"Again, not hearing any proof that Hermes didn't send the visions..." Sam questions, a bit of concern in his voice. "Muir, you've always seen more open and thoughtful... You seem kind of single minded about this though. As if there could be no questioning of it's falsity...?"
Elthana had been too tired to engage in the discussion between Muir and Sam. But as it dragged on and got a little stronger with opinions, she steps in and places a hand on both their forearms.
She looks down at her hands as they both do (I assume they would?) "Look at that, my hands match. Never thought that would give me such pleasure."
She then looks up in both their faces, "If it wasn't for you two and the others, I'd still be in that cave, I don't think I'd ever have made it out. We all make quite a team don't we?"
Hoping this quells the discussion, "Come on, let's enjoy ourselves and our victory alright? Shit they are celebrating us! Never thought that would ever happen to this um, well, you know.." she avoids their eyes on this one as she knows you both probably both have pinned her for what she is, was, but for the first time, she doesn't want to say it. What is changing?
This makes her pull her hands away and adds, "This assassin." There, she nods sharply. She is who she is and that's that.
The celebration swells as the group join the fold properly, they are plied with drinks firm a local towns person who seems to have found a stash of alcohol that they'd left behind, looking at Sam up and down they hesitate for a moment when offered coin, but decide to take it anyway, their need for rebuilding funds outweighing their need to show their undying appreciation.
A short while into eating, Iver returns to the party. "I've secured us three horses to get us back, Muir's own horse makes four, so either some of us need to double up or we're gonna have to come up with something to make the journey easier." He takes a drink and chugs it, letting the alcohol soothe his aching limbs.
The party can't help but feel watched their entire night, Te'louim's eyes never seem to leave the group when he is around, keeping an especially close eye in Muir, but after a couple of hours he disappears, likely to the fields of tents that the clerics brought.
The group also notice that the clerics who had been specifically with the group of survivors in the forest for the past few weeks, are all formally introduced to Ebb at some point in the night. The clerics themselves seem highly excitable which is reflected by ebb as he smiles and makes pleasantries with them, but to the insightful in the group, it seems ebb is more putting in a show to keep up appearances, rather than letting the clerics see his fear and exhaustion at the situation.
Sam looks down at the hand upon his arm and smiles, thoughts instantly going back to the hug what? A day ago? It seems so much longer. Sam looks to Elthana and nods in agreement, this is no time for debating points that don’t even matter.
Hmwha? Sam thinks, eyebrow cocking up uncontrollably, when she says the word assassin. Enforcer, sure. That much he figured… but straight ip assassin? It’s not that he didn’t expect such things from various of the factions but… huh.
“Just Elthana to me,” he says after just the briefest of delays. Hands that match or not, job title, whatever. Elthana is Elthana he figures. The rest is noise.
Sam nods and smiles to Muir as well. “Still no answer,” Sam says and then gives Muir a wink. “No matter. Those are other people’s concerns’l
Sam steps ip to the festivities reluctantly. He tries to not be the center of anyone’s attention and time and again prods Gewyn suggesting he sing a song or tell a tale or basically go anything so Sam feels less watched…
“We can see which of my animals show up,” Sam says to Iver as he reaches out to scratch the head of his host and then down to pet the mastiff. “I’ve no control of it though and some are more useful than others… We really should stop at the other two trees on the way though.”
Gewyn nods to Sam's request, and says to Elthana, "Not that we've any place to be judging you for your line of work, but right now, in this moment, you are not an assassin." He sweeps an arm out, gesturing to the festivities and all the people glancing over at the group. "You're a hero." He raises a mug. "As are we all!" With that, he trots over towards the highest density of people and starts getting a well-known call-and-response song going with the crowd.
After a while, Gewyn slips from the main crowd and casually approaches a cluster of clerics, including Ebb and Te'louim, engaging some of them in conversation.
