Freyja, Matthew, and Evelina all have the same idea - subtly, the magic-users use their abilities to begin scanning the area beneath where Nadya works, while Evelina relies on her own senses. Watching Nadya, Evelina can tell that the young mother hardly seemed to notice the strange occurence - indeed, she didn't even seem as panicked by the falling knife as many would. She simply recovers it where it's fallen, wipes it clean with a linen towel, and returns to chopping vegetables. Freyja sees a dim, lingering aura of transmutation magic around the knife and Nadya's feet, that dwindles away even as she watches it. Matthew manages to catch a glimpse of a tiny figure, no higher than Nadya's knee, standing between the stove and the shelf - what looks like a tiny man, more beard than anything else. As Matthew stares, the small figure starts, and his eyes meet Matthew's gaze; the next moment, he disappears, seeming almost to squeeze into the inch-wide gap between shelf and wall.
Nadya's efforts produce a pot of chunky vegetable stew and several loaves of bread. With few dishes to spare, a few of the party are served out of large mugs, and Martok even finds his stew served in a saucepan. The food is simple, but hearty and plentiful - the stew's warmth is comforting, and the seeds in the bread carry a strange, but not unpleasant, taste like the smell of juniper. When the stew comes off the fire, a large tin kettle goes on; by the time you finish dinner, she passes around cups of a tea flavored mostly with pine needles. It's not much, but I hope it'll serve. I can't thank all of you enough for stepping in to help fight that big...whatever it was, and for coming to the Tower with me. I only hope this starts to repay my debt.
As Nadya doesn't seem to be acting strange or too worried about the knife. Eventually Evelina just shrugs off her concern. Must've just been my eyes playing tricks....
---
Evelina gets a slightly apologetic look on her face as Cithembi's grin fades a bit. "Oh! I'm sorry! Was that offensive? I didn't mean it to be. I just never had that kinda connection with one of the gods like some people say they do. I just figured none of 'em were ever that interested me. It's must be nice to have someone that powerful lookin' out for you. 'Sides, Desna was always one of the ones I like more." Almost like a schoolchild trying to recite everything she remembers from the one and only religion class she ever went to, she counts, "Desna I liked because of travel. Sheyln I liked because she likes pretty things too and Cayden Calliean...well, he just seemed like a fun guy. The others I sort of forget what they are about..."
As Maddie joins the conversation, she gives her a big smile. However, it falters for a flicker of a second at her question. Still, Evelina recomposes her self quickly and does her best to answer in a nonchalant way. "Nah, I don't have a tight knit family like yours...or um...well...really any family at all." Waving away any sympathy, she tries to cast the whole thing in a positive light. "Makes it real easy to uproot and follow the road! No one to worry where I go or try to tie me down."
Freyja sips at the tea and works hard not to make a face. Nadya, there is simply no debt to repay. Decent folk help each other and that is all we've done for you. Now we appreciate your hospitality to be sure, but its nicer freely given instead of a part of a debt payment don't you think? Now we need to be talking about what we will do next. What is everyone thinking?
You do have family Evelina. Don't be discounting me so easily. the bard interjects warmly. With what we have been through you are a sister to me sure as the world, only by different mothers.
Evelina continues to look embarrassed about the whole pant screw up. However, she still lets a giggle slip when Martok suggests that his hairy legs were the cause of their diplomatic woes in Walsby. Once she has retrieved the pants, she begins working, this time putting her focus into making sure she gets the length right.
Martok was taken by surprise, "Who me? Kids? Nah, too grumpy for that."
His eyes stare out for a second, "But family yes. I have always taken care of those around me since I was this tall."
He whispered, "I think I even have Lord Fire under control now a days. That was rough at first."
He turned the conversation back to Evalina, "Well, don't fret. You're a good lass and I'm sure there's someone out there for you. Just don't lose hope. If you want, I can share secrets of what good men want in women. I'm sure that will help you."
tag?
Cithembi waves a hand dismissively. "No, no, there was no offense," he states firmly to Evelina. "And do not think yourself so uninteresting. Many have been watched over long before they knew of it... or at least, so our stories say."
He turns to Madison. "I left my clan, yes, but..." He laughs a bit sheepishly, "I cannot say I have thought much of them since I left. There's simply so much to see, you see! Why think of home when there's still the horizon?"
Evelina looks at the bard and says, "Aw man. So no more just runnin' off whenever I want?" However, despite her words it is obvious to anyone with eyes that she is beaming to have been called a sister.
