"Lessons and Ministrations"

Log Date:
	2/11/02

Log Cast:
	Vardeus, Shay'la

Log Intro:
	Much to his astonishment, Vardeus has discovered that there is one 
among the Little People who is not in fact 'little': a maiden who is as tall as 
any of his own people, and who, moreover, has an astonishing ability to alter 
the shape of rock with her very touch. She has given Maerro a gift, a 
dolphin she molded out of a chunk of rock... and she has demonstrated an 
ability to mimic the characters of the Vraeyan tongue by using this power of 
hers. Mysterious indeed is this maiden, who goes about the island in a cloak 
where her smaller compatriots are far more scantily clad... but though she does 
not seem nearly so outgoing as the little maiden Vardeus knows as Kyethaerm, 
'Shuhayla' has deigned to teach him a few words of their language.
	And, it seems, she is more sympathetic to the humans -- and to Vardeus 
-- than she would like to admit....

----------
Raft Beach - Camp Area - Raft Holt(#10703RA)
Beach and forest meets here, and the place is cleared for tents and other 
  forms of shelter. Straight north, you have cliffs stooping down to sharp 
  impassible reefs. Boulders dot the beach there, all the way back to the 
  forest. The beach holds the same characteristic patterns here, as it does 
  all over. White sand with trickles of black. Here, one can enjoy the shades 
  of the palms and coconut trees, or play in the shallows of the water. The 
  receeding tide opens up the sweep of the beach and shore, inviting your 
  footsteps. 
        Evening at last and the first moon rises setting the world aglo with 
  the silver light. There is a soft breeze, warm and gentle over the ground. 
  The bright tangle of the Waterfall begin to come out as the dimming red 
  light of sunset fills the hot summer skies. The setting sun. dancing 
  attendance.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Surfwind's Tent
Firewater's Tent(#1737Je)
Raft Travelling Camp <RTC>(#9508JLe)
Current and Silverthorn's Family tent <ST>(#8541AOUYes)
Raven's Tent(#6222J)
Lean To <LT>
Obvious exits:
South <S>

For once, the human's gotten up at night, drawn at first out of his tent by 
  the howling of the wolves that live with the Little People, as the moons 
  rise up. But thus far, he's yet to actually see more than the one friendly 
  wolf who'd pounced him -- not to mention the strange wolf-creature who walks 
  and talks like a man. In fact, as he slips out of the tent and looks 
  restlessly this way and that, there's no one in sight at all.
And because he is alone, Vardeus is more vulnerable to the acute sense of 
  loneliness and guilt that threatens to overwhelm him any time he's left to 
  his own devices. The sound of the ocean is a constant reminder of his 
  ship... and what happened to it. His mouth drawing together in a small stoic 
  line, eyes liquid, the human makes his way down to the edge of the water and 
  simply stands there for a time, looking out.

Night is Shay'la's time... sure the wolfriders come out at times but most of 
  them have adapted and tend to take to the sun like the raft. This is the 
  time the beach is clear and not as harsh... this is the time she lets 
  herself remember... and sometimes wish for what she can not have. Sure she 
  has made a home here, but sometimes the tunnels call to her... and she can 
  not answer. She walks slowly along, pausing when she sees you. She has been 
  out long enough that moonlight does not bother her as much, so she flips 
  down her hood as she comes to stand next to you, looking out over the water. 
  She too can not go home, but for different reasons... perhaps that is why 
  she has some sympathy... but shh... don't tell.

Vardeus lets out a little breath of surprise at the figure that seems to 
  materialize next to him out of the darkness. They move like shadow and air, 
  these Little People -- and this tall maiden in her cloak, the one who seems 
  prone to hide herself from others' sight for reasons he has yet to fathom, 
  this one who makes the very rocks shift shape in her hands, seems no 
  exception. It hasn't stopped startling him, not quite yet, and so as he 
  turns to look down at the she-elf he can't quite hide a glimmer of wonder in 
  his expression. You say nothing, and therefore so does he, for several long 
  moments, till at last he proffers a crooked smile and a rumbled, "Taydes, 
  Shuhayla."

Shay'la
        Tall and slender Shay'la has a slender, wiry frame, while still 
  appearing totally feminine. She looks incredibly fragile but looks have been 
  known to be deceiving. Her complexion is pale with only a slight blush of 
  color to her cheeks. A pair of dark, piercing eyes provide the most color 
  for her face. At first glance they appear black but on closer examination 
  they are really a very dark blue. Her features are fine and sculpted, almost 
  chiseled. The combination of her pale complexion and chiseled features give 
  her the appearance of a fine, porcelain sculpture. Her carefully schooled 
  face rarely shows outward signs of emotions, and only enhances the view. Her 
  slender face is surrounded by a sheet of shimmering silver hair. It is all 
  one length and normally falls in a straight sheet to the middle of her back. 
  It is currently bound up in an elaborate french twist, so as to not 
  interfere. It is held in place by a silver comb, with intricate filligree 
  designs on it. Two thin braids on either side of her face are kept free, 
  with tiny pearls and silver beeds woven within the silvery locks.
        A supple body suit, made of the woven sea elf fibers clings to the 
  curves of her form. It is made of a deep, midnight blue fabric, so dark it 
  almost appears black at a glance. The bodysuit clings to every curve, 
  leaving very little to the imagination here. It covers her from almost head 
  to foot, with even a high collar that goes around her neck. The suit laces 
  up the front, with fine, tight lacings, ending with a silver clasp with a 
  dark blue stone in the center of it. On her hands are a pair of dark blue 
  gloves, with silver trim that goes around the wrists. A silver belt wraps 
  around her waist. Covering her head is a voluminous hood, that is attached 
  to the shoulders of the bodysuit. The hood is trimmed in silver as well. 
  Only the two braids that frame her face peek out from under the hood. Boots, 
  of a matching dark blue are worn on her feet going up to end at mid-calf, a 
  silver trim wraps around the tops of the boots.Sticking out from the top of 
  one of the boots is an ornate metal dagger. Carved into the bone hilt of the 
  dagger are two symbols, Underworlder in design. A ruby caps the top of the 
  dagger. The metal blade slides into a leather sheath inlaid with silver. A 
  second dagger, far less ornate then the first, sticks out of the top of the 
  opposite boot.
Carrying:
silver bracelet

