Jun's eyes widen at first to the transformation then get even wider when Eudonis hacks apart the tengu with a devastating slice. Well there is something I haven't seen before. Best remember to not get on his bad side
The shorter Tengu gasps as his superior's head goes flying into a nearby snow bank. The guard looks at Jun and says, "Thank you for healing me, I owe you my life." He stands and draws his long sword. Now that his surcoat is visible, all who live in Korvosa recognize the design as one uniquely belonging to the Korvosan Royal Guard.
Seeing he is severely wounded, flanked, and outnumbered 5-1, the remaining Tengu looks around, sighs, drops his short sword and bow and falls to his knees, grasping his head with his clawed hands in an act of surrender.
Limping the rest of the way over there, Jun tries to downplay their involvement, "Nothing that a man of the Royal Guard wouldn't have done for us. What is your name, Sir? And may I suggest we take this indoors before this storm gets any worse."
Jun pulls out a set of manacles and hands it to Gyllan, "Care to use these on the tengu?" Hopefully those work on rooks
Gyllan accepts the manacles from Jun and pulls the tengu’s wing-like arms behind it. As he puts the manacles on the bird-man, Gyllan says to the guardsman, ”I doubt you were out here alone. Were you travelling with someone? Were you running from something? Were you attacked by other tengu? I’m guessing we’re not heading inside to a warm fire any time soon…”
The Royal Guard, now that you see him face to face, looks no older than 20 summers with black hair and a goatee. He is garbed in chain mail. He clasps Eudo's soldier, "Thank you as well for putting yourself in harm's way for me. I will not forget your compassion. Or ever anger you..you are quite formidable in battle! You all are!" He winces as his open wound continues to bleed. He wraps some of his surcoat around it, as he speaks, "My name is Luc Theriot, member of the Royal Korvosan Guard as of six months ago. And yes, archer, I'm sorry I did not get any of your names. We do need to discuss much. There is trouble afoot, urgent trouble, with which I hope you may be able to help. But for now, let's get out of this freezing rain."
Luc follows the party, slowed by his injury, to the Sleeping Mackerel.
As Gyllan slips on the manacles, the crow-headed humanoid, also still bleeding, looks at Cin and whispers, "What manner of creature is she, that she has claws, not talons like me?"
"Jun Korter. Let's get inside and talk about the trouble." Jun will channel again, not willing to let the guard or prisoner suffer from wounds. He then begins the long walk back to the inn
"Well, that's the best thing I've heard all day - inside we go. If you're up to it, friend, I'd be happy to buy you a pint. Always worth celebrating the day you don't die, don't you think? My name is Gyllan Dow."
Holding firmly to the tengu's manacles, Gyllan picks up its dropped shortword and steers his captive towards the inn and begins walking, saying in a menacing tone, "I think the less you know about that one, the happier you'll be. Now you behave, and tell us what you're doing out here and why you were shooting at a member of the Royal Guard, or I'll set her loose on you."
To the group, he adds, [b]"Someone want to search the other tengu, and collect his sword? Might find something of value, or a clue as to what they're about."
Cinnamon's jaw drops at Eudonius' rage and transformation. Well, that's something I've never seen before," she says to the birdman's headless body, "And something you'll never see again.
As Gyllan slips on the manacles, the crow-headed humanoid, also still bleeding, looks at Cin and whispers, "What manner of creature is she, that she has claws, not talons like me?"
Cinnamon runs her fingers through the feathers on his face. "Creature? Birdie, you're asking me about creatures? I'm just a girl, hon." She plucks one of his feathers, and brushes it under her nose, first sniffing it, then chewing on it absently. "They call me Cinnamon, sugar, and I can bring out my claws if you like, or we can have a friendly chat about what's going on."
Luc's wounds, as well as those of the Tengu, close almost completely leaving a minor wound, upon receiving Jun's healing energies. Luc smiles, looking at Jun, "Thank you, gifted one, for healing my injuries. How blessed you must be by your gods! I will assume you wish to keep your gifts secret from the patrons in the inn. Correct?"
"Gyllan, a pleasure to make your acquaintance and celebrate another day of life, mon ami. Besides, with the news I'm about to give you and the request I will make of you all, it may go over easier with a pint in your hands and your belly." He smiles nervously.
The Tengu looks quite scared at Gyllan's tone and Cin's appearance. He shudders when she plucks a feather. "I will speak all you wish to know but my feathers are getting drenched. Inside please."
