Plotting Through Poleria - 119 4A

[Nara-pyon]

Not everyone could fit on Uruloki's back, even when he was at full size, and if they wanted to enter the country unseen he could only be about half size. That meant that only a small handful of people could fly, while the rest would remain inside the tent during the flight. Earendil of course was one of the ones who flew: despite his tendency towards airsickness, the malek that members of the group had learned how to make during their time in Amon Darthir was a lifesaver for him.

Shoneah really wanted to fly, so Andarien had also gone with, but most of the others had remained inside.

When they landed, Kyrie first scouted around with Uruloki to make sure that it would be safe for them to set up the tent, and then she came back to those who had flown with her and nodded that it was all right. Despite it still being Winter (barely), they were slightly further north, and so it was no longer a tropical jungle they were dealing with, but a thick, deciduous forest. It was warmer than in northern forests, of course, so despite the season there were still leaves on the trees.

"All right," Kyrie said, returning to the others on the beach, "we're safe."

[Kara Winters]

"Wow...." Holly murmured the moment she stepped out, the temperature difference was startling, "It's been a long time since I've felt this kind of temp."

It had been a very long while indeed, she was feeling a bit excited.

[Nara-pyon]

"The lack of humidity is wonderful," Mirania breathed, her eyes bright as she stepped into the afternoon sunshine.

"It certainly is a lot easier to breathe," Lamruil agreed.

"I've never seen trees like this before," Takari murmured, looking around. "How odd ..." She was rubbing her arms as she wandered, and Tehlmar stepped up behind her and put his arms around her to warm her.

[Kara Winters]

"Different climates means different kinds of plants and animals," Miyuki explained, "This is the other reason why it's always great to collect live plants from where we've been."

Because who knew when they would run into something like that again?

"Are we going disguised or can we travel as ourselves?" Holy inquired.

[Nara-pyon]

"Time for disguises," Kyrie smiled ruefully. "And for warmer clothes for those who aren't used to this."

"What is the temperature?" Kaito asked, purely out of curiosity, turning to Lashrael.

Her Gift didn't fail her, and Lashrael knew the answer immediately. "Thirty," she replied. "Not actually that much cooler than Eaulir had been."

"Just less humid," Kaito nodded.

[Kara Winters]

"Could we then put up the tent for a bit?" Holly inquired, "I have the cloaks here, but I think just a change of clothes will suit me fine instead."

So she wouldn't need a cloak, after all, thirty wasn't that cold.

[Nara-pyon]

"Go ahead," Kyrie nodded, gesturing to where the tent was already set up. "And I think for the rest of us, everyone needs to decide whether they want to change clothes and travel disguised, or simply stay inside the tent."

Rose had no need to do either. The lack of humidity made it cooler than she was used to, but it was still quite pleasant - and she was truly human, so she didn't need to be disguised. "I'll stay out," she smiled. "This is quite pleasant, really."

Geran decided to travel as well, but some of the group - who either weren't along for the sake of the travel or didn't care to spend the foreseeable future disguised, or, in some cases, were simply tired or very pregnant - chose simply to return to the tent. Some claimed to have work to do.

[Kara Winters]

Miyuki was one of those who decided to continue traveling, despite the fact she would have to be disguised. By the time Holly came back out, the kitsune already looked like an elf with unusual hair colouring.

Holly's clothing only looked marginally warmer, as she wore a long sleeveless pink and white dress with a quilt inspired skirt, cotton skirt under that with a lace trip and a loose lace top over that. Enough layers to provide a bit more warmth, but not enough to overheat (because really it wasn't that cold). And in case she wasn't use to the temperature still, she brought a shawl with her.

She went straight for Shiro, as she would like him to do her disguise.

[Nara-pyon]

Shiro, Kaito, Makaela, Lancaeriel, Earendil and Shoneah had all decided to walk as well. All of them had remained dressed as they usually did, except for Makaela, who added a loose blouse to her short-sleeved top. 

"No Andarien?" Kyrie teased Shoneah when she told their guide that Andarien would be remaining in the tent.

Shoneah just shrugged. "He says he's tired and just wants a nap," she replied. "I'm sure he'll be fine later."

[Kara Winters]

"So where are we headed?" Miyuki asked as they were being disguised.

Lin was one of the few who didn't need a disguise once she pulled her wings back in. So she was fine as she was for the most part.

[Nara-pyon]

"North," Kyrie replied, pointing in the direction in question. "There's an area that seems to be their medical center, I want to check it out. If they're truly just practicing medicine, wonderful. If they're experimenting on people, then we - I - have work to do."

"I have to admit," Geran spoke up as Lancaeriel disguised him, "this all seems ... I don't know, impossible. I mean, even with all the stories I heard about humans, I can't see them doing something like experimenting on people."