Vardeus(#108PXc2)
        Given his round ears and his five-fingered hands, this is clearly a 
  human man... but a distinctly strange-looking one. He stands taller than 
  many human warriors, with broad shoulders and well-muscled arms in 
  proportion to his sturdy frame, and although his face and form are heavily 
  bronzed by the Daystar, he is paler in shade than many of his kind. His eyes 
  are clear and blue as the Vastdeep Water beneath a summer sky. His hair, a 
  warm golden brown bleached yellow on top by the sun, is most often tied into 
  a small tail at the base of his neck; his beard goes with his hair, a short 
  scattering of whiskers that's just enough to soften the strong line of his 
  jaw. He speaks with a rich husky baritone, and in a rolling accent that 
  marks him as not of any known nearby land.
        He is clad in the remnants of what might once have been odd garb 
  indeed, not generally matching what a human what usually be expected to 
  wear. The lower half of a tunic of undyed woven cloth, accented with a 
  stained-in block pattern along its bottom hem, covers him from hips to 
  thighs, and is held in place by a thick belt of well-oiled, well-worn, 
  metal-studded leather. On his feet he sports leathern sandals, with broad 
  straps that wine up his calves just short of his knees; at his belt, on 
  either side, ride the matched sheaths of a pair of iron daggers. At his 
  right ear gleams a small golden earring, and around his upper left arm, an 
  armband of beaten gold. Strips of cloth that might once have been the upper 
  half of his garment are wrapped about his chest and ribcage, partly but not 
  entirely hiding still-healing bruises.

Shay'la keeps her gaze out over the water. She has left the sword at home, 
  though the reason for that is something only she knows and likely she 
  wouldn't explain it she could communicate well with you. Even after your 
  greeting she is silent for several long minutes, but finally she does speak, 
  "Tides Vardeus." So she did pay enough attention to get your name, and to 
  say it fairly well. She does not return the smile... but then it has been so 
  long since she has smiled... sometimes even she wonders if she remembers how.

Well, he supposes, this is a bit of progress then. Not that _all_ of the 
  Little People do not look strange to him, ah, but _you_, lass... your ears 
  seem the same as theirs, from what he's glimpsed, and your hands, too. But 
  you're tall, a match in height for any maiden back in Vrae... and so he must 
  wonder whether the Little People have bigger cousins. Are there more like 
  you? You know symbols, and now, he remembers, you'd given another word to go 
  with Shay'la, identifying yourself. "Shuhayla," he says then, questioning. 
  "Uth-ra-do?" His hand rises, thumb pointing back at himself. "Vardeus 
  Alirreus."

Shay'la arches up a brow ever so slightly, turning for the first time to look 
  at you, "Vardeus Al-irreus." She hesitates slightly on the last name, having 
  to work through it... but she gets it close. She is used to complex names... 
  Maerfaydo, Uthraedo, Goumando, etc... The Underworld likes complex. She nods 
  to you, motioning to herself, "Shay'la of Uthraedo." She says it slowly, and 
  for a moment the shadow of longing passes across her face at the name of her 
  house. It is a house that is no more.... her brother has his own and Orenth 
  had to join it with another to save his family... it basically died when she 
  left... a legacy gone, never to be seen again.

Did he hear three words in there, or just two? Vardeus tilts his head 
  slightly, considering. "Sh.. Shayla," he hazards, then. "Shayla o' 
  Uth-ra-do." Ruefully, lightly self-depracating, he smirks lightly at 
  himself. _She probably thinks you sound like an ill-bred lout._ But well, 
  you're here, you're talking. More or less. That's got to be a sign of at 
  least a bit of tolerance, eh? And now curiosity rises, for he recognizes 
  that shadow of longing even if the features that display it are impossibly 
  refined, seemingly crafted from moonglow rather than anything so prosaic as 
  _flesh_. Slowly, he hunkers down, just enough to slap the sand with his big 
  five-fingered hand as he says, "Staermgraychee." Up, then, just as slowly, 
  mindful of his ribs, to point out to sea. "Vardeus." And then, another 
  gesture out to sea, as he asks, "Shayla?"

Shay'la arches her brow a moment, then figures out what you are asking. She 
  lets out a soft sigh. How does she explain where she is from? She takes a 
  deep breath and then steps away from you, motioning for you to follow, 
  "Come... See." She begins heading away from the water and towards the 
  forest, and the sound of a waterfall. The question is... do you trust her 
  enough to follow?

He has no reason to distrust, not yet. So far the Little People have been kind 
  enough to him and Maerro, even if he's seen suspicion in one or two of the 
  big-eyed faces that have looked his way. And so he does follow after you, 
  long legs easily keeping pace. Besides... anything's better than lying awake 
  in the tent with no company but his own thoughts.

Shay'la heads down the beach.
Shay'la has left.

[Vardeus follows after the mysterious maiden, inland on the island towards its 
  forested areas, and eventually the odd pair reaches a waterfall...]

You head towards the sound of the waterfall.
Waterfall - Surface - Raft Holt
        The waterfall towers before you, the surroundings so magnificent, 
  everything coming together in perfect harmony here. When the daystar is up, 
  the mist created by the water flowing down into the big pool at the base, 
  create a faint image of a rainbow. A cliff juts out just by the waterfall - 
  vines dangles down from a tree on the very edge, the grass thick and green 
  up there. The sounds of the water rushing into the pool dominate the area, a 
  crescendo that carries out into the jungles. The pool is naturally formed, a 
  big oval shaped edging, a big stream running into the trees, heading for the 
  ocean. A ledge, wide enough for an elf or wolf to pass has been pulled from 
  the cliff face. It runs along it heading behind the crashing waterfall. The 
  grass is thick and lush surrounding the pool, a few rocks and boulders 
  closer to the very base of the waterfall provides perfect seating. Wildlife 
  tend to drift this way, across the pool one can catch a glimpse of some 
  creature wanting a fresh drink. The whole place is open, lined only by the 
  trees which leads deeper into the forests, a path can be seen there. 
        Evening at last and the first moon rises setting the world aglo with 
  the silver light. There is a soft breeze, warm and gentle over the ground. 
  The bright tangle of the Waterfall begin to come out as the dimming red 
  light of sunset fills the hot summer skies. The setting sun. dancing 
  attendance.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Reef's Tent(#10557Je)
Obvious exits:
Tunnel <T>  Into the pool <P>  Cliff <C>  Waterfall Path <WP>

Shay'la doesn't stop walking until she reaches the waterfall and the cliff 
  that it pours down. She pauses a moment to allow you to take in the sight... 
  she knows it is beautiful and will allow you to see it as well. And also 
  allow you to catch your breath... She has made this walk in worse shape 
  though, so don't expect too much sympathy. After that moment she steps 
  towards a ledge that runs along the cliff, behind the waterfall. When you 
  get on the ledge you will see that there is a tunnel behind the waterfall. 
  It is too smooth to be natural and is big enough that you can actually walk 
  through it, though you may have to tilt your head a little.

