Sundos looked over at Keystone as he approached and smiled. He didn’t know him well at all. Sundos laughed, “There are healers all over the world. They do good work no matter how they do it.”

"Not from this kingdom. New here, really, so you're gonna need to explain somethin' to me. Y'see, I just don't get why a man's got to follow a god to be a good person."

Sundos thought for a minute then spoke, “I don’t think a man has to follow to a deity to be a good person or righteous. A person’s deeds determines if he or she is righteous or not. If we help people or bless lives, then we are good or righteous. However, I’m sure we can all point to examples of men who pray to a God of Light but does evil deeds. To me, that’s still evil.”

He shrugged, “I do think a person should have a code or goal or something that guides them. Like a philosophy or a following a noble leader. Having a Light or code we follow gives us direction. Without it, we are like ships tossed in a storm without a rudder. You have your philosophy. Some might follow a righteous king or knight. But having a guide helps many of us.

If our code or guides leads us to do righteous deeds, then it is righteous. But if it leads us to do evil, then it too is evil.

“Now, you might ask why I follow a deity. I do it out of love. Have you ever had somebody do something for you when you were at your lowest point in your life? Maybe even saved your life? How did you feel towards that person? Many might want to do things for that person, to please them. Not out of duty or obligation, but because they really want to impress the person.

“That is one the biggest reasons I follow Lathander. I never knew my parents. I was raised in the Church. Lathander and his servants have cared and blessed me my whole life. It’s not out of duty or ‘paying a debt’ but I feel a strong desire to pass along the blessings that have been given to me by Lathander. Now it’s my turn to go and bless others using my skills and talents. Lathander gives different gifts to different people. By the way, my gift does not include healing.

“Tell me about your philosophy. Do you both share it?” Sundos asked Keystone and Seph.

Lob

Lob watched her fall and sniffed at her to make sure she was okay, but oddly did not help her up off the ground. When she took the blanket, he dropped to his more familiar stooped method of walking.Lob... you're so sweet. This caused him to sniff himself then lick himself in confusion. He didn't smell or taste sweet, he tasted salty and ashy. Does Sundos know about this?? He could get angry if you didn't ask him to cut it for my head.

"On you, sun up. Give you, from him. You cold, him good, you warm. Him good. Lob hole, lob wear. You hole, you wear."

Lob's nostrils flared as he found a scent and took off for the nearest tree, up and up the uneven branches faster than anyone on a ladder could hope to be. Hanging from the boughs, he took in the air again and slid his hand over some scrach marks in he bark still tacky with sap before dropping back down the two stories to the dirt road again.

"Bear."

"I don't know that I have one," Seph admitted, shrugging. "I try to help people. Not always easy to see what your actions are doing, though. Those militia men I healed, I don't think they're bad people, but they'll probably kill more orcs with the strength I returned to them. You ask them if that's a good thing, of course they'll say yes. And the orcs will disagree, because some of their number are dead, and everyone who knew them will never see them again in this world." She hadn't expected to be caught up in a discussion like this so soon after leaving the village, but Sundos was obviously a thoughtful sort, interested in learning, even if he wasn't particularly well-traveled yet.

"Everyone's got their own way of doing things, and their own reasons for doing them, and when they conflict, it's rarely easy to say with certainty who is good and who is evil. What is righteous and what is ignoble. I just try to use my best judgement, with an open heart and an open mind." She imagined if they came across any orcs, and they were forced into a fight, there would likely be death, and at the very least serious injury. Maybe she'd even cause some of it herself. She had to protect herself, and if that goal caused the death of someone attacking her, it would be unfortunate and regrettable. But she would not declare someone evil or wicked without first knowing their motives, without first understanding.

Even in the most personal and painful of situations.

"These people on the frontier follow what keeps them alive, what keeps them together. I find they offer far more kindness to strangers and weary travelers than an average city-dweller would, whether they have shrines to a god or not. They don't have the luxury of beautiful shrines and bountiful offerings, but that doesn't make them uncaring."

She turned her head to catch Sundos's eyes, giving him a mildly teasing grin. "And yes, it is pretty obvious how new you are out here. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it quick enough." She wasn't a weathered veteran herself, but then again, she'd come of age in a far less secure place than the confines of a temple somewhere. In a way, she'd been weathered long before she even began her current profession.

