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[Redcoat]

He had been rejuvenated. Their journey had left him, and his party, hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty, and ragged. Thalmir was only just beginning to recover--rather spectacularly--from his ordeal. Takeshi had literally collapsed, likely from overheating, but he had now recovered, eating rather silently about 2π/3 radians (starting from Anikus' right) from where the scholar sat. But they were still alive. With the meat from the tentacle monster and water from the pond it had once made home, their basic needs had been satisfied, save rest. He looked up to the trees they'd secured; that aspect of the plan was equally ready. They'd even had time to bathe for the first time in what was likely a week, an opportunity the scholar relished.

For once, and in the most unexpected place, things were going right. It was almost scary.

The monster from the pond had died in Thalmir's firestorm, assisted shortly after by his own. With that, it had been fished out, its acidic tentacles chopped away, and, in an incredible stroke of luck, its central body found to be made of edible meat. Just to be sure, Anikus had tried every purifying spell he could muster on it. It was as safe of food, and as good of food, as they were going to get here. Not that that was negative. Though the texture of a couple parts were marbly, and there were a couple of anatomical surprises, it was the best any of them had eaten in days, pemmican and rations excepted, and there weren't any hallucinogenic drugs in it this time. Guaranteed. As if that weren't enough, the acid from the monster's tentacles had been saved in a number of Anikus' space vials. After all, you never knew when that kind of thing could be useful.

As he ate his rather garishly spiced meat, rather ravenously, he looked to his comrades. He loved them, even if they hated him. In some ways, he knew it was simply the joy at realizing that death was avoidable, provided they didn't all keel over due to some horrible jungle parasite. But on another level, a deeper and less incidental level, he meant it. Particularly surprising had been Thalmir's change of heart. But he estimated that, given what they'd went through back there with the Entity, there were lots of changes of heart. He himself had been shocked to his very core. In some ways, he wondered about exactly what that had showed him. Yes, he was a loyalist. That was a fact. But was that all he was? Was his personality, his whole being, so easily summed up as "scum-sucking sycophancy", as the Entity had pronounced it?

He knew intellectually that it wasn't. He served the Crown for noble reasons, didn't he? ... Didn't he? Of course he did. He'd seen the notes, the briefings, the ideas about what might lay beyond. What he was doing was necessary; Her Majesty had deemed it so with the best information available to the Empire at the time. But at the same time, he couldn't help a sort of emptiness emerging. Maybe it was just the Entity's demonic words, the end result of the psychological gauntlet he'd been through in the past several days. But he couldn't help a guilt; not only out of his treatment of the party, but out of a realization that he was taking orders, the quest was not his own. That someone in Londivm, no matter how noble--in either the bloodline or moral sense of the word--was, indirectly and evidently with great ineptitude, guiding his destiny. Somehow, he began to hate that. He laughed at himself a bit; perhaps this was childish. In fact, he knew it was childish. But couldn't we all be just a little bit childish sometimes?

He longed for some conversation, but he was a bit too busy climbing out of his own internal well.

[Kamikaze_X]

Thalmir sat silently by the far alongside his comrades. It seemed that after all the excitement of the battles, and his fated meeting with the Entity, the pain of his mending ribs came back. Of course, he was healing well now, and unlike before, he could swing his claymore with less difficulty. Suddenly remembering all of the supplies he had for his new bow, he started to rummage through his pack, making sure all still remained.

This quiet had started to get on his nerves. He could only entertain himself with the pieces of a bow for so long before he looked back across the fire to the quiet members of their party. For once, he threw his hood back and allowed his long, silken black hair to flow back. Wondering how he might strike a conversation, he ironically looked to Anikus - the very person he never would have talked to perhaps hours before unless it was in the form of a death-threat.

"Anikus, thank you for the aid back there. I doubt I would have defeated that beast without the extra heat from your magic. All in all, I'd say that was a successful skirmish." Thalmir chuckled ruefully at the thought that they were eating the beast that had caused them some amount of fright.

Looking at his 'octo-meat', he smirked and reached back into his pack. Grabbing several small bags, he started to gather different crushed herbs and spices that he had kept from his adventures in the wilderness a bit earlier. Taking several different kinds, he sprinkled a bit of each into his crude bowl, soaking it all into the broth. Flipping the meat repeatedly until all the spices were soaked in, he took a finger and pressed into his food, a small flame started to heat everything back up until it steamed a bit.

