Frjya looked to her twin and sighed. "I cannot even be upset with her thinking that because I know witches who do that." She said with a shake of her head. Then she looked back to the new arrivals. "I am not like the witches if Irrisen you know. To them I am such a disappointment. Unlike most of my kin the murder and harm of the innocent does not please me. I come here to find help, to free Irrisen from the cold hands of my mother."
Free Irrisen from the cold hands of your mother? Now that sounds interesting. Certainly you would not profit from a change in power there, would you?
Satu cocks her head.
What kind of help are you searching exactly? Maybe when we get to know each other a bit better, i might find you likeable enough to decide you would be a good ruler. I don't think we bring so much to the table in overthrowing the witch queen right now though. Long way to go there i guess. Tell us, what is on your mind? And what is your relation to those bandits?
"If you are asking if I wish to be Irrisen's Queen I will not lie, yes. I watch as my sibling torment and torture the people who're are the blood of Irrisen. I see the fear in the eyes of mothers and fathers as they cling their children close hoping they won't be ripped away. I do what little I can but it is never enough. For every one I protect more suffer.... and do not think it had gone unnoticed. Even I have suffered at the hands of my own kin and for all the pain it brought I knew it was a mercy! Because I knew it was not the worst she could do." Fryja spoke as she stepped foreword.
"You ask what help I search for? To start help finding a woman who was taken. Return her to her people. If you wish to continue from there, then we may speak more." She answered.
"Who is this wom..." Nox stops mid-sentence. She casts her eyes around to the ground, the trees, the lodge. "Wait. Is this wintery interlude your fault? My apologies. Fault may not be the kindest word. But is this snow a 'gift' from your family? A show of their displeasure?"
"If by gift you mean their way of... expanding." Frjya said with a shrug. "I wouldn't claim it as my own, for this is not within my power, but I know where it is from." She stated as she looked to her twin. "For it is a place from which we have fled."
Lanyssa has heard the word "witch" in five minutes more than in her entire time with her mistress, during her training.
"So... when we finish the talking, shall we go there and finish our business with the bandits?"
I'm all for it. Afterwards we can still sort things out and see how much flesh is at the bone of this story. Strange things are going on...
Freyr meets his twin's gaze and nods slowly. He doesn't share his sister's immediate trust of these strangers, but there's little point in fighting over something trivial. "Our recent history is more complicated that I'm comfortable speaking of here. For now, the important part is that a woman of noble birth from the local area has been taken hostage and we're here to take her safely back to Heldren. If we can leverage their leader's connection to our family, then there is no reason not to take advantage."
"Well, then. Let us deal with this bandit issue, shall we." She inclines her head and makes a sweeping gesture before the jadwiga with her arm, which is mirrored by her cloak. "By your leave, royalty first," she says with a slight smirk.
As a conversation plays out the three remaining bandits see more and more confused by what's going on, but at the mention of the noble they all reach for their weapons.
"Alright what's going on out here?" a voice calls out as the lodge door opens. Two men step out of the door when it's clearly the bandit from before, while the other appears to be someone more akin to a well off commenter for a merchant. The man has unkept black hair and appears to be somewhere near his thirties, wearing several layers of clothing fit for the unusual weather.
He surveys all of the visible members of each group before letting out a low whistle, "Quite the large entourage here," the man says as he locks his eyes on Frjya, "then again if you're really a princess I suppose that's rather reasonable. Of course that raises the question, how do I know you are an Irrisen princess?"
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Frjya gave the man a rather annoyed look, yet it was gone quickly as she remembered she was no longer in Irrisen. "Some times I forget I'm no longer in Irrisen." She commented as she held out her right hand. Upon her middle finger was the signet ring of the Elvanna royal family. "I am Frjya Elvanna, youngest daughter of Queen Elvanna, 14th Queen of Irrisen and daughter of Baba Yaga. You are?"
Nox sighs inwardly. Why don't you just wear a hat that says 'Kidnap me. I might be worth ransom.' Here, look at my ring that's worth a fortune.
The man's eyes squint as he looks at the signet ring before putting his left hand behind his back and his right over his heart and gives a short bow, "I am Rohkar Cindren the leader of the Rohkar Raiders. I'm sorry to say I was not informed of your arrival, either there's another band of brigands in these woods that I do not know of or your servants failed to inform me of your arrival."
"Um, sir," one of the bandits speaks up. "Some of them are here to kill us!"
