Arkanos and Bluecrest make their descent through the last of the mountains slowly. The rocky path gives way to a greener landscape and an occasional patch of bushes and trees. Almost as soon as they enter the valley, they can feel the comfort of the temperate weather. The old Bluecrest especially, has an easier time without the biting wind and cold.
Student and mentor walk side by side, silently comtemplating their situation. After a short hour of walking in the valley, they spot the first of the hot springs, hidden partially by some trees. The steaming pool, about 12 feet wide, is bordered by a natural rock formation. Sitting in the pool, submerged up to their shoulders in the murky water, are two non-Mojh. One of them, a male Steward with rimpled skin and hair as white as milk, is waited upon by an adult Sibeccai with notably reddish fur. The other is a venerable human woman, her grey hair bound up to keep it out of the water. She has her eyes closed and is seemingly asleep.
From a small wooden shack emerges a man, dressed in plain grey robes. He must be in his late fourties, his hair is already greying at the temples. In his hands he carries a platter, holding various clay jugs and bowls. As he notes the two Mojh, he makes a slow and long bow to Bluecrest. "Welcome, elder. It is an honor to greet you in our valley. You must having endured many hardships on the way here. Please be relieved in the thought that these are over now. You will be provided for here. Welcome..." The man, with a serene but stern face, straightens himself and give a low bow of his head to Arkanos. "Welcome, Sirran."
Almost out of a reflex, Bluecrest looks at Arkanos. It had been unsure how the people here would react to a Mojh, and surely had not expected this.
(Arkanos)
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The pair of warriors, Litorian and Giant, makes its way to the valley while they get to know each other a bit. It seems almost natural that the giant would feel attracted to Kabashi, naive and intellect-challenged as the Litorian is. Soon after entering the valley, they too begin to feel the effects of its sheltered position amid the mountains and the presence of the hot springs. The fair temperature makes the rest of their walk quite pleasant. They soon find the road that must lead to the village itself and can see the first farms in the distance.
Their calm walk is distrubed though, by a group of young men. Four of them approach the walkihng pair at high speed. Three of them are chasing a fourth, who has a lead of about a giant's reach. The men chasing him, appearantly older, look quite set on catching him, each of them a deep scowl on his face. The younger man at the lead, a boy still, looks over his shoulder with a frightened look on his face but keeps up his run. So focussed on each other, the men don't seem to have noticed Kabashi and Tar-Namaris yet.
(Kabashi, Tar-Namaris)
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"Yes, of course", the woman anwsers with enthousiasm in her voice. "You could stay in the Guesthouse, of course. It is..." She starts to point further up the street, but seems to rethink. "Wait, I would show you the way. Our village is not that big, but then I could introduce you. Come, it's this way." With a generous smile, the strudy woman urges him to follow her. She leads him through the village, which looks especially friendly due to all of the extra festival decorations. The houses they pass are modest in size, built mostly from stone and some timber.
Jiska is quite interested in Tanuar, and barely keeps the amount of her questions in check. "So, you are from Navael? What is it like there? Any special occasion for you to come to our village here? - It's not for the baths, is it?"
As they come closer to the centre of the village, they pass a small smithy, a small market for fresh vegetables, milk and eggs, some kind of general story and some other small shops. Their walk ends on an open square, bordered on the west side by a small stream, fed warm water by a large natural well. The square shows a lot of activity, with many men and woman setting tables and benches for tonight's banquet. Tanuar notices a couple of Faen among the people, and two Verrik.
Jiska catches Tanuar's attention and points to a large one-story building on the east side of the square. "That is the Guesthouse. It usually only houses the elder people who come here for the baths. It isn't too usual for others to find the way to our village." She waits for Tanuar to follow her to the Guesthouse, giving him a bit of time to soak in all of the new impressions.
(Tanuar)
