All | Astarielle straightened when Faenkon returned, her eyes widening as the Ranger announced the discovery of a recent foot-print. The news that they would have to camp here though concerned the well-travelled woman and she glanced over at the doll and its small cave.
"I do not think it wise that we stay here for the night. This spot is clearly of some importance to the natives and we don't wish to irritate them."

"All I suggest is that we make camp for the evening, it doesn't have to be here. The next section we must traverse appears to be straight down the cliff face requiring handholds carved into the rock.one false move could send someone plummeting to their death." He was not against finding a new campsite. In fact off the trail was better than on it for security reasons. "We can attempt the climb if you all wish to do so, but I am unsure if anyone has climbing safety gear or even ropes we could use."

Iktomi mused at the discovery of the Doll. "Curious. It would seem that a young one has abandoned their toy. They will always see us, long before we'll find them. It's clear that our presence is know. Camping here is no different than anywhere at this point." The Felarch said, unsheathing his blade and planting it into the ground beneath him.
"In another light, maybe the doll's owner will return for it and we can then make our intentions clear. This is most likely a test. I suggest we keep the doll safe and undisturbed. After all, we can't be strangers if we're already their friend's friends. What say the rest of you? Speak up, we've a good night for a little rest and merriment!"
To enhasize this point, Iktomi reveals a bottle of fine vintage and proceeds to open it. "Care for a drink?"

The close feeling of the canyon was a little relieved by the lighting of a fire; paradoxically, the cosy atmosphere of Isha's flame made the rocky walls seem not confining, but enclosing. The difference was not lost on Avrielle, who settled next to Faenkon and looked more at ease.

"We would be better climbing down in good light," she said, for although the Eldar could see fairly well even in low light, the way was unknown and no-one could see how deep the valley below might be. "And perhaps we might see how well the steps are used."

"Wine will be a celebration of our good intentions and fellowship," Yareli said, pacing a little before she sat down, her cloak flowing in the slight breeze of her movement. It swirled like a snowstorm around the maiden from Mymeara. Where it caught the moonlight, it shone as if Lileath Herself reached out Her hand to touch the fabric. "Let us drink to our future success!" She sat down next to Iktomi.

Avrielle made some tea on the small fire that Talis lit. There was plentiful meat from the lakeside hunting, and a small addition of sweet early berries from the mountainside. All in all, a respectable supper with enough left over for breakfast.

Material needs taken care of, the little group of Eldar made a camp at the top of the apparent way down, a little distance from the route itself. Faenkon's drone settled nearby in watchful mode.

Lysandriax found a niche in the rock that gave a little more shelter from the wind now rising as the evening wore on. She patted the blanket next to her as she looked at Amriel. "Come and rest, we can take a watch later and you will need sleep." She didn't mean it as a crude proposition but rather an offer to share shelter. "Alo, you can wake us when you need to rest yourself."

As the fire burned a little lower, and everyone had eaten, the low embers were carefully put to use by Talis as he tucked in some tubers to slowly bake overnight. He took a round stone from the edge of the hearth and wrapped it up in a scrap of woolen cloth, handing it to Avrielle as he made another warmer for himself.

"Here, this will keep you warm," he said, before ducking his head back down to attend to his work. Avrielle nodded her thanks and smiled, touching the Exodite briefly on the shoulder. "You need to make sure you use dry stones with no cracks," he added, and the little radiotech nodded solemnly.

"To go with wine," Lysandriax said from the other side of the fire, "we need a story."

"I agree," said - well, it sounded like Alo to some, although to Alo and Amriel it was as though Iktomi had spoken. Lysandriax darted a look at the Aspect but carried on.

"Who's going to start?"

"I could tell a tale of Iryllith, of Mymeara," Yareli offered, "a stirring and martial story that will inspire us as we journey."

"That would be good on the move," Lysandriax said, "but not so much for lulling us to sleep. Perhaps something a little more ... well, a little less?"

There was a faint sound, the most delicate hint of laughter on the breeze. The Corsair stood up, but as she scanned the mountainside she could not see anyone.

"Hnh. Nerves and memories," she said, sitting back down. "Let's have a taie. A story of Kurnous should appease the mountain ghosts, or one of the Mother to keep them away."



