Goblin Town -- Logs

Shortly thereafter, Alfred asks the little dragon to bring back another armload of firewood from where it's stacked at the edge of camp. As Cinnamon gets close again to the argument, she actually hears Marcus saying quietly, "Father, I have been thinking, and I have been being... I don't want to say childish, but it's the only word I can think of -- and I need to stop that. People have been indulging me -- or at least not being confrontational about it -- but I have caused problems twice now. Twice that I shouldn't have. I lost Mother's daggers. I am ashamed, and I... should not allow myself to be behaving this way."

Cinnamon raises a mental eyebrow at that, though she doesn't pause in her trotting by with another armload of firewood. Instead she sets it all down carefully where she was asked to, then hesitates for a moment, thinking... then finally turns and heads -- a bit diffidently, admittedly -- back to where Jaeger and Marcus are talking. She walks slowly enough that Jaeger can subtly wave her off if he'd rather... but she does head that way.

Jaeger sees Cinnamon approaching; he doesn't wave her off at all. In fact, he's still speaking quietly, "Marcus, my son, I am not trying to say you should not try to... step into your role. But I think there is going to be fighting and while you have been trained, you have not been in a true battle yet." Marcus says, "And there lies the problem. I have not, but I need to be eventually."

Cinnamon smiles a bit nervously as she approaches, her voice soft, "Hi. I, umm... overheard some of what you guys were saying -- I'm sorry! I d-didn't mean to... to effectively eavesdrop, b-but, umm... well. So, uhh, can I maybe... offer an opinion too, please?"

Jaeger and Marcus both look over, and Marcus smiles at Cinnamon, "Please. I'd appreciate the opinion."

Cinnamon gives a quick, nervous nod, "Oh-okay. S-so reality is, the only reason I'll be in front is 'cause I'm effectively bulletproof and I breathe fire... but truthfully? I don't really want to be there -- I'm always terrified that my friends who aren't fast healers or damage-proof will get really hurt! Frankly, if I could, um, figure out a way to do it, nobody but me would be up there... and maybe the Havvarger, if there's no silver on the other side -- which this time unfortunately there is. Plus Thorn will be left alone and without defense in the back... which is why, if you ask me what I want... I'd really like it if you'd defend Thorn. Keep him safe."

She sighs, glancing away a bit self-consciously as she adds, "Also, if you really want to go into battle, um... you maybe might want to do some training with, er... well, like Shane and Veles? 'Cause I bet you fight really pretty and the way the rules were taught to you, and... well, even with my extremely limited experience, I know that's not how real battles go? And despite everything... none of us want to lose you. You're a councilor -- that means you're not expendable, you know?"

Cinnamon glances back at Marcus, her expression grave as she pushes her glasses up, "And I'm sorry to be blunt, but you don't belong in the front line this time, Marcus. Not only do you not have armor, or fast healing, or centuries' worth of combat experience, or even a sword or shield -- and a bunch of your allies will be wearing stuff that's incredibly toxic to you, too! -- but you're also not 100 percent right now. Everyone else is."

Marcus and Jaeger both listen; Jaeger nods, "That's actually quite an excellent point: Thorn will need protection. Shane or one of the Havvarger will need to be there. You as well would be good, Marcus. Also, Cinnamon has excellent armor, and most of the Havvarger will be up front with her because they... well, they fight with iron. They are susceptible to silver, though. So we need to keep our healer well protected."

Cinnamon nods solemnly to Jaeger, then looks back at Marcus. Her voice is quite sincere, "I know it's not what you want to hear, but... please do listen to us? Please?"

Marcus nods solemnly, "I hear you. Thank you for the honesty."

Cinnamon nods a bit worriedly... then sighs. She's not sure Marcus believes her, even if he hears her... but hammering on him will only make him dig his heels in. She smiles unhappily at both men, then excuses herself and heads back to work.

Once she's finished helping Alfred, Cinnamon goes to make sure her tent is still properly set up, and the big chain is still firmly wound about the nearby tree... and after that she's going to eat! She's very hungry. Thorn, after checking the rogues for any further medical conditions or issues, has dinner and goes to sleep, to be awake and aware for when it's his turn to stand watch. The two rogues are fed and watched closely, though neither of them wants to give their names. Shane opines that they may believe that giving their name, even if just an alias, may give some power over them. Or perhaps they're just doing the prisoner-of-war thing, of giving as little information as possible. Cinnamon frowns consideringly at that, "Really? That'd be bad, if so... since previously the leader guy said he'd help us. Do you think he's changed his mind? I really don't want him leading us into some sort of ambush or anything!"

Shane shakes his head, "I think... he'll help, but... I don't know. Perhaps I'm wrong here, but he just doesn't want to give his name. Maybe they don't use aliases and giving a name really is a bad thing."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "Okay. Huh... I wonder if that has any connection to their elder that's giving such bad advice?" She grins tiredly at Shane as she finishes her meal, adding, "Guess we'll find out tomorrow!"

As night nears, Fraser gets understandably growly and antsy. He understands on the upper, ego parts of his brain that this has to be done. The Id parts? Not so much. At one point Cinnamon actually hears him say to Arvid, "If ye'd just let me out tonight, I could take care of the entire problem..."

Cinnamon grins wryly as she comes up and gives him a shy one-armed hug, "We'd rather you come back in one piece, Frazey!"

Fraser looks down at the little dragon and puts an arm around her with a chuckle and a snort, "They'd never e'en see me coming, lass. Not on a night like tonight. I'd not be dumb enough to mount a frontal assault..."

Arvid rumbles, "I don't care. I forbid it. And I am still alpha of this pack, Fraser. I get the bloodthirst, but that's not what we want."

Cinnamon nods gravely to Arvid, then glances at Fraser and adds, "That's the other reason -- don't want you to do horrible things that'll make you sad when you're off the full moon!" After that she tries to gently coax Fraser off toward her tent, so Arvid can chain Fraser-wolf up again. He growls a little -- it's very close to his wolf-growl -- but then sighs and allows himself to be coaxed.

The next morning Fraser is out of the tent before Cinnamon is even awake. He makes sure she is tucked securely and warmly in her blanket, and that the tent flap is completely closed. Today is a day to be serious, so he's not going to tease her or anyone else. Cinnamon doesn't even awaken -- she's worked quite hard recently! She'll sleep for as long as she's allowed to, as her body does its best to heal.

The Havvarger are all up early. Shane and Jaeger both wake with them and quietly begin preparing. None of them want a fight, but all of them will engage if they have to. Shane, especially, would rather redirect than have to fight. He is, at heart, very peaceful. Alfred, once he has his armor and weapons ready, puts coffee and tea on to brew and then starts breakfast: eggs, bacon, soda bread, and porridge. Thorn has been up since his watch started, and is preparing his medical kit. While a little sleepy, the smell of coffee and bacon immediately fully awakens him! Like the others, he is more than happy to compliment Alfred for his thoughtfulness for cooking for everyone. Cinnamon emerges shortly thereafter, yawning and rubbing her eyes... then putting on her glasses and inquiring hopefully, "Bacon? Coffee?" When she's handed a mug she sighs happily and beams at Alfred, "Oh my gosh, Alfie, you're awesome -- thank you so much for making food for us all!"

Alfred seems almost shy, "I saved the soda bread for today... to fortify us, y'know?" He rubs the back of his head and lowers his voice, "I'm sorry I didn't make it for his nibs last night."

Cinnamon blinks bemusedly up at Alfred from over her mug, "For... who?" Then she beams again, "Ooh, I love soda bread!" She blinks again at a sudden thought -- then giggles, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, "For... Marcus? Don't worry -- it's the honey that's really important!"

Simultaneously, Alfred murmurs, "Marcus. The bread -- for the bread and honey. It's... a tradition for us before a big battle. Fraser's thing, actually. He says the soda bread thing came from Ireland, but he stole it."

Cinnamon giggles again at the mental image of Fraser thundering off with a wisp of paper clutched in one hand, running like mad to escape the furious attentions of a number of angry, rolling-pin-wielding Irishwomen! As she fills her plate -- along with everyone else -- once breakfast is ready, she happily adds to Alfred, "Well, maybe the soda bread will be good luck for us today... and there won't be any fighting at all!"

Thorn nods, "Here's hoping," as he lifts his mug of coffee as if in salute.

Cinnamon grins and salutes with her coffee mug as well, "To peaceful and friendly resolutions -- may we have more of them, as well as more friends!" She laughs, her usual good mood starting to surface now she's had more sleep and some food. A moment later she glances around curiously, "Have the rogues been fed too already?" She thinks for a moment, then adds hopefully, "Also, once breakfast is over and we've packed up, can we start off too?"

Alfred nods, "Shane took their food to them. Made sure they had plenty. Sat and took a bite of everything on each of their plates where they could see him. Smart lad, that one. Good at getting people to trust him."

Jaeger nods to Cinnamon, "Ja. Once everyone's eaten, we're heading out."

Cinnamon is excited and hopeful as she hastily eats and packs, readying herself as quickly as she can. Maybe the rogue leader is keeping faith with them, and the rogue elder will listen to reason -- or has something he needs that they can fix for him! She crosses her fingers that Marcus too is listening to reason... and will march in back with Thorn. That'd take yet another worry off her mind! Marcus is quiet, but he doesn't seem to be sulking. He just seems... quiet. This is a situation he actually has not been in before... or rarely, at most. The first actual battle he's seen was the one at the council meeting, where the people conspiring with Qadan attacked the council members.

