[Aina - Old]
Aina dazedly accepted Ozander's offer, her cold-slowed mind reacting
more sluggishly than usual. She felt the heavy cloak drape down
upon her frame, and the warmth of the man beside her, and
immediately her shivering lessened. "Thank you," she muttered
belatedly, raising her head to meet the wizard's eyes before
lowering them again.

[Ozander - New]
As they started down the street, Ozander couldn't help but glance back
at the merrymakers he was leaving behind.  The faces of those walking
the street were shrouded in cloaks and darkness, a few lit candles
and
lanterns throwing odd shadows up onto their faces.  Sounds of happy
conversation mingled together and someone close by laughed.  He turned
his attention back to the path ahead.

[Aina - Old]
As they traveled down the street together, Aina could not think of
what to say. Up until this evening, she'd had no personal
experience with wizards at all. And yet here she was now, sharing a
cloak with one! She could still hardly believe it.

And the odd thing was, he seemed like such an ordinary fellow.
Rather pleasant, in fact. Hadn't Elmdaerle himself admitted he was
ordinary-looking? Though, she recalled, the naturalist had also
taken care to impress upon them that there was more to him than met
the eye.

After several minutes of groping for a conversational topic,
suddenly one came to her. "You -- you said earlier that you spoke
Elvish," she addressed him shyly. "Is that the language of magic?
For I have often heard that elves are magical folk, and their
language is a beautiful one, and it seemed to me that perhaps it was
magical."

[Ozander - New]
"Hrmm?  It's not –the- language of magic, but that's not to say it
isn't magical.  Magic is an integral part of much of the their
world.
The elves have done some quite spectacularly potent things with song
you know."

--- betholdtheman <betholdtheman@...> wrote:
> [OOC]
>
> Not sure how much time you have, Mike, but add to this as
> you like!

I definitely want to add to it.
Even if I don't manage to get back to you with this before
the characters get back together, I'll do it as an extension
of Maeus' background.

Mike.



__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.
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Oops, I should have added this to my last message:

The coming week is going to be a hectic one for me at work, so I may
not be able to post regularly -- but I'll do my best!  As usual,
please feel free to puppet-master Aina if I'm remiss in my posting
duties, Beth. :)

Becky

[Aina - new]

When Aina had first ventured into the street, she found the night
cold, but not unbearably so.  Slowly, however, the residual heat of
the tavern fled her bones, along with the ale-induced warmth in her
stomach.

Now she was cold.  Miserably cold.  She hugged her own thin body.
Her patchwork of worn-out clothes afforded her little protection;
instead, they billowed and swirled, creating wind pockets that
chilled her further.  Her nose had gone numb a few minutes
previously, and now felt like a piece of deadwood at the edge of her
face.

Finally, she could take it no longer.  She ducked under the awning
of a nearby shop.  Here, at least, she would be sheltered from the
bitter wind.  She would rest a moment before continuing.

[Oz – Old]

"Aina, my goodness!  That cloak is about worn through!  Why don't
you share my cloak and let me walk you home?  It's quite big enough
and it should help to keep the both of us a bit warmer."

[Aina - new]

Aina dazedly accepted Ozander's offer, her cold-slowed mind reacting
more sluggishly than usual.  She felt the heavy cloak drape down
upon her frame, and the warmth of the man beside her, and
immediately her shivering lessened.  "Thank you," she muttered
belatedly, raising her head to meet the wizard's eyes before
lowering them again.

As they traveled down the street together, Aina could not think of
what to say.  Up until this evening, she'd had no personal
experience with wizards at all.  And yet here she was now, sharing a
cloak with one!  She could still hardly believe it.

And the odd thing was, he seemed like such an ordinary fellow.
Rather pleasant, in fact.  Hadn't Elmdaerle himself admitted he was
ordinary-looking?  Though, she recalled, the naturalist had also
taken care to impress upon them that there was more to him than met
the eye.

After several minutes of groping for a conversational topic,
suddenly one came to her.  "You -- you said earlier that you spoke
Elvish," she addressed him shyly.  "Is that the language of magic?
For I have often heard that elves are magical folk, and their
language is a beautiful one, and it seemed to me that perhaps it was
magical."

[DM – Old]

Ozander reasoned she must be freezing half to death, and had stopped
to adjust her clothing as she could. Had the loneliness been hers? He
didn't think so. Certainly she was quiet as a mouse, but so was he,
and while the wizard often felt lonely and isolated in his studies,
it was never so bad as despair. Anyway, the feeling felt older
somehow, as though it belonged to someone in their forties or
fifties, and Aina could not have been much older than him.


[Ozander – New]

At a momentary loss, Ozander first slowed and then halted his
progress down the busy street.  Familiar with the fleeting nature of
these impressions, he knew details would soon fade if he didn't take
an instant to review them in his mind.  Shifting his gaze from Aina
for a moment, he bowed his head and looked to the snow at his feet as
he concentrated.

Finally he sighed. Ozander knew that this impression he had received
was not necessarily destined to come to pass, but this vision like
many before was aggravating in its vagueness and left him with little
usable insight.  Was the woman here now or would the event take place
on another date?  This location or elsewhere?  She was about to catch
her husband cheating, watch her only child succumb to a fatal
illness, or face some other disparaging event, and there was nothing
this wizard could do about it.  For Ozander – a man who liked his
details in neat little rows – the gift often proved to be a
frustration.

But here, in front of the wizard right now, was Aina.  Most likely
not the woman he had sensed, but no divination was required to see
her current state.  He raised his eyes back up to look at here.  This
woman at least, he could help.  He walked up to her where she stood
shivering in the doorway.

"Aina, my goodness!  That cloak is about worn through!  Why don't you
share my cloak and let me walk you home?  It's quite big enough and
it should help to keep the both of us a bit warmer."

Just got back from a trip to Michigan.

Had every intention of posting while there, but the 100 billion year
old phone lines at the family farm were way too noisy to let me dial
up.

Give me a couple hours to get the baby settled in and catch up on
emails and posts, and I'll have an IC post submitted.

Jason / Oz

[DM - Old]

> "Good gracious," laughed Elmdaerle, fastening his heavy, fur-lined
> cloak, "I hope the old house is sufficiently warm for us, Johan!
I've
> no servants to tend to it –– hopefully your father has not given
you
> an unduly high impression of my circumstances. With the four of us
> crowded in together, however, it shouldn't take too long to heat.
> Tynan, are you prepared? Vetch? It's a short walk, but a cold one."
>

[Vetch - New]

Vetch watched Aina intently as she spoke to Elmdaerle. He saw her
hesitancy, her (unwarranted) insecurity in addressing the old man
washed away by the Guildmasters warm smile and kind words. Thinking
back through time, Vetch remembered his father had that way about
him, too. He probably still has it. The ability to make one at ease,
boost their self-esteem and convey a sense of acceptance right when
one needed it. As Aina plunged outside with only her frail cloak
between her and the heavy waves of cold air, capped by flakes, Vetch
beat down his instinctive urge to to offer her his cloak. "You
couldn't protect the people you loved, why would you think you could
protect complete strangers?" he thought to himself, grimacing.

