Sherwoodshire roleplaying

Walker notes Aislinn rubbing her arms and notes that the evening air isn't chill, but perhaps she is cold?

"Ummm, would you like my cloak. I just noticed you maybe seem a little chilled. Um, don't worry, hah, it's clean!" He offers to shrug off his cloak as he walks with her towards the meal.

"So, um, you don't know Marron that well? I was under the impression when I met you all back at the Keep that you, Marron and Saradoc were something of a group... you know, like, an adventuring party. Hah. The ones that usually have names attached to them! Do you have a name for your group? From what you've just said it seems like perhaps I just stumbled across similar people who had stumbled across each other, hah! I just assumed you were all tightly together as companions, probably with some fancy party name!

"Anyway, regarding Eye... I don't think I know enough to answer your questions, sadly. Aforementioned lack of magical aptitude an' all that. I don't think there's loyalty or friendship there. I wish there was. But - as I said - I don't understand magic but I get the feeling here that she is here, not necessarily against her will but not willingly either, if that makes sense... she just... IS. And she obeys my mental commands, communicates, and... well... I assume but wouldn't like to test it, would take a wound for me. But not in the same way as a faithful hound would try to protect its master.... it's... I don't know how to explain it. Again - hah - magic is beyond me. Perhaps when we do get back to the Keep you could ask Kitty what the nature of the bond is. I know that she - Eye, that is, not Kitty as far as I know, hah! - has been injured in the past and forced to ... well.... disappear. But she reappears healthily enough on the following day as I've inevitably spent a whole night worrying about her, hah!"

(damn forum not allowing you to edit your posts, grr)

"Also, just, about the peopling thing. If we're going to be travelling together, I just wanted to sort of make it a bit clearer because I know I'm prone to babbling. I just.... I plan in advance what to say. I am basically, an actor, hah! If I know I'm going into a village or meeting someone in an inn, or talking to a lady or... well, you know, whatever... I have time to plan out in my head what I'm going to be saying and what the responses might be, and - hah - this in particular - what my face should look like. Is this the same for everyone? Anyway, I just assume so, but it takes effort to plan out what expression and response I should have in a situation, which is why it's just a little bit much when there's a lot of unexpected stuff going on. So I don't have my expressions or my responses prepared. Sorry, probably too much information again. I just wanted to sort of explain why most people in the villages we meet will say how I'm such a sociable bloke and all that... hah. They don't see me rehearsing all the time while I'm walking there hehe. When I don't get the rehearsal time hah I tend to do the talking thing. Sort of like what I'm doing now. Ehh, yep and if you were to say something in response I can't guarantee that my expression would be appropriate, hah. I really REALLY don't intend to offend. I just need a little preparation time to think about how you might react, and then how I should make my face look. I'm doing this quickly and probably badly in my head right now and I'm thinking that either you're going to go with pity, concern - most likely - agreement - unlikely but would be good - veiled terror - not so good... but I also need to figure out which one you are thinking! I mean, the yelling for the guards or stabbing me or something is probably obvious but people are so good at saying things and meaning something else. So I'm not so happy with my plan of action right now. I don't know if I need to prepare a reassuring smile, a grateful smile - what the hells the difference is going to look like - a placating action with no weapons visible and looking for a running-away-option. Heh. All possibilities, just started this conversation before I had time to think about what my outcomes might need to be. [Walker taps his fingers together] Yes. Yup. Hm. Anyway. Dinner." Walker gives a sort of hopeful tentative smile with his hands most definitely clear from his weapons.

Marron cheerfully congratulates Walker on joining the party and remarks "I can see why they call you Walker 'the Talker'!"

Marron then thanks Aislinn and Walker for agreeing to stay for the feast and moves away to help Saradoc load the Dragon Hide and the pack (letting the hobbit know to inform Kitty that it contains 'The Herbs from the Crag.')

Saradoc sets off with the hobbit merchant to Percival's Keep.

(DM: Assume that Walker and Eye can communicate if they are in line of sight - which is about a mile vertically up out of doors on a clear day with no ground cover!
Eye is a real bird that has been magically enhanced, so can indeed travel away to the Keep with Saradoc and listen in to his conversations. N.B. The staff at the Keep are familiar (heh) with Walker's familiar and will feed and generally look after her. Note that Eye would need to fly back to Walker to pass on any information gained that way.)

Walker and Aislinn have a quiet conversation (Walker notices that the women have giggled a bit in his direction and then dispersed.)

After all the above events have finished, Farmer Giles appears and greets Aislinn, Marron and Walker. He asks politely "Once our hearty meal is completed, would you do me the honour of providing some entertainment?
I heard that you impressed Count Percival on one such occasion - it would be a celebration of your great Deed as well.'

Marron nods. "I cannot speak for my companions, but I would be delighted to offer something."
Giles promptly thanks him.

Marron whispers to Aislinn and Walker "I can play my flute ... and then if it would assist either of you, I can cast the Clerical spell Light to make an object glow brightly."

Walker's eyes flick immediately to Aislinn in a brief panic-moment, given his (admittedly one-sided) conversation he just had with her.

"Umm. I, umm. Well, we could, umm. I'm not really anything of a performer, hah. I, umm. I suppose I could give an account of what occurred, but I am more used to giving these sorts of accounts to the - heh - to the Count, hah, sorry, bad pun, but anyway, I mean. Well. I'm used to reporting back when I've returned from a journey. I give the necessary information, I pass on questions and grievances, and suchlike... I wouldn't say it's anything particularly entertaining. I try to keep strictly to the facts and such, so that the scribe only gets the facts of the matter. I'm no bard spinning wild tales of glory, hah! I report the facts back to the Keep or bring the news to the villages. I don't see how I can be any help with entertaining people."

He thinks for a moment, genuinely lost in how he could possibly be of any use here. He wasn't telling a word of a lie when speaking to Aislinn just now - lying just isn't a thing that makes any sense to Walker, and it has taken him quite a bit of people-watching to spot the signs of people being untruthful, but it's a skill he's not quite mastered himself. It is just literally not in his nature to tell an untruth. Telling a story is... well, it's telling the facts*, like a report to the Count, or it's a story like the bards do. He's watched bards give fine performances that he knows quite well are works of fiction, but he just doesn't really quite get the point of it and certainly doesn't have any clue how he'd be able to do anything here. Maybe with enough time he could try to put words together that sound more like the bards manage than just a status report? Unlikely.

As he is internally arguing with himself in this fraction of a second as he processes Farmer Giles' request and Marron's apparent willingness to comply, Walker feels a familiar tug in his brain and looks up to see Eye. She gives him the Look again, and in his head he hears her familiar voice. "It's fine. We've got this. WE have got this, okay? Let the others lead. I can help."


* (though, admittedly, probably unbeknownst to Walker, he's probably taken someone at their word and repeated a story that was unwittingly untrue. He would tend to take someone at their word, or at least if there was some foul play going on, interrogate to be happy enough that the truth was being said. A simple tale about some shenanigins in a village he will probably just take at face-value. He's not an idiot, he just isn't good at people.)

Farmer Giles ushers Aislinn, Marron and Walker into the large farm kitchen, where heaps of food with a jolly pleasant aroma awaits.
The party are invited to join the Farmer at the head of the table, with shepherds, farmhands and other workers also seated.
Before the meal, Giles says cheerfully "Blessing to Nimue for her bounty and to Arthur for his protection...now let's eat!"

There is a happy hum of conversation and plenty of plate-passing of the delicious simple fare.

The party are welcome to chat ...

... and later on in the meal Giles remarks proudly "All this food is from my farm, so as local as you like. Farmer Maggot is my good neighbour and he also produces fine food. You may have noticed that we compete every year for trophies at the Shire Fair."

As the meal comes to a close, Giles looks expectantly at the party.

Marron mutters to his colleagues "Would you like me to perform on the flute now? Remember I can cast a Light spell if desired..."

