---

---

Sana smirked and shook her head a bit. "No, the hide is from another animal. The fireproofing was done by an alchemist with a few vials of the blood we had drained. I figured after your last one got burned to hell and back, might as well. Was hoping to get it to you back in Lore but things happen," she explained as she adjusted the reins in her hands. Things were moving along slowly because of the mud but at least the wagon hadn't gotten stuck so far. Hopefully it wouldn't.

Listening to him speak she nodded from time to time, keeping an eye out from her position in case anything decided to run out at them. He was saying this was a bread and butter run but just with her short time with the group several weird things had happened and she wondered just how strange the trip had been before she even arrived. Granted any type of run into any territory could end up at the weird end of the scale. She had had it happen several times before. One in particular stood out at her, a simple run to get a chalice had turned into her nearly being sacrificed on a marble slab by a Wraith. Oh yeah, that was good times.

At his question she shrugged a bit. "Well after I found myself back in this realm I went back to a city where my niece is being taken care of to check on her. I wanted to stay but with the fog, I never know when it will pop up. I didn't want her in danger of being swept off to somewhere. Be bad enough if she went with me but what if she ended up alone? I couldn't risk it. So I headed to the Woodlands to see Kyra. Her family there informed me she was out this way so I just headed out. Wanted to catch up and speak to her. Granted, when I found out she was part of all this, I wasn't sure what to think. Especially when I saw you. Sorry but our last meeting wasn't under the best of circumstances, so I am a bit wary of just what we all are getting ourselves into right now," she said as she sat there.

She meant what she said. Last time the two of them had seen each other things were coming out of a fog and attacking them, there was rain that melted everything it touched. It wasn't a pretty day and Sana cringed remembering the burns to her flesh that one morning. She hoped nothing like that would happen right then; thankfully the rains that had been around over the last couple of days didn't seem to melt flesh and there was no fog yet for Hellhounds to bound out from. Maybe it was just a simple escort, but the day wasn't over yet.

---

---

"I guess you could thank me but then again, I am not sure if I am going to kill you or not. That depends on you," Kyra said from her perch as she glanced down at the man before looking out through the trees to keep an eye out for things. Ash stretched slightly and started padding around the tree before whining a bit as he got up on his hind legs and placed his forepaws on the front of the tree trunk. Kyra perked a brow and looked down at her Dyre wolf and chuckled a bit.

"Alright, go. Be back soon," she said to the white wolf. Ash wagged his tail a bit before bounding off through the brush and heading deeper into the forest. Shaking her head some and rolling her eyes she turned her attention back down at the man that had introduced himself as Thomas.

"Never heard of him or you," she said before glancing around again as she pulled an arrow from its quiver. Threading it against the string she stood up more straight in the tree, acting a bit more alert than she had been while speaking to him. "And no, I am..." she said before taking aim and letting the arrow fly. A thunk could be heard and a bit of a crash through the canopy. "Getting lunch," she added, finishing her sentence as she started jumping tree branch to tree branch without issue until she was able to climb up and retrieve the foul she had hit with the head of her arrow and climb back down.

"Now, I can come down," she quipped before doing just that with a little leap and landing in front of him lightly. Lacing her bow over her back she leaned against the tree and started to pull the feathers out of the bird. It looked to be an oversized goose of some sort but she didn't care. It was large enough to have a decent amount of meat on it. Not enough for a full dinner for the group but a quick meal with a few extra things.

Yanking and pulling the feathers out and letting them litter the ground she looked over towards Thomas with a rather dry expression on her features. "So what are you doing out here and why were you passing out when I came along?"

Nodding his head blankly Ntaj sort of knew what a druid was. Most from his teacher. She called them “Wild Mages”, wizards who tap into nature’s innate magical abilities instead of the arcane or the gods themselves. Not that Ntaj really understood the difference, as his teacher was highly biased against druids and their kind. He never understood why as he knew better than to question why his teacher believed in anything. He at least understood that there was a sort of rivalry between his teacher and druids: they both utilized the lands and it’s bounty to fueled their magics, but whereas the druids often preserve and protected the lands, his teacher sought to improve and harvest it. Ntaj agreed with his teacher, as he was never one to live in the past. Life changes like the seasons, and it is only control by those willing to turn against their own nature.

