As the zombies drop, Ed drops to a knee, and the rippling over his frame ceases as does the brightness of the sword, leaving a darkness over Ismark's first floor slaughterhouse. "Well fought, each of you were most excell..." The knocking at the door interrupts his sentence. Ed waits and watches Ismark, who as the owner of the house is the only appropriate person to answer the door really. It could be people come to help after all.

At Ismark's invocation of Lathander's name, Ed touches his chest. "Then allow me to advise him that no such person lives here. Perhaps he is mistaken over your occupancy Ismark." Ed ducks under Zied's rope and starts to make his way down the stairs, stepping around the gore as much as he can, renewing the light in teh area as he touches the bannister, allowing it to glow brightly.

"Please, do!" Alessandra realized she was whispering only when Ed was in the middle of the staircase. She watched him going with a renewed feeling of dread, trying to force herself to get downstairs as well. She could not. The light, that paladin left behind, illuminated the disgusting picture of the battle with undead and yet Alessa was glad the group should not have waited in the darkness. If it was the devil himself ... it is unlikely he made a mistake. But who knows how that fowl mind - and memory! - work? If not Ismark's mother - then maybe he meant his grandmother? Grand-grand-mother? Some previous owners? He was here for a few generations after all!

Aless cleared her throat and with a less firm voice than she would like said. "Well, whoever it was and whoever he meant, he certainly made a mistake. But regardless of it, Ismark, this house is not safe for you to remain in. Do you have another place where you can stay for a while? We could escort you there." (And get the hell out of this house as well! - She did not say that but the desire to be anywhere else but here was obvious)

 "So. If you don't know the reason for the attacks, and you don't know who Tatyana is, and the attacks have always happened at night..." Sezsu trails off, staring in Ismark direction but more looking through him. Then his eyes snap into a focused intensity, boring into the hapless master of the house. "Why were you in such a hurry to return here so early in the day? You certainly seemed to be rushing us through our conversations with Granny and Bildrath. Why? Something isn't adding up here, Ismark. We need answers if we're to be more than helpless observers here. Who might know about this Tatyana?"

Looking down over the bannister, he calls, "Don't wander too far, Ed! We don't want the Devil to spirit you away!"

With a sigh, not really paying much heed to the emotions running through everyone on the floor. As Ed departs, Zied follows as well. "You three don't get separated. If they return we funnel them here or the attic." Touching his rope and draging it allong, it coils itself around his chest. Unblocking the way. 

Taking a glance out of the window once again, likely seeing nothing-he mumbles "Everyones so eager to say its a devil lord, Just a creepy voice for now.. Calm your panic people" Zied catches up to Ed. "I'll watch your back." Handing over a small pill.

(Giving Ed Guidance)

Upstairs, tensions are running high.

Sezsu:  "So. If you don't know the reason for the attacks, and you don't know who Tatyana is, and the attacks have always happened at night... Why were you in such a hurry to return here so early in the day? You certainly seemed to be rushing us through our conversations with Granny and Bildrath. Why? Something isn't adding up here, Ismark. We need answers if we're to be more than helpless observers here. Who might know about this Tatyana?"

Ismark climbs to his feet, leaning against the wall for support.  "Because he was at funeral!" he hisses, pointing at the ceiling, vaguely in the direction of Castle Ravenloft.  "Alessa saw a man in mist, a man who left bootprints but no sign of coming or going.  You are not familiar with way things are in our village, but you must learn quickly if you are to survive!  We are being hunted by the devil.  Day or not, it makes no difference.  When I see trouble, I make haste for home.  At least here I have weapons.  I do not understand why!  Who is Tatyana?  I do not know!  For all I know, he was talking to her!" He points at Alessa.

Alessa: "Do you have another place where you can stay for a while? We could escort you there." 

Ismark shakes his head, looking askance.  "Here I have home.  Besides, village needs a burgomaster, and that falls upon me for now.  But you, if it is you he seeks, you must try to hide.  Somehow he knows you are here.  You must find safer place.  Away from village!  Here, he need only look out his window to see you!"

Meanwhile, on the first floor, Ed investigates the scene.  His light spell illuminates the bannister of the stairs. The house, which was already in a state of shambles, has been wrecked.  Many of the windows have had their boards broken, and the dreary light of the late morning spills into the house.  Outside, Zied can see that the heavy fog has receded slightly, revealing the nearest buildings in the village.  All seems quiet.  No thing, living or otherwise, appears.

