The Caravan

Caravans were the lifeblood of New Ras, for nothing unified the divided group of nations more so than the roads and trade that connected them. From the halls of the mountain kings to the elven cities of eternal summer, and from the militarised border regions to the peaceful meadows of the interior, the caravan trails stood side by side with the vast shipping routes in connecting this disparate nation, carrying goods and souls from one end to another.

And so it was with this caravan as well. Starting in the great port of Vindûr, between the realms of the Summer Archon and Silver Peaks, the Great Bronze Road lead inwards into the great western isle, towards the City of Spires the capital and largest city of New Ras.

The road upon which the caravan sat wasn't just the most important on the isle, but in the whole region, for it was the artery which connected the largest port on the island to the capital, to which in turn all the major roads that snaked across the isle eventually lead to if they didn't lead to the capital directly.

Leading through the mountain passes of the great western mountains before entering the inner plains of the isle, wayside shrines to Summer and Winter gods and statues of great dwarven ancestors dotted the road, a marvel of engineering that clearly pointed towards its dwarven make.

And so it is here that our story begins, as a lone soul finds themselves watching the caravan set up camp before sunset, the many people busying themselves either with helping set up or going about their own business, the sun's fading light flickering through the great mountain pass as shadows dance between the rocky bluffs.

Elwyn, that was her name. She shielded her eyes as the sun set between the mountain pass. She stood a full 180cm in height, 240, if you counted her ears, which were almost always alert and up, listening for anything out of the ordinary. She wore a pair of green trousers and shirt which had some padding to it. Kept the vital areas safe from the odd stab or burn whilst allowing her free range of movement that heavier armour didn't afford her. With her brown hair, and large brown eyes, it helped her blend into any wooded areas, which helped during travels to stay hidden.

The sunset reminded her a bit of home, a place she remembered with a sigh. She'd been kicked out and would most likely never be able to go back. As much as she loved her home, she didn't always agree with it, and that rift had resulted in her exile. It wasn't her fault she had found a summoning book in the library. She couldn't understand why something that saved everyone was banned, but such things have no place when judgments are made. She didn't really tell anyone that she was practicing summoning, usually going off on her own sometimes to practice things she had read up on. Maybe the capital might have some extra information on it? They did collect all sorts of things there right?

She refocused her attention back to the present. She had been hired as security for the caravan, to make sure they and their wares got to where they were going and back home again. It was an odd bunch to be sure, but traveling with people sometimes was safer than traveling alone. Especially as night falls, and you never know what lurks in the shadows as they grow longer....

The camp itself seems to drift between orderly and chaotic depending on where one looks. The caravan guards are either lazing about, drinking and gambling, or helping the other members of the caravan set up tents and secure the cargo. The members of the caravan itself seem many and varied, a lot of the people are helping set up campfires and raise the tents but just as many can be found doing their own business around the camp.

At the head of the campfire an old woman seems to be arranging pots and pans along with the ingredients for this night's meal, energetically guiding the people helping her around, stoking the fire and shouting orders over the din of the entire camp before chastising some guards who were playing cards a bit too close to the campfire.

Several kobolds have gathered to the side of the campfire, their red and orange scales shinning brightly in under the fire's light. They're talking to each other in their own hissing language, the leader of their group easily distinguished not only by his mannerisms but by the headdress, a horse's skull covered in colourful feathers and accentuated with beads, covering most of the creature's muzzle.

At the edge of the camp two elves could be seen sitting near some boxes that were temporarily unloaded. One of them seems to be dressed more modestly and is talking to the other while sitting on one of the crates, his companion just staring at the camp with crossed arms and a sullen look, his clothes more indicative of nobility than commoners.

Around the carts which have been arranged into a semi circle, three figures can be seen arguing. The captain of the caravan guard, the one who hired Elwyn in the first place, seems to be talking to an older gentleman and a dwarf, heated words being barely heard at this distance but their postures indicating an argument where lack of sound failed to help.

Elwyn afforded a small grin as she watched the woman order around the campfire. Cooking and getting the kitchen ready was always done in the strictest order. You never talked back or took too long. Such sins would result in a stern warning from mum or grandma if she was around.

