Priest.

The priest was now fuming. That someone, or rather three now, had dared to talk back to him was bad enough, but that one of them was an outlander of all things was just too much.
"Was your advice requested? I think not, Outlander! And even if it had been, you are in no position to give it. In case you haven't noticed, this here is not your nice, hospitable and oh so convenient homeland! This is Vvardenfell and if you had been born here, you would know what's best and what's not. But since you aren't, your only options are to stay with those who do know and do what they do, or go off on your own and see your lifespan significantly reduced. Now if you are willing to take MY advice, I suggest you get ready for the journey because if you are still sitting on your....posterior when we're ready to leave, then you may find out just how safe this ruin is all by yourself. I hope you'll enjoy it!" He snapped at the Breton, who was the most obnoxious of the bunch in his mind.

Eno

Eno shook his head.
"Well, there go my wares. Come on, youngster. Don't agitate him any further. He is a priest after all. And the temple is...close with those who guard us." He muttered, hoping that James got the hint. There was always the possibility that those Daedra hadn't just come out of nowhere, but had rather been summoned at the moment the caravan was weakest. With everything that had happened, all the people, friends and colleagues who had died, he knew that the choice to seek someone, anyone to blame for it all was a tempting one. And if so, who better to blame than a loudmouthed outlander? Eno himself preferred not to think about what could happen if they had a summoner in their midst.

The first impression he'd received of James wasn't a good one either, but it had convinced him that the man was if anything, at least not a summoner. He was too blunt for that.

James.

James sighed and pinched his nose, really was he the only one in this bunch who possessed an intelligence higher than that of a rat?

"As you wish your worshipfulness", he sneered to the priest before turning to the other man who had adviced him to shut up, albeit in a nice way at least.

"Very well, its for the best I suppose, must not hurt his mind with big words...name is james by the way", he said to Eno.

Dralas

Dralas soon figured out why he had to be the one to read the scroll, as the incantation was in the language of the ashlands. He spoke the words, and watched as the magicka did its work. Rianne seemed better almost immediately, and he smiled at her before looking up to see his helpers.

The priest was still with them, but the pilgrim had already went his own way. Dralas spotted him crouched among the wounded.

"Thanks...Rothan, was it?" he said, trying to remember the dunmer's name, "I don't know if we could have made it out without you and your friend."

OOC: Now that I think about it, wasn't Dralas injured as well? Stabbed in the arm by a Hunger?

Eno

Eno felt inapropriately amused at James insistence on taking a final stab at the priest. So he made a little bow to the man.
"Eno Arval, a pleasure to make your aquaintance." He replied, before looking at the Kagouti bone he was still holding.
"Well, I suppose this counts as too heavy and not required for survival. It's a shame really, I was looking forward to the months of work on it. Ah well, such is life." He said with a shrug, and unceremoniously dropped it in the dust.
"So we're abandoning this place. While I admit I'd rather not stay here another second, leaving at this point is indeed, about as foolish as staying. And I'm not just saying that because of the regular dangers, but also because it appears that a good half of the caravan had decided to celebrate their arrival at the half-way mark." He noted, castinga glance over his shoulder.
"The healers had better find some way to sober everyone up quick, or things will only get worse."

James.

James smiled, here was a man of his own taste...that meaning nothing more than not being an inbred swine, and he could appreciate a good insult.

James Pathertrory is the name...sneaking about is the game, and the pleasure is mine Mr.Arval...though if these inept sheep are stupid enough to drink a Nord under the table after an attack like this then they deserve to enjoy the fruits of the next morning...though I suppose I could mix up a healing draught that tastes bad enough that they'll shudder at the mere mention of alcohol for years after".

James shrugged for himself as he dragged out his alchemy set from a bag that shouldn't be able to even hold a potion flask.

"So should we add an extract of warm liquid Kagouti droppings, or fresh troll vomit for some nice seasoning?"

Rothan

"Yes it is Rothan," he said nodding to the ashlander, "You must remember that the temple teaches compassion, even if the ordinators sometimes," he paused, "focus elsewhere."

He turned his attention back to Rianne and was surprised by the power of the healing spell the scroll had contained. "How are you?" he asked Rianne. Half turning to Dralas so he spoke to both he asked, "What was the plant you gave me, it had green heart shaped leaves? I didn't recognise it."

The woman seemed to know about healing, and the scroll hadn't been made by some idiot conjurer...

Erna

Well, it was over. A pity really, come to think of it.

Still, the damage had been done. Hopefully he could get people in enough of a panic about daedra possibly coming back that he could get them moving. The chances of them breaking through the walls of reality were actually fairly small, but people were jittery and on edge after the attack. And if a caravan was picked off whilst travelling then it would only add to the strain the construction site was suffering.

He might be killed, but that wouldn't be the end of the world. He was smart, he could slip away from an attack. Hell, worst case scenario, he had a common target with the temple; some of the blight-creatures were smart, and he could probably persuade them that he could lend a hand.

Still, he needed to get the caravan moving.

He went and found his guar, grabbing the creature's reins, before moving round to the temple's open yard where a frantic looking priest was trying to get things organised.

