To be decided:
...
Arabeth nods in understanding at Chap's comment about the mystical feline.
I doubt your secret is something to guard if it is fear of judgement that keeps you guarded. Though even if you flew ahead, how far would you make it before nightfall? You'd risk being alone; something we were warned to avoid by ally and dream alike. Again, Chap's comment has Arabeth looking slightly ashamed about something about herself.
"If warnings are not enough to stay your concern, I would perhaps convince everyone to let you and Kayahidye fly ahead and warn Vigilant." Arabeth brightens at Chap's words...
"So.. perhaps Kayahidye, Oko and myself can try moving ahead of the party? Kayahidye should benefit from my gift of the divine..."
However, I will not second your idea in support. No offense, but we chose to delay once in Endurant for fear of making the wrong decision, and I earned myself the badge of intrusion. I would only bring the other's against us if I supported you openly. At this comment Arabeth frowns and places a gentle hand upon Chap's shoulder in support.
"I think... every one was distraught and emotions wre high then. Even Eli who seems to not show any..." Arabeth glances towards the masked figure. "Well... not showing any when wearing his costume and yet only showing the one when not masked." Arabeth sighs. "I suppose we all have our own unique... foibles, hmmm?" She asks Chap with a wan smile.
Arabeth, possibly with chap, moves towards Kayahidye.
"Cousin? A moment?" Arabeth asks the feline-id formed half celestial pleasantly.
-----
As you consider what you have heard of the nobleman, you decide that the name Sir Hawkthorne does sound somewhat familiar. . . You're not sure where exactly he's from, but it might be somewhere here in the Kingdom of Theramark. In fact, you know you overheard a local commoner in Vigilant talking about some other greedy, tight-fisted noble, saying "Well, dammit, he's no Sir Hawkthorne, that's for sure. Guess they can't all have a heart."
-----
After paying homage to the deceased of Endurant at sunset, your group moves to the logging camp to eat, rest, and prepare for a grueling day of travel toward Vigilant tomorrow.
Two of you stay awake to guard the others tonight, planning to rest in the cart on the way tomorrow, then guard again when you camp roadside.
After possibly/hopfully a quiet conversation with Kayahidye. (^_^)
Arabeth volunteers to take one of the watches.... The later/last one, perhaps.
So! ON Arabeth's watch... she will move a away from the group, release her wings and take flight. Gaining altitude to gain her own "Bird's eye" view of the devastated town. No disservice to wonderful Oko and their efforts earlier in the day, of course.
She is trying to on the one hand, gain an aerial view of the town/ruins, while not being remiss in her duties of watching over the group. So flying more around/over the logging camp's precinct than a large circuit of the town's environs.
Given Arabeth's physical stats, I am unsure as to how long a 'pleasant' flight might be for her. I leave such thoughts/details/exposition in the DM's masterful, story telling hands.
Very much cheers and best wishes to all.
I'll take the other watch.
You all settle into your second night at the Endurant logging camp, after a tasty supper cooked by Lesith, with Arabeth and Chap staying awake to keep watch, and Cernan staying awake to craft a couple silver arrows each for Marius, Chap, and Eli.
Chap spends the evening sharpening and cleaning her weapons while keeping a look out for trouble.
All of you eventually fall asleep for your second and final night at the Endurant logging camp, except for Natanja, Cernan, Arabeth, and Chap.
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With a grin, you take a few steps, almost skipping, and launch yourself into the warm night air, laughing out loud as you feel the wind whip across your face and through your hair. It's glorious. You circle higher into the sky. From up here, especially with the darkness and moonlight, the devastation of Endurant doesn't look so bad.
You keep a careful eye out as you enjoy your flight, but you don't notice any danger or other travelers approaching Endurant. From here, all you can see is the wilderness surrounding what was once the village. The thought of the burned village does tend to make you somewhat sad, but it's hard for anything to get you too down when you're flying.
After spending significantly more time than you intended to in flight, somewhat losing track of time, you seem to notice another presence near you, but when you look, you see nothing. If there was something there, you think it might have moved away from you, down toward Endurant.
-----
Not being able to see much of anything of interest Arabeth glides back for a landing near the camp and rejoins her companions/friends...
Arabeth woud skip back from her business behind the bushes, grinning happily to Chap and Cernan. (^_^)
Chap is clearly worried about something nearby, her spear is readied and she is sweeping the surrounding area with a spell you've seen her use before after the imps attacked the party and during the search at Endurant. Marius is most likely roused by now.
