"I am aware that my presence here makes some of you uncomfortable. This I understand, but please understand that a modicum of contact is required for my healing magics. Do not be alarmed."
"That's quite the serpent you have there, Gov," Reilarri gives the Juniper and its new prize a wary berth and instead turns to see if their battle had drawn the attention of any other local denizens. "Are we okay to continue?"
As Gov healed Cyla, Sven took his right gauntlet and placed in on her horse. The runes glowed a light blue as the wounds on the animal healed.
"Aye." He agreed. "Right useful to have around." He felt a pang apprehension, as he wondered what would happen if said serpent turned on them, but he pushed the thought away. Gov hadn't done anything to deserve such distrust. Mentally he added a 'yet', though he felt somewhat bad on doing so.
Stayven nods, None the worse for wear!”
After a little less than a minute, Juniper shrinks back down. She seems grumpy about this, less able to eat the Chimera, but Gov cuts a chunk off for her, and lets her retreat back into her basket.
"She has always had my back. Between Basil and Juniper, I have never encountered a problem that we could not solve."[b] He smiles a little bit, [b]"Often we solved our problems by running away. But now we have others to aid, and the night is still young.
Cyla's horse Shadow gasps to life and stands, though some superficial evidence of the trauma she just endured still exists.
Cyla will slap Gov's hands away from her after she realizes what he is doing as the haze of pain lifts some after his first heal.
I. Do. Not. Need. Your. Help. She hisses out. Clearly furious, though you do not think it is at you.
I should have been better prepared. Next time I'll trap the damned thing in the trees with webs before turning it into a blasted pin cushion and then burn it.
Well, you missed, how could you miss it was 3 feet in front of you! I can't kill what you don't hit girl!
Shut it.
She mutters curses as she stands, checking her armor and shadow. She glances back to Gov, before letting out a huff.
But the thought is appreciated I suppose... and Shadow would likely appreciate it. Is the best apology she is willing to give.
Damn that Fething creature. How dare you die now.
She draws a dagger and walks over to the chimera before viciously and vigorously starts cutting through its heads. Blood spattering her already bloody form. She ignores inquiries, save a mildly murderous glare for but a moment before continuing her work. Once done, she would whistle for shadow to approach while tying the heads together, then petting him to calm him down she slings the tied heads over the horses flank. She kicks the body again for good measure.
clearly tired and panting she turns to the others.
Give me 15 more minutes, if you would. I need to prepare a spell.
I will NOT be dependent. I can't be.
Cyla refuses additional help from Gov, and spends a bit of time preparing and casting spells to heal herself. Reilarri keeps an eye out, but it doesn't seem that any additional creatures are coming for you just this second.
Sven glared at Cyla. ”Calm the fook down.” He said, bluntly. ”That creature could have killed any of us. Teamwork felled it. I don’t know how yer pride got hurt, and I don’t care. If I’m hurt I expect any and all of ye to help me, and I’ll do the same for all of ye.” He finished, arms crossed as he watched the elf with a wary eye.
She glares back at sven as she finishes her grisly task. She seemed slightly better until she was told to calm down. She goes to speak, stops momentarily, then continues. I am calm... is all she replies with, but a storm writhes and rages behind her eyes and she wills herself to close her eyes and take a breath. When she opens them the storm of fire seemed but mere embers.
how my pride got hurt? Let's see you get tossed around like a ball by an orc and see how you feel afterwards y-.. breath... don't speak in anger... damn its hard.
Before turning her attention to Gov. She goes to say something but stops and Shakes her head. later
She consoles herself.
if I had been alone it wouldn't have even gotten close...
of course not.
yea i... wait. Are you mocking me!?
The bow does not respond.
"I understand that you hurt. And I would not condescend to you by trying to preach. You have great power. It is difficult to be restrained when that power is removed from you. Trust me, I know. Might I tell you what I do to keep myself as the master of my own emotions instead of visa versa? I promise there is no magic or religion to it."
Reilarri's attention has been pulled from the forest back to this strange elf, and she's been studying Cyla for the last few heartbeats, expressionless.
"Can it wait, Gov? Night has fallen and we are in an unfriendly territory--though I daresay we just made it a good deal safer. We should take the heads in to Sir Tolgreth as proof of the kill, but otherwise we should press on."
"Of course. My apologies, let us continue at once."
Cyla's right eye twitch's slightly as she looks at Gov.
