It's definitely winter in this part of the world. Even though it's so close to the equator, the peculiarities about Sinai's ecology don't always translate into equatorial lands being tropical paradises. Still, there's no snow on the ground (yet), and it's a vast improvement from Stalwirland.

The wagon trek from Falcon's Watch was, thankfully, downhill for the most part. Despite tales of earth golems, none were encountered. The only hassles the group had was from bandits … and Aero Flynt managed to do an impressive enough performance to actually convince them that he could take them all on single-handedly. Acting does have its uses, it seems … though apparently the group actually has a little in the way of actual fighting skill as well.

At last, the group made its way to Half Valley … where the actors promptly negotiated a ride back to Rephidim, despite some expressed interest in Kroz maybe some other time.

So, it's late morning, approaching noon, when the Skreek and her two spotted companions find their way into the quiet place known as Half Valley, and into a suitably quiet establishment known as Levitha's Blanket, run by an Aelfin proprietor known by the name of Piksil.

Willow yawns despite the fact that the morning is almost finished with as she enters the inn. "Once we've arranged for a place to stay tonight, we'll start hunting around for passage to Kroz. Thorn, make sure your pap doesn't get overcharged for room and board. You count a bit better than he does." She stretches a bit and walks up to the counter.

An Aelfin smiles to the Skreek. "Welcome to Levitha's Blanket, traveler," she says in a soft voice.

"Good morning," Willow chitters back. "My two companions and I are looking for a place to spend a night or two. Nothing fancy, just a bed and a warm meal if you have it. A bath would be nice as well, depending on how much you charge."

A couple of robed and cowled strangers, short in stature, huddle over steaming mugs at a table in the corner. A Rhian with several scars on his hide and an empty scabbard over his back sits alone at another table, staring at the wall and resting his head on his hand with a generally bored posture. For the most part, though, it's pretty dead in here, though a couple of Lapis can be seen working back in the kitchen.

The Skreek sniffs at the air, trying to pick up traces of the scents of people in the room.

The Aelfin nods. "Certainly. Ten shekels a night per room this season, and that includes a hot bath and breakfast for one. Two more shekels per extra breakfast."

The Rhian smells like a Rhian. The Aelfin smells like an Aelfin, with a touch of soap, fresh linen, and kitchen smells. The two cowled strangers smell fairly musky. There's a natural body odor in there somewhere, but it's fairly masked by something pungent.

"Wonderful! Back in the Watch I was paying that much for a meal." The Skreek digs in her coin purse and pulls out two tenners, and then adds a fiver to that as well. "A room for me and a room for the big spotspot and his kid. He eats a lot, so the fiver is to cover the extra and food for his son. We'll be sleeping here tonight, although it may be an extended stay depending on how quick we can get passage to Kroz."

The front door to the inn opens again. A couple of poodles walk in – one male, and the female hanging on his arm, both chuckling and giggling over some unheard joke. By their species alone, they're either Gallisian or Rephidim.

The Aelfin smiles, and looks across the room, noting the location of the two cheetahs. "I'll check on the rooms, but they should be ready for you to check into shortly. We get a few people stopping by for a meal this time of year, but we've still got some rooms open right now."

"Pond?" calls out the Aelfin, waving toward the back. A Zelak (?) comes up in response.

"Can you please make sure that we have two rooms ready for our guests?" the Aelfin asks the insectoid. The bug-man nods quietly, and moves up the stairs.

The poodles, meanwhile, head over to the table with the Rhian. "Oh! We had a splendid time!" yaps the male. "You are such a professional! We'll have to recommend you to all our friends." The Rhian, meanwhile, just nods quietly and politely in response to the compliments.

Willow nods. "We'll be here. I think after the morning's walk we could all do with a bit of lunch." Her eyes widen at the sight of the bug. "Wow. I haven't seen a Zelak since I left Rephidim."

The Aelfin nods. "I'll be preparing lunch shortly, and there will be plenty of hot food waiting for you after your walk."

The two cowled and short strangers get up, leaving their empty mugs at the table, and head out the front door.

