Yeda smiles as she listens to the others' explanations of Corrin's mask, and something overtakes her.
And if we make you a new one, we'll pour the spirit of our adventures into it! I think that would make a pretty powerful one given some of the things we've seen!
By this time she's removed her scale mail and is laying down additional padding and blankets around her bedroll for the night. She is amused at the faces Evriani makes at the suggestion to use Dewdrop as a pillow.
He probably smells better than the things we'll encounter below. And, warmth is warmth!
Loxley had watched the panic in Corrin’s eyes and was struck silent. As he spoke she felt terrible for asking such a simple, yet thoughtless question. The others tried to comfort or reassure him, but she could find any words to help. Instead she drew her legs up and hugged her knees in silence.
She hadn’t known any of these people a week ago, but she was placing a lot of trust in them. They had a common goal, but after that…
Loxley rested her chin on her knees and looked at around. She supposed she move on again once this threat had passed. She just couldn’t see her self settling down in Sandpoint even if there was a tasty looking morsel in town. After recent events it just wouldn’t feel right to pursue it. Not that there was eye candy in the party, but Loxley knew better than that. You do not get into relationships with traveling companions, it never ends well. She’d seen that for herself.
With a quiet sigh she returned her attention to the conversation. She had been half listening and had a better understanding of the mask’s significance to Corrin. She nodded in agreement with Yeda.
”Zeldana and Yeda are right, let us protect you as you protect us.”
She gave the Druid what she hoped was a comforting smile, her head slightly tilted on her knees still.
”We may not be your tribe, but we are your friends.”
Loxley felt a little guilty. She honestly thought after this they would part ways and probably never see each other again. They would all find new adventures and new companions. She would simply be a part of the stories they would tell others they met. Her smile turned wan and she closed her eyes for a moment. Opening them again she volunteered.
”I’ll take the first watch.”
When she's settled in her bedroll, Yeda begins trying to craft a crude mask out of thin, long sticks and sturdy-seeming leaves.
The sun drops beyond the horizon, allowing the darkness of night to descend upon the land. The small fire now brightens the druidic home, casting large shadows upon the walls of green vegetation. Evriani, hesitant and shaken, leans back upon the warm flank of Dewdrop. The side of the deer-like cousin lifts and lowers as it gently breaths steady and consistent. Corrin, his face mournful and filled with sorrow, shifts slightly and sits next to Evriani, casting his blanket over her slim frame. easy there. Youre safe for tonight He mutters quietly for her ears alone, and pats her leg in a friendly, comforting manner.
Gogomurt adds several small logs to the fire, and allows the flames and heat to build higher as Loxley says I'll take first watch. Gogmurt narrows his eyes; annoyance clear upon his face. He then smooths his features and nods at the magic user. He replies to loxley with a finger pointed at her, as you wish..
Everyone reaches into their packs and bags (except for evirani) and retrieves their iron rations to munch upon, a hollow experience as the days events plays out silently in everyone's mind.
Yeda, while munching upon the food, casts her gaze about, and begins to pick up some smaller sticks and twigs, and gathers larger leaves from the trees above. Using her dagger, she notches and cuts, concentrating upon her craft at hand.
the snap of the logs as the fire burns hot fills the narrow space, yet acts as a calming sooth to everyones troubled and quick thinking minds.
water and wine are drank, washing down the food, and everyone settles down to slumber where they sit.
as the light of fire begins to burn low, the shadows now small and hesitant, grow still. The light that once illuminated the greens now barely bright enough to see. Yet Yeda continues, threading her art together.
Finally, she holds up a mask. made of leaves and sticks, with a strip of leather to hold secure upon the head, she shows it to Corrin for his final approval.
Made of the largest leaves she could find, beech and maple, they provide ample coverage to the wearers features, truely hiding such a person from the worst that demons could corrupt. The eye holes are large enough though to ensure that no sight is obscured when in a fight.
Yeda finishes the leaf-mask and holds it up for Corrin to see, smiling warmly.
There! This seems like a good start. It might require a little upkeep... she admits, wincing slightly. She shakes it off and remarks But I suspect you'll find it does the trick! You'll be yourself in no time.
