Sunday Night, Fireseek 9, 591 Common Year

Heading to the bow of the ship, Gar stretches and then takes off his armor and weapons to practice tumbling. Beginning at the bow, he works his way around the perimeter of the ship practicing the three types of tumbles learned from Rain.

Newt rises with the others. Thinking aloud, she says quietly, “Tea will be nice,” and slowly walks back to the boat. Of two minds, she is delighted at being included in the expedition, but sulking about Rain calling her a child.

Rain gets up with everyone else and with no particular speed makes her way atop the deckhouse to have a word with Indranil. Sitting and taking out her flute she asks, “So what does it actually mean, that teeth and tongue maneuver?”

Indranil puffs contentedly on his pipe, blows a smoke ring in the air for a moment and responds, “I am glad you came up to join me. I find you fascinating and I would like to get to know you better.

“Draconian, the lizardfolk’s language, uses gestures and body language to amplify their speech. They are basically predators so in general showing their teeth means a threat, like brandishing a knife in a street fight. Smell is a major sense for the lizardfolk, even more important to them than sight. Their tongue is a major part of their sense of smell. They capture scent on their tongue and then retract it into their mouth to ‘taste it.’ So put them together and you get: smelling for an enemy to attack. 

“But the context when it is used is critical too. I was speaking for our entire party and thanking the chief for inviting us to battle, so when I did it, it was an exclamation point that we were eagerly looking forward to battle. When you responded, right after I asked you an oath question, you failed to acknowledge my leadership by omitting my title and, along with your smirk, the use of teeth and tongue was a sign you were looking to fight me. If I failed to assert my leadership I would have lost all face and respect from the lizardfolk – a subtle shift in context but in this case profound. If I had showed weakness none of us might make it back from the wilds of the Hool as predators they only respect strength. It can be tiresome at times.

“I hope I did not give you lasting harm. I tried to pull my slap at the last moment and turn the blow into more of a shove. It was all for effect.”

Indranil continues to puff on his pipe and enjoy his tea.

Rain lets out a light laugh as she realizes what she had done. “Yah, well I sure as hell wasn’t trying to call you out in front of the chieftain and everybody. I think I will leave well enough alone and just converse in the languages I do understand.”

She looks him in the eyes and continues, “I want to thank you for your words of respect tonight. I hope you realize that I was speaking the truth when I addressed both you and Rahk, albeit maybe I hammed it up just a bit. And I am glad you handled the situation as you did. I like to believe that I catch on quickly to peoples intent and true meanings… in the future you can count on that.”

She pauses to signify that that is the end of that, watches Gar throw himself around the deck a few times, and then asks, “So why is it you want to get to know me better?”

Indranil smiles warmly at Rain and says, “Play me a song upon your flute, from that I will know your heart. Oh Rain, before you begin playing, I have one more… request… for you. In your guardianship of Adelina, please make sure never to leave her alone with Father Gar. Father Gar will have an important role to play in her education, but I do not fully trust him and do not want her alone with him until she is wiser and more educated.”

Again Rain laughs, “Yes, I would quite agree… in fact, that gives me an idea… and reminds me that I have something else I need to attend to this evening. I will happily play my flute for you, but first let me attend to a certain matter with Newt.”

Rain stands and back flips off the deck house in one even move, landing quietly on the deck and moving off towards where the practice weapons are stored.

Indranil smiles to himself and shakes his head thinking, She does have some nice moves!

Newt, meanwhile, drinks some tea and listens idly to the conversations on the boat. She approaches Sir Indranil after Rain leaves. ”Milord, may I buy the two daggers brought back earlier? I would be much more comfortable with them than with the small sword Rain has loaned me.”

“Adelina you can buy for those knives from your portion of the loot we accumulate from our expedition. Know that you are a full member of the party you are entitled to your fair share. We will settle all when we are back in Westkeep - for now you are their custodian and may have first right of purchase upon our return.”

After Gar finishes his tumbling exercises, he gets his belongings and then seeks out Indranil on the deckhouse. “Sir Indranil, may I have a word with you?”

