[center] [color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color] [h1]&[/h1] [h1][color=lightblue]Galahad Caradoc[/color][/h1] [h1]&[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/5ILCycx.png[/img] [/center] Izayoi's ears twitched slightly beneath her hat upon picking up the moogle's words. Yes, that would be a problem. When she trekked south through here to reach Balmung, she'd simply laid down in the tall grass at night and covered herself with a tarp. A full party and camp would be nigh-on impossible to conceal out here, even without the obvious mistake of starting a campfire in the midst of an extremely windy area with nothing but tall grass surrounding them. That in mind, Izayoi urged her chocobo forward a few more steps ahead to where Galahad was riding, with the Skaelian woman she'd offered a place in the group to not far away. [color=#736AFF][b]"Dragoon,"[/b][/color] Izayoi said tonelessly, staring out at the sea of grass. [color=#736AFF][b]"How do Edrenians typically set camp out here?[/b][/color] [color=lightblue]"With a machete."[/color] Galahad called back in reply, his head turning back to face the approaching birds and riders. [color=lightblue]"Once we find a particularly tall patch of grass, we can cut a clearing. People won't see us until they're practically on top of us."[/color] Looking back at the wagon behind them, which while drowning in the emerald green, was still poking out well above the tops of the grasses, Galahad grimaced. He was used to traveling alone at this point- the wagon, while a useful tool for storing material and supply, meant they were considerably more noticeable than a small group of riders. [color=lightblue]"The wagon adds a challenge, but we can tie the grasses we cut around it's top for camoflauge. If we're concerned about people spotting us, we'll likely have to go without a fire."[/color] Overhearing the conversation, Éliane nudged her chocobo closer. Like the Ospreyan, she was unfamiliar with dealing with this sort of environment. [b]"I'm not enthusiastic about the wagon either, it's a liability."[/b] [color=#736AFF][b]"Very well."[/b][/color] Izayoi nodded. Her sword would serve well enough in place of a machete. Though the mention of the wagon did have her frown. If it weren't for the free supplies, she wouldn't have even consented to taking it along. They weren't even large enough of a party to require an actual supply train, anyway. And once they were closer to Osprey, well... [color=#736AFF][b]"Stopping in Midgar was mentioned earlier, and I concur. Moreover, we can discuss whether we wish to continue with our current travel arrangements as we are. I can tell you right now that continuing on with silver chocobos and the wagon will bring more trouble than it is worth in Osprey."[/b][/color] Éliane gave a thin smile at that. [b]"I'm the worst person you could get for covert operations, but even I can recognize mounts and organized parties in occupied territory isn't going to work out."[/b] She glanced over at the wagon, and the small moogle that sat in front of it. [b]"Yeah. He'll be a liability in combat even without the big thing."[/b] [color=lightblue]"I suppose it wouldn't be in Valheim's nature to just let us wander into Osprey unmolested."[/color] Galahad sighed, nodding in agreement. [color=lightblue]"My cousin is good with pen and blade, but subtlety was never his strong suit."[/color] Éliane grinned at that. [b]"Nor I."[/b] Glancing around at the party behind them, he frowned. The silver chocobos were a dead giveaway certainly, but chocobos would allow them to travel faster and with less exertion than they otherwise would on foot. Galahad himself felt plenty fast on his feet, but the others might not agree- especially once their journey started in earnest. [color=lightblue]"What type of beasts of burden do they use in Osprey?"[/color] Galahad asked, [color=lightblue]"If it comes down to it, it shouldn't be too difficult to source enough plain chocobo for the journey- though I admit I am a bit attached to Korin here."[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]"Yellow chocobos are common enough. Although a rarer sight among the populace now with Valheim's ruinous taxation. You are a lord, are you not? Purchasing a half dozen chocobos should be of no difficulty to you. If you are concerned with offending your [i]illustrious[/i] cousin, simply have the silver chocobos sent back."[/b][/color] [color=lightblue]"My family owns a stable of chocobo, mostly for use by the city's defenders."[/color] Galahad nodded in agreement, chuckling a bit. [color=lightblue]"I'm sure plenty of them would be thrilled to trade their mounts for one of Leonhardt's silver birds."[/color] [b]"Not sure about that,"[/b] Éliane replied as she shook her head. [b]"They might be useful in the future. I'd rather borrow some normal chocobos and have the silver ones stabled somewhere safe to be collected later. Midgar, maybe?"[/b] [color=#736AFF][b]"If you insist."[/b][/color] Izayoi sighed. She couldn't quite deny that the silver chocobos might be useful somewhere down the line. If they had to operate further in Edren, mostly. [color=#736AFF][b]"Any supplies in the wagon we cannot carry with us ought to go some way towards covering more necessary costs in the future. Though that brings up the question of what to do with the moogle."[/b][/color] "He would be perfect for looking after the birds, wherever we keep them," Éliane pointed out. Although he had been a reasonable guide so far, as far as she could tell he was a civilian. No way did she want him tagging along into a warzone. [color=lightblue]"I don't suppose anyone has asked if the moogle if it's any good in a fight?"[/color] Galahad shrugged, [color=lightblue]"The creature is small, but those things generally seem to find their way through trouble unscathed."[/color] [color=#736AFF][b]"We can inquire when we make camp."[/b][/color] Izayoi remarked, her tail beating against the back of her saddle briefly as she glanced between her newfound companions. [color=#736AFF][b]"I would know. What drives the two of you to embark on this quest? Both of you are aware that I am here solely to take vengeance upon Valheim, but I am unaware what motivates either of you."[/b][/color] [color=lightblue]"Well, Blighted monsters have been driving dragons ever closer to Midgar's surrounding lands, and after the war we lack the adequate number of dragoons necessary to hold them off." [/color] Galahad said with a bitter sigh, [color=lightblue]"Besides, my cousin called for me, I'm not exactly in the position to decline him."[/color] [color=lightblue]"I could talk at length about how it's the noble thing to do, or how it is for the good of all people,"[/color] Galahad chuckled, his armored shoulders clinking as he shrugged. [color=lightblue]"It's certainly both those things. But really, I just don't like sitting still."[/color] Éliane replied after a moment of thought. [b]"A few reasons. I want to put a stop to this before my homeland is destroyed, and I'm not going to wait until Skael is the last man standing."[/b] She looked almost thoughtful, before adding with a grin, [b]"Not much fighting to be had at home, anyway."[/b] Izayoi processed these claims for a few moments before simply nodding. [color=#736AFF][b]"Good. I was hoping for less...idealism. Easier to tolerate."[/b][/color] She commented, continuing to look out over the extremely grassy plains. [color=#736AFF][b]"I assume we'll be making camp at your discretion, Galahad. We'll have further words later. There are still issues to resolve between us."[/b][/color] Her piece said, Izayoi let her chocobo fall back a few paces, clearly finished with speaking at the moment.