[i][/i][i][/i][h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
The that things Novak overheard were disturbing.  The Illuminator's temple had supposedly vanished and the unnatural fog had spread over a wider area, with nothing left over but a waterlogged altar.  An entire temple, gone in less than a day, right after they had ventured through it and met the Illuminator within.  The possibility that their adventure in the temple may have escalated the threat that the village faced worried Novak greatly.  To make matters worse, he still heard no word about Leannah.  He began to wonder if they'd ever see her again.

Novak reached Bolcha's workplace without incident.  The craftsman led him to the finished product, seemingly quite pleased.  Novak's eyes practically lit up when he saw the garb.

[color=ed1c24][i]This is much better than I expected,[/i][/color] Novak thought as he looked over the armor, quite impressed.  It was more than just some scale armor, it was nearly an entire outfit, with boots, gloves, a helmet, and vest, all of which looked quite warm.  Bolcha had really gone the extra mile with this.  It was good to be reminded that there were kind, helpful people in this village.  It was all the more reason to do whatever he could to help save this village from whatever was menacing it.

[color=ed1c24]"It looks great, thank you, Bolcha,"[/color] Novak replied, happily.  [color=ed1c24]"I hope I have an opportunity to repay you for this kindness."[/color]  Aside from the protection that the scales should provide, the ensemble looked pretty practical for the cold climate, it pouches to make carrying things easier, and it might help him to not stand out so much.  He wasted no time putting the outfit on, gearing up for whatever trouble seemed to be approaching the village.

As he put the armor on, he turned his eyes to several hunters, and once again considered his options.  With the situation as dire as it was and without any other leads, perhaps it might be a good idea to find out what Iva'Krorh's followers knew about the theft of the orb.  They'd probably be unwilling to cooperate if the merely approached one on the street, but if he were able to approach them from a position of strength- perhaps backed up Enli, Akando, or some of the other of the goddess' chosen, then they might be more willing to answer his questions.

[i][color=ed1c24]Yes, it'd probably be wise to get Enli up to speed about everything that happened at the temple.  Perhaps he could tell me what's going on, and what Nobunaga and Misaki got up to while I was at the temple.[/color][/i]  With him having returned at such a late hour yesterday, Novak had never gotten the chance to report their findings to the chief, and had no idea if Narkissa or Lazhira had done so.  He couldn't be sure if Enli would be able to believe the part about meeting the Illuminator or the claim that some of the hunters are still worshipers of the god of knowledge, but the chief needed to know the whole truth, as wild as some of it was.

After he finished donning the armor, Novak departed Bolcha's workplace, waving goodbye to the man and heading to the chief's longhouse.  The armor would take some getting used to, but there was no time like the present to begin breaking it in.

[@Rune_Alchemist]