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[berelinde]

At the Abandoned Farmhouse

 

{Continued from Game Thread: Fuldor's Farm}

It takes a while to get the fire going to a temperature that will heat water - and those who would like to bathe have to compete for hearth space - but eventually, the smell of cooking stew begins to fill the two-room farmhouse.

 

As if in reaction to the aroma, the Dalish woman stirs and struggles to rise. She doesn't quite manage it, but she does get an elbow under her, and she clutches at Tempest's hand.

 

"Nan'harellen..." she gasps, "the Link of Rage... where is it?"

 

She collapses back onto the bed, exhausted, but she does not slip back into sleep immediately. She seems to be waiting for an answer.

 

Spoiler

 

{Please feel free to RP with the Dalish woman, but keep the questions shortish. She's awake for a little while, but she still needs sleep. }

 

[berelinde]

In Vintiver:

 

The wagon is spotted long before you reach the safety of Vintiver, but no one rides out to greet you. Instead, they sound the alarm, and half the village surrounds you as you bring the wagon within its perimeter.

 

Your news is greeted with sad resignation. You have confirmed the villagers' fears, but they make no attempt to hinder you as you bring the bodies to the chantry. Some thank you for risking your safety to bring the Fuldors' remains back to them, but there is an angry undercurrent to their words. Most of the murmurs you hear contain the word "Dalish," and not in a good way.

 

Sister Arda - she's really a revered mother, but they call her that out of habit and she doesn't mind - is still in the chantry when you arrive, leading a prayer service for the families on the outlying farms. She orders the four templars stationed in Vintiver to help you unload the bodies, and begs them to treat the bodies gently, and with dignity.

 

Once that sad task is finished, you are free to go on to the inn, if you choose.

 

 

Spoiler

Arrival in Vintiver

 

Spoiler

Unloading the wagon at the chantry.

[ChachiBobinks]

"And find them peace at the Maker's side," Etienne murmured sadly as he stepped out of the Chantry with Beldin and Tessa. He was exhausted and weary, but felt he had far too much to do to rest at any point that evening. He had studying to do and hopes that the Dalish - either the ill or the well - would be able to give him insight. He also had the small journal still tucked in his belt and hoped that further studies would help him further. 

 

Rubbing his forehead, he stopped in the path and turned back to the two. "I suppose we should gather our belongings, yes? And those of our colleagues..." His cheeks reddened at the immediate realization that 'gathering belongings' would mean sifting through those of the people they had left back at the farmhouse. He wasn't too keen on handling anyone's small clothes. Clearing his throat, he moved on. "And we should look for a potion for the woman's infection, too. But I think we should split up, as traveling in the evening seems unwise. What say you?" 

[berelinde]

"Aye, we should stay together," Beldin agreed, "and if you've got gear at the inn, we should get it. All our other business is there."

 

He was baffled as to why anyone would keep more than they could conveniently carry, but people who lived in houses - or towers - might well accumulate possessions.

 

"I'll help you with the bags," he volunteered. "After the incident with the milk jug and the spice pot, Kesla might not be too keen to have me in her kitchen for a while... If you don't mind, that is."

 

He cast an apologetic glance at Tessa and hoped Etienne would not notice. That was how rumors started, he reminded himself.

[BFace]

Tessa made small talk with the templars as they finish the somber task of moving the dead folks onto the Chantry grounds so that their families can finish the sad task of seeing them to the Maker’s side.

 

This seemed like a tight knit community to Tessa.  The kind that would mourn every one of these people.  Tess shook her head to move past the small wave of sadness that rolled through her and turned to answer Beldin and Etienne’s conversation.

 

“I think going to the Inn is the best thing now. I will grab Bartha’s things if she left any-we shared a room- and then I will go talk to Kesla. “

 

 She smirked at Beldin, swiftly, then grew serious.  “What in the Maker’s name do I tell her? Or, more like, how much do I tell her?”

[berelinde]

Beldin began to lose hope that he would ever have a conversation with Tessa that did not make his ears turn red.

 

"I was going to tell her that I needed the salve for an infection I picked up in Amaranthine," he said, blushing to his hairline. "Of the sort that would discourage a polite person from asking questions."

