Bramble looks over the map and says, “Yes this is a reasonable drawing of the layout of the Dessarin Valley. The Long Road parallels the river, roughly, and both would get us to our destination. Eventually.”

Unless Essie would like to study the map, Bramble will fold or roll the map back up and hand it back to Sphyboe.

”I would prefer the road for several reasons. I believe securing transportation will be much easier overland than overwater. Speed of travel will be faster overland than overwater. Many, if not all of us, are more competent on our feet with ground under them than a pitching deck. Also, returning to Zundbridge to access the river after visiting Waterdeep would take us in the wrong direction and cost us even more time.”

Bramble stalls while he tries to think of any other reasons. Bramble continues with an empathetic tone,

”Frankly, I wouldn’t mind the river trip. I’ve travelled the Long Road before and walked along the river in many sections but I’ve never sailed it and that would be an adventure. But, if time is of the essence, then the Long Road is the best bet. If, when we arrive in Zundbridge, you wish to inquire for the price and time of passage by river to reach Yartar, go ahead. The party can assess that information with our calculations of overland travel after we reach Waterdeep and decide whether backtracking to access the river is preferable.”

Sphyboe feels relieved to find the map unscathed, besides Bramble might have missed some additional markings on the map near the landmark 'Waterdeep' and possibly had not decided to examine the opposite side of the cartographic works.

She carefully folds the parchment, then continues to lure in the Heron that's currently situated at the southwest bank of the river. She will cast Minor Illusion by using a bit of fleece as a material component.

A burst of spiral energy surges towards the place where the bird has been fishing previously, the energy takes the form of ethereal mist when she blows it with an exhalation then it sinks into the water. Sudden pause, then something starts to move underwater and it's re-emergence reveals it to be an illusory living image of a Heron.

"Roh...roh.."

Charisma: Deception 9

“Oooooh, we’ll done. That call was masterfully done.” Bramble looks at Sphyboe with newfound respect. “But…” Bramble hesitates, “do you know what you just said?” A wry smile is forcibly subdued but the bushy eyebrows stay elevated.

The real heron has flown about 200 feet down the river, but it does look up when it hears Sphyboe’s call. It stands still for a minute or so, just staring. Then if flies off further down the river and out of sight.

"Negative. I'm not an expert in mimicking animal calls, but I thought that the illusion might have lured the 'Birdie' into investigating whatever claimed it's fishing zone"- Sphyboe replies ruefully while munching on a dried salty piece of meat which she had saved for the Heron.

"I assumed that Herons could be trained to deliver packages or letters. If my assumption was right, then it would have helped me a lot"- she continues to speak when attempting to search for Helena's familiar flying-cat which may work as a replacement.

"Is there any underground ways to this Waterdeep? I find that traveling during the daytime is not agreeable to me." Daerthe mutters, having been used to traveling by night and using the day to rest when needed.

Quote from InkedBee >>

"Negative. I'm not an expert in mimicking animal calls, but I thought that the illusion might have lured the 'Birdie' into investigating whatever claimed it's fishing zone"- Sphyboe replies ruefully while munching on a dried salty piece of meat which she had saved for the Heron.

"I assumed that Herons could be trained to deliver packages or letters. If my assumption was right, then it would have helped me a lot"- she continues to speak when attempting to search for Helena's familiar flying-cat which may work as a replacement.

 Bramble’s eyebrows drop as his facial features belie disappointment. “Then that is a shame. I might have been able to help, if you had stated your desire beforehand. I had prepared a spell for today that would have allowed me to Speak With Animals. With a treat, I might have convinced it to assist you and perhaps it could have become the beginning of a symbiotic relationship for the two of you.”

After a second, he continues, “Let me know if you locate another animal you would like to befriend and I would be happy to introduce you to them. No guarantees that they’ll agree to work with you, but I can certainly try.”

Bramble concludes with, “I will say that most partnerships in the wild don’t start by being snuck upon and grappled. But, then, I’m not that familiar with ‘civilized’ behavior and in the end, ‘you need to do you’.”

