“Yes of course I do. But I’m pretty well drained. I’ll need to rest soon.” Jasper takes Khessa’s hand. “We need to find Adabra. I think it’s time she stay in Phandalin. Too dangerous here.” Jasper looks scans the area. “Tookrashk did a great job and has proven himself. And he has my trust.”

(I'm assuming Katarina's javelin hit and made a nice "parting gift" for the dragon, since the long range of for the javelin is 120 ft and she got 17 even with disadvantage).

Watching the dragon fly away with her javelin sticking out of it, Katarina suddenly realizes that she just wasted a javelin.

"Maybe Katarina will be able to get it back the next time we fight?" the cat says, not sounding especially hopeful.

She takes a few moments to recover, still somewhat winded from the massive burst of speed she used to get within throwing range of the dragon. Then she approaches the manticore and her friends, curious to meet the strange creature that she and her friends just risked their lives to protect.

Seeing Katarina approaching, Khessa points her to the manticore: "Tookrashk, this is Katarina! She's a very good and courageous new friend of ours; in fact, as you can see, she too faced the dragon with us! And the other archer girl down there is Aura - a new friend also, as you might have guessed already".

And to the tabaxi barbarian: "Katarina, this is our friend Tookrashk, who we've already told you about! As you can see with your own eyes, his loyalty in helping us against the dragon is clear! He's a trusted and precious friend - and he's also a very scary ferocious creature! He scared away even Cryovain, this time..."

As Cryovain flies away, some of the attacks hit his white, scaly hide, but he only roars and keeps flying.

Meanwhile, Tookrashk's eyes light up as he spots Khessa and the party. When Khessa tries to give him the potion, he moves his head away and makes a noise of utter disgust. "Tookrashk no want!" he says loudly.

As Jasper's healing takes effect, however, the great beast shakes off the remainder of the ice crystals and gives Jasper a look that could be construed as gratitude, although it's hard to tell on such a monstrous face.

"Tookrashk hate dragon!" the manticore complains. "Dragon almost kill Tookrashk."

At the sound of Khessa's cries, Adabra appears in the window on the third floor of her mill. The shutters open with a clack, and the older woman sticks her head out. "Is it safe? Is that bloody beast gone? Gods above, I thought I was going to be dinner!"

As Tookrashk listens to Khessa's praise, he almost seems to preen. "Yes, Tookrashk VERY ferocious," he agrees. "Nasty dragon fly away. Nasty dragon a COWARD." 

The manticore eyes the new arrivals with interest, his amber eyes glittering with intelligence. "New friends save Tookrashk. Tookrashk not eat new friends." 

“It is safe now Adabra!” Jasper yells out. “The dragon is gone.” Jasper does a quick look at the skies. “You may come down now.”

Looking over to the manticore, “Don’t fly off yet Tookrashk, we need your help hunting orcs. But first the others and I need to speak with Adabra.”

"Katarina appreciates that," the feline says with a curtsey. "She was not in the mood to get eaten today... and she probably wouldn't taste very good either. Katarina is sorry that she isn't dressed nicer, the last time she went out an evil barrel exploded on her dress."

"Exactly Tookrashk!" Khessa pats the manticore enthusiastically on one shoulder "That's the spirit! Never eat friends. And the coward dragon will soon be killed. You know? The gnomes are preparing things that will hurt him... and also prevent him to fly away! We will get rid of him once and for all".

The blonde arcane warrior then turns to the midwife: "Adabra! So glad to see you are all well! And Tookrashk is to thank, who faced the dragon, giving us time to arrive. Then together we put him to flight! I hope that beast has understood the lesson and does not dare to return... but you... wouldn't you be safer moving to Phandalin? I know we've talked about it before - and you refused, but... Cryovain had never honored you with a personal visit before... what do you think now?"

It takes a few minutes but Adabra appears, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Whew," she says. "I reckon you're probably right. That was a right close call. If this beastie and you lot hadn't shown up...Let me just gather some of my supplies and we can head back to the village."

Adabra disappears back into the windmill.

Tookrash's interest in the conversation has waned, and while you all wait for Adabra he wanders back over to the giant pile of meat scraps and bones and starts digging in noisily.

When Adabra is finally ready, loaded down with a bulging rucksack, she shakes her head at the manticore. "Bottomless stomach, that one," she notes.

