White Fang
A group goes to negotiate with White Fang and find another riddle instead.
Beatrice is under the tarpaulin that stands in front of Command. It has a fire, and a chair, though she's not in it. She has tea, and a map.
Eva pads over, silently and lazily without any special effort to sneak up. "Good day, Beatrice-sama."
Nineve ducks out of one of the tents, but she's not alone. There's a man who is following her. "Just remember what his lordship said last night," she offers to Gawain and holding back the flap for him to exit.
Eva looks towards Nineve and Gawain, bowing her head.
Beatrice glances up, "Eva," she greets. "Up for a mission that may take you out of things overnight?"
Eva says "Always." she smiles.
Gawain follows Nineve out of the tent, his eyes taking in their surroundings before he looks back to his companion. "I won't forget," he says with a shake of his head, turning to glance about afterwards.
Beatrice nods, "We'll need perhaps a half-dozen volunteers. Perhaps less. I'm sending you to We-Li to find White Fang again." She lifts her chin as Nineve and Gawain approach.
Nineve executes a military style bow to Beatrice. "Is it fortitous of our arrival," she offers to the knight. "What would you have of us? I'm afraid that I do not have my men with me this evening."
Beatrice nods her head, "Dame Nineve..." she casts a speculative glance beyond her, "And who is this?"
Eva nods to Beatrice, falling silent as she studies the two. Her dark eyes seem to be mostly focused on Gawain, too, as she leans on something...dry enough to be leanable.
Gawain follows after Nineve, offering a bow of his own towards Beatrice when he sees his companion offer one. He, however, remains silent, choosing to allow Nineve to introduce him rather than he introduce himself.
Eva's idea, precisly.
Nineve smiles proudly to the man at her side. "This is my cousin from Lyonesse. Lord Gawain Cannaugh. He came with me to see about helping,' she explains and looks back to Beatrice. "If that is alright."
Beatrice inclines her head, "Well met, then," then she nods, "It is most welcome. I am just about to deputize Eva to lead a group up to see White Fang in We-Li province; it will not be an easy journey. White Fang is a master of illusion and other arcana, and nejoys obscuring the way to his strongholds as well as testing those who would approach."
Eva doesn't show opinion of man if she has one, or being deputized. Her chin lifts so she can see Lyonessians better under her straw pointy anti-rain hat.
Gawain nods his head towards Beatrice with a smile, glancing briefly towards Nineve with the same smile. "Happy to be service," he says as he turns back to both Beatrice and Eva, the latters watching them draws a curious eye, but he doesn't say anything further.
Beatrice looks to Nineve, to see if she's in.
Eva offers finally, with a grin, that could be smile, only with an edge "Eva, pleasure to meet you. It would be honor to have you both with us." and then the polite bow, made in Jade.
"I don't believe I've met him," Nineve states but nods her agreement. "But you've my blades, commander."
Gawain dips his head towards Eva with a smile. "The honor is surely hours," he replies to her before he looks back to Beatrice and then to Nineve, remaining silent as he stands beside his cousin.
Eva grins, then looks at Beatrice. "So...what are we going for?"
Beatrice nods, "Eva has been before, and I am counting on her to find the way," she then explains, "We need the north, and We-Li controls acess..." she draws out a large map.
Eva asks "I presume nice method failed?"
Eva's thari is good. But she's unable to kick out jadean softness unusual for it.
Nineve takes a step forward to get a better look at the map. Her hand falling to the hilt of her blades in repose, and a quick glance given to Eva.
Eva's hands are folded on her back, quite far enough from her two hilts resting off the hip. She steps to see map better, although she seems to be familiar with the layout.
When Nineve steps forward, Gawain follows suit and steps up towards the side and a little bit behind the woman. His eyes also glance towards the map, studying it while one hand idly rests on the hilt of his weapon.
Beatrice says, "I went last week and discussed it with White Fang; his position then was that We-Li wished greater independance from the prefecture of Shu-Fen. We cannot negotiate on behalf of the Empire -- nor, of course, on behalf of Amber and we *must* have his cooperation. We need his access to the headlands of these rivers," She points to the map, to the northern mountains," And ultimately, we'll need access to the hinterlands," she points to the 'barbarian' lands even north of the mountains, "Where the Black Road massed. Right now the barbarian lands are outside the scope of the empire, more or less. Try to sel him those."
Slinking out of the shadows of tents comes Rae, moving towards the gathering with quiet footsteps.
One the map that Beatrice is pointing to, the lands of the barbarians are barely sketched out, yet they are all covered in the hatchmarks that indicate that the Black Road has taken them over.
Eva tilts her head "So we need him but we can't offer what he wants...And we are off to...persuade him."
Nineve arches a brow to Beatrice. "Force," she suggests in a quieted voice. The arrival of Rae draws a genuine and welcoming smile. A quick nod offered before looking back to Beatrice.
Beatrice says, "I suggest against strong-arming. He has men, and power -- especially in We-Li. We need him as an ally."
Eva asks "WHat do you suggest?"
Eva winks with a smile at Rae in greeting.
Beatrice glances from Eva to Nineva and repeats herself, tapping the hinterlands on the map, "Try to sell him this."
Gawain moves his hand from where it had rested upon his weapons hilt, crossing his arms thoughtfully over his chest as he looks down at the map. Rae's approach draws a lift of his eyes, a nod of his head, and a small smile, but he doesn't say anything as he looks back to Nineve, Beatrice, and Eva.
Eva arches a brow. "Sell him?" she obviously doesn't understand the expression in thari.
Rae returns the smiles and nods with warmth, and gives Beatrice one as well. She looks over the map, with uncharacteristic seriousness to her expression.
Sebastopol comes stalking from the Kitezh part of camp, a very small cluster of tents compared to some of the other areas. "She means convince him of it. Sell it to him, so to speak. Only without moneys. Hello."
Nineve simply nods and glances over to the familiar voice of the thane. Another nod and she's back to studying the map.
Eva looks up and smiles at Sebastopol "Thanks." she smiles at Beatrice "Any good talkers coming with us?" her eyes fall to the map, taking off her pointy hat to let her pony tail untumble, scratching her brow.
Beatrice sees Rae approaching and nods to her, pleased to see the woman. Then the thane speaks, and she nods, perhaps relieved someone has gotten it.
Beatrice says, "We need his help. He can have the barbarian lands which means, yes, we commit to wiping the Road's forces out of those lands, too."
Sebastopol's black hair is dripping into his black eyes. He's sodden just from his walk from his own camp. The air of resignation he carries with him is roughly that of Atlas supporting the world on his shoulders. He comes to stand near Eva, not touching her.
