Bifrost Bayou frost 26th

[Myles Arnnett]

On the morning of Frost 26th, the trio continued their journey to Sangen, the cold swampy landscape coated in a light layer of snow. The biting cold seemed to penetrate their clothing, leaving them shivering if they stayed outside of the barges small cabin for very long, the air was laden with a chilled mist that coated everything in icy moisture.
Despite the inhospitable conditions, the boat floated leisurely down the wide and deep river, propelled by the current. Myles, no longer needing to pull the boat, took the opportunity to relax and take in the scenery around him.
The snow-dusted banks and frozen trees drifted past as the boat glided through the frigid waters. The captain guided the boat with a practiced hand, his eyes scanning the river ahead for any obstacles.
Myles, eager to make the most of one of his last chances to rest, settled into the furs and blankets onboard the boat. He watched as the orphan girl's eyes sparkled with wonder at the sights around her. Myles enjoyed watching the girl briefly act her age unable to resist the awe of seeing the marvels of a new environment.
As they continued down the river, Myles admired the beauty of the winter landscape as well, despite the numbing cold. The frosty mist rising from the river painted a dreamlike quality on the scenery around them. He was grateful for this moment of respite, knowing that the journey ahead would only become more challenging.
The trio continued down the river, lost in their thoughts and the quiet beauty of their surroundings, until the sun rose to its highest point in the sky, marking midday.

"Our journey will be ending soon Myles" The captains words shook him from his thoughts. "Around this time tomorrow Sangen's capital will be beneath your feet"

Nodding Myles searched for words to respond with, he was going to miss the companionship of the barge captain, he knew it had only been about three weks they had traveled together now, but it had felt like a lifetime in its own strange way.

[Aegis]

With each passing moment the barge lazed down the Silver Vein, the fog grew thicker and warmer, despite the wintry conditions. The captain did not appear perturbed and didn’t even appear to be using his eyes to navigate. He’d traveled this river so many times, he knew it better than the back of his Orkhan hand.

Soon, the river carried them beneath the branches of large, old oak and willow trees, silhouetted in the thick miasma around them. The captain spoke low to Myles, “You may wish to distract the girl, there’s likely unpleasant sights soon.” As they went along, willow branches and hanging moss seemed to appear out of nowhere in the fog, snagging hair and creepily caressing as they disappeared.

A dark shape appeared directly ahead of the boat, suspended in the air, it seemed. There was a slight creaking as the object swayed lightly in a wind that wasn’t present. As the bow of the boat passed beneath it, it became obvious this was a man. A hanged man. His clothes were fineries but aged in tatters, and there were words pained upon his torso.

‘Thief’

The captain bumped the hanged man with an oar, to keep his boots from touching the cabin when the man gasped, startling awake. His voice was rattling, his throat strained and parched, “We— welc— welcome to Sangan.” He forced a smile through bloody and cracked lips. One of the woman on the barge drew her sword and the captain barked a harsh order, “Don’t.”

The boat continued past the man, “Justice is swift and harsh in Sangan. And it is indisputable.”

There was a woman’s laughter in the fog. The captain’s brow furrowed as some of the fog swirled and darkened and turned into an elvish woman in a lavish black dress, swamp wading boots, ears pierced in many places, and auburn hair. “Such a stickler as always Captain.”

The woman slinked toward him, placing a few fingers upon his torso, tracing them along as she walked around him. She looked over at Myles, “That man will be freed if he’s still alive in two days.” Her fingers trailed around the captain’s back and she then reached down grabbing a buttock, making the normally stoic captain jump. She just laughed and sauntered over to Myles. “Always pay your bedmates in Sangan.”

She then looked Myles in the eyes, reached into the top of her blouse, pulling a dragonshard pistol seemingly out of nowhere. She held up and pointed it behind the boat, winked once at Myles, and pulled the trigger. “Especially in a Vikan pleasure house.”

She looked down at the girl that Myles cared for. She smiled sweetly at her, reaching into her pocket, pulling out a wrapped candy, offering it to her. “Ginger bourbon toffee.” The woman’s gun disappeared once more into her blouse. She turned back to the captain, “Any freebies this time?”

“No, Ileysa. And you know I wouldn’t send them your way if I did.”

