Sebastian smiles warmly at his friend. "Do not worry brother. I assure you I gave as good as I got! It was a most informative scuffle. I now know not to bother trying to trip up a Dwarven werewolf!"
He laughs long and loud.
Caradwen joins in as Sebastian laughs, still staring at Morbar - "Master Dwinhak's fate is not to fall at the hands of poison" - then takes the dwarf's strong hand in hers, whispering - "I knew you would be fine"
Markus heals up the others, unsure of what to say but just getting done what needs to be done.
Then turning for the door. "I'm going to get cleaned up." In his room he washes himself of all the nights activities. A sinking feeling hits him, for a second hes almost lost to it as he slowly takes deep breaths. I was willing to watch him die... He sinks to the floor brings his knees to his chest. We couldnt wait around he had to go through that. He had to. He starts to cry as he grabs at his holy symbol. "Emily... Kendra. I'll do anything to get you back, but will i be the same man you knew at the end of it." After a few minutes he pulls himself together pushing down all this doubt and feelings, he stands and methodically begins to get dressed and pack his bag ready to meet up with the others.
The monk turns to Jon. "I do not believe we have to leave now. I think we evaded the Watch but we have to speak to the Inn keeper to see if we can calm him down."
He ventures downstairs to the common room to find it in disarray. The serving girl is weeping in the corner and the Inn keeper stands behind the bar with a large cudgel in his hand. Sebastian approaches him calmly and spreads his hands.
"Sir, I apologise for the disturbance earlier. It seems a wild beast got in here and was about to attack the girl there. It was lucky we were here. We pursued and cornered it. Rest assured it will not return. Have you called the watch? I do not recommend it, the poor girl there must be exhausted after her ordeal. Do you want her kept up all night being interrogated by them? The poor thing needs her rest far more than being harrased by officious thugs with badges!"
He pauses then adds. ”Besides they would likely keep you closed until they had completed their investigations and that cannot be good for business. There is a lot of cleaning up to do here. My companions and I would happily help clean this place up so you can open in the morning and we will pay for any damage caused by the beast."
Diplomacy
He turns to the girl and gently takes her hand. ”My child, worry not, he beast is gone. You are safe. In give you my word as a Member of the Order of the Unblinking Flame."
True to his word, Sebastian sets to tidying up the mess in the common room. He rights overturned chairs and tables, sweeps up broken crockery and neats piles any broken tables and chairs outside in the rear yard of the inn for repair or burning. After an hour or ao the common room is looking more like an inn. Eventually the monk returns to the rooms and speaks with the others.
"I persuaded the Inn keeper not to involve the watch. He was grateful for us chasing tje wolf away but I think we should still pay a little extra when we leave to cover any damaged furniture. Anyway, some of us still have business in town tomorrow so I say we get some rest dueing what is left of the night, rise late and collect whatever we need to on the way out of town. We will probabky lose most of the morning but I think we all need as close to a full night's rest as possible. Morbar more than the rest of us."
He yawns then rubs his eyes. "Anyway, I am for bed. Sifu said get your rest when you can and at this moment in time that seems like the most profound wisdom."
He strides from the room and turns in. He is asleep almost as soon as he wraps up in his bedroll and blanket on the floor of the room.
@sebastian
I'm not so sure , the inn keeper has probably called for the watch already.
I'll get dressed while you speak to him and I'll meet you downstairs Jon says, and a few minutes later whilst entering the common room he can see Seb approaching him and Jon smiles in relief at the news.
you must have a silver tongue in that head of yours seb he says and they make their way back upstairs.
"Typical dwarven stubborness, too stubborn to die" Davos says with a smile on his face
Looking at Jon and Seb as they return from downstairs "So all is safe then for us to rest here for the evening, that's good to hear" Davos says as he returns to his room for the night
Stepping out dressed, he listens to Sebastian as he tell how to speak to the inn keep knowing they now stay the night he turns around and head back to bed. Too my dream, i will seek answers there."
Morbar is stunned to silence by his companions kindness he just smiles ta them all "Even after I tried to rip them all apart and said those terrible things they still treat me as a companion" realising smiling silently for so long is starting to make him seem like a simpleton he speaks up "So" a weird squeaky noise comes out as he clears his throat "So what do we do next do we explain what happened to the watch or just leave town? Do you all want to set out tonight?"
Returning to the room Jon makes his way over to Morbar.
yes Davos, Seb has squared things with the inn keeper, we don't have to leave tonight.Jon says you are looking better Morbar. How are you feeling? Jon asks somewhat awkwardly as he looks at his ravaged appearance, hair mostly burned off.
