Shiva steps inside the mushroom circle. She feels goosebumps rise on her arms and the back of her neck, as though she's charged with arcane static. However, her surroundings remains stubbornly lush and verdant.

Shiva's brow furrows as the circle fails to transport her back to the group and she looks down to inspect the thrumming sensation of magic running across her skin. It was gentle, but carried a familiar current. Reaching a hand into the air before her, she ignites demonic power between her fingers into her own blue current. The electricity immediately begins to waver and vaporize, melding into the invisible magics of the circle to create a shimmering violet cloud that remains tethered to the tiefling's raised hand. With the twitch of her finger, the cloud ripples and shines from its interior, creating a slight feeling of falling in the pit of her stomach that fades as the magics settle. With some idea of what to do, she focuses on the image of the Gap of Hirn that she knew, of her friends and the caravan. With one swooping motion, she brings her hand up through the cloud, and her surroundings blur as they had just minutes before. 

In an instant, Shiva is standing back on the hill before Astrid. Seeing the panic on her friend's face, she steps out of the circle and lays hands on the dwarf's shoulders. "Astrid, are you ok?! I'm safe, Ènbarr needed to take me to that in-between plane in order for her to bind herself to me. See?" She indicates to the scorch mark on her chest.

Alaris and Caio arrive just as Shiva returns from her interplanar jaunt. The ranger’s face is impassive as he takes in the scene. “Please tell me that this means this business is finally concluded?”

Looking up from Astrid, Caio's trademark stoicism is almost a relief amidst the novelty of what she just experienced. "Yes, it is done. The nightmare and I have an agreement, and we are bound to one another. I can call out to her from the other planes where she hunts, and she gets to have a kind of freedom." Looking to her side, she notices that the mundane horse tack was left behind when her and Ènbarr shifted, and walks over to pick it up. "Guess I'll have to get use to riding without a saddle pretty soon."  "My condolences to your crotch. Maybe lugging one around will be worth the grief."

     Astrid snatch one of Shiva's hand and gives it a firm squeeze with both of hers. "Oh, girl! Thank the Scribe! I just... I just didn't know what to think! I've heard of these circles where the faerie folk are known to move through the planes, but I wasn't expect that beast to take you with it." The dwarf lets out a long breathe and gives the tiefling's arm a few pats before wiping the heavy bead of perspiration on her brow with the cuff of her robe. 

    "You certainly have kept this journey interesting. Now let's have a look at that mark it left you with." Astrid pulls Shiva's muscular arm to bring her fresh wound into better view and gives it a quick inspection. "Well, I don't know that you're needing a healing hand for this, but I'm sure it's going to sting for a day or two."

Shiva can't help but smile as Astrid relays her fears and pulls her to examine Ènbarr's mark. "Yeah, that little plane-hop was a surprise for me too. But I'm glad that I've kept the journey interesting, the past few weeks have been unlike anything I've ever experienced." Bringing a hand up to trace the outline of the wound, she shrugs nonchalantly. "Yeah, nothing to serious, I've definitely had worse."

Standing upright, she hefts the mundane tack onto one shoulder. "So, Ènbarr is hunting right now as it's likely been awhile since she ate. So I'll ride the non-demonic horse into Mingol Bar to avoid any further issues." She gives Caio a knowing grin that falters a bit upon remembering that she nearly killed him recently. 

"Thank you all for sticking with me while I go through...whatever it is that's changing my body. Demon jeunesse? Anyway, you all mean a great deal to me and you have my deepest gratitude."

Several hours later, a distant shadow comes into view on the horizon. Up ahead, the squat, but sturdy walls of Mingol Bar loom amidst an icy mist that's blown down from the mountains and now hangs low in the air. In the west, the moon is slowly creeping up into the heavens and the northern sky is tinged orange behind the mountains. The towers of the gatehouse grow ever clearer as the carriage rolls on up the road towards the fort, until, finally, a challenge is issued from atop them. The broad intonation and rolling Rs of the dwarven guard's accent are for clear to hear. To Astrid, it sounds like home.

"Halt! Who goes there? State your name and purpose."