But that didn’t really explain Cyneburg at all. Aside from his own perceptions of was a druid was Ntaj had no idea what kind of person Cyneburg. Or anyone for that matter. The fact they haven’t killed him yet told Ntaj they must be fairly accepting people, which was nice. Turns out there are a lot of accepting people in the world, one just has to make the effort to find them. Ntaj was fortunate to find these people. But despite their kindness they were still strangers to him, and strangers could be dangerous. He wanted to know more about them to make them less strangers and perhaps less dangerous.

”Yuav koj qhia rau kuv txog lwm tus?” Though Cyneburg didn’t know this group very long, Ntaj just met them. And first impressions are good to learn about how others may think of a person, and how that person thinks of others. Though speaking generally wouldn’t help, so Ntaj looked for someone to see if Cyneburg knew more about. He looked into the group and noticed Satilla looking into the forest. A pretty human, so she caught Ntaj’s eye quite easily. ”Like her?”

---

---

She could've grit her teeth with that next question, turn pale as a ghost, clench her fists ... But what was the sense in it all really. Honestly, she thought they were all a bunch of nosy do-gooders and that was enough to irritate her. However it did give her a chance to develop 'Gretchin' a bit more. Why, oh why would Gretchin be traveling with the rabble?. She hated being put on the spot.

"No, it's alright I suppose. How else is one supposed to get to know another if not through small talk. Though my reasons are my own."

Her answer was short and simple, and could've perhaps been true. Honestly though, she didn't know what else to say. Any true reasons may have seemed shallow and crude, and to just run him in circles with words would have been rude and disrespectful. He hadn't met her with either of those, so why should she reply to his kindness with them.

"But I can tell you that I mean the group no harm. Besides, shouldn't one invite a lady for a meal before be he prods away with such questions?", she smirked, stealing a glance in his direction before returning her eyes to the path ahead.

Location:The burnt The road
Interacting with: Gretchin

Calanon looked at her with open curiosity as they walked. He didn't quite understand why someone wouldn't share unless they had nefarious reason for doing so. If they were out in the wild and he was a Waywatcher once more, he would have drawn his weapon and demanded an answer for survival sake.

However here? It seemed a common theme with these people, people who he admitted he had a certain fondness for. He guessed humans (and Elves from the Silver cities, if he had to be honest) were less blunt and more keen on trivial social graces and complicated viewings of companions. Perhaps he was the weird one, and he just wasn't used to living in a place where people had the luxury for secrets.

He raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. He knew he was older than her due to her heritage, but for an Elf he was quite young. That coupled with his time in the forest, he couldn't tell she was jesting, flirting, or simply voicing an opinion. He reached into his pocket and produced a coin, his brow raised and a smile to his face. He flipped the coin and caught it with a quick hand before it began to succumb to gravity. "I'd be happy to get you something." he offered. No matter what the context, at least he'd be seen as polite.

Cyneburg

Location: The Road North of Salarn
Interacting with: Ntaj

"Sharalob-to?" That woman?* Cyne asked rhetorically, pointing at Satilla briefly. Really it was more for clarification and emphasis than anything. "Bugud to Satilla. Ginaagh-shra agh shrataug. Shara-ta," Her name's Satilla. She's a healer and a witch. That human, Cyneburg pointed at Keystone, "shrul-ta. Mauk-shalûtu dulugu. Mok-dush. Shara nûrz. Suzag u sharatob ozgh-izg aarshlût bûrz. Aklash-shra. Golug bugud Calanon. Gundul-zuthûl. Ozut glob." is a Cook, he fights with his bare hands and he hates magic. Really angry guy overall. The woman he's talking to showed up last night. She's a bard. The elf's name is Calanon. He's a Ranger, and seems to be a bit naive.

