h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Thrusts his katana into the bush and pulls out a skewered rabbit.*

Evening, Lady Lumien. I managed to gte us some dinner, should be ready in about half an hour if you feel like eating.

*Rubs two twigs together and starts a flame. Puts this into a small pile of dried moss and grass, then adds twigs, and finally larger branches so that a healthy fire is soon going within the cave. Quickly skins the rabbit and holds it over the fire on his katana.*

Ahh, nothing like freshly cooked rabbit. I reckon this fire should keep us warm for most of the night.

*Lumien takes her hands out of the stream. The skin has closed over the open wounds, but there are scars on her hands from where the hooks went. She washes her face and arms, and takes a long drink. She grabs an armful of plants growing by the stream, two forked branches, and a long straight stick, and carries them back to the cave.*

I could stand to eat- but careful so that cooks evenly, or we'll get food poisoning.

*She quickly constructs a spit out of the wood, and takes the katana from Kazinishi.*

Let me see that for a minute.

*She takes the carcass outside a healthy distance from the cave and guts it, burying the entrails. She brings it back inside, and stuffs it with the greens, before sewing it up again and placing it on the spit.*

This isn't the first time I've done this...

I see you are quite skilled in matters such as these. However, when one is a long way from home, it is often prudent to use every part of the animal. Entrails, though anappetising, are edible. Still, no harm done.

Yeah, but when you're further from home, they're more useful as bait. Speaking of which...

*She scoops a little cold ash from the firepit, and rubs it on the discarded rabbit pelt to preserve it.*

This could be useful in a trade. We're far from Imardin, and unless you happen to have a gold purse with you, we're broke. This could be a bribe, or at least a bartering chip for food.

Clever. Very good. Let's see, that rabbit was in its prime, so I'm guessing......30 rupees by exchange rate... 20 gold pieces?

I'd say maybe fifteen if we're in a hurry...

*Shoots him a weird look.*

Rupees?

*Syian re-emerges from the woods leading the dragon who seems content; ignoring the two companions she disappears inside the cave*

Syian, where are you going?

*she re-emerges from the caves without the dragon, she sits next to Lumien*

*in the firelight she looks so weary and pained*

*Lumien doesn't say anything, just puts her arm around Syian.*

*murmurs so only Lumien can hear her*

I have never had a friend before in my life; there has never been another whom I trusted so completely or cared for so deeply. For however long you live you have my protection

...And you have mine. From whatever, or whoever, I'll stand by your side.

*puts her hand behind her neck and fumbles for a while, obviously having difficulty undoing a knot..she eventually manages and draws out a very fine long chain with an hourglass on the end*

This was made for me when I was very young; I was told to give it to one who was remarkable.

*she hands it over to Lumien*

*Accepts it delicately.*

What is it?

*Sits back a bit to let the ladies have a bit of privacy.*

*Puts his hand down on something soft. Discovers it is a few gripewort berries, and mandrake plant, and several other rare plants which rarely grow together, but when mixed, make up a very powerful poison. Seeing that Lumien and Syian are preoccupied with something or other that looks personal, Kazinishi starts grinding the relevant parts of the plantas together with a couple of stones.*

It is a ...I don't know how to explain. I was told it was a soul stone, it means that you will be able to call me to you if you ever need me and we will be able to communicate over long distances...

..it is for a friend

*she drops the necklace on Lumien's lap and whirls round quickly, drawing her sword at the same time, she holds it to Kazinishi's throat*

Why are you making poison?

*Lumien puts the necklace on and stands up.*

Syian, take it easy on him... he's doing the same thing I would do if I knew how.

Yurick isn't a very friendly place, and any ghost of an advantage we can get in battle, we should take... especially when one of us is completely unarmed.

*Looks down.*

My grandfather has his knife back now, I guess...

*she lowers the sword slowly and sheaths it*

*she moves away from Kazinishi to the other side of Lumien where she sits*

Who is he anyway? </>

*Lumien sits back down.*

He's one of the other guild necromancers- fought at Kalsho. He's from pretty far away, I don't know where, I can't place his accent.