Scanning the area Cainneach can see no sign of her but he does note that Salts hackles have dropped and the dog does not appear to be as on edge as he was moments ago...

Cainneach calls quietly to Salt, then turns to Ori.  "I don't see her, Ori ... I think we should shepherd everyone back inside before she can pick off another straggler."  He then turns to call out to Famh and the guard.  "No sign of her, hustle back to the house now!"

(Cainneach will rely on his ...

Passive WIS (Perception) 20

... to keep an eye out for the frigid spectre while they hurry back to rejoin Vardi and the rest.)

Cainneach spots nothing out of sorts as he herds the others back towards the manor.....the thoroughly spooked guard joins them in the retreat looking back fearfully towards the ringfort as they go....

Profiting by her earlier experience this evening, Famh does not immediately let her magic fire fade as she turns to respond to Cainneach's call.  Though no one had seemed to think her responsible for the sorcery when they investigated the ice statues, she still feared that someone would eventually connect the sudden disappearance of the flames with her turning away.   This time she leaves them burning atop the earthen wall as long as her mind can reach back through the darkling air to keep them alight.

As the unnatural firelight finally flickers and dies behind them, it is replaced by the brightness of the smile Famh bestows on Cainneach.  "Ye were sae brave chargin' i tae save yon guard, a chagair!"  Then she turns to the sergeant.  "An' ye wid ha' been up thare i another moment, Ori, gin she haednae disappearit.  But is it na interestin' thon she wad choose tae attack here juist as ye were talkin o' seekin' her oot i the water tunnels below?  I think ye're onto summat wi' thon."  Following up on the thought, she turns her feyborn senses earthward; and for the rest of the walk her ears and e'en are straining to pick up any whisper of sound or flicker of mist rising from below.

===***===

Perception 18

The group make their way across the open ground toward the manor.

Within Sir Almeric and Sheriff Brunn are in deep discussion.

( Thoughts? Actions? Deeds?)

After returning to safety, Cainneach asks the Sheriff, "Are there any others out on patrol or otherwise wandering the grounds?  We can seek out the spectre, but it will be easier if we're not having to rescue folks along the way again.  I think the runnels are still the right route to pursue her.  I'm ready to resume the hunt if you all agree on the course."

"I agree, leannan.," Famh adds.  "As A wis sayin' tae Ori on our way back i', the timing o' her attack wis juist a wee muckle ower convenient."   Remembering that Sherriff Brunn had not been present when searching the runnels was first broached, she asks him, "Did Sir Almeric have time tae explain tae ye the idea our Sergeant haed, while he wis bringin ye doun?"  If not, she will fill him in before continuing in a tone both deferential and assured.  "I ken it's a bit o knowledge ye'd rather everyone wisnae aware o', Ser, for the safety o' Marrowglen.  But I swear on Sir Almeric's honour as a Capellar thon we mean tae make nae ill use o't, but only tae save Marrowglen frae any mair o the ghaist's wrath, gin we can.  Is the entrance tae the runnels anywhere nich tae the post o' the guard we savit frae her juist now?  And is thare any other that we micht use tae flank the wraith an' surprise her?"

===***===

Persuasion 20

After a little thought, Famh adds in a quiet aside to Sir Almeric, "And gin ye've naucht else tae tend tae here, Ser, an wad like tae come along...  Well, we aw saw i' Karvala's tower hou... Gatanades ha' blessit ye wi' baith strength an wisdom i' dealing wi' lost souls such as this."   She diplomatically avoids any mention of further specifics, and is careful not to even glance towards the Capellar's quarters or anywhere on his person or pack he may have stowed the draugr drum he freed from the aforementioned tower.   She does not, of course, know if the drum has any powers besides summoning the ghost longship; nor if it would even be useful in the present situation.  But on general principles she thinks it best to avoid drawing attention to it any further.

"Very likely that's the last we see or her. She clearly has her retreat well in hand at the slightest resistance. She clearly isn't stupid when choosing a victim, alone or vulnerable. As soon as we show up She disappears without a trace. She just has to wait us out till we depart then finish the job." Ori clearly is deflated by the failed attempt to reach the frozen lass. He knew they would never find her again once she knew they were looking for her, expecally after she proved uncatchable. "Well I for one of had enough of this night,  I'm headed back to bed, and I suggest the rest of you do the same." He knew he woukd have a hard time finding sleep now but he was no mood for answering questions or discussing plans. 