The Skreek glances over her shoulder. as the two strangers leave. "Burr, I'm going to go and check on ships for a bit. Order me some lunch while I'm out, and make sure the rooms are all right. I'll be back soon." She gives the cheetah a pat on the arm and ducks out the door as well.

As Willow looks, she just happens to catch a glimpse of something odd about the hand of one of the strangers as he reaches for the door. He has two thumbs. And, aside from Nohbakim weirdness and general surface mutations, there's only one species that typically sports that feature and happens to be just the right size.

Outside, it's just a quiet, average day in some far-flung village with at least some modicum of contact with the civilized (that is, Rephidim-dominated) world. It's definitely modest compared to Rephidim, but not a stagnant cesspool like the Gallisian slums or some of those wretched villages in Stalwirland, either.

The two cowled strangers shuffle down the street, meeting up with a third that waits along the way, with similar taste in concealing attire. Down the other way, there's a carriage with a Lapi driver waiting just outside the bed 'n breakfast, which Willow didn't see on the way in – Possibly it brought the two poodles this way.

Not quite knowing her way around the city just yet, Willow decides to follow the cowled figures for now. They don't look like immediate trouble and this place looks to be capable of dealing with its own but she feels like wandering a bit for what remains of the morning.

Well, it's not a city, really, by any means, but it does have its own modest airport. (More of a dedicated clearing, really.) The three cowled strangers are headed that general direction, whispering amongst themselves. Thanks to Willow's keen ears … and the fact that she happens to understand Kavi … she picks up a few snippets. "… will be ready to leave tomorrow. Have you made sure our provisions are secure?" "Yes. And we've plotted several courses." "The way will not be easy, with the cold winter of the north, but we shall persevere… " This accompanied by several head nods and muted hand gestures.

The Skreek continues on her way to the port, wandering to the other side of the street to hide the fact that she's following the Kavi. ( They seem to be wanting to get out of here, but don't seem like trouble. As long as my ship doesn't blow up. )

The Kavis head up to the clearing, and head up the gangplank of a fairly standard (if run-down) looking airship of Rephidim construction, but civilian markings. It flies some flag of a nationality that Willow can't place immediately.

After a moment's thought, though, recognition of the odd flag comes up, thanks to Willow's airship experience – It's an emblem that represents a sky garden raining "manna". It designates the Wandering Roams … not that this is actually a recognized nation by any means, but there are a few Rephidimite private holdings out in that wasteland.

The rat shrugs her shoulder. It was an odd way to dress, but not everyone in black cloaks means trouble. She starts to wander through the docks, trying to spot a ship where the workers might happen to look Olympian or Krozite or a ship that flies the colors of one of the countries.

Of the other airships currently in the yard, there is one flying the flags of Gallis, and a puffed-up looking Kujaku captain proudly struts across the deck for no apparent reason other than to enjoy the fact that he's an airship captain with his own ship. There's another that looks a bit more modest, flying the flag of Rephidim. And … that's it, really. This isn't the Rephidim docks, after all. And this might actually be a lot of traffic for a far-flung outpost of civilization such as Half Valley, for all that can be told.

( Well, Gallis was the closest, last I checked. ) Willow fusses with her clothing and hair for a moment before boarding the Gallisian ship. "Hello? Captain sir?"

"Oi? Ah! A Skreek! There is a Skreek on board!" the Kujaku twitters. "Shoo! Shoo shoo! Don't touch anything!"

"A Skreek with money." Willow backs off a couple of steps just to be polite and drops into Gallisian. "I'm looking for passage to Kroz, and I am willing to work and pay money for that." She sighs to herself. "I'm also willing to sleep in the cargo hold if you don't want me to be seen on your deck. Are you going anywhere near Kroz or Olympia?"

"Yes, yes, we're going to Olympia, for the Landing Day celebration there," twitters the Kujaku. "And Kroz? What in the world is Kroz? No, no, I've never heard of the place."

"Kroz is right next to Olympia. I'm surprised you've not heard of it… they're good for trading." The Skreek folds her arms against her chest. "If you can get me there, I can get to Kroz myself. I have two companions, a Savanite and his son. I'll be the only rat, I assure you."

