• Closed • A tapatea for four

[Elyna]

Malcolm moved, positioning himself away from her and she found herself staring at him. Lashes lowered she found her shoulders bowing as though under a sudden weight and she struggled to focus on the rest of the conversation. The Wardens reaction was loud and clear. Things had been strained since his return from the mountains. Whatever peaceful intimacy the might have been able to recover before setting off for Welles, had been hampered by Avari’s attack and Malcolm’s recovery. They’d not discussed the outcome of Elyna’s visit to the house and then they’ve both been busy; with too much to prepare for the journey.

The skyrider looked between Padraig and Faith as they took their turns to speak. She felt like a pair of giant brown eyes, forced to sit and watch the world passing by and unable to feel anything except longing to join in with it once more. An antidote sounded like a good idea and she nodded. “I met Aeon,” she agreed and glanced to Malcolm. The warden had too. The simple explanation was followed by several longer words that the skyrider couldn’t make sense of. The frown crossed her features and lips parted as she struggled to concentrate. Anti-cogent?

“If you think it’s dangerous, I’d say we need the anti-dote in larger quantities, just in case?” She resisted the urge to glance at Malcolm for his approval and sat a little straighter on her cushion. A cross-bow wasn’t neessecarily her own area of expertise, but she suspected that her unit had some kind of specialist amongst them. “I’ll find out who our cross-bow specialist is, and I can send them to you so that the bolts can be tested? It would give the bowman time to get used to the bolts as well. Anything can throw off an aim and the more practise the better” She suggested. If their poison would work on the beast, or even slow it, then surely it would be helpful?

A smile pulled at the corner of her features as she tried to imagine explosives in the living room, “probably for the best. If we’re going to test those, can I request that it is as far away from the Volareon as possible, they’re temperamental at the best of times. Clay pots and bottles though, those can be found.”

[Malcolm]

“Kylar,” Malcolm spoke up, he was good with a crossbow, or so Malcolm had heard rumour, and he always seemed to be walking around with the thing strapped to his back. “I'm sure he will help you test them, and I would like to know the results, range, accuracy, safe firing distances,” he paused, “do you expect these things to leave pockets in the earth?” The warden wanted to know if the explosives would create small craters, or if they weren’t powerful enough for that.
Suddenly his mind was racing with possibilities. Perhaps they wouldn't need more numbers after all, just better tricks that made them seem unstoppable even if they weren't. There was an excited little glint in the man’s eye, and he leaned forward, pressing his elbows against the tabletop, hands cupping the warm mug of tea once more. Even if Qe'dreki’s forces were divided as reports had suggested, the likelihood of them coming out on top against two thousand didn't work by any stretch of the imagination. If Padraig had ideas, Malcolm was open to hearing him out.
The warden noticed more and more members of the Iron Hand entering the inn. He had hoped to escape the constant reminder that he was so far from home, even if just for a night, but found it almost impossible. Before long some of them started lingering as if they wanted to speak to him, but didn't want to come across as rude or interrupt. Malcolm watched the group from the corner of his eye, but wasn't moved until he noticed one of his captains walk in and look his way, wearing a grim expression.
“It's late, perhaps you could do the testing within the next couple of trials and bring me the results after that?” Malcolm looked hopeful.

[Faith Augustin]

Lady Elyna slumped, ever so slightly and Faith looked at her friend in concern. Was there something going on here that she was unaware of? She was suddenly very aware that she and Padraig had literally descended on them (her especially, in fairness) like a whirlwind. Maybe they'd been having a quiet moment and along she came, then they came and started talking about things which just pulled them back here. Maybe, of course, she was missing baby Elsie, Faith considered, but whatever it was they really shouldn't take up too much more of their time.

"I know that it is not good enough, but we just didn't have the money for any more. It isn't cheap." Faith explained. "The anticoagulant, is actually something that we might have here anyhow. In the medical tent. It stops blood from clotting, thins it basically, so it has many medicinal uses. We are using a coagulant as the antidote, something we also use medically for helping people who have had a lot of wounds to heal, for their blood to clot quicker. Its the other stuff, but that might well be here, it's a generic antidote, although we have checked and it works." She nodded her head and promised that she would check the medical supplies and would let them know.

But there would be supplies for Padraig to test, which was good. Faith nodded and smiled when Malcolm spoke about Kylar. "I've met him. Very tall. Intense. He taught me a bit of crossbow." Of course, she'd taught him too, not to punch like a girl, but she kept that one quiet. But as soon as Malcolm leaned forward, Faith knew that they'd done the right thing and when he spoke to Padraig, she felt a rush of pride. She kept quiet, just held on to his hand and squeezed. But when Padraig had answered, Faith lifted her hand and put it on Padraig's shoulder. "It's been a long trial. I might retire to my room." She looked at him and smiled, trying not to let on just how much she hoped that he came with her. He had the only key, after all, and she had little desire to sit in the corridor waiting for him. "It's been a long few trials, I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave?"

And whether Padraig came with her or not, she spoke, very quietly, to Malcolm and Elyna. "There are military people there, so I'm not going to hug you again. But I would if they weren't there. Just so that we're clear. Goodnight", and then would make her way either to their room, or to sit in the corridor for a while.

[Padraig]

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"Of course. The noise from the blast is unavoidable, but the impact of it could be as valuable as the explosion itself," Padraig responded with a smile, when Elyna made her request regarding the tests with his explosives. Psychologically, he meant, and a deterrent all its own. But he'd rather not spook their own horses or flying mounts in the process of testing them. "There seems to be ample open ground, away from camp. It would be sufficient."

