Water Day, Disorder Week, Sea Season, 1616

[BackworldTraveller]

The proposition is fine, but Jargian is not in his natural element. He exchange looks with the remaining Llama rider and Almeda to check if everyone is comfortable with the situation, or if someone seems to have a double agenda.

"What about the sable?" he asks as well "Do you have contingencies to keep it from harm?"

The group seem to be in earnest.

To one side, is a pool with a spring. Here, two women are drawing water for the evening meal. The spring is clearer and sweeter than normal. I think your task is pleasing to the water spirit. The young woman smiles, looks away coyly and scuttles off to the safety of the rest of the camp's ladies.

They have hobbled their mounts and turned them out for the night, setting a number of themselves on guard and the rest taking places by the fire. They have set out places for you.

A rider arrived in the tribes camp yesterday telling of how a game had been set by the gods. We didn't expect to be part of that saga. Tell us how this started and how you plan to help the Water Spirit win?

Almeda interjects We will win because the Storm Bull is protecting us. But then he realises that this isn't his story and defers to you...

An Orate skill roll would be good about now. And a roll for any other social skill you'd like to apply before retiring to sleep.

[kwll]

Jargian tells of the incident of the river, how he was involved and how the race began. "Life of the sacred sable needs to prevail against those who wish to draw its blood. The water of the river needs to reflect back the picture of the Red Moon in defiance. The storm tribes need to show the Red Goddess they are not submitted! And for that I need your help" he pitches at his audience during his talk.

Along his speech, he tries to use the little stormspeech and praxian he knows to make it more impressive, but struggles to make it inspiring...

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian tells of the incident of the river, how he was involved and how the race began. "Life of the sacred sable needs to prevail against those who wish to draw its blood. The water of the river needs to reflect back the picture of the Red Moon in defiance. The storm tribes need to show the Red Goddess they are not submitted! And for that I need your help" he pitches at his audience during his talk.

Along his speech, he tries to use the little stormspeech and praxian he knows to make it more impressive, but struggles to make it inspiring...

Jargian, despite the story elements of interest to the listeners, seems to lose his audience and they end up chatting about the small incidents of the day instead of the great tapestry Jargian hoped to describe. He retires to his tent somewhat despondent, tired and feeling like he's walking up hill.

Or maybe trudging through the mud that Clayday (tomorrow) promises.

The three remaining escorts for the Sable chat quietly for a time. The other two making statements of encouragement that somehow fall a bit flat. And the darkness then forces Jargian to drift into sleep.

---

What Andra, the housemaid, is doing here is not at all clear. And the beautiful young woman she's with is definitely not someone Jargian recalls from around the fire.

But he wishes he did.

The pair gesture to him, wordlessly, to come over and swim in the spring - which is surprisingly brightly lit for the starless night that surrounds him. He looks back and the pair are in the water - obscured glimpses of their forms in the water adding to the enticement.

[kwll]

Fearing to be trapped in a bad dream, Jargian tries to shake himself out of it...

[BackworldTraveller]

Fearing to be trapped in a bad dream, Jargian tries to shake himself out of it...

...and succeeds. As he's waking he hears Don't go! The herd's coming but there are Broo with it...

...and then he's on a pile of skins under a beautifully woven blanket in a cold-dark tent, listening to the patter of a gentle rain and the snores of a Storm Bull competing with those of his Llama riding companion.

Outside, you can hear the murmur of voices from around the fire. Not all the camp has even retired yet!

You realize that there is a warmth coming from somewhere under your blanket.

You look in case it's a mouse, but discover that it is the bone with the water-rune inscription that you found yesterday. Even as you hold it, it starts to cool.

[kwll]

Noting that he should probably discuss this bone with his new companions, Jargian gathers his weapons and armor and hurries out of the tent, wanting to know what the fuss is all about. He keeps the bone with him though.

[BackworldTraveller]

At the fire are four figures. One warrior, three of the other, female members of the entourage (including the young woman who looked at him so shyly earlier as she gathered water).

About the camp, the riding animals can be seen gathered nearby - with another of the warriors stood nearby. The other guards are less obvious.

Arniz, who had been lying in the shadow of the tent, comes up and demands a scratch behind the ears - before slipping into your shadow. He's not called a shadow cat without reason.

