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Holegn	The forest is cool, and shady, with the Summer sun blocked mostly by the forest's canopy. Rays of sunshine stream down, though there are many shadows. In one of these shadowy areas, by the side of a winding stream, is a small camp. A leanto contains a rough but comfortable sleeping area, with heat provided by a small campfire. The smell of cooking venison wafts away on the light wind, and nearby a boar hide is stretched out over a frame. Nearby, in an area ringed by tree stumps set as target dummies, a red-headed woman practices a fighting style. Clad in a leather skirt, and a simple wrap for her chest, she weaves and bobs, doing a passable imitation of a large snake. She strikes at the tree-stump targets with stiffened fingers, grunting with each strike. "So how much time do you have left?", she says in a casual tone, as if the listener were nearby. "Can we eke out one more night, or did you want to head out early?"
Raullaur	The voice that answers is a bass purr. "One more night, but tomorrow we must travel. The large lionfolk is tawny-furred and wearing unbleached linens with leather elbows and knees. Currently working on polishing the tusks of the boar, he stretches slightly. "Good to be out of the city for a while!"
Raga Shrine-Crusher	A log comes crashing through the canopy from very nearly out of nowhere, landing against a tree some distance from Holegn's lean-to as it slams into some of the other sturdier trees near the clearing. Footsteps through the underbrush precede the appearance of a woman in a traveler's robes with a similar wrap around her chest for modesty as she looks around this way and that. It seems she might be searching for something. "Any of you get hit by a flying log?" she asks.
Holegn	The red-head looks suitably startled by the log crashing through the undergrowth, but that has passed by the time the other woman appears nearby. "No.", Holly replies, gesturing to where the log came to a stop. "Was that your intention? Or did it just get away from you? I know how rascally logs can get."
Raullaur	Raullaur ducks slightly, but also relaxes once the log has passed. He nods to the newcomer. "Missed us both. Were you using it as a training dummy? Or just something to throw? Either way, no harm to us."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Workout gear." Raga says, scratching the back of her neck somewhat sheepishly. "I had to see if I hit anyone because next thing you know people are up in arms about someone throwing logs at people even if you were just getting rid of it too hard." then looks between the other two present. "I'm Raga. Ever run into that... House of Might group or whatever? My people, they probably say I lead them but it's more like they ask for stuff from me."
Holegn	"You're unlikely to hit anything but trees out here. But it's good of you to check.", the red-head says, offering a modest bow towards Raga. "Tanaka Holly. And no, I am not acquainted with that mercenary group. I am new to the region, though, so don't mind my ignorance of her mercenaries."
Raullaur	Raullaur thinks a moment. "I think I have... some of my lions might have had a friendly brawl with some of them? Only bruises, so it must have been for fun. Or maybe I have it mixed up? I am sorry if so." He smiles a bit unnaturrally on his muzzle.
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Knowing them, they'd welcome the practice." Raga says, "They're good folks, just want some way to stand up to people pushing them around. I've told 'em what I can to keep them from winding up like the assholes they fight, make sure their perspective stays clear." she says, walking over to a nearby tree and sitting down to lean against it. "So what do you do around here?" she asks, looking between the two present. "I've seen... Whatever your name is-" she says, gesturing to Raullaur, "Around, but not you." she continues, gesturing to Holegn.
Holegn	Holly cants her head slightly and offers a shrug. "Who, li'l ol' me?" She stretches at length and yawns. "Nothing much, really. As I said, I'm new to the area. Met Lion-O here a little while ago. I enjoy a good parade, and his men are top notch." The woman gestures to the camp. "Here? Just taking a little break, getting in some practice, and enjoying the local wildlife."
Raullaur	"Raullaur. If you hear someone talking about the Golden Lion, that is me. Lions' Pride is my company. For now? Enjoying hunting before we travel back to Great Forks. Good to meet you, Raga." He stands and walks over, offering an arm to clasp
Raga Shrine-Crusher	Clasping an arm against Raullaur's, Raga nods. Looking over at Holly, she then pauses for a moment in silence before she looks over at the pitted and bashed tree stumps. "So... That you?" she asks. "Doesn't look like there are any claw marks on them."
Holegn	Holly steps closer to offer her own arm up for clasping. "Yes. They are good targets for practice." She chuckles. "I've not hit any of them hard enough to dislodge them as far as you did." "A good eye."
