(Arc 5-4) Huntdown and...Nooooo!

[Anastasia]

> The night passes in rest and recovery. The wolves tag along to the commands of Shamal, cowed and agreeable with little effort. They lay low indeed, looking lost.  The next day is warm and heavy, the forest silent as you awaken and stir. Quapeth has his weapon and arrows ready, the wolves less enthuiastic.
* Seira is quite enthusiastic about the upcoming paycheck, though not enough to lead the way.
<Shamal> The following morning, Shamal casts speak with animals so that she might converse with the wolves, reassuring them and asking how they came to know the psychotic half-orc.
> The four living wolves whimper, "Groawr always was there. Little Groawr joined our pack and learned how to talk to us," the wolves look unhappy. "But he learned to talk to other animals, too, and other things. Bears. Trolls. Big, strong things, like him."
* Shamal sighs softly, looking a bit sad. She could have done with the protection of a wolfpack when she was living ferally in the wilds... but things probably turned out for the best if it meant ending up like that. "If he had been with you all his life, where did he get his axe? No animal could craft such a blade..."
> "Found it - came back with it one day. Said that there are dozens of things like that in his special hiding place he found." The wolves whimper a bit.
<Shamal> "Where is his hiding place?" Shamal asks interestedly.
> "We don't know. He hid it even from the pack, but he was the Alpha then. Smelled like strong, pungent ground whenever he came back. Smelled STRONG."
<Shamal> "Would you not be able to track that smell, then?" Shamal asks, staying on this tack for the moment.
> "If we found the area..maybe? He went away for a few days when he got it."
> "What are you doing?" Quapeth asks, as Shamal keeps up a fascinating conversation with the wolve.s
<Shamal> "Well, what direction was it in?" Shamal asks, before glancing over her shoulder at the elf, "Our psychotic friend from back there isn't the only one who can communicate with animals," she explains. "They're telling me where he found his axe - he'd been with the pack since he was an infant, apparently."
> "That axe? I imagine he must've stolen it?" Quapeth looks on quizzically, before quickly shaking his head. "Sorry, Forest Guardian. I apologize."
<Shamal> "There's more where it came from," Shamal replies cryptically, before giving her attention back to the wolves.
> "North and West. Near big water, we think." The wolves pause a few moments at that.
* Shamal nods. "Okay. Now, what about that bear that was with you yesterday? Do you have any idea where it would have ran off to after the fight?"
> "It's been with the pack for a good long time now. Groawr and Bear get along well. They good, strong pack friends."
> Quapeth mills around and waits around camp, quiet. He meanders towards Berlioz, but doesn't say anything, glancing at Seira.
<Shamal> "Yes, but do you know where it would have went?" the blonde witch presses.
> The wolves discuss quietly a moment, before, "Go back north and home?"
<Shamal> "How far north?"
<Shamal> "How far north?"
> "Long way - several parts of the moon cycle."
<Shamal> "Why did you come so far from your home, then?" Shamal asks curiously.
> "Alpha said so. He doesn't like goblins." There's a loooonger pause at that, the wolves going quiet.
* Shamal notes the heavy pause. "What do you think about what Alpha was doing lately, then?" she asks.
> There's another longer pause, the wolves lying down. "Don't like goblins."
<Shamal> "What do you want to do now, then?" the witch asks as the canines settle down. "Rin and I can take care of you from now on, but we're going to be hunting that bear. If you want to go, we won't stop you."
> There's a longer pause, the wolves finally speaking, "We won't hunt him. He's a part of our pack." The wolves look unsettled, restless. One rises, starting to pace in a circle. "I remember he sounded very angry when he left."
<Shamal> "Then go," Shamal stands up, planting the haft of her quarterstaff firmly on the ground. "I won't ask you to turn on a packmate." Admittedly she *had* asked the bear to do just that, yesterday, but the circumstances were different.
> The wolves rise up, leaving and going, melting away into the forest...
* Shamal turns to the party. "The bear will have gone North, they think. We should probably go back to the goblin village and see if we can track it from there," she suggests.
* Seira easily agrees with Shamal's plan.
> So the party heads back to the ruined village. The last three goblins are gone, the huts quiet. To the north you can see where the bear burst into the woods, an entrance made into the forest in a berserk flight away. OOC - Tracking check since I know that's your intent.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin tracks
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+7 Rin tracks --> [ 1d20=8 ]{15}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+12 Shamal aids
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+12 Shamal aids --> [ 1d20=2 ]{14}
<Shamal> OOC: 17 for Rin's check
> It's not really hard at all. There's a shattered tree, a giant oak sliced in half. That's a great way to tell you went on the right track, prints found easily enough. The bear didn't seem to favor stealth this time at first, making the trailing easy. After a few hours? You come to what looks to be the ruins of a goblin village. There are several mud and brick huts here, the long forgotten ruins of a main fire and greens in the center. There are a few bloodstains on the sides of the wall, several walls shattered and huts falling apart.
> There are a few bloodstains on the sides of the wall, several walls shattered and huts falling apart. Yet no bodies in the ruins. The bear tracks go through the center, passing through to the edge of town, where there is a raised grandstand. It's about twenty feet up and sloped so that it's well above ther est of the ground. It's made of solid looking wood, only the tip top visible. The tracks go right to it.
<Shamal> "They must have sacked this village on their way South to where we met them..." Shamal sighs, following the tracks without any distraction.
> The tracks wrap around it, looking to wind towards the rear end, where presumably one can get on. It's quite tall and gradually slanted, so you can't see all of it or to the back at all.
* Shamal follows around the grandstand, wondering exactly what goblins would use such an edifice for to begin with.
> roll 1d20+10
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{21}
> OOC - Hearing check
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
> As you loop around, you can see that the rear holds a few things. A few dead and half decayed goblins and remnants.  But on the far side, the bear rests here. Awake but not moving much yet. It sits on the very down edge of it, a beehive besides it that still has a bit of fresh honey on the outside.