As talk wraps up and the group begins to leave Vin seems very pensive. He's got a lot to think on now and much more then he bargained for. All these talks of subterfuge and mistrust really doesn't sit well with them. However, all thoughts of this are dispelled when they step out into the open with Nef by his side. Suddenly there is cheering and applause for him. Like a hero being welcomed after saving the land. Despite how he felt he could of done more he smiles. The people remaining are happy. Happy it's over. Happy to have something to celebrate again. Vin realizes that it was never about fixing everything and saving everyone it was about helping the people that remained. He did that. It might not be all good. Many are still dead but those here are so thankful that they made it. This celebration was in their honor for giving them this.
As Iver whispers to them about procuring transport vin whispers back "Thanks Iver. I don't think I could leave even if I wanted to." He almost seems overwhelmed by the sudden attention but it's clear he really likes it too. He then greets folks and gets food. Feeding not only himself but also the tiny passenger hiding in his pack as well. Making sure it won't get hungry and go looking for food. Giving it a pet on the head it it lets him.
Neferox has a much different reaction. She was not used to such accolades. Such attention. There was no fear of her. She was suddenly some being that saved folks. Not something that ate folks. That didn't mean she didn't growl and warn anyone away who even seemed to think about petting her. She seems to be trying to reign in her murderous intent. She does not want to ruin this moment for Vin who is basking in his success. A feeling she knew he has never really had a chance to have. She instead avoids others as much as possible but watches as Vin shakes hands and smiles as he receives thanks. Folks find a way to express their gratitude though as Vin suggest they leave some yummy food out for her at a distance. Nef is vary aware he's doing this. She at first completely refuses to accept it but the allure of good smelling food and Vin's encouragement eventually wins. An hour in she is seen smelling the food. Testing it like it might be poisoned and then eating the offering despite her reluctance.
Muir and Sam begin debating the visions Ebb has been having and Vin notices Iver coming back as he reports having secured them transport for tomorrow. Vin nods and listens to Elthana as she says how we all worked together. Vin nods in agreement and says "We make a great team Elthana. We couldn't of gotten this far without you as well. I agree with Gewyn. You are not just one thing. You're a bunch! Your a hero, an assassin (which is badass by the way!), a friend, an advisor, someone to aspire to be like and don't forget you're part of team stealth!" He smiles. The young man sometimes showing wisdom far greater then his age. Nef rolls their eyes and gives a sarcastic woof of exasperation.
Talk between Muir and Sam gets pretty intense as they debate the authenticity of Muir's information. In truth, Vin isn't sure he knows either way. However, he didn't like all this 'not saying' stuff. Sure they might just lie but Vin wanted to just be direct and get some answers. Why guess when they might tell you? "Nef says Te'louim has been watching us for the past hour or so. I'm going to go ask him a couple things. Don't worry I'm not going to share more then I already did. We want answers so... worst case, he lies or just refuses to answer. You will all be able to see me there with him too so he won't be able to do anything." Nef woofs in agreement and Vin smiles "She'll watch my back too." He will then head to talk to them before they leave the party for the night. A look of a mission on his face as he goes to just ask directly what folks want to know.
Vin walks up to Te'louim with Neferox stalking behind, he meets and speaks to the elf who appears to look quite bothered by the situation but resigned to it, luckily Gewyn is in earshot of the conversation having already made his way into the crowd to do some entertainment.
As Muir and Gore slink off together, Sam realises in the next moment that Elthana has also disappeared, leaving only himself, his animals and Iver to deal with the adoring fans and the feasting, after a few minutes of this Vin returns from his conversation.
The evening presses on, the crowd gathered provides enough warmth of body heat in this arena to stave off the winter nights air. Though after about two hours of feasting the clerics begin to funnel out, Goldsheaf stands on the balcony and addresses her people, directing them to take some blankets that have been provided along with some of their own belongings and camp out in the rooms of the trade post building.
In this time elthana returns, though Muir is still missing as he stated that he would find the group once again come morning.
After the celebration and discussions of the night before, Elthana meditates over all of it and the deep meditation of it all gives her quite a bit of rest. As she rises in the morning and heads out to a clearing to do her daily exercises, she looks forward to the day, to get out of Hokum and on to Trundlested. She wonders if that mysterious man and woman in the tent would be around again, or if it would just be a mundane stop over on their way to Marblestead. Mundane would be just fine she decides.