"Sharalob tiil bugud Gretchin. Dhûr-shra. Ghashn-izg paash raduk Shara-ulu." The last woman's name is Gretchin. She doesn't like to share. That's really all I can tell you about these humans for now. While making these judgement calls, Cyne left out things you could tell from a glance and some of the more in-depth personality things she had noticed over the day or so that she'd been traveling with these people. She didn't really trust Ntaj, even though he seemed to be completely well meaning. And she didn't really know any of these people, so there was the chance she could have made some incorrect addumptions. On top of that, gossiping wasn't something she was fond of doing, especially when it was right to their faces in a language they probably didn't understand in the first place. And if any of them did understand the language but were just faking ignorance, well then it would be even better not to bad-mouth anyone.

---

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Location: Road North of Salarn, Day Three

Interacting With: Sana, Kyra, The Group

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All this jabbering on in some odd, nigh constipated language with which Keystone was unfamiliar. In his present state of linguistic ignorance, it vaguely resembled someone eating a wedge of cheese and having a coughing fit. Much as he wanted to ignore it, the fact remained that he really didn't know any one of these people, except for a passing familiarity with Sana. Unfamiliar people, unfamiliar language.

Pondering the subject honestly, he wasn't all that enthused about Sana at first either. She was bossy, insisted on being in charge constantly. But she was a skilled singer, and did break that guy's nose that suggested she could "work off" her bar tab in a manner that was highly ungentlemanly. She was okay. The point he was trying to make to himself via Internal Council Meeting of One was that, while he should still be wary of some of these wanksplats, some may reveal themselves as really stand-up folks.

But all that Orcy talk. It was a point of distraction, not that he understood more than three words of it, anyway. Keystone was trying to look about for any sign of Orcs on the ambush, listening for anyone speaking in the language in hushed tomes from beyond the treeline (when he wasn't yammering on, himself). Not only that, but he could have sworn they were talking about him - probably Human jokes about carnal relations with sheep. Seemed the kind of thing he would do, given reversed circumstances. Well, he'd show them. Next Inn they checked into, he was going to hang his arse into someone's window and blast some sour into their sweet dreams. Just wait and see...

But back to business. Not too far ahead, Keystone spotted two figured by the side of the road, one of which was Kyra. He motioned for the people behind him to stand ready, even though this didn't seem to be any kind of Orc. As they drew closer, Keystone spoke to Sana in a clear voice, intended to be heard not just by her, but by Kyra and the stranger in front of them, "Oy, read me a story once, 'bout some bint or another skippin' about a road made o' yellow cobblestones. Kept meetin' all sort of unseemlies what could sing n' dance; wound up bein' fast chums, they did." Keystone stopped, not too far away from the pair. Leaning slightly forward and putting his hands behind his back, he directed his next words forward, to the pair. "This ain't that story."

Putting on his best impression of the many City Guardsmen that made his younger years interesting, he inquired with mock authority, "What's All This, Then?"

"Err... Nice... Wolf..." A slight hesitation and fear in the young man's voice. Originating from an agrarian society, wolves were often seen as a menace to society. Livestock often fell prey to them and a new heifer or porcine would be rather costly to replace. Those sharp teeth, and large eyes didn't help either. Hypnotic eyes that stared back at you with an unnerving gaze. But this one seemed to be somewhat domesticated, or at least trained enough by the woman above him who still slightly frightened him a bit more than the wolf. Sure the wolf at this range could rip his throat out, but it probably wouldn't do so unless the femme fatale somehow told it to. What is she doing with that arrow? Oh thank the gods she only shot down a passing avian.

"Nice catch." Thomas commented on the game bird, resting himself up against the tree trunk. His body still felt like he had been hit by a Dwarven mine cart. The Steam-driven ones, rather heavy, but far more useful in mines to extract ore than manual labor. Very interesting piece of machinery though, but Master Wolfgang never had Thomas actually visit one of those mines, too dangerous and Dwarves aren't usually fond of wizards. This was true, Thomas had scarcely heard of a dwarven mage, in fact, he has yet to hear of one. There were elven wizard-kings, great human magi, tricky gnomes and what not, even the wicked orcish shaman-priest-thing, but a dwarven mage was essentially almost a paradox. Oh a question? Well okay.

