"... okay."
A little while after leaving, Ragnhildr returns, looking much calmer now.
"So, back to the ferry town?"
"After a night's rest, yes I believe so." Yavenee says, pleased to see that Ragnhildr's mood had improved. Whatever happened with Sunday and Krysta went well apparently.
After everyone rejoins at the camp together, they all share a meal and prepare for sleep by attempting to take shelter from the light rain. The party sets up a watch and take turns alternating until morning finally arrives. Though the night passes peacefully without interruption, it's hardly a matter of comfort for anyone with occasionally howling winds, thunderstorms and constant rain.
The hopes of clearer weather seem unlikely now as the rain is heavier than last night. Seemingly it poured all night long, with puddles of ponding prevalent everywhere in the chilly temperature. Worse yet, a steady wind has picked up and threatens to dampen every last piece of your gear on you.
Once everyone is up and about, Jakardros finds a place in the mud to carve out a rough sketch of what lay ahead.
Starting on the right he points out, "There is cover from the forest here, this is likely our best approach point."
Pointing to just above the North indicator in the bottom of the sketch he adds, "This is the waterfall that hides the entrance to the cave. The pond is quite deep here and leads off into the moat around the fort. It's likely we'll need to swim to get past this point."
Pointing at both gates he adds, "There are two gates, the south near where we will enter and the east over here."
Moving his way across the buildings from right to left he comments, "Stable, Guard Post, Cook House Barracks."
Tapping the structure in the top left of the map he says, "This is the fort proper. We'll enter through the pond, into the cave and come up through behind them."
"Swimming should be not a problem" the half-elf looks at Ghina "You will have to wait outside prettiness"
"Are there any locked doors to be expected?" the ranger checks his tools "I can probably force our way, but if you have the keys it will help us go in stealthier"
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"Should we not firsdt make sure you are all well equipped for this? Perhaps a breif trip back into town?" Yavenee asks the ranger.
"Are there any locked doors to be expected?"
The ranger gives thought for only a few seconds before shaking his head no. "Well enter through the back entrance into the armory, then through the crypt before heading into the fort proper. I don't expect either of those to be a problem for us, but I'm not sure what to expect once we make it into the fort. I can't imagine ogre's locking doors, but who knows what we will find?"
Looking up at Yavenee the ranger nods, "Absolutely. I can't imagine trying to take the fort like this, we would be a complete hindrance."
With little further discussion, the group packs up and heads back to Turtleback Ferry to resupply. A few hours later you find yourself trudging back into the familiar location of Turtleback Ferry. Along the way the three rangers fill you in with what they know of the layout of the town, supplementing the knowledge you've already gained from your brief stay.
"Well, let's get you some clothes first, then see what we can do about some armor for you," Ragnhildr says once they are in town.
"After that, perhaps the smithy to arm you." Yavenee adds.
Before they left the farm Krysta made it a point to eat some more of the metal bars of the cages before they went on their way. It wasn't the tastiest metal she'd ever eaten but it would suffice. What she really had a hunger for were amethyst gems, but that wasn't an option at the moment. As they made their way back to Turtleback Ferry she took her true form and flew around their path of travel to watch for trouble until they got close to town. She landed then and resumed her half-elven form before they entered the place.
As they discussed what to take care of in the town before leaving again Krysta made her way to the General Store and began to look around the place for anything of interest. She was mostly looking for new pieces of art for her horde and gemstone, not that she expected to find either here.
"After that, perhaps the smithy to arm you." Yavenee adds.
"Where'd'ya think I was gettin' the armor," Raseri teases forgetting for a moment what Yavenee is. When she remembers a moment later, the smile disappears and she turns away.
"Sorry, didn't mean any insult," she mutters in apology.
Sunday tilts his head at Ragnhilder before turning to Yavenee, "Can you turn people into frogs? I read in a story witches do that a lot."
"No I...I have never thought to try changing someone into something else." Yavenee replies to Sunday. Looking at Ragnhildr she sighs softly. She was quite used to being mistrusted simply because of the way she wielded magic, to being on the receiving end of such from another magic user was especially galling."Ah yes, you would get weapons and armor in the same place....I wasn't thinking, not insult taken Ragnhildr"
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"Ah, then more and more you are sounding less and less like the witches I've read about." he responded, more information chipping away slowly at the fear in his mind.
"What other Witch stuff can you do?" he continues.
