Rhadama emerges from the Healer's Den, looking a bit frowsy and thoughtful. She notes the deer carcasses hanging outside the door and nods. She goes back into the den and comes back out carrying a knife and tray and wearing an oilcloth apron. With some effort she manages to wrangle the smallest deer down from the tree pull it over to a nearby stump.
Inexpertly, but gamely, she starts disassembling the carcass, preserving the skin and cutting the meat into manageable hunks.
The Ixifar smiles at the gnome and then jumps as she is pawed by the wolf. Holding her knife at the ready she lobs a bloody hunk of meat some distance away over the animal's head.
"Go get it," she urges, not wanting to fight the canine with only a knife.
"You can help keep an eye on that wolf," she mutters out of the corner of her mouth. "While we cut this up and get it inside."
With a happy yip and a short lick to the leg the wolf jumps in a ciircle wiith his taiil wagging the wolf walks over to thhe deer meat and starts to eat. After eating the deer meat the wolf backs a wayand in a slow transsformation Atasatch is standing fully cloothed in the wolfs place. "wonderful thing about being a canine is never havingg to cook your food." he said withh a slight chuuckle
Marduk, still guarding the deer for Rhadama, watches Atasatch change from wolf to humanoid form. Hearing his comment about eating raw meat he asks "so... when you change, isn't that raw meat still in your stomach?" Marduk strokes his beard contemplatively and says "If it isn't.... where does it go?"
Taklinn strides up as the gnome contemplates the gastrointestinal anatomy of a werebeast and says "Well met cousin! Lady Rhadama, iffin' ye ain't too busy this day I believe I am gonna go kick around some stones and see what I can find. If ye'd like to accompany me I could probably use a bit of company. Mind you we ain't got the mines cleaned out enough to do any proper mining, but I have found a few places that I can show ye to get a bit of surface mining done. At the very least ye may learn to identify a few things, though I would love to have a proper mine to teach you the finer points, but I ain't fer going back to the mines till I finish up a few more errands." he says in surprisingly good spirits this day. "Oh cousin, I found this th' other day and thought ye may be able to use it better'n I." he regards the gnome and tosses him a small gemstone. (OOG treasure sent)
Marduk catches the gem stone and holds it up to the light. Some would see money... Some would see fasion... but Marduk sees potential magic in the gem. With a grin he looks back at his cousin and says "thank you... and if these are the stone you might kick around down in the mine.... I 'ld be glad to accompany you." (OOG treasure receiced) "although we need more torches.... the shadows were murder last time."
Akon walks back up from the lakeside, clean now of all deer bits, and stops short, seeing that they are already being pieced out. She nods to Marduk and Taklinn, then takes elegant stride up next to Rhadama to begin piecing the larger of the two remaining hanging deer. "You're going back down into the mines?" She raises a brow, taking out a simple carving knife to begin her work.
A woman clad in dusty brown travelling garb approaches the small gathered group, fanning herself with a large brimmed black hat. She smiles and nods in greeting to those she's just recently met.
"Speaking of the mines... Rhadama, I don't believe I've thanked you properly for pulling me back to my feet in there. At least twice, if I recall," she says, smiling appreciately at the Ixifar.
She pauses for a moment, then asks the other healer, "I was wondering if you could teach me that trick of yours, though. Healing all those around you at once?"
Rhadama smiles at Akon, and shakes her head at Atasatch. "Well if I had realized it was you, Wolfie, I wouldn't have been so scared."
She turns to Taklinn, "I'm ready when you are, master miner."
Addressing the human healer she says, "I'd be happy to teach you that spell. It's very useful. I'm going to spend the day with Master Taklinn, but if you come back tomorrow we can work on it." (OOG: send me a teaching request for the skill and I'll put it in my queue.)
Rhadama takes off the apron and rinses her hands in a basin before joining the dwarf.
Something about Akon shifts uncomfortably. "You're going down there again, just you two, alone?" She frowns. "I realise we may have quelled the banshee that was summoning those shadows, but that sure as the Pit doesn't mean it's safe....I for one would feel much better if it wasn't just you two alone. After all, Miss Rhadama, I have pledged my self for your protection. The Uordeq script on those walls, and the corpses that were embeded in those halls spoke of nothing but ill will...." She glances to Taklinn, then back to the healer. "But if you prefer to go without my company, I shall remain here at your bidding."
"I ain't never said I was taking her back down inta the mines. In fact I said the contrary, that we would be stayin' up on the surface and looking about to see what we see. It ain't wise to be goin' back down in there to be slaughtered by yer kin or worse Urdek, and I ain't fer goin' back down there without a sturdy party around me. We need to rest up a bit and do some more researchin' and lickin' of our wounds afore we venture back down in there." he nods towards Atasatch as he talks of wound licking. "I'm thinkin' that she will be more than safe aside me, and I ain't fer goin' too far. But as some sailors like to protect their fishin' holes, I will protect my mining holes, no matter how small. If yer ready milady, we can begin this and be back afore the sun sets fully." he bows and holds his arm out for the Ixifar to lead down the road out of town.
