The rest of the night went on as normal. Rayne spent the night curled up in her feline form with Daku, her cat occupying the highest space in the wagon, like a queen surveying her kingdom. The morning came and Rayne, cuddled into Daku’s fox fur and purring, was woken by a knock on the wagon and Markus's voice. “Morning, sorry, but we’ll need to be back to prepare so, we’ve got to head out relatively early.” Rayne mewed irritatedly into Daku, before reluctantly getting up.
The three of them headed out, taking Markus’s wagon should he need heavier supplies. They were in the process of getting off the wagon when the blacksmith's door opens and a Telvan walks out and around, spitting a stream of words Rayne can't recognize, with a few elistan swear words mixed in. But his tone was amused, Leaving Rayne, Daku, and Markus looking at each other somewhat confused. The blacksmith, as it turned out, was a fairly large place for the town’s size. The forge was no small town forge either. She imagined it could get hot enough to smelt much better. But, given it’s status as a border town, perhaps this made sense. “I’m glad to finally be back out of New Elista.” Rayne sighed as she came in. Markus went around and started talking to the blacksmith, leaving little for Rayne and Daku to do but idly peruse the store, wondering what was going on with the Telvan she had seen. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes before the very same man entered the blacksmith.
“Ahh, Yëòwâèn, thanks.” The blacksmith said as the Telvan entered. Supposedly he was the blacksmiths employee? Rayne was confused by the name. She may have seen and met Telvani people, but she’s never learned the language, so the sounds were unfamiliar to her. She was paying less and less attention to the store, trying to figure out the name. Finally she decided to simply introduce herself, and who knows, if he did work here maybe she’d end up finding something she needed. “Uh… hi, I think he said your name was Yëõwâèn? Do you work…” Rayne had intended to ask him if he worked here, and perhaps see if he could help her find some better artificing tools, but sadly that isn't what happened. He puffed up slightly as if mad. “HOW DARE YOU CALL ME THAT! I’VE HALF A MIND TO TAKE YOU OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW. HOW DID YOU GET SUCH A FILTHY MOUTH? I WILL NOT…” Rayne flushed perhaps the deepest red she had had in years, looking away and falling silent. Meanwhile, halfway across the room, the blacksmith did perhaps the biggest Face Palm anyone had ever seen. But it got worse. “I WOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO MY MOTHER, SHE WAS PRACTICALLY A SAINT, HOW DARE YOU DEFILE BOTH OUR NAMES LIKE THAT!” Rayne, now flushed red and feeling perhaps more guilty than she ever had in her life, bolted out of the shop and sat in the back of Markus’s wagon.
“Goddamn it Yëòwâèn, go talk to her. I won’t have your fun scaring off my customers.” The owner yelled, but Yëòwâèn was already heading out The door, looking slightly stricken. Daku was turning somewhat red himself, already angered perhaps past his breaking point. He stormed out after him, leaving a stricken Markus in with the blacksmith.
Rayne sat curled up in the back of Markus’s wagon, tears running down her face. She heard footsteps, too light to be anyone else's, it's not likely Daku’s sneaking off. “I...I’m Sorry… I… I didn't…” Rayne stammers. “Wait… Why are you apologising…” “I didn’t mean to insult you… I didn’t… I’m so sorry…” Sound of muffled, concealed crying can be heard from inside of the wagon. “Relax, no one’s insulted, my name pronounced wrong is a rather nasty word… I was I…”
Daku shut the door perhaps more forcefully than he had intended, not that he had intended to slam it at all, and stormed out. It didn't take him more than a second or two to find Yëòwâèn standing a bit apart from the wagon. He approached standing fully erect, and considering his high, he towered still more over the Telvan. It didn't take long for the silence to break, and Rayne spent a fair few minutes, not feeling so bad, but preferring to stay out of it.
