Even now, as he sat in the middle part of one of the party’s canoes and watched the landscape float gently past, Divot was having a hard time sorting out the details of what had happened just days ago in Star Falls. Maybe it was the time he had spent in Mammon and Glaysa’s pocket-hell (which, until recently, had been known to the residents of the town as the Dwarves and Babes bordello) that was causing him trouble. When the doors of the bordello had closed each evening, the hellish prison it had become was certainly timeless in both the literal and figurative sense, the only true grasp of time that Divot had had while in service to the devilish pair were those hours he had spent toiling away in the ‘kitchen’ and, even then, he couldn’t have been sure which of those hours may have truly passed and which of them were but cruel illusions that the devil or his consort may have sought to torture him and others with. Maybe it was the fact that the cost of his liberation from that bondage was the death of good folk who had no true call to sacrifice themselves for some fool-wagering, dirty-under-the-nails, hairfoot whose own idiocy had put him in the very predicament from which he required rescuing. Perhaps it was even the fact that, after all the years gone from home, it was his own wee brother who had likely convinced those brave souls to brave the planes of hell for him…A crooked smile twisted across the tunnelrat’s features as he glanced over at his younger sibling. Oi, Ulthy, lookit ya, lad, he thought soaking up an eyeful of his brother for perhaps the three hundredth time in two days, All growed up an’ out inna world an’ a mage t’boot! Ye always were th’ smarter o’ us, boy-o.
Divot’s gaze, traveled then to the bow that Ulthok had strapped to his pack, and he grinned as he recalled yesterday’s trip back to what was once his shop. Aside from his own hard-earned gear (which he had had the foresight to hide away in a small tunnel he had dug under the building) there wasn’t much left in the place. A few bow staves he had been in the process of crafting before Mammon had managed to claim him, a sheet of cured hide, and other miscellany could be found beneath the cobwebs and dust, but nothing, now, worth crying over. Enough left, though, for Divot to have put together the bow that Ulthy had claimed a need for.

“Well big brother,” Ulthok had asked him as he tested the bow, “will it be hard to leave your little shop behind here or where you already getting that wanderlust feeling even before we came along. I never could really picture you settled in one spot like this for too long. I'll bet you kept picturing mother with her stubby little finger poking you as she scolded you, you will never amount to anything if you keep on in your current ways young man I jus don't know what you see in crawling around in those filthy tunnels you are always talking about. Even though you would bring home more gold from one trip than PaPa could give her from 6 months of hard work.”

“Nah,” Divot had replied while honing the edge of his axe, “I don’ reckon I’ll miss it much. Ain’t much left ta miss, really. We’re takin’ what’s left with us an’, yer right, me time here’s long past done. Dunno what kept me here fer so long ta start with...” He smirked, realizing how ridiculous that must’ve sounded given what had transpired with Mammon, “…other’n the obvious, o’course.”

“Mum never did quite get the tunnel runnin’, did she,” Divot continued, vividly recalling the scoldings that he’d endured from their mother even when he had come home from his adventures with pouches full of gold and such, “couldn’t abide the thoughts of ‘er wee turnips gettin’ munched on by th’ creepy-crawlies, I s’pose. Er din’t figger it’d ever amount ta more’n gloom an’ doom inna end.”

“You know,” Ulthok had told him then, “I used to get the same scolding but for different reasons.

Do you remember old man Delholmes? He was owner of the little book shop in our village. It was in his shop with his help that I learned to read and write. How Mother and PaPa thought that was a waste of time no dirt farmer halfling needed to read and write. You where already gone when I hooked up with a traveling magic show, which actually turned out to be connected to a thieves guild and when they realized how nimble and flexible I was it didn't take them long to train me and incorporate me into their so called shows.”

Divot looked up from the inspection of his axe’s blade and grinned, “So it’s spell-slingin’ and a bit o’ th’ ol’ sneaky-sneaky, is it, l’il brother? I wonder what kinda lecture th’ pair o’ us’d get if Mum could get ahold of us, now? Prob’ly have PaPa plant us right out next ta th’ punkins, I’d wager!”

They had joked and reminisced for a while; enjoyed moments of amusement and sadness, and caught up with one another’s lives for the most part. After a time, though, the smile on Ulthok’s face faded almost into a frown; “Anyways, brother,” he had sighed, “we are wasting time here. There is still much to do before we pull out.”

