Rutilux looks curious at this claim that it probably the Southerner's fault.
While he mulls that over, he asks, "How long ago did the fay make this decree that you could go no further in? "
"It not any kind of decree, if any of us go too far into the forest we either get lost and end up outside the forest or we get chased out by something we can't see. No the southerners don't suffer this and it all started a few months after they set up. Now its been almost ten years."
Zethyris, with nothing of value to add to the conversation at the moment, listens closely. Catching Cad staring at him, Zethyris flashes a grin and gives Cad a wink. He continues listening as he companions ask more questions.
"Julian, it looks as though we're going to have some dinner and stay the night. I don't know that it's worthwhile you missing a good night's rest. Let's finish the horses, then go inside together."
Julian pops out of the snow. "Fine." He brushes himself off and loosens his joints. "Can you explain again to me why these gaijin are so desperate to take charge of this cold, inhospitable hellhole?"
"ermm.. somebody's got to do it? Snow is interesting and exhilarating at least for the first hour? Maybe it's really beautiful in the spring? It's hard for me to tell too. I hold out some more hope for the horse country - miles of open steppes and occasional copses of hardwoods sounds like it might be more attractive."
"At the same time, they do craft formidable women around here. A young man like yourself could do much worse than Dagmar. Personally, I'm holding out for Jediah's sister." Isham maintains a studiously straight face while assessing if Julian was actually paying any attention or not.
Julian smiles. "I'm sure Jediah-ette has wonderful birthing hips. As he brushes his hands back to warmth, he says, "Dagmar is ...fascinating, I'll grant you that. But I am not going to be some fresh-off-the-ship slant-eye falling for the first yellow-haired female I see. Besides, she is far too interested in me ...it's off-putting." Not even Julian is sure if he's joking at this point.
"Your forbearance demonstrates wisdom and judgement - for once," Isham says with a teasing grin. "Just try not to scratch each others' eyes out while you shop around. And remember that the time you take to develop alternatives is time she is properly and prudently doing the same."
"C'mon, let's get some grub. You've been working hard in this chill. I've been loafing all day, with a warm horse between my legs." So saying, Isham knocks on the door, and enters the house when someone allows it.
Julian follows happily.
"I can see how that would hurt your town's economy. Tell me, how are you at crafting the wood you have? Bowyers, Fletchers, wheelwrights..so on?" he is curious If we can appease the fae, it may not matter, but it's always best to find their strengths in other areas in case we can't.
"We have family in nearby towns and cities that are quite skilled with that but here we only have woods-men and carpenters. If you need a house or barn we can make you one in as little as three days with the right supplies. There are a few trappers that work this area as well that stay with us some times."
You are all served a hearty stew of local vegetables and rabbit before the two older men send Cad off to bed and retire themselves. There are more than enough cots and hammocks for each of men and a separate room with three beds for Anastasiya and Dagmar.
The next morning you awake to find Ungrill's bed empty but Dolva and Cad are still deeply asleep and a faint grinding noise can be heard outside. When you step out to investigate you can see Ungrill sitting in a chair dresses in an old hide harness sharpening and cleaning a slightly rusted great axe. There seems to be something different in the way he holds himself this morning, there's a fire in his eyes and an angry grin on his wrinkled face, almost like he's been given a chance at something he thought he could never have. "I don't remember sleeping in that late when I was your age. The young just don't realize how short life is anymore." He tosses a sack at the first one to exit the door. "Better make sure all your friends are ready. That's breakfast I hope you can eat and walk." With that he starts walking into the forest with the stride of a man half his age.
Zethyris catches the sack, and plucks his portion of food from it. He tosses the bag to the next person behind him, and grins as he follows Ungrill. Ah, a good night's rest, with a journey ahead of us. I feel like I can take on the world. So does Ungrill, from the looks of him.
Jediah take his portion and heads out with the others.
Despite himself, Rutilux smiles at Ungrill's commentary, "I can break fast and stride at the same time, yes. Hopefully we'll not shame the older generation TOO much as we struggle with the dual task."
I like this guy. "Just try not to slow us down, sir," he says with a smile.
Dagmar takes her portion of food from the sack and munches on it while following the others.
