"I don't mind you asking at all", 'Tace' replies. "However there is not much I can tell you without risking the wrath of the Commandant. Suffice to say the person we speak of is of interest and news of his whereabouts is greatly desired. But no, I am aware of nothing to suggest that this person has done anything similar before, if it is indeed one and the same".

He walks around the tree in his search, and whilst on the opposite side out of sight and with sound dampenedwarms his clothes and then his raincoat, before moving to stand in the alcove. He takes off his raincoat, giving it a shake and seeing how saturated his clothes are.

He looks up at Emma, "You know these woods better than I, if you know of a source of dry wood, do tell. Or something I could use to give you shelter. And while we are talking, what must you have imagined?".

Whilst Emma answers he turns his back and removes the mask, allowing him to shake some water off and squeeze the water from his hair if it is wet.

Why did I volunteer to stay here in these conditions again? Even Tus is starting to feel appealing.

Arren's eyes shift to the chair beside the Commandant and the Lieutenant—the one he'd occupied not long ago. Don't even think of it, Arren. If you sit down, your body won’t want to stand back up again.

Then his gaze moves toward the door to the room where Olive and his family must be resting. I need that root.

Finally, he turns his focus to the Commandant, and to the Lieutenant. Think straight, he tells himself.

"He's still in the forest. With Emma. I need to return as soon as possible. She's…" He trails off, then lowers his voice. "The stories were true. There is a monster. And the monster is her. We saw her transformed. We had to fight her. And we managed to subdue and restrain her."

He breathes in. "Apparently, something happened when that 'BS' came to Ersta to help her and Hector. Emma confirmed meeting him—a pale, dark-haired Levickan Elf. But she can't remember anything related to him beyond that point. Not even his name. She says that it is as if that particular moment has been erased from her mind. And when we mentioned 'Breithe Staidear', she didn't react. She didn't seem to be lying. Just… frightened."

Arren pauses.

"I need to go back," he repeats, "She injured us both. The so-called Etanan hunter gave Olive a root—something they said would help if the creature happened hurt him. We know it's a long shot, but the Corporal and I may both need it. Maybe Emma too."

As he speaks, Arren's gaze flicks between the Commandant and Lieutenant Tireur, but at this point he addresses her directly.

"Ma'am, after what we saw, what we fought—I don't think we should leave Ersta in the morning. She's too dangerous when transformed. Stronger than me. Faster than the Corporal. We managed to beat her because we are highly skilled in combat, while Emma isn't, and because, even if transformed, her body is still that of a Human. Which means she can't see in the dark, while the Corporal and I both can."

He draws a breath. "We need those reinforcements from Tus. And I think we should stay here until they arrive. Emma is extremely dangerous."

"Dry wood? Not after this rain." Emma responds. "I've gathered a bit of wood before the rain started, but the dying fire there is the end of it. There's plenty in Ersta, though - many of us use a fire for heat during the winter. As for shelter... this alcove here is the closest. There are a few other such places not too far from here, but they're most likely used by wildlife at the time."

As for "Tace's" last request, Emma stays quiet for a bit before answering. When she does, you feel like she's choosing each word carefully, speaking slowly and thoughtfully. "I don't meet your kind of Elves often. It's hard to tell with the helmet from a distance, but as close as you were, even with the poor lighting, I could see. I was surprised to see there are those like you in service in the Katton army, but beyond that..." She pauses, for a long moment, and Bryn starts thinking she's not going to finish her sentence, when she finally does: "You reminded me of him, this person who came to me back then. But they say it's harder to identify people of other races, so... maybe I'm just oblivious to your finer differences, but your eyes and your hair, they're the same. But I suppose I'm talking nonsense. Dark hair isn't rare in any of the races, maybe except the Meyen Drow."

She goes quiet for a while, and then adds quietly, and while it sounds like she's talking to herself, Bryn hears that too. "The other soldier had similar hair, too."