“Aye,” Divot replied, his large eyes taking in the emptiness of his shop one last time as he returned his newly recovered gear to his pack, “An’ not much left ta do, here, but leave it behind, eh?” He smiled faintly as he slung his pack over one shoulder and hung his scale-mail vest over the other, then, making his way around the counter, threw an arm over Ulthok’s narrow shoulders… wizards an’ sneak-thieves got no need fer bulk, I s’pose… gave his brother a squeeze; “Thanks agin fer comin’ ta get me, Ulthy. If nothin’ else, Mum an’ Papa’d be proud o’ ye fer that.” The brothers had returned to the Inn, then, and along with the others that Ulthok had been traveling with (apparently for quite some time) set about making plans for what was to come.

An’ here we are, Divot chuckled inwardly, his gaze traveling among the faces of those in the canoes gliding silently along the river, then lifting skyward to catch sight of the elven lass and her Pegasus, Still farther from farmin’ than the folks’d like, boy-o, but least we’s together fer once.

Cor took time to speak to the recently rescued halfling before the party set out on their trip. "I hope that you have learned a valuable lesson about gamling. It brings naught but evil and death. In this case not your own but of those who were much more worthy to live than you so far have proven to be. Make the most of this second chance that the gods have given you and thank your own god that your brother cares much about you."

When it was time to leave, Cor got into a boat with Althena and Haila. He wanted time to sit with the tortured young lass and wanted to give Connal time to think. For the entire morning's travel Cor sat quietly next to Althena, no words passed between them but he searched her expression for any changes. As the sun reached it zenith, he spoke softly to his troubled friend; unsure if she heard his words or not. "I cannot say that I know how you feel for each person feels in their own way; nor have I ever lost a loved one. Some say that it is better to have loved and lost than to have loved naught. Probably some idiot like myself who has no idea what they are talking about. I do know the pain of having lost close friends; a pain so great I wished to join them to make it stop. Such pain never goes away but it does become a dull ache that is bearable. One who cannot feel pain truely has my sympathy for they will also never know joy. We must find a way to carry on. Alasdair will always be with us in our hearts and minds. Honor his memory by completing the task for which he gave his life so his sacrifice was not in vain. If you wish to talk about your feelings I will be here. If not, I shall trouble you no more."

Cor moved to the middle of the canoe and watched the scenary.

Cynil become Althena's silent shadow, she remaind close, but never crowds the lady in any way. She remainds herself and maybe a bit more talkative--a bit more. She keeps all her conversations light and on everyday subjects.

(Sorry will add more later showing horses at LA County Fair all this week and only get home late to crash in bed and then go back to the fair in early am. "Brianna" will have to post later too. no more time this am.)

Rayne finished helping out all that she could, With all the clerics in the group and in the townm all that could be healed had been. She knew that some hurts could not be healed with spells, Such ws the Ladies pain. She had lost her soul mate. She moved like a automaton her conscious thought had fled for now., Haila kindly offered to care for her, but Rayne knew they all were concerned and would help in anyway necessary.

She walked over to her Pegasus and took the note out of the saddlebags for now.. Hopefully she would not need the stratagem again before they completed this mission.
Two lost one party member gained and several souls saved.

Rayne had not been so close to death before in a long time. She thought about what had happened to her. What was so frustrating ws beginning unable to help anyone after two decent hits on the Consort. Once Rayne was lashed by the Consort’s tail, she was a mass of agonizing pain that rendered her totally unable to do anything for anybody even herself.

Rayne tried to put that out of her head for now though the freshness of the happening made that difficult She called her eagle owl down from his watch she had set him on before going into the Bordello. Mounting up she rode her Pegasus back to the inn. Rayne stable the mare and then took a long time brushing her down--soothing for Ariel’s body and foe Rayne’s spirit.—though hers most of all. She released the owl to hunt after praising her for her watchful attentiveness and given him a good scratch about his head and neck which he truly enjoyed almost turning his head over so she can get all his itchy spots.

Rayne sits outside the inn and meditates for a while drawing meditation techniques to bring her spirt balance and tranquility. When she ws finished she went inside to join the others.

She sat in as plans were made to continue on the morrow by canoe. “I will scout with Ariel and my eagle owl and keep you appraised of what lies before you.. I can help paddle if necessary too.”

