Vin heads back with Walker and they all load up. Neferox looking at the tree one more time before loading up behind Vin and taking their customary place laying next to the boy. The large black wolf taking up a large potion of one side of seats with Vin. Vin for their part seems content and ready to go. When Elthana brings up luxury and the district most famous for the rich and powerful they seem to look at Gewyn as well with curiosity. "Oh! Yeah, what was it like? I've never really had a chance to go there much myself. The guards never really cared much for me until after I was in the school and by then I was really busy with my studies."
Gewyn is using absently using his hand mirror to inspect his horns for any scuff marks when Elthana speaks to him. "Hmm? Hardly. That was a quaint affair. I typically perform at very lavish events in expensive halls, and rarely more than twice a week. Entertainment is always in demand, so my value goes up when the supply is low. I am a token that wealthy people like to flash at one another so they can remind themselves of how much they have. It was refreshing to play for the less fortunate who seek a distraction from how much they don't." Gewyn's bright, cheery tone belies the subtle cynicism of his words.
When Elthana alludes to having had business in the perfume district, Gewyn takes note. "I would say..."He speaks slowly at first, as if measuring his words, "that the Perfume District is a different place to different people. To some people, like yourself and like... well, like yourself at any rate, it is simply another place of business, albeit one with more colours, pleasant scents, soft corners, and smiles. For the right people, however, it becomes a world of dreams coming true."
Gewyn puts his mirror away and leans back in a casual position. "But it sounds like you have some passing familiarity with the former aspect? Must be interesting work you do then. Or are you simply a spice merchant?" The corner of his mouth turns up in an amused half-smile.
The way Gewyn's reponse was offset between his words and his mannerisms drew more attention from Elthana than anything. "Lavish events eh? What all do you see at these things? And man, I can only imagine what the wealthy people divulge to you, with you being the distraction they apparently need." she pauses and really looks at him, "Yes, you really brought joy to those people last night." Elthana sits back a moment, a bit lost in thought.
As Gewyn continues describing the area and her possible role in it all, she doesn't say anything, just lets an amused smile dance across her lips. But when he finishes, it is an all out almost bright smile as she turns back to him, a laugh almost audible as she responds, "Yes, I am most definitely a spice merchant. Ha!" her smile then fades some, but still there as she is enjoying the conversation, "I'm sure you understand what my familiarity is, it is definitely not a place where my dreams come true." She then looks at him a bit more intently, "Speaking of, is what you do, what you dreamed of?"
Ebb shuffles slightly in the corner of the carriage, his disappearance the morning after the carnival and the fact that he has seemed lost in thought for the following two days, does not go unnoticed.
"I'm sorry to interrupt guys, there something I've been meaning to tell you all, something that I think I must tend to.
These talks of doing what you dreamed of. I.. I was over joyed when I was chosen for this position, but I have to protect my order, protect Lyvander, i hope you all understand.
There's been a sighting, someone from the forests west of the Chattel Coast has seen Hermes, here in Northmorrah, they went to Lyvander to have their claims verified but it appears to be true" he sighs a little as he rubs his knees, "that coupled with my visions of the destruction of Lyvander, and what the teller said to me... I hope you all understand." Ebb looks around the group, and glances out of the open doors of the stationary carriage.
And man, I can only imagine what the wealthy people divulge to you, with you being the distraction they apparently need."
Gewyn chuckles at the question without really answering. As Elthana vaguely alludes to her relationship with the Perfume District, the smile on Gewyn's face shrinks incrementally. Imperceptibly, almost.
When she asks about what he dreamed of doing, he gets a faraway look in his eyes and opens his mouth to respond, but looks almost relieved when Ebb cuts him off.
"So you mean to be going off on your own? Well... the songs I write about our exploits may need to be 20% shorter, but I'll save space for a few extra verses should our paths cross again"
"I'll travel south from here, I should reach Lyvander withing the week, but I'll be there before Holm and the others, those clerics we met up with are on their way to Marblestead to collect the high Preist and take him to Lyvander to asses this druid.
