Sorin jumps up and immediately begins looking for waves of wolves and goblins.
Seeing absolutely nothing out of the ordinary he grabs his glaive and starts to head to Lisabett. He stops when he hears Raziel and turns to face west. Still not seeing anything, he'll slowly edge his way over to Lisabett, focusing to the west.
As it has been announced that the movement is in the vicinity of the westernmost wagon, the caravan's defenders turn their attention there. There is a rustle of dry grass, followed by several soft whimpers.
You see them at the edge of the flickering torchlight - nearly a dozen wolves, thin and emaciated. Though they appear desperate for food, there is nothing aggressive in their manner. Their green eyes flash at you as they watch those gathered with rapt attention.
As if comprehending your conversation, the wolves turn from you and disappear into the night. After a time, the sentries return to their posts, and the others return to their sleep. The rest of the night passes without incident.
The next day, Sandru rouses everybody early and has the caravan underway just after dawn. It is a long, tiring day, but it is uneventful. The day after, Sandru seems continually dissatisfied with the pace of travel, but when the lights of Galduria come into view, an expression of relief comes to his face at last.
As you bring the caravan through town, you notice the streets are all but empty. Perhaps Galduria simply lacks the modest nightlife of Sandpoint. Or, perhaps something is wrong.
"Well-reasoned. Let him announce his intentions first...if he has any." Sandru frowns. He squints into the shadows surrounding the house.
Sandru murmurs.
"If the wolves are in so poor a state, and they are territorial, why are we expecting that men and women with hearts and obligations will remain in an environs that cannot support them?" Lisabett wonders when the others call for a scouting party.
[ooc]Lisabett Perception
Lisabett's eyes pop as the slight Setomi simply wanders from the caravan in the direction of the sentry, and further that none seem to be disconcerted by her behavior. Shaking her head, Lisabett deliberately slows and allows the caravan to pass her by, remaining within range to assist with her magics should they be required.
His crossbow is fitted with a bolt, and the winch is drawn back. The slightest provocation could cause the weapon to fire.
A shadow appears above the figure and reaches carefully over him. With deft fingers, Setomi releases the tension in the crossbow and retrieves the bolt. She makes a quick hand signal to those below, and lightly shakes the still figure.
"Ah!" The man springs up in surprise, fumbling for his crossbow. The weapon slides down the slanted roof, away from his grip and down onto the top of the storm drain. The man looks up at Setomi fearfully. "Don't!" he cries out.
"It was when they found the women. Three women found dead. Brothel girls, but nice girls." The man pushes himself up to sitting. "And the same night, the north and south watchtowers just vanished. Along with the barracks. They were full of guards. People we all knew, just vanished. Been quiet since then. We've been watching the road in shifts." A confused look comes to the man's face. He glances down at the caravan, then back up at Setomi. "And you? You're with a caravan? You don't look Varisian. You look like..." His fearful voice trails off.
"Yes I am with the caravan. The cook, in fact. Why do we not go down and talk to Sandru, he is the leader of our caravan." Setomi smile and lightly jumps down from the perch on the roof and makes her way over to the rest of the party and informs them what the man told her.
"He seemed sort of disturbed by my Tien-looks. I do not know why."
Sorin clucks his tongue realizing that somethings already happening and he's missed it. He can't make out what Setomi says but Almar's response puts him ill at ease. He looks at Mother Koya and then at the sky.
It is said that Lady Desna and Lady Shelyn are friends; do they both plan to test me during this trek?
The man climbs back into his window from the roof, retrieving his crossbow as he does so. Soon after, he unlocks the front door of the house and comes out, carefully locking it again behind him. Cautiously, he approaches.
The man has flecks of grey in his hair and beard, and the deeply worried look he bears makes you wonder if most of it is recent. Someelief comes to his weathered face as he sees Sandru.
"Of course." Sandru replies, not seeming to recall.
