Stand still for a second as she finishes to wrap up a bandage on his wounds and releasing the healing power coursing trough her body into the ulfen warrior
First i think these people over here will want to know of how many bandits you faced and how many of the winter touched she asks nicely
"Can you think of a reason that such beings would want to kidnap this Lady Argentea? Did she have any enemies in the region with connections to... erm, Fey things?"
Ikkis was grasping at straws, but figured it didn't hurt to ask.
"I don't know. But if one of the White Witches took her, no good shall come of it. The winter-touched do nothing without the leave of those who placed the ice in their hearts . If they're here, it's because a White Witch sent them. And much worse will follow."
Feinmeir goes to the shop Connor pointed out to him. Luckily they had brought in there winter stock due to the sudden coldnesss. He bought himself a set of winter clothes, and head to the temple to listen what the guard had to say.
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Arthrax knew little of the White Witches, just a vague memory of his mother telling stories about them when he was very young. The word Witch itself seemed very bad, white or no. He taps his foot impatiently throughout the discussion, nodding in appreciation to the 'witch' who was healing the man and coercing him to answer questions.
This was more than just simple bandits, which meant it would introduce unknown dangers. Which would necessitate extra caution. Which would take longer. Which would jeopardize his job when the girl's mother woke up.
He looks down at Demona, a dark expression on his face. "Is there anything you require before we leave, my lady?" He says in clipped tones.
Demons looks up at Arthrax, for once with a serious expression, and replies, "Just that you will accept my apology for pushing you way over the line earlier, and not go on this fool's errand all mad at me. And that when I go get my things out of my room, you'll come rescue me if my mother is still awake."
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Fool's errand. At least the woman acknowledged it. He looks down for a moment, then meets her eyes, speaking quietly. "Your apology is accepted."
He snorts in amusement at that, smirking, "I will have to go buy clothing more suitable for the weather, I think. I shall come for you after that. Assuming your mother does not have you under lock and key."
"wait, before you go," Yuln says before shouting at some of the clergy. One of them hurries off before returning with an axe inscribed with runes on the head of the blade.
"Take my axe and use it to save the young Lady. Perhaps one of you boys can make better use of it than I can now. It's forged with cold iron and should help against those winter-touched bastards."
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Arthrax glances around at the others, then steps forward to claim the axe, noting the craftsmanship and the runes. "I will try to be worthy of this fine weapon. You have my thanks." He gives the man a nod of respect, then turns to leave.
Speaking to Demona, "I will gather what I need at the general store. You'd best hurry, if we hope to be back by this evening."
He makes his way to the small general store, purchasing a Cold Weather Outfit.
Demona gives Arthrax enough money to purchase a set for herself as well, while she makes her way back to the inn to gather the rest of her belongings.
She pauses outside their room, takes a few deep breaths, and opens the door. Success! Her mother is snoring gently (for an orc). She tries to appear casual as she quietly collects her things, but isn't quiet enough when her mother's shrill voice cuts through the air.
"What do you think you're doing, girl?"
Wincing, Demona turns around, plastering a smile on her face. "I'm going for a short walk outside of town, to practice my magic. There's some demon child in this town setting cows on fire, so Arthrax thinks it best if I go a bit outside of town, so's not to rile them up"
no idea here, but a shrewish mother should be good at spotting lies a mile away.
"Girl, why don't I believe a word of that?!"
"I don't know, mother. You must not be very trusting! Bye!!" and she dashes out befor the older woman can get off the bed.
"Girl!? GIRL!!!!" Gruzel shrieks after her, but she doesn't follow.
Demona meets up with Arthrax outside the general store. She smiles for him. "Easy as pie. I just told her you thought I should head out for a bit to practice my magic. Shall we go?"
Connor walks into the Temple during the midst of the talk of horrible fey and witches. The young man rolls his shoulders in a relaxed shrug as he looks at the injured Ulfen, "A few fairies with a heating problem shouldn't be a hindrance. If they bleed like everything else, they can be killed. And if it was a witch that lead the bandits to kidnap your lady, it won't matter if she is white, black, blue, green, or polka dot. Once steel bites into her flesh she'll be begging for us not to make her a red witch. Now where did they exactly attack your group near the woods?" After his bluster, Connor spends a few minutes with the injured man figuring out the rough location where the bandits sprung their ambush so he can lead the others to it.
"It was near the edge of the Boarder Wood north of here." Yuln said. He then flexed his stiff arms and looked over at Merisiel. "Thank you and I apologize for my words. If i may ask you a favor, go with these ruffians and take care of them and my Lady should she still be alive."