Location: Road North of Salarn

Interacting With: Sundos and Persephone

The burly pugilist scanned his eyes over the treeline, peered to the road ahead. A quick search to see if anything seemed out of place or indicative of a setup. Momentarily satisfied, he returned a good chunk of his attention back to his two new associates.

"Dunno if we got near the same philosophy there, priest." Keystone scoffed at himself, continuing, "I'd imagine I'd have to have one, first."

Keystone took a few seconds to absorb what Persephone shared, partly nodding in agreement, partly just regarding blankly. They didn't quite align perfectly with their world outlook, but at least it was enough to keep them in pleasant conversation for a while. Too much concordance made for boring talk, anyway.

"Now, temples I trained in taught lots of different ways on how to think. Not what to think, but how. Didn't make a lot of sense at first. These lads, all about concepts like "balance" and "finding your emotional center", or some such yankery. But I tell ya, I'd beat red piss outta m'self from years back, thanks to them. Maybe something's to it all, then."

That probably wasn't the answer either of them wanted to hear, particularly not the priest. Maybe it was better this way. As he understood it, a cleric pondering too hard on the spiritual insights of other teachings was in danger of losing their abilities granted by their patron deity. Then again, what good is iron faith if it can be so easily cracked by a simple conversation in the morning, walking among the trees? While he may not have an etched philosophy, such as it was, he did have something of a series of guideline ideas he leaned near from time to time.

"Code of Behavior's a bloody hangman's rope. Put in stone how you're gonna act, some daffy bastard's apt to club you to death with it. The monks did get me thinkin' one one thing, though - What's gonna happen is gonna happen. Change it, move with it, or get out the way. Learn what you can, maybe help out a bugger every now and again."

"When it comes to it, right and wrong's easy to suss out. Question's always what you're gonna do about it."

What a strange wonderful Company Sundos found himself in. He was having a discussion of right and wrong, good vs evil, with two learned monks. Just yesterday he was speaking pigeon speak with Lob. And there were was the elf woman who make him blush each time he looked at her. At least Lob talked her into covering up with something. Then there was the ‘elf-friend’ who was scouting ahead. She still scared him a little.

”Sister, Something is good is what brings happiness, safety, doesn’t impose one’s wants on another by force. What’s ignoble is what tries to hurt, make afraid, to take the liberty of another. There is a difference between fighting for the defense of something or someone and being the aggressor. The militia was defending their family and friends against the orc aggressors. The orcs are a dark race. They thrive in causing pain and fear. They are usually the aggressor in matters of war. I have no issue doing my part to protect humanity and its allies from the orcan hordes.

"And brother, I know some view a code of behavior or honor as an anchor. I agree, but it's an anchor that keeps the ship safe in a storm. If I decide now when things are calm how I will act in times of chaos, I'm less likely to make rash or hasty decisions or flat out incorrect decisions. I know some people thrive on chaos. However, for me, I enjoy an ordered life more. I keep it orderly by knowing ahead of time how I shall react, but deciding now, while things are peaceful, what values are important to me which values and beliefs I'm not willing to compromise in the moment."

Sundos kept his watch as he walked even while they discussed many new and interesting (and in Sundos's eyes, wrong) ideas.

---

---

Season: Late Fall/Early Winter
Time Of Day: Dusk
Weather: Clouds are rolling in and getting darker, winds are picking up. There is a nip in the air
General Ambiance: The road is quiet and the forests are a little too quiet
Location: North of Salarn in the region of Gorlf. South west of the Orc Settlement of Yzewz
Setting: Gorlf Northern Territory

---

---

Krya and Ash had taken off ahead of the main group and made their way into the wilderness, they traveled off the road and into the forest. Always heading north and keeping the road within ear shot. Every so often they would cross to the other side and keep scouting. It was calm and peaceful for the most part through out the morning; if one had not known of the war between the humans and the orcs one could have thought that it was a pleasant day; though the storm clouds rolling in gave heed to dangers that may lay ahead unknown to them all.

