Shaking the Sands - RPLOG

Participants

• Angus
• Arimia
• Mazurek
• Ryusho
• Sally
• Zevran

Date

16/12/475

Log

After numerous reports of disturbances in the desert, a call has gone out for brave souls to investigate. Those answering this call have been asked to the meet not at the gates of Firmament, but at a designated meeting spot on the edge of the desert itself. A rhino can be seen waiting at the spot, clad in spiked heavy armor and with a greatsword strapped across his back.

Ryusho sighs softly as he adjusts his pack a bit, though dressed a bit light considering it is the desert, he also is packing a lot less the normal to help make sure that he will not be a burden, get over-heated or other things, meaning any field repairs he makes, will have to be -make do- on site, with proper repairs once they get back to town

Sally approaches, dressed in her usual blouse and skirt, and sweating a small river as she goes, "Hate deserts," she grumbles softly as she moves to join the rhino and the others who happen to be present. Despite personal discomfort, her regalia is intact, badge and medals shined.

Angus shades his eyes as he glares out at the desert. "I know how you feel Sally" As he wipes the sweat from his brow and takes another drink from his canteen.

Mazurek is definitely one to enjoy deserts, especially since he's going in his draconic form. Meaning he gets to go in nothing more than shorts today. His personal badges are attached to thewaistband, showing his rank and callsign in the Lightbringers. He has a pack with him as well, though it's slung over a shoulder for the present time as he does short flights from time to time.

The rhino keeps his back turned to the approaching folk, his hand shading his eyes as he peers into the desert. Once he hears the last set of footsteps stop, he turns to face the group. The rhino is none other than Zevran, which becomes clear once his face is seen. He seems to be sweating quite a bit as well, not at all helped by his heavy armor. "So I suppose you're here to investigate as well?" He asks with a smile, looking towards the group as he wipes the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. A slight vibration runs through the ground around the group, causing the topmost layer of sand to vibrate slightly, but not strong enough to be noticed unless someone had been looking for it.

Ryusho shifts his position where he stands slightly, "Decided I may as well equip a bit light, so I would not be a burden if something happens." he says after a moment, "Though I beleive this is the group that is to help investigate, like we heard might be needed." he nods a bit, here to represent House Ironsoul, as he has worked to add the Growin gclan seal, as well as a mark to show that he is a retainer for House Ironsoul upon his person.

Sally shakes herself off lightly, "Of course we are, Private. I wouldn't be out here for much less than that. Duty calls, give us a situation report," she beckons, "You see anything?"

Angus sits down next to Sally and before looking up at Zevran. "What can I say Zev I always wanted to die of heat stroke." The heat was still getting to him and he wasn't even wearing his chainmail or his cloak so he wouldn't be to hard to carry if he did manage to pass out.

Mazurek doesn't exactly need to speak, given that the leader of the unit is present as well, but that doesn't mean that he isn't going to converse with his fellow dragon, "It looks like you brought enough things to field a small army. You really don't put anything to chance when it comes to these things, do you?" He doesn't ignore Angus and actually goes so far as to pull him up into his arms, "You really need to consider the ritual to become a dragon, Angus. You can even live underwater without fear of drowning if you wanted."

Another small vibration travels through the ground around the group, causing the sand to vibrate. "I haven't seen too much. Except that." Zevran points to the vibrating sand, which becomes still again after a few seconds. He moves towards Angus to try and help the fox back to his feet, but stops as he sees Mazurek pick up the fox. "As far as I can tell, it's coming from over there." He remarks, pointing to a dune a fair distance further into the desert. As he points at it, the sand atop the dune can be seen to shake much more violently. The vibration travels outward towards the group, but by the time it reaches them it has diminished to the slight vibrations he pointed out before.

Sally looks towards the shaking in the sand, "Well that doesn't tell me much, but something capable of making that much of a thump is likely capable of striking more than one good soldier at a time, so let's fan out and investigate," she orders, waving her hand out across towards the curiosity.

Angus is suprised when Mazurek picks him up and glares at him. "I'm fine I'm fine just not use to the heat." Pushing against him he trys to get down. "And I'm also fine just staying a Kitsune. One ritual is enough for me at them moment." Hearing Sallys plan he turns to her and nods as he waits for Maz to put him down.