She snorted, looking back at Myles from the corner of her eye, presenting the curve of her neck and a hint of bust as she grinned devilishly, “Ah well, maybe next time.” Her gaze fell upon Myles, “Let me guess, Gel’Grandal was too expensive to fix her.”

The captain was about to speak but Ileysa raised a finger and he was instantly silenced, “Make your way to Vikan Manor and I’ll fix her without a coin being desired.”

She turned back to the captain, “I’ll see you in three days after the mead wears off and that barmaid is bored of you.” She chuckled, “Like always.”

She looked back at Myles as she began disappearing once more in the fog, the last thing he would see being her devilish grin. One last chuckle, and the fog ahead of the boat was parted by another unseen breeze and suddenly the river grew wider than one would’ve thought. Boats of all sizes and shapes were going up and down stream. Beneath the boughs of the massive oaks and willows were busy docks hidden in the reeds, boats being loaded with sacks and barrels and crates. As they navigated the traffic, more people, some alive, some dead, could be seen hanging from the various trees.

“We’ll be in the capital on the morrow. The river and the capital are neutral territory here in Sangan. Every other piece of land is owned by the Seven and you are bound by their laws the moment you touch their land.”

He sat down upon a barrel looking at Myles, “Ask me anything and I’ll try to best prepare you for Sangan. But I promise, it’s nothing like you’ve ever experienced.”

[Myles Arnnett]

Myles could feel his nerves acting up as the end of the journey approached. The ever present fog and gloom that surrounded their barge had only grown thicker, and stranger still the water seemed to grow ever warmer.
When the captain spoke Myles nodded and crouched next to the girl, “head inside the cabin and make sure all your things are ready for when we get off the boat ok” None too soon after she had disappeared into the small cabin did a foreboding warning appear in the from of a strung up thief in rotting posh attire. Clicking his tongue in distaste when the wretch spoke Myles stepped aside heading the captains warning. As always magic found a way of reminding him of it’s insidious nature. The next evidence of such came from the fog in the form of a laughing elvish woman who materialized from the fog.
Myles could feel his skin prickling with paranoia at the likely mage who’d just boarded their vessel. The fact that she came in uttering nonsense and had the captain so flustered did not bode well for what she might be capable of. When he thought she was there only to bring ill tiding or some other local nonsense he was again forced to reevaluate as the woman pulled out a flintlock pistol from her ample cleavage Myles had previously been avoiding with his gaze. As the handle appeared Myles fingers were already dancing across the pommel of his sword, thankfully the weapon was aimed away from everyone and where the hanging corpse turned sign had been and Myles hand merely stayed on his sword still unsheathed.
The girl in all the ruckus emerged from the cabin to see what was happening, something there visitor regrettably noticed as soon as Myles had. Seeing the woman lean down to offer the girl candy again set off warnings in his head, he wouldn’t allow the witch who’d boarded them to bring harm to his charge.
Thankfully the orphan retreated behind Myles either shy or perhaps aware herself of the potential danger Myles felt was before them. The woman somewhat tactfully withdrew returning her attention to the captain and asking after freebies, something that seemed to draw a harder edge to the captains voice than her was used to hearing as he dismissed her request.
Then her attention returned to Myles in the form of a question that felt equal parts mocking and pitying. “Let me guess, Gel’Grandal was too expensive to fix her.” Trying to maintain his placid expression at his annoyance at her implication Myles replied. “It was a moral price to high” They’d wanted to study her not help her in the empire something he’d never say in front of the girl.” Before he could say more she silenced him with an offer to cure the girl. She bid her adieu’s and was gone.
Looking back to the captain Myles finally let himself take a relaxed breath. The captain was someone Myles felt he’d grown to be able to rust so when the man offered to answer any questions he could myles thoughtfully pondered the questions he had, now changed due to what he’d just experienced.

“Can I trust that woman do as she offered? She said without a coin being desired, not free, perhaps I’m paranoid but I feel very much a fly visiting a spider.
Next, I need to track down a dragonshard Foci for scrivening, and other related materials, I’ve never shopped for anything like this, in Zaichaer they were all controlled by the military but I do not believe it is the same elsewhere.
I want to find a safe place to stay where I can perhaps leave the girl for a few hours at a time without fear of her safety if possible. If that’s not possible, well at least I’ll know.

