Father Krenlin looks over the newcomers with a little hesitation, but readily defers to Will's judgement. He will continue to bring up the rear.
"Best not to tarry then." Will followed after miss Compton.
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The doors don't open to her attempts, so she employs the heavy doorknocker.
The door must be barred.
Maybe two minutes later, the bar can be heard being slid out, the door cracks, and an elderly face appears.
Miss Compton? And guests? Nobody said...
Thank you, Tolben. Is breakfast ready?
Quickly, she slides in, opening the doors and gesturing to everyone. Tolben surveys everyone as they step up, especially curling his lip at Will.
Timothy hops down from the Hob's back and heads for the door.
"Did someone say Breakfast? I'm starving!"
Hmm, old Tolben is still around? Good thing his eyesight clearly isn't of the best anymore ... It is strange though, he seems to act as if yesterday didn't happen.
Will hesitated for a moment when Tolben opened the door, but he followed the young lad inside. "I think we're all in need of some energy."
"We should be fast. Get people and get out."
Though maybe this place is defensible?
Soft townies, wanting to eat every morning
If they want to stay here I'll have to run back by myself
"Good Morning, Tolban, " Father Krenlin says as he steps in. " A meal is most welcome, but we should not tarry. The town is not safe. May I ask how many are present in the house at this time?"
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Well, nine of the family, and us servants. Oh, and master Farold is visiting, rather long term.
Tolben leads the group to the huge dining table, where several are already seated. The room is immense, and grand was obviously not an afterthought.
Alcina rushes to the head of the table, where an elderly man of significant poise is seated -
Grandfather, something terrible is happening!
She tells her story, of heading to the carriage house, and how her escort was taken - of how the place seemed abandoned, and meeting with her present companions.
The way she says it, it's almost like she expects him to somehow make it all better.
As if he can fix this situation. He didn't do anything in the past either...
Will listened to Alcina's tale as she was telling it to her grandfather.
Will looked at Alcina's grandfather with a seemingly defiant look, as if he knew the man and was not happy to see him.
The Hob looks around nervously, then despises himelf for his weakness. All to easy to see that that is going to turn on the...
"Soft Townies" he grunts in a low voice
"I don't belong here, hiding in walls while people die outside. I'll wait for you Will, and for you Timothy. But not forever."
As expected ... Just another day according to the old man ...
Will looked angry when Alcina's grandfather finished his last sentence.
"Food is good as we need strength for the coming days, but don't expect me to sit down and enjoy breakfast!" Will's voice grew louder as he spoke. "Innocent people have DIED! The DEAD now walk the streets! Maybe you want to prepare defenses and ration this food rather than ACT AS IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG!!" He smashed his fists on the table, while staring angrily at the old man.
Father Krenlin looks slightly startled at the Hob's and Will's reactions, and takes a moment to gather himself before he speaks.
"Master Compton," he says, addressing the obvious patriarch, "The matter is indeed urgent. Some enemy has caused the dead of the town and nearby to rise and seek to slay the living. We have seen few remaining among the living. We are making for the Temple, and, probably, thence out of town. I know that I, at least, will be making for the Drummond's Point, to find folk and seek a ship to the heartland of the kingdom. I fear that this crisis is beyond what resources can be mustered here, and we will need help."
"That being said, I would strongly recommend that you prepare your household for travel - immediately - and to travel light. We would gladly accept the offer of a meal, quickly, but we dare not tarry overlong. We face a crisis graver than any since the invasion, and I cannot stress the danger enough."
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The man is quite taken aback at the sudden emotions, and looks quite ruffled until the priest's silver tongue soothes the situation - somewhat. Alcina seems to be in shock.
Very well. Tolben - bring these ruffians breakfast...in a bag...to the front door, which they may way wait outside of. If they have the time.
He settles down.
Father? Would you care to sit with us a while? I'm not sure that your friends have the patience to wait.
While the others had been flapping their gums Timothy had climbed up on to one of the chairs and was digging into the feast before him. He ducked at the mention of ruffians but kept eating, glancing around somewhat guiltily, mouth stuffed, not sure if he was included in that group or not.
Hob looks admiringly at Will during his outburst
Worth coming just to find him, maybe. Proof not everyone hereabouts is a Townie.
When Krenlin states his plan to run away and hope for help from the government Hob moves from dismissive disdain to a cautious, unwilling agreement.
Determined for no reason but spite to annoy the old man Hob acts
as if this idea is both extremely reasonable and the height of courtesy. Sadly his knowledge of how to convey these to a Townie is... questionable at best.