Kobolds? Was that what they called them here? Made her uncomfortable. Years of enduring the hissing of the Yagu made her edgy around the Kobolds. Despite knowing the differences, the hissing made her uncomfortable and she had so far been unable to overcome talking to them.

She was intrigued by who her superior was talking to. A dwarf and a human. Though she could not hear the conversation from her current distance, but their gestures seemed aggressive. She wasn't too familiar with the other two, what could they be fighting over. She could attempt to get a closer listen, but her boss would probably see her approach and know she could hear at a tad further distance if they were arguing. Though if it was heated enough, perhaps he wouldn't notice her eavesdropping.

She scanned around and noticed the two elves at the edge of camp. Maybe she could use them being out so far as an excuse to interrupt whatever conversation was going on. After all, it doesn't pay to look like you're doing nothing but loafing around...

She approached the three men, listening in as she got closer. She gave a cough as she got next to her superior. "Nothing to report yet, but a pair of elves are at the edge of the encampment. Should they be asked to come in for their safety or is it alright to leave them at such a distance as night falls?"

"-and furthemore you indignant fu-" the captain's head twisted as she heard the cough, the dwarf she was "discussing" with doing just the same whereas the older man seemed to have noticed her from the onset, smiling as he held a small religious symbol in his hand.

Captain Lirses straightened herself out, her red and scarred face trying to become more calm as she coughed, "Ah. Yes. Good work, and all that. Which elves are you referring to?" she looked around before her eyes layed down on the pair near the edge, "Oh. Dunno about the one dressed like a noble but the other one's fine. It's one of the Greys, and they're generally much more dangerous than any bandits or wild beasts. If the other one is in their company, let them do as they please."

Before Lirses could proceed, the dwarf butted in, "Aye aye, th' weepy greys ur majestic 'n' dance in th' fields in th' moonlight 'n' flowers bloom at thair song 'n' ah dinnae gie twa flying fucks. Fix. This. Kinch." he stomped on the ground with his foot.

"For. The. Last. Time. I'm liable towards all the cargo, that some of the mules got sick is beyond my control. I'm not a miracle worker, there's nothing i can do!" her weathered face got red again, it appears she was tired of repeating herself.

" 'N' that's how come ye shuid dump th' muckle yin!" the old dwarf repeated himself, seemingly tired as well, as he slammed his hand onto the gigantic crate next to the old man, "We hae a schedule tae keep 'n' th' neist group kin pick this gigantic thing up! Th' shipments mist reach th' capital in time!"

The old man finally cleared his throat as the two turned towards him, "Peace, dear friends. We wouldn't want the other members of the caravan to think we are unreasonable and that there's a problem, now would we?" with that he subtly nodded towards Elwyn, "Master dwarf, while i understand the importance of meeting the other groups at the mountain's edge and reaching the capital on time, i'm afraid the cargo here is far more valuable than any mortal endeavour."

"Mortal endeavour?! Git a pumpin' clapper 'n' gong if ye'r sae intae bein' sycophants! Dae ye ken whit happens if we dinnae reach th' capital in time? Schedules git stalled! Weaponsmiths, jewellers, armorsmiths, arcanists! Dae yi'll waant tae tell th' College o' arcanists thair bronze shipment is late!? Thay hae a say in yer cargo too!"

"And if we don't get this to the capital the priesthoods in turn will have our hides for dumping it in the mountains!" Lirses interjected, "Better a slower pace and everything arriving on time than risking the full on wrath of either group. I'll try, i repeat try, with no promises, to acquire fresh horses and mounts once we reach Mountainsedge. Then i shall try to arrange our schedule so we lose sleep but gain travel time, all while trying not to get half the camp in arms about it."

"I think that's fair, master dwarf. If the College still causes you trouble, the Temple of the Unifier will accept the consequences, if you need to have your fears assuaged all the more." the priest nodded while smiling.

The dwarf balled his hands into fists before shouting for one last time as he stomped off, "Braw! Whit dae ah care?! Na yin 'ere clearly values thair continued well-being!"