* Shamal stops short as soon as she sees the bear, backing up around the grandstand again and out of sight, gesturing for the others to halt as well. Holding a finger over her mouth in the universal sign of "Shhh", she cranes her neck and listens for the other sound she can hear, trying to locate it.
> Quapeth nods, very slowly and carefully withdrawing his longsword.
<Shamal> "Rin, go see if you can find anything on there," Shamal gestures onto the grandstand, sending her dog to go look and sniff around for the source of that clinking howling noise. "The bear's sleeping around the other side," she quietly tells the others. "Let's get ready before we attack." With that she retreats a bit more to muffle sound, and casts Barkskin on Lyselle.
> OOC - Have Rin make a move silently check, I reckon.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+3
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{7}
> roll 1d20+10
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{14}
* Seira looks for a place to snipe from, as always~
* Lyselle nods, smiling at Shamal as she drinks another potion.
> Getting onto the grandstand would leave you visible. Going under it could be viable if you can find a slit to fire arrows through, or the old forest could work.
> OOC - Hearing check, Rin.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{11}
> Rin looks about, but only smells a bear and some goblin scents.
<Shamal> The intrepid Rin heads towards the direction she heard the sound from!
> Rin paces around the grandstands, trying to find where she heard it! OOC - Listening check again.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{11}
<Seira> It won't be sniping, but she'll do her best from the forest~
<Shamal> Rin looks fairly frustrated and returns to Shamal's side, who promptly casts Mage Armour on both of them and dismounts her horse. "Everyone ready?" she asks quietly.
* Lyselle nods, sword drawn and on her charger again.
* Berlioz nods, bow and arrow ready.
* Shamal calls upon the blessing of Helm before she advances around the grandstand, ready to pelt the bear with her magic!
> OOC - Surprise round. 4 PCs+Rin, go ahead and act out your plans.
* Shamal starts off by casting Ray of Clumsiness on the bear, while Rin rushes up to bite down!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 touch attack
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+6 touch attack --> [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
> OOC - Touch attack hits.
<Shamal> roll 1d6+1 dex damage
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+1 dex damage --> [ 1d6=2 ]{3}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+7 Rin hits
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+7 Rin hits --> [ 1d20=5 ]{12}
> A thin beam strikes the bear, shining in the air! It makes it's body heavier, clumsier! As the bear stirs from this, Rin dashes in and tries to bite! But this effort fails completely, only getting a mouthful of fur as the bear roars it's surprise!
* Seira fires at the slumbering bear as Shamal's spell hits it!
<Seira> roll 1d20+6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
<Seira> roll 1d20+6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
> OOC - Second hits good.
<Seira> roll 1d8
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8 --> [ 1d8=6 ]{6}
> An arrow flies, embedding into the arm of the bear, next to a patch of burned fur! Oh, it's getting up now alright, looking quite cross!
* Lyselle thunders forward, her charger carrying her up to the bear and her sword lashing down with the weight of the horse and her strength behind it, tearing into the bear with a low slash before thundering onwards and past, fifty feet from the bear before she turns back around to inspect her handiwork...
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+12
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{18}
> OOC - Hit.
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+5+1d2
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+5+1d2 --> [ 1d8=5 1d2=2 ]{12}
<Lyselle> roll 1d8+1
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d8+1 --> [ 1d8=5 ]{6}
* Berlioz closes his eyes and hears the calling of Helm, subtly asking for his guidance.
> As Berlioz feels divine might fill his body, Lyselle lances into the bear! With a swipe into it's legs she rips it open, burnt fur and frozen flesh side by side! It's enough tos tagger the bear back, a definite hit as it inches up the ramp a bit! OOC - Initiative now.
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+@
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+@ --> error: malformed expression
> roll 1d20+@
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+@ --> error: malformed expression
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+2
> roll 1d20+2
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{3}
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{19}
<Seira> roll 1d20+4
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{16}
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
<Shamal> roll 1d20+2 Shamal
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+2 Shamal --> [ 1d20=5 ]{7}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+3 Rin
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+3 Rin --> [ 1d20=17 ]{20}
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+1
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{12}
> OOC - Go, Rin.
<Shamal> Rin continues tearing into the bear as best she can, trying to penetrate its thick hide with her sharp doggy teeth!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+11
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{13}
> Somehow Rin just gets another nasty mouthful of frosty fur! No good, as the bear attempts to get up, first of all!
> roll 1d20+2 Quapeth initaitive/I suck
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+2 Quapeth initaitive/I suck --> [ 1d20=17 ]{19}
<Shamal> Rin doesn't let up, trying to put the bite in once more as the bear leaves itself vulnerable while rising!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+11
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
<Shamal> roll 1d6+4
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+4 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{5}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 trip check
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+4 trip check --> [ 1d20=17 ]{21}
> roll 1d20+10
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{13}
> Down the bear goes! Down he goes, good and hard and prone! It takes it's only other action, a badly balanced claw swipe at Rin as it hits the ground!
> roll 1d20+15
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+15 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{22}
> Yet the bear misses by a narrow, tiny margin, only shaving off some fur from Rin's ear! Meanwhile, Quapeth has stalked around to the other side while everyone prepared, coming from behind and getting the bear's flank!
> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{21}
> roll 1d8+3
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+3 --> [ 1d8=3 ]{6}
> It's a quick slash and thrust, a cut opened on the bear's arm! Quapeth grins a moment at scoring the blow, but he's sweating and tense looking. "Keep it down," he breaths in common, raising his voice.
> OOC - Seira is up.
<Seira> Seeing the bear downed, Seira approaches the melee, a swirling cloud of acid taking form in her cupped right hand. A few words in elven are murmured, and the sphere is flung at the bear!
<Seira> roll 1d20+4 ranged touch
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+4 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=6 ]{10}
> OOC - Hit.
