Cervin sees the snow clear and rushes for the first person he sees prone - Arkady. Leaning over, he starts working at Arkady's wounds, desperately praying to Erastil.
"Old Deadeye, please let this man live, let him overcome this sickness and these wounds. He has great things to do and so mu--"
As Cervin prays, his hands begin to glow with a white light, which passes down into Arkady.
Although he doesn't manage to heal him much of all, it's enough to staunch the bleeding. Cervin stares down at his hands.
So that's what the father was talking about.
As Cervin prays over Arkady, some of his worst wounds close up, and while he is still unconscious, he seems to have stabilized.
Daegan takes a beating from the cold blast as well, but moves to one side to avoid the full brunt of the blast, and the half-orc shrugs off the pain. He moves to Arkady's side, and chants a short prayer to Gorum to help his the wizard and the rest of his companions.
Igmar stands up and brushes himself off from the blast.
"Thank you, Daegan. That was much needed. I can do some healing myself, if anyone else needs it—though I could likely use it myself."
Arkady's eyes flutter open as Daegan's healing energy flows around him. He is clearly barely able to stand, and asks if Gorum would be willing to share more.
The additional healing brings Arkady back, if not to his best, at least capable of continuing on.
"My thanks to you and your god."
"Make no mention of it. I only wish we could've avoided it in the first place."
Daegan looks rather shocked by the sudden explosion, and hair peeks out here and there from under his bandana. He had been following along, deciding for the moment to keep silent on the tension between his friends.
The blast had been frightful, but thankfully it seemed to have caused no lasting harm. Or rather, what lasting damage it may have caused had been mitigated. Some days, most of them recent, Daegan could not recall ever being more grateful for anything than he was for his gifts from the divine.
"Does anyone need any more healing? I can help some more, but it will leave me dangerously close to having none until tomorrow."
Cervin looks around and winces as he sees the wounds on Igmar. "Here, let me try.."
Carefully, Cervin presses his hands to Igmar's wounds and starts chanting under his breath.
He smiles as his prayer seems to work and healing magic passes into Igmar.
"Thank you friend," Igmar says as he feels Cervin's healing wash over him. Humming a short tune, the wounds around his body heal up even more.
Yagello surveys the scene and says to no one in particular, "That blast was quite potent and would've felled many a lesser opponent. Let's hope that makes our quarry overconfident and lax in their future defenses."
He is grateful for Daegan's healing but still can't shake his anger from the encounter with the doll. He stands, wincing slightly and shakes the loose snow off his garments.
He tightens his grip on his blade and motions the others forward. "Let's continue..."
The ermine scouts around in the snow, her ears perking up at the sound of the blast. Her empathic link telling her Arkady is in danger, she carefully rejoins the group, watching for further danger. The wizard can feel her relief when he recovers, and climbs back into the warm scarf.
Arkady settles his familiar back into her place, and resumes watching for magic, the occasional shiver from his ailment occasionally getting in the way.
Cervin keeps his bow at ready while he walks with the group, keeping a little closer so as to offer some rear protection to the sick wizard.
The party continues along the trail and follows it as it winds into the valley. The snow falls heavily here, and visibility is so poor that there it becomes impossible to navigate by landmarks. Sounds are muffled, with only the crunch of snow beneath each man's feet breaking the silence. Thankfully, the well-trodden trail is still easy to follow for the group.
The trees fall off on either side into another clearing. With fewer trees here, a cold wind blows through the valley, bringing a spray of sleet and broken ice. The sky ahead roils with thick, gray clouds and the sun is only a dim glow somewhere in the mist.
As the party trudges onwards, a pile of snow moves just ahead. A black-tipped tail can be seen if one is looking for it, and a large weasel with a complete white coat moves smoothly across the ground, almost slithering like a snake. Arkady spots the creature before it notices the party, noting it matches the description from Dryden Kepp's journal.
Silently, Arkady touches Cervin on the shoulder and points in the direction of the creature. If Cervin doesn't see it, he points to Tsuritsa, then motions with his hands to indicate "large".
He draws out the scroll of Sleep, and holds it ready, waiting to see what happens next.
Cervin doesn't manage to see the creature but seems to get what Arkady is gesturing about. He nocks an arrow and waits.
Noticing the creature, Igmar reaches into his pouch and grabs an Alchemist's fire, ready to throw if it attacks.
Seeing Arkady pointing to something in the snow, Yagello stops instantly and looks to where the wizard gestured.
Cursing at these blizzard-like conditions, he finally sees the giant weasel lurking in the snow drifts ahead. Whispering to Daegan beside him, he says,"Maybe we can avoid needless slaughter of this animal and sneak past it undetected?"
Confident in his abilities and still unhappy with the others, he steps forward, testing the ground for a passage around the weasel.
If the beast spots him, he tries his best efforts to soothe the animal and avoid hostilities.
As Yagello approaches the creature, Arkady holds the scroll ready.
Yagello creeps past the animal. He notes a patch of red fur on a front leg, a recent injury.
