Llewellyn replied in the same strange tongue, doing his best we're friendly reasonable people impression.
As he spoke with the armoured woman, he tried to figure out what type of creature she was, pointed featherlike ears and long horizontal eye slits was a distinctive look for sure.
Samuel frowns when he does not understand the humanoid at first, but he gets surprised then about the second language "Hey, what, what is that language?"
The Taldan keeps his musket low "Look, we did not intended to enter into your territory ok, we are just trying to find Baba Yaga" his movements attempt to be calm and helpful.
Letitia doesn't focus as much on the humanoid as she does the dragon, deciding that the power of the creature would be reflective of the strength of its rider.
"It speaks the language of dragons, a language I recently learned. And be wary of throwing around the name of the Mother of Witches, as we have met both her allies and foes," Letitia speaks to Samuel while listening to the exchange between the rider and Llewellyn.
The rider visibly relaxes after Llewellyn's diplomatic statement and approaches slowly to about 25 ft.
She tilts her head and seems to examine each of you...
"You do not know of the Mandate...and look, forgive me....quite strange. I have never seen your like. " she says.
Then she looks at Samuel, "Who is this Baba Yaga you speak of?"
The glaive-wielding dragon calls out in a strange language to the rider, and she turns and calls back, holding up her hand to forestall any threatening movement.
She turns back, with a smile
"My friend, Efrixes, grows impatient. I am called Bescalylie, how may I call you. "
Letitia narrows her eyes at the rider when it approaches, though feeling satisfied that it is within range of her hexes. She stays wary, of course, since they would likely be within range of its abilities.
Her eye twitches when the rider simply confirms that they don't know what the Skyfire Mandate is, when Llewellyn just admitted that. Speaking in Draconic, she announces, "I am Letitia. Yes, we do not know what the Mandate is, just as you apparently do not know who Baba Yaga is. Now that we have shared what we do not know, let's move to more productive matters for the sake of your impatient friend. Baba Yaga is a traveler of worlds, and we follow her trail. Now, I believe my companion had asked you what the Skyfire Mandate is?"
Efrixes was presumably the dragon, thought Llewellyn. He waited to see if this Bescalylie answered the granddaughter's question or not before adding anything. If she did answer he considered carefully what and how she replied, they were strangers here and Llewellyn hoped to avoid unnecessary fights and being taken advantage of by the locals...
Bescalylie's eyes narrow as Letitia steps up to talk, her gaze flitting from Samuel, to Llewellyn, to Ashling and Callix waiting in the back, finally coming to rest on Letitia.
A small smile graces her mouth, as she inclines her head a bit to Letitia, as if acknowledging the witch's voice of command.
"What is the Skyfire Mandate? To answer that, I must describe what came before, the arrival of the true dragons, and the start of the War of Heroes. To combat the terrible enslavement of the true dragons, the races of Triaxus banded together with dragonkin and good-natured true dragons to halt the advance of the Drakelands. They became the Skyfire Mandate! " she finishes fiercely, fist clenched. She then relaxes, "We guard against the constant depredations of the Drakelands, " she says, pointing her arm westward, down the steep mountains, where you can see the sweep of grasslands down below.
"In fact , at this very moment, they lay siege to our nearest outpost, Spurhorn," she says, pointing her hand in a more North easterly direction.
Bescalylie seems to have decided you are not a threat. She seems to be answering without guile or deception.
Sorry forgot about your knowledge roll.
The dragon isn't a true dragon. It seems to possess some humanoid-like traits, such as wielding a weapon and walking on it's back feet. Still powerful though.
Llewellyn was convinced she was telling the truth so he relaxed fractionally. Politeness demanded a response to her words so he said, "A siege? That sounds bad. Will they last do you think?"
Llewellyn rather hoped they could avoid getting involved in someone else's war. Still to that end the more they learned about this strange new world the better.
"If true dragons are conducting a siege, I do not expect it to last long," Letitia comments.
She tries to draw conclusions from the brief summary. Assuming the "true dragons" Bescalylie mentions are in fact the same as Golarion's true dragons, a war with them would be dangerous indeed. Her claim that the Mandate is on the side of good is something that will need to be proven. She hopes that her companions will not immediately assume that, and Winter forbid, get involved in the local politics.
