Elisha nodded. She haven’t heard of such a flower either; but that’s hardly surprising. She’s a fighter, not a herbalist nor a healer. True, back in monastery they did receive basic medical education-how to stop bleeding, how to cleanse the wound, how to set broken arm, how to detect and prevent poisoning...and anything else which can be potentially useful in their line of work. That didn’t, obviously, include learning northern herbs and flowers.

In the south there are is…little vegetation, so to speak. Dry, hot climate and, most importantly, omnipresent sand make lush forests and jungles of the other lands impossible. Wild plantlife would only be found alongside main rivers and irrigation channels, but these are already occupied by human agriculture. Throughout her childhood she didn’t know anything beyond grass, algae and crops-but then, her village wasn’t that rich either. Later she learned that in larger settlements people are well enough to cultivate various plants in their gardens and some aristocracy, inspired by northern people, even developed their own version of the so called “flower language”, making flower arrangement into a form of art. However, such things were, again, beyond her interests.

Name’s Elisha Veer. Nice to meet you.

For a brief moment, she considered extending her right hand for a handshake, but ultimately, not knowing the customs of wherever Illumina was from, she gave up on that idea.

I haven’t heard of such a flower either. I don’t think you can cure depression with herbs

Unless these are “magic flowers” that some of their mystics were known to grow, use, and abuse…but she didn’t say that out loud. At any rate, it didn’t seem that there are any magic or mundane flowers growing anywhere here, so it didn’t matter.
She sighed. Then it’s decided.

At any rate, I think we should keep going as the others suggested.

Poor boy will have to keep looking for his flower without her help.

To be honest, there are worst things in this world then depression. The boy looked pretty miserable, but what child doesn’t, in this day and age? She’s a warrior, not a charity. As much as she’d like to solve poverty, hunger, and other plagues that trouble the world, her mission was something else. Besides, it looked like the Albmot was definitely leaving… she could use the opportunity to talk to him and determine what sort of magic he’s using, if any, and whether he’s a friend, or potential foe.

Steven sighed at his party member's comment and sent a fitting response.

"And what kind of idiot would feel comfortable going somewhere he's never been?" He said.

He still followed anyway, because it was as good a lead as any. In all honesty, Lyra could probably take care of herself and while it seemed like it would be faster to stay behind, it could be notoriously hard to find a flower on a mountain, or so he'd heard. And there was something in Abel's tone that made Steven sort of want to stay behind just to spite him.

Steven trudged behind Abel anyway in the direction of the town, idly thinking about the Avveel ahead. Truth be told, he actually wasn't anxious about the town at all, because he was sure his village already had all the people archetypes. Nevertheless, he had a certain amount of trepidation about visiting somewhere he'd never been, but it wasn't like he hadn't done it before, so he wasn't really worried at all. Even if something unexpected happened, he'd just have to deal with it, right?

I guess this kind of idiot would feel comfortable in somewhere he's never been. Steven mused, thinking about himself.

He relaxed as he walked down. The road was getting more level, and it was reminding Steven more and more of his hometown. The architecture was a little different and their placement was also different, but Steven could probably bet that certain things would be in certain places. Houses would be everywhere, farms on the outskirts, shops lining the main street and an inn by the square. The cobbler was probably somewhere down there, and if he wasn't, they'd just have to look for him.

@BytheSpleen@Lord Santa@Baklava

"Säätur," Lyra asked him, "how long have you been searching for this flower?"

Säätur turned to the caring woman and this time he seemed to be rather easy. He had already been disturbed by the same a few times so she was no longer a stranger. "Since sunrise," he said innocently and began climbing up the mountain side to continue his search a bit higher. At first he didn't mind - or notice for that matter - that Steven and Abel started heading to the town. Säätur considered holes and cracks in the warm Northern mountain side. He kept looking for any sign of vegetation when he reacted to the noise of Steven's armor. He turned and called the two louder than he had spoken to anyone in the group of strangers so far, "um, sirs, if you see a detémine, would you mind holding to it until we see again?"

