Taylar says in Markidian, "Very well, we will let these women go the way Vittero has commanded. I call them women, where you call them girls, but if they can fight us to the point where we are struggling to defeat them, then they are women. Girls play with dolls and cry when they fall down."
He studies the water and says, "Could we swim this river and survive? Yes, but could we could do it and maintain our equipment and weapons? Not nearly so easily. Our armor is leather and weapons have steel components. Let us take what wood we need from this place to make a small raft to keep our equipment dry. We can swim and push it across at the same time. Then we will not be exhausted when we reach the other side."
Taylar turns to Raven Elk and says, "What do you wish to do? Remain here and build Refuge or continue on this journey with Adisakti and I?"
Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun
Vittero gives a sardonic look to Taylar with his use of the word, commanded. At the mention of their release, Lucein speaks up. "You should understand that we are tasked with discovering what happened to the Acolytes of Faith who were sent here. This directive supersedes your condition, but I give my word that once that is complete, we will first go to Outpost and speak with the priest before returning to West Cove to report our findings."
Adisakti snickers, quietly. Vittero nods twice before addressing the Daughter. "We killed those acolytes, as you called them. Bloodthirsty butchers is how we found them, bragging of how fun it was that they had slaughtered and burned an entire village. We stripped them of their gear and left their remains in the forest as a disgrace, to be devoured by the animals. As I am staying here to rebuild this village that they maliciously destroyed, you can report that and your superiors can make of it what they will. I will know their nature by their response."
Somewhat surprisingly, the archers show little reaction to the words from Vittero. Their equipment is returned and they leave without incident.
Raven Elk goes quiet, as he is often prone to do, lost in his own thoughts; but after the archers are out of sight, everyone helps gather suitable material to make a raft for the party's gear. Climbing down the path to the river's edge, it is discovered that the village's fish traps are still submerged and intact, holding several fish.
"This is great! Looks like Maka and I will not have any difficulty getting food. As I remain here, you all should use this place as a way station. I will offer what assistance I can and pass along any information I learn. By the way, girls, woman, daughters, whatever anyone calls them, the important thing that I see is that someone is recruiting adolescent girls and training them to be killers. None of those archers had reached adulthood, physically. I can only image how callous and dangerous they will become. I will see what I can learn of how or where they are being trained."
Taylar, Adisakti, and Raven Elk have little difficulty swimming with the raft and drifting with the current that is a bit stronger than anticipated. Once across, it is necessary to continue to drift farther until a suitable place is located to beach the raft. Pulling the raft from the water and securing it, incase of a future need, the three men carry their gear up the steep bank to wait, out of sight, for their clothing to dry. This side of the river seems different, somehow, like it is less occupied by the passage of people.
Taylar looks around their new surroundings and says, "It feels like we are more exposed, vulnerable without the other two. I think we will have to rely more on charm and subterfuge than fighting in the days ahead. Oh well, we must adapt to survive. Let us find this armorer quickly and speak with them to learn what we can." He glances at the raft. "Maybe we can find a canoe for easier passage over the water." While they are unoccupied, Taylar will search for useful or edible plants.
Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun
A seasonal rain front moves through during the next day, driving any thoughts of drying away. Using what rations they have, the three men push farther inland to see if the undergrowth clears any, farther away from the river, to allow for easier travel. The undergrowth is found to be thicker nearer the river; but farther inland, the forest resembles that of the other side and travel south continues a bit more easily.
Adisakti helps look for useful plants, since the rain has put a damper on any chance of finding fresh game, except by accident.
The weather clears after mid-morning, but rains come again in the evening. This pattern continues for the next few days of travel. The discovery of various edible plants and fruits produces more than enough for sustenance. Additionally, Taylar discovers a measure of Soothe herb, a measure of Mend herb, and a log of lighter pine that produces 8 measures of the useful wood. Adisakti discovers a measure of Mend herb and a measure of itch weed. The party is already familiar with these materials.