I'm sorry, I wish you all the best of luck, and if whatever is happening at Hokum will spread, I hope you can stop it before something worse happens" Ebb moves himself to the back of the carriage and dusts himself off, somewhat filled with determination as he prepares to off, "if you could spare some rations for my travel there or at least half way, I'm sure I can manage from there on out... I thank you for the time we spent together so far, I'll notify the guards of my departure and then be off."
“Each of us must do what we feel is right,” Sam assured Ebb. “I’d rather you were with us than not, but I’d not have you go against your conscience.”
Sam signals the guards to stop, offering a sarcastic apology about their schedule. He then gathers rations for Ebb. He gives him a good mix of traditional and dehydrated. “You’ll be on foot, so you’ll want a lighter load… but just in case water is a bit sparse,” he explains. Whenn Ebb is ready to depart Sam shakes his hand and assures him “You’re always welcome with us if we cross ways again.”
Vin was just laying on Nef's side as the hound rest and is perhaps even sleeping. The young man listening to Elthana and Gewyn talking about the perfume district when Ebb suddenly said they needed to go. Vin was a bit surprised and sits up waking the sleeping dog which looks around at everyone then lays their head back down closing their eyes again. Vin nods to Ebb, "You're leaving? Well, I guess you know best. Don't forget there was something weird going on in the waters around there! I hope you don't get in trouble with your boss." Neferox snorts in derision like they don't care, eyes still closed as they continue to lay down. Vin looks to them and says "They did heal us don't forget." The hound opens one eye and snorts again but this time look at Ebb. Vin just rolls their eyes with a slight smile and obviously amused by Neferox as they continue, "Good luck whatever you find out there Ebb. Oh, and yeah, help yourself to some of the dried food things. We got a lot!" Vin pulls out a few and hands them to Ebb. Not sure how many they needed.
With a wave of relief and a determined outlook, Ebb gives a traditional farewell of his order, and respectfully nods to the guards as he leaves.
He heads South directly, through the wild fields and off to meet the road south to Lyvander, as his form becomes distant and disappears from sight the group is left with a little more space in the carriage, but a slight sadness at the loss of their healer and travel companion.
The carriage' continues to rumble along, night begins to fall and on the horizon to the east the outline of a forest begins to emerge, still a long way off, but present nonetheless.
“We are supposed to be on a secret mission, yeah? All hush hush til we succeed,” Sam says into the quiet after they’ve been moving along for an hour or so. “That being that.., should we have killed him for leaving?”
Then, with a shrug Sam settles back in and let’s the miles pass…
Vin was drinking some water in the carriage as they got on the way when Sam makes his suggestion. Vin coughs and chokes on the water as he sputters "What! *cough cough* No! Wait, do you think *cough cough*we need to kill people to keep our mission a secret? Why would we need to do that?" Vin seems very worried. Neferox on the other hand seems to be looking at Sam with a bit of a contemplative look and then nods. They just lay their head back down after and close their eyes. Vin still seems worried that he might need to kill some innocent person that accidently learned what their mission was.
As Ebb makes his leave of the carriage, Elthana says nothing to the man, simply acknowledges him with a nod as he goes. She relaxes a bit more in the carriage now that there is ample room.
When Sam mentions killing him for leaving, she stifles a grin, and adds, "Well yes, obviously. I thought the boy here and his dog were going to follow him and take him in his sleep, so it wasn't painful. They are very stealthy, I've seen them in action."
Vin gets more panicky "Wait, what? Me and Nef? but... but.... ummm... I don't...." Neferox continues to lay down and seems to be resting. The dog pops one eye open to look at Vin and watch them but that's about it. Vin for their part continues to get more anxious and is clearly not okay with kill Ebb and seem to believe that is what is being planned and most horrifyingly of all they want Vin to do it! Nef doesn't seem concerned and closes their eyes again. They do turn their ears to face Vin though.
With the new oak and old companions behind them the group continue on, night comes and goes uneventfully, each member taking their watch with ease, noting that the looming forest in the distance acts as a good focal point for their destination. Although Gara does mention that Hokum proper is another day's journey once the forest is reached.
In the morning, the main problem is the horses, signs of fatigue mean that the horses needed more rest than over the previous nights, the guard insist that this time can be made up at no inconvenience to the horses by travelling through some of the coming night, and will take watch so that the group can take over the next day.
