When the door to Ciri's room has been summarily kicked open, she realizes she's not alone. A pair of opalescent eyes catch the faded light of the rainy day and seem to sparkle from where their owner sits perched on Ciri's bed clutching a teddy bear with only one eye of its own. The glass bead also catches the light, but within it is fire.
"Hullo, Surry," the young girl says looking somewhat sheepish. She fidgets with the ribbon tied around the teddy's neck in a bow.
"So, what's up, buttercup? You and Mr. Bubbles OK? Nobody's been bothering you, have they?" A darkness full of grim promises enters her voice at the last question.
She cocks her head. "They don't seem to like it if I help Bubbles fight though. He kills stuff real good, but they don't seem to want me around it." The lack of concern or awareness is an odd companion for the innocence of the girl's face, but they fit together perfectly like fast friends.
Arielle looks down at her teddy suddenly. Then she bursts out, "Oh! Bubbles told me not to forget. I'm here because of that dream you had last night. The one about the sword made of midnight and dark. The one that calls out to you."
"Oh? What about it?"
Her voice is flat and dispassionate.
The girl frowns. "I think he muttered something about being excited about having to deal with another drunk yard? He didn't actually seem excited though. I think he was fibbing. I dunno. He's a sword, so maybe they always sound like that. No one else's sword talks, but Miss Kalica's sword sings. She says it does anyway. But I've just seen it kill people. And those people just gurgle and make wet splishy sounds."
Arielle crinkles her nose. "That's not really singing."
Arielle nods in satisfaction. "That's all."
Ali looks around the group, then raising an arm to his head ruffles the newly trimmed short hair; "Where's tha' little lass gone? Ain't it past her bedtime?"
Miyari nods to Ali. "I suppose it would be best to get some of the exploration done sooner than later, while we travel towards the kobolds... your route works for me. Hopefully, we do not find ourselves in too much trouble passing in that direction."
"I thought she was here just a second ago, but I am certain that I'll be able to sniff her out," says Miyari, glancing about. The figure of speech, of course, is not a figure of speech and she sets about doing precisely what she said so that she can put Arielle to bed.
Arielle's eyes glitter in the darkness, and then she abruptly yawns. "What do you from the wild places, Miss Kitty? Why are you here?" she asks sleepily.
The following morning, the sun occasionally peeks out from behind scattered rain clouds which already seem to be blowing off to the south. The ground is a bit muddy slowing travel slightly for the next two days or so.
Kalica and Armin have decided to part ways with the expedition for the time being and hunt Tuskgutter and the tatzlwyrms as requested. They wish you well and offer their desire to perhaps meet up again in the future. The loss of some of the more combat experienced fighters could be a problem...
The team's travel across the plains is a bit slower due to the mud, but the horses still make decent time bringing the expedition to the the area just south of Bokken's cabin before nightfall. This is effectively the edge of what they had already explored, and the promise of new wilderness for Ali to map on the morrow.
The best location to camp appears to be adjacent to what appears to have once been a cultivated corn field, but has now run wild of course having been left untended for who knows how long.
Quietly, Miyari says softly, "I do not wish to alarm anyone, but there seems to be something on that hill over there... we should be very cautious." She points up towards the distant humanoid shapes to try and get the others to see what she does. "We have fewer numbers, and Kalica and Armin were probably the most battle tested of our group..."
Ali squints into the mist, cupping a hand around the eyes; "Aye, we don't t' want t' meet any more bandits. However they might be tha' kobolds, out scouting around. We could meet 'em peaceably & run if it's wrong 'uns."
Miyari hears a low call.
"Hoy there, by the fire."
A shrouded figure leading a horse laden with animal skins emerges from the night. The figure pulls down the scarf covering its face to reveal a comely elven male. He raises his one free hand while the other grips the reins of his horse. Miyari can see he is armed with a mace dangling at his side and has a longbow stowed across his chest.
Miyari stands and raises her right hand in greeting, though she crosses her other arm so that she has quick access to her weapon if the need arises.
"Hello there," says Miyari as her eyes quickly take stock of his weapons, "What leads you to travelling at this hour? It's quite late or quite early, depending on your perspective."
The male elf eyes Miyari's sleeping companions and guides his horse to circle around until he is across from Miyari. He approaches closer, but stops at decent distance.
"I am Cerius, a hunter up from the south. I was camped on the other side of the cornfield when I smelled your fire. With the bandit activity in this area, I decided I'd better take a look," he continues still speaking softly.
Still gripping the reins, Cerius kneels. "Your group doesn't look particularly inclined to such activity," the elf gestures towards where Arielle is sleeping with Bubbles next to her pillow. "So I figured I might be able to trouble you for a little news about what's going on around these parts, if you'd be inclined to share. I've been out here in the wilds for a several weeks now."
Miyari relaxes a bit when Cerius kneels and she says softly, "My apologies, Cerius, can't be too careful out here. No, we're not bandits, quite the opposite really. As for news, we're fairly new into the area ourselves... we've dispatched some bandits not long ago, near Bokken's, and we're on our way to investigate a disturbance with the kobolds. Seems they've been more active lately, and more of a nuisance, so hopefully we can determine some underlying cause."