<Seira> roll 1d8+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+2d6 --> [ 1d8=7 2d6=11 ]{18}
> Acid splashes all over the bear's face and shoulders! A shower cloud of hissing green, making it's downed body writhe in pain!
* Berlioz sighs and unsheathes his rapier, putting the bow back beforehand. He advances and strikes the helpless creature, seeming not particularly excited.
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+6
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{11}
> Perhaps the lack of vitality feeds into Berlioz's assault? His rapierstrike misses cleanly, piercing the air besides it's leg instead of the bear itself! Missed! OOC - Shamal.
* Shamal casts another spell similiar to her last, this one made to wither the bear's muscles and weaken it!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+6 ranged touch
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+6 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
<Shamal> roll 1d6+1
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+1 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{7}
> Another beam flies, this one making the woodland creature's muscles ripple then shrink, far le ss imposing! The bear even seems to be less overwhelming now, weaker! OOC - Ly-chan.
* Shamal looks a bit weirded out after her spell hits.
* Berlioz squints his eyes, slowly being clouded by a strange urge. As if the flavor of blood stained his lips, the bard bites them, his gaze turning slowly to a feral pierce.
<Lyselle> Lyselle charges the bear again, a lone opponent not so much of a worry with this tactic as she races up to it and past, sword lashing out into its flesh again with an almost snarl on Lyselle's lips at the hateful, pain creating creature! There needed to be more blood!
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+16
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+16 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{35}
<Lyselle> roll 1d20+16 confirm
<Reiko-chan> Lyselle rolled : 1d20+16 confirm --> [ 1d20=8 ]{24}
> OOC - ...crit.
<Hotaru> roll 3d8+15+1d2
<Reiko-chan> Hotaru rolled : 3d8+15+1d2 --> [ 3d8=15 1d2=1 ]{31}
> The blow is an excellent one! Lyselle slices the bear's arm nearly off, an epic blow that cleaves it's bone and flesh! It's screaming but alive, an animal in vast pain! OOC - Rin.
<Shamal> Rin does her best to try and put the bear out of its misery, her jaws clamping down viciously on the beast's flank!
<Shamal> roll 1d20+13
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{21}
<Shamal> roll 1d6+4
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d6+4 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{5}
> It's another bite, putting the bear into even more pain! Roaring, confused, down and hurt, it unleashes it's fully, desperate fury onto the riding dog Rin!
> roll 1d20+12 claw 1
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 claw 1 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{32}
> roll 1d20+12 claw 1 crit confirm?
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 claw 1 crit confirm? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{32}
> roll 1d20+12 claw 2
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 claw 2 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+6 bite
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+6 bite --> [ 1d20=6 ]{12}
> roll 6d4+21 Poor Rin!
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 6d4+21 Poor Rin! --> [ 6d4=14 ]{35}
> In Rin's vigour, she makes a horrible mistake! It's simply an extension too far, reaching in too much! But it leaves her belly open, ripped savagely up by twin claw strikes! She gets out a gurgling howl, her innards falling out as her body soon covers them, plummeting down onto the bear!
> As this happens, Quapeth grits his teeth, slashing at the bear again! "Die!" he screams, suddenly loud!
> roll 1d20+9
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{12}
> But his haste only brings a stab into the ground and plankway, missing! OOC - Seira.
> OOC - Strike.
> roll 1d8+3
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+3 --> [ 1d8=1 ]{4}
> With a another stab, the bear is impaled in it's stomach! It's still struggling, coated in blood even as it's surely in it's last few moments on Earth! OOC Seira.
<Seira> A parting arrow as she seeks cover anew!
<Seira> roll 1d20+4
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{7}
> A parting arrow that soars wide, missing the mark entirely! But Seria slips back into the greenery, safe and sound!
* Berlioz gurgles, his eyes covered in a crimson, empty gaze as if they were actually covered in blood. In a mad rush, he swipes furiously at the bear once again.
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+8
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}
> OOC - Confirm your crit.
<Berlioz> roll 1d20+8
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{28}
<Berlioz> roll 2d6+6 for damage
<Reiko-chan> Berlioz rolled : 2d6+6 for damage --> [ 2d6=6 ]{12}
> Berlioz aims well! He jams his rapier right into the eye and brain of the beast, causing it to simply go rigid and die!
> OOC - Free action.
<Shamal> "RIN!" Shamal lets loose a despairing wail of pure anguish as she runs over to her slain pet and companion, heedless of the mess as she cradles the dog's lifeless form against her, dress becoming stained with guts and blood. "You can't die!" she sobs pathetically, taking out her wand and desperately waving it over the dog in a vain attempt to heal the fatal wounds.
> The wand has no effect. Rin's body does not mend.
* Seira approaches, the danger over, but stays respectfully away.
> Quapeth stares down at the bear, stabbing it again even now. HIs eyes are half glazed over, knuckles white as he grips his blade.
* Berlioz takes the rapier out of the creature's fatally pierced head with a violent swing. The bard trembles, bloody red curtains of silk blurring his sight, his teeth gnashing in fury.
* Lyselle snarls again, coming back in, but instead of rushing past, just chops uselessly at the bear's flank.
* Shamal howls and cries in anguish as she hugs Rin's broken form, the state of her companions not even registering for her in face of her grief.
<Seira> "Up the ramp," Seira calls out, not venturing farther, and keeping her bow and eyes trained on where she heard the growling.
* Lyselle looks up that way, beginning to move and look for something else ALIVE that she can tear to pieces!
> Seira can see it easily, her eyes clear despite a strange feeling of bloodlust in her body. THere's a faint, strange movement atop the ramp, at the very tip where you can look out at over ther uined village.
* Seira points it out to the others, holding her bow at the ready.
<Shamal> Shamal looks up at Seira's urging, though still seems more focused on cradling Rin's limp and lifeless corpse.
> There's a strange movement int he air, very faint.
<Seira> roll 1d20+8~
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+8~ --> error: malformed expression
<Seira> roll 1d20+8
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
> OOC - Damage.
