Bugsby dashes to the top of the rampart and looks down into the courtyard. There he sees the fleeing guard being torn apart by a flock of ravens roughtly twice the size of what was fought a few days earlier.
Avora inhales sharply and opens her eyes. "Am I... dead?" she asks aloud.
The gnome blanches in disgust as the guard is torn apart, not feeling much sympathy, but no one deserves a death like that. The thought reminds him of Kalt, and he sadly and quietly returns to the others, "Thecrowsgotthatguard," he says in a subdued voice, "Twiceasmanyasattackedusbefore." He smiles when he notices Avora coming to, but his eyebrows quickly furrow and he stamps over to her side, "Avora! AvoraAvoraAvoraAVORA! Whyareyouthrowingyourselfintodanger! Youwannabeeaten!? YouwannagetKILLED!? LIKEKALT!!!??" and glares at her, hovering between joy that she's now OK, and frustration that she took such a risk. A tear slides down his face, a stark contrast to the frustration on his face.
"I... I just wanted to help." she responds weakly.
The little gnome throws his arms around Avora's head awkwardly, Svens arms already there and further complicating the little fellows awkward hug. Stepping back he regards the druid levelly, "Yes, Iknow. Nexttimehelplikeme! Sneakyandtricksy!" He points to the large Ulfen, "Thatonessupposedtodulltheweaponsofourenemieswithhisface, notyou!" he reminds hotly, a slightly exasperated look on his face.
As Sven asks, the screaming ends and the sound of squawking retreats, leaving the party alone in the tower, the only sounds that of the pool bubbling in the center.
After Gil responds to Sven, Bugsby stands gingerly still favoring his shoulder a little. "Let'sfinishexploringtheareaandseeifthesedullardswerecarryinganythinguseful ." and puts action to his words, checking the guards for items of interest, casting detect magic around the area, and examining the rooms the guards were hiding in. As he's searching he calls out to the others, "Oncethisisdone, letsstakestockandseeifwecancontinue. Soundgood?"
Moving quickly and efficiently the gnome's directness and focus seem very out of sorts from his customary lackadaisical attitude. Something has affected him greatly, likely starting with the betrayal of Meirul and culminating with the death of Kalt. Whatever did it, this serious sort of Bugsby is a glaring change from the norm.
At one point after finishing his search and the group takes stock of themselves, Bugsby takes a few seconds to cast Mage Armor on himself, the shimmering armor phasing into place and then turning mostly invisible to the naked eye. He also rummages in his pack a moment, removing his snow goggles and approaching the others, "ThinkthesewouldprotectsomeoneseyesfromtheRavensattacks?"
" Thank you Milady for your aid."Ankih says as he surveys the rest of the group. " Mayhap a bit more help is needed. Blessed be Milady."
" And again."
" Ah. One more I think."
The party survey’s the floor with militaristic efficiency. Both rooms, having previously held the ambushing guardsmen, are small barracks designed to hold about 15 guardsmen each. Chests for cloths and personal effects are at the foot of each “bed” of straw set upon blocks of ice. At regular intervals, a small mirror is angled to view much of the room. Sacking the guards bodies you find much of the same equipment obtained on the other guards; long sword, chain shirts, crossbows and bolts. Between the dead, you manage to find GP In similar fashion, the presumed sergeant of this band carried masterwork long sword and crossbow, chainmail, and a spiked shield.
At Sven’s demands, the faint scent of urine becomes apparent. A blithering idiot, the guardsman rambles on about fearsome fae and man eating ravens so much it would have you think armies of thousands await you in the floors above. You get the distinct impression he wasn’t given the run of the tower, and knows less about the goings on here than Volan did.
Looking at the loot the gnome replaces his spent bolts, looking longingly at the over-large (for him) masterwork crossbow and sighs.