"Excuse me sir," he called, loud enough to be heard. "When are we moving?"

OOC: Yes, it's the same priest that Rothan and James were talking to.

Rianne

"I'm much better, thank you!" she smiled at Rothan "I do know some useful things now and then" she continued

"Those leaves...eh they're growing near the Ahemmusa Camp, our Wise Woman has always used them for healing wounds...deep wounds, and you did the right thing by crushing them into a paste..maybe you, too, know some useful things now and then?"

She noticed there was some paste left and took it in her hand to warm it up.

"Dralas! Come let me put this on the wound in your arm!"

She then turned to Rothan;

"I don't know about that Breton, he makes me feel uneasy, but that's maybe because he's just that...a Breton. Anyway if you would be so kind and help me...maybe you could find some water? I'm planning to prepare some drinks for us..."

While she had been speaking to Rothan she also rubbed the green paste into the wound in Dralas' arm. The ashlander didn't say a word, even though she knew it hurt, but with the ain came relief...or was it the words she whispered afterwards?

muskler, dra er samman

That done she took out a black, somewhat shimmering bottle from her pack...and looked at it sternly, while she once again whispered some words, nobody but Dralas would understand, but maybe he didn't hear. He was sitting on the ground, all silent...

Well if this won't pick us up, nothing will! I hope he'll find water...this must be diluted

Rianne smiled faintly...at nobody

Dralas

Dralas let Rianne tend his wound, but he also let his mind wander. He didn't know what caused the daedra attack, and he doubted anyone else did. Dralas suddenly remembered that he'd dropped his bow inside the ruin as he watched those around him rush to get things packed and moving again.

We left Morrie at that cave, too...

Rianne said something, but he didn't know exactly what. He did know, however, that he felt much better all of a sudden, and he wasn't about to be punished for losing Temple materials.

"Thanks," he said to Rianne, stretching his newly-healed arm as if testing its functionality, "We need to get Morrie, though. I'll go fetch him and meet you back here."

Rothan

"I don't know about that Breton, he makes me feel uneasy, but that's maybe because he's just that...a Breton. Anyway if you would be so kind and help me...maybe you could find some water? I'm planning to prepare some drinks for us..." said Rianne.

Rothan wandered which Breton she meant as he turn to fetch water then he saw Eno and a man he didn't recognise arguing with a priest. He didn't blame them, though he could only see the back of the templeman's head he thought he recognised the mer as being a bit full of himself. He took a closer look at the Breton then shrugged. There was nothing he could see wrong but there was something about the ashlander he couldn't quite place.

He started off to get a skin of water from the healers and vaguely wandered what sort of drink Rianne had meant. Was it some ashlander custom? Either way he intended to accept, not just to show courtesy but if he got the chance there were a couple of ashlander legends sourced in the heretical book he carried which would be wrong, of course, but nonetheless he wanted to confirm himself. When no one was listening, of course. He picked up a waterskin and a healer glanced up but saw his robes and ignored him.

When he arrived back where the ashlanders had been he noticed Dralas had gone. "Water," he said handing the skin to Rianne.

Eno

Eno winced.
"Ugh, both sound horrid enough to make the dead fly up and strangle a racer." He said.
"Which I suppose, might be the whole point. Although, I believe they started drinking before the attack. Since the guards managed to contain the Daedra to the shrine itself, I bet these fellows never even noticed a thing. Lucky them. I envy them." He rambled on, watching James work with his questionable ingredients.
"Or maybe I don't. Yes, I definitely don't."

The man chuckled despite himself. Somehow, James attitude was refreshing. He felt himself getting caught up in it.
"If it's horrible things we're looking for, I've got a good two dozen flutes in my bags. Fine pieces of craftmanship if I might say so myself, but never ever let the maker himself play them. That should provide an alternative tool if you run out of....droppings and vomit."

The priest with no name

The priest looked up from his doings. It wasn't the first time he'd been asked questions regarding the evacuation but unlike the other times, this one was worded politely.
"Totally unlike that miserable outlander." He thought to himself.
"When do we leave? If all things go right, we should be ready to move in two or three hours, good sir. If you would happen to require help gathering your goods, please don't hesitate to enlist the aid of one of our clerks."

Erna

Two or three hours? It would be nice and dark then, perfect.

"Excellent," he said, smiling. "Thank you very much."

It seemed that Erna's work had been done for him. Of course, the chances of them being actually attacked were small, but there was chance.

Still, even if it wasn't, the fun would really start once he reached the Ghostgate.

James.

James grinned at Eno. "You my friend is one unique person...in a good way of course, now I'll go with the droppings today and save the vomit for another occasion".

What followed were a few minutes of furious brewing before James poured the potion into a small flask. Amazingly enough the potion was completely odourless so no one should suspect anything. Briefly looking around for his first victim James grinned as he spotted the priest and then walked over.

"Pardon my good sir but I realized that I spoke hastily before and was quite rude as well, instead I should have listened to your wisdom...may I beg your forgiveness with an offer of fine spring water bought in Mournhold's grand temple and blessed by Almalexia herself?"