This is more activity than Vardeus has engaged in in days -- but for all that 
  the human's breath gets audibly short as he comes along behind you, he 
  doesn't seem inclined to give up now. As he follows, the beauty of the place 
  _does_ strike him as well, and those ocean-blue eyes of his rove all about 
  to drink in the splendor that surrounds him. "((Skyfather and Seamother,))" 
  he breathes, gazing in distinct wonder on the waterfall before he swivels 
  his head about to see you waiting by the tunnel. "((Quite the paradise you 
  folk live in,))" he murmurs as he moves to catch up.

Shay'la waits until you are on the ledge before she slips behind the falls and 
  into the tunnel. She does turn and caution you before she enters the tunnel, 
  "Careful... Wet." With the last word she sticks her hand into the waterfall 
  and brings it out again... all wet. You are about to enter her domain 
  Captain... are you ready?

'Wet'. Not 'wadder', but 'wet'. Vardeus' features are set in lines of intent 
  attention as he notes these new words, but the gist of it seems to get 
  through to the human. Going under the water, then? "((Lead on,))" he 
  rumbles, nodding ahead past you, again smiling that crooked smile of his. 
  "((Ach, I needed a bath anyway.))"

Actually while you will be under the water you should only get a slight spray 
  from the waterfall. At least she didn't make you swim down.
Shay'la slips behind the waterfall and disappears into the tunnel beyond.
Shay'la has left.

[Inward, through a tunnel, and at last into...]

You head down into the Glittering Cavern.
Glittering Cavern - Under Surface - Raft Holt
        A brilliant cacophony of color and sound surrounds you, enveloping 
  you, drawing you in, enticing you with its beauty and elegance. It is the 
  kind of place one could get lost in, relaxing and serene. The slight tingle 
  of magic washes over you, evidence of the magic used to shape the beauty 
  around you. The walls and floors are shaped smooth, with no loose rocks or 
  stones. Embedded in the walls are brilliant crystals which seem to have 
  their own source of light. Together with bright gems that are interspersed 
  along the walls, the crystals cast light into the cavern dancing rainbows of 
  color across the walls. A beautiful waterfall cascades down one wall, 
  streaming down into a crystal pool up on the wall, only to overflow and rush 
  down into a larger pool. It gives the cavern a soft rustling of water, 
  nature's own music. A mist rises up off the water, refracting some of the 
  light and adding to the splashes of color in the cavern. The sides of the 
  bottom pool have been shaped up from the floor so that one may sit and enjoy 
  the sights and sounds. Hand etched into the sides of the pool are water 
  scenes; tiny, detailed fish swimming amongst carved seaweed. Actual coral 
  has been embedded into the stone lending reality to the small seascapes. 
  Rising up from the floor at various points are shaped benches, the legs made 
  of sprays of water, with the seats having images of wavedancers jumping from 
  the sprays and passing one another in the air.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Obvious exits:
Tunnel the Surface <U>  Tunnel to Main Cavern <MC>

Shay'la slips into the cavern from the tunnel and walks to one of the walls. 
  When you enter in she speaks, "Shay'la" then slaps her hand against the 
  rock. She is from the rock. It isn't entirely home here.... but this is as 
  close as you will get. Surrounded by rock, Shay will always feel safe and 
  actually she looks more relaxed here then she ever did on the surface. There 
  is still that slightly lost look, since where she grew up is so far away. 
  She almost feels guilty for missing it... she was such a different person 
  then.

All right, granted, it's only a slightly dampened human who makes his way into 
  the cavern in the wake of the she-elf -- but for what Vardeus lacks in water 
  that's soaked his person, he makes up for in the reaction that sweeps 
  through his expression. He gasps aloud, and after he comes forward several 
  strides he turns in a slow circle, trying to see everything, blue eyes wide 
  and marvelling. But then as he hears you speak, he turns towards you again. 
  The slap of a dainty four-fingered hand upon the rock is noted... and, too, 
  so is the expression that goes with it. "((Not home then, lass,))" he 
  guesses, though his low gravelly voice comes out as if more for his own 
  benefit than yours. "((But as passin' close as it comes, aye?))"

Shay'la runs a loving hand over the walls of the cavern. She created this 
  place. Oh sure the raw materials were here, but she made it what it is. She 
  yanks off her gloves and tucks them in her belt, then walks over and lays a 
  hand on one of the benches. The stone shifts slightly under her hand and the 
  water spray becomes even more detailed, the wavedancers more refined. She is 
  ever seeking perfection and never being able to reach it. Everyone says it 
  is beautiful here... but it never seems to live up to her standards. A stray 
  rock near the bench is absorbed into the floor... can't have such hazards 
  about.

The tread of the human's feet sounds again, as Vardeus comes up cautiously 
  behind you, that stunned gaze of his upon the hand that shapes the rock. 
  "Shayla... roch shaypurr," he murmurs then, awed, and there's a respectful 
  note in his rumbling voice now. "Feen, Staermgraychee, Nehtgraychee, 
  Kyethaerm, Muinfell, Maernantayde, Wadderlaerk... nae rock shaypurr?" The 
  others don't have this marvelous talent, then? Just you?

Shay'la nods her head slowly. Here, there is only she that can shape rock. 
  Where she comes from there are others... but that would be hard to explain 
  since she can't really explain where she comes from. "Only Shay'la is rock 
  shaper." Of course if Current were around he could really blow your mind and 
  control the very waters themselves... and then there is Splash and her 
  control over flesh and Fathom and her ability to shape bone and coral... And 
  there are other talents not found here. Her ancestors could change shape and 
  start fires... but those abilities are fading away to near nonexistence.

Getting at least the beginnings of the idea, though, Vardeus blows out a long 
  breath. "Vardeus, Maerro, Kephissa, Valnek nae roch shaypurr," he says then. 
  Aye, that's him, Vardeus Alirreus, master of the understatement! He even 
  chuckles a little, low and throaty, aware of the irony from his point of 
  view even if whatever knowledge your kind has of his is as of yet beyond 
  him. And he drops into Vraeyan, anxious to communicate even if the sense of 
  it is not yet able to bridge the language gap. "((Nobody at home can do 
  _this_, lass. It's... ach, almost the demndest thing I"ve ever seen. It's... 
  beautiful.))"

Shay'la arches a brow as you switch into your language. Heck you haven't even 
  seen all the caverns yet... but this one is Shay's favorite. She reaches 
  down to touch the floor and draws up a chunk of rock from the floor. She 
  then motions to you, "You teach me?" She pauses for a moment and shifts the 
  rock into the image of a fish, "Fish." She then motions to you.

