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Angel shoots an angry glance at Bastian, the situation was awkward enough without his interruption.

Stifling a giggle she turns her back on both Bastian and Liri. "He does make me smile." She whispers quietly to Salia, before turning back as Liri moves closer.

"My mother was from the North Settlements, she died when I was nine Winters old. I was raised by my Father a Legionnaire of some standing..." She tails off, why was she telling her all of this?

"I remember the Stories I was told, but they are just that: Memories." She laughs, her laugh is quite pretty, at odds with her current appearance. "I know nothing of my heritage, how our people live, all I ever wanted was to be a Solider, I forgot my own people."

"But if your father was a human legionnaire, then you haven't forgotten "your own people", Angel. At the most, you have never learnt half of your heritage. And that's not surprising, given that your mother died when you were so young."

Liri's smile is genuinely friendly, her voice affectionate.

"Unfortunately, I'm no treasure trove of elven stories, either. My family has a long history of serving the Empire, and I have contributed a few of my years, too. However, I'll tell you what I know, if you ask."



(ooc: Stik, Jen, I would need help on elven history and culture, at least hints of what I could read and where to get it)

(Ooc: Check your email, when you get a chance, Little document sent your way).

"The Legions caused me nothing but pain." She lowers her head, keeping her eyes on the road ahead. "I am not looking for any specific information, just a feeling for my people." She watches Liri's reactions, occasionally checking Sallia is comfortable.

"When I think of something, I will ask. Is that acceptable?" She forces a smile, being near one of her Mothers people was hard.. she had so much to ask, she was afraid she would spurt it all out in a single manic rushing line...

The road out of Orr's Bay is the same regardless of your destination, but after a short time it will be necessary to pick a road - east to Atirr or west to Kaport Bay. Maughus approaches Fraso. "Kaport Bay is farther from here than Atirr, but I understand your goal is Eastfair, which is west of here. Both roads are dangerous this time of year."

"You are most welcome to ask. And to watch. Me and - Elias, that's the scout's name, isn't it?" Liri is trying to make Angel comfortable.

When they stop at the crossroads, she says: "It seems that your employer might need his bodyguards for a decision" and rides a few paces away to make room for Angel and Praesul to turn.

Angel nods in agreement, "yes, that is his name. And thank you." Giving Liri a bow she spurs Praesul close to Fraso, ensuring Salia is holding on tight.

"My lord, it appears both roads are dangerous, does it not? We may as well take the Road to Kaport Bay, as you plan to go west." she fights to keep the horse still, he wanted to gallop, to feel free.. "Tell me, what settlements will we encounter on that journey? And what is the terrain?" she asks Maghus.

"It seems to me that if both roads are dangerous, perhaps we should take the shortest route. That way we get through the danger quicker." Bastian suggests, attempting to be professional this once.

Maughus mulls over the question, then speaks haltingly: "The land is mostly rolling hills inland. Get closer to the coast and it's a bunch of narrow inlets between high peninsulas. They don't need our fish in Kaport Bay - they got their own - but there is still some commerce between here and there, so there there is a fairly good trail between here and there. No real settlements, leastwise nothing bigger than a five or six family village until you get within three days walk of the town, then it picks up a bit.
"With that wagon, though, it will be slow going. Don't know that we'll make better than ten, maybe twelve miles a day. And that's assuming nothing breaks.
"And that we don't run into any other trouble..." his voice trails off. Then with exaggerated casualness the ranger pulls a broad-bladed, highly polished knife from his belt sheath and, using the flat of the blade as a mirror, checks his face paint.

Since she does not know the area and has no vote as to which way they will be going, Liri doesn't join the discussion. Instead, she lets Casta pluck at the roadside grass and looks casually over to the group discussion.

She uses the occasion to practise her lip-reading skill ( 1d20=6, so she'll understand those who have their faces turned her way).

"Kapport Bay, seems like the best plan, we have provisions, water.. There is a trail.." Angel smiles and glances at Bastian, "The easiest route is often the hardest.."

She turns Praesul around the horse was raring to go, "Sorry, he is just eager to leave." She says turning to Salia, "He will be fine when we get moving, perhaps you shoul hold on to me until we get going." She says with a smile.

"Kapport Bay, then," Maughus says, and gives his small horse a little nudge with his (spur-less) heel. The horse breaks into an odd gait, resembling a walk but high-stepping and with a very rapid pace, almost as fast as a canter, and Maughus guides it toward the head of the column, where Elias is on point.

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[OOC] Do I have a volunteer to prepare a marching order? And how far ahead will Elias be?
Also, for the sake of expediency, should there be any "interesting" encounters on the road, what are your general plans? Jen: remember that with Sallia riding double on Praesul, Angel will have to choose between carrying the girl into battle or dropping her off before engaging.[/OOC]

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The morning passes quietly, apart from the occasional woody groans from the wagon as it settles into its new role as a hearse/ice wagon, and the sounds of animals in the woods, although at times they appear to be quieter than normal. You see nobody else on the trail.

Upon reaching the rebuilt bridge, Maughus rides a little ahead of the wagon and dismounts his horse, which stands attentive and alert, looking in the direction that the ranger is not. Maughus approaches the bridge and begins wandering around it, as if looking for an ambush that is not there. Then he walks a short way down the bank on either side and looks at the underside of the bridge.

By the time the wagon catches up, he has finished his inspection and waves you forward. "Natural choke point. Fine place for danger to lurk. You can't be too careful, you know.
"Good strong bridge, this. It'll last forever," he says as the wagon rumbles by, reaching out with a fist and thumping the railing for emphasis. In one possible universe (one in which the laws of physics are trumped by the laws of physical comedy) this occasioned the bridge to collapse into the river, taking the wagon with it, but here it had no measurable effect other than putting the ranger in the rear-guard position.

Angel maintains her position in front of the wagon, she alternates her time between considering what she might say to Liri, and making conversation with Salia.

"Tell me, how long have you worked for Fraso?" She asks as they rumble over the bridge, "Oh, and I hope the ride is comfortable enough, he can be skitish at times, but he means well."

"Since I was a child. My mother worked for the Master Fraso's family for years before she died. She used to bring me with her. Once she was gone, since I already knew were everything was kept, I sort of inherited the job." Sallia replies. "It's not easy now, though. People know who I work for, and so now I'm the spooky girl. People stare and whisper when I go into the marketplace."

{OOC- I'll stick fairly close. }

Bastian, in absence of anything else to do, begins to hum to himself. At first, he recalls some hymns from his order, but those are in short order and are generally mnemonic forms of recipes so that essential information is not lost to time. Once those are finished, he begins to whistle some tavern favorites, not trusting himself to sing them. A few are rather bawdy!