James held poured out some of the potion in a cup and held it out towards the priest, hopefully the careful flattery about the temple and of course obvious stroking of the man's ego would fool him into drinking it.

OOC: Imagine the worst smell and taste you can and multiply it with ten and it should give you an inkling to how bad it tastes...though it should give them an amazing rush of strength and clear the mind to sharp levels. Have fun with the explanation of the taste Jackie

Rianne

She was satisfied with her healing of Dralas' arm, it worked out well, and Sinnamu Mirpal would have been pleased with her.

"Ok, you go and get Morrie, I'll fix some fortification for us"

She noticed in the corner of her eye that the Breton did some alchemical experiment...

I wonder...he's just so strange, I'm a bit afraid of him actually

When Rothan returned he had a whole skin full of water with him..

"Excellent! Now open it up so I can pour this in it!" Rianne added just a few drops of the liquid in the black shimmering bottle to the water. A grey thin smoke appeared at the opening of the skin.

She smiled, now they were set.

"Ok," she said in a somewhat higher voice. "Come here everybody, I got something for you, to pick you up"

She then turned to Rothan "Would you like to be the first to try?" she asked him politely

Behind her she noticed some commotion.

Is it Dralas???



OOC: This potion is, on the contrary to James' very well tasting. In fact it makes you want more! It's effect is not as dramatic as James' might be...but it lasts a loooooooooooooooong time. It's naturally an ashlander secret

Rothan

Rothan looked uneasily at the smoke which still drifted from the skin's neck. He dismissed any idea that Rianne was trying to poison the caravan off hand but was still curious.

"What is it?" he asked, "A stimulant I assume but what? I've never seen hackle-lo tea smoke before," he paused, "But if it's safe then yes I'll have some. I think I'll want it by the end of tonight." He took the proffered skin and waited for a response.

Rianne

Rianne smiled, she was familiar with others being suspcious of her drinks and other "things"

"No, no, it's not hackle-lo! Then again I do have that stuff also, no this is made from a special variety of ....a common flower, but I can't tell you which one. But you can trust me this will actually do you good! Taste good as well!"

"I suppose you won't be more releived if Dralas would tell you it's ok, you donät trust us ashlanders, do you?"

Rothan

"After this morning I hardly think you can blame me for having doubts," he said. Was Rianne so different from those that had attacked the caravan? Somehow yes. He took a swig of the potion. It tasted flowery and ever so slightly sweet, like a lady's perfume but not so overpowering. He could feel it taking effect too. A mild burn in his muscles and a feeling of alertness, like hackle-lo but with none of the jitters which often accompanied it.

He passed the skin back to Rianne, "That's good stuff. Would any ashlander know how to make it?"

Rianne

She smiled at Rothan...

"No...just Wise Women and their students..."

Priestly guy

The priest looked up, a sneer already forming on his face. A sneer that made place for a pleasant smile upon hearing the Breton's apology.
"So even that stupid Outlander can learn. I should accept his gift with grace." He thought.
"I would be honoured with such a gift. Please, do not worry yourself. It is the nature of ALMSIVI to be forgiving, an example as to what we must aspire to become." He said as he accepted the cup and brought it to his lips.

SSSSCCERRRRREEEETTTTCHHHH!!!!! (OOC: Really painful sound)

So appalling was the sudden sound that the priest dropped the cup in shock.
"What in the name of....Cut that out, old man!" He snapped at Eno. The instrument-maker lowered the flute with an innocent expression.
"Ah, most sorry. I just felt like performing some music. I hope I didn't bother you?" He humbly spoke.
"That's no music! Not even Ur would aprove of such madness!" The priest shouted back. It was then that he noticed the 'spring water' that had been spilled onto the ash.
"And look, you made me waste the holy water!"

Eno took on a suitably ashamed expression.
"Ah, most sorry." He mumbled.
"Just make sure you never try to make this 'music' again!" The priest snapped one last time before stomping off. As soon as he was out of earshot, Eno dropped the act and shook his head.
"Seriously, James. Do you have a dead wish? As far as flattery goes, that would have worked just brilliantly...if it had been average not necessarily blessed water. But with that stuff...were you planning on making him think you're an anti-temple poisoner? If you want to feed it to anyone, feed it to the drunks. Don't feed it to the guy who would surely have the nearest Ordinator turn your skull to mush." He scolded the Breton. Then, he shrugged.
"Ah well, at least he believes it was holy water. So he won't be going out of his way to harm you out of spite now."


OOC: I know, I chickened out by not giving myself a chance to describe the taste. I just thought that the last thing James could use was having the priest dislike him even more.

James

James sulking at the wasted opportunity turned to relief once he thought about the situation. "Thanks, I must have acted a tad to hasty...it's just that I get so depressed when proof of man and mer-kind's ineptitude is constantly thrown in my face".

"Still I'll take your words into consideration and start to help these 'misguided' souls, say would you mind following me and play some music to brighten up their day?"

OOC: No prob, there is still a load of drunks to sober up.