Raullaur	His grip is firm. Restrained power. "And mine would show sword marks instead of claw," he elaborates. "What news have you heard recently? Anything interesting? I can say that the Realm's leg
Raullaur	His grip is firm. Restrained power. "And mine would show sword marks instead of claw," he elaborates. "What news have you heard recently? Anything interesting? I can say that the Realm's Cynis legion is no longer looking to go downriver and piss off Great Forks, Nexus, and Lookshy all at once."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Shit, they were eyeing this place?.. Can't say I'm surprised." Raga says, shaking her head. "Something something uppity gods something something dragons rule the world. I mean some gods are right pieces of work, but it seems more like they take offense that they're not the ones saying who does what where and when." she observes, then looks towards Raullaur. "I didn't mean anything by the claws comment, it's not like me fighting with my fists makes me an ape. 'Course, it's not like I haven't been called that." she says.
Holegn	Holly sets her hands behind her back, and leaves the two to talk, while she takes an interest in the venison. The flames hiss and roar as she blows on the fire, and slips another log into it. "Are we having a guest for this evening?", she asks no one in particular. "There is wine and venison at hand for dinner."
Raullaur	Raul laughs. "The officer...not sure what he was thinking. As for claws? Maybe learn them later. Never caught the trick of fighting with paws and claws. And care for dinner?" He gives a nod to Holly. "So...why do you fight? To teach others to defend themselves?"
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"I mean yeah. Someone caught me punching out this gem g-..." Raga says, then stops mid-sentence as she extends the syllable awkwardly, "uuuuuuuy so I impressed some people and they asked me to help them with... Y'know, exorcism and stuff. I guess whatever that spirit was he'd been a problem for a while." she adds. "I don't want people thinking I'm here to establish some kind of weird immaculate thing, I just... Help people fight spirits that are giving them trouble."
Holegn	"Ah, it's nice to see people who like to help out. That is ... uncommon in this day and age, especially against the supernatural. Did they at least feed you well for your efforts, in punching out the gem .. guy?" Holly busies herself with prepping dinner, but she looks over to Raga. "That's usually the nature of the rewards from those around here, unless you catch a noble's eye."
Raullaur	"Or you get enough power you're a 'noble' yourself." Raul snorts slightly. "Now...how /do/ you deal with exorcisms? Should learn to deal with spirits that yoy can't punch?"
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"I mean if they're open to talking, they're probably not something I need to... Look to, I have to spell stuff out down to the exact charm and chant?" Raga asks, shifting where she sits.
Holegn	Holly raises an eyebrow, and glances to Raullaur, before shifting her gaze back to Raga. "It was an honest curiosity, not an interrogation.", she says quietly. "One can't help being curious when it comes to dealing with rogue spirits and ornery gods. If there are tools to dealing with them handily, well..." The red-head shrugs.
Raullaur	Raullaur nods. "Definitely curiosity. Give me a military foe? I know how to handle it. But I also know it takes years to learn the skill, so I guess it would be the same here." He grins. "Right now, I would rather they get into a bidding war for my services."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Agh, it-... Look, it comes with strings attached and expectations." she says, sighing. "It was fun at first but now I have to wonder when someone's going to come calling or start riding my ass for not following through on living up to some kind of standard or vision." Raga says, "I can't teach you how anyway." she adds, shrugging. "Someone gave it to me when I was in a bad place, and now I'm wondering if the other shoe is going to drop later."
Holegn	Holly squints at Raga, peering at the other woman at length. "I.. I see. You're not a hero, and now you're worried that they'll keep coming to you to fix their problems. An obligation is a pain in the ass, am I right?" She falls silent as she starts doling out venison, vegetables and rice into wooden bowls, and serves it up to Raga and Raullaur with wooden spoons. "Dinner's served." The red-head retreats to a log near the fire, settling down to dig into her own bowl.
Raullaur	"Or a gift too good to be true, and the price comes due later?" Raul nods understanding. "We have tales of being offered power for a price. And then...the power demands to be used. Calling, infusing, until the power is you...a.d you are it..."
Raullaur	He takes the bowl of stew with a smile. "Thank you, Holegn. Been getting hungry for a while, smelling this."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Kinda more that last one." Raga says, taking the bowl and looking at it for a moment, then back to the others. "See, it's not like it comes with any /actual/ downsides right now but I feel like I need to sleep with one eye open." she explains, "Someone could probably outclass me at some point and force me to pay them back."
