[IC] The Gift of the Gods

[xRobynx]

Robyn smiled at her reply. Even as tired as she was she knew those looks between people. Alura spoke also spoke of Rilden's kindness. Robyn had noticed that as well, although she did not spare a reply to her remark. Still she was fretting, and truthfully she couldn't blame her. Recalling the incident must be traumatizing enough.

“It-” she started to reply but was cut off by the sound of a closing door behind them. She turned back to see Rhovanor and Rilden emerging from the house. She hushed her voice, “It would be his loss,” she said with a smile and left it at that.

Behind them the two topics of conversation were conversing. She couldn't hear what they were talking about but gave them a small wave of greeting. To his majesty she bowed before looking up at the two. The sleep had done her well and she no longer wore the marks of fatigue across her face.

“Good morning,” she called to them.

[xRobynx]

-Deleted: double post-

[TheCheshire]

"Come, let us go greet them." Alura said with a smile as she too looked to the men. "Yes, I suppose so." She replied as she motioned to head over towards the men. "Good morning, gentleman." Alura called as Well as she made her way towards them. She prayed to the Gods that the little sleep she had had reflected in her face. The Elven woman was exhausted but she was used to running on little sleep these days. She would just brew a cup of white bark tea later on if the need be.

"And where are off to on this fine morning? Hopefully, it is somewhere to eat for I am quite famished." Alura said with a warm smile, looking from Rilden and than to Rhovanor.

[Jones Sparrow]

"Goodmorning, Miss Robyn and Miss Alura." Rilden said, returning Robyn's bow. "We are going to go find a place to get some food and comfort." Rilden said in a nod. "Good morning." Rhovanor said with a small smile, giving small bows to Robyn, and making eye contact with Alura for a fraction of a second before looking away. "Would you like to accompany us?" Rilden asked, setting off down the small road.

"How are you enjoying Faycrest?" Rilden asked, looking around. "I heard that my family hid here for many years... I have no idea why they would have left. Its very beautiful." The four of them managed to find a place that Rilden assumed to be a tavern. Hopefully some breakfast will be served here. it had been a long time since a warm meal has passed his lips. He bent down a bit to open the door, and once the ladies and Rhovanor stepped in, he followed after them. Halflings may not be tall, but their buildings were not uncomfortable. it could fit them, but it still left a weird feeling knowing that everything was meant for people smaller.

The tavern was filled with music playing, halflings talking and eating, and a warm fire. All of the people inside stared at the four entering, and they all gave applause. "They must have heard who we are, and what we've done..." Rhovanor said quietly.

[Scoutas]

"I'll go along with you, cause there's no point in staying here in the tavern." she said, putting up her hood on her head, and heading out after Nat. The morning air always put her off, even after all those years. Maybe it was that the air around her felt wet, or maybe it was the chill of the morning, yet she didn't exactly like them. And it seemed to be a chilly morning. Townsfolk didn't seem to be that hot, most of them seemed confused and scared and the eyes that were on both of them made her feel uncomfortable. Usually, she tried to attract as less attention as possible, yet now, walking near Nat, who townsfolk might have taken for an officer of Fusos army.

"Found? I would suspect that whoever the orcs were searching for murdered them all." she said, walking further and seeing occasional orc body on the ground. "Though, the number of orcs I've seen going towards here... doesn't match up. I guess they didn't manage to fight them off after all." she looked down on the ground to see if she could make out anything that happened here from the footsteps, but it was impossible to do. She had finished her pipe by then and cleaned it and put it back inside. "I think we should check out some of the houses." she said as she went inside through a broken door. When inside, not in the sight of Nat, she sighed. It was not her that they were searching for, she figured. She felt relieved that she was not found out.

[Heinrich]

"Indeed" Nat said inspecting a body of a dead orc, which he previously missed. The scene was closer to the forest side, almost behind a building. Nat nodded in approval to Darlith's words, but she was already looking around in a house, so she most likely didn't notice that. The half-elf inspected the forest and saw that some of the plants seemed trampled. Well, some orcs came through the forest.. The most trampled location was behind roughly three houses. Nat moved away a bit, to take a closer look at those particular houses. They didn't seem too extraordinary when compared to nearby ones. That was until Nat noticed a signage on the middle house, claiming it was a healing shop.