Rae murmurs, "I'm all for wiping the Road out of anywhere." She leans in, to view the map better. "If we are not to use force to gain his help, its the lands that we're offering as our selling point?"
Gawain lifts a hand to rub at his chin for a moment, laying his hand against it in thought for a moment. He doesn't say anything despite his thoughtful look, the arrival of Sebastopol drawing his eyes and a nod of his head.
Eva puts the hat to rest beside map, folding her hands back behind her back.
Beatrice nods, "White Fang," she repeats for the late-comers, "Controls access not only to the source of the rivers -- which we must reach -- but also to the north. We'll need to come up through his territory to flank the road, and possibly to dam the flow of the infected waters southward via the Sea-Snake River and the canals."
"But can we negotiate lands in good faith," Nineve replies in confusion. "With the cleansing of the Road, could this not be used as a point of negotiation?"
Beatrice says, "White Fang believes he can hold out the road out of his province indefinitely. It's possibly you may persuade him to aid us on the force of sheer logic if you can convince him otherwise, but I did not get the impression he was open to such proof."
"Foolish of him to believe such," Gawain says quietly before falling silent once again. He stares down at the map, studying it quite thoroughly.
Eva says "He never seemed like a person who won't follow logic when he sees neighbours blackened. His pride and wish to remain free of strains attached is lovely. But not in such situation."
Beatrice inclines her head, "The Penglai mindset requires a degree of tact in its approach. Speaking to a ruler *in* Pengali requires a very polite degree of self-absement. Fortuantely we know White Fang speaks Thari -- though he may not choose to deign to do so."
Beatrice sums up, "So the mission is first, to make contact, no mean feat, and secondly, to find terms, or at least open the possibility of alternate terms."
Eva nods "To get him to talk in your language would be a great honor, for you." she nods to Beatrice's words.
Rae nods her head to Beatrice. "There's a bit of poetry and flattery to the language, even when they speak in Thari," she murmurs. "It's pretty, but can be confusing."
Sebastopol mutters, "Maybe Rae and I could just bite him."
Beatrice nods, "Be clear about who has point. You *will* be tested, as White Fant has a particularly egomaniacal sense of humor, though I suppose his people would say instead a, ah, interest in self-enlightenment."
Beatrice scowls at Sebastopol.
Eva nods "It's an art, court language. Art of insulting without insulting and flattering without doing so." she finds herself talking too much, and uses Seb to fade.
Beatrice advises further, "Be clear at all times who has point. This will likely be important to him, but does not mean the rest of you should not speak up when you find him."
Rae holds back a chuckle at Sebastopol's comment. "Kaz seems to think I should stop solving most of my problems by biting something."
Eva says "White Fang is a very...ah...how would you say...peculiar individual." she smiles. Yes, smiles. "It will be interesting to find him."
Sebastopol says, "How close will this group be passing to the road itself?"
Sebastopol says, "And some of us have met White Fang, of course."
Eva nods.
Gawain looks between the group as they discuss the particulars, his ears open and he obviously listening in, though he says nothing.
Beatrice says, "This is going to be a long journey because you'll need to skirt the Road entirely, to the south, and up through the east."
Beatrice rolls up her map, and offers it to Eva. "You all depart within the hour. Take dispensible horses, as you'll need to leave them.
Eva doesn't look at the map, but gets lost somewhere for a moment, nodding "Long route." she doesn't seem to be too happy with prospect of riding a horse, but she manages not to make a grimace. "All right."
Beatrice asks, "Questions?"
Sebastopol says, "If Rae or I are going, I hope you'll send the shaman. Because....she's helping."
Nineve steps back, watching the exchange. "It should not take long for us to prepare,' she assures and looks over to Gawain for confirmation.
Beatrice reminds Sebastopol, "Volunteers only."
Eva puts her hat back on, tucking the map away in layers of black.
Gawain glances over to Nineve and nods his head in response to her. "Right. Won't take us long to get prepared," he agrees with her.
Sebastopol squints. "Then give her a chance to volunteer. Or you'll never know."
Rae smirks a bit. "I'll pass on the horse," she murmurs. A heartbeat later, a shimmer of moonlight changes her into her wolf-self.
Volunteers are gathered and a rear and front guard formed. It is a hard night of traveling through the south in the winds -- the group passes evidence of the northern barbarians still lurking around in the far south where theyw ere driven ahead of the road. Eventually they come up through the west, where they find more signs of life just south of the mountains of We-Li. They are allowed past the gates and into We-Li, and from there the terrain gets rougher quickly, and a few hours in they are forced to abandon the horses at a small would-be village consisting of five houses all but carved out of the mountainside.
Eva is not as bad on the horse as her discomfort around the beasts would show, but she does seem more of herself once they're back on foot. She slips them quite easily through locals with her fluid Penglai and power of...diplomacy. Mostly.
Leto stays just a few steps behind Eva. He appears as taut as a watchspring, and he looks about warily.
Rae pads along on her four paws, the cinnamon and black of her fur made darker by the rain. Her tail is held at an elegance curve and her ears are perked up and kept forward. Listening, smelling, watching, with her wolf-senses.
Nineve slides down from the saddle to join the others. Her hands rest easily on the weapons and brings up the rear.
Gawain climbs down from his own horse, landing lightly upon his feet. He moves with the others, one hand upon his blade as he steps along to move beside Nineve, his eyes glancing about them as they move.
Leto gives a glance and a gesture to Rae that he is going ahead. He comes abreast of Eva and gives her a friendly smile. "I will take point." He begins to walk a ways in front of the group.
Eva smiles and nods, stepping in only when her skills are needed.
Nineve brings up the rear. Her hands poises to the blades to draw them out at a moment's notice.
Gawain moves along beside Nineve and perhaps a step or two in front of her. His right hand rests upon the hilt of his weapon, prepared to draw it if the need arises.
Rae slinks herself towards the front, where it's easier to get a good breath of air to scent it. She stays a few steps behind Leto.
Leto makes a gesture for the group to slow down the pace. He surveys the entire area around him in a slow, precise manner. He appears to be very tense, and looking for something in particular.
Baksi joined somewhere along the way, catching up in wolf form with the sort of silence that lets her accompany for...who knows how long? before she is discovered.
The road is long and twisty, but they managed to get some locals to mark the path on their map thanks to Eva's diplomacy. They still below the treeline, and the forest is thick on all sides.
Birds chirp here and there, but there are few other animal sounds at all. Gradually, the path is growing mistier and mistier.
Leto says over his shoulder. "We aren't alone out here. We are being watched. Be ready for anything, folks."