Aislinn, when she had the opportunity earlier, reassured Walker that she finds nothing odd about having to wear a sort of figurative 'mask' to fit in, or to practice one's behavior and reactions with care--not to mention the desire to hide whatever differences that seem to exist between oneself and others. The bandages are one example, although she didn't express that to Walker.

"If you ever need help to 'translate' something that is hard to understand," she told him earlier, "...or even a hint how to react should you wish, I'll try to oblige. Me, it's more of a choice. I prefer to hide my own reactions to things. It's easier to be ignored that way. But that's just..." She had shrugged and left the rest unspoken.

Now she sees Walker's reaction and places a very gentle, light and hopefully calming hand on his sleeve before slipping it away. Although she herself would very much like to hide--she's brought enough attention to herself in the square with the gamblers--she'll try to keep attention off him if necessary.

"I suppose if we must sing for our supper," she murmurs to Marron and Walker with a quick, guarded look at Farmer Giles some yards away, "I could do the lullaby again. I'm no poet or entertainer. I could do card tricks for them but after those knaves pulled their stunt, I'd rather not. Why don't you play first, Marron. That might appease them all."

Privately, to Walker, she belatedly thanks him for the offer of the cloak, but denies being cold. "Ever since the funeral I've been oddly... restless. Like I've been sitting too long and need to run. But even moving's not enough. I'm waiting for something. Good or bad, I don't know, but something in me is expecting something and it's just... not... happening."

She scowls, trying to think of a better explanation, since Walker might need a clearer description given the things he told her about himself. Then one strikes her. "You know when you think you have to sneeze and you're all ready to, it's almost there, but then... don't? And it's almost disappointing? That's how I feel."

Walker nods his thanks to Aislinn. She seems to understand him in some way, though he wasn't really sure that his sentences or thoughts were coherent. Maybe other people think the same way? He has noticed the bandages on her face but doesn't know about the reason for them, and - knowing himself how sometimes people like to conceal an aspect of themselves, be that personality or physicality, or ... whatever. It's not his place to ask or to draw attention. He certainly knows that he himself is more comfortable if people don't draw attention to anything that he would do to seem "odd".

"I understand what you mean about the sneeze, by the way. That thing you know is about to happen and then just ... doesn't. Hah. Sorry. I just thought you might be cold. But this itch.... is it something you think you need to act on? Is it something you've had before? If you've had it before, is it like... sort of something that portends an event or something worry about? Is it... do you think it's something that is affecting you personally, or is it something that is .... I don't know, a warning from elsewhere? Or maybe the nearby presence of something that is affecting you? Do you have any allergies? Or has someone perhaps hexed you in some way, do you think? Have you annoyed anyone... sorry, personal question. Actually, sorry, too many questions in general. Anyway. It seems we have...... ehhhhh..... it seems we have to perform." Walker's shoulders visibly slump.

Looking up at Eye, he then shrugs at Aislinn, "I have nothing for a performance. I'm not a performer. But if you can sing and Marron can play, I think Eye here could perform some aerial tricks. She would be even more impressive if Marron could use this 'Light' he mentioned to maybe illuminate her as she flies? I have a length of string and a lure that we practice with out in the fields - she swoops and comes to catch it then it's snatched away, that sort of thing. I don't think I'd even need to swing the lure around, to be honest, she knows what we need to do here. If Marron can maybe make her a bit more ... shiny? ... [Eye is currently a dark brown shape up in the dark brown shadows in the rafters] then she could perhaps put on a bit of a display of swooping and suchlike. Hah. I don't know. She just said that she'd help me. If you're singing and he's playing, perhaps she can be some visual display?"

Walker shrugs awkwardly and looks up at Eye, knowing she has heard all of this both with her keen hearing and in their mind link. He hears a soft voice in his mind, "I'll do what I can."

Marron quietly thanks Walker and Eye for offering to help.
He adds to his comrades "I'm sure that just having a magically-lit hawk fly whilst I play will really suit this audience. And Aislinn can then see if she wants to join in or not."

Marron casts Light on Eye, then begins a gentle tune on his flute as the illuminated Eye flies overhead.
Soon the two performers are working together - when Marron plays a flowing ripple, Eye swoops in accompaniment.

When they finish, the spectators beat the table in appreciation, then rise in a standing ovation.

Aislinn relaxes and stays seated as it's clear the party have fully entertained Farmer Giles and company.

As the workers wave cheerily at the party and depart, Farmer Giles heartily congratulates the adventurers, who are then shown to their room...

Walker looks visibly relieved as Eye takes centre-stage along with Marron's playing. She really is a beautiful bird and he always appreciates seeing her in flight like this - the way she can tuck her wings in for a swift dive, or spread them and soar. He hears her voice again in his head, with a certain cheeky tone to it, "I think I've got a career in this, what do you reckon?", as she swoops down over the guests again, wings alight and trailing flickers of the light spell that Marron has cast, managing to time it to the lilting tune he is playing.

As the evening draws to a close Walker would like to speak with his new companions before they turn in for the night.

"So, um. I think that went well. They didn't pelt us with rotten fruit at least! Seriously though, lovely playing, Marron. And thank you for the light display for my friend here. [He gives scritches to the back of Eye's neck]. I just wanted to sort of ask... where are you headed from here? Saradoc's going ahead to the keep and Eye's about to set off to fly with him and hopefully send back any urgent news, but have you two got any business I can help you with? What were you planning on doing. Hah! I guess we never really got to that part of the introductions. I've said what I do, but I don't know what your purpose is. I don't mean your life's purpose, hah! Just as in, where are you planning on heading next? Or do you just wait for news from the Keep? I suppose what I'm asking is, do either of you have a pressing Thing that you would like us all to help you with? I, for my part, am literally just wandering and helping out where I can, I have no pressing matters unless one gets pressed upon me, hah!"

Aislinn sits on a chair, hugging both knees up against her chest, as she looks at Eye and Walker with longing--not for the first time.

"I don't think we've anything specific ahead of us," she says eventually. "We only fought the dragon because it happened to attack while we were nearby. If the Count plans to assign us anything, I suppose we'll hear that from Saradoc--or your hawk. Walking around seems aimless to me but if that's what the Guild expects of us..."

With a shrug she looks down at her feet, toes curling inside her boots to keep warm--and also, more unconsciously, to make herself smaller. It's similar to the way she sleeps. She's slept curled up in a tiny ball since she left the Lizardfolk, and the habit hasn't changed even after a year with the scouts.

Walker shrugs, "Ok, well, I assume we'll see what tomorrow brings."

(with DM's permission for potential extension of a spell for narrative effect! - I assume the Light spell would have ended, but it would be nice for Eye to still be glowing :) )

A still-glowing Eye sits up on Walker's shoulder, but with the mental equivalent of a glance, she hops down to sit on the table between Walker and Aislinn. She stretches her neck in a way that's clearly showing the part where Aislinn has seen Walker give her scritches in their time together, sort of like a cat might look like it wants petting. It's hard to convey emotion in the black eyes of a hawk, but her slight slight shrug of the shoulders and stretch of the neck should convey the meaning. As she knows that she can't talk into Aislinn's mind as she can with Walker, she says to him in his mind, "I'd like scritches, please. She looks like she has nice hands. Also, she looks like she needs someone to give scritches to. I've seen her looking at me. Maybe she used to have a pet? Maybe she just wants to ruffle my lovely feathers. But I think she'd appreciate it. Don't tell her this, of course."

Eye preens herself calmly.

Walker blushes again and says to Aislinn, "Umm. Eye would like some petting, she says apparently your hands look better than mine. I feel a bit bad that I've been giving her inadequate scritches, hah!"

Marron smiles happily as Walker and Aislinn seem to bond.

He explains to Walker that the Light spell will last for about 20 minutes (the time increases as Marron gains levels) and adds "So far so good for our Guild - we have the respect of the Count and many locals."

