((Currently pursuing in this quest: Diego. Added and left: Jarek))

It was a relief to be on the road again. Tisar marched quickly through town, leading their odd procession. It was hard for Sarai to keep up with the huge cat, but no weariness showed in her face yet. Excited as ever, she pranced right beside her giant kitty, waving to passersby, who would stare a minute, sometimes crashing into others due to understandable distraction.

The party marched under a window, and at one foreseen moment a woman leaned out and carelessly dumped her chamber pot out the window, directly upon a certain member of the quest. Someone caught sight of the incident a split-second too late, "Look out Madam!" he called to Peggy.

"I demand that you let me use your bath, Madam." Peggy yelled up at the lady. The lady looked down at the stranger.

"I think you should just watch what you're doing!" She yelled back and then shut the window. Peggy was fumming with rage. In her land that lady would be killed for such behavior. Then she grabbed a towel and started cleaning herself.

A little amused himself, Tisar motioned that they continue onward, "I must say you handle even the most embarrassing circumstances with appropriate dignity, Rexlone," he commented over his shoulder, on the verge of letting out a chuckle.

Tane was high up in the air, looked down at the town. He wanted to see what exactly this danger Mark was talking about was. He circled slowly about, looking for anything unusual.

She slowed down to walk next to Raven, "How much longer till we stop?" she asked wearily.

Before anyone could answer, Tisar stopped dead in his tracks. Something strange was up ahead, standing perfectly motionless in the bright sunlight. It was huge, taller and bulkier than himself, and its build was nothing like he'd seen before. More like metal than actual bone and skin...he approached the thing cautiously.

Sarai gasped, "What is it?" she asked staring at the giant metal thing in awe.

Diego's truck made no threat, of course.

((OK, it's bigger than any normal truck, because the tires are very large and the cab is jacked up, and the keys aren't there, Diego has them, and a lot of explosives and guns are piled in the back. It's pretty banged up after rattling through country not meant for cars, painted black, and dusty.))

"It deosn't seem dangerous. Lets keep going, its got nothing to do with us."

"It doesn’t seem dangerous. Lets keep going, it’s got nothing to do with us." Peggy was saying.

Mark flicked a roguish smile and hurried forward. “No it’s not dangerous. It’s not alive, and while it may have nothing to do with us, we can certainly make use of it.”

He ran to the truck, and tried the door, within he could see that the keys were gone, but he was sure he could jump start it. It’d be great to travel with air-conditioning and radio again.

Tisar nodded, disliking this unknown thing, wrinkling his nose at the strong repugnant smell. Suddenly Mark came up, speaking with obvious confidence.

“No it’s not dangerous. It’s not alive, and while it may have nothing to do with us, we can certainly make use of it.”

Tisar watched bewildered as the man started messing with the giant truck, "Are you saying you know what this is?" the king asked, approaching.

Sarai ran forward too, overcome with curiosity. She began looking the thing all over, "So how can this help?" she asked eagerly.

"'s some kind of engine."

This made sense, Raven thought, but it was huge, and far more complicated then any machine she'd seen before. One thing she did know, those things in the back looked dangerous.

"Tisar, I think you should stay away from this thing." The wizard looked rather nervous, glancing between the big cat and the equipment in the cargo of the machine. "Those look like explosives."

Tane cawed again and hopped onto her shoulder.

"There's some'on in town with one of tho' shiny tubes." He said. "'aw im on my way back. Looked angry."

((I'm guessing Diego is still looking for Mark in town right?

and Tisar should probably stay away from the truck unless we want a big explosion.))

"Tisar, I think you should stay away from this thing." The wizard looked rather nervous, glancing between the big cat and the equipment in the cargo of the machine. "Those look like explosives."

Tisar gave her a sharp look for referring to him so informally, "Yes, Galienland, I see," he answered her, obviously annoyed, "I am quite capable of deciding what or what not to set on fire." With an indignant snort he left the truck.

Tane cawed again and hopped onto Raven's shoulder, "There's some'on in town with one of tho' shiny tubes." He said. "'aw im on my way back. Looked angry."

This news didn't calm Tisar's suspicions. He gazed over at Mark, who was still fiddling with the truck. Something wasn't right with that man...

“Yep,” said Mark, pulling the door open and fishing around for the wires to jumpstart it.

Sarai ran forward too, overcome with curiosity. She began looking the thing all over, "So how can this help?" she asked eagerly.

The engine roared to life and Mark poked his head out of the window, giving Sarai a real smile. It was a nice smile and much more pleasant that any of his many mask smiles, because of the truth behind it.

