Having not moved from his position holding the reins of Lannstucht's new horse (and thus not moved too close to the fire, nor too far from his...cargo), Segev spares a long, appraising look for the apparent denizens of this mansion, the unsubtly mysterious midget, and the unexpectedly heroic Crusader. The commoners and the midget are passed over without comment nor expression, but the latter receives a narrowing of the mage's cold eyes, and a vaguely approving smirk. Having satisfied himself with whatever information he thinks he's gleaned from this brief observation of the new individuals, he turns his unnerving gaze away from the commoners and onto those more used to it - his travelling companions. "Are we stopping here for the day to help these victims, then?" he asks, dripping the word 'victims' as if it were one of the lowest of insults, "Or do we continue on, hoping to catch up with our friend and conclude our business with him?" Drakar takes the Crusader's hand slowly and somewhat hesitantly, but he does take it. Nodding his head slightly to the unarmored Crusader he replies, "Thank you....for helping to save the lives of the people of this plantation. I take their debt for my own." Hesitating a moment longer, he continues. "You mentioned bretheren who you do not feel uphold the same knightly ideals as you do. Would there be any of these bretheren with you,..... or near here?" "Aye," the Crusader states. "There were three that were headed the way you came from--a trio of the worst of our kind--and four more that I know of that were headed for the nearest city, to procure supplies for the trip home." His eyes fall on the armored corpse on the horse, and his eyes narrow. "I see you've encountered them." He stops and studies the party from a distance, especially Segev. Kyran, still inside of the building, tries to make his way to where the half- elven scent is. Dodging obvious pitfalls and places where he could get trapped, he hopefully comes across the area where Katrina is. Ignoring the heat is difficult, but his current form does provide some resiliance against the heat with its thick fur. Katrina heads up the stairs, pushing open the doors, and getting out as quickly as possible, heading back to the group, coughing from the smoke, and covered in soot and ash. Kyran dives out of the way as Katrina pushes the door out torwards him. Watching her leave, and sensing no more dangers inside, he bounds out after her as well. Lannstucht comments to no one in particular, "Wonderful. Another classically inscrutable masked adventurer comes our way. I bet Zorro here speaks in monosyllables as well. The traveler casually looks to them, then turns on a heel and walks away. "If you are done with your childish taunts, perhaps we can attempt to do something constructive." If he's annoyed at having been initially ignored, his cold, even voice contains no hint of it. "Do we remain here, or continue on?" Drakar studiously ignores Segev and checks over Katrina and Kyran for injuries or difficulty breathing, casting healing magic where needed for both the two of them, and any of the plantations inhabitants that Menaria does not get to. Kyran is pretty much free of injury: He wasn't in long enough to get burned, and any wounds caused by falling objects have already regenerated. The beautiful man with blonde hair casually walks over and picks up his broad- brimmed hat. Walking over to Segev, quietly says in a bored or possibility contemplative voice, "I came upon this roast a little late, but I saw the big fellow over there dangling a child. You appear to have more knowledge of what is or maybe has happened here. Would you be so kind as to share some of it with a fellow wayward traveler?" "The situation here appears well under control, and once again we are distracted by 'noble purpose' from our primary pursuit. Of course I do not begrudge the time spent here thus far, but surely it is time to return to the road." Bristling slightly, but recovers quickly, Menaria eyes her companions. "Let me finish with these people first, then let us leave." She continues to administer any aid she can to those hurt. Tilting his head to Menaria in a slow nod, Segev replies, "Very well. I am ready to continue on. My...companion..." he indicates the headless corpse on the horse "...is becomeing mildly fragrent, and I would like to solve that problem before it becomes severe." Turning his attention to the hat-wearing blond, he continues with hardly a shift in tone and no real pause, "We heard an explosion and saw the plume of smoke." He looks at the burning mansion and barn. "They were well aflame when we arrived." He turns his gaze upon the gathered commoners around the oversized butler, who are being questioned by the gnome. "They were mostly gathered there. Presumably they escaped the burning building." His cold eyes next fall on the Crusader. "He bears the trappings of a Crusader of Redwater, and was carrying a dwarven woman