As Talinian switches watch with Bones, he says softly, fond amusement in his voice, "So...did you find her special book, my friend?"  Without waiting for an answer, the tiefling wizard heads to his bedroll for his rest.

Bones coughs and laughs awkwardly, "I've picked up quite a collection of books so far on our journeys."

Bones nods to Mia as they switch shifts as well at some point in the night, "How is the new blade feeling Mia?"

Bones will spend his watch reading however, enthralled by what the book entails, but puts it away quickly before changing watches.

Mia would have quietly found a place to sit. She looked a bit lost when Bones would come to her at some point in the night. Her eyes would look up to him from her spot, cross legged on the ground. She had the sword laying across her lap. Her hands would hover under the hilt and the end blade while her eyes scanned the full length of it. She humbly marveled over it, realizing this item was of legendary craftsmanship. "My apologies Master Bones. It appears I keep losing sight of our objectives." The silent fighter would speak softly with an apologetic look. "Please know that although I may not have the smarts to keep up with the analyzing that you and Talinian are able to achieve, I sincerely appreciate both your efforts to keep me on track and to include me in your journey." A self deprecating smile would tug at the corner of her lips. "I hope that I contribute enough to assist what you do, and not hinder it." She'd say with sincerity. "I find it difficult to accept such an item without at least acknowledging the accountability that comes with it, and pledging to you both that I fully intend to put my whole self behind this blade, protecting you both and your cause." The woman would bow her head to him.

This was no mere sword. If Mialee were going to be the warrior to wield it, she needed to bring herself back to earth and ground herself. Only one stable and sure of their course can be an anchor for chaos. She'd dip her head with her eyes closed, allowing herself to familiarize herself with its power. The warrior felt a sense of responsibility fall upon her shoulders as she'd feel herself accept the weight of it. She'd begin to sing.

"Welcome to the wild, no heroes and villains
Welcome to the war we've only begun, so
Pick up your weapon and face it
There's blood on the crown go and take it
You get one shot to make it out alive, so

Higher and higher you chase it
It's deep in your bones, go and take it
This is your moment, now is your time, so

Prove yourself and
RISE, RISE
Make 'em remember you
RISE
Push through hell and
RISE, RISE
They will remember you
RISE."

Gripping the weapon, Mialee would rise.

"Welcome to the climb up, reach for the summit
Visions pray that one false step lead the end, so

Higher and higher you chase it
It's deep in your blood, go and take it
This is your moment, take to the skies, go

Prove yourself and
RISE, RISE
Make 'em remember you
RISE
Push through hell and
RISE, RISE
They will remember you
RISE."

As she sang, the warrior would begin smooth practice drills, cutting sharp through the air.

"So get along, so get along, go
Get along 'long get a move on up
So get along, so get along, go
Get along 'long get a move on up
And as you fight among the death beneath the dirt
Do you know yet?
Do you want it?
And when the giants call to ask you what you're worth
Do you know if
Win or die, you'll..."

Having worked down to low crunch maneauvers, she'd pop up, light dancing around on her armour as it'd catch it.

"Prove yourself and
RISE, RISE
Make 'em remember you
RISE
Push through hell and
RISE, RISE
They will remember you
RISE
Prove yourself and RISE, RISE
(Pick up your weapon and face it)
RISE
(It's deep in your blood, go and take it)
RISE, RISE
(Higher and higher you chase it)
RISE
(So get along, so get along, go)
RISE, RISE."
("Rise" The 2018 League of Legends World Championship Theme)

(Mia's attunement to Sword of Random Chaos)

Mialee would finish the last move of her routine with a firm thrust, her chest heaving from the exertion. Inhaling deep breaths to bring herself down, she'd relax her stance and correct her posture. The warrior would hold up the blade, presenting it towards those she intends to protect with it, and formally bow. "I rise from the ashes to pledge this gifted power and my own strength to the greater good."

Without further ado, Mia would move to take her scheduled watch.

Talinian cracks an eye as Mia begins to sing, then stares, transfixed.  Their quiet warrior lady was singing, and doing a fine job of it.  Wow.  And her movements...so graceful and fluid.  She was truly a beautiful creature.  When it's over, Talinian forebears from clapping, in deference to Mia's modesty, but he is very grateful to have witnessed it.

Any thing else you all want to do before Xamyra wakes up?

Well, Talinian makes sure he's up before her and get's the box secured on his horse.

Bones gives Mia a warm smile and clicks his tongue, "Ah, you are most definitely not a hinderance. You offer a sturdy arm and perhaps a sound voice should Talinian and I get carried away. Besides, not everything is solved with what is read in a book." He pauses a moment in thought then continues, "You are most deserving of the blade. A strong will with sound judgement that I have witnessed so far, Mia. I can see no better master for the blade." He smiles again and leaves her to her ritual.

This would be the start of her watch, the last one of the night.

Xamyra wakes up as Talinian is finishing up with the box, she seems to take a long time to get to her feet, and stretches out. 

"Its been a long time, I'm spoiled by beds now."  She takes a look around and states "Wow Talinian, managed to get things strapped up before the sun come up."  She takes her time in walking over to Talinian and says "I have last watch go on and go to sleep."