Mazurek puts Angus down as easily as he picked him up, though he keeps his hands on his shoulders until the 'sune is sure he has his balance, "I had heard of something out here before, but unfortunately I wasn't one of those who were present at the time. Something that was causing explosions willy-nilly and was actually some form of living creature, an experiment or something. So long ago that I can't recall exact details. It can't be this thing, since it's only causing tremors, right?"

Zevran nods his head as he hears Sally's plan before looking towards Mazurek at the dragon's query. "No, I don't think it's the same thing. I remember fighting that monster." He replies to the dragon, shaking his head. "Still, I doubt that whatever it is will come over here and introduce itself. The sooner we find out what it is, the sooner we can get out of this heat." He remarks, wiping more perspiration from his brow. He doesn't wait for another moment before he does as Sally ordered, trekking towards the dune that the vibrations had come from. The tremors continue intermittently, and their effects are stronger the closer the group gets to the dune, making footing a bit more difficult.

Ryusho Hums softly as he mrphs a bit, as he almost stumbles slightly, each time he has to re-adjust his footing a bit, but the pack makes the loss of footing a bit more..akward since it is so much weight that gets shifted almost.

Sally keeps her distance from the others, to minimize the odds of any area effects striking more than one at a time before they know what they are dealing with. Her steps are light across the sand, scrambling ahead with heavy panting.

Angus grumbles as he follows behind, stumbling once thanks to the shifting sand, and trys to make sure he is far enough away from the others. As they get closer to the dunes he draws his Rapier and glances up at it wondering what could possibly be causing those tremors.

Mazurek drops to all fours while he approaches the dune, going at an even different angle than the others are. He's following in Sally's proverbial footsteps, though he does end up seeing what he can find by going airborne about halfway to that dune, using some air magics to assist him with his flight.

As Mazurek crests the dune, he is able to see what the cause is on the other side. At the base of the dune, two Heavy Folk are engaged in combat. One seems to be a Grizzly Bear, while the other is a Tiger. Both are clad in heavy armor and wielding large weapons. The bear wields a mace, while the tiger is holding a maul. As the tiger strikes the ground with the maul, it creates another strong tremor. The vibration travels through the dune, making footing even more difficult for those on the other side of it. Zevran loses his footing, falling to a knee. He pushes himself up and struggles to top of the dune. When the others crest the dune, they will see the two Heavy Folk engaged in combat.

Ryusho grumbles a bit as the footing gets less and less stable as he shifts to using his hands to aid in movement as well as feet, though it also helps by spreading the weight he is carrying out into four points as well rather then just the two of his feet...though he comes to a stop as he gets to the top...with a quirk of his brow, "..What in the world? ...this has been going on 'how' long?

Sally rubs behind her head, watching the two battle it out a moment, "Not what I was expecting," she admits, "But hardly illegal, provided this is..." she rolls a hand, then huffs out loudly, looking between the two large figures.

Mazurek is not as quiet as the others are. When he spots the two in the heated battle he settles to the top of the dune to rest and wait until the others see what is happening. Afterward is when he finally lets out a bellow that lasts a few seconds, enhancing it with some air magics to let it carry farther. A few seconds later he calls out in a more intelligible tongue, "You boys done yet?! You're shakin' up the neighborhood!"

The two combatants continue with their battle, slamming heavy blows into each other that probably would have killed them if it weren't for their heavy armor. They don't even notice the group spectating at first, but they stop their combat after hearing Mazurek's bellow. They don't seem scared at all. Rather, they seem a bit annoyed. "Why don't you mind your own business!" The bear responds in a gruff voice. If one's eyesight is good enough, one can see an emblem on each of the Heavy Folk's armors. The emblem depicts a flat plain with a fissure splitting it right down the middle. A simple enough image. Zevran stands atop the dunes with the others, looking at the combatants and rubbing his chin, almost as if trying to remember something.

Ryusho cants his head a bit, as he glances to the rest, "..Well this is not what I was expecting at all.." he says softly, "..then again, I don't know what I was expecting..." he then adds

Sally lifts her head, "Giant sand creatures burrowing towards the city? Cliffside demolition crew making arses of themselves?" she suggests as possibilities, "Or two gents beating the tar out of each other over a tavern tab."

Mazurek is a bit too occupied to take care of the poor Kitsune when he passes out, for his focus is on the battling duo. He actually goes so far as to slide down the dune towards them, surfing in the sand with the help of his wings, "Our business is here, gentlemen. We have come to investigate the reason behind these tremors you two are apparently causing."

