Hastings hummed an old sea otter shanty as he stirred the ingredients in the pot.
"That smells spicy.", List noted, peeking over his book as he sniffed the air.
"You bet it is.", Hastings chuckled as he added a pawful of dried shrimp to the soup.
"So what are we doing tomorrow?", Krynn asked as she closed her book and leaned back onto the bed.
The two looked over at List.
"I was planning on looking at the message boards.", List replied. "See if any beast had need of my sorcerous services."
"What about us?", Krynn asked.
"I feel fairly certain the services of an oracle of Caimus and a barbarian wouldn't be too unwelcome.", List responded.
"And a dragon!", Floki added as he perched on List's shoulder, puffing his chest out proudly.
List chuckled as he reached up to pet the faerie dragon, scratching him behind his ear.
"And soup's done.", Hastings said as he took three bowls off a nearby shelf.
"Thanks.", List and Krynn said as the otter filled their bowls.
"Spicy.", Krynn said as she ate a spoonful.
"I've heard you call me a barbarian.", Hastings said to List. "Why?"
"That's the term for those beasts who can channel their rage into bursts of enhanced strength.", the marten replied.
"You wouldn't by any chance know where it can from, would you?", the otter asked, curious.
"Likely passed down through your bloodline from your fore-bearers.", List answered. "Like mine."
"Any other unnatural abilities I might possess?", Hastings inquired.
"Yes.", List replied. "Your scars seem to be able to induce fear in your adversaries."
The marten ate another mouthful of shrimp'n'hotroot soup.
"Usually barbarians have a slight supernatural boost to their speed, but your scarring seems to have replaced that."
"How do I control it?", the otter asked. "And why is it only happening now?"
"It's not uncommon for supernatural powers to start manifesting in ones mid teens.", List replied. "As to how you might control them, I'm unsure."
"What exactly is an oracle?", Hastings asked, looking over at Krynn.
"I was blessed by Caimus, a god of healing, with divine magic.", the vixen said quietly. "And also cursed."
"Cursed?""
"Oracles have curses that come with a benefit as well as a hindrance.", Krynn explained. "For example, malevolent spirits follow me wherever I go, causing minor mishaps and strange occurrences."
She paused to take another sip of her soup.
"I have another curse that slows me down when I am surprised.", Krynn said. "Thought after I get over my surprise, I seem to be quicker to dodge."
"Well friends, I intend to get up bright and early tomorrow", List yawned. "Best get some sleep."