“Alpha?” Das said surprised and in the ancient tongue, “perhaps, but she is no Alpha of mine, and as for her bedding two men, I suppose you should take that up with princess promiscuous.” Das laughed.

“As for the rest of your questions, here let me try and answer them all,” Das scratched his chin as he visualised the barrage of questions, staring off into the air as if reading a sign, “The other’s speak a common tongue of bland name, yes I can teach you it, yes I know your language, I too am a shaman of sorts, I don’t know your Grandmother but I assume she makes some grade A cookies, I like your friend Bulbo, it is very cute, I have traveled many places, too many to count off while rapidly answering a swarm of quandaries, this place is called generic desert, I assume the abominations are hyena folk known as Gnoll, Kafshe is too complicated to explain as a single part of nature, I am Kafshe,” Das took a deep breath, “any more questions hot stuff?”

Das put his fists on his hips in an almost heroic stance as a sense of hubris seemed to gleam on his smile at the success of answering every question.

@Goldeagle1221
Druidic: "What is Prom-icus? Grade A cookies? Oh, I know of Gnoll. These were creatures that moved without flesh." She was learning so munch in such a short time. "If Sana is not your alpha then why do you follow? Are you after a mate?" Her eyes widened at the chance to learn their language. "There is a city in the ground in that direction." Deila pointed the way back to a place she would never willingly return. She averted her gaze at the dwelling of those abominations. She readied herself for the next journey stretching her arms to the sky while arching her back.

The hundred and one questions began as Deila started to point at various objects for their common name. The shaman repeated the name three or four times. She let Das take a break for her to review what she had learned by holding a object up to a random member of the group and stating proudly their common name. "Hand, Sana, cart, daggur, ma-me-tal, hare, Das, Ellyn, bag." She even shared her new found knowledge with Bulbo. She wasn't certain but she thought she heard a sound when Bulbo flew off.

Ellis

Ellis prepared his leave and as he looked through his new robes, he took note of new tools. Side from his usually thieves utensils such as the lock picks. His normal dagger had been replaced by a silver one. That meant he now had two silver daggers and as he looked at his sword. It too was silver. It was only a short sword though. He nodded as looked at his gear. The pegasus was fitted too with a saddle meant for two as well as a crossbow. Beside it was a satchel. The tips of the bolts laced with silver. He grinned, this was demon killing tools. He looked to Ceris and smiled. He did not forget her kiss either. It was wonderful, he always wondered what it felt like, what it tasted like to touch lips with another. After seeing Sana and Hugh, he was simply just curious at the time. Now, he had his horse, he had his sweet robes and gear, and now he had Ceris. He thought of her as his. Whether she thought the same was clearly up in the window. She did initiate that kiss though so perhaps it meant he was hers. He would always be hers. He sighed and looked about. "This is a nice place, that Corellan picked out. I wonder,... perhaps after all this is over with. We could come pack and perhaps live here. Or else where if you prefer something better." He then moved over to the Pegasus and sighed. "...could have installed a step ladder or something into the saddle...ummf." He felt himself being lifted up by Ceris. She placed him on the saddle. He looked to her and wondered where he weapon's would be. Perhaps she was a battle magic priest type of thing and did not need a weapon. He would let her take the reins of course. She had long arms and could easily move around him.

Ceris

Ceris felt a bit of giggle coming up as Ellis commented about the location. She sighed and moved over helping him up. She did have a much better location for a place to live. She pictured the place of the country of the elves. Where Corellan's presence ran strong. She climbed on top of the horse patting Ellis on the head. "What was that line those two kept on saying?....mine?" She said. "I did not think me and you could work Ellis, not while I was stuck in your body. I think it is fair to say, after seeing how strong your faith was in yourself and in Corellan, that my view has changed. I want you to be my halfling, the thief that stole the heart of a lich, even when others saw none."

