Fizzbang has slept poorly once or twice before, but that may have been one of the worst dreams he’d ever had. He accompanied Tharin downstairs, still rubbing at sleepy eyes.

”wait....keep them safe? Oh bugbear crap! I guess you’re right Tharin. Whoever is behind this probably won’t give up so easily. We’ll have to keep our wits up. Now, where can I find some wine....”

Kynortas woke with a violent start, he immediately leaped to his feet and drew his sword ready to fight what he just saw. The adrenaline coursed through his blood and his pulse was loud in his ears. The words he heard still echoed in his head. Looking around and for his target he realized he was still in the longhall and not in any immediate danger. Whatever he had just seen and heard he needed to think a moment. Did he recognize the cliffs or the hills or the large body of water? He slowly dropped his sword, slowed his breathing, attempted to slow the pounding drumbeats of his heart. Deep breaths, all the while contemplating.

Survival: 20

While Aracynth heads out of the hall and the others head in to eat the Duke and Marquess chat quietly while Lady Rhea eats in silence. As the three of you enter the room, Aracynth stopping briefly to grab walking snacks, the Duke rises from his seat and walks over to you. A small smile graces his face, but he looks haggard. "Morning, friends. I trust you were comfortable yet again. I have procured horses for you to travel back with my son and the Lady, but I'm not sure when you wanted to leave. I already spoke with the young miss and she agreed she will do her best to remember details or flashes. She is contemplating now and I figured I would leave her be until we are ready."

Harold stands at the door, his back to it, making sure it is only yourselves in the room. This small dining area is approximately 20' by 30', simple wood furnishings and a fireplace adorn it. There are tapestries on the wall depicting Ysmir, recognizable by his shining spear, and other horse lords driving ugly, hulking wolves out of a forest. Their horses breathe steam into the cold air of the depiction and the wolves run in terror, their red eyes wide in fear.

Kynortas:

Kynortas breath slowed and the pounding of his heart abated. A few deep breaths later he opened his eyes and registered these new thoughts and his surroundings. He gathered up his gear and he made ready for the day. He would need to speak to his companions. Everyone had already moved into the main hall. Kynortas went through and noticed the tapestry of the horse lords. 

"Lord Duke, could you wait a moment?" Kynortas walked over to him and unslung the Photon Javelin in a non-threatening manner. He held it in his hands to show the Duke. "We found this poking out of the ground next to the statue in Ysmir's Rest. We have determined its nature and seen that it is magical. When we were heading towards the rest we encountered several skeleton foes. One of them was a man on the back of a skeleton horse which might explain why it was partially exposed from the ground. Since these are your lands, I ask your permission to hold onto this javelin. It could be useful in case we encounter more foes of their like. Could you please tell me more about the horse lords and about this weapon itself?"

Duke Reznik Armitage looks from Kynortas, to the spear, to the tapestries, and a knowing smile graces his lips as he turns back. "Of course, good soldier. I certainly don't mind the Photon Javelin seeing action again, and I would think that Ysmir himself would relish it!" He laughs.

He stands with one leg bent, leaning on the wall, and crosses his arms. He looks up as though remembering, or praying even, before he answers. "Well, the Horse Lords were the humans here eons ago. Well before King Esvarr, well before the border wars, when the lands were feral and everyone fought to keep their tiny stretch of home safe from neighbors and enemies abound. Ysmir was a vast man, his chest thrice that of mine! He spoke highly of animals, mostly horses, but didn't fare so well with people," at this he guffaws. "He was a cattle man, through and through. Epona herself sought him out and made him her champion! They fashioned the spear together and banished the wargs from the forests. With his holy javelin he rallied troops, settled Cloverdown, or the valley that would become Cloverdown, and raised horses in these parts for years. He lived happily as Epona's Paladin until Arawn took him, leading him into the Underworld to herd the horses of the Gods for the rest of eternity. That javelin will certainly be useful! When you throw it, say treascair, which means smite or destroy, and it will transform into the light of Epona! I think it is only able to do so once every day, but still... her light is powerful and will crush your enemies with her radiance!" The Duke is beaming now and hands the javelin back to Kynortas. "The Horse Lords were my forebears and my line is descended from them. This valley has been the home of my family and our beautiful steeds for many many ages. I hope it serves you well."

"Thank you, my Lord. I hope so too. Let us head back to the others. We have more to discuss than people realize."

