Dave Black> As I recall Nijehl had just pulled into sight of
the main group who had been making their way back to the place where the
boats were hidden.
Nijehl> Yep... correct....
Dave Black> Nijehl had called out to them and the group awaited
his arrival. They had noted that you seemed healthy, excited, and happy.
Nijehl> Very excited, and quite proud of himself I would say....
and without breath!!
.Dave Black> They will want to learn all the details so go ahead
and type in what you will want to tell them...
Nijehl> "I have so much to tell you....", he says.... "I mean...
can I have some water first, please?"
Dave Black> Joss provides some water.
Nijehl> Nijehl quickly empties the container. "So, as you well,...
you know.... I decided to follow the ducks", looking for any sign of disaproval
from Varjeela.
Dave Black> Varjeela seems relieved you are in one piece.
Nijehl> "So, I start to follow their track. It was quite difficult
I have to say. These ducks seem to know how to pick their way through the
land. Anyway, it took me most of the night to pick up exactly where they
headed." ( Northeast then east.)
Nijehl> "Well, at the end, I arrived in this kind of village
of the ducks. Their village was very well guarded, with a couple of ducks
on each side of the river... did I tell you it was on both sides? Well,
these ducks have their houses made of reed, in the form of bee-hives. And
it does not seem to be a camp, but something more permanent. With torches
all around, and guards. There were no large or outstanding buildings to
visit, you know so I decided to leave cause it was nearing dawn."
Dave Black> Certainly...
Nijehl> "And then suddenly, I cross what seems to be flat stones
like the old flat stones you usually find in the ruins of the rubble. I
examined the stones and they seemed really part of a pavement grey in colour
probably limestone. I followed the stones away from the channel, and then
I found other stone, much like rubble. But I did not examine the rubble.
The sun was already up, and the sentries could easily spot me. So I found
your trail and mind you, even a good-for-nothing blind old lunar lady would
have followed it. And here I am!! I think I have found the city!!"
Looking at Varjeela for another sign of approval from the priestess.
"Well?"
Dave Black> The group recives your information with great happiness.
Then, a shadow seems to draw over Mawth's face. "Those Ducks have told
us to leave the area..."
Nijehl> "Did they?" looks concerned. "Perheaps you did not understand
well... they might have told us to go over there, in their village..."
Dave Black> Varjeela shakes her head. "No," she says. "It seemed
clear that they wished us to go back the way we came and not proceed further
west."
Dave Black> NoBison snorts derisively. "No bird is going to
tell me what to do."
Nijehl> "So what now?"
Nijehl> "What if we offer them gifts? I mean, I noticed that
they did not have much in metal. Perhaps.... if we offer them..."
Dave Black> "We could chance one last excursion to check out
the ruins you found?" suggests Joss.
Nijehl> (I agree with Nobison actually... but it is not a decision
to be taken lightly...)
Dave Black> A gleam appears in Varjeela's eyes. "You might be
on to something Nijehl," she says.
Nijehl> "We could... perhaps if we check them by night... we
might avoid the sentries... although I still prefer to do it with their
approval!" "Do you have any gifts for them Varjeela?"
Dave Black> Varjeela replies, "I do have some beads and such
for trading purposes..."
Dave Black> "Or," says Mawth. "We could simply go back to Corflu
and tell the Lunars that we found the site and let them worry about it."
Nijehl> "NO WAY", Nijehl shouts... then "I mean, they might
not give us the credit of it... or it might not be it after all."
Nijehl> "We might even give them a weapon or two... especially
metal ones...."
Nijehl> Then Nijehl murmurs something (in Pavic slang) about
the lunars.
Dave Black> "We would have to look like a trading party though..."
(That was Varjeela by the way)
Nijehl> "Well, we look like it.... don't we? Varjeela is the
pries... Joss is her helper. Mawth is the expert in the local cultures,
Huff the guide, No bison and me the guards...."
Dave Black> "Not enough goods," Varjeela replies. "Of course
we could be on an exploratory mission looking for new markets..."
Nijehl> Realises that he does not stand much as a guard... "Ok,
Ok.... I am the helper, and cook... Yes, we are.... and Mawth can offer
his services as a shaman.... and Nobison can impress them with a story
or two about hunting chaos."
Dave Black> "What about the the Duck Patrol from last night?"
asks Varjeela to no one in particular.
Nijehl> "Whatever we do, never mention lunars except as enemies....
I once heard that in the Empire, ducks are a delicasy, and they offer lots
of silver for their heads"
Dave Black> "We probably didn't give them the impression we
were trying to establish new trading partners..."
Nijehl> "Hmm... we can tell them we camped by the statue just
for refuge against the rain"
Nijehl> "You are right...Hmmm.... Shall we go back to Corflu
and get some trading goods then. We could tell them we were exploring to
see if we could find anyone to trade with..."
Dave Black> "What with yer Ghoul's attackin' an all," says Joss,
"I'd say we cudda been simply too scared to act like trader types."
Nijehl> "Yes... and perhaps one of them had been to pavis, and
seen the same glow at the marketplace... so that is in our favour...."
Dave Black> "There ya 'ave it!" says Joss.
Nijehl> "Have we agreed than? We are going there now?"
Dave Black> "Do we all need to go back to Corflu?" asks Mawth.
Nijehl> I suggest we should go and get some items that the ducks
might need. That will enforce our act as a trading party."
Dave Black> "Perhaps Varjeela and Joss could go by boat and
return here much faster. Remember, we spent much time because we all did
not fit in the boats" (That was Mawth)
Nijehl> "Yes... we should do that... The rest of us should camp
where we left the boats, and await their return."
Dave Black> "So," says Mawth, "Varjeela and Joss will return
quickly to Corflu and then return to us here."
Nijehl> "Yep... Mawth, what do you think that the ducks could
need?"
Dave Black> "Perhaps one other should go with them..." Mawth
muses aloud. "For strength."
Nijehl> "Or perhaps, Nobison should go instead of Joss. Can
we fit 3 in a boat?"
Dave Black> Mawth continues... "We would have Huff, NoBison,
you Nijehl, and myself here. It would make sense for one of us to go with
them.
Dave Black> Joss must go. He must work the boat against the
tricky River currents. "I think you should go Nijehl," says Mawth.
Nijehl> "Yes... Huff should stay... he is the expert over here.
Nobison is the only fighter, so he should stay.... that leaves me..." (Hehe...was
arriving to that....*g*)
Nijehl> "Then it is me, Varjeela and Joss".
Dave Black> Mawth nods solemnly. "Mawth not fond of Corflu anyway..."
It takes the group another little while to reach the boats. Once there
they find everything intact. It being midday many of the group are feeling
hungry....
Nijehl> "Good. We should leave immediately. When do you think
we will make it to Corflu?" (to Joss) (Oh, and I am especially hungry...now
that I remember, I did not have breakfast today!!) "But first, can we eat
something... I missed breaking my fast today!"
Dave Black> "Early t'morrow I'd spect," he replies. "An back
here bye nightfall...." And so the group eats a hearty lunch before splitting
into two parts.
Nijehl> "Good." I move to prepare the fire for eating. After
eating, we get the boat ready...