FYI: Anyone have time for a quest? There is one already in motion at the Broken Strings in Cascadia, but you may join here too! I will also be posting a recruitment in Istan later on. People who are recruited one place are not required to post in the other two. Only ARPers (or higher) please, as we will be heading to the Dragonspine Mountains for treasure and untold wealth! And finding some! Really!
The way this will work is:

• I will post once a week or every three posts (whichever comes first) unless requested to do otherwise.
• You may join the thread at any time, aka you do not have to join at the beginning.
• Also, you may only post once between each of my posts.
• If you are skipped, you can still post later on. If you want me to wait for you to post, you have to let me know.
• If anyone has any questions, please PM me about it! Thank you! ^_^

And now to continue...

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Ornell had arrived at the Green Gryphon very late last night and had just taken a room for the night. Now she sat at a table off to the side with a bowl of dried fruit and some bread and cheese. She was sharing this meal with Valen, who was in his human form. He took a drag on his cider and peered at her from under his dark hair. She looked back at him and smiled weakly. She hadn’t slept well and he knew it. She had never slept well. What ever the strange illness was that had found it’s way into Ornell the High Elf seemed to still be lingering after all that, or perhaps if was simply the memory…

It was a memory of how she had failed the elf, how part of her very being was trapped within this body while the elf herself had died in the flames. Now she was separate but still part of the whole of the Goddess of Flame. Those dreams, those nightmares were terrifying but practically unrecognizable. She didn’t know why they were so frightening. They made no sense… it was just… chaos. “Should I head out or would you like me to stay?” Valen asked then, drawing her out of her musing.

“What ever you would like Valen. Though I do have to point out you don’t look like much of an adventuring type.” His eyes flashed silver for a moment and she saw a smile cross his face. Both knew looks really meant little. She returned his look with a genuine smile. “You can look around if you like. We’ll meet up again soon, I’m sure.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way My Lady.” Valen said and finished his drink. He stood up and fixed his vest and picked up a half-cloak from the back of his chair as he rose. “Until then.” He bowed to her and she smiled again. He had always had a knack for making her feel better. Valen then walked across to the barkeep and paid for the food that they would need for the next stretch of their journey. She let him put things in order for her this time. He leaned in and told the barkeep what she was looking for, Brave Adventures willing to head to the Dragonspine Mountains for riches and fame! Ornell saw Valen gesture her way and she rose a hand in acknowledgment. She bartender took a moment to study her before turning back to listen to something else Valen was saying. The barkeep nodded and the steel dragon dressed as a scholar and without a single weapon on him placed his hands in his pockets and left the tavern to take a look around town.

Ornell sat back in her chair and sipped her hot cider. The cards had been played. All to do now was wait for word to flow through the village. She didn’t expect it to travel too fast here. It was not too big of a place after all. She had all day now though. It would be time enough.

Silence hovered over him like an angry cloud, which suited him just fine. Tonight was about him and him only; there would be nothing to ruin it like the other nights. No burly macho men busting up his fun, nor would there be any self-righteous punks trying to stand in his way. Oh no, it was just him…Him and his drink. Such a sweet succulent drink it had been, with an intoxicating scent and bitter sweet taste, it seemed to lure him with every sip he would take. Swaying the dance of ale, his eyes would soon find themselves straying to the few women that littered the tavern, admiring their beauty. Or what he had thought to be beauty, having slightly distorted vision it would be hard to tell for certain.

Deciding against making a fool of himself, his eyes settled back upon the blood red ale in front of him. Taking it up in both of his hands, the digits would curl around it and interlace themselves in a content manner. What did he intend to do with himself for the rest of this peaceful night? Perhaps finding a place to sleep would be a wise idea, but that would involve paying for it in one form or another. Something he was clearly not interested in, but was he coherent enough to coax his way into the bed of another? Mayhaps not and probably something that would end up driving him to an early finish. For a fight was not something he needed, nor wanted right at this moment, especially in this alcohol induced state he was in.