“We can ride it and it’ll take us places, like a giant horse.” He told her.

Tane was sitting on the back tire of the huge thing. He seemed a little smug, especially in Mark's general direction.

"'s some kind of engine."

"Tisar, I think you should stay away from this thing." The wizard looked rather nervous, glancing between the big cat and the equipment in the cargo of the machine. "Those look like explosives."

“Yeah, those are dangerous,” said Mark, “let’s get rid of them.” He climbed out the back window and began throwing the explosives into the pond. He kept some of the machine guns and ammo, however.

Tisar gave Raven a sharp look for referring to him so informally, "Yes, Galienland, I see," he answered her, obviously annoyed, "I am quite capable of deciding what or what not to set on fire." With an indignant snort he left the truck.

Tane cawed again and hopped onto Raven's shoulder, "There's some'on in town with one of tho' shiny tubes." He said. "'aw im on my way back. Looked angry."

Mark ignored Tane. He already knew about Diego. “If Tisar and Sarai ride in the back, I think Raven, Peggy and I can fit in the front. We can tie the horse on to the back. We won’t be able to go very fast on these roads, but at least we won’t have to walk.”

She got up and brushed the dust off her robe.

"Ride in that thing? are you crazy? and don't think I don't know what your thinking when you say 'Raven, Peggy and I!" She crossed her arms. "I've seen boys like you before! dozens of them! and you must be daft if you think I'm comming with you in that thing!"

The wizard lifted up her hands, they were flaming. "I say we get behind that rock over there" She indicated to a huge boulder several dozen yards away. "and blow that thing to h***!"

She looked angry. Her pale-white face was flushed red and her bangs were unkempt.

Mark poked his head out of the window, giving Sarai a real smile. It was a nice smile and much more pleasant that any of his many mask smiles, because of the truth behind it.“We can ride it and it’ll take us places, like a giant horse.” He told her.

Fear vanishing, Sarai smiled brightly back, "Really?" she asked, "We don't have to walk anymore!" Mark was getting rid of the explosives.

“If Tisar and Sarai ride in the back, I think Raven, Peggy and I can fit in the front. We can tie the horse on to the back. We won’t be able to go very fast on these roads, but at least we won’t have to walk.”

Pleasantly surprised and relieved by this new development, Sarai stepped towards the truck once more, absolutely fine with Mark's idea.

There was a sharp growl, and Tisar had intercepted her path within a second, glaring at Mark with utmost dislike and distrust, "I insist," he said, a deadly calmness in his voice, "That our trip continue no further until you explain more of yourself, young sir. For deciding to come with us on short notice, I believe you're making too many assumptions on how our expedition will proceed..." his fiery eyes flickered with a dangerous anger.

Raven had to blow out some steam as well, "Ride in that thing? are you crazy? and don't think I don't know what your thinking when you say 'Raven, Peggy and I!" She crossed her arms. "I've seen boys like you before! dozens of them! and you must be daft if you think I'm comming with you in that thing!"

"I'm sure that won't be the case, Miss Galienlend..." Tisar said loudly, trying to calm things down, but Raven wasn't finished.

The wizard lifted up her hands, they were flaming. "I say we get behind that rock over there" She indicated to a huge boulder several dozen yards away. "and blow that thing to h***!"

Sarai whimpered, upset to see such tempers in two people she'd thought so differently of. And she didn't want to blow up the truck, not when they'd been walking all day! She looked anxiously over at Peggy, hoping that maybe she'd whip out the perfect solution to the issue at hand.

"Well I.." began Mark, not exactly sure how to handle a giant fire cat with a bad mood. It was a new one to him. He was relieved when Raven interrupted, although he was surprised she was so worked up about the truck.

"Ride in that thing? are you crazy? and don't think I don't know what your thinking when you say 'Raven, Peggy and I!" She crossed her arms.

Mark stood up in the back of the truck, looking annoyed. “Well, you can ride in the back, if…” he started to say.

"I've seen boys like you before! dozens of them! and you must be daft if you think I'm coming with you in that thing!"

Mark shrugged and raised his arms, “Well, you can…”

The wizard lifted up her hands, they were flaming. "I say we get behind that rock over there" She indicated to a huge boulder several dozen yards away. "and blow that thing to h***!"

She looked angry. Her pale-white face was flushed red and her bangs were unkempt.