 

And now she'll wonder if it's true, he thought ruefully, then added hastily, "But she'd never believe that you'd keep low company, so you might have to say that you stepped on a nail. And if she asked why the rest didn't come back with us, I was going to say that they were keeping Laurelin company at a trapper's stake just outside town, and that we were going back to guard her. Kesla might not have anything against the Dalish, but she'll have noticed that she, Haran, and Sister Arda are the only ones who feel that way."

[ChachiBobinks]

Etienne smiled knowingly, watching the two. "Tessa, would you mind grabbing Rael's belongings as well? It may take me a while to pack. I do not travel lightly..." 

 

Which was an understatement. 

 

Then they continued talking and, well, Etienne had been friends with far too many people back at the Tower to not understand the concept of the third wheel. He clasped his hands behind his back and offered them a parting smile. "I will excuse myself now, messeres," he said quietly, taking slow steps backwards down the path to the inn. "And get a head start! I will meet you in the common room with belongings and tonics, ready to depart."

[TreeHuggerHannah]

((Continued from Tempest and Laurelin's conversation))

 

Spoiler

"Oh,I understand."Laurelin was surprised that someone as young as Tempest had so many children,It wasn't something unusual for her though,perhaps had she agreed to marry that hunter from the Sabrae clan a year ago,she would have had a child of her own as well.

 

"You must love your children,a lot."She said,realising that it was probably the silliest thing to ask a mother."I...I never met my mother."she said hesitantly"I' don't even know her name,only that she died giving birth to me."She felt bitterness and anger rising within her,when she remembered Keeper Galather's words "Don't dwell on it"he said...What infuriated her the most was that he knew more, but he wouldn't tell her. Still he was the closest thing she had to a parent.

 

"I never asked you in the Inn,but what brings you to Vintiver?"She didn't know how the circle worked,but she found it strange and surprisingly compassionate,that Tempest was allowed to raise her children in there.

 

Tempest nodded. "I love my children more than anything," she said quietly. "More than life."

 

When Laurelin said how her mother had died, Tempest nodded understanding, and sympathetically touched Laurelin's forearm. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said. "How sad that you never had the chance to know her. I never knew my parents, either. I was abandoned on the steps of the chantry orphanage as a young child."

 

She smiled ruefully when Laurelin asked about what brought her to the area. "I was hoping to hire someone, actually. A templar. For our circle. He never showed, so we'll have to keep trying."

 

Laurelin was surprised by Tempest’s gesture, but oddly enough it felt comforting. Most people she met, were usually suspicious of her, either for being Dalish or for being “Fen’Adhal’en”.Yet this woman she barely knew, was more than eager to be understanding and kind towards her.

 

She, nodded back at her with a look of gratitude in her eyes, she could tell that she’s been through a lot. And the thought that her own family abandoned her was  something terrible to cope with, in the first place.

 

"I was hoping to hire someone, actually. A Templar. For our circle. He never showed, so we'll have to keep trying."

Tempest replied with a rueful smile.

 

Laurelin furrowed her brow in confusion, ever since  she found out about her powers, she’s been told to stay away from Templars. That, they were evil and they wouldn’t rest until they imprison or eliminate, every single mage in Thedas.

 

“I thought Templars weren’t fond of us mages. She said with an apologetic  smile “The keeper always warned me about them. Besides, doesn’t the circle have it’s share of them already?”

 

"Things are... a little different in my circle," Tempest said. She wasn't sure how Laurelin would take this. Etienne had been shocked. But then Laurelin was Dalish, and Tempest was fairly sure Dalish standards were different, although she didn't know the details.

 

"I don't consider myself an apostate. I'm a circle mage. But my circle is... not what you are likely used to. It's not an official circle under Chantry authority. I'm a devout Andrastian, personally. I used to live in a sanctioned circle. I couldn't stay. Things happened there that... it wasn't safe. So I ran."

 

Her fingers toyed absently with the scarf around her neck. "I didn't like being alone, though. Mages need other mages. So a group of us formed our own circle. Mages, non-mage family members - and in one case, an elf who just needed a place to go. We look after each other and learn from each other. It's the best parts of a circle, without the abuses."

 

She met Laurelin's eyes and admitted, "It's the first time in my life I've ever felt safe."

