A new mission

     Erloka they're called. omnivores, front paws, rear hooves. Van was a city boy, and the closest thing he could compare their body type to, were the Rams on TV commercials that would butt each other. He didn't realize they're called Bighorn sheep. Despite the similarities, Erloka were scavengers and opportunists. They could and would eat near anything. Perhaps in that, they actually were similar to goats. Van would have ample time to learn about them.

     Back inside someone had brought Oolah some butter beer and stew. It smelled so good, several others were getting helpings as well. Van too helped himself. His first sip of the steaming beer was hedonistic. Normally Van did not like the heady, grit filled ale that Glam loved. However, prepared as this was with eggs and spices, warm and sweet, he found it a rare treat. Some of the spices were hard to come by, so it couldn't become a daily or even weekly treat. Once a month maybe. However they always had honey and cream, and Ansanlyn had shown him the local plants with the correct roots so Van could still enjoy coffee like drinks. He looked forward to trying different combinations of those roots to find a favorite.

     The stew was heavy on the vegetables and light on the meat. It had small dumplings and was seasoned well, and warmed him body and soul. 

     "It's getting late. Lets have a discussion after first sleep." said Glam when he finished his stew. He was slightly drunk and Van heard him mumble as he made his way to his room,"I bet this is what Gronell drinks every night." Van felt a pang of guilt and pain as he was reminded once again, he was not the only one who loved and lost.

     Perhaps due to his lack of tolerance for alcohol, Van woke from first sleep rather late. He could hear voices in the great room and rushed to join them. He stopped short at the door when he heard what Eloin was saying. "I can't hardly stand to be near him. That black magic... it's terrifying." then in a rushing exhalation, "and he don't know how to use it!"

     "Eloin," chided Glam, "The lad has a good heart, albeit a bit weird."

    "You know we don't get to pick our powers," added Vestis.

     "I know..." said Eloin quietly, "But there's something else. He don't act as a natural teen does, not a human one."

     "It's true," Glam agreed, nodding. "But I thought he had an old soul. Felt a kinship with him in his sullen quietude. True... true... doesn't act like someone his age. You know he may have a touch of something else in him." At that Van thought he should join them. Standing straight he opened the door, yawning for effect. Mixed greetings came from everyone. Everyone was there, including the migrant family. Tables and benches had been brought up from storage, which had the added bonus of making enough room in one of the storage rooms for the family to stay. 

    Glam motioned towards A chair that had been conspicuously left open for Van. Solemnly he informed Van, "The important mission has changed. With Vestis helping, the culling of one tribe of goblonii will be easy, even with the two Ogrii. However, they may be one of many, perhaps branching out from a central location. That central location is the important mission. It's your mission, Van. Yours and Oolahs." 

     She was looking at him from her position at the table, smiling slightly. "I look forward to working with you. I am a forester and will be your guide."

    Van looked at Glam and asked, "Just the two of us?" He fought the urge to glance at Eloin.

     "We'll need at least one front line fighter here for the Goblonii. You'll probably not be back in the spring. In fact, this might take years." Van looked down, and didn't hear the lilting voice of Jenna bringing snacks; Several platters of charcuterie appeared on the table with everyones favorite drink. 

     Idly he sipped his coffee drink and picked at the cheese and sausage. He felt a hand touch his shoulder, and when he looked Oolah leaned in close. Van felt his cheeks grow hot. She said, "I've taken care of your equipment. we leave in the morning. We'll eat early while the morning chores are being done. Get some sleep and try not to think about what you heard before coming out."

       Jenna had fixed Vans favorite breakfast, flat bread and bacon with bacon gravy. Oolah seemed to enjoy it as well. She was drinking the clear water that was one of the reasons Glam had chosen this spot to build. That, and because it's technically not within any kingdoms borders. That was starting to change, but Glam had claimed he didn't have much time left anyways. Van could tell, he had wanted to leave a legacy for future generations; generations that would never exist now. 

     Though an adult, Oolah was only the same height as Van, so it didn't shock him to learn she normally rode one of the Erloka. Now both of them were pack animals, although one could carry someone in an emergency. They carried the majority of equipment, more so since both of them were being used for that purpose. This left the two bipeds with much less to carry, much of it emergency equipment in the event they were separated.

     The weather had cooled enough to warrant coats or heavy jackets. When the wind blew it was cutting. Just before dawn they left by way the raids had come from. The raids would stop during the winter as Goblonii don't deal well with cold. They'd hold up in caves, and enter a partial hibernation, eating and moving little, sleeping a lot.

     "You'll need to learn silence." she said quietly. "I'll show you how to move silently. We'll be passing close to their winter camp while I search for the path that brought them here." She began patiently teaching him. " Don't watch your feet, but be conscious of them. Remember about the terrain ahead of you, so you'll know what's passing beneath you... You mustn't step on twigs or things that make noise."  The erloka were naturally quiet. As the sun rose she signaled a stop, and strung the massive bow. Brin Mal were powerful, and had long arms. When she was finished with the bow, she fastened the quiver under her small pack.