When a single soul made his way up to the bar and pulled the barkeep aside, his ears would twitch barely able to pick up what was being said. Although, he could hear well enough to understand the words, ‘wealth and fame,’ which was enough for him. Sliding his eyes off to his immediate right, he watched the two as they talked until the one gestured off towards somebody. Who it was, would be something he could not tell without being all too obvious. Trying to remain as inconspicuous as he could, he would turn in his chair and rise to an erect stance, swaying as he had. Placing a hand on the bar for stabilization, his eyes would roam across the tavern before landing upon the form of Ornell. Proceeding into a stretch, a light yawn would pass his lips, but it would prove to be utter failure for the second he shifted his weight to stretch. He would fall flat back upon the ground with a loud thud. Laying there for a few moments, he simply stared up at the ceiling and began laughing. So much for trying to be suave or even smooth with his approach, now he had only hoped that he didn’t appear a fool.

Shifting his eyes off to bar for a moment, a brow would lift at the barkeep as he peered over it and at him. “Are you all right?” The keep would call, only to be dismissed by a simple wave of the hand and few words, “I haven’t met a floor to this day that could do me in, so I think I’ll survive.” Sucking in a deep breath, his muscles would tense and contract as he sat up rapidly, only to roll and then push himself up to his feet in one fluid movement. Dusting off his pant legs, his attention would lift up to Ornell, wondering if she had taken notice of his spill or not. Shrugging off the thought, he decided to give it a shot and would find out then if she had or hadn’t. Placing foot before foot, he casually strolled over towards her table, before slinging a nearby chair towards and then behind him as he fell back onto it in a relaxed state. Folding his arms over his chest, he would proceed to place his feet upon the table next to hers, as his head turned to face her. Shooting her a wry grin, he would simply nod his head, “Are you the one looking for adventurers for wealth and fame? If so, then I’m your man.” Adding extra emphasize to his words, he would take a lone hand and point the thumb towards him, “Everyone who knows me calls me Avarice, I go by nothing else and will accept nothing else. Now, could I ask for your lovely name?” Ah, what an exploit this was, not only did he get in a good night of drinking, but now he had an opportunity for wealth and fame resting in the hands of a beautiful woman. Life could not get any better, at least not in his view…

((OOC: Sorry for the shortness, I'll work on a longer one for my next post.))

Ornell’s gaze shifted from Valen to someone who was just getting up, but had not seemed to be able to stay that way. Ornell let her gaze go back to Valen as he went out the door. They would be meeting up again just outside the north side of this little village. Things seemed much quieter here. She would be surprised if she got more then one person interested in coming with her. She nursed her drink some, keeping it warm between her hands. When she noticed the man who had fallen earlier was approaching her, she watched his approach over the rim of her cup. She raised an elegant eyebrow at him and let her hands lower her cup.

“I am Ornell, and I’m looking for a few people brave enough to head up to the Dragonspine Mountains with me. I know what I’m looking for, but I don’t know if anything else will be there already. From what I’ve heard there is quite a bit of loot to be had, so I figured I would rather have a few others along for better odds. Even though that may mean less for myself and my dragon, I would rather have my skin. So are you interested?” She let her feet swing under her chair and she leaned forward to set her mug down.

Out of all the possible places to end up and situations to endure, this is where Aikanaro ended up. A tavern, of all places, sitting half dazed on a chair. Even "sitting" was a loose term. One leg was bent with it's foot on the chair in front of Aike's rump while the other rested sideways in front of the chair legs. Aike didn't drink, but having only experienced the angry side of drunkenness, he found the clumsiness of the local patrons rather amusing. Or would have, if he wasn't still dazed from the night before, falling off a roof into a cold fog for the rest of the night. All he could remember were two interesting looking figures that he would hope to see fight, but it never happened; at least, not to his memory. Aikanaro and the cold never truly got along.

