Praxius heads over to Knight Feld and holds his hand out for a second tablet.

"Unless you have an objection. I mean there has to be some value to this squireship", he says with a smile.

Whether or not she gives him the tablet, he accepts the decision.

"So, which way to the orchard?".

"Yes I wouldn't mind just passing by the orchard quick to make sure all is well with my...ummm... friend that is there. If all looks to be in order we can leave for the mountains right away. Thank you all for understanding." Paca smiles cheerfully as his trust for his fellow adventurers grows.

Knight Feld will return one of the tablets back to you Praxius, she knows their worth for such a group. 

So, The Plan currently is to stop by an Orchard on the way to the Mountains, Unfortunately the Closest orchard will take you a full days travel out of the way. So you can travel to the Orchard and from there go to the Mountains, or go straight for the Mountains. 

"Pardon me Lady Knight" Paca speaks up to ask "Is this the Eastern Orchard you are referring to? If not, where might that be and is it further out of the way?"

"Indeed it is the Eastern orchard, By wary on approach. While the Orchard itself is well guarded, the area surrounding it is often patrolled by bandits. There has even been a Moblin or two witnessed in the area." While she shows concern, she is also advising you because she knows just what your group os capable of at this point. 

"I've no doubt you will be able to take care of any foe who may cross your path, but know there are beings in the world who even I would not face. Pick your fights with caution." 

Paca, Lizi bumps into your shoulder. "Uhhhhhh Paca, Quiggley just bolted." She indicates the direction in which your ally had gone, you are just able to catch the fluttering wings of the Fairy as Quiggley flys up and over the nearby buildings. 

"Well, no time like the present to get started. Let's not give Reli more of a head start than necessary", Praxius says as he smiles at Knight Feld when she gives him the other tablet.

On the journey he will rely on his great of sword warning to alert them to danger whilst striding confidently along the path.

If he spots or any of the others spots areas of potential ambush, he will happily go first, using whatever cover might be available.

(OOC: Will let on of the more perceptive make the groups roll)

Rae watches as Quiggley bolts off.  She wasn't going to stop him, after all there was no obligation for everyone to stick together.  The yellow zora took a moment to ponder why she even stuck around.  I suppose if there are dark forces working in the background, I'd rather be with a group that's capable, was how she justified herself sticking with the group.

As the party made their way to the orchards, Rae offered to lead the way.  Though she prided herself on her perceptiveness, the zora learned traversing the lands of Hyrule were very different from the waters of the Stormfist Shallows.

Perception Check: 7 (nat 1...)
Passive Perception: 21

You say your farewells and Knight Feld does accompany you towards the eastern gate, the very same gate through which the army of Hyrule defended the city only hours before. Stepping out into the lush and open, rolling hills of Hyrule fields. You are met with a much needed breath of fresh air. While the city itself does possess it's own charms, the dense population and vast buildings prevent the warm Hylian winds from reaching the inner most parts of the city. 

Those of you who have known these winds for most of your life cant help but feel a small tinge of relief as they wash over you, bathing you in a soothing aroma of Hylian Grass. Gently sweet yet not overpowering, a small comfort for what you had just endured. Rae steps forward and your journey towards the nearest Orchard begins. Of course none of you have ever actually been to one of Hyrules three Orchards so you have little to go on, Other than the directions supplied to you by Knight Feld before she left. 

While at first, you are still traveling through a field on which a great battle took place. There are carts filled with broken weapons and shields, Soldiers wailing in pain and those who unfortunately lost their lives in the conflict. Somberly and respectfully you move through, taking care not to wander too close to those who are aiding in cleaning the field. It takes a full hour before you finally step over a hill and see the full majesty of the fields. 

In the just after mid day sun, you are met with leagues of waist high rolling grasslands that seem to stretch on to the horizon, Of course this is just a simple trick of the eye as you can clearly see your secondary goal looming in the distance. The ever smoking peak of Hyrule's second tallest mountain, where the enemy army had retreated towards. Using this as a landmark, Rae leads you North west. At first you walk on the beaten path, Yet at one point Rae insists that cutting across the field would only shorten your journey. Unfortunately this is not the case as the path was beaten around the rolling hills, cutting across the field forces you to traverse them. 

Hours drag on, Paca begins to feel a burn in his legs. The smaller Kokiri is having trouble keeping up with the rest of you. No the sun is beginning to bathe the land its its last glimmers of light, just as a cloudfront blows in from the North west. Praxius and Rae are able to tell that it will likely begin to rain soon, Luckily you are able to find a spot containg what appears to be a long burnt out campfire. Surrounded by six rather large trees and the fallen remains of a seventh. An ample place to make camp for the night if you should wish. 

Paca is breathing heavily as he stops for a moment to massage his calves. "Sorry everyone. I am not used to this long of a travel. Do you all mind if we stop and rest here for the night. I am quite hungry and well, my legs are really starting to ache."

“I agree,” Theo says looking around the area. “This would be a pretty good place to rest for the night. We can continue the journey in the morning.” Theo sets his pack down and has a quick look around the area to see if there are any dangers around.

Perception: 10

Praxius turns around to Paca and Theo, the trek having not had as much of a toll on him, and smiles.

"It's as good a time as any to stop, I reckon it will start to rain soon", he says looking to start make up a makeshift camp and get a fire going.

"That was an interesting route, Rae", he says with a grin.

Survival: 12+4 = 16

Fortunately there is tons of dry grass and leaves around, more than enough for kindling and you are able to pick up enough stray sticks from both the living tree's and the fallen log to provide ample amounts of fuel. Although you are weary about keeping the fire burning when the rain starts, it may be a cold night. 