Arimia wanders aimlessly through the sands, either lost, or having no particular destination to be headed to. Until she feels the vibrations, anyway. That prompts her to start searching for the source. When she stumbles upon the two engaged in battle she stops, staying a good distance away. She doesn't seem to have noticed the other group investigating yet.

As Angus passes out, Zevran moves to catch the fox, slinging him over his shoulder as he watches Mazurek slide down the slope. He draws his gaze away from the two Heavy Folk and Mazurek to turn to Sally. "Worse. They're EarthShakers." Zevran responds to Sally, recognizing the emblem on the armor although he wouldn't explain how. The two EarthShakers still seem rather annoyed at Mazurek in particular. "Isn't it obvious? We're training." The tiger responds to Mazurek, his tone arrogant as he rests his maul on his right shoulder. The EarthShakers don't seem to have noticed the small raccoon who has shown up.

Ryusho mrphs softly as he glances to Zevran, "Earth shakers? I haven't heard of them.." he says after a bit, scratching his head as he looks back to them...

The arrogance in the tone is either lost to the dragon or ignored entirely by the dragon, who crosses his arms with a tilt of the head, "Training? Out here in the desert? Weeellll...." He rubs his snout a little, "That..would keep the populace of the city safe from the tremors you're causing. What clan are you two a part of? I don't recognize the seal at all."

Arimia sits down where she is, and runs her hands through the sand of the desert. She grabs a handful, and idly lets it trickle from one hand to the other. She listens to the words of the various beings gathered, then speaks up, drawing attention to herself. "Trainin' is all well an' good, but you should do it without shaking the ground. I mean, it's amazin' that you have the might to do so an' all, but it would be even more amazin' if you had the might to do so, an' the control to keep from doin' so. It would show you're truly masters at what you do."

"Mercenaries. Damn good ones, too. Their services aren't cheap, though." Zevran responds to Ryusho, still watching the exchange between Mazurek and the Earthshakers. "We are Heavy Folk. I thought that would be obvious." The tiger responds to Mazurek, closing his gauntleted left hand into a fist and holding it out towards Mazurek. The Heavy Clan seal is emblazoned on the back of the gauntlet, easily missed during the earlier fighting. The bear, meanwhile turns to face Arimia upon hearing her. He looks at her a moment, sizing her up, before doubling over in laughter. He takes a moment to stop laughing and catch his breath. "And how do you know we don't. Why do you think we would train in such a remote location? Only a Heavy Folk could truly understand the power we control." The bear replies to Arimia once he catches his breath, his tone arrogant and almost patronizing.

Ryusho rolls his eyes a bit, "..well that explains the -attitude- they have at least.." he says with a slight huff crossing his arms on top of the dune beside szevran...

Mazurek takes a look at the seal on the gauntlet very, very briefly, but ends up pointing to the seal that he was really speaking of, "We can all see that you're Heavy Clanners, but I was speaking of your unit's seal. That is the only thing here that I am unfamiliar with. Is it also common to poke fun at the females, or is that attitude just for the sake of your own egos?" This is one very unimpressed dragon.

Arimia narrows her eyes slightly as the bear starts to laugh, and her hands move to the desert sands beside her seated form. Her claws and fingers dig into the earth and she smiles, though it is more a baring of teeth than a friendly action. "I'm sure you think you do," the 'coon says in soothingly and insincerely sweet tones. "An' _of course_ nobody but one of your clan can understand what you do." As she speaks her hands twist on the sand slowly and subtly as the raccoon uses earth magic to try and turn the sand below the bear's feet into a contained sinkhole, or pit of quicksand, trying to make it so the bear, and only the bear, starts to sink. "I mean, obviously a deeper understandin' of the maths of earth magic is inaccessible to any who don't take up so much of the bloody ground."

"This isn't sounding too good." Zevran mutters as he listens to the conversations at the bottom of the dune. "Here, you watch Angus for a while."

Ryusho mrphs softly, as he takes the Fox in his arms, "Sure, I'm going to check him over and try to make sure he is alright anyway..." he says softly, as he kneels down, and begins to the fox is alright, beginning to go through his pack as he works to begin treating the fox for the heat, as he begins applying some salves he knows will actually draw heat away from the body, though of course he begins applying it to tactical areas he knows will help the fox cool down quickly...