"I don't know much about the lifestyle and relationship patterns of beasts and birds, but I'll try to remember your suggestion"- Sphyboe will confess while attempting to reply to the Druid.

Helena smiles and simply shakes her head. She munches on some dried meat and rations as they walk. "I need to stop in Waterdeep to drop off the book I was taking to Candle Keep." She informs the others. "I don't want to risk taking that further on this trip. After that I will be ready to head onward."

You’ve been traveling on the High Road for a couple of hours now when Helena’s owl Sabastian notices two riders on horseback approaching from the east. They are making their way across a field toward the road. Sabastian alerts Helena to their approach. Assuming she shares this with the group, you soon all see the riders: a knight in chain mail and a tabard with a symbol of an eye on a gauntlet. Helena and Sphyboe recognize this as a symbol of Helm, god of protection and watchfulness. The knight rides a warhorse with chain mail barding. Her squire rides beside her on an unarmored warhorse. Both seem to have a smaller rider behind them, holding on around their waists. It is possible that they haven’t noticed you all yet.

(What would you like to do?)

"Hail and well met!" Helena calls out, waving to the knight. "What news do you have?"

Sphyboe will attempt to hide from the direct view of the Knight and her fellow squire and riders.

Stealth 19

Seeing what Sphyboe is trying to do, and if there’s enough time to get to her before the party has been spotted by the riders, Bramble will approach Sphyboe and say “Good luck” while touching her shoulder and casting Guidance on her. Perhaps there is time for her to try again as Bramble returns to the rest of the party.

Sphyboe remembers the friendly suggestion offered by Bramble regarding the beginning of a symbiotic relationship. She realizes that trying to hide from the apparently harmless group of marching nobles might not yield to a favorable outcome. Thus she changes her mind and decides to introduce herself by saying:

"Ma Dame! How can I, a common watcher be at your service?"

So, she has adjusted her purple scarf, curtsied and then continued to stand straight in order to display a polite smile directed at the Knight.

Persuasion 20+ 4 from Guidance (Rolled in gamelog)

Daerthe will not make an attempt to jump off the road to hide but she will do her best to hide in plain sight, keeping to the middle of the group with her head down and the hood of her cloak pulled low.

Stealth: 19

“Good day to you all,” says the knight as she approaches. “My name is Lady Harriana Hawkwinter of the Order of the Gauntlet. May I ask your names and your business upon this road? I would not be so bold in my inquiries, but my situation demands that I waste little time.” You can see now that the extra riders with her and her squire are but children, younger than 10 years of age and looking a bit rough.

Helena smiles to the knight and eyes the children with a frown. "As to what we do, we are currently traveling to Waterdeep." Helena says. "We were last in Nightstone, where we aided the village with some issues they had been having. They asked us to bring information to Triboar for them, so we plan to travel on to there once our business in Waterdeep is finished." She has no reason to keep things from this knight,, so is fairly open as she speaks with the woman. "What is so dire with your situation, and why do you have children with you?"

"I'm Phoebus Tundra, a watcher of the Harpers and protector of the village Nightstone. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Lady Harriana Hawkwinter. I agree with my friend, we're indeed planning on going to Waterdeep, followed by a quick visit to Triboar"- she affirms after providing the lady with further details then asks:

"Do you need any assistance from us, Ma Dame? I do not possess an insignia to approve the extent of my loyalty, but we're a trustworthy group of adventurers."

“The name’s Bramble.” Bramble says with an awkward half bow at the hips, trying to mimic authentic civility.

Essie really has no eyes for the knight. (Or use for the manners the others show, honestly.) As soon as the woman mentioned the kids, that’s who Essie has focused her attention on. She smiles and gives them a little wave. Then she looks to the knight, her smile still visible. “Do you need aid? Like my friend Phoebus said, we’re a pretty good group. Perhaps we can help.”