And then came the visage. It was always the same. He goes to her
home and no one's there. He slowly walks in, leaning around corners,
knowing full well what he is going to see, but harbors hope that
didn't happen, it won't happen. "This time, it'll be different," he
says almost believing it. But it never is. He's arrived too late,
she's lying curled up on the floor, there's blood everywhere -- her
blood and the baby's. When he walks towards her body, blood
splattering off his boots, her eyes are fixed, fixed on him ... it
wasn't his fault or was it? Elmdaerle's mention of this name ripped
Vetch from the scene stoping full horror from unfolding. With a
stiffness only profound sadness and regret could inflict, Vetch
slowly rose to gather his things.

[OOC]

Sorry, Beth, if have fouled up your editing, but this was begging me
to write it.

[DM - new]

Beck had no intention of hanging around and waiting for his master.
"Going home," he croaked crossly, as soon as the pair had spent a
moment or two in the frosty, sparkling air. "See you." Before Ozander
could completely register the announcement and feel disgruntled by it,
his ungainly pet had launched itself from his (thankfully) well-padded
shoulder, flapping with heavy, uneven beats into the darkness. The
wizard could not supress a resentful sigh. There was nothing to do but
follow. He had not yet been taught how to fly.

The street he needed to take, which he had no name for, was rather
wide and reassuringly noisy. The Moonlit Touch, a popular
by-invitation-only festhall, was positively spilling over with people,
many of whom were brandishing small lanterns or candles in celebration
of the new year. Only a few of them were lighted, of course, since it
was tradition in Cormyr only to light your new year's candle after
someone had whispered their resolution to you. It was early yet, with
a few more hours until midnight. Most people liked to wait until the
last minute.

As he passed the festhall, Ozander was suddenly seized by a brief,
dislocating sensation of loneliness and despair. It lasted only for
the space of a breath, but he knew immediately that it belonged
neither to his own mind nor to Beck. It belonged to a woman, possibly
to someone in the crowd. And whatever had caused the feeling in her,
he felt sure, had certainly not happened yet.

Ozander was no stranger to these flickering sorts of impressions, and
had grown quite comfortable with them. It was easy, really, because
they came and went with such fantastic quickness that nothing was left
afterward but a vague feeling of disquiet, very mild, as something one
might bring away from an unimportant dream they could hardly recall.
It happened usually when he was very excited, or when his senses were
unusually focused, as they had been by the sharpness of the wintery
chill. He could not yet adequately control them, though he had been
getting better in the last six months or so, and with enormous
concentration could usually cause them to occur. Sometimes the
feelings were terribly clear, and included blurry glipses of people or
events, but more often than not they made very little sense or applied
to perfect strangers.

That was his gift, divination. Elmdaerle seemed to have a fair bit of
faith in his abilities, at times even more so than Ozander himself
could muster. Wessa had undoubtedly captured the guildmaster's
imagination when they had spoken privately the other day. He had not
been invited to attend––which was just as well, since old Manyvoices
had been bothering him all week about picking the right enchanted key
out of a pile of others. It was an annual test, and hardly worth the
trouble. Ozander could probably have done it blindfolded.

As he picked his way through the clamor surrounding the Moonlit Touch,
he suddenly spotted Aina standing alone beneath the eave of a
wainwright's shop. It was difficult to tell in the bare light of the
festhall's windows, but she looked to be fiddling with the cords
binding her thin cloak together at the throat. Her hands were shaking
rather badly, making the work difficult; Ozander reasoned she must be
freezing half to death, and had stopped to adjust her clothing as she
could. Had the loneliness been hers? He didn't think so. Certainly she
was quiet as a mouse, but so was he, and while the wizard often felt
lonely and isolated in his studies, it was never so bad as despair.
Anyway, the feeling felt older somehow, as though it belonged to
someone in their forties or fifties, and Aina could not have been much
older than him.


[OOC]

A little bit of interaction, so I don't have to write a different
thing for every damn person! You're going the same direction. :)

[DM - old]

"I've no use for this cold," Arthos grumbled, giving his companion a
sidelong look. "No use at all. It never gets like this in Selgaunt,
does it? And now we're going to blunder off into the mountains. What
do you think, Taz? You spoke gallantly in the tavern, but if you came
west from Ordulin, you must've seen how frigid it was in the high
passes. I've been here for a few months, luckily, and missed most of
that; but it's not looking better in the north this year."

[Taz - new]

"Aye, my friend, I hear you. And I understand you, I do," Taz rumbled at
the back of the diminutive Sembian walking half a pace ahead of the
large Sembian. As Taz spoke, his words spewed forth little puffs of fog
in front of his face. "But I just don't see myself spending my life in a
city, this one or any other one. What would I do for a living? I could
only work as a warehouse guard or join the city guard. Either way, I'd
be takin' orders from some idiot, an' I don't do so well with taking
orders. An' if not guard work, then it'll hafta' be working as a bouncer
or something even sillier than that!"

The big fellow took a moment to catch his breath before adding in a much
more sober tone of voice, "As for the cold, me thinks the gods of the
Moonshaes--whoever they be--are looking out for me or something, 'cause
I haven't minded the cold that much since I left home."

[DM - new]

It was hideously cold. Stooping slightly to get through the doorframe,
Taz, his equipment now carefully packed and buckled on, stepped out
into the frozen road, his boots finding purchase with difficulty.
Before him, pulling on a pair of dark sheepskin gloves, was Arthos,
who looked small and dark as an unmigrated sparrow, and just as
uncomfortable. They stood blinking at each other in the patchy carpet
of ice and frosted mud for a moment.

"Well, my giant friend," said Arthos, his reedy tenor voice tightened
by the temperature, "best not hang about in this much, eh? Let's be
off then!" He looked up and down the street uncertainly. The snow was
not falling hard, but it drowned all distance in a swirling fog
eventually. "I think––I think it's that way."

Setting off at a brisk pace in a direction Taz had never taken, the
rogue still moved so stiffly that the warrior had no trouble keeping
up. As carefully dressed as he was, Arthos was nearly as slender as a
willow-wand, and his shivering came distressingly soon. They had not
gone more than twenty feet before his teeth began to chatter, cutting
through their footfalls.