"The fact that she is a female has nothing to do with it." The tiger replies to Mazurek, seemingly indifferent. It seems that impressing the dragon isn't high on his list of things to do. The bear ignores Arimia as she speaks, almost as though he feels she is beneath him. He looks towards Mazurek, not noticing that he was beginning to sink into the sand. Of course, once the bear was about hip deep he noticed. The first thing he does is to counteract the sinking with his own earth magic, effectively leaving him hip-deep in sand. "I'm going to enjoy teaching you why you shouldn't mess with an Earthshaker." The bear snarls as he starts to work a bit more earth magic as he shoots a rather murderous glare at Arimia.

 "That doesn't look good. Take care of Angus for a while." Zevran says to Ryusho, laying the fox on the ground before sliding down the dune. He strides towards the bear when he reaches the bottom, just as the bear finishes his own earth math, emerging from the sand. Zevran moves quickly to put himself between the bear and Arimia.
 
Angus couldn't believe that he passed out as he starts to come to. Groaning he gets confused as he feels someone rubbing something into his armpits before opening his eyes to find Ryusho looming over him. Blinking he glances around before looking up at Ryusho again. "....Um want to buy me dinner first before you try something like this?" All jokes aside he had no idea what was going on as his head turns towards the voices of the others at the bottom of the dune. "....So whats going on...and where in the world is my Sword?"
 
The Black Dragon was paying attention to the tiger more than the bear, and that is why he has a rather surprised look on his face when the bear begins to complain about her trick.  Eyes wide with that surprise he doesn't even think about the possibility of being harmed and moves to place himself between the Bear and the Raccoon, joining the Rhino in being in the way, "I don't think so, bud.  I don't know what sort of power you possess, but it isn't going to be easy getting by either of us."
 
Arimia lets out a soft sigh and pushes herself to her feet. She brushes her hands together, knocking sand off of them, then dusts off her rear. After that she takes advantage of her small size and slips around the rhino and dragon, tail lashing behind her. "I don't need you to defend me. Either I can handle him, in which case he'll learn a valuable lesson, or I can't, in which case I will. Either way I'm the one who upset him so I'm not gonna let either of you get hurt for that." Of course as she steps around the two this lets her see Ryusho treating Angus, which prompts her to stop and stare a bit oddly at the two for a moment. 
 
The tiger moves to the side of the bear as Mazurek moves to Zevran's side. The bear only smirks as Arimia steps in front of the other two. "You can't learn a lesson if you're dead." Zevran moves to put the raccoon behind him again. Of course, the action is too late, as the bear swings his mace and slams it into the ground, creating another tremor like the ones before. Since the dragon, rhino, and raccoon are at such close range, the tremors easily knock them off their feet and travel up the dune, making footing atop the dune unstable. Oddly enough, the Tiger seems to resist the tremors. 
It seems all the tremors have drawn the attention of something else, and as soon as the tremor starts to subside, a rumbling can be heard. A mound of sand seems to be moving towards the group. As it nears them, a giant, worm-like creature erupts from it. It looks hungry, and seems as though it wants to make the group below and on top of the dune into its next meal.
 
Ryusho looks to angus, "IT's CAlled treating Heat sickness! NOw get the fuck up!" he says as he pulls his hand away and scrambles to try to get his weaponry ready as this giant worm shows up and...looks -very- hungry to him...oh dear....
 
Angus shakes his head once again before looking in the direction of the giant worm. As his eyes go wide he glances around before locating his sword....at the bottom of the dune. "Well looks like that's out of the question." Hoping back up, stumbling actually,he aims his musket at the thing...what an intresting thing to wake up to really.
 
The suddenness of the quake in the sand causes the dragon to lose his footing rather quickly.  With a yelp he goes down as his legs buckle under him and he lands hard on his back.  Even as he is trying to get to his feet again he is knocked over yet again, but this time from tremors coming from another direction.  He forces himself to roll over and launches into the air just as the worm erupts from the ground, his air magics helping him once again with this.  He lets out an exclamation that is drowned out by the rumbling of the thing exiting the ground.  An exclamation point would likely be drawn overhead for comical relief or something.
 