Evelina looks surprised when Martok says he doesn't have kids. However, she is even more surprised by his apparent determination to find her a mate. Laughing she asks, "Why are you tryin' to marry me off old man? I just told ya I still got lots to do 'fore that stuff!" Continuing to chuckle, she says, "We might need to find you someone real soon, though..." Finishing the last few stitches to his pant, she hands them back to him. "Here. Hidin' your ankles will help with that."
Evelina looks relieved that she hadn't offended Cithembi. "I haven't heard many of those stories. Perhaps you'll have to tell me some of 'em sometime!"
"Perhaps tonight, yes?" Cithembi suggests with a smile.
"No family is perfect. I may be close to Matty and Maggie but not so much with my parents. They gave up on Maggie and then gave up on us. Sometimes family is what you make along the way." After Freya pipes up Maddy smiles and adds, "See? Sounds like you have family after all."
Maddy thought about Cithembi's last comment. "I guess I don't really think about home either but that's because Matty, and now Maggie, are here with me. I guess it's now our turn to see other parts of the world. It's good to have someone show me how to be more excited about being away from home."
The night continues, full of conversation and burgeoning friendship, both with each other and with your surprise hosts. While Kashka takes her leave after a couple of hours, explaining in broken Common that she needs to look after her own house, Nadya is a gracious host, though a tinge of worry never quite leaves her features. Orm and Mjoli head to the bed in the loft soon after the early night falls, but they bashfully bid everyone good night before they retire, Mjoli even sending Cithembi off with his best impression of a lion-like roar. Soon, they both snore uproariously from above, and the conversation drops to a low murmur to let them sleep. And as time goes on, everyone settles into their bedrolls on the smooth-planed floor, comfortable in the warmth and welcome of the Petskas' cozy cabin.
The awakening, however is less pleasant - as the sun rises, you hear a pound on the outside window before a face emerges from behind the door flap. Freyja, still bleary-eyed, recognizes the man as the one who had complimented her song as she left the White Weasel yesterday. Nadya! Vagter er her, fra tårnet, gå fra dør til dør! Og spørger om heksen dronningens sorte rytter, hvis vi har set ham her! De er vrede, mere end vred - du kan ikke lade dem se de fremmede! His worried gaze falls to Freyja. Sanger, er du nødt til at tage dine venner og skjul. De startede på den vestlige side af byen, tak guderne, men de vil være her snart!
Gathering her gear as she stands Freyja says We will leave Nadya. We can slip away and there is no reason to bring danger to your home. I'll not repay kindness with such.
Gathering her gear as she stands Freyja says We will leave Nadya. We can slip away and there is no reason to bring danger to your home. I'll not repay kindness with such.
Martok was already moving and making sure the others were as well, "Agreed. She's got the little ones to worry about. We can just slip out to the country side and be back later when they have passed."
He turned to the cat-man, "Can you cover everyone's tracks?"
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EDIT: found it, pass without trace. Martok will use one (two?) mythic points to cast it on the fleeing strangers
Matt woke up bleary and it took him a few moments to understand what was happening. It came clear soon enough, and he realized what needed to happen.
"Wait, Martok," he said, "there is no need to flee. I can hide us here, and then we can continue with Nadya as planned to the tower. Maddy, grab all the snowshoes. Everybody, grab your packs. Make sure nothing of ours is left out." As he spoke, he quickly packed up his alchemy kit, pleased to see that his potion had worked perfectly.
Standing by the window, he then pulled a short piece of rope from his pack and concentrated on a spell he'd learned some time ago, and had in fact used for similar situations. The other end of the rope snaked up towards the ceiling. "My friend Thrym and I, we used to use this to hide on the headmaster when we were sneaking about at night. Come on, everybody up the rope." Turning to Nadya, he said, "When we're up, tie the rope up in the curtain, try to camouflage it. Give it a three tugs when it's safe to come down."
Clever boy. Freyja says with an approving smile as she scampers up the rope with her gear. I've heard of such spells in old tales, but never seen such cast.
Matt turned bright red at Freyja's compliment, and tried unsuccessfully to hide a pleased grin. "It would seem our styles of magic compliment each other," he said, as he tried not to stare at the nimble bard climbing the rope above him.
"Ah!" Cithembi exclaims, delighted by the unusual magic. "Will you be able to hear what is going on from in there, friend?"