It takes surprisingly little time to break camp and start the march. The rogue with them makes good on his word, and shows them a relatively easy path through the forest. Cinnamon is deeply relieved at the path! She would do it if she had to, but she'd really rather not arrive panting, breathless, overheated, and flushed bright red from overexertion! Marcus stays in the rear with Thorn and Alfred, instead of fading into the forest like he and Jaeger had done previously. Cinnamon blinks at that once it registers... then beams with pleasure! How very nice, that Marcus didn't think Jaeger's and her advice was a waste of time!

Jaeger too does not fade into the forest at all, actually. Fortunately the hike isn't as far as they might have expected... or maybe Cinnamon and Thorn are getting more used to hiking? When they get close, the group is hailed in a military-seeming fashion. Cinnamon sighs in relief at the hail -- thank goodness they've arrived! She pants as discreetly as possible as she waits for Jaeger and the rogue leader to confirm to the sentry.

The rogue leader steps forward from behind the wall of Havvarger and Cinnamon. He answers the hail, and two scowling rogue gealsidhe seem to melt out of the forest. The conversation ahead of them is going a little tensely as the rogue tries to explain who these heavily-armed people are and just why they need to be let into the encampment. He's doing his very best to explain that they really, really want to do this with as little fuss as possible. Cinnamon listens with interest, watching the faces to try and figure out how the discussion is going. Thorn stays back, of course, and tries to catch whatever he can hear. He is also paying attention to their rear, in case gealsidhe come out of the forest behind them.

Jaeger lets the rogue leader handle this for the moment. He listens to the arguing rogues, looking grave as he glances at Cinnamon. He knows she wants to learn diplomacy. The little dragon is listening carefully, wondering if she can possibly help at all... and glancing at Jaeger to see if he's getting this or not, too!

Behind them all, Thorn frowns a little and murmurs to Erin, "Pretty lady? Could you take a look around our rear, please?" The supernatural bird flits her nearly-invisible way through the trees, staying low in the branches. Thorn sighs ruefully, thinking, [Erin's going to earn her weight in redcurrant at this rate!] Erin comes back less than five minutes later; Thorn got a look through her eyes at one rogue scout in a tree behind them. The scout looks to be armed with a bow, but isn't yet actually aiming at anyone. Yet. Thorn murmurs to Alfred, "We have a scout in the trees behind us. Just so you know. They're not preparing to attack I don't think."

Alfred blinks and nods slowly, not turning to look, "This is good to know. I won't look. It's not good to let them know we know."

Thorn nods, "I don't think they've really noticed Erin. But if things go south, we may have to do something about the scout." Again he murmurs to Erin, "Thank you, pretty lady." He also lets Marcus know, just in case they might have to move quickly. Marcus nods at the news and moves surprisingly subtly to loosen his obsidian-and-titanium daggers in their sheaths.

Up front, where the rogues are arguing, Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully, her lips starting to form some of the words she's beginning to recognize... and then, a bit later, she realizes she's starting to actually get some of what's being said! She listens carefully to what's going on, her face turning back and forth to each speaker... and then, when one of the sentries snaps at the rogue leader, asking how they can believe him -- has he changed sides?! -- she ahems gently, and tries speaking slowly and clearly, using simple words so she hopefully communicates well, "He tells truth. We wish speaking with the elder. We wish peace. Be calm."

The sentry blinks at Cinnamon, then snorts, "You speak like a child."

Jaeger instantly replies, "She speaks well for someone that didn't speak Euskera yesterday."

Cinnamon blinks as she pushes her glasses up, grinning at Jaeger as she murmurs in an intrigued voice -- and in English, "You can speak it too?"

Jaeger smiles, "Not as well as I used to." The rogues look a little surprised at the elder elf's statement, and there's some back and forth as they try to figure out if this is true. The rogue leader asserts firmly that he thinks it is true -- after all, previously she just spoke French, not Euskera, to him!

Cinnamon grins excitedly at Jaeger -- she thinks this is really cool! -- then turns her attention back to the rogues, with a smile, "Does it matter? Important most is to speak with your elder, yes?"

The rogue with them says, "Let us pass. These... are not the only forms the people here possess." Cinnamon is both surprised and pleased at the subtlety of the rogue's comment! Nice phrasing, she thinks.

The sentry looks them over, eyes narrowed... and for the first time, he really notices the shields carried by the Havvarger -- at least one bears a wolf's head standard! The sentry's eyes widen and he turns to his companion, whispering urgently. After listening, the first sentry seems to check with the group, "If we let you, it will be under hospitality."

Cinnamon grins as she replies, "You also, yes?"

The sentry looks confused. Jaeger smiles down at Cinnamon, "You mean they'll be safe as well, ja?"

Cinnamon shakes her head, her voice animated with interest, "No, that they have to be good hosts! Isn't that the standard, at least as I understand it? Like, if we're good guests? Er..." she pushes her glasses up, "or am I misunderstanding hospitality requirements?"

Jaeger ahhs, "Yes. They're trying to use it as protection for themselves, but they're saying they'll treat us well."

Cinnamon nods interestedly, "So they are saying they'll be good hosts? Then... we should be able to accept safely for all of us, I think? Am I getting that right?"

In the back of the party, Thorn tries not to fidget as he hears the argumentative tones of the voices of the sentries and the captured rogue leader. When Cinnamon starts to talk about hospitality, however, the healer starts to relax a little -- this might mean they're not only getting close to finally meeting the leader of this group, but also that the rogues will likely treat the group reasonably well... maybe?

Jaeger nods to Cinnamon, "That's the idea behind it. It's how most old-style negotiations took place -- you could expect safety." He smiles wryly, "I wouldn't let our guard completely down, though." Far behind the elder, Thorn ruefully thinks, [No kidding!]

Cinnamon beams up at Jaeger, "Okay, I get it now! Thank you for explaining... go on?" She grins a bit shyly, "Your, um... command of the language is better than mine, and I don't want to accidentally insult them or anything!"

Jaeger smiles, "You should continue. Your command will get better as you keep speaking." He does translate a bit, though, to the rogues, "She wishes to know if we will be safe." The sentry and their captive both agree that Cinnamon is correct: they will be safe.

Cinnamon gets a little wide-eyed with a mix of excitement, trepidation, and happiness at Jaeger's suggestion, "R-really?! Y-you think I'm, like... g-good enough to negotiate?!" The ancient elf nods and makes an encouraging motion, and the little dragon beams delightedly up at him, "Oh, wow... thank you, Jaeger! I promise I'll do my best!" She turns to the rogue elves, still forming words carefully but clearly happy to be trying, "Many thanks for hospitality! Please yes, we like that? Elder will talk with us, yes?"

The sentry nods and turns, motioning them to follow. As they go, the former-prisoner rogue explains, "This is the perimeter. It's another half hour or so to the actual encampment."

Cinnamon nods interestedly to the rogue leader as she follows -- then turns her head to translate for everyone else, "We've agreed to be under hospitality, everyone -- but Jaeger says to not let our guard down, okay? Also, it's another half an hour to the actual encampment." She happily adds, "It sounds like a good beginning, at least... let's go!"

Thorn lets out a breath, and nods at Cinnamon's words. "Here's hoping!" he says, and follows along, with Marcus and Alfred, after them.

Marcus murmurs, "This is old-school hospitality, I'm guessing. They agree not to kill us. We agree not to kill them. If they break it, we can break it."

Thorn glances to Marcus. "Only that? Not anything more complicated? I'm not sure I like that...."

Marcus actually smiles almost whimsically, "It is actually a bit more complex. Have you read any historical fiction? Or actual history? The rules aren't as arcane as they might seem. Don't draw weapons. Insults can be... chancy... but probably won't be deadly."

Thorn ahs! in relief, and grins a little, "That won't be a problem, I don't think. At least for our side. It depends on how negotiations go, I imagine."

Marcus nods, "Our weapons won't be confiscated. The Havvarger in particular will be watched, though, and should be careful. There will be a lot of silver."

Alfred nods a bit grimly, "We will be very, very careful."

The last half-hour march is a little harder, since there's not really a path -- the rogues don't want their final encampment to be easy to find. Their trod, like Elm's, just sort of... appears. One moment, everyone is walking in what appears to be virgin forest -- the next, the group is entering a village. Cinnamon watches alertly as she follows the rogues... both for more sentries, and also: it occurs to her to check the rogues themselves. How do they look? Are they well-fed or hungry looking? Is their equipment clean and well-cared for, and their clothing tidy and nicely decorated? Or are there signs of unrepaired wear and tear? The little dragon is curious as to how this... angry militarism is affecting the elves out here -- both the 'military' and the 'civilian' ones.

Cinnamon is especially curious as to just how many elves there are, too! Considering they lost over twenty of their number in their failed ambush of the Council group... that should have a truly immense impact on them both numerically and emotionally! Thorn too is curious about the civilians. A modern army needs about ten support to one soldier in the field; it's usually lower for partisans and irregulars. He wonders what the ratio is, here at the rogues' trod.