"But, your not a lich anymore, you have been restored to the priest you were meant to be." He responded. Her smile not even breaking she felt a tear run down her cheek. This halfing saved her from the life of forever torment. The others didn't think he could do it and felt like pulling her out of him and destroying her was the only solution. The smile turned to a smirk."I wonder what reactions your friends will have when they see the new me?..." She said, I guess we wont find out by staying here. She flicked the reins and the Pegasus began to move. It's speed picking up as it moved. Faster and faster it moved flapping it's wings until they took to the air. She was a priestess once more, she felt more stronger then before. Was that the great elf god's powers? Did he strengthen them over the night. There new destination was the city of Zaphere. It was there that Ceris would meet Eliphas once more for the last time. To confront the demon and banish him forever.

Vivian

Vivian woke, not from the sun rising, but from the sound of someone screaming. She rose up finding she was covered with a canvas. She rose a brow and looked around. It wasn't theirs so it must be Das's. She smiled and rose up from the ground dusting off the sand. She picked up the canvas and shook the sand off of it. She then moved to Das and handed it to him. Once he went to grab it she would move in to kiss his cheek and then pull away."Thank you, I know it was nothing ,but thank you. Your kindness will not be forgotten."she said. She then looked to Ellyn. Ellyn, who needs a rooster when you have Ellyn. Then she saw it wasn't a insect she screamed at. Fire rose from their chosen destination. She sighed,..."Is it too hard to ask for one little tiny break?....I swear this is the spider queen's way of punishing me..." She said. Well at least our group is a little bigger ,but this was not going to be a simple fight waiting for them. It must be a pretty big threat to have the city burning. She moved to the wagon and climbed aboard. She removed her hand crossbow placing it beside her. She wanted to grab it quick if anything attacked them on their journey back. Right now she doubted anything would. With as large as that smoke is. Every creature is likely vacating the area. Then again, as hot as it is out here... the sun might have boiled any brain in the skulls of the life out here. She grabbed the hood of her cloak and pulled it over her eyes. No matter how long they trekked or stayed out here. She could never get used to the sun. The others were lucky, they were not as sensitive to its rays like she was.

She looked to Sana and Hugh. "Well what do you think?...." She then looked to the spot Ellis was and saw that it wasn't a dream. He had gone. She looked back to Sana. "Think we will see him again?..."She asked with concern on her face.

Garrek

Garrek rose up fast drawing out his greatsword in such a quick fashion ready to lob someones head off. When he saw nobody he looked over to Ellyn. "Don't do that again please,... I thought we were under attack and something needed to die."He said and put his sword away. He then looked to her harp and began thinking..... He moved up to her, his hand on his chin. He stroked the beard and placed his right hand ontop of her head. "You prefer axes? or would you like a crossbow?... yes I can turn your harp into a crossbow... it will have to be a repeating one though. They are more complicated to make ,but I can do it." He said. She was best placed at afar from the enemy. Sana or himself could teach her how to use it. He would make it from light materials though. That way she would not have a hard time lifting it up. He then moved his hand from side to side ruffling up her hair. He then chuckled and walked away. He then saw the smoke and strangely the smile did not fade. "Ahh, another fight is at hand. I can't wait to blood my sword some more.". He knew it was bad, where smoke is it always means something bad.

Zaphere

The sun was barely up all the way and already the air smelt of blood, smoke, and death. The people all hid in their homes as told by the city's soldiers and guards. Taverns still held a few drunks. If one looked out their window they could see soldiers moving to reinforce the soldiers and guards at the circle where the mage's guild was at. Some would even go to help the monastery. The city was holding it's own against the demons and drow cultists. Problem was, the drow may deplete but the demons kept coming from the damned portals. They needed closing and the only ones who knew how where locked in combat. The city needed reinforcements. It soon got some, the nations navy arrived. They let their crew members out while the mages in the cities army stayed. The launched fireballs out at the demons. While the crewmen drew their curved blades to challenge the demon army.

The worse was yet to come though. At the mages guild a demon came to aid the drow cultists. It had a tail and six arms. A weapon in each one and moved like a snake. It resembled a woman at the top half, but it had snake like features on the face. It weilded six blades and came down from the guild's tower as if to be a way of showing Sergei that the demons were on the guild's side. The Marilith was only just a minion of Eliphas. She was giving Sergei's men a fight.