Arimia lets out a soft, disgruntled noise as she pushes herself back to her feet from being knocked down by the tremors. She does her best to stay on her feet as the worm approaches, and watches when it bursts out of the sand. She looks from the large form back to the bear, though she doesn't say anything. Nor does she appear to be preparing to combat the worm, the 'coon's thoughts almost visible as she considers the advantages of letting the worm eat the Earthshakers. 
 
Zevran stands up from the tremor as quickly as he can, although his footing is shaky as the worm emerges from the ground. Zevran draws his greatsword and prepares to combat the worm, glancing over his shoulder to see the Earthshakers doing the same. It seems an unspoken truce has been reached to deal with the new threat. The worm lunges towards the small group in front of the dune.
 
The worm finally falls after a long fight, with the rhino atop its head plunging his greatsword into its head. The beast collapses as Zevran slides off its head. 
The Earthsakers take a moment to catch their breaths before looking towards the group that helped them fight. "You all aren't that bad at fighting." The tiger offers as a compliment to the group. It seems that the group has earned some of his respect in the fight. The bear still seems angry, glaring at Arimia occasionally. "Still, I've only seen one Rhino fight like you...Zevran." The tiger says, turning to Zevran. 
Zevran take a moment to look at the tiger's face, a bit confused at first before realization dawns on him. "Brutus. Good to see you again. And I suppose the grumpy bear is Timaeus." He chuckles, gesturing to the bear. It seems he has some history with these two. "Well, the captain will want to see you. And I'm sure you all could use some water." Brutus says to Zevran. He seems more friendly now, at least while talking to the Rhino.
 
Ryusho quirks his brow a bit as he slowly looks over the others, but he also shifts to make sure everyone is alright that will -allow- him to check them over, "NO damaged gear I assume? Everyone alright?" he adds as he checks...
 
Angus leans his musket on his shoulder as he walks down the dune. reaching the bottom he removes his sword from the sand and sheaths it before turning back to the group. "So....what did I miss after I decided to nap?"
 
Mazurek had shrieked at the  start of the fight, but it was lost in the din.  He had resorted to justkicking the thing as a result.  When it is all over he comes over to ryusho and proclaims somewhat loudly, "My taunts and my talons...BROKE on me!"  He holds up a dagger and a piece of paper.  Looks like the desert ate the parchment good.
 
Arimia makes a rude face at the bear when he glares at her, following it with an even ruder gesture. She doesn't make any other moves to reinitiate hostilities, however, instead crossing her arms. Her ears flick as she listens to the exchange and she tilts her head back to look up at Zevran, saying, "You know these two pu... These two beings, then?"
 
The bear snarls at Arimia, hefting his mace over his shoulder. He takes a step towards her, intent on starting the fight again. Brutus sticks his arm in front of him, though, stopping the bear. "That's enough." He says, his tone authoritative. The bear slumps his shoulders, taking a step back. 
Zevran nods his head at Arimia's question. "We have some history together." He offers as an explanation. "Anyways, I'm sure they've got a camp around here somewhere. Maybe they'd be willing to take us there so we can get some rest and water before this desert heat finishes what that worm tried to start." He says, turning to the rest of the group. Brutus nods his head, offering to lead the way to the camp.
 
Ryusho rubs his head a bti at getting yelled at in his ear, "Okay, okay, I can fix it all up, just let me see it for a moment...You don't have to worry about it.....I will fix it all back up good as new as soon as we reach that camp if they let us.." he says softly, as he tucks what remains into his pouch so the desert won't mess with them any more so he will be able to repair and make sure it is all working just fine....
 
Angus wipes the sweat from his brow. "Would be good to get out this heat...so I don't pass out again." Sighing he turns to Ryusho. "Thanks for trying to help me by the way."
 
Mazurek wraps his arms around Ryusho and hugs the Tegu-dragon just after the items are taken from him, "N-no, don't worry about it.  I'm just upset that it happened when I could have replaced them before we came out here."  He huffs and draws his attention back to the others nearby, "So I take it they're friends of yours, Zevran?"  He does follow when it is clear they are meant to do so, assisting Ryu with his gear this time.
 
Arimia flicks her banded tail, following along as the group is lead to the camp. She takes the chance to observe the others walking along, not having had the chance before, and with Zevran being the only one she's met thus far. 
 