Lirses sighed as she slumped, putting her fingers to her forehead, massaging the bridge of her nose, "Do you need anything else, soldier?"

Elwyn watched the group disband, though apparently they were behind schedule. The dwarf seemed the most hostile, wanting to get the bronze to its destination at all costs, while the old man seemed to at least be calmer on things.

She jumped a little as Lirses interrupted her thought process with the question.

"Nothing too heav--" she caught herself before finishing the pun. She looked at the box the dwarf had wanted to leave behind. "What is in this box? The dwarf seemed eager to dump it, which seems unusual for any caravan. I mean, the whole point is to transport everything at the same time." She then added with a soft coo, "Or if we don't know what it is can we take a peak? It is for security reasons and we can't make a proper call if we don't know what it is."

"Short lived is the mercenary who asks too many questions. Or jobless if he's lucky, if one can call that luck." Lirses looked Elwyn up and down, "It's a replacement for one of the smaller bells in the Temple of the Unifier. He's willing to drop it because he's only contracted to get the tin, copper, bronze and silver to the College of Arcanists and other craftsmen and the former of the two has lots of pull not just with the guilds but the nobility and mages as well."

"Conversely i fear..." the old man started, seemingly forgotten, "The Temple of the Unifier is...likewise unwilling to wait, and while i would never criticise my brothers in the faith, they are the one group within our priesthood to have pull, and quite a lot of it."

Lirses went on, "Indeed. They're the leaders of the temple faction along with Ilu's priests, and neither group is willing to show mercy and thus weakness, lest the nobility react. Something you'd do well to remember if you decide to ask these kinds of questions among the wrong kinds of people. The priestly response is banishment, the noble response is assassination and the mage response is not mentioned in polite society. A quiet obedient merc is a living paid merc and you'd do well to remember that soldier."

"I'll endeavour to smooth over any delays none the less." the priest said, seemingly to assuage the captain's fears, "A slight delay of both will generally just mean our brothers and the others give each other the stink eye for a while, nothing that can't be fixed."

Elwyn had to force her mouth shut.  She wanted to counter argue, but doing so would only jeopardize her current employment.  Or as Lirses rightfully suggested, she might have to start watching her back, which admittedly she hadn't done too often since getting out of Esdragon.

"You're right... sorry I asked..." she muttered before turning and walking away.

"Asking too many questions gets you killed," she mimicked Lirses as she plopped down near the far side of the caravan.  "Gah, why do mercenaries always take that line!  Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing, but so is too little. I'd rather die knowing what killed me than dying from a double cross or some stupid ambush..."

She sighed.  Maybe she wasn't cut out for mercenary work.  Maybe she could find another job when they reached the capital.  But what?  She much rather be out and testing and keeping her skills sharp than remaining in the confines of a building.  She looked towards the fire as they started cooking.  Questioning and challenging her society is what got her where she was.  Maybe that was the life lesson.  Too much and people become afraid of you.  She got a book out of her belongings and ran her fingers over the cover which read, 'Tushen Scholastic Marines'.  The book that when she asked about it became the beginning of the end of her time in Ragould.

She took the book and slowly walked over to where the campfire was being stoked, looking blankly into it for a moment before asking the woman at the head, "Is there ever a time you stop questioning what you do?  Or do you just eventually know everything?"

The old woman stopped for a moment, tilted her head at the girl before placing the back of her hand over her forehead, "Child, you're delirious, have some food." and handing her a plate of stew and then turning towards some nearby guards playing with cards, raising her ladle, "You layabouts! Get the girl a seat, she's clearly tired from working unlike you lazy louts! Don't make me come over there!"

Not a moment had passed before the guards all stood up, as if possessed of some divine force, "Yes mam!", saluting her as if she was a general, before taking one of the boxes one of them was sitting on and plopping it down near the fire, in turn placing Elwyn on top of that box before they went back to their game, one guard moving over so his friend could sit down.

Satisfied with the work complete the old woman continued mixing the rest of the stew over the fire, "Eat up dear, lest the pixies eat it for you. And remember", she took a wooden spoon she kept to the side, thwacking Elwyn over the head before putting it in her stew, "Too much work or thinking and not enough food and you'll go madder than the first dwarf kings."