You lead Luc and the Tengu into the inn. Harwell, the owner, greets you all though he stares warily at the manacled crow-headed humanoid and at Cinnamon's disturbing yet alluring appearance. "Please have a seat and join the others. I will get your meals ready. Fish, okay with everyone? Not much of a menu!" He bellows heartily in laughter.
Joshua and Gavin come to greet the party and its associates, while everyone else watches from their table. Desmond points at the Tengu and you can clearly hear him yell "Look, a bird man! How cool is that?!"
Joshua speaks, "Good to see you fine folk are unharmed, by what I can see." He looks over at Luc, "A pleasure, I'm Joshua Stone. Guess this young lad must be the one who was screaming for help, eh? Glad to see you're fine and a Royal Guard to boot." He finally looks over at the Tengu, "Don't even know what that is but he must have been the one responsible for laddy's screaming, right?" Finally, Joshua stares for a few seconds at the party and finally speaks, "Perhaps one of you could explain to me. I see the guard's surcoat drenched in mud and blood. Eudo's pants are also covered with blood. Bird-man there has blood on him too. Yet no one is bleeding nor has any severe wounds. How can that be?" He patiently awaits a response, while everyone else in the inn starts to notice the details as well.
Jun nods in agreement, "I will not hesitate to use my gifts when needed, and it doesn't need to stay a secret, but I would rather not draw any more attention than needed."
"Oh Joshua," Cinnamon giggles nervously, "Did I forget to mention? I'm a priestess of Sarenrae. And the Dawnflower totally loves me, so I don't want to hear any of this 'Faithless' nonsense. She's the blessed blessed Redeemer and I would be completely lost without her." She pulls the glove off of her left hand, displaying the brilliant sunburst tattoo it was hiding, though those close by can make out clawmarks across it. "I mean, the Everflame can be a playful b*tch, so I don't always have her gifts, but sometimes I do. I just never know when."
(+2 for Joshua)
Joshua gasps at Cin's revelation, "A priestess of Sarenrae in our midst?! And one of the gifted! Our caravan is truly blessed!" More gasps and oohs and aahs from those present. Desmond looks up smiling, "Best trip ever!" Everyone gathers around Cin to see her tattoo.
When Harwell brings out the food, the crowd around Cin disperses and returns to the table. The Tengu looks skeptical but remains quiet, in fear for his life and the loss of more feathers.
For a moment, Gyllan is as amazed as those around him at Cinnamon’s revelation, until he catches a particular twinkle in her eye, that the others don’t seem to notice. What a clever move, to distract from Jun’s healing during this crazy time! Glad that one’s on my side, he thinks.
As everyone tucks into their food, Gyllan turns to Luc and says ”You said you had news, and that we’d be happiest with a pint in us when we heard it? Should we go somewhere less public to discuss it, or is it for everyone’s ears?”
Turning to the tengu, he continues gruffly, ”And don’t think we’ve forgotten about you. We’ll want the whole story of what you were doing here and why you were shooting at Luc, or my friend - the blessed of Sarenrae - will pluck you clean and make me a nice pillow, while you’re set outside to freeze and consider the error of your ways.”
You sit and hear the chatter of gossip and politics among the merchants, while you eat the delicious fried fish and potatoes you were served. You even hear the gypsy Anton arguing with his sister over having a private meeting with Luc, so he can communicate to the King and his advisers the plight of the gypsy community in Korvosa.
Luc wipes his mouth after hearing Gyllan's words, "Non, I'd rather discuss the matter in private. It..it is of a sensitive nature. Harwell, my good man..", while he beckons the innkeeper over. When Harwell approaches, "First, my compliments to the cook, who I understand is your wife. Best fish I have had in years. Second, please, the lodgings for all, including the four here, and the meals, I will handle personally. Just prepare the bill and account and throw in a nice tip for you and the Mrs. And finally, after dinner, my saviors and I will need some time to speak of some important matters so if you could suggest to the merchants to visit their lodgings upstairs and leave us alone, we would appreciate it." Luc flashes Harwell a megawatt charismatic smile and it is clear the lad has a bright future in politics one day, should he choose that path.
Harwell eagerly grins, "Yes, sir. I will let Rose know of your compliments and I thank you for your generosity. Leave it to me, I will make sure you are given all the privacy needed after the meal is done." With that Harwell returns to the kitchen, giddy at all the gold he will be making today.