Mark was really annoyed now. What had gotten into her? Mark didn’t get down from the truck, he sure she wouldn’t blast it while he was still there. Instead he adopted a condescending, flippant air, crossing his own arms and leaning against the cab.

“It’s not going to eat you, Raven. It’s just a means of transport.” He said, “I’m sure Sarai would much rather sit in a comfortable, cool seat, than trudge down hot, dusty roads and royally, such as Firetail and Rexlone, deserves to travel in such luxury. Of coarse, if your too *afraid* to ride with us, you can ride the pack horse.”

The flamed died down, but the wizard was still obviously angry.

"Why are you here? Don't just say you wanted to come along because we were headed in the same direction. There's ALWAYS a reason."

"Mark, how would this thing move. I don't understand." She said ignoring the upset Raven.

Sarai nodded, looking hopefully over at Tisar, "I don't see how it'd be any trouble..." she said meekly.

Peggy was inspecting the car in confusion, apparently oblivious to Raven and Tisar's issue with Kole. "Mark, how would this thing move. I don't understand."

Tisar, angry that no one seemed to be agreeing with him in getting to the bottom of Mark, glared over at her, "Surely you are not going to go along with him?" he asked sharply, approaching his companion. Raven, meanwhile, was still angry.

"Why are you here? Don't just say you wanted to come along because we were headed in the same direction. There's ALWAYS a reason."

"My question precisely," Tisar added, attention diverted from Peggy to Mark and Raven again.

Mark flashed a smile at Peggy. “Well, it’s complicated, but to make it simple, it rolls forward like a cart, only it doesn’t need anything to pull it.”

Tisar, angry that no one seemed to be agreeing with him in getting to the bottom of Mark, glared over at her, "Surely you are not going to go along with him?" he asked sharply, approaching his companion. Raven, meanwhile, was still angry.

"Why are you here? Don't just say you wanted to come along because we were headed in the same direction. There's ALWAYS a reason."

Mark turned a rebellious look on Raven. What right did she have to question him? He crossed his arms again and said sarcastically. “Alright then. How about this? I think you’re cute, when you’re angry.”

The wizard was caught off guard. She stopped, looked at Mark for a second, and then got angry again.

"Hah! you've been looking at every girl we've passed since we started! Now are you going to answer me or are you going to try and be suave again?"

((I know that's a bit of an assumption, but considering the way Mark acted when he met Raven and Peggy I bet it's an accurate one. I'll edit if you want.))

"I'll say yes or no when I find out what this is and what it does." Peggy replied sharply and then turned to receive the answer from Mark about her question.

Mark flashed a smile at Peggy. “Well, it’s complicated, but to make it simple, it rolls forward like a cart, only it doesn’t need anything to pull it.”

This seemed very strange. A metal thing that had invisible horses? She didn’t ask further on that subject though because Raven interrupted. Slowly she opened the door as mark and Raven argued. She couldn’t make up her mind. The thing looked ok but the noise of the motor she worried her and slowly she started to side with Tisar. Who actly was Mark. She decided to let raven do the questions though.

Mark shrugged at the accusation. It was quite true.

“None of the girls we passed had bangs that fall in their face quite the way yours do, when you’re in a passion,” he said, “and if that’s not suave enough for you, the splendid glair of your blue eyes would be like an ice cycle through my heart, IF I had one.” Mark finished by smiling his roguish smile in a very challenging way.

"Quiet Mark, Peggy might hear you."

Raven was hoping at the very least that Peggy WOULD hear him, then she wouldn't be quite so infatuated with him.

“That’s very impressive!” he called through his laughter, “Nearly scared me off.”

"Quiet Mark, Peggy might hear you."

“Hey Peggy!” Mark called, “Did you hear that? Raven’s afraid that you might get you might get jealous, worried that her balding head and wrinkles will scare me away! She doesn’t have to worry though, I’ve always had a soft spot for old witches.”

"Look, lets just decide whether we get into the metal tube or not.Firetail, whats your opion?"

And no one EVER insults a wizard.

The illusion was gone, it didn't even fade, instead there was a very angry WIZARD with a frost bolt in her hand and a grin on her face.

"catch this Mark!"

It was only a small frostball after all.

well... relatively it was.

"Look, lets just decide whether we get into the metal tube or not.Firetail, whats your opion?"

"I think..." Tisar started, when Sarai screamed.

"Catch this Mark!" Frost shot from Raven's hands towards the truck.

"Raven, don't!" Peggy said trying to insert authority.