Elwyn chuckled a bit at the guards swift moving. "Thank you," she responded before feeling the thwack of the spoon over her head. It wasn't a hard thwack mind, just one of those 'clear your mind and listen to grandma' kinda whacks. The ones you don't respond to, beyond rubbing where you were hit and looking at the assailant.

Elwyn rubbed her head and nodded. "Noted." She took her first mouthful. It was pretty savoury for food made on the road, with a bit of a spicy kick to it. The Tushen we're exactly known for their spice tolerance, but this didn't seem over the top like how some of the Hilde made their food. but then again, they liked too much of things... sugar, spice, salt. Someone needed to tell their chefs that not everyone has insensitive taste buds.

She stared a bit into the fire as she ate. Despite what the old woman had told her, she found her mind wondering. What was going to happen when they got to the capital. The dwarf seemed quite cross about not being able to get there on time. The thought brought a slight chuckle as she remembered the old woman's comment on dwarf kings. Maybe they were just always cross. She used to think it was maybe too much alcohol like the stories told, but this one didn't seem any lighter in mood, especially in contrast to the other two.

Her trend of thought was interrupted by some cheers from the nearby guards playing cards. Something grand must have happened. Not that she understood what as she turned to look on. Ras was full of strange and weird customs. The game they were playing was clearly not anything she was familiar with, though one of the two games she knew, wouldn't be played out on the road because Hilde had a thing about keeping everything covered unless one was going swimming or on a stage with a pole. The latter she never understood, but some had said it paid very nicely if you were good at it.

"Hey, what are you playing?" she said after building up some level of courage to ask and after watching a few times completely lost and confused. "Is it easy to pick up and learn?"

The guard that had his back to Elwyn turned around and it became quite clear that no corporeal being inhabited the metal suit, licks of blue flame dancing out from the eyes, the rest of the metal carapace creaking as a distorted voice echoed from within, "Maidens and Spires. You want to learn?"

The bound creaked and groaned as it shuffled to one side so as to allow for more room on the box it was sitting on, in turn allowing a better view of the other participants now that its bulk wasn't as obfuscating.

Opposite it two humans are hugging their cards close together, trying to hide it from the others as well, to its left an elf is using a knife to carve something into the box and is keeping his cards face down next to whatever he's carving while the dwarf next to him seems to be playing an entirely different game, either drunk or drugged out of his mind as he stares blankly into the distance while his cards are kept behind his ears. To the Bound's right, an excited kobold seems to be chewing the corner of the box, enraptured by the card game but not participating. Based on the clothes it appears to belong to the group of kobolds that's conversing energetically in one corner of the camp. Sitting on a box between the kobold and humans, a blue skinned man seems to be elbowing with a bat like creature that's leaning on some sort of ceramic shield, though the shield seems far too large for her to carry.

Looking at the entire scene, they all seem rather cramped, in many ways it's a miracle someone hasn't fallen off a box or a seat at this point, though none of them appear to have noticed it, or just don't care, far too busy with their game.

Elwyn slowly nodded. "Maidens and Spires you say? Yeah, I want to learn it." She paused and looked towards the Bound, "Is there.... something strange about wanting to learn?"

Her attention shifted to the others gathered as they finished the round. The elf was carving... into the box? Hopefully nothing valuable was in the box... though they were all sitting on them, so it couldn't be that important. The humans were doing human things, trying to hide their cards, probably trying to outwit everyone. She shifted to the Bound's left as she saw the Kobold. It reminded her of the Yagu, with legs. She shuddered at the thought of the Yagu having legs, they moved fast enough without them. Though, was it biting the box? She wanted to know why, but at the same time didn't want to directly speak with it either. Though Ras was full of different people, she still found it hard to talk to any of the reptilian folk because they all sounded like the Yagu back home. And the only time you spoke with a Yagu was either you or them were restrained to prevent attacks. She had no idea what the blue skinned man was and even less what the shield was for. Perhaps they were shield knights. The knights always seemed to like banter, especially amongst each other. And then, there was the dwarf. Was he drunk out of his mind? It wasn't the same one as earlier that's for sure, though he had probably stormed off to consume a couple of barrels.