Beyond that any advice you have I will gratefully take”

[Aegis]

The Captain shifted his weight as he thought on Myles questions. “Ileysa is of the Vikan family. Her word is as good as law in these lands. You can trust her to do as she says, but only as she says.” A strange smile crossed his face, one of both regret and desire, “Calling her a spider would be an insult to what she can do. But yes, we are mere flies to those who run these swamps, that much is true.”

Looking up the river as they navigated the now busy waterway, “You can buy anything you’d like in Sangen. That’s sort of the law of the land. Money is king, power is queen, and you need both here to survive.”

He thought a bit more, “You’ll want to go to the Small Market for those magical items. The Gnomes make them best. I hope you’re a haggler, nothing is worth what it says on the tag, and one’s ability to haggle will open up many opportunities to you. You can stop by the Auction District too but it might be out of your budget.”

He smiled, casting his face skyward, moments before sunlight broke through the canopy. He knew his path well on this river. As they slipped past it, “The girl will be safe in any public establishment in the city. All rentals come with their own in house protection. The girl won’t want for safety. Tourism is big business here so they keep them safe.”

He barked a few orders to the crew who began speeding up, “You seem a good lad, and on a righteous mission for this girl. Just know that good doesn’t go very far in this world in the swamps. These waters care not for good intention, absolute morals, or righteousness. They’ll swallow you up all the same.” He smirked, “They’ll lure you in, reveal your inner demons, and teach you to love them, and then you’ll never want to leave.”

He looked at Myles square in the eyes now, “So don’t dawdle unless you want to venture down that path.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~The next morning~~~~~~~~~~~

As the ferry drifted through the morning fogs, lit by dragonshard lanterns, dodging the other boats hidden by all but the soft glow of their own guidance, the capital city of Sangen began to break through. The river emptied into a basin revealed a city built upon the waters. They passed an invisible line and the fog disappeared instantly, opening up to huge neighborhoods built of wood, standing upon logs driven deep into the swampy waters. The captain was standing at his usual post, as the ship traveled down the center lane that seemed to cut the city into two as it flowed toward the ocean.

The buildings on either side of this river flow were all large and lavish, brightly lit by dragon shard and colored glass lanterns, windows advertising everything from candy to guns to garments that left little to the imagination worn by men and women of many races. Off to the left, a man was being dragged by four others, who ripped off his crystalline necklace, “No one cheats the house!” before throwing him into the waters they traversed. Moments later, the water surged rapidly as a large hippopotamus opened its maw and chomped right through the man.

The captain offered two such necklaces to Myles now, “These keep the animals of Sangen away. They are not wild creatures but are highly trained and intelligent. Do not lose this.”

On the other side of the river an elven woman walked out of a place called Bluzoo’s and behind her were several men lugging heavy chests. She smiled, waving at the captain, “What a lovely morning to find my good luck.” She turned and began walking down the boardwalk as the servants lugged her casino winnings after her.

The ship soon docked, and a small goblin in spectacles came on board with a clipboard. He approached Myles and the girl, “Full names, citizenship, and assets.” The captain grunted, and the goblin sighed, rolling his eyes, “Welcome to Sangen, the jewel of the Bayou. All are welcome to the city, but must follow our laws. All weapons must be peace tied while in the city limits, failure to do so will result in confiscation and a fine. All violence must be kept to the appropriate establishments licensed for such. All transactions must be documented and performed by the appropriate vendors and establishments. There is no bank here, and only minted currency is accepted. Being unable to pay a debt will result in servitude to the indebted party. If you have any questions, ask someone else.”

The captain flipped a gold coin to the goblin who perked up, “And if you require any assistance, I, Cheezicks, would be happy to help!”

[Myles Arnnett]

“I’m Myles, Myles James Arnnett, this.. is my… Daughter, Eyla Anise Arnnett” Lying to the goblin that registered them, It seemed easier to claim her as his own than deal with the alternative options, he felt her grip change on his hand a quick flexing of her fingers that seemed to express some shock, beyond that she continued to exist in his shadow for the moment.

