Baudric and Bral hear a carriage coming from the distance. You also get a chill down your spine, meaning it's likely Strahd coming. 

Baudric climbs into the wagon gesturing the others to hurry, "Something tells me that carriage isn't good news. Let's get moving in a hurry, come one."

Bral nods his head in agreement as he assists everyone else on climbing onto the wagon before climbing on himself.

"Let's get going."

OOC: We can move this forward. 

Everyone climbs on the wagon and Ez speeds off just as Strahd's wagon arrives. Those who look back see the vampire lord, mouth open in surprise before twisting in a smile. 

You continue to ride down the same trail you came and you notice it starts to snow. It's not enough to hinder your travel, but it's enough to even cause Ez to wonder why it's snowing in Barovia. In what seems like hours, you arrive back at Argynvostholt. 

There's enough people to life the skull off the wagon and onto the ground. 

"So where's this beacon?" Ez asks. 

Baudric looks at the heavy skull and sighs, "I'm pretty sure he said the top of the tallest tower. A lot of stairs to lug a heavy skull."

Bral looks at the size of the heavy skull, "Yeah, it will take some time to get that skull to the top of the tallest tower. Although, maybe we can figure out some method to life it up? Perhaps if we use rope we can lift it up to the top instead of carrying it ourselves?"

Everyone roll a Perception check

Amelia Perception: 18

 (Peception: 17)

Baudric perception: 20

You can hear a soft singing coming from the manor as several ghosts of knights arrive in front of you. They don't attack, nor do they speak, but they lift their hands as Argynvost's skull is lifted into the air and floats up the outside walls. They continue to sing their sad song as the skull goes to the top of the roof. The knights walk into the manor with the last one beckoning you all to follow him. 

Baudric shrugs, "I guess we follow the ghosts. Hopefully it was worth the work."

Amelia shrugs. "I think that's the idea here. At least we don't have to carry it now."

Bral nods his head, "It looks like the task of carrying the skull has indeed been taken care of. Although, did it really take much work? It was more time consuming if anything."

Are you going to follow the ghosts or stay at the enterance? 

Amelia follows the ghosts.

Bral is willing to follow the ghosts, staying prepared for any possible attack.

As everyone follows the ghosts to the top of the manor, the skull is placed in the mausoleum, and Argynvost's spirit appears, but it transforms into a brilliant light that fills this room and flashes across the valley like the beacon of a lighthouse. The light shines, illuminating the snow that's falling from the sky. 

Argynvost appears and looks similar to Flynt, who stares in awe. "Thank you my friends," Argynvost says. "The beacon shines over Barovia and hope has returned to the people. Although I can't fight him alongside you, know that I'm with you in your battle against Strahd." 

As he says this, Vladimir arrives and kneels before Argynvost. "You can rest now my friend, 'Argynvost says as the former knight vanishes. 

Behind Vladimir, Lord Soth approaches Argynvost. The dragon's demeanor turns aggressive. "Knight of the Black Rose, you've done some horrible, unforgivable acts that resulted in your curse. I'd strike you down had you not helped these brave heroes. Your battle with Vladimir has left you weakened. Still, I sense a peace in you."

Soth nods. "I've had years to think about the wrongs I committed to my wife, lover, and children. It's what kept me from joining The Dark Queen and led to my final death. I want to bring the same peace to the people of Barovia and destroy Strahd." 

Argynvost nods. "You do have experience in running a Dread Realm. I almost forgot" 

A holy symbol, the same one you saw next to Vladimir, flies toward the group. "You'll need this in your fight against Strahd." 

Baudric catches the holy symbol reflexively and turns to the others, "Anyone gifted with holy powers that would like to use this? My own gifts come from the divine, but not exactly the same. And at least we have a plan for what happens to the realm after Strahd."

Bral shakes his head, "I doubt it would do any good in my hands either. It belongs in the hands of someone who follows the path of a god.

However, I believe we have the first item that Madam Eva foretold we would find. Yet we have still to find the sword of sunlight and knowledge of the ancient. The latter of which, if I remember correctly, we will find close to here. I cannot recall where the sword ought to be."