Leeanna
*Truly there was often no better place to relax under the warmth of the sun than the hills of the Corol Ambo, and that was just what Svilena had been doing prior to her current swimming in a nearby body of water with a few trees surrounding it. With her gear and other items tucked up into one of the higher trees - habits from her jungle home - the serpent slipped into the cool waters for a bout of hunting.*

*Even through she had been living within the region of Felfathas for some years now, she hadn't truly gotten use to not having to hunt for your own food often - what with all the taverns and other small food stalls offering up meals. And while she greatly enjoyed the new flavors, her natural instincts still drove her to hunt while out on the roads. Though she was mindful to not attack animals that were kept in pens, she made that first mistake when she came to these lands.*

*Slinking her way under the waters, she spied some juicy sized fish and once she close the distance - she extended her neck and her jaws snapped down on the fish. She was somewhat able to stand on the floor of the body of water, her chest able to stand above the waterline, she kept the fish in her mouth as she drew back to the shoreline, hanging it up on a branch via a string before she slipped back into the water to fish for some more.*

*She'd likely need at least four more fish of that size to fill her up, one of the woes of having to manage a body of her size - but she enjoyed it, it allowed her to have a touch of home. Least in these waters she didn't have to fight against the larger beasts of the jungle for her meal.*
Maureen
After months of travelling foreign lands, he was finally getting the hang of it. Take secondary roads but avoid small villages, stick close to main roads if you have to but keep out of sight if possible. Wave to strangers but by the Hunter's fangs do **Not** 'smile' else they think you're about to pounce. Funny how they can bare their teeth but if he does it it's suddenly an act of aggression.

Passing by Miller's Dale again had been nice, although he did not stop this time since people seemed to be more on edge than usual. Some recent problem or something, he did not ask nor care much. He had other priorities in mind. ||*Gain access to the prestigious academy of magic in Shirishum. Or whatever was its name, irrelevant.*|| So he travelled further south, staying close to the familiar coast brought him back memories, despite his best efforts to remain focused on the surroundings.

Then the coast turned duller, he walked in unfamiliar lands and the very air seemed to shift and change its scents. The plain turned to hills and the hills turned to mountains in the distance, and he hoped he recalled the map correctly. ||*We're slowly getting closer to our destination, but we still have to tread carefully in those unfamiliar lands. We're likely not welcome here.*|| He carried on without wasting time, he still had days and days of travel ahead of him.

Another dawn and another hunt awaited him if he wanted to get something to eat, 'money' was a precious commodity and better not wasted on what the land could as well provide. Stalking the bushes of the unfamiliar ||*But thankfully snowless*|| forest, his nose eventually picked up a scent trail which his brain recognized as foreign to these parts, and an even deeper part of his brain categorized as potentially dangerous. So of course he gripped his crossbow tighter and investigated. ||*Sigh.*||

Hunched down and alert, he followed the trail until the noise of water made his round ears twitch, then quietly moving closer he s

Potted something moving to the shore and back. Or someone. Still a rather large figure, he noticed. Suddenly his brain lit up and his red eyes widened slightly in recognition. ||*A lizardfolk the elders talked about. Jungle dwellers, north of our home. We stay out of their land, they stay out of ours. Unless they also live around here. Further information needed.*|| He tilted his head for a moment, then shrugged and made himself visible while keeping a distance.

Standing up straight as he abandoned the cover of bushes, the tall figure of the gnoll was clad in simple stitched leathers and a plain brown cape with a hood that covered part of his muzzle. That had been enough to make people second guess his race from a distance at least. He raised a clawed hand and announced himself, his crossbow held casually but on the ready. "Hello. Nice day for a swim...?" ||*Smooth.*||
Leeanna
*Svilena had just popped her head out of the water with a large fish between her jaws, though she swiftly turned her head in the direction of the new voice. She almost thought she was seeing things, but no - there near the banks was a towering Gnoll.*

*She hadn't really seen Gnolls themselves often back in the jungles, her tribe was far north - but when she had left home she had seen some from a far off distance. She didn't feel in any sort of danger, thus she wave a short wave - of both in both her claws were two more sized fish - before she started back towards her things and the other hanging fish. She'd motion him over towards that direction.*

*She'd get the fish she caught strung up and then spoke, somewhat glad to speak with them face to face. So often she towered over others* "Well this is a most strange encounter indeed, ye are a Gnoll no? I hadn't expected to see any sort of folk from my homeland - let alone the other regions - in these lands. And yes it was a good swim indeed, the fish in these parts are very plump, care to join me for some lunch?" *She'd point out the five hanging fish from the branches.* "Unless you're prefer something more filling, I did smell some boars nearby... Oh there I go rambling."