Bjoric woke with a snort at Sana's call. Sitting bolt upright, rubbing his eyes, he saw everyone rushing about at her summons as well. Looking around to see what had sparked the call he spotted the large pillar of smoke rising from the direction of the city. "Well... That can't be good." Getting up he gathered his bedroll into his pack, quickly moving to grab the armor that he'd lain out last night after cleaning.

By the time he finished putting on the last piece on, Sana had rigged the aging warhorse to the cart. Bjoric threw his pack back into the cart, grabbing some bread and dried meat, he ate quickly finding he had grown quite hungry from the labors of the previous day. Hearing Vivian awake he looked to see what see was talking about, noticing that the halfling was no longer with them. "What happened? Did the wee man run off?"

The moment Ellyn stopped the scream everyone seemed to be concerned, from the hard pat on the shoulder of Das’s hand to Garrek patting her head, hoping to make her harp into a crossbow or something. This calmed Ellyn down down slightly as she knew her friends were going to go through the same thing, all she could hope for was that she doesn’t let any enemy reduce her to the bones of her elven skin that she has.

She inhaled and exhaled slowly before running to Garrek about an question about this ‘crossbow harp’ ‘G-Garrek...’ she smiled softly at him as she presented her question upon him in a worried manner ‘will I still be able to use all my spells??’ upon her worry came curiosity to see if all her spells would still work or if it would restrict them completely.

Tagged; Whole party

Like most of the party, Artos was pleasantly woken up by the sound of a piercing shriek. He quickly rose up, weapon in hand- prepared for any danger. His eyes landed on Ellyn whose head was cropped in a general direction, snapping his eyes towards the same direction he saw gray clouds rising upwards- smoke. The party had been travelling for days and while they got closer, they were still days away. The smoke was rising from a city.

Artos perked a brow at the rather casual nature of the group- save Ellyn, when the smoke was spotted. Packing up his belongings rather quickly, he was also astounded to hear the newest member and the Shaman speaking an unknown language, Artos had read about it once but the intricacies were rather confusing. Though he still got a quarter of their conversation, he had a rough idea of their talkings. Remembering that his necklace had magical abilities, "I forgot to mention, I think the jewelry we found back the Lich's lair have magical properties." he mentioned with half-lidden eyes, "If you wish, I may identify yours and find out if it has a Magical property like mine."

Sana glanced over towards Vivian and sighed deeply when she mentioned Ellis. “I hope so Vivian, I hope so,” she said and then remembered that Ellis had not grabbed his things. Excusing herself from Hugh and Vivian she walked over to the wall and began to gather up his belongings, picking up the note and shaking her head slightly as she looked at it before making her way back towards the wagon to load up the small ones items. Hearing Bjoric she nodded and handed him the letter so that he could see for himself. “He left last night,” she said before explaining everything that she had seen before she went to sleep. “Looks like we have a destination to make,” she said before walking off and climbing into the wagon, sitting along the back edge of it so she could keep an eye out for anything that would come up behind them in their travels.

Hearing Ellyn speak about her harp caused her to think of someone she hadn’t in a very long time. Her youngest sister Ramara; a musician herself that was quite talented with bow and fingers that were used on strings that created bewitching sounds. She thought back to nights when Ramara would weave luscious notes from her Vielle as Sana would dance and sing around the camp fire. They were very close growing up and it broke her heart to leave her behind but Ramara was not old enough to face the world alone and had not trained with weapons at that point. She knew she couldn’t defend her if she was to let her come along, even though she begged for Sana to take her with her. Sana had to walk away that day and leave her behind; the only consolation was that the troops fortune teller had not assigned Ramara the same dreaded life that was given to Sana.