Nineve nods and begins to watch along the road. Her steps falling back a pace as she catches sight of the new weir, Baksi receives a faint smile.
Gawain continues his steady pace as Nineve falls back a little bit. He moves more towards the center of the path, eyes perusing the sides of the road as he keeps his hand upon his weapon and at the ready.
No one approaches, no attack is made. Gradually the trees seem to thin out... then they stop altogether. They are on rocky ground, high up, where the air is thinner. And the path as marked takes them over a rope bridge from one craggy pinnacle to another.
Baksi's tongue lolls as she jogs along. She slows periodically to scent the air, even standing on her hind legs and questing as high as she can reach for the upper scent.
Leto checks the moorings of the bridge. He plays guinea pig and tests the boards as he crosses.
The bridge is a bit floppy, but seems sturdy enough for such traffic. It takes them to a lonely pinnacle, though, and from there there are many bridges. The only markings they have tell them that the Master of Clouds will be found at this time on the path of Wood.
(Yet all five of the remaining bridges are made of wood.... yet they bear distinct markings.)
Leto pulls up. He turns and looks at the group. "All right, any ideas? Which bridge do we take?"
The five bridges that do not lead back they way they came lead to five peaks -- four are of the cardinal directions, and the fifth, opposite their approach, is to a higher peak beyond. The markings on them seem to be more than just Pengali script.
'Do you know the language here," Nineve asks of Leto. "
Leto shakes his head. "A word here and there. I'm not fluent. And I don't think being able to order a beer or ask how much is going to do any good at the moment."
Gawain pulls up when the others do, his eyes glancing towards the five bridges before drifting beyond. His eyes focus upon the taller of the mountain, but he says nothing, just watching.
The wind whistles, causing the bridges to creak and sway. There are posts by each....
Leto surveys the immediate area again and then begins a systematic check of the various markings. "Hopefully, we can make some sense out of these."
The post to the north shows a tortoise, the west a tiger, the southwest is the way they came, the south shows a bird, the east a dragon, and the northeast a strange chimeran creature sort of like a cross between a honred antelope and maybe something a bit more leonine -- a kylin to those familiar.
Nineve drops her hands away to join Leto. The images hold most of her attention as she looks first to the tortoise. "Do the images stand for elements here, my lord," she asks of Leto.
Gawain turns his gaze away from the mountain and looks at the various different posts with the images. Each one draws a gaze, but never do his eyes linger as he looks back to Leto and Nineve, stepping a bit in their direction.
Leto frowns a bit. "I have no idea. Path of Wood, that would suggest a forest? The marking of the bird there...."
"Would that not be air, for flight," Nineve suggests and looks back to the tortoise. "Hm, I've never been one for puzzles, but what will happen if we chose the wrong path?"
"I would think the bird would be air," Gawain agrees with Nineve, he glancing over the different symbols once again. "What about the tiger?"
Leto frowns a bit more, "All right, we have absolutely no idea where we are going. For all I know it could be the turtle...what would the tiger stand for?"
Rae glimmers once more, taking on her human form. She is crouched, taking one knee, her left hand on the ground. "Tiger is strength, I believe," she murmurs, looking at the bridges. Pointing to the northeast bridge, with the k, she says, "That one."
Rae calls out, "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds!"
Rae glimmers once more, taking on her human form. She is crouched, taking one knee, her left hand on the ground. "Tiger is strength, I believe," she murmurs, looking at the bridges. Pointing to the northeast bridge, with the kirin, she says, "That one is the earth path."
Nineve hmm's softly. "Strength, earth, air. What would that make the tortoise... patience? Would we not be deviating then?" She looks back to Rae. "So you understand them?"
Rae shakes her head to Nineve. "I've been here, before. I remember some things."
Leto says, "That leaves us with three choices. Path of Wood....I don't get it."
Baksi dog-trots up to Rae and rumbles, "Magic at the end of all five paths."
"Tiger is strength..." Gawain murmurs in response to what Rae says before he shrugs his shoulders. "I don't presume to have any idea which path to take."
Nineve shakes her head. "I'm afraid my trips to Pengali have been rather limited," she confesses and darts a look to Leto. "So we've strength, earth. what of the other two?"
Leto shrugs, "If I were betting, I would say south. But I'm not betting at the moment. Let's think this through."
There's a sudden stillness to Rae, all that moves is her eyes. "Each bridge promises a fight," she murmurs, a dreamy tone to her voice. She looks to each bridge, then closes her eyes. "A fight and blood. Except for that one." She points to the bridge at the east. "That promises a fight, but I get no vision of blood." Rising, she stalks towards it.
"Rae," Nineve cries out with concern. She's quick to fall into step behind the weir. Her hand resting to the hilts, moving as though she expects such a fight to spring forth at it's mention.
Gawain blinks at what Rae says, glancing towards the bridge in question. "The Dragon?" he asks, noting it before Nineve draws his attention and he watches her. Another moment and he looks towards
Leto, waiting to see what he says.
Leto looks briefly at Gawain and shrugs. He turns his attention to Rae, "That's more then we had. We are going to have to go one direction or the other. If you think that's the right one, let us proceed."
Rae nods, slowly. "This one, I believe. It seems the best choice," is said softly. Taking a breath, she bows lowly and calls out as she nears the foot of the bridge, "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds!"
Nineve pauses a step or two behind Rae. Her hands falling away from the weapons as she listens, and watches.
As to the rain -- it is a lot less in the far north, and this high up they seem to be past the monsoon clouds. It's still windy, though.
Gawain shrugs in response to Leto as he does the same to him. He moves over towards Nineve and Rai, hands hanging loosely at his sides as he prepares to follow the both of them, his hair ruffled by the wind.
Leto falls into the reargaurd position and once again checks out the immediate area.
Cyndre's features are set in a constant frown, herself wary and alert as the group stands about waiting for something to happen. One hand is on her pommel, and she wears her golden gauntlets. Clawed fingers drum against the hilt of her sword.
Rae pauses, then rises from her bow. She glances about, shrugs, and then starts to lead the group across the bridge. One hand rests near, but not on, the hilt of her sabre. Her steps are hesitant, but steady.
Nineve follows next to the bridge. "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds," she intones but her gaze doesn't slip from the weir as she makes her way across.
Gawain glances about briefly, his eyes falling upon Cyndre and a smile forms on his lips as they do so. When the group starts moving again, however, he turns back and follows them slowly as Rae leads them out onto the bridge. "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds," he speaks, following suit with the others saying the same.
Once the first few of them cross the bridge, the bridge itself seems to become lost in mist behind them, though the rest are still crossing and can join them. An old woman with one eye rolling enlarged and crazy in her head and her iron-grey streaked black hair in dissaray appears before them on the mist-shrouded path. Her voice is a screach heard over the howling wind. Words in Penglai.