The majority of the next day is also uneventful, the long hours seem to drag on, leaving the group wondering what could really be going on in Hokum, or what might be happening in Lyvander... Spiralling thoughts and assumptions being the base of all rumour feels inevitably pointless, but with nothing else to do, it becomes difficult not to be distracted by possibilities and guesses, however impossible to determine those trains of thought may be, and what of this druid? Could a god really be walking the lands?
The food is resilient and sustaining to say the least, no one feels any ill effects of eating dehydrated and then rehydrated meals, although it does leave a craving for salt and spices niggling in the back of one's mind. Night falls on the second day from the stop by the new oak, with the horses continuing their slog toward the encroaching forests, a blanket of inky night slowly lays over the group as the succumb to sleep.
During the first breakfast after Ebb left them Sam awakens and goes through his morning rituals - Cleaning, checking his gear, re-etching his runes upon his armor. When he's done he does a double take, as if surprised to see Vin and Neferox. "That was quick! You two must travel like the wind itself to caught up with him, done the deed and returned already... Well, one less thing to worry about then, eh?"
(A day or so later...)
"Couldn't you pull stuff out of the bag 'til you draw out some spices?" Sam asks during one of the meals. "Maybe an after dinner tasty as well." He says it with his typical grumpy manner but he doesn't really seem to be complaining so much as just filling up some silence.
"And that doll," Sam says again after a few moments. "How did the bag have a doll of Gewyn here? Does that not trouble you at all?" Sam looks from Elthana to Gewyn, asking them both.
(A day or so later still...)
Poking at the few and chewing on the last scraps of his meal, Sam gives a yawn and a shrug but delays stepping away from the fire and to his makeshift bed. Instead he is staring into the fire, or through the fire perhaps, and thinking on what's to come. "Truth be, when we set up I expected they found a better trading partner... Or to find a roadblock of thugs stealing goods or something. That's not going to end up being the case though..." Sam gives a sideways glance to the others to gauge their feelings and thoughts. "I'm not buying into gods and such, mind you. Oh I believe there's stuff the likes of me will never quite understand... But gods coming down and messing with trade? Seems to me any god worth his salt is beyond being bothered with us all, wouldn't you think?"
Sam grabbed another log and dropped it onto the fire. He was about feeling colder than he was sleepy this evening. "Gods... Faeries... And me involved? It's that last part that I can't work my head around."
Travel goes well for the duo. Vin and Nef seem to have become adjusted to their normal arrangement of taking up an entire side in the carriage as Vin looks outwards and the dog just naps next to them. Setting up for the first night Nef and Vin go for a walk to stretch their legs and as they do Vin looks to the hound and says "Keep a keen sense out for more of those fairy people. Maybe we can find some alive and let them know we are friends. If you smell any nearby let me know." With that they venture around the camp then settle back down if nothing is discovered. Taking turns on watch an generally curious about what happened. The first night asking whoever shared a watch with him "Is it just me, or is it kind of nerve wracking that we haven't seen anyone except a dead fairy? I wish I knew what happened." Other then that the boy finishes their watch.
IN the morning they do their normal morning jog with Neferox and has the same instructions for them to keep their keen nose on the look out for smells of those tiny folk. They notice Sam in the morning working on their runes and nods tot he big man. Vin eventually figured out they were just teasing him yesterday and was mainly just relieved they were. Vin was pretty sure he couldn't do it. It's one thing to fight and kill monsters, bandits, undead and stuff. Quite another to kill some innocent person, let alone one Vin knew! Vin greet the big man with a friendly good morning then runs off jogging with their black hound following beside them. They do a few wide laps around the campsite keeping it in sight but also going pretty far out if vision allows them. Vin was kind of hoping to find a live fairy. When they return they nod to Sam, they obviously had put the idea behind them about killing Ebb but seem to be mistaken in thinking they needed to do something else and they made a mistake, "Huh? Wait, what were we supposed to do? Did I forget something! Oh man, I'm sorry Sam. What did I forget?"