The trod is scrupulously neat -- militarily so. It's not got the gentle beauty of Elm or the earthy warmth of Rowan... or even the cool beauty of Holly. The clothing is tidy and the decoration is interesting, but it's all in very green and brown colors -- camouflage, likely. There are children, but those the group sees are sitting in a quiet, intent group around someone who seems to be a teacher. Cinnamon glances around curiously, checking out everything she can see. If they're truly a nomadic people, what kind of shelter do they use, and do they have any livestock? Or do they huck everything around themselves? Jaeger too is looking around with interest. They both notice that the housing seems to be something very like yurts: semi-permanent but easy to pack up and move when necessary. There seem to be some kind of heavily-wooled sheep around, and something that might be ponies, but they're in a corral of some sort with a fairly high fence, so it's hard to see.

Thorn frowns a little as they enter the trod. This is... not a style of trod he's familiar with -- not that he's an expert or anything like that. The yurts appear easily broken-down and mobile, and it's very... military. He wonders how you can move around an entire trod like this -- how long it takes to move, and to re-establish the concealing magicks... though really, the most difficult part, he suspects, is moving around so... in mountains.

Once everyone is inside the trod, the sentry stops the group and runs ahead to go find someone else. Cinnamon grins up at Jaeger, "I take it this is new to you too? Kinda cool!"

Jaeger nods thoughtfully, "I have not seen this particular trod... but I have seen trods that had to be moved before. It's... not easy to do. The magic to conceal them is complex."

Cinnamon nods, her grin intrigued! A moment later, a thought occurs to her. Turning her head so the Havvarger can easily hear her as well, she says to Jaeger in the ancient Germanic ship's tongue, "If, ah, things go bad and I... dragon? Would my grabbing up their elder maybe be helpful... maybe even stop the fighting?" She figures letting the warriors know where the big, potentially-in-the-way dragon will be -- should conflict break out -- is probably smart! Further reflecting, Cinnamon realizes with a hint of relief that she and Fraser are the only shapeshifters the two captured rogues saw, too. Good! Hopefully the rogues won't realize the entire ship's crew is werewolves!

Thorn remains quiet but alert; he's quite glad Erin is helping watch their backs. He's still uneasy, though -- this could go south very, very quickly. Marcus too looks around curiously. He grew up at Elm, and he's been to a limited number of other trods, so this is completely new to him. Shane seems almost bored -- though only to someone who doesn't realize his seeming lack of focus is the constantly shifting of attention of someone alert to everything. The Havvarger too are very attentive! It's good that Fraser is past his three days of the curse, however; he's very calm right now, and has actually fallen back somewhat near Thorn, Marcus, and Alfred. Arvid nods to Cinnamon and murmurs, "Taking a group's leader hostage is often a good way to assure good behavior. But it should be a thing saved for dire straits."

Cinnamon nods emphatically to Arvid, her eyes a bit wide. She takes a deep breath, then, and turns to watch the rogues, as they all wait for the message runner to return. He comes back within fifteen minutes, and has someone with him. They are tall and slender, with the long, braided hair of most elfin species. The cheekbones are high and defined; the face fine-featured. They wear the same sort of green and brown clothing as the others in the trod, though their clothing is perhaps a bit better quality -- the embroidery, for example, is quite elaborate and very beautiful. It's not until they speak that it's obvious they're female, because they have no really obvious curves, "I am told you are here under hospitality. I am Zurina. I am elder here."

Cinnamon beams hopefully and gives a friendly little nod, since she's really not sure what sort of greeting to use, "Greetings! Please forgive language learning. We are here to listen to why you and people rogue, to fix so no more rogue, yes? I am Cinnamon of global council and this is Elder Jaeger Elmstrod, who your language better speaks for just in case." She'd already debated internally whether to introduce everyone... but decided to wait until (hopefully) they're all invited in and seated together to share food or drinks or whatever in friendship. So she continues, "Exploring group leader he," she gestures to the captured rogue leader, "agreed visit to council with no iron all would clarify. Feel you how on this matter as well, please?"

Cinnamon can't help wondering a bit bemusedly, as she speaks, why the captured elves would refer to their elder as 'he'... yet Zurina appears to be female? A moment later the little dragon blinks at a sudden thought: is this a test, or a trick, and Zurina actually isn't the real elder? Cinnamon thoughtfully tilts her head, trying to recall if she heard a disbelieving snort from Shane, behind her, at the "elder's" self-introduction.

Zurina looks at Cinnamon with absolutely no expression, then around to all the rest of the group. Shane is looking curiously at Zurina, head tipped and brow furrowed. He doesn't look upset, just... confused. Zurina eventually says, "You bring warriors armed with iron into my trod. You have killed ninety percent of my own warriors. I don't see that I have any choice but to accept this. You are here under hospitality. You will hear our grievances. You will take them back to be heard fairly?"

Cinnamon thinks carefully, then replies, "Apology for iron, but previous talk attempts in battle only resulted. Grievances I can take, but would now not be better to try and fix? Also, happy am I to bring you or elder or other authorized messenger to council to see that anger against you is not!" She glances surreptitiously at the rogue party leader, wondering what his demeanor is like... is he surprised Zurina is speaking here? Or... hmm, might Shane be confused because there's more than one elder? No, then it'd still be truth. So... hmm, could she have just been made/become an elder? If so, the captured rogue's expression should give that away, maybe? Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully to herself -- there's another oddity here, actually! Zurina is the first to give a name too! Could that be why Shane looks confused -- that the name is... is newly chosen, or just given to her, or something?

Zurina seems to think again, then nods and motions, "Come. We will eat together."

Cinnamon looks both surprised and pleased, "We accept with happiness!" She glances at Jaeger, shifting to English to ask, "Should we offer to share some of our food too? Would that be polite?"

Jaeger nods quietly, "We took out their hunting party. I think offering some food could go a long way."

Cinnamon beams at Jaeger, then adds happily to everyone else, "This is Zurina, an elder of the tribe, and she's just invited us to eat!" She nods and follows Zurina as she asks, "Sharing of food offer also we would? Wait, that's not right... er, we would like to offer to share our food with you too?"

Zurina looks surprised, "Gladly we accept this. Food is stretched thin for us. That is why our warriors were hunting." She motions again for them to follow.

Cinnamon beams and follows without hesitation -- though she's looking around herself with great curiosity, and mentally analyzing her thoughts on the rogue leader, as she goes. Thorn follows along with the group, asking Erin to come in with them -- she should get some nibbles as well for all the hard work she's been doing. He's... uneasy with this situation, because hospitality is a bit foreign to him -- but that is what is done here, and in other trods. It certainly wouldn't help the rogues' case to break hospitality.

Marcus murmurs to Thorn and Alfred, "Offering and accepting of food is good. Though they did say their elder was male, and Zurina... sounds female to me. But..." He tips his head and watches the elder walk away, "She's dressed in a very sort of male way, and I didn't notice any breasts." He adds matter-of-factly, "And I do normally notice breasts." It's not said in a leering way, just as a fact; as if this might be useful to Thorn.

Alfred nods, "I noticed that too. I wonder if she straps her chest down? Some female warriors do that."

Thorn arches a brow, and opens his mouth... then closes his mouth, and forces his brow to de-arch. Zurina does seem to have something of the trick of keeping a very still face. Curiouser and curiouser. "Maybe Zurina identifies as male," he muses aloud. "They have a very closed face. I'd hate to play poker against them." [And I'd hate to see them furious], he thinks.

Zurina and the scout that was with them before lead them through the trod to a central yurt which is somewhat larger than the others. The elder opens the door and invites them inside. Inside the yurt there are two young women tending a cookfire, and a couple of sleeping toddlers in simple cribs. Cinnamon raises a mental eyebrow -- babies will be present? This is totally not a trap, if so, she thinks! She smiles at the two women as she steps into the yurt, her voice pleasant, "Hello." Over her shoulder to Jaeger, she murmurs, "Is there a way to, um... de-emphasize iron? There are babies in here that we really don't want to hurt, right?"

Jaeger nods quietly, "I think leaving the weapons by the door..." Indeed, the Havvarger are quite voluntarily, without saying a thing about it, stripping their iron weapons and leaving them near the door; far away from the children. The young women smile and greet Cinnamon, and nod at the others, though they seem a little nervous. Zurina goes to one of them and kisses her on the cheek, speaking softly to her -- telling her that the visitors have offered food. Then Zurina speaks to the travelers, "This is my yurt. The food you offer will mostly be taken to the main kitchens to be distributed. My wives will cook for us here." Zurina motions to a low, simple, sturdy wooden table, "Please. Sit." There are spaces enough for everyone around the table, as well. Clearly, if this is Zurina's tent, then it may also serve as a communal meeting place.

Cinnamon nods to Zurina, "Thank you! Let me tell my people too, please -- moment..." She turns and says to everyone else, "Okay, Zurina says any food we offer will be taken to be distributed to everyone else, but her wives will cook for us here." She happily adds, "So far things seem to be going well, peeps! Let's all sit down to eat, okay?" More softly to Jaeger she murmurs in the ancient Germanic, "Should your son be moved forward now? Or is it still not safe, do you think?" She emphatically doesn't want to shut Marcus out of negotiations... but simultaneously, she really doesn't want to shove him into danger either!