Leto comes up behind the group. He studies the old crone silently.
Rae regards the old crone with silence, and lowers into a bow. Her gaze flits to Eva, as if awaiting a translation.
Nineve looks about for Eva, completely at a loss to the crone.
Gawain stares at the crone with eyes full of utter confusion. Fingers twitch at his side briefly, but they just hang there as he too looks to Eva.
The old woman stamps her foot. "Is there not one of you who speaks the language of the Empire?"
Rae, seeing no Eva, turns her attention back to the crone. "This humble one does not speak it with a graceful enough tongue to do it the proper honor."
The crone narrows her one good eye. "You come again. STATE YOUR BUSINESS!" she screaches.
Gawain finds no Eva there to look to and frowns slightly, but turns back to the Crone and Rae, watching them. Slowly, he drifts back towards where Cyndre is and comes to stand near her. He glances up towards her and smiles again, but then looks back to the others and listens.
Rae has become used to looking people in their one good eye. She bows to the crone again, respectful. "We come here seeking White Fang, to humbly ask for his aid once more, and to extend an offer in return, should he hear these humble ones."
The old woman does not look on Rae favorably, but asks slyly, "Who leads here?"
Leto makes his way through the group. He flourishes a courtly bow to the woman. The wary, watchful edge gives lie to his soft voice and smile. "If you are asking who is responsible for these people, that would be me. Why do you ask?"
The woman studies Leto with her good eye, the other still rolling crazy. "State your business with White Fang."
Leto straightens and continues to smile. "We seek him to make a bargain with him. A favor for a favor you might say. Again, why do you ask?"
The crazy-looking old woman claps her hands together and stamps her foot, "Emissary get tired of ask. STATE BUSINESS WITH WHITE FANG. All."
Rae steps up to Leto, but slightly behind and to his right.
Gawain straightens as he continues to stand near Cyndre, no words being said by him. His eyes are focused on the old woman, not moving away.
Nineve looks to Leto, biting to her lower lip. She follows suit with Rae, stepping behind his other shoulder.
Leto looks non-plussed. "We seek passage through the mountains for a great number of people, troops to be exact. We are looking to bypass certain obstacles. We are ready to offer to help him gain a position of some power and prestige in return for his help."
The woman folds her arms. "You come to offer own satrapy? No more bowing to imbalanced fool who lost Shu-Fen?"
Leto raises a hand in a gesture that says, "Hold on." He shakes his head briefly, "No, I can offer aid in gaining him dominion of the barbarian lands to the North. A satrapy is beyond my means, and beyond my mandate."
Cyndre stands stoically, watching the old woman with a steady gaze when she's not looking around for trouble.
"Ha!" The old woman laughs, "What is north now? Black and empty. Where are the Dongu -- who you barbarians call the barbarians? North is nothing without Donghu!"
'The thane," Nineve muses softly to Leto. Her own stance stoic except for the soft break of words.
Gawain frowns slightly as he listens to the ongoings from Leto and the Woman, but he remains silent. He, like Cyndre, glances around them, keeping an eye out for trouble.
Rae speaks up, now. "We aim to push the Blackness back," she offers. "With White Fang's aid, we can move behind the Road, and flank it. We will reclaim the North and offer White Fang those lands. But to do so, we need his help."
The woman decides, "You speak with the rudeness of the Brown. Name yourselves!"
Leto says, "Leto Timoleon De Sorgo, at your service."
"Leto Timoleon De Sorgo," the old woman scoffs, "You are ar-ro-gant as your countryman. If you push the blackness back with the help of White Fang, why should he believe he will have the north? And what people will he put there without the Donghu?"
Cyndre begins to look impatient. Fingers drum across her sword hilt again.
Rae names herself, but with a slight twist. "Rae of the House of Dancing Shadows."
Gawain leans his head to the side a bit as he faces towards Leto and the others once again, listening to what is said and waiting. He shifts from one foot to the other beside Cyndre, not keeping his weight for long on any one leg.
Cyndre does /not/ however, name herself. Yet.
Leto continues to smile and says matter of factly, "It is not a question of if. It has been done in other places. I would not make the offer if it was not true one. He will have control of the North. A land freed of the blackness can be utilized. I note you have not introduced yourself."
The old woman shakes a finger and says, "One of you knows who I am! You are too rude to meet White Fang in his face."
Nineve headtilts, watching the old crone easily.
Gawain steps from one foot to the other and then circles around Cyndre to where he's on the other side of her. His eyes remain on Leto and the Woman as they speak to each other, but he doesn't say a word.
Leto's eyes light up with a touch of...mirth? "One of us may. I do not. And my apologies if you find my manner not to your liking. If you would prefer to talk to another of the group, that is fine. Just say so."
Baksi lurks along the edges. But she does not sit quietly. She croons to herself, patting her forefeet in a detectable rhythm.
The old woman's crazy eye focuses for the first time, and it settles on Rae. This seems to be wholly separate from her 'normal' eye, which remains fixed on Leto. "White Fang will not take the North without the Donghu."
Rae's gaze meets that one eye, and she nods. "I know who you are, and whom you are not," is said, with a deeper incline of her head. "If it is the Donghu you wish, we will endeavor to bring them back to the north. What is a land to rule with no subjects?"
The old woman now seems slightly mollified. At least that big crazy eye is. "You bring White Fang proof the Donghu will come north to be his subjects, you have passage through We-Li."
Leto looks at Rae curiously for a moment. He returns his attention to the old woman, but says nothing.
Gawain slows his dancing back and forth and comes to a halt, standing still once again as he listens. A glance is given towards Cyndre, whom he continues to stand beside, but he looks back to the others quickly enough.
Cyndre finally speaks up, asking in a low murmur of no one in specific, "Okay, so where do we find these Dongles?"
Rae inclines her head to the crone. "They've moved to the South, I believe," she answers Cyndre, without tearing her gaze away from the old woman. "Thank you for your time," is said to the crone.
Leto flourishes another bow to the Crone. "It's been a pleasure Madame, really."
Nineve offers a polite nod and turns to follow with the others. She remains quiet throughout.
Gawain dips his head towards the woman and waits for the others to move past him before he steps away from where he is. He doesn't depart until they do, and then he follows after them.
The crone's good eye narrows. "Next time see that you come worthy of the hospitality of White Fang!" And she vanishes with more mist and a clap of her hands. The bridge behind them becomes visible once more.
Rae lets out a sigh of breath once the Crone is gone. "I'm not sure Beatrice is going to like this," she murmurs under her breath.