When the topic of testing the bolts arose, and a name was brought up that he'd heard once before, he nodded. It appeared there was agreement then that Kylar might be the best choice for testing the bolts. "I've altered a number of bolts intended to carry and deliver the poison. Crossbow bolts. I can fashion more, once those are tested and spent."

When Malcolm asked about the explosives again, Padraig considered the question a trill or two before answering. Divots in the earth? In crafting the things he'd considered the damage they'd deal to one or more bodies. Maybe even structures, but not the ground specifically. "I believe so, yes. The ingredients for black powder are common ones, inexpensive and easily gotten," he explained, in effect saying that he could make as much as they needed so long as the ingredients were available.

"They way they're combined, the ratios and so on, and how much, for the most part determine the effectiveness and size of the blast. The method of packaging and delivery, it's trajectory. So pits in the ground if you want it, certainly," he said.

But the room was growing crowded, the others looked weary and he felt it as keenly as any of them must. It reminded him of the key Faith had handed him. His key. If he was being honest, Padraig had hoped for a different kind of night. But again, he didn't want to cause her to feel rushed. Nonetheless, he smiled and stood when Faith did. "I'll go up with you, see you to your room," he said, then turned to the other pair before they headed for the stairs. "It was a pleasure to meet you both after hearing so much about you. Goodnight."

[Elyna]

The noblewoman made a mental note of the name, Kylar. It sounded familiar. She watched Malcolm lean forward, intent on the discussion. Interested in the outcome and she missed him suddenly. She missed talking to him with such excitement as they planned the future or dreamed up travel and endless possibilities. The woman lent back against her chair and watched the conversation move on without her. Offering Faith a small smile as the woman glanced in her direction. She hoped that the girl would accept that she, Elyna was simply tired. It had been a long journey on wing after all.

She listed the word that Faith used in her mind, anti-co-agulant. Stops blood from clotting. She nodded to herself, confident that the detail was remembered. The use of black powder could certainly help them close the difference between their numbers and the Qe’dreki ranks. At this stage, they would take any advantage that they could. Captains slid into the inn and demanded the Wardens attention.

“Good night, Faith,” The smile she gave her friend was warm. The skyrider appreciated the ability to maintain her professional appearance and continued to rest back. She mouthed the words ‘thank you’ and her gaze diverted to Padraig as he stood. “A pleasure, Padraig and lovely to meet you also.”

With the pair departed, the woman waited only a heartbeat before she took to her own feet. With so many people filling the inn, it was no longer appropriate to embrace Malcolm or greet him less formally. “Good night,” she nodded at him and bowed her head in a motion of respect before she set off. Following a few steps behind her friends.

[Malcolm]

There was a lot to consider, but for now Malcolm had been pleased to meet Padraig. He got to his feet and shook the man’s hand before he could leave, and watched as all three of them stalked away from the table. Malcolm sat down to finish his tea in peace. The silence didn't last long, however, as he was bombarded by a couple of the captains who had shared the same idea as him it seemed in seeking out the warmth of the inn, with only the cold nights of winter camping to look forward too after this.
Steele set a map down in front of Malcolm and asked about a few edits. The warden took up the pen he was offered and dipped it into the inkwell the captain had set down on the table. He drew in some of the major landmarks he had noticed on the way to the campsite and marked them with his intended route for travel. “You will need to buy one of the local maps,” Malcolm told him. “Ask one of the shore-people, their maps are older and they have different names for these areas,” he explained.
On his feet again, Malcolm attempted to make his way upstairs, keen to bathe and get an early night, but was stop again, this time by a more familiar face; it appeared he wasn't going anywhere fast.

[Whisper]

Elyna

Peer Review

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5

Awarded Knowledge

Anticoagulant: Stops Blood from Clotting
Faith: Untarnished Love for Pedraig
Pedraig: Studied in Viden
Pedraig: University Student
"Ser": Generic Honourific
Tactics: Combining Poison with Ranged Weapons

Extras

Loot & Losses	[/color]xxxxxx	Injuries
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

Fame	[/color]xxxxxx	Devotion
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

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Faith

Peer Review

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5

Awarded Knowledge

Elyna: Something is Wrong?
"Ser": Generic Honourific

Extras

Loot & Losses	[/color]xxxxxx	Injuries
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

Fame	[/color]xxxxxx	Devotion
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

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Malcolm

Peer Review

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5

Awarded Knowledge

Pedraig: Studies Physics
Pedraig: University Student
"Ser": Generic Honourific
Tactics: Combining Poison with Ranged Weapons

Extras

Loot & Losses	[/color]xxxxxx	Injuries
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

Fame	[/color]xxxxxx	Devotion
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

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Pedraig

Peer Review

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/5
Structure: 5/5

Awarded Knowledge

Elyna Burhan: Captain of the Skyriders
Faith: Back-Saddle Driver
Malcolm Krome: Teaches at the University
Malcolm Krome: Warden of the North
"Ser": Generic Honourific

Extras

Loot & Losses	[/color]xxxxxx	Injuries
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

Fame	[/color]xxxxxx	Devotion
None	[/color]xxxxxx	None

Comments

Wow. Malcolm is such a dick. I just want to hug Elyna and love her and steal her away from Malcolm. Hasn't she been through enough? Jeez, dude.

Lovely read... combative stuff normally makes me want to gouge my eyes out but I didn't feel that today XD

Faith, I struggled with knowledge for you and I feel like I'm under selling you as the main learning was directed at Elyna and Malcolm... fling me a PM and point me in the right direction if you want!

As you can see, I have provided feedback and reasoning behind my review. If you have any questions, comments or criticism about your review, feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss it.
Thank ye.

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