Welcome to Gaia! ::

((More random characters, because I like to overextend myself biggrin ))

Their boots thudded loudly on the ground near the temple. Daylight fading, the limited light revealed a pair of dwarves, brothers by their look, marching toward the temple.

"Ye be thinkin' that there's someone runnin' that lil' shack, Eson?" the smaller of the two dwarves asked. His form was not quite as broad as his brother's, and by his dress, he seemed to be a cleric of some sort. Still, the heavy war hammer hanging loosely from his belt discouraged many a bandit from making light of the dwarf. His beard was long, but well groomed and tucked into the belt around his waist.

"If'n not, then at least we'll be having a roof over our heads this night, Ronsen," the one called Eson replied, his voice gruff from years of smoking tabacc. He was a warrior by his garb, shining mithril chain glinting beneath an adamantine breastplate. Weapons were strewn across his person, ranging from a belt of daggers across his chest, a pair of short swords at his hips, and a long hunter's knife strapped to his forearm, to a warmaul on his back.

Both travelers carried heavy packs, containing all of the necessary gear for their pilgrimage.

Heavy boots thudded to the little temple, eyeing it carefully before Eson stepped up to the door and knocked. It may have been a bit to forceful, for the dwarf had little knowledge of his own strength, but the door collapsed inwards with a loud bang. Both dwarves, familiar and comfortable in combat situations, still jumped at the sound.

“Well done, Eson,” Ronsen prodded, looking around his brother’s shoulder into the little temple.

Eson fixed Ronsen with a glare that made the smaller dwarf grin before stepping into the temple.

“’ello?” he said, looking around, “We’re travelers, lookin’ for a shelter. There be anyone ‘ere?”

Eson smiled his most apologetic smile, shuffling his feet uncomfortably against the floor, "Sorry, lil' missy. I'm able to be fixin' that, if'n ye need it." Taking a look around, he noticed the disrepair of the temple, frowning at the upkeep. "Matter o' fact, I can do a bit o' work here'n this temple." He coughed as his brother cuffed him on the arm.

Ronsen smiled at the young priestess, bowing formally at the waist. "I be Ronsen, cleric o' Moradin, good God o' the dwarves. This be my barbaric brother Eson. We hail from the Metalmason clan, to the north." His smile showed respect for her station, and as he glanced around, he noticed no other priets showed themselves. "Be ye hear by yourself, miss? 'Tis a lonesome road ye be findin' yourself in."

Ronsen also took a look around and decided their travels could be halted for a bit, while they helped the young woman with her charge. With a smile, he turned back to Ceridwen, "Ye must tell me more of yur Goddess Alateria. I'm not too familiar with'n that name. And me and me brother might just stick aroun' for awhile, just'n to make sure ye get some help. We wasn't lyin' about bein' able to fix the stones."

Ronsen nodded with her explanation, setting his pack down and examining the stone around the temple. It was worn thin with age and the elements. Had Ceri not been sent so soon, it more than likely would have collapsed in not too long of a time. "Thank ye fer yer hospitality, miss. Me and me brother 'ave been travelin' quite a while. If ye'd like, We're a purrty fair cooks, and we've some travelin' food t'share. We can whip up a right nice stew in a bit."

Eson sniffled a laugh as his brother spoke about their cooking. Eson had prepaired the majority of the meals they had consumed, as Ronsen spent most of the night in meditation. And on the occasion Ronsen had taken over meals, well, he'd politely say that he was a much better cleric than he was a cook, "Dunna worry, lass. We'll 'ave things right lively here in a couple a days. I'll set too with the cookin' and let me more civilized brother entertain ye. In the mornin' we'll start a bit 'o work on yer little temple."

So saying Eson hefted his sack and set out through the broken door. "I always prefered eatin' under the stars. Dinner'll be ready in a bit. I'll set it up right nice fer ye."

Magnus moved silently through the woods, down a game trail he knew by heart now. He almost didn't even need his eyes to get 'home' anymore. Home, how that word put a wretched taste in his mouth. He shakes off that thought and keeps moving.

Before he comes into sight of the little temple, he'd been residing in, he stops and stares. Someone had moved in. Seeing what appeared to be a young woman in clerical vesments standing in the doorway. And a pair of dwarves. The place had undergone some cleaning and there were torches in all the sconces.

He seethed. That was his hiding place. He'd fought hard for it. Chasing out a couple of giant spiders and batch of annoying squirrels. It was the only place those blasted dragonkin wouldn't search for him. Frowning, he marks the girl's face in his memory and then moves away to a back up hiding place. He'd make sure she remembered him.... if she survived.

Magnus hear Tongju before she speaks and nods, his frown still fully in place. He slows his speed a bit so Ju could walk beside him. "From the look of things, they arrived there shortly after we left this morning. We will drive them out." he states shortly, biting his words.

He turns down another game trail and quickly arrives at a dry, deep cave with several months provisions and living arrangements. He dumps his load, revealing a few foxes and a rabbit, skinned for dinner. He paces back and forth in the caves entrance, scowling deeply.

Magnus quits pacing and sits next to the fire pit and stared into the fire, "We kill the dwarves... save the girl for some fun, then kill her too. If I could be sure those blasted mountain reptiles were no longer searching for me, I'd say we desecrate that temple properly afterwards. Ward off more intruders..." he murmurs.

"We need information. A way to seperate them to take them down one at a time."

His eyes reflect the sparks of the fire and he grins ferally. It was time for some fun.

Magnus nods, "Sounds like a plan. All we need to do is either wait for her to leave the temple alone, or find a way to lure her out without the notice of her... companions."