"We have no intention of interfering with your defense of these lands. Unfortunately, we have to find some specific objects in order to leave. They are mere trinkets; if there is any inherent value to them, I assure you we can compensate the owner."
She inwardly grinds her teeth in frustration because she hated the vagueness of the clues they had so far. "We have what I can only presume are clues about our objective here in this place. If I recount these clues, could you let us know if they mean anything to you?" Assuming Bescalylie agrees, she says, "Does a two-headed eagle mean something to you? What about an iron spur or a drinking horn? Lastly, a mirror and elephant's tusk upon a bearskin rug.
"I apologize for the randomness of these so-called clues."
Bescalie smirks at Letitia's first comment, "The true dragons fought in the wars at first, but such was the destruction of the land and themselves that they now direct the war from their bastions. Those such as I and Efrixes fight the wars now." she finishes, somewhat proudly.
She then blinks as Letitia continues, bafflement and confusion battling their way across her face, then her eyes widen, a small smile growing, "Our commander possesses a two-headed avian...and our bastion is called Spurhorn! " she says excitedly, seemingly please to have helped solve a puzzle.
"My commander may give up the two-headed bird...if you perform a service worth of it. Perhaps, you could assist the forces of Spurhorn in repelling the siege? Ivoryglass' forces are many, and any help would be welcome!" she says, growing excited by the notion.
Letitia's eyes widen in genuine surprise when Bescalylie immediately puts together the first half of the clues. Then she immediately chastises herself silently for not connecting the outpost "Spurhorn" with the two objects.
"Well, yes. That is in fact quite the sign we were looking for. Fortuitous." She had hoped to not embroil themselves in the conflict, but it appeared inevitable.
She clears her throat while looking at her companions. "If we are to get involved and assist your... Mandate, more information would be appreciated regarding the forces beseiging Spurhorn. We are experienced in combat, but we are few in number. Simply throwing ourselves against an unknown enemy is folly no matter the pressing need."
She eyes the others, and mutters in Taldane, "Remember we still have unfinished business inside the Hut. I need to free Syvet, and Ratibor and Ariadna should be informed of our whereabouts."
The granddaughter seemed pleased but Llewellyn's heart sank, getting involved in someone else's war was exactly what he had hoped to avoid. When she asked Bescalie to share whatever information she could, Llewellyn chimed in, making small talk hoping to learn what he could. He started by asking, "Is Southern far?"
He spits into the snow "I swear this blasted land's got it out for us. Cold. Witches. Monsters. And now a flying fortress with scales and teeth"
His voice dips low, harsh but steady, as he answers Letitia without breaking his gaze "Hiding in the hut won't tell us where the trinkets we need are. We will have to trust the magic hut this time and believe if we have been sent here is because it is part of our goal..."
"Ok, can you show us the way?"
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"We're not--!" Letitia starts to shout, but mindful of their audience she cuts herself off and smiles at Bescalylie. Then, through her smile and gritted teeth, she tells Samuel, "we're not just following them... and we're not hiding in the Hut. I want information before we act, and I have made a PROMISE that I will not forsake!"
Her hands ball into trembling fists. "If you choose to not to return to the Hut with me, then I will go alone and you will have to make your way without me until I have accomplished my aims." She sets her jaw and glares at Samuel, daring him with her eyes to test her resolve.
Samuel holds the stare for a few seconds, then his expression relaxes and he smiles "You will not have it so easily to get rid of me, Miss Witchery"
"Ok, let's do it in your terms then" the Taldan leans his musket over his shoulder "I wouldn't mind to test this one against one of those pure dragons. I wonder if their scales can be broken as for the one that took our friend Alec in that terrible tower back in Whitethrone"
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Whew.
Letitia relaxes visibly when Samuel relents. She then gets somber when Alec is mentioned. "A wonder indeed. I believe your aim has gotten better since that day. I believe if any weapon can break their scales, it would be that musket."