The creature does not immediately see Yagello, but as the wind changes suddenly, the Taldan gets caught upwind from the weasel, and the giant animal raises its head slightly, sniffing the air. Catching a whiff, it lowers its head and cautiously creeps in Yagello's direction, remaining low to the ground but within Arkady's line of sight.
Igmar moves closer to the weasel, alchemist's fire ready to throw.
Either I can get closer to it, or at least confuse it so it doesn't know which way the threat is coming from.
Since Cervin hasn't seen the weasel, he just keeps his bow drawn, waiting for an attack.
Arkady waits, scroll in hand, to see the ranger can soothe the beast.
The beast freezes once it gets close enough to see Yagello. As Yagello tries to calm the beast, using a combination of soothing sounds and an open palm, the weasel sniffs the air, as if able to smell Yagello's intentions.
A blast of wind comes from the side, and the weasel sniffs deeply and turns suddenly, noticing Arkady and the others at once. It emits a deep guttural sound, bares its teeth, and pounces towards Yagello.
Arkady quickly chants a spell as the animal closes the distance at a much quicker pace than Yagello anticipated.
The creature slows at it gets closer. By the time it is near enough for Yagello to touch, it is walking at a slow, lethargic pace, and collapses at the bounty hunter's feet.
Taking a closer look, Yagello notes that the weasel has obviously been injured from previous encounters. He cannot imagine such a large animal as being a victim, so this beast must have been recklessly aggressive.
"It is a glorious beast, to be sure, but can we risk having it track us?"
Igmar himself is even shocked at his suggestion.
This freezing cold is freezing my heart as well. So be it.
Cervin shakes his head once.
"Thank you Arkady, we could have had a very serious battle on our hands. This creature must die. It is not meant to be here and was a great danger to Heldren."
He kneels down by it, drawing a dagger.
"Old Deadeye we ask for your blessing on our mission and your protection for those families that have been affected by the hunger of this great beast. We send this creature back to your care, and ask forgiveness that we cannot take the meat and hide."
Cervin positions himself behind the giant weasel and then looks at his dagger and the weasel. He instead draws his longsword and gets to his feet.
"Get ready to attack in case this doesn't finish it."
With one swift motion, he slashes the weasel's throat.
Yagello opens his mouth to protest Cervin's actions but suddenly feels light on his feet and begins swaying backwards. His head becomes a mess of conflicting emotions, and he suddenly realizes he was bewitched by the doll in the hut.
He becomes angry but also remorseful of his treatment of the others, especially Cervin. He decides to hold his tongue in this instance and sinks to one knee to regain his bearings. As soon as the episode passes, he rises, elven curve blade in hand, and carefully watches the giant weasel's bloodied form.
Arkady quickly casts the spell from the scroll, the paper disintegrating in his hands as he completes it. He is gratified to see the spell take effect, but then saddened as the others make the difficult decision to end its life. He listens as Cervin prays over it, and waits to see if the blow is sufficient.
Cervin cuts into a vessel, and blood spurts violently, leaving an angry red stain on the white snow and ice. The creature does not stir, and Cervin waits a few extra moments before he feels certain that the beast will not rise again.
Cervin cleans his blade sadly.
"A poor way for it to die, but it had already killed one man and could not be allowed to kill another. There's no prey here for it. Let's keep moving." He looks over to Yagello and takes a few steps closer, somewhat hesitantly. "Are you well?"
Unexpectedly, the crow caws from somewhere behind the party. Tmany of the men turn towards the sound, but only some see a slight shadow move through the blowing snow as the bird takes into the air once more.
Yagello looks at Cervin for a long second before answering the paladin's question. "Yes, yes, I believe I'm fine now."
"Back in the hut though, I think I was under some kind of enchantment from that doll! Everything is still so jumbled in my mind, and I can't understand why I acted the way I did. I was the one who attacked the doll first, yet moments later I'm her staunchest defender!"
He shakes his head in frustration before offering his hand to Cervin, "I owe you an apology and a measure of gratitude my friend. I hope you can forgive me for my actions."
If Cervin accepts his offer of reconciliation, Yagello moves a little closer while still grasping the other man's hand. Whispering quietly, he adds,"You are a skilled warrior much like myself. If I ever become a danger to the party like that again, do NOT hesitate to put me down. I would rather be dead in the ground than become a liability to the group..."
Cervin smiles easily. "You were strong enough to resist the spectres in the ice while I ran away like a child; we all fall occasionally. It is on the rest of us to help each other up. Of course you're forgiven." He pauses to listen to the rest of Yagello's words. "We are in a dark, dangerous place. I pray none of us would make that choi--"
With the -caw- sounding out, Cervin spins around, nocking an arrow.
Remember what Arkady said, remember what Arkady said...
"Damn that crow! Even if I see it I know not to shoot it. Still, we are being watched. There is no comfort ahead for us."
Arkady turns at the sound, but a sudden fit of shivering comes over him. When he recovers, there is no sign of the bird.
