Passing Through (TF: Grace)

[Darastrix]

Grace leaned against her walking staff as she looked up at the great temple of Efil. Though not Efilian herself, she had to admit it was an impressive sight.

I wonder if they let people just wander around in there, she thought as she leaned down to brush some of the dust off of her pants. Grace sighed as she noticed one of her patches needed replacing. It had probably torn when she'd tripped earlier on the path. Oh well. It'd have to wait until she had a little more copper to her name. Shrugging to herself, the young woman headed into the temple.

[Kender Bard]

The temple was filled with the usual people; priests, local worshippers, and pilgrims. Many were wandering around and admiring the expansive and beautifully carved temple, others chatted easily with companions, and some seemed lost - either in spirit or physically.

Standing near a statue of Efil that captured her as a youthful, vibrant woman that seemed about to leap into the skies on her snow-white wings was a young woman around Grace's age. The girl even seemed clad in similar garb - travel worn and not in the best of quality but carefully tended to. The woman turned her head when she sensed someone nearby and greeted Grace with a bright smile. "Hello there," she remarked, and turned her eyes back to the statue. "Come to pay your respects to Life?"

[Darastrix]

"I like to think I do that by living," Grace said, looking up at the statue. "I'm more Etafian than anything. I just found myself in Acoia, and thought it'd be a shame to come all this way and not actually visit the temple."

[Kender Bard]

"That's the truth," the woman agreed. "My name is Latai, by the way. I think you're right. I mean, everyone and their brother has their own philosophy on how best to serve the Forces, but I'm with you. Efil would be happiest if we were just living our lives to the best and fullest of our abilities. That's why I took up adventuring!"

[Darastrix]

"I started wandering around because I just wanted to see, well...everything!" Grace said with a grin. "I've ended up in an adventure or two, even if I wasn't really looking for on. I'm Grace," she added. "From Talen'sul. Where do you hail from?"

[Kender Bard]

"Ronduin," Latai answered. "Though I admit another motive for leaving home was to to get out of the house. I have a lot of siblings. Mother and father are both very devout followers of Efil. Anyway, being in Ronduin, they were happy for the space I made in leaving and I was happy for the taste of some freedom. I've been on the road for several years now, though, and it's surprising how lonely you can get. I'm actually here hoping to find a travelling companion on my next latest, greatest adventure!"

She lowered her voice and, with a wink, supplied, "I have a treasure map."

[Darastrix]

"A treasure map?" Grace's eyes widened and she looked at Latai with interest. "Where'd you get it? And where does it lead to?"

Maybe, she thought, it was to a place she hadn't been yet!

[Kender Bard]

Latai moved closer and shifted so her back was to the general flow of the populace and withdrew a folded piece of parchment from her satchel. Unfolding it revealed a map of Naruta, though clearly an older one. There were several lands missing and Caelium was still two lands. "Here it is," she replied cheerfully. "And the treasure is proported to be here - " she tapped what seemed to be barely a dot off the eastern coast of Naruta. "Supposedly, some ancient people left their worldly goods there while they fled on a ship somewhere."

[Darastrix]

"That looks even smaller than Ronduin," Grace commented. She'd definitely never been anywhere off the coast. "I wonder where they fled to." She grinned as a thought occurred to her. "Maybe they were some of the first Contrastans!"

[Kender Bard]

"Ooh wouldn't that just be even more exciting?" Laita giggled. "I've already got a man I can speak with to acquire a boat. I don't suppose.. you're interested in coming with me, perhaps?"

[Darastrix]

"I'd love to go with you," Grace declared. "It might just be a tiny little island, but it's new. Besides," she added, "you're right. It does get lonely on the road, and it's been a long time since I got to travel with someone else."

[Kender Bard]

"Excellent," Latai enthused. "Then I shall allow you to explore Acoia while I reprovision and enjoy the serenity here. When you've had your fill, we'll be off to Ronduin and from there, new places!"

[Darastrix]

"I can't wait," Grace replied. "I'll need to resupply while I'm here, too. And see about patching my pants again." She made a slight face as she looked down toward her knees. "Where can I find you again?"

[Kender Bard]

"I'm staying at a local inn," Latai responded and gave her a name and where to find it. "Just ask for me with the innkeeper. I'll tell him that I'm expecting you and he won't hassle you at all."

[Darastrix]

"Will do," Grace said, and headed off to prowl the rest of the temple.

---

Once she'd satisfied her curiosity enough, Grace walked to the inn Latai had mentioned. "Excuse me?" she called as she entered. "I'm looking for Latai."