Lastlook: Entering the River

[ruin_mania]

[For the past day or so, it's pretty clear the Amber Steppe has been left behind and the Totem Coast is getting closer. The air is more humid and the undergrowth has gone from a burnt amber color to be thicker, greender, and almost bordering on jungle-like. Several other streams have joined the one that the explorers have been following until it's almost large enough to start sailing on. Raine had encouraged everyone to press on, though, not sure it was time just yet (and also because she doesn't particularly like boats, okay). The cliffs around them start to grow up as well, and it probably won't be too long before the jungle becomes a properly impassable one, leaving the river as the only choice.

But this morning, another large stream had joined up with their and now it was more like a proper river. In the late morning they reach a large pier with five boats. The river also begins to take a higher road from here downstream, while the jungle starts to clog the lower road. Looks like it won't be too much longer before they're in the very painting that led them here. It's time to investigate those boats - and unload the smaller onces Percy Jackson has packed. And if you don't trust either of these, there are some inflatable rafts that Raine has packed as well.

So let's load up, and they'll be on the water by the afternoon!]

Comments

Mounts

[ruin_mania]

[Bring along a mount? Raine is using some of the larger trees as anchors for an enclosed paddock. Her Ampharos will be managing them and guarding them while everyone is away (being helped, no doubt, by some of the more intelligent mounts like the hippogrif). If you have a mount that can swim, there will probably be room to bring one on each boat.]

[persequor]

[ Arya is unwilling to part with Aemon. He's been a good mount, steady and untiring. But a boat is no place for a unicorn.

Nymeria is a different story. ]

Nymeria's going in the boats with me.

[ Disagree at your own peril. She bites. And I don't mean Nymeria. ]

[ruin_mania]

[Raine runs an eye over the two of them critically.]

That would be your wolf, then? Can she swim in the case of an accident, and behave herself in a group of people?

[Yes, she identified the gender of the wolf with one look.]

[persequor]

Direwolf. She can swim and she knows not to bite anyone. [ As long as the other respects her personal space. ]

[ruin_mania]

Direwolf, excuse me. Might I ask how that differentiates from a normal wolf? I am quite interested in biology, you see.

[And she'll nod.] As long as she will behave I see no problem with it. [Raine gives Nymeria an inquisitive look, as if asking her directly.]

[persequor]

[ Arya puts a gentle hand on Nymeria's head before she starts growling and Arya has to admit she has no idea if she can control Nymeria in such close quarters. ]

The adults are much bigger than wolves and strong enough to rip arms and legs off. They can crush bone with their teeth. They've no fear of men like wolves do.

But Nymeria was raised with people. She's never harmed anyone. [ Joffrey does not count as people. ]

[hellshaped]

[By this point, Hellboy has noticed that Arya's come along.

He's not pleased!

But there's not much he can do about it now. He's ushering his horse into the paddock, and glances over at Arya and her direwolf.]

She'll be alright on the boat?

[persequor]

Yes.

[hellshaped]

Has she been on one before?

[polar]

[Korra hops off Naga and pats her side with a smile.]

Don't worry, girl, you're not staying behind.

[hellshaped]

[That is a really big bear....... thing.

Hellboy looks over from the paddock, a little curious.]

She looks like she can handle herself in water, anyway.

[polar]

Oh, she can. She's just not going to be swimming the whole way.

[Korra finally glances over at the voice.]

Whoa.

[hellshaped]

[He ignores that reaction!]

You sure she won't capsize the boat if she climbs aboard?

[psych0p0mps]

[hearing this as she deals with her own horse...]

Uh oh, that sounds like wet barkbeast smell waiting to happen. [but she's joking.]

Re: Mounts

[forgedinbattle]

[Looks like this is the end of the line for Argo.]

Watch out for them, will you, girl?

[There's no doubt Argo could make her way back to the castle by herself if she wanted to. But it might be more useful to have her helping manage the other mounts.]

[inmylight_commander]

[Kat can't get off of her draught horse fast enough.]

[In fact she's been walking the past few miles. Her mount is staying right here and she's got no regrets.]

So, what are we supposed to do with the things now? [Yeah, still no idea what she's doing.]

[forgedinbattle]

Putting her in the paddock would be a good start, since I'm guessing you're not close enough that she'd just listen to you. [Really, Argo is near supernaturally intelligent. Most well trained horse ever.]

[craggyfaced]

Someone did mention the castle had kidnapped your horse as well...

[forgedinbattle]

Yeah. Probably shouldn't be too happy about it, but I'm glad to have here. [She turns to smile at Durge] Her name's Argo.

[craggyfaced]

I confess to the same feeling.

This is Blackalock...[He points to the large black charger standing nearby]

[draca]

[ Dany knows she could not take the horse even if she wanted to, though she remains unwilling to part from it. It takes her a moment to finally part with it, but not after removing her dragons from their cages. ]

I will not part with you, my children.

[ She is as unmovable as stone in this. Leather shoulder guards allow both Drogon and Rhaegal to preach on her shoulders and Viserion keeps to her arm, more than content to remain held close to her.

Try, if you dare, to convince her to leave them behind, but know you will be disappointed. You cannot part them, no matter what you do. ]

[ruin_mania]

[Now Raine has to admit she'd been side-eyeing those cages for the entire journey. She does smile once they're let free, though, having raised a dragon-type Pokemon herself once.]

Well, as long as they'll behave, I've certainly no objection to bringing them. They do seem beautiful.

[draca]

[ She did not keep them in there the entire way, every so often one of her dragons would be let out to sit on her shoulder. She made a point to rotate them often. ]

My thanks, my lady. You needn't worry, so long as I am with them they will not cause trouble.

[ruin_mania]

It's no problem, of course.

May I ask if they have names?

[craggyfaced]

[Durge will be unharnessing and unpacking his horse without complaint. It wasn't the first time he'd had to leave his charger behind]