Dionysus Your mount quickly gets so high, you can sense nothing around you but empty air.

• Avery holds on, trying not to pull on anything, and looks around out of habit.

Avery if it feels like we're still moving forward, he'll ask "So where are we going?"

Dionysus It does not answer, but you eventually start to descend.

• Avery instinctively looks down, regardless of the fact he can't see anything.

Dionysus You land on a hillside, you can tell, with the wind blowing gently. Nearby, you sense a few animals, & a circle of mushrooms worth more than you think a cirlce of mushrooms would be worth.

• Avery cocks his head at the circle, recalling old fairy tales mentioning such things, and cautiously slides off the pegasus's back to get a closer look.

Dionysus As you approach, you sense two others nearby--one is a faerie, the other is a mutant.

• Avery hesitates. "...who's there?"

Dionysus "Avery?" Rumbleford asks, & "Avery?" Leia asks.

• Avery relaxes. "Yeah..it's me...Leia, what're you doing here?"

Dionysus "Same as you, I expect."

Dionysus Rumbleford moves such to see her, & says, "How strange."

Avery "What?"

Dionysus "That you should be here. You were across the continent a few minutes ago."

Avery "...a pegasus brought me. It's supposed to judge me...the rest of the band is with one too, one each. to see if we're okay to give a song to."

Dionysus "Well, you're in the heart of ancient Keary, where once man & faerie lived in harmony." Leia shakes her head, "A pegasus took me here as well, a few days ago. I've been wandering lost in these hills ever since."

Avery "I felt the circle..." he indicates the mushrooms. "I just don't know what I'm supposed to do."

• Avery grins a bit. "It's getting to be a familiar feeling these days, really."

Dionysus Rumbleford says, "They are inert now. Have been since First Shem, but the powers linger. Who is this young lady?"

Avery "Her name's Leia, Leia Bantae. She's an old friend of mine, from when we were kids. Brilliant drummer. Leia, this is Rumbleford, a good friend."

Dionysus Rumbleford bows, & she nods, "Avery," she says, "What did you mean about the faeries & the mushrooms?"

Avery "I...wha? Well, you know how in old fairy tales sometimes they talk about an enchanted circle? It's usually made of mushrooms, like that one." he points at it again. "What it does depends on the story, but usually if an ordinary guy walks into it, he's taken to the faerie's realm or something. It basically bridges the gap between this world and theirs."

Dionysus She smiles, "You felt the circle?"

Avery "Oh. yeah, I can...feel the worth of things. it's kinda weird, really, but...it's almost like seeing again. just on a different scale. I have a rough idea of what the thing is, and cna tell what it's worth."

Dionysus "Ahh." And Rumbleford sighs, "A useful power. How are you feeling, by the way?"

Avery "Confused, but pretty good."

Dionysus He nods,, "Then the shards are not weakening you?"

• Avery shakes his head. "Not that I can tell, no."

Dionysus He smiles, "Then have another." A shard of Gift value appears from nowhere & he hands it to you.

• Avery takes it, chuckling, and slides it into his pocket.

Dionysus "Lady, your Highness, shall we have a look around?"

Avery "Can't hurt, can it?"

Dionysus Leia laughs, "Don't bet on it."

• Avery chuckles. "Ok, fair point."

Dionysus Rumbleford shakes his head & says, "There was a village not too far away."

Avery "Lead on."

Dionysus As you walk, Leia says, "I found a band that would accept me as a drummer."

Avery "Congratulations! Whose?"

Dionysus "Bartleby the Rogue's. Our name is still under discussion." From her tone, you can tell she doesn't like whatever name is actually being used.

• Avery nods. "...what're you using as a placeholder?"

Dionysus "The Fury of Thunder or something. It's idiotic."

• Avery chuckles. "What's your vote for?"

Dionysus "The Starlight Orchestra."

Avery "Ooh, I like that."

Dionysus She moves a little closer, "Would you like to join?"

• Avery hesitates, then sighs. "...I can't. The Colour...they're like family to me, I couldn't just walk out on 'em now."

Dionysus "And why not? What is there for you?"

• Avery blinks. "The band. I mean...we've been together for a while...been through a lot together. and I made a promise to Jack that I have to be around to keep, too. Arlie and Arsul, they look out for me, and Dionysus, and Sue, too...and Aurelia, she's going through some hard times right now, I want to be there for her. For all of them."

Dionysus "Aurelia..."

Dionysus She looks at you questioningly.

• Avery cocks his head. "Yeah...she went through a lot in Tamarnthek, she's still recovering. I don't want to just desert her..." he doesn't like the thought of leaving her. or the band, for that matter.

Avery "And I promised her mother I'd look out for her."

Dionysus "So it is not... You two are not together?"

Dionysus You get the sense that Rumbleford is suddenly all ears

• Avery looks surprised and blushes slightly. "Together...? I..uh, well...no, I guess not..."

Dionysus She sags slightly, & Rumbleford stops listening in an obvious manner.

Dionysus "If you joined me... We might..."

• Avery goes a deeper shade of red and looks down, a bit awkwardly.

Dionysus She takes your hand.

• Avery just kind of stills, though he keeps walking. he's not at all sure what to do here.

Dionysus "I miss you."

