The Kingdom of Mordant

[coogle]

Reg just sits next the campfire somewhat bemused. Looks at the dark elf, looks at the hippogriff, looks at his companions. Shrugs, and thinks about the coming ordeal.

[Stern Kestrelmann]

Brull nods and clasps the arm of the gruff rogue who he has come to consider a trusted friend and cunning warrior. He accepts the gift graciously remembering all to well now the drunken fight he had started. Then turning to his own pack and, after some digging around, pulls forth a small leather pouch.

 

"This Brull gives to you Mak-sen..." Opening the small pouch the young half-orc slowly pulls out a cord necklace. Strung on the black cord are six polished cave bear teeth securely attached to the necklace by six small metal rings. "Keep you safe they will Mak-sen, wear them always... and no harm... shall come to you", the barbarian says as he struggles to find the right words.

 

Brull then says a last good-bye to Macsen, "Missed you will be Mak-sen... Fate perhaps, bring us to-get-her once more it will... Until then, Su' Cernunnos T'pkau." (God's Speed my Battle Brother)

 

The large half-orc steps back and waves to Macsen a final time before walking over next to Lanae, He looks at the elven wizard, takes a knee, and speaks, his voice low and serious, "Brull keep you safe now Lan-naa and your book magic keep us safe, yes?"

 

Finally, Brull moves over next to Reg and addresses the aged monk. <orc>"Master Reg-ee-nald, we must break camp and gather who is still with us... We must reach this tomb within tenday and confront the evil that plagues the land."</orc>

[styates]

Tarail nods in acceptance of Macsen's decision. "You've got to do whatever you feel in your heart is right. I for one have found acceptance among these folk that I have seldom felt in my life when not with the old man and Telenar and would not leave them for anything. Take care, Macsen."

 

Walking into the forest with the hippogriff, Tarail is deep in thought over these latest developments.

[Troileschilde]

Dev continues to fiddle with the fletching on one of his arrows. He barely noticed Macsen's actions or departure other than for the purposes of knowing where potencial trouble would be coming from. His mind was largely on his activity and on the elf female in the party. He does take a moment to return Reg's look with a nod but otherwise returns the majority of his attention to the elf, his arrow and the world beyond the campsite. A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he listens to the griffin trot through the woods beyond.

[Anastrianna]

Turning to Lanae, he produces a small wooden disc. Though never a craftsman by trade, Macsen has nonetheless proved dextrous enough to have accomplished the task. Medallion-sized, the little carving is made of some mellow golden-coloured wood he can't name, and depicts the antlered head of a twelve-point stag. "Here," he says with a smile as he hands it to her, "I made this f'yer. I know y'like deer an' all, an' I were thinkin' mebbe it'll help keep those spirits o' yers up. Y'remember our past words, an' keep strong so's y'can be keeping these three in line, eh?", this last said with a wink and a grin of pure cheek.

 

"Thank you Macsen," Lanae says as she nods solemnly taking the gift. A few silent tears roll down her face as she looks him in the eye. "For everything."

 

As the elf maiden watches the rogue ride away, she makes a few glances to her stag as if the thought of joining him tempted her.

 

The large half-orc steps back and waves to Macsen a final time before walking over next to Lanae, He looks at the elven wizard, takes a knee, and speaks, his voice low and serious, "Brull keep you safe now Lan-naa and your book magic keep us safe, yes?"

 

She nods reluctantly, "Yes, Brull. I will do my best..." She sighs and returns to her place by the fire with her spell book. She glances up now and again as she feels watching eyes upon her but says nothing when she locks eyes with Devon. She tries to busy herself with her studies but it's obivous that her magic is the last thing on her mind as she rubs the wooden disc between her fingers.

[Troileschilde]

Dev drops from the low branch he has spent most of the evening on and walks across to Lanae, stopping far enough away not to pose any threat through proximity. "Do you mind if I join you?" He stands quietly with an air of curiosity.

[Anastrianna]

Lanae looks up from her book, her face emotionless. "I do not mind," she replies softly as she closes her book and holds it in her lap.

[Troileschilde]

"Arcane magic users are rare in my home community, female practitioners unheard of. They are all clerics or dedicants of our lady Eilistraee." He sits down outside an arms length of her. "But small talk aside, I have had only a little chance to speak with those of Fae... er.. the other elven races. There are three that joined my home community but they are female and quickly became dedicants, thus beyond my sphere much of the time." He continues to pick aimlessly at his arrows fletching. "I am curious about you I suppose."

[Lady Tam]

The night passes quietly and uneventful, as do the nest few days worth of travel. Soon the group is I the foot hills of the mountains. After a another day of travel Kaylie points out the trail they will need in order to come at the city from a higher angle in order to scout the area out more.

[styates]

As the days pass, Tarail spends as much time as possible in training the young hippogriff and soon it is helping to provide food for the party, usually in the form of several rabbits or wild turkeys. However, one evening it manages to bring in a small deer and the feast on fresh venison is enjoyed by all. Of course all of this bonding has prompted Tarail to name his new companion, Kanhu Ethil'udrim, which literally means Eaglehorse Wingflyer in the flowing Elven tongue.

 

Kanhu has also taken quite a liking to playing "pranks" on the party while travelling, swooping down at unexpected moments and plucking belongings from the riders and returning them to Tarail. At times, the expression on Kanhu's feathered face definitely resembles laughter.

[Stern Kestrelmann]

Brull rides with the group mostly in silence, taking point with Tarail or rearguard with Devon when requested. The young half-orc remains alert at all times, constantly sniffing the air and scanning the surrounding treeline for any signs of threat or danger. Brull exchanges some words with Dymitri and, with a hearty chuckle, assures his human battle brother that all enemies will be crushed before them in combat.

 

Thoughts of the recently departed Macsen linger in his mind. For the first full day of travel, Brull periodically turns to look back at the trail behind them hoping he might see the rogue racing to catch up with them. Macsen never appears and by the second day the young half-orc only turns back to look on two more times before accepting that the rogue is not returning any time soon.

 

Brull keeps a distant, but sharp eye on Lanae holding to his promise to let no harm come to the elven wizard.

 

Tarail's Hippogriff is a true amazement to Brull. He is certain that the winged beast is a gift from the gods, an omen of good fortune, and guide on their mission though he keeps these thoughts to himself. He accepts Kanhu's playful nature with passive enjoyment, but is certain the beast would willingly fight at the group's side if the need were to arise.

 

The large barbarian knows they are drawing nearer their destination, nearer their goal, and ultimately their fate. He imagines a giant winged drake awaiting them in the shadows of an ancient tomb, ready to kill them all. Brull pushes the brutal thought from his mind and turns his attention back to the trail ahead.

 

"How much further Mistress Kaylie?"

[coogle]

Reg takes the next quiet days as a blessing. His ribs stop aching. At the trail fork Reg speaks up.

 

"Well if that's the high road we'd best take it. I'd rather not rush into this place without prior knowledge and a thief to take advantage of it."

[Troileschilde]

Dev spends the days mostly in pleasent silence. He trades a few rude jokes with the Half-Orc when teamed out riding.

 

He looks up the road that Reg indicates. "Sounds like a plan. Shall I take point?" He urges his horse forward next to Reg's.

[coogle]

"Sure" replies Reg, thinking he'd rather have the strange elf in front of him rather than behind.

[Troileschilde]

Dev catches a look in Reg's eyes, and knows the thought behind it. He moves his horse forward leaving his smile behind as he begins to watch for signs of travel or ambush before the parties path.