Tarvek had found making a deal with the local Mage-Lord of this plane had proven quite beneficial, so far, these last few days. Oh, there yet remained the usual dangers, but it had granted access to the local tomes on arcane studies, though studying such things was made complicated by needing the pip-boy wrist-comp's systems. It wasn't anything arcane itself, for those were hard, and oft dangerous, to try such on, but the basic theory was very interesting to learn about. Though Tarvek guessed that such written instructions were frowned upon, or maybe less common, than Apprenticeship training from start to finish from complete basics.

He wrote some notes in his own language in a physical journal, thinking on the subject 'I don't have the full cultural cues, and it could simply be the fact this is a frontier city, and the personal library of a Mage-Lord. Who is childless, and may not ever need such basics despite her youthfulness'

Thankfully now he had a far better idea of the status of the world at large; from the most accurate available maps to a basic outline of the geopolitics from a city-state leader of this 'Alliance'. Biased of course he assumed, despite her being truthful as far as he, and his pip-boy wrist-comp systems, could tell. But…she was a mage, a powerful one at that, as was the other human female mage that was her advisor, and that could fool such things. He pushed such thoughts aside, taking a sip of the wine he'd been given, which he'd scanned to be sure it was safe. Soon enough he'd have to meet both the Mage-Lord Proudmoore, as well as the orcish leader of this alliance called the Horde.

That would be in the morning, though said orcs had arrived not long ago, or were arriving shortly, dependent on the servants of the Mage-Lord. There said Mage-Lord would talk to them, and likely go through the many hoops called diplomacy before organising his own meeting with them. Tarvek was well aware he, and Janet and Mayuko, were bargain chips of sorts as well for the natives, and if it gave him another night's rest…then he was fine with it. Time to do some studies after exercising and training Mayuko, who was already lying down on the bed getting a massage by Janet as the girl was both an energetic learner, but also far too low on stamina. Tarvek gave a snort at her groaning and complaining over such efforts, stretching his own arms.

"It shall get better with time and repetition" he told her with a bemused smile "You do enjoy attacking"

"Eeeeehhhh, but my legs and arms are sorrrrreee!" came the complaint from Mayuko as she rolled onto her back, wincing, Janet shaking her head as she sat on the side of the bed.

"I did warn…"

"No, no I told you so's!"

"She did warn thee though" Tarvek reminded Mayuko with an amused smile "Think of it so; with some more time and effort you will not suffer such as bad in time. That and blame thy parents"

"Yeah….I can get behind that. It's all their fault. It usual is" Mayuko grumbled laying back on the large bed, looking up at the tapestry on the ceiling "Free tomorrow, right?"

"Indeed" Tarvek replied as he rubbed at his hair, other hand closing the study notes and then storing them away within his Compass Inventory, the room illuminated by an arcane light "We shall be meeting, assuming all as intended occurs, with the leader of these orcs native to this plane"

"Their green though"

"Seemingly" he said back to Mayuko's question "Just as humans come in different, ah, flavours, as my friend Sasha would frame it"

"Yes, May, don't be racist" Janet murmured, but with a tired, friendly, tone, looking towards him "What do you expect, tomorrow I mean?"

"That one cannot say for sure" Tarvek admitted honestly, as he only had, biased, sources from the locals, and what they'd observed at a distance of this Horde. But he could see several issues, from the demon history, and their overall described culture "But there are likely to be disagreement, for they likely claim rulership of all orcs on this world, and I am not an orc of their culture, nor history. The ruler of this city, Lady Proudmoore, seems to have some strong bond with this Thrall, Leader of the Horde…so, all one can say is to be ready for anything, and leave words to me. Even if they insult"

Janet sighed, looking at him as she removed her trousers, moving to rest as they had an early morning, and clearly intent upon an early night. His power armour stood watch, programmed for defence, as he saw she was unhappy about that view "You are expecting violence"

