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Academy of Drell, Part 6

Keith listens to Charlotte and agrees with a curt nod, "We do need a plan, or at least an outline of what we plan to do," he sighs, thinking for a moment, "a rough layout of expected terrain will help."

Keith tosses another log on the fire, and stokes it, glancing to Charlotte and placing a hand on her shoulder, but says nothing and looks back to the fire.
 
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He hears them -the voices. No, not in his head, the voices on the deck of course! They're not orcish and for that he is surprised and eternally grateful. It sounds as if they're planning to leave. All well and good, he was planning to leave anyway. But this is a far more fortunate turn of events as his legs have cramped beyond all reckoning and if he never has to eat another raw fish again, it will be much too soon.

Carefully, delicately, he pushes up on the wooden lid above his head and cranes his neck. It feels ever so good to be moving again. No trance can last forever, and this one had lasted several days at least. Slitted, green elven eyes peer out at the new crew. A gnome, several humans...hmm...ah, another elf! Blessed!

In his excitement, he attempts a dramatic entrance. He had intended to leap forth, twirl in the air, and gracefully land in an elegant bow. Instead, his legs fail him, his back twinges and before all those gathered on the boat spills an otherwise-regal elf onto the chilly deck.

A few fish, some half-eaten, spill out of the barrel at his feet. His hair is touseled, his skin is filthy, contrasting his elegant robes and fine staff. He struggles to his feet, brushes off a few fish parts, collecting himself, and attempts a winning smile.

"Greetings. I am Travellios Giladodel."
 

What the!?!

Rallyn starts at the sudden appearance of the elf and narrows his eyes, readying an action to hold him fast should he show signs of agression.

Rallyn! He may be an ally.

Maybe, maybe not, but I'm NOT taking any chances in a boat.

Rallyn waits, ready, to see what the others reaction to him will be.
 

Keith looks up almost disinterested in elven, "Charming entrance Travellios, though as entertaining as that was, I hope you bring more to the fight then acts of buffonery. I take it you planned to stow away," Keith stands, his blade in hand, though held casually as he inspects the edge, "Keith Kinain, of House Kinain, if you come in peace, then welcome, and sit by the fire, if not then, then make your piece with your gods, for soon you shall see them personally..." said in his particularly soft, and calm tone of elven.

Sucn a disgraceful appearance for an elf... hmmph, low born no doubt...


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Mortimer gratefully listens as Rallyn fills him in on the newcomer, and some of the other events that have befallen his friends.

"Sounds like you'd had a pretty busy few days before the orcs showed up. No rest for the wicked, I guess." He winks at the gnome, and continues packing gear on the ship.

"I think sea chanties sound like a fine idea. No point in being too miserable about events." Mortimer glances over at Keith, frowning slightly as he ponders the elf. Gloomy blighter, that one. What in the name of the gods does Charlotte see in him? And I'm guessing that's the cause of Sildarin's long face.

He spins round, rapier in hand, as another foppish looking elf rolls out of a barrel. He levels his blade at the newcomer, scowling. "I've had enough surprises for one day. What the hell were you doing in there?"
 

Sea chanties... sea chanties? Are we scurvy pirates? Best let it be, as Allistair would do, she was a patient and tolerant one at that...

Keith continues to wait for the newcomer to reply...
 
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"Questions, so many questions. But understandable all the same," says the blonde elf, running fingers through his straight hair and picking out bits of fish flesh,

"Kinain, Kinain...begging your pardon but I've never heard of it. A different part of the empire perhaps. Yes, eh, as to what I'm doing here, it would seem that I had intended to stow away aboard this odd longship and escape to freedom lest I be eaten by yonder savages.

"Until all of you happened along, of course. Quite kind of fate to shine upon me so blessedly, though I could have asked for kinder company all things considered. Still...its better than a barrel of fish.

"As for what I do, I am a wizard and I tend to bring far more to fights than buffoonery. I bring magic, as any true elf would. The kind which may one day turn such loathsome fleets into charred driftwood. While it could be said that true elves would not be found in barrels of fish, one may be suprised to find that tenacity comes easily when left with no other option. Until now, I have been unable to locate any worthwhile companions in my endeavor. Orcs are as base-thinking as they are brawny, as everyone knows, and it was simple matter of deciphering their patrols and escaping notice."

Long winded, and deep thinking, Travellios halts his lecture as few people seem as interested as him in the comprehensive retelling of the tale. He gauges their reactions, hoping at least one has the gleam in their eye that tells of more intellectual conversation on their journey.
 

True Elves... a True Kinain would know magic wouldn't they... not me... must stay calm... no need to show displeasure...

Keith nods slowly listening to the blonde elf's tale,
"Sounds simple enough, and of course any true elf worth his name would know some magic, of course," Keith admires the edge on his blade for a moment, "You seem harmless enough, join us then Travellios, perhaps your unique brand of wit will bring a certain level of entertainment to the journey."

Not all elves, are of a magical nature...

Keith gestures for Travellios to take a seat, and then sits once more, resuming the sharpening of his blade.
 

Rallyn pauses, waits a few more moments, then attempts to wrap up the story with the escape from the grotto, the orcish snipers and stops with Serbanas's lodge as almost everyone knows that part.

On the aside he says, "I'm not much good at rowing, and I'm even less good at singing. But I might be able to fill the sails from time to time if we need a boost."

Rallyn sits down on a box he just stowed under the last free space he could find.

Glad their royal highnesses could help. Rallyn thought as he sat a little out of breath. He glanced at the others, sitting around the fire.

Why are you so bitter all of a sudden? That not normally you. What's wrong? Karenia's soft voice is reassuring to him, and in truth he had almost forgotten about her.

I don't know.. I guess I miss Ellie. I miss having people around that I felt I looked after. Charlotte certainly doesn't need my help, Sildarin never did, despite appearances. Victor seems to have wandered off with the rest of the towns persons and now it's just me. I feel, isolated I guess.

Rallyn sits on the edge of the boat, his breath condensing in front of his little form as he holds his psi crystal in his hands, talking silently with it. After a little while he catches his breath.

I'm glad you're still here Kary.
 
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I need to talk to someone... I need to talk to someone other than Keith for a few moments, help me clear my thoughts...

Charlotte gets up. "Greetings, Travellios," She says, nodding her head to him. "I hope you understand that we are slightly suspicious of your sudden appearance."

She turns to Rallyn. "If I could talk to you for a moment about the newcomer? Preferably alone?" She motions for a place away from the others.

I just hope that Keith doesn't get worried or something and decides to listen in... I need to talk to Rallyn alone, help me get everything together here...
 

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