<div align="center">Aryia (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=88798.msg3898535#msg3898535)<br/></div><br/>At seeing the exotic girls raised eyebrow to the strange contraption Aryia very slowly went through the motions of drawing the crossbow's tether back, loading a bolt aiming it at the ground in front of her and pulling the trigger.<br/><strong><br/>"May be a good idea to see if they are in working order before we bet our lives on them. Sometimes I forget the order myself, being reliant on witchery and all ... thats right Draw, load, point, release, repeat."</strong><br/><br/>The crossbows were overly ornate definitely, something that pleased Aryia no end. Solid things. Made of a light metal, being significantly lighter and stronger than they looked, and yes a work of art.<br/><br/>Aryia repeated the motions twice more for several reasons. Firstly it was to show akara how simple their use was. Those that didn't have training in them could manage them, that was why they were popular before those blasted black powder abominations. She didn't want to embarass Akara in front of others alien to her land and start any rumors they were barbaric also. Mistpeak had had their full of being the blunt end of jokes and if she could save Aurora from being so also - it would be something Aryia would feel pride for. Likely Akara would learn how they worked in her own time, still there was another reason.<br/><br/>Aryia ~lurrved~ showing off, on horse back, with a flashy silvery toy glittering afternoon light before a battle to save a land that wasnt hers ! hah ! NOT showing off would be blasphemous !<br/><br/>But the main reason she did so was she feared she would cave when the crunch came to desires to run or hide and anything to aid her own feeling of bravado before facing those wretched things helped immeasurably. They were silent. Hollowmen scared Aryia no end. AND her precious personal will-user-ring would not be with her.<br/><br/>Both the hero's could see Aryia becoming nervous and her horse felt it also. A full minute passed before Aryia managed to control her horse enough to lean down while riding to retrieve the bolts from the ground she sent there,<br/>while doing so she hummed, a tune that she heard before in her home land one that inspired.<br/><strong><br/>"Only the men can manage the larger ones, I don't train in anything really so only this light one would I have strength to draw. These are devices yes, but they are romantic in a way, mostly silent so well I like them over what I think would be their betters"<br/></strong><br/>She then looked to the servants who had retrieved the goods, now with a carriage minus four horses.<br/><strong><br/>"Marcus, Anne, Ellen, Barok, Nathan, Margret, Damian, Some of you have talked of what it would be like to have an important role, it seems like it or not Mistpeak will have to form trading alliances where we can. The world seems to becoming more dangerous and we need friends who would have us. If we hope to preserve our culture then we fit in where we can in ways we like. If any of you wish to stay that is fine, an apothecary which sells potions from our home land is overdue in such cities, perhaps we can not compete with the health potions from some places but we are blessed with will-enhancing flowers so liberally we can likely make small fortunes selling them here. If any of you wish to run one know our ships will keep you stocked, half profits those running it can retain while the rest goes back with the trade ships to our villages. Stocks will come in the form of petals from the flowers we all know but crushing them and forming potions must be done here. Arrangements with glassbowers must be made, but for the sweet love of all good gods in this world PLEASE choose a vial that is practical as well as artistic. Vials of Will potions from our land should be a thing of beauty and have a taste and a smell that is wonderful to all senses. Rember its not just mages that benefit from these things, scholars, carpenters, smiths, armourers and the like need will to stay focused on their craft while in the middle of a masterpiece will soon learn to love them.<br/><br/>Those that do not wish to try this I offer other choices, one is to open another shop owned by Mistpeak called Mispeak's Map-Magic-and-Scroll. This mainly would import items for Mistpeak, this doesn't have to be a large shop, but does have to be one in stone with stone walls which have holes to keep fragile scrolls or items free of fire even if the shop itself goes up in flames. This place will get up to date catalogs of what we have and will purchase maps and books our land doesn't yet have, also it needs to have signs in several tounges which offer decent gold for rare magical spells, items, weapons, artifacts or even semi reliable documented references of such treasures. WHo runs them must be aware of the value of books and how be ready to learn from scholars here how to judge a books value and authenticity..<br/><br/>When our ships come they will bring lists of books and scrolls we already have, anything that is new that seems valuable should be purchased. A handful of scribes would be needed to constantly copy what we do purchase, <br/>the original sent back on the next of our ships to Mistpeak, a copy sent back two shipments later.  That way loosing a ship will not cost us a lost knowledge also.  Coin to pay for such things will again be sent with the ships, but the shop's layout and how its welcoming to others should be addressed. Oh another thing, make it clear copies of any in our catalog can be created at a price, charge highly for the service but see to it all copies are scribed in the best of calligraphy and art, have fine leather double stitched binding which is embossed with a pressure stamp of our motive. It would be outside the price of most, but those who want one that can pay for it should be impressed. We must actively feed the library back home. <br/><br/>Both places have to be light, bright, welcoming and non-dusty and fresh. The places must be appealing to linger even if one doesn't have the mind to trade. It has to be sociable, perhaps in a place where bards or musicians linger or tea is served, Ideally the Apothecary as well as the scroll shop should be placed where the wind is fresh and a fine view had, inviting those wanting to linger to do so.  Perhaps both are in the same area and also doubles as a wooden-trinket store for the strange things we make also ? I am not sure this can be who is overseeing them can choose and have artistic liberty for such matters.<br/><br/>Now to others among you interested in neither, a diplomatic or ambassadorship here could be of benefit. Our mountains do not deliver strange metals things at a steady rate and keeping the king or who is reliant on them informed in confidence is needed. Ones wanting such a position would take residence either in the castle wings or closeby and would be Mistpeaks eyes and ears in Browerstone, but one that serves the king in the same breath they serve Mistpeak. If they deem a conflict of interest appears they have the right to request both leaders for a meeting and I for one will come. This mainly would be a ceremonial role but some important meetings will require their hand. Those adopting it must have perfect posture, perfect speech, impeccable dress sense and table manners, and must always bear oneself with dignity and remember they represent all of Mistpeak's pride. Oh yes, and they have to learn a little about homing pigeons.<br/><br/>Those not wishing any of these and wish to return can. Sell the carriage, divide the profit evenly and use it to pay for ship-rides home, feel free to pocket the difference."</strong><br/><br/>Aryia removed several rings from her fingers and passed them to the servants who seemed enthralled with the prospects of the shops or ambassador roles.<br/><br/><strong>"You have all done mistpeak proud, I will see those returning to our lands soon perhaps. Those lingering to set up stores and ambassadorship here sooner. IF any wish to return home to discuss the matter with your family so be it the offer stays open for a moon. Either way the jewelry I have given should be enough to see to these initial matters being set in motion. You will hear from me"<br/></strong><br/>At that Aryia nodded to each in turn while they discussed options they had quickly, before she moved her horse closer to Ravus and Akara's.<br/><br/><strong>"Well we have a few hours of light left in the day, shall we make at least partial progress to where these creatures are before sun down ? I don't know about you but having a decent rest in a place on a hill which we can use to see them coming some way off could be a good idea, and in this town ? well ... I find towns too cluttered for such a want, why people build so jutting from the ground where good grass and trees could grow confuses me no end."</strong><br/><br/>