The street was as silent and abandoned as it could be this time of
year and night, and there were few signs of life in the tall, crooked
buildings to either side of them. Of Maeus there was nothing to be seen.

"I've no use for this cold," Arthos grumbled, giving his companion a
sidelong look. "No use at all. It never gets like this in Selgaunt,
does it? And now we're going to blunder off into the mountains. What
do you think, Taz? You spoke gallantly in the tavern, but if you came
west from Ordulin, you must've seen how frigid it was in the high
passes. I've been here for a few months, luckily, and missed most of
that; but it's not looking better in the north this year."

[DM - new]

By cutting through several sidestreets, Maeus arrived home first.
There was still a light on in Talianetta's room, he noted, as he
passed shivering over the step; but her window was securely shuttered.
To make things worse, Theron's place, further down the street, had
looked totally abandoned. He couldn't help but wonder what the two of
them were doing this evening.

His mother was still home, and his father was still gone. She evinced
some mild surprise to see him back so early, and said so, approvingly,
telling him also of the great deal of darning he might help do if he
was bored or upset about something. Maeus was quite good at that sort
of thing, and frequently helped her, but he was too preoccupied, and
instead slipped up to his small room at the top of the short, creaking
stair.

The tiny room was cold, but he hardly felt it –– his ears and nose
felt half like coming off already. Lighting a candle, Maeus looked
briefly around to see if his mother had rearranged anything. She
sometimes did that, to his consternation. But everything was still as
it was: the wide bed and quilted blankets, the nightstand, his leather
juggling balls, his collection of bits and bobs gathered on wilderness
excursions. A handful of coins lay scattered on the floor, and the old
charcoal-lines measuring his disappointing physical development stood
out clearly from one whitewashed plaster wall. Catching his reflection
briefly in the small steel mirror hanging over the washbasin, the bard
sniffed testily at the blotchy, unbecoming pinkness that had
disfigured his usually fine, pale complexion.

A handsome suit of hard leather hung from a brass hook on the far
wall. More of an impulse purchase than anything else, it had hardly
ever been used, though rather often Maeus set it carefully on to
admire the dangerous air it leant to his meager appearance. It
reminded him of the earlier events of the evening, which now seemed
rather foolish and far away. The business of breaking the news to his
temperamental parents still lay like a looming blanket of stormclouds
over the future.



[OOC]

Not sure how much time you have, Mike, but add to this as you like!

[0219 - 0225] [Edited]

"You are absolutely right, Taz," said Elmdaerle gravely. "I bought
only two cart-horses, you see, because there is only limited room in a
small wagon for their feed and water. Any more and you will have to
set some on their backs, which will make things infinitely harder for
them. I suppose you could always melt the snow, but there is no good
hay in the highlands, and the wild oats were long ago buried and
frozen. It is only three days to Slingdyke, as I mentioned, and there
may be opportunity to avail yourselves of provisioning there; and also
I packed a little extra. But with a mule, and extra animals, it
becomes riskier. Still, if you can afford it, and you wish to look,
there is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Only remember that it
is winter, and cold at night, especially in the mountains. There will
not be much traffic that way, except for the occasional coal and
timber people."

"Perhaps it is not proper of me to ask, Guildmaster," Aina spoke up
hesitantly. "Since you have already provided so generously for our
needs on this journey. But will we be given extra funds to cover any
circumstances that even your wisdom could not foresee? We may
encounter unexpected difficulties on the road: a guide may need to be
hired, or one of the horses may grow sick, or a weapon may break and
require replacement."

The smallest of smirks stole across Tynan's lips before he covered his
reaction with a sip from his tankard, for he had been trying to find a
way to broach the topic himself without much success.  Thank goodness
Aina had come to his rescue.

The new leader waited for Elmdaerle's reaction, wondering whether the
naturalist would expect the wealthier of the companions, such as Taz
with his handful of gold coins, to foot the bill on behalf of the rest
of them, Tynan included. The young smith wasn't fond of that approach,
for it would leave him in debt not only to the Guildmaster, but also
to half the travelling party.  Hopefully their kindly benefactor's
deep pockets weren't completely emptied just yet.

"Extra funds? Why, yes, certainly," Elmdaerle said, and chuckled
softly. "I would expect unexpected difficulties. There are many things
even a diviner can not see, though we are wise to have one with us,
just in case! But I am not speaking as seriously as I should. An
injured horse would be a grievious problem, indeed, and we must pray
to Tymora that your luck holds, at least until you get to Tilverton. I
have a good deal of money to give to you all, before we part ways, in
the event that something dreadful of this sort does occur. It should
also see you easily through to Shadowdale and back, I think –– and
with some left over, too. Any other arrangement would be unseemly,
would it not?" He finished his wine quickly then, having taken silent
note of the general mood of adjurnment at the table.

Taz nodded his head at the old naturalist's confirmation of exactly
what he had assumed anyway. "Good. So, we have the two draft-horses
pulling along a small wagon carrying a limited amount of supplies,
plus Arthos' mule, and a group of eight people. We leave bright and
early the day after tomorrow, have our charter notarized at the
garrison a day's hike from here –– and hopefully also get to stay
within the garrison compound for the night –– and then it's a two-day
journey to locate whats-'is-name at Slingdyke. Straightforward enough,
at least up to that point."

"That's right," Elmdaerle agreed, suddenly cheerful. "One day at a
time, Taz, and then have a word with whats-is-name. But mind you don't
get lost along the way, eh? Stick close to these others if you can,
and remember to tip your hat to the soldiery. They may be the only
thing to keep the wolves off this winter."

The burly warrior grinned widely, his excitement showing on his
youthful face. "Arthos! Are you ready to retire to your lodging for
the night, then?!"

"Yes, I think so," answered Arthos slowly, "though I don't look
forward to the journey." He shivered at the thought of the frigid
Nightal wind, and took a fast, fortifying swallow of his ale. "Are you
sure you want to pay for all this, master?" he asked, waving his arm
at the plates and detritus of the meal.

Elmdaerle nodded, squinting appraisingly at the rogue. "Aye. But are
you sure you wish to go on with them, though? For I sense some
hesitation on your part, sir, and you have not spoken much of yourself
this evening. Courage is one thing, but uncertainty is another."

"I am not sure, sir. I have some experience crossing the Thunder Peaks
in winter, you see, and the memories are not all that kind. Besides
that, I am not much of a warrior, and while I speak some Elvish, the
written word is somewhat harder. But I have the day to make up my
mind, do I not?" Arthos said.