He held no worries about Gogmurt betraying them, after all if his little druid brother had wanted to harm them he would have already. He smiled lightly as Evriani settled into Dewdrop. That was good. He was fretting a bit on the inside. When miss Loxley pointed out how much everyone was there to help him and he could only nod and smile. She was right. He had not been used to well such things for a long time.
"Thank you Lox,that means a lot... You guys too. I... uh... theres more to the mask than that I'll ... I'll have to think on it,i mean it was a."
He paused smiling and reaching out for the mask Yeda had quickly and expertly crafted while they were there in the camp. It was much better than he could have done with leather and wood...which had been what he had been thinking about trying to do. It was wonderful and just about perfect in his eyes. He tried it on and made a few minor adjustments, his smile hidden beneath the mask.
"Thank you really, this puts my soul at ease for sure. My soul will be safely hidden from his gaze."
His voice was at first steeped in warmth, by the end of it though a cool undertone of worry hung in the air. He frowned as he cut himself off. He didnt say much more instead settling in next to Evriani and Dewdrop crossing his legs and leaning back eyes closed. In no time his breathing lengthened and slowed as he lost himself to dreams.
He startled awake in the warmth of his bed back home in the village and immediately sat up. Gone were the laughing voices, the breeze filled with the aroma of jasmine and honeysuckle. It was char and death that filled the air, the silence of a dead village.
"no no no no don't .... stop please dont!"
He fell our of the bed into the remains of his home. As he got to his feer to take hesistant steps inside the empty home with no sign of his mother, or his sister or his father anywhere panic filled his heart. Why was he here? What was happening to him. He thought he heard the whispering of chanting going on in his mind, and it sounded familiar and afraid? Something was wrong.
He stumbled out of his home into the village square, the sounds of whispering coming from the great mound. He didn't want to look...He knew he shouldnt look, but he was trapped in this nightmare now and he couldnt help himself. He heard the crying and screaming of townsfolk. Panicked screams and cries to get to the priests and he found himself staring at the large dark mound now. remnaints of folk he knew rushed past him as he managed to get to his feet. He somehow wasnt shocked as they moved through him, as if he were a ghost.
The chanting grew stronger, words ancient elven by the sounds of it, the old tongue that he had never bothered to pay attention too grew stronger as he approached the entrance to the barrow. He knew that something old and evil had been buried there, it was said. He had never really believed that myth then, most of the elves his age didnt really, but he found himself suddenly a very very strong believer. He wasnt sure why he hadnt thought about it before, perhaps the shock of coming home to find nothing.
He stumbled down the stairs, following the trail of people crying out, huddled in a large room. The chanting grew stronger deeper in. He found himself stumbling down a long dark hallway before a brilliant blue white light almost blinded him. He could scarcely comprehend what he was seeing. Elder Dawnberry was there, along a few other of the village elders. They were chanting over a dark iron bowl on a rickety oak stand. He coughed as the thick haze of burning incense wafted into his face from the iron bowl.He couldnt understand a single word they were saying and yet he felt like he did indeed understand. . . Something was coming for them... something old something evil.
This was a dream... it was a terrible terrible dream. He wasnt here, hadnt been here, this was ...he found himself staring into the old almost blind eyes of Elder Dawnberry, a cleric most of the townfolk joked was there at the dawn of time itself.
"Run... Corrin.... GO! They can't find you, They can't"
He jerked awake in the early moments of dawn, in a cold sweat. He could still smell the incense in the air, in his clothing. He could still feel the intense eyes of the elder cleric upon him. He looked about the small campsite his hand shaking, the last words of the elder still ringing in his ear. Yeda had made him a mask, a beautiful wonderful mask. But it would need to be blessed to keep him safe, someone in Sandpoint perhaps would know about such things.
Evriani nestled against Dewdrop's flank, reasonably confident the elk wasn't going to take issue with her presence. She nodded her thanks to Corrin for sharing his blanket. She fully intended to offer to take a turn at watch, but the events of the day had taken quite a toll on her -- the warmth and rhythmic breathing of her living pillow had her drifting off to sleep quickly.
Some time later, she woke up suddenly, startled awake by something, her eyes swimming with darkness as they darted around seeking a threat. She realized it was Corrin, having jerked awake beside her, a haunted look on his face. She blinked and her eyes reverted to their violet color. ”Is everything alright?” she asked, laying a hand on his arm. She felt him shaking.
