Taking the key, Moneo opens up the cage so that their poor dragon friend can stretch his wings, and then turns back to the goblin and says, "Well JJ, that information is very helpful! So this Agdon Longscarf leads a band of bandits? We did meet a small group of them earlier. They aren't fans of wolves it seems," grinning he looks back at Fa. "And a scarecrow with pincer-claws named Clapperclaw? Simple name, and an interesting sounding being. Around Downfall? What, or where, is this Downfall exactly?" He then sighs at news of the hag and says, "This Granny must be one of the sister's we've heard of... Well," turning to the others, "What are your thoughts? Fa? Barr?" It's at this that he notices that the annoying elf seems gone, and he simply mentally shrugs, not really concerned, since he never understood why she was following in the first place.

"Sounds like I need to follow up on that remembrance to those snail riding bun buns that I owe." One of the more confident sounding comments from Barreknar, he starts hitting the handle by the head of his morning star a few times against the edge of his shield.

Fa'ame tilts her head, considering and processing this new information...

"I am most interested in ending the reign of this hag and restoring this place to its natural state... However,  I also wouldn't mind dealing with these bandits. Fortunately, I might know where we can learn more about them. The hag who enticed me to this place wanted me to eliminate a rogue member of the long-eared brigands. I found the rogue she spoke of, but saw no reason to visit violence upon them... Now I feel particularly relieved that I didn't! If they were disgruntled enough to leave the group, they might be disgruntled enough to share sensitive information about their group. What do you all think?"

“If there is a way for us to find a weakness, or way to deal with these bandits other than simply crudely attacking them all the better,” Moneo says. “Though I feel we should likely be ready for anything. And that would give Barr here a chance to get back on a snail perhaps,” he adds with a grin.

Fa'ame looks to the fairy dragon. "What do you say, my little friend? If there profit in confronting these brigands, or will we just invoke the ire of the wicked Madame Blightstraw?"

"I honestly don't think the hag cares what happens to the brigands, or anyone that isn't her to be honest. She uses them becuase they bring her to the things, but without them she would find someone else. The quickest route to Downfall is through the brigands hideout if that affects your decision. Now I must be off to alert my queen of what has gone on here, and I will ask her if she can help with the situation here, as a reward for your bravery in helping me. Also, here is my magial sword as payment." and he hands Moneo his sword (functions as a +1 Dagger) 

Quote from Swiftgale >>

"I honestly don't think the hag cares what happens to the brigands, or anyone that isn't her to be honest. She uses them becuase they bring her to the things, but without them she would find someone else. The quickest route to Downfall is through the brigands hideout if that affects your decision. Now I must be off to alert my queen of what has gone on here, and I will ask her if she can help with the situation here, as a reward for your bravery in helping me. Also, here is my magial sword as payment." and he hands Moneo his sword (functions as a +1 Dagger) 

 At this point, Eliaanore speaks up, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. It's a gamble, but it might be...

[Deception: 15]

"Is that really all she sent you for? To see if Prismeer was okay? You're a warrior in your own right, right? What if her reason for sending you was in the hope that you would be able to help set things right? No doubt you've got a few tricks up your sleeve, right? Wouldn't she be more grateful if, upon finding the land in such dire straits, you lended your sword hand, er, claw instead of leaving the blade it held for someone else...?"

"I'm afraid she was quite clear that I was to come here and request aid, not to give it. It may well be that when I inform her of what I discovered, she will send me back to help, in which case I would be glad to fight alongside you, though I would bring another sword so I won't take mine back off you. But also she might have need of my skills elsewhere."

The girl shrugs wordlessly and returns to her spot outside the door, crossingher arms. A single thought floats through her head.

Damn.