She turns back to Bescalylie and switches back to Draconic. "We were discussing our next steps. We require leave to return to the Hut for a brief period to prepare and equip ourselves. Would you like to escort us, and while doing so tell us all about this siege and the features of Spurhorn that can be used to our advantage?"
Llewellyn nodded with a grin, "That boom stick of Mr Samuel's is quite something. Add in a motivational song and well at times I wonder what could possibly stop us."
Llewellyn actually had a pretty good idea about many things that could stop them, the stuff of litteral nightmares. Naturally he'd keep such fears to himself however, since talking about them was a surefire way to hurt morale.
With the matter of returning to the Hut settled, Letitia turns to begin walking back the way they had come. She listens to anything Bescalylie says about the siege of Spurhorn so that she can plan for her allotment of spells for the next day or more, assuming that their errands within the Hut will take only one day.
Letitia tasks Ariadna with harvesting the herbs and flowers from the garden with Radosek standing guard. She assists as necessary to ensure all the valuable plants are collected.
With that task underway, she looks to her companions to decide what should be done about the soul within the gemstone. "My hope is that the creature inside, if not simply a mortal soul freed to go on to Pharasma's Boneyard, will be grateful for our freeing it and not attack. That being said, it could be a demon or devil that will offend your sensibilities by its very nature, so if the decision is to smash the gem, be ready to fight."
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Bescalylie relates that Spurhorn lies at the top of an impressive mountain, sheer cliffs ( 120 ft high ) on all sides, no ground level entrances or paths or roads lead to it's fortifications.
"We, and the attacking Drakeland army utilize flight to approach Spurhorn...that is likely the best way for you to also gain entry." she explains, as she walks with you towards where the Hut sits.
She nods as Letitia explains her need to re-enter the Hut to accomplish her errands, "Efrixes and I will make camp here and await your return, " she says, gazing curiously at the Hut's strange construction.
Later, inside the Hut, Radosek and Ariadna tasked with gathering the valuable herbs, the group assembles on one of the wide patches of grass and place the gemstone on a exposed rock.
Then with one final look to each of her friends for approval , Letitia smashes the gem.
It cracks into a number of pieces, each releasing a stream of blue smoke that swirls around and assembles into a 10ft tall blue humanoid wearing elaborate robes. It's face has too many eyes, it's hands too many fingers.
It looks about, then down at Letitia and the nearby broken gem, "Ah, it is you I should thank for releasing me!" it says, it's voice strangely accented. "You have my unending thanks and gratitude!" it declares, before joining it's many-fingered hands together and saying, "Now then, how may I help...you" it asks, "I trade in magic! For I am a peddler of wondrous wares from across the Great Beyond!"
This is a mercane, mysterious merchants of all things magical, mercanes are relatively weak and noncombative for creatures of their size. They prefer to bargain and haggle rather than to fight, but because they wander the planes seeking and trading magical goods.
For once this was something of a pleasant surprise, and Llewellyn said "Oh! Well I'm glad we were in a position to aid you! I'd be interested to hear about the kind of wares you have available!"
The creature turns to Llewellyn immedately, rubbing its mulit-fingered hands together, "Excellent! Excellent! Ah, forgive me! In my excited state of sudden freedome, I neglected to provide my name. I am named Zilvazaraat!" it says with a flourish.
It then seems to reach into the air beside it, drawing forth a long, metal-banded chest! The chest thumps lightly on the ground and it gently opens.
"Here is what I have in stock at the moment. I will purchase any arcane oddities you have, for a fair price. Anything you wish to procure that is not in my chest, I can bring to you!" it says, opening its arms to indicate you can browse...
Letitia relaxes when the imprisoned creature turns out to be a mercane. "Well met, merchant of the magical," she says, though she lets the bard initiate the commerce.
When the outsider shows off his initial wares, her lips purse in some disappointment that nothing showed immediate use for her or her companions outside the buckler.
"Hmm. The buckler holds promise for those trained in its use," she suggests. "I'm glad that you can return to us with additional magical wares. Would you be able to procure a potion of gaseous form? There is a trapped treant that I believe could be freed with such a tincture."