The morning jog and search and the evening walk would be a repeating pattern each day. Vin and Nef going out and seeking signs of the small folk and getting their regular routine in. The morning jogs being far out and just keeping the camp in sight so they can signal for help if needed. The morning being he time they spend the most effort trying to find signs of the tiny folk. The nighttime walks were always closer to the camp and more for recreation but it was always a good idea to check around camp for signs of things in the night. If they find anything of interest on any day or night they will let the group know before pursuing anything but Vin does want to find another fairy to talk to if able. They just can't help but feel they might know something so he was hopeful Nef would pick up on them nearby on at least one of these days before they hit the forest line.
Gewyn wakes first to the noise of Neferox who is repeatedly barking directly into Vin's face, a warning bark of a beast alerted to danger, the others begin waking some more groggy than others.
Vin startles awake as Neferox barks into their face. At first they seem disoriented for a moment but they seem to gather their wits as Nef looks at them. The hound growling and looking at the windows. Vin Looks at them and the pair meet eyes as Vin pets the dog to reassure them. A moment of silence goes by as Neferox, without spoken commands, goes to look out the opposite window. Vin look to Gewyn who seems to be awake as well and Vin whispers "Nef heard a scream. I'm going to summon Ted to scout." Without explaining who Ted is Vin looks out the window they fell asleep against. Their eyes seem to glow a bit as they cut through the darkness and apparently not seeing anything begins to chant quietly in a language very few tend to know:
"Вывядзіце таго, чыя душа была праклята, каб я звязаў іх сваёй воляй і паслужыў сваёй справе."
Outside the window, 30 feet away from the carriage Vin is in, but perfectly in view of Vin a shadowy form suddenly appears. The form is entirely black in this night and its almost impossible to see. Those with darkvision would see the spirit that was summoned as having two large curling horns that go outwards past their shoulders then curl in. A damaged robe and cloak adorned upon their form which seems to shift and melt into oblivion as if part of the creature is made of shadows itself. The face of the creature has no eyes but does have a small menacing smile as it shows rows of razor sharp black shadowy teeth. It has a humanoid form in general appearance but it most certainly is not a humanoid of any natural form. Vin seems to concentrate on the newly summoned Ted and says to them to "Look around and try to find Walker and Gara or whatever has attacked. If you spot Walker or Gara you are to bring them back to the door to the carriage here. If you or they are attacked you are to use your scream to drive off the attacker or attackers."
With the commands in place Vin doesn't look back at the others as they don't want to miss if anything attacks Ted and watches their progression but they do whisper "Ted can scream and stun beings with fear if they get attacked. I don't know what's out there but if it has Nef spooked its bad. Hopefully we get a look at whatever is out there... I hope Walker and Gara are okay. If Ted sees them they will bring them to the door of the carriage so we can get them inside with us."
When the noise starts, Gewyn is quick to rouse since he has struggled to get much deep sleep with the uncomfortable traveling conditions. He sits up quickly, exchanges a look with Vin, and says groggily, "Wait, who the hell is Ted?" He looks out the window. "God's it's dark out there. Hey guys, wake up. Trouble." He kneels between Sam and Elthana with a hand on each of them and starts shaking them awake. "And someone wake Ebb- Wait, never mind."
As they make the same dinner again and Sam mentions spices out of the bag, Elthan shrugs and figures, why not? She reaches in and sees what she can pull out today. "As for the doll of Gewyn, honestly now that I have a better idea as to how famous our tiefling friend is, I'm not surprised. Watch, we'll find even more trinkets and treasures of Gewyn the Melodic on our travels." she says with a smirk, but no real humor in her voice.
That evening:
Elthana finds a decent spot in the carriage to relax in and starts her nightly trance. After several nights of this and the exhausting long days of travel, the lull of the carriage ends up putting her to sleep... ends up being a deep sleep. Gewyn has troubles rousing her and when she finally does awake, it takes her a moment to even realize where she is. This infuriates her. "What? What is going on? Why are Vin and Nef looking out the window like that? And why have we stopped?"
(Assuming she is told)
She looks out at the summoned creature, named Ted, then looks back at the boy that summoned it with a mixture of emotions. She doesn't say anything but heads up to the front of the carriage where the guards typically rode to see if she could garner anything else going on.