“I miss you Ramara,” Sana let slip as she sat there on the back of the wagon. Taking a deep breath she pushed a few strands of hair from her face and slouched somewhat as she pulled her bow from its place along her back; laying it in her lap and holding it securely. It was the last thing she had that tied her to her family other than the clothing she wore and between the two she would give up the clothing before she ever gave up the bow. It had been a gift from her little sister, having bribed some Elves during their travels with music and wine to make it especially for Sana. Ramara had the elves give it to her but Sana had known what her sister was up to. She never said anything about her knowledge but she treasured it nonetheless.

Hearing Artos mention being able to identify the jewelry snapped Sana out of her walk down memory lane and her head rose as she pulled back her cloak to reveal the snake like cuff that was now resting around her bicep. "Would you mind Artos?" she asked as she looked over to him.

Hugh was rummaging through his gear, making sure he had everything. His pipe was long snuffed out, some of the leaves inside of it still not completely used up. He stuffed the pipe away in his saddle bag. Then he slung the saddle bag over his shoulder.

After slinging the saddle bag, he was greeted by the pleasant surprise of Sana, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on him. It still felt as wonderful as ever, but now he could have a kiss whenever the time was right for it. He rubbed her back with his hands, absorbing the feeling of her body into his hands. When she pulled away from the kiss, Hugh's own lips feeling still pursed and stuck in the kiss, she quickly brought his attention to something she had snuck around his neck.

"Then I will have to carry it with me into every battle." He said, giving an affectionate smile. He lifted the necklace in front of his face and looked over it, seeing it as a beautiful gem, and then placing it back into his shirt under his armor. This woman would make him happy for quite possibly the rest of his life.

There was just one problem. He really had no idea how to go about telling her of his late family. He would never keep a secret from her, but something like this needed to be handled delicately and not just dumped out. There was a time and a place and he was not quite sure when it would be, he just knew he was going to tell her.

With that, he lifted himself up into the wagon, seating himself next to Sana. It warmed him to have her next to him. It was calming and healing to have her there for him. He would be there for her, always ready to keep her safe.

Hugh couldn't help but notice when Sana mentioned I miss you Ramara. He was rather perplexed, but he would learn in due time. "Ramara?" He said, looking to her inquisitively. "Someone you know?" He seemed to have been interrupted by Sana's sudden change of focus to something Artos said about jewelry. Naturally, Hugh just sat back, assuming that the conversation would be carried on later.

He felt the need arise for his pipe once again, feeling it to become some sort of bad habit. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable to blow some smoke from a pipe. It was calming.

Sana looked over to Hugh as she sat there, awaiting Artos to come over and identify her arm wrap. Reaching up she slowly removed the cuff from her arm and letting it rest in her hand as she took a deep breath before setting it next to her on the floor of the wagon for Artos to look at when he could. Speaking of her sister brought up her past. It was not something ever spoke about but looking over to Hugh she felt she owed him an explanation of more than my sister. Though their relationship was new, she felt it was better to just get it out in the open. She found the past tended to hurt more the longer it awaited to be revealed. Closing her eyes for a moment before taking another long breath before opening them slowly and looking over to him, trying to smile but her lips only managed to thin out a bit.

“Someone who I loved very deeply, still do,” she said quietly as she sat there, looking away from him and staring down at the sand as her legs swung back and forth over the edge of the wagon. “Someone I had to leave behind that I have never forgiven myself for,” she continued as her fingers tightened around the wood of her bow. “I guess since I know about your past, you deserve to know about mine. Remember me mentioning I am gypsy?” she said looking back over to him for a moment before looking away again, not really waiting for an answer; it was more of a rhetorical question than anything. “Well from your reaction or lack thereof when you found out I take it you don’t know much about my kind. Kind of glad of that but then again, if you did know more then perhaps I wouldn’t have to dredge up the past,” she said in a slightly sorrowful voice. Sorrow was not a tone that many had ever heard from Sana; in fact it hadn’t left her lips since the day she left home.