A warm wind sweeped across the greenery. When it hit the North-Western corner of the fields where the travelers were, it lifted a cloud of sand and dust in the air. Säätur lifted his small hand to protect his eyes from the road dust. The strong wind made his big clothes press against his fragile body which made him seem skinnier than before.

@taistelusopuli

Lyra sighed, and continued to watch the little child toil away passively, until the winds blew. Lyra, too, had to cover her eyes, but it was then that a sudden realization came over her as she saw the dust fly and the boy's bones press against the cloth :

He looked far too similar to the children she used to see as a child. Hungry, hollow-eyed, dressed in whatever one could scrounge. His acts, while a great deal more docile, were almost too cautious for a child to have. If nothing else, it was that he had the lack of any adult guidance in spite of his rather miserable condition.

She hoped it wasn't the same for most in Avveel, but...perhaps the Kingdom was faring worse than she thought.

'Tween the gusts, Lyra approached Saatur more closely, until she could grab him by the shoulder. Still, she continued to be soft; harshness was a poison that stung even her indirectly.

"...Saatur...you need to eat and rest. Your mum wouldn't be happy if you keeled over from starvation, would she? I'll help you find the detemine later, I promise."

There could be a number of reasons why the village didn't want the boy here, but it wasn't too unlikely that he was simply cast aside as an unwanted burden.

Abel frowned as Steven spoke behind him, his brow furrowing with frustration. He wasn't one to lose his cool so easily, however-- especially not in front of the ladies. He barely heard the boy's request over the pounding that had started in his head. Once they were both out of earshot and far enough away that the group could not see them, Abel abruptly stopped. He turned sharply to face Steven-- taking a step forward to stop him from continuing, unintimidated by Steven's size.

"Who do you think you're calling an idiot, kid?" Abel asked, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. His voice was low and his demeanor suddenly changed from pleasant to quite angry. He spoke quickly but his voice was smooth as always.

"Perhaps it will come as a shock to you when I say I've been here before? Since you know everything, right?"

He turned slightly to face the path ahead, "I'm not here to make enemies, human. But if you're going to start asking for a buddy every time you gotta take a piss, don't expect me to treat you like an adult. We aren't your babysitters. Eventually you'll have to learn how to walk into big scary villages on your own."

Had Abel ever been to this town? Hell if he knew. He'd been traveling all around Idumea ever since he was a child. He could only remember the names of so many small villages like this one. Even when traveling with his father, however, he never begged for an escort when he wanted to explore. He grasped the bridge of his nose and stifled a sigh. He couldn't possibly expect this farm boy to understand why a peaceful looking village like this might not be a threat to a 17 year old giant.

He knew he was being unfair to the kid. This was probably the first time he'd traveled anywhere past 'the next town over'. Abel was certainly nervous the first time he'd been to a new village (although he was a mere 6 years old at the time). Even so, the King had chosen him for an important position. There must have been a good reason why and he couldn't let himself forget that Steven was probably very capable-- at least as a fighter. Mostly, however, it frustrated Abel that the "idiot" comment had gotten under his skin so easily. It wasn't even a direct insult and he was already taking his frustration out on this teenager like some sort of... well... idiot.

Abel had been called much worse many times before. Why was this any different? He figured it must be because this had been one of the first interactions the group had had in several days. It wasn't enough that Steven wanted to move on rather than take a much needed break and help some kid with some dumb, menial task. Now he was calling him names in front of the entire group. He grit his teeth. This stupid human was no different than the brainless dwarves back home. Eventually his insults will start to run out, so he'll start talking with his fists instead.

As he neared the end of his last sentence, he noticed Elisha further down the path-- but still out of earshot. He wanted the argument to end there, but knew Steven would want to reply-- even if Elisha heard. He had a strong feeling that, judging by their previous interaction, this kid was extremely oblivious when it came to impressing women-- or most likely anyone for that matter. He figured he would be doing both himself and Steven a favor if he summoned, what he called, his 'conversation ender'. Better not let this escalate....

