Bellamy does not fight the grab from Tex

Tex, mounted atop Lizzy, come rushing towards Bellamy. Tex reaches a hand down of the side of the mechanical lizard and reach out to grasp ahold of the scruff of Bellamy's neck. The telekinetic pull from Vrakath holds on as Tex is almost yanked from Lizzy but the mechanical mount jumps and twists, gathering enough momentum to pull Bellamy free of the magical pull and Bellamy lands safely atop Lizzy.

Vrakath watches as you ride off into the streets, you turn back to see him vanish, though not in a mist this time, but in a wave a magical arcane energy. 

A short ways forward into the street, you see rushing in Jarsali, Zane, Rel, and Lana accompanied with five Zhelezo.

"What is happening? Where is the threat?" Jarsali shouts as she approaches.

Bellamy is panting and points behind him "Vrakath attacked us for revenge that way. Watch out he can teleport though there was a wave of magical energy just a moment ago" says Bellamy. He grips Lizzy as if half expecting to be magically yanked again.

"Vrakath.  He does this," growls Rel, her irises briefly flashing black once more.  "Using his magic sword and Misty Step in battle, and then teleporting entirely away when he no longer likes the look of things.  He will be back, probably at the least opportune time."

It is unclear whether she is explaining things to Jarsali and the Zhelezo who have never seen Vrakath, or just venting about the green humanoid in general.

"All the more reason we should stick together from here on.  Just now, I felt a painful telepathic voice and saw a masked figure in my head warning me you were doomed, Bellamy and Tex.  Wanting to see what I... we... would do next.  Someone who draws magic from the same... pact that I do.  Taunting me, yet somehow also angered that our patron shares her power with me.  But I do not know if it is someone different, or Vrakath himself."

She pauses.  "I have heard stories of a race of shadow elves, not drow, with different colored skin, many of whom follow my patron.  Shadar-Kai.  This mind speaker could be one and so could Vrakath, whether or not they are one and the same.  I do not know."  She shakes her head.

"In any case, no point further delaying our mission, unless... you look injured, Bellamy.  And Tex."

Belatedly, Rel remembers that it might also make sense to ask about the Library of the Cobalt Soul, but she holds off, having spoken too much already.

Zane breathes a sigh of relief, "You look bad but alive. That's great! Let's keep moving, though. We're going by the manor to possibly pick up some dynamite and then continuing from there to the alternate entrance to make our assault on whatever is going on. Time is of the essence. We'll find a moment soon to patch you up."

"Alright lets keep going, I hope that manor has some medical supplies" says Bellamy. He walks stiffly with his hand holding his wound.

Glancing back to where they were ambushed, Tex says, “Yeah, let’s go, though I doubt he would dare attack us when we are in full force.” 

On their way to the manor Tex describes in detail what happened to Bellamy and him. “I’m not sure what he wants. Or who he is after. More than anything he asked us where the rest of us are as if he is looking for one of us in particular. Sure he would have killed us if given the chance but his first priority was to get this information for some reason.”

After having calmed down from the excitement of an ambush and living through it a second time when recounting the events, Tex explains their finding at the Cobalt Soul library, and finishes by asking, “And what are our new tasks? I see we’ve got help this time, which means this is very serious and dangerous, isn’t it? Are we going to assault the ritual site head on? I certainly will need a break before.”

Zane says, "Yes, the goal is to prevent whatever that group is doing. The Marquis needs assurances that nothing nefarious is coming from that direction for the gathering of VIPs tonight. We should have an alternative way in, as we discovered with Jarsali. We're hoping it won't be as heavily trapped and/or guarded as the one through the manor."

As they walk, he changes his pace to include Jarsali and others within earshot. "I don't believe we should split our forces any further. We should have the demolition crew at the manor get a couple of stray dogs and lower them down the tunnel so that some sounds will be made while we're taking an alternate route ourselves."

Zane nods to Tex, "But yes, priority number one is disruption and elimination. And, well, hopefully also recovering Vale's brother, but we'll see what we're facing when we get there."

As you continue on towards the Crescents and Briarwood Manor, the inclined streets doing a number on your calves, you see off in the distance a plume of dust and smoke rise up followed shortly by a harsh rumble.

Jarsali says in a surprised tone. "It would appear we may be too late. I thought it was set for tomorrow.... anyways. Do you wish to continue in hopes they have any leftover sticks or shall we head to the waterway?"

Lana looked at Bellamy, stubbornly moving forward despite all his wounds and whistled in surprise. ""Look bad" is an understatement here. Are you sure you want to move like this? You are in no condition to fight, what's the point going anywhere? Can someone heal it?"

She looked at others. "If the mansion is a bust now, can we make a stop at the temple? Would be wise to get a few potions as well, while we are on it. You did not say there was some psycho on your tail. Who is this Vrakath?" Now Lana looked at Rel with curiosity. "A rival apprentice of your master, you say?"