Marron continues carefully "Walker, you are an ideal chap to help us with your fighting prowess and local knowledge. Would you consider joining us as an associate member of the respected Drannasmor Scout Guild?
Our mission (should you decide to accept it) would be to first return to the Keep to claim our reward, then look for a possible headquarters for a branch of the Scout Guild here in Sherwoodshire. All the while we would try to help the decent folk in the area and foil the plans of evildoers!"

Blinking in surprise at Walker's offer, Aislinn distractedly agrees with Marron that returning to the Keep for any reward is a good plan. Possibly there will be some order from the Count, as well, or perhaps other word from the Guild.

She looks from Eye to Walker and back again, then starts to reach out slowly toward the hawk. Then, seeing her glove, she retreats and pulls off the glove from her ringless right hand before again moving closer.

Her fingertips tremble a bit as they rest on Eye's smooth brow. Aislinn inhales and holds her breath while gingerly petting and, when comfortable doing so, scritching the bird's incredibly soft neck. She glances quickly at Walker to flash him a small grateful smile before returning focus to Eye.

"I'm sure you do a fine job," she says in a reverent whisper to the ranger. "I can't imagine what having a Familiar is like but I doubt Eye would be so trusting now if you'd displeased her in some way. Likely she'd not tolerate anyone touching her if she had been mistreated." Aislinn's face burns and she falls silent, just enjoying the ability to connect, even briefly, with such a wild and noble creature.

When the bird seems to have had enough, she'll give Eye's head a final stroke and retreat a respectful distance, putting her glove back on while murmuring her thanks to both Eye and Walker.

Eye looks to Walker and communicates something at length that Aislinn can't catch - obviously - and Walker nods before passing on the message.

"Umm. Eye would like me to convey that your scritiches were [and at this point he gives a brief glare at his hawk] 'above average' [second glare] and that if you wouldn't mind, she would like you to be be - her words, not mine - "Chief Scritcher". So. Ummm. I sort of guess that means she likes you, hah!"

At this point, Eye would hop up to Aislinn's shoulder, tentatively.... she has been on the bench next to her so would judge whether it would be ok to hop up onto her shoulder. In Walker's head he just hears, "I like this one. Good scritches. I assume you don't mind if I perch here...?" She will attempt to hop up to sit in the familiar place Aislinn has seen her on Walker's shoulder.

Eye being a very cunning bird, would react to any sense that this wasn't comfortable. She just liked the petting she got there and wouldn't mind more of it.

Walker, of course hearing the echoes of all of this in his mind, is a little miffed that Eye has found someone to give better scritches. But then again, at the end of the day, she is a boon to him that he never thought he - him with no magical ability at all! - would ever have as a companion, and if someone else's hands are softer for stroking, then so be it!

Walker also wonders how he can convey Eye's thoughts to Aislinn better, so that she can ... he doesn't know... somehow have something like the communication or connection that he has? Probably not possible, but he thinks that Eye has made a good connection with Aislinn. Something to think on for further communications,,,,


"Umm! And, Marron, yes, I would be heading back to the keep anyway probably. My plan was for Eye to fly along with Saradoc here, who clearly wants a headstart, then let her give us notice of what might be needing our attention. Mine and Eye's, that was, hah. You're welcome to join in! If you would accept me, then yes I would gladly take the role of an associate member and of course I would do as I've always been doing here - helping the decent folk and trying to stop the others, hah! I mean, it's not a difficult decision to make in life, is it?"

For
[DM: not sure who's check this is? would like Eye to attempt to perch upon Aislinn's shoulder. Not sure if it's an Aislinn "WTF GET AWAY FROM ME" roll or what]

Pleased--for some reason embarrassingly so--by the news that Eye approves of her, Aislinn thanks and conveys her willingness to, well, scritch, first addressing Eye, then Walker. (It seems like the proper order of things, if Eye is as individual as any thinking living creature.)

When Eye hops closer and makes overtures to flap up on her shoulder, Aislinn instinctively jerks back in surprise. The hawk is not a little bird, particularly to someone as small as her. But from the looks Walker's giving her, and even... she's not sure how she knows this, but even from something in Eye's gem-like onyx gaze... there's no threat or anger intended.

If Eye does actually flap up to her shoulder, this too will alarm the young woman. Eye's wings are powerful and talons not exactly gentle as they grip her left shoulder. But small discomfort aside, it's a breathtaking honor (literally, since again Aislinn is holding her breath in wonder) to be so trusted. And how wonderful to consider the possibility that, not only has Aislinn proven her trustworthiness, but Aislinn can trust Eye, as well.

She remembers that Arctic Wolf from her childhood, far away in the forest but still near enough to reveal pale, ice-blue eyes glinting in the moonlight and the wind ruffling the soft white fur on its neck and chest. She felt safe then and with its mystical counterpart, perhaps gone forever now. But here is Eye. Not her bird, not her Familiar or even a friend. But it's someone she might let in.

Wincing--Eye's claws are sharp enough to be felt even though her shoulder's covered with her tunic, leather jacket and wool cloak--Aislinn nonetheless gives another smile to first Eye, then Marron to see if he approves of this, and finally Walker. "You may have said," she says in a quiet even voice intended not to disturb the hawk. "Forgive me if so. But how long have you and Eye--I mean, the hawk, not me--been... together? How do such connections form?"

Walker nods in approval to Eye, who checks over her shoulder before hopping as gently as she can up onto Aislinn's arm, noting that there is a slight flinch but that overall it seems acceptable. She is aware that her talons might be painful but can't do much about that. She senses that Aislinn seems somewhat comforted by the presence of a creature and conveys this to Walker's mind, "This one has an affinity for animals... I'm not sure if birds or.... something else. Did she not summon a wolf before? I was far away but I caught it in your mind and you've mentioned it since. Does she have a pet or companion like me? Or lost one? Is the wolf lost? Or something more mundane like a pet at home?"

Walker blinks, it's always a little confusing when someone is talking to you in person and then Eye's voice is also in your head! It's like trying to follow two conversations at the same time and he misses part of Aislinn's question [waiting on GM info!] but replies, "Oh, hah! As I think I've said, probably too many times hah, I don't have any magic myself. Druid Kitty managed to bottle up a spell...? I think...? I don't know how it works. I've met wizards and suchlike who can summon companions like Eye here, but they do it via a spell. Druid Kitty managed, I think, to make that spell into a potion... I drank the potion - which tasted vile, by the way - and then sort of, meditated? for a while and Eye came to me. She just flew down from the sky and seems just like a normal hawk [ Eye turns to give a definite glare to him ] but just spoke straight into my mind, and said that she would be my companion. She sometimes goes and does her own thing [at this point Walker gives a semi-glare to Eye, perched on Aislinn's arm and preening herself ] but we have this.... .I don't know to to explain. Maybe someone with magic can explain? She speaks... not out loud, obviously... but she speaks and I hear it in my mind, and she can hear me too. So, that's how the connection formed, I guess. I don't know, sorry, if I could give more info I would.

"Umm. Eye says that she notices you are good with animals, or at least seem to be comfortable. She says she noted your flinch initially, hah, and says she's trying to be gentle with her talons. Heh, there is a reason I wear this! [Walker gestures to his thick leather pauldrons] But yes, she just wanted to know, do you have a pet or a companion? Sorry if it's a personal question, it's just difficult to convey what a bird is saying in my head to you, I'm basically being a translator here, hah! I admit now that obviously I don't know anything about you or your background, I don't even know if you live just around the corner and have a beloved dog to return home to, hah!"

(Walker is back to babbling because asking personal questions is difficult, and he knows - though Eye knows less - that there is an issue about a wolf that seems to appear sometimes and maybe die? Or not die? He is desperate to ask about this, prompted by Eye's comments about Aislinn being seemingly comforted by an animal, but it's just too difficult to ask and even with his social awkwardness, gets that this might be a step too far and that breaching the wolf-issue will come up when Aislinn's ready. For now maybe it's just a family pet sitting at home that she's thinking of. Yup.)