"Well Ed... Clear the house, or check the door?" handling his two blades in his hand, fumbling slightly showing his slight nerves at the eeirie quiet. "Either way, we need to secure the area... and figure out if they're after us, Ismark, or just the "post of Burg'-something.."

Sighing as they begin their activities, "Guess its lucky we hadn't gone for the supplies, or the travlers. If that hoard caught us in the open we would have trouble. We'll have to be careful."

"Why would he call Alessa 'Tatyana'? It sounds like he's well-acquainted with this person, considering he wants to marry her. This makes no sense, Ismark. But if you want us gone, I see no reason to stay. Maybe the Vistani or one of the other villages will have some answers. We need to find Madam Eva anyway." Sezsu huffs and follows the others downstairs. It's clear that his usual unflappable demeanor has been wrested from him by the day's bizarre events.

Alessandra quivered with the reminder of the meaning of the devil's words but immediately tried to compose herself. "As I said, this is unlikely that he meant me." The idea was obviously absurd! Alessa raised her chin in a stubborn denial "stop with this nonsense already"-kind of way, clenched her hands so they would stop shaking and continued with a cool even tone. "I should also point out that assaults on your house began before we arrived. However I can see what you mean and understand your concern. If you feel that I have to leave your house, I will do so." With the same steadiness as she was speaking, Alessa walked downstairs and joined Zied and Ed and looked outside, not crossing the threshold, though. "Ismark seemed to believe it is my presence here, that provoked... the visit. Whether he is right or not, I do not want to endanger the man any more than he already suffered. There is a tavern somewhere down the street. Do you think we can walk there with that fog?"

The church could be better, but there was Doru and his endless screams... But they could not just lock themselves in someone's house forever, not if they intended to find the way home. With the devil's attention or without, this place was not something she wanted to get comfortable with. 

Ismark follows you down the stairs.  His tone softens.  "Of course I do not want you to leave. As I said just few minutes ago, it is honor to have you as guests.  But, I also want you to be alive.  Sezsu is right, it makes no sense.  None!  But I have never heard of this Tatyana person.  You say you want to find this Eva?  Do you believe she is at Tser Pool?  If you want to go looking for her, I can at least offer you some weapons to defend yourselves.  The woods are very dangerous, even on the road."

Ismark returns upstairs to the study, stepping over the bodies.  On his way down he kicks a detached jawbone.  It tumbles down the stairs to land near the front door.  He does a mental breakdown of the weapons.  All in all, there are two daggers, a shortbow with 20 arrows, a shortsword, and Kolyan's longsword.

"This is all I have to spare.  Please, accept my father's longsword.  He would want you to have it.  Also have smaller blades, and my bow. You will need all of these if you plan to travel through woods.  Stick to road, always. I can also give you some dried rations, enough for a week.  I recommend you seek out Vallaki.  I understand it is much better defended than Barovia."

Having only caught the tail end of the upstairs conversation Zied doesn't press any issues, understanding its time to go "Fog or not, this house has lost most of its defenses.  If you can spare the weapons ,we're thankful.  Don't leave yourself unarmed."   
Pondering briefly, "If we're trying not to be obvious, staying on the road seems counter productive. Are the woods dangerous? Despite hunters going there?"

"Very dangerous, yes," Ismark replies to Zied.  "It is not uncommon that those who go to hunt do not return."

"Thank you, Ismark." Alessa took one of the daggers - she truly hoped to never use it (her weapon was her knowledge) but feeling the weight of the sharp metal in her hand felt a bit reassuring. "I am sorry if my presence caused another attack and truly wish that once we leave, it will stop. Stay safe! Hope we shall meet again under better circumstances!" She looked outside, stiffed a sigh and looked at the man again. "Which way is the tavern?" The goal was Vistani, but that was - who knows how far. Besides, Granny yesterday recommended visiting the tavern. And that mist... Maybe a small target first? Like reaching the tavern?

Suzsu accepts the shortsword with a nod as he turns it over to inspect it. "Thank you for this, Ismark. And for your hospitality. I'm sorry if I overstepped in the heat of the moment. You've been nothing but a kind and gracious host and I'm sorry that our meeting was under such conditions."