"You do."

"Then I will take advantage of it," said he, and, nodding to his tall
countryman, stood up, bowed slightly to Elmdaerle and the others, and
departed. Taz waited his turn to say his good-byes to Elmdaerle before
trailing closely behind his Sembian compatriot as they exited the tavern.

Seeing that no one objected to his taking of the map, Ozander picked
up the parchment from where it lay on the table. He rolled it
carefully and slid it into the scroll case before capping the tube and
stuffing it back into his pack. Ozander glanced up at the beam the
raven had most recently perched on. "Wake up, Beck. It's time for us
to go." Without effort, his quiet voice intruded into the dreams of
the familiar, rousing it from a grey and smoky-clouded dream. A
sensation of slow, sour resignment swelled groggily over his
unconscious, but it was not his own.

Looking around the table, Ozander inclined his head briefly as he
spoke to those still present. "Good evening to all of you, then. I
look forward to our meeting tomorrow." Picking up his haversack, he
stepped around the table and stopped in front of Elmdaerle. "A chance
to meet with Elminster, eh? You know, of course, that I would go
regardless, but still..." Not finding the words he was looking for,
Ozander simply shook his head and broke out in a smile before
extending his hand to the naturalist.

Taking his hand and clasping it comfortably, the wizard's old friend
grinned back. "I guess there are some chances sweet enough to draw
forth even a student of the Six from his silent dusty chambers. Please
remember me to your teachers if you would, Ozander, since I may not
see them before you leave. Until tomorrow, then? as the bard says.
Good even to you, my friend."

As the group began to trickle out, Aina too prepared to depart. She
donned her shapeless woolen cap, pulling it down below her ears. She
lifted her threadbare cloak from near the hearth, where it lay to dry.
It was warm to the touch, and stiffened with heat. Behind her, the
rest of the party pushed away from their benches and went about
settling into their damp cloaks.

She did not immediately leave, however. She waited until all but one
or two souls had left, before approaching the old naturalist. She
hesitated for a few seconds, trying to order the words in her mind.
Then she lifted her eyes. "I want to thank you for thinking of me,"
she told Elmdaerle earnestly. "And I am honored that you have selected
me for your mission. It seems a grand one to me, and if the glory of
the old guild of the elves can be restored, then I will be very happy
for you. And though I am not worthy of your great hopes, I will do my
best to see that you are not disappointed."

"How could I be disappointed?" he asked quietly, touching her fondly
on the shoulder. "Willingness serves where worthiness ignores –– and
your willingness alone, Aina, should see the task accomplished easily.
I only hope I send you to better fortunes than you have so far found
in Arabel. That should be our proper metric! The glory of the old
guilds can go on waiting, if the way ahead is fraught with too much
danger. Be quick and careful, getting home! Goodnight!"

With a bob of her head, she snatched up her cloak, threw it around her
thin frame, and fled out the door.

Just as he was the first to be seated at the table, so was Tynan
amongst the last.  He bade farewell to each of the companions as they
stood and made their goodbyes and watched them filter out into the
clutches of the cold, snowy night once again. Despite the enveloping
warmth at the back of the inn, Tynan still shuddered as the wind and
flurries stole into the place, casting about until the glowing hearth
stilled them for good.

"I suppose this could be the last time we are so cozy and warm, for
many a day," he observed to no one in particular, his smoky grey eyes
still fixed upon the door across the dimly lit room. Finally he let
his gaze drop, and picked at the bread that still lay upon the table,
amidst the other half-eaten dishes. Scooping a bit of leftover stew
atop the crusty slice, the dark-haired warrior availed himself of a
late night snack.

"For the eve of the new year it does seem awfully quiet," he said a
minute later around the last of a mouthful of the tasty bread, the
corners of his mouth turned up as he glanced at Johan, Vetch and their
naturalist host. "Not that this adventure isn't exciting,
Guildmaster," clarified Tynan hastily, "for that it is, and ten times
over. But I always thought the birth of a new year should be more...I
don't know...lively?

"But then again, perhaps I shouldn't be so anxious for a late night,
what with the travel we shall endure over the coming weeks. A good
night's rest in a warm bed would no doubt serve us all best."

"You could pay a sage and not receive any advice better than that,"
Johan chuckled, picking up his shoulder pack and cloak that he had
discarded earlier and prepared to follow Elmdaerle to his home. "Even
a bleak future will look brighter in morning's light, and what we have
waiting for us is an adventure like none I ever really believed I'd be
participating in. Of course, it would have been nicer to begin this
kind of trip in late spring, not in the dark of winter."

"There there, Johan," tutted Elmdaerle, securing the laces of his old
map case. "Like as not you shall all wind up waiting for spring
anyway, having come to the mountains and finding no clear way through.
Perhaps then you'll come back, and we'll celebrate Deadwinter Day
together! Though that holiday shall be probably even quieter than this
one––but it is still quite early in the evening, you know, and I chose
the Skull chiefly because I guessed it would be empty. That reminds
me, I must see to paying the tender." He moved swiftly past them,
making his way to the bar where Malou and Jacob were talking.

"Well, shall we?" Johan asked the old naturalist, once he returned.
"It's been many a night since I last slept in a warm house, and not
under the stars, or in an abandoned hovel or hayloft." And while Johan
rather doubted Elmdaerle would have beds for every visitor, that
didn't worry the young monk; he was well used to hard beds and thus a
floor wouldn't pose any difficulties. Besides, it wasn't like he had
all that much time to sleep; he'd need to rise well before the sun to
finish his meditations and still reach Lathander's temple before
sunrise (Thankfully, this being wintertime, that wouldn't happen too
early in the morning). His kata dancing he could leave for the evening.

"Good gracious," laughed Elmdaerle, fastening his heavy, fur-lined
cloak, "I hope the old house is sufficiently warm for us, Johan! I've
no servants to tend to it –– hopefully your father has not given you
an unduly high impression of my circumstances. With the four of us
crowded in together, however, it shouldn't take too long to heat.
Tynan, are you prepared? Vetch? It's a short walk, but a cold one."




[OOC]

Well! No sign of Jay, alas, so it looks like I'm taking over for the
present. Thanks for the note about the money, Kani -- I was too lazy
to look. :)

This is going to get crazy again, since I have to split you all up,
but hopefully I can get started in the morning. A little tired
tonight, what with cutting and pasting all of this. Think I've been
working on this post for the better part of an hour!