"So, yep. Yep yep. I'm going to stop talking now and let you and Marron do your planning. Just wanted to let you know that Eye is happy there if you're happy with her there. She's pretty keen at sensing if it's not comfortable for you. Just saying. She seemed to think you would like it, and she clearly [another slight glare] appreciates your touch, so just shrug her off if it becomes annoying, or painful. I guess, if she is going to be landing on you for a while I should probably lend me one of my pauldrons, hah!"

[DM: If both Eye and Walker are happy for Aislinn to pet Eye, then no roll is needed by them. Meanwhile Aislinn can react however she likes.
P.S. There are some notes on Familiars in the companion thread.]

Marron is nodding cheerfully at this sign of friendship between his companions and he welcomes Walker joining the Scouts.

Eye settles on Aislinn’s shoulder and accepts her scritches.
The bird then swivels its head and takes a gentle peck at the bandage on Aislinn’s left cheek. Before Aislinn can react, the bandage is drawn back enough to reveal a tattoo – a capital E followed by two upright oars.

As Aislinn hastily replaces the bandage (and Eye flutters back to Walker), Marron gasps “That E means an Empire Slave tattoo! But have no fear - your secret is safe with me. I will never let the evil Empire recapture you!”
After a slight pause he adds “Errr … what does the rest of the tattoo mean?”

Aislinn, who was about to respond to Walker's courteous questions, is shocked by Eye's sudden gesture and though she yanks the bandages back in place in hopes that the others might not have seen, that hope is dashed.

Face aflame with mortification, Aislinn jumps up from her seat and backs away from her colleagues. She can't bear to look at either of them, especially Marron. His blurted observation hardly gives her confidence in his ability to keep secrets, noble Arthurian though he may be.

(She does give Eye a stricken look of betrayal, although of course the Hawk was just doing what birds do.)

The day has been a disaster. First Psshtpok reveals far more than she would wish to have shared--else she would have, after a year of training with the Scouts--and now this.

At least they have not seen the whole of her face. She doesn't know what the rest means any more than any of the Lizardfolk did, or these men either. But it means something and she suspects it is not to her favor.

"I--I don't know what to do," she manages, aiming the words at Walker. "I've tried so hard to..." Her hand flutters weakly toward her bandage before she drops her arm and finally faces Marron. "Why would you--how could you not understand that I did not want you to know, much less speak of this? You may mean your promise, but how can I trust it?"

After a few seconds Aislinn exhales and covers her eyes. "But what choice have I? If I leave I'll never know what you've shared, accidentally or purposely. If you are lawful you would have a right to report me to any Empire patrol you meet up with; I am theirs legally. If I stay..."

She shakes her head wearily and hugs herself. "You might know already that harboring an escaped--someone like me--endangers the group. Me most of all, but you as well. Empire patrols will not spare any protectors. I am in your hands now. If you have questions of me, do so. But I can't provide much." Her voice is soft but bitter. "I don't know much."

Walker sees this happen and has an immediate - and quite angry - conversation in his head with Eye.

"WHAT THE HECK? EYE! You and I BOTH know that whatever Aislinn is covering is something important to her! I know as well as you do that we've both seen her adjust those bandages because she didn't want whatever scar, tattoo, disfigurement, whatever was seen! We've both seen this and we haven't commented because IT WOULDN'T BE POLITE! You KNEW this! What the heck were you thinking?! I thought you had just managed to gain her trust and now you do this??"

Eye just glances at Walker and gives a bird-shrug.

As this mental tirade happens, Walker would glance aside as Aislinn adjusts her bandages, but would not help but notice Marron's reaction, and seeing the tattoo himself he knows what it means, but would not say anything until she speaks.

"Aislinn. I... I know what it means. Both parts. I know what it must have taken you to get here, and I know that there are some who would use that to their advantage, [he gives one of his customary shrugs] and would [he hesitates slightly]... sell you back to where you came from. I have only just met the pair of you but I hope you can take me at my Word. I swear that I would not reveal anything you do not want revealed, and I also swear that I would protect you against those who would try to.... well, either reveal what you don't want revealing [at this point he gives a very pointed glare at Marron and a mental-equivalent of a glare at Eye] and certainly against those who would try to capture you to sell you back into ... whatever hells you were in. I'm sorry for Eye. She... I guess she knew what she was doing, but I had no part in that. I could see - as could she, the little sod - that you wanted to keep that from us.

"I know you have no reason to trust me, so all I can do is give you my Word, and to me, that is the most important thing a man can give. I give my Word that you are safe with me - as far as I can protect you - and there is the Law, and the LAW. Some laws are not right. I believe myself to be lawful of character but I will not - cannot - abide by laws that cause harm or imprisonment or enslavement of innocents."

Walker looks up to Marron, unsure how to judge this. "I would not report, nor fear an Empire patrol. You have known each other longer as a pair of Scouts. I would assume that you would be the same and that your promise is true."

Looking back to Aislinn, "I honestly with all of my heart trust Druid Kitty. There may be something, some potion or salve that could help disguise whatever else you are hiding. I recognised the sigil - you were on a boat? I don't want to ask too many questions, hah! You said you don't have much to give us, but do you know where you came from? Also.... it's probably too much to ask, but Eye only revealed that, which both Marron and I - and Eye - recognised.... is there anything else? Maybe one of us would know something if you don't?

"Also, just as a suggestion, and we don't have to even mention you.... Druid Kitty is well used to me coming to her to ask for various potions and poultices for the villagers I've visited, so even if you would be unwilling to reveal your face to her, I'm sure we could come up with something that would possibly conceal it, if you were concerned that your bandage might come loose?

"In terms of Empire patrols... well, your disguise seems to have worked well so far, hah! At least until some sodding bird decided to intervene [another glare at Eye, who is studiously ignoring him] so if you want to continue together, as I said, I would aim to protect you and I swear that I would not give you up to the Empire."

Walker bows his head slightly, and Aislinn would notice that his hand reaches up and just for a moment he grasps the circular pendant that hangs on a chain around his neck.

Marron is mortified and apologises to Aislinn. "I am so sorry - I should have realised you did not want to speak of this. My only defence is that I stand completely opposed to everything the Mordred Cabal does."

He waits for Walker to speak, then adds "I cannot believe that Count Percival would allow escaped slaves to be taken back from within his beloved Sherwoodshire. It is one thing to have diplomatic relations with an enemy - quite another to allow them to operate with impunity. Now the Empire may try to seize you illegally - but I will defend your liberty with my life if necessary! That is the Arthurian Tradition."

Marron chokes back a tear.

Aislinn tries to slow her breathing. The trained instinct to kneel in apology--it must have been trained into her, she cannot believe this comes naturally--is so strong she must hold onto the door handle to remain on her feet.

"Forgive my harshness, Master Marron. Of course you meant no harm." She tries to meet his gaze, then shifts to Walker. "Please don't blame Eye, sir. It wasn't purposeful. Unless ensorcelled, animals aren't capable of cruelty. Not that sort of cruelty, anyway."

She swallows. "I'm very grateful for your assurances. Both of you. Truly, I don't know what I should do. No one but the Lizardmen have seen this--this thing." Her hand rises to her cheek, as if hiding what's already beneath the bandage. "I didn't even know I had it when they rescued me. They told me what I must have escaped, but I remember nothing of that life before waking up in their care. Almost nothing," she says softly, gaze falling to the floor before she looks up again.

"I was warned of the danger, if anyone saw the marks. Lizardfolk have little magic, so they couldn't have vanished or obscured it even if there's some spell or potion to do so. But I've never heard of there being any such ability, not for long."

Aislinn turns back to Walker. "You may be right about Mistress Kitty; I would like to return to her and ask for the boon; she does seem powerful. Whether I should travel with you both, though... I'm honored by your promises of protection and secrecy. But I--I don't know I should believe them, or if they even can be fulfilled." Her face burns in awkward embarrassment. "Please know, if I don't trust such vows, it's not because of you yourselves. I'm just--there are reasons--" She cuts off her words, knowing they must seem insulting to people with such fervent beliefs.