*She'd give a bow of her head* "Svilena Vihur, and what do ye call yourself?"
Maureen
His gaze followed the lizardfolk as... She? She casually waved him over. Not a sign of an apparent threat, so he slowly walked in her direction, crossbow held down at his side with his left hand. He almost missed a step when she called him out as a gnoll right away, so much for 'concealment' and 'reasonable doubt'. ||*Makes sense, perhaps she knows of us as we 'know' of them.*|| Sniffing once and shaking away his uncertainty, he kept walking until he was just a few paces away, a fitting distance for a first meeting.

"Khozarr, or Chuckles if you prefer. I don't mind, I didn't choose either." He attempted a grin, figuring that unlike humans or other such people, she wouldn't feel threatened. Hopefully. "I guess it's strange all the same to see one of you lizardfolk here as it is to see me." He unloaded the bolt of his crossbow and put it in the small quiver on his right side, then tucked the weapon back behind his back. His clawed hands never went out of reach of his other weapons though. ||*Caution is the first rule of survival.*|| "You *Are* Lizardfolk, right? Never seen one before, so I'm just making sure."

Glancing briefly at the fish she caught, he was reminded that he still hadn't eaten since the day before. Not a big deal, he could go a few days without if food was scarce... When it wasn't scarce though, it was a considerable effort to hold back. "... I suppose I could stop for a bite, before going for that boar. I prefer food with bones, you know." He let out a sudden short chuckle, then his gaze returned to her and finally asked. "Why are you out *Here*?"
Leeanna
"Aye, these lands don't see folks like us too often... I've been living here for a few years now, left my tribe to have a taste of the world. Wasn't easy at first, but I've managed to win some of the harden Elven folk - they aren't so bad, but I still get those looks, I'm sure ye know that well enough."

*Both of his names seemed odd, she didn't know much of Gnoll culture* "Well Khozarr, I'm mostly out here enjoying the nature - was just in a passing town recently. I'm a bit of a bard ye see, I've got my things up in that tree though" *She'd point back at the same tree where those fish were. She'd then turn to prepare a bit of a cooking fire* "Why don't ye go catch ye meal, I'll get a fire going and we can work on filling our stomaches up - a conversation is better with food and company."

*Svilena would then begin to user her sharpened claws to slice off branches from nearby trees, breaking them down with her bear strength and working them unto a fire they could use for cooking.*
Maureen
Chuckles half raised a hand as if wanting to stop to ask a question, head tilted slightly to the side. "What's the fire fo..." His words died in his muzzle before he even finished talking, shaking his head slightly. "Nevermind. Gotta adapt to fit in with people around here, yes?" He chuckled briefly once again, sniffing the air to find a trail of the boar she mentioned. "That is also why I still get odd looks. Nothing to do with fangs and claws."

Grabbing his crossbow once again, a fine piece of equipment and quite large for human standards although it seemed to be just normal in his hands, he pulled back the string with considerable effort and a grunt. "I'll try to bring back a tribute in meat then, for your hospitality. Maybe you can tell me about the elves around here, later?" He said, his nose having picked up a particular scent carried by the wind making him grin in anticipation. "It won't take long."

Weapon once again loaded, he set off to follow the new trail with a wave of his free hand in Svilena's direction. He also glanced back once or twice. ||*Caution, lizardfolk are supposedly good sprinters. Or maybe those are crocodiles.*|| Once he was back in the vegetation, he focused entirely on the hunt and finding the unfortunate prey. She did not lie, and a boar had indeed passed there recently. Not a large one, but neither was it small. Likely worth a couple of days in meals, perhaps three. When he spotted the creature in the distance, busy digging the ground for some food most likely, he made sure to approach downwind and take aim with his crossbow...

