Silent Slough

[Drathiranon]

Hmm..maybe Slog fix this one.

The orc woman plunders through a barrel of broken weapons. She selects a mulberry wood crossbow with animal bone in the design. It has some dried blood spatter, the bronze trigger is stuck, and bow string ripped. She holds it out for Tarvis to inspect while she digs around for a few arrows that might have worked with it. One has an iron quarrel. The other a sharp, green glass tip.

If Slog not fix, maybe Bludgen help make more.

Outside the window the fairy can be seen riding on the top of the moose head with the herd following behind them.

Llelanni inspects her macuahuitl. The obsidian blades might need sharpening. She looks back to Tarvis.

A wizard with bad eyesight, at least in the daylight, that could cover alot of possibilities. Maybe a kobold. Is there anything we can do, any way we could figure out the puppet master behind all this?

[Bhaern Quel]

Looks at the crossbow.

Perhaps he can repair it however not in an afternoon, something for another time maybe. A bow is quicker to make but even there time is needed to prepare the wood.

Glances toward Lielanni

Xas, It might be a kobol or a Drow wizard suffering light blindness. As to finding out. A crystal ball maybe, though one can shield from them. We might never find out. If we manage all the other dangers the leader might flee before we can get that one.

Considers what is faced and what troops he has.
What we need is one of my friends. A dwarf wizard, a halfling priestess, human bard or maybe elven fighter.
Maybe all of them are needed.

Takes out some of his herbs and considers them.

What I know I can do is prepare a few things to protect and to heal. Nothing very powerful, just something that can buy time to do things. I can also make a signel that if a friend looks for me to see that can result in help coming. We each need to be as ready as possible tomorrow.

Takes out a piece of red and yellow cloth and wraps it around his left arm. Then focuses his attention on blending herbs.

[Drathiranon]

Bludgeon digs around awhile in her storage barrels until she finds a old but shiny pocket knife that according to the presence of residue, apparently once exuded magical properties. She haphazardly tosses it into her sack then puts away all the other weapons except for a long pruning hook.

Bludgeon go practice now. Can join if you want.

The orc woman trundles out the back door to stretch her muscles and twirl her pruning hook, in a preparational series of movements designed to limber her body and sharpen her dexterity.

Llelanni examines the obsidian blades of her macuahuitl. They could use a little sharpening.
She takes a rough stone from.her bag and scrapes each blade against it vigorously to knock off the weak thin sharp pieces to make a dull but solid starting point. Then she applies pressure to flake the broken edge with an old deer antler tine, alternating sides of the blade, making a fine cut edge. She smiles, looking at each gleaming, newly flaked blade. The dark elf stands up, seeing Mouxsie return. The fairy flies in through the window.

Her tiny eyes look to Tarvis. Her tiny hand raised over her tiny head.

That trash panda still hanging around on the roof. Maybe we light a fire.

Llelanni sets her weapon in a corner and replies.

Ready to practice spells when you are, Mouxsie. Unless you are too tired.

Smoke and heat waves can be seen in the distance. The song of Slog's hammer pounds out a slow dirge. The brightness of the sun turns a more fluid shade of dull orange and melting like butter into the skyline.

[Bhaern Quel]

Looks up from blending herbs when he hears Mouxsie speak, only then seeing the raised hand and asking about the raccoon.

So the Moose herd settled and happy? As for the other I thought you made a bargain with the mother? She might be staying about to complete it. A fire to keep her warm might be a kind thing to do.

As Lielanni speaks

Now how about you both do a magical fire with Lielanni. Practice for burning undead

The sound of music might be heard by the keener ears that is coming closer. A flute perhaps or maybe wind over reeds.

Tarvis looks out toward the window, shrugs and back to his herbs.

[Drathiranon]

Mouxsie's eyes widen at Tarvis words. She had forgotten about the bargain with the raccoon. She does consider a fire would keep the animal warm but also still keeping in mind it might be a spy. The sound of music raises a tiny red eyebrow of suspicion. The fairy touches down on Tarvis shoulder as he looks out the window, one of her tiny hands shading her eyes from the fading rays of sunlight.

Peculiar that.

The fairy looks to Llelanni and flies back to the counter top to observe.

From the open back door, Bludgeon appears to be in a trance. She can be seen twirling her pruning hook in front of herself, her legs bending in graceful postures, slowly straining her muscles with each pose.

Llelanni looks to the fireplace, now burned out. She drops a couple of small logs on the hearth then she also hears music. She tilts her head toward the faint musical notes then looks to Mouxsie.