As the others discuss, Eveline moves quickly around the room trying to eliminate any signs of them as guests, such as extra blankets or dishes. Grabbing her bedroll, she indicates to the others to do the same.
Evelina looks uncertainly at the rope that Matt summons, "What the...? How's that even work?" However, remembering they are running out of time the question becomes a rhetorical one. Shrugging, she begins climbing up the rope.
Matt shook his head at Cithembi's question, and was careful to look at him when he spoke. "No, nothing can cross, not sound, not magic, nothing. But we'll be able to see out, just a little."
As Evelina expressed her concern, Matt grinned. "It's really cool, actually. It goes up to an extradimensional space. It's not even in this plane of reality at all. Nothing can cross it - even if they're using magic to divine us, we're totally safe. Don't worry, I've used it loads of times before. Maggie!" He called his sister-raven to his shoulder. "Eight beings can fit up there, so we'll be fine, there's only six of us...well, seven with Maggie."
Maddy is instantly alert at the pounding on Nadya's home but is at a loss as to what is being said. She looks to Matty for guidance since he knows the language. When she finally understands, she says, "I'll go up last so that I can be out first if we're discovered." She takes a last look around where they had been staying to make sure that all traces of them were gone. She then gracefully scrambles up the rope after her brother and sister.
At the warning, you hear Nadya's feet thumping on the loft floor above. A blanket rustles, as if being tossed and smoothed back over the bed, and her soft whisper emerges from above. Shh, shh...stay here, and stay quiet... Quickly, the young mother descends the ladder and joins Evelina in scrambling to gather up any traces of a crowd in the house. Hurriedly she piles the washed dishes from the towel on which they'd sat to dry and into the cupboard; the stack threatens to push the cabinet door back out and collapse, but then suddenly seems to re-settle itself back into equilibrium.
As Madison scrambles up the rope and vanishes into Matthew's conjured hiding place, Nadya, thinking quickly, grabs a pickaxe from the equipment she'd set aside at her trade journey's end and ties it to the rope's end. Hissing words you can no longer hear, she releases the pickaxe - and it rises up into the air of its own accord, settling into place directly in front of where the rope disappears into the wall. While it hampers your view somewhat, you realize that it makes it look as if the rope and axe are hanging from a peg - while someone who knew what to look for might catch the deception, a casual observer wouldn't.
The silent scene plays out in front of you. As Nadya gets the last few bits of the room in order, the door flap rips to the side, and three people push into the room. With harsh gestures, they motion her to one of her kitchen chairs, and she sits sullenly while the three crowd around her. Cithembi, ironically, is hanging on every word - while everyone else is hampered by the quiet the extradimensional barrier raises, he can "hear" as well as if he were right in the room. The four converse in Skald, but Cithembi's experience allows him to translate.
You read the following on the speakers' lips:
The others said you've just come back from a trade run. Is that true?
Yes, for your mistress Madam Vasillovna. We're bringing the results to the Tower tomorrow - I've had good fortune.
That's as may be - we're hoping you had the good fortune to come across something else, however. A man all in black, riding a horse more fearsome than any other. You'd know him by sight; he's hard to mistake for another...our Dear Grandmother's Black Rider, herald of her return. The time draws near, but there's been no sign of the Riders, and Queen Elvanna worries. She's sent orders that any word of any Rider be sent straight to the Jadwiga.
I can see where her concern draws from, but alas, I cannot allay her fears - I've never seen anything of such creatures as the Riders. It was all wolves and frost elementals on my journey, except for -
Except for what?
...a strange creature, I'd never seen before. Something huge, with a kind of strange armor over it. It was weakened somehow, though, and my party managed to fight it off, though one of my men took a serious hurt from it.
Was that the only...strange thing you saw? The only thing that didn't belong here? We had word that you returned with others - people not from here.
Contacts of mine, from Nadzieja Lato. We stopped there on our way back, and they had business in Whitethrone, so they joined us on our return. There's safety in numbers out here - it made good sense for them to travel with us as far as they could.
And where are these friends of yours? Everyone else said they came to stay with you - but I don't see anyone! Do you? Did they say anything of the Black Rider?
Left before dawn, after re-supplying. It's a long journey, and they were anxious to get on; there was no sense in letting their boots freeze to the ground. If I'd known you were looking for information, I'd have sent them your way...but they're long gone now. If you hurry, you might be able to catch them...
The guard examines Nadya's face for a long moment, then nods.
