::Jaynna glances up and realizes the others are talking, tries to tear herself away from sheer joy of watching the creatures dance back and forth on their wonderful wings. She laughs to herself and tries to concentrate on what is being said. "Hmm.. if he knows of a gate.. and we have Denni to indicate if its proper.. I dont see the harm.. but.. but what if we get there and its not the right one. " Smiles broadly as she catches the glimpse of one of the winged creatures flying past.

"I will follow where the majority of you all lead.. " cocks her head.. "And if Hope is 'sighted' as well, this is a good thing I think.. " Glances to the others.. who have not answered yet..

"Um.. Mirae.. can you tell them I think they are wonderful, and that I bow to their craftsmenship.. They have skills in their own arts, that I would love to be able to duplicate.. for that I am.. humbled." Jaynna breathlessly states.. her eyes asparkle with the wonders of the fae creatures.. and the delicate arts of their own crafts..::

Ghalin feels surprised as he agrees with the words that Grbill said. He was going to bring the point up himself, but he had not way to tell if the creatures were truly with out understanding common tongue.

"Ah agree with the Halflin', though I got no real intentions of leadin'. We were told no more an' a hour ago ter trust none and ya'll be willing ter walk into their.... well their anything. We dinnae know. If'n they know the silver flame by name though, they must understan' somethin."

(I can't remember if anyone actually said anything about the queen in open conversation yet, so if not I am not saying this next part.) Maybe we should try'n see what we can get o' their queen. Sure she got some old books talking about this an that. An an... an I am tired of standin' here so lets do something!"

"It seems the consensus is to leave, then," Bulwark nodded. "I am not against this. Whenever we wish to leave, I will follow. I have the key within my arm -- I do not wish to lead for fear that I put everyone's safety and their only chance home in danger. However, is Sir Sorno wishes to guide us, then that is acceptable by me."

The group wanting to move struck an emotion in Bulwark. . . "Sad", was it called? He wished he would have had more time to inspect the small flying creatures. But if the group wanted to move, he was not one to stand in the way. He may have been an equal person under the Treaty of Thronehold, but he still preferred to take orders. As if "move out" was the order, then that was that.

(I can't remember if anyone actually said anything about the queen in open conversation yet, so if not I am not saying this next part.) Maybe we should try'n see what we can get o' their queen. Sure she got some old books talking about this an that. An an... an I am tired of standin' here so lets do something!"

((The Queen was mentioned in translation Mirae: "This is their forest - it belongs to their Queen, and the wolves are her guardians. ))

At the prospect that these little creatures could be leading the group astray or looking for trouble, Praetorious wrinkled his nose. "I don't believe that these things would lead us astray, but perhaps Dres and Mirae are more apt to answer than I. As far as taking us to a portal that isn't what we are after. If the portals here are, quite literally, keyed - then there should be no chance. Either the gateway opens for us just being there, which I doubt as the little one mentioned that they had no way to open it, or all of them need a key and just like any door ours won't work."

Thinking about it for a moment, he continues, "The only thing that worries me here so far, other than the resounding fact that I don't know where we are or what's going on, is the werewolves. He can either protect us, or he can't. If he can, then he can also show us the portal and keep us free of mishap. If he can't, we stray from the fire and are ambushed by the wolves, which is what is going to happen regardless at this point. I suppose what I'm saying is 'What do we have to lose?'"

Mirae quickly translates Jaynna's compliments for Sorno, then turns to Ghalin and Grrbill with a frown.

"I was under the impression that the spies and danger were back home on Eberron, and that we had been brought here to a safe place. I cannot believe these little people would deliberately lead us astray, especially as this one seems to... um... respect me..." She blushes a little, then her frown deepens. "I could ask if they do understand any Common - I do not think he will lie to me, but if you are that suspicious then you will likely not believe what he says in any case, so I see no point in insulting him. As for their Queen, if everyone wishes it then I can ask if we would be permitted to meet her but I am not sure it would help much... and I do not want to delay too long. Also..." she glances at Praetorious and Jaynna, who seemed to be most nervous of the werewolves, "if the wolves guard her, then it is likely there would be wolves present. They may be harder to deal with than Sorno's people, even if they speak the same language."

She cracks a small smile at Ghalin. "And books? Even if she had some, which I find doubtful, what makes you think we could even attempt to read something so small?"

