"You're right. Let's go" Tiferet then says as Eve brings everybody back to the urgency of their mission.
"Ei hätää" she then adds, speaking nonchalantly. "Nathara tutki asiaa aikaisemmin ja, niin kauan kuin me puhumme Elven, ystävämme ei todennäköisesti saada taholle meidän keskusteluja tahansa pian."
"Vaikka Myönnän hän saattaa saada epäilyttävä jos liioittele" she says as an afterthought, and then suddenly falls silent, blushing slightly.
"I can take it, but I don't really need it," says Eirikr, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm good with weapons, usually. But I prefer to fight up close."
"Oh." Inire responded as the woman explained what was going on. She nodded once and then slipped ahead once more, now that it had been decided that Nathara should have the longbow.
This time, she manages to not be a total klutz and keeps herself wary as she moves forward... the fey had killed a man here, which meant they might or might not be close as she presses onwards and forward along the edge of the path... as she moves, she draws her blade at the ready so she doesn't get caught without it once more, the cobalt-colored blade slipping through the steady, soft snowfall as she slipped from tree cover to tree cover.
The forest remains silent as Mouse moves forward. The path ahead seems clear, aside from the snow of course, and the party is able to continue travelling without too much trouble. It seems like there aren't any fey waiting in ambush for them. Vosi takes off ahead of the group again, leading the group through the forest ahead. You travel for almost an hour before you find much else. Ahead, you can see a the trees recede and a frozen creek come into view. A snowman stand innocently on the near bank.
"A snowman? Who would build a snowman in the middle of the woods?" wonders Eirikr outloud as the creek comes into view. While his knowledge of fairies was limited, this seemed like the sort of thing they might do; people usually just build snowmen where they lived, and people didn't live in the woods. Usually. He scans the area for Vosi, then closes his eyes and concentrates, muttering a few words to himself as he does.
"Wait everyone," says Eirikr, holding up his hand. "That snowman. Not a snowman. Well, it might be. But it's a magic snowman. Or something. Not really sure."
As he speaks, an idea comes to him. He kneels down and cups some snow in his hands, fashioning it into a ball before throwing it as hard as he can in the direction of the snowman.
Mouse, who had simply stayed when she spotted the snowman initially, waits for the others to come close, see the snowman... and then for Eirikr's spell to tell him what's going on. "What kind of snow man is made of magic? I would suppose it's the fey ambush... they're supposed to be by the calder."
"We could try to melt it if we can get close enough."
Nathara has struggled with her equipment until she got the additional sword and quiver stowed away in so that she can sill reach them. She hooks the string to the bow by pressing the lower end against her left ankle and bending it around her right thigh, takes the bow into her left and retrieves and arrow from the quiver.
"Hopefully Vosi's presence will let them hesitate, the last thing we need is another misunderstanding. Give me a moment before you approach it, please. Vosi, what do you know about it?"
Fixating the nocked arrow with her thumb to have hand free she whispers the elven formula: "Arcane flow, resonate in my eyes." and casually makes the gesture of splitting the veil. The grey-skinned elf maiden approaches the snow man just close enough to have it in range of her arcane sight and looks at it.
Tiferet's about to go check on the curiously out-of-place snow sculpture when Eirikr's warning stops her in her tracks. Axe in hand, she watches nervously as Nathara approaches the snowman, eyes glowing.
"Be careful..." she whispers.
As Nathara draws closer to the snowman, she can see a sign hastily nailed to a tree and written in rough messy lettering. "Turn back now."
"Well, that's odd." Nathara looks to Eirikr to see whether he can make any sense of it and then to Tiferet. "I sense... illusion and evocation. Neither particularly strong. In terms of evocation that does not mean a lot, might be anything from a light spell to a fireball. Still, an evocation effect would need a trigger, unless it is already active and I don't notice what it is... But illusion? Might be an additional attack effect. Or the snow man does not exist. Or it is not what it appears to be - I concur with Eirikr conjecture in that regard. Or it is harder to hit than usual. Or it's aura is really a fake, but I don't think so. Or someone has an active effect to talk through it. But not to see or listen through it, that would be divination, nor a trigger, that would be abjuration. Nor is it a construct, that would be summoning", she muses, half to herself.
She shakes her head. "I suggest we either stay clear of it or we throw something at it from a distance before we approach." She puts her bow the bow laboriously back to the arsenal on her back, bends down and forms a snow ball and takes a few steps back. "Staying clear of it seems to be the safer approach, I doubt those spells last very long, so there is little danger to anyone else who might find it."
Vosi flutters down and listens to Nathara's explanation. "Hmph. Winter fey don't use nasty fire spells. Frozen blast maybe. Don't know what Fawfein has here. Just know that he was told to guard the river crossing. Fawfein likes being sneaky. Clever clever Fawfein."