Beatrice is under the tarpaulin that stands in front of Command. It has a fire, and a chair, though she's not in it. She has tea, and a map.
Eva pads over, silently and lazily without any special effort to sneak up. "Good day, Beatrice-sama."
Nineve ducks out of one of the tents, but she's not alone. There's a man who is following her. "Just remember what his lordship said last night," she offers to Gawain and holding back the flap for him to exit.
Eva looks towards Nineve and Gawain, bowing her head.
Beatrice glances up, "Eva," she greets. "Up for a mission that may take you out of things overnight?"
Eva says "Always." she smiles.
Gawain follows Nineve out of the tent, his eyes taking in their surroundings before he looks back to his companion. "I won't forget," he says with a shake of his head, turning to glance about afterwards.
Beatrice nods, "We'll need perhaps a half-dozen volunteers. Perhaps less. I'm sending you to We-Li to find White Fang again." She lifts her chin as Nineve and Gawain approach.
Nineve executes a military style bow to Beatrice. "Is it fortitous of our arrival," she offers to the knight. "What would you have of us? I'm afraid that I do not have my men with me this evening."
Beatrice nods her head, "Dame Nineve..." she casts a speculative glance beyond her, "And who is this?"
Eva nods to Beatrice, falling silent as she studies the two. Her dark eyes seem to be mostly focused on Gawain, too, as she leans on something...dry enough to be leanable.
Gawain follows after Nineve, offering a bow of his own towards Beatrice when he sees his companion offer one. He, however, remains silent, choosing to allow Nineve to introduce him rather than he introduce himself.
Eva's idea, precisly.
Nineve smiles proudly to the man at her side. "This is my cousin from Lyonesse. Lord Gawain Cannaugh. He came with me to see about helping,' she explains and looks back to Beatrice. "If that is alright."
Beatrice inclines her head, "Well met, then," then she nods, "It is most welcome. I am just about to deputize Eva to lead a group up to see White Fang in We-Li province; it will not be an easy journey. White Fang is a master of illusion and other arcana, and nejoys obscuring the way to his strongholds as well as testing those who would approach."
Eva doesn't show opinion of man if she has one, or being deputized. Her chin lifts so she can see Lyonessians better under her straw pointy anti-rain hat.
Gawain nods his head towards Beatrice with a smile, glancing briefly towards Nineve with the same smile. "Happy to be service," he says as he turns back to both Beatrice and Eva, the latters watching them draws a curious eye, but he doesn't say anything further.
Beatrice looks to Nineve, to see if she's in.
Eva offers finally, with a grin, that could be smile, only with an edge "Eva, pleasure to meet you. It would be honor to have you both with us." and then the polite bow, made in Jade.
"I don't believe I've met him," Nineve states but nods her agreement. "But you've my blades, commander."
Gawain dips his head towards Eva with a smile. "The honor is surely hours," he replies to her before he looks back to Beatrice and then to Nineve, remaining silent as he stands beside his cousin.
Eva grins, then looks at Beatrice. "So...what are we going for?"
Beatrice nods, "Eva has been before, and I am counting on her to find the way," she then explains, "We need the north, and We-Li controls acess..." she draws out a large map.
Eva asks "I presume nice method failed?"
Eva's thari is good. But she's unable to kick out jadean softness unusual for it.
Nineve takes a step forward to get a better look at the map. Her hand falling to the hilt of her blades in repose, and a quick glance given to Eva.
Eva's hands are folded on her back, quite far enough from her two hilts resting off the hip. She steps to see map better, although she seems to be familiar with the layout.
When Nineve steps forward, Gawain follows suit and steps up towards the side and a little bit behind the woman. His eyes also glance towards the map, studying it while one hand idly rests on the hilt of his weapon.
Beatrice says, "I went last week and discussed it with White Fang; his position then was that We-Li wished greater independance from the prefecture of Shu-Fen. We cannot negotiate on behalf of the Empire -- nor, of course, on behalf of Amber and we *must* have his cooperation. We need his access to the headlands of these rivers," She points to the map, to the northern mountains," And ultimately, we'll need access to the hinterlands," she points to the 'barbarian' lands even north of the mountains, "Where the Black Road massed. Right now the barbarian lands are outside the scope of the empire, more or less. Try to sel him those."
Slinking out of the shadows of tents comes Rae, moving towards the gathering with quiet footsteps.
One the map that Beatrice is pointing to, the lands of the barbarians are barely sketched out, yet they are all covered in the hatchmarks that indicate that the Black Road has taken them over.
Eva tilts her head "So we need him but we can't offer what he wants...And we are off to...persuade him."
Nineve arches a brow to Beatrice. "Force," she suggests in a quieted voice. The arrival of Rae draws a genuine and welcoming smile. A quick nod offered before looking back to Beatrice.
Beatrice says, "I suggest against strong-arming. He has men, and power -- especially in We-Li. We need him as an ally."
Eva asks "WHat do you suggest?"
Eva winks with a smile at Rae in greeting.
Beatrice glances from Eva to Nineva and repeats herself, tapping the hinterlands on the map, "Try to sell him this."
Gawain moves his hand from where it had rested upon his weapons hilt, crossing his arms thoughtfully over his chest as he looks down at the map. Rae's approach draws a lift of his eyes, a nod of his head, and a small smile, but he doesn't say anything as he looks back to Nineve, Beatrice, and Eva.
Eva arches a brow. "Sell him?" she obviously doesn't understand the expression in thari.
Rae returns the smiles and nods with warmth, and gives Beatrice one as well. She looks over the map, with uncharacteristic seriousness to her expression.
Sebastopol comes stalking from the Kitezh part of camp, a very small cluster of tents compared to some of the other areas. "She means convince him of it. Sell it to him, so to speak. Only without moneys. Hello."
Nineve simply nods and glances over to the familiar voice of the thane. Another nod and she's back to studying the map.
Eva looks up and smiles at Sebastopol "Thanks." she smiles at Beatrice "Any good talkers coming with us?" her eyes fall to the map, taking off her pointy hat to let her pony tail untumble, scratching her brow.
Beatrice sees Rae approaching and nods to her, pleased to see the woman. Then the thane speaks, and she nods, perhaps relieved someone has gotten it.
Beatrice says, "We need his help. He can have the barbarian lands which means, yes, we commit to wiping the Road's forces out of those lands, too."
Sebastopol's black hair is dripping into his black eyes. He's sodden just from his walk from his own camp. The air of resignation he carries with him is roughly that of Atlas supporting the world on his shoulders. He comes to stand near Eva, not touching her.