 

Tempest frowned and added, "We don't have any templars, however, and it's a bit of a problem. We want to be picky. Only good templars, honorable ones who seek to protect and not to harm. Sometimes there are problems that just need a templar hand to solve, though. We can't drain mana, and we aren't trained to fight abominations. We need some people who can and are. No luck so far."

 

Laurelin Cringed as soon as tempest mentioned abuses,she placed a hand on her shoulder."I would have ran too."She said sympathetically.

Laurelin didn't understand nor liked the concept of the circle,but Tempest's idea of it didn't sound unreasonable.

 

"I understand,mages need training.We Dalish avoid having more than three mages in the same clan,and it's allays the Keeper who is responsible for our training."She shrugged"Then those who are found with an affinity to magic, compete for the position of the first,the Keeper's apprentice and heir."

 

She knew,that since the human population was considerably larger it would be difficult to have a system similar to their own.

 

A thought then crossed her mind,was this is why the keeper was so scared of the Templars,how was even, possible for someone to negate magic.

"How would you know if these Templars would be honourable?The fact that they can drain mana and negate our powers,gives them power over us,no?And people with power rarely fail to abuse it."

 

Laurelin bit her lower lip,immediately regretting what she said.Life so far has taught her that dismissing people she didn't know as evil or dishonourable solely based on prejudices,wasn't a wise thing to do.Also,she didn't want to worry or distress Tempest in any possible way.

 

Tempest smiled gratefully at the sympathy. Her circle had reacted that way, too. It was still unexpected, though. In Kirkwall, everyone had carefully turned a blind eye.

 

"I think in a way templars are like mages," Tempest said. "Great power, for good or ill. Great responsibility. Just as we can choose to control ourselves and do no harm, the templars can choose to protect instead of dominating. I believe there are good templars who truly want the best for their charges. Finding them is more challenging."

 

Of course, for herself it was a mixed bag. She believed that even a good templar seeing the scars on her wrists would decide she had to die. It was a risk Tempest would take to keep her circle safe.

 

Laurelin nodded,Tempest was probably right but still this didn't make Laurelin more eager to cross any Templar's path.She also doubted that even if she ever met one,they'd be the honourable kind."Perhaps,I should reserve my judgement until I finally meet one."She admitted,her expression more stoic than usual.

 

She looked back at Tempest, and noticed the way the other woman's fingers toyed with her blue scarf.Blue,she loved that colour,but not as much as she loved green.

 

"T'is a beautiful scarf!"She  commented,her eyes fixed on the other mage's scarf "You seem rather fond of wearing it."Laurelin observed and smiled.

 

"I've known a few good templars," Tempest said. Of course, she'd also known quite a few bad ones - and the bad ones were exceptionally awful. Perhaps if she'd trusted the good ones enough to ask for help, the bad ones wouldn't have gotten away with what they did to her for so long. She couldn't know, though; it was too late to change the past.

 

Her smile widened when Laurelin complimented her scarf. "Thank you," she said. "It was a gift from a good friend. The first gift anyone ever gave me, actually. My First Enchanter gave it to me shortly after I found my way to our little circle. This may seem silly to you, but when I look at it... it reminds me that I'm safe. That the worst times are over. There may still be trouble and heartache in life, but this reminds me that I don't have to face it alone."

 

"This doesn't sound silly at all!"Laurelin assured her,she knew exactly that feeling,the need for warmth and safety.She smiled at the memory of the keeper's first gift,after she completed the Vallaslin ritual.A silvan ring,to keep the dread wolf away,usually only it is only the Keeper,that posses such ring.

 

For a moment her eyes lingered on Tempests wrists,her sleeves covering them but not without a small part of the bandage being visible.She remembered her reaction,at Fuldor's farm.Laurelin's attention was focused on Beldin's injuries,but she still caught a small glimpse of the many scars,that nearly covered the mage's arms.

 

But it was mostly the way she exclaimed, that she wasn't a blood mage,that caught her curiosity.However she somehow,doubted that Tempest was actually dabbling in it.

 

Tempest didn't miss the brief glance Laurelin cast at her wrist. She rarely missed such moments, when they could be the difference between life and death. The rapport they had formed in the last few minutes - the fledgling possible friendship - might be about to die. Tempest looked down, embarrassed.