Cerius chats for a bit more admitting he has seen some kobolds in his travel. His explanation of where seems to indicate the area just southwest of Oleg's . Miyari might also hear some other rumors depending on how much she returns the favor.
Miyari thanks Cerius for the information about the kobolds, and tiredly tries to continue engaging in conversation and hear more about what's happening in the area.
Cerius tells Miyari the following:
- Some people report that a unicorn lives in the Narlmarches, but sightings of the magnificent creature have fallen off in recent months. Perhaps the unicorn was driven out by the bandits?
- A group of evil monks and priests of a lesser-known goddess of hatred, extortion, and spite once dwelt on the northern shore of the Tuskwater to the south. Not much has been heard of them in some time if the cult still exists at all, however. Maybe the bandits cleared out the cultists?
Miyari quickly jots the information down in her journal, "I appreciate the information. As I said earlier, we're pretty new to this area, so I like knowing what we may come to expect around here. It would be interesting to see an actual unicorn!" She rubs her eyes lightly and continues, "Is there anything in particular that you are hunting in this area? My ancestors were hunters, but I've never done much of it."
Cerius provides Miyari some details regarding local wildlife that are in the area that have some value either as meat, skins, or other specific purpose (e.g. alchemical).
The morning brightens the dawn, and Ciri wakens the party for some breakfast.
The tall figures in the distance remain seemingly unchanged from their position as seen the evening before.
Ali is dead to the world, in his blankets and soon morning arrives. Thanks to the lack of cheese the night before, there were no troubling dreams. "Reet so who's turn is it t' cook breakfast?" he asks mussing up his hair.
Miyari drags her claws through her hair to try and get it under control after waking up from her second sleep period. "I don't think the order of breakfast duties has been established... but I'm pretty groggy. Sleeping out here is not the same at all as a warm bed!" She gets up and stretches, arching her back in a distinctively feline way.
She points off to the tall figures, "We should get a closer look at whatever is over there. Take a quiet approach."
Glen is sitting with a large book laying open in his lap, as his eyes the book is filled with what most people would probably consider gibberish. However the mixture of strange symbols, mathematical equations and ingredient measurements doesn't even seem to slow the little goblin down; beady eyes pore over the tome as tiny green hands move mixing alchemical ingredients with a practiced ease. Glen's eyes finally lift off the book to examine the small vial of softly glowing liquid he gives a slight nod apparently satisfied with the way it turned out.
Done with his preparations Glen closes up his book, and starts cleaning up the small work area he'd where he'd spread out his portable lab. "Glen is adept at the quiet approach, he could go take a look and report on what he's able to observe." Finishing packing up the rest of his supplies the diminutive green man attempts to make himself as unnoticeable as possible.
Ali squints into the cursed mist at the edge of vision; "Over where? Oh Glen's gone, hope he's safe."
Ali looks back to Miyari hopefully. "Well I can get some porridge, with lots of milk, honey and apples? How's that sound?" Whilst rummaging around in the pack for the raw materials for breakfast.
Deciding he'll need to get closer to collect any more information, and find out what's happened to this deer, Glen carefully creeps closer. He's pretty confident in his ability to remain unnoticed, but all the same he doesn't want to push his luck too far, he'll only go close enough to get a better look at the deer.
Glen approaches the circle of statues and is able to see the deer was most likely killed by a precision ranged shot to the heart area. Whether it was an arrow, bolt, or pistol shot is unknown as any visible ammunition has been removed from the wound. Glen notices evidence the deer may have been placed here, but tracks leading away or to the site or in fact almost nonexistent.
Turning from next to the low embers of the fire, Ali asks; "So what did Glen go t' see?" The you prepares the morning meal, with a glance to the journal and maps that show their progress.
"Do you think he'll need any help?"
"If he's spotted by something over there, he'll need help," says Miyari as she stares out after Glen. "He's pretty hard to spot, though, and I think whatever over there is too still to be alive... I just don't know what it is. Statues or something? I haven't seen them move anyways... but it's a curious sight out here."
"Should we move a bit towards them? Maybe give Glen a chance to get closer." Ali replies; "Or should we just wait here? I don't really like doing nowt, but then I don't want t' be too Kalica."
"There is no need to wait further." Glen says in response to Ali as the sneaky goblin emerges from the shadows having returned from scouting out the statues. "Apologies, Glen did not mean to take so long. Though he has found that the large figures are in fact statues of hill giants, incredibly meticulously sculpted statues, if Glen could not see they were stone he might believe they were alive, though time has worn their features a bit."
The ugly green man turns his beady eyes towards the statues for a moment before turning back to address the group. " Glen supposes it may be some kind of ritual site, the statues appear not to have moved for quite some time, but there is a freshly killed deer that has been placed precisely between them. At first glance it appears the statues themselves may have been responsible, but upon closer inspection Glen found the deer to be killed by a projectile of some sort. A single shot, incredibly precise directly in the heart if Glen is not mistaken. There was no evidence of what projectile was used, it was either removed, or the ammunition is completely embedded in the animal, also no sign of any tracks. If Glen were to guess he supposes there may be a very skilled hunter or ranger nearby. It may be wise to proceed with caution."