“You see,” she began in a soft voice as she continued to stare idly at the sand below. From there she proceeded to tell him that when a child was born in her troop they were always taken to Fortune Teller, their magic user. A childs life was laid out before them from that moment on. Some became jesters, others tricksters. Some learned to play beautiful music, others sleight of hand to wow the crowds in the streets. There was a great many things a child of Gypsy could become but that she had received the one calling that many dreaded even though in the end she would become a leader of their people. Someone who could gather information to sell or use, someone that could get close to most any because of her position and their unassuming perception of her; a Courtesan.

Sana went on to keep explaining because as of yet it didn’t tie into who this person she loves so deeply. She told him of how when she was old enough to know exactly what being a courtesan entailed she was furious and refused to do it but she was still too young to do anything besides pitch a fit. The troop figuring she would grow out of such thoughts of not following her destined path. She didn’t, always practicing to be able to defend herself, to hunt, to survive; with the bow Ramara had given her. Sana still wouldn’t look at Hugh as she spoke, it wasn’t something she found easy to talk about and hadn’t ever aloud to anyone.

“You see, that is why I had to leave. I didn’t want a life that was not my own. I didn’t want to be some night for someone, a second choice. I couldn’t fathom letting someone get that close to me only to be an option for them. Someone to replace someone they had lost or to help them pretend they were still in a happier time,” she said as she looked over to him; eyes watering slightly. Taking a deep breath she quickly looked away and sighed deeply as her head lowered and she stared blankly back towards the sands.

“When I was old enough I left,” she continued before she continued to tell him about the night she left. The harsh words spoken from those she had been raised with and by but explaining that wasn’t the hardest part. That having Ramara beg and plead to be taken with her was. “Leaving Ramara that night was the hardest,” she said as her hands came up to her face and rested on either side of her cheeks, elbows resting on her thighs. “You see Ramara is my youngest sister. She wanted me to take her with her but I was still young and she younger. I knew I couldn’t protect her and her life was to be one of music and acrobatics. She had no need to fear the things I had,” she said before dropping a single hand as she turned her head looking over to him.

“So there you have it. I left because I couldn’t bear the thought of being a second choice for anyone and in doing so I left behind the one person I loved more than anything,” she said as she righted herself and took a deep breath, her hands returning to clutching the bow that he would know now was her most precious of possessions.

“I do not follow anyone,” Das said to Deila with a quick smile and rolling druidic words, “I simply choose to go in the same direction, and occasionally lead from behind.”

A teasing twinkle glistened off his amber eyes as he continued, “as for mates, why, are you offering?”

Suddenly his canvas blanket was thrusted into his arms and a warm kiss from soft lips placed on his cheek. Das spun on his heel to witness Vivian, well somebody is offering. The woman thanked him for his blanket and Das gave an almost sarcastic bow, with a sincere “you’re most welcome.”

Ellis/Ceris

The Pegasus was moving rather faster then expected. It would mean he might get there before his friends did. This gave him some concern. Only concern though was that he may have to lay low while he waited. Or move silently through the streets. It was no hard job to do. Pretty easy actually. He then began to wonder if his team should have purchased more then one horse or camel to pull the cart. They might have got there faster if they had more then one horse. The Pegasus lowered itself and landed. They stood upon a sandy hill over looking the city. No guards at the gates, but the gates where wide open. He could see people exiting the city. People who had lived there were leaving because the violence was getting to great. He climbed down the side of the pegasus and then looked up to her. He sighed and then looked to the pegasus. "You might want to make your wings vanish, we do not want to attract attention. Not yet anyways." He said. He then grabbed the reins as the pegasus did just that. He pulled him along as they moved to the city's entrance.

Ceris looked on at the people, she felt this was best if the people left the city for awhile. It would make less casualties of war. She sighed at the matter. No soon after Ellis had. "Got any idea where we can stay until, your friends arrive?" She asked. Ellis smiled and nodded. "Only one."

Vivian

Vivian saw that Artos was offering to identify their jewelry that Ellis gave to them before he left. She looked to the ring and was in fact curious as to what she had gotten. She would wait though. When it was her turn, it would be her turn. She then flicked the reins and started moving the wagon. The best get moving now. They had three days to get to Zaphere and meet with Ellis. If they don't move now it will take more then three days to get there.

