Evaeril

As the day was spent practicing the art of the bow, Ara began to get a feel for it. Aena watched overhead as she shot arrow after arrow into the bush. She was learning the quick snap of the wrist. She felt like such a novice training with Gnaag. She had no bad feelings for the kid but it was just that. He was a kid...even though they were about the same age, she felt as if she could be his mother. It was an odd feeling. It was the experiance that set them apart. Ara went on her first mission at 18 and was a proficient scout at 20. She just felt... older. After the practice Ara relunctantly gave her bow to Baba. It was such a beautiful thing. She hoped he wouldn't ruin it. She liked the way the string twanged when she released it. Eventually he returned it. She carefully studied it and found that it looked much more lethal. It looked as if it was meant for killing people... not animals. She tested the string and it was much harder to pull back. The color had changed. It was now white. Ara beamed with pleasure. It goes with my hair. Looking up from the bow, she happily thanked Baba for the modifications and his time. She felt ready to face to oncoming troubles. For there were always troubles.

Ara whistled a tuneless melody as she set to clearing the walkways along side Baba and Gnaag. She thought upon what Baba had said to Gnaag and her alone. The man was too hard on himself. He shouldn't feel guilty for judging the people of this city. They were extremely rude after all. The people's general behavior towards outlanders merited any rudeness they received from the group. Maybe even more. After all, these villagers couldn't expect kindness from outlanders if they were treated like dung. Ara broke from these thoughts when she caught the smell of herself. It had been nearly three days and her robes and armor were beggining to stink. She reminded herself to wash them the next chance she had. There was very little privacy in their room in the Haven so she would have to wait. She sighed adamently. She had a brief moment of panic when she realized Aena was gone but then she remembered that she had seen the owl inside feasting on a desert lizard. Ara was relieved that she wasn't there for the event. The time went by quickly as each shoveler appeared to be in their own world. She finished her section and stepped back to examine her handywork. Looking at the others with her, she turned and asked. "Are we all done? If so we should probably meet with the others in the tavern." Ara waited for the affirmative response, then walked with her group from the Honeycomb Haven to the Arms of Dohoti.

After taking a nap, Ara returned to the bar feeling more refreshed. She walked over and collapsed into a chair between Baba and Gnaag. Aena chirped on her shoulder perch and flapped her wings to adjust. "Nice little sleep at our pristine residence." She raised her hand and ordered water. Turning to the others she spoke nonchalantly. "So. Are we going to shovel this damn sand or not?"

Ara felt her anger grow as the woman casually pointed to the shovel. She saw Baba look at the shovels and lean heavily on his staff with fatigue. How dare she. This was rudeness beyond comprehension. Hearing Gnaag's whispered words and feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her, she reached for the katana on her back. She would teach this woman a lesson on kindness. Her fist clenched the hidden white handle under her robe. She looked around and realized that everyone was staring at her. Suddenly her fury was gone, replaced by guilt. She removed her hand from the handle and tried to play the move off like she was scratching her back. Violence would only hinder their passage in these lands. But a few words wouldn't hurt. "Your absolute lack of social grace is duly noted ma'am. Should you become old and frail, I would hope that you will be treated as you treat others." With that, Ara spun on her heels and and stalked out of the tavern heading back to Honeycomb Heaven. She whispered to Gnaag as she passed him. "Don't worry, we'll throw in a book on manners."

After the rather rude lady shooed Ara and T'skar out of her shop, Ara felt insulted. How does she get any business at all throwing customers out like that? She walked out and met with Baba and Gnaag. The three began walking down the spiral streets looking for lodging. Finally in front of them was a mangled, old sign. Ara glanced around. It was pretty sketchy. Perhaps it would be cheap. Her 100 gold still jingled inside her purse but she wasn't sure that it would be good here. These people traded with another metal. Certainly she could sell the gold pieces for money at a metallurgist? As they checked in Ara looked around. The reception room was disgusting. She put her packs and her bow in one of the three rooms they rented and followed the others to the tavern. She kept her sword as it was a comfort to have it on her back. She would never be parted with the katana. She noticed that Baba had been breathing more and more heavily and was using his walking stick more. She was worried. The healing magic she knew was for field wounds. And it wasn't as strong as her mother's had supposedly been. She could heal but if it was a critical wound she would need the help of a potion or an actual healer. Baba looked like he needed an actual healer or doctor. Suddenly tuning into the conversation she realized they were talking about the swords. She spoke up noticing that several were missing from the group. "Has anyway been successful in locating a curator?"