I'm sure they'll meet with the Queen's servants before long. In the meantime, don't forget - Madam Vasillovna rewards those loyal to her, who concern themselves with the safety of Irrisen and all its children. Those who conceal information from her, though... By the way, I heard your daughter is missing. I hope you find her quickly...the snows fast bury those who have gone astray from the shelter and grace of the Jadwiga...
Laughing, the man signals to the other guards, who withdraw, leaving Nadya shaking in her chair. After several long minutes, she finally composes herself enough to rise and give the rope several sharp tugs.
Maddy is instantly alert at the pounding on Nadya's home but is at a loss as to what is being said. She looks to Matty for guidance since he knows the language. When she finally understands, she says, "I'll go up last so that I can be out first if we're discovered." She takes a last look around where they had been staying to make sure that all traces of them were gone. She then gracefully scrambles up the rope after her brother and sister.
Martok just looked at the girl and stomped his foot, "You'll go what? Oh no you don't. Just get up there and take care of your brother and bird-sister of yours."
The old shaman waited until everyone had entered before following up the rope, his strong arms easily pulling him inside.
Unable to follow the conversation Freyja got the gist of it through body language and facial expression. She knew a shake down when she saw it and was proud of Nadya for holding up so well. Still her face darkened with anger. By the gods, if I can help this lady and punish those men I shall do it. she vows quietly.
Maddy is instantly alert at the pounding on Nadya's home but is at a loss as to what is being said. She looks to Matty for guidance since he knows the language. When she finally understands, she says, "I'll go up last so that I can be out first if we're discovered." She takes a last look around where they had been staying to make sure that all traces of them were gone. She then gracefully scrambles up the rope after her brother and sister.Martok just looked at the girl and stomped his foot, "You'll go what? Oh no you don't. Just get up there and take care of your brother and bird-sister of yours."
The old shaman waited until everyone had entered before following up the rope, his strong arms easily pulling him inside.
Maddy bristles at Martok's comment. "This sword isn't just for show you know.". But they don't have a lot of time and she doesn't want to waste any of it arguing.
Evelina sits nervously in their hiding place until she see the rope tug. For a moment she hesitates, waiting to see if the other move. However, she finally she whispers to the others, "Ain't that our sign to come down?" Using her small size, she crawls past the others and tries to take a peek out and see if the coast is all clear.
Matt nodded to Evelina, and allowed her down first. After a moment's thought, he allowed all the women down first, so as not to be put in another awkward position.
Once everybody was down, he ended the spell and returned the rope to his pack. "What can we do?" he asked softly.
Cithembi climbs back down the rope almost before Nadya gives it a tug.
"Is everyone well?" He asks, uncharacteristically serious. "I could see something of what they said, and it seems they did not harm you..."
Fine. I'm just fine. And the boys, too. Nadya sounds ready to shake to pieces with anger at the intrusion and the interrogation, though she barely manages to keep her composure. That was quick thinking with that spell, Matthew. It gave the two of us the time we needed to get ready. At the words "the two of us", suddenly, you hear a loud huff from the back of the room, and the pickaxe drags itself sullenly across the room to rejoin the stack of Nadya's adventuring gear in the corner. Oh, Hatch, don't be like that. I needed your help to hide them - what would you have preferred, me being caught with a talking cat in here? You heard the soldiers; it wasn't because of the visitors they came. They'd have been here nonetheless.
Atop the pile, a small figure emerges - a little man no more than two feet high, with a magnificent grey beard so long it's bound up in his belt to keep him from treading on it. Balanced precariously on top of a folded fur, he crosses his arms petulantly. But the soldiers would've dragged you off in a moment, if they'd spotted them, he mutters in a surprisingly deep voice, jerking his head toward you in emphasis at the final them. And what would the boys have done then? Orm and Mjoli have already lost a father - do they have to lose their mother, too? I say these foreigners need to make your story true, get out of here before they bring down any more trouble!
But, Hatch, they can help me get Thora back...
You've brought her food back, haven't you? More than ever before? Mistress Nazhena's cruel and petty, it's true, but she's not stupid - she refuses to return Thora after you deliver like that, and she'll never get anyone else to listen to her again. We don't need these weirdos! He punctuates the sentence with another rude glare, though it's clear the mention of Nadya's missing daughter has shaken him somewhat.
Nadya, in contrast, looks on the verge of tears. But what if you're wrong? What if she keeps holding her hostage, or, what if...? Please, we need to know about the Tower. You have to tell us what you know about it - entrances, where Nazhena and Radosek will be staying, where they'd keep Thora, anything. They can help me go in for her, but we've got no chance without you.