The Bound explained the rules of the game to which they seemed fairly easy, or at least much easier than she thought. The other players didn't seem bothered by the delay, though the humans kept their cards close and the elf kept carving. The dwarf continued to be spaced out.

"Is he playing our game or a different game?" she asked the Bound. "Because he's been staring at into the abyss since I got here."

Maidens and Spires was a game usually played with two decks, the Maiden and the Wretch, each with five suits or "Houses" as they were called. The first deck, the Maiden's deck, represented the minor races that stood behind the Unifier (Kobolds, Water Elves, Beastfolk, Bound, Wanderers) whereas the other, the Wretch's deck, represented the Cyrians(Foot soldiers, Defilers, Nobles, Colonists, Inquisitors). It was a comparing game, so the key was to get the best combination as a group, and if you were playing blind, without your allies knowing what you had drawn, so you had to figure out whether or not you wanted to return any cards to the deck and draw again. The winner of the round takes the "Spires" that is to say the coins which are piled on top of each other to make little spires representing the capital.

"Who him?" the Bound took a look at the dwarf, "He drew his cards, didn't he?"

"Maybe he's the only one who's playing it properly..." the elf said while carving, "We're playing semi-blind by the way, so you can play blind if you want to or work with anyone who wants to play the boring way."

"So, Maiden or wretch?" the Bound tilted its head.

"The boring way?" she gave a slight chuckle. "Fine then, I'll play blind."

She took a moment to think about the decks, but since it all was a matter of luck and she was already going to play unaided, she decided to not think too long and go all in. "Maiden!"

"Very well then. Sir Kobold." the Bound tapped the kobold that was chewing the table, "We require someone to play Wretch so there's an even number. Would you mind?"

"Want to play dragonsssss." the kobold looked up at the bound.

"Next round i'll switch with you if the numbers are uneven. Promise."

"Promise." the Kobold repeats, before going back to chewing the table as the cards are dealt.

While nine players would seem like an odd number, the two humans seemed content to share a hand so it worked out to an even eight. The two of them continued hugging their cards in a conspiratory manner, as they chose to play the Wretch. This left the elf and the woman elbowing with the blue man to pick the maiden, being in the team with Elwyn and the bound whereas the Dwarf and Blue man were with the humans and kobold.

"We shall spare your purse since you're green, same for our scaly guest." the Bound said, "Though you can both share in the winnings. Offer stones for the Spires!" it echoed enthusiastically, before offering some copper follis and stacking them, "Some people do it for set bets but here it is a free for all, so you can bet as much as you want."

As they went around the table each handing out follis, the dwarf scratched his head before pulling a gold solidus out of his trousers, the Unifier's faceless portrait glimmering under the fire's light. He proceeded to carefully place the large gold coin atop the largest follis tower, making sure it perfectly centered, before going back to drooling off into the distance. The elf next to him gave him a strange look before taking out a hexagram and placing it on its side atop the solidus, the scratched surface indicating a greater age.

The humans seemed to be whispering something to one another, conspiring a bit as they took out some of their cards while giving a few others back, the blue man and elf doing the same as they waited for Elwyn's turn to decide whether or not she would take out a card, as the others were either content with their deck or busy staring out into space like the dwarf or chewing the table like the kobold.

"Alright then, put the truth on the table." the elf proclaimed, flipping his cards as he was almost done etching into the box, everyone else doing the same.

"Holy shit, it's a Whore's Shuffle!" one of the humans said a bit too loud as some in the camp turned around to look at their group.

"Lucky bastard." the blue man sighed.

The Kobold hadn't even noticed his hand, the human having been the one who flipped it for him, still chewing on the box as the rest of the group gasped at the hand. A Whore's Shuffle was one of two ultimate winning hands in Spires and Maidens, achieved when the highest ranking cards in the Wretch Deck(The King of Rats, The Priest of Lies, The Marauder Captain, The High Rapist and The Witless Ealdorman) are gathered, guaranteeing victory unless the other side draws a Saviour's Hand.