Kynortas walks to the table and sits down grabbing some food and putting it in front of him.

"My lady, has anything else come to mind now that you have had some rest?"

Lady Rhea looks up from her oats, stirring them idly, and smiles graciously at Kynortas. "I was wondering who would be the first to ask that..." she looks back to the rapidly cooling food, mostly untouched.

"I thought some about what you all have been asking. I am trying to piece together the flashes of when I had control of my own mind and what happened leading to it. As far as I can tell my day started out none the stranger, but my family all sat down for a large meal early in the morning. My parents knew I was headed to Cloverdown to ride with the Marquess, nothing out of the ordinary. My father, however, did say to "give the young man my regards, when you see him" which was not normal. Any other time he would have said something about making sure I stay within my position, or making sure the Marquess keeps me safe. He was more warm than normal. My mother hugged me and smiled, saying 'be back in time for tea!' but she always says that..." She looks around the room sheepishly. "But the only other odd thing was Haemisch giving me a glass of wine with breakfast. Usually we save that for mid morning, but "As you won't be around for it, we wanted you to relish the tradition." ... that was the strangest. Next I knew I had visions of wind and rain, murmurs of the Marquess, feelings of longing... for... him..." She pauses, her face turning a deep pink. "A-and lots of confusion!" She adds hurriedly. "But I think that is my best. I think that's all I know..."

"It sounds as if we need to be on the lookout once we reach Goldenrock." Kynortas says through some food. "I am hesitant to speak of this, because I do not take much stock in prophecies, but I fear that we may need to take extreme caution on the road back as well."

"We'll take the road slowly. Since we have what we came here for, we should leave after everyone has eaten and prepared. Prophesies or not, we will get the lady home."

Tharin finishes his meal and stands, waiting to aid Lady Rhea to her waiting horse.

"If anything comes to mind on our way back, I'm sure we will have time to work through it, my lady."

"You seem very dismissive Tharin. Do you not want to hear what I have to say at all? Even if it could provide us further information or clues?" Kynortas asks.

"Prophecies are for others to think about. I have my task assigned to me, and must complete it to the best of my ability. Besides, you are reluctant to speak of it. Who am I to force you to speak? I am no interrogator. Not now, at any rate."

"I've always found prophecies to be illusions formed with words." Fizzbang chimed in. "Now I love a good illusion as much as the next gnome, but it would be unwise to stake your trust in one. Still...the best illusions contain at least some element of truth. I'll hear your prophecy Kynortas, but I'll do so with more than a few grains of salt."

Aracynth listened and watched intently, as the conversation turned toward prophecy. He had rejoined the group at breakfast rather unceremoniously, and set about maintaining his weapons. He had arrived early enough to hear the Lady Rhea's recollection, and that recounting left him concerned. From there, the conversation had wended on, with Tharin growing visibly impatient at their lack of progress back to Ibben. 

"Kynortas, Tharin is right that we should ready to leave, provided the Lady herself is ready." He nodded toward Lady Rhea politely. "Would it be possible to discuss the prophecy on the way back to Ibben? I, too, would hear of it, given your sudden gravitas. But, the morning is waning fast, and the trip takes most of a day. We should remain cautious and vigilant in our duty, regardless, but why not accomplish both tasks simultaneously?"

"I shall rephrase. I am hesitant to say what I am about to and call it prophecy. I woke this morning with my heart pounding and the feeling of my blood rushing as if in battle. I remembered traveling the path back to Goldenrock Castle but at a speed which would be impossible without magical assistance. The sky suddenly turned red. Large rocks began falling from the sky and decimating the large swathes of land around me in an incredible and terrifying display. Not structure nor tree nor animal could withstand the force. I awoke after a massive voice boomed out, 'My time has come!'. I am not a man who frightens easily. Those in my group at this table can attest to that. For me to awaken violently like that after any sort of sleep is not commonplace, even after some of the things I have seen."

 Kynortas takes in a large breath. He looks at everyone at the table.

"I understand we want to get moving but I felt that needed to be said before we departed. I may not have magics at my disposal but I trust my instincts. They say proceed with haste, but caution. Extreme caution." 

Aracynth listened with growing unease as the Human cautioned against his nightmares. The similarities were striking, and almost alarming, but now was not the time, and their task was not yet complete. 

"Very well. I agree that caution should be our focus at this juncture, to return the Lady safely as we've been tasked. Keep a vigilant watch as we travel, everyone. Lord Marquess, will you be joining us for the return trip to Ibben today?"