Ali lets out a soft squeak as Glen pops up out of the shadows, then coughs deeply to cover the embarrassment. However the investigators words pique the curiosity; "I ain't never heard of this place. A shrine? I wonder if it's to the forest spirits or a God."
"Of course seems like the hunter was very skilled. Almost as skilled at hunting as you are at investigating, Mr Glen." Ali adds with a smile and doles out some of the porridge. "That's some grand assessment of the situation."
Miyari shrugs a shoulder slightly, "I do not entirely understand why a hunter would leave a deer corpse there between those statues. Perhaps it is meant as some kind of sacrifice, to some kind of giant gods or something. I do not know enough about religion to say, but does that not seem plausible? Perhaps more plausible than a few giants turning to stone and requiring sacrifice to remain in such a state." She looks over towards Glen as if to get his opinion on the reasoning. "But unless you wish to solve this mystery, I suppose we should move on from a place where there may be danger."
Roswitha looks up from her packing as Glen reappears, nodding and smiling at the strange little man. "Well and bravely done! We have nought to fear from statues. It's good to know that." She finishes loading her pack, then turns to Ali with a frown. "What, erm... what exactly did you milk to get the accompaniment to our breakfast, Ali?"
"Who cares?" Ciri scoffs, "And why would we pass up the chance to see giant statues AND get a fresh haunch of venison to roast tonight? Let's go see!" She starts jamming things into her pack, fills it up before running out of items, then, cursing softly, unpacks and starts settling thing in more neatly, folding clothing as needed.
Ali's feet scuffs the ground; "Well it's t' last of the milk from Olegs. Tomorrow's oats will use water, I did hear you can get milk from ground seeds or nuts - but tha' just seems a trifle daft." There's a wry note to the reply.
"Do you need a hand with that Ms. Ciri?"
"No, but I'll gladly take a bag of holding, if you have a spare," Ciri grunts as she shoves the last few items in her pack and pushes hard to compress them while she fastens it shut, "Though it might be more useful for The Princess over there. Her shoe collection is about to kill that poor mule." She jerks her head in Stem's direction, where Roswitha is struggling to reload cargo onto the bored mule.
"These aren't shoes, they're important and useful..." Roswitha stops and presses her lips together, sighs deeply, and nods in Ali's direction. "I'd appreciate help, Ali, so the load is balanced and poor Stem is more comfortable."
"Bubbles and I can help you," the girl pipes up, her big eyes examining Roswitha's handiwork. "I don't think I can reach the packing,but I can definitely tell you when Stem is happy."
Stem brays softly and nuzzles on the young girls head who almost smiles slightly and raises one hand to pat the mule's large snout.
"Well, definitely let me know if he's unhappy, please," Roswitha smiles at the child, "And I don't know that we need to go see a dead deer. Really, who knows how old it is or what horrid creatures have picked at it with filthy beaks and teeth? Fresh anything sounds better than gods-know-how-old carrion." Roswitha shudders, but gives Ciri an apologetic glance.
Ciri shoulders her pack and rolls her eyes. "Whatever," she snorts, "I'm sure it's not the only deer in the woods. Just don't expect me to give you my food if we run out."
Glen shakes his head when Roswitha talks about carrion "Glen did not see signs of carrion, the deer appeared to have perished only a short time ago, however Glen also agrees it may be inadvisable to consume the beast, it is possible poison or some other agent was used to bring it down." The little goblin looks back towards the statues "Glen would not expect a hunter to leave their prey if it were perfectly good... unless it is to be an offering in which case Glen would prefer to leave it either way, he is not overly religious, but would rather not take a deity's property. The statues do have Glen curious, but it may be best if we avoid any possible trouble, and simply move on."
Miyari shrugs a shoulder and says idly, "My mother taught me that it's best to be suspicious of strange meat. I did not think it was terribly practical advice at the time, but this time I suppose that I will put it into practice. But I suppose there is no harm taking a closer look at the statues, just to see them. It seems like an interesting sight, at least. A little curiosity can surely do no harm."
Ciri scoots over to stand near Miyari, and points her finger at Glen and Roswitha, counting. "Two to two. That leaves our youngest member as the tiebreaker, and he probably doesn't have much use for sightseeing!" She laughs at her own joke. "So, what do you vote, Ali? Check out the giant statues or creep safely by them like scared little mice?"
"Why don't we have a quick look." Ali cocks an eyebrow at Ciri; "Since Glen thought it'd probably be safe. And it ain't like we'd been taking any of t' meat - we can always go hunting for our supper."
"I'm quite good with snares." the youth adds proudly.
"Attaboy." Ciri claps Ali on the back. "We're off to see the giants. Everyone ready?"
"Ready, yes. Let's take a look," says Miyari as she gives a nod and starts off towards the statues, eager to do just that.
"Lead on, little man," Ciri chirps to Glen, "You can scout ahead and see if there's anything dangerous up there." She graces the very short dude with a winning smile.