He is obviously no child, and yet, the wondering shine in his eyes and the 
  smile playing at the corners of his mobile mouth make him look almost as 
  boyish as the young human that was found with him. That smile broadens, too, 
  as what he thinks you're proposing quickly strikes home. His forefinger 
  comes out, gesturing wisely at the picture that flows out of the rock for 
  his viewing. "Fish," he responds promptly, and then just to be sure, he 
  adds, "((Fish!))" Two entirely different words, the first tasting strange on 
  his tongue and almost making him sound like a lion trying to mew like a 
  kitten.

Shay'la's brows furrow slightly at the word in your tongue and she seems to 
  roll it quietly over her own tongue before saying it out loud, "((Feesh?))." 
  She looks at you expectantly... Did she even come close? And yes, you were 
  right... she was waiting for that. Hey you have to admit that this is an 
  interesting way to learn the language. She can show you things much more 
  easily then anyone else.

"((Fish,))" Vardeus encourages, that ready smile of his flickering up and then 
  away again as his gaze flashes between the shaped rock and your own face. 
  "((A little shorter, but close enough, eh? After givin' me s'more then?))"

Shay'la furrows her brows again and plays with the word again softly to 
  herself, before looking up, "((Fish))." Even to her that one sounded much 
  closer. She shifts the rock again to a different shape, "Bird." She motions 
  to you after she speaks, even saying the word slowly again for you. You have 
  to marvel at her ability to create the shapes... they are fairly detailed 
  for being done so quickly.... but then Shay is an artist.

"Bird..." Wait. A connection fires off behind Vardeus' ocean-hued eyes, and he 
  cants his head, asking intriguedly, "Nae 'laerk'? _Bird_?" Little 
  Staermgraychee had pointed at a bird before, he remembers, and he'd thought 
  then that that meant that that other maiden's name had been Waterbird. For 
  that matter, what this says about the names of the Little People is 
  intriguing in and of itself -- but no, no, don't get distracted, sailor! 
  "((Bird,))" he adds, helpfully.

Shay'la concentrates on the bird's shape and it becomes more detailed... the 
  perfect representation of a lark. "Lark." She then even trills a few notes. 
  She has a beautiful voice on the high pitched scale. She then pauses a 
  moment, again muttering the word in your tongue to herself several times 
  before she has the nerve to say it out loud. She is a perfectionist after 
  all, "((Bird))." Hopefully she got across that lark is a type of bird.

"((Bird, aye, bird,))" Vardeus proclaims, distinct pleasure in his voice now. 
  He can't hide his fascination -- indeed, mystery maiden who shapes the rock, 
  that voice of yours appears to have come in along with everything else he's 
  been able to observe about you to seize his interest. And then _he_ is 
  struck with a bit of inspiration as well, bringing his left arm about so 
  that you can see the gold armband he wears and the engraving upon it. 
  Tapping _that_ symbol, and specifically the upper half of it, he offers 
  brightly, "((Sun.))" Then, his finger taps the lower part of the symbol, the 
  stylized waves: "((Ocean!))"

Shay'la peers at the armband, then her eyes brighten for a moment and she 
  almost smiles, "Daystar... Vast Deep." She then plays your words over for a 
  few moments before she speaks them, "((Sun... Oshe'an))." Okay the Ocean bit 
  isn't quite right, but it's close enough. She walks over to the fountain and 
  skims her hand across the water, "Water." She motions to the cascading 
  water, "Waterfall." Her hand then dips back down to give the water a slight 
  push so it laps against the side of the fountain, "Wave."

All of these things are mimicked promptly back as Vardeus steps over to follow 
  you, the elfin words still phrased awkwardly -- but beginning to pick up a 
  bit of a rhythm in the human's rolling accents. ((Water)) and ((Waterfall) 
  and ((Wave)) are all offered in return. And now, getting into the spirit of 
  things, he starts seeking things to offer words for, himself. "((Hand,))" 
  says he, bringing up his right one, pointing at it with his left. And, then, 
  for good measure, shifting which hand points at which back and forth, 
  "((Right hand, left hand!))"

Shay'la repeats the words back to you, accented but close enough. And well if 
  you are going to get into things and speed them up then she is more then 
  happy to pick up the pace right along with you. She points to both eyes, 
  "Eyes," then she brings her hands forward, "See." Two concepts in one. She 
  does the same for "Ear" and "Hear." She then pauses a moment... you have met 
  Stormgrace so this should help you out some, "Stormgrace no hear. Stormgrace 
  deaf." Oh but her ancestors must be really going wild at the palace... not 
  only is she speaking without any thought at all... but she's not even using 
  full sentences. You might appreciate that but it does happen to go against 
  her upbringing.

Ach, the name! He recognizes the name, indeed, and rolls it around 
  thoughtfully as he tries to improve his pronunciation of it. 
  "Staermgraaaays? Staermgrays nae hear." Swiftly, intently, Vardeus nods his 
  understanding, tossing out Vraeyan words to go with the elfin ones. 
  "((Staermgrays no hear.))" Onward, through the other words shared -- and ah, 
  but here's a thought! "((Fingers,))" ventures the human, wiggling his by way 
  of visual aid. One, held up: "((Finger.))" And then, one after the other, 
  the rest come up to join it. "((One, two, three, four, five fingers!))"

Shay'la nods her head slowly. She repeats what you said and then holds up her 
  own hand, "One, two, three, four fingers." She then points to herself, 
  motioning to the four fingers and pointed ears, "Elf." She then walks to 
  you, ticking off the fingers, "One, two, three, four, five fingers." She 
  reaches up to trace your rounded ear, then motions back to your hand, 
  "Human." She pauses a moment before speaking again, "Five Fingers." This 
  last is said almost as if it is an insult... and she even elaborates, by 
  poking you suddenly in the ribs, "Hurt... Five Fingers Hurt Elves."

Wait a minute. Vardeus blinks, and the small pain of being poked in his 
  still-healing ribs goes entirely overlooked as he realizes what has just 
  been said to him. Quick, successive thunderbolts of comprehension flash 
  across his mind. Elf: that must be the word the Little People use for 
  themselves. Human: the word they must use for people like _him_. She 
  recognizes his kind... because... his kind have _hurt_ her kind? 
  "((Skyfather,))" he whispers, "((no wonder then ye've all been shy o' 
  me...))" All traces of a smile vanish from his bearded face, then, and in 
  utmost earnestness, with extreme care, he says, "Shayla elf. Vardeus... 
  huimin. _Vardeus_ _nae_ hurt elf. Nae hurt Shayla."