"I see you're still here..." Korba says to the girl, not hiding his disappointment. "I'll ask once more, why are you stalking us?" He then turns to the the small dragon and says, taking the dagger and placing it in his belt ((anyone want/need this?)), "Thank you for this, we will put it to good use. And thank you for the information. Hopefully we will meet again. Be safe on your journey home. And please tell your queen that not all hope is lost. Though if and when they are able, assistance would be greatly appreaciated." Finally, he turns to the rest of the group and says, "It seems we have a destination. We must find this hag, and then the scarecrow if we wish to find anyone with any hope of finding a way out of Hither. Barr, feel like dealing with the rude rabbits?"

The dragon nods and then pulls a small medallion out of his pocket, says a few words, and then vanishes in a flash of light. 

Barreknar was pulling his boot knife out to give the dragon to replace his magical one that was given to the group but the dragon was gone before he could offer it. 

"Uhhh, where did he go? OH ya, rabbits, right. I think it's time we teach them some manors they'll never forget."

Fa'ame turns to address the others, "I last encountered the rogue member of the brigands at The Inn at the End of the Road. We can seek them out if we wanted to try and gather information on the bandits before we attempt a frontal assault.... Only trouble is that the inn, well.... It has trouble sitting still. It walks around on two legs, moving about the swamp in a rather unpredictable course. If you want to track it down, though, I might be able to provide some assistance. What do you think?"

Turning to Fa’ame, Moneo nods and says, “A rest would be nice. We have been quite busy for a while even before coming here. Let’s see if we can find that Inn and learn anything mor about the rabbit folk.’ Knowing is half the battle’ as they say.”

(many legs, see spoiler). Fa'ame is able to find the inn after 2 hours of searching.

The inn is a squat, three-story structure with a slate-shingled roof and worm-eaten wood walls. Dozens of tiny orbs of pale light buzz about the exterior like flies. The structure rocks and heaves while in motion, but these movements cannot be perceived from inside the inn. You catch the smell of hearty stew wafting from its open windows and see smoke rising in cottony puffs from its stone chimney.

Inside is currently 4 people, the female human innkeeper, a harengon sat alone at a table (the one Fa'ame mentioned), and two dwarves (one male one female). There is a sign at the bar Free beds, hot meals and plum pie!

 Leaping up into the Inn Moneo takes a second to get his 'sea legs' almost enjoying 'surfing' on it as it moves before going inside and finding he no longer needs to. Looking to Fa'ame he says, "What a fun place! And nice to stay high and dry for a bit," shaking off his hooves and the damp fur above them. Walking inside he walks towards the innkeeper and says, "I would love a pie if you would! Though... Did I read the sign right? Do you not collect coin for your board?"

With a deep sigh, after scrabbling aboard, Eliaanore taps Moneo on the shoulder. Leaning close, she says in a near monotone: "Get the others settled with food and lodging, then come and talk. I'll be at the table in the corner. If you don't like the answers I give, then I'll leave. Would that work for you?" 

Without waiting for a response, she proceeds to a spot not too far from the Harengon's own table. She sets herself upon the chair, clasps her hands together and waits, a deadpan expression on her face.

Moneo raises an eyebrow at the young elf approaching him, but is always happy to talk. Grabbing his pie he follows her over to a table and sits down, curious to hear what she has to say.

The elf checks to make sure the others aren't listening in, then begins:

"Right. First off. Why. You asked why I'm following. That's... actually simple. I had no idea where I was going and you just so happened to be going somewhere else. It's not perfect, but it was better than doing nothing."

She seems a bit... off, as if this is going to brooch a difficult subject.

"I'm... here to help a friend, I suppose. Someone who, up until only a little earlier, I had no clue you all were searching for, too. You call her Zybilna, though I knew her as the Lady Zybil. She helped me to-- no, actually, I'd rather not talk about that. Just know, strange furry man, er, Moneo, that though our feelings may differ on the manner, we seek the same person. To that end--" she rises from her seat and dips into a formal curtsy with her ragged orange dress "-- I offer my sincerest apologies and my assistance."

"Funny how things work out," Moneo says over a bite of pie. "Maybe we can find her together then. Though... why were you going 'somewhere else' in the first place? Jumping through a magical mirror into gods know where isn't something most would do?"