A Visit and An Offer

JP with Bandorchu, Strangetides, Redsword, Lorem, and Cindy.

Turning her gaze back towards the heavens, the young woman thought about the talk that had been going around among the hunters.

War, it was the first topic anyone seemed to bring up when gathering before being sent out. More the very inevitable possibility of war.

Islana had never been through a war before and she wasn't sure what to even think about such a thing. The redhead though did know it seemed like nasty business but it seemed like one that no one would get out of.

Then came the other topic, the opportunities that were presenting themselves recently. A few hunters had talked about switching to the military, a few others were wondering what opportunities might arise. One or two had mentioned Nicholaus, though they referred to him as "the good Doctor," "the Doctor Cagliostro," or some combination of those words, was possibly looking for a "few good men" to accompany him to Aquilo.

Nicolaus gently reined his rented palfrey back to the path as it wandered toward a particularly tasty looking clump of verdant green grass with sparkling dew on its tips.
The Apothecary and his guide weaved through a great old wood passing by occasional meadows and cattail surrounded ponds peeking through a thin fringe of trees. Above, a sky, blue as the sea with great white clouds glowing in the fading sunlight gliding past. It was a fine afternoon, with the pleasant company of bird song and a light playful breeze.

The path was hardly that, barely some flattened grass and the odd rut from a cart's wheel in the rain softened earth. They had left the last drover's way awhile back and were now on the outskirts of Ostiarium's limit of influence. As they rounded a particularly thick copes, Alexis Greyriver's Hold came into sight. The late start and the distance to the hold had pushed the journey past dusk. Nicolaus could see a gathering around the cheerful glow of a campfire, a welcoming sight in the cool evening air.

Gonyaul looked away from the roadmap of constellations in the sky towards Islana when she suddenly rose. He was not alarmed and merely stayed on the ground and shifted to get a better view of the approaching guest.

Blackwolf saw Cagliostro approaching. Like most of the people around the campfire, they all had some type of training or instinct when reacting to someone approaching the Camp. If that did not they would not be alive in Arcadia. Blackwolf sat up when Islana said that Doctor Nicholaus was coming towards the camp.

Blackwolf had heard Cagliostro are traveling to the area of the Fang and settlement of Aquilo. Wolf did not know the man well. Wolf knew that he was well trained in Medicine and was the doctor for the settlement. He had talked to Cagliostro on The Hogue traveling to Sentinel Island and had a drink with Cagliostro. That drink did not end well Wolf got sick that day. Wolf wondered if that was planned or just bad timing. Cagliostro was a good help on Wolf's recovery.

Wolf had hoped to meet Cagliostro. Maybe work out something that they travel together. With the others, it would be a good group with a good skill set to make the trip safely. Blackwolf placed his instrument to the side and stands walking next to Islana quietly to see what Cagliostro visit was about.

Seeing not one, but now two were up on their feet to handle the new arrival, Gonyaul returned to stargazing. He imagined himself covering unfathomable distances with but a shift of his eyes from one fabled pattern of stars to the next. All the while, he kept an attentive ear pointed in the direction of the oncoming conversation.

When Nicholaus got a little closer, Islana called out, welcoming the man.

"Greetings," Islana said loud enough for the Doctor to hear.

It was apparently a greeting to someone she was not concerned about but the young woman remained standing as a show of respect and greeting.

Wolf takes a step back giving Islana the lead in the greeting. Wolf would wait to say anything and see how the others reacted to Nicolaus.

Everyone was up and at it now. Gonyaul rolled backwards into a low resting squat position. He took a second and the rose to his feet. When Nicolaus made brief eye contact with him, Gonyaul bowed and signed respectfully in greeting.

Nicolaus stiffly dismounted and handed the reins to his guide.

"Good eve Lady Alexis, Damoiselle Islana, Masters Blackwolf and Gonyaul." He put careful emphasis on the Gaw-née-yall.

"I beg your forgiveness for the lateness of my call, my guide," He gestured to the man at his side, who seemed intent on the ground, "had misjudged the distance to this hold. I doubt we will make it back in the dark. May we claim Traveler's Hospitality Lady?"

“Absolutely, you needn’t even ask. Though you might find that hospitality to be a little rustic for the time being.”

Alexis made an inviting gesture toward their fire.

With their new arrival welcomed, Islana took her own seat by the fire.

"Shelter and a fire will be most adequate for myself Lady, and my guide will be most comfortable wrapped in horse blankets under the stars." Nicolaus bowed and addressed the guide, "See to the horses lad, we will leave at first light." Then he strode to the fire, sat on a particularly comfortable looking log, and warmed his chilled hands by the flame.

With their new arrival welcomed, Islana took her own seat by the fire.

Alexis offered Nicolaus something to drink.

“So what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? Especially with the long and arduous journey you weathered to come here?“

She smiled with hint of humour and took the time to make sure Nicolaus’ guide was provided for as well.

Nicolaus smiled and took the proffered drink, "Thank you. My original purpose was one of commerce. I find myself in need of a larger stream of medicinal herbs and have been approaching local farmers to supply this need." He paused and collected his thoughts, "However I have found that while the cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. I have a desire to see the Clans and learn what I can of their medicine. And truth be told, I am intrigued with the rumors of many ruins dotting the Fang. Secrets abide in plain sight at times. So to Aquilo I would go, and it must be soon to avoid the Natives migration."

“So we heard. Boyce and I were actually planning to approach you on that matter, so you beat us to it.”

Alexis gestured at Blackwolf.

“He has been tasked, among other things, to investigate those ruins as well.”

"Then he and I have like minds and our paths intersect. This is fortunate. Do any of you other's wish for a breath of the new?" Nicolaus studied the faces around the fire, Gonyaul seemed hesitant in the way his eyes cast to the women, perhaps unknowingly, but he saw deep rooted interest in the intent look of Blackwolf.