[FweepFwopFwoop]

"I dunno. Maybe a spear. They're lightweight, or so I hear. Hey, that rhymed!"

[Eskal]

"Spears are decent weapons," Marius said.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Lightweight, and you can do some nifty acrobatic-y stuff with them!"

[Eskal]

"What about a staff? A nice sturdy staff would be nice."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"You mean like a mage staff? Could I even use one of those?" Delas' voice cracked, but he coughed and played it off.

[Eskal]

"No, just a wooden staff. I've met a few people who have used them."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"That sounds kinda lame, to be honest. I think a spear would be better."

[Eskal]

"Fair enough."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"I hope I'm good." Delas confessed. "Some people just have no balance."

"I'm sure you'll do fine." Astien said as he looked over the map. "Should only be about two days before we're in Falmein."

[Eskal]

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Marius said.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Great! Two more days, hee hee hee! Then I can know how to fight too!"

[Eskal]

Marius smiled.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

The two days that passed were relatively uneventful. Upon finally arriving, Astien had the carriage pull up in front of the palace. Waiting for them was a small welcome party. At the head of this group was a man clad in regal, yet powerful looking armor, accompanied by two other warriors, and standing behind them a ether ordinary looking man, clad in robes rather than armor. The other two warriors were an elf and a man.

The man was tall, taller than the first warrior, perhaps an inch or two taller than Heceril, who easily cleared seven feet. His looked as though it may have been made of stone. The elf was a woman, standing about Cormac's height, and like the other two, she wore armor both regal and sturdy.

The first man wore a smile as he walked to greet Astien. "Astien! There you are! We've been so worried about you! What on earth could have…" his fhoughtstrailed off when he laid eyes on Astien's large belly. "Why did you never mention you were pregnant, Astien? Why, I would have sent an escort party to find you! I would have led the party myself!"

Astien chuckled and shook the man's hand. "Yes, well I have my reasons."he turned to the others. "Gentlemen, this is Hjulmir."

[Eskal]

Cormac and Marius bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Cormac said.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Unsure of just what do do, Delas bowed along with Cormac and Marius. The large man stepped forward, as did the elven woman, and she spoke. "I am Aralith. This," she gesture to the large man. "Is my husband Anaru." The large man named Anaru nodded toward the group.
The man in the cloth stepped forward and hooked an arm through Hjulmir's "I am Loke. Tell me Astien, when are you due? About five minutes?" Astien blushed.

[Eskal]

Marius stood at attention while Astien chatted with them.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Loke laughed. "Oh, you should see your face. Come on then, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
Astien gasped. "Oh, that's right, you had your baby! Was it a boy or girl?"
Loke grinned. "You'll see, you'll see. Come along now. You could use some practice handling babies anyway, I'd imagine."

[Eskal]

Marius chuckled. "I'll help the boys unpack the carriage."
"We've got it covered," Cormac said. "You go with Astien."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"No need to worry about that," Hjulmir stated. "The servants will take care of that. Now, which of you boys will we be teaching?"

Astien chuckled. "Come on, you need some practice taking care of infants."

[Eskal]

"Me," Cormac said with a raised hand.

"Fair enough," Marius said.