Timestamp: 55th of Spring, 522 A.V.
Taz was a woman on a mission. She’d visited Lars and after much negotiation, she’d got him to agree to take the Ashta cart and make a few trips through the dovecote with her to collect the furniture, pavilion, and other things she’d need to set up her camp. Lars wouldn’t have done it, but the Ashta knew her and when she explained her curse was that people forgot her, he remembered he loved eating at the Inn… just not why. But in the end, it wasn’t Tazrae’s words that had convinced him, but rather the small elephant’s actions.
They gathered around her like they were greeting an old friend. She spoke to them in Nura and their obvious affections swayed Lars to her cause. Tazrae paid him handsomely and at the same time ordered some deck wood, planks, and some other things she’d need for her camp. Then she took careful pains to make sure he noted himself carefully on her order, the pickups he’d agreed too at The Outpost, and where he was delivering the items. That way, the moment she was out of sight, he wouldn’t forget about her delivery.
It seems Lars had done one extra. For when she got to where she’d had him leave her things – new furniture, wood, the pavilion, and all – she was surprised to see the sheer amount of wood Lars had left. It was an enormous order. And it was covered with droplets of rain water. Taz concentrated, converted her djed to res, and breathed out a thin film that whipped itself up into a wind that passed over and over the piles of wood, guided by her hand. She heated the newly formed air, made it hotter, and the droplets and pools of rainwater on the wood evaporated. She was no hydromancer, but the hot air on water soon did the trick and her pile of wood was dry from the morning rain shower.
After momentary thought, she did the same to her furniture, and then returned to the Protea to gather some tarps and tarp the new purchases against future rainfall. She wasn’t sure, looking at the sheer amount of wood, that they’d get much done today other than planning, clearing, and maybe some footers put up.
Taz was sorting out the materials, making careful notes in a journal as two men approached. Someone she knew of but had never actually talked to long stood there looking slightly bemused along with Lars. “Hi there.” The man said, walking towards her and offering her his hand. Taz recognized him immediately. He was Dawn’s husband and the Isuas Farmer. She walked forward took his hand, and shook it. “Lars said you’d need my help and these days I’ve been feeling next to useless.” He admitted. “Tony Swiftwater.” He added, offering her a grin.
“Tazrae Ardera.” She replied then smiled. “I don’t think we have had much chance to talk, but I do know who you are. Why have you been feeling useless? I’ve been a bit lost myself. No one remembers me… that’s my curse this season. Once you walk away, you will forget me as well.” She added, looking over the farmer curiously. Taz was sincerely glad to have the help but something wasn’t exactly right. The piles of wood stacked in the clearing were far more than she’d accounted for … vastly far more wood. Someone had left her what looked like enough material to deck the entire Protea if not more… some of it so highly polished it looked lacquered.
Taz took a moment to thank Lars and ask him about all the excess wood. “Tony’s idea. He’ll explain it.” Lars said with a smile then took his leave without explanation, only saying he had more deliveries to make that day. That left Taz and Tony alone to get to know each other.
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