"Err, well it's sort of embarrassing really, but after my party's most heavily armored guy... Who happened to also be our group healer was taking quite the beating, I sort of prepared an escape spell. There were four of us, just having fought through a dungeon of orcs. Well not an actual dungeon but its was more like an encampment? Regardless, they didn't take too keenly on having their women trounced. Not that we could tell mind you, they looked very similar to each other, especially with the muscles on those women and they weren't very good looking by human standards so... We assumed they were the men and proceed to try and thin out their numbers in order to collect some gold from the request board." The boy brought his hand up to the back of his head and massaged the back of his neck. Better, but not quite recovered from the mental fatigue.

"So after looting some goods, per the suggestion of the elven rogue in our adventuring party, we were searching for valuables when the orc men arrived back and decided to kill us all. That's the long of it at least, um, I created a spell that allows me to teleport a relatively short distance away in case of danger but, the side effects are a bit taxing. I'm going to have a terrible fever until tomorrow, and the spell warps me to a higher plane which isn't the friendliest place to go, even for me. So um, just to be clear, you aren't going to kill me right? I have absolutely no way to defend myself and um, if you could help me to the nearest town or place of relative safety? I think I'll need to join up another adventuring group or something since they seem to get themselves killed too often..." He somehow had the energy to speak with nary a pause between flowing lines of speech.

"Oh. Um is he one of yours?" A look at Kyra with a questionable hesitation. More travelers? or Vagabonds.

Satilla Valen

Satilla followed quietly the wagon. She didn’t really talk to anyone right now, she still found it hard to interrupt their going discussions, so she just kept to petting her cat and keep up with the vehicle. This was fine too, just having people around made her feel better sometimes, despite the obvious fear of the unknown personas around her.

She was surprised by how the movement of the wagon stopped, but it wasn’t surprising noticing that Kyra was there talking to some man. That person seemed to be a magic user of sorts. Lack of book indicated he wasn’t a normal wizard, probably a sorcerer? Maybe… possible at least. He didn’t look too great, so the witch quickly checked her bag to be sure her herbs and medicine was still there, before she also approached. She didn’t know the man, but Kyra was there, so it should be fine… mostly.

“Excuse me, do you need help? I’m a healer, you don’t look too great, maybe I can help?” The witch asked.

---

---

There was a sudden burst of laughter that she just couldn't contain. She hadn't meant to be rude, although it very well could've come off that way. Regardless, it was clear to her that the elf in question was a bit ignorant to what she had been accustomed to. Granted, Lerraina hadn't been on a proper date in years, but it was endearing to say the least, to speak with someone so wet behind the ears.

"My apologies, I do not mean to be rude. I hadn't meant for you to purchase me a meal, I more or less meant it as a jest. I am not used to talking about myself either, it tends to get me and any others in quite an amount of trouble. And I am really not worth such the fuss." another half truth, she couldn't deny. Her giggles died down as her words came to a close, though a genuine smile remained.

The conversation was a breath of fresh air, and while she had played the part of Gretchin before, she hadn't encountered one like him. She just couldn't make up her mind about him though, again, an annoyance. But she would have continued the conversation had she not realized the wagon coming to a halt. She peeked up ahead with a narrow eye. Her short stature was a constant handicap, and kept her from seeing what was transpiring up ahead. She grumbled quietly, bracing the hard exterior of the carriage as she lifted herself up on its ledges, attempting to gain sight.

---

---

Kyra kept plucking out the feathers from the bird she had bagged as Thomas spoke. She hadn't exactly been expecting such a long winded answer and it put her off somewhat. Not that there was anything wrong with it but to her people that let out that much that quickly either had no filter when it came to speaking and tended to get on people's nerves in the long run or they were hiding something and the rambling was a byproduct of trying to cover something up. Kyra, while trusting at times, noted where they where. In the middle of e war zone, so she went with the trying to cover something up in her mind. It could very well be that he was on the up and up but it was better to judge to harshly in these times and be cautious than to let ones guard down and end up with a dagger, or a fireball in the back.