He heaves a sigh and glances out the door, into the mist. "We'll be fine, I'm sure of it." Clutching the moonstone pendant around his neck and looking to Ed, he continues. "With the Morning Lord in light at the Moon Maiden in shadow, we're well provisioned against whatever evil forces this devil of yours may muster. Look after yourself and those under your care in this town. You're a good man and there's always a need for those, no matter where you find yourself."

To Alessa he says, "Yeah, I think the tavern is a good start. I'd like to ask Granny a few questions and a proper drink would certainly help take the edge off..."

He steps out of the house after Ed & Zied.

"We don't know anything right now," Ismark says gently.  "But I hope that we all survive this.  The inn is just north, at town square. Where we met Granny earlier this morning.  My, it feels like whole days have passed since then, doesn't it?" 

"Adreneline responses obscure the time perception.  We should be off. I wanted to help you reboard up but that mayhap not be a good plan considering.  I'll return the favor of the blade in the future Ismark. stay well."  

Zied and the others continue, with new supplies in tow. "Once we're outside of town, We can store some supplies away, and bring some tools with us. For now, we'll have to prepare to go."

As they walk and travel, Zied picks up numerous smal pebbles from the side of the road, tossing a a choice few into a small container with some liquid, and they slowly begin to glow. Adding them too, to the small pouch of stones.

(Outside the tavern)

The Blood on the Vine tavern building remains precisely how you left it earlier this morning.  Deep tracks in the mud near the entrance mark the location of Granny's wagon, though Granny herself is now gone, no doubt relocated elsewhere in the village to sell her wares. Close inspection of the sign reveals that it originally read “Blood of the Vine.” (An “n” has been scratched over with the “f.”) Perched atop the sign is a raven with blue-tipped wings.  It regards you with impassive eyes.

(Inside the tavern)

The doors of the tavern are open, and you make your way inside.  What might have once been a finely appointed tavern has grown shoddy. A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant warmth to the few huddled souls within.  A pudgy little man with grayed out skin and drab clothing tends the bar. Mindlessly, staring into space, he cleans glasses, one after another. When they’re all clean, he starts over. 

Near him sits a Vistani man, marked by his clothing, who is sleeping at the bar, his head resting on his forearm. 

At.a table near the front entrance sit three middle-aged Vistani women.  They wear cold, scrutinizing expressions, and each bears a small scar under her left eye.  They are huddled in conversation, which you are just able to pick up.  "...daughter's kidnapped...taken to castle, I would wager..."  One of them shushes the others, and the regard you suspiciously before averting their eyes to their hands.  One speaks up. "Visitors, hey?  Is not often we have new customers.  Let us hope these ones actually pay for their wine, hey sisters?"  She sneers and nods her head toward the sleeping man at the bar.

Ed bids a hopefully short-lived farewell to the young man, thanking him for the gift of a blade and apologising for the amount of cleaning that he is being left with.

Ed leads the way into the tavern, his best foot forwards and his seemingly irrepressible smile worn across his face. He catches the snatch of conversation before the less than cordial welcome, "Ah, new custom is surely the best sort. Fresh faces to share tales with, the opportunity to make new friends is always a welcome occasion. It has been an arduous moring of grim labour and we would sorely appreciate a drink. So long as your fees are not as extortionate as Bildrath's over-taxed wares, then we have coin to spend. My name is Edlanar, whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

Granny was right (of course she was right) sending them here to search for Madam Eva. It was still possible that not every Vistani knew each other but the group knew a few names to ask about and surely in a tavern someone had to hear something. Alessa did not speak yet - Ed had it - but gave a polite slight nod of greetings. The words she heard so far were not very reassuring - the castle again! - but hinted the women in front of the group suffered from the devil as anyone else.

"Alenka." "Mirabel." "Sorvia."  Each croaks their name as though it takes great effort.  Each wears clothing in the Vistani stylings of which you are familiar from Stanimir's group, but the fabric is worn and the colors are faded.

Alenka takes in your group with watery eyes, the scar under her eye disappearing into the wrinkles of her skin.  "Well I expect no less.  Bildrath is money-mongering badger of man.  Your coin will go much farther here.  One copper per glass of wine.  Provided you pay in advance.  We made that mistake with him."  She thumbs toward the sleeping man. "What is your business in our village?""