Gloris took Kaileer's removal of her hand from his shoulder and Aloysius' blatant staring as everyday oocurances. She did not seem to even notice. "More drinks for the ladies," she winked at Echo, "and dinner fer the rest of ya?" She returned with the unappetizing mutton pie for everyone except Kaileer. She brought him a loaf of cold bread, very similar to the half-eaten one in front of Echo. "I'll try ta dig ya up some cheese or something to go with that." She brought watery ale for those who could stomach it, watery beer for Echo, and a mug of clear liquid for Jana that smelled like it came from the same vat as whatever they had used to strip the paint off the ugly wooden chairs scattered around the establishment. Gala returned after a few minutes.
A hint of red appeared on Lasiar's cheeks, displaying his discomfort, or perhaps nervousness, at Gloris' touch. He brought his left hand to his face, coughed twice, and as he looked up at her, said, "May Selune bless you, good lady. I will have a bowl of stew with some warm, buttered bread. A cup of water too."
It was late for lunch but early for dinner as the companions ate and drank. By late afternoon, a few farmers and rivermen straggled in. Each was greeted warmly by Gloris or by Anth when she returned for her evening shift. The regulars seemed happy to see new faces in the tavern, and a few of them took turns telling stories as the evening progressed.
An old-timer started off with the tale of King Ssliren of the Shrieken Mire Lizard Men who had led the attacks on Thurmaster some forty years ago. "We lost o'er half our men and boys in those fights. There's be greeny scaly men runnin' this bar if Parlfray hadn't found a group of fightin' men to wipe 'em out."
This brought a general round of drinking to old Lord Parlfray's health until someone started grumbling about taxes they had to pay.
"Shut your mouth, boy," the same old-timer interjected. "He'll be using our coin to hire more fightin' men when those lizard men come again. I heard tell they got a queen now. A giant lizard with wings, she is. They'll be comin' back and Parlfray'll have to save our hides again!"
Aloysius finally managed to tear his gaze away from Gloris, and actually seemed to enjoy the mutton stew and watery ale. After he ate, he approached the old-timer who had told the tale of the lizard men.
"Uh, excuse me, sir? I overheard thee mention a giant lizardman queen. Has someone around here actually SEEN such a creature?"
"Ah yup," the man replied. "Stole two of the Marfields' sheep, she did. 'Course, I didn't see her. But I heard talk about it."
"My," the mage replied, "when was this? Do the Marsfields live nearby?"
"They live on the edge o' the swamp," the man told him. "It happened back in the early summer, I reckon. Maybe in the spring. They don't come ta town but a couple times a year."
"How awful," commented Aloysius. "My thanks for the information, sir." Aloysius moved off.
Someone else took this as a good opportunity to change the subject and started on a tale about the Black Beast of Howler's Moor, a giant black canine, bigger than a horse, with fangs and glowing red eyes that killed for blood when the moon was dark. After that, they were treated to a retelling of Dirkaster of Milborne's favorite tale about the ghost in the Gleaming Glade, some mumblings about birdmen living in the Thornwood, the Wild Woman of the Wood who they eventually realized was Oleanne, and that pixie-led ranger up in the Eelhold. The tales got more laughable and ridiculous as the evening progressed and more people switched from the weak ale to the brew that Jana and Echo had been drinking.
Lasiar observed the two women with arched brows, his head shook slightly as he sipped some water from his cup. "Perhaps you should try some of this water. Drinking too much of that stuff won't do well for your bodies, I'm afraid." Lasiar sighed deeply, knowing full well that his advice would not be heeded.
"Yeah," Jana said, her words slightly slurred, "but it's doin' wonders fer my soul." She grinned and started giggling again.
"A prayer to Selune, or to your God, would do more for your soul." Lasiar replied with a hint of annoyance.
Jana snorted irreverently and took another swig. "Got no use fer 'em," she mumbled.
Lasiar's eyes opened wide at Jana's remark, his lips tight in a frown. He stammered, "You cannot mean that!? Have you not ever asked for the blessing of a deity? Perhaps during the rage of a battle you may have uttered a prayer to the Lord of Battles, or even when you are injured, the priests that heal you draw their strength from the Gods. You still have no use for them? You have no idea the consequences of your disbelief."