Rae murmurs, "I'm all for wiping the Road out of anywhere." She leans in, to view the map better. "If we are not to use force to gain his help, its the lands that we're offering as our selling point?"
Gawain lifts a hand to rub at his chin for a moment, laying his hand against it in thought for a moment. He doesn't say anything despite his thoughtful look, the arrival of Sebastopol drawing his eyes and a nod of his head.
Eva puts the hat to rest beside map, folding her hands back behind her back.
Beatrice nods, "White Fang," she repeats for the late-comers, "Controls access not only to the source of the rivers -- which we must reach -- but also to the north. We'll need to come up through his territory to flank the road, and possibly to dam the flow of the infected waters southward via the Sea-Snake River and the canals."
"But can we negotiate lands in good faith," Nineve replies in confusion. "With the cleansing of the Road, could this not be used as a point of negotiation?"
Beatrice says, "White Fang believes he can hold out the road out of his province indefinitely. It's possibly you may persuade him to aid us on the force of sheer logic if you can convince him otherwise, but I did not get the impression he was open to such proof."
"Foolish of him to believe such," Gawain says quietly before falling silent once again. He stares down at the map, studying it quite thoroughly.
Eva says "He never seemed like a person who won't follow logic when he sees neighbours blackened. His pride and wish to remain free of strains attached is lovely. But not in such situation."
Beatrice inclines her head, "The Penglai mindset requires a degree of tact in its approach. Speaking to a ruler *in* Pengali requires a very polite degree of self-absement. Fortuantely we know White Fang speaks Thari -- though he may not choose to deign to do so."
Beatrice sums up, "So the mission is first, to make contact, no mean feat, and secondly, to find terms, or at least open the possibility of alternate terms."
Eva nods "To get him to talk in your language would be a great honor, for you." she nods to Beatrice's words.
Rae nods her head to Beatrice. "There's a bit of poetry and flattery to the language, even when they speak in Thari," she murmurs. "It's pretty, but can be confusing."
Sebastopol mutters, "Maybe Rae and I could just bite him."
Beatrice nods, "Be clear about who has point. You *will* be tested, as White Fant has a particularly egomaniacal sense of humor, though I suppose his people would say instead a, ah, interest in self-enlightenment."
Beatrice scowls at Sebastopol.
Eva nods "It's an art, court language. Art of insulting without insulting and flattering without doing so." she finds herself talking too much, and uses Seb to fade.
Beatrice advises further, "Be clear at all times who has point. This will likely be important to him, but does not mean the rest of you should not speak up when you find him."
Rae holds back a chuckle at Sebastopol's comment. "Kaz seems to think I should stop solving most of my problems by biting something."
Eva says "White Fang is a very...ah...how would you say...peculiar individual." she smiles. Yes, smiles. "It will be interesting to find him."
Sebastopol says, "How close will this group be passing to the road itself?"
Sebastopol says, "And some of us have met White Fang, of course."
Eva nods.
Gawain looks between the group as they discuss the particulars, his ears open and he obviously listening in, though he says nothing.
Beatrice says, "This is going to be a long journey because you'll need to skirt the Road entirely, to the south, and up through the east."
Beatrice rolls up her map, and offers it to Eva. "You all depart within the hour. Take dispensible horses, as you'll need to leave them.
Eva doesn't look at the map, but gets lost somewhere for a moment, nodding "Long route." she doesn't seem to be too happy with prospect of riding a horse, but she manages not to make a grimace. "All right."
Beatrice asks, "Questions?"
Sebastopol says, "If Rae or I are going, I hope you'll send the shaman. Because....she's helping."
Nineve steps back, watching the exchange. "It should not take long for us to prepare,' she assures and looks over to Gawain for confirmation.
Beatrice reminds Sebastopol, "Volunteers only."
Eva puts her hat back on, tucking the map away in layers of black.
Gawain glances over to Nineve and nods his head in response to her. "Right. Won't take us long to get prepared," he agrees with her.
Sebastopol squints. "Then give her a chance to volunteer. Or you'll never know."
Rae smirks a bit. "I'll pass on the horse," she murmurs. A heartbeat later, a shimmer of moonlight changes her into her wolf-self.
Volunteers are gathered and a rear and front guard formed. It is a hard night of traveling through the south in the winds -- the group passes evidence of the northern barbarians still lurking around in the far south where theyw ere driven ahead of the road. Eventually they come up through the west, where they find more signs of life just south of the mountains of We-Li. They are allowed past the gates and into We-Li, and from there the terrain gets rougher quickly, and a few hours in they are forced to abandon the horses at a small would-be village consisting of five houses all but carved out of the mountainside.
Eva is not as bad on the horse as her discomfort around the beasts would show, but she does seem more of herself once they're back on foot. She slips them quite easily through locals with her fluid Penglai and power of...diplomacy. Mostly.
Leto stays just a few steps behind Eva. He appears as taut as a watchspring, and he looks about warily.
Rae pads along on her four paws, the cinnamon and black of her fur made darker by the rain. Her tail is held at an elegance curve and her ears are perked up and kept forward. Listening, smelling, watching, with her wolf-senses.
Nineve slides down from the saddle to join the others. Her hands rest easily on the weapons and brings up the rear.
Gawain climbs down from his own horse, landing lightly upon his feet. He moves with the others, one hand upon his blade as he steps along to move beside Nineve, his eyes glancing about them as they move.
Leto gives a glance and a gesture to Rae that he is going ahead. He comes abreast of Eva and gives her a friendly smile. "I will take point." He begins to walk a ways in front of the group.
Eva smiles and nods, stepping in only when her skills are needed.
Nineve brings up the rear. Her hands poises to the blades to draw them out at a moment's notice.
Gawain moves along beside Nineve and perhaps a step or two in front of her. His right hand rests upon the hilt of his weapon, prepared to draw it if the need arises.
Rae slinks herself towards the front, where it's easier to get a good breath of air to scent it. She stays a few steps behind Leto.
Leto makes a gesture for the group to slow down the pace. He surveys the entire area around him in a slow, precise manner. He appears to be very tense, and looking for something in particular.
Baksi joined somewhere along the way, catching up in wolf form with the sort of silence that lets her accompany for...who knows how long? before she is discovered.
The road is long and twisty, but they managed to get some locals to mark the path on their map thanks to Eva's diplomacy. They still below the treeline, and the forest is thick on all sides.
Birds chirp here and there, but there are few other animal sounds at all. Gradually, the path is growing mistier and mistier.
Leto says over his shoulder. "We aren't alone out here. We are being watched. Be ready for anything, folks."
Nineve nods and begins to watch along the road. Her steps falling back a pace as she catches sight of the new weir, Baksi receives a faint smile.