Commandant Nattensbarn carefully places down her quill and turns to face Arren. She stays quiet for an uncomfortably long time, studying Arren and contemplating what to say. Arren can believe the only reason she isn't scolding him for ten different things is that she already said everything multiple times before, and now searches for the optimal path forward. 

"I take it she's still alive, but subdued for now." She finally speaks, and her displeasure with the situation can be heard in every word. "How safe is it to speak with her? How likely is she to, as you said, transform again before reinforcement can arrive? Even if we find someone to head out on a horse in this storm, right now, they won't arrive before overmorrow, at best. With all the mess caused by the earthquake, it may take them even longer to prepare a fitting expedition. And if she does transform again, can you stop her again? What if it happens during daylight when she can see just as fine as you can?"

The Commandant steps down from her chair and shakes her legs a little. "You claim she is extremely dangerous, and yet you insist on staying near her. While I admire the commitment to protect the villagers here, you won't do them any good as a corpse. And even if she doesn't transform, do you plan on sitting there for several days? What happens when you finally need to sleep? Unless you have a solid plan for dealing with the situation, I'll have to see her myself to decide. Would you say that's possible?" She takes a step in the direction of the row of hanged coats, where her raincoat, along with the Lieutenant's, await them completely dry. The message is clear - she's ready to go at this moment if Arren doesn't provide a convincing answer.

Arren listens attentively as the Commandant barrages him with questions, each one striking precisely at the pain points he already knows too well. As she speaks, a couple threads in his mind wander independently. One of them—his sheer exhaustion—is the first to fade to the background. Another reminds him that he's been in this situation before. Not necessarily with the Commandant, and not always in conversation, but the feeling is familiar: pressure mounting, options narrowing, and a confrontation slowly taking shape ahead of him. His response, in all those cases, follows the same pattern.

So he holds his ground. Watches her closely. Pays attention to every word, every scenario she lays out. And when she finally finishes, he takes a slow breath and lays his cards on the table.

"Would I say that's possible? Of course, Ma'am. If that is your command, then that is what will happen." He answers her last question first.

"But do I think that's the optimal way to act right now? No, I don't." Arren tone is firm, not confrontational. "Unless you have knowledge about the kind of creature Emma becomes. Or the process that caused her transformation in the first place. Or whatever ability that Levickan Elf used, apparently, to mess with her memory. Or, ideally, some way to undo all of it. If that is not the case, then, with respect, Ma'am, I think your entering the forest would only put a greater worry in my mind."

He pauses, trying to choose how to best continue.

"So I need to ask: in this situation, as complicated as any I've faced before—do we want to take the quick and easy solution, or the slow and right one?"

"The first would take me no longer than twenty minutes. I'd reach Emma and Corporal Peite, and make a clean cut at the right artery. She wouldn't see it coming. It would be quick and painless." Arren presses his lips together. The distaste is clear. "But if we aim for the latter, then yes—we need a plan. One that's as solid as the current situation allows, with all its variables and unkowns."

"Possible outcomes of the slow and right solution? We may get intel on the person you were told to find. We protect a civilian. One who is extraordinarily powerful, yes, but innocent as well, in my opinion. You said, Ma'am, that you didn't want us to take any action you'd later have to explain to your superiors." He looks at her evenly. "So what do you want to explain? That you invested time in an investigation you believed was worthy of our attention? Or that we killed a young woman beloved by her community, adding yet another body to the list of the violent deaths involving Ersta?"

Arren pauses for longer now, pressing a hand to his forehead. His fingers drift over his left eye, where he feels—just for an instant—the thin scar that crosses it. It cuts slightly into one of the twin tattoos etched along his cheekbones. Strangely enough, the sensation steadies him.