"By the GODS! What's that?" Abel shouted suddenly-- staggering backwards and pointing past Steven. He pointed not at Elisha, but at the horizon. The shadow of a small, grey-white chinchilla briefly flickered across Steven's face just before it's small, furry body landed squarely and harmlessly on his nose.

"FUUU~!" the tiny mammal cried before suddenly disappearing in a puff of (slightly glittery) grey smoke. By the time Steven would have been able to see Abel, he would notice the halfling was already trudging several yards away at a very brisk pace. The wind suddenly picked up then, whipping his heavy tan traveling cloak to one side and conveniently obscuring Steven's vision further.

"Perhaps she'll make a better baby sitter," Abel muttered as Pavel appeared on his shoulder. Abel had shamefully lost his temper and was in too sour a mood to be around anyone for a good hour or so. He would have to seek out that shoemaker later. In the meantime-- he needed to know where the nearest pub was. His mind was in dire need of some unwinding and he figured that if the town drunkard was indeed the most dangerous thing in Avveel, the pub would be the last place Steven would dare venture.

Illumina shrugged. "I'mma head on too, good luck Lyra." Illumina called, waving behind her as she walked off behind the rest. She wasn't a charity, after all. Nothing to be gained for searching for a flower for that kid for hours.

Illumina smirked at Abel and Steven arguing, this group sure did get along didn't it..Oh well. They'd hit town soon, there'd be more things there for Illumina to do..more things to steal..

"Kinda feel a bit bad not helping that kid, but I'm not a charity ya know." Illumina casually spoke moreso to herself than anyone else.

In truth, she preferred to hurry along and get to where they were supposed to be going, she wasn't one to take her time normally..

@BytheSpleen@nrtashi@Shikaru The wind settled down and the dust that was floating around descended back on the ground where it belonged. Säätur's clothes stopped pressing against his thin body. He stood there paralyzed, staring at Lyra. A couple of sand grains fell from his hair on her hand that was now holding his shoulder. It was not so much about being afraid of touch but it was a new situation with a stranger again.

"You need to eat and rest. Your mum wouldn't be happy if you keeled over from starvation, would she? I'll help you find the detemine later, I promise" the woman said to him. "Later", was the word that pulled Säätur out of his halted thoughts. He pulled his shoulder off Lyra's grip and took a step back. "NO!" Säätur yelled impulsively. His voice echoed slightly among the rocks. "I won't go home before I find a detémine for Mommy", he continued with childish determination in his voice.

Säätur turned his back to Lyra and was about to continue further down the rocky mountain side when he fastened his eyes slightly higher up the mountain side. A full grown mountain cougar was creeping down the mountain side. It had it's eyes fastened at him. It's gray and brown fur had concealed it well from sight until now. It stepped silently down the mountain side, hiding behind the rocks and shapes of the mountain side. Carefully it began to circle as if preying on the boy.

---

@Lord Santa A silent echo reached Steven. Because of his distance from the others, the exact word was not audible but the echo could be discerned. Besides the sudden appearance of Pavel there was nothing else that seemed to disturb the calm ambience of the isolated sanctuary of wild grass, crops and rooftops in the distance. The sun was still high up but had begun it's decent from it's apex. A few clouds had begun their slow journey towards the sun.

---

@Baklava The echo did not reach Abel's ears. The village of Avveel was a good distance away of him. The river that streamed out of the forest further Southwards came closer to the dust road and further down they began to run along each other. The road curved towards South-East and the mountain range retreated to the distance in the North. In the distance where the village was, there seemed to be a bridge across the river. A few lake gulls were dancing in the air above Abel's head as if following him. A few clouds had begun their slow journey towards the sun.

Steven was confused with Abel's words for a moment, before coming to a sudden realization.

Oh, is this what it's all about. He thought.

Abel had seemed to come to a mistaken assumption. Something about Steven needing someone to go around with or something? Abel had clearly not understood Steven's intentions.

