Welcome to Gaia! ::

Garren eyed the window and saw the sun had inched up ever so slightly and was now just above the treetops. They were loosing daylight and if they didn’t set off soon then they would not cross the river in Rosewood Forest by nightfall. This would mean that they would not be in the more sheltering portion of the forest and it would be harder to find camp.

“I’m sorry to have to rush things along, I know these things are important to discuss, but we need to prepare for our journey ahead and leave as soon as possible. I have estimations on how long our journey will be based on the map here. If we leave within the hour then we will be able to cross the river in Rosewood Forest and find shelter by nightfall. From then on, our trek through the forest will take a day and a half, possibly two. From the forest to Kendica on the edges of Oakehshire Waters, we will be walking for another three to four days at a steady pace – but with any sort of bad weather we’ll be set back a bit. Oakenshire Waters will take about a week and a half crossing, give or take a couple days – it’s generally easy travels across there but Sirens will slow us down a bit. From the other side of Oakenshire Waters, it’ll take half a day to get to Little Riventopp. We’ll stay there for a few days – restock provisions and rest up – then set off for Traitor’s Trail which is another half of a day from Little Riventopp. Traveling on Traitor’s Trail ought to take us about a week—”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong.” Adencia interrupted as she leaned back in her chair, “You’re figuring the traveling times based on the group and the terrain. All your calculations seem pretty accurate up until Traitor’s Trail. If it weren’t such a trying pass then, yes, it would take about a week – but because of the Masons, weather conditions, scarce sources for food, number of our group, and natural setbacks of the mountains, I’m figuring that it will take us about three to four weeks. Traveling alone it took me nearly three weeks and I’m pretty quick on my feet. With a good number such as ours, it’ll be much longer than one week.”

Garren grimaced and sighed. If he were to say he was dreading a part of the trip then it would be Traitor’s Trail . . . and now the figures just got worse.

“They would be helpful, yes, but they do not come cheap, and I doubt even a mule could make it on traitor’s trail, it would be a great waste to buy some then be forced to lose them on the way. Besides, I prefer to walk, I don’t really get along with domesticated animals very well.” By that Kayoe meant they didn’t like him at all, with wild animals, and even pets that were born in the wild he were fine with. It was when they had been born and breed by man for generations that they just didn’t like him. He was never quite sure what it was about him, the elves and even the very few other half-elves he met didn’t have that problem, and if it was a curse side effect he figured it would effect all animals. Plus he seems to remember it happening to him when he was little. “Of course if you all really want to I’ll be okay with it, worst case I’ll catch up with you all while you’re staying in Little Riventopp. You’ll at least have me when you would need my blade the most…”

"Perhaps if we got a sturdy mountain pony...." Tanyeera mused. She could live off the land, but she wasn't sure how good her companions were at doing so. They might need a packbeast to carry the necessary supplies across Traitor's Trail. "Anyway, I am quite alright without a horse, I prefer jogging anyway. I just thought we might need one to carry food and suchlike."

Tanyeera didn't need to pack anything so she left the manor to wait for the others outside. While waiting, she started to do some warm up exercises to prepare herself for the long walk ahead.

Garren looked to the small lad then to the table.

“We’ll bring it with us, if you wish.” He answered, “I’m not all that hungry, but you’re welcome to bring anything you would like to eat on the go. We’re a bit late as it is.”

Garren looked to his pocket watch and cringed. Two minutes. He had two minutes left and he hadn’t yet gotten all the provisions. He would just have to leave it up to Isarelle to get everything. This was bothersome, though inescapable. Garren merely sighed and grabbed a large kerchief from a drawer.

“You can wrap whatever you want in this, or offer it to anyone else who would like to bring something.” Garren said nicely, then leaned against the counter in waiting for Isarelle’s time to come.

Cerdik accepted the kerchief with a timid bow then made his quiet way about the kitchen. He wrapped half a loaf of bread and a triplet of apples while slowly munching on a few other breakfast items he had come across. Now he would be ready for a snack or meal later on, depending on when he was hungry again. Chances stood that he would eat before the next meal, but that was just fine. As long as he was prepared. He smiled faintly to himself and tied the kerchief to the leather satchel's strap, letting it hang gently against the outside.

His preparations complete, he moved to stand near Aranai. He planned to remain near her the entirety of the voyage. She provided the one thing his body failed to produce itself, muscles and growth aside. Selfish or not, the mere fact that it was possible for him to be consistently warm made the idea irresistable.

"I suppose it will be somewhat dangerous." Tanyeera admitted as she continued to stretch. "But who's complaining? I suppose it'll be our honor to die for the glory of the goddess Bellaream." she said it quite casually, but you couldn't miss the irony in her tone. She might have to do whatever deities told her to, but that didn't mean she had to like it.