Bugsby considers the mans words, and looks at his companions, "Seemstooscaredtolie." He starts pacing around the central pillars, occasionally glancing at the mirrors to the north and south. Checking to make sure the idiot guard is tied tightly, Bugsby motions for the others to join him a bit away so as not to be overheard, "Sincehedoesn'tseemtoknowwhatisabove, here'swhatIpropose." The gnome tugs at the collar of his coat a bit, as if his suggestion makes his a little uncomfortable, "Letususethisguardtoouradvantage, andsendhimuptothenextlevel. Thenwewait... say ten or twenty seconds, thenusetheliftourselves. Thehopeistodrawanyambushersaboveusoutofposition, anddistractthemfromourownentrance. Thelastguardtogouptherewasnotwarmlyrecieved, andI'mthinkingthisfellowwon'tbeeither. Whatdoyouthink?" He looks around at your faces, trying to gauge your reaction to his proposal.
Bugsby does have a thought and tugs on Sven pant leg, "Sven, wouldyougooutsideandseeifyoucanthrowtheropeandgrapplinghookuptothenextlevel ? Maybewecanscoutuptherebeforeweappearintheirmidst."
The gnome, the wheels in his mind turning, looks to Sven, "Whatwerethosewordsagain? Iheardyousaythemearlier." referring to the probably words to use the magic transport.
Bugsby shrugs, "Itwasworthathought. Tothenextfloorthen. Letssendtheguard."
Bugsby wiggles his fingers in a threatening manner at the guard, "Go on! Get going!" he states slowly but seriously.
Ankih listens to the Bugsby and then Sven," I'd rather not risk the raven swarm again. Using the guard as bait, sounds like a plan tho, lets follow him up."
After walking back over near the guard and teleportor....
Quickly he casts guidance on Sven, Bugsby, Avora, Gil then himself.
The group steps onto the transporter pad and states the command phrase, immediately being whisked away to the second floor. They appear in a small alcove. A crescent-shaped dining table occupies this Y shaped chamber, while two large mirrors on the north and south walls create the illusion of an even larger space. Twenty feet overhead, an immense chandlier of ice crystals hangs from the ceiling. To the east, rounded steps access a short hallway, flanked by twin ice sculptures of Dryads holding ice-carved tree limbs, creating an elaborate archway. Translucent, glasslike double doors are set in the hall's north and south walls. To the west, between the two alcoves stand three windows providing an amazing view of the wintry landscape outside the tower.
Standing in the middle of the room, a familiar forlarren stands, her traveling gear having been exchanges to a figure hugging white dress that accents her icy blue features. "My dear Bugsby, you are certainly persistent." she purrs. The guard previously sent through is seen dashing through the northern hall door.
"Mierul!" A myriad of emotions ripple over the small gnomes face, but standing above the rest -as the gnome locks eyes with his would be Love- is hope. But soon even that last bastion is broken down under the uncaring and even hostile gaze of the blue creature. Slowly the gnomes eyes fill with glinting wetness as he looks upon her, and then his brows come down in a scowl, "You... you... Liar!" is all he can think to say, his thoughts and emotions swirling too quickly for him to sputter out this heart-felt accusation.
"Liar? To you?" she responds with almost a laugh, "My dear I have no idea what you mean? I asked you questions, and you oh so helpfully provided them. Now, I'd love to continue out conversation, but I want to make sure that your friends don't get any ideas. You had such fun outside, I thought I'd bring his two sisters out to meet the group that killed their brother. Oh ladies!" Then, from the northern room stomp two hulking trolls, though, slightly smaller than the one outside. The huff and grumble as Mierul stares intently at them, as if keeping them cowed by force of will. Satisfied of their locations, she hold out her hand and the two beasties stop their shambling a few paces behind her. Turning toward the group she adds, "Now, you were saying I was a liar?"
The gnome scarcely has eyes for the 'sisters', remaining focused on the object of his misery. "Youpretendedtobemyfriend! Youbig... blueface! Iwantedtobewithyou, Ithoughtyouwereintrouble!" The small gnome starts pacing from side to side, his hands waiving in the air in irate fashion, "NowKaltisdead, you'recavortingwithTrolls... Is'Mierul'evenyourrealname!?" He turns to face her at this point, hands planted on hips, eyes glaring and face flushed.