Could it be Eilistraee?

Mouxsie shrugs.

I dunno, it's possible, I mean this land be under her protection, but then again, nothing is absolute.

She raises a tiny hand, a small blue green flame peeks out between the logs in the fireplace.

It's all about control, learn thus first.

She bids Llelanni to try. The dark elf wiggles her fingers, a little bit of purple fairie light dances on top of the wood logs.

No, no, no, ya bleeding geebag! Try using yer own spell. Ya canna use yours the same way I use mine. Think about yer culture, how yer folks be making magic, check yer spell book and try it again.

Llelanni smirks, pulling her book out of her bag of holding. She starts flipping through the pages.

Mouxsie stands still with arms crossed over her chest, impatiently tapping one of her feet on the counter top.

Me Laddine, I hope we won't be at this all night.

[Bhaern Quel]

The sound tapers off, just wind heard now , answers

Just a hint of music is strange. Carried by wind or caused by it. Might be a helpful sign.

Watches the magic lesson with growing concern about how much magic the elf can be trusted for. Clearly not much, her other skills still would be useful. Wonders about if a friend will soon reply and which one. A Paladin appears to be a great friend to have, however hard to make friends with them and their missions. That music was that Elron? He can fight and find traps and light a fire. Maybe even charm the ladies.

NORTH OF THE TOWN

The flute set aside as he leads his horse on the road leading to the town. Speaking to the horse

Well Bess we should be there soon. What do you think we will find. Besides some story about herbs. I am not going to help with getting them, no matter how much they are worth. There are better ways for us to earn some coin.

The problem with distance viewing is not getting enough information. Just knows he wants help. Such calls are not to be made for small things. Maybe an hour to the town, just about when the sun sets will arrive.

[Drathiranon]

Llelanni turns to walk outside the front doors,
Leaving her opened book in the counter. She looks to a large bare spot on the ground surrounded by lingering snow banks. The dark elven woman forms a steeple with her hands and concentrates for a minute. She blows a puff of air through the open triangle of her hands.
A large bonfire suddenly ignites, filling a sixty foot circumference with climbing flames. The light from the bonfire can be seen as far away as Slogs shed.

Mouxsie claps her tiny hands together.

Now yer cooking, Elf!

The fire commands the attention of the two orcs. Both stop what they are doing and move closer toward the fire.

[Bhaern Quel]

Tarvis also looks at the fire built by magic. Steps to the door to call out.

That could indeed be useful. Very nice.

Then returns to his work.

Bess and Elron also detect signs of the fireball

Well magic fire, We indeed might be needed

Swings up onto the saddle and urges Bess into a a run to the site. Soon the sound of Bess galloping will be heard.

Sword near hand and spells in mind.

[Drathiranon]

Bludgeon, with her pruning hook in hand, trundles around to the front of the store. Slog can be seen with hammer over his shoulder moving quickly toward the raging fire.
Mouxsie is laughing at the commotion caused by Llelanni's spell work.

Well done! You managed to invigorate the orcs faster than cats on a hot tin roof!

The fairy then flies inside to follow and see what Tarvis is doing. She rests on his shoulder to observe.

The orcs hear hoof beats moving closer. They ready the weapons they have in hand.

The dark elven woman holds up her hands in front of her.

No worries! I can put the fire out!

She then takes notice of the galloping sound and turns around to see why the orcs are taking a defensive stance.

The sky grows dark, nearing twilight. The monstrous glow of the contained, raging inferno creates tall shadows on the ground from among the group. The raccoon watches, hiding behind the chimney with her children gathered close by. The moose in the southern field take no.notice as they are laying in the tall grass, asleep. The boar also asleep after having been fed by Slog, yet again, earlier in the late afternoon.

Mouxsie takes notice of the others outside. She moves closer to Tarvis ear.

What is that crowd of gombeens staring at?

[Bhaern Quel]

Looks up from the herbs at Mouxsie's question.

Let us find out

Steps to the door and then outside to the sound of hooves at about the same time the horse can be seen coming toward the Inn. A human rider slowing the horse as it is nearing the town.

Elron calls out

I am here to help.

[Drathiranon]

Bludgeon is first to reply.

What? Help put fire out?

Slog takes a protective stance next to Bludgeon, still holding his axe over his shoulder but now with two hands grasping the handle tightly.

Slog got this. What say you, human? Friend or foe?!

