Concurrently, Bran has remained at the camp outside awaiting the return of his friends. He continues to remain ready to assist at any moment if things start to get out of hand. 

Arvos who has remained silent as he knows his social skills are lacking steps forward and kneels down to be eye level with the princess. 

"I will do all I can to keep you safe and I know what it means to leave your home for a strange land. You will not be alone and together there is a chance we can forge a path that lets both our people to not only survive but to thrive in these desert lands."

Persuasion Check

7 - rolled in game log. 

The look of concern is plastered onto his face, and he may not sound as convincing as he hoped to be. He chastises himself internally. This is what happens when you spend more time in the wilds than actually conversing with people. 

“Princess safe,” Darian nods unconvincingly.

Persuasion 2 

The princess hears the council of the Golden Company and considers the risks she'll have to take either way. A small chuckle slips from her mouth as Nare offers to become food, and she visibly relaxes a bit. She places a calming claw on the harengon's shoulder. "Fear not, rabbit-person. I will not eat you unless I'm really, really hungry."

With that, she turns back to face the queen and takes a steadying breath. "I will do as you ask, mother. And I will return with news of a trade partnership that will bring our clan to an even greater era of prosperity."

The queen tries to hide her anxiety about letting her eldest daughter go into the lands of the common folk, and she nods her head with approving pride. "See that you do, daughter." She claps her hands and some servants scurry up the ascent. After giving some orders in Yipyak, they scatter, barking and yipping as they go. Looking down the pathway to the entrance of the grand chamber, you can see a half dozen kobold soldiers begin to gather, with 24 servants wheeling 6 of your stolen crates behind them. "Go now then. We are too busy to spare another moment on this conversation."

The contingency of 30 kobolds escort your party back through the labyrinth. It's a quiet, awkward march, and your temporary travelling companions don't seem to enjoy this arrangement at all. The workers mutter amongst themselves in Yipyak, darting uncertain glances your way. And the soldiers never once take their hands off the weapons strapped to their belts. When you make it to the entrance, it seems barely more than an hour has passed. Bran's assistants have started a fire and are trying to cook a desert snake they caught.

The princess faces the kobold company, "I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Princess Harkail, next in line for ascension and the sworn protector of my people, the Letni Inhelk clan. I am also the High Sorceress of my clan." She gestures to the 30 kobolds accompanying her. "These soldiers here serve me and me alone on this journey. Do not address them if you need anything, for they are not your servants. You will address me, and I will command my people as I see fit." Although she's diminutive compared to you, her posture is proud and tall, unlike most kobolds who tend to hunch or crouch. It appears she has a lot of practice dealing with surface folk in order to appear strong and confident.

"Perhaps you'd like to introduce yourselves as well. I'm already familiar with your healer and your rabbit companion, but I assume you each have names and some kind of talent."

"I am Arvos Quain and I used to be a gardener now I am a mercenary as part of the Golden Company. I know some magics though a more nature-oriented kind of magic" says Arvos

“Darian of Hachakee. I guide.” he offers curtly. “Your soldiers are… too many. Desert… harsh. No water. Smaller group… better.”

(ooc: do we have our gear back now?)

At first sight seeing the other members of the Golden Company exit the cave system, Bran is genuinely overwhelmed with thanks seeing his team return. While it may not have been a long separation it felt emotionally long let alone it seems a lot has happened. 

"Welcome back" with arms outstretched, quietly wondering if anyone is going to give him a hug and noting a significant amount of new people are also come out with the team as well!

"Yes, it looks like I'm going to have to attempt to provide more food for our new guests, this desert snake will not be enough, but whoever is leading this band of guests is very welcome to it, its coated with sea salt and local herbs so should be rather nice" as he extends his hand out to whomever.

"Wheres Nare?" and as Bran locates his dear friend a sense of relief washes over him glad she wasn't eaten, "Oh and Darian, I think my retainers could use some lessons in setting up camp and looking after the mules". Seeing Arvos Bran gives him a knowing grin and extends his hand towards him and clasps forearms, "dear friend I have need of your wisdom" and is glad he has returned unharmed. And lastly he spies Albert.... "I guess siting at the camp fire tonight is going to be very entertaining, I look forward to hearing the heroic deeds of the Golden Company!" and reserves the biggest grin for him.

Loudly Bran calls out to all, "Welcome to Camp Golden, please make yourself comfortable, it may not look like much but its safe and welcoming and if you have any concerns .... and looks towards Albert, "Pass them onto Albert" and with that the team is back together.

"Lets get cooking" Bran murmurs. 

Albert winks at Bran: "First time seeing a lady? Eh no worries, this SHOULD pass soon. We got to go home and negotiate a trade agreement. In other words - we did good!"

Quote from _Miglasezis_ >>

Albert winks at Bran: "First time seeing a lady? Eh no worries, this SHOULD pass soon. We got to go home and negotiate a trade agreement. In other words - we did good!"

Bran, appreciates the quiet speak and responds, "Albert sometime later I might need to speak with you one on one, if thats OK?"

Slight concern can be seen in Alberts eyes, but it is gone quickly: "Ah, yes, sure. Whenever the time is right for you!"