Having stacked all the shot glasses from two asleep patrons into a small, clear pyramid, Aikanaro jolted to attention and frantically tried to steady his building as a gentleman fell to the floor right next to his table. Furrowing his eyebrows in curiosity, Aike was about to lean over and study this drunken stupor, but unfortunately, the man got up and walked to the bar. Aike sighed and nearly took his attention off the man, but the word "dragon" hit Aikanaro's curiosity like a lightning bolt.

Aikanaro had to shift his position to be able to stand up without knocking himself onto the floor much like the previous fellow. Walking quietly up to the pair, he sat down on the other side of the woman from the drunk man and eyed them intensely. Pulling his feet onto his chair and placing his chin against his upper knees, he gazed at them from behind his legs without saying even a single word. Everyone else tonight had completely ignored him, and he simply assumed these two to would do the same.

((OOC: Crappy, but oh well. Been away for a while and I couldn't really get into the character right now, so you'll have to forgive me. ))

A wry grin broke across his visage as she spoke her reasons and the locations of where and why she wanted to head there. All the while he would take note of a few words such as her skin and dragon for later reference. Everyone had their reasons for choosing the words they did and those would be the select few he would need to keep track of for future reference. Lifting his feet from the table next to them, he would place them flat upon the ground in front of him, before leaning carefully forward in his chair and placing his hands upon his side of the table. Bringing his face in closer to the woman, his head would tilt slightly to the side and a coy grin would slide across his face, “You say a dragon hmmm? You talk as if you own him, almost as if he’s a pet to you and nothing more. Is that how you view dragons…? Tools and nothing more than just that?” Lifting his upper lip slightly, he would suck a breath of air through his now exposed teeth, making a slight squeaking noise in doing so.

Keeping his eyes glued to hers for a moment, he would simply shrug and rock back into his seat before scoffing at her, “Oh well, I suppose it is none of my concern, anyway. After all, I’m only here for one thing and that doesn’t involve interrogating your life, your reasoning’s, or your goals. So I apologize if I’ve offended you…” Shifting a brief glance off to the side and to the man next to them for a moment, a slight brow would cock itself in question. Great, another beggared here to butt in on another one of his conversations. Issuing a frown at the man’s sudden appearance, he would simply do just as the man had expected, ignore him. Returning his intent gaze back upon the beautiful woman in front of him, the frown would soon be replaced by a smile, “Now, before I say if I am or not, could you elaborate a bit more on this adventure of yours? Like when we plan to depart, if it’s soon or if I have some time yet to train and what not. Also, am I the only one going along or are there others and if so, do you know how many? And….” His face twisted into that of a thought provoked once and he leaned further back into his chair. Bringing a single hand up to his face, his finger tips would place themselves just upon his chin and lightly tap themselves repeatedly there while he thought. With the question quickly bubbling to the surface in the whirlpool of thoughts in his mind, his hand instinctively moved out and pointed a single finger at her, “Come to think of it, I never asked you about you. What’re you going to be doing during this whole excursion? Are you going to stand back and watch while I or we or whoever takes on anything that stands in our way? Or do you intend to fight if that need arises? If you answer is the latter, what prêt ell are you even capable of? Oh! And lastly, what type of dragon is the dragon? Err…I guess the better question would reside in what element it follows, but I don’t really care what piece of information you choose to divulge.”

Placing both of his hands back down upon the table in front of them, he would keep his eyes glued to hers for a few moments, “If you answer me those questions, consider me hired, I suppose you could say. I have no problem making a little money on the side, as well as gather a little pleasure with it. I just hope you don’t hold any hard feelings about my dragon outburst. Normally I’m a quite nice guy, but I just didn’t agree with the ownership thing….Sort of degrading to a dragon in my view, don’t you think? So forgive my outburst, will you?” Shooting her a winning smile, he would wink slightly and then motion his head off towards the man, “Any idea on who this joker is though?”