Zevran nods his head at Mazurek's question, although he offers no further explanation. He follows along, walking next to Brutus and having a quiet conversation with the tiger. 
The camp is further into the desert, surrounded by a ring of dunes The dunes serve as the perfect camouflage to any observer, and the only way to find the camp would be to know where it was or to be lucky enough to stumble into it while wandering the sands. It's arranged much like a military outpost might be, with a couple of large, long buildings serving as barracks, and another large building serving as a mess hall. There are a myriad of other buildings scattered throughout the camp, although their purposes are not so obvious. What is interesting is that the buildings have been made from the sand of the desert, through the use of earth magic.  Brutus leads the group to a small building near the edge of camp, asking them to wait for a few moments as he goes inside.
 
Ryusho looks over to Mazurek, "Well fine, I will work to help you replace them while we are here if I can, or if not enough time, then help with replacing them when we get back to town."
 
Angus whistles as he notices the buildings are made of sand. "Nice set up you have here." looking at the group he notices Arimia for the first time and waves to the Raccoon. "Well there miss. Mind if I ask your name?"
 
Mazurek follows in silence while carrying some of Ryusho's things, merely nodding to the offer he makes.  Upon arriving at the camp, or outpost, or whatever anyone wants to REALLY call it, he can't help but marvel and stare at the construction.  It's all sand!  Hard-packed sand solely from earth magics!  Not even he is capable of such a feat...yet.  Perhaps one day, but not now.  Of course he waits where instructed, but still lets his eyes roam.
 
Arimia looks around the camp as they arrive, but doesn't seem that impressed, figuring it to be something done by multiple earth mathmagicians. She sits down on the sand and leans against one of the 'tents', fishing about through her things until she pulls out a small bag of dried jerky. She looks up as she's spoken to, and gives a small shrug of her shoulders, saying, "I don't mind." She then opens the bag and pulls out some jerky to snack on with a grin, appearing to be intentionally taking Angus too literally. 
 
Brutus emerges from the building, looking over the group before gesturing for them to follow him inside. The inside of the building contains spartan furnishings, consisting of a weapon rack with large blades and hammers, an armor stand with polished heavy armor, a bedroll, chamber pot, and a washing bowl, aside from the large desk and chair in the center of the building. Behind the desk sits a grizzled elephant with a scar over his right eye. "Zevran. Brutus told me that he had brought you back, but I thought he was joking. What's wrong, not making enough crown as a Freesword?" He greets the rhino upon seeing him. After seeing the rhino, the elephant's 
"Captain Jarrel, good to see you as well." Zevran replies to the elephant, chuckling a bit. He glances over his shoulder to see if the rest of the group had followed him into the sand hut.
 
Ryusho would of followed inside indeed, as he slips inside, nodding to the elephant in here, with a slight smile but of course respect being shown as he slips off to the side so others can come in, at least if there is room to scoot to one side..
 
Angus smiles down at Arimia. "Allow me to reprhase that." Leaning his musket against the building he gives her a bow. "My name is Angus and what would yours be?" He didn't enter the building but he was close enough to the door to pick up the conversation inside as his duo of tails begin to wag.
 
During the downtime, the Iguana-dragon introduces himself to Arimia, "Mazurek is my name, miss."  Once it is time to enter the building, he follows Zevran in and addresses the Elephant, "He is making plenty of other things besides Crown as a member of the Elite.  We are members of the Freeswords, the unit who has taken charge of battling the Shadow Threat."  The Eleven foot dragon didn't even care if he was speaking out of turn.
 
Arimia pops a bit of jerky into her mouth, chewing on it. She closes the bag and slips it into her pack before standing up. She flashes another grin and says, "Would you look at that! A distraction!" before slipping in behind Zevran, without introducing herself. Her banded tail flicks behind her as she moves, and waits, listening to what the others say. 
 
The elephant looks towards Mazurek, cocking an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" He asks, his gaze shifting to Zevran. Well, at least he doesn't seem as rude or arrogant as the other two Earthshakers the group met. 
Zevran nods his head. "Aye, I'm a Lightbringer now. Although there don't seem to be as many shadows to fight now. Still, if it isn't shadows, there's always something else to fight." He grins, looking at the elephant. The elephant returns the grin, apparently having the same attitude towards fighting that Zevran does.
 
Ryusho chuckles a bit, "Though some of us are not of the Lightbringers, we do help, I myself am just a Retainer for House Ironsoul, though I seem to help the Lightbringers more then once.
 