"A fine hand." the Bound clapped, "The King was not with us this time, but he was certainly with you, little one. The winnings are yours."

The kobold perked up, looking up at the coin stacks before he noticed the little gold coin, "Mistresssssss?" he tilted his head, picking the coin and allowing the hexagram to fall and the stack to collapse before he exclaimed joyfully, "Mistressssss!" The kobold hugged the coin before running off to his friends, bragging and hissing at the coin he won.

"Fine, don't take my money." the elf said, picking up the hexagram and pocketing it as everyone went about gathering their winnings.

"I'd say that's cruel towards Bjorn, but i'm pretty sure he's so shitfaced he hasn't even noticed." the woman spoke up, counting her copper coins.

"Still, he seems happy with his winnings." the Bound went, "A fun game, to be sure."

Elwyn nodded, "Mhmm.. Would have been more fun to win, but I guess can't win them all," She shrugged. "At least you guys were nice enough to tell him he'd won, though he seemed less interested in the game and more interested in chewing the box."

She stretched before continuing, "By the way do you have a proper name? I doubt 'bond' would be a proper way to address you." Once he answered that she followed up with another question, "Are you in the caravan for safe passage or are you here for the cargo?"

"All games are fun when we win, until we get bored of winning", the bound mused, "Mayhaps the wood tasted of divinity? Though he quite liked the solidus he won."

"That's cause the weirdos worship the Unifier." the blue man spoke as he counted his coins, "If i tattooed her symbol on my ass i'm sure they'd be kissing it."

"They're not that bad." the woman next to him continued, bickering with him over the copper coins, "They're newcomers if it wasn't already clear, so they're a lot more shy than the ones living in the city."

"Weird?" one of the humans looked to the other who nodded and replied in turn, "Weird."

"You're all weird, he's one of the few sane ones." the elf added, having moved from carving in the box to cleaning his nails with the knife, the dwarf next to him drooling all the while.

"Quite quite." the bound nodded, "But you asked for names. I am Florentius. Bjorn is the captain of our merry band." he pointed to the dwarf and then went off listing the others starting with the elf, "That's Faelyn. The humans are Arne and Alma, the drowned is Ithaksi and the goañv ha hañv is Enora."

"Seeing as we're guards i would say we're here to ensure the safe passage of goods. And folk in this case. See that big box?" he pointed towards the big box the row was on about, "And those two individuals at the edge of the camp i shall not point towards lest they notice." he nodded towards the elves, "We've been charged with escorting both beyond the normal caravan guards."

"If they'd kiss you for having the symbol, I guess I can't dismiss that the wood tastes of divinity," Elwyn shrugged. "Though neither practice is healthy for one's health..... but then again, the Yagu never seemed to be very up on the health thing either...."

"I'm guessing those two must be high society or very important considering they have extra guards. Though I thought they could take care of themselves." She paused a moment before adding, "Or are they tied to the big box? You wouldn't happen to know their details would you? Since extra guards must mean extra important... right?"

"Yagu?" Enora looked, "That how you beastmen call kobolds? These ones are on a pilgrimage. Unfamiliar with the customs of the capital. Most of them have never seen a solidus so i think they're just rather protective of the images of the Unifier."

"The box? Thinking of stealing it? Don't you think you're a bit small for a box that's bigger than a small cart?" Ithaksi chuckled.

"I do wonder how you know them capable of defending themselves." Florentius tilted towards Elwyn, creaking, "When something matters, even if it is capable of slicing you in half others find it necessary to defend it, for appearance if for nothing else. As for the box...let's say it is the soul of the capital in a way."

"It's loud voice more like", Faelyn interjected, "And i don't mean the loud priests who'd have our heads if it doesn't reach the capital in time. Ever been to the capital during a major celebration? The ground itself shakes and the air wavers. It can be unpleasant for those of us with more sensitive ears."

"Grey takes." Arne began, "Grey gives." Alma followed, and they both replied in unison, "Old sorrows."