I am sorry about what happened, I came so close to killing you my friend....shit what a night it's been. It's times like these that I hate being an alcholic , I could really use a drink right now! he says wearily as he sits next to Morbar.
I don't know how safe we are Davos, what if another one of us turns? Morbar had the ward on him and he still got infected, what about the rest of us? I never got bitten but some of you guys did. Where is Markus? Maybe he has some way to detect the affliction. Jon says as he rubs his temples, a dull headache starting to pound just behind his eyes.
Jon sits for a while lost in his own thoughts , it's clear Markus and Davos have retired for the night and the others don't seem worried about anyone else becoming a werewolf.
Rising he puts his hand on Morbars shoulder and says
get some rest if you can, I don't think I'll sleep this night. I'm going to head downstairs and see if I can rustle up some coffee. I'll see you all in the morning Jon says wearily and he heads downstairs.
Seeing the innkeeper again Jon offers his help and begins to clean up the broken furniture, straightening the tables and chairs and sweeping up the broken glasses that litter the common room.
Once the place is straightened out it is very late and Jon asks the inn keepers permission to use his stove and brew some coffee , the urge to sink into a bottle of red wine is so strong he needs something to take his mind off it.
Jon sits in a comfortable horsehair hide chair and sips his coffee, the rest if the night passes slowly and he replays the night over and over in his mind and wonders if there was a way he could have known it was Morbar, he should have known.
that witch was right wasn't she, one of us did betray us and both times it was Morbar though it wasn't his fault. Was she right about the rest? Who's going to be the one to die? Morbar came bloody close. We can't lose anyone! We won't! he thinks to himself and the only answers come from his own spirits that giggle and mock him through the long night.
Just before dawn he dozes briefly and sleeps for maybe an hour before the in keep rouses him.
Jon rises groggily and makes his way up to his room, washing himself and donning fresh clothes he draws on his powers and restores himself, as his power floods his body his headache and fatigue drain away as if he had slept all night.
Feeling much better he makes his way downstairs and suddenly famished, he orders a large breakfast. And waits for the others to surface.
|
After a solemn breakfast the party gathers their things and the last of their purchases before saddling up and beginning the trek to Feldgrau.
The events of the previous night weigh heavy on their mind, particularly Jon and Markus who, though they don't know it, deal with the near loss of one of their friends in a similar, quiet way. It also hasn't escaped the party that if nothing else, the events have yet delayed them further in their ultimate pursuit of Vrood. Before embarking to Ardis they knew Feldgrau was his destination, and are left hoping that is still the case else the trail run cold.
The day is cold, the bleak autumn colds are rolling in and bring with them a grey drizzle that quickly soaks you to the skin. Despite this you know you have a long journey ahead to the village and press on with only a single stop for a cold lunch of dried fruits and even drier meat.
The rest of the day continues in the same way, conversation as sparse as the plains you now travel in. This region of Lozerai is marked by long tracks of uninhabited plains that lead to hour upon hour of dreary travel.
Eventually, having seen no sign of habitation for miles around, you set up camp beside the road and try to light a fire in the dismal conditions. However, without dry firewood, it proves a long and frustrating task without success.
---------------
During his watch, Jon reminds himself to cast a light every hour. With the overcast conditions and the persistent rain, his night vision is even more reduced than usual.
Muttering curses to himself, he buttons his coat up tight against the chill. Every time he reaches the top however, he finds that the mischievous spirits that haunt him have undone the bottom ones and he has to start again. He continues with this for a few minutes before giving up, their sounds of tittering laughter in his ears.
Then, he notices a light near by, some hundred yards away. It is a torch, and illuminates a group of about 8 or 10 men and women, it's difficult to tell for certain. He wonders how the men managed to navigate in the dark to be able to approach so close before lighting their torch and as he does so a loud and clear voice calls out;
Ho, the camp! Friends approach!
As they get closer you see that there are in fact ten men and women. All are armed and armored in a variety of styles. They seem no strangers to battle. The one who steps forward furthest, and by that you take to the leader, is a man of average height that you would place at around 30 years old. He is dressed in studded leather armor over which he wears a woollen greatcoat of grey wool and a wide-brimmed hat. A colourful, Varisian-style, scarf can be seen poking out over the collar. A rapier and dagger hang at his belt.