"Believe it," Kyrie said flatly. "I was once one of them."

Geran paled, and it wasn't just the disguise.

[Kara Winters]

"Let's go then," Lin murmured, "And hope for the best."

Because it would be a sad thing if they found those experiments happening again.

[Nara-pyon]

Shiro and Lancaeriel finished disguising everyone, Earendil finished packing the tent, and then they were on their way.

"Just so you know," Kyrie told them as they started off, "the closer we get to the settlements, no matter their size, the less dense the woods will be. So when the trees thin out, be on your guard. That's not to say that there won't be people hunting or trapping, but that's where things will be the most dangerous."

[Kara Winters]

"They clear the forest around their settlements then?" Lin inquired.

She could understand why, it wasn't an unusual practice. Though she wondered how much of it they would clear normally.

[Nara-pyon]

"Some for fields, and some is just shortsightedness," Kyrie explained. "Wise people, when getting firewood, will choose trees that are old, dry, and not in just one spot. But for convenience, it seems that the people here just go for the closest trees - which of course puts their treeline further and further from their settlements."

"I'd never thought of it before," Earendil admitted. "Not that I've often been the one looking for wood, I admit."

[Kara Winters]

"Normally, you should be looking for just tinder," Holly explained, "This can be dead branches on the ground, or better, larger branches pulled from trees using a special staff. But, at least back where Rose and I came from, for large parties, long winters, a full tree is what you would use, but you try not to. Full trees are too useful for making furniture and homes."

Though she had noticed that even in the town she stayed in, people didn't really plant new trees, which she always found to a pity.

[Nara-pyon]

"That depends on the tree," Earendil pointed out. "Dry, dead trees are no good for furniture at all. Too brittle. Perfect for firewood on the other hand."

"Don't ask me about trees and wood," Rose piped up, holding her hands up defensively. "I did numbers and grain, nothing more."

[Kara Winters]

"I only knew enough to gather tinder," Holly laughed, "Back before I came to own my own shop. So I know just a bit, but I was much better off in town doing sewing."

Now that felt like a lifetime ago.

[Nara-pyon]

"It's a pity you don't have anyone who can really help you," Rose sighed. "I mean, I know Iorlas tries, but ..."

Well, she was new to the skill, so perhaps it was too much to expect a lot from her.

"You need help?" Makaela asked Holly, surprised. "Why haven't you said anything? I've been making clothes for my family for fifty years, I would be happy to help you. And Takari as well, I'm sure. She's even more skilled than I am."

[Kara Winters]

Holly blinked, it hadn't occurred to her at all, and she didn't know Makaela or Takari at all.

"To make more clothing yes. Though I had mentioned to Kyrie that it would be easier to commission all the winter clothes everyone needs once we get to town. As there are many who need clothing for cold weather. Though, the more we can make ourselves the better it'll be... might need more material for that though..."

Still, Holly nodded all the same, she did need help.

[Nara-pyon]

Makaela smiled widely at Holly and then turned to Miyuki. "Well, Miyuki? Would it be possible to make the sewing room big enough for two more people to help out?"

"You might also speak with Daenis," Shoneah pointed out. "She gets rather more bored than I think she would like to admit, and she's been making clothes for herself and her father for years. Using furs, might I add, which is more the winter clothes you're talking about rather than the materials the rest of you are probably used to using."

[Kara Winters]

"I'll do that as well," Holly promised, "I know a bit about using furs, but it's been a long time."

As she only did it for experimenting and personal use, there was no reason to sell clothing that was fur trimmed.

"I look forward to the help."

[Nara-pyon]

"I look forward to the work," Makaela replied, beaming.

They continued to travel due north, and hours passed without incident. Eventually, however, Kyrie cautioned them to slow down and keep their voices down a bit.

"There's a trapline here," she explained, gesturing towards an iron bear trap. "Watch where you step."

"Does that mean there are bears here?" Rose asked, a little anxious at the idea of running into a bear.

Kyrie laughed. "After all we've been through, you're still worried about that?"

Rose blushed. "Well ..."

[Kara Winters]

"Don't worry, you're not alone, so we should be fine," Miyuki assured Rose, "It would be different if you were alone."

With all of them though, a bear would be nothing, especially since most of them had already faced a dragon.

[Nara-pyon]

"It also means that there are more likely to be people about," Kyrie added. "Just because this trap is empty doesn't mean there won't be people around checking them."

"And if we run into anyone?" Earendil asked.

"Whatever you do," Kyrie replied without hesitating, "no magic. Nothing that looks like magic. Nothing that could be taken as magic. We're just a group of traveling story tellers, musicians, and-"

She cut herself off and looked at Earendil. "Probably not ring fighters."

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