[color=95A5A6][b]> Ask about Yachir's magic.
		[Pass time to the Daldon-Geland border] <[/b][/color]


[hr]

	Divulging the nature of your newfound quest so soon surely wasn't something you nor Aika were keen on doing, even as talkative and friendly your new companion seemed to be. The astuteness with which he correctly guessed such secrecy was not lost on you either, and so you chose to exercise a careful choice of words to keep him away from that topic. [color=95A5A6]"Soul searching does seem like something a holy man would do. With your prayer earlier and the one that Umildraen made for this good weather, perhaps I should consider faith myself."[/color] You threw a cheeky grin up to the dragonborn, whose lip curled in a shared amusement. [color=95A5A6]"He claimed that Ersu, the god of weather and travels were to thank for that. To whom do I owe appreciation for your healing magic?"[/color]

	As it became clear where you were going with this, Yachir bowed his head slightly, not breaking your group's stride along the road. [color=6fc1bb]"My servitude is to a god much more, somber, shall we say? You see, my duty is not to heal, it is to allay suffering, and ease the soul for wherever it may go next."[/color] His explanation avoided a name, and yet the scholarly woman beside you picked up on the clues and uttered a single word herself.

	[color=7ea7d8]"Acmez."[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"Indeed. Many don't even consider him throughout their life, but as life nears its inevitable end, we must all answer to him. It is not uncommon for a priest of Acmez to bless those for whom it is their time, and to stave off his call when it is not, though we priests ourselves are few and far between."[/color] You nodded along to his explanation, at the very least grateful for his aid. [color=95A5A6]"So, what, you just wander the countryside, healing the wounded and performing funeral rites for the dead?"[/color] Your blunt oversimplification sat slightly uncomfortable upon him, but nevertheless he confirmed your assessment with a nod. [color=6fc1bb]"Surely it is a service none would decline, be it as simple as you say or not."[/color] With the point taken, you posed a question for him to elaborate upon further. [color=95A5A6]"What other kinds of magic do you know, then? Surely healing isn't all you've got."[/color] [color=6fc1bb]"True, in entreating the god of death, I've learned quite a bit about the subject. Most clergy would agree on the horrible nature of bastardizing the natural life cycle with necromancy, but in the nuisances between the lines, you might discover that there is much more to it than simply turning the undead or protecting against such influences. But- ah- as you two have elected to hold cards close to the chest, so too shall I."[/color] Despite his long-winded turns in conversation thus far, he seemed quite set on cashing in his turn to keep a secret.

	In getting all the information you seemed like you'd get out of him, you turned to Aika to pick her brain a little bit. [color=95A5A6]"Does any of that sound like what you've studied with your master?"[/color] Unfortunately, she shook her head. [color=7ea7d8]"Study of the arcane and worship of the divine are quite different. As I'm sure you can guess, it takes a great deal of faith- both in belief and action- to prove one's self worthy of a god's blessing."[/color] Yachir chimed in again, suggesting a counterpoint. [color=6fc1bb]"Ah, but is that so different from wizardry? Both require zealous trust in their craft, and both require years of genuine effort."[/color] To this Aika nodded, though her stance that they were not so similar remained. [color=7ea7d8]"Doesn't every skill worth having work like that? Sure- they require time and effort- but fundamentally the magic is totally different. While I can shape and craft my own reservoir of energy into whatever my imagination can come up with, you must abide by the limits your god gives you, both magically and behaviorally. And while you draw on an external and crazy powerful source to fuel your spells, I'm limited to my own stamina."[/color]

	[color=6fc1bb]"Mmh, I will always appreciate those who are well read not only on their own art, but of others as well."[/color] Yachir conceded the point gracefully, acknowledging Aika's knowledge on the workings of both forms of magic. A bit lost in the middle, you could only pivot your head side to side as the two continued the conversation in even more nuanced jargon. Something about ontological leylines, mathematics in magic, and even the terminology behind such classifications of spells? It began to fly over your head, and so you focused more on your map than anything else. This roll of parchment between your fingers, with crude borders and redrawn itineraries was grounded, direct. Simple. You consulted the dried ink and considered the roads before you as you led your little group eastward.

[hr]

	It would be the late afternoon of the eighth day since your outset that you reached your next checkpoint. The stage around you had been reset from the glistening white overlaid on militaristic grey that was commonplace in Daldon, slowly replaced by a warmer breeze and a greener undertone beneath the snow. Further east still, the descent from the mountains returned you to a temperate land, where the snow melted away and the verdant plains of Geland stretched before you. Front lines of forestation mimicked the borders on your map, and nestled comfortably against one of these northern patches of woods was the border town of Gallluma. You had passed here before on your initial hike westward, a through-village surrounding the crossroads that would split in all directions between Daldon and the neighboring Gelish provinces of Vatiir to the south, and Cesbury to the north and east.

	Gallluma was a cheery and quaint little hamlet, not nearly as bustling as Guthram at this time of day. The road that ran from the western to eastern gates was wide enough for carriages to travel both ways unimpeded, with an additional road branching off to the south for those who had business in Vatiir. As you walked among the collection of buildings on either side of the road, you could pick up on the alluring scents of dinner wafting from the nearby inn, as well as the less than pleasant smelling stables across the road, where travelers gave their horses somewhere to stay for the night. The look in Aika's eyes as her attention aimed toward the inn spoke volumes to her desires, though it would be hard to fault her for hungering a proper meal and bed after a long week of walking. It was still difficult to read if Yachir was at all weary too, if he was he hid it well. As he observed the stables, perhaps he was assessing the viability of acquiring a faster means to travel.

	At the very least, you were in your homeland once more, even if it was the far side. A long breath of refreshing spring air filled your lungs, purging the bitter and flavorless winds of the Therakin Mountains. The only question now, was what to sort out first?

[color=95A5A6]
	• Follow Aika's lead to the inn.

	• Follow Yachir's lead to the stables.
[/color]