“Of course Father Gar, please make yourself comfortable. What is on your mind?”

“Thank you. Congratulations on your new appointment, milord,” begins Gar.

“My thanks, but condolences are probably a better description. I am now responsible for everyone’s safety.”

Gar laughs openly, “My condolences, milord. I just wanted to let you know my intention to report everyday to you whatever I learn during my time with the lizardfolk.”

“I welcome open communication channels and appreciate whatever you can relay. May I assume you will be providing the same service to Chief Rahk?

“I will convey or withhold whatever you wish. However I doubt we will need to withhold much or anything from our new allies.”

Indranil says, “My wish is to see us successfully complete our mission and everyone back safe in Westkeep. If your being the war party bumble bee assists then I will support it. I would ask you though to exercise good judgment and discretion when sharing information that might incite ill will or jeopardize unit morale.”

Indranil offers his pipe to Gar, “Care for a bit of pipeweed?”

Gar laughs and says, “So you do have the good stuff! Yes, thank you, and it sounds like you’ve been smoking quite a bit already, milord.” Gar takes a deep toke and giggles.

Indranil looks at Gar perplexedly, “Father Gar it is just tobacco.”

“Ah, damn,” as Gar giggles again.

After leaving Indranil abruptly, Rain grabs a couple of practice throwing daggers from below deck and goes to find Newt. ”Newt, I have something important for us to do this eve. Right now in fact. You see, sometimes it is much more advantageous to take your
enemies by surprise… thus tonight we will be playing a game called ‘Hunt the Orc’… and friend Gar has been kind enough to play our orc.” At this Rain smiles maliciously.  “Take these daggers and follow me… tonight… we hunt orc.”

Forgetting her weariness (it had been a long, busy day) and the perceived slight earlier, Newt agrees (rather credulously) to practice with Rain. “Oh, good!  Thanks, Rain, I’d love to practice with you.” Hopping up, she goes with Rain to lay in ambush of Father Gar. Whispering, “So Father Gar knows we’re going to get him, and it’s just a matter of if-and-where we surprise him, right? Ooh, let’s get him good!” She tucks into the hiding place and watches for Gar’s approach.

Rain hands the two practice daggers to Newt. She then signals for Newt to follow her quietly to the bottom of the stairs leading up to the top of the deckhouse from the main deck where they can lay in wait around the sides of the deckhouse until Gar comes down the stairs. When he finishes speaking with Indanil and comes down Rain quietly says, “Now, throw!”

Newt throws one practice dagger at Father Gar, then ducks back into the shadows. The dagger bounces off his chainmail shirt and lands on the deck. Gar can’t help but shout out as he is startled by the blow.

Rain whispers, “Nice shot! Let’s go,” and then pulls Newt behind her and starts to slink away backward still facing the corner and where Gar should appear along the deck house wall, being sure to keep herself between Newt and Gar… just in case.

Indranil chuckles. Rain must be practicing with Newt using her new daggers and Gar got in the way. He gets up and heads over to the edge of the deckhouse to see what is going on. He sees Rain and Newt moving surreptitiously down the port side away from the stern where Gar is trying to figure out what just hit him. Indranil shakes his head. When I asked Rain to be Newt’s mentor I did not mean for her to initiate Newt into the ways of mischief… but this should be fun to watch.

As soon as he felt the light thump off his left side, Gar’s hand reaches for Obad-Hai and he says a little prayer of resistance. Then he kneels down to look at the object closely, but not yet touching it. He sees that it is a wooden practice dagger. Gar chuckles and looks around for Rain. He smiles and continues to his bunk.

Fingol, seeing all this from the riverbank shakes his head. I am so glad they don’t want to play their little games with me. 

Rain slinks with Newt around the back of the deck house and waits for Gar to appear.  When he does not, she stands and backs out of the shadows saying, “Nice job Newt… he is none the wiser. Gar asked me earlier to teach him some of my moves, thus his tumbling around the deck earlier. I also informed him that he should be more aware of his surroundings and that he may get some random surprises from me when he least expected it. You just participated in our first encounter.”

