Caine stops with the others, looking with dismay at the state of the village.

"Not one pub?" Caine says. "I'd even take The Broken Drum at this point."

He finally notices the two children once Jim points it out.

"Ah, now that's promising," he says as he walks over to them. "Your parents take off to the tavern and leave you alone did they? Point us in the right direction and we'll go get them for you."

Razi joins his allies in attempting to comfort the crying children.  He re-ups his light cantrip and holds his hammer aloft, hopefully lifting their spirits with its gentle glow.

”Have courage, little ones.  What troubles you so?”

hangs back..

says softly.."I will stay back a bit, I have had bad experiences with children who never met me before."

Before Nelyna can reply to Jim's inquiry about learning Mage Hand, they've reached the village. It is a desolate place. The sound of sobbing chills Nelyna to the bone. Something terrible is happening here. She knows they will face great evil before all is said and done, and she only hopes she has the courage and fortitude to withstand it.

The sight of the children tugs at Nelyna's heart. She has always wanted children of her own but has not had the opportunity having dedicated so much of her life to her studies. She approaches the children and tries to comfort them with soothing words and gestures. 

"You poor things. Where are your parents?" she asks in a gentle voice. 

Caine looks from the kids to the house and notes how rough it looks.

"You really live in there?" Caine asks. He pauses for a moment and then continues. "What kind of monster? Drunken father?"

He rubs the spot where he was stabbed by the walking twig and winces. He turns back to the others.

"If anyone needs a rest before doing some monster hunting, we probably have time. Kids don't look to be in immediate danger."

"Well there you go then," Caine says. "Sounds safe to me. Mum and dad have it all sorted out. Big pet's all locked up nice and secure."

He looks more closely at the children trying to judge whether they believe what they're saying and if they're really afraid.

Insight: 22  

"Where're mum and dad now?"

At mention of howling in the basement, Razi's thoughts turn to the wolves lurking outside the town. 

While Caine questions the children, Razi turns to Nelyna and Sleet.  "It could have something to do with those monstrous wolves.  But I'm not sure we're in a condition to do something about it.  We've been marching all day and some of us are wounded."  He looks back to the kids and then back again to Nelyna and Sleet.  "Maybe we can find someplace safe for the children while we rest and then we can investigate their home?  I do feel compelled to try to help them.  But with my powers exhausted I will bring little aid to our team if we confront this monster now."

Jim shakes his head, "I don't think we should be taking these kids anywhere. We're strangers in town, if we start taking the town's kids with us, we're going to look suspicious. We should look for their parents though."

"I could use a rest, even just a short one.  I'm willing to chance their house at this point.  If there is a fight so be it, at least we won't get caught out in the open and surrounded or shot to pieces."

Caine sighs. 

"Why don't you take us to see mum and dad now and we can talk about this big dog they're keeping locked up in the basement?" Caine asks.

He looks over at the others.

"At least it gets us inside and out of this mist, maybe a some warm cider and we can cool our heels for awhile before we go back looking for those travelers."

Nelyna touches the little boy's shoulder. "Shh, it's going to be all right," she says. "We're going to do whatever we can to help."

Turning to the others, she agrees with Razi. "We should do what we can to help these poor children, but we do need to rest first. Let's visit their house. If the monster or whatever it is is locked up for the moment, it should be safe for a short rest at least."

She turns toward the decrepit house the children pointed out.

Caine looks from the kids to the house.

"How bad can it be?" Caine says, pushing open the portico's gate and going up to the front door. He bangs loudly on the door.

"What can you tell us about your mother and father?" Razi asks, trying to be gentle with the question but fearing what revelations may come about parents who keep monsters in basements....

"Hello in the house," Caine says as he pushes the door open further. "Your kids said you might need some help here."

He pauses for a moment, waiting for a response. Then he shrugs and opens the door further, flinching imperceptibly at the sight of shadows moving in the corners as the light changes with the movement of the door. Caine takes a deep breath and steps all the way inside.

"We're coming in," he calls.

He then scans whatever room he's entered, looking for signs of anyone, or any danger.

Perception:  5