Crimson Sands of Time

Koselig implements some of his basic alchemical skill to set the coals alight. They burn normally, glowing a bright reddish orange as blue flames marked by ephemeral tounges of yellow lapping skyward. The coals burn for a minute with no obvious effect, then, the lakeshore mists part to reveal a white horse with a single gleaming horn on her brow. She stands perfectly still, silently observing you from the edge of the woods. 

Piccolo waves with her hand and horn. With her flute in her head, she pulls out a tiny drum.

”(hello)” she drums. She is expertly skilled at the drum as well.  

<I don't love how they did this, but I don't see a clean way around it.>

She is on the lakeshore. You're in the middle of the lake. Cut to, somehow, maybe swimming (I know you just swam to the island. Sigh.) you get back to the lake shore. Depending on your approach, direct or make landfall near her, you're either on land or in the water still when she contacts you telepathically (or you do first. I dont think it matters much, but you can tell she can do this)

Lamorna is curious to know why the group has come to Thither

Piccolo smiles, seeing that Lamont’s can communicate. “They call me Piccolo, I am a daughter of the goddess, Mielikki. I have been trapped for very long in a place called the doomvault. This man, Trisk helped save me. These others seem kind of heart, and not easily manipulated by the cruel witches and demons that now inhabit the palace. Those in the castle are greedy, and their goals far reaching. They are trying to manipulate these men. These people need your help, but they don’t understand many things here.”

Uriel:

Uriel will stride back calmly along the water’s surface, stop a reasonable distance away, and kneel, saying, “A pleasure to meet you, noble unicorn.  We seek to understand what is going on at the palace with some of the residents apparently frozen in time.  Malevolent usurpers and demons roam the castle and speak of need a unicorn’s horn for unknown reasons.”

Lamorna is sympathetic toward anyone who has a grievance with the Hourglass Coven.

Through her telepathic voice, she proceeds to impart reveal the following information. As she speaks, the waters of the lake animate to form liquid sculptures of the things she describes:

The domain of Prismeer once belonged to the archfey Zybilna, but was usurped by her cruel hag stepsisters: Skabatha Nightshade, Bavlorna Blightstraw, and Endelyn Moongrave.

Zybilna was vainglorious and deceitful at times, but her magic kept Prismeer safe and isolated. That situation ended when the hags of the Hourglass Coven captured Lamorna’s mate, Elidon; stole his horn; and used its magic to imprison Zybilna in her stronghold, the Palace of Heart’s Desire.

Elidon’s horn might be needed to free Zybilna, but Lamorna doesn’t know the whereabouts of Elidon or his horn. She tells the characters that she believes Elidon is the hags’ prisoner. (If Elidon had died, Lamorna believes she would’ve sensed it.)

With respect to the palace of Heart's desire, she has this to say:

When Zybilna ruled Prismeer, no one could enter her palace without an invitation. It’s unlikely that the Hourglass Coven is capable of enforcing similar restrictions on the palace.

A library on the second floor of the palace contains Zybilna’s most treasured tomes.

A dragon-like creature called a jabberwock lives in Zybilna’s palace and frequently prowls the forest. The jabberwock tries to reach Wayward Pool but is always turned away by the lake’s protective magic. Lamorna emphasizes that the characters would be wise to avoid the jabberwock, for once it sets its fiery eyes on prey, it rarely gives up the hunt.

The unicorn offers Wayward Pool as a safe place to rest, should you wish to take advantage of its protections:

All nonmagical flames in the region are extinguished. (A fire that’s ignited in the bowl of coals on the lake’s central island is an exception to this rule.)

Beasts and Fey have advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in the region.

Any creature that bathes in the lake for at least 1 minute can choose to end 1 level of exhaustion affecting it or one curse affecting it. Alternatively, the creature can end its attunement to one cursed magic item.

... 

Lamorna exhorts you to free Zybilna and save Prismeer from the evil hags.

As she begs for their aid, a cloaked figure springs from the forest and, with blades flashing, attacks the unicorn. Under the assassin’s cowl, you see a wide, toothy smile.

Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 17 or higher are not surprised by Zarak. All other creatures in the area, including Lamorna, are surprised.

Zarak -(assassin) initiative =17

Initiative 17.

Does  piccolos true sight see the assassin? Passive perception 20)

(Piccolo has the alert feat and can’t be surprised. An expert assassin can always detect another, and true sight doesn't hurt either)

Initiative during surprise round: 29

In a flash that is faster than the eyes can see, the tiny cute child springs into action. Reaching her hand to a wood like decorative bracer, Two sharp looking thorny daggers appear in her hands and she throws them both with expert accuracy, almost without looking. 

To hit: 27 to hit: damage: 9 magic piercing

To hit: 31 to hit: 12 magic piercing

Bonus Action: Sanctuary on Unicorn, Dc wisdom save 21.

Uriel (Passive perception 20) Initiative:  23

Zarak

Uriel is up, being unsurprised and having won the initiative. 

Uriel:

Easily closing the distance to Zarak (60 foot movement speed and ring of water walking), Uriel throws his spear twice in rapid succession as he approaches, the weapon appearing back in his hand as soon as it strikes.  He then interposes himself between the assassin and the unicorn, following up with a flurry of spinning side kicks!

Elven Thrower:  Attack: 18 Damage: 16

Elven Thrower:  Attack: 14 Damage: 18

Flurry of Blows:  Attack: 31 Damage: 9

Flurry of Blows:  Attack: 21 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Stunning Strike:  If at least one of the attacks hits, Stunning Strike activates and Zarak must make a DC 18 Constitution Save or be stunned for a round.

Initiative 28 but surprised  

Zarak does.  Which is a shame since he knew so much about everything going on here. As he lies bleeding out the unicorn teleports away and with his dying breath the diminutive orc speaks his pained final words. "I didn't know... they could do.. that.“

He carries with him two mundane daggers, a garrote wire, and a potion of invisibility 

Piccolo checks Zarak to make he is dead. She grabs his daggers, wire and potion, handing them to Uriel.

she winks at Uriel, as if she knows some secret that he saw a glimpse of, and removes her flute. She starts playing a calm but merry tune, reminiscent of a sailors song. Sitting on the ground. Her hair a mess, in her beige dress, one glove, funny hat.  

He's dead. 

So, where to now? 

Also, maybe save flurry of blows. He died on the first hit from Uriel. 

Piccolo plays a brief few notes to Trisk

"So maybe we got to put an end to this coven of witches and free the former ruler of this realm?"

Trisk puts forth an idea to see what others think of it.

Piccolo seems excited about this idea