Shaking things up|Talen'sul

[Northen Light36]

Amaro and Saph were the first to arrive at the arranged meeting spot, arriving much at the same time. They'd been waiting for this all winter, when the snow finally melted and the better weather would make this dangerous instead of suicidal.

"Ready for this?" Saph asked with a slight smile. He and Amaro weren't exactly friends, but he respected the other man and knew that his question was more to fill the silence then anything.

Amaro just nodded, then glanced at Saph. "What about you? You look a bit on the strained side."

"It's nothing," Saph assured him. "I'm in the dog house at home, that's all."

"Family," Amaro muttered with a sympatric grimace. "At least Cass understood what she was getting into when she married me."

Saph nodded, then grinned, "Speaking of family, heard anything from your sister? She's due about now, isn't she?"

Amaro gave Saph an odd look. "Yes, she was due at the end of winter. But it's hardly been possible for a messenger to get through."

"And here I was thinking she had other ways to get a message though." Saph chuckled at the flicker of surprise that crossed Amaro's face. "Oh come on, Amaro. My brother was a guild member at one point too, plus he's friends with your sister. Did you really think I didn't know what your sister is?" He shook his head amused. "Don't worry, I don't plan to do anything about it. Unless she gets caught, it's not my business."

Amaro nodded and replied, "Thank you. Well to answer your question... No, there's been no word. Which could mean nothing at all, but... Well, I'll be glad when it's safe to travel again."

Saph nodded understandingly and the two men fell into a comfortable silence as they waited for their companions.

[Kender Bard]

The next to show up was Hallam, the general of the Talen'sul army. The middle-aged man strolled up with a shadowed expression on his face that suggested deep thoughts weighing on his mind. A couple of javelins poked out from the holder slung on his back and he held a longspear in one hand. He ran a hand back over his silvery hair (an attribute that had led some to query as to whether or not he was in some way related to the Queen) and greeted the two men with simply a nod. "I still think we should take more men."

Coming from the north, clad in a loose looking outfit that seemed to be a mix of the Sensatian sontief and the local Talen'sul style, Vasil the Grand Master of Erreserod monastery wandered over to the group, whistling to himself. He smiled, seeming completely at ease, and bowed to the three men. "Ria fill your spirits with her essence this day, gentlemen."

[Darastrix]

Rysa, one of Amaro's guild mercenaries, made her way to the group at a light jog, a sturdy, metal-tipped staff in one hand, and a dagger on her belt. The short woman was dressed in dark leathers that had seen use, but were still in good repair. Flying a few feet above her was a large golden eagle.

"I've got us a scout if you want him," she said, pointing up as she came to a stop.

[Northen Light36]

"I've done more with less," Amaro remarked to Hallam, then turned and nodded to Rysa. "Yeah, we'll use him," he replied. "Well then, if everyone's ready, let's get going."

"I am," Saph remarked, noticing with private amusement how easily Amaro took over the leadership role. Well he didn't mind and Rysa probably expected it, but he wasn't sure if the other two would accept it. That would need watching.

[Kender Bard]

A tightness around Hallam's mouth grew more pronounced and he stared for an uncomfortably long time at Amaro when the mercenary wasn't looking at him. It wasn't a hostile look, but it was certainly very intense.

Vasil seemed at ease, however. He bobbed a bowing greeting to Ryssa as well and then looked up at the eagle with a smile. "The eagle stance is a favored one amongst the battle monks. It is an excellent position for those who wish to create a balance between power and speed. Alas it leaves one wanting for proper defense. Still, a majestic creature. Please convey my admiration for his kind."

[Darastrix]

Rysa cupped a hand to her mouth and let out a few screeching calls to the eagle circling above, who responded in kind. She grinned and looked at Vasil. "He's glad to hear even some non-Beasts have respect for his brothers."

[Northen Light36]

Saph noticed Hallam's staring, but chose not to comment on it as the group set off into the mountains. Staring was harmless and not worth more than keeping an eye on, but he'd be quick to intervene if things turned hostile.

Amaro walked slightly ahead of the others, taking the lead out of old habit. When the baby was older, he'd have to find a job he and Acqua could go on together, Amaro thought, suddenly realising he was missing Acqua's usual stubborn fight to take the lead from him.

[Kender Bard]

As the group ascended up the mountain side there came the distant sound of rocks clacking against each other. Soon the ground began to tremble, softly, as if in warning.

"Can you or the eagle see it yet?" Vasil asked of Ryssa. "I think I do--it looks like an odd formation high above us? Perhaps slightly darker than the rest of the stone."

[Darastrix]

"I can't," Rysa said. "His eyes are better'n mine, though." She called to the eagle again, and he rose to greater height, winging close to the rock wall above and circling back to screech at Rysa.

"That's it, all right," she said as she shaded her eyes and squinted up at the "rock formation." How were they supposed to attack it from there?

[Northen Light36]

Amaro considered the situation, frowning. "It's got an advantage while it's above us. Saph, do you know of a way up there?"

Saph thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I can think of two paths. We'll need some sort of distraction though to keep too busy to just drop a landslide on our heads. Anyone got any ideas for that?"

[Kender Bard]

Hallam rubbed his hands to dispel his nervousness. "I could fly up there," he murmured.

"I would join you," Vasil agreed. "And with my Mind sign I think I could provide a mental distraction while the good General provides the physical distraction."

Hallam didn't relish wasting his javelins but he nodded. "With your permission, my lord?" he asked Saph.

[Northen Light36]

Saph nodded. "Go, but be as careful as possible up there," he told Hallam. "Amaro, Rysa, as soon as they've got the Shaker's attention, we'll head for the path."

Amaro nodded.

[Kender Bard]

The two men glanced at one another momentarily before taking off into the sky. Hallam flew a little lower to the ground and Vasil a bit higher. Soon Hallam was making sweeps in the air above the creature and making low swoops. He occasionally threw a javelin. In the sky, Vasil probed at its mind (such as it was) as best as he could. The Shaker began to shake and tremble the entire mountain in its frustration and loose stone and rocks started to tumble down.

~I don't think this is going to work the way we hoped~ Vasil told Saph. ~It's not that smart.~

[Northen Light36]

Damn it, Saph thought irritably. Any ideas for what might work?

[Kender Bard]

~It's hard to say~ Vasil admitted. Hallam ceased his swooping and Vasil had stopped tampering with its mind. ~But I think I'm going to have to agree with General Hallam that this may take more than just us. Though if you still think that we're enough then perhaps Hallam and I could bring the rest of you up here safely.~