The thought of leaving Marron, a familiar face since beginning her training, is overwhelming. And Walker too. She's known him but a single day and already he's been so kind and gallant. Will she have to be alone again? Return to the year she spent scurrying through villages like a fleeing mouse?

But surely that's better than relying on near-strangers. Or worse, far worse, endangering them.

Aislinn shakes her head. The magnitude of what she's just done--how vulnerable she's made herself by speaking so much, revealing all this after years of silence. Panic churns in her stomach and threatens to move up to constrict her breath.

"I'm sorry, I need the night air," she finishes weakly, her hand clutching the door handle even more tightly. "And we should rest, anyway. Can we speak on the morrow?"

Marron replies to Aislinn "Of course - it's been a long day and we deserve some relaxation."

Aislinn steps out of the room.

Marron grins at Walker "We did really well today - I look forward to our reward when we return to Percival's Keep."

As Aislinn leaves the room, she almost collides with a manservant who is carrying a wooden crate.
The startled chap stares at Aislinn, gives out a scream, drops the crate and scurries off towards the kitchen.

Just seeing a man right outside the door--inches from where she's been revealing dangerous, shameful truths about herself--seizes Aislinn's heart with a clenched fist of fear. He heard, she thinks with grim certainty. He heard!

And he's searching for someone to report her to.

She staggers back several steps toward the opposite end of the corridor, preparing to run, but then realizes flight will do little if this man gets away and shares her location. Terrified and furious at herself, she stares from right to left, seeing nothing to use as a weapon. Really there's nowhere to flee, anyway.

The man must be stopped. But Aislinn isn't fast enough, she can't possibly pose a threat--

A single impulse bursts from where it lay buried in her brain, her head aching as if it's physically split her skull in two. Crying out and closing her eyes against the pain, she doesn't think, she doesn't move, she just does the only thing that feels right and true. It's hopeless, she knows: the protection she seeks died thanks to her poor use of it--killed in front of her.

All this flashes in her thoughts before it's crushed into a tiny speck, enveloped by a greater power. The futility of what she's about to do doesn't seem to matter to her instinct, which seems to act on its own, practically forcing her to swing her arm out in front of her to aim a gloved finger at the hallway ahead.

Aislinn holds her breath before uttering a single whispered command: "Wolf."

As then manservant disappears round a corner, a large, muscular White Wolf appears next to Aislinn.

Hearing the scream, Marron glances at Walker, then strides out of the room (one hand on his Holy Symbol and the other on one of his Clubs.)

Seeing no combat, Marron studies the White Wolf with a mixture of nervousness, respect and recognition. He murmurs "I've seen you before - you're on our side, aren't you?"

The crate the manservant was carrying has slightly split open - revealing freshly picked vegetables.

Hearing the feminine-sounding scream, Walker notes that it doesn't sound like Aislinn, but came from the direction she just left in. Seeing Marron striding ahead he murmurs in his mind and Eye flies on ahead above Marron while Walker follows behind Marron. Eye would probably see first, and would convey to Walker in his mind, "Uhh. Massive wolf. This one the friendly one? Can't see any damsels in distress. Aislinn looks ok. Bit panicked but I don't think she's been attacked. There's some vegetables....?"

Walker at this point would have received this information and caught up to Marron and sees him talking to the wolf. He looks to Aislinn and asks, quietly and tentatively, as she still seems somewhat panicky and/or unsure of the situation, "Is this your wolf? The one that helped you before? How did it come here? I... I didn't see it come in? I thought it was de... never mind... Also, is someone injured? We heard a woman scream."

Eye would fly ahead to see what she can see around the end of the corridor.

Eye flies down the corridor and makes a smooth turn.
The hawk can see (and hear) Farmer Giles comforting a slightly distressed manservant.

Giles is reassuring and comments that anyone could be on edge after the events of the last two days.
He tells the manservant to get a cup of hot mead from the kitchen and recover the vegetables later.

Giles then looks up, sees Eye and raises a hand in salute.
He speaks to the bird "Everything OK? Tell Walker I'm coming."
Giles starts to stroll down the corridor towards the party.

Aislinn stands stock still. She's shocked by what she just did, shocked by the strange circle of warmth on her left ring finger that's now fading, and above all shocked to see Wolf again. Kneeling to the animal's height--actually, he's large enough to be a little taller than her when she kneels--she stares into his arctic blue eyes. "You're back," she murmurs in wonder.

But there's no time for a reunion. She recovers and quickly points down the corridor. "Hurry, attack the--"

The order dies unspoken--probably luckily for her companions. For beyond the wolf, she sees Walker. Marron. Eye flying towards her. They're in Wolf's way if he's going to catch the stranger.

But then she also sees a box of vegetables strewn on the floor. When reason seeps back into her panicked mind, Aislinn cringes in shame. The man had been afraid. Not predatory. Not greedy. Just scared.

"Hold. There is no danger," she says hoarsely. Marron--and then Walker--approaches to examine Wolf. "I'm sorry," she blurts to the men, so aghast she can't look at them. "I--I'm all right. I thought--there was someone right by the door, and I thought he might be... a threat."

This is precisely what Aislinn has tried to avoid since leaving the first Lizardfolk tribe: calling attention to herself. As she feared, being among people may not be good for her.

She continues staring at the Wolf. "As for Wolf... I thought he was dead, killed by the dragon. I wasn't able to call him back before and I assumed... I don't understand it. I don't understand why he's here now. If I ask when I need him, he appears. That's what he did when I was a child, too. But if I ask when I just want him... That doesn't seem to be enough." She looks questioningly at Wolf. "Is that it?" she whispers.

But he doesn't speak, which disappoints but doesn't surprise her. She and the Wolf are not like Walker and Eye.

Aislinn would test her theory by asking Wolf to leave, then attempting to call him back now that she doesn't need him. But she's afraid to be without him just now. She's confused and unnerved, and would very much like to have him by her side as she walks.

"Forgive me for causing any alarm. And thank you for trying to help." The words are to both her companions and Wolf. After a slight hesitation, she reaches out and tries to let Wolf catch the scent of her hand. Maybe it will trust her enough to allow her to pet him? While doing this, she forces herself to add: "Master Walker... when Eye flew down there, she didn't see anything untoward? I know it was nothing but I--I must ask."

Walker's eyes blink briefly as Aislinn and Marron would assume he is hearing something in his mind from Eye.

"She says the man - really that was a man? Wow, ok. Anyway - is ok. Farmer Giles is here, he's reassured the man.... he was only scared because everything has been a little nervy around here recently and he wasn't expecting someone to come in through that staff door.

"Your ...? wolf, is she... it... they.... here for good? Are they ok? I........."

At this point you can see Walker clearly running through situations in his head.

"That's a very .... very nice........ very nice, yes.... but also very large and ......... sorry, can't put it in other words... very obvious wolf. Can you ..... I don't know how this works, you say it comes when you need it, but what after then? The imminent need (not sure there actually was one) has gone (and dropped his vegetables along the way) so does your wolf - assuming it's yours and it's not about to attack us - just disappear? Or did it jump through a window to get to you? I don't see how it could BE here, aside from magic. Which I guess came from you? And now....... I don't want to be awkward about this, but there's a massive wolf right next to you, and if it doesn't go away with magic, we are going to have a slight problem walking out of here."

[noticing as he says this that Aislinn is indeed kneeling next to the wolf]

"Are you talking to it in its mind? - it looks like you're talking to it - ok, what does it say? Is it magical? Will it stay or leave? ................... if it's staying then we have the aforementioned problem of getting out of here without terrifying everyone with a massive WOLF!"

At that point, presumably, or not too much later, Eye would swoop gracefully back around the corner, followed not too far behind by Farmer Giles.

