As the group sets out from the lodge, heading north back to Heldren, Lady Argentea does indeed allow Bugsby to ride Scarab alone, citing Ankih's healing prowess as the primary enabling factor for her to walk. She continues to have a limp, but walks much better than the previous evening.
Arriving at the river crossing from the previous day, the group notices Ankih's teeth chattering more than usual, his bronze skin taking a bit of a greyish hue. Surveying the river, you note that the holes from Lachna and Avora's summer swims have frozen over with a thin layer of ice. Having viewed the ice previously, Avora notes that it seems the ice has gotten thinner for some reason, even though the weather has not warmed above freezing.
Oy! Watch out, friends. There's somthin' in the water. Looks sorta like an ice elemental. S'gonna be a harder cross than last time.
Lachna does not sound happy in the slightest. She remembers with disdain what happened on their last crossing.
I didna like fallin' in the firs' time. I'm thinkin' I'll like it less this go 'round.
Lachna shakes her head with uncertainty.
Maybe so, maybe no. Canna say without seein'. I'm thinkin' it's watchin' us though. Might be t'would follow us as we went. As I r'call they kin move through th'ice like nothin'.
Sven's suggestion of going downriver to look for a better place to cross sets Kalt to thinking. "I think you're right, Lachna. If there's something in the water that was set to wait for us, or for others trying to cross, it'll likely follow us. But maybe Sven is right too - if we can find a ford, or at least a shallower part of the river, we may be safer if the ice breaks through, and better able to fight this thing, if it comes to that."
He then falls silent, searching his memory for the nearest ford in the river, the shallower the better.
Listening to Kalt's words, Avora retrieves a nearby fallen stick and maps out a bit of the local landscape like this. "As you can see, the rivers near here form a tilted T. To the northwest we would find larger and deeper waters, while southeast would take us further away from Heldren, but have a much better chance of finding a shallower area to cross."
"Sounds like a good plan. Glad you know the lay of the land around here, Avora."
The group turns south, following the course of the river, pausing occasionally to check the water. At every stop, the water has eyes, watching their moves.
After about an hour of travelling through the snow, wind howling into your faces as you travel, barely able to see the one in front of you, Kalt finds a suitable place to cross. Examining the surroundings, the pursuer is not visible. Bugsby continues to cough and wheeze, his condition seemingly growing worse and worse. His skin is taking on a bluish hue and small icicles hang from the hair popping out of his hat.
When they stop, Ankih will take out a small case of oil flasks and a hooded lantern. He fills the lantern and using a tindertwig, ( which he pulled out of a corked vial) he lights it. Resealing the vial, he puts it in his pocket.
" Here Bugsby, hold this, in a while the metal will heat up and it can be used to keep your hands warm. Only lasts an hour tho." He squats there for a second, eyeing the flasks of oil thoughtfully, then returns them to the pack saddle. Next he pulls out 2 of the flasks of alchemists fire, and carefully tucks them one in each pocket in his outfit, one right, one left.
" This mention of Ice Elementals, makes me think they might be vulnerable to fire, being ice and all."
He glances up and down the river, looking for the Elementals and casting guidance on himself.
"Help me SEE, Lady Sarenrae. please."
Ankih peers into the snow swirls, feeling Sarenrae's guidance warm his soul, if not his body. After a minute of examination, there is no elemental to be seen. The group crosses the shallow ice easily, and without incident, resuming their trek northward. Without his furs, Sven begins to feel the cold seeping into his bones, sapping his strength and stiffening his muscles. Tenpenny likewise begins to feel the chill, her greenish skin growing dark as she shivers despite the warm clothing.
Lastly, riding Scarab, Bugsby slips off to sleep, his skin turning a whitish blue, and his breathing labored as it slows to a deathly crawl.
Avora silently watches Bugsby suffering and wishes that she had prepared endure elements for the day.
" Bah. I should have noticed this sooner. Sven get your cloak, I'll safe guard Bugsby from here on out."
He holds up his holy symbol, and prays for warmth and guidance.
" Thank you Milady, now please ward Bugsby from the cold."
" Last casting of that I'm afraid. We should hurry on to Heldren."
The warmth of Sarenrae infuses the party with newfound energy to trudge through the last mile of snow and ice. Near the end of the trek, Ankih and Tenpenny again begin feeling the chill of the winter wind. A few minutes later however, the group emerges from the forest, the sun shining down in all her glory. Much to the party's chagrin, the cold does not cease at the forest's edge. Visible on the group about 80 meters from the forest edge is a line of frost. Stepping across the edge of this frost line, it feels as if someone dumped a bucket of warm water on you. One second you are freezing, the next, basking in a balmy 60 degree sunny afternoon.
As the group travels the remaining few hours to Heldren, the warmth burns away the last remnants of the winter's chill from your bones. Arriving just prior to dark at the village proper, the smell of roasted meat fills your noses, the Silver Stoat having just started their evening service.
