Once outside the tent, Soren drops his voice to a whisper.  "With the Vistani all around us, I have the sense that the dark lord Strahd will know that we are here if he does not already.  But he has not tried to stop us yet.  With the not-Father's good work..." (Soren is referring to the disguised "Rita"), "we have to hope that he will pass us by.  I prefer the wilderness, yet now I think staying in camp is better than traveling at night or Strahd finding us on the road."

"Then once our path is clear, we make for Vallaki, and beyond, northwest to the Forest of the Wolves thereafter."

It seems a thin hope to go on, and who knows if Madame Eva's divination with her cards speaks true, but what other choice do we have?

Soren turns and briefly nuzzles nose-to-beak with Nettle in a momentary farewell and the owl Wild Companion slowly fades away into the darkness.

Quote from Tybard >>

 

As he stands up, he gives the old crone one of his strange bows, like a wolf stretching with its paws out and its head low.  He urges Giles quietly:  "Not-Father.  We are guests in the pack-leader's den.  If she wishes us gone now, we should go."

 

Giles nods silently, standing up from the table.  “I think you are right, Soren.  Let’s step outside and gather ourselves.  These cards… “. He has no words, still sorting through in his mind what exactly happened here.  

Once outside, “Wolves yeah.  Sounds as good of a place as any.  But, shouldn’t we get Rita to Vallaki first?  We should check on her.”  He speaks then in a very, very low voice, “And stay out of sight.  I think we will know when he arrives, we need to stay hidden.”  

'Rita' and the little girl have been given a small tent to themselves.  When you check on them, the girl is fast asleep, with 'Rita' keeping a quiet vigil.  Keeping quiet so as not to disturb the child, she steps out into the night air.

"I spoke with some of the women here.  If we leave the girl with them, they will send riders to take her back to her parents in the village tomorrow or the day after."  She sighs, agitated.  "I don't know how I feel about that, but I could leave a note for them to deliver to Ismark; ask him to see to it the family takes better care of the girl.  Though I fear my brother has his hands full of trouble already."

"Or..." she begins, "They tell me there is an orphanage in Vallaki.  If we were to bring her with us...".

"I don't know.  It is hard to think growing up in an orphanage is the best option.  But if your parents were willing to sell you..." she looks back into the tent at the sleeping little girl.  "What do you think, Father?"

[The current conversation aside, is there anything else you want to do in the camp tonight?  It sounds like you are in agreement that you will remain here until morning.  Zefla is offered a spot in the tent with Ireena and Saskia, and the boys are cleared a space on the floor inside one of the wagons.  If you are content to call it a night, we can advance to the next morning.  Or, if anyone has unfinished business first, make it known.]

Zefla listens in on the conversation between Ireena and Giles, mainly because she's curious if the child is making the journey to Vallaki or not.  If so, she thinks to herself, they should have grabbed that cart.

Once that is settled she finds a spot in the tent and settles in.  To Ireena, "Its a good thing you both didn't sit around the fire, there were some pretty scary ghost stories told and I doubt the little one would sleep well if she had heard.  I am hoping we can get an early start in the morning.  Do you know much about Vallaki?"

"... I think you're probably right, Father."

"She has taken a liking to me.  I'll look after her as we make our way to Vallaki tomorrow."

Later, inside the tent, speaking to Zefla in hushed tones so as not to wake the child:

"They say Vallaki has 20' walls of wood and stone, and protections that keep out Strahd and his servants.  They boast that the darklord has not entered their town in 100 years.  It is much more populous than our village, and most the valley's trade flows through their gates."

She does express some concern.  "It is said they have very strict laws.  The Vistani despise that place, for they are forbidden from entering and have to camp outside its gates."

"There are supposed to be great temples there where the presence of the Morninglord is still strong."

"Most of all, they say it is safe, or as safe as any place can be in our lands."

Soren is relieved that Ireena seems agreeable to bring the child, Saskia, to the orphanage in Vallaki rather than return her to her home town.  Any parent who sells their child for a pastry would likely do so again.  Better she live free with the chance of finding others who love her more than a coin or a treat.

Seeing Zefla join Ireena and Saskia in the small tent, Soren turns to Burr and Giles.

"The first card, the... Myrmidon?  Tells of a force for good and protection in a wolf den.  It says the treasure belongs to 'Mother Night'.  Do either of you know who that is?  It does not sound like Strahd, but also not like someone to take treasures from lightly.  Perhaps the Vistani know?"

Soren though accustomed to sleeping outdoors alone, figures it's also best to ask the Vistani if they have another spare tent for Burr, Giles and himself.

Burr points Soren to the offered wagon and beds in for the night stating he has no idea who this Night woman is but he's liable to passout on his feet if he does not sleep soon.