Stepping off the barge Myles briefly relished the feel of solid ground beneath his toes. Looking back to the captain Myles thanked him again for their passage and the necklaces wich he quickly slipped over his and the orphans heads. Tying his sword into it’s hilt Myles wondered how safe the city would truly prove to be, his experience as a defense corps soldier had tipped him off to the presence of several guards already, they dressed plainer here, but eyed the newcomers with a familiar watchful intensity. The captains warning made his neck prickle as he left the barge behind.

Looking to the goblin Myles inquired. “So where is this small market, at?” The goblin seemingly content to be rid of them the moment the barge was out of eyesight pointed them in the right direction before adding “at your height you can’t miss it boss” before dashing off back in the direction of the docks they’d come from. Clicking his tongue as he walked away he looked to the girl who’s hand was still firmly in his. “Would you like to stay with me as I go to the markets or would you prefer if we found a place to say first if you want to rest there?” A tight squeeze on his hand a shake of her head seemed to imply that she did not want to be left alone. “Alright, just don’t let go of my hand and if anyone bothers you squeeze extra hard and I’ll make sure they can’t do so again”

After a few minutes of walking Myles came across the unmistakable visage of the colorful Small market. All the stalls here came no higher than his hips and the place seemed to be entirely made up of goblin and gnomish vendors. While the patrons came in all sizes, some elves and the occasional mortallen stooped down just to be able to see under the awnings of some stalls.
As Myles walked down the narrow alleyway that led to the Small Market, the bustling noise of vendors and shoppers growing louder with each step. As he passed a peculiarstall, a small goblin with beady eyes and a wide grin spotted him and jumped up onto the countertop, waving his arms frantically. "Hey there, tall medium!" the goblin shouted, "Looking for some deals, are we? Come over here, I've got just the thing for you!"
Myles approached the stall cautiously, eyeing the junk that littered the countertop. The goblin noticed his hesitation and quickly launched into his sales pitch.
"You won't find deals like this anywhere else, my friend! Look at this," the goblin grabbed a rusty old compass and held it up for Myles to see, "this thing may look like junk, but I guarantee it will lead you straight to treasure!"
Myles raised an eyebrow skeptically, but the goblin continued undeterred.
"And this," the goblin held up a small, broken music box, "may not work now, but with a little tinkering, it'll be singing sweet melodies again in no time! And at a fraction of the cost of a new one!"

“Sorry, I’ve already got two maps from fella’s that said the same” Myles said with a hopefully disarming smile. The goblin still holding the rusty compass continued undeterred, “What good are maps without a compass, see I knew you’d need it!” Still smiling, defeated Myles pulled out his gold pouch, “alright, how much”


-------------------------------------------------


As Myles left the previous stall he and the orphan barely made it another thirty yards before another merchant accosted them, A drawn out “Looking for a gift for momma?” that came from a red headed gnome woman with a stall filled with jewelry and knives “I’ve got necklaces to match any occasion, and rings for any dress” Briefly stunned by the beautiful bold woman Myles stammered momentarily “No ‘ma’am it’s just the two of us… uh looking for scrivening tools and books on the topic… that and a good dinner, all things I’d be happy to pay for the direction of” he said hoping that the woman wouldn’t try to sell him her entire stock before she’d give him directions if he’d pay for them. That said the daggers on display all seemed to be of remarkable make and some even hag dragonshards worked into them, one red blade seemed to be made entirely from dragonshard...

[Aegis]

The gnome woman's cheeks blushed lightly, "Ma'am? Well I'll be. We don't often get polite men around these parts." She fluttered the neck of her blouse, presumably to cool her down in the hot and humid Sangen air. She leaned forward, eyeing Myles with an interested gaze, letting her ample cleavage blossom in the process.

"Listen here sugar, a polite fella like you ain't suited for these parts. It's the unfortunate way of the world in the Bayou." She turned around in her stall, pulling back the curtain, leaning through, her ample posterior tight in her dress. She turned back as a young boy with the same hair color of hers came to the stall.

"My name is Jez, and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance." She held out a hand for Myles to take if he wished. "I'll get y'all fed, don't you worry about it. My eldest will be along after a while, he can help you with your Scribery." She reached into a pocket, pulling out a wrapped candy, swirls of blues and purples, with gold flecks inside. "Gnomish Delight, a secret recipe from the motherland." She offered one to the girl, one to Myles, and popped one into her own mouth.