Holegn	"Not a fun way to exist.", Holly offers, between bites. "It's a hard life, worrying about the day someone comes to collect a bill you didn't know you'd incurred. Or perhaps, knowing that the bill was due, just, knowing the bill collector was probably going to try to kill you." A few more bites of her dinner are had before she wonders, "Dynasts after you, then? The monks?"
Raullaur	"Or is it some sort of asshole god?" Raul asks. "If that's the case, the power...might be in the contract, and maybe you can find protection in it. Or its just power, and you need to get strong enough to make the heavens tremble at your wrath." He sounds sober. "I never got asked, so no contract. No protection. Just power, and choice."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Heh. Nah." Raga says, shaking her head. "Some... Devil king or whatever's what I'm worried about." she notes, starting on some of the stew. "He probably saw me and thought, 'Hey, you hate gods, I hate gods, pay no attention to the fact that I'm abusing my worshippers even /worse/ than the stuff you've seen'. I might be blunt but I'm not too blind to notice exactly what was going on there." she notes. "So if I had my way I'd love to, 'Pay him back'." she says, cracking the knuckles on one of her fists for emphasis. "-But I know not to pick a fight that won't get me or someone else anywhere."
Holegn	"Hmm, yes, the Devil King. Definitely ornery.", Holly says casually, spooning dinner into her face quickly. She pauses to chew and swallow, and then raises a finger. "They're the one who gave you some power? And you're pretty sure they're going to come along later and ask what pretties you have to give them?" She tilts her chin at Raga. "What pretties do you have to give to them?"
Raullaur	Raullaur stirs a bit and his eyes narrow, gleaming gold. "A demon. Powerful demon." His nostrils flare and he takes a deep breath. "Would you mind if /others/ tried to smack him down?"
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Well I have a couple of birds, pretty enough for them I'd say." Raga says with a wry grin. "But seriously, he was ruling over this... City place, maybe not even Creation. Took a whole five days to get there across a weird desert. Your funeral if you want." she explains. "...Never showed his face though, just kept on talking through whoever was around." she adds, shaking her head.
Holegn	A mostly empty bowl bounces off of Raullaur's back. "Talking through other people, hmm? That's pretty creepy." Holly slowly crosses her arms. "Did they show up... did this happen while you were in a rather sticky situation? Like... you can take my power, or you can just die, your choice?"
Raullaur	Raullaur turns around after getting hit with food on the back. "You owe me a clean shirt for that," he says with a grin. "And...yeah...desert? Speaking through people? That sounds..." He shakes his head. "This is...a challenge." And then a purring grin.
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Yeah. The god I beat up... Owned me. I was just some random slave girl, it's not like he was bedding me. Still, the bastard got what was coming for..." Raga says, then rubs her arm quietly. "Well. People saw that and thought it was pretty impressive, if you hear a god called the Facet Prince is actually blessing people in exchange for worship?.. I'd actually like to know he turned over a new leaf." she explains. "Anyway, I don't hate gods but I think it's way too easy for them to go bad. Even worse if they have some kind of formal power. If I tell those people back in Great Forks anything, 'Beware the god with a crown' may be a good place to start."
Holegn	Holly glares at Raullaur, "I'll give you a new, clean shirt every day from now until my death, if you do not undertake such a fool's errand." She casts a glance downwards, "At least not by yourself." She looks over to Raga, and nods. "So you beat your owner, and earned your freedom? And you're right... it is easy for gods... anyone really, to abuse their power. Extorting worship is punishable."
Ignis	A sudden new voice chimes in from the edge of the campside gathering. It is friendly sounding, slightly amused and surprised and quite familiar to at least one person present. "The word 'fate' has been thrown around quite abit lately in my presence. Much more then I like to hear...and yet considering the past few chance encounters I've had I'm starting to wonder if I should start being a touch worried about the immediate future.." The speaker, Ignis, emerges more fully from the edges of the camp and crouches down casually atop a large boulder while leaning forward and examining each soul in turn. His garments look travel worn though not ragged. The dust of the roads and the touch of the forest is on him though. Signs of foilage having been trudged through readily visible upon his gear and outfit. The bindings of the large sword sheathed on his back showing signs of having been recently loosened and shifted about to accomodate his movements. "Raullaur. Hello again, it's been some time..." He steps forward and drops down, landing solidly and then standing slowly to turna dnd look towards the other spresent. "Forgive my intrusion but I couldn't help myself upon overhearing voices and recognizing one."
