"Yes, yes we are." Elyria says with a firm voice, heading back to the old oak to quickly collect her gear, then ready to head on to Alahollow.

Flynt lifts his hat, runs his free hand through his hair then snugs the trail worn head covering back down with a nod and a sniff. "Yup"

Presxina smiles. "I've never been to Alvahollow, though I've heard of it of course. This should be exciting!  I understand the Eladrin have a number of wonderful herb gardens. And their botonist grow some very rare plants. Or so I've heard." 

"It is true there are a few reknowned botanists among our people. If it doesn't cause too much concern perhaps we might arrange a visit," Sabynn says. 

With everyone (or majority of everyone) being in agreement, Olcelle is ready to lead the way. Presxina points out that although it is perhaps time for her to be up, the others still have a couple of hours before they would complete their rest.  "I can have a quick breakfast ready and we can set out once you've fully rested." 

Sabynn relays the information to Olcelle, who seems to reluctantly agree to wait. "It's still more than a day's journey.  We'll have to camp again, but the following day should be a short bit of travel,"  Olcell says in Elvish.   Sabynn then translates that for the group.  

Eager to get going, Elyria reluctantly agrees to have a quick breakfast before setting out towards Alvahollow, offering to help Presxina with preparations.

Flynt eats a bit but mostly waits as everyone prepares for the.trials ahead.

Aurelius quickly agrees to the plans that have been outlined, and settles back down to finish his rest, having a nightmare of Leilatha in a chef's hat preparing him a meal, which the Betrayer and Rahkeshi then serve to him on a silver platter.  When the dish cover is removed, a live rabbit is revealed underneath.  The paladin awakens in a cold sweat, disturbed.

Presxina, with Elria's help, prepares a small breakfast.  Sabynn and Olcelle also join in as well to make the food. After a few more hours of rest, everyone is awake, even if not well-rested. A few minutes are taken to quickly eat and soon all are set to head out on the day's journey.  Olcelle and Sabynn occasionally scout out ahead, but they at least keep the group steered clear of any other Eladrin.  The day passes, and after about 8 hours Olcelle calls a halt.  

"We can set up camp here. It should take less than half a day tomorrow to get to Alvahollow.  We'll have to be cautious as we approach, but we'll get you all hidden with our allies," Sabynn says. "Olcelle and I can take care of the watches tonight if you are alright with that." 

Presxina again offers to help prepare a meal, while the two Eladrin work on making sure the spot they have chosen is well concealed.  It is in a bit of a hollow in a heavily forested area.  The growth of brush is thick all around, but opens to a very comfortable open area at the center. You suspect that this might have been a spot familiar to the two in the past.  

Elyria for her part fully trusts the two Eladrin with taking watch, but to feel comfortable she still scouts around the campsite before joining Presxina to prepare the meal.
Aelric finds a suitable branch where he has a clear view of the surroundings while having a well-earned rest of his own.

Perception: 11
Survival: 12
Aelric perception: 22

Aurelius will follow Elyria's lead, as she had more... friendly relations with the Eladrin on their first visit.

(Sorry - didn't get much chance to post here last week.) 

Elyria checks out the surroundings.  There are no signs of anyone in the vicinity.  The Eladrin have done an incredible job of concealing your camping spot, and it seems virtually unpotable from outside.  You do pick up a few tell-tale signs of the spot being used before as a campsite. But it would have been at least a couple weeks ago. 

Soon the druid joins Presxina in making a light meal for everyone. Everyone finds a comfortable spot to rest and settles in.  Shortly after eating, Olcelle disappears to scout out around the spot.  After Sabynn has a chance to meditate, Olcelle returns and they swap places. The night passes without incident and everyone gets a full rest. 

Packing up her gear, Olcelle speaks in Elvish. "Let's keep moving so we can reach Alvahollow early in the day."  Sabynn translates the words, adding, "Once there we'll find a place for you all to stay." 

The thoughts of Elyria would drift off to Rahkeshi more than once, hoping she would see the half-orc soon again. She would otherwise stay close to the others and share their company, comforted by seeing the other agents well and ready to proceed with their mission. As Olcelle and Sabynn is ready to head on towards Alvahollow, the blonde elven maiden nods and falls in behind them. 

The paladin, having resummoned his warhorse Lady previously, will have her carry the group's equipment and walk along behind them.  He remains on foot, alert for danger and any elvish treachery.  He translates any Elvish comments for Flynt.

The path you travel is easy as you move through the forested land.  After just over an hour, Olcelle and Sabynn start to call for more halts, and now and then direct everyone in a sudden course alteration.  When she gets a chance, Sabynn explains, "Just to be cautious, we're trying to steer clear of any other patrols."  You never actually see anyone else though. At least not for a couple more hours.  

A bit over four hours into your trek, you see a few buildings here and there scattered amongst the trees.  A fair number appear to be farms. Some with wide fields of crops while others are covered by row upon row of orchards.  "My uncle has a place out here where you can all stay.  Alvahollow's not much further, but here you are not likely to be disturbed," Sabynn says as you travel through one of the fruit orchards. "He's well connected to a couple of folks on the council and has always been opposed to us Eladrin getting involved in armed conflicts. He was one of the first to oppose these attacks on the satyrs."