Cinnamon is still, in the back of her mind, puzzledly analyzing this entire situation. Shane looked confused at what Zurina said, after all... which was just her name and that she was an elder, and the group was here under hospitality. So... one of those was... not quite a lie, but perhaps a falsehood Zurina believed as a truth? But which could it be? Cinnamon brightens at a sudden thought: maybe the 'falsehood' was Zurina's name! -as in, it's not really her name but rather an alias? After all, the captured rogues wouldn't give any names at all... so that might be it!

Shane moves to be near Cinnamon so he can murmur quietly, "Zurina's telling the truth on everything so far. But her... his... their name -- I don't think it's one they use -- I think it's one they're using just now. Like... it's a new alias. One they don't think of themselves as." He considers, "And... I..." He hesitates, then just shakes his head, "I'm curious about this whole place."

Jaeger listens, then nods to Cinnamon as well, "Yes, let's let him come forward. I think he'll be safe under hospitality. And... I think Zurina might be treated as male here. It's... interesting."

Cinnamon nods in silent fascination to both men as she listens. She's glad they're both sharing this info, since it's making things make a lot more sense now to her! As she beams and waves Marcus to come forward as well, she curiously checks with Jaeger, "So are two spirits common amongst elves as well as supernatural humans, then?"

Jaeger looks thoughtful, "I don't know if the term would be the same. But I have seen societies where women were not considered able to be leaders or head elders, where a woman would take the role of a man. Declare herself male so she could take that role. It happened in Egypt..."

"Oh!" Cinnamon beams, "I've heard of those! There were some in, um... was it Bulgaria? Daughters with the aptitude who'd 'become men' to care for their families, sure. Okay!" She smiles at Marcus as he moves forward, "Hi, guy! It seems, um, pretty clear they're trying to be nice now, so..." For a heartbeat she struggles madly with what to say -- 'your father thinks it's okay for you to come forward' sounds a bit belittling, after all! She doesn't want to make it sound like she's giving him permission, either -- for the same reason -- and then it hits her, and she grins hopefully, "Would you be willing to help with the negotiations, maybe, since you're a councilor too?"

Marcus smiles a little crookedly, "You think it's safe for me now, basically?" He doesn't look like he was beaten to within an inch of his life, thanks to Thorn, but he also knows he's the least able to defend himself, besides the healer.

Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment... then answers honestly, "Well, I'm not absolutely sure, but... I certainly hope it's safe?"

Zurina looks between Marcus and Jaeger, then inquires, "This is your son?"

Jaeger nods gravely, "He is my heir." Listening, Cinnamon gets the strong feeling that the word 'heir' contains multiple layers of meaning!

Zurina nods, then motions for Jaeger and Cinnamon to sit respectively at her left and right. To Cinnamon she says, while motioning to Fraser, "That one is your mate?"

Cinnamon blinks startledly -- then turns bright red, her hands flying up to her cheeks as she squeaks, "Oh! N-no, nonono, I just, it, uhh, I-I..." She stops herself, takes a deep breath... then manages not to stutter quite so much as she tries again, "H-he has trouble with, er, s-self control on the full moon, a-and... I can usually talk him down? Er, if that m-makes sense?" The little dragon's flaming blush doesn't abate at all, however! -though admittedly, that's now more due to the sneakingly wishful thought that she'd really rather have Shane seated next to her like a mate! Even if, as honesty compels her to admit to herself, he's not and never will be.

Thorn wonders what Zurina just said to make Cinnamon blush so much! Shane is actually a few seats down the table; he too is wondering what's got Cinnamon quite so scarlet. Jaeger smiles quietly, "Our Fraser is a guard, and Cinnamon is both his special charge, and his special guardian on nights that he needs one. I think your people took you news of his howling." Cinnamon sighs in relief at Jaeger's far more lucid explanation, and she throws him a quick, grateful glance! Zurina's face goes very still again as she seems to take this information in.

Two of the Havvarger, who left to take the gifted food outside, have returned. Now they stand quietly near the door. Cinnamon is quietly pleased when that registers -- she'd felt bad upon hearing that the slain hunting party meant no food for the hungry elves! Zurina looks from person to person, then looks at Cinnamon, "These people, they all are comfortable with each other and with you. I have never seen werewolves so calm."

Cinnamon looks surprised, "You have met a lot of werewolves? Are there many in this area?" Then she blinks and shakes her head once, "Wait -- I am distracting you. We are here as guests to hear your grievances! Will you tell us them, please?"

Zurina snorts, and there's a moment where her calm facade breaks into something that's not quite anger, "There have been. I have met some." She takes a breath, then continues regarding Cinnamon's invitation, "They are many. It will not all be taken care of in the span of a meal. But we will offer you shelter if you will stay. There are empty yurts now."

Cinnamon nods interestedly, "Let me ask my friends, please, if we can stay, then! Moment..." She turns and explains Zurina's words to the others, adding, "Do we want to try staying, peeps? At least... tentatively deciding to, maybe?" It doesn't occur to her consciously, of course, but her actions are perhaps the best underlining she could give of her previous assertion to the rogue leader that the global council is not about hierarchy, but rather about helping the supernaturals.

Thorn fidgets a little at the question. He's not really comfortable with that idea unless they are all together in one yurt, and that doesn't look possible with their numbers. But... he will defer to Cinnamon and Jaeger -- they're a little more experienced with this hospitality thing. At the same time, a large percentage of the rogues' warriors have been, er, eliminated. It'd be very foolish to try to attack the group now. He thinks.... Shane considers, then replies to Cinnamon, "I'm not getting any feeling of falsehood from her..."

Jaeger murmurs wryly, "I... think we should stay together in one place. We should likely not be separated if we can help it. That was a bit of a jab, I think."

Cinnamon blinks at Jaeger, pushing up her glasses, "What was a jab, please?" She nods firmly as she adds, "Yeah, together sounds good to me too -- even if it's us dividing up into two adjacent yurts so there's enough room for us all!" A moment later she sighs, deflating a bit, "Oh... there being empty yurts was the jab -- got it. Because of us." She considers a moment... then straightens and adds firmly, "No, wait -- not gonna be ashamed of that, darnit! They attacked us, after all!"

Jaeger nods and murmurs, "Good girl." He smiles at Cinnamon's pleased reaction, then looks at Zurina, voice solid and even, "We accept. We would like to be close together. In one yurt, if possible."

Zurina replies, "I do not think we have one quite large enough. But we have two beside one another that will be enough, I think. We can create a sort of passage between them, if it would make you feel safer." As she says that, the two young women start bringing over platters of food.

Cinnamon smiles up at the young women, murmuring thanks as the food arrives. She's quietly relieved, however, that she had the opportunity to slake her 'dragoning' appetite before coming here -- she, and Fraser too, actually! She doesn't want to eat these poor people out of yurt and home, after all. At Zurina's words, she smiles again, "That is very kind of you -- thank you! Jaeger, does that sound acceptable to you too?"

The two young women look like they're the human equivalent of their late teens. One of them has a very nasty scar down the left side of her face, but she has an amazing smile, and ducks her head as she's thanked by Jaeger for the food. Jaeger nods to Cinnamon's query, "That is acceptable. No negotiation should be rushed. That way lies bad decisions and bad faith."

That makes Zurina snort, and Cinnamon gets a look at the anger and hurt hidden there, "Oh. Yes. We would not want bad faith."

Cinnamon tilts her head puzzledly as she asks, "Someone has harmed you with bad faith, I take it? Do you want to tell us about it? Or would you rather just tell grievances?" Jaeger mms quietly. Cinnamon is starting to feel the first faint stirrings of anger at whomever caused this great... betrayal? -- of these people. It had to have occurred before the Havvarger first crossed paths with them, so it was more than 25 years ago... which is, in a way, a relief to Cinnamon -- since that means it's highly unlikely that Marcus was its cause. Not just because he only recently came to the council position... but also because he'd have been an infant at the time.

Zurina says flatly, "The elder before me was my father. He was a good man. Strong. Smart. Benevolent." She pauses and her lip curls, "Trusting." Cinnamon nods silently, her worry unwittingly starting to show on her face... but she doesn't interrupt. Zurina goes on, "This was... mmm... at least seventy-five years ago. I was young. Probably as young as these ones." She motions between Shane, Cinnamon, and Marcus, marking them somehow as the youngest people in the group either in years or in experience, then continues, "My father, though, was centuries old. We have been a splinter trod for a very, very long time. Our tree is Haritza, but we call ourselves Ezkurra." The words translate in Cinnamon's head: They are Oak, but they call themselves Acorn. "The elders of the Oak came to my father and told him that we must pay more fealty and that they would protect us. That otherwise, the council would insist that we disband completely and meld back with Oak. That we would have to give up our own trod and our language and our life and become like them."

Cinnamon blinks startledly at that, glancing inquiringly at Jaeger -- is that sort of thing common amongst the elves? Jaeger frowns as he murmurs, "I know of seed trods, but... there was no such proclamation. I was on the Council at that time, and held that seat for hundreds of years... until just a handful of years ago." Cinnamon looks faintly relieved at that -- but then turns resolutely back to Zurina. The little dragon suspects she's not going to like this story, but... if she's going to witness properly, then she's got to pay attention!

Zurina snorts, "So you say now... and maybe it is true, but seventy-five years ago, I was a child and my father went to a meeting with my uncles and my mother and my brothers and my husband. I stayed at the trod because I was pregnant with my first daughter." She smirks without humor, "None of them came back."

