadrius]

"Baden's Bluff, Baden's Bluff," Lyr says, quickly flipping through his tome. "Ah. It sits on the south of Pelluria, with the heart of the city atop a penninsula. Many canals makes for easy access to open water, provided you know how to navigate them. It's more free of shadow than any city outside of Erethor. At least, that's what I've read. I don't know about slaves, but I wouldn't think there's much of a market for them. So he'll probably want to move on from..." he trails off, clearly uncomfortable with Rhotha'ah's gaze.

Feyd gives a shrug and looks from the big dorn to the slim erenlander and back again. "Can't say I blame you lads. Must be a hard thing to set aside someone you love to help another. Must be."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya knows which way she'd like to go. But next to Rhotha'ah and Dun, her need does not seem so great. So she bites her tongue, and instead of making a recommendation, turns to Aleina to ask about the dwarf.

"How is he?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Stable. He received a few minor injuries in this battle with the orcs, but they are of little concern. This wound on his side is the problem."

She indicates the heavily bandaged area of the dwarf's abdomen. Aleina's eyes are hard but clear; it is obvious she is concerned and considering her options.

"Unless I miss my guess, this wound was badly festering only recently. Lucien seems to have purged the infection but there is the possibility of a relapse. It will need conscientious tending but - barring another infection - should heal well."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya grimaces in sympathy with the dwarf's abdominal wound. She vividly remembers her own slow recovery from such an injury. At least she had been allowed to rest in comfort after the gnome's healer had done his work. Here was this poor dwarf riding around on horseback and fighting orcs!

"Can you tend to such a wound properly on the road?" Aashya asks Aleina, sounding worried. "I mean, we have to get moving, but....." She glances over at Dun and the big Northman. "Which is the best way for us to go? Can't you..... sense anything? You know. You say that things come to you sometimes. Can't you see which road we ought to take?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Travel is not as restful but our options are limited. The increase in risk is small, though, especially compared to the risk of staying here."

When Aashya brings up her second sight Aleina stands quite still. Her eyes become beacons of white light, their beams striking with cold fire as she looks into the distance.

"It does not work like that. Nor is it always accurate, and there is some interpretation involved . . . "

Her gaze focuses on Aashya.

"I would rather the decision be made by those whom it affects most."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The big Dorn's head spun as his now conflicting oaths threatened to tear him apart from the inside in an emotional tug-of-war. One the one side there was the oath to his people to find the women taken and exact vengeance on those who had done this, and on the other was his oath to these new people in his life, the oath to aid them in their own quests.

As the Sarcosan and Erenlander women's conversation turns to the seer's ability, Rhotha'ah can't help but flick his gaze over to them just as Aleina doubts her own powers. Frowning, he almost speaks out at her, but then realises that being derided for doubting herself is hardly the thing she needs at the moment. If only I could take her to see Kara'eia, the wise woman back at home. Then she would see that not all those with power need to doubt themselves.

Shaking his head of the thoughts of the settlement, he turns back to Dun to ask his questions, deciding not to trust the old man's words to their worth. "Dun, how big is Baden's Bluff? Would it be big enough to have even a small amount of slavers there?"

[Berova]

Dun

The young Erendlander's lips tremble as he continues to try his best to keep his emotions in check, "Baden's Bluff...is very big... with many thousands of homes and countless thousands of people. It is a place of danger for those who are not familiar, as well as those who have been there all their lives... a haven for thugs, cutthroats, and outlaws. As Lyr described correctly, it is a place of many, many canals, in a maze that would make a city rat dizzy. Those canals help move goods and people, as the heart of the city is its trade... and yes, it is known... including slaves by agents, sympathizers and profiteers..." Not knowing if he answered the Dorn's questions or not, or whether it was what he wanted to hear, Dun voice trailed off. His heart sympathetic to the big Dorn's plight, but torn by the urgency of his own. He realizes these people have no reason to lend him any aid.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Thousands of people?? Aashya can't really imagine it. She's only ever known the small communities of gnomes on their clan rafts, and some of the small villages along the Eren that they passed by. She hadn't even seen Swift Water, the largest gnome settlement, except from the harbor.

She believes Dun when he says that there could be slavers in Baden's Bluff, in spite of what Lyr said. But would the Dorn's people have been taken there? Without a trail to follow, it seems to Aashya that Rhotha'ah is chasing a dream. The same could be said of Dun's search for his father.

Couldn't Aleina's gift at least tell them something?

But Aashya says nothing about it again. Instead, she stands looking at the two men who each have something to search for. "Come now, someone must decide. Dun, your father may have returned home by now, isn't that true? Perhaps if you return to Baden's Bluff you will find him there."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun heart sinks as he looks back at Aashya, wishing what she said was so but knowing deep down it was not. He simply shakes his head with a forlorn look on his face before looking down.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

It's easy to see what Dun is thinking. He has no hope that his father has returned to Baden's Bluff safe and sound. Aashya sighs.

"The thing is, we know that Rhotha'ah's people are being held against their will, and that they are bound for slavery or.. worse." She finds that she can't look the big Dorn in the eye as she says this last part, so she focuses on Aleina instead. "We don't even know for sure that Dun's father is really in trouble."

But Dun believes in his heart that he is...

Aashya glances at the Erenlander, taking in his crestfallen expression, then quickly looks away. She can't face either of the two men! One because she's afraid to see the pain in his eyes. And the other because she has just decided that his is the lesser cause.

Aleina's ice-blue eyes are fixed on her own. Aashya stares back, trying to justify her choice in her own mind. "Rhotha'ah swore an oath to find his people. I.. I have to go with him."

[Berova]

Dun

This one, she makes so many assumptions, but know so little...about either of their situations.

Dun looked up taking Aashya's blunt, cruel words full force. At first Dun wanted so much to scream out at her, but he managed somehow to suppress his fury, seeing there was little to gain in rebutting Aashya's justification for her own decision. Dejected, Dun looks down once more, steeling himself for the body blows that are sure to follow.

He surprised himself he had not yet completely broken down already, though in truth, he was melting down already. An enormous lump developed in his throat, suffocating him as he worked to choke it down so he can swallow once more. As he did so, his eyes began to water, blurring his vision. With all the strength of will he was able to muster, Dun looked up and turned his kaleidescopic vision upon each companion in turn, lips trembling, but unable yet to speak.

