Thorn staggers a step forward and proceeds to jab his weapon towards the tormenting fey.
Dru's bite hits the center of the fey and it collapses, overcome by it's injuries.
Only a lone fey (the one with Purple Hair) remains. It says
Sildur growls at the fey :
"Dru!"
Round 7
As Sildur calls, Dru has already began bounding toward the last remaining fey. Once in range the bear lunges savagely at the remaining opponent.
Dru :
Dru the super bear lands a solid bite on the last fey, knocking it unconscious and ending the fight.
The three evil fey are dying but not yet dead.
After a few minutes, the magical effects wear off of Rikael, Thorn, and Urga.
Thorn is still fatigued but other than that, nobody is significantly injured or has any lasting effects.
It is just after 800 AM.
Temperature is in the high 20's (F).
Wind has picked up and is blowing regularly.
A light but regular snow has started.
Dru roars in triumph as the fey falls to the ground. He begins batting at the creature's body, snarling at the formerly vexing opponent.
Sildur sheaths his dagger and puts a calming hand on Dru's shoulders, "Easy, easy, it's over now..."
Moving back to help the others to their feet, he gestures to the most recently fallen fey, "Be on your guard, that one spoke of going to summon more powerful allies. Can anyone stanch the bleeding? It would be smart to question at least the one."
Rikael takes Sildur's offered hand and pulls himself up. He looks around and smiles, a little embarrased, and then speaks to the whole group.
I can't believe they got me like that. Whatever they did, it was completely impossible not to look... You all have my apologies. I endangered all of us when I fell to their tricks. I won't let it happen again.
He picks up Feybane, wiping the snow off and sheathing it in one quick motion, and looks at the fallen fey.
Aye, questioning one would be most helpful. Before I passed out, I thought I heard you speaking to them in their own language? That's good. Let me know if I can help.
While Urga tries to save one for questioning, Rikael will search the battlefield for anything useful, starting with the trees and moving to each body.
You really don't find anything interesting, outside of the crow bodies that you already know about. There is nothing in the woods you can see as unusual. The fey have personal items on them and weapons scaled for toys or small children. You could probably use their shortswords for dinner knives, but they aren't really helpful in combat.
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fey cannot be trusted. And when you are finished then what. You let him go. You slay him. One is foolishness, the other evil. Better to kill them now. Whatever is in front of us will still be there regardless, we can learn about it by being careful and observing. Dispatch them. If you cannot do it, then simply let them die. They would not be as merciful.
Agatha gathers herself up and awaits the parties decision.
Sildur frowns, "Fey cannot be trusted but they can be coerced if you play their game. Dispatching them now or later is no kinder one way or the other. I only fear careful observation will prove insufficient. As they have just proven, they and their companions have us at a disadvantage in all this snow."
He puts a hand on Rikael's shoulder :
"The cold may have gotten to me as well as their arrows, friends. I say now. Slay them so that they cannot warn their friends."
Rikael looks at the torn body of one of the fey as he speaks.
I see the wisdom of both sides. Having better information could save our lives down the path, but who's to say they won't cast another one of their spells on is as soon as we revive them?
He thinks for a second, and then speaks again.
Nay, finish them off, or let them bleed out. I'll not fall prey to their fell magic twice.
Urga will stabilize the fey using a cantrip.
"Go ahead and question him if you will. I have nothing to say to that treacherous fey."
"Does anyone else require healing?"
The fey opens its eyes, coughs a bit, and looks around slowly. It tries to move but is still obviously affected by its wounds.
*Cough* *Cough* Then speaking softly it says, "What are you looking at? Once Izoze gets a her hands on you, you will be sorry you ever set foot in the snow."
Rikael holds Feybane against its throat, drawing a thin line of blood before stating simply:
You're dead either way. Tell us what we want to know or I'll make sure it takes hours. Who is Izoze? Why did she kidnap Lady Argentea? Why are you even this far south? Speak, or I show you how your guys look wrapped around this sword, heal you, and pick a different organ!
As an afterthought, he lights a torch, and mutters:
This'll come in handy too, I suppose...
The fey's eyes grow wide as it sees the torch being lit.
"Don't you worry. You will see Izoze sooner or later and you won't be happy about it. She is far, far stronger than I and will avenge me!" *cough* *cough* [b]"I have failed already so my life is forfeit. We will still win in the end, southlander, when winter covers this entire place. Then, the witches will control all."[/b]
The fey continues to cough and make threats about stronger creatures getting revenge for its failures.
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Agatha lets out a menacing cackle.
take note, foolish fey, for I am a witch as well
Sildur looks at Rikael sidelong as he threatens the fey. Frowning he turns his attention to their captive :
Dru paces behind the others as they question the defeated fey, a steady growl issuing from his jaws.