<Seira> roll 1d8+2d6
<Reiko-chan> Seira rolled : 1d8+2d6 --> [ 1d8=3 2d6=9 ]{12}
> The arrow passes through! The r ippling vanishes, a little, tiny tinkling on the top where it was. A tiny object hitting the ground. (More, sec)
> Carried on the wind, you can hear a distant laughing as the berserk rage and it's effects simply -melt away- from the party. Seira feels no bloodlust, mind fully clear.
<Shamal> Sadly Shamal's grief is not assuaged in the slightest.
* Lyselle frowns darkly, moving up to whatever it dropped to try and find it... What in the hells could that have been?
* Seira raises an eyebrow at the laughter, showing no outwards change though she no longer shelters any murderour urges inside.
* Berlioz awakens as if ripped away from a dream suddenly. He groans, his vision still blurry... yet no longer dimmed in red. "What... the hell."
> Going up, Lyselle finds a tiny, tiny enscribed piece of bone. It has an unwinking, unblinking, always seeing eye on it.
* Seira decides to start the preparations for retrieving and preserving the beast's heart.
> Quapeth sits down, eyes blank and vacant. He looks around. "What was that?"
* Lyselle brings it down, showing it to the others. "I dunno, but this was involved, somehow?"
> Quapeth rises, peering at it. "What...?"
> roll 1d20
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{5}
> Meanwhile, Seira begins the preparations without incident.
* Shamal somewhat dazedly picks Rin's shattered body up, struggling with the weight but somehow bearing it, ignoring the mess it causes. "Tell the Commander I will be taking a leave of absence," she states vacantly, keeping all emotion out of her demeanour lest she lose control again while she begins woodenly walking away from the group and into the forest with her fallen companion.
* Lyselle sighs a little, watching the other blonde go. Just couldn't do a lot about some things.
> Quapeth starts, but calls, "Wait!" he raises his voice, "Will you be safe along, Forest Guardian?"
* Berlioz raises an eyebrow, shaking his head. Maybe that is having your heart broken.
* Shamal looks back, her face stained with blood and tears. "I've lived in the wilderness before... I'll return to Balmuria shortly, but there are things I must do," she explains, voice as calm as she can force it. "Please take care of my horse... I haven't been very good at caring for animals, myself." That last prompts a choked sob, before she turns and resumes her departure.
> Quapeth merely nods, turning away and going to Seira as she works. "Should I follow her," he asks quietly, quite bland and controlled in diction. You notice he's going from flushed to pale, looking entirely sweaty and sickly.
<Seira> "Are you alright?" Seira asks him, pausing.
> "My head was just clouded with rage," he murmurs back. "Are you confident in her abilities? I mean no disrespect, but the forest is still likely dangerous, and I rue my short, aborted trip in it alone mere days ago."
<Seira> "If you are well enough to keep your faculties, and trail Shamal while letting her grieve in peace, you have my blessings," she responds after a moment's thought.
* Lyselle shrugs, sighing and heading abck to retrieve her own hrose. "She likely wouldn't take well to interruption, just as a fair warning," Lyselle offers.
<Seira> "There are still trolls around," Seira reminds her, returning her attention to the bear.
> "I am, and I owe all of you a debt." With that Quapeth nods once, kneeling down to clean his sword on the bear, then begin to go. "I don't intend to, but...I owe all of you a debt, and going alone into danger isn't acceptable to me."
<Seira> "Maybe we'll meet again," Seira calls after him. "Visit Balmuria some day."
> "Count on it," he calls back, "May Corelleon Larethian watch over you."
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10 spot
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+10 spot --> [ 1d20=15 ]{25}
<Shamal> roll 1d20+10 listen
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+10 listen --> [ 1d20=14 ]{24}
> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{10}
> roll 1d20+5
<Reiko-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}

[Anastasia]

I hate split rooms so much.

> The cremation of Rin happens in a beautiful grove. A grove that Shamal stumbles on easily, perhaps a gesture of the gods. A fire comes, turning dust to dust and ashes to ashes. So the sun sets on this day, rest coming for Shamal. As she gathers berries for an easy breakfast, she hears a distinct CRACK about twenty feet behind her, the sound of a clumsy foot cracking a branch - or perhaps a predatory paw.
<Shamal> Shamal's head snaps around towards the sound, the young witch not in any mood for visitors. Memories of her old life fill her mind at the moment, recalling a time before a kindly hunter adopted her, when every decision boiled down to a single choice: Fight or Flight?
> In the forest you can see a hint of it - of a humanoid body, of a chain shirt. Hiding behind some branches, but not well enough. Not quite tall enough to be a human, either.
<Shamal> "I am in no mood for games," Shamal calls in a voice so cold it would shock her if she heard it herself in happier times. Although she cleaned herself up before Rin's funerary service, she still looks far more feral then usual, standing tensely as her inner urges war between fleeing and casting a spell. "Leave, now."
> "...I apologize." Quapeth's voice carries clearly, not advancing forward. "...But in this forest with things so disturbed, it is dangerous to go alone. I could not let you wander out alone with a clear mind."
<Shamal> "Hmph," Shamal relaxes just the tiniest fraction, but still looks displeased. "Leave me to my grief. If you must linger, then find a respectable distance to do so from so that I am not disturbed."
> "Only if you promise not to attempt to flee from my watch," he returns evenly.
<Shamal> "I will remain here until morning. I make no guarantees after that - these are ancient rites, elf, I will not have them interrupted or compromised," Shamal returns, gritting her teeth as she speaks with uncharacteristic harshness, her psyche still very raw with pain and grief over her companion's passing.
> "And I will not have you hurt." Quapeth says solidly, voice like a chunk of granite ripped from the earth by a raging troll. "Also, I would ask permission to go pay respects for your companion.