And if Nazhena hears it was me that told you? I've felt her soldiers' boots in my side before - I'd not care to feel it again!
"Thanks!" Evelina says with a smile, as Matt passes her the rope. Giving him a ladylike curtsy, she grabs the rope and climbs down only a short distance before just hopping gracefully to the ground.
Evelina's eyes widen, as the grumpy little man appears. "What is that guy? Has he been here this whole time? She watches as Nadya argues with him, before she realizes he has inner knowledge of the tower.
"Um...Mr. Hatch, sir. Nadya's right. Maybe they give her little girl back. But what if they don't? These seem like real bad folk. I mean I'm sure they figger she'd do just about anything for daughter, right? So, they might try'ta sqeeze as much outta her as possible an' ask for more jobs. Then what's Nadya supposed to do? How's she ever gonna say no?" Evelina shakes her head, "We gotta hope for the best, but plan for the worst here. We won't ever say it was you we got the information from! Promise! In fact, I'm pretty sure we'd all rather it didn't even come back to Nadya if we can help it..." Evelina's speaks somewhat shyly to the small man, but her words are genuine and express her honest concern for both Nadya and her daughter.
We can make things better here. I just know we can. I am willing to give it my best shot Hatch. Do you want to be afraid of men like that all your life? Then,guessing that this man is some sort of fey, in Silvan she implores We need your help.
Martok didn't have much use for the little grumpy man; he didn't need the competition.
However, it sounded like he had important information crucial to their mission, "Yeah, you can't live in fear the rest of your life. We can help you and more importantly, we can help Nadya here."
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Matt couldn't help smiling at the grumpy little fellow. But as he dug his heels in and refused to help, the wizard's smile slipped from his face. Motioning to Maggie, he watched the mottled raven swoop down and land beside the domovoi. "This is Maggie. She's our sister. At least, our sister's soul is bound up with this raven somehow. This is one of the things that happens when witches get their hands on children. Hopefully you're right, hopefully your witch will hand the girl over with no trouble. But if you're wrong, then we're plan B."
Addressing his fears about being found out, he said, "You have our words, none of us will mention you, not on pain of death. Maddy and I are going no matter what; we need to find a way to reverse what was done to our sister. If you can help with that, I'll be very grateful. In fact, in payment, I'll brew you any potion I'm capable of, or make you a scroll, if you can use them."
Maddy looks at Hatch curiously after he shows himself. She chimes in along with the others. "You obviously care for Nadya and her family. You take care of them and you watch out for them. I know the importance of family but witches like Nazhena don't. She took Thora from this family which is terrifying for a little girl. I know you want to help us bring her home safely. You can't trust witches. Look what they did to my sister. I don't want something like that to happen to Thora and I'm sure you don't either."
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At Evelina's earnest plea, Hatch sighs heavily; for a moment, it looks as if he intends to continue in his obstinancy, but at her mention of keeping him and Nadya safe, he seems to crack slightly. Freyja's Sylvan words seem to catch him off guard, and he almost smiles for a moment. Martok's kindliness, Matthew's reasoned argument, and Maddie's appeal to his concern for the Petskas all sway him further...but it seems to be the site of Maggie that seals his help. All right...but this doesn't mean that I like you, he replies with only a hint of petulance. It's for them, ok? And for Thora... It's all he can do to get the name out, but after a moment's pause he continues.
I was at the Tower for a long time - years, until Nazhena. She'd never leave me gifts, not even a crumb of bread or a bit of wool...and then she had the nerve to complain that her bed wasn't made! I had to show her just how unmade it could be - so I tickled her feet a little. That was all! And for that she beat me, kicked me out like a child's ball, left me to the winter. Nadya found me. She took me in, kept me from becoming a wolf's chew toy. So if you really do go to help her, and to keep them safe...
With a deep breath, he grabs a charred stick from the fireplace and begins scratching a drawing on the floor. As he draws, his descriptions come, halting at first, but then more sure as the speech draws forth his memories. And he continues...and continues...and continues. He describes the tower as stacked hollows inside a massive icicle, with magic transporters allowing access between the different levels rather than stairwells. Most of the passwords he knows, he says, but he knows there's one floor of the tower he's never been to and that he doesn't know the password for. That, he reports, is most likely where the ritual to open the winter portal would have been performed - he'd heard word of the ritual being conceived just before his ignominious eviction.