 

"I don't expect you to believe me," she said, her voice barely audible. "I have scars on my wrists, but I'm not a blood mage. I wasn't the one who put those marks on my arms. I was... badly mistreated by a templar. He knew he could keep me from telling anyone if he had an accusation of blood magic to hold over me. It was his way of keeping me under his control."

 

She met Laurelin's eyes again. Someone like the Dalish mage, who already despised templars, might actually consider believing her. Etienne, who idolized them, or others who saw things in the same terms surely would not. Surely a lying mage would seem more plausible than a brutally abusive templar.

 

"I understand if that makes me too untrustworthy to have around. I'll leave if the rest of you wish me to."

 

Tempest could only hope that they'd allow her to go, and wouldn't feel the need to violently confront the possible blood mage. 

 

Laurelin looked back at tempest with concern, "No,I believe you!"she exclaimed.

But immediately hushed her voice, not wanting to draw more attention to their discussion, even if she considered both Rael and Bartha to be honorable,she didn't know how the dwarven woman would react to such talk.

 

"The keeper told me a few things about blood magic, about what happens to those who use it." Laurelin felt a shiver down her spine,when she recalled his words. "You...You don't look like a blood mage to me." She assured her.

She felt nothing but disgust for the Templar who abused Tempest in such manner.

 

Laurelin could see as clear as day now,it was about time she took the Keeper's words into consideration, someone who hated both Templars and Blood mages with equal passion, yet hate wasn't a word she'd use to describe her feelings at the moment...What she felt was rage.Yet she found it surprising, that Tempest was willing to trust a Templar again.

 

She place both hands on Tempest's shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile "From the moment we set foot on that farm,you did nothing other than to help those who needed you..."She glanced back at the Dalish woman

"I don't know you for long Tempest, but this much I can tell...You are nothing if not trustworthy."

 

Tempest let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. After so many years hiding her secret, it was still unexpected to be be believed - unexpected but deeply reassuring.

 

"Thank you," she said. It surprised her to hear that Laurelin had noticed she'd tried to help. Tempest tended to assume she faded into the background. That she was not worthy of notice except as an object of suspicion. She felt the warmth of an unusual sense of self-worth. 

 

"You are very kind, Laurelin, and I am grateful for your faith in me."

 

She was about to speak again, to continue making conversation - she was curious how a Dalish elf had ended up here, of all places - but she realized that their Dalish patient was starting to wake up.

 

[TreeHuggerHannah]

Tempest squeezed the Dalish woman's hand in reassurance. "I don't know," she said - truthfully, since she hadn't noticed the object fall from the woman's hand. "I don't know what that means. I can help you find it, though."

 

She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "You're safe now. You're among friendly people. My name is Tempest. This is Laurelin. What's your name?"

[Lorien19]

Laurelin was startled by the sound of her kinswoman's voice,she apprached her and sat on the edge of her bed.

 

"Easy there Lethallan!You were badly injured when we found you.Don't exhaust yourself further."She looked back at

Tempest who was also trying to reassure her and then back at the elvhen woman.

[berelinde]

The Dalish woman made no move to rise again, but her initial panic upon waking seemed to have passed. She turned toward Tempest's voice.

 

"I'm Eshara," shes said, her voice faint with weariness, "First of Keeper Orellis. We were attacked... Nan'harellen's revengers fell upon us as we ate our evening meal. Everyone else was taken. The Link of Rage is a twisted ring of silver, engraved with the ancient runes of my people. It's the key to stopping Nan'harellen."

 

She closed her eyes and her body went slack.

 

"I was injured a week ago," she said. "I tried to close my wounds with magic, but my wounds were many, and my healing spells are few. I sought to return to Vintiver, to get help for my clan, but I lost my way in the forest. Am I near Vintiver at all?"

[BFace]

Tessa stepped into the Inn and breathed deeply.  There was something oddly soothing in the smell of stale ale, warm bread and people, and though she’d never admit it, she could use a moment of peace.

 

She didn’t like the idea of lying to Kesla, but she liked the idea of telling her the truth even less.

 

Tess decided to get that out of the way before she went to fetch people’s things, and headed toward the kitchen to talk to the woman.