"Since the consensus seems to be to leave. . . And we seem to all have our things gathered. . . Madam Mirae, can you tell Sir Sorno to lead us to the gate? I agree with Sir Praetorious. What do we have to lose, by trusting the small ones?

"Under normal circumstances, I would not mind a trip to the Queen. However, we are not on our own home plane. We may have overstayed our welcome. . ."

((Just trying to move things along. Noticed it's slowing down a great deal. . . Um. . . And I don't exactly want us stuck in this same campfire forever. . . Since everyone seems to want to move, but we aren't moving. . . I figure I'd post something of Bulwark saying for Mirae to tell Sorno to lead us, so we can actually get out of here. . . Or at least hope to. Hope that's ok.))

::Jaynna reaches down and makes sure she stows her mirror in its small pocket in the interior of her kit, making sure her bottles and jars are all tightly sealed, the other matierals havent worked loose from their pockets and the bread and meat she packed from the baskets are tucked away carefully. She stands, as she listens to Mirae relaying her words, smiling at the wonderful song like quality of the language. And nods to Bulwark as he states his attentions. She picks up the waterskin one mroe time and tries to position it carefully, frowning at its uweildy bulk, but shrugs.. willing to carry her own gear. She ties the bedroll to the back strap of her rucksack, using it and the kit to balance out the waters weight.

Her eyes big, she stands straight.. "I am ready."::

((I want to get moving too, but I'd hoped that the ones who hadn't had much chance to post might have had an opportunity to catch up and have their say over the weekend, rather than me dragging everyone along with Mirae and Sorno... Since not a lot is happening, though, I agree with Bulwark... let's move out, people! *grin*))


Mirae waits a few moments longer, trying to contain her impatience. When Bulwark speaks up she nods in relief and turns her attention back to Sorno. (In Sylvan) "I am ready to leave, my friend, and I think at least some of the others are willing to follow. Please, lead us to this gateway you spoke of. I will ask the others not to harm any wolves or other creatures we see, but I cannot expect them not to defend themselves if anything attacks them. If you or your people can tell the guardians we wish to pass peacefully, perhaps that would help?"

She waits for Sorno to remove himself from her hand, and gets to her feet. Crossing to the spot where she woke, she makes sure she has all her belongings and puts on her pack, picking up her quarterstaff in one hand and waving to Denni with the other. "Denni, come..." She turns to the rest of the group.

"I am going with Sorno to this gate... follow if you wish. Please, do not attack anything unless it is absolutely necessary to defend yourself. I do not know what sort of protection Sorno's people can offer us, so it is best to avoid conflict if possible."

She nods to Sorno, takes a deep breath to steady herself, and prepares to leave the comfort of the firelight.

(In sylvan) He smiles widely. "Lady Mirae, although the wolves and pack may be the queens guardians, they are far from the center of her court with their brutish ways. I and my ilk are the Queens sworn messengers. She speaks throughou her realm through us and has already informed me that she will grant you safe passage to the clearing where the Gate is located. You have but to follow the path."

He points towards the trees and you can see that several of his kind are holding a small glowing ball about the size of a pea, enough to create a light to follow, and are setting up a path of such lights heading away from the camp.

(in sylvan) "The lights that you see are one of the Queens blessings to those who serve her. A younglings first duty is to light the Queens chamber while she sits at court. The light identiifes us as being in the Queens service and on her business. Escorted by the Queens messengers no creature of this forest will dare to appproach you with intentions to harm. The wolves will prowl along the path out of sight but they have been told not to interfere."

He turns and faces Mirae a solemn expression on his face. He places both fists knuckles together in front of his chest. Continuing in sylvan, "Lady Mirae, I swear to you on my honor, both as a servant of the Queen, may she banish me forever, and as a chosen knight of the Great Hunter of the Forest, my he turn his face from me forever, that I will see you and all with you safely to the Gate."

He holds out his right hand palm up and a small globe of light appears.

(In sylvan) "Now if you are all ready to go we can be on our way."

He heads towards the others and leads the way.

((... and now to your regularly scheduled travel montage, already in progress ...))

As the last person steps into the trees following Sorno, you all hear strange and very loud rustling sounds behind you. After a moment or two what little light is left from the fire is snuffed out and you can all almost feel the sigh of relief that the forest gives. You all know that the camp that you just left behind you is no more. Youre committed to this path and must move forward.