Cinnamon's eyes widen slightly, and she unwittingly echoes, "None...?!" She's silent for a few heartbeats... then almost fiercely asks, "Who... who was the meeting with? The Oak elders?" She glances at Jaeger, adding right after that, "Do you know them? The Oak elders?" She frowns thoughtfully, musing aloud to Jaeger, "Also... since when are the various trods supposed to pay for... for fealty to a tree? I've never heard of that before!" The little dragon blinks again when it registers that Zurina apparently believes one can bear children yet still be considered a child... but sets that aside for later consideration.

Zurina's voice is almost inflectionless, "The Oak elders and two of the councilors, we were told. Some of the Oak elders died that day as well -- three of the five. The other two were wounded and barely made it back."

Jaeger looks angry and confused, "I don't know which councilors these were supposed to have been, but I remember nothing of it!"

Zurina coldly replies, "The dragon and the vampire, I have been told."

Cinnamon is utterly boggled at that! "What?! No! That's impossible! Elias and Liam would never do that!" Jaeger just stares. A moment later the little dragon almost snarls, "Who told you that horrible lie?!"

Zurina's reply is calm, almost icy, "The surviving elders... as I just said."

Jaeger speaks to the others to explain why Cinnamon is snarling, "Apparently someone told these people that Liam and Elias killed... well, a lot of very important people in this trod."

Thorn's jaw drops -- then he nearly stutters, "Liam and Elias? That... that doesn't make sense, though! Why would the surviving elders want 'Acorn' to isolate itself so much that they'd be willing to lie about it, and risk that lie being exposed?"

Cinnamon shakes her head sharply, muttering as she hastily analyzes, "Okay, if two of the elders were wounded but survived, and Elias and Liam just wouldn't have done that... then it's the surviving elders who we should be examining for the deceit. So... we need to talk to them -- find out what bogus plot they're working here!" She turns to Jaeger, her words speeding up with her thoughts, "Jaeger, do you know the Oak elders? Can we get a meeting organized with them soonest? Wait, we need to keep Zurina and her people safe too -- or whoever the Oak traitors are will try attacking them too, to silence them... and I suspect we'll need the Havvarger with us too, to keep us safe from the traitors. Okay-" She cuts off for a moment, quickly adding to Zurina, "Will you excuse me for just one moment? We need to compare notes and plan a bit, and then coordinate with you and your people too, okay?"

Zurina is still looking stony, but she nods, "Of course you may speak."

Jaeger shakes his head to Cinnamon, "I don't know those elders specifically -- not off the top of my head." His voice is icy as he adds, "But I shall. This demanded payment of fealty... it is extremely suspicious."

Cinnamon's voice is grim, "They didn't want Acorn to isolate, Thorny -- they wanted Acorn, and all its dead elders, to be an example to any other doubters! We need to figure out how to keep Acorn safe, and then we need to go have it out with Oak!" She goes still for a moment, thinking furiously fast... then says slowly to Jaeger, "Oak... do they have connections to Holly, that you know of? Any at all? If I'm remembering correctly, this is too early to be part of Qadan's treason."

Cinnamon pauses at a sudden thought -- then turns to Zurina and tensely asks, "Excuse me for asking you to remember painful times, please... but can you tell me of the two surviving Oak elders coming here? For example, were they still injured? Did they come alone, or with others? Did they ask you yet again to... to pay fealty to them? Also, what language did they speak to you, please?"

Zurina thinks a moment before she replies, "They seemed injured and exhausted. We gave them honey and bread. Our healers saw to them. They came alone... and they spoke French. It is a language we can share in common with them."

Cinnamon nods slowly, thinking furiously... then asks, "Would those healers be willing to talk to us about that incident? And did the Oaks ask about paying fealty again?" To her friends, she adds, "The remaining Oak elders came here alone, Zurina says. She says the healers here saw to them, and I've asked if we can talk to the healers too. I'm wondering... if it was just the two Oakies, then maybe this treachery is confined just to them, so far?" She takes a deep breath, then adds quietly, "Well... I'm hoping so, at least -- that everyone else has been deceived by these two jerks..."

Zurina nods, "They did want payment -- they insisted. But we were grieving and told them that we must think before we could make that decision... and with our elders now gone..." She sighs and shakes her head, "I was still so very young, but I was in the line of succession."

Cinnamon frowns consideringly before she finally checks, "And did you pay?"

Zurina shakes her head, "We did not. We refused. They did not protect us. What good did it do?"

Cinnamon nods with relief, "Oh, good. Okay, that's... let's see... ah! The healers. Can we speak with them?"

Zurina smiles tightly, "Both of them mysteriously died."

Cinnamon has started translating everything by this point -- whatever she says in English to her friends, she translates into Euskera, and when speaking with Zurina she'll turn and translate it to her friends also. At that, however, she cuts off in startlement, turning to Zurina with surprise, "Excuse me? How- er, could you explain more about that, please?"

Zurina's voice is flat, "They helped the Oak elders. The next year one of them was found just outside the perimeter of our old trod. Well, most of her was. Her head and half of a leg was missing. A month or two after that, the other... was just gone in the middle of the night."

Cinnamon winces at that, and her voice is understandably tight as she translates... then turns to Zurina again, "I am going to ask a possibly hurtful question; please forgive me if you can, as I ask in order to find the truth rather than to harm." She takes a deep breath, then carefully asks, "Would either of them be the type of person who could be, ahh... 'bought off' enough to lie -- at least for a short while -- about the injuries of the two Oak elders?" Thorn frowns at the translation. His thoughts are on the same wavelength as Cinnamon's -- and it underscores that healers are not covered under any kind of supernatural Geneva Convention.

Zurina's face is expressionless, "I have asked myself that same question many, many times... and I have come down on both sides of the question, depending on how angry I was at the time."

Cinnamon nods slowly, "All right... thank you." She takes another deep breath after her translating, reminding herself that Marcus -- not Jaeger and not she -- is the councilor here. She thinks for a moment, then turns to the young elf and says, "Marcus, can we get your thoughts on this? Like... if over a 75 year span, Elm lost somewhere between... wow, between 30 and 50 folks! -well... what would you do, please?"

Marcus looks unhappy, "If we lost that many people, we would go to the council. And if the council did not rectify it..." His sigh is heavy with both resignation and sadness, "If they did not rectify it, we would go to war."

Cinnamon nods in understanding, "Okay! So, how should the council rectify this, please?" She counts off on her fingers, "I mean, Trod of the Acorn here needs, um... well, more people, more men, more elders... thank goodness they've got some children, at least! Um, what else... hunters, food, protection..." She looks up inquiringly at Marcus, "What else, though?" She mentally crosses her fingers that Marcus knows how to do that 'wergild' thingie that she's just recently learned about doing!

Marcus says slowly, "They need warriors to protect them... we could hire someone to do that. I think we need to hire someone to make sure their magical protections are strong, as well... and yes, hunters. Which, I think, may want to be separate from warriors. Doubling up on those is likely a bad idea... and, I think, demanding wergild from Oak, because I think Oak did this -- which, in this case, would be a ceding of territory and repayment of resources." He looks at Jaeger, "The branch of Elm here is strong, and I think if we send to Germany, we can draft from there as well."

Cinnamon nods in relief: a plan! "Oh, good; so it's not unusual for other trods to help out when a trod gets low on folks?"

Marcus shakes his head, "Not completely, no -- especially in this case. Usually you would go to the other branches of your own trod, but I don't think that would be right here... not if Oak is extorting them. This is my territory, so I believe Elm can take up the slack here." There's a tenseness in his face.

Cinnamon nods in relief, smiling, "Fantastic! Okay then... so if I've got this correctly, first we want some folks to protect Acorn, then we want to talk to the Oak elders, right? -and hopefully things will go well with them and they'll agree to our demanding wergild for Acorn. Is that right?" She translates for Zurina, adding, "Does that sound acceptable to you so far?" -then adds very quietly to Jaeger, "-and to you also, please?"

Zurina looks skeptical, "The... Council did not demand these things?"

Cinnamon looks slightly confused, "When are you speaking of, please? If you mean at the time of the original incident 75 years ago, then no, to my knowledge the Council did not demand these things," she waves a hand towards Jaeger, "-because they didn't know it happened, as former council member Jaeger said earlier. Er... or did you mean some other time?" Zurina nods slowly and takes a deep breath.

Thorn asks Jaeger, "Does Oak have any more branches? We should consider checking in on them as well...."

Jaeger nods; he's smiling slightly and apparently pleased at his son's suggestions, "Yes. Elm is strong over here -- our trees never died here, as they did in America. I think it best we not ask for Oak's help until we find out if it is just the local Oak branch..."

Cinnamon nods in firm agreement with Jaeger, her eyes a little wide behind her glasses! She nods to Thorn also, then turns to Marcus, her eyes bright with a sudden thought, "Oh, hey! Should we, um... should we maybe invite one of the Acorn folks to go with us when we go to Oak? Or... hm, would that just mark them as needing to be removed... or no -- the very fact we're there at all means the treacherous Oakies will know Acorn is pushing back. Okay, so..." she grins a bit uncertainly at Marcus, "Invite or no?" She wonders why he's looking so wound up... maybe there's some political ramifications here that she's just not aware of? She'll have to ask sometime soon, so she knows not to step on folks' toes, later.