"When I said you should go ahead, I meant it, you know." Steven said, turning to look at the sun.

It was still relatively high in the sky, but Steven was aware that they still had stuff to do. They had somewhere to be, after all. They weren't really supposed to stop in the town, were they? It was just on the way to their actual destination, he was sure.

"Look, don't we have somewhere to be?" Steven said to Abel. "We're only really here to stock up on supplies and stuff, our actual destination's further ahead."

Steven looked onwards at Abel who was already pretty far away, with a chinchilla on his shoulder of all things.

"But then again, it's not like you're even listening." Steven sighed.

Suddenly, Steven heard something faintly on the wind. He turned back as he heard it. It was unintelligible, but it came from the direction of the others.

What was that? Steven thought.

He wasn't quite sure, but it sounded like someone saying something.

Hm... Better go check. Steven thought.

He began walking back towards the group, just for a little while, to investigate what had made that sound.

"Saatur, get behind me," Lyra commanded with a lower voice. As she was saying so, she started off with a brisk walk. Step by urgent step, her pace was always increasing ever so slightly; her heels now scarcely touched the ground, and her feet were tense to spring forward.

Where the hell did that beast come from? While the mountains weren't awfully far away, certainly the town would've scared it off, wouldn't it?

"Now, Saatur!"

Lyra was running now. Old muscles and reserves were being tapped, and she could feel her lungs get heavy again. Hopefully, her running closer would just scare it off, but if the worst came about...

...death beams. Right...

As the path turned, Abel glanced over his shoulder. Squinting, he saw Steven staring up into the sun with his lips moving. Strangely enough, he seemed very non-disoriented from the glitter dust that had been all but thrown into his eyes and the random chinchilla appearance. He didn't even seem the slightest bit surprised, in fact. He just stood there. Talking.

Of course, with the wind being so strong and the distance between them, he couldn't make out a word of it. If Steven had wanted to reply, he surely would have raised his voice so Abel could actually hear it. Either way, staring at the sun couldn't be good on glitter dusted eyes. He mentally noted that Steven must be magically impervious to surprises, as well as temporary vision impairment. He also mentally noted that Steven must be one of those people that obnoxiously talks to themselves for no reason and tried to lighten his mood by imagining what the kid might be saying.

"It's okay, Steven. You have your piss buddy and that's all that matters. And boy-- did you see that summon? That was sure impressive. He whipped it out really fast! I should compliment him on his summoning skills sometime--"

His inward joking was stopped short and his jaw literally dropped as he watched the human turn around and start marching back towards the others.

"BLOODY HELL!" he cursed, throwing his hands up in the air. The idiot is more fickle than a woman in love!

He continued on his way to the village in search of a pub, now filled with even more frustration than before.

Illumina caught movement out of the corner of her eye, she didn't think much of it as first thinking it was a side effect of the dust storm. It wasn't untill she heard Lyra shout that she did an immediate about face, a hand on her left dagger, ready to draw and immediately toss at whatever highway robber/bandit/what have you caused Lyra to scream.

And then she saw the source, a gigantic beat that was a mountain cougar, she'd never seen a real one but she was sure that's what it was. She popped the top off one of her bottles, drew and dipped her dagger in it, and tossed it directly at the beasts right shoulder.

If worst came to worst the dagger would miss and pin some un-lucky soul in the village below with paralysis toxin, if it hit her mark the beast would slowly become paralyzed from the shoulder onwards. Quickly she popped the cork back onto the bottle, drew her sword, and ran back towards the three.

"I'll distract it! Get Säätur to safety!" Illumina shouted, she didn't have time to check to see if the dagger met it's mark, nor did she particularly care. She wasn't about to let her travelling companion and a little kid get mauled when she could at-least distract the damn thing. She was an assassin and a thief, not a heart-less psychopath.

@BytheSpleen@nrtashi@Shikaru The hungry beast stopped for a moment when Lyra launched running towards it. It anchored it’s paws to the rocky ground and leaned a bit. Having the slightly higher ground on the descending mountain side it was not frightened above it’s hunger. It waited the elf to get a bit closer.

