A Short Rest

Voah took this chance to start conversation with the other party members.

"If all goes to Zin with this trade and we find ourselves at odds against the Odsier tribes or wildlife, I think it would be good to know each other's... strengths. I myself do not plan to simply run unless all seems lost. I am quite capable using my body as a weapon. I have also been trained in monastic sword art and this censer is not all it seems."

Wolf watched the Arbiter, listening when he could to conversations. It was too wet to make notes now, but the scholar was interested in how the two brothers communicated with the Odsier tribes. He did not say much to anyone as he was evaluating their abilities by watching them move and act. Wolf had been on a lot of expeditions to find antiquities, ancient books or manuscripts. Wolf took his break eating some cheese and jerky, trying to shake off the water on his hooded black cloak. He wondered if he would be questioned about anything.

Wolf thought about what the Arbiter said and asked. He waited until the Arbiter was alone before walking over to her.

"Arbiter, you asked what I can do. I know you are no fool. I can use the weapons I carry with some skill and a Pankration fighting style. The Recurve Bow I have hunted with it. It is at war strength (75 +lbs pull) and I could kill a bear with it. So I can hit things with it. This."

He pulled out a blade from its sheath at the back of his sword belt.

"You might not have seen before. It is called a Kukri. It is a tool much like an ax as it is a weapon. I normally use two blades at the same time. Like the Trident Main Gauche and my Kukri or sword in any combination."

“Good to know we need not rely solely on these two soldiers if we are in trouble. I don’t have much faith that our scout will bother sticking around as he seems to be interested in being alone.”

Meanwhile...
Wim looked at Rash and said, “Well, let us get this over with.” He said in a tone of resignation. He pointed to his blade and moved away from striking range of the group. The guards were well trained while he was not. He gave Rash a proper fighting salute and then got into a fighting stance with his sword drawn. He paused and removed his cloak and then resumed the stance. He did the sword dance with Rash letting the bigger man win. Wim was moving to be where the sword was not as they fought. Sliding his feet like the fancy dances from back home.

“This would be easier with a bit of music,” the young Noble said. In his mind it was better to be thought of as incompetent then found to be useful than it was to be thought useful and found incompetent.

Wolf, returning to the group, chuckled. "Ok music." He picked up his instrument and started playing a progressive tune.

Wim makes his martial display more of a dance taunting Rash by taking the male lead.

Hunter sighed as he was expected to answer the questions of the holy woman who only took interest in him because he got stuck with her. Normally she would not pay him any heed in the barracks. In the end it was just an excuse to size the party up as cannon fodder for her to escape. He had a bad feeling about her after her concern for magic users. As a Zealot he knew she would most likely sabotage the mission in the name of her so called gods. However he had no intentions of being used again by power hungry politicians or religious martyrs. However if he kept quiet too long it would give her more reason to harass him so he decided to keep it simple in his mellow reply, "Name's Hunter. I hunt stuff, track stuff and as far as weapons go I am good with a bow and a jack of all trades in other weapons. Sorry to disappoint you with my boring existence."

“Ah, he does have a voice. And it’s even lovely.” She teased.

Jiyn kept quite while the others talked. As usually he offered salt to all those around. "I'm good with knives. And following orders." he said and hoped that was enough for the Arbiter.

“I have to admit, I’m feeling a little better about our situation.” Voah said happily as she swayed a little to the music.

Wolf stopped playing "I do have knowledge and experience of the world. I know some languages of the places I have been to. I have studied areas of history, medicine, the natural world, antiquaries, and religions. Which makes me come to my question."

Wolf looked at the two guards. "How do the natives communicate? Do they have written language and use signs?" This would tell Wolf a little about their level of knowledge.

Jab looked at the man. "We know little o' such things, scholar. "Lettiers and de like ar' as strange ter us as de natives..." he said truthfully

When the music stopped, Wim got clocked knocking him on his butt. He looks at Rash and laughs.

Hunter paused in his chewing as he listened to this tidbit of important info from the not so bright soldiers. Education was a special provide among the upper class. The only reason he received an education was to make him a better spy and killer since it would look bad if he killed the wrong people and stole the wrong evidence. He felt he was right to use old military symbols to leave messages to the others since a scholar like Wolf would understand it all to well. Then he spoke to Wolf, "If they lack a written language they most likely communicate with words, gestures and crude art or sculptures. Groups like that live closer to animals with a pack leader in charge. Have you ever dealt with a group like that?"

Wolf did not hesitate to answer, "Yes, too many times got a few scars to show for it when it did not work out. I deal in antiquaries (Archaeology) for the Great Library of Orb that's what I do best. So an adventurer of sorts. I have been around the world some."

The Arbiter perked up at the insightful words of the lonesome Hunter, he wasn’t just some some uneducated soldier like the others. It made her wonder why he ended up in Arcadia. This information was probably more useful than anything the soldiers had given so far.

Wolf thought about what Hunter and the Arbiter said. "You are correct Hunter about what you said about the native's good insight." Complemented Wolf.

Hunter swallowed his beef jerky and sipped some water from his wine skin before he replied, "Hmmmm ....... so if your sweet words fail to charm them and a contest of strength is demanded by their leader ........., which one of you plans to accept?"

Wolf grinned as he stated, "That's why we have you guys, I am sure we can handle a few challenges... I hope."

The Arbiter was confident now that if things went sour, she could expect Boyce Blackwolf and the Hunter to be the best bet at surviving. She would be sure to foster her relationships and learn what she could from them as they could use their critical thinking as well as previous experience. Voah herself was not completely wasted on travels in the wild but she was certainly no survivalist, she would fair much better out here where there was opportunity to thrive than months in a cramped ship's hold with no fresh food to nourish you and no room to stretch your muscles.