[berelinde]

Upon entering the Arbor, the Away Team finds Haran in the process of arbitrating a dispute between patrons who both swear they were previously in possession of the same trunk. He grins broadly at you, then his face clouds as he counts only as high as three.

 

"Kesla's in the kitchen," he says apologetically even as he reaches out to seize the wrist of a patron mid-swing, stopping the blow before it strikes the other patron's nose. "What in the Maker's name is the matter with you two? We've got corpses piling up in the chantry. Who cares whose accursed chest it is!"

 

In the kitchen, you find Kesla crouching near the opening of a trap door leading down to the cellar. She seems to be pulling up sacks lifted by someone below.

[TreeHuggerHannah]

"It's good to meet you, Eshara," Tempest said. "Although I'm sorry for the circumstances. You're quite near Vintiver but..."

 

She struggled for a gentle way to explain the situation and failed, so decided to just go for honesty.

 

"Because of what happened, there's quite a bit of suspicion among the humans regarding the Dalish right now. It wouldn't be a safe place for you to go. There are people here who will help you, if you tell us what to do."

 

She hoped that if this Link of Rage was indeed vital - which seemed entirely possible, since somehow this woman alone had survived the massacre - it wouldn't be too hard to find. There was a lot of farm back there, and a lot of road between here and there.

 

 "What is Nan'harellen? What are these 'revengers' that attacked you?"

 

Although she addressed Eshara, she included Laurelin with a turn of her gaze. Maybe this was something well known among the Dalish elves, but the human from the Kirkwall circle had never heard of it.

[ChachiBobinks]

Once they got to the inn, Etienne headed straight back for their quarters. As he approached his door, however, he paused to look at Rael's. It seemed as if she had taken everything she had to her name with her that morning, so maybe it was empty and Tessa need not bother to even go in. If he checked for her, it would save the other woman valuable time. He reached for his doorknob but paused, hand hanging in the air. Besides, he would much rather be responsible for Rael's belongings, even if it meant he'd run the chance of coming in contact with a proper lady's underclothes. Which he certainly did not want to do.

Spoiler

 

Giving in, he went to her door instead, shoved it open, and stood in wide-eyed wonder as he realized that the entire room was empty, save her lute. It sat against her bed, possibly the safest place in the entire building, and not a single other item sat alongside it. His mouth screwed into a thoughtful smile as he slipped worn gloves off and shoved them into his pocket. His grasp was gentle, as if he thought the entire thing would fall to pieces at his touch. 

 

It was beautifully carved rosewood with blossoms and blooms decorating the back. There was hardly a scratch along the entire body, signs of obvious care. It looked polished and well-maintained, something he could really appreciate. And he, without the intention of judging the others, felt that made it his responsibility. 

 

Once he was back in his room, Etienne quickly changed into one of his embellished, flashy Circle robes and stowed away his traveling gear, which had gotten disgraced with the presence of mud and blood. He grabbed a soft, gauzy shirt and wrapped the lute up in the material, knotting either end above and below the lute straps. He then eased it onto his back, checking and double checking himself in the mirror to ensure that the motion alone hadn't knocked the material loose. Once he was satisfied, he quickly stowed books and belongings into his bags. It had been a good fifteen minutes or so since he left the others and he knew they'd be waiting. One last glance was tossed around his room, the place that had become a home for him outside of the Tower. 

 

Something told him that everything was changing. It would all be different. He prayed for a moment that his Templar guides (however unobservant they might have been) wouldn't throw fits that he was moving to a different location. He was still well within the area he was allowed to stay in, so surely it would be fine. Or maybe they'd not notice. Maybe they'd forget about him. He wasn't sure which he preferred.

 

With a sigh, he quickly made his way back into the common room to join the others. 

[berelinde]

 

 "What is Nan'harellen? What are these 'revengers' that attacked you?"

 

Although she addressed Eshara, she included Laurelin with a turn of her gaze. Maybe this was something well known among the Dalish elves, but the human from the Kirkwall circle had never heard of it.

{A ring of twisted silver fell from Eshara's hands when you lifted her into the wagon. IIRC, Tessa gave it to Laurelin.}

 

"Nan'harellen... dread child of vengeance..." Eshara said, her voice growing fainter as her strength faded. "Revengers... twisted minions..."