"The Corporal and I can stay with Emma. If she feels safe, if she's not alone, that might be enough to keep her grounded. To prevent another transformation. We've got what we need to stay outdoors for a few days. We are used to that. Well, maybe the Corporal isn't, but I definitely am. As a Half-Elf, I need a longer rest, yes, but the Corporal is an Elf. We can take turns." Arren glances at Walnuts, tone lightening just slightly. "We've done this before, haven't we?"

Then, back to the Commandant.

"We're soldiers. We've been trained to endure more than most. And I firmly believe the Corporal and I are the best suited to handle the current situation—until reinforcements arrive, until we find a better solution, or until we're forced to turn to the quick and easy solution."

(ooc: I didn't think of if until I wrote this, but would taking any of the tents back to the forest be an option?

EDIT: Oh, and food+water, of course. I'm sure Emma would appreciate a bit of Zaba's stew! Arren certainly would.)

"I expected as much, but thought it best to ask. The Sergeant is my only hope for a fire then", 'Tace' replies regarding the situation with the dry wood.

As Emma is quiet choosing her words, he continues to trying shake off the worst of the now warm raincoat. In truth, even being out of the rain in the alcove with his own clothes warmed he still feels uncomfortable out in the elements. A far cry from the city streets in Levicka, where you are never far from the warm and dry.

When Emma does reply about his query to her surprise, he makes sure not to react too much. As I feared, she is an astute one. Perhaps always has been, or perhaps the monster in her has sharpened her senses.

He listens silently, right until she mentions the Sergeant having similar hair. He is a Half-Elf, that I knew. But I had never considered that the Elven half might be Levickan. Could she be right?

When he looks up at her, he cocks his head to the side. "An interesting observation. But it seems to be true that the Katton army is not so restrictive as you might think. The Sergeant in particular is proof of that".

"And yet perhaps it is not a subject openly discussed. Perhaps some people prefer it that way", he says, hoping she is as astute at reading the intent behind his words as she is in spotting his heritage. If so, she will tell he would rather she doesn't share such thoughts in wider circles. Whether for his benefit or the Sergeant's would be unclear. If not I may be in trouble.

"Tell me, have you always been so astute? Or has that come with the other changes? Speaking of which, are you able to feel the monster coming to the fore, or will it be as much a surprise to you as to me?", he asks.

As he speaks, he quickly nips across the 10 foot distance and drapes the rain coat over Emma's shoulders making sure the hood covers her head, before returning to the alcove. He is ready to evade any movement to attack him.

((Yes, you could take one or two of the tents with you. Recall, one tent fits just one person (usually used by Commandant Nattensbarn) while the other can accommodate two people comfortably, or three a little cramped... up to four, or so they say. Fortunately, Arren didn't need to sleep alongside three others in such a small tent ever since he moved to serve under the Commandant.))

Arren feels that Commandant Nattensbarn is displeased with his answer at first, though she doesn't interrupt him. Yet, as he continues speaking, her demeanour changes, although slightly, and Arren, familiar enough with reading her body language, knows he managed to convince her against going out immediately. At least for now.

"Do as you wish for tonight." She says finally as she walks back to stand next to her chair. "I'll think about the matter overnight and prepare an answer for you in the morning. So, if you're both still alive when the sun rises, I expect to see you here and ready to accept my decision. Or, if one of you must stay there, then at least the other.

"But there's one thing I believe I should set straight," the Commandant continues. "Finding Breithe Staidear is a mission which you shouldn't give your life for. I didn't even consider pursuing him before that prisoner from Tus mentioned the name, and I probably wouldn't have done anything following that either. Even if Emma knew where he was right now, I'd rather this knowledge be lost with her than one of you dying on me. A citizen who can transform into a monster and risk the lives of highly trained military personnel is no longer an innocent person, and we ought not allow mercy to cloud our judgment. As much as I wish her blood won't be spilled by my hands - even indirectly - we have our duty as members of the Katton army to protect the citizens, even from themselves."