As Wolf makes no defensive reaction to her gesture, Aislinn bites her lip and removes the glove from her right hand. Then hesitantly, cautiously, she extends her reach to stroke his head. His fur is as luxuriously thick and warm as she imagined--and the wolf pushes up against her hand as if pleased. Oh, how wonderful, she thinks in delight.

Continuing to pet Wolf very gently, she hears Walker's questions and obvious anxiousness about the possibility of suddenly being saddled with a huge Arctic Wolf.

"Truthfully I don't know who's doing the magic. I think it's... both?" Aislinn again looks into Wolf's eyes for some sign of an answer, but again gets confirmation that Wolf is not a Familiar.

"When in jeopardy I've called out for him three times now. First, when this large sea monster attacked us before arriving at the Keep, he appeared and attacked the enemy. I didn't see exactly what happened but the beast snapped out at Wolf and--injured him, I suppose. I don't remember. I'm sorry, my memory is..."

Flushing, Aislinn shakes her head. "I don't even recall how I knew to call for a wolf. Or for the mist, either. It just seems instinctive. I must have done it before."

She sighs when, predictably now, her head begins to throb. Quickly Aislinn changes her thoughts to the present and focuses on petting Wolf from nose to back. This too seems to be welcome. Perhaps Eye is right, and her scritching is of high quality.

"Anyway, then we fought the Dragon and I saw, I saw, the Dragon bite into and swallow him." Did she really see that? Or did she assume that after the bite, once Wolf was gone, it must have been eaten?

"And I called him just now, when I thought--I thought that man had listened outside our door and heard about my--my situation. But nothing's happened to Wolf this time. I wonder if he's in some realm, and can hear me if I beckon? And if he has the ability to vanish back there, to save himself, if actual harm befalls him?"

Aislinn gives Wolf a faint, rueful smile. "Marvelous indeed to have such a skill. I would give anything for that." Then she glances back to Walker. "You see he isn't dangerous, not to me. He doesn't talk to me, nor understand--well, I suppose he must; he does do as asked when I tell him what I need. So he has some intelligence. But otherwise he's a wolf." A miraculous wolf. Thank you, noble creature.

Finally she must address Walker's most serious concern. "As far as how long he stays, or how he goes, I don't know. I suspect not long. I think he would leave, if I wished it, but to be honest I don't want to ask him that, not right now."

Aislinn looks up at the men, now scratching behind Wolf's ear in a way he seems to like. "I want to walk with him while I take some air. If he stays, and is not welcome... well, it may not matter. We agreed to sleep on the matter of whether it's wise or even safe for me to travel with you." She rises at last, leaning against Wolf a little protectively. "We should talk on the morrow, as promised."

Eye flies back round the corner and settles on Walker's shoulder.

Farmer Giles follows shortly afterwards.
As soon as he sees the Wolf, he stops and assesses the situation.
Seeing everyone is standing calmly (and Aislinn is petting the Wolf) he remarks "What an ... impressive Wolf! I didn't see it arriving - but it seems to like you lot, so that's all right. Um - perhaps you could keep it away from the servants? Understandably, they've been on edge the last few days."
He adds "Well it's been a long day and we get up early on the farm - so I'm off to bed. Your room is ready (he points) and you're welcome to have a little patrol round outside if you want. Good night."

Walker nods at Aislinn, calmed slightly by her obvious friendship(?) with the wolf and that it's not an immediate danger, nor does there appear to be any other danger nearby. He's already seen she seems to have an affinity with animals and Eye has told him she had sensed the same as well, but he is bemused at her comment that she isn't speaking with the wolf, as he watches her pet the animal and instinctively seem to know where to pet the creature, he is confused slightly that she isn't somehow talking to it as he talks to Eye, and has become second-nature to him. As Eye returns he knows that Farmer Giles is just around the corner, and is slightly concerned still about the presence of a large wolf in the corridor, so would call out,

"Farmer Giles! I know you saw Eye! Just know that we are all ok and whatever you see here is not a problem!"

[edit: I don't know why but I sent this two hours ago so it should have arrived before GLee's post. Don't think there is a difference though.]

After nodding her agreement to Farmer Giles's request, Aislinn keeps her fingers scritching Wolf's head as she does the same to her companions. (The nodding, not the scritching.) "I won't be long. If you are sleeping when we--when I return, I will see you at sun-up."

She starts to turn but hesitates, looking down at the floor while addressing the men. "Perhaps when you are both without my company, you might consider whether your offers of protection are truly wise, or even well placed."

(If anyone says anything Aislinn will remain to respond if necessary; otherwise, she'll walk beside Wolf in search of a door outside, where she hopes to find a private path to stroll, take some air, and think on the problems whirling in her mind.

As Aislinn leaves, Walker would just say quietly, "I've known you for only a little time, but I put my trust in you and whatever....... past..... power....... whatever you have here. I trust you as a person, from what I've seen and felt in you. You are a good and honest person from what I've seen, even if you seem a bit... confused at times. That's fine. Eye is a far better judge of character and intentions than I ever have been, so if she has put her trust in you, then you are trusted by me as well. [Eye makes a soft almost purring caw]

"I could never force anyone to trust in me. Trust can't be forced upon someone, it's earned ......... you earned mine by your words, your actions up on the Crag, the way Eye is with you..... But I understand that you haven't known me long and that a man is often known for not keeping their word or for being ..... [Walker looks uncomfortable] ... unseemly... in their behaviour with women (or other men, hah!) but trust me or not; my word is true. I hope to earn yours some day. That is the best I can give you, and I don't know if you will believe in me, but I hope you will. And my word is that I will give you my protection, and I believe [he glances at Eye, who nods both physically and in his brain with a "don't be an idiot" comment] that it is very well placed."

He bows his head slightly again as she leaves and again reaches up to briefly grasp his pendant.

Marron responds solemnly to Aislinn's comment. "We have trained as Scouts together - and they only admit decent folk. I've seen you and you Wolf here do excellent things in combats against several dangerous and evil opponents. Thanks to you I have the Holy Symbol of Cleric Gawain."
Marron touches the Symbol reverently, takes a breath and continues "I gather there have been troubling events in your past - but all the evidence is that you are a true worshipper of Nimue. I renew my vow of protection and hope the three of us (he nods respectfully at Walker) will continue together to frustrate the Mordred Cabal!"

Marron bows at the other two and heads for bed.

DM: After replying (if she wishes) Aislinn has no difficulty in fond the front door. Outside there is plenty of light from the sunset for her to follow a path around the barn and animal sheds and back to the door.
All is quiet (apart from some snoring from the servant's quarters.)

Aislinn listens gratefully to the men, appreciating their strong beliefs and sincerity of their words. She notices both Walker's reflexive touch of the item around his neck as well as Marron's ardent hold on the Symbol; the latter is familiar to her, the former is not. Before she takes her permanent leave of their company in the morning--if she does--she hopes she remembers to ask Walker of the pendant's significance.

"Thank you, sirs. Till the morrow, then," she repeats gently. Turning, holding Wolf's thick fur as if he is holding her up, she finds her way outside and ruminates on everything that has happened, what her connection is to Wolf, whether she is more of a burden than her gallant companions are prepared for, if she'll ever truly remember the past without the pain of its breaking through her skull...

...And, as she suddenly recalls when she looks down at her left hand, just what that peculiar warm, tingling sensation had been when she'd last called for Wolf. She takes a furtive look around to ensure no one is about, then gingerly removes the leather glove to examine the usually hidden ring gleaming around her fourth finger. Politely she shows it to Wolf, too. Its gem is highly valuable, of course; she wouldn't have it otherwise. It's also magic--she knows that, having Detected its nature within the first Lizardfolk tribe that rescued her.

But exactly what it does eludes her. Why has it awoken only now? What is different? The other times she called Wolf, or the fog for that matter, it had remained as ever, a cool circlet easy to forget like any other piece of jewelry.

"Perhaps I should ask Marron," she murmurs to Wolf as she slips the glove back on. "If I truly do trust him with my life, I should trust him to Identify whatever this thing is. Especially if it will be part of the danger..."