Her eyes would dart up from the fowl from time to time as the feathers fell from her fingers and floated to the ground. A simple nod here and there as Ash came padding back, a little bit of floor and grey fur on his jowls as his tongue came out and smacked them. Krya smirked a bit. "Find yourself a nice rabbit?" she asked of Ash as he nuzzled against her thigh and barked happily as his tail wagged.

Looking over as she heard the wagon coming down the road she tilted her head to the side, seeing Sana on Epona and Keystone as he spoke. "In a way," she said as she pushed off the tree and walked over to the pugilist. "Apparently I am a magnet for weirdo's in the woods. Here, lunch," she said as she held out the large bird which weighed a good thirty pounds.

---

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"No, it isn't," Sana chuckled as the group came up to Kyra and the new comer. Dismounting form ehr horse she tied off the reigns to the wagon before stepping over to the two as Kyra handed over the fowl and pulled the hood of her mantle back. Her eyes flashing a bit as she looked it over before giving a sideways glance towards the new comer that Satilla was offering to help. She groaned inwardly as the woman reminded her of an old friend. One that never thought before rushing to someone's aide and always getting herself into trouble.

Shaking her head she looked back over to Krya as Ash came over and hoped into the back of the wagon. Sana rose a brow. "What, he on break?" she asked.

"Probably, he just ate," Kyra said shrugging her shoulders a bit. "Any trouble so far today?"

Sana shook her head as she crossed her arms over her chest. There hadn't been any granted the two who were going on and on in orcish didn't set to well with her. She found it rude to speak in an uncommon tongue when one was in a group. Even if it was just general chit chat, in a place like this with a lot of new comers, to do so made a bad feeling sweep through the group; or at least could. As if they were hiding something.

Ntaj smiled and nodded his head. This was good, he was getting names. He was worried he'd have to awkwardly ask them all who they were later on the line. And with his limited common, a casual conversation was going to be hard to maintain. The group continued onward until it seemed like they found the scout they sent ahead. It also seemed like she found a newcomer, which piqued Ntaj's interest. "Zoo li tus neeg tshiab." Ntaj turned his head towards Cynbeburg, bowing his head and smiling at her. "Thank you for talk. You good friend. Ntaj go see new people." Bowing his head once more Ntaj went up to the front, wanting to investigate what was happening.

When he arrived he got a closer look at the scene. Some magical looking fellow, based off his robes. Ntaj remembered that Keystone didn't like magic, so he was curious to see how he'd react to this wandering mage. "Oui. Ntaj hear talking. Who he?" Ntaj asked the others. If what Cyneburg said was true, newcomers were always finding this group. Ntaj figured that this character would be the newest member of their troop, just as Ntaj technically is.

Location:The burnt The road
Interacting with: Gretchin, and the rest.

Her burst of laughter had him blinking in curiosity for a moment, but as she spoke and smiled, he couldn't help but give back a big smile himself. He wasn't entirely certain on who she was, and she seemed quite good at keeping things that way. But given that she seemed to enjoyed talking to him at least, he'd count her as a friend in his book. She had a manner about her he found endearing. He was about to voice that opinion, when his Elven ears twitched. He had not been looking forward, for he had been watching Gretchin for the past few minutes. But she seemed to catch what was up ahead as soon as his ears did.

Luckily the road today wasn't heavy with mud, so his feet found purchase on solid ground as he readied himself for a leap. He bent his knees, tucking his arms in at his sides as his fists clenched. With relative ease he launched himself up, grabbing the lowest branch of the tree above him and hanging there, getting a fine vantage point of what was up ahead.

Immediately his heart soared when he saw Ash, trotting to his companion happily. He saw Kyra up ahead as well, speaking to a new comer. A young human by the looks of it. Calanon let go of the branch, falling lightly atop Brogach's back in a crouch. "Seems we have another potential companion up ahead." he said to his Elk, scratching the back of the beast's head. He had to agree with Satilla that the young man looked quite hurt, but she seemed to have gotten to him first.