"That would actually be quite clever", says Nathara and drops the snowball. "If Fawfein has in fact made this snowman it is probably an illusion itself and hides a trigger. It would be very hard to create a snowman of this size for one of your people with worldly means, like it would be to us to shape a snow man that would be meaningful to a frost giant. We better leave his defences untouched and talk to him directly, he must be expecting us."
Tiferet listens intently to Nathara's reasoned explanation of her findings. A most keen and analytical mind. Elven mastery of the arcane arts at its finest.
"I agree. I also suggest giving it a wide berth. Weaving cruel magic into a childish pastime is among a fey's favourite amusements" she hisses quietly.
"Snowball didn't do anything," says Eirikr with a shrug, squinting in the direction of the snowman. "Let's just keep going."
The group carefully moves forward, keeping a safe distance from the snowman. However, it quickly becomes clear that the ice has been broken and shattered everywhere other than the ford, perhaps deliberately. Crossing would be difficult at best and risk falling into the frigid waters. As they near the river, the snowman's mouth opens and a high voice emerges. "Hey you! Can't you read? The sign says turn back!"
"Are you real talking snowman, or are you just a spell?" says Eirikr in the direction of the snowman.
When the snowman doesn't answer, Eirikr shrugs his shoulders and continues to head towards the crossing, though he still tries to stay as far from it as he can manage.
"Remember the blasty magic." Inire says, quickly in a hushed tone, as Eirikr starts to move forward. "We need to trigger it without triggering it with our bodies... let me take a closer look, I might find a way to disable it." she says quickly as she shifts forwards, lithely across the ice and snow.
Morgraine frowns, watching the mouse scamper forward. Brave of her... or foolhardy. "Be careful," she hisses after Inire.
Inire nods and slips back. "It looks as though they've rigged the ice to fall apart, maybe... and there's something under it." she keeps her voice low as she informs the others. "I didn't really see anything involving the blast's trigger, though."
"Could throw my spear at it. See if I could set it off that way," offers Eirikr.
Eirikr unstraps his spear from his back and squints in the direction of the snowman; he bites his tongue and then hurls his spear with all of his might at the snowman.
The spear goes straight through the snowman's torso and lodges there, yet nothing seems to happen.
"If they have a creature under the ice it could be too risky to cross even if it wouldn't break, you know anything about a creature here Vosi? It may be better to just go around."
Vosi shrugs and shakes his head. "Fawfein is good with animals. Maybe water beasts of some kind. Or something brought through the portal to help. Or even something summoned by Hommelstaub. Going around tricky. This is only safe crossing for miles. Take all day to go around. Sneaky bandits might move noble lady before we can reach them and stop the traitors." He frowns. "Nasty servants of mistress could call for Fawfein. He likes to watch the tricks he plays. Probably can see us. Probably waiting to see what happens."
Nathara feels highly uncomfortable at this. "I don't want to be near it when it goes off, but we probably have to engage whatever is beneath there hard and fast. Does anyone have a rope which we might use as lasso? Otherwise we'll have to use a long branch. Or throw rocks at it until the snow shell falls off. Or... well, I think it might be better to call for Fawfein."
"That snowman is probably just there for show. We can hit it from a distance all day long, and still any magical trap would trigger only once one of us tries to cross the ford."
She looks at the broken ice floating in the creek below, and shrugs. "I could swim across the stream and tie a rope to a tree on the other side, but that would probably expose me to whatever creature Inire spotted hiding beneath the ice" she finally says.
"I've heard that the best strategy to deal with a trap is to walk right into it" she muses after pondering for a while. "It never quite struck me as the most conventional of wisdoms, but it might be worth a try. You stand back as I walk toward it and see what happens" she volunteers. "Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl with a thick skin. Plus, it it's some sort of frozen blast as Vosi postulates, it might very well just wash over me" she says, pointing at her sandaled feet sinking deeply in the fresh snow.
"Or, as Nathara smartly suggested, we can just try and call for Fawfein. Probably our best bet, all things considered" the tall white-haired woman eventually concludes, her stare settling on Evelyn.
"If Vosi can get him to come out and disarm it that would be much easier but can you?" She glanced at the pixie with her question."If not I could try to make it sound like were walking across and see if the creature reacts to it, I think charging to set it off should be a last case but so far seems the most likely to work."
"Vosi can try." The sprite takes off and flies out over the river. "Fawfein!" he calls out. "Fawfein! These humans are sent by mistress. Want to talk to you. Fawfein!"
It takes a few moments before anything happens. Then a second small fey creature appears from the trees on the far side. He looks similar to Vosi, but his proportions are slightly wrong. His limbs are a bit too wrong and his head is a little too large. "Vosi. What are you you doing? Why would mistress send humans?"
"Because she has been betrayed, the humans that have the girl don't play to hand her over to the mistress so we've been sent to bring her back."
Evelyn hoped this fey was just as willing to please the mistress so he wouldn't look to closely at the lie.
