Naraeld wakes, his body feeling fine but his mind feeling like a heard of elk had stampeded over it. As he pulls himself to a sitting position, the pounding in his head only intensifies as he moves, less the nausea it feels as though he had drunk the bar dry last night and despite the thumping he thinks to himself, perhaps arguing with gods is best done outside of your own head... if at all. Naraeld rises and stretches, contemplating the paths open to him. That he was setting out to Redwaters today was a given, yet he felt some urgency in reporting in to Markham and even Hlin, though Hlin's inevitable pleasure at his failure to apprehend Kaltro would grate on his nerves in that discussion. 

He dresses in clean clothes whilst he has the chance, looking at his armor and remembering to head to the barracks first and pick up a new mail shirt. Heading downstairs he greets Mishann - who was always up before the dawn starting her day so that she was ready to receive any that might have need of her when they woke. He informs her of his intentions, enquiring as to how Elk has fared overnight, and asks if she has anything he can take to feed the sled dogs on his trip. 

His first point of call after that is to replace his armor and then report in to Markham.

Mishann smiles warmly at Naraeld when he comes to breakfast, but then frowns as he explains what he intends to do. "Your friend is breathing easier and sleeping. I think I've managed to put a shield between her and whatever vile influence was causing her harm. But I wouldn't expect her to go chasing down adventure with you anytime soon. She is quite weak. She'll need to stay in bed for at least a week. And, for that matter, why are you thinking of taking her to the Twenty Stones of Thruun? I've never liked that place."

Aubin and Sabetha go hunting to get some food for the dogs. They find an adult male elk with wide antlers almost immediately. It is still and alert, but it doesn't seem to have noticed them, like its attention is elsewhere. Sabetha draws back with her bow and her arrow strikes true, downing the great beast. Aubin starts to butcher it immediately, planning on dividing up the meat between the two of them in order to get it back to camp, which is only about ten minutes away. 

(I need both of you to make a Perception check).

Blackberry goes about the business of fixing the sled while Mallifeva, Greth'g'karee, and Undil get the dogs situated, waiting for Sabetha and Aubin to return. Suddenly all the dogs grow still, growling low in their throats. You look around to find the threat and you see, just beyond the edge of the campfire's glow, two flat eyes hanging in the darkness about 6 feet above the ground, reflecting the light of the campfire. 

A deep grumbling voice says, "I'm hesitant to ask this, after the disaster earlier this evening, but I could really use your help."

Guessing Aubin is not one for sentiment or spirituality, the prayer Sabetha offers up to Selune in honor of the noble elk's life is a silent one.  She thinks of her friend Elk Running and shivers, hoping it is not a portent, then chastising herself for chasing mental shadows...

She wants to probe the taciturn warlock further on why exactly he was so supportive of Shander taking control in Good Mead under such questionable circumstances, but decides with a sigh that it is topic best left closed for now.

Sabetha Perception:  18

Sabetha suddenly becomes aware of something large stalking them in the woods. It appears to be between them and camp. In the dim light cast by Auril's Aurora, she can just make out a canine form, the size of a small horse, it's white fur causing it to blend in with the frozen wood.

Sabetha whispers urgently to Aubin as the hatted man prepares to head back.  In Elvish or Dwarvish if she remembers him understanding one of those tongues.

"Stop.  Act as if nothing is wrong, but there is a very large white canine, the size of a direwolf between us and the rest of the party.  Stalking us, barely visible in the light of the aurora.  Probably one of the intelligent and seemingly malicious Winter Wolves Mallifyr described as holding youths from Dougan's Hole for ransom.  I feel we may have to fight it, you and I.  But I have rushed wrongly to attack before.  What do you say - battle or talk first?"

(In truth, Sabetha is not even really sure if Winter Wolves can speak humanoid language, though Mallifyr's description of ransom implied that they could.)

IF Aubin agrees to fight the Winter Wolf, Sabetha proposes that the two of them pick up the Elk meat and begin walking as if unsuspecting, but laterally, not directly back to the camp.  When they go over any hillock or cluster of trees that might briefly hide them from sight, her idea would be for Aubin to take cover behind a tree nearby to ambush from range, while Sabetha would hide just behind the hillock to surprise in melee if she can.

(Regardless, don't forget that within 15' of Sabetha, due to her scarf, Aubin has a +1 to all attack rolls, proficient ability checks such as Persuasion or Intimidation, as well as proficient saving throws - WIS and CHA for Aubin.)