out of the mansion when we arrived. She was crying about her baby being still within. They," he now indicates Drakar, Katrina, and the wolf-formed Kyran, "entered the building to try to rescue those still within. Menaria has been exercising her goddess's power to bring comfort to those out here, and to keep the fire at bay, as is her wont." His frigid gaze falls once more upon the blonde. "As for how this conflagaration began, we do not know. Glim, there," he points out the gnome, "is probably working on a theory or nine." Having finished this dissertation, he falls silent, narrowed eyes studying this new person like a butcher studies a side of beef, or a farmer sizing up a workhorse. The blonde turns towards Lannstucht, "My lady, you mention returning to the road for a noble purpose? Sound's intriguing. Though I do wonder what is noble about a headless knight on a horse, or is there another purpose for said knight? Or is he merely a minor distraction from the true quest you seek?" "Oh forgive me, I have failed in my manors, let me introduce myself." Taking off the hat and bowing deeply, "I am Tana Mauru, a wayward traveler form the great wastes." Kyran sits and lets the others talk. They seem to have the jist of the situation and don't need another commenting on it. Drakar looks at Menaria suddenly. "Penticon is two days travel by the road you are presently on. I..... know.. of a way over the hills that will get you there in less than a day's travel." Drakar waves at the stony hills behind the group. Menaria turns and eyes Drakar for the first time, taking in the man's appearance. She smiles a little, looking somewhat wearied. "That might prove to be useful then. The quicker the better." Pausing for a moment she eyes where he points too. "How safe is the path? And how difficult? Can their animals travel it?" "Penticon, did you say? That is the road that I am bound. If you will allow me to accompany you on your road, I will lend my blade, in need." Tana says to Menaria and Drakar. Menaria turns to Tana, still smiling. "I am sure your help will be most appreciated. Traveling in numbers is safer. Though our mission is not an easy one... and will prove dangerous nonetheless." Kyran turns to each person in turn as they speak, listening to what they're babbling about. Who says wolves can't understand what we say? The others can 'feel' him want a continuation of the discussion, despite appearing as nothing more than a wolf. Segev coughs, his exhausted patience showing in his abrupt tone. "If you have done what you could for these, Menaria," he begins, indicating the wounded and burned, "then we should continue without further delay, should we not?" Not soon after Segev says this, the quiet wanderer, having been standing by, well, quietly, turns on a heel and heads back into the brush. "Bunch of preoccupied jerks..." he mutters to himself in less than a whisper. "Rescue two kids from a burning building and these dolts don't even offer a thank you." Katrina looks over at the departing stranger, not having heard his words."Thank you for doing what I could not." Mentally, she calls for the fox and hawk, the latter landing on a nearby treeor building, and Ananzi curling around her feet like an overgorwn housecat. Menaria eyes Segev wistfully. "Yes, I believe I have done what all I can do." She then turns to the hurt folks and their family. "I'm sorry I can not do anything further for you all. As you can see, my friends are anxious to continue on our journey." She smiles and bids them good bye as she puts up her healing/herbalism stuffles and starts to leave with the others. Tana, checking the security of his sword and bag, makes ready to depart. Nodding towards Menaria, "You have done more than they could do themselves. Do not begrudge yourself, for not doing more. I am ready to travel, when you are willing." Looking at the headless corpse, almost smiles then shrugs his shoulders, quietly saying, "I have traveled the wastes with stranger companions." Then quietly towards the back of the stranger as he heads into the woods, "One who only thinks only of recognition tips the scales of fate, but not in his favor." "Before you go," the Crusader states, "perhaps you could answer me one question. What are your intentions towards *him*?" He indicates the corpse, and looks unwaveringly at Segev. Kyran, almost on cue, sniffs the air and growls at the corpse angrily. "We were thinking of a Northland burial," said Tanda sarcastically, "you know, burning longship put to sea, that sort of thing." She shrugged. "But seriously, nothing's carved on stone tablets just yet." Returning the unwavering gaze with one of his own, the mage pats the armored leg of the corpse and replies, "I have claimed this as my share of spoils from an encounter with some of your aforementioned 'less noble' brethren." A chilling smile almost graces his lips as he adds, "I'm sure you can appreciate the irony. Consider it his attonement, or