The party and the three Black Arrows spend a few hours rearming themselves and getting ready for the mission. Prior to that however, they gorge themselves on a hot meal. Quite clearly the trio is still recovering from malnutrition and it is a wonder they are able to fit that much food in their body and not cause it to come right back up.
After a solid meal, restocking their supplies, both Vale and Jakardros meet back in the center of town with the party. The third member, Kaven Windstrike, the charming dark haired man with emerald eyes is not to be found. After waiting an abnormally long amount of time without showing up the other two Black Arrows grow concerned. After an hour searching about the party investigates Turtle's Parlor, the Inn, where they are greeted by a middle aged man named Cesten Orlandi. When confronted about Kaven's whereabouts he nods. "Oh sure, lad is taking it easy in the back. We was just talking and suddenly he looked quite ill. I told 'im to go lay down in the back till he be feelin' better."
"Guess we better make sure he ain't dead," Ragnhildr mutters before going back to check on the tardy Black Arrow.
Yavenee frowns slightly. "It appears your companion from last night has taken ill Krysta, or perhaps just over tired?" she says turning to the dragoness with a hint of humor in her tone.
Sunday arches a brow at the dragon woman. The man had appeared fine just a few hours previously. "Or sore. Bruises take awhile to form."
Trusting the man Delendir advances opening the way to the back office "He better has a good reason to make us wait like that without letting us know. We have important business"
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Krysta preened at the implication that she, an amateur, might be talented enough to wear a man out and said, "Well I am a dragon, it is only right that I am good at whatever I put my mind to." She considered the implications that she could have hurt him and felt some concern, needing to alleviate this she said, "Excuse me, I want to check on him before we go, to make sure he'll keep his mouth shut about me, not because I'm concerned about him." With that she went up and listened at his door before knocking and entering.
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At the knock of the door a voice inside grumbled, "Go away I'm not feeling-", but it didn't seem to matter when Krysta walked right in anyway. As described, the man lay on a bed under the sheets which were pulled over his head. When he heard the footsteps and the door he pulled them off and looked to see who it was before sighing. He sat up in bed and says, "Hey look sweetheart, I'm just completely exhausted from the horrors that happened before you found us. I'm afraid it has all just caught up to me today and I'm afraid if I were to head out right now that I'd slow you down or cause problems of some sort. I think we need to take some more rest before heading out."
"Alright on yer feet," Ragnhildr says, showing no sympathy whatsoever for the man. "If ye're sick, then I'm sure Yanavee has something for ye."
Elisai triggers her Spirit Dance ability, suddenly gaining deep insight into the situation.
"Don't lie to me handsome, I hate it when men lie to my face. Now I'm sure Krysta tired you out, but she didn't tire you out quite that much. Why don't you tell me what really is wrong, so we can sort out if there's something we can do to help" Elisai coaxes in a gentle voice.
Kaven was clearly ok when it was just Krysta that was in the room, but as the full group begins to pile in one after the other and demands he get out of bed his face sours. Rolling his eyes he drops his head to his pillow with an exasperated sigh.
After Ragnhildr's comment he sits up and pivots on his bed and slowly climbs to his feet.
After Elisai's comment however, his posture shifts to guarded and he waves his hand dismissively. "Look. I was held without food and water and unable to sleep for days and nights on end. I'm simply just worn out and was hoping for a little more rest to be prepared for our upcoming task."
Bending over he picks up all of his new gear and cracks his neck as he pushes out through the doorway passing people. "Let's go already slowpokes, you're wasting daylight!"
Truly believing the man Delendir helps him pick up his belongings "We better move fast, we must free the fort before they do discover what happened back at the farm"
If no one goes against, the half-elf ranger leads the pace through the now well-known paths towards the fort.
Ragnhildr just shakes her head, wondering how the youngest of the three rangers could have possibly been the worst off.
"It was a big fire. I'd be surprised if they didn't know about it a few minutes after it happened," she replies to Delendir.
Coming in on the end of things, Yavenee takes the ranger's words at face value having spent little time speaking with him.
"Yes a fire of that size would be visible from a great distance at night. They might even send someone to see the cause." the little witch suggest.
Elisai blocks the man's exit, playing a hand on his chest.
"What is this, a deflection? Honey, I invented that tactic. Don't brush this off, we are depending on everyone to be reliable here so tell us what the issue is, or I'll stop asking nicely".