"The best thing we can do is hurry and hope our quarry doesn't get to make much use of the knowledge they gain by spying on us."
Igmar turns suddenly and can just make out the form of a crow as it takes flight. He immediately begins a slow, soothing melody, trying to put the bird to sleep.
Igmar finishes his chant just as the crow is obscured by blowing snow, and he feels a bit of satisfaction as the shadow changes direction, plunging towards the soft snow below.
As the party approaches, Arkady examines the sleeping black bird and confirms his fears that this creature is no ordinary crow. These kind of tiny intelligent speaking beasts are often called witchcrows, for they are usually attracted to arcane secrets and mysteries, often spying or watching from afar until they see an opportunity. Despite their generally unhelpful nature, their opportunistic ways means that they often hold valuable information. With the right price, Arkady figures this one may be convinced to share what it knows.
Cervin lets out a whoop with joy as Igmar's spell takes hold.
"Old Deadeye was with you there, that was fantastic! I could barely see the thing - and it's alive too!"
Cervin tromps eagerly through the snow, examining the curious creature alongside Arkady.
"So I wonder what we can bribe a crow with..."
"Well, someone get a good grip on it so it can't fly away, and when it wakes up we can find out. I'd expect it collects secrets the way regular crows collect shiny objects. No way to tell what it considers valuable but to ask."
Igmar pulls a rope from his backpack and sets to tying up the bird so that it can't fly away. Fumbling with the rope a bit, he looks at his companions.
"Could anyone help me with this? I don't have the most deft hands."
Cervin yanks his gloves off and sets his bow aside to help Igmar with the crow.
Yagello looks incredulously at the entire exchange between his companions. He finally furrows his brow and says in a very serious tone,
"You plan on questioning a crow?"
"It actually only resembles a crow. It is a magical creature, and I fully expect it to be able to speak to us."
The bound bird begins to move groggily at first, opening and closing its beak in slow, steady motions. As it tries to stretch, it quickly realizes the situation, and the black beady eyes open quickly.
After a heart's beat, the crow begins continuously cawing loudly, obviously protesting the bindings. If the creature is able to speak, it is not making the fact obvious.
"We know what you are, and mean you no harm. If you wish to be freed, speak to us and tell us what we need to know. What is the origin of this unnatural cold, and how is it that legendary guardians of the far north are found in Taldor?"
The crow stops, and looks towards Arkady, this time speaking perfectly ordinary common in a high-pitched voice that squeaks on certain sounds.
"I am but a simple resident of the land of Irrisen. I live an ordinary life for my kind, but a large portal suddenly opened near my home very recently. I do not know what forces opened the portal, but it was obviously some magic, and there were rumors in Irrisen of untold riches on the other side, so I flew through the portal, which took me here."
"I've been exploring this land since, and I have been disappointed with what little treasures I could find, until I found your group yesterday. I followed you until you caught me now."
"If you are looking for the portal, you just need to continue to follow this trail to the end of the valley, probably another day's journey for you slow walkers. I see a lot of other Irrisen natives going to-and-from the portal, so if I were you I'd travel prepared! I haven't gotten a good look at the area around the portal, though, as the Irriseni wind blasts from the portal, and the snow makes it impossible to see further than then end of your beak, er, nose."
"That's everything I know, so let me go now! I won't bother you any more, I have no desire in spending more time bound like this!" The end of the crow's plea is half-caw as the bird grows impatient.
Cervin blinks as the crow happily spouts an incredible amount of detail.
"A portal to Irrisen? This all makes a lot more sense and a lot less. That raises a lot of troubling questions as to what we can -do- about it. Thank you for the information, I thought ill of you and may have been wrong."
That's one good crow there.
Yagello's disbelief turns into astonishment as the crow begins speaking and answers Arkady's questions in great depth. He crouches near the bird and studies its face, looking for any signs of deception or falsehoods.
"My friends, I believe we are finally getting somewhere in our quest! I am clearly no magician, but where there's an open portal, there much be a way to close it. I suggest we make haste to this location the crow speaks of as soon as possible."
Igmar begins humming as he often does, but a bit of magic infused in the tune, allowing him to better judge the veracity of the bird's words.
Arkady doubts the suddenly-useful bird, but cannot think of any reason for it to lie. Yagello peers into the bird's face, but its black eyes make it difficult for Yagello to read the creature's face.
As Cervin and Yagello begin to make plans, Igmar hums an old folk song he used to sing on occasion in Highhelm. In the fable told through song, a group of traveling gnomes visits a foolish dwarven king. While the king is foolish, he grows suspicious of the gnomes, thinking they will take his riches. The leader of the gnomes privately entertains the king in an effort to appease the kind's fears with exciting stories of far-away lands, and the ruler relaxes at last. Just as the gnomes leave, the king's guard reports that the treasury has been raided, with the entertainment being a ruse. The story reminds him of the crow in front of him.
While Igmar doesn't think the crow is lying, the fashion in which the bird gave so many details at once makes the dwarf figure that there may be more that the crow knows.