"I... I... I am not. Nightmares. I saw things from my past i think. My people. Something happened, something bad. We will need to investigate that. Or... I mean I."
He shook his head, and frowned.
"But first, the traitor's heart. Stopping whatever bad things lurk here threatening Sandpoint."
He nodded to her and then to Dewdrop.
"If you can you should sleep more. It will be a long day Miss Evriani."
Everyone falls asleep . the fire burns low, popping and hissing as the fire consumes the logs. the bank of coals glows bright, bathing the area in its heat, pushing back the slight cool breeze that filters through the boughs above.
The sleep is relaxing at first, but then, all of you, come to awareness. You stand against a wall, a dirt wall, shielding your eyes from the intense bright blue light that shines bright from the center of the room. You squint and grimace, turning your head to keep your sight. Suddenly, or perhaps finally, the brilliant light winks out, and the after glow clouds your sight for a moment. you turn, looking within what you stand.
Dirt walls and stone columns support a stone domed roof overhead. Murals, faded, worn away, (and in some areas scrubbed away) wrap around overhead. The intent of each of the paintings is lost to time and memory, aside from a clear image that shows stick figures with pointed ears standing around an altar, holding something over the altar in a type of ceremony.
you hear chanting.
soft and subtle, its always been there, like the buzz of a bee far away, yet growing closer, more intense.
you look down into the center of the room, to the altar set upon a raised platform of a large heavy rock and a set of stairs carved into the side facing towards the entry hall. upon it, the altar composed of interwoven branches bespeckled with short green leaves. The bloom of spring.
An old man, an old ELF! stands upon the platform, his arms raised high above his head. in his hands he holds something made of brown. Its light, fragile in the wrong hands; he holds it firm. His chants continue, soft. a steady thrum of sounds that rise and fall within the chambers. The sounds intermingle, crashing into and bouncing off of each other, creating new sounds that ring within the ears like tiny bells blown in a wind chimes. In front of the elf, upon the altar itself, is a bowl made of iron, standing upon a rough trivet made of other branches.
a younger elf comes running in, his hand waving in front of his face, fear and horror upon his features. He speaks, yet nothing comes out, no sound to be heard. And still the chanting continues.
a subtle glow catches your eye, the after glow from the brilliance before having dissipated. you look beyond young elf and old, to the back of the room. You see there, set into the wall, a stone door.
the door itself, if considered by self, looks to have the very firmness found within the bedrock of earth. Grey granite with red and white veins of marble streak through its surface. symbols, wards, and glyphs are carved deep into the surface, and from these glyphs does the door glow an unnatural yellow light. Its with power. it thrums as a counterpoint to the chanting. the glowing increases and decreases with intensity; various symbols glowing at different intervals than others. and yet, every few chants, every couple of hums of power, all the sigils glow bright.
The chanting grows, louder, more intense, an urgency filling it. you look back at the old elf, aged beyond age, face looking as if it was wet leather pulled tight over a taut frame and left in the sun for years. Hollow cheeks, deep seated and slanted eyes, practically all clouded white from ancient use, age and power emanate from this lone individual. Fear and horror still stricken his face. He holds out a hand and clenches a tendon and leathery tight fist at the younger Corrin.
"Run... Corrin.... GO! He can't find you, He can't"
The heavy thrum hammers louder, like a giant fist pounding upon a stout wood door. The sigils flare bright, brilliant within the confines of the chamber. The pounding grows, louder and heavier. Dust begins to sift and drift from the construction above.
the figure of younger corrin suddenly disappears, and with him gone you begin to feel yourself pulled away from the room as well. The Elf turns his gaze, and looks at each of you.
You awaken with a start, leaping to your feet, weapons in hand, only to realize that it was a dream.
Loxley, who stands off on one side of the fire, opposite the sleeping goblin, a look of startlement and bewilderment affixed upon her face.
why- why does it smell like woodland incense? she asks
Upon waking, while the others began to talk Zeldana threw off her blanket and dug through her bag till she found her journal and began to write feverishly upon the pages. Everything she could remember about the symbols, wards, and glyphs that had been carved into the marble.
'Have to get them while they're fresh in my mind. Have know. Have to help.' Zeldana thought as she kept going. 'Mal, it was cut off but maybe with all of these I can narrow down who Mal is!'