A few minutes into the woods you start to notice the fog swirling around you ankles, low and sparse. Your footsteps sending ripples outwards. The whole vista has taken on a dreamlike hue with the morning sun filtered through the leaves and needles of the trees above. Ungrill sets a steady, ground eating pace that you all find easy to keep up with. Looking back you can no longer see the town or the tree line, only more trees. The more you look around for something different, the more trees you see until right or left, forward or back, everything looks the same. Your pulse quickened as this realization strikes, you can't tell which direction your traveling and Ungrill's route seems to weave back and for as if he's lost. Sensing everyone's unease Ungrill stops and looks at you all, "Calm down, I know where I'm going, don't trust your eyes. Just follow me."
Jediah blinks his eyes at their guide. Antenna? Can't be. Jediah keeps stomping along at a steady pace.
'we're in for it now, if this old veteran doesn't know his stuff. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound."
Rutilux is following, when he jerks his head to the left as if hearing something, "Sunfire! Someone is attacking my horse!"
I think it is those fey that are doing this! Didn't they say the Fey keep messing with people?
Rutilux pauses at Jediah's words, and takes a deep breath, "If you are wrong, Jediah. I may have just lost a loyal steed..." He thinks And a very dear friend. "Ungrill, would the fae be so cruel as to torment an innocent animal? And, am I the only one who heard a horse cry out as if badly injured"
"I didn't hear anything."
"I heard footsteps behind us ...very different sounds. Remember, fae are very tricky creatures."
Rutlilux nods, the stress leaving him, "Thank you all, that does reassure me. Perhaps it was a tactical maneuver meant to have me rush off... "
"I think you're right Rutilux. We should all take a lesson, and cross-check disturbing impressions with each other."
the visions are getting more and more distracting so please everyone make me a will save
You continue to follow Ungrill for a bit longer as the fog rises above your knees when Zethyris can't take it anymore and pushes his way forward to confront Ungrill. "Old man! What are you doing? We've been going around in circles for the last hour and its all your fault! Now we're lost and I don't think you know where we can find this axe, heck I don't think there is an axe!" Ungrill just stands there while this all happens the. Looks to each of you' "What do you, hey where'd your friend go?
Looking around to see what Ungrill is talking about you quickly realize that Isham is gone.
Jediah starts and reaches out to Zethyris. Zethyris! What is going on! Stop yelling at him, he will help us get the wood.
"Isham!! Rutilux calls out, hoping Isham can hear him and respond wherever he is, as Jediah tries to calm the half elf down.
Jediah starts and reaches out to Zethyris. "Zethyris! What is going on! Stop yelling at him, he will help us get the wood."
Zethyris pulls back from Jediah's outstretched hand, confusion and exasperation warring across his face.
"Have you not been paying attention? We've passed these same trees before! See, there!"Zethyris points to an absolutely featureless section of tree trunk.
"See that tree there? The moss on it - It's unmistakable! He's leading us in circles!"
"What do you, hey where'd your friend go?"
Zethyris turns back to Ungrill and continues his tirade. "Well, perhaps he realized what a farce this is and went to do something productive!"
Zethyris turns on his heel, walks to the edge of the group, and scans the area ahead of him for Isham. As he does so, he markedly avoids looking at any of the others. He is heard muttering to himself, fists clenched and brow furrowed.
There is no moss there! Trust me, I never led you wrong before! Jediah turns tot he others. we also need to try to find Isham. Zethyris, come on. Feel the trunk. there is no moss.
Letting Jediah attempt to calm down Zethyris, Dagmar focuses on trying to find Isham. She instructs Alfdis to fly around to try to find him from the air while she scans around on the ground for any tracks he may have left.
"There is no moss there! Trust me, I never led you wrong before! Zethyris, come on. Feel the trunk. there is no moss."
Zethyris whirls abruptly to face Jediah. "And of course, because you have never been wrong means you never can be wrong. It's RIGHT THERE! Have the fae clouded your vision?" Zethyris is staring at Jediah, his eyes sparking with an anger Jediah has never seen in him before.
Seeing the owl take off, and hearing Zethyris' voice raise, Rutilux moves to the half elf, "Please, stay calm. We are allies. I don't see any moss either. Be patient, and trust our guide for now. After all, we are not in a rush."
Boats bobbing in the blue of the bay
In deep far beneath all the dead sailors
Slowly slipping to sleep
My girl, linen and curls
Lips parting like a flag all unfurled
She's grand the bend of her hand
Digging deep into the sweep of the sand ♫♪
"Lets stay calm, everyone. And stick together!"
Anastasia slowly turns on the spot to scan the area.