Ara sheepishly nodded her thanks to Baba. She tried to calm down. It was ok. Not her fault. But she still felt guilty and inadept. What should she know with archery? Of course you should have known! You fight for a living. No, I use my throwing knifes for ranged weapons! I'm a scout! I don't fight! She argued back and forth with herself in embarassment until Kalmer broke her away from her mindset. And Ara, I do hope you were not mocking the boy when you made that comment about caretaker of animals? Ara turned to Kalmer. "The only thing I was mocking was your idea. We are all here for a reason." As she quoted Kalmer she lifted her head and laughed melodically. "I doubt the Gnaag was bestowed on this world to clean your horse Kalmer. I guess he'll learn true enlightment another day." Still chuckling Ara listened as the camel driver talked about the Honeycomb. Suddenly the camel driver motioned at her bow. She thought in concentration for a moment Oh... I wonder if T'skar or Mandrake could make it invisble. T'skar certainly made Aena completely hidden. I wonder if he could do the same with my bow? She turned to see Mandrake was busy so she looked around T'skar. Seeing her duck around into the clothing shop, she heard a angry woman's voice. Leaving her bow on her camel, she followed T'skar around into the store. An angry shop owner was yelling at her. Had she stolen something. Ara walked up. "Excuse my intrusion here but is there a problem?" The pearl hilt of Ara's katana unknowningly peaked into view underneath the white robe she was wearing.

Ara muttered to herself as she rode on. She was sweaty, hot and dusty. Wearing both her armor and a robe to cover it, Ara was almost ready to submit to heat stroke. Unused to riding the camels she winced in pain as her thighs rubbed for what had to be the millionth time against her sharp armor. She was going to have a few ugly blisters when the ride finally ended. Periodically, Ara sent Aena up in the skies to check their surroundings. Finally, after what seemed like countless hours, the walls of Dohoti rose in the distance. Finally. Hearing behind her Kalmer's request of Gnaag, she turned around and despite her pain, she laughed. "Is Gnaag our traveling caretaker of animals then?" She pulled her new bow off of the camel's side. It was going to be hard to hide it from view. It would not fit on her back without making some kind of lump. She would make do...but.... She would have to ask sometime before they actually started to assume that she knew how to use it. Summoning up her courage she shouted at Baba ahead of her. "Hey...Baba? I see you're quite proficient in um...archery. Would you mind uh... perhaps teaching me some techniques? I mean if you don't want too it's fine. It's just that... uh..." Ara felt her face flush. "I uh... could be um.... a little better."

Ara awoke the next morning feeling fairly refreshed. Sitting up and stretching she looked down at the blankets on the floor. Then she turned to her untouched bed. It was too soft and comfortable. She could not sleep in it. At home in Evale, she had nothing but a straw cot to lay on. The closest thing that resembled this texture was the carpeted floor. So she had made do. Aena was in the open window frame, her beak bloodied from her breakfast. Ara was glad this event had occurred while she was still asleep. To many times had she awoken to find the dangling remains of a rodent from the owl's beak. Staring at the owl, Ara remembered her dream. Aena had spoken to her. But the voice was memorable. It was her mother's voice. Ara had never heard her mother speak but somehow she knew it to be hers. What did the voice say? You're destiny awaits in Golconar. Remembering this, Ara got to her feet. Aena stared back in silence. She shook her head. Aena never spoke. She only listened. In deep thought Ara tripped over something. She looked down and noticed two bright pink slippers. Men. She shook her head and grinned. Maybe I'll wear them in battle just to prove my worth. Turning away from the slippers she saw finely crafted bow and a satchel of arrows. She picked it up and examined it. It was beautiful. Whoever had crafted it spent a good deal of effort. It's mahogony sheen glistened and when Ara pulled back the taut string, it snapped with a satisfying twang. Examining the iron arrows she mentally made a note to thank whoever had brought them. She had forgot to request arrows along with the bow. As she examined the bow, Aena rustled her feathers and flew to her shoulder. Wincing as the owl's talons dug into her skin, Ara looked around for the washing basin. Finding it in what she thought was a closet, she went to the nearby sink and using the nearby bucket, filled it with steaming hot water. Then she removed soap and shampoo from the satchel laying by the ground near her armor. Enjoying the hot water, Ara cleaned herself of the impurities and readied herself for a new day. Feeling guilty that her father probably couldn't afford any hot water at all, she quickly finished bathing. Getting dressed and hiding her weapons as neatly as possible, she made her way down to the bar.

Ara sat next to T'skar and Baba-John. Finding one sword in a nation? It will be impossible. She sat back as she mused to herself. As she stroked Aena, the owl turned to look at her with its large round eyes. Examining the fighters around her she gestured to the large pompous man in front of them and raised her eyebrows. "He hasn't gotten to the part where he says he'll pay us. I care little about swords. And old timers turning to stone don't really concern me either. But this,"- She took out a gold piece and flipped it into the air. "This is worth fighting for." Seeing Baba-John pull out the map, she put the gold away and studied it. "Good to have a map. The owl dislikes aerial landscaping." Character Sheet Name: Ara Lothea Nationality: Bashkeri Age: 21 Class: Tracker/Light Fighter Special Abilites: Affinty with Snow Owl, words of healing, Turnip sleep Equipment Weapons: Concealed Katana worn on back, two throwing knifes on either leg. Armour: Customized white titanium alloy body armor grooved and padded at jointed areas to allow quicker silent movements, matching white leather shoes and gloves to dampen sound, long white cloak to conceal katana and white robe to conceal armor. Potions: Two antibody potions to help fight disease and two emergency health potions to partially and temporarily prolong the user's life. All worn on potion belt. Other: Sleeping roll (includes pillow), soap, shampoo, under arm paste, paste made from local herbs to brush teeth, shaving razor, rations for two days, 100 gold pieces Need to buy: Matches, Bow