Reflection

Picking up the rag he had brought with him Jael wiped the sweat from his face and leaned back against the tree he was using as a training dummy. After a long day of blacksmithing the training was harder than usual. His sword went back into it's sheath at his side and Jael slouched down lower on the three to sit at it's base.

A funny feeling built up and Jael tilted his head to look up the road. There was an outline of a figure he recognized approaching, "Hail friend.", he said nodding his head. 

To Jael everyone here was his friend, there was no reason for them not to be friends. Not that he trusted them, though some had earned his trust through battle.

 A little ways off, Inara picked her way through the tree line, lanturn lit and held high, searching through the fallen leaves. She'd already started a small collection of leaves, grasses, and small flowers stored in a loose pouch. For the moment she did not noticed Jael or Valez nearby. 

Valez pulled the hair out of his eyes and searched for the one who called his name. He saw a man sitting against a tree. "Well met Jael, it appears both of us have survived our first days in this town." Valez walked towards Jael and took a seat in the cool grass. He placed his weapon on the ground next to him, but kept a wary finger on its hilt. "How did the others weather against the storms of this place? I know i am changed from the experience." Valez closed his eyes and thought back to all that occurred the last couple of days and winced from the pain of guilt that surfaced for a moment. Valez opened his eyes again and looked at the man before him. "how have you coped?"

 Jael nodded again in return, "Yes, yes we have."

Valez took a seat down next to him and Jael took note of the finger that remained in his hilt, not that he disagreed with that precaution in the slightest. Some interesting questions emerged the last of which took Jael by suprise.

"Well from my understanding some did not come out as fortunant as we did. I know my friends Inara and Nanoc took their fair share of beatings though in the end it seems everyone is able to fight another day.", Jael explained from his point of view pausing to move on to the next question, "As far as coping I believe that this is the most fighting I have ever seen. I am a blacksmith's son and I have seen much more blood in this town than I have ever seen spilled in my short life. However I am still a warrior and understand the need for such things, I would say that I have been accepting of things as they have happened. I can say that in this town the people watch out for each other, at least when an outside threat emerges."

Deciding not to end the conversation Jael bounced back a similair question, "How about yourself? I know little of your background but either way even the most hardened fighters would admit that a lot has happened in this short time."

"Well...I..." valez stopped breathing suddenly his ears picking up footsteps then his eyes a lantern. "dare say that we are not alone?" Valez gripped his sword and stood. He looked towards the lantern, but made no move to hide. At the moment Valez was tired of taking every advantage in order to win a confrontation. If he was to do battle it would be an honorable one, like his father taught him.

 Inara continued her searching with no mind to the tense Valez a few feet at her side. Though, her search brought her about in his and Jael's direction and she quickly got the sense of a presence up ahead. Peeling her gaze away from the leaf covered ground, Inara raised her lanturn and glanced before her. She could dimly make out the figure of a man. "H-hello? Pardon me if I'm intruding upon anything..." 

 Jael was already tierd but the information that someone else was there stirred his blood. He drew his sword in the same motion he stood up, an observer could tell that his actions were not rushed by any means.

While stepping out from behind the tree to stand next to Valez a voice sounded from the woods. After a sigh of relief Jael re-sheathed his sword, "Inara what are you doing around here?"

With his free hand Jael signaled for Valez to lowe his sword, though he figured it would happen anyways.

His hand hand loosened its grip on the sword. Habit though kept one finger on it. He remembered Inara, the elf. He sighed and sat back down against the tree. "Maybe we should start a fire it is getting very cold out here." He looked up at Inara and nodded his head towards her, his hair falling to cover his eyes.

 From the general direction of town a figure cloaked figure in all black can be seen slipping through the trees, a bow strapped to her back and a quiver at her hip. Dark eyes surveyed the group of three, none of whom she recognized, from beneath the black folds of a hood. A mask covered the lower half of her face. Katri's approach was silent, but not at all concealed.

In the trees not too far behind from Valez and Jael, a sudden rustling of leaves and brush can be heard. The noises of movement in the woods quickly grows closer towards the pair, until just before the edge of the path when there is a thump followed closely by a high-pitched "EEP!" A small gnome comes tumbling onto the path next to Valez, grumbling to herself as she clumsily rights herself and straightens the large cloak hanging from her shoulders.
"... Stupid stick..." Lylonna whispers under her breath. Now standing in front of Valez, with wide eyes, a big gasp, and a smile, "VALEZ! You're here so that means it's safe for me to come out now!" She looks over to Jael, and with a slightly perplexed expression says, "I think I've seen you before... But..." With another big gasp and wide smile, "Hi! I'm Lylonna!" Turning so as to address both, "So I hear the elf over there is Inara? I think I've met her too. I've met a lot of people--and a lot of other things-- over the last few days." Lylonna inches a little closer, and with intense curiosity asks, "But what's this I hear about a fire? It IS awefully cold!"

