Elessarae binds the woman a good day, but not before offering some thoughts she had been working on since the incidents with the Maous had been revealed.

"Please, I know I am not versed in magics, but one thing has come to mind as I tried to puzzle out the strange occurances of the Maous. I have heard of rats, squirrels, rabbits and then the owls being mutated. Could someone have tainted some food stuff, like feed grain. Rats and rabbits and even squirrels could have eaten it, and we all know owl eat all of those. So far it has seem to affect only warm-blooded animals, HAve any cold-bloodied animal been affected?"

"I was also thinking information needs to be gathered as to when, where, and what appeared mutated. Mapped and timed so to speak, to see if the pattern of plant eaters to meat eaters fits. You might point out to the MAge that collaboration with others on this matter might prove more fruitful. Sillarian is not that may days ride from here."

"I would like to have been able to work on the problem, but I have been set another quest. "

She gathers the reins of the bitless bridle and mounts Gharion, patting him on the neck. "Sorry, fellow, we have more road before us to find a place to stay.

Turning back to the woman, "Thank you for your directions."

Most of the trip Elessarae was distressed by what had happend at the Tower, that an elven traveler could not be given a place at a table for dinner and a pallet in the great hall if there were no rooms available. It was the most basic of hospitalities, even humans did the same.

Elessare rode until she came to the village the woman had spoken of. She is startled by the appearence of a goblin. Staring at the inattentive goblin Elessarae takes stock of the village and looks for the largest building, or house at which to make inquiries as to lodging. Before the Goblin disappears into the building, she calls out

"Ho, Goblin, is there an inn un this village?"

Loda looked at the elven men with disgust. She could tell that they did not like any of them. Well the Khordds atleast. Who knew what kind of thoughts they had against there elven companion. Her face wrinkled even more when she heard that animals were not allowed in the city. She looked the man in the eye and spoke.

" Animals not allowed in an elven city deep in the woods? What kind of people are you? Look. Gothard here is nothing but a timid wolf, companion, and friend. If he cant stay in the city, I wont enter either. But you all need to realize that not evey animal is diseased. We have slain one of these beasts, and it was dire and twisted beyond any natural form."

Loda took out her ale skin and took a swig of it, wiping her mouth on her sleeve and letting out a slight burp, with a wry smile following soon after.

Alloryen Kingdom
Faemae
1st day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
3:14 pm
The man's stare of disgust at Loda, Geim and Thondrek was heightened as the druid spoke. His stare seemed focused on their beards, as if lice and disease brooded in between the hair.
Upon mentioning their encounter with the badger, all guards took a step backwards.

"So you have had contact with one of the diseased creatures! Who says your animals aren't infected? We cannot allow the wildlife in this city to have possible contact. So far we've had no incidents and we intend to keep things that way! I tell you once more: You are welcome, but your animals are not."

The guards seem unwilling to give in on this matter. A little up ahead another Syl is refused entry to the city, by a group of guards. He pets the lizard on his shoulder and choses another path.

"I sometimes wish the same, priestess." Brushing by her, Draven strode towards the forest.

Alyssia was slightly hurt at the rebuff but just let her eyes go down slightly towards the ground instead of chasing after the man. Why he never let anyone close to him, she would perhaps never know. The goddess knew she had done nearly everything except for perhaps offer to share the man's bed. She had only been with one man and that had been back before when she had been the humble apprentice of her village's healer. Now that she thought on it, it had been near four years since the day she had made the bargain with Lysora

A woman appears befora Alhandra as she weeps over the now still form of Gerard, his breathing shallow and his heart near to stopping. She and Kriath had been able to do nothing for her bethrothed's wound, to stop the blood from flowing from his body. Alhandra was certain that her love was to die.

"Who are you?" was all that Alhandra was able to get out between stifling her weeping.

The woman help up a rose, its petals seeming to pulse as a beating heart. Her robes, white as a fresh winter's snow, hung to the ground and yet did not seem to become soiled. Sparkling, clear blue eys seemed to gleam with what little light was left in the room. Pure white hair hung about the woman's shoulders and further, yet the woman was not old but had a very youthful appearance except for her eyes. There was wisdom in them, a weight that seemed to weight down her appearance of innocence.

"You know me, daughter. I can heal him, this man that you love. But for me to do so, you can no longer ignore my calling to you. I can do this for you, but you can no longer live the life you know. Either way, you are to give him up forever."

"I'll do anything you ask."

Lysora's voice echoed through her mind, "Then it is done."
She knew that it hadn't been the goddess to heal her love, but herself that had channeled the power that the goddes had granted her. Why could she not have just lived that normal life, why had the village had to have to come under the raid of those who would thieve from others? Alyssia knew that she would perhaps never know the answers to her questions, but knew what it took to heal.