"Didn' say I didn' believe," Jana replied, "Jus' that I got no use fer 'em." She shrugged and added, "'Appease all, offend none,' that's what my daddy tol' me t'do 'bout th' gods."
Echo listened to the exchange between Lasiar and Jana with a passive expression, although it was easy to tell that she was struggling to keep it that way. She started to add something since the priest's original disapproval had been directed at her also. She stopped herself, biting down on her lower lip hard enough to draw a bead of blood. "Excuse me," she muttered. She pushed her chair back from the table and moved over to the table of the man who had told the story about the Black Beast earlier. She talked to him for a few minutes before returning.
Lasiar eyed Jana grimly, determined to talk some sense into her. "Your lack of reverence to the gods disturb me Jana, and I am deeply concerned for your soul. One cannot progress through life without faith, my friend. Perhaps, you do not understand the importance of faith, and if that is so, I will pledge myself to instruct you on that matter."
Jana blinked a few times, obviously too far gone to catch much of what Lasiar was saying. "Huh? Didn'ja hear? Don' care 'bout th' gods." Her words were becoming progressively more slurred as she came close to finishing her third mug of devil's brew. "Lemme alone," she pleaded, taking another swig. "'Sides," she muttered, "notcher frien.'"
Lasiar appeared flustered by Jana's behaviour, but after a pause to collect his thoughts, he regained composure, and replied, while calmly looking at her, "We will continue our conversation after you sober up. May Selune guide your steps tonight." After dropping some coins on the table, Lasiar left for his room.
After conversing with the old-timer, Aloysius got his own room, but not before flipping Gloris a gold lion as a tip.
After he had finished the bread and had listened to a few tales, Kaileer stood up at the table and adressed the members of the group who had not yet succumbed to intoxication.
"We not long travel together," he said as he looked at Blacky and Echo, "we not all agree on way fight evil," he continued with a glance to Gala, then looked at the others and said something in his native tongue, "To lost friends," he translated and held up his drink then drained it in an uncharacteristically un-elven fashion.
With a nod to the others, he put his glass back on the table and left for the stables.
"Aye." Blacky said as he too held up his drink.. His thoughts turned inward and melancholy for a time, then he got up and whispered something in Anth's ear.
Gloris caught the coin that the mage flipped in her direction. She sauntered over to the purple-haired man and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank ya, sir. That's most generous of ya."
Aloysius blushed, but smiled broadly. "Er, not a problem," he replied, before feeing in panic.
Only a couple of sips into her fourth mug of white lightning, Jana burst into another fit of laughter. She crossed her arms on the table and lowered her forehead, still laughing. The laughing subsided. Jana remained in that position, apparently unconscious.
Thurmaster-15 Eleasias 1374 DR
The night in the Hound and Tails passed without event. The beds in the rooms were uncomfortable and not necessarily clean. A few of them were infested with fleas. Breakfast consisted of the same fare as dinner the day before, greasy mutton pie. By midday, even those with hangovers had managed to rouse themselves. Shortly thereafter, Azrun and Arachne arrived. With them was an unusually beautiful green haired elven woman.
Echo did not feel brave enough to take on more than one mug of the stuff that Jana was drinking, but she did consume a large quantity of what they were passing off as beer. When Aloysius went to talk to the old man about the lizard queen, she listened carefully then turned to Jana, "A big lizard with wings? That's a dragon. Maybe. Anyway, you should believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. At least that's what I've heard." She paused for a moment then burst into hysterical laughter. "That was a dumb thing to say."
Jana blinked a few times. "Dragon?" She blinked a bit more, then joined Echo in laughter.
After the tales were told, Echo stumbled off to whichever room she was told to sleep in. She emerged late the next morning, squinting against the light and occasionally scratching, "I think I've got fleas. I need a bath."
The next morning, after spending a relatively peaceful night, the ranger checked Damnit/Horse's wound, as well as his own, to see how well they were healing.