Akon nods to Rhadama, then eyes Taklinn before returning to her work. She mumbles slightly, her eyes portraying deep annoyance. Speaking loud enough for Marduk to hear. "One of these days...I will grow very tired of that dwarf's snide remarks." She cuts swiftly and with precision into the deer. "I try my damndest to prove myself to this town, and all he still chooses to see is my damned skin...." She snarls, making another cut, deeper. " I even brought the stubborn bastard back from death, and his thanks? Blaming me for wanting to lord over him, throwing coin at me for a supposed debt, and calling me a bitch when it was my hand that brought him up from the grave..." She spits to the side, slipping the blade all the way down to the ribs of the deer at chest level, holding it there a moment, then sliding it downward to make a clean, neat cut.
Gaius's journey finally brings him back to town--just in time to see an Ixifar and a Dwarf head past him in the other direction. He then looks at the variety of people around him and begins to address a few of them. "Greetings Marduk. Ah, Atasatch - you are looking much better since last I laid eyes. Oh, and greetings to you as well, Branwyn. I meant to thank you for all the help you provided us over the past few days. The town is lucky to have you. Fancy? Are you doing well? Anger seems to have found you."
Tregard stops organizing and stares intently at Gaius.. A sad smile creases his face. “ A newspaper would imply freedom of the press. Freedom of the press would insinuate that we live in a free town. And Jastrey is no free town, brother." The bard pulls a sheet of paper and begins to cut it into quarters. "Pamphlets on other hand, suit this town. “ Tregard turns to the angry Uordeq, “Mind the liver, Fancy. Mother Maynard passed along a wonderful pate recipe”
Akon flashes a red burning glance between the others, then lays out a sheet of burlap and slaps several neatly cut slabs across it. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes a moment, then releases it and relaxes. "I appologise. I frankly believe that anyone that had to deal with racist, snide, belittling, derrogatory, undercutting, and blatantly insultinging remarks day in, and day out, despite putting her neck on the line repeatedly to save the very ass that gave the comments would grate the nerves of anyone..."
"Tomorrow is fine," Branwyn smiles. "Thank y...."
"PAPER" she is interrupted. "Oh! Hello. And hello to you too, Gaius."
She glances at Akon, imagining the knife Akon was plunging into the deer carcass sliding was something the Uordeq might like to do to the dwarf. The healer felt uneasy herself around the Uordeq, but the black clad figure did not seem to fit the normal stereotype. Branwyn had never encountered one before that was fighting on the same side as herself. "It is his loss," she said after a moment's pause.
Akon stops and looks to the brown drapped woman, studying her a moment, her entire focus fixed upon the disciple. She seems to think over the four simple words quietly, gaze still locked upon the woman, then a soft smile replaces the annoyance, biting tone quelled. "You really think so?"
Atasatch nods to Rhadama. "Maybe next time i shall wear a dog tags so that you may be able to recoggnize me" Atasatch smiiled at the same time. He then turned to thegroupp and offered, "f anyone needs it ii may be ablle to escoort someone innto the mines, my senses have increased siince myy alteration."
From the woods behind them appeared a familiar, winged, form. Though something seemed a bit more lighthearted than typical in the vampire. She dragged a large bundle behind herself, wrapped in hide and bound to her waist by a short cord. She tugged at the package, clearly somewhat fatigued by the day, finally, with a flop she lands face-first near the lot.
"My father enchanted a bell that couldn't be removed so he could tell mother from the other forest animals...but...well...we see how much that worked."
Ripper sat upright, untying herself and flapping the hide back to reveal a few deer's worth of suspiciously unbloody meat. She sparks up a grin before starting the perhaps more monumental task of licking the blood and flecks of muscle from her claws and hands with a contented purr.
Naivety, perhaps? Branwyn was prone to thinking the best of people and to give them the benefit of the doubt. Someday that was sure to come back to bite her, but hopefully not today.
"I do," she answered, seeming relieved that the Uordeq's annoyance was not directed her way.
Akon gives another small smile then a nod, seeming much calmer in her task. She continues to go about carving through the deer and flesh, now working on the second of the two. "Branwyn was it? It is individuals like you that remind me why I choose to stay here. Thank you." She looks back to the disciple, giving a sincere glance to make sure her point was well heard. Looking back to the deer, "And as I've stated before to our Ixifarian healer, I too am at your service to protect you. If you are ever in need of aid, be it on the field or otherwise, merely call my name and I shall do my best to answer."
Akon then looks to the vampire and smirks with amusement. "Well did you leave some for the rest of us, Ripper?"
Ripper glanced up from her impromptu hand-bathing.
"I always try to leave the population largely intact. It's just...usually I leave the meat for the farmers anonymously so they won't think it's tainted."
The vampire straightens herself back out, like a cat recovering from falling, refusing to acknowledge her unusual behavikour.
"But....the soldiers are just as like to confiscate it now. So I thought it would best serve here. "
She follows with a gleaming grin, leaning slightly toward the group as an excited child might.
"I could focus on fish instead if you'd like."
The vampire drew up a hand to her chest, brows scrunching upward in an almost comically over-exaggerated stare of mock-offense.