As she scouted with her trusted dire wolf, Kyra had to wonder why the sudden shift in the treaty. Orcs were known to be warlike but once a treaty was forged it took, in her experience, a great grievance for it to be broken and for them to actually attack. While they would bicker and have small scuffles; always trying to get a better deal out of a treaty, they rarely ever just threw such things to winds. The thought that the goblins may be behind all of this troubled her but even more so was the thought that something else was at play. She had not had a chance to investigate as much as she had wanted before leaving the hamlet but things had changed and events had lead her to believe it was better to go ahead and set out before anything else happened.

After midday the lone ranger, hey tonto!, had stopped and perched up in a tree as Ash padded around the base to eat quickly. A smell caught her attention and caused her to perk a silvery brow as she stood and climbed higher until she came above the canopy of the tree tops. Off in the distance she could see black pillars of smoke, numerous ones. These were not the thicker ones that one would see at a village, disrupted by stone and wooden fireplaces. They were narrow and lively. This worried her but they were at least another two days journey ahead of them with the cart that was being escorted through the territory. On foot she could have reached them by morning if she pushed it but it was not the time for pushing such.

Slipping down she carried on as far as she could until mid afternoon before back tracking a good hour and scouting out a place for the group to settle in for the evening. She had hoped to find a cave opening somewhere along the side of the hills but there was none. If a storm set in during the night it would make things more difficult but there was not much that could be done around that. Finding a winding route into the woods from the path just wide enough for the wagon to get through she found a denser canopied area of the forest with a clearing that would work well enough for the evening.

Taking some time she gathered up some firewood for the night and cleared out the area a bit more before making her way back to the road and resting up in a tree as she kept watch for her companions to catch up with her. It was another good hour before they finally came into site. Giving a whistle before she leapt down and showed herself, Ash padding up next to her she waved them down.

"It seems you all are intact. I have found us a camp site for the night," she explained as she stepped over and patted the horse gently.

Location: Road North of Salarn

Interacting With: Kyra, The Medieval X-Men

The setting sun began to turn a full, rich orange, in the way that daytime light does when it mellows into evening. Even filtering through trees and portent-worthy clouds, the ambient light of approaching dusk made its intent to slip away known with soft, warm hues. A visually appealing sight, to be certain, but for Keystone a matter of growing concern.

Kyra, the one suggested as their de facto overseer by Cremwise, had scouted ahead and found them a more or less decent place to set up camp. It was late, though. Far too late for Keystone's liking, considering that the group was moving a wagon laden with merchants' wares and a few animals. They had precious little time to tend to their duties before night hit, likely with inclement weather accompanying.

When the group was fully off the road, Keystone quickly recovered his pack and set to work. Fire was his first priority. He noted the wood Kyra gathered, nodded, and selected a few good starter pieces. While laboriously flinting a spark to life in a handful of leaves, he called to the lady Ranger with a low, even voice.

"Oi, Kyra. C'mere a moment, wouldya?" He kept his voice quietish and casual as he continued. "I'm seeing the reason on getting as far as we can in the day, hostile time and all. My advice, we need to find a place to put in before evening comes. Horses need tendin'. Camp needs stakin'. Meal cooked, area secured, such and whatnot. We gotta be rested, folk and horses both, if'n we fight or run. Group moves slower than one guy, y'know?"

Keystone changed the topic, sporting a more obvious tone of voice. "When d'you expect the rain in? I'm fancyin' making a meal, if you're a fan of sausages and sugar yams. Maybe I'll treat you to a little something I come up with whilst 'venturing in Thesk; thin, desiccated pastas, takes a couple minutes in hot water. Keeps forever. Good stuff, that."

"<ahem> Anybody else hungry?"

Sona took Lob’s answer with sincerity. She was shocked that Sundos seemed to be pretty okay with this, mind you, it’s Lob. Lob doesn’t mind whatever happens because he thinks for the best, and that is personally sweet in the eyes of the elven bard. She looked to Sundos once more and sighed softly while he spoke to the other two before looking to the slow-minded orc boy once more. Sundos seemed to be a gentleman of every degrees and this made Sona feel very warm inside. “Lob, stay near us!” Sona said. But stifled a giggle the moment he mentioned bears.

