It takes Freyr a moment to puzzle out the dark elf's words. "Common's not her first language I suppose." He nods. "Well, he said they were overwhelmed by fey during the bandit attack. Unless they happened to be attacked by two overwhelming forces at once, I have to assume they're working together. And the Winter Witches have been allied with the trolls and cold fey since the days of Baba Yaga. If there's a Winter Witch causing trouble, you can almost guarantee that she'll have at least a few fey as back-up."
Hendra nods at Freyr's explanation. "Make sense. Strange that witch have bandit underlings, not impossible. Awkward position placed in, contract not yet finalized. Authority to operate, not granted currently."
For the first time since arriving, the drow woman seems genuinely troubled. "I can't sit here waiting if my target is involved, especially if others are planning on going out to deal with it. But I also have no assurances yet that my fee will be paid, and coming back with nothing for work performed will probably earn me cavern guard duty for the rest of my natural days."
Seeming to come to a decision, she turns to one of the local patrons.
"You. Make self useful, fetch Councilor Teppin. Other councilors additionally, if available. Must be notified of bandits, fey, in area." As if to reinforce the idea that this is not some idle suggestion, Hendra rests her hands upon her scythe as she speaks.
Lurruk was more interested in turning away from Hendra than whatever Lanyssa had to say, so he responds quickly when the wounded man enters and gives him a new distraction. Not as quickly as Grey as she has already patched him up before Lurruk can even see what his wounds are.
Then he pitches in, "Fey as well? This winter witchery sounds more and more fascinating. I would rather like to meet this individual."
Hendra gives a scoffing laugh at Lurruk's comments.
"By all mean. Could use distraction for when face. Winter witch have two things known, even to my House. First: control weather, emphasis cold and snow. Second: unforgiving of outsiders and subjugate of those viewed lesser. You may be free, half breed, but in true Winter Witch eyes lesser. So please, go meet. Will be several steps behind. Complete contract over your corpse. Perhaps take bird as memento."
Lanyssa smiles slightly at the misinterpretation of the word 'meet' by the drow, and walks to the man, checking he's alright. He turns to the bar tender. "Hey, do you have anything to wake him up? We need to interrogate this man." Then to the rest "He has to tell us where the attack happened in case we want to investigate. Well, at least I want to investigate. And it must be done before the snow wipes out all the tracks."
When the drow tells the guy to fetch the Councilor, she nods. "Yes, good idea."
Lurruk rolls his eyes. "Sure, whatever you say. If you wish to hide behind me to complete your contract, you are welcome to. And good luck catching my little Beauty without her tearing those appalling eyeballs from your head."
Hendra gives Lurruk a sickening grin as she suddenly pulls her hand crossbow out from hiding, sliding a bolt from her wrist sleeve. Pointing the unloaded crossbow at the bird while holding the bolt in her other hand (pointed toward the roof in an evident gesture that she does not intend to load it) she locks eyes with the man.
"Did not say 'take alive'. Said 'take'. Like my eyes in my head. Threaten loss with bird, will have bird as mantelpiece."
Lowering the crossbow, she places it back inside her clothing from whence it came, only then replacing the bolt in her sleeve.
"Now we understand each other, understand have no use for bird's blood, your blood, unless contract says otherwise. Current tentative contract says no harm to villagers, no harm to village, if problems with either refer to Teppin. Teppin coming. If have problem with me or if behind snow, suggest admit to her when arrive."
"Oh dear..." Frjya mutter as Lurruk and Hendra. She quickly moved to their side, her voice calm and soft as she began to speak. "It may be beneficial if we start fighting among ourselves. After all Hendra the contract you've spoken of may have nothing to do with Lurruk at all, so attacking him may anger the town no?" She tried to appeal to the contract that the woman had said was so important.
Then she looked to Lurruk. "Let us not be hasty, we're all from different cultures here. I doubt Hendra really wishes to harm you, or Beauty for that matter. So may we just take all she says with a bit of salt yes?" She asked.
The drow woman looks at Frjya.
"Contract not final. Part of headache." Looking back at Lurruk, she narrows her eyes. "Contract to investigate snows, find cause, eliminate. Presumed cause 'Winter Witch', outsider." She looks back at Frjya as she continues. "Free to deal with outsider involvement as see fit, only stipulation that strange weather cease. Town citizens allowed question, exception if involved with cause of snows directly."
Picking up her scythe from the bar, she spends a moment examining Frjya more closely.