Garrek

Garrek turned his head to look to Ellyn. "Thats why I said it would have to be a repeating crossbow. Any other crossbow would make it impossible to use the harp for your songs. A repeating one has a clip you see. They are pretty nice." Garrek answered. There would be a lot of work for the harp. First filling in the nicks and cracks. Then reinforcing it's body with iron or steel. Then came the crossbow part. He had his work cut out for him but it was the least he could do.

Hugh was surprised by the sudden answer from Sana. He thought she was more attentive to what Artos had to say of her jewelry. Still, the smile that Sana gave to him allowed him to realize how serious what she was about to tell him would be. Someone who I loved very deeply. The words stung a little, making him feel a little jealous, but then he came to his senses. He had someone like that too, once. That someone was no longer alive.

Hugh nodded at her inquiring of him if he remembered her telling him she was a gypsy. He hadn't thought of it much. He had never encountered gypsies and really had no idea other than they were storytellers and entertainers of sorts. They were known for their music. Hugh heard they were bad news, but he had never had the personal experience to learn anything more.

When she said the words dredge up the past Hugh looked at her, interested as to what more she was to say. It appeared very important and sounded like a burden she had to carry. He would not be one to deny his full attention, as he hoped she might listen well on the day he would tell her about his full past. The day he would tell her of his late wife.

He listened, noting all the different colorful jobs there were in a troupe of gypsies. He was fascinated for a little, until she arrived at courtesan. What the fuck was that? He took a moment, mulling it over in his thick skull before he realized it. It took all the clues she gave him. Obviously these cluse were not given on purpose. Nonetheless, he had arrived at the solution that was staring him in the face. A courtesan was a prostitute. The girl he was in love with was almost made into a prostitute.

A little rage suddenly built up inside of him as he felt himself tense up at the thought of anyone else with her for just a one night fling. He felt his fists clench in anger at the thought, but he let it go, reaching into his saddle bag and preparing it for smoking. He let loose what anger he had into giving spark to a leaf of tobacco in his pipe. Soon it had caught and Hugh started puffing. It helped to vent the slight bit of anger he felt. Enough to keep listening.

He looked at her, his head nodding as he took it all in. He wasn't sure what to say, he thought a better reaction would be to hold her. So he moved in closer and brought her closer to him. He brought his hand up to the other side of her head and planted a kiss on her head, simply bringing her closer to him. He felt his words would not be of any use or benefit at the moment. He wasn't even sure what to say. He pulled his head back and simply wrapped his arm around her, bringing her close up against him.

"You'll find her again." He said quietly. He had said it with certainty, as he knew she at least left that someone alive.

Ellyn looked to him in delight and nodded, she was going to enjoy her ‘harp-bow’ as she was now going to call it, she just wondered what it would look like… Well, she didn’t care what it looked like; as long as it did it’s purpose she didn’t mind at all, the best thing would be the fact that it was going to be made by the man that she saved; and this would be one of her best treasures ever.

Hugging into Garrek she thanked him. Very happy that he was going to help her be more useful to the team then just playing songs, the only thing she needed to know now was how to use the crossbow. But she could always learn Sana or someone else that knows how to; in hopes that they will be happy to teach her.

While she was excited for her new weapon she thought of her encounter with Artos last night and completely forgot about Sana’s shorts ‘Oh no!!!’ she cried out, hugging into his cloak to get the shorts as fast as she possibly could.

@Goldeagle1221
Druidic"Oh, no. I'm not mated with anyone. The truth is, I... I've never had an interested person." She started to feel as if she was being watched. No one was watching, but she felt it. For the first time since she joined the group Deila was glad no one else understood her. Deila became quite and introspective. Was it time to find a mate? What would she choose? All the guys here were taken. The alpha had her choice. Maybe she needed Sana's permission? The other girls in the group were unique and they wore different clothes. Deila looked herself over. She always wore the same thing unlike the others. Maybe she would find someone while traveling. The shaman shook her head, there was plenty of time for that. Das was talking in the common to another member of the group. Her mind began to wander.

