"Now then, what have ya come 'ere for? I sense a power on ya. Both of ye, Lannie's is close to perfection as a Berserker, but not quite there yet. Ye however," Barnas said pointing at Godrick with a meaty and sausage like finger.

"Ye have something I seen 'fore, on Seers, druids, and them parlor trick mages. Yer closer to casters of the stricter disclipines of magic craft. A mage no doubt, but there's an order to ya, not common of 'em."

Impressed at his foresight Godrick replied to him, "Indeed, as you may very well see." He suggested with his hands gesturing to his attire.

"I was once a Priest of the lord Hadrian, my oaths were broken while in service to your niece." Alana glared at him in reproach.

"Ya said, ya didn't care any more ya fruit." She replied defensively in disdain.

"And I do not, bear with me." Godrick placaded her as she crossed her arms unhappily.

"I am happy with this outcome. I was already having doubts in regards to the faith but my strict indoctrination kept me on a bound leash I could not break my bonds without the intervention of her spiritual malady." Godrick said signaling to Alana,

Hearing she had been sick Barnas immediately stood up from his chair, rushing over to her and jostling her in panic by the shoulders.

"My childer no! Tell me; what ails ye, the best healers of the town will be at yer beck and call." His worried expression showed that the chief had lost reason for a second there. A woman came in and slapped him on the side of his head.

"Calm down ya Oaf, can't ya see she's fine let the poor pilgrim speak already." Matronly authority came from the tall and stocky woman as she admonished the Chief.

"Oh yes 'course, please continue, Godrick was it?" He asked the Pilgrim while sitting down shamefully.

Alana herself was seeing stars after her uncle's rough mannerisms. They had left her in a state of giddy confusion as her vision spun in vertigo. The room was distorted to her because of this, forcing her to hold her chair tightly so as not to fall from it. She was also the only one sitting whose legs did not reach the floor, moving them giddily as a child would.

"Yes and thank you. As I was saying; during the exorcism to cure Alana, instead of a demonic entity, an Elemental had taken hold of her as my people called them. The spiritual being was benevolent at the very least and helped us unlock knowledge hidden within us. It has helped us to begin understanding the internal and universal energy source called Mana."

"An elemental from 'The Advent of the Elementals', the old cemerien warding tale?" The woman asked, a brown eyebrow rising to her hair of the same color. Long and curly as it was, there was a distinction to the usual hair that the Skrols sported; red, blonde, and straight, that was their distinct hair mark characteristics.

"Yes, madam?" He toned in question.

"Ingrid Fae Skrol. Wife of the big one." She replied, lowering her towering height to her seated husband's face. A blush was forced onto his features as she planted a kiss on his face.

Barnas was then left murmuring, a cooing and lust-filled gesture into her ear. Her blood rushed up the smile she wore, and a playful whack on his shoulder followed as she settled behind him. Right hand on his shoulder in desire to spread her affection for him by touch. The entirety of the room and people were visible to her, her eyes darted about as she took in the sight of a stranger with her newly returned kin. A more motherly and happy smile came over her face when her eyes landed on Alana.

"Hey there Auntie!" Alana exclaimed happily from her chair, still sick from motion, and sight still lacking.

"And to ya Childer." Her presence was warm and welcoming through the motherly face bestowed onto her by age.

Godrick was getting distracted and anxious from all the interruptions. His heart was speeding up as he wished to hurry along and finish the pointless greetings; the fruit had fully invaded his mind now, and all the while he remained none the wiser to its effects.

"I do not mean to interrupt a familial reunion; but, could I now skip to what brings us here." Shaking in an uncontrolled fashion his heart felt like it would jump out from his chest. His fingers tapped rapidly and in tandem with his equally fast tip-tapping leg. All these actions were performed quietly but showed disrespect through his impatience.

Alana noticed this and pulled out a fleurel he had made for her earlier during the day. She lit it with a match, taking a drag as she passed it to him; he looked at her in irritation, refusing it. There was no more time to waste by smoking from it; already he was being patient enough with the constant interruptions. But with a forceful gesture, she placed the butt of it into his lips, silencing him with her own irritated glare.

