Meet the Landers: Adlet Mayer

Within the desert, quite a few hours away from Breg Epona, the camp of Salamander Nomads has gathered. There's Salamanders taking care of their various Pekos in one area, and the large tents have been set up to easily be unhitched and leave. The Nomads are true to their name, everything is made to quickly depart. They don't have any complicated cookwear. Everything is light. Even as they are eating around the large campfire beneath the dark and star-lit night, their bowls are made of simple woods, and their wooden spoons scrape.

Amongst this, the Hero of the Salamanders - Adley Mayer - stands out somewhat. The metalic box with him, and the metalic forks he is using to cook some of the meat over the fire. Waiting for the arrival of a new guest.

    While she will never be mistaken as a great rider, the Baroness, like so many others, is able to do so when need demands. To meet with the nomads on this evening, a peko is certainly necessary.

    The Right Clothes this evening are simple, but finely made. The ostentatious gowns and frills are taking the evening off. Insted, Wake is garbed in a modest and loose blouse of white fabric. Along the cuffs of it small, yellow and orange roses have been stitched into the fabric. On her legs, Wake wears a matching pair of pantaloons.

    She is fortunately able to find her destination easily enough. It helps when one knows where to look and what to look for.

    Well from the campsite, she dismounts and leads her peko closer. She makes no effort to conceal herself. If anything, she ensures she makes adequate noise to be noticed. It would be both rude and most unwise to surprise these Salamanders.

The group doesn't really move or shift when Baroness Wake approaches. She can tell people are looking at her, and have noticed her. But they are not grabbing weapons, or looking like they will leave. In fact, a few of them shift ever so slightly, so there is room amidst the circle for her to join.

There are no words, as she hopefully settles amongst them, and is offered a bowl of stew. A young Salamander woman making sure that the bowl does not go empty, until the Nomads have decided that Baroness Wake has had enough.

"Do not refuse their food." The Hero, Adlet Mayer, remarks. One leg outstretched, one knee up. "It'd be rude." He checks her head, she's not wearing anything. Good, that'd be another sticking point otherwise. "Have you come bearing a gift?" He then asks.

    Wake intentionally came with a bit of room, so to speak. She doesn't know every custom of every culture, but she knows enough to understand what is likely. She eats politely, doing her best to pick up nuances and rules that govern things as she does.

    At the mention of a gift, Wake bows her head, "I have." She draws out three things. First, is a finely made water skin bearing the waters from the mountain springs. On it are signs of the sun and moon. Second is a woven mat, not so different from those that the nomads already have, but with a design showing the mountains and roses of Eas, and finally a sweet cake, baked by Tae herself for this purpose.

    "This welcome warms my heart," Wake says softly.

The sugars are taken each by the young Salamander, and then brought to an elderly woman who is sitting elsewhere in the circle. Each is offered, but not 'inspected'. They are accepted for what they are, without checking for the grain of the weave, or the firmness of the water skin. Each item, individually, is welcomed with a 'Thank you' from the old woman.

Eventually, she received as gift back. It appears to be a necklace made out of bones from monsters and beasts both - with blue gems inlaid at the 'base' of each bone.

The old woman then quietly bows her head.

"It's not often we get an Adventurer here." Adlet then mentions. "We had a recent visit from a pair - a Cait Sith and a Were Fang - but it's been quiet since. What may we help you with?" He inquires.

    Wake accepts the necklace, mirroring the behavior, but also wearing what was given immediately. She bows her head, raising it again slowly.

    "I believe-and hope-that we can work together. You may already be aware that an enemy has come from over the seas to threaten our homes. The Palace Landers are invading. Based on what I have seen, it is their intention to claim all of our homes for their own and bend us to their will."

    It is a start of an explanation, but not all. Wake pauses, meeting Adlet's eyes for just a moment. While her expression remains calm, her eyes reveal how troubled she is.

    "I have given it much thought, and it seems to me that the best way I can serve my people is to seek out allies. In particular, those who hold fast to their beliefs and cultures are of interest. Especially those who have already shown how much they value their freedom."