Shay'la seems to think about that for a moment... then decides to show you 
  just how much you have been granted. The bird shifts to a tablet similar to 
  the one that she imitated your writing on. She flips out her knife and stabs 
  it down, over and over again into the air, "Kill." The flash in her eyes, 
  the slight snarl that pulls at the corner of her lips... it all conveys the 
  message of what she means. She then slips the knife away and a sketchy image 
  of two figures, one male and one female appear on the slate, "Raina.... 
  Sealock." Then another image, "Redtide." then "Stormgrace." Then "Vann." 
  "Raina... mother... Sealock... father... Redtide and Vann... Brothers..." 
  She motions over all of them, "Family... Stormgrace Family." She erases Vann 
  and a sketchy figure appears on the next line, "Vann..." "mate - Darktide," 
  another figure, and then a smaller one, "Charm." And then the next line, 
  "Stormgrace..." then, "mate - Nightsinger" and then slightly smaller, 
  "Nightgrace." She then looks at you, pointing to the figures when she says 
  their names, "Humans kill Sealock, Raina, Darktide, Vann, Nightsinger. Hurt 
  Redtide." The next line on the tablet are bodies on beach, "Dead... die... 
  Redtide almost die."

Some of the words go past him -- but the important ones, the crucial ones, do 
  not. Vardeus gets enough of the idea to comprehend that some of the Little 
  People... some of the _elves_... close to Staermgrays have been killed.
By people like _him_.
The human pulls in a shuddering breath, eyes closing for a moment in solemn 
  acknowledgement, and more than a little dismay. If what you're saying is 
  true... there are more like _him_ in these alien lands. But what comfort he 
  might derive from that is overshadowed by the knowledge of death and 
  bloodshed brought to these small folk by his own kind. He doesn't have the 
  words to ask _why_... though, truth be told, no reason he can think of to 
  make war upon the elves seems fair or just. Their numbers are few, from what 
  he's seen, their weapons simple, their lives peaceful in the midst of 
  idyllic beauty.
At last, all he can think to say is, in his own tongue, "((I'm sorry...))" And 
  to hope, as he does, that his emotion can be read in his face and heard in 
  his voice. Blue gaze never wavering, he repeats, drawing one of his own 
  daggers and holding it hilt out, "Vardeus _nae_ hurt elf. Vardeus hurt elf, 
  Vardeus ((give knife)) elf, elf kill Vardeus. ((I swear it on the Skyfather 
  and Seamother, lass.))"

Shay'la seems to guess the question... the why you can't seem to think to ask. 
  She takes the dagger from you and drops it on the floor, then lifts up your 
  hand and puts her hand to yours, "Different." She motions between her hand 
  and yours. She then shifts that tablet into a horrific image... the only 
  thing she can think to convey the word demon. "Humans..." She taps her 
  temple, "Think... elves demons." She pauses a moment, "Humans and elves... 
  different." With other elves she might even think the humans had cause... 
  but the raft... They want nothing more then living peaceful lives in idyllic 
  beauty. Shay revels in their innocence and tries to protect them, "Shay 
  protect others." She points to herself, and then motions to her weapons and 
  then motions above her to the surface. Just so you know the score.

"Shayla... pruhtecht... elfs." Vardeus can understand that, plainly enough. 
  Still he does not falter even as this point is driven home to him. And 
  though a bit of frustration wells into his expression at the crudity of how 
  he must for the time being communicate, he nevertheless declares staunchly, 
  "Vardeus _see_ diff-rent. Vardeus... nae think--" And he points to the 
  tablet. "Nae think dee-min. Vardeus nae hurt elfs. Vardeus _say_--" His hand 
  to his mouth, then, down to lie flat-palmed against his heart. "Vardeus... 
  ((feel))."

Shay'la nods her head. She isn't very fond of this broken communication 
  either. She motions upwards again, "They... raft elves." She then motions to 
  herself, "Shay different... Shay Underworlder." She looks back up, and makes 
  a sweeping motion over her head then brings the hand down to form a fist... 
  a cohesive unit, "They tribe." The word tribe is spoken with conviction. 
  "Shay sees Vardeus no hurt tribe. Shay help Vardeus." Whoever said miracles 
  couldn't happen never met a lonely elf with a chip on her shoulder. If 
  Stormgrace can be so passionate in her conviction to aid you, then she must 
  have seen something in you. Shay steps forward and lays a hand on your 
  chest, "Stormgace trusts Vardeus... so Shay trusts Vardeus." She pulls back 
  her hands to make a motion as if she is breaking something, "Vardeus break 
  trust... Shay hurt Vardeus." Okay, got it?

Vardeus draws in another long breath and then lets it out again, relief he 
  can't disguise easing some of the tension out of his features... though his 
  eyes remain entirely earnest, entirely solemn. "Vardeus see," he rumbles, 
  inclining his head in understanding. He does not know what Uin-der-weld-er 
  is -- another 'tribe'? A word for protector, guardian? Regardless, it's 
  obvious now that this Shay-la is no more originally of this peaceful place 
  than he, though she has grown to think herself as part of the Little People 
  that live here. "Vardeus... drrrrr... truhst elfs, truhst Shayla."

Shay'la almost hopes you never learn what an Underworlder is... but if she 
  goes with you beyond this tribe to help you find your friends you may come 
  to understand that some elves out there will trust her about as much as they 
  trust you. She nods her head slowly, "Shay will help Vardeus find his 
  tribe." Heck Shay will even cross the Vast Deep to do this... and she 
  happens to be afraid of water... Just wait until you find that one out. She 
  hides it well until she gets into trouble. She looks over at you and lets 
  out a wistful sigh, "I wish you could send."

"Shayla... tribe. Vardeus.... ((crew)). Shayla..." His head cants just a bit 
  sideways again, in what seems to be habit for him; so, too, might the way he 
  lifts up a hand now to absently shove his hair back out of his eyes be born 
  of habit. "Hilp? Vardeus..." Ach, how to put _this_ into words? "Shayla 
  hilp, Vardeus--" Again, his hand slaps his heart, and lets loose what he 
  hopes is his most heartfelt, earnest smile. "((Happy.))" Or as happy as 
  he'll get, at any rate, if his ship is sunk and most of his crew is dead.

Shay'la arches a brow up, "((crew))." OKay that one takes a bit to wrap her 
  tongue around. His word for tribe is crew. "((Hap'ee))" That one she has to 
  think about for a moment, brows furrowing together, "Ah, happy." She hopes 
  she got that one right. It's been a long time since she felt happy. "Shay'la 
  happy to help Vardeus." Okay she doesn't entirely look it... but then she 
  has long since learned to school her emotions... to not let them show... 
  emotion is weakness after all.