She finds the rest of the group when she's finished and looks for Iver and his carriage, hoping he's secured a decent ride for their travels.
“What you jawing with the snobby elf about?” Sam asks Vin when he returns but doesn’t press the issue. He had to ask but in truth he’s already moved on from Hokum and it’s problems, resigned to head back to Marblestead and whatever nonsense comes next there…
Sam talks to Vin and Iver for a bit but retires for the night rather quickly.
In the morning Sam goes through his normal routine of washing, checking his gear, etching his runes and then finding food… eventually he meets back up with Iver and the rest and will examine this transportation he has secured. “Only need get us to Trundlesten,” he notes. “We can get better there, I’m sure.”
Sam will then draw from his bag of tricks. Sometimes he gets a beast that can act as a mount or a pack animal and that could be handy here… he draws forth: (6) Boris, the Giant Boar. Sam smiles and decides not to press his luck for now. He always prefers Òrga’s company but it’ll be a long hike and the lion isn’t necessarily the built for marathons. Sam expects Boris will be complaining eventually himself, specially if he rides him too much, but Sam finds he’s a bit more indifferent to the boar’s complaints… Personality matters and Boris doesn’t have much of one.
Vin smiles as Sam calls the elf snobby and Nef seems to gruff a bit as if agreeing. She looks quite agitated once closer to her. Vin however just replies "Not much. He almost immediately began to provoke Nef." She growls and menaces her fangs. She's clearly upset at just the thought of Te'Louim. Vin pats her head to calm her a bit and adds "I was jsut direct. Asked a couple of questions. I asked if they planned to close the portal. They said not at this time. Asked if they found a portal themselves. They said they couldn't. When I asked what they found at the location of light Ebb described they said it went into catacombs below the city and they couldn't find anything." Nef is still grumbling. Not hard to tell she is giving lots of threats on what she'd like to do to mr. high priest. "He then tried to provoke Nef and made it clear he didn't want to talk. We left. I found some other clerics to confirm there are catacombs below the city so at least it's not made up."
“Even if the visions are true I guess that doesn’t mean a portal there has opened yet. Or even that the threat is a portal, maybe. And perhaps all don’t look the same…” Sam replies distractedly. Kind of done with it. “Hag’s sister is maybe just pulling into town now, over there. Mayhap hasn’t even set up shop yet…”
“And you, Neferox?” Sam asks, turning to look at the hound directly. “You’re beef with him something more than them being a snobby, egotistical, stick up his ass jerk? I don’t like him either, just kind of instinctively like, but I can’t say as I have a real reason besides that..”
Vin gets a worried look as he replies "What if the visions are something else? It occurs to me that if the clerics are being brought to a specific location under their temple in the catacombs that someone built it all that way to keep something down there and prevent folks from getting to it. i don't have any proof but maybe something is trying to lure them there. Just a theory that is... pretty scary." he smiles and then says "We can worry about it later. Not like we can do anything right now. Pretty sure Te'Louim won't talk to me anyway."
As Sam asks Nef a question she turns her head sideways requiring no translation as she expresses a confusion of why would they need more to hate them?
“And what if the vision is just an imagination taken too seriously?” Sam counters. “Faith is a funny thing… and letting it dictate your decisions?” Sam sighs and shakes his head.
“Hells, kid. I have nothing against religion in a general sense. I think it helps lots of people get through the hard times a bit easier, and that’s not a bad thing at all… But seems to me there comes a time where you have to put faith aside and take control of things your own damn self. ‘Course those I think too blinded by faith would say just the opposite, sometimes you just have to give things over to the gods and let them lead.”
“Who is right? Me? Them?” Sam asks. “Probably neither. Not fully anyway. And that’s about as troublesome as anything else…”
To Neferox Sam smirks and grunts. Seems they agree on something.
Morning breaks, the dim light of early winter mornings makes for a depressing start. Some of the survivors are up and around already, talking to a wide eyed and bushy tailed Hirsi, who seems to be passing around information on the least damaged parts of the town.