Half ignoring those around her for a moment, likely more, Zeldana became completely delved into her journal and her furious writing.
Yeda awakes with a violent start, one of her legs shooting downward in her sleeping position and the other pulling back a little. Although it wasn't necessarily part of the dream it was an intense falling sensation that caused her body to spasm so.
She blinks awake and takes a moment to remember where she is before sitting up in her blankets.
What... was I just dreaming about?
Looking around at the party she starts to get the very detached feeling that it wouldn't really matter to anybody, but as it all starts to come back to her in consciousness she focuses on Corrin.
Corrin... did you know somebody whose name starts with Mal?
Loxley looked across the fire at the goblin druid as he pointed a finger at her. She gave him a weak smirk.
”Forgive me my paranoia, but too many strange things have happened and the thought of sleep makes me uneasy right now.”
She glanced away at the fire as Yeda worked on something.
”My father was a solider, he taught me to even an enemy can become an ally under the right conditions. So I’ll trust you… for now.”
She stared into the fire, her mind wandering.
Eventually everyone settled in and slept. In time, Loxley pulled her gaze from the fire and withdrew her book from her pack. She took time to scan its pages. Maybe she had something useful she had missed amongst her spells.
————————
Every started awake and Loxley’s spellbook slipped off her lap as she called magic to her hands, half crouching as she looked around. When no danger presented itself her gaze swept over everyone else.
Loxley relaxed, letting go of the magic as she picked up her book and dusted it off.
”What happened?”
She asked everyone in general, even as she stifled a yawn. Her eyes had been growing heavier as she had read and been on the verge of falling asleep herself when the others woke.
Evriani awoke confused and with her heart pounding. Why would she have a dream about Corrin? She recalled being in her own dream, and then suddenly was pulled into what felt much more like a vision than a bit of nighttime fancy. Looking around, she could see the others similarly startled and confused, and saw Corrin beside her looking quite shaken up.
"Right then. I'll say it. Did we all just have the same nightmare? Honestly, I'm glad you all rescued me but first we all get drugged and teleported about by unknown forces, and now we're all sharing dreams. What is it with you people?" Her voice was tinged with a bit of dark humor. Seeing Zeldana writing furiously, she got up and wandered over to peer over her shoulder.
Tamm wakes with a start, heart pounding like it hasn't sense things went wrong back in Magnimar.
He panted blinking rapidly looking at the others for a moment just as confused as they were. His dream had felt so real...so ...He was silent for a long moment and you all could see his lips moving, though if it was a language he clearly didnt know what he was doing.
"I dreamt...of home. But it wasnt home. I mean it was. It was the day I returned home to find...find..."
He paused and shook violently wrapping his arms about himself and slowly starting to rock. The glistening of tears became visable in the low light.
"They were gone... all gone. My mother.. my sister. There... was an old barrowtomb in the center of town. The elderfolk had always claimed something old and evil was buried there but none of the folk my age believed..."
His mouth moved again fumbling at least over a word you could recognize. Mal
"Mal? The only Mal i knew was Malayven a ranger. One of the tribes most skilled hunters."
From the way his eyes sort of grew distant and his cheeks colored in an almost blush it was clear she had been well certainly a crush at least.
His hands found and fumbled about the mask Yeda had made for him and it at least for a moment drew his attention. He held it up slightly turning it in his hands.
"Thanks miss Yeda, this mask... it's perfect It's sure to keep my soul safe and hidden."
He began to try to put it on, only to be partially disturbed by a large Elks snout pushing against him.
"It's okay boy.. Its okay, we will be fine... just dreams."
He almost had the mask on when he froze his eyes widening.
"Wait.... you said you all were in my dream too?!? Thats... thats not a thing really. I mean dreamwalkers were said to be able to see into dreams but I know our village hadnt a dreamwalker since i was a teen. What ... what happened in your dream?"
Evie watched Zeldana write long enough to be sure her dream had been at least mostly the same one. When Corrin began to weep she took a step towards him as if to offer comfort, but stopped herself, hesitating. She'd been with these people less than a day. Less than an hour, if you only counted time spent awake. Surely one of his companions would know better how to console him. Still, it was clear from her expression she was tempted to approach.
Instead, she answered his question, her earlier humor gone. "There was some sort of domed chamber, and an altar. An old man -- an elf-- was chanting. Seemed like he was trying to prevent something from bursting out of a door. You were there...a much younger you. He told you to run..."