((OOC: You might think you're post is crappy, but I was finally able to get a good one because of it, so thank you! ^_^ ))

Ornell went almost cold at his outburst about dragons. Her words had been twisted in the meaning and she felt it settle deep within her. There, it waited for the moment she would speak. Coiling inside her like a fire snake, cool and calm on the outside but inside... Her blood red eyes began to glow slight brighter then before.

When Avarice had finished she spoke, her fist words almost as sharp as the blades at her hip. "I don't think you understood the reference I made, or simply you are an ignorant fool. So I will forgive you this once and explain it to you so it will not happen again. I am a Dragon Rider. The dragon I ride is my dragon in the exact same way as I am his rider. We are a team, equals, and I will not hear of it being called any less. If one of us should fail in our part of the partnership, we both will die. If you dare to even think I would consider a dragon as nothing more then a simple pet or other dumb creature I will be glad to explain it a little clearer with the sharp end of my blade."

Then she sat back and closed her eyes for a moment, then took a deep and slow breath, then let it out and felt the coiled fire within her relax, for the moment. When she opened her eye the glow was gone, or at least no brighter then the light in the room. "As for you're other questions... I plan on leaving from the City of Istan in a week and a half. From there we will cross the desert with an Oasis at our mid-point to the Dragonspine Mountains. I have four others who are coming so far, but each have a reason not to show in Istan. One is another dragon, a friend of mine. The other two are young women simply in it for the fun of it, and another fully armed and armored gentleman has offered his services also. I think he will show. He seemed the honorable type." She leaned forward and let her elbows rest on the table, her fingers laced together for her to rest her chin on them.

"As for me... Valen, the dragon I have teamed up with, can breath toxic gas. He was born in the Dragonspines and both of us know if we want to get our hands, or claws as it may be, on anything worth any value up there we had better put the odds in our favor. I will not bother with anything that another member could easily take care of and may gain some valuable experience from, but I don't intend to let anyone take foolish risks or to let anything in our way threaten the chances, and advantage, we have in numbers before we even get there. I’m only doing it this way to make it worth the venture. As for what I’m capable of…” She fell silent for a moment and her voice dropped to an almost whisper. “…lets just say those who have crossed me either think better of it or they simply don’t exist anymore.” Ornell smiled and then let her gaze travel to Aikanaro. She recognized him and remembered the heat signature. Few beings had one like he did. She smiled warmly at him. “As for him, he showed up last night and happens to really like fire… as he’s a Fire Genasi. Aren’t you?”

Aikanaro watched the conversation intently from behind his knees. He began listening carefully to what the drunk fellow had to say, but his attention grew less and less... and less. He eventually had a flat stare while the mind behind the eyes wondered how long he could go on talking. It was almost as if the man couldn't stop...

"Now, before I say if I am or not..."

Aikanaro's eyes widened slightly and his head cocked to the side. It was like asking a little, indicisive kid what their favorite kind of ice cream was... Aike couldn't help but stare with the utmost amazement.

"If you answer me those questions..."

And he just kept going! By this time, Aike's head was almost completely horizontal and he was very tempted to challenge the man to a breath-holding contest just to see the man's lung compacity. The man was very lucky Aike didn't have a poking stick.

It was only until the woman burst out in offense about the dragon comment that Aikanaro must have missed that his head came to attention and his mind shook itself awake.

"...City of Istan..."

Aikanaro made a careful mental note. Even through he hadn't heard of the city yet, the way she talked about it made it seem it was a familiar place to most people. Asking around would easily net him a direction. Reguardless, this talk of dragons and adventure intrigued him, and he might have to take advantage of this, especially since everyone seemed so adept at ignori-... Nevermind... He mentally sighed this last thought as both individuals turned their attention on him.

“Any idea on who this joker is though?”

