The bright rays of the sun had just began to peek from over the horizon and the birds were just barely off from their perches, seeking the early meal. Yet Galdor was all ready hard at work to pack up all the essentials he had prepared for the journey into his traveling bag. The raven that had seemed to have adopted him as her own personal feeder landed ever softly onto a brach right at eye level with the elf. "You didn't think I'd forget about your snack before I left, did you?" the elf asked the raven ever so coyly as he procurred a small handfull of blackberries from his pouch. Even as the bird hopped from the branch to eat from the elf's hand, a smile never breached his lips. He was too deep in thought about the long journey he must take and having to confront his troubled past. The elf sighed as he put the rest of the berries at the base of the large oak for the little raven to continue to enjoy it's abnormally large breakfast. Galdor dug a small hole and dropped in a single blackberry. "There, now you have somewhere to get your own berries," Galdor said as he poured a little water from his waterskin. He then retrieved his journal and sat at the base of the nearbye elm to look over his notes and roughly drawn maps just one more time.
Galdor jumped at the sudden appearance of the uordeq looking over his shoulder. He quickly scambled to his feet after quickly slamming his journal shut. "Ah. Madam Akon. It's g-good to see you," the elf greeted Akon with a slight stutter in his voice. He always did hate how she seemed to just appear without the slightest warning. Galdor regained his composer. "And I'd take you up on your offer, but it seems I don't really know where I need to start myself."
"Well, we could begin with why you are leaving in the first place? But it's really up to you. I'll do what I can to point you in the right direction." She looked at him with a bit of a smirk, though she seemed relatively at east and relaxed, and geniuine in her offer.
The elf thought about the offer from the warlock. Usually, one shouldn't trust an uordeq with such privy information. Much less a warlock. But, after observing the Madam Akon for the short time he's been in Jastrey, Galdor felt he could actually trust this one. Galdor sighed and his face showed the pang of longing for his old life. "Truth be told, Madam Akon, I need to go back to my once home. I need to know for sure why everyone I hold dear was disposed of in such a manner. I've ran for almost 75 years from my past. Now, I need answers." The elf released a sigh of relaxation as if some large burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Well I can't exactly tell an Uordeq, or any other race, where my home city is. It would overmind the point of it being hidden from trespassers," the elf innocently remarked. "I mean, it's not 'getting there' that is the issue. I still remember the way home like it was just yesterday. It's the getting in the city that worries me." A look of sorrow mixed with shame came across his face. "There still the issue of being wanted for the murder of my family. But it wasn't me! I swear it! I was framed and nobody would believe me!" The elf quickly tried to defend himself.
Akon moved along him, looking at his various features, lifting his hair here, looking into the color of his eyes, taking in every detail of his form. "Hmn.....you could go in diguised...I could teach you a few things. Might give you some time to figure things out, get them set right."
Galdor thought the proposition over. It would be easier to get around the local populace for they wouldn't be paying much attention. But the Royal Guard. They would see through it in an instant. "Well, it couldn't hurt. After all, any knowledge is a potential shield if used correctly. I guess I can spare a few hours before my departure." Galdor sighed. He didn't like being brought down as low as using trickery to come to his ends. It was dishonorable in the elf's eyes. But, as it stood, he had no honor to speak of left and anything was necessary to get it back.
Akon chuckled. "I"m assuming you have a bit more than a few days walk ahead of you..."
"Sthick weed, it's red, if you thwack it over your face, it will look like a battle scar for a day. Any Seer could do a decent job at disguising you properly. And don't bathe as much. If you smell, fewer people will be intrigued to even be around you..." She smirked. "Allow your hair to get disheveled a bit hmmm? I'm going off the assumption that only elves live in your former hometown?"
Galdor quickly retrieved his journal and wrote down the warlocks words almost exactly as she said them. He had never thought of using Sthick weed in suck a manner. He's only ever seen it used for cooking. The elf looked up to Akon. "Well, yes. It's almost entirely elvish. There are a few fae that have made their home their, but for the most part it's all elves. It's against royal decree to bring outsider other than elves or royal emmisarries into the city."