What a relief to know that these were indeed more allies of Kyra. Given that he was still alive, generally means they meant him no harm either, one of them had even offered to heal him. Although he was uncertain of that was even possible, given the magical nature of the malady. Psionic shock after all, took time to recover from but made no lasting damage usually save for fatigue and exhaustion. Surviving a mental death was far easier to do as it was all in the perception of pain, rather than risk of bleeding out. As such there was little healing to be done, save for some bedrest. The other issue was the fever which heated Thomas beneath the collar, an annoyance but hopefully it would go away too in a short few hours. Or they could drop him off at the nearest safe town or village in this orc-infested land. Seriously even in their group it seems there was an odd influx of green people.

"Err, I'll be fine with some rest, fever should disappear tomorrow. But thank you. But um, I mean if you want to check I guess you could... I should have some coins and supplies to pay for your services..." They all looked older than he, not much perhaps but they definitely seemed to be eons more experienced than Thomas. Then again Thomas was the youngest of his last three groups. It was rather difficult to find anyone younger who would be so bold as to settle for a live of adventuring. Banditry maybe, but adventuring had terrible benefits. Well these days anyways, back when there was some sort of warm welcome to these would be heros, as Master Wolfgang reminds him so often. Back then they would have the ears of lords begging them to help them sort out trivial matters. "Um, would anyone mind if I, err went with you guys? You seem like a safe lot to travel with, I could use the experience, I mean you know, seeing how another group does it. If not I guess I could um... go in the opposite direction and hope you folks secured a path or something."

Another diplomacy check? It was akin to a child asking a parent for an ice cream. You know one of those frozen diary treats? Usually in the summer months a carriage comes around with a distinctive sound of music through the houses to peddle cool luxuries? No? Surely there must have been an ice cream man in these times? If not, there's a business we should all get into to make our millions. Regardless, Thomas was at least trying to feign his strength despite some discomfort. Robes were great and all, but they did tend to get hot if cotton, or chilly if silk, and scratchy if linen. Now it was time to wait to see if they would all accept him or not.

Cyneburg

Location: The Road North of Salarn
Interacting with: Ntaj

Cyne nodded at Ntaj after he thanked her for a talk and watched him dart off to go see what this new person was all about. At this point, the druid didn't really care who else happened to join in on the Caravan Party, unless it happened to be somebody really out of the ordinary. Especially compared to the quirky band of outcasts gathered up so far. She planted her walking stick into the mud and leaned against it yawning. Hopefully this whole encounter would wrap itself up quickly and they could get moving again, this time all the way out of Hostile Orc/Possibly Undead-infested neck of the woods. It would really suck/be embarrassing if they did all that walking yesterday and still ended up having to fight again.

Just standing there, not even paying attention to the ramblings of the newcomer, Cyne became acutely aware of every little ache and bother in her body, like how her upper back felt like it had a knot in it and her feet were starting to feel a bit heavy. She supposed that even though she had been healed by Satilla, she was still worn out by the all-day march from yesterday. Every passing second seemed to take longer and longer. It would be great if the talking up front would finish up already.

---

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Location: Road North of Salarn, Day Three

Interacting With: Kyra, The Group

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The broad pugilist kept a wary eye toward the latest of the group's personnel acquisition, even as he accepted the bird from Kyra. After a good, long stare, he gave the bird a hair more consideration. It was a more than fair sized fowl, befitting the season. Must have been a late migrator. Well, the loss of more southern climes was the gain of their unmerry band of mismatched travelers.

"Right jolly lookin' bit o' birdflesh, this. I'll be needin' someplace off the beaten to gut an' dress it."

Though his outward perception was operating with the priority of security, especially now that they were at a standstill in the road, the back of Keystone's mind attempted to work out the best way to prepare the bird. The quickest manner would be to draw and disarticulate the body, and either sear the pieces off in his covered cast-iron pan, or roast over low flame. Either method would require building a fire and letting it burn down for a little while; their stop for lunch would be for at least and hour, maybe two. Perhaps there were little tricks and corner cuts he could do to speed that along, but in the end, heat penetrates flesh in its own time.

