Samuel rushes to shot at the time the wooden wall falls.
His rushed movement makes him perform a mistake and the powder misfires leaving the trigger blocked "Damn it!"
Samuel steps back, looking for cover while he tries to free the trigger. Fortunately he has been training for this event and he has the grit to quickly clear his musket.
the ogres don't waste any time as Samuel backs away, rushing forward towards Callix and Alec. Each one gets a nasty ogre right up in their business, the two brutes using matching ogre hooks.
luckily they are held up slightly by the rubble on the floor and not prepared to fight through the wall of their hut and both ogres miss.
Nadya sees the ogres barreling down and hastily fires two arrows that don't hit anything
The whole party is up
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 28/31 - AC: 18/13/15 Status:
Letitia: HP: 26/26 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: mage armor
Alec HP: 22/30 - AC: 19/12/17 Status:
Samuel HP: 32/34 - AC: 19/15/14 Status:
Ashling HP: 26/29 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:NPCs:
Nadya HP: 13/24 - AC 15/12/13 Status:Yellow ogre HP: ?? | AC: >16
Green ogre HP: ?? | AC: ??
"Ogres..." Letitia mutters as she observes that the guards in this shack are much greater brutes than the humans they fought earlier.
She targets the one on her right with a hex to strip its defenses away.
"Attack the one on the right. He should be clumsier and easier to strike," she tells her companions.
Alec's jaw hung open a little bit. The sheer size of the ogres up close was intimidating to say the least. Letitia's words snapped him back into action. He quickly drew his falcata and swung at the ogre on his right.
Samuel steps back, out of the ogres reach "I guess this is not the bar and you are not the waiters"
Finally clear of the misfired powder, Samuel quickly loads a new bullet and pours more powder in his musket before raising it and blasting the ogre he has at sight.
Ashling will Drop her Scimitar, draw her bow and Cast Divine Favor.
School evocation; Level cleric/oracle 1, inquisitor 1, paladin 1; Domain nobility 1; Subdomain archon (good, law) 1
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, DF
EFFECT
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 minute
DESCRIPTION
Calling upon the strength and wisdom of a deity, you gain a +1 luck bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls for every three caster levels you have (at least +1, maximum +3). The bonus doesn’t apply to spell damage.
Callix chuckles, "Ogres? Shocked one of them didn't accidentally punch a hole in the wall stretching.", and she dives forward, leaping over the Ogre hook and the massive meaty arms, taking up a position opposite Alec. Not quite in position, but that's got to keep them distracted, she thinks even as she quickly calls on the Drunken Hero for help
for
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Letitia hexes the green ogre and feels confident that her hex has taken hold
Alec fails to hit even with the reduced reflexes of the ogre. Ashling prepares herself with a spell.
Callix tries to rush past the two ogres but misjudges their speed. both of them try to slice at her as she dives through. luckily they also underestimate her and miss their attacks.
as Callix gets into the room she gets a brief glimpse into the open entry into a second room where she spots a human man tied to a chair and another human man walking towards the door to see what is going on out here.
Nadya takes a couple shots at the hexed Ogre but is not able to hit
the man Callix spotted strides into the room, swirling a rapier in a slow circle. And who have we here? awful bold of you to break through the wall of my home. what was wrong with the door?
the man is dressed much better than anyone you have seen in this area. he speaks to you in common with a thick skald accent.
he walks up to callix and quickly lashes out with his rapier.
the blade bites deep, and strikes something vital, causing blood to pour from the wound
the ogres continue to press the attack even though it hasn't gone well for them so far!
the first one swings at Callix with the flanking from the newcomer.
the second one attacks Alec instead
The whole party is up!
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 12/31 - AC: 18/13/15 Status: bleeding 3
Letitia: HP: 26/26 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: mage armor
Alec HP: 10/30 - AC: 19/12/17 Status:
Samuel HP: 32/34 - AC: 19/15/14 Status:
Ashling HP: 26/29 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:NPCs:
Nadya HP: 13/24 - AC 15/12/13 Status:Yellow ogre HP: -7 | AC: >16
Green ogre HP: -7 | AC: ?? | evil eye AC
Letitia groans in frustration as the battle starts to turn against them. She unleashes her most potent hex on the ogre that struck Alec, recognizing that one to be the most dangerous.
"Samuel, target the swordsman. Help Callix," she whispers.
