Turning to Hanalee "He's a good lad this one" Patting Mal on his back, laden with gear. "Faithful as the day is long"

"Well Brightleaf it seems there are a few of us that might be willing to poke our nose into some unnatural business" Looking to the new arrivals. "Feel a bit odd traveling out to a graveyard without a holy person though. Any about town that got the fortitude to travel with this pack?"

Alric studies the newcomers noting their better than average gear. He assumes they know how to use what they have. Perhaps if anything reared its head it would be better with these folk than wondering into such a potentially hazardous place alone.

Alric Stands tall (as he can). "I'm for seeing to the unnatural goings on at the graveyard anyone else up for that . . . "

"I don't care to go to the sale, sounds a bit much like taking advantage of a broken heart and unhappy home but I am willing to wait ifin' you can use your weapons well enough."

"Take advantage? Oh, no," Hanalee assures the halfling. "I'll offer some comfort if I can...but I won't be long." She jingles her the purse at her belt. "I don't have a great deal to work with besides, but just in case she's offering something special..."

"I won't be long! And then I'd like to investigate that graveyard as well." Hanalee rushes off to see the broken-hearted young woman with wares to sell.

(OOC: Is the sale far off from the well? I'd like Hanalee to hurry and return to accompany the graveyard-goers.)

Making her way down the dusty road towards the well, after a long days travel, Karnath hears a Halfling, "Excuse me, did you say you are looking for a holy person?" Drinking by cupping her hand and bringing it to her mouth, ever alert. Not that an Ale wouldn't be better to wash the dust of the road away.

Looks over her shoulder to Aldric "I'm in but if Hanalee here says she might find something (glancing at her armor and weapons) it can't hurt...and I may be able to find more information about a few things that may interest all of us".... flashing a quick smile.

(OOC: Like Hanalee I want it to be quick while she's haggling I want to be in the crowd listening and gauging the crowd's mood and then join the rest).

Caden hooks his thumbs through a couple of the loops of his sword belt "Not much for shoppin myself, reckon I'll stay behind with Alric here."

He eyes the new woman hailing Alric, "looking for work not fit for sensible folk as well eh?" "Maybe we ought sit down somewhere an have a drink, establish a base of operations so to speak. Besides taverns are good for all sorts of useful tidbits, a little brew and most folks tongues get loose."

(OoC: Because I don't have an actual list of what Gods are present, I'll say Karnath follows a Goddess like the Great Goddess of Teotihuacan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Goddess_of_Teotihuacan a Goddess of vegetation and fertility, eg 'life' like Karnath's domain, she is also often represented by a spider.)

"The threads from the Great Goddess oft lead to strange places and stranger company. Work for some, a calling for others. A beer sounds good, yes." She smiles at all who are paying attention to her, "My name is Karnath, Priestess of the Great Goddess."

"To those that don't know me I am Alric, hunter by trade" Alric sketches a quick bow.

Looking up at the new comer. " Yes. We were planning to journey to the grave yard to look into these unusual happenings. I thought perhaps such a place of reverence and respect needed someone skilled in dealing with the after life. " with a grin continues " And faith never hurts"

"You two run along, don't worry I will not venture off without ya."

Turning to Caden. "Hear Geraldines is respectable enough place. Could use a bite to eat "

Caden nods to Alric "Fair enough, lead the way."

"I shall follow." Karnath replies.

A pair from the crowd breaks off and stops Hanalee and Bright Feather before they leave, "Darlings, a moment of your time?"

The other continues where the first left off, "You two must be interested in bridal things, naturally, so young and beautiful as you are. But..." Their heads and eyes turn to face each other with an empathetic look before returning to face you both.

Like a tag team they alternate, "She's had such a bad turn of it, and it's so soon. Killed while returning to his boarding room right down this very street, this place is so violent."

"And he not a drinking man, well perhaps a nip or two on Saturdays, and never before Sunday services."

"He was a good man. To think, even attending services, as a bachelor in a place like this."

"They still don't know who is the killer, but the arrow had something to do with snowy owl feathers. Out of place and season here..."