Quote from EtyenAndiros >>

After returning to safety, Cainneach asks the Sheriff, "Are there any others out on patrol or otherwise wandering the grounds?  We can seek out the spectre, but it will be easier if we're not having to rescue folks along the way again.  I think the runnels are still the right route to pursue her.  I'm ready to resume the hunt if you all agree on the course."

Sheriff Brunn turned to regard Cainneach, " There sho''d be  three men walking the ring and tuther two at the gate.....but those walking the fort tend to dawdle at the gate and gab on."

" Stay here for now, we're nay far off sunup....."

Sir Almeric looked a little troubled for some reason but nodded  at Sheriff Brunns words.

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

"I agree, leannan.," Famh adds.  "As A wis sayin' tae Ori on our way back i', the timing o' her attack wis juist a wee muckle ower convenient."   Remembering that Sherriff Brunn had not been present when searching the runnels was first broached, she asks him, "Did Sir Almeric have time tae explain tae ye the idea our Sergeant haed, while he wis bringin ye doun?"  If not, she will fill him in before continuing in a tone both deferential and assured.  "I ken it's a bit o knowledge ye'd rather everyone wisnae aware o', Ser, for the safety o' Marrowglen.  But I swear on Sir Almeric's honour as a Capellar thon we mean tae make nae ill use o't, but only tae save Marrowglen frae any mair o the ghaist's wrath, gin we can.  Is the entrance tae the runnels anywhere nich tae the post o' the guard we savit frae her juist now?  And is thare any other that we micht use tae flank the wraith an' surprise her?"

===***===

Persuasion 20

Sheriff Brunn gave Famh a serious look, " Aye......if.....I cannae believe I'm saying this....this gheist is doing so....there is an entry close up on the rear wall of the manor.....but they were dug and lined before the flagstones were laid down......I dare say only a wee slip like yerself would fit within and even then it'd be a belly crawl...."

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

After a little thought, Famh adds in a quiet aside to Sir Almeric, "And gin ye've naucht else tae tend tae here, Ser, an wad like tae come along...  Well, we aw saw i' Karvala's tower hou... Gatanades ha' blessit ye wi' baith strength an wisdom i' dealing wi' lost souls such as this."   She diplomatically avoids any mention of further specifics, and is careful not to even glance towards the Capellar's quarters or anywhere on his person or pack he may have stowed the draugr drum he freed from the aforementioned tower.   She does not, of course, know if the drum has any powers besides summoning the ghost longship; nor if it would even be useful in the present situation.  But on general principles she thinks it best to avoid drawing attention to it any further.

Sir Almeric had gone over to the frozen lad and after a few minutes of his ministrations he seemed to look much more hale though Sir Almeric did not speak to him or even seem to regard him as anything more than a thankless chore by his demeanour.

Sir Almeric stepped in towards Famh with a bemused grin, " If i'd been here I likely could have called on Gatanades to rebuke her and send her hence.....but it would not be a permanent solution."

He inclined his head to Sheriff Brunn then moved in to gather his retinue close, " Sheriff Brunn has had it with these feckers, he's asked me to escort them back to Beltayne and out of Marrowglen. I can't blame him and I know he has the right of it.....she's after them only......but his other men are at risk every evening they remain here."

" I have agreed, but if any of you have any other thoughts to put forward before we depart now is the time and know I will take your counsel as equal to any others."

Quote from Engineered_Beard >>

"Very likely that's the last we see or her. She clearly has her retreat well in hand at the slightest resistance. She clearly isn't stupid when choosing a victim, alone or vulnerable. As soon as we show up She disappears without a trace. She just has to wait us out till we depart then finish the job." Ori clearly is deflated by the failed attempt to reach the frozen lass. He knew they would never find her again once she knew they were looking for her, expecally after she proved uncatchable. "Well I for one of had enough of this night,  I'm headed back to bed, and I suggest the rest of you do the same." He knew he woukd have a hard time finding sleep now but he was no mood for answering questions or discussing plans. 

Sir Almeric grinned as he laid a hand on Oris shoulder momentarily delaying his departure, " We'll head off after sunup unless you've another notion."