Markus steps out of his tent in to te rain, he already felt cold now it just got worse. He sees the armoured men and women, and makes sure to step up to introduce the group. "Hello to you, I'm Markus Valon and these are my traveling companions. How can we help you?" He shouts over the rain as he try's his best to cover up.
Woken by the call, Sebastian rolls out of his blanket and stands in one smooth motion. He quickly takes stock of the situation and moves lithely forward to stand near Jon. "Who are these travellers Jon? Did you see where that came from?"
He speaks under his breath, loud enough for Jon to hear but not their visitors. He gazes into the darkness, squinting against the driving wind and rain. His keen eyes study the group, taking in their arms and armour he looks for any hint of aggression, the subtle tells easily missed like a lip being chewed, eyes shifting, fists clenching and unclenching or one of a thousand similar signs of stress.
Sense motive
Caradwen wakes to the shout, and standing up immediately reaches for her bow, smiling for a split second at the fact that grabbing a weapon as she is roused has become more second nature than finding clothes.
With bow strung and ready arrow, she joins the others, observing the group that approaches.
Morbar sleeps sound for this first time In a good while perhaps excausion or maybe the fact that he's never really been able to sleep properly in beds. Even the rain doesn't seem to bother him but he hears a shout he jumps to his feet and instinctively draws his hammer Only to lower it to his side again when he sees there is no active threat
Jon looks out at the travellers from under the brim of his flat cap, the rain steadily dripping down his back and as they approach he pushes back his sodden headwear and rests his hand on Woundweaver casually loosening her in her sheath, Ready to draw steel at a moments notice.
come forward and be well met if you be friends. Jon calls out to them what are you doing travelling this late and in such weather? he asks as they approach.
Jon almost jumps as Sebastian's voice comes quietly out of the dark behind him, the oracle totally unaware that his light footed friend had moved up next to him.
i didn't see them until they were almost upon us, they were travelling in the dark without any lights. They are well armed though, let's hope they are as they claim Jon whispers back to him.
|
|
We don't need lights to see in the dark. the leader replies to Jon's whispered words form a hundred feet away. The oracle's jaw dropping open in surprise.
The man steps forward with arms outstretched to his sides, as if he were preparing to wrap them around someone in warm embrace.
Once again he stops short of the group, about twenty feet away and says.
We are no threat to you lest you pose threat to us. he says calmly.
At this distance you can now see that the man is dark and handsome, with a closely cropped beard and piercing blue eyes that move quickly between the party, appraising each of you.
My name is Rakis Szadro, leader of the Prince's Wolves. We have tracked you since you left Highthrone, though we dared not approach you in Ardis. You killed many of my kind at the Temple. Will you parley with me instead?
Markus steps forward holding his hands up to both sides. "The princes wolfs were formed to fight the whispering way, we will talk to you but your pack stays back tell we know you still stand to fight the way." He then turns to the group. "Keep your cool, they haven't attacked us, it's a change."
more bloody werewolves, well that explains how they crept up on us. I wonder what they want with us? Are they still the enemies of The Way? And is the enemy of my enemy my friend? Jon thinks to himself as he nods to Markus acknowledging his suggestion.
come forward alone Rakis and we will talk as Markus suggests. No harm will come to you unless you bring it on yourself Jon says to the wolf leader as he looks over himself and his companions.
|
|
And I am glad of it for I saw what you did to my brothers.
He doesn't come closer but begins to pace back and forth before you, never taking his eyes from you, as might a hound as it examines the kill.
But all brothers fight and squabble of course. The Princes Wolves have fought and opposed the Whispering Way since before the Tyrant himself. But I admit it was my curiosity as to why you should hunt them that led me to seek you out. They say that curiosity kills the cat. So I should feel quite safe, no? he says, flashing a sharp smile
Markus steps forward holding his hands up to both sides. "The princes wolfs were formed to fight the whispering way, we will talk to you but your pack stays back tell we know you still stand to fight the way." He then turns to the group. "Keep your cool, they haven't attacked us, it's a change."
"By now, I trust in about five people in this world Markus" - Caradwen replies in even tones - "And only four of them are here" - she adds, replacing the arrow in her bow with a silver one - "I will behave though" - with a sidelong glance at Morbar.
Sebastian laughs at the quip. "Indeed curiosity killed the cat! Very good. We hunt the Way and will not rest until we have brought our prey down. You should know that the man we seek is a particularly vile and powerful sorceror who has been meddling in the powerplay ong the packs. Estovian was in league with him and helped him obtain the packleader's heart. We believe he intends to use it in a ritual to raise the tyrant. He will gail for we will destroy him."
