It is easy to see what the occupation of the village is by the hides stretched on racks and the tanning pits off to the side and downwind of the village. The center of the village was like many others, main buildings about a open area. It was there they found the inn/tavern that served the villagers as a main meeting place and a general store. The inn boasted the name of "The Green Stag" and the sign sported a fairly well done painting of a 20 pointed green stag.

Also around the village green was a blacksmith's shop, and Bowyer, a Fletcher, trap maker, and a fur trader. A number of older children were playing on the green, but the smallest children were not far from there parents. It would seem that had been warned of the unrest in the Cormanthor.

Seeing people about in the village as they approach, Vatta slips the hood of her cloak up to cover her head and bury her face in shadows. She is use to people having adverse reactions to elves and does this out of habit. He hands rest lightly on the reins of her mount, her bow hanging from the strap on her saddle, her swords sheathed, looking very much at ease; but she is ready incase this place becomes less friendly than it seems.

She scans the village and sees that they have a Inn, and shops, especially a fletcher, and smiles slightly knowing she will have a chance to replenish her supply of arrows. She rides on towards the Inn for now, thinking it is late and she will have time tomorrow to visit the shops for what she needs. Riding up to the place called “The Green Stag” she slips gracefully to the ground and looks around for a stable, or stable boy. If she finds one, she will toss the reins them along with a silver coin.

“Take care of him,” she says as she removes her saddle bags and bow before letting the horse be taken away.

Slipping her things over her shoulder she will head into the Inn, hopefully along with the others. Inside she pauses to look about the room, automatically out of habit she assesses the potential ‘threats’ in the room. She moves towards a empty table big enough for their party; setting her stuff in a chair she moves to the bar to address the bartender.

“We will be needing rooms,” she says in a soft velvety voice, “I will take anything you have at the end of the hall. How much?”

Once payment is made on the room, she heads back towards the table and says over her shoulder, “We require food as well, please send over someone to take our order.”

Setting her stuff on the floor next to her chair she sits down and waits for a waitress/waiter to come and then order a wine, elvin if they have it, and ask about what food they have left this evening.; she is suddenly famished and is looking forward to a good meal.

As the now newly formed group makes their way down the rode and towards their next destination Xour takes his place out front since he is an experienced guide and scout. With Brianna riding point with him the two make a formidable front. Since Brianna seams to want to hunt game while they are traveling Xour not only keeps his eyes open for danger that may cross their path he also keeps a seasoned eye on any game trails that may cross the road. When he spies one of these he quickly lets Brianna know and she plunges in after some type of game or another.

At one point she returns with a couple of nice hares and some plump game bird. She goes about skinning and gutting the game as they continue onwards feeding the organs to her companion Flame.
At one point in the ride after one foray into the woods comes up empty Brianna speaks with Xour.
Your are well skilled as a hunter and tracker. Would you teach me some of those skills. I must admit that my kills are mostly come from a clear opportunity I can take advantage of. I cannot track very well and would like to learn how to do better."
As she speaks to him Xour looks over at the Amazon riding next to him and try as he might he can not at least in his own mind hide the fact that he finds her to be extremely desirable, and not just for the usual “male” reasons, which is not to say that she did not come across as a beautiful sensual being, but there were other things about her that attracted her to him, her strength and obvious leadership ability, she was intelligent and of course she had legs that just would not quite.

He listens to her speak to him and ask if he might be able to help teach her more about tracking and hunting which he of course would have no trouble doing. Yes, Brianna I would be more than happy to teach you all I can about what it is I know about nature and the ways of the animals. I actually feel that since we will be traveling and most likely fighting side by side for some time to come that we may be able to share and teach each other many of the skills that we possess. He looks at her with a boyish smile that he just can't wipe off his face. He has not felt this content with a decision that he has made in a very long time. For some reason he just can't place why he feels that the party and mission he has attached himself to are on their way to make history.

Bringing himself back down to earth as he see's that the party is approaching a village that looks to be involved in the art of tanning hides. Even though the pits are set down wind the smell of the pits is hard to hide from one who knows. The village is laid out as many others main buildings about a open area, with a tavern/Inn as a focal point. Here the Inn was called The Green Stag and was also a tavern and general store. Also around the village green was a blacksmith's shop, and Bowyer, a Fletcher, trap maker, and a fur trader. Seeing both a bowyer and fletcher made Xour hope that more arrows may be up for sale.