Looking to the others, he showed them the bags with a grin.

"I think it's good I found these on some of the trips we've been on. I doubt there's many spices or herbs down in this hole." Looking to Anikus, who sat toward his right, he passed him on the the bags. "I learned how to prepare many different things as a Ranger it seems... just do what I did and I guarantee your food will taste ten times better than before."

Taking a bite from his own meal, he indeed enjoyed every bit of it.

[Durandal]

Marketta sighed with relief as she ruffled through her backpack. It had only been a few hours since they had slayed that foul beast and purified the water from the pond. They had been able to set up camp right next to the pond somewhat quickly - she had no doubts the prime priorities her companions sought were to eat, drink, and sleep. She too felt the yearn for such primal needs - they'd been fighting ever since they got to this damned temple, and some rejuvenation would do well to aid the team in their endeavors. They still had to get out of this underground world, however they couldn't do so on an empty stomach and a drowsy mind.

Inwardly lamenting, she pulled her hand from her backpack empty. Her search for anything to flavor the bland meat they had cut from their latest enemy had returned empty-handed in the most literal sense. To be honest, her loss was a far-cry from the other unfortunate escapades and encounters the team had endured this fine day, and for once she was happy she still held the ability to be afflicted by such a mundane unbecoming. However, before she could bite into her tasteless meal defeated, Thalmir pulled from his bag an assortment of spices and herbs, to which he passed onwards to Anikus with an almost eerie generosity. Given how most of the team besides Marketta herself and a few loyal -- or too novel to understand such aggression -- companions despised Anikus enough to outright berate the man on every unwanted forthcoming and surprise. It was a miracle how some of them didn't just kill the man and be done with him, especially in Grimlain's case.

Thalmir had acted oddly ever since the man had awoken, Marketta reminded herself. His former ill-content and distrust of Anikus had suddenly been reconciled by his healing; Marketta couldn't help but ponder whether it was either the man being thankful for Anikus' plight to aid him, or merely some twisted form of magic Anikus might have accidentally initiated when he used the spell. Maybe it wasn't accidental at all, she lingered - surely he'd see the benefits in him being loyal to him, however most of Marketta wished to dismiss this troubling thought. Anikus was not corrupt; he may be an unlucky man, but he would not attempt such treachery, Marketta assured herself of this. Maybe she was still not broken of her idealism from their travels, but she hoped her doubts held true.

Staring wide-eyed at the bowl before Anikus, she looked at him with exaggerated covet; if he glanced in her direction it'd probably look far too obvious that she was a few impulses away from pouncing the poor adventurer. Smirking, she continued her penetrating gaze; however other matters required her attention. Suddenly realizing what she could do for the team, she began to speak; despite this new development, Anikus was given no comfort: her eyeballing was relentless. "I could probably send Atticus out to help search for an exit. If anything it'll at least be able to spot a path we can take in our travels."

She only needed the agreement of her companions to continue with this course of action, however the food would as well coax her easily enough - she was painfully reminded of her hunger due to her delay in receiving the food, however she could hold. If anything Anikus would likely cripple under her innocent lust, if not out of sympathy or fear. She did have cat ears - no doubt he worried that wasn't the only cat-like thing about her.

[Lyon]

Kaethe noted Marketta's predatory glances toward Anikus and wondered inwardly whether she wanted his spices or something... hotter. Then she shook her head. Gods, I really need to get my mind out of the gutter. Or get laid. Neither of these is likely to happen soon. She looked at her own food with slight distaste: she didn't generally eat her enemies, as a matter of principle, but she supposed it was better than starving.

She took a tentative bite and winced, but swallowed nonetheless. "I feel like you gave me the worst part of the beast on purpose."

"Don't complain," said Telchi tersely, his own food mostly untouched. He was too absorbed in looking back on his experience with the Entity that he didn't interact much with the others, but he was determined to recover. He leaned over to Thalmir and muttered under his breath.