The moment Illumina cast her blade towards the beast, it jumped slightly to the left from Lyra to get around her. Illumina’s blade missed the shoulder but it sliced a diagonal wound to the beast’s tail and fell a meter further from where the beast had just been. The diagonal jump took the hungry mountain cougar between Lyra and Illumina but gave it a straight line to Säätur who stood paralyzed two jumps down hill.

“..To safety!” pulled the boy out of his fear and he turned to run towards the village that was at least two miles away. He didn’t make it far when he fell to his own feet after two steps. The loss of balance left him trying to get up in panic.

---

@Baklava As Abel began to approach the bridge across the river, fields began to surround him. There were scarecrows here and there. The fields were separated from each other with both regular wooden fences and stone walls. Many had already returned to the fields to work. Most were already preparing for harvest season that was behind the corner. Most of the fields seemed ready.

An old man approached Abel with a wagon pulled by an old work horse. He stopped his rural chariot that was carrying water barrels for the most far away workers. “What takes you here boy? You are not from here. You should be home, working.” The good willing old man smiled under his thinning gray straight beard and offered Abel a cup of water. His gray robes covered his seemingly aging body

As Steven walked back, he thought about what the strange whisper could've been. It came from the direction of his other travelling companions, so it might have something to do with them. In fact, it probably had a lot to do with them, since they hadn't encountered other people on their way. Steven thought as he walked closer and closer, and as he did, he began to recognise the whisper. The words were unintelligible but the voice was familiar. He was sure that it was the voice of Säätur...

Steven stopped. A little ways ahead of him, he saw the boy sprawled on the ground in fear, and in front of him, his colleagues and a mountain lion.

"Ah shit." Steven said.

Steven quickly took his halberd off his shoulder, sliding the armour sling off of the handle and then grabbing it near the head. He began sprinting forward, halberd in hand, ready to defend. He wasn't too far away, but the creature looked fast enough to make the distance quickly. Steven was still rapidly approaching, however, and it seemed the beast hadn't noticed him quite yet. He debated yelling to grab the creature's attention, but that would likely be to the detriment of the overall situation.

Maybe we shouldn't have split up so soon. Steven thought. Let's hope I make it in time...

@taistelusopuli

Death beams it was then.

Lyra's brows furrowed as she hunch forward, and began to chant the old cantrip to attune herself to her energy reserves. Though it was a beginner's spell, she had never (as far as she remembered using magic) ever had been able to cast any more complicated spells without first casting it. As her gums flapped and lips pressed and compressed, she began to feel the same numbness as she had felt five years ago, and all so many times before.

Death was a deep sleep, and such lethargy was in her blood.

And there, deep in her subconsciousness, was the urge, the impulse to propagate it in plenty. Her left palm aimed at the mountain lion, and from it an inky black projectile snaked its way out like a writhing beast, eager to consume its prey.

@taistelusopuli

Illumina cursed under her breath when the mountain cougar jumped closer to Säätur, the good thing was her dagger hit a bigger area than expected entirely. She noticed Steven coming with his own weapon drawn but he wouldn't make it in time, Lyra had also apparently shot some kind of black beam at it.

Steven wouldn't make it in time and Lyra's attack had a relatively high chance of missing if that thing jumped again, sword drawn Illumina ran for the beast from the side and slashed downwards at its head in hopes of decapitating it or making it hit Lyras beam thing.

Due to his current state of mind, Abel tried to avoid encountering the old man the best he could. He'd averted his gaze and lowered his hat, hoping to be left alone-- but at the rate things were going his way today, he wouldn't be surprised if this town's bar served nothing but watered down pumpkin juice. In any case, Abel didn't see any reason why he should be rude and not respond. The human was kind-- or perhaps senile-- enough not to comment on him being a 'duolvva' after all.