"Good evening, friend," Brother Ludomir is quick to answer. "I am Ludomir. My travelling companions and I are on a pilgrimage of the Lady from Piotrgrad to Paragon. Might we seek shelter behind your walls for the night?"

"Those who come in peace are welcome at Berronar's hearth," the guard intones, before turning away to shout something in khazalid.

A low rumble shakes the wheels of the carriage as the heavy doors grind open, granting the traveller's passage into the fort. Inside, Mingol Bar is like a small town, although many of its inhabitants appear to be seeking shelter for the colder for the colder hours to come. Though populated mostly by dwarves, the occasional elf, human, or halfling can still be found here or there. Of all the travellers, Nikolai and Shiva draw the most looks as they ride on in.

Once the carriage has passed the gatehouse, Ludomir indicates for them to find an inn for the night. The local guesthouse appears to be known as the Hearthstone and soon they are unloading the carriage and stabling the horses outside. Inside the common room, the atmosphere is warm, but sedate. A low buzz of conversation fills the air, despite the odd head rising to take note of the newcomers. Arching his back to avoid knocking his head on the ceiling's low beams, Ludomir quickly makes his way to the back of the room to arrange for beds for the night. With a group of twelve, perhaps they will not have to share with the rest of the common room. Branok and Beinidict remain cautiously near the door, carrying a wooden box containing the Lady's relic.

Before long, Ludomir has concluded his business and beckons to his fellow travellers to follow him and the innkeeper. They are shown to a private room with one very large bed.

Caio is quiet as they finally arrive at Mingol Bar. He falls back to the rear of the group and scans the dwindling crowds, shooting piercing glares at any who's eyes linger too long for his liking. Ghoul circles above as well before swooping down to Caio's shoulder as they enter the Hearthstone. Once inside Caio finds himself hunched uncomfortably, but he makes no complaints as they are escorted to their private quarters.

Before the innkeeper leaves Caio orders a round of shots, whatever bracing and herbaceous local spirit can be found. Once the drinks are brought he passes them to his companions and the priors as well, specifically meeting Ludomir's eyes with expectancy as he raises his own glass to toast. "We all need this." The hospitable gesture is made tense by Caio's demanding tone, but it's clear to his friends that the ranger is making an attempt at comradery. 

The stares garnered by herself and Nikolai are nothing new to Shiva, and she displays her fangs to several who seem particularly disturbed by her appearance as a bit of amusement. The warmth of the common room is welcome, but the tips of her horns scrape against the ceiling no matter how low she tries to duck, leading her to simply sit whenever possible. Once everyone is in the private room, she gladly takes the shot glass offered to her. "We certainly ******* do." 

Throwing back the shot, the stinging heat helps to warm her and make her disposition a bit more congenial after the long day's ride. "I'd suggest other sources of warmth, but this space seems a bit too communal for that. Unless the priors share more than the Lady's Light in their temple." 

Alaris and Zadkiel follow the carriage towards the stone gates of Mingol Bar. Alaris' mouth opens to answer the challenge, then closes again as Brother Ludomir's resonant baritone carries across the evening. As the travelers move through the streets, Alaris strokes Zadkiel's mane and she responds by beginning a slow parade ground gait. The aasimar sits tall and proud in the saddle, their eyes watching for danger and disdaining the stares of the ignorant.

As the others enter the Hearthstone, Alaris bends nearly double in order to stay close to Branok, Benedict and the relic. In the absence of stealth regarding their charge, overwhelming force appears to be the order of the day. Once they reach the room, Alaris puts the relic as far from the door to the private room. Choking back the bitter shot with a face, Alaris' eyes water a little as they seat themselves on the floor, leaning back against the relic's box.

"What blessings thy free bounty gives,
Let me not cast away;
For the Lady is paid when we receive;
To enjoy is to obey."

A tall bottle of crystal-clear liquid clinks and clatters against the circle of short tumblers that surround it on the tray in Caio's hands. The thick glass is covered in a film of frost. Dwarven vodka. This being her homeland, Astrid is familiar with both the taste and effect of the potent spirit. At its best, it can be incredibly pure, resulting in almost no after-effects on the following morning. However, down here in an inn in Mingol Bar that seems unlikely.