Yeda slips out of her blankets and begins donning her armor. He smiles warmly when she sees Corrin is happy with the mask and that it takes his focus off of the dream.
It may... require a little upkeep. But I can do that! Show it to me after each day. she admits.
Zeldana finally stopped writing when she got all she could, looking up at the group she showed them her work. "I got ask many of the symbols as I could remember and I believe I got them all but I am not sure. Is there anything missing that each of you can see?" She asked wanting to make sure she got it all.
Evriani shook her head at Zeldana's question, not taking her eyes from Corrin, but having seen the symbols while peering over the woman's shoulder a moment ago. "I'm afraid my attention wasn't focused on them. I'm more of a people person, I got caught up in the drama of the moment."
I can't even tell them apart, honestly!
"none of that was in my dream i think. They were different at least mine was."
He frowned and absently patted Dewdrop while he tried to think. He should have paid more attention to his elders when he first chose his path. There hadnt been a true Dreamwalker when he was of age to study such things, but he had ignored most of the book learnings for well being out in the wilds with his freedom. Maybe there was more to some of the old tales and legends than he had realized.
"it was said that our clan of elves were tasked with the tomb of a captured demon lord. I believe the idea was that as long as his remains were kept sealed and bound he could not return. I think.... "
He paused and his breath caught and it looked like he might break down for a moment but a slight shake of his head seemed to firm his resolve.
"I think we failed. Partly at least. I don't know how i do, but i think i would know if the demon lord was fully back."
He did shake his head at that.
"You mentioned glyphs and symbols? They are probably still there. I dont recall them from my dreams but i think i would know some of them if I saw them. I think..."
The warrior woman, now fully clad stands up and points to Zel's drawing pad while facing Corrin.
Come see what she remembered from her dream. See if you recognize any of them.
Evriani frowned with sympathy. "To return home and find everyone you cared for gone...the future you had imagined for yourself taken... What did you do? Did you see whether the door was still sealed? Perhaps, once this business here is over, we should go and look over what's left?" She looked almost shy for a moment. "That is, if you'll have me. You all saved me back there, I'd like to repay the favor and help."
He studied the drawing pad for several long moments tilting his head one way to the next his features almost unreadible. After a long long moment he shook his head slightly.
"No... I dont recognize any of them. I ... i never stepped foot in the tomb you see. There is a ceremony our people did when you reached adulthood where the elders would take you inside and do some kind of ritual i think. But no one I know ever spoke about it. I think it was forbidden. I was almost old enough for the ceremony, but not quite. I came back home from becoming more one with nature to the village empty.. I ..."
He paused and took a deep breath closing his eyes. . . then another.
"I made it as far as my home in the village before my courage broke. I fled... east not that the direction mattered.I would run until my legs could carry me no more and collapse, the rise and run again. I dont remember how many days or weeks passed before I found the courage to stand again."
He said in answer to Evriani's question. He nodded softly.
"It may be important to go see what is there, but i wont lie, im afraid. I'm sure with you all though i could find the courage to see the village again, the barrow. Enough on me and dreams i think. We have to stop those forces wanting to harm Sandpoint yes?"
He finished sounding much more himself.
Yeda's expression falls when he explains he was never quite allowed in the tomb.
Oh...
Her enthusiasm returns with Evriani's suggestion.
Yes, you've helped all of us over this short time. Besides, after we figure out what's at the bottom of this Sandpoint mess, I'd need more ideas for places in the world to explore beyond the Axe Clan. I don't think I'll be able to return there any time soon...
She trails off but quickly snaps out of what started to look like an entirely different dark place.
Loxley tried to follow the conversation but had obviously missed out on something. She rose and walked over to look over Zeldana’s shoulder at her drawing. She shook her head, not recognizing any of the symbols at first glance.
Returning to her spot by the fire she fed the flames another small piece of wood and put her own book away safely.
”it would seem that I missed the fun.”
She said in a joking manner. A yawn escaped her. It seemed she couldn’t deny sleep much longer.