"Doorknobs are dangerous nowadays, haven't you heard of? Besides, you have a friend of us we want to bring on partying tonight" Samuel nods to Lettitia "Oki, I am your man"
Amazingly fast Samuel loads his musket with a flare cartridge and shots at the newly appeared man trying to render him blind.
The flaring powder leaves a trail of smoke and explodes with a great conflagration that dazzles sight for an instant.
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Callix winces as the blade cuts into her, Figures there's a hidden jerk trying to skewer my liver. She steps back, carefully, trying to prevent the swordsman from flanking her again, turning her attention, and axeblade, on him, while also burning away some of her fervor and a spell to undo some of the damage. She adds, "Doors are so last year. Making holes in walls is much more avant garde. Soon, everyone in the gentry will be doing it."
for
Despite the spots in his vision, Alec's blade flashed through the air, followed by his shield.
Samuel is relieved when he sees Callix's wounds partially close and laughs "Yes, some extra ventilation will just do better here sir. Where is Ringeirr?"
Ashling fires but it's clear she's a bit rusty with a bow
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Letita hexes one of the ogres again, and its eyes grow heavy. it quickly falls ot the ground, asleep
Samuel hits the newcomer with a flare, blinding him and dazzling the ogre that is still awake
Callix heals herself, stopping the bleeding and hits the man for some damage. Alec hits the hexed ogre (green) for some slight damage.
Nadya fires off two more arrows at the awake ogre, but the doorway and the other combatants are making it hard for the ranger who is used to wide open spaces
the blinded man tries to stab at Callix again, but can't hit what he can't see...
Broger, Whunk! help me you morons! get them!
the green ogre steps back from the doorway away from the bullets and tries to help his leader with the woman who slipped in the building. he swings at Callix, still a little blurry from the flare. not blurry enough to miss again, though! Callix takes another nasty hit from the ogre
The whole party may act
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 10/31 - AC: 18/13/15 Status:
Letitia: HP: 26/26 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: mage armor
Alec HP: 10/30 - AC: 19/12/17 Status:
Samuel HP: 32/34 - AC: 19/15/14 Status:
Ashling HP: 26/29 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:NPCs:
Nadya HP: 13/24 - AC 15/12/13 Status:Yellow ogre HP: -7 | AC: >16 | asleep
Green ogre HP: -12 | AC: ?? | evil eye AC
Marcian HP: -13 | AC: | blind
Samuel feels they have been very lucky now, but still the situation is dare "Callix! Get out of there!"
The man tries to reload his musket as fast as he can and shot while Marcian recovers from the blindness, trying to give the Ulfen distraction enough to find a safer spot.
"Let's not be so hasty," Letitia says as Samuel's flare shot gives her an idea. She speaks a word of power which sends necromantic energies around the swordsman's eyes, making his brief bout of blindness permanent.
Alec wasted no time in plunging his blade deep into the sleeping ogre's leg, severing an artery and spilling blood across the floor.
Somewhat confident that the ogre would not be rising, Alec stepped into the building to get closer to Callix.
Callix backs away from the Ogre, getting out of its reach, while trying to strike down the leader while he's blinded. If he goes down, maybe the big guy will give up -- or, at least the others can focus on him.
She whispers a prayer to the Drunken Hero as she swings her axe, hoping to hit something vital or vulnerable as she swings.
Seeing the peril and issue and no long worrying about the sleeping ogre at the door, Ashling drops her bow, picks up her sword and Dashes into to confront the remaining ogre and hopefully bide some time
Marcian's eyes cloud over as he loses his sight from the spell just as his sight was clearing up after the flash cartridge.
What was that?! they have a mage! kill the mage! he yells at his ogres.
one of the ogres is taken out by a swift cut from Alec, severing an artery and making sure it never wakes up again...
Nadya steps forward for a better line of sight and shoots the other ogre, but still is unable to do anything...