Rain gives Newt a big smile and leads her off the ship and over to the circle so they can sit and continue talking undisturbed and unheard. “So you and I will be spending a lot of time together the next week and I suspect even longer than that. I wanted to share something with you that very few people know about me. I grew up very much like you, in a small river village many miles from Westkeep. Through unlucky circumstances I became my own guardian at a very young age and made my way to Westkeep to survive. There I befriended many such as myself and formed a street gang to better protect ourselves. I did what was needed at the time to survive and to protect my ‘family.’ Very few know this about me… Aramek, Gar, Fin… and now you. I would appreciate you keeping this knowledge to yourself, but I want you to trust me and know that I can trust you as well.”

As far as Xalakae can tell, Rain is being sincere in confiding in Newt to this degree and in wanting to help her. As Xalakae listens to Rain she attempts to read Rain’s thoughts.  She watches Rain very closely in the dark, looking for any indication that Rain felt the attempt, but seems to have succeeded. Rain is thinking: …there is more to Newt than appears on the surface… there has to be… how could she have remained hidden so long in the ruins of Cypress Hill… she’s not a spy but… something’s strange… esp. the magic… I like her… she reminds me of me… she really needs someone to protect her… why am I always trying to protect and mother people… like Dion… or Aramek… and now Newt… I hope she feels she can trust me…

Rain pauses before she continues.

“I want that, too, Rain,” Newt says. “I thank you for confiding in me.” Newt looks past Rain, gathering her thoughts with a few deep breaths.

Rain continues, “If there is anything you would like to tell me about yourself, anything you know or may not know but suspect…” Rain continues, but looks Newt directly in the eyes to show this next part is important. “Anything which might account for the fact that your body apparently radiates magic… I would very much appreciate you sharing this with me. You and I will be keeping each other safe and every skill or ability that you possess I would very much like to know about.”

Rain sits back with a small but warm smile on her face and waits for Newt to reply.

Newt’s tone changes to one of disappointment. “Is that why you told me those things? To get information from me?” She goes on, mockingly imitating Rain’s voice, “‘Newt, I met you three days ago. I had a hard childhood too, so trust me with everything.’” Her volume rises as she gets worked up, until she’s nearly yelling, angrily. “Who asked you to do this? I’m in your debt, Rain. You’ve all been very good to me and I truly need your help – the others’ and especially yours. But, I can’t answer you! Maybe I’ll learn more when we find my parents, but I didn’t even know my body radiates magic until I overheard Father Gar telling Sir Indranil when we were at my home! Maybe I’ll tell you when I get it sorted out myself, but until then you’ll just have to wait!”

Newt pauses, taking some calming breaths. She finishes quietly. ”I won’t betray your trust. And I, in return, would very much like to trust you.” She gets up and stomps back to the boat in a quiet huff.

Initially, Newt wasn’t really upset about Rain’s question except that it could expose hierm. Then s/he thought to turn the tables and change the topic all at once. When that came up, s/he started getting genuinely indignant about the question although not about Rain’s intentions. Xalakae regrets the need to keep hiers secret, but it’s the core thing that has been taught to hierm all hiers life – never let them know you’re not one of them. So s/he didn’t feel as if s/he could reveal hiermself – at least not yet. Now s/he feels bad about lying to these good people who are trying to help hierm.

Rain sits by herself in the circle for a while and thinks. “Well that went well,” she says to nobody, and then gets up and brushes off the dirt from her pants. She walks slowly back to the boat and climbs up to the deckhouse where Indranil and Aramek are keeping watch. She sits, pulls out her flute and begins to weave a song of deep mourning tunes to match her mood.

She pauses after a few minutes and says quietly to Indranil and Aramek, “Well, I managed to piss off our young Newt… I’m not sure how well this is going to go. I’ll certainly keep her close and protected as I have promised though. Time is my only ally now where it comes to her trust.”