As promised, it didn't take long for him to find his way back to the camp, carrying the prey over a shoulder. That will leave yet another stain on his cape.
Leeanna
*Once she had enough branches and a bit of dried material, she was able to get a decent fire going and began to prepare the fish just a bit before staking each of them through with sharpened sticks. By the time she had arranged them in suitable spots near the fire to cook, she heard Khozarr's return and gave a long smile; which certainly looked unnatural.*

"Looks like that will keep ye filled for a few days, and the other parts of it will be useful" *She remarked* "Want any help preparing it, not sure how you handle your food - since coming to these lands I took up some cooking habits from the elves and others. It really does taste better when cooked just a bit."

*She'd manage her fish, while carrying on with a conversation* "As for the local elves of this region, I can say they have a deep love for their homeland. Some of their rangers are on par with some of the hunters of my tribe; though they are a very guarded folk. Some are on the prideful side, but tis certainly not all of them. So what of yourself Khozarr?"

*She'd twist the fish around a bit, before picking one up to nibble at for taste, it seemed just right as she took a chomp of it. Chewing just a tad before gulping it down* "Have ye been in these lands long?"
Maureen
Dropping the boar close to the fire with a loud thud, he briefly considered his options then unsheated a thin knife from his belt. "Well I did offer to share, so feel free to get some and 'cook' it if you want, I usually don't have the time... Or patience... To do that while travelling." He grinned, sitting down and starting to skin the pelt off. "I suppose I could try it, see how you prepare it? Could be useful."

He continued making smalltalk while working, but occasionally glancing to the fire and the fish being roasted next to it. "I hope I don't have to stick around for years too... Elves live way too long, and us much less. It's just not fair, no?" He grunted lightly, slicing a small piece of meat and tossing it in his maw before continuing to work. "Maybe it sounds silly, but I'm here to learn magic. It's one of those things they do much better over here, and it looks like almost everyone uses it." He shook his head slightly in disbelief. "I haven't been in this part of the world long, but that's one thing I want to bring back home. That and beds." He barked out a short laugh at that last bit, looking back at Svilena before continuing. "And you? What do you seek here?"
Leeanna
*Svilena took some of the meat from the boar and staked it through with a stick, holding it over the fire for a bit and turning it every so often. While with her other claw she picked up another cooked fish and put the whole thing in her mouth, chewing on it while she listened to the Gnoll.*

*Once she had chewed and swallowed her fish, she chimed in* "Aye, though most folk from the jungle like myself can live for a long time - we barely come close to the elves. I suppose if one has the company to spend all those years with. If not, I imagine its rather lonely."

*Soon the cooked boar looked be about done, as Svilena check it before handing it over for him to try* "Mind that ye don't burn your tongue" *She chuckled in a hissing manner.* 

*When he bought up the topic of magic, she became delighted* "I'm trying to travel towards the famous island where they teach arcane and that sort, Sihirisium is what the people call it. I've heard so many folks speak highly of it; though I'm truly unsure if they'd allow someone like me to attend. But I must try, my own magic is self taught from my tribe - and I desire to get better."

"What of yourself, what sort of magic would you want to learn?" *She asked, excited to have another person to talk to about this.*
Maureen
The gnoll accepted the offered 'charred boar', giving it a tentative sniff and then blowing on it briefly so he actually didn't burn his tongue. Solid advice is solid. "That is the place I'm headed to, if everything goes well. Shroom. Shiroom-" ||*Sihirisium, pay attention.*|| "Si-hi-ri-si-um. I heard it is the most famous place to learn magic this side of the land." He nodded to himself, taking a first bite of meat and inhaling deeply with his jaw open to dampen the still too hot temperature.

"I don't know magic yet, but I read a lot of books about it. All the different types, how it's supposed to work, all the shapes..." He spoke while munching on the admittedly not bad cooked meat, the very image of proper etiquette. Occasionally he even swallowed it. "I wanted to learn some back home, but the shamans are very picky on who to teach. I still watched when they made the markings though."

He rolled up one leather half sleeve, exposing his left bicep and the dark red marks apparently painted on his upper arm. The pattern seemed quite an intricate union of curves and different shapes that disappeared under his vest at the shoulder. "I think they're called runes here, do you know runes? All I learned is how to copy them, not sure how to make them... Magic. But it's a start, no?" He chuckled briefly and bit down on the rest of the offered meat, then he continued dividing the boar in different cuts with practiced ease.