 Inara nodded in greeting to both Jael and Valez. "Hah, hello Jael. I'm uh, practicing my weaving. So I'm looking for the right materials for it." When Valez spoke suggesting a fire, the she-elf perked up. "Yes, please! Seems a nasty cold snap has greeted up these past few days." 
 
When the gnome girl stumbled out of the brush, Inara jerked back in surprise making her lanturn sway sharply. She quickly steadied it to keep the fire from going out and looked to the little new comer. She took a step closer Lylonna with a smile. "Yes, I do believe we met briefly. But it's nice to meet you again nonetheless." 

 Katri continues her approach quietly, face completely hidden, catching snippets of conversation. She sees the gnome tumble from the wood and hears names that confirm she knows none of the group and assumes they had come into town during her absence. She is nearly upon the group when she clears her throat lightly.

Valez smiled; being always warmed by the presence of this curious gnome. "Well met little one. It has been some time since I have seen you." Noticing the elf come closer Valez nodded towards her. He brushed the hair out of his eyes and looked upon his company with his eyes.
"It seems we have all made it." Valez got up and brushed the leaves off his cloak. "I'll build us a suitable fire & then we can tell each other our stories." Valez walked into the darkness, but kept within ear shot as he picked up wood for the fire.

Ohren stumbles into the group causing a bit of a rucus. He has in his hand an Alco-frog.
"I DIDED IT! IS FINISHEDED!!!" 
Ohren is smiling widely.
"I Placeded the last bit of roofin. Theres one last thing to be done before is really doneded. BUT IS ALMOST READY!"
Ohren stumbles away drinking from the Alco-frog.
 

"Oh for the love of! Really Ohren?" A thick Uordeqi accent is heard beneath the black mask and hood covering her face as Katri finally reaches the group. Her voice is calm and empty of real emotion, "And drinking from the frogs again..."

He heard it in the distance. Glad he did that he kept within earshot. A crashing noise and a harsh voice. One that sounded familiar. It was another voice that troubled Valez. His hand clutched the hilt of his blade and he walked back to the group. "Who are you Uordeq?"
"

 "I would appreciate you removing your hand from your blade. I have done nothing to warrant such a threat." Katri turned her head to the questioning male.
 
Her hands went to rest on her hips and her voice was icy calm, "Dont you find it a bit rude, as well, to so harshly demand the name of another? Particularly not having given your own?"
 
She made no move to draw back her hood or draw down her mask. She stood patiently, reaching for neither quiver or bow, but blueish purple magic sparked warningly at her fingertips. Katri's attention was focused away from the rest, though she kept them in her peripherals. She gave the distinct sense that she looked directly back into the gaze of the new face questioning her.

The attention he had on Inara was soon lifted as many new characters found their way into conversation.

"Ohren! Way to start without me! Here i was busy out here training and you are drinking from your frogs again. Though you keep that frog for yourself I am one to drink out of a glass or mug myself."

Soon after the comic display of a tumbling Gnome and an Ohren the area became more tense with Valez addressed the unfamiliar Uordeq. His smile quickly shifted to a concerned frown before ultimantly ending up at a neutral expression. Jael grew up in a smaller mostly human based community but was exposed to other races especially when he made deliveries for his father. While understanding Valez's caution he would not share the same apprehension. After all there was another Uordeq who ventured with them into town and he had become to trust that one.

He bowed first to the gnome, "I believe I have seen you before as well. My name is Jael Taydon."

And then extended the same treatment to the mysterious Uordeq bowing once again, "Jael Taydon", he repeated dropping the fist that he had to his chest upon straightening upright.

Valex lifted his hand, but kept a finger on it. He eased up noting Jael's comfort. He looked upon the Uordeq, still not trusting. "You expect laughs and smiles Uordeq?"

 Inara sighed. So much excitement all of the sudden. Bending down to collect a couple more leaves that caught her eye, she took a seat by a large tree. "Come now...We're all friends here. No need for such tension. Valez is your name, yes? I believe our gnome friend Lylonna is still a bit cold. Might you occupy yourself with liting that fire you promised?" Inara turned her attention to Jael, giving him a look that suggested he help her get everyone settled down then glanced over at the Uordeq. "Good evening, miss. I'm sorry for my friend's hasty tension. I think after all that we faced of late...we're all a bit jumpy. You care to join us in our soon to be campfire?"

Valez nodded and went back to collect the wood he had and brought it back. Not looking at anyone he built a small house using the wood then set it aflame. He sat back against a tree near lylonna, the only person he truly trusted in this group.

 "I expect what is owed to every citizen of Jastrey: courtesy and respect, human," She replied coldly. She turned her back on the rude man and faced the one who introduced himeself as Jael.
 