Love. It was one word, simple enough. She would have to love, to give and share all that she was, to sacrifice her heart to whomever she truly reached out to. Alyssia knew that she would have to love as she had not done since she had stopped being the huble healer known as Alhandra. She would have to love Draven to truly mend his broken heart and spirit and except the pain that came with it.

As tears flowed from her eyes, Alyssia left the company of the celebration to keep her own company for the evening.

It had been a miserable second and third day. True, Alyssia did not suffer the normal pangs of hunger that accompanied a normal individual, but she suredly did not like being wet either. So as she her companions dried out, the woman attempted to look as cheery and brightful as possible. But all of their happiness seemed to log back down once again as they came to the gates of a Sylvari city.

Even Malius, brethren of the people that lived in the Syl's city, was looked at in a manner that was unwelcoming.

Alyssia let her companions explain their situation, not much for conversation at the moment. But she could no handle it any longer when the guards became rude with them.

"So you have had contact with one of the diseased creatures! Who says your animals aren't infected? We cannot allow the wildlife in this city to have possible contact. So far we've had no incidents and we intend to keep things that way! I tell you once more: You are welcome, but your animals are not."

Alyssia spoke in a calm manner bur firmful with the guards, "Do you speak to all visitors in this manner. I am a servant of Lysora and can put witness to the fact that these are common animals. They have none of the characteristics of the diseased and mutated. Now, what say you?"

Alloryen Kingdom
Faemae
1st day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
3:14 pm
The guard replied with an apologetic look at Alyssia's true words.

"I'm very sorry, miss, I really am. But I have my instructions. They sound to let no animal in, even if it looks healthier than we've ever seen. You never know if an animal is in the early stages of infection. Why don't you leave your animals with one of you while the rest finds what they need?"

Draven hadn't spoken a word since their departure; as had come to be expected from him. he lingered in the back of the group, occasionally smoking a pipe, or hitting a flask. He didn't seem to be in any particular nasty mood. More thoughtful then anything else.

But as they neared the Elven city, his agitation began to build. he knew full well the relations between the elves and the Dwarves, and while local farmers may not have any quarrel with dwarves, offical Sylvari cities were a different story. He was in no mood for another foolish side-adventure.

They neared the gates, and he realized they were heading into the city. The dark warrior was about to ask "why?", when they were stopped by a guard, and a heated argument broke out concerning the groups pets.

At last, Alyssa spoke, interfering briefly with what was quickly becoming more of a pissing contest then any form of actual debate over how to handle the pets. The guard treated her differently then the dwarves. Draven wasn't certain if it was because she was human, or because of her status. It didn't matter. He had stood in the back, listening silently for long enough.

Pushing his way to the front, Draven eyed both the guard and the arguing dwarf almost menacingly. His golden eyes flared and he sneered before spitting the words

"Why are you arguing city laws? Do you really think you'll be allowed in by arguing with a simple gatesman?"

Draven really did spit now. On the street.

"Stop wasting time. Do we need to enter this city or not? Your druids for Hel's sake. Stay out here, or leave them here. They can take care of themselves. Or we can simply pass this blasted city. Don't act as if you didn't help fend off a badger vicious enough to nearly tear our own elf's throat out. And don't pretend you know how that badger became that way."

Draven smirked now, and he said coolly.

"Infact the monster may very well have been infected with a contagious ailment. Only time will tell."

He glanced at Loda's dog and grinned wolfishly.

"Either way. I have no reason to enter this city."

Turning from the group, Draven started down the road, away from the gate.

(He will linger around the outskirts of the city if they decide to go in. If anyone accompanies him, he will accept their company, if somewhat coolly (but hey, thats Draven). Otherwise he will spend his time watching the comings and goings, and sizing up people.)

Malius sat upon his horse ignoring the cold looks given him by some of the guards, yes he was darker then most Syl’s yet one of them he still was. Knowing that at this moment speaking out about such would only complicate matters he watched quietly as the rest of the party argued with the guards the whys of no animals allowed.

Guards
“I must inform you though, that your animals are not allowed in the city. We have heard news from eastern towns, where animals are turning into monsters because of some kind of infection. We can't risk our animals being exposed to any threat”

Loda
"Animals not allowed in a Sylvain city deep in the woods? What kind of people are you? Look. Gothard here is nothing but a timid wolf, companion, and friend. If he can’t stay in the city, I won’t enter either. But you all need to realize that not every animal is diseased. We have slain one of these beasts, and it was dire and twisted beyond any natural form."

Guards
“So you have had contact with one of the diseased creatures! Who says your animals aren't infected? We cannot allow the wildlife in this city to have possible contact. So far we've had no incidents and we intend to keep things that way! I tell you once more: You are welcome, but your animals are not."