Avery "Yeah...you too. I-it's good to see you again..."

Dionysus "Are you... afraid of me?"

• Avery looks surprised. "What? No, why would I be?"

Dionysus "You stiffened, & you are hesitant."

• Avery goes red again, embarrassed. "I just...it's nothing, really. You just surprised me, is all.

Dionysus She laughs, "What is this? Surely, a famous musician like you has had hundreds of fair maids."

• Avery blushes deeper. "...not...really, no."

Dionysus "None at all?" She asks, clearly amused.

• Avery looks away, thoroughly embarrassed.

Dionysus She shakes here head amusedly, & you start to sense the outskirts of the village ahead.

• Avery looks in that direction, trying to stop blushing.

Dionysus People start to look to you. They speak Berellian, <Ho, who goes there?>

Avery <My name is Avery Colzayre. These are my friends, Leia and Rumbleford.> he indicates them each in turn.

Dionysus You sense their nods, <What can we do for you?>

Avery <I...don't know...where are we? What town?> he looks apologetic.

Dionysus <This is the village of Manus. You're from far off, aren't you?>

Avery <Yeah. Maraddon, originally. I was brought to this area by a pegasus...>

Dionysus <Another musician?>

• Avery nods, touching his pennywhistle. <Yes. I could play, if you like.>

Dionysus He shakes his head, <I do not like foreign music.> And Rumbleford shakes his head, saying in Maraddonian, "Play something of yours, Avery. I think they will be surprised."

• Avery gives the man a wry smile, sliding the whistle from its sheath. <I...actually, I think you'll find my style pretty familiar.> he plays a few bars of, oh, Jonathan's Lass.

Dionysus The villagers stop & stare.

• Avery shifts from that into Rankiellor's Fife, for a livelier tune.

Dionysus Leia starts clapping rhythm.

• Avery plays one more, Firefall, before he stops.

Dionysus A few of the villagers join in, by ear, & then, they dance.

• Avery continues playing, then.

Dionysus Rumbleford dances with some young lady, & Leia keeps time with you, making impromtpu drums

• Avery likely starts dancing a bit himself as he plays, having fun with it. he'll stop when he starts repeating songs.

Dionysus As you finish, they start speaking in a different tongue, which Rumbleford responds in. After a moment, he says, "They wish to introduce you to their Chieftain."

• Avery absently twirls his pennywhistle before sliding it back into its sheath. "...alright."

Dionysus Rumbleford leads you & Leia ahead.

• Avery follows, curious.

Dionysus You are taken to a long, low house with smoke billowing from its chimney. Inside, a man in poor clothing sits at a rich table. "Welcome," he says in thickly accented Maraddonian. "Ye're a player of fine songs, me lad. Where did ye come across such?"

• Avery smiles a bit. "I wrote them."

Dionysus "Is that so? Where'd ye learn to write such, then?"

• Avery shrugs. "I...I've always been able to. my...adopted father taught me how to write music, but songs like that...they just come to me." he rests a hand on his pennywhistle fondly.

Dionysus A moment of silence, then, "A natural inclination? Are you Kearin by descent?"

• Avery hesitates. "...er...not quite..." he pauses, not sure if he should elaborate or not.

Dionysus He shrugs, "Well, it's ver' entertainin'. What's yer name?"

Avery "Avery Colzayre. These are my friends, Leia and Rumbleford."

Dionysus "Welcome to the village of Manus, friends. Now, what in the blazes happened to yer eyes, Avery?"

Avery "...they were taken. by an enemy of mine."

Avery "I'm sorry, I've gotten used to leaving them uncovered, I forgot they were..."

Dionysus "Nasty enemy. He ain't around here is he?"

Avery "Heh, no, he's not, thankfully."

Dionysus "Too true, too true."

• Avery nods, unsure what to say.

Dionysus He invites you to try the meal he has before him

Dionysus And makes small talk.

• Avery does so, chatting amicably.

Dionysus He offers you a place to stay that night, but Rumbleford answers for you, saying you all need to go.

• Avery nods his agreement, apologizing and thanking him for his hospitality.

Dionysus As you leave, Rumbleford says, "Leia, sleep now." And she does. Just drops. "Your Highness, I apologize, but we should talk. I was hoping to lose her here."

• Avery looks surprised, then concerned. "Wha...why? What's up?"

Dionysus "Have you heard about Civitello?"

Avery "His becoming a lich? Yes, and it's worrying."

Dionysus He nods, "And did you hear of his allies?"

Avery "...I've met some of them, but I haven't heard of them recently, no."

Dionysus "Hollow Tim is a vicious demonomancer. Bewary of him. He is allied with the Lord of Night. And Ordoro Amano is a powerful necormancer, a spectre. Be prepared for darkness & undeath. Stick close to Jack Crane."

• Avery nods.

Dionysus "I need be off again. How many shards do you have?"

• Avery thinks. "...eight, I think."

Dionysus That's all of them, then?

Avery yep

Dionysus "Then you may reassemble it at will. But not in Berellia. Who knows what they might think?"

• Avery nods. "Yeah."

Dionysus "And unless you feel there's more you need do, I suggest you get back as soon as possible."

Avery "I will. Thanks."

Dionysus He nods, then vanishes.

• Avery heads back for the pegasus.