"Remember the wagon I mentioned?" Nat shouted so Darlith would hear him "It might have carried some wounded from Sap. They probably sheltered them here." He went to the house and entered it. To say shortly - inside was a mess. It seemed that whoever was in here left in a hurry and this only supported Nat's theory. There was a stain on the floor and the half-elf crouched to inspect it closer, expecting it to be some orc's blood. "That's not blood" he mumbled, confused. "That's ink". He soon realized the ink stain had a border that was similar to a person's figure. "Somebody feigned death here. And since there seems to be no blood it worked." Nat said smiling and shaking his head, as if he couldn't have believed that really worked. He stood up again and looked outside. "The people I talked about. They came here in a wagon. They must have left the same way, because there is no wagon to be seen."

[TheCheshire]

Alura felt a little sting as Rhovanor quickly looked away from her. Had he heard of what her and Robyn spoke about. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Alura's eyes followed the ground as they strolled to the tavern. She didn't feel too hungry anymore, she thought about returning back to bed, but decided against it once they reached the Tavern. She ducked inside and felt a smile tug her lips as she saw the happiness that filled the tavern. She couldn't help but laugh at the welcoming party that bad been prepared for the men.

"It would seem as if your names and deeds have traveled far. I don't know if that is good or bad, but this morning, we will consider it good." Alura said with a small nod as she moved towards a table set aside for through group. She smiled at the Halfling woman who brought them drinks. Having set next to Rhovanor, she chewed the inside of her cheek, and wringing her hands in her lap. God's, she was exhausted, and she was acting so fretfully. Like she was some young human girl who had found her first crush. She cursed under her breath, something that was very rare indeed for her.

[xRobynx]

"Would you like to accompany us?"

Robyn glanced over to Alura and then back to them and nodded. They both followed them towards the tavern. Alura's sudden unease did not go unnoticed to her.

As they walked into the tavern the first thing she noticed was that, like the rest of the town, was built with halfings in mind, not humans, and especially not elves. Everyone dipped their head as they entered the doorway. The elves had a bit of a harder time than Rilden, and as for her, she barely was required.

They stepped into a lively atmosphere, a stark contrast to what her hometown was now. It was odd seeing such a change in one night. Music played by a small, literally and figuratively speaking, band filled the air as a fire crackled in the corner. They caught everyone's eye as they were seated. It was only natural she supposed, even she was a giant to everyone else in this town. Suddenly the room erupted with applause.

Robyn was shocked at this and her widened eyes gave that away as Rhovanor spoke in a hushed voice. "They must have heard who we are, and what we've done..."

They sat down by a small window looking out upon the road. Robyn let her mind wander for the moment as she thought of the others. Where was Chiron and the shadow-man? She could wager a guess that their shadowy companion was off being a peeping tom somewhere, but as for Chiron, she wasn't sure. Then again, she wasn't sure how she could manage to lose something so big in a town of halflings. She fought back a titter at the thought. Her revelry was interrupted by their waitress bringing them drinks.

“Ma'am,” she said before the waitress could leave, “Could you bring me two of the biggest order you have of whatever is ready?”

The waitress gave her a bit of a look but shrugged. “Whatever you want, dear,” she said as she headed towards the back.

Robyn looked back at her companions realizing the spectacle. Her cheeks flushed a bit as a sheepish look came across her face.

“For Chiron,” she said quickly, the redness slowly fading, “Poor thing will never fit in here. Although I'm sure he'll still try.”

Still feeling a bit on the sheepish side she fell silent until the waitress returned. Several silent moments would pass as Robyn sipped at her drink, its bitterness made her want to cringe, but she maintained composure... but only just.

Finally the waitress returned with two giant bowls of some kind of stew. She had no idea what it was, but it smelled good and thats all that really mattered.

That and as long as it isn't horse meat... she thought to herself awkwardly. She doubted Chiron would ever forgive her for serving him that.

She excused herself carrying the large bowls in her arms out the door, saving herself from further embarrassment.

~ ~ ~

Outside the tavern she looked around. He couldn't have gone far, right?

