Phineas travels to Apple Vale

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

[Time Stamp: very shortly after the August event's happenings]
 
The Halfling merchant and tavern-keeper is on the road to Apple Vale for a few days of travelling to pick up supplies, run some errands and find a few knowledgeable folks. The latter are most important for the training and teaching of valuable skills needed by the people of the little settlement of Holdfast.

Phineas knows these trails like the fur on the back of his hands. He moves quickly but with caution.  At a turn in the road, he stops and looks around to see if anyone has caught up to him on his trip to the large-ish town of Apple Vale.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Phineas continues his trip. Sometimes he very deliberately sticks to the road and sometimes he carefully cuts through the woods to avoid certain places.

Every once in a while, the Halfling Merchant looks behind and ahead of himself on the path to see if any of the people of Holdfast have decided to also travel this way.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

The Halfling turns as he hears a noise from behind him. He stops and waits, ready to hide if something nasty comes his way!

[Ira the Elf]

From out of the woods a tiny elf pounces on Phineas and gives him a giant hug.

"Master Phineas I found you!" she says excitedly.

*Ira is grinning ear to pointed ear at this point*

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

The Halfling merchant and tavern-keeper is very obviously (and happily) surprised by the arrival of the Elf.

"Ira!" he laughs! "You have found me! How are you? Nothing's wrong I hope!?"

Phineas looks around her and then back up and down the road.

"You didn't happen to bring Auren with you?" he asked politely but with considerable doubt. "He wanted to learn a few new skills and he has asked me to put him in contact with some people that I know in Apple Vale!"

[Auron Warfield]

"Here I am! Finally, I was afraid I wouldn't catch you, Phineas. How goes the journey?"

Auron is visibly tired - he has been running for quite a while to catch up.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Phineas turns to Auron with a smile.

"I am glad that you have been able to catch up! These pathways can be quite tricky!

The Halfling then explains the situation to his Elven friend.

"You see Ira, Auron asked me about finding a skilled instructor to improve his ability to protect the good people of Holdfast from the assorted troubles that always seem to be coming our way! And here he is, accompanying us to Apple Vale!"

Returning his attention to the human.

"I know that said, but my memory isn't what it used to be.  What skills, exactly, do you wish to learn in Apple Vale?"

[Auron Warfield]

Auron attempts to give a smile in return, but finds it rather difficult through all the panting. He takes a moment to catch his breath, and regains his composure.

"Ah, yes. I require training in advanced air magic. Specifically, "The Air Will Slow You"."

After answering the question, Auron takes a better look at his surroundings, and notices Ira standing there. "Oh, hello Ira. What brings you out to this part of the woods?"

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Phineas nods slowly while thinking for a moment.

"Yes, of course!" he says. "I know a guy! Let's go!"

As he turns to continue his way to Apple Vale he adds "Actually, I know a few guys and gals that I am sure could teach you that spell. And a very good choice for combat!"

[Auron Warfield]

"Excellent, I'm right behind you! Who'd you have in mind for teaching this spell?"

Auron begins heading towards Apple Vale with Phineas, trying his best to remember the route - just in case he needs to go there on his own someday.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

"Actually, the first expert in the Magery of the Air that I was going to ask to train you lives just a little ways aways from here on the way to Apple Vale," the Halfling tongue-twists while waving towards the path ahead. "Just follow me and we will see if she is in!"

With that Phineas sprnts aheads down the path, only to cut in between some bushes onto a little path and up a hill.

After about fifteen or twenty minutes, Phineas eventually slows at a cabin at the base of a hill, small by most standards but the highest in the immediate area. On top of the hill, dressed in many pieces of light blue cloth, complete with a multiple layered dress, a light blue cloak, scarfs and a near transparent blue veil stands a very tail, slender woman. As you might expect, the wind blows around her, in an almost sentient manner.

[Auron Warfield]

Auron sees the woman standing atop the hill, and, without averting his eyes, quietly says "I like her. She's very blue."

He remains this way for several seconds, simply observing the sight before him. "Okay. Let's go say hello, Phineas." With that, Auron begins walking up the hill and prepares to introduce himself.

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Phineas accompanies Auron up the hill to where the woman seems to be enjoying being part of the somewhat blustery day. The Halfling approaches the woman, speaks a few quick words in her ear and listens to her response, too quite for the Auron to hear.

"This is Lillian! She considers herself to be a "Bride of the Air" which is basically an Air Priestess, dedicated to power of Lord Air above all!" Phineas explains to Auron. "She has agreed to teach you, if I help!"

Phineas motions for Auron to join Liilian at the top of the hill.