"And?" Rohkar asks. "From what I can see they're over there and we're over here, and I didn't hear arguing when I was coming out here. It looks to me as if we start a fight with some of them then we'll start a fight with all of them. And even if we do kill them it will be you explaining to Teb why one of his princesses is a corpse."
This becomes more and more interesting. Who is Tebow? And why does the princess here belong to him? And what makes you think she would be the corpse?
Frjya smiled a bit at Satu's last question. "I like her." She told her brother before she turned her attention to Rohkar. "My outting was not overly planned. I told few believing my lack of presence would go unnoticed till I returned... it seems I was incorrect on that, something that is rare, and now all of the tower know I'm missing." Fryja sighed. "So much for a calm get away... Also I will point out that if I where to die it wouldn't just be Teb you deal with. We winter witch's tend to... Well have you ever heard the story of Queen Morganna?" Fryja asked the bandit that spoke, though she figured they hadn't and continued. "Just one of her daughters was murdered by her elder sister's kin, she eradicated all who came from her sister's line as punishment. That was to her own kin. Now keeping that in mind what do you think my mother would do if she found you harmed me?" Fryja asked.
Lanyssa witnesses silently the cock length contest.
"There's no need for you to mock my men, none of us are form Irrisen, and I've only been learning out of a necessity practicality"The identified bandit leader says. "As for Teb, he's a troll who came with this," he pauses for a moment, "delightful snow and is the leader of the creatures that came with it."
Rohkar looks at Satu, smirking. "As for that thinly veiled threat, it was as effective as you bringing my corpse to Teb would be. He would not care if any of us were to die, but a daughter of the Irrisen Queen? That would certainly sour his mood."
"More than you know I'm sure." Frjya said with a small sigh. "I am not mocking them Rohkar. One should be aware what they are up against no?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow. "Now, are we all going to stand out here or shall we go inside and talk? This type of weather means little to me, but for others here I believe they would like warmer surroundings." Frjya said with a small shrug. "Because there is much to talk about Rohkar. You've something I want so I am trying to be patient, and diplomatic."
A troll?! How delightful. "I'll vote for a warm room with a nice fire to continue discussions." Better have a nice fire with a damn troll nearby.
Zeylud listened in and found this to be....not what he was expecting. Still it wasn't a bright idea to reveal himself if he could help it. He proceeded to begin carefully maneuvering himself through the snow and brush to try and find a way to look into the building for the time being and help in his own way.
Satu looks around between her companions - who where out here like she to get those bandits - the Irriseni princess and Rohkar, barely able to hide the surprise on her face and uncertain wether she liked the development or not.
Sharing a table with bandits who work for a troll? This is new to me. I hope you have some good mead!
On the way in she touches Nox arm, whispering What about the reason we are here in the first place?
"Caution sister. I have no doubt that he's got something ready if we try to move against him." Freyr maintains a wary look, watching the bandit chief for any sighs of hostility.
Nox shrugs, whispering back, "I suppose we'll burn that bridge when we get to it. Call it 'information gathering.' And don't let down your guard. I'm hoping our concealed friend will be ready when we need him."
"Alright come with me, but you're going to have to choose between a fire or a seat." Rohkar turns to leave but stops and looks at one of the bandits. "What were you doing out here?"
"To let nature take care of what nature intended," He replies hooking an eyebrow at him and a thumb at the eastern woods.
"I am trusting you to be my eyes brother, let me know when you believe he is being dishonest or possibly going to attack." Frjya requested of her brother as she waited for Rohkar to lead then in.
Following Rohkar leads to a large porch with a wooden roof. Double doors provide access to the lodge itself. Two small glass windows are set in the walls to either side of the doors. Inside is a hunter's trophy room. A bearskin rug dominates the floor of this trophy room, and the heads of several deer have been mounted on the walls. Doors lead north and south, while two hallways go farther east.
Going through the eastern hallways leads to a gathering hall that clearly dominates the most in the lodge. A large table and two benches run the length of this hall, and a twenty-foot-high vaulted ceiling rises into the rafters overhead. To the west, a roaring fireplace provides a welcome heat and light while to the south, a flight of stairs ascends to a wooden balcony overlooking the room, with a single door underneath. A set of barred up double doors stands in the wall to the east. Rohkar leans against the northernmost wall next to the fireplace and says, "Take a seat wherever you like."