 

 

That seems to be about as much as you can get out of her at the moment unless you employ drastic measures to keep her awake. Your healing lore tells you that her condition overall has improved slightly, but she is simply too exhausted to remain conscious.

[Lorien19]

Laurelin silently nodded,she guessed right back in the barn.The woman was indeed Eshara.
She didn't know anything about this "Nan'harellen"but from the name alone she could tell that whoever...Or whatever it was,wasn't someone to be triffled with.
She placed her hand in her pocket,just to realise that the silver link was there to begin with.In the confusion she forgot about Tessa,handing her the ring right before they left.
She then proceeded,to take the link out of her pocket,and showed it at Eshara.
"Don't worry about the link Lethallan,I have it...You need to rest."she smiled reassuringly "We'll speak again,when you're better."

[TreeHuggerHannah]

Tempest nodded her agreement. She had no intention of being rough with an injured woman to try to keep her awake. "Sleep now," she agreed. "You'll be safe here. We can talk more of this when you wake."

 

In the meantime, she needed to share what the woman had revealed with her comrades, to see if they had any insight Tempest currently lacked.

[berelinde]

In the Arbor's Kitchen, a joint post by Bramblefae, Peregrine, and berelinde.

 

Summary: Tessa gets the ingredients to make healing salves and Sarel joins the party.

 

Spoiler

As Tessa entered the kitchen to see Kesla grabbing the bags, she jogged over to the woman, saying, "Here, let me grab those for you!"

 

Kesla let Tessa take over, thanking her profusely and massaging her back.

 

As you bend down to receive the latest sack, you see that it's being lifted by a scarlet-haired elf on the ladder below.

 

"I heard you were back," Kesla said. "And I heard about the Fuldors. I am sorry. I hoped for better news. But where are the rest of you? Did you... did you meet whatever is doing this?"

 

Tessa nodded at the elf absently as she grabbed the sack he was handing up to her and thought about how best to answer Kesla.

 

She said, while still accepting sacks from the elf fellow, "Beldin and Etienne came with me into town. We thought, given the...well, given the state of things, that it would be best for Laurelin-she's the Dalish woman with us-not to come back to town."

 

Tessa stood then to look at Kesla before going on, "The rest are with her setting up camp just outside of town. We didn't want to leave her unprotected, either, meanin' no offense to you, but you know the rest of the town isn't as...calm and levelheaded as you are."

 

Kesla nodded in agreement.

 

"I hate to think that it's come to that, but it was probably for the best," she said. "I appreciate you risking your safety to bring the Fuldor's back..."

 

Her voice broke and she dabbed her eyes with her apron, then went on, "but to be honest, I didn't know what we were going to do with Laurelin tonight. I'm anxious enough for Millie and Sarel, and the elves at the winery. I keep worrying that somebody's going to mistake them for Dalish in the dark."

 

She brushed off her hands on her apron, opened the closes sack, and began measuring barley into a cauldron.

 

"I promised you coin, though, and you'll have it," she said. "There's a purse there in the crock, the one labeled 'spindleweed'. There's thirty silver in there, but you shall have it all. You've earned it and more for bringing them back for a proper funeral. Now, was there anything else you needed?"

 

Sarel, having overheard the party from the woods had returned, made sure to stay near Kesla until they arrived. It would figure the day Dalish elves-real, actual Dalish-come through, he'd be gone procuring supplies for the inn. After a short time that felt like eternity, he heard the creak of a door and someone call out to Kesla. He hurried into the kitchen, stopping when he saw a human warrior assisting Kesla with putting away some of the goods he'd brought back with him. He bent down and handed one of the bags. The girl had a kind, familiar look to her, and, although she overlooked him, she didn't talk down at him or balk at being handed something by an elf. Maybe Kelsa had trusted the right party, after all.

 

More and more surprise filled his mind when she showed concern not only concern for the Dalish, a power in their own right against a party their size, but for city elves! Kesla's kindnesses were rare amongst the humans he had met,yet this one seemed cut from the same cloth. Sarel found himself torn between staying here, to help keep the peace and assisting the party with with Dalish.

 

". . . the rest of your party is outside the town? How are they receiving aide if the townspeople being a threat is keeping them away?"

