In the Camp We Gather Who: Imenry Barras, Signy Dagna, Cormac Murrough, Falina Bjyr, Rhocanth Garal, Lythe of House Gethon Where: The camp at Gherlen's Pass in the Frostbacks, In front of Signy's tent When: 9:45 Dragon, Present Day Summary: There are many Dwarves here, Old and New faces, (Perhaps a Grey Warden?), The beginning of a mismatched group of adventurers. Rating: Fine for all, but ongoing, possible violence and cursing knowing the company
It was maybe an hour or so later when Imenry met Signy at the indicated tent. Supposedly they had both completed their errands. Imenry's packs felt heavier with their new burdens, but she wanted to be prepared to guide the Dwarf down the mountain and around the lake towards Calenhad Docks. Darkness was settling, the last streaks of sun stretching weakly across the sky. The stars would soon be making themselves shown and Signy had looked so confused at the mere mention of them earlier that she wanted to point them out. It would be best if the girl learned to read her location by them quickly. Getting lost could mean certain death in some places.
She sat outside the tent, having constructed a small fire in a circle of stones. There wasn't a lot of kindling in the clearing, and the high peaks around them blocked the worst of the wind, but having a campfire was a habit and a comfort. She had a pot over it now, melting snow to refill the skein of water in her pack. Once they were out of the mountains it would be harder to find a source of water, as they'd have to pass by rivers or get close to the shore of the lake. So she filled an extra one, just in case. She didn't think Signy knew overly much about traveling.
This area they sat on was cleared of snow, probably by the merchant who kept his stall next to it. Imenry had spread her furs down on the dirt ground for them to sit on. Plain dirt wouldn't bother her, but this dirt was damp with snow and more like mud. Cold mud didn't really make for a good chair, no matter how used to the chill you were. They didn't need to be getting sick. As the daylight waned the temperature dropped and Imenry leaned back on her hands to watch the first of the stars come out. There was no clearer a view of them than from the top of a mountain, she thought, after these last two years she'd realized that.
"See that one there?" she indicated to Signy, extending her hand in a point. "That's the brightest star in the sky. It's your compass. It's part of the constellation known as The Wolf, and he always points North." She traced the shape above her head, as if playing connect-the-dots. It was strange to be having such a conversation, she thought, almost like teaching something to a child. But Signy was smarter than a small child. She just happened to be ignorant of a great deal.
Imenry shifted in her seat and listened to the sound of the fire crackling. She let her eyes move across the campground. The Merchants had all but closed up for the day, putting their things in locked boxes and tucking into tents and shelters. Things were growing quiet.