Looking at Sundos once more, she sighed softly before Alto chirped once more in a bid to comfort his pointy eared friend. “everyone is so different here… it’s actually nice from the usual folk I see in the forest.” She chimed to herself as she bit her lower lip before interlocking a lock of her hair with her fragile-looking finger. Only stopping in her tracks when she noticed Kyra and Keystone talking to themselves “I wonder what’s happen-” then she heard Keystone querying everyone, asking if they are hungry “Oh! I am hungry” Sona announced “But erm… nothing sausage-related for me, please!”

Lob

“Lob, stay near us!” Lob fell in beside her as they spoke some more. "Lob stay. Lob, no go. Lob up, lob down. Lob here, lob stay.
“everyone is so different here… it’s actually nice from the usual folk I see in the forest.”
Who you see?

As the days wandering came to a close, the orcs eyes grew wider as the tight grew dimmer. Loosing as much of the squinty lowbrow as he has had through the day. As they got closer, he could smell her before he saw her as the scent grew stronger rather than keeping the same faded presence.
"It seems you all are intact. I have found us a camp site for the night,"

Part of lob wanted to run ahead to the pack alpha and tell her what a good boy he had been, but the other got to her first. So he would hold back for now and wait his turn.

“Oh! I am hungry, But erm… nothing sausage-related for me, please!”
"Lob trade. Lob food."
Reaching into the folds of his fabrics, he pulls out a small pouch (best not to ask what it is made from). He hands it to her and aside from smelling a little off, there is a fold sealed with beeswax. Inside is a small comb of honey with fruits and nuts smothered in the golden treat, effectively preserved rations. It is hart do say if lob was this cunning to do this himself or if it was something he acquired in his travels.

Seph figured it was a good thing her conversation with Sundos ended when it did, when they came across Kyra and the campsite she'd picked out for them. Seph was not fond of casting an entire race of people in the way Sundos had, effectively labeling them as lesser. She knew them to be violent, warlike, eager for conflict even, but whatever had caused this particular war remained unclear. Attacks on this scale did not occur without reason. And truth was something Seph had learned was different for everyone, with how strongly it was altered by perspective. She would protect the innocent, of course, but she would not think the orcs evil or deserving of death until she knew more. Blind condemnation was not the way of a young woman who claimed to walk with her eyes open.

"Absolutely," Seph said towards Keystone, grinning as she secured Boro's lead to a tree. He'd found something on the ground to munch on, and she patted his neck, thankful for the cooperation he'd provided for the day. "I'm not picky. Any warm meal would be welcome before night falls."

She watched the half-orc interact with the lovely elven bard with thinly-veiled amusement. It was always fun to observe complete opposites getting along well. Though Sona seemed to get along well with everyone, from what she had seen.

Sundos enjoyed the day's discussion with Seph and Keystone. He never knew there were so many different ways of looking at the same thing. Of course, the two of them were wrong in how they viewed things. But he knew better that to tell them that. No, he would be an example to them and teach them by example. When they come to him with honest questions, then, he would know they are ready to be taught.

Sundos noticed Seph watching Lob and Sona. "Have you met or talked to them before Seph? Lob is very nice, child like, even in his barbaric ways. I should check in with him. Want to come with me?"

Sundos smiled at Sona and Lob as he approached them. He was glad that Sona decided to wear a blanket cloak-thing. He was sure it made everybody much more comfortable. Sundos couldn't remember if they had been formally introduced to Seph or not. "Lob, Sona, this is Seph. She's a trained monk. Seph, this Lob and Sona. As you have seen, Sona is a bard with a beautiful singing voice.

"How did the day fare for you, Lob? I saw you smelled a bear earlier."

Location: Road North of Salarn, one day out

Interacting With: The Medieval X-Men

A spark caught in the dry and crunchy kindling, efficiently igniting the smaller bits of stick and twig. The nest of growing flame fit well into the waiting pile of strategically placed wood; smaller pieces toward the inside, a square of larger ones circumferencing the hollow of gledes and embers that formed. It was a fire built for heat and cooking, not overly suited for illumination. Keystone took a short pull from a flask from his pack, swished it around for a bit, and expectorated a heavy mist of (apparently) very flammable liquid onto the fire. It flared, saturated with potent alcohol, and settled into a moderate, assisted burn.