Aikanaro cocked an eyebrow at being called a joker, as jokers had those funny little hats and Aike always wanted one, but could never find one for purchase...; but his attention turned to the woman who seemed to actually remember him from the night before. He couldn't help the wide grin that spread across his face at the mention of fire and how much Aike liked playing with it. He nodded quietly when she asked of his heritage. "Got it from my gramps. The personality seemed to skip a generation, though. My pops is the biggest stick in the mud you'll ever meet... He lives right down the road if you want to go see." And as hard as he tried, he couldn't help but snicker as he said, "Just look for the smoldering fields..." It seemed the past events didn't bother Aike too much anymore. He had met far too many interesting people outside the farm, and wouldn't trade it for anything, even a quiet life at home.

His attention returned to the situation at hand, "...You said your dragon is from the Dragonspines... but where are you from?" He almost reached out and poked the woman, but remember what happened the last time he poked someone. They didn't like it very much at all. He eyed the gentleman, "And you... Where are you from?" His curiocity was little, but it was mainly to avoid the place, for if the men talked as much as this fellow, the women would be absolutely frightful...

The news of a quest, lead by a fire based dragon rider, had spread through Taras like wild fire, so long as if you were in a tavern or around people who really cared. It had just so happened that Ocar had been in the Song of Elves tavern in Taras. Now normally he would not care for such news, but as of late, he felt he needed to get out and do things. He new Veronna was always busy, her life full of many different things, which meant he did not see much of her. He loved her, and always would, but he felt he needed to go out alone and see more of the land. He trusted Veronna would be able to handle their daughter, the child growing so fast that he could hardly believe it. He was the one always watching the child, taking care of her when Veronna was to tired to or was too busy.

So Ocar gad gotten ready to ride earlier that morning, having gotten word from someone in Kellen that the Dragon rider was now there, looking for more adventurers. He packed light, even though he would have to ride most of the day, bringing some bread and a water flask. His greatsword was on his back, the weapon would seem heavy to most, but he had years to train with it, his father showing him much of the swordplay he knew now. He also carried his crossbow and bolts, not sure when he would need it along his journey.

The day was quite cold, some patchy ice on the road to Kellen, making traveling any faster then a trot dangerous. The trip was slow, but he managed to find it enjoyable, taking comfort in his wool lined cloak and heavy garb. His legs began to ache, having not ridden this long for quite some time, his back also starting to disagree with him. The day was coming to a close, the sun that had been hidden in the clouds making it's way down to the horizion. When he started to worry about getting there before nightfall, the small village came in to view. He smiled to himself, thankful he would be able to get in to a wamr tavern and get a hot drink.

He got his horse trotting the last stretch of rode to the tavern, dismounting without any problems, except for his legs cracking slightly, a bit a pain going in to his back. He tied his horse up, loosening it's saddle slightly to make it more comfortable. He patted it a couple times then headed in to the tavern. He pushed the door in, the smell of alchol and pipe smoke reaching his nose. The tavern was small, especially compared to the Song of Elves, or even Bloodseal. The few patrons within the tavern looking his way as he entered. He did not hesitate, walking straight to the bar and ordering a pint of mead, and laying a few coins on the counter. He sat down, removing his claok before doing so and setting on a stool next to his. His drink came and he took it greatfully, taking a long drink from it. He pulled it away from his mouth, wiping away any foam that managed to stick ti his face. He peered around the tavern, looking for the one who was recruiting adventurers, hoping he did not miss her. He then spotted a table where three people were gathered around, two men and one woman. He watched them for a moment, wondering if this was the person he wanted to speak with. He ran his fingers through his black hair, just noticing how long it had gotten. He pulled it back, tying it with a piece of leather he always carried with him when he needed his hair out of his face.