For those not used to dwarven liquor, it's a shock to both the tastebuds and the brain. Branok is left gripping the edge of the table, as he stares at the floor, blinking rapidly, while Beinidict staggers backwards before shaking his head to clear it. Brother Ludomir turns a shade paler than normal as he swallows his drink and gulps for a moment taking a long, deep breath as he composes himself.

"Not for the faint of heart," he rasps, before coughing and finding his voice once more while Alaris prays in the background. "I doubt that I will ever quite get used dwarven spirits, but you are right Caio. We've all earned a rest. The most dangerous portion of our journey is finally behind us."

"That's good to hear. I can't wait to lie in a soft bed again." Crossing the room, Shiva picks up the bottle of vodka and pours herself another shot. Wasting no time, she throws it back and lets out a sharp exhale as she begins to feel the effects of the potent spirit. "So, I wonder what kinds of recreation they have out here? I think I'll go ask."

Walking back out into the common room, she approaches the innkeeper as cordially as she can while hunched over. "Good evening. I wanted to inquire about the evening activities available to weary travelers here in Mingol Bar?"

The dwarven woman who Ludomir spoke to when they entered gives Shiva an appraising look. Despite the heat of the fire in the squat, stone building, she wears a fur shawl over a heavy leather apron. An expansive mane of fiery red hair billows out behind her.

"We're a folk of simple pleasures," she tells the tiefling. "I can offer you good food, good drink and good company, all by the warmth of the fire. Did you have something else in mind?"

"Simple pleasures are my favorite, those will do quite nicely." Shiva says with a smile. "I'll be right back, I need to ask my friends if they'll be joining me." With a nod of thanks, she turns back towards the room. But from her lowered inhibitions springs forth a question that stops her and brings her back to the innkeepers cool gaze. "If I may ask, just how good is the company beside the warmth of the fire?"

"Go find out, girl," the innkeeper barks at first, waving in the direction of the patrons sat talking near the hearth. However, when she looks up, she sees that the tiefling has meant something else entirely. The dwarven woman sets down her cloth and sets her hands on her hips with a sigh.

"If you're looking to find the Gods, then you can as well go to the thalornor at Sharindlar's temple. They'll set you right, okay?"

Shiva purses her lips and looks away, her cheeks going a light shade of purple. "Um, understood. Thank you ma'am, be back shortly."

Quickly scurrying back to the room, she steps in and immediately curses after scarping her horns on the ceiling once more. "So, our options are this room or food, drink, and sadly un-salacious company in the common room. I guess something is better than nothing, so I'll be heading back out there. I think I may have also offended the innkeeper."

      Astrid clearly brightens as they enter the compound that guards the Gap of Hirn. She peers to the north at the craggy peaks that rise in the distance behind the main keep, and smiles. Noticing she has lagged behind a bit, she gives Bluebell a tap with her heels to catch up to the others, but pauses to allow a wagon carting around what seems to be cannonballs and powder kegs to pass.  

     The dwarf  gives the small glass offered to her by Caio a sniff. "Not the best, but it'll do," she declares cordially. "Aguz!" Astrid tosses the drink back and barely reacts to the potent liquor. "That one will never settle," she says shaking her head as Shiva darts out of the room.

Quickly scurrying back to the room, she steps in and immediately curses after scarping her horns on the ceiling once more. "So, our options are this room or food, drink, and sadly un-salacious company in the common room. I guess something is better than nothing, so I'll be heading back out there. I think I may have also offended the innkeeper."

      "I don't know about needing other 'company', but I think I will join you. I have a question or two for the innkeeper."

"Great! And Astrid, do you know what thalornor are? The innkeeper said they'd 'set me right' at Sharindé temple."

      "Well, the innkeeper sure figured you out pretty quick, hrmm..? And that would be Sharindlar." Astrid rolls her eyes but can't help but to chuckle a little. "The thalornor are her uh... special clerics. They will surely show you the light of their order. If you liked The Lada, that will probably be the best temple for you. C'mon then." 

     Astrid leads them back to the common room and approaches the innkeeper. "Excuse me... Ale please."   

The innkeeper offers Astrid a polite smile as she sets a frothy mug of dark liquid in front of her.