Aramek looks at Rain and raises his eyebrow quizzically. “What happened to anger Newt, my friend? Surely she understands that you are both her mentor and protector?”

Rain responds, still not looking at either Aramek or Indranil but talking quietly while gently swinging her legs over the deckhouse, “Guess I pried too much. She knew about you detecting her as magic by the way, overheard you and Indranil. Ah well… I am trying to get her to trust me, but I think I expect too much for the short time she has been with us. Time. Time is what we need.” She says nothing further but after a few seconds returns the flute to her mouth and resumes playing.

“Rain be patient with her,” Indranil replies quietly between puffs on his pipe. ”It wasn’t but four days ago she was hiding in the rushes afraid for her life watching the Deathwalkers slaughter the entire trading post and disappearance of her parents. She will need time. Just be there for her and give her a safe place to be and to learn. She will open up of her own accord. In fact, if Father Gar’s visions are right she may start to experience strange feelings and memories as we journey forth. These will likely be very scary and unfamiliar to her and she will be quite stressed. She will need you to be a rock and solid refuge for her.”

A few moments later Indranil turns to Aramek to ask, “Please tell me about being a sorcerer. When did you know? Can you tell if someone else is even if they know it not yet?”

Aramek looks at Indranil and Rain. He leans against the mast and a faraway looks comes into his eyes as Snoop comes out of his pocket and climbs up on Aramek’s right shoulder, nuzzling his ear.

“My childhood was a pretty lonely one, with no kids around my age to play with; I lived on a farm with my father, who was always trying to protect me. My mother was an elf, with full magic. But she was disowned by her family for marrying a human. And she died giving birth to me, so I never met her. My dad didn’t want the people of my village to know my elven heritage, so we lived well out of town. 

“I learned to spend my time entertaining myself. When not helping my father around the farm or in the nearby forest, I would wander into the forest on my own and it was from these solitary sojourns that my love of growing things, animals, and the elementals of the forest began to take definite shape. My favorite pastime, called by my father ‘wasted time,’ was to go deep into the forest, always looking for new, beautiful places, just to sit and take in all that was around me. 

“I used to love to sit under my favorite willow tree, next to a brook, just listening to the sounds of the silent forest. Those were the times when I felt closest to my mother. I could close my eyes and sense everything around me: the beneficial herbs growing at my feet, as well as the temporary-blindness causing mushrooms, growing there in the crook of the root, next to my hand.

“But the most amazing thing that would happen whenever I sat near any willow tree was my daydreams. In them I would make up poems. At any rate, when I came back to the here and now, I would have little poems stuck in his head. On one occasion, when I was feeling particularly lonely, I was sitting under ‘my’ tree, leaning against the trunk and thinking about how great it would be to have a friend I could talk to. As I was coming back from my daydreaming a little poem flickered through my mind:

“Without a doubt, my willow tree

Will send a friend to talk with me.”

 ”And when I opened my eyes, sitting on the creek bank by my left knee was a small ferret; obviously very young and seemingly upset, in an indignant sort of way. At the time I didn’t make the connection with my little poem, simply because I was too engrossed in laughing at the look on that little fellow’s face. He really did look as if he were indignant about my sitting virtually on top of the entrance to his home.

“I remember saying to him: ‘And I suppose you’re going to be my new best friend and talk with me?’ At which he chittered, ran up my leg, and proceeded to begin looking in my pockets, as if I had some treat just for him.

“Hey, just what do you think you’re doing? Stop snooping!” I said to him.

“And the strangest thing happened. He squeaked happily, climbed up onto my right shoulder, gave my ear a ticklish lick, and proceeded to curl up and go to sleep.

“I can hardly tell you the feeling of contentment that came over me. So, instead of chasing that little animal away, I lazily went back to my daydreaming and the name ‘Snoop’ just seemed to pop into my head and I knew that I had found a friend or maybe a friend had found me.