"By brother admission, not native. Need to know, are either involved with snows in any capacity?"
Grievous hears the words "Winter Witch" and "Cause" and smiles. Oh! Surely I can come along! I want to get my hands on any trinkets the witch may have, i care little for the witch herself, go ahead and kill the Cur, I just want some loot!"
Freyr clearly doesn't like the way the drow is eyeing his sister. His hand wraps around the hilt of his blade. "We're not responsible, but I think I know who is. Our cousin Nazhena has been working on a project for the queen. I don't know all the details, but her project made a sort of gate that can carry Irrisen's climate to the other side. It also made a convenient escape route when we left, but we didn't want or cause it." He glares at the drow. "Now step back before something regrettable happens."
As Freyr speaks Hendra keeps her eyes on Frjya, checking for any twinges of guilt, any spasms indicating reaction to falsehood. When he is finished, she coolly looks at him. "Step back where, am same bar spot as before. Oh, must be talking to sister." Addressing Frjya once more, she asks, "Nice story, is true? Or did brother leave out anything... pertinent," she asks her, her posture neither threatening nor relaxed.
There is enough blood already on the floor of this fine establishment. If you all plan to kill each other please take it outside into the street.
In the meantime, there may be innocent people dying out there in the forest.
You two say you know where this ambush may have happened? Let us organize a party to go out there and see how we can help.
If you don't want to be part of this party, then fine, but please do not get in the way of those of us who want to help.
"Well only in the fact that Nazhena isn't our cousin, but our great-niece. Or is is great great-niece? One of those two." Fryja said.
"Let us ensure that this man is okay, or at least in good hands. Then Freyr and I can take you to the site." Fryja said with a nod.
"Considering that I think she's actually older than us, calling her our niece is always odd." He sighs. "But yes, I believe we can point you in the right direction. Though let's wait and see if the man recovers enough to fill in the details. I'd like to know how many minions Nazhena has lurking around before rushing in."
Hendra shrugs, seeming to drop interest in Frjya for the time being. "Have no problem accompanying, just need speak with Councilor first. Good idea anyway, invasion force worth sharing prior to attempt to deal with."
She turns to Grey and adds, "Doubt payment for services collectable if town annihilated by second wave. Or scout force."
Lurruk has dealt with his share of cold-blooded killers but this drow really takes the cake. Threatening that sweet young thing with a scythe was uncalled for! Lurruk feels respect for her brother stepping in and defusing the situation.
"Yes, Grey is right. Of course there is no need to kill each other here over... what exactly? Some miscommunication, that's all. Let's get what information we can from this man and go find the true source of the snow."
The hobgoblin in the room snorts. I havent had fun in a long time! Surely taking out some petty bandits isn't gonna be a problem? I want to come along, after all when does a chance like this ever come along?
"So, all of these people are going to work together? I can't believe it..."
Lanyssa's thoughts impede her from taking action. "Sure, some of them have... mundane motives, but still... this is something amazing. But for now, let's take care of first things first."
Taking her weapon, she walks to the door. "Okay, then, let's go before the snow covers everything. Shall we?"
Heldren - the Silver Stoat
The man at the bar Lance walks over to the man as Grey heals and inspects him. As Hendra snaps her orders the man grimaces at her, "Aye, I'll get her but cause it the right thing to do not cause you said so, Drow".
The Tavern owner Menander speaks up in answer to Faethera's question, "Aye, I recognize him. His name is Yuln, he is a bodyguard for the Lady Argentea Malassene, she just left town a few hours ago after a brief stay".
Kale, the Innkeeper's wife, chimes in "We should bring him to Tessaraea Willowbark the Apothecary. It looks like he will need more help then Grey has given him so far".
As Menander comes around the bar to assist with the man's unconscious form, Councilor Teppen arrives, "Is he awake yet?" she asks. As she steps inside she grimaces seeing Yuln still out cold. The Councilor looks around the room, "Many strangers here today... Ah Hendra please share your thoughts, could this attack have something to do with our winter woes? Lance is rounding up the other Councilors".
"Right, you and you," Faethara says, pointing to two of the local patrons, "Get this man to the Apothecary, and warn her she may have more patients before the day is out." She turns to the other strangers. "I will be joining you in investigating. This has gone from a magical curiosity to a possible danger to the people of this town."
Fryja looked to Freyr as she remembered the sounds of fighting while they ran. "It was them... we left them to die Freyr..." She crossed her arms, holding her shoulders as she looked down at the poor man.