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Vin heads back with Walker and they all load up. Neferox looking at the tree one more time before loading up behind Vin and taking their customary place laying next to the boy. The large black wolf taking up a large potion of one side of seats with Vin. Vin for their part seems content and ready to go. When Elthana brings up luxury and the district most famous for the rich and powerful they seem to look at Gewyn as well with curiosity. "Oh! Yeah, what was it like? I've never really had a chance to go there much myself. The guards never really cared much for me until after I was in the school and by then I was really busy with my studies."
Gewyn is using absently using his hand mirror to inspect his horns for any scuff marks when Elthana speaks to him. "Hmm? Hardly. That was a quaint affair. I typically perform at very lavish events in expensive halls, and rarely more than twice a week. Entertainment is always in demand, so my value goes up when the supply is low. I am a token that wealthy people like to flash at one another so they can remind themselves of how much they have. It was refreshing to play for the less fortunate who seek a distraction from how much they don't." Gewyn's bright, cheery tone belies the subtle cynicism of his words.
When Elthana alludes to having had business in the perfume district, Gewyn takes note. "I would say..." He speaks slowly at first, as if measuring his words, "that the Perfume District is a different place to different people. To some people, like yourself and like... well, like yourself at any rate, it is simply another place of business, albeit one with more colours, pleasant scents, soft corners, and smiles. For the right people, however, it becomes a world of dreams coming true."
Gewyn puts his mirror away and leans back in a casual position. "But it sounds like you have some passing familiarity with the former aspect? Must be interesting work you do then. Or are you simply a spice merchant?" The corner of his mouth turns up in an amused half-smile.
The way Gewyn's reponse was offset between his words and his mannerisms drew more attention from Elthana than anything. "Lavish events eh? What all do you see at these things? And man, I can only imagine what the wealthy people divulge to you, with you being the distraction they apparently need." she pauses and really looks at him, "Yes, you really brought joy to those people last night." Elthana sits back a moment, a bit lost in thought.
As Gewyn continues describing the area and her possible role in it all, she doesn't say anything, just lets an amused smile dance across her lips. But when he finishes, it is an all out almost bright smile as she turns back to him, a laugh almost audible as she responds, "Yes, I am most definitely a spice merchant. Ha!" her smile then fades some, but still there as she is enjoying the conversation, "I'm sure you understand what my familiarity is, it is definitely not a place where my dreams come true." She then looks at him a bit more intently, "Speaking of, is what you do, what you dreamed of?"
Ebb shuffles slightly in the corner of the carriage, his disappearance the morning after the carnival and the fact that he has seemed lost in thought for the following two days, does not go unnoticed.
"I'm sorry to interrupt guys, there something I've been meaning to tell you all, something that I think I must tend to.
These talks of doing what you dreamed of. I.. I was over joyed when I was chosen for this position, but I have to protect my order, protect Lyvander, i hope you all understand.
There's been a sighting, someone from the forests west of the Chattel Coast has seen Hermes, here in Northmorrah, they went to Lyvander to have their claims verified but it appears to be true" he sighs a little as he rubs his knees, "that coupled with my visions of the destruction of Lyvander, and what the teller said to me... I hope you all understand." Ebb looks around the group, and glances out of the open doors of the stationary carriage.
Gewyn chuckles at the question without really answering. As Elthana vaguely alludes to her relationship with the Perfume District, the smile on Gewyn's face shrinks incrementally. Imperceptibly, almost.
When she asks about what he dreamed of doing, he gets a faraway look in his eyes and opens his mouth to respond, but looks almost relieved when Ebb cuts him off.
"So you mean to be going off on your own? Well... the songs I write about our exploits may need to be 20% shorter, but I'll save space for a few extra verses should our paths cross again"
"I'll travel south from here, I should reach Lyvander withing the week, but I'll be there before Holm and the others, those clerics we met up with are on their way to Marblestead to collect the high Preist and take him to Lyvander to asses this druid.
I'm sorry, I wish you all the best of luck, and if whatever is happening at Hokum will spread, I hope you can stop it before something worse happens" Ebb moves himself to the back of the carriage and dusts himself off, somewhat filled with determination as he prepares to off, "if you could spare some rations for my travel there or at least half way, I'm sure I can manage from there on out... I thank you for the time we spent together so far, I'll notify the guards of my departure and then be off."