"Yessir," Abel nodded, tipping his hat upwards, "The comforts of home would be nice, but if I was there I wouldn't be working. Me and my traveling companions have answered the call of King Gonagas and are heading to Helsset."

Abel's eyes fell on the cup of water that was extended to him. It seemed innocent enough, but Abel, always the cynic, could not bring himself to accept it, "I appreciate the offer, but I would feel awful taking water from those who are out sweating in the fields when I have my own water skin."

He smiled apologetically and was about to bid the man farewell before a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

"You wouldn't happen to be familiar with a lad named Säätur, would you?"

@Lord Santa@BytheSpleen@Shikaru The cougar launched forward one more time. Lyra's beam barely missed the beast and hit a bigger boulder behind it. Illumina had better luck with her sword. She missed the neck but the blade dug deep to the side of the hunger driven mountain cougar.

The damage interrupted the beast's leap and it fell tumbling. Driven by an desperation the animal quickly struggled to a standing position. It had failed. It scanned it's surroundings. To it's left there was Lyra. In front of it was Illumina with a drawn blood dripping sword. Steven had made it to block it's way to the boy by now. Behind it there was another boulder approaching as the cougar backed slowly leaving a trail of blood.

The beast's steps began to be weary and unstable. A surge of panic filled it's mind and it took two quick steps launching at Illumina. The still deadly clawed paws aimed at her head.

---

@Baklava"Säätur?" The old man returned the water to the open barrel, "there is a boy with a gentle heart". He smiled a moment thinking about the timid lad. Then his countenance darkened and became gloomier. Looking at Abel carefully, with slightly sharper attention than before he then said after a moment of considering silence: "How do you know the boy? His mother has been looking for him the whole day."

The old man put the bridles by his side and turned towards Abel.

@taistelusopuli

Lyra fires again at the beast, still relatively primed with some energy. Still, though, her breathing felt a good deal heavier and more labored, and her body looked as alabaster as the snow-capped mountains from which she came. Two charges were all it took now to tire her out, apparently.

My, she might've been in worse shape than when she started using magic! After this whole adventure, maybe Lyra would have to see if there were any runes or other old magical contraptions that were sucking the energy out of her. She used to raise the dead, for goodness' sake!

A well timed shot had managed to let Steven make it in time, sort of, since it'd done its job to distract the beast. However, it just turned its attention to Illumina. Steven would just have to fix that, wouldn't he?

Steven jumped over the boy and landed with a roll, coming up feet first, but he didn't stop there. He sprang forward in the mountain lion's direction. He was sure he could kill it fast, though it didn't matter if he could or not because he had to. As he ran towards the mountain lion, he prepared to swing his halberd. His dad's advice sprang to mind while he ran to kill the mountain lion.

"Alright Steven," He had said. "The halberd is a heavy weapon that bears similarities to the axe."

Steven was getting close to the mountain lion, close enough to strike. He gripped his weapon with both hands, but left it at his shoulder.

"It's got some things over the axe, but is about as hard to use." He'd continued. "You have to think of the same thing to hit the enemy."|
"And what's that?" Steven had asked.
His dad smiled, happy that his son was eager to learn.
"Aim for where your opponent is going, not where he is." His dad had replied.

As the lion pounced, so did Steven. As he did, he twisted his body right, drawing his arms back to swing his halberd. As his jump peaked, he twisted to the left, bringing the halberd off his shoulder forward in a murderous arc, right down towards where the Lion's head would be.

Abel raised a concerned eyebrow as the man's demeanor quickly changed. Quite suddenly, he felt he was being accused of something sinister. Best clear this up before it leads to problems, he thought to himself with mild annoyance.

"Ah, so you know him," Abel smiled with a hint of relief in his voice, "I merely passed a young lad by that name on my way here. He was playing amidst some rocks-- said he was looking for a flower to give to his mother." He motioned back in the direction he came from, tipping his hat further upward and dabbing a bit of sweat with his sleeve. He hoped that this motion of freely giving the old man a good look at his face would remove any lingering suspicions.