He then proceeded to the town well, filled a bucket with water and dumped it over his head, much to the entertainment of the local children.
After having dried off, Kaileer went looking for a new green cape, having used the last one as Pug's burial shroud, and new arrow heads to replace any he had lost. Then he spend the rest of the morning working on arrows, or untill he had two dozen in his quiver.
The next morning, Aloysius made his customary trip to the loo (although he abstained from announcing his trip as he had in the past).
After Azrun, Arachne, and their green-haired companion entered, Aloysius walked over and greted them.
The green haired elf maiden nodded politely and smiled at the purple haired man.
"Ah! 'Tis good to see that the two of thee hast arrived safely!" The mage then looked over at their companion, paying special attention to her hair. "By the Horn of Heimdahl, thy locks do put the forest trees to shame!" he said. "What manner of herbs didst thou use to attain such a hue?" he asked her excitedly.
The elf woman again smiled and nodded politely. She then said to the elf she had just met, "please inform your companion that I have no knowledge of the human's tongue." She smiled at the obviously martial elf. "I am named Jyothki, a friend of the forest." Jyothki slightly bowed her head, "may you always find your way."
*"My thanks, Jyothki, friend of the forest. I am Kaileer, one who would also call himself a friend of the forest. I am, or rather WAS learning the way of the ranger from Feinarch Whisperwind; before he... oh, excuse me!"* he shook his head, realising he had forgotten to translate.
"Green hair elf name Jyothky. She friend of forest, not can talk common," he explained to the others.
Gala sighed. "Give her my greeting." she asked of Kaileer.
Entering the town gate aboard Puddlejumper (resting after another of her many inspections of the river), Arachne said to Azrun, "The last time I was here, I didn't even spend the night before rushing back toward Milbourne. You did stay, kind of irritated at the quick departers, I think. Anyway, you know this burg better than me. Where to?"
Arachne dropped off Puddlejumper and started toward the tavern. Then she remembered her responsibilities and went back to the horse and looked for stabling for the old dear.
After completing that task, she caught up with the rest of the gang, including Aloysius, who was already fascinated by the unusually beautiful green-haired elven woman.
Gala came down briefly for her morning devotions, but she did not say much. She returned to her poorly kept room shortly afterward where she spent most of the day, only reappearing when Azrun returned.
"Greeting Azrun, Arachne," Kaileer said as he noticed his companions then paused when he started to greet the newcomer.
"It be good..." he started, then blushed, *"Greetings,"* he corrected in elven with a bow. *"Please excuse me, it... the last of our people I traveled with did not speak much..."* he explained as he brushed the wood shavings from his clothes.
After introducing himself to the female elf, Aloysius addressed Azrun. "Darkwalker," he began somberly, "in the chaos of the wood, I did not get the chance to adequately express my sorrow over Strongbow's passing. Thou were much closer to him than I, but I feel his loss nonetheless. I trust that he has been placed next to good Pug? Had Kuiper returned yet with word of the gnolls?"
When the others arrived in the village, Echo joined the others in greeting them. She smiled at them weakly and remained silent.
Lasiar spent a portion of the night in deep prayer to his Goddess, and upon his descent to the common room the next day, he appeared relaxed, wearing a bright smile. "G'day my friends." The dark mood that plagued him for the past few days seemed to have disappeared, replaced by his usual cheerful disposition. "Ahhh.. I see that there are more of those delicious mutton pies. My lady, a plate of your mutton pies and a cup of water." He directs his request to the barmaid.
Arachne and Azrun's arrival drew a big grin from the young priest as he arose from his seat and briskly walked to them, arms wide open in welcome. "My friends, I am glad that you have returned to us. I hope your journey was safe? Not uneventful it seems... you have a new friend?" Lasiar smiled as he appraised the elfmaiden with his eyes. "Maiden, I am Lasiar Brightmantle, Silverstar of Selune, Mistress of the Stars and Moon. I am honored to meet your aquaintance."
After receiving his order, Lasiar consumed his meal with relish, savoring each bite. He partook in conversation with his fellow adventurers, another indication that he was back to his normal self.