Back at the Chance, the lakeside was serene. Waterfowl made deep, lonesome cries out on the lake as the sun set, and as the moon rose even they fell silent. The faint splashing of a night time hunter catching little fish in the shallows gave way to the chirp of the last birds as they settled down to rest.

In the door of the shuttle, Llyr sat straight up, his tail curled around his feet. Though he watched the passing fauna alertly, the little gyrinx did not move to pounce. The only sign of his desire to hunt was an occasional twitch. Duty was a serious matter.

@kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Wata

All | Astarielle looked on with slight misgivings as the fire was assembled and lit. Taking a seat and accepting a portion of the food that had been prepared she watched Yareli as the other woman moved in the deepening gloom, raising her cup when the Mymearan made a toast of sorts.

As the night went on the former Banshee let herself relax, perking up when Lysandriax spoke of story-telling.
"I could talk of how the Swordwind led an ork horde on a merry chase. But that might be too martial for you Lysandriax."

Alo hadn't said anything and didn't want to ruin others storytelling mood. He was focusing on his watch. His calm started to grow into a moody self-loathing. He pocketed the rune and nudged himself moving from his leaning position.
That sounded like...almost like laughter...
Alo thought and without his conscious noticing it, his hand moved for his rifles trigger. He scanned the environment with slight nervousness. Slowly strolling the edge of camp he resumed his watch.
Quickly enough his moody thoughts came back, replacing nervous thoughts with angry ones.

"Too martial for me?" Lysandriax grinned. "Say on, Daughter of Khaine. We of the space-ways are quite martial enough I assure you."

Faenkon settled in for 'story time'. After all he might as well catch a few winks while he could before his watch. At least the drone would be an extra set of eyes for all during their turns at watch. "Wake me when it's time for my watch, I'm afraid I'm not much of a storyteller." Faenkon settled in with his back against the natural stone wall. Wrapping himself in his cameoline cloak he handed his blanket to Avrielle. The night air had a chill to it but the cloak would at least cut it down enough, and the blanket would just make him too warm. An old trick was to sleep in conditions that were on the edge of discomfort so that even the slightest commotion would wake you up. "This should help with the cold, try not to stay awake too long. You'll need your rest for the climb down." Would that said he drifted off to the land of dreams, eager to begin the next day's adventure.

(OOC: I'm guessing I didn't hear the laughter?)

[OOC Everyone heard the laughter.]

All | "Two decades ago Rangers began returning to Biel-tan, all speaking of a force, an ork horde of considerable size, that was poised to threaten a cluster of Maiden & Exodite worlds very much like this one. The Autarchs and Farseers made their plans, gazing into the paths not yet taken, but all who were warriors knew that there was no real choice." Pausing to take a sip of tea Astarielle swallowed the liquid before continuing. "The great fleet was launched, to lure the orks to a world of our choice, whilst the Swordwind established itself on the ground. Surely both of you, Iktomi & Lysandriax, are aware that nothing the lesser races build can match our ships in the void? The orks lost what little reason they had and pursued the fleet to their doom."

Taking a second, more substantial, break Astarielle stood and began moving, using that to warm herself up.
"The skies were on fire, scores of dying vessels falling to the ground. The remaining horde, those who made it down, could fill the horizon and after some prodding occupied an ancient crater. There they would die, surrounded by the Swordwind and with no chance of escape." Astarielle could picture her younger self as the battle started, one of hundreds of Banshees sprinting from the treeline to disrupt the outermost ranks of the barbaric orks. "We struck in great waves, Banshees advancing under cover from tanks; Scorpions following and protecting the Fire Dragons. The ultimate goal was the warboss and those who might inherit the horde. That was left to the Warp Spiders and Swooping Hawks, the Windriders and Dark Reapers. In a glorious wedge we made our way to the center, slaying everything we encountered. No-one knows who actually killed the warboss, I remember watching as its location just disappeared with a thunderclap and a ball of the brightest light and hearing the call to withdraw. With no way off the planet any threat the orks posed was over and they were left to destroy themselves in that crater, broken up into half-a-hundred tribes." With a sigh Astarielle sat, glancing down into her lap for a second. "I wouldn't be surprised if they're still there, still fighting each."