The shortest tengu will never know how close his life had come to an end after his partner's demise. It took Eudonius's every once of willpower avaible to refrain from hacking at the unarmed bird man and he only managed thanks to his travel companions' s intervention.
With effort he lowers the axe and restrain himself. He cant hear clearly what the others are saying, in his ears the sounds of his breathing and the pumping of his heart are too loud. He stays behind to search the corpse as sugested but his hands only fumble with the body, his mind seems incapable of focusing. The second wave of healing hits him like a hammer, his legs fail and he kneels besides the dead tengu as his own body lose mass as fast as it had gained. He is finally able to push the red haze away.
Side effects... too many... side effects. But by the gods it worked!
After a couple of seconds of shock he resumes his search and retrives the elven sword.
He staggers back to the inn lost in thought.
Research... I need to research more. But its the right trek, it felt so... good.
He enters the inn as Joshua starts his inquiry and is amused by Cinnamon's bluff at first but her tattoo is clearly the real deal.
Full of surprises that one.
Eudo finds on the dead Tengu the elven curve blade, a suit of leather armor, a dagger, and 2 gp. The other Tengu dropped his short sword and a shortbow with 9 arrows.
Eudonius eats his meal with gusto and asks for more, his battered body starved for nutrients. In asnwer to the royal guard's request to the innkeeper he says.
T-t-thank you for your generosity Sir. May I ask, what should we do with that one? Would you take custody of him? pointing at the prisioner.
After the meal is over, per Luc's instructions, Harwell and Rose gather up the merchants and take them upstairs to show them their lodgings for the night. You are left alone with Luc and the scared Tengu, who fed off some scraps of fish with his beak during dinner.
"I will answer your questions in due time, Eudo. But first, I must tell you all what has occurred. As evident from my garb, I am a member of the Korvosan Royal Guard, assigned to the protection detail of Amber Kalepopolis, daughter of Seneschal Neolandus. You know, the Seneschal, the second most powerful person in Korvosa besides the King obviously, to whom the Sable Company of elite hippogriff-riding marines report. Well, as his Majesty did not sire any heirs, he saw Amber grow up throughout her whole life and has come to regard her as a daughter and she regards him as a second father. So almost 40 days ago, when the King suddenly fell ill, Amber, bless her heart, searched far and wide for an herbal cure, given the cursed year we are in. She learned of a possible remedy from the Shoanti people. A company of six Royal Guards, including myself, departed 3 weeks ago on our venture accompanying the Seneschal's daughter. We were on our way back to Korvosa with a possible cure when we were ambushed on the road not 4 miles from here by..by that bastard and his kind!" Luc's voice is now hard and bitter, as he points to the manacled Tengu and restrains himself pulling his longsword and killing the creature outright. He calms a little and continues, "The first attack was deadly as arrows flew from the bushes and then before we could react, more attacks came. They were so fast! My commander Viktor seeing our dire situation told me to run and get help while he held them off and that is what I did. From what I last saw, the damn bird-men were dragging Amber away. That poor girl! I ran and ran as fast as I could, just hearing the screams of my brothers! I have to assume the two creatures you fought were sent to finish me off before I could alert anyone. I thought of this small village and came here to find assistance and the gods blessed me with you. Now, the Seneschal's daughter is missing, the possible cure for the King's ailment gone as well, and the fate of my fellow guard brothers also unknown, if any survived at all. That is my current predicament. I must think Amber still lives, she is too valuable to kill. But I kept asking myself as I ate: that ambush was too perfect. Our mission was covert; in case it met with failure, we did not want to get the King or Queen's hopes up. Somebody sold us out. Someone knew where we would be. And that person is going to pay! I swear it! But I can't do this alone. There were at least 8 more bird-men involved in the ambush, as well as whoever is behind this. I need help. What say ye?" You can clearly see the impassioned plea in the young guard's eyes, almost to the point of tears.
Jun listens to the story. As Luc tells his story, Jun begins to stand a little taller, his eyes seem a little less haunted. By the end of the tale Jun almost seems another man, a better version of the one you have traveled with so far, "Luc, I never made it to the Royal Guard, but I did serve for a time with the City Guard. Field Marshall Croft herself swore me in and I have, well had, friends in the Sable Company that had nothing but good things to say about the Seneschal." He pauses for a moment as a look of determination comes over him, "If his daughter is in trouble as well as fellow guardsman then I will do what it takes to save those we can. Then hopefully we can find this cure and get it to the city in time to fulfill your mission. Luc, I am at your command if you will have me..."