Later, perhaps. She pauses for a moment before continuing.
Understand it has naught to do with race. And I appreciate the sentiment to help. Though I do not need the aid in controlling my emotions, I will listen all the same. She manages to finally get out. She mounts Shadow before giving a nod. The only thing that would hint at her predicament being her strewn hair and bloody armor, though even the blood was slowly disappearing as she magically cleaned herself.
The party forges on. As the group travels around the forest, following the path as it crisscrosses and loops, the night falls ever deeper. It is well fast midnight by the time the fearsome fivesome reaches what must be their destination.
The trail leads the group through a thick bushy border, and suddenly the trail gives way to an immaculately kept and tended clearing. The canopy falls away to reveal the stars above, and the center of the clearing is dominated by perfectly-trimmed rose hedges. The rose hedges are laid out in a pattern of concentric rings, with a clear path to the hedge-circle's center. Proud trees have been planted at regular intervals within the circle, and their branches extend beyond the rose hedge's upper borders.
Gov tentatively begins moving towards the center, keeping an eye out for... anything really!
"Oh, it's lovely!" Reilarri exclaims softly when she sees the hedge-rings. "This has 'sacred site' written all over it, but do any of you know what it means?"
”Really? Reads ambush to me.” Sven said, warily.
Gov and Reilarri stand there and look around. The surroundings are beautiful, but it doesn't look like there are creatures hiding in the darkness or secret compartments anywhere. Gov does see what looks like a loop of thorny vine lying on the ground near the entrance to the hedge-ring. He can see that the vine passes along the ground and winds up a nearby tree.
"Tripvine by the entrance. Careful with it."
Stayven marvels at the clearing, admiring what he can in the dim light. "Might be wise to rest nearby before heading in. We could keep watch outside, make sure nothing goes in or out."
Cyla glances around the area, after being told of the tripvine, she becomes even more on her guard. Determined not to let what happened only hours ago occur again.
Or, we could return to the camp, rest in a fairly secure location, turn in a report of our findings along with the three heads we secured. And return here in the daylight. Which I think is wise. We know where it is now.
There's something different about these roses. As you look, Stayven remembers that it's a month or so too late for roses to be in bloom. Scanning the ground, Cyla notices that there are no petals on the ground (although, it being early fall, there are some leaves from the nearby trees). Not only that, but the roses are in bloom in greater number and lusciousness than any she's seen before. The fragrance of the roses emanates much farther than any of you are used to experiencing before, and you can smell the enticing scent from a great distance.
It's clear that the rose hedges were planted here on purpose, cultivated, and trimmed into this shape. They seem to be a species of rose known as mother roses. Mother roses are native to Varisia, Nidal, and Cheliax, and are highly prized because roses taken from the progenitor bush never wilt, even after being picked. All mother roses in an area are typically part of the same plant, originating from a central point from which they all grow.
”Back to camp then, I’d say. Only one of us need be in the cold as we can use the tents. I can sleep outside. Me armor is enchanted to allow me to sleep in it, and it should keep me warm enough.”
Reilarri sighs and shakes her head, exasperated. "This really isn't necessary, we're already here! What exactly do you expect to be different tomorrow?" She doesn't remain behind in the fairy-ring of rose hedges, instead marching alongside the others without speaking.
Sven shrugged. Don't feel safe sleeping in any place fey." He responded. He had heard tales of those who were fey taken or fey touched, and didn't want to risk such a fate happening to him.
Apologies if I am a little on edge after recent events. Cyla hisses.
And nothing, I expect the only differences will be we will have had a decent sleep, and have the suns light to keep our vision better.. Would it not be prudent to keep as many advantages as possible when dealing with the unknown? Or do you believe we can barrel headlong into everything? She quips, grinning a bit.
And maybe I can shake this damn feeling and let my anger subside more.
At camp-
Sven, if you need it, I have a spell that would allow you to sleep rather comfortably, even in the cold. It is the least I could do in repayment for your aid.
Deciding that they don't have the capability or the willpower to take on the fey, the group decides to turn right back around and march out of there. Being seasoned travelers, another 90 minutes on top of the whole day of traveling that's gone on so far proves no issue for the travelers' fortitude. It's about two a.m. by the time the group reaches the workers' camp, where they're able to claim the two tents left here earlier by the dead workers. The fire is cold ashes, dead for days now. The forest -- full as you now know with deadly creatures -- looms menacingly on all sides of the camp.