She climbs onto her chair, picks up her quill and after a long breath, resumes her work. "Now go. Though I understand the necessity in this case, I'd still rather you and the Corporal remain together as much as possible, especially while he's in the forest next to some monster."

The Lieutenant, meanwhile, watches your conversation from his seat in silence. He raises his healthy thumb up once when he notices Arren looking at him, though Arren isn't quite sure what he means by that. Maybe for encouragement.

Also, Arren, please make a History check.

If Emma got Bryn's hint, she doesn't respond to it in any clear way.

"I don't think so," Emma answers Bryn's question, "but I've worked serving people for many years. People dine in your tavern once and expect you to remember their name, what they ate the other day, anything they told you while you were serving three other people and cleaning Wyler's puke off the counter... I was never good at those things, but it improved with practice. Cook a meal enough times and you're bound to make it taste right eventually. The features of their faces and what they liked to eat, at least those are things I can remember about most people I meet."

She stays quiet for a while, again giving off the feeling that she's not going to answer his second question, until she eventually does. "It depends. If I'm startled or experience a sudden pain, or a sense of danger... I might wake up somewhere else with only a fractured, vague memory of how I got there. But if it's just my hunger, or if it's too cold, or... whenever it isn't sudden, then yes. Maybe. I might feel it starting a little bit before it does. Or, I think I told you, sometimes it happens for no clear reason. In those times, I can feel it even earlier, but I can also mostly control it, so... maybe I'll be able to, uh, not harm anyone."

"Thank you, you're very kind." Emma says once Bryn covers her with Tace's raincoat. "It is... warm." It is a little hard to cover her entirely when her arms are stretched back and her legs stretched forward, but at least Bryn can cover her head and most of her torso.

"Interesting", 'Tace' replies. And recognising faces and features extends then to where they come from. Perhaps by asking or their accent. Or perhaps tattoos like the Sergeant maybe.

He is then silent as Emma details her awareness of the transformation into the monster. So it ranges from a little time to no time at all.

He ignores her assertion that the raincoat is warm, and focusses back on the previous topic.

"I am trying to work out the danger in releasing you. Not that I would do so before the Sergeant returns of course. You mentioned before that you did not want to live like this. I want to be honest with you. Unless this root miraculously cures you, your life will likely be lived with shackles on for the protection of others. I know you appreciate the need for that. Of course people will try and work out what is happening to you, but where magic is involved the Katton army is a little out of its depth  expect", he says directly but not kindly.

"What is it you want to happen next?".

(ooc: it was about to be a nat20, and then the die shifted to an 8 ... History: 11)

Just as the Commandant's demeanor shifts, so does Arren's, who relaxes after she finishes speaking.

"I don't intend to give my life just for any mission—least of all for a Levickan Elf I haven’t even laid eyes on," he says quietly. But even as he says this, her words plant a small doubt: is he taking this too seriously? He doesn't think so. Then again, perhaps he's too used to taking everything seriously. Either way, he pushes the thought aside, since that isn't the time for introspection.

"Thank you for your consideration, Ma'am," he adds more formally.

The Sergeant catches the Lieutenant's raised thumb and doesn't quite know what to make of it—but appreciates it all the same. Another quiet gesture, another steady show of support. The kind Liteutenant Tireur's been offering for years now. Arren isn't sure he could've managed without it.

Without wasting a second more, he turns toward the room where the villagers sleep. But before stepping in, he pauses. Turning to Walnuts, he asks, "Would you mind fetching Olive for me, Sir? I'd rather not walk in fully armed, and I don't want to waste time disarming either." Assuming he agrees, Arren waits by the doorway until Olive arrives, and keeps his voice low when he adresses the teenager. "Sorry, Olive, I can't explain right now. But would you please give me that root you showed us earlier? The Corporal and and I are going to need it. Did the hunter happen to explain how to use it? Is it edible as-is, or does it need to be brewed in water or something?"

