[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia first answered Shortfang, "Ah, that's right. Shortfang, I came from somewhere very far away. Japanese is a foreign language that the people of my home are somewhat familiar with," When Pylia made her comment, Sylvia shrugged and said "That's a good start. I wouldn't be surprised if I can't learn Draconic,"

When she mentioned eating and suggested cooking, Sylvia smiled as she pushed up her sleeves, "You got it!"

She was looking forward to cooking again! She took out her new cook's utensils, and the cookbook Iola gave her, and (after she quickly washed her hands with a bit of water) got to work making dinner for her and Pylia. She decided to go with a simple dish for tonight, so that she could get a sense of what some of the ingredients she was working with are like before she goes on to any complex dishes later on.

[Lucius Cypher]

New to this world but not to the idea of cooking, using the ingredients that you brought from Cassari you stew up a decent vegetable stew. It’s not as creamy or thick as the stews you’re used to, but it’s not bad either. Surprisingly hearty for something without much meat produce. Pylia and Shortfang like it at least.

“Mhmm, not bad. About on par to what I’ve had back at Cassari.” Pylia says honestly.

“Shortfang like meat, but plant food important too.” Shortfang helped himself to as much soup as he was allowed.

Soon night would fall, and while there were still many rowdy patrons drinking deep into the night, many were heading to bed. Only the camp’s guard remained awake to keep watch. Shortfang went back to his hole, covering himself up with a green furred blanket. “Shortfang like grass... Underneath nose!” He might have been trying to make a joke. As for Pylia she simple changed into some night clothes and laid down in the tent. The tent was really small; even as Pylia scooted over to the side of the tent, you had maybe a foot of space away from her if you laid down. If you laid on your side there was only a tiny bit more. “Um... I hope you don’t mind sleeping so close. I also have an extra blanket if you get cold.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia smiled at the both of them, and she answered the both of them, "I'm glad you both like it!" She let Shortfang have as much soup as he wanted, as long as she had a bowl for herself. She found that she was full after having that one bowl of vegetable stew.

As both of her friends were heading to bed, she started to head for the tent as well after cleaning up her cook's utensils. She answered Shortfang with a chuckle, "Ah, I see. Well, see you in the morning Shortfang," She then headed inside her tent and started unfurling her bedroll. Sylvia looked to Pylia when she spoke up and she answered, "I don't mind. And thank you, Pylia," After unfurling the bedroll, she then went through her backpack. She found the doll once more, and she asked her friend "Oh, Pylia. Anything you want to ask before today is done?"

[Lucius Cypher]

“Oh? Um... I’m honestly not sure what to ask. I never really thought augury magic was ever worth the effort. I guess... Will we run into any danger tomorrow?” Pylia suggested. It seemed like a simple enough request. “Or maybe if there’s going to be any complications towards Gransys? But I feel that one is too vague. Rain is complicated but hardly a deal breaker. Trolls or something would be much worse but... Anyways, I guess I’ll just ask if tomorrow’s journey will be safe or not.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded in agreement and she answered Pylia, "Sounds like a good question to ask," She wasn't about to admit that Sylvia had been thinking the same thing for the question if Pylia had no clue. But Sylvia was curious...Why didn't Pylia think that a chance to know what was coming was not worth the effort?
Sylvia then addressed the doll, holding it up to eye level, "What exactly is going to attack us tomorrow?" She felt like that was the best way to phrase the question for the doll.

[Lucius Cypher]

Once more the oracle glowed and you could hear a voice on your mind. ”Man and Beast will hunt for the weak. Their strength is in numbers. Their weakness is their leadership.” The oracle then went silent. Pylia looked at you expectantly. “Hear anything good, or just a bunch of vague prophesy stuff?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia slumped a bit in disappointment. She answered Pylia as she put the doll away in her backpack carefully once more, "Vague prophesy stuff this time. Both man and beast will attack, their strength is in numbers while their weakness is their leadership," She then lied down on her own bedroll and she commented, "At least we can take away the fact that the bandits will definitely attack from that,"

[Lucius Cypher]

“Man and beast? They did say there might be wolves on the road. I hope not, I don’t mind hunting, but I’m not a fan of needlessly killing and wasting animals.” Pylia says as she turns over to sleep. “Well... We’ll just have to be prepared tomorrow. Keep your eyes sharp and be ready for anything. Nyaaaah... Goodnight Sylvia.” Closing her eyes Pylia quickly went to sleep.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded in agreement and with her words. However, she did try to stifle a laugh. Did...Did Pylia just 'Nya'? The only thing she didn't do was making that pawing motion slightly over her head like a cat. She answered as she turned over and tried to keep herself from laughing at the mental image of Pylia making the cutesy cat like motion, "G-Good night, Pylia," Sylvia manages to calm herself down and just let herself fall asleep.

[Lucius Cypher]

It would seem like you had a dreamless sleep, however you keep having flashes of a dark cave. At first it looks like the one you came from? With the bones and the old bodies. You didn’t look back or rather you could t as you moved forward, and saw a strange green glow in the distance. When you got closer you saw a glimpse of some strange man in armor slumped against the wall, the glow coming from his chest. No... This was no man. But before you could think again a voice called out to you. ”Heart!”

You awaken to the sound of logs being dropped onto the ground. The space next to you was empty but you could see a warm orange glow at your feet. It was still dark out and there were some murmuring, as well as the song of insects around you. In the dim Fire you could see Pylia brewing up another pot of tea. Shortfang was stroking the fire with a stick.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Wait...is this...is this the cave I woke up in?

There's the bones and the dead bodies...

Huh? What is that...?

Is someone there...?