Praxius, having started hundreds. Possibly thousands of fire in his lifespan holds the handle of his blade over the pile of kindling and dry sticks he has gathered. Grasping a palm sized stone in his hand, he strikes the pommel of his blade to create a spark. Within two strikes he is able to catch the spark and slowly build a small but warm fire to life. 

There is a echoing boom as a flash of lightning rolls through the cloudfront slowly moving towards you, lighting the sky momentarily. Even from this distance, a good two leagues from the storm that is inching towards you. You can see the downpour that will hit you before the sun sets. 

Paca watches the storm roll in with a smile "Nature truly is beautiful." He then eats some dried meat from his pack and lays out his bedroll. "Should be quite beautiful to watch the storm tonight. If anyone wants to join me  set yourselves up within a 10 foot radius of me. I'll procure us a shelter for the night." Paca waits for everyone who wants to take him up on the offer to get within range of him before casting Tiny Hut. 

"There, that's better. I suggest sleeping while you can in here. This will stay up for eight hours." Paca then lays on his bedroll and watches the storm roll over head for a bit before closing his eyes to sleep.

Theo relaxes as the dome goes up around him and whoever is with Paca. Seeing Paca rest, he says, “I’ll take the first watch, just in case. While this dome will protect us from the storm, I’m not quite sure if this will stop any threats from getting inside.”

Rae obliges to Paca's request for rest, "Ah sorry, yes we can stop here for the night.  Being away from the city and one with nature has me brimming with energy; I'm glad to be away from the city."  It's obvious to Paca and the other that Rae's mood seems to have picked up from her usual slump she's been in the past few days.

Rae responds to Rums small jab jockingly, "Haha, just hoping to get the group a little more in shape.  Who knows, maybe there'll be poes disguised as trees in the orchards.  Gotta get in some training while we can right?"  The yellow zora gives an appraising whistle and comments on Praxius' skill starting a fire, "Nice work.  If it were possible I'd take the time to learn fire startin' myself, but not much use for fires when one lives in the sea y'know."

As Paca comments on the lightning storm, Rae sits beside him, "I wondrous sight for sure.  The storm reminds me of home..."

For a moment the zora feels homesick and gazes longingly at the black clouds rolling in.  She pulls out some dried squid jerky and offers some to Paca and the others.  The zora uses prestidigitation to warm up and flavor anyone's food should they request.

Rae comments aloud to no one in particular, "I hear most land children tend to fear the storm.  For us zora of the Stormfist Shallows, flashes of lightning and roaring thunder was the norm.  You grew accustomed to it.  I left those waters in pursuit of a more peaceful life.  But coming to these lands... well, it's funny how you only realize what you miss after it's gone."

Praxius smiles and reaches up to clap Rae gently on the back. Well, gently to him anyway.

"How do you cook your food under the sea, Rae?", he asks curiously.

He keeps close to Paca as instructed, not entirely sure what procuring a shelter means. As the dome appears he looks around in wonder.

"Now this I could have used for all those years", he says whilst nodding his head. "A wonderful shelter, Paca", he says enthusiastically.

He looks a little concerned for a moment, "Are we now stuck in here? What if we need to....take a walk?", he says tactfully.

He sits watching the storm, his own thoughts returning to all the storms he endured in the Lost Woods over the years.

"I like the storms as well, creatures tend to take shelter during a storm. I always felt safer...", he let's the thought drift away.

"Ah yes, quite cozy. You all can move freely in and out but nothing else will be allowed to enter the dome. Not even anything magical. So please, make yourselves comfortable." Paca then takes Rae's offer of squid jerky. "This is, something new. I haven't tried many new foods since leaving home. Lets give it a shot!" Paca then rips a piece off with his teeth and begins to chew at it. The taste hits him in a force. As if the salty ocean itself was assaulting his tongue. His face scrunches as he forces a smile, "Delicious..." he chews away at it until Rae is no longer looking his way and scrapes it off of his tongue. 

Paca then whispers to Lizi, "Take note to remind me, squid jerky is awful. Now lets get some sleep" He then takes out his pan flute and offers a song of rest (Thought the hit points aren't needed it may help everyone relax during the storm). "A calming tune anyone? While we prepare for a cozy nights sleep?"

Performance: 26

“That would be nice,” Theo says to Paca as he starts to play. He sighs as he relaxes on the ground, watching the storm above them as the melody floats around the dome the group is in. Theo takes a bit of squid jerky from Rae and chews on it slowly. 

“I’m glad to have found you guys,” he comments after a while of silence. “I’ve been lonely for quite some time now, and it feels nice to have friends again. It’s like being a part of a family again.”

Praxius lies back under the dome listening to Paca's medoly as lightning forks in the distance.

He pops the jerky into his mouth and slowly chews letting the flavour fill his mouth.

"Preaching to the choir there, Theo", he says. "Been many years since I even contemplated the idea of friendship", he says, his skin very briefly turning more blue before the green takes over again.

"Which is why I am having a blast travelling with you fine folk".

Rae responded to Praxius' question about cooking, "Our main diet consists of fish, so we usually defaulted to eating things raw.  But there was one lad who had the wild idea getting his food cooked by lightning.  Built himself a lightning rod and speared a fish on top.  When the lightning struck, there was hardly any fish left to eat."  Rae chuckles a bit as she retells the story.

"Friends, huh," Rae says to herself as she continues to watch the storm.