If that's the case, he'll play along. Who are you? Why can't I see you?
If Grimma is still grappled when Lilly goes again, she will assist in holding her down and tieing her up with some rope.
Grimma was tied down much to the combined effort of the heroes as soon as she realized she cannot move, she fainted in the arms of Thak.
The fog dissipated as traces of both Sandy and Timmy cannot be seen anymore.
Over here silly!! So Timmy will you be my friend?
Thak raises an eyebrow. "Really? Fainting? Just from HOLDING you? Honestly..."
Taking the proffered ropes, Thak ties her up tightly, an expression of mild annoyance on his face. Going over to the waterfall, he pulls out a large class bottle from his backpack. Filling it up, he walks back to the trapped Grimma, sits on her for good measure, and pours it all over her face.
"That should get her up and ready to answer questions."
Grimma choked and woke up startled. She looks around in a shocked expression, confusingly she ask the man sitting on her boobs.
Whhhaattt happen?? Where is Sandy?
"Well, you and Sandy came with us to the waterfall; you then threw us some apples that you claimed were grown from your own orchard, and bade us eat them. Then I noticed magic in the apples and this lady here noticed that Sandy was evil. At which point Sandy worked some magic and tried to force us to eat the apples, summoned smoke and ordered you to kill us; which you tried to do with a battleaxe. We restrained you, the smoke cleared and Sandy and 'Timmy' were gone."
Thak gives Grimma an inquiring look and adds, "Ring any bells?"
I see...yes...I was told to bring you apples to eat. These apples would result you in a sleep that you cannot awaken from..
Grimma looks away from Thak.
"Told by who? Sandy?"
Alicia...Alicia speaks to us...she tells us what to door if not she...
"And who is Alicia? What is she? What is Sandy, for that matter? Why do you obey them?"
Alicia is the one which commands us...she is the Mayor's daughter. Sandy is her bestffriend...she has magic over us....over our mind and actions
Grimma looks worried.
I am afraid I cannot tell you more...anymore and my child will be in trouble..let me go and move on. You have resisted her magic today...you will be immune but only for 24 hours....I am sorry about Timmy, Lillyanna. .let him go.. he will be safe
Thak nods slowly. "Thank you."
Gesturing, Thak brings the others away from the restrained Grimma towards the waterfall, where the roaring spray will drown out any of their words she might catch.
"So; now we know. According to her, we have twenty-four hours immunity to her magics. And that I count as excellent. I don't know what happened to 'Timmy' but I say we go back to town and knock every one who attacks us unconscious until this is all solved."
No wagon guard would refuse 10000 gold. That's a king's ransom. I don't want to blow my cover.
Angrim's eyes go wide at the amount mentioned. "Yeah sure, I'd never have to sit on a bumpy-ass wooden seat observing a horse's hind bits again! Sign me up!"
"Aye, I'll work for that as well. Though I hope ya don't mind my wonderin', why pay such a hefty sum when ya have guards a plenty here already? Unless ya don't expect us to come back alive, that is." Terflynn says, in a rare moment of clarity.
"I think we should head back to the inn and check on the others quickly. For all we know they could be under a similar attack and may need our help. Though we should head there stealthily at first until we've reached the others. No reason to draw too much attention to us until we are all together."
Definitely, Jensida nods, her eyes intent. We also need to worry aboutf what their going to do when they find out about "Timmy." With magic around, he won't be able to keep the disguise for long. We need to gather the-- Jensida pauses in surprise for a moment before continuing, the peers and get him back. I guess this means we're really a team now.The big question is, where do we focus our efforts? Sandy, Alicia or the orphanage?
"I think we should head to the orphanage after we are all gathered together again. That is the most likely place they would take Timmy and Alicia might be there to welcome Sandy back with a new 'orphan'."
Thak shrugs. "But Alicia is the mayor's daughter, so why would she be at an orphanage? Nevertheless I see your point. I say we try to find Sandy first; that will get 'Timmy' back, hopefully, and then we can take on Alicia."
Pausing for a moment, Thak points a thumb back at his captive. "So what do we do with Grimma? If we send her back she'll just alert Alicia and probably get charmed again. But she's on our side for now; could we tell her to make for the next village?"
"Aye, I'll work for that as well. Though I hope ya don't mind my wonderin', why pay such a hefty sum when ya have guards a plenty here already? Unless ya don't expect us to come back alive, that is." Terflynn says, in a rare moment of clarity.
Rustin shrugs.
Lets just say I do not want you to reconsider my offer..Anyway excellent!! Do meet the Captain tonight at 11pm shall we?
No!! There is no village in this area and you have to bring me back! You do not know the way back and most importantly i cannot leave my child behind!
"We will take Grimma with us, but keep her weapon for now and keep her hands tied. We can gag her later as we near the orphanage. I'm sorry Grimma, but we can't risk you attacking us again. We will do our best to free all the children who may be at the orphanage, including your son. Now let's get moving quickly, we may not have much time before they find out about Timmy. As we walk, I want you to answer some questions for us Grimma. Such as why Alicia is stealing children? What does she do with them?" Lilly will free any bindings on Grimma's feet, but keeps possession of her axe as they begin to walk. She let's Grimma take the lead, hoping that she is telling the truth about leading them out.
The blond girl laughs and smiles at Timmy.
Will you give up your family to stay with me? Alot of my friends do that..they desire to be with me as I bring them happiness. Check this out!!
Alicia waved her hands and like magic a land of flowing chocolates, fluffy animals prancing around, houses made of gingerbread appeared before them.
Anything you like Timmy, I can offer you..
Nodding, Thak removes fifty of his arrows one by one and blunts them against a handy rock while he walks.
Then let's go. Jensida walks along but as they go,she turns to Grimma, Do not worry, we will get your son back for you. Is he in the orphanage? After Grimma answers, Jensida adds, Is the whole town aware of what is happening? Are they all just afraid to stop it for fear of their safety?
I would think the whole town is also under the influence of Alicia...she wants children to play with her...however she seldom spares the adults...
Would most of them be enchanted, or just bullied?
We are dominated.. it seems she is inside our head and when she desires a switch will come on and we cannot resist her instructions given to us..
Then we really cannot count on your help in the coming fight. It would be too easy for her to use you against us. Jensida gives Grimma a pitying look.
"Grimma, this will be easier for us all if you will let us leave you bound and gagged. Perhaps in one of our tavern rooms after we sneak in to see the rest of our group. What is your child's name? We will free him from this Alicia as well. "
Diggy continues pretending to be a boy. He guesses the dream state hasn't revealed his real self to Alicia.
As they walk along back to the town, Jensida continues to speak quietly, praying.
Angrim heads to the appointed meeting spot for the captain at 11 PM.