“Each of us must do what we feel is right,” Sam assured Ebb. “I’d rather you were with us than not, but I’d not have you go against your conscience.”
Sam signals the guards to stop, offering a sarcastic apology about their schedule. He then gathers rations for Ebb. He gives him a good mix of traditional and dehydrated. “You’ll be on foot, so you’ll want a lighter load… but just in case water is a bit sparse,” he explains. Whenn Ebb is ready to depart Sam shakes his hand and assures him “You’re always welcome with us if we cross ways again.”
Vin was just laying on Nef's side as the hound rest and is perhaps even sleeping. The young man listening to Elthana and Gewyn talking about the perfume district when Ebb suddenly said they needed to go. Vin was a bit surprised and sits up waking the sleeping dog which looks around at everyone then lays their head back down closing their eyes again. Vin nods to Ebb, "You're leaving? Well, I guess you know best. Don't forget there was something weird going on in the waters around there! I hope you don't get in trouble with your boss." Neferox snorts in derision like they don't care, eyes still closed as they continue to lay down. Vin looks to them and says "They did heal us don't forget." The hound opens one eye and snorts again but this time look at Ebb. Vin just rolls their eyes with a slight smile and obviously amused by Neferox as they continue, "Good luck whatever you find out there Ebb. Oh, and yeah, help yourself to some of the dried food things. We got a lot!" Vin pulls out a few and hands them to Ebb. Not sure how many they needed.
With a wave of relief and a determined outlook, Ebb gives a traditional farewell of his order, and respectfully nods to the guards as he leaves.
He heads South directly, through the wild fields and off to meet the road south to Lyvander, as his form becomes distant and disappears from sight the group is left with a little more space in the carriage, but a slight sadness at the loss of their healer and travel companion.
The carriage' continues to rumble along, night begins to fall and on the horizon to the east the outline of a forest begins to emerge, still a long way off, but present nonetheless.
“We are supposed to be on a secret mission, yeah? All hush hush til we succeed,” Sam says into the quiet after they’ve been moving along for an hour or so. “That being that.., should we have killed him for leaving?”
Then, with a shrug Sam settles back in and let’s the miles pass…
Vin was drinking some water in the carriage as they got on the way when Sam makes his suggestion. Vin coughs and chokes on the water as he sputters "What! *cough cough* No! Wait, do you think *cough cough* we need to kill people to keep our mission a secret? Why would we need to do that?" Vin seems very worried. Neferox on the other hand seems to be looking at Sam with a bit of a contemplative look and then nods. They just lay their head back down after and close their eyes. Vin still seems worried that he might need to kill some innocent person that accidently learned what their mission was.
As Ebb makes his leave of the carriage, Elthana says nothing to the man, simply acknowledges him with a nod as he goes. She relaxes a bit more in the carriage now that there is ample room.
When Sam mentions killing him for leaving, she stifles a grin, and adds, "Well yes, obviously. I thought the boy here and his dog were going to follow him and take him in his sleep, so it wasn't painful. They are very stealthy, I've seen them in action."
Vin gets more panicky "Wait, what? Me and Nef? but... but.... ummm... I don't...." Neferox continues to lay down and seems to be resting. The dog pops one eye open to look at Vin and watch them but that's about it. Vin for their part continues to get more anxious and is clearly not okay with kill Ebb and seem to believe that is what is being planned and most horrifyingly of all they want Vin to do it! Nef doesn't seem concerned and closes their eyes again. They do turn their ears to face Vin though.
With the new oak and old companions behind them the group continue on, night comes and goes uneventfully, each member taking their watch with ease, noting that the looming forest in the distance acts as a good focal point for their destination. Although Gara does mention that Hokum proper is another day's journey once the forest is reached.
In the morning, the main problem is the horses, signs of fatigue mean that the horses needed more rest than over the previous nights, the guard insist that this time can be made up at no inconvenience to the horses by travelling through some of the coming night, and will take watch so that the group can take over the next day.