<Shamal> "I will not stop you," Shamal relents just a little, stepping away from Rin's burial mound to maintain some distance between herself and Quapeth if he approaches. "Her name was Rin. Mielikki blessed me with her protection and companionship four years ago."
<Shamal> roll 1d1000
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d1000 --> [ 1d1000=430 ]{430}
> Quapeth comes and kneels next to the burial mound, head bowed in prayer. "Then she has returned from her calling to her other Master's side." You hear a few murmured words after that, catching Corelleon Larethian and watch over among others. "Let her rest well."
<Shamal> "She has returned to the Happy Hunting Grounds," Shamal agrees, bowing her head and not volunteering any more of her inner turmoil.
> Finishing, the elf nods once and returns back to the bush. "I will also return with you at least part of the way to Balmuria. If you are willing to wait a day, I can go notify my commander of the reasons for my absence as well as that I request further time."
<Shamal> "I will remain in the area for the next few days while I seek penance," Shamal accedes dully. Will the Forest Queen even consider her worthy to care for another of her children after this? All she can do is hope and pray...
> "Very well." With that Quapeth returns to the shadows, leaving Shamal to her grief, worry and pain.
---The summoning of Shamal's new animal companion was dealt with OOC---
> Laika is happy. Quapeth follows. That sums up a few days of travel. Through the forest you go, taking your trip back...OOC - Elaborate how you're marching generally and so forth.
* Shamal takes a few days getting to know her new companion, hunting and speaking with the benefit of magic to explain her tactics and the effects of certain spells she uses - they won't have the same natural understanding and bond she shared with Rin, but perhaps in time...
<Shamal> For the journey itself, Shamal takes the direct route back to Balmuria, heading through the denser parts of the forest with little difficulty now that she doesn't have to worry about the horses.
> Quapeth, for his part, travels closer to you now. The forest is harder to use, and thus it's a boon to stay closer together. So the days pass in conversation, a half week gone. But on one evening as you set up to rest, you begin to hear howling in the air, not so far away.
* Shamal idly pets Laika as she prepares their camp. "Not to worry, so long as we keep our fire going then wolves are unlikely to bother us," she reassures both, for all that Laika can't currently understand her.
> Quapeth nods once, "It's not uncommon to hear them," he remarks, as the howling continues. But you note it's rather persistant, getting closer.
<Shamal> "That said, they do appear to be coming this way..." Shamal can't help but note, deciding to cast Mage Armour to protect herself and Laika before gathering up her quarterstaff. "I hope they are not as disturbed as the last wolfpack we encountered... this forest has seen enough madness of late."
> Quapeth casually checks his longsword's hilt, ensuring it's loose and ready. AFter a moment of thought, he withdrawns it and begins cleaning the blade. "Yes. Even with the source of th eproblems neutralized, the forest may need time to recover from it's disturbance...or disturbances. It was not the only strange thing we found."
> The howling continues to get closer, sounding like it's starting to close in.
* Shamal casts another spell, this one on Quapeth. "Strength of the oak, buttress my allies against harm..." she murmurs her brief incantation, hand glowing green for an instant as she rests her hand on his shoulder. "I will try and calm them if they approach. But if they seek violence, we must be ready," she explains, before heading to the side of their camp closest to the noise, Laika dutifully following.
> Quapeth carefully stays a little in front of Shamal, sword ready. They're coming formt he north - no the ea-west? South? You can begin to tell that it's four howls at once, becoming distinct and pointed.
* Shamal decides to try and confuse matters a little, hoping to give the creatures pause before they launch an immediate attack. Murmuring a brief spell, she causes another wolf howl to sound from the trees ahead of her, to the Northeast.
> Two of the howls break off - the north one and the east one. But the southa nd western ones continue! Quapeth smiles a moment at that, blade ready but not saying a word. Meanwhile, you can hear the howls - there within about twenty five feet now, in the bush and coming closer.
* Shamal waits warily, Laika swishing her bushy tail pensively beside her new mistress as she keeps an eye on the opposite direction from which Shamal watches as they wait in tense readiness.
> Quapeth stays in the middle between them, sword ready - but you don't hear an attack. Instead, two wolves slowly walk out of the bush, staying at the perimeter of the camp - one from the south, one from the west. They howl mournfully then stop.
* Shamal relaxes her posture slightly, gesturing to the wolves to come closer and making a soft purring/growling noise of her own as she tries to calm them, at the same time trying to see if these are the same wolves that followed Grauwf or whatever he was called.
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 wild empathy
<Shamal> roll 1d20+4 wild empathy
<Reiko-chan> Shamal rolled : 1d20+4 wild empathy --> [ 1d20=4 ]{8}
> The wolves act relatively calm. They sit there, just a pair of wolves. Perhaps a bit familiar looking on it, but you've see a few wolves lately.
* Shamal casts a spell to shed the barriers of language between human and beast. "Hello," she greets them, Laika now watching the opposite direction where the other howls were heard until Shamal's distraction. "What brings you here?"
> "We meet again," the one from the south calls, "Your deed with the great bear is done?"
<Shamal> "Yes..." Shamal looks away in shame. For all that she's dealt with her grief as best she can, Rin's death still burns raw inside her. "Much as I now regret it... a price was paid by one most dear to me."
> "Your packmates are gone,"  the western wolf inquires.
<Shamal> "I let them leave... none of them knew Rin as I did..." she sighs deeply, before looking on the wolves again. "Why have you sought me out?" she asks.
> "Dreams." The word is short, this one coming from the north. The other two wolves return, "We dreamed of you, and felt anger. A mindless anger, burning."
<Shamal> "Ahh," Shamal looks immensely weary as she hefts her quarterstaff. "So you seek to avenge your packmates after all?" she asks, eyes beginning to glaze over slightly under the weight of her despair. Death, death... always death, it seems.
> "...no." The easternmost wolf returns, quietly padding along. Quapeth sees the motion, readying his sword and waiting defensively. "As strong as the anger was, it was not correct. For us, it did not last."