She slid her hood back just enough to uncover her eyes and nodded respectfully, but spoke to them all, "Well met. I am Katri. Katri Cassitran."
 
Finally her attention turned to the elf as she spoke. Her eyes seemed to soften a moment in understanding, but the look was gone as quickly as it had come- seemingly a trick of the dim light. The thickly accented girl nodded, "It is nothing I haven't dealt with before. But if his problem is what you have faced lately, then he had better get used to it. You all had better. Jastrey is not a quiet place. And thank you, I may join you for a short while."

Valez looked at the newcomer. "Respect is earned....so earn it." His and reaches down to pick up a stick to stoke the fire. "warm enough Lylonaa?"

 "Human, I hope you sleep lightly. And I can promise you my months here have earned me more respect than your few days." Katri's eyes flashed with venom. "I have striven to protect this town and will not have someone who knows nothing of me dare to say I have earned no respect. I would also certainly hope that you treat any other's you meet in your travels with an inital modicum of respect, lest you'll soon meet more than your fare share of blade's points."
 
Magic sparked at her fingertips once more as she continued to hiss, "If my race is the barbaric or cruel one that must earn even the required respect of a first meeting, why is it that I am the one having to lecture you on manners?"

Valez noticed the magic at her finger tips. "calm your self mage, it is not befitting of some one of your skills to worry about the ramblings of some one who has just arrived here. I treat those i do not know as combatants till they prove them selves different. It is how I stay alive. Do not take it personally." The young warrior grinned and looked at Katri. "And i sleep heavily."

 The magic faded and Katri settled herself in the branch of a tree just over head with a muttered, "Now is not the time to fall." [float].
 
"I see. I shall try to remember that. It is certainly an interesting way to stay alive. I would learn to do other wise, in regards to your sleeping heavily. It can be problematic in these parts." Katri gave a low laugh with a chilling undertone. She paused a moment before asking the human, "What is your name?"

The human relaxed visibly and looked up to the curious Katri above. "My name is Valez Du'Urth. I figured I will die sooner or later...I'd rather die in my sleep than awake. At least in my dreams I have some semblence of peace. I trust my friends to protect me whiel I sleep, tis all I ask of them. I will protect them in the waking hour. "Valez rubbed his sore shoulders and poke the fire trying to gather some more warmth to the area. "How did you come to find yourself in Jastry Katri?"

 Katri nodded at his reply, still leaving her mask to cover her face she paused a moment and thought of the best way to answer, "I left my home in the Shadelands the moment the spans opened. I left to become stronger and better than the man I know as my Father. When I crossed I found myself caught by the men of the Reinholdts and forced to work in the mines on the undershard. When a group of us escaped, we found ourselves in Jastrey, which held more people from my home than expected... My brother Rasiri, Lady Nivarian and the Reinholdts by the name of Wryenn and Alyial."
 
They young Uordeq felt she had covered her story well enough and vaguely enough to satisfy both the others and herself. She settled her self more comfortably on her branch and asked, "And you? How did you all come to find yourselves in Jastrey?"

Sitting in front of the fire at the threshold of being warm or being on fire, Lylonna quietly watched the tense exchange between Human and Uordeq. Once settled, Lylonna looked over to Valez with a laugh and said, "Hey, I sleep even heavier than you--in case you haven't noticed!"
Turning back to watch the fire, her expression turned to a rarely-seen seriousness. "To answer the question of how I ended up here..." She paused, let out a sigh, and continued, "I really don't know. I just feel drawn here. To be honest though, I don't have much memory from before I ended up here. I don't know if it's because of some magic, or if I even fell and hit my head somewhere. Or both for that matter. I hope to figure it out one day." She paused for a moment to look up, then plopped backwards to lay on her back and look at the stars. "But in all reality it doesn't really matter to me. I am here now, and I just know that I'm happier here than where ever I was before."

Valez smiled. "Lylonna your warmer than this fire. I do believe though i saw you get hit in the head by a goblin." He looked down at his sword and remembered why he was here. "I'm here because I do not belong elsewhere. Sooner or later that will change." Valez looked at Lylonna and laughed. "Good for me that I have such a powerful ally." Looking more seriously he stared at a leaf which had just fallen from a branch. Its descent was slow then quick. Its colors bounced about its spine. It appeared skeletal. "I am sorry for the injustice that occurred in your past Katri." The leaf touched down on the ground and faded into the other leaves. No longer the unique creature it was.

 Katri nodded to the pair, intrigued to see the little gnome, apparently Lylonna, grow serious for a moment. When Valez's apology reached her ears, a low dark laugh bubbled from her lips, reminicint of Akon if anyone around knew her. Dark eyes flashed in the moonlight with an unreadable emotion before it seemed to vanish in to nothing. "Injustice... Yes... well. We'll never mind that thought, but thank you. Well, I'm sure you have been welcomed before, but I'll say it again. Welcome to Jastrey."
 
