“I’m with the others on this one Tharin,” Fizzbang interjected “what harm can come from a little caution? We’ve gone this far, we might as well get back alive. I for one have no interest in being stabbed today.”

He pauses a moment to consider. “In fact, a little extra caution seems in order.” Fizzbang hops off his pony. He gives his hands a flourish and casts ‘Disguise Self’. His form changes to that of a portly dwarf with a thick braided beard and fashionable, if threadbare, clothing.

”I’ll be Roondar, traveling minstrel of little fame with a voice like a basilisk’s warble. Dwarven culture is difficult for outsiders to understand after all. I’ll take to the main gate to search out any ambush while the raven searches the cliffs.”

Aracynth nodded, retrieving the figurine while Fizzbang and Tharin made plans to scout ahead. 

"Lir ve." In a brilliant flash of light, the silver raven stood once more in his hand. "Little friend, once more, take this message straight to Duke Oglethorn. Salif. "We are one hour's ride North. Rhea is safe with us. She suggests the cliffside path. Please make sure it's secure. See you soon. Aracynth." "

As the raven departed toward the distant castle, Aracynth turned to Tharin and the 'Dwarf' as they prepared to depart. "Don't push too fast ahead friends, and at the first sign of trouble, make your way back to us. If you should reach the city unharmed, wait there. We will be following Tharin's path to the cliffs if all goes well. 'Roondar', do you have any means of contacting us at distance? If not, I suppose we can meet once more in Goldenrock once we've all arrived."

Tharin nods to Aracynth, and replies, "I can send up a signal if anything goes wrong."

He turns his horse toward the trail and gallops toward the cliffside.

Kynortas, still concerned, paused with the group. He chuckled in his head at Fizzbang's disguise. He was starting to really enjoy Fizzbang's sense of humor. He says nothing more but is on high alert looking everywhere.

Perception: 19

Pausing near the cliffside, the group has time to look about and soothe their horses. Lady Rhea feeds Yarrick and coos to him as she waits. The sky is cloudless and the sun is beaming upon you, giving you a warm welcome with your passenger safely at hand. It is approaching evening, and the light is beginning to cast long shadows to the West, providing some shadow on the cliffs.

Tharin makes his way to the cliffside and glances about. Not seeing any immediate threat, he investigates further, but the horse is unable to fit onto the path. You will have to travel single file up the cliff path on foot. Most of the dirt is worn in enough to see where to go, but the path is not obvious. It looks as though it has not seen use in recent weeks, but is a common enough travel area for some. (Make a perception check, and stealth if you wish to remain sneaky on the path.)

Kynortas sees nothing of note from his point below the cliffs. The immediate area is free of threat or passerby.

The silver raven soars up and quickly makes its way to the castle. It arrives at the tower about the time Tharin is investigating the path, giving them approximately the same timeline for scouting and delivering a message.

Perception 20

Stealth 24

 Tharin^

In the distance, a glint of sunlight on a small, flying object can be seen. It is shining brightly in the now setting sun, headed your direction.

Tharin waits until the flying object was closer, and he could see it more clearly. 

(Once he can identify it, or get a clear description, he'll make his way back to the group.)

Flitting closer now, the small, silver raven flies deftly back toward Aracynth.

Tharin retreats back to the group. 

"The path is worn from use, but there is a cave that doesn't appear to be used, and is out of reach from the path. Everything else seems to be in order."

"What does the message say, Aracynth?" Kynortas asks.

The small raven flits onto the destrier's back and opens its beak, a clear, magical message spewing forth: "Rhea! Rhea is here! We will send guards to the tunnel entrance at once! You may meet them there!"

The bird then closes its beak and sits, inert, near the saddle.

Aracynth takes the silver raven, and turns to address the 'dwarf' nearby. " 'Roondar', are you still going to head to the north city gate?" 

"Aye, my scaly-friend, I'll still go to the North gate. Take the Lady Rhea to safety along the path. I know this city like the back of my hand; I'll see if I can spot anything out of place. There's still a conspiracy afoot that we know too little about."

Besides, Fizzbang thought to himself, I'm not wasting a good opportunity for an illusion! 

"Very well." Aracynth replied, extending his claw. "I will entrust the Raven to so that you may contact us if anything should go awry. The words are 'Lir Ve' to animate the figurine, and 'Salif' to send a message. The message is limited to 25 words. Hopefully, you won't need it. Come friends, let's return the Lady to her family, and may Bahamut guide our steps." The Paladin began his horse at a walk towards the cliffs, giving the others time to join him.

Tharin waves goodbye to Fizzbang, and turns his horse back toward the cliff.

"We'll need to send the horses back once we get to the trail head. It's too narrow to go further."

Fizzbang:

 Aracynth/Tharin/Kynortas: 

Kynortas took up his position at the rear of the group and followed the rest of them onto the path. All senses on high alert.

Perception: 16

He had his spear unslung and his shield at the ready.

Aracynth did his best to keep an eye ahead of them as he followed Tharin up the narrow and shrouded cliffside. Though, he also checked frequently that the Lady Rhea behind him was not only still there and managing her own way up the hardscrabble path without difficulty. The stiff gusts sweeping up the cliffs from the sea far below were chilling, since the switchback trail left them completely exposed. He looked forward to getting the Lady safely inside the castle's grey stone walls.

Perception : 4

Fizzbang saunters through town, confident in the wiles of his new disguise. He begins to hum an old dwarvish folk song, 'Grungnir's Enchanted Codpiece', as he walks. He does his best to keep watch for anything unusual, but gods be praised, this felt good! It felt like too long since he'd whipped up a good illusion and had a spot of fun! His new companions were all well and good, but they could be rather dour at times.

Perception: 11