She then walked around the side of the stall as her younger son began to hawk the wares, mimicking her mannerisms. She swayed her hips heavily as she wove through the stalls of shops and open air workshops. She stopped to smile and say hello at each vendor she met, constantly making sure that Myles and the girl were keeping up, not being lost. A mother's eye.

Soon she reached a nondescript wall at the start of an alley, and reached into her cleavage, pulling out a key on a chain. She held the key up to the wall, though no keyhole was visible. A stone hand reached out of the wall, slipping the chain over itself like a bracelet. It froze for a moment, then turned upright, palm opened, and she dropped the key into it. The hand receded back into the wall and a seamless stone door opened.

Instantly two small children were screaming, rolling out the door in a heap, pulling at each other's hair and clothes. Jez smiled down at them, then looked back at Myles, "Don't mind the twins, they need to burn off energy if I'm to get them to bed tonight." She stepped up a pair of stone steps into the apartment, which smelled heavily of spice and warmth. It was a small space, with stairs disappearing upwards, and the entry room was a kitchen. The walls were littered with eclectic gadgets, scrivening writing and wards, and strange artwork.

It was a well lived in and loved home.

"Y'all ever had prawn gumbo? I ain't been up north since I was smaller than her, so I don't know the food well." She gestured to a few chairs that walked themselves out from the table so Myles and Eyla could sit. A whisk of the hand and a window appeared in the wall, letting fresh air in. Jez walked over to the stove, peering into the contents, taking a deep whiff. She opened a cabinet, startling several clockwork season shakers walking around on mechanical feet, before grabbing a few and sprinkling their contents into the stewpot.

"So why's a gentleman like yourself down our way?" She turned around, a basket in hand, leaning over heavily before them, setting it before the girl, pulling back the napkin to revealed some golden brown fried treats. "Hushpuppies." A couple of bowls walked over, carrying sauces, plopping down in reach of them both. Jez leaned back against her stove, wooden spoon in hand, eyes on Myles, "Sangan's reputation travels far and wide. None come here for good, I certainly didn't, even if I found it in the end."

[Myles Arnnett]

The hospitable response from the gnome at first relieved him, then he realized, for the first time, in a while he was talking with a woman of a significantly shorter height than himself, providing him with a view he’d seen very few times in his life if ever, and it was quite a sight. Catching himself and bringing his eyes back to hers Myles scratched his head with his free hand. “J-just how I was raised miss, a man who can’t be civil isn’t too much of a man at all if I can be bold”
Her warning that followed her statement was concerning to consider, he imagined there was some degree of hyperbole in her statement but the meaning was clear. He’d had his doubts about the place and his stay here if brief had alerted him to the dubious nature of the place. “I’m just passing through. I’ve been on the move for a while now looking for someone who can help my daughter… Eyla.” Again saying the name to cement it in his head. He hoped the girl didn’t mind his impromptu naming of her, but she’d not seemed to react much so far.

He was again distracted from his more pessimistic ruminations by the gorgeous redheaded gnome revealing she was as blessed in appearance from the back as much as she was the front. Myles brief gawking this time interrupted by a youth who looked very much like what Myles was realizing was his mother. When she turned around and shook his hand he was relieved at least by the revelation that she bore no ring that marked her as married, lessening the shame somewhat. Taking her small hand in his and gently shaking it Myles smiled. “My name is Myles, It’s my pleasure to meet you as well, you’ve eased a travelers nerves significantly, thank you for that.”
Shame forgotten immediately when candy entered the picture, Myles quickly popped the treat into his mouth with deft fingers savoring the new tart sweet flavors he’d yet experienced and deciding the try and by a bag before he left…
Following the Jez who’d decidedly become their guide Myles was happy to relinquish the task of navigation to the lovely gnome. In all of the bustle of the market Myles Made sure to not let go of the orphan’s… no his daughters… Eyla’s hand, using his bulk to make clear a path for her as he followed Jez. Between trying not to be hypnotized by the swaying hips of Jez and his acceptance of what he’d said at the docks Myles was relieved he didn’t need his brain for anything else.
Seemingly not satisfied with mesmerizing him she had to impress him Myles as well, gawking at the mechanism that operated as a lock to the woman’s abode Myles couldn’t help but be amazed, he’d never seen anything of the like. As quickly as the door opened another two red headed children came tumbling from the place, and if Myles was keeping up that made four children so far. He marveled to himself wondering if gnomes simply aged far better than his kin. Entering the Home Myles smiled softly appreciating the den for it’s homey warmth, it didn’t hurt that he was just short enough to not have to stoop to enter the place. It was a lived in and well loved place, a somewhat jarring change from outside.

