Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Sa'id hears the clang of weapons outside, and the laughter and banter of his comrades.

He doesn't go out.

Doesn't want to go anywhere near that elf, though he knows he is only delaying the inevitable. Something gnaws at the back of his mind, something that has been festering at least since Nesalin. The trip to the wizards' school reminded him of it, and now seeing the others again has brought it back to the forefront of his memory.

The spellbook.

Taken from the body of the wizard they hadn't needed to kill, Sa'id knows without needing to look that the trapped spellbook is still nestled in Farron's pack.

We might need it.

...

...I want it.

Which of those two reasons is more important? Does it matter? It would be foolish to let such a valuable resource go to waste at this point. The risk... of course there was risk. But Pelor had already saved his life once. Would the god intervene again on behalf of his ally if Sa'id couldn't successfully dispel the book's magical trap? If it would increase the chances of his plans coming to fruition, Pelor might well do just that. I'll have to talk to Farron. I couldn't just...

...take the book from his pack?

Could I?

No. The elf might know.

Sa'id looks around Gully's for Farron. Finding his friend outside with the others, Sa'id approaches him. Speaking softly so as not to be heard over the noise of the battle -- to which he pays absolutely no attention -- he says, "Farron, I think I should try to open that spellbook we found. The chance that there might be something useful in it is too great to just let it sit."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

[OOC: It's been so long since I've looked at my character sheet that I don't know what's on it]

Sweat poured off Rennik's brow as he worked the bellows.

The tension of the journey to Gully's had put him on edge, but it was nothing to the building anxiety of waiting for the Sunmaster. The comaraderie of friends and fire had soothed his nerves a spell, but the arrival of Bartok had once again wound his nerves. He had begun to feel much like a jungle cat in a pit trap, and had even taken to pacing a bit.

His muscles flexed in rhythm with the blows of Gully's hammer, and the strain allowed him a semblence of peace.

It was obvious to him that Gully had worked with halfling weapons before by the kindness and care he showed in the smithing. This was no brute's axe, or sword for an infantryman. This was precious - the axe of a Chorrdath warrior. Gully treated the weapon with as much reverence and respect as Rennik himself would have.

It was good, and Rennik's mind eased, if only slightly.

With the axe finished, he bowed low before Gully.

"Mielikki has blessed your hands and smiled on your craft, Friend Gully. May her grace watch over and protect you, and keep the darkness from your door and your mind."

With that, he grips Gully's forearm firmly, and walks out to the courtyard taking some practice swings.

***

The sparring with Garyth was a welcome distraction. The human fought with grace, though not nearly that of the elven swordsmen who he had traveled with what seemed like ages ago. What he lacked in grace, though, he made up for in strength, and it was clear to Rennik that he would not be as easily overpowered with brute force.

He was a worthy fighting partner, and Rennik explored Garyth's range and reactions with ducks, feints and sweeps at the ankles.

"Captain, when are you going to stop playing with him and give him a real beating?!" One of Garyth's men, good naturedly chiding him - Robert, Rennik remembered. Garyth flashed a smile and cocked an eyebrow, and Rennik inclined his head to accept.

Calling back, he shouts, "When I've taught your Captain a few things, I'd be happy to cut you down a peg or two, Guard Robert - all that height makes you clumsy!"

With that, Rennik makes a feint at Garyth's waist, then a sweeping shot with the back of his axe just below the captain's knee.

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Pensive says, "A silver on the Halfling."

"I'll take that bet. The captain'll knock his bony little ass halfway up the mountain."

Watching as the fight commences, Osred gives a grunt. This halfling is good--as good as the other little one, Melani. Maybe better. "Tell you this," he says to Pensive, not taking his eyes from the battle, "there's more to these little folk than I'd've thought. Sneak-thieves or bumpkins, that's what people think of 'em, if they think of them at all. If the two we've fought with are any measure, though, they deserve more. They got little folk, where you're from?"

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

"Not like Rennick, no," Pensive smiles at the sergeant. "But I grew up among Gnomes. They are small as well, and as full of suprises."

Subject: Re: The Second full day of waiting

Osred raises his eyebrows. "Gnomes? Gnomes are real? Huh." He breaks off to cheer as Garyth forces the halfling back with a flutter of lightning quick blows, then glances back at the elf. "Thought they were just in stories."