[Cadrius]

Feyd clears his throat, uncomfortable. "It's Dun, right? Look, maybe your da is just a little overdue. Maybe he's back at yer home right now. I'm no fan of a lot of people, 'specially Baden's Bluff. Maybe ask around about this father of your's. And if I come across him, I'll let him know his boy is out looking for him."

Lyr sighs audibly, but looks surprised when eyes are turned to him. "Oh. I'm not very skilled at wilderness survival. I imagine I could do better in a city...unless you want to search for your father, Dun."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun looked up once again when Feyd spoke and nods in answer to his question. Hoever, the Erenlander shakes his head at Feyd's supposition, "Thank you...perhaps you did not hear me earlier... but I have asked around and the last indications were, my father headed either south or perhaps east to the Eren."

Dun turns to Lyr when he spoke up, "Of course I would like your help to find my father, Lyr...Thanks..."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

What path to take? Heulwen stands silently watching the emotions play out in front of her. Both men have worthy causes. One searches for a missing father, the other for a wife. One seeks the lost, the other the taken. How do you choose between them? Is there choosing between them.

Heulwen knows first hand the pain of both. She was born, and up until a few months ago, lived as a slave. She knows well what might be awaiting Rhotha'ah's wife. What she might very well be dealing with right now. The pain, the work, to be always tired, always hungry. To nurture a hatred, a hope, knowing that neither may ever be realized. To live in fear and longing, never knowing what the future might bring. To both dread and pray for tommorow simply because it wasn't today or yesterday.

But she also knew the pain of lost family. Her mother had been sold away from her even as she suckled at her breast. Her father killed under the lash of her goblin overseer. Countless others she never was even allowed to know. To lose a family memeber was to lose a part of yourself.

Standing stoicly, only Cytaill seems aware of the pain she hides beneath the surface; a pain he knows only too well in his own life. Nuzzling her hand with his nose, Cytaill offers his consolations as best he can. Two friends bound by the pain of the past they both share. He may not know what the larger folk are discussing, but he can sense the emotion eminating from Heulwen.

Quietly the two figures wait for the humans to reach some sort of decision.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

As Rhotha'ah looks into the sad eyes of the Erenlander, the Dornish warrior remembers his own sadness at the loss of his father by the hands of the black masked raiders. But at least he knows that his father has gone to reside with their ancestors on whatever plane they have chosen for the Second Kingdom - Dun had only the vaguest of notion where his was, and that is the hardest pain of all.

Ancestors forgive me, and may this act not shame our history futher than history has already.

Rhotha'ah walks up to the small Erenlander, looking him in the eys. "We will find the whereabouts of your father first. As Heulwen says, it would be best if we stay hid for the time being after our run in with the hound.

"Before we do, however, you must swear to me by your father's line that you will aid me in finding those who took my people." He reaches to the small of his back and retrieves one of the small throwing axes from it's holder on his belt, before moving them back in front of him, holding the axe positioned so as to cut his own palm.

"Do you swear?"

[Berova]

Dun

Rhotha'ah walks up to the small Erenlander, looking him in the eys. "We will find the whereabouts of your father first. As Heulwen says, it would be best if we stay hid for the time being after our run in with the hound.

As large Dorn loomed over him his comparatively dimunitive form, Dun is stunned and cannot believe his ears. He trembled noticeably while his watery eyes prevented him from focusing, all he could do was to offer a slow nod weakly as Rhotha'ah spoke.


"Before we do, however, you must swear to me by your father's line that you will aid me in finding those who took my people." He reaches to the small of his back and retrieves one of the small throwing axes from it's holder on his belt, before moving them back in front of him, holding the axe positioned so as to cut his own palm.

"Do you swear?"

Dun wipes his eyes with the back of his hand so he can see the Dorn standing in front of him and does his best to still his racing heart. When Rhotha'ah takes out a throwing axe, Dun shivers noticeably, unsure what was about to happen next. But Dun swallows hard clearing his throat and declares, with a broken voice at first, "I will do all I can...I swear."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

The Dorn nods as his face breaks out into a grin. "Very well. As is tradition for my people, when two tribes ally with one another, they become more than just allies, but family." Rhotha'ah squeezes his hand around the throwing axes blade enough to cut down on his hand, ignoring the pain for the sake of honoring his ancestors in this act.

As his blood pools in the palm of his right hand, Rhotha'ah offer the blade to Dun. "This will seal our alliance."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun does his best from gasping when the Dorn cuts his own hand. He swallows hard again, though there was nothing left to swallow. His eyes glazed over once more though they could not help but remain transfixed upon the Dorn's large hand, pooled and now dripping with red blood. Nothing could have prepared him for this.

Dun takes a deep breath and with one hand, takes the axe blade that was offered. As his heart continued to race, his mind and body was numbed by what he was about to do. He squeezes his free hand on the axe blade and slides it down sharp blade in one smooth motion. Dun barely feels any pain, he hardly feels anything at all...

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

As the small Erenlander cuts his own palm, the Dorn nods comfortingly. "Normally, we'd a shaman from a third tribe overseeing this, but as there are none around, we'll make do with what we have."

Without warning Rhotha'ah clasps Dun's hand, pressing the wounds together. "In the presence of these eyes and our ancestors, our two tribes become one, bound by oath and blood. Your problems become mine, and mine become yours, and none, not even the Dark One will come between that."

Rhotha'ah then releases the hand of the Erenlander and smiles. "Now, lets go find your father." He turns his head to the rest of the assembled party. "If that's alright by the rest of you, that is."

[Berova]

Dun

Without warning Rhotha'ah clasps Dun's hand, pressing the wounds together. "In the presence of these eyes and our ancestors, our two tribes become one, bound by oath and blood. Your problems become mine, and mine become yours, and none, not even the Dark One will come between that."

Stunned when the Dorn siezed his hand, Dun was somehow comforted by these words even though being so close to the big Dorn was frightful. There was nothing to be afraid of now, the Erenlander told himself, they will find his father alright and they will find those who enslaved Rhotha'ah's people. Their fates were intertwined now more than they ever were. And yet, he could not stop his shivering especially after the mention of the Dark One...