“When I hit my teen years, I started to manifest a kind of wild magic, most notable when I became excited or angry. When happy, zephyrs would flow around me and when angry, dust devils would suddenly appear. And one time, quite by accident, while I was once again in the forest daydreaming under that favorite willow tree, a particularly nasty looking spider dropped down from the tree onto my tunic, startling both me and my constant cohort, Snoop. Without thinking I yelled: ’Yoy! You, spider, get away from me! Get back up in the willow tree!’ Needless to say, ‘as if by magic’ a breeze seemed to pick up that spider and send it back up into the lower branches. Believe it or not, I didn’t really notice I’d spoken in poetry and just thought the breeze a fortuitous one.

“By the time I was 19 it was clear to my dad that I wasn’t happy living a farmer’s life, even though like he, I loved the forest and growing things. I could identify virtually every leaf, grass, tree, herb, and flower in the forest and know exactly what it was best used for. So, with the blessing of my father, Snoop and I left home to see the world and hopefully find a teacher who could educate me in the ways of magic.

“Snoop and I made our way to Gradsul and through a coincidence of good timing, we ended up in the employ of the best known and most respected Sorcerer-Herbalist in southern Keoland, Daire Estaldir.

“After two years of training with Master Estaldir, I was sent by him here to Westkeep to continue my training and work with Master Parwyn.

“So, Sir Indranil, the only way I can judge whether Newt has magical abilities, which can be trained as opposed to her ‘being’ magical herself, is to observe her and take note of what happens around her, based on her moods, what she says, and so forth. Perhaps a more powerful sorcerer than I would be able to ascertain her abilities. Please keep in mind that my training has only brought me so far. I will certainly be on the lookout for any signs that might clarify this for you.” Aramek strokes Snoop on the neck, and falls silent.

Indranil responds to Aramek’s tale saying, “A fascinating and wonderful story! I thank you for sharing it with me. 

Aramek smiles at Indranil and Rain and quietly says, “Thank you Sir Indranil. You’re very kind to have listened to my tale.”

“No thank you necessary Aramek,” Indranil says. “A good tale is worth its weight and I should thank you! Does Snoop have any magical powers too? Can you two link minds?” asks Indranil.

Rain stops playing to say playfully, “Or maybe you have no power at all, maybe it is Snoop who banished the spider.” She smiles and reaches over to scratch Snoop’s head and then returns to her music.

Indranil laughs long and hard at that.

Aramek smiles at Rain’s remark and says, “Perhaps you’re right. It’s a real contest between us as to who dislikes spiders more, Snoop or me. He most certainly is a magical beast otherwise he could not be my familiar. He is no more an ordinary ferret than a unicorn is an ordinary horse. For now, thanks to my link with Snoop, I am able to sense what he senses about other people around me and their internal, unspoken intentions. As we grow together the time will come when we will be able to communicate more precisely and I will even be able to see what my furry friend sees; but that time is in the future, for now it’s enough to be able to work together to keep each other alive.” At which Snoop squeaks from atop Aramek’s shoulder and Aramek chuckles in reply.

Indranil asks, “Aramek, you seemed to grow into your powers gradually. Is that the norm? Is the awareness of magic something that can be dangerous to the sorceress and those around her in the development process?” Is there some ‘initiation’ type process?”

“Aramek looks thoughtful, and then says, “I have been fortunate in the teachers who have helped me so far. Both of them feel that I am progressing nicely and steadily in my training. And that really is the key, to answer your second question. Someone with sorcerous potential who lacks proper training can be a danger to both himself and those who are around him.

“If by saying ‘sorceress’, you are referring to Newt, I believe it is too soon to tell whether she has the potential to wield magic or is, in and of herself, magical. Remember the unicorn and the horse. Perhaps Father Gar and I, working together, may be able to figure it all out. After all he and I are, so far as we know, the only magic wielders here at the moment.

“And as to the question of initiation, for me at least there was not some formal ceremony, as such. Before I left to come to Westkeep, Master Estaldir gifted me with my willow staff. He said that the link or rapport that I seem to have with willow trees is quite remarkable and he felt that my staff would help me to focus or channel my powers and possibly provide me with protection at times. I don’t know, but it’s not my place to question the wisdom of my mentor, who is himself a powerful and well respected sorcerer in his own right.

