Chapter 2: Sylvan Escape

[Jenara]

"Missonaries? We are far worse than that." She gives him a wide smile and reaches for an axe. "Could we perhaps have three? My friend here wishes to use two axes at once."

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Ignatius looks as if you physically struck him. "Unless you plan you boil my testicles, I don't think you could be worse than missionaries." His countenance never changes from a complete, sober expression. "And no, you can't have another one."

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Grace lets out a slight giggle and says "You could say that I'm his assistant. He's a bit paranoid, but he has to sleep some time. For some reason he feels comfortable having me guard his wagon in the times that he's asleep. He's not always easy to get along with, but you get used to him. Besides, it gives me a warm place to sleep away from the more...touchy-feely...travelers that we get.

[Talyn]

Wolf actually took the time to examine an entire side of the wagon, curious if there is any rhyme or reason to the display. If he doesn't find anything, he just sighs and shakes his head. "Chanter, wash this off and protect it properly." he says disapprovingly. "Whoever did this was just making it up as they went along."

He can partly hear the conversation about the axes, but is ignoring it for now.

[Breila]

Hedra shakes her head at Wolf's remark. "I wouldn't need to wash it off, if it's really meaningless, like any decoration. But the glyph has no power if the owner of the structure doesn't like it to be there. So I'll have to convince him first."

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Hedra smiles a broad smile at Grace: "I can understand you perfectly well." After a moment of shared laughter, she goes on. "He is afraid of missionaries? Why is that?"

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Hearing Wolf's comment, Ignatius literally squeals and turns partially away, hording his axes. "Nobody is going to wash my wagon!"

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Grace chuckles at Ignatius's antics as if she's used to his eccentricities. "Oh it's not that Iggy's afraid of missionaries, they tend to be afraid of him. It makes him self conscious. He's really a nice man once you get to know him."

[Breila]

"Grace, you could do us all a favour. The glyphs I've drawn on the other wagons have helped to fight off undead attacks before. It would be good if Iggy let me draw one on his wagon, too. Could you prepare the terrain for me, so he's likely to say yes when I ask him?"

[Jenara]

Carith shrug, takes the each axe, throwing one in Bills direction so it lands at his feet. "Wolf." she sneers "leave him alone, don't mess with the man that gives out axes. Unless you have some hiding under that robe? Maybe i should take a look." laughing loudly she shoots him a glance, licking her lips.

Still laughing she shoulders the axe, hers strapped to her back, and smacks Bill hard on the butt. "Shall we?"

[Breila]

(ooc: I just realized we have two timelines here because I've described Hedra's actions quite in advance and IL already reacted to the last one.

When Dorir comes to talk sense into Iggy, Hedra will just have had time draw the glyph of blessing on the three other wagons. After answering Wolf, she'll proceed to bless the stones.

The conversation with Grace takes place after that, so Grace might not be able to do what Hedra just asked her, depending on how the encounter of Carith and Bill with the tree turns out.)

[Talyn]

Wolf gives an unreadable look to the annoying woman from under his hood, seemingly ignoring her for the moment. He turns back to the insane quartermaster, his eyes staring him down intently. "You are a fool if you don't accept the chanter's blessings." he says icily, his free hand brushing against the paint on the wagon. "This." he says as he runs his hands over it. "Is meaningless and useless."

He has somewhat of a smirk on his face as he turns back to the people arguing over the axes. "Now, can we sort out this glyph problem so we can move on?" he says with a slight edge to his voice.

[Jenara]

Carith just shrugs, whistle s and walk away.

[Stik]

[OOC] Further adding to the time warp we have going on here...[/OOC]

"The blessed stones thing...I've seen it before. Last time it was with small stone statues of the gods, each one blessed by a priest." Callan pauses for a moment, trying to decide whether to continue, then says: "Seen it fail before, too. Can't trust it.
"Knock yourself out if it makes you feel better, though."

[Breila]

Hedra looks at Callan indignantly.

"Of course I know we cannot barter with the Gods. *I worship you, and you will protect me from all evil*" She almost sneers. "But chanting, praying and blessing is part of the effort of keeping us alive, and I will not be foolish enough to exhaust myself. The Divine Protector helps those who help themselves. I will be ready to fight. But I want to secure us every other protection I can."

She then turns away and proceeds to draw the glyphs and bless the stones.

[Kafen]

Leading the other group, Dee tries to stay alert. He maintains the group posture and remains alert as they move into position. He takes a look around as they get there. If the conversation is earshot, he keeps an ear on the chatter.

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Dee and Slade begin to escort the group toward the tree. Dee remains close to the others while Slade scouts further ahead. He reaches the tree (Which is still out of site) and returns saying "Well, it certainly hasn't moved. I'm going to begin the perimeter check. I'll head West and I'll meet you back here."

You reach the tree and it is indeed how it was described. There is a massive, standing dead tree in the center of the road. It's gnarled roots dig deep into the soil, digging great furrows in the earth. It's upper most branches are gnarled and grasping while gaping holes in the bark reveal rotted punk-wood beneath. Upon closer examination, you find a human skull embedded in one of these rotted holes.

[Jenara]

Carith stands near the rest of the group, she suveys the tree up and down, normally she wouldn't care, it was a tree so what?

Surveying its dead branches she hefts the axe in her hands. "So? Its a tree, its in the way, shall we?" She takes a single step forwards axe in hand.