Samuel lets out a low whistle, shaking his head at the towering blue figure "Hells... locked in a shiny rock, just to pop out and start haggling? That's one way to keep a merchant honest" his grin is quick, sharp, and gone again as he steps closer to peer into the chest.
"Well, guess fate's tossing us a bone for once. Been meaning to put a bit more sting in my aim, see if I can get this belt tuned up. Maybe polish some of that protective trinketry too, before we go trading shots with dragon armies"
He crosses his arms, clearly savoring the thought "Yeah... I can live with this kind of miracle"
The planar merchant chuckles as requests and compliments pour forth, nodding to Letitia, "A simple matter, that!"
It bends towards Samuel as he lists his desires, "All possible, all findable... nothing exceptional or exacting! 1 day for such as these!" it declares.
It then pauses, looking to Letitia, "Trapped you say? In what way, trapped?" it asks.
Letitia gestures to the garden all around them. "This place, if you cannot tell, is a demiplane. The means to leave physically is too small for a treant to squeeze through. Therefore, it will require magic to aid in freeing it, such as gaseous form."
Samuel tilts his head, studying the towering figure with a squint "That's the part gnawing at me. Who in the hells goes to the trouble of stuffing a merchant into a ruby, and what did you sell them that made it worth the effort?"
He crosses his arms, voice dry but edged with curiosity "Don't much like dealing with ghosts in a machine without knowing the story behind it"
After a beat, he adds with a half-grin "And say we do cut you loose, any way to knock on your door again, should we find ourselves in need of a miracle delivery? Hate to think this is a one-time sale"
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The mercane nods sagely at Letitia, "indeed, I have divined that this is quite the unique space, but quite open to my preferred method of travel! In gratitude for my freedom, I will bring this treant with me on my departure and find a suitable domicile for it."
It then turns to Samuel, "Indeed. Who or What was in possession of my prison before you freed me?" it asks. When told the horrible monster that had it in it's possession, the mercane nods, "Ah...some of the entities in the Great Beyond are untrustworthy. I had some dealings with that creature and it seemed that our last negotiations were fruitful. I regret that I was , how to put it....hoodwinked!"
"When you have decided upon what I should procure for you, or if you have something new to sell to me, whisper to my little friend here, " it says, reaching into its voluminous robes and drawing forth a tiny figuring in the shape of a Raven, seemingly fashioned out of obsidian.
It hands the figurine over, "This will seek me out, wherever I may be and I will forthwith source and deliver your request. Just allow me at least one day's time to return to you. I would also suggest doing so from here, as it is a stationary locality within the Great Beyond. Much easier for me to find again!"
With a gesture, the chest disappears with a pop of displace air, and it turns back to Letitia, "Show me this poor trapped treant, so I can free it from it's own prison."
Llewellyn asked, "I don't suppose you have access ti any enchanted amulets, rings or belts do you?"
The mercane nods sagely at Letitia, "indeed, I have divined that this is quite the unique space, but quite open to my preferred method of travel! In gratitude for my freedom, I will bring this treant with me on my departure and find a suitable domicile for it."
With a gesture, the chest disappears with a pop of displace air, and it turns back to Letitia, "Show me this poor trapped treant, so I can free it from its own prison."
"That is an elegant solution," Letitia says when the mercane informs them that it could bring the treant to another plane.
"Follow me this way," she says, traveling north to the copse of trees. As they enter, Letitia calls out in Sylvan, "Treant! Stay your wrath and listen well! I have found a being that can travel across the planes, and has promised to take you to a place with real light and soil! Your long torment is about to come to an end! Will you let us approach?"
Samuel weighs the obsidian raven in his palm, letting out a dry chuckle "Well now... better than a calling card, that. Guess I won't have to shout into the void next time I need a new miracle"
Later, he glances toward the grove where Letitia leads, musket resting easy on his shoulder, ready for whatever is to come.
The living tree sways from side to side as you re-enter its glade, it's branches swinging to point in your direction as Letitia calls out.
As the import of her words penetrate the poor treant's tortured mind, it calls out "Do not decieve! Do not lie! I will stomp, I will rend!" it cries out.