If Olive doesn't know, Arren thanks him regardless and, if the boy hesitates in giving the root away, he insists gently but firmly that it's needed for "Ersta's safety". He'll also ask Olive—or his mother or father, if present—where to find some dry wood for a fire.

Next, he makes sure to fill his waterskin and (ooc: only if is possible to carry it easily) packs a bit of Zaba's stew to carry with him. He asks Walnuts to explain this to the cook in the morning.

Then, with a silent nod to both the Commandant and the Lieutenant and the promise that they'll see him—or the Corporal— again in the morning, he leaves once again.

Back at the carriage, Arren grabs another javelin (he has no interest in wasting time searching for the one lost in the forest), both tents, a few rations, and even the seasonings he bought earlier that same day (ooc: especially if stew wasn't an option). He also leaves his bloodstained clothes to dry outside of the carriage. She'd definitely kill me if this messes any of her papers!

With that, and the dry wood secured, the Half-Elf turns once more toward the forest. Toward Corporal Peite and Emma.

(ooc: This is starting to feel like one of those trips to IKEA, carrying way more than you initially planned! :'D)

Lieutenant Tierur doesn't know who Olive is by name, but once Arren gives a brief description of the Elf, he goes into the next room to call for the boy, leaving his firearm and scimitar in Arren's care until he returns.

Olive digs in his pocket, though his eyes are fixed on the firearm he saw the two soldiers exchange. It takes him a little too long to find it, and Arren is sure he forgot what he was doing halfway through while he eyed the firearm.

Eventually, he shakes and hands Arren the root. "He didn't elaborate. Just said I should eat it if I get hurt." He pauses for a moment to consider something. "Does that mean you fought the monster? Did it hurt you? Did you kill it? Is Emma safe now?"

As for dry wood, Olive says almost every house in Ersta has a stock, as well as some for the inn which Zaba uses to keep the whole building warm.

When Arren goes to the kitchen to check whether there is any stew left for Emma, he finds that there remaims just a little, barely a portion, but enough meat and roots that normally sink to the bottom, to satisfy most people. At least for a while.

It's possible Arren could take this portion of stee in a small pot, but that would require a hand or two to carry unless he wishes to risk it spilling in his bag. One tent can be carried on his back along with his backpack and the javelins (though the entire setup is very uncomfortable and, even for Arren, just a tiny bit heavy). Taking a second tent would require a free hand.

((As for the papers, they are locked in the carriage itself which is separated from the storage space, and requires a separate key only in the Commandant's possession.))

Please tell me what exactly Arren carries and how (Bryn and Emma have a little more time to converse anyway).

Bryn's post will be posted soon.

Emma falls silent. When she finally speaks, it is in a voice low in both volume and (slightly) in pitch. Over the rain and the distance between them, Bryn must exert himself to hear well. "What would you do? While I'm free and alive, people might get hurt. I might hurt people. I have already hurt those that were dear to me.

"And what are my alternatives? Run off to some isolated area in the Etanan desert in hopes of meeting nobody on the way and hoping to survive the harsh conditions I am a stranger to? Stay here or near some other populated area and accept that people will die until someone strong enough finally appears and kills me? Seek help and kill who knows how many on the way until I'm either cured or dead?

"Or, maybe," her voice cracks and, even without looking, Bryn can tell by the quavering of her voice that she is crying. "Wait here tied to a tree like the lowest of criminals while two soldiers can't choose what to do with me? Maybe they'll kill me at the end, after I suffered this humiliation for nothing, or maybe I'll be sent to live the rest of my life confined to a small concrete cell, shackled and treated like the lowest of scum. All of that, for what reason? I wouldn't have asked for this person's help had I known this would be the result. Do I really deserve any of this? Do you think, of all these options, death is not best for both me and everyone else? That is, unless you can find a cure for me, or otherwise lift this curse."