"As always sister. I am your humble guardian." Freyr remains just behind his sister as they head inside, an appropriate place for a bodyguard to watch over his charge. Rather than take a seat, he elects to stand near her, ready to act in case the bandits elect to end peaceful negotiations.
[i]I have to admit, they are much more polite than I expected.[i] Nox isn't really that cold, but it is nice to have a bit of warmth. She sticks close to Satu as they walk in, unsure of what to expect. The hem of her dress reaches forward and grabs the leg of one of the benches, pulling it out slightly, allowing her to sit.
Satu eyes everything critically, but follows along.
Nice cabin in the woods you have here. Surely you made all the stuff yourselves.
Zeylud attempts to find an advantage to see in but only sees the Bandit debating which tree is the best to piss on.
He sighs a bit, he honestly wishes at these times he was a stronger rat.
Fryja remains close to her brother as the enter the lodge. When offered a seat she does take one, ensuring she is in good earshot of their host while giving enough room for her brother to jump in the way should combat break out.
Lanyssa enters the lodge but is still wary of the situation. "Were it a trap, they'd have us where they wanted."
"Yes," Rohkar says to Satu, Not even trying to pretend that he isn't lying. "It was difficult to work getting that "old and used" quality in the design but luckily me and my boys are all experienced carpenters."
"But as much as I would love to talk about the hard work and dedication that we put into this place I don't think now is the appropriate time," he says turning his gaze to Fryja. "You said I have something you want but I have no idea what it is or what makes you so sure that I even have it."
Freyr, the bear rug in the trophy room, I believe there maybe something under it.
"Tell me something first Rohkar, are you and your men the only bandits active in the area?" Frjya asked as looked the area over once more. "I figure you would be, at least this close."
Satu walks over to the bear in question as if to admire it, admiring another one on the way.
What fine specimen. Must have been grandious hunts!
Once there she takes a look if she can see what might be underneath without moving it. Given she can't, she watches for an opportune moment when nobody would notice, to take a glimpse.
Freyr's eyes dart to the side at his sister's warning, but he keeps his mouth shut for the moment. "Good eyes sister. I'll keep that in mind." He stays quiet during the discussion as well, relying on Fryja's silver tongue. She was always the diplomatic one anyway.
Lanyssa puts aside all kinds of diplomacy - her life and that of the others could be in real danger.
"Hey. What's wrong with that rug? Are you trying to cheat on us?"
Rohkar arches an eyebrow at Lanyssa, "What do you mean by cheat on you? I don't have any bear meat if that's what you're asking. Rohkar says to the half-orc. "Nevermind, I doubt it really matters. As for your question princess, yes we are the bandits active in this area. But that doesn't answer my question because I'm quite certain I've never stolen anything from Irrisen nobility."
Frjya gave a small laugh as she shook her head. "I did not say you took anything from me. This would be different if you had. No I said you have something I want and your statement that you are indeed the only bandits in the area confirms it." Frjya told him simply. "There is a noble, a Lady Argentea, that your bandits took. I know it was you who attacked her carriage, for you are the only bandits in the area. Since we did not find her body one can logically believe she is in your care... if it could be called such." Fryja said rather swiftly. "I want her released into my custody."
Zeylud at least heard what the others were saying and inched his way towards the windows to see what he might see of this bear skinned rug and tried to see if he might be able to slip in with none the wiser.
"Oh yes her," Rohkar says, looking Frjya straight in the eyes. "Of course she's all yours. I don't know what those servants of yours want with her though."
As he says that a well-armed half-orc woman carrying a tray with five bowls of what smells like some sort of soup walks into the room. "Ah Ten-Penny, I don't suppose we have enough extra soup for unexpected guests? And if we do that you would be willing to serve them?"
The half-orc scowls at him. "I have a better idea why don't you help me feed our sick."
Freyr raises an eyebrow. "Troubles with your men?" he asks evenly.
"Your sick?" Nox asks.
"I have some knowledge of healing, if needed." She's not sure if she would actually help these bandits, but if they have some sort of plague, it would be important to know that. It might also make them easier to deal with.
Zeylud raises a brow upon seeing the Half-Orc bringing...he can only assume Poison for the group of idiots who let themselves be known and surrounded. He did not like the idea of jumping to conclusions and so, he bites the tip of his finger and quietly speaks a few quiet words to cast Detect poison on the soup!