“To be honest ma’am I haven’t heard of any such dish, but I was not known for being a picky eater back home. In the last year I’ve travelled more than I’ve ever done before in my life, and if there is one thing I’ve found pleasurable to learn about, is there are many meals I have yet to try”

Pulling a chair offered out for Eyla, Myles sat himself next to her. When asked why he was down here Myles paused. “I…” He swallowed, he hated thinking about why he was doing things. On the surface of it all he was helping the girl, but more than that, he was running away. He’d been running away ever since his home had been torn asunder. Running away from the revelation that no physical strength could save him or even less his people from magic. He wanted Eyla to get better and that would could keep him going for now… but he’d have to face himself eventually. The silence became deafening enough that Myles clicked his tongue. “sorry, had to catalogue the travels and it took more thoughts than I had brains.. I’m looking for a way to cure Eyla, a way that doesn’t involve the empires ulterior motives, or my own peoples superstitions… which has been harder than I could have ever imagined. But I’m not here to make our woes your own, I can’t remember the last time we’ve gotten to enjoy a home cooked meal”

Taking the offered food gratefully Myles popped the warm thing called a hush puppy into his mouth and found that he liked it, and… thankfully it didn’t seem to be made from dog or wolf meat that he could tell… Eyla in turn began to nibble on one herself after seeing Myles eat one with satisfaction.

“I… am not well learned or travelled, sangen was… was anywhere but the empire at the time, we didn’t really get to leave with the time to plan a destination.” He hoped he wasn’t implicating himself in too much, Jez seemed of a good nature and it was nice to get to unload some of his recent troubles.

[Aegis]

The door to the kitchen opened once more and a young man, a dwarf of red hair as well, came in, "Proper preparation prevents poor performance!" He was dressed in a fancy jacket with lots of pockets and pants to match. He walked past Myles and Eyla over to Jez, hugging her tight, a kiss on her forehead, being just a few inches taller than her. She smiled, "Don't be rude, Petyr, we have guests." She then swatted him on the shoulder with her wooden spoon. The gnome man walked over, offering a hand to shake to Myles, "I'm Petyr, the first of mom's accursed litter."

At the stove, Jez scoffed, her back to them as she finished cooking.

He looked over at Eyla, smiling and giving a polite nod, he reached into a pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small contraption. It was a clockwork chicken of some sort, with a tiny glowing dragonshard at its core. He set it on the table, tapped it once, and it began to prance about, mimicking the movements of an actual chicken quite fluently. It even stopped to preen, to scratch at the table's surface, and let loose a small crowing as it walked toward Eyla. "You can keep that if you want."

While stirring the gumbo, "Petyr, tell them about your trip coming up. I think Myles and Eyla here would be most interested in it."

Petyr's eyes lit up, "Oh are you travelers too? Wonderful!" He bounced in his delight, as his mother set a flagon of something cold and bubbly in front of each of them. "Gnoda Pop. Sweet and teasing." As she turned back, a wink was given to Myles. Petyr began speaking excitedly, "I'm traveling to Drathera with a contingent of Ecithian soldiers. Big Orkhan types. I don't know what they feed people south of the Crystal but they are freakishly big. They are letting me come to do some research into dragonshards. Finally got me a sponsor here from one of the families. I'd call them generous but they only want to profit from what I learn, but that's just the Bayou life." His eyes were practically glowing now, "But the Ecithian Archives will let me access them in full. Tens of thousands of years of information on dragonshards." He puffed out his chest, "I'm researching how they grow, under what conditions, how to replicate them and the like."

