Bea laughs a bit at Katya's enthusiasm, suddenly put at ease after a long period of running the country. "Let's see what the commotion is."
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[ooc]I like your idea for creating an ambassador to the "mud people". Bea gives her approval and leaves it up to you to figure out details, but offers to help if needed. -Posted with Wayfinder
2 kingdom rounds sounds like a good plan, and building out toward's Oleg's seems like a solid choice. Not sure how he'll like the attention, but at least he'll like the business.
Bea shrugs. "She's right. We just wanted to trade. No clue why your great stick tried to kill us, but we weren't just gonna lay down and let it."
Bea nods. "We didn't wish a fight, but will defend ourselves. That fiend was evil and attacked without warning or reason. Please don't do the same."
Beatrix looks around warily. "Katya, what's going on? I don't know if you're even talking to them or casting more spells."
Bolstered by the spell and success, Beatrix swings again, striking true on one of her swift strikes.
Breathing deeply, Beatrix closes her eyes and speaks in a low voice, "Noldur, Bringer of Redemption, Blade of Erastil." Immediately, her sword flashes brilliantly as a flameless torch. Opening her eyes, she swings once again at the foe, keeping it at bay.
Bea tries to hide her surprise as she steels her resolve against the apparition. Calling upon her inner strength, she swings at the foe.
With a puzzled look on her face, Bea nods and follows him inside the fort.
Frowning, Beatrix shoots Fitcher a look and steps in. "Now let's all calm down, there's no need for undue fuss. Maybe something's happened to these folk, made you wary of outsiders? If you'd tell us why Chief isn't fond of us sort, maybe we can fix things."
Shaking her coin purse, be adds "We've got gold too."
Bea keeps a watchful eye on their lizard companion and reaches out towards the fort with her senses, searching for danger as they approach.
Bea smiles genuinely at the lizardman with the raft and steps aboard, but her eyes keep darting around as she stays alert for danger.
Bea responds in a low voice "Can't tell anything for sure from here. Let's play along and get closer." Waving to the lizardmen, she shouts, "Thank you! We'll wait here!"
Bea's face stiffens. "I heard it too. That could change things - I don't take kindly to slavers." Straining to hear more, she reaches out with her senses towards the crying.
"And gold!" She gives a sheepish grin. "Well, maybe they'll take coin?"
Bea sighs in audible relief. "Fitch?"
Deciding to continue her current communication strategy, Bea waves and calls again, "Trade?"
Bea speaks aside to her companions, "Do they speak common? Anyone speak their language?"
The Fitcher gives Bea the side-eye, amused by her pithy hail.
Beatrix nods in agreement, looking curiously at the site. Coming within shouting distance, she calls out to the gate. "Hello!"
Bea looks inside once again, frowning. "Never thought I'd miss having Adam along out here. I'm not much for investigation." She reaches out again with her senses, straining to detect any residual evil traces lingering on his home.
Bea looks at Fitcher curiously, then back at the dead man, frowning. Without looking up, she replied, "You're right, better follow before the trail's cold. The dead can wait." At the hollow, she stands guard outside as her companions explore the interior.
Bea agrees. "May as well camp here tonight, it'll be dark once he's buried. That cat make good meat?"
Bea picks up the ring, sliding it on her own finger. "Katya, could he have been under some enchantment?" She scans the area around the clearing, reaching out to feel for any malicious presence.
Bea stands staring at the man, a look of shock and confusion etched on her face. As if broken from a trance by Vasily's words, she shakes her head. "Yes, why. He was a mite odd and maybe losing his memories from age or too long alone in the woods, but I don't see why'd he attack us like that." She pauses for a moment, closes her eyes, and allows the familiar warm energy flow through her and out to her companions.
Beatrix swings her sword hard as the animal moves past her to attack Vasily.
Bea takes up a defensive posture, facing the big cat. "Vasily, if you can't calm it down I'm gonna have to put it down." [/ooc]Total Defense[ooc] -Posted with Wayfinder
Completely taken by surprise, Bea recoils at the sudden action and pain. Drawing her greatsword, she stands and swings back at the old man.
Enjoying the conversation, Bea mostly listens, injecting minor corrections or additions to stories as needed.
A faint smile plays across her face as Bea follows her companions, allowing Vasily to take the lead.
"What's the forest say of late? Anything round here to look out for?"
"Surveying the land. These parts never been properly mapped - what can you tell us about the forest here?"
Relaxing her grip, Bea calls out in response, "Beatrix of Nadezhda, and company. Have any trouble, friend?"
Bea pulls the reins to stop her horse, holds up a hand, and slides as quietly as she can from her horse. Despite her attempts, she lands on the ground with a symphony of clangs and rings from her armor. She tries to hold still, standing at the ready, her hand on her sword as her eyes dart back and forth, wondering if anyone heard that.
Despite the uncomfortable surroundings, Beatrix falls into a deep sleep, for the first time since coming to the Stolen Lands her dreams surprisingly free of any of the past horrors that haunted her. The image of a stag gazing at her from the distance lingers in her mind as she greets the new day with a feeling of confidence and purpose.
Beatrix simply looks at Katya and nods in approval.
Clearing her throat, Bea calls out to the old woman, "Beatrix, ma'am. Founded a new town not far from here, wanted to meet the neighbors. As there's been a flood of new settlers in the area, figured to warn you in case you're not overly fond of crowds - you'd not be the only one in these parts wanting to get away from them."
Bea reaches out curiously and briefly touches one of the fetishes, before turning back to the group and nodding an affirmative. "Witch." Turning back to the grizzly yard, she stares intensely at the various items, and the hut itself for a few moments, trying to discern their purpose.
"Huh. A hut in the swamp. Witch?"
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