That night after all the plans had been made Rayne went out riding on Ariel., high above the town of Star Falls She finally found a promontory that Ariel could land on and they stood there for a bit as Rayne let her head clear and then prayed to her Diety. She took solace from the days events in her communion with her Deity and the oresent of her companions. She did not question him about the days happenings not wondering about what might have been, but a promise she gave to work hard to be worthy of His favor and to improve her skills to better serve him.

Rayne then heads back to the inn for a well deserved rest. In the morning she packs a few things purchased from teh innkeeper to suppliment field rations and treats for her animal companions. Now that they were on water it might be possible for her eagle owl to catch fish which would feed himself and her two legged companions. Rayne also planned to hunt when necessary.

Divot, Ulthok Brother it seems was accompanying them her was up packed and ready with the Ulthok. Rayne stopped over by him and stepped down from Ariel, “Welcome. Divot. isn’t it?” I am Rayne Fireheart These are my companions, Ariel” she says as she pats the chestnut mare with golden tan wings and this is my eagle owl, Arven

For the party the journey upriver was a quiet and seemingly a vacation of sorts that first week as all before them was still and beautiful. No threats did they face and no enemies seemed to follow them, the river was as if a gentle mode of transportation helping them on their way North.

First they moved through the area of Erebor seeing many a Dwarf, Elf and Human fishing upon the rivers banks and moving cargo by barge. Some waved others did not but no one barred their way. With Rayne in the sky above them providing them with an airborne guard of sorts they made good time moving through the Silver Mountains and into the open waters of the Silver Lake. Then a two day stop at the Lake town of Petterie to resupply, rest aching muscles and get a good rest in a bed, and again upriver they did go.

Then leaving the lake and returning to the river the waters around them slightly changed the lazy color of blue becoming darker almost menacing but yet no danger did lurk.
It was here upon this river the beginning of their third week that things truly began to change…..

Rayne with her owl beside her flew forward upon her Pegisi a few miles ahead of the canoe bound party. As this was the duty she had been given, due to her mode of travel, she watched the river below her for signs of rough water or enemies lurking in wait and so did notice strange things floating upon the rivers surface.

With a command to her flying horse she descended to investigate and though in a very low glide she was still unable to get a clear look, due to the rivers dark color, as to just what floated below her.
To get a better look clear it was she would have to land.

(OOC: OK here’s this weeks post I stopped it here as since everyone’s posting again I did not want to assume that Rayne would land.
Also I need to know who is in what canoe, and so on but remember at this time you have no party leader and need to pick one as trust me you will really want to have him or her SOON.
Next post next Wednesday as normal.)

First an OOC: I believe that in Keepers post he says “When it was time to leave,Cor got into a boat with Althena and Halia.He wanted to sit with the tortured young lass and wanted to give Conall time to think.” So that would put Conall, Cynill,Ulthok and Divot in the second boat.If we change positions later then we need to post such.

BIC:Once it was finally time to pull out Ulthok plants his small body into the rear of the second boat, never being one to be afraid of water for he had learned to swim a long time ago, and never being weighted down with heveyarmor water never bothered the halfling.As he sat in the boat he he lets out a pair of sharp shrill whistles and within a Minuit or two a large great horned owl appears and flies up to and lands on Ulthoks outstretched arm.” Divot old buddy I want you to say hi to a friend of mine this is Omensamen” he speaks as he gently scratches the great owl on the back of its' head. Reaching into his front pouch he produces some of the small nuts that for some reason the great owl loves to eat.Omensamen quickly devours the treat offered by Ulthok then turns her head towards him and waits for his instructions. With Rayne in the sky doing most of their scouting along with her eagle owl Ulthok commands are rather light.With good watch to their front he instructs her to keep a watch on them from the rear and to try to make sure that they are not being followed. He also gives the owl the ok to hunt but would like her to return to him once every second day to report on anything that she sees at all. After a second snack of nuts Ulthok releases the mighty owl to do his bidding.
As their boat makes it's way through the countryside of Erbor the mood in their boat slowly changes from the subdued and rather sad moods all had after their encounter inside the bordello and it's rather tragic outcome, to a more light and happier mood. The country they moved through was rather lovely and they encountered many a dwarf, elf and humans fishing along the banks of the river. Sometimes he was able to make quick light conversation with some of those on the banks and other times not.