Olcelle adds in Elvish, "We will get you settled in and then I will see if I can speak to some of the others opposed to this new leader."  Sabynn translates to Common for Flynt. 

"Thank you both, we are all grateful for what you're doing to help." Elyria says in elven, smiling warmly at the two Eladrin. If she would ever find peace in a settlement it would be like in Alvahollow she thought, with nature at your doorstep. But with civilization inevitably came scheming and dishonesty and she would have had quite enough of that the day she retired from a life as an agent for M.E.T.A.L. She still had this mission though, finding the Raiments of Nature, a path ahead that seemed longer with every step they took. Maybe this was her life then, on a lifelong mission. It wasn't so bad, she only hoped she would still be reunited with her soon again. 

As they travel through idyllic landscapes that belie the violent conflicts occurring elsewhere in this plane, Aurelius' mind is drawn back to his youth, when he spent many years residing in an Elvish kingdom with his father.  He had been rejected by his mother's human kin, and was only grudgingly accepted by the Elves due to his father's high station as an advisor to the king.   The paladin's temperament was much more like his warm, vivacious mother than his sire, who could be rather distant, but he was grateful for the sanctuary his father had given him at that time in his life.

Sabynn leads you all to a large, and a little bit rundown, barn. Passing a pair of large doors, she steps over to a smaller door clearly meant for people. She knocks against it, and you hear a latching being undone from inside. A young looking Eladrin opens the door, seeming to recognize Sabynn.  He waves you all in. 

"This is my cousin Jorcard," Sabynn says. You notice over towards where the large double doors were located there is a large carriage. A bit past that are some stalls and you see a few large horses housed there.  It's to the other side of the building that Jorcard heads however. There seem to be a few large rooms built into that part of the structure. In fact, as you look about the place seems very well-kept and in good condition, much more so than it appeared from the outside.  "There's one room we can set up Elyria and Presxina.  And another for Aurelius and Flynt."  She opens the first door, and you see a relatively large room - two beds, each with a wardrobe and small chest alongside.  There's also a table and chairs, easily large enough to seat all of you. "The other room is much the same."

Jorcard moves over to a spot in the corner. "Now and then we have visitors who don't want to be seen.  So there's this."  He pushes a spot and a sort of handle pops up.  He pulls on it, and you see a ladder heading down nearly 10 feet.  "It's part of the old cellar, but we sealed it off and there's a tunnel that exits just beyond the orchard in a little forested hollow. Both rooms have an entrance."  

Sabynn adds, "Most folk wouldn't come out to a barn in the middle of the orchard anyway.  But just in case. Anyhow, I know Olcelle needs to head off and make arrangements. Jorcard and I can get you something to eat? Get yourselves settled in and we'll be back.  Unless you need anything."  She pauses to see if anyone has anything to add or any questions. Olcelle has already headed out of the room and towards the door where you'd entered.  

"Thank you so much Jorcard for providing us with a place to stay." Elyria says to generous their host with a grateful smile. "And yes, something to eat would be splendid." She adds, then heading to hers and Presxina's room to settle in, unpacking lightly and the laying back on the bed, resting, her thoughts again going to Rahkeshi.

Flynt tips his hat and nods his head in thanks. He then heads back out into the stable to get a better idea of the layout in case things go south.

Seeing no other questions, Sabynn steps out followed by Jocard. 

Presxina heads to the room with Elyria, setting her pack beside the bed and her traveling cloak in the wardrobe.  "Well, this seems a lovely place. Were those homes inside the tees I saw in the distance? I sure hope we get a chance to look around a bit." Seeing the elf resting on the bed she grows quiet, not wanting to interrupt her.  

Flynt meanwhile takes a look about the place.  There are four large draft horses being kept in the stables.  Coming over closer, you see a pair of riding horses as well. A small alcove built next to the stalls holds a number of saddles, harnesses, and horse grooming equipment.  You walk further and see a few barrels stored in another corner of the place, And a half dozen crates brimming with fruit of some sort.  There is a ladder up to a hay loft that is well stocked with hay.  As you walk around, you see that other than the smaller door you came in, and the larger door that you had passed, there are no other exits.  Here and there there are a few closed up doors leading to what seem to be no more than small closets.  

It's about 15 minutes before Sabynn returns with Jorcard right behind.  She carries a couple of plates heaping with cured meats, cheeses, some cut fruit, and bread.  He holds several pitchers of water and a few bottles of what seems to be wine.  

"Oh my," Sabynn says. "I forgot to set up the place. Could someone hold some of this?"  She offers the plates to whoever is near at hand.  

"Yes please, I cannot hold all this for long!" Jorcard adds.  

(Please feel free if there is anything you want to fill in the time waiting for the pair to return. I'll try to move along a bit further tomorrow.) 

Elyria smiles warmly at Presxina as the kind Harengon joins her in their quarters. "Yes, Alvahollow is a lovely place, I'm sure you will have time to explore it before we leave again."

Hearing Sabynn and Jorcard return, the blonde elven maiden joins them and does her best to help out with the plates and setting the table. "This all looks lovely." She says with a warm smile, looking over the contents of the plates.