All through dinner, Cinnamon positively glows at the attention she receives. She shows off her tattoo, leads prayers to Sarenrae, and gives some of her favorite sermons on the power of Redemption, repeating them two or three times. She also makes sure to have much more than a pint with her fish.
So the room is slightly blurry when Luc begins his tale. Cinnamon squints at him while he talks, then she says, "So let's see. Something about hippogriffs. And we're looking for Amber and Shoanti medicine? And they're with the other crowmen? Well, sure, they're not so tough, we can help you out with them."
Cinnamon glares at the tengu menacingly, and asks "So where have they taken her? You better talk. Don't think I've forgotten about the pillow thing I was going to do...especially since I'm starting to get tired!"
Eudonius listens attentively to Luc's story. After the guard is done he ponders about the future.
I will need a new job in Korvosa anyway. Crown funding has been proven very effective in the past. And with Korter around I actually may be able to get some work done without the peasantry's constant meddling in this cursed year.
If you require help Master Luc, you shall have it.
Now to the ugliness at hand.
How shall we proceed?
Upon hearing Cinnamon's threat to the tengu he turns to the creature with a smile.
Gyllan listens to Luc’s tale with rapt attention, thinking, This is like something out of a tale! The princess – well, sort of – kidnapped! The kingdom in danger! And the kingdom isn’t some far-away place in Tian Xia, it’s my home. And even if this fellow is a bit of a dandy, it’s clear he means well and aims to do some good before he’s done.
As Luc finishes speaking, Gyllan gives his answer, ”Of course we’ll help! This is terrible! They can’t mess with Korvosa like that! Do we start by chasing after the tengu, and rescuing Amber? And then try to figure out who sold you out? I’m pretty good at finding things out, I can help with that.” Gyllan winds down a bit, as he realizes the menacing air he had presented to the captive tengu has slipped, revealing the eager young man the world usually sees.
Luc lets out a breathy exhale. "Thank the gods! I am so grateful that you will help me. Well I would love to start with finding Amber and the cure and the fate of my friends. But given this rain storm has probably washed away any tracks recoverable from the scene, perhaps, the best place to start is with him and find out what he knows and where they're holding Amber." Again, you briefly see emotion flash across Luc's face before he hides it behind a wall of professionalism. "I recommend one of you handle the questioning. If I do so, I may cut off its tongue and beak before it finished."
The Tengu sits there manacled, waiting for you. "Please don't harm me. What do you wish to know? As for this Amber human he keeps referring to, I don't know where she is, but it's by the beach, I believe."
Gyllan gives a significant look at Cinnamon, then back at the tengu, then says "What beach? Can you lead us there? How many more of your kind will be there? And be careful of your answers, life in Korvosa has made me very good at spotting lies."
The Tengu clears its throat, squawks a little and speaks, "There were ten of us in total at the ambush." He looks over at Luc, who is tense and gripping his sword so tightly his knuckles are turning white. "As soon as the caravan was in position, we struck from above, our arrows killing the guards. When my leader, Kondor, saw that one, the one who calls himself Luc rush off, he asked myself and Aguila to break off the ambush and chase him down. I don't know how many members of our roost survived. I know a general location as to where the woman is being held; Aguila knew the exact directions and now he is dead. I remember being told that in olden days humans used the caves there to trade, if that makes sense to any of you."
Cinnamon listens to the tengus's tale. He's lost everything, she realizes, and he knows it. How many times has she sat at a table like this while a lost soul confesses their failures? Well, at least this is something I know how to do.
"Thank you. You'll point us in the right direction when we're ready to go, I have no doubt of that."
"But my question, birdie, is why? Why did Kondor tell you to kidnap a princess? Do you do a lot of this? What kind of birds are you and your roost? Are you hawks, living for the hunt? Are you vultures, living off the deaths of others? Are you magpies, taking anything you desire?"
She stares into the Tengu's unblinking eye, and then empties her mug. Might as well bring it home.