Once he has plumbed the man for all useful information, Connor turns to look at Merisiel, "Not sure if we've meet before, ma'am, as I'm in and out of Heldren regularly. Name's Connor. You think Elder Safandar could spare you from the temple for a day or two? If these bandits have roughed up the noble lady any, it would be good to have someone along that knows how to set a bone or bind a wound."
"We'll bring her back just fine and don't worry about the ruffians they seem like the good sort." Feinmeir replies to Yuln.
The winter Touched are from Irisen their touch bears the harsh bite of winter. Other than that, they don't seem much different from normal fey.
Merisiel looks as the strong human grabs the ax but says nothing, like she is absorbed into her toughs as conors speaks to her she turns her solid white eyes
The winter Touched are from Irisen their touch bears the harsh bite of winter. Other than that, they don't seem much different from normal fey. she says as reciting from a book
Her gaze focus on connor Well meet Connor, i am called Merisiel Stormwind, but i am not from Heldren so my path is my own to take, and if you want me to come with you i will need someone to act as my guard, to swear on his honor and life to protect me. I wear no armor and wield no weapon and therefore require someone to act as my shield. For when this rescue there is something I must do. she says with a smile from her piercing gaze.
"I be willing to protect ya lass. I'll stay close but don't expect me to be your side every second, especially if we run into a green dragon and her pet kobolds." Feinmeir says stepping up to Merisiel, grumbling the last part. "I be Feinmeir Azast, and glad to be of service miss Stormwind."
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Arthrax is not fooled by her nonchalance, looking at her dubiously. Looking about for Gruzel, he thinks that they SHALL go, indeed. With all haste. He hands her the heavier set of clothing he purchased for her and begins to look for the rest of the group, heading back towards the Temple to regroup before heading out.
Perfect then master Feinmer. I will go pick up my stuff
"I will change into my warmer clothes and meet you at the steps."
Connor rubs the back of his neck nervously at Merisiel's requirements and sighs in relief when Feinmeir takes over responsibility for her safety. I have enough trouble looking after myself much less a gal. He nods to the dwarf in thanks and also to Merisiel, "Glad to have you with us, Ms. Stormwind." He heads outside to wait for the others to gather their possessions and passes the time by checking his pack and makes sure his axe is strapped where it can easily be drawn if needed. Satisfied with the condition of his belongings, Connor leans against his polearm leisurely as the others gather.
Once everyone is back, Connor points to the south road out of Heldren, "According to Mr. Yuln, their caravan was attacked about two to three leagues down the road to the south. If we keep a brisk pace, we'll be there in the same amount of hours. We can hope that the bandits will have a nearby campsite in close proximity to their ambush site but we might be spending the better part of the day in the woods looking for them. In Border Woods, try not to get separated from the group if you can. It is a big place and there are packs of wolves, mountain lions and bears that call it home. Any questions?" If there are none, Connor will wave everyone on as he starts walking down the road.
"Lions, wolves, AND bears? Oh, my!" Demona exclaims.
She adjusts her cold weather outfit, struggling in vain to tug the coat down over her hips. Shooting a glare at Arthrax, she snipes, "Obviously, I should have given you my measurements, or was this just wishful thinking?"
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Arthrax takes an opportunity to change, coming back out with his warmer clothing on. He takes a look at the others, noting the 'witch' has joined them. Well, the more the merrier, more targets meant less trouble for Demona. The right side of his lips curls up in an amused half-smile at her distress at the size as he shrugs noncommittally. "Mayhaps my lady has been enjoying her supper a bit too much recently?"
He listens intently to the big man as he gives a recap of their information. Nodding his approval, he starts down the road, making sure to keep his protectee as close to the middle of the group as he can.
"Its always wishful thinking when it comes to men lass." Feinmeir said adjusting his fur jacket so it didn't interfere with grabbing his axes.
The trip, fore the most part, is uneventful. You notice, however, that the farther south you travel, the cooler the temperature feels. Near the forest, the temperature has grown noticeably colder as goose bumps run up your arms. As you reach the site Yuln described to you, you notice debris and the corpses of slain humans and horses along the rode. A carriage stands in the roadway, its team of horses missing or cut free, while another overturned carriage lies sprawled and broken next to the tree line. To the south, more bodies have fallen around what appears to be a statue of ice. A snowy trail leads deeper into the forest.