Akon nodded. "We could always turn you into a Fae..." She smirked in jest, but moved on.
"Best to avoid a Seer's art, most trained can see through their disguises. True deception is mostly in demeanor and appearance. You walk with pride, and you have a natural grace about you. Slouch your shoulders a bit, not too much, as it would be uncharateristic. But try to just be...a bit uninteresting?" She grinned. "Your head low..." She then scruffed his hair into his eyes. "You're not at all roguish are you?"
Jael was not all subtle as he approached. Darker circles were under his eyes than usual, as if he missed out on some sleep recently and he carried himself the same as he always did. Chest up, shoulders back, a hand on his sword and the other with a lit pipe. "Listen to her advice Galdor it will do you well.", Jael said as he came closer to the two of them. He looked at the supplies Galdor had gathered, "Leaving already?" He asked after a smoke from his pipe, "I wish you good fortune on your journey. May arrows miss your heart and blades dodge your vitals... It is something I heard once. So where off to?"
Akon smirked, and ruffled his hair again. "Carry yourself with egotism, and swagar, but looking a bit disheveled. That will certainly turn most folks off, especial with your kind..." She mused. "You can darken your sink with elderberry, just leave a mush of it sitting out over night and it will turn from red to brown. Lather your skin and hair in it, and you'll appear of a darker tone than you are now. That will help you be some what less recognizeable, and it's not magical in nature, so the guards won't likely look into it. Other than that... do well, and may you find the answers they seek, and have the wisdom to act the best you are able with the knowledge given." She said, taking a few steps back.
Jael nodded in approval, "Sounds like some solid advice. I will not pry into the specifics of your leaving Galdor. But I should hope that you come back and that your visit is fruitfull."
He lifted his flask from his side and held it up in the air, "A toast of sorts to your going. Take care Galdor let us have one more drink as a send off." He gave a drink before pushing the flask into his hands.
Galdor was quick to fix the hair Akon had just mussed up again. But, soon after, the human Jael had thrust the flask before Galdor after offering a toast in the elf's name. "To returning to my home. Old and new." Galdor took the flask and tipped it back as he was taking a drink, but only took a sip. He didn't need to be enebriated before leaving town. "Thanks you two. I won't lie. I've liked it here and I wish I could stay. I promise to return one day! When my mission is complete that is."
Galdor tucked his journal back away into his pack before tying his shield in place. "So long Jael, Madam Akon. Give my best regards to the rest of Jastrey." The elf pulled his pack onto his shoulders and situated it to where it was comfortable. "And Madam Akon? For an Uordeq, you're not as scary as you seem." The elf made sure his sword was in place at his hip before taking off down the road. The elf continued to walk into he was well out of sight, the freshly planted blackberry spot was the only indication that he was ever there.
Akon dipped her head gently, acknowledging his farewell. "Be well, Galdor, and my Eterjil's grace be upon you. Embrae tui contigitae." She bowed slightly at the waist as she gave the Uordeq blessing to his travels, then watched as he made his way down the path.
(We will miss ya! Let usknow as soona s you are back!)
"Well met Galdor. You take care of yourself.", Jael said with a smirk on his face as Galdor turned to leave. He continued to watch with Akon as Galdor disappeared down the path, throwing a glance towards the small stain on the ground where the blueberries used to be. Then he bagan to chuckle, "Yes, yes. It would seem that I am not the only one to think that you are not half bad." His smirk turned into a grin at that and he shot her a glance to see if she would react before gesturing that they make their way back towards town.
((Yeah man you come back and join us when you are done! More fun times to be had.))
"I can send you in the right direction, and perhaps give you a bit of guidance to lend you well on your way if you so desire." Came gentle words, as Akon's form materilized from the shadows leaning against the tree over Galdor's shoulders, looking down at his maps.