Piers watches with unceasing attention to every detail of the ritual, watching the older druid at work. He smiles warmly and removes one of the goodberries from the pouch on his belt.

"Made you a welcome-back snack. Should help with your strength a little."

Drux blinks. Confusion fills his eyes. He looks around not understanding how he got here. Last thing he remembered was being face to face with a scarecrow.

He strains to smile at Cat while reaching out to the good berry Piers is offering him. Every fiber in his being shouts in a mix of agony and exhaustion.

”Wha..” he is startled at the weakness in his own voice. He tries again, “Wha…<cough> what hap…happened?” 

Cat smiles "You fought bravely, but got your rear kicked. Our mission was a success. And you're part of our reward"

She looks at Melannor in askance.  

“I…I don’t remember <cough> anything. Could I have some water, please.”

Drux hand trembles as he attempts to sit up. His arm crumbles beneath him. 

“Why so weak?”

Cat looks towards Piers expectantly. "You tell him."

Piers quickly retrieves his waterskin and a cup from his mess kit, pouring it and holding it up to Drux's mouth. "Small sips. Small sips. There we go. Very good." He says softly. "The ritual was able to bring you back, but you'll be pretty exhausted for a few days. We've got hold of a cart - we'll help you in and take you back to the Manor for a rest."

ooc:Dm I think Drux needs a insight check 

(?)

ooc: To figure out he was dead.

(OOC Sure lol why not)

Insight 10 

Drux, confusion on his face, just smiles and nods, feigning understanding to Piers’ words. 

“A few days rest sounds…good.” He pauses for breath. “Hopefully we get paid good…….that was a rough job.” Another pause. “I’m glad you’re ok,” looking to the group.

Cat has her own confused look, then remembering what Melannor said about forgetting. "Um, about payment. Like I said you are our payment Drux. You're weak like you are now. Because you died." She gestures to Melannor "The Druids brought you back."

“No…” Drux says shaking his head. “ You must be ….” He starts to look around a bit more at the situation, understanding finally sinking in. “Well, damn. Ok. I’m sorry guys.” He says shaking his head at the situation. 

Cat turns to Melannor "You mentioned the other half of our reward?"

Melannor stood off to the side and had been quietly watching the reunion with a mixture of relief and amusement. He perks up when more directly addressed and nods in answer. "I hope you take no offense. But while you were out, my lady had a few, uhm... let's say 'friends' look a little into your crew history within the city." He holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "Nothing to prying, I assure you. But she had learned from her friends about your recent acquisition and concerns about its, uh, previous tenate's seeming forgotten... uhmm... marks of mischief." Melannor frowns, mutters something under his breath, then shook his head.

"In any event! At this time what aid can be provided on the matter will yet be limited. As will no doubt the case for any other parties that might be interested in gaining your, uh, membership into their organization... or so I wager, anyways." He shrugs. "Regardless, and with your permission, I am to assist your party in hopefully alleviating concerns in that arena. Namely by setting up wards and sensors to restrict any intrusion from the hag, magical or otherwise. Then hopefully within a few weeks we could spare further resources to reach out to an expert within the Enclave that might better understand and can fully remove any traces of taint all together. But as its been years since the incident with no signs of her return to the area, I'm afraid that's all that can be assured." He explained, and looked almost as if he had more to add at the end, only to shake his head in dismissal of the thought. 

Cat lets the doll out of the bag "Margie here told me that the hag still lives. And allot more" a look of concern crosses her face "When I found Margie in our basement it felt like something was pulling me somewhere. But I resisted. I think the hag does need to be dealt with." 

"That would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Melannor." Piers replies, turning to the rest of the group. "Shall we head back to the manor, then? Rest up properly and such?"

"Yes Piers" Cat says hoping to get some rest. "But we still need to get the buckboard back to Mister felwin Leafborn. Heck we've haven't even stayed the night there or cleaned up." She looks to Melannor "Would you know of anyone who could teach me how to animate Margie?"   

Mellanor regards the doll with confusion initially, then thoughtful wariness while rubbing his chin. "... Hm? Uh, I'm sorry. Animate Margie?" He asks, focusing once more on the present. "I.. am afraid I don't fully understand your intent or why you would trust what I presume at this point to be a hag's creation. This strange pull you mention might give whatever it told you some credence but--" He paused in thought, then sighed and rubbed at his forehead.

"I don't personally know of any that could. At least perhaps not in the way you intend? Hmn. I... now have questions, and come to think of it, still would like a full recount of what happened at the farm. But both of these things can wait. For now, I presume I have the permission of your group to do what I can regarding this hag business... at least as much as the  Enclave can for the moment. So, uh, hmm... I'll meet you there. So unless any of you have more prudent questions, I will see you all later. "

Cat shrugs "I've heard of people that create magical things, I think they're called Artificers I've always been interested in becoming one."