The Kujaku hmphs. "Well, it is not my decision, regardless. That would be the master's choice. He should be back at the inn, paying his guide for the hunt in the Bowl. Perhaps if you win his pity, Master Frivole may see fit to do some favor for you. But without his permission, I simply must insist that you leave this ship immediately! Shoo shoo!"

"Is he a Gallisian Poodle?" Willow squeaks, backing off a little bit more. "I'd like to be able to recognize him when I see him."

"Yes, yes," twitters the Kujaku, sounding annoyed, "and he is accompanied by the beautiful Madame Truque. Now … off, off!"

The Skreek bows. "All I needed to know! Thank you sir!" She spins on her heel and starts to jog back to the Inn.

Nothing impedes Willow on her way back to the inn. When she gets back in, the Aelfin is serving lunch to Burr and Thorn, and it looks like the poodle couple is already eating. (Their Rhian guide is counting coins, and doesn't seem to be interested in eating anything.)

Willow takes a moment to catch her breath and smooth out her fur before walking up to the two poodles. "Excuse me for interrupting your lunch, sir, but are you Master Frivole?"

The male poodle pauses in his meal, but rather than looking annoyed at the interruption, he rather looks flattered. "Why … yes … yes I am! You've heard of me, then?" He smiles, quite smug.

"Of course, sir." The Skreek bows. Technically she has heard of him, after all. "I have come to ask if I could possibly buy passage on your ship. I am seeking a ride to Kroz, but I've been told that you will be going to Olympia as well, which is close enough to my destination. I am willing to pay, and offer my services as a doctor if you have need of them."

"Kroz?" repeats the poodle. "Is that a city in Diamante, perhaps? I think I may have heard of that before."

"It's the name for the collection of countries there. Actually, Diamante is my desired destination. I'm planning on visiting Prince Ral Diamante and his family." Willow's tail switches back and forth nervously.

"Oh, really?" says the poodle, and he and his companion start giggling as if at a joke. "Oh, that's quite good! Well, actually, I do think we're passing over Diamante. Hmm. I lost most of my servants in the Bowl, I'm afraid, and we could really use some help on the ship, I suppose. Are you any good at cleaning?"

The horse finishes counting the coins. "It's all there, Master Frivole." He tucks them away, and stands. "It has been … interesting. Fair travels."

"I'm so glad you didn't have the air mage accompany us, darling," the lady poodle says. "As it is, we only have four days to make it to Parthos in time for the celebration. Three, really, if we wish to make Landing Eve."

The male poodle nods. "Well, our mage is safe and sound on the ship of course. But I do think it would have been splendid. Maybe she could have loosed a lightning bolt or two."

"If you can make a small stop in Diamante, I'll clean my hands raw for you." She gestures to the two cheetahs. "They're with me as well and are two of the hardest working Savanites you've ever met." She clears her throat. "And I'm sure that Mother Diamante would be most hospitable to you for dropping me off there."

"Oh, really?" The male poodle raises his eyebrows at the sight of Burr. "Oh my!"

Lady Truque nods approvingly, then says, "He's rather big for a Savanite. Is he for sale?"

"No. He's not," Willow replies. "But he has had experience working an airship and should make up for several of your lost men."

"Well then!" says Master Frivole, smiling. "It seems we have a deal, then. We'll be heading out in the morning. I'll expect you on the ship and ready to leave at sunrise."

"We'll be ready." The Skreek grins, although there's a slight nervousness to her smile. "Will you be stopping in Diamante first and then leaving for Olympia, or the other way around? I'm unfamiliar with your route."

"Oh, we'll be heading straight for Parthos for Landing Day, and then we'll pass over Diamante on the way back to Gallis," says Master Frivole. "We should make good time, with an air mage pushing us along."

Willow nods. "Sounds wonderful. I'm sure that Mother Diamante will enjoy meeting you… and I can see if Misty's married Prince Ral yet. I'm very grateful, Master Frivole."

The poodle nods … and then goes right back to tucking into his lunch.

The Skreek wanders back over to the two cheetahs. "Eat up guys and get to bed early. The next three days are going to be hard work, but I've gotten us passage to Diamante."