When Elisai stops Kaven from leaving he flops his head forward with an exasperated sigh. "Ok, look you got me. I don't want to go. Ok? We weren't there when they needed us and now they are all dead. Going back into the fort only to be killed ourselves doesn't seem high among my priority list, alright? We're starved, sleep deprived, and ragged and now may not be the best time to run headlong into my death? Can you blame a man for wanting the comforts of a warm bed for the first in time too long?"
[/spoiler]
"You'd be a lot less sleep deprived if you hadn't been wrestling with a dragon." Sunday comments.
"You've had your rest, in one form or another, and now it's time to avenge your friends. Or die trying. You owe them at least that much." he says before shrugging. "And if you do die, well you'll be with your friends again. And there's more ignoble ways to go than after making love to a beautiful woman."
Krysta gave him a decidedly annoyed look and said, "Fine, but if I find out you've been bragging about sleeping with a dragon I will hunt you down and I will make you bleed." She arched one pale purple eyebrow, "Understood?" She gave him a moment to contemplate and then turned to leave, "We don't need him anyway, he'd just be in our way." With that she left the room and stormed downstairs.
Kaven nods twice to Sunday, "Good point. I was- he stops abruptly when Krysta storms off. Catching the evil eye from Elisai, he shoots her a pleading glance.
Elisai gives him a thunderous expression. She half raises a hand if she was going for a slap, but at the last moment decides against it.
"I asked nicely, honest, I did. I told you that I hated it when people lied to my face and you go and do it anyway like I won't notice. My friends and I risked our lives to try and free you, and all I'd expect in return is a little bit of honesty. Now I'm not going anywhere till I'm satisfied you are being more forthcoming with us so you might as well fess up."
Kaven relents. Holding up his palms defensively, he exhales loudly and gives in. Looking around Elisai for his previously conquered dragon, he whispers. "Look. I used to take the southern patrols that no one wanted back at the Fort. They took me down this way and I got acquainted with a lady friend from this area. I don't want her worrying about me and I was hoping to spend a little, you know, quality time with her is all. Can you blame me for trying to let her know I'm fine? And with that thing that happened with Krysta last night, well, you know can understand why I might be a little hesitant to blast it out? You what I'm saying? I like my life and body parts attached!"
Frowning he looks at Elisai and shrugs, "Satisfied? I tried to get through this with as much dignity as possible, I didn't want to lie to you. You bunch are just relentless and kept pushing, I felt like I was boxed in is all."
Sunday rolls his eyes at the explanation but they stop mid whirl before focusing on Kaven again. "You met a Lady while you were on patrols? How soon before the fort was attacked? And why did you not go to her as soon as possible instead of waiting till we were about to go to the fort?"
"I'm with Sunday on this. Why'd you wait? If you wanted to be dis– uh, dess?
whatever. Couldn't you have hired a messenger or something?"
Delendir looks confused at the situation not yet understanding "Why do they care so much about the gos and backs of this good fellow... shouldn't we marching already to the Fort hours ago?" The half-elf opens the entrance curtain to look at the outside "It might start raining again soon. You better finish up this business before the roads become a pool again"
Kaven stammers and looks around for his other two Black Arrows. Not seeing them immediately available he motions with his hands to hush the volume or Ragnhildr and Sunday, "Look, the information is sensitive. I may detoured slightly off patrol route to swing by to visit my lady friend. This isn't information I want Jakardros getting pissed about, ok? Can you understand why I'm not forthcoming?"
Sunday slowly blinks. "Why are you scared about making him angry? You and the other guy are all he has left, the Black Arrows don't exist anymore."
"... how 'slightly' did you detour?" he asks and then adds. "None of this explains why you are making silly excuses to avoid going and avenging your comrades. Doing this will probably anger Jakardros more than you having a lady friend"
Kaven pats Sunday on the shoulder twice. "I'll consider bringing it up with him later, but I'd like to clear my head and focus on avenging my fallen brothers. Thanks for setting me straight my friend. Good talk."
Pointing to Delendir he motions to the window, "As the ranger suggests, we should be on our way before the rains return."
As Kaven reaches his hand out Sunday stares at it as the man pats his shoulder. Once he's done Sunday reaches up and swipes at his shoulder. Turning his stare back on the man he asks "So just as simple as that you're over your lady friend who hasn't heard from you in... how long?"
Kaven shrugs, "I'm not over her, it's just that I more clearly understand now where my priorities lay. You are right, vengeance must be extracted for what has been done. The Fort needs to be taken care of first and then I can spend some time of my own with her."
"Okay." Sunday replies flatly while holding his stare.