Kalt is quiet through the journey back to Heldren, wishing he could share his resistance to the cold with his companions. He's very pleased that they devised a way to avoid a fight with the elemental in the river, but things could have gone better.
When they finally cross the line of frost and make they way to the village, he responds to Sven, "Yeah, we got across the river okay, but as your guide I should have found a better, faster way back. Lucky we had Avora to show the way, and Ankih to put the rest of you back together. If we've any thought of exploring that gateway we heard about, we'll have to devise some better protection against the cold."
As the party escorts Lady Argentea to the elders of Heldren, Kalt says to them, "I'm not sure if I should buy you all a drink to celebrate your surviving that cursed cold, or if you all should buy me one for having to watch you all shiver and shake. Probably a celebration of surviving would be the best way to go, though it'll cost me."
As the group exits the crazy storm, Lachna puts her shield away.
Arriving back in town, the smells from the tavern call the dwarf's name. Her feel begin to head in that direction almost automatically, but she checks herself at Sven's words.
He's right, of course.
Aye, we shud check in with th'elders fer sure. Think they're still at the 'pothicary?
Avora nods her agreement with Sven's assessment of the situation.
The gnome had been silent and practically immobile the entire trip, except for the occasional wheeze or cough. Even once they get back to the warmth and Bugsby wiggles weakly out of the furs and pats Scarabs neck. "B'ank. you. B'arab." the gnome still seems to have some trouble catching his breath and speaking obviously pains him. He looks around as if barely comprehending where they are, "B'hy are we back in b'he village?" he asks confusedly, the sickness clearly taking its toll.
Following Lachna's idea the group makes there way through town to the Apothecary. Along their way they see heads peaking out of doors and windows, curious eyes of the gossip mongers taking in everything they can to tell the tale of the heroic rescue to everyone they see on the morrow. Arriving at their destination, the group can still smell a hint of the acrid smoke that heralded Bugsby's arrival 4 days earlier. Rapping on the door, you are greeted by elvish form of Miss Willowbark. Telling her of your desires to speak to the elders, she replies "I'm afraid the elders are not here. Take the Lady to the Mayor's house, I will let Yuln know and fetch the others." Assuming no one objects, she quickly closes the door.
Redirecting the final leg of this journey, the group makes their way to the mayors abode, Avora and Bugsby offering guidance as to which house is hers. Upon entering, Mayor Teppen rises from her supper to greet everyone, overjoyed to see the Lady’s safe return. A few minutes later, Elder Natharen and Old Mother Theodora also make their arrival. ”We are so glad you managed to save the Lady!” exclaims the Elder, ”We feared the worst when you did not return after a day or two. Please, tell us your tale!”
Meanwhile Old Mother Theodora has been giving Bugsby the stink eye, glaring at him like the was Asmodeus himself. ”Buggersby got himself a plague!” the old crone screeches. ”Better get him locked up, er the whole town’ll be sick’n a week.”
"Where a couple of us went for an unintended swim. We headed for a cave to warm up, but it turned out to be where some bandits were warming up as well. Once they were out of the way, the place turned out to be alright." Kalt looks around, almost as if he's startled to hear his own voice. I usually leave the talking to Sven, especially when there's proper folk around like the Lady and the mayor. But I lived the tale same as he did, might as well pitch in on the telling of it.
"From there we followed the trail to the bandit lodge - and along the way we ran into a talking elk and an imaginary, exploding snowman. We fought the bandits, first when they were alive and then when they were dead. Their boss man escaped, but we found the Lady here alive and none too happy in the cellar."
As he winds up his part of the story, he turns to the old crone and says, "No disrespect intended, but you'd do well to keep that evil eye to yourself and get Bugsby's name right. He fought bravely and shrewdly against worse foes than you've likely ever seen, and if he got sick in the process, it's only because he wasn't looking out for his own welfare in the doing of it."
There, now I've pissed off the village witch. Some will say I never learn how to deal with people, but she had it coming.
Lachna is happy to let the two ulfen take the lead in the story-telling, while she fusses over Bugsby a little, seeing if there's anything she can do to help things along.
I'd been hopin' we'd find e'm at the 'pothacary, lad. she whispers to the gnome. Then ye could've gotten immediate care. Let me see if this helps any.
She rubs his back encouragingly, but in deliberate circular motions, oblivious to the potential rudeness of whispering during the conversation. Her massage technique meant to help move the sickness from his lungs.
The old crone looks Sven up and down as he lays it on thick, "Sonny, I'm old enough to have put yer granny o'r my knee when she was caught stealin sugar plums, don't think yer sweet talk and smilin gonna goose mah gander. It's me job ta make sure the town be safe'n that means someun with a plague wot can be caught just by spendin too much time together needs ta be taken care of'n kept protected." Turning on to Kalt, she hobbles over and pokes him feebly in the belly. "N'you frosty, if I be givin ya the evil eye, you dun be knowin it. been in town a mit longer'n you. It be because he fought bravely and shrewdly gainst worse foes'n i've likely ever seen be the reason I ain't boxin his ear wit mah cane. He soon be about ta blow dis place up, mark me words!"