Tugging at his hair in what might be a hat tip, and waving an arm while he bows in gratitude, with a "Thank you your honor" he turns and storms off to the the front door, fighting the urge to knock something pretty over.
Will calmed a bit when Sir Krenlin spoke. "I'll wait outside with Hob, but not to long. We need to know if someone at the temple survived."
He looked one more time across the room to the Comptons, a saddened look on his face. He turned around muttering something to himself. "You didn't listen back then, why did I think you would listen now." Will walked towards the hallway from which they had come.
Father? Would you care to sit with us a while? I'm not sure that your friends have the patience to wait.
"Sir, I appreciate the invitation, but I fear urgency compels me - as it does them - to decline." the old paladin replies, bowing his head politely. " If you would be amenable, however, may we trouble you to see to the comfort of our friends," Here, he gestures at Bill, the Sergeant, and Lisdi, " while Will, Hob, Timothy and I scout the Temple? It would do my heart good to know that they rested in whatever safety can be offered while we scout unknown dangers. We will return as quickly as we may, and, hopefully, at that time move to consolidate whatever survivors as we may find there. ".
Timothy continues stuffing food in his mouth and begins stuffing whatever will fit into his pockets as well as the "father" gives his speech.
Hob, catching sight of Will's muttering as he comes towards at the door, looks quizzical. The look does not suit him.
"Not for me, sir, but in emulation of the Protector I serve, an' it please you. Thank you."
"Gentlemen, shall we?" he asks, starting toward the door.
Once outside, he walks next to Will for a moment, asking, quietly "Will, is there something we should know about this house?"
Will shrugged, but seeing the concerned look on the father's face he replied.
"Nothing more than what you saw in there. They don't know the real world, even if it comes walking through their door, dirt and all."
You notice that he tries to brush it off as nothing more than that, but there's obviously more going on. Will has some beef with Master Compton.
Krenlin raises a skeptical eyebrow to Will, but just gives him a wry half-grin for a second, and lets the matter go.
Timothy hops off the chair and follows Krenlin. As he leaves he turns and bows to the room and speaks to the remaining guests with his mouth still mostly full.
"Fanks, fer de fud."
Then walks outside, still happily chewing.
Will's story sounds a little fishy but since Timothy just met the guy and this sounded like human problems he let it go.
SLIGHT RETCON
Before he goes for the door, he smiles at Lisdi, beckoning over to a chair that he pulls out for her.
"Lisdi, I will be back soon. Can I rely on you to be a proper little guest for our hosts, here? Be sure to thank them for breakfast."
He lays a hand on her head as he straightens. "Iomedae's blessings apon you, child. I will see you soon."
Protector, please do not let me become a liar to this child... he prays silently as he walks to the door.
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Though there are disturbing sounds in the distance, your path stays clear.
The stench is the first thing that hits you, but it's pretty subtle, and you're growing used to it - it is, of course, the stench of death. As you approach, the crumpled pile resolves itself to be one of the adepts, robes torn, and limbs akimbo.
Then you note another.
The front doors seems to be broken. All is not well at the temple.
"Alright, Timothy, climb on."
Turning to the others he explains
"Can't fight these things without casualties. Our plan was to run if we see them. I concentrate on carrying Timothy out, and he does... stuff... as we go."
"This is not good, not good at all. Be ready to fight, this might get messy." Will said while he unclasped the morningstar from his belt. He slowly made his way towards the front door. Trying to hear if there was still someone inside.
The Hob freezes, then a second later waves frantically at Tim to get his attention. He jabs a finger at Timothy then at his own back.
"Entrance seems to be clear. Think I heard someone alive in the building." Will waited till everyone was ready and then he went in through the front door.
Timothy whispers a few quick words to add a magical barrier to both himself and the Hob, then hops up on his back once again.
Will waited for a nod from the others.
If the others were ready he would proceed slowly towards the inner temple, staying vigilant for possible dangers.
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Nothing slows your passage through the entry, but there are definite guttural noises coming from the inner doors. Even the quickest peek reveals three or four undead in the main temple - but also two doors beyond either side of the altar, and one to the immediate left.
Before going in the Hob gestures everyone closer, then whispers.
"If there is something in there, and it sees us, we run?"
Will peeked in and turned back to the Hob. "3 or 4 undead in the main temple. I've got some holy water, but I'm not certain it would be enough."
"I do not have much that might help. Timothy?"