 

Tessa looked at the elf as he spoke. "Well.  That's another reason I was looking to talk to Kesla, actually.

 

She smiled politely at the elven man, and said to Kesla, "I did want to see if I could get a healing salve of some sort from you."

 

Tessa shoved one of her braids out of her face before going on. "None of the party are terribly hurt, but Etienne's going to need some rest before he can do much else, and we all have some aches and pains."

 

That wasn't exactly a lie, so she hoped Kesla wouldn't ask too much further about it.

 

"You're hurt!" Kesla fumbled and almost dropped her measuring scoop. "Maker's breath, I knew you were going in to danger, but I had no idea you'd actually been attacked! I've half a mind to box Peter's ears for leaving that part out!"

 

She fretted with her scoop for a moment and set it on the counter, then started pulling pots and jugs off the shelves.

 

"I've things to make a poultice, of course," she said. "Sarel here helped me brew one up for Nadine's daughter just this afternoon - it was a difficult delivery, but I think mother and baby will pull through - but I used everything I had with the delivery. But I've got plenty on hand to brew more. I'll go back to your camp with you and make one up there, all right?"

 

"Andraste's ass, you will!" Kesla's husband Haren boomed from the door. "Whatever did for Rory and the Fuldors is still out there, and there's no way I'm letting you out of the village tonight."

 

"You're being unreasonable," Kesla said. "I wouldn't be going alone, and if these people are hurt, it's because I sent them into danger. I have a responsibility to see them back safe and whole."

 

"You have a responsibility to see that Vintiver doesn't tear itself apart over this," Haran said bluntly. "I can't keep a lid on this pot by myself. You know I trust you, love, but I need you here to keep this from turning into a witch hunt."

 

She sighed in exasperation and turned to peer into the cellar at Sarel.

 

"Do you think you're up to some potion brewing, Sarel?" she asked. "Maker knows, I won't force you to go and I wouldn't blame you in the slightest if you refused, but if you do go, I dare say these people will keep you safe enough."

 

Etienne? Surely it couldn't be the same boy. That man was better suited at holding rugs down than functioning outside the Circle. "Still, if you're not at your peak, your allies and yourself could be in danger, what with farmers going missing," Sarel pressed. "I would be willing to go, with Kelsa's leave, of course," he added hastily, lest he get ahead of himself, "to show them how to apply the salve and give their healer a much needed rest."

 

"I would certainly feel up to the task," Sarel replied hastily. "and I appreciate your concern for my safety. I believe I can manage." He had to force a smile- having to feign ignorance so often could get grating. "Before we head out, there's the matter of my hound and my bag; beyond that, I'm at your disposal."

 

Tessa tried her best to hide the relief she felt at Haran's insistence that Kesla stay put. She was in no way ready to tall that woman no.

 

She studied the elf for a few moments though. "You know some healing? We could use someone who knows a bit."

 

She turned back to Kesla. "If you don't mind, him going with us, Kesla?"

 

"You don't have to ask my leave, Sarel," Kesla said, though Haran glared a little. "If you're willing to go, we'd be in your debt. Let me just make up a bundle of supplies for you -"

 

"If he goes, make sure he brings that dog of his with him!" Haran harrumphed from the doorway. "I'll not have that hound howling all night because its master's gone off to the farm holds."

 

The next moments were lost while Kesla rummaged through the shelves, putting together elfroot and comfrey and a few other herbs, and topping it off with a fat packet of dried pork rinds for the dog. While Haran's back was turned, she slipped in four silver coins from her own purse and laid a finger beside her nose.

 

"I hope I got it all," she said. "You'll need clear water, but you should be able to find that wherever you're going. And there's your pay for the rest day, in case you need to stay around to make sure that everyone is on the mend."

 

Your rest day pay is twenty bits, barely a twentieth of what she put in your parcel, but your Denerim sources did say that the Mullins were generous employers.

 

Tessa raised her brows slightly, her grey eyes wide.  "You have a dog, serah?" she says to the elf man. "Oh, and my name is Tessa."

 

Sarel goes to his room and retrieves his bags, retrieves his "walking stick" and slips into his traveling coat. He goes out and, with a smile, pets Fen'Harel. "Ready to go on a trip, boy?" He asks, stroking both sides of the dogs face as he kneels. Turning his back on one of the nicest places he'd been since his stay, Sarel and Fen'Harel go to seek out Tessa.