She goes quiet for a while again, but Bryn can hear her sobbing. It doesn't take long before she continues, not calmed down yet but with a little less fervour. "I'm glad you managed to restrain me. Despite what I said, it's better than waking over your lifeless body, your blood covering my body and flowing down my throat. And... it's not that I don't fear death. I am terrified. Whenever I ask you to kill me, my heart starts pounding and I feel, even though I'm the one asking you to, that if you only draw your blade, before you'll even raise it, I might already pounce on you. Your life against mine. But... what else can I do? If I am a monster, then I deserve an end befitting one, do I not? If I had not retained my former self in between, would you have hesitated as you do now?"

'Tace' looks at Emma with a sadness in his eyes.

"Firstly, when I suggested releasing you, I meant from the manacles. Whether you felt you would be able to restrain yourself quickly enough if you felt the change coming on. I guess you pretty much answered that as a no", he starts with a frown. There is a sympathy in his voice.

"But you are right, we don't know what to do with you. More dispassionate soldiers would simply remove the threat, but we know you are innocent in this. If you hadn't changed back, you are right we would have been just as dispassionate. That doesn't help you, I know. But we have fought the monster you became and have the wounds to prove it, and those manacles simply may not be enough on their own to stop it", he adds with a sigh.

"I know Tus prison. I was there for some time. I wouldn't recommend it. And then there is the concern that the army might be interested in such a powerful force as the monster. Might want to harness it, control it. Who knows what that would mean for you".

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give you more to worry about. All this is a little out of my comfort zone as well".

He pauses to think for a moment.

"There is strong magic at play here. The transformational magic that turns you into the monster, but also to alter your memory. What happened during that period you can't remember is likely the key, but how to restore your memory...".

He ponders what can be done, whether some sort of hypnotism or the like.

(OOC: I don't know whether Bryn would know of anything to help her remember, so will leave it up to you DM)

Inwardly, Arren can't help but smile at Olive's reaction to Walnut's firearm. The boy is clearly fascinated by weapons, and the Half-Elf feels a pang of empathy, as he remembers being just like that at his age.

Outwardly, though, his expression stays neutral. He lets the teenager's questions hang in the air for a few seconds before replying, his voice sounding calm. "You understand that this is a military investigation, and we can't share details with just anyone—right, Olive? I'm counting on you to keep things calm and quiet." He tilts his head slightly toward the room Olive just exited, trying to subtly convey why he is telling him this.

Arren doesn't answer the Wood Elf first two questions, but he does respond to the third. "My companion is with Emma now, taking care of her. I'll be joining them shortly." Then he gives Olive a short nod. "Thank you for your help."

(ooc: Arren will prioritize keeping one hand free on his way back to the alcove. So he ignores the stew and focuses on taking the larger tent and the dry wood above anything else. If I'm not mistaken, he's carrying: the second javelin and the larger tent on his back, the dry wood in one arm, which leaves his other arm free. He's also taken a few rations, the seasonings and the root, all of which go into his backpack. The bloodied clothes can stay where they were, inside the carriage's storage space.

Regarding the wood: if he can take it from somewhere other than The Three Frogs, he'll do that—the Stewpot likely has some too. So if he can take it from there instead, he will. If not, he'll take it from The Three Frogs, ideally without disturbing Zaba's sleep. He'll brace for the cook's potential anger about having less dry wood in the morning.)

Bryn, please roll an Arcana check.

Arcana: 1+5=6 (It seems the dice don't want Emma to survive haha)

Or 14 total if inspiration allowed

Emma keeps quiet, save for faint sobbing. She pulls her knees close, trying to get them under the warmed coat as much as she can while restricted as she is by the manacles.

It takes Bryn a few moments, perhaps replaying his own words in his head, unsure what and why it bugs him, before he finally realises (thanks to the inspiration) what it is. "The transformational magic that turns you into the monster, but also to alter your memory." But earlier, Bryn saw Transmutation magic at work. While he never saw such strong magic of this type at work, he's pretty sure that magic that can alter memories should be Enchantment magic. And, if it were still active, Bryn would have sensed it earlier. Strong magic or not, the schools of magic are not mere academic, artificial categorisations. And though the deeper meaning isn't entirely known yet, it is widely accepted among the researchers in Levicka that the schools of magic hold some meaning.