She sighs as Bugsby rants at her, "Bugsby Bugsby Bugsby, I was nice because you were so helpful in providing me with all of the information I needed on your merry little band. Now Radosek and Nazhena know all about what happened and what you can do. I must say adding Gilganis to your group is a bit of a surprise, but he is known to us. Yes, Mierul is my name, at least, what is easy to say in common. You seemed so clever too... Do you really think someone born of winter's chill would be in trouble if they went out into the snow? I will remind you, YOU are the interlopers here, YOU forced your way in here with sword and spell, YOUR actions are what got your friend killed, not mine." She pauses her little speach, hand going to her mouth in memory, "You asked me how to become blue. The easiest is to take a shard of ice into your heart. You would all be welcome to join us. It's a fair offer. You've killed a number of weaklings, join us and add your strength to ours. When Golarion is covered in endless winter, you will be lords of the land and all will bow to you. A far better future than becoming troll food..."
He throws his hands back up into the air, "Becausewhatyou'redoinghereisWRONG!" he practically shouts back. "Thewayyouattackedus, andhowyourguardstrong-armedthetownsfolksearchingforus, it'sclearyouknowjustasmuchaboutforcingyourwayaroundwithSwordandSpell. Don'tpretendtoplaytheinnocent, itdoesn'tsuityou." and he juts he jaw forward, teeth clenched, "And you know what else?" he asks with deliberate slowness, "I'm not even sure I want to be blue anymore!" and leans back with narrowed eye, his most vicious barb delivered.
Suppressing a laugh, Mierul again rebuts the gnomes statements, "Who are you to tell a country how it is to be run? This is Irrisen. Made by Witches to be run by Witches. They decide how they want it to be, not you or me. I didn't attack you either. If you are referring to the ravens, they are Jairess's, not mine, and trained to defend any known ally of the Pale Tower. They also attack on command anyone within the tower if Jairess wills it. It is sad that you chose not to join us, what about the rest of you? Will you give up this fools errand you are on and join the winning side? Do you really think the 5 of you can topple the entire country?"
"Six," Avora corrects quietly. "There are six of us. Kalt will always be one of us."
Mierul tosses up her hands in exhaspiration, "Actually, from what I've been told, it's more like the 12 of you, since your dear Kalt is in what, 7 pieces now? The question remains, are you with us, or against us?"
There is a creepy silence as the seconds tick away without anyone answering the Witches minion.
" Sadly I feel all her talk is just a delay, possibly awaiting reinforcements." Ankih whispers to Sven. Then in a louder voice...
" It could be some might be willing to join you, if you are talking seriously. But my price would be the reviving of Kalt. And If he would even consider it, I'm sure Gil's price would be the return of his family. Sorry friend Gil, not to speak for you. So, how serious is your offer Hmm?"
While speaking he is pacing behind Bugsby, doffing his shield and putting away his scimitar. He caresses his holy symbol as he does so...
Suppressing a laugh, Mierul again rebuts the gnomes statements, "Who are you to tell a country how it is to be run? This is Irrisen. Made by Witches to be run by Witches. They decide how they want it to be, not you or me. I didn't attack you either. If you are referring to the ravens, they are Jairess's, not mine, and trained to defend any known ally of the Pale Tower. They also attack on command anyone within the tower if Jairess wills it. It is sad that you chose not to join us, what about the rest of you? Will you give up this fools errand you are on and join the winning side? Do you really think the 5 of you can topple the entire country?"
The gnome draws himself up to his full height, "I'mBugsbyFeatherfoot, that'swho. Andbythewayyouhaveaterriblememory!" then sticks his tongue out at her. While the others converse Bugsby quickly casts a spell of his own, Sven's suspicions making him think to look for traps now that the conversation with Mierul has moved past him.
"Resurrection is not really a Witches forte, they tend to cook and eat people more than revive them from Pharasma's care. I truly do not know about Gilganis's family. I am more of a field agent, and was not around when that was done." response the bard with a smirk at Bugsby's showmanship.