( Move to morning)

Quote from Tybard >>

"The first card, the... Myrmidon?  Tells of a force for good and protection in a wolf den.  It says the treasure belongs to 'Mother Night'.  Do either of you know who that is?  It does not sound like Strahd, but also not like someone to take treasures from lightly.  Perhaps the Vistani know?"

Soren though accustomed to sleeping outdoors alone, figures it's also best to ask the Vistani if they have another spare tent for Burr, Giles and himself.

Giles turns to Soren, saying “Mother Night?  I have no idea what that might mean, but it sounds like no one to be trifled with.  After Vallaki, I have no idea where to go after those cards and the vague clues.  Let’s ask the Vistani in the morning.  In the meantime, we should sleep.  Please keep an eye and an ear out for … him.  Should we sleep in shifts?  Even here, in camp?”  

(After that, ok to move to morning.)

Zefla listens to Rita and nods sleepily, "Safe.  Yes, safe is good."  Her mind wonders back to the old mansion they started their journey in Barovia, and thinks again as to what horrors they might come across for that man to take his own life.  How were they even to compete?  But they sure as hell couldn't stay here.

Indeed, before Soren can ask, Burr points out a Vistana calling them over.  He has cleared out the floor in what must be the storage/kitchen area of his wagon.  There is enough room for the three of you to bed down for the night.

[Night passes...]

You are welcome to sleep in shifts, but the Vistani keep their own watch.  You may notice it is more relaxed than one might expect from people without the protection of walls in this dark land.  If it wasn't obvious before, it's now quite clear the Vistani don't have the same fear of Barovia that the townfolk you met yesterday hold.

[You all gain the benefit of a LONG REST.]

The thunder of hooves stir any of you still alseep.  The ground shakes those in the tent, and plates rattle inside the kitchen of the Vistani wagon.  Through windows and/or tent flaps, you see the following. 

Morning has come with a gradual lightening of the grey skies.  Once again, the cloud cover is absolute.  Down one of trails connecting the Tser Pool Camp to the Old Svallich Road, a great, dark coach approaches, drawn by two powerful horses, their coats black as midnight.  A cloaked figure is perched in the driver's seat, and he pulls the horses to stop them just at the edge of the camp.  The red velvet curtains of the coach are tightly drawn.

From an outside seat at the rear of the coach, an elf steps gracefully off before the ride comes to a full stop.  He has the ageless look of a true elf, though his face is scarred.  His skin is darker than any non-Drow elf any of you have seen, a deep grey-brown. 

He wears stylized and formal-looking leather armor with a fur-lined cloak over his shoulders.  The handle of a blade is just visible under the cloak.  Expensive boots and gloves - the latter of which he removes - complete the strangers outfit.  Something about this elf makes your skin crawl, all of you.  Its a nameless feeling, something primitive, but all of you can sense it.  Whether it is the look in his eyes as he casually scans the camp, or the way his hand rests near the handle of his blade as if ready to draw even as he stands relaxed in the morning air.  Instinctually you all recognize this man is a killer.

"Rahadin," 'Rita' whispers to Zefla.  "Strahd's chamberlain."

The horses stomp at the ground and snort as two Vistana rush out to greet the elf, one of them carrying two stacked wooden crates.  The elf lifts a bottle out and holds it up to inspect the label, passionless disinterest on his face.  It looks to be bottles of wine or liquor.  He replaces the bottle and speaks briefly with the man, then nods toward the back of the coach.  While the man with the crates moves quickly to load them on the coach, the other Vistani speaks quietly with the elf, who hands him a pouch - coins, most likely.  Once the crates are loaded, the elf turns his back on the men, who retreat back into the camp. 

He walks to the rear of the coach and then stops, turns, and looks over the camp again.  As he puts back on his gloves, his eyes slowly scan the encampment.  When they pass near you, your skin crawls and you become aware of the sound of your own breathing, as though he might somehow hear you.  

Then he climbs back into the seat and turns toward the driver, who has been sitting motionless this whole while.  "To the Village.  Repede!"  he commands.  Then he smacks the side of the coach twice.  The rider cracks the reigns, and the two black horses thunder away, pulling the coach back toward the Old Svallich Road.  A few moments later, and they are gone.

Zefla:

 [This beautiful dream is interrupted by the event of post 591]

Zefla looks around the tent fuming after being awoken from her luxurious dream.  She sees where she is and her heart drops.  Clinging to the last remnants, trying to taste the sparkling wine and the smell of the roast quail.  Her fingers dance in front of her as though feeling through all the treasure...

Ah, but alas, she finally dregs herself to the reality and realizes what had awoken her had stopped.  She follow's Rita's example and peers out the tent at the coach that has arrived.  The sense of dread palpable.

