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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5681037" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">It was some time before the party reached where the caravan had halted. Jarood and his men reached them long before the companions and so camp was being set, with multiple cooking fires and cautious relief from the group's narrow escape from the trolls. As the companions returned, they were greeted by many with hearty handshakes and soft spoken cheers and thanks.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Fen decided to take a watch position about halfway up the low slop atop which the caravan was making camp. The young druid knew hungry trolls could forage for miles with their heightened sense of smell. They would seek fresh meat throughout the night, only to return to their lairs at dawn to cower form the daylight. Following their first encounter, Fen’s own resources (and he suspected most of the company’s) were limited. If they were pursued, flight would be their only hope for survival.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">So he found himself a comfortable dry patch beneath a lone silverleaf tree and wrapped himself in his deep-hooded cloak against the chill of the night. Fen knew his own sight was no match for Erevan’s but given the absence of the full-blooded elf, it would have to do. A cool breeze rustled some leaves that still clung to their branches. Fen hugged the cloak closer and thought of the silver-haired elf as he scanned the roadway and sloping countryside below him.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Sortly after arriving at camp, Kudjik and one of his drivers came to the party’s campfire with wooden bowls laden with piping hot food and large smiles. The dish was a specialty of his homeland, explained Kudjik. The rice was a bright yellow color from some spice he called <em>saffron</em> and contained chunks of meat (chicken, as far as Braddok could tell) that had a sweet and smoky spice. All of the companions ate heartily after their very long day.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Alaria, in particular, enjoyed the meal thoroughly, reminding her more of the exotic tastes of her homeland than any other dish she had encountered since leaving R’Hath. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Duor complained as he shoveled large spoonfuls into his mouth. “I don’t know ‘bout yeh all. But I’m gettin’ a lil’ tired of riskin’ beard n’ limb fer free.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Kudjik, still smiling broadly, “Ah, but my friend. This dish is saved for only the most happy of occasions. The spice is very delicate. Very rare. It is, by no means, ‘free.’” The man’s smile momentarily disappeared, “and neither are my horses.” The smile returned as if it had always been there. With that, the Thelitian trader rose from his seat near Alaria and bid the companions enjoy their meal and a well-deserved night of good dreams.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">When he’d left, Alaria frowned at the dwarf (who was actually licking out the bottom of his bowl). “Really, Duor. We are in this caravan serving as guards for a ride and our meals. That is the deal. Kudjik is upholding his side of the bargain admirably, I would say. You would do well to do the same…without complaint.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">At this Coerraine nodded. The paladin had to admit his respect for a man who upheld their word, especially a Thelitian.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Duor grumbled something under his beard before all of the companions were surprised to see Haelan come up the fire (it was startling sometimes, Alaria noted, how the daelvar were so easily overlooked. No one had noticed the hairfoot missing. For that matter, Alaria now noticed, the gnome was nowhere in sight either.). The Hilltender walked with a small wooden wagon in tow. The wagon carried a woven basket in which sat a round black and white speckled hen, nearly half the size of the halfing. Haelan sat on the log beside Duor, picked up the waiting bowl of rice and meat and began eating hungrily.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Mmmm. This is delightful! What is it?” Haelan said in characteristic good cheer. Haelan took another heaping mouthful. He halted mid-chew to look around the fire from person to person. All of the companions stared at him. “Wuh? Iv dere sumpfin on muh faish?” He wiped a cheek with his gloved hand.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“No yeh idiot hairfoot!” Duor burst. “What’s with the chicken?”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Haelan politely finished his mouthful and swallowed loudly before answering. “Oh! My apologies. This is Elsie. Elsie, this is Duor and Braddok and…”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Coerraine planted his palm over his face. Braddok’s eyes looked skyward in exasperation. Duor looked fit to rip the hilltender’s hair out.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Alaria couldn’t help but giggle softly. “No, Haelan. Where did you get it? Why is it here?”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Oh! Well, Burt and Erna Steadfast were so grateful that I protected their young ones, Burt Junior and Elna, from the trolls that they wanted to shower me with thanks. They were gonna give me their best egg-layer, Betsy. But I told them, ‘With four mouths to feed, you’d best keep Besty for yourselves.’ Wouldn’ta been right to take Betsy from’m, you know? So they gave me Elsie, here, instead and promised to make tribute to Faerantha along with their goddess, Sylari, at planting and harvesttime. Was very sweet of them, really. Don’t you think?” the halfling cleric paused a moment for another mouthful. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Alaria just smiled and nodded. Haelan continued before anyone else could think of anything to say.