After a couple of days in the boat and eating mostly pack food Ulthok decides it's time to try his hand at catching some fish.
OOC:Sorry for the second ooc but I must be losing it for I could have sworn that at one point I had both fishing hooks x3 and fishing line I was carrying in my belt pouch if not maybe we can say before we left Star Falls since I knew we where going to be on the river for a long time I purchased those items Thanxs my DM.
BIC: Getting out the fish hooks and fishing line he had purchased before they set off Ulthok puts together a fishing pole using a nice tree limb he picks up along the banks of the river.Using his dagger to whittle the stick into shape he fastens the line and hooks and using some dried stuff from his trail pack of food he is prepared to fish.Spending the rest of that day and afternoon causally casting his line the halfling is hopefully pulling in some fish for this evenings dinner. He is sure all would like some real food other than their dry trail rations all have been eating. If he catches enough fish he will seek the others input as to whether they would like to take the time this evening to stop and cook a real meal.

OOC: Once again a ooc I am going to stop this post here until I hopefully get some feedback from both the players if they want to stop and cook and also from our esteemed DM as to any fish caught. Once again Thanx's Dragonmist.

OOC: Please see the Q/A section

IC: Cor sat in silence as he had the day before. It seemed he young lass was still struggling with her own thoughts and no words passed her lips. Still knight-cleric kept vigil over her. Occasionally he scanned the banks looking for any sign of trouble. Up ahead he saw Rayne swoop towards the river and that caught his attention. As best he could he readied himself for whatever lay ahead.

Before Rayne gets into too close to whatever it is down in the river she wants to try to attract its attention to get a better look at it. length width, shape, manner of movement, stc. First she will follow its direction of movement flying up from behind it to get a bett looks, but well out of the way, high, to prevent it from attacking Aroiel and her.

If that does not give her the information she wants, she will try catching its attention with arrows. IF that doesn't works she will land somewhere to pick up several good size rocks to cast down on it. She would like to get it to rise up out of the water so she can get an idea what it is.

With Halia and Cor keeping watch on Lady Althena in the one boat the two halfling brothers are riding along with the Paladian and the Druid who seem to have a little connection of their own.As they swiftly move along the river and through the Silver Mountians and then into the more open waters of Silver Lake.Ulthok continues to fish as they move along the river and into the lake. Hey there big brother I could fashion a pole for you if you would like to try your hand at pulling in some fish, I have more line and hooks. You know as tense and troublesome as things have been of late fish'in is a good way to relax both body and spirt, not to mention a way to bring in some good eatin.So if interested Ulthok will make a second fishin pole and since he has three hooks will make a third if one of the other two in their boat says they would like to give it a try.
Even though the party is still somewhat subdued due to the recent events Ulthok will keep trying to bring some cheer to the group in one way or another, for he knows they need to shake the past and prepare for what lies up ahead. He only hopes that Cor is having some luck in reaching Althena. So as he is fishing one day as they cross the lake headed for the lake town of Petterie he leans over toward Divot, Hey old boy I'm sure you have visited many a tavern in your journies have you ever heard this cheery little drinkin songand with that Ulthok in his rather unique high pitched voice breaks out in song.

When the enemy's surrounding,
and we think our nerves will fail,
when we hear the trumpets sounding,
and they make us quake and quail,
grab your mug and we'll be pounding
down another round of ale!

And we'll drink,
to the glory of adventure!


When we're angry and upset,
'cause we ain't been getting paid,
when we're tired, cold and wet,
and a little bit afraid,
we'll keep drinking and forget
that we ever were dismayed!

And we'll drink,
to the glory of adventure!

When the boredom makes us jumpy,
and the motion makes us ill,
when the food is cold and lumpy,
a disgusting, slimy swill,
there's no reason to be grumpy;
tap the keg, and drink your fill!

And we'll drink,
to the glory of adventure!

When the captain's really sore,
'cause he thinks he's being mocked,
when he's pounding on our door,
and we're certain to get socked,
have a drink, and tease him more;
we'll feel nothing if we're crocked!

And we'll drink,
to the glory of adventure!