She watches the elf emerge, keeping as quiet as possible as she watches.  She wonders if Strahd is actually inside the coach since Madam Eva said he was the one to visit.  Either way, this Chamberlain that Rita explained to her.. was something else.  Not someone she would want to meet in a dark alley.

She whispers to Rita, "They are heading to the village next... any idea what they are going to do there?  Does Rahadin make your skin crawl as well?  Yeesh."

Soren sleeps uneasily, half-remembering dreams of running with wolves, from wolves, towards wolves.  Always fearing some faceless, lifeless menace.

He wakes early and, lacking water from a stream, splashes a small bit from his waterskin on his face to brace himself and clear the cobwebs.  Stepping outside to witness Rahadin's visit, he wonders if Strahd himself is within the coach, glad again of "Rita's" disguise.

Always having been skilled at watching quietly from a distance, Soren asks for Silvanus' guidance and attempts to discern whether Rahadin's horses and the driver show signs of life (breathing, sweat, living eyes) or whether any of them look undead.

Perception plus Guidance:  17 + 4 = 21

If any of the Vistani are nearby, he asks circumspectly, "the wine Rahadin buys from you, is it the same kind sold at the Blood of the Vine tavern in the village?"  With great effort he manages not to screw up his face, remembering the awful taste, but not wanting to offend, remembering the Vistana women who ran the place.  "Or is it some other variety?  Some special drink for Strahd's castle?"  (Soren does not know the word "vintage").

Regardless, once Rahadin is gone, Soren attempts to rouse his companions, including Ireena and Saskia if needed, as gently (and respectfully) but quickly as he can to begin their journey to Vallaki without any further delay, hoping to make good time before the next nightfall.

Giles has fitful dreams, a feeling that he is running, being pursued through the woods, with the sound of snapping jaws and panting, snorting coming from behind him he tries to find the way forward, out of the woods.  Mist surrounds him and he hears laughter and the baying of wolves in the distance.  He awakens in a cold sweat when Soren nudges him.  

“Rahadin?  We must head to Vallaki at all speed.  DId you say he was headed to the Village?  So to the Village of Barovia, not Vallaki, right?  So hopefully he is going away from us, but we need to get Vallaki as quickly as we can.”  Giles sits up and starts putting on his leather armor, gathering his things as quickly as he can, stepping out into the Vistani camp, looking to see if anyone else is up, and if there are any smells of breakfast.  

Burr watched the nobleman leave with his hackles up and the hair on his back and arms all abristle.

" I do not like him."

He nodded to Giles " And quickly."

Soren:

 The Vistani laugh, deeply and honestly, when Soren asks them about the wine for Strahd and the wine served at Blood of on the Vine.  "That swill?  I daresay the Count might at last break his vow never to spill Vistani blood if we tried to pass some of that off as wine!"  After a bit more laughter, one explains, "Strahd and his court have some favorites from the lands beyond the mists.  When our wagons roam, we are always on the lookout for preferred vintages or spirits."

Zefla, 'Rita' lowers her eyes briefly.  "He is even less charming up close.  When Strahd could not call upon me himself, he would often send Rahadin to deliver me his gifts."

The camp is stirring and a breakfast of smoked fish is warming near the fire.  The party, Rita and Saskia can be dressed and ready to march as quickly as you like.  

Is there anything else you wish to do here before you leave?  You all notice that, once they share breakfast with you, the Vistani start to pay you much less attention.  They are not rude, exactly, but it is almost as if they are trying to ignore you or act like you are no longer there.

Zefla emerges and finds herself relieved to see Giles, Soren and Burr.  She isn't sure what she expected, but happy to see them nonetheless.

Enjoying the smoked fish breakfast, she doesn't really try to engage with the Vistani that clearly are ready for them to leave.  She is ready to head out when the rest are.

Soren nods thoughtfully at the Vistana's explanation about the "swill" being served at the Blood on the Vine and Strahd buying his favorite outlander wines from the Vistani.  I wonder if only Strahd and the Vistani enjoy good drink here in Barovia?  And everyone else is stuck with swill?

As the party departs Tser Pool Camp back on the road towards Vallaki, Soren relates his observations about Rahadin's and his carriage:

"I do not think I have ever seen an elf like Rahadin with his grim demeanor and dark grey-brown skin.  And his driver was utterly still, except to crack the whip.  Unbreathing like undead.  And the horses... they did not seem right either.  The same pattern of motions repeating as if an illusion."

He shudders.  "Let us hope we reach Vallaki before nightfall."  Once well under way, Soren summons his owl companion Nettle to his shoulder once more.

Both owl and druid keep a close eye on the road and surroundings.  (Passive Perception 16 and 18 respectively).

Burr takes up the rear as they set off his maul over his shoulder....