Remember Rule #8, s'il vous plait! Writing "Joe says goodbye to Bob
and waits for Bob to say goodbye and then leaves" is an impossible
sentence to respond to, and I hate having to bust up sentences to make
them easier to write against. I know we're all anxious to get on with
things -- hell, I sure am -- but please, please, please at least break
actions down as much you can remember to. I commend Jason particularly
for figuring out a nifty way to do this; we can take for granted that
his character has left, without actually saying "Oz left."

Oh, and I hope everybody is reading the "Edited" post as closely as
they can stand. It's the best way to understand the "flow" of the
story, and ignoring it makes headaches for me since I have to re-cut
everything twice. Hope this doesn't sound too much like crabby DM
bitching. Probably does, huh. I suck! Watch me fuck up Elminster! :)

Happy Valentines to ye, by the way...the writing has been very good
and entertaining lately. Shit, I know I always say that. But
seriously. You guys are coming up with questions and character ideas I
would never, ever think to if I were PCing. I'm very lucky to have you
all aboard and I know it. Thanks!

[Ozander - New]

Seeing that no one objected to his taking of the map, Ozander picked
up the parchment from where it lay on the table.  He rolled it
carefully and slid it into the scroll case before capping the tube
and stuffing it back into his pack.  Ozander glanced up at the beam
the raven had most recently perched on.  "Wake up Beck, it's time for
us to go."

Looking around the table, Ozander inclined his head briefly as he
spoke to those still present.  "Good evening to all of you, then.  I
look forward to our meeting tomorrow."  Picking up his haversack, he
stepped around the table and stopped in front of Elmdaerle.  "A
chance to meet with Elminster, eh?  You know, of course, that I would
go regardless, but still…"  Not finding the words he was looking for,
Ozander simply shook his head and broke out in a smile before
extending his hand to the naturalist.

[OOC]

I actually wanted Oz to make his exit here, but I have to make sure
that Beck is awake and not so lazy that he doesn't ignore the shout.

Question: Oz has some 'stuff' to do tonight, should I pick up the
pace so he can get it done in a post or two?

[Tynan – Old]

"But then again, perhaps I shouldn't be so anxious for
a late night, what with the travel we shall endure
over the coming weeks.  A good night's rest in a warm
bed would no doubt serve us all best."

[Johan – New]

“You could pay a sage and not receive any advice
better than that,” Johan chuckled, picking up his
shoulder pack and cloak that he had discarded earlier
and prepared to follow Elmdaerle to his home. “Even a
bleak future will look brighter in morning’s light,
and what we have waiting for us is an adventure like
none I ever really believed I’d be participating in.”
Or course, it would have been... nicer... to begin
this kind of trip in late spring, not in the dark of
winter.

“Well, shall we?” Johan asked the old naturalist.
“It’s been many a night since I last slept in a warm
house and not under the stars or in an abandoned hovel
or hayloft.” And while Johan rather doubted Elmdaerle
would have beds for every visitor, that didn’t worry
the young monk; he was well used to hard beds and thus
a floor wouldn’t pose any difficulties.

Besides, it wasn’t like he had all that much time to
sleep; he’d need to rise well before the sun to finish
his meditations and still reach Lathander’s temple
before sunrise (Thankfully, this being wintertime,
that wouldn’t happen too early in the morning). His
kata dancing he could leave for the evening.

-Jussi / Johan Wintermist




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[DM - old]

"You are absolutely right, Taz," said Elmdaerle gravely. "I bought
only two cart-horses, you see, because there is only limited room in a
small wagon for their feed and water. Any more and you will have to
set some on their backs, which will make things infinitely harder for
them. I suppose you could always melt the snow, but there is no good
hay in the highlands, and the wild oats were long ago buried and
frozen. It is only three days to Slingdyke, as I mentioned, and there
may be opportunity to avail yourselves of provisioning there; and also
I packed a little extra. But with a mule, and extra animals, it
becomes riskier. Still, if you can afford it, and you wish to look,
there is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Only remember that it
is winter, and cold at night, especially in the mountains. There will
not be much traffic that way, except for the occasional coal and
timber people."

[Taz - new]

Taz nodded his head at the old naturalist's confirmation of exactly what
he had assumed anyway. "Good. So, we have the two draft-horses pulling
along a small wagon carrying a limited amount of supplies, plus Arthos'
mule, and a group of eight people. We leave bright and early the day
after tomorrow, have our charter notarized at the garrison a day's hike
from here--and hopefully also get to stay within the garrison compound
for the night, and then it's a two-day journey to locate whats-'is-name
at Slingdyke. Straightforward enough, at least up to that point."

The burly warrior grinned widely, his excitement showing on his youthful
face. "Arthos! Are you ready to retire to your lodging for the night,
then?!" Taz waited his turn to say his good-byes to Elmdaerle before
trailing closely behind his Sembian compatriot as they exited the
tavern.

OOC: Darn! This time with the header fixed.

[Maeus - old]

Maeus nodded at Elmdaerle and Aina. "The Lion it is, then. For lunch!
I still have to buy you something" –– Maeus frowned and tried to get
his voice as low as he could –– "and if I hear 'no,' I, too, will
turn
you into a newt! We'll take it from there after we eat

[Aina - new]

Aina opened her mouth to protest, giving him an oh-no-I-couldn't-
possibly look, but then at the continuation she grinned, shook her
head and stared at the floor.  It was becoming much too easy to
convince her.  The same blend of blunt insistence and humor had been
used, first by Elmdaerle and now by Maeus.  It was a powerful
mixture, and one that was proving quite beyond her talents to
gracefully deflect.

"Until tomorrow," she offered as Maeus departed.

[DM - old]

"You are absolutely right, Taz," said Elmdaerle gravely. "I bought
only two cart-horses, you see, because there is only limited room in
a
small wagon for their feed and water. Any more and you will have to
set some on their backs, which will make things infinitely harder for
them.

[Aina - new]

"Perhaps it is not proper of me to ask, Guildmaster," Aina spoke up
hesitantly.  "Since you have already provided so generously for our
needs on this journey.  But will we be given extra funds to cover
any circumstances that even your wisdom could not foresee?  We may
encounter unexpected difficulties on the road: a guide may need to
be hired, or one of the horses may grow sick, or a weapon may break
and require replacement."

[Ozander - old]

"It would appear then, that we're done for the night? If so, I
should take my leave as well."

[Aina - new]

As the group began to trickle out, Aina too prepared to depart.  She
donned her shapeless woolen cap, pulling it down below her ears.
She lifted her threadbare cloak from near the hearth, where it lay
to dry.  It was warm to the touch, and stiffened with heat.