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler bows her head as the others talk, at first slowly then more quickly. Her strange eyes look up at Rhotha'ah's words and she watches the ritual with respect. The savage seeming man held more compassion than most people she had ever met. Surely he did not deserve to suffer the agony of loss that was his lot. When it is over, she nods gravely to the Dorn.

"Your sacrifice is nobly made and your trust shall not be in vain. When that time comes, I will do whatever I can to help you."

Her eyes find Dun. Now the search would begin in earnest.

"We start with very little to go on, but we have with us two trackers. And you, whose knowledge of your father may help us."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"South or east to the Eren it is then. The Eren will be patrolled by orcs, but perhaps Aaysha's gnomish friends might help us find the information you need to find you father Dun."

"So, unless you have any objections, or know something you have told us, I say we head that way, and now."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Something about the Dorn's ritual strikes a chord with Aashya.

Bound by blood... They are brothers now.

Aashya looks away, thinking about family ties and the bonds between comrades. Does she have a brother out there somewhere looking for her? Had she left behind something like a 'tribe', a community of people who still mourn her absence? What kinds of ties had been severed by her ordeal in the river?

Thinking about it leaves her feeling hollow and empty inside. But how can she miss something she's not sure she ever had? Perhaps it is a blessing that she doesn't know or remember the past. Wouldn't it be even worse to remember the tender moments of a life full of happiness and love, if you also had to remember that it all came to a sudden and violent end?

Fire and death.

And the river.....

Heulwen's words break into her thoughts.

"... perhaps Aaysha's gnomish friends might help us find the information you need ..."

Aashya doesn't say anything for a few moments. Back to the river? But that would be going backwards, not forward. It doesn't feel right. She left the river to find her future - a place called Greenfield. A place of hope.

But can she really find her future without first discovering her past? Aashya's eyes find Aleina's, and she wonders what the seeress is thinking right now. Back to the river. Of all the directions this disparate band could choose to take.......

Aashya finally responds to Heulwen. "I suppose the gnomes might help us. But it's no sure thing that I'll find the Sun Fish clan again. And I don't know how much goodwill the other clans will be willing to show me.

"But I'm surprised you'd trust the gnomes." She looks at Lyr as she says this, remembering the misconceptions he'd held about the gnomes being collaborators.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

As Aashya looks into her eyes, Aleina finds herself wondering about this young woman. She had no memory at all of her former life whereas Aleina remembered far too much. Did she have any family still living?

The others are grouped loosely behind her, Dun's face filled with something between joy and horror. The chill descends on her as she stares into Aashya's eyes, moments drift away life flotsam on the river, and she suddenly finds that those eyes belong to a different face.

'Brall'

Her stomach twists as she looks at her brother, dead now this past year, his cheeks still smooth with youth. Aleina's dread blue eyes fill with tears at the accusatory look on his face, at the hardness of his dark eyes.

'I am sorry'

His face doesn't change, but grows larger, as if he is moving forward towards her but he hasn't moved. Then he is so close she can no longer focus on him, and there behind him is a figure cloaked in shadow, someone she hadn't noticed before. Her eyes follow the man as he moves further away but his form is elusive, denying the identification she craves.

Deep in her belly a sense of unease grows like a squirming white larva, feeding on her uncertainty. The land behind him grows and shrinks at the same time, showing her the vast expanse of Southern Erenland. Out of the corner of her eye, far to the east is the twisting silver ribbon that can only be the Eren.

Ahead of her, she tries to focus on the man, to pierce the shrouded veil of his identity with her gimlet gaze. It is like trying to grab at smoke barehanded. He is everywhere and nowhere at all. The pit of her stomach is full now, the larva swollen into an immense, bloated thing, exuding sickness throughout her narrow frame.

She follows, South and South again, the vista darkening until she can no longer pick the mysterious figure out from the shadows around her. And then there is darkness, and she is left alone, her stomach heaving though she cannot vomit up the sickness inside her. The world is gone and she has nowhere left to go, her muscles clenching as spasming as she fights the corruption within her. And then, when things can get no worse, the shadows around her being to move, this time with hideous form . . .

Her breath comes in a great heave, an in rushing of air that snaps her back to the present with a great gulp of the cold. Involuntarily, she stumbles forward a step, then catches herself. The blood has drained from her face as she looks to the others.

"South. We will go South first."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Unsure of what causes Aleina to stumble, and ignorant of why it changed anything, Heulwen challenges her declaration, "South? Why south? It may take some time, but finding and contacting the Sun Fish clans of gnomes will allow Aaysha to find out far more information about the whole length of the Eren then we could hope to get in the south. Unless you have some contact there that could be a similar wealth of information?

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

What just happened? Aashya wonders, her eyes on Aleina's pale, strained face. The woman had seemed to be.. somewhere else for a moment there.

And why South?

Heulwen asks the same question, but out loud. While the halfling voices her concerns, Aashya tries to remember where the gnomes were supposed to be heading next. Unfortunately, she hadn't ever paid much attention to things like that while she travelled with them. She'd been content to drift along, seldom worrying about where she would end up.

"It's possible that the Sun Fish clan was going to be moving back down river," Aashya says, almost to herself. "Let's see..... they were at Swift Water five or six days ago, I guess it was, maybe more. Gylda mentioned that they might be going back to the Ardune soon." But then again, she'd also said something about the Sea of Pelluria. The gnomes' choice of direction depended on something. Too bad Aashya couldn't recall what that something was.

Aleina seems to be so certain that we should head South.

"The Ardune is South, isn't it? Yes, I'm pretty sure that's where they were going."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler looks away from Heulwen's gaze and the question the halfling huntress posed. Her breath steams in front of her, a wispy cloud vaporized almost at once by the chill wind. The ice white eyes are distant.

Why South?

"I feel there is something to be gained, though what that is remains to be seen."

It was not a very convincing argument compared to Heulwen's. Aleina had already given up her most damning secret to these people - her use of forbidden magic. After all, she had told Aashya, and in a place where the others had probably heard. Why then should she be so frightened to explain this? Perhaps saying it out loud, admitting she put faith in it, made it real.