Enora cleared her throat, taking a moment to look at the humans, "Uh...yes. Generally the grey ones have a...reputation. They're not assholes like their brethren...per se...though they are a lot more emotional. And a lot more scary with a blade. They have few mages in their ranks, and those who train in the art of war do so...zealously."

"Tip up." Bjorn said, staring at the sky.

"So why do you care about a big crate and two weirdos so much?" Faenlyn flashed his blade a bit, all while staring at his nails and inspecting his work, "If you're so interested in them, you could just ask. And if your intentions are impure i'm pretty sure the pala er will kill you. Saves me work."

"You could endeavour not to be so...direct." Florentius sighed, steam leaving where his mouth would be.

"If it saves work, it saves work." Faelyn shrugged, cleaning the nails on his other hand now.

Elwyn shook her head, "Yagu are reptilian looking beastmen back home. They have a... kill on sight... overview of us. So not very healthy for us to be around them."

She gave a little chuckle as she continued, "No, I'd never steal it. I'm being paid to help keep it safe, but everyone seemed so hush about why it's being moved... or details in general. Something about the less you know, the safer you are. But I just like knowing what I'm dealing with is all."

"It sounds like all sides are really zealous here. Everyone wants their stuff priority and make it sound like they're all much scarier than the other guy. So it's easier to ask the people nearby about the people from afar instead of risk someone getting offended and pulling a sword on me," she shrugged. "Not that I can't defend myself, but having a sword shoved at you tends to illicit a blast first, ask questions later type of response, and I'd rather not blast an ally over a misunderstanding. The Grey takes and Grey gives isn't exactly a welcoming response. That's what they say about elementals to keep you from provoking them."

She then folded her arms as she continued, "where I come from, magic is taught alongside language as a general lesson. Probably because a lot of things at home revolve around magic and magical enhancements. Religion.... isn't really practiced.... though they like all their traditions and taboos around the use of magic. We don't aim to use it for war except the Yagu insist on being jerks so we need it for self defense. The Hilde sometimes are too, but they don't need magic to get rid of."

She got up from her seat, "Well it was nice talking for a bit, I better do some scouting around to make sure nothing unusual is happening around camp or no one needs any help. After all, would be embarrassing to suffer an successful ambush on one of your first hires. Then maybe you can tell me a bit about the greys," she added with a smile before walking off to assess the perimeter of the campsite. Remaining on her guard for anything or noise that would seem out of place in the darkened night.

"You made the girl feel awkard." Enora reached over the table, slapping Faenlyn on the arm as Elwyn walked away, "This is why people don't talk to you."

"Better to learn fast that one must choose their words carefully." the elf shrugged, still cleaning his nails, "The great houses are so far up their own asses they at times confuse curiosity for spies because they all use so many it becomes ridiculous. Bloody bastards."

"Said the man who's part of a Houseguard." Ithanksi laughed, "And to be completely honest, i was joking. It's pointy ears and the tin wonder who started leaning in on the girl."

Florentius creaked again, "I was being smooth. My facial expressions were perfect!"

"You're peace of metal! You don't have facial expressions!" Ithaksi raised his hands in exasperation.

"Well now that's besides the point completely and utterly." Florentius waved him off, licks of flame accompanying his creaks, "Besides, while i believe someone could have scared her less about the grey elf and the factions, it's better to be more cautious. Though it appears she believes they're all overly zealous in achieving their own goals now."

"Aren't all politicians?" Faenlyn rolled his eyes, "What sort of fantasy land that's removed from greed does she come from? That or she's never had to deal with politicians, in which case lucky her."

"You know it's the latter and you shouldn't scare the younglings." Enora slapped him on the arm again, "She's just had the misfortune of being near two rather important things travelling together and having the childish curiosity that most would envy in any other case. So next time, play nice! Right Bjorn?"

"Blue." Bjorn nodded, "Shiny."

"Well that's just asking too much of me." Faenlyn rolled his eyes again, "Bloody bat."

"I heard that!"
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Time passed as Elwyn patrolled the camp, and people began going to bed and snuffing out fires, allowing for the dark to creep ever closer into the camp, leaving a few sentries awake as the night overtook them all.