"Why the sudden change of heart, friend? The last I saw, you were determined to disembowel our fearless leader, but you seem more cheerful now that you've almost died." He thought for a moment, then amended his statement. "Well, come closer to dying than we usually do."

[Kamikaze_X]

Thalmir, after passing the bags to Anikus, allowing their leader to take his fill, had them passed to the rest of their comrades. After all, upon getting out of this underground hell, he could always easily find more of the same spices back in the forests and woodlands. As Telchi leaned in and asked him why he had suddenly seemed to change his ways, Thalmir meditated on how he might go about answering as so many things went into his decision to essentially stop hating Anikus.

"Well," Thalmir started, not caring too much about being quiet enough so others couldn't hear him. "when I went through my own ordeal - far aside from my broken ribs - I learned a lot about myself. I saw myself through the eyes of another... I looked upon myself from afar. I suppose I can sum it all up and just admit that my bitterness toward our leader was... well, unfounded. I realized many things through my ordeal, and one is to never take my comrades for granted. I owe Anikus, and likely all of you my life... I need to stop dwelling in the past, and the mistakes I might have made. So, I choose to look to the future instead. There's a new dawn out there, and I intend to see it with a new light." Thalmir finished with a serene smile.

[Redcoat]

As the scholar listened to Thalmir's speech, he passed the spices on to Marketta, noting just how much she seemed to want them. Interrupting Thalmir for just a second, he nodded a yes to Marketta's scouting suggestion.

Anikus was quite taken aback by this. The Entity didn't seem to have the ability to truly brainwash anyone, unless it won its battle, so the scholar was sure Thalmir wasn't off his nut. But it was still an amazing change of heart; after all, he was about ready to kill him a few days earlier.

"You're welcome," Anikus joked. "That's quite a deep thing to say, and I can't say it doesn't apply to all of us. My instinct right now is to apologize to all of you for bringing you down here. Hell, I almost want to apologize for pulling you guys along on this trip in the first place. Maybe I shouldn't have even stopped in that tavern in the first place, you know? So don't think you're the only one who's done things wrong."

He closed his eyes and took a bite. Thalmir was right. Things were ten times better than before. Not just the food, but the connection he suddenly felt with his comrades. He chewed his food for a bit, swallowed, and carried on.

"My experience with that thing didn't leave me without a lesson, either. I don't think it's right, what I've led you into, how things have gone wrong, how we always get the short end of the stick; I don't know if it's just my luck, or our luck, or some horrible Administrator of fate guiding every last nasty thing we come across, but it's a shame that things have to be this way. If we want to get through, we're going to have to trust each other, and we're going to have to be allies; we're going to have to act as one. I sense that the darkness of our ordeal has just begun." He cleared his throat for a second. "I trust you all. Some of you have saved my life. All of you are doing what you can to see through a quest that really isn't even yours, and when it's over I don't know how I'll thank any of you."

[Chef]

Grimlain sat quite near the fire along with everyone else, deciding not to sit by himself this time around.  They were a team, after all, so there was no point in avoiding anyone anymore.  Now they'd have to stick together, because their journey was bound to grow even more difficult at this rate.  The Shard could be a heavily sought after object.  Others would be more than willing to pry it from Anikus' cold, dead hands.

Grimlain's pipe was lit, smoke puffing from his mouth.  It had been a while since he's last smoked.  He almost forgotten about it during their ordeals down in this cursed forest.  Grimlain had been feeling the after affects once they started camp, due to his addiction, and had since then been sitting there puffing away.

A few members of the party started some sort of sentimental discussion.  It was rather surprising to see Thalmir and Anikus essentially apologizing to each other.  Anikus himself apologized to the team on a whole, sorry that this had ever even started.  Grimlain had mixed reactions by now.  At times, he definitely hated Anikus' guts; at other times, he could understand that the scholar probably didn't mean any harm.  If anything, they were just extremely unlucky.

"No need to apologize for anything, Anikus," Grimlain said, not looking away from the fire.  "It was our choice to follow you, and you never gave us any guarantees, so I might even go as far as saying we should've expected all this.  That encounter with the Entity made me see a few things I was missing too.  I saw my young adult life flashing before my eyes.  I almost killed myself.  But I was saved by the old words of a friend.  Live on she said.  And that's just what I'll do.  That's just what we'll all do."