perhaps 'charity', if it assuages your conscience." It almost seems like Segev is advancing on the Crusader as he says this, so intent is his regard...and yet he hasn't moved from his position next to the stationary horse bearing the cargo about which the two gentlemen are conversing so civilly. Korg chuckles slightly at Segev's reply, wondering to himself whether he cares enough to prevent the crusader killing Segev if he takes offense. But he snorts and laughs at Tanda's comment. "Burning longship seems too much trouble... there has to be some driftwood somewhere close to a sea, no? But wasting the rope..." His mind doesn't parse the irony of wondering about Segev giving offense than doing his part to add more. Rolling his eyes, and ending with a glare at Korg that swiftly returns to an impassive iron stare at the Crusader, Segev sighs and says, "Rest assurred: any b urial proceedings will be treated with all due respect." The Crusader doesn't bat an eye as he returns Seg's stare. "That is all I ask for. But, if I find out that you have desecrated his body in any way, you will join him in death." He turns to the commoners, effectively ending the conversation. In due time, this side-trip of party has slowed them down only somewhat, and they return to the trip to Penticon. The trail followed by Drakar is barely wide enough to accomodate the wagon, but Glim doesn't need to lose it just yet. The group comes to the gates of Penticon a day early, and are admitted through the gate before Pelor's chariot comes for a landing beyond the horizon. Segev's cargo is well past ripe by now, and flies are starting to circle it. Penticon is a lot like Caer Zitheral; it's open, spread out across about two dozen square miles. Unlike most northern cities, Penticon grew outwards, not upwards. A map of the city near the gates they're entering shows that it's been separated into four sections: the temples, the duke's castle (which towers over the entire city), the business district, and the residential districts surrounding them. The group has entered a residential area near the business district; they'll have to go past several businesses to get to Akanksha's temple. Looking at the group, the guard at the gate suggests the party heads for an inn called "The Midnight Mushroom" if they're looking for quarters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Mythology Lesson #8 Ryl's Nature and Deeds Ryl, daughter of Galsus and Fehrest, is the wisest of all gods. It is said that she sees beyond the present into the future, and acts as the oracle of the gods. She is able to see into a person's soul at birth, and can divine from there whether a person is destined for greatness. She is often called upon by rulers who look for wisdom beyond knowledge. Her insight has been invaluable to everyone who asks for it. She shares credit for the creation of the gnomes with Nyysan. Although she is lawful good, Ryl's actions often seem to have chaotic leanings, as her intuition often seems to come to a conclusion long before anyone else has thought things through. She often chastises her brother Navor for his preoccupation with knowledge, while she is often chastised by him for not gathering all the information before coming to a conclusion. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the two married some time ago, although she has yet to give him any children. It is said that Ryl aided the epic hero Sinia Noroth when she encountered a labyrinth of mirrors. Sinia had accepted a mission of entering the labyrinth to slay the demon that lived there; with Ryl's aid she was able to enter the labyrinth blindfolded, slay the demon, and return. The mirrors had an enchantment which caused anyone who looked into them to lose their sense of direction; being blindfolded, Sinia was unable to trigger the enchantment. Navor's Nature and Deeds Navor is the son of Galsus and Fehrest, the twin brother of Vy, and the husband of Ryl. He is the most knowledgeable of all the gods--with the possible exception of his twin sister, whose knowledge Navor is loathe to seek out. He is the creator of the elves, the inventor of music, patron god of magic, and the first to practice the healing arts. Navor hides it well, but he still frets over his twin's fall from grace. The War of the Elves hurt him the most, when he had to actively oppose her. Although he defeated her in the contest of wits, played out by the now-mortal elves on both sides, he found himself unable to fully complete his victory, and let her go. To this day, he still wonders if, should something similar happen again, if he would be able to do what he could not then. Underneath it all, he still cares for her, and works in his own ways to bring her back to the light. Navor and Ryl share an oracle in the city of Penticon, rumored to be the best oracular site in the known world. For centuries, epic heroes from all over, even those from heretical Redwater, have consulted the Penticon oracle.