Q1: Entry gate. This is protected by a permanent wall of ice and a porticullis of inverted icicles. The guards can suppress the wall of ice effect, but only do so for recognized tower residents or expected guests of Nazhena and her apprentice/lover Radosek.
Q2: Courtyard. This is a large open space dominated by an ice statue of a dragon with wings raised.
Q3: Entrance hall. The most prominent feature of this room is a pool fed by a hot spring, which many of the tower's residents use for soaking. Hatch reports that a water elemental lives in this pool, sending water from it through channels in the tower's walls to allow running taps in the rooms above.
Q4: Privies. At this, Hatch giggles slightly. And they were a bear to keep clean, let me tell you.
Q5: First floor ice crystal teleporters leading to the second floor dining hall (Q8). These can be activated by standing on the glassy ice covering the tiled floor in these alcoves and uttering the phrase "A gathering within the hall, take one, take us all."
Q6 and Q7: Barracks for the tower's guards. There are berths for as many as forty guards, although Hatch doesn't know for certain how many would be at the tower and how many would be away at a given time. The guard captain is an Ulfen woman called Hestrig Orlov, who Hatch reports as possessing some kind of shapeshifting ability as well as magic. There are three sergeants beneath Guard Captain Orlov.
Q8: Dining hall. The teleporters in this room run back to Q5 by using the phrase "Spiral downward to the ground, every ounce and every pound". This is where the Tower's residents take their meals. Two winter-touched atomies, Jir and Lask, spend most of their time here as the primary entertainment during meals, and other entertainers have been hosted here as well.
Q9: Kitchen. The Tower's food services are overseen by an ill-tempered spriggan called Mig Epsel.
Q10 and Q11: Spare bedrooms. These rooms are offered to allies of Nazhena and Radosek who require lodging in the Tower.
Q12: Library. This collection was begun by Nazhena's mother and expanded by Nazhena herself, and contains tomes on a huge variety of subjects.
Q13: Hall. The alcove at the end of this long space has a teleporter, but Hatch has never used it or been able to catch a passphrase for it. He suspects that it instead uses some kind of magical key, and further that it leads to Nazhena and Radosek's private chambers.
Q14: Greenhouse. The angles of the ice forming the walls and ceiling of this room direct in sunlight to help the plants inside grow. Nazhena experimented with all sorts of curious plant life in this room, Hatch knows, and a run-in with some sort of violent carnivorous one put him off entering it entirely.
Q15: Second floor ice crystal teleporter to the aerie (Q17). The passphrase for the teleporter is "Take wing, soar and fly, let me see the winter sky".
Q16: Hestrig Orlov's bedroom. Hatch reports taking great pleasure in sorting and re-sorting the cache the guard captain kept in this room; there was enough in there to keep him occupied for hours, and the guard captain never seemed to mind it being neat as long as she could see at a glance it was all there.
Q17: Aerie. Hatch dismisses this room as smelly and laments his inability to do anything about the droppings covering its floor. Maggie, however, perks up at mention of this open-air room - it was her home during her brief stay at the tower, and she chatters excitedly about the "pretty blue lady" that cared for the flock and offered whispery songs and prayers.
Q18: Bedroom. This is where the aerie's caretaker sleeps.
Q19: Storeroom. Grain for the aerie's residents and other assorted sundries are stored in here, and Hatch reports that he was frequently invited up here by Jir and Lask to visit their home, though the pervasive smell of the aerie usually meant he turned down their invitations.
As he completes his explanation, he looks at the drawing on the log slabs of the floor and nods, satisfied. Sorry I can't help with Nazhena's chambers. At the mention, Maggie lets out a loud squawk and visibly shudders. I tried to get in there - really, I did - but with no stairs and the 'porter locked up tight, I didn't have any way to get there. But at least this'll get you close, if the ice b+@!% breaks her word. Subconsciously, he glances around, as if nervous that even all the way out here the winter witch will catch his insult. I do know this, though - Nazhena was so proud, she kept something cursed in her chamber, just so that she could have the last laugh if someone figured out how to rob her. How vindictive can you get, right?
Martok looked at the map and asked for the descriptions again. This time he started to formulate a plan in his mind.
"How about if we scale the tower and enter it from the aerie rather the front door?"
He turned to Hatch, "How difficult would you say climbing the outside of the tower is?"
He looked at the others, "I don't think we have enough magic to allow us to fly but perhaps other magic can be used."