[kwll]

Jargian pats Arniz on its back and asks him gently to go near the riding animals by pointing at them. "Stay hidden. Warn me if enemies arrive" he says, hoping that what he asks is close enough to his animal instincts to obey.

Then he walks closer to the fire to hear and see more.

[BackworldTraveller]

The group at the fire appear to be making fun of the shy woman - attempting to make her blush regarding her interest in "The Hero". They fall silent for the moment as they realise you are present and then offer you space at the fire. They manoeuvre so that spare space is adjacent to the shy girl.

Looking at her closely, you note that she is a Weaver, probably a follower of Ernalda (Life, Earth and Harmony Goddess), and either very hot or very embarrassed.

So the cares of the Gods weigh heavily says the oldest of the women. Can't sleep?

[kwll]

Jargian stays silent for a few seconds, examining the people around the fire in turn. "You could say that." he answers the old woman. "And I heard someone talk about broo..."

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian stays silent for a few seconds, examining the people around the fire in turn. "You could say that." he answers the old woman. "And I heard someone talk about broo..."

Broo? We weren't telling scary stories. Who spoke of them? Nasty, brutish creatures skulking about in the dark and infecting the herds, and people and carrying off children. With the Storm Bull about, they wouldn't be so foolish as to come here.

[kwll]

Jargian brings out the bone. "Have you ever seen a bone like that before? It has a tendency to heat in some circumstances..." he asks.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian brings out the bone. "Have you ever seen a bone like that before? It has a tendency to heat in some circumstances..." he asks.

Hmmm - It looks like a piece of Rib Bone, Carved with the Water Rune.

Hot, you say? That is unexpected.

She carefully places the bone on a mirror and murmurs over it.

I am doing this so I know if this is a little dangerous to us all or immensely so. You do not incur a debt to me through this magic

She murmurs a little more and the bone starts to glow - as does the warrior's short-sword and an amulet around the old woman's neck. Some of the tents also have light coming under their door-flaps. Unexpectedly, there is a glow from the pool in the stream where the women gathered water earlier, and another, feint shine out in the rough land to the south.

As you must have guessed, it is definitely magical she concludes. Given your quest, and the inscription, I'd guess it has a water-related purpose. Who gave it to you? Or where did you find it?

[kwll]

"Home, in my town hall." answers Jargian, scratching his head.

[BackworldTraveller]

"Home, in my town hall." answers Jargian, scratching his head.

And did that herald this quest or is it part of it? I mean whichever, this is something of the Gods. Keep it safe. To work out what it's for you might need some help from someone who's got more intuition than "It's Magic".

She turns to the others at the fire.

Would the Hermit help?
Or does he need to go to the water temple?
Or..?

The others then get into a discussion about the merits of the two main options, plus whether they could get the Khan to change his mind and let the Questor (you) visit the tribe as a whole.

They sort of conclude Well, the Hermit is armed and as mad as a badger and the temple is probably watched. Any other options?

[kwll]

"How far is the hermit?" asks Jargian, curious.

[BackworldTraveller]

"How far is the hermit?" asks Jargian, curious.

If you rode alone or with a small party, and took remounts, you could be there by sundown if you started at sunup

With your Sable though. You could be there by one, maybe two, days later. Depends how much it wanders about.

She thinks about the route

You can see the Hermit's peak from the hilltop over there (she says, pointing off in the dark). Looks like a pointy-hill with a rock on its top. He lives near the top. And don't sneak up on him. He's apt to drop things on sneaky people.

And with that she nudges the warrior with her Toe. Your watch. The warrior shrugs, grabs his stuff and heads into the dark.

And now, my girls, I will retire to bed.

The group by the fire starts to break up, leaving only the shy woman.

I have a really good cure for not sleeping she suggests, coyly - turning very red in the firelight. And my tent is just there

She stands, offering her hand.

[kwll]

Jargian narrows his eyelids while looking at the young girl, then starts a mild smile after a while. "I will try my luck again." he answers, gently.

Going back to his tent, he will take a quick look at Arniz and the mounts.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian narrows his eyelids while looking at the young girl, then starts a mild smile after a while. "I will try my luck again." he answers, gently.

Going back to his tent, he will take a quick look at Arniz and the mounts.

Jargian hears the woman run for her tent as soon as his back is turned.

Arniz is hidden in the shadows and the Mounts are fine and settled. Having checked this, Jargian heads to bed.

Sleep comes quickly and when he wakes, it's Clayday!