Connor eyeballs everyone in their heavy winter wear which causes him to chuckle, "While reports are that parts of the woods are cold, the march there is going to be under the hot Taldoran summer sun. I hope you folk don't keel over before then under all those furs."
Connor goes quiet as they spot the carriages in the distance. As they move closer, the young man motions to Arthrax and Demona to check the carriage in the roadway, Feinmeir and Merisiel over to the overturned carriage, and beckons Ikkis to follow after him as he starts for the corpses around the statue of ice.
Feinmeir approaches the overturned carriage cautiously with Merisiel in tow and inspects it for anything amiss about it.
The skin around the cuts of the corpses you inspect seem to be blackening as if from frostbite. The statue of ice seems to be of a man, though with only one arm. However, upon closer inspection you see the body of a man frozen inside. He wears a breastplate emblazoned with Taldan heraldry. You see chunks of ice around the base with bits of frozen flesh exposed and you realize it must be what remains of the man's arm. A masterfully crafted sword lays among the ice chunks, a frozen hand still gripping the blade.
Feinmeir approaches the overturned carriage cautiously with Merisiel in tow and inspects it for anything amiss about it.
You hear the muffled sounds of something moving about the inside of the carriage.
Arthrax nods to Connor, heading over to the carriage indicated, looking behind to make sure his partner is with him. He tries to thoroughly inspect the wreckage while also keeping a vigilant eye out for danger.
The road leading to the carriage is strewn with smashed crates and boxes. Perfectly good fine clothing lie in wait in the snow. When you reach the carriage, you find two handmaidens resting against opposite sides of the interior, dead. Their throats cut and their gowns stained crimson red. The interior itself is in shambles as if some scuffle had taken place.
Connor prods the statue with the blunt end of his glaive-guisarme before reaching down to feel the temperature of the fallen sword. If it doesn't freeze his skin on touching it, he'll gingerly pick it up and smash the frozen hand off its hilt against his polearm shaft. The young man looks to his friend Ikkis, "What do you think caused that? Freezing a man solid sounds like a horrible way to die."
"Hey Connor we got something inside, want to help me lift it lad?" Feinmeir sad motioning for him to come over.
Ikkis has been following behind the others, quietly, and feeling a little out of his element. Upon the discovery of the bodies, however, he reacts quite differently: Ikkis has never seem a dead person before.
It takes all of his willpower to not vomit at the sight of the strewn corpses, and at the smashing of the man's frozen hand, he begins to retch.
"Connor, how the hell could you? That was a man's HAND!"
Connor shrugs at Ikkis' timidity at the sight of him smashing the man's hand off the sword, "He wasn't using that hand anymore. Nor the sword." His head perks up as Feinmeir calls out their discovery of something possibly alive inside the overturned carriage. He hands the sword over to Ikkis in passing, "Here, hold this." Connor jogs over to the dwarf to assist with getting whatever is inside out.
When Connor approaches the overturned carriage he too could hear the sounds. When you try to open the door you see its locked, though could most likely be forced open with enough effort.
Back in town, Demona glares at the retreating form of Arthrax, and briefly considers planting a bolt from his crossbow into his back, but contents herself with the highly sophisticated response of sticking her tongue out at him, and follows along.
Once at the scene of carnage, Demona doesn't know where to go first. On one hand, Connor is smashing frozen appendages, while Feinmeir is trying to ransack the carriage. In the end, she decides to go with Arthrax, to protect him of course. She grips her staff tightly, trying not to let any fear show through.
"Alright lad on three. One, two, THREE!"
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Arthrax holds his hand out to halt Demona, trying to spare her the sight inside the carriage. He reaches in and pushes the jumble around a bit to look for anything of value or any clues, then he retreats from the carriage, drawing his newly acquired cold iron axe.
He hears Ikky's exclamation, and feels a moment of pity for him. He remembered the first time he had seen a dead man. This was quite an indoctrination for the man. With his handy tool ready, he sidles closer to the others, keeping a lookout while they accomplish...well, whatever it is they are doing.
When Feinmeir and Connor open the door, two zombies attack them, a third shuffling behind them. their skin is icy blue and their dressed in similiar garb to the other dead that litter the site.
INITIATIVE!
Round 1:
Merisiel
Connor
Demona
Feinmeir
Zombie 1, 2, 3
Arthrax
Ikkis
Feinmeir takes a 5 foot step back from the zombie that confronted him drawing a throwing axe in his right hand (Primary) and his battleaxe in his left (offhand). He then throws the axe at the degrading corpse and drops his battleaxe into his right hand (two-handed).