Some clerics mill around especially the ones tending to the sick and injured, but oddly the forces of Hermes seem to be largely gone, the Paladins especially are nowhere in sight. "Couldn't wait hmph!" Grumbles Goldsheaf as she joins the party. Muir appears from the woods along with Gore both of them seem to have slept well.
Iver points out three horses that have been left by the large doors of the arena, apparently having been very literal when he mentioned his acquisition them, there is no carriage in sight, he looks to the group and scratches his head a little "got us some extra blankets and things but it looks like we'll be sleeping rough and relying on campfire for warmth til we make it to trundlesten, I'll be ready whenever you guys have made your farewells and such like."
"Then let's be off," Sam suggests, not being any bigger on farewells than of being the focus of thanks and grateful survivors.
"First stop shall be the first two trees I made, I guess," he advises and once everyone is ready he climbs atop Boris the Boar and starts off. Boris grunts, farts and then slowly does indeed start trodding off in the appointed direction.
Muir nods to Sam's suggestion and hands him the seeds "We don't know what they are....take care of them." Muir moves to hop aboard his horse and gets ready to leave
Vin wakes after an evening of celebration and seems in good spirits. He says his farewells to several folks that he came to know while here. He especially stops to say goodbye to the small owlin boy afflicted with the effect of the charm fruit. Patting them on the head and saying something to them before they are ready to go. They then head back to Iver and the horses he gathered. Not seeing a carriage, Vin seems a bit nervous and it's clear he hasn't rode a horse before. He doesn't complain either though, never wanting to be the burden. "I'm ready to go too. I said my farewells. I'm looking forward to some camping honestly." he looks to the others waiting for all to be ready.
Seeing Muir handing the seeds back and not knowing what they are is pretty interested. Nef just scoffs at the druid. Definitely some kind of insult towards them and their inability to identify the seeds. She just waits for the rest of the folks to be ready to go as well. It was time to go home for the both of them.
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"Again, not hearing any proof that Hermes didn't send the visions..." Sam questions, a bit of concern in his voice. "Muir, you've always seen more open and thoughtful... You seem kind of single minded about this though. As if there could be no questioning of it's falsity...?"
Elthana had been too tired to engage in the discussion between Muir and Sam. But as it dragged on and got a little stronger with opinions, she steps in and places a hand on both their forearms.
She looks down at her hands as they both do (I assume they would?) "Look at that, my hands match. Never thought that would give me such pleasure."
She then looks up in both their faces, "If it wasn't for you two and the others, I'd still be in that cave, I don't think I'd ever have made it out. We all make quite a team don't we?"
Hoping this quells the discussion, "Come on, let's enjoy ourselves and our victory alright? Shit they are celebrating us! Never thought that would ever happen to this um, well, you know.." she avoids their eyes on this one as she knows you both probably both have pinned her for what she is, was, but for the first time, she doesn't want to say it. What is changing?
This makes her pull her hands away and adds, "This assassin." There, she nods sharply. She is who she is and that's that.
Muir smiles and puts out his hands to say after you to Sam
The celebration swells as the group join the fold properly, they are plied with drinks firm a local towns person who seems to have found a stash of alcohol that they'd left behind, looking at Sam up and down they hesitate for a moment when offered coin, but decide to take it anyway, their need for rebuilding funds outweighing their need to show their undying appreciation.
A short while into eating, Iver returns to the party. "I've secured us three horses to get us back, Muir's own horse makes four, so either some of us need to double up or we're gonna have to come up with something to make the journey easier." He takes a drink and chugs it, letting the alcohol soothe his aching limbs.
The party can't help but feel watched their entire night, Te'louim's eyes never seem to leave the group when he is around, keeping an especially close eye in Muir, but after a couple of hours he disappears, likely to the fields of tents that the clerics brought.
The group also notice that the clerics who had been specifically with the group of survivors in the forest for the past few weeks, are all formally introduced to Ebb at some point in the night. The clerics themselves seem highly excitable which is reflected by ebb as he smiles and makes pleasantries with them, but to the insightful in the group, it seems ebb is more putting in a show to keep up appearances, rather than letting the clerics see his fear and exhaustion at the situation.