Marcian is getting desperate and panicky now that he cannot see. he stabs again at Callix. somehow through his blindess he gets a very lucky strike, hitting a gap in Callix's armor
Callix loses a lot of blood and cannot keep to her feet. she falls, blood pooling on the dirt floor around her.
the Ogre swings at the new target rather than trying to push past to get to Callix. his hook cannot quite hit the quick girl in front of him.
the party may act
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: -6/31 - AC: 18/13/15 Status: dying
Letitia: HP: 26/26 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: mage armor
Alec HP: 10/30 - AC: 19/12/17 Status:
Samuel HP: 32/34 - AC: 19/15/14 Status:
Ashling HP: 26/29 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:NPCs:
Nadya HP: 13/24 - AC 15/12/13 Status:Yellow ogre HP: -35 | AC: >16 | dead via coup de gras
Green ogre HP: -18 | AC: ?? | evil eye AC
Marcian HP: -36 | AC: | blind
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Letitia's elation over her spell taking hold was short-lived as the blinded swordsman still managed to strike Callix.
"Go help Callix," she whispers to Lazlo as she casts a spell of curative magic and designates him as the means with which to deliver it.
Silently, the snowy owl glides into the cabin, giving the ogre's hook a wide berth and over the blind swordsman's head. Dropping down next to Callix, he touches her lightly with his wing and discharges the spell.
Samuel clenches his teeth when he sees Callix falling, silently praying she is not dead. The Taldan takes no time to load another bullet in his musket "I suggest you release Ringeirr before someone else is killed!"
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"YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU, YOU SON OF A B+~#$!" Alec's anger rose to the surface and exploded him into action. He stepped behind Ashling and forward to the blinded man, his falcata arced up into the air and came down, screaming through the air towards the man's shoulder.
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the attitude of the party changes suddenly as Callix falls to the ground. not knowing if she is alive or dead the party acts swiftly to avenge or save her.
Letitia sends Lazlo in, who floats past the ogre easily, the big brute too focused on the small target in front of him. Marcian of course, being blind, has no idea that the owl is there. healing magic pours into Callix, and she opens her eyes, seeing that only seconds have passed. she quietly picks up her axe.
Marcian knows his target fell and turns towards the sound of battle. Alec's voice rings out, yelling a challenge. Marcian tries a middle guard, Alec swings in from above. at the last moment, callix kicks him from behind throwing him further off balance. instead of going through the shoulder, Alec's sword comes down and splits the man's head open like a melon.
Samuel sees Alec take down the leader and quickly shifts his target to the ogre. the bullet easily finds its mark with such a large target, killing the already injured creature.
End of combat
Nadya runs in, searching fro Ringheir. she finds him tied in the back room and moves in to untie him.
Global Condition: none |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 4/31 - AC: 18/13/15 Status: dying
Letitia: HP: 26/26 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: mage armor
Alec HP: 10/30 - AC: 19/12/17 Status:
Samuel HP: 32/34 - AC: 19/15/14 Status:
Ashling HP: 26/29 - AC: 18/14/14 Status:NPCs:
Nadya HP: 13/24 - AC 15/12/13 Status:Yellow ogre HP: -35 | AC: >16 | dead via coup de gras
Green ogre HP: -31| AC: ?? | dead
Marcian HP: -58 | AC: | dead
Callix looks at the dead man and finally says, "That rapier must have an enchantment to allow it to find vital organs.", then reaches for the healing wand.
"Then claim it," Letitia says with a smile as she steps inside. "After all, that's your blood all over it."
Lazlo hoots and flies up to Letitia's shoulder. "Good job," she coos to him, stroking his feathers and nuzzling his beak.
Before Rengeir is freed, however, she sends her owl outside to stand watch, and to not look obviously like a witch.
Callix, Alec, are you both okay? She turns from the Ogre she was at deactivating the Black Cloak in one swift movement, sheathing her Scimitar.
Samuel smiles relieved at seeing Callix standing up once more "Fortunately yours are hard like the ice of the linnorm lands you were grown up in"
The Taldan advances himself entering the shack and depriving Marcian and the ogres from anything of use for the party's mission. He does also have a look at the shack interior "Nadya, is your uncle ok?"
Alec couldn't help but chuckle at Letitia's remark.
"Talking about her head again, eh old friend?" Alec said, looking at Samuel.
"I will be. Thank you for asking Ashling."
"Now, how about sharing some of that wand, eh Callix?"
While everyone else busies themselves with healing and rescuing the prisoner they'd come for, Letitia considers Callix's words more seriously. She casts detect magic and studies the fallen swordsman for magical auras or other valuables, then sweeps the shack for additional treasures.
Letita does find a number of magical auras along with some other gear. she quickly and easily identifies the magical items on his person.