This place needed some rain she thought but grandmother told her never use natures power to do the unnatural. Being in the dessert was very different. It would rain when it was ready. The spirits of the air never followed anyone. At times they could be persuaded to help. The timing had to be right. Deila had little practice with other forms of magic. To be exact she had never even seen it. Only brief conversations from grandmother. Unfortunately those conversations were brief. Druidic"If you want to learn how to destroy the world that's easy. The true power is being in tune with the world." This was the closest memory she had of the subject.

Sana perked a brow slightly as she watched Hugh with his pipe and wondered why he felt the need for it right then; pushing the thought out of her mind as he pulled her closer. She leaned against him slightly as the wagon began to move, listening to his attempt to try to comfort her. She knew he meant well but she wondered if he was truly grasping what she had said. Sighing inwardly she painted a smile on her features and looked up at him.

"I'm not looking for her," she said in somber tone before looking away. Finding Remara wasn't an option, not now or over the more than a decade of time since she left. In fact she had purposefully avoided being anywhere her troop may have traveled over the last years. Trying to ensure she wouldn't run across them. There had been close calls but she had managed to evade them knowing when she was around. Not to keep herself safe but to make things easier for Ramara, she didn't want to put Ramara through seeing her again and having to say goodbye once again. The thought alone was too painful.

Taking a deep breath she leaned up and kissed his check softly before pulling away. Her arm band still rested on the floor of the wagon, figuring Atros was busy she picked it up and moved to a bench in the wagon, leaning back slightly as she fiddled with it after she had sling her bow across her back. Thinking to herself if he understood what she said once again, if he knew what a courtesan was, that is far more than an average prostitute.

Reaching up she rubbed her temples and groaned inwardly, going into detail about the profession was not something she wanted to do and it dawned on her that a paladin, current or former, probably wouldn't have ever crossed paths with one. Shaking the thought away, she focused on the task at hand. They had three days to get to their destination and then who knew what would happen. She figured focusing on an unsure future was better than a set in stone past.

Ellis

Ellis and Ceris walked through the streets pushing past people. Some of the citizens of Zaphere remained. Refusing to surrender to the evil that had come. Then they cane upon it. The Oasis,... He pushed through the door to see the owner."We are closed due the demons in the streets."

The owner said. Then Ellis tossed his money purse to the counter. "How about now?...." He asked. The owner lifted the pouch and saw the gold within. The man looked to Ellis and then to Ceris. "What you two want?..."
Your cellar. For starters. We feel it is good to move ourselves in." He answered. The owner nodded with a raised brow taking the gold. He saw the white robes and felt these two were not here for his famous mead. He then remembered the halfing. "Hey didn't you go to retrieve some chalice?... Where are the other folks?"
"They are on their way dont worry." He answered. He then followed the owner. He took then to a spot and pulled a lever. The floor separated and stairs could be seen. Ellis and Ceris then climbed down and nodded in thanks to him.

Ellis saw the amount of open spaces for them to move around in. He looked to Ceris and smiled in approval. "This is just what we need for a base of operations" He said.

Vivian

Vivian moved her hand crossbow oto her lao gesturing to the free seat. "Das throw your stuff in the back and come join me.." She said offering. She proceeded to hold the reins as she did so and wondered if Das would indeed join her beside her. She did not know why she liked Das, maybe he reminded her of somebody or maybe if was something else entirely.

Garrek

The orc had already been planning on materials. He could easily get them from melting down the weapons strapped to his back. That's why he took them, he was a scavenger and with his make shift forge at his home. He made all kinds of weapons and tools.

Das shrugged his shoulders and plopped down next to Vivian not bothering to throw his small rucksack anywhere. As far as he was concerned, there wasn’t much to toss anyhow. The wooden seat was comfortable enough, as if he hadn’t sat on worse, and the warm company next to him was well invited. He looked at Vivian and gave her a smile, “you called?”