Sam looks down at the hand upon his arm and smiles, thoughts instantly going back to the hug what? A day ago? It seems so much longer. Sam looks to Elthana and nods in agreement, this is no time for debating points that don’t even matter.
Hmwha? Sam thinks, eyebrow cocking up uncontrollably, when she says the word assassin. Enforcer, sure. That much he figured… but straight ip assassin? It’s not that he didn’t expect such things from various of the factions but… huh.
“Just Elthana to me,” he says after just the briefest of delays. Hands that match or not, job title, whatever. Elthana is Elthana he figures. The rest is noise.
Sam nods and smiles to Muir as well. “Still no answer,” Sam says and then gives Muir a wink. “No matter. Those are other people’s concerns’l
Sam steps ip to the festivities reluctantly. He tries to not be the center of anyone’s attention and time and again prods Gewyn suggesting he sing a song or tell a tale or basically go anything so Sam feels less watched…
“We can see which of my animals show up,” Sam says to Iver as he reaches out to scratch the head of his host and then down to pet the mastiff. “I’ve no control of it though and some are more useful than others… We really should stop at the other two trees on the way though.”
Gewyn nods to Sam's request, and says to Elthana, "Not that we've any place to be judging you for your line of work, but right now, in this moment, you are not an assassin." He sweeps an arm out, gesturing to the festivities and all the people glancing over at the group. "You're a hero." He raises a mug. "As are we all!" With that, he trots over towards the highest density of people and starts getting a well-known call-and-response song going with the crowd.
Muir excuses himself from the party "Enjoy yourselves. I will see you all bright and early in the morn."
After a while, Gewyn slips from the main crowd and casually approaches a cluster of clerics, including Ebb and Te'louim, engaging some of them in conversation.
As talk wraps up and the group begins to leave Vin seems very pensive. He's got a lot to think on now and much more then he bargained for. All these talks of subterfuge and mistrust really doesn't sit well with them. However, all thoughts of this are dispelled when they step out into the open with Nef by his side. Suddenly there is cheering and applause for him. Like a hero being welcomed after saving the land. Despite how he felt he could of done more he smiles. The people remaining are happy. Happy it's over. Happy to have something to celebrate again. Vin realizes that it was never about fixing everything and saving everyone it was about helping the people that remained. He did that. It might not be all good. Many are still dead but those here are so thankful that they made it. This celebration was in their honor for giving them this.
As Iver whispers to them about procuring transport vin whispers back "Thanks Iver. I don't think I could leave even if I wanted to." He almost seems overwhelmed by the sudden attention but it's clear he really likes it too. He then greets folks and gets food. Feeding not only himself but also the tiny passenger hiding in his pack as well. Making sure it won't get hungry and go looking for food. Giving it a pet on the head it it lets him.
Neferox has a much different reaction. She was not used to such accolades. Such attention. There was no fear of her. She was suddenly some being that saved folks. Not something that ate folks. That didn't mean she didn't growl and warn anyone away who even seemed to think about petting her. She seems to be trying to reign in her murderous intent. She does not want to ruin this moment for Vin who is basking in his success. A feeling she knew he has never really had a chance to have. She instead avoids others as much as possible but watches as Vin shakes hands and smiles as he receives thanks. Folks find a way to express their gratitude though as Vin suggest they leave some yummy food out for her at a distance. Nef is vary aware he's doing this. She at first completely refuses to accept it but the allure of good smelling food and Vin's encouragement eventually wins. An hour in she is seen smelling the food. Testing it like it might be poisoned and then eating the offering despite her reluctance.
Muir and Sam begin debating the visions Ebb has been having and Vin notices Iver coming back as he reports having secured them transport for tomorrow. Vin nods and listens to Elthana as she says how we all worked together. Vin nods in agreement and says "We make a great team Elthana. We couldn't of gotten this far without you as well. I agree with Gewyn. You are not just one thing. You're a bunch! Your a hero, an assassin (which is badass by the way!), a friend, an advisor, someone to aspire to be like and don't forget you're part of team stealth!" He smiles. The young man sometimes showing wisdom far greater then his age. Nef rolls their eyes and gives a sarcastic woof of exasperation.