+1 studded leather
+1 rapier
dagger
mwk light crossbow
ring of protection +1
a key
mwk thieves' tools
67 gp
she also detects one aura coming from a box half hidden under a bed in the side room
as everyone else is cleaning up, Nadya runs to her uncle and unties him, pulling a gag from his mouth. he is beaten and bruised, but healthy enough. the two embrace quickly and with some laughter.
Everyone, this is my uncle, one of the best men I know. Uncle, these are some new friends who are in need of our help. I owe them some aid and I brought them here to get your help smuggling them into the city. they have a mission that I think is right up your ally.
Ringhier gives you all an appraising look. So you're here to meet the Heralds are ye? and what is it you hope to accomplish once i get you into the city?
Samuel gives a look of interest at the magical studded leather "That one is going to help me"
"Hello Ringhier, very happy to see you in one piece. I am Samuel Soulkeeper, High Sentinel of the Border Wood back in Taldor" the sentinel smiles authentically happy of seeing the man free "You might be asking yourself why a Taldan is here and the explanation is also the reason we want to get into the city. Elvanna has started a conquest by ice to places as far as my country, and so we came here to stop her. We have been told the only way is to get access to the Dancing Hut and we have heard too that the hut is currently inside Whitethrone"
"Nadya told us about you. You are our only real hope to get in without raising an alert. How can we do it? Who are the Heralds?"
Letitia gives Samuel an arched eyebrow when he expresses interest in the magical armor. She sighs and begins the laborious process of pulling the armor off of him. She also slides the rapier into a scabbard after wiping it off and offers it to Callix. Noticing a similar ring already on Alec's finger, she tosses the ring to Ashling.
"'Heralds of Summer's Return,'" she says softly in answer to Samuel's question to Ringhier.
Spotting the key in Marcian's possession, she claims it and goes to inspect the box underneath the bed. If it's locked, she'll test the key to see if it fits.
Callix shakes her head at Letitia's suggestion, "No, thanks. Rapiers don't feel right in my hand - and they remind me of a slimy ex-boyfriend... and today's experience won't make that any better." She then turns to Alex and smiles, "Consider those wounds closed.", and begins to activate the wand as the others speak to the man they've rescued.
Healing done, she lets out a whistle at Letitia's comment, "That very name seems designed to infuriate the witches."
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Letitia opens the chest with the key. inside is a magic wand (identified as a wand of spider climb with 13 charges) and 450 gp in various coins (presumably the fishcamp guards' payroll). there is also a pile of weapons and leather armor
"Thank you for the rescue, I am indeed indebted to you all. I fear that I went just a little too far this time in trying to stir up the common folk to stand up for themselves... he sees the chest that Letitia opened.
Ah, yes, there is my gear. keep the wand and gold, I don't need MArcian's dirty money. but I would like my own gear back if you don't mind!
he narrows his eyes As for the rest, we should discuss that somewhere private. my home is on the outskirts of this little camp, we can speak a little more openly there.
he leads you to a very simple but well-maintained hut. once inside Nadya starts a pot of tea while Ringhier offers you each a chair or blanket or cusion to sit on.
So you have heard the rumors that the queen has captured the Dancing Hut? such an interesting development. we are not quite sure what it means, but clearly something has happened that has upset the normal order of things. the queen is boldly claiming an extension to her reign and is displaying the dancing hut like a trophy, chained to the steps outside of her palace.
Of course, as with any move like this, some have resisted her. Elvhanna has been quick to crush opposition, removing influential Jadwiga from the city and sending them to remote posts or having them suffer "accidents". security has been increased throughout the city. In fact, martial law has been declared for the first time in hundreds of years. it is a time of uncertainty for sure.
Which is why myself and others of the Heralds have been moving more boldly. my friends inside of the city have been waiting for a time like this to really shake things up and move against the queen. perhaps, if I help you get in, you'll be willing to speak with our leader about how we can help each other?
Letitia has to fight the urge to ask the man about which Jadwiga had been removed and which ones were loyal. It was unlikely he knew who was who, and furthermore, she didn't need to invite that sort of scrutiny by him and his "Heralds."
She was getting so close now to finding out what happened to her sisters and mother it was becoming hard to not get distracted wondering. Were they okay? Had they decided to remain loyal to Elvanna? Or had they resisted? She didn't know which possibility scared her more.