With Aubin's agreement, Sabetha tries to put her plan (from post 1380) into effect.  Trying to appear as if they do not see the Winter Wolf.  Just as the two PCs disappear briefly from view behind a hillock or cluster of trees, Aubin takes cover in one direction (within 15') and Sabetha hides to ambush in melee from the opposite angle when the wolf appears.  ((Let us know what rolls are required, if any, or if something else happens.))

Naraeld does his best to wave off Mishann's concerns. "Elk's deities have some power there. I could have taken her there sooner but I felt she needed to be at least stable, hence my rush back here. No-one will ever doubt that you offer the best care anyone can receive in Ten Towns, but her belief's are not ours and if I can entreat her own gods to cure her..."

He leaves the sentence hanging, trust8ng Mishann to respect another's religion and their practices even if they are different tonher own. a little uncomfortable at his use of half-truths to skirt around the full truth, something which he knows will earn him a much sterner rebuke - possibly outright confrontation. Still, in his mind it is the lesser evil, to kill in cold blood 8s not something he can ever imagine doing. 

Mishann seems prepared to say more, but decides to acquiesce with another frown. "I'll try to get her ready to leave. I'm going to make her some tea. You are going to stop and give her some every two hours when travelling. If she needs to rest, you are going to rest. If you do not do this, I will find out and I will not be pleased." She then smiles sadly and reaches over to squeeze Naraeld's hand. "You carry so much weight. You need to find some that can share your burden. Now go tell the Sheriff what you need. I'll have her ready to go before nightfall."

As you watch, the glowing eyes come closer, into the campfire light. They belong to a huge white wolf. The dogs begin to whine and bark. With a huff, the wolf quiets them, although they are still obviously quite tense.

"I and my brother," says the wolf, "are the servants of an ice giant named Garagal. He uses us to do his dirty work. We kidnap or bully townsfolk and caravans in order to get goods for our master. Those we kidnap, we hold for ransom so he can add to his hoard of gold. I came here earlier today, asking your companions for aid. They agreed to help, but I'm afraid Garagal was too much for them. But they were able to wound him and he has yet to recover. If you choose to come with us, I'm sure you could defeat him in his weakened state. Then the glory for saving the children and all the treasure would be yours. It is a dangerous plan, but you look capable. Would you be willing to help me escape this slavery and save your missing children?"

As Sabetha and Aubin dash for cover, the wolf, which they both now perceive, does not appear to react. It just stands, calmly, waiting for them to make their way back to camp.

He nods, "Every two hours, without fail. Yes mother, thank you. Will it take all day to make her ready? I was hoping to set of and make the trip with the daylight hours today. No matter, that she gets there tonight with the moon should be enough." Naraeld finishes his plate and heads over to the constabulary, comfortable in the familiar sites and smells of Bryn Shander. 

Sabetha is done trusting bad actors, be they raiders or icy servants of the Frostmaiden, manipulative dwarven politicians or giant white wolves.

Trust, unless earned, is death.  Mercy for the innocent, none for those who harm innocents.

In a low voice, audible only to Aubin, she suggests:  "Everything Mallifyr suggested indicates these wolves are bad news.  If they can hold kids for ransom, it stands to reason they can speak and this one seems to be waiting for us to approach so it can manipulate us or attack.  I say we do not give it the chance.  Let us continue adding distance innocently until we are 120' away ideally, or as far as it lets us get.  Then we turn and attack at range together, you with your beams of energy and I with my bow, continuing to retreat.  If it retreats, we advance and continue to strafe it.  If it charges, I will engage it in melee while you keep shooting.  I see nothing about it that indicates that it can harm us from long range.  But it is likely fast, so it may close quickly.  Mallifyr said there were two - keep an eye out for the other one."

Sabetha waits for Aubin's agreement (or alternate suggestion) before attempting to put the plan into action.

Sabetha grits her teeth and has no choice but to go along with Aubin's plan (unless she wishes to attack on her own).  Her thoughts turn spiteful.

Both Mallifyr and the dogs judged the wolves for what they are.  Kidnappers, ransomers and killers if the broken, empty dog sleds were any indication.  Aubin loves to cozy up with the worst people (and beasts) and shuns and disdains the well-meaning and good ones.

She stands ready to draw her longbow or longsword but does not (yet).  Her frustration clouds her ability to discern the wolf's purpose.

Sabetha Insight:  11 (She remains convinced of its ill intentions regardless of its words, which was her original opinion).