The majority of the next day is also uneventful, the long hours seem to drag on, leaving the group wondering what could really be going on in Hokum, or what might be happening in Lyvander... Spiralling thoughts and assumptions being the base of all rumour feels inevitably pointless, but with nothing else to do, it becomes difficult not to be distracted by possibilities and guesses, however impossible to determine those trains of thought may be, and what of this druid? Could a god really be walking the lands?
The food is resilient and sustaining to say the least, no one feels any ill effects of eating dehydrated and then rehydrated meals, although it does leave a craving for salt and spices niggling in the back of one's mind. Night falls on the second day from the stop by the new oak, with the horses continuing their slog toward the encroaching forests, a blanket of inky night slowly lays over the group as the succumb to sleep.
During the first breakfast after Ebb left them Sam awakens and goes through his morning rituals - Cleaning, checking his gear, re-etching his runes upon his armor. When he's done he does a double take, as if surprised to see Vin and Neferox. "That was quick! You two must travel like the wind itself to caught up with him, done the deed and returned already... Well, one less thing to worry about then, eh?"
(A day or so later...)
"Couldn't you pull stuff out of the bag 'til you draw out some spices?" Sam asks during one of the meals. "Maybe an after dinner tasty as well." He says it with his typical grumpy manner but he doesn't really seem to be complaining so much as just filling up some silence.
"And that doll," Sam says again after a few moments. "How did the bag have a doll of Gewyn here? Does that not trouble you at all?" Sam looks from Elthana to Gewyn, asking them both.
(A day or so later still...)
Poking at the few and chewing on the last scraps of his meal, Sam gives a yawn and a shrug but delays stepping away from the fire and to his makeshift bed. Instead he is staring into the fire, or through the fire perhaps, and thinking on what's to come. "Truth be, when we set up I expected they found a better trading partner... Or to find a roadblock of thugs stealing goods or something. That's not going to end up being the case though..." Sam gives a sideways glance to the others to gauge their feelings and thoughts. "I'm not buying into gods and such, mind you. Oh I believe there's stuff the likes of me will never quite understand... But gods coming down and messing with trade? Seems to me any god worth his salt is beyond being bothered with us all, wouldn't you think?"
Sam grabbed another log and dropped it onto the fire. He was about feeling colder than he was sleepy this evening. "Gods... Faeries... And me involved? It's that last part that I can't work my head around."
Travel goes well for the duo. Vin and Nef seem to have become adjusted to their normal arrangement of taking up an entire side in the carriage as Vin looks outwards and the dog just naps next to them. Setting up for the first night Nef and Vin go for a walk to stretch their legs and as they do Vin looks to the hound and says "Keep a keen sense out for more of those fairy people. Maybe we can find some alive and let them know we are friends. If you smell any nearby let me know." With that they venture around the camp then settle back down if nothing is discovered. Taking turns on watch an generally curious about what happened. The first night asking whoever shared a watch with him "Is it just me, or is it kind of nerve wracking that we haven't seen anyone except a dead fairy? I wish I knew what happened." Other then that the boy finishes their watch.
IN the morning they do their normal morning jog with Neferox and has the same instructions for them to keep their keen nose on the look out for smells of those tiny folk. They notice Sam in the morning working on their runes and nods tot he big man. Vin eventually figured out they were just teasing him yesterday and was mainly just relieved they were. Vin was pretty sure he couldn't do it. It's one thing to fight and kill monsters, bandits, undead and stuff. Quite another to kill some innocent person, let alone one Vin knew! Vin greet the big man with a friendly good morning then runs off jogging with their black hound following beside them. They do a few wide laps around the campsite keeping it in sight but also going pretty far out if vision allows them. Vin was kind of hoping to find a live fairy. When they return they nod to Sam, they obviously had put the idea behind them about killing Ebb but seem to be mistaken in thinking they needed to do something else and they made a mistake, "Huh? Wait, what were we supposed to do? Did I forget something! Oh man, I'm sorry Sam. What did I forget?"
The morning jog and search and the evening walk would be a repeating pattern each day. Vin and Nef going out and seeking signs of the small folk and getting their regular routine in. The morning jogs being far out and just keeping the camp in sight so they can signal for help if needed. The morning being he time they spend the most effort trying to find signs of the tiny folk. The nighttime walks were always closer to the camp and more for recreation but it was always a good idea to check around camp for signs of things in the night. If they find anything of interest on any day or night they will let the group know before pursuing anything but Vin does want to find another fairy to talk to if able. They just can't help but feel they might know something so he was hopeful Nef would pick up on them nearby on at least one of these days before they hit the forest line.