Marcus nods, "Oak has several, of course. There's one perhaps sixty miles north of where we disembarked. There's another two hundred miles from there, and another... I don't have the map with me. I left it on Valkyrie. The closest Elm trod is..." He closes his eyes and seems to be... feeling... and Jaeger murmurs, "Two hundred miles from here." Cinnamon blinks at that, her eyes widening -- this is so cool to her!

Marcus nods... and then his expression clarifies: he's angry! These people aren't just rogues -- they've been abused! They're simply trying to survive. "I don't want to take anyone from here to an Oak trod -- I don't want them to be traced back. I suggest we go to an Elm trod and use that as our base for this."

Cinnamon tilts her head curiously at Marcus, "So... it's 'not done' to have someone from the accusing party with you, when councilmembers go to try and right wrongs? Like a witness, kind of?" She blinks again at a less exciting thought, "Oh... so it's the closer branch, about 60 miles from here, that's got the treacherous elders?"

Marcus replies, "No, I meant I want to go to Elm first, with someone from here. I don't want them to follow directly from the Oak trod back to here." He waves a hand, adding, "Obscure the trail."

"Oh! Gotcha." Cinnamon nods, pushing up her glasses as she thinks... then nods decisively, "Okay, let me tell Zurina all this too, okay?" She does so, closing with, "Do you have someone you'd be willing to send with us?" She wonders what Zurina will say about bringing in people from other trods too, but doesn't specifically ask -- she knows they're effectively hitting this poor elder with a lot all at once, after all!

Zurina replies, regarding people from other trods, "We would only accept those who would be willing to be adopted properly into our trod. We do not wish to assimilate. Our way is important to us."

Cinnamon nods to Zurina, "Quite understandable!"

Zurina considers Cinnamon's last question, then firmly replies, "Yes. I do have someone who will go with you -- me. I do not want to risk anyone else." On hearing that, the young woman with the scarred face looks upset and starts to argue: who will take over Zurina's role if 'he' is killed? Who will proved for 'his' wives and children?

Cinnamon glances worriedly between the two arguing women, then turns to murmur to her friends, "Hey, can we maybe ask some of the Havvarger if they can stay while we deal with this, to protect and help the folks here?"

Thorn considers, and nods to the little dragon, "We should ask them, yes! If Zurina thinks they'll help, at least."

Fraser snorts, "Oh, if ye think we're leaving this place undefended, ye've got another think comin', lass! I'm thinkin' Arvid and I would both stay while you do what ye need to."

Cinnamon beams at Fraser, "Yay! Thank you, Frazey!" She turns and coughs politely to hopefully get both Acorns to pause for a moment, then cheerfully offers them the option of having some of the warriors stay here? "They're very good hunters too, if you'd like?" She pauses consideringly, then curiously asks Fraser, "Hey, would it be smarter to have, say... all of you stay here, except maybe you come along with us? I mean, we're more able to defend ourselves right now, I think, than Acorn is, maybe?"

Fraser considers that, then nods, "Makes sense." He grins widely, eyes twinkling, "Can't stand to be parted from me?" He's more mischievous at the full moon, but he's still Fraser!

Cinnamon blinks -- then giggles startledly, "W-what?! Oh my gosh, Fraser -- you are so silly!" Her cheeks are flushed as she starts to turn towards Zurina again... and then a shockingly radical (to her) idea hits her -- and before she can chicken out she turns back, her nervous grin a bit tense in spite of herself, "Careful, Frazey, o-or people will start asking... if we're m-mated!" Her eyes are a little wide at her daring, and she has no idea of what a tremendous mental breakthrough she's just had -- she actually teased back! Sparrow would cheer! -- as she almost whips back around to see if Zurina's answering her last question.

Thorn blinks. He... didn't hear that right, did he? No, he couldn't have... but there was nobody else talking at the time, so he couldn't have misheard. He rubs one of his ears. Did he just hear Cinnamon tease Fraser? The Scots werewolf laughs, eyes still twinkling, while Shane rolls his eyes a little -- but he flushes somewhat, too. He doesn't do jealousy, but he knows Fraser is pushing a little.

When she's told the Havvarger would stay to protect Acorn, Zurina looks stunned -- her eyes actually shine with tears! Cinnamon blinks worriedly, her earlier humor abruptly lost in concern, "Oh no! Did I say something wrong? Er, h-here..." She hastily fumbles a hankie out of her bag, pressing it gently into Zurina's hand as she anxiously adds, "I am truly sorry if I've hurt you, Zurina -- I really am just t-trying to help...?"

Zurina has to take a deep breath before she can choke out, "We have struggled so hard, and fought for such a long time... and we have lost so many good people! ...and not borne enough children to replace them..."

Cinnamon looks like she's getting a bit teary-eyed herself as she replies, "Then it is well past time for the Council to do something to help -- because that's what we're supposed to be here for, you know?" She smiles shakily as she adds, "Or at least that's what I think... even though I'm kind of new to being a councilmember!" She takes a deep breath so she doesn't sniffle, then adds fairly steadily, "I'm going to talk with my friends a bit, to organize how this will go, okay? You can organize what you need too... and please feel free at any time to poke me or Jaeger if you have any questions or needs, okay? Is that all right with you?" To her companions, she translates what she's said, then adds, "So... do we want to take a day to maybe hunt some for them, make sure we've got enough... hmm, actually... this is kind of... we sorta need to hurry some, right? So... after we've made sure the Acorns are safe and fed, maybe, um, maybe I could just fly us all to the Elm trod that Jaeger and Marcus are feeling?"

Marcus nods, "I think speed will be of the essence. Father, do you know the way to the closest Elm trod?"

Jaeger nods, "I do. I think we should take a night's rest."

Cinnamon beams and nodnods, then turns back to Zurina and relates that information, then checks, "Is tomorrow okay for you to depart with us?"

Zurina nods, "I will be ready. I will tell my people what to expect." She smiles slightly, "I will be fussed over and argued with, but I will go."

Cinnamon laughs quietly, and without thinking about it she gently pats Zurina's hand, "It's nice to know you're loved, though, isn't it?" Zurina softly agrees that it is.

After that discussion is concluded, the Acorns show their visitors to the borrowed yurts -- it's time to settle down there for the night. As they all make themselves comfortable, Thorn asks Cinnamon, "So I have to ask... how in the world did you learn their language so quickly?"

Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully at that as she pushes up her glasses... then grins uncertainly at Thorn, "I... I actually don't know? But, um... Elias said once that Liam was really good at languages, and... well, part of me was really worried about how the discussion was going, when the sentries started arguing with each other, and... and after a bit I started to... well, like, recognize words that were being repeated? -and then how they were located in the sentences, and then... um... I just... started to get it?" She sounds a bit bemused as she pushes up her glasses again, "It just... sorta... happens, like?" Then she blinks again, "Oh! Elias -- Jaeger, I have a satellite phone. Do you think it'd help any to call Elias and ask if he was even in Europe about 75 years ago?"

Jaeger nods thoughtfully, "I think you should, yes. I suspect the answer will be no."

Cinnamon nods briskly, "Okay!" She thinks a moment, then nods -- it'll be morning in Boston -- and pulls out her cell phone to call. Unsurprisingly, Elias (who rarely sleeps anyway) answers the phone on the second ring. Cinnamon beams happily, "Hi there, Elias! It's Cinnamon -- I'm in France right now with everyone! They all say hi, and we have a question for you, please? I know it's a long shot, but... about 75 years ago, were you in Europe at all?"

Elias greets Cinnamon warmly and lets her know he's happy she's safe, "Seventy-five years ago? Dear me, no! That was the... hmmmm. The mid-1940s. It was quite difficult for me to travel safely at all... much less trans-Atlantic!"

Cinnamon nods in relief, "Awesome! Thanks so much, Elias. Someone here tried to tell us that you and Liam were hereabouts at that time, and quite frankly... we were all really dubious!" She laughs, telling everyone with her the same news, then has a nice chat with Elias, telling him about some of the fun things she's gotten to do on this trip. She keeps it light specifically because she knows she'd feel horrible if someone told her people believed she was a bloodthirsty murderer -- so consequently she has no desire to do that to Elias either!

Elias is happy to hear things are going well, though he does eventually ask, "So... why is it so important that I wasn't in Europe, Cinnamon?"

Cinnamon hesitates, "Umm... can I tell you about it later, please, Elias? I promise once I'm home again we can all have a nice big dinner party and talk all about this entire adventure, if you'd like." She grins a little wryly, "It's been... quite the adventure too, I must say! But I'm hoping we'll have really good news for you in a few days."

Elias mmms... then decides to let it go, since he can hear it's making her uncomfortable, "Of course, child. Get some rest. Take care of yourself and Shane. He'll be pushing himself hard."

Cinnamon thanks Elias with relief, and promises to take care of Shane too... though internally she's not entirely sure why Elias would single Shane out that way to her? Once she's hung up, she updates everyone, then smiles at Marcus, "So you're the councilor of this area, Marcus. Is there anything you need or want to make sure things are going okay?" She's a little anxious about how much the negotiations have been mostly her, after all. She doesn't want Marcus to blow up at her again for, say, thinking that she's trying to take over his job or anything! Plus she knows she'd feel a little unhappy if she felt the various councilors were trying to shut her out, too. A part of her wonders, though, if this is somewhat of what Jalil was talking about, regarding reassessing the lands assigned to each councilor -- as in, this sort of intertribal warfare should not have been ongoing and unnoticed for so long!