Emotion may be weakness in the Underworld, but Vardeus Alirreus wears his 
  sentiments as openly as he wears the earring and armband of gold upon his 
  person. And now, he nods several times in acceptance, still smiling, though 
  not as brilliantly. "((Good,))" he rumbles, and then, he goes on, 
  intermixing the words of the elves with the words he's brought among them, 
  "Vardeus... ((happy)), see elfs. Elfs..." Now, though, words fail him. He's 
  not the most eloquent of men in his native language, much less that of the 
  Others who call themselves 'elfs'. He finally has to settle for turning 
  around in a circle, arms outspread as if to indicate everything around him, 
  before his hand finally comes back around to indicate the she-elf. "Elfs... 
  ((beautiful.))"

Shay'la's brows furrow at that last word, "((Bootiful?" She looks around the 
  cavern, taking it in and for a moment letting herself see it through the 
  eyes of others. To her there are only imperfections that she has yet to 
  fix... but to someone else it could be something else entirely, "Beautiful." 
  She then realizes he also indicated her as well. She even blushes slightly, 
  lending some extra color to her features. She manages a half grin and looks 
  at you, "Vardeus cute... for a human." Ah the true test of trust... teasing. 
  And actually there is a teasing sparkle in her eyes as she says it.

Ah, so the human can blush, too! He seems to cough, that easily prompted 
  crooked grin of his turning distinctly sheepish. "((If you said what I think 
  you said, lass, ah, er... thank you.))" This last he says again, hoping to 
  relay gratitude and acknowledgement of the teasing. "((Thank you.))" 
  According to _him_, though... "Vardeus..." He peers down at himself, at his 
  bandaged ribs, abruptly aware that he is clad in rags, and that he must seem 
  huge and clumsy to these slender, graceful people. Especially thanks to his 
  gods-cursed ribs. And with a look of mock self-disgust, he even sniffs 
  himself. "Vardeus ((dirty))." And he pretends to droop his head and 
  shoulders, adding, "Vardeus ((tired))." Regretfully, he finishes, palming 
  his hands together and laying his bearded cheek against them, "Vardeus 
  ((sleep))."

Shay'la arches a brow slightly, "((dirty)).." She looks at him and then nods, 
  "Ah, dirty... yes Vardeus dirty." Well she can't offer you soap but she can 
  offer you a bath. She motions to you, "Come... Clean Vardeus.... Bath." She 
  then turns and starts walking, motioning you to follow.

Eh? The human blinks, but is certainly willing to follow along now that he's 
  reached an accord of sorts with you. Vardeus pauses only long enough to 
  retrieve his dagger from the cavern floor and slide it back into place at 
  his side -- a careful, stiff motion, this. But, well hey. His daggers and 
  his belt and his sandals are about all he's got left to his name, as near as 
  he can tell. Wouldn't do to lose it! "Vardeus come," he agrees.

Shay'la disappears into the tunnel leading back to the main cavern.
Shay'la has left.

You walk the tunnel back towards the main cavern.
Main Cavern - Under Surface - Raft Holt
        Impressive, enormous, massive are perhaps some words that come to mind 
  when entering this cavern. The walls and floor are smooth, the product of a 
  rockshaper from the tingle of magic that surrounds you. The sheer size is 
  overwhelming, likely able to hold the entire holt and then some. In fact it 
  seems as if that might be one of it's purposes, with benches shaped up from 
  the floor. The benches are set in rows, providing seating for many elves. 
  Each bench is ornate, with flowers forming the legs of the bench... like a 
  garden of stone that stretches out before you. The cavern is lit from glow 
  moss, both growing naturally on the rock and in ornate bowls that are shaped 
  from the wall. The entrance is angled in such a way that it creates a pool 
  that leads down, then into the reefs. Hand holds have been shaped in the 
  rock to make entering and leaving even easier. The cavern is by no means 
  dry, though the water is mostly held at bay. A mist permeates the cavern, 
  from the ocean waters, sending rainbows of color dancing across the walls. 
  The rainbows are more prevalent in areas where there is glow-moss to cast 
  light into the mist.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Obvious exits:
Tunnel to glittering cavern <N>  Tunnel to living caverns <E>  To the reefs <O>

Well this should give you and idea that there is more then one way into and 
  out of these caverns... as well as an idea that right now you are below the 
  ocean. Shay moves slowly through this cavern, again allowing you to soak it 
  all in.... Yes she did all of this too.

And one thing's for sure -- it's quite the distraction from loneliness and 
  guilt and despair and other things that have been haunting the human captain 
  for weeks now, even before his ship entered the monster-infested waters and 
  met its doom. He hasn't forgotten his responsibility... but now, at least, 
  he begins to hope that he's won over allies that can help him find what's 
  left of his people. Then... well, he'll worry about _then_ when it arrives. 
  Vardeus follows you without reservation now, and as before, his attention 
  roves all over the caverns. Natural? Or, it begins to make him wonder, made 
  by the same talent that the maiden Shayla has shown him tonight?

Shay'la wanders into the tunnel which leads to the living caverns.
Shay'la has left.

You choose the tunnel leading towards the living caverns.
Raft Family Cavern - Under Surface - Raft Holt(#7041RAJ$)
        A tingle of magic tickles your senses, still present from the sheer 
  power used to mold what was once a natural cavern. The walls and floor have 
  been shaped smooth, with no loose rocks to get in the way. The cavern is lit 
  from glow-moss which sits in ornate bowls that have been shaped out of the 
  walls, or grows naturally on the surrounding rock. Enormous pillars, about 3 
  or four elves around, rise up from the floor of the cavern and go all the 
  way to the ceiling. There are about ten pillars in all, spaced evenly 
  throughout the cavern, lending support and adding splendor to the whole 
  area. As you approach the columns you find that they are more spectacular 
  then just their sheer size, alone. Each column has been either shaped or 
  hand carved with sea scenes... from schools of fish that swim a twining path 
  up the columns to tiny sea horses bouncing through coral reefs, often made 
  of real coral that has been embedded in the columns. Twining off from the 
  main room, which is huge in it's own right, are tunnels and caves where the 
  raft live. The caves are set on several levels, creating an almost beehive 
  effect in the cavern here. Paths twist and twine up the cavern walls to lead 
  to the tunnels. All the paths are strong, and any tunnels that were not 
  useable were sealed over, lending stability to the whole cavern.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Obvious exits:
Tunnel to main cavern <MC>

Shay'la motions to the caves as she enters, "Raft... homes." She walks over 
  and touches a pillar, making a slight adjustment to one of the scenes, then 
  sighs and shakes her head... She will never get that one right. Or perhaps 
  she just focuses on that one to keep her mind from the other 'mistakes' she 
  has made... or 'imperfections.'