She did not immediately leave, however.  She waited until all but
one or two souls had left, before approaching the old naturalist.
She hesitated for a few seconds, trying to order the words in her
mind.  Then she lifted her eyes.  "I want to thank you for thinking
of me," she told Elmdaerle earnestly.  "And I am honored that you
have selected me for your mission.  It seems a grand one to me, and
if the glory of the old guild of the elves can be restored, then I
will be very happy for you.  And though I am not worthy of your
great hopes, I will do my best to see that you are not disappointed."

With a bob of her head, she snatched up her cloak, threw it around
her thin frame, and fled out the door.

[Maeus - old]

Maeus nodded at Elmdaerle and Aina. "The Lion it is, then. For lunch!
I still have to buy you something" –– Maeus frowned and tried to get
his voice as low as he could –– "and if I hear 'no,' I, too, will
turn
you into a newt! We'll take it from there after we eat

[Aina - new]

Aina opened her mouth to protest, giving him an oh-no-I-couldn't-
possibly look, but then at the continuation she grinned, shook her
head and stared at the floor.  It was becoming much too easy to
convince her.  The same blend of blunt insistence and humor had been
used, first by Elmdaerle and now by Maeus.  It was a powerful
mixture, and one that was proving quite beyond her talents to
gracefully deflect.

"Until tomorrow," she offered as Maeus departed.

[DM - old]

"You are absolutely right, Taz," said Elmdaerle gravely. "I bought
only two cart-horses, you see, because there is only limited room in
a
small wagon for their feed and water. Any more and you will have to
set some on their backs, which will make things infinitely harder for
them.

[Aina - new]

"Perhaps it is not proper of me to ask, Guildmaster," Aina spoke up
hesitantly.  "Since you have already provided so generously for our
needs on this journey.  But will we be given extra funds to cover
any circumstances that even your wisdom could not foresee?  We may
encounter unexpected difficulties on the road: a guide may need to
be hired, or one of the horses may grow sick, or a weapon may break
and require replacement."

[Ozander - old]

"It would appear then, that we're done for the night? If so, I
should take my leave as well."

[Aina - new]

As the group began to trickle out, Aina too prepared to depart.  She
donned her shapeless woolen cap, pulling it down below her ears.
She lifted her threadbare cloak from near the hearth, where it lay
to dry.  It was warm to the touch, and stiffened with heat.

She did not immediately leave, however.  She waited until all but
one or two souls had left, before approaching the old naturalist.
She hesitated for a few seconds, trying to order the words in her
mind.  Then she lifted her eyes.  "I want to thank you for thinking
of me," she told Elmdaerle earnestly.  "And I am honored that you
have selected me for your mission.  It seems a grand one to me, and
if the glory of the old guild of the elves can be restored, then I
will be very happy for you.  And though I am not worthy of your
great hopes, I will do my best to see that you are not disappointed."

With a bob of her head, she snatched up her cloak, threw it around
her thin frame, and fled out the door.

> MONEY
>
> Remember the crazy money conversion for this game, Kani! Five gold
> pieces would be enough to keep your average peasant warm, stoned, and
> healthy for about a year. Taz is probably the wealthiest person at the
> table (barring Elmie, of course). "Doing it for the glory," indeed...
>
> Damn Sembian bonus money. :P

Oh! Yes, I forgot. Your money system does confuse me a bit, Beth. :) In
any case, I think may be I have less than I thought I did, though. I
have only 1 gold piece, but also 39 silver and 69 copper pieces which I
was converting to the equivalent of gold pieces. :P

> ARTHOS
>
> Jay hasn't posted for a long-ass time, barring that OOC note dropped
> about a week ago. He has until the 16th of February to reply before he
> loses Arthos to a good lurker or a new recruit (or a DM).

Bummer :(

[0209 - 0219] [Edited]

"The charter can be signed at the nearest garrison, a day's march
north of Arabel," Elmdaerle reminded him. "That is the only correction
I can think of."

"That is –– forgive my interruption –– -not- Slingdyke? I thought it
was. Where is it, then? A fort by the road or another village?"

"Slingdyke, or the garrison? Slingdyke is two days north of the
garrison. It is the remains of an old fort, I believe, but there is a
village around it now. There are a few troops and rangers there now,
or used to be, but most of the Cormyrean army is encamped at Castle
Crag to the east –– as you can see on the map. Slingdyke is mostly
used as a watering-hole and waypost by caravans, now. The garrison
itself is nothing but barracks and a palisade, unless it is different
from the ones I have seen."

"Very well then, where and when do we meet to depart the day after
tomorrow?"

"That is perhaps best decided by those who know where our supplies are
stored," replied Tynan, turning to look at Vetch and then Elmdaerle.
"It would seem to most efficient to have everyone gather and pack up
our goods together. Then we can set out as a group from there.
"As for timing, I would suggest an early start to ensure we get the
most out of our first day of travel.  Besides, with the snows settling
in we will want to find lodgings or ready a camp well before
nightfall, which will cut our days short as it is."

"If I may suggest something," Elmdaerle put in, "many caravans stay
within the walls of the garrison overnight, since protection is afford
them without cost. It might be best if you did the same, I think,
though there aren't many enemies of the King left in this
neighborhood, and the snow will probably be easier here than in the
foothills."

"I don't know if people are interested, but I was also thinking a
gathering, perhaps for the mid-day meal, would be in order," Tynan
offered, trying to accommodate both the morning duties of Johan and
the evening plans of Aina and Maeus. "That way we could confirm the
status of our supplies and raise any other issues that might have come
to mind by then, while we still have time to do something about them."

Ozander nodded at this last. "I concur. It would be prudent to meet
tomorrow, as early as possible after the inventory has been completed.
This allows us to determine any final preparations that need to be
made and provides nearly a full day to complete them. I would suggest
we reconvene tomorrow at the locale where the supplies are stored, at
some agreed upon hour."

"The supplies are all waiting at my house," said Elmdaerle, "and that
is in Gelzunduth Street, on the southwest side of Arabel, between
Rhalseer's boarding house and the physics shop. Most of you have been
there, and those that haven't will mostly stay with me. Where are you
staying, Master Sembian?" He peered over his glasses at Arthos, who
looked deep in thought  and drew himself up only slowly.

"The Red Stirge, sir," answered the dark-haired boy, brushing a fleck
of something from his jerkin. "It is near the High Horn Gate, a few
blocks from here. I haven't many things stored there, but I do have an
animal –– a mule, half Sorraia, very sturdy –– that might come in
handy." Sorraias were the only true native ponies of Sembia, and very
interesting, primitive-looking beasts.