Talinian smiles. “No, Xamyra, the watches are done. It’s time to depart. We shall escort you and Falami back to the school, collect our payment and be on our way.  There is much yet to learn in this wide world.”

The tiefling Wizard then mounts up, never taking his eyes from her.

So you all start to make your way back, there are no issues on the way.  You get to the campus, Magus Celenwe as well as a few other teachers are waiting in the court yard when you arive.

Celenwe speaks as soon as you arive. "Welcome back, Xamyra happy to see you, and the rest of you, happy you are hear, and alive.  Falami, my child, you have a lot of explaining to do, but things do not look good for you."  He places a hand on Falami, with a look of sadness on his face on his face.  He turns back to you all "Now as for our agreement, I would like to collect ALL things you found."

ooc: I had not anticipated you would simply move us back to the school so quickly.  I had planned to take steps to ensure there was no issue with the box as part of the role-play :(.

As they approach the group, Talinian slows his horse, allowing Xamyra to get ahead.  He often road at the read of the group, so hopefully, she notices nothing.  Once she was past him, the tiefling loosened the ropes holding the box to his horse so that it only appeared to be tied down and he kept a hand on it.  Upon hearing Celenwe's words, Talinian cocks his head then looks at the other two, then back to Celenwe.  "Unfortunately, we found nothing belonging to the school or of a necromantic nature, so, per our agreement, we have nothing for you, other than Falami herself.  As we have other responsibilities to which to attend, I bid you a good day, Master Celenwe, Xamyra."  With a respectful nod, he glances again at the others, blinks once (the signal to be ready to flee if needed and that he might teleport away), and begins to turn his horse.

Quote from LorrdWolf >>

ooc: I had not anticipated you would simply move us back to the school so quickly.  I had planned to take steps to ensure there was no issue with the box as part of the role-play :(.

 

Ok, then lets retcon that, I thought that your prevus post was a go ahead.

What would you like to do?

ooc: He wants to plan with Bones and Mia what to do if Celenwe chooses not to honor the agreement or if Xamyra chooses to do something stupid.

During the trip back to the school, Talinian takes the time to speak with Bones and Mia, privately away from Xamyra, about his concerns, mostly about Xamyra but also about Magus Celenwe.  "She had to know of our agreement and still said she was taking the box.  I don't know if Celenwe is planning on honoring our agreement or even if Xamyra has a way of communicating with him.  The only thing I can think of, if we get to the school, is to teleport away with the box but I can only teleport a short distance.  Then fly.  But I'm actually thinking we leave Xamyra and Falami at the edge of town.  Nothing we found, that I know of, belongs to the school or touches on necromancy."  He gives Bones a pointed look.  "Now I have to ask and need an answer.  I know of your love for knowledge and your somewhat...casual approach to ownership.  Did you find Falami's special book and does it cover necromancy?  We cannot give Celenwe any excuse to believe we have violated the agreement."

Bones gives an awkward smile and nods, "You know me all too well, but I had to know what was inside." He pulls the book of Blood and Power out just enough for the others to see but not so much that Xamyra or Falami would see, "An interesting read. I read it overnight during my watch. I'm not sure if it is exactly the one Falami spoke of, but definitely not something that I would expect to be left laying around either." He slips the book back in his pack before stroking his beard. "Teleporting away is a good idea. Will it take us all and the box?"

(DM Question - also, I forgot to check if I add that stuff from reading the book or not?)

"No...just myself and the box so it is not an ideal solution.  Better, I think to leave Xamyra and Falami at the edge of town, give Xamyra the book, and depart.  What do you think, Mia?" Talinian looks at the paladin.

Mialee would take a moment to reflect back on her knowledge on the new weapon she obtained. Although quite valuable, yet priceless at the same time, she'd want to ensure for a fact whether it broke their agreement or not. Even within the chaos, there was no necromatic properties within the sword's elemental power. She'd look to the others and nod to confirm so.

Mia would purse her lips and think for a moment on Talinian's ask. "I'm impartial to what happens with Xamyra and Falami. I trust what you think is best." She'd give her honest response and a respectful shrug. "As for departure, I can offer a longer stride to two and/or attempt to buy time." The warrior would offer what she thought would be most helpful for him and Bones to refine the plan. "Depending on what you believe could be most effective for your scenario."

(Tossing spaghetti at the wall so to speak:

Spell: Longstrider
I did think about Mia respectfully offering to pick up and carry Bones off if we wanted to give it to her and Talinian for a little extra oomph.

Spell: Sleep
We are dealing with mages, so I don't know how effective/useful this could be? But putting it out there.

Then off course we have the good ol' Bardic Inspiration and Guidance if they apply at any point. Mia could/would hum/sing a little melody to 'prebuff' BI on Talinian and Bones ahead of time in preparation.)

"Then that is what we will do.  We will leave Xamyra at the edge of town.  Be ready to cast your spells as I will be ready to cast mine," Talinian says.

Ok so when you are ready please let me know that you are going to try and leave Xamyra and Falami at the edge of town.

Bones grumbles a little at the thought of being carried over one's shoulder as they make their escape but doesn't disagree since he doesn't have a better option.

ooc: I think we are ready.