<Shamal> "Then why?" the blonde asks, allowing herself to relax slightly. "If you do not have your anger any more, why seek me out?"
> The one at the north speaks clearly, "When we resisted the rage, we felt it's anger directed at us as well, indiscriminate."
<Shamal> "The same rage you and the trolls felt from Groawr?" Shamal surmises, slowly turning around to take all four wolves in her gaze. "And still my question goes unanswered."
> "We are not sure, but..." The westernmost wolf speaks this time, "If you are strong enough to defeat Groawr, you are strong enough to be able to help us stay safe."
<Shamal> "Ahh," Shamal nods slowly. It makes sense - wolves are social creatures, and four dogs does not make a pack. "Very well," she nods, eyes glinting with a steel that is rarely shown, "I will be your new Alpha. But we must journey far, and you will have to do as I say - where I live you will not be able to hunt freely."
> "We accept - we're...terrified of whatthat was," the last murmurs, from the north again. "It felt very malicious."
<Shamal> "I will protect you as best I can - as will Laika," she gestures to the silver-furred husky by her side, "She is my Beta. You will find me to be a stricter Alpha than Groawr was, but if you can abide my rules, we will all prosper."
> The four wolves approach, keeping down and cautious. Quapeth looks to Shamal, "Problem or not?"
* Shamal smiles and shakes her head at Quapeth. "We rest for the night - tomorrow we will begin our journey, and I will train you as we go. You must learn to understand my commands when I am not using this spell, and do exactly as I say."
> Quapeth sighs in relief, tenseness leaving as he sits down. "Very well, Forest Guardian."
> The wolves agree, obeying...
* Shamal bids the wolves to rest as she herself settles down. "They will travel with us - we have a long journey still ahead, so let us rest while we can," she encourages Quapeth. Remembering something else while she still has a few seconds left of the spell, she holds up her fluffy white rabbit, "Also you do *not* eat Flopsy," she tells the wolves in an extremely stern voice.
> For her part, Flopsy stays warm in Shamal's hands. One of the wolves licks it's maw and lips, but they all assent. "Yes, Alpha."

[Anastasia]

> The trip back is a small miracle. Only a few fleeting sightings of gobilns, but no interference. No trolls, no bloodied rivers.  The party returns home, Balmuria in sight. Berlioz takes the lead and rides ahead, in a hurry for once. You can see the guards at the gate, Biggs and Wedge standing at attention.
* Seira is intent on riding past them and straight to the Countess's shop.
> As the party approaches - well, Berlioz just rides past for now, in a hurry for Gods only know what reason - Biggs and Wedge salute, "Welcome back - where's Shamal," the younger one asks, "Oh, and the Commander needs to talk to all of you once you've settled back in and done all that you need to."
* Lyselle smiles only faintly, taking her time to wave at a distance and then get along with the requisite saluting when she gets up to teh gate. "A few things happened, Shamal will be along in a day or two."
> The older nods once, gruff. "WElcome back, sirs," he agrees.
* Lyselle nods. "Thanks...we'll see Commander Oberuth as soon as we can," she agrees, before heading on through with Seira.
> OOC - Going to the Countess now?
<Seira> OOC: Yep
> The shop is finished but closed. It's grand exterior has a few people lingering, but the doors inside are closed shut. Yet on knocking, you find the Countess opening, in full cape and red dress. "...oh! Finally!" she smiles, "How'd it go? Got it?"
<Seira> "Yes," Seira responds simply. "It was not easy, but few things in life worth fighting for are."
> "Good!" The Countess beams, steppign aside and waving you in. "Where's that other spellcaster girl, and...oh, at least HE'S not here," The Countess humphs at that, looking away.
<Seira> "Shamal has requested personal leave for several days," Seira informs the Countess. "She would be returning to Balmuria shortly."
* Lyselle nods quietly, hands clasped faintly and looking around. This is what it was all for? ...Well, not quite all. "Our bardic friend seemed in a hurry when he got to the city."
> "I wonder why, to deceieve another innocent lass?" Stronger rolls her eyes, the shop full of magical things. Knick-nacks and items, each worth as mall fortune. "I see about her. Shame, I wanted to talk to her about magic a bit. Ah well. There's still you. I'm pleased - you actually did it."
<Seira> "It wounds that you did not consider us up to the task, Countess," Seira tells her, raising an eyebrow.
> "Oh, I considered you up to it if I gave it to you. Just that it's hard to find one and kill it. They can fight well, after all." Going on as she nods quickly, "So then! If you'd let me have it?"
<Seira> "Of course." And with those words, the preserved heart is presented.
> It's as large as a basketball, salted and still reddish. The Countess takes with with both hands, reaching out for it. "That is it. Ooooh, this is so much easier than going to the trouble myself! The last time, one nearly got through the barrier of force I put up."
> Countess Stronger grins, "I should thank you. You're capable, diligent, intelligent and you travel with a strong group. Three spellcasters together...my, it's no wonder you had success."
* Seira sketches a bow at her words.
* Lyselle nods into a half-bow, hand resting affectionately on the sword Shamal made for her.
> "Soooo..." she stretches, considering. "I suppose you really are up to being a real apprentice. Tell you what. I'm thinking I'll open in a week or so now. I have mostly free time until then - I'm sure that between what you've experienced in the wild and withs ome hands on tutoring you can solidify your efforts into some form of advance."
<Seira> "I would be honored, Countess," Seira responds with proper respect.
> "And you...ever good mage needs someone with lots of steel and armor to help them at some point. Have you considered bodyguard work," she asks Lyselle bluntly. Starting to pace, "Hm, hm, hm. I do declare that having that sword is quite helpful for that, too."
* Lyselle snickers faintly. "I've never thought about bodyguard work...it's not the sort of thing I'd like to carry on. I hope I'll be leading my own bodyguards in the future rather than doign a career as that...aside that my tactics aren't enormously impressive for that sort of thing."