((AHhh sorry for the delay. Was called in from being a back up proctor to actually supervising then had to run to get gifts for a baby shower yesterday))

"Thank you, my lady." He didn't expect that to come out so formal, but he does a small curtsy to the princess either way. Internally, he is hyperventilating big time. The mouse seems to sense it too for he was about to go in for a bite (what a love-hate relationship these two prey species have) that he seemed more stiffer than usual, and that's saying a lot. Lennie stays nestles in Nare's pocket again for the time being and lets the harengon continuously pet him. 'Deep breathes, Nare. Deep breathes.'

He follows the group, though significantly away from the other kobolds except for Princess Harkail, whom he now trusts, though ever so slightly. Upon seeing Bran his eyes widen and he gives a subtle wave "hey" before going 'what the heck' and embracing him with pats to the back. "Good to see you! Thanks for the meal!"

He chuckles at the interaction between Albert and Bran before taking a stick and started tracing in the dirt. He decides to let the others eat ('Please don't get hungry'  he thinks, looking over at the kobolds). Snake wasn't really much of his diet anyways. Discreetly, he opens up one of his own rations and eats that anyways. 

The princess watches the seen of everyone rejoining with Bran unfold. "Don't worry about our provisions. We have plenty to get us through the desert, and our bodies are better suited for this climate than... you know... mammals." She tries to make the last word not sound derogatory, but the conspiratorial tone definitely makes it sound like an "ism" of some kind.

When she observes the group start to make camp right at the entrance to the kobold cave, her jaw drops. "Are you serious? Eat on the go! We have much land to cover, and I will not fail this mission. Besides, there are worse things to fear than kobold raiding parties when traversing the desert with half a dozen crates of supplies. I prefer to spend as little time as possible exposed like this."

It's apparent that she's still agitated about her mother's ultimatum. She claps her hands and her minions load the crates up onto the carts. 

Bran, after putting in the effort, and happy to see his friends return unharmed and not really sure what is going on. Tells his retainers, "right ohh, you heard the boss, pack up and we will eat on the go and finish the tasks". 

[The camp is packed - over to you]

Darian gets the mules ready to travel. (Animal Handling 8)

He then helps to hasten the packing process, ensuring that everyone is ready to move out as quickly as possible. He works with a scowl, obviously displeased with the princess’ decision.

He keeps a close eye on the surroundings, his instincts on high alert for any signs of danger. (Perception 19)

"Hmm?" Ne'haredowell was in mid-chew when he got called up unexpectedly. He swallows down the rest of his meal a bit quickly and he nearly chokes. 'So much for being subtle.' 

He doesn't even know what to say at the mammal situation. Now feeling even more out of place, not just by being not human-like enough now he has to contend with not being dragon-like enough. Can't a harengon just catch a break for once? He takes up the stick he was holding and scratches the dirt he had been drawing in. It was originally a drawing of a sunflower, but now that he smudged it it looks more like a river... or maybe even a bird? He can hardly guess. Deciding to look around and take in his environment once again he aimlessly walk a little bit around as the other get packed. 

((Survival check: 2 + 2 = 4))

Nothing much worth seeing. Darn, he'd come back to Witchdoctor Duncan pretty empty handed. "Hey," Nare waves down the princess, then steps back a bit. "uh sorry. Princess Harkail, if you're looking to do some trade, keep an eye out for these things." After some shuffling through his bag before, he now unravels the rolled up piece of parchment into her hands. "The witchdoctor, uh, Duncan. He's been looking for these types of things and if you want to sell..."  

And just to be on the safe side, he does some cool random trick with his Prestidigitation to show off to her. Preferably it was to be a little light show of sparks, but it ended up being some sort of collection of musical notes he had heard in the past. For some reason he hopes it looks cool and also establishes a hit of solidarity in their shared sorcerer-ship.

"Eh huh ay?" He nudges her, politely. 

((Performance: 11 + 2 = 13))

Arvose is glad to have his weapon back. He clasps Bran's forearm in friendship, glad to be out of that cavern. "It seems this snake was no match for you Bran." upon hearing the Princess he nods "True we can eat on the go." He will slice of a hunk of snake and eats it as they head back to Santekh

Quote from Weathervision >>

Arvose is glad to have his weapon back. He clasps Bran's forearm in friendship, glad to be out of that cavern. "It seems this snake was no match for you Bran." upon hearing the Princess he nods "True we can eat on the go." He will slice of a hunk of snake and eats it as they head back to Santekh

 "Ahhhh Arvose a sight to behold, good to see you my dear friend", it seems we have no time to catch up, let's get this task finished so we can 'all' sit together and catch up. I suspect the opportunity to do so into the future are going to become rare so let's not loose sight at what matters". 

They both head to front of the mule carriage with Darian keeping watch and await the the order to move out. [OOC: DM lets get this part finished]

The mules bray with the strain of the added weight, and the wheels of the cart creak as your group plods its way across the sand. The going is slow, except for a small back of death dogs that start flanking you late in the evening. They're keeping their distance, but the kobolds seem agitated about it. As the sun begins to set, the princess guides the party to a shallow cave that can provide shelter and defense, so predators can't surround you. 

You may now level up your characters. Don't forgive to tick off another day of progress for your ongoing tasks.

Albert takes the forst watch. (16 perception)

During his watch he just draws infinity symbols in sand with his staff.

Bran is content to take the second watch | Perception: 12