When he is finished singing he looks around to see if anyone in his boat is smiling for he is trying to lighten the mood.For the rest of the trip till they land at the city of Petterie Ulthok will engage Divot in conversation His first objective is to fill Divot in on most of what had happened to the originol party on what he now refers to as the first part of this mission, which was to rescue the Lady Alathena. His next objective is to try and get some background on his brother and what he has been upto over the last year or so.
Since you have deceided to join us big brother you might want some background on what has transpiried to this group since we started out on this little quest. Acctually what we are doing now and the party we are traveling with has changed since the king gave us our first mission. Myself, the Paladian Conall, and the War Cleric Cor and Haila the fighter/mage are from the originol party. The rest are new to this mission. We where sent out to rescue the poor lass that is now with Cor and Haila, the Lady Althena Sunblaze was being held captive and tourchered by an evil cleric named Krelis who served an even greater evil. We believe that they where interested in finding the sword that we are now after and it seems that our companion Althana is the only one who knows it's exact location. That is what I am now calling our second mission.
Ulthok stops his naritive briefly as he looks back at the boat carring Althana and Divot can see a diffinate change in his mood. His shoulders slump forward and he loses the content look on his face to be replaced by a more determined look. he returns his gaze to Divot and continues, And although you can see we did acomplish our objective and did bring Althana back it was not without great loss. I had befriended several who are now with their gods but there was one in particular I had taken a very heartfelt liking to, and even though I knew there could probally never be a true romance between us two There was a deep friendship that we shared. This lass was known as Drusilla Liadon a tall very lovely elven Bard. The two of us spent much off time togeather. However she was killed in a battle against a great green dragon in those dam magical tunnles that claimed so many of our party. As a matter of fact this cloak I wear was hers'. At this point Ulthok quickly finishes his tale of Althana's rescue, and how they came to be in Star Falls. He then will ask Divot if he could relate to his brother what he had been upto how he had come to own a fletchers shop, and then what had truly happened to put him in the grasp of the two devils. He will listen intently to anything Divot might wish to share.

Meeting the Cleric
It wasn’t long before the party had left Star Falls that the cleric knight – who Ulthok had called Cor – approached him. At first, Divot had thought the dwarf might simply want to more formally introduce himself as, in reality, there had been very little time for much more than brief ‘thank yous,’ ‘apologies,’ and ‘hellos’ in the past days. That wasn’t going to be the case, apparently, because even before Divot could set aside his vest and the oiled cloth he had been using to tend the scales and get to his feet, Cor immediately broke into what, in the tunnelrat’s mind, amounted to a lecture.

“I hope that you have learned a valuable lesson about gambling,” the cleric knight rumbled, “It brings naught but evil and death.”

Divot spiked a brow and the friendly smile that had, at first, played on his lips at the dwarf’s approach faded. He’d been ‘lectured’ by dwarven clerics before – hells, it was a dwarven cleric who had recruited him into the job that started his adventuring career all those years ago – and, as he recalled, he hadn’t liked it then, either. He hooked his thumbs through his belt, sighed faintly, and waited in silence as Cor continued.

“In this case, not your own, but of those who were much more worthy to live than you, so far, have proven to be. Make the most of this second chance that the gods have given you and thank your own god that your brother cares much about you.”

“An’ it was you I needed ta tell me that, was it,” Divot replied, bristling at the cleric’s hoidy-toidy attitude, “Cuz I’m jus’ a dumb Halfling what couldn’t possibly know better bout th’ evils inna world, aye? Well, thank ye, Mum, fer rememberin’ it ta me! Now, how’s bout I remember a coupla things ta you, cleric?

First,” he said, “I didn’ ask fer none o’ ya ta come inta tha’ hell after me, did I? Tha’ was somethin’ ya done on yer own an’ if ya wants th’ truth of it, I think yer all a wee bit mad fer doin’ so! When I first seen me wee brother in tha’ place, all I coulda hoped fer was tha’ he’d take me hint tha’ it were no place ta be an’ get the bloody hells as far from there as he could. Did he do tha’? No! The brave li’l bugger decides tha’ takin’ on a devil fer nothin’ more’n ta mebbe get a chance at settin’ me loose. An’ wha’s more, he apparently got the rest o’ ye ta follow along on tha’ li’l suicide mission, din’t he? Does I wish he hadn’t? Bloody hells right, I do! Am I sorry tha’ yer friends go’ kilt fer their troubles? Sure I do, an’ I reckon I’ve told ye all as much more’n once since we waked up inna real world. But ya know sumpin’,” the tunnelrat’s eyes narrowed and he jabbed a finger at the dwarf, “don’t nobody take up the kinda life like we’s got an’ expect tha’ they’ll come ‘ome alive from ever’ blinkin’ adventure they goes on, does they? If they does, they’re dumber’n you presumin’ ta lecture me on how ta live me life!”