“Chiron?” she called out looking around a bit. She could see her party through the small window but quickly averted her eyes.

“Chiron!” she called again, “I brought you something!”

At first she did not see her half-horse companion, but she did notice some children starting to grow curious to her presence. For the moment though, finding Chiron was more important, and making sure the halfling children did not get stepped on.

“Chiron!”

[Jones Sparrow]

the four of them were greeted with "thank you's" and "You did what?!" but after a minute of that, they settled themselves down. Rilden glanced over to see Alura seeming to be a bit lost in her own thought... He would have thought Rhovanor and her would be talking, or at least enjoying their company. Rhovanor didn't know that she was upset by the fact that their eye contact was short lived... He just didn't want to stare too long, or make it awkward, or do something embarrassing in front of her. He was sounding like he was a child. The elf looked over at the other, and his eyes went wide. "Are you alright? You look troubled..." He did what he feared of doing earlier. Elves had that reputation of being perfect... and well, to Rhovanor, there wasn't a hint of imperfection on her face. He didn't know whether she answered him or not, because he was too busy admiring what was in front of him. He then snapped out of it, gave a weak smile, and turned away, hoping she didn't reply while he was staring. How impolite of him!

Rilden from across the table couldn't help but give a silent laugh, looking at the two. Robyn then ordered her hefty meal, and almost everyone was taken aback at her statement. then it all made sense when she said who it was for. "Very kind of you." Rilden approved, giving a smile. She excused herself from the table to give it to the Centaur, and in the meantime, the three of them waited for their food to appear. "So, Miss Alura. What brought you to Damascus last night?"

[TheCheshire]

Alura was brought from her thoughts by Rhovanor so suddenly that she jumped slightly. "Oh, uhm, I'm just a little tired. I didn't sleep very last night is all." She said with a small smile.

"I was actually leaving a centaurs village about three day's ride south of here. There had been a sickness affecting their village, it nearly killed the leader's son. I stayed there for a some time before they escorted me towards the city. I had heard of many raids going on and thought that my abilities might have been useful. Truthfully, this is the first time I've been in a human city for some time now." She explained, with a sheepish smile.

[DELETED324324]

Jamlamin walked into town looking for things that could be used to write with, there wasn't much but he ended up haggling away a couple of gold coins for a ink well and pen, as he walked out of the store he saw the healer with two bowls of stew in hand, he approached her and fell in next to her "Hey Robyn, need some help?" He asked.

[DragonBeastMode]

Chiron couldn't find anywhere, that was big enough for him to fit in. This place was so awkward. Faycrest, was no place for a centaur. Chiron was larger than a normal centaur, being his father's son, the tallest centaur to have lived, Chiron had a growth spurt, at the age of 8, being 6'2", which is a normal adult male centaur, luckily, he had stopped growing, after a few years. While Chiron was galloping around he heard Robyn, “Chiron!”, “I brought you something!” He went over to her, seeing that the spy was next to her, he seemed to be everywhere Chiron, didn't want him to be. He stepped near Robyn, making sure that his tail, had swatted the spy, named Jamlamin. "Is that Faycrest soup? My father use to come to Faycrest, to get me that specific soup." He licked his lips, and reached out for one of the bowls. "Thank you Robyn, your so kind, I wouldn't have been able to get it myself, I would have broke the building down." He grinned, with stew hanging from his beard, and went back to eating. "Where are the rest, we should stick together, never know if something...or someone tries something...sneaky." He shot eye daggers at the spy, making sure the spy, knew that Chiron was talking about him.

[xRobynx]

“I'm okay, thank you,' she replied to him, “just looking for Chiron.”

As if almost on cue Chiron came around the corner. It was obvious he was put off by Jamlamin's presence. Apparently put off enough to swat him with his tail. Robyn managed a disapproving look, despite the fact it really did not bother her besides lacking propriety. Then again, she thought, peeping in someone's window at night is not only rude but creepy as well.

She shrugged the thought off as Chiron took his bowls, “Is that Faycrest soup?”

She had no idea honestly, but before she could answer he answered his own question by burying his face in the bowl.

"Thank you Robyn, your so kind, I wouldn't have been able to get it myself, I would have broke the building down."