Grimlain wasn't one to speak for long periods of time in conversation, so he ended his addition there.  In fact, that was probably the most he's talked during this whole trip.

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Sakura brought over a small bowl to Takeshi, who leaned against a tree, still slightly weary, although quickly recovering.

"I suppose we will, Grimlain." Sakura sat next to Takeshi as she spoke. "In any case, we've been glad to be at your side, Anikus."

"Despite it all." Takeshi drank the broth of the squid, not seeming to care about the lack of flavor. He picked up the clay jar at his side and broke the seal. He only drank a small swig of whatever was inside before putting the stopper back. His longcoat, with several new tears, lay on his lap, revealing his sleeveless leather jerkin.

He retrieved a small bag of needles and thread and set to fixing the tears. "Live on indeed. We also need to move on, I think. Like Thalmir. Such that we may face coming battles without regret."

Takeshi sat silent for a bit, thinking. Then he spoke, "Anikus, do you know anything about what these shards are? And do you know who seek them? And why they do?" His voice did not speak of ignorance. If anything, his voice was underlaid with a hint of knowledge.

[Durandal]

Marketta's hunger now sated by the flavored meat, she finally spoke again with the group. "No thanks is needed, Anikus. I was glad to help, Howeve-" Her question was suddenly cut short by Takeshi's own question, it oddly being just about the same as hers. It was a coincidence, nothing more, but it was interesting that they were about to ask the same thing at that exact time. "Yes, what Takeshi said. I always wondered slightly why you came here, but I refrained when I helped you. Now that we're stuck down here... It'd be wonderful to know what cause we're fighting for."

Marketta had read the scriptures and aided Anikus really out of kindness and support for her new captain; she wasn't usually the one to care for repayment. That said, she wasn't stupid. Marketta had helped the man for little more reason than being helpful, however knowing why he had the scriptures, and required them deciphered in the first place would help her to possibly become more useful to the group. She'd heard thus far a lot of talk about this 'shard' they had found: vague memories of something concerning them reminded her of her experience as a girl, however any idea as to what these memories were were blurred horrendously. Maybe Anikus' explanation would clear her mind.

[Redcoat]

OOC: Note that Wyrm takes place in what they call the ninth century.

---

Anikus, his meal finished, set down his dish and utensil. The look on his face had some joy to it, but you'd have to look hard to notice. On one hand, his relief at finally telling the party what they were doing, and therefore absolving a great deal of the guilt he'd been feeling, would likely be offset by the hanging sentence he would receive at home if he spoke and Arkova knew of it--what he knew of the Shards was Crown Intelligence data after all, and not something to be talked about idly. But on the other hand, who cared? If the Crown's aims were good, which Anikus believed, despite his recent dissatisfaction, to be true, then it was his moral duty to support the Crown's ends of obtaining the Shards, not necessarily its means of absolute secrecy. The more selfish side of him reminded him of the serious difficulty the Crown would have in prosecuting him if the knowledge never left his comrades' lips. He'd just told them he trusted them. For now, law could bend to practicality.

"I warn you, before I begin, that this knowledge is meant for your collective ears only. I trust," be said, hinting to what he'd said earlier, "that this information will stop with the party and that all of its members would see fit to discuss it only with each other."

His warning was responded to by a number of nods. The scholar cleared his throat. It had been so long since he'd taught; an old joy welled up in him. Perhaps his place was a classroom.

"What I know of the Shards comes from my own research, alongside a fair bit of what I've been privy to through Crown Intelligence. I dare say that what I know isn't much. In fact, I am sure that my knowledge is sorely lacking in several areas. What we do know is that the Shards' origin has to do with a time period near the fall of the Clan Empire around the turn of the seventh century. Their power stretched, once upon a time, far and wide--all the way from the Kyokujitsu through to parts of what we now call Stormguard's Iron Barony, from my homeland all the way down to the Mercantile States."

He looked at Sakura, who was giving him an awfully strange look. In her eyes was knowledge. Of course, it made sense that a person of Clans ancestry would know more about this sort of thing, but his aura-sensing wouldn't shut up.