"ENOUGH!" Tisar yowled. The expedition could NOT start this way, "Galienlend! Control yourself! I'll NOT have you freezing ANYONE in this group, is that CLEAR?" his eyes were wide with flaming anger, and if one looked closely; fear.

He turned to see if Mark was alright.

"catch this Mark!"

It was only a small frostball after all.

well... relatively it was.

Mark read Raven’s plans in her head before she fired. It was only thanks to this and her verbal warning that he had time to dodge. He hadn’t expected the frostball to explode however, and as it did so several shards of ice hit him with a burning, icy touch.

Mark gave a cry and scrambled in to the corner of the truck bed, viscously brushing the ice away from him. Luckily he’d covered his head when he’d ducked so he was hurt much.

He peeked over the edge of the truck bed at the fuming Raven.

“Hey if you like your men frozen stiff, I’m your guy,” he said.

"ENOUGH!" Tisar yowled. The expedition could NOT start this way, "Galienlend! Control yourself! I'll NOT have you freezing ANYONE in this group, is that CLEAR?" his eyes were wide with flaming anger, and if one looked closely; fear.

He turned to see if Mark was alright.

Mark flashed a smile at Tisar. He knew Raven wouldn’t dare disobey a command like that.

“I’m fine,” he said in answer to Tisar’s look.

Tisar gave no inclination that he'd heard her, still staring over at Mark in the truck. He wasn't through with this man yet...

Mark flashed a smile at Tisar, "I'm fine."

"Good," Tisar growled, before dashing towards the truck, and leaping onto the hood to glare down almost threateningly at Mark, "I do NOT wish to deal with any more disturbances you may cause among the group, /sir/" he hissed, "If you are to remain with us any longer, you WILL explain your true intentions in joining us, and you will NOT give me or any other member of our party more of your smart mouth, is that clear?" His tail lashed in agitation as the great cat loomed over Mark.

Sarai sat down, tired and ready to rest. Why couldn't they all just forget it and get in that cool machine that would mean no more walking?

Mark leapt back and cringed slightly, when the giant jaguar leapt with sudden anger upon the cab above him.

"I do NOT wish to deal with any more disturbances you may cause among the group, /sir/" Tisar hissed, "If you are to remain with us any longer, you WILL explain your true intentions in joining us, and you will NOT give me or any other member of our party more of your smart mouth, is that clear?" His tail lashed in agitation as the great cat loomed over Mark.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” said Mark submissively, not really looking the huge cat king in the fiery eyes.

"Firetail, we need to go. You can question him on the way. I for one do not vote for the metal tube." She really wasn't trusting Mark very much any more and the metal tube could be a trap.

"Raven, your opion?"

“It’s not dangerous, Peggy,” he said, his voice now sounding reasonable and practical, “and certainly not a trap. Besides, look at Sarai. She’s falling asleep on her feet and if we’re going to keep going today on foot, someone will have to carry her, but if we take the truck, she can sleep comfortable and we’ll be able to travel faster and farther than we ever could on foot. We may even be able to drive though the night, if I teach someone else to drive. People,” he looked around at everyone, “if we take the truck, we’ll cut our travel time by at least a fourth and we’ll be riding in comfort.”

"Firetail, your opion?" She said stiffly to Tisar.

Satisfied that he'd finally had Mark under control, Tisar bounded gracefully off the truck, padding back towards the others.

Peggy sighed, "Firetail, we need to go. You can question him on the way. I for one do not vote for the metal tube. Raven, your opion?"

Raven shook her head. "I won't trust Mark and this thing seems too suspicious. I say we destroy it and move on. or else.." the wizard pursed her lips for a seccond as she though. "or else we walk and let Mark use this thing."

That, thought Tisar, appealed to him. He wasn't at all inclined to ride in the back of that machine with Mark driving. But he wasn't one to put down helpful opportunities...

Mark had approached Peggy.

“It’s not dangerous, Peggy,” he said, his voice now sounding reasonable and practical, “and certainly not a trap. Besides, look at Sarai. She’s falling asleep on her feet and if we’re going to keep going today on foot, someone will have to carry her, but if we take the truck, she can sleep comfortable and we’ll be able to travel faster and farther than we ever could on foot. We may even be able to drive though the night, if I teach someone else to drive. People,” he looked around at everyone, “if we take the truck, we’ll cut our travel time by at least a fourth and we’ll be riding in comfort."

Sarai, indignant, rose back to her feet, "No, no I can walk!" she called out, crossing her arms, "I can go on foot as well as anybody!"

Peggy frowned, "Firetail, your opinion?"

