Let's get a move on!

Day 6, First ten-day, Month of Highsun - somewhere on the road to Fireshear

The three bards spend the day trudging along in the snow - entertaining each other with stories and songs. Its getting late in the evening when not wanting a repeat of last night they start looking for somewhere to spend the night when Thallan who happens to be slightly in the lead spots what appears to be a sled pulled by dogs heading their way. 

"Look at that!" he calls back to his partners. "We should be able to get some good information from this local." He continues walking toward the sled, and when they are 50 feet or so apart, he'll start waving a hand, to show his is friendly.

The Piper watches Thallan and the sled carefully, getting himself prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best. 

When they are 50 feet or so apart, he'll start waving a hand, to show his is friendly.

As Thallan waves to the sled it changes direction and comes towards him. As it gets closer he hears in elvish “Donner and Blitzen whoa!” The lead dogs slow down their pace and the sled slows to a stop. As the dogs get closer Brynn recognises them as Cooshee; large dogs kept by Wood elf and Eladrin communities as companions, scouts and occasionally beasts of burden. The interesting thing is that the figure driving the sled is actually an Orc.

Thallan greets the orc in a very friendly manner. He raises his chin and grunts, "Ashdautas Vrasubatlat!" Then, continuing in Elvish, he says, "We three are bards on our way to the Ten Towns. Some storm we had last night! We're headed for Bryn Shander by way of Fireshear. Any news you'd like to share as we continue on our way?"

Orcish translation:

Then, continuing in Elvish, he says, "We three are bards on our way to the Ten Towns. 

As Thallan finishes talking, the Orc who doesn't seem to have understood Thallan's Orcish looks him and his companions up and down “bards you say. Nah you’re having a lend of Old Nick. Bards are intelligent folk who wouldn’t be found walking from Luskan to the Ten Towns in good weather let alone the weather that seems to be making its way south from the Icewind Dale right now without tents. Nah real bards would have hired horses or a cart or something to carry what you need to survive in this place. What I reckon you are is city slickers that’s what I reckon!“ He unpacks his sled and rummages around before pulling a large piece of canvass bundled up with ropes (i.e. a tent) which he passes to Thallan “here have this with blessings of Old Nick.”

Bryn approaches the large dogs and gives them a scratch, as Thallan greets the Orc. His face lights up as they are offered the tent. "Many thanks! He says in elvish, "Where abouts do you hail from to have these lovely creatures?"

The Piper is hanging back a little, very carefully observing the body language to see if he can determine the orc's intentions. Insight: 5

Thallan blushes a little as he accepts the tent. "You clearly hold bards in high esteem. I sure hope the three of us don't tarnish your opinion."

"Where abouts do you hail from to have these lovely creatures?" Brynn asks.

The Orc turns and points to the north and as he does so Brynn and Thallan catch a glimpse of a red shirt or some such under his winter clothing "Up there a ways! As to the dogs they come with the job"

Thallan smiles. "And what job might that be?"

Thallan smiles. "And what job might that be?"

Old Nick tapes his nose with one finger smiles and says "whatever the Old Lady tells me it is. That's what!"

"We thank you kindly for the tent," Thallan says, raising the bundle a little to accentuate his remarks. "Have you anymore bits of advice for those who are clearly out of their element traveling up to the Ten Towns?" He makes a face as he thinks for a moment. "Are you saying this weather is unusual in these parts?"

 "Are you saying this weather is unusual in these parts?" Thallan asks

"Sudden snow storms, that ain't unusual but they are a bit more common nowadays" Old Nick replies "no what is unusual is that about now you'd be expecting to see days on end without  night but all that the Icewind Dale is experiencing is a long period of twilight.

Thallan screws up his face as he tries to wrap his mind around that statement. He looks at the other two half-elves to see if they appear to have concocted a reason why something as life-altering as a change in solar movement might be transpiring.

The Piper is still unsure about the Orc, and continues to hang back a little, but calls out "Who is this 'Old Lady' you refer to?"

Bryn thinks for a few moments, and then as if he has made an internal decision, "I grew up in a place of magic, and certain regions  concepts of days and nights heavily influenced by magic, so something similar could be at play in the Icewind?"

The Piper is still unsure about the Orc, and continues to hang back a little, but calls out "Who is this 'Old Lady' you refer to?"

Old Nick mutters something that sounds like "swahmbo." Seeing that The Piper doesn't recognise the word he says "She What Must Be Obeyed -  that's who. Also know as the Missus are as some call her Mrs Nick!" 

Thallan nods at Bryn's explanation, making a face that clearly says he finds the suggestion interesting. However, after the orc makes his explanation to the Piper, Thallan is all smiles once again, his eyes twinkling. "Swahmbo," the big half-elf repeats, amused. He nods at the orc as well. "She what must be obeyed." He waggles a finger at Nick playfully. "That's very smart. Many of the tribes on the Isles are lead by women. They would agree with your word swahmbo. I would very much like to meet your Mrs. Nick, but it appears you are headed away from home rather than toward it. Is that right?"