No. That's not a person. What is that?

Heart!

Sylvia gasped and jolted awake in shock and surprise. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down. That dream seemed real as well. Was that...another prophetic dream, or vision? What was that she just saw?

With the questions running rampant in her mind, she got up and headed out of the tent to see Pylia and Shortfang near the fire. She greeted as she approached the both of them, "Morning guys,"

[Lucius Cypher]

“Hiya.” Shortfang called out as he munched some short bread. Pylia had a small stack of them and handed one over. “One of those crazy priests from yesterday passed these around, along with his manifesto. Some craziness about the Smiter. At least the bread is nice, if flavorless. Did you sleep well?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia accepted the bread with a thank you, and after Pylia told her where the bread came from, she commented in realization as she recalled the memory, "Oh yeah! I think I saw that guy yesterday while I was trying to recruit adventurers! He was in a shouting match with another priest then,"

When Pylia mentioned sleeping, Sylvia answered with "Ehhh...Well enough, I guess?" At least the dream didn't keep her awake. She felt well rested. But the dream was still on her mind. She couldn't help but chew a piece of the bread in thought.

After eating that first piece she asked Pylia and Shortfang, "So, how long were you guys up?"

[Lucius Cypher]

“About an hour I think? Shortfang was actually up before I was.” The kobold snapped the stick he was using in half before tossing it into the fire. “Shortfang sleep in cage all day. Not tired, so kept watch. Stinky humans try get close, Shortfang scare them away!” He raised his arms up like he was about to roar at someone. It might’ve been more intimidating if he was bigger. Pylia handed you a cup of tea. It tasted like a green tea.

“Seems that most of the camp is still asleep, and the moon is still out. However I checked outside the walls and I can see some of the horizon in the distance. Red skies.” She says ominously. She dipped her short bread into the tea and munched on it. “It’ll be about a six hour journey to the second camp, but that’s with clear skies and no trouble. If we’re lucky maybe other caravans are leaving and we can travel in a herd, but so far we’re the only ones awake. I gathered a few wild berries and herbs outside, so we have some supplies for the road. Oh, and here for both of you.” Pylia handed you and Shortfang three of the white magic berries. “As usual, eat the goodberries if you’re hurt or hungry. Should be enough to last you a while.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia smiled at Shortfang when he mentioned that he had kept watch and scared away any humans that came too close to their tent while the both of them were asleep, "Good job, Shortfang,"

She accepted the tea and took a sip of it. Green tea...Now that was a familiar taste.

She listened to Pylia as she slowly ate her bread and drank her tea. When Pylia mentioned traveling in a herd, Sylvia skeptically commented, "I don't know...when I spoke to the adventurers yesterday, everyone is either heading in a different direction, or just aren't interested in Gransys. I'm not sure if we'll have any luck with traveling with other caravans..." She accepted the goodberries and put them in her backpack with a thank you to Pylia.

[Lucius Cypher]

With a heavy sigh Pylia nodded. "Yeah, wishful thinking on my part." It wasn't long before Ferric arrived with a basket, pleasantly surprised to see everyone already up. "Oh! Well then, I thought I'd surprise everyone, but it looks like you've all surprised me. Don't suppose you're hungry?" Ferric opened up the basket to reveal a boiled chicken. "Had this steaming since last night. Me and my boy already ate our share, so we figured we'd give you the left overs for breakfast. We're also ready to leave too, so when you're ready just meet up with us and we'll head out."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia looked to Ferric when he approached and she greeted, "Ah, Good morning Ferric," At the mention of boiled chicken, she wasn't sure if she should accept it or not. She had never heard of anyone boiling chicken before, and there may be a reason for that. Still...she didn't want to be rude to Ferric, and it wouldn't hurt to have a little more than just bread and tea for the road.

She answered Ferric, "Thank you Ferric, this is very kind of you. We'll be ready soon. Where will we be meeting up?"

[Lucius Cypher]

"Just meet me back at my cart. The gate's don't upon until an hour, so no need to rush. But the sooner the better, yeah?" With that Ferric waved the trio goodbye, leaving them the chicken. Shortfang was quick to take his choice cut of thigh and leg, but before he took a bite he looked to the others with a bit of a guilty expression. "Um... You want?" He held out the juicy piece of meat. There was a bit of salt, pepper, and what seemed to be cilantro on the meat. Pylia just smiled. "Go ahead Shortfang, just leave one of the legs for Sylvia. I like the wings and neck." Taking out her knife Pylia cut off the neck and head of the chicken before daintily peeling the meat off and eating it bit by bit.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded in agreement and answered "The sooner the better. See you then, Ferric," She didn't mind that Shortfang got his first choice on chicken cuts. When Shortfang asked and Pylia answered, Sylvia nodded in agreement.
Once she ate the chicken leg, she gathered her things, and asked her friends, "Alright, I'm ready to go. How about you guys?"

[Lucius Cypher]

The trio easily finish off the chicken and the bread. Gathering up their gear they'd soon meet back up with Ferric and Mica. Their cart was set up to go already. The mules seemed healthy, though the one that was wounded seemed jittery. Ferric gave them both an apple each and turned to the other three. "Now, unfortunately there isn't much room in the cart for more than four people at a time, including me who'll be up front to handle the mules. We'll be traveling at a steady pace but one of you might need to walk alongside the cart at some point. I'll let you decide for yourselves." Shortfang raised his hand into the air. "Shortfang can do! Shortfang always walk anyways. Shortfang tough!" Pylia turned to you and whispered. "I think he's just trying to compensate for you saving him. I don't mind if he wants to walk, but maybe wean him off the idea he needs to go all out. For his own good, you know?"