Juan/DM:
Juan paced back and forth in the Lei home for much of the night. Of course, one of the Dragon's Chosen would be an ideal match for her older sister Chun, surely he would be a worthy match! The problem was he didn't look or act much like you'd expect from a great hero, and he wasn't rich either.
*****
By late morning, after a substantial sleep-in, (in fact it was nearly lunchtime)Juan decided that the answer to her problems was simple - she would have to teach Hu how to be a great hero herself. That way Hu could pass himself off as a great hero, Chun could fall in love and get married, mother and father would be pleased, and then Juan could get out of washing the dishes for a few weeks while they were all so pleased.
The plan was foolproof! No dishes whilst Juan was away making a great hero look like a great hero; and then no dishes for weeks after the wedding while her parents were in a good mood.
Sano/Ayram
Sano was glad that he'd lost his pursuers, but now he'd gotten himself in an all new mess. For some reason these Dragon Village people thought he was one of their chosen and were having him do all these odd jobs for them. That would be ok for awhile because he had virtually nothing but his precious sword and he had been on the verge of starvation before he arrived, so he could use the work.
Still, he didn't like letting these nice people go on thinking of him as some hero. Some of them might talk about them, and the last thing he wanted was to be talked about. What if one of the Lord's men heard of him? He was rather distinct with his white hair, so it wouldnt be hard. But it wasnt as if he hadnt tried on multiple occasions to let them know. It was like they refused to believe that their prophesied chosen ones were finally there. And no offense to those around him, but they weren't exactly the "prophecied warriors" material.
He also couldn't hang around there forever either, he had to make his way back to his lords lands in disguise and bring justice down on those who framed him.
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao strolled out of the Abbot's house and over to the raised platform Ai Cheng was standing on, watching over his students. Gao stopped at the steps and bowed at Ai's back before climbing them after a barely preceptible nod from Ai. His staff clinked softly against the stone as he walked to Ai's side. The master's eyes crinkled slightly, but no other expression could be seen as he critiqued his students' techniques. Gao stood for a few minutes silently behind his friend and mentor before speaking, "Abbot Shen wishes me to visit the village, master. He is worried that our guests may not be ready for the trials ahead of them and wishes for me to accompany them. He also feels that my learning here is complete and that I must venture out into the world to learn more of the ways of the earth and her power."
Ai nodded slightly before cutting his hand through the air, making a sharp whistling sound. The students immediately stopped thier sparring and turned to their master. He stared at a particular student and demonstared the proper form before folding his arms before him and nodding abrubtly. The students bowed and resumed their sparring, the singled out student careful of his technique. Ai turned to Gao and smiled briefly before bowing slightly and returning to his students. Gao smiled and bowed in return before turning around and descending the stairs. He whistled as he exited the Monastary and made the short trek to the village.
Sima/Klasa:
Sima wasn't sure if he could consider his current situation good or bad. Sure, it was getting him food at the cost of various tasks, though fighting the living dead hardly seemed worth a bowl of rice. And then there was the fact that staying in this village wasn't getting him any closer to finding those bandits and reclaiming his honor.
And then there was the fact that the villagers were calling him some prophesied dragon warrior, along with a group of others who most of which didn't look like warriors in the least. And all of this because they all coincidentally had a dragon shaped birthmark somewhere on them. They had been asked to do seemingly random tasks for the villagers already, and he began to get the idea that this was all just a hoax to get labor from them in exchange for food. The fact that they wouldn't listen to him when he mentioned multiple times that he wasn't a hero like they kept saying helped strengthen this thought.
Hopefully he wouldn't be stuck in this village for too long so that his search for those bandits could continue.
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao stood just outside the Wu Jen's tower leaning on his staff, his skin taking on a slightly palor shade. He turned to the others and spoke softly, "I am afraid that I must leave you for a bit, my friends. The stirges we faced off against drained me slightly and I must visit Abbot Shen. I shall see you again within a day at the Common Hall. Be safe in these woods and do not hunt the Browl until I return. I shall procure us some healing before we do so." He bowed slightly to them before making the long trek to the monastary.