At the sound of the voices, Taylar looks to his companions and says, "I am tired of sneaks and ambushes. What say we walk along like regular travelers and smile at these people? If they become suspicious, we can show them we have fresh herbs to trade." He motions to the recent spoils.
Acolyte Avery's Ledger
Slate Boulder: 76 stones worth, East Pass
Tin Vein: 43 stones worth, East Pass
Zinc Vein: 61 ingots worth, 7 days north East Pass
Keep of the Rising Sun
Adisakti agrees with forthright approach. He shrugs. "Not everyone we meet has to be hostile."
Raven Elk remains silent on the issue but goes along with the plan.
One notable difference of the topography from this side of the river as opposed to the other is that of elevation changes. This side of the river is much more hilly and rocky, not so much to be anything to consider mountainous but definitely not flat like the other side. The 3 remaining Outliers also note that when they stopped walking and talking so did the other group. Both groups evidently decide to continue at about the same time.
Continuing forward without angling toward the approaching sound, the three men come to a definitive, perpendicular trail. The trail is decidedly used by people rather than animals for people always leave a larger trail. Coming from farther inland, at slightly higher elevation, along the path is a small party Faethrins. They halt at the sight of a smaller party containing one member of all three races, an oddity unique to explorers.
The Faethrins are an oddly deep orangish color. They are dressed in simple skins of moderate quality and carry simple weaponry. It has been many years, but the three suddenly remember having seen such people before. They are called Sioliri (pronounced SHOW-lee-ree). They came by canoes and traded for metal goods in Outpost.
As the party is analyzing who they are seeing, the others seem to decide upon a trusting approach. There are 6 Sioliri, 3 males, 3 females. One of the males shifts his bow from his left hand to his right and waves with his left. This is a universally know sign of a desire for peaceableness. Had he waved with his right, it would indicate greater caution.
OOC:
Each character receives 1 DP.
From #1082: forgot to post that each character receives 3 DP.
Taylar returns the left hand wave and says in Thisidan, "Hail, fellow travellers. We are three explorers from Outpost, here to seek new trading partners for our community. We have collected herbs we are willing to trade with, but if you have no interest in that, perhaps we can swap information about the local communities."
The Sioliri look at one another as Taylar speaks. Almost to the point of being awkwardly long, one of them finally responds, "Marikidian. Little. Very little. Outpost?"
Deducing the obvious meaning of the final word as a question, both Taylar and Adisakti nod, affirmation.
"Welcome. Come. Village. Others speak more." The man who spoke both times gestures to follow.
Apparently the three remaining Outliers had transversed somewhat inland in their journey southward. In about half an hour's time, the combined group reaches the Sioliri village, which is situated along the river. The village is estimated to be a bit larger than the Pelimonra village had been, on the other side of the river where Vittero and Taka remained. The Sioliri people are quiet but seem friendly, often using gesture rather than words.
Reaching some older, important looking village members, the leader of the hunting expedition says to them, "Outpost."
A woman gestures for everyone to sit and offers some drink. The drink is apparently a fruit juice. It is good. A man nods to each Outlier as he sits and takes a cup. "Welcome. I am Almit. Few years passed, we trade in Outpost. Nice people. Good beer. Good smith. We give skins for metal tools. Why you come this side of river? Something wrong? Something good?"
OOC:
Each character receives 2 DP and improves proficiency in Sioliri by 1%
Taylar keeps his body language subdued, making small gestures and motions to emphasize his words. He tries Rheini and then Maldrog to see if there is a better language to use. "We are traders. We come from Outpost. We have heard rumors of excellent armor crafters from this area and we wish to see their work." He indicates the inventory except those listed under Unknown Items. He points to his shabby, sheepskin boots. "I personally am looking for some better footwear."
Raven Elk can only smile at Taylar's seemingly eternal quest for better armor and weapons. Of course, the three of them could use better equipment. After all, these conflicts were getting more and more damaging.
Since Taylar and Adasakti had already taken the lead on contact, Raven Elk looks around at the village while listening to the conversation.