He looked over at Eyla, only now seeming to notice her affliction. His eyes didn't linger long enough to warrant a word, a question now directed at Myles, "Chaos storms?"

Soon, bowls of gumbo were laid out before everyone, and a shrill whistle was blown by Jez. The twins and another child all came stumbling in, scrambling into chairs, all waiting quite impatiently to begin eating. "Guests always take the first sip in this house." Her eyes were on Myles' own before drifting obviously down to his broad chest and wide shoulders. "I wish you could find help for your daughter here, but the motives down this way are no more pure than in the Empire." A soft, motherly smile given, "But if you head south, they give freely and heal all. Their ways may be strange compared to anything in the north, but they have hearts as big as their bones."

Petyr, halfway into his soup now, stopped, "I could speak to the captain, I'm sure they wouldn't mind a couple more. I could even include you in my research team really, mainly cuz I ain't built a team yet."We depart on the overmorrow."

Jez smiled, "You ain't gotta think about it all right now. But for the time being, you've a safe roof over your head and food for your bellies. I have.." a momentary tremor in her voice, "A spare bed in the twins' room for Eyla." A deep inhale, "And I'm sure we could find space for you somewhere."

[Myles Arnnett]

The tone of the room shifted when a young man entered, Myles had assumed the woman was older but the young man who’d walked in couldn’t be too many years his junior meaning she was holding her years far better than most human women. Myles watched the family interact with a mixture of amusement and guarded jealousy. Still, he was happy to be in their company. “Myles, Myles Arnnett and this is Eyla” Introducing himself again to the new arrival. The man made quick work of engratiating himself with a small toy like trinket in the form of a chicken that walked across the table. Not something he’d not seen before, but a very high quality version of it.
Again the demeanor of the room shifted when Petyr’s trip was brought up by his mother. Nodding when he was asked if he was a traveler Myles inwardly shrugged not considering himself to be much of a traveler, but a victim of circumstances that forced constant travel… a travelee of fate as it were…

Taking the offered drink Myles listened to the mans plans for what was less of a trip and more of a expedition in his opinion, particularly to such savage lands. He wondered if the fellow was right about dragonshards growing. Myles had assumed they simply existed in the ground like regular gemstones. Suppressing a smirk at someone watering a garden of dragonshards Myles continued to listen.

When asked about chaos storms Myles winced.. “something similar, we can discuss it over a drink that burns at a later time if you must know” Hoping that Petyr would understand his curt response and drop it tell Eyla was out of ear shot.
Before the conversation could continue a whistle sounded and dinner was served. Looking out over the family before him Myles smiled tightly mimicking the taunt chords of his heart, he hadn’t eaten a warm meal at a table in a long time, and to do so in pleasant company was almost overwhelming. Taking a deep graft of the flavorful and tart… sparkling liquid Myles grinned, “If you can pay me in this, you can have me do any job your expedition needs” he joked raising the tankard with excitment at having found a new indulgence. Looking back to Jez Myles let his smile stay on his face even as a cooler sorrow took his eyes. “This is more help than you know, I… I am reminded of a story” As they ate Myles Orrated

"In my home of Zaichaer, they say that in its earliest years the families that run the city to this day were just beginning to eek out their humble beginnings none yet blue blooded or established, the great city only a middling village with a disdain for rune magic and the gods to bind them.

It is said one day three sages arrived and worked their way through the village visiting the families within. The three sages would sit outside a house, and if invited in they would intone that the family could only invite one of them in, their names were, Treasure, Success, and Love. If one invited treasure into their home their wealth would multiply and seal their families future as merchants and artisans. If one invited success into their home they would find that they were hard pressed to fail and any endeavor they took upon themselves, becoming leaders, warriors, and great adventurers, seeing this the village fell into much competition to see who could get Treasure or success to sup with them, and while they did find their wealth and their achievement, they found little joy in it.

As this happened, a small young family new to the village watched on, the parents arguing for several days and nights over weather to invite success or wealth into their homes like the rest of the villagers.
Unable to stand the conflict that wealth and success was bringing to her home the child fled the village to a nearby hill with a great tree on it overlooking the village, and beneath the tree was the nearly starved form of Love, lying against the tree watching the city with a look of sorrow in his eyes. For the next week the girl brought Love food and sat with him in silence watching the village, within her disdain and resentment grew. The old sage told her in this time that there were other places to go, where love did thrive, and that she could leave when the three sages did.