However first up would be to acquire rooms for the party and maybe a good meal so as the group rides into the village and sort of spreads out Xour follows Vatta as she dismounts and hands her horse over to a stablehand.
( quick ooc: please excuse this ooc, but I saw somewhere that the name of Xour horse was mottley but I would like to change it to Lighting if there is no one who objects thank you.)
Not yet sure of what they are going to do here Xour will look about for a place to tie up his horse Lighting and will do just that rubbing the mare on the neck and speaking gently into her ear as he passes. He will stable her latter if need be.
Following Vatta into the Inn he looks around to see who and what are present and at once seeking out the one who looks like they may be in charge Xour moves over to that person and introduces Good day my fine ( sir/mamm) I am called Xour and my friends and I will be passing through your fine village and are looking for rooms for the night. Since we are many I was wondering if we may bargain for a slightly reduced rate for many rooms? With that Xour will wait for an answer from the keeper and for the rest of the party to arrive.

Cerric rode quietly with the group. He had not spoken at all they had left the Ashbenford. His last conversation with Vatta, had driven her away. He hoped he would be able to mend the fence that had been raised between them he knew he had overstepped some boundary she had set about herself. He was also troubled by other events that he had not shared with the others because he was uncertain of when or where the reoccurring vision would force him to leave the party. He only knew with a certainty that he had to go.

However, Cerric had put it aside, not forgotten, but he would not waste what time he had wondering when the time would come. He hoped he would have time to mend the fence, so to speak with Vatta. Mend it and stay on the other side for now.

That was when he saw the sign with the name of the town. Cerric drew rein abruptly no really believing his eyes.

That was part of his vision, that was his sign to leave. His heart dropped for a moment as he realized what it meant. Brianna was riding off into the town as he sat still holding his horse form following the others.

"Lorae, he called out. "I must leave you here. I am sorry I will be unable to continue with you on you quest. I have been called for another task. I did not know when i would have to go until now. He points to the painted sign with the paladin's helm under the town's name."

He turns he horse and start back down the trail pausing a few paces from Vatta's mount. "I regret only that I must leave before I can apologize for causing you distress. I would not..........ever want to hurt you. Now, I must go. Perhaps when I have finished what I have been called to do I can return, if not, fare thee well, Vatta."

Cerric turns his horse to retrace the path they took into this town and turned westward to where his visions lead him. For the first time in a long while Cerric wished his life was his own to do with what he will. But he served his deity with head and soul and heart, though part of his heart was left behind.

Lorae tuns Moon Dancer and waits for Cerric to speak to Vatta. She had seen his looks toward her after the battle in Cormantor. In that she would not interfer. When Cerric turns to go, she raises her hand to him.

"Go in the Light," she calls out in farewell.

She rides quietly with the others until they reach the village. When she spies the village she does as she has often done, deglamorize herself and Moon Dancer. It made interactions with common folk easier, as long as they had no ill feelings towards Elves.

"Some of you spoke of getting arrows, I think this is the best place. I will see to getting rooms at the inn and stabling for the horses."

As she moves on she sees Vatta doing much the same thing, ahead of her.

~Backpost~

"Lorae, he called out. "I must leave you here. I am sorry I will be unable to continue with you on you quest. I have been called for another task. I did not know when i would have to go until now. He points to the painted sign with the paladin's helm under the town's name."

He turns he horse and start back down the trail pausing a few paces from Vatta's mount. "I regret only that I must leave before I can apologize for causing you distress. I would not..........ever want to hurt you. Now, I must go. Perhaps when I have finished what I have been called to do I can return, if not, fare thee well, Vatta."
Vatta was stunned by the sudden turn of events, he sat there for a moment as Cerric told them all that he was leaving. She too had hoped to repair the damage to their friendship which was just beginning. She was left speechless for a few seconds after he finished and started to ride away. She turned her horse to watch him and then called out to him.

“Cerric” she said her voice forceful yet quivering a little with emotion which she didn’t understand. When he stopped and looked back at her she didn’t say anything for a good 5 seconds and then found her voice.

“Take care of yourself,” she said softly, “we will meet again I am sure.”

She watched him ride away and then turned her horse to follow the others into the town. Her thoughts a swirl of emotions and unknown feelings, so much so that she forgot about the arrows until she was headed into the Inn, she turned and nodded.

“There will be time tomorrow,” she said barely audible, “the shops are probably closing this late.”

She entered the Inn and went to inquire about a room (as stated above).