"She not can talk common." Kaileer explained to the priest and a though seemed to strike him as he looked at the green-haired again.
*"Pardon my curiosity... but what twist of fate guided you to this land?"* he asked with a look of concern.
"Thank you my friend," said Jyothki said to Kaileer. "It is difficult now having the ability to communicate first hand. I do appreciate your translating." She turned to Azrun before he left. "I appreciate your translating for me as well," she said almost formally.
"I felt it was time to see some of the world. I have spent much time in the forest, and thought when I learned of your expedition, that perhaps some of my knowledge could benefit you in your endeavor." Jyothki looked at Kaileer for a long moment before continuing. "Although truth be told, I had some personal things to work out." Her smile was gone for only a moment, then returned. She brushed Kaileer playfully on the hand. "But you tell me what brought you into this escapade. I'm sure it is a much more compelling story."
Lasiar nodded, comprehension dawning in his eyes. "In that case, my friend, it would please me so if you could translate my words into your beautiful language."
*"Perhaps,"* he said with a shrug, seeming just a bit more nervous than he usualy was while in a town.
*"I too came to the human lands to learn more about the world, though as I mentioned earlier, I was also hoping to learn news of my former mentor..."*
The ranger caught himself starring and blushed slightly as he looked around to see if anyone had noticed.
*"I apologize... perhaps this is not the ideal place to speak..."*
Lasiar listened to the elfmaiden's response eagerly, smiling even though he could not understand a single syllable. He looked over at Kaileer, and waited for a translation.
Jyothki bowed her head slightly toward the priest. "I know several followers of Selune, although you are the first Silverstar I have had the pleasure to meet." She straightened her tunic absentmindedly. "How many of you are there? It seems you could almost begin your own village," she said laughing slightly, covering her mouth as she did so.
Lasiar kept his eyes transfixed on the elfmaiden as he listened to Kaileer's translation. He chuckled belatedly at Jyothki's humor. "Our faith has spread acrossed the lands, and many have embraced the love of our Goddess. She is a kind and loving deity, and is respected by even those whose hearts lie with other deities." He paused to smile. "You have met many of my fellow clergy, but you are the first elf maiden to grace my presence. I am humbled by your beauty."
"In answer to your question of what I can do, Kaileer," said Jyothki. "I see that the tall...well, the taller, black haired human woman at the table is ill. From the position of her head, I would assume it is the result of too much wine." She looked around the room, then turned to face Kaileer. "I could help the woman with a simple tea should she wish it. Her head would cease throbbing, and her stomach quit churning." Jyothki frowned just a second. "Although in truth I would need a fire and a small pot."
Jana stumbled into the common room. She stayed only long enough to ask for hot tea to drink and make arrangements for a bath. Once slightly revived, she returned.
Jana was almost 6' tall, but she was walking with a definite slump this morning. She sat heavily at Echo's table, elbows on the table and forehead in hands. Her black hair, not in its usual ponytail, fell loose to her shoulderblades, obscuring her face. "Gods," she mumbled. "Gr..." Jana paused, looking up at Echo. "Please don't ever let me drink any of that stuff again. Or, if I do, just go ahead and kill me, 'kay?"
"Kill Jana next time she wants to drink rotgut. Got it," replied Echo. She cracked a smile but it seemed to hurt her face so it disappeared quickly.
Jana ordered juice (water if not available) and looked positively green at the idea of mutton pie. When Azrun, Arachne and the green-haired elf walked in, Jana blinked a few times. "Oh, gods," she mumbled, "never, never, never again..." She swallowed a couple of times. "Uh, hi," Jana said, smiling half-heartedly at Jyothki and the others. She leaned toward Echo and whispered worriedly, "Her hair is really green, right?"
Jana chuckled, but it quickly turned into a groan. "Don't make me laugh," she pleaded.
"Green as a tree," Echo agreed. "Looks good on her though. I wish I could pull something like that off." She put her hand on the back of her neck before moving it up to muss her already messy looking short hair.