"I hope to find a way to... How do you say it?" ||*Find a link between the shamanic powers and the foreign magic used here, to better understand both.*|| He looked thoughtfully at the sky briefly, then finished. "... Something something, learn how both magics work? I hope it makes sense."
Leeanna
*She took the moment to look over the said runes upon his arm, she clicked her tongue* "Hmm, symbol magic might be possible, even my tribe had our elders that knew their magic... But they were rather quiet about sharing knowledge of it. Its quite a wonder with how common it is here in these lands."

*She would eat another of her fish, chewing it as she pondered her thoughts. Soon though she swallowed it and spoke again* "I myself know some things in the arts of Hydro and Aero type of magic, though it is lackluster at best. But I can imagine Sihirisium would have ways for me to better my control; I've heard their collection of books is like no other."

"So besides ye desires to learn magic, you seem like the hunter of sort no? Unless ye are one of those folk that take on different jobs depending."
Maureen
He nodded slowly in agreement at how easy it was to find people using magic of sorts around here, a leap from the rare reverence such people would receive back home. He shrugged and quickly finished his cooked meat once the temperature was more bearable.

"I-dro and ae-ro... Sounds familiar I think?" He licked his chops and half closed his eyes appearing thoughtful. ||*Principles of elemental magic, chapter one. Those are water and air magic.*|| "Oh that's right! Water and air, of course." He chuckled briefly, scratching his neck. "Well I am a hunter of sorts. It's necessary, you gotta learn to do what's needed for the clan."

His head instinctively turned to the east as he continued talking, as if trying to seeing something in the distance. "Very few can choose what to do, most of us have to learn different 'trades' for survival in case one dies too soon. So there's always someone to take their place. As much as we'd like, we can't survive on-" He snapped his head back towards the lizardfolk, pausing briefly before continuing. "Uh... Fishing, alone."

Quickly he changed subject, leaning forward and looking at Svilena intently. "Can you show me some of your water-air magic? I haven't seen that yet." He bared his sharp teeth in an attempted smile, seeming eager to see something new.
Leeanna
*She would finish offer her last fish, sliding her tongue across her long mouth before shifting to stand up and give a bit of space between herself and him. She then took a deep breath, slowly releasing it as she rotated her claws in a sort of swirling pattern - her mouth moved as if chanting but no sound came. Those with sharp eyes might have seen the very strands of the wind itself begin to circle up and around her claws - before she opened them wide.*

*The collecting winds gave off a breeze as soon they had formed into two large melon sized orbs - made of swirling wind itself. A soft shimmer came from them, giving them their noted shape.* "I'm a tad better at my Aero or Air magic, most of what I use is for defense if I am attacked" *She explained, beginning to sort of juggle the orbs of air about.*

"These Gale Orbs, as I like to call them, can be quite useful - if one is hit by them, the pushback is akin to trying to walk against howling winds. Then I myself will do a follow up attack, its almost become second nature so to speak."

*She would then take aim across the pond, and toss the two orbs out above the few trees - they were almost like unseen blurs. Yet when they had gotten some distance away, they vanished - back into the surrounding wind and air itself. She would flex her claws a tad, before turning back to him.*
Maureen
The gnoll watched intently as she stood up to demonstrate, appearing genuinely curious to see some magic up close and hopefully not directed at him. Hopefully. He raised a clawed hand as if mimicking her gestures, but he promptly leaned back away when the air orbs appeared from her hands. Watching with wide eyes, he chuckled and clapped his hands together at the display.

"That sounds very useful! Good for you to know how to do that already. Can you sail a ship with that? How long can you keep doing it?" He stood up, crimson eyes fixated on her with curiosity mirrored by his words. "Nevermind that, how do you learn to do it? One thing is reading it from a book, another is to actually do it." 

Once again he tried copying her previous gestures, staring intently at his claws as they moved. ||*Let's not get ahead of ourselves, if magic was this easy to learn then everyone would- hmm.*|| Frowning slightly, he lowered his hand and shrugged. "Not that I expect to learn anything *Now*, but it was worth a stab. You think it will be easier to try and enter the academy if you already at least some of it?"

He knelt briefly, taking a cut of raw meat and placing it in his maw to chew on it. When he stood up again he turned his head westward, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. "If only there was a certain way..." He muttered, one hand reaching up to scratch his chin.
Leeanna
*Svilena listened to him ramble off his questions, once he was done she pondered before she began speaking herself.*

"The amount of time I can handle my spells various slightly, sometimes up to 10 or 15 minutes. But I would say it comes down to my focus, if I'm unable to keep control - then the spell itself falls apart."