You travel for well over an hour with the feeling that something is watching you, something angry and something that doesnt seem to care that you sense its presence. A few times you hear growling in the trees around you. A few times you watch a spritling leave their position in the line to go darting out into the woods. Soon the trees begin to thin out and you move into a younger seeming forest, leaving the watchers and the spritling lighted path behind you. Sorno is the only one who continues on with you.

You continue walking for another hour or following a small dear path through the trees. While you walk you see that Sorno has taken a position seated on Mirae's shoulder and they seem to be engaged in a spirited but hushed discussion. Finally you come to a small river and follow the river a ways until the path ends at a small waterfall. Denni at this point starts acting a little odd. As if sensing something nearby he begins hunting around the area. After a moment or two you notice a flash of something on the rockwall beside the falls. Denni immediately yowls in triumph and Sorno's jaw drops to his chest.

While he gazes at it, you see a keyhole in the face of the rock. When he turns back to look at you, pleased as punch with himself, it disappears again. As long as Denni looks to what he found it is a visible keyhole.

(Before the montage) "I dinnae say the little critters would intentionally mislead ye. But they may speak what they know to be true, and be lies fed to them. And he seems to have yeh well charmed. As fer what's got meh thinkin' I could read ther' books. Well that be a fine eye for detail, like only a dwarf could have." He raises his hand and taps a ring on his finger. "Got me entire family tree scribed on this here ring." ((This is funny if you know his last name.))

He walks over and grabs the Stew Pot, and lifts it in one hand. He then walks over Jaynna and takes the cumbersome water skin from her. ((Or offers to as politely as he can)). "Well ah'll follow the group."

(Grins.. when you have a str of 8, a full waterskin is very very unweildy)

(Before traveling)

::Jaynna nods her thanks to Ghalin, knowing that with the waterskin, she would have slowed the group down incredibly. She knows she is gonna have to step double time to keep up with most of her larger companions. She glances at the other waterskins and food laid in the clearing, certain the others will help themselves and not let it go to waste. She tucks a stray curl of hair behind her ear and nods to Hope..

(as we leave)

She takes one last look around her, at each of her new companions, her eyes intent as she studies each, as if filing away a detailed description of each, her smile gentle. Then she sighs, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, she follows along on Bulwark's heels. Pacing herself a bit faster than her normal walk to keep up with his strides.

(during the trek)

::Jaynna casts anxious looks at the darkened woods beyond the fae and their light balls, steeling her self not to jerk at every little growl, every crashing of the undergrowth. As they get further into the woods and the other fae gradually fade into the forest, she tries to get closer to Bulwark, her eyes nervously catching shadows, clutching Hope to herside.

When we reach the end of the river, she glances around. Watching the others, her eyes widen as she sees the keyhole appear under Denni's gaze. She smiles widely as the cat turns to the rest of the group, nodding to him as if she knew he could do it. ::

Gerbill nods in agreement and grabs what he can of the supplies before trekking out. After walking some distance those paying attention might notice him finger his bow nervously at the first growl, but then he settles down and begins playing some traveling music on his instrument.

This seems to calm his spirits and he manages to stay in step with his larger companions.

(During trip:)

Bulwark was slightly relieved he had kept his sword arm attached. Whatever was in the trees may not have attacked them with Sorno in the group, but perhaps the large sword was enough of an indication for them to think twice. . . . Not that Bulwark wanted to use it, of course.

As they traveled, Bulwark turned his head to look at the rest of the group behind him. He slowed his stride a bit, allowing a few people to pass him, to allow Jaynna to keep up to him -- he was assuming that's what she was doing, at the least. Even if she wasn't, best to keep both the front and back protected equally.

(Upon arrival:)

Bulwark glanced around, taking in the scenery. A flash caught his eye, and he nodded at Denni and the new-found keyhole. "That would be our exit, I am assuming." Bulwark took a moment to unfasten his sword arm, almost delicately taking the key out from the joint. He re-attached the sword, and curled his thick fingers around the key. Eager to help the group get home, he walked to the front of the group and inspected the keyhole. Nodding to himself, he carefully slipped the key into the hole and turned it. His hand remained on the key, but he looked around, as if expecting something to happen.