Satisfied that the budding heat source would develop on its own, Keystone moved onto his next, self-appointed task. He observed the fast dying light of the evening and the heavy clouds it still illuminated, rather where it still peeked through in part. Maybe it would merely be cloudy, maybe the heavens would open a floodgate over them. He didn't want to take that chance. Keystone produced a length of good, slender rope and a large tarp with brass grommeted holes along the edges.

What he did with these tools seemed both utterly confusing and patently novel. He looped the rope through the grommets and underneath the thick canvas tarp, and secured the apparatus to the underside of the wagon. Small minutes later, he stepped away to inspect his handiwork - he had juryrigged something of a large sleeper hammock, protected from the elements by the wagon above and raised from the cold ground. It could easily fit two, maybe three if they weren't as large as Keystone (and were all particularly close).

Keystone returned to the fire and readied provisions, clattering the odd pan and muttering the occasional damnit. He set some water on to simmer, and stood, addressing the group.

"Gonna need watches. I'll take first, but I'd be obliged for company." He wasn't sure if this was considered barking orders or giving stern suggestions. He disliked giving orders, generally, exceptions being the various intimidations necessary to complete street and tavern work. Nonetheless, he felt his opinions about their situation should be voiced.

"Couple of you took to my invite 'bout food. It'll be done in less than a half hour, after it's dark. Best get sorted out before then. If you lot ain't got a place to rest out of the cold and rain, I got a tent I ain't usin'. Likewise, an extra spot under Cremmy's wares that'll probably be warmer. I'd advise we get our rest tonight."

"Noodles and sausage, baked sugar yams, when you two're interested." he spoke as an afterthought, looking to Persephone and Sona. "Ain't much, but it's warm and it'll fill your belly."

Cyneburg

Location: The Wilderness around the Road North of Salarn
Interacting with: Nobody

Cyneburg was walking through the forest as a black bear. It was a bit easier to get around as a bear in forests like this, their strong paws allowing them to climb rather easier compared to her humanoid form. Furthermore, it just felt good to be a bear. It didn't matter the variety of bear, you were big, strong and warm, no matter how windy it got. And as a bear you can still eat basically anything you can as a human. She didn't really know where she was going, but hey, it's not really wandering if you know where you're headed.

She stopped to nibble on some nearby berries before looking around. She smelled smoke. Must be getting pretty close to civilization, either a road or town. In either case, it was probably a bad idea to remain a bear. People either fled or attacked if she walked in as a bear (sometimes it's easy to forget you're a bear). It'd been a month or two since she had had a good conversation and a cooked meal, and after she thought about it for a minute, she decided it would be worth a shot to change forms and try to find these people. And as good as it was to be a bear, having opposable thumbs was also pretty good.

What was the bear melded into a smaller shape before becoming erect, emerging from the form was a light brown woman, clad in a deerhide mantle, an opaque green veil hiding the lower half of her face. But all her clothes and belongings were maladjusted. This always happened whenever she stayed in an animal form for long periods of time. She'd have to fix her clothes because they never readjusted properly. After a few minutes of huffing and puffing, everything was put back into the place it should be. Luckily it was rather easy to find the road from where she was, and it only took a bit of remembering to determine the location of the people. It was starting to get dark, which wouldn't be much of an obstacle for her, but a lot of humans and elves got jumpy in the dark, so she mentally checked to be careful and try not to unintentionally sneak up on whoever was there.

---

---

Season: Late Fall/Early Winter
Time Of Day: Dusk
Weather: Clouds are rolling in and getting darker, winds are picking up. There is a nip in the air
General Ambiance: The road is quiet and the forests are a little too quiet
Location: North of Salarn in the region of Gorlf. South west of the Orc Settlement of Yzewz
Setting: Gorlf Northern Territory

---

---

Kyra moved ahead of the group, leading them off the road and into the woods to the clearing she had prepared. She was slightly taken aback by what Keystone said, as if she was a dolt or unused to being in the wilderness and would have just chosen the first place she had come across to have them settle down at. Scoffing slightly, she had to contain her eye roll and clear her throat before she spoke, Ash taking a seat on his hind-quarters next to his ranger friend.

"And this is as good as you are going to get for twenty clicks at least around these parts. The forest canopy is much thicker here than anywhere else. The wood has been collected. The area cleared out, and for a circular pattern for miles ahead has already been scouted out for any that are part of the Orc encampment," Kyra stated flatly. She nearly asked him if he had any experience in the forests before but she held her tongue; though the look on the face clearly gave away that she was at least mildly offended already by the man and not happy in the slightest.