"Oh, good," Jana muttered. "I was worried that I was hallucinating, in addition to the queasiness and splitting headache." She attempted a smile, but fared no better than Echo had moments ago. "Gods, I wish I could remember how I got into bed last night."
"Thank you, I'd appreciate it," Jana said, looking up at the green-haired woman. She smiled weakly, then put her head back in her hands.
After greeting Azrun, Arachne and the green-haired elf, Aloysius went over to the table where Jana had crashed. "Er, Janathell," he whispered, "art thou planning on joining us for our journey to Parlfray's Keep? I know not how thy search for employment went last evening, but we would welcome thy continued companionship." Aloysius looked at Jana with an almost pleading look, anxiously awaiting an answer.
"My search sucked," Jana said, then groaned slightly. "Yeah, I think I want to get out of here as quickly as I can." Jana kept her head in her hands as she spoke.
"It 'sucked'?" asked Aloysius, who was by now very confused. "How . . . .? Hmmm, well, glad am I that thou wilst being accompanying us."
Jana kept her head in her hands and did not speak, just whimpered softly.
Azrun watched as the group came up to him, Arachne, and Jyothki. "ummm....Hi, guys. I see you all made it here in one piece." Azrun turned to Aloysius when he asked of Torro, "He's at peace."
Blacky Greets the returning pair and the newcomer when they arrive in town. "Welcome back." Blacky is a large, chain mail clad human carrying several axes and a farming pick. He has black hair with a hint of grey at the temples spilling down to his shoulders and a full black beard.
He then turned back to Jyothki and Kaileer, in Elven, "Perhaps, we should introduce her to the entire group." Azrun slowly introduced her to each one of the party members.
Once the introduction were over, "Perhaps now would be a good time to discuss everything that has happened. We've picked up some new people of the course of traveling. Instead of them picking up pieces as we by chance mention them, perhaps it would be better to try to get it all out on the table in front of us. IT may even help us to see it all at once." Azrun then translated this to Jyothki.
As he waited for the others reply, Azrun looked down at the ground for a few moments. He then raised his eyes back up level witht he group, "ummm...I wanted to apologize for yelling and carrying on the other day. I hope I didn't hurt any of you with anything I said."
Gala, still clearly not feeling in top form--despite her lack of alcohol the night before--answered, "I, um, overreacted a bit. I should have realized how badly you were feeling. I'm sorry too, Azrun. I just never really got a chance to know Torro that well, and I was feeling guilty. My apologies."
Azrun smiled at Gala, "A new beginning then?"
She nodded, smiling gratefully.
She added, "Um, don't eat at this inn. I got food poisoning last night. I think I'm over the worst of it now though, but you should be warned."
Azrun looked at the inn they had come out of, "ugh....You didn't try the mutton pie did you? blah....the onlt thing me and Torro eat when we stayed here was bread and some bruised fruit."
She smiled at the Green elf again. "My name is Gala. I am a servant of the Morninglord." She then attempted to say this in the elvish she'd been learning from Kaileer. It probably came out something like this,
"Gala name. My foot is on fire."
Aloysius looked concerned as he looked down at Gala's foot.
Azrun smirked as he attempted not to laugh. He looked at Jyothki and in elven, "She's learning your tongue. Her name is Gala. She worships the Morning Lord. No her foot isn't no fire."
He then looked at Gala, "Close....but you told her your foot was on fire.." He smiled again trying not to laugh.....
Gala blushed then laughed also. "Please make her my apologies. Kaileer is a good teacher, but I am a slow student."
"Me think Azrun or Aloysius teach better." the ranger said with an apologetic shrug, "They talk common good, better teach when can talk."
Jyothki gave an understanding nod and a smile crept across her face. "I have also known several worshippers of the Morning Lord." The elf glanced at the Silverstar for a moment. "A follower of the Morning Lord and a Silverstar in the same travelling group? Does that not cause problems at times? Or perhaps the two of you can set aside differences and work together when the need arises, that would be most unusual for humans from the stories I have heard, no offense meant of course."