The mercane advances, "You poor creature...so sorely abused. Come, let me take you away from this prison. I know just the place for you, a brightly lit meadow beside a burbling brook! On the mountainside ! Private! " it declares.
The treant calms, "Good soil? Deep for roots?" it asks meekly.
"Indeed, rich and deep!" intones the mercane, looking back at you with a smile.
It advances slowly, then turns back, "I will return with your purchases in one day. ". Then , over it's shoulder, to the treant "Are you ready?" .
The treant gives its assent with a joyous shiver of it's branches, and then with a gesture, both mercane and treant disapper!
Letitia stares into the spot where the treant and mercane had stood after they disappear. She struggles with unfamiliar emotions kindled by the treant's joyous shiver when it was given a means of freedom. The tree creature's suffering had been palpable; she had taken an active role in rescuing it from its plight. But at the same time, she can't help but fret over unmaking Baba Yaga's designs. She will one day, hopefully, find the Mother of Witches and face her.
Would Baba Yaga approve of her actions thus far?
Letitia shakes away her doubts. Nothing she has encountered thus far has made any other course of action a more viable enterprise. Her home was denied her until Elvanna is deposed, and the only way to do that is with Baba Yaga.
She goes to find her companions. "We've a day before your purchased items will return. In the interim, I can brew a potion, rest, and prepare the spells to save one other tortured soul in this realm."
If left to her own devices, she selects certain rare herbs and plants to craft a potion of cure moderate wounds, then rests.
After eight hours of recovery, she works with Lazlo to prepare her daily allotment of spells. She casts threefold aspect, mage armor, and youthful appearance.
Once her spells are ready, she goes to Syvet. "I've returned as promised. Hold to your mind, but if you have any control over yourself, submit to the magic when it warps your form!"
Samuel gives farewell to the mercane, giving up on most of his desires to get new equipment and just focusing on the belt improvement "Well, then, we will wait for you here"
Other than that, he will follow Letitia and will wait to see the results of her new attempt to save Syvet.
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Letitia's spell envelops Syvet and the monstrous creature she was fused with in a glowing nimbus of energy. She and the creature seem to try to fight off the effects of the polymorph, but soon they disappear...to be replaced with the form of a small, grey cat.
The cat meows and bounds towards Letitia, winding through her legs. As it does so, Letetia feels a small pulse of energy flow through her and Lazlo, and she can hear a faint voice say, "Thank you...."
The cat saunters around, but does not display any more intelligence or ability than that of a common cat.
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Letitia looks down with a sad smile as the cat rubs up against her legs. "May this be a respite from your torment, Syvet."
She gently picks up the cat if it allows her to, and she carries it to Ariadna. "This is Syvet. It's polymorphed, so take care not to casually throw any dispel magics around it, or you'll be faced with a very hungry tentacle creature. I've no time to dally with this now, but someday I will restore its mind."
When Lazlo hoots at her, Letitia's eyes go wide. "A parting gift? That's wonderful. Thank you, Syvet, though you cannot understand me at the moment." She scratches under the cat's chin.
Smoothing out her dress, she turns to the others. "Well, my errands have come to a close. All that's left is to wait for the mercane to arrive and complete the transactions."
Not one used to being idle, she begins brewing another potion if it appears that the mercane will be long in arriving.
Llewellyn was sketching in his notebook as this happened, he found it fascinating. Clearly he was going to have to make some revisions to the play, or not, long after they were gone the world would know the granddaughter through his words. He had yet to decide whether she was a hero or villain, a reasonable doubt considering they were apparently working for baba freaking yaga!
"Well... I've seen worse endings. Beast to cat's a damn sight kinder than beast to ash"
He tips his hat toward Letitia, voice low but steady "Good work. You gave her some peace. Not many get that luxury out here"
"Now all that's left is to wait on our blue-skinned trader. After that... back to chasing witch tales" he comments looking at the sky.
For the rest of the day, Samuel will work in producing new powder and bullets for his fine weapon.
At some point in the groups busy-work, Zorka the house spirit emerges from a nearby hedge and announces, "There is someone at the door!"
She then pauses, before continuing, "The have knocked quite politely. But, I can't remember the last time the Hut allowed anyone to approach the door and knock. This must be someone known to the Hut..."