(OOC: I assume this removal means Philosophers' MIA. Pity)

As he sees each of the party enter the inn Xour will try to get their attention to come over to where he is trying to get them some rooms maybe at a reduced rate. Hey why not try to save some gold if they can. So as each person enters looking to get rooms he will try to wave them over to where he is talking with the one who is running the Inn at this time.

The ceiling was not too low and the rough-hewn beams had been blackened by the smoke from many a torch and lantern. Two great fireplaces stood on either end of the common room, testament to the cold winter nights. Fresh wood shavings were strewn on the floor, and lanterns adorned every other beam. Two big wrought iron chandeliers hung from chains from the second story roof beams. There was a staircase going up to a landing the circled the room and there were doors all around the second floor.

An older man, slightly balding and moving with a limp came out for a storeroom behind the bar. Everything about him said innkeeper, especially the apron and the small keg in his hands.

"Rooms, ye say, I got rooms, don't get too many coming off the road these days, most pass us by. Seasonal hunters come up here in the fall and early winter to try their luck." He sets the keg in a rack and turns to look an Xuor. (Xuor, you have a wolf companion)

"How many are ye," he gives Xuor a once over, "Ranger."

OOC: Sorry for the ooc right off but you know I am not sure how many of us there are 4 or 5.

Bic:First things first, when Xour at first prepares to enter the inn he will instruct daug his wolf companion to wait outside and to stay low and out of view as much as possable and I will return soon as possable, then he enters the inn and approachs the keeper. Xour looks over the inn keeper as he is looking over Xour and when the man speaks So how many are ye ranger. Xour smiles at the mans perception although it is not hard to tell that Xour is a ranger, he then replies, Ah my good sir we would be in need of 4 of your best rooms.
While he waits for a response he will examine the inn they are in taking in where it appears that all the entrances and exits may be, how the first and second stories are laid out and how accessable the rooms are from the first floor. Always looking for what is the most defensable positions even when they are stoping to relax.

Xuor, Lorae, Brianna, Vatta, Logan.

Brianna was not the first into the tavern Xuor was, though she was the first to arrive at the inn. which was easily visible near the main square when one enter the center of Paladin's Helm. The reason was simple enough She always took care of her horses first. As a one of the horse clan that is how she was raised. Ingrained from her birth horses were their life and livelihood.

The back stallion she had taken in battle and the red mare who was a gift of ther Goddess were throughly groomed fed and bedded down before Brianna gathered her gear and entered the in.

She moved over to where the other had gather wile calling out for a serving wench,

"Ho there serving girl, Bring me a tankard of your best ale. A big Tankard. I have a powerful thirst."

When Brianna enters the inn she comes over to the inn keeper that Xour is speaking with. Seeing that he is geeting rooms she calls over a serving wench, and orders up a pint of ale. As she grabs herself a seat at the closest table. As soon as he has reached some kind of agreement with the owner for the 5 rooms which Xour will pay for he follows Brianna's actions and also orders himself up a pint of the inns best ale and then joins her at the table. Well I have secured each of us a room, I hope you don't think I was being to presumptuous in securing rooms for all I have just found from eailier travels that a lot of times if one person negotiates with the inn keeper they can sometimes secure better rooms at better prices, and since I did take this upon myself without asking I did this time secure all the rooms myself. Anyways I noticed both a Fletcher shop and a Bowyer as we rode in that is good I personally can never have too many arrows in stock being as I do depend upon my bow a large part of the time. I think we are going to make an awesome party dear lady I have seen you fight with those blades of yours up close and personal and now with the addition of my bow and Then Vatta's magic as well as your other two friends Lorae and Logan. Xour stops for a second Sorry I'm rambling again. After we leave here does anyone know how far it is to our destination?
With that Xours quites and takes a good long pull on his ale and then wipes his mouth with the back of his left sleeve as is his custom.

Brianna gave good-natured laugh and Xuor long speech.

"Whoa there Xuor, you sure use a lot of words to say a few things. You certainly don't have to ask my permission to get us rooms. Though I daresay we could have doubled up to save some money, though we don't need to right now so that doesn't matter. You just go ahead and take care of things like that id you want to you know this world better than Lorae and I do. Your money here is all different form what Brianna nods at Xuor's assessment of those of the group remaining. "I knew so I can't figure out what is a good price or not. So thank you for handling that."

Brianna nods is agreement with Xuor's assessment of the remain members of the group.