"It is not much to go on, I know. But I . . . I don't know how to explain it. I have . . . visions . . . sometimes. I never used to, but now I do. My mother told me, a long time ago, that my grandmother had them."

She pauses, looking over to them, seeming somehow unsure and certain at once. Maybe she was afraid to admit this supernatural knowledge because of the feelings it might generate. Dun might believe they had more of a chance to find his father than was really true. Rhotha'ah could choose to see it as new hope.

"It isn't magic, not in any conscious way. One of these visions led me to Kingscross. But they are vague and often only half-formed, open to interpretation. Maybe it is as Aashya says: perhaps her clan is there, and thus your logic coincides with my feeling. I do not know."

In her chest, her heart sinks. It wasn't how they would interpret her admission that bothered her. No, deep down Aleina was feeling that her words would make her responsible for their course. Whatever happened would become something she had led them into. It was a lonely feeling.

[Cadrius]

Aleina's words stir a myriad of reactions. Cytaill tilts his head and watches the woman speak, his flinty eyes suggesting an intelligence not found in most hounds. Lyr purses his lips and folds his arms across his chest, the cogs of his mind spurred into motion once. Feyd raises his eyebrows momentarily before shrugging. And the dwarf? He grumbles softly but remains unconscious.

"That's something, 'leina," Feyd says at last. "Must have some of that old blood in you. Strong. If you think we can find his father, then we'll do it. But we'll need to figure out a way to travel here. A big man with weapons and a little one with her wolf are going to get us a lot of looks. More importantly though" --he crosses his arms-- "did anyone do anything in Kingscross last night? Anything suspicious? Right now the orcs probably just think they're after a...man and a dwarf. Be good to know if anyone else has been up to trouble."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"We can travel cross country," Heulwen replies, "We'll attract little attention if no one knows we're there."

"As for Kingscross, my own appearence there is probably enough to have stirred up something with orcs coming. Though no one will have any knowledge of which way to direct the orcs, they won't know that and aren't likely to accept 'I don't know' as an answer. We best avoid Kingscross and the surrounding environs."

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya doesn't know if they'll find her friends - the gnomes of the Sun Fish clan - going south to the river. But for some reason, she is hopeful that they will, and that the gnomes in turn will be able to give them information regarding Dun's missing father.

Why is she hopeful? Surely the odds are not in the party's favor. She has no real idea where the gnomes were planning to go after Swift Water. And all Dun has to go on in the search for his father is that he might have gone south. Thinking about it rationally, even an optimistic person couldn't believe that there is much hope that the party will be successful.

But Aleina feels there is something to be gained by going south. And that fact gives Aashya hope. Aashya has only known this strangely calm and confident woman for less than a day. But somehow, Aashya believes in her.

Even the thought of more days trudging through the wilderness doesn't sound so bad if Aleina says that's what they have to do.

Aashya has filled her waterskin, and is as ready to get moving again as she ever will be. She hovers near Aleina and the dwarf, helping the seeress prepare the dwarf for the long journey.

"Can you wake him?" she asks Aleina. "Or maybe you shouldn't. I can walk beside him to make sure that his ride is smooth, and that he doesn't fall off as we go."

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

As the halfling speaks about the best way to avoid notice while searching for the Sun Fish gnomes, the Dorn's ears twitch as they hear something. If not for the pause in her words, he would never have heard it. Turning his gaze towards Kingscross, he locks eyes with Feyd, and his suspicions are confirmed. Rhotha'ah swiftly reaches behind his back and retrieves one of the small throwing axes, raising his other hand to halt the conversation.

"I think that, perhaps, we have taken too long."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

Cursing herself silently for missing whatever sign it was that Rhotha'ah has sensed and for not pushing harder for the party to move on quickly, Heulwen looks, listens, and sniffs for signs as she moves quietly into the copse, fading into the brush as she goes.

[Cadrius]

Heulwen

The halfling slides through the veil between the oasis and the rest of the Westlands. The panock trees and small shrubs that grow here aren't plentiful, but they are enough to shroud Heulwen and her companions from the outside world. The only smells are those left by those gathered at the oasis, the plants, and the death given to the orcs earlier. She feels more than hears Cytaill at her flank.

It's her ears that serve her better than her nose, at least until she reaches the edge of the oasis. Kingscross stands, at least five miles distant, to the south east of her. The halfling squints and she can make out figures running to and fro, most are being chased by larger ones. Sounds echo faintly across the distance, cries here, shouts there, but all tell the same tale of pain and fear. Thick, black smoke begins to gout from the tallest building, leaving little doubt in Heulwen's mind as to what doom has befallen the village.

Kingscross is burning.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

Shaking her head at Aashya's first question, Aleina merely nods when the woman offers to help keep the dwarf from falling. Her eyes swiftly move to Rhotha'ah as the big man gestures. Her stomach freezes and her eyes dart around, looking for some foe. There are none, but for some reason that makes her sense of dread rise higher. When Heulwen melts away, Aleina follows as quietly as a woman leading a burdened mule can go.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

The sight of Kingscross burning stirs a vestige of pity in Heulwen, but she quickly quelches it. Such emotion could only interfere with continued survival.

Turning to the sounds of Bombur and Aleina coming through the trees, Heulwen speaks when Aleina gets close, "We need to go now. Its only a matter of time now before the orcs tire of their sport in Kingscross and come to find us."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun follows the others silently, stealthily.

When caught up with the others, he stays a few steps back. Beholding the sight and sounds unfolding in the distance, Dun is horrified. He slowly shakes his head, not wanting to believe, and yet knowing... "No...." the Erenlander whispers to himself.

Dun nods when the halfling voice breaks distant screams.

[Kahluah]

Rhotha'ah

Determined not to let his newest tribemate out of his sight while there could be orcs, or worse, about, the large Dornish man walked through the trees with an agility that many wouldn't guess he possessed. Coming out of the copse of trees, the first thing Rhotha'ah saw were the pillars of smoke coming from the town they had left only a day earlier.