Though eventually Yëòwâèn managed to calm Daku to his some degree, he was still irritated and somewhat distant as they rode with Markus back to the camp. “You should learn to defend yourself. Physically… Yëòwâèn maybe have been somewhat of a dick there, but it did highlight an issue. You can’t just run from fights. It makes you seem all the easier a target.” Rayne looked down at her feet, which swayed in the air, hanging off the back of Markus’s wagon. “Yeah… but…” Daku stopped for a moment, before continuing. “I know you can use magic, but we both know offensive magic isn’t your forte either, and I won’t have you get hurt because you can't handle yourself. While they put on their plays and such, I will be training you. Sorry, no getting out of this until i’m satisfied you are at least competent in martial combat.” Rayne blushed and looked up, somewhat startled. “But… I’d end up slicing my own foot off…” Rayne said, voicing only one of her concerns, not mentioning the other. This would mean a lot of time with Daku, probably alone with him, getting worked up and sweaty. “No buts. Yëòwâèn gave me 2 wooden training weapons after our… Confrontation… so, you won’t cut your foot off. Or do you just not like me and don’t want to spend time with me?” Daku’s voice was joking, but something deep inside it spoke of fear. She wondered his if this was just intuition or if that note was really in his voice. “N...no i l… It’s not that…” Daku’s voice kit up slightly. “Oh… You don't want to get all lightly clothed and sweaty in front of someone you like?” Daku's voice did seem somewhat eased, but tentative. “N..no! It’s not like… I…” But a furious blush ran exactly contrary to her words and tone, and while she turned away to hide it, she didn’t manage it Apparently because she could swear there was a satisfied, smug tone. “Uh-huh, sure… Anyway… later today, mandatory.” He chuckled for a moment before playfully sliding off the wagon, and pulling her off with him with a mischievous smile, and she nearly stumbled.
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It was only after another hour that the troupe got themselves ready, and moved into town as whole. The group seemed to be scattering. Terin went off, probably to find whoever ran the city and organize the events. Shani and her young daughter were already putting on an entirely impromptu puppet show with a series of well made marionettes. Shani’s husband moved back and forth, puting on a series of acrobatic tricks and juggling. It didn't take long for a horse of children and parents to gather around the troupe.
Shade’s wagon stood slightly apart, it’s stage equipment ready to be employed. After a bit, Terin walked out of the mayor's office and started talking. Apparently, this was their Patron, Duke Valenwine’s land, so they were well known and easily received. He moved over shortly to talk to Rayne and Daku. “We will be here today and tomorrow, then move on the next day. I’ve also received a message from the duke, which may concern you. He’s Apparently searching for… someone with some experience in curses and necromancy. He knew we'd pass though so he gave the letter to the mayor, if you are wondering. So, we have to head that way anyway, but this could be a good opportunity for both of you. You couldn't hope to have a better source of employment. Anyway, we’ll be putting on a few plays, only one tonight though. Why don't you come watch? It’ll be in several hours though. People have to prepare.”
Only a half hour after that, Daku practically dragged her out to the edge of town. Two wooden swords crossing his back as they went, there could be no doubt this was the mandatory training session. He pulled one over his shoulder and down. “These are made of a pretty light, springy wood, so there should be no issues. Even so, we don’t want to come back covered in big bruises, so go easy on it okay? Besides I don't expect you to be even slightly competent for at least a week. For now, posture, how to handle a weapon, and footwork. I won't have you tripping over your own feet if it comes to a fight.”
It was not easy work, Daku was constantly correcting every other step, pushing on her back. She could swear he swung that thing specifically to mess with her footwork, while he was trying to teach her that. He never actually struck her with it, but it was nearly impossible to keep on her feet as he drove her back again and again, faster than she could actually move backwards. They took a break, Daku intended to watch the play, possibly because they were hitching a ride with them and for what they had done he felt obligated to ensure nothing happened.