> "Ah well, shame about that. I have this amazing tome about it - someone that read it could become the best bodyguard for a wizard in history. IT took me weeks to get it out of that stupid old...but anyway. Thank you for the services. Mmm, let's start tomorrow, Seira, unless you have any business to conduct first?"
<Seira> "I must report to the Commander, but should he assign me a mission, I would inform you of the change in plans, Ma'am."
> "Right," she agrees, "Oh, and remember - if you have too much gold from derring do?" she smiles winsomely, "Once we open, come look at what's for sale!"
* Lyselle pauses, one gauntleted hand landing on the giant heart. "What was the payment again for this?" she asked curiously, glancing at Seira.
> "You never asked for one." STronger smiles winsomely, "I had reckoned that you wanted to do it to naturally get in my better graces and prove yourselves."
<Lyselle> "I can't speak for my friends, but..." Lyselle leans forward, smiling a bit. "As one Countess to another, I'm sure we could discuss this as we are...Favor...probably works for the spellcasters, they can learn more from you, but not I..."
> "Aaaaah. My, my, my. You completely forgot to ask, didn't you," she smiles, leaning in closer. "You're just savaging yourself inside your mind, wondering why you didn't get hard coin or goods for such a difficult task?"
<Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees honestly. "Though I do not require cash at the moment, and the experience was quite interesting. It would, however, be quite nice to receive a token reward. A wand you may no longer require, perhaps?"
* Lyselle tsks, violet eyes locked onto Stronger and smiling none the less. "Coins, items of use to a fighter..." she adds, lifting her eyebrows.
> "Well...I suppose you're trustworthy now." The Countess considers a goodly time, leaning back. "I'll make you an offer. I can find something for your use, yes. Either that, or...mmm, You wer einterested in my poking around those underwater seals and the like? I could tell you all sorts of fascinating things about it."
* Lyselle coughs. "That was Shamal's interest, due to contact with a sea-elf more than personal gain for it..." she admits, shrugging.
* Seira doesn't appear to look interested at any mentions of underwater seals.
> "Well then. Alright. Hold on a few?" With that the Countess rises, "I'll get a few - I still don't have money, and finding old magical items or making new ones is so difficult - but I'ms ure one will meet your fancies."
* Lyselle nods, smiling as she settles to wait. Turned out alright enough...
> Within twenty minutes she returns with a heavy box of wood. She lugs it along, muscles suddenly bulging. A few moments after she puts it down, they vanish without a trace.  "There's three in there and the papers. Read up and choose one."
* Lyselle blinks, nodding to the Countess and opening the chest, inspecting each item and its description carefully.
<Lyselle> "Do they usually come with papers, or are these your own notes?" Lyselle adds after a moment, glancing up to Stronger.
> Inside are three items and papers attached. There is a bow, a set of leather armor and a ring of silver. "My own notes. I keep them with the item for easy reference."
* Seira examines the notes.
> You find out the following about each item:
> Long Bow+1, "Power". When used to shoot arrows, the user may use Power Attack for those shots, converting hit and BAB to damage potential. This works as the trait of the same name.
> Leather Armor+1, "Withstanding." Grants Sonic, Fire, Cold and Acid resistance 8 when worn.
> Ring of Protection+2. No special powers.
<Seira> "The longbow is quite beautiful," Seira says quietly, brushing her fingertips across its surface. "Did you craft it yourself, Countess?"
* Lyselle shows much clearer interest in the ring, picking it up and looking it over. "Probably the most useful to me, given my lack of penchant for archery, and much heavier armor..."
> "No, I found it. THere were some old ruins in the Desert Fiefdoms, and I found it there. The Ring I made myself, and the Leather Armor I improved on. I was able to add the resistances to it." She smiles at that last bit, "I'm still proud of that."
<Seira> "I would be honored to use this longbow," Seira says at last.
* Lyselle nods. "The ring...I would be most greateful...and more notably, would keep me alive to come back and purchase things from you through more arduous encounters."
> "Good!" The Countess beams just a little at that. "And well said."
* Lyselle bows and nods to the countess, smiling easily. "A pleasure then, Lady Stronger."

[Anastasia]

> The trip out of the forests and into the fairer plains of the United Baronies is one of peace. The last day of travel is past isolated farmsteads with quite a motley crew. Shamal and Laika are joined by four wolves and a ranger elf. The latter's eyes are always moving, taking in the area. But it's a cloudy, warm day when you reach the gates at last. It should be pushing March by any quick count of the days that have passed, the warmth from the sea banishing any illusions of winter. (More)
>  passed, the warmth from the sea banishing any illusions of winter. (More)
> Rain threatens but it does not come to pass. However, as you approach the gates, you see several leaving the town. A caravan of Malmuthian merchants - but you notice a tall young man in the group of them. Donald rides along with them, a faintly distracted look on his face.
* Shamal isn't headed into the city itself, only going past the gates as she makes her way to her own cottage outside the city walls, but she does stop to greet Donald as she passes. "Hello, Donald," she calls over.
> A few in the caravan - merchants and bodyguards, all around several packhorses loaded down with heavy bags - look, but Donald blinks and smiles. Your group gets a bit of attention indeed, horses brought up and steered a bit off the road and away. "Shamal?" He asks, a deeper frown. He turns to one of the men and says something unheard, then kicks his horse over towards you. "And friends."
> Quapeth nods distantly after a quick looking over of the young man, eyes going towards the city and what's inside the gate.
> Donald's smile and frown battle on his face, clearly conflicted. But at last he just nods tersely, "It's nice to see you before I left."
<Shamal> "I both gained and lost on my journey," Shamal replies with faint melancholy, ushering the wolves to keep away from the caravan. "Leaving? Did you find who you were looking for in Balmuria?" she asks, curious at his obvious inner conflict.
> "No!" He nearly snarls a moment, "He found me once. I'm still not sure what it is...but bah, I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't have much time, and I'm riding with this cavaran for now, but I'm on my awy to gather assisstance and information."