'Homes'. Word for a place to live? Or a word for little caves? Experimentally, 
  Vardeus waves his hand about the overall large cavern you both traverse now, 
  venturing, "Home?" Following along until it seems the destination you have 
  in mind will be reached, he casts only passing glances at this opening and 
  that. More of his attention is upon the intricate shapings he can see on the 
  walls and upon the shaped pillars of stone.

Shay'la nods her head, "Yes...Home." She then reaches to take your hand. The 
  next step is a little tricky as she appears to be walking right towards a 
  wall. The entrance to Shay's cave is set as an optical illusion. It looks 
  like a blank wall, but there is actually an entrance there. You just have to 
  have faith that she won't run you into a wall.

"((Wha--))" Well, you haven't harmed him yet, and unless he's severely misread 
  you and the wonders you've been apparently willing to show him, you're not 
  going to harm him now. Vardeus lets you take his hand, but one blue eye 
  squints closed even as he edges along in your wake.

Shay'la has left.

Shay's Cave(#9077RAJLUh)
Not an immense cavern but large enough, the walls, floor, and ceiling have all 
  been shaped smooth. Wall sconces line the walls at various intervals, 
  lending light to the cavern. The wall sconces are all shaped in the form of 
  blooming flowers, stretching their petals up to the light. The ceiling is 
  domed and has raised reliefs covering it. It is the night sky, with the 
  moons shining down. The moons are made of glowing amber, embedded in the 
  ceiling. The stars are glowing crystals, drawn from the rock. Trees stand 
  out against the walls, raised from the rocks. Raised designs of grass and 
  flowers run along the walls near the floor. It is like being thrust into the 
  forest. Along one wall a raised waterfall spills down a cliff. Where the 
  waterfall spills down is a pool of water, with a slight bit of steam rising 
  off it. The pool is big enough for about four elves and has benches shaped 
  in, lining the walls. In an opposite corner is a pile of furs for sleeping 
  out under this make shift night sky.
Contents:
Shay'la(#9063PJXce$0)
Obvious exits:
Out <O>

Shay'la leads you into her sanctuary. Many of the elves don't even know the 
  secret to the entrance. She motions to the pool in the back that has sponges 
  set nearby, "Bath." And yes the water is hot, which should be good for those 
  aching muscles. She looks at this everyday, so she has stopped seeing what 
  even she has created here... One day she hopes to add more... and yes it 
  should be large enough for you to stand up. She had Orenth in mind when she 
  shaped the ceiling height and he is about 6'4".

"Bath--" That's obvious enough, and Vardeus takes an unthinking step forward. 
  But then he catches himself, and his gaze shoots down at himself and what's 
  left of his clothing in consternation. Wait. It's not as if a good portion 
  of his body isn't already visible... and to be sure, the Little People seem 
  to wear as little as any Vraeyan sailor on ship, from what he's been able to 
  see... but. Um. Er. A slightly different matter it is, to strip off _all_ of 
  his scanty garb.
A ruddy flush that has nothing to do with the temperature of the cavern creeps 
  across Vardeus' countenance, then, and awkwardly, he settles for looking for 
  a place to sit for a moment, so that he can unlace his sandals. As he 
  hunkers down to sit at the pool's edge, a small hiss of breath escapes him, 
  and his hand comes up to press involuntarily against his bound ribs.

Shay'la frowns slightly at the hiss of breath and moves towards you. She 
  reaches out and begins unwinding the bandages around your ribs. "Shay go... 
  get bandages." She motions to the bandages... you need some clean ones. And 
  it would give you some time to get clean without an audience.... though 
  really elves... you may learn... have no modesty... They would romp naked 
  through the woods if they didn't worry about splinters.

"((Thank you, lass,))" Vardeus breathes out hoarsely, his head drooping 
  slightly forward as the pressure of the bandages against his battered ribs 
  is relaxed... and pained sensation flares and ebbs anew, with each breath he 
  hauls into his chest. He holds still as the strips of cloth are lifted away, 
  revealing a mottled pattern of shades of yellow and dull brown and fading 
  purple still splashed along his ribcage. The lowest ribs themselves are 
  visible; there's not only no extraneous flesh on this human, he may well 
  even have a bit less than he truly should if he were as healthy as he should 
  be. "((Thank you.))"

Shay'la frowns even more and then turns and heads out the door to get what she 
  needs. Food, bandages, something to put on those bruises... and some more 
  cloth. She actually had hastily stitched together a pair of pants for you... 
  but you need a shirt or you will get burned by the sun.. She understands 
  that all too well. She will leave you long enough to get as clean as you 
  can... everything you need for your bath is here... including cloth to dry 
  yourself... well except the soap... true soap hasn't reached these parts yet.

As you step away, Vardeus applies himself to unlacing his sandals. To the 
  slightly more difficult task of unfastening the heavy belt that carries his 
  daggers... and once that is eased away from his frame, he lets it fall with 
  a dull *clunk* to the smooth shaped floor. What's left of his cloth garment 
  has nothing left to hold it to his frame, then, and so he pulls that easily 
  away as well, revealing a simple linen breechclout beneath. As unclad as 
  he's comfortable with getting, then, the human edges slowly into the 
  water... and barely manages to bite back a groan of surprised relief as the 
  temperature of it strikes his skin.

Shay'la is gone long enough for you get a nice long soak, since she had 
  trouble hunting up enough cloth for a shirt... or rather enough cloth so 
  that little stitching will be required. She returns with two baskets, one 
  with food and the other with cloth. She lays a pair of black pants over the 
  food basket... they are for you. Basically she took a pair she made for 
  Orenth and added some more too it since he is a might bit skinnier then you. 
  She has to make his clothes because no one else will make him stuff in 
  black. She then walks over and flops down on the furs and begins putting 
  together a tunic that will likely be a might big and fairly simple and 
  crude, but then she's doing this simply by sight. She hums slightly as she 
  stitches... looking totally oblivious to the fact that she has a near naked 
  human in her midst.

The heat of the water is almost enough to make Vardeus want to fall asleep 
  right there in the pool... and indeed, he's had to struggle not to let 
  himself relax _too_ much, lest he slip under the water. But he's managed to 
  find one of the benches in the pool at any rate, and by the time you return 
  he's slumped onto one of them, his head tilted back against the edge of the 
  pool behind him. He's wet his hair, and the heavy, wavy mass of sun-bleached 
  brown has now been shoved back out of his face. But when he hears your 
  footsteps he stirs again, smiling ruefully. "((I wish I could tell ye how 
  much I was after needin' this,))" he notes, while reaching over to take up 
  one of his daggers. As long as he's bathing... might as well get rid of the 
  beard. Tiana'd be on him in a second if she caught him looking so scruffy...
_Tiana._ Vardeus abruptly goes unsettled of eye, and with an effort, turns his 
  thoughts instead to seeing whether he can sit still enough in the water to 
  get a decent enough look at himself so he can shave without cutting his own 
  throat.

