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Deac ponders this and relaxes.....a very small amount, but some never the less. "A noble cause sir, but why should that give someone to....to whack you over the head?"

Vlad laughs.

"Let's just say that there are those who don't like some of my past deeds," he says, "I have been in opposition to some rather powerful people at one time or another."

"Well, at least you're honest" John said chuckling. Extending hand again, "I'm Johnathan. And this is Grannom."

Deac grunts and asks "Where can we get you to?"

Vlad shakes the offered hand.

"A pleasure," he says, "But as to destination, I'm afraid I'm not even sure where I am at the moment."

For the first since meeting Vlad, Deac can not help but smile. "Likewise," he says wiith a rueful smile.

Toma seems to be putting most of his attention to his food and waterskin right now.

Will finishes cooking up the medium steak and serves it to Vlad.
He raises an eyebrow at Vlad's reluctance, but says nothing about it.

Well, we do all be strangers here I believe. I don't believe in coincidence, It will be interesting to find out why we have been brought together..

Let me introduce myself..
I am William Barbary, a Paladin of the order of Melchizedek.
My horse over there is named Job, He's a patient sort.

For some reason my friends have taken to calling me Cap'n ...

* Grins *

Does anybody want an apple to go with their steak? There in that bag there if ye do, help yerself.

Deac grabs an apple, and munches it thoughtfully while staring at Vlad. "Well, Mr.Harkonan, whatever shall we do with you?"

Vlad gets himself an apple.

"A pleasure to meet a fellow man of the cloth," he says to Will, "I, myself, started my cleric training when I was a mere 13 years old."

Turning to Deac, with a smile, he says, "I wasn't aware that anything needed to be done with me."

"Well I know what needs to be done with you! We need to get you to tell a few sailing stories."

Its was now Deac's turn to caught off-guard. His face went red and was suddenly extremly interested in his apple. He stammered out a reply. "I meant....I-I mean never meant.....I just mean how could.....how could we possibly....help you....if you want help....that we could offer...I guess...............heh," then gave a small cough. Deac became intensly interested in his boots.

"Well, don't I feel silly?", Deac whispered to himself. He then shimmied over to the edge of campsite and did his dead-level to melt into the ground.

Toma takes an apple when they're offered, but otherwise declines comment until Deac starts stammering. Then he draws attention to himself with a light laugh. "Easy there, Deac. The man knows what you meant, I'm sure; no harm done or feelings bruised there. It's natural for decent folk to want to help somebody in need, or who seems to be." He cocks an eyebrow at Vlad. "Of course, it's just as much somebody's right to insist on handling his problems on his own... sometimes it's pride, sometimes a matter of honor, and sometimes just a healthy suspicion of people they don't really know. After all, any one of us could be an assassin or other sort of blackguard, regardless of what we tell each other. It's my... "professional" opinion that that's unlikely, but one never knows. And the more that rides on your safety, the harder it is to trust anybody."

Toma resumes eating his apple, apparently unconcerned about any reactions to his words.

Vlad lets out an burst of laughter at Deac's reaction, but quiets down to listen to Toma.

"you're right, of course," he says, "Any one of us could be untrustworthy and, with my recent experiences, it's kind of obvious that I'm having trouble judging character."

He bites into an apple and looks a bit surprised.

"You know," he says to Will, "For being so out of season, these are really delicious."

"So what happens now?," Deac asks, while munching furiously in his apple.

"A very good question, sir," Vlad says, "I suppose we should at least try and find the nearest town to figure out where we are."

Will says "There's a road yonder" he says, pointing at a particularly large tree. "Gimi a sec, and I'll be ready to go. "

William then starts to *break camp* by dousing his grill, and burying the embers in a hole he had prepared prior. A quick douse in a nearby stream gets it cool enough to pack, and it folds up into a nicely small package.

He then whistles to Job, who then plods over to get a nose pat, and several packages to cary loaded on his back, starting with the saddle.

Will next dons his armor, and slings his sword over his shoulder.
This all takes a fiew minutes, but Will is effecient at it, as if he has had lots and lots of practice. It's also apparent that his gear has been *designed* to be easy to ready.

Will whistles, and clucks to his horse, patting it on it's neck as it moves to his side...

"Well, I'm ready to go now.." he says with a grin, looking around at yall.

"Then let us be on our way," Vlad says, grabbing his pack as he finished the apple.

"Very well, shall we go?," Deac says. He stands up and replaces his hood, which cats a deep shadow over his face, and then grabs his small pack from the ground which promptly disappears under the folds of his cloak. He dark gray suit and cloak are loose fitting, but do not wave and the barest whisper can be heard of his movements. Deac's cloak drape's over his torso and arms, so that his arms can be seen when they are at his sides. He joins the group and moves along with them. His gray outfit and movements blend him well with the forest so that without the knowledge he was actually standing there, he could be easily overlooked.

He gives a slight cough and says "(ahem) Let us be off, good monk." Suddenly, his hand appears with an apple in it which he starts munching noisily. "I am ready to leave when you are."

Will starts to whistle a tune as he starts walking to the tree in the distance.
Job follows along at his side.
For some reason Will hasn't put a harness on Job. Job follows so well that it takes a moment to notice the lack.

A fiew moments later, you recognise the tune he's whistling as "Were off to see the wizard... "