Quote from owlbear89 >>

...When Adabra is finally ready, loaded down with a bulging rucksack, she shakes her head at the manticore. "Bottomless stomach, that one," she notes.

"But also a big heart" replies Khessa. "He risked his own life, staying to face Cryovain. He's no less of a hero than we are".

Then to her companions: "We'd better accompany Adabra on her return to Phandalin - she'll be safer, plus the journey is short, we will not lose much time. But we must also ponder what to do next. The unexpected encounter with Cryovain left Tookrashk wounded and us with magical energies somewhat depleted. Do you feel like going to rescue Butterskull Ranch today anyway?"

"I'd like to go..." the blonde arcane warrior looks hopefully with her blue eyes, one at a time, each of the fellow adventurers "you know, any day could mean the difference between life and death for some innocent people! But if you'd rather recover your strength and leave tomorrow, I'll wait".

"And as for Tookrashk…" ponders the tall adventuress, absently adjusting her wizard hat "initially I wanted to bring him along as help, but after the hard battle he had to face maybe I'd rather just leave him here to heal and rest. What do you think about that?”

“I would like to go!” Jasper exclaimed. “I agreed we cannot waste any time. We should get Adabra settled in Phandalin and be on our way. I’m sure there will be time to rest on the journey.”

Jasper yells over to Tookrashk. “Tookrashk want to go orc hunting?”

On the way back to Phandalin, Jasper stays close to Adabra. Always keeping a watchful eye for danger.

Jasper asks to take a short rest while in Phandalin before the long journey to the ranch. 

Echo shakes out her hands and the gathered magic dissipates, she will run up to Adabra and help her with the bags, wondering out loud with a pout, "what was Cryovain even doing down the mountain? Did he just come down destroy the mill and attack Tookrashk? That's mean..."

"I can go as well! I'm not tired yet. Tookrashk, if you want to come, maybe you can stay towards the back and just try to scare the orcs and distract them?"

As you make the journey back to Phandalin, Tookrashk follows, although he appears quite reluctant to leave his pile of food. As you travel by foot, he takes to the skies, occasionally roaring with the delight of being free and alive. When you make it back to the town, there is no sign of Cryovain thankfully.

"Thanks again for saving my hide," says Adabra. "You too, you great beastie." You almost swear you see the manticore grin. "I can take it from here. Toblen and Margret will put me up in the inn a while until it's safe to return to Umbrage Hill. You lot should take a breather before you decide to head out again."

If you'd like, you can all complete a short rest while back in Phandalin. 

Khessa would not need to take a breather - therefore she limits herself to keeping watch, while those who need it recover their strength.

After that, the blonde arcane warrior places herself in the front line, in order to be the first to face any hostile creatures, and she follows Echo's directions to reach the Butterskull Ranch.

Anator remains hidden in her hair, but periodically takes to the air, to check from above to see if anyone is in sight (and when he sees or senses something, he telepathically alerts the tall adventuress).

Katarina is doing fine as well, if a little bit annoyed that she lost a perfectly good javelin in her anger. She'll join Khessa on watch.

"Don't be too angry about your javelin..." Khessa tries to console her tabaxi friend during the guard duty "I'm sure Cryovain, receiving it, was even more annoyed than you losing it! I'm pretty sure you'll be able to buy a new one, with the reward of this mission".

"Maybe..." the feline says with a sigh. "But much more satisfying it would be to take it back from the dragon himself..."

She chuckles at the thought of pulling the javelin out of the slain dragon's hide. Maybe bringing home the head of a dragon would finally show her family that she is not a failure just because she can't cast spells like the rest of them can.

After Adabra is settled at the inn, Jasper goes to the shrine and meditates for the hour regaining his divine connection to the Moon Maiden.

On the way out of Phandalin, Jasper casts Vigilant Blessing on Khessa.(Granting advantage on next initiative roll)

And during the day’s travel, Jasper stays vigilant of danger on the journey.

Perception: 19

Butterskull Ranch lies 60 miles to the northeast of Phandalin. As you walk you realize it will take you at least two days to reach the Ranch. You walk all day until night starts to fall, and you decide to make camp for the night. Will you set a watch? And what is the order of the watches taken?

Jasper will take first watch. He will also cast Aid on Echo, Aura and Khessa. (Increasing their MAX HP +5 for 8 hours)