Without turning from the Lady, the Marquess Maverick simply says "No, I will not. I believe it better that Rhea return without me to avoid further tension."

Duke Reznik Armitage then walks away from the table, turning to Aracynth and Tharin, "Friends. I will provide you all with steeds to make the journey back. I cannot gift them to you just yet, so once you arrive please send them on their way. They know the way home; but I do hope it speeds your travel. If you need anything from me again, or have news that you feel you need to share, please, do not hesitate to send word or come find me. While you are away I will speak with the Drow to find the source of disturbance in Ysmir's Rest."

The Lady also turns to you all, now munching on some bread finally, "Yes, and I have some ideas for what to do once we reach Ibben. We can discuss along the road. By horseback we will arrive in less than half a day."

Turning and saying their goodbyes the Lady and Marquess embrace, whisper something to each other, and walk out to the yard. Once you are all outside Harold approaches Aracynth, "This was trying to find its way into the Longhall. I believe it is yours." He hands you the Silver Raven you sent out to Duke Oglethorn.

In the yard there are two large warhorses, a bay stallion, a lithe pony, and a black mare all saddled and bridled. One of the large war horses bucks when it sees Aracynth, whinnying and shying away. The other bends its neck and looks him in the eye, a huge, gray mare accustomed to large riders. She snorts and raises her head back up, waiting patiently. The shied horse, a well groomed doeskin gelding, regards Kynortas but does not move. "This one is not used to foreigners, I apologize." The Duke states. "He will serve you, but you may want to lead him slightly away from the Dragonborn. My sincerest apologies if he spooks once more. He's young. The pony, though small, is quite quick. He will be your mount, master Moldywart!"

Lady Rhea walks up to the bay stallion and pats its nose, "I thank you, Yarrick, for leading me despite my not knowing what was happening. You're a true friend." The horse nuzzles her and snorts quietly.

"I bid you all safe travels, and I certainly hope that whatever fears you may have on the road are allayed by nonoccurrence. Make haste, make peace, and make safe, friends." The Duke adds once you are all mounted. 

Once you have written your parting words, if any, and stylized mounting your steeds please roll another skill challenge. I ask you not to use the same skill you did on the previous travel to Cloverdown, and it must be something you are proficient in. This time, since your horses are much quicker than your legs, roll only 3 skill checks per character. You are taking the same road back, so it should not be difficult to remember the way.

Kynortas held out his hand for his mount to smell. It pushed its nose into his hand after a few sniffs. Kynortas stroked the velvet nose and stroked the horses neck. His mount was young, but definitely trained. He stroked the horse as he walked around his mount and looked at the gelding's flanks and hooves. Well cared for, well groomed, and strong. He would be a good mount. Kynortas mounted and salutes to the Duke and the Marquess. This still bothered him but he would just be sure to be ready. Grabbing the reins and turning the horse he directed in on the path out of town. He spurred his mount on and took the lead of the group.

Kynortas had ridden before and was trained. It had been a long time since he had ridden. He enjoyed the ride, but was focused on staying in his saddle and making sure he was in control of the ride.

Athletics: 19 7 10

Tharin looked to the Lady to make sure she was firmly in place.  After a quick glance about to make sure there were no followers, he mounted the black mare.  He took up a position behind Lady Rhea and rode silently, looking out as they made their way back to Ibben.

Perception: 23  11  18  25

Even Fizzbang had to admit, the pony was rather majestic. He shied away from the abominable destriers the others rode, massive unknowable creatures, but he felt a certain kinship with the smaller creature. Even with mounts the trip would be long enough. Long enough to be dreadfully boring, especially given how utter dour and serious his travelling companions had become. Fizzbang resolved to lighten the mood a little. If not for his sake then certainly for the sake of Lady Rhea. How dreadfully dull she must find all of this!

Ah, yes, this would do nicely! A card up the sleeve here, a coin tucked behind an ear there...and maybe an illusion of a chocolate pie to throw in Tharin's face...on second thought, he didn't seem much like the joking type. But comedy is a cruel mistress and ol' sourpuss would make the best punchline...

Sleight of hand 2414157

Dex 18

Tharin ducks underneath the pie as it suddenly appears in front of his face. He looks around to Fizzbang and tosses his waterskin, over his shoulder, spraying the halfling with water.

"You looked like you could use a bit of cooling off there, Fizz."