Llelanni, taking this moment to dispel the bonfire, raises her hand is if she were to snatch out the flames and cast them onto the ground. The fire once a rising inferno of bonfire flames, quickly disappears as suddenly as it appeared. The dark elf can see more clearly now, with her natural dark vision, observing a human face atop an animal.

Are you looking for someone?

[Bhaern Quel]

Tarvis calls out
Master Slog few foes come to offer help. The bold hero is Elron riding Bess and they indeed come to help. They are friends in answer to my call.

Elron Dismounts carefully eyes adjusting to the sudden darkness of the dismissed fire.

My friends I am sorry we startled you, but the fire we saw made us think there was danger to help with. Bess and I are friendly and do not seek to be a foe to any first greet.

Looks toward Lielanni

My dear lady indeed I was looking for a dealer in herbs rare and common. Mayhaps you have seen him?

When he said "dealer in herbs rare and common" Elron voice had taken on a minic of the sound of Tarvis voice.

[Drathiranon]

Raising a black eyebrow, Bludgeon looks to Elron after hearing him mimic Tarvis voice.

Bludgeon have food, drink, and supplies if Elron need. Come, we go inside.

Slog removes the axe from his shoulder.

Tarvis friend, welcome.

The orc farmer turns and walks back toward his forge, giving a sideways glance to Elron.

Slog have oats if Bess have need.

The dark elven woman claps her hands together with a chuckle.

As sure as there is catfoot to be found among the reeds, you have found him, Sir Elron.

Mouxsie, stands on Tarvis shoulder, once again holding onto his ear for support. Her other hand palm covering her face.

Aye, cripes.

The fairy mumbles under her breath.

Just grand, another couple o jolly gombeen to join the party.

The tiny fairy then peeks through her fingers at Bess. She removes her hand and looks to Elron.

My name is Mouxsie Meadowfly. Pleased to meet you.

Her free hand holding the seam of her tiny green plaid dress to curtsy.

[Bhaern Quel]

Elron looks from each as they greet or offer food before replying.

I thank you for your greeting and offer of food. It will be a pleasure to get and know you all better. As I see that there is not urgent aid needed I best take care of Bess and then will join the rest of you to get to know your names. For now I only know the name of the fair lass Miss Meadowfly.

Tarvis you will of course come along to tell me what your problem is. The wee lass f course welcome as well to join us.

Tarvis replies

Yes Elron we will get oats for Bess and a place for her to rest. The rest of you can can continue to prepare or wait for us to return to the store. I will introduce Elron to you all soon and you all can talk to him then

Tarvis and Elkron lead Bess after Slog to get the oats.

[Drathiranon]

Slog moves slow and steady back to his mill first, to draw more oats from a new barrel should Bess have need. He then waves back toward Tarvis and Elron, indicating the oat barrel is open. The orc farmer then returns to pounding out two sets of plated armor at his forge.

Mouxsie sticks her tiny thumbs in her tiny ears and sticks her tiny tongue out at Llelanni as Tarvis passes by. The fairy then quickly grabs hold of the bridge of Tarvis ear as he moves.

Sure Elron, enough o this old blarney, we got important things to discuss.

Llelanni chuckles again, looking to Bludgeon.

Well, I guess we've been dismissed.

The orc woman grunts in agreement.

The dark elf shrugs in return.

You can finish up with your exercises, Bludgeon. I'll play "Polly put the kettle on" and heat up a few of your boar meat dumplings, if thats ok?

Bludgeon grunts again in agreement and returns to her workout. The air is chilly with a moderate moisture building in the atmosphere. The orc woman's green eyes glimmer in the fading embers of light. Once she completes her poses, she sets down her pruning hook, tosses a couple of logs on the outdoor fire, takes a pottery bowl to douce herself in cold water from the pump, and warms herself on the boulder by the fire. Bludgeon looks up to the sky, a starless night. Her hands have become soft, not like a warriors hands should be. Her body is slightly sore from her work out, not like a warrior's body should be. She is still limber though, strong, and dexterous. The orc woman hears the sound of Slog's hammer returning to its lonely song.

Inside the store, Llelanni pulls a couple of the large dumplings from Bludgeon's sack and places them in a covered iron pot to warm over the hearth. The dumplings have a sticky sweet and meaty fragrance tickling the senses with the rising steam.
The dark elven woman is pleased with her spellcraft improvement. Her bonfire was impressive enough to draw Elron's attention from a distance and bring everyone to notice.
She rests on a hay bale, flipping through the pages of her old tome.