What the hell. He thought as he stood, straightening out his blue tunic and walking over towards the table, leaving his cloak and pint of mead on the counter. He approached the table with confidence, hoping he did not look too worn from his travel to Kellen. He bowed to the people at the table, manners that he did not forget since his mother forced him and his siblings to do. "Excuse me, sirs and ma'am. But I was wondering if I have found the right place to come. I am looking for one who is searching for adventurers. Would you be her?" He asked, looking at the only woman at the table.

((OOC: Sorry I've been slow. It's a tad short and bit sketchy, but oh well. ))

When the woman outburst at his comments, he couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. Never before had he seen someone with so much…Fire in their eyes before. The funny thing is he wouldn’t know how right he would be on that. Her anger was genuine, something that was pure in its concern about his assumptions over her and her dragon. It was something that never happened much, for not many actually held a care about another creature and only used it just as a tool and nothing more. While her entire outburst was cute, she seemed to want to bring it to threatening, which only seemed to make his grin linger in its presence upon his face, before allowing his countenance to fade back into a solemn appearance. Placing both of his hands upon the table between them, he would push himself up and to an erect stance. However, he would move no further while she finished up explaining all the minor details to him. Clearing his throat, his voice would pick up in a soft tone, “You’ve passed my test on where your loyalty lies, which is all I needed to know. I will give you my unconditional support all throughout the course of this contract between us. When it draws to an end and our reward is in hand, perhaps we can seek something of a more friendly relationship. Though, it’s not important as of right now, since this is business after all, right?”

Issuing a slight shrug of the shoulders, he would turn on the balls of his feet and head off to the door. Upon nearing it though, he would falter for a moment and recollect. Slowly his head turned to cast a glance over his shoulder and back at the woman named Ornell, “I will meet you in Istan…Even though I’m still uncertain about your reasons. Perhaps you will explain that at a later date…Or perhaps not.” Offering another shrug, his head would tilt off to the side for a moment, “Whatever your reasoning, I will stand at your side regardless. Until we meet again at Istan…” Extending his hand out to the door knob, his digits gracefully curled around its thickness, but as his hand began to twist and push it open, he would pause. Glancing back briefly, a slight smile would cross his lips, “Your companion and I share a lot in common…Just keep that in mind, now I bid you adieu…” Wasting little effort, he shoved the door open and quickly disappeared beyond its threshold and out into the darkness…

Another question and a new person approaching her table, then Avarice replyed. Ornell paused... a test? She had been expecting to have to be the one testing and figuring out those who would be traveling with her, not to be tested by one. She blinked, unable to find the correct words as she watched him rise and then leave, leaving her with quite a bit of food for thought. She had no doubt he would show in Istan... but a similarity to Valen? So had he asked the question because he was also a dragon? She didn’t mind that, she had another dragon coming with, besides Valen that is. She wondered what kind of dragon he would be, choosing to look like he did.

She turned her attention back to the others at her table and the questions asked. She should answer them after all. Still feeling slightly confused she replied to Aikanaro first, turning her blood red eyes to him. "I live in the Istan Desert. That's how I found out about the treasure and wealth available in the Dragonspine." She then turned her attention to the new gentleman who had approached the table just before Avarice took his leave. She almost sighed, but managed to smile up at the man.

"Yes, I'm Ornell and I've been looking for some brave souls who would be willing to go on an adventure to the Dragonspine Mountains in search of treasure and wealth. Would you be interested in such a venture, sir?" Ornell found herself resisting the urge to get up and follow Avarice and demand a proper explanation for himself, and that smile. Instead she made herself stay here and do exactly what she had come here to do. Such demands could wait for Istan, and by then she might be able to temper them into more polite inquires.

Ocar watched one of the men leave, wondering what he had said to the woman, Ornell, before making his way out of the tavern, for she seemed slightly confused. He nodded to her when she asked if he was interested in going. "I indeed would be interested in going, though I do not seek any treasures or wealth, such things are of little importance to me. But I will go for the adventure." He said. He remained standing, for he had not been invited to sit, and would be completely inproper to sit with out the invitation. "Please forgive me," He said bowing again, this time apologetically . "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ocardonydd. It is a pleasure to meet you Ornell." He said, offering his hand to her. He had heard about Ornell from Veronna, and he knew she was some kind of Avatar of the Goddess of Fire, Lady Era. He also knew she was a Dragon rider, but besides that, he knew hardly anything about her, and only assumed she could be trusted.