"Not a betrayal, no, but there is the danger of honour duels, or simply demands to prove oneself" and there was a bit more than that, but, for now, he only had the words of traders, and this Alliance, enemies of the Horde, on Horde custom. If such was true then there were some superficial similarities to parts of Skartaris…there was clearly many issues that were radically different, and the presence of Janet and Mayuko might aggravate his own tales of the League, albeit without specifics "They are a warrior culture, and the elf alliance is strange, but they have no Gods, instead serving…demons"

Janet frowned, sitting half-lotus on the bed as Mayuko lay there, bored by such talk "Yes, that is an issue for you"

"It is offensive to one's sensibilities, especially as a cleric of my Lord"

She nodded "As if finding an American with blood sacrifice, I can understand. But…probably don't preach at them then?"

"Heh, yes, best not" he chuckled standing up, moving over to the large bed they all shared, the power armour standing on the other side just in case they were attacked "But, be assured, that is not what is planned on my part. Rather such things will be discussed, and they seemingly have a cultural issue with the divine arts, or perhaps divine energies as the natives call 'The Light'"

Which was a very human name really, as they had a blank eyed, bland, naming convention with things; The Earth, The Sun, The Force, and so many others across realms. The Light really just fit in with that, but he wasn't inclined to say that to either human female as they might take offence. Mayuko huffed with amusement, laying still across the bed, trying not to move aching muscles till the healing balms kicked in and that would all fade away "Uh, magic prayer powers"

"Next it is Friendship is Magic" Janet muttered with a snort of amusement, though Tarvek wasn't sure why as he removed his heavy outer robe, getting under the covers as Janet got out of the way.

"Yes, friendship can be magical one supposes" he offered with a sigh, laying down, glad to do so, as he was somewhat weary know he thought on it. Studying the local magics and training Mayuko these few days had distracted him from more focused behaviours, or perhaps just the stress induced by many travels, and battles, up till now "Though, usually not in great practical terms outside teamwork"

"Hmm, fine, of course, no idea on that…" Janet said after a moment, shaking her head, then laying down just to his right, allowing him to extinguish the arcane light thrusting the room into darkness "But this place seems to, um, not have, what called Gods?"

"That can happen. Such magics can occur where it is very strong, or where sufficient will exists" he answered, recalling lessons on the subject "On some planes clerics can be clerics of themselves if their self-belief and narcissism are strong enough. Or where Atheistic Religions are particularly strong in their faith, and can draw upon blood magics. That this realm has a powerful font of divine energies, filled with these Spirit Beings called Naaru as best one can understand…not the strangest application"

That caused Janet to give a weak, faux, punch to his shoulder with a snort of amusement "Remember, we are were still getting used to magic being real not long ago. Asking stupid questions will be common"

"They are not stupid questions, for how can you get answers without questioning?" he pointed out, reaching out and patting her head "I, we, shall likely ask what sound as stupid questions, and obvious knowledge, to the natives as we seek out the next portal point with their aid. Thus was the same upon the earth you and I walked upon Jan"

She muttered softly to herself, but allowed him to manoeuvre her into a comfortable position against him, for she was still struggling with how alien this place was to her. Perhaps even more than before they'd been allowed stay within a castle tower of a mage, and Janet was clearly aware the basics were something she, as an older female, and healer, didn't know. For an expert that seemed to upset her "Yes, I was useful there at least"

"As you, and May, are here. Hence why we must learn, study, and advance. It is not your chosen path, but, both of you, have handled it to the best of your ability…and not being found wanting. That is something to be proud of my trainers would argue"

And it was, for they had got this far, and that was with Mayuko who'd never received any training, of any kind, till Tarvek had started to train her, and Janet, from a culture that didn't believe in magic. Which was good, because tomorrow they'd, with him, have to meet a group that had ruined their world, sold their souls, invaded (and failed in that) this world, and still seemed to hold the same (failed) structures. Tarvek had heard of worse, and they seemed less crazy than the more extreme Orismer strongholds…but that was only at a glance, through the eyes of the enemy. For now he needed rest, and then to meet them tomorrow, broker peace, and make a trade deal…

Sighed as he closed his eyes 'This is far above my pay grade'