<Shamal> "I shouldn't keep you, in that case," the blonde demurs. "But... is he still in Balmuria? What happened?"
> "I believe so. That vampire or whatever it is lurks. I fought another, stronger ghoul, but it got away before the city guard caught up. It came right into my inn room after me. Not only can't I stay, I'm not strong enough to deal with it's minions." His eyes go downcast, looking away. "I'll come back in time, but for now I simply don't have what I need."
<Shamal> "I'm sorry to hear that," Shamal looks down. "We'll keep an eye out for it - look us up when you return and we might be able to help."
* Merc is now known as Merc-away
> "Yeah," Donald nods as he looks to the caravan, the one that's starting to move away and down the road. "I don't know what'll happen when I'm gone, but keep this city safe. You and your friends. Good day, elf," he adds afterwards, a polite inclination of his head before he whips his horse into movement, a gallop to catch up.
* Shamal waves to Donald, before turning to Quapeth. "We had a bit of an undead problem in the city recently," she explains, starting to head around the walls towards her home. "I had thought it dealt with..."
> "What an interesting place." Quapeth says, quite calm. "I had hoped undead were nothing but campfire tales." The elf only reluctantly follows, keeping his eyes on the wall and catching glimpses. "The air here is different, even," he goes on, voice meandering. "I can smell something like salt and brine in the wind."
> "What an interesting place." Quapeth says, quite calm. "I had hoped undead were nothing but campfire tales." The elf only reluctantly follows, keeping his eyes on the wall and catching glimpses. "The air here is different, even," he goes on, voice meandering. "I can smell something like salt and brine in the wind."
<Shamal> "That's the Bay of Sparkling Stars," Shamal explains with a smile, walking past simple thatched cottages towards her own more outlandish dwelling - surrounded by an untamed hedgerow, Shamal's house looks grown if nothing else, seeming to be made out of a continuous piece of wood, and its form favouring more organic curves than the usual blocky dwellings about.
<Shamal> "I can show you around the city, if you like? But first I should at least make dinner for us all."
> "And settle in the wolves?" he asks, a slight smile playing on his face. "This place feels more like home than I had expected,e ven if the city looks different." He pauses, looking north to where the bay is, even if unseeable from here. "Yes, the swamps on the coast never smell this fresh.":
> "And settle in the wolves?" he asks, a slight smile playing on his face. "This place feels more like home than I had expected,e ven if the city looks different." He pauses, looking north to where the bay is, even if unseeable from here. "Yes, the swamps on the coast never smell this fresh.":
<Shamal> "It's home," Shamal smiles, ushering Laika and the wolves into her garden which sports a few trees and vegetable patches as she goes towards the door. "Tell me, have you ever encountered Sea Elves, by any chance?"
> "...Sea Elves? I had thought such were fairy tales?" Quapeth blinks at this as the wolves sniff about, one lightly trying to chew on a bit of growing plant before thinking better of it.
> "...Sea Elves? I had thought such were fairy tales?" Quapeth blinks at this as the wolves sniff about, one lightly trying to chew on a bit of growing plant before thinking better of it.
<Shamal> "I'll have some meat for you to eat if you just wait a minute," Shamal tells the wolves, knowing they can understand her well enough by now. "So did most people, but I met one in the harbour recently. I had thought maybe they might have more open contact with the Elven Kingdom, however."
> "If they do, I don't know about it. But I'm never anywhere but the border." Quapeth shrugs lightly, seeming to barely move when he does, such a fluid motion done. What were they like?"
<Shamal> "I'll have some meat for you to eat if you just wait a minute," Shamal tells the wolves, knowing they can understand her well enough by now. "So did most people, but I met one in the harbour recently. I had thought maybe they might have more open contact with the Elven Kingdom, however."
> "If they do, I don't know about it. But I'm never anywhere but the border." Quapeth shrugs lightly, seeming to barely move when he does, such a fluid motion done. What were they like?"
<Shamal> "Looked similar to a normal elf," Shamal begins as she steps into her home, the place looking a bit dusty from her absence, "But with blue skin and greenish hair. She spoke the language of Water, so luckily we were able to communicate. I never learned the standard Elven tongue," she admits.
> "Tch." A few words in elven after, light. "Seira speaks excellent human...or Common, as it is called." He looks comfortable, as do the wolves, sniffing about and a one sniffing at Laika's back end.
* Shamal represses a sigh. Dogs will be dogs... "I'll have you know I can speak eight languages. Elven just isn't one of them," she replies with a grin. "Anyway, I really need to go shopping, but I can get something together to fill us up and flavour it however you like," she offers, gesturing for Quapeth to make himself comfortable in her sitting room, dominated by an empty stone fireplace and rather ornate wooden furniture thereabouts.
> He does just that, "Thank you," he says, resting down on the furniturejerky, though she casts prestidigitation to make it taste like prime beef, returning to serve the meal to all her guests. "I'll get better meat after shopping," she tells the wolves, "And we can still go hunting sometimes, but you can't ever go without me."
> The wolves get right to eating, quite hungry once the food is offered. "I thank you," Quapeth nods once, as the wolves seem to accept.
* Shamal smiles as she starts in on the meal herself. "You can stay here tonight before heading back if you want - it's the least I can do to thank you for accompanying me this far."
> As he lightly eats the jerky, Quapeth considers, "I have a little time, and I would like to see this city now."
<Shamal> "I can show you around after dinner - although I should probably report back in at the garrison at some point as well," the blonde nods thoughtfully.
> "As you wish - go deal with your business first," Quapeth smiles and nods once. "I can wait a littl ewhile."
<Shamal> Finishing off her meal, Shamal collects the plates and uses her still running prestidigitation spell to clean them all as she puts them away. "Okay, make yourself at home, then - I should be back in an hour or so," she promises, before instructing the various doggies to be good for Quapeth while mommy's away.