"Then let us return to him, and quickly. He also said he has help for us--we may well meet this help on our way."
Having decided to return to falcon's hollow you group up with the mercenaries and you begin the journey back to town. The group travels to the river and using some ropes as braces everyone makes it across the river. You keep going until nightfall and the mercenaries start putting together a camp. It seems they had planned for this occasion as every mercenary carried two tents and they set them up forming a decent camp.
Do any of you stand guard during the night? (If so during what hours?)
Bleyz, not needing the rest to recover spells or anything of the like, nor worried about removing or donning armor, will sit midwatch with whichever of the mercenaries will join him.
Lysander also feels healthy and prepared enough to sit watch at any time, though first and last are his preferred .
Erik can't see in the dark and he is suffering from the curse, but will share the first watch. He feels to cold to sleep properly anyway.
During Bley's time on watch shortly after 2 am a young girl wanders out of the forest and comes toward the camp. Bleyz spots her as does a mercenary on watch and he run towards her. .
Bleyz starts to move toward the girl, but when the merc on watch runs toward her, he pauses and looks around watchful for other movement in case the girl is a diversion.
He does take a moment to look her over. Does she match the description of the missing girl?
You notice some shadowy forms in the woods behind the girl but they vanish into the darkness.
The girl is apparently the girl that was missing from the village. Her dress is stained with blood but she appears unharmed.
The poor girl is uninjured but seems in a state of shock and hasn't said a word since she arrived tough she eagerly drinks and eats the food and water given to her.
Erik coughs quietly in his sleep, again pulling his cloak tight around his shoulders.
The merc on guard duty leaves the girl in the care of some of the woman saved from the pit and he resumes his watch.
Bleyz tenses at the presence of something unknown outside the circle of light, but turns his attention to the girl... she might know something about those who took her that might be useful to them. He considers questioning her, but knows there are other others better suited to such a task. The girl is probably traumatized already. Best let her get some rest and care and question her in the morning. He goes back to being on watch until it is time for another to take his place.
Come morning he will speak with the others. "The girl returned to us in the night, the one who was taken. She seemed a bit.. shocked, but otherwise mobile and aware. Someone might want to question her before we leave... learn what there is to learn from her about those who took her and perhaps why - and why they let her go so suddenly."
"You can speak to her if you wish but she hasn't said a word since she arrived last night." says the woman tending the girl to Achren.
Erik avoids the girl fearing his appearance would frighten her. His hair is now all bit gone and he keeps a small scarf tied around his head. He still instictively pulls his cloak tight about his shoulders even though it does nothing to the magical cold he feels.
Lysander also stays to the side of the camp, looking out over the surrounding area. Few like my looks, and children, while innocent, are easily frightened by the unusual. He reflects on his station in society while he keeps watch.
The child does seem rather scared of Achren but responds to Devyhn "I was playing in the fields and some bad men took me. They gave me to some bad men who were monsters but they decided they didn't want me cause I was too weak so they let me go." says the girl in a hurried tone before burying her face in her arms as if trying to hide.
"I...I don't know, I was asleep most of the time I think...I had terrible nightmares were they turned into monsters and ate me but I'm not hurt."
"Like really hairy men with sharp claws and big teeth."
While the others are talking to the girl Erik investigates the perimeter of the camp looking for tracks or other clues to the nature of their apparent night-time guests.
He squints, finding it a little harder to see small details than before.
Standing on the edge of the camp, Lysander notices Erik looking around. "How fare you, ranger? Any word of the girl?"
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"Child, these visions of monsters may be the result of sickness. I would like to perform a test for the disease, but I need to warn you that I will need to make a few small cuts in your skin. I promise that I will try to make it as painless as possible, and it may be save your life. Will you allow me to do so?"
"I'm fine." Erik lies, still struggling to see properly. "I have not spoken to the girl, but Achren and Devyhn are with her now I think."
"No way! That would hurt!" says the girl
Erik continues scouting the edge of the camp.
"You best do as the man ask, its for your own good." says the woman who was tending the girl.
"Fine...but make it quick" says the girl and she hold out her hand and puts the other one over her eyes. You can tell she it terrified and trembling a bit.
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Devyhn pulls out two corssbow bolts, one steel and one silver. He grips the girl's wrist, firmly enough to keep her from pulling away, but trying not to bruise her.
First using the steel bolt, he draws a cut across the meat of her palm, near the base of her thumb. He then does the same with the silver tipped bolt, making the second cut far enough from the first to distinguish them.
He then watches the wound carefully for any change.
The girl squirms as yelps as you cut her and tears stream down her eyes and she tries to pull away. However she shows no signs of symptoms.
You vaguely recall that lycantropy has no effect on the body until the first full moon. Your test doesn't prove she isn't infected but it is proof that she hasn't transformed yet.
Lysander looks around at the sound of the girl's cry, but he sees that the others are with her. He resumes his vigil of the surrounding area.
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Erik still struggles to see as he scouts the perimeter of the camp.
"Lysander" he calls "what do your keen elf eyes see?"
The girl is stunned by your power and stops squirming for the moment.
The edges of the camp are clear at the moment nothing moves in the woods.
The mercenaries are busy clearing the camp and packing everything to get moving again.
"Nothing for now, Erik. Still, we'd best be off soon." The half-elf looks grim and somewhat worried at the ailing appearance of the ranger.
"Let's rejoin the others then." Erik replies to Lysander and heads back to help pack the camp.
"We have not two days' time before the full moon. The night after next will see any lycans for what they are." Lysander glances at the girl, then back to Devyhn. "By that time we'd best be returned to our benefactor and rid of any curses. Erik is ailing, and the girl may be sick as well. Let us make haste."
"No Achren. Did the ghost not say if you were to remove it you would fall to the curse? I can manage back to the village."