'She has spirit, the little one,' Tisar thought with a smile, as he looked over at Sarai. But Kole was right, she wouldn't be walking for much longer, she needed rest. Eyes narrowing, the large cat studied the man, then the truck. It hadn't acted up at all except for when Kole had messed with it. And reason didn't seem to favor any violence that Mark might want to cause with it, especially if the man had to be /inside/ to operate. Then there was Sarai...

"We should go with Galienlend's suggestion; Kole may take charge of his little toy on his own, but none of us are to join him."

"Oh, can't I ride?" Sarai asked desperately, "Why would it be dangerous? It reminds me a little of the horse carts back home. See the four wheels, and the place where the driver sits up front..." the small girl pointed at the certain things she recognized, "And Mark SAID it was just a means of transportation..." she trailed off as Tisar's gaze lowered on her.

Perhaps it was how Sarai so confidently compared the unknown thing to something she knew about, or the way she was so imploring, but Tisar suddenly felt better about the strange 'horse cart.'

"You may if you wish," he said softly, "But be careful, do NOT touch anything."

Relieved, Sarai instantly clambered into the front seat, excitedly looking at all the strange gear, but not touching them.

"I think she will be alright," Tisar said to the others lightly, but gave Mark a burning look, "I trust you will make sure nothing happens to her?"

"you know what to do." Tane kawed and flew over to a somewhat gnarled tree. He would wait there and see if the strange machine belonged to anyone.

Mark crossed his arms irritably. Why was everyone in this country, so suspicious?

"Oh, can't I ride?" Sarai asked desperately, "Why would it be dangerous? It reminds me a little of the horse carts back home. See the four wheels, and the place where the driver sits up front..." the small girl pointed at the certain things she recognized, "And Mark SAID it was just a means of transportation..." she trailed off as Tisar's gaze lowered on her.

Mark smiled at Sarai, honestly grateful to have at least one person on his side.

"You may if you wish," Tisar said softly, "But be careful, do NOT touch anything."

Relieved, Sarai instantly clambered into the front seat, excitedly looking at all the strange gear, but not touching them.

"I think she will be alright," Tisar said to the others lightly, but gave Mark a burning look, "I trust you will make sure nothing happens to her?"

Mark had followed Sarai to the truck, but turned, holding the door open, when Tisar addressed him.

“Oh she’ll be fine and have a great time too,” said Mark with confident cheerfulness, then he turned an inquiring look on Peggy, “Anyone else want to ride with us?” he asked.

"I will walk." Even if the car got miles a head of them she didn't care. She was used to traveling and wasn't even that tired yet.

"Now can we please keep going." She said snatching the reins of the pack horse. She would rather find more about Raven then the teasing arrogant Mark anyway.

“You ready?” he asked, “here let me buckle you in.” he reached for Sarai’s seat belt.

((In your answering post, skip ahead to the evening, SG))

The group moved out, heading south and leaving the town behind them, as the rough road delved into the depths of a forest. Mark drove the truck very slowly, letting Tisar and Peggy lead the way and joking and laughing with Sarai good-naturedly. He enjoyed riding with Sarai she was easy to amuse. Eventually she fell asleep, however and Mark, who got board easily, turned the radio on.

-------------------------------------------------------

At last the sun began to sink behind the trees casting every thing into blue shadow and the travelers pulled over at the next clearing. There was the smell of pine in air and the evergreen trees surrounded them. The ground was soft, the sandy soil cover in a thick layer of fallen needles.

It looked as if the gloomy clearing had used a camp sight before, because there was already a stone fire ring, though it obviously had been a long time since it’d been used and the wood stacked beside it was old.

"If we want any meat tonight someone will have to hunt. I think we should save the dried meats until we need them." she said.

Flames shot out of her hand and ignited the fireplace. Then she started mixing flour and heating a pan over the fire,"If we want any meat tonight someone will have to hunt. I think we should save the dried meats until we need them." she said.

Tisar nodded, then turned to Peggy, "I expect we can form an acceptable hunting party, Rexlone?" he offered her, a gleam in his orange eyes that suggested an eagerness that one can only see in a natural hunter.

“Oh,” said Mark, who was already getting out. “Here, you just push this button,” he explained, as he leaned over and unbuckled her.

Once Sarai was free, Mark walked across the clearing, taking in his surroundings with his sharp senses.

“There’s a stream down that way some,” he announced, “shall I go get some water?”

((The stream’s far enough away, that only Mark should be able to hear it.))

"You and me?" peggy asked, rather tired from the days walk and heat.

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