Steeling himself against the newest flood of memories from the night his own tribe was attacked by bandits unknown, his hand tightens around the haft of the throwing axe, the muscles up his arm rippling with raw force. He steals a look at his make-shift tribe, each showing a mix of horror, fear, and dread on their faces, before looking back at the doomed town.

"We should leave." He says, blinking his eyes to shunt the pain of his own words back into his reservoir of rage, where they would do the most good. Rhotha'ah places his large hand on Dun's shoulder and squeezes it slightly before turning away from the grizly scene unfolding in the dale below.

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya walks beside Bombur, watchful of the dwarf's precarious position on the mule's back. She assumes that it is the town of Kingscross she sees in the distance. Her assumption is confirmed by Heulwen, and a sudden desire to flee wells up inside of the young Sarcosan.

Aleina and the others had just come from this town! The night before, it had been an ordinary farming community, and now....... Kingscross is burning. The smell of smoke is heavy on the breeze, and far-away screams pierce the morning calm, awakening vague and fearful half-memories in Aashya's mind.

"Run, Ganesh, run!"

"No, stand and fight!"

Yes, that's right. Stand and fight! You knew they'd find us eventually. This is what you've been training for!

"The horses! Someone see to the horses!"

The memories are a muddle, but Aashya is beginning to make some sense of them. She'd been afraid at first. She could feel the panic rising in her like it was now. But then her training had come back to her. She'd dodged the lumbering, torch-carrying orcs, and even managed to land some blows. She'd gone toward the river to round up some of the horses......

Aashya shakes her head, coming back to the present. The urge to run away is gone, replaced by anger. People don't deserve this. Ganesh didn't deserve what happened to him. What HAD happened to Ganesh? Who was Ganesh?

"We should do something," Aashya mutters. She looks at Aleina. "Shouldn't we?"

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The channeler bows her head, an action which hides the pain in her face and eyes from the others. Mayor Lusk had seemed so certain that nothing would come of it that she had wanted to believe. Even then she had known better but she had pushed that knowledge aside, unable to do anything else and unwilling to accept what would come. Unwilling to accept this.

It was the way of things in the twisted world they found themselves a part of. Fighting meant suffering, but often that suffering was inflicted on someone else - friends, family, loved ones. Even strangers suffered when the dark hand of Izrador clenched to punish. It was the fundamental obstacle to heroism: there was no way to avoid the fact that when you fought the evil you ended up with the blood of innocents on your hands.

Isn't that what had happened before? Even if you didn't fight, even if you just wanted to mend the hurts of others, even then you might do more harm than good. It had been her own healing magic that brought the attention of the legate down on her brother's camp. In the end she was left appalled both by what she had done and what she hadn't done.

The river hadn't washed the pain from her soul, nor had it removed the doubt. But this wasn't just about her anymore. She looks up, composed.

"I know. They are hurt and we have fled. Perhaps it was our presence or our action that prompted this vengeance. Make no mistake: whatever we did or did not do, the evil there is the work of the dark one.

"When a tree falls, you cannot stop it by standing under it. Nor can you fix it by heaving it upright. We do not have the strength in arms to fight the force present there. My healing magic will likely bring legates thick as flies. The odds of us doing any real good are small but if you are resolved to help them, I will not leave you. However, our help must come from the shadows if it comes at all. Do not decieve yourself into thinking we can make this right."

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"Orcs need little excuse to rape, burn, and pillage," Heulwen replies, "there is no telling what little thing set them off this time. It could have been a child's insult or organized resistance. In any case we must fly before the two orcs that escaped the dwarf and Feyd make it to Kingscross and back.

Leading the way south, Heulwen attempts to choose a path that will serve a two-fold purpose: one, to keep them out of sight of Kingscross as much as possible, and two, to make any attempts to follow them as difficult as possible.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

Heulwen is practical as usual but when she mentions Feyd, Aleina's heart skips a beat. There had been something about his manner earlier, an edge that hadn't been present when they first met . . .

"Feyd, did you know Kingscross was under attack?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya stands with her brown arms folded across her chest and her head down as Aleina answers her. She knows that what the woman says is right, and yet....

"How can we not do anything? We cannot stop them, but we can make them pay!" She looks up, a fire burning in her dark eyes. Aleina has turned toward Feyd, and Aashya looks at the lean man too. He must know what she's talking about. He'd already made some orcs pay.

But that reminds Aashya of the injured dwarf, and she sighs. They can hardly go chasing after orcs while dragging along an unconscious dwarf on a mule.

And suddenly, the insanity of what she is thinking about doing comes home to her.

Chasing after orcs?! What would make me think of doing something like that anyway???

[Cadrius]

Heulwen

She sets off, uninterested in whatever further ruminations the humans might be interested in. As far as she's concerned there's only one course of action: to survive. Fighting a band of orcs and wicked men would only lead to their deaths. They'd be lucky if even a few of the inhabitants of Kingscross escaped. No, this is one fight the halfling knows she cannot win.

Cytaill follows at her side, casting a wary eye toward the burning settlement while his companion searches for a hidden route. She doesn't find all that much. The Westlands is a place of rolling plains interrupted only occasionally by spots of trees and water where the Eren and its tributaries make their way. Kingscross has one small forest to the south. She could try and skirt it, keep the trees between her and the orcs. Of course if they were searching for someone, it would be the second place they'd check after the oasis. Yet she guesses there's enough time to get out of immediate danger.

Dun, Rhotha'ah, Aashya, and Aleina

Lyr follows Heulwen for a dozen paces before realizing none of the others have joined him. The scholar stops and casts a glance back at his companions. He looks torn.

Feyd averts his eyes from Aleina, and from her question. The man seems to find it easier to watch Kingscross burn. He draws in a deep breath and sighs. In the distance several of the larger shapes run down some of the smaller ones. The faintest whisper of screams cut short drifts to where the companions stand.

"I didn't know. Not really. But she's right" --he nods at Aashya-- "something should be done. Take the dwarf and get as far away as possible. Make for the village of Fairbrook. It's right off the Eren, maybe a week or so to the south east. I have a...friend there who owe's me a debt. Look for an innkeeper named Kerrich. He should keep you warm and fed for a day or two. Don't rely too long on his hospitality. When you get there, get him alone and say this to him. 'Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta.' He'll know what it means, just don't do it in front of anyone else. Say it."