Gawain continues his steady pace as Nineve falls back a little bit. He moves more towards the center of the path, eyes perusing the sides of the road as he keeps his hand upon his weapon and at the ready.
No one approaches, no attack is made. Gradually the trees seem to thin out... then they stop altogether. They are on rocky ground, high up, where the air is thinner. And the path as marked takes them over a rope bridge from one craggy pinnacle to another.
Baksi's tongue lolls as she jogs along. She slows periodically to scent the air, even standing on her hind legs and questing as high as she can reach for the upper scent.
Leto checks the moorings of the bridge. He plays guinea pig and tests the boards as he crosses.
The bridge is a bit floppy, but seems sturdy enough for such traffic. It takes them to a lonely pinnacle, though, and from there there are many bridges. The only markings they have tell them that the Master of Clouds will be found at this time on the path of Wood.
(Yet all five of the remaining bridges are made of wood.... yet they bear distinct markings.)
Leto pulls up. He turns and looks at the group. "All right, any ideas? Which bridge do we take?"
The five bridges that do not lead back they way they came lead to five peaks -- four are of the cardinal directions, and the fifth, opposite their approach, is to a higher peak beyond. The markings on them seem to be more than just Pengali script.
'Do you know the language here," Nineve asks of Leto. "
Leto shakes his head. "A word here and there. I'm not fluent. And I don't think being able to order a beer or ask how much is going to do any good at the moment."
Gawain pulls up when the others do, his eyes glancing towards the five bridges before drifting beyond. His eyes focus upon the taller of the mountain, but he says nothing, just watching.
The wind whistles, causing the bridges to creak and sway. There are posts by each....
Leto surveys the immediate area again and then begins a systematic check of the various markings. "Hopefully, we can make some sense out of these."
The post to the north shows a tortoise, the west a tiger, the southwest is the way they came, the south shows a bird, the east a dragon, and the northeast a strange chimeran creature sort of like a cross between a honred antelope and maybe something a bit more leonine -- a kylin to those familiar.
Nineve drops her hands away to join Leto. The images hold most of her attention as she looks first to the tortoise. "Do the images stand for elements here, my lord," she asks of Leto.
Gawain turns his gaze away from the mountain and looks at the various different posts with the images. Each one draws a gaze, but never do his eyes linger as he looks back to Leto and Nineve, stepping a bit in their direction.
Leto frowns a bit. "I have no idea. Path of Wood, that would suggest a forest? The marking of the bird there...."
"Would that not be air, for flight," Nineve suggests and looks back to the tortoise. "Hm, I've never been one for puzzles, but what will happen if we chose the wrong path?"
"I would think the bird would be air," Gawain agrees with Nineve, he glancing over the different symbols once again. "What about the tiger?"
Leto frowns a bit more, "All right, we have absolutely no idea where we are going. For all I know it could be the turtle...what would the tiger stand for?"
Rae glimmers once more, taking on her human form. She is crouched, taking one knee, her left hand on the ground. "Tiger is strength, I believe," she murmurs, looking at the bridges. Pointing to the northeast bridge, with the k, she says, "That one."
Rae calls out, "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds!"
Rae glimmers once more, taking on her human form. She is crouched, taking one knee, her left hand on the ground. "Tiger is strength, I believe," she murmurs, looking at the bridges. Pointing to the northeast bridge, with the kirin, she says, "That one is the earth path."
Nineve hmm's softly. "Strength, earth, air. What would that make the tortoise... patience? Would we not be deviating then?" She looks back to Rae. "So you understand them?"
Rae shakes her head to Nineve. "I've been here, before. I remember some things."
Leto says, "That leaves us with three choices. Path of Wood....I don't get it."
Baksi dog-trots up to Rae and rumbles, "Magic at the end of all five paths."
"Tiger is strength..." Gawain murmurs in response to what Rae says before he shrugs his shoulders. "I don't presume to have any idea which path to take."
Nineve shakes her head. "I'm afraid my trips to Pengali have been rather limited," she confesses and darts a look to Leto. "So we've strength, earth. what of the other two?"
Leto shrugs, "If I were betting, I would say south. But I'm not betting at the moment. Let's think this through."
There's a sudden stillness to Rae, all that moves is her eyes. "Each bridge promises a fight," she murmurs, a dreamy tone to her voice. She looks to each bridge, then closes her eyes. "A fight and blood. Except for that one." She points to the bridge at the east. "That promises a fight, but I get no vision of blood." Rising, she stalks towards it.
"Rae," Nineve cries out with concern. She's quick to fall into step behind the weir. Her hand resting to the hilts, moving as though she expects such a fight to spring forth at it's mention.
Gawain blinks at what Rae says, glancing towards the bridge in question. "The Dragon?" he asks, noting it before Nineve draws his attention and he watches her. Another moment and he looks towards
Leto, waiting to see what he says.
Leto looks briefly at Gawain and shrugs. He turns his attention to Rae, "That's more then we had. We are going to have to go one direction or the other. If you think that's the right one, let us proceed."
Rae nods, slowly. "This one, I believe. It seems the best choice," is said softly. Taking a breath, she bows lowly and calls out as she nears the foot of the bridge, "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds!"
Nineve pauses a step or two behind Rae. Her hands falling away from the weapons as she listens, and watches.
As to the rain -- it is a lot less in the far north, and this high up they seem to be past the monsoon clouds. It's still windy, though.
Gawain shrugs in response to Leto as he does the same to him. He moves over towards Nineve and Rai, hands hanging loosely at his sides as he prepares to follow the both of them, his hair ruffled by the wind.
Leto falls into the reargaurd position and once again checks out the immediate area.
Cyndre's features are set in a constant frown, herself wary and alert as the group stands about waiting for something to happen. One hand is on her pommel, and she wears her golden gauntlets. Clawed fingers drum against the hilt of her sword.
Rae pauses, then rises from her bow. She glances about, shrugs, and then starts to lead the group across the bridge. One hand rests near, but not on, the hilt of her sabre. Her steps are hesitant, but steady.
Nineve follows next to the bridge. "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds," she intones but her gaze doesn't slip from the weir as she makes her way across.
Gawain glances about briefly, his eyes falling upon Cyndre and a smile forms on his lips as they do so. When the group starts moving again, however, he turns back and follows them slowly as Rae leads them out onto the bridge. "I beg the hospitality of the master of the clouds," he speaks, following suit with the others saying the same.
Once the first few of them cross the bridge, the bridge itself seems to become lost in mist behind them, though the rest are still crossing and can join them. An old woman with one eye rolling enlarged and crazy in her head and her iron-grey streaked black hair in dissaray appears before them on the mist-shrouded path. Her voice is a screach heard over the howling wind. Words in Penglai.