Her message delivered, and still muttering about how odd it was to have someone knock at the Hut's door, she slowly fades into the floor.
Letitia perks up fron her bubbling cauldron. She takes precautions to ensure the potion she's working on doesn't overflow, then hurries to the front door to make sure no one blunders more information than is truly necessary.
Samuel observe Zorka come and go "I will never get used to that one"
Nevertheless, he stretches through the corridors to reach the door and slowly opens it to see who is at the other side, but puts a foot on place to anchor it and avoid a forced entrance "Who is there who is knocking? Are you one of Baba Yagga's friends? The Hut seems to know you, why?"
Samuel throws open the door and is confronted by a tall figure, some 8-9 ft tall, covered in voluminous robes of an unfamilliar irridescent fabric.
Sometimes you're sure it's a deep purple, but then you blink and it's more blue....it's a bit disconcerting.
More disconcerting, is the large cowl hiding the figure's head...or what you think is its head. For within the dark recess of the cowl, a number
of glowing lights swirl, their number constantly changing, their motion seemingly random.
Within the robes an appendage holding a intricately carved staff swiftly withdrew said staff from the door, where it had presumably been ready to knock again.
At the bottom of the porch stairs, two figures stand: The two ladies are a study in contrasts : One tall with warm brown skin. Her hair a fiery combination of red with blonde streaks. Her stance speaks of strength and determination which is emphasized by the large sword on her back and the flame motif etched into her breastplate. She stands feet apart and arms crossed as if challenging anyone to gainsay her.
The other figure only barely reaches the first woman's chin, even with the thick-heeled boots she's wearing. While the first woman projects fire, the second woman is clearly ice. Her skin is winter pale and her loose hair is ice-blue. Three delicate spiral horns protrude from the locks. Her large eyes match her hair and scream of innocence as she peers around the larger woman's arm. Garbed in a thin diaphanous gown, her wrists and neck are decorated with various bits and pieces of jewelry studded with white and blue stones. Her long ears are also studded with similar gems. The woman would seem completely innocuous if not for the long, ice-encrusted naginata in her hand.
The large figure takes a step back and 'looks' at Samuel and Letitia and the others who watch beyond within the Hut, "Ah...you are not Baba Yaga. " it says, a small movement of the cowl indicating Samuel, then Letitia, "And neither are you....but you have the look of a Witch about you...perhaps a relation?". It's voice is at first melodic, but then changes to a drone, then pitches higher like a flute. The cowl shifts to look at those beyond and seems to fixate on Ashling, "Ah... a Rider's Mantle! Hmm...that bodes ill. Where, pray tell, is my good friend, Baba Yaga? That you open the Hut's door so familiarly and most importantly that you are inside the Hut to be able to do so...leads me to the inescapable conclusion that you are guests of the Hut...and therefore of Baba Yaha herself!" it declares confidently, its voice ascending in pitch like a trumpet.
"Ah...but I forget my manners. My helpers Thashara The Pure, " it says, as the smaller one nods, " and Natalya Orinsdottir " it continues, eliciting another nod from the fiery woman, " and myself. Nagubel, the Ineffable, also known as the Magnificent, the Peerless, the Inscrutable..." it continues in this vein, each moniker emphasized by a gesture of it's staff. After a few more vain-glorious titles, the two women rolling their eyes, the taller of them coughs discreetly and the creature Nagubel stops and continues, it's strange voice a bit more muted, "Yes...well, then. Back to my purpose....please fetch Baba Yaga, I have important business to discuss."
You sense no falsehood in its words. Pride , confidence and an awesome intellect...but no fabrication or guile.
Letitia's face remains a mask while the robed being introduces itself and its two companions. Hastily, and before her loose-lipped associates can speak, she replies curtly, "Give us a moment to inquire if she will see you." Then she closes the door to the Hut without waiting for a response.
Inside, she backs away from the door looking to her companions. "That should give us a moment to prepare. I hadn't anticipated that Grandmother gets visitors. This could very well be disastrous for our quest."