Snowtear rubbed against her leg softly to try and calm her mistress down.
"We would have died if we hadn't," he replies silently. "Your life is worth more than a stranger's." However, he does walk over to the man and hoist him up. "I'll carry him. It will be faster and we need to hear what he has to say before we head out anyway. Where's the apothecary?"
At Teppin's questions, she nods.
"Yes, two related. Part of reason sent for. Per man's last words, attacked by bandits and fey. Some Lady he guard, Malassene, taken. Not sure 'taken' means here alive or dead, assume alive at time of take. Twins," she points to the Elvanna siblings, "from Irrisen. Used portal to arrive, portal causes snows." Holding up her hand before Teppin, or the twins, can protest innocence or accuse guilt, she adds, "Portal magic not their doing, just use as escape route. Seeking asylum from family, not target from estimation. Recommend grant in exchange for showing portal site. Need contract negotiation concluded earlier than anticipated, apologies on accelerated time table."
Heldren - the Silver Stoat
The Tavern owner Menander looks at Faethara, "It seems that yon stranger will bring the man to be healed. If you are willing to help us I can provide you all free rooms and meals. Is it wise to head out now or does not waiting until the morning make more sense?"
The Councilor looks at the body of the injured man as Freyr picks him up and she turns back to Hendra, "Very well. Come and we shall finalize our contract, the rest of the Council will simply need to accept what I decide as it is now clear that snow is the last thing we need worry about".
Kale places her hand on Freyr's arm, "Come, I will lead you to the Apothecary".
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Hendra nods at the Councilwoman, rising. "Wise. Also recommend prepare town defenses. Bandits problematic, fey more so. No sense have me solve witch problem, come back to bandit infestation."
Hendra gives the woman a sympathetic smile as she draws her scarf back up over her face, followed shortly by her hood. She indicates that she is ready to follow her to the rest of the council with a brief nod. Turning back to the other patrons of the bar, she inclines her head again.
"Perhaps see rest of you out in field. Perhaps not. Either way, advise caution. Take for what is worth."
If we want to find out what happened and save any wounded, we should head out now. Time is not a friend to a badly wounded man. Nor to a tracker.
To the last words of Grey, Lanyssa nods. "I agree to that. Let me go fetch my things." Thenshe hurries upstairs to her room and brings her backpack, ready to go on the hunt.
"As you say, time is of the essence," Faethara says, already ready to head out to look for the site of this attack.
Fryja followed closely behind her brother. She seemed worried about leaving his side.
"I have no doubt that the drow will meet us again before long," Freyr says. He just hopes that she's less... whatever that was. And that she didn't start giving his sister strange looks again. It wouldn't leave a good impression if he got into a brawl with someone in the employ of the town. "Let's get this man to the apothecary and hope that she can help him recover enough to wake up. The sooner we know if we can question him or not, the sooner we can get moving." He hefts the warrior in his arms and carries him off toward the healer's shop, presumably with whoever feels like coming in tow.
Lurruk is torn between tending to the wounded man and hurrying to the ambush spot, but he is fine with either option considering neither includes Hendra. "Let me give you a hand with him." The half-orc grabs the warrior's feet to assist Freyr.
Town Hall - Hendra
Councilor Teppen hastily draws up the contract for Hendra to sign. For 1,000 GP with 100 up front she will, by any means necessary, end the threat posed by the snows of summer and the cold fey that plague Heldren. However, as it is clear none of the townsfolk are involved, none should be harmed as a direct action of Hendra.
"Is this contract sufficient for your purposes?" Councilor Teppen asks.
Willowbark Apothecary - Lurruk, Freyr & Frjya Elvanna
Lurruk and Freyr allow Kale to lead them to the apothecary. Tessaraea
Willowbark, a middle aged elven woman exclaims as the door opens, "Oh dear what happened to him!?"
As the tale is relayed to her by Kale, Tessaraea brings you all to a room next to the shop where a few cots are located. She spends about thirty tense minutes treating him until he comes to.
"Whaa... where am I?"
The South Road - Grey, Faethara, Grievous, and Lanyssa
Each of you gathers your belongings and follow Grey to her home where she plucks a few things off of her shelves. The small band heads south towards the site where the ambush took place. Approximately an hour into the walk you pass by a fair sized copse of trees, not quite a forest but enough trees to certainly hide in. None of you see any snow as of yet.