The monk bows and introduces himself. "Sebastian Skarsol. You are well met if you also oppose the Way."
Stirring from the shout Davos gets up on his feet and look for his wand, seeing there no danger relaxes and smiles to the new faces "Good Morning, Rakis i'm Davos" he says with a polite nod
"Anyone fighting against The Way is welcomed news, was hoping to meet you in the Shudderwood but guessing certain events prevented us from it. And yes as Sebastian has pointed out we are in search of a man goes by the name of Vrood"
|
|
We know of the dark sorcerer. His goals are of no interest to us but we want the Heart. With Malthus dead, I have eaten his heart and taken the position of Packlord. You certainly did me a favour there but with Sains heart still in their possession, the Demon Wolves have pursued the Way, hoping to obtain it and stake their claim fir the title. It is now the only thing between me and my rightful place as Packlord. So perhaps we can help eachother?
Markus listens on to the packleader, trying to work him out. We don't know what we face.. but with a pack of wolfs at outside Markus steps closer to the wolf. "This all sounds good, but how would you help us? You want the heart, we want vrood dead and all his work undone. Will you follow us into Feldgrau and help us clear it?"
|
|
No. I am needed in the Shudderwood to bring the other packs into line. But I have sent several of my tribe to Feldgrau to deal with the Demon Wolves and also recover the heart. I can give you tokens that show that you are friends of the Princes Wolves but they will mean nothing to the Demons, they are foul things, far stronger than any of the other tribes. But it is their inherent cruelty and disorganisation that has stopped them seizing power previously.
Adimarus is far stronger than Malthus and a terrible Enemy should you have to face him.
"I suppose we would be foolish not to accept you tokens if we are to bump into your pack, i have a few questions first. Is there anything we can say or something to spot it's your pack? And do you know how many of the Demons are out there?"
The monl smiles and steps forward to offer his hand to the wolf. "it seems we have an accord. As my teacher used to say 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'. We will aid each other and between us we will end Vrood and stop these Demon Wolves. "
Markus nods. "That settles it then.. But one more have you heard anything back from your pack on what we might expect?"
|
|
We have heard nothing back as yet. We are warriors, not magicians, so have no means of communicating with them. I expect them to return with the heart, or not at all.
He takes the monk's hand and demonstrates a very firm grip.
An accord. As you say. Take these.
One of his men steps forward with necklaces. Each bears a long, yellow fang.
They belonged to the Demon Wolves. My men will smell them before they see them and know the significance. As will the Demon Wolves though, so be mindful, they may not be as ingratiating as my men.
And I can only reitterate. Be wary of Adimarus Ionocu. That... creature has a black heart, one I would not seek to eat under any circumstances, and he is a mighty and terrible warrior.
Morbar stands back from the group and does not interact with the wolves "I won't ruin this for everyone but I don't trust anyone who willingly chooses to remain one of those monsters" a stands there listening trying not to ruin the parley. "She's right not to trust me after what I did" the dwarf thinks to himself at caras words, at the mention of demon wolves he reluctantly speaks up "These demon wolves, can the infect others with their bite?" he asks failing to hide the concern in his voice
|
|
Of course. Though be assured that would only happen if you lived. Most don't. he replies, matter-of-factly. The Prince's Wolves are natural lycanthropes. We are born of parents who were born of parents that themselves were children of the moon. We do not create others like ourselves outside of mating.
"Could you te us how many of your tribe will be at Feldgrau? Or how many Demon wolves we might encounter? "
"We should check if there is magic in these amulets Davos" - she comments to her wizard companion - "Make sure they are... Safe?"
Jon watches the exchange warily though he relaxes a little as the wolves reveal their interest in the heart.
this Adimarus is trouble, and he's in our road.we may have no choice but to go up against him but we won't go out of our way to prevent him getting the heart. As long as Vrood doesn't have it that is all we are interested in. Jon says to the wolf leader with any luck he will do our job for us and tear Vrood to pieces. Somehow though I doubt that will happen. Jon says somberly we would never be that lucky
"Indeed I'll examine the item to make sure" Davos thanks for the necklace and casts detect magic on it when he receives it and looks over the item
Sebastian listens to the conversation then says. "Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes and the grass grows by itself. Thank you Rakis for the tokens, and for the warning about Adimarus but time waits for no man and we have much to do."
He bows with clenched fist held in the palm of his other hand before his chest then turns away and returns to his bedroll. He sits before the ashes of the fire staring into them and lapses into a meditative trance.