Vardi, who has been silent after making her report to Ser Almeric, still watches from the entrance, wary of further manifestations of cold. For one who most usually fears not the ice and snow of Winter, the warrior woman looks troubled even as the feeling returns to her chilled fingers.

She does look to the glowering lad as she mutters in a tone of bitter wonder "Lucky little..." then in belated wisdom shuts her mouth. 

Vari leans in and murmurs in Ori's ear "Reckon she's nae likely ta give up fra long, Sarge, but she'd be dafter tha' she's played us fra so far if she tried again tonight."

She waits patiently for any further orders before leaving the hall, still alert for sudden threats, for all her reasoning otherwise.

With a cautious cat dogging her steps, she makes her way slowly back to the room shared with Famh, her mind ablaze with wild thoughts as she attempts to understand what manner of spirit behaves as this one does.

Ori turns back to Sir Almeric, "Aye, sunup sounds fine and dandy to me. But we were on the brink of exhaustion after handling the old owner of that massive ball and chain. Then get beauty sleep interrupted by that girls frozen touches. Sunup will be here before the extra blood rush everyone is feeling right now settles, aye? This girl already proven she can avoid being caught by us, but we have what she wants and if we are going to play cat and mouse with her, good solid shuteye may make the difference in which animal we get to be, Aye? So I believe there maybe hope of a slightly warm spot left in my bed that I plan to rekindle with." Realizing the extra company about them hearing him speak to Sir Almeric, he adds, "with your permission,  Sir?"

Famh nods slowly and yawns as she in turn begins to feel the lost sleep catching up.  "Aye, A suppose thon makes more sense after aw.   Especially gin the entry tae the runnel's sae small only ane or twa o us coud fit."  She just manages to catch the gist of Vardi's murmur to Ori out of the corner of her ear, and nods again.  "And thon's true ower, thouch gin we wantit tae be on the safe side we coud have these lads stretch oot on a pallet i the men's room where they coud keep an e'e on thaim."   

Realizing that her wits are too sleepy for any further useful contribution, she smiles and blows Cainneach a kiss good'night' ... for the second time this evening ... before following Vardi back to their shared quarters and turning in.

===***===

(OOC: how many hours are left till sunup?  I would guess less than the 6 we'd need to sleep for a Long Rest, but at least we can get the SR benefits.  Or should we take the extra time and recharge, and leave a little later in the morning?)

( Cainneach, Ori, Thatch and Almeric could cobble together a full Long Rest I think....probably.    Famh and Vardi talked quite a lot so likely not.)

( About 2 hours left.)

( All ok with moving to morning and then a time jump to on the road?)

(Good with me)

(Sure)

The companions retire and get a couple more hours sleep, when they rouse and break their fast in the morning Sheriff Brunn has organised supplies for the roads and has the two Beltayne lads standing outside the hall with their gear packed onto their backs.

Sir Almeric glowers at the two of them and makes them stand there while the companions eat and drink, he tucks two missives from Sheriff Brunn into his gambeson and readies himself to depart.

The sun is just making itself known through the icy mist as the companions set off from Marrowglen south towards Beltayne.

....................................

The company made their way downhill for quite some time with the two suspected murderers complaining the entire way about their feet being sore but they grew quieter as the day drew on, on the outskirts of Bunessan in the dim afternoon sun Sir Almeric called the companions to a halt, " Meadhs Father is here, I think he should be given the chance to look these two in the eye. But what say you all?"

( Looking back over posts Meadh became Morag at some point but as Morag is Vardis co-worker in Beltayne we'll stick with Meadh now.)

Famh sucks her lip thoughtfully.  "That's his juist due.  Sae long as we needna tell him aboot the terrible ghaist his dauchter's spirit became.," is all she says in the end.  But she accompanies her words with a stony glare in the direction of 'those two' ... less so the repentant Dochartaigh, much more at the Ice Lad* ... to imply how much more unpleasant the remainder of their journey south could become if they are cruel enough to break a father's heart further by letting any such word slip even from the corners of their tongues. 

===***===

*as Famh has privately nicknamed him, as much for his cold demeanor as for his brush with ghaistly death.  OOC I must admit I can't remember if you told us his name or no ... (*￣∀￣)