The old woman takes in a long breath, and then breathes out. Looking, and listening to Wake, while everyone else eats. Adlet himself glances at the old lady, wondering what her response might be. He's not as interested in meeting Wake's gaze in that moment. After all, while he may be the Hero of the Salamanders, he isn't the leader of the Nomads.

"We have no qualms aiding those who have decided to forget us, and turn their backs upon those who came before them." The old Nomad woman points out to Baroness Wake. "But we are few, and we are not a union. So if you wish for our allegiance, we are willing to assist. But only with tasks that fall within our skills. We have already been pushing out the Palace Land invaders in a few pockets in this Kingdom." She points out.

"I believe Adventurers have some kind of communication network that is faster than our own. Will you lend us people in turn, to aid our many tribes and people in communicating from afar?"

    Wake turns her attention on the old woman, then. She doesn't say it, but she is delighted to hear her speak. She had been wondering when she would get to speak to the people she came so far to meet.

    "We will see this is done," Wake says. "It would be an honor to stand with you against our enemies." She is not done, though. "I also would be corrected, if you will aid me. I wish to learn more about your people. I am Wake, an adventurer who serves the people of Eas. If you see me as worthy, I would like to aid your people."

The old woman slowly bows her head as Wake suggests this can happen. "Do be aware, many of us are not familiar with lands beyond Breg Epona." She then looks to the Hero. "Unless Adlet Mayer, many of us are a bit more world-strange."

The woman then looks back to Baroness Wake. "So we are most capable of assistance within the desert lands. And some more quiet operations."

Baroness Wake is given another full bowl as the conversation continues, replacing the emptied previous one. "You are welcome to live amongst our people and learn of them. Adlet can no doubt help you with that as well. But with a war going on, I am not sure you will have the time for this."

    "By your leave, I will do my best to understand and learn as I may," replies the Baroness. She allows a smile to curve her lips. "You are right of course, that time is limited. I will come here again to learn. It is my wish that after we defeat the invaders, I may learn about your people and aid you."

    She looks over to Adlet Mayer for just a moment. She wonders about this hero and what he makes of her goals. Many Landers have strong opinions about her presence, whether good or bad.

Adlet looks up at Baroness when she makes new eye-contact, and just nods at her. "I can help out where needed. This has been my home for most of my life. I've lived amongst Nomads and amongst the Cities. I've traveled everywhere. So if you need my assistance... just ask." He proposes to her.

It seems he doesn't mind Baroness Wake, but he has a very... laissez-faire attitude about this matter. He then thumbs at his chest. "You can rely on world's strongest."

    Wake looks down and smiles as Adlet boasts. It reminds her of a dear friend. When she lifts her gaze once more, she says, "I am blessed by the company of stronger, wiser people. I appreciate it."

    "If it is all right, I would come to understand the history of these people and perhaps something of what they need and wish for."

    She turns her gaze back to the old woman. "I would be a blessing, but first I must know what is needed, appreciated, and accepted." Wake looks down at her hands, silent for a time. "There are no ends to the things that need doing. Yet my shoulders are broad, and my hands willing."

The old woman slowly bows her head, but doesn't speak any further on the matter. And it seems as if Adlet takes this as some kind of sign to quiet down himself as well. He's known to be rather boisterous, so being quiet like this almost seems like someone just put a hand on his mouth and is smothering him a bit.

The nomads continue to eat, quietly, around the campfire. A certain kind of 'muteness' seems to be appreciated, though they 'eat loudly' and somewhat quickly. It's a sense of always being ready to leave if needed.

    Wake is pleased to join in. Riding is hungry work, and as she frequently forgets to eat or sleep as of late, it is a good reminder that her body needs to be sustained.

    She finds her mind wandering as she eats. She wonders how many groups there are wandering this land. She wonders what the Palace Lands will do next. She hopes that the enemy will not trouble these people too much.

    By the time she stops turning over worries and plans in her mind, she's found the bottom of the bowl again. She really should be carefully about eating more than her share at this rate.

    Regardless, she enjoys the silence until it is clearly time for her to go once more. She cannot rest. She must travel farther this night. There are many matters to see to. Her enemy is strong. Far stronger in battle than she is. But her will may just prove the mightier in the end.