As long as the heat was doing what heat does, it may as well be accompanied by a dram or two of decent liquor and a rub of coarse salt and black tea. As long as Keystone had to wait on the fire, he might as well keep his hands busy. Keystone felt just a little giddy at the prospect of cooking, if only for a short time. As a smile crossed his features, one made to look sarcastic and/or devious partially due to his scarring, he gave a mote of gratitude and respect to the hunter.

"Bloody sunshiny job, Kyra. I'll have something proper Goldilocks for us as I'm able." Keystone produced his go-to knife from the back of his belt; a remarkably well crafted, bone handled seax. He prodded the plucked bird, eyes shimmering with something akin to glee. Yeah, today might not be a total loss after all.

Satilla Valen

“I see… did your magic cause you to be in that state?” She asked, studying his face and the effects his strange condition had on it. Was this some side effect of magic overuse in sorcerers or whatever the man was? Satilla didn’t really know, but if he was right and this wasn’t anything physical, her magic wasn’t going to help him. She herself was familiar with magic overuse… Her own magic sapped her energy to the point she could pass out.

“Well sadly if that’s the case and it’s not anything physical I truly cannot heal you.” She admitted, rummaging through her pack. She had to have something to help him… after a few moments she finally found the herb she was looking for. It was a small green branch with couple of green leaves on it.” But that doesn't mean I can't help you... Here, take this and chew one leaf at a time every couple of hours. It should calm your body and give it some strength to fight off the fatigue easier. Also will help with the fever to a degree.” She stated with a smile and shook her head.” No need to payment on this right now. It’s simple a few leaves, nothing more.”

---

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It would be a wonder if they got where they needed to go before nightfall. She was all up for lunch, but another few hours on the open road didn't sound like the best idea to her.

Suddenly The persona of Gretchin took a back seat, and a more reserved tone overcame Lerraina as she studied their surroundings. She tucked her hood over her head once more and crept towards the back of the caravan. She never thought they were in any immediate danger, but the thought of standing still made her feel like a painted target, just waiting to be stabbed. Her steps were quite, and amongst the great distraction from up ahead, it would've been fairly easy to slip out unnoticed.

She hadn't traveled far though, but a distance enough to keep an eye on the going ons around them. Part of her wanted to scurry off, they seemed to be a pretty able bunch. But they did feed her and share their shelter the evening past, and oh the meal she could take part in. She closed her eyes and took a big wif of the surrounding air. It was too early to smell the bird cooking, so perhaps it was just the potential of the meal that had her salivating. She would just have to stay then. With a smirk, she climbed up into a tree, not far from where Keystone was, a smirk crawled through her features, her arms crossed, her fingers drumming on the cloth that covered them. It would be a good reason to stop, not the best, but good enough for me

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"Well, let's get the crew off the road and into the woods a bit. Can take a breather here for about an hour to eat and then get back on our way," Kyra said before motioning towards Sana to follow her. Sana tilted herself to the side but did it anyways as the two stepped ahead of the the rest of the group and off to the side of the road a bit. They were still in sight of everyone as Sana leaned back against a tree and crossed her arms over her chest. Kyra looked around a bit before shaking her head and looking back over to her old friend.

"Something has got you on edge," Sana finally said, wanting Kyra to go ahead and get on with it. Sana wasn't one to want wait around while someone beat the bush as it were.

"Listen, something isn't sitting right with me. All these new comers in a war zone and we aren't getting attacked. Sure we have had a couple of run in with orcs but nothing like we should have. You have Epona, quicker to get around." Kyra hoped that Sana was picking up on what she was trying to get around to saying.

"So you want to stay here in case all hell breaks loose and have me be the one to scout, fine I can do that. See you tonight," Sana said giving a quick nod of her head before heading back over to the caravan and untying Epona. Taking the reins she mounted her ebony horse and spun her around a few times to get her loosened up as Kyra strolled back over. Smiling slightly, she kicked her heels into the flanks and tore off down the road, leaning into the ride as her cloak billowed out behind her. Sana had always loved riding like this, no one to keep her going slower than she wish, no one pushing her faster than she needed. It was up to her and Epona on how quickly they made the journey and after a morning of being in a slow canter she and her horse were more than happy to finally let loose.