After a moments pause her gaze lighted on the elf and the other human, "What of you two? What brings you to this Immortal forsaken place?"

 At first it was a strain of effort to thrust herself between the human's and uordeq's conversation. Her knee-jerk instincts were screaming to intervien before something unseenly broke out. Though, perhaps the wiser part of herself said to not be so hasty. Things may sort out on their own, and as she watched they did indeed. She gave a quiet sigh of relief and then pulled up her sack containing her collection of leaves and such. With care the elf began pulling pieces out and inspecting them, setting them on her thigh. Once she had a few selected, she began slowly and carefully weaving them together; twisting parts here, looping others. And as she ran out of pieces, she would pull more from her sack adding them skillfully. 
 
As she wove, she listened in good humor, to the tales of her friend's and how they came upon reaching the adventureous town of Jastery. Her own story seemed so dull by comparison. "Hmm...well, I suppose my reasonings are more foolish. I think I see that now. Heh. See, I left my home..." Inara paused and gave a small glance towards Jael. He was going to find out sooner or later. She sighed. "I ran away actually. I ran away believing that I alone could some how fix the world. Heh, I think I still believe that a little...but the world is far more dangerous than I ever could have imagined. So, if nothing else, I will spread my father's teachings every where I go. And maybe hearing that truth...maybe it will bring forth the right person who can make a difference." 
 
Inara looked over at Jael apologetically. "Sorry for not saying so eariler Jael...I was afraid you'd make me go back home." 

 Jael listened as the conversation continued between Katri and Valez as he sat near the fire. He hoped that Valez would not end up dead but at the same time he had to agree with Katri. After dealing with people from all different backgrounds and traveling more than the average person Jael understood Katri's anger.

Soon the topic deviated to why and how everyone ended up here. Jael listened with growing interest as everyone conveyed a part of their story. Eventually the talk turned to Inara and himself though before he could answer Inara started to speak. She told of running away, which of that much Jael knew, and then offered the reason of why. He was visably suprised by her answer the goal she had was larger than most would imagine. Despite all that happened in the last two months let alone the last three days Inara still believed that goal was possible which amazed Jael.

He shook his head before speaking, "No need to apologize Inara. I would not have made you go back anyways. I would have encouraged it but we both know that you would have left again."

Jael offered a smile to her before continuing, "Well originally we were just passing through. Inara, Nanoc, and I have been traveling together a good two months. Making sure to leave with caravans and such to ensure a safer travel. I left my home because well it was boring. I the son of a blacksmith in Creekshire and felt like life was just a repeat of the same thing a different blade so to speak. In the little amount of time I've been here this town I can say that this is both the most exciting and dangerous place I have ever been. Mission accomplished I guess?"

He nodded over to Inara, "Your whole goal of saving the world might be less daunting with powerful allies. Perhaps it is good if we stay here a while despite the danger.", he gave a second smile.

"Also I would like to say that it is nice to meet you all. If you need any smithing done I am happy to do some work for my friends. And in my book you are a friend until proven otherwise."

 Katri shifted to her knees on the wide branch as she listened to the stories of the last pair. Nodding, she gave no sign of finding anything silly or childish in even Inara's shyly told tale of running away in the hopes to fix the world. The other human, Jael, apparently a smith, spoke last. His seemed to be the most straight forward- leaving home because it was boring. Well, he surely couldn't be the first or the last and she had a mild respect for his honesty, even if he did seem too trusting, like his elven companion.
 
"Yes, in spite of the dangers, Jastrey is a good place to be. The citizens look out for each other, even if only when an outside force threatens, and many will watch over you the rest of the time. You just need to choose who you trust carefully here." She finally drew her mask down before speaking and all could see the ghost of a smirk playing across her face. A soft laugh drifted through the group once more, perhaps a tad warmer this time, as Katri slipped from the branch and dropped to the ground with a light, muffled thump. She nodded to each of them, now opting to move closer to the fire, "Valez, Lylonna, Inara, Jael... Well met again, to all of you. Please feel free to call upon me if you have a need to."

"aye, well met." Valez closed his eyes and sat back. He felt so tired. How long had he spent running in this direction? He didn't know, just knew it would catch up. He hand slipped into his pocket and touched the edges of a piece of parchment. A sigh escaped the young man's lips and his body felt older. Its tired bones protesting, even in the ease of a relaxed position.
A confrontation awaited him. He had no doubt. He just wanted to live through it.

 After a short while of warming herself, Katri gave a short nod to the group and pulled up her mask and hood in preparation against the cold. "Well, I must bid you all fare well. I have things that must be seen to quickly, preparations to make before I leave for a time." Her hand momentarily brushed across her slightly protruding stomach before she drew her cloak closer around her.
 
With a final raise of her hand in good-bye, she melted away into the night back in the direction of town.