"Yes, I think we have the makings of a good group. We lost two good ones though. Highnar was a doughty fighter to be sure, and Cerric surely had a way with magic and healing. Though Lorae can heal too, so that is a blessing." She takes another long drink of her ale and then changes the topic of conversation.

"Lets go see that bowyer and fletcher as soon as we finish our tankards. We can come back and drink more later," she gives Xuor and quick wink.

Brianna played hard, fought hard and lived hard, especially in the last 3 years of her life. Which had reformed her from the gentler girls she had been in her youth into something her family would not have recognized in her. Her mother and sisters, had then been alive still would not have recognized Brianna as the same child they had known. Their deaths were a big part of the change in Brianna's life. Vengeance now drove her, though tempered a bit by the Goddess by the huge slap down she had been given after she had tried to return to her homeland with an avenging army at her back.

Brianna did not see the sudden look of sadness that had crept onto her face, nor the faraway look in her eyes. She held her drink up halfway to her mouth, but it did not move one way of the other for a time.

Suddenly the tankards move and Brianna drain the last of its contents in one long draught, then set the tankard down with a thunk.

"Ready when you are." She mood switched back to normal, at least seeming to be normal.

Seeing that Xuor is handling the rooms, Vatta smiles and nods to him and turns and moves to her table and orders a glass of their best wine. When Brianna and Xuor join her at the table she thanks Xuor for taking care of the rooms. When the wine comes she sips it slowly and listens to the playful banter between Brianna and Xuor and smiles softly her eyes downcast to her glass seemingly lost in thought.

Maybe it was the recent departure of Cerric that had her down. She hadn’t had a chance to apologize to him for the ‘disagreemnt’ they had earlier While she didn’t think of the Priest in any type of romantic way, she had considered his friendship to be the closest between her and the rest of the group. Everyone else had some type of previous attachment or were forming new ones and now with the only one she had felt close to gone, she felt like and outsider in a way.

“Anyways I noticed both a Fletcher shop and a Bowyer as we rode in that is good I personally can never have too many arrows in stock being as I do depend upon my bow a large part of the time. I think we are going to make an awesome party dear lady I have seen you fight with those blades of yours up close and personal and now with the addition of my bow and Then Vatta's magic as well as your other two friends Lorae and Logan. Xour stops for a second Sorry I'm rambling again. After we leave here does anyone know how far it is to our destination?”
Vatta looked up at Xuor’s mention of ‘her’ magic and raised an eyebrow questioningly; she was unsure what he had meant since she had shown no magical abilities that she had been aware of since meeting them. Strange.

She was going to mention again that perhaps the bowyer and fletchers were closed for the evening since it was late when they arrived, but hearing Brianna agree that they should go and come back to drink more later, she remained silent until after they left the Inn.

“Waitress,” she called out, “bring some food,; meat, and whatever else you have. I am hungry.” He tone almost commanding yet holding a downcast aspect that showed she meant no harm; maybe she was just tired they might think.

Once any food comes, she will pay for it and another glass of wine then slowly dine. Once she is done, she will rise and gather her things, telling anyone else left that she is retiring for the night. She will head of the stairs taking a glance about the room noting everyone there, just looking for anyone out of the ordinary. A old habit really, one never knew when someone you didn’t know was after you for something.

As you wait and talk a young human eating some berries enters the inn and makes his way to the serving counter, upon closer inspection however you see that this wild, curly haired young human is an elf. His light brown hair reaching down to his shoulder and bright, lively, hazel eyes and coppery skin, he is dressed in lose leather and fur of greatly differing hue. As he turns towards the elderly innkeeper he speaks in a melodic voice. "The usual please, a room for the night and could I order something for the morning, preferably something with venison. I want to make a good start in the morning." and with a slight laugh he finishes the berries he's holding.

Having picked up his drink and payed for it, (OOC: elven mead if the innkeeper usually has it, if not some ale), and looks around, instantly caught by the table sitting Brianna and Xuor. He approaches it and sits down to make conversation. "Dose one of you two own that horse in the stable, the black stallion? Their is something unearthly about it." Overhead and outside a falcon of some sorts plays with its prey, a pigeon, before catching it in it's talons and killing it. The bird then flys under the eaves of the inn with remarkable speed and perches there eating the pigeon, a few feathers drop to the ground outside.

It's then Xuor remembers Yew berries are poisonous to both humans and elves. Why would somebody poison himself and then ask about a horse?

(OOC: Lenwe has previously cast Purify Food and Drink on the berries to stop them being poisonous.