Reveal yourself! I know you're there! Chap quickly moves to towards the direction she sensed the source.
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Arabeth frowns, even as she hurries and struggles to make herself 'presentable' again after her sojourn in the bushes...
Hurrying into the camp she looks about for Chap, Cernan and the general state of affairs...
Slowing to a brisk walk, Arabeth just as carefully draws her sword, keeping an eye out for people waking up and hence making sure said people down sit up into her drawn weapon.
-----
Arabeth slows, treading carefully and looking to Chap to see if the other woman might indicate or other wise signal about what might be going on.
Cernan will cast Detect Magic and sweep the area for illusions, taking care not to go too far.
Chap concentrates her spell in the direction she detected a presence until the exact location of the aura or auras is revealed. If she can walk over or on people as she goes, she will nudge Marius first.
Marius is stirred from his sleep, the last image in his head something about a storm, a cake, and a woman he'd never even met. Strange dream.
Eyelids heavy, he rolls over and looks up. "Uh... still dark. Wha..?"
Vincent, stirs slightly in his sleep, but doesn't wake. His dream is about nothing important, for he didn't remember it.
The next morning he tells the group he remembers hearing something about a Hawkthorn. He was a good man if memory serves him well, people said that not all could have a heart like the man..or something similar.
** spoiler omitted **
-----
After long day digging through rubble, the little arcanist is fast asleep.
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As you look around, you see Chap nearby brandishing a spear, Arabeth standing a short distance down the path holding a sword, Cernan near his crafting supplies, and a confused looking Rex getting up off of Kiwyn.
Rex looks around and growls, but does not seem to be focusing on any particular spot or direction.
You don't see any enemies.
"What's wrong?"
Azmaria grabs her gun and switches barrels to scripture (normal shot)
Gina stay close by me, I don't want to loose sight of you.
Azmaria tries to focus on the area that seems most likely that something may be at.
she carefully stands up keeping her gun pointed toward the area where Chap seems to be defending against (at least as best as she can tell.)
"What happened?"
no idea, heard the dog barking, and Chap there looks ready for a fight.
Chap is hesitant to lower her guard at first, muscles tense, heartbeat rapid.
Kasame'le! Chap curses into the night.
We were being followed, and by my guess it was another one of those invisible imps! There's no telling how long it has been watching us or who knows what else. Chap begins looking through her things to make sure nothing is missing.
Lesith quickly stands up, looking around...
"Where is it? Wake everyone up! Protect the child!"
Does Cernan have any idea of what sort of invisible evil thing might be able to suddenly disappear like that.
At all the commotion Aeryth stands up. "What?" He is obviously tired and did not like being woken up early.
---
You've heard of some types of fiends being able to teleport, which would explain how there was magic, then there suddenly wasn't anything. There are multiple kids it could be, but, considering it seemed to have both invisibility and teleportation, and a scent that was foul to Rex, and flight capability based on where Rex jumped, and a shrill squeal, and the fact that it seemed to be spying on you, as pointed out by Chap... well, you'd probably guess it to be a Zebub.
Zebubs are small fiends known for their diseased bite (devil chills) and their infernal eye ability (they can replay visions of things they've seen to others, making them excellent spies).
---
Rex continues to growl softly, although he doesn't seem to have a particular target for his wrath at present.
Gina stands and steps up close behind Sister Azmaria.
At the commotion, Eli startles awake, grabs his staff, stands, and immediately begins attempting to focus his senses, attempting to discern any invisible foes.
It seems he's still at least somewhat asleep.
Even in his half asleep state, Marius jumps at the sound of Rex barking. Grabbing his sword and drawing it in one smooth motion as he leapt to his feet, he peered through the darkness, trying to find the source of Rex's ire.
"What the hell happened?"
Vincent wakes, kips up out of instinct and pops a dagger from his belt. He looks around, wondering what is going on.
uh..wha..why is everybody in such a tizzy?
Natanja roused from her deep sleep to the commotion in camp. She pushed her copper hair from her eyes and, standing, looked around, noting Chap and Arabeth brandishing weapons, Azmaria protecting Gina and Rex growling.
She remained silent. Instead, her golden eyes swiftly scanned the dark surrounds as Oko flew up to her shoulder and did the same.
Poterol groggily sits up. "What's all this racket!?"
Nobody notices any enemies, evil, or unusual magic.
Nothing at camp seems to be disturbed except for all of you.
Rex whines and goes back to sit at Marius's heels, then yawns.