Therefore, Bryn concludes, there are two probable options: One, the Enchantment magic used to erase Emma's memories was a one-time spell that is no longer active. In that case, it is no different than cutting a branch off a tree. It will never regrow, but nothing prevents a new branch from growing in its stead. This is the most probable option, and unfortunately, there's not much one can do to restore Emma's memories other than somehow present them to her again.

Alternatively, the Transmutation magic that's still active somehow blocks off Emma's memories. While not usually considered possible with Transmutation magic, the magic that afflicts Emma is already not what one would call a textbook example of Transmutation magic, so there's room for hope. In which case, if it is somehow removed, her memories should, in theory at least, return to her. Unfortunately, Bryn has no means of dispelling magic at the moment, as dispelling magic is, by itself, a complex and dangerous spell. It's also possible that there are other solutions if the source is indeed the active Transmutation magic, but the more Bryn thinks about it, the more he shifts from real solutions to wishes and miracles. 

Bryn has about a minute or so before Arren arrives, so he can still ask Emma another question if he wishes. Otherwise, Emma will remain silent. Bryn will hear Arren approaching just before he arrives, so he should have time to put his helmet back on (assuming he waits until the very last moment, because I didn't see you mentioning that he puts it back on before). While he's in the alcove, he can be sure that he can put the helmet back on before Arren sees him (all this, assuming Arren doesn't try to sneak on you).

Olive clearly finds Arren's answer dissatisfying, but he still nods silently in pretended understanding before returning to the families' room. 

Arren manages to find, after a couple of minutes searching, an open thatch that covers a large pile of dry wood by The Stewpot. He can hold a few logs with one hand (and let's say he finds something to cover them with while he walks). He can either choose 1-2 heavy logs that look like they would burn for a long while, or 4-6 smaller and lighter branches that should light up easily but burn for less time, or a mix of the two.

The distance to Emma's alcove isn't great, but carrying all that he is is tiring nonetheless, to already wounded and exhausted (figuratively, not the condition) Arren. He will arrive at the alcove to find Emma sobbing silently, and Corporal Peite sitting in the alcove, but his raincoat is covering Emma's head, torso, and her bent knees. 

If Bryn did ask Emma anything more, Arren arrives just before she gets to answer him, and he may hear the end of the question if it is long.

'Tace' finally sighs, admitting to himself that helping Emma with her memories is as beyond his skill as helping her with her transformation into the monster. Maybe it is beyond anyone.

He replaces his helmet, partly in case the Sergeant returns and partly to cover the frustration that must be clear on his face to someone as astute as Emma.

His mind shifts to another conundrum.

"The Levickan Elf knew you were having issues conceiving, and knew you had placed the pumpkin on the windowsill, and even knew things had turned out badly later on. The most obvious reason is that someone else in town fed him this information. A regular visitor perhaps. Someone who might have visited the town prior to the letter, and returned when the pumpkin was on display. And then later as well when things had gone wrong. There was no monster then either, so what did he refer to when he regretted how it turned out?", he asks, partly out of genuine curiosity but a little trying to distract her and stop the sobbing.

Arren arrives hearing just the end of "Tace's" question ("There was no monster then either..."), and both Bryn and Emma certainly hear the noise of a person walking their way with metallic armour, a backpack, a tent, several logs, and a full arsenal of weapons. The amount of metal clanking is enough to make sure nobody mistakes this figure for a bear, even in the dark, as non-humanoid as he may seem with all that he carries. (OOC: Quoting from my last post: ) He will arrive at the alcove to find Emma sobbing silently, and Corporal Peite sitting in the alcove, but his raincoat is covering Emma's head, torso, and her bent knees. 