Juan/DM:
On her way back from the village store Juan noticed Gao walking through the village, and on towards the path that led to the monastery.
She hid behind the store building so he wouldn't notice her. And for a few moments she toyed with the idea of following him. As he passed close by she hesitated, wondering if he'd spotted her or not.
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao paused as he passed the store. He turned to where Juan was hidding and smiled slightly. "Come along, child. It will be good to have some company in my trek." He held out a hand to her.
Sano/Ayram:
Sano was more than willing to follow Gao's suggestion, When they inevitably fought this browl creature, he'd rather do it on the best advantage they could muster, and after seeing that cow, all he could think about were numbers. Having the monk, who was skilled at healing wounds, was a must as well. He didn't get to such a high rank without worrying as much as he did, because it pays off in the end.
Juan/DM:
Juan was a little disappointed that Gao had spotted her despite her efforts but took his hand and walked with him. She began her questions in a continuous burst of speech, "Did you find the Browl, Gao? Is that why you are going to the monastery? I should think the others are alright though; since you do not look distressed. Are they coming too? Do you want me to help you with the Browl? Did you know that Hu is going to marry my sister? It's very exciting - I haven't told her yet because he needs become more heroic and wealthy first."
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao smiled as he lead Juan to the monastary, the fey child's hand clutched by his. Without looking at her, he answered her questions as best he could.
"We did not find the Browl, child. I was...injured by an evil bird and must see the Abbot about healing my wound. I did not know Hu is to marry your sister. Does she know the good news or only do you? Regardless, I feel that he will make a good husband for her. If there is anything I can do to help, I will. Now hush child, we are approaching the gates."
Sima/Klasa:
The Browl... was it really real? If he had been asked this a few days ago, Sima would have said no right on the spot. But considering everything he had seen in the last few days, he would have to say that he believed in the Browl if asked right now. The living dead, spirits, living trees and twigs, and tiny people called brownies, Sima had considered all things like them to be simple fables told to children, but now they weren't just stories, but they were reality. And if they were going to actually try and face this Browl, they would need all the help they could get.
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao watched the Tax Collector walk away, his blank expression doing little to hide the disgust in his eyes. He looked down before looking at the others. "My order teaches me that all men are equal and it is our deeds that define us. To see such a man who feels that his station defines him is an anathem to everything I believe. But, he is Lord Wu's man, and Lord Wu is the lawful ruler of the provience. I can only pray that life does not teach him a hard lesson because I feel he is not equipped to learn it."
Sima/Klasa:
"Well, even if he is a man not worthy of his position, his coming and going is somewhat good news for us..." Sima began saying after he watched the Tax Collector leave once the man was assured that the threat of giant ants was dealt with. "If that man was able to come here and leave here safely, then it means that is should be possible for a messenger to do the same as well."
Gao/Gulfwulf:
Gao looked at the Wemic camp and at the forest at large. He spent many a day in these woods learning how to touch the power of the Earth and channel it. He gained much respect for it and the inhabitants of the forest, though he has never seen them this...agitated. Something must have driven the Gnolls out of thier caves far to the west. Though the Wemics and Gnolls have fought over territory, they had an uneasy truce. Gao knew he would have to find out what was going on and try to put it to rights. He wondered, not for the first time, if this was the reason the Abbot asked him to accompany the adventures...
Juan/DM:
The Wemic Guard pricked his ears at the sound of footsteps and got into a low stealthy position; ready to pounce at any moment. He lay low for a few more moment, listening to the approaching footsteps, and sniffing the air. He recognized the scent; it was humans. This information lessened his tension slightly; it was not the Beastmen preparing for another assault. But his momentary ease was interrupted by the footsteps again as they grew louder. The Guard sniffed the air a second time - there was a familiar scent, he'd seen one of these humans before. Gao?
The humans reached the camp in the noisy and clumsy way that humans, and other two-legged beasts, do. The Guard was standing tall and waiting for them by this time, having found no reason to be overly wary, he'd done little more than warn the others not a minute before the human herd had finally reached the camp.
The Guard wasn't particularly familiar with human formalities, so he decided to begin in he simplest and least threatening way that he could think of. "Hello!"