She does not continue the thought, and they walk in silence. Wolf has remained by her side throughout, though Aislinn notices that when she is a little less certain of the path, he pads slightly ahead, as if aware just how much she needs his reassurance. "You may not be a Familiar," she whispers to him, "yet somehow you know me as well as one. I do wish you could speak."

Aislinn pauses near a curving of the path underneath some willowy trees shading them from view. "But if you spoke," she adds slowly, "perhaps you would be less... unhuman. I have not had the trouble with animals I have with humans."

She has to bend beneath the drooping leafy branches and move them aside to continue down the path to return where they started. They reach the door and she kneels down, looking into the pale blue depths of Wolf's eyes. "I am content with who you are," she vows. "Your natural self, a proper wild and free wolf. Even if you are somehow... enchanted. I hope you do not--"

A noise interrupts her. It's not very far, and sounds like the willows' leaves fluttering or scraping against something. But there is no wind that would disturb them. It must be something else brushing against them. Something moving towards her.

Heart leaping up within and almost choking her, Aislinn inhales sharply and lunges to her feet. The sound--sounds, they are continuing--come from around the curve of the path, past which she can't see. With hands clenched around the hilts of her knives, she takes a few stealthy, tentative steps nearer, and narrows her eyes to focus entirely on the likely spot where whoever it is will emerge. Thus she readies herself for whoever followed her.

To her extreme relief, a soft lowing sound precedes the appearance of a cow--a calf, really--who walks through the leaf-shrouded path to stare, just as surprised at seeing the small young woman crouching with knives clenched in her hands.

Aislinn exhales with a shaky laugh. "You seem lost," she says, sheathing her weapons. "Oughtn't you to be with the others back in barnyard? Or do you have free rein here?" Uncertain whether she needs to lead the calf elsewhere, she straightens, pats the gangly calf's hide with reassurance. "Do you know how to get back?"

The animal makes a sort of whuffing noise and seems to have received the encouragement it needed. Turning around, it trots away along the path. Somewhat protectively, Aislinn follows it a few paces around the bend to make sure the calf is indeed heading in the direction of the barn.

"I'm glad she's not the one who comes when I call," Aislinn murmurs with a slight smile, and turns back on the path, ducking past and beneath the hanging willow branches until--her mood considerably lighter than just five minutes ago--she's again able to see the door where she left Wolf.

Aislinn's cheerful mood suddenly changes when she realises that there is no sign of Wolf.
Apart from the path she just came from, there is a clear view across the farm - yet her companion is nowhere to be seen.

Aislinn thinks quickly - perhaps one of her companions can track where Wolf went?
She hurries back to their room...

Aislinn's pace slows when she reaches the room Farmer Giles indicated and, just before opening the door, she manages to remember to quietly announce her presence before entering.

(Are the men readying for sleep, or already lying down? On beds? Bedrolls? Hay? What do they have to sleep on here?)

"He's gone again," she says without preamble, her voice strangled by her attempt to control herself. "Wolf. I left him for only moments, there was this sound and I had to see what it was."

Swallowing, she fights the swell of regret for having been foolish enough to be afraid of a mere calf. "I know he's likely left just as he arrives--from thin air. But maybe--" Aislinn's gaze focuses on Walker. "Please, sir, I'm sorry to ask this. I know you're tired and you don't much approve of his being with us, but--but if you are willing to get up again, do you think you could track him? In case he did run somewhere, rather than just... vanish." She shakes her head and finishes softly, "I wish to understand him."

DM: Farmer Giles has a couple of carpenters on hand, so as honoured guests the party have simple wooden bedsteads with feather mattresses (from geese and ducks, but not chickens!)
Servants have mattresses stuffed with straw.

Walker would have been readying himself for the next day, rather than for bed, so he is currently sitting and unstringing his bow, checking and waxing the string, laying out his daggers and checking they are clean and sharp. (He hasn't got round to his armour yet, so he's still fully clothed!)

Seeing Aislinn enter he's honestly quite surprised, as he wasn't sure if she was going to return this evening... or at all.

"I... Ok, firstly, thank you for returning, and... I don't know what to say.... sorry for your loss? But... it seems you don't think he's *gone*, he's just... wandered off? Well, I can certainly track beasts, but I'm not sure if your wolf - and just to be clear, I have no issue whatsoever with it, hah! I was just, understandably, concerned by its presence at first! - is indeed even a beast so something I can track with my usual skills. I can follow the trail of a regular wolf through the forest, or bandits, or well, most things, but I don't honestly know if your wolf is a creature that I can track. It appears from nowhere and similarly disappears to ... wherever.... but I can try."

Standing up, Walker re-strings his bow and re-sheaths his daggers - just in case - then would say,

"Ok, no problem if you don't know, and sorry if it's an awkward question as well, but firstly, when you walked with your wolf, did you notice if he made any tracks? Any imprints in the ground? I don't know where you walked outside but there are some softer patches, did you notice if his paws even made a dent? Secondly - sorry - I know that you touched him, you were petting him, does your.... heh.... awkward, sorry.... does your hand smell? You know how when you pet a dog there's a dog-smell on your hand afterwards? Does your wolf......... again, sorry, awkward question........ does your wolf smell? Sorry, that won't help me track him but I am just trying to find out if we're looking for something that's an actual real beast or something magical that doesn't necessarily leave a trace..."

Walker looks to see what Marron's reaction is (or if he's asleep already!), but regardless would offer, "I'll come outside with you and you can show me where you last saw your wolf, and we'll see what I can do."

Marron was just dozing off, but rapidly gets up and dresses (also arming himself.)

He says to Aislinn "Don't worry - we'll all look for your Wolf. I can see he means a lot to you."

Marron then addresses Walker "I won't get in your way, but I can still be useful. As the sun has set, I can supply a magical spell of Light to help you find any tracks."

Walker nods thoughtfully. Again, this magic is beyond his ken, but he does know tracking and moving at night, so he would ask Marron,

"That could indeed be useful when looking for tracks.... but I have found when tracking or hunting in the night, a light source will blind you to things occurring outside of the light. How are you able to control this magical light? If it is like a simple torch or lantern then we will be blinded to anything but what it is pointing at. Are you able to control its colour? Others I have travelled with in the past have used lanterns but painted with red on the glass or with chemicals added to their torches that made the flames red - you have to buy these from the alchemists so painting your lantern is easier - and it means your darkvision is not affected as much...... otherwise I think I might be more effective by simply letting my eyes adjust to the darkness and going from there.

"Basically, if your light is going to illuminate a massive area then it would be helpful, yes, but if it is a small area such like a torch or lantern, unless you can make it glow red I would prefer darkness and moonlight."

He does a characteristic shrug. "I don't know how your magic works. But that is how I work. Red light could help me, LOTS of light could help me, but a smaller amount of light would make it possibly more dangerous because we'd be visible to others, and our OWN vision would be impaired beyond the light. This is just from experience... again, I don't know how this 'light' spell works, heh!"

Marron smiles happily at Walker's explanation of the tracking requirements and says "The Light spell brings bright daylight. If I cast it inside a lantern with coloured glass, it would naturally change the colour. It's versatile - I can cast the spell on a pebble and throw it (to light our path ahead); negate a Darkness spell cast by a monster or even try to block an opponent's vision by casting directly at their eyes.
In this case it's pure white light and I offer you two choices: general illumination of a wide area or give you effectively a 'miner's lamp' (by casting the spell on your forehead.)"

He adds "I appreciate your thought of the spell attracting unwanted attention - but we are on a friendly farm and well-armed!"

Aislinn has opened her mouth to speak a few times, but doesn't want to interrupt the men's discussion over the details of their abilities and how best to prepare for a search.

She's overwhelmed, honestly. Also upset, and a little embarrassed as well. Her fingers worry the edges of her cloak while they speak. The extent of their willingness to go into action as a result of her request surprises her.