"Anyway, long story short —" "Too late!" "Oh, you tease! — Anyway, do us all a favor and be kind to her. She'd sell it for a song of him, she's so beside herself, she's in no state to properly bargain."

"And she still has her aged parents and future to think of. At the very least leave the bridal gown she worked years on, just in case she ever falls in love again. I know it's a selfish thing to ask, but..."

"... you two look like good-hearted women who would understand. Bless you both on your future marriage, spare a kindness to the less fortunate, please!"

"She's located here [gives directions to home] and the family name is Blushing Phlox, just like that pink flower one can find around here. You can say we let you know how to call on her... [gives reference of both their names]"

A trio splits from the gossip mill to stop Aldric, Caden, and Karnath, and most notably focused on Karnath, studying her for any symbols or the like.

"Pardon our intrusion, but did you say Priestess of the Great Goddess?"

"Now there's a name I have not heard since my parent's time. How much has the silver boom changed us?"

"We used to trade with the 'People of the Sun' from the deep south, yet it was always an occasion. To think a priestess of theirs appears and not even a peace pipe ceremony? We have so forgotten our manners!"

"Well the youth and their new ways... stories of All-Grandmother —" gestures with deference to Karnath, "you call Great Goddess — are barely told around the pine cone fire like before."

"But there are a lot more people here now who believe different things. At least "Preacher Sometimes" is a good man who tries to do right and hold this place together. I understand why he's often found nursing a double shot in Geraldine's private rooms."

"True. He may not be 'Of the People', but he talks to The Creator as he understands it."

"However you — " directed to Karnath again, "should go visit the Elder's Place. They'd be delighted to see you and send word back to the 'People of the Sun' about properly receiving so important a member."

"Our hospitality dictates you must be honored. At the very least a peace pipe and sharing of news runners... You young men are so fortunate to be mutually acquainted."

"Sorry to bother you on your important quest. But we just had to say something. Be on your way with eagle blessings."

The Blushing Phlox Home

A modest two story wood home just off Main Street a bit, midway down to almost the well. A logographic of the family name is on the entrance door jamb, and a withering patch of their namesake pink flowers is by their stoop. The door is open and an elderly couple watches out from inside.

The bride-not-to-be is a ghost of a beauty, slightly more beautiful for the pain she evokes at the sense of loss. She speaks little and of that it is distant and slow. When she leads you upstairs you see her trousseau laid atop a well-fitted bed:

- A tortoise shell comb with ornate carvings.
- Silver backed boar bristle brush and matching silver framed obsidian mirror.
- Nice set of stitch-work needles, including eye hooks, line wheel, and scalpel.
- Bedsheets with advanced stitch-work, like pills, eyelets, and weave de-threading.
- Good count towels with Blushing Phlox logographic monogram. (matrilineal society in flux)
- Nightgown chemise with hand stitched lace trim.
- Day shawl with weave de-thread fringe and corner tassels.
- Bridal gown that has no reason being in a place like this. Unspeakably tragic lost opportunity.

"What would you have? I have no need of such things anymore..." She looks out towards the mountain peaks longingly through the second story window.

"What would a devout teetotaler do to get himself killed?" Hanalee wonders to Bright Feather before entering the home. "And at long range, no less! A snow-owl fletched arrow...this was no mugging. Could it have been an assasin?

Hanalee is polite with the young bride, and her expression matches the young woman's empathetically as she browses the goods. "I know it all seems so bleak now. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost..." Her voice trails off.

"But you may yet use these someday. Did you have any other suitors?"

Alric listens to the devote trio. "Mighty nice of you". Alric politely nods.

"Karnath if you have some social obligations I am sure me and Caden can scare up whatever we need at the saloon."

In either case we continue to the saloon and find a spot to claim as our own for the moment and order a beer and lunch if possible, for myself at least.

Bright Feather whispers to Hanalee "why would he have any trouble with the Owl Nation? They usually keep to their mountains and alpine glens...." turns to Blushing with a sad smile "I know everything seems bleak but nothing ever remains the same however much we insist it would, I cannot see myself taking things from you that you'll have use of again.....I'm curious did your beau ever speak of my kind?"