"The history surrounding their fall is fairly fuzzy, but what is known is that several battles are said to have been fought with "the forces of darkness". One could replace the term "darkness" with "chaos", "hatred", or any other particularly negative concept, and be in accordance with at least one of the legends. Scholars had taken these terms to mean the Valdich, or Shamblings, or Treants or Reavers or some other nasty misbegotten force of nature, but there are documents suggesting that out of this turmoil came several artifacts with the usual legends and ideas about magical powers attached. But of course, this was an academic matter, or one for crazed adventurers like ourselves, or for scaring children. The Crown's interest, and as a direct consequence, my own, began later."

He looked at Takeshi and Sakura for a split second before continuing.

"Certainly, by now, you know of the Valdich. They're situated up north somewhere--we do have reliable maps leading to their homeland, but certainly, the Crown's never explored it or really sent ships up there. Until recently, there's been no reason to. That is, until it became obvious that our old enemies the Goblins had to be getting help from somewhere." His face entered a slight grimmace as he continued; his hatred was obvious. "In law the Crown has been at war with the Goblins for years--since House Gionat united the lesser feudal lords, in fact. Frankly, that's a long time. Anyway, it was always border skirmishes. They'd threaten a city three times a generation, then we'd paste them, then we'd burn a few villages to stop more uprisings, and all was, if far too bloody for my taste, good in the sense that the Crown was held secure. Then the bastards started coming up with bigger armies; with magic training, with better weapons. Sometimes with proper organization. Then came the fall of Malchester. They broke our defences, with clear Valdich help, for the first time in easily a hundred years. You can understand what the Crown's response to that was, aside from burning every village we could get our hands on. As we speak, Her Majesty readies the Realm for war."

He sipped a little bit of hot water. He loved the stuff. His dehydration was marked, after all. They'd been here so long.

"They contacted me shortly afterwards and gave me this assignment. I was supposed to go out of my way to find the Shards, because we had evidence the Valdich may have been working on that. I figured it'd be a talking sort of deal--work with some academics, perhaps a few thugs along the way. And lots of book-reading. So I signed up, and what do you know--my notes tell me it's absolutely hopeless. It's important work, so it has to be done, but how? They refused to send me resources--the war effort, they said--and so I was stuck without a paddle. And that's when I found you, all of you, willing to go along with me and perform this task, for some incredible reason I still can't explain. I just never thought it'd be this exciting!"

[Kamikaze_X]

Thalmir sat contentedly by the fire and listened to everyone banter about different things. Fishing out the long-necked pipe of his, he loaded the head with some tobacco. Touching a finger to the grounded smoking leaf, he lit his pipe using magic and took a long, relaxing puff. Upon most of the group speaking a bit about their ordeal against what they had chosen to name The Entity, Anikus spoke last.

To their immense surprise, she started to tell them everything that they had been kept in the dark from since the beginning of their entire journey. Thalmir listened in anticipation as the scholar recounted history behind the shards and how they had to find them and why. Of course, one thing seemed to have been left out of the entire story.

"Anikus... does anyone know what these Shards do? Whatever it is, it can't be good, I'd warrant." Thalmir asked with a small hint of excitement.

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Sakura bit her lip and looked at Takeshi, who shrugged slightly, then nodded.

Takeshi started, "Well, first you should know...that, aside from husband and wife, we are Chronicler and Guardian. Chroniclers in the Kyokujitsu collect and archive much of the events of the known world. Among other things. Guardians are simply their protection. We are, among the Clans, the best and brightest, although that does not necessarily make us better than someone from another nation." He looked over to Sakura, who began her own monologue.

"I'll start with some historic notes for you, Anikus. The Shards don't just...originate from the fall of The Clans Empire. One could say they are a product of the causes of the fall. To note on the fall itself...in our records, much of which does indeed fit the age of that era, the fall is, at least partially, attributed not to "forces of darkness", but to "a force of utter despair" or "a force of utter hatred"."

She let that sink in a bit first before continuing, "As for the Valdich...They are one of the causes of the Fall. In fact...They were a Clan." Derision rang clear in her voice. "They betrayed the Clans Empire, side with this "force of despair or hatred". They are a violent group, and extremely powerful. They rarely leave their cursed isle, becoming enigmatic at best."