"Probably it will," said Elmdaerle, approvingly. "Bring your mule, and
Master Lazarus of course, to my house then, since Gelzunduth street is
very near that Gate, and many people can direct you to it. Follow the
road to the end. Vetch, Tynan, and Johan and I will be waiting outside
around midday for you both; Maeus and Aina can join us when their
business with the taverns is finished, and we will see what we can do
about a meal." Arthos nodded, looking to Taz for confirmation.

Taz nodded right back at the other Sembian and smiled broadly. "My
thanks for allowing me to share your room, Arthos. It is much
appreciated. And the plan we've agreed upon is a good one. We shall
meet at Master Elmdaerle's place for lunch."

Nodding his head to indicate he had no objections, and to thank
Elmdaerle for offering to share his home with them, Johan quietly
finished his meal, not wanting to delay the Guildmaster when he
decided it was time to leave, yet very much wanting to enjoy of the
rare pleasure of so great a meal. The food back at the monastery had
been good enough and plentiful, but it had been simple fare prepared
by simple men when compared to this culinary delight.

"As for places to look," Elmdarle continued, speaking to the bard,
"you two should try anywhere along the Ride. The Lion With Two Heads
is on that street, I know, and also the old High Moon Inn––many
travelers stay there, don't they? Anyway, they used to. It will be
worthwhile to look."

Maeus nodded at Elmdaerle and Aina. "The Lion it is, then. For lunch!
I still have to buy you something" –– Maeus frowned and tried to get
his voice as low as he could –– "and if I hear 'no,' I, too, will turn
you into a newt! We'll take it from there after we eat.

"Until tomorrow. Farewell lady –– Guildmaster –– gentlemen!" Maeus
bowed and put on his hood and gloves. He walked to the door and opened
it letting a blast of steam and smoke into the street. "I think I'll
jog!" he shouted back inside, then shut the door behind him.

The companions watched him bound off with quiet surprise. He must've
been later than anybody had figured, since he did not stop to let them
drink his health, or give him any goodbyes of their own. "Young
people," sighed Elmdaerle.

As Maeus prepared to take his leave, Ozander recalled one final task
to be accomplished while all were still present. Beginning with Maeus,
since his exit was at hand, Ozander took a moment to study the young
man's face. Then, as Maeus turned and made his way to the door,
Ozander repeated the short exercise with the others gathered around
the long table. When he was satisfied that he could recall their faces
in turn, he once again spoke.

"It would appear then, that we're done for the night? If so, I should
take my leave as well." Ozander stood and picked up his haversack from
where he had rested it between his feet. Setting it on the seat he had
just vacated, he dug about inside the pack until he found what he was
looking for. From within he pulled a capped, hardened leather tube.
"Any objections if I take the map tonight? I'll prepare a handful of
copies."

"The original is at my house," said Elmdaerle, "if anybody needs to
look at it."

Reflecting a moment, Vetch pondered whether the wagon in Elmdaerle's
coach house would handle supplies and up to eight wayward passengers.
Deciding it wouldn't, he cleared his throat and spoke, mostly to
Elmdaerle. "Master, perhaps it would be wise if those who can ride" ––
Vetch paused a moment to look around the table for the eyes of a true
horseman (or horsewoman) to light up before continuing –– "to purchase
horses. Seeing as inventory will be rather quick, and I have some
experience in assessing equine quality, I think I can get a visit in
to the market tomorrow." The young man's hopeful look to those
gathered around the table belied his memories of Arabel's horse
market's awful stock.

A wistful look passed through Tynan's grey eyes as Vetch spoke of
horses, but was quenched again before the man across the table had
finished speaking. There was no way Tynan could afford a saddle, let
alone a horse to stand under it. Though he was a competent rider,
owing to days spent with the family workhorse and later with those
that came to the smithy for repair to their shoes or, on rare
occasions, for a piece of barding, he had never owned his own mount.
And wasn't likely to, at least until he had a successful adventure
like this one beneath his belt.

No, it would be a long walk to Tilverton and beyond for him...

"I can help you at the market, if you wish," he offered anyway,
thinking to at least make himself useful to the group in some fashion.
"That is, if someone is interested and able to buy a horse."

"I too can ride," Taz put in, "and I guess most or all of us will be
walking –– which is fine, me thinks, 'cause horses do need food and
water and care. But we should take this into consideration when
packing our supplies, and trust that the food and water we will need
later on in our journey we will acquire for ourselves as we travel. Am
I right in thinking this, Master Elmdaerle?"

"You are absolutely right, Taz," said Elmdaerle gravely. "I bought
only two cart-horses, you see, because there is only limited room in a
small wagon for their feed and water. Any more and you will have to
set some on their backs, which will make things infinitely harder for
them. I suppose you could always melt the snow, but there is no good
hay in the highlands, and the wild oats were long ago buried and
frozen. It is only three days to Slingdyke, as I mentioned, and there
may be opportunity to avail yourselves of provisioning there; and also
I packed a little extra. But with a mule, and extra animals, it
becomes riskier. Still, if you can afford it, and you wish to look,
there is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Only remember that it
is winter, and cold at night, especially in the mountains. There will
not be much traffic that way, except for the occasional coal and
timber people."


[OOC]

Things are less jumbled, hopefully.

Mike, I'll get to you as soon as I can.

[Maeus - Old]

Maeus nodded at Elmdaerle and Aina as they both came up with
basically the same idea, at the same time.
"The Lion it is, then. For lunch! I still have to buy you
something ..."


[Ozander – New]

As Maeus prepared to take his leave, Ozander recalled one final task
to be accomplished while all were still present.  Beginning with
Maeus, since his exit was at hand, Ozander took a moment to study the
young man's face.  Then, as Maeus turned and made his way to the
door, Ozander repeated the short exercise with the others gathered
around the long table.  When he was satisfied that he could recall
their faces in turn, he once again spoke.

"It would appear then, that we're done for the night?  If so, I
should take my leave as well."  Ozander stood and picked up his
haversack from where he had rested it between his feet.  Setting it
on the seat he had just vacated, he dug about inside the pack until
he found what he was looking for.  From within he pulled a capped,
hardened leather tube.  "Any objections if I take the map tonight?
I'll prepare a handful of copies."

--- Rebecca S <becky1453@...> wrote:
> [Maeus - very old]
>
> "Let's meet somewhere halfway. Where?"
>
> [Aina - old]
>
> "Perhaps along the Ride?"

[Maeus - new]

Maeus nodded at Elmdaerle and Aina as they both came up with
basically the same idea, at the same time.
"The Lion it is, then. For lunch! I still have to buy you
something ..." Maeus frowned and tried to get his voice as
low as he could, "and if I hear 'no,' I, too, will turn you
into a newt! We'll take it from there after we eat."