"You asked about me. Well I'm a cuckoo, the chick of a monster hidden in a human nest. I was born to take from those who love me, to kill them and suck the marrow from their bones. But I chose differently. I chose, and you can to, you can choose to help us and make this right. Sarenrae the Redeemer had a place even for me, and she has a place for you birdie. You and your roost, if they want it."
Cinnamon glances ruefully at her empty mug. At least until she's used you up and throws you away.
"Or I can let the monster out. I'm not perfect, I'm afraid."
"I work for the benefit of the roost and I am pretty low in the pecking order. I did not negotiate this deal. I was just given orders and I followed them. We are none of those birds mentioned. We are crows, admired and envied by all for our sword mastery and stealth. We take what we want and when we want it and we do it all in the service of the almighty coin. As for your proposal, I do not speak for the roost. I only speak for myself and I do not owe this Kondor any loyalty; hence, why I am willing to disclose his general location to you. I do it more out of self-preservation; you all are a scary lot. However, I cannot bring arms against fellow brothers of the roost."
You may not have negotiated that deal but you are part of it. How did you come to be with the raiders, who hired you? And the rest of you crows? What were your orders once you got Lady Amber?
"Ah, crows. Fearsome birds indeed. And of course we would not ask you to fight against your brothers. But we will rescue Amber. We are not out for blood, but we will kill all we have to to secure her safety. Is there anyone you would prefer to live? One who might listen if we use your name?"
[dice=Semse Motive Luc]d20
You may not have negotiated that deal but you are part of it. How did you come to be with the raiders, who hired you? And the rest of you crows? What were your orders once you got Lady Amber?
"We are not from the wilds. Our roost is in Korvosa. Our flock was contacted by a, what do you humans call it, a middle-man? It was a white half-orc, a local in the city, fearsome looking, and quite muscular and tall, stronger than even Kondor, looked to be as strong as Blackfeather. Said he had been contacted to organize a group to execute an ambush in the woods and that a target needed to be procured. I assume he meant the girl. We were told the plan was to ambush the carriage and the guards and no harm was to come to the woman and her belongings. Our orders were to leave no survivors or witnesses. This was stressed to me various times while we lay in wait. Then bring the girl back to the beach cave to collect our rewards. We were told the girl would be handed over to someone else and her fate was not our concern."
Throughout the Tengu's speech, Luc grew visibly angrier, especially at the mention of no survivors and no witnesses. As he finishes, he erupts, as he turns a table over! He gets in the Tengu's face and starts screaming, his spittle landing on the creature's beak.
"Not your concern?! How can you sit there and speak so coldly, so calculatingly, without emotion??? Your kin killed good men today. And now Amber is in the hands of who knows who! This is a human life at stake, you feathered ass! I should cut your head off and hang it on the wall!"
Though alarmed, the Tengu sits quietly until Luc finishes. "I am not human and your kind's fate does not matter to me. I did not enjoy killing your brothers if you must know. I do not derive pleasure from it, it was just a job. It is a skill embedded in our race, it is what we are good at: striking from stealth with great skill. I cannot go against my nature, anymore than a wolf cannot kill the rabbit to survive. As for the woman, I was just following orders. And we did not harm her. I suggest you take out your anger on those who paid the half-orc to hire us to abduct her. I know my fate was in your hands and that most likely, I would not survive this night the moment I dropped my sword and surrendered."
"Ah, crows. Fearsome birds indeed. And of course we would not ask you to fight against your brothers. But we will rescue Amber. We are not out for blood, but we will kill all we have to to secure her safety. Is there anyone you would prefer to live? One who might listen if we use your name?"
"No, I prefer that none of them live over the other. I do not owe any loyalty to Kondor, my loyalty lies with Blackfeather. Do with them what you must."
In the midst of Luc's raging, and the tengu's measured response, Gyllan pauses and thinks about whether he has heard of this white half-orc.
When the tengu finishes speaking, he asks it, "Were you to meet your employers at the cave right away, and hand over the girl? If so, friends, we should go now, in the night, to rescue Amber. I could not bear to lie down in a soft, warm bed - as tempting as that sounds - and wait until morning, to rescue her when it is more convenient. I expect you feel the same, Luc."
Thinking back over what the bird-man has said, he then asks "Who is this Blackfeather you've mentioned?"
Charming folk this bird men. Eudonius mumbles too himself.
Turning to the others.
Does anyone ever heard of this cave at the beach? Its been a couple of years since I left Korvosa... and I do not remember such a place. It sounds like a meeting spot for smugglers.