As exciting as the first part of the evening slumber was for everyone, the rest of the nights rest is equally boring and comforting at the same time. Loxley stays awake a couple hours more, sitting guard next to the fire, her eyes looking about as the subtle creep of exhaustion builds within her. The snores and purrs of everyone that is sleeping falls into a rhythm, providing a quiet music to the already active forest sounds. the thrash of leaves, the howl of a wolf far off, the waves crashing constantly upon the narrow shoreline below, all of it intermingles with the quiet, steady breaths of the companions slumber.
Loxley looks up, staring at the moon above, guages the time, and slips from her spot and creeps up to Yeda. A light touch upon the female warriors shoulder brings Yeda fully awake, a dagger in her hand raised to strike. Even with someone watching, it is indeed best to not slumber too deeply Loxley cannot help but think to herself as she says your turn, Yeda. I need my rest.
Yeda awakens and stands up slowly, stretching, feeling a kink in her lower back that loosens as she twists and rotates. warmed up, she slowly unsheaths Mar'du and then scans the campsite.
Sleep well, loxley. Until sun up The warrioress says to the mage.
Loxley curls up in his narrow area, and within moments, the heavy breathing of sleep comes from her frame.
Yeda looks around at everyone, taking stock.
Loxley's over there. Zeldana is there. Sazzat is there. Corrin and Ev-wha? Yeda cocks her head slightly, the diminished firelight and the subtle moonlight barely providing enough illumination to show that, when Yeda fell asleep, both Corrin and Evriani were laying next to each other. Yet Evriani had corrins cloak covering her. Now, They lay together, Corrin spooning the slim figure of Evriani, both asleep upon the large body of Dewdrop.
The rest of the night, passes without incident, with Yeda passing small strips of iron jerky to Bandit and watching him with minor amusement as he attempts to gnaw upon the hardened meat.
the crow's call jerks everyone awake!
you were nice and warm, comfy upon the hard dirt floor of the goblin druid's den, and suddenly your harshly awoken!
another crow
a third
and more caw at the morning light.
a murder is in the trees, awakening you to dawns embrace.
Gogmurth gives a shrill chuckle. hehehe. Silly longshanks, frighten bird. dawn here. I leave.
he looks at corrin.
The goblin bows to everyone, and turns. he pauses, before turning to address Corrin again.
the goblin turns and walks away, his panther growling once and slinks away into the shadows and ferns.
Evriani woke up warm and snug, stretching languorously as she stirred before realizing the source of her comfort. An arm was draped over her, and she didn't need to look to see whose it was. She couldn't keep the small smile from her face. "Good morning," she said quietly, intended for his ears alone. "No more nightmares, I hope?"
Yeda sits at last watch, her arms folded over her knees and her blade leaning up against one of the nearby branches. She slowly watches the rest of the group come back to life and sighs.
I hope everyone slept well for the rest of the night. Things are going to get interesting from here if we really go down below...
She winces, thinking this is likely just about the worst thing for any of them to hear just after waking and before a good breakfast.
Right... breakfast.
She begins piling fresh wood onto the fire to stoke it up for the meal.
He had been afraid to go back to sleep for a long long time, yet somehow he managed. His thoughts drifted both to Malayvin the young (but older first crush) ranger from his homelands and his current crush Shalelu. Those thoughts got very... distracting indeed. Which made him waking up arms wrapped about the pretty Evriani. He tanned skin tone definitely got darker though it may have been hard to tell in the early morning light. He hadnt been..... had he?
Thankfully, The goblin druid was a welcome distraction... He was not pleased with what he had to say or do. He wished there was another way. Perhaps one day in the far future he could a true circle where all would be welcome... His shoulders slumped when he realized that idea was a long long way away
He needed to focus.... child steps like his mother used to tell him when he got too excited and overreached. First step was food, then the isle. Killing the Kin-slayer and taking his heart.... or finding his corpse and taking his heart if Evriani was correct about ending him. Stopping the threat to his adopted if short lived and human home. He tried to avoid Eye contact with the pretty Evriani for the moment. He wasnt sure how to explain where his mind was earlier.
Evie sensed his embarrassment and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you. For sharing your blanket, and your Dewdrop," she whispered with a grin, before slipping out from his accidental embrace and making her way over to the fire Yeda was stoking.
She sat across from the other woman. "Quite well, all things considered. Though I think I'm looking forward to food even more than last night's sleep. What do you think are the odds that the magic that brought us to this clearing restored the bridge? Because seems like step one will be getting back over there.". She idly used her fingers to work some tangles from her hair.