Cithembi frowns in thought. "Just how much have you climbed? Trees are hard enough without claws, which," he flashes a grin, "Only one of us here has, and ice would be even worse, and that's if we're not dodging arrows while doing it."
Cat-man's right, Hatch chimes in at Cithembi's comment. The tower's straight up and down, or nearly so, and smooth as glass. You might be able to drive spikes into it as you go, but this isn't ordinary ice - it's strong as stone! Driving spikes in will be slow going, and noisy enough that it might draw attention. And those birds can raise a right ruckus when they're riled!
Martok, hard-headed as most dwarves, continued with his plan.
"Ok then, how about if we float up there? All of us."
He added, "As for the birds, I can hide us from the birds like we did last time the raven flock came looking for us. I'm not saying this is the only way to approach the problem but it is possible.'
He then asked, "What's the alternative? Go and knock on their front door?"
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And how do you suppose all of us would be floating Martok? Freyja asks with a crooked smile. Can you cast some type of communal levitate? That would be a good trick indeed. but if ya cannot I say we go through the front door. Try to bluff our way in if we can and fight if we cannot.
Matt's mind was busy sorting possibilities. "Levitate is possible, I can do that one. But it would use up much of my magic just to get us all up there. Especially if we do it while invisible; that would leave me devoid of most other useful spells. I cannot make us fly, or teleport us. Climbing seems...very risky. Both in terms of detection, and more simply, falling. But to bluff or fight our way in? Also very risky. 40 guards? Plus a shapeshifting captain, a witch, and her apprentice? We are very seriously outnumbered."
He paced in the small cabin, thinking hard. "Perhaps if there was a distraction, something to draw many of the guards out of the castle. Too bad we don't know where to find another giant bug. Although..." he thought a bit more.
"Perhaps I could create an illusion, one of the Ebon Knight. They seem quite intent on finding him. Perhaps a sighting would be enough to draw many of them away."
Turning to Hatch, he asked, "Where would she be keeping Thora? In her chamber? Are their dungeons below? What about out buildings?"
Maddy was not a planner so she watches the others bounce ideas off each each other. When the illusion is mentioned she pipes up, "Getting them out of the Tower is great but they'll eventually come back. And getting them out doesn't help get us in. Plus they already have guards out looking for him and the Tower is still well guarded, right?"
The only thing Maddy is good at is wielding her sword. This affects her decision on which idea she thinks is best. "I agree with Freya where we bluff our way in and if that fails, we fight. Climbing is too risky for those who aren't as strong," she glances at her brother, "And magic has its limits." She pauses before adding hesitantly, "However, maybe one or two can go in the aerie and sneak their way down to let the others in."
And how do you suppose all of us would be floating Martok? Freyja asks with a crooked smile. Can you cast some type of communal levitate? That would be a good trick indeed. but if ya cannot I say we go through the front door. Try to bluff our way in if we can and fight if we cannot.
"Oh but I can. I can levitate myself without casting a spell and then Matt and I can cast levitate on the others. I can also cast a spell that will hide everyone from normal animals."
He paused, "But if you want to try the front door then I'll of course oblige. What are your plans?"
Cithembi's head whips back and forth as he tries to keep up with the conversation. He has no more words at present--assaulting fortresses is far out of the gregarious catfolk's realm of experience.
Dungeons? Not that I know of, Hatch replies to Matthew's question. Any time she's kept prisoners before, they've been in one of the spare bedrooms, I think. At least, any time she's managed to leave prisoners... With the dark, murmured thought comes a guilty glance at Nadya, who visibly winces. Or maybe she'd use the stables, built off the main courtyard. Everything's contained in the ice wall - it was purpose-built by Nazhena's mother as a fortress. There wasn't much reason to leave any extra buildings outside of what would be protected.
At Matthew's suggestion, Nadya's eyes grow thoughtful. An illusion...it's not a bad idea. I doubt any of them would be able to spot anything off about it that far away, though we don't really know what this Rider looks like. Still, big black horse, couldn't be that hard to guess? She shrugs noncommittally. And at the gate we've got the advantage of being expected, too - come bearing food and we've got a good chance of at least getting the wall opened, if nothing else.
That's not entirey accurate Nadya. Some of us do know what this rider looks like. Freyja describes the man and rider as she first saw him coming through the gate. In explanation she only says I'm a bard, don'tcha know. We know things.