But rather than this the girl took love by the hand and brought him into their home. When her parents had seen what she’d done, and in turn what they’d done, they fell at the feet of the malnourished man called love, and they promised him a dinner like none other the village could provide.
And so scrapping up what wealth they had the small family cooked together a simply meal of chicken stew with meager flat biscuits, and as they sat to eat, there was a knock at the door, the father opened the door to see Treasure and Success standing there, We heard you invited our father to eat with you, and we would like to join him if you would allow us in.

And so the family ate together with Love, Treasure and Success… and wanted not for anything evermore, and in a valley where all had become special and thus none had. much squabbling had broken out between wealthy and the successful nearly razing the city. Only because one family had received the blessing of love they were able to teach the rest of it, and things settled down. They say that the families that retain the blessing of love, still retain the blessings of Treasure and success as well.”

Finishing his long winded tale, Myles smiled. “It is good to see that Zaichaer was not the only place love left his blessing.” Yawning Myles after the Meal Myles thanked Jez for her hospitality. “Thank you ma’am, though you needn’t worry overly about me, Knowing a warm bed in a home like this has been offered her, I could sleep standing in my armor without complaint.

[Aegis]

Petyr nodded at the offer of a drink and a tale, already knowing the exact bourbon to uncork for this man. "Consider yourself hired, sir." He took a drink from his cup, smirking into it, recognizing his mother's machinations at work. Couldn't blame her, he was a strapping specimen, and a man who was good to children was always irresistible to her. The drink might have to be saved for the journey.

At the finish of the story, Jez smiled, "You're a sweet man and that was a beautiful tale. Your daughter is lucky to have you. And you her." She was positively glowing as he complimented her meal. "Come on kids, Eyla too, time to wash up." She walked over toward Eyla, offering a gentle hand. The little girl looked nervously over at Myles, before reaching out and taking it. Jez began leading her and the other three young ones out of the kitchen. She paused, looking over her shoulder at Myles, "Bath is up two flights of stairs on the left. Right across from my bedroom. Make sure you two clean up the dishes then come up to the bath."

The mother and troupe of children disappeared down the hall and Myles could hear the stairs creaking as they climbed them. Petyr set about to cleaning up, a knowing smirk on his face the whole while. If Myles attempted to help, he'd hold up a hand, "Rest. You've traveled far and have further to go."

As he was washing the dishes, he started into a story of his own, "Our people have this... inherent drive within all Gnomes, a yearning. It is known as the Calling, and it drives us all toward being our best selves in our endeavors. It is an incredibly important aspect in the lives of all Gnomes, and is why we can make such impressive technology and art, rarely ever rivaled." He smiled over at Myles, "Though your engineers certainly keep us racing." An impressed whistle was blown out.

"Anyways, a Calling is never benevolent or malevolent." He set down the plate he was scrubbing in the sink and looked back at Myles, "It is never as simple as being the best mother or father, or to find revenge for pains sought." A moment of sadness washed over him, "Sometimes a gnome will lose her ability to hear her Calling anymore. Even if she was one of the best alchemists and cooks that had ever graced the world, it can always be lost."

He smiled up at the window over the sink, "But she still smiles the brightest when she's making a meal."

He turned, dishes finished, leaning against the counter, "But a new Calling can always be found. Even by you tall bones. Something more than love or revenge. Something to provide guidance so oneself isn't lost in the road of the singular."

He snapped his fingers and a pair of glasses floated over on coasters propelled by bubbles, landing upon the table. A bottle dropped down from the rafters on a spring and Petyr snatched it out, the spring recoiling back up in place. A flick of the thumb and the cork plopped out. Out came a deep amber liquid that poured like molten gold into the glasses. Cork returned, "Cheers mate." The cup would already be cooled to the touch for Myles, the hand written label on the bottle showing 'Sangen Black Reserve.'

After the drink, a creaking of floorboards. "The kids are heading to bed on the second floor. Your turn in the bath then." He set his drink down, "Best not keep her waiting. Her patience wanes fast after nightfall."