[color=95A5A6][b]> Accept Yachir's proposal.
		[Player suggestion: Ask about Yachir's business in Geland] <[/b][/color]


[hr]

	With his immediate willingness to help and his ease in making small talk, it was hard to deny that this Yachir was quite personable at least. He also made a good point: thrice in under twenty-four hours, you've needed to raise arms against both monsters and men that sought to do you in. It is expected for someone in your lines of work, but nevertheless, having a third set of hands both to combat such adversaries and mend you again should something go awry? The more you thought about it, the better the idea became. You turned your head away from him to meet the bright blue eyes sitting across from him. It seemed like she was thinking the same thing, as she gave you an affirming nod.

	[color=95A5A6]"It certainly would be safer,"[/color] you agreed as you turned back to Yachir. [color=95A5A6]"We've had a few hiccups so far, and getting a few more hands on deck could be quite the boon."[/color] At this news, Yachir graced both you and Aika with a smile as he picked himself up off the bench. [color=6fc1bb]"Excellent,"[/color] he began as he lifted his staff off of the floor. [color=6fc1bb]"As this didn't seem to be a matter of great urgency, the magic I've used merely accelerated your own body's healing. A good night's rest should see you just fine at the east gate tomorrow morning."[/color] A soft [color=95A5A6]"Mhm,"[/color] acknowledged his medical recommendation and rendezvous point. With such matters confirmed, the dragonborn bowed his head and stepped around the bench to excuse himself from the church. In his departure, you could hear the under-breathed scoff of the priest who owed duty to this church. Standing off to the side, the Daldoran cleric had taken a moment away from another church-goer to eye Yachir with continued distain for his previous comment. The gesture was not lost on one as perceptive as you, and as Aika picked up upon where your attention aimed, she too recognized it.
	
	[color=7ea7d8]"C'mon, Verity,"[/color] she said, perhaps a bit too loud. [color=7ea7d8]"Let's go before he tries to charge us for sitting here."[/color] The twinge of playfulness in her voice continued as you two rose and made your way outside as well. [color=7ea7d8]"Sheesh, greedy types everywhere today, huh? Hopefully whatever inn we stop at isn't so bad."[/color] A heavily exaggerated shrug bounced her shoulders up and down momentarily as you stifled a laugh, instead only rewarding her antics with a smirk.

	[color=95A5A6]"Hopefully."[/color]

[hr]

	Another once-over across town and a more humble innkeeper made the rest of your night a breeze by comparison to the day and a half you had prior. With yet another renewing rest behind you, the first glimmers of morning sun peeked over the rough Daldoran horizon as you and Aika stood once again by the multi-lingual sign inscribing the town's name. Your eyes were set upon the road ahead, winding back up the path you fought the carriage driver along and over the next ridge eastward, the itinerary back to Aika's master plotting itself in your mind. A soft [color=6fc1bb]"Good morning,"[/color] drew you from these mental depths, followed by the clacking of bare claw on cold stone as your newest traveling partner expressed both his own punctuality and his appreciation of yours. [color=6fc1bb]"I hope that you are feeling better than yesterday? Well enough to set forth, yes?"[/color] You turned away from the morning sun to see Yachir placing himself at the gate as well, a serpentine bow of his long neck met by the more angular nod from yourself. [color=95A5A6]"Good enough to go, as you said it'll get better with time so I'm not worried."[/color] The dragonborn drew a long breath of relief at your high spirits. With another round of pleasantries for Aika, the three of you made your way east, and in only a few minutes time you began to make new progress homeward.

	The chatter was idle among the group. A note about the clear skies elicited a call back to a certain dwarf and his prayers to a god of weather and travels. Another merchant along the road conducted more honorable business to sell your little group extra rations for the hike. And the sight-seeing was immaculate as the sky filled with a purer blue and the dull slate glow of morning mountain stone was replaced by the brilliant crystalline white of midday snow. A thought brewed in the back of your mind though, ever since Yachir first asked to join you, and in the peace of this walk you felt it appropriate to ask.

	[color=95A5A6]"Yachir, I've been meaning to ask. What business have you in Geland? Or are you simply passing through on your way home to Minerva?"[/color]

	The dragonborn chuckled a bit at the question, turning his eye down to you without aiming his head. [color=6fc1bb]"Ah- I was wondering how long you'd stave off curiosity. No, I do not live within the Oligarchy. My people- as I am ashamed to call them such- have made a mockery of what it means to carry the blood of dragons."[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Ohh- right. Dragons, haha,"[/color] Aika's eyes widened and though you knew exactly why, you kept it to yourself. [color=7ea7d8]"You don't like them, then?"[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"I wouldn't go as far as to say I dislike them. Only, the Minervan way of doing things is... disagreeable. Surely you don't hold the actions of some humans against all human kind?"[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Suppose not, yeah."[/color]

	[color=95A5A6]"So where in Geland, then?"[/color] You reiterated your question, keeping the conversation on track.

	[color=6fc1bb]"Albrigh, the Lustrous City, and your- our- capital."[/color] He answered in Gelish, with a bit of poetic dance in his voice, as if he were drawing the city's prismatic flower fields and sparkling skyline with his tongue. [color=6fc1bb]"Two dear friends of mine have missed me since departing on this most recent pilgrimage. In some ways, you each remind me of them a bit. Perhaps that was why I felt it was my obligation to aid you."[/color]

	While the Daldoran spoken by you and Aika was rough around the edges, good for most conversation but clearly of someone not fluent, Yachir seemed quite proficient with both human forms of speech. Nevertheless, it was a relief to continue the conversation in your own native language. His head turned fully this time as he asked [color=6fc1bb]"And what about you then?"[/color]

	Aika beamed slightly at the chance to answer, a feeling of kinship clearly radiating from her. [color=7ea7d8]"We're on our way to Albrigh as well! My teacher expects us. After that-"[/color] she caught herself, pivoting to an alternative narrative to keep her master's goal a secret. [color=7ea7d8]"After that, maybe we'll stop by to meet your friends?"[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"That would be delightful. I'm sure Aiden and Annalise would warm up to you right away."[/color]

[hr]

[color=95A5A6]
	• Ask about Yachir's friends.

	• Ask about Yachir's distain for Minerva.

	• Ask about Yachir's magic.

	• Say nothing.
		[Pass time to the Daldon-Geland border]
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