Deni turns to Almar. "What happened here? I can't say, really. Like I told your...your cook: three girls come up dead, and the watchtowers disappear, guards and all. Now the first thing is hard to swallow, but the other bit? What kind of sorcery moves whole buildings away in the blink of an eye?"
Deni's face drains to nearly white. "Black robes? That's the man they speak of! At least as far as I've heard. He walked into town all on his own, maybe a week ago. Went straight for the brothel. I didn't see him come in. Nobody saw him leave, that I've talked to. It's just, the girls were dead and he was the one who had gone. Him and the sentries, but not a one of our men at arms would have done a thing like that. Couldn't have done a thing like...well, any of this..." He looks up at Almar, his eyes wild. "What's that about ripping up souls? Who is this...monster? Will he come back?"
Almar's stoic composure cracks for a second and a look of sadness, and maybe anguish can be seen passing in his eyes, then literally in the blink of an eye he's back at normal:"I don't know, he never came back untill now, he seems to be moving towards something, but I don't know what. That said you could do worse than shoot him on sight if you're sure he's coming back, he's well past the benefit of the doubt, as you said, he's a monster, pure and simple"
"So you've been following him?" Deni takes a step back. He eyes Almar reluctantly. "Bounty hunter, or are you some kind of law?"
Sandru interjects in Varisian.
The man turns and starts moving towards the door of the inn.
You arrive at the door of the inn. Deni looks back at you. "How many mean to get a bed tonight?"
Lisabett notes the concern on the faces of the citizens, and considers her position carefully for a few moments, remaining quiet. "I will remain with the wagons, and the animals," Lisabett adds after a moment. She spares a glance for Sandru and manages a faint smile. "I prefer the elements in the summer months."
"Aye, I'll stay with the wagons as well." Sandru replies. "My bedroll is familiar to me, at least." He smiles.
"Very well then." Deni knocks on the door.
"What's that going on out there?" A woman's voice sounds within.
"It's Deni. Some travelers out here, and I'll vouch for them." He replies.
"And how do I know it be you? They say there are shapechangers about."
"Open the door if your birthday is the third day of Calistril, Elya."
There is a rustling, and the click of a lock, and the door opens. A heavyset woman wearing a reluctant grin stands before you. "You remember my birthday!"
"Aye, how could I forget that night?" Deni guffaws, then realizes there are several people nearby. "Anyway, there's some here need rooms."
"Good to see trade." She exclaims. "Wasn't sure if I ever would again. That's three silver a room, if you like."
"The cost of the inn will be covered by me." Ameiko insists.
"Yes." Ameiko replies, her eyes downcast. "I wish there was as much to know about mine. But perhaps there is...I just have yet to discover it. At any rate, I am tired. Goodnight, Setomi."
A mist hangs in the streets of Galduria this morning. Though not as thick as the one you dreamed of, it is still a rather strange sight for this time of year in Varisia.
"We're loading and unloading supplies and are like to spend one more night here." Sandru's voice is among the first to greet your ears today. "I'd like to be underway tomorrow morning unless we have good reason not to be. Run your errands and investigate your hunches. We'll talk this evening."
The Iron Horseshoe is the local smithy, and though its specialty lies closer to its namesake, it has a few weapons and armor pieces for sale. Hareb's General Goods has just about everything else.
Almar almost jumps out of his bedroll:"Just a dream... again. But with all these desnan people here a dream is not really "just a dream" I fear. Maybe we should check the place where these towers stood..."
Almar quickly arms himself and goes to search for Sandru to see if he can leave the caravan to investigate the towers site.
As per usual, Lisabett wakes early and after watch, attends her various duties. She is, however, today of all days particularly efficient in their execution and finds the time and opportunity to slip away to bathe herself and wash her hair.
"Aye, Captain," she answers Sandru. "I will scout ahead, and discover if there is any game about to replenish our stock." Or, if indeed, any game remains in the area...