He was kind fo excited about going on an adventure, he had been cooped up in Taras for a long time, but it was his home, and he had a family there. But something urged him to go explore somewhere else. When he had first arrived in Imythess, he spent a majority of his time traveling the land, taking in the sites, but like so many, Taras was the most inviting, with it's huge arena, several taverns and inns, and the love of his life. He had not told Veronna he was going to go on this quest, and knew she would object, not wanting him to get hurt. That was the problem, she was always too protective of him, and he needed to get some independence.

"Is there anything I should know before going on this quest? Like if there is something I have to bring or such?" He asked, not wanting to go with out being prepared. He already knew he was going to be taking several weapons, and the basics, but was unsure if she needed him to bring anything specific.

News of a group of adventurers traveling to the Dragonspine Mountains had caught her attention. Perhaps going on such a venture with other people would make her feel less alone. She wanted to belong with them, but what if they saw the curse for what it was? She couldn’t have that. Ivory decided to use a blindfold and a stick to travel. She could heal and listen. She could do more then that if given a chance. Perhaps she would be able to test her limits here also?

The albino girl found a stick to walk with and a blindfold to cover her cursed eyes. Ivory made sure it was snug before venturing into the city. It took her only a little while to get used to walking like this. She heard a child’s voice and paused. “Excuse me, young boy, where may I find the Green Gryphon Tavern?”

The young boy seemed eager to help. He took her free hand and said, “I can see it from here. I’ll take you there!” He lead her across the street and she hard a door being pushed open. The sounds and smells of a tavern filled the air. Ivory smiled.

“Thank you for your help, here…” Ivory freed her hand from the boy’s and fished out a coin. “There you go. Thank you again”

The small hand took the coin and a happy voice replied, “No problem miss! If you need help again just call! My name’s Ural.” She smiled as she heard his small feet scamper back outside. Making her way inside she heard talk of a quest off to her right. Carefully and calmly she made her way over there, letting the stick guide her feet. She made it near the table before she stopped. She would linger for a moment. She wanted to listen to make sure she was in the right place before offering to join.

She found herself relaxing some around Ocardonydd. She was surprised the tension was there. It was his manner she decided, so very different from Avarice. The other man seemed rather standoffish and had brushed her the wrong way only to turn in around. She was going to have to pin Avarice down and ask him a few things. That would of course have to wait, and she knew that, so why had it come to mind again? Ocardonydd also seemed to have a very different reason for going then Avarice. There was no doubt that that one was going just due to his namesake. Ocardonydd must have duties that he normally performed though. Either that or he was board. Not that she was too concerned with why, just that people showed up. Numbers would be what would get her what she was going for. She did stand to accept his offered hand though. She let her hand drop back easily to her side before speaking. "Just bring yourself, food and drink if you don't wish to share, and meet me in Istan City, at The Oasis tavern, in a week and a half." She smiled. "That I think is plenty of time for traveling and for packing. What do you think?"

Then Ornell paused and looked around. It seemed that Aikanaro had vanished. Perhaps he decided not to come. How odd? Perhaps it had just been curiosity after all. She sighed then and returned once more to her chair. Was she going to find enough people? She was going to have to find just as many in Istan as she had so far in both Cascadea and Kellen. She would have to make do with what she got.

She looked over at Ocardonydd. Had she seen him somewhere before? He seemed a little familiar, but then… no, she was sure she had never met him before. Well, there was no reason to be rude. She motioned to the empty seats at the table. "You can take a seat if you wish? If you have other things to attend to though, I wouldn't want to impose."