Leto comes up behind the group. He studies the old crone silently.
Rae regards the old crone with silence, and lowers into a bow. Her gaze flits to Eva, as if awaiting a translation.
Nineve looks about for Eva, completely at a loss to the crone.
Gawain stares at the crone with eyes full of utter confusion. Fingers twitch at his side briefly, but they just hang there as he too looks to Eva.
The old woman stamps her foot. "Is there not one of you who speaks the language of the Empire?"
Rae, seeing no Eva, turns her attention back to the crone. "This humble one does not speak it with a graceful enough tongue to do it the proper honor."
The crone narrows her one good eye. "You come again. STATE YOUR BUSINESS!" she screaches.
Gawain finds no Eva there to look to and frowns slightly, but turns back to the Crone and Rae, watching them. Slowly, he drifts back towards where Cyndre is and comes to stand near her. He glances up towards her and smiles again, but then looks back to the others and listens.
Rae has become used to looking people in their one good eye. She bows to the crone again, respectful. "We come here seeking White Fang, to humbly ask for his aid once more, and to extend an offer in return, should he hear these humble ones."
The old woman does not look on Rae favorably, but asks slyly, "Who leads here?"
Leto makes his way through the group. He flourishes a courtly bow to the woman. The wary, watchful edge gives lie to his soft voice and smile. "If you are asking who is responsible for these people, that would be me. Why do you ask?"
The woman studies Leto with her good eye, the other still rolling crazy. "State your business with White Fang."
Leto straightens and continues to smile. "We seek him to make a bargain with him. A favor for a favor you might say. Again, why do you ask?"
The crazy-looking old woman claps her hands together and stamps her foot, "Emissary get tired of ask. STATE BUSINESS WITH WHITE FANG. All."
Rae steps up to Leto, but slightly behind and to his right.
Gawain straightens as he continues to stand near Cyndre, no words being said by him. His eyes are focused on the old woman, not moving away.
Nineve looks to Leto, biting to her lower lip. She follows suit with Rae, stepping behind his other shoulder.
Leto looks non-plussed. "We seek passage through the mountains for a great number of people, troops to be exact. We are looking to bypass certain obstacles. We are ready to offer to help him gain a position of some power and prestige in return for his help."
The woman folds her arms. "You come to offer own satrapy? No more bowing to imbalanced fool who lost Shu-Fen?"
Leto raises a hand in a gesture that says, "Hold on." He shakes his head briefly, "No, I can offer aid in gaining him dominion of the barbarian lands to the North. A satrapy is beyond my means, and beyond my mandate."
Cyndre stands stoically, watching the old woman with a steady gaze when she's not looking around for trouble.
"Ha!" The old woman laughs, "What is north now? Black and empty. Where are the Dongu -- who you barbarians call the barbarians? North is nothing without Donghu!"
'The thane," Nineve muses softly to Leto. Her own stance stoic except for the soft break of words.
Gawain frowns slightly as he listens to the ongoings from Leto and the Woman, but he remains silent. He, like Cyndre, glances around them, keeping an eye out for trouble.
Rae speaks up, now. "We aim to push the Blackness back," she offers. "With White Fang's aid, we can move behind the Road, and flank it. We will reclaim the North and offer White Fang those lands. But to do so, we need his help."
The woman decides, "You speak with the rudeness of the Brown. Name yourselves!"
Leto says, "Leto Timoleon De Sorgo, at your service."
"Leto Timoleon De Sorgo," the old woman scoffs, "You are ar-ro-gant as your countryman. If you push the blackness back with the help of White Fang, why should he believe he will have the north? And what people will he put there without the Donghu?"
Cyndre begins to look impatient. Fingers drum across her sword hilt again.
Rae names herself, but with a slight twist. "Rae of the House of Dancing Shadows."
Gawain leans his head to the side a bit as he faces towards Leto and the others once again, listening to what is said and waiting. He shifts from one foot to the other beside Cyndre, not keeping his weight for long on any one leg.
Cyndre does /not/ however, name herself. Yet.
Leto continues to smile and says matter of factly, "It is not a question of if. It has been done in other places. I would not make the offer if it was not true one. He will have control of the North. A land freed of the blackness can be utilized. I note you have not introduced yourself."
The old woman shakes a finger and says, "One of you knows who I am! You are too rude to meet White Fang in his face."
Nineve headtilts, watching the old crone easily.
Gawain steps from one foot to the other and then circles around Cyndre to where he's on the other side of her. His eyes remain on Leto and the Woman as they speak to each other, but he doesn't say a word.
Leto's eyes light up with a touch of...mirth? "One of us may. I do not. And my apologies if you find my manner not to your liking. If you would prefer to talk to another of the group, that is fine. Just say so."
Baksi lurks along the edges. But she does not sit quietly. She croons to herself, patting her forefeet in a detectable rhythm.
The old woman's crazy eye focuses for the first time, and it settles on Rae. This seems to be wholly separate from her 'normal' eye, which remains fixed on Leto. "White Fang will not take the North without the Donghu."
Rae's gaze meets that one eye, and she nods. "I know who you are, and whom you are not," is said, with a deeper incline of her head. "If it is the Donghu you wish, we will endeavor to bring them back to the north. What is a land to rule with no subjects?"
The old woman now seems slightly mollified. At least that big crazy eye is. "You bring White Fang proof the Donghu will come north to be his subjects, you have passage through We-Li."
Leto looks at Rae curiously for a moment. He returns his attention to the old woman, but says nothing.
Gawain slows his dancing back and forth and comes to a halt, standing still once again as he listens. A glance is given towards Cyndre, whom he continues to stand beside, but he looks back to the others quickly enough.
Cyndre finally speaks up, asking in a low murmur of no one in specific, "Okay, so where do we find these Dongles?"
Rae inclines her head to the crone. "They've moved to the South, I believe," she answers Cyndre, without tearing her gaze away from the old woman. "Thank you for your time," is said to the crone.
Leto flourishes another bow to the Crone. "It's been a pleasure Madame, really."
Nineve offers a polite nod and turns to follow with the others. She remains quiet throughout.
Gawain dips his head towards the woman and waits for the others to move past him before he steps away from where he is. He doesn't depart until they do, and then he follows after them.
The crone's good eye narrows. "Next time see that you come worthy of the hospitality of White Fang!" And she vanishes with more mist and a clap of her hands. The bridge behind them becomes visible once more.
Rae lets out a sigh of breath once the Crone is gone. "I'm not sure Beatrice is going to like this," she murmurs under her breath.