Open Chronicles Campfire Cooking

[Elis Chares]

Relieved that his companion wasn't going to push for a fight, he listened to the rest of her suggestions. A tarp would be useful for hiding and he silently hoped that there weren't any dogs either. Usually tracking dogs were expensive anyways. Most bandits in these parts didn't get that much money from travelers. Perhaps if it was closer to nobility or merchants the robbers would have higher class supplies but out here it was mostly farms.

When the maid shoved him forwards, he was a bit surprised. From first appearance she didn't seem to have much strength but perhaps her muscles were hidden underneath the sleeves of her dress. She offered to buy him time if the bandits were to attack. Despite his apprehension at the thought of a fight, he was equally conflicted at the thought of leaving her behind.

"Sorry mam, but we're in this together. If you stay so will I." He stated.

He continued to travel along the dried up river bank, keeping his ears out for any sign of bandits while wondering why he offered to stay. He was useless in a fight and if he stayed he would no doubt just be in the way. Suddenly, the sound of a neigh pierced the silence of the plains. The neigh was much closer than before. Elis' eyes widened as he realized they were being followed.

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

She cocked an eyebrow at the mans willingness to stay if things went south. While it was commendable such action was kind of dumb, though for the time being the maid decided to hold her tongue. Though ultimately more out of not wanting to be heard by the nearby bandits then anything else.

“If you say so, just don’t do anything stupid if worst comes to worst okay”.
Her tone being more a statement then a question as the pair contained to sneak their way along the river bank. “It might also be worth while to hide in the nearby trees or bushes as well, don’t suppose you are decent at climbing”.

If they could get high enough the war and may pass right under them. That is unless they had a tracker that could follow their steps or smell.

Elis Chares

 

[Elis Chares]

"I can climb." He responded quietly.

Though he wasn't sure whether the spindly trees dotting the plains could really help them hide. The bushes were fairly tall and the grass itself was naturally tall. He knew that at some point they'd have to get out of the river bank. Suddenly, he heard a neigh from the horses once more but it was further away. Elis carefully peaked out of the river bank and spotted the group and their horses all in a fast gallop away from their position.

"They appear to be...leaving?" He said, confusion crossing his face.

The way they had suddenly bolted into a run was a bit odd but he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Goosebumps crawled across his skin as he listened for sounds of wildlife. Crickets had gone silent. Birds were no longer chirping. Somewhere in the distance there was a low guttural growl. Every instinct in his body screamed to run but he held still, knowing hopping out of their only hiding place was asking for death.

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

That wasn't good, the only reason why possible bandits or a group of people that well armed would shy away from a fight was if a large or more dangerous thing was nearby. Her sense noting the sudden natural silence in the area. What ever scared the men away is wasn't simply other humans, no it was much worse.

Keeping her head down in the river the maid produced a mirror from her bag, one usually used for applying make up and similar cosmetics. Using it to peer over the ridge of the almost dry bed, trying to glean what might be approaching. What she was was not good... not good indeed.

Even from this distance she could make out the ridged back and grayish fur of a Baaran lion. A apex predator known to prowl around The Spine and areas of Allir. "Fuck, I think we may have stumbled into the territory of a Baaran". She replied rather crudely, hoping up from her position. "Must have made this area its hunting fields since it's summer and the heat has increased". Herself knowing the basics of the creature and it's preference for warmer climates. "But if one is here it's pride won't be far behind, we have to leave... now"!

Elis Chares

 

[Elis Chares]

The good news was that there was a distance between them and the Baaran lion. The bad news was that it was still a lion and that distance could be crossed easily. Ipatiy explained that the beast was usually in The Spine but choose the plains for its summer home along with its pride. Elis stood from his position and followed Ipatiy's lead.

He was nervous about immediately going into a run, which would attract the creature's attention but knew it would be a good idea to move away from it as fast as possible. As he moved, he grabbed one of the herbs from his pack. The bushel of herbs had been tightly wrapped up in a piece of cloth. When he unwrapped it, a foul stench emitted from the purple and black plants.

"This is Vovimeg. It's usually used in beast repellents." He explained, "We can use it if they get too close."

The stink of Vovimeg seemed to combine the horridness of a skunk, the overwhelming power of perfume, and the deadliness of a rotting corpse. It was extremely effective in getting rid of most animals and people, hence why it survived so well. Usually he sold these to alchemists so they could make beast repellents. Animals had sensitive noses and while they loved the scent of fresh prey, a rotting corpse was not appealing.

Ipatiy Kozlov

 

[Ipatiy Kozlov]

The maid gazed back at the herb in his hand looking over it quizzically. She was somewhat familar with it but had never really dealt the type before nor the products it was used in. She tended to try and smell good most of the time not a skunk, still it would be useful but would it starve off an entire pride? Looking back and forth between Elis and the lion she wasn't about to take any risks. "How much do you usually sell those herbs for and what would you say the cost of transport and production would be"?

She queried, taking some money out from her pocket once more. "I'm an skilled in economancy, so if I know how much something will cost along with other prices involved in production and transport I can buy some right her right now and have it on hand if that beast does come after us".

While it was usually a skill she kept to herself if the lion picked up their scent and the whole pride got involved she doubted one herb would be able to drive them all back. Each step while getting them further away from the beast certainly didn't put them out of danger that much was for sure.

Elis Chares