Welcome to Gaia! ::

Noj groaned, rolling out of bed and slowly standing himself up. A bed was rather nice he had to say, much better than a rocky ground or wooden floor by far. For instance, he was able to truthfully say that he didn't wake up feeling as if mauled by a large animal. Always a plus. Feeling his clothes for dampness, or to his relief, the lack of, Noj dressed. They weren't stiff and didn't smell like sweat grime and blood. There were still a few blood spots, but eh, those never came out well. What was the worst thing that was gonna happen? People will think he's a thug? Ha. Yawning, he pushed open the door, waving to Cellyn at the next door. "Morning Princess."

Noj intertwined his fingers behind his head and walked behind. "Well, a tent, sleeping bags, the like. I'm going to be earning myself a wage today and make sure I vent any pent up anger I might have anyways. I'm heading right out to the local forge, if you need me. I'm getting my meal there too." Giving a quick off had wave, Noj drew his cloak tight and continued on out of the inn and into the cold air. Why did it have to get cold every year? It was a dumb design flaw. To bad complaining to the Creator rarely garnered results. He didn't seem to care until the Dark One was nigh about to break out of his prison it seemed. Blah. Walking down the street and into the smithy, or more, the house attached, Noj cheerfully greeted the blacksmith and his family. He might be cursing himself, but today at least seemed to be approaching a good day.

Noj turned around, nodding and finishing an iron setting for support strut. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with his discard shirt, he had downgraded to just the apron and trousers again, he walked over, eying the mule and sighing to himself, inwardly. A pack mule meant she had luggage, and also meant that she was going to continue on his horse...sigh. Pack mules were reliable creatures to be fair, but always were bred for strength, not speed. Whatever, she was paying him, so he kept his mouth shut. "Seems to be a fine animal." He bit his tongue to stop a few smart remarks. Taking a look around, he appeared to be gathering stares too. Apparently a man only wearing a smithing apron was still half naked and shameless. Tempted him to get buck naked and run around just to mess with them. If only the snow wasn't there... Shaking his head he returned his attention to Cellyn. "So, when do you plan on skipping out? I'm good for whatever, I've earned all the coin I need personally, any further work is for pleasure alone."

Noj shrugged. "I don't care one way or the other. Light Dancer likes you so you can do whatever. Truthfully I'm just surprised he warmed up to you. So far since...uh...time immemorial I've been the only one able to handle him. Besides, Light Dancer is used to wearing ar...ah, heavy loads, so two people wouldn't bother him much." He knew that she'd be able to piece together what he said, being who she is, and her knowing an abridged version of his past, but they were drawing a bit of attention it seemed, to he kept his explanation abridged as well. "Anyhow, the decision is up to you, since you're the one in charge." He could help but add a smirk. "I'm just the stupid muscle."

Noj nodded, withdrawling back into the forge after waiting in the cold a moment. Sure the cold sucked, but nothing was better than the feeling of entering warm air when one was chilled. Inspecting the strut setting, he nodded with satisfaction, putting away his tools and reclothing. After a gruff farewell from the blacksmith, Noj went back out into the cold, wondering out toward the inn, wondering just what he had in store for himself with all of this madness. Well, at least it'll be interesting...

Noj considered buying himself a few things, but figured Cellyn had already gotten everything they'd need. In all likelihood they wouldn't really be camping out all too often, seeing as it was winter and towns tended to only be a day or so apart. Even so, back up gear was nice, and mules tended to be more steady than horses, at least usually. Noj probably knew rocks jumpier than Light Dancer.

Approaching Cellyn and the animal cartel, he nodded and mounted his warhorse with a practiced swing, before lending his hand to help up Cellyn. "I'm ready when you are Princess."

Noj sighed. "You're inviting disaster saying that." Glancing back to make sure she wouldn't fall, he tapped the horse's flanks with his heels, to spur the horse into a trot. A thought went through his mind, wondering just how long he was gonna tag along with the woman behind him. He was already around her longer than he figured he would be. Not that it mattered he supposed. It was more danger for her to be around him than him to be around her at this point, so if she wanted to continue with him, who was he to stop her? Leaning over a moment, probably enough to bother any horse but Light Dancer, he dug through a saddle bag until he withdrew the map and checked it, glancing at the sun for a moment to figure out a general Northish and Southish direction. They had (somehow) made it to a semi major throughway, that led to the main road which spearheaded into Tar Valon. Even being in ruins from Tar'mon Gaidin, it was still probably the closest thing the Westlands had to a Capital, and had a good bit of trade going on in it. Seemed to be the best place to receive a guard replacement for Cellyn, if he was absolutely sick of her, or at least a place to do further planning on the future. As it was, an accommodation saying 'I'll pay for your arse while you look scary." It was convenient, but felt somewhat empty, as if he was just skated by on scraps more than usual. Meh, he'd figure it out. It was a long way to Tar Valon.

Noj eyed the sky and then the horizon, clearing his thoughts and drawing a bit of Saidin. The clearing of his thoughts was still a bit tricky, especially if he were to try it in a fight. He tended to fight on his anger, if controlled, and stress. He supposed without thought that it would be a bit easier to fight on instinct, but when in a fight, trying new things tended to get you killed, because of unease. But, he'd have to incorporate it sooner or later so as too channel while under duress. It was complicated. Seeing no smoke on the horizon, except for too far out to really constitute arriving there without galloping for hours, he pulled the animals off to the side of the road, going into the woods just far enough to not be easily visible from the road. "Alight, this is as good a place as any." He glanced back, "Want any help off the horse?" It wasn't a stab but a plain question. He didn't like being out in the wilderness, seeing as the last time he was there he spotted Myrdraal flitting through the woods, and other, older experiences.