Lasiar shaked his head, "Nay, there are no conflicts between our faiths. Great Lathander, The Morning Lord, is the deity of the Dawn, whereas Holy Selune is the embodiment of the stars and moon. Both are goodly deities, and are on good terms." Lasiar looked at Gala for agreement.
"Well that is wonderful to hear, indeed," said the elf, her eyebrows raised. "I had heard tales of some priests being so zealous in their faith that they disregard the beliefs of others. It is good to hear that the two of you are not of that ilk."
"There is so much evil in the world," Gala said softly, "How could I serve Lathander and persecute good?"
Jyothki walked over to Gala and said at a slower pace, "I am Jyothki, and your elvish is far better than my common. I do not know how to say foot or fire in common."
Gala laughed, "I will try to help you if you will be patient with me. I have no problem working with those of other good faiths either. Lasiar has been most kind."
Jyothki quietly went about mixing together a tea for Jana while the others discuss their travel plans.
Aloysius nodded in agreement at Azrun's suggestion, and beckoned everyone over to a common table.
"Still we seek the location of the apprehended," he began. "Now, we plan on meeting with Lord Parlfray to see if he might have any insights into these kidnappings. If he does, I'd suggest we follow up on them. If not, perhaps a return to the Thornwood would be in order? For all we know, the onlt creatures that reside in the Shrieken Mire be lizardmen, and only gnolls inhabit the northlands. Neither the gnolls nor the lizardmen be, to our knowledge, involved in these abductions. Howe'er, we do know that orcs and brigands inhabit the Thornwood, and that orcs and brigands have been involved in attempted abductions of both myself and Tersa."
Aloysius turned towards Azrun and Arachne. "We have heard tales of giant flying lizards to the south, and large sheep-eating beasts to the north. We have also heard tell of a ghost in a glade, as was told to us in Milborn. These, in my mind, be adventures for another day. We should keep focused on finding Jelleneth, the missing Lathandarites and . . . ." the mage's eyes saddened slightly as he hesitated, "mayhap good Zond as well." He awaited a response.
*"I doubt the tales of a dragon hold more truth than the tales ok blue giants,"* Kaileer started with a doubtful look and waited for Azrun or Aloysius to translate, *"nevertheless, last time we went off on rumors of stolen sheep, Pug was slain."*
Arachne gave him a silent look that in any language meant, "Why did you have to bring _that_ up?"
A look of sadness crossed the ranger's face and after a moment he continued. *"I, for one, do not intend to make the same mistake twice, and in the small chance that a dragon does reside in the southern mire, there has been no word of it attacking people so I'm tempted to agree with Aloysius and leave it be."*
*"The fact that Ranchefus' men had Ebonblade proves that they might know something about the abductions, it's not much but it's the clearest clue we've yet discovered."* He paused in hesitation for a second and looked at the others, particularly Blacky and Gala. *"I am against going to search for the dark priest at this time. While I would dearly love to cleanse the thornwood of this vile band, we are not ready to strike. I would suggest we delay our choice of choice as to our future course of action untill we speak with Lord Parlfray."*
"I don't know," Arachne mused. "Certainly, you're right and we can wait on choosing a subsequent destination if we're all agreed on going to see this Lord Parlfray first. But I've always liked the ghost in the glade story... Do we know where that glade is? I'd thought it was rather close to Milbourne. I'd even thought it was reachable by a stream off the river. I don't know why, though. I guess because I didn't think old Dirkaster could get very far -- "This Lord Parlfray, have we an appointment with him? Or at least a letter of introduction? Those lords and aristocrats, they're very particular who they're willing to talk to -- and to be seen talking to. And we -- well, there's a lot of us, now, but we are getting pretty scruffy looking. I don't think staying in this place helps." She looked around, clearly unhappy with the ambience. "When do we leave?"
Aloysius listened to this exchange between Kaileer and Arachne. "Brave one, Ranchefus and his band did also try to abduct Galaret. There be no doubt in my mind that he be associated with the other abductions. He was last seen in the Thornwood. In addition, orcs have twice been associated with attempted abductions, once of myself and once of Tersa. We also know that orcs are in the Thornwood."