"Rain will be here by the mid of night but it won't get worrisome until well past dawn. As far as food goes, I have my own," the Ranger quipped as she wandered away from Keystone, making her way over to Lob and Sona. "Thank you for keeping them safe Lob," Kyra said kindly with a warm smile playing on her lips. Ash stuck over there by Keystone, eying the man slightly and giving a slight half sneeze half growl towards the man. Krya then excused herself, nodding towards Seph and Sundos as she stepped over to a tree.

"Middle of a war zone and you are making fragrant dishes, what a way to ring the dinner bell for every orc within three days journey from our camp," she comments before making her way up into a tree and resting herself down against the trunk as her legs crossed out in front of her. Ash just sat there, still eying the man but making it clear he wanted to root his nose around in anything the brute was cooking up. Didn't matter that the dire wolf had already eaten several rabbits that day while scouting with Kyra. Granted that all changed when Ash caught a new scent on the wind and his ears turned towards the road, Kyra perking a brow at the sudden change in her wolves actions. Drawing her bow, she knocked an arrow into place and stood up.

"Ash, Lob, flank left and right, stay down until we know what is approaching," she said as she hopped down. The last thing she wanted to do was deal with am ambush at this hour but that was life on the road. Stepping slowly back the way they had come from the road. "Keystone, guard the food. Rest of you protect the wagon and Cremwise, best not get us all to divided up right now," was the last thing she said before she was out of sight and making her way now quickly back towards the road.

She wasn't trying to hide that she was there, in fact stepping rather heavily so she would be heard. If they were friendly, it wouldn't matter. If they were not then at least they would be looking at her and not be as quick to notice Ash and Lob coming in from either side. They might have been larger lugs but both knew how to move more quietly through the forest than she ever would and she could be as silent as a whisper when she wanted to be.

Sundos was enjoying the interacts with Lob, Sona and Seph. He opened everybody from the Company would become friends. At Kyra's call to action, Sundos excused himself from the small group and retrieved his shield from his warhorse. He should be mounted for the combat, but truth be told, he fought better on foot then he did from horseback. He returned to the two ladies.

"Sisters, Brother Cremwise, let the four of us stay together. I'll be your shieldman. If danger is thrown our way, don't fear to hide behind me and my shield." Sundos was nervous but excited at the same time. "Fear not the dark, dawn shall arrive soon."

Location: Road North of Salarn, one day out

Interacting With: The Medieval X-Men

The quiet conversation between Ranger and Pugilist quickly escalated into a public admonishment of his advice. A look of confusion struck Keystone's features, if only for a second, before being replaced by weary annoyance. In his mind, this was supposed to be a working conversation between professional warriors. It would seem that this was not a shared take on the situation.

Perhaps it was his delivery she found unacceptable. Wouldn't be the first time.

Sadly, the point of his query remained unaddressed. Keystone decided not to press the issue; barring catastrophic failure of some kind they would soon arrive at the next town over, completing his contract with the group. Until then, he would remain a pillar of professional stoicism in the presence of their squad commander. He was a fighter. This was a bread-and-butter job. This is what Keystone did for a living. He had gotten too casual with his peers, is all. That tiny oversight could be corrected.

Still, he was a little sad to switch back purely to "business mode". After weeks of travel, long enough for the climate of his surroundings to have changed, he was hoping to have more of a social experience. It could wait, he reasoned, until after their job was done.

He was Keystone. This is where his reputation lay. (That and the other stuff, anyway.)

A good point was raised by Kyra, however: He was preparing a meal with a distinctive, non-forest odor. While the smell of smoke would carry far under the denser canopy above, farther than the savory aroma of sizzling sausages, anyone nearby would recognize this as such, prompting attention. He made a note of the observation in one of his books, and returned to his duties. Damage was done for tonight, at least until a heavy wind swept through the area. May as well keep cooking.

Keystone smiled at Ash and tossed him a tuber slathered in sausage grease. He liked dogs. Even big ones. Even if they weren't really dogs.