Shay'la looks up as you speak, though she doesn't really understand much of 
  what you just said. She catches the look and rises to her feet to come over 
  and make sure you are okay. "Shay'la help Vardeus?" Well she's offering. 
  Elves don't really need to shave.... okay some of the wolfriders might, but 
  then with them facefur is an honor. She motions to your beard growth, 
  "Vardeus no like facefur?"

The human pauses with the dagger's iron blade held against his jaw, surprised 
  by the offer, and needing a moment or two for his tiring brain to fathom the 
  meaning of the she-elf's question. "Ah... uh... Vardeus nae laych faysfuir, 
  nae," he gruffly replies. He can't imagine how to try to explain how he 
  shifted from the habit of not bothering with his whiskers at all to trying 
  to pay at least passing attention to shaving it, so he doesn't try, not yet.

Shay'la nods her head. To each his own. She hadn't seen facefur until the 
  surfacedwellers were brought down into the Underworld. She doesn't have a 
  strong opinion on it either way. She holds out her hand, "Shay'la help 
  Vardeus?" Whether you want her to have a knife that close to your throat or 
  not is up to you... Though she can probably see better then you... she 
  hasn't actually done this before.

He's tired. He's wounded. And he's not in any shape to wrestle with you, 
  should you decide to do something unauthorized with a blade against his 
  neck. And you _have_ spoken of trust, if he understands you aright. Winging 
  a silent prayer to his gods that he's not about to commit the next great 
  mistake of his life, he rasps wearily, "Shayla hilp Vardeus." And holds out 
  his blade for you.

Shay'la takes the blade and then looks at you for a moment. She's never 
  actually done this before... so hopefully she won't cut you too badly. With 
  one hand she moves your head about, to the angle she needs. She actually 
  ends up kicking off her boots and climbing into the bath to stand over you, 
  actually practically sitting in your lap. Elves have no shame. She brings 
  the blade to skin and very gently begins getting rid of the unwanted facial 
  hair. She does manage to knick you once or twice and shows she was listening 
  and understanding you way before by saying, "((Sorry))."

"Vardeus nae hurt," the human answers, one corner of his mouth quirking up. He 
  swallows in reaction he can't entirely suppress... not when a maiden so 
  unabashedly more or less sits right in his lap in warm water. But other than 
  distinct bemusement in his eyes, and that one flexing of the muscles of his 
  throat, he lets himself do nothing else. And as you work, the line of his 
  jaw comes into better relief, and so does the dent in the very bottom of his 
  chin.

Shay'la finishes up with one final stroke of the blade, then turns your head 
  from side to side to view her work. She frowns slightly as she must reach 
  for a sponge to dot at the few areas she knicked. Being less than perfect 
  definitely gets to this one. She hands you back your knife and then climbs 
  out of the bath as if she wasn't just practically in your lap. She dries off 
  her hands and moves over to finish the tunic for you... though actually it's 
  more like a vest... but either way it will cover the bandages, "Vardeus 
  clean now? Feel Better?"

"((Aye,))" the Captain rasps, willing to just sit there for a few moments as 
  you rise up out of the water, while he wrestles with the temptation to lie 
  back again and let the heat of the pool chase the rest of the tension from 
  his frame. He could, he thinks just a little hazily, stay in here for 
  another few weeks... but he can't succumb. So he makes himself begin to 
  follow you, though with considerably less grace than you.

Shay'la puts the finishing touches on the crude vest and then rises up. She 
  motions for you to sit down, then hands you the basket with the pants and 
  the food, "Vardeus eat... get better." She then grabs the other basket and 
  pulls out a small bowl filled with some linament like substance and 
  bandages. Someone has to wrap those ribs up again. The stuff in the bowl 
  actually doesn't smell that bad... it rather smells like mint. She motions 
  to the stuff and then to your bruises, "Shay'la help."

He has to admit, the soak has done him good; he's a bit better able to move 
  with ease now, his motions now just slightly more hindered by simple 
  weariness than pain. Vardeus peers into the basket, then, as he finds a 
  place to sit out of the water this time rather than in. Food, in there. A 
  garment, though the cut of it is unfamiliar, and it takes him a few minutes 
  of effort to get the altered trousers pulled on over his legs. Once that is 
  accomplished, he smiles tiredly and agrees, "Shayla hilp. ((Thank you.))"

Shay'la moves forward once you are settled and begins rubbing the linament on 
  your bruises. She has a gentle touch, though you might now be able to catch 
  the callouses on her hands that were not entirely evident before. She works 
  with rock nearly everyday.... and she doesn't always shape it with magic. 
  You just sit back and eat while she takes care of your injuries. When she is 
  done with the linament... which might be a little cold at first. She begins 
  wrapping your ribs. With that done she hands you the vest and then sits back 
  to make sure you eat, "Vardeus can ((sleep)) here." She doesn't figure that 
  you will be up to the trek back to Raven's tent.

Vardeus does take up a bit of the food you've brought him, nibbling 
  absentmindedly at a strip of fish... but now, mostly, his tiredness has 
  overtaken his hunger. He does shudder a little at the chill of the ointment 
  against his water-warmed, still damp skin... but he patiently holds still, 
  his breath only a little short, until you're finished. Then he downs the 
  last of the fish, and accepts the vest gratefully, turning it about in his 
  grasp to inspect it before he shrugs slowly into it. "((Again... thank you, 
  Shayla. Shayla... good.))"

Shay'la nods her head, then motions for you to lay down, "Vardeus sleep now. 
  Vardeus tired." Hopefully Vardeus won't mind waking up next to an elf 
  because as soon as Shay gets tired she'll plop right down next to him... It 
  is her bed after all. For now though she grabs a basket and a half finished 
  statute and moves to a corner to set to work... can't let her skills rust. 
  And yes, this she is carving by hand.

He has to say... this is an improvement over sleeping in a tent. Nodding 
  heavily, Vardeus rises up and moves to lie down, easing himself into a 
  horizontal position with care. "Vardeus ((sleep,))" he breathes, eyes 
  drifting closed. Let's just hope Vardeus doesn't dream, shall we?

Let's hope you don't dream.... let's hope Shay doesn't. She has enough 
  nightmares to make yours pale by comparison. Maybe both will get a good 
  night's sleep tonight... One can hope.

[End log.]