The stars were shinning bright in the sky, a sea of light that glowed all the brighter as the campfires died down and people went to sleep. One would also become more aware of the sounds of the wild life with the dying down of the din of the camp, bird calls and the chirping of the crickets providing an ambient to the area, a surreal peace as it were.

In the dark it would almost seem as if the camp was deep within a forest and not in a long mountain pass, or at least it would if the sky was not cordoned off by mountains on either end, more akin to a tapestry being held aloft by the towering peaks, something to provide comfort for those who took refuge in the crags and small patches of green such as the one where they encamped.

A small echo could be heard off in the distance, dancing on the wind and towards the far off edges of the camp. It was almost like a melody, and were Elwyn to listen in closer it would sound almost like chiming, or perhaps even singing? Further off, into the small wooded area, perhaps near the very source of the sound, a faint blue light, almost imperceptible, was glowing. Now what was this light, this sound? The answer to that question depended entirely on Elwyn.

Elwyn's ears perked up at the sound. It wasn't part of the ambient noise of the night. No, it was definitely made purposely by another sentient being. She panned her ears around and stopped moving to get a better listen and to determine from what direction it was coming from. As she listened, she noticed a faint blue light.

Despite some of her better judgement, the sound combined with the pale blue light felt... alluring. Like a something soothing. Like a lullaby, being sung by a warm place by a fire in the winter. Carefully, as quiet as she could, she took steps towards the source of the noise and light.

The grass rustled underfoot, the grove swallowing Elwyn but the sound becoming clearer, a gentle song, so soft that one could barely hear it were one not gifted with an enhanced sense of hearing, the light in turn only glowing brighter ever so slightly, perhaps even imperceptibly.

As quickly as the trees grew close together to envelop the curious girl, so too did they part, revealing the small glade that reached to the mountain wall, secluded and tiny, yet separated from the Bronze Road by foliage and night.

The source of the light was quickly revealed, small floating motes of blue light dancing in the air, giving off a slight glow that bathed the glade in a pale light, and as sure as even a novice, Elwyn would notice the slight magical energies that radiated, like a vibration, quickly followed by a slight jingling that danced across the glade, either a product of the light motes or something else entirely.

Near the end of the glade a figure sat, back turned to Elwyn, a hum of a song being carried on their lips, sad and beautiful and happy all at once until it stopped. Turning around, the face revealed itself to be that of the elf she was "encouraged" to avoid, the grey one.

Though obfuscated by the bushes, the elf merely stood up from the rock he was sitting on and slightly bowed towards the bushes, his gaze wasn't piercing or violent, merely peaceful, "Suilad, lle anta yulna en alu?"

Elwyn crouched to get a better look. She was still... pensive about the situation. It appeared that he was talking to... some... one? or thing? But she couldn't tell what it was. When he stood up to speak, he spoke in a tongue she could not quite understand. Yet, whatever was said, was spoken at ease. Completely in contrast to how he looked before.

She tried to get a better look at what was glowing. It must have been something important, or at least comforting to him. She tried to get a better look, but from her current position, it was an exercise in futility. This was going to have to be direct if she was going to figure out anything, and so she took a deep breath and walked out into the clearing.

"Sorry if I interrupted anything but, as I'm tasked with keeping caravan members safe and unharmed, I was making my rounds and couldn't help but notice your music and aura. Do you mind if I stay here to make sure you're safe? It's better for two of us here if something else unsavoury is attracted to you. Right?"

It had sounded so much better in her head instead of what came out of her mouth, but the damage was done and all she had left was to wait for a response.

The man laughed, smiling honestly as he stared at Elwyn. His stance was completely relaxed, he seemed at peace with the question asked, or mayhaps he merely saw no threat in the creature before him? Whatever it was the being gracefully strode forth.

"There is no shame in curiosity, young one. That is why i called you out from the bushes. If you are concerned with my safety there is no need to be, but i feel like you come seeking something else, rather than my safety. And worry not about the unsavory, the road is too narrow for bandits and this glade far too small to house a pack of wolves. How may i be of assistance?"