 

While Tessa waits on Sarel, she goes to the crock labeled Spindleweed, then turns to Kesla. "Are you sure you want me to take it all? Do any of us need to make right on our rooms or anything?"

 

Sarel nodded his thanks to the Mullins, and made a mental note to repay their kindnesses. "Thank you. I'll try to be swift with my return, if possible.

 

Turning back to Tessa, "Oh, yes, his name is Fen'Harel. He's a great dog, and smarter than most," he replied, generously left off the word 'people' and replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you, I am Sarel. At your your service. When were you wanting to head out?"

 

"Yes, take it," Kesla said. "And I won't worry about the rooms. The news you brought will bring more families in from the outlying farms, so we're going to need every free bed we can find. We may lose a few coins in the short term, but we've enough put aside to make it through this. The Arbor has always been a refuge in times of trouble."

 

Tessa nodded at Kesla, reached into the crock to take the coin bag, and turned to Sarel.

 

"We should go find the others now, Sarel.  And I have to get things out of my room before we leave the end. That shouldn't take long though."

[berelinde]

Plot Post

 

Summary: The Away Team returns to the abandoned farmhouse.

 

Etienne and Beldin join Tessa and Sarel outside the Arbor Inn. It's impossible to be absolutely certain that you aren't followed, but cautious, over-the-shoulder glances reveal no signs of pursuit.

 

Once outside the village proper, you should reach the farmhouse in about a quarter hour. It took you twice that long to make the trip with the wagon, but people move faster than oxen, even if they can't haul as much wait.

 

{Sarel will probably need a briefing. You can roleplay it out or summarize as you prefer, but I'd really like to get the party together in one spot again as soon as possible. They have a lot of information to trade... and there's a joint post that should probably go up at some point.}

[ChachiBobinks]

Etienne offered Beldin a smile as he stepped out of the inn, heavy bags dragging his arms down and awkwardly shaped, shirt-wrapped lute strapped to his back. "Serah," he said quickly, shutting the door firmly behind him. "I thought we might give plenty of space to our companions and room together still? I'm not sure how large the farmhouse is, but I must admit that having a room to myself makes me uncomfortable." 

 

He then glanced around, realizing that Tessa wasn't with him. He had assumed they'd remain at the hip. "Where is Serah Tessa?" 

[berelinde]

Beldin stepped forward and took most of the bags from Etienne, but left him with the lute. He could guess whose that was, and he figured the young man would probably rather carry it himself.

 

Etienne's repeated invitation to share a room made him grin.

 

"You haven't seen the farmhouse, have you?" he asked. "There's just the one bedroom downstairs and the loft. I appreciate your willingness to put up with my snoring, but I've a feeling we won't have a lot of choice about where we sleep."

 

His face returned to a more serious expression at the mention of Tessa.

 

"She went to go wheedle a poultice out of Kesla," he said. "I expect she'll be along in a moment. I'm... um... not allowed in the kitchen anymore. Something about a spice pot falling into the milk. A complete accident."

[ChachiBobinks]

Etienne blanched at the very idea of cohabitation with their other companions. It had been years since he had last been in a dormitory situation. He was nearly an Enchanter, so both of his companions were of the same gender. And even before that when he slept in a room packed with his fellow mages, he hadn't exactly been... he stopped himself there and dragged his hand over his face. "Maker, alright. I suppose we won't." 

 

Gaze returning to the door behind them, Etienne frowned. "I do hope she will hurry along. It's getting late and I'd rather not discover the source of all of this evil under the cover of the night and with--no offense intended--just the two of you to fight it. Or them. Or... whatever it may be.

[BFace]

Tessa bounded down the stairs after grabbing her remaining things and anything Bartha had left behind then walked out the door of the inn and spotted Etienne and Beldin as she looked around for Sarel.

 

"I think I have everything. And...well, Kesla didn't have any poulitices or salves handy, but she's sending an elf with us who can make them, I guess. " 

 

Tess looked around again for Sarel.

[berelinde]

"Maker's breath," Beldin swore under his breath. "That does throw a spike in our gears, doesn't it? But if it's just him, and an elf at that, maybe he'll help."