The mage then addressed the group generally. "Again, methinks it best if we remain focused on the task at hand, namely locating the abducted. Dragons and ghosts and sheep-eating beasts be fine for the making of legends and mayhap the accrual of booty, but such creatures engage not in kidnapping. Arachne may well be right in saying that Parlfray may not grant us an audience, but we must at least try. Surely he closely follows the goings-on of his lands. If he sends us away, then we'll simply go elsewhere." Aloysius brought his hand up to his chin and thoughtfully stroked his razor stubble. "Howe'er, methinks the answer to our riddle doth lie ultimately in the Thornwood."
The mage stood up and glanced out a window. "Let us make haste to his keep. We need not decide where we'll go from there right now."
Gala nodded. "Your words make sense, Stargazer. Let us go. I do not like to think of what may be being done to the servants of Lathander that were captured as we stand talking."
*"I agree completely, but we know not where Ranchefus' lair is within the Thornwood. It could take days to find it and any trail I find might well prove to be a trap. If you are all willing to try and challenge Ranchefus at a disadvantage, I can do no less, but I loath to think I might lead us to our doom."* With a glance at the translator, the ranger waited.
Aloysius patted Kaileer on the shoulder. "Thy concerns be well-placed, brave one. Howe'er, we may be able to apprehend a bandit or an orc in league with this devil and interrogate him. I agree with thee that a misplaced, or mistimed, assault on the dark priest does nothing for the captives save to increase their number. Hopefully, Parlfray will have information of assistance to us."
Echo listened to the elvish and common flying back and forth in the conversation with a satisified smirk on her face. She smiled at the green-haired woman after she gave Jana the tea that she had made for her. She finally greeted the woman in elvish, "I'm pleased to meet you, Jyothki. I'm new to this group as well. Everyone calls me Echo."
"A pleasure," said Jyothki. "I see the tongue of the elves is popular among humans."
Jana rolled her eyes at the obvious reason for Echo's earlier smirk. She winced. Rolling anything hurt. "Smartass," she muttered, grinning. The grin turned into a grimace. she sipped more of the tea.
"A lot of us want to be something we're not," Echo replied with a grin. "And I think it makes us feel sophisticated."
"And it's so beautiful," added Gala, "that is, when I'm not mangling it." she grinned.
Echo grinned back at Gala, "Beautiful, yes. I've heard that it can just charm the pants right off some humans." She decided to leave that remark untranslated for Jyothki, or at least up to the decision of someone else to tell her what was said.
Jana began to laugh quietly, narrowly avoiding choking on her drink. "So," she asked with a grin, "does it work when a human speaks it?"
Echo shrugged, "Don't know. I've never tried it. Or had it tried on me for that matter. I'm just repeating what my...what I've heard," she corrected.
Jana nodded. "I don't understand a word of it, but it certainly does sound pretty." She grinned. "Never had anyone try it on me. I feel so deprived." Jana chuckled. "Oh," she added suddenly, "speaking of speaking, would you please tell Jyothki 'thank you' for her wonderful tea, and that I'm in her debt? I'm pretty sure I'm going to live now, something I couldn't say this morning." Jana grinned sheepishly and took a sip of her drink.
Jana smiled as Jyothki handed her the tea. "Thank you," she said, her meaning clear. She sipped the tea.
"Aloysius talk elven," the ranger said with a dubious glance at the mage, "what you think?"
"To what end would be served to cause another to remove their pants?" replied the mage.
"Any number of reasons," Echo told him. "If they are of size with you, you could keep the pants for yourself. If not, you could sell them. Very practical."
"But Stargazer already has one pair of pants," Aloysius replied, "why would he need another?"
Jana crossed her arms on the table and lowered her head, laughing silently.
"No reason I can think of," Echo agreed. "I wouldn't worry about it much if I were you. I don't think it'll be a problem."
Jyothki regarded Echo. "Please tell your friend that I am happy to help. It is not a difficult mixture."
Jana rolled her eyes at the obvious reason for Echo's earlier smirk. She winced. Rolling anything hurt. "Smartass," she muttered, grinning. The grin turned into a grimace. she sipped more of the tea.