Marcus considers, "I think... I think this is not how I actually expected it to be." This is perhaps the most serious Cinnamon or Thorn have ever seen Marcus. "I'm going to have to consider how to go forward from here. I thought they were..." he winces as he said it, "basically savages."

Cinnamon blinks slowly at the young elf... then beams delightedly at him, "Oh, Marcus -- good for you! That is totally awesome, that you have the courage to change your mind!" Wryly she adds, "I have blood family that consider changing their mind to be a sign of weakness. Oh my gosh, that is so annoying!"

Shane smirks, "I think Candi's afraid that if she rubs her two brain cells together they might burn out!"

Cinnamon pauses, thinking carefully for a moment -- such that she misses Shane's comment -- and then she takes a deep breath and makes herself say, "If -- Marcus, if you, um, feel that... that you should take up southern Europe again..." she sighs slowly, consideringly... then realizes that yes, this is in fact truth: "...I'll understand." Not said is that she'll be a little disappointed -- she'd been looking forward to getting to know those places! But she thinks Jalil is right: the councilors will all need to be closely connected to their realms. Frankly, she can't quite see Marcus enjoying, say, Pacifica, after all! Thorn listens and watches closely, looking quietly between Marcus and Cinnamon.

Marcus -- either because he's learning tact, or because he's still Marcus -- replies, "No. I believe I have all the territory I can handle for the moment." He doesn't sound dismissive. In fact, he sounds as if he's admitting something that perhaps he's not entirely happy with.

Cinnamon nods with some relief, and beams, "Okay!" Were this Shane she were talking to, she'd hug him happily! Studying Marcus, though... she thinks... maybe not! She doesn't want to either startle him, or have him recoil. She doesn't know it, but her thoughts are rather echoing Thorn's at that moment -- because the healer thinks Marcus has really grown this trip... though Thorn isn't about to say so right now. It'd probably embarrass the poor guy! She glances at Thorn, then smiles, "We should check and see if the Acorns have healers or not, now. Do you want to offer them any healing, Thorny?"

Thorn hmms, then nods and stands, "That's an excellent idea. I'll see if they trust us enough to let me help them, if there are any people with injuries or sickness."

Cinnamon beams at that, though she also adds, "Take someone with you to watch your back! We don't want an upset Acorn to try grabbing you, or something, because they incorrectly think we're stealing Zurina away or something!"

Thorn blinks, then grimaces and nods again, "I'll ask one of the Havvarger. Just to keep everything honest and above board!"

Shane glances over, "That's a very wise move. Zurina trusts us, but that doesn't mean everyone is going to. She was in the yurt with us and her wives. That's three people of Acorn and all of us." Thorn nods, seeing that Arvid and Fraser are here, and that the rest of the Havvarger are in the other yurt. He'll go ask one of them for someone to cover him while he offers healing to Acorn.

Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully as she looks at Arvid and Fraser. Once Thorn is heading out, and she knows she won't be interrupting any conversation he might want to have, she hesitantly says, "Um, guys? You know, um... you know I'm totally okay with you all leaving a different warrior here, if you'd rather, right?" She flushes slightly in embarrassment as she adds, "I j-just... I, um, I'm not trained to work as a team in -- in a fight? So I figured one of the Havvarger who can fight alone instead of only with a pack would be best... but I only knew of you two being able to do that, and... well, there's no way I'd ask the alpha to leave his pack behind, you know?" She isn't about to admit it -- not even to herself! -- but part of her flush is due to a great deal of pleasure at Shane's approval of her suggestion to Thorn!

Fraser grins, "We all know how to fight alone, and in a pack -- we practice both tactics, in case we get separated. You've only just seen the two of us doing so because we're the most forceful of the pack."

Arvid nods solemnly, "It's what happens when you've got the alpha and beta wolves."

Cinnamon nods uncertainly, glancing between the two (honestly sometimes a bit intimidating!) men, "...okay? Uhmm, so is that a yes or no on Fraser or someone else?"

Fraser smiles, "I'll stay here. Because I want you to feel safe with your choice."

Cinnamon nods in relief, "Okay!" She does actually feel pretty darned safe with Fraser, she realizes... even on the full moon, although for different reasons then. She grins shyly, "Thanks, guys, for listening?"

In the other yurt, Thorn initially gathers up Rafe. He's friends with Rafe, and works well with him. Plus, Rafe speaks French, which should help in talking with the folk of Acorn. Alfred also agrees to go with Thorn, as one of the less intimidating of the sea-wolves -- he too should be a good choice for checking on any wounded or sick of the Acorns. Plus he speaks both English (for Thorn), and the ship's tongue -- to translate for Rafe as well! It's not like a game of telephone because the two sea-wolves are fluent enough in their known languages to be able to translate idioms well.

Once the little group is assembled, they go in search of Zurina to see if they can help with any of Acorn's sick or injured. One of Zurina's wives (who, remarkably, finally trusts them enough to give the name Yvonne!) volunteers to be their guide, taking Thorn and the Havvarger to another yurt -- Acorn's infirmary. There are a half-dozen or so folks there, though only two are in any serious trouble. Thorn thanks both Zurina and Yvonne, then gets right to work, assessing the two most serious cases -- do they both need magical healing?

One has a badly broken leg that was set but doesn't seem to be healing quite right. However, the person that's watching over the infirmary is a little suspicious of this stranger! Yvonne speaks to them, and then to Rafe -- and fortunately the translation layers go fairly well. Thorn gets that the break happened during a hunting trip, and the bone setting may have been a little rough-and-ready. Thorn frowns slightly, and nods to the infirmary's supervisor. Before touching the hunter, he asks the man (through Rafe and Alfred) to speak up immediately if there's any pain.

On almost a whim, Thorn wonders if the magic can tell him what exactly is wrong? It wouldn't do, for example, to just accelerate natural healing, if the leg isn't set well. The healer takes a breath and carefully touches the hunter's leg above the break. Harkening back to Cinnamon's suggestion, Thorn pictures the hunter's body in his mind, trying to visualize the leg and wondering if he can "see" just what's wrong.

...and he can see it: the leg is set wrong! They got it mostly straightened out -- mostly, but not completely. Despite the break being three weeks old, the hunter still can't even hobble more than a few feet on the leg without serious pain. The reason is that the bones were set crooked, and have started to heal that way... but only started -- because every time the poor man tries to put weight on it to walk, he's unwittingly creating more microfractures. Thorn grimaces at sensing that, pausing only a moment to marvel at this wonderful new visualizing trick -- he'll have to thank Cinnamon again for that! But right now there's a bigger problem: this leg will never heal straight, or not be painful. In fact, the bone will likely shatter again at some point!

Thorn lets the supervisor and the hunter both know what's going on, and how bad the injury is. But he stops them from getting ready to re-break the bone. There might be a better way... he first wonders if there's anything he can do for the pain, like... block it, maybe? He doesn't want to completely remove pain from the hunter, since that'll tell the man when something is extremely wrong, after all. But constant pain is exhausting, and slows healing. Thorn tries to visualize the pain radiating out from the injury, then blocking it with a curtain or a parasol -- something light that won't interfere with the flow of blood, or anything else -- other than the pain itself from that specific injury.

Then comes the hard part: what to do about the bone? Thorn blinks slowly. If he can visualize healing, can he visualize... un-mending? He shudders and shakes his head -- no, that's not anything he wants to consider. Sounds bloody awful to him, actually. Perhaps, though, he can induce the bone to re-set itself? Not undo the healing so much as soften the healing bone matter, so as to allow the bone to re-set correctly? It'd have to be done fairly quickly -- he doesn't know how long the bone material can be softened without causing problems -- but healing it from that point, once it re-sets, should be doable....?

Thorn's knowledge of the human body helps him locate and block the pain traveling along the sciatic nerve from the damaged leg. The sudden cessation startles the hunter -- he swears and starts to slap his leg! Fortunately Rafe grabs the hand, suspecting that Thorn has done something... Thorn-like. With concentration, Thorn can feel the bone... softening isn't quite the right word. He can almost feel the bone slipping through itself, as if the atoms of calcium have decided to let one another slide across themselves. It's a bit like a break, a bit like a careful cut, and a bit like a microscopic mortise and tenon. When it's done, Thorn lets out a breath and slowly releases his block on the hunter's pain. "You should be fine in a day or two," he tells the hunter, through Rafe and Alfred, "but you should still only take light duty while the bone finishes healing." The healer also makes sure to thank Rafe for keeping the hunter from slapping his leg! That would have been... well, unfortunate -- at the very least!

Rafe grins and conveys (via Alfred) that he suspected something magical had happened, so yes, messing with it would surely have been bad! Then he asks for an explanation of exactly what did happen, which Thorn explains as they head over to the next patient. This second serious case seems to be an infection. The young woman looks to be around 28, though that's really via human perceptions -- since, being an elf, she could be anywhere from 28 to 328. However, currently she has dark circles under her eyes, and looks gaunt and tired. The Acorn healer explains that the woman just started feeling off at some point... and all they can tell for sure is that it's something in her lungs. Thorn frowns worriedly; an infection can be bacterial or viral. That the entire trod isn't down with something resembling respiratory distress is a good sign, but what is ailing his patient? He would almost say pneumonia, though all he knows for sure is that it can't be anything good.

