What now?

JP with Bandorchu, Lorem, Jaxx and Winteroak

Aquilo

Nicolaus returned to his camp with completely engrossed in the items recovered in the caves. If he wasn't so paranoid about cleansingness he would arrange to explore the underground stronghold himself.

When he returned he barely paid attention to Alcuin who was polishing the last of his cooked meat.

Once at camp Hunter offered them some smoked meat he was making before meeting Markus. He spoke up, "Eat your fill and rest up as we get our gear together." Hunter looked at Gonyaul and spoke to him, "Hey Rabbit. I need your mind clear and your senses sharp. If there are dangerous creatures in that mine I can't have you protecting them or jumping in front of my blades. Right now we focus on the mission to get Voah and Tarmen out safely and not loose anyone else." Hunter then served them cups of water and spoke again, "We leave when we have what we need to go in there."

Alexis stopped a moment seeing the stranger at their fire, but continued her stride to accept the offered meat.

“Good evening. Or night rather.”

"Evenin'." The stranger called out. "You found you friend, Apotechary?" The man called out in a friendly manner.
Nicolaus was too distracted for a few heartbeats. "What? Oh yes. I mean no. Some of them are lost in the caves." he said touching the wooden brooch. "This here is Alcuin. A prospector." Nicolaus quickly introduced the man to continue his examination of the loot.

On his way to rest Gonyaul stopped by Nicolaus and handed over carefully the glowing plant samples he was able to acquire. He did his best to explain, as well as, answer any questions the man had.

One he satisfied the inquires of Nicolaus, he went to rest. Gonyaul gratefully took the food and beverage hunter offered.

“Thank you” and proceed to eat rather quickly.

“Alexis Greyriver.”

she introduced herself curtly, decidedly not in the mood for small talk.

Gonyaul noticed the introductions taking place. With a mouth full of food, he bowed. Then swallowed hard without completely chewing it adequately.

“Gonyaul” he chimed in to Alcuin, smiled quickly and took a drink of water. He was trying to finish eating so he could take a quick power nap.

He bowed, excusing himself from the group. Taking what he hadn’t finished, Gonyaul stumbled over to his tent and slipped inside. The sooner he recovered, the sooner he could get back down into the mine.

He didn’t even think about changing out of his dirty clothes or washing. He was too tired to mind. The moment he laid down he passed out asleep.

While the others rested Nicolaus poured over the items and the plans given to him. The buds were already loosing their luminescence. The ivory cards fascinated him although none of these items came close to globe he had found on Sentinel Island.

Malacost under the guise of Alcuin the prospector, came to stand next to him, clearly interested his work and the items.
"How's your arm?" The Apotechary asked. "Better thanks." Came the reply.
"Just remember to change the bandage regularly." He advised casually but his mind was already somewhere else.

Malacost did his best to gather snippets of information about his companions, the situation in the mines, during the talk about the items without sounding suspicious. Just a healthy dose of curiosity.