"I'm sorry for my companion he is... Unwell. He has eaten the Fruit of Lies, and its effects are rare. They manifest weirdly is all I can say. We can't tell when they will come." A worried look was on her face as she saw him breathing in the herbal smoke.

Godrick had taken the hints and finished the consumable object as fast as he could. Once he had calmed down, he realized his own words and actions, profusely bowing down and apologizing.

"My apologies Chief and Madam. My behavior was unduly disrespectful, but I will not let excuses be the reason for my lack of self-control." His head was lowered in difference, ashamed of his own attitude.

"No wonder, that's a mighty eloquent speech. It might get ya belted or gutted 'ere. It's good ya know, but work harder." Barnas made it clear to Godrick with a slam of his fist into the table; that even with an excuse, that type of behaviour would get him beaten or worse.

There was no reason to hold a grudge, however. He had seen men who had consumed them once; they lost their wills and minds within minutes to the hours of consuming the vile fruits. It was a testament of his character that he could still converse with them without dribbling from his mouth; his budding power was likely affected by the fruit's effects as well.

"But even my patience is drying out with these tales of wonder. Well, what is this 'Mana', and why travel here to learn of it?" Curiosity rose in him, the strange word and real mystical life events correlating with tales of ancient times.

The chieftain was suffering from a case of nostalgia towards his youth; becoming emotional to the situation, it sounded like a quest, and it spoke to him of adventure. His blood pumped rapidly, to such a point that steam could be seen misting from his body; a mad grin found surface over his face.

Godrick obliged, he spoke of his theories, of gods forming the unseen tethers that binded humanity's mortal coils. How the elemental did away with these bindings. Leaving them feeling hollow and filled with clarity in power they knew not they possessed while holding no access to. Of how Godrick had begun tapping into this power by the usage of magic, language, and reality. How Alana had seen a stabilization to her long lost path, the unseen energies of Mana filling her with a power she had only dreamt of one day wielding again.

Throughout the discourse, the couple remained awestruck. What they both were describing sounded like the madness of a legend fitted from thousands of years of accumulated fabrication. Yet here they were; Alana was stronger than before exile, and growing even stronger. Godrick excommunicated but replicating the miracle work of the Gods, with his spells and rituals. He may not have been the most powerful of casters, but he seemed on another tier and class to the disorganized spellcasters he knew.

Mages were not persecuted or hunted in these lands but they were not anymore welcomed here than in the empire. A natural distrust towards casters had formed from the long-spanning slave empire of the Sorceror Pharaohs in Egypsia. Their persecution was reasonable to Northenders, after the times when these Pharaohs manipulated the entirety of Arlan's populace through enslavement. Despite being the reason why humans conquered the Continent, their means left deep, and generation-spanning psychological scars that would never be forgotten by the Northenders.

"Hmmm yes, there's no doubt then. Ye must both go to the clerical monks of Marni, and you must learn from Runemaster Argos. This is the best I can give ye, it is up to ya to get them to agree. When it comes to forbidden and obscure knowledge the wisest in the village would be the runemaster and the spiritual leaders of our settlement." His arms crossed as he nodded his head up and down with eyes closed, the whiskers of his facial hair moving with his thoughtful expression.

"Is there no word from the chief that could assure that they are willing?" Godrick asked hopeful looking for anything that could help further into his search for a Path.

"We are not kings knave!" Barnas replied with a burning roar from his belly, indignation fuming through his ego, fury reflecting from his eyes.

"Pardon," He collected himself, rubbing the back of his head with his left hand while clearing his throat again.

"I know ya meant no ill of it. But duty demands my correction of yer childish notions. Chiefs may plead to their citizens but never their civilians. Citizens are duty-bound to the chief, willingly working for them as honor and duty demands. Huscarls, Spieldings, and Fleid-gers are my citizens; farmers, laborers, the religious, and Berserkers." He said pointing at Alana who was disinterested, knowing the whole lecture already by heart.