Rayne watched as well, somewhat in awe. She could swear the troupes had practically memorized all the lines. They hadn't had more than a few hours to plan and start the play, without knowing beforehand which it they would do. But then again, as she recalled, the majority of the troupes books contained plays. They probably learned to read and write from scripts. It seemed in spite, of perhaps because of the constant moving, the children more more educated than any simple townsperson was. Even the two children, one no older than 8, probably 7, pulled off their roles nearly perfectly. Fortunately nothing happened, other than a few drunk men being escorted out before they had a chance to start anything serious. At the first sign of a fight or trouble they were escorted out.
It went well, though the amount of people and the noise of laughing during the comedic bits were somewhat irritating to Rayne. But after a few hours it was over. The group got to gutting the stage, taking down everything and storing it. Terin spoke to the mayor and got things lined up for the next day. As they headed out, Rayne heard Terin joking ask: “Are you sure you don't want to do a trick archery show? Good audience for it.” Daku still was not having it though.
However the day's drama (literally and figuratively) was not quite over. Rayne and Daku were walking to the wagons, now once more parked Way out towards the edge of the main town, were moved to a sudden stop, Daku throwing his arms out to stop Rayne as well if need be. Not far off the road, glinting eyes in the dusk could be seen, shining like cat’s eyes in a beam of light.
Rayne and Daku both took a moment. The eyes were too high up to be a simple wild or domestic cats. As the sunset finally drifted below a nearby hill, they could discern the shapes of men, roughly. Kaetsu, possibly quitsun, it was hard to tell at this distance. With a sigh, they both resumed walking. They had little choice if they wanted to get back to camp. The figures didn't move, not much at any rate. Finally as they neared camp, they could get a good look at them. Both kaetsu, one in light armor of some sort. “Hey… sorry to bug you but we need to talk. It’s important, and not for the ears of everyone.” Daku drew himself to a stop. If nothing else this explained why they had waited for them here. It wasn't terribly far from their camp. In fact it was probably light from a nearby fire shining in their eyes. But far enough that cautious tongues wouldn't alert anyone, and not too far as to be suspicious. Daku maintained his silence for a moment, before speaking. “Who would you be then? And what do you need?” He asked in a low voice, barely more than a whisper, if any more.
“We’re scouts, of a sort… that's the gist off it. We ran across you a little while back, the day before yesterday, and when we came across you again, We decided to talk. Now, to the point. Our diplomat in Elista has gone missing, and the king has elected not to take any more diplomats or ambassadors from kaetsian and quitsunian settlements. I’m not going to waste your time explaining why this is bad, but, we need to get back up there and keep an eye on things. All we are asking you to do, is keep an eye out, and report this to the settlement not far from here.” Daku sighed to himself, and Rayne found herself getting nervous. That wasn't good. Given kaetsian attitudes toward monarchies, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine the kind of Elista becoming more aggressive towards them. Perhaps more importantly, to both races. They did tend to prefer to live in similar places after all. Refusing to accept ambassadors implied something was coming indeed. “Then why send ambassadors and such to a place already prone to hostilities. Why risk it knowing they could end up dead in the first place?” Again, Daku went right for the point. “It’s… Not our call, but i see your point. My guess, to try to keep things settled, perhaps woo the king a bit as it were. At least try to establish some peace. Probably futile, as you pointed out, but that’s probably why. No one wants war in this… political climate.” Most of Their population has moved into Raithal. This wasn't a good sign for them either. Sure Raithal had allies, but Elista's king and the empress of Antura both had issues with kaetsu and quitsun. Sure they hated each other, but perhaps they could put away that for now and join together for war against their third sibling? “That’s… A fair point… and a bit worrying.” Rayne said, half to herself. “Hence what we want you to do, which is keeping an eye out. Given your traveling companions, you are ideally placed to catch rumors and such. Not while that isn't a great information source… it can be good to know. If say, the cold war between Elista and Antura has been dying down, less border skirmishes, that could be worth noting now..” They didn’t stay for long after that, they nodded to one another, and split up. One seemingly going towards Elista, the other, Antura. Though she hoped they were not going far. Perhaps they just had people to talk to before moving on.