She blinks out of her reverie, and nods to Ringhier. "Yes, we'll speak with the leaders."
Ashling catches the ring and slips it on after rolling around in her fingers for a few moments Baba yagas Hut, i think... That is what we should focus on. Bring her back and everything returns to normal presumably.
Samuel nods in agreement "We will speak with your leader and we will lace short that hut. How do we sneak in?"
"Where is the palace? Is the problem only getting in or moving around the city might be problematic too?"
Letitia's mouth grows tight. "The palace? It's out on Glacier Lake. It's huge, built up on a pillar of ice hundreds of feet above the surface." She turns back to Ringhier. "Did you truly say that the hut is there?" A sinking feeling starts to grow in her stomach.
"If the hut is in the stairs maybe we just need to recover it and run away with it" Samuel smiles looking at Ashling "We have the means to do it, we were instructed on how to do so. That must be for a reason. Once Elvanna has been deprived of the hut we can study better what is inside and determine our steps forward. I agree assaulting the palace is suicidal with just so few people, but releasing the hut must be way more probable to succeed"
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"thank you for agreeing to help. I don't know the particulars as we try to keep the information flow as small as possible in our group, but I do know that Solveig has something big planned. perhaps working with her will give you the opening you need to get to the hut."
He looks surprised at Letitia as she talks about the palace. a thoughful look crosses his face. And here I thought you were all from very far away, yet you know about the royal palace? I am sorry, I was not clearer about where the hut is located. it is not at the royal palace as very few people are allowed anywhere near that structure and therefore her people would not see the trophy. it is instead in front of the Water Palace, between the palace and the Market District where thousands of people come every day to buy and sell all manner of goods.
It would normally not be hard to make your way into the Market and try to sneak or fight your way to the hut. however, something odd happened when the hut was brought in. a massive forest has sprung up around it, and the whole area is under heavy guard by loyal soldiers.
He answers Samuel's questions next
"Right you are, there are two problems to be solved. first you must sneak into the city. then you have to avoid being caught once inside. the city is under martial law. movement thorugh the gates has been restricted to almost nothing, and every person is inspected closely. this isn't too much of a problem, I have another way in. but once inside the city you can be stopped at any point by Winter Guard who will need to see papers for your identity and giving you permission to be in that part of the city."
So, for part one, we will be entering through the Howlings. it is a community of Winter Wolves who have been granted the ability to live in this section of the city in their humanoid forms. they have their own gate they can come and go from as they please. I enter through that gate bringing food deliveries from time to time, selling fish caught here in the Fishcamps. I know a few of the guards and know who can be bribed.
Once inside, we will need to locate a friend of mine. Mortin is an excellent forger and can put together the documents you need to move around the city freely
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He looks surprised at Letitia as she talks about the palace. a thoughful look crosses his face. And here I thought you were all from very far away, yet you know about the royal palace?"
Letitia looks at Ringhier evenly. "It's true that we all traveled a very long distance to get here. But I have studied these lands quite thoroughly." She does breathe a sigh of relief when he tells them that the hut is outside the Water Palace and not the Royal Palace.
She listens intently to the plan to smuggle them into Whitethrone -- through the Howlings. Her mind works, as she considers the magic of the rimepelt on Alec's shoulders and its potential uses, and recalls the slavering jaws and icy breath of the winter wolf they got it from. It would be folly to go into the Howlings unprepared, she decides.
Letitia nods in gratitude to their host. "We appreciate the assistance. In the event we may be forced to battle the winter wolves, may I be allowed to craft some potions that will ward us from the cold? Alec and I faced down one of the beasts on our journey here and its cold breath nearly ended us."
"After having fought with one of the winter wolves I am pretty sure this mission has to be one of cover actions and disguise. In no way we can attack a full neighborhood of winter wolves... Yours seems a solid plan in Ringeirr, count on me" she nods to Letitia "We really need to rest. Can we do it at your home Ringeirr? We do not want to spend too much time though or the hut could be moved away"
"We also have some wares that we brought a long way now... can we sell them here in the fishermen neighborhood? Or is it better we use them as trade wares to conceal our entry to the city?"
Anyway, assuming the group has a short rest, Samuel takes his time to craft new bullets and powder to replace the used one in the way to Whitethrone.