With that, Divot turned and snatched up his gear, eager to put some distance between himself and the cleric-knight. Wunner how long I’ve been innat hell that dwarves’ve gotten so mushy? he fumed, plopping down and returning his attentions to his armor. Th’ bugger’s right bout some things, though… Ya don’ always get th’ second chances…
((OOC: Nothing personal, of course, Keeper… Divot being Divot, though, that’s the reaction Cor would’ve gotten… I reckon that relationship’s gonna be…uh…interesting? Anyhoo, Divot is extremely grateful for everything that was done and sacrificed to free him… he just don’t take kindly to lecturing. ))

Rayne
The time had come to load the canoes that the part had acquired and, as Divot was busy stowing his gear, the elven lass whom Divot had originally seen in Ulthok’s company that day at the bordello cantered up on her Pegasus and, quite gracefully in the tunnelrat’s eye, dismounted.

“Welcome,” the woman’s voice was almost musical, “Divot. isn’t it?”

“Aye, m’lady,” the Halfling smiled, dropping his pack into the canoe and, wiping his hands on his trousers, turning to look up at her, “Well, Delthak, actually… Delthak Rydenham… most folk do call me Divot, though.”

“I am Rayne Fireheart,” she said, and reaching out a hand to pat her mount, “These are my companions, Ariel,” then indicating the large bird, “and this is my eagle owl, Arven.”

The halfling’s eyes ticked back and forth between the elf and her companions for a moment, then he smiled again and nodded; “Pleasedameetcha, Rayne,” he grinned, “er.. an’ Ariel…an’ Arven…

…Here’s hopin’ we lives long enough ta know each other better, eh?”

((OOC: Elven women… well, tall-folk women… are a bit of a fascination to Divot… he has aspirations of ‘climbin’ ‘em’ from time to time… Rayne’s proximity’s got the tunnelrat all bunched up.

More to come… just wanted to get this posted before I tackled the rest… ))

Days later ((OOC: Going on the assumption, here, that all who are capable have been officially introduced and have spoken to Divot at least once in the time that has passed… If nothing else, I’m sure he’s personally expressed his thanks to each individual… possibly even ‘apologized’ to Cor for being so snippy earlier… ))

While he had been excited, initially, to have left Star Falls behind him and set foot upon the open road of adventure once more, as the days passed, Divot found himself becoming a bit bored with little else to occupy his time other than chit-chat with those in the canoes and watch the scenery whisper past. He had come to hate this part of the adventuring life, years ago… all the traveling with nothing to do but watch the road unfurl; it seemed that half of the adventuring life or better was often consumed with crossing the gaps between the ‘fun stuff’… and, if the truth of it were known, that, if nothing else, was what had driven him to even so much as consider settling in Star Falls to begin with. Many days he sat in the canoe, jibber-jabbering with Ulthok (and, on occasion, Conall and the druid-lady Cynill) or watching the banks of the river as they scrolled by and day-dreaming about what adventures might be found just beyond the banks in this spot or that. It was during one of these moments that Ulthok had come to his rescue again…

“Hey there, big brother,” the younger Rydenham had chirped, rousing Divot from his thoughts of jumping out of the canoe and exploring the far bank whether the rest of the party followed or not, “I could fashion a pole for you if you would like to try your hand at pulling in some fish. I have more line and hooks. You know as tense and troublesome as things have been of late fishin’ is a good way to relax both body and spirit, not to mention a way to bring in some good eatin.”

“Oi,” Divot grinned, as always, cheered by his brother’s enthusiasm and high-spirits, “Why not, Ulthy-lad? Fresh fish’re always better eats’n pressed oats an’ honey er them other nasty bits o’ rock they calls rations, eh?” Grateful for the interruption of his glum thoughts but, admittedly, not much the fisherman these past years, Divot accepts the pole his brother whips up for him and before long the two are fishing side by side and, once again, drawn into the brotherly back-and-forth that had occupied otherwise quiet hours.

For a time, it seemed the boredom of traveling would pass undetected as the two Halflings spent time hauling fish from the waters and, on occasion, bursting into song. When Ulthok had first leaned in and suggested a tavern ditty to maybe lighten the spirits of the others, Divot had recognized the tune within the first verse and had heartily lent his own voice to its singing. Whether the others had appreciated it or not, Divot had enjoyed the tune so much that he offered up another shortly after the conclusion of the first. “Can’t say’s I remember th’ first place I heared this’n, boy-o,” he chuckled as he baited his hook again, “but I remember it bein’ funny enough…”

As I went home on Monday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw a horse outside the door where my old horse should be.
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: "Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that horse outside the door where my old horse should be?"

"Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk, you silly old fool, still you can not see
That's a lovely sow that me mother sent to me."

Well, it's many a day I've traveled a hundred miles or more,
But a saddle on a sow sure I never saw before…
The song continued, with more verses, each covering what was apparently meant to relate the drunken perceptions of a man being argued by the wife he returns home to after a night at the pub. All in all, your standard tavern fare where songs are concerned, but one that obviously holds quite a bit of humor for the elder Rydenham. Despite the singing and the brotherly banter, though, it was inevitable that the conversation would take a more serious turn and that it did when Ulthok got around to relating the story of this party’s adventures to this point.

As he listened, Divot came to realize that the group he now traveled with wasn’t the same exact group that had been put together at the mission’s onset and, over the course of what Ulthy referred to as the first part of the mission, understood that many more of this group’s compatriots had given their lives in the quest for this sword. Sadly, among them, was a woman for whom his little brother had even professed a love that might have transcended friendship had she not been laid low by a dragon. Ulthok finished his tale, tying the rescue of Althena up in a nice little bow and moving along to describe how he and the rest had finally found themselves in Star Falls.

“Sounds’s if it were tunnels tha’ wound us both up in tha’ rotten li’l town, then,” Divot nodded as his brother finished the tale, “You an’ these others as a matter of restin’ up an’ reocouperatin’ from yer adventures in ‘em an’ me from tirin’ of mine, I s’pose.

Can’t say as tha’s th’ whole truth of it, though,” the tunnelrat mused, his attentions wandering from the line he currently had in the water, “O’course ya knows how it comed about that I left home… took off wit’ them dwarves that one summer an’ learned how ta crawl through th’ dark an’ ugly places they couldn’ get to by their lonesome, hackin’ up the beasties what figgered they’d hide in them places that tall-folk can’t reach, an’ all tha’ nonsense, aye?

Like Mum always said I would, though, I got tired of it after a while, I reckon,” Divot shrugged, “adventurin’ seems ta hold a lot more meanin’ when yer doin’ it fer more’n pay… Y’know, when yer doin’ it fer somethin’ what matters ta you an’ not s’much when yer just chasin’ after the creepy-crawlies that some noble wit’ more gold than bullocks’s set ya on? Well, like I says, I spent me a good bit o’ time travelin’ ta this place an’ that place an’ hirin’ on ta crews as I likely shoulda left ta their own… doin’ jobs tha’ wasn’t so much about adventurin’ as they was about cleanin’ up, aye? By th’ time I realized tha’ Mum mighta been right an’ it were time I settled down an’ live what her an’ Papa would call a ‘respectable life’ fer a hairfoot, I’d wandered inta Star Falls an’, wouldncha know it, found somethin’ else I was good at tha’ din’t call fer ruttin’ around inna underwarrens an’ tryin’ ta get meself kilt fer other folk. I’d learned me a good deal about fletchin’ an’ bowmakin’ from them dwarves an’ this half-elf what traveled wit’ us fer a time, y’see, an’ Star Falls were lookin’ ta replace a bowyer who’d moved on from the place jus’ a coupla months afore I jandered inta town.

I’d made me a pretty decent fortune in me adventurin’ days, o’ course,” Divot leaned back, nestling the crude fishing pole between two of his toes and releasing the thing from his hands, “Nothin’ grand tha’d make fer kingly livin’, mind ya, but enough ta have bought up me little shop an’ get some supplies comin’ in… Hells, I even considered findin’ me a girl ta settle down wit’ an’ maybe raise up some wee cabbages o’ our own, eh?

O’course, them thoughts din’t last too awful long. Y’know how I get, sit in one spot too long an’ me bum gets itchy an’ th’ need fer excitement starts crawlin’ on ya like s’many spiders. Still hadn’t convinced meself tha’ Star Falls was the wrong place ta be, though. The shop was doin’ a good business fer a time an’ there were plenty ta keep me occupied in town, ‘specially once Dwarves an’ Babes opened up an’ gived us a place where ‘cuttin’ loose’ weren’t such a horrible thing ta do, aye? Go drinkin’, climb one o’ them tall-folk women on occasion, an’,” he sighed and rolled his eyes, “o’course, gamblin’ an’ gamin’. Y’know, I never were much fer real gamblin’ til D an’ B opened up, now tha’ I think on it… I mean, I played the dice here an’ there, an mebbe a game o’ cards, but that bit was usually onna road wit’ wahtever group I’d been roamin’ wit at th’ time, an’ the stakes weren’t much more’n a penny here an’ some plundered loot there, aye… ever what… th’ long an’ short of it all is tha’ I somehow managed ta let my bets get ahead o’ the funds I had ta cover ‘em an’, in a moment o’ true Divot dumbness, I ended up wagerin’ off me life, me very soul, ta th’ owner o’ the place…