Mazurek crosses his arms with a cock of the head while he listens to the Elephant and Rhino converse, "I take it you are the leader of this band, then?  I have to wonder where you found those two arrogant beings who think they are better than everyone around them.  If it wasn't for that giant worm, we would have come to blows very swiftly."
 
Arimia opts to remain silent, moving to lean against one of the walls of the sand hut, her tail flicking. She does, however, let out a soft huff and a grin at Mazurek's words, then flashes a smile at the bear. 
 
The elephant nods at Ryusho's statement. "Ah, you are not all soldiers then." He comments. He looks towards Mazurek as he hears the dragon's question, before shooting a glance towards the bear and tiger. "They may be arrogant, but they have enough skill to back it up." He responds, although he seems to be silently admonishing the bear and tiger with his gaze. He doesn't seem to be bragging about his troops, and says it rather matter-of-factly. "Still, perhaps you might understand better if you had their abilities." He suggests. "I'd be willing to transfer my knowledge into a soul gem. It would give you all the power of a Heavy Folk. For the right price of course. I'd accept no less than 50 Lunar fragments of Raquestia. Feel free to think about it. My offer will stand for as long as the Earthshakers remain within the borders of Sweetwater." The elephant continues, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile. 
Zevran chuckles a bit as the elephant makes his offer, looking to see how the others of the group will react.
 
Mazurek slowly raises an eyeridge upon hearing the offer, his spiked iguana crest rising to near full erect status as well, "Having the skill to back it up is all well and good, but cockiness breeds insubordination.  We were sent to investigate the causes of the tremors they were creating in the desert only for our questions to be dismissed.  I asked about the insignia I saw and was not familiar with and one of them shows me the Heavy Clan mark on his gauntlet."  He would go on to say more, but it would take quite a bit.
 
Arimia does her best to stifle a laugh at the offer, but proves unsuccessful. She shakes her head, shoulders shaking with mirth, and raises a hand to cover her muzzle, leaning more heavily against the wall of the hut. After a couple moments she manages to get her amusement under control and shakes her head again, saying in somewhat unsteady tones, "I'm a Cliffside graduate. I'm not going to give up my studies to learn to wear metal, carry a big stick, an' throw myself in harms way."
 
Ryusho mrphs softly, "..No thank you, though I do appreciate the offer, I beleive I am alrigh tas I am." he says smiling softly, "besides..I have no where near the amount of lunar fragments you are requesting anyway." he says with a nod.
 
The tiger speaks up after hearing Mazurek. "He asked me what clan I was in, so I showed him." He offers, although it only earns him another admonishing glance from the elephant. The elephant looks towards Mazurek. "Well, I assume you found the cause of the tremors, yes? And will be reporting back to your superiors soon. If you have any more question about my group, feel free to ask him." He responds to Mazurek, gesturing towards Zevran as he finishes his statement. "Well, if you change your mind, we'll be here." He responds to Ryusho before turning to address the group as a whole. "But first, feel free to rest here a while, and have some water. The desert can be a harsh place." He says to the group, gesturing for the tiger and bear to show them the way to the mess hall. "Oh, and Zevran. You forgot this when you left last time." He says, opening a drawer in the desk and pulling out what appears to be a gem, about the same size and shape as a soul gem, before tossing it to the rhino. 
Zevran remains quiet throughout the whole conversation, content to listen. When the captain addresses him as he leaves, he turns and catches the gem in his right hand. He takes a moment to study it before closing his fist around it. "Thanks." He says simply, before exiting the tent.
 
Mazurek nods once to the Elephant throughout the entire passage, but remains silent until the end, "Your teachines sound like it might augment my abilities someday, but I fear that I am short on the dust at present.  One day, perhaps, I will return and see about taking you up on your offer."  He bows before following everyone out, though he looks back to note the tossing of the gem, which piques his curiosity once more.  He partakes in the drink and/or food that the camp offers along with any conversation that might be had.
 
Arimia gives a small shrug of her shoulders, slipping out of the tent after Zevran. When shown to the mess tent she refills a waterskin, but doesn't do anything else, instead planning on leaving immediately after. She's heading off to wherever she was going when she stumbled onto the group.
 
Ryusho hums quietly, as he looks to mazurek, then the others, "Well, if you do let me get set up for a moment, I need to help Mazurek with some equipment issues he has, and I suppose for a fee I can help those that may need some aid with it around here."