”A scroll? Well thank ye, lass! But let’s hold off onto it for now. See if this web shelter is sufficient. If it isn’t then I’ll gladly take ye up on it.”
Statven, ever prepared as he is, sets up his tent and crawls in. It’s been a long day, but full of more excitement and adventure then he ever could’ve imagined.
Claiming one of the tents, Reilarri sits in it alone as she slowly chews a dinner of hard-tack and jerky, thinking about those rings of roses and the dried splashes of blood a few feet from where she sits.
"I'll take first watch--I'd rather not have to don my armor again in the dead of the night."
Stayven eats a similar dinner, though with the addition of some dried apples.
”My armor’s no trouble for me to sleep in. I can take the last watch.”
I can see well in the dark... so I can take the darkest time of the night if need be.
Cyla remarks as she sets up one of the tents she mended earlier.
"Juniper can take a watch as well, she is well accustomed to keeping watch while I rest."
"Aye then. With the snake there be six of us. When on watch we need two sets of eyes at a time. And I have me ring, which means that I only need two hours of sleep. So let's do it like this. First Watch: Stayven and Reilarri. Second Watch: Meself and Cyla. Third Watch: Meself and Gov and Juniper. Cyla and Gov can rotate on upcoming nights as they wish, to get more uninterrupted sleep." Sven said.
You both recognize the creatures as bugbears -- savage goblinoid creatures prone to subterfuge, assassination, and theft. It's likely that they'll wait until a moment of perceived vulnerability before attempting to make off with slaves or valuables. You recall tales of a local bugbear tribe that makes its home somewhere in the southern forests of the Vale.
After setting up the tents and arranging themselves in comfortable positions, a few of the group chows down on some preserved trail food and then the group gets to resting. First to sleep are Sven, Cyla, and Gov. The ground is a cold place for Gov and Sven to be sleeping, though Sven’s armor keeps him warm and he’s up and active again after just two hours of resting. Eventually Stayven wakes up Cyla so that he and Reilarri can get some rest. The dwarf and elf spend some time in silence together, and it’s already midday by the time Gov is woken so that Cyla can get enough sleep to finish preparing her spells.
When Cyla wakes Gov, she notices that the half-orc is chilly, his teeth chattering and his body curled up, furs pulled close to preserve warmth. A bit of movement after he gets up helps him get his heat again, but he's suffering from some minor frostbite from sleeping on the ground.
Prioritizing safety and ample rest over speed, the group ends up spending the major portion of the day at camp. By the time everyone has slept enough, the two clerics have communed with their gods, and Cyla has studied her spellbook, it’s already well into the late afternoon. The sun hangs low on the horizon, though you figure if you set out now you’ll reach the fey rose hedge before sunset.
"Bah. I've slept through worse. Must be getting old," Gov grouses. He channels energy to heal, although those in the know can recognize that the glow is not as impressive as one might expect from a cleric of Gov's station.
"My apologies, Gov, I claimed a tent for myself without thinking of my comrades in arms. Here, go ahead and take this one--I'll requisition one once we're back at the fort."
Eyeing the afternoon sun with annoyance, the dwarf shakes her head. "Good thing we didn't investigate the hedge rings last night, hm? We might get a whole hour of daylight to look at them today!"
"Next time I shall ask Teshallas to grant me endurance to the elements. I have been living in cities for too long, and forgotten the ways that I used to live."
”Well we can complain as we walk.” Sven said. He couldn’t change the runes on his armor, so his ‘spells’ were set in stone.
Under Sven's leadership, the group packs up camp and heads back through the forest to the faerie hedge-rings in the south.
Just as before, the place is a series of concentric hedges of beautiful roses. There is a clearly-laid path that goes straight to the center of the circle of hedge-rings. This time, it's still daylight when you arrive. It's about 5:30. You expect the sun to go down in about an hour.
There is something following the group through the forests. Whatever it is, it's a small group of about a half-dozen, and they have humanoid figures and tan-ish skin. They keep at a distance of about a hundred feet, using the trees as cover and keeping an eye on your tracks.
Gov says quietly and matter of factly, "Something is following us. Act naturally and let us discuss what we will do. Don't look around for them."
It seems whatever put the snares out excepted us again, there are more... interesting. Be careful where you step.
She dismounts shadow as she whispers to the others.