…I don’ really recall zactly how long ago tha’ was, ta be true about the whole thing. Sometimes it seemed like more’n a lifetime, other times it seems like it couldna been more’n a days worth. Time tends ta lose any sorta meanin’ when yer days’re spent warshin’ dishes an’ yer nights’re spent bein’ Glaysa’s pin-cushion plaything.” Divot’s eyes took on an almost too distant look, then, and he sighed heavily, “I reckon that slitherin’ heifer kilt me more times’n I ever comed close ta bein’ when I were out inna world,” he said in a near whisper before falling silent for a long while.

((OOC: Okay… I guess I’ll leave it there for the time being and see what might unfold after Rayne’s scouting expedition. Unless anything urgent crops up, Divot will be content to fish and chit chat with Ulthy (and whoever else may want to join in, of course) and ponder on being free… ))

Conall spend most of the days lost in reflection. He stared into the water at his face and noticed how very weary he looked these days. As he turned his gaze internally he realized his soul was weary as well. It was true that the "old" him had died and so he truely had a chance to start anew. But how could he ignore his past, it was part of who he is. The paladin in him struggled to make sense of all that had occured while the independant streak cried out for recognition. Which one would emerge victorious in the struggle for his thoughts remianed to be seen.

Cor spent his days in the canoe but nights were spent on shore. One of the nights he approached the young halfling, Divot, again. "I have thought long about your words the other night. Seems you don't like lectures and I obviously do; I am a cleric what do you expect. Seems you have a way of gaining the attention of dwarven clerics. Last time you ignored the advice and the outcome was less than pleasent. It is your choice to head my counsil or not. I can no more force to to accept it than you can silence my voicing it. As for your brother 'leading' us to rescue you that is not exactly the way it occurred. Some of us had other reasons for facing the evil. Had I known you were there due to your own free choices you might still be held captive. If you care to, ask your brother how you stood to fair in my plan." There was no anger in Cor's voice, he was simply stating facts.


OOC: No disrespect taken on the last post. In fact it is the very type of posts that make the game interesting. Cor and Divot certainly will have a peculiar relationship.

Being back in a natural setting was heartening to the young Druidess. At the same time she was aware of the emotional output of the others. Connall was withdrawn and comtemplative, and Cynil knew enough to not interfer. Cor was his fatherly, clerical self, taking Divot to task for his transgressisons that lead him to be lodged in Hell. Althena and Hala were in the other canoe, so that she had little interaction with them during the day, and Rayne was busy throughout the day flying cover over the group and scouting.

Being the only female in her canoe left her basically alone with her thoughts. As they moved up river and then across the lake Cynil suffered a bit of jealousy, in the freedom that Rayne had, riding her pegasus through the sky. Rayne also had the added blessing of the companionship of her mount and her familiar.

To keep her mind from her thoughts, Cynil literally put her back into paddling the canoe. Perhaps she could develop some muscle, to become a better fighter.

Unfortunately the only thing that seemed to develop was aches and pains.

This day, like the many before it, had started out well enough. The weather was good and it was a nice clear day for flying and so far she had seen no posssible problems comeint their way. That was until Ranye saw aome shadowy shapes beneath the water. The long sahdows of afternoon from the tree cover near the river made identification nearly impossible.

"Well Ariel. take me closeer I need to figure out what these are and whether they presents a danger to the group." Rayne pats Ariel on the neck and directs her dow for a closer look.

Ariel swoops doen as Arven flies slose by. in a spiral she keeps her eyes on the dark shapes in the river. THE reflection on the water itself also added to the problem of seeing what lay below the surface. THe tall pines and firs of the forests cast longer and longer shadows and the sun dropped lower in the sky. Rayne needed to find out what these were and report back to the others.

From several different angles she tries to get a good look at them. If she can do so without landing she will, if not she will land and take a closer look. Rayne first sends her eagle owl, over the shapes and then communicates with him using her ring os aniimal communication if she still does not know she will look at them closer herself.