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“And the little one, Burt Junior, he says he wants to grow up to be a Hilltender. And I just laughed and laughed. Who ever heard of a human Hilltender? I don’t know that Faerantha ever had a human follower before. But I don’t see how she’d mind. You know about godly things, Coerraine. You don’t think she’d mind, do you?”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Elsie clucked.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">The blond Redstar Knight just shook his head wearily and gave Alaria a look that said “how should I know” before responding. “No Haelan, I don’t see why she would. But mine is not to know the will of your goddess. Only follow that of my own Lord and God to the best of my limited ability.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“The Forge forgive me. I’d rather be wrestling with those trolls.” Duor said. He shook his head looking from the hen to the halfling and back. “Well,” the dwarf shrugged, “guess we’ll never be at a loss for eggs.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Haelan took another spoon of rice and said, in all sincerity, “Don’t be silly, Duor. We have no cock.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">At this Duor and Braddok fell over backwards from their seats in waves of guffaws. Even Coerraine found he could not contain an outward chuckle. Alaria blushed and covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">“What?” Haelan said perplexed. “You can’t make eggs with just a hen. Everyone knows that!”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">The group continued to laugh for some time. Whether it was the length of their journey, the stress of the combat or the lack of sleep, everyone felt better from the outburst. Even Haelan, though mortified, found himself chuckling as he defended his statement, “That’s not what I meant!”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">Shortly thereafter, as the companions bed down for the night, wrapping themselves tightly in cloaks and blankets against the encroaching chill as the fire dwindled, a slight shadowy form neared their circle. Coerraine and Braddok rose and hands went to hilts until the firelight revealed the apothecary (and alleged mage), Devrim. He softly requested a talk with Alaria.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">The magess, though fatigued, accepted and rose from her bedroll. She declined Coerraine’s unspoken wish to accompany them, simply saying to the armored man, “I’ll be fine. Be right back.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"> </span></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="color: White"><span style="font-size: 10px">As the small framed wiry little man led Alaria away from the camp toward a copse of trees, the Redstar Knight turned to the dwarf, who was doing his best to appear to slumber. Unfortunately for Duor, his best sleeping pantomime was not very good.</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5681037, member: 92511"] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]It was some time before the party reached where the caravan had halted. Jarood and his men reached them long before the companions and so camp was being set, with multiple cooking fires and cautious relief from the group's narrow escape from the trolls. As the companions returned, they were greeted by many with hearty handshakes and soft spoken cheers and thanks.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Fen decided to take a watch position about halfway up the low slop atop which the caravan was making camp. The young druid knew hungry trolls could forage for miles with their heightened sense of smell. They would seek fresh meat throughout the night, only to return to their lairs at dawn to cower form the daylight. Following their first encounter, Fen’s own resources (and he suspected most of the company’s) were limited. If they were pursued, flight would be their only hope for survival.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]So he found himself a comfortable dry patch beneath a lone silverleaf tree and wrapped himself in his deep-hooded cloak against the chill of the night. Fen knew his own sight was no match for Erevan’s but given the absence of the full-blooded elf, it would have to do. A cool breeze rustled some leaves that still clung to their branches. Fen hugged the cloak closer and thought of the silver-haired elf as he scanned the roadway and sloping countryside below him.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Sortly after arriving at camp, Kudjik and one of his drivers came to the party’s campfire with wooden bowls laden with piping hot food and large smiles. The dish was a specialty of his homeland, explained Kudjik. The rice was a bright yellow color from some spice he called [I]saffron[/I] and contained chunks of meat (chicken, as far as Braddok could tell) that had a sweet and smoky spice. All of the companions ate heartily after their very long day.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Alaria, in particular, enjoyed the meal thoroughly, reminding her more of the exotic tastes of her homeland than any other dish she had encountered since leaving R’Hath. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Duor complained as he shoveled large spoonfuls into his mouth. “I don’t know ‘bout yeh all. But I’m gettin’ a lil’ tired of riskin’ beard n’ limb fer free.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Kudjik, still smiling broadly, “Ah, but my friend. This dish is saved for only the most happy of occasions. The spice is very delicate. Very rare. It is, by no means, ‘free.’” The man’s smile momentarily disappeared, “and neither are my horses.” The smile returned as if it had always been there. With that, the Thelitian trader rose from his seat near Alaria and bid the companions enjoy their meal and a well-deserved night of good dreams.