"They are civilians, choosing to become a citizen is also within their rights, which I hold no authority to deny. My job is to lead, not command, to administer not gain, yer notions come from that self-proclaimed emperor. He holds an absolute grip on all facets of leadership. A tyrant I say, if I've ever seen one." He said solemnly, sad at the fates of the poor civilians under the Godless emperor.

The pilgrim was shocked at his statements he knew the definitions of all the words he had said and they differed from how the empire interpreted them. Both of the culture's differences now lay highlighted to Godrick once more. From what he understood the Chiefs acted similarly to governors not influenced by either self-interest or Gentile obeisance.

"I see," Godrick said, nodding his head twice and continuing, "My thanks to you then, Chieftain Barnas of the Skrol. The meanings of your words are more to my personal liking than the words given to me by the empire. I too believe in your portrayal of leadership and support it. Forgive my naivete." He bowed to him once more and the widest of grin came to Barnas and his wife's face.

"Oh, I like him," Ingrid said happy with his humbling gesture.

"Hm, same. It'd be a wonder if the she-devil could control herself no?" Barnas replied with questioning agreeance, a disparaging smile headed towards his niece.

"Yes certainly, a shame she can't." His wife agreed.

"Psssh, silk herding, goat thumping fox..." Alana murmured unhappily, cursing Godrick quietly and not wanting to draw attention to herself.

"Well, compliments aside chief," A grunt interrupted him.

"Barnas. Ya can call me Barnas, to have traveled with me Kin and helped her arrive safely, no less could I offer unto ye." Barnas stated his earlier mix of emotions disappeared entirely.

"Well then Barnas," Godrick said testing how Barnas's name would sound from his voice and how it was received. He continued without breaking after silent consent was given.

"I offer other services during my stay here." Moving his sack and rummaging through it, he pulled out four goblets made of wood onto the table.

"Could I please have some water my lady Skrol?"

"Certainly young man." With a happy smile, she went to fetch his request.

"Ya always make another man's wife fetch ye liquids," Barnas asked jokingly to Godrick.

"No sir, I merely wish to show a proper venture you might like," Godrick replied finding his confidence, his acting skill taking hold once more. He was back in familiar waters now and his past was working itself into his patterns.

"We will see then."

No sooner than Barnas had said that, did his wife come back into the room carrying a basin of water. She placed it in the middle of the four goblets and sat in her husband's lap. Her shape filled his perfectly, wrapping her right arm around his broad shoulders and balancing herself from his neck; she was perfectly in sync with his own body.

Godrick smiled at the couple's loving antics as he poured water into the four goblets.

"Okay, now; everyone please take a drink." He said downing it first to show it was safe.

"Well ya brought home a weird one alright 'Lannie," Barnas responded taking his own, followed by his wife.

"Yer telling me, I've been going 'round with him. I, know." Alana stated then drank.

Happy that everyone had done as asked Godrick started again.

"Good now everyone saw and tasted that it was water correct?"

Nods came from everyone so he continued speaking while pouring water into the goblets once more.

"Now Alana has told me, that Slatvia has an abundance of clean water, but not enough methods or stores for other desired beverages, no?" More nods came his way, and with that as his signal, his hands moved over the wooden containers.

Intricate hand gestures were formed as he murmured unintelligible words, the unseen energies of mana coalesced while flowing into the goblets. Small puffs of vapor could be seen emitted by the liquid in the containers, he was done within seconds of doing his odd signing. Everyone stared at him puzzled by his actions, all except Alana who had seen the mana that gathered. She could see that he had cast a spell on the liquid, but knew not which one. Having never been interested in his spellcasting abilities before, she was still perplexed as to what he had done.

Sweat dripping from his brow, Godrick smiled after confirming with a quick dip of his finger to his goblet that he had succeeded in his endeavors.

"There, now I am done, My friends. And I do hope I can call you friends as you can onto me. I ask of you to imbibe upon my proffered concoction." Godrick grabbed his goblet, the others following more hesitantly; and he drank from the beverage.