"I don't just drool all over them like an ape. I try to keep things as neat as possible. You can always tell yourself they were killed by....very large ticks. Though...It does seem a waste for all that meat. Perhaps an anonymous donation to the army instead?"
The grin that followed that statement was well...just shy of warranting a flash of lightning and a laboratory in the background.
Glimmer approaches the group quietly, looking a bit disheveled and dirty. She's very sweaty and loaded down with her full gear. After hearing Ripper's comments, she says "Cousin, I believe you still have a few bits of tasty on your mouth." Glimmer mockingly wipes at the corners of her own face to remind Ripper to clean her face. "And as for that meat, if it's going to be donated to the Army, I do so wish I coculd poison it again. That was such fun to watch the cook keel over in shock. He was such a fun plaything." Glimmer pouts a bit and then says. "I'd like to ask you all to be wary and alert if you come near the tower. I'm attempting to teach myself to have better aim to aid us all a good degree more on the battle field. I'd hate if someone came up all willy nilly like and caught me off guard." At that, Glimmer plops down beside Ripper, removes her boots and makes a very grotesque face as she catches a whif of her sweaty self. "Do apologize for my scent dearies, it's been a long day and not all arrows land where they should. I've been running around like one of those mangy soldiers trying to learn everything." Glimmer removes her flask from her pouch, taking two very long pulls, then promptly hiccups and giggles at the group.
With all the ruckus, Marduk decides that this would be a good time to take his leave. He steps back a few paces gives a short bow and says "Pardon me, but I have a few errands to run." He turns on his heels and walks off. As he begins down the path he begins chanting softly... "What was will be no more, through bloody rites of war......"
Ripper stared blankly at Glimmer for a moment, and then quickly wiped the corners of her mouth with the back of both hands. She sat beside her cousin, staring upward as if in debate over whether dysentery would be amusing or just messy. For a moment, clouds seem to roll across her black eyes and she leans closer to Glimmer to whisper.
"Speaking of the tower, may I still use that empty room as my studio cousin?"
Akon chuckles to herself at Ripper's face, throughly amused at the fae's antics. She finishes cleaning the dear, left now with little more than bones and several fine slabs of meet. She wraps the meat, and sets it inside the healer's den out of the sun, then takes down the carcasses. Hefting them over her shoulder, she takes her leave, hauling the caracasses out to the woods. Once there, she bends over then and hovers her palm just above one of the skeletons. She closes her eyes, mumbling to herself, then a few fingers prick a select number of small bones off what remains of the dear. Tucking the selected peices under her skirts, she then rises, straightening her back and bowing her head a moment. Taking a second to gather herself, she then turns to catch back up to the gnome.
Branwyn excuses herself from the small group gathered around the healer's den. "I'm off to look for a few herbs to gather if anyone feels up for a walk, assuming the soldiers haven't trampled everything useful." She waits just a moment to see if anyone feels like accompanying her before heading off...
Seeing Marduk well on his way already, she pauses in stride and catches ear of Branwyn's words. She takes a deep breath, considering persuing the gnome, but then decides against it. She turns and offers a slight smile. "We've yet the chance to get much aquainted, Miss Branwyn. I shall accompany you glady. Besides, if those soldiers decide to get pesky, I'll pesk right back." She smirks with a wink and walks up beside the disciple, giving her a nod that she is ready to follow. "After you.."
Tregard has now form a circle of paper around himself. Serenely, he addresses Astastach. " Lupo, how goes fares your affliction? Any voices calling from the abyss?" The bard rummages through the pockets of his cloak, searching for his quills. His head cocks towards the druid, awaiting his answer.
Atasatch stares at the bard and smiles. "Aye my friiend voiices of the abyss stiill pllauge me, however they are nno longer as strong and I have startted too call baack to thhe voices. And now they recognize my strength." As Atasatch fiinished hhis statment he fluttered his coat and stood starrinng offf into the distannnce.
“ I hope Gorepaw stays slient for awhile. Mean fellow, when he comes out to play. Nearly lost a mirror to him.” Tregard scribbles notes on a page:The best government is a benevolent tyranny tempered by an occasional assassination. Satisfied with his work, the bard asks” Gaius, what order are you in?”
Rhadama approaches the Healer's Den from the woods. She is carrying a pile of small wood in her arms and dumps it in an outdoor fireplace near the entrance of the building. She then goes into the Den and comes back out with several long poles and a bundle of twine. She begins placing the poles in holes around the circumference of the fireplace and stringing the twine between the poles.
She hums happily to herself while she works.
"That's a good question, Tregarde," says Rhadama as she comes back out of the building with a pile of meat and skins. "We definitely need to do something. Jastrey should be a free town. Maybe we should start by sharing what we know about the army. That way we'd be able to see if there's something we can do to drive them away from here."
Marduk, hearing some wrangling going on outside, stands up from his books and steps out to see what's going on. Removing his goggles to get a better look, he sees Rhadama standing over a deer with a knife. "Is this a sacrifice or is this dinner?" He then walk up to her and says " well... it could be both I guess." Drawing a knife from his belt he looks up at her and asks " need some help?"