At Freyja's story of the Rider's appearance, Nadya sits wide-eyed taking it in. Wow...what a story, she finally breathes as Freyja concludes. Some liberties taken in the re-telling and re-telling to make it more dramatic, I'm sure, but still...amazing. With guards wandering around town, Nadya advises strongly against going out and about; she even keeps Orm and Mjoli in the house, seemingly nervous about them crossing a guard's path if they were to play outside. The night passes, and while tonight's meal is a bit more scraped-together and meager than yesterday's due to a lack of groceries at hand, it's still offered generously.
Before the next day dawns, Nadya shakes everyone awake (still a much kinder awakening than the previous morning's guards). It might be best if you leave now - less chance of anyone seeing you. We'll likely end up showing our hand at the Tower today anyway, but the less any word of you has a chance to get back to Nazhena or Radosek, the better chance we have to talk our way in. There's a big logging trail that cuts through the wood and rejoins the road a few miles down - meet me at that juncture. I'll cover your tracks, then wait a few hours and go get the sled. Expect me by about four hours after sunrise.
You go to pack up your belongings - only to find them already neatly arranged in your packs, a faint scent of pine drifting from the backpacks' mouths. The clothes inside are warm to the touch and as tidy as if they'd been laundered by a team of textile experts, all the wear, dirt, and waterstains of travel completely gone. Upon seeing the packs, Nadya smiles, glancing at a few dark corners of the house; in one, you see the faintest hint of movement for a moment, and a bag of flour tips over for a moment, then returns to upright in an unmistakable impression of a clumsy bow.
As the sun's first light begins to tinge the edges of the night sky, you set off into the Hoarwood, snowshoes strapped on to make the going easier. For a few minutes, everyone feels sorry for Cithembi, whose catlike paws were impossible to fit with snowshoes...but then everyone notices something curious. Though his paws are no bigger than a decent-sized walking stick, they skim lightly across the top of the snow, hardly even leaving prints in the white dust...
The sun continues to climb and you continue on your trek through the wood. From all around, you hear a panoply of nature sounds: rustles in the brush, the harsh croaks of raven calls echoing from tree trunk to tree trunk, the occasional snap of a branch overloaded with snow. And then suddenly, another sound draws your attention inexorably - a faint giggle, coming from behind a large stone to the right of the trail. Hee hee...big two-legses so funny! Then, as if realizing it's spoken aloud, the voice gasps audibly, and you can hear the sound retreating as if its source has gone into hiding.
Without breaking rank Freyja searches for the source of the voice. Something is there, over there. she points.
As they waited the day out, Matt didn't forget his promise to Hatch. He couldn't see him at the moment, but he addressed the room in general, "Hatch, I promised you a potion or scroll of some sort. What would you like? If it's in my ability to do so, I'll make it."
tag Hatch
Matt recognized the sound of an illusion. "Wait," he said softly, holding up one hand. "It's not real. It's an illusion of some sort." Which begged the question...who had cast the spell? "Keep watch, all directions," he said, automatically turning to face away from the spell. "Spellcaster nearby."
I've never understood that chicken-scratch you mages write your scrolls in - I doubt one of those'd do me much good, Hatch replies to Matthew's question. But for potions...if those guards come knocking again while Nadya's gone, I wouldn't mind a way to keep them from causing too much mischief. Maybe something that'll let me convince them to leave? As selfish as those bastards are, like as not I wouldn't even have to do anything besides leave it sitting on the table to get them to drink it.
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Matthew searches desperately through the woods surrounding, but he can see no sign of any spellcaster - or indeed, anything at all. At his warning, Freyja starts upward and joins him in searching, as does the rest of the party, but all anyone can see are trees, marching off into the distance in silent ranks. Silence and stillness reign...until, all at once, a flurry of activity rushes from a cleft in a nearby tree. An unearthly screech echoes through the forest, and before anyone can marshal their thoughts, a bird the size of a hound darts toward the enchanted sack hanging on Madison's back. Its talons grab wildly at the cloth, but the creature can't seem to get enough grip to rip it from Madison's back as it flies up between two of the treetops. I taste the magic inside! Give it to me!
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Surprise Round
Lytil
Round 1
Martok - up
Evelina - up
Lytil
Matthew
Freyja
Cithembi
Madison
Hey, even the bird-little sister was part of his herd!
The shaman quickly removed his sling and prepared to do what he did best, chase the wolves away from his herd.
He twirled the sling and sent a bullet at the large bird.
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