Talk between Muir and Sam gets pretty intense as they debate the authenticity of Muir's information. In truth, Vin isn't sure he knows either way. However, he didn't like all this 'not saying' stuff. Sure they might just lie but Vin wanted to just be direct and get some answers. Why guess when they might tell you? "Nef says Te'louim has been watching us for the past hour or so. I'm going to go ask him a couple things. Don't worry I'm not going to share more then I already did. We want answers so... worst case, he lies or just refuses to answer. You will all be able to see me there with him too so he won't be able to do anything." Nef woofs in agreement and Vin smiles "She'll watch my back too." He will then head to talk to them before they leave the party for the night. A look of a mission on his face as he goes to just ask directly what folks want to know.
Vin walks up to Te'louim with Neferox stalking behind, he meets and speaks to the elf who appears to look quite bothered by the situation but resigned to it, luckily Gewyn is in earshot of the conversation having already made his way into the crowd to do some entertainment.
As Muir and Gore slink off together, Sam realises in the next moment that Elthana has also disappeared, leaving only himself, his animals and Iver to deal with the adoring fans and the feasting, after a few minutes of this Vin returns from his conversation.
The evening presses on, the crowd gathered provides enough warmth of body heat in this arena to stave off the winter nights air. Though after about two hours of feasting the clerics begin to funnel out, Goldsheaf stands on the balcony and addresses her people, directing them to take some blankets that have been provided along with some of their own belongings and camp out in the rooms of the trade post building.
In this time elthana returns, though Muir is still missing as he stated that he would find the group once again come morning.
After the celebration and discussions of the night before, Elthana meditates over all of it and the deep meditation of it all gives her quite a bit of rest. As she rises in the morning and heads out to a clearing to do her daily exercises, she looks forward to the day, to get out of Hokum and on to Trundlested. She wonders if that mysterious man and woman in the tent would be around again, or if it would just be a mundane stop over on their way to Marblestead. Mundane would be just fine she decides.
She finds the rest of the group when she's finished and looks for Iver and his carriage, hoping he's secured a decent ride for their travels.
“What you jawing with the snobby elf about?” Sam asks Vin when he returns but doesn’t press the issue. He had to ask but in truth he’s already moved on from Hokum and it’s problems, resigned to head back to Marblestead and whatever nonsense comes next there…
Sam talks to Vin and Iver for a bit but retires for the night rather quickly.
In the morning Sam goes through his normal routine of washing, checking his gear, etching his runes and then finding food… eventually he meets back up with Iver and the rest and will examine this transportation he has secured. “Only need get us to Trundlesten,” he notes. “We can get better there, I’m sure.”
Sam will then draw from his bag of tricks. Sometimes he gets a beast that can act as a mount or a pack animal and that could be handy here… he draws forth: (6) Boris, the Giant Boar. Sam smiles and decides not to press his luck for now. He always prefers Òrga’s company but it’ll be a long hike and the lion isn’t necessarily the built for marathons. Sam expects Boris will be complaining eventually himself, specially if he rides him too much, but Sam finds he’s a bit more indifferent to the boar’s complaints… Personality matters and Boris doesn’t have much of one.
Vin smiles as Sam calls the elf snobby and Nef seems to gruff a bit as if agreeing. She looks quite agitated once closer to her. Vin however just replies "Not much. He almost immediately began to provoke Nef." She growls and menaces her fangs. She's clearly upset at just the thought of Te'Louim. Vin pats her head to calm her a bit and adds "I was jsut direct. Asked a couple of questions. I asked if they planned to close the portal. They said not at this time. Asked if they found a portal themselves. They said they couldn't. When I asked what they found at the location of light Ebb described they said it went into catacombs below the city and they couldn't find anything." Nef is still grumbling. Not hard to tell she is giving lots of threats on what she'd like to do to mr. high priest. "He then tried to provoke Nef and made it clear he didn't want to talk. We left. I found some other clerics to confirm there are catacombs below the city so at least it's not made up."