In the midst of Luc's raging, and the tengu's measured response, Gyllan pauses and thinks about whether he has heard of this white half-orc.
The Tengu looks at Gyllan, "Since I was sent to track down and kill Luc there with Aguila, I must assume the others already took the woman to the cave and are awaiting our return. As for Blackfeather, he is the only leader I recognize and the ruler of the roost in Korvosa."
Gyllan looks at his companions and says, "After the journey we have had, I really don't want to be saying this. But I know this half-orc - they call him 'Bones' in Korvosa, and not only because of the color of his skin. He's not someone I've dealt with directly, but I've heard some nasty stuff about him, in terms of the work he does, and what he does to any who cross him. If we're to fulfill our offer to Luc to help him rescue Amber, we'd better be about it quickly."
The half orc takes a deep breath and straighten the collar of his jacket trying to shake the fadigue off.
I agree with Master Gyllan, to have any chance of success with this rescue enterprise we must leave immediately. Time is our enemy.
Cinnamon groans. "You're right, of course. At least we had a chance to eat."
She turns to the Tengu. "Well birdie, you're going to be secured here until you can be turned over to the Seneschal for justice. He'll be in a much more lenient mood if we come back with his daughter, so if there's anything else you can think to tell us about what we're walking into, now would be the time."
Then she looks at Luc. "I don't suppose there are any horses around that we could borrow, so we could make better time. Not," she added, "that I'm any great shakes at riding."
She turns to the Tengu. "Well birdie, you're going to be secured here until you can be turned over to the Seneschal for justice. He'll be in a much more lenient mood if we come back with his daughter, so if there's anything else you can think to tell us about what we're walking into, now would be the time."
The Tengu looks at Cinnamon, "You and your allies fared well against two of us. But I suspect there are more than two of my kin awaiting you in that cave. Good luck."
Luc looks at the Tengu in disgust. "The caravan protecting Amber was on horseback but I don't know the fate of those horses. And in this storm, it may be better to proceed on foot, unless you are all expert riders in case the mounts get spooked."
Luc looks outside at the howling wind swirling and the freezing rain falling. "I am ready to proceed now but I also do not want to get lost in the wilderness and risk sickness or disease or death. If we find travel in this weather hazardous, then I must assume so do Amber's captors and they won't move her until the weather clears. But that also means, she spends more time in their company and who knows what they could be doing to her to pass the time?! I will defer to what the majority decides."
Jun has listened the whole time keeping silent. Finally he speaks up, "I think we must risk braving the weather and hope they hunker down where they are until it passes. First it gives us time to get there or at least get closer before they are set to move. Two it may even afford us some surprise. They may be more lax on guard as they wouldn't expect anyone to come out of the storm to save her."
"You know, it's been a very long day of travel. I can go all night, every night, so I'm up for anything. But the rest of you lightweights might get tired. We'd probably do better with at least a little sleep, but maybe the element of surprise would make up for that. So I guess I'd vote for resting first, but if everyone else wants to head out tonight, that's fine with me."
Looking at the window and the storm raging outside Eudonius shivers.
Master Luc has a point, they would not move the Lady in a weather like this and it would not be strange if their own men got stuck waiting for the storm to end. he gives the tengo a side glance.
We could wait for a couple of hours for the storm to calm down before setting out. I g-guess I vote for r-r-rest.
Gyllan considers his companions’ thoughts, and responds, ”I have an idea, let’s go take a look outside and see if we can gauge if the storm looks to be easing off or building in strength. If it’s getting worse, we’ll wait here until things settle down a bit out there. But if it’s clearing at all, I think we should move quickly. Bones is not someone I picture as particularly concerned about getting rained on, and if we’re going to get to Amber first, we can’t be either. But if it’s likely we’ll all freeze trying to find the cave, we won’t be doing Amber any favors by dying.”
After watching the storm for about 10 minutes, Gyllan determines that it will go full force for about another 3-4 hours and then gradually ebb so that it passes through after about six hours, leaving clear skies for tomorrow afternoon. No more storms appear to be on the horizon for the following day.
"Based on what the weather looks like, we can try to rest for a bit and be fairly sure that no one's going to go anywhere in this storm. If we stay here for six hours or so, and then get on the road right away, we should be able to get to the cave before first light. What do you all think?"