“I’m all for stopping at a temple if it is another one than the other night, or, perhaps we are lucky and there’s a different shift?”

Zane says, "Only if it's a short stop and on the way."

Wordlessly, Rel pokes around in her Handy Haversack and pulls out a Potion of Healing and then another one.

Taking the two potions in hand, she offers one each to Tex and Bellamy.

"Thanks Rel" says Bellamy as he drinks the potion not letting a drop spill

Healed

5

“Thanks,” Tex takes the potion and chugs it down and one more that he has from his for good measure. “It doesn’t substitute a good rest, but I feel a bit better.” (Healed 9 and 5 HP to 22/31)

After handing a Potion of Healing to each of Tex and Bellamy, Rel turns back to Jarsali, setting her jaw, obviously deeply upset at the latest Vrakath incident.  (Not unhappy at anyone currently in the group, just unhappy).  Her eyes seem a darker shade of their usual grey.

"Are you sure that was your demolition team, Jarsali?  Sure that Lord Augustin and his brown-haired lieutenant did not beat you to the punch, covering evidence, knowing that everyone would assume it was the Zhelezo that did it?  You say the demolition was supposed to be tomorrow.  I am slightly in favor of visiting the mansion and questioning any Zhelezo nearby to confirm they were the ones to do it, but I will go with what the group decides."

She turns to answer Lana.  "I am sorry.  I keep assuming you know what the rest of us do.  A testament to how well you have fit in during our foray through and below the manor.  The bit about a shared pact with the same patron was speculation due to a vivid dream I have had and the painful telepathic message I just received from the same individual (possibly Vrakath) about the attack, which happened to be accurate."  Rel sighs helplessly.

 "What we know about Vrakath is that he is a green humanoid with a lethal magic sword who was aboard a Revelry pirate ship which accosted our vessel, The Dragonfly, during our journey from Port Zoon.  Our captain, a tabaxi named Captain Flame on Water who I found to be admirable, claimed to know Vrakath as a ruthless killer.  There was a bit more to it, but after a shipboard battle with the pirates, which Vrakath watched with amusement, he invited himself aboard the Dragonfly.  An invitation which Captain Flame on Water refused, causing the battle to break out anew on the open sea."

"Vrakath is a very effective spell sword, teleporting around seemingly at will, but to his surprise, we were a match for him.  He finally teleported well away, vowing to return.  Which he did the next day (yesterday) to butcher the Captain and most of the crew aboard the Dragonfly at the docks here in Port Damali.  Only we, along with one crewman (the First Mate Zandir) and a stowaway, the sister of the young man in the Lord Agustin's coffin, still survive.  Zandir described Vrakath as being in a cold rage, humiliated at having been bested once and determined to exact retribution."

Lana smiled and even began an obligatory "It's easy to get along with folks like you..." but as the horrific story continued the smile died on her lips. "You do know how to pick your enemies... Never heard of that monster before but that's pirates for you. You denied him a ship - he is murdering everyone in the vicinity."

She shook her head. "One more complication, then. Assuming he will not attack with the officials in full strength among us," she nodded at Zhelezo, "we should expect him either to help the cultists down there, or attack us afterward when we are tired and injured." Lana shrugged. "Not the best of perspectives, but at least we are warned now. Will keep an eye on the green man."

"You might be right about the mansion, that this is not Zhelezo's doing. But it does not change much. We were going to use the water path anyway and I doubt the cultists were going to bury themselves in there without an exit, so, the channel should still be open. However," Lana turned to Jarsaly, "if the deed is done one way or another - would not those few guards be free now? Can we take them with us? This is sure the case of the more the merrier."

She immediately shook her head. "I still think a Temple where we can heal our injured faster and get some more potions is the priority and we should not split the group with that monster after you, but we can send one soldier to check the mansion or pass by after the temple visit."

Jarsali adds to the conversation as you speak, "If you wish to visit a temple the two nearest are The Pearl Shrine and The Sunfall Sanctuary, dedicated to worship of The Change Bringer(Avandra) and The Dawnfather(Pelor) respectively. Though both are equally out of the way from where we are currently headed. That is of course unless you wish to still stop by the manor. If you wish to make the stop and head straight to the waterway, it will probably take anywhere from one and a half to two hours, depending on how busy the temples are that is. If you jsut wish to gain more healing potions, I have two myself and there is a small shop on the way we can check that may or may not have some available. Just let me know which way to lead you, I will defer to your better judgment of your own physical condition."

“I’d say let’s just get us topped up with potions and a few spare ones and we hurry on. I’d rather find the ritual site before the full moon. You know which one.” 

With both Tex and Bellamy looking more healthy (or, better say, less injured) now, Lana nodded to the idea. "Let's do it and save the time."