Feyd has the four repeat the words until he's satisfied. The woodsman strings his bow and checks his quiver before turning his gaze back to the town. Where one building had burned, five now do each sending their own cloud of black smoke into the air.

"Don't despair. I'm not planning on dying down there. Remember the words."

He turns and moves away quickly, half-crouched and headed toward an outlying farm of Kingscross.

[Berova]

Dun

Stunned by the wanton killing and destruction, there is little the Erenlander can say and, more sadly, nothing he can do.

He repeats the words Feyd wants them to use with the innkeep Kerrich, 'Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta' and commits the phrase to memory.

Dun immediately understands what the ranger intends to do when he strings his bow, and shakes his head. He knows nothing that can be done to save Kingscross and realizes, Feyd knows as well. And yet he persists, knowing it will change nothing. He wished he was as skilled and brave.

Once the ranger sprang from sight, Dun speaks to the others in a somber tone, "Let us go, there is nothing we can do here."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Feyd . . ."

There were no words for what she wanted to say. A good man. He was a good man and he was going to almost certain death. And even if he survived now, how long would he last on the course he had chosen? Her eyes almost fill with the well of tears rising through her, but she refuses to let them. Instead she meets his gaze, locking her eyes on his, hoping he remembers that if the world was different maybe he could have lived a normal life, found a wife and had children, lived in peace instead of war.

"We will meet again."

He is gone before her voice fades. She rubs Bombur's nose, wishing that her final words were prophecy instead of just a fool's hope. When Dun speaks, she looks toward Aashya, the question clear in her eyes.

Which way will you go?

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Run away or fight?

Running makes more sense.... Aashya thinks. It's what people usually do in situations like this. Run. Hide. Don't look too closely. Don't act or react. Don't call attention to yourself. Don't help.

Why had she thought, for just the briefest of moments there, that making the orcs pay was important? Where had such an idea come from?

Feyd is leaving them. He said....

He said that I'm right. That something should be done. Did I say that?

She remembers feeling hot anger a moment ago - the memories and the distant screams had fanned a tiny ember that smoldered inside of her. But now she is cold again. The flames had died quickly. There was not enough fuel yet to sustain them.

But Feyd.... Feyd is going to make the orcs pay. She could go with him.

No, I can't. Not yet. I- I......

"I know we'll see you again," she tells him before he walks away. She believes what she says.

Aleina is looking at her, a question in her eyes. Aashya stares back, wondering how much of what she thinks and feels is plain for the seeress to read.

She thought that I might go with him!

There is something to think about there. For Aleina to believe that she could consider helping Feyd.... well, it made the whole idea seem less crazy afterall.

[Cadrius]

Heulwen

Keeping a wary eye to the east, to Kingscross, Heulwen and Cytaill defty make their way toward the far side of the small forest. It's still some way distant, and they will have to be careful on these rolling plains as to not be spotted, but she's confident that right now there's little on the orcs' minds but rape and plunder and malice.

Too often she'd seen the last one in her former life. More than once she'd felt the lash of a slaver's whip and she concentrates, she can still feel it today. The halfling would not be made a slave again, neither by orcs nor men nor any other being that walks Aryth. She may be slight, but her spirit is strong, and so is Cytaill's. Looking over at the wogren, she's reminded of first meeting him and the change he brought.

Casting a glance over her shoulder, she can see the others have finally decided to follow her. It will be a while before they overtake her though. Once more they had to debate their course of action. She wonders if such indecision might not prove to be their doom one day. The breeze still blows out of the west. It is a boon; with her nose, the smell of burning and death would be far worse on her than for a man or dwarf.

Dun, Rhotha'ah, Aashya, Aleina

Bombur and the dwarf in tow, they set off to catch Heulwen. They can see her in the distance, but she and her wogren have a fair lead on them. Lyr looks relieved that they will not be venturing into Kingscross but he says nothing. Once they begin moving, the crunch of their feet on dry grass masks the distant screams. It is a relief, but the smoke still billows upward from the town as more and more buildings are set alight.

Rhotha'ah gestures to a path similar to the one previously walked by Heulwen. It keeps them mostly out of sight by staying in the shallow troughs created by the landscape. They are vulnerable from time to time, but for no eye should be pointed in their direction, not at the moment.

A half hour later, they've closed most of the gap with Heulwen.

"Heulwen," Lyr calls to her, trying to keep his voice soft but audible. "What is your plan?"

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

"We head south," she replies to Lyr's question, "as quickly and as unobtrusivly as possible."

"The orcs are probaly still busy with Kingscross, allowing us a window to hopefully slip by unoticed, but we daren't dally. When the two that escaped Feyd and the dwarf reach Kingscross, if they haven't already, a squad will likely be sent out to exact revenge for what was done. Once they reach the copse of trees its only a matter of time before they find our trail and begin to follow us. A group as large as ours leaves sign that I could follow at night with a cold. I'll do my best to make it difficult for them, but if we are to make any kind of decent speed I'll have to rely on what the land provides to obscure our trail."

"Beyond that, I wouldn't plan much. I'm not given to predicting the future, prefering to take things one day at a time."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Sometimes the future is clear enough for any to read."

For some reason, the halfling's words stung, although she refused to let the hurt show in her voice. Instead, she spoke with the same detached inflection she almost always used. Kingscross was wounded; it wasn't dead yet. In her heart, she felt the inevitable call of the suffering. Aleina wanted to go to the town and heal the hurts she found there, make good on her promise to make a difference.

And do I not bear responsibility for the fate of the town?

It was a question she could not answer definitively; like her elusive talent, it was something she had to interpret. At this time, in this light, it was a fool's hope that she was wholly without blame when it came to the demise Kingscross.

Entering Kingscross now was a death warrant, but that had never been Aleina's plan. Wait, her inner voice had counseled, and when the orcs leave there will be more than enough for you to do. And they were still painfully short on information about Dun's father . . . she had thought that Dun might be able to gather the information he had originally sought in the ill fated town.