Kyra took a breath as she lead the horse hooked to the wagon off the road and into the forest a bit so everyone could get a meal without sitting there like ducks being ready to be shot. Looking at Keystone she shrugged a bit. "She's better off alone anyways. Groups she is okay with, but since the scaring she feels better when eyes aren't on her," Kyra said. What she had told Sana was true, something was not sitting right in her gut but she also knew that something hadn't been sitting right with Sana. After so many years she knew what that was.

This newcomer seemed to be a frightful sort. Rightfully so, these people do out number Thomas and are pretty imposing on their own. However no one seemed to be rejecting the stranger from joining. Ntaj guessed that it wasn't their call to make, so Thomas would have to make that choice himself. Considering that he's a lone mage in a land riff with orcs, the smart thing to do would be to stick together. "These people... Don't care. Me thinks. They let Ntaj stay. So you stay too, oui?" Ntaj said to Thomas. He'd have to make it a point do proper introductions later. Perhaps over breakfast; the rumbling in Ntaj's stomach reminded him that he hasn't eaten much since he woke up.

Ntaj took the moment to watch how the others acted around Thomas. Satilla, the healer that Cyneburg told Ntaj about, was trying to be helpful and offered him herbs. Something about fighting fatigue and no payment. The fact she was giving her medicine away freely made Ntaj think highly of her, though at the same time he wondered if she was the naive sort who'd help everyone and believe in their innate goodness. Ntaj hoped not; while it's fine to give people a chance, sometimes people are just bad. They're angry, stupid, and more often then not evil. But maybe the witch knew all of this and still continues to be the light against the darkness. Ntaj would think about investigating more later.

Turning away from the two Ntaj followed the others into the forest. A break would be good, and Ntaj would be willing to keep watch while the others rested. And while he'd certainly enjoy a meal, Ntaj felt like he shouldn't impose more than he has to on them. The group was already allowing him to keep in their company, and he wouldn't feel right taking their food either. Well, at least unless they offered it. Then it'd only be polite to accept. Ntaj then turned his head towards Sana and Kyra, the two leading ladies of the party. No one officially made them leader, at least not that Ntaj was aware of. They were saying something but the only thing Ntaj's ears picked up was the name Epona. Ntaj recognized that name; back in Dark Star, there was once a legendary elvish warrior who had a horse named Epona. Perhaps this horse was named after the same one from the stories. Or maybe it was the same horse? Ntaj chuckled at the thought. He highly doubts it, but one could never tell with elves.

Regardless Ntaj shifted his walking stick to his other hand and went into the forest. The ground was still damp from all the rain. Ntaj felt a stirring from his pack and Honey's head popped out. Ntaj let his arm out which was Honey's sign that he could crawl out and rest in his arms. He was recovering from the poison but still sluggish. He pawed his face and made chomping noises, which Ntaj knew that it meant he was hungry. Hopefully the party would be willing to offer food to his friend here; while the orc knew his animal companion was a mighty hunter, he didn't want him to get hurt by more snakes. "We eat soon, Honey. Sleep."

Location:The burnt The road
Interacting with: Himself

Calanon's ears twitched when he heard Kyra and Sana speaking. He didn't quite make out the conversation however, only muted voices echoing off the leaves. He was still crouched upon Brogach, brows raised with a light and humble visage. He wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but he was nothing if not patient. He could easily wait atop his forest steed and see.

He glanced to the side, and saw that Gretchin had made her way off into the back within a tree. He gave her a smile from down beside the caravan, but didn't go up to see her. She was confusing, but he could tell she hadn't sensed danger. He would have heard, and so would Brogach in all honesty. Like a halfling lazing beside a lake, Calanon decided to lay back to back with Brogach, his head resting upon the Elk's neck, one leg swinging off the side, and both hands behind his head.

Then a small curiosity rose up in his Elven head, and he opened one eye. He found he was quite curious on why Gretchin decided to head up there. He often enjoyed it, but no other human he'd ever known had. He hopped off Brogach, leaped, kicked off the center of the tree trunk and used that kick as a spring board to land softly beside Gretchin. "Did you sense something or simply enjoy tree climbing?" he said in jest.