So it continues

[Author]

So the party leaves the cave and continues north along the winding mountain paths. They find a couple more caves, but less eventful ones, and routine is done with some wildlife. Theo talks with Sonkei about his background, who explains that his knowledge of the faerie courts is still the perspective of myth and legend - these woods may have many fey, but it is not Faerie, and those here are usually separated from it - like the elves.

But as they travel one thing becomes clear - the riverbed farther north must be lower. The group begins a descent from the mountainous region, and then they see it - something of which Sonkei and Evelynn were familiar, but which Theo and Knives refused to believe unless they saw it. But looking on from ridge to the side, equivalent to part way down its height, they behold a waterfall that flows straight up.

"Sol's Rays, it really does," Theo breathes.

[Artemis]

"Ye of little faith, why do you doubt me." Eve replies, smirking with a 'told you so' look. "Always wondered if you could swim up it."

[Author]

"Ha! That would be something to see."
"Why not try it yourself, kitty?"
"There might be guardians in it."
"Of the waterfall?"
Sonkei shakes his head and points to it, or, to the rock wall behind it. Unlike at the angle she saw it at on her trip south, Ev could make out a huge pair of elven figures etched into the stone, facing one another.
Knives sighs. "What is it with this forest and guardians of water?"
"What... is it?" Theo asks.
"A well sealed and well guarded door. I believe it's the tomb of some ancient elves lords, their names long forgotten."
"And you think its guardians are still active?"
Sonkei shrugs.
"Probably just an excuse not to get wet."

[Artemis]

"Hey, after the last time he dealt with water could you blame him? I'd hate to have our new friend embaress himself again." Eve lets out a small shrug, examining the elven stone guadrians. "His pride might not survive it."

[Author]

And so, the party continues on their way. The journey was mostly peaceful the rest of the day, and as Sol set they made camp. The weather was mild with Neptune small in the sky, but Ragriz shone ominously bright.

"Best sleep lightly tonight," Sonkei says, peering up at the sky through the trees.
"I always do."

[Artemis]

"Don't worry friend, I'll keep you safe from the big bad moon." Eve says casually, stripping out of her armor and placing it neatly in a pile next to her shield and sword. "If it would make you feel better I could watch over you while you sleep..."

[Author]

"You're just saying that because you'd like to," Sonkei jests. "That's low enough for werewolves, though, you must know that."

[Artemis]

"Please, beat me in a fight first. Then we will see about that." Evelynn says in response to the jest, before taking on a serious tone and nodding at his remark. "Yes, it is. We'll have to stay on guard tonight. I have this..." She fishes the feylight gem out from her chest, the beautiful crystal tied around her neck by a line of black leather. "My father gave this to me as a gift before I left. Among other things, it can create a sentry that will watch over us while we sleep. No need to rotate watch, though it comes with the risk of making us easy to spot. That said, anyone crazy enough to watch a camp looked after by a brightly glowing figure would probably find us regardless of the sentry."

[Author]

Sonkei's ears twitched at her first comment, then his eyes widen as she pulls out the gem. "Is that... Trapped Feylight?" he leans in for a closer look. "Don't know such a thing could make a sentry... Guess that's how it goes with magic though, eh?"

"I was kind of hoping you fey folk would understand it better than us."

"Magic is magic. Of course it was never my area, I don't know how many rules it follows." He turns back to Ev. "Now, I believe someone told me to beat them in a fight?"

[Artemis]

Eve ignores him at first, admiring the glint and shimmer of the feylight crystal. Then, after a minute of awkward silence she snaps out of it and looks at Sonkei with a bewildered look. "Huh? what?"

[Author]

Sonkei twitches his tail. "Your challenge?"

[Artemis]

"Hmmm? What challenge?" She replies teasingly, her voice taking a melodic tone as she smiles innocently at him.

[Author]

"That I am unworthy of your attention, unless I prove superior in combat."
"Sol's rays you are touchy, pride that fragile" Knives says. Sonkei gives her a glace as though confused by the assertion, but ignores it to wait for Ev's response.

[Artemis]

"Um... what attention are we referring to here? Sonkei, is this your way of trying to woo me?" She turns, arms crossed and looks to Knives. "I think he's trying to woo me."

[Author]

"Well you hurt his feelings, saying he wasn't pretty enough."
Sonkei looks from Ev to Knives, and back again, caught offguard by this response.
"This is a cultural thing, isn't it?" Theo asks. "Implied challenges."
"Do humans not?"
Knives crosses her arms. "Well sure we do, but not..." Knives trails off, apparently becoming unsure of what she was saying.

[Artemis]

"I'm... just a little lost here. I made what I thought was an off-hand comment, but I'm getting the impression that any form of challenge is a big deal amongst the fey folk?"

[Author]

"...Yes. Sorry, yes, we are always trying to prove ourselves and respond to challenges... I figured yours was a friendly one but a challenge nonetheless, and allure is an important part of one's respect, as much as power. Similarly you forced me to respond in kind to your jests before the druid."

[Artemis]

"I see, interesting, interesting..." Eve scratches the back of her head for a moment in silent contemplation, then seems to make some decision and nods her head. "Very well then. It seem's I have laid down a challenge, inadvertent as it may be. Are there any... uhhh... terms or rules involving conflict in fey culture?"

[Author]

He shrugs. "There are traditional terms to be agreed upon. But honestly if it's not significant to you three I'm not gonna hold you to it."

[Artemis]

"What are they? Out of curiosity, and I'm interested in figuring out what this challenge is going to be over. What happens when I win?" Evelynn says with a playful grin at the end.

[Author]

"Agree on a time, win conditions... you're disgraced if you don't show up or someone interviens on your behalf... If you win, well, you've proven yourself superior."

[Artemis]

"My only problem is with the rigid idea of being proved superior by one duel. A single fight is hardly enough to determine who is truly the best, especially with some individuals being better against certain targets. For example, striking you with holy power is going to sting less then striking some undead sod." Eve shrugs, then continues. "The rest shouldn't be an issue. We can just duel here tonight, and I'm not worried about the others getting involved or cheating. My suggestion for win conditions would be first blood, thoughts? And, lastly, any prizes if I win? Could do with a back rub."

[Author]

"Well... Superior in that instance, to best me... It's complicated, honestly." he scratches his head. "Like it's all one big game where everyone's keeping score but you never quite know the numbers. Anyway, personal challenges are fought over the basis of the challenge, but you can make this duel a wager..."

[Artemis]

Evelynn shifts in her stance at the suggestion of a wager, turning her head to look away from Sonkei for a moment. For a brief second a thought crosses her mind that turns her cheeks scarlet, but she quickly brushes it away. "I like wagers, wagers are fun. And like I said, would kill for a back rub."

[Author]

"Let's... Just stick to first blood. For back rubs."

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