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]When he’d left, Alaria frowned at the dwarf (who was actually licking out the bottom of his bowl). “Really, Duor. We are in this caravan serving as guards for a ride and our meals. That is the deal. Kudjik is upholding his side of the bargain admirably, I would say. You would do well to do the same…without complaint.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]At this Coerraine nodded. The paladin had to admit his respect for a man who upheld their word, especially a Thelitian.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Duor grumbled something under his beard before all of the companions were surprised to see Haelan come up the fire (it was startling sometimes, Alaria noted, how the daelvar were so easily overlooked. No one had noticed the hairfoot missing. For that matter, Alaria now noticed, the gnome was nowhere in sight either.). The Hilltender walked with a small wooden wagon in tow. The wagon carried a woven basket in which sat a round black and white speckled hen, nearly half the size of the halfing. Haelan sat on the log beside Duor, picked up the waiting bowl of rice and meat and began eating hungrily.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“Mmmm. This is delightful! What is it?” Haelan said in characteristic good cheer. Haelan took another heaping mouthful. He halted mid-chew to look around the fire from person to person. All of the companions stared at him. “Wuh? Iv dere sumpfin on muh faish?” He wiped a cheek with his gloved hand.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“No yeh idiot hairfoot!” Duor burst. “What’s with the chicken?”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Haelan politely finished his mouthful and swallowed loudly before answering. “Oh! My apologies. This is Elsie. Elsie, this is Duor and Braddok and…”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Coerraine planted his palm over his face. Braddok’s eyes looked skyward in exasperation. Duor looked fit to rip the hilltender’s hair out.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Alaria couldn’t help but giggle softly. “No, Haelan. Where did you get it? Why is it here?”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“Oh! Well, Burt and Erna Steadfast were so grateful that I protected their young ones, Burt Junior and Elna, from the trolls that they wanted to shower me with thanks. They were gonna give me their best egg-layer, Betsy. But I told them, ‘With four mouths to feed, you’d best keep Besty for yourselves.’ Wouldn’ta been right to take Betsy from’m, you know? So they gave me Elsie, here, instead and promised to make tribute to Faerantha along with their goddess, Sylari, at planting and harvesttime. Was very sweet of them, really. Don’t you think?” the halfling cleric paused a moment for another mouthful. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Alaria just smiled and nodded. Haelan continued before anyone else could think of anything to say.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“And the little one, Burt Junior, he says he wants to grow up to be a Hilltender. And I just laughed and laughed. Who ever heard of a human Hilltender? I don’t know that Faerantha ever had a human follower before. But I don’t see how she’d mind. You know about godly things, Coerraine. You don’t think she’d mind, do you?”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Elsie clucked.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]The blond Redstar Knight just shook his head wearily and gave Alaria a look that said “how should I know” before responding. “No Haelan, I don’t see why she would. But mine is not to know the will of your goddess. Only follow that of my own Lord and God to the best of my limited ability.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“The Forge forgive me. I’d rather be wrestling with those trolls.” Duor said. He shook his head looking from the hen to the halfling and back. “Well,” the dwarf shrugged, “guess we’ll never be at a loss for eggs.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Haelan took another spoon of rice and said, in all sincerity, “Don’t be silly, Duor. We have no cock.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]At this Duor and Braddok fell over backwards from their seats in waves of guffaws. Even Coerraine found he could not contain an outward chuckle. Alaria blushed and covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]“What?” Haelan said perplexed. “You can’t make eggs with just a hen. Everyone knows that!”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]The group continued to laugh for some time. Whether it was the length of their journey, the stress of the combat or the lack of sleep, everyone felt better from the outburst. Even Haelan, though mortified, found himself chuckling as he defended his statement, “That’s not what I meant!”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]Shortly thereafter, as the companions bed down for the night, wrapping themselves tightly in cloaks and blankets against the encroaching chill as the fire dwindled, a slight shadowy form neared their circle. Coerraine and Braddok rose and hands went to hilts until the firelight revealed the apothecary (and alleged mage), Devrim. He softly requested a talk with Alaria.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]The magess, though fatigued, accepted and rose from her bedroll. She declined Coerraine’s unspoken wish to accompany them, simply saying to the armored man, “I’ll be fine. Be right back.”[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][COLOR=White][SIZE=2]As the small framed wiry little man led Alaria away from the camp toward a copse of trees, the Redstar Knight turned to the dwarf, who was doing his best to appear to slumber. Unfortunately for Duor, his best sleeping pantomime was not very good.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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