<strong>Eshalu - in the Saurian encampment</strong><br/><br/>Eshalu observed the movement of the Saurians surrounding her with both wariness and interest. There was an odd scent in the air, slightly dry and leathery and it reminded her of the furious instants she had been close enough to the Saurian alpha when she had first detected it.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Eshalu rolled: 4d6<br/>Comment: Athletics roll<br/>Result: 4, 6, 1, 3,<br/>Net result of +<strong>3</strong> (0 dice rolls, +3 Athletics skill) a <strong>Good</strong> success</div></div><br/>Though she remained circumspect, she was encouraged by Aeryn's eagerness to ascend the rope latter that the Saurians had thrown down for them. Then, when Reliyian followed, and Eshalu decided that they were no longer at risk of a surprise attack from behind, the ranger bounded up the rope ladder, pointedly ignoring the offers of aid from her Saurian "hosts". She was used to climbing trees and was familiar with ropes being means of access, but she was slightly thrown by the distinctive Saurian style. The fibres used were unfamiliar to her and felt strange in her hands - almost like, and she had to force herself to question whether it was her imagination leading to that conclusion, the dry and leathery skin of the reptilians themselves.<br/><br/>Now in the heart of the village, Eshalu followed the party, her keen eyes darting to examine her surroundings. She had slung her spear with a leather cord over her back and her hands were far from the pommels of her blades. Though the presence of so many predatory reptiles concerned her, she did not want to give offence in a place where she had been invited. The spirits of this land were malevolent - that much she knew, and she had no intention of provoking them further.<br/><br/>Speaking first to the great Saurian who had identified itself to be Kelcis, she clarified her name for his kind, "Cold One is the name the People give your kind. You must lie in the sun to overcome your torpor, which is why you cannot live in places where the Great Eye's rays are dim. The loreweavers of my clan say that beings like you once lived in my homeland in the time when the Moon Huntress was flesh and the Icy Redoubts still flowed like waterfalls." Eshalu decided against going into the less savoury details of those stories - the worship of unspeakable beings, artifacts comprehensible only to the reptilian mind and rituals calling for the blood of countless elves.<br/><br/>She admired the nonchalance with which Aeryn and Reliyian seemed to be approaching the bizarre settlement. A sense of apprehension remained with her and it was with some relief that she heard Reliyian's suggestion that if the Saurians wished them harm, they would have acted by now. "<em>You are right, Far-Seer. Though I cannot discern much from their expressions, they seem to have invited us to be their guests. Perhaps they have already eaten. The stories tell that Cold Ones feast once each new moon and eat nothing until the next. But remember that I keep a wary eye on them. I have already shown my blades to be swifter than theirs.</em>"<br/><br/>Inside, Eshalu was startled by the elegance of the furnishings. She had expected something alien, unknowable and wholly menacing. Instead, she could almost see herself resting there after a long hunt.<br/><br/>"You have said today is a good day," she spoke, addressing Kelcis, "why is that?"