Magic Kingdom For Sale* (*Some Assembly Required)

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Ah, yes, the lake. It is inhabited underneath the waters, but unless you're going to build under the waves, I doubt you'll ever run across those types. They keep to themselves. A lot of people come to the lake for water, but not a lot go the western shore. It's rocky, but if you're building, maybe you'll want rock nearby," the centaur points out. Not so coincidentally, Allyra realizes that will get them as far away from the centaurs as possible. Also, she recalls there were supposed to be giants in the rockier areas.

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

“Good, I'll leave you alone now and we will head for the shallower part of the river to cross this region quickly, so we won't disturb your people more than needed. Thanks again for the information. Farewell!”

Once the talking is over, Allyra heads back to the wagon train.

“They do not really trust us. I can't blame them, but they were helpful enough at least. Had the feeling they wanted to get rid of us as soon as possible. Maybe our ‘silver tongue’ can talk to them later, once we have the important tasks covered, and see, if we can get to some arrangement with them. For now, the path is clear. Up north!”

 

[Emperor Valerian]

*Drakkon will take some time to recall his scouts, once word of the ford is passed on.*

"Who among us swims the best? They should take to this ford first!"

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

Perhaps it would be easier just to sail downstream-- Phaeder takes one look at the wagon caravan, then at the river, than at the wagon caravan again. Never mind. Trying to keep something of this magnitude afloat will be a nightmare.

Clucking at his horse to follow, Phaeder will turn north with the rest of the group. He mentions to Drakkon that some of his barbarian followers should be decent swimmers.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The barbarians divest themselves of their armor and weapons, and take several length of rope to tie together. Tying two of them to tree trunks on this side of the river, the half-dozen men plunge into the chilly waters. Archers prepare themselves to mark anything that might try to make a meal of the swimming men.*

*It's quite a struggle to swim with such a burden of rope, but Drakkon's barbarians manage it admirably. They're soaked and chilled, but manage to get the ropes tied off so that people can use them as a guide when crossing. The wagons have to be stabilized with many men and horses to cross, but river crossings were expected, and the contents stay tolerably dry.*

*Once some of the scouts on the other side are dried off, they go out in parties to explore, just to make sure there's nothing of interest close. It takes the better part of the day to get the rest of the wagons across, and whilst overseeing that, Phaern hears some faint music coming from the woods. Just a breath of singing really...*

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

*Pausing momentarily, Phaeder cocks his head, trying to make out the faint strains and wondering if he was hearing things.*

"Do you hear... singing?" he asks bemusedly and quietly of anyone nearby (including Anshul).

[OOC: Is Phaeder on the gnoll side of the river, or the centaur side of the river? You said he was overseeing the wagon crossing but I couldn't figure out if that meant he had already crossed or not.]

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

After Phaeder mentions it, Allyra listens carefully, but doesn't seem to hear anything special.

“Hmm, no. I only hear the river and the wind in the leaves.”

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

"Eh...? What are you talking, whelp?" asks Anshul, obviously not paying attention.

"Nothing...." I am hearing things... great. *Shaking his head, Phaeder returns to directing the caravan crossing but he keeps catching snatches of melody here and there and it drives him nuts. Finally, with an abrupt sigh, he swings down from Farstepper and hands the reins to his very startled second-in-command (his highest level follower-- I should probably come up with a name) with instructions to continue as they are.*

"What in hell's blazes are you going?" Anshul demands in his head, "Hellooo!? You've got a wagon crossing to supervise here!"

"They can carry on perfectly well without me for a few minutes," *mutters Phaeder shortly.* "I just want to check out this music I keep hearing." *He says this last bit loud enough for Allyra to hear, in case she was about to ask what he was up to as well.*

"What music?" the ghost asks, confused.

"Shhhh! I don't know! That's why I'm checking it out!" *Phaeder whispers back fiercely.*

*He walks a short distance from the river (remaining within sight of the group), hoping that once away from the noise of the rushing waters, he'll be better able to hear the singing.*

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

“I'll watch over you, while you look for the source of those sounds you're hearing,” Allyra says to Phaeder while he leaves, not quite sure if he heard her. Afterwards, she fetches a small piece of fur from her belt pouch and starts an incantation, moving her fine hands in an intricate pattern, while her spell comes into existance. When that is done, Allyra sits down on a nearby trunk and starts concentrating, ordering Kira to stay close and to alarm her, if Allyra's attention would be required here.

Spoiler

Casting Arcane Eye, which moves along with Phaeder and scouts the surrounding, even moving ahead a bit or to the sides every now and then; the eye can see in total (even magical) darkness and also see anything invisible and magical auras within sight become visible as well, thanks to Allyra's running spells.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

(Everyone is on the same side of the river now, you've all crossed.)

*Allyra magical eye goes in the direction Phaern indicated, and in a few moment, come across the source. Three of your scouts are sleeping in a lovely forest clearing. They've been divested of their weapons and armor, which have been piled neatly nearby. Garments of flowers decorate them from head to foot. Tiny, fairy-like creatures wearing skirts of flowers and blossoms for hair are putting the finishing touches on the flowery accessories.*