“Even if the visions are true I guess that doesn’t mean a portal there has opened yet. Or even that the threat is a portal, maybe. And perhaps all don’t look the same…” Sam replies distractedly. Kind of done with it. “Hag’s sister is maybe just pulling into town now, over there. Mayhap hasn’t even set up shop yet…”
“And you, Neferox?” Sam asks, turning to look at the hound directly. “You’re beef with him something more than them being a snobby, egotistical, stick up his ass jerk? I don’t like him either, just kind of instinctively like, but I can’t say as I have a real reason besides that..”
Vin gets a worried look as he replies "What if the visions are something else? It occurs to me that if the clerics are being brought to a specific location under their temple in the catacombs that someone built it all that way to keep something down there and prevent folks from getting to it. i don't have any proof but maybe something is trying to lure them there. Just a theory that is... pretty scary." he smiles and then says "We can worry about it later. Not like we can do anything right now. Pretty sure Te'Louim won't talk to me anyway."
As Sam asks Nef a question she turns her head sideways requiring no translation as she expresses a confusion of why would they need more to hate them?
“And what if the vision is just an imagination taken too seriously?” Sam counters. “Faith is a funny thing… and letting it dictate your decisions?” Sam sighs and shakes his head.
“Hells, kid. I have nothing against religion in a general sense. I think it helps lots of people get through the hard times a bit easier, and that’s not a bad thing at all… But seems to me there comes a time where you have to put faith aside and take control of things your own damn self. ‘Course those I think too blinded by faith would say just the opposite, sometimes you just have to give things over to the gods and let them lead.”
“Who is right? Me? Them?” Sam asks. “Probably neither. Not fully anyway. And that’s about as troublesome as anything else…”
To Neferox Sam smirks and grunts. Seems they agree on something.
Morning breaks, the dim light of early winter mornings makes for a depressing start. Some of the survivors are up and around already, talking to a wide eyed and bushy tailed Hirsi, who seems to be passing around information on the least damaged parts of the town.
Some clerics mill around especially the ones tending to the sick and injured, but oddly the forces of Hermes seem to be largely gone, the Paladins especially are nowhere in sight. "Couldn't wait hmph!" Grumbles Goldsheaf as she joins the party. Muir appears from the woods along with Gore both of them seem to have slept well.
Iver points out three horses that have been left by the large doors of the arena, apparently having been very literal when he mentioned his acquisition them, there is no carriage in sight, he looks to the group and scratches his head a little "got us some extra blankets and things but it looks like we'll be sleeping rough and relying on campfire for warmth til we make it to trundlesten, I'll be ready whenever you guys have made your farewells and such like."
"Then let's be off," Sam suggests, not being any bigger on farewells than of being the focus of thanks and grateful survivors.
"First stop shall be the first two trees I made, I guess," he advises and once everyone is ready he climbs atop Boris the Boar and starts off. Boris grunts, farts and then slowly does indeed start trodding off in the appointed direction.
Muir nods to Sam's suggestion and hands him the seeds "We don't know what they are....take care of them." Muir moves to hop aboard his horse and gets ready to leave
Vin wakes after an evening of celebration and seems in good spirits. He says his farewells to several folks that he came to know while here. He especially stops to say goodbye to the small owlin boy afflicted with the effect of the charm fruit. Patting them on the head and saying something to them before they are ready to go. They then head back to Iver and the horses he gathered. Not seeing a carriage, Vin seems a bit nervous and it's clear he hasn't rode a horse before. He doesn't complain either though, never wanting to be the burden. "I'm ready to go too. I said my farewells. I'm looking forward to some camping honestly." he looks to the others waiting for all to be ready.
Seeing Muir handing the seeds back and not knowing what they are is pretty interested. Nef just scoffs at the druid. Definitely some kind of insult towards them and their inability to identify the seeds. She just waits for the rest of the folks to be ready to go as well. It was time to go home for the both of them.