Alyssia
"Do you speak to all visitors in this manner? I am a servant of Lysora and can put witness to the fact that these are common animals. They have none of the characteristics of the diseased and mutated. Now, what say you?"

Guards
"I'm very sorry, miss, I really am. But I have my instructions. They sound to let no animal in, even if it looks healthier than we've ever seen. You never know if an animal is in the early stages of infection. Why don't you leave your animals with one of you while the rest finds what they need?"

Draven
"Why are you arguing city laws? Do you really think you'll be allowed in by arguing with a simple gateman? Stop wasting time. Do we need to enter this city or not? Your druids for Hel's sake. Stay out here, or leave them here. They can take care of themselves. Or we can simply pass this blasted city. Don't act as if you didn't help fend off a badger vicious enough to nearly tear our own elf's throat out. And don't pretend you know how that badger became that way. In fact the monster may very well have been infected with a contagious ailment. Only time will tell. Either way. I have no reason to enter this city."

As irritating as Draven was and though there was no love lost between them Malius had to agree with him for once. If his Ferrets, at the moment hiding in his saddle bags, could not enter then so be it, neither would he.
As a Ranger he needed nothing from inside the city’s walls and so had no real need to enter so turning his horse without a word spoken to the guards or any of the party, Malius slowly followed the Human fighter away from the gate....

(OOC: Sorry to all that my post is mostly other players speaking but its been a very long disappointing week and I just did not have the energy to do more. Again sorry everyone.)

Thondrek scoffed at the Guard's look towards his beard, and the animal companions many of his coterie had with them. "Bah, ye wear armor just the same as we, and smell a tad ripe yerself. T'would do you wise ta peel it off and wash what lay underneath, lest the disease fester b'tween your britches and leave ye with a nasty case o the rotten apples if'n ye be catchin my drift. We have seen what this mystery plague can do, and ye not be wantin to catch it."

Thondrek admitted that it might seem inappropriate to enter the town while his companions waited outside, but it had been a long time since provisions and supplies could be replenished, and he had thoughts about what to acquire brewing in his head. "I'll be gettin me throat wet and packs stuffed anew, but I'll hurry upon it, lest Loda or Malius suffer anymore indignation in wait. I shall hurry to acquire what may see us forward in days ahead. I shall tarry not long."

With that Thondrek proceeds to attempt to complete his shopping list and take in a tankard of ale before returning.

Alloryen Kingdom
Faemae
1st day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
3:14 pm
So it was agreed that Thondrek would enter the city and reunite with them as fast as he could. As part of the group was already departing, it made sense to make the meeting point on the other side of the city.

So, a good hour later, the group saw Thondrek return and got ready to depart this Sylvari bastion of fear. The Khord could tell them that his stay in the city had not been a pleasant one. The Syls had been rude, and had avoided him as much as possible. Even though he was not an animal, they shunned him like he carried an infection, sometimes mocked him behind his back.
But he had found what he had been looking for, though the design of the items was unmistakably Sylvari.

The city of Faemae was soon another memory best forgotten, and the group continued along the road through the Alloryen Kingdom. There were hardly any other travellers on the road, not during the day, and even less when the sun started to curve below the trees. Often there was the sound of something scurrying through the bushes alongside the road, but no animal ever revealed itself. The birds were quiet as they moved more into the west, and the night’s silence was only disrupted by the wind through the leaves. Was this one of the great Sylvari Kingdoms? Its natural beauty was oppressed by a glum eeriness. The heroic state of departure from Birch-Root seemed long ago, and in another realm.
The next day was just as estranging. Hardly any Syls crossed their path, and the ones that they met were in a hurry, looking about skittishly. Late that day the group arrived at an opening in the woods. In the middle of the clearing stood a high, round tower, beautiful white with ivy crawling up its flanks. The grass around the tower was grown in patches that formed intricate patterns. The big double door was closed, and in front of it stood a Sylvari woman in armor on a horse. Yelling loudly she called up to the high windows of the tower:

“Open up, I command you! The Emperor requests your aid! Don’t let a Bladesinger waiting!”

Although the woman looked angry, nothing happened.

---

Londelirinen Kingdom
Runya Nost
3rd day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
6:17 pm
The goblin froze upon hearing Elessar’s voice. Slowly its head turned and small beady eyes looked her way in a dumbfound expression. Then suddenly, like a candle had lit up in the creature’s brain, it smiled and lifted its head.

“Yes, yes,” it spoke in the common tongue, “we have an inn right here. Follow me please.”
Then, in Goblin it called out to nobody in particular: “Hey boys, we have company, heat up some soup!”

The creature changed its course over the town square, and headed for a building in the shade of a large tree. Lights could be seen flickering beyond the windows, and shadows betrayed movement. In the doorway, the goblin stopped, and beckoned for Elessar to enter.