Though Bryn is mostly sure Emma heard his question, she does not respond.

As he arrives, Arren does not immediately say anything, but gives a small nod to whoever looks his way—probably just the Corporal. He doesn't know what has transpired to make Emma sob, but then again, he doesn't find that reaction strange in her ... it's actually a wonder she hasn't broken down earlier. He does, briefly, wonder if that raincoat is actually helping her, considering it must be cold and soaked through.

The silence feels heavy, but for now, all he does is begin unloading his cargo quietly—or almost. There's a tired sigh, and a slight grunt of pain, mixed into the process.

First, he sets down the dry wood—a heavy log and three smaller, lighter branches—near the dying embers. Then he unloads the tent, which he places just beside the alcove for now. Lastly, he sets the backpack next to it, then kneels to search for something inside. Arren then takes out the root, briefly showing it to Tace before tucking it into a pocket of his coat, for now. Then he produces the spare set of clothing he brought for him. "Youll probably want to change into this right away."

Provided Tace complies, Arren will wait a moment, giving the Corporal privacy to change into something that will hopefully prevent him from catching a cold—or worse. While he waits, Arren eyes Emma.

Once the Corporal is done, Arren will want to take him a short distance aside, far enough to speak privately but still within sight. (ooc: Is this possible?)

'Tace' stands when he notices the Sergeant returning, and helps make sure everything he brought is out of the rain in the alcove where possible.

"That is quite the haul, Sergeant. I guess we are going to be here a while. I am particularly glad for dry firewood", he admits. "And dry clothes", he adds when the Sergeant produces them.

"I would prefer to put the tent up before I change though, keep the dry clothes for when we have more shelter", he replies to the suggestion he change immediately.

If he finds out the sergeant brought a coat for Emma, he would retrieve his own as the Sergeant carries Emma's across to her. If he doesn't realise, he will set about helping put the tent up without a coat.

He will definitely try and avoid the Sergeant retrieving the coat, whilst not giving away he is trying to stop him.

Also, if the Sergeant insists on the tête-à-tête straight away, he will comply. The coat situation would likely play out as above in that case too.

Arren also gives Tace their two bedrolls so he can place them in the alcove for now.

To Tace's reply on changing clothes, he nods but also adds, "I'd rather we speak for a moment before that," the Sergeant says quietly, gesturing subtly away from Emma. "Give her this then, please." He points to the three pieces of clothing he brought for Emma—the dress, the overdress, and the wool raincoat—that he has in his backpack. Of those three, he hands Tace the latter. 

With that, Arren stands and begins moving in the direction he indicated, but keeps a close watch as the Corporal changes raincoats—eyes always alert for any sign of danger from Emma. He hasn't removed any of his weapons and doesn't intend to, not until he turns in to sleep.

Once they are out of Emma's hearing range, Arren quietly recounts everything he discussed with the Commandant. He finishes with: "I could get us through tonight. Tomorrow, she'll decide what happens—and I don't know what that will be. I brought everything I could think of—and that I could carry safely in a single trip. So ... focusing on tonight: we need to make sure the cold doesn’t leave us worse off. Including Emma, if that is possible. I figure not being covered in two weeks' worth of blood might help."

The Half-Elf glances back toward Emma's sobbing form at this point, and the Corporal can see there is doubt in his eyes. But he also knows that the Sergeant wouldn't be opposed to trying... if—and only if—they both consider it safe enough for them.  

"We need to figure out if she can change clothes, as that will mean removing the manacles, at least briefly. We need a resting plan for the three of us—who rests when, where, and how." He pauses,"I have to say… I'm at my limit. And you're hurt as well. But I'm the limiting factor here due to my bloodline. Finally, there's also a root we have to test."

"I'd rather have that figured out before setting anything up." 

(ooc: I think we'd better go back to the OOC thread before continuing? I'm in a sea of doubts here)