Long strings of stew with a couple vegatbles hung from the thick hair of his beard. Robyn was very much put off by this where not even she could hide it. Her eyes widened breifly at the sight.

“We are in the build right there,” she said pointing to the tavern, “that's us by the window.”

She contemplated for a moment and somehow knew she would later regret this, “If you want, I can pass my drink out to you through the window. I don't like beer.”

She nodded, to both of them and excused herself before heading back in, unsure if Jamlamin would follow inside or not. If it was her... she would, he was about as popular with the centaur as he was with her. Then again, creeping around people's houses at night would give you that reputation.

Robyn walked back inside and rejoined her companions.

[Scoutas]

Darlith tried to be cautious when checking around the house she entered, for that was a perfect spot for an ambush. She actually took off her bow and was prepared to shoot at any movement. And as she turned a corner there laid a man, with a battleaxe stuck deep in his back. "Now there, who might you be." she mumbled under her nose and she pushed him on the side with her feet. He didn't have anything on himself, but his clothing. And that axe stuck in his back, which started to make Darlith really uncomfortable. Who would loot a body and leave a fine weapon like this? She heard Nat outside and she bolted out of that house as quick as possible, looking over her shoulder, should and arrow come her way.

She nodded to what Nat said and went inside after him. She still felt paranoid about what she saw, so all she did was lean inside the doorway, and look at Nat thinking out-loud. "So you're saying they just left? We could try search the nearby roads for tracks and follow them, but I think that's rather futile. It's a wagon and we would never be able to catch up to it, especially if they're on a run." she looked back over to the house she was in and noticed a glitter on the roof of the house and a twing and she lunged inside and hid behind the wall. "We've got company. On the roof of the house I was in. I have no idea who that was... so no rash decisions." she peeked outside through the window, trying to see who it is, on that roof, yet she couldn't make anything out. "Is there any other way out? Look around, I'm going to keep an eye on our friend for now."

[DELETED324324]

If Jamlamin was bothered by the fact he just got hit in the face with Chiron's tail he hid it well, "If, you need me i'll be back at the house." He said and walked off "But i doubt anyone will need me for quite sometime until my gift is useful to them." He mumbled under his breath, when he made it back to the house he went to his bag and pulled a journal out of his bag, with his new ink pot and quill pin he began to write his experiences, especially last nights experiences, before he knew it he was writing away the world was lost to him and he was lost to the world, nothing could shake him out of writing. Not even if the house collapsed.

[Heinrich]

"On the roof?" Nat mumbled and gave Darlith a questioning look, then nodded, though he did not rush to go anywhere "We can simply leave through the road we came, he'll think us scavengers." Nat then thought about everything for a moment and walked behind a corner of a house, so he would not be seen. Looking around he saw that following the road they came through would eventually lead to a forest path. If that someone, who was observing them, was hostile, they could probably dive into the forest, as they were closer, and lose him.

"We can either go back, try to lose him through the forest, or follow the same road that leads out of town. It goes deeper into the forest and would get us east. No idea what we would find there, honestly. Heard stories that half-people live there." Nat swiftly listed their options. And then thought about everything for a few moments. "Should we even get involved with Fusos? I always tried to live by without annoying him. And this path, quite literary, is going to take us right into trouble with him." He then contemplated for a couple of heartbeats and took out his bow from and an arrow from quiver "On the other hand, I can target practice on the roof stalker" Nat half smiled and turned his gaze on Darlith "What say you?"

[Jones Sparrow]

Rilden watched the small exchange between Alura and Rhovanor, and when it was done, she replied to his question. When she was done, he gave a nod and smile. "So you're a healer as well? Its good to know people still try to help others... Soon though, we will be able to have this plague taken away from this land... and this isn't necessarily a man made city... the man made ones are much worse." Rilden said half joking. "I am glad you are here to assist the cause, Miss Alura. Robyn will need help with healing when... we get injured, and its always good to have another elf's accuracy as well." Rilden said with a nod towards both of the elves. The meal seemed to pick up in mood. Robyn came back, and soon after Chiron's head appeared out of the window. "Good Morning, Chiron. I greatly appreciate your assistance last night." Rilden said, lifting his mug in gratitude.