It is at this point in the old woman's rantings that the Mayor steps in and suppresses her ramblings, "Thank you Mother, we shall take your words under advisement. If Bugsby truly is sick, he should be taken to the Apothecary. We can have Yuln moved somewhere else. He's regained some strength, but something's are beyond our ability to heal."
Nodding to Elder Natharen, the Elder escorts Bugsby away from the group and back toward the way they came, making a point not to touch the Gnome.
It is at this point, the Lady Argentea lightly clears her throat, sitting regally on a nearby chair. Speaking a voice honed in court, there is little doubt she expects no questioning of her demands. "I require your fastest messenger to send a message to my betrothed, and to summon a second contingent of guardsmen so that I may resume my journey. I will require the best room in this little village while I await my retinue. I demand a bath tonight, and the town shall have a feast to celebrate my return. In addition, you are to open your town's coffers and award my rescuers a sum of, hmm, 600 Taldan gold pieces. I shall see this sum returned to you when I return to my manor." The Mayor blusters as the Lady continues, and immediately claps a hand over Old Mother Theodora's mouth. "I...uhh..."
Arching an eyebrow in dismal, the Lady adds, "I must apologize, I was under the impression the village of Heldren valued my rescue and would want to celebrate my return. Come to think of it, the trade caravan's between Oppara and Zimar could travel on the northern side of the Briarwood. I'm sure the villages there would be most accommodating to the traders..." Realizing what the Lady is insinuating, the Mayor quickly assures the Lady all will be as requested.
Rising from her chair, the Lady states "Well, I am going to the Silver Stoat to freshen up and remove a week of grime from my person. You may remain here if you wish, I am sure I am safe in the village proper."
"Let me see if I can help," Avora offers quietly. Taking a few herbs from her spell components pouch, she prepares a poultice and applies it to the gnome's chest.
To Bugsby on the way to the Mayer's
" I'm sorry I am not more help, little one. I have no skill in the healing arts. All of my curative powers are gifts from Sarenrae. Hopefully they have something here to help you."
Ankih remains quiet thru most of the exchange, only speaking up as the Lady starts to leave.
" I feel I should mention that we must be returning to the lodge. Near it somewhere is a portal , that is the cause of the strange weather, and a portent of more danger to come. It must be investigated and if possible, closed."
He nods at the Noble woman, " Safe journey Milady."
" Elder Natharen, where might I find scrolls of healing? Are those available here? If our first incursion into the cold was any example, we're going to need more than I have."
Kalt can't help but smile at the old crone's reaction to his words. Well, it's clear she knows him as well as she says.
He waits for her diatribe to finish, then says, "Aged Mother, when the sun sets on a day when I have offended no one, it is a day I have spent by myself in the woods. And because I have spent many such days alone, I'm known to misspeak when I'm with people - you can ask big Sven there if it isn't so, or judge on your own experience of me. I ask your pardon, I thank you for not boxing Bugsby's ears until he feels a good deal better, and I agree, he'll be a danger to us all again soon enough." Kalt finishes his speech with a broad grin on his face.
As the Lady Argentea speaks, Kalt's eyes instinctively flick to his partner's face, to be sure he's heard correctly. He sees fairly well-hidden surprise in the Sven's familiar face. 600 gold! What a prize! He manages to keep a mask of some disinterest, aided by the fading smile from his conversation with the old crone.
A muffled harumpf can be heard from behind the muffling hand of the Mayor, Old Mother Theodora looking none to pleased with the latest turn of events, and her having no ability to speak her mind about this. The glare she shoots up to the Mayor a vivid indicator of a conversation that will be happening in the not so distant future.
In response to Ankih’s question, the Mayor answers, ”Since it seems Elder Natharen did not hear you prior to taking Bugsby away, I will help you the best I can. Unfortunately we do not have much in the way of magical healing. Our Apothecary may be able to brew up a healing potion in a few days, or Elder Natharen scribe a scroll, but we do not have either immediately.” Looking to Avora, she adds, ”I do not know what your Circle may contain, they generally keep themselves apart from us. Now, if you have no additional questions, I apparently have a feast to prepare and a village to drain of every coin possible.”
Bugsby's interactions during the return meeting with the mayor mostly involved making disgusting faces at the old crone as ranted, mostly in secret. Once the hand was over her mouth, however, it became open season and by the time the gnome was led away, he undoubtably looked quite mad, tongue wagging like a demonic snake, eyes rolling this way and that, and head tilted at an odd angle quivering slightly.
Once their on the way, he tries to talk to the Elder through his wheezing and congestion, "B'his really b'isn't so bad. But b'if it b'ontinues b'I may b'eed a new b'oggin. B'his one b'is full b'of snot." he manages weakly.