She hurries to collect the cracked bowl and egg control. "No telling how powerful associates of Baba Yaga will be; we may need to make use of the Hut itself if we need to drive them off. Someone fetch Ratibor as well. We may need his steel." She turns to Zorka. "House spirit, have you heard of Nagubel? Does Baba Yaga truly know of this being?"
Thashara stretches up on her toes to discreetly comment in Natalya's ear, "Rude much?"
She glances at their patron to gauge their reaction.
"At the very least she could have invited us in for biscuits," she adds before rocking back and forth on her heels and twirling the weapon in her hand.
-- Outside --
The being Naguble regards the closed door for a moment before turning to regard her impertinent lackey, "Was I not the perfect representation of polite inquiry? Nonetheless, I appreciate their caution, for I am nothing if not formidable! No?"
--Inside --
Zorka, who had been watching , half-in, half-out of a nearby wall, nods furiously, "Indeed, Mistress, that one has visited Dear Grandmother many a time!"
Saying the name 'Nagubel' to Zorka brings to mind an old story told to you when you were but 8 or 9. Of how Baba Yaga travelled far and wide to find the materials and magicks to create her Hut. One of the creatures help that she enlisted was called Nog-Bell, perhaps a corruption of the name currently on the front porch of the Hut.
Llewellyn fancied himself a good judge of character and he considered Nagubel's words carefully.
With the door closed, he told the others, "That one oozes confidence, I sense no falsehood however. Still it's a fair bet that they are powerful."
Llewellyn too considered what little he might know about the trio.
Letitia takes a slow breath. "Worse than powerful. Nagubel may very well be the same being that legends say helped Baba Yaga create this very Hut."
Her mind spins. Their journeys thus far on the breadcrumb trail of the Mother of Witches have laid bare her cruelty in Letitia's eyes. She had placed beings in unending servitude or tortuous imprisonment for unknown slights or her own capricious whims. A being still allied with her after countless centuries would be immensely powerful and just as dangerous.
"These could be our final moments. Llewellyn, we may require your silver tongue to continue the falsehood that Baba Yaga resides within the Hut and get them to leave. Otherwise, Nagubel may decide he has the rights to take possession of the Hut and slay its inhabitants or, at best, leave us stranded on an alien world."
Thashara stretches up on her toes to discreetly comment in Natalya's ear, "Rude much?"
She glances at their patron to gauge their reaction.
"At the very least she could have invited us in for biscuits," she adds before rocking back and forth on her heels and twirling the weapon in her hand.
Natalya shrugs and then reaches over her own shoulder to scratch between her shoulder blades. Her back has been... itchy... for a week or so now. A strange tingling sensation like something is growing under her skin. But there's nothing to feel and she has no-one she could ask to check for her so it remains one of life's little mysteries.
"I'd like a biscuit." She says, "And hot chocolate. With cinnamon in it. That would be nice." Thashara's twirling blade whistles close by Natalya's head and her hand shoots out to catch the blade.
"Mind the hair!"
None of the names bring to mind any new information.
"What kind of psychopath puts cinnamon in their hot chocolate," Thashara replies while making a disgusted face. "It's marshmallows or nothing." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "A bit of brandy wouldn't be amiss, though."
With her weapon prisoner in the taller woman's hand, she resorts to foot-tapping.
After a moment of no further response from the door, she nudges Natalya's shoulder. "I feel like we're being ignored. Maybe you should knock this time."
Llewellyn nodded "Too bad we don't know anything else about them." Taking a deep breath, he remembered something he'd been told once, the best lies often had a hefty dose of the truth. It was time to spin a yarn...
He opened the door suddenly and gave the strange trio an apologetic smile, "Uh, the mother of witches appears to be indisposed..." Feigning embarrassment Llewellyn admitted, "We're uh, not entirely sure where she is right now." The way he said that made it sound like they'd seen her seen her half an hour ago. With an apologetic shrug, affecting the attitude of a long suffering servant, he added, "She could return at any moment or six weeks from now. I'm sure you know how it is!" With his best winning smile, he told them "If you'd like to leave a message, or perhaps write her a letter, we'll be sure to pass it on."
As he spoke he carefully observed them, trying to figure out if they believed him.