When the Dire Wolf's ears perked up, Keystone got back on the clock. Battle lines were drawn, and their squad leader gave orders. Unfortunately, his order was to "...guard the food". Whether it was intended as such or not, activities just prior made him strongly suspect that this was a personal jab. Keystone's face reflected his suspicion, with "Really?" being the unspoken message.

He nodded and extended two fingers upward. A reflexive insulting gesture, from where he hailed. Nonetheless, he threw his hood up and assumed a high fighter's stance with his hands empty and nearly closed before him. Keystone peered forward into the gloom, his only human eyes not optimally suited for nocturnal combat. His ears, however, were focused elsewhere - scanning for evidence of anyone else lurking about in the bush around them.

"... My hair?" Seph asked, a bit wide-eyed at Sona. Was her hair all that special? She didn't normally receive compliments on it. It was dark, around shoulder length, usually tied up so as to not get in her way, though for the night she'd allowed it to fall loosely in waves. She'd always found her hair a bit thin, never as full as she would've liked, but then, Seph didn't place great importance on her appearance, so long as she was respectable. For the elven bard to compliment her on it was... well, Sona was quite beautiful, no one would say otherwise.

She was overthinking this, surely. "Uh. I guess!" she offered the elf a bit of an awkward smile, hoping the dark would hide her own half-blush, though she did notice Sona's in response to Sundos. "Just nothing too fancy. It can't be a hindrance, you know?"

It was then that Kyra's wolf picked up on something, and Kyra quickly began issuing orders to the group. Seph was inclined to take any threat seriously, and her quarterstaff was soon in her hands, though she retained a relaxed posture, moving to stand by the wagon as requested, Sundos soon joining her with his shield in hand. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Noted," she said dryly, with thinly veiled sarcasm. She was quite capable of protecting herself, and would not have him going out of his way to shield her from things she could handle on her own. Perhaps the beautiful elf girl would be more inclined to accept his unflinching protection.

Seph peered down the road, watching Kyra move ahead to meet whatever approached. "I don't see anything yet. Would be awful silly if we got all alarmed for a rabbit the wolf wanted to chase or something."

Cyneburg

Location: The forest by the Road North of Salarn
Interacting with: Would-be Ambushers

Cyneburg walked noisily through the forest. She was going overboard, but in her head if she didn't overdo it she would probably underdo it and end up silently stumbling upon some camp of travelers. At least, that's what she was thinking before she heard footsteps in the trees coming from the direction of where she had smelled the smoke. Most people didn't leave their campsite to go greet other travelers. How gracious of them to do that.

Wait.

What if the people were bandits? That was something she hadn't thought about. Well, it's not like she had a lot of valuables on her, and she still had 2 shape changes she could easily switch to today, so if they weren't friendly, it's not like it would be difficult to escape. Still, getting ambushed would mean that she left bear shape for nothing, which would be mildly disappointing. Then again, it's also getting dark, this group of people might be especially jumpy at night. Well, the fastest way to find out the intentions of these people would be to greet them early before they can jump to any more conclusions.

"Hello!" she said loudly into the forest in the general direction the footsteps were heading. "I'm a lone traveler without any real valuables on me, so you wouldn't get anything from robbing me. If you're friendly people, I'd love to have a meal with you!"

Lob

Lob grew a mighty stupid grin as she fondled his offered sack. She would lick his honey and he would put her meat in his mouth. Good trade.

He was about to speak again when the alpha praised him for getting them there, he was being a very good boy today. Only for Ash to become alert and her to issue orders. He took a single hop and was up in a lowest hanging branch by his hands, up and up he slipped into the branches and made his way across from above.

Step, pause, lean, pause. He only moved when the setting sun made the winds shift, hiding the groans of protest to his weight amongst the sighing branches. The darkness his no secrets from his nose and his orcish vision. But he was confused, he saw another, but smelled a bear. The same bear he smelled before the sunset? A bear walking upright?...Bugbear?

Holding to the branch, he let out a long low howl to ash and alpha, a calling of returning pack members to indicate no threat. Then the bear spoke:

"Hello! I'm a lone traveler without any real valuables on me, so you wouldn't get anything from robbing me. If you're friendly people, I'd love to have a meal with you!"

Taking risk, Lob lowered himself down behind her with all the stealth the plainsman could muster to start taking in her scent before speaking.

"Me, Lob. You, Bear!"