Celebrations Part 2

As promised Markus Norixius arrived late in the evening at Alexis Greyriver's camp. And to his and his companions suprise it seemed they had stumbled upon a Natalday celebration. Two of the smelters walked behind with him carrying a large mountain goat, that he planned to offer her expedition in welcome. Another two of the Odonine miners had come along with some skins of the fermented yak milk.

He approached the camp and waved. "Greetings all. I'm Markus Norixius. Welcome to Aquilo and a merry Natalday to you Arbiter...." He said smiling hoping Alexis had told her party he would be coming and that she did not mid he brought along some friends.

Gonyaul nodded to Islana. “Yes. Thank you.” He was taking her up on her offer.

Voah couldn't hide her joy as she bowed to the newcomers. "Thank you."

Alexis had indeed announced the blacksmith would join them at some point, and hoped Voah would not mind the addition. The more the merrier in this instance.
She walked over to greet and thank them.

“Sorry I didn’t warn you. It was a pretty spontaneous affair.”

She apologized.

"No apologies needed." He replied. "I brought a few friends and food as promised. We can feast." He said has the men moved to place the goat over the open flames.

Islana motioned for Gonyaul to follow her, when Marcus approached. She had known the man was coming by Alexis's announcement earlier and the young woman had geared herself up for it, as much as she could. Despite the fact, strangers weren't exactly in her comfort zone, Islana could be polite and hide it.

She walked with Gonyaul over towards the Arbiter. As soon as she could get a greeting in without rudely interrupting whatever conversation the Arbiter was having at the moment, the young woman did so.

"Greetings, Arbiter. A very happy natalday to you."

“Hello, katiina!” she said in Mizaran. It meant little sister. “Thank you. You are looking very well.”

Gonyaul followed and also addressed the arbiter along with Islana, when there was an opening. He bowed and signed more than just an official greeting but his hands communicated that she was esteemed as the guest of honor.

“Greetings. Happy Nat’lie day.” He smiled warmly and was not aware he mispronounced it.

She turned to him, “…and Gonyaul.”

It sounded more like Goh-nee-yol in her accent. She had trouble with the ow and aw sound.

“You know, I was just thinking of you the other day… and now here you are.” She shook her head.

“Uncanny.”
They were a radiant couple. Voah wondered if Islana and Gonyaul were more than friends. This was the second time she had seen them together.

"Thank you." Islana can't say she knew what the word 'katiina' meant but being around Gonyaul she had gotten used to hearing words she didn't know. "You look positively glowing."

Well, Voah did especially being she seemed to be filled with happiness about the celebration.

“Bless you all. This. Is. Amazing.” she covered her face and wiped her happy tears away.

Gonyaul tilted his head in surprise. She had been thinking of him? A doubt in his mind hoped it wasn’t for nefarious reasons like he had been warned arbiters would inevitably do.

He was about to say he had been thinking about her too, but he felt like he missed his window.

“Oh! I still owe you.” She said to Gonyual, wondering if he remembered the question he asked on the night they met.

Wim made his way over to the camp site to find that a party had started.

Tarmen had heard of a gathering from Markus and decided to see what it was about.

Spotting more arrivals, Alexis waved both Wim and Tarmen over to join them, leaving Voah to her conversation with Islana and Gonyaul.

Islana was curious what the Arbiter could owe Gonyaul. Her head turned to watch the new arrivals. Wim and another man, that Islana hadn't met. Well, this was turning out a bit larger than the young woman thought anyone had suspected.

Gonyaul wondered if she was referring to telling him about her story. That was the only thing he could think of. He smiled.

“You day. My gifts wait. All gifts for you tonight.”

Tarmen gave a genuine grin to Alexis, surprised to see her here among the others from their ill fated trip.

“Now this is a treat. Miss me did you Greyriver?”

“‘Course I did.” Alexis grinned back. “Seriously, good to see you in one piece.”