"From what we got before he passed out, a bandit attack on the road, along with fey magic. And it looks like he's been exposed to the cold as well." He stays out of the way while the healer works, not wanting to cause her trouble while she's treating the man. "You're at the town apothecary," he says when the warrior finally wakes. "You were lucky to make it this far in your condition."
Hendra scans the contract, then quickly (and in surprisingly clear common, considering how she speaks) pens in the following addendums:
"Furthermore, as previously agreed to, agents of House Krammier are guaranteed a period of no less than five years of safe passage through the township of Heldren and its surrounding lands. Such period shall begin upon the successful conclusion of the snows of summer contract. Agents, in turn, will respect the laws of Heldren while passing through and render what assistance is practical to the township if circumstances arise requiring it. Compensation for such aid shall be retroactively paid to the passing agent by the town council in proportion to the level of assistance provided."
"Citizens of Heldren that actively attempt to attack Hendra Krammier may be fought in self defense. Every attempt must be given for said citizens to surrender, and every possible effort must be made to take such citizens alive so as they may stand trial in accordance with local laws for their crimes."
Showing the two addendums to Teppen, Hendra smiles under her scarf.
"Not anticipating trouble, except maybe from half orc with bird. Best to cover possibility prior to happen. Other addendum ensure House member passage to other lands, other contracts. Benefit to town if happen to be here in bandit raid. Compelled to assist, just ask."
Signing her name to the contract, she passes the from to her to sign in turn.
Grey continues on, hurrying to try to get to any wounded before they succumb.
Lanyssa follows Grey or whoever knows where they're headed, having close looks to the snow in case she spots any kind of trail.
Faethara feels a shiver down her spine. She slows her pace and visually scans the copse of trees. She puts a hand up to the others. "I think there is something there," she says quietly.
Lurruk can't wait. As soon as Freyr finishes speaking, the half-or cuts in: "Was it a white witch out there? Who ambushed you? What happened? Where is the snow?" Beauty alights on his shoulder and nips his ear. The pain and blood snaps Lurruk back to his senses. He releases the warrior's sleeve and coughs. "Sorry about that, my good fellow. But seriously, white witch?"
The hobgoblin carries most of her suplies, as she walks she smokes a pipe...
As she does, she looks to the forest, squinting. "hmm... bad feelings..." she grows wary, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.
"Are you the only one who made it here? Are there others still out there?" Fryja asked the man as he came around.
Town Hall - Hendra
Councilor Teppen reviews the addendums and initials both new paragraphs to signal her reading of and agreement to, these conditions.
She hands Hendra a small sack of coin, "Here is the 200 up front and the rest when the mission is completed. I believe many of those at the Tavern have gone to the Willowbark Apothecary, while others have already taken off towards the scene of the battle. I hope that these people will be an aid and not a hindrance to your work. Be safe and may Desna guide and protect you".
The South Road -
As the group slows down, Faethara is sure she saw some movement in the trees. Whatever it is, it does not leave the trees to approach, if it was anything at all.
Willowbark Apothecary -
Yuln blinks at the series of questions he is asked and gingerly sits up with Tessaraea's aid.
" Initially, we thought they were just bandits, outlaws who hide like wolves in the forest. They were no match for us. But then came the cold fey of the north. They appeared among us and the battle turned quickly. My people speak of the winter-touched all the time, but I never expected to meet them this far south.
Aye, there was snow, its presence is what distracted us at first from the ambush.
I saw no witch.
As far as I know, I am the only guard who made it away. Lady Argentea I believe was taken into the snowy forest to where and why I know not.
Will you search for her even though you know her not even in the face of such dangers?"
Hendra nods. "That would be nice. Heading to Willowbark now. Survivor may know something, twins may be useful guide." So saying, she inclines her head and picks up the bag of coins. Satisfied with its weight, she places it within her clothing and sets off for the apothecary.
Hendra listens quietly to the man's responses, reasoning backwards to the questions asked.
"Great, the half orc had to come here instead of marching to his death... ah well, perhaps I can make use of him."
"You say that bandits hit first, fey after. Did surviving bandits flee with fey or were attacked, same as you?"
Lurruk groans when the drow enters the apothecary shop but keeps his focus on the wounded warrior. "How will we know her if we find her? And why would she trust us? Do you use a signal or something?"
Lanyssa would have preferred to just go on and keep an eye on whoever, seeking a better time to surprise him/her, but now that they've made clear they know someone's there there's no need for pretending.
Planting herself in the middle of the road, she claims "You better come out here in the open, sneaking on people is no sign of good faith!"