Lost and Found

Additions

After a delicious meal, all four of us move to the eastern side next to the pond.

The spare room that is set up for planning the workshops and our great adventure, has now had its window converted to a door. It opens onto the boys play area. Skittles, drums, and checkers are stacked neatly, and a few cushions are scattered on the floor.

We start in the room. Marsh looks at the walls listening intensely as Rowan explains the basics of our great adventure and the information we have gathered so far.

One wall has a sketch of the continent with the villages and cities labelled on it. Little notes of the land and resources found and likely to be found.

Marsh studies the lists and picks up a piece of the charcoal.

"May I?" He asks. We all nod and watch as he adds to the lists.

The other wall has a calendar with prospective workshops. On the table in front there are lists of materials needed and males promising to attend.

As Marsh takes in the information there is a resounding knock on the doorframe.

Rowan warmly greets the hulking grey figure of Alder.

"What news do have for us, brother?" he asks Alder.

"Groups of wild beasts have been spotted north of here, heading east and have been seen around the Rivervein Trail skirting the coast. There may be smaller groups around, but those are the largest. What is all this in aid of?" He asks pointing to the walls.

Rowan puffs his chest out "We are making plans to travel a couple of weeks after the festival. We are planning to travel for a few moons before wintering in a city."

"Which one?"

"At the moment it's a toss between Glesall and Borsas. There is too much risk with the larger groups of wild's to go to the others this year." Rowan concludes.

Alder studies the map "Wise choice. Will you be visiting the villages along the way? Are you looking for resources?" He glances at me then at Marsh.

"It's ok, Marsh is aware of Aurora's origins." Ethan chips in.

"Mated?" Alder asks.

"Not yet, but hopefully soon. We only agreed this afternoon." Marsh replies giving me a reassuring smile and hand squeeze. I cuddle up to him and breathe in his calming scent.

"Will your female be travelling with you?" Alder asks Rowan.

Hello, I am right here in the room.

"Of course." Ethan replies for him, a little sharply.

Alder looks to me, "I apologise. So, you have two fighters and a healer. If you head to Glesall via Hogsback Ridge, I will join you. I have business to attend there before winter."

"Thank you, brother, it relieves our heart and mind knowing you will be with us."

Alder still looks pointedly at me. "You may get more males interested if you offer them a position of mate."

"Is that what you are after?" I ask. Marsh positions me in front of him, his hands stroking my arms soothingly.

"Only if you are offering, princess." His tone soft. His attention is drawn to the workshop wall behind us.

"What is this about then?" He gestures.

"Lessons termed 'workshops' that we plan to do after the festival." Rowan says as he stands beside him.

"Are these for yourself, or can anyone join?" Alder's attention is back to Rowan, and I relax back into Marsh's embrace.

"We are letting groups of twenty beastmen join at a time."