The fey hesitates as he sees the humans, narrowing his eyes and scrutinizing them. "Rohkar plans to betray mistress? Stupid human. He won't last the day. It was a waste of time to send more humans. We fey could have dealt with traitors."
"Mistress wanted us here. You're not questioning what she wants, are you?" says Eirikr.
The atomie clenches his teeth. "No..." He pouts, but flies down to the icy surface. "Skrikks! Szassh! These people are allies. Let them cross unharmed." He spins back to the party. "And stay at least five feet away from the snowman. I don't want to have to reset the trap if one of you accidentally sets if off."
"The power and cunning of the fey are well-known throughout Irrisen. No wonder they're the mistress' favourite servants. It is but necessity which forced her hand to send us here" Tiferet obsequiously says as she carefully steps one the icy surface.
"Still, it would be most ungenerous of us to deny you all the fun. Between the trap and your... ah... henchmen, I must say you're doing a commendable job guarding this ford – something we'll make sure won't go unnoticed by the higher-ups. I say you've earned yourself some leisure time." These fey seem to hold a very high opinion of themselves, and nothing but contempt towards the bandits, and Tiferet has every intention to capitalize on that angle.
"Join Vosi and us as we bring vengeance upon Rohkar's traitorous scum! How they'll scream as Fawfein teaches them what the price of betrayal is! How pleased the mistress will be when he brings her her prize back from the humans' treacherous clutches!" she emphatically declaims smiling ravenously, a promise of torment and glory.
Fawfein's face slowly twists into a grin as Tiferet describes their goal and his eyes light up at the idea of inflicting suffering on the bandits.
He grinds his teeth together in frustration and shakes his head. "Fawfein can't! Teb ordered me to guard the ford. Fawfein will be eaten whole if he leaves his post without permission. Teb hates when fey don't follow his orders." He hesitates for a moment then his eyes light up. "Oh, Fawfein has a tricky idea. Wait here." He shoots back into the woods and returns a few moments later with a small piece of paper rolled up in his hands. "Here. A little trick from Fawfein. Use it to teach Rohkar and his traitors a lesson. It will let you sneak up on them unseen."
Mouse stays quiet, knowing that anything she says may well reveal her to the now multiple fey. So, instead, she goes once more to examine the snowman, while keeping herself separated from it by at least five feet... trying to discern what it did, now that she was certain that something was there.
It takes Tiferet but a perfunctory glance to the proffered scroll to identify its purpose. "My gratitude, astute Fawfein. They'll never know what hit them – and even if they do, it will be to late."
All in all, she has to admit these fey are proving quite helpful; indeed, she's almost starting to like them. We might even become friends – if they weren't gleefully murderous creatures bent on spreading an unnatural winter thousands of miles away from their frozen home, that is.
"I...", starts Nathara, "good... well... then let's deal with those traitors." And just how are we going to get out of here without fighting the fey?, she wondered. With Lady Malassene with them it would only be more dangerous. Besides the fact that she did not want to harm them. But, better to take it one step at a time.
She raises an eyebrow to Tiferet regarding the spell scroll and turns to leave after a moment, readying the bow again.
"Näkymättömyys loitsu, jonka näyttää se" Tiferet says in response to Nathara's quizzical look.
"Thank you for you're help fawfein we'll be sure to mention you're aid to the mistress when we return to her." If everyone was ready Eve headed off over the ford much more relaxed that the creature had been called off.
"You guard the ford carefully or Teb might have to share his meal," says Eirikr with a grin in Fafwein's direction; Ashen's tail begins to wag the moment he hears the word "meal" and he looks up at Eirikr expectantly. "Maybe later, Ashen. If mistress's servants don't behave."
Morgraine remained silent through the exchange with the fey and even through the earlier party banter. It seemed to be best to stay as unobtrusive as possible. Chances were very slim that the fey might know who she was and question how she ended up amongst 'mistress' servants, but there was no point in drawing attention to herself even so.
Instead, she remained at the edges of the group with Kettu sitting at her heel and watched the fey carefully for any sign of suspicion. So far though, it seemed her companion's subterfuge was working. But for how long?
Getting in is likely to prove less a problem than getting out. They may not question us now, but if we later try to leave without sending their prisoner to their benefactress, or giving her over, that is going to raise questions. If we have to fight the fey after dealing with the bandits, our resources may be spread thin. Gods, what I wouldn't give to be able to work a hex or three again...
"Yes yes, Fawfein will do his job. Make sure that you teach Rohkar a lesson for Fawfien. The ice is safe to cross. We were waiting to knock any humans that came through into the holes, but it is fine for you."
Inire, having studied as much as she was willing to study, and being entirely unwilling to get any closer to the snowman, opts to move onwards once Fawfein announces that they've overstayed their welcome.
She slips back into the front, and stays a comfortable distance from her allies once more, she keeps her eyes peeled, but seems to fade like a ghost, this time, once she gets back into the treeline.