Bells went off as she watched the goblin's expressions. First he was dumbstruck, but where was the subservience he should have shown if he were in an Elven village. Lastly followed by fiendish glee as he had called out

“Yes, yes,” it spoke in the common tongue, “we have an inn right here. Follow me please.”

Then, in Goblin it called out to nobody in particular: “Hey boys, we have company, heat up some soup!”
"WE" have an inn? Goblins do not count Elves in the term "we", and no Goblin in his right mind would call Elves "boys", nor order them to stir a pot.

An Elf for the soup pot was more like it.

"Let me just take my horses to the stable and get them settled." she calls back and turns toward the side building that was probably the stable.

That would take her passed a window, that was out of sight of the goblin entering the building. Even if he came to watch her she would be able to get that look before he got to the corner. One good look inside would tell her all she needed to know.

She pats Gharion, as she closes her legs on him, she wanted him up and ready to run. It was not that far back to the Tower, and they needed to be warned. She looks to the colt.

"Stay with me." she says in Elven.

She rides close to the building and moves into a position to look through the window. Should the Gobin try spying on her she kicked her right foot from her stirrup and pretended to be trying to get it turned so she could put her foot back in. She starts to sing a plesant little ditty about flaming logs on a homy hearth, in common and the smell of food cooking.

Just incase it was needed she prepared a Flare Spell, handy against creatures of the night and the dark.

((OOC: I moved this post for more convenience))

Loda was agitated at the guards, who were so high and mighty in there own right would not let them in for the life of them. And on top of that, they were blatently racist to, dispising all khord. Thats why Loda enjoyed doing what she was doing, making a fool of herself to disgust the men even more. But once she realized that they werent going to let Gothard in, she turned and wandered off into the woods. Before she left though the others planned on meeting on the other side of town, so she slowly made her way, skirting the city until she was at the other side, and waited. Once the group got together they set off, hopefully leaving this disgraceful town behind them. She much rather stay in Birchroot, even with a giant rabid badger than stay in that place. But enough was enough, and soon the bad thoughts of the city left and Lodas mind was filled with happier things. The forest around them, the animals, birds, Thondrek, and ale. She reached down and grabbed her flask, sipping the drink loudly, then squirted some in Gothards mouth, his nose nudging the leathery container to get her attention.

The next day they kept onwards, following the path that cut through the forest. Today was a little different though, with every syl that they passed looking anxious and paranoid, and she was able to count the amount they crossed paths with on one hand.

Soon enough though, the forest parted slightly and in the clearing was a tall, snow white tower with ivory snaking up all around it. Kinda like a tower you'd read in one of those fairy tales. And the grass was cut strangely too, making weird designs and patterns. But neither of those things drew her attention more than the sylvari woman who was suited up in armour, and mounted on a horse. She looked quite pissed, but didnt seem like she was going to do anything. She yelled up at the tower something in common, obviously trying to coax someone out.

“Open up, I command you! The Emperor requests your aid! Don’t let a Bladesinger waiting!”

Loda walked forward a bit, stepping onto the grass.

" Hey there, whats going on? Seems like who ever is up there doesnt wanna come out. Whatcha need help with?"

Loda watched as Gothard trotted up next to her, and sat down, looking at the horse, and the woman.

" And please, dont mind Gothard, he's as friendly as can be."

So it was that Alyssia watched as Draven trailed off from the city. Mayhap this was her chance to do more than just tail after him, mayhap this is where things could be going rightly for her attempts to heal his soul. Without appearing to hurried, the woman turned and followed Draven. She could not be for certain how long their other companion would take in the Syl city, and this was her chance to be alone with the one that had eluded her thus far.

"What is it that truly bothers you?" Alyssia asked of him as she came up to his side.

(backposting conversation)

-----

So and here they were yet again after another day of travel. A tower stood before the companions with a syl warrior banging upon its doors. She only stood and watched as she screamed her tirade at the place's occupant or occupants, whichever it was.

The anger was clear on the bladesinger's face.

" Hey there, whats going on? Seems like who ever is up there doesnt wanna come out. Whatcha need help with?"

Loda watched as Gothard trotted up next to her, and sat down, looking at the horse, and the woman.

" And please, dont mind Gothard, he's as friendly as can be."

"What may we help you with? I'm sure anyone of would do so, except for maybe Draven," she called out to the woman.

Thondrek, as they came across the woman calling to whomsoever lay within the tower looked to his companions and shrugged. He wondered if the stranger would garner a reply from the stone which stoicly took her commands as it did the elements. He also wondered if they should concern themselves in this matter, but his thoughts were clairfied as Loda, then Alyssia both piped up. Leaning on his guisarme he could only see how this conversation panned out.