Thorn laughs, his voice grating on the ears.
You think you have it all planned do you? We have fire and we have the ability to heal. Think about it. Heal...and burn.....and then heal...and burn even more. I can keep this up for a long......long.....time....
The fey looks at Agatha first, then at everybody else.
"A witch you may be, but not a very strong one I think. Do not think that just because you can best me you can triumph over us all. There are scores, no hundreds of us, poised to invade this land and lay it low. Izoze is stronger than I and she has masters who are stronger yet. There is no way you can beat us all."
You think the fey is not really being truthful. You also think it isn't as afraid of you as you expected. Clearly, it fears something more than it fears you. It is beaten, but not broken. You doubt you will find out too much more.
Sildur looks to Agatha with a grim expression, "I do hope he's exaggerating. This witch Izoze sounds formidable indeed. I'm glad to have you with us."
Aye, someone who would know her ways will be a lifesaver indeed. I hope this little bastard is lying. I care not to deal with their foul magic any longer.
Rikael starts to move the flames toward the feet of the fey.
What say you, little creature? Care to tell us the truth, or shall I burn off your legs and let my friend heal you so I can pick something else to sear?
Urga looks on impatiently. "Enough speaking in tongues. We can't trust whatever lies that fey tells. Kill it and be done with it. We need to move on."
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Izoze is a jadwigan name. They are the rulers of irisen. think we face my kin, a winter witch. But why so far south in the lands of summer. Maybe she is an exile. But to have the services of such as these fey. We will need all our skills to defeat her. And as for this thing...
Agatha looks at the fey with eyes as cold as arctic ice, an Erie green. Her voice sounds in judgement
Fey, you are a creature of malice and cruelty, with no redeeming values. You are a blight against nature and hearth. You even now think to harm us or wish us harm. If we release you, you will warn your leader against us. If we hold you captive, you will betray us. So we must destroy you. Rikael! End him! And may his spirit find a better path.
"It's afraid of something or someone." Thorn breathes out as he studies the fey. It's defiant stance yet it's behaviour does not match. Seeing that it welcomes death more doesn't fit. The realisation is cold, colder than the chill already affecting him.....
Sildur looks away from the fey and meets Rikael's gaze :
Turning he moves to stand near the still pacing Dru.
Rikael sighs, and presses Feybane to the creature's neck.
Make peace with your god, creature. You sealed your fate when you joined those with evil intentions. You seek to destroy all that I stand for, and so I cannot leave you alive to continue.
Rikael brings Feybane down on the creature's neck, delivering a coup de grace by decapitaton.
Urga removes his cold iron dagger and kills the fey. "We can have no mercy on evil. Be sure they will give us no quarter. "
Urga says a silent prayer to Gorum for the fey.
"It's getting colder. Let's find this witch and put an end to this unnatural weather."
Urga and Rikael dispatch the fey handily. The battlefield is now quiet, safe for the whistling of the wind between the trees. The sun has continued to rise as the morning moves on.
The path between the trees is reasonably obvious before you. You can see footprints from the previous day but they are partially obliterated by recent snow and wind.
It is just after 800 AM.
Temperature is in the high 20's (F).
Wind has picked up and is blowing regularly.
Snow falls occasionally.
Sildur nods in Urga's direction, "Indeed, I don't relish our meeting with this witch but there's nothing for it. We'd best be pushing on."
He gestures for Thorn to take his position as scout.
Dru sniffs the air, eager to be away from this place.
Thorn takes his place as scout, moving forward once more.
Picking his way through, and making sure that his companions are close by, he shivers but is able to hide it well enough. He'll get some warmth once they have a fire going.
Rikael moves along with the group, his thoughts on the fey he killed, and what could possibly lie ahead.
Urga will bring up the rear. He shivers in his thin summer clothes as he trudges through the snow. As he walks he thinks back to the fey encounter. The others must think I'm weak. How could I have been so easily disabled by a diminutive fey? I need to prove to them that I am worthy in battle. By Gorum, I will fight like a warrior next time...
You walk for a little while longer as the morning continues on. The temperature rises slightly and the skies stay mostly clear.
As you continue up the trail, Thorn finds a game trail that crosses the path. There are hoof prints running in both directions along the trail. A few yards up the trail, a large white stag with an impressive set of antlers stands motionless, looking at Thorn.
It is about 830 AM.
Temperature is about 30 degrees (F).
Wind is blowing intermittently.
Snow falls occasionally.
"Ok That stag standing there isn't natural. No stag stands in front of possible predators like that. Objections to me shooting it?"A rather bemused Thorn absently asks.
Dru studies the stag cautiously, his shaggy head tilting from side to side as he decides what to make of the stag.