Letitia's ice-blue eyes flash as she regards Samuel. "I'm not suggesting we attack the whole community of winter wolves, only that we may find ourselves embroiled in a fight whether we like it or not. Should that happen, being prepared is a prudent course of action "
She turns to Ringhier. "I just need to use your cooking fire. I have my own cauldron and ingredients."
Ashling takes a moment of silence, more noticeable than usual, devoid of her usual small sounds and sighs, As... odd as it may sound for an assassin to say... I'd prefer to avoid killing a many as we can... witches included. it's not our place to judge, just to return things to how they should be..
She goes quiet again, briefly, The current regime is responsible for tearing the fabric of the world asunder, something is going on for it to snow outside of winter seasons. That itself is something that needs to be answered for...I have no prejudices against this Elvanna and her people but they have broken laws, harmed people regardless of any of our affiliations we must fix this. The lives of the many outweigh the few, We should rest, eat and figure out a plan. This Dancing hut may be able to help, if it belonged to Baba Yaga herself then maybe it wants to return to it's mistress She sits, formulating what she wants to say
I have policies concerning contracts i accept, I don't harm innocents, I complete the letter of the mission, and i act on what information i have and expect the same. This should be a stealth mission, to Avoid combat with guards. They, the ruling class probably know about us. We need to do recon and figure out whats going on and how to stop it With that said she goes to sitting out in the snow, lays like she doesn't care about the cold, staring upward toward the sky with a blank expression
"Of course, you have had a long journey and sneaking in to a fortified city under martial law is not somethign to do without taking every chance to prepare. my home is small, but if you are willing to squeeze in you are welcome to sleep here tonight. you will be safe, that I can promise. and you, madam, are welcome to use my fire.
though at mention of a cauldron he looks at her closely again. You hide it well, but you are not a stranger to this land are you? the shape of your face, the color of your eyes. you could easily pass for a Jadwiga. He looks at Samuel as well. "In fact, you also have features that are not out of place in the court of Irrisen. I get the feeling there is more to you than you have shared with me. It is not my place to pry, but it is my duty to protect my friends in the Heralds of Summer's Return. Nadya speaks well fo you, and I trust her judgement, but if whatever your secrets are threaten our way of life I can assure you my hospitality will end quite abruptly.
in answer to Samuel's question
You will not find much money here in the fishcamps, or likely gear that is worth bartering for. if you need food, clothes or fishing tack you can find that here. for anything else you will need to look inside Whitethrone. of course, as outsiders it may be hard to find good merchants. I believe someone in the Heralds could help you find what you're looking for and fence some of your goods.
after the discussion goes for a few minutes:
Let's be clear. the plan should not involve fighting winter wolves. they are powerful combatants and there are many of them. and worse, fighting in the Howlings will bring down the Winter Guard and other agents of the queen on you. if a fight breaks out you will be in quite a pickle no matter what preparations you make. the goal is to get in quietly. the right word here, a little bribe there. no one should think twice about you being there. keep that in mind, please! I will be with you, and I do not want to risk losing my ability to move in and out fo the city or my ability to bring supplies to the Heralds.
though at mention of a cauldron he looks at her closely again. You hide it well, but you are not a stranger to this land are you? the shape of your face, the color of your eyes. you could easily pass for a Jadwiga. He looks at Samuel as well. "In fact, you also have features that are not out of place in the court of Irrisen. I get the feeling there is more to you than you have shared with me. It is not my place to pry, but it is my duty to protect my friends in the Heralds of Summer's Return. Nadya speaks well of you, and I trust her judgement, but if whatever your secrets are threaten our way of life I can assure you my hospitality will end quite abruptly.
Letitia looks at him with her ice-blue eyes, unable to hide those features from him. She thinks on how to answer him, considering various platitudes that might alleviate his concerns. She decides not to tempt fate and risk disrupting their current understanding. She simply inclines her head. "Understood."
Let's be clear. the plan should not involve fighting winter wolves. they are powerful combatants and there are many of them. and worse, fighting in the Howlings will bring down the Winter Guard and other agents of the queen on you. if a fight breaks out you will be in quite a pickle no matter what preparations you make.
Letitia nods her head, conceding. "Very well. But there were few opportunities for potion-making on the road, and we will likely have to fight when we make the push to the hut. Better I do this now than not at all."
"Evan a novice hunter knows not to go hunting wolves in their own den. And a warm fire would be much appreciated sir."