She closed her eyes, collecting her thoughts. "As for maps, we have several. However, they are ancient and unreliable at best, some dating back to the late sixth century. Now...as for these Shards...Well, they are theorized, in the writings, to be a seal of some sort. Some, rather ignorant theories, say the Shards are a seal on the Valdich Isle. Unlikely. Other...stranger theories...consider the Shards to seal away the aformentioned "force of despair". This said...it is only a theory. Hell, they might just be a false artifact, a way to get the Valdich to come out of their holes so that they are open to attack again."

Takeshi spoke again. "With all this said...it might be a bit to consider. There is more to our story that you lot ought to hear. Perhaps I will tell it later."

[Redcoat]

"If the Shards have something to do with this force, then, that explains why the Valdich would be so interested in getting them. Perhaps they know something we do not, if this is the case. It seems unlikely to me that the Valdich are so irrational as to grasp for straws, given their known skill in hunting us. But of course, this does give our quest new urgency."

Anikus yawned. He didn't have much more to say about this sort of thing; no doubt he'd have to grill them for more information later. But it felt good to get it out. Hopefully, the group's peace would be preserved. Perhaps they'd even succeed. Maybe, if they were lucky, they'd live through it. But at least he knew he wouldn't be going at it alone. If he were fortunate enough, maybe they'd even stop backbiting.

[illuminaughti]

Dionys lingered just outside the circle of light, behind the others but within earshot of every word that was spoken. Despite the warm lush breeze she was cloaked and drew her arms in close, shivering as revelation dawned in a forest of eternal night. They were no ordinary treasure hunters, as she had first imagined, but rather seekers of a particular treasure. Her eyes lingered over each of them wondering why they joined the mage in red. She was an academic and had questions but knew little about the histories they spoke. She had spent her life in slavery to kings and were not privy to their treaties, histories, or neighbors. Rather she kept her distance, stayed quiet and watched.

[Durandal]

Marketta, noticing their silent and lingering new addition to the team avoiding the camp entirely, got up to investigate. Walking up to the new woman in the squad, she pointed towards the fire suggestively. "You must be a bit chilly out here, away from the fire. Not to mention lonely. We've yet to get to know you, there's not been much time to talk. If you feel shy you can sit next to me; I can introduce you to everyone in the squad. They're nice people, I can assure you." Marketta explained to the woman, now gesturing towards the campfire with two hands, giving the woman a soft, reassuring smile. She knew how it felt to be in such a situation. She never really was one for human contact anyways; she had, as long as she remembered, been a very shy girl. She never quite... Belonged. There was always something that made her feel different from the others; even on the ship before she had never felt quite right with the crew.

This however was a different case. There was something about this odd, ragtag bunch of adventurers that made her feel welcome; like a part of the group. She wasn't sure whether it was her new crush, or if somehow she just felt right in this group. Given what usually happened to this team, she was really down on her luck if it was the latter.

[Lyon]

Telchi smiled slightly as Anikus's speech drew to an end. Perhaps our leader has a heart after all... I'm almost shocked. He nodded to Anikus in approval after the others had said their piece. "Well, at least we can be more sure that you're not trying to kill us after all. Save your thanks: me, at least, you can thank by leading us out of this mess."

"Mess?!" demanded a voice from the edge of the water. What had appeared to be a bush suddenly rose up into a humanoid figure. "Mess? This is not a mess! It is my kingdom! It is a lovely, flourishing place, full of LIFE! And... more life! As long as they don't try to kill you, because then it would be full of death!"

Telchi's swords were out in a flash, but no sooner had he drawn them than they flew from his hands and landed point down in the shallows of the lake. "Naughty," said the figure, wagging a finger. "That isn't nice. We've not been introduced yet. You can't kill someone if you haven't been introduced. It's a rule."

"I don't think that..." began Kaethe.

"If it's not a rule, I'm making it one," said the figure, moving closer to the fire. Its face was still obscured by a strange headdress of a reptile skull braided with vines and feathers. "Oh, wait, where are my manners? Good morning, beautiful people! I am the Lady Queen Hawk the First, the Great, the Defender of Justice and Small Plants. You may bow to me now." Hawk moved forward, revealing a woman swathed in vine robes, long hair braided with feathers and the bones of small animals. Her teeth, surprisingly white, flashed in the firelight as she smiled. "Well?"