Perception for Vin on jogs/searches: 10
Perception for Neferox on jogs/searches: 27
Perception for Vin on nightwalks/patrol: 10
Perception for Neferox on nightwalks/patrol: 18
The night is dark.
The carriage has stopped.
Gewyn wakes first to the noise of Neferox who is repeatedly barking directly into Vin's face, a warning bark of a beast alerted to danger, the others begin waking some more groggy than others.
Something has happened.
Vin startles awake as Neferox barks into their face. At first they seem disoriented for a moment but they seem to gather their wits as Nef looks at them. The hound growling and looking at the windows. Vin Looks at them and the pair meet eyes as Vin pets the dog to reassure them. A moment of silence goes by as Neferox, without spoken commands, goes to look out the opposite window. Vin look to Gewyn who seems to be awake as well and Vin whispers "Nef heard a scream. I'm going to summon Ted to scout." Without explaining who Ted is Vin looks out the window they fell asleep against. Their eyes seem to glow a bit as they cut through the darkness and apparently not seeing anything begins to chant quietly in a language very few tend to know:
"Вывядзіце таго, чыя душа была праклята, каб я звязаў іх сваёй воляй і паслужыў сваёй справе."
Outside the window, 30 feet away from the carriage Vin is in, but perfectly in view of Vin a shadowy form suddenly appears. The form is entirely black in this night and its almost impossible to see. Those with darkvision would see the spirit that was summoned as having two large curling horns that go outwards past their shoulders then curl in. A damaged robe and cloak adorned upon their form which seems to shift and melt into oblivion as if part of the creature is made of shadows itself. The face of the creature has no eyes but does have a small menacing smile as it shows rows of razor sharp black shadowy teeth. It has a humanoid form in general appearance but it most certainly is not a humanoid of any natural form. Vin seems to concentrate on the newly summoned Ted and says to them to "Look around and try to find Walker and Gara or whatever has attacked. If you spot Walker or Gara you are to bring them back to the door to the carriage here. If you or they are attacked you are to use your scream to drive off the attacker or attackers."
With the commands in place Vin doesn't look back at the others as they don't want to miss if anything attacks Ted and watches their progression but they do whisper "Ted can scream and stun beings with fear if they get attacked. I don't know what's out there but if it has Nef spooked its bad. Hopefully we get a look at whatever is out there... I hope Walker and Gara are okay. If Ted sees them they will bring them to the door of the carriage so we can get them inside with us."
When the noise starts, Gewyn is quick to rouse since he has struggled to get much deep sleep with the uncomfortable traveling conditions. He sits up quickly, exchanges a look with Vin, and says groggily, "Wait, who the hell is Ted?" He looks out the window. "God's it's dark out there. Hey guys, wake up. Trouble." He kneels between Sam and Elthana with a hand on each of them and starts shaking them awake. "And someone wake Ebb- Wait, never mind."
Earlier:
As they make the same dinner again and Sam mentions spices out of the bag, Elthan shrugs and figures, why not? She reaches in and sees what she can pull out today. "As for the doll of Gewyn, honestly now that I have a better idea as to how famous our tiefling friend is, I'm not surprised. Watch, we'll find even more trinkets and treasures of Gewyn the Melodic on our travels." she says with a smirk, but no real humor in her voice.
That evening:
Elthana finds a decent spot in the carriage to relax in and starts her nightly trance. After several nights of this and the exhausting long days of travel, the lull of the carriage ends up putting her to sleep... ends up being a deep sleep. Gewyn has troubles rousing her and when she finally does awake, it takes her a moment to even realize where she is. This infuriates her. "What? What is going on? Why are Vin and Nef looking out the window like that? And why have we stopped?"
(Assuming she is told)
She looks out at the summoned creature, named Ted, then looks back at the boy that summoned it with a mixture of emotions. She doesn't say anything but heads up to the front of the carriage where the guards typically rode to see if she could garner anything else going on.