The magical healer takes the sick woman's hand and closes his eyes, trying to visualize her lungs and chest region in order to 'see' what is wrong. Thorn's newly manifesting visioning ability gets the picture easily: yes, there's pneumonia -- her lungs are badly compromised -- and it's bacterial, which is sort of good, since if it were viral it would probably have spread much further, much faster. The sick woman tries to speak to Thorn, but starts coughing hard every time she tries. They've at least got her sitting up within... well, it's not precisely an oxygen tent, but it is a small enclosed space with steam constantly being produced. Thorn winces at the vision he receives -- this may be a little harder to take care of! He keeps his eyes closed, trying to picture the infection -- the bacteria -- being swept from the elf's body... much like the poison in Jaeger was removed, in fact, once upon a time.

The healer tries to be careful and focused about his visualizations, being as thorough as he possibly can. As he concentrates, he can hear the woman's breathing start to relax; to become less labored as the inflammatory response eases, due to the bacteria -- which act much like a poison -- being swept from her body. Further, as the inflammatory response eases, after a moment her body starts releasing some of the fluid build-up as well. She starts to cough hard, and the attendant rushes forward to hold the sick woman upright. The coughing is... somewhat alarmingly productive, but it is productive -- the fluid is slowly purged, and the woman is able to gasp in truly nourishing air between coughs.

Thorn lets out a breath. "It sounds bad," he explains for the attendant, "but she's coughing up all the fluid that was in her lungs." Once the coughing subsides, he lets the tired woman know what her condition was and what he did to help, and gives her his usual admonishment to take it easy for a few days. He wonders, though, how she came to get pneumonia -- especially if there aren't any cases of it elsewhere in the trod.

The woman is panting, but she's also taking huge breaths as often as she can! -and... she's sobbing. The attendant's eyes are huge, and she's talking very fast! Rafe has to keep asking her to slow down, to go back and repeat things, because she keeps excitedly reverting from French to Euskera. Eventually, he manages to translate for Alfred and Thorn that the Acorn healers were sure the sick woman was going to die. Pneumonia like this is... usually a death sentence. Thorn shifts a bit on his feet, his smile heartfelt, "I'm very glad we could help, then!" He tries not to think of how many hunters died in the Acorns' first, extraordinarily ill-advised attack on the group. The Trod of the Acorn is going to need as many able-bodied people as possible, now -- and will likely be rather precarious for probably the next few generations!

The attendant takes Thorn's hands and shakes her head, speaking to Rafe earnestly. Rafe listens and the translation makes its way through the layers, with Alfred nodding and telling Thorn, "She says... you don't understand. This woman's children have a mother now because of you. Mothers are... sacred. Thank you. Thank you. We cannot thank you enough." Alfred's brows go up as he adds, "Children. Plural. That's... unusual for elves, I think."

Thorn glances to Alfred in surprise... but files that away for later mental-chewing and sharing it with the others. He squeezes the attendant's hands, smiling gently as he replies, "You're very welcome. I'm very, very glad we could help." The attendant squeezes Thorn's hands again -- then hugs him tightly! Very tightly. Thorn 'oofs!' a bit with the hug, but returns it as warmly as he can. Now he's silently wondering if news of the demise of so many of the trod's hunters has gotten back to the people of the trod yet... no, it must have! The hunters' leader returned with the Council group, after all.

The attendant lets Thorn go and goes back to the sick woman, speaking very softly to her in Euskera and giving her a large flagon of water to drink. There are tears standing in her eyes. Alfred speaks quietly, "I think we need to get back." Thorn agrees with Alfred, but he does want to take the time to check on the others in the infirmary even if he's not likely to use his magical healing. It appears they're all well on the way to recovery already, fortunately, and the normal herbal remedies are working the way they should. Still, Thorn promised to look at them all -- and so he does. It doesn't take long, and he gives some suggestions for treatment to the attendant, but he's reasonably confident that the other patients in the infirmary are going to survive and thrive. The suggestions seem to encourage both the patients and the healers present, and will likely be quite helpful, considering Thorn's knowledge is more up to date due to his work with Iason.

When the healing group returns to the rest of their companions, Jaeger is fascinated at hearing about the woman with multiple children. As he muses, "In all my long life, I've sired two children. One when I was very, very young -- and he died in battle when I was only seventy-five, and he forty-two... and Marcus."

Later that day, Cinnamon watches as the Havvarger hunters come back with their haul. She smiles quietly -- the last two days must've been quite an emotional rollercoaster for these poor folks! First they lose almost all their able-bodied hunters, then Zurina announces she's taking off with the strangers in order to bear witness against the elders of Oak... then Thorn works his miracles, and the Havvarger promise to stay to feed and protect the tribe while Zurina is gone! Shane catches the smile and murmurs, "You've done good, acushla. Feels nice, doesn't it?" He rests an arm loosely around her shoulders.

Cinnamon blinks up at Shane as he speaks... then nearly glows with happiness as she nods several times! The Acorns excitedly rush to the Havvarger, exclaiming with joy about the prey they've brought back and helping carry the animals off for immediate preparation. The little dragon's voice is quiet as she watches, "Though I gotta say, Shane... I'm starting to actually get kind of a mad on towards the Oak elders! I hope Marcus and Jaeger are willing to pause by the Oak trod that's about 200 miles away, after we've established a place to stay at the Elm trod, so we can check and find out if this... this rot is just the one trod? -or is all the Oaks!" She's silent for a moment before glancing up at Shane again and murmuring, "I'm kinda really hoping it's just the one, you know?"

The Acorn cooks are very excited about what the Havvarger have brought -- the wolves actually get hugs and a couple of kisses! They aren't kisses on the mouth, but rather the European style of kisses on both cheeks, as the food is taken to the communal cooking area. Fraser actually looks a little bemused as that happens, rumbling, "They know we...?" He looks around -- then doesn't finish his sentence regarding what happened previously.

Arvid sighs, "I think they realize that we responded in kind. But... I understand how you feel."

Nearby, Shane nods to Cinnamon, "I don't think it's all the Oaks. I mean, Caradog isn't a complete scoundrel."

Cinnamon blinks up at Shane again, "Caradog is Oak... oh, right, right -- sorry! I meant the European Oaks!"

Shane nods, "Caradog is indeed Oak... but Oak is one of the first trods that made it across the Atlantic. I hope it's just this one trod, or just a couple of the Oak trods near here."

That evening, the folks who're traveling to find out what's going on gather their gear for the trip to Elm. Cinnamon finds herself eating lightly at dinner, despite knowing she's going to be working hard -- she doesn't want to take anything more from these poor folks! However, she's happy to help pack, and she checks with Zurina to make sure heights do not bother her. Admittedly, that's unlikely in a mountain environment, but Cinnamon doesn't want to scare anyone! Zurina says almost shyly, "Jaeger has explained we will be flying. I have always wanted to fly."

Cinnamon beams at that, "Oh, wonderful! In that case, I hope you have a fabulous flight -- and I'm going to change now, okay? Is here in the clearing okay?" She changes carefully, checking around herself to make sure no children are running underfoot, or people out of place... then does her best to help with binding all the gear onto her harness. Once that's done, she waits for everyone to buckle in securely, and for Jaeger to point out which way she'll be flying -- she can use the stars to make sure she continues in a straight line!

Jaeger gets Cinnamon oriented, while Shane murmurs something about 'second star to the left.' The red dragon laughs happily, "You'll have to provide the pixie dust, Shaney!" Once everyone is ready, she repeats in both English and French, "All right, Red Dragon Airways is ready to roll! Hang on tight and enjoy the flight!" With that, she leaps up into the air, wings beating powerfully -- then takes a moment to orient herself properly and ensure she's staying under the usual heights that airliners fly at. After that it takes her only about a (happily humming) quarter of an hour to cover the distance -- and then she's circling slowly downwards at Jaeger's directions.

Zurina seems thrilled with the flight! Jaeger helps Cinnamon orient, and then find a safe place to land; the hardest part of that is searching out someplace with a wide enough clearing that's far from human habitation. The site they eventually locate looks like it might be a (fortunately deserted) campsite of some sort. Cinnamon lands carefully and as slowly as she can, glancing around warily... but once she's down she grins over her shoulder at her companions, "We're alone! It's safe. Okay, which way to the trod's entrance, Jaeger? I can walk us there quickly, and then have us all dismount and wait for the trod folks to notice us, okay?"

With quiet directions, Jaeger guides Cinnamon carefully through the thick forest toward the trod. It's obvious they're in Elm territory, just by the makeup of the forest. Eventually the ancient elf calls a halt, adding, "We're about fifty yards out. Let's dismount and let you change back."

"Okay!" Cinnamon helps as much as she can, then shyly asks Shane if he could help her with the tarp, please? A few moments later she's quite delighted to come almost skipping back with him, beaming as she enthusiastically proclaims to the group, "Another first time change -- woohooo!" Zurina looks confused, murmuring a quiet query to Jaeger -- what was that all about? Jaeger explains: Cinnamon is a very young dragon! Also, her change back to human sometimes doesn't go completely smoothly -- let alone on the first time. That makes Zurina smile, murmuring back in reply that being young is wonderful!

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Last modified: 2019-Jun-12 19:53:32

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