And yet, Heulwen was most likely right - the orcs would come looking for vengeance, see the tracks and then investigate. Waiting here would mean a pitched battle with an armed and angry patrol. They were not ready for that. Her stomach clenches as another scream reaches her ears, muted by the distance. They would suffer and they would die, and she would stand idle. Where was the answer she had so desperately sought to this very problem? Why did she have this power if she was powerless to use it?

Squaring her shoulders, she follows the halfling without another word.

[Cadrius]

Heulwen, Dun, Rhotha'ah, Aashya, Aleina

"Ah, of course," Lyr replies, casting a final glance toward Kingscross before setting off after Heulwen once more.

Three hours pass and they put miles between them and the doomed village. The distance is great enough that even the wind cannot carry the sound of the dying to their ears, but the ghostly memories of men, women, and children being cut down still haunts them. The small forest laying to the west of Kingscross is far distant, and they are very much alone in the rolling plains of the Westlands.

Feyd had shown more courage than Rhotha'ah had expected. If the man died there it would have been a good end. A noble end. The dorn might have joined him if not for his oath. Death will come for him one day, but there are other things he must attend to first.

Aleina is still troubled by her conscience. Pragmatism told her that any resistance would have gotten the lot of them killed if they were lucky, and taken prisoner if they were not. She has a charge to take care of, and there are others who she can still help. The young woman doesn't know where to begin looking for Dura Abben, but the smoking ruin of Kingscross will hold few answers.

Dun is quiet, still rolling the words spoken by Feyd around his mind. A memory pops into his head of his father and the occasional trinket he would bring home. Dun's favorite had been a small wooden solider supposedly carved by an elf from Alloduan, but knowing his father it could have just as likely come from a merchant down the street. It didn't matter. He wonders where his father is at that moment. Is he still alive? Is he thinking of his son?

Aashya's mind continues to assail the impregnable fortress blocking her from the answers. Yet she comes up with nothing more than she had earlier in the day. She isn't a simple commoner, that much is certain, but the depth of her knowledge remains unknown. Her mind plays Feyd's parting over and over in her head. For a moment she had felt like it made sense to go with him, to do what she could for those people, but each time she thought of doing so left her with a feeling of unease. Had she done this before? The mental castle remains unbroken, but perhaps in time she will wear it down.

Heulwen leads the way, her mind focused singly on escape. Tomorrow should not be worried about if you die today. They were lucky that the orcs decided to put the town to the sword. It will be some time before they are through and by then the halfling hopes to be long gone and leaving nothing but a cold and obscure trail in her wake.

Yet here they stop for a while so that Aleina might change the dwarf's bandages and the others can eat what food they have. Heulwen does her best to mask their footprints while Lyr pulls a bit of bread from his satchel and pops it into his mouth.

Aleina strips away the dirtied cloth and peers at the wounds. The serious one, the one the Healer had tended to, is still bright pink, but otherwise should heal. The flesh wounds have clotted and will still need tending. She produces a few fresh bandages from her bag and begins cleaning the lacerations. As the water touches the dwarf's flesh, he begins to stir from his sleep and mumbles.

"Zirak-zigil ai-mênu. Baraz?" He grunts. "Aya Bundushathûr."

[Berova]

Dun

Dun mind wanders from his father to Kingscross to Feyd and back again. He says little, his mind numb from the last few hours and days, from the wanton killing and destruction he knows is, or rather, has taken place. When the others take a break for some food, Dun simply stops until they resume the trek again. When the dwarf begins to stir, Dun maintains his silence and looks on, although it is unclear if he is conscious of what is happening.

[Kelemyn]

Of course when he wakes and speaks, his words are dwarvish.

At least Aashya guesses that the dwarf is speaking in his native tongue. The sound of the words is gutteral and harsh, and yet oddly musical in their own way.

Aashya had been trying to help Aleina with the bandages, collecting the old soiled ones, and helping to unroll the clean new strips of linen. She wonders what the dwarf thinks, waking up to find these strangers caring for him. He ought to be afraid. It can't be often that a dwarf finds people willing to help his kind.

"You're safe with us," Aashya tries to assure him. She hopes he understands.

[Black Plauge]

Heulwen

As much as she hates to stop anywhere within a day's travel of Kingscross, even Heulwen cannot argue with the need to change the Soradur's bandages. Besides, it gives Heulwen the chance to obscure some of their trail, which, if it works, will cost those following them even more time than the stop will cost her and the others. After asking Aleina approximately how much time she will need to change the bandages, Heulwen back tracks the party's trail about as far as she figures she can cover in that time.

Then, turning around, she heads back towards the party, straigtening grass and "undisturbing" disturbed ground as she goes.

[Berova]

Dun

The dwarf's words wafts through Dun's mind as it carries through the air, words, thick with gravelly intonation, Dun recognizes from his father's many lessons, all the while they make little sense. And yet, they've brought him back to the present.

While Aleina and Aashya tends to the dwarf's bandages, Dun lithely gets into a better position in which to view the dwarf, for the first time perhaps. Dun can see the years the dwarf has lived in his weathered face even behind his extraordinarily thick beard and unkept hair. There are so many questions he wanted to ask, 'is he gaining conciousness? Will the dwarf be well enough to travel? Where will he go from here...?' No time for any of that now.

Unclearing his throat with what spittle he is able to muster, Dun speaks up in an uncharacteristically rough voice, "Mountain/Hill/Stone/Rock warrior, you are among friends and protectors. Who is Baraz? Are you well enough to travel again? We are less than a day's travel from orcs who may well be upon our trail."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

"Enough."

She does not look up from her work as she speaks. Her voice is calm as ever, but it carries the weight of promise. The dwarf was her patient - wounded and barely coherent. He was in no condition to answer questions or fret about their situation. When she speaks again, her voice is softer and directed toward the dwarf. She lays a gentle hand on his brow.

"Rest, warrior, and heal."

[Cadrius]

Heulwen, Dun, Rhotha'ah, Aashya, Aleina

The dwarf's face is weathered and careworn even in a state of near unconsciousness. He lays on the ground, almost helpless while Aleina carefully cleans his wounds. In autumn, water can be a precious commodity in the Westlands and the young healer tries her best to use as little as possible while still cleaning the grit and dirt from the lacerations. The wounds have already begun to scab over.