Nilah reaches into her pack and fishes around for any dry goods she might have.
I haven't started the cooking yet, but I have some dried cheese and meats until it's ready. She reaches around the fire with the offer.
She looks in the direction of the bridge reflexively, which she can't really see from within this enclosed place, and chuckles slightly.
That would be something, wouldn't it? My judgement tells me probably not, but then... we shouldn't have all just ended up here so easily. Corrin and Dewdrop were in the water and then they weren't.
She shakes her head, feeling the echo of disbelief and looks down at the fire.
Evriani gratefully accepts the offered food, and forces herself to take her time eating it, though she's ravenous enough to stuff her face.
"Yesterday was certainly an interesting day. " She stared off for a moment as she spoke, chewing quietly for a moment, eyes unfocused and lost in thought as the dark shadows that sometimes filled them flickered briefly. "On the bright side," she added, snapping back to the present, "I've found myself some new allies. Need any help with breakfast?" She smiled warmly.
"Also that shared dream." Zeldana added to Yeda's words. She was shuffling through her harrow cards currently looking at her journal from the night before. As none has noticed anything amiss with what she had drawn she figure that it was the best they could do.
Sighing softly Zeldana closed her journal and put it away for the time being. "We have to go back don't we?" Zeldana asked the group as a whole. "We're not done with that place yet after all "
The one who's been quiet all night, and now this morning, Sazzat stands up from the makeshift bed, lifting Bandit up to his shoulder.
i'll go check the bridge. Be right back. Oh- he reaches into his pack and pulls out a small roll of paper wrapped meat. He tosses it to Yeda. Here. add this to the meal.
with a quick stride down the narrow path, he disappears out of sight, no sound coming from his steps.
a mere minute passes before he comes back to the campfire.
There's a man watching the bridge from the right watch tower. I couldnt spot anything that looked like a bow or other ranged implement, but that doesnt mean he doesnt have one. The bridge itself hangs true. It is tied off, but one of the ropes is a bit more slack than it was compared to yesterday. He sits down and pulls out a knife, and cuts into the passed around hunk of cheese. Taking a bit and lifting it to his lips, he looks at Corrin Perhaps, it may be best to leave Dewdrop here? Or have someone examine the bridge before we attempt to cross Dewdrop over again?
"A man...oh, what was his name." Evriani frowns and taps her chin as she seeks to recall it. "Had the look of a mercenary about him? I think he said his name was...Orin? Orik? Something like that. There were also two women, and a bugbear. Of the lot of them, I honestly got the sense he was the least dangerous. But that doesn't mean he's not a threat..."
Yeda smiles back at Evri.
Eh, don't trouble yourself with it. Too many hands in or near a fire make me a little nervous.
She takes note of Sazzat checking the bridge, and when he returns asks Did the man look particularly determined or more like a random wanderer? Can you describe him to Evri? Maybe he was this "Orik."
Sazzat scratches the back of bandit as he sits down atop a small log. Tall id say. As for determined, who can say. He did look comfortable up there. The sun and the foliage were kind of inhibiting my ability to take his measurements, to prep him for the Sandpoint Gala, Yeda. You may have to try to kidnap someone else for your date. i did catch a glint of steel off his shoulders, so i assume he is armored. Sazzat picks up a tiny bit of sausage from the pan as it is cooked and slips it into his mouth. He then looks out the corner of his eye to Yeda. You want me to sneak over and pass him a note?
Loxley jerked awake at the sound of cawing from the trees. Her hand already in the hilt of her sword. With a quick glance around she signed and relaxed, sitting up fully and rubbing at her eyes.
"No strange dreams on my part."
She quipped at Evi as she asked about nightmares.
"Seems I was blessed with a relatively peaceful slumber."
Seeing Sazzat adding to the breakfast meal, Loxley digs through her own pack. Pulling out flatbread she offers it to Yeda.
"Here, this add this too."
She says before pulling out her spellbook and settling down again.
"New allies can be quite fortuitous."
She commented with a friendly smirk as she flipped pages.
When Sazzat returns and mentions a man by the bridge it peeks her curiosity.
"Armored? Could it be someone from Sandpoint?"
She asked trying not to chuckle at Sazzat's teasing of Yeda.