"This might get a little intense. Oh, and you'll have to take your armour off. But for Faeries' sake keep your underclothes on and do not mistake this for anymore than it is. This is not THAT kind of lesson!"

With that Phineas approaches the top of the hill, motioning Auron to move up the hill but not getting between the teacher and the pupil.

And the winds start to pick up, a lot.

[Auron Warfield]

"Hmm. Alright, here goes..." Auron steels himself and walks to the top of the hill, as the wind buffets him. The feeling of the wind has become one of the most pleasant feelings Auron can experience, and he is grateful for it.

Once he reaches the summit, he nods to Phineas and introduces himself to Lillian. "My lady," Auron places one hand on his chest and bows as respectfully as he can. "I am Major Auron Warfield, and I wish to learn whatever you would be willing to teach me about Air magic. Thank you for agreeing to teach me." With that out of the way, he begins taking off his armor. After a few minutes, Auron is down to his regular clothes (and feeling more than a bit vulnerable).

"I am prepared. Shall we begin?"

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

Lillian, Bride of the Air, nods towards Major Auron Warfield, then to Phineas and then begins to bring the intensity of her dance with the winds to a higher level!

"She wants you to join her in the Air Dance! This is how she teaches, so try to copy here movements, as best you can!" yells Phineas as the wind picks up. "And be very careful not to touch her!"

As the training continues, the intensity of the dance increases and the wind blows stronger and stronger!

Phineas encourages Auron Warfield by making the odd gesture and waving his furred hands.

"Go on! Do your best!"

[Auron Warfield]

"More dancing. Of course." Auron says quietly. And then in a louder tone, a sound to signal the beginning of his dance. "Faroosh!"

Thanks to Opal and her training, Auron is already quite skilled at allowing the wind to guide his steps and movements in dance. He is able to easily keep up with Lillian for the first while of training. As the dancing intensifies, however, Auron finds himself being pushed to his limits. Copying her becomes his sole focus, and all other thoughts fade away... For a few moments, Auron perceives nothing but the intense wind, almost unaware of the fact that he has to move himself.

After some time, he is quickly snapped back to his senses. All of the dancing has tired him more than he realized, and his pace slows to compensate.

"That was... different than I expected."

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

For a while the wind and the dance escalates then, quite obvious to Phineas, Lillian casts a spell on both Auron and herself. Immediately, both of them slow to an almost comic parody of the frantic wind-blown dance.

"Take it all in, Auron!" Phineas yells before realizing that the wind has also slowed and that there is really no need to yell. Then at a more conversational tone "Feel exactly what it is to have the Air Slow you!"

This goes on for about ten minutes or so before it abruptly stops.

"Do you think that you understand the details of this spell, Auron?" the Halfling finally asks. "You really should practise a bit once you get back to Holdfast!"

Lillian quietly bows to Auron and then steps over to Phineas and whispers in his ear.

"Of course!" says Phineas as he hands over the requested payment.

"Auron! Lillian says that she is grateful for the opportunity to teach the way of Lord Air and welcomes you to return, with me, if you wish to learn more!"

With that the "Bride of the Air" silently nods at them both and walks towards her modest little cabin.

[Auron Warfield]

Auron quietly watches as Lillian heads back to her cabin. After she has gone, he says: "Whew. That was fun!" Auron feels strangely relaxed, but stronger. "Thank you, Phineas. I have a feeling I'll definitely be taking Lillian up on that offer for training in the future."

He turns to his pile of armor on the ground, and puts it back on. "Now, I guess it's time to head back to town. I have practice to do. Would you like to join me, or do you have other business to attend to?"

He then says in a quieter, more worrisome tone, "Also, how much do I owe you?"

[Phineas J. Pennefeather]

The Halfling shakes his head and says, "I'll take you back to the path and you can make your way back to Holdfast! And think over the workings of the spell. Lillian has asked me to watch you cast it on a friendly victim when I see you again. I suggest that you practice on one of the other knights. I don't know, maybe Degrin or Pierre? You can always call it off if need be!"

Phineas then considers the other question.

"As you know, I consider training in magicks to be a valuable service as well as is the arrangement of such a service. My understanding with Lillian, as is standard with most of my friends and other contacts, is 3/4 for her and 1/4 for my fee."

He looks over the knight for a further reaction.

"But I'll let you decide how much you value this education and I'll talk it over when I get back to the Watering Hole in a couple of days. All that I can say is that it does seem like a REALLY GOOD spell!"

Phineas escorts Auron back to the road and points the way back.

"I'm going this way, but I'll see you in a few days. Remember, I will want to see you cast this one on somebody you know when I can back! I'll see you!"

[Sponsored content]