When she can jump in, Aislinn grips her hands together. "Please--I don't mean for you to go to such trouble. I do think it's much more likely that Wolf left as he came. I only wanted to make sure. It's just... I don't like not knowing." She sighs and turns to Walker. "I didn't notice any tracks of either of us, Master Walker, but the sunset was deepening and I wasn't paying attention anyway. As for smell..."

She lifts her glove-clad hands. "They smell of hide, as usual. I don't think I'd notice anything different. There was a cow--a calf--and I touched her, just a pat to get her back on the path to the barn."

Aislinn shakes her head uselessly. "You needn't go to such trouble. I only thought if it was something easy... I suppose it was a foolish impulse. I want to understand Wolf; I care for him, and as he has helped me so often, I think he must feel the same. To the extent a wolf can care about anyone. I'm not used to even being liked. At least not in a--in a good way. He wants nothing from me."

Her cheeks burn and she looks around the room at the new beds. "They've been hospitable, giving us such comfort," she says awkwardly, trying to change the subject, before turning swiftly to Marron and Walker. "Please, forget the search. If you doubt it'll come to anything, you're probably right. If you think it worthwhile..." She shrugs and tugs her cloak around her.

Walker is already up and putting on his cloak, and noting Marron is getting dressed as well, replies and thanks him for his explanation of his spell abilities. "Well, if we are just looking for signs of where the wolf went, then I suspect that illuminating the area as best you could would be the most sensible option. If it is indeed a beast then I should be able to find traces of where it went.... though, being on a farm might make finding specific tracks a bit difficult, hah! I assume there are a fair few animals wandering around. Aislinn - you said you saw a wandering calf, for example?

"And, Aislinn, I see you don't want to bother us, but.. for me at least... this is no bother. It is almost literally my job, hah! I know this wolf is important to you, and is also something of a mystery that I personally would like to find more about. Even if you think you don't want me to go out and search, I'm going to anyway. I've said before that magic is beyond me, so I am fascinated by this wolf that comes to you in ... times of need? ... and then leaves. If it is a true beast that has wandered away (still doesn't explain how it got in, or up to the crag, hmm) then I'll be able to find it. And if I do or don't, at least I - we - will know something more about it, maybe.

"Just on something you said before, that it came when you needed it. I mean no offence, but in the corridor down there, you did seem a little panicked, and perhaps your walk outside which you said you needed to clear your head, meant that this wolf that comes when you need it, felt you were calm enough that it wasn't needed any more?"

Walker shrugs again, "But I know nothing of magic. I do know tracking, however, and if you would like to stay here and rest then that's fine, but I'm going out to look for a wolf!"

He would look over his shoulder to see if Marron is joining him and give a mental nod to Eye, who hops up to rest in her usual position, and wait a moment to see Aislinn's response before intending to head outside, hopefully with some light!

"If you are going, I will too." Aislinn adds that she's grateful for their help. "Yes, there was a calf. And it's clear to me that Wolf appears from... nowhere. He is Summoned. I believe that at least twice, he's departed the same way. It's just with him having stayed so long after the danger had passed--"

She cuts herself off. "Well. There was no real danger. I just thought there was. But Wolf came anyway, and would have helped protect me if necessary, I think. And then I left him behind for a witless calf." Exhaling in irritation at herself, Aislinn ties her cloak's clasp. "I worry, you see, because I know Wolf can be hurt--I've seen that. I felt responsible each time, for beckoning him only to see him fall."

About to move to the door, she pauses and backs away. "I suppose you should go first, Master Walker; Master Marron. If there are tracks to be found, I mustn't disturb them."

"It would be most certainly helpful if you came along to be honest and for now, well, if you could show us to where you walked I'm sure that would be the best place to start so I will let you go ahead. Don't worry, I will be able to distinguish between your new tracks and older ones, and others... it might even help me to see your tracks from earlier at the same time."

While holding open the door for Aislinn to pass through first, Walker hesitates a moment, unsure both of the nature of the magic - it's clearly different to what is between himself and Eye - and Aislinn's emotional state. Aislinn is obviously both somehow attached to and yet unknowing of this wolf and is also looking a bit fraught right now.

"If you..... if you don't mind me asking, you said you think the wolf is "summoned" - is that a spell? And... it doesn't work if you just try it, only when you need it? How many times have you had your wolf come to you... you mentioned a time fighting some water creature and then again on the crag and now in the corridor... I know we've only just met so I don't know your background, hah. Has it come to you all through your life? Also, I have to ask... sorry... do you think the wolf actually gets hurt when you've seen it being attacked? Sorry, I know that's possibly an upsetting question as we both saw what happened up on the Crag. Also... were you talking to it earlier, down in the corridor? Does it understand you? Does it talk back? I don't know but I'm thinking not, or you'd know more about it, hah!"

Almost as a reflex he reaches up to pet Eye on his shoulder. "Eye is a physical bird, she's a creature. If she is harmed, she is.... well, harmed. If she were to...." he trails off, "Well. She would not come back, just as any other normal creature would not. But I can speak with her, obviously. It seems almost like your wolf is the opposite, hah!"

Looking a bit awkward again, Walker looks to Marron to see if he's ready to head out and avoids Aislinn's eyes, though he is interested in what she has to say he is embarrassed at having been so forward in asking so many questions that may be personal. There was a lot of blurting there and a lot of questions all came out at once, he realises, as he makes a very obvious careful check that his daggers and bow are in place.

Aislinn passes through the door, as Walker seems to wish, and tries not to be flustered and frustrated by both the barrage of questions--all of which are perfectly understandable--or especially her own utter ignorance. If she knew more, she wouldn't be frustrated by the questions at all.

She gathers her wits and tries to respond. "I saw Wolf for the first time a long time ago," she begins. "I was lost in the woods one winter, and it was dark and scary. Then he appeared through the trees, light enough to stand out from everything but the snow. All he did was look at me--didn't attack, didn't even growl--before turning and letting me follow him out. His family was there," she adds with a rare smile, gentle and tender.

The brief open expression disappears when Aislinn glances at Marron. "That was in the poem I wrote down, back at the Keep, if you recall." Back to Walker, she adds, "My mother made a lullaby of my experience. She was... creative when I was little."

Her words are slow, mainly because when it comes to the past, she's as tentative as someone walking on a lake of thin ice. Instinctively she fears the pain that memories usually bring. "I'm sorry, I don't exactly know how many times I've seen him. I can't recall almost anything before I was--" She lowers her voice to a whisper. "Before I was with the Lizardfolk. It's strange, and I suppose I should--"

She interrupts herself and flutters her hand as if brushing this all away. "I'm sorry. None of that matters or helps you right now."

Once they start moving, she'll continue.

"Anyway, the only other times I've seen Wolf that I clearly recall have been those you both already know about. Back when that sea creature attacked, I didn't even realize I had summoned him. I'm not quite sure I did. All I know is I saw the attack, then noticed Wolf appear from behind the trees, and I pointed at him at once. He seemed to know what to do."

She frowns. "Or did I point first? It was so sudden... I don't know. Everything was a blur once we fought the monster. 'We'," she repeats sarcastically. "That's generous. All I did was watch Wolf, Marron, Saradoc and the others.

"Did he feel pain when the sea creature snapped at him? I truly don't know. I thought I heard a whimper, but there was so much noise I can't be sure. Then he was gone. It was similar with the Dragon. I have no idea if he felt the Dragon's jaws on him. I hope not. I just don't know if he vanishes because he's hurt, or to protect himself by escaping it."

The number of times she's repeating I don't know must be as irritating to them as it is to Aislinn. She holds her arms out helplessly then lets them drop at her sides. "I can't fathom this is of use. He and I aren't connected in the sense that I feel what he feels, or that I hear him speak or think. Perhaps that's my failing. Wolf certainly seems to know what I want, intuitively."

She sighs. "What else did you wish to know?"


Just giving some breathing space so y'all can answer. I know she needs to respond about the magic part.