"Until tomorrow, farewell, lady, guildmaster, gentlemen!"

Maeus bowed and put on his hood and gloves.
He walked to the door and opened it letting a blast of steam
and smoke into the street.
"I think I'll jog!" he shouted back inside, then shut the
door behind him.

Mike/Maeus.

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[Maeus - old]

Maeus stood up. "Why certainly, that is a very good idea. But let's
meet somewhere, don't come pick me up at home." He blushed, and tried
to explain. "There are no taverns nearby. It would be pointless to
come over and then walk back, no?"

[Aina - new]

Aina smiled at him.  "Yes -- and very cold.  I am also not eager to venture
out in this nasty weather, if it can be avoided."

Inwardly, though, she wondered if Maeus was concerned that his mother would
be less than enthusiastic about the journey if he brought Aina along as a
sample of his traveling companions.  She knew her clothes did not make much
of an impression, and certainly Maeus' plan of bringing Taz along would make
a more compelling case that the young minstrel was in good hands.

[Maeus - old]

"Let's meet somewhere halfway. Where?"

[Aina - new]

"Perhaps along the Ride?" she suggested.  "I occasionally sing in the
taverns in that area, and I have a few acquaintances who may be able to
help."  She wasn't certain, however, how many of them they'd actually be
able to locate.  The taverns along the Ride had a transitory quality to
them, with many merchants, travelers, and their ilk passing through, staying
a few weeks, and then vanishing with little warning.  She had not gone there
in a while, and mornings were not her usual hours anyway (she was an evening
singer).  Still, perhaps they'd be able to find a few patrons who could
help.

OOC:

Beth: I stole some of the info that Elmdaerle provided -- ahead of the
timeline.  Hope that's OK!  I figured Aina would have some knowledge of
taverns and such.

Becky.

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--- betholdtheman <betholdtheman@...> wrote:
> "The charter can be signed at the nearest garrison, a
> day's march north of Arabel," Elmdaerle reminded him.
> "That is the only correction I can think of."

"That is, forgive my interruption, NOT Slingdyke? I thought
it was. Where is it, then? A fort by the road or another
village?"





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MONEY

Remember the crazy money conversion for this game, Kani! Five gold
pieces would be enough to keep your average peasant warm, stoned, and
healthy for about a year. Taz is probably the wealthiest person at the
table (barring Elmie, of course). "Doing it for the glory," indeed...

Damn Sembian bonus money. :P

ARTHOS

Jay hasn't posted for a long-ass time, barring that OOC note dropped
about a week ago. He has until the 16th of February to reply before he
loses Arthos to a good lurker or a new recruit (or a DM).

He hasn't told me to put him on hold or anything. Hopefully he doesn't
vanish forever! That would make my horrible cliche introduction of his
character totally pointless and wrong...

-Beth

[Tynan - old]

"I can help you at the market, if you wish," he offered anyway,
thinking to at least make himself useful to the group in some
fashion. "That is, if someone is interested and able to buy a horse."

[Taz - new]

"I too can ride, but have barely five gold pieces worth of change to my
name," Taz muttered in response to Vetch's and Tynan's inquiries. "I
guess most or all of us will be walking ... which is fine--me
thinks--'cause horses do need food and water and care. But we should
take this into consideration when packing our supplies, and trust that
the food and water we will need later on in our journey we will acquire
for ourselves as we travel. Am I right in thinking this, Master
Elmdaerle?"

[DM -Old]

> "Probably it will," said Elmdaerle, approvingly. "Bring your mule,
and
> Master Lazarus of course, to my house then, since Gelzunduth street
is
> very near that Gate, and many people can direct you to it. Follow
the
> road to the end. Vetch, Tynan, and Johan and I will be waiting
outside
> around midday for you both; Maeus and Aina can join us when their
> business with the taverns is finished, and we will see what we can
do
> about a meal." Arthos nodded, looking to Taz for confirmation.
>

[Vetch -New]

Reflecting a moment, Vetch pondered whether the wagon in Elmdaerle's
coach house would handle supplies and up to eight wayward passengers.
After deciding it wouldn't, he cleared his throat and spoke, mostly
to Elmdaerle. "Master, perhaps it would be wise if those who can
ride ..." Vetch paused a moment to look around the table for the eyes
of a true horseman (or horsewoman) to light up before continuing "...
to purchase horses. Seeing as inventory will be rather quick and I
have some experience in assessing equine quality, I think I can get a
visit in to the market tomorrow." The young man's hopeful look to
those gathered around the table belied his memories of Arabel's horse
market's awful stock.

[OOC]

Beth, I must confess, I don't know if Vetch can afford a horse with
bridle, tack, harness, and saddle and feed. However, he is willing to
bargain hard ...

[DM – Old]

Bring your mule, and Master Lazarus of course, to my house then,
since Gelzunduth street is very near that Gate, and many people can
direct you to it. Follow the road to the end. Vetch, Tynan, and Johan
and I will be waiting outside around midday for you both; Maeus and
Aina can join us when their business with the taverns is finished,
and we will see what we can do about a meal."

[Johan – New]

Nodding his head to indicate he had no objections and to thanks
Elmdaerle for offering to share his home with them, Johan quietly
finished his meal, not wanting to delay the Guildmaster when he
decided it was time to leave, yet very much wanting to enjoy of the
rare pleasure of so great a meal. The food back at the monastery had
been good enough and plentiful, but it had been simple fare prepared
by simple men when compared to this culinary delight.

[OOC}

Busy, busy, busy... Thanks for the Hero Point, everyone ;^)

-Jussi / Johan Wintermist

[DM - old]

"Probably it will," said Elmdaerle, approvingly. "Bring your mule, and
Master Lazarus of course, to my house then, since Gelzunduth street is
very near that Gate, and many people can direct you to it. Follow the
road to the end. Vetch, Tynan, and Johan and I will be waiting outside
around midday for you both; Maeus and Aina can join us when their
business with the taverns is finished, and we will see what we can do
about a meal." Arthos nodded, looking to Taz for confirmation.

[Taz - new]

Taz nodded right back at the other Sembian and smiled broadly. "My
thanks for allowing me to share your room, Arthos. It is much
appreciated. And the plan we've agreed upon is a good one. We shall meet
at Master Elmdaerle's place for lunch."

[OOC]

Two things. One, not sure if there was anything mentioned IC re. mounts
for the party. Once Beth clarifies, I'll post some additional questions
from Taz :)

Two, is Arthos' player unavailable? If yes, I sincerely hope it is
temporary and not permanent :(

Kani