Hugh really didn't think he could properly comfort her, or even if she wanted him to comfort her with words. He was never particularly good at it, and she had just proven to him that he hadn't quite grasped the situation fully. He made a little bit of an embarrassed face. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think that one through." He let his pipe lower as he felt her against him.

The kiss made his head swim in lovey-dovey thoughts, before he puffed on his pipe a little more. He sighed, feeling a little happy, but the weight of his own secret was weighing on him heavily. He was mulling over in his mind how long he could go without telling her he once had a wife and kids. What happens when he gets to the part about them being dead and him becoming a wanderer? Of course that did establish that they were no longer together, but that wasn't ever a good line to add.

His brain started to scramble as his eyes began to express his worry. His facial expression turned to something of a constipated look when he tried to force out the words, just to see if he could. He seemed to be fighting himself, a battle waging in his mind. He started puffing furiously on his pipe, almost inhaling too much smoke. If he kept at this, he might end up passing out. He was on a bad train to no where going top speed.

Finally, he took one long inhale and exhale, then puffed a little more on his pipe. It seemed to calm him slightly for the bomb he was considering to drop. "So, you know what you were saying about secrets? This isn't per se a secret." He cleared his throat. His expression looked like that of an innocent puppy that had just angered his master. "As in, I didn't mean for it to be a secret." He fumbled around with his pipe, turning it in his hands, nervously. "It just became one."

He was realizing that he was going around in circles, not particularly getting anywhere with this. The music had stopped, and it was time to bare all. He sighed and leaned back, looking at her directly. "I was married once. I had two children." He paused, seemingly to gauge her reaction. "They died a long time ago. Along with the barbarian tribe I was with. All burned."

Sana sat there thinking back on the days at home when she was growing up, what she had been taught and what she had refused to learn. Taking a deep breath she looked over to Hugh as he began to speak to her about secrets. Just what was he trying to get at she wondered as he seemed to go around in circles about the whole thing. Then she froze as dropped the wife bomb, not exactly knowing how to respond to that. He was so blunt about it,”all burned,” he had said to matter-of-factly. Her eyes widened somewhat, almost in disbelief, mouth agape. How was she supposed to react to that? Part of her was shocked, that much was obvious. Another part of her felt sorrow for him, no one should ever go through that.

Then the irrational woman side of her kicked in and she felt jealously. That he had had someone else he was close to before her. Sadly that part took over right then. Any other time it may not have but after all the talk of her sister, of leaving to keep from being a courtesan, all of it was a bit much for her right then and Sana had never really been one to keep her emotions in check. Looking away slowly she just stared off into nothingness. Slowly it dawning on her that if his family hadn’t died he would most likely still be living a peaceful and happy life where they had been. She never would have met him, he wouldn’t have been there to rage out and break out of the cage to save her. She would most likely be dead if they hadn’t already died.

She didn’t know how to process all of this, it was beyond her. Then the memory of his face during her dance flooded her mind. Part of it he looked sad, almost in pain. Had her dance made him think of another woman? Of his wife? If so, what did that make her? Sana drew a horrible conclusion as she swallowed hard. She was the other woman...And the words of an old fortune teller rang in her mind. One often meets her destiny on the road she takes to avoid it. Closing her eyes slowly she groaned slightly and took another long breath before her eyes opened but unable to look over into Hughs direction. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” was all she could manage to say.

As Ellyn grabbed her shorts and her ripped dress she sighed, she really needed to find a new dress as the rock which she layed her dress on was gone… along with the actual dress. She was highly upset and put on the shorts at ran back to Garrek in a upset manner, but nodded at Garrek when she ran back to him.

As Ellyn nodded at Garrek slowly she wondered what to do to help everyone, she was happy she has friends who she can rely on and who can rely on her, Sana; the beautiful gypsy who was such a inspiration, Artos; the man she loves, and many more friends… She doesn’t regret joining this quest now and she will be glad to die for them, regardless of the dangers she would have to face.

But she only has one issue now… with her dress mysteriously vanishing she needed to know what to do now and bit her lower lip, finally poking Garrek for his attention ‘s-sorry… do you think the wagon will have spare dresses…?’