Setting a course...

“We’d best stay here then?” The older man asked, finally introduced himself by adding “Well met, I’m Amalric and this is my brother Aldric.”

“A pleasure,” Joa took on the duty of introducing her half of the party, “I’m Joa, and these are my friends Seleste and Gwendolyn.”

Aldric nodded at the two younger women, a shot of electricity jolting him when he met both of their eyes in turn. A jolt that both Gwendolyn and Seleste felt as well. Seleste had been with men before, though not often. And so she wasn't as confused by the feelings. Gwendolyn hadn't ever been with a man, and so she was at once feeling guilty of her thoughts and excited by the prospect of someone her and Seleste's age being in close proximity.

"So what brings you to Tharros?" Joa asked as she leaned against a tree, taking in the older brother with almost no shame.

Amalric felt a stirring in his loins at the way this woman looked at him. If it weren't for his younger brother, the two young ladies and the memory of his dear departed wife he'd have taken her already. "My brother here is on his Rite of Manhood Quest."

Joa looked at the younger brother, who she noticed was currently busy trying to sneak glances at Seleste and Gwendolyn. She nodded to herself, the curse, if it could be called that was already running it's course. Though so far Joa couldn't figure out why it would be a curse. Outside of the lack of innovation on the Island, it left a lot of room for pleasure "Interesting. What does that entail?"

"Surviving for a week with only the clothes on our back, and the weapons in our hands. We have to get from Tharros to our village in that manner. After that he can choose a wife and..."

"Amalric...he forgets to tell that if I don't choose the Elders choose for me. And I know the High Elder's grand daughter seems to like me. The problem in my opinion with her is that...how to put this nicely...is not attractive in the least. She's also not all there." He finished by tapping his head indicating where there was.

Joa nodded, remembering the little that she could of her own home town before it was destroyed, she remembered vague details of a similar situation in her town. Would Amalric and Aldric be from the same vicinity? "So choose someone else."

Aldric actually blushed, "I wish, but I've never felt anything for any women in my village."

Joa nodded, then again watched as he snuck another glance at Seleste and Gwendolyn. For their part they played with their hair, unconsciously preening for Aldric. Joa suspected that Seleste was a bit more aware of what she was doing than Gwendolyn, who seemed to glance at Seleste and did what she did.

From what she remembered of most Rites of Manhood Quests Aldric was probably forbidden to have relations with a woman until it was done.

Joa had the feeling that Aldric's resolve would truly tested. She looked back to Amalric, noticing for the first time that Amalric had some pain in his past.

Amalric smiled at Joa, "So, what are you three ladies doing out and about?"

Joa looked at Gwendolyn and Seleste, "In a manner of speaking Gwendolyn and Seleste are going on their Rite of Womanhood quest. I'm their guide, just as you are Aldric's guide." She glanced back at Aldric, who was now not even trying to hide his attraction for Gwendolyn and Seleste, now he was trying to figure out why he was so attracted to both of them. And if they were as attracted to him as he to them. Joa snorted to herself, if the nipples she saw poking through the two's shirts were any indication they wanted to try out his sword...and not the one strapped to his side.

Amalric nodded at Joa, "I see. If your quest is similar to ours we could travel together." He said, and glanced at the three younger people, his eyes missing nothing as the two women basically said, via body language, Take me you warrior stud you to his little brother.