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Takeshi looked aside at the newcomer. "Women, coming from bushes in some apparently lost kingdom? Fatigue must really be catching up to me. That said, why am I not surprised? Oh yeah..."

Takeshi stood. Shakily, spreading his feet to catch his balance. "I only bow to one person. He is not here. That said, if I bowed, I'd probably not be getting up." Takeshi took a deep breath before continuing. "I am Takeshi, from the Kyokujitsu. I'm sure there's an off chance you may have heard of it, but I'm pretty sure you haven't."

Takeshi shifted, exposing his sword, but keeping his hand well away from the hilt, an obvious sign of peace. "I have no intent on causing trouble, beyond whatever I may come across by my own mistake."

[Kamikaze_X]

Even Thalmir, with his keen sense of hearing and navigation, could not sense the newcomer approach them so quickly. He stood abruptly along with Telchi and Takeshi looking to the intruder cautiously. His hand almost, subconsciously, went for where his bow would have been - if it was repaired, he likely would have had his arrow knocked and string drawn by now. Instead, he grabbed the hilt of his claymore, the shimmering blade only just protruding from its sheath.

Unlike the others however, he made no move to speak with the stranger, but allow them to speak before he would strike. Planting his feet apart, he readied himself to unsheathe his blade and attack at the moments notice - should anything go awry. Looking to Anikus, he wondered what his take would be on this stranger and furthermore if he deemed him dangerous to the group. In Thalmir's eyes, no one that could sneak up to a group of adventurers - some of which had fantastic tracking and detecting skills - should be unhindered. If this person was deemed safe, for a while at least, until Thalmir could trust them, he would keep them on a short leash indeed.

[Lyon]

"Don't be ridiculous, you're not fatigued," said Hawk in a disapproving voice, glaring at Takeshi and moving over to directly in front of him. "Refusing to bow to a queen in her rightful territory is a sure sign of madness. But I suppose I will forgive you this time, because you're kind of cute." She giggled and chucked him under the chin in what she thought to be an affectionate manner, then moved among the other members of the group. She looked over Kaethe's clothes with interest: despite the beating they had been through, bright red still showed through the dirt in some places.

"Hmmm. Let me get a better look at those, dear," she murmured, pinching the fabric between her fingers and eying it. Kaethe, somewhat alarmed, stood very still, hoping that she wouldn't irritate the mad mage. "This is awfully dirty," observed Hawk. "You really ought to take care of yourself more. I'll help you with those, out of the goodness of my heart."

With a gesture Hawk caused a wave of clear, clean water to rise from the muck in the lake. Hawk neatly sidestepped as the water formed itself into a jet, shot up into the air, and came down on Kaethe with a huge splash. The thief was driven to her knees by the force of the water, and got up sputtering indignantly.

"You bitch! How dare you? What did I do to deserve this?"

"Absolutely nothing. That's what makes me so nice," said Hawk brightly. As Kaethe started for her, she frowned. "I already washed your clothes. What do you want now? My patience is not inexhaustible."

Kaethe drew one of her knives and moved forward deliberately. Hawk's face showed an expression of dawning comprehension, followed by pleased realization. "Ah, you're trying to kill me. This must be one of those uplander greeting traditions. My turn!" Folding her hands as if in prayer, Hawk closed her eyes, then thrust one palm forward.

A blazing fireball shot from Hawk's hand, heading straight for the horrified thief...

[Vithar Megilaglar]

Takeshi moved quickly, knocking Kaethe aside with ease. It was obvious that his mention of fatigue was now sarcastic. He threw up a magical shield, possibly more powerful than needed.

The fireball impacted with a pale blue shimmer. Takeshi looked at "Lady Hawk" through the shimmer.

"Sorry about that. It is not a...greeting." He glared back at Kaethe. Or rather, half glared. "You...angered her."

Takeshi let the shimmering barrier fall, watching as it dissipated into the air. He extended his hand. "Welcome to our ragtag band of adventurers. We don't intend to harm you. Well, I don't, and I'm betting my wife doesn't either."