The food was good, the drink was delicious, and the atmosphere picked up the more they talked. it had been a very very long time since he had witnessed laughter and joy and not paranoia and fear. "We will need to gather everyone up from last night in private... to discuss our next course of action." Rhovanor said with a nod. Rilden agreed. "Yes... but that can wait for later tonight. For now. let's enjoy this peace..." For it will be the last time in a long time before they witness it again.

[DragonBeastMode]

Chiron, could see that Robyn, was shocked, how he ate the stew. He just started to grin at her, again. They started to walk to the place, where everyone else was. The spy left, which Chiron was glad about. When they got there, being almost taller then the whole building, Chiron looked through the window. "Good Morning, Chiron. I greatly appreciate your assistance last night." Rilden, had spoke to Chiron, in gratitude. "I would do it again, your...I mean Rilden, as long as we get you to that throne, that rightfully belongs to you." Chiron is becoming use to calling Rilden, Rilden, and not your highness, or the future king. He was getting to know him, more like a friend, and not just his leader. "I agree with Rhovanor we do need to talk, and I agree with Rilden, let's have some fun, and then back to business." Chiron reached into the window, and picked up the mug that Robyn, said he could have. "Cheers!"

[Scoutas]

Darlith looked at Nat, at first taking what he said as a joke, yet the second she understood he was serious she started sniggering at him. "Should we? Well, first of all, you know that I'm on the run from Fusos, so you know, I'm more or less involved with him already. As for you - no-one knows who is this woman you're hanging out with, so they won't be able to tie you up with me. You're safe from this and if you want, you can go on yourself, this could be the place where our paths separates. It's your decision, Nat, because I..." she peeked at the roof and it seemed that their friend was still on the roof. "... don't exactly have a choice."

"I think he... or they are scavengers themselves. The house I was in was completely stripped of everything, apart a body of an Orc. I wouldn't mind checking through their bags to see if they've got anything worth taking." she said as she was taking out an arrow from the quiver and pulling bowstring down, but hesitated. "On the other hand... let's not do this in the city. That doesn't sound like a good idea. Let's do as you said and take the road east. If he still follows us there, we can take him down in the forest. Not very many eyes inside there." while still alert, she started moving.

[xRobynx]

Back inside she noticed Jamlamin did not follow. Still, she sat in her seat just as an arm extended through the window from behind her and grasped the flagon affront her. She was a bit taken aback by the move, apparently he forgot the part about her handing it to him. As the vessel disappeared out the window with the arm a gleeful “Cheers!” rang from outside the window.

Food quickly being served as the waitress handed out their plates to each person. The plate sat down affront of her and she looked at it with anticipation. She was famished. She could feel her mouth water with the promise of a good meal. And with that they began to eat. She ate with all the propriety one would have come to expect from her maybe even a bit more than before. Now that danger had passed for now, she was with several strangers on a suicide mission. The thought that she had only yesterday met these strangers and now they were eating together as friends... as compatriots for the throne.

Some, she mused to herself, might be more than friends soon enough. She glanced over at Alura as the thought crossed her mind. She wasn't sure if Alura noticed, she seemed a bit reoccupied.

The thought made her thinking of the whole situation. Was it wise to do that so quickly? There is a very real possibility that some of them won't live to see the throne restored. Maybe it was the real possibility of death that drives the heart. She didn't know. She sighed.

As she took another small bite she thought about her own life afterwards. What would she do? Would she return to her clinic? Would she get married afterwards? She couldn't know and maybe, she concluded, it was just best not to think about it. Even if she did who would it be to?

The peeping tom? No, probably would sneak off all the time anyway. The elf? Not if she didn't want Alura to kill her in her sleep. The blue-blood? She wouldn't have a chance, even if. The centaur? she paused as she visibly cringed at the thought, Most defiantly not!

They were all good allies, but she doubted she had a future beyond this endeavor. Maybe it wouldn't even be an issue because she might die.

Why am I even thinking about this?

It must be thinking about Alura, the poor girl, she reasoned.

Robyn had no idea how long she had indulged herself with her mind's revelries but had only realized she hadn't said or heard a single word the entire meal and even she was finishing up. She looked around sheepishly.