Aashya takes a step toward the dwarf and tries to reassure him. "You're safe with us," she says, trying to be sincere but the promise sounds hollow in her own ears. The dwarf doesn't respond. Undaunted she tries again, this time switching languages. "You're safe with us."

Heulwen busies herself with masking their trail as best as possible. It isn't an easy task. Even if they were all familiar with surviving in the wild, a group of five, plus Cytaill and Bombur, will leave tracks. Yet she can do something to mask the worst offenders. She sets to the task; any that follow them will have a harder time determining which direct they turned in here. She sees Rhotha'ah standing just below the ridge of a nearby hill, keeping a wary eye toward Kingscross.

Dun's questioning causes the dwarf to stir again and he mumbles a response. "Baraz? Granud felak bizar dia..." he trails off as his eyes finally open. They blink twice, focusing on the overcast sky and then they shift, first taking in Aleina, then Aashya, and lastly Dun. His brow furrows, making his already weathered face appear even craggier. The dwarf truly looks like he was cut from stone. He remains on the ground, but it is not clear if he is simply too weak to stand or if he doesn't wish to make any sudden movement.

"Who are you?"

[Berova]

Dun

With some trepidation, Dun looks back at the dwarf, uncertain of his condition or whether the dwarf heard his words or not. Dun replies in kind to the dwarf's question, "I am Dun Abben, my companions and ... I have been ... your caretakers..."

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The healer resists the urge to turn a disapproving gaze on Dun as the dwarf rouses himself at the Erenlander's questions. It would have been better all around if her patient slept longer. Closing her eyes, she clears her mind of any anger.

What is done is done.

The dwarf seems coherent, both in manner and speech. She felt that his wound was well on its way to healing and his attitude confirmed that observation. If he must wake now then they would deal with it now. She remains seated, resting on her heels, and places her empty hands on her knees. She makes her face as serene as her voice.

"I am Aleina, a healer. This is Aashya. Dun has named himself. Near him are Lyr and Rhotha'ah," she indicates each with a gesture.

She tilts her head slightly and takes a moment to replace her hands in that neutral position on her knees.

"Also with us is Heulwen, a halfling woman and her wogren companion. It was Heulwen who requested I ensure you had found a healer. That was but two days past, just outside of Kingscross. Much has happened in that time, and Kingscross was not safe for you. The healer sought to move you out of danger and was himself pursued. We helped him and he decided it best to leave you in my care.

"Your wound is mending but still requires attention. Dwarves are fast healers, it is true, but still I did not expect you to wake so soon."

[Cadrius]

At the mention of his healing the dwarf rumbles an agreement. It's the sound of a small avalanche. His considerable bulk stirs, slightly and he pushes himself halfway into a sitting position. The red tattoos that decorate his face twist slightly as his brow furrows while he pats the surrounding area.

"My weapons...I remember battle. There were orcs, and a man, and another. I fell. Now I am here. I guess I owe you my gratitude, Aleina, Dun, Rhotha'ah, Lyr, and Heulwen. I am Soradur." He tilts his head into a nod, as if he has just bestowed a great courtesy upon them. The gesture is short lived and he quickly eases himself back to the ground. He draws in a long slow breath before exhaling. "A halfling and her hound? I met that pair in the woods yesterday" --he manages a weary grin-- "That is a beast I would not wish to fight. He looked fierce."

Aleina's trained eyes take in the dwarf's wounds once again. It's true, he has healed quickly, but what strikes her as unusual is the multitude of scars crossing his flesh. She's heard that dwarves, like most fey, can live for centuries but the number of wounds that he has received is staggering, even for one of his indeterminate age.

"Fast healers we may be, but I am still weary. Two orcs and three Fell have fallen by my hand within the past week." He tries to run a hand through his thick, tangled beard. "Where are you headed? And who is pursuing the healer?"

[Kelemyn]

Aashya

Aashya is much more comfortable with the dwarf speaking Trader. It makes him seem more human, less alien, somehow. She wonders about the drawings on his face. They're not like the bleached swirls that decorate her own face (which she also happens to be curious about - she's been told that they are a Sarcosan tradition, but she doesn't remember getting them). The dwarf's markings look like they were painted on, or dyed, and are bold red.

Two orcs and three Fell.... There were no Fell bodies back there, so I guess that was before he came to Kingscross and met the Healer. I wonder if that is how he got those wounds.

"We're heading South," Aashya volunteers. "Are you ready to ride again? I don't think we can rest here much longer." She hesitates to explain why, and looks questioningly at Aleina. She'll let the seeress take over from here.

[Gralhruk]

Aleina

The young woman pauses, her eyes still trained on the dwarf as she measures out the ration of information she is willing to dole out. In that short space, Aashya speaks and inwardly, Aleina nods.

"We are headed South in search of Dun's father. As for the healer's pursuers, we are not sure exactly who they are. Lucien himself rebuffed our offer for further help and it seemed best to heed his wish."

It was truthful, although it left out her own guesswork and glossed over the outright power and menace of the man they called the Hound. The dwarf still needed tending and she didn't want him rushing off to face a powerful wizard.

"And no, we cannot rest long. Heulwen is doing her best to cover our trail, in case we are followed. When she returns we must be off again. It is best if you ride Bombur until your healing is further along."

[Cadrius]

"Ride? I don't like to ride," he tries to push himself upright again but sways and quickly lies back down. Grumbling something incoherent, Soradur jerks his hand through a tangled beard. "Maybe for just a little while longer."

Heulwen appears, as if on cue, shortly after the mention of her name. Concealing the trail had not been easy, but as always she does her best to confound any pursuers. Whether or not the orcs are interested in a chase remains to be seen. Perhaps their bloodlust will be sated with the violence wrought upon Kingscross. Perhaps not.

Soradur grimaces. "Well, come on then. I can't kill any orcs like this." He casts his eyes downward until Rhotha'ah has finished moving him. The dorn grunts under the weight. The dwarf is under five feet but likely weighs as much as the northman. Tales of dwarves being made out of stone seemed foolish to Rhotha'ah as a boy, but perhaps there was some truth to them.

Gathering themselves, both physically and emotionally, the happenstance companions set off. They leave the fire and death behind them and begin their search for Dura Abben.