*She would walk about a tad, talking while using her claws of sorts* "As for learning, I can say I wasn't born with it... But I felt it inside me? It's hard to explain, but the elders of my tribe worked to train those that could likely bring out their skills. So some training is required, least from my experience."

*Getting into the academy was another story* "As for having magic, it could be helpful - but I know not what their requirements are... I've heard some need some sort of letters often? Not sure on those details."
Maureen
Chuckles turned to look at the lizardfolk as she spoke, listening carefully to her answer and nodding along to her explanations. He certainly didn't expect to have an easy time learning magic, after all if he did he wouldn't have travelled to a whole new continent. At least new for him. Imitating her, he also began pacing about, one hand holding his chin while his expression seemed extremely focused. Sharp, even.

"I guess learning a bit of magic before trying to enter the academy is gonna be difficult... So it's time to consider another way. You mentioned a letter?" He stopped to look at Svilena thoughtfully for a few moments. ||*The concept sounds similar to how shamans select clansmen to teach them their magic. It's a matter of recognition of potential and status, no? Perhaps there's another way...*|| His thoughtful expression gradually gave way to a wide, wicked grin.

"Say... Do you think they would be more likely to accept two candidates representing their own peoples from so far away...?" He fully turned towards her, joining his hands while his grin only grew wider. "If we introduce ourselves as sort of... What's the word... Envoys? Yes, let's say envoys of our peoples, perhaps they would be more willing to take us in? As a gesture of... Uhm... Good will? Perhaps respect?"

He began pacing again, muttering to himself in hushed tone before speaking out loud again. "I don't think there has been a gnoll there before, that's very unlikely, can't say the same for your people but I think it's probably the same? We'd be the first, and perhaps they could see it as an occasion to learn more about us while we learn about them?" He finally turned to her again, crimson eyes almost glowing with anticipation. "This has to be the perfect chance! Think about it, what do you say?"
Leeanna
"The letter is something I've sort of heard here and there, its a way one can be recommended to be apart of the academy... Though I'm fuzzy on its details" *She stated with a shrug of her shoulders. She began to work on bringing her things down from the tree, while listening to him.*

*At his idea of them coming forward as envoys, she had to admit it was both clever yet perhaps a tad dishonest - least from her point of view. Among her tribe, Svilena hadn't really found any other like minded souls among her kin when it came to learning more about what lay beyond the jungle. But she didn't wish to ruin the mood, so to speak.*

"Hmm, ye might be right that we would be the first of our sort of folk to travel there - though the idea of them seeing us as envoys is another story. In my years in these lands, it seems there is little contact with my homeland - while in the past humans had tried to settle there" *She looked away, recalling the raid upon the port settlement* "It didn't fair well for them to say the least. While for the folk of this kingdom, I don't recall seeing them very often in the jungles."

*She clicked her tongue* "But I'm up for giving it a try all the same, its a bit of an unknown for us both. Least none shall say we didn't give it a try." *With her agreement, Svilena worked to collect her things and clean up their small campsite, she would offer Khozarr any assistance if he needed it. She did welcome the idea of having something to travel with.*
Maureen
TIlting his head to the side while listening to the brief history lesson, he nodded in understanding. "I didn't know humans tried to settle in the jungle before, I know there's a settlement or two further south along the coast not far from my home..." ||*Pirates and smugglers coves, settling outside of reach of any other kingdom. Interesting folks to have first contact with.*|| "... But I don't think that counts as 'official' contact."

He sniffed once and shrugged, kneeling down to cut the boar in different smaller cuts, bundling them inside the removed pelt after sprinkling them with a bit of what looked like salt. "... Should be good for a while." He collected the bundle, standing up again to look at Svilena with a grin. "So, if you know where to go I hope you don't mind me following. First time in these lands, and we can think of a likely story to tell on the way."

He looked around the area to make sure nothing useful was left behind, that's when he glanced down at his worn leathers and cape. "Probably a good idea to appear more... Uh... Presentable, before getting there. These folks care too much about appearances, weird as it sounds." He scoffed slightly and shook his head. "Aside from that, I'm good to go if you want. Know any good songs for the road? See, I knew this woman who liked to sing and while very strange it made travelling entertaining..." 

Unless stopped, the gnoll would drone on with idle chatter to make up for the lack of communication of the past weeks. Social creatures, indeed.