The others followed but not before taking a whiff of their drinks. Their eyes widened disbelieving of the smell and greedily drank the red liquid; they saw its dark red color now that it was so close to them, and being so close they could smell it. Its fragrance was that of fruit, one locked away from the tundras of the north. A bitter-sweet taste accompanied its scent and warmth began spreading through them as the liquid traveled down their throats, settling inside of their bellies.

Alcoholic delight filled up their cheeks as they took in the contents of this beverage. They were blushing from the intoxicating properties imbibed through its consumption. Ingrid's smile grew more relaxed and merry. Barnas threw more, lustfilled kisses and pecks at her. Alana's usually mad grin came and she remembered why it was that she followed Godrick.

He was so damned dependable she thought to herself.

"Ya made wine ya freaking genius," He smiled at her comment. "come here I'll have ya right here if ya stop gushing over yer uptight missus." Then frowned at her provocation.

"Shut it ya damn harpy." Her uncle scolded her, moving his hand towards her head and gently; or as gently as his meaty hands allowed, tossling her hair into a mess. She smiled as it was done but glared after he finished, attempting to fix the mess he had left behind.

"This be yer proposition boy? No. 'Pologies, Godrick." Respect came out from him overflowing in his merriness.

"Yes, Barnas. This is something I can offer for my stay and more while I am here."

"Well, I reckon we can work something out, in the meantime let us celebrate." He said with excitement as he continued; plans were forming inside of him now.

"I want ta welcome ya proper now. And from what I can see it'll be a welcoming of the ages. Me Niece, bringing in a man so sharp and distinguished." He would praise any man who could work the true miracles of alcohol.

"One that can make the beverage of gods with his words and hands alone. There must be revelry to be had!" An exclamation came from him, his hand up in the air.

"Ingrid my love make news, we feast tonight, everyone is to come."

Hopping up from his lap she gave him a wink and a flying kiss that she blew at him with a coquettish smile that made his heart skip. Immediately catching it before it went past the immaterial, he fell to the ground from his chair. Soft giggles could be heard coming from her as she exited the room.

"Aye, a feast; I'll go on and help ya, Auntie," Alana said leaving the men to the chore they were soon to undertake, acquiescing to her feminine wiles when of benefit to her.

"Yes, yes dear. Of course, let's gather the guests." Ingrid linked her arm together to Alana and exited from the building.

Confused, Godrick looked around, unaware of what was to come. The large arm of Barnas wrapped around Godrick's shoulders completely, and his feet were no longer on the floor. He was being held up very closely by Barnas, in a one-handed carry that elevated Godrick's height to his own, merrily they made their way through the longhouse and down to its cellar.

"Uhm sir, what is going on?" Uncomfortable from the position he found himself in he asked for clarification.

"A feast," Barnas replied simply.

"A feast?" The reply had done nothing to assuage his confusion, Godrick had never been part of a feast, whatever that was. The only thing he could surmise of it came from the word, it indicated a large consumption of food being shared by multiple people in an extravagant and wasteful manner.

Waste was a thing his faith had not allowed and frowned at, so he had never partaken of such excess.

"Would it not be better to instead give this food to the hungry and the misfortunate?" He asked hoping to not have to be part of such sinful activities.

"I am hungry," Barnas stated simply. "Misfortune be to all of us in the north." He followed with a more solemn sentence. "But remember we are in Slatvia," He looked at Godrick now, grinning.

"And Feasting is how we take care of our own! Hahahahaha.!" His unhinged madness spread through him as the passions of excitement traveled from his words and through his body. He had taken a pose of jubilation, his hands shooting upwards once more while he squatted and whooped them hilariously into the air.

"I. I see." Godrick replied slightly taken aback by his overwhelming charisma. Barnas was most definitely a man that could inspire loyalty in men, there was no doubt in that from what he had seen.

"Then why are we in a cellar and not out gathering the townsfolk with the ladies?"

"Well, ain't that obvious to ya?" He asked tilting his head to one side in a perplexed manner. For such a well-spoken and sharp man Godrick seemed not too keen on social cues.

"A feast needs drinks, and ya can solve that problem easily enough no? Hahaha, these are our water stores. Let's get ya ta work my friend, a long night awaits us. Hahaha."