Smiling, Aramek adds, “And besides, he said to me that no good sorcerer worth his mettle would be caught dead in public without a staff. I’m still trying to figure that remark out.” At which Aramek breaks out laughing. After a moment he adds, “Again, only time will tell.”

After a moment Aramek muses, “I would mightily like to know who was trying to scry on us earlier, however.”

Indranil says, “I too wish we knew who was scrying us. It still bothers me greatly. Perhaps you can ask Father Gar about that too? I wish we had some kind of ward we could use as a counter or spell to use to track it back to its source!

“Aramek, I would appreciate you working with Father Gar as you suggested to ‘skillfully’ assess Adelina’s magical capabilities. I say skillfully meaning gently, in a non-threatening and natural way over the course of our journey. I understand we may have a few days march ahead of us and there might be idle time at night around camp for quiet moments of discussion. My thought is that you include Rain as a point of continuity and refuge for Adelina.”

Aramek smiles at Indranil and nods his head. “I’ll do my best Sir Indranil. Adelina, for all her bravado, is emotionally fragile after all she’s been through but she’s got a tough resolve to see this through and find her parents. Rain and I are closest to her age and I believe she already has a rapport with us. And Father Gar, for all his seeming silliness is a canny adept. I’m sure we’ll be able to gently get to the bottom of this mystery.

Indranil asks, “From a purely tactical point of view, what is your strongest spell for offense and for defense? And is Snoop able to sneak too? Is he willing and able to be a silent scout? Is there a limit to the range you two can stay in contact?

Aramek responds, “As to my skills; as you say, they are growing. Every day I feel strangely more confident. It’s as if the more I use my magic, the more magic I can access within. Currently, my strongest offensive spell is my energy missile. I have a range of about 120′ and I feel as if I’m gaining enough strength now so that I will soon be able to cast two of them simultaneously and a bit farther out. I’m also considering how to expand my repertoire of spells.

“Defensively, my magical armor has proven useful and that should soon be stronger and more enduring.

“Snoop and I can remain in empathetic contact with each other for up to a mile and he’s very good at sneaking into tight places. However, Sir Indranil, from the day he scolded me for sitting on his front door, he has been my best and closest friend and I would be loathe to place him in extreme danger without his willingness to do so. Please keep in mind that his presence with me enhances my own abilities, offensive and defensive, and we will soon be able to share even more. For instance, I will be able to share the delivery of some of my spells by way of Snoop. His presence may prove invaluable to our success.

“Rest assured, Sir Indranil, we will do our best to support this enterprise.”

 Sorcerer Aramek, of your ability, commitment and integrity I have no doubts! I am most grateful to have you in our party. Please rest assured that if I ask something of you and Snoop you may always refuse if you feel it is too dangerous.

“Lastly, and then I must get some sleep before the morrow, what is Snoop’s favorite treat?”

Aramek grins at this question and responds, “Why, if you come across any rats, mice, rabbits, frogs, voles, snakes, or fish, Snoop will be thrilled. He’s really quite good at finding his own dinner out here. At home, when creepy crawlies aren’t as readily available, I’ll give him some of my dinner, preferably before the meat is cooked, but cooked meet will do in a pinch. Ferrets are absolutely carnivorous. Oh, and the occasional spider or bug is a treat as well. He’s learned well enough which spiders to avoid.” With that, Aramek begins to laugh heartily.

Indranil, still laughing slightly with a great smile on his face turns to Rain and winks at her and says, “Rain, perhaps you might instruct Adelina to be aware of her backdrop when practicing her knife throwing skills? I am sure you did not intend her to lose control of her wooden dagger and hit Father Gar!”

As Indranil turns Rain responds with a big smile, “Quite the contrary, Gar was our intended prey.”

Indranil chuckles and heads down to grab some sleep.