Raullaur	"Oh, of course I wouldn't go by myself! This would be an...immense campaign. I would want /all/ the help I can get." He chuckles. "We can talk about shirts and clothes later," he says with a wink. "And beat a god? Impressive! Will look into him later." And then Ignis comes in. "Well! When did this become the forest crossroads? Ignis! Good to see you again. This is Tapara Holegn, and this is Raga," indicating each in turn. "And good news. I have definite purpose." He grins fiercely. "What have you been up to?"
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"Yeah. It's just... You know how people are, we need food to live. Gods need worship. Sometimes blessings can help with other necessities, but if you could get food just by scaring people and didn't have any way to get it otherwise would you?" Raga asks, "And then by the time you take /that/ route, the bigger question is when would you even think to stop? Almost seems like gods have it worse, for all the power they sometimes have." she observes.
Holegn	"Tanaka Holegn, but you may call me Holly if you are not so formal.", she says softly, offering a modest bow to Ignis. "Welcome. A pleasure to meet you, though... you speak of fate. I sought solace in the forest, and now three people have found me out here. I doubt the two of you have the nose of Raul here, nor would I believe that either of you were ... looking for me." Holly shrugs, offering a light laugh. "If it is not fate, then chance is a hell of a thing, don't you think?" The red-head nods to Raga. "Having power means being responsible. It is too easy to abuse, and very difficult to rectify that situation once you are deep into it."
Ignis	"It's certainly something to be self aware of, Holly." responds Ignis with a smile, answering the question on if he prefers being casual or formal rather quickly and likewise confirming her thinking on matters of chance versus fate these days. "Strange things are afoot after all. We'd be wise to keep our eyes open, especially considering the great scope of the company we keep." He looks curiously at Raga for a moment, really only catching the tale end of the exploits she's been describing..but his attention is fully drawn back to Raullaur once more and his expression lights up with a celebratory air, "And Raullaur..that's great! I seem to recall our last conversation was concerning that very thing..yes? A matter of power, its use and responsiblity indeed. Can you share what this purpose is?"
Raullaur	"It's easy to use power, strength, to do what you can. Far harder to do what you should," Raul says. "As far as purpose...well, there is of course finding a homeland, possibly in the hundred kingdoms. But then...foes to fight. First, to find particular bandits, but eventually demons."
Holegn	"Scope? Have we an assemblage of royalty, somehow, without my knowing?" The red-head squints at Raga a moment, and then Raullar. "Or a different sort of power?" She eyes Ignis, and then glances back at Raullaur. "Certain bandits? You.. you don't mean..." Holly tries to keep any sort of emotion from reaching her expression, and fails. "Y.you don't need to."
Raga Shrine-Crusher	"...Teaching people to stick up for themselves. Finding out who my people are, too." Raga says, "I know my parents...-No. I know /I'm/ from the Veh, but I never really learned much about them. Demon backing or not, I'm not turning away from them. Plus, even if it's a de facto leadership I don't think Weaver or the other two gods are doing a bad job. They just can't be everywhere. Plus there's probably a cult somewhere preying on the weak, I want to see about getting that cult's victims out from under them."
Ignis	"Yes, scope." remarks Ignis, finally picking up more on what Raga seems to be speaking of herself. He gestures between Raul and Raga as he addresses Holegn, "One wishes to face demons and find a land for his people. Another speaks of being backed by demons while also saving those victimized by corrupt cults. Hardly a matter of royalty per se but neither someone simply wishing to get a job or open a bakery. These are lofty goals and lofty goals are often sought by people with the drive to see them through, yes?" He looks to Raullaur, "Regardless..be it doing what you should or what you wish.. you will need power, honed, to tame a part of the ever changing chaos of The Hundred Kingdoms. Somehow, though, I think you up to the task. As to the rest - is there an upsurge of wrong-doing in cults in Great Forks that the Three do nothing about?"
Raullaur	"I don't know the Veh. Besides...better to go after backers than the